With all that is happening in Malaysia, I keep praying that there will rise from among us, leaders who display hope, leadership and inspiration to galvanize Malaysians in the right direction. Without the idealism that freedom promotes, we are akin to lumbering giants unsure of our direction, fumbling here and there making every mistake we can.
To date, what we can see is a bunch of would-be power-brokers who manipulate prejudices, vanities, or our desires for certain issues as expressed in the Net or MSM.
We see loads of finger-pointing at those whom we feel are responsible for certain situations either for the sheer joy of raising them or because of genuine concerns, and we laud and magnify those who would speak up for the rakyat for the sheer euphoria of seeing freedom of speech at work. Yet, such occasions are rare because of many reasons.
Currently, official statements are mere rhetoric which are so contrived, tiresome and self-serving. Did the leaders even write those messages themselves and are words the best that they can offer? The threat to democracy in Malaysia is plain for all to see.
After 52 years of existence, Malaysians are well aware of the kind of leadership we need. Many quarters seem to have shown us that substance and leadership in political leaders are not as effective as "proven" strategies-the kind that repeat subtle lies, manipulate religious minds with false promises, and shamelessly attack their opponent's patriotism. In their quest for popularity, the higher-ups shape the messages or direction of certain parties or leaders and in doing so, we are deprived of the leadership that we so desperately need.
By hanging on to the thinking and clichés of the past which by themselves are inadequate to the stormy needs of the present, we are carving the wrong type of history for our nation. It is crucial that we remember that no personal significance or insignificance can spare any of us. The scary thought is that the current challenges that we are facing will be either a foundation of honor or dishonor to the next generation.
Leaders may claim they are fighting for truth, integrity, freedom, justice and compassion. By saying it, I hope that they realize the rest of the world will judge them by their words, and condemn them if they fail. Yet, we see many leaders in our midst who truly make an unforgettable spectacle of themselves, giving credence to Plato's words:
Wise men talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something. - Plato
Each of us has the power to remedy, to a certain extent, the problems that beset our nation. With that in mind, we can decide to either nobly save our country by doing what we know is right or meanly lose the last best hope for our country by conforming to norms and beliefs that go against the grain of our moral conscience.
The way is plain, moral, just - all inclusive. If we follow the way of our highest principles, the world will forever applaud, and God will surely forever bless.
What the should be the bulwark of our own nation? It should not be in a leader or in a party. It should be our belief in the love of liberty and democracy. If that is absent, then we can be sure that the seeds of despotism are at our doorstep. If some continue to trample the rights of others, they have lost focus of the meaning of merdeka and have become subjects of cunning tyrants who control them like puppets on a string.
Personally, I believe that citizens must be given the truth. I believe we are all mature enough to be depended upon to meet any national crisis. All we want is the plain truth - not lies or wishful thinking or rhetoric from synchopants.
Our leaders should uphold the highest ideals that were held in the hearts of our forefathers. They cannot forget that they were elected by the people to serve them and not the other way round. Most definitely, in our effort to pull ourselves out of such troubling times, we must remember that nationalism must never be blind or abstract loyalty to a particular leader or extreme agenda that demands blind obedience. True nationalism means the leaders must work towards honoring the will of the informed people and serving the general good of the whole nation.
If not, the rakyat will voice out their discontent in the ballot box in the next general elections.
Have a break and a good laugh with this light-hearted collection of hilarious quotes.
Some of these are really funny, some are silly, some are witty, but all in good fun.
In your busy everyday life, slow down, read a few funny quotes, laugh, recharge your energy and continue to seize your day!
May you always have something to laugh about! Have a great day!!!
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A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. Douglas Adams
An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her. Agatha Christie
Always remember that true beauty comes from within — from within bottles, jars, compacts, and tubes. Peter's Almanac
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes." Frieda Norris
Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law. Hubert Humphrey
Children really brighten up a household. They never turn the lights off. Ralph Bus
Committee - a group of men who keep minutes and waste hours. M. Berle
Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work. Robert Orben
Fashion is what you adopt when you don't know who you are. Quentin Crisp
He taught me housekeeping; when I divorce I keep the house. Zsa Zsa Gabor
I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.
Lily Tomlin
I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants. A. Whitney Brown
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. Douglas Adam
I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception. Groucho Marx
I used to sell furniture for a living. The trouble was, it was my own. Les Dawson
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman where the Self Help section was. She said if she told me it would defeat the purpose. Dennis Miller
If at first you do not succeed, then skydiving is surely not meant for you. Author Unknown
If at first you don't succeed, redefine success. Author Unknown
If it weren't for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn't get any exercise at all. Joey Adams
If you are not living life on the edge then you are taking up too much space. Author Unknown
If you can't go over it or through it, you'd better negotiate with it. Ashleigh Brilliant
If you have something to say and say nothing, you are really telling a lie. Ashleigh Brilliant
I'm astounded by people who want to 'know' the universe when it's hard enough to find your way around Chinatown. Woody Allen
I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want—an adorable pancreas? Jean Kerr
It is a scientific fact that your body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person's plate. Dave Barry
It is not necessary to understand, or believe, things in order to argue about them.
Pierce Caronde Beaumarchin
Lisa, Vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and eskimos. Homer Simpson
Look how often the unexpected happens -- yet we still never expect it. Ashleigh Brilliant
Love is temporary insanity curable by marriage. Ambrose Bierce
My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe. Jimmy Durante
No man is truly married until he understands every word his wife is NOT saying. Author Unknown
Nobody goes where the crowds are anymore. It's too crowded. Yogi Berra
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important. Bertrand Russell
One possible reason that I don't believe in fate is that I wasn't fated to. Ashleigh Brilliant
No, I don't have a solution, but I certainly admire the problem. Ashleigh Brilliant
Shopping is better than sex. At least if you’re not satisfied, you can exchange it for something you really like. Adrienne Gusoff
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words ... words might hurt me deeply, causing great emotional, mental, and psychological damage leading to a lowered self-esteem and decreased work-related efficiency. Anonymous
Strike while your employer has a big contract. Author Unknown
Tact is the art of making guests feel at home when that’s really where you wish they were. George E. Bergman
The conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. Arthur Bloc
The making of a journalist: no ideas and the ability to express them. Karl Kraus
The trouble with children is that they're not returnable. Quentin Crisp
The very purpose of existence is to reconcile the glowing opinion we hold of ourselves with the appalling things that other people think about us. Quentin Crisp
This woman did not fly to extremes; she lived there. Quentin Crisp
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein
When children are doing nothing, they are doing mischief. Henry Fielding
Why do people say "no offense" when they're about to offend someone? Author Unknown
Why is it when we talk to God we're praying, but when God talks to us, we're schizophrenic? Lily Tomlin
You have to be careful if you don't know where you're going because you might not get there. Yogi Berra
You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you're down there. George Burns
