The Importance of ONE

In this world, many people like big number. The bigger the better and the more the merrier. Before you jump the gun, don't get me wrong. I'm not against 'many', more people, more projects, etc but the importance of one cannot be overlooked.

Many tend to say, 'Ah! Without me, it's ok. Makes no difference. No big deal.' Think for a moment. You may think that the PTA meeting or your local residents' Association AGM is worthy to give a miss. You may far from right. Your crucial vote could have help your dear friend or your worthy neighbour to secure that important post which could mean a lot to the group as a whole. Your voice, idea or suggestion could be crucial in helping to turn the association around or strengthen it.

Think again. Your presence could have saved a person from embarassment, lend credibility or simply help to turn the tide in his favour. You could be the saviour in the most unlikely situation. You could have saved a person from the gallow!

What if in a general election, everyone starts to think his presence is not going to make any difference? You could live to regret for the rest of your life. In a bigger picture, your indifference could have caused the 'wrong' party to win and jeopardise the future of your children, siblings and friends. Do you want that to happen?

Before you allow yourself to toss this aside, 'Oh, that's for somebody else-how much difference can I make?' go back and review the value of one.

I am only one

But still I am one

I cannot do everything

But still I can do something

And because I cannot do everything

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

-Edward Everette Hale

Don't delay

Finally Tun M has spoken. He is willing to be probed into the allegation of the RM100 billion loss during his 22 years reign. It is only right that this man of honour be given all the opportunity to clear his name. The MACC should not delay but proceed to investigate so such allegation will not continue to linger on. I think the public are tired to keep hearing such nonsense and it's high time the MACC be diligent in discharging their responsiblity to the public.

Look b4 u leap

The STPM and SPM results will be out soon. Next, what? Students will be at wits of what to do next unless they are crystal clear regarding their destiny. They have to do a lot of soul-searching-to continue in sixth-form, A-level, SAM, Foundation, Diploma or to go for one of the many skill-based courses offered by countless of colleges.
A 'wrong' choice means a lot of headache and frustration, not counting the time-loss and money spent. But wait a moment. If ever you make the 'wrong' choice, don't despair. Count it as a wonderful lesson learnt and you could end up a lot wiser with more grey matter inside.
The much advice obtain from school counsellors or self-appointed experts may still lead you nowhere with more confusion and head-spinning. I'm not saying you should not seek advice. By all means, do so. Talk to you parents, uncles and aunties, teachers and your teachers. You never know. Somewhere along the way the door may be opened to you. You may want to sit down and ask yourself, "What do I really want to do?". Once you are clear, share with someone whom you BELIEVE can help you. It is good to share your ideal.
Important advice: don't just stop after your SPM or STPM. Continue with your education, formally of informally so that your mind will not go rusty. Remember: An idle mind is the workshop of the devil. It is better to pollute your mind with academic work, skill-based courses or any work that will enrich you.
Finally, seek God in every of your endeavour. He will never let you down. God wants you to have the BEST. The nation needs you.

Good leaders

When a child strays, the parents will discipline him to put him back on track so that he will continue to be on sound footing. Parents will do their utmost to make the child conforms to the right ethics and morals of society so that he will not be a disgrace to his family and society at large.
However when he grows up and becomes a political or corporate freak, he tends to forget all the good teachings as espoused by his parents. Somewhere along the journey, he got entangled by the power and wealth and became so engrossed and blinded by such evils that he seemed to be untouchable. He becomes unteachable and prefers the short cut to stardom. He is unwilling to struggle and sweat for the sen and ringgit but will look for every loophole to propel him above his peers. It doesn't matter if along the way he steps on someone's toes, elbow another out or the need to sembelih one's best friend as long as he gets what he wants. Worse, he will disguise to be a good samaritan or santa claus handing out aids much to the applause and clicking of the dslrs. What dangerous wolf!
Lately civil servants seem to be facing some unhappiness over the salary revision and the whole thing have to go back to the drawing board. The people who 'awarded' those with more than 50% and giving peanuts to the lowest rank should be taken to task. Next, money meant for the cattles are used to purchase properties, kononnya to generate more income for the corporation. Wrong means wrong. Why can't those responsible just admit their guilt and shut up? Bravo to the police for doing a good job.
Let's continue to pray for this nation that God will place responsible and morally upright leaders who truly have the people at heart. You will know them by their fruits.

Life can be good

Life can be good if you live it meaningfully. Today people are bogged down by so many things - career, money, friends, position, etc so much so that many become tensed up suffering from stress. Life becomes meaningless to many. But wait a moment. Is life all about money, position, materials,etc? Can life be more meaningful?

Sure. God wants us to live life to the fullest and not to despair. Life is more than the food, wealth, position, etc. After all life is too short to moan and groan and to waste away. Give your best shot. Do whatever you can do and give your best. Do not refuse to do the little things that you can do and at the end of the day you can sit back and tell yourself that you have given everything that you want to do.

Go ahead and look on the bright side of life. You may not be earning as much as others, your position may not be anything compare to your friends (according to your reckoning), your wealth may be nothing to shout about, etc. Who cares. As long as you are happy with what you are doing, just continue doing it. Comparison has no ending but only brings despair and frustration.

Let's wake up and tell ourselves that we want to enjoy life to the fullest. God is good. He wants to give you the BEST.

Be doers, not mere talkers

As the 13th General Election continues to loom around the corner, politicians from both sides of the political divide are sure to be busy getting the attention of the voters. In such contest and just like anywhere else, everyone is confident of victory that they will capture the required votes.

However, the sad part is, many vote according to their own whim and fancy or are heavily influenced by the propaganda forced down their throats through the influence of party agents, the media, their relatives and whoever closest to them. Once these candidates are voted in, it will be in the next election you can get to see their face. Many like to wear the YB badge but are not willing to soil their hands or sit side by side with the farmers and general labourers sipping tea by the road-side stall. If at all the YB turns up it's usually with all the pomp and pageantry scaring the kampung folks out of their wits. It's very rare to see one turning up as an ordinary folk with that genuine touch.

There is no difference in this small town. I am 50+ and had voted since I was eligible. It may not be over exagerating to say that it's easier to see the king than to see the wakil rakyat. There is no difference whether he is from the ruling pary or the opposition. If for 4 or 5 years we can hardly see the wakil rakyat's face, then what is he for and who is he representing. Wakil rakyat should be easily available, approachable and knowledgeable enough to articulate when the need arises.

Sometimes voters are given no choice but to go ahead and vote picking the best of the worst as listed. Voters may be 'forced' to vote for the person who is well-known, popular and a workaholic but unfortunately could be representing the 'wrong' party. Spoilt votes could be the result of voters disillusion with the choice of candidates presented or the parties they represent.

Let's pray that this time around we truly have 'winnable' candidates who can fulfil the wishes and aspirations of the rakyat. Political parties from both side of the political divide should analyse and scrutinise very thoroughly their aspiring candidates who would not be a mockery of the party they represent. Voters are looking for candidates who are knowledgeable, sincere, honest, trustworthy and can be counted upon to deliver for their constituencies and the nation. Many are sick of the yes-men and those there to make up the number and to warm the chairs. Voters do not need their future wakil rakyat who hardly open their mouths or tend to doze off during assembly sittings. If the needs arise,they should be seen talking and performing.

Jeremiah Tan

Be self-reliant

Dear Editor,

A survey recently showed that many graduates are employed due to various reasons including demanding high salaries and the grads poor command of English. While this may be true, I believe there are still ample grads who are willing to work as long as they are given the chance. More concerted effort by sincere employers and recruitment agencies must be made to woo these unemployed grads before the situation escalated into a major social problem. The government must be seen to be going all out to lessen the frustration of this seemingly hopeless situation.

To the unemployed grads, why fret over your dilemma. Just keep on trying your hands on every job opportunity that comes your way. After all the attempts and being on the verge of giving up, hang on. There is still a beacon of hope. Why not try your hand in small business? Don't expect overnight growth. Another reason given for the high unemployment rate is due to being too choosy in getting a job. Show to everyone that you are willing to do whatever work that comes your way.

Graduates should not think that their degrees are a passport to easy lives. They should be willing to soil their hands to make ends meet and to see light at the end of the tunnel. I remember many years ago during the economy recession, a chemistry graduate turned to be a night market trader after having been retrenched. When the economy recovered, he preferred to stay on and be independent earning an honest living. Another UKM grad in social science, after having his application to become a policeman turned down, soiled his hands to become a blacksmith. Today, he is a successful businessman in his trade working along side his fellow workers.

Graduates need to think out of the box and not to be too rigid waiting for recruitment agencies or the government to help them. It would be foolhardy to insist in getting a job or doing some thing based on what they had studied in the university. Maybe it would be wise for the unemployed grads to pool their resources and expertise to work in the agriculture sector or to work on the huge tract of land still available in the country. I believe it is not shameful to even tap rubber or to become small time farmers while waiting for a rosier future. How long do these graduates expect to wait?

On the other hand, the government need to rethink on the existing courses available in our public universities. Are the present courses still relevant and needed in order for the graduates to be employed after they graduate? Do we need to drum into the heads of the undergraduates that what they are studying may not necessarily grant them employment?

Graduates need to realise that their degrees are just another piece of paper and nothing more than that. They are probably equipped with more knowledge but would fall short of practical working experience. They still need to compete with the many non-graduates with umpteen years of working experience.