Blogs In The News

In the past 2 days there has been 2 reports of local Malaysian Blogs making the newspapers. Both these blogs made the papers because of the content they were providing. (the media have also provided these blogs free ‘advertising’ and have increased their hits tremendously.

The first one I read was about this dude called Man Motor. The blog was mostly about his sexual escapades and sex tricks. It is written in Malay and has attracted over 50,000 hits. I checked out the blog but didn't think it was great. Mainly because the blog itself wasnt structured properly. Nevertheless, if you are interested in the life of a Malay dude chasing after bohsia's, this could interest you.

The second is a 24-year old systems engineer in Kuching. His was all about drugs. How to get it, use it, prices for it, etc. The police is actually making a case against the blogger based on complaints that said that such a blog was defying the Malaysian Laws. I haven't found this blog yet as The Star wasn't very informative on the blog title or blogger.

Now, since my knowledge in ICT law in minimal at the most, it would be appreciated if anyone out there can clarify whether these people are actually defying Malaysian law or not. Can they be charged i found?

Maid in Malaysia

Last week my maid returned to Indonesia, now she’s not returning. This has caused undue problems in my household. My wife has to take no pay leave, we can’t go for dinner functions, no happy hours for me, etc. If the maidless situation continues for a lengthened period, my wife would have to quit her job.

Now, the story started 2 weeks ago when my maid received a phone call from home. She said a family member passed away. Obviously, as compassionate human beings, my wife and I let her go back for a week. On the day of her supposed return to Malaysia she never boarded the plane in Indonesia. Later on she smsed saying she wont return. Well, what to do? Just adapt I guess but the thing was she was a really good maid. Saying that though, I wouldn’t want a maid to take care of my baby if she didn’t really want to work. Its better she goes than not being 100% with Ally.

The funny thing was in the same week my bosses maid didn’t come back, my financial controllers maid disappeared and my colleague’s mothers maid also didn’t return. So I know I’m not the only one in the boat.

Oh well, the only consolation I have (if I want to look on the bright side) is that the pay increase in my new job covers the monetary loss from my wife not working plus a bit extra. Also I guess, Ally gets to spend more time with ‘family’ rather than the maid. It could be a blessing in disguise, at least that’s how I am looking at it.

New Job, New Experience

Some people say that changing jobs often is not good for career development. My personal view is if I had stayed in my first job I would probably be paid less now, be bored to death, have limited corporate experience and be unhappy.

I started my new job on Monday and for the past two days the most apparent difference is time. When I was doing banking it seemed like I had ample time. Sometimes it felt like time was crawling along. I was waiting for lunch hour, waiting to go home, sometimes just waiting for something to happen. It could be because I wasn't challenged by it, it could be because I really didn't enjoy, it could be because of many things but for the last two days time has flashed by. I look at my watch and its 1.00pm, have a quick bite and return to work. Next time I look at the watch its 5.45pm. Its wonderful when you don't have to wait. I hate waiting.

Anyway, so far I have enjoyed the past 2 days. Maybe because I feel like I'm finally doing work, maybe because its new and boredom hasn't struck yet, maybe its because I've matured as a person, maybe, maybe... i just hope I can maintain this spirit because to me its the best opportunity for so far in my 11 year career.

Some Images of Hari Raya

Ally Pondering her first Raya
(picture taken on the Eve of Aidil Fitri)






My great-grandparents home. Where we always sleep on Hari Raya.







The Right Stair. Every house in Melaka has at least one decorated stair. This house has two.





The dreaded well. Years ago Raya baths were taken here. I think I last bathed using the well over 10 years ago. Raya baths also lasted less than 2 minutes as the water was freezing cold. Thank god for the hot water heater installed 2 years ago.






A few seconds before the official family photo was taken. In picture are my mother, step father, Ally, wife, sister, bro in law, 2 nephews and my youngest brohters elbow.

Final Day at Work

Today is my final day at RHB Bank. It’s funny how you can get attached to some places and not to others. Somehow I feel that if the core of the people remain at this institution, my relationship with it will also be strong. This is because I have made some really good friends here.

So, as I spend my final few hours here I can confidently say that I leave this place without any enemies and some good friends. What else can you ask for from 18 months but its time I close another chapter in my sometimes volatile career.

Monday starts a new challenge, a new career path. Something I know I can do, probably really well too but the scope is out of my comfort zone i.e. Banking. Nevertheless, challenges is what I strive for, without the challenge I get bored and start bitching. Lets just hope there will be no bitching about my new job on this blog for a while.

When Raya Comes Around

I'm pretty much a non-traditional Malay. Having been brought up mostly overseas during my growing up years and living life against conventional 'malay' customs, I understand if people call me "melayu murtad". But when Raya comes around all this changes. My Raya is still full of traditions.

Every year we will pack our bags and return to my mothers kampung, Tampin. In this part of the country stairs leading up to the main house were status symbols. There are houses that could not withstand the test of time but the stairs are still standing strong. Some look quite spooky. Luckily, the house I stay in every year is still strong. It is our ancesterial home, home of my great grandparents and over 100 years old

Anyway, my raya starts on the Eve. We would go to each some relatives house in the kampung and 'takbir'. Actually, most of the houses on the street are relatives. Lately, we have been just doing the main houses. i.e. the Elders. This usually happens after Maghrib. After this is completed all the houses would bring out their fireworks. Little battles would take place. Obviously, most of the 'hooligans' are the KL kids. The fireworks go on till late in the night.

Early Raya morning, before Subuh, the whole kampung would congregate to the village cemetary. Again most of those laid to rest in the cemetary are relatives. Everyone from my great grandparents to my grandfather are laid to rest there. After the cemetary its back home to 'mandi' and prepare for Raya prayers. The process of 'mandi' has changed so much over the years. I remember having to mandi from the freezing well at the outside of the house when I was younger. Then we had a toilet built in the house, it was still damn cold. Last raya, we had hot water installed, I guess there are benefits of development. Nevertheless, the freezing well always waked you up for raya prayers.

Every year I will do my raya prayers at the masjid in the kampung. Here, after prayers, I would usually meet all my granduncles, uncles, cousins, etc and do the customary 'salam-salam'. After this I would go home to get ready for the eating routine. Eating starts at the ancesterial home, followed by my Grandmother's house (200 metres away), then one granduncle house after another. After that it moves to a few uncles houses. By lunch everyone looks like they overate, which is actually the case.

For the next 2 hours all activity in the kampung is put on hold. I reckon everyone is asleep. By 4pm, it starts getting active again. This time cars are used as some relatives do not live in the kampung so visiting requires a car. At night the fireworks starts again. Usually, I shoot off to KL after lunch the following day. A familiar tradition continues as when I return to KL its raya at one of the clubs or bars where I will meet all my friends that Raya in KL and do not have a kampung.

This year things will be a bit different as I will be spending Raya eve at my in-laws then olny back to Tampin on Raya day itself. This will also be my daughters first Raya. I guess its time for me to start little traditions of my own for the Family.

by the way, I am already at my wife's kampung, posting this post using TM's 1515 prepaid dialup and it is sooo damn slow. I will update this posting with photo's when I get back on Braodband.

To all "Have a Safe and Happy Aidil Fitri"... Make sure you guys are SAFE...