Success Principles

Right Perspectives on What are Significant

2009-10-29T02:42:52+01:00

More than a week has passed since my former band mates, Jeff, Willie, Joe, (Andy Couldn't make it), and I attended the funeral of an old friend who passed away just slightly more than a year after he retired. In the words of his son-in-law, he was planning to launch into a new phase of his life as a training consultant. As the saying goes, "man proposes, God disposes," Richard did not get to see his plan materialize.

Richard's passing on triggered my memories to flash-back on the things we did together when we were young and how he once saved my life from a spear which was heading for my chest. He used his palm to block the spear and suffered several stitches at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital. He was the one who acted as our band, Apaches', no-pay manager. All he got was fun and fellowship together with a group of pop music lovers. We were quite wild and naughty and did things that we won't allow our children to do. Those were fun days where friendship was just pure friendship. We played together, ate together, fought together, slept together and performed together. He was like a big brother to us.

Richard's passing on reminds us again that our day will come and no amount of wealth or power can change that. All that we can do is to stay as healthy as possible, do all that we have passion for and enjoy the involvement, love the people we love and spend more time together, and serve our fellow human whenever possible. It is said that those among us who are truly happy are those who serve others. I once asked a Rinpoche the purpose of life of humans and his answer was "serve other living beings."

As we advance in age, we must spend more time with the people we love and extend our love to more people that surround us. People 1st always.

I received a beautiful powerpoint slide show on "What Matters" in my email and I have forwarded it to many of my friends to share it with them. It is really beautiful and reflected my thoughts of the last one week of reflection on the fragility of life.

I reproduce my the content of my email for my readers' information and hopefully will inspire you to do spend more time with your loved ones. And.... together, extend your love to more people.

"Hi Brothers, sisters and friends,

Just attended an old friend's funeral a week ago and memories flashed back on the things we did together.

How this friend, Richard Quee, actually saved my life once! How we missed making time for each other and barely a year or so into his retirement, he is gone.

No time for us to catch up on old times and thank each other for the simple but wonderful times together.

May God bless his soul as he rests in peace.

As for us who are still around, remember, People 1st. Let's hold friendship as an end and not a means; and that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepted friendship in the spirit in which it is given. Let's keep in touch as often as we can.

Warmest regards.

Sam

If any of my readers are interested to receive a copy of "What Matters", please send in your request and I shall be delighted to forward a copy to you. God bless.

Comments

Thoughts become Things

2009-10-27T15:30:14+01:00

I read somewhere that everything starts with a thought. It goes like this- thoughts become words; words become actions; actions become habits; habit become character/attitude; character determines destiny!

On the premise, what will happen if a people has the thought that they are not as capable or not as competitive as the other races in a country? From young they have been reminded by political leaders and policies and practices that they needed help and handicap in order to catch up with the other races economically? I leave the answer to my readers to conclude by tracing the pattern of how a person's destiny is determined by his or her thoughts. This is what people call leaving it to your imagination. Albert Einstein has said that imagination is very powerful as with imagination, people can make things to happen.Imagination is also a form of thought.

I used to use the analogy of two families leaving side by side each other. Let's name the first family A and the second family B.

A is very successful while B is struggling to make ends meet.

As a result, B is very envious of A and keeps on reminding his son that he can never be as good as A's son as A is more intelligent and succesful than himself. With the advantage that A can provide for his son, how can B's son compete with A's son? Thus, B will make all attempts to provide for him to ensure that he can make it in life.

On the other hand, A brings his son up by telling him that everything is possible if he believes that he can. He must do it, experience it, and conquer it, no matter how difficult it might be. Depend on himself and his imagination. Whatever that seems impossible is because he has not learn the way to do it yet. Just don't give up and explore ways to overcome the challenge. It will eventually be done and upon overcoming it, A's son will become more confident and capable.

Thus, both the children grew up under such circumstances guided by the two fathers, A and B. Who do you think will be more confident and successful? I leave it to you imagination.

I have always believe that the Almighty is omnipotent and fair to all His creations. Every human is blessed with a human mind that is super powerful and for purposes that He intends us to achieve. If only we use more of it, we will become more successful in achieving whatever we desire. On the other hand, it is also very sensitive. It feels unwanted if it is neglected and not used. Use it or lose it! The more one uses one's mind, the more intelligent and powerful the mind becomes.

The more challenges and mistakes one makes, the more resourceful and confident one will become.

Thus, face all the challenges and make all the mistakes that one has to face as young as possible so that one will have more time to savour and learn from the lessons that these bring with them. One will also have more time to recover when these are faced when one is young. The younger one is when facing these challenges, the more time one will have to learn from them, and convert them to resources to enable one to succeed.

Thus, let our thoughts flow. Let our mind imagine. Let these thoughts be positive thoughts of possibilities. These will drive us to action and when actions are repeated, they will become habits that form our character and attitude. Our attitude will then determines our destiny!

As leaders, we must sow positive thoughts of possibilities. Then our followers and people will become confident and ready to face all the challenges that are thrown at them. The right thoughts and attitude are what people need.

Our attitude, not aptitude, shall determine our altitude.

We shall then be so much more confident in ourselves and not have to depend on crutches to make a success of life.

Thoughts truly can become things that we desire!

Comments

Ability to accept criticism = Self-confidence

2009-10-26T04:03:37+01:00

As I was reading an article in Malaysia Today on how freely and prematurely Malaysians shower praises on their leaders, I note an observation by Bakri Musa, the contributor, which I thought is very important for leaders to note, understand and practice.

I would like to re-produce this statement in total below so that all can note the significance of this attitude which shall place all leaders in good state.

((Even a gifted and charismatic leader as Barack Obama, with an overwhelming mandate from the people, welcomes criticism. As he said in a White House Correspondents? dinner, ?I may not agree with everything you write or report. I may even complain, ? but I do so with the knowledge that when you are at your best, then you help me be at my best.))

Notice the humility and confidence that exudes from this remark by Obama??

A confident yet humble leader is what people desire to have in their communities, organizations, or nations. As a leader, one must understand that only true and sincere followers and comrades tells the truth. And truth, most times, hurts! However, they are necessary for leaders as a mechanism to self-examine and self-check their plans and decisions, so that changes can be made where necessary.

From experience and observations, I have noted that only confident leaders are capable of accepting criticism.

Thus, the ability to accept criticism is one of the bencemarks of assessing the confidence of a leader. Humility is the other. As stated in the Bible, "Those who exalt themselves shall be humbled, and those who humble themselves shall be exalted."

Comments

Power vs Responsibility

2009-10-24T01:29:54+02:00

While listening to the recording of a state executive councilor this morning,I heard the word POWER being mentioned several times. He mentioned that his team was moved from obscurity to power of the state. He is of course not the first, or only politician that has consciously or unconsciously, assume himself to be in a position of power.

True. Politicians do seem to be in positions of power but where did they get the power from. From the people who voted them in! Thus, the real powers are in the hands of the people with the right to vote. Politicians must therefore be always conscious that their power are entrusted to them. They by themselves have no power!

As long as leaders believe that they have power, they will eventually get drunk with the illusion that the power is their right. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupt absolutely. I can even recall that during the 80s, a certain opposition politician from Penang even believed that he was voted in because he was good looking. this was reported in the main media!

In this respective, I am of the opinion that politicians and leaders in various types of organizations, whether political or non-political, must instead use the term RESPONSIBILITY more often. Replace the word POWER with RESPONSIBILITY. When one keeps reminding oneself that one's position is one of responsibility, then one will eventually become conscious of the fact that we are voted into positions of responsibility, not power.

When leaders start to be conscious of their responsibility and that they were elected to take care of the well-being and rights of the people that voted them in, then they will be more service-oriented. They become SERVANT LEADERS! They will also become humbled with humility.

Currently, it is not uncommon to witness the arrogance and high and mighty attitude of many politicians when you meet with them. The higher position that they hold will make them more arrogant and hard to meet. When one walk pass them, they don't even smile at you as though you are transparent. Yes, this is real as I have seen such situations happening many, many times at the supermarket, airport, etc. To meet them would require appointments and they are so difficult to fix. However, during election time, these come by easily. They smile often and shake hands before you can even extend yours! Why the dual personality? Why not be always humble and friendly to all regardless of whether they voted one or not?

When one become conscious and accept that whatever positions of responsibility are entrusted with us, we must live up to the trust place in us and deliver the service. Be a servant to the people who elected us! Not their boss, for eventually it is they who have the real power. The leaders only have responsibility, I repeat, responsibility, to serve!

Seek for the responsibility to serve and power becomes irrelevant.

Comments

Life over 55

2009-10-21T05:16:10+02:00

OVER 55..... Living the Golden Years!

This morning when going through my emails, I noted an interesting article forwarded to me by my very good friend and fellow Lion member, Patrick Chew.

We have known each other for a good length of time and have mutual respect for each other.

As we grow older, we value our friendship even more.

We have breakfast with another of our very dear friend who is 86 years of age very frequently.

So when Patrick forwarded this article to me, and after reading it, I felt that I should share with as many friends as possible so that we will live our lives with more gusto.

Life is still great after 55 if we live it beyond ourselves. Live for others as well, and we will find that we have entered another phase of our lives.

I am pleased to share with you what Patrick shared with me.

Enjoy!

1) Focus on enjoying people , not on indulging in or accumulating
material things

2) Plan to spend what you have saved Don't leave anything for children
to quarrel about.

3) Live in the.. Here n Now!

4) Enjoy your grandchildren but don't be their babysitter

5) Accept physical weakness, sickness n other physical pains... Enjoy
your health now

6) Enjoy what you are n what you have right now. Stop working hard
for what you dont have... Its too late probably.

7) Enjoy your life with your spouse, children, grandchildren n friends
People who truly love you, love you for yourself not for what you have

8) Forgive n accept forgiveness. Forgive yourself n others. Enjoy peace
of mind n peace of soul.

9) Not trying to be morbid but befriend death. Its natural part of life
cycle Dont be afraid of death cos its the beginning of a new n better
life with the Almighty

10)Be at peace with your Creator... For He is all you have after you
leave this sojourn on Earth.

Reading through the above, I found that I have been doing many of them and will do more of them so that I can have an even more meaningful life.

Cheers!

Comments

Leadership Honor & Morality

2009-10-21T04:39:33+02:00

Honor & Morality - a leadership perspective

The many political happenings in Malaysia provide a rich reservoir of cases for studies in leadership traits. As one study more into the various models of leadership like servant leadership, principle-centered leadership, people-task oriented leadership, etc, the trait approach to leadership has slowly gone down the ladder of importance. Malaysia provides strong confirmation on this trend.

Let us look at the MCA crisis after the 10/10 EGM.

Of the 3 resolutions voted on, it was clear that President, Dato Seri Ong Tee Keat and Deputy President, Dato Seri Chua Soi Lek have both lost their bids to stay in power. In the Deputy President’s situation, it was very clear. He can only remain a member. However, in the case of the President, it was a bit dicey

From a constitutional view point, the president has not lost his seat. After all the constitution states that it requires a two-third majority of delegates votes to remove him. However, President Dato’ Seri Ong has declared before the EGM that he and the Central Committee would have to vacate their seats if they lost on the voting of the resolutions, even if it was by a simple majority. He said that from the democratic practice viewpoint, he and the central committee are morally and honor bound to vacate their positions as the delegates already lost their confidence in them. Therefore, all who were in the president’s camp must vacate their seats.

Now, it appears that President Ong is having second thought. The central committee is also having second thought. Meanwhile, the Deputy President’s camp is pushing for fresh election. It claimed that the President and central committee have lost their right to stay in power morally. How would students of leadership look at this case?

For me, I would prefer that all parties concerned honor their pledges.

First, the deputy president should give up his dream of ever serving in this capacity again. Since the delegates have rejected his demand for re-instatement, he should not only accept his fate but also understand that he is honor-bound not to stand for the position again. That is honor and moral!

Second, since the delegates have voted as per the result declared, i.e. lack of confidence in the president (even though it is only 14 votes difference), the president should step down. He made the declaration as mentioned above and thus, his action now must be to ensure that he walks the talk. However, if he has not mentioned that he and the central committee would step down if they lose in any of the resolutions, the consequence would be different. He can then rely on the constitution and it would be perfectly in order.

Thirdly, the central committee (those in the president’s camp) must also vacate their positions since they have agreed with the declaration made by the president prior to the EGM. They cannot expect to have the president out while they remain in their positions. Then they might claim that they did not say that they will resign. But by keeping silent, they have created the perception to the people at large that they were with the president then. Thus, for them to stay on, would be morally wrong and not honorable.

As I see it, the president has decided to stay on to clean up the mess, and the central committee members have decided to get the president to vacate his seat. They talk about respecting the decision of the voting delegates and accordingly, the president is honor bound to step down. “It is alright for them to stay on and not face a new election.” Is this correct? Is it alright to ask the president to keep to his words now while they are exempted from these words? As leaders, this would be most dishonorable.

Thus, before one opens up one’s gap, make sure one is prepared to honor whatever comes out of the gap. If one disagree with what was said of oneself, one must speak up and refute whatever was said. Otherwise, we have agreed in silence. One just cannot renege on what one has promised to do.

However, in the current MCA situation, I view it that the president’s decision to stay on temporarily should be acceptable. The reason for him to stay on temporarily is to enable him to ensure that not only must he vacate his seat, he must also ensure that his team-mates in the central committee also vacate theirs. If he can’t persuade them to do so, then he must call for fresh election to have them face the voting delegates. Ultimately, the voting delegates, better still, if the membership, is allowed to decide. Like via a referendum? However, the president must state his stand so that the membership are assured that he is staying on to fulfill his undertaking.

In this respect, I view that his decision to call for a second EGM is perfectly in order if his intention is to enable him to make sure that he and his team-mates honor their declaration. They must all quit! If they still desire to continue serving, they must face the voting delegates and get their endorsement that they are still eligible and wanted. It is only through the EGM that they can continue to serve honorably and with dignity.

Otherwise, they will be viewed as power crazy opportunists clinging onto their position at all cost, just to stay in power. Also, their position in the Barisan National will be weak and thus, unable to represent the views of our community effectively.

What a shame? And, what a sad state of affair that would be for the MCA and the Chinese community?

Lead and serve with honor, morality and with dignity!

Comments

Attitude of Gratitude

2009-10-11T12:31:44+02:00

The Attitude of Gratitude

My adoptive mother was an illiterate but she had a wealth of stories which she used to teach her children. One of the values in life that she taught when we were young was the attitude of gratitude.

She taught us this value by telling us a story of a Chinese boy in olden days China and his snake friend. Apparently, this little boy saw a group of his classmates about to kill a little snake and he intervened to stop the killing. He took this little snake under his protection and kept him as a pet. He kept this snake in a box and when in school kept it in his studies drawer. However, as the snake grew, he could not hide it anymore and finally was compelled by his teacher to release the snake which has grown into an adult snake. He took it to the jungle at the fringe of his village and told his loving pet that though reluctant, he had to let it return to the jungle as people were not comfortable having it in the community. He saw his snake friend slid into the jungle and went home with a heavy heart.

As time went by, he grew into a successful scholar and decided to take the imperial examination in the capital of China which was quite a distance away from his village. As was done during that era, he had to walk to the capital city to participate in the examination. As he passed one of the small towns, he heard a female voice calling his name. He responded and look back to see who called him. However, he saw no one and after a short while continued with his journey. By then, night has set in and he booked himself into an inn. At the check in counter, the inn keeper asked if he heard anyone calling him during his journey to which he responded in the positive.

The inn keeper sighed and look concerned. He then told the scholar that he would die that night as the voice was from the centipede spirit which had killed many people who passed by the same road leading to the inn. The scholar was scared and feared for his life but then, what can he do. So he decided to lock all the windows and door of his room and kept vigil the whole night. Just as it reached mid-night, a strong wind blew opened the one of the windows and in crawled a huge centipede which was ten feet long. She approached the scholar and as he stood there frozen. Unable to shout or move.

Just as it was about to plant its poisonous teeth at the scholar’s neck, another gust of wind blew in a there appeared a huge snake which started to battle the centipede. The scholar could recognize that it was his snake friend which he released a few year ago. The battle between the snake and the centipede went on for a few hours until both bled themselves to death. With its last breath, the snake slid itself to the feet of the scholar and lay there dead.

The snake had not left the scholar all this while and repaid the scholar’s kindness with its life when he was in grave danger. Even a snake which is much feared and disliked by people knew that it is important to repay kindness given.

Thus, as a young boy then, the story sounded very interesting and real to me and the message that people should be grateful for kindness or help given was ingrained into my mind.

To this day, I have not forgotten this simple but profound story that taught me the attitude of gratitude. Not too long ago, on a trip to visit my fellow Lions in Triang, a town in the state of Pahang, I met Lion Tang who shared this Chinese philosophy with us:-

“Three important tasks that have to be performed soonest are, “repaying kindness, being filial, and, performing charitable acts.”

One must always repay kindness showered on us soonest. Filial piety is of great importance and everyone must treat their parents with respect care, and love. I'd like to extend this further to include piety to teachers, senior relatives, and mentors as well. As one progresses in our lives stature, we must not forget that our community and environment provided the platform for us to succeed. So, repaying it through community service and charity is necessary to sustain the growth and prosperity of our community and environment. We must be in harmony with our community and environment.

Thus, make it our lives' purpose to be grateful for all the blessings that have been showered on you no matter how small they may be. Big or small, be grateful for all. Serve others to the best of our ability.

Stay healthy and well so that we can be of purpose to ourselves and community! Be grateful for all these opportunities!

Comments

PERCEPTION, "MORE REAL" than reality

2009-10-11T01:19:17+02:00

Everyone plays two roles when it comes to leadership. Certain time, we are leaders, and at a different time, we are followers. Thus, whether we like it or not, we assume responsibility as leaders or followers under different circumstances and must therefore be conscious of these responsibility as our words and actions paint images and pictures of ourselves, our organizations and the people we claim to lead.

To illustrate the above point, I would like to take the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Extra General Meeting, a current hot topic, which concluded yesterday, 10th October 2009 as an example.

The more than 2000 voting delegates, played the leadership role as representatives of their members, to cast their votes that decided the outcome of the resolutions that determined the fate of the two top MCA national leaders, i.e. Ong Tee Keat and Dr. Chua Soi Lek. The backgrounds of these two leaders have been publicized in the news media very extensively and we, especially the voting delegates, have a very clear picture of them. One has been projected as fearless, straight-talking and independent-thinking, while the other, as one whose morality has much to be desired due to a sex scandal. Based on these information, we and the voting delegates would have all have our own perception of them. It is with such a personal image of these two leaders that the voting delegates have to make very major decisions on behalf of their members and also, the Chinese community, if the MCA still desire to lay claims that it represents the interest of the Chinese.

Thus, how these voting delegates voted is suppose to represent the views of the MCA membership and the Chinese, and thus, the type of people in the MCA, and, the Chinese community!

From the results reported by the STAR, which are shown below, I would like readers to share their personal feelings, rightly or wrongly, with us. As an ordinary Chinese, how do we perceive these MCA voting delegates to be, and could we trust them to lead us and take care of our interest, and make decisions on our behalf?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Results of the voting on the three resolutionsas reported by The STAR:

Resolution 1: That the members of the general assembly have no confidence in the leadership of president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Adopt: 1155
Reject: 1141
Margin: 14

Resolution 2: That the presidential council's decision on Aug 26 in accepting the recommendation of the disciplinary board and the subsequent decision of the central committee (if any) to expel or suspend Dr Chua is annulled.

Adopt: 1204
Reject: 1095
Margin: 109

Resolution 3: That Dr Chua be rightfully restored as MCA deputy president.

Adopt: 1110
Reject: 1184
Margin: 74
------------------------------------------------------------------

As Chinese, what perception and image do we have on the majority of these MCA leaders, in this case, the MCA voting delegates? What are our answers to the questions?

1. Does the result of the EGM demonstrate that they are prepared to
accept leaders with low morality?

2. Are they willing accept members with low morality?

2. Are they prepared to accept straight-forward and independent
thinking leaders that speak their mind?

3. Are they prepared to sacrifice courageous leaders that are willing
to put their neck on the chopping board in the fight against
corruption.

4. Are they willing to have leaders that can stand up and speak for
the interest of all Malaysians without having to look at UMNO's stand.

5. Are they capable of making correct decisions?

6. Are the leaders they choose, deserving of our support in the next
general election?

7. Are they capable of changing to be in line with our needs,
expectations and demands in facing a more and more global environment?

The way leaders make decisions, behave and react to challenges and environment tells us lots of things about them. Each of us may have different interpretation of these processes, but it is what message leaders transmit to us and how we perceive them to be that count. Perception, rightly or wrongly, can be more critical in our decision-making process than reality. Thus, leaders must through their words and actions attract the right perception that they desire in order to remain as effective leaders.

The way the voting delegates voted has told us lots about them and the MCA.

We shall decide on whether we accept or reject them as dependable and effective leaders at the next general election.

How we decide on our leaders will create the picture of how our future generations perceive us to be!

PERCEPTION, MORE REAL, than reality! It better be good!

Comments

Respecting People; Delivering Promises

2009-10-09T05:38:42+02:00

Respect People’s Intelligence by Delivering Promises. A very simple to talk about desire of leaders, but a most difficult challenge to perform as has been seen over the 52 years that we have experienced and witnessed in our political leaders, especially, those in government. In this respect, I like to refer to John Lee's article in the Malaysian Insider recently, Too much is enough.

John Lee's “Too much is enough” contains very telling effects of leaders that do not walk the talk. Worse when they seemed to be walking in the opposite directions. Worse still, when after being given several chances to make amends, they still continue to practice the opposites of what they preached!

John’s closing paragraph – “There is absolutely no reason to keep voting Barisan back into power. Barisan is as predictable as clockwork; each prime minister promises us the things we want, and each prime minister delivers the exact opposite of his promises. There is no dilemma here; we know exactly what a Barisan government will deliver. We have yet to learn what exactly Pakatan can accomplish. If you really are fed up with billions of your ringgit going down the drain, if you really are fed up with leaders more obsessed about the colour of your skin than the content of your character, you ought to vote for Pakatan.”, demonstrates so very clearly that when leaders misplace the trust of their people over and over again, there come a time when their people would prefer to even opt for leaders who may not have the experience but with sincere intention to lead for the benefits of their people. Any leader that misplaced the trusts of the people consistently and persistently will find it very difficult, if not, impossible to regain such trusts.

The lessons from John’s article is indeed most enlightening and useful for people who intend to serve as leaders, especially in politics. These intending leaders must first learn to lead themselves. Then lead their family, the organizations that they serve. Nothing can prove their worth to the people they intend to lead better than by walking the talk!
If we can't lead ourselves, don’t aspire to lead others! It is like the blind leading the blind. Worse still, it is cheating on the people we intend to lead!

Still aspiringt to be leaders??? Walk the Talk in everything we preach and do! Be the role model of our preaching! People will then accept us.

Comments

Morality & Integrity of Leadership

2009-10-01T05:12:52+02:00

Morality and Integrity of Leadership

As Malaysians are watching and commenting on our political leaders’ debate of fighting corruption, being transparent and accountable to the rakyat, and putting people 1st, it is ironical that leaders who have been proven to have low morality, dishonest, and corrupt are being nominated for high positions of responsibility.

Can one imagine a major political party in a country, which is a senior component party that constitute the government of the day, having an extra ordinary meeting to fight for the reinstatement of one of its very senior leader, who have had videos of his prowess in having sex with someone other than his wife, as its Deputy President? Just not too long ago, the most senior component party in the government, nominated a disbarred lawyer to represent the party in a by-election. And, now, another of its leader, whose membership was suspended for three years, is being nominated to represent the party in a forth-coming election.

Where is our sense of morality and integrity?

This question brings to mind that not too long ago, a senior leader of one of the component party that forms the government which is still in power till this date, was video having sex with some ladies. He did the only honorable thing to do by resigning and has since been stayed out of politics.

More recently, just two days ago, the STAR news-paper reported that Miss Singapore World 2009, Miss Ris Low, someone who does not have as heavy a responsibility as our political leaders, was exposed and took responsibility for her misdeed of committing credit card fraud, and did the only honourable thing to do, i.e. resigning from her prestigious position and surrendering her title. How do we view our leaders that possess years of experience in responsible positions, still wanting to stay on and fight for positions when they can’t live up to the moral and integrity expectation of the rakyat?.

How will the rakyat bring itself to trust its leadership’s clarion call of 1Malaysia, People First, and other calls for a clean and people-oriented government in view of its choice of leaders?

Can we believe that the government will walk the talk when it consistently seems to act otherwise?

How moral and what integrity do the leaders mentioned above have, when they have been proven to have done those immoral and dishonest acts?

Morality and integrity are not earned with words and slogans, but, with actions and track records of consistency in walking the talks. As the saying goes, talk is cheap, action is what counts and produce the required results of winning confidence and trust. Positive talks and actions bring forth positive results; negative talks and negative action, negative results! Positive talks, but, negative actions, also bring forth negative results!

As leaders, their actions must be in alignment with their words and slogans consistently. Over time, such talks and actions will bear fruits and thus, gain the rakyat’s trust and confidence. Then, and only then, will the rakyat put its faith and trust in them.

Just as leaders must have high morality and integrity, political party members and the rakyat must also demonstrate their commitment to these qualities by ensuring that only leaders of such caliber are voted into office to lead the party and the rakyat. When leaders of questionable morality and integrity are voted into high offices, it reveals the members’ and rakyats’ qualities as well. If and when party members and rakyat vote leaders of questionable morality and integrity into positions of responsibility, it shall be a sad day for our country.

The people deserve the leaders that they vote into office!

High morality and integrity are the bedrock of excellent leaders. These cannot be compromised!

Comments

Truly Colour-blind

2009-09-29T01:28:07+02:00

As our national leaders talk about racial integration and tolerance of one another in a multi-racial country, some civil societies are practicing and serving the needy and less-fortunate in our communities without consciousness of their colours. Before I proceed further, let me clarify that I do not subscribe to people tolerating each other. I prefer that we understand, accept and respect each other as we are.

I would like to draw my readers' attention to non-governmental service organizations like the Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and the like, where it is distinctly incorporated in their constitutions that their members must rise above race, religion and creed in their membership and the service to the needy and less-fortunate. The most admirable thing is that these requirements are practiced and seen to be carried out.

Let me share my personal observations as a member of the Lions Club in Malaysia with you and why I stayed on for 33 years to serve with this organization.

Firstly, practically all the important document of this organization, from the Constitution, Statement of Purposes, and Code of Ethics, prescribed very clearly its non-racial, non-religous and non-sectarian nature.

Also, the constitution of every of its clubs prescribed that funds for community services (project funds) raised from their fund-raising activities must be kept separate from their administration account which consists mainly of its members' subscriptions. Thus, any examining its accounts will have a clear picture of its financial situation. Project funds can only be used for services that benefit the community and on no account can it be used for administrative purposes. This is the level of discipline that Lions Clubs members are subjected to. Their accounts are of course audited annually by elected honorary auditors. There is also a requirement that clubs present their accounts during their annual general meeting, at least three times in a year at the Zone Meeting, and forward their financial statement to their District Governor's office and Lions Clubs International Headquarters half-yearly. As you can observe from the above requirements, Lions Clubs' financial positions are monitored at several level.

On its multi-racial, and multi-cultural standing, it can be noted in Malaysia that despite of its membership being predominantly Chinese, its District Governors over the last 50 years have consisted of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Kadazans. For the prestigious international position of Internation Director, where only two (2) Malaysians have had the oppotunity to serve, we have the honour of electing a Malay member of the feminine gender to represent us. This definitely speaks volume of our members level of colour-blindness. We are indeed proud to be colour-blind in this situation!

In terms of community projects, the Lions have served all regardless of race, religious or political affiliation. Community projects are carried out in the kampongs, new villages and even extend into the remote areas where "orang asli" settlements. Renal Centres, and Eye Clinic, mobile eye and health screening services are carried out all over the country to all Malaysians.

My 33 years of involvement with this organization has indeed been most educational and enlightening where I have concluded that all Malaysians can live and serve together with the right leadership and right intentions.

Let's all, from our national leaders to the ordinary rakyat be colour-blind!

Comments

Thoughts & Words have Powers!

2009-09-28T14:16:20+02:00

Thoughts & Words have Powers!

by SuccessDynamics @ 2009-09-28 – 21:06:39

This weekend, I have been engaged to give a talk on Words of Mouth Marketing. In researching for my presentation, my thoughts naturally drew my attention to the power of thoughts and words. What we believe sincerely and focused on intensely can become reality. Thus, we must be careful with what we think and say. Our leaders should also take this seriously. Since words can sell products, they can also be deployed to mould mind-sets!

I also reflected on certain negative leaders that continuously harp on the need to provide special assistance and handicap to certain segment of society to help them compete. Can one imagine, if competing within one country, we require handicapping, what will happen when we have to compete with the rest of the world??? I dread to imagine.

The time has come where everyone in the world has got to be ready and prepared to compete in a globalized and liberalized world. Like it or not, everyone has got to be at their best in order to edge out a decent living, and some of us may prosper richly. Therefore, we must be psychologically and professionally equipped to face this challenge. We must transcend national boundaries and adapt to take on challenges like everyone else and emerge fitter and stronger, and most importantly emerge winners. Let us have the world as our market!

In this respect, our leaders must change their approach and start telling our people that we are ready and capable of competing with the best in the global market on our own. We will definitely have to overcome much challenges and obstacles, but with resilience, we will conquer them and triumph over them. We must persist till we succeed!

Do our leaders believe that we are able to face these challenges which require everyone to be the best they can be? I sincerely hope that they can answer in the positive! What we need is for our leaders to believe and trust us that we, the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Dayaks, Kadazans, and all, can, and given the right encouragement,tap on our potentials and inert abilities to compete with anyone, anywhere. Don't tell any one of us that we need special assistance and handicap because in the long run, they will paralyse us, and make us into real handicapped in the global market place.

The truth is we can compete with the best given the chance. The challenges thrown at us will make us fitter and stronger. We may not be comfortable initially, but over time and trials and errors, we will become the wiser in competing with the best. The laws of the jungle where the fittest survive will become our instincts and programmes that will give us the advantage. I also believe that we Malaysians have the unique multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural skills that we take for granted, but are powerful attributes that put us in an advantageous position to compete with many who find it difficult to adapt to differing cultures.

Thus, our leaders must remember that their thoughts and words are powerful and can build or destroy our peoples' confidence and attitude towards competition with the rest of the world. Don't over-emphasize and lead us to just compete with ourselves. Instead, lead us to build on our respective strength and complement each other in competing with the rest of the world. We will emerge winners when our leaders think, speak and act like winners. We are what they are if they walk the talk and we are allowed to think and speak critically and freely.

In conclusion, let us remind ourselves that our thoughts and words have power and will spur us to action that eventually determine our success as nation of great and caring people.

Comments

Lucky? Or Universal Law of Attraction?

2009-09-27T07:54:20+02:00

Had a reflection with my wife for 33 years, Molly, on her new job today.

Molly has always be very blessed in the sense that very thing seems to come her way when it is wished for.

Well, she married me in 1976 and we have had an interesting life together with lots of joy, quarrels, adventures, and experiences. We share many things in common, like serving the sick and needy, and learning.We love food too. although she didn't like durian initially, she learned to love it after our marriage.

Over the past 33 years, we have journeyed together through thick and thin and have emerged closer.

Coming back to her new job.

Just as she was due for retirement on 5th September 2008, she got an extension for a year with her employer. Then, when she was due to retire again this September, she was offered a job by a very close friend whose firm is in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, which is about 20 minutes drive away from where we stay, if there is no traffic congestion. As usual, things seem to come her way again. When she reported for work, she found that one of her line-dancing friend is also working in the same firm. This friend also stays where we are staying, i.e. Subang Jaya. So, they decided to car-pool and go to work every morning together!

Is this what people call luck?

I believe this is the works of the Law of Attraction.

Both, Molly and I have been socially conscious and have served those in need of our services wherever and whenever possible. We have been active consistently doing our part in the rendering of services to whatever cause that we have the ability to serve.

In the process of serving, we have befriended like-minded people. As we serve sincerely and conscientiously, our friends in service have the opportunity to know us better. This in turn gain us their endearment and respect and we become better friends. Likewise, they too gain our trust and endearment and our friendship grows.

Thus, the job offer for Molly and also, having a friend who stays near of place of residence as her colleague.

Thus, one is seemed to be lucky when the universal Law of Attraction grants her rewards. The more we give, so shall we receive. As we sow, so shall we reap.

The Law does work! Serve unconditionally, and let the Law take care of the rest.

Comments

The Price for Trust is Consistency in Purpose & Actions

2009-09-26T13:53:55+02:00

Today, I read an article by Anil Netto and she made the following observations which are appended below.

"The outflow shows that investors, including Malaysian firms, find investment opportunities not so good in Malaysia and that's why they are moving abroad," said Subramaniam. "The government has to look into why they are not finding it attractive to invest here despite the risk involved in moving their funds abroad."

Last year, approved foreign investment slumped to $3.0 billion in the first half of 2009, compared with $13.3 billion for the whole of 2008, according to the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority. It's not just foreign investment that has fallen: approved new domestic projects dropped to $1.5 billion in the first half this year, compared with the already low $4.8 billion for the whole of 2008."

Do we really have to look elsewhere to find the reasons?

As a layman, my humble observation is simple and frank.

Investors must have faith in and trust a country's political stability, consistency in policies, and transparency in governance, before they are prepared in invest in a country. It is the same for our own investors. They will only invest in a foreign country when they are confident that the three conditions are in place before they are prepared to consider investing in these countries. After all, any student of international management will know that political, economical and political stability coupled with technological superiority are factors they look for before the invest in a foreign country. The question we have to ask ourselves is, do we have all these in place?

How often have our policies been flip-flopping? How often have we been reactive instead of being pro-active? Answer these questions honestly, and we will find the answers and how to regain the trust and confidence of international investors to return to invest in our motherland. Our own investors' faith and confidence will also increase to invest here again!

Leadership of a country must be consistent, transparent, accountable and equitable, in order to gain trust and confidence of all, thus, creating a worthy and conducive environment for interested investors to want to invest.

Comments

Pay the Price!

2009-09-25T15:46:19+02:00

Pay the Price!

Leaders must be willing to pay the price!

Today I read two articles which inspired me to reflect on how many of our political leaders pay the wrong price to stay in power. Staying in their respective positions is more important than doing the right things, i.e. serve the rakyat’s aspirations and needs.

However, the two articles mentioned above, which I intend to share with my readers, gave hope that there are indeed leaders who actually were willing to pay the price at great sacrifice of their own positions, freedom and future for our rakyat. To them I offer my highest respect and admiration.

One was about the ex-Pahang Mentri Besar Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar who just passed away today. May the Almighty bless his soul.
It was reported in the article thathe feared no one as long as he has what are right on his side. Not even the Ruler of the day! He would do what were right and stuck to his gun. As a result of his strong principles and courage, his tenure of office was shortened and he was compromised. However, the people of Pahang loved him and that is what counted.And today, on his passing, there are people who remembered him for his courage, righteousness and good deeds. As the Chinese saying goes, ”when a tiger dies it leaves its skin, when a man dies he leaves his name.” (To read more about his contributions and achievements, visit www.mt.harapanmalaysia.com)

Another person who paid the price for what was right at the expense of his freedom and future was none other than the current Chief Minister of Penang, Yang Amat Berhormat Lim Guan Eng.

The case involved the molestation of a young Malay girl who has only an old grand-mother to help her. As the person who molested her was then the Chief Minister of Malacca, there was little that they could do. Under such threatening situation, there was little or no reaction from the various authorities. However,Yang Amat Berhormat Lim Guan Eng, who was a young Member of Parliament then, who took up the case to help this poor helpless young Malay girl get justice. For his courage and conviction in justice and desire to do what was right, he was jailed and lost his Member of Parliament allowances. He paid the price!

As everything happened for a reason, his goodness and chivalry was not forgotten by the public across the country and today, he has the privilege to be elected as the Chief Minister of Penang. Good begets good! That is a universal law that never fails those who do the right things.

The PKFZ case is another worthy case to note. The Honouarble Minister of Transport, Dato’ Seri Ong Tee Keat, despite of much resistance and hostility from his colleagues and the perpetrators, courageously pushed ahead to get the wrong doings made public so that the rakyat will know what happened and who are the ones that caused the loss and wastage of billions of tax payers’ money Here again, the Yang Berhormat will have to pay the price and it would be costly. He may even lose his ministership! However, it is better for him to do the right thing and lose the position than to lose his integrity and keeps the position. May the Almighty bless him with the more courage to face the very demanding challenge. There is always a price to pay when one desire to lead. The higher your leadership position, the higher the price!

The willingness to pay the price for what one believes in is paramount in determining the effectiveness of a leader.

Do you still aspire to be a leader! Are you willing to pay the price? Think about it!

Comments

Leaders' Actions and Words must be in Alignment

2009-09-23T19:32:17+02:00

Leaders all over the world make promises to get themselves into power. Upon achieving their objective, do they fulfill their promises? Some do, most don't!

In Malaysia, we have seen leaders making and breaking promises so very often!

However, these leaders unashamedly continue to make promises and commitments which they always find difficult to live up to. In the long term, they will lose their trust with the rakyat.

Leaders must live in accordance with their words! If one can't do it, don't promise! When one promises, do!

Point in case. The Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) is one great example. Our leaders have often times promised to go after corrupt government officials and clean our administration of corrupt practices. Yet, in the case of the PKFZ, there seems to be so slow in taking action against those who have so clearly been negligent or irresponsible in causing billions of tax payers' money go to waste and enrich the pockets of the few who are in high positions. Even when the minister in charge tried to do a good job of going after the corrupt and unscrupulous officials, there seem to be so little support for his initiatives.

When official papers are exposed, instead of taking prompt and firm action against the corrupt officials, our leaders are going on a witch hunt to identify the whistle blower or blowers to punish them! How do we expect the rakyat to trust our leaders? Does one think that the rakyat is stupid enough to not see through this?

A leader's words must be his bond and honour and once given, must be fulfilled. When a leader goes back on his words, he loses his credibility and thus, trust. The rakyat will not trust the leader further even when he or she make a serious and honest commitment in the future.

Thus, any leader who desire to gain the trust and respect of his or her followers, must be careful with his or her words. Integrity and credibility are built over time when words are converted to actions that are in alignment repeatedly and consistently.

One may have a reputation of being a dynamic and powerful leader, but it is one's actions that earn one integrity that accords long term trust and respect. Integrity is reflected by a leader's actions that are in alignment with his or her words!

So, deliver what one promises! Respect and trust will follow! Align one's actions with one's words!

Comments

TOLERATE?

2009-09-22T00:31:37+02:00

Which is better? Tolerating each other or, respecting, caring and loving each other?

The Chinese has from time immemorial valued the character of TOLERANCE. There is even a popular Chinese adage that "A Hundred Tolerance become Gold." In Malaysia, tolerance is a word that is often mentioned by political leaders when they desire to urge Malaysians to contribute to building a more harmonious nation.

Personally, I feel that we should stop asking Malaysians to tolerate one another. The word tolerate tends to create an impression that there is an element of reluctance in accommodating one another. There is therefore a limit to toleration and when that point is reached, the response can be very severe. For example if I have to tolerate the behavior of someone's bad behavior, my reaction to him will be most unpleasnat when my limit for toleration is reached.

Therefore, I feel that instead of asking Malaysians to tolerate each other, our leaders should encourage us to respect and embrace each other. These words are more positive and create a willing nature. Better still, if the word love is used.

It is sad that after 52 years as a nation, we still have to tolerate one another. Why don't we start respecting, caring and loving each other?

During my 32 years involvement with the Lions Club, I have learned to serve the needy regardless of racial background or religious and political affiliation. I have never found any difference in the ordinary people we served. They were all appreciative and grateful when being helped. They all thank us for being there to help and there is no feeling of differences. Ordinary folks do not differentiate each other. I tend to suspect that our leaders are sub-consciously very conscious of differences in us and thus, habitually call for toleration. Perhaps they should start to see us as one and challenge us to respect, care and love each other!

Yesterday, when I accompanied my wife and her siblings and their families on a Hari Raya visit to her Muslim cousins, there was so much expression of love and joy in getting together. Her cousin sister-in-law even invited us to visit her parents who are still Indonesian citizens, and yet we were happy to meet up with them without any feeling of being different. We are relatives and happy to be together!

If, when in service to others and in celebrating joyous occasions,we don't have the feeling of differences and therefore need to tolerate one another, why can't we perpetuate this attitude all the time in living with each other?

Leaders should thus, promote respect, care and love instead of tolerance!

I therefore urge everyone living in this beloved country of ours to forget about tolerating one another. Instead, let us start respecting, caring and loving each other, and Malaysia will be a paradise on earth. Let us be color blind and embrace each other in our lives as brothers and sisters. Let us celebrate that we are living in a country which is so blessed with much natural resources and diversity that adds beauty and excitement to our lives. Let us be ONE!

Leaders, be real leaders that create positive character in us.

Cheers!

Comments

Valuing Truth, Courageous Words

2009-09-09T14:26:30+02:00

Hi Friends
Valuable lessons from Mr. James Chin, a Malaysian academic who can be contacted at Jameschin1@gmail. His article, Future of our children, demonstrated a person who cares enough to speak the truth which can be painful to those who disagree with his observations. His ability to articulate his views and thoughts frankly and clearly, gives us the opportunity to look at issues from another angle and make our own decisions. We can of course agree or disagree with him, but its validity depends on our thinking system - independent thinking or controlled thinking.

Personally, I find James to be a courageous observer who dares to speak the truth as he sees it. Many a time such frank and critical thinking are not welcome by leaders of the day in not only the government, but also, other organizations. Thus, we must rise above such situations and be courageous enough to also speak the truth constructively like James.

Any organization, be it a country or an NGO, subjugating people's views and opinions that are not in line with our thinking is a disaster for all. Slowly but surely people stop thinking and become robots just agreeing to whatever is dished out to them. Is this the type of organization that Malaysia, or we, should have?

I think Malaysia deserves better as it is a naturally beautiful and great nation with enough for everyone. All we have to do is to be fair. So too with the organizations that each of us may be involved with. If we don't think critically and constructively, and instead give in to dominance so that we can be liked, then we are contributing to the "brain dead" situation that Mr. James Chin talked about.

To be effective as leaders in our own organizations, we must think critically and value and speak all that we truly believe are truth and good for us all.

Great lessons learned and, Tony, thanks for sharing this rich article.

Cheers!

Sam

Comments

Do the Right Thing

2009-09-09T03:33:13+02:00

As I read the article "Tee Keat braces for his Waterloo" written by Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez of The Sun, of 8th September, a thought came to me that the handling of the PKFZ scandal by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is indeed a great case study for leadership students. For all who sincerely would like to be effective and responsible leaders, reading this article and those on this scandal that were published earlier, would reveal to intending leaders the challenges and pitfalls of leadership.

Challenges like the will power and courage to walk the talk, doing the right things, taking responsibility for your action, serving for the interest of the rakyat instead of self-interest, etc are all very well demonstrated in Datuk Ong's action.

The courage to change for the better despite the hostile environment and resistance from colleagues, opponents, and other interested parties will, indeed, make a leader unpopular. However, as leaders, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing now. History will be the judge of leaders. It may cost the position, or even the life, of leaders who desire to do all that is right, but if we choose to be leaders, we must be willing to pay the price. History has recorded many such sacrifices that heroes made for the good of their people. Their legacies are what they leave for us. Their names are recorded in letters of gold in history and their contributions are admired by generations of people.

As rakyat, we must, if we want our country to be a strong, ethical and prosperous nation of people that love and care for one another regardless of race, religion or political believes, then we must play our roles to support leaders that are courageous, forthright and honest.

Leaders in government, as well as those in the opposition, must rise above their political divides and voice their support for such leaders.

We may disagree or dislike Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for whatever reasons, we must however, support him in his mission to bring about a new direction in the pursuit of accountable, competent and transparent governance for Malaysia. If such support is not forthcoming, I am afraid that the future will be bleak as fewer and fewer leaders of such caliber will emerge. Instead, we will see more and more "yes-man" leaders sprouting in every arena of this motherland of ours. Another 50 years will go by and we will remain as we are where corruption is rampant and change for the better becomes more difficult.

In time like this, we must be responsible "followers".

Serve to Lead!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tee Keat braces for his Waterloo PDF Print
Posted by admin
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 19:33

Ong is now fighting for his presidency following the sacking of deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. He also faces law suits from PKFZ’s turnkey contractor Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd and its CEO, Bintulu MP and Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers chief Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

by R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez, The Sun Daily

Comments

Accurate Thinking for Better Leadership

2009-09-08T03:35:51+02:00

Last night we had a belated birthday dinner for my wife of 33 years. Wow! Time really fly and we have been married for 33 years and she is already ripe for retirement. However, as life would have it, she was offered a new job as the Finance Manager of a public accounting and auditing consultancy and started work yesterday,7th September. Not rest but for someone who loves work, it is a joy to be useful.

Invariably, during the dinner, subjects pertaining to human strength and weaknesses was discussed and certain areas of concern was brought up.

In particular, the subject of critical thinking among leaders.

In the his book Believe and Achieve, The 17 Principles of Success, W. Clement Stone, mentioned the importance of Accurate Thinking and its significance in a leader's success.

Whether in self-management or relationship management and decision-making, critical or accurate thinking is a must.

As leaders, we are bound to listen to various issues brought up by our followers or members of the community we serve. Some are well intended whilst others may be gossips or rumours. Some may be well intended but flawed because of ingnorance or inexperience. Some may even be with evil intention to drive wedges between people. In the face of all these, accurate thinking is therefore most important. A leader of substance must be able to decode and assess the intention of the information and make wise decisions and reactions so that proper response are made.

When conducting ourselves, it is also important that leaders do the right things at the right time in the right place. For matters of importance and significance that can affect the well-being or harmony of the community, an appropriate time and place is particularly important.

As the saying goes, "there is a place and time for everything."

As leaders, we should therefore cultivate our capacity and capability of thinking critically and accurately in decoding and reacting all information received. In addition, what we say as leaders also have consequences which can either attract positive or negative responses. With the ability to think critically and accurately, we will then be able to exercise care in our words before they leave our gaps.

Chinese wisdom advised that "Illness enters through the mouth, while troubles exit, also, from the mouth."

Thus, bear i mind that there is right place and time to do all that are right and watch our "gaps".

Comments

Sad times ahead indeed!

2009-09-07T07:25:26+02:00

Yes, as I viewed the video clips in Malaysiakini, I feel a sense of despair for our great country and our rakyat.

How is it that our laws seemed to treat different people differently?

Two videos that I viewed today demonstrated so clearly that double standards do exist in our law enforcement agency.

I noted with concerned the video on the demonstration in Section 23, Shah Alam, where the demonstrators brought along the cow head to express their unhappiness over the shifting of a place of worship of another faith to their place of residence. Fiery speeches that were most threatening were made. Isn't there a more civilised way of expressing our objection and unhappiness? Our policemen were around and yet no action was taken to arrest any of these demonstrators.

On the other hand, I viewed another video clip of a candle light vigil apparently organized by Hindraf. From the video, I can see that it was a peaceful gathering and I will not even consider it as a demonstration. The people involved were holding lighted candles and walking peacefully, singing. Then, the video showed a police officer warning the marchers and then arrested them.

See the difference? I didn't hear fiery and provocative speeches nor did I see aggressiveness.

Of course, anyone that watched these videos will come to the same conclusion that there is double standard in treatment of two different groups of Malaysians. Isn't this sad?

Anyone who has access to the internet and Malaysiakini will be able to see the different handling of two situations where people gathered, one demonstrating and making fiery speeches, while another marching peacefully and singing. The later seemed to be more offensive in the eyes of the police and thus, its participants were arrested.

How does the government of the day expect right thinking and justice loving citizens react to such attitude?

It is indeed a sad day for all peace loving Malaysians who love our beloved country.

Let us pray that the Almighty will guide the peace loving people of this great country to better understand and appreciate each other regardless of our racial, religious or political believes. We must learn to love and respect each other though we may be different because we are the same in the eyes of the Almighty - His children. Let us pray that our law enforcement agency will be guided by Him to also realise their injustice and make amend to serve better and fairer. At the end of our life journey, we will have to answer to Him for all our action.

Let us, the silent majority, speak with our action at the next election and vote in politicians that are true to their words in action. Let us not allow politicians who smile at us and shake our hands when they needed our votes but forget us when they are in power. Let us vote in politicians that are colour-blind and people-oriented.

We deserve the government we have if we do not elect the right people to represent us.

May the Almighty guide us in making our next decisions when we cast our votes next. Let us not permit the sad times to be prolonged.

Comments

Walk you Talk!

2009-08-31T11:17:16+02:00

It is interesting to note that political leaders are finding themselves in a catch 22 position as their support seem to be dwindling. Many learned academics and political analysts have made various observations and identified the reasons for this situation. But as a layman, I find the solution is in going back to basics.

Leaders' action must be in alignment with their words! They must be seen to be doing what they are preaching and not otherwise.

If we are to take a look at all that are happening in our country, we will find that the major issues that are of concern to the rakyat are racial, religious, corruption and education. Just to mention a few.

don't we find that on every of these issues, our political leaders don't seem to be doing what they are preaching. Let me give some examples.

Leader after leader has vowed to stamp out corruption and when reports are made to the MACC, few and slow actions are being taken selectively. Much time is spent on issues involving a few thousand ringgit while issues involving millions if not billions are not being acted on promptly. How do you think the rakyat will perceive such type of action be. Are our leaders serious about what they know and vowed to stamp out? If our leaders will just do what they say, I am sure, the rakyat will appreciate and support them regardless of whether they are from the ruling or opposition parties.

On education, we can have witnessed the flip-flopping of policies so often and views expressed by the rakyat are not taken into serious consideration. What has happened to the graduates that we churn out from our public universities. It appears that graduates from the private colleges and college universities are better accepted by employers. This is a big difference from other parts of the world where graduates from state universities are usually considered as better and thus, prefered. Still, of leaders don't seem to take heed. Are we so ignorant of what is good and what is not. Let's wake up and ensure that the right knowledge and skills, competent lecturers and correct methodologies are employed to train and educate our students.

On racial and religious issues, it is most frightening. The few fanatics seem to take priority over the majority and thus, project the wrong image of our rakyat. I still trust that most Malaysians are peace loving and good people. However, the few fanatics take prime time in the media and seem to be tolerated. We must all be treated in the same way and with the same severity when we break the laws.

I am pleasantly happy that the PKFZ issue is being pursued with more degree of seriousness and we hope more of our leaders are openly in support of the action so that truth will prevail and such abuse of public funds will not happen in the future.

In conclusion, I like to emphasize that all our leaders have to do is to get back to basics. Let your action do the talking.

Cheers to our leaders success!

Comments

Chasing Papers versus Chasing Knowledge & Skills

2009-08-29T01:03:54+02:00

Chasing Papers versus Chasing Knowledge and Skills

Recently I read in the STAR of degree mills and how important it is to ensure that one acquire a degree that is recognized. Recognized by whom?

Since young, I have always been a believer that one must acquire knowledge and skills that are useful and beneficial. I am also a follower of motivational guru, Jim Rohn, who said this - "Formal education gets you a job; Self-education earns you a fortune!" So which is better?

Also, I read a book, "What Harvard doesn't teach you" or something to that effect long ago. It talked about what universities do for its graduates. Preparing graduates to be employees not bosses. So, do we want to be bossess or employees? Best selling author, Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad fame also mentioned that universities do not equip students on real life financial and money knowledge. Thus, it is not surprising that many of our graduates are deemed not fit for employment by many employers. The state of affair is so bad that our government has to have a training scheme to re-train and equip them with usable skills that employers look for in an employee.

Yet, we still have people that keep on emphasising on recognized papers instead of employable skills that equip students with recognized applied knowledge and skills.

Are we barking at the right tree? I think not.

I am of the opinion that it is time, although quite late now, to start emphasising on the acquisition of useful knowledge and skills that will equip our students and graduates for the real world. Knowledge that will equip them with thinking and people skills coupled with technical and job skills that employers look for.

Hi, Malaysians, wake up and let's not be too concern if we get a recognized paper or not.Be concern instead of whether the education and training that we get equip us with useful knowledge and skills that employers want and are willing to pay us for.

A degree opens doors, but sadly, now a days, it is not even capable of doing this. Ability to produce is what keeps us employed or successful and profitable in whatever we do.

I can name many useful 'qualifications' from the University of Hard-knocks and the University of Life, which are not recognized by academics and critics, but have helped many people become successful!

In conclusion, I urge Malaysians to be smart, or rather, street-smart, to be successful in the real world! Get street-smart knowledge and skills.

cheers!

Comments

Dislike your boss,dislike your company, but don't dislike your work!

2009-08-25T03:20:13+02:00

You may dislike your boss, your company, but don't dislike your work!

Yes, this was what i told participants at my seminar on 22nd August 2009 entitled "Now everyon can help improve your company's sales!"

I share with them that our work is a reflection of us. The way we do anything is the way we will do everything. Thus, much as we dislike our boss or our company for the treatment we receive, justified or not, we must always to true to ourselves and perform to our best.

There are good reasons why we should do our best even if we are not happy with our boss or company.

First, we should always maintain our standards of work as an employee. By doing so, we will not compromise on this standard and continue to be great at whatever we are doing and may even improve on it. As a consequence, we are likely to win over our bosses and change their attitude towards us. Even if theydo not, we have nothing to lose as we would maintain our pride in being great at our work.

Secondly, people will notice us, internally and externally. Words will go around that we are great employees to have and thus, may reach the ears of other bosses within the organization and also, potential employers who have dealings with our companies. They would be keen to have employees like us in their organization.

A simple philosophy like the above is so often not adhered to by most employees who tend to produce poor quality work as a response to "non-appreciative bosses". Wehn we do this, we are actually harming ourselves as over time, what we do in response to this situation will become us. Repetition or poor quality work will eventually become our standard of work and reflect badly on us. It will also justify why we are not being rewarded.

Thus, when this was shared, I received some challenges from my audience and I was glad that they reacted. Of course, I shared with them several examples of how this attitude has changed the lives of many people I personally know and also how those who don't practice self-imposed standards and compromise them as a result on how they are being treated lost out.

I truly hope that the participants truly appreciate this simple but powerful philosophy and use it to enhance the standards of their performance and thus, their lives.

Cheers!

Comments

Communication - critical path to success

2009-08-24T20:28:27+02:00

It is said in many management books that mis-communication caused 80% of misunderstanding in the workplace. Thus, if we can improve our effectiveness in communication, we will be more effective and thus, the chances of success become better.

I can still recall that when I was a child, my illiterate parents enrolled me in a small English missionary school. When I asked why they were not putting me in the same schools as many of my friends who were enrolled in Chinese schools, my mum told me that the chances of getting an office job (then considered preferred jobs) are better if I know English as most of the big companies then were owned and run by kuei-lohs (foreigners).

Then, when I started working in 1970 with a Scottish owned plantation company, I had a very caring boss, Mr. Hew Kong Fen, who taught me that to be successful, I needed only to master three areas of my life. These areas are communication in English, simple arithmetics and a lot of commonsense.

Well, with hind-sight, I have found that they are all wise advices and fortunately for me, I believed in them, my mum and my boss.

today, I am 58 years old and looking back, I have, from a very poor family background, grown out of poverty and achieved a certain level of success in life to the extent that I have been able to contribute a substantial portion of it to serving my community. Career-wise, I have served as the chief executive of two companies. I obtained my trainng and qualifications through correspondence courses and on the jobs. I have not had the opportunity to go to a university due to my family background. I credit this possibility to my command of, first, English, and second, to my ability to communicate effectively in three languages, English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese (Cantonese, some Mandarin, Hakka and some Hokkien).

With this back ground information and my personal life experience, I would like to introduce the article written by Tuan Syed Ali Akhbar on the wisdom of reversing the practice of teaching Mathematics and the Sciences in English, which I found do make a lot sense.

I share Tuan Syed Ali Akhbar's views and would even add tht not only must we master English, we must master Mandarin as well. Today, these are the two most important languages in the global economy!

Do read Tuan Syed Ali's article which have lots of wisdom in it and if we are to help uplift our rural children, Chinese, Indians, Iban, Kadazans, or Malays, to a more competitive level, Syed's thoughts and comments help point the way. I hope Tuan Syed Ali will not mind me distributing his article for a good cause.

Enjoy reading and do note the lessons within.

Cheers!
-----------------------------------------------------------
A well written article by an intellectual Malay
An Education policy designed to ensure the Malays remain stupid so they can be controlled and manipulated by the Malay elite - The feudal lords - Umnoputras.

But what is really sad is that the Malays themselves believe in this, hence there is no way this will ever change. You can take a donkey to the water, but you can't force it to drink unles it wants to, Right?, Real sad!
________________________________________________________________________________

THE FIRST BUNGLE OF THE 1ST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE!
By Syed Akbar Ali

In one of my Four Wheel Drive trips into the jungle some years ago, we stopped at a place
called Cheneh inTerengganu. I remember a makcik at a roadside stall made some nice ayam goreng.
My good friend Juhaidi was with me and also my two boys.

Cheneh was (and maybe still is) a typical rural backwater. The folks did not seem to know if they
were coming or thhere was Astro but I think the favorite show was 'Tom Tom Bak'. But I did recall saying aloud that someday I hope that the folks in Cheneh would watch CNN, BBC and CBS and that we could just drive up and ask the makcik in Cheneh 'Whats on CNN today?' But I think that's not going to happen at all. Tuan Tuan dan Puan Puan, our Prime Minister Dato Najib has made his first bungle - and within the first 100 days too. No Sirs, it is a major bungle. You have bungled big time.
Lets manage this "crisis in the making" now. First of all please stop from saying anything more about the switch from English to Malay. The more things you say, the more "face saving" devices you will need for you to swallow your pride before you can undo this mistake. But this mistake must be undone.
I just happened to be with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad yesterday Thursday July 9th 09 slightly after noon when the news came in that the Cabinet had decided to flip flop over the language issue.
Firstly Tun Dr Mahathir raised a simple but valid point. The main reason quoted by Tan Sri Muhyuddin to favor the switch to Malay was that the rural Malay kids were doing poorly in Maths and Science (which are taught in English) compared to the urban kids. But what about exam scores for the rural kids in all other subjects which are taught in the Malay language? Dr Mahathir said no one showed him the statistics for that. Why?

If you say that English is the reason why the rural kids are doing so poorly in Maths and Science, then by your logic the rural kids should be scoring the same as or better than the urban kids in other subjects that are taught in Malay? By your logic rural kids should be doing better than the
urban kids in Sejarah, Geografi, Kemahiran Hidup, Bahasa Malaysia and other Malay language subjects.
But we know that rural kids generally score lower than urban kids in most subjects (except maybe Agama). And language has got nothing to do with it. Rural kids are usually found in lower income households, their parents are usually less educated, they have less achievement goals and so forth. That is why you call them 'children from rural areas'. They are poor people and they are underachievers.
So this comparison with rural kids and urban kids is not fully accurate (Tun Dr Mahathir used another word which I need not repeat here).
Let me give you some street feedback. At least one Internet based employment agency has instructions from its clients to completely ignore any job applicants who are graduates from UTM (University ITM). As we know UITM graduates are all Malays. They say the quality of the graduates is low and their English is bad.. They are unemployable. This is what I heard.
Another preference by another employer - a Multi Nationa > Corporation - in the job market is to take in job applicants who are graduates of IPTA (private universities) who have done twinning programs. This means their English is good and they are more marketable. Again this means Malays with
poor English skills are not preferred. Bottom of the line.

And here is some news from Cyberjaya. We opened up Cyberjaya and gave foreign investors much benefits and incentives to open business there. Among the foreign investments in Cyberjaya are 'Call Centers'. Well some 'Call Centers' in Cyberjaya take in Indians as a first choice for employment. They feel that generally Indians speak better English. Second choice are Chinese. Finally they will look at Malays as the last choice but rarely. Even with the emphasis on English the past six years, the Malays cannot speak enough English to get a job answering telephones in Call Centers in Cyberjaya. THIS IS PATHETIC !
We cannot shut them down or arrest them under the ISA for practising such discrimination. They come here for business. We must provide them the tools necessary to run their businesses well. We are not doing the job.
To Dato Najib and Tan Sri Muhyuddin Yassin, why are you doing this? Who agrees with you? Who are you afraid of? Takkan UMNO Johor is so powerful to frighten Muhyuddin?
Last nite I met a Deputy Minister and a well known "ultra Malay" ex-newspaper editor. The Deputy Minister said it was a bad decision to switch back to Malay. The 'ultra Malay' ex-editor was visibly upset and said "I have no comments. I don't want to say anything." I think he did not agree with the switch at all.
Another well known "ultra-ultra" Malay defender of all things Malay (if I just mention his job you will know who he is) said the switch to Malay was 'satu langkah ke belakang'.

A Tan Sri from Kelantan said in English "this is a giant leap backward for the Malays"...

In the present world, the English language is a 'life giving' language. The amount of new knowledge and new information that comes out in the English language is astounding. No one can translate all the new knowledge and information that comes out in English EACH and EVERY DAY.

It is impossible.. We have to master this language. There is no other way.
Then we have the 'tidak masuk akal' ideas. Tan Sri Muhyuddin says after the switch back to Malay, he still wants to upgrade the teaching of English in the rural schools. He wants to employ about 1000 native English speakers to teach English in rural schools. By native speaker I do not know if he is referring to Mrs Naidu from Brickfields or if he wants to employ real Mat Sallehs from outside the country.
Mrs Naidu the retired English teacher will gladly tea English to our children for RM3000 per month. But we will have to pay the Mat Sallehs RM15,000 a month or more before they will come to work here. But if that is a good idea then why not employ 1000 Sallehs at RM15000 a month to teach Maths and Science in English in the rural schools?
Because according to Tan Sri Muhyuddin, it is not th school children in the rural schools who are to be faulted. The real culprits are the teachers. Muhyuddin let the cat out of the bag. Here is what Muhyuddin said (from th Press):
"It was based on empirical studies and other specialist reviews," he said. Based on studies conducted in 2008, he said, the ministry found that only a small percentage of teachers fully used English to teach the two subjects. "On average, the percentage of those using English during Mathematics and Science periods was around 53% to 58%," he said, adding that only a small number of teachers were proficient. Muhyiddin said studies carried out by local universities found that students' mastery level of English during the entire policy was around 3% while the level among rural students was low."
So don't push the blame on the rural students lah , Syewel !
It is the teachers who were malas to teach in English.
And there are other reasons why some Malay teachers do not use English. Among them are religious reasons because some people believe that speaking English may lead to you 'jadi kristian'. Fulawei, ada bodoh macam ini pun dalamkalangan guru kita kah?
Even in the towns (including Kuala Lumpur ) it is also considered "showing off" if Malay people speak English. So there are other quite illogical reasons why Malay teachers are shy to speak and teach in English. Did he just blame it (and quite wrongly too) on the rural school children. That is not correct.
And even if what Tan Sri Muhyuddin is saying is indeed true, why burden the urban kids and dim their chances at a better future just because the rural kids are having problems with English?
Urban kids are usually the children of parents who are more educated, who work in offices, run businesses and generally earn a higher income and enjoy a better standard of living. The rural folks are usually much poorer than the urban folks.
That is why we have to make sure that the rural folks get the same or better opportunities to get out of the poverty cycle and move up in life so that they too can enjoy a standard of living like the urban people.. A good education and the ability to converse in English is definitely one way up.
But what this policy reversal has done is to lower the entire national average. Instead of moving the rural people up the ladder, we are now moving moving the urban folks down to the level of the rural people. We are lowering the averages. Hang tak payah jadi pandai macam aku, biar aku jadi bodoh macam hang !
We are nailing the Malays inside the language cocoon. We are also creating a "non English understanding rural poor" versus an "English speaking urban elite" divide. The Malays who cannot speak English will be left further and further behind. BUT YOU THINK UMNO CARES FOR YOU ????
The English speaking urban folks (Malays, Chinese and Indians) will move light years ahead of the non English speaking folks. There will most definitely be an English speaking elite in the country. Then we have also allowed International Schools in the country to be opened to all Malaysians. We also have foreign universities like Nottingham and Monash. We are basically denying many Malays from qualifying to enter these universities and international schools. They can go to UITM and become more 'cocoon infested' and unemployable.
But very, very few kids make it to university or college in the first place. Only 2% to 3% of the population goes to university anyway. The large bulk of our young kids will become school leavers (SPM or PMR) with no employable skills, no knowledge of "life giving" English. Their future is doomed.
Akhir sekali saya nampak peluang hidup bagi budak Melayu dari kampong menjadi lagi tipis. Siapa yang ada tanah getah, mungkin akan kerja potong getah saja di kampong.

Kalau tak ada tanah getah, depa akan berhijrah ke Bandar dan pekan untuk mencari kerja sebagai office boy, messenger dan peon. TERIMA KASIH AJELAH KEPADA GOMEN NAJIS !
** They may even think that office boy, messenger and peon are three different careers.

END

Comments

Birthday in the Jungle

2009-08-18T04:06:57+02:00

Hi,
First, I would like to thank My blog.co.uk for the birthday wishes and also inviting me to share my 58th birthday experience with fellow bloggers.

I must admit that this is my most adventurous birthday that is completely different from my normal birthdays of having a private dinner with my loving wife and handsome son.

This birthday would have been as normal if not for the change in date of a training assignment that I was contracted to facilitate. Originally the dates for our training of 42 auxialliary policemen was 20th to 23rd August but as Man proposes, God disposes, the dates were moved forward to 14th August which was my birthday.

My first reaction was naturally and I was unhappy about this as I would miss my birthday celebration with my family.

Nevertheless, as a trainier, I decided to proceed with the client's needs and gave their needs priority.

We left for a small town named Kuala Lipis which is about 160 kilometre from Petaling Jaya on the 13th. Put up a night there and started the seminar on 14th, my birthday, for the 1st half day in Kuala Lipis in the comfort of one of Kuala Lipis best hotel, The Centre Point. Had lunch at 12 noon and then proceed to the Kenong Jungle Resort which was about an hour's drive from town.

All of us including the police personnel and their supervising director, Tuan Khair, Tuan Ramalan and the operator of Kenong Jungle Resort, Bob Seong together with the chef, and supporting personnel started our journey in police 4-wheel drives and second-hand army trucks. The road was rough and all of us got free massage of its kind that you won't get in a normal health club. The journey was interesting
and it was most relieving when we finally arrived at the jungle resort.

We and the supervising officers were allocated our sleeping chalets where 4 of us stayed together while the police personnel ranging from corporals to assistant superintendents were provided dormitories accommodating 14 to 15 each.

The discipline that I observed was impressive. Instructions were followed like clock work.

The first day day was more of getting to know each other and briefing on the challenges that everyone will be put through and of how important it was to follow them as it could mean life and death if not, for at least one of the challenges. Then at 4.00 pm we started the jungle tracking. It was a challenging one and a half hour track which passed through several caves, Tiger Cave, Carnivorous Bat Caves and Vegetarian Bat Caves. These caves were really dark and we had to use torch lights to find our ways. Some of the tracks were tricky and one must take extra care to go through. Then, we had to cross rope bridges and even a small tree truck beneath which was a stream which was more than ten feet below.

The track ended successfully where a couple of officers almost got lost.

Then we proceeded with the de-briefing to extract the lessons learned the related to leadership and team work. Frank and honest opinions were expressed and those who were not doing things right were pointed out so that they will be aware of their weakness. The team leaders appointed for each of the six teams were also evaluated by their own team-mates and then there was open evaluation from the rest of the teams that might have noticed something that have not been mentioned. It was an enlightening experience as the participants took the critiques and evaluation gracefully. For example,Officers Muhamad and Sargeant Mustapha, observed that there was no procedure to ensure that everyone returned from the track as no one was assigned this responsibility. A brain-stroming was immediately convened to set the procedure and it was decided for implementation for the Jungle Night Walk. Also, it was pointed out there no prayer was recited before starting off. Again, a decision was made to do so. Even the two guides participated in the evaluation and shared their experiences. Tuan Khair and Tuan Ramalan proved to be real leaders who have gone through the mills when they shared thei experiences and observations with the participants. It was a really open and frank disccusion where everyone was allowed to offer their observations and everyone who received the evaluations appreciated them. We then break for rest with tea and coffee with snacks.

We then proceeded to freshen up by bathing in the stream which was a 5 minutes walk from our site. Males were downstream while ladies were upstream to maintain privacy. Wow! what an experience!

Then we waited for dinner which was at 7pm.

Ten minutes before 7pm, dinner was ready and we queued up to get our food. No VIP treatment was offered to anyone. All of us, including the supervising officers queued up to take their food. I observed that although some politeness was extended by some more junior officers to the senior ones, they were declined politely and the queue was maintained. Truly leading with humility.

After dinner there was some relaxation before a briefing session was called to ensure safety and success for the Jungle Night Walk. The teams were then broken up to do their planning before starting off.

I decided to excuse myself from this walk as the jungle tracking has tired m poor pair of 58 years old legs, but my partner, Thian Watt joined the walk to do the observations. Half an hour into the walk the participants were back and the few of us who stayed behind were surprised. The explanation was that the guides anticipated a heavy downpour and thus advised the teams return to site. A debriefing was conducted again and again, frank and honest observations and evaluations were made and accepted in the spirit in which they were given. We then said prayer to thank God for the safety of everyone.

My partner announced to all that it was my birthday and everyone joined in to sing me a birthday song which was indeed most touching. Though I missed sharing it with my family, I have more than 40 police officers and friends who are beginning to be more of an enlarged family to share this day with me. 58, here I come!

As the night walk was cut short, tea was not ready yet and we waited for a short while to partake in the much appreciated cuppa. Then it was bed time for those of us who were tired while the police officers were put on a drill by Tuan Ramalan. It was indeed amazing the energy levels of these good men and women. I decided to stay back to observe the goings on and when it was almost 12 pm, Tuan Khair thoughtfully advised e to turn in as the drill cannot last quite a while.

Thus, my 1st day in the jungle ended on a double decked bed.

Since the invitation was to share my birthday with all of you, I shall not overstay and would rather share the remaining three days of my adventures with you in another article.

I will forever treasure this wonderful day and the friends I made!

Cheers!

Sam

Comments

EASB Marches Across Asia in Malaysia with LCKLN

2009-08-05T14:02:43+02:00

The generosity of a good regional corporate citizen in the form of East Asia Institute of Management is creating impacts on the lives of deserving students who aspire to pursue further education in business and business management. The scholarships offered range from Business Management, Marketing, Logistic Management, Accountancy, Banking & Finance and Hospitality & Tourism. Indeed a comprehensive range of business areas to help students in countries all over Asia achieve their aspirations.

The Lions Club of KL North, a club where I have membership since 1978, must be proud to have been selected as the conduit to help EASB award these 300 scholarships to all Malaysians.

Working with other Lions Clubs in West Malaysia, I have had the privilege of participating in these scholarship seminars in Johor Baru, Malacca, Penang and just last week-end, in Kuala Krai, Kelantan and Kuala Trengganu, Trengganu.

I am pleased to share with visitors to my blog on our recent contributions in service to our communities. I hope that this article will inspire more people to do their part in whatever ways they can to make our communities better place for all to live in. ServeFirst, and enjoy reading this report below.

LIONS-EASB SCHOLARSHIPS SEMINARS IN KUALA KRAI AND KUALA TRENGGANU, 2ND AND 3RD AUGUST, 2009

2ND AUGUST 2009 SMK YAHYA PETRA, KUALA KRAI
3RD AUGUST 2009 SM CHUNG HWA WEI SIN, Kuala Trengganu
SM SULTAN SULEIMAN, Kuala Trengganu

2nd August 2009 – Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Yahya Petra, Kuala Krai
The day started at 9 am with breakfast and tea for 200 over Forms 5 and 6 students.

The briefing started at 10 am with speeches from the followings:
1. Immediate Past District Governor Dr. Kamalanathan, LC of Kuala Krai
2. Lion Vincent Hoh representing Lions Club of KL North
3. Ms Joey Kang representing EASB
4. Tuan Hj Zulkiflee, District Education Officer for Kuala Krai

Also present were the Headmaster of the school, Encik Komaruddin, Asst. District Education Officer Cikgu Othman, PIBG Chairman and several Lions of Kuala Krai.

The Lions Club of KL North was represented by Lions-EASB Scholarship Chairman, Lion Vincent Hoh, PDG Sam Leong and Lion Molly Leong.

Presentation on EASB, Queen Margaret University, UWIC, USQ, and EBS together with the scholarship criteria were presented by Ms Joey Kang. PDG Sam Leong did a summarization and call for action from the students as the wrap up of the seminar.

217 Forms 5 and 6 students and several of their teachers attended and the presentation and Q & A ended at 12.00 noon.

Much interest was raised amongst the students and several seek counseling from us.

175 registered for us to send them more information and updates so that they can apply when they complete their examinations at the end of the year.

A simple lunch was served after the seminar.

We left for Kuala Trengganu at 3.00pm and arrived at 6.00pm.
The Sin Chew Press reported on the Lions-EASB Scholarship Seminar for Kuala Krai today (4th August 2009).
3rd AUGUST 2009 SM CHUNG HWA WEI SIN, KUALA TRENGGANU
SMK SULTAN SULEIMAN, KUALA TRENGGANU

The second day, 3rd August, 2009, started at Sekolah Menengah Chung Hwa Wei Sin, Kuala Trengganu commenced at 9.30 am.

The Headmaster, Mr. Seah was there to receive us and about 140 students were already waiting for us.

The same programme as Day One in Kuala Krai was repeated here and the reception was very good as almost all the students were Chinese. The Headmaster and teachers were also very supportive and expressed their liking for the scholarships offered.

60 students registered to be updated with information to facilitate their application after their examination at year end.

The second session for the day started at SMK Sultan Suleiman, Kuala Trengganu, at 2.00 pm.

More than 150 students, mostly females, attended.

65 students registered for updates to facilitate application after their examinations.

As the Headmistress had another urgent appointment, she was not able to join us, but was represented by Cikgu Mustapha, Mr. Mohan and Ms Wan.

The same programme was observed and ended at 4.00 pm.

For the 2 days’ seminars, we would like to thank the Lions Club of Kuala Krai and the Lions Club of Kuala Trengganu for organizing all the ground works and we sincerely extend our appreciation and gratitude for the fine work that they performed.

Special mention must be made of Immediate Past District Governor Dr. Kamalanathan from Kuala Krai and Lion Ng Suet Hoon and her other half, President Low Kin Yat from Kuala Trengganu for taking the initiative to promote this joint project.

"I cannot do everything that the world needs, but the world needs everything that I can do."

So, friends, do all you can to serve.

Cheers!

Comments

AGING CONFIDENTLY & GRACEFULLY

2009-07-29T13:27:33+02:00

A friend emailed this wonderful article to me and I thought it worthwhile to share it with as many of my good, old friends, whom I hope will adopt this wise philosophy shared by this author.

Enjoy reading, and most importantly, live it!

AGING GRACEFULLY
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was
taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction,
she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting
question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.

Old Age, I decided, is a gift.
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always
wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the
wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback
by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but
I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my loving family
for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind
to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't
chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for
buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde
on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they
understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM
and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I,
at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body,
and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the
pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as
well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not
break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when
somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give
us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is
pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and
to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could
turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what
other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the
right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like
the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am
still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or
worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If
I feel like it)

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER!

FRIENDS FOREVER!

Comments

Count Your Blessings

2009-07-28T17:46:00+02:00

26 July 2009 was an interesting that was most revealing.

It was the last Sunday of the month and Lions District 308B1 has designated this day as Loving Sunday where all Lions members, their families and friends are required to carry out a service project on a zonal basis.

Our zone which consists of 3 clubs, the Lions Clubs of KL North, KL South and KL Host were all present to serve the inmates of the Victory Home where 22 senior citizens aged 55 to 96 resides. KL North was represented by 27 persons consisting of members, Leos and family members while KL Host by 3 members and KL South by 5 members and family members.

This is a Catholic home that admits senior citizens regardless of their religious believes.

Each Lion was assigned to chat with an inmate to hear their life stories and assess what further help they needed to make their lives more comfortable.

I was assigned to a 72 year old lady named Leong Hooi Moi whose life was by any standard most saddening. Mdm Leong has a life that can make one cry.

She came from a small family of 5 - father, mother, sister and an adopted brother.

She only had one year of education and at the age of 9 she was already working in Ipoh as a baby sitter and maid. Married young and her only daughter died at the age of 10 of brain tumour and her husband also died in a road accident. She left Ipoh subsequently and worked in KL until her old age and was admitted to the Loke Yew Old Folks Home and subsequently moved to the current place.

Whe complained of knee pain and poor eye sights. Though burdened with so much problem she hardly complain and instead told me that she has converted to become a Catholic and adopted Jesus as her Lord. She has an interesting experience to share. She confided in me that everytime when her knees ache, she would pray to Jesus and the pain would ease. Also, she narrated an experience of crossing the road when the traffice was very heavy. She prayed to Jesus to slow down the trafic for her to cross and apparently her pray was answered to enable her to cross the road safely.

I asked her if she would like us to contact her brother and sister so that they could reunite and at least know of each other's whereabout. To this she explained that she doesn't know they are exactly and felt that she doesn't want to trouble them. She explained that she was happy where she is.

Despite of all her sufferings and tough life, she told me proudly that she lived with the principle that honesty is the best policy. As a house maid and baby sitter, she has not stolen any thing from her many employers and she value her track record. She told me that she have know fellow maids who were dishonest and wehn caught, couldn't or found it very difficult to get anotehr job later.

In serving to simple folks like Mdm Leong and the other inmates, we are blessed with experiences which remind us how lucky we are and how these simple folks have pride in having led a honest life.

Thus, whatever level our lives may be, let us be reminded that we are still so much fortunate than so many. Where we can make another person's life a little better, let us extend our hands and help lift them up, if it is only for a moment.

The inmates were entertained to a sumptuous lunch and entertained by some of us with some Cantonese oldies.

We left at a little past one and we could feel that the inmates were happy and invited us to visit them again.

Comments

My Life as I see it

2009-06-30T11:07:21+02:00

There are people who say that life is uncertain, but I tend to feel that life is so predictable, i.e. very certain.

The journey we pass through in our lives go through the stages of birth, aging, illnesses and death. None of us can avoid these stages in our lives and therefore my stand that life is very predictable.

As I look back, all of us pass through the same stages of life's 4 stages.

We were all borne as a result of the conjugation between a man and a woman, who are known as our parents - father and mother. They will feed us, cloth us and school us until we can fend for ourselves. At this stage we build relationships with true friends and personally, I found that friendships built during this stage to be most sincere and unconditional. I still have lunch and get-together with some of my classmates or school mates, primary as well as secondary.

Then, after completing our education at whatever levels each of us would have attained, we start to seek careers. We may start with one and then move on to another, until we find what we truly love to do. Some of us who are luckier may land up with career that we truly love but there are many who may not be so "lucky." Notice that I have parenthesis between the word lucky. My personal experience has been that when we are bold enough to change career when we feel that we have embarked on one that we don't truly love, we will eventually find the one we love. However, most people are just too careful and unwilling to take risks to experience something else once they start and achieve some degree of success with what they have.Some of us achieve success at an early age while some at an older age. At whatever age we achieve our desired levels of success, what is important is that we must enjoy the journey and do the things that we love.

Then, we may start to find that we have an urge to do something beyond just doing things for ourselves. I found this itch at the age of 26 and became a member of the Lions Club of Bayan Lepas, in Penang. I never looked back and as of today, I have been an active member of this service organization for more than 30 years. I have found both, joy as well as frustration during this journey, but, all in all, I have also found that every aspect of this journey have made me a better and more confident person.

The better aspects motivated me to carry on while the less desired aspects enlightened me that after all, we people are just ordinary human that are capable of good or bad, positive or negative and pleasant or down right disgusting. Whatever may come, how we react to them would determine our happiness in serving the cause that we have set out to serve. Thus, I have found this stage of my life, where I built a meaningful career that have been reasonably rewarding financially and personally while still being able to serve the causes that I love to. I found balance and harmony in my life. As Albert Schwitzer said, "those among us who would be truly happy are those who would have sought and found how to serve." I believe I have found both.

One of life's later stage is aging. As we age, we would experience both, physical, emotional and spiritual challenges. Personally, I found that what I did before I reached this stage was indeed a great help. For example, I decided that when it was time for me to slow down, I would love to share my life experiences with the younger generation of people that come after us. Thus, I reflected on my activities in our community, work place, social experiences, etc to explore and attempted to uncover what would be useful to share with the people that I would love to share with. I also went back to school to do my Master in Business Administration so that I can be better equipped to serve the people I wanted to serve, by sharing my experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Now, although I still have to bear with some of the occasional joint and muscle pains, I found that my involvement in facilitating learning and self-examination rewarding and helped me to forget these pains. I have also gone back to re-learn and fine-tune my public speaking, communication and leadership skills. I recognized that learning is a life long journey and if we desire to share our lives with others, we must also ensure that what we share are useful and of purpose to them.

Well, my life still goes on at an active level and I seem to find that I am even more busy that when I was under full time employment! However, I am not complaining. On the contrary, I am enjoying it.

See you at my 85th birthday!

cheers!

Comments