Why does the KL Muslim Department need the body of a so called Muslim convert ?

Kuala Lumpur - the biggest embarasment to the nation at the end of 2005 is not the police treatment of foreign national story . Instead , it is the court fight between a widow and a 'very free - nothing to do' Islamic institution of Kuala Lumpur. The widow of the deceased wanted to bury the dead but the Islamic institution brought the case up to the court as they wanted to bury the dead instead. Talk about REALLY nothing better to do - come and wash my car le. Heck , conspiracy theorist believe that the current director of this institution is the ACTUAL father of this indian gentlemen. We are sceptical of such claim yet it makes logical sense why they so desperate to bury the evidences :). So , lets go with a top 5 of idiotic reason why these government officers defy pure logic

5. Fight for every scrap of convert. These are stars to show in the year end appraisal and perhaps a 2 month bonus is on hand.
4. There is a lack of muslim cemetary in KLang valley so we must fill up the current ones (??!!!) Then the overstaffed law department can go to court and take cemetaries belonging to other people.
3. Syariah court needs more challenge than just divorce cases. Of course , the result of the case is normally a formality akin to a win for the male in divorce cases.
2. Need attention - this institution and the syariah court are the pariah of the press. "look at me .. I am important ..."
1. Malaysia gemilang , cemerlang , terbilang , termashyur diketawakan orang.

Best Christmas Show for 2005

‘Best’ Christmas show this year

Belated Christmas wish from me.

Managed to catch up with the idiot box during this Christmas period in Johor .And like almost all Johorians , we normally fall short on heaping praises to our friendly Singaporean neighbor. However , like to give credit where credit is ( overly ) due. J So would like to congratulate the Mediacorp’s “ A Blessed Christmas” programme on the 24th December 05 as one of the most balanced and ‘accurate ‘ depiction of Christmas. In this one and a half hour show , the Christmas message of good news and Christ was proclaimed in songs and skits. And they are not shy to change the lyrics of modern Christmas songs to carry the message across. Some old English words in carols were simplified for easier understanding. It proves that Christmas TV programming for general audiences can go beyond the Santa Clauses , Santarinas , fake snows ( in Asian countries?! ) ,gifts, party & reindeers yet overwhelmingly entertaining. Hosted and produced by the hilarious Gurmit Singh ( aka Phua Chu Kang ), it reflects the growing maturity of the TV station on an Asian audience. Hope that Malaysian TV stations will take note and do something different next year.


What would be our response as Christians in the workplace and users of TV in Malaysia? Perhaps a few suggestion below in your own capacity.

Be discerning about our choices of movies or TV programmes that we watch ( or allow our children to watch ) . TVs are ruled by rating and movies by sales of ticket.
Impress to the stations that the need of the Christians have changed. If you are asked to be in a focus group or interview session , remember to affirm the need of Christ being exalted as the Christmas message.
Create a buzz in your blogs and mamak peers on this programme. Perhaps there will be enough buzz for Malaysian TV to buy over the show next season to be shown in our local terrestrial channel. The songs that was chosen depicted the gospel in a clear manner.
If you are in the entertainment industry or belongs to an organization that is able and capable, why not do a similar one for Malaysia? In fact , have the songs in BM , Mandarin , Tamil etc. Replace the pine tree with pokok kelapa sawit and Christmas decoration made using leaves ala Orang Asli ?! hehe

Solution to Australia's past-time

Seeemed that Australia is again gripping about its citizen getting caught and executed in foreign countries. For the umpteenth time , much time and money is spent trying to prove that those foreign governments are incorrect or in-human. Certaintly much lower than those high standards that their citizens adhere to. Or is it?

Stop your gripes , mates. First thing to do is to stop your citizens from being involved in drugs. It is funny that John Howard's reply is akin to " don't get caught" instead of getting to the root of problem. Certaintly , Australian has now developed an infamous reputation. get your own house cleaned ya.

Sympathy to TUONG Van Nguyen who had to be executed. It is the law and Singapore's decision should be respected. Sure , much has been said about giving him a chance. Yet , he did not think of those end users of his huge 400g load of heroins then. He made the decision then to take the risk and lost.

Goodbye Magdalene






My best wishes to Mag on her departure. It is true that life is never work. Nor work life. there are just more things in life than that. And family is one of them . My best wishes to her. well , here are some photos for rememberence.

IIU can make non-Muslims wear headscarves - Injustice

IIU can make non-Muslims wear headscarvesOct 26, 05 4:47pm
The government has endorsed a university's ruling that requires non-Muslim women to wear headscarves (or 'tudung') on its campuses.
The minister in charge of national unity, Maximus Ongkili, said the decision by the International Islamic University earlier this year was not a religious one, but merely part of university procedures. "As the rule was approved by the university senate, it is not religious in nature but a matter of uniforms that must be followed. It does not breach basic human rights," Ongkili was quoted as saying in the Star daily. The growing influence of Islam on Malaysian society over the past two decades has seen a major increase in the number of Malay Muslim women wearing headscarves as a sign of religious devotion. Ongkili told Parliament that Malaysians had to respect rules formulated by the government and other institutions to prevent social unrest. "In a multi-racial country each community must respect one another. But at the same time we must respect the laws of the country, institutions and organisations to ensure there is no disturbance to the community," he said.
Why the change now? He was responding to opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who had read out an email from a non-Muslim undergraduate from the university complaining she was forced to wear a headscarf to her graduation ceremony. Lim accused the government of recanting on an April statement that non-Muslims would be "encouraged" but not forced to wear headscarves. "So why the change now? Is this not disrespectful of a plural society," he said. The government-funded International Islamic University has three campuses around Malaysia. Its board includes representatives from the governments of Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Turkey, as well as the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

From the book of Job

am reminded again today by the book of Job. Very true that many times human like to think that we know how God thinks , especially when we look at the interaction with his 3 friends .

Just like to extrapolate this a bit to the topic of prophecies when disaster happens. When the tsunami hits, various prophets were using that as a reason that God punishes and kill those who 1) pagans , 2) history of Christian persecution ( India , Indonesia ) 3) corrupt society and this comes at that time a real disservice to the Christians as a whole in terms of timing as well as the ‘uncaring’ nature of such accusations/ revelations. And almost all were from the west ( namely US ) or perhaps influenced by their work. They come with mighty words , a worldview shaped by their own civilization / understanding and claims to be on top of the prophet chain. As we look at the 3 friends of Job ,they are reasoned to be people of high standing, repute, wisdom or wealth yet their logical understanding of the causes of Job’s suffering was not what they think.

Yet , it causes the ‘working’ Christians on the field to suffer. The missionaries and workers in relief work were affected. And to me they are the ones who displayed the true nature of Christ – going down to the field ( of sick , weak and oppressed ) to lend a hand instead of preaching from the pedestal in a holier-than-thou-attitude. We see that in Acheh, Christian groups were then not allowed out of the town , not granted access to those in need and made redundant. And I wonder if the ‘pagans’ in India and Sri Langka would treat their Christian countryman better now.

Yet , we have a just God. When Katrina hits New Orleans , the sole prophecy was that it was because God is punishing the city for its past history in vice, gambling , pubs etc. Suddenly , that prophecy ( only one that I hear ) caused a stir in the US. Yes , it worked in the tsunami because the affected people were in a different continent and perhaps of different faith. And suddenly, the caveat that God punishes pagans/ Christian persecutors / corrupt society does not seem reasonable or politically correct. The prophets were suddenly quiet. And when another hurricane hits Florida and stretches of Christian conservative homeland ( Texas , etc), not one prophet dared to speak up. In all fairness, I have also not heard any big prophecies on the earthquake on Pakistan. Hopefully they are putting their energy to better uses now by working on the field perhaps.

For sure, this is not a general sweeping statement that all of these prophecies are not true yet brings into question about some of the practices of us humans and Christians in specific. I would agree on the prophecy that in the final days there are more disasters , suffering and false prophets. But, this is already in the book of Revelation. And true to our human nature to want to reason out everything or to be in ‘the know’ , sometimes it is just better to see that in the bigger picture of what God has and again , it is in the bible. And of course, the bible ask us to be careful in the final days as the beast , the women and the false prophet do have its follower and priests ( prophets) and is as cunning as the roaring lion. Secondly , our conduct as Christians do impact other people. Esp. in this day of fast communication , it will come back to us. The storming of a Coptic church in Egypt 2 days ago due to the emergence of a DVD of the church’s Christmas play on a conversion of a Muslim is another example. Thirdly , we have to come out of our schema / worldview and test our understanding. Be humble in knowledge that “My tots are higher than your tots and my ways are higher than your.”.

Thanks for spending the time to read these tots. In the end , my ‘prophecy’ of the hurricanes is because the temperature on earth is warmer due our neglect as steward. ( Reap what you sow ) . And the hurricane hitting Texas is due to George Bush J


P.S On further tots.
1. Just amazed that that there is now a multi level marketing Prophecy system with churches paying money to get their pastors into this association. Next, there will have a Certified prophet programme perhaps.
2. this is not confined to Christians. I remember 2 years ago to reply strongly against an Muslim based email spreading accusations.. And when they try to link 26th December ( day of tsunami ) as the day that major catrastophies will / did happen as a judgment against Christianity , alcohol drinking and merriment - the almost same message was given.

Eulogy for Datin Seri Endon

Rather a sad day as she has been a great PM wife - diligent , helpful , calm , sensitive. ... and a fighter . Still remember seeing her on TV after her earlier chemo session , frail yet smilling. We had been praying for her and PM. She has been the pillar of support for our PM, and more so after the passing of PM's mother ( if I recall corectly ) . And so , lets remember PM as well as it gets lonelier on top in running the government and implementing his ideas. As a HR practisioner , I am attuned to his drive towards upholding principle and integrity as well as championing for the welfare of the people. Recalling a popular expression " Behind every great man there is a greater woman" ... such a loss to a growing nation.

Another enjoyable view. Basically trying to keep awake due to the wind. Posted by Picasa

Ah .. wonderful view of Bangkok city by the river. Here is where the big hotels are. Posted by Picasa

One of the best looking temple i have seen beside the Chao Phraya . Can you see? Posted by Picasa

Hemm .. how the room looks like. got a special room that faces the car park. the upsdie of it is that it is easy to board my chopper since the launchpad is just 50 metres away Posted by Picasa

Lotsa beer .. betcha. Posted by Picasa

Wonderful thai performers . looked like from a TV show. The best performer is a guy with great muscles. Girls were very pretty Posted by Picasa

Naranee , Suganya and Audrey - our trip to a German beerhouse which is packed of Thais .. good food and entertainment . Posted by Picasa

Nana ... nickname for sweatheart Posted by Picasa

Gonngg....  Posted by Picasa

Used to be trader Vics ... mamak Joe Posted by Picasa

Lotsa lights. we went photo hunting since the rest went back o sleep Posted by Picasa

Hey , safe and sound. Back after the dinner. Poor fellas behind have to wait us to clear the path Posted by Picasa

Spirit come.... Posted by Picasa

Dinner on the boat. notice the waiter who joined us in this photo. hilarious Posted by Picasa

Pork burger in thai McD . no fair Posted by Picasa

Cleopatra - waiting for the demure Thai girl to finish her registration. took us another 30 minutes to get it done. Hurrry Posted by Picasa

Super mural. notice the fine artwork that is blocked by me. haha Posted by Picasa

Nice lamp at the registration counter. Made out of a light under red cloth and a black sheen.  Posted by Picasa

Super welcome kit Posted by Picasa

Arrival . a 2 hour trip plus 40 minutes from Donng Muang to the hotel. Paid Baht 800 - found out later that it only costs Baht 200-300
JOe

Apartment in Flora Damansara

Finally , one week at my new place in Flora Damansara . Thank God that the apartment has not been broken into.. yet.

Btw , it is not too comfortable sleeping on mattresss with plastic on. I think i am getting rashes from it. haha

Today , we are going to put in the new Aircon - 1 hp unit for RM1130 - Hitachi basic model with self cleaning.

The participants of Transition to Management in Riviera Bay , Malacca.
JOe

The best bridge ever built from this course. Called the S&M bridge - Singapore - Malaysia le.
JOe

Discovery lunch at midvalley - Annalaskmi Restaurant.
JOe

French Day July 05 - We had cheeses ( 10 million types ) , biscuits , tarts , breads , wines and everything french.
JOe

Farewell dinner for Iris - August 05
JOe

Graduates of the Discovery programme July 05
JOe

About Me

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Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
I am mysterious ... and leave la some comments if my writting make sense. Proud Of Malaysia and disillusioned by the direction.