The Fourty Four

Finally some quiet time to reflect. It has been a long and busy weekend. I missed the vigil again - 2 weeks in a row and my birthday passed so fast. Just realized I passed another milestone on the 40s track.

Finally, I got to sit and enjoy a simple birthday celebration with my family. This is the most important and meaningful thing.

my cake, its better to be straight-froward

What are reflections? Too many to just write. One thing's for sure:

Life not only begins at forty, it also begins to show.

Again, why look at the dark side. A Jedi once taught:

"Do, or do not. There is no try..." Yoda, Jedi Master

There is still more to do.....


Thanks for all the greetings and wishes. May you all be well and happy!



44 and growing younger!

Najib Supports Homeschooling?

It is heartening to read in the Star that our Deputy Prime Minister believes that:

'There should be an intellectual renaissance to open up and liberate the minds of students, and this should start in the universities, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Our education system must chan­ge. Our children are just not curious enough. They must be curious about the world. They must ask questions,” the Deputy Prime Minis­­ter said.

In a separate report, the Vanakkham Malaysia reported:

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on universities to focus more on developing the "intellectual infrastructure" and not just physical infrastructure to make them "a centre of learning of the liberated and inquisitive minds."

Saying that he did not subscribe to the idea of emphasising on physical infrastructures, the deputy prime minister said, universities should move towards an era of intellectual renaissance.

"You got to have not just a university but a quality university, where it is really a centre of learning of the liberated, open and inquisitive minds," he said.

Speaking at the opening of a one-day seminar on "Creating A Blue Ocean in Education and Training Sectors" here today, Najib also called for "a whole paradigm shift" in the country's education system, starting from primary school.

"Our education system must change, the paradigm must change," said Najib at the seminar which was jointly organised by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU).

"Malaysians are very good at rote learning; they learn very well and they are studious. They spend long hours learning but they are not inquisitive enough.

(emphasis the author's)

I read this as a clear support and encouragement for homeschooling and alternative education. Homeschooling is not about the physical infrastructure, it is about the emotional and intellectual infrastructure. I may also add spiritual infrastructure as well. It is about a more holistic learning environment and it definitely represents a "paradigm shift".

I hope he means what he says and make every effort tomove political will to make the change.

Perhaps, it is time to Learn Beyond Schooling!

Taking a Break

Today had been one rare Sunday. No planned activities. No classes. For the first time in many months, we were able to just spend time together as a family. Of course, one part of me wanted to go for the vigil at the Civic Center. I guess, we will take a breather after having attend the past couple of weekends. I am glad that the gathering ended without any untoward incidents.

Since last week's incident, we have been sharing our thoughts with our children,making them aware of the situation. Having seen the brutality of the police and subsequent denial of Selangor's CPO. We wondered if there is any value in the moral and civic subjects taught in school.

One thing for sure - for the sake of our children and their future.the ISA must be repealed!

Vigil in PJ, Nov 9: Shocking use of Force by PDRM

Went to the ISA Vigil which was more of a Bersih Rally. Police roadblocks were all there preventing us to assemble. Gathered at Amcorp Mall. Had a short gathering, sang Negara Ku and dispersed under the watchful eyes and "ready to strike" FRU. It was peaceful and tensed. It was not the ordinary Sunday gathering.

All hell broke loose about an hour later when the FRU charge into the crowd that regrouped outside the Civic Center, arresting about 24 people including YB Tony Pua who we met earlier outside Amcorp Mall. Not aware that RPK was there, I was at the restaurant across the Civic Center where I managed to record some scenes of how the police chased and arrested the people - who were peaceful and was just about to disburse.

I am disturbed and shocked by the use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrations. What's really upsetting was that the charged in while people were singing the NegaraKu.

A sad day for our nation.

Some photos and video enclosed. More stories at Malaysiakini, Masterwordsmith, Paradise Storm and Anilnetto. Tony Pua blogged from mobilephone here and an update on Malaysia-today. I suppose there will be more news and pictures in the morning.

I pray all those arrested are safe and be released soon.

Tony Pua and Haris

The FRU ready to strike, batons drawn. Was it necessary to use such force?

Part of the crown at Amcorp Mall

Haris speaking to the people

the group gathered again near Civic Center, RPK was there with other politicians.

RPK is Free!

It is indeed heartening to know that after 53 days RPK is finally free and walking TALL again!
Great news and inspiration for justice.


Now we shall continue to press on - release ALL the other detainees!