Monday, January 21, 2013

I see...Project IC Sabah (my cartoon)



Being someone who was born in West Malaysia, Sabah is like a "distant relative" to me. At times, I heard someone talking about all the unfortunate events that happened to her... how she was "robbed (oil & gas) & raped (virgin forest)"  in broad daylight. But I must admit I hardly care about it (I have enough "problems" here myself). Perhaps I was ignorant because I used to think she is just a distant relative and has nothing much to do with me.

But I came to realize we share the same root (of the problem)! Whatever happened to this dear relative of mine had seriously affected OUR WHOLE FAMILY! 
We shouldn't be bullied any longer. 

Enough is enough.

Please remember to vote.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Listen. Listen. Listen NO MORE!!! (my cartoon)


I am sure you know this cartoon of mine was inspired by the recent "Listen.Listen.Listen" issue.
That woman said:
"Do you think only humans have problems???"
"Animals have problem."
"Kucing ada masalah."
"Anjing boleh menggongong."
"And you tahu tak binatang paling banyak sekali masalah?"
I do agree BINATANG paling banyak masalah. (The "BEAST" have the most problems).

And the BEAST that I meant here are those "Cruel & Corrupted politicians & Greedy Cronies.

They have big problems because they never had enough. They are always hungry for:
MORE POWER,
MORE MONEY,
MORE MISTRESSES,
MORE PHANTOM VOTERS.

They have created:
MORE lies,
More illegal immigrants,
MORE crimes,
MORE misery to the people,
MORE problems to the society.

We have listened enough from them all these years (but our request seem to fall on deaf ears)

So, my wish for 2013 - The Year Of Snake... 
(in my cartoon, the snake was awaken by those "LISTENs")

An awakening among the people who come to realize that
every one of us regardless of race or religion can actually get MORE if there's LESS Corruptions, Money Politics & Phantom Voters etc.

I hope MORE people will come out to vote (young people please wake up and go out to vote!!!)

MORE distinctive voices must be heard at time of increasingly bland consensus. (please do not clap and cheer for both sides, please have the ability to distinguish between good and bad, human and beast)


“Some things you must always be unable to bear. Some things you must never stop refusing to bear. Injustice and outrage and dishonor and shame. No matter how young you are or how old you have got. Not for kudos and not for cash: your picture in the paper nor money in the back either. Just refuse to bear them.”

- William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust.

May the year of snake be a NO MASALAH (problem-free) year for all of us. You sure know how to make it come true, don't you?




Wednesday, January 2, 2013

"Mom, my friends are going to drop Chinese subject!"

First of all, I would like to congratulate those who did well in the PMR examination, especially those who scored A for the Chinese subject. I have a few friends' kids who scored an A for it but not my son. He brought a Donkey home and seems to be happy about it. (he scored A in his UPSR chinese essay writing 寫作 but that was history)

When he called home to announce his result, the first sentence he said was, "Mom, I DIDN'T FAIL my Chinese!! I DIDN'T FAIL my Chinese!!!" Yes. I heard it loud and clear.

He sounded happy and I was somehow relieved too. At least there is an "extra" subject printed on his PMR result slip. 6A, 1B (history) and 1 D...

I have no regret to let him sit for the exam, although he didn't score well. Even though he hated the old chinese literature 文原文,he managed to understand all the 名句精華 (before the exam, i tested him and he knew every single meaning of it). To me, it is not just about the exam, it is for his lifetime usage, especially the moral in it. It should be part of his identity as a Chinese.

He told me last night that many of his friends are going to drop SPM Chinese subject, including those who scored a B in PMR. I feel sad about it. I can imagine how disappointed their Chinese subject teachers are. I know it is extremely challenging to be a Chinese subject teacher and I salute them for that.

My son used to complain about how his Chinese subject marks pulled down his aggregate and his position in class. I am sure many kids think alike. I remember once a friend told me her son will not  take the SPM Chinese paper in order to get a STRAIGHT As in his SPM exam, which ensures him a better chance to enter the ivy league university overseas.

So, is my son going to drop the SPM chinese? I am afraid my answer is a Yes too. I feel that it is too tough for him and will just make him "hates" the subject more. 

HOWEVER, I shall not allow him to give up on the Chinese Subject! 

I have decided to let him take up the ICGSE Chinese subject (which seems to be less tough as compared to SPM Chinese). He will sit for tuition to prepare himself for it. It seems to be a good compromise, in which he will get a SPM cert plus a ICGSE Chinese subject cert. He agreed on it.

End of the day, it is not about the certificate, but about NOT GIVING UP! We are Chinese and should try our very best to learn more about this beautiful language that comes with lots of good moral teachings. It is about not losing our identity.

I am glad my son is willing to continue to face the challenge.
I am sure one day he will thank himself for that.