Approval Junkies

Greetings. I have not been posting any topic on this blog for a while, and for that I apologize. I have been quite busy, and on top of everything I seemed to have lost my muse in writing. It has been a while but I will try to make this blog consistently compatible with those that I had post before.

Recently I have been troubled by the thoughts of man and women. I was furthermore inspired by an article in today’s Star Newspaper about social media like ‘Instagram’ and ‘Facebook’ make more and more girls conscious about their appearance. I did not have a chance to read this article, but I do understand as much as I could from the headlines.

 Social consciousness is the many reasons why we do the things that we do. In truth, all of our actions is mostly done to please others. The clothes we wear, the way we act and all social activities we mostly partaken so that we feel belong, so that people take it that we are (in the modern slang) cool.

Speaking through experience, I will give you an example of what I mean. I had a friend who was one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. She likes to party. I mean like the whole nine yards. In a club with loud techno music, alcohol and drugs. Now I did not realize it at the time, but I hate going to clubs. For one thing for a boy from Petaling Jaya like me, means that to go to these places, you need to drive all the way to Kuala Lumpur the big city. For a PJ boy (PJ is a short form for Petaling Jaya) it means long ass drive, you need to have some fuel in your car, tol expenses and of course parking. I was 22 to 23 years of age at the time. I did not even have a job yet at the time, it means no income, but I had to spend money in the club, sometimes to get in but mostly on expensive intoxicating drinks. To add the cherry on the top, I do not even like techno music that much. It is loud, full of pointless and annoying lyrics, and when you are in the club, you cannot have a conversation with someone. That is just how I am, I am the kind of person that measures the connection with a person, by the conversations I would have with them. I remember conversations. I can understand someone by talking to them, and this fact made me uncomfortable in a club.

It gets worst, after you had a few drinks, you mind is messed up. You cannot think straight. Nowadays I came to understand that a mind and its ability to make you think is the best gift from God or to me from Allah SWT. That is because throughout history, not many thing was certain, but one the reason why mankind had survived through whatever history has thrown at is mainly because of our ability to think, you can take away anything and everything from a man, but if he could think and think well, he will surely get back on his feet. However alcohol takes away this ability from a man. That is why; failures that turn alcoholic do not get back up on their feet. When you are drunk, it feels alright for a while you felt like the world is perfect and you are the king of the world bent on living forever. How could you have known that it actually makes you look like an idiot and made a fool of yourself when you have lost all ability of what is right and what is wrong.

You wake up the next day, with a massive headache that made you feel worst then you did before you had alcohol, you feel itchy all over your body, as a result of the alcohol and drug reaction, you open your wallet and realised that you had spent a lot of money on booze and drugs. It was fun the night before because all your senses was numb, but unless you are a freaking millionaire and I feel very safe to say that 99% of the people in the club last night was not, you felt bumped because you are now broke. The message of the story that I have written above was that, I did not like to party but I did it, just to get to her. After all that I still did not get the girl.

We are all doing things that we would necessary not want to do, for others. Now the story that I had portrayed was just an example a fraction. You think this will not apply to you, but think back. Why do we buy expensive shoes, admire expensive cars, try to live large? And the answer is so that others will see you as someone that Hollywood and MTV tricked you to see a celebrity. Living large, or living in the fast lane. The media and capitalist company have got you to chase things that you do not need. They show you a car, a beautiful but expensive cars and in those commercial, the guy who drove it has a beautiful girl beside it; and in seeing this they had programed our mind with the fiction that expensive cars will bring you beautiful girls, and this will automatically tell beautiful girls to go out and look for a guy with a great car.

In Islam it is said; that the three vices to a man, are women, wealth and children in that order. The reason why most people are not happy with the love that they get from their partners is because we all expect that all love life should be like the ones in the movies or tv, when in truth it is not. They also programmed us to think that you should date a hot smoking girl, but in truth a girl is only as beautiful as her heart is.  I see it now. I came to know that all those time wasted in chasing a beautiful girl was all a waste, and going out of your way to look as how Calvin Klien or TopShop tells you how to look are a waste of time. Trying to live the life like they sang on songs is a waste of time.

It is all in you. If you just open up and use your mind, it will come to you. All the things that you need are around you. Learn to appreciate yourself, rather that learning to make yourself so that others could appreciate you.

To vote, or not to vote?

In My Honest Opinion

It is now the year 2013. I have recently set foot on home soil this year from my trip to Europe. I wanted to clear my mind of a few things, though it did not serve me to the peak of it's purpose but none the less it somewhat had a rather positive effect on my mentality.

2013 is in Malaysia an election year, and for me personally my first time voting in Malaysia's General Election. A funny thing this because in my three weeks of travels, many had ask me, "where are you from?" Upon hearing "Malaysia" 7 out of 10 times they will reply with the phrase' "Malaysia, Truly Asia". On the surface of the world, we Malaysians project an image that we are representing what is best in all of Asia. However underneath it all, I believe true test lies ahead in our future, and 2013 could yet be a turning point of our nation's path. It is our rightful duty as Malaysians to cast a vote in our elections to see, who it is that we choose to lead us in the coming years. This may come as a very difficult choice for us or for me especially as I see no one fit to vote for.

Over the last year, scandals of unacceptable behavior loomed large on both camps of parties. These are the same parties that are now fighting for our affection so that we indeed cast a vote on their favor. In other words fighting for the helm of this nation, so that they could lead us. One thing we must realize is, who are they fighting for? Is it for them or for us? Because a true purpose of a government is to govern their people and not collect riches for themselves. Last year the 'Scorpion Submarine' scandal and the incident of the Ss7 Field made me realize that there are predators on both side of the river and they are waiting to pound on us, as soon we are on their side.

So, with that in mind who do we choose. Do we choose those who stole Billions from us, or those who stole hundred of millions from us? It really does not matter because either way, we are going to be eaten alive. No one in any party could convince me of their sincerity of actually intending to run for office for the sake of Malaysia and it's people. Don't be fooled by the BR1M because for one, where did they get the cash to give to people? And no other government in the world pays cash.

The point that I am trying to make is that Malaysia does not need an election, nor does it need the old government nor a new one at this point. What we need is a new structure. A new structure of governing, one that could not allow them any room to take a single bite, unless they truly deserve it. For that to happen a lot of issues that they say must be address.

The Malaysian people should have equal rights. This means that the 'Bumiputera' statues must be revoke or be expanded to non-Malays. This must be done. The word 'Bumi' directly means earth but it is mainly refer to land. 'Bumiputera' meaning the children of the land, and it's previllages was handed out to Malays and Aborigines because they were born from this land. This was true many years ago, but not right now. Many Chinese and Indians are born in Malaysia now. Their parents had settled here and they are born here not by their own choice. Never the less they are also 'Bumiputera' for they are also born in this land. Look at Dato' Lee Cheong Wei. He is a national icon, the whole country cheered for him every time he plays, but most Malays do not realize that our national hero, was denied certain rights in a country that he fights for. So to is Dato Nicol Davids, Dato Michelle Yeoh, Dato K. Rajagopal. All heroes of Malaysia all denied certain rights.

We are a Muslim country, and Islam is given to us by Allah SWT by the way of His Prophet Muhammad SAW. He too was a leader of Madina and Mecca. In Madina his people does not only consist of Muslims but also non-Muslims, yet He never denied them any rights of freedom, except the rights of going to war (and that is because His enemies only came to fight the Muslims). He proclaimed that Madina is for all who lived in it.

Any politician could offer this abolishment of the constitution wins my vote, but sadly no one did.

Government

The Government -- I heard about the Government and
I went out to find it. I said I would look closely at
it when I saw it.
Then I saw a policeman dragging a drunken man to
the callaboose. It was the Government in action.
I saw a ward alderman slip into an office one morning
and talk with a judge. Later in the day the judge
dismissed a case against a pickpocket who was a
live ward worker for the alderman. Again I saw
this was the Government, doing things.
I saw militiamen level their rifles at a crowd of
workingmen who were trying to get other workingmen
to stay away from a shop where there was a strike
on. Government in action.
Everywhere I saw that Government is a thing made of
men, that Government has blood and bones, it is
many mouths whispering into many ears, sending
telegrams, aiming rifles, writing orders, saying
"yes" and "no."
Government dies as the men who form it die and are laid
away in their graves and the new Government that
comes after is human, made of heartbeats of blood,
ambitions, lusts, and money running through it all,
money paid and money taken, and money covered
up and spoken of with hushed voices.
A Government is just as secret and mysterious and sensitive
as any human sinner carrying a load of germs,
traditions and corpuscles handed down from
fathers and mothers away back.

Carl Sandburg

European Post

Hello, to all my readers. I have not been writing for a while as I am currently in Europe or London to be exact. I had just returned from Amsterdam and currently drinking a tasty cup of 'hot chocolate'. I will write about my exploits in Europe in later post.




To kick off my first pot of the new year, is that of what I was thinking on the ferry which I took from Calais, France to Dover, England. I was thinking about love, or rather loneliness. I had a moment of reflection of the things that have been, and also thing that is to be, but the thought that dominated most in my mind was the thought of someone, the thought of 'the one'. I was thinking of Sarah

It was one of the reasons that i came to Europe, is to relieve my mind of her, so that when I returned home, she will be nothing more but a memory. But still the feelings that I have for her is still attached to me. I will let it go before I leave. One things comes to mind on the ferry was that when I thought about God, and all the prayers we ask of Him, I remembered, when I prayed to God, to sent me someone to love me.






I realised that God will not send her down to me on some plate or in a box all wrapped up and decorated with ribbons. What happens is that God will show you to her, He will lead you to her and when you see her, God will touch you in the heart to tell you, this is what you ask for. Then it is up to you to go up to her and get her.

But what if, what if you blew your chance with her? She is yours for the taking, but because the challenge is too hard or the timing is not right, for whatever reason, you blew it with her? She was the one for you and you ruined it with her, you fumbled and you failed. What then? what is there install for you. It scared me because for a moment there I thought you have missed your chance of happiness.

While I was in Europe, I had to be precise in certain timing to get to where I was going, I had no personal transport so I relied heavily on public transportations. Like when I am chasing the last train to Paddington, or when I was trying to catch my bus back to London, or the train to Amsterdam. Being alone made everything so much harder because I could only rely on myself. A single mistake would not only leave me stranded, but it will cost me a lot of money, on top of the money that I have wasted.

But sometimes shit happens. Like today, because of the change in platform at the Amsterdam Centraal, I took the wrong train, I was suppose to go to Amstel, but I ended up in Utreacht the next town near outside Amsterdam. I missed my bus at 7:00pm as my detour got me in Amstel half an hour late. When I got to the office, they told me I could still make the next one for an extra fee of €10. So I made the change.

The thing is that the bus will not be taking the train to London, but it will be boarding the ferry from Calais to Dover. I had always wanted to go to Dover, and see the white cliffs, but because of time restrictions, I had crossed it out of the place I am going to visit this time. But since I missed the bus at 7pm, I was able to see it. Sure it is dark and I could not take a picture of it, but I was there, in Dover looking ath the white cliffs.

Thanks to the designs of the European transport person, I was given something better then going through a dark tunnel. I was given a chance to see Dover. And that comforted me about the whole love thing. For if a man, or the combined brain of many man could come up with such rectification, I wonder what is in store for me by Allah SWT. For He can command anything and everything, and more perfect than the minds of men.

Maybe someone better or someone I was meant to be waa still in store for me. I can't say I know what is going to be, but when I get there, I will like the sight of it. Happy 2013 everybody!

The Front-Line Warriors

Have you ever seen war movies or heard stories of epic battles between good and evil? Well in all fact, it does not matter between what and who. You see soldiers lining up in the front line waiting to charge against their enemy.

This post has nothing to do with anything, and I am not writing this in bid to ask you to go to war or even to fight anyone. I just write this as a tribute to those has stood in the front line of battles, be in any battle of any time and for any cause.

Imagine if you will what that warrior must have felt whilst standing there. Waiting for the order to charge, knowing deep down in their minds that they, might die here this very day. But they have no time to feel fear, for if they do, this very feeling that makes their body tremble, could be the death of them. So they bury their fear deep down inside, and prepare to fight.

 

 

To fight to survive, to fight to live, to fight for the right to walk out of this battle field as the victor and to fight for their cause. This brave humans standing, hoping, fearing and dealing with things that most of us will never get a chance to do, that most of us would never ever want to do.

 

 

Many soldiers fight, because it is their job to fight. They were trained to fight, but every once in a while you'll hear the story of normal citizen having to take up arms to defend their homes, families and everything they love against the evil of tyranny. These men are braver than those of a soldier, for they were not trained in the ways of battle, but they stood and fought anyway because they have to. To these men I solute their bravery and I will hope if this task is befallen to me one day, I will pray for courage to stand my grounds when the day of danger truly dawns.

 

The moment of battle

by Me

 

I stood in line against the evil of men,

I could see the enemy in front of me,

no mercy they shout, so none they will give,

Their eyes of anger ready to kill.

 

I stand in line with my people and my brothers,

We fear death, and we do not want to die,

but to do nothing against evil is worst than death,

I am no soldier, but a man but a poet.

 

But words could not defeat this enemy,

only strength and faith,

words could not save me from this tyranny,

only my strength and my faith.

 

I could feel my sweat drips down my neck,

I can feel my heart beats as fast as a drum,

I could feel my feet getting lighter,

I could feel the tension in the air.

 

I see my leader in front of me, 

I could see, more soldiers behind me,

the only way out now,

is by death or victory.

 

Our leader raise his hand,

and we stand ready to run forward,

I could not contain this feeling,

Will I see my wife tonight?

 

Charge!   

Happy Birthday Dear Sultan Pahang

Have you guys checked out the birthday celebration for Sultan of Pahang which was done in the UK? If you have not here is the clip.

 

 

 

Congratulations to the Sultan for his achievement of living for 81 years. May Allah SWT bless you with a longer life or may you live forever. I am somewhat disappointed by this celebration, but I can't say that I am surprise. What is it can I do, I am a mere peasant, and him a sultan. Our prophet Muhammad SAW said, never to oppose a leader, as long as he still pray or fast during Ramadhan (Our Prophet was talking on Muslim leaders leading Muslim countries).

I had written earlier in a subject that I had posted on the 16th of November 2012 about the purpose of our Kings and of the sultans. They are first the leader of our Islamic faith and second the symbol of our Malay race. Yet in the video of the celebration I had just shown you, he neglected his faith and his religion. And I will show you why (if you don't already know):

 

First the dressing. Have you seen an Indonesian king? He in any celebration private or public he would wear a full traditional uniform. Why? Because he is the king, the symbol of the Indonesian, and the figure of his people, so he would dress as his people would expect him to dress in Indonesian, a traditional one I might add. That is a nature of the king and also a Sultan, but not this sultan apparently, for he would prefer the western tuxedo, he wants to be like the English royal family, well bad news sir for you are not one of them.

 

 

Second his son, his only son speaks in a British accent. A long time ago in Turkey in the old days after the crusades about 1600s the Sultan went to a Greek city of Smyrna to negotiate a treaty between his kingdom and their city. He to show good will to the Greeks went there himself to negotiate. He sat there with the council to negotiate, and though he can speak Greek perfectly, he chose to use a translator. When asked why, he said that to these western people, I show them that my people and my race are not afraid to be ourselves. But of course not all of us could become as noble as this particular Sultan. Wait a Sultan means in Arabic noble, power and authority. Well I guess it does. Even though he is only a prince, he is still a Malay prince not a Britsh wine.

 

Thirdly, I guess I missed the part when the Islam banned drinking alcohol but it is alright if you're the Sultan. Wait, I remember now, there is none. So how could you be the leader of our faith when judging by the way your son was dancing (a bit tipsy) and the way it was going on I say your faith is moving towards another religion there chief. Of course I was not there, so i have no right to say anything on this matter. Maybe the were all dancing to a humpty dumpty song or playing some innocent game or something like that. Well you be the judge.

Fourthly, how could you as a Sultan throwing all that money around for a birthday in the UK (what's wrong with Kuantan or Cherating?), while your people in Pahang is still regarded as the poorest state in Malaysia. LYNAS have to give your state money to support them, and you are there in London (I think) dancing and lavishly burning your ka-chings away on a party. It does not matter whose money it is. It really don't it could be his money, it could be the government's (if it is, it is actually OUR's, the people!) but as the leader of the state you have to do all you can for your people. It is not right that the people should serve a leader, it is only right that a leader is to serve the people.

 

 By which acts that I had just mentioned to you, by right it demotes him from the throne and the title of Sultan. But all Malaysian know that there would be no way in hell that this is going to happen. He is the SULTAN! For we should fear him, for we should respect him for we should bow in his presents. I am telling you now Malaysia GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS! This is only one Sultan and his party footage got leaked out, what to you the other eight of them do?

 

But I am only one writer, I could be that I will get arrested after clicking the 'publish' button on the top of this page. I need you, Malaysia. All of you the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians and the rest of us. To stand up together. They are the ones that divides us apart. They spend out hard earned salaries to but things that they don't need and go places where they should not really go to. The build a palace that looked more like a multipurpose hall. for RM 2,000,000,000 of our money. That money could be use to stabilized our economy, to give us a better future, or pay our national debt which is about RM 3,000,000,000,000 (a lot of zeros, I am a financial student). It could help feed the poor and the helpless, giving them better homes and etc. I could have been to tighten our defense as I was in the National Service and as what they had shown us of our national arsenal, we would barely survive an attack. The list is endless.

 

Open your eyes Malaysia, before it will be shut forever.

 To end this post, I wrote a poem called 'Ampun Tuanku'

Ampun Tuanku 

Ampun Tuanku, what are we going to eat?

Ampun Tuanku, where are we going to sleep?

Ampun Tuanku, we have no money left to give.

Ampun Tuanku, beribu-ribu ampun sembah patik harap diampun.

 

Ampun Tuanku, can you read me a prayer?

Ampun Tuanku, is the cushion in the mosque, comfortable enough?

Ampun Tuanku, here is your champagne.

Ampun Tuanku, beribu-ribu ampun sembah patik harap diampun.

 

Ampun Tuanku, but this is not right

Ampun Tuanku, you neglected us, our faith and our rights.

Ampun Tuanku, but my mother said I should just shut up,

Ampun Tuanku, for you are a king and I am nothing .

 Ampun tuanku, beribu-ribu ampun, sembah patik harap diampun

Ampun Tuanku I am not afraid of you

Ampun Tuanku, I will always write the truth,

Ampun Tuanku, for I fear only God as should you.

Ampun Tuanku, pergi mohon keampunan dari Tuhanku.

 

P/s: Ampun Tuanku is what to be said before talking to the Sultan. It means, forgive me my lord. Beribu-ribu ampun means a thousand apologies. Tuhan is God (as the Malay word for God and lord of the sultan is very close and almost sounds the same)

 

And mother if you are reading this, I am not afraid, for as promise by Allah SWT, the truth will prevail. 

Call to Arms

This a call to arms,

gather soldiers,

time to go to war,

this is a battle song,

brothers and sisters,

time to go to war.

That line was taken from a song called 'Vox Populi' by the bad 30 Seconds to Mars. Even though neither, Jared Letto nor his band is a Muslim (not that we know of), it fits perfectly to the point that I am trying to make in this post.

 

Recent days has bought terrible news to the world of Islam and those of the Muslim, that the Islamic country of Palestine had once again being siege and attack by the armed forces of the nation of Israel. The Israeli claimed that the purpose of such action, is based on their need to defend itself from the Abu Hamas' forces in Palestine. What's worst the world ate it up like a piece of chocolate cake but fail to taste the shit that contained in it.

It has forever been the objective, or the more dubious word 'agenda' of the Israel nation to eradicate the Muslim population surrounding the City of Jerusalem so that they could reclaim the former glory of the Jewish kingdom they had so many years ago. It was a period long before the time of Islam and of our Prophet Muhammad SAW.

What saddens me more about this situation, is that the Jewish nation of Israel take such action based solely in the belief of their religion. Although evil men are well evil, but it takes a lot of faith in you beliefs to be evil, and no matter how evil their acts could be, the Israeli are a stronger Jew compared to most Muslim being Islam.

We the Muslim people need to rally, in the name of Allah SWT and of Islam to fight against our enemies. We are not a violent people, and Islam only teaches us of peace, but If we are attack we must defend ourselves for there is a fine line between being peaceful and being a weakling. Islam only allows us to fight to defend ourselves and nothing more.

What kind of battle can we fight? What kind of battle can I, a blog writer from the suburbs of Malaysia, if the my government does not want to send troops? What can I do? Shall I stand still? No, a fight in itself has many forms. Other than physically fighting in the front line of the battlefield, we can pray. Fight for the Palestinians by praying for them, ask God to help them. Make them feel like they are not alone, help them in spirit if you cannot in physical.

Why should we fight? It is because we are the brothers of the Muslim in Palestine. Once a man has declared himself a Muslim, he has join in himself the family of Islam. When someone hurt your family, you too will feel this hurt. That is why as Muslims, seeing other Muslims in trouble we must do everything in our power to help them. How dare you buy a ticket to a concert, or a movie or an event as your Muslim brothers lye dead and starving and crying a world away. 

Remember in the Quran (and as a Muslim we must believe in the Quran) in the Surah Al Nisa verse 75 which reads:

And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and for those who is weak, ill-treated and oppressed? Men, women and children, who cry: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, and the people who are oppressors;

And raise for us from Thee One who will protect; and raise for us from Thee One who will help.

Once their was a conversation between the youngsters of a Muslim and a Jew. The Muslim said to the Jew, "You know one day, the Muslims will come for the oppressors of the Jew and we will beat you and chase you out and you will run and hide. As you hide behind trees and stone, the trees and stones will shout out 'Behind me, lies a Jew in hiding." The Jew youngster replied, "I know of this story, for it is written in our books, but I am not worried, because those Islam that defeats us, is not of your generation. It is the generation of Muslims when their 'saf' of the fajr prayers is as many and as long as their 'Juma' prayers. See this is the point that i am trying to make, Allah SWT has already promise help for the oppressed Muslims yet, it is because of our lack of faith that is holding back the help from God.

Pray now my fellow Muslims and let us help our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Palestine.

I would like to end this post with a poem that I have read. It is actually from a lyric of a song, but what is a song but a poem sang in tune. It was written by a Palestinian, and I found it in a leaflet in front of the Quran class in Taman Tun. It is called 'The Letter' by  Dawud Wharnsby Ali

You don't know me,

but I am your brother in Islam,

You'll never know my name,

Never know exactly where I am,

but I am a part of you,

and you are a part of me too.

One life saved is like all mankind

Sometimes I wonder,

about the people in the world,

So much wealth,

so many fist so tightly curled,

enough for you, should be enough for two,

One life lost is like all mankind.

You don't see the look of hate in the soldiers' eyes,

you don't see my sister cry at night,

you don't smell the garbage in the street,

and you don't know how very little food we eat.

Not a thing belongs to you or me,

It's all a trust from Allah 's rich bounty

the tree of greed grows from a seed,

that's planted when we don't care.

Do you know how it feels to walk for days,

do you know how it feels to sleep in the snow,

do you know what it really means to pray,

can you tell me why they took my dad away?

I don't mean so seem bold or to seem rude,

I'm not begging for your shelter or your food,

I'm just asking for you to care, and be aware,

at the very least pray for me.

Peace be with you.

The Pen is Mightier Then the Sword

In this modern age of information, words that brings meaning to thoughts are now at the end of their era, and are facing extinction. People are now more interested in pictures for they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. The art of poetry and the skill of writing is decreasing. The skill of taking a picture is more rapidly increasing. For this I cry myself to sleep, for no picture could match the beauty of a word. 

No matter what people say, I still believe that words and ideas could change the world, and I will dedicate my life to trudge on the symphony of a language, and dream that one day I would write stories of beauty, freedom, truth and love that conspires in this world, for this will be my gift to the world, and with hope I end this side not, or just a small post.

Assalamualaikum