Press release by the Muslim Professionals Forum on the subject of the punishment of alcohol consumption
28th August 2009
While Mr. P. Gunasegaran (No to whipping for drinking, 28 Aug 2009, Star) and those in the similar vein are entitled to their freedom of expression, it nonetheless needs to be pointed out that his abrasive intrusion into the intoxicating whipping debate is in extreme bad taste and a blatant affront to Muslim sensitivity.
His high and mighty pronouncement (read fatwa) based on his secular theology and his one sentence reference to some unnamed Muslim scholar, makes him an overnight jurist (read Mufti)!
Despite 52 years of Merdeka, quite apparently and most unfortunately, the civilized and democratic values of mutual respect is sorely missing in our multi-religious co-existence. And as far as Muslims are concerned, there has been one too many Islamophobic sentiments snowballing by the day in the mainstream editorials, press reports and cyber portals.
Fed by deep-seated prejudice, and popular misconceptions towards Islam and the Shariah, the words "barbaric", "cruel", and "inhumane" are hurled without regard for the sensitivity of Muslims.
Barbaric, cruel, and inhumane are after all relative terms that are employed to demonize the other. This media onslaught, directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, attempts to belittle and humiliate the Shariah justice system, an entire institution whose place in our nation is legitimated by history and the Constitution.
What else does one make of the following headlines “and lets do away with a slew of outmoded, archaic laws in the statute books, both syariah and civil”. He further adds “there is real danger of disarray when man purports to speak for God”. I hasten to respond by asking - should we then let him (the editor) play God or better still be God ?
Islam, meaning ‘submission’- however awkward such a notion is to secular liberal thinking – is acceptance with a free conscience both the tenets of the faith and outwardly the injunctions of the Shariah which encompasses formal ritual worship and the regulation of personal and social mores based on sacred texts.
Believers of other faiths, liberal secularists and secular atheists need to understand that Islam is the governing principle in every aspect of a Muslim's life to a degree seldom seen in the adherents and practitioners of other religions. Islam is not just a matter of rituals and worship; Islam is a complete way of life. For those who cannot or will not accept the crucial importance of this most important reality in the life of all Muslims we can only say, hopefully without insult, please stay out of our business.
As Muslims we have no difficulty accepting that non-Muslims have different beliefs and live their lives differently than we do. Please show us the same courtesy.
His editorial among others, reflect the distressing trend that non-Muslims are making ill-informed, prejudiced and unwelcome comments on the religion of the majority of people of this country. This is very unhealthy, and dangerously crossing the lines of civilized discourse.
There exists a myriad of opinions on the issue of consumption of intoxicants. But the Muslim scholars are unanimous that the offender must be punished.
If the offence is considered under the jurisdiction of hudud (limits), as is embraced by the schools of thought of Syafie, Maliki and Hanafi, caning must be meted without exception. This being the stipulate of God for the good of the bigger society.
However, Al-Qaradhawi, the celebrated contemporary scholar, in consonant with the likes of At-Tabari, Ibn Munzir, As-Syawkani and Ibn Qayyim opines that this offence is within the domain of ta’zir (discretionary penalty). Thus, the judge may choose to forgive the first time offender or he may elect to cane the offender and would stipulate the number of canings. As alluded by others, the caning is unlike the brutal and vicious whippings as prescribed by the civil courts.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Zulfakar, who lectures Islamic criminal law in the International Islamic University of Malaysia, and Datuk Abdul Munir Yaakob, SUHAKAM commissioner, concurred that the courts acted within the State Shariah Criminal Offences Act notwithstanding the seven day remand order.
The Shariah court is part of Malaysia's dual justice system which has jurisdiction over Muslims and the decision of the Kuantan Shariah High Court must be respected as such That is the rule of law enjoyed by both the Shariah and Civil courts and outside interference would tantamount to contempt of court. The due process of appeal is open to the victim if justice is not done or seen to be done.
In this media frenzy, the irony has not been lost that Kartika herself has accepted the sentence and has refused appeal despite the suggestion by no less the Prime Minister himself. This underscores one of the objectives of the Shariah, to guide Muslims to be more observant of their religious obligations through remorse and repentance.
The controversy surrounding Kartika's sentencing also exposes the sometimes uneasy co-existence of the world views of Islam and that of modern secular society. Attempts to fit Islam into the secular world view is like forcing a square peg into a round hole.
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that alcohol causes 1.8 million deaths (3.2% of total) and 58.3 million (4% of total) of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The U.S. Department of Justice Report on Alcohol and Crime found that alcohol abuse was a factor in 40 percent of violent crimes committed in the U.S. The British Home office reports a figure of 45% which rose to 58% in cases of attacks by unrecognized persons. We have not even begun to mention the primary role of alcohol in road traffic accidents, domestic violence, drug dependence, alcoholism, women and alcohol, adolescents and alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol and liver cirrhosis, alcohol and brain damage, alcohol and cancer risk, the causal link between alcohol and 60 different types of diseases etc.
God says in the Quran, Chapter 2, Verse 219 :
“They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: 'There is a great sin in both of them, and (some) profits for people; but their sin is greater than their profit …”
As Muslims, our absolute love and allegiance is to our Creator, whose infinite wisdom we do not question. Thus, it is completely unacceptable and reprehensible that any from amongst his creations, should instruct us otherwise applying their fallible human and secular opinions and standards.
Board of Directors
Muslim Professionals Forum
Dr. Mazeni Alwi
Dr. Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Dr. Shaikh Johari Bux
Haji Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dato’ Dr. Musa Mohd. Nordin
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Civil Society Joint Merdeka Message (RE: Cow head incident)
Please spread far and wide.
Civil Society Joint Merdeka Message
2009-08-30
The Cow-Head Lesson for Merdeka: Deligitimize Violence and Hatred
We, the undersigned civil society organizations are shocked, angered
and saddened by the “Cow-Head protest” in Shah Alam last Friday, 28
August 09, against a proposed Hindu temple in Section 23 of the city.
The carrying of the head of a freshly slaughtered cow, a sacred animal to
the Hindus, and the unveiled threat of blood shed on the eve of
Merdeka celebration suggest that all Malaysians need to reflect deeply
about our 52 years of nationhood, and the clarion call of 1Malaysia
From the outset, these heinous acts of crime perpetrated by the irresponsible
few must NEVER be seen as a conflict between the two faiths or the
two faith communities. All major spiritual traditions, Islam and
Hinduism included, uphold peace and human dignity as their common and
core values. Our spirituality and love for humanity mandates us for
the perpetual quest for peace and abhorrence of all forms of hatred
and civil disorder.
The Shah Alam incident sadly reveals that violence and hatred are
still inadequately delegitimized in our society. We exhort all
Malaysians to unite in our joint efforts to decry and delegitimize
violence and hatred to prevent any individual or grouping from
resorting to intimidation or provocation when faced with any
town-planning disputes or rows of similar nature.
We the undersigned, taking cognizance of the above, do hereby :
1. URGE that all disputes in civil society must be resolved through
peaceful means such as peaceful demonstrations, rational dialogues,
extensive consultations and legal suits. The Selangor State
Government’s plan to hold a town hall meeting to facilitate
communication and engagement with all stakeholders is highly
commendable.
2. CONDEMN in the strongest possible language any act to humiliate and
intimidate any ethno-religious community, in this case the irreligious
and irresponsible display of a cow head. In the Shah Alam incident,
not only the Hindus are humiliated and hurt but also all thinking
Malaysians – Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, those of other
spiritual traditions and atheist. We particularly share the pain and
anguish of the Shah Alam Hindu community.
3. URGE all religious authorities, community leaders and political
parties to unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of the reprehensible
“Cow-Head” act. Every racial and religious bigot should be shamed
and distanced by the general public especially by their
ethno-religious community which they seek to represent. Political
parties must also take disciplinary action against members involved in
inciting hatred. This would deprive them the pleasure and
gratification of self-righteousness and
heroism. Legal punishment alone may prove inadequate because it may
instead grant the offenders the self-perceived honour of martyrdom
4. SUPPORT a thorough investigation of those responsible for the
“Cow-Head” protest for threatening violence (not sedition) on both the
local Hindu community and the elected State Government of Selangor.
Threats of violence, for whatever reason, has no place in a civilized
society. Violence must be condemned and can only be completely
delegitimized when society has zero tolerance for it and every
offender is appropriately punished.
5. EXPRESS shock and dismay at the failure of the police force to
stop the protestors from issuing their threats of bloodshed. An
independent investigation on professional negligence should be
immediately initiated to examine these policing failures of a
potentially fulminating racial and religious crisis. This incident
among others further highlights the dire importance and urgent need
for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission
(IPCMC). The IPCMC is a must if the Najib Administration is genuinely
committed to peace in Malaysia.
6. CALL on all Malaysians to heed our plea to completely delegitimize
violence and hatred and to strive towards its elimination from our
public life. Let this be our joint resolution for our nation’s
forthcoming Merdeka anniversary. Let us usher in a Malaysia which
cherishes the values of peace, reason, justice, freedom, equity and
inclusion for all Malaysians.
The undersigned groups:
1. All Women’s Action Society Malaysia (AWAM)
2. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
3. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
4. Civil Society Committee, LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLGCSC)
5. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
6. Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestinians (COMPLETE)
7. Coalition of Selangor Indian NGOs
8. Consumer Association of Klang
9. Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth
10. Council of Malaysia Indian Trustee
11. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
12. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
13. Hindu Youth Organization, Port Klang
14. Human Development and Research Centre
15. Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM)
16. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
17. Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
18. Justice for Beng Hock Facebook Group
19. Kelab Sukan Depot Port Klang
20. Klang Vellarun Kalai Pannai
21. Letchumi Pooja Dhana Manbran Klang
22. Majlis Kelab Bell Tamil Selangor
23. Malaysia Belia Hindu Negeri Selangor
24. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Klang Council
25. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Selangor state council
26. Malaysia Indian Youth Council Selangor
27. Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mamandram Selangor
28. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
29. Nadaraikia Sangam Selangor
30. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
31. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM (Lihua) Selangor and Kuala Lumpur
32. Persatuan Kebajikan Bharathana Selangor
33. Persatuan Kebajikan cahaya wawasan Selangor
34. Persatuan Kebajikan Nammakkal
35. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar
36. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
37. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
38. Persatuan Peniaga little India Klang
39. Persatuan Penyelidikan Astronomi Selangor
40. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
41. Persatuan Thiruvallavar
42. Persatuan Wawasan India Selangor
43. Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian India Selangor
44. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hara Krishna Klang
45. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
46. Selangor Indian Video graphers Association
47. Sri Vadivelu Culture and Welfare Association Selangor
48. Sri Vaishnava Paribalana Saba
49. Suara Raykat Malaysia (SUARAM)
50. The Divine Life Society Port Klang
51. The Micah Mandate
52. Vishnu Periyaval Sabai
53. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
54. 1BLACKMalaysia Facebook Group
Civil Society Joint Merdeka Message
2009-08-30
The Cow-Head Lesson for Merdeka: Deligitimize Violence and Hatred
We, the undersigned civil society organizations are shocked, angered
and saddened by the “Cow-Head protest” in Shah Alam last Friday, 28
August 09, against a proposed Hindu temple in Section 23 of the city.
The carrying of the head of a freshly slaughtered cow, a sacred animal to
the Hindus, and the unveiled threat of blood shed on the eve of
Merdeka celebration suggest that all Malaysians need to reflect deeply
about our 52 years of nationhood, and the clarion call of 1Malaysia
From the outset, these heinous acts of crime perpetrated by the irresponsible
few must NEVER be seen as a conflict between the two faiths or the
two faith communities. All major spiritual traditions, Islam and
Hinduism included, uphold peace and human dignity as their common and
core values. Our spirituality and love for humanity mandates us for
the perpetual quest for peace and abhorrence of all forms of hatred
and civil disorder.
The Shah Alam incident sadly reveals that violence and hatred are
still inadequately delegitimized in our society. We exhort all
Malaysians to unite in our joint efforts to decry and delegitimize
violence and hatred to prevent any individual or grouping from
resorting to intimidation or provocation when faced with any
town-planning disputes or rows of similar nature.
We the undersigned, taking cognizance of the above, do hereby :
1. URGE that all disputes in civil society must be resolved through
peaceful means such as peaceful demonstrations, rational dialogues,
extensive consultations and legal suits. The Selangor State
Government’s plan to hold a town hall meeting to facilitate
communication and engagement with all stakeholders is highly
commendable.
2. CONDEMN in the strongest possible language any act to humiliate and
intimidate any ethno-religious community, in this case the irreligious
and irresponsible display of a cow head. In the Shah Alam incident,
not only the Hindus are humiliated and hurt but also all thinking
Malaysians – Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, those of other
spiritual traditions and atheist. We particularly share the pain and
anguish of the Shah Alam Hindu community.
3. URGE all religious authorities, community leaders and political
parties to unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of the reprehensible
“Cow-Head” act. Every racial and religious bigot should be shamed
and distanced by the general public especially by their
ethno-religious community which they seek to represent. Political
parties must also take disciplinary action against members involved in
inciting hatred. This would deprive them the pleasure and
gratification of self-righteousness and
heroism. Legal punishment alone may prove inadequate because it may
instead grant the offenders the self-perceived honour of martyrdom
4. SUPPORT a thorough investigation of those responsible for the
“Cow-Head” protest for threatening violence (not sedition) on both the
local Hindu community and the elected State Government of Selangor.
Threats of violence, for whatever reason, has no place in a civilized
society. Violence must be condemned and can only be completely
delegitimized when society has zero tolerance for it and every
offender is appropriately punished.
5. EXPRESS shock and dismay at the failure of the police force to
stop the protestors from issuing their threats of bloodshed. An
independent investigation on professional negligence should be
immediately initiated to examine these policing failures of a
potentially fulminating racial and religious crisis. This incident
among others further highlights the dire importance and urgent need
for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission
(IPCMC). The IPCMC is a must if the Najib Administration is genuinely
committed to peace in Malaysia.
6. CALL on all Malaysians to heed our plea to completely delegitimize
violence and hatred and to strive towards its elimination from our
public life. Let this be our joint resolution for our nation’s
forthcoming Merdeka anniversary. Let us usher in a Malaysia which
cherishes the values of peace, reason, justice, freedom, equity and
inclusion for all Malaysians.
The undersigned groups:
1. All Women’s Action Society Malaysia (AWAM)
2. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
3. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
4. Civil Society Committee, LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLGCSC)
5. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
6. Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestinians (COMPLETE)
7. Coalition of Selangor Indian NGOs
8. Consumer Association of Klang
9. Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth
10. Council of Malaysia Indian Trustee
11. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
12. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
13. Hindu Youth Organization, Port Klang
14. Human Development and Research Centre
15. Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM)
16. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
17. Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
18. Justice for Beng Hock Facebook Group
19. Kelab Sukan Depot Port Klang
20. Klang Vellarun Kalai Pannai
21. Letchumi Pooja Dhana Manbran Klang
22. Majlis Kelab Bell Tamil Selangor
23. Malaysia Belia Hindu Negeri Selangor
24. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Klang Council
25. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Selangor state council
26. Malaysia Indian Youth Council Selangor
27. Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mamandram Selangor
28. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
29. Nadaraikia Sangam Selangor
30. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
31. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM (Lihua) Selangor and Kuala Lumpur
32. Persatuan Kebajikan Bharathana Selangor
33. Persatuan Kebajikan cahaya wawasan Selangor
34. Persatuan Kebajikan Nammakkal
35. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar
36. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
37. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
38. Persatuan Peniaga little India Klang
39. Persatuan Penyelidikan Astronomi Selangor
40. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
41. Persatuan Thiruvallavar
42. Persatuan Wawasan India Selangor
43. Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian India Selangor
44. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hara Krishna Klang
45. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
46. Selangor Indian Video graphers Association
47. Sri Vadivelu Culture and Welfare Association Selangor
48. Sri Vaishnava Paribalana Saba
49. Suara Raykat Malaysia (SUARAM)
50. The Divine Life Society Port Klang
51. The Micah Mandate
52. Vishnu Periyaval Sabai
53. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
54. 1BLACKMalaysia Facebook Group
Friday, March 6, 2009
Leave Your Name and Number
At the end of this please leave me your name and phone number so I can begin to get back all the numbers that I have lost. You can leave a comment or send me an email/Facebook message. I haven't gotten my old number back yet so don't text me with your number just yet.
Last Saturday I left my phone at a restaurant in JB. I went back the next day and they hadn't found it.
My phone is a 2 and a half year old Nokia that has no camera and is peeling. I got it for RM 400 and so it must be worth next to nothing now. The first thing my friends said when we realised it was gone was "But who'd steal your phone Shaz?"
So I've been pretty much phone-less for the past few days and surviving on instant messenger, Facebook, Skype, emails and friends' phones.
I contemplated borrowing a phone from a friend and getting a temporary number before going back to KL to get a replacement SIM card but I figured that I'd just leave it. After all there was a time when we didn't have mobile phones. A week can't be that bad.
It is a sad state that we live in then, as I look back on my week.
Firstly my fixed line was down and on the day I had a phone to call Telekom their hotline, 100, could not be called from my house mate's mobile or the mobile of a friend I managed to catch online.
Secondly no one could get in touch with me whether to inform me of changes to my classes or just for fun. My tutor sent me three texts regarding our tutorial in the wards, Neha texted to ask for the name for a specific type of pasta, Shalendri couldn't get a hold of me to tell me that my 8.30am class had been cancelled and then there were all those texts and calls that I never got.
I suppose as a future doctor I should be contactable at all hours. Normally I leave my phone on all the time, answering phone calls and replying texts if required. But I thought, maybe, just maybe we didn't have to be so dependent on technology and we'd be able to make do the old fashioned way.
At times it wasn't that I needed to be contacted. The biggest frustration for me was not being able to be in constant contact with someone, with anyone. For me to vent, for me to share a random moment, for me to call and talk to just because I feel like it. I've found that I desire to be constantly linked with people. Because there will always be something that is worth sharing or that requires sharing so I do not burst. Not having the luxury to call or text left me feeling extremely lonely. Having to hope that my friends are coincidentally online when I am in order for me to be in touch with them is terribly depressing.
So then the friends that I did speak to, texted, Skyped with, wrote to, IMed with, who wrote on my Facebook wall...all those interactions were especially lovely. And I thank my lucky stars that while globalisation has meant that you are there and I am here, and there are miles in between, it still allows for communication.
So I get to hear voices, and read words and sometimes, with some people, see them too.
Last Saturday I left my phone at a restaurant in JB. I went back the next day and they hadn't found it.
My phone is a 2 and a half year old Nokia that has no camera and is peeling. I got it for RM 400 and so it must be worth next to nothing now. The first thing my friends said when we realised it was gone was "But who'd steal your phone Shaz?"
So I've been pretty much phone-less for the past few days and surviving on instant messenger, Facebook, Skype, emails and friends' phones.
I contemplated borrowing a phone from a friend and getting a temporary number before going back to KL to get a replacement SIM card but I figured that I'd just leave it. After all there was a time when we didn't have mobile phones. A week can't be that bad.
It is a sad state that we live in then, as I look back on my week.
Firstly my fixed line was down and on the day I had a phone to call Telekom their hotline, 100, could not be called from my house mate's mobile or the mobile of a friend I managed to catch online.
Secondly no one could get in touch with me whether to inform me of changes to my classes or just for fun. My tutor sent me three texts regarding our tutorial in the wards, Neha texted to ask for the name for a specific type of pasta, Shalendri couldn't get a hold of me to tell me that my 8.30am class had been cancelled and then there were all those texts and calls that I never got.
I suppose as a future doctor I should be contactable at all hours. Normally I leave my phone on all the time, answering phone calls and replying texts if required. But I thought, maybe, just maybe we didn't have to be so dependent on technology and we'd be able to make do the old fashioned way.
At times it wasn't that I needed to be contacted. The biggest frustration for me was not being able to be in constant contact with someone, with anyone. For me to vent, for me to share a random moment, for me to call and talk to just because I feel like it. I've found that I desire to be constantly linked with people. Because there will always be something that is worth sharing or that requires sharing so I do not burst. Not having the luxury to call or text left me feeling extremely lonely. Having to hope that my friends are coincidentally online when I am in order for me to be in touch with them is terribly depressing.
So then the friends that I did speak to, texted, Skyped with, wrote to, IMed with, who wrote on my Facebook wall...all those interactions were especially lovely. And I thank my lucky stars that while globalisation has meant that you are there and I am here, and there are miles in between, it still allows for communication.
So I get to hear voices, and read words and sometimes, with some people, see them too.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The JB Chronicles - Part 1
I'm back in KL this weekend and this is about the only time I have to update everyone on what life is in JB.
Well I have this view.
So here's what you can do: Come visit. I have a couch and lots of food. And I have a car. And I have a passport. So bring yours too.
Ashaari's coming soon!
Well I have this view.
The daily routine involves waking up, getting ready for uni, going to uni, having lunch at uni, spending the afternoon in the wards, back to the apartment, either doing housework or going out for a run/swim, getting dinner ready and then studying.
I get up at 6.30am and go to bed at 11.30am. Honestly, there's no time for me to realise I'm not living at home. Except when there's nothing to do then the loneliness hits like a rude slap.
The apartment
Is small! Ugh...my room in KL is bigger than the master bedroom. But at least I have a queen sized bed. I'm living with another girl, which is kind of a first. The only girls I've ever lived with are my mum and grandmum. There are a whole lot of us who live in the same block so that's nice. We can celebrate surprise birthdays by the pool. The pool is sheltered so it's cold. And of course there's no opportunity to sun yourself.
Housework
I am convinced that the sorry state of the skin on my fingers is due to detergent and a lack of vitamin C. I don't bother washing darks with darks, or lights with lights, or colours with colours. It all goes in (provided it doesn't need to be handwashed) and it all comes out. I hate ironing. The heat setting was too high on one of my favourite shirts and it the frayed while in the washing machine.
I have a ton of frozen food in the fridge but no vegetables (hence the lack of vitamin C).
Uni
They're throwing us off into the deep end but I actually like that. There are no exams for the first semester (oh yeah!) and no more lectures. The tutors here make us feel like idiots (but it's OK because we really are idiots) and the support staff is awesome.
I try to walk to uni everyday. The hospital is across the road from the apartment and a walk to the top of the hill where the uni campus is located is a 10 minute walk. So this means I have apparently lost some weight (yay!) and I have a tan.
Food at the cafeteria is cheeeeaaaaaappp! Compared to Sunway anything is cheap but I can get lunch for less than 3 ringgit.
The hospital
I'm in the surgical ward the the moment. The housemen are harried but they teach you lots. A lot of them smile. The patients are mostly old and come in with abdominal pain. It's all we see but that's what our topic is for the time being.
Not speaking Malay well is a handicap. I can ask all the questions but might not understand all the answers. And of course it's hard to express myself. How do you ask a patient to describe the pain they're feeling? "Entah lah, sakit je!" (I don't know. It's just painful).
We missed our operating theatre session because we had a rescheduled tutorial. I love wearing scrubs.
You see a lot of horrors here especially if you're used to private healthcare. I remember first stepping into the wards and finding it a warzone. I can't believe we spend millions of megaprojects and yet a hospital in a large town like JB has a hospital like this. OK, I'm getting all healthcare-inequality-socialist right now.
We thought one of the patients we interviewed had died. But we were given the wrong information. She was there the next day. Phew.
JB
It's cool to be back in some ways. I drive by my old houses often when I send Vin home or pick him up. In the morning I am awaken by the mosques calling people to prayer. Certain things haven't changed. How small the roads are, the goreng pisang stall, Kotaraya, how I know how to get from one place to another.
Other things are just out of place. I've always felt that development was forced upon the town instead of it happening naturally. There's a 4 lane ring road that passes through the house I use to live in (demolished for the highway). Some afternoons we go for a run and it's nice to be out in the greenery that's still around.
But it's boring. There's no place to hang out and that's when things get lonely. I go to school with everyone here. So Friday nights instead of being a highlight of the week is just a slightly more fancy extension of all our other days.
Things that I miss
Living at home where there are clean clothes and food. And love. And my brothers and my parents and my grandmum and my maid (OK, those of you who know my maid know that I love her like family).
KL where things are just so alive. All the things that happen in KL.
The non-med friends and doing non-med things.
My bed, my art, my books, my knick knacks. I refuse to bring them to JB because then I'll just be left with a mess.
I get up at 6.30am and go to bed at 11.30am. Honestly, there's no time for me to realise I'm not living at home. Except when there's nothing to do then the loneliness hits like a rude slap.
The apartment
Is small! Ugh...my room in KL is bigger than the master bedroom. But at least I have a queen sized bed. I'm living with another girl, which is kind of a first. The only girls I've ever lived with are my mum and grandmum. There are a whole lot of us who live in the same block so that's nice. We can celebrate surprise birthdays by the pool. The pool is sheltered so it's cold. And of course there's no opportunity to sun yourself.
Housework
I am convinced that the sorry state of the skin on my fingers is due to detergent and a lack of vitamin C. I don't bother washing darks with darks, or lights with lights, or colours with colours. It all goes in (provided it doesn't need to be handwashed) and it all comes out. I hate ironing. The heat setting was too high on one of my favourite shirts and it the frayed while in the washing machine.
I have a ton of frozen food in the fridge but no vegetables (hence the lack of vitamin C).
Uni
They're throwing us off into the deep end but I actually like that. There are no exams for the first semester (oh yeah!) and no more lectures. The tutors here make us feel like idiots (but it's OK because we really are idiots) and the support staff is awesome.
I try to walk to uni everyday. The hospital is across the road from the apartment and a walk to the top of the hill where the uni campus is located is a 10 minute walk. So this means I have apparently lost some weight (yay!) and I have a tan.
Food at the cafeteria is cheeeeaaaaaappp! Compared to Sunway anything is cheap but I can get lunch for less than 3 ringgit.
The hospital
I'm in the surgical ward the the moment. The housemen are harried but they teach you lots. A lot of them smile. The patients are mostly old and come in with abdominal pain. It's all we see but that's what our topic is for the time being.
Not speaking Malay well is a handicap. I can ask all the questions but might not understand all the answers. And of course it's hard to express myself. How do you ask a patient to describe the pain they're feeling? "Entah lah, sakit je!" (I don't know. It's just painful).
We missed our operating theatre session because we had a rescheduled tutorial. I love wearing scrubs.
You see a lot of horrors here especially if you're used to private healthcare. I remember first stepping into the wards and finding it a warzone. I can't believe we spend millions of megaprojects and yet a hospital in a large town like JB has a hospital like this. OK, I'm getting all healthcare-inequality-socialist right now.
We thought one of the patients we interviewed had died. But we were given the wrong information. She was there the next day. Phew.
JB
It's cool to be back in some ways. I drive by my old houses often when I send Vin home or pick him up. In the morning I am awaken by the mosques calling people to prayer. Certain things haven't changed. How small the roads are, the goreng pisang stall, Kotaraya, how I know how to get from one place to another.
Other things are just out of place. I've always felt that development was forced upon the town instead of it happening naturally. There's a 4 lane ring road that passes through the house I use to live in (demolished for the highway). Some afternoons we go for a run and it's nice to be out in the greenery that's still around.
But it's boring. There's no place to hang out and that's when things get lonely. I go to school with everyone here. So Friday nights instead of being a highlight of the week is just a slightly more fancy extension of all our other days.
Things that I miss
Living at home where there are clean clothes and food. And love. And my brothers and my parents and my grandmum and my maid (OK, those of you who know my maid know that I love her like family).
KL where things are just so alive. All the things that happen in KL.
The non-med friends and doing non-med things.
My bed, my art, my books, my knick knacks. I refuse to bring them to JB because then I'll just be left with a mess.
So here's what you can do: Come visit. I have a couch and lots of food. And I have a car. And I have a passport. So bring yours too.
Ashaari's coming soon!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
And Your Happiness?
I once read that in order to feel happy you should just be happy. Or was it the other way around? It made no sense until I made a list.
Listening to head-banging awesome music that is devoid of emo-nes
Remembering the summers of my youth where Nadiah and I would sunbathe in the garden and wash our hair in front of the neighbours
Dancing in the privacy and comfort of my room.
Spoken word
Playing in the rain, especially playing football where the ball would float on the puddles
Rugby, every Eid night, boys versus girls
Live music - Oasis and Incubus
Sitting in front of a Van Gogh painting for as long as I want
Moving my shoulders to the beat
Sitting by the roadside eating cendol only for it to rain
Sunsets over the rooftops
Water - an ocean, a river, a lake, rain, a shower, a bath
Textual communication - an MSN conversation, a Facebook message, a text in the middle of the night, endless emails
Activist work
Writing poetry
Taking photographs in places where there is so much natural light
The company of adults who treat me like one of them
The company of kids who think I am one of them
Helping a friend out
Sending and receiving mail
Buying gifts
The smell of lavender and washing powder
Comfort food
The view from KL tower
Driving my own car
Powederfinger's My Happiness
An amazing film
A compliment that comes out of nowhere
Goofing around until someone laughs
People who aren't afraid to goof around
Airports
Music from the 90s
My double-mattressed bed
Art
Making t-shirts
Conversations about God and the nature of God
Places of worship
Breathing in s l o w l y
People who have accents as bizarre as my own
Speaking half in Malay, half in English
Using "we're Punjabi" as an excuse
Speaking French
Loving - yes, loving people makes me happy
Chocolate Mousse
Tiramisu
Scrapbooks
Springbound notebooks
The kindness of strangers
The strumming of a steel string guitar
Lillies
Babies who fit perfectly in my arms
Dressing up for a night out
Putting on makeup
Being told a friend is getting married
Singing when you can't hear yourself
Postcards from faraway
Maps
Ticket stubs
Finding out the meaning of a name
Being asked "How are you?" knowing the person asking really wants to know how you're doing as opposed to asking it out of convention
Wearing black eyeliner
Finding soul mates over coffee
The idealism that this world has not stolen from me yet
Listening to a song and imagining how I would direct the music video
Stargazing
Cloudwatching
Driving along the highway with the windows down, belting out the lyrics to my favourtie song at the passing cars
Finding out you're related
The comfort of silence in a conversation
Talking during a film
Saturday, January 31, 2009
I Feel Like a Caterpillar
Ella Fitzgerald says "In my dreams you call me sweetheart". I wish I sang like Ella and not like this.
After the summer of my life I am bored, agitated, annoyed, restless, lonely, jaded, tired, lethargic, bordering on the insane, lazy, hazy, dazy, crazy.
So I'm sitting, waiting, wishing (yes, just like the song because my creativity is not quite as it is usually) for my life to kickstart again. And kickstart my heart (again like the song) so I feel something, anything, instead it just whirring along like nothing's ever happening.
But nothing is happening. Which makes tonight a little interesting. Just a little though.
I don't think I am quite coherent outside my mindbox.
And it's amazing just how everyone's left KL and in seven days I will be leaving too (only to come back the following weekend for some politicking, I think). I went through my phonebook and found no one to go out with on a Friday night. Tis like another chapter of my life coming to an end. How sad and pathetic.
This is a little bit of a rant. Just how I pictured it in my head.
I miss Shaun, Vin and Ikhwan. I miss Ibti. And I want to bloody talk to Neha on Skype but the woman is out all the time. I am going to miss Rafiq and our random makans. And the times Rash plonks himself on my bed and we talk about just how shit people are. And Faheem and how we talk in a completely different language. And watching silly kiddy movies with Shakeel. And shopping with Mum, and politicking with Dad.
Great friends stick by you even when they disagree with you. Bad ones tell you you're stupid, disappear and only come back to say "I told you so". I hope I am never a bad friend.
After the summer of my life I am bored, agitated, annoyed, restless, lonely, jaded, tired, lethargic, bordering on the insane, lazy, hazy, dazy, crazy.
So I'm sitting, waiting, wishing (yes, just like the song because my creativity is not quite as it is usually) for my life to kickstart again. And kickstart my heart (again like the song) so I feel something, anything, instead it just whirring along like nothing's ever happening.
But nothing is happening. Which makes tonight a little interesting. Just a little though.
I don't think I am quite coherent outside my mindbox.
And it's amazing just how everyone's left KL and in seven days I will be leaving too (only to come back the following weekend for some politicking, I think). I went through my phonebook and found no one to go out with on a Friday night. Tis like another chapter of my life coming to an end. How sad and pathetic.
This is a little bit of a rant. Just how I pictured it in my head.
I miss Shaun, Vin and Ikhwan. I miss Ibti. And I want to bloody talk to Neha on Skype but the woman is out all the time. I am going to miss Rafiq and our random makans. And the times Rash plonks himself on my bed and we talk about just how shit people are. And Faheem and how we talk in a completely different language. And watching silly kiddy movies with Shakeel. And shopping with Mum, and politicking with Dad.
Great friends stick by you even when they disagree with you. Bad ones tell you you're stupid, disappear and only come back to say "I told you so". I hope I am never a bad friend.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Australian Universities Rankings Part 2
Part 1 is here.
The second part of the Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings ranks the top 100 universities according to subjects.
So I'm looking at Life Sciences and Biomedicine. Once again 2007 rankings in brackets.
Melbourne is 26 (17), Sydney is 27 (23), Monash is 30 (22), Queensland is 32 (30), Australia National is 37 (27), New South Wales is 50 (49) and Western Australia is 81 (76).
NUS is 17 (12).
Meh.
The second part of the Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings ranks the top 100 universities according to subjects.
So I'm looking at Life Sciences and Biomedicine. Once again 2007 rankings in brackets.
Melbourne is 26 (17), Sydney is 27 (23), Monash is 30 (22), Queensland is 32 (30), Australia National is 37 (27), New South Wales is 50 (49) and Western Australia is 81 (76).
NUS is 17 (12).
Meh.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friends with Testosterone
I'm making a list of all my friends who I either consider my best friends, spend a lot of time with, whose company I enjoy tremendously, whom I email or chat with regularly, whom I am most comfortable with and with whom I can let go completely. They don't have to fulfill all the criteria. One is sufficient.
Just a quick mental count gets me to 50-50. Half of them are male. If I look at the ones who I see and talk to the most they're pretty much all male.
I'm trying to trace back when I started hanging out with guys and it brings me back to college. My girlfriends went to a different college and my best friend (who was a girl) moved to another country. So I was left with collegemates whom I adore until today. And then uni and then friends from outside uni and I've forgotten how to strike up a conversation with a girl.
Do I have a problem with it? Not really. I grew up with three brothers and a mother who is anything but a dainty woman. I grew up climbing trees and playing with Hot Wheels while also having my time with the kitchen set and dolls.
Am I proud of it? Not at all. The fact that I would prefer to spend time with a guy over a girl (unless the girl is a really close friend) and the fact that I have a better time with a guy is a little unnerving.
So what is it then? Is it because I grew up with boys that leads me to be comfortable around males that leads me to have more male friends or is it just another subconscious way of attracting a male's attention, whomever that male may be or whatever he means to me?
Someone once asked if I get pissed off when guys tell me things and expect me to understand it like a guy because they tell me these things as if I am one of them. I don't actually think they think I am male (because they would be idiots if they thought that). And despite them telling me, I think they are aware they're telling a girl and they're telling a girl because they want a girl's take on it.
That was one convoluted sentence.
The only time I have a problem with being around male friends is when they defeminise me, even if they do it jokingly, or assume that I'm not a real girl, or if I wear a dress or braid my hair I suddenly 'look like a girl'.
We talk so much about gender roles and how we should be progressive and break the traditions. I consider myself a fairly traditional person but I slam into a wall when it comes to this.
If you don't like it, well then you don't like it.
Just a quick mental count gets me to 50-50. Half of them are male. If I look at the ones who I see and talk to the most they're pretty much all male.
I'm trying to trace back when I started hanging out with guys and it brings me back to college. My girlfriends went to a different college and my best friend (who was a girl) moved to another country. So I was left with collegemates whom I adore until today. And then uni and then friends from outside uni and I've forgotten how to strike up a conversation with a girl.
Do I have a problem with it? Not really. I grew up with three brothers and a mother who is anything but a dainty woman. I grew up climbing trees and playing with Hot Wheels while also having my time with the kitchen set and dolls.
Am I proud of it? Not at all. The fact that I would prefer to spend time with a guy over a girl (unless the girl is a really close friend) and the fact that I have a better time with a guy is a little unnerving.
So what is it then? Is it because I grew up with boys that leads me to be comfortable around males that leads me to have more male friends or is it just another subconscious way of attracting a male's attention, whomever that male may be or whatever he means to me?
Someone once asked if I get pissed off when guys tell me things and expect me to understand it like a guy because they tell me these things as if I am one of them. I don't actually think they think I am male (because they would be idiots if they thought that). And despite them telling me, I think they are aware they're telling a girl and they're telling a girl because they want a girl's take on it.
That was one convoluted sentence.
The only time I have a problem with being around male friends is when they defeminise me, even if they do it jokingly, or assume that I'm not a real girl, or if I wear a dress or braid my hair I suddenly 'look like a girl'.
We talk so much about gender roles and how we should be progressive and break the traditions. I consider myself a fairly traditional person but I slam into a wall when it comes to this.
If you don't like it, well then you don't like it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
