Followers

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Agree to Disagree

I would like to thank Business Times Singapore for highlighting my appeal letter and The Malaysian Insider for carrying the piece
(http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/19275-businessman-pleads-for-political-truce )

However, RM 36K for a black and white full page advert is rather bloated. The price we paid is by far lower than that. We also have a good deal with The Star as we are a regular advertiser. We also write our own adverts and design the artwork internally.

Some fellow Malaysians felt that the advert is a waste of money and effort. We all are entitled to our opinion; let’s just learn to agree to disagree.

Alas, God knows best.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Thank you, thank you and thank you.

Fellow Malaysians, Peace.

Thank you for your support, kind words, comments and suggestions. Fellow bloggers, thank you so very much for spreading the message.

We need to consistently and sincerely talk to our political leadership and convince them that this is not the time for politics and to focus on bread and butter.

Will blog again soon, “ Sticks in a bundle, are unbreakable” – Kenyan Proverb

Thank you, thank you and thank you.

Anas

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Dear Malaysian Politicians

A letter of appeal to Malaysians Politicians.

We are carrying this message in a full page advert in the Star tomorrow. Pls forward, email, blogpost, facebook this message if you share the same sentiments, thanx, anas zubedy


Dear Malaysian Politicians,

Please stop the power chase, call for a truce and focus on the economy.

I do not claim to speak on behalf of all Malaysians, but I have strong convictions that many share my sentiments.


Our concern today is not who rules the country or heads the state governments but the looming bad economy.

Whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat leads, it is meaningless if Malaysians have no job to go to, no money to pay rent and no means to put food on the table.

I am a business owner, like other business owners and managers of corporations I have a responsibility to ensure people under my care and payroll continue to have jobs and a decent income to take home. We work hard and willing to go the extra mile to make sure our nation not only survive this crisis but come out stronger and wiser. We need your help.

Let me explain. I am in the business of Training, Development and Consultancy and have 20 people in my team.

Saedah is 42. She keeps the office clean and helps organise the training rooms. She has four children and her husband is unemployed. She was first hired on a part time basis, because she is very hard working and has a great attitude, we offered her a full time job to help provide a stable income for her family. Even then, when her third child started school this year, it was a struggle for her to buy new school uniforms and other necessities. Saedah lives on a ‘kais bulan, makan bulan’ basis, so, if she is jobless, her tap runs dry.

Samsuri is 27 years old. He lives with his sister and her family in a low cost government flat in Sunway. He does our despatch, helps with various clerical works and occasionally acts as a driver. During the first week at zubedy, we learned that he not only did not have money to buy new clothes and shoes for work, he had no money for lunch. Like Saedah, if he has no job, his tap runs dry too.

Alicia in Client Servicing turns 26 this year. She lives with her dad who is 71 years old and retired. Her mom passed away when she was little. Alicia is a hard-working team member, has a gentle caring outlook and fun to be with. (We like to poke fun at her as she blushes easily). Last May her dad went through a major operation, thank God he has recovered well. Alicia needs a job, both for herself and her dad.

Sudesh, 38, is one of our facilitators. When his father passed away last year, he moved back and lives with his mother in Seremban. He shuttles between Kuala Lumpur and Seremban daily, leaving home sometimes as early as 4 in the morning and returning late at night. He is no stranger to hard work and sacrifice, he knows what he needs to do to survive and to care for his mother, but he too needs a job.

Like fellow Malaysians, every one of us in zubedy needs employment, those that live from hand to mouth like Saedah and Samsuri and others like Alicia and Sudesh with family to care for. We Malaysians need the Malaysian economy to be strong. We need you, our leaders, to work hard and to work together to make our economy viable.

So this is my plea.

Pakatan Rakyat, please stop your attempts to take over the federal government and persuade BN’s lawmakers to join you. Stop all legal proceedings, no more 916 and let go, just let go. The nation can wait till the next general elections if they want change. By doing so, Malaysians will see your party as caring, unselfish and gracious and give you their support in the next elections.

Barisan Nasional, please stop any attempts to take over PR states and win over PR’s lawmakers. You have proven your point with Perak. The nation can wait for the next general elections if they want your party. Focus all your talent, energy and hard work in steering the country out of an economic downturn. By doing so, Malaysians will see your party as caring, unselfish and smart and give you their support in the next elections.

BN and PR! Call for a truce. Get together and compromise. Someone has to give in. Or has hate consumed your heart till it blinds you? You can do it. You have enough intelligent people between you. I am sure you can find solutions. Take the nation to heart. That is why you are in politics in the first place.

Focus on the people.

Focus on the economy.


Anas Zubedy
Managing Director
Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd


Sunday, February 22, 2009

Look at issues rationally by Wong Chun Wai

A good article, worth reading ...

Look at issues rationally
ON THE BEAT

By WONG CHUN WAI
Feb 22, 2009 The Star

With Malaysians being increasingly caught in political partisanship, we need to keep a cool head and not get over-emotional.

click here to continue

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/22/focus/3322032&sec=focus

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Tunku The Compassionate


A very good article on the Tunku by By PRABHAKARAN S. NAIR Feb 15 The Star

Last Sunday, the birthday of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra passed unnoticed in the midst of dramatic political developments. The commemoration of Tunku’s birth could have provided a perfect occasion for Malaysians to reflect on our ideals and aspirations as a nation made up of people of different races, cultures and religions.

THE birth of Tunku is a story of compassion that Menjelara, his mother, never tired of recounting. According to various sources, the story is that before Tunku was born, his father (the Sultan of Kedah) had sentenced the Keeper of the Royal Seal to death, and ordered that the right thumb of his wife and that of all his children be severed. This was punishment for deceitfully misusing the royal seal to sell state land for personal gain.

The Keeper’s wife was in a state of great sorrow, unable to imagine the pain and suffering that her innocent children would have to undergo. She ran to Menjelara, the Sultan’s favoured wife, and pleaded in tears for her innocent children to be spared the ordeal.

Being a loving mother herself, Menjelara could feel her pain and sorrow, and promised to speak to the Sultan. But she knew she could not directly ask him or intervene in his prerogative.

Menjelara thought of an idea. She lied to the Sultan that she was pregnant, and expressed her fear that if he proceeded with the punishment, their unborn child might be born without a thumb, or perhaps without a limb.


click here to continue http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/2/15/focus/3215398&sec=focus

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Pariahs are made, not sired : another case of Pariah Politics

Let us not care who does it, BN or PR. Any party who does not put aside shallow political fights for power and focus on the nation, ie, at this point of time focussing on the Economy, we consider that they are practising pariah (low class) politics. We must not agree with their behavior.

Pariahs are not born, they are made.
But remember as Gandhi said, " Hate the sin, not the sinner."

Click here for news on pariah politics.


Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The 4Ps of Malaysia – Pariah People, Pariah Politics

... and Elizabeth Wong's Ex-Boyfriend

I have three siblings. Two girls came first, then the two boys and I am the youngest. My second sister’s real name is Aini. But, because she is second in the family, my eldest calls her Adek and the name Adek, got stuck with her. By the time my brother and I came into the picture, she became KakAdek which of coz to an outsider can be a little confusing. In fact, I never knew KakAdek’s real name till I was 10!

Both my sisters bermastautin in Austin, Texas. Last week KakAdek tried calling me but I was in a meeting, so the call went straight to the answering box. She was concern and sad about the current political situation after reading my Biadap, Tetap Biadap blogpost.

My sister’s feeling is shared by many. It is almost a year since the March 8th general election yet till today our politicians are focusing their energies into grabbing power from each other instead of governing and managing of the country and states under their care especially our economy. This is the longest general elections in the history of mankind.

First it was the wasteful and unnecessary Permatang Pauh by-election. It should be made illegal for any party to force an election so that another one of their party member or leader can be elected to the Parliament. What kind of stupid democracy is this? Is this not Pariah Politics? Wan Azizah should not have run for parliament in the first place if she is not serious about being an MP for the whole term. Anwar should have waited for a chance to go into parliament when a seat is vacant like a death of an MP.

Second the 916 bullshit. What? Take over the country through the back door? Chasing after MPs to defect? Is that good politics? Wasting our time and taking away the ruling party’s focus on governing? Wasting PR’s energy from learning to govern the 5 states entrusted to them? MPs playing cats and mouse from Malaysia to Taiwan? What kind of Pariah Politics is this?

Thirdly, another Pariah Politics; moves and counter moves in Perak that has and will continue to sap more energy on both sides for months to come. Accordingly the BN government is making headway into Kedah and Selangor, too. These are similar to the 916 bullshit, taking over state governments through back door arrangement.

Elizabeth Wong

Fourthly, our most recent Pariah Politics, another by-election is in the making because a cruel lowly bastard ex-boyfriend who decided to expose private pictures of Elizabeth Wong to the public.

Another time wasting, energy sapping pointless state of affairs that will take away our attention from the real problem at hand, making sure the economy does not tank. How many percent of time does our politician on both sides actually have to do their job of governing the nation if they continuously are working on by-elections after by-elections?

Now let’s talk a little more about Elizabeth Wong’s incident. Her case is not new to me. I have a few female friends who have had the unfortunate experience of ex-boyfriends who use their private pictures for their own selfish benefit. Usually it involves the borrowing and not wanting to pay back of money! Real bastards!

I recently made a new friend. During the chatting session we spoke about the difference between a Playboy and a Casanova. I suggested that a Playboy usually lies through his teeth, promising love, sending flowers, providing a great amount of attention usually clinically and methodically planned, etc in order to get under their skirts through artificial love and feelings. Usually they are not that desirable, hence the need for bullshit. They may do these simultaneously with many females. Women fell pray because ‘love and attention’ can ‘intoxicate’ them and the Playboy uses these to the max. The Playboy then has his day coz by the time the ladies discover that he has a few other ‘women’ they are already too deeply involved.

Casanovas do not lie. They come out straight from the beginning and are honest about their way of life. They are usually desirable and have that ‘bad boy’ thing in them. Unfortunately many ladies especially the goody ones are attracted to dashing bad boys. So they jump into so called relationships knowing that it is going to nowhere. Deep inside many of the ladies hope to be the one who will ‘tame the stallion’.

I forgot to tell my friend that there is a third category. They are neither a Playboy nor Casanovas. They are the worst kind. They are the Pariahboys. Elizabeth Wong’s ex-boyfriend falls into this category.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Is democracy your religion?

A friend emailed me Khoo Kay Peng's article Perak: A failed democracy click here http://dinmerican.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/khoo-kay-peng-on-perak-it-is-a-failed-democracy/

Here is an alternative viewpoint

Many make the mistake and think that democracy is the only way to manage a society.

In fact, scores of people have somehow embraced democracy as religion. People follow what works. Push to the corner, I have strong convictions that a large section of the Malays will relook the so call social contract, democracy, etc and decide a different platform to run this country.


I have already heard news of would be defections from PAS to UMNO. Either PAS will play out PKR (read Anwar) or the other way round, is perhaps already be in the making. They may go back to the Parliament and overturn what Tun Mahathir did in 1993 and return back immunity to the Royalty – then improper members of the Royalty can go screw all of us as they pleased. (Personally, I do not think Tun made the amendments to 'curb' the powers of the Sultans, but to deter improper members of the royalty from acting wantonly).That’s what you get when you push a cat to the corner. Short sighted politicians within our opposition... Oh! How I miss the Tan Chee Koon’s of Malaysia.

Many years ago my ‘democratic’ acquaintances and friends in the NGOs were not happy coz I suggested the Chinese in China should not fight the Chinese government with a western approach when I disagreed with the ‘democratic’ and ‘peaceful’ assembly and ‘tunjuk perasaan’ at Tianamen Square (at that time the Lech Walesa movement were hot and thriving in Poland).

Two days later the Chinese Government gunned down those students, thousands were killed. Anyone who have read Chinese history and understood Chinese culture would have been able to see what was coming. Historically, you screw the Emperor, the Emperor will not only chop your head off but also your family’s heads too... nay your entire village.

Similarly, democracy is not the only platform to deal with the Malay society. But, most ‘smart’ political scientist and opposition leaders in DAP and PKR are either confused ‘bananas’ or ‘ Malays who lost their souls to Anwar in a hurry to make him the PM’ ; who are middle class or upwards Malaysians who spends time sipping coffee at bangsar, live an almost western life, intellectually debate using western eyes to a predominantly eastern/Malay skewed dilemma.

Read here for a quick socio-cultural outlook of the Malays

1)
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/anwars-second-major-blunder.html
2) http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/02/biadap-tetap-biadap.html


May God Bless This Country!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Among His Signs - Pictorial Journey

This is my last post for the LRTQ campaign, but God Willing, it will not be my last post sharing the Quran with you. As a finale to the campaign, I would like to experiment with something different.

I will try to connect verses 20 to 26 of Chapter 30 with my picture collection. My purpose is to connect God’s signs via pictures so that whenever we see or experience His creations, we become more connected to Him.

At the heart of it, the Quran's purpose is to provide us the guidance and connect us between man and man, man and nature and between man and God. The Quran suggests that we pay attention to His Signs.

The wi-fi at my house area is so slow so now I am at Darabif. I did not anticipate that the choosing, resizing and downloading of the pictures will require the whole day!

Hope you guys like it.

Here are the verses in full.

Among His signs is [the fact] that he has created you from dust; then you were propagated as human beings.

Among His signs is [the fact] that He has created spouses for you from among yourselves so that you may console yourselves with them. He has planted affection and mercy between you; in that are signs for people who think things over.

Among His signs are the creation of Heaven and Earth, as well as the diversity in your tongues and colors. In that are signs for those who know.

Among His signs are your sleeping at night and by day, and your pursuit of His bounty. In that are signs for any folk who listen.

Among His signs is how He shows you lightning for both fear and anticipation. He sends water down from the sky so He may revive the earth with it following its death. In that are signs for folk who use their reason.

Among His signs are [the fact] that the sky and earth hold firm at His command. Then whenever He calls you forth out of the earth once and for all, you will (all) come forth! * Anyone who is in Heaven and Earth belongs to Him; all are subservient to Him.

(Quran 30 : 20 -26)
.........................................................................................................................................


Among His signs is [the fact] that he has created you from dust; then you were propagated as human beings. (Quran 30 : 20)


Ee Rynn, my friend's daughter

Little boy of Jogja


My cousin Osama, yes, his name is OSAMA!


Cute little girl of Angor Wat


What will my future be?


Ejaz, my nephew.


Erza, my nephew too.


AEA: Aisha, Esa and Alia, my nephew and nieces back in malaysia for summer holidays. Notice that all five names of nephews and nieces start with A or E!

Looking for something in life ...

I may be poor, but happy!

Little child on a boat back from Batambong, Cambodia.

Hair nicely tied ..

Boy or girl? My cousin Lem's kid ...

What you looking at?

Children of Sabah ...

More nephews... the middle one is Kofi ... Below, the family of my foster sister Diana. She grew up in Batu Pahat, Johor.


Among His signs is [the fact] that He has created spouses for you from among yourselves so that you may console yourselves with them. He has planted affection and mercy between you; in that are signs for people who think things over ( Quran 30: 21)


Ejaz starting early... just dont be like your Uncle !!!


The parent of the first little girl you saw earlier ...


My Kelabit sister and her man ...


My eldest sis with Drew, my brother in-law ...

Bapa and Mak angkat from Bario, Sarawak - Kelabit Homeland.

Vietnam, 1991.

Mr and Mrs Kerol ...

Kopi Susu ... anak mereka mesti Cute gila!!!

Took a picture of a picture in a rumah panjang at Bario ...

Azy and hubby ... and below My late father and my mom, just after being married. Aren't they really good looking?


Among His signs are the creation of Heaven and Earth, as well as the diversity in your tongues and colors. In that are signs for those who know. (Quran 30: 22)


Lady in the temple ...

Taiwanese in Cambodia ...

Flute boy in small town cambodia ...

Wonderfull 'barber shop' show Jakarta style ...

Nephew and friends in US ...


Nelayan at Perhentian, 2008

Unity in diversity ...

Sweet Chinagirl I met at Perhentian, 2008 ....hehe!

Papua mari!

L - R : Azree (my cousin and partner at zubedy), June (Azree's mom), My mother (Most people call her Umi Neng) and me :)

Swiss Alps 1992 ... I could not ski for nuts!!!


Bali salesgirls ...1991

Diversity in Unity ...

Beautiful women of Mersilau

My uncle from the Middle East ...

Pretty women ...

Penang ... I grew up watching Chinese ' Ko Tai ' ... Tong tong tong cheng!)

Another Penang scene, they were all speaking Hokkien!
... and below, my old gang from Kolej Ketujuh - Zaaba. Our master Dr Omar is second from left. At his left is Arun, the shop owner. I use to irritate him asking if he plans to sell condoms!!! haha!!!

Among His signs are your sleeping at night and by day, and your pursuit of His bounty. In that are signs for any folk who listen (Quran 30 : 23)

Early in the morning somewhere in Cambodia ...

View from Penang Ferry ...

One of my favorite shots ...

Engkau Laksana Bulan ...by P Ramlee

Instead of menganggur ...

Morning in Redang ...

Morning in Jogja ... and below ...hampir malam in KL


Among His signs is how He shows you lightning for both fear and anticipation. He sends water down from the sky so He may revive the earth with it following its death. In that are signs for folk who use their reason (Quran 30:24)

Bogor, 2009

Bario, 2008

Taman Tun Park... my favorite park to jalan-jalan ...

River at the side of the mosque at Puncak. You must perform the Friday prayers there if you can...

Rain + Mist = beauty

My brother Joe loves the river, I am kinda weary of rivers... am more comfortable with the sea.

My uncle's villa in Bogor... i fell in love with Bogor and Puncak, Indonesia!

Rompin, after rain 2004 ...

Waiting to go to sea ... and below ... mirror mirror on the water?


Among His signs are [the fact] that the sky and earth hold firm at His command. Then whenever He calls you forth out of the earth once and for all, you will (all) come forth! * Anyone who is in Heaven and Earth belongs to Him; all are subservient to Him. (Quran 30 : 25-26)

Kinabalu ....

Eiffel 1995


Redang Rocks ... love the formation...

Redang morning ...

Mount Merapi ... still alive!

Genting ... money making!



The last picture is the place of final resting for most of us zubedys. The grey batu nesan in the middle belongs to my late father : )