Just finished watching a Malaysian movie (Yeah, not Malay movie) just now. This is one Malaysian movie that I enjoyed after a long time. It was made in the very unusual genre of action comedy. It tells about a Thai assassin who starts terrorising the City of KL. That started the antics and bumbling movements of police and gangsters alike. Unfortunately, we are left wondering why the hitman hits KL in the first place or who hired him. Maybe the producer (David Teo) has plans for a sequel!... The martial arts sequence is quite nicely choreographed. So were the car chase and the comedy involving the 1-Malaysia gangsters which did not fall flat as it usually does in most Malaysian movies. Some of the high rise building stunts, however, could be better. 'Kongsi' is the name of the film. Go, watch it! You would enjoy it better if you appreciate the intricacies of the Kelantanese dialect and the Penang slang as well like I do. Lu Langsi Lu Mati may mean (in colloquial Malay - Bahasa Pasar) you show off, you die!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Monday, 1 August 2011
Harry Potter and the 3D-dreamy chamber of slumber!
So, in the name of family bonding, we as a family decided to catch the last instalment of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter franchise. Just for the record, I only managed to catch HP1 and HP2 after reading the story books which seem light years ago. As the tickets were selling faster than the flame off Harry's wand, we could only manage to catch the 11pm show. There we were, after a hard day's work and hard earned money, we paid for the tickets, pre-show snacks and fat-laden noisy junk food in the form of crisps and pop corns! Donning the 3d spectacles,the lights dimmed, the cine-ads began and trailers of upcoming movies were screen. Hey, there is Captain America who would able to save the sagging American economy and the country's dwindling credit ratings!And the HP7 Part 2 started with the three main characters staring at each other in a dark room. That was the last thing that I remember. After that I was transported in and out of slumber-land, from my twilight vision, all I saw was the occasional silhouette of people pointing twigs at each other and sparks emanating from its ends and loud orchestral music. I thought that was the end of the movie but no...
By the time I was finally got off my sleepy head, the 3 main characters (Harry, Hermione and Ron) had aged and were sending their children to Hogwarts. And that was also the end of the movie. None of my family saw my antics in the cinema hall as my seat was far away in Siberia from theirs as we could not get adjoining seats.
And that, my friend, is the story of 'Harry Potter and the 3D-dreamy chamber of slumber'!
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Discipline not what it used to be.WHY NOT?
Friday July 29, 2011
By RASLAN SHARIF
Today’s children do not seem to have much respect for authority, maybe it’s because we have left their upbringing to the school, television, Internet and games consoles.
We hold many memories of our school days, and we never tire of telling these tales to family and friends.
At least some of us do, as I completely understand that there might be a few people out there who would want to keep their memories of school far, far away from recollection.
However, I believe that for many of us, our time at school were some of the best years of our lives and, more often than not, we hark back to those carefree years full of play and laughter.
No doubt, the good times were often rudely interrupted by those inconvenient and awfully long periods of boredom that I was told amounted to education.
But let’s not let that spoil the fun, shall we?
I went to several schools as my civil servant father had to make “tours of duty” in several towns across the country over the course of his working career.
I attended schools in Alor Star, Klang, Seremban and Petaling Jaya.
In between, I also received two years of primary education in the US.
School there was fun in many ways.
There were double recesses (yes, twice), nice teachers, good food at the cafeteria, and lessons in the first and second grade that were a breeze for me.
Not so nice were the fights that broke out at times among some pupils, among other things.
Once, when I was in the second grade, this kid – I think his name was Marcus, if I remember correctly – demanded money from me, with the “friendly” advice that a refusal on my part would result in his older brother in the fifth grade making my acquaintance after school.
Survival instincts honed over millions of years of human evolution immediately kicked in, and I gave him the quarter that he asked for.
He asked for money again the next week, and again my survival instincts got the better of me – I told him no.
I was hungry and I was damn well going to use the money I had to buy food at the cafeteria.
Marcus was pissed and I spent the rest of my time at school that day with a full stomach and the dreadful feeling that the rest of the day was not going to be very pleasant.
Later, as I made my way out of school, I braced myself for the inevitable.
I was about to meet Marcus, and his fifth-grade brother from Hell.
But they never showed up.
And Marcus never bothered me again.
I was lucky.
There were one or two other similar episodes throughout my school days but none as bad as the case of Marcus.
This was primarily (no pun intended) because the environment in Malaysian primary and secondary schools was a lot milder.
At least, that was the case back when I was in school.
Now that I am a father of two primary school-going children, I can’t help but compare what it was like during my time and what I think it is these days.
The most obvious thing for me is that discipline isn’t what it used to be.
Yes, we don’t cane schoolchildren anymore and we now do things in a more “touchy-feely” manner.
But, as far as I’m concerned, respect for authority is just not there.
I’ve seen little children blissfully ignoring the instructions of teachers; forget about prefects and class monitors.
Remember how silent we were during assembly?
Many children at my kids’ school don’t really give two hoots about whatever’s being said and who’s saying it.
Remember about being orderly as we moved to and from our classes?
There’s pushing and shoving up and down the stairs now, if not more of the sort of behaviour that puts personal safety at risk.
Remember how we gave due deference to our teachers when they were in class, keeping our mouths shut and at least pretending to pay attention?
Kids these days think nothing of talking at the back while the teachers teach in front, with some even walking about, or in and out of class.
Maybe it’s a sign of the times, and maybe I’m getting old.
Maybe it’s also an indication that parents, and that includes me, don’t pay enough attention to their children like they used to.
Many of us seem to have left much of the upbringing of our children to the school, and we assume that all will be fine.
And when they are at home, we leave the upbringing of our children to the television, the Internet and the game consoles.
Is it any wonder then that some of them don’t seem to care?
> Raslan Sharif’s school days were not always eventful.
By RASLAN SHARIF
Today’s children do not seem to have much respect for authority, maybe it’s because we have left their upbringing to the school, television, Internet and games consoles.
We hold many memories of our school days, and we never tire of telling these tales to family and friends.
At least some of us do, as I completely understand that there might be a few people out there who would want to keep their memories of school far, far away from recollection.
However, I believe that for many of us, our time at school were some of the best years of our lives and, more often than not, we hark back to those carefree years full of play and laughter.
No doubt, the good times were often rudely interrupted by those inconvenient and awfully long periods of boredom that I was told amounted to education.
But let’s not let that spoil the fun, shall we?
I went to several schools as my civil servant father had to make “tours of duty” in several towns across the country over the course of his working career.
I attended schools in Alor Star, Klang, Seremban and Petaling Jaya.
In between, I also received two years of primary education in the US.
School there was fun in many ways.
There were double recesses (yes, twice), nice teachers, good food at the cafeteria, and lessons in the first and second grade that were a breeze for me.
Not so nice were the fights that broke out at times among some pupils, among other things.
Once, when I was in the second grade, this kid – I think his name was Marcus, if I remember correctly – demanded money from me, with the “friendly” advice that a refusal on my part would result in his older brother in the fifth grade making my acquaintance after school.
Survival instincts honed over millions of years of human evolution immediately kicked in, and I gave him the quarter that he asked for.
He asked for money again the next week, and again my survival instincts got the better of me – I told him no.
I was hungry and I was damn well going to use the money I had to buy food at the cafeteria.
Marcus was pissed and I spent the rest of my time at school that day with a full stomach and the dreadful feeling that the rest of the day was not going to be very pleasant.
Later, as I made my way out of school, I braced myself for the inevitable.
I was about to meet Marcus, and his fifth-grade brother from Hell.
But they never showed up.
And Marcus never bothered me again.
I was lucky.
There were one or two other similar episodes throughout my school days but none as bad as the case of Marcus.
This was primarily (no pun intended) because the environment in Malaysian primary and secondary schools was a lot milder.
At least, that was the case back when I was in school.
Now that I am a father of two primary school-going children, I can’t help but compare what it was like during my time and what I think it is these days.
The most obvious thing for me is that discipline isn’t what it used to be.
Yes, we don’t cane schoolchildren anymore and we now do things in a more “touchy-feely” manner.
But, as far as I’m concerned, respect for authority is just not there.
I’ve seen little children blissfully ignoring the instructions of teachers; forget about prefects and class monitors.
Remember how silent we were during assembly?
Many children at my kids’ school don’t really give two hoots about whatever’s being said and who’s saying it.
Remember about being orderly as we moved to and from our classes?
There’s pushing and shoving up and down the stairs now, if not more of the sort of behaviour that puts personal safety at risk.
Remember how we gave due deference to our teachers when they were in class, keeping our mouths shut and at least pretending to pay attention?
Kids these days think nothing of talking at the back while the teachers teach in front, with some even walking about, or in and out of class.
Maybe it’s a sign of the times, and maybe I’m getting old.
Maybe it’s also an indication that parents, and that includes me, don’t pay enough attention to their children like they used to.
Many of us seem to have left much of the upbringing of our children to the school, and we assume that all will be fine.
And when they are at home, we leave the upbringing of our children to the television, the Internet and the game consoles.
Is it any wonder then that some of them don’t seem to care?
> Raslan Sharif’s school days were not always eventful.
Friday, 29 July 2011
A for apple; P for pokai!*
Of late, I have been contributing to the coffers of a multinational company whose brand is so famous its name need not be mentioned (like Lord Voldemort). Its logo itself suffice, whose interior decoration experts believe in minimalist outlook, the emblem of a partially eaten fruit (the first fruit that we learnt in alphabet class in pre-school) - or is the logo a constant reminder of our exodus from the paradise of Garden of Eden for our original sin? In the modern world, nobody gives a damn about inner beauty and endurance, but of external package and presentation, this telecommunications and computer whiz of a company has managed to make that precisely its selling point.It all started one day when good old el-cheapo cell phone, due to melancholia, decided to take the plunge inadvertently (or on purpose?) into the monsoon drain as I was coming down the car carrying more than I should. Good old faithful must have been feeling pretty withdrawn and small after seeing all the PYT (pretty young things) strutting their stuff while her overused and abused body had seen better days. And the things the newbies could do with their bodies and the way they flaunt their assets would make any man salivate and go ga-ga!
 |
Not to be confused: The original Apple. Granny Smith; Founded by Beatles. Lost in a legal battle to Apple Computer. Now collaborating music with iTunes. |
About that time, wifey's mobile started giving problems. And my daughter suddenly became obsessed and thought that she could not see another living daylight without possessing a particular brand of a laptop with a logo of a fruit from the same brand of the company of indisputable reputation and nothing doing! There was no talk of Sony or Lenovo, or Asus! Everybody has it, so it must be good, and I want it not now but yesterday!
That started my love affair with the forbidden fruit. I soon realised that the moment I attained the impossible, I realised that it is nothing sacrosanct about it after all. But, on the other hand, with more extraordinary powers come great responsibility, and a greater hole in the pants and thinner the wallet becomes...
*Pokai - colloquial Malay term for being broke (financially). Correct term would be muflis, patah kandar or bangkrap. It must have been popularised by P. Ramlee's movies. In fact, P. Ramlee is credited for introducing many new Malay words into its treasure. Some of the words include pawagam (movie theatre) -shortened from panggong wayang gambar; kugiran (band) - from kugiran gitar rancak! How about bedikari (berdiri atas kaki sendiri) - independent?
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Rule of law, rule by law — by Ambiga Sreenevasan
July 23, 2011
JULY 23 — Good Morning! Chancellor, vice chancellor and graduating students.
It is so good to be back!
I am deeply moved by the conferment of this honour upon me. That it comes from my alma mater is especially significant for me. That it comes at this time is almost providential, for it allows me and all lawyers to reflect on our roles in the societies we live in.
For this honour and this moment of reflection, I extend my grateful thanks to the Council and Senate of the University of Exeter.
Tired of injustice and oppression, people the world over are crying out for truth, goodness, justice and universal love and understanding.
The events in Malaysia over the past six weeks culminating in the rally for free and fair elections on the 9th of July, has taught me so much more than I could have ever learned in the last 30 years as a practising lawyer.
My team and I faced first-hand the full force of the unleashed power of the state, and I realised then the importance of the independence of the Institutions of government, particularly the judiciary, to check such abuses of power.
I also realised how real and present the absence of the Rule of Law can be.
In countries where the Rule of Law reigns strong and true one probably does not even talk about it. But in countries that veer towards Rule by Law, talking about getting back to the basics is crucial.
In many countries, Rule by Law is reflected in the existence of repressive laws that violate the fundamental rights of its citizens. One example of this is preventive detention laws that lock people away without affording them the basic right to a trial. There are many examples of such oppressive laws worldwide and they are not confined to underdeveloped or developing countries.
As lawyers, we are in a unique position. Our years of legal study and practice teach us to see and appreciate the fundamental role that the Rule of Law plays in guaranteeing that the state governs its citizens in a just and democratic manner.
Who better to remind those in power of their responsibilities to their citizens than lawyers trained in understanding the difference between “Rule of Law” and “Rule by Law”?
Our role as lawyers must therefore extend far beyond traditional legal practice.
Here, I make no reference to rules, guidelines, documents, or declarations. My only reference point is our conscience. Can we as lawyers, ever sit back and watch the erosion of fundamental liberties of the people around us and do nothing? Clearly, silence in these circumstances, is not an option.
When I graduated from this university about 30 years ago, things were of course very different. Today the Internet and social media has empowered people with a continual flow of unfiltered and up-to-date information. No longer can the manipulation and control of information be effectively used by those in power to suppress either thought or action.
You are in a world where you know instantly of injustices taking place in any part of it. In this global village drawn together by so many factors, we are one. We can reach out to each other using these new means of communication and we owe it to each other to stand together for what is right.
You may say, “But I studied law to be a solicitor or barrister and to earn money for a decent standard of living”. There is nothing wrong with that, I assure you. I run a commercial litigation practice in a partnership of four where we also do public interest litigation. The two can co-exist quite comfortably.
The point I make is this.
You are graduating from one of the best universities in the country if not on the planet! You are special. And you are now a proud member of an army of people that is equipped with all that is necessary to both practise law and to fight injustice.
I urge you to use this arsenal of knowledge and your passion for justice to fight for those who are downtrodden.
You have already heard of the events of July 9th in Malaysia. Whilst it brought out the worst in some, it brought out the best in others and this is where our hope lies.
There were some in government who opposed the methods used to shut us down. Even doctors left their comfort zones to speak up against injustices. And of course there were the lawyers and the independent media who stood on the side of truth and justice.
However, the real heroes of that day are our friend and supporter Allahyarham Baharuddin Ahmad who paid the ultimate price in fighting a noble cause, the six members of the Socialist Party of Malaysia who, as we speak, sit in solitary confinement under preventive detention laws and finally the brave people of Malaysia who overcame their fear of intimidation and harassment to uphold their fundamental rights.
With all my heart I dedicate this honour you have bestowed upon me to them.
* This was the acceptance speech delivered by Datuk Dr Ambiga Sreenevasan upon her conferment with the Honorary Doctorate Of Laws, University of Exeter. I like the part she says, "..Even doctors left their comfort zones to speak up against injustices." Guess doctors must be giving the impression of being a totally apathetic lot! Why 'even doctors'??
JULY 23 — Good Morning! Chancellor, vice chancellor and graduating students.
It is so good to be back!
I am deeply moved by the conferment of this honour upon me. That it comes from my alma mater is especially significant for me. That it comes at this time is almost providential, for it allows me and all lawyers to reflect on our roles in the societies we live in.
For this honour and this moment of reflection, I extend my grateful thanks to the Council and Senate of the University of Exeter.
Tired of injustice and oppression, people the world over are crying out for truth, goodness, justice and universal love and understanding.
The events in Malaysia over the past six weeks culminating in the rally for free and fair elections on the 9th of July, has taught me so much more than I could have ever learned in the last 30 years as a practising lawyer.
My team and I faced first-hand the full force of the unleashed power of the state, and I realised then the importance of the independence of the Institutions of government, particularly the judiciary, to check such abuses of power.
I also realised how real and present the absence of the Rule of Law can be.
In countries where the Rule of Law reigns strong and true one probably does not even talk about it. But in countries that veer towards Rule by Law, talking about getting back to the basics is crucial.
In many countries, Rule by Law is reflected in the existence of repressive laws that violate the fundamental rights of its citizens. One example of this is preventive detention laws that lock people away without affording them the basic right to a trial. There are many examples of such oppressive laws worldwide and they are not confined to underdeveloped or developing countries.
As lawyers, we are in a unique position. Our years of legal study and practice teach us to see and appreciate the fundamental role that the Rule of Law plays in guaranteeing that the state governs its citizens in a just and democratic manner.
Who better to remind those in power of their responsibilities to their citizens than lawyers trained in understanding the difference between “Rule of Law” and “Rule by Law”?
Our role as lawyers must therefore extend far beyond traditional legal practice.
Here, I make no reference to rules, guidelines, documents, or declarations. My only reference point is our conscience. Can we as lawyers, ever sit back and watch the erosion of fundamental liberties of the people around us and do nothing? Clearly, silence in these circumstances, is not an option.
When I graduated from this university about 30 years ago, things were of course very different. Today the Internet and social media has empowered people with a continual flow of unfiltered and up-to-date information. No longer can the manipulation and control of information be effectively used by those in power to suppress either thought or action.
You are in a world where you know instantly of injustices taking place in any part of it. In this global village drawn together by so many factors, we are one. We can reach out to each other using these new means of communication and we owe it to each other to stand together for what is right.
You may say, “But I studied law to be a solicitor or barrister and to earn money for a decent standard of living”. There is nothing wrong with that, I assure you. I run a commercial litigation practice in a partnership of four where we also do public interest litigation. The two can co-exist quite comfortably.
The point I make is this.
You are graduating from one of the best universities in the country if not on the planet! You are special. And you are now a proud member of an army of people that is equipped with all that is necessary to both practise law and to fight injustice.
I urge you to use this arsenal of knowledge and your passion for justice to fight for those who are downtrodden.
You have already heard of the events of July 9th in Malaysia. Whilst it brought out the worst in some, it brought out the best in others and this is where our hope lies.
There were some in government who opposed the methods used to shut us down. Even doctors left their comfort zones to speak up against injustices. And of course there were the lawyers and the independent media who stood on the side of truth and justice.
However, the real heroes of that day are our friend and supporter Allahyarham Baharuddin Ahmad who paid the ultimate price in fighting a noble cause, the six members of the Socialist Party of Malaysia who, as we speak, sit in solitary confinement under preventive detention laws and finally the brave people of Malaysia who overcame their fear of intimidation and harassment to uphold their fundamental rights.
With all my heart I dedicate this honour you have bestowed upon me to them.
* This was the acceptance speech delivered by Datuk Dr Ambiga Sreenevasan upon her conferment with the Honorary Doctorate Of Laws, University of Exeter. I like the part she says, "..Even doctors left their comfort zones to speak up against injustices." Guess doctors must be giving the impression of being a totally apathetic lot! Why 'even doctors'??
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Malaysian as Tamil movie icon of late 60s
And another icon of the Kollywood silver screen of the bygone golden era breathed his last breath in Chennai on 25th July 2011. Not many know that he grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His brother, Bairoji Narayana, was a reader of Tamil news over the radio and telly. The funny part about Bairoji was that he had a unique, deep voice which was outstanding. He once 'acted' in a Tamil whodunit radio drama with him being the killer. It was not much of a thriller as all listeners knew Bairoji was the killer with his distinctive voice as he had made many threatening phone calls for a ransom in the drama!
Ravichandran was sent to India to study medicine. Legend has it that during a term holiday, he was travelling on a train which got derailed. Ravi and his friends were busy rescuing fellow victims. His heroic act and smooth look captured the eyes of Tamil film director Sridhar's talent scouts, who were on the same fateful train. From then on, it was history; he was cast in Sridhar's next movie, the then radically themed movie, 'Kathallike Nerramillai', with sensuous, provocative lyrics in its song.
I suppose that was the end of his medical studies. Now, I read that he missed his medical examinations after a bout of chickenpox. My children are sick and tired of me telling them to do good; if not, God will them with an unavoidable infliction like chicken pox!
Enjoy this clip... Incidentally, Mr R. Viswanathan, our headmaster in PFS, used to be serenaded with this song by the Indian folks (makkal) in school.
Ravichandran was sent to India to study medicine. Legend has it that during a term holiday, he was travelling on a train which got derailed. Ravi and his friends were busy rescuing fellow victims. His heroic act and smooth look captured the eyes of Tamil film director Sridhar's talent scouts, who were on the same fateful train. From then on, it was history; he was cast in Sridhar's next movie, the then radically themed movie, 'Kathallike Nerramillai', with sensuous, provocative lyrics in its song.
I suppose that was the end of his medical studies. Now, I read that he missed his medical examinations after a bout of chickenpox. My children are sick and tired of me telling them to do good; if not, God will them with an unavoidable infliction like chicken pox!
Enjoy this clip... Incidentally, Mr R. Viswanathan, our headmaster in PFS, used to be serenaded with this song by the Indian folks (makkal) in school.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ravichandran (1939 or 1940 – 25 July 2011) was a Tamil film actor who played lead roles in Tamil movies of the 1960s and 1970s. He has also acted in supporting characters in some recent Tamil film and had also directed several films.
Ravichandran was born P.S. Raman in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He moved to Tiruchirappalli, India in 1951, and studied at St. Joseph's College. He was married twice: his first marriage was to Malayalam actress Sheela, and they had a son, George; he was later married to Vimala, with whom he had a daughter, Lavanya, and two sons, Balaji and Hamsavardhan. Hamsavardhan and George also took up acting as a career, with Hamsavardhan starring in the film Manthiran, directed by his father.Ravichandran died from multiple organ failure on 25 July 2011 at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai after suffering from a lung infection and kidney disease.
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