Gummersbach, Germany

Many of my friends who have been visiting my blog must be wondering that i may have decided to be buried under this blog and may not hear from me.

WELL; please forgive me for not writing for some time now as I have been busy with plenty of work commitments and while being busy during that time, I was informed that I was selected to participate in a seminar to be organised by Freidrich Naumann Stiftung which would be held in Gummersbach, Germany.

I must than Era Consumer Malaysia for nominating me.

The seminar is being held now and I am right now in Gummersbach, Germany.

I would also like to take this opportunity to apologies to some of my friends whom I was not able to say GOOD BYE.

Anyway, since I am writing now, it is only proper for me to share with you some of the happenings around me till to date. Sorry, I don’t have any pictures to attach here but, at least for a start a simple backgrounder would be sufficient.

The Seminar which is titled ‘Chances & Challenges of Liberalism’ is organised by the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung = Stiftung means Foundation. The 12 days seminar is fully funded by the foundation and along with me there are 24 other participants from all over the world. To be specific I now have friends from South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Hungary, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and along with my Asian friends from Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Sri Lanka & Pakistan. YES, Its True, my friendship empire is getting bigger and better.

The discussions here have been very encouraging and I am enjoying every bit of it, especially learning the curves of liberalism and democracy (which I believe will be the best of the political system available at this point of time).

We have so far discussed several issues;

1. Liberalism throughout the world.
2. Liberalism versus its opponents, conservatism and socialism.
3. Property: the guardian of liberty and precondition for a flourishing market.
4. Democracy, human rights and rule of law from liberal perspective.

We have many more subjects that would be discussed over the next few days and I am indeed looking forward to those few days.

I will update you soon and please bare with me should there be a delay.

MY VIEWS…….. Liberalism is good, but Democracy is better. But, then again, for some country it may not work. As far as I am concern, there is no other political system which has been effective than the democratic system in a multi racial, multi ethnic and multi religious like Malaysia. There are plenty of similarities between liberalism and democracy and I am sure a combination of both would be the best.

Bloggers Buff 2007

During my recent travels around Peninsular Malaysia promoting Putera MIC, i have been mentioning that at the present moment of time we are living in 2 types of World. One, the real world and the other one is the virtual world.

Plenty of things predicted in the virtual world turn out to be real in the real world. Not all, offcourse there are some culprits (whom i term them as shock sendiri) will super impose people's pictures with a hope that it will become true - fat hopes. I would like to suggest to them, why not super impose your mother, father, brother, wife or sisters picture or better still your own picture - How sick can one person be ?

Anyway, coming back to my topic - Putera MIC which was just formed a few months ago would be making a giant step - supporting the organising of the Bloggers Buff 2007. For me its a giant step for an organisation which is just 4 months old. I believe the future is in the ICT world, in a short time of 4 months i have realised that one of the 'Blue Ocean Strategy' learning for me is to create a strong link between Putera MIC and the Virtual world.

I have taken a task to swim in this virtual world, i may sink or i may be able to swim to the shore, but i am sure, with the team that i have organising the bloggers buff 2007 - i will not sink. I salute B Mahendran, Amutha, Praveen, Puvanan and all their team for succesfully organising this historical event.

I think we would be the 1st political party in Malaysia to organise a bloggers workshop.

Some time back, when our Dato' Seri Party President announced the formation Putera MIC and mentioned his wishes to create the 3G Leaders - Many were unsure if that is possible - I will not fail the task which has been given to me despite many challenges out there as I know we have the ability to create the 3G leaders.

My Views; Let us all swim in the blue ocean and feel the virtual worlds strength and this would be the only way where the community will have an advantage to be the champion.

Singapura. Berpura-pura !

My writings this week may sound a little critical. I am not writing this just because I received a comment from a reader to be critical, but, this is my personal experience during my recent working trip to Singapore.

I have always enjoyed my trips to Singapore; let it be on work, on holiday or just visiting relatives. Whatever the reason may be, I have always enjoyed my trip to that city.

My recent trip to Singapore was actually a memorable one, for one or two things that took place. Off course, during my previous trips I did not have an opportunity to walk on the streets of Singapore as much as I did recently.

Thank GOD I did not do that in my previous trips. If I would have done that, I may have known this fact much earlier.

1st Situation

I was walking for dinner at Little India, I got down from the LRT (which I must one of the best public transport systems in the world) and I walked at the shoulder of the road. Walking towards me was an old lady and she was about 60+. I saw her carrying a bag and I was careful not wanting to knock her as she was a little unstable. But it was fated, as I normally walk fast, accidentally her plastic bag hit my leg. I immediately said SORRY.

Her response shocked me and I was speechless. She stared at my face and said ‘You Idiot, You Stupid, You dashed at me’.

I just did not what to say. But, one thing for sure, I realized the word SORRY has no value there.

2nd Situation

I and a few Malaysian friends were at the Singapore Expo Hall 4, it was so crowded. At that time a couple was walking in front of us and then a promoter (little girl) went to the lady and complained to her that her husband slapped her. Off which, the lady shouted ‘Do you have a proof that my husband slapped you’ and the couple were arguing with the little gal. The husband was so disturbed with the entire situation and just went to the girl a pushed her to a corner, thank GOD that little girl did not fall or injure herself. She did not let them go, she ran towards them; she got hold to the lady’s hair and pushed her just like how the husband pushed her earlier. By this time, all Singaporeans were watching the entire situation (as though its WWF Fights Live in Expo). The couple was ready to retaliate, but thank GOD, my Malaysian friends were there, and they went in between and separated them and put a stop to the mess which was created. One thing for sure, that little girl had a blue black mark clearly seen on her cheek. Who hit her? I did not see – GOD did.

I must agree and admit, while the above situation was not good. I must confess that I did meet and interact with Singaporeans who were not only nice and friendly, but, very kind and light hearted. Who valued the word SORRY and THANK YOU.

YES..YES..the most important thing they actually did SMILE.

I just hope the younger generation of Singapore value simple words like SORRY, EXCUSE ME and not just asking “If I buy one can you give me one free ah?”

MY Views….. The SMILE campaign is working effectively, although more needs to be done. I think a campaign to value the word SORRY, THANK YOU, EXCUSE ME must be launched as well and they need to be strict in implementing campaigns like this. Just like how they have banned chewing gum in Singapore.