End of another year

How fast time flies. Already we are at the tail end of 2006. The new year is just around the corner. How did 2006 fare for me? I'll blog about this after we begin the new year, insya-Allah.

As for my hope and resolution for 2007, I try to be realistic. I hope things will become better (in all sense of the word) and whatever that is that I can change for the better, I resolve to do it.

Too vague? Doesn't matter. What matters is that we strive to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today.

Muslims will also be celebrating Eid ul-Adha (Hari Raya Haji a.k.a. Hari Raya Korban). I will be driving up north for this Eid. Although this year I'm not participating in any sacrifice, I pray that the spirit of al-qurbaan will not escape me.

So, to everyone, a happy new year and to all Muslims, Eid Mubarak.

P.S. I'll most probably be offline until Wednesday. Time for me to take a short break.

Broken link

The 7.1 magnitude on the Richter scale earthquake that hit Taiwan really shook many parts of the world, though not literally. Perhaps for the first time in the relatively brief history of the Internet, many people experienced the inability to access it. All because the earthquake damaged the undersea cabling system needed to get connected. Details on this here, here and here.

For me personally, it was an annoying experience. Fortunately though, I could still send files through the e-mail system although the free web-based e-mails are mostly inaccessible. In any case, yesterday's experience certainly draws out an important and salient point. We have become very dependent on technologies such as the Internet, and when it fails to deliver, we find ourselves panicking.

On the bright side, I managed to finish another chapter of my second novel because of the inability to use the Internet. This makes me wonder however. If there was no Internet, could I have gotten more writing done? Hmmm...

Beyond 2000

It looks like my blog has hit the 2,000 visitor mark. And now that 2007 is just around the corner, what do I have in store? Frankly I'm not sure what to expect for the coming year. But in terms of blogging, I will definitely continue to do so. For some reason, I find it comforting when I put down my thoughts on the blog - probably just about the only thing (or one of the very few things) that keeps me sane with all the insanity going around us these days.

Preserving the delicate balance

Today marks the second anniversary of the tsunami that devastated much of Southeast Asia, South Asia and parts of Africa. Malaysia was not spared as parts of the west coast of the Peninsular was hit as well. Perhaps, in modern history, the country has never seen such a devastation.

On this second anniversary of the tsunami, Malaysia - especially the southern part of the Peninsular - is still reeling from the aftermath of the big floods. As people are taking stock of their losses, more floods are forecasted unfortunately. While floods are almost the norm during the monsoon season especially in the east coast, this year's floods are extraordinary and caught many people unprepared. Many people are saying that the floods are a result of global warming. For instance, Martin Khor's piece in The Star certainly hit the nail on its head.

I, for one, am inclined to believe that whatever that is happening (not just in Malaysia, by the way), is our own doing, albeit indirectly. Just look at the problems around the world such as the floods and landslides in Indonesia, and the thick fog in London, just citing a couple of examples. The climate imbalance may not just be in the form of catastrophes, but also welcome changes in the weather. My former lecturer in Glasgow, John Galloway, wrote to me saying that this year's winter in Scotland has been pretty warm, which is much to the liking of the Scots.

It would probably be somewhat morbid to assume that more catastrophes as a result of global warming are on the way. Like it or not, we have to be ready for the worst. Everything in this world has been created in perfect balance and harmony by the Almighty Creator. Upset this delicate balance, and we'll end up at the receiving end of nature's wrath. What is happening now may well be the result of our own doing for the past many decades.

I believe the following excerpt from an article I wrote which appeared in the book, New Knowledge: Research and Development in the Muslim World (2004) would best conclude this blog's entry as a reminder to us all:

All natural resources and creations of God on this planet are made for mankind to utilise and develop for the betterment of this world... Man is capable of free action to utilise all resources that may achieve individual and collective perfectness... However, Islam underlines the importance of utilising technology with great care and caution so as to avoid destruction, as stated in the following verse (Surah al-Rum: 41), to the effect that: 'Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (God) may give them a taste of some of their deeds, in order that they may turn back (from evil).'

[pg. 161]

Friday ramblings

It's Friday. And I am exhausted. Anyway, just a few updates that I'd like to share here.

Blog links
I have updated the links on my sidebar yet again. I think this is the third time this week. I have added links to Dean Arif's blog, and another to Lana Alesha's blog (if you believe a baby could blog, that is). I have also removed the long list of links to universities and replaced them with a simplified one, by - duh - linking to the Ministry of Higher Education's website. And more importantly, due to overwhelming requests by friends (both cyber and real), I have added a new category of links called "Organ donation info" for links to - you got it - organ donation info.

And speaking of organ donation...
Insya-Allah, tomorrow (Saturday) marks the debut of the infomercial on organ donation I blogged about last week. It will be aired almost every day for a month on TV3. Tomorrow's slots will be during Panggung Sabtu (beginning 2.30 p.m.) and X-Mas Movie Special (beginning 12.30 a.m.). On Sunday, it would be on during Pesona 3 (beginning 3.00 p.m.) and X-Mas Movie Special (beginning 10.00 p.m.). As I mentioned, the airings will go on at other times until the 20th of January.

Much needed break
I am aware that many people will be on leave from this weekend. So, to all my friends and blog visitors, please, please, please drive safely. Enjoy your long holiday break, and come back refreshed for a new beginning and a new year. As for me, being the self-confessed workaholic that I am, I won't be taking any days off aside from the compulsory weekends and public holidays. I'll be driving back to Kulim for Aidiladha next Saturday and will come back to KL on Monday, insya-Allah. It's a short break, I know, but this is the time of the year that I could get a lot of things done because there are not that many distractions, as people are away! But I plan to take a long break some time in the first quarter of 2007 - to unwind, recharge and replenish my depleted energies.

Finally...
As I always say, keep on coming and I'll keep on blogging.

Flooded

The southern part of the country is experiencing the worst floods in 100 years with 45,000 people already evacuated, as reported in The Star. Floods are usually common in the east coast at this time of the year. Unfortunately, while the east coast states are prepared, the southern states are taken completely off guard. This havoc has been blamed on Typhoon Utor. More on Typhoon Utor here.

A blogger friend staying in Johor Bahru, Zetty, called me up last night and told me that her house was flooded. Her family had just returned from Bangkok after a holiday, and the next day, her whole house was immersed in water. She and her family lost almost everything in the house, including her father's wedding presents. [Her father just recently re-married]. Her sister, who is also a blogger, was pushed away by the strong current of the rising tide of water. The flood, at its worst, was neck-high.

Hearing Zetty's story, I am sure that it must have been a terrifying experience. I offer my sympathies to Zetty and her family, as well as to other flood victims. It is a test from Allah SWT and we must all persevere and be patient.

Tomyam domino effect

I don't comment, analyse or write a lot on economic and financial issues. Simply put, I'm not much of an economics guy, but more of a science guy. When you learn science, among others, you learn about the Newton Laws of Motion. But strangely enough, you can actually apply these laws to the economic and financial scenario of the moment.

Newton's first law states that:

Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.

Now, let's apply this to the stock market situation in the region. The Malaysian stock market was enjoying a good run these past few weeks. The upward trend shows a "uniform motion" indicating that the stock market would touch the 1,100 level. Suddenly, an "external force" is applied in the form of yesterday's crashing Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). As a result, the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) fell by 1.96%. Other stock markets also plunged, which include India, Pakistan, Indonesia and even Singapore. More on this can be read here.

Now, the knee-jerk reaction to the situation in Thailand is very much in line with Newton's third law, which states:

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

When Thailand announced its capital control measures, people panicked and started selling their stocks. This resulted in the KLCI (and other stock market indexes) to plummet. KLCI suffered its biggest drop in 5 years. Details on this can be read here.

What about Newton's second law, you may ask. The second law stipulates that:

The relationship between an object's mass m, its acceleration a, and the applied force F is such that F = ma.

The heavier the mass, the more force is needed. The stronger the force, the faster the acceleration. Let's assume that m is a country's economic fundamentals, a is the rate in which the economy rises or drops, and F is the external forces at work. If an economy's fundamental is strong and sound, the external force that is needed to bring the economy down would have to be bigger, hence any negative effects on the overall economy would be minimal. Conversely, if the economy's fundamental is weak, it'd be easier for external forces to influence the economy, more often than not, in a negative way.

Anyway, before I start to blabber some more about physics, let's go back to the issue at hand. It is understandable that people are worried because the memories of the 1997 crash are still fresh. What began in Thailand yesterday has a sense of deja-vu. If it has the same domino effect as it did in 1997, then the region will be in for another round of economic turmoil.

Way back in 1999 while writing an article for my column in The Star, I dubbed this the "tomyam domino effect" because it began in Thailand. You can be assured that if we're in for the worst, it'll be hot and spicy.

Upgraded

Blogger users are aware that Blogger has been upgraded. This new version has some interesting features that allow for a better blogging experience.

After hesitating about it for a while, all my blogs have been upgraded to this new Blogger version. I have yet to familiarise myself with all of Blogger's new tools and features, but so far it looks good and seems to be user-friendly. I have also changed my son's blog template. Other than that, I haven't made any other changes, but who knows. Only time will tell.

Meeting of the menace and the moron

It feels like yesterday when then-Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad called George Soros "a moron" and Soros calling Dr. Mahathir "a menace." So, what happens when these two meet 10 years on?

Apparently, it seems that all may have been forgiven. As Jeff Ooi noted, "there's no permanent friends, and there's no permanent enemies." The meeting focused more on the importance of global peace. And it is interesting to note that the two have something in common --- their critical opinions of George W. Bush's foreign policy.

The two agreed that Bush's policy of waging wars would not help in bringing about global peace. But perhaps, Tun Dr. Mahathir and George Soros stopped short of calling George W. Bush a "menacing moron" or a "moronic menace."

How apt would that be then?

Important take home message

I was in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan the whole of Saturday, chairing 2 sessions of motivational talk given by the ever-popular Dato' Dr. Fadzilah Kamsah. The first session was targeted for secondary school students, while the second session's audience were their parents. Of course, as with many other motivational programmes, there were many tips and encouragement given by the speaker.

But if there is at least ONE message that I took home from the programme, it would be this question: Have you thanked your mother for giving birth to you?

That one question hit the nail on its head. We may have thanked our mother many times before for a lot of things, but I doubt that we have actually thanked her for carrying us for 9 months and then enduring the pains of childbirth to give birth to us. Imagine if we thank our mother for this, it'll surely touch her heart and would strengthen the bond of mother and child.

So, have you thanked your mother for giving birth to you?

Blog notes

Just a note to say that I have added a new link to another blog. The blog belongs to Azhan and family. Azhan is my close friend who is 2 years my junior. He came to Glasgow in 1993 before pursuing his degree in Surrey. We have been close from day one. Heck, he was even my best man when I tied the knot. Anyway, he is now in Switzerland, and this blog chronicles his adventures in Switzerland and Europe.

Also, I am pleased to see many people reading my entry on Fikri. After I posted this entry on Friday, the number of visitors for Friday shot up to a level I've never seen before. There were 27 visitors on Friday alone, which is the highest number of visitors in a day since I started this blog. For the weekend, there were also new records. There were 17 visitors on Saturday (the highest for a weekend) and 11 for Sunday (the highest for Sunday). The average has also shot up to 19 visitors a day from 16 in a span of 4 days.

Not bad for a blog with no gossips.

From deep inside my heart

Tomorrow is the 16th of December. To most of us, it is just another day in the last month of the year. Many people would probably be looking forward to the long holidays coming up soon. But to Muhammad Fikri bin Norazmi, 16, tomorrow is a very important day. Last year, on this date, Fikri received a heart transplant. It marks the beginning of his "new" lease of life. He has been very thankful. I asked him today how he felt. And he replied, "Good. Very good."

For those who may not be aware, before Fikri received his "new" heart, he has made medical history as the first patient in Southeast Asia to receive a mechanical heart, technically known as the Implantable Ventricular Assist Device or IVAD. Fikri's story can be read here and here, among others. You can also visit his personal blog here.

The following is an account on Fikri from my own personal perspective:

I first met him last year when I was at IJN to deliver a talk on organ donation. It was just after he was fitted with the mechanical heart. I was brought to see him at his ward. I can still remember how he was - quite frail and weak from his condition and surgeries. Since then, I have been keeping tabs on his condition. On 15th December 2005, I was in a meeting at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya discussing a research project on organ donation. While we were discussing, Dr. Lela's handphone rang. Dr. Lela Yasmin Mansor is the co-ordinator of the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC). She excused herself to answer her phone, and came back in telling us that they have a potential donor. Deep inside, I prayed hoping that Fikri's long wait for a heart will now come to an end.

Indeed, it did. Not only did Fikri get a new heart, but other patients also benefited from the donor, including a policeman who got a lung (the first lung transplant in Malaysia). This past few months, I've been communicating quite regularly with Fikri using YM.

Frankly, knowing Fikri has left a huge impact on my life. I've been involved with organ donation campaigns for the past 8 years or so, but it has always been something "academic" to me. Not until I met Fikri did I realise how serious it is for us to come forward as organ pledgers and hopefully, donors. Now, whenever I speak on this issue, it comes from deep inside my heart, not just from the top of my head.

Since Fikri got his new heart, I've not seen him in person, that is, until last Wednesday when we shot the infomercial on organ donation to be aired over TV3 soon. It's indeed heartwarming to see Fikri doing very well. And I pray that he will continuously be healthy and would live life to the fullest. I wish him all the best of health and the best in his future undertakings.

Happy 1st anniversary, Fikri!

Right here waiting

I used to listen to "Right Here Waiting" when I was in the UK. For those not in the know, this is the title of Richard Marx's hit ballad. Somehow this song strikes a chord in my heart. Don't ask me why though. I have no answer to it. Besides, that's not really what I want to blog on.

Anyway, today I am feeling very happy - and relieved - as I've signed the contract with the publisher of my very first novel. You can read more about it here. Basically, all I need to do right now is just wait for the novel to come out in the market, most probably in January.

So, I'll be right here waiting, and I hope you all will too.

Increased traffic

These past few weeks, this humble blog of mine has seen an increased number of visitors. Some are of course my friends who already know that I have a blog and would therefore drop in from time to time. Others are also friends who are not aware that I have a blog, but chanced upon it after doing an Internet search on things like organ donation. There are also strangers who accidentally stumble over this blog.
Since I started blogging in March, the highest number of visitors is November. There is a good chance the number will increase for December. The average number of visitors have increased from about 5 a day in October to 16 a day today. On a week day, the number of visitors is between 20 to 23 people. On a weekend, the number is around 5 to 8. These figures may be low, but to me, they are respectable, because this blog doesn't play on sensational issues or gossips and the blogger is not a celebrity.

Whoever the visitors to this blog may be, all are welcomed. I truly appreciate the continuing presence of friends here.

And as I always say, keep on coming and I'll keep on blogging.

Meeting on the cards

Way back during the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s, I used to cringe every time the then-Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad criticised George Soros. The reason was that I feared that things would only get worse with every criticism uttered by Dr. Mahathir. When Dr. Mahathir pegged the nation's currency at RM3.80 to the US dollar, things seemingly improved. While this move initially was met with cynicism and labelled as "unconventional," it has proven to be the bitter medicine that the country required at that point in time.

Ten years on, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is no longer the Prime Minister. The ringgit peg is a thing of the past. The Asian financial crisis is now a case study in the textbooks. And George Soros is... coming to Malaysia.

Apparently, Soros will be delivering an address at the Ritz Carlton Hotel as well as promoting his book Challenges to Promoting a Global Open Society. On top of this, a meeting is being arranged for Soros to meet Dr. Mahathir. More on this here.

Should the meeting materialise, it would be interesting to see its outcome. Who would have thought it possible to see Dr. Mahathir sitting down with Soros. This will definitely be one for the history books.

Public service infomercial

This is a first for me.

I got a call from the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) at Hospital Kuala Lumpur earlier today. They're shooting an infomercial on organ donation and transplantation in co-operation with TV3 this coming Wednesday. In the 40-second infomercial, they'll have several people talking on the subject matter.

I've been asked to represent the view of Islam. The others include Datin Dr. Lela Yasmin Mansor of NTRC, Fikri (a heart recipient), an organ donor's family member and Anita Sarawak (an organ pledger). I've met and I know everyone who will appear, except for Anita Sarawak of course. And speaking of Fikri, he now has his own blog. Feel free to visit and leave him a note from time to time.

While I've never been comfortable with media exposure, I agree to appear because the way I see it, television infomercial is effective in getting the message across. Who would've ever thought it possible in a million years... Anita Sarawak sharing airtime with me? Or is it the other way around? Hmmm...

Somebody pinch me.

The Last Standing Ovation

I once stated that "my weird habits were weirder than some people but not as weird as others." Apparently I wrote this in Pinky's autograph book way back in 1991. I suppose this is still true. My sense of humour can be really really crude, odd and weird - as evident from this explanation that I blogged over half a year ago.

So, would it be a surprise if I find this one particular clip funny? Close friends know that I love reading comics in spite of my somewhat academic outward experience. I especially like to follow the adventures and tales of fictional superheroes. I may not read that many comics anymore, but I still follow their stories through many websites on comics. Call it escapism, if you like.

Therefore, allow me to share the following clip which I find quite outrageous. Those who have watched the X-Men trilogy would probably be able to appreciate this more. This is one of the "weird stuff" that tickles my funny bone. Enjoy!

Something "different" to look forward to

I just got back from Utusan Publications and Distributors at Taman Shamelin Perkasa. I was there to pick up the second proof of my first novel. More info on that here.

Anyway, the sight of the proof managed to boost my enthusiasm to continue writing. I cannot wait to do the proofreading over the weekend. The 339-page Malay novel is slated to hit the market in January 2007. The publisher is UP&D's subsidiary known as Tintarona. I will share more info on this as they come in.

After having 14 academic books to my name, it's a welcome change to publish a non-academic book, even though I will be using a yet-to-be-determined pen-name. This is indeed something that I look forward to come 2007.

It's a Durian weather

Everyone loves durians --- well, almost everyone. I used to love durians as well, way back during my school days. But now, I can't seem to be able to consume this king of fruits. Apparently, when I started my university days back in 1993, I have become somewhat "allergic" to a few types of food, if consumed, would trigger a very serious problem called "migraine."

Anyway, I am not about to blog about the king of fruits or allergy or migraine. Rather, I'd like to touch on the weather we're having in the country lately.

Everyone knows that it has been raining incessantly almost every afternoon and evening these past few months. This is all well and good because it helps to wash away the dreadful haze choking our country. But in the past several days, there was no rain, instead there was an intensed hot weather especially in the afternoon. It is around this time that our neighbour, the Philippines experience the attack of Typhoon Durian. The typhoon began on 26 November and claimed over 400 lives in the Philippines.

Typhoon Durian has since moved towards Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand. Malaysia's Meteorological Department has issued warnings that the typhoon, which has now been downgraded, will cause strong winds and heavy rain in Terengganu, Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah and Pulau Pinang.

While the weather system may cause some worries in the northern and eastern states of the country, people in the Klang Valley are also experiencing some strange weather pattern. Take yesterday, for instance. Around 5.30 p.m., the sky became dark and you could see lightning striking a couple of times. Apparently, at that time there was a thunderstorm at several places in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Subang. It rained throughout the evening and most of the night, and flooded several low-lying areas, including Shah Alam.

I only got to know this from a friend, En. Mazilan, who works in Jalan Duta and lives in Shah Alam. As for people like me, who live and work in Hulu Kelang, we saw the dark clouds and the lightning, but there was no rain. It was dry and incredibly humid and hot. This is fascinating for me, simply because it's only 15 km from Hulu Kelang to Jalan Duta, and yet, we experienced contrastingly different sets of weather.

These days, the weather is getting more and more unpredictable. Even the durian season is unpredictable and quite random these days.

A reunion of sorts

I just got back from attending the 2006 Multaqa Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at the Shah Alam Concorde Hotel. I was invited to attend this annual conference by my friend who was my colleague and boss at IKIM, En. Mazilan Musa. He is now the Director of the Socio-Cultural Sector at the Malaysian Institute of Integrity or IIM for short.

Interestingly, it was a reunion of sorts for us who had at one time or another worked at IKIM. Aside from En. Mazilan and myself, Shahriza was also there. He started work at IKIM as the Assistant Programme Manager, and later upon obtaining his degree, he was promoted to the post of Research Officer at the Centre for Economics and Social Studies, which En. Mazilan headed until the end of 2004.

En. Mazilan then joined IIM and has been there since end of 2004. I was briefly under En. Mazilan when I was Fellow at the then Centre for Economics, Social Studies and Technology, before it was reorganised into 2 centres namely the aforementioned Centre for Economics and Social Studies, and Centre for Science and Technology. When it was reorganised, I was reassigned to the Centre for Science and Technology as Senior Fellow.

Since then, I left for Yayasan Ilmuwan in December of 2005 while Shahriza left for SMIDEC about a month later. While the three of us have been apart in terms of organisations, we still get in touch with one another. The rare opportunity to meet up at the conference was indeed a pleasant one, what more with the presence of 2 colleagues from IKIM, Puan Siti Fatimah and Azrina.

It was a good opportunity to catch up with old friends talking about old times, although the time spent may have been brief.

That time of year again

It's the school holidays. It's also the time for weddings. I've been getting a number of invitations, and attended two weddings yesterday.

But I do notice a trend when it comes to wedding invitations.

When we graduate, we receive a lot of wedding invitations from our friends. When we begin our career, we start receiving wedding invitations from colleagues. When we reach the age of 30, we start attending weddings of children of our bosses. When we're in our 40s, we will begin to attend weddings of our friends' children.

And as a friend realistically put it, around that time, we should prepare ourselves for funerals as well.

Suddenly I'm beginning to recall scenes from "Four Weddings and a Funeral."

Did anyone feel it?

Bernama reported that northern Sumatera was hit by an earthquake. Some parts of KL, PJ and Penang felt the tremor around mid-day today. Anyone felt the tremor? I must have been submerged in my work that I didn't notice it until I read the news report after the Friday prayers.

Fortunately, no tsunami is expected out of this 6.6 on the Richter magnitude scale tremor.

Anniversary

Tomorrow is the first day of the last month of this year, and I just realised that tomorrow is my 1st anniversary working at Yayasan Ilmuwan. It didn't feel like a year, probably because of the workload. People say, the more you do, the faster time flies.

How time flies indeed.

Who am I?

My friend, Izza Aripin, asked in her latest blog entry, "Who am I?"

As a response, perhaps this article I wrote which was published in The Star in May 2000 would help Izza to answer her question.

Can someone explain?

This is something for the X-Files or Twilight Zone...

I am in the middle of collecting articles from writers for a new book I'm co-editing with my boss. To my dismay, I seem to be having some problems with my e-mail. I can't seem to receive e-mails with attachments if the sender's e-mail addresses are from Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. However, I don't seem to have any problems with other people working at other places.

What bothers me (as well as the senders) is that the e-mails sent are not received, and the sender did not get a delivery failure notification. So, where in the cyberworld did the e-mails disappear to?

Could anyone enlighten me? Or better still, does anyone know how to rectify this ridiculously annoying problem?

Memories past

My old friends from school just set up a Yahoo Group so that we could get in touch. Although we have yet to meet up, we have been sending messages and posting photos.

Today, an episode of my past was put up on the group. The group moderator, Sreedharan - or Sree, for short - found some old photos taken in 1990 of us acting in a drama, which I was the director and producer. For the life of me, I had totally forgotten about this episode in my life. Sree sure did manage to stir some "fun and crazy" memories that we went through as a class. Having said that, I can't remember what the story was about, but I do remember some characters - a medicine man (played by Chee Hong), a witch (played by Paul Raj), a bad guy (played by Ariff Murzali), the hero (played by Sree) and the heroine (played by Maya Syahira). I was in the play as well, but I can't remember what my role was.

Talk about getting old. And looking at the photo, I cannot believe how skinny I was. Or a more appropriate question would be, how much weight I've put on since!

Hehehe... talk about good old memories. As long as you cherish them, they'll bring a smile on your face.

Same topic different station

I knew about this some time last week, but decided to keep it to myself until it is confirmed. Tomorrow at 12 p.m., I'll be appearing live on Wanita Hari Ini over at TV3. The topic of discussion? With me as guest, one can easily hazard a guess that the topic would be organ donation. This will be my third appearance on tv this month talking on the same issue. Only difference this time is that I won't be alone as I'll be one of 3 panels, one of whom is Datin Dr. Lela Yasmin Mansor of the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC).

So, what can I say more? Just stay tuned.

Relocating

Yayasan Ilmuwan was informed by the landlord a couple of days ago that we'll have to move out from the current office. The Yayasan occupies a small corner of a huge office block which is otherwise empty for the past 4 years or so. The whole building apparently has a potential buyer who wants to convert it into a private college's branch campus.

Therefore, for the past couple of days, the Yayasan's executive chairman and I have been busy scouting and viewing potential locations for our office. It's a bit exhausting and somewhat tedious, but it's something that needs to be done.

We have viewed 7 potential locations at 3 different buildings in Kuala Lumpur. It is almost certain that we'll be shifting to the one situated at AmpWalk at Jalan Ampang. Unless something else turns up, we'll be moving there in December.

As I type this, I am looking at the books, journals and magazines in my room. The last time we moved, I needed 12 boxes to squeeze in all my stuff. I wonder how many boxes I need this time around?

Relocating is not something I really look forward to. *Sigh*

Googled

Google as we all know is a popular search engine for the Internet. As a result, the terms "googling" and "googled" are now quite commonplace. People use search engines such as Google to search for stuff.

One thing some people do is that they'd google other people. Say, for instance, you hava a new boss, but you haven't a clue as to who he or she really is. So, the more tech-savvy among the staffs would "google the boss." Another example is when a new neighbour just moved in next door, and you want to know who your neighbour is, so you'd "google the new neighbour."

Of course, as pointed out in a comic strip - "Zits" if I recall correctly - googling other people would sound disgusting to the less tech-savvy amongst us. And of course, not to mention googling also involves issues on privacy. How much of your life can people trace by googling you? Which part of your life is in the public domain of the Internet? Do you want people to know who you are by simply googling your name?

This blog entry comes about after reading Pinky's response to one of my previous posts. She asked me whether I've googled myself. The thought of googling myself left me giggling, which lead me to blogging about googling. [Phew! That's a mouthful]. And by the way, don't forget to visit Pinky's blog.

The answer to Pinky's question is "yes." I do google myself from time to time. Why, you may ask. It's only logical, actually.

I write a lot of stuff. My writings appear in many places, locally and internationally. The issues that I write on are often stuff that people consider sensitive or controversial to a certain segment of society. For instance, organ donation among Muslims, genetic engineering as well as the harm reduction programme to combat HIV/AIDS. These are some of the big issues being discussed among Muslims.

And when you write on big issues, you'd want to know what kind of responses you get, who reads what you write, and who or where your writings are quoted, cited or republished. That is why I google myself.

And because I write quite substantively and being quoted here and there quite a lot, especially in areas that lack Islamic input such as the three aforementioned issues, googling my name would result in at least 7 pages of unrefined search results. The simple reason for this is because the majority of what I wrote could be found in the public domain. And also, it's quite easy to obtain results from googling my name as it is not a common name. I have yet to find anyone else with my name and spelling.

Admittedly, it is somewhat fun reading what people think of what you wrote or said. In this day and age, gauging people's opinions are quite easy. Of course, not everyone agrees with you, but this is normal. Differences of opinion are welcomed, so long as we be civil to one another.

So, have you googled yourself lately?

Green fingers

I was at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park (MAEP) in MARDI, Serdang yesterday afternoon to chair a seminar organised in conjuction with the Malaysian Agricultural, Horticultural and Agrotourism (MAHA) Exposition 2006. The seminar went very well, and I was very happy with the way things turned out. Being a regular at many many academic seminars, I must say that the outcome of this particular seminar which tackled the topic of "Islam and Genetic Engineering" was very positive.

On a side note, may I suggest that everyone visit MAHA. From where I was yesterday, the expo was impressive and attractive AND educational. There were thousands of people yesterday, and more are expected to be there on a daily basis until the last day which is this coming Sunday. I love gardening, though I've to admit I've not been doing much gardening this past year or so - hence, the opportunity to be at MAHA was certainly something that I cannot simply ignore. Even if gardening is not your cup of tea, if you have the time, do have a visit, and I'm sure you'll leave feeling satisfied.

I know that I was satisfied yesterday so much so that I'm even thinking of going to MAHA again this weekend.

Stuff made for Hollywood

I find it rather disturbing upon reading the "daring raid" news in Penang where RM47 million worth of computer chips were stolen. I hope that the culprits are brought to justice, and the goods are recovered. This kind of stuff while may look good for a Hollywood movie, will hurt the country's image.

On a related note, as my interest on this story beginning to perk, I started googling the Internet. I found this piece of news which took place in January 2003 at London Heathrow Airport. It's quite interesting to note that there are certain similarities to the raid in Penang, thus bringing a sense of deja-vu. Only difference is that the thieves raided an airplane and not an airport cargo complex. But the stolen goods were computer chips and worthed millions nonetheless.

I wonder if the thieves got this idea by googling the Internet?

Volitional chronic sleep disorder

Continuing my blog on the danger of lack of sleep. This condition for most people living in fast-paced societies is a lifestyle disorder, known as the "volitional chronic sleep disorder." It is intriguing for me to read the article entitled "Rest... it's required" in the Sunday Star yesterday. Some points from the article I'd like to share:

• A psychiatry journal, the Archives of General Psychiatry (February 2002), came to a conclusion that "short sleep can hasten the arrival of the inevitable long sleep."
• The best amount of sleep is 7 hours. The worst is less than 4.5 hours. Too much (more than 9 hours) is also bad.
• Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (7 December 2004) found that lack of sleep prompts the decrease of the hormone leptin (crucial in signalling satiety) and the increase of the hormone ghrelin, thus increasing appetite. According to the study, "Chronic short sleep is the royal road to diabetes and obesity."
• Yet another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (16 August 2006) found that those who sleep less than 5 hours per night were 5.5 pounds heavier than those who slept an average of 7 hours nightly.

So, there you have it folks. We have scientific proofs that inadequate sleep is unhealthy, leads to a number of chronic health problems, and can even shorten your life span.

Mental note to self: Must get enough sleep... must get enough sleep... must get eeennoouuggghhh zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Rest assured?

Yesterday was perhaps the most exhausting day for me in quite a while. Having only slept for about 2 hours the night before, I came home yesterday with fatigue, muscle cramps and dizziness, though strangely enough, without feeling sleepy. Having said this, I still have enough energy to go out shopping for groceries after dinner.

Not enough rest is an on-going problem for me. Many have labelled me as a workaholic, because of the amount of time I spend on work. When I'm in writing mode, I can go on writing for 5 to 6 hours non-stop. Perhaps, to a certain extent, this habit is beginning to take its toll on me.

I happened upon an article in Reader's Digest this morning that touches on sleeping. I'd like to share some bits of the article as food for thought:

Studies have suggested that too little sleep may increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression. Getting a good night's sleep is one of the simplest things you can do to stay healthy... A good night's sleep means waking up rested and energised... We're so busy that we just don't have sufficient time to get the sleep we need... we're sleeping less than we should... Not getting enough sleep can compromise your immune system (because) the immune system works best when you sleep...

[Tacio, H.D. (2006). "Sleep Tight, Sleep Right".
In Reader's Digest, November 2006: 58-62]

There you go. Perhaps I should endeavour to put sleep into my daily agenda so that I don't miss it or compromise it. I was told some time back that the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad not only looks after what he eats, but also ensures that he has enough sleep and rest every day, in spite of his crazily hectic schedules.

This is no small matter. We really need to ensure that we do get enough sleep and rest, lest we want to expose ourselves to the risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression.

I wonder if my expanding waistline has anything to do with not getting enough sleep? Hmmm...

Checking facts

NOTE:

This post has been removed. Let's await for the trial proceedings.

Thank you.

Politics sans rhetorics

For the past couple of days until this weekend, UMNO politicians are in town for the UMNO General Assembly. Most assuredly, the media will give their focus to the goings-on of the assembly. For those interested, the PM's opening speech (the Presidential's Policy Address) can be read here.

As many close friends know, I am no longer interested in politics since coming back from the UK way back in 1996. At best, I consider myself just an observer and perhaps an analyst of the goings-on.

My only hope for this year's assembly is that the politicians put aside their rhetorics, focus on real issues, and speak intellectually based on facts and not emotions.

But then, as a friend pointed out, it wouldn't be politics if there are no emotions and rhetorics.

Mayhaps it's time to change?

Better late than never

I know I promised to post this picture up many moons ago. But alas, I didn't get around to doing it until today. So, here it is, the convocation studio photo of my family.
You know what they say, better late than never.

Judge, jury and executioner

Newswise, what an interesting week it has been last week. So much has happened on the local front, that I'm sure the otherwise plunging newspapers sales have picked up since last week.

I'm in no mood to give an analytical comment on any of the events that transpired last week. The only thing that I want to blog down is the incessant speculation that most of us tend to make based on conspiracy theories and hearsay.

Almost immediately upon hearing something which has yet to be confirmed true or accurate, we have this tendency to jump to a conclusion. We are also quick to condemn without checking the facts and without ascertaining the accuracy of what we hear. To make matters worse, even those reporting (for the sake of reporting a groundbreaking event), ignores the need to verify and validate what is being reported.

What is even terrible is when what is reported is still under police investigation. The way the story is projected in the media has inadvertently draw people to come to a conclusion that the person or persons involved is/are already guilty. The police are still investigating the facts. No charges have been made as yet. The case has not even been brought to court to be tried. Yet, in the eyes of the Malaysian public, who just loves juicy gossips, the implicated person(s) involved is/are indeed guilty. This coming from the same Malaysian public who wants to see justice being done without fear or favour.

In a nutshell, this is what I have to say about all this:

• Let the police do their job;
• Let justice prevail;
• Let's stop speculating, and worse still, spreading unfounded rumours and suspicion;
• If the person(s) is/are indeed guilty, let he be punished in the court of law, and not in the court of public opinion;
• For Muslims, even if the person(s) is/are guilty and he/she/they get(s) away with it, always put your faith in the Day of Judgement when true Divine justice is handed out;
• And more importantly, let's stop from being judge, jury and executioner.

I'd like to share the following verses from the Quran as a reminder to us all, especially Muslims:

O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done... O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others. It may be that the (latter) is better than the (former); nor let some women laugh at others. It may be that the (latter) is better than the (former); nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames; ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed. And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible); for suspicion in some cases is a sin; and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it. But fear God; for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.

[Al-Hujurat (49): 6, 11-12]

Friends

Friends are an integral part of one's life. From my observation, friends who last the trial of time are actually your childhood friends. You know them (and they know you) before anyone is established in life. As such, they don't have any preconceived images or expectations of you. They know you for who you really are, and not for what you have become in life.

As I mentioned in my previous post, over the past week, I managed to trace back quite a number of my school buddies, thanks to an e-mail that started from another friend, Puah Soo Shin. Now the number on the mailing list is growing, and we've traced down friends who are now in the US of A, the Land Down Under, Singapore, and perhaps others.

Interestingly enough, I managed to meet up with one of them, Wong Chee Meng, earlier today. While the meeting was brief, we managed to catch up a bit. After all, we've not seen each other in over 5 years. It'd be good to see most, if not all, of my school buddies in the near future, some of whom I've not seen since I left for the UK in January 1992.

Whatever it is, friendship is the next thing after family that should be cherished and treasured all through your life.

Praying for Tun's health

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to IJN this morning. Let us all pray for his health and well-being.

Source: Bernama News

Strange week this

It's already Thursday and I've been having a strange feeling throughout the week.

I just got back from RTM after doing another live talk show discussing the issue of organ donation. I felt today's programme was better compared to last Friday's. After that, I was interviewed on the same issue for a news item to be featured in RTM's news.

I'm already in the office and there are tonnes of things in my head at the moment. I'm helping MARDI and MABIC organising a seminar in conjunction with MAHA on the 21st of this month. I have also been invited to chair a session during an international conference on ICT and Islam organised by IIUM on the 22nd.

Aside from those things, I am also juggling several other things at the same time, ranging from office work to family and personal matters.

I am also somewhat affected by the news that has become the headlines of all newspapers as well as tv and radio news programmes. It is difficult (not just for me apparently) when you actually know the person being highlighted.

Also, out of the blue, I managed to trace a number of my classmates during secondary school who are now scattered all across the world.

Strange week indeed.

Airing thoughts on organ donation

Still more discussion on organ donation. This opinion came out in Utusan Malaysia yesterday. Although it is the opinion of a non-Muslim, his view is relevant to our society.

As for the perspective of Islam, well... it is confirmed that I will be on air on Thursday at 8.30 a.m. on RTM1 to continue last Friday's discussion on organ donation in Muslim community. Stay tuned.

More on organ donation

Talk about good coverage. Personally I am happy to see Malay newspapers highlighting the issue of organ donation. It's good in that the Malay community will be made aware of the severity of the problem of the lack of organs for transplant operations.

Last Friday in Utusan Malaysia, a reader gave his comment that "organs are not us to keep." If only we can make more people realise about this.

The following day in the same newspaper on the front page, there is a write-up on the 12,000 kidneys of road victims which are unused. In the same newspaper on the same day, a journalist friend of mine, Zin Mahmud, wrote that there is a need to treat organ donation the same as blood donation.

This healthy discussion continues on Sunday in Mingguan Malaysia. Ustaz Mohd Shauki Abd Majid of YADIM wrote an article explaining Islam's stand on this issue and why there exist differences in opinion.

Not a bad week for discussing organ donation. I have received an invitation to go on air again to discuss this issue this coming Thursday. Insya-Allah if everything goes as planned, I'll be on TV1 again this Thursday.

100th posting

This is TeropongSkop's 100th posting.

I never actually thought that I could get this blog running this long, in all honesty. Alhamdulillah, the blog is still up and running. The number of visitors are decent, and seems to be picking up in this past couple of weeks.

Please continue your support, and I'll continue blogging.

Mass coverage on organ donation

I just got back from my tv interview on organ donation. It went pretty much as I expected. My only regret is the time constraint. Personally, an hour would be more decent to talk on a "heavy" issue like this.

In any case, if anyone notices, there seems to be a lot of happenings vis-a-vis organ donation this week. The media seems to give a lot of attention to this issue these past few days.

It began with the death of 18-year old Mohd Fikry Fadzail in Alor Setar. Because he suffered from severe head injuries, he was pronounced brain dead. His family donated 4 organs - heart valve, liver, kidneys and corneas.

Reader's Digest Asia meanwhile, as blogged elsewhere here, also carries a story on this issue. In conjunction with this, Reader's Digest along with the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) and Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) launched a drive to increase the number of organ pledgers.

Then, there was the story of 13-year old Tee Hui Yin who is waiting for a new heart. For the first time, her picture was shown to the public on Wednesday.

This was followed the following day with Utusan Malaysia headlining on the importance of organ donation. The news item can be read here whereby it states that 9,000 people are waiting to get new kidneys.

And today, I was on air talking about this issue as a result of the headline in Utusan Malaysia. We fielded questions on air, and to me, everywhere I go, the questions remain the same. From my point of view, the level of sensitivities, emotions and misconceptions still remain high. Something needs to be done to change this.

While the media will continue to highlight this issue now and again, what is imperative is for us to look at organ donation rationally, intellectually and factually. Herein lies our greatest challenge, for we are all sensitive and emotional.

Giving the gift of life

The November edition of Reader's Digest has a story on organ donation with the theme "Giving the Gift of Life." I was one of those interviewed for the story.

Have a read at the article. It's one of the best I've read on organ donation. The preview for the article can be read here.

Don't change that tv channel

After nearly a 3-year hiatus, I'll be appearing on tv again tomorrow morning as a guest on RTM1's Selamat Pagi Malaysia. It'll be live at 8.30 a.m.

It's actually a favour I'm doing for a friend. Otherwise, I'd rather not appear on tv. Not really my cup of tea. Oh, well... just stay tuned and see whether I got my words jumbled up.

[UPDATED: Initially I was supposed to talk something on teenagers tomorrow, but due to the media attention given to the issue of organ donation these past few days, I've just been informed that my topic will be on Muslims and organ donation. Personally, I'm more comfortable with this issue. So, we'll see how it goes tomorrow].

Good start to the week

Alhamdulillah, we're back from our week-long festivity break. I'm back at the office since yesterday, and feeling energised to focus on my work. The first 2 days of the week have been very good. I managed to get a few things done, and looking forward to settling more things by the week's end.

Things are also looking up at the office. Insya-Allah, the Yayasan will be able to shift into high gear by the year's end. I hope by then we will be able to take in a few staff to help around the office.

I have also submitted my PhD application at UM earlier today --- finally. If everything goes well, I shall start my PhD journey next academic semester which is also due to start at the end of the year.

I also hope to start writing my second novel. The plot has been hatched, it's just a matter of putting words to the story. If I can concentrate on this, I hope to submit it for a literary competition organised by Utusan Publications and Distributors. The deadline for this year's competition is 31st December. Wonder whether I can get it done. Hmmm...

After 5 years of waiting, the house that we bought in Hulu Langat is also near completion. According to the developer, we should get the keys to the house in early 2007. My wife is also in the process of purchasing an apartment near my office. Most probably we'll be staying at the apartment, while the quaint little bungalow in Hulu Langat will be our weekend and holiday home.

Oh, well, whatever it is, I have no complaints. After all, this week has been off to a good start, perhaps due to the barakah of Ramadhan and Syawal. I sincerely pray that everything from here onwards will be smooth sailing, insya-Allah.

Back in KL

I'm baaaccckkk!!!

After just over a week in my hometown for the festivity, I've returned to the bustling big city. I'll blog down my thoughts in future entries. Need to do a lot of catching up with the e-mails, instant messages and snail mails.

It feels like I never left.

Eid mubarak

I will be offline for almost 10 days because of the Eidul-Fitr celebration. It's not that I can't get online, but for a change, I don't want to. After all, Eid is a time for family, relatives and friends. I'll be going back to my hometown with my family on Saturday, insya-Allah and will be back the following Saturday.

In the meantime, may I take this opportunity to wish one and all a joyous and happy Eidul-Fitr. Let us celebrate this occassion in the true sense of the word, and not just indulge ourselves with food and drink and television. Go out, visit your relatives and friends, rekindle memories and restrengthen the bond of brotherhood.

For those who are going to drive, allow me to remind myself and everyone reading, drive safely. Let us celebrate this Eid with happiness and laughter, and not sadness and tears.

Eid Mubarak.

Tip of the tongue

Of all places for an ulcer...

I wasn't able to talk for 3 days as a result of the ulcer on the tip of my tongue. I still can't speak perfectly as yet. Perhaps it'll be better in a few days time, insya-Allah.

I'm used to having ulcers on my lips, but never on my tongue. Ulcers on lips are not too hard to manage, just avoid contact with the ulcer and you'll be able to get along quite well. But this is not the case if the ulcer is on your tongue. It was a very painful experience.

Alas, it was a test in Ramadhan. I learned the meaning of patience, perseverence and endurance. I also learnt the meaning of thankfulness. We rarely if ever remember that the tongue is a ni'mah or blessing from Allah SWT. When Allah SWT wills for an ulcer to form at the tip of my tongue, then only I remember how precious the tongue is - how it is an important organ in many things. Now, I will never take the tongue for granted.

Also, I believe that this is a form of kafarah that I have to undergo in this auspicious month of Ramadhan. Perhaps, it is a way to wash away some of my sins through this painful experience, wallahu'alam.

Whatever it was, an ulcer at the tip of the tongue is an experience not easily forgotten.

Unsheduled tasks

Apologies for the inability to update the blog more regularly. My laptop is still out of order. I hope to get it fixed after Ramadhan.

Indeed, this month is full of tests. While I have been able to finish a lot of my tasks, there are some challenges that crop up in this blessed month. First, it was my laptop that came crashing to the floor breaking its LCD. Tonight, my car wouldn't start. My guess is the battery is flat, but the weird thing is that the battery is new. I will know what's wrong tomorrow morning when I call the AAM.

Oh, well. These episodes eventually make you a better person in the long run. We'd gain the experience of facing "unscheduled" tasks along the way.

Echoes of the heart

Remember Fikri? He was the first heart patient to be fitted with a mechanical heart, or more specifically a device known as IVAD, as a temporary measure till he gets a new heart. Fortunately, he got a new heart last December. One of my earliest blog entries was on Fikri, which can be read here.

Izza Aripin and I had a discussion with Fikri's mother this morning at my office. Insya-Allah, if everything goes well, we'll have a memoir on Fikri's experience out by next year. I believe Fikri's story is one that needs to be told, and needs to be read by everyone. It is a story with a heart that will touch everyone's emotions.

The National Heart Institute (IJN) meanwhile continues to make headlines. A 13-year old girl, Tee Hui Yin, has been fitted with a mechanical heart on 29 September. Hui Yin is the second heart patient to be fitted with IVAD. Like Fikri before her, the IVAD is a temporary measure until she gets a new heart from a donor.

That is why I cannot stress enough on the need to increase the number of donors. We have a lot of patients with end-stage organ failure, but unfortunately we don't have enough organ donors. Be an organ pledger, and help safe lives.

Seeing is not necessary believing

Our eyes are indeed unique, as they allow us to have vision. But there are times when we cannot really trust our eyes or believe what we see. Sometimes we see only the things we want to see. When this happens, we are deceived by our own eyes. For instance, take a gander at the image below. Our eyes see this image, and our brain interprets it as moving, whereas in reality the image does not move.
When we read the news, whether from the mainstream media or the so-called "underground" ones in the Internet, it is crucial for us not to easily believe what we read. Be critical and analytical. Ask questions that matter. Do some cross-referencing. Check the facts and figures.

News can be spin-doctored. If we are not careful, we'd be deceived by the spin doctors. Remember the reminder in the Quran:

O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done.

[Al-Hujurat (49): 6]

Quiet Ramadhan... NOT!

Back when I was working with IKIM, Ramadhan was usually busy with invitation for talks (usually Kuliah Zuhur) at various agencies, departments and companies. Now that I've moved on, I am no longer doing those talks.

But lo and behold, I find myself doing a lot of writing, from the academic to the semi-academic to the literary. I have finalised my PhD proposal which would be submitted to Universiti Malaya next week. I have been invited to publish academic and semi-academic books for a publisher which shall remain nameless for the time being. I am also sketching plots for three novels, though I'm unsure when can I actually sit down to write them.

And here I thought I was going to have a quiet, uneventful and free Ramadhan this year. How naive of me to think that.

Ahlan wa sahlan ya Ramadhan

I had wanted to post this on the blog before Ramadhan began. But I didn't, partly because of what happened to my laptop. Still not fixed, in case anyone is asking. And I'm using my wife's laptop at the moment, again in case anyone is wondering.

In any case, I don't think it's too late to welcome the month of Ramadhan al-Mubarak. So far, I am enjoying Ramadhan, more so than previous years. I found that I have been very productive workwise compared to previous months. Spiritually, I am also enjoying the nightly rituals of Tahlil, Terawih and Witir - a feeling that is reminiscent to my days in Glasgow.

Back then, my fellow students and I used to commune at the Malaysian Students Centre at Albert Road in Glasgow, where I was a resident. I was one of those entrusted with leading the Terawih and Witir prayers. After the prayers, we would sit down for moreh. In retrospect, what we went through strengthened our friendship that lasts till this day.

Let us all pray that all of us would be able to reap the many rewards and bounties of Ramadhan of 1427 Hijriyyah. Amin!

Temporary disconnected

I had an unfortunate turn of events on Wednesday afternoon. My trusted laptop met with an accident. I was shifting some furniture at the office because of a small leakage in my room. Unfortunately, the table that I was moving accidentally knocked the laptop down to the floor. As a result, the laptop's LCD is now broken. I need to get it replaced, but the price is too expensive for me at this point in time.

At the moment, I'm sharing my wife's laptop, but I won't be bringing it to the office. I'll also be transferring the data from my laptop's hard drive so that I can work on my wife's laptop when need be.

But this also means that I won't be able to be online as frequent as I'd like. Which also means that I may not be able to update my blogs as often as before. *Sigh*

Another interview

I gave a talk at the Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu, Sungai Buloh last Monday. The talk was on organ donation.

There was a journalist from NST who was present, and she asked for an interview. The interview came out yesterday in the NST. Just in case anyone missed it, here is the link.

The object formerly known as Pluto

More of the Pluto downgrade. According to this report, Pluto is now relegated to just a number. So, the new designation for Pluto now is 134340.

Suddenly I see a lot of parallel between what happened to Pluto to our everyday lives. When something or someone is no longer important (usually because of relegation or downgrade or no longer holding any important post), then that thing or person will be given no prominence. A mere number would make Pluto less prominent. Not many people can remember the number, I guarantee you that.

Likewise, when a person is no longer in the seat of power, he will just be relegated to a footnote in the history books.

CUTE

On Saturday, I sat for my Computerised Unit Trust Examination (CUTE). I went there without ample preparation and was in fact preparing myself for failure. Lo and behold, I passed the exam! So, now with this accreditation, I am qualified to talk about and handle unit trust investments.

Don't ask me why I took the exam. Just felt like taking it.

Yeah, sounds like I'm bored.

Icing to the week

This has been a pretty good week. The icing to the cake is when I got to know that Utusan Publications and Distributors Sdn Bhd has verbally agreed to publish my very first novel. Insya-Allah the formalities will be finalised next week.

9-11

We are a few days away from September 11th - that fateful date that launched America into a terrorist-hunting frenzy. Nonetheless, while we condemn what happened in the US five years ago, we also need to have the right perspective on this issue. I wrote something last year on this entitled "Meletakkan 11 September pada perspektif yang tepat" which was published by Berita Harian.

You can read this article using this link.

The future is bright after all...

Lately there has been a lot of talk on race relations in Malaysia. Most, if not all, highlighted in the media are quite negative. I don't want to comment on what is highlighted, rather I'd like to share what I saw on Wednesday.

I took the LRT to attend a meeting at Medan MARA in the heart of the city. Why I didn't drive to the meeting is another story.

Anyway, as I was walking from Medan MARA to the Bandaraya LRT Station, I passed by a blind man walking on the pedestrian walkway. What is interesting is that, this blind man - a Malay - being escorted by a young Chinese guy. This Chinese guy looked a lot like one of those Taiwan singers, wearing a sleeveless shirt, dyed hair and sporting an ear-ring. Not someone you'd expect to hold the arm of a blind man.

But as in many instances, appearances can be deceiving and stereotypes are often far from the truth.

If what I saw, albeit probably one case in a thousand, is any indication, that I'd say the future for Malaysia is bright after all...

Insya-Allah.

Writer's block

I'm having a bad writer's block for the past 2 weeks. It's quite difficult to pen my thoughts down these past fortnight. Even blogging is somewhat hard to do.

Hoping that things will improve.

An impromptu Merdeka poem

I begin to notice more white hair on my head.
Perhaps, it's time for me to reflect instead.
Not to be nostalgic nor melancholic.
But reflect we must, to be pragmatic.

Yesterday, Malaysia celebrated its 49th year as a free nation.
Today is my 10th anniversary as a working person.
Many things I've gone through, many things I've experienced.
Yet, I know there's still much more to learn.

I wish we continue to prosper.
I wish we do not ever bicker.
Let us move forward together.
Never let our differences be a bother.

Differences of opinion is not a strange thing.
It is even considered by al-Ghazali as a blessing.
But the differences should be handled with wisdom.
So that it'll never be a source for tantrums.

Set aside our personal agenda and glory.
The nation and its people must take priority.
Put aside differences and emerge united.
Lest we want to remain divided.

Independence must never be taken for granted.
It is a priceless gift that must never be wasted.
Instead we have to ensure that it is safeguarded.
So that we will never ever again be subjugated.

Merdeka food for thought

The nation will celebrate its 49^th anniversary as an independent nation. Within a period of nearly half a century, Malaysia has gone through a lot of things – all of which contributed towards the maturity of the nation. Within this short period of time, the nation has successfully transformed itself from a sleepy backwater British colony known for its tin into a dynamic, vibrant and examplary developing nation.

It used to be that the National Day celebration was commemorated only on 31^st August. In the past few years however, the commemoration of the nation’s independence spans for a month, between 17^th August until 16^th September. Many activities are conducted during this period – all with the intention to instill national pride and to rekindle the past struggles of our forefathers.

The post-independence generation needs to be reminded of how things were during the colonial times, the Japanese occupancy as well as the Emergency. This generation today lives in a nation which is a far cry from what it was before independence. The country has changed and developed for the better. It is this generation that is reaping the rewards of the labours of the preceeding generation in fighting for the nation’s independence.

Therefore, it is indeed a pity if today’s generation do not truly comprehend or appreciate what independence stands for. The last day of August is more than just a public holiday.

This very special day is more than just a day to simply celebrate without really knowing what the celebration is actually for. Even the celebration should be conducted in a manner befitting that of independence – not pure hedonism and having fun for the sake of it. It is imperative, especially for the post-independence generation, to really understand, be aware and be thankful for the gift of independence as bestowed to the multiracial and multireligious society of Malaysia.

This gift of independence is from God as a result of the hard work and tireless efforts undertaken by countless of people that came before us. It would indeed be a waste if their painstaking endeavour – oft-times accompanied by tears and blood – goes unnoticed by today’s generation.

When we say “understanding independence”, it does not simply mean to utter the word “Merdeka”, rather understanding independence requires us to realise the worth and importance of independence to the people of Malaysia. In other words, independence is not just about exclaiming that we are independent, but also it is about the need to ensure that the independence that we achieve is protected.

When we say “be aware of independence”, it goes beyond simply knowing when and where the National Day parade is taking place. Instead one who is aware of independence would be equally aware of the need to ensure that the future generation of the nation would also be able to live in an independent nation. As such, we should realise that there is still much to be done, in particular in ensuring that the nation would not fall victim to neocolonialisation, which is far more dangerous than military subjugation.

When we say “be thankful for our independence”, it is essential that we realise that it is not sufficient for us to only express joy and delight on 31^st August. Indeed expressing happiness for our independence is justifiable as we are no longer subjugated to foreign powers, but far more important is the need to express our gratitude to Allah SWT for providing us with this gift of independence. As such, it is pertinent for us today to express our thanks to Allah SWT as this invaluable and precious gift is not given to all nations. Even nations which are already independent may not enjoy the bountied showered on us by Allah SWT.

Unfortunately, many forget the need to be thankful and grateful for the independence that we have achieved. As stated in the Quran, translated thus:

For God is full of bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful.

[Al-Baqarah (2): 243]

How then do we show our gratitude for the independence that we now benefit from? Surely there are many ways for us – in particular the current young generation – could manifest our gratitude. For one, the post-independence generation must always ensure that the independence that has been achieved 49 years ago is safeguarded and preserved. As much as we enjoy being independent today, we must remember that it is our duty to guarantee that the future generations would also enjoy the same.

We do not want our children and grandchildren putting the blame on this generation for failing to uphold independence. This is particularly more so in view of neocolonialisation. In the past, colonialisation is mainly in the form of territorial expansion and military conquest. But today, colonialisation has taken a new form and meaning – hence the term neocolonialisation – that can take place in many forms.

We need to prepare ourselves to face these challenges. This preparation comes in many areas, such as building our economic strength, maintaining political stability, forging social integration, mastering all areas of knowledge and technology, enhancing our defense capabilities and many others. This is in fact in line with what is mentioned in the Quran, translated thus:

Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war…

[Al-Anfal (8): 60]

While the Quran mentions on the need to muster military strength, the scope of mustering strength could further be widened in view of today’s context. Today military strength alone is not sufficient. The much needed strength in knowledge and technological mastery is equally, if not more, important.

Thus, the challenge to build all these needed strengths within our country lies with today’s young generation. There must be a sense of patriotism and nationalism in today’s generation. There must be a strong love and pride for this nation that we call home.

It is, therefore, the duty of all Malaysians – regardless of religion and race – to continue to preserve this priceless gift called independence. Our country had been under foreign powers for a total number of 446 years, from the day the Portuguese conquered Melaka until the day the Union Jack was brought down and replaced with our national flag.

Today we have been independent for just under half a century. This period of independence is, in actuality, miniscule compared to the period that we were under foreign powers.

Are we willing to throw away over four decades of independence, and barter it for four centuries of hardship as experienced by our preceeding generations? The answer lies within this generation – ourselves.

Merdeka spirit?

We put up two flags in front of the office last week in view of the coming Merdeka day. The next day, one of the Jalur Gemilang went missing. At first, I thought it was blown away because of the torrential rain and strong wind the evening before.

But apparently, I thought wrong.

According to the security guard, the flag must have been stolen. This is because the wooden pole holding the flag was purposely broken.

I know that everybody is in the celebratory mood of Merdeka. But stealing flags? I never thought anyone would do such a thing. Then again, I have been wrong before.

Spiked

For the first time since I ran this blog, the volume of visitors reached its highest peak last Friday. Granted, there were only 20 visitors last Friday, but considering this blog is not a political blog nor a celebrity blog, I consider that number a respectable one.

I welcome all visitors to this humble blog. Keep on coming and I'll keep on blogging.

Pluto downgraded

Finally, it happens.

After years of seemingly endless debate, on 24 August the International Astronomical Union has demoted Pluto from a planet to a "dwarf planet." More about this can be read here.

So, better start rewriting the textbooks on astronomy, because now the Solar System is left with only 8 planets.

Canon rocks

I am a fan of classical music. My favourite is Pachelbel's Canon (or Kanon in German). Lately, we have seen remixed version of classical music --- a few of them tastefully done, the rest decidedly less so.

Last night, I chanced upon a rock version of Canon at YouTube. I'm not much of a fan of rock music. But somehow I like this rendition.

Have a listen to Canon the rock version.