Frustrated

The affairs of state in this country have left me despairing for its future.

Even if I were to criticize certain Government policies and offer suggestions to make it better, I would be labeled anti-Government and an Opposition supporter. In this stage of my life, such labels have a hazardous effect on my future; and as such I have to be content with keeping my thoughts and opinions underground for this first few years. However, the student years are also one of the best to gain experience in such matters. For this purpose I am thankful that I am enrolled in a private and not a public institution, where the crackdown is harsh and in most cases tyrannical.

Where to now? Maybe I should start writing articles and publish them anonymously on the Internet, perhaps in the style of johnleemk. Interweaving points with humour as walksi does is not my forte. You can see this for yourself from my dry blog posts.

It is my duty as a citizen of this country to see that the Government of the day serves the people, however idealistic that might sound. As of now, they serve the elite few who in turn is part of the Government itself. This leads to a highly charged situation where the people who are left out of the wealth grows discontented. And from Sunday’s rally, a huge discontent it is.

Where to, nerdrazor?

On HINDRAF

I do not agree with their demands. Seeking compensation from the UK government for bringing their ancestors to Malaysia gives the impression that they are still from India even though they were born and raised here. Even after a hundred and fifty years. I do, however, agree that they should be free to voice their demands, to submit the memorandum to the British High Commission and to assemble peacefully.

There were objections to the rally, stating that it is illegal. Based on this, a family outing of more than five people is an illegal gathering. A class trip is also an illegal gathering. Plenty more examples. What makes it illegal? The law. I really hate it when people justify it with ‘the law is the law’. If the law oppresses the people, then the law should be amended or cease to exist. After all, it is the people who make laws. Unfortunately, one cannot amend it without a majority in the Parliament – and the current party’s stand is if it is a proposal made by the Opposition, then the members must not vote for it. A very stark contrast with other nations where to vote for or against something is a decision to be made by the member himself, not the party. He can even vote against the party’s policy if he feels that the proposal will not bring any good to his constituents.

Japanes torii at Ensengei-Samarahan road

Album 73, Negative 004701 Nos. 22A & 23A

On the Ensengei-Samarahan road there lies a little known Japanese gateway in the middle of an oil palm estate. Why is it there? Who built it? The story is not known to many except the historians, and there are few left today that could still remember who settled there.

In 1910 Yorioka Shozo arrived in Sarawak and applied for a lease of land near the Samarahan River. Unfortunately he died a year later in Kyoto when the lease was approved and so it fell to his brother, Yorioka Shosuke to continue Nissai Shoka’s venture. Settlers were brought in to cultivate the land and it was successful on one hand, nearly disastrous on the other.

Near the estate office on a small rise there was a ceremonial gateway leading to Yorioka Jinja, a modes wooden Shinto shrine built by Shosuke in honour of his far-sighted brother.

- Masa Jepun: Sarawak under the Japanese 1941-1945

What happened to them after the war? We are not sure. They could had been repatriated back to Japan, or they could have been permitted to stay. Indeed, a Japanese family was allowed to remain behind at Kuap. So ends another chapter in Sarawak’s history.

Social gathering of Nissa Shokai staff and families and other Japanese residents of Sarawak at the Samarahan estate, c. 1938 – Masa Jepun: Sarawak under the Japanese 1941-1945

The Trisakti

Sarawak negeriku berdaulat merdeka
Rakyatnya hidup teguh bersatu padu
Semua berazam terus berkhidmat pada negara
Sentiasa maju pertiwi
Bahagialah tanahairku
Sarawak negeri yang ku cinta ku puja
Untukmu ku rela korban jiwa raga
Abadikan Sarawak ya Tuhan dalam Malaysia

(And before I strangle you for asking, it’s the Sarawak flag from 1973-1988.)

Pardon?

Teacher: You should see me more often if your grades are this bad. If you need help, just approach me.
Student: But I’m not allowed to enter the staff room…

Carl Schurz Had It Right

We often hear the quotation, “My country, right or wrong.” But more often than not, it is a phrase that justifies blind ‘patriotism’ and blind loyalty, even to the point of being inhumane. When responsing to a politician who used this statement, Carl Schurz replied:

The Senator from Wisconsin cannot frighten me by exclaiming, “My country, right or wrong.” In one sense I say so too. My country; and my country is the great American Republic. My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.

Let us ask ourselves. Are we going to stand by and just watch all the injustice that is happening in this country, or are we going to solve it? We have the power, it is up to us and only us to use it.