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.

PUTERA MIC .....Here we come !!!!

Hello everyone and I do hope that you are all doing well and fine. I must say SORRY to you for not being able to post in my blog for sometime.

If I don’t write anything now, my buddy Mr. Thomas Samuel will probably be making an announcement soon that my blogspot is now officially dead! Hmmm, I will never let that happen. I am busy but will somehow mati, mati find some time to write here.

Its friends like Mr. Thomas, Mr. Mahen and my Puterans’ keep me going in this blogspot. Thank you guys…but please do give a knock on my head from time to time so that I will continue and remember that I have a blog and I must write about it. No use boosting that I am one of the few MIC guys who actually blog. Now its not only my name at stake – its me and MIC and some may even link it to BARISAN NASIONAL and later to the GOVERNMENT. Look at the effect, if I don’t blog !

I have been rather busy with my work and also some traveling to Machap in Malacca and Ijok in Selangor to do my bit (a little ) – but I am sure that it did bring in some valuable votes to the party that I have been supporting – BARISAN NASIONAL.

While Machap as expected was a breeze, the same could not be said for Ijok. Ijok was NO JOKE! We all worked very hard to ensure that BARISAN NASIONAL keeps the Ijok State Assembly Seat. I must say that MIC President Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu who is actually 71 years old (young) showed many young politicians (like me) what getting to the grass root means. He was there, day – night, rain – shine, walked and walked – from house to house. This is what I mean ‘GRASS ROOT POLITICIAN’.

Like some of the websites claim – There are 10 reasons by BARISAN NASIONAL won in Machap and Ijok and Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu’s name was in both the list.

While we were all happy with the vistory in Ijok, I must say that to a certain extent I was disappointed that my prediction of a majority of 2,000 votes did not happen (fell short by 150 votes). Now that’s not important any longer. My friend K Parthiban is a guy that would deliver and I am sure he will not only be able to make the people in Ijok happy, but he would be able to make MIC and BARISAN NASIONAL proud of him.

Ijok by-election was the first ever opportunity for my Puterans’ to be actively involved and as such I will never forget Ijok.

My Puterans’ did better than what I thought they could have done. We did not have anything, we only had a gentleman by the name of S VELL PAARI and he helped us and guided us to ensure that we did our share of work to ensure that MIC and BARISAN NASIONALS candidate succeeds in the election.

The presence of the MIC President YB Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu at our temporary office and his word of advice to all Puterans’ was indeed an endorsement to my fellow Puterans’.

‘I am indeed very happy with this beginning, this is a very good start and I am sure you will make all of us proud’ this was the words from YB Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu.

Putera MIC would be an official entity of MIC come 13th of May 2007 and we are all looking forward to in.

MY Views… Putera MIC is here to provide all of us a better tomorrow and this can only happen with your advice, support and motivation. Please do not be too selfish in giving us just that.

Moderation....Dulu, Kini & Selamanya

I was having a discussion recently with Michael and Cecilia two days ago. The reason we met was something else [An advertising proposal for my organization to consider] but, after that we begin to talk about healthy food and so called ‘unhealthy food’.

I told them that actually there is no such thing as healthy and unhealthy food. What is ‘unhealthy’ for some could be the most important food ingredient for some one else. This then took me back some years when I was employed with the Malaysian Palm Oil Promotion Council. In one of our trip to promote palm oil in Europe, the Malaysian Delegation was comparing palm oil versus coconut oil and the conclusion was that Coconut oil was more saturated than Palm oil [which is actually the truth]. Then came Dr. Mary Enig, she walked to us and told us that we should not be criticizing Coconut oil, because as far as she is concerned that it serves its purposes in some parts of the world. In Sri Lanka for instance, the population there consume Coconut oil in their daily food diet and the number of heart risk cases there is not that alarming as the population in Sri Lanka are active and they burn their calories very fast, unlike in Malaysia, where Malaysian don’t even walk to a supermarket which is probably 200 meters from their home. Dr. Mary Enig told us as long we can eat any type of food that we like as long as we know the limits or in other words, even food intake must be done in moderation.

The same goes to even drugs. I am sure many of you know that some of the drugs Heroine, Marijuana and etc are used to treat some patients with certain health complications. But an over dosage of drugs could lead to what has happened to Anna Nicole Smith [I pray even my worst enemies should not go thorough what she went through].

Water is very important in life; we need to drink 8 glasses of water daily. But plenty of water can make a person drown as well.

Sugar is an important commodity and just about any other food you eat, there would be a certain percentage of sugar, but too much of sugar would lead you to diabetics.

If you look back, there is actually nothing to say good or bad. It is how you take it. It is like a person looking at a glass filled with 50% of water and saying it’s either half empty or half full – it is actually how you look at the situation. But at the end of the day – you make the decision, what you want to do and what you don’t want to do. No one can force you to do things that you don’t like to do.

MY VIEWS…. As long as you know what your limits are, you will not make any mistakes. In Malaysia, we need to be a moderate thinker, then we will find Malaysia as a wonderful country to live. I have mentioned more about food, but please consider moderation as part of your life ingredient as well.