Essential or Social?

Yesterday I had dinner with my wife at Chicken Rice Shop and witnessed a moment which I believe each and everyone of us could do better.

I saw 4 families sitting next to us, with at least a kid in the family eating dinner together. But sadly, with all due respect all parents were with their phones, checking their phones. A father that I saw, constantly checking the phone every minute.

  (Source : web)

I'm guilty of that behaviour. I checked my phone most of the time when having dinner which I don't think I should have. It is an attitude which I believe will ruin the good relationship with my family. I don't know about you, but I can forsee the next generations would be worse. 

We have to change this no matter what. I know, you know in this modern world we are tied up with piles of work, and on a good note it can be easily accessible by using phone. But do you really do your work via phone, or you are actually using it to sociallize?

Hence, we have to balance it by knowing which one to prioritize. I am taking one step after another. First, no phone during dinner with family. Thats for sure. Let's have a proper conversation with family, because that's quality.

Apakah Faktor Kegagalan Malaysia Mendapat Sasaran 8 Pingat Emas?

Apakah faktor kegagalan Malaysia mendapat sasaran 8 pingat emas?

Pada temasya Sukan ASIA tempohari Malaysia dikatakan telah gagal dan hanya mampu membawa 5 pingat emas sahaja. Pembangunan sukan dikatakan semakin lama semakin lemah dan Malaysia dilihat semakin kurang pelapis-pelapis yang berbakat untuk diketengahkan. Saya ingin menyenaraikan beberapa punca masalah yang kita bersama boleh bincangkan. 

1) Persatuan sukan kita lazimnya diketuai oleh Ketua Negeri (sama ada seorang Sultan, Tengku Mahkota, ahli Politik atau seorang Menteri). Mungkin ada antara mereka yang betul-betul berminat dalam menjadikan sesuatu institusi sukan berjaya dan ada antara mereka yang hanya menggunakan institusi sukan ini hanya untuk 'parking' duit atas nama Persatuan sukan. Ehem. Cuba bayangkan kos yang akan ditampung kalau orang seperti yang di atas pergi melawat sesuatu lokasi pusat sukan. Hehe. Layanan karpet merah. Lumayan bukan?

2) Kurangnya penglibatan secara langsung atau tidak langsung pihak swasta dalam pembangunan sukan negara. Kalau ada pun bercampur aduk. Dia lah nak sponsor Badminton, dia jugalah yang nak sponsor Squash. Di Korea Selatan saya difahamkan satu company seperti Samsung akan ambil satu sukan untuk diterajui. Hyundai akan ambil basketball, contohnya. Ini akan membuatkan pengumpulan dana bagi sesuatu sukan lebih khusus. 

3) Biasiswa dan universiti sukan. Kita jarang dengar pelajar yang ada bakat diberi peluang untuk mendapatkan biasiswa dalam bidang sukan. Bukan tiada, ada tapi sangat kecil jumlah nya. Bayangkan kalau anda pandai main bola padang, dan bakat anda memang terserlah. Kemudian anda diberi biasiswa akademik dan sukan. Tak happy? Tapi tak semudah itu bukan? Wujudnya universiti sukan juga dilihat mampu memberi platform yang lebih besar dalam pembangunan sukan dalam negara. Ya kita ada lebih kurang 8 universiti yang fokus kepada sukan tertentu tetapi mengapa kita tidak boleh ada satu Universiti Sukan yang khusus seperti di Korea, Jepun? Alaa.. bukan tak biasa keluar perbelanjaan besar-besar buat Universiti en?

4) Kita kurang platform untuk setiap golongan untuk ceburi bidang-bidang sukan tertentu. Saya nak tanya, Watson Nyambek, Rabuan Pit, Azmi Ibrahim datang dari platform mana? sekolah, universiti? Selain dari laluan itu bagaimana seorang pegawai sukan turun ke padang mencari bakat-bakat baru? Kita tak tahu sebenarnya di pendalaman Sarawak sebenarnya lahir seorang pelari terpantas tanah air? Dia tak pergi ke sekolah, tapi mempunyai minat mendalam dalam sukan larian. Saya boleh beri contoh program myteam dulu, walaupun program itu nampak tidak disenangi pihak seperti FAM, namun ia berjaya lahirkan produk seperti Azmi Muslim.

5) Kalau nak ukur  pembangunan sukan Malaysia, mudah je, bila kali terakhir kita pecah rekod larian 100m? Kali terakhir adalah pada pra-sukan Komonwel 1998. Tolak campur dah lebih kurang 16 tahun tak ada lagi orang yang boleh pecahkan rekod tu. Jadi nak salahkan siapa? Salahkan Khairy Jamaluddin? atau sebenarnya pembangunan sukan negara memang semakin merudum. Bila menang disanjung, bila kalah dihukum. Gan Ping Sieu bekas Menteri Belia dan Sukan pernah berkata pada saya, dia tak akan ambil credit (pujian) jika sesuatu atlet berjaya dalam bidang yang diceburi (pada ketika itu Sukan Olimpik di London, Pandelela dapat Gangsa) Bagi dia kejayaan itu dilakar hasil kejayaan individu yang membimbing Pandelela dari kecil lagi, bukan dia yang hanya baru beberapa tahun memegang jawatan dalam Kementerian. 

Jadi pembangunan sukan harus menyeluruh dan meletakkan sasaran jangka panjang. Buka peluang untuk lebih ramai bakat dicungkil. Akademi Fantasia boleh ke serata Malaysia cari bakat, takkan sukan Malaysia tak boleh kut. Bincangkan. 

Lawatan Kerja Katanya

Sekarang ramai pelajar luar negara yang telah kembali ke Malaysia. Kepakaran dan pengalaman mereka kini diterjemah dengan bekerja di dalam sektor kerajaan mahupun swasta. Saya sendiri telah berjumpa pelajar alumni oxford, harvard, western australia dan lainlain

Di sini saya ingin mencadangkan agar kita dapat kurangkan 'lawatan kerja' tempoh sekejap (sekitar 14 hari) pekerja sektor kerajaan ke lua...r negara dan menggunakan sepenuhnya kepakaran dan pengalaman pelajar luar negara dalam menerangkan pelbagai perkara. Lawatan yang dimaksudkan ialah lawatan ke luar negara yang tidak mempunyai maklumat asas yang konkrit dan kukuh sebelum berlepas ke sesuatu negara.

Sebagai contoh isu pengangkutan. Kita menghantar beberapa kali wakil kerajaan ke luar negara bagi menimba pengalaman di sana. Benar. Ia perlu. Bagi membuka mata & menambah pengalaman mereka menilai dan membezakan keberkesan sektor pengangkutan luar negara. Tetapi sejauh mana keberkesanan lawatan itu yang dapat diserapkan ke dalam perkhidmatan kerajaan? Ada ia kos efektif dalam perbelanjaan negara?

Justeru, saya ingin mencadangkan diadakan lebih banyak pertemuan pelajar yang telah belajar di luar negara, tak kira lah Singapura, Indonesia, Thailand dan sebagainya. Ini dalam dilihat lebih murah perbandingannya dan jauh besar pengalaman yang ditimba.

Sebagai contoh, seorang pelajar luar negara yang belajar degree akan mengambil masa lebih kurang 3 tahun, masters 2 tahun PHD dalam 4 tahun. Golongan ini secara tidak langsung telah mempelajari cara hidup di negara luar. Seperti contoh yang diberi di atas, mereka menggunakan pengangkutan awam setiap hari dan ini sedikit sebanyak membantu mereka memberi input dalam perkembangan polisi dan dasar kerajaan di Malaysia.

Sekali lagi tidak salah untuk pegawai kerajaan diberi peluang ke luar negara. Tetapi biarlah peratusannya berkurangan & lawatan biarlah lebih berstruktur serta fokus. Tambah peratusan dengan bekerjasama minda & fizikal pelajar yang telah lama di sana. Buat hubungan awal dengan golongan ini & sejurus mendapat solid ground info kemudian terus ke luar negara membuat langkah susulan. Dengan ini sebarang keputusan yang bakal dibuat melibatkan dasar kerajaan Malaysia akan menjadi lebih berkesan.

Bincangkan (20 markah)

*topik seterusnya : bagaimana kita menilai keberkersanan pegawai kerajaan kita di luar negara dan pengalaman saya.

Kadang kita lupa kita siapa,
Kadang kita terasa bila disapa,
Kadang kita leka dengan peredaran masa,
Kadang kita lemah bila diuji Maha Esa,
Kadang kita malu bila ditertawa,
Kadang kita Kadang kita
Kita Kita Kita
Kita Kita
Kita.
Semua sama.

Biarlah Berpada

Seperti yang kita sedia maklum, banyak pekerja di Malaysia yang dihantar ke luar negara bagi mewakili rakyat Malaysia di sana. Kementerian Luar, Kementerian Pendidikan, Jabatan Imigresen, Jabatan Perdana Menteri adalah antara insititusi dalam negara yang menhantar rakyat Malaysia untuk bekerja di pelbagai negara seperti New York US, London UK, Sydney Australia dan sebagainya. Cara ini di lihat lebih untuk membantu rakyat Malaysia yang berada di luar negara & menambahbaik hubungan Malaysia dengan negara luar.

Saya selaku bekas pelajar luar negara, dan lazim ke luar negara untuk menjalankan lawatan rasmi & tidak rasmi ingin mempersoalkan sejauh mana keberkesanan seseorang pegawai kerajaan yang bekerja di luar negara dapat membantu rakyat Malaysia untuk mempelopori pengetahuan dan pengalaman di negara asing.

Saya sedar, ramai pegawai kerajaan di Malaysia yang bekerja bersungguh-sungguh bagi mendapat peluang bekerja di luar negara, bagi menimba pengalaman di sana. Ada juga yang bekerja bersungguh-sungguh semasa bertugas di luar negara bagi memastikan tempoh kontrak mereka tidak ditamatkan dan terus berada di luar negara. Bagi saya, dan mengikut pendapat saya keduanya tidak salah (rujuk artikel saya sebelum ini) lagi lama seseorang individu itu berada di luar negara, lagi banyak pengalaman ditimba, dan lagi banyak pengetahuan akan dibawa balik ke Malaysia bagi dikongsi bersama.

TAPI

Adakah mereka di sana menjalankan apa yang dipertanggungjawabkan kepada mereka atau mereka hanya di sana bagi mengambil kesempatan untuk bercuti dan bersuka-ria SAHAJA (dimana tiada langsung halangan bagi bercuti tapi berpada).

Perkara ini selalu berlaku kan?

Baik kini saya ceritakan pengalaman saya dan rakan saya yang pernah bertemu dengan pegawai kerajaan Malaysia yang berada di sana (Fokus saya hanya untuk Education Malaysia kerana saya pernah bekerja dengan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi satu ketika) . Pada tahun lepas saya ke Australia bagi melakukan lawatan bekerja jadi saya lah orang yang menghubungi pegawai Malaysia di sana. Jadi saya seperti biasa akan memenuhkan jadual dengan bertemu golongan ilmuan, golongan korporat dan pelajar di sana bagi memastikan saya dapat yang terbaik sepanjang 8 hari di sana. Sebelum pergi saya dah dapat bau yang orang di sana macam ada tak kena. Harga makanan seperti tidak berpatutan, harga pengangkutan juga sama. Bila saya sampai di sana, salah satu universiti yang saya pergi adalah kali pertama head of education Malaysia Australia ini baru pergi juga. Samalah sewaktu di UK, sudah berada di sana 2 tahun tapi University Oxford pun tak pernah jejak. Di US pula saya dengar cerita, pegawai education Malaysia library of congress pun tak pernah pergi, walhal nak tamat perkhidmatan dah.

Logik akal lah, kalau dah namanya pegawai pendidikan Malaysia kalau tak tahu pasal hal berkaitan sukan dan politik di sana, saya okay lagi tapi biarlah tahu banyak pasal benda yang berkaitan. Anda adalah wakil Malaysia di sana. Anda sepatutnya lebih banyak melakukan engagement dengan Universiti di sana, golongan ilmuan disana, bukan sahaja yang jaga tiket Movie World atau Disneyland atau menjejaki semua factory outlet yang berada di luar sana.

Saya sedar bukan semua pegawai kerajaan Malaysia berlakuan sedemikian rupa, & mungkin juga ramai yang akan marah kenyataan saya ini. Ini yang saya tempuhi dan saya yakin ramai orang complain benda yang sama. Saya juga tidak mengatakan tak perlu langsung berjalan bercuti bersama keluarga (saya juga akan buat benda yang sama, mengambil kesempatan sebaik mungkin bercuti di sana) tapi biar lah berpada. Ingatlah, anda wakil rakyat Malaysia ke sesebuah negara, buat lah yang terbaik kerana kami bergantung kepada apa kemahiran dan pengetahuan yang anda timba di sana. END

Tegur

Yang kutuk akan terus mengutuk kerajaan (negeri/perseketuan). Mencari sumber pelbagai segi yang kreatif dan menarik bagi menunjukkan pelbagai kelemahan kerajaan. Sebaiknya itu bukan jalan nya. Kritik biarlah membina, lawan biar lah betul caranya. Kalau ada jalan kita tunjukkan, kalau ada masalah kita perbetulkan. Saya akan terus bercerita mengenai kepincangan, dan akan bersama-sama mencari jalan untuk perbetulkan.

Kita biar bertegur jangan hanya tahu pukul.

Sebar dengan bijak, jangan sampai terperangkap.

Berlalu Seketika, Tertutupnya Jendela

Orang semakin lama semakin marah, yang berada di atas akan terus angkuh tak bertempat, yang dibawah akan lari bertempiaran. Rakyat hanya ingin kan kebenaran. Jangan sorok, jangan simpan sebab lama kelamaan rakyat akan menilai. Rakyat dah pandai. Bukan sahaja dibuat jenaka mengenai cara pemimpin buat kenyataan, rakyat boleh menilai setiap ringgit yang dibelanjakan.

Kalau semua benda hendak dipolitikan, rasa jelik bila pembangunan Malaysia bukan lagi satu kepentingan. Makin lama makin sempit, makin lama makin sakit. Dua tahun tahan parah politik, bila habis tidak dijaga, dibuang bagai tidak dibela.

Jangan lupa, kiranya sekarang tidak dijaga, lama kelamaan luka pahit ini akan terus terasa. Apa lah kiranya dibelai sekarang, dipukul andai perlu, diusap kiranya sayu. Jika hujan kau payungkan, tatkala panas kau cuba dinginkan.

Peranan pucuk pimpinan bukan sahaja menjawab kritikan, harus kebawah rasai keperitan. Bukan lah dikata semua sebegini rupa, namun rakyat tidak lagi tunduk dengan mudahnya. Duduk bersama, murnikan bahasa, indah tutur kata. Baru lah rakyat tak mengata.

Yang membangkang akan terus membangkang. Kononnya memperjuangkan perihal rakyat sedangkan bersembunyi di sebalik kenyataan. Bagai melontar batu menyorok tangan, usah begitu kawan kerna yang kita inginkan Malaysia kekal terus aman. Kalau berharian mencari kesalahan kerajaan di mana ruang Malaysia untuk menjadi negara dikenali ramai. Duduk semeja, bincang pelbagai hal yang boleh membawa Malaysia ke suatu tempat dikagumi seantero dunia.

Rumusan saya untuk 2013, mudah. Rakyat dah bencikan politik sempit tiada hikmah, politik wang penuh rasuah. Rakyat menjadi mangsa, politik kotor terus berleluasa. Dengarlah suara denyutan nadi rakyat, bukan kerana pembangkang hebat semua, tapi rakyat tidak lagi rela dihina. Kata-kataSaifuddin Abdullah menutup tirai 2013

"Politik iaitu politik ilmu dan bukan politik ampu; politik hikmah dan bukan politik fitnah serta politik bakti dan bukan politik undi"

"Cinta kepada nilai kebenaran, keadilan, mulia dan murni. Benci kepada kepalsuan, kezaliman dan huru-hara. Inilah yang dikatakan sebagai amalan politik perjuangan"

Renungkan.

BR1M Dan Kasi Voucher lah!

Okay lets talk bout BR1M. Pada 10 Disember 2011 fasa pertama BR1M telah disalurkan kepada rakyat. Kemudian BR1M 2.0 dan seterusnya. Langkah ini pada awalnya dikatanya hanya sebagai 'gula-gula' kepada rakyat kerana terjadi menjelang PRU-13. Namun kerajaan meletakkan ini di dalam manifesto pilihanraya untuk menunjukkan yang langkah ini dapat membantu kerajaan menyalurkan subsidi dalam bentuk BR1M.

(Bagaimana kerajaan membantu golongan berpendapatan rendah dengan BR1M, sila rujuk post yang saya share sebelum ini sebab saya malas nak tulis. Haha)

Okay sejak BR1M 1.0 saya berpengalaman memberi bantuan ini kepada rakyat (cheh cakap macam tah pape) tapi benar saya memang pernah membantu menyalurkan BR1M di beberapa tempat di Malaysia. Tapi proses masa mula-mula dulu lagi tah pape sebab waktu itu ia dimulakan dengan ceramah. Jadi dari mula aku rasakan langkah ini kurang bijak, bukan sahaja perlu mendengar ceramah tetapi perlu beratur panjang berjela nak dapatkan RM 500. Kalau budak tu muda handsome gaya ada macam saya tu tak apa lagi, tapi kesian makcik pakcik yang ada berkerusi roda. Saya sendiri pernah tolak pakcik atas kerusi roda sampai dapat duit RM 500.

Okay fair, kata nak kasi duit kan, nak tunjuk yang kerajaan kasi duit kan? Dulu idea saya bagi je la sampul, ada logo gomen. Dah la orang dapat duit cepat, lepas tu balik happy. Esok beli henpon pastu habis. Ye la tabiat kan. Macam budak-budak dapat duit PTPTN la, dapat duit selepuk, habis esok selepuk. Jangan cakap korang tak buat dulu. Haha. Kehendak didahulukan, keperluan dikemudiankan. Ingat tak dulu, siap kena amik baucar tunai. Baucar tunai weh! Ni langkah kalau nak amik BR1M dulu.

"Pembayaran dilakukan selama dua bulan bermula 15 Januari sehingga Mac 2012 dalam bentuk baucar tunai. Semua pemohon BR1M akan dimaklumkan mengenai keputusan permohonan melalui pos secara berperingkat. Setiap pemohon yang berjaya akan menerima surat pemakluman masing-masing secara berperingkat-peringkat (dalam tempoh dua bulan) dengan disertakan tarikh dan tempat majlis penyerahan baucar diadakan. Majlis penyerahan baucar kepada pemohon yang berjaya akan diadakan pada tarikh dan tempat yang ditetapkan dalam surat. Baucar bantuan boleh ditunaikan di cawangan bank terpilih (Bank Simpanan Nasional, CIMB dan Maybank) di seluruh negara. Permohonan masih terbuka dan bagi mereka yang gagal atas sebab teknikal boleh membuat rayuan"

MAJLIS PENYERAHAN BAUCAR! haha. Dulu lagi saya kata, memang norma orang Malaysia majlis-majlis ni. So berjam-jam la pakcik yang happy pagi keluar nak dapat RM 500, tengahari sumpah-menyumpah orang yang bagi BR1M cakap atas pentas siap nyanyi satu lagu lagi. (Okay tak itu aku tipu). So permudahkan lah.

Initiatif kerajaan tu baik. Ada lah orang kata, kau kenapa amik BR1M kau kan sokong pembangkang. Kawan dia tu jawab, Eh suka hati aku lah aku bayar cukai. Dua-dua grup ni leh gi jalan! Tah pape. Ini initiatif kerajaan menyalurkan subsidi yang korang tak nampak dalam barang keperluan korang hari hari kerajaan top up tu. Kerajaan agih dengan cara baik iaitu melalui BR1M.

Walaupun nampak dimanjakan, tapi rakyat ada hak. So rakyat menang. Yeay. Tapi permudahkan lah. Tahun ini katanya terus masuk dalam akaun. Kan senang tu. Rakyat pun tak maki, rakyat happy. Nanti keluar resit dekat Bank tu, tulis lah "Jangan lupa cakap thank you" Hehe.

Okay panjang tak aku explain sebelum aku cakap pasal bagi baucar (bukan baucar tunai). Contoh, macam Bantuan Baucar Buku 1Malaysia. Student kena pergi kedai buku claim di kedai yang diperakui oleh Kerajaan Malaysia. Buat lah benda sama untuk BR1M. Pergi deal dengan Aeon Big ke, Mydin ke, Tesco ke, Hock Choon ke. Memang la "Ui lahabau, kaya la pasaraya-pasaraya besar ni (orang Melaka yang komen)" Memang lah kaya, kalau betul duit BR1M diguna pakai oleh rakyat bukan untuk beli henpon tapi barang keperluan. MEMANG kaya pun lah pasaraya ni. Tapi korang tak gunakan kan kan?... Kantoi situ. Tapi kitarannya pasaraya ini akan bayar cukai pada kerajaan & kerajaan akan salurkan balik kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah melalui BR1M. So menang, menang. Ada yang kata, BR1M ini boleh bantu bayar hutang. Tak ada BR1M pun kena bayar hutang kan? Asasnya BR1M ni nak bantu bayar barang keperluan, petrol dsb.

So mungkin PETRONAS ada mekanisma untuk bantu rakyat guna 'baucar' ini dalam pengisian minyak jugak. Aku tak tahu macam mana tapi mesti ada cara. Okay lah. panjang gila aku dah type. Sekali sedut je ni, haha kalau ada salah komen, iols okay. Hujah dibalas hujah.

Bila Dijentik Melonjak Api Membara

Jangan dihina bangsa ini.
Jangan terus rosak kan hubungan kaum di negara ini.
Jangan sentuh tentang bangsa jika anda tak percaya pada perpaduan bersama.

Jelas rakyat yang berkuasa.
Menolak kumpulan yang cuba mempermainkan pemikiran penduduk yang dilihat matang akalnya.

Kalah bukan bermakna anda kalah. Berkhidmatlah, satu hari nanti mungkin anda akan menang. Yang menang, bersedialah. Pikul tanggungjawab kerna jangan lupa rakyat makin bijak. Bila dijentik, melonjak api membakar mu hilang dari kesenangan dunia.

What young Fadzmel Fadzil sees in moderates

PERSONALITY: The role of non-governmental organisations as a check-and-balance force in a democracy is an evolving concept that takes into account current challenges facing the society.


Exploring and bridging the ties between government (including political parties) and NGOs is something that has driven the career of 28-year-old Fadzmel Fadzil, currently the operations director at Global Movement of Moderates (GMM), under the guidance of its CEO Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is the movement's patron.


What traditionally is, at least in Malaysia, the domain of charity and welfare organisations that work alongside the government have now expanded to groups that fight for or against any and every current issue affecting the people.


Perkasa, Isma, Comango and Negara-Ku are just four examples of civil society groups that represent the entire spectrum ranging from the most right-wing to the most left-wing stand, at least based on public perception of their views.


A larger number of NGOs, however, are those representing "moderate" views.


Fadzmel, who together with Saifuddin are also involved in the Center for A Better Tomorrow (CENBET), told theantdaily that the two organisations essentially share similar values which is to "encourage moderation as a way of life".


"I would like to brand moderation as an imperturbable thing globally especially for the youth.


"I would like them to have the urge of do things and make decision moderately, and also as a moderate, I would like to see more moderate youths speak up," said the KL-born who holds a Masters in Logistics & Supply Chain.


Recent developments in the country have raised concerns that moderate voices are being "drowned" by views from both extreme right-wing or left-wing groups in Malaysia, often seen to be at loggerheads with each other and creating an atmosphere of divisiveness on the ground.


Fadzmel, however, said: "I always believe that Malaysians are coherent and rational people who would not think of attacking others based on race and religion."


"Moderates need a space for them to speak and protecting those who are in need.


"Spaces like GMM and CENBET would be best for these people to speak up and be heard," said Fadzmel who is also a member of the National Youth Council, led by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.


Having been exposed to the Kelab Umno Luar Negara since he was a student overseas, Fadzmel said involvement with the party has allowed him to explore his passions which include dealing with youth issues, unity and youth involvement in social media.


Having organised several programmes that capitalise on social media engagement, Fadzmel cited the 2012 Twitter gathering dubbed #twtupkami in Bukit Jalil Stadium as being the biggest of its kind in Malaysia, with more than 10,000 participants.


"Recently, I also represented Akademi Belia and attended a discussion on "Social Exclusion and High Risk Youth in Malaysia" to review the needs and concerns of high risk youths (15 to 30 years) in urban centres," he said, adding that the academy was set up by Saifuddin as an engagement platform for Malaysian youths.


Upon returning from completing his Masters at UK's Hull University, Fadzmel said he got a chance to work with Malaysian songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and that was when he met Saifuddin, who later approached him with a job offer.


"When I was in the UK, you will find there are less Malaysians at my university if compared to those in London or Manchester, but I still see segregation among the same race and religion.


"One of my proudest moments is when we managed to gather Malaysians from all races and participated in the International Culture Festival, performing the dikir barat, Chinese traditional dance," he recalled.


Fadzmel had served as a special officer to Saifuddin when the latter was still serving as Deputy Higher Education Minister, allowing him an insight into the inner-workings of the government.


During the last general elections, Saifuddin lost his Temerloh parliamentary seat and was not re-elected into the Umno Supreme Council during the party's polls.


This, some argued, was due to his "moderate" views being rejected by traditional Umno supporters.


Fadzmel, however, noted that there are progress being made, singling out a recent incident where a Kluang Umno Youth leader had defended DAP's Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong's rights to distribute kurma together at a Ramadhan bazaar in his constituency.


On challenges facing the country and the way forward for Malaysia, Fadzmel said Malaysians are looking for politicians who have the characteristics of national leaders.


"But sadly, politicians want to politicise the country, and in the end, the people are the victims," he stressed.


"In Malaysia, everything has to be politicised. After GE13, I thought we had enough of politicking with Bersih issues, Lynas, burning Bible and many more.


"Enough is enough with politics. Let's limit politicking to the general election period and work on building the country for the people at other times!" he said.


ICEBREAKERS


theantdaily: In your line of working, being up to date with news/current affairs is a necessity. What are your three top news sources and why?


Fadzmel: HuffingtonPost, Yahoo! Malaysia News & TheMalaysianInsider. If it is a physical paper I would say, Sinar Harian and The Star respectively because of their fast, reliable and compact content. I have less time to read whole newspaper nowadays, hence I use these news sources to keep me updated.


theantdaily: If you find yourself in a crashing helicopter with Datuk Zulkifli Noordin, Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin, but there are only three parachutes, what would you do and why?


Fadzmel: You forgot that a helicopter also has a pilot and his co-pilot. I will pass those two parachutes to them because I would rather give the parachutes to those who appreciate the responsibility that has been given to them and they work tirelessly to make the best for them individually and best for people under their responsibility. If you know what I am saying.


theantdaily: If given the chance to ghost write as Utusan's Awang Selamat for one day, what would be your message to Utusan readers?


Fadzmel: "Kehebatan pahlawan bukan terletak pada berapa musuh yang dibunuh tetapi berapa musuh yang boleh diubah menjadi kawan." (The measure of a great warrior is not based on how many enemies did he kill but how many enemies he can convert to be friends.)

Full article at: http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/What-young-Fadzmel-Fadzil-sees-in-moderates#sthash.sXeCdB3Y.dpuf

Be the change you wish to see

Recently, news on Gaza is all over social media platforms. During Ramadhan, our timeline thread was filled with numerous newsflash, updating frequently on Palestine-Israel conflict. However, it did not end there, it prolong until the month of Syawal.

The struggle is miles away from Malaysia but how do we Malaysians help those people in Gaza fighting for their country and requesting humanitarian help from people from all walks of life?

Indeed, some Malaysians took the effort to go on the street, organize rallies to protest. But essentially, would that be sufficient to pressure people above to stop victimizing & intimidating people in Gaza strip? I must admit, there is definitely an impact and worth the effort. Keep the protesting moving and spread the word so that vigilant people around the world can become aware regarding the suffering of these innocent people.

Social media is another way to progress as a method to protest. We have seen thousands of pictures were sailing around and people tend to share information that they get from social media.  But lately, I saw a battle of arguments in social media on how people should boycott things that is produced from companies like McDonalds, Starbucks & Coca Cola that are associated to Israel. Not only that, the argument has gone through to a space where people cannot use Facebook, Instagram & Twitter as it is own by Mark Zuckerberg, and apparently his family is contributing to Israel’s economic progress.

How do you see it?

There are many people who think that boycotting these companies have no effect and I actually agreed until I stumbled upon a story, where there once was a little bird who tried to save Prophet Ibrahim AS from burning into fire. The little bird saw what happened and decided to put out the fire. Even though the beak is small, the little bird effortlessly tried to put out the fire around Prophet Ibrahim AS. Larger birds asked the smaller bird,

"How could you put out that fire with such a small amount of water? It is pointless"

The smaller bird replied,

“ I am sure Allah will not asked me whether I manage to put out the fire or not, But Allah will ask what have I done to stop the fire”

From that story, I realized, whatever little contribution goes a long away. A little effort from us could help accrue exertion from others. Those who are on this movement, keep on going, but those who don’t, people shouldn’t criticize, but encourage them to join the effort. After all, everyone has the right choose what he or she believes in. One good illustration is to see the dispute among Malaysian at Sazzy Falak’s picture in Instagram.

And to those people who say things like “no point boycotting if you are still using Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I believe otherwise. I deem that there are two ways of seeing social media. Virtuous or ruthless. Perfect analogy on this would be, we know a knife can be either handy or harmful. We decide how to use it, knife can be very convenient in the kitchen but at the same time it could be used for violence. Thus, you decide ways to use your social media account. Spread the words, but spread wisely.

I look at this issue incline to humanitarian issues, nevertheless. I can see celebrities like Rihanna, Zayn Malik & Christiano Ronaldo are making use of their social media platforms to spread the message and support the cause. Do they protect people in Gaza because of its Muslim majority? Or perhaps, because they believe as humans, we need to support other human beings for world peace. Like Gandhi once said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world. – July 30, 2014.

Full article at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/be-the-change-you-wish-to-see-fadzmel-fadzil#sthash.feRj1bMK.dpuf

Rasionalisasi Subsidi

Kenaikan harga minyak memang membebankan terutamanya bagi golongan pertengahan dan kebawah. Kita sedar, kita tahu yang harga petroleum di Malaysia memang rendah berbanding negara-negara jiran. Namun ada perkara-perkara yang kita perlu fikir bila kenaikan ini berlaku dan membandingkannya dengan negara jiran.

1) Adakah pendapatan isi rumah anda berada di keadaan selesa?
2) Adakah gaji minimum dan tahap gaji anda berada di ruang yang meyakinkan?
3) Adakah pembayaran cukai pendapatan telah diperketat dan pembahagian cukai adil?
4) Adakah keadaan pengangkutan awam kita mampu menjadi pilihan kedua selain menaiki kereta?
5) Adakah anda setuju BR1M bukan lah cara terbaik untuk mengagihkan subsidi?
6) Sejauh mana keyakinan anda jika berlaku kenaikan harga minyak sebegini, harga barang keperluan lain tidak meningkat?

Soalnya kini bukan lah sama ada ianya melibatkan populariti sesuatu individu sahaja, ia adalah masalah yang harus disulami bersama. Saya cadang untuk awalan, berhentilah ada outrider atau polis pengiring untuk menteri-menteri yang tidak berkenaan, ketua menteri, golongan berada, anak orang kaya/menteri. Sekat lah kata pun nak berjimat. Keduanya, boleh-boleh la tukar cara pengagihan subsidi tanpa menggunakan BR1M. Saya ada cara best, tapi malas nak cerita dekat sini. Kalau nak, beli buku yang saya akan jual di pasar nanti. Sekian.

Soon To Be a Father, 36-weeks and moving forward.

Today, the baby in my wife’s comel stomach is 36 weeks. According to Babycentre.com at the end of this week, my baby will be considered "early term." (Full-term is 39 to 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term, 41 weeks is late term, and those born after 42 are post-term.) So nevertheless it is normal for a baby to be delivered this week onwards.

What I have experienced?

Well. A lot.

The journey started when my wife was late for her menses and at that point of time she started to fart frequently, even when she is sleeping which was weird. So as a thoughtful and considerate husband, I googled for answers and I can still remember what I wrote :

“wife farts in her sleep” and it turns out, I was right. Some websites stated that farting is a symptom of pregnancy but I still kept that information to myself until we knew for sure.

U may laugh at me but that’s what I did, so a week after that, the doctor confirmed that my wife and I will be having a baby. Not bad huh.

Then life became more exciting, in my mind as usual, I was thinking of buying strollers, baby cot, carrier, moses basket, car seats, and so many things. My baby needs to have everything that a baby should get. I even bought extra clothing, because I was tad excited.

But as months passed by, I realized it is not entirely about buying baby stuffs. But most importantly is to make sure your wife is healthy & your baby is in good progress. Other things in the list stumble after.

Then I started doing my own research, knowing terms that I have never ever heard before. Terms like, epidural, caesarean, pediatrician, contraction, induced labor, placenta, and so many other terms that I stumbled upon. Not only that, we move from one clinic to another, one hospital to other hospitals either to do check-ups or to check the best hospital for delivery.

My lifestyle has not changed dramatically, it has been if not all, but most of it did not change that much. Though, the busy schedule that I have, I will always spare some time for my wife. But there are new things that add into my daily schedule during her pregnancy period. First, cravings. I am quite fortunate as my wife doesn’t crave so much compare to my other friends who crave, or in a better word to put it DEMAND food that the husband will find it arduous to get. I only get things like pasta from Delicious, chicken from Nandos, watermelon, tomyam, and simple things that I can deliver to her. Syukur Alhamdulilah.

As you all may be aware of, I like to do OOTD “Outfit of The Day” once a while and post it into my Instagram. But after the baby news, my priority changed dramatically. Nothing would be as much important as to make sure whatever necessary things the baby needs, the baby gets. I used my savings for this, although money flows briskly, but it has never been an issue. As a father you will strive your best to get it done. But again, I mentioned necessary, some things are less obligatory, but if you can afford to buy it, no harm buying it.

As days gone by, weeks after weeks, watching videos after videos, a lot of advises given to my wife and I to be the best father and mother. My wife received numerous guidance from relatives, friends, families on best steps to deliver baby. Them sharing experience can be daunting at times, but all are worthwhile. Trust me. Because from their experience you get yourself prepared, expecting what is going to happen next. Like preparing for SPM exam, you will ask your senior how did they do it, though you know it is never going to be the same questions. The urge to ask is there, and this goes the same to us, especially the husbands.

There are few advices that I (we) shall take and digest.

Uno. Having a baby is equally the most challenging and most beautifully rewarding experience. It will be difficult, and at times you will freak out, but you and your wife will figure it out as you go along.

Others will add on top of that, you need to give your child unconditional love, give him all the opportunities that you can, lead by example and you will be fine.

Most of my friends will say get used to sacrificing your personal time, A precious, new little life takes a lot of time away from your hobbies and free time. Avoid getting frustrated at how little alone time you have. (meaning there will be no more playstation time, no?).

Another popular advice would be, SLEEP! Enjoy the sleep while you can and let mom sleep too. Some said, take a lot of pictures while you can, I say I have reserved tweethandle, facebook & instagram username ready for my baby. I am pretty much advance on that. Be ready for frequent updates.

Well, I will take all advices given with open arms. I know those who have experienced it would like to educate others to make it better. I believe mom will need help to. I will try my best and be a very good co-player.

As for my future daughter, I must say I can’t wait to see you but Allah will decide when will be the best time to see you. This is the great rezeki given to me by Him. I will enjoy spending time with my baby. As a father, I will try to be as involved as my wife will be. I know my newborn will change and grow so much during the first year, but I will cherish & treasure the moments that I have with her. Till then, talk to you guys soon once the baby is born. If you have any advise, drop your comments below. Would love to hear from you. J

Assalamualaikum.

NeverEnding Hope

MH370. A lot of stories, a lot of conspiracies, a lot of agendas and a lot of untold stories. We assume that we know, but we have no idea. But the best we can do is

SHARE.

Yes, we will share, regardless the legitimacy of the facts. We share, that is what we people do.

But I am not going to share my idea about these issues that has been surrounding any social media platforms. Let’s turn our eyes to another angle of this story. Where to me, it is pretty much important, as important as finding the plane itself.

Do you know anyone of the crew or passenger family members?

Do you know what do they do, where do they come from?

Most significant question will be, do you know how they feel now?

NO you don’t. Because you are not them. But being a kind-hearted human being, you would do anything to support these families, regardless. But how do we help them? We barely know them.

Stop spread lies, stop spreading rumors, you know nothing, you do nothing.

That’s what you do for now. Better, try to provide positive vibes, positive quotes to those families affected.

I am going to give an idea (which might not be entirely true but this is what I believe the best way to explain the situation). These families are facing trauma, they don’t feel anything when they eat, they don’t feel like working and their mind just focusing on one thing, “I want my family back safely”.

There is one good example to explain this situation. Remember Nurin Jazlin?

“Nurin went missing on the 20th of August, 2007, and was found dead on the morning of the 17th of September, 2007. The eight-year-old girl was reported missing after she had gone to a wet market near her house to buy a hair clip on the night of August 20th, 2007, in Kuala Lumpur. What seemed like a simple task took a turn for the worst as Nurin was discovered dead in a gym bag on the morning of September 17th, 2007. She was found naked, curled up in a fetal position with a cucumber and a brinjal stuffed inside her genitals. Investigations have been carried out, but until now, her killer remains on the loose”

Let’s just talk about the timeline of the missing period. About 27 days. That is the amount of undesirable trauma that the family had to face until they found out that their beloved baby was tortured and killed by ‘someone’. The parents had to wait 27 days without knowing where their baby is. During that period I’m sure numbers of thoughtful & caring people came to console and give positive feelings to the family.

I’m sure you guys would agree with me that no one knows what is exactly in their mind, and how did they cope with that tremendous amount of sufferings.

I don’t.

I am certain that is not the only story of missing people around the world. I am sure there other bigger story than that. Remember three teen ‘vanished’ in Cleveland Ohio? A 14-year-old girl disappears on her way home from school, another is last seen near her home and a 16-year-old vanishes after leaving her fast-food job for the day. All from the same neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, the girls disappeared within five blocks of each other over a four-year span, starting in 2003. Boom. Again, imagine how do their family handle the trauma for YEARS!

I, myself have encountered but on a different note. This also might be common for certain few but those waiting moment, minutes that feels like hours, hours like days make me sort of understand the grief (I might be wrong, correct me)

My dad was in coma, for 6 days after his kidneys were infected. He was unconscious, I couldn’t talk to him, I can only see him breathing slowly, really slow but he is not giving any response. Hence I have to wait. Doctor said things that I could never imagine.

“You need to prepare for the worst, you might lose you father”

I cry, I pray, I patiently wait and wait… and wait. I have never given up. I know I need to believe that he’s going to recover, and I didn’t stop praying to Allah that he will recuperate and be able to crack jokes with us again. And like we always believe, God is great, with continuous prayers by family, friends my dad did recover and he’s a healthy man now. I’m ever grateful for that. Syukur.

But back to MH 370, I want my dear friends to see it on this angle, try to imagine if you’re wearing their shoes. Just try, so we will make better judgment before spreading unnecessary news. Imagine IF someone came out with a story to missing parents and say

“Hi, I found out that your daughter is in Thailand, under protection of orphanage house” But when the parents took the effort to go there it was someone who looked like their daughter, but not her.

This kind of unnecessary despair shouldn’t be given to them. We try our best to give reliable news, let the authorities do what they are supposed to. I am sure they are trying their best to find the plane, and please I am here to beg media not to put a lot pressure to those are trying their level best to find the plane and making numerous unacceptable assumptions to the missing plane.

For others, try not to find fame and make use of this story to be popular. It is not the right time. Have faith, there is hope. Continue spreading positive notes and #prayForMH370.

-Mel