My book signing schedule

Today I will be at Penang MPH :)

Venue : MPH Gurney Plaza, Penang
Date: 30 May 2009
Time : 3.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m

Venue : MPH Mid Valley, Bangsar, KL
Date: 6 June 2009
Time : 1.00 p.m to 2.00 p.m

Venue : Popular Ikano Power Center
Date: 7 June 2009
Time : 2.30 p.m to 3.30 p.m

Venue : Times Bookstores, Pavilion, Star Hill
Date: 18 July 2009
Time : 3.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m

Venue : Borders Bookstores, The Curve
Date: 19 July 2009
Time : 3.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m

I will be on NTV7 tomorrow morning :)

Guys,

I will be on NTV7 tomorrow morning breakfast show about 9 am.

Cheers and peace, anas

I will be on BFM tomorrow - About the book

I will be on bfm tomorrow Thursday (28 May 2009 @ 2.00 p.m).

Switch on bfm 89.9 or go to http://www.bfm.my

Happy Birthday zubedy (m) sdn bhd

Today Zubedy the company turns 15.

I left Nestle on Jan 7th 1994. It was a heavy decision as I love that company tremendously – still do. But I had to move on as I said to Benny one of my big bosses when he asked me why, “I do not want to be like you in 25 years time, Ben”. He laughed out loud.

I joined JWT for two months and found that I could finish my job at 11 am in the morning while the others start work after lunch or perhaps a little later than lunch – too many people spend half the day complaining about their work, bosses, clients, the government, the chap next door etc instead of just shutting up and getting your job donelah.

I quit and created Zubedy the company on May 24th 1994 – first as a creative hot-shop, but more so a front for me to bump around taking projects just to make money, read, travels and sent some home to parents. The world out there is so slow, I needed to only work 4 months in two years but earn 4 times what I did at Nestle. I became a prima-donna in a matter of time obviously and if not for the glorious 97-98 economic crisis may have remained so till today.

But it was in 1996 that I decided to put my childhood plan on setting out to sell and promote Unity and my so-called deeper reason to create Zubedy the company as an entity in the first place. So here we are, 15 years later having made a tiny impact on the Malaysian consciousness.

Today too, we were awarded an ‘Anugerah Kalung Perpaduan’ along with a few others by the Unity Ministry. We were awarded the ‘business entity’ category. I never knew such a thing existed till a week ago ha!ha!

It was also the first time I get to handshake with a Prime Minister – DS Najib. As I shook his hands I said, “Nice to meet you.” He was warm, calm, gentle and almost mentor/father-like, nodding with a smile but eyes completely focusing on mine.

Before this I have shook hands with a Deputy PM before, guess who? Yes, Najib’s nemesis, Saudara Anwar Ibrahim. It was when I was with Dr Chandra’s team that organized a globalization seminar. He was very friendly, having broken away from a bunch of people and walked over and because of my atypical look; he asked “Where are you from?” When I answered ‘Dari Penang’ with a true Penang slank, he did the same with “ingat orang Iran ka manaka...”

Listening to Najib and Dr Koh today, I must say again here how that March 8th has been a good thing for Malaysia. I can see that they are trying hard. BN cannot be complacent anymore. Shape up or say goodbye to leading Malaysia. I think all of us – the government, the opposition and non-partisan Malaysian are today more conscious of the need to make good this country to its potential, look into details especially helping the poor and to unite the country. My conviction is that even the opposition will need to be more and more mature – not just talk but do not do.

PM Najib announced that whoever you are regardless of race, urban or non-urban– kampong, estates, rumah panjang or whatsoever, if you need assistance, you should get it. Now that is good. Very, very good!

Competition is good. The better our opposition, the better the government and vice-versa. Let us work hard to make sure that we have quality leaders on both sides.

UNITY ROCKS! Many Colors, One Race.

Let us add value,

Happy Birthday zubedy (m) sdn bhd and Thank you God.

Shad Saleem Faruqi article on Perak Crisis

I was just alerted about this very good article featured in The Star 2 days ago -

Wednesday May 20, 2009
Put interest of the nation first
REFLECTING ON THE LAW

By SHAD SALEEM FARUQI

THE Perak political crisis can be likened to a malignant cancer that is voraciously spreading to the lymph nodes of our other institutions – the Sultanate, the judiciary, the federal executive, the civil service, the police, the law officers of the Crown, the court registry, the Anti-Corruption Com­­mission and the Election Commission.

The longer we wait, the farther the affliction will spread. It is time, therefore, to stop this madness, this divisiveness, this polarisation.

There are no black and white, open and shut, or simple solutions.
The issues are so complex and so interconnected that arguments from both sides of the divide have depth and richness.

In sych a politically-charged situation, the courts cannot supply any satisfactory solutions. The judiciary is suited to resolving legal issues, not political ones.
The courts usually provide piecemeal solutions to simple, succinct questions.
But when there is a bottomless cesspool of polarising and contentious issues, no court, here or anywhere, can wipe away the discord and restore harmony and sanity.

Thus, even if after an agonizingly slow course of interim proceedings, ap­­­peals and cross appeals there is an authoritative judicial determination of who the legitimate Mentri Besar is, a plethora of other connected is­­sues — each capable of toppling the apple cart — will still be left unaddressed.

Among the issues are the validity of the resignation letters by the three who opted out of Pakatan Rakat to be Independents friendly to Barisan Nasional; the unilateral power of the Speaker to declare Assembly seats vacant; and the power of the Election Commission to make a ruling on the same issue.

If there are calls for a vote of confidence on the floor of the House, the Speaker may frustrate it by disqualifying and barring 10 out of 59 members of the Assembly from attending the proceedings.

Is the Speaker subject to a restraining order from the court, or are proceedings in the Assembly immune from judicial interference?

If the result of a vote of confidence is influenced by exclusion of a large number of members, is the Sultan bound by it?

Or does he have any other way of determining the question of “confidence of the members of the Assembly”?

There are disagreements about the legal validity of the “assembly un­­­­­­­der the tree” and the resolutions it passed.

The removal of V. Sivakumar as Perak Assembly Speaker and the installation of Datuk R. Ganesan as the new Speaker aroused deep revulsion and raised many legal issues.

The repeated dismissal and rein­state­­ment of the Secretary of the Perak Assembly, the State Secretary and the State Legal Advisor pose ma­­ny queries.
Scores of local authority personnel have lost their jobs in the musical-chair manner in which governments are rising and falling in Pe­­rak.

Till a judicial decision is made on the validity of the removal and the rein­statement, there will be doubts about the legality of any decisions they may have made.

Partisan tactics by the police within the premises of the State Assembly raise constitutional issues of the sanc­­­tity and privileges of state as­­semblies.
The officers involved may one day have to appear before the Privileges Committee to answer charges of con­tempt.

In sum, the political crisis in Perak is like a hydra-headed monster that cannot be eliminated so easily by ding-dong judicial decisions.

Let us stop this insane and naked show of unprincipled politics.

Let us accept that in this stalemate, there are no winner-take-all solutions.
For this reason, recourse to the courts is pointless. The warring factions should negotiate and accommodate.

There are four more years to the next general election.

Barisan and Pakatan can agree to share two years each at the helm.
Alternatively, there is the political possibility of appointment of a neutral, caretaker government advising dissolution and state elections within 60 days from the date of dissolution.

There is the legal sledgehammer of federal intervention through an emergency proclamation under Arti­cle 150 of the Federal Constitu­tion, as happened in Sarawak in 1966 and Kelantan in 1977.

This may restore order out of chaos to pave the way for a state poll in due course of time.

The country as a whole is more important than the fate of Barisan or Pakatan in Perak.

In Rome, Nero played the fiddle while the city burned. We should not allow that to happen to us.

Perak politicians have no right to paralyse the rest of the country or to distract us from the many urgent and daunting tasks staring us in the face.
Among them are an economy reeling under the effects of the world financial turmoil, racial polarisation, the conflict between civil and syariah courts, and the deeply divisive is­­sue of religious conversion of minors upon one parent changing his or her religion.

The liberalisation of the economy requires deft handling. The review of such controversial laws as the ISA requires thorough con­­sultation and deep soul-searching. The education system is ripe for review.
Because of the shenanigans in Perak, the country is on the verge of a political precipice.

We are afraid both to climb or to fall. But the ground is slipping be­­neath us.
Quick action is needed.

The public is fed up with political intrigues and wishes a closure to this Perak temasya.

Perhaps the Conference of Rulers can exercise its powers under Article 38 (3) to discuss issues of national importance and to propose some via­ble solutions to the Perak crisis.

Perhaps the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can draw on his vast prerogative power to advise, caution and warn about the long-term effects of Perak to the integrity of our legal and political system.

Perhaps politically disinterested, towering personalities like Tun Musa Hitam or Tan Sri Razali Ismail could be roped in to broker peace and to stop this haemorrhaging of public trust.

We have had enough of political mudslinging and acrimony. We need to move on to the real problems and challenges of living.

Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi is a Professor of Law at Universiti Teknologi Mara

The Perak Crisis Warrant calling for a state of Emergency

The Perak political crisis has reached a state where it may dilute the public’s trust on major institutions like the judiciary, Raja-raja Berperlembagaan, the civil service, police force, political parties, parliamentary democracy, etc., to the point that we the rakyat will have little confidence in them in the near future – rightly or wrongly.

Furthermore, business people are reluctant to invest or deal with the state government fearing that any deal signed today may be deemed as null and void tomorrow depending on both the court decisions and political chess moves from both sides, BN and PR via two MBs, two Assembly Speakers and whatever rules they can use to hold on to power. The losers are the rakyat.

As such, either PM Najib calls for fresh state elections (although I think this will make a mockery of the parliamentary democracy) or impose Emergency rule in Perak. The latter may prove unpopular but this is not the time for popularity but it is the time to remove uncertainties. PM Najib must do what is needed, not what is popular.

While I do see democracy as a more efficient way to govern society, it is not the only option. This is especially true when our ‘democratic’ leaders pick and choose when they want to follow its rule. When party hoppers hop to their side, they celebrate but when the opposite takes place, they cry foul. Siapa makan cili, dia rasa pedas.

So if you are going to preach me about democracy, go practice it yourself first because I am beginning to puke just thinking about your ethics and values. (Even the American leaders who want to breed democracy in other nations yet not willing to have a democratic UN). Hypocrites!

Impose Emergency Rule in Perak. Period!

Anas Zubedy

Missing link found? Scientists unveil fossil of 47 million-year-old primate, Darwinius masillae

My first ambition when I was 10 years old was to be an archeologist. So pls excuse my excitement.

Click here to read more : http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/05/19/2009-05-19_missing_link_found_fossil_of_47_millionyearold_primate_sheds_light_on_.html

and

http://www.3news.co.nz/Fossil-sheds-light-on-primate-evolution/tabid/311/articleID/104975/cat/73/Default.aspx

and

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/fischer/090520

and

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/05/19/1937065.aspx

How to come out better and stronger in an Economic Crisis ...

... and keep your job too!

I write this article, assuming you want to be successful and extraordinary. If you want to be mediocre, go read something else.
If you are one of those serious ones, looking forward to become Top Management or want to set-up your own business someday, this article will suit you well. If you want to be successful, keep your job and come out of the crisis stronger and better, do the following.

Firstly, you must know the three core competency that is needed in all organisations, namely conceptual skills, people skills and technical skills. You will need to match your capability to what the company requires to keep your job.

Secondly, know that at different levels, the skills required differs noticeably. Organizations tend to need more technical skills at the lower and implementation level and conceptual skills at the top. As such, as you move upwards in the organization, you are required to use more of your conceptual faculty and less of your technical knowhow.

People skills are needed throughout the organization but at different levels you need different types and combinations of these skills. At the lower end, you will need the ability to interact on a ‘one-to-one’ basis, ie with your colleagues, superior, subordinate, clients and vendors.

Once you have reached middle management you need to add another people skill set, the ‘one-to-group’ skill set ie, supervising a group of people or work-teams like running a meeting, motivating a team of people and public speaking amongst others.

As you become a senior level manager, another essential people skill set is the ‘group-to-group’ proficiency, the ability to connect and move two or more groups of people towards a common goal.

Technical skills are skill sets that you acquire through education, training, skills development programs or experience in which it allows you to perform specific task related to your day-to-day operations. Usually these tasks are repetitive, can be written into a job flow or standard operating procedure and in the longer run could be taken over via automation of processes. (by computerization or machines.)

Conceptual skills are the flair to think strategically – seeing the big picture. It is the ability to understand the complexities of the total organization and see how your operation fits into the whole thus working for the total success of the organization rather than being myopic and silo towards your own departmental or immediate needs.

Most people fail to understand these dynamics and work against company need. For example, when their job is to do the task (technical skill) they tend to talk too much. For some, when the task is to think strategically (conceptual skills) they do the job instead; while others who are suppose to engage with their people (human skills), they spend more time thinking!

This is the main reason why your company does not promote you in good times and in time of crisis, want you out!

Thirdly, to keep your job you need to fulfil company needs well before the crisis strikes. Employers and superiors have a memory of your performance. So work hard and get your skills set right when time is good so that when time gets bad and there is a need to be lean, you are seen as the ‘muscles’ that the organization deeply yearn for and not the ‘fats’ that needed to be rid off.

What you must change immediately to get ahead

1)WORK HARD, WORK VERY VERY HARD!

Make your boss and company goals yours.

Your job is still yours only if your company survives. You must do everything within ethical means to keep it afloat. So work like hell! Come in earlier and go back later. Work, work and work! Talk less and do more.

Check your performance and productivity. Unless you are a genius and have self discipline do not spend your working time visiting your facebook, MSN, blogs, etc. For lesser mortals just do and focus on your job. Flexi-hours are for advance countries and extremely well organised and well run organizations. For the rest, go back to basics – work harder than competition even if you must work after the usual working times and weekends – just do it.

No one will fault someone who works very hard and have the right attitude. It will be hard for an employer to ask a person to leave even if the economy is bad; nobody enjoys sacking people unless they are a nut case. Just be productive and add value, your job will be safe. If you're paid RM3,000 but work like you are given RM15,000 worth of salary, and produce at least 5 times what you are paid for, who wants to let you go?

2)WORK SMART

Work hard AND work smart. If anyone advise you otherwise, that is it is enough to just work smart, he or she would probably be not a Top Management material and definitely not a CEO potential.

Be happy with your salary

Never question your salary especially if you are working in a reputable organization. Your HR people are not daft or foolish, they know what they are doing and has research and compared your income with comparable jobs and organizations and fixed yours within a band. Arguing about your salary irritates your employer and is a waste of time. A few more percentage of salary increase is what the Malays say ‘Buat tahi gigi’ only, as it can only give you short term benefits.

While money is essential, it should be the least important motivation. More crucial is the opportunity to pick up, experience and practice conceptual and human skills. If your current organization provides you with such openings, you are in a good place. Because to move up, you need those skills, not a bigger salary; a bigger salary comes with those skills, not the other way round.

Your salary is probably more than enough for your needs and for you to save a little. If you doubt me go check your closets and see how many items you have that you have not used the last three months. You have more than enough. The reason many young people do not have enough money is that while you earn RM2, 000, you spent RM2, 500 for your hand phone. Get your priorities right. Be frugal and control spending and you will see my point. What you lack is what is not yet in your head and your heart. Fill them up and then you will succeed.

Love Mondays, love working.

Only losers and those who are not CEO potentials hate Mondays. Have you heard of a successful entrepreneur not liking Mondays? Only short-sighted radio deejays lament about Monday blues and celebrate Fridays with ‘Thank God It’s Friday’. Do not be influenced by them each Mondays and Fridays. For heaven sake, God gives you 7 days a week please be happy all 7 seven days. It is really silly to only choose to be happy 2 days in a week. Is that a smart strategy in life? To love Mondays you must love working. Go figure that out.

Do not work for money, volunteer for extra work and projects

One of the major mistakes you can do at work is to go to work for money. This is related to my earlier comment about to not question your salary. The biggest group of people who fail to follow this rule are usually non-management staff while many executives too carry a non-management mentality and fall prey to the same oversight.

When ask to volunteer for extra work and projects outside the work scope, top of mind is overtime payment or allowance. If they are not paid the extra, they would shy away from the job. Little did they realize that there was never in history where people became rich or millionaires by claiming overtime or getting extra allowance?

On the contrary those who became rich stayed away from such nonsense.

Overtime and allowance are created so that most people will be stuck at the bottom. Only a smart few can see this and rise above it. Work not for money, but for the opportunity to learn new things, new skills and meet new people. Projects and extra jobs outside your normal routine work are one of the best platforms in achieving these.

Don’t be mediocre, don’t just perform 100%, do better

Most job targets and descriptions are designed for the average performer so if you perform as it is; you are just a mediocre employee. Unlike school days where 100% is an A, when you perform as expected and score 100% in a business organization, you are only a C candidate.

So move faster, be more efficient and finish your work latest by just after lunch (have shorter lunch breaks if it helps) and do what I suggested earlier like volunteer for extra work, projects, come early and leave late.

Join sales

During bad times, revenue is key to survival. Your company will need to emphasize more on selling. This is your opportunity to jump into sales and learn selling skills – a skill you need to succeed whether you are in sales or otherwise. Once you learn to sell during hard times, you will be able to sell anytime. If you can bring in revenue five times your salary, you job is guaranteed, as Kotler rightly says, “Companies cannot give you job security, only customers can “.

In conclusion

Do, don’t talk, take action, don’t complain, practise don’t preach. Work hard and work smart.

Anas Zubedy

Note : Recommended reading : ISBN 0-88730-615-2 RM69.90 - Drucker's book above

Why the world needs great Muslim leaders?

In a not so long a future, Muslims will dominate the world (according to demographics click here for a 7 minute video explanation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU )

Are Muslims ready to lead?

Do Muslims understand the other cultures and spiritual traditions enough to lead with compassion and fairness? Do Muslims understand, trust and have confidence in Islam and the Quran in the first place? Can Muslims restore an Islam that accepts all and care for all? Today in Malaysia we have yet to share our Zakat money with the other deserving poor (like many of our brother and sister Hindus) even when the Quran suggest that the Zakat is for all who are needy (Quran 9 :60)

I recommend both Muslims and Non-Muslims to start taking Islam more seriously, read and understand Islam vis a vis the other faith, create new methodologies and approach for a future that bring forth universal and confident Muslim leaders and followers of the highest standards – a truly median nation that can moderate the world towards a peaceful state. A Muslim population that is willing to share Allah with followers of all other religious traditions, defend them when needed, and rule with justice and fairness.

"And that all places of worships whether they are mosques, monasteries or churches honor Him,
(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah.. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).( Quran 22:40)

Why Religious Tolerance - Buddhist Perspective

We featured Dr K Sri Dhammananda for our wesak advert recently (http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-propose-social-contract-this-wesak.html). Perhaps you may want to check his writing and understand and appreciate Buddhism better. To a large extend, even many who call themselves Buddhist need to understand their faith deeper.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
Anas Zubedy

WHY RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE ?
By
Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda

BUDDHIST TOLERANCE

This is a very important subject for us who live in any multi-racial and multi-religious country. As Buddhists, we must know how to regard other religions, how to accommodate them and what place we are going to give them in our religion.

First we must understand the various ways which the different co-religionists regard each other: we must understand how the various religious groups react to each other: some religious groups are indifferent to the teachings and the practices of other religious. Some maintain their religious affiliation and yet respect other religions and appreciate their teachings. There are those who do not have a religion and look down upon every religion, while there are still others who do not bother about any religion and completely ignore all religion: their excuse is that they have no time to think about religion or to practice religion since they are always engaged with their business and family affairs.

Buddhists belong to the religious group that accepts and appreciates the reasonable teachings of every religion. Buddhists can also tolerate the practices of other religious, cultural traditions and customs, although they may not necessarily wish to emulate them. In other words, Buddhists respect the other man’s views and appreciate other practices without harbouring any religious prejudices. This is called religious tolerance. And if there are certain Buddhists who feel they are unable to appreciate the ways of other religious practices, then the least they could do is to maintain their silence and refrain from any undue criticism: this attitude is very important for peaceful co-existence. This is called sympathetic understanding.

To read further click here : http://www.ksridhammananda.com/pdf/new/WHY%20RELIGIOUS%20TOLERANCE%20-%20edited.pdf

Do download free Buddhist books click here : http://www.ksridhammananda.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=0&Itemid=28

POLITICAL POLARIZATION by Dr Chandra Muzaffar

Wrong means lead to wrong ends. The imbroglio in Perak illustrates this. Because acquiring power through the back door is unethical, it was bound to create a crisis sooner or later.

Defections within our legislatures, whatever the motive, is one of the less savoury aspects of Malaysian politics. Since 1961 when defections brought down a democratically elected government in Trengganu, there have been various other episodes which reveal that ugly side of our face. Legislators have been locked in and locked out; enticed and abducted; bribed and bullied, in the power game.

It is because this type of politics sullies the image of the nation in the eyes of both citizens and non-citizens that we should go all out to curb its practice. One of the measures that has been proposed is a law to check defections. There are a number of countries which have introduced anti-defection legislation such as India, South Africa and the Fijis.

However, more than legislation, it is the good example of leaders in both government and
opposition, the determination of civil society actors to adhere to the principle of integrity, and continuous, systematic public education that will help isolate and marginalise unscrupulous political practices.

Unfortunately, this will not happen as long as a significant segment of our society adopts a biased, one- sided attitude towards issues of ethics and integrity in politics and public life. Thus, defections are alright as long as they benefit one's side. It is not just politicians who are guilty of such blatant biases. Civil society groups, professional bodies and individuals who project themselves as the conscience of the nation were either silent or supportive of the Machiavellian manoeuvres of a Pakatan Rakyat(PR) leader to engineer the fall of the Barisan Nasional government at the federal level last year through massive defections to the PR Opposition. And yet they were livid with rage when the BN succeeded in enticing PR Assembly members in Perak to cross over to the BN and oust PR from office.

Double standards and selective condemnation pervade public life. The lack of accountability on the part of the group that one supports is downplayed or even ignored altogether. When one's opponent exhibits the same trait in a similar situation, it becomes a major moral issue. If one's own side resorts to violence, it is forgiven. If the other side retaliates, it is denounced as "barbarism".

It is the same mentality that hails a judicial decision in favour of one's group "as a great judgment" reflecting "the independence of the judiciary" and the next day assails another decision by some other judicial panel which may not be in its interest as proof that the Judiciary is subservient to the Executive. People with such biases forget that the worth and value of a judgment is not whether it benefits a particular party or not. What really matters is whether the judgment inclines towards truth and justice.

It appears that a lot of educated Malaysians are no longer capable of evaluating important political issues in a just and fair manner. Their political biases have become so pronounced that anything that party X does is good and everything that party Y does is bad. To a large extent this bias is reflected in their support for, and opposition to, the BN and PR.

Polarization in attitudes and positions centering around party politics on such a vast scale is a new phenomenon in Malaysian society. It subordinates truth and justice to partisan politics and undermines the ethical fabric of the nation.

Perhaps one of the ways of narrowing the chasm that divides our people today is a unifying vision that transcends political party loyalties.

Dr. Chandra Muzaffar.
Kuala Lumpur.
13 May 2009.

Forgetting May 13 - by P. Gunasegaram

Good article, do read.

cheers, anas

.............................................................................

Friday May 15, 2009

The Star
Comment by P. GUNASEGARAM

Our older citizens must let go and become like our younger ones who have no memory of — and no desire to remember, recognise or commemorate — May 13, 1969.

TWO days ago it was 40 years since one of Malaysia’s most infamous and ignoble events happened — the racial riots of May 13, 1969.

It rose out of a confluence of unfortunate factors fanned by politicians and threatened to rip apart racial harmony built over centuries of living together and understanding each other’s ways.

To continue, click here : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/15/focus/3906884&sec=focus

May 13th- Official Launch of " Have a Meaningful Malaysia"

A book to unite Malaysians

" I’d like to recolor May 13th. I would like to breathe new spirit into the date, to dilute and eventually erase the negative aspects and memories and replace them with positive meanings and values. I want our future generation to see this date with kind and loving recollections. We can always change things, if we so willed it "


Dear brother and sister Malaysians,

I find it difficult to write this advertisement as I try to balance business needs and a social cause.

I think I may have a win-win situation which I would like to propose. First let me start by explaining zubedy’s purpose.

zubedy is a for profit organization that combines business goals with a social cause.

We at zubedy want to unite people. We want to get people to work together. And we believe many of you are with us. We have met many Malaysians who believe in our cause and are interested in our Brand but the cost of attending our training programs while reasonably priced for corporations and organizations is a little expensive for individuals.

We want to offer something affordable so more Malaysians can experience and share our brand and work for Unity. So here we are today, May 13th 2009, with the launch of “Have a Meaningful Malaysia,” the first in the “Books to Unite People Series.”

“Have a Meaningful Malaysia,” is a collection of zubedy full page advertisements from 2001 – 2008. We have reworked the text in the ads and included information on the extraordinary people featured in the ads.

If you are familiar with our ads you’ll know that this book is not just a collection of ads but a clarion call for Unity, because at zubedy, we have a desire to bring people together. Specifically, we want to unite Malaysians. UNITY ROCKS! Unity is our way forward.

Unity is our only option to live in peace, love and happiness.

We want to promote HOPE. We want to convince you that individuals like you and I can make a difference; we may be not be effective individually, but together, we are powerful. The combined actions of individuals, ordinary Malaysians like you and I, can make this country greater – beyond our dreams – so our children will inherit a Malaysia that is more united, stronger and beautiful.

This is the first of Unity offerings under “Many Colors, One Race” a banner for products and services that will bring together Malaysians and later the world to become One, while keeping the splendor of our diversity intact.

It is a big dream, and yes, I am a dreamer. We will start with small steps each day because “sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit”. Will you dream with me? Will you join me in making this dream come true, no matter what it takes? Imagine…our nation united.

What the book covers?

“Have a Meaningful Malaysia,” is concise and reader-friendly.

Remarkable men and women in history:

You will get to know 45 remarkable men and women in history from various ethnic groups from all over the world. People like Tirruvalluvar, the great Tamil poet who wrote the Tirukural, a masterpiece of ethical insights written more than two thousand years ago but still relevant today; Tsai Lun the inventor of paper; you may not be reading this newspaper, in this form, if not for his invention; Ajahn Chah, a Thai meditation master whose teachings influence the oldest school of Buddhism worldwide.

Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, who spoke for peace and justice and became the “voice for the voiceless”, in El Salvador; Egyptian religious scholar and reformer, Muhammad Abduh, who advocated modern science at Al-Azhar University; Bhai Kanhaiya who was born in present day Pakistan, he treated wounded soldiers in battlefields and served enemies and friends alike, a hundred years before the Red Crescent; and our own Tunku Abdul Rahman, “Bapa Malaysia”, a man with a big heart who knew how to forgive and forget, and how to give and take, who united us and made possible the birth of our nation.

Gems of Wisdom:

In “Have a Meaningful Malaysia”, you will get a taste of gems of wisdom like: ''When one has faith, then he thinks'' - Swami Chinmayanda, ''Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win'' - Sun Tzu, ''Peace comes from within'' -The Buddha, ''Teaching is one of the most meaningful profession'' -Jubal Lourdes, ''There are many lamps, but only one light'' - Jalaluddin Rumi, ''Service that comes from the heart is akin to miracles. It takes one to give, and two will benefit, the one who gives and the one who receives'' - Bhagat Puran Singh.


The book stresses our shared values and festivals. It promotes understanding as we practice muhibbah and open our hearts and homes for Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Wesak, Christmas, Aidil Fitri, Vaisakhi and Hari Malaysia. The significance of all these festivals from a Malaysian point of view are illuminated. While others around the world celebrate most of these occasions, we Malaysians have our particular ways that are uniquely ours that we share with other Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.

Good corporate values:

And as zubedy is a management consultancy, the book touches on good corporate culture and how to do well in a corporate setting. Topics include: what top management look for in top talent? Why marketing is the foundation of business? Why you must build a brand and not just let it happen? Why you need to listen to and support your CEO? Why change disappoints and confuses employees and how to deal with change? And the joys of working and how to find it, among others.

How to use the book?

With your family

On page 63 in the book, we quoted Mother Theresa: ‘Love begins by taking care of the closest ones -- the ones at home’. If we want to change our nation and the world we must first change ourselves and our families. Share the book with your spouse, children, siblings and other family members. Ask questions about the people featured in the book. Read with your children, ask them who is the most influential Chinese in history and why - Tsai Lun on page 33 in the book, he is one of the most influential persons in history. Share and explain to children the significance of Hari Malaysia, how our forefathers came together, compromised, worked together and created Malaysia (Chapter 7). Tell them why everyone today must find ways to do the same, and one day they will be adults and hold the mantle to continue living in Unity.

With your friends

Get the book as their next present, especially if they are from a different race or religion. Use the information in the book as take off points to share the wisdom of each other’s traditions. Gain knowledge from each other and find similarities and common grounds, learn to understand the differences and develop respect and love amongst each other. My best friend Jubal Lourdes is featured on page 60. When presented with a predicament, in his effort to come up with the best possible solution, Jubal, a devout Christian would earnestly ask and consider what Jesus would have done. Ever since secondary school we talked about and worked on projects for unity, culminating in zubedy. Jubal passed away in 2002, we miss him very much, I am happy that some of his ideas and ideals are still practiced and going strong today at zubedy.

If you have foreign friends, use this book to introduce our glorious nation, people, culture, traditions and beliefs. Explain to them that as Malaysians we have learned not only to live in diversity, but that variety has helped us grow and become better citizens of the world.

With your colleagues

Share the knowledge you learn from the book so you, your colleagues and organization will grow at a faster speed. Unlike in school where the culture is to horde information and where we were not allowed to copy each other, in business we thrive by sharing and copying or emulating one another.

How do you and your colleagues feel about the idea that the true test of morale is performance, not conformity? This means producing results (page 41). Discuss whether you are a Culture Builder, Culture Maintainer or Culture Follower and how to avoid becoming a Culture Disruptor and what to do if you are.
(page 97).


If you are a business leader or Manager

Use this book as jump off points to discuss better corporate culture. The book contains bite sized information on top management thinking, business concepts and ethical foundations. On page 25 we explain the four crucial business functions, page 19 talks about why corruption is bad for business and on page 79, you can read about how to minimize silo mentality.


Use this book as company and corporate gifts, incentives and presents. Make it available for your team and vendors. Place copies in the company library and waiting areas.

Why we launch it today on May 13th?

"Do, don't talk. Take action, don't complain. Practise, don't preach" - a quote on page 41.

People in business like to make things happen. Instead of complaining or whining we prefer to break seemingly huge problems into manageable tasks, and deal with them to the best of our ability, clinically and methodologically, because if we do not do so, we will not get anything done and we might as well close shop.

I’d like to recolor May 13th. I would like to breathe new spirit into the date, to dilute and eventually erase the negative aspects and memories and replace them with positive meanings and values. I want our future generation to see this date with kind and loving recollections. We can always change things, if we so willed it.

Each year zubedy will offer something through the “Many Colors, One Race” banner whether it is a publication, or something else. Whatever it is, it will exemplify unity and it will be offered with the hope that as years go by, May 13th will be associated with togetherness and oneness, shared values and all things good about Malaysia.

Join me, please.

Balancing business needs and a social cause

If you really cannot afford RM46.00 for the book (one ringgit for each year since 1963 – the year Malaysia was born), go ahead and borrow one from a friend and photocopy it. I do not want you to feel guilty doing it. Only one for your own use, okay. (But, please do not make copies and start a business - that is my job!)

For the rest of you who can afford it, don’t be so cheapskatelah (especially my fellow brother and sister Penangites, we must not be too kiam siap ha!ha!), take out a RM50.00 bill, pay the RM46.00 and put the extra RM4.00 into the donation box by the cash counter.

When zubedy makes a profit, we will pay taxes – one of the reasons we need business organizations. The taxes will go to providing better roads, schools, healthcare etc.

In the long run when zubedy grows bigger and can afford a bigger advertising budget we will carry our Unity message in other media too.

One day as you drive along the highway and see a billboard showing Malaysian children playing with love and respect for each other, you will smile knowing you have played a part and contributed to that message.

In conclusion

My dear brother and sister Malaysians, if we really want to make this country great, peaceful and vibrant, we must play an active role. Regardless of whom we are or what we do, we must take right actions. While whining and complaining will give us temporary relief, it does not get us anywhere.

Let us all take small steps each day – do something pleasant for our neighbour, get to really know someone from a different background, and speak something good about the ‘other side’.

We must see Unity in diversity, unite and be one. Unity Rocks! Let’s be Bangsa Malaysia.

Many Colors, One Race.

let us add value

anas zubedy

Have a Meaningful Mother's Day

I propose a Social Contract this Wesak Day(May 9th)

This Wednesday May 6th, the message below will be advertised in The Star as a full page ad.

Many Malaysians have debated about the social contract. Some say it exist, while others don’t. Some are for it, some against.

But what is the social contract? Where is it? Does it really exist? Whether it exist or not, why not we come out with one?

So, here are my thoughts. You can agree with my ideas, comment about them or simply agree to disagree.

But, please use logic, love and wisdom.

Because,

Logic will make us fair with our minds;
Love will make us fair with our hearts; and,
Wisdom will lead us to combine our love and logic in the way of God and for the benefit of Mankind.

Thank you, cheers and peace,

anas zubedy

(If you are happy with the list, ple email, blog it and spread the message to as many prople as possible TQ)

Have a meaningful Wesak

“Do something for others.” Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda ( 1918-2006)

What Malaysians Want:

A Social Contract

We want a Social Contract that ...

I) Sees wrong as wrong and right as right, no matter who did it.

II) No individual or community is left behind regardless of race or geography.

III) We work towards zero poverty – it’s superfluous to have skyscrapers and state of the art structures when there are Malaysians who do not have a place to call home.

IV) Recognizes the Malay and indigenous customs form the core culture while the Chinese, Indian and other cultures play strong supportive roles to make our nation a unique and exciting brand.

V) All Malaysian children receive a first rate education, every child is supported and encouraged to achieve his or her maximum potential.

VI) Encourages us to practice sustainable development without corruption.

VII) Allows us learn and appreciate our own religion while at the same time encourages us to understand the religions practiced by our fellow Malaysians.

VIII) We help each other in business and transfer knowledge and skills from one community to another.

IX) Treats non-Malaysians serving in our nation, Bangladeshis or Europeans; with equality, respect and dignity.

X) Does not introduce racism and division to our children at school or at home.

XI) We provide adequate health care for all.

XII) We look at our constitution as a whole and not pick and choose out of context to suit an argument.

XIII) Do unto your Malaysian brothers and sisters as you would like them do unto you.

XIV) Acknowledges that we are Many Colors, but One Race, Bangsa Malaysia.

The above is the fourth of the “What Malaysians Want " series advertisements . The previous ones were:

Development Without Corruption http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2008/12/have-meaningful-xmas.html

A First-Rate Education http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-malaysian-want.html

Politicians who cooperate and compete to make Malaysia a better place http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/04/have-meaningful-vaisakhi.html

Conversion Issues - Do read these 5 articles ...and make your own decisions..

Two new additions from my blogbrother Walski

http://asylum60.blogspot.com/2009/04/opinion-poll-should-forced-conversions.html
http://asylum60.blogspot.com/2009/04/moot.html

....................................

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/25117-influential-scholar-adds-to-muslim-disquiet-in-conversion-row

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/24963-muslim-groups-upset-with-religious-conversion-ruling

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/25067-pas-slams-bn-for-betraying-islam-in-conversion-issue

http://ktemoc.blogspot.com/2009/04/muslim-converts-or-islamic-convenience.html

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/25078-malaysia-conversion-laws-not-enough-lawyer-says

happy reading :)

Excellent Message, Excellent Presentation - Tell Me Why

GOSTAN FORWARD:a Solo Performance Lecture by Marion D’Cruz

Too bad I cannot attend the above. For the rest of you, here are the details.