Friday, August 31, 2007

Negaraku

Malaysia Tanah Airku
Celebrating 50 years of Nationhood
Keep it up Malaysians!



Weird, I havent step my feet in some of these landmarks, huhu

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
Sometimes I wish we can simply value our patriotism by how loud we shout these words or how modern the buildings we build...Anyway, Im still proud to be Malaysian!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

When people had freakin lost their hope in health care

This story happens in a village in Indera Kayangan which is not literally floating in the sky but located in the Northern Peninsular of Malaysia. It all begins when an old father to three, grandfather to twelve and great grandfather to two; accidentally felled down from his chair and injured his head. As soon as he fall, he lost his consciousness, but unfortunately he was not brought to the hospital and treated as an emergency case. Instead the people that lived in the same house with the old father thought that he is going to freakin die. Probably after being consulted by the imam next door, they both (the daughter and the imam) had made a freakin decision not to bring him to the hospital, if this occur in the western world, I bet these fella can be brought up to the court and being hold responsible for the death if that’s happen. But, no. He did not die later. The news about the incident was only known by the old father’s son after about an hour later via the phone as he lives hundreds kilometers away. Through the phone the son’s had asked them to send his old father to the hospital immediately, but no, they said they wanna freakin discuss first. What the hell is the discussion for, that guy is freakin need of medical care.

So the far away son, drove the long way to see his dad, with thought that his father is going to freakin die. On the way, he got the news that the old father had regained his consciousness, Alhamdulillah, so he asked them again to bring him to the hospital but now they said that the old father refused to go. They said he hand signaled that he don’t want to go there, when they ask him (since after the incident he cannot walk nor talk). Does in this case, permission is freakin required!?

Now the far away son had arrived, and with the dogma that his dad doesn’t want medical care, he tried his best to find a doc all over the state of Indera Kayangan to diagnose the condition of his dad. Unfortunately it is Sunday and almost all docs are either busy in their clinics or busy with their vacation. But fortunately later at 5.00 pm, a doc comes to the sick old father’s house. As presumed by the writer, the doc can’t do anything as the old father needs to be hospitalized. His head is injured and the mouth region is paralyzed. He barely can swallow, as he breath through his mouth since his nose is probably injured, it is swelling. What he needs is freakin CT Scan and IV (to bring in fluid to the body). No, that’s not the doc’s words, of course the doc will say as plain as he can.

The far away son could not do anything as his dad refused to go to the hospital. Thanks to an 'ustaz', who had suggested that the far way son must follow his dad’s will, Anak Derhaka or disobedient son if he did not. Freakin doesn’t-makes-sense!

He need to be hospitalized that’s it. Im sure the old father did not comprehend what he is going through, probably he is in the state of confusion or disorientation. Suddenly he could not speak, therefore of course he has a very high concern that he will be barbarized in the hospital and die there. Thanks to the memories of his late wife (may Allah bless her soul). But I don’t think this will happen in this case, he just need freakin IV and optionally head CT scan to see where goes wrong and if he permit the necessary surgery. The freakin important thing is IV and his daily pills!

And after three days had passed, he is weakening. Of course he is, he barely can swallow anything, only few drips of water per day. Although the far way son had been persuasive to send his dad to the hospital, but he cant. Especially when other siblings kind a don’t want to send him to the hospital (they just wait for their bro’s decision). If they want too, if course they will send the old dad to the hospital right away after the incident. That is what happening in indera kayangan where many people had lost hope in freakin health care.

One of the son of the far away dad, felt quite annoyed with what is happening. He later tried to persuade his old grandfather to go to the hospital after he failed to persuade his dad. The old grandfather just looks at him without saying anything or signal out anything. Of course he cant, he is just too weak then. Her aunt then respond, “if u want to help, read Yasin near him out loud” Typical! Not that he don’t believe in such thing. The old father need freakin medical care now, asking God’s help without doing anything is not right.

Later this evening, the far away dad, felt that his dad urgently need to be taken to the hospital since he later realized that he need nutrition and the only way to get it is by taking him to the hospital. He tried to persuade the old father again, but no luck, he still refuses. The old father strongly disagrees, by shaking his head. Anyway, he has to follow his dad’s determination although its tough too.

If u can comprehend the author's feelin of helpless right now…

Prayers to the old father:
Semoga Allah mempermudahkan segala keinginannya, meringankan bebannya, dan memberikan ketabahan kepada anak-anaknya dan keluarga terdekat tatkala menghadapi saat sukar ini, Amin.

Anyway the writer doesn’t hold any grunge to the ‘fictional’ characters above. He understands that they all are wise enough to make their decision. He knows that he is just a freakin inmature who needs to let all these go away… Semoga Allah membersihkan hati penulis dari prejudis terhadap saudara pertalian darahnya.

freakin p.s. for those who knows the above characters, please keep this just with you, only for your info not others. It might be factually imperfect here and there, as it is a one sided perspective. Thanks

Friday, August 24, 2007

Malaysian, forget Malaysia truely Asia! are we truely Malaysian?

"Kamu semua tahu tak, Cina tak mandi pagi sebelum pergi sekolah, sebab tu mata dia sepet"
“You all know? Chinese don’t take a morning shower before they go to school, that’s why their eyes like that”

I heard that phrase when I was teaching at a tuition center this evening. It’s not from a student, instead its from a teacher in the next class beside mine, who is easily classified in the male's prime age (supposed to be mature enough). I cant understand why he had to speak like that in front of his all Malay student. Its immature (even though I know his intention is to uplift the spirit of the PMR candidate, to study hard - among other issue that arises). Furthermore it is not appropriate especially in Kelantan context, where it is literally hard to find Chinese around, therefore its harder for these students to mix with others. I don’t want them to get a wrong impression about other Malaysian. And its not fair to the Kelantanese Chinese since they are generally and relatively nicer compared to their kin in other states (blend in well and speak very good Malay).

I bet, that teacher’s political ideology differs than the ruling state’s, based on his ideas of nationalism which I frequently overheard when he teaches next my class. He is supposed to be the role model, not advocating racism. I later shut off the sliding door partitioning the two classes, indicating my objection.

Even though we are proud to say that we are all Malaysian, we live in peace and harmony despite the differences in culture and belief, we branded our nation as the Truly Asia! Yet I found that most of us are hypocrites.

Take a look at the pics below.


What came up on yr mind? Yr feeling?

I knew this from my university’s alumni online group. The pics and some more got into the group from several similar FORWARD post by fellow Malays who got pissed by the way she hold the pig and ‘proudly’ (quote from what they say) take pics with the animal. The group was flooded with similar post, one after another but with different title.

An example:
Anak sapa la ni…kerja ladang babi…
Whose daughter is this? Work in the pigs’ barn

What is the purpose of forwarding this email? The clear intention is to demonize this girl, which in my opinion hasn’t done anything wrong. Its not that she had choped off the pig’s head or slaughtered it, roasted it’s meat, and eat it.

It is even sadder when later, many of the group member (yup, the so called educated people of Malaysia) start leavin their comment about the pic, and demanding explanation from this poor girl. Which later replied by a university’s lecturer, explaining that she is in the Vet program of the uni. But still people cannot accept the way she posed in front of the cam and accused her on putting Islamic law behind. Its ridiculious. I learned that Muslim is just not allowed to eat its meat, we can still touch with a precondition that we clean it later as described by the scholars.

This chaos can give Islam a bad impression. Thanks to these Muslim chaotic maker.

We all tend to mix things up. I think it is the stigma. We are banned to eat its meat. That’s it. Why we have to ‘jump’, and make a big mountain over not even a molehill. Be sensitive, we live in a country, where there are others that appreciate its meat.

That’s why I said we are hypocrite. When we have the opportunity to speak up anonymously, we put aside the borders and say all the insensitive things about others without deep thinking and analysis and this clearly potrays our shallow stands in the issues . This also apply to other races, I often found racist comments by the Chinese in the internet media (the blog and its comments) and even in my blog as well like in this, this and this posts' comment section. Some are insensitive remark on Islam, which was a direct results of Muslims failed to portray the true teaching of the religion. So its not their fault either, it is also ours, that carry the Islamic image in Malaysia.

Its not that I want to stir a racial tension, but it is what we all face, really.

Take a look at the ruling party, they themselves portrayed the similar issue. When one of the subparty declared that we are an Islamic nation, but then the other sub denied it. See, their understanding of our constitution is also clearly apart. It is not a surprise that the peoples they rule, themselves have the common misunderstanding, hypocritical stand in few issue.

The recent popular arguments, Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Melayu. My views? I don’t care! Even after we had changed our school’s name frm Sekolah Melayu to Sekolah Kebangsaan, still some despise these schools and choose vernacular instead. It is not about the branding! Not that I blame this to only nonMalay, we shouldn’t just look at things superficially, try to understand, why there are such reluctance. Is it the way the school being handle? Is it their teachers? (I’m sure the example at the top can influence in someway). We need more than, just accusing people being unpatriotic because they don’t want to follow 'the national custom'. Why don’t we all embrace all custom, don’t limit us just to the so called national Identity.

Luckily we all are very nice people, rarely causes any real problem, despite the issues and disagreement hidden beneath our friendly faces.

50 years had past…

I think we are lucky, living in a 'dream nation', but we all have to stop day dreaming and face the reality somehow. There are still lots of issues that need to be straighten up, esp. when the scenario still permit such discussion, fix where possible, before its too late!

Selamat Menyambut Ulang tahun yang ke-50, its time to bring it to the next level, Mutual-understanding is no longer enough…

p.s. I sometimes sense that we are seriously being attacked and poked by non-Malaysians esp. some of our ‘neighbors’, which have their own agenda. I think there are peoples that loath Malaysian peace and will do whatever it takes (thx to the www anonymity) to destroy the current state of serenity. So beware fellow Malaysians!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Guilty of Murder

Kota Bharu, August 20th 2007 (7.40 am) - An idle postgraduate student was found guilty without trial this morning under the offense of he-isn’t-sure-which-degree-of-murder. He had accidentally killed his cat (one of the newborn) while reversing his car out of the porch to send his sister to school which started at 8am that day. The incident occurs due to the false impression of the driver that all his cats have been removed from the pathway by his sister who was earlier waiting outside. The accident occurs so fast, and the kitten died on the scene simultaneously. Not only that, he was also yelled by his mother (it is so loud that he thought all the neighbors can hear he was being scolded), who was mad at him since he is in a hurry as he woke up late (after his Subuh prayer nap) that morning because he slept a bit late last night chatting with a stranger about Hizbu Tahrir (the stranger is one of the member).

The offender was reached for his comment about the incident while he was burying the kitten after he went back from sending his sister. With tears going down his cheek he said, “I take full responsibility over the dead kitten (May Allah forgive me), there is no point on blaming others. Although I am a bit frustrated being scolded like a kid, I accept it, she is just doing her job” "I never reverse without checking the car's under, but I didn't do that this morning, it is a mistake. I regret I did not do that." He is very sad that he had killed a life, especially when the kitten is the cutest among the three. He feel that he need to apologize to Minah (the kitten’s mum) and he feel a bit relieved when he later saw Minah is acting like usual. Only Allah knows what is in her mind.

When further asked about his comment on Hizbu Tahrir (HT), he said "I cant comment in a comprehensive way since my knowledge about this movement is still limited" Moreover, the stranger failed to address some of his question (such as how this going to work in Malaysia), The stranger said he cannot give the answer now, as it doesn’t work if he describe it online.

BTW, he felt that it is a good thing that there is such movement. However he think that the movement only sounded good theoretically and he is not sure how it is going to work practically especially in Malaysian context. He added, “I am sure Daulah Islamiah is the answer to the current miseries in Muslim majority nation especially the Middle East. However, I have no idea on how this is going to work via HT’s way, as I never heard of such movement before, it’s not even a real political party here!” He also promised to do his research on this by watching all the vdos and infos given by the stranger, and later get back to this issue, insyaAllah.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Sterile Memories, yet not cleaned

I went to HUSM this morning, to take my Hepatitis screening result. It is for my medical check up for the scholarship thingy. The health screening was done on Monday, but the result for the Hepatitis test can only be known after a week (bcos of the waitin list), but luckily the nurse expedite the process for me, I got the result today (after 3days). It is Negative.

And they also did an HIV screening on my blood which was not required in the forms. BTW, the doc asked me whether I would like to know the result, as the result is not displayed on the online system. Since the test has been done, why not?, I replied. So, the nurse went to the lab, and brought back a sealed result, Its also negative. Good to know there is anonymity in this full-of-stigma-disease screening, hope more and more people will take up the test, so that they won't spread it to others.

Alhamdulillah, I'm certified medically fit. Free from Hepatitis and HIV. Not that I'm in the high risk group. But there are possibilities for us to get these viruses even though we don't engage in the common you-all-know-what-activities that increase your risk of getting these deadly diseases. But having experienced being hospitalised, does make me a bit concern about this. You know its not a very safe place and accident can occurs. Luckily I was spared.

Speaking about accident, I had once in 2001, which is quite an awful mishap actually. The collision between my dad's boon-siew-honda with a car, causes part of my right hand skin tore apart exposing my bone. Its eerie when I think about it again, but at that moment I didn't feel any pain actually, I even managed to pick up the bike, and move it to the road side in the middle of the busy road, thanks to the adrenaline rush, funny somehow. Two nice peoples brought me to the hospital. As it is a government's, they only sew it back after 3 hours. I was only an after pre-uni student at that time, it happens during the break between pre-uni and my 1st degree. I didn't say much that time, only wait for them to do their job, how unlucky. Some nurses in the ward are extremely furious when they attend the patient, lucky, they are nicer to me since later they knew I am a future health sc student. Very bias.

And today after about 6 years, I complaind to the doc attending my health screening, about the foreign materials I recently felt under my skin in the injured region (of course after I've been certified medically fit), she send me to the x-ray room, and they found that there are small pieces of glass scattered around my hand. I am shocked to see the x-ray film myself, I thought its only one, but its more than 5 pieces of tiny glass. Shit, why they didn't removed it during the after crash surgery, damn it. (Well I didn't swear verbally). The doc said probably bcos of the severity of the injury, makes sense, but with my limited knowledge about medicine back then, I do realise I was not treated in a proper way, but I didn't make a big fuss bout it, it is past).

Back to today's story, So the nice doc scheduled me with an orthopaedic next month. Another surgery mayb. Dont feel sorry for me, I am used to surgery. I already had two after the crash, one is to reconstruct the scar by a plastic surgeon, (luckily I was studying at one of the best university hospital in the country, so its all free and from the best) Anyway the scar is still there, but the appearance is greatly minimized. Another surgery was done to remove 3 small pieces of glass 2 years after the surgery. And I had endured series of injection after the reconstruction surgery, the plastic surgeon injected the scar region with a kind of steroid to minimise the scar appearance. So I'm not really scared with needles and docs n hospital. I'm used to it and have fair enough knowledge, so I do understand, comprehend and not that scared. Please don't pity me, OK?

My advice to my dear reader regarding our Government Hospital (based on my experience and my observation), NEVER go to these hospitals, if you are not knowledgeable (medically), since the doc will treat you like you cannot comprehend even a word from him (the docs wont say anything really). I know the doc's huge work load etc, but it doesn't hurt if the doc explain it in a simple way, I'm sure people can understand. Rather than, giving the silence treatment, and people misunderstood it. I had experienced a lot of these when I went back to my villages (the place of birth for my mum and dad). Because of the reluctance of these docs to explain things, people tend to take the alternative instead, which is meeting the bomoh etc, instead of taking the required treatment. Some bomoh is full of bullshit, seriously, black-magic or kena-buat-orang is usually the causative of the illness, not that I don't believe in these things, but Dr Harun Din had made a statement that there is no single human being can know the hidden stuff or the perkara ghaib, even our Prophet Muhammad PBUH don't know things beyond his senses, unless he was told by Allah.

And the result of misunderstanding the modern meds is unnecessary death. Yup its fate, but when there are ways to spare it, the death is not supposed to happen. And by eliminating peoples' believe in science based treatment, people tend to belief in khurafat and syirik based methodology, because in time of despair, people will do whatever it takes. Which is worst.

I had once go through this silly public health system when my close family, which is my grandma (may Allah bless her soul) pass away due to colon cancer few years ago without the families (even my dad) knowing the cause of death initially. I only knew it is due to colon cancer when I read the death cert. Thanks to the docs, which had zipped their mouth starting from my grandma's admission to the hospital (her stomach was bloated that time), to surgery and to few days unconscious in ICU till her life ends. Its fate I know. But this type of cancer needs years to develop to this stage. Again thanks to the docs at general practitioner or the clinics, that don't done/recommend any necessary screening during the cancer development, instead they prescribed kinds of pain killer and eventually to the steroid based med without prompting any caution. No offense, but I think this is how the health system works in Malaysia, I know there are good docs, but I haven't found any in the gov hospital, nothin compared to the university hospital (probably I am having a better treatment because I am one of them, mayb).

And it is also doesn't hurt if the docs treating my grandma (may her soul rest in peace) tell her son and daughters the cause of death, so that necessary cautious can be taken, as some diseases have genetic causative, meaning if yr parent have it, you have higher risk of getting it. Therefore the children are well informed in this, So that they can take the available preventive measures such as periodic scanning etc, right?

Enough blabbering I guess, nothing gained from it. The only way to improve this is to take part in the system and change it. InsyaAllah soon!

p.s. just remembered! about a nice General Hospital (GH) Doctor. He is a GH ophthalmologist that had performed a cataract surgery on my mum's eye at a private hospital (he work part time there), I wrote about this before, the link is here. He is not just willing to explain, but also charmin (my mum said so) And is still single (My sister in law's mum works at the GH, she knows all the gossips). So for singles out there in KB, you can try pretending having an eye complication, and go to the GH, lucky, you'll be scheduled to meet him. Yes he is a Kelantanese (an important aspect for Kelantanese)

Saturday, August 11, 2007

My Twisted Love *updated KBMall PC Fair Kelantan


HP Pavilion TX1000

Read review by the professional here



My review:
Pros: the design, tablet (u can write on the screen, but its not very sensitive, need to press a bit harder than normal writing on paper); finger print reader; remote for media; plus almost all other things usually on normal notebook
Cons: like i said the touchscreen is a lil insensitive, but still alright, very useful for research student, as they will spent large amount of time reading journals digitally; can get pretty hot but not burning hot; Vista OS (hv few problems, normal microsoft thingy, is it a conspiracy?); no international warranty, only Asia Pacific; quite thick, but not that heavy.

It is now retaild at August's PCFair at RM2999 (for AMD Athlon X2 processor model, not the Turion, Turion is at RM4999, other specs are the same). I just wanna share this great deal. I almost going to spend 5K for it, Alhamdulillah I did went to Penang's PC Fair, and found about this there)

I think you can still grab this twisted beauty at venues below from HP's authorised reseller, HP only hv booth in KL's PCFair, which was held last week. I grab mine at Penang's, from one of the reseller, which v.nicely throw me a free HP carrying case along with this great deal (anybody wanna buy the bag, let me know, im going to put on ebay in few days).

The next/current PC Fair venues

10 - 12 August 2007
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Johor Bahru City Square, Johor
Jalan Wong Ah Fook, 80000 Johor Bahru
Stadium Indera Mulia, Ipoh, Perak
Jalan Stadium Perak, 31400 Ipoh
Central Square, Sungai Petani, Kedah
Jalan Kampung Baru, 08000 Sungai Petani
Dewan Sri Mentakab, Pahang
Mentakab, Pahang

16 - 18 August 2007
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

KB Mall, Kota Bharu, Kelantan
Jalan Hamzah, 15050 Kota Bharu
Terengganu Trade Centre, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Padang Hiliran, 21100 Kuala Terengganu

17 - 19 August 2007
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Mahkota Parade Melaka
Jalan Merdeka, 75000 Bandar Hilir, Melaka
Star Parade, Alor Star, Kedah
Jalan Teluk Wanjah, 05200 Alor Star
Dewan Merdeka MP Manjung, Perak
Jalan Pinang Raja, 32040 Seri Manjung


This is a must have notebook for college students esp the postgrads, its the cheapest Tablet u can get, most Tablet sell at a whopping retail price of 7K and above (Fujitsu, IBM etc)

p.s. I did went to the Kelantan's PC Fair this evening. This deal is not available here based on the HP's pamplet. Just wanna let you know.
Prbbly u have to checked it yourself at the PC Fair, bcos there is a booth I didnt visit, which is owned by the person I quarelled with in this post.