When we were twins.

It was not more than 50 years ago, Singapore left a team of former British colony that includes Malaya, Brunei, North Borneo and Sarawak that gained independence from the British Empire. Now, 50  odd years after our allied independence, Singapore rose dramatically. If we compare Singapore and Malaysia, without doubt, I feel we’re a bit slower. It’s partly due to politics but rather economically. Singapore has been a powerful economical force since the days of Sir Stamford Raffles and with a smaller number of mouth to feed, of course, they have brought up their standard of living.

From what I’ve learnt and realized, a political tension has grown between this 2 countries. It grows stronger as time goes by. A ‘Cold War’, quoted by RPK. I guess it’s one of the many cases when we speak about national rivalry. Like how in American shows, where they love to make fun of Canadians or even Australians making fun of New Zealander. “Why did we let you become a country?” I love finding sense in the senseless, now, why not Singapore?

Did you know Singapore literally means Lion City in Sanskrit? Apparetly, some dude name Sang Nila Utama, he thought he saw a Lion but it was just a Tiger. Funny how the country is named after something that doesn’t exist there at that time. Somehow Singaporeans take an extra step in making a statement. I mean, Malaysians stereotype them as Kia-su (not willing to lose). Our families end up having the most fun making fun of our Singaporean cousins. If you’re reading this, Shu Wrong, yeah, I’m talking about you. Once, a Singaporean movie sarcastically pointed out the water supply issue with Malaysia within the conversation. Boom, it was banned in Malaysia. Take nothing away, it was an awesome show. When it comes to cleaning the environment and sustainability, Singaporean took bold steps, firstly, by banning people from consume chewing gum. Then, after the much debatable water supply issue, Singaporeans start to use reclaim water. Ok, I understand. In Adelaide, they use reclaim water as well. Even I do use it, but for gardening, not drinking. People in Singapore drink reclaim water. Maybe it now make sense why the birth rate drop so much over the years. Maybe. Not only that, what really made me wonder, is how Mas Selamat, some terrorist in the Singapore high security federal prison can escape. Is he some ghost? At least, he is caught now, saving their blushes. It’s really extreme. What’s next? After seeing Malaysia send the first south east Asian to space, they might send the first south east homosexual Asian to space. I know Jeremy Clarkson might be interested.

Turns out Batman is Singaporean and his father is Superman.

No matter how much Malaysians love to make fun of Singaporeans but we must know we’re really small compared to them, in so many ways. Hey, but at least, we have the fame of Malaysian food, right? Have you ever heard of Singaporean food? No. Only Malaysian food, right? haha.

All in all, tension between this 2 countries won’t be better by what I’ve said here. Come on! Dr. M seemed to be very pissed at the Singaporean government and everyone that show some kind of support for them. With all due respect, I guess we need to give and take. Instead of arguing, we should take a step back and look at it. I doubt tolerating as a sign of giving in or ‘bow down’ to Singapore. Plus, no point dragging a poor relationship throughout generation. Jesus says, love your neighbour. Why hate?

Akil said this to me,

we have to change the world han jun.
its up to us because everyone thinks they cannot do anything about it.
we have to start small and then change and unite malaysians.
finally we unite the world!!

I think he is right. You’re a good person and so is your family.

post – script : Hate going to Singapore because its so expensive for us Malaysian.

Cheering on towards the final,

Hanjun

Running away.

“Buon Giorno, segnor. Mi Chiamo Hanjun. Non parlo Italiano, Parli Inglese?”

Recently, I’ve been bumping into an old Italian man when I jog. He spoke to me in complete Italian, left me looking like a retard, yet, I manage to smile and nod politely, “si, segnor” was my answer. (yes, sir in Italian) I promise myself to say that phrase to him the next time I see him, provided if I ever remember. Hopefully he doesn’t turn out to be some Australian mafia with a machine gun in his violin case.

Language. A basic tool for humans to communicate. Chinese spoke mandarin and other dialects. Indians communicate using Hindi, Tamil and hundreds of other languages. Americans and British used English in their common conversation. Japanese, Italians, Germans, French and others talk in their native tongue. What happens if all of our borders touch each other and we are living in a multicultural world now? We speak English as the most powerful nations in this world speaks English. It’s a very simple explanation. Yet, of course, we don’t have the luxury of expecting the whole world to be speaking English. There is part of ones language that made their tribe or culture special. Say, an American in Japan getting lost in translation. (oh, scarlet!) Even in Australia, where most places are now metropolitan where you can easily find migrants from China, India, Middle East, Greece, Italy and other non-English speaking backgrounds. What is happening now in Australia is the school board is considering whether should they train teachers to be able to speak a second language to accommodate the non- English speaking children. I respect this move as it teaches us to respect and not forget our own and others language and culture especially when it’s incorporated into the academic system.

Back in my lovely country, people are still arguing the usage of English as the medium in teaching Science and Math. Logically, in a world where English is an International language, I don’t see why not. There are people that objected it, even having protest and marches in KL. I guess those were the people that don’t see the point of learning a new language. Some teachers don’t have the command of English and therefore, they look like a fool having to teach Science or Math in front of a class that can speak English better than them. I see that. I felt that way when I entered a boarding school when I couldn’t speak a word of Malay. In life, the only constant thing is change. I know, change is hard and unpleasant. People don’t tend to change. This is the time to change.

From bloggers to politicians, even down to the kopitiam auntie, people are talking about about this. Of course, most whom I’ve heard and read, agreed on the act that install English as the language in teaching Science and Math. Like I said, it’s very logical when you look at the bigger picture. Even the former Prime Minister of my own country, I respects what he wrote on his blog about this issue. For me, the institution of school or curriculum will never be affected by what language we used. People argue that the lost of Malay language, taken place by English will influence us Malaysians to forget our culture and bla-bla-bla. Are you trying to say, English is bad or are you trying to say, just because we speak English, we’re going to forget about ourselves? Seriously, come on!

Of course, from somewhere else I’ve read,  politicians played a role in this. Nobody is brave enough to stand up, I guess. I think by the end of the day, we need to put aside our ego and pride, it’s time to move on. It’s time. Generally, I wonder, the Australians are taking a big step forward, since implementing English as a first language in their academic syllabus, now they are exploring other languages. Yet, back in M’sia, we’re still wondering should we make a U-turn. The world is moving forward, China is forcing students to take English class, be it when everyone is saying Mandarin is going to be a new international language. But, where are we?

I would like to quote what Dr. M said,

I am a Malay not because of the language I use when thinking or dreaming. I am Malay because ethnically, lingually, culturally and religiously I am a Malay and I regard Malaysia as my homeland.

In my case, Chinese-Malaysians of course.

In fact, maybe after English, we can learn how to speak other languages as well. Spanish, maybe? I heard there are a lot of pretty senoritas there. Awesome.

post-script : You guys decide yourself, I think even the kids are tired of seeing how selfish fools arguing their way to make themselves comfortable and running away from the obvious fact rather than to hold the candle to lead them into the world of knowledge.

Change is the only constant thing in this world and yes, we can,

Hanjun.

Admiral Jerk of the British Royal Douchery.

Enough with transexuals, after chatting with Lawrence, I guess I need to stop that, I don’t want to offend him anymore. Oops! Anyway, life goes on. As I flipped through the pages of star online, the unofficial English national newspaper of Malaysia, I think. (If not, who?) News are getting so damn freaking weird. As if our country has lost its long held sense of humor and hired clowns to create news, like committing crime, disturbing the already disturbed political situation and just plain playing stupid.

For example, according to the newspaper, the trend of nowadays domestic violence has shifted power into the hands of an unlikely gender. Woman. Not trying to sound sexist, but from what I’ve read, wives are beating the crap out of their husbands. It’s increased to a state where it’s reported that no more than 50 cases of men being physically BEATEN UP by their wives throughout 2006 to 2008. Yes, BEATEN UP! Here comes the punch line, one particular woman actually tried to set her husband on FIRE. Woman beating up husbands. What’s next? Dogs and cats beating up their owners? So not Awesome.

Make no mistake, I’m not trying to make fun of this situation or trying to sell this idea to future families but come on, it’s really kick ass funny. Basically, police report states the cause of this abuse is either cheating husbands or financially troubled husbands but trust me, normally financial trouble only arise when the husbands are cheating. Extra phone number, extra bills, extra apartments, extra condoms and the normal stuff. Well, I can offer some really ‘hopefully-it-helps” advice. Note to self, marry a lady physically smaller than you. But, if you still have fetish and fantasies on a ‘Big-mamas”, which make sense that you cheated, make sure you either know kung fu or own a shotgun. Or you can just play nice, love your wife. I am pretty sure the last choice seems like the much easier one to fulfill, I hope so.

What I saw in the male toilet in uni.

Crime rates never really stop for a coffee and donut break, the policemen are the ones taking their places. Somehow, everything I popped into star online. The popular news always has to include a sexually related news, say rape, incest, molest and the list goes on. Recently, this one news, specifically, 5th May, kinda made me laugh so hard that the library banned me for life. Apparently, a adulterous secretary accidently bit off her boss’s penis while giving him oral sex. W-t-fudge? Click here if you’re ready to laugh hard. Somehow, I showed Adam, “See, Malaysians at our best.” Kathir got sick and disgusted after I’ve sent him the link. Generally, and this goes out to all kind of situation, read the manual before attempting anything that sounds outrageous. I guess Ted would have said, “GET A ROOM!”

Politics! Yes, politics. Where we were again? Yeah, the Perak state Constitutional crisis. Sometimes I just couldn’t understand and believe people can be so power crazy. Selling integrity for a price. That’s so sad. By the end of the day, I still strongly agree on what Abraham Lincoln once addressed, “…the Government (is) of the people, by the people and for the people.” Let the people decide. Democracy, baby!

13th May just couldn’t come right enough to outline the status of Malaysians. 1malaysia seems to far away now. 40 years since that bloodshed and pain. My mum remembered how her father ran all the way to school and carry her home during the curfew. My friend told me how his grandfather had to kill. I wonder. 40 years on, I hope things change. Maybe just me. I guess starting from ourselves. I hope all of us can take time to see similarity rather than our differences. Be humble and learn to love others too. Out of these unlikely words, I don’t expect fame or fortune. Just want to see a better tomorrow.

Different colors. One heart. We’re the underdogs. That’s us, I guess. Gosh, I miss you.

post-script : Thanks for making my Wednesday worth while, Brown eyes girl.

Knight of the triangle shaped table,

THJ.