First Haiku
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Posted:Aug 28, 2008 7:07 am
Last Updated:Sep 21, 2008 7:09 am 2950 Views
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First Love -
Stolen glances
Nervous thrills
First Date -
Romantic dinner
Separate bills
First Heartbreak -
Copious tears
Body shudders
First Recovery -
New girl
Heart flutters
Lee
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7
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Words
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Posted:Aug 22, 2008 10:28 am
Last Updated:Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm 2721 Views
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Words are the links that connect you and I
So they should be used with respect and care
For words can lift your spirit way up high
Or they can drive you into deep despair
Our words can be used to taunt and torment
And stab deep into others like a knife
There rage and hatred fester and ferment
Leaving you badly wounded; scarred for life
Words can bring comfort and warmth to us all
And fill our lives with laughter and delight
Sweet words can also entice and enthrall
And flame passion to set our hearts alight
Words, like a pail of water, once poured out
Cannot be retracted despite your clout
Lee
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9
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Mr. Ong's Hillman
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Posted:Aug 17, 2008 2:25 am
Last Updated:Jul 23, 2012 8:44 am 3128 Views
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I have recently read a blog that expressed the wish that products sold in America be made in America which would mean more employment opportunities for Americans. It reminds me of the situation in my country and the progress that we have made.
I remember back in the 1960s when I was a young boy almost all of us were riding bicycles. In my village, there was only one car ‒ a black Hillman saloon owned by Mr. Ong, the owner of a grocery shop. Back then, Mr. Ong was the most popular man in our village, even more popular than our village headman, Mr. Tan, and it was all because of his car.
You see, Mr. Ong’s car was borrowed by all of us for weddings, funerals and any occasion that required transportation like sending a sick villager to the hospital. Mr. Ong was a friendly and amiable man and would never refuse us but we had to compensate him for the petrol so the angpow (red packet) was a must.
A few of us had motorcycles like the BSA, Triumph and Norton which were made in the West. Later there were the Lambretta and the hugely popular Vespa.
A few households also had television sets and you could recognize these houses by the large number of people crowded around the front door and windows when the television set was turned on.
Our country was poor then depending on the export of tin and rubber to the West. We had no control over their prices too because every time the price went up, the western nations would release their stockpile to bring the price down again. Later when countries like Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong industrialized and started to buy our rubber and tin, we felt a little easier. Now, of course, we also export to India and China, both huge markets.
Back then, most of us were rubber tappers, tin panners or workers on tin dredgers. The ladies could not afford much so their favourite purchases were the cheap textiles from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Then in the 1970s, our government decided that for us to survive, we have to industrialize. We had no money and no skills and so had to depend on Foreign Direct Investments ( FDI ). The problem was, and still is, that FDIs were coveted by many countries and even though ours is a stable country with no security problems, we had to make a lot of concessions to attract these investments like tax exemption, cheap land, cheap labour, work permits for foreign staff and other incentives. In return, we got technology transfer and job creation.
So the Kamunting Industrial Estate near Taiping came to be. Most of the factories were textile factories and the investors were mostly from Hong Kong and Taiwan who shifted their factories here. The textile factories in these countries and Singapore closed down and they started to manufacture textile machinery and accessories to sell to us instead.
We have become factory workers with a stable income and a little money to spend. More of us can now afford television sets. During this time too, the Honda Cub, a small motorcycle with a 50 cc engine, was brought in from Japan. Because it was cheap, it became hugely popular and motorcycles from the West were priced out. Soon, bicycles gave way to these ubiquitous kup chais as they were fondly referred to. Later on, cars began appearing on the roads. The favourite brands were at first Volkswagen, Morris Minor, Mini Minor, etc. Then came the Honda Civic - a car derided as junk by the West. This was quickly followed by other Japanese cars like Toyota, Datsun and Mitsubishi and, very soon, they conquered the Malaysian market. Mr. Ong’s Hillman was no more the only car in our village.
Soon it was our turn to close down our textile factories when the owners decided to shift to other countries like Thailand, Vietnam and China. We, in turn, started to manufacture textile machinery and other machinery such as fans, ovens, refrigerators, television sets, etc while countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore invested in High Technology industries. I think this is known as globalization. We established Proton Holdings, our national car maker which produces Proton cars. We found oil and gas and founded our national oil and gas company, Petronas. Investments continued to pour in and soon we began to manufacture, among other things, computer accessories and electronics for companies like Hewlett Packard and Intel. We are also a major exporter of rubber and palm oil.
Now we have more money and we have more brands of cars in the market like Audi, Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Korean cars like Hyundai and Kia. When I go to Kamunting village, the narrow roads are jammed with cars and motorcycles and the air is filled by the foul smell of exhaust fumes. Mr. Ong’s Hillman is nowhere to be seen and largely forgotten.
Now if America were to manufacture the products sold there and other countries were to follow suit, it would mean the end of globalization. Our manufacturing sector would suffer and our exports greatly reduced and confined to oil, rubber and palm oil. The only jobs available would be in these three industries. We would then be poor again.
We would have no money to buy computers which means companies like Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, etc would lose a large part of their businesses. We would not be able to afford drinks like Coca Cola or Pepsi Cola and eating at places like MacDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Kenny Rogers Roasters would be out of the question. Instead of watching Western shows in cinemas and on television, we would be watching cheaper local productions or those from Singapore, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. (There is no way that we would be able to watch American Idol!) We would be smoking rokok daun (tobacco rolled in palm leaves) instead of Marlboro, Rothmans or Benson and Hedges. We would be drinking Samsu (Coconut wine) instead of beers like Heineken, Tiger, Anchor or Guiness Stout and Rice Wine instead of whiskey, brandy or champagne. We would also be drinking local tea and coffee instead of those at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Delifrance or Starbucks Coffee Houses, and these would all have to close shop.
We would be riding bicycles again. Only a few would be able to have motorcycles and none of these would be Harley Davidson or Honda GoldWing. There would only be one petrol station for the whole of Taiping and it would be Petronas and not Esso, Shell, Mobil or Caltex.
And for occasions that require transportation like marriages, funerals and sending a villager to hospital, we would be borrowing Mr. Ong’s refurbished Hillman again.
Lee
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10
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Inter-Faith Dialogue
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Posted:Aug 7, 2008 12:14 am
Last Updated:Jul 23, 2012 8:44 am 2702 Views
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I have read about a conference of Muslim and Christian leaders being held at New Haven, Connecticut to promote inter-faith dialogue in the newspapers recently. This brought back memories of my encounters with two elderly Malay Muslim gentlemen more than twenty years ago.
The first was Pak Osman, the father of a friend. He was from Batu Kurau, a small village near Taiping and he sold fruits for a living. He was a devout Muslim and had performed the Haj three times. In my country, the people who have performed the Haj are well-respected among the Muslim community and addressed as Haji.
In my country too, some of the Muslims do not wish to discuss religion with non-Muslims, ostensibly because they (the non-Muslims) do not know enough of the Muslim religion, so I was surprised when Pak Osman started discussing religion with me.
He was wrongly informed that I was a Christian and wanted to know more about the religion and was taken aback that I do not believe in religion. We ended up discussing religions in general (or the lack of it) and our different customs and beliefs.
We had a fruitful series of discussions during the evenings, after I had finished my work, at his roadside fruit stall situated close to the Taiping Bus Station from which I have gained an insight into the Muslim religion and the Malay culture.
The second was a gentleman from remote Pasir Mas, Kelantan whom I met when I attended a two-week course in "Fresh-water fish breeding" at Bukit Tinggi, Pahang in 1983. He was a rice farmer and had performed the Haj twice but I cannot recall his name now. He did not have a formal education and could only read and write in Jawi but he surprised me with his wide general knowledge which he gained from reading Jawi newspapers.
I remember, with mirth, that the first thing he wanted to know was whether man has really landed on the moon or was it merely Western propaganda. (The moon is sacred to the Muslims). I suspect that must be the opinion of some of his friends back in rural Pasir Mas but he clearly had his doubts.
He knew about the conflict between Cuba and America, the "Cold War", the Falklands War, the fall of the Shah of Persia, communism in China and Mao Zedong, etc and his questions often had me stumped.
The two gentlemen impressed me with their views, their thoughts, their ability to discuss (and not argue), their willingness to listen, their openness and their open-mindedness about others' cultures and religions (they never once claimed their religion to be the best). It was indeed a pleasure and an honour to have met them.
Through the years, I have had other Malay Muslim friends, as well as friends of others faiths and races, but none with whom I have discussed religion, beliefs and customs or world events. So, is inter-faith dialogue useful? I believe so.
Lee
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To summer_lane49
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Posted:Jul 17, 2008 6:46 am
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2008 7:21 am 3079 Views
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I just think we should continue our discussion on pantuns on a new blog.
Malay pantuns are usually a verse with 4 lines.
The message is in the last two lines.
The first and second lines are irrelevant and are written just to rhyme with the last two lines.
Example:
As the flakes of snow
Melt in the dew
I want you to know
That I love you
Okay, now you have the choice of either replying to this pantun or translate the one below.
Langsat, nangka, durian dan rambutan
Ada yang manis, ada yang masam
Oldboy sentiasa di dalam ingatan
Pada pagi, petang dan malam
Katapatan ko ako kung mahal kita 
Lee
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8
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Dragon Seeds
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Posted:Jul 14, 2008 4:50 am
Last Updated:Jul 23, 2008 7:15 pm 2799 Views
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A bold young man in his twenties
Left Guangzhou Province in China
To face the rough and violent seas
Sailing to far-off Malaya
It was the nineteen twenties
And China was torn by strife
He had to make some monies
For his family to survive
The journey was a long one
And life on board was a bore
It was close to a month
Before he could step on shore
He made his way to Larut
Where tin mines were flourishing
And towkays were out to recruit
Workers to do the mining
But he was a skillful tailor
Probably one of the top
So, instead of being a tin-miner
He set up his own shop
He slogged and struggled so tough
That his business began to thrive
Very soon he had saved enough
To send for his lovely young wife
Together the young couple strived
To earn enough money
To keep themselves alive
And send back to the family
She soon bore him two sons
Which made him swell with pride
But they were also the reasons
Their expenses took a hike
The situation then was such
They survived from day to day
Alas, the strain was too much
The young mother passed away
The two then grew up
Being cared for by their stepmother
Studies, they soon had to give up
To learn the trade of a tailor
The elder began working
With the famed British Army
At a camp in Klian Pauh, Taiping
In a shed facing the entry
I can't think of anything worse
Then this earnest young man's plight
For he knew just three English words
Which were "Yes", "No" and "Alright"
How it was not a deterrent
I really don't have a clue
He managed to raise ten
And send them all to school
That, my , is the story
Of two brave young men indeed
Who overcame every adversity
Two of China's Dragon Seeds
Their spirits were indomitable
They faced life with pluck
Strong, courageous and capable
They do not depend on luck
You, my , are the ones chosen
To perpetuate your ancestors' deeds
To follow this path, well-trodden
As you are all Dragons Seeds
You've to fight life's battles with valour
Treat your kith and kin with care
Give your best with every endeavour
And never ever seek Welfare
It's for those helpless and destitute
Who cannot cover their needs
Don't bring us into disrepute
Remember, you are Dragon Seeds
Always live to your full potential
Strive to win every distinction
Seek achievements that are special
For you, for us and for the nation
Lee
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5
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I have decided to buy myself a tree
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Posted:Jul 8, 2008 6:05 am
Last Updated:Jul 23, 2012 8:45 am 3015 Views
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I have been reading about the effect of trees on the environment - how they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. I have also read about those billionaires who buy huge tracts of forests/jungles to be preserved for posterity so that the future generations have the chance to appreciate nature and also, to act as an “oxygen factory”.
Since I am not yet a billionaire, I have decided to buy myself a tree. I know, one tree is not much but I am hoping that my tree will be able to provide enough oxygen for a butterfly or a honey bee. I will hate it if my tree provides just enough oxygen for a mosquito. Those mosquitoes and I do not get along; they tend to get under my skin.
I would consider a -chestnut tree because of its size, its widely spreading branches which would provide ample shade, and its tall clusters of pretty white or pink flowers. A giant oak tree would also be appropriate because of its hard wood and because I like the idiom “great oaks from little acorns grew”. I would also like to purchase the land that the tree is planted on which should include a space of about two feet around the base of the tree. This is because I do not want to receive a message one fine day asking me to remove my tree because somebody wants the land back.
If it is possible, I would also like a certificate of ownership in case of future dispute. Of course, if I frame it, I can hang it in my den. After all, how many of you actually own a tree?
The location of the tree is of the utmost importance. I would prefer a tree on an island in a picturesque lake, or on top of a hill overlooking a beautiful valley. The tree must never be in the centre of the city, exposed to the toxic smog and the awful pollution and with the sunlight blocked off by all those tall buildings. Then, there are those who like to carve messages with their knives and the dogs that love to pee against tree trunks.
Finally, when I die, I want my ashes to be buried there, in the shade of my tree. I can then guard the tree as a tree spirit. Or is it free spirit? Anyhow, I will place a curse on anyone who harms my tree. He or she will have seven years of no luck; I stress, it is no luck and not bad luck. I do not want anything bad to happen to them; just that he or she will have no luck with love, the lottery, the horses, etc.
So, does anyone have a suitable tree for sale? Is there a kindred spirit out there also looking to buy a tree?
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12
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Consideration
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Posted:Jul 1, 2008 12:39 am
Last Updated:Aug 18, 2008 3:48 am 2990 Views
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To write, one needs courage and confidence
To disparage, one only needs petulance
Passing caustic comments
On what another presents
Seeking glory in one's stark arrogance
Lee
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5
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The Men Who Hold Up The Mountain
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Posted:Jun 26, 2008 7:46 am
Last Updated:Jun 28, 2008 1:17 am 3057 Views
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Yesterday I watched a documentary on the porters of Huashan, one of China's five sacred Taoist mountains, which is about 2200 metres high.
These porters carry loads of provisions like cold drinks, tea leaves, beer, etc up the mountain for the tea-shops and hotels there. The loads, which can weigh from 50 kg to 150 kg, are carried tied in bundles and hung from both ends of a long bamboo pole which the men carry on their shoulders. The documentary features a few porters, each with his distinctive style of climbing the mountain.
The first man, in his late forties, sings at the top of his voice as he slowly climbs up the steps of the stone stairs. He has lost a few front teeth and has scars on his body as a result of accidents while climbing the mountain. Due to poverty, his wife had left him so he has brought up his two on his own. To make more money, he carries loads of 140-150 kg and has earned enough to build his own house and send both his sons to university. They are working now so he is saving the money he earns for his old age when he can no longer work.
The second, an amiable man in his sixties, appears to be talking to himself as he climbs. Actually, he is a movie buff and he is re-enacting the movies that he has watched. He can sing, too and when he meets his friend, the "singer", they would perform a duet or sit down to have a chat. His grown-up want him to stop but he loves the mountain too much. They have given in but insist that he carries a load of no more than 60 kg.
The third man, also in his sixties, is a self-taught flutist. He plays the flute with both hands with the pole balanced on his shoulder while he walks. He plays well and claims that tourists climbing the mountain have told him that his music helps them too. When he reaches a steep slope, he would keep his flute and start singing. He has managed to send his to college too, and they are now working in the city. Talking about his far-away brought tears to his eyes (and I thought tough mountain men don't cry!).
The fourth man is a wiry 75 year old with long white hair and a weather-beaten face. He is rather taciturn and does not reveal much. He carries a 50 kg load and shouts loudly as he climbs; with his wild long hair, you could have mistaken him for a mad man!
These men do not have an education or other skills to get another job. They took up mountain-porterage because the only qualifications needed are stamina and a strong pair of legs. Yet they know how to divert their attention from pain and suffering by singing, enacting, playing music, shouting, etc. They also exhibit extraordinary camaraderie. A shout by one of them would elicit a chorus of responses; it is as if they are shouting encouragement to one another. They would also happily share a song or have a chat when they meet. If one of them were to be unable to carry on because of a fall or some other reason, the others would willingly help carry his load without asking for money even though their earnings are meager.
These men, with furrows on their shoulders, scars on their bodies and sinews in their legs as a result of all that climbing somehow know the meaning of friendship and compassion. We have a lot to learn from them.
Lee
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I've decided to become a "lurker"
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Posted:Jun 23, 2008 10:14 pm
Last Updated:Aug 18, 2008 3:50 am 3301 Views
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I've decided to become a "lurker"
And sit in the chat-rooms in a corner
To watch the hateful fights
See who violates whose rights
Maybe I'll net myself a "pot-stirrer"
Lee
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