Ducks are wonderful birds but I prefer the eagle as a symbol. Ducks are guided by sounds and influenced by immediate noises and tend to be followers most of the time.
Be like the eagle. Be independent-minded, fly high and determine your own destiny.
Your attitude, not your aptitude alone, determines your altitude.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Greatest Social Teaching
"Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world (society) is a constitutive (essential) dimension of the preaching of the Gospel." (1971 Synod of Bishops, Rome)
If our actions do not promote justice and if we are not involved in changing the unjust system of society our missionary work and preaching of the Gospel (Good News) will be destitute of positive effects, that is, they are in vain and useless.
This is the age of participation and the highest level of participation in transforming society is that of the promotion of social justice wherein the poor and oppressed are genuinely liberated from the cycle of economic and social poverty.
If our actions do not promote justice and if we are not involved in changing the unjust system of society our missionary work and preaching of the Gospel (Good News) will be destitute of positive effects, that is, they are in vain and useless.
This is the age of participation and the highest level of participation in transforming society is that of the promotion of social justice wherein the poor and oppressed are genuinely liberated from the cycle of economic and social poverty.
MP Behaviour
The behaviour of several of the MPs in the first parliamentary sitting was appalling and disgusting. They have succumbed to low culturedness that the rakyat didn't expect for being their representatives they are expected to have some decorum in the august house.
Next, as almost always, the MPs exhibited the worst of propensities. Instead of seeking for the truth and root causes of the issues raised, they just wanted to win by shouting and uttering non-sensical statements that have no bearing on the issues raised. One of my students told me that most of the MPs are mentally immatured, unschooled and unprepared to debate real vital issues of the rakyat and recommended that the MPs be rehabilitated before the next sitting. One student said that a few of the MPs appeared to have mental illness.
While Sabah is still experiencing the aftermath of the recent blackout and the collapse of more pylons that could have a domino effect, the MPs were debating the procedures of the parliamentary sitting. Solutions to the recent blackout should have taken centre stage rather than the procedures. The speaker was himself seen in a quandry and obviously lost control of the house. If the speaker lost control of the house, the house becomes a market.
MPs are paid monthly from the rakyat's money but they are not doing their job at all. The problems of the rakyat are not accorded the appropriate attention. MPs waste the rakyat's time and money by engaging in vigorous personal attacks which the rakyat find despicable at the very least.
If the MPs continue their disgusting behaviour and not attending to the problems of the rakyat, the rakyat would opt for the NGOs as their effective problem solvers thereby rendering the role of the MPs as irrelevant and disrespected.
Next, as almost always, the MPs exhibited the worst of propensities. Instead of seeking for the truth and root causes of the issues raised, they just wanted to win by shouting and uttering non-sensical statements that have no bearing on the issues raised. One of my students told me that most of the MPs are mentally immatured, unschooled and unprepared to debate real vital issues of the rakyat and recommended that the MPs be rehabilitated before the next sitting. One student said that a few of the MPs appeared to have mental illness.
While Sabah is still experiencing the aftermath of the recent blackout and the collapse of more pylons that could have a domino effect, the MPs were debating the procedures of the parliamentary sitting. Solutions to the recent blackout should have taken centre stage rather than the procedures. The speaker was himself seen in a quandry and obviously lost control of the house. If the speaker lost control of the house, the house becomes a market.
MPs are paid monthly from the rakyat's money but they are not doing their job at all. The problems of the rakyat are not accorded the appropriate attention. MPs waste the rakyat's time and money by engaging in vigorous personal attacks which the rakyat find despicable at the very least.
If the MPs continue their disgusting behaviour and not attending to the problems of the rakyat, the rakyat would opt for the NGOs as their effective problem solvers thereby rendering the role of the MPs as irrelevant and disrespected.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Strong Government
A strong government in a multi-racial nation, however, doesn't mean making use of all the legislations, enforcements and ISA to gag and oppress rational dissidents and obliterate the voices of the already oppressed. A strong government is one that's confident and not fearful of dissidents and criticisms. It's a government that's fair and just to all citizens regardless of racial, religious and cultural backgrounds. It's a government that gives space to its citizens to vent their frustrations as a result of poor governance. The government is just a creature of the nation and not over and above the people it is supposed to serve.
A government that's strong doesn't lie to the people but upholds transparency. It listens to the grouses of the people and solve their problems immediately. It is proactive and people-oriented. A strong government is not corrupted.
The previous government was weak as it failed to integrate the people. It spawned hatred and disunity because of its high-handedness. It suppressed dissenting voices and made many cover-ups as claimed by many.
A superior government is a heeding, listening and people-oriented, and open to the views of all concerned regardless of their social backgrounds. A strong government appears weak and melts before the people because it is democratic and servant to the people.
A government that's strong doesn't lie to the people but upholds transparency. It listens to the grouses of the people and solve their problems immediately. It is proactive and people-oriented. A strong government is not corrupted.
The previous government was weak as it failed to integrate the people. It spawned hatred and disunity because of its high-handedness. It suppressed dissenting voices and made many cover-ups as claimed by many.
A superior government is a heeding, listening and people-oriented, and open to the views of all concerned regardless of their social backgrounds. A strong government appears weak and melts before the people because it is democratic and servant to the people.
Malaysians should continue to aspire for a more reforming and performing government until all truly find a home in Malaysia where genuine freedom, justice and democracy prevail.
Social & Political Concerns
Dear Friends,
Matters that have significant impact on the people need to be openly debated with philosophy and rationality. The outcome of the just-concluded 12th General Elections has indicated and affirmed the desire of Malaysians to reject a government that is biased and over skewed to just its own selfish and oppressive preferences and agenda to the neglect of the majority of the citizens. A government that only pretends to care for all will eventually be discovered and replaced by a more honest, transparent and just government.
This blog is dedicated to the continued open debates on building a Malaysia wherein all Malaysians feel a genuine sense of belonging, pride and trust. I feel that the East Malaysian states have been sidelined and marginalised when many major decisions for the states are done by Kuala Lumpur without due consultation with the eastern states leaders and the people, more so if the decisions have a direct adverse impact on Sabahans.
Some of us do feel that sabahans are bullied by the powers that be from the nation's capital. Surely, this is not the Malaysia we are eager to dream of and think about. Sabahans want a just and fair deal. Sabahans, too, should be given prominent active roles in nationhood building and not be treated as mere political pawns for the benefits of just a single racial group.
As a lecturer and politician I welcome all views that will point to the truth of all realities that will ultimately liberate us, the marginalised and oppressed, by being enlightened by our own honest debates. As the saying goes, "the person who discovers the problem is the right person to fix it."
Let us fix a collapsing Malaysia once and for all and let's begin NOW.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Basintal
Matters that have significant impact on the people need to be openly debated with philosophy and rationality. The outcome of the just-concluded 12th General Elections has indicated and affirmed the desire of Malaysians to reject a government that is biased and over skewed to just its own selfish and oppressive preferences and agenda to the neglect of the majority of the citizens. A government that only pretends to care for all will eventually be discovered and replaced by a more honest, transparent and just government.
This blog is dedicated to the continued open debates on building a Malaysia wherein all Malaysians feel a genuine sense of belonging, pride and trust. I feel that the East Malaysian states have been sidelined and marginalised when many major decisions for the states are done by Kuala Lumpur without due consultation with the eastern states leaders and the people, more so if the decisions have a direct adverse impact on Sabahans.
Some of us do feel that sabahans are bullied by the powers that be from the nation's capital. Surely, this is not the Malaysia we are eager to dream of and think about. Sabahans want a just and fair deal. Sabahans, too, should be given prominent active roles in nationhood building and not be treated as mere political pawns for the benefits of just a single racial group.
As a lecturer and politician I welcome all views that will point to the truth of all realities that will ultimately liberate us, the marginalised and oppressed, by being enlightened by our own honest debates. As the saying goes, "the person who discovers the problem is the right person to fix it."
Let us fix a collapsing Malaysia once and for all and let's begin NOW.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Basintal
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