2nd Annual Civil Society Award - 2009

If we were to turn back the pages of time and ask what we had done for ourselves, it will not be a surprise to realize that there are “things” that have been left undone.

If we cannot get the “things” done for ourselves then how can we do “anything” good for another?

People tend to be excited easily when a tragic situation of another fellow human happens. But sad to say like the ebb tide, it disappears just as fast as it has come.


Be it from the individuals or groups, we are blessed that there are still concerned people out there who are selfless.

We are living in a chaotic world where we the people allow the rich and powerful to steal from us, the nation’s wealth, and the people’s self-respect yet we are willing to say nothing about it. We prefer to depend on others to fight the cause and choose to be the judge, jury and executioner in our own comfort zone.

Who are the “we” then? It can be anyone of us who falls in this category of disgust!

The Civil Society 2nd.Annual Award for those distinguished recipients has harnessed the belief that there is a quantum of headcount that has sprouted to stand up to what they believe in. Syabas!

Civil Society 2nd.Annual Award Nominees are:

1. Sarawak Penan Community

2. Wong Chin Huat

3. HINDRAF

4. BERSIH

5. JERIT

6. Jawatankuasa Mempertahankan Sekolah Asal Damansara dan Memohon Sekolah Kedua

7. Jawatankuasa Bertindak Menentang Penggunaan Cyanide Dalam Pelombongan Emas Di Bukit Koman Raub, Pahang.

The 2009 Civil Society Award organised by The Chinese Assembly Hall went to:

1. Sarawak Penan Community
2. Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
3. Sisters in Islam.

Note: Not in the order but they are the equal winners. CONGRATULATIONS!

Whiter The Constitution?

What's the fuss after all? How the State Constitution is interpreted and capitalised by those in power is all about the lessons to be learnt from the Perak crisis.

The forum at MBPJ Civic Centre on the 09 November 2009 saw MB Nizar, Prof. Dato Shaad and Constitutional lawyer Tommy Thomas presenting their views on the "hostile takeover" of the Perak government.

Caught Red Handed

Look at what he was doing would make you think twice to buy anything to eat at this "mamak" shop. He became conscious when he saw my video camera but unaware that I was recording his unhygienic way of packing the "papadum" but not him. Why unaware? It is his dirty habit that's why!

Wanting to open the plastic bag, he blew into it and walla! Then, he conveniently packed the pieces into the plastic bag. Just imagine his saliva and the amount of bacteria he had added to make what you are going to eat with the "extra flavour" coated with sugar, spice and everything nice!

The Magic Of White Christmas

This drawing was sent to me by Anthony Phun. Do not just look at the drawing but decipher the fine lines. You will see images as well.

Christmas is approaching and the magic is in the air. As usual, One Utama puts up the deco of the well-celebrated Christmas.

When the jingles continue to fill the air, it is like a transformation to the realm of serenity which is beyond words.

Walk A Mile In My Shoes

The world seems cruel when a desperate soul needs solace yet nowhere to go or there is no one to turn to. Walking down the street of "Come What May" is the common path to take by not knowing what is waiting at the other end.

There are too many Malaysians - man, woman and child, who are in such predicaments, but where to go from there or whom to turn to?

It is only the members of the caring society and politicians who know that they have to do something correct for their fellow Malaysians, and no matter what cases and no matter who you are!

Please go to this blog: http://gnanam2009.wordpress.com/ for more details and read what "lucifer buttler" has posted.

Disastrous!

The gutsy stunt in the air.

Clip: Estrelita.

When not having enough from the movie 2012, then watch this.

Clip: Angela Ooi.

A Trip To Pulau Ketam

The ferries to Pulau Ketam are either an air-conditioned one or with a choice to take a converted version from the trawler.

Not knowing the choices available, we boarded whichever available and ended with a converted ferry from a trawler. It took one hour-journey to our destination while the other took half the time.

The advantages are the open view and the strong breeze with good view from both sides for photography. The disadvantages are the deafening noise from the roaring engine and slow pace skimming over the choppy sea.

In the rocky trawler-ferry on the way to Pulau Ketam, this couple with their young infant caught my attention.

Well, it was a brilliant idea for the exhausted father to place his baby to sleep on his body. Unfortunately, a seven feet long piece of wood supporting the life jackets fell on them.

The supervisor came to investigate not knowing that two teen-age passengers had earlier fooling around and accidentally pulled the wooden pole loosen. The vibration from the trawler-ferry finally saw the mishap taken place.

The supervisor went to the couple after the investigation and handed them a red-packet as a gesture of apology. Luckily, the baby and his father were unhurt.

The residents of Pulau Ketam lead a mundane life with a population of 8000 is made up of Chinese from the “Teochew”, “Hokkien”and “Hainanese” speaking clans. No wonder the younger generation have made their ways out to the mainland to look for greener pastures.

The houses are all built on stilt above the mangrove swamps now occupied by about half the populace.

As far back in the early fifties, Pulau Ketam was a desolated island of mangroves swamp where crabs were in abundance. The fisherman arrived for crabs and made daily trip back to the mainland with their catch.

The journey then (without engines) took nearly the whole day to travel to and fro from the mainland. The fishermen build a small house and stayed overnight and such convenience saw more houses sprouting around the island.

When the small populace wanted to stay permanently, the “Chuan Eng Bio” temple was built as the guardian for their safety and solace.

From 1960's to 1970's, post office, primary school and the other basic facilities sprouted in this island as well. Today, a secondary school has become a reality.

Unfortunately, fires in 1967 and 1972 had destroyed all the houses and shop lots in Jalan Besar and Sungai Dalam. All the shops were rebuilt later. For preventive measures, the Bomba Sukarela Pulau Ketam was formed in 1972. All volunteer members are from Pulau Ketam's residents.

In 1991, the new jetty was ready for use, and pipe water was supplied from the mainland by the state government.

In 1993, the Hospital Desa Pulau Ketam was set up to serve the village.

During 1994's Christmas Day, another fire destroyed four shops on the main street.

In 1998, Pulau Ketam experienced a slight flood. It affected roughly 30% of the residential areas.

In the same year, Alam Flora started to collect the detritus to make this island more presentable.

In 1999, the new ferry services came into being. One of the KTM terminals located at Pork Klang, and the convenience of transportations make the journey to and fro Pulau Ketam easier and time saving.

Today, Pulau Ketam is equipped with almost all the basic facilities. It also plays a role as a major fish, crabs, prawns provider to Klang valley, and as tourist destination for the state of Selangor.

The major activities were catching crabs, fishes and prawns.

The trip back to the mainland was rather amusing. The conductress of the trawler-ferry put up an entertaining sail home.

A septuagenarian, she sang and danced like a “child” in her world of her own. In different dialects, she churned out all her favourites.

Shock was the word! Many passengers were taken by surprise by her spontaneous teasers. Some were sceptical that she was herself while some may take it as her gimmicks to keep all the passengers in their seats.

Somewhere beneath her physical exterior, she could be a very lonely individual who enjoys seeing people laugh and be amused. To her, it is gratifying!

Salute woman, keep it coming!