This is not right!

Sharing my personal thoughts on the the Rohingya boat refugees turned away by Malaysia, sending them back to sea:

(Picture from www.nytimes.com)

1. What is done by the Malaysian government not right. How can it be that every member of the Malaysian cabinet, senior Government officials, in their hearts agree to this?  I do not think so. I believe we have the heart to save lives..

A Prayer for Nepal

I would like to express our deepest condolences and compassion for all of those who lost their lives in the Earthquake in Nepal. 

We continue to pray and raise support for those struggling with the post-quake crisis. 

May all beings be free from suffering. 

A Buddhist Reflection

Just came to a realisation that Buddha Siddhartha Gautama was not a Buddhist! Wondering why I try so hard to be a Buddhist? Perhaps, we need to be Buddhas.

or maybe no. Perhaps, we should just be...........

with some interesting discussion FB

what about other religions?

Activists, politicians call for protection of human rights at ASEAN forum

I posted this earlier. I think this is too important to be "just another post".

Human right is not is just a piece of news, it affect the individual's happiness and wellbeing. Governments and leaders have been elected or entrusted to safeguard our wellbeing. Be reminded!

By the way, #WhereIsSombath ?

Related to an earlier post HERE

ASEAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS RISING INTOLERANCE IN MYANMAR

An event I attended.  The Roundtable on Tolerance in a People-Centered ASEAN, hosted by former Malaysian Foreign Minister Tan Sri Dr Syed Hamid Albar.  The event was held in Kuala Lumpur and it was good to see efforts to address issues of the raising violence in Myanmar. 

It is relevant today in as the ASEAN People's Forum is on the way right now. Our message is clear, ASEAN governments must review it interference policy, among other things.

Please share the Statement below.

Roundtable on Tolerance in a People-Centered ASEAN, hosted by former Malaysian Foreign Mminister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

For Immediate Release: 10 April 2015

STATEMENT: ASEAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS RISING INTOLERANCE IN MYANMAR

HUMANiTi Malaysia, in partnership with the OIC, KAICIID and ALTSEAN-Burma, convened a roundtable ‘Tolerance in a People-Centred ASEAN’ on 6-7 April 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event brought together diverse stakeholders from the ASEAN region, including representatives of more than 20 national, regional and international non-governmental organisations, to discuss key trends, issues of concern and share approaches to promote tolerance in ASEAN.

Inter-faith Relations: A more Positive Approach Needed

There is not doubt at certain level, inter-faith and inter-ethnic relations is deteriorating. Largely due to the rise of fundamentalist groups with nationalistic inclinations. The over emphasis of their actions in most mainstream media is not solving the problem, even though they are small groups. The unnecessary media attention gives to reactions on social media, fuelling anger and negative emotions. 

In a recent reaction by the MCCBCHST, the formal non-Islamic Interfaith council issue a statement which I felt set the wrong tone, hence my response. The article below was published in The Malaysian Insider 

A response to MCCBCHST – K.V. Soon

I refer to the press release by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) published on February 9, 2015.

I am disappointed by the tone and approach in the recent press release from MCCBCHST. My personal opinion is that the statement could have been more tactful and less confrontational. As a Buddhist and a life member of a MCCBCHST component organisation, I do not agree with the organisation's approach. I feel that it is not right for MCCBCHST's statement that implies that all Muslims are indulging in violence with this quote, "It is Muslims who are indulging in killing and condemnation of other religions and religionist."

Dengue, we are not focusing on the root causes!

Dengue is becoming a real problem and we are now focused on developing methods of detecting aedes?

What will the come up next? Miniature laser shooter? 

As of 31 January 2015, there has been over 12,000 reported cases of dengue since 1 January 2015 with 20 death, and we are trying to detect them. We know where the hotspots are already!

 

I rarely say this but creativity sometimes has its boundaries, what can't we creatively deal with the larvae, the source?

http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/01/31/unimap-to-develop-worlds-first-aedes-mosquito-detector/

Thoughts on kids and electronic learning tools

Here's a response to someone who asked us If kids use computer for learning -

When our kids were growing up, we did not have a TV (by choice) and and internet only for work. The kids grew up exploring their environment, learnt to communicate with one another and improved their skills to adapt and change above all grows their imagination. I regard electronic games as rigid limited but the limitation of their producers or developers. Moreover I am not a big fan of having kids stare at a screen to "learn". More so If your kids are very young.

So, do NOT let the ipad, mobile phones, etc to be your kids teachers (or nanny)

My experience shows that if we leave the kids alone without electronic stuff, they WILL find things to do. :-)

Don't worry parents.

 

Muhyddin has NOT fail our children and schools

The article above refers.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not fail our children nor our schools although he claimed that he cannot understand why the level of English language among our Malaysian student have declined. He cannot be blamed for the decisions, indecisions or inept decisions of his predecessors.

Our education system at best, is in transition, running on autopilot, lacking in direction.

Thoughts on Chinese Culture Appreciation

I was having breakfast yesterday when I was approached by a couple of young people in red uniform soliciting donations for and event, "9th National Secondary School Chinese Language Society Camp" organized by the Chinese Language Society of Universiti Malaya.

I had a little conversation with them (not exact words, but trying to share the essence of our discussion)

Reflection: Buddhism and Human Rights

Sharing my article in The Malaysian Insider

Yesterday was International Human Rights Day, so let me share a reflection and express my support for human rights as a Buddhist.

The Buddhists have a practice known as the undertaking of Precepts. Specifically, there is a set of Five Precepts or Panca-sila. 

As a Buddhist, the undertaking of the precepts is the most basic practice that cuts across all major Buddhist traditions.  As a ritual, Buddhists often recite the Five Precepts on a daily basis to remind themselves of their duties to self and society.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/reflections-on-buddhist-practice-human-rights-k.v.-soon

CLUES Music Video

Music Video of Amrita's Album, "CLUES"

www.amritasoon.com 

Amrita Soon's Album: "CLUES"

My eldest daughter, Amrita, just launched her debut album entitled, "CLUES" yesterday Zest Cafe in Bangsar.

I would like to the the opportunity to thank every who came and everyone who have supported Amrita to achieve her dreams.

THANK YOU!

To order your copy, click on the link in any picture below.

Nepalese worker first woman in Malaysia jailed for terminating pregnancy

"Dr Choong said Nirmala's conviction was "unusual" and regretted that she was "treated like a common criminal" for terminating her pregnancy, something many women have done.

"She did what countless other women have done. Why was Nirmala targeted? She was really unlucky."

This has nothing to do with luck.

I think there seem to be an element of discrimination against foreign women, especially workers and labourers. It is just curious that why must the AG Office do this, despite the fact there are thousands of abortions done all the time. This is not right. I agree with LFL.

On the wider perspective this law is outdated and highly discriminatory. This law and its hard enforcement is not the solution for unwanted pregnancies. It hurts people, especially women. The scars of emotional and

We need to go deep into the roots of the problems, and tackle them - with COMPASSION.



The full article is found here:
Nepalese worker first woman in Malaysia jailed for terminating pregnancy