Be a nobody in Malaysia OR be a somebody elsewhere?

The post that Dina Zaman wrote was forwarded to me by a Malaysian living and working in the UAE. I don't really know the person but we could have met in one occasion or another. We have a mailing list for Malaysians in UAE but that's another story.

I wondered, after reading Dina's posting: Why do I want to work abroad? I felt people who has it alright here but still decide to uproot their families abroad for whatever reasons are rather selfish but hey, am I not one of them as well? I guess I am. That's why I wondered, why?

In conversations I have with friends, I put it down to simple "it's a fairer world out there" because of the concept of meritocracy. Well yeah, being expatriates, the locals have nothing else to compare with apart from merit and credentials. In my own country, there'd be "Which political party do you support", "You're with company XYZ so you shouldn't be caught mingling with people who are of the opposite camp", "Sorry, but the other guy is backed by such and such a person (who of course is a 'someone' in politics)" and the worst I've known (for a fact) is "Hey, this other guy submitted a proposal priced at RM such and such with strong technical submission. You might want to edit your submission."

Life's very unfair in this place I call my country. "But you're Bumi, how can that be?" Asked a friend. Like it or not, there may be MANY opportunities for the Son of the Land or Bumiputras, not all are among the privileged few who would benefit simply because they are not connected.

Now Why, still?

I've worked with some Americans, Phillipinoes, Indians, Arabs, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Chinese and not to forget Malays in the past. I see that no matter where you work you'll still be ranked on a certain social ladder due to your country of origin, education, colour of skin to name a few. Malaysians are the more favoured Asians in the Mid East primarily due to our former PM's status in the Arab world, his policies and marketing prowess. Some earlier Arabs who had the opportunity of working with Malaysians also had good things to say because Malaysians in general are a hardworking bunch of people. Given good academic background, good perception by the locals, it's no surprise that Malaysians are ranked higher than their Asian neighbours who has higher population. Why rest on being lowly 'casted' in my own country when I can be more appreciated in a foreign place?

And then?

My first long-term employment in the MidEast introduced me to the "All You Can" concept only this time it does not involve food nor is it chargeable. The people there were very open to discussions and advises and will let you into just about anything you want yourself to be involved in. There's trust and confidence. They are not afraid of having 'challengers' to their next promotion because merit is all it's about. "We're starting a new department to manage xxx for xxx. We're short of engineers and we're wondering if you're interested in the job." I was already an engineer then and declining their offer has no adverse effects on me but the thought that they actually feel I'm able and capable of assuming the additional responsibility made me say yes. Once I did, they didn't save a single Dirham on my training.

The All You Can concept does not end there. There's also all-you-can-procure (as long as it's budgeted). You don't have to limit your budget to show a saving of XYZ Dirham at the end of the year. It's just logical. If you have an approved budget Dh2M for sustainence and maintenance, why should you cut down any of them? It's not about wasting, it's about buying those things you really need with savings you made from other purchases. It may be as simple as face masks for field workers and tiny screws for light units but when you take care of the people you're responsible after, these people will in turn take care of your interests and deliver high quality work. And you can occasionally push them a little further for ad-hoc tasks. My favourite tagline then was "If I have it, you'll have it."

Is that all?

These are just the simple few experiences I had which seems to be very alien in Malaysia. My two employers after the MidEast were unable to match the extent of confidence given to me by my MidEast employer. I tried to push for a more direct and transparent communication but it's just too clear that they enjoy having this Boss-Subordinate boundary with low accountability on them but high expectations from me. That's not how the ball rolls in my court and although I did enjoy Radicare to a certain extent (hey, I have my own office and workforce!), I knew I just had to leave in order to remain dynamic.

The saddest of all, they are both Malay-owned companies.

It's not that I don't love Malaysia. I'm loving life here but the limitations are just too much. I am not into greasing palms or sucking arses but the current scenario would make me a nobody if I don't do them.

Be a nobody in Malaysia OR be a somebody elsewhere?

Believe it or not, throughout the 2.5 years in UAE, I've never been to Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi or Kuwait. I've spent all my holidays in Malaysia, bringing those UAE Dirhams to Malaysia to be spent in Malaysia. By being abroad, I think I've made Malaysia richer rather than poorer and as little as it may be, that's a contribution I'm proud of. The amount I spent then on a single visit was even more than the amount I paid for income tax for the 12 months of 2006!

When I do go out, it's not because I hate the country but because I love the challenge and exposure outside. I may have to spend a long time away but should I live to experience old age, I will certainly want to spend my last days here, to be rested on Malaysian soil.

For I am only Malaysian.

I Am Muslim

I read a post by Dina Zaman that led to "I Am Muslim".

One sore pointer..

I asked myself this question: How do you know if you've spent a lot of time behind some sort of a keyboard? My answer: You'd not only be able to type not looking at it AND substitute an ailing finger with another.

I had a small cut on my left pointer while being an unofficial butcher along with some 20 other people yesterday. It just couldn't stop dripping even after I dried it up causing me to go look for a first aid kit. Good thing the organisers had a box ready and I patched it up with the ol' skool yellow solution, cotton bud and a new skool 3M tape. It worked, or so I thought. When I removed the wrapping and started using the finger again, the bleeding resumed. Leceh la gini..

I like to use the pointer for typing. It's the most used finger, reaching anywhere from the control, shift, caps lock, tab, escape buttons to Y, G, B. QWERTY keyboard, people. With the pointer healing, I had to make use of the other less used fingers but I realised that it wasn't as difficult that I thought it'd be. I do still occasionally use the pointer which would send some pain signals to my head but that's about all.

All things are created in a team. Lose one and you'll feel the lost almost immediately.

Esok hari raya!

Esok Hari Raya Aidil Adha. Untuk warga di London dan sebahagian dunia yang lain, hari ni dah masuk Aidil Adha. Somehow, there's no celebratory spirit for this Eid. It's not just at our house but I suppose throughout the country. Then again, it's justified, seeing how many parts of the country is submerged with water being more prominent and as if natural 'disaster' is not enough, there's the ongoing restlessness amongst certain parties (not of the political kind) seeking one justice after another. With all that happening, how can one be celebrating?

Our family doesn't have a standard to-do list for Aidil Adha but we have a template for Aidil Fitri. For me, once the prayers are over, I'd go back home for my breakfast/brunch then change then return to the masjid for the korban. I had my first experience last year when Mali invited me. As I got to the masjid then, I just froze, not knowing where to begin, how to start and what to do. By 1pm, I was perspiring, smelling of slaughtered meat, holding a plastic bag full of daging korban and feeling fulfilled. One more experience experienced. Tomorrow, I intend to do the same. Texted Mali earlier tonight and made arrangements for him to fetch me on his was to the masjid.

A herd of 13 cows is a sight to behold.

VI lost to a bunch of GIRLS!

Forgive me but they're not just ANY bunch of girls, they're the band from Sekolah Menengan Kebangsaan Sultanah Asma. And they're not just any school band, they've also won the 5th International Music Festival in Giulianova, Italy in 2004.

So, to put it mildly, VI didn't just lose to some girls, they lost to an award winning band from a girls' school.

Where? It all happened at the Merdeka Stadium at the grand finals of the inaugural Kuala Lumpur World Marching Band Competition 2007. They lined up a total of 10 finalists and although Thailand won the competition, Malaysia was in 2nd and 3rd places with Sultanah Asma and VI respectively. They had a panel of 8 international judges (none of whom are from Malaysia) and I agree with their judgement when choosing Sultanah Asma.

Unfortunately I don't have pictures to show but if I did, it wouldn't do justice. Only a movie recording would be able to give justice and show the outstanding performance put up by these three winners.

Sultanah Asma went away with USD10,000 for winning the Malaysian category and being runner's up in the international category while VI amassed USD6,000 (I think) for being runners up in the Malaysian category and being second runners up in the international category.

Patutnya tengok dari awal with all the preliminary rounds and the side competitions, baru best.

It was.. FUN!

Ok, ok.. before anyone asks, here's the link to SMK Sultanah Asma's video. Mind you this wasn't the one at KLWMBC 2007 but the routine was similar, if not the same.
Link 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7hUTCw-X8E
Link 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifd1KF_noAQ

The Lagu, The Cerita and The Conclusion..

Dalam masa tiga hari ni, dah 50-100 kali dah lagu ni aku dengar. It has so far managed to topple my like for Uncle Hussain's Lagu Untukmu. I can not seem to get over it, sampai gi keluar pun terdengar lagu ni lagi. I've not burnt it on CD since I'm compiling songs I like when I'm in that mood.

Tapi dalam banyak-banyak lagu tu, ada pulak Destiny's Child's Check On It.. haha.. Well, not really a mood-song but it's one of those that I can listen to over and over and over again at one time. Moved on to other songs by now and opening my ears again.

I know how to download movies and where to get them but mp3? That's a whole new thing for me. I've even downloaded video clips instead of the song! Ish, shy la like this.

Today's a no work day. My boss' boss doesn't work Fridays and my boss decided to call it an off day too. Just as well since he was contacted by his boss earlier this morning saying that we don't have to go to work. Now don't you get all jealousy and stuff.. This is the calm before the storm. When the storm approaches, we'd be pretty busy and when it does get here, I'll be having laaaaaate nights, I assure you. Well, those nights might be me alone since the company doesn't really work late nights.

Woke up almost half past six due to the tummy cleaning concoction I had last night. Slept again after 7am and after I updated my Warbook Kingdom. Hey, any of you play warbook on facebook? I'm PercikKing or how la I spelt it, I don't remember.

I went online after Friday prayers today to reload my Celcom. Completed the transaction then logged out. Did stuff and wondered why the phone hasn't received any message. Kan bila kita reload kita dapat message yang kata reload accepted or successful. I was waiting for that. Then I realised that it does not happen that way if reload is done online then I went online and searched for recent internet transactions. Lucky for me, they have the serial number of my previous transaction as well. Kalau tak, rugi limaploh hinggit gitu-gitu je..

Tonight's futsal night. Fizin secured the BIG field!! WAAAAAAHhh.. Belum pernah lagi main kat padang besar, it'll be a wonderful experience this time. I texted Ridza and AJ among others, to invite them as well. Ye la, kalau dengan the normal crowd of 8-10 people, mengah la main kat padang besar. Kalau ada orang ramai sket, boleh main 7 atau 8 satu side.

Had a meeting with Osh and Hussein just now, with my dad. I was as usual, the quiet one. Listening, observing and giving the occasional nod, smile, laugh and "hmm.." Gitulah biasanya kalau duduk kat meeting yang memang takde benda yang nak dibincangkan. Kalau cerita pasal benda yang aku tau, rancak je jadinya.

What's the intention of this blog? Nothing in particular. I'm still envious of people who can write with substance rather than just to tell stories like I do..

5 tahun dan lebih..

Aku dulu sekolah asrama. Semua family aku sekolah asrama penuh, kecuali Khalisah. Khalisah special sikit sebab dia belajar di sekolah antarabangsa. Lain zaman, lain waktu, lain orang, lainlah rezekinya..

Ayah, Abang dan aku belajar di MTD, Sungai Besi. Mama di TKC, Seremban. Kakak ipar aku, Azlina, di SMAP Labu. Oh, Julina pun belajar di SMAP Labu. Faizal Arif pun di SMAP Labu (rasanya). Ayah dan Mama graduan USM, jurusan komunikasi massa. Abang, aku dan kakak ipar aku dari UIA. Abang dan aku jurusan kejuruteraan, kakak ipar aku jurusan pengurusan perniagaan. Khalisah baru mula belajar dan mengambil jurusan komunikasi massa juga.

Kalau ditanya orang-orang yang pernah belajar di sekolah berasrama penuh, memang banyak yang boleh diceritakan. Dalam banyak-banyak cerita itu, mesti ada terselit kisah di dewan makan ataupun cerita berkisarkan 'kesengsaraan' menghadapi hidangan pemakanan di sana. Kicap bukan kicap, Milo bukan Milo, mentega dalam tin sebesar tin Milo 5kg dan mee goreng sarapan pagi kadang-kadang tu boleh tergigit garam sebesar penumbuk!

Ada kisah roti yang keras sekeras batu dan kisah pecah masuk stor dewan makan atas sebab kelaparan. Pernah terjadi ketika aku di tingkatan 3, pelajar tingkatan 5 ditangkap memasuki dewan makan. Apabila disoal, diberitahu bahawa mereka kelaparan. Komandan pada ketika itu Kolonel Hussein bin Yusoff (anak bongsu dia lawa!). Senior-senior aku tu diberi amaran keras tapi tidak diambil tindakan. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab pihak pentabiran untuk memastikan bahawa anak-anak jagaan mereka mendapat peluang pemakanan yang secukupnya dan Kolonel Hussein sedar akan itu.

Kisah Kolonel Hussein ini banyak. Dialah yang mengujudkan pertandingan kelas terbersih (yang mana kelas aku menang tersangatlah banyak kalinya dan dapat habuan KFC pada setiap bulan kemenangan). Dia amat suka membuat lawatan diluar waktu kerja dan jangkaan kami. Dia aktif dan berpandangan jauh. Sayang sekali, jodohnya tidak lama dan dia bersara selepas mendapat satu bintang.

Selain daripada cerita hal makan dan dewan makan, pasti juga ada kisah-kisah seram yang pernah diceritakan dari seorang ke seorang yang lain dan tak kurang juga melalui pengalaman sendiri. Aku kira aku amat bernasib baik kerana tidak pernah melalui pengalaman itu secara terus tapi pernah juga terlibat menahan seorang yang dirasuk daripada keluar bilik (dikhuatiri terjun bangunan) bersama 8 orang yang lain. 1 lawan 9. Hebat.

Tapi, kesemua cerita dan pengalaman aku di sekolah berasrama penuh kurang nikmatnya jika dibandingkan dengan pengalaman terakhir aku pada tahun 1993. Nak tahu? Haa, tungguuuuu... ;)

*ehem..* -to be continued-

Kisah yang eeeee!!

Aku pandu kereta itu
Aku ada tempat tuju
Sampai selekoh jalan itu
Jatuh ia di depan cermin kereta aku

Dia menari melawan angin
Aku ngeri geli geleman
Dia menari atas cermin
Aku gelabah seorangan

Aku pandu kereta itu
Cepat-cepat laju-laju
Sampai tempat aku tuju
Aku keluar kereta itu

Aku geli masih lagi
Dia menari tanpa henti
Aku pinjam kayu jaga
Tolak ia jatuh kereta

Aku geli dan duduk jauh
Usha kereta, usha jalan
Aku dengar ia jatuh
Tapi bayang pun tak nampak depan

Masih geli aku ini
Tunggu dulu ia pergi
Paksa diri masuk kereta
Cepat-cepat pergi dari sana

Aku ngeri bukan apa
Kereta banyak lubang, nanti muncul tiba-tiba
Aku tau dia tak bahaya
Tapi belum kena, belum tahu rasa

Itulah ular atas kereta
Mana datang, aku musykil
Nasib baik tak gelabah gila
Ish, interview crocodile hunter sure fail!

Aku bukan benci binatang
Yang lembut, lembik dan yang bertulang belakang
Cuma aku belum biasa
Berhati-hati sebelum terkena.

Alasan je tu sebenarnya
Lipas pun lagi aku geli
Cemana la nak jadi hero perkasa
Nak jadi protector untuk isteri

Takpelah, kalau aku tak mampu begitu
Harap dia lebih tegar
Kalau dua-dua pun macam tu
Panggil je pest control ke, bomba ke, biar depa yang kejar!

Selamat siang semua
Indah rasanya ini dunia.

p/s: benda tu jadi bulan 9 dulu, masa bawak myvi, kat junction Jalan Jelatek dengan Jalan yang ke Sri Rampai tu. Jatuh dari pokok kot.. mm..

A twist of fate, a tale of late..

Salam People,

As it turned out, the simple visit I had earlier became an interim job offer. Well, they didn't actually offer me before I asked to join but they accepted me into the forming team nonetheless. I've been going to work in Shah Alam daily since November something (last week of November, malas nak tengok kalendar :P) with the exception of Thursday and Friday last week, due to a fever - revisited.

I guess He works in many mysterious ways, getting us what we want albeit in a different form. I feel that this is a good opportunity for me to prove some sick old man wrong (hey, not him, him!). That particular old man told my dad that I wasn't fit for the Qatar job because I "do not have enough experience".

Yeah, right, after giving towering praises and saying oh so sweet words to me and not to forget, cursing and belittling his other staff. The funny thing is, he's now depending on the staff that he cursed and cursed again in front of everybody, calling the guy "pengkhianat" and what nots. He's got no other option but to ask that guy to carry the company flag into Doha.

Fact: There shall not be a Doha venture without my father's help and my father's not doing anything to help them, after what he said and did to me.

Jadi, biarkanlah orang tua tu dengan angan-angan kosongnya dan mulut yang layak dicabai, digiling dan dilenyek dengan tayar kereta.

I'm currently breathing well in this company. The boss may be Chinese and his partner American but it feels like a fairer place to work in than with that old man.

BTW, this old man's much younger than my dad. He just looks older, for reasons I shall not say.