Salam
After waiting for 3 months, after interviews and interviews, after phone calls and SMSes I finally started to work in Malaysia. Although I have worked in Ireland for couple of years it is still nerve racking to start working after being out of the job for few months. 5 months plus since I last took up a job. Prior to that 6 months of irregular jobs as I was doing locum work. So all in all I haven't been doing any regular hospital job for nearly a year!
So on Thursday 15th May 2008 I reported for duty at Medical Faculty, UiTM Shah Alam. Like I said I was quite nervous initially as I did not what to expect. Everybody that has been working in Malaysia kept telling that working as a doctor here is very-very-very busy. Only plus is that you will given task which suits your qualification, not as a clerk or as a nurse like one might be tasked to do in Ireland. But then as I haven't got my Certificate to Practice from Malaysian Medical Council I won't be doing any hospital work for awhile. So the nervousness wasn't really that bad. Just that you have to get to know people again, the place, the work etc. Everyone turned out to be quite pleasant. Maybe because I'm a doctor. And a lecturer as well. Pleasant probably not the word but respectful probably the more accurate term. As I never worked in Malaysia before I had to register myself with KWSP. That was quite fast and credit to the staff there in Shah Alam. Took me about 30 minutes from the moment I stepped in to the KWSP office until I came out. Then I had the medical check-up. Unfortunately UiTM's own clinic was understaff so I was sent to a private panel clinic. That took awhile! Well not really their fault but just before I left for the clinic from the medical faculty office I absent mindedly went to the toilet and emptied my bladder! It was embarassing to tell the clinic staff that I don't feel like going to the toilet and explained what I did. I bought a bottle of mineral water and even took a glass of water from the staff just to fill myself up....damn that was really embarassing. Furthermore she kept coming back and ask if I had filled the container. Anyway after that I had chest X-ray taken and then met the doctor who was very pleasant. Everything was ok. Went back to the main campus and I was shown to this computer cum common room and was told this would be my place for awhile. Friend of mine told me everyone that was new will be given this room as their 'office'. So much for privacy. Anyway I did not require any and I used all the time that I had to fill up the forms that were posted to me with the offer letter. Stayed there made new friends, chat while filling up forms until 5pm. That was the first day! Oh yea I forgot to mention a friend of mine unexpectedly turned up at Shah Alam (he was the one who told me about the room) for lunch. He had some 'business' with the faculty and we had lunch together. The restaurant/cafetaria was at the Chancellor's Building (I think..). Lunch was quite good. I had meatballs with some chips. Still not used to eat rice during lunch yet.
That was my first day of work in Malaysia. Nothing really exciting but for me it was an important and very significant event of my life. I felt more motivated than what I had been back in Ireland. When you deal with your own people you feel more at ease. More accepted. You don't feel like 'Ah...another foreigner!What's he doing here instead of my countrymen?'.Sometimes and mind you not that often but it happens that when I was working in Ireland, I can meet people and they can be patients that you feel do not really want you there. Not there as in at that moment because he/she is tired or in pain or just plain fed-up but just don't want you to be there, on their soil. the attitude that you can get my god I sometimes feel like I wanted to pack my things up and go. But having said that like I said it was a rare occurence but once it occured it really sticks to your memory and very hard to forget. And again maybe I'm new in Malaysia...everything looks fine and rosy...maybe in 2-3 months time my perception may change!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
UMNO 'Loyal' Supporters
Assalamualaikum
For my second post I will touch the topic of politics. Malaysian politics has been quite colourful over the last 10 years or so. I would say since the arrest of Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 the political awareness in Malaysia has increased quite dramatically. Not only locals but in overseas too. My friends in Ireland used to tease me whenever I came back from my visits to Malaysia, " How's your prime minister ha...what's his name?..Mahathir? He is a very intelligent man eh?". Well they were quite aware of what was happening in Malaysia. They knew about the recession crisis in 1998. And they also knew what happened to Anwar. "Sodomy? Is that an offence? Deputy Prime Minister charged with sodomy? Is it true? Tell me it's not true". I hope by this time we have enough sense in ourselves to know the answer. I would be really, really sad if you still have to ask the person next to you what would be the answer.
So since then like I said Malaysian politics are far from dull. Just look at the recent election result. Nobody would predict such result. It is not such good outcome for the ruling coalition I must say. Would things turn from bad to worse for them? Or just a bump in their road? Who knows but only the Mighty One. Some say that the result could be much worse for the ruling coalition as they are alleged 'ghost' voters. The Election Commission also seemed to be unfair. Well what done is done and the result was surely far from disappointing for the Oppositions.
Anyway one thing we can agree the coalition parties of the big 3 (UMNO, MCA and MIC) are losing their popularities. MIC was the worse. Both UMNO and MCA had their fair share of losses. However overall they still manage to win albeit only by simple majority in Parliment and managed to keep all states except 5. Wow that doesn't sound like winning for a coalition of BN stature. Analysis after analysis were made and if you haven't heard BN won mostly in 'kampung' or 'pendalaman' while the Oppositions rule the major cities. If you take WP Kuala Lumpur BN only won 1 seat! If not for WP Labuan and Putrajaya I don't know how Zulhasnan kept his face as Minister of Federal Territories! Even with that I still would feel ashamed. Can you understand the logic of appointing the head from the minority group? 3 vs 9?10? I can't remember but you know what I'm trying to point at. Why the difference in bandar (cities) or kampung votes? Media of course. Blog for one. Who in rural areas can afford to have laptops, HSDPA-enabled phones, Streamyx Broadband etc...Maybe wakil rakyat which more than likely pro-BN anyway. I agree due to the nature of blogging, many articles are mostly based on personal feelings and not many on actual facts. Some facts maybe changed, some fabricated but look at the reason why people blog. Daily newspapers are biased. TV stations 'modify' their news. Can you blame the people if they want to blog?
Recently I came across an article about a letter allegedly written by Tun Mahathir to Israel then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak. Well I think the letter was fabricated but that is not what I want to discuss about. I saw some comment from someone who was he claimed as pro-BN leftist. From what he wrote I gather that he is a loyal BN supporter but thinks like an opposition. He wanted to change BN from 'inside' as he still loves BN. He acknowledged that some of BN leaders are 'dirty' and needed to be changed.
This person should be applauded for his effort. But I think it is a bit too late for that. I don't mean the change but the way he wanted to change it. Change from 'inside'? I've met or know few people who said that. One of them said this I think almost 10 years back or more. I think if I'm not mistaken he said even before Anwar's famous case. This means the rot in BN particularly UMNO has been there for such a long time. Well if you read Anwar's case the reason he got arrested was because he was trying to stop the rot from getting worse. Or maybe he was trying to make it public. But anyhow he was doing it to stop the rot nonetheless. So how long does one need to take to change UMNO from 'inside'? Until all of our resources been sucked dry by the 'big' upper echelons of the government? Until the kids of our kids start blaming us "Why my great, great grandfather chose these leaders?".
I think for these people now is the time to change. Not to change UMNO but to a change in government. We have given 50 odd years to UMNO to govern Malaysia and yes I will never deny the good things that had been done to my ancestors, to me and to all Malaysians but I think we can be much much better than this. I know there are worse government than what we have so far but why opt for mediocrity? Why can't we opt for greatness? Opt for something that you know your kids and the kids and your kids will thank you in the future. Is it something big we ask? We ask for an honest and just government. Put aside all other complicated stuff. Just try to be honest and just to us, people of Malaysia. I can't remember when BN tried to be that. Once you being honest and just complicated things will correct itself. People trying to put religious and racial matters are not helping the situation. Instead I think they are making it worse. Ask any religion and race I don't think any of them preach against honesty and just.
Yes it is not wrong to try to change UMNO from 'inside'. But I think this is not the time for that anymore. Maybe once UMNO has become 'opposition' then maybe things will correct by itself. To hope for a change now in UMNO? Maybe a miracle can make it happen. Can't see any of UMNO leaders do that. All of them are trying to 'guard their rice cooker'! (Menjaga periuk nasi masing2! - famous Malay expression). So they will do anything as long as they can continue living their lavish lifestyle.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) compared to BN is like comparing a cat and a tiger. We cannot deny that BN is not build overnight and has a unique history. But things have changed. Maybe the tiger can kill a cat in a jungle but once it enters the city the tiger can be shot! PR has won 5 states. They managed to deny 2/3 majority in Parliment. This is their chance to prove that they can govern the country. Even with all the tribulations which will make their case stronger in the future. So don't despair if BN uses dirty tricks to make life hard for PR governments. If they can govern as good as the previous government that is already better. BN had their chance for over 50 years now. BN had their chance to change what needs to be changed for 50 years now. We don't live on history. We live and use history as guide. Don't listen to people saying "You have forgotten what BN did to you/your family since Independence. You ungrateful b*****d!". What good BN did before we thank you but it is not an excuse to be corrupted, to be unjust and to do things as you see fit not what the people wants.
Just my 2 cents.
aBe.
For my second post I will touch the topic of politics. Malaysian politics has been quite colourful over the last 10 years or so. I would say since the arrest of Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 the political awareness in Malaysia has increased quite dramatically. Not only locals but in overseas too. My friends in Ireland used to tease me whenever I came back from my visits to Malaysia, " How's your prime minister ha...what's his name?..Mahathir? He is a very intelligent man eh?". Well they were quite aware of what was happening in Malaysia. They knew about the recession crisis in 1998. And they also knew what happened to Anwar. "Sodomy? Is that an offence? Deputy Prime Minister charged with sodomy? Is it true? Tell me it's not true". I hope by this time we have enough sense in ourselves to know the answer. I would be really, really sad if you still have to ask the person next to you what would be the answer.
So since then like I said Malaysian politics are far from dull. Just look at the recent election result. Nobody would predict such result. It is not such good outcome for the ruling coalition I must say. Would things turn from bad to worse for them? Or just a bump in their road? Who knows but only the Mighty One. Some say that the result could be much worse for the ruling coalition as they are alleged 'ghost' voters. The Election Commission also seemed to be unfair. Well what done is done and the result was surely far from disappointing for the Oppositions.
Anyway one thing we can agree the coalition parties of the big 3 (UMNO, MCA and MIC) are losing their popularities. MIC was the worse. Both UMNO and MCA had their fair share of losses. However overall they still manage to win albeit only by simple majority in Parliment and managed to keep all states except 5. Wow that doesn't sound like winning for a coalition of BN stature. Analysis after analysis were made and if you haven't heard BN won mostly in 'kampung' or 'pendalaman' while the Oppositions rule the major cities. If you take WP Kuala Lumpur BN only won 1 seat! If not for WP Labuan and Putrajaya I don't know how Zulhasnan kept his face as Minister of Federal Territories! Even with that I still would feel ashamed. Can you understand the logic of appointing the head from the minority group? 3 vs 9?10? I can't remember but you know what I'm trying to point at. Why the difference in bandar (cities) or kampung votes? Media of course. Blog for one. Who in rural areas can afford to have laptops, HSDPA-enabled phones, Streamyx Broadband etc...Maybe wakil rakyat which more than likely pro-BN anyway. I agree due to the nature of blogging, many articles are mostly based on personal feelings and not many on actual facts. Some facts maybe changed, some fabricated but look at the reason why people blog. Daily newspapers are biased. TV stations 'modify' their news. Can you blame the people if they want to blog?
Recently I came across an article about a letter allegedly written by Tun Mahathir to Israel then Prime Minister, Ehud Barak. Well I think the letter was fabricated but that is not what I want to discuss about. I saw some comment from someone who was he claimed as pro-BN leftist. From what he wrote I gather that he is a loyal BN supporter but thinks like an opposition. He wanted to change BN from 'inside' as he still loves BN. He acknowledged that some of BN leaders are 'dirty' and needed to be changed.
This person should be applauded for his effort. But I think it is a bit too late for that. I don't mean the change but the way he wanted to change it. Change from 'inside'? I've met or know few people who said that. One of them said this I think almost 10 years back or more. I think if I'm not mistaken he said even before Anwar's famous case. This means the rot in BN particularly UMNO has been there for such a long time. Well if you read Anwar's case the reason he got arrested was because he was trying to stop the rot from getting worse. Or maybe he was trying to make it public. But anyhow he was doing it to stop the rot nonetheless. So how long does one need to take to change UMNO from 'inside'? Until all of our resources been sucked dry by the 'big' upper echelons of the government? Until the kids of our kids start blaming us "Why my great, great grandfather chose these leaders?".
I think for these people now is the time to change. Not to change UMNO but to a change in government. We have given 50 odd years to UMNO to govern Malaysia and yes I will never deny the good things that had been done to my ancestors, to me and to all Malaysians but I think we can be much much better than this. I know there are worse government than what we have so far but why opt for mediocrity? Why can't we opt for greatness? Opt for something that you know your kids and the kids and your kids will thank you in the future. Is it something big we ask? We ask for an honest and just government. Put aside all other complicated stuff. Just try to be honest and just to us, people of Malaysia. I can't remember when BN tried to be that. Once you being honest and just complicated things will correct itself. People trying to put religious and racial matters are not helping the situation. Instead I think they are making it worse. Ask any religion and race I don't think any of them preach against honesty and just.
Yes it is not wrong to try to change UMNO from 'inside'. But I think this is not the time for that anymore. Maybe once UMNO has become 'opposition' then maybe things will correct by itself. To hope for a change now in UMNO? Maybe a miracle can make it happen. Can't see any of UMNO leaders do that. All of them are trying to 'guard their rice cooker'! (Menjaga periuk nasi masing2! - famous Malay expression). So they will do anything as long as they can continue living their lavish lifestyle.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) compared to BN is like comparing a cat and a tiger. We cannot deny that BN is not build overnight and has a unique history. But things have changed. Maybe the tiger can kill a cat in a jungle but once it enters the city the tiger can be shot! PR has won 5 states. They managed to deny 2/3 majority in Parliment. This is their chance to prove that they can govern the country. Even with all the tribulations which will make their case stronger in the future. So don't despair if BN uses dirty tricks to make life hard for PR governments. If they can govern as good as the previous government that is already better. BN had their chance for over 50 years now. BN had their chance to change what needs to be changed for 50 years now. We don't live on history. We live and use history as guide. Don't listen to people saying "You have forgotten what BN did to you/your family since Independence. You ungrateful b*****d!". What good BN did before we thank you but it is not an excuse to be corrupted, to be unjust and to do things as you see fit not what the people wants.
Just my 2 cents.
aBe.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Salam Perkenalan
Assalamualaikum
Isk nervous plak aku nak tulis blog ni. Why do we blog? Why do I blog? I guess the easy answer would be everybody is into it, isn't it? Well whatever my reason is I have already started it so I can make up the reason as I continue to write it. And my first reason is I just want to try it. Doesn't hurt so far. Sure it shaved some of my precious time but I got plenty of it at the moment.
For starters I would like to introduce myself. My name is Faisal Mohd Fadzli. Married and currently has 3 lovely children by the name of Afiq Nuqman, Alynna Natrah and Almira Nursofea. All were born in 2004, 2006 and 2007 respectively. My significant other is Sri Muharni Muhamad Mustahar. I'm a paediatrician. My previous centres of learning include Tadika Rasa Sayang TTDI, SRK Damansara Utama, Sekolah Agama Rendah TTDI, SM Agama Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Alam Shah Islamic College, Express Matriculation UKM and lastly University College Cork, Ireland. So this comes to my second reason of blogging. If any of you knows me, has ever come across me in any of the institutions mentioned above do contact me. Even if you know someone who probably knows me I don't care. I like to meet old friends and making new friends. Bukan la nak berkempen ke ape saje2....networking. Aku nak berkempen ape pun bukannya politikus. Enough of my background.
So what would be the theme of my blog? Politics? Food? Sports? Educational? I guess for now I have no preference. We will see what will happen. Could be 'rojak'? Who knows....Maybe would be kinda like a diary. Anyway that's it for now. Stay tune for more to come.
aBe
Isk nervous plak aku nak tulis blog ni. Why do we blog? Why do I blog? I guess the easy answer would be everybody is into it, isn't it? Well whatever my reason is I have already started it so I can make up the reason as I continue to write it. And my first reason is I just want to try it. Doesn't hurt so far. Sure it shaved some of my precious time but I got plenty of it at the moment.
For starters I would like to introduce myself. My name is Faisal Mohd Fadzli. Married and currently has 3 lovely children by the name of Afiq Nuqman, Alynna Natrah and Almira Nursofea. All were born in 2004, 2006 and 2007 respectively. My significant other is Sri Muharni Muhamad Mustahar. I'm a paediatrician. My previous centres of learning include Tadika Rasa Sayang TTDI, SRK Damansara Utama, Sekolah Agama Rendah TTDI, SM Agama Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Alam Shah Islamic College, Express Matriculation UKM and lastly University College Cork, Ireland. So this comes to my second reason of blogging. If any of you knows me, has ever come across me in any of the institutions mentioned above do contact me. Even if you know someone who probably knows me I don't care. I like to meet old friends and making new friends. Bukan la nak berkempen ke ape saje2....networking. Aku nak berkempen ape pun bukannya politikus. Enough of my background.
So what would be the theme of my blog? Politics? Food? Sports? Educational? I guess for now I have no preference. We will see what will happen. Could be 'rojak'? Who knows....Maybe would be kinda like a diary. Anyway that's it for now. Stay tune for more to come.
aBe
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