TILL THEN...

Its a great lost. Her voice once filled up the atmosphere of a very huge ballroom. Its so sudden. Till then, bye Whitney. (Image: Yahoo.com)

POLITICAL SIGNALS

Malaysian drivers are known for not using their vehicle signal lights wisely. In fact, I remember how a friend even suggested this: vehicles in Malaysia - especially cars - do not have to be equipped with signal lights because  no one uses them. Never mind. Leave that to the Executive and Judiciary branches. Signals are important in politics. Politics include signals which are interpretable and are used interchangeably - and perhaps more often than not, misunderstood - with 'propaganda'. Depending on the intentions and contexts, words uttered by politicians bring different meaning to different individuals. Manipulations and exploitations of thoughts and ideas transformed into weapons of minds destruction. Some people are made to believe that some things , like a program  or a certain public policy, are good for better living. Some however, were forced to accept 'the fact' or 'the fiction' presented before them by 'leaders' which are signaled and transmitted electronically - blogs, vlogs, twitter, etc. Take for example, the 'third force' as coined by many - politicians, analysts, scientists and what not. Also, look at how people are told repeatedly about issues that are categorised or sanctioned as being 'true, accurate and reliable'; or perhaps the recent threat of possible strike by the Israel against Iran as reported worldwide. At the moment, I am more interested in reading all the signals transmitted by all parties in Malaysian politics regarding the coming General Election. It has been interpreted that the coming election will be held in mid March this year. Ya, why not? It is perhaps the best time for a general election to be administered. The signal from the Israeli's quarter pictures it quite clearly - at least from the US's point of view - that Iran will be their next target sometime in April this year. Putting all the signals together, wouldn't it be nicer, and better, for a general election to be held here before April 2012? Lets continue looking for more signals!

NICE TO BE BACK AGAIN

It has been more than a year since I last posted a short note here. My blogs - and a few other applications - were hacked. Tired of trying to regain access to those blogs, as an alternative, I switched to writing books, which turned out to be something that I did not expect initially - thank you to the publisher (will be mentioned later).

Its so nice to be back again. What a feeling!

SOMETHING BIG

(Image: kaz.blogs.com)

At this point, it is perhaps appropriate to reflect, yet again every time August is here, the moment when almarhum Tunku, after coming back from the London agreement in February 1956, decided not to use the formal words “if possible” when he proclaimed independence in Melaka. Instead he opted to say “If God permits”. The following day (February 21, 1956), The Straits Times newspaper frontpaged this: “M-Day 1957 August 31 ‘If God pemits” and “’If possible’ clause not mentioned’.

MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

COLLEGIALITY

1. I have so many friends; and I can hardly count the number of enemies that I probably have. I value my friendship highly. Friendships remain forever.

2. Living in this our very own world, where open criticism is not the norm, I find it quite uncomfortable the way 'collegiality' is promoted, and used extensively, in the university's administrative system (Im fully aware that it is not a complaint management system). I read a number of books, articles, conference papers, and I asked a few friends and was made to understand that collegiality is something like, "How people look at you" rather than "How you look at your ownself".

3. In the study of leadership, there are a number of theories applied for years to explain the subject better. Theories like, "Great Man Theory", "Trait Theory" and "Behavioral Theories" suggest how leaders are 'appointed' and 'recognized' by the followers. Some believe that leaders are born (Alpha Male or Great Man); some are of the opinion that leaders posses several traits that eventually make or turn them into leaders; while there are also people who believe that the personality or who the leaders are, are not really important; its what the leaders do matters most.

4. 'Collegiality' was a Roman Catholic Church tradition. Elements of authority and powers (between bishops and the Pope) were involved at some level of the administrative system. Im not quite sure how the elements - power and authory - are looked here, within the university's system. In Malay, 'collegiality' is translated as 'keserakanan', or 'colleague'.

5. Let's wish for the best.  

WHEN SILENCE IS INDEED GOLDEN

Image as seen on the wall of National Museum Kuala Lumpur.

1. No, Im not talking about the recent World Cup Soccer. While I too, enjoyed some of the matches, especially when it involved the Argentinians, Spanish, and Brazilians, overall, I must admit that unlike golf, where complete silence is the norm, football must not be transformed into a 'silence event'. Thus the decision to not to bar the local musical instrument from the stadium viccinity was, to me, correct, and commendable.

2. I prefer to look at the recent subsidy cuts by the Government as a tool to change the mindset of the mass. Politically, the reasons for the cuts were just and fine: that two-thirds of those who benefited most were from the high and middle-income groups; that 70 per cent of LPG users were businesses; and that the sugar subsidy was  mainly enjoyed by industries (notwithstanding the fact that more than 1.4 million Malaysians are diabetic).
The only thing that I feel should be observed and duly considered by the Government (I strongly feel the Government knows about this) is the fact that there must be a quick result that the people can see and perhaps appreciate the Government's measure. Give them something that they can look, feel and enjoy. Mention about 'long-term' later, at the Cabinet level, or State Legislative Council. Talk about it when giving speeches in official and non-official events and functions. However, as far as change management is concerned, the Government should also think about quick results that can be witnessed by the people at large. It may not be that big. But it sure gives an impact.

TAKE IT ON

I first heard about Mindanao years ago, when I was in lower secondary school in the late 70s. Then I heard about this Nur Misuari, the leader once closely associated with Mindanao. But that was it. I didnt know much about that province - in Southern Philippines - until I got myself engaged fairly actively in academic discourses as a student in the University of Malaya. By then, not only we - the students from the Department of Southeast Asian Studies (back then, it wasnt really a 'department'; it was only a "Programme") - learned about Mindanao crisis, we also discussed about the four hot spots of the Southern Thailand provinces - Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Its all about "identity". Its a big deal. And it takes years for a government to find solutions, not without tears and blood. Malaysia has been playing a small part (or is it?) - as a mediator - in the Mindanao. The current general sentiment among the players shows that Indonesia could play a bigger role.

Last week, we had a short academic discourse on the Mindanao issue. Prof. Adbouh puts it exceedingly well by addressing issues relating to the future strategic arrangement under the new leadership especially with the new President sworning in by late June.

A lot of ideas poured in. Dato' Syed Ahmad Aidid, Dato' (Rtrd) Ambassdr Salehuddin, (Rtd) Colonel Ariffin, Dato' Qosim and a few other, especially those from the IDFR (Institute of Diplomatic & Foreign Relations) and Wisma Putra - apart from Prof Adbouh himself - contributed much to the discourse.

PORTUGUESE & LUSO-ASIAN LEGACIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, 1511-2011

The ISEAS's Team - L-R - Peters; Prof Pang; Laura; Pany

"We (Portuguese) were already here as early as 1509, but for the record, 1511 is the recognised time, officially". Michael - a Malaysian Portuguese whispered softly while we were in a meeting this morning.

Michael is the representative for the Portuguese community in Melaka. With his attentive close friend, Peters, Michael shared some of his experience with all of us during the first meeting which was held at the 16th floor in the UiTM Kampus Bandaraya's building, situated somewhere at OffJalan Hang Tuah, Melaka Town.

The meeting was basically about, in Laura Pang's (from ISEAS, Singapore-based Institute of South East Asian Studies) own words, "Portuguese and Luso-Asian Legacies in Southeast Asia, 1511-2010". The other four representatives from ISEAS, apart from Laura were, Mr Pany (the ISEAS's Director); Prof. Eul Pang; Geoff Wade (a specialist on ships, maritime navigation and shipwrecks); Mr. Tansen Sen (Director of Nalandan-Srivijaya Center); and Prof. Mike Miskic (archaeologist?).

Laura was mentioning something about an international conference, which will be organised in September this year, in Singapore and Melaka. Its a bit too early for me to say anything at the moment. I did not have ample time to do my homework since the notice - of having to attend the initial meeting in Melaka - was served to me only last nite. The impression I got the moment Ambassador (rtd.) Datuk Yusof started the meeting was that we (the Malaysian counterpart) should only be concentrating on the arrival nite (the conference participants will leave for Melaka from Singapore on the second day of the conference and head straight for dinner at the Portuguese village in Melaka).

Im not sure if we still have the time to submit conference papers for the session in Singapore. Laura was all prepared to accomodate for a few more papers that should come in later this month. I'll think about it perhaps after I got the chance to talk to a few colleagues, especially Datuk Yusof. I got so much in my mind - Portuguese, legacies, 500 years...I wonder what Datuk Ramlah has got to say about this. Anyway, Mr Pany was kind enough, and I got three good books from him - (1) Creating "Greater Malaysia": Decolonization and the Politics of Merger; (2) Malaya's First Year at the United Nations as reflected in Dr Ismail's Reports home to Tunku Abdul Rahman; and (3) Realizing the ASEAN Economic Community: A comprehensive Assessment. Thank you Pany!

(Headed home at 1630hrs; stopped for a drink at the Seremban R&R and had brewed coffee at Shalala's.)

ON LEADERSHIP & NATIONAL INTEREST

Salaam. Dear ANB et.al. Below are the three papers we talked about which, as i understand it (based on the conversation I had with paul the other day), very much relevant with the Institute's future event. Papers for the month of May (Laos; Manila & Jakarta) are not included since they are all centralised on totally different perspectives. I think the best brain would be Prof Omar Farouk. He can be reached at Kyoto U, Japan. Cheers! <Nasrudin>  

SEMINAR ON NATIONAL RESILIENCE:

POLITICAL MANAGEMENTS & POLICIES IN MALAYSIA

13-15 JULY 2010, LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA

Institut Pemikiran Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

[NASRUDIN MOHAMMED]

Abstract

"AN APPRAISAL OF MALAYSIAN POLITICAL LEADERS THOUGHTS & WRITINGS ON NATIONALISM”

The main objective of the paper is to examine the concept and state of nationalism as propagated by political leaders of Malaysia. Specifically, the paper tries to focus on how the writings and thoughts of all Prime Ministers – Tunku Abdul Rahman; Tun Abd Razak; Tun Hussein Onn; Tun Abdullah, and Tun Dr. Mahathir have been negotiated and how their works have affected, in general, two general phenomena of nationalism, which include: (1) the attitude that the members of a nation have when they care about their national identity; and (2) the actions that the members of a nation take when seeking to achieve (or sustain) self-determination. The paper begins with a discussion of the Malay World polity system which shaped the political culture of Malaysia today. Subsequently, the nature of political culture in post 1957 Malaya/Malaysia will be analysed. It will be obvious in the paper that the role of nationalism in Malaysia has been very much determined by the leadership style of each of the Prime Ministers. This, coupled with a few more variables – which may include religion, ethnic and cultural differences as well – will be the subject of analyses and theories in approaching the subject further.

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PERSIDANGAN ANTARABANGSA WARISAN MELAYU DI INDOCHINA

24-26 JUN 2010 PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

[NASRUDIN MOHAMMED]

Abstract

POLITICS, POLICY & THE SOCIETY: A BRIEF LOOK AT THE CHAMS IN THE MALAY WORLD

The paper looks at three main objectives with regards to the Malay World in general, and Indochina in particular: First, to outline and summarise the configuration of forces responsible for setting the policy agenda in each of the areas identified by the author; Two, to explain why the policy agenda has taken shape it has now and also to discuss the implications of this for the Chams, especially the Muslim Chams in Indochina; and Three, to illustrate issues and problems faced by the Chams in view of the current polity and political system of the Malay World in general. Some perspectives of social change will be discussed in view of the Chams with further emphasis given to leadership aspect of the Malay World. Thus, the linkage, or rather the missing link, as some believe it, between the Chams and other societies in the Malay World will be observed and explored further by the author.

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PERSIDANGAN ANTARABANGSA WARISAN MELAYU DI INDOCHINA

24-26 JUN 2010 PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

[DATUK PROF. DR. HAJJAH RAMLAH ADAM & NASRUDIN MOHAMMED]

Abstrak

KEPEMIMPINAN DALAM KEPULAUAN MELAYU/INDOCHINA – SATU PENELITIAN

Secara umumnya, kertas ini meneliti aspek kepemimpinan dalam sistem politi dan politik dunia Melayu. Legasi yang ditinggalkan oleh kerajaan-kerajaan Melayu, khususnya mulai era Empayar Melaka, mewariskan kepada generasi masa kini dan masa hadapan pelbagai fakta sejarah yang sangat menarik untuk dihayati dan dimanfaatkan demi mengembalikan kehebatan dan kecemerlangan orang-orang Melayu khususnya dalam soal-soal urus tadbir (governans) dan politik. Secara lebih khusus pula, kertas ini bertujuan untuk menumpukan perhatian kepada kajian mengenai aspek sejarah yang mencorakkan sifat dan suasana dunia Melayu itu dalam konteks kepemimpinan dalam ketamadunan lingkungan Indochina. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, aspek kepemimpinan Melayu itu akan diteliti melalui kaedah pengolahan peristiwa dan fakta sejarah serta digarap dengan pengkisahan aspek-aspek kepemimpinan pemimpin-pemimpin tempatan masa lampau. Selain itu, aspek-aspek budaya serta agama turut ditekankan untuk memperlihat bagaimana segi-segi sosio-politik orang-orang Melayu tempatan diubah atau berubah sehingga menimbulkan persoalan identiti dalam kalangan orang-orang Melayu, khususnya beragama Islam, di Asia Tenggara umumnya dan lingkungan Indochina khususnya.

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REFLECTION 1

IT'S ALL IN THE healthy MINDs

Holistically, politics is not all about power. The ugly part of it - which more often than not overshadows the positive force of it - lies somewhere between the stereotype that has been indoctrinated and thereafter generalised as long as as I can ever remember since I read for the first time the much controversial piece of work by George Orwell (the Animal Farm) and smeared further by Shahnon Ahmad's Taik: that, politics is dirty. In fact, that is actually the issue/question raised by many the moment I had my first meeting either with students or people in workshops/courses that I frequently ran. It occurs each and every academic semester where I would be normally asked whether or not politics is indeed dirty. It came to my mind then - while driving along the North-South hiway, heading towards Taiping, with the auto-cruise navigation on; hence I got plenty of time thinking! - wondering the reasons why many people think or at least thought that way. It must be the personalities more than anything else. A day before, I was talking to a professor from a foreign country. We were looking at possibilities of having more linkages not confined to joint-seminar alone; applied research and faculty exchange could be one. In the middle of the conversation, we arrived to a conclusion that politics is actually a game of minds - healthy and unhealthy minds. A proposition offered by one perhaps very much relevant here. Kotter suggested two category of people, or to put it simply, two groups of people with distinctive minds: the "Scattered: and "abundant" minds. The former always look for negativity while the later opt for 'U win, I win'. This is what I have in mind now, the Hulu Selangor's by-election. It is ugly, yes. In the meantime, I opt to look at it using my car rear mirror - moving ahead while appreciating history.        

SPORTS, SPORTING & SPORTMANSHIP

Conflict is part and parcel of life; its natural, it should and must be managed somehow. The fact is, people differ, so they see things differently, need different things, and they have different thinking styles. Sometimes they agree and perhaps more often than not, they disagree - on so many things and issues. Different personalities, with different socio-economic status produced ideological and philosophical differences. With different goals and approaches, they are exposed to various influences - fear, force, fairness and even funds. Issues then transformed into problems. At the end of the day, they resort to either collaborating, compromising, accomodating, competing, or maybe avoiding.

These were what I shared with them a few hours ago, in a course on conflict management for sports organisation here, in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Held in one of the resorts here, the course, organised by the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia & Youth & Sports Offices, focuses on the issues & challenges faced by sports bodies in Malaysia; and conflict management is one of the themes addressed by the organiser. Met a few of my ex-students here - Siti Normaznie, Naziah, Hartyny, and a few others who are all assistant sports commissioner.

During the post-event late nite supper at the resort lobby, the Commissioner, Dato' Nik Mahmud Nik Yusuf had a lot of sidestories which we enjoyed so much.

I urged myself for a walk along the beach soon after the supper was over. Too bad I didnt bring my fishing rod. It was raining heavily until morning. But it sure was a nice and cool night for me, standing there, alone, watching the raindrops from the resort. Ah! The manuscript was always there for me!

NEW ECONOMIC MODEL

"We need a marketing approach", so says Dato' Mohd Salleh Majid, who was responding to a question posed by the audience in a luncheon talk organised by the Inmind (Institut Perkembangan Minda) held at the Holiday Inn Glenmarie's Ballroom this afternoon (April 7th 2010).

Identifying problematic sections within the sectors, then segmentised them so that problems could be tackled more easily by the authorities concerned were some of the suggestions offered by the reknown speaker who is also a consultant for various agencies and organisations. He also stressed on the importance of having a 'clear political perspective' so that people will understand Malaysian economic development better. In essence, Dato' Salleh was focusing on how various unexplored and uncommercialised resources can actually be transformed into economic opportunities simply by acknowledging and recognizing the very basic of economic advantages that we have. Agriculture and services are two of the sectors with potential economic advantages. 

Towards the end, the New Economic Model issue seemed to have been covertly addressed by many, including Dato Salleh himself, probably due to insufficient information and data that were yet to be released by the PM. I did ask Dato Salleh whether or not he was willing to state if the NEM could offer more and better compared to the previous models ever since the General Development Plan was introduced back in 1956. There are too many issues that need to be addressed - (i) ideological shift - socialism/dualism - capitalism/globalisation; (ii) approaches - ideal-typical index/dependency theories - KRAs etc; (iii) ethnic-based (before the NEM) vs non-ethnic based (NEM); (iv) the role of GLCs in not too-distant-a-time; (v) the role of private and public sectors etc.

To that, Dato' Salleh summed it all up as "its a very political perspective!" 

The session lasted for hours! But it sure was a productive discourse. Thank you Norizan (Nobisha), thank you Inmind!

OUT OF SHAH ALAM

It has been a long-practised tradition of the Terengganu Campus to host "Terengganu Tour" invitational golf event annually. I think the event was first started in 2001 or maybe a bit later. Back in 2001, we had the first round hosted in Dungun, at the Desa Dungun GC. This is the time where participants from all over the country would come and spend two days gathering at the Dungun Campus - golfing during day time, and dinner, BBQ and what not after that. The institution is too big to the extent we seldom meet until we have this sort of event once in a year or more. This is also the time we learn that someone has passed away in that particular year, thus leaving us reflecting on the memories that we used to have before (memories of Allahyarham Jamil & Pak Ya come straight into my mind!).

YM Tengku Yusuf - affectionately known as TY - the Campus Director, is indeed friendly, and very kind-hearted. He is known for his gentleness, understanding and of altruistic personality. His speech during the prize-giving ceremony was, according to many, reflected his down-to-earth personality and touched the hearts of those who were there. TY is simply nice and great! I noticed that everyone was so entertained and looked forward to come yet once again next year! TQ TY!

I have only one issue (that I dont really quite understand) with this game of golf:

"The only problem with golf is that the slow people are always in front of you and the fast people always end up behind you."

BYE, EDDY..

It came so sudden though a bit late - after almost 24 hours - to my knowledge that Eddy has passed away last night (many thanks to Finaz and Eliza).

Eddy was a student at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (UiTM) when I first met him some time in January 2007 while he was on his way for lecture on that very bright afternoon with his forever-good friend, Khirriah . He was a bit shy initially and didn't talk much until I started a joke. He was talkative and very friendly ever since. There was time when we used to exchange views - over the phone on some nights - on a number of issues. He talked about friends, career, his sufferings etc. I didn't get the chance to pay him a visit during his last days. I managed, however, to talk with him - also over the phone - middle of January this year. He was bed-ridden. He talked so slowly, and asked me - in a very soft and mild tone - whether I was ok. I didnt have the heart to talk longer.

Bye Eddy.. 

SMILE

Pseudo Urbanisation

Immediately after the short-course final session was over, and it was a saturday late afternoon, we - Aniah, Ehsan, Zura and Ismie - hurriedly dispersed and went off in no seconds. Instead of heading home, I drove - at my own sweet time, running at 60-70 km/h from the PJ Hilton, to BSC (Bangsar Shopping Complex). Roy was already there; I wasn't late however, since the meeting was scheduled to take place at quarter-to-six (no apology needed!).

Roy is a journalist-cum-editor for a bulletin/magazine or something. When he called me up the other day, I think it was three weeks ago, I was told that we were supposed to talk about little petty things like the changing political ideologies of political parties in Malaysian mainstream politics (if ever), as well as looking very briefly at some selected current issues like the proposed New Economic Model, the ministeries KPIs, local authorities, and governance. Issues pertaining to development and governance are indeed overwhelmed by a couple of shadowing variables in the forms of government's ideology; and the Penang's attempt to re-institute election in local government is perhaps one good example of that variables. Whether it is politically-driven or simply an altruistic side of the Chief Minister in doing so is not a pressing issue; politics is basically about determining choices when you have a certain degree of power to influence people. This is what happened in a number of constituents or even in some states - Perak, Selangor, Penang, Kelantan, and Kedah.

A Step Away from the University

The response was unexpectedly miracle compared to the previous ones which was held at the Stadium Malawati. The event - Selangkah ke UiTM - is an annual event. It is held days after the school examination results are out. Im not very sure why the turn-up rate was a bit higher than the last year's similar event. I'll just have to wait until Monday and see if the survey (questionnaires should be administered, I believe) could deduce something out of it.

As usual, the Faculty of Accountancy's booth was the centre of attraction this morning. God! There wasnt enough space for an average physical body like mine to even squeeze-in right before the counter's information centre. I have to use the 'back-door' and observed the whole processes from behind. The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies was also overwhelmed with prospect-candidates. The strategy was indeed very simple and straight-forward, and so very effective: prepare a studio-like setting, put a newsreader-wannabe there, and run a mock tv-news, and you are right in the business.

People come and go while a university stays. Ideologies and philosophies embraced, an individual grows. Universities come in many facets. Intelectual growth is perhaps one of the main components, often disguised in the forms of humility, down-to-earth character, hunger for information-then-transformed-into-knowledge, altruism, so on and so forth.

A person comes and stays in a university for a couple of reasons. Nobody knows exactly the motives behind a man's decision of staying or joining. What he or she is expecting is never explicitly made-known to the university; of course people will generally say that paper-qualification must be the main factor behind the decision (of joining an institution of higher learning). In the mean time, a university is called 'a university' for nothing. It is about the acquisition and mastering of information so that it will soon ("soon" is never a definite period of time), if God permits, be transformed into meaningful knowledge. It is therefore, an exploration of the universe, the cosmolgy of knowledge which is sacred/divine in nature. The challenge is now rests with the lecturers: there are no bad learners..

"...Smile, and the world will smile with you"

A CHANCE FOR CHANGE

I spent only two days in the office last week. Both days - Monday and Tuesday - were filled up with internal meetings and a half-day event on KRA (together with Datuk Ramlah and another three colleagues). KRA is another form of change management tool/model. The reason why change is needed is always debatable. Resistance however, is always the issue; and more often than not, the resistors are always difficult to be identified within short period of time.

The opportunity to participate in a 3-day course on Change Management and Performance Consulting held recently in PJ Hilton was a valuable one. Prof Rothwell (from the Pennsylvania State University) was the instructor. Well, that was not the first change management course I had attended; I couldnt remember how many. Two or perhaps three of all the courses that I had attended since 2000 were indeed so interesting and fruitful. I remember one workshop - that was in Penang in 2000 on Peter Senghe's model - was quite a good one. Then, another one - a 3-day seminar by Prof Daniel from Harvard University, held in Genting Highlands in 2002 - was also worthwhile. The recent one - by Prof Rothwell - was indeed excellent. Moral of the story: Change is inevitable.

L-R - Aniah; Alfina; Ismie

    

Met Kamaruddin (Total Logistics). An old & good friend since our college days in Astar, University Malaya, Kamaruddin is taking care of a very big Japanese company in Shah Alam.

JUST ONCE

An evening in a hotspring; a strategic outing - Mr Allagan is seen here comforting himself in one of the hotsprings somewhere in South Perak.

KEY RESULT AREAS

The entire faculty - including representatives from the branch campuses (Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, and Kedah) - turned up at the Felda Residence, Perak for a three-day Strategic Planning workshop. It was not really a strategic plan workshop. Rather it was a follow-through action of a strategic plan already sketched by the government (National Key Result Areas) later ministry (Ministry Key Result Areas) and re-defined and modified thereafter by the Strategic Planning Centre (UiTM Key Result Areas). What the faculty was doing was simply identifying activities/strategies, determine the duration of each of the activities, sets the projection, states the activities progress status, and identify risks, where relevant.

Overall, the brainstorming sessions were good. Issues were addressed fully and all activities - according to four dedicated groups - were presented very clearly before all participants. It should set the faculty right on track for the next 5 years at least. Details of the blueprint is accessible at the faculty.

A ROAD NEVER TOO LONG

A road is never too long when the journey is ever an interesting one. I took the old trunk road from Sungkai to Kuala Lumpur early this morning and it was indeed a correct decision of driving alone along the route. The discussion I had with Datuk Ramlah, coupled with a few more hard and serious talks with a few other colleagues, were prolonged by series of monologue which I had while driving. There are times when silence supercedes anything else that comes out in the form of sounds; when hearts and minds are conflicting against each other; when reality has to negotiate with myths; and when courage is chicken out by selfishness.

More often than not, it normally happens only once. But by the time one realises it, it was already too late for a turn-back. The radio was playing James Ingram's Just Once anyway. Thats where I got the turning point, I guessed. Again, it was only a guess.

ONE AFTER ANOTHER

Image, http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:aLt4JwEutGqk2M

A week passed by. All the seven days, as I recalled, were spent mainly on administrative matters. Two out of seven concentrated on internal issues, which required us to move up and down, and on both days we had to start very early in the morning, as early as 7 am. I was ok, Im not sure about other. It did not go down quite well. Too much shadowing variables I guess. Or maybe, my presence there was not quite a good and appropriate one. Met quite a number of old good friends - Beap (was buzy instructing the crew to re-arrange the flower pots), Mail (in shaky mood), Ramona (she seemed a bit 'vacant' for a second or two!), Zaidi (same as Mail), Zai (she was buzy packing), and Roza (running here and there). Beap was saying something with her mouth shut. I got her que and a short head-shake was all the replied she got from me. Puzzled. Had a short chat with the boss before we left for another meeting down below. We managed to drop by at a mamak's outlet nearby before heading straight to the meeting venue. I did all the briefing. (Gosh,the onion-tosay was really strong!)

FAMILIAR FACES

I was in my favourite magazine/books outlet in uptown two days ago, looking for a particular mag. While flipping through the pages of a mag, two familiar faces walked calmly right before me; ah! Ayin and Ayong! 

"Wah, jauhnya cari makan?"

"Saja-saja, berjalan", Ayong smiled. We talked for a while before saying goodbye. What a nice couple. 

OUT OF BOUNDS

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/1928742567_d1575fb020.jpg

Its going to be a very tight-schedule next week, and that will start tomorrow. With the Penn-State University's 3-day short-course at the PJ Hilton in mind, series of interview (the young-lecturer-scheme) and also the Planning workshop in South Perak until the end of the week, it is definitely an out-of-bound week for me and the entire staff. In Lewin's words, "Unfreeze, freeze, refreeze"... 

A BIG THANK YOU

Image, nasrudin february 19th 2010





I love books. And Im even happier this morning when (Datuk) Ramlah Adam appeared in my office room and handed me her latest publication, "AHMAD BOESTAMAM: SATU BIOGRAFI POLITIK" published by DBP 2009.

I didn't wait too long. And Im now on page 35. Its getting more interesting to know more!

Thank you maam!

LOVE IT, HATE IT

Image, http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

"Should I or should I not?"

Andy, a long-time friend, was having difficulty in deciding whether its wise to be a partisan; a full-time political actor. Im in no standing of deciding what is good - or bad - when it comes to making political decision. I did, however, offer him some insights in the form of questions. If he feels that he can satisfy all the criteria, then I would second his proposal right away.

Politics is all about people. I would go back to the people, and seek for their acceptance (or recognition, so to speak). I would read my political master's mind; for he is going to be master-cum-mentor through-out my journey. I would definitely take note of whatever ques he might signal along the way because from time to time, he doesnt have the luxury of wasting his precious time stopping for me and listens to my untimely questions. In the mean time, I would not ever try to understand each and every word he says. Politics, in the first place, is not a place for me to understand. Its a place for me to make people understand.

All the best Andy, and good luck! 

TURN BACK THE CLOCK?

http://www.turnbacktogod.com/poe...fortune/
 
 
 

Mum is not well. She can hardly see what is around her. The ironic is that I still have this feeling that mum and dad are as healthy as they were used to be; and that was some 40 years ago.

I will be sending mum and dad to Taiping this late afternoon and got to be back to Shah Alam in no due time. I got to be in the office by tomorrow morning.

Yesterday mum was very happy because she was brought back to Negeri Sembilan, her hometown and met her siblings. At times, I can't in any way let them know the sadness I have in this heart of mine nor should I let them know the sacrifices that I need to make. I've witnessed the look I saw on some people faces - Stopa's late father who passed away last few days in KB, Allahyarham Abg Man, Al-Baishah's mum, Elly's mum motherly face Hjh Saenah and her loving and caring dad Hj Md Kodry - and suddenly all these remind me of Phil Colin's, sacrifice.

Mum and dad taught me so many things. What is most intrigue is how they instilled the belief in me - by demonstrating naturally to me - that living is not all about having worldly rewards. There are so many other things that would eventually lead you to a meaningful happy life, now and perhaps, forever. 

How I wish I could turn back the clock. 

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.

Author unknown

ROMANCING THE NATURE

"Flowing like a river"

FATE THAT IS

Image, www.graphicshunt.com/search/1/alone.htm

It is not everyday you got the feeling that you are now the biggest - and most hated - enemy to the one who used to be the closest and most intimate companion for years. If only memories can tell everything now, God knows. 

APPROACHING THE END OF THE DAY

Image, www.brookefraser.wordpress.com

Something to ponder before I go off.

SORRY

In not too-distant-a-time, I think some aspect of the society's value system - in the forms of trust, faith and belief - would somehow altered or perhaps changed. Promises were made to be broken; pledge is no longer reliable while punctuality is as good as cliche. More often than not, promises that are made to tie a bond between individuals end up with '"Im so sorry...".

Im normally ok with that actually.

I trust that when someone says "Im so sorry", it really means "Sorry, God's willing".

HONESTY

To put it simply and ideally, honesty is like, when you really mean it, and say it, and show it, then it is actually what lies in your heart. It is all about consistency; otherwise it will become double-standard. You can't possibly show or display your honesty simply by stating that you are an honest person publicly; it must be accompanied by actions. But that also doesn't warrant you a guarantee that you are indeed an honest person. Why? It is all about your heart; nobody knows what is there for you or anyone else. The element of 'fear' of something is always there. What is 'the thing' that you are afraid of? Nobody knows. Honesty, then, is the soft and soothing feel inside us that keeps reminding us not to hurt people, be they near or far. The issue remains, however, that it is not that easy to convince anyone that honesty is all we have in our hearts. There are many reasons why people are critical about honesty. I am only interested in three: selfish, impatience, and ignorance.

TOO LONG A JOURNEY

Image, freefoto.com

After a long walk, why not take a step back, and think for a while? Perhaps we can find our way home eventually.

PRATUNAM, SATISFACTION & EGOISM

image, nasrudin, bangkok February 8th 2010:
top - pratunam; bottom, FinFin & Mus

The recent trip to Bangkok was quite a fruitful one. Reports were completed as planned; manuscripts were furnished with the latest figures and what not; while shopping was done so-so.

Pratunam keeps all the records safely all this while, as well as memories - good and bad - altogether paint the picture of life in not so a straightforward manner, especially with this round of visit; where half of the supposedly 6 life-members were intially should be there, each of them pledged to paint 'the canvas' with his or her own colours however only three made it. But, 'God is the Great Planner' - as the saying goes - and all left were three of them, I, FinFin and a newly-elected member, Mus.

It worked out pretty well, especially with my mission of getting things done there. Of course, there were some black-spots somewhere within the framework. I guess the biggest setback would be the second-last day of the trip. Again, that unpleasant moment wasn't asked or wished by anybody, not me, or Purple Stockings, or WaWa, and definitely not ShiShi.

It came out as a result of uncertainty, an out-of-context of an unstable emotion. Perhaps the adrenaline was too fast to bear by Purple Stockings until she made it crystal-clear that some actions were better kept safely inside the heart and not let anyone sees or listens. Afterall, it was supposed to be a two-way agreement, kind of bond, that intertwines two individuals trust, strictly for their knowledge alone. It didn't come down quite well with WaWa and ShiShi. I really think Purple Stockings must be satisfied now, or is she?

Moral of the story: Hold firmly on your words; be trustworthy; and never ever let someone's dignity smeared. Unfortunately, Purple Stockings did otherwise. Why? She wants everything all in one time. Satisfaction is one thing; friendship is another; while love is the other disturbing thing. Eventually egoism takes control of everything, all the time. Swallow the ego! Patience is the best option.

A DECISION TO BE MADE SOONER OR LATER

Image from: murasame5.wordpress.com

"Empty", was the answer I got from Akhlaken when asked how's life been treating him.

We chat over glasses of hot tea at Syed one late afternoon recently. The mid-nite before, we were chatting in the FB, exchanging thoughts and views on so many issues. It didn't end there however. We thought there were many more things that need to be discussed - but not via the electronic social networking. Emotions in particular, could not be comfortably expressed virtually; besides, one cannot possibly write - or keyboarding - as free or as long as he wishes due to some limitation. Face to face then remains as the best way of interacting and communicating between people. The way one expresses his or her feelings, as reflected perhaps by the look at his or her face, the tone of his or her voice, the anger that shown in so many ways - language used in the form of verbal and non-verbal etc - are all easily observed.

It has been quite a while since I last met him some months ago in Damansara. The recent meeting puts us back into perspective of what true friendship is all about. And we agreed - after taken into consideration some unpleasant incidents which involved our dear friends the last few weeks - that a tiny issue is all it takes for a friendship to come to an end unforcibly. Fate, then, must be regarded as the most powerful force in giving meaning to every single thing in what we called friendship. The 'friendship' circle - in the forms of Akhlaken, FinFin, ShiShi, WaWa, Alex & Purple Stockings - was once a wonderful and mystical chain of affection and expressions.

We thought it could last longer; well, it did not. 

Life goes on.

A HUMBLE CHEERS

Image from: Design Pics Images

The lappy that I got from Zura the other day keeps more than simply files and what not. I didnt expect it to come back. It was used merely as a reason for something. Never mind, forget about anything else. Any ways, it seems that purple stockings is farer and farer. And the folder 'lovely pics' is perhaps the last stuff I got recently, safely kept in the lappy. Im not sure whether it is a vendetta or accidental file. But the pics are there for me to look at. Thank you purple stockings. God bless both of you.

An excerpt from a Pulitzer winner, Ann. Interesting.

"I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.

Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived"."

AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Dear all, salaam.

Immediately after the two seminars that we have been participating last few days, I strongly feel that there is a need for you to have a more crystal-clear conception of what the history of the Malay Peninsula (during the European era) really is. I believe Mills's (1961) account of the history is sufficient to describe the scenario better:

"The division of of Malayan history into three phases of European domination can, therefore, have some justification if the Portuguese, Dutch and British in turn were able to use their naval stations either at Malacca or Penang to establish an indisputable and extensive control of local Asian commerce; it might then be said that they affected the life of the country decisively through their supremacy on the sea if not by their ccupation of the land..." (Mills, 1961, p. 9)

Please proceed through the pages, and let me know of the remaining 'hidden' history of the Malay world polity system.

Have fun reading, thank you. See you then.

i am a man
i want to play god
i am the younger brother
i want to be the older brother
i am the son
i want to be the father
i am young
but i really want to grow up in no seconds.

GOOD LUCK!

1. transactional and transformational leaders

2. charismatic leadership

3. leadership and management

4. leadership styles

EID MUBARAQ!

Happy eid mubaraq!

SEMESTER BREAK

Salam. Some blogs have posted entry saying that UiTM Shah Alam is closed for one week starting next week. This is not quite true.

UiTM Shah Alam isnt actually ‘closed’. It is actually ’semester break’ for the whole system and only meant for the students.

For the purpose of coordinating the whole system nation-wide (since 4 of the university’s campuses are currently ‘closed’), UiTM has decided to bring forward the semester break which was initially scheduled approximately in 2 more weeks.

Cheers.

HISTORY & PROGRESS

"THE reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man"

- (G. Bernard Shaw).

Must we ask further why history needs to be re-interpretated over and over again?

AS IT IS INDEED

I was with a group of technical people from an agency this morning. We spent the whole morning talking about National Development Plan; from the General Development Plan of Malaya (1956) to RM9. It was a fruitful morning indeed. Jaafar, Fauzi and Thiru to name a few, were simply great. At one moment, we mentioned "Bob", an old friend of mine during our college days back in MU Lembah Pantai, simultaneously. P.S dont ask me about how good the food at the hotel was. I didnt bother.

My apologies to a close friend "Arr" for not being able to reply messages the whole morning. In fact, i have not been replying the messsages at all since yesterday. I chose not to. Give me some time to reflect on a few issues that have been bugging me these few days.

It is not everyday that we get the impression that all fingers are pointing at us for something that we do not really clear of what actually is going on. Thus, we keep on asking questions, until we realise that the time has come to stop figuring out the reasons why. Never mind. Leave it as it is.