Questionnaire.
I’m glad some of you had a good laugh at my expense in my previous post. lol. I believe in karma, y’know. But I’m better now :)
Inspired by this interview with an academic, let’s instead hear from the rakyat. I reproduce the questions below, please feel free to answer one or two or all of them - however long or short - via the comments system. I am not government-owned so feel-good answers are not compulsory.
Thanks :)
What have been this year’s highlights, for the nation and for you personally?
What were the low points of the year for you?
What is it about Malaysia that you can’t find anywhere else?
What do you love about Malaysia?
We still have problems getting along though, and some of our differences seem to be getting more marked. Are we losing the beliefs that forged us together, this spirit of 1957?
What values do you want to pass to your children?
What are your fears for Malaysia?
Who are the Malaysians who are your heroes, who inspire you?
What’s your wish for Malaysia for 2008?
What do you think is a quintessential Malaysian experience?
NB: Updated post with my answers :)
What have been this year’s highlights, for the nation and for you personally?
That we have constantly been in the international headlines for all the wrong reasons. Personally? I think the people should be proud that the government is in fact shitting bricks.
What were the low points of the year for you?
The mainstream media, having already lost its balls and spine, is now beyond redemption.
What is it about Malaysia that you can’t find anywhere else?
Extremely predictable statements made by the PM.
What do you love about Malaysia?
Everything that is against the grain.
We still have problems getting along though, and some of our differences seem to be getting more marked. Are we losing the beliefs that forged us together, this spirit of 1957?
Sad to say, yes. But all is not lost. I think faith and hope is still there.
What values do you want to pass to your children?
The value of freedoms and how it needs to be fought for.
What are your fears for Malaysia?
That the government continues to wield its strength through education, media and the EC.
Who are the Malaysians who are your heroes, who inspire you?
Everybody who went for a protest in believing what’s right. I salute you all.
What’s your wish for Malaysia for 2008?
For once, the police should just grant us a damn permit and shut us up. Oh and for the mainstream media to grow a spine.
What do you think is a quintessential Malaysian experience?
This year, it’s all about experiencing tear gas and water cannons, walking to shelter with fellow Malaysians, having a good laugh about it over teh tarik, swapping number and forging friendships.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Well, since I am sitting in the offce and free today ….
1. For the nation - Angkasawan project because we are smarter than the Americans, Russians, Chinese. We dont need to embark on a space program and build a rocket. We just buy a ticket off the Russian! For me personally - going to be a dad SOON.
2. To see justice and civil liberty in Malaysia being spat at and trampled
3. My favourite bak kut teh stall
4. My home, family, friends
5. Yes, due to the divide and rule policy of the ruling government
6. Humility and respect for others
7. Waking up to a bankrupt nation i.e. USD1.00 = RM10.00 for example
8. My wife for having my child & people like Kit Siang/Anwar for their sacrifices to the nation
9. BN denied the 2/3 majority
10. We are forgive and forget easily.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:35 am
I’m trying to be a bit positive :)
What have been this year’s highlights, for the nation and for you personally?
-How aware i have come to be about the nation’s poltics, news and all that. All that i’ve never seen through the other side of the looking glass.
What were the low points of the year for you?
-Nurin’s murder, the ever failing government, and especially the state at which our earth is at right now.
What is it about Malaysia that you can’t find anywhere else?
-All three races sitting at a mamak talking about anything and everything.
What do you love about Malaysia?
-Its food. SOME of its people. High emphasis on some. ;)
We still have problems getting along though, and some of our differences seem to be getting more marked. Are we losing the beliefs that forged us together, this spirit of 1957?
-Yes, the governments efforts to drive each race against each other have been pulling down and stomping upon everything all past leaders have worked for.
What values do you want to pass to your children?
-Sincerity. Honesty. The ability to accept all sides of the argument. The ability to listen, to care, to love.
What are your fears for Malaysia?
-One, that our vast “developments” may threaten our already screwy ecosystem. Two, that democracy will never be alive again. Three, that i may never live to see a good leader.
Who are the Malaysians who are your heroes, who inspire you?
-I guess i don’t really know any Malaysian well enough to say any one of them have inspired me. So, Yasmin Ahmad :) for putting us in the international scene for her movies.
What’s your wish for Malaysia for 2008?
-Greater stability, ACTUAL freedom of the press.
What do you think is a quintessential Malaysian experience?
-Taking our horrendous public transport