The art of making others happy

It will take just 37seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.
If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'

Will Anwar's sodomy charge foil his plans to take over power?

I suspect that what’s going to happen is that there’s now tremendous pressure on the police to wrap up the investigations as quickly as possible then they will pass the papers to the Attorney-General and I think the next big flashpoint is whether or not the Attorney-General decides to prosecute or not to prosecute.

Radio Singapore International

History is repeating itself in Malaysia after former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was accused of sodomy for the second time in 10 years. The country was rocked by the sensational news when Mr Anwar’s young aide claimed that he was sexually assaulted. How will these allegations affect Mr Anwar’s ambitions to seize power from the ruling Barisan Nasional by September? Inside Malaysia examines the country’s latest political twist this week. I’m Saifulbahri Ismail.

The question of whether Anwar Ibrahim is gay is again the talk of the town. The man in the spotlight this time is Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year old volunteer with the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat. He lodged a police report last Saturday claiming that he was sodomised by his boss. Mr Anwar, a father of six children, immediately dismissed the allegations. At the same time, he filed a defamation suit against Mr Saiful. The 60-year old politician accused the government of fabricating a conspiracy to derail his ambitions to take over the government. Addressing a big rally of more than 7000 people on Tuesday, he vowed to fight every inch of the way to prove his innocence. Ibrahim Suffian, executive director of Merdeka Centre, was not surprised by Mr Anwar’s reaction as the political stakes are getting higher :

I think it’s in a way expected that Anwar will vigorously fight these allegations because I think he can sense that he is approaching power in a real sense that he thinks he has the ability of taking away power from Barisan Nasional for the first time. And he will see this as an attempt to stop him from getting close to forming the next national government. So, he will see this as an attempt against him to personally stop him from becoming the next prime minister.

Anwar, who is the de facto leader of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition has made it clear that the opposition will take over the government before September 16. Although their plans have been derailed by this sudden twist of events, the opposition is maintaining its target to form the next government by September. Yang Razali Kassim is a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore :

He’s free to do whatever he wants, he’s free to pursue his political agenda as I see it. But if he is arrested as a result of the investigations, then that will certainly derail all his plans. Already he has said his plans to stand in the by-elections has been derailed, so if there is any arrest of Anwar Ibrahim and we can expect a lot of fluidity in Malaysian politics.

So how are Malaysians reacting to the allegations against Anwar? His 1998 sodomy conviction was overturned by the federal court in 2004. So it is not surprising that the public are skeptical of the latest allegations against Anwar. A quick survey done by the independent Merdeka Centre research firm found that nearly 60 per cent of those polled view the allegations as politically motivated. The firm’s pollster Ibrahim Suffian explains :

It looks as if the Malaysian public does not really believe the allegations, and also then in the same vein indicates a lot of people also feels that this is a politically motivated issue, that it may not necessarily bear out because there’s a lot at stake with Anwar upping the ante and saying that he is going to take over federal government and so on, and so there is perception that a lot of people who will be at a loss trying to prevent Anwar from further advancing.

Whether or not this public perception changes during the course of investigations remains to be seen. Khoo Kay Peng a political analyst says the stakes are high for all parties involved :

I think public perception has already been formed. The outcome of the case will have a very telling effect on both sides. Whoever happen to be found guilty, I think the impact will be really great. Because I think at the end of the day, politics is about perception. I think unfortunately for this case, public perception has been formed.

If you've just tuned in you’re listening to Inside Malaysia on Radio Singapore International. This week we are looking at the Anwar Ibrahim sex scandal which has sent ripples through the Malaysian political landscape. It is still early days to determine the exact repercussions of the latest turn of events. Some observers feel that adversity might strengthen the unity of the opposition. Ibrahim Suffian is executive director of Merdeka Centre :

And at least based on the signs that we have seen so far the opposition is rallying together behind him and supporting him, even individuals within the opposition that previously questioned him as far as what his policies for the Malay were and so on are now together with him again. So this whole issue seems to be helping the opposition come together and making him potentially stronger.

Still, Yang Razali Kassim, from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies feels that one must not rule out the possibility of the tide turning against Anwar :

On the other hand it could also turn out to be negative for Anwar if the investigations throw out some doubts about his credibility. If that is the case, then he would have to fight in the court of public opinion and he would have to win back the ground and turn it around in his favour. It all boils down the outcome of the investigations that are on-going right now.

For the Malaysian police which has been under scrutiny lately, it is important that the investigations are done in a credible and transparent manner. According to Professor James Chin from Malaysia’s Monash University the investigations have to be done quickly too :

I suspect that what’s going to happen is that there’s now tremendous pressure on the police to wrap up the investigations as quickly as possible then they will pass the papers to the Attorney-General and I think the next big flashpoint is whether or not the Attorney-General decides to prosecute or not to prosecute. This is where the political factor comes in. If the Attorney-General prosecutes Anwar, then Anwar and his party will certainly go around town and tell everyone that it is political prosecution. If the Attorney-General does not prosecute and say there is not enough evidence for prosecution, Anwar will also gain as well, people will see this simply as a form of harassment against him and his party, so either way it looks like Anwar will come out the winner of this whole incident.

During the 1999 general elections, the opposition gained much ground after public sentiment turned against the Barisan Nasional. Voters still remember the Anwar sodomy case and the black eye that he suffered while in detention. If Anwar is again found not guilty, what would be the impact on the ruling coalition? Yang Razali Kassim with this view :

If these allegations are again proven wrong, the impact will be very devastating on the ruling National Front. It could backfire in a very nasty way. In 1998 there was also the fear that the BN could lose and as proven in 1999 the then general elections that followed the BN suffers heavily although it didn’t lose power. This time around the BN has already lost several states to the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim. So, as a result there is a lingering doubt whether the ruling coalition can last. The National Front could lose power.

Whatever the outcome of the latest allegations against Anwar, the country’s reputation will be affected says analyst Khoo Kay Peng :

I think it is the credibility of the country at stake, not only the country but also institutions within this country. We want to ensure that nobody is making use of any institutions or anything like that for their own political purpose. So if the allegation is true then I think it is really very serious for this country. Malaysia will loose its credibility if we allow such things to happen and it continues to happen. So, I think the cases must be brought up to the highest priority to ensure there is transparency, there is highest level of investigation given to ensure that public are well-informed because we do not want a precedent created where fabrication can be used to topple leaders or any personalities in this country.

Already confidence in the economy has been shaken. The stock market has fallen to a 15 month low. Analysts say the political uncertainty, inflation and the worldwide rise in oil and commodity prices make for a potent combination. Many will be watching closely the political struggle in Malaysia.

That ends Inside Malaysia this week. I’m Saifulbahri Ismail for Radio Singapore International.

Ways To Turn Down Unwanted Men

HE : Can I buy you a drink?
SHE : Actually I'd rather have the money.

HE : I'm a photographer. I've been looking for a face like yours.
SHE : I'm a plastic surgeon. I've been looking for a face like yours.

HE : Hi. Didn't we go on a date once? Or was it twice?
SHE : Must've been once. I never make the same mistake twice.

HE : How did you get to be so beautiful?
SHE : I must've been given your share.

HE : Will you go out with me this Saturday?
SHE : Sorry. I'm having a headache this weekend.

HE : Your face must turn a few heads.
SHE : And your face must turn a few stomachs.

HE : Go on, don't be shy. Ask me out.
SHE : Okay, get out.

HE : I think I could make you very happy.
SHE : Why? Are you leaving?

HE : What would you say if I asked you to marry me?
SHE : Nothing. I can't talk and laugh at the same time.

HE : Can I have your name?
SHE : Why? Don't you already have one?

HE : Shall we go see a movie?
SHE : I've already seen it.

HE : Where have you been all my life?
SHE : Hiding from you.

HE : Haven't I seen you some place before?
SHE : Yes. That's why I don't go there anymore.

HE : Is this seat empty?
SHE : Yes, and this one will be if you sit down.

HE : So, what do you do for a living?
SHE : I'm a female impersonator.

HE : Hey baby, what's your sign?
SHE : Do not enter.

HE : Your body is like a temple.
SHE : Sorry, there are no services today.

HE : If I could see you naked, I'd die happy.
SHE : If I saw you naked, I'd probably die laughing.

"Who’s getting screwed” “Who’s doing the screwing?"

Malaysian society today needs an uprising against the current mode of modus operandi of these imbeciles by setting a new set of order that will ensure the well being of our society.

R.Shan (Human Being)

I don't think I need to answer that as you are as aware as I am. My question is for how long are we going to get screwed due to the inaction on our part individually for the society, collectively.

Anwar's latest alleged sodomy episode is a classic example of who is doing the screwing. The screwing is only possible with all the heavy weight apparatus if we the Malaysian society don't change our mindset and act on our own individual way collectively so that we won't be screwed.

Yes, we need public awareness and uprising in the society from all level so that an uprising can happen against those who continue to do the screwing. This can only happen if you, me and the other jive together for a collective purpose and act so that we don't get screwed as a society.

Anwar faced this same shit in 1999 and everyone knew that and the Non- Malays stood on the sideline although it was so obvious it was the act of "Who was doing the screwing".

Today nine year later, this is not the same scenario, Malaysians are today are at a different path and wave length, being Malaysian inrespective of color, race, religion or following with a sense of belonging to one another in a society.

Today, in Malaysia we should not be paralysed by our own uncertainty but reach out to have the courage and wisdom above this helplessness and act collectivelty to screw those "Who are doing the screwing". This can only materialize if we, the society act together with a common goal of screwing these imbeciles who seems never to fail in amazing us.

The uncertainty is your fear in disguise, but when you act as a society and our worthiness individually to seeking truth, justice and fairness, it is impervious to fear.

The value that we Malaysian stand for today should be that we conquer our uncertainty and recognize our own individual responsibility towards our society, for it's well being and express it in the way we think and more particularly by our fearless act for our fellow Malaysians.

The whole incident of Anwar is again a wake up call to our society on the extend of the unchecked governance and self righteous attitude to serve a few. We, the society make or break the governance, we the society care for human life and happiness and not the destruction championed by a few for their own purpose.

Anwar's incident, Bersih, Hindraf and RPK are all eye openers to the society how the dogmatic system and so called legal apparatus are used to shackle the society to abide and follow or face the repercussion.

Malaysian society today needs an uprising against the current mode of modus operandi of these imbeciles by setting a new set of order that will ensure the well being of our society.

The uprising of the Malaysian society should be irrespective of race, class or order but one that seeks the equality, truthness and fairness in the cause for the society's well being.

Many Anwar, Bersih, Hindraf, RPK will come and go but until and when we, individually are able to recognize and act collectively, we will continued to be screwed by those who are doing the screwing.

The latest event should only strengthen our conviction and create a wave of the People Power to show that we cannot be enslaved when what is sought is for our society and the future generation. We the society through our uprising and emergence shall dictate the nation's future and challenge a pre-planned direction that is decided by the ruling machinery that only serves their purpose as oppose to the goodwill of the society.

For a start, we should start a campaign to kick out the AG and the police chief. They are elected by the ruling government on our mandate, so let us mobilize our mandate collectively as a society to make this happen. Sure, we kick these guys out and another "kiss my ass guy" will be placed. This is not the issue, but we the society should be able to dictate the direction of the country for our conviction although individually we are just a participant.

Malaysia today, now is ready for the uprising to create the change for our society with tollled courage and wisdom and for once we, the society shall be doing the screwing and not being screwed.

That reminds me…….

The Umno State Assemblywoman from Sungai Rapat, Hamidah Osman, revealed the attitude of these Umno women last week when she insinuated that if you see an Indian and a snake, you kill the Indian first. Yes, that is what she meant.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

"The police are the ones who will determine whether the report is true or not. It is not something that we can determine. He will definitely deny it. That is common for someone who has been accused," said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

No, Abdullah Badawi was not talking about the people named in the Statutory Declaration (read it here). He was referring to the latest sodomy allegation against Anwar Ibrahim. “He will definitely deny it. That is common for someone who has been accused." Yes, but is this common only to Anwar Ibrahim? Would not Abdullah Badawi, his son-in-law, Najib, Rosmah, Col. Aziz and Col Norhayati not also do the ‘common’ thing and also deny what was alleged in the Statutory Declaration?

Thus far, everyone named in that Statutory Declaration has denied what has been alleged. But, as Abdullah Badawi said, “He will definitely deny it. That is common for someone who has been accused." And, as Abdullah Badawi further said, “The police are the ones who will determine whether the report is true or not. It is not something that we can determine.”

Hmm….but did not Abdullah Badawi also say last week that he believes his Deputy Prime Minister Rosmah Mansor and her husband, Najib, are innocent? Well, he said this at least as far as Rosmah and her husband are concerned. But when it comes to Anwar Ibrahim he says, "The police are the ones who will determine whether the report is true or not. It is not something that we can determine. He will definitely deny it. That is common for someone who has been accused."

Why did Abdullah Badawi open his mouth and profess Rosmah’s and Najib’s innocence even before the police started their investigation? Will the police now dare announce the opposite to what Abdullah Badawi said, thus embarrassing the Prime Minister and making him a liar, at worse, or stupid, at best?

Abdullah Badawi has already ‘locked’ the police investigation and this will force the police to arrive at only one verdict. It is now impossible for the police to rule any other way other than declaring that the Statutory Declaration is false. That would be the only way to save the Prime Minister’s face and insulate him from controversy, or worse, from criminal charges.

In fact, the move to declare the Statutory Declaration false started very early in the day. The Statutory Declaration was signed on Wednesday, 18 June 2008, and handed to the prosecutors in the Altantuya murder trial the following day. On Friday, 20 June 2008, the Attorney-General lodged a police report on the basis that I had made a false declaration.

How did the Attorney-General know it is false? Again, the Attorney-General ‘locked’ the police. Since the police report was based on a false declaration and since the Attorney-General has said thus, the police will now have to concur or else the Attorney-General too would lose face.

We must remember that even before the Altantuya murder trial started the Attorney-General had announced that only three people and no others are involved in the murder. The Attorney-General had pre-judged the case and effectively ‘locked’ the judge. If evidence surfaces in the course of the trial which points to the possibility that more than three people are involved, the Attorney-General would look very stupid and would probably open himself to allegations of trial-rigging, which is a criminal act.

But then this will not be the first time that the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General have been accused of trial-rigging. According to Anwar Ibrahim, he has evidence that the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General had fabricated evidence during his 1998-1999 trials. In 1998, the Inspector General of Police and Attorney-General were the investigating officer and prosecutor respectively. Anwar was about to give this evidence to Malaysia Today so that we can expose it when, suddenly, the latest sodomy allegation exploded. Is this fantastic timing and a mere coincidence or something more sinister?

Have no fear, Malaysia Today is here, and once we get our hands on the evidence we will certainly reveal it to prove that the Inspector General of Police and Attorney-General conspired to fabricate evidence in Anwar Ibrahim’s 1998-1999 trials -- unless they get Anwar or me first of course. Anyway, if anything happens to Anwar or me then you will know why we were silenced. But the evidence will definitely not be silenced. It will still surface, with or without Anwar or me. And let the conspirators beware because they will have to face the wrath of the people.

So, I have signed a false Statutory Declaration, have I? Well, then prove it because the onus is on the accuser to prove guilt and not on the accused to prove innocence. And since they made a police report and announced that I had made a false declaration even before launching the investigation, this points to the very strong possibility that the police investigation must ‘support’ what they have said, that I had signed a false declaration. To do otherwise would be suicide, for them of course.

In the meantime, while they figure out how they are going to bring me down and lock me away in the Kajang Prison, I too am working on the evidence that will prove the Inspector General of Police and Attorney-General fabricated evidence in Anwar Ibrahim’s 1998-1999 trials. Let’s see whether they get me first before I get them. Anyone want to make a small wager that I will get them before they get me? This should be an interesting bet don’t you think?

Ooooh….I just love impossible odds. Anyway, while we wait to see who gets whom first, let us look at another subject matter. This was what happened in the Perak State Assembly last week as reported by The Star on Friday:

The first 36 minutes of Question Time yesterday saw opposition assemblymen continuously standing up and asking him for the chance to speak, and raise issues.

One by Hamidah Osman (BN-Sungai Rapat) particularly earned the wrath of the Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen when she asked whether Sivakumar “agreed to disagree” with the well-known fable of whether a snake or a man from a certain racial community should be killed first.

Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Pantai Remis) and other Pakatan assemblymen demanded Hamidah retract her words but she maintained she was merely asking if Sivakumar “agreed to disagree” with it.

Sivakumar let her off with a warning and told her not to bring up anything sensitive. Barisan whip Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali (BN-Pengkalan Hulu) then asked her to retract her words, and she did.

This reminds me of the statement by the Kampong Medan Umno State Assemblywoman soon after the race riots of almost a decade ago, which saw the loss of a number of lives. She said that the Indians had it coming because they have been arrogant for far too long.

I was shocked when I read the newspaper report quoting this Umno State Assemblywoman. Was she trying to say that it is not wrong to kill Indians because they deserve it and were asking for it? Hell, she is a State Assemblywoman and this is no way for a State Assemblywoman to talk. Endorsing killings of Malaysians, even if they are not of your race but are of another race, is just not on. Even if they are not Malaysians but are illegal immigrants that is still no reason to slaughter them and say that they deserve it.

Why are Malays so worked up and angry about Israeli soldiers killing Palestinian civilians? Palestinians are not Malaysians. They are not even Malays. So why poke our nose into something that is happening so far away in a land we have never visited and to people we have never met? If we have no sympathy for non-Malays killed in our own country why are we so nosy-parker about the same thing in a far away land?

The Umno State Assemblywoman from Sungai Rapat, Hamidah Osman, revealed the attitude of these Umno women last week when she insinuated that if you see an Indian and a snake, you kill the Indian first. Yes, that is what she meant. Hey, fuck you; Raja Petra Kamarudin is not seditious. This Umno State Assemblywoman from Sungai Rapat and that other Umno State Assemblywoman from Kampong Medan (now retired), who both endorse the killings of Indians, are. Go for their balls (metaphorically speaking of course since they do not actually have any). Leave mine alone. My wife has grown attached to them and she would hate to see the government take them away from her for the next couple of years.

Anwar is presently seeking shelter at the Turkish Embassy

Wan Azizah to file report against IGP, AG

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is expected to lodge a police report against the police chief Musa Hassan and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail later today over their alleged misconduct during Anwar Ibrahim's trials in 1998-1999.

Wan Azizah will be making the report on behalf of her husband Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday Anwar had said that he had evidence implicating Inspector-General of Police Musa and AG Abdul Gani Patail in the misconduct, including fabrication of evidence in the cases launched against him after his sacking from government in 1998.

He added that a fresh police report lodged against him for sodomy was a result of "interested parties to attack me in retaliation" over this evidence in his possession.

The report alleging sodomy was filed by Anwar's aide, 23-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, yesterday. Anwar claimed that the accusation against him was a "complete fabrication". PKR also said that Saiful was arrested and forced by the police to lodge such a report against Anwar.

Anwar is presently seeking shelter at the Turkish embasy after fearing assassination attemps on him.

READ MORE HERE

Is Najib Eyeing Abdullah’s Job?

To quell restlessness over his own position Abdullah had announced recently that Najib and he had come to an agreement to a smooth handing-over “when the right time comes.” Both did not say when this could be.

By BOB TEOH/ MySinchew

What appeared to be the story of the year was buried by loquacious front page treatment of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s tabling of the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (26 June).

Within the earshot of Abdullah after the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting later that evening, Najib dropped the bombshell; he may just go for his boss’ post, that of Umno president at the party’s election at year-end. Should he succeed, the gets to be prime minister as well according to convention.

But all newspapers buried the story with some not even carrying it. Both Utusan Malaysia and the New Straits Times gave it a three or four-paragraph treatment buried in its inside pages. Both also chose to use the copy supplied by Bernama, the official news agency. Berita Harian ignored the story. The Star used its own copy and put it on Page 12. Sin Chew Daily, Nanyang, China Press also used their own copy but gave it only three or four paragraphs and relegated the story to inside pages.

This is the Bernama copy:

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today he has yet to decide whether to contest the Umno presidency in the party elections in December.

Asked by reporters whether he would contest if he were to receive enough nominations from the Umno divisions, Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said it was not the time yet for him to make the announcement.

"I will make the decision when the time comes, there is still time," he told reporters after attending the Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council meeting, here tonight.

Under the Umno regulations, the candidate for the presidency must obtain nominations from at least 30 per cent of the total Umno divisions in the country…

The Star headlined its story as: “Najib to decide on top post ‘when the time is right’

It said, “Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did not dismiss the possibility that he might contest the presidency in the coming party polls. Asked if he would go for it if he secured enough nominations, Najib said: “I will make a decision when the time comes. There is still time.”

The rest of its story was about Abdullah’s comments on party election matters.

This is the first time Najib has gone on record of not dismissing the possibility of challenging Abdullah for the party’s top post. Najib always portrays himself as the loyal deputy even to the extent of tolerating former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad condemning him as a coward for not trying to oust Abdullah.

To quell restlessness over his own position Abdullah had announced recently that Najib and he had come to an agreement to a smooth handing-over “when the right time comes.” Both did not say when this could be.

Najib has also gone on record to say he will not destroy the party that “my father (former premier Abdul Razak) built” by scrambling for the top post.

Has Najib changed his mind now? Has he lined up enough numbers to go for Umno’s presidency? He is not saying anything. But his ellipsis invites much speculation.

He has said: “I will make a decision when the time comes. There is still time.”