Uniting a country. (1)

When I started this blog, I did not wish to write on politics. However, as time goes by, certain happenings in my country took my attention and I felt it is time I share my feelings and ideas on the progress of my own country.

Letely, Tun Dr. Mahathir, ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia had talked on a topic which I had written about in letters to the press. Unfortunately, most of such letters had been suppressed. the topic concerned is the reservation of places in public universities in Malaysia.

Leaders of a country must govern the country with all citizens considered equal. If there are citizens who are too backward financially or mentally (if that is possible), then there are so many other ways to help them without dividing the country's citizens into races or communities.

When the leaders of a country do such divisions, how can they ever pretend to unite the people. By such division of a country's citizens, those who lose out will certainly realise that opportunities which ought to be theirs were robbed from them and given to other less deserving people. Of course, those less deserving people who got the opportunities could never understand the injustice endured by the deprived ones as they were never in the position to feel such injustice.

Take for example, places for further studies in our public universites. Each year, there are many bright Chinese and Indian students who have to forgo a university education because their parents are not rich enough to send them to private universities while students with not so good results get places in public universities. For such bright students who know this and find themselves unable to progress further academically, how can anybody blame them should they feel that great injustice had been done them?

Merit should be the only criteria for places in our public universities for all citizens, regardless of race or religion. Politicians would argue that Malay students will not be able to afford private university places if the government do not reserve places for them. Such reasoning is obviously false when we see Malay public univerity students whose parents live in posh houses with cars bigger and more expensive than so many Chinese students who were unable to continue their education.

As a Residents' Association secretary for about thirty years, I have the opportunity to talk with some of the politicians in Kedah on solving the people's problems. On education, I have told them that this is the wrong way to level the field. In fact, in one Parents-Teachers Association Secretaries' (I was a secretary then)seminar in Alor Star where an UMNO politician who was also a USM lecturer talked on this topic, I took the opportunity to tell all those present, about 95% of them Malays, that poverty knows no boundary. I told them that I do not hold against anybody deserving of help to be assisted by the government. However, it must be done not through division of race. Help the poor and no one would oppose. And if fascilities in the rural areas are insufficient for the rural students to advance as fast as the urban kids, then bring the necessary fascilities to the rural areas.

In a rural school in Kuala Ketil, for example, the teachers know how vocal I am about getting the government to build libraries so that the latest books and knowledge as well as appropraite and conducive environment are available to the children. Since the people are supposed to be poor in the rural areas (You will be surprised at how rich some of them are.)give them free membership. In each and every rural area, construct places for free tuition on all subjects. Construct roads and provide water and electricity to the poorer areas. Yet, the truly poor Malays in the rural areas told me, despite development committees in almost every rural area, hardly any change to their areas was made. Of course, there is no evidence I can produce, but I have been told that unless development committee heads gain something personally, no project will be initiated.

Look at the rural villagers in Kuala Ketil and see how much they have benefitted from government Bumiputra policies. This, after more than fifty years. Apparently, those who have benefitted most from these Bumiputra policies are people who entered active politics. Look at the many rich Malay poliicians. Some of them even think they are beyond the law and have been bold enough to expose their great wealth with majestic palaces.

If better education fascilities are available to the poorer areas, education of these people are bound to improve. The poorer rural people with results as good as poorer urban folks (If there is anyone who believes that there is no urban poor, I am ready to show such people to them. My parents in Penang were poor and I know where they live.)can then compete on the same level playing field with dignity. Changes will be fast and education will bring progress to the people. However, politicians may have a different agenda, for when everyone is educated enough with computer skills to help them reach the truth, certain politicians can no longer hookwink all the citizens and still cling to power.

Since our country's policians have started the 1Malaysia policy of uniting the people it is time to take better education fascilities to the rural areas and then open places in our public universities to every citizen based on merit. In giving our rural poor better education fascilities, the government must not drag its feet any longer. Fifty years of inertia is just too long.

And whatever disunity that exists among the people is created by the politicians. Among ordinary folks, there is no disunity. There was a time when all the races in Malaysia could sit comfortably at a table in any coffee-shop; not a coffee-shop belonging to a particular race; to enjoy their food and drinks. Not today because politicians have been brain-washing some Malays through religion and race through their race supremacy. These politicians have their own agenda and in doing so, have divided this country in certain aspects.

When the 'father' of a country practise favouritism and divide the citizens into Malays, Chinese and Indians as well as others, how can he expect all the 'children' to look upon him as their 'father'?

Maturity and responsiblities.

How often people who want us to do something tell us: Where there's a will, there's a way. You can find time for it. Unfortunately, when it comes to certain things, there just isn't enough time for it. How is that so?

Well, a young mother's priority is her baby. She has to take care of it well. The duty belongs to her and her husband. They brought him/her into this world. They must care for it first regardless of other things which demand their attention. After the baby has been served and cared for, asleep and no longer needing attention, should the parents do other things.

Sometimes, parents find themselves unable to care for their child as well as should be the case. Perhaps, their daily food comes from a job and unless that job is done, there can be no sufficient money to buy food for the parents and their baby. In such a case, there is need for help from the child's grandparents or relatives. Arrangements have to be made so that the child still gets the attention it needs.

However, has people ever thought of the responsibilities that come with marriage? We have seen people marry even when the money earned by the two of them is not sufficient to support the marriage.

Sometimes, I wonder whether these people realise that when two young persons live together, unless their control over themselves is really good, it is just a matter of time before 1+1 becomes 3, if not 4 , 5 or 6. Here, I'm not talking about mathematics. I am talking about sex and two young persons of the opposite sex. Does the couple have the financial capability to support three mouths?

There was this report in the press pf a married couple with eight children living in a hut. The paper was pointing at their plight. Both parents were out of jobs and were dependent upon the neighbours for food everyday. Although we sympathise with the children and have to help them but the parents are obviously irresponsible. They do not have the maturity to understand the consequences of their actions. They are clear examples of some of the irresponsible and immatured people in our society.

With such immatured and irresponsible people around, it no wonder we face so many problems in our society. Where do we go wrong? Is it something the parents ought to have done? Are the parents exemplary examples? Did they ever give their children responsiblities when bringing them up? Did they discuss with their children the importance of responsibility in their lives?

Or is it the fault of education? Should we have more opportunities for children to be responsible for something in our schools? Or do we give up on those who seem to be lacking in discipline or responsibility?

What ought to be done to prevent such occurences? What do you think?

Food for thought. How harmful is your food?

Have you ever heard the story of farmers who never eat the food they produce for sale?

So a groundnut farmer would not eat the groundnuts they produce for sale to the people. Likewise, the watermelon farmer does not eat the watermelon in the patch he grows watermelon for sale. So does the potato farmer who grows potatoes to sell them to us. Similarly, we have vegetable farmers who do not eat the vegetables grown for sale. Do you know why?

Well, the fact is these people know what they put into the soil or spray onto the vegetables or products as they grow. They know the about the toxicity of the herbicides they use to destroy the weeds on the land. They understand the harmfulness of the pesticides and the fungicides that they spray onto their produce so as to get the maximum amount for harvest; to maximise profits.

So, what do they do if they wish to eat the type of vegetables they plant since they will not eat what they would have us eat? They grow a little of the vegetables in another plot of land where no herbicides are used to clear the land. When growing the vegetables, no pesticides or fungicides are used. so, they know that whatever they eat, it will not be toxic. They are safe.

Are they really safe? These people forget that they live to eat many other types of vegetables which, like everyone of us, have to obtained from a market; vegetables which are grown by other people with the same ideas as them. They eat vegetables and other produce from other farmers which are full of toxic chemicals. So, who is safe? Practically nobody who has to depend upon others for fruits and vegetables. Is that true?

No! That is not true as there are farmers who produce organic produce. Although such produce is a little more expensive, it may be a way out for us.

However, how sure are we that the produce is truly organic. I know of small-scale farmers who produce vegetables which they claim to be organic, that they use no chemical fertilisers or pesticides or fungicides; yet without a netting, they manage to have no insects or pests in their plots. Is that possible?

The surest safe way to have organic produce is to grow our own vegetables. That is what I do. How much we can produce depends upon the space available and our ingenuity.

No matter what, toxicity is one of the problems humans face in our present world. It is time to thing of a way to reduce the harm it can cause. How we can do it is for us to think about very seriously.

The opportunity to lead is always there.

A group photo of the 104 participants of this DSN in Sri Malaysia Hotel in Kepala Batas, Penang.


One of the groups: The wonderful people in my group with our two teachers in the background.


Here's the fantastic dance coach with the others cheering them on.

Available to us are many opportunities each and every day. It is up to use to be ready for them, to reach out and enjoy the opportunity that appears in front of us.

As such, at the Art of Living DSN Course, when given the opportunity to lead a group of wonderful people for three days, I accepted the chance with an enthusiastic ‘Yes!”. That was the opportunity which gave me three days of some of the greatest moments of my life.

The group members I had were beautiful individuals who were challenged in many ways, yet accepted and faced the challenges with gusto. One individual who stood out among the crowd was a beautiful lady named Jasmine. This lady was no less a leader than I was and it was great to have her to prompt others at times as we moved through the DSN process. She was great to have as a partner when we went to get more than ten people in a supermarket to laugh. With such a partner, I was encouraged and supported in my readiness to face whatever challenges and obstacles that might have come into our path. She was with me all the way. What a lady! Well, fantastic were the actions in the role I had to play that day as I clowned my way to elicit laughter from strangers. It was a role I enjoyed thoroughly as I allowed the youthfulness and delightful spirit of my soul to emerge and be given full reign. That day, in making others happy, we were some of the most happy people on earth.

This lady, Jasmine, was not merely great as a partner. She was ready to help and assist in many, many ways. So much like me, she was an adventurous soul with such an enormous appetite for life. She could dance well too. She helped certain participants to overcome their reluctance to perform and she taught them to dance. And so it was dance, dance and dance as others cheered them on. She showed us then the beautiful nature in her as well as her love and humanity for her fellow beings. Wow! She is one great fantastic lady. Look at the video above.

Of course, there were others who did lead but since I was not around to see their performance, I am unable to tell of their greatness and capability. Nevertheless, there are always opportunities and it is for us to be ready for them so as to be able to enjoy such opportunites as we come face to face with them.

Well, opportunities lost are not opportunities anymore. So, I believe you know what to do, which is to grab them as they come along. Life is one long adventure if we want it to be. It can also be a drag if we don’t.

It’s your choice, my friend. That's right. Your choice.

Pass along ‘the natural order of things’: a little love and humanity.

Here is one heart-warming story which a friend sent me through the email. Tears welled in my eyes as I read the story. The message it carries is great and I just must share this with all of you. I know not who the author is but if anyone does please tell us so that I could tell him/her of my appreciation of this beautiful piece of work that touched my heart and brought wealth to my soul. It simply is too lovely not to be read. Thank God there are people who can write such a wonderful piece. Well, enjoy it.

Two Choices
What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one.. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart.. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.
Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!
Run to first!'
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!
Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.

The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:
Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

May your day, be a Shay Day.

However, we need the ego to improve ourselves.

In my previous postings, I have told of the times I fell or crashed while on my motorcycle and it was all because of my strong ego. I was the one. I am still the one. To show the world how good I was, be it on a motorbike or a tall tree, my ego was willing to risk my neck and my life.

There were also the times I almost got into deep trouble, like the time when I had an encounter with the gangsters. Fortunately, I had my strength and courage to support my ego.

True, ego can bring us problems and misunderstandings. However, it is also important to have an ego. Without the ego, none of us would ever be anything. Without the ego, there would not have been any pride. Without pride in oneself, we would not desire to be the best in whatever we do. Without the ego, we would not bother to overcome obstacles and prove to ourselves that we are just as good as any other. Without my ego, there would not be me; Ong Ai Wei would not be the adventurous, hardworking, caring, loving guy who is always game enough to face whatever challenges life throws at him. Those who know me would know this to be true while those who doubt this cannot have known me well enough. See, how egoistic I can be. And I believe it is good as without it, I would not still be striving to be the best at my age.

Looking back, I was an excellent teacher, having all, with not even one failure, my art and craft students pass the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia art and craft paper every year. Though I did not get 100% passes in the SPM English paper, the percentage during all those years was something I could be proud of. And when it came to gymnastics, during the late sixties and early seventies, my first school team, the St. Michaels Secondary School team from Alor Star was the champion in Kedah state every year I was their coach. When it came to Sekolah Menengah Tengku Ismail from which I retired, the team was constantly in the first or second placing in the state.
All my efforts and training were powered by my ego.

I am what I am today because of my ego. Without my ego and self-esteem, I would not have stayed the course which was full of obstacles and pain.

So, although we have to beware of the problems our ego may lead us to, we should also let the ego power us to the greater things all of us are capable of as we remove all boundaries that may hinder our direction to better things to come. What I have in mind is control and guidance of the ego towards the right direction, the right path through right decisions.

Opportunities are always available.

Yesterday, I wrote on the DSN Course which brought so much potential for changes in the participants; changes that could only improve their lives.

As the course progressed, one of the values taught was similar to what I had written earlier on in this blog.

It brought back memories of my beautiful wife, of her beautiful ways and how i could have missed such a wonderful person had I then closed the door to such a possibility.

How is that so, you may wonder. Well, before my wife appeared on the scene, I was in love with a girl. She was another lovely woman. Her beautiful nature attracted me to her and I found her company most delightful. Unfortunately, it was a one-way track and she merely liked me very much.

Dissapointed, I was at the time. However, my then great teachers, Dale Carnegie, Napolean hill and Norman Vincent Peale had already taught me that when one door closes, another opens. And that has always been found to be true. The only thing is that even when faced with another door, we see not the opening that it presents. We are often blinded by what had happened earlier.

To overcome any tragic happening in our lives, we ought to understand what has gone can never return. We should only linger a very short while if we need to. We could help ourselves by drying our tears, look forward towards whatever could be in store for us and live the life we still have.

Similarly, even as I treasured the memories, I realised God must still have something for me and it did come in the appearance of my wife in my life.

We, my wife and I, had thirty wonderful years together and she was still holding my hand the night before she passed away in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. We still had love and comfort during her seven month sickness as we went from the Sungai Petani hospital to Nam Wah Ee Hopital in Penang before flying to the University Kebangsaan Hospital in Cheras, Selangor. I had taken leave from work to be with her during those months.

The point is, I would not have had known her if I had closed my heart for her love to enter. From the very beginning she had cared for me in such a memorable way and that could not have been my joy and pleasure had I not lived according to the teachings of those three great teachers.