THOUGHTS

I almost did not believe it is all over now. Manchester United won a double, and Arsenal slumped to third place this season. Towards the third quater of the season, I was much believe that Arsenal will retain the cup. But they not, and it is cruel, a fair cruelty I might say that they lost it altough it seems the cup is already in hand.

I watched the Champions League Final at NZ Wangsa Maju, or the “Malaysia’s Old Trafford” they might say. I couldn’t believe it with my eyes when I arrived there. It is true, hundreds of Malaysian wearing the Man Utd red shirt were there. Don’t they work tomorrow? Or go to school at least? It’s Thursday for God Sake!

And the crowd were great. Crazy great! Especially during the penalty shootout. When Ronaldo missed the penalty, I could see the frustrated faces of the Red Devils’ fan. Red Devils. Hah. What so devil about them.

But then I understood why they were called one. When John Terry missed the penalty, all hells break lose. People jumping on the table, taking off their shirts, chairs flying over my head. Its like the devils cames from nowhere and made chaos on the God forsaken earth.

One thing for sure, it was not only Chelsea that lose that day. NZ Curry House sure suffered a great lose too. Hehe.

And then live seems to be bored without EPL around. Altough Euro 08 is just around the corner, but I am not so much anticipated.

Manchester United is for sissy girls.

Pada mulanya saya berpendapat idea untuk melaksanakan tol dalam bandar di Kuala Lumpur adalah satu idea yang tidak munasabah dan sukar untuk dilaksanakan, tetapi kemudian saya terbaca satu artikel oleh Profesor Madya Dr. Abd Rahim Md. Nor dalam akhbar Utusan Malaysia, dengan serta merta terbuka minda saya dengan pendapat beliau. Beliau berpendapat, idea tol dalam bandar mungkin adalah satu-satunya penyelesaian terhadap kemelut kesesakan jalan raya di Kuala Lumpur yang sudah sekian lama tiada jalan penyelesaian yang jitu. (Tulisan Prof. Dr. Rahim boleh dibaca di http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2007&dt=0130&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=rencana&pg=re_01.htm&arc=hive).

Walau bagaimanapun, saya mempunyai idea yang berlainan, walaupun pada dasarnya idea saya ini adalah berlandaskan pada pendapat Prof. Dr. Rahim ini. Pada pendapat saya, daripada kita melaksanakan idea tol dalam bandar, apa kata kita menaikkan harga tempat letak kereta?

Pendapat saya ini adalah berlandaskan bahawa orang ramai memandu ke tempat kerja antara sebabnya ialah kemudahan tempat meletak kereta yang murah dan mudah. Tetapi idea ini adalah idea yang sukar untuk dilaksanakan, sesukar idea tol dalam bandar itu sendiri.

Yang pertama sekali perlu dilaksanakan ialah kerjasama yang menyeluruh oleh semua pemilik bangunan tidak kira swasta atau kerajaan, dan juga tempat-tempat kereta percuma dan berbayar yang lain, perlu melaksanakan peningkatan caj tempat letak kereta di premis masing - masing. Dan peningkatan harga ini hendaklah sehingga ‘mencuit’ poket orang ramai, bukannya sekadar RM1 atau 2. Secara drastik perkara ini akan memaksa orang ramai untuk berkongsi kenderaan ataupun menaiki pengangkutan awam.

Tetapi idea ini mesti dilaksanakan seiring dengan peningkatan perkhidmatan-perkhidmatan lain. Sebagai contoh, perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam mestilah dipertingkatkan, lebih menyeluruh, selesa, cajnya berpatutan, dan yang lebih penting, ketepatan jadual perjalanan. Hentian - hentian pengangkutan awam juga dibina dengan lebih mementingkan keselesaan, lengkap dengan panduan jadual perjalanan tren dan bas dan juga dapat memastikan keselamatan orang ramai dari jenayah. Laluan - laluan pejalan kaki yang lebar dan berbumbung juga perlu dibina memandangkan keadaan cuaca negara kita yang tidak menentu hujan panasnya. Pokok - pokok ditaman untuk meneduhkan lagi kawasan sekitar bandar.

Selain itu, tempat - tempat meletak kereta perlu dibina di tempat - tempat yang strategik contohnya di hentian - hentian pengangkutan awam. Ini diperlukan supaya orang ramai dapat meletakkan kenderaan mereka sebelum bertukar menaiki pengangkutan awam, ataupun bertukar menaiki kenderaan rakan ke tempat kerja. Tempat meletakkan kenderaan ini perlulah dibina canggih, dengan laluan masuk dan keluar yang cekap, serta caj yang dikenakan juga murah dan dapat memastikan keselamatan kenderaaan.

Sekiranya perkara ini dilaksanakan, banyak kebaikan yang akan kita dapat daripada perlaksanaannya. Misalnya, kos pengangkutan yang lebih murah, rakyat dapat menikmati kehidupan yang lebih sihat, dan dari segi alam sekitar, dapat mengurangkan kadar gas karbon dioksida dalam udara dan juga mengurangkan pergantungan terhadap bahan api. Malah, adalah tidak mustahil dapat mengurangkan suhu sekitar bandar dan menyamankan udara. Kos penyelenggaraan kenderaan juga akan berkurangan, dan tidak mustahil juga mengurangkan risiko kemalangan jalan raya.

Saya percaya sekiranya perkara ini diteliti secara mendalam, orang ramai pasti akan dapat menerimanya. Tidak mustahil suatu hari nanti, kita dapat melihat orang ramai berjoging ke tempat kerja, ataupun berbasikal. Cuma terpulang kepada pihak berkuasa untuk melaksanakannya. Namun, kajian yang teliti perlu dilakukan sebelum perlaksaannya.

Ramai orang melihat bahawa pilihanraya ke-12 tempohari adalah pertarungan diantara parti pembangkang dan parti pemerintah, malah ada yang melihatnya sebagai pertandingan diantara parti pemerintah dan Mahathir, tetapi saya melihat ia lebih kepada pertarungan diantara Mahathir dan US.

Sesungguhnya kita perlu menyedari bahawa US ketika ini telah mempunyai pengaruh kedua-dua belah pihak dalam politik negara kita, samada dipihak pembangkang mahupun dipihak pemerintah.

US menguasai parti pembangkang khususnya melalui Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar sememangnya diketahui umum adalah seorang yang pro-US dan mempunyai hubungan yang baik dengan beberapa nama besar di US, antaranya Al Gore and Paul Wolfowitz. Wolfowitz antara orang yang pertama melawat Anwar semasa beliau dirawat di Jerman dahulu. Wolfowitz jugalah yang membantu Anwar untuk mendapatkan jawatan sebagai pensyarah di University of John Hopkins. Anwar juga dilantik sebagai pengarah bahagian pembangunan negara-negara membangun IMF semasa era kegawatan ekonomi 1997, yang mana IMF adalah badan kewangan antarabangsa yang antaranya ditaja oleh US. Sekiranya melawat negara Uncle Sam itu, beliau dikatakan mendapat sambutan permaidani merah. Samada Anwar sedar atau tidak, beliau sememangnya dipergunakan oleh US untuk meletakkan pengaruhnya dirantau ini, dan saya percaya sememangnya beliau menyedarinya, malah merelakan ia.

US pula menguasai parti pemerintah umumnya melalui PakLah, tetapi khususnya adalah melalui menantunya, Khairy Jamaludin (KJ). Perkara ini dapat dilihat antaranya perhubungan dengan negara jiran Singapura, dimana polisi yang diamalkan PakLah dilihat bersikap terlalu lembut terhadap negara sekutu kuat US itu. PakLah membenarkan Temasek Holdings untuk menguasai saham dalam syarikat-syarikat utama negara. Ini juga termasuk dengan isu projek jambatan bengkok yang dibatalkan, dan juga perlaksanaan WPI. Juga kita dapat lihat melalui rundingan untuk melaksanakan FDA dengan US, yang mana mendapat bantahan dari Tun Mahathir sendiri. Dan kerana sebab ini jugalah saya pernah meramalkan, rundingan diantara Proton dan Volkswagen akan gagal, dan terbukti benar. Volkswagen benar-benar tidak berpuas hati kerana isu pembatalan rundingan itu. Dalam kenyataannya, Volkswagen mengatakan bahawa mereka kesal dengan tindakan kerajaan membatalkan rundingan, tetapi tetap menghormati pendirian kita. Tetapi dalam masa yang sama, General Motors (GMC) sebuah syarikat pembuat kereta yang berpangkalan di US masih menyatakan minat untuk memiliki Proton. Itulah sebabnya saya bertegas, sekiranya Proton hendak dijual, ia pasti akan dijual kepada GMC, atau apa-apa syarikat pembekal kereta US.

Oleh itu, sekiranya kita perhatikan, kita akan dapat melihat semacam ada pakatan diantara PakLah dan Anwar dalam menentang Mahathir, walaupun dalam kebanyakan keadaan mereka menentang antara satu sama lain. Bermula dengan pembebasan awal Anwar dan semua tuduhan terhadapnya digugurkan, hinggalah ke isu video VK Lingam, yang mana Anwar lah orang pertama yang mendedahkannya dan PakLah pula menubuhkan sebuah suruhanjaya untuk menyiasat perkara ini.

Perkara ini sudah tentunya menaikkkan kemarahan Tun Mahathir, yang sememangnya dikenali sebagai seorang yang anti-US. Oleh itu beliau bertekad walau macammana cara sekalipun beliau mesti menghalang perkara ini daripada berlaku. Itulah sebabnya beliau telah melakukan serangan-serangan terhadap PakLah, dan dalam masa yang sama mengatakan yang Anwar tidak akan menjadi PM, sekurang-kurangnya selagi beliau masih hidup.

Antara langkah yang beliau ambil ialah memastikan yang anaknya Mukhriz mendapat kerusi di Parlimen. Beliau menggunakan pengaruhnya untuk memastikan Mukhriz dapat bertanding samada di kerusi Parlimen Langkawi ataupun Kubang Pasu yang merupakan kubu kuat UMNO. Tetapi KJ menggunakan pengaruhnya untuk memastikan Mukhriz bertanding di Jerlun yang merupakan kubu kuat PAS, dengan harapan Mukhriz akan kalah dan Tun Mahathir akan terus menutup mulut. Namun, Tun mengatakan walau apa cara sekalipun, Mukhriz mesti menang di Jerlun dan akhirnya menang dengan majoriti lebih 2 ribu undi.

Dalam PRU baru-baru ini, tidak kisah samada pemerintah atau pembangkang yang menang, pihak yang sebenar-benarnya menang adalah US. Mahathir kalah dalam pertarungan kali ini, namun tidak kalah secara keseluruhan, bak kata bidalan mat saleh, “He may have lost the battle, but he have not yet lost the war.”Beliau masih ada senjata yang terakhir, iaitu anaknya Mukhriz. Pertarungan seterusnya, sama-sama lah kita tunggu pemilihan agung UMNO nanti.

“9/11 showed us what human beings are capable of. The evil, yeah, sure. But it also brought out the goodness we forgot could exist. People taking care of each other for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. It’s important for us to talk about that good, to remember. ‘Cause I saw all of it that day.”

That was from “World Trade Center,” narrated by Nicholas Cage as Officer John McLoughlin.

It also reminds me of the tsunami disaster that hitted Asia Pacific back in December 2004. It was a tragic incident, disastrous, and we could see how the world unite and gathered to give helps to the needs.

Which makes me thinking, why do we need to wait until a disaster to come before we could do something good to others?

I had a conversation with a friend of mine.

Friend: I hate the government. The oil price is like hell! Fuck them!
Me     : I have a question for you.
Friend: Fire it up.
Me     : You register yet?
Friend: Nope. Doesn’t even bother.
Me     : Then you have no right to question what the government do.

That is right. Before you question what the government has done for you, you should ask the question, what have you done for them instead. That is the way it has to be. I mean it suppose to be. You question what you have done before you question what have others done for you. When the thing goes the other way, this is how the self-centered attitude become.

So you should ask yourself, Have I pay taxes, or have I register as voters yet?

I remembered what TDM said during our graduation dinner in 2004. He indicated that to be a good citizen, one does not need to pickup a rifle and go to a battlefield. It just enough by being a good person. Having a job and paying taxes, and accomplish you responsibilities, whatever they are.

I hate people who are ignorance. When living in a society, the attitude of I-don’t-give-a-fuck-as-long-as-it-doesn’t-concern-me is totally not acceptable.

There was a Malay saying, “Hendak Seribu Daya, Tak Hendak Seribu Dalih.” I think I don’t need to explain it, it is self-explanatory. Or go figure this, from Yuri Orlov in Lord of War, “When there is will, there is weapon.”

One vote does count my friend. You just need to believe it.

Ignorance is the curse of God, knowledge to wing wherewith we fly to heaven.

I read this from somewhere, there was this girl who is engaged, but felt insecure since his fiance kept postponing their marriage. 2 days before their marriage, she suddenly felt unsure whether she should proceed. After the day she said I do, she told her friends, “I am not going to change. I am still me.”

I hate those words. “I am still me.” Or “I am who I am.” Or “just be yourself.” Or whatever that similar. For me, this is an egotistic adjective to say “I am not going to change because of you.”

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicracy, their passions a quotation.”

Most people. Not all of them. Hah. And that was from Oscar Wilde.

Apparently, I don’t want to be just myself.

I want to be like my father. He is government pensioner, but he still works 7 days a week 10 hours per day, and for God sake he got a pacemaker in his heart.

I want to be like Tun Mahathir. His wisdom and vision surpasses our time.

I want to be like Thierry Henry. Give him the ball from half the field and yet he still can score.

Seriously, what is the problem with changing if it is for the cause of the good?

I will not whining in here since enough people have whined already. I just wanted to share my thoughts on our current political environment. Just a regular guy’s 2 cents, who political influence were aroused by prime media and the Internet, and some discussion with friends.

One of the most talked about topics in the media nowadays is the incoming election. Some people predicts it will be this March, some predicted the last November, and Pak Lah playing puzzle about the exact date. Therefore the biggest question is, when it will be?

However, I predicted the incoming election will be held at the end of 2008, as early as in November. You asked me why? Let me tell you why.

They will not dare. That is the answer. BN will not dare. Pak Lah will not dare. Too much issues that concern them right now. From the public assemblies held by BERSIH and HINDRAF, to the crude oil price skyrocketing up to USD100 per barrel, BN will not dare to hold an election in this near time.

Lets take the fuel price issue as a point. Last year they already increased it price for RM0.30 when the crude oil price reached USD60 per barrel. And right now it circulated around USD90 per barrel, and you can bet government could not uphold the burden any longer. Sooner or later they need to increase the fuel price.

But what happen if they increase it now? The opposition parties will raise this as an issue. Therefore increasing the price right before the election, is out of question. And how about they increase it right after the election? Not good also. The opposition will play the issue, “If you vote for them, they will increase the price, if you vote us, we will decrease it. I don’t know, you are the one with brain.” Therefore, what they can do is, increase the price of fuel now, and hold the election in the end of the year, hoping that by that time the people will forget about the fuel price issue.

Three days ago Nor Mohamad Yaakop the 2nd Finance Minister informed that the Budget 2009 presentation will be held on August, instead of October with the excuses of to avoid presenting it during Ramadhan. For me this is another sign showing that the GE will be held in the end of the year. The Budget presentation will be the “GE Budget”, with full of promises to give the people what they want if they vote for them.

Some people said, they must hold the election before April, since after April Anwar Ibrahim will be elligible to run for election. Anwar Ibrahim is sure a great threat to BN, but he is still one guy. I bet BN will prefer competing with Anwar in the election rather than jeopardizing their chances of winning by holding the election before April.

But wait. If they were not prepared, why did they talk about it now? In all over the media?

The fact is, they have been talking about this since May last year. You guys should remember which media is the first to talk about this. Utusan Malaysia. Thats right people. Utusan Malaysia. Utusan held a news headlines predicting government will hold the GE in the nearest time. The scapegoat, an associate professor from UKM. In an interview he told Utusan, now might be the best time to hold an election since the positive economic growth we experiencing (during that time). (Altough he stated clearly that the positive growth is not because of what government has done, but more likely because the whole world economy is experiencing it, and we are only at the normal stage with GDP of 6% compared to India and China of 11% & 12% respectively).

The consequences is, all the BN politicians jumped of their seats, many commented that it is rediculous. People started to talk about it, until now. And then it leads to public assembly held by BERSIH, the Lingam’s video case, and I am guessing more controversies will come.

But wait. Aren’t Utusan suppose to be pro-government? Why did it smell like they were attacking them, you ask me?

Yes, Utusan is pro-government, but it is also pro-Mahathir. That is why KJ did not like it very much and tried to merge it with NSTP so that he will have a control over it, but unfortunately he failed. Well, that is another story.

As a conclusion, for those who still not register as a voter, please do so. There is still time. General Election will be held in the end of the year people, just wait and see. But if I am wrong, a thousand apologize. However, it does make sense, doesn’t it?

Last month, I attended a motivational course organized by the company at Grand Seasons Hotel, and I found out it was a very interesting course altough not many things an be implemented towards my job scope though.

During one of the sessions, the facilitator raised up a question, which makes me think deeply, if it could be me, what will be the answer?

The question is simple. Opss my bad. Of course the question is simple. Every question is simple. It is the answer that complicated.

The question would be, “If money and time is not an issue, what will you do?”

And then everybody started to jabbering about their dreams. Most of them want to travel around the world. Some of them wanted to do charity works. But me, I just kept quite. I don’t exactly know what am I going to do if all the money and time is in my hand. I got blurred myself.

Then suddenly the facilitator stopped the discussion and asked for a volunteer to tell us about their dreams. And of course, nobody wanted to be. We Malaysian are shy people, we usually put our head down and let other people be outspoken, it is called “respect others.” Yeah right.

Anyhoo, since there were no volunteer, the facilitator had to picked someone. And guess what. Yes you guessed it right. Of course it would be me if not I would not write about it you God damnit.

The problem is, at that moment I got nothing in my mind. I was like, hmming for several seconds before I decided to tell her and them what exactly that I wanted to do.

I wanted to set up a football school for kids. OK stop laughing. Yes, that was exactly what I wanted to do. I want to teach young children how to play football. In a manner of properly of course.

I love football so much. And I also love to teach people something. I teach them almost anything I know. And I think I got some knowledge on football, why don’t I pass it to the youngsters?

And besides that, our youngster, they got so many talents in them. And I believe, with a proper training and discipline, who would know we can reach the World Cup final one day. I believe football can unite us in this country with many races, where people will shout and curse for the same mistake, or cheerish for the same glory.

The facilitator told me it was quite interesting, and she would like to see I fulfill it in some years time. And maybe I would. Not now for sure, maybe after retired, just like the question, when money and time is no longer an issue. Maybe I can start it up by teaching a school or neighbourhood football team.

One day, I want to be remembered as a person who inspired others. Owhh wait. I take it back. I don’t want to be remembered, its mean I am dead. OK OK that was the line from “Lord of War” movie by Nicholas Cage.

OK till then.

Selamat Hari Raya people. And Maaf Zahir Batin.

I’m writing this from my desk in the office. Yes people I am working on the night eve of Hari Raya. And to make the matter worse, my family just got back to kampung this morning. And that will left me alone. Without friends or family. Just depending on my colleagues here to cheer me up.

And to make this matter even worse, my neighbour, the family next door just being robed a week before Ramadhan. Some Indons broke into their house and threaten to hurt them with parang on their neck. Which left me terrified to stay alone in the house.

And to make this thing worst, my family took the Astro card along them back to kampung. Reason: my aunt doesn’t have that movies channel. What the hell am I suppose to do here without a tv? Hari Raya is suppose to be about tv.

I thought the idea of celebrating Hari Raya is not for a single adult male like me. And I guess I thought wrong.

Now I am thinking what the hell am I going to do tonight?

So it is true. Thierry Henry has already left Arsenal for Barcelona for 16 mil pound. 16 mil pound?? Shit that kinda cheap. He is worth 40 mil at least.

Anyhow, lets talk about him. What is so great with this guy? Are you kidding me??? He is totally a great player. He still playing but he already is a legend. He is the captain of the Gunners, he is the all time topscorers for the team with 226 goals in 364 games, he scores numerous of great goals, including the solo effort against Real Madrid, he is the icon and idolize by many people, and he is of course, the living legend.

Henry came to Highbury in July 1999 as an unhappy winger from Juventus. Arsene Wenger signed him for 10.5 mil pound and from that moment, the legendary no.14 quickly adapting the Premiership style play, as he found out that the club’s attacking play really suited his pace and flair. He played his part in the talented Arsenal team and during the 2002 season, he netted 32 goals in all competition and won his first silverware as they won the double for the premiership and FA Cup.

And he just did not stops there. Season 2003 proved to be another productive season for him, as he scored 42 goals in all competition and contributed to 23 assists, and led the youngsters to another FA Cup triumph. And yet it is still just not the end. Season 2004 is a remarkable one for both Henry and Arsenal, as they won another league title, going 38 games in the Premiership undefeated. In October 2005, he setted another milestone in his career, as he broke the Ian Wrights’ all time record as the club topscorers, but netting his 186 goals.

However, Patrick Vieira departures in Summer 2005 began to show the pressure on this Arsenal talisman. He is named the club’s captain, and despite being discontent to be asked to carry a young team, he still displayed signs of genius, especially in goal scoring. Ending up the season as Premiership’s top scorer with 27 goals, it is also the season Henry paid tribute to the majestic Highbury, as he showed his salute by scoring hatrick against Wigan in the final game in Highbury.

The same season also marked the painful night in Paris, as he hoped to win the Champions League against Barcelona in the final, just to see it slipped of after they went down on 1-2 lost. And after that, speculation arises as Barcelona wanted him badly, and despite all that he signed a new deal with Arsenal for 4 years, hoping to end his career in Arsenal.

Season 2006/2007 proved to be a dissappointment for both Arsenal and Henry, as they went through the season without a silverware, and Henry was blighted with injuries, problems with forms and fitness, and mental fatigue. The departure of David Dein added to his doubt on his future at this club, and after Arsene Wenger did not sign for a new contract which will end on 2008, he started to think maybe this is the right time to make a move.

And at last, he made the decision. His moved to Barcelona marked another era in football history. He will be joining the most fearsome of attacking forces together with Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi. Newspapers write up about him for weeks, and despite his exit, he still admit that his love to his former club will remain the same, and Arsenal will always be in his heart forever.

And so do we.

Au Revoir Thierry Henry, and Good Luck.