Bourgeoisie versus proletariat?

Why is it that the politically-saavy urban middle class folks seem to be so much less concerned about their rural counterparts? In all the discourse about democracy, freedom and human rights, there seems to be a lack of mentioning of the plight of the rural peoples. What do they want? Has anyone bothered to ask?

The online press and the so-called "new media practitioners"(who are the worst offenders) often only report what is being discussed among urban middle-class civil society, but rarely give much of, if any coverage about the rural poor (or for that matter, also the urban poor). Unless of course there happens to be a by election going on at the time. All that you read in the media, new and old alike, is mostly just the kind of he-says-she-says coverage of the "upper echelons of society", i.e. politicians, artsy-fartsy-I-read-Kafka-and-Dostoyevsky types and kopitiam political analysts (who probably mostly get their fix at a Starbucks just so they can use the free WiFi to "stay connected").

Reporting of rural peoples are often reduced to "horny father rapes daughter" or "mak cik who sells pisang goreng for 20 years decides to sell fried cempedak and makes it big by buying a kancil". Stories that are either trying to give you the impression that rural folks are hillbillies or that are trying to make you go "aaawwww...poor people are so cute" like they're some race of fuzzy little bunnies.

While one could always point out that it's more difficult to get the poor and rural peoples organized (because they actually have to work hard for a living!), why haven't any of their urban iPod-carrying, camera-snapping, blog-reading, Obama-lovin', facebook-ing, twittering, feminist, civil rights activist, indie musician, actor/artist wannabe brethen reached across the divide to find out what's up in say...Sekinchan! Or Kuala Lipis? Just as an exercise to understand what matters to people in different parts of the country.

Thus far, the only references to the plight of the poor in this "struggle for democracy" are mostly used within the context of making the arguments of those who are speaking out to sound more credible. "Be fair to all races in order to help the poor!", is often the tag line. On the most part, it would seem to be mere lipservice rather than a show of any real genuine concern, because how many people really elaborate on what are these poor people issues? It gives the impression that somehow it is only possible to get rid of poverty only after you get rid of race.

It can't be denied that city dwellers have access to more means of communication and hence are able to air their issues better. So perhaps it might take some effort on the part of the city slickers to help bring rural issues to the table and into the media at large.

Otherwise, whatever "change" that comes next will only serve to disenfranchise the poorer urban and rural classes, and we might just move from race-based politics only to end up in a situation of class-based politics much like in many parts of the world. And class in many cases is just as ugly as race.

La vie en rodent...

I once saw a French mouse,
In a Parisian house.
He wore a burret,
Said "Oui, oui! Mon cheri!"

As he wiggled his bum,
That fat little chum.
Beer mug in his hand,
He laughed while he danced.

Along with his pals,
And some nice lookin' gals.
Sang odes to love,
And to the bright lights above.

In the city of lights,
deep into the night.
This band of lil' mice,
Sure had a good life!

Alhamdullilah...

So the professor from Pakistan I've emailed to get information about food safety and Islamic food law just replied to me after more than a month.

He said he sent me 7 articles that he wrote by post just this week and told me it took him some time because of the current conditions that he has to put up with - facing daily electricity outtages as a result of the current violence that is plaguing Pakistan.

Words cannot begin to describe how appreciative I am and guilty at the same time for his efforts. The fact that he kept his word despite the fact that it would be so much easier to forget about it (and anyone would totally understand) leaves me greatly humbled and in admiration of his determination and integrity.

At the same time, at least this gives me all the more motivation to do my best for this thesis and present something that will hopefully be good and readable.

I may not be Muslim, but I think it's appropriate at this moment to say: Alhamdullilah.

Self-reflection...

So my time back in the safety of academia is almost over. In a couple of months I'll be spit out into the real world, hopefully able to build upon something I would like to think I've laid down in these two short years.

In many ways, going back to school, and being able to do so abroad in a region of the world a lot of people could only dream of visiting, has been a great blessing. But it's also really been a second chance. In life in general, but more specifically in pursuing a career that I would be happy to end up with.

I think I started off this journey fairly desperate and hence pretty fired up about trying to do the best I can. Pretty much trying to throw myself in the deep end at every chance because I knew there's just so much I missed out on and needed to learn. I had to make up for all the lost time. And I think I'm a bit better for it.

Yet, here I am again growing anxious about what's to come next. And it feels similar though not exactly the same as the first time. Back then, I reckon I really didn't know what I wanted. Now? I think I know the general direction, though I'm not quite settled on where exactly just yet.

In some ways I think there is still an amount of self doubt about whether you really can do what you're setting out to achieve. In terms of the real world, you're just a mere seedling and you don't know whether you will grow into a proper tree that will bear fruit or die off before the next spring comes.

But at least I'd like to think that the experiences of the past two years will serve me well in the coming days ahead. I think the the few things I've learnt in this brief period of time is to deal with failure a bit better and to know that there is still heck of a lot I need to learn. I still make bad decisions sometimes. More than I'm comfortable with, but I've survived.

At the same time, I like that I can now push myself harder since I'm sure I really do like what I'm doing. I think that's helped set me straight towards the right direction.

I think I might havee grown a bit more cynical about the things around me, though at the same time due to that cynicism I'm willing to put in a great deal more effort. I don't really know how much of a good thing that is, but I guess I'll find out later.

All in all, as contradictory as it may sound, I'm really happy about how thing have turned out. How while I'm once again heading out there with much uncertainty as to what may happen, there is a certain calm amidst the fear and anxiety. I kinda like that.

Dissing and stereotyping the southern neighbour...

Should I, oh should I, go to Singapore?
There is Katong laksa and Geylang whores.

There's efficient transportation with the MRT.
Though why is one station called Clementi?

Not like MM LKY would show any leniency,
To those who speak out in the name of democracy! (*I sue you!*)

But then those people down south are all damn si beh kiasu!
And say stuff like "wah seh!", "wah piang!" and "wah lao eh!" too!

No littering? And what's this!? No chewing gum!?
Us Malaysians will surely leave with sore bum.

6 percent from their taps, used to be crap.
Do the ERPs also double up as speed traps?

Not that I would worry since I would have no car,
To pick up SPGs at all those expat bars.

Though maybe we aren't that different, we might just be the same,
Because when things go wrong, we all say "government's to blame!"

We have our Kenny Sia, they have their Xiaxue and Dawn,
Which Singaporean ah bengs all just adore and fawn.

What is our roti canai is their roti prata,
And neither of us would be caught buying shoes at Bata.

The hawker food's not bad, also has a bit of "class".
Though Penang food will always kick their sorry ass!

Ah Singapore, oh Singapore, maybe it won't be so bad,
To work crazy long hours and go completely mad!

Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

PSD scholarship review

"The Government will review the selection criteria for Public Services Department scholarships, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Currently, Ong said, the selection is based on four criteria - merit (20%), race (60%), Sabah and Sarawak citizens (10%) and students from underprivileged groups (10%)."

Chances of getting a PSD scholarship:

Have merit, but not underpriviledged nor live in Sabah or Sarawak = 20%
Have merit, underpriviledged but do not live in Sabah or Sarawak = 30%
Have merit, underpriviledged and live in Sabah or Sarawak = 40%

If you have no merit, are not underpriviledged, do not live in Sabah or Sarawak but are of the correct race = 60%

We live in the most just and equitable country in the world! Hurrah!

Dr. Strangelove, lord of the flies and a very bleak outlook of humanity...

Always have and always will,
down my spine,
I feel a chill.

If the mushroom clouds should bloom,
on this world,
all will be doomed.

Towards the subterranean shelters,
all will scurry,
helter skelter.

Safe within earth's bowels retained,
yet human decency,
will cease to remain.

In suffering, hardship, when life is torn,
towards each other,
we treat with scorn.

Death, destruction and pandemonium,
the rotting corpses,
smell of ammonium.

Successive future species will wonder,
"why could humans,
not live with each other?"

Unaware that their own seeds of hate,
have just been sown,
to meet our fate.