Mid-week thoughts - on Intrusion of privacy

Raja Aziz Addruse, lawyer and Human Rights campaigner, was quoted in a report in the New Straits Times yesterday as having said that
“given the multi-religious and multi-ethnic composition of Malaysian society, any attempt to regulate a person's conscience, faith or private life had grave implications for all citizens and communities, as well as the relationships between communities.”

We all know this and we are aware too of the instances, especially in the last few months, when the privacy of some of our fellow Malaysians was intruded. But what did we do about it? We (yours truly included) made a lot of “noises” - in conversations, e-mails, blogs, etc. Then after couple of days or so, it was all silent.

So, it was refreshing, after all the inertia on the part of most us, to read in the abovementioned NST report that “more than 40 non-governmental organizations and about 190 individuals today endorsed a move against the policing of morality.”

This group of people, who held a press conference at a hotel in Klang Road, called for a “repeal of provisions in laws that deny citizens their fundamental rights to privacy, freedom of speech and expression, and which overlap the Federal Penal Code. They also wanted “a committee to be appointed to monitor the process of repealing such laws, with representation from women's groups, human rights groups, civil society organisations, progressive religious scholars and constitutional experts.”

This proactive move should be lauded and supported by all of us. We have a stake in such action. To what extend the NGOs and friends will succeed, is anybody guess. But it is certainly much better than the oft-seen response of only complaining, cursing, whining and the like.

Now, to look to the future

Well, all three won over the weekend, that is, the trio of Chelsea (4-1 against Crystal Palace), ManYoo (1 to Fulhams nil) and the Gunners (Van Persie strike got the 3 points against Blackburn). I have a feeling this year's championship will end in this order.

Sad case for a Gooner supporter though.

But all is not loss. The weekend game, the one before against Bolton and to an extent, the 1 nil win over Bayern threw some light on the Arsenal. That is the young players are almost there, reaching first team quality.

Pete Gill's opinion piece,"The Premiership Weekend Winners and Loosers", at Football365 puts it better -

Arsenal’s Youngsters

Of the three, Arsenal had the most reason for satisfaction this Saturday as they faced the most difficult task, and faced it with “my under-21 side” according to Arsene Wenger

Robin van Persie was the match-winner with an exquisite turn and finish. If he can contain his temper, the Dutch youngster has the talent to be the successor to compatriot Dennis Bergkamp. Ditto Jose Reyes; anonymous and peripheral as a left-winger, the Spaniard is a revitalised and effervescent figure as a striker.

Philippe Senderos impressed once more, and while Cesc Fabregas excelled as an emergency right-winger, Sven ought to have noted how adroitly Ashley Cole functioned as a midfielder ahead of Gael Clichy.

"Every one is quality; the trick now is for Arsene to give them more opportunities,” said an admiring Mark Hughes. “If you've got faith in youth and your ability to develop it you can really reap the benefits. It's open to debate but you can draw parallels with Arsene’s young players now and the group Sir Alex brought through."

It’s been a disconcerting season for Arsene Wenger, but there is plenty of hope for the future.

Proposal to "license" students going abroad

As an old man who can never forget his student days, I feel for all you students out there.

“Cannot do this”, “must wear that”, “watch your speech”, “you stay in” and the like were phrases expected of one’s parents when one was growing up. Now it seems the powers that be have taken over from our dear parents.

True the young need some guidance at times but surely the 18 year olds going on 21 and those older in our tertiary institutions are old enough to be trusted to live their life.

Giving examples and making comparison with things during “my time” (as we oldies like to say) would be pointless. It would be like playing a 78 rpm record on an old gramophone. On and on the same song and nobody listens.

And today I read something about students again. You fellas are in for another “shocker”.

“NON-OBJECTION certificate - a must for Malaysian students studying overseas. Such students will have to be "licensed" before they can leave Malaysia under a plan by the Higher Education Ministry” goes the sub-heading of the story in the New Sunday Times.

This old man is too tired to react to this type of news, seeing that they come once too often. Sorry, but I prefer to go back to my memories.

We Live Another Day

Yes, Arsenal live another day.

An hour and a half ago they defeated Bolton Wanderers 1 nil to enter the semi-final of the FA cup. This coming after being knocked out of the Champions Leaque last Wednesday night and drawing with Southhampton a week ago which all but ended the Gunners'chase for the Premiership top spot.

Facing a confident Bolton, only one of three clubs to have beaten Arsenal this season, at the Reebok was never an easy task. It also did not help that we were force to field a "makeshift" back 4 and also central midfield with all the injuries to the key players in the squad. To top it all Titi (Henry) had to sit out the game with a strained calf.

But sometimes, in football, things just fall your way. And tonight it was Arsenal's way.

We got an early goal, in the 3rd. minute, courtesy of the ever realiable Freddie Ljungberg, who lifted the ball over the advancing Bolton keeper, Jasskelainen, after being put through by Pires. Then, six minutes later, El-Hadji Diouf, the Trotters Senegalese striker was red carded for lashing out at Jens Lehmann following a failed appeal for a penalty.

The advantage was with the Gunners but, true to their character the 10-men Bolton displayed tremendous commitment to apply pressure on Arsenal. But this afternoon Arsene Wenger's men were up to it and in the end they soaked up all the pressure and the set-pieces, those long throw-ins, corners and freekicks awarded to the "Whites", came to naught.

The Gunners too had their chances to "kill" the game in both half. The counter attacks were typical Arsenal - passing and moving at pace. The goals, however, did not come. And Ljungberg's miss from a couple of yards, in the final minutes, when let with an open goal sums up why.

Who will be the Gunner's semi-final opponents will be known on Monday. All things considered the semi will decide whether we end the season with or without a trophy. I, like many other fans of the Gunners, hope that we will live yet another day to fight for the Cup.

(Originally posted at http://www.chitchatbola.net/blog/)

Another Look At Ourselves

When blogging on "Sepet" two Wednesday ago, I commented that perhaps watching the movie will let us "see ourselves for what we are." Continuing on this theme, looking at ourselves, below is a poem by one, Alonso Lim Beng Seng of Johor Baru featured in Citizen Nades of the Sun's column on Wednesday last.


You Are a 3rd World Country
(A gentle reminder to all Malaysians)

Progress is not solely about prosperity
Nor buildings that look pretty
You may have the KLCC
But some places like Penang are still dirty
So you are still a 3rd world country because of your mentality

You try to beat the queue to get a taxi
And don't even bother about road courtesy
Not to mention parking indiscriminately
Without signalling you overtake randomly
And abusing lanes for emergency
Rising deaths on the roads is how u celebrate festivity

You created the MSC
To emulate Silicon Valley
You talk about high technology
To preach about the PC
But yet broadband is denied to many

You also can't supply stable electricity
Your roads have potholes and are bumpy
And tyres fall off your LRT
So this is Malaysian quality

Let's create the best schools, roads and toilets in the country
Are what Malaysia Boleh should strive to be
But instead Malaysia Boleh is so funny

You break records just to make yourself feel happy
Decades passed but this mentality
I still see
Will this carry on till the next century?
Or will this change when we turn 80?

You are helpless and just let it be
Let it be
Will tomorrow be better for you and me?
15 years from now come 2020
If this goes on you will still be
Just another 3rd world country because of your mentality