It's amusing if one were to look back at the happenings in Malaysia in the past weeks.
It's amusing that:
1. Yong Teck Lee is being investigated by the ACA for alleged graft right after he announced his SAPP would be supporting a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister. What a coincidence......
2. Vincent Tan, Eusoff Chin, Ahmad Fairuz, VK Lingam and Tengku Adnan are seeking judicial reviews against the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video clip. Still in denial mode......
3. Dr Mahathir urged the government to take action against Justice Ian Chin for using language unbecoming of a judge that was highly defamatory against the former prime minister in an open court in Sibu, after the latter alleged how Dr Mahathir allegedly threatened judges and sent them to Boot camps. You scratch my back, I scratch yours.......
4. Samy Vellu refused to give up the MIC presidency after the party was trounced in the last general elections, citing no capable leader capable of taking over. How absurd......
5. Ezam Mohd Noor was accepted into UMNO but not allowed to contest in the coming polls. It's like "you're in but you're not". How insincere........
6. Motorcyclists in Kelantan are not being booked for wearing a serban (turban) when the law only exemption was motorcyclists wearing the traditional serban and not other forms of headgear. What a double standard in enforcing law.......
7. the Kota Bharu Municipal Council issued a directive barring all Muslim women from wearing lipsticks and high heels in Kelantan when this is an infringement of human rights and personal preference. How islamic is Kelantan.......
8. sore Khir Toyo is by alleging how inefficient the present state government when he already had his opportunity but did not do much. What a sore loser he is............
9. Najib said the Government would launch a "massive operation' against illegal immigrants in Sabah soon, when a cabinet committee headed by him had been set up long time ago; and did nothing. What a hyprocrite......
10. daring Raja Petra is when he stick his neck out to help nab those guilty of a heinous crime by making a statutory declaration that Rosmah Mansor, wife of Najob Tun Razak and two others were present when Altantuya was blown up. What a hero YM Raja Petra is...........
11. while freedom of press is being championed by the Government, the press were barred from Parliament lobby on Tuesday. Cakap tak sama bikin............
12. MCA wanted to take disciplinary action against its members Wong Leong and Datuk Theng Book for alleging that a snoop squad was formed to eliminate the President's potential enemies within the party. Imagine how powerful the MCA President is.................
13. Selangor state government hosted a ceremony to take back the brooms given to Hulu Selangor District Office and Hulu Selangor Land Office by Khir Toyo for failing to collect assessment above the 50% mark for 2006. What a waste of time, Ronnie........
14. the mighty Eric Chia finally succumbed to God Almighty's prowess, after being acquitted for misappropriating RM76.4mil from Perwaja Rolling Mill and Development Sdn Bhd. How vulnerable life is........
15. a 17-year old girl was allegedly raped by a policeman, the law enforcer and crime buster, in a police station, supposedly the safest place from the hustle and bustle of crimes. Where else is safe............
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Absurd protest by Selangor PAS Youth
The Selangor PAS Youth submitted a memoradum to the Selangor Mentri Besar’s office to protest against plans to have Ella and Mas Idayu perform at the match on July 6.
The move by PAS has upsetted the Sultan of Selangor who threatened to call off future Sultan of Selangor Cup matches between his state and Singapore if the protest by the state PAS Youth against two artistes performing for the event went ahead.
What a joke? In this cyber age, decent singers (or artises) are not allowed to perform in public. State PAS Youth chief Sallehen Mokhyi said the movement felt that performances by the singers were inappropriate as it would be attended by many youngsters.
Maybe it's time PAS considers banning all forms of entertaintment as many youngsters are hooked on. Future Malaysia will see no cinemas and theatres, TVs, home videos, wayang kulit, dikir barat, makyong, menora, Akademi Fantasia, Malaysia Idol, So You Can Dance etc etc
You Walk The Talk First
The Star18 June 2008
You walk the talk first
Musings
By MARINA MAHATHIR
The Government wants us to change our lifestyles to cope withinflation. It is easier said than done since most people were havingit difficult even before the hikes. The Government must first set anexample by doing things it should have done long ago. WITH the recent hike in fuel prices and the Government's exhortationsfor us to change our lifestyles in order to cope, may I provide heresome suggestions for the Government and those who work for it to"share our burden".
1. Stop having meetings, especially out at resorts, far enough away tobe able to claim transport allowances. Have online meetings instead orteleconferences. Use Skype or chat.
2. No need to order special pens, bags, T-shirts, notepads and othergoodies for those same meetings.
3. No need to order kuih for mid-morning or teatime meetings in government offices, or nasi briyani lunches for those meetings that happen to end just at lunchtime.
4. Cancel all trips for government servants to conferences overseas unless they return with full reports of what they did there, who they met and what they learnt and how they mean to apply what they learnt at home. Ask them to do presentations to colleagues who did not get to go, on the most interesting and important papers that they read.
5. Scrutinise invoices for contracts to make sure they are truly reflective of what those projects or supplies cost.
6. Stop elaborate launches for government programmes. In particular, stop the buying of souvenirs, special batik shirts, corsages, bouquets and caps.
7. Make all civil servants and politicians travel economy class. That means really travelling at the back of the plane and not buying fullfare economy class tickets that allow them to be upgraded to Business Class.
8. Stop having the full complement of police escorts to cut down on petrol costs. If they need to be somewhere by a certain time, start earlier like the rest of us. Wouldn't be a bad thing for them to also experience a traffic jam.
9. Once a week (or more), have ministers use public transport so they know what everyone else has to suffer. This might provide them with the incentive to improve them.
10. Once a week, let ministers go to a market to buy food for their families with instructions to not spend more than RM100.
11. Get ministers to carpool. They might get more work done just by being able to talk to each other to see what can be coordinated between their ministries. For instance, the Ministers of Health and Women could discuss what to do about women's health issues in the car on the way to work. Maybe have a secretary to travel in the front seat to take down notes on what was discussed. By the time they get to their offices, things can get implemented.
12. Once a month, get civil servants to work with one disadvantaged group in order to be better able to appreciate their problems. Itcould be blind people one month, hearing disabled people the next, orang asli the following month and people living with HIV/AIDS after that. We could start buddy systems which pair one civil servant with one disadvantaged person and at the end of it, ask each pair to make recommendations on how to make life better for each other. This might get rid of the problem of desk jockeys, people who never stray very far from their desks yet make policies for people they know nothing about.
13. Have PA systems that shout out the name of the officers who have to serve people at government offices so that people get the services they came for and don't have to keep coming back just because the officer was out having coffee. No counter should be left unmanned for more than five minutes before the officer is paged to go back to their stations. This should cut down waiting time for the public and save them transport costs in having to keep returning just to get one thing done.
14. Government officers who lose people's files should be fined and have their names publicised for being careless and causing inconvenience to the public. Instead of making the public travel to their offices several times to deal with their problems, they should travel to go see their client and deal with it right there and then. And every officer who goes out of the office should be given a reasonable time to get his work done after which he is expected back in office so he doesn't waste time doing something else.
15. And newspapers should save paper by reporting real news rather than non-news that they carry, particularly nonsensical utterances by politicians.
As they say, we need to do this all together in order to make a difference. So if the Government and politicians make these lifestyle changes, I will do my part and change mine.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I couldn't agree with you more; and I believe we concerned Malaysians are able to add on the list non-stop.
You walk the talk first
Musings
By MARINA MAHATHIR
The Government wants us to change our lifestyles to cope withinflation. It is easier said than done since most people were havingit difficult even before the hikes. The Government must first set anexample by doing things it should have done long ago. WITH the recent hike in fuel prices and the Government's exhortationsfor us to change our lifestyles in order to cope, may I provide heresome suggestions for the Government and those who work for it to"share our burden".
1. Stop having meetings, especially out at resorts, far enough away tobe able to claim transport allowances. Have online meetings instead orteleconferences. Use Skype or chat.
2. No need to order special pens, bags, T-shirts, notepads and othergoodies for those same meetings.
3. No need to order kuih for mid-morning or teatime meetings in government offices, or nasi briyani lunches for those meetings that happen to end just at lunchtime.
4. Cancel all trips for government servants to conferences overseas unless they return with full reports of what they did there, who they met and what they learnt and how they mean to apply what they learnt at home. Ask them to do presentations to colleagues who did not get to go, on the most interesting and important papers that they read.
5. Scrutinise invoices for contracts to make sure they are truly reflective of what those projects or supplies cost.
6. Stop elaborate launches for government programmes. In particular, stop the buying of souvenirs, special batik shirts, corsages, bouquets and caps.
7. Make all civil servants and politicians travel economy class. That means really travelling at the back of the plane and not buying fullfare economy class tickets that allow them to be upgraded to Business Class.
8. Stop having the full complement of police escorts to cut down on petrol costs. If they need to be somewhere by a certain time, start earlier like the rest of us. Wouldn't be a bad thing for them to also experience a traffic jam.
9. Once a week (or more), have ministers use public transport so they know what everyone else has to suffer. This might provide them with the incentive to improve them.
10. Once a week, let ministers go to a market to buy food for their families with instructions to not spend more than RM100.
11. Get ministers to carpool. They might get more work done just by being able to talk to each other to see what can be coordinated between their ministries. For instance, the Ministers of Health and Women could discuss what to do about women's health issues in the car on the way to work. Maybe have a secretary to travel in the front seat to take down notes on what was discussed. By the time they get to their offices, things can get implemented.
12. Once a month, get civil servants to work with one disadvantaged group in order to be better able to appreciate their problems. Itcould be blind people one month, hearing disabled people the next, orang asli the following month and people living with HIV/AIDS after that. We could start buddy systems which pair one civil servant with one disadvantaged person and at the end of it, ask each pair to make recommendations on how to make life better for each other. This might get rid of the problem of desk jockeys, people who never stray very far from their desks yet make policies for people they know nothing about.
13. Have PA systems that shout out the name of the officers who have to serve people at government offices so that people get the services they came for and don't have to keep coming back just because the officer was out having coffee. No counter should be left unmanned for more than five minutes before the officer is paged to go back to their stations. This should cut down waiting time for the public and save them transport costs in having to keep returning just to get one thing done.
14. Government officers who lose people's files should be fined and have their names publicised for being careless and causing inconvenience to the public. Instead of making the public travel to their offices several times to deal with their problems, they should travel to go see their client and deal with it right there and then. And every officer who goes out of the office should be given a reasonable time to get his work done after which he is expected back in office so he doesn't waste time doing something else.
15. And newspapers should save paper by reporting real news rather than non-news that they carry, particularly nonsensical utterances by politicians.
As they say, we need to do this all together in order to make a difference. So if the Government and politicians make these lifestyle changes, I will do my part and change mine.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I couldn't agree with you more; and I believe we concerned Malaysians are able to add on the list non-stop.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Rebate for petrol. What rebate?
The recent petrol-hike affects everybody. Those living in Bangsar or those living in the slumps. Those driving a 3-litre Cefiro or a 850 cc Kancil. Those riding kapcai or Harleys. In short, you will be affected - whether you are rich or poor. You won’t be spared.
I'm OK with the price hike. This is a laisse fairre market. The prices are dictated by the supply and demand. And that's called the market forces. Everybody must pay for something at the market price. If the market price is RM3.00 per litre, so be it. We have to pay RM3.00 per litre. So why the fuss?
However, what irks me is not the price hike, but the manner in which the actual petrol price is manipulated and how the public is made blinded with the RM625.00 rebate? What rebate? That's is our money - yours and mine. It's ours and rightfully should be taken in the first place.
Let's go back to the basic. In economy, dollar must be compared to dollar as apple to apple. Not comparing bananas in M'sia are much cheaper than bananas in Japan. Of course-lah, even primary school children know that, as Japan is not a bananas producing country. Comparing bananas in Malaysian to bananas in Thailand make more sense.
To show that ours is still cheap, they blinded us with the prices in Thailand , Singapore and Indonesia . Yes, it's RM3.90/liter in Thailand. However cars cost as much as RM15,000 cheaper in Thailand, one in a lifetime driving license and roadtax. And the six-lane highway from Hadyai to Bangkok is toll free.
Then they compared with Singapore. It's RM5.20 (or $2.20). Mind you, in Singapore it's $2.20, not RM5.20. You can't quote in RM because they are earning in Sing Dollars or can you fill up petrol in Singapore by paying in RM? What an insult of my intelligence as Singapore is not even a crude oil exporter.
Then for Indonesia we might say is cheaper there at RM2.07/liter but look at their income per capita and compare that with Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei.
Again, what rebate? If they're talking about the petrol prices of the oil producing countries, then they would realize what it means by "rebate" or "subsidy".
UAE RM1.19/litre
Eygpt RM1.03/litre
Bahrain RM0.87/litre
Qatar RM0.68/litre
Kuwait RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia RM0.38/litre
IranRM0.35/litre
Nigeria RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan RM0.25/litre
Venezuela RM0.16/litre
Where is the subsidy or what rebate are they shouting about?
At international market, the price of crude oil is USD 130/barrel. 1 barrel = 159 liters x RM2.70/liter = RM 429 or USD 134
On 1 hand, we are paying the full cost of 1 barrel of crude oil with RM2.70 per liter but on the other hand the crude oil only produces 46% of fuel.
Msia sells crude oil per barrel at USD130 buys back Fuel per barrel at USD134. And not forgetting, every barrel of fuel is produced with 2 barrels of crude oil.
1 barrel crude oil = produce 46% fuel (or half of crude oil), therefore 2 barrel crude oil = approximately 1 barrel fuel In other words, each time we sell 2 barrels of crude oil, equivalently we will buy back 1 barrel of fuel.
Financially,
Malaysia sell 2 barrel crude oil @ USD 130/barrel = USD 260 = RM 858 then,
Malaysia will buy back fuel @ USD 134/barrel = RM 442/barrel
Thus, Malaysia earn net extra USD 126 = RM 416 for each 2 barrel of crude
sold/exported vs imported 1 barrel of fuel !!!
(USD 260-134 = USD 126 = RM416)
So where this extra USD 126/barrel income is channeled to by Malaysian Govt?
Are they saying that we stupid Malaysians are pre-paying for the bitumen, kerosene, and natural gases and so many more when we fill up our tanks; and again pay for the bitumen or tar used in the form of toadtax etc.
And worst still, when you board an airplane, you still have to pay fuel surcharge by airlines. Where is the subsidy or rebate?
We, stupid Malaysians are being deceived by the propoganda and agendas of the politicians and the controls they have over the press.
Another sore point is the determination of who get and who don't get the petrol rebate. Which stupid idiot economist equates rebates given based on the size of the cars or motorbikes, irregardless of its age. Meaning those driving cars less than 2000cc are poor; and are entitled for the rebate. Those driving cars more than 2000cc are rich; and therefore not entitled for the rebate. What an absurd equation.
In my office, my boss (who is the owner and who is 1,000,000 times or more richer that I am) drives in a brand new C class Mercedes; and he gets a rebate of RM625 because he is poor; and I, who is 1,000,000 times poorer that him) but drives an 11-year old 2.2. Toyota Camry didn't qualify for the rebate just because I am "rich".
An average office clerk may own a second hand 1300cc proton Iswara costing $7,000 (rebate = $625) while the Datuk's children can own a fleet of 10 new cars of BMW, Audi and Volvo all less than 2000cc costing $2 millions and get a total rebate of $625 x 10 = $6,250! Here, who gets the most benefits of the so-called "rebate"?
Wow!! what kind of economists we are keeping in Malaysia?
I really feel sorry for the short-sightedness of the decision-makers. And sorry for fellow Malaysians for electing these short-sightedness people to be the leaders of the nation.
I'm OK with the price hike. This is a laisse fairre market. The prices are dictated by the supply and demand. And that's called the market forces. Everybody must pay for something at the market price. If the market price is RM3.00 per litre, so be it. We have to pay RM3.00 per litre. So why the fuss?
However, what irks me is not the price hike, but the manner in which the actual petrol price is manipulated and how the public is made blinded with the RM625.00 rebate? What rebate? That's is our money - yours and mine. It's ours and rightfully should be taken in the first place.
Let's go back to the basic. In economy, dollar must be compared to dollar as apple to apple. Not comparing bananas in M'sia are much cheaper than bananas in Japan. Of course-lah, even primary school children know that, as Japan is not a bananas producing country. Comparing bananas in Malaysian to bananas in Thailand make more sense.
To show that ours is still cheap, they blinded us with the prices in Thailand , Singapore and Indonesia . Yes, it's RM3.90/liter in Thailand. However cars cost as much as RM15,000 cheaper in Thailand, one in a lifetime driving license and roadtax. And the six-lane highway from Hadyai to Bangkok is toll free.
Then they compared with Singapore. It's RM5.20 (or $2.20). Mind you, in Singapore it's $2.20, not RM5.20. You can't quote in RM because they are earning in Sing Dollars or can you fill up petrol in Singapore by paying in RM? What an insult of my intelligence as Singapore is not even a crude oil exporter.
Then for Indonesia we might say is cheaper there at RM2.07/liter but look at their income per capita and compare that with Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei.
Again, what rebate? If they're talking about the petrol prices of the oil producing countries, then they would realize what it means by "rebate" or "subsidy".
UAE RM1.19/litre
Eygpt RM1.03/litre
Bahrain RM0.87/litre
Qatar RM0.68/litre
Kuwait RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia RM0.38/litre
IranRM0.35/litre
Nigeria RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan RM0.25/litre
Venezuela RM0.16/litre
Where is the subsidy or what rebate are they shouting about?
At international market, the price of crude oil is USD 130/barrel. 1 barrel = 159 liters x RM2.70/liter = RM 429 or USD 134
On 1 hand, we are paying the full cost of 1 barrel of crude oil with RM2.70 per liter but on the other hand the crude oil only produces 46% of fuel.
Msia sells crude oil per barrel at USD130 buys back Fuel per barrel at USD134. And not forgetting, every barrel of fuel is produced with 2 barrels of crude oil.
1 barrel crude oil = produce 46% fuel (or half of crude oil), therefore 2 barrel crude oil = approximately 1 barrel fuel In other words, each time we sell 2 barrels of crude oil, equivalently we will buy back 1 barrel of fuel.
Financially,
Malaysia sell 2 barrel crude oil @ USD 130/barrel = USD 260 = RM 858 then,
Malaysia will buy back fuel @ USD 134/barrel = RM 442/barrel
Thus, Malaysia earn net extra USD 126 = RM 416 for each 2 barrel of crude
sold/exported vs imported 1 barrel of fuel !!!
(USD 260-134 = USD 126 = RM416)
So where this extra USD 126/barrel income is channeled to by Malaysian Govt?
Are they saying that we stupid Malaysians are pre-paying for the bitumen, kerosene, and natural gases and so many more when we fill up our tanks; and again pay for the bitumen or tar used in the form of toadtax etc.
And worst still, when you board an airplane, you still have to pay fuel surcharge by airlines. Where is the subsidy or rebate?
We, stupid Malaysians are being deceived by the propoganda and agendas of the politicians and the controls they have over the press.
Another sore point is the determination of who get and who don't get the petrol rebate. Which stupid idiot economist equates rebates given based on the size of the cars or motorbikes, irregardless of its age. Meaning those driving cars less than 2000cc are poor; and are entitled for the rebate. Those driving cars more than 2000cc are rich; and therefore not entitled for the rebate. What an absurd equation.
In my office, my boss (who is the owner and who is 1,000,000 times or more richer that I am) drives in a brand new C class Mercedes; and he gets a rebate of RM625 because he is poor; and I, who is 1,000,000 times poorer that him) but drives an 11-year old 2.2. Toyota Camry didn't qualify for the rebate just because I am "rich".
An average office clerk may own a second hand 1300cc proton Iswara costing $7,000 (rebate = $625) while the Datuk's children can own a fleet of 10 new cars of BMW, Audi and Volvo all less than 2000cc costing $2 millions and get a total rebate of $625 x 10 = $6,250! Here, who gets the most benefits of the so-called "rebate"?
Wow!! what kind of economists we are keeping in Malaysia?
I really feel sorry for the short-sightedness of the decision-makers. And sorry for fellow Malaysians for electing these short-sightedness people to be the leaders of the nation.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Kelantanese Chinese of peranakan-descent on the brink of extinction
I always lament the future of a small group of Kelantanese chinese, whose forefathers landed in this country more than 250 years ago - much longer than many current crop of so-called Malaysians.
They attended English or Malay schools instead of the chinese schools. They speak perfect bahasa Kelate instead of Mandarin, Hakka or Cantonese. The only Chinese dialect they speak is Hokkien - though smuttering Hokkien.
Through the process of assimilation, they have lost their identity. They are not Malays; and naturally would not be accepted as bumiputras. Since they don't speak Mandarin, Hakka or Cantonese, they feel out of place among the "real" or more "genuine" Chinese. Compounded by their tanned skin, they look every inch like the Malays. Though their Chinese surnames are maintained, many have taken the Malay names or are being called by the Malay names.
But this unfortunate group of people will perish in history - in 30 - 40 years to come. Why 30 - 40 years? Because I am the last generation of the so-called Cina peranakan Kelantan. Being 50 this year, how much longer can I live? 20, 25 or 30 years. Maybe I will live another 25 years until age 75, i.e. 8 year longer than the world's average life span of 67. I still have my younger brothers and sisters. They are also same like me. Or may be a smaller group - 10 - 15 years younger than me to carry on the legacy. After they are gone, the Cina peranakan Kelantan will go down in history. The whole wide world would not even know of their existence.
I have 3 factors to back my extinction theory. First, they are being marginalized. Though Chinese, they live exactly like Malays - using hand to eat, eat budu and ulam, wear kain lepas (headgear), rear lifestocks, do farming and mingled with the Malays in the Malay community. One would be forgiven to pass them off as Malays. But the sad thing is that they are not Malays. They don't enjoy the special privileges reserved for Malays. To the Government, they are Chinese; and Chinese don't get to enjoy all those. To the Government, Chinese are rich. And they (chinese peranakan) don't get to enjoy the special privileges. Poor Cina peranakan Kelantan. They can't get to enjoy the special privileges of the Malays; and they don't have the riches of the Chinese.
2nd factor: They are being marginalized again. To rid themselves of the no-win situation, the younger generations realized that they had to become more "Chinese" than their fathers or grandfathershow to get out of the doldrums. They realized they could not enjoy the special privileges of the Malays. They realized that they had to become more Chinese to enjoy more of the riches of the Chinese. How? Education. Yes, Chinese education. They sent their children to Chinese schools, though distance and transportation were big obstacles. Nowadays, the generations younger than mine are ashamed if associated with Cina perakanan Kelantan. To them, it is not cool to be a cina peranakan Kelantan.
3rd factor: They are being marginalized again and again. To them, being a cina perakanan Kelantan brings no gains but more pains. The Malays, or rather the kampong Malays did not really accept them. Like the popular saying, manis di mulut, busuk di perut. In front, the Malays proclaimed them as brothers, but behind these Malays taught their children to call these cina peranakan Kelantan by derogatory names such as kapir, apek, cino. To these children, all chinese are kapir, apek or cino without they realizing the meanings. Naturally, these children - who were not well-taught by their parents to respect mankind, did not do well in schools. They did not score good grades. As nature would have it, the Chinese students outshone the Malays year-in year-out. But who cares. Chinese students with Grade 1 in MCE could proceed to do sixth form. (MCE is now known as SPM) Those with Grade 2 got to look for jobs or forked out their parents' hard-earned money to attend either TAR College in KL or sixth form in private school. Better still Malay students with Grades 1 and 2 and some of the better Grade 3 went to form six; and get paid a scholarship. Chinese students, not only denied of a scholarship, were made to pay the school fee. And even better. Malay students with Grade 3 were all accepted into ITM. Now many of them are Professors and Associate Professors.
So, can anybody tell me why aren't the Kelantanese Chinese of the peranakan-descent on the right track to extinction?.
They attended English or Malay schools instead of the chinese schools. They speak perfect bahasa Kelate instead of Mandarin, Hakka or Cantonese. The only Chinese dialect they speak is Hokkien - though smuttering Hokkien.
Through the process of assimilation, they have lost their identity. They are not Malays; and naturally would not be accepted as bumiputras. Since they don't speak Mandarin, Hakka or Cantonese, they feel out of place among the "real" or more "genuine" Chinese. Compounded by their tanned skin, they look every inch like the Malays. Though their Chinese surnames are maintained, many have taken the Malay names or are being called by the Malay names.
But this unfortunate group of people will perish in history - in 30 - 40 years to come. Why 30 - 40 years? Because I am the last generation of the so-called Cina peranakan Kelantan. Being 50 this year, how much longer can I live? 20, 25 or 30 years. Maybe I will live another 25 years until age 75, i.e. 8 year longer than the world's average life span of 67. I still have my younger brothers and sisters. They are also same like me. Or may be a smaller group - 10 - 15 years younger than me to carry on the legacy. After they are gone, the Cina peranakan Kelantan will go down in history. The whole wide world would not even know of their existence.
I have 3 factors to back my extinction theory. First, they are being marginalized. Though Chinese, they live exactly like Malays - using hand to eat, eat budu and ulam, wear kain lepas (headgear), rear lifestocks, do farming and mingled with the Malays in the Malay community. One would be forgiven to pass them off as Malays. But the sad thing is that they are not Malays. They don't enjoy the special privileges reserved for Malays. To the Government, they are Chinese; and Chinese don't get to enjoy all those. To the Government, Chinese are rich. And they (chinese peranakan) don't get to enjoy the special privileges. Poor Cina peranakan Kelantan. They can't get to enjoy the special privileges of the Malays; and they don't have the riches of the Chinese.
2nd factor: They are being marginalized again. To rid themselves of the no-win situation, the younger generations realized that they had to become more "Chinese" than their fathers or grandfathershow to get out of the doldrums. They realized they could not enjoy the special privileges of the Malays. They realized that they had to become more Chinese to enjoy more of the riches of the Chinese. How? Education. Yes, Chinese education. They sent their children to Chinese schools, though distance and transportation were big obstacles. Nowadays, the generations younger than mine are ashamed if associated with Cina perakanan Kelantan. To them, it is not cool to be a cina peranakan Kelantan.
3rd factor: They are being marginalized again and again. To them, being a cina perakanan Kelantan brings no gains but more pains. The Malays, or rather the kampong Malays did not really accept them. Like the popular saying, manis di mulut, busuk di perut. In front, the Malays proclaimed them as brothers, but behind these Malays taught their children to call these cina peranakan Kelantan by derogatory names such as kapir, apek, cino. To these children, all chinese are kapir, apek or cino without they realizing the meanings. Naturally, these children - who were not well-taught by their parents to respect mankind, did not do well in schools. They did not score good grades. As nature would have it, the Chinese students outshone the Malays year-in year-out. But who cares. Chinese students with Grade 1 in MCE could proceed to do sixth form. (MCE is now known as SPM) Those with Grade 2 got to look for jobs or forked out their parents' hard-earned money to attend either TAR College in KL or sixth form in private school. Better still Malay students with Grades 1 and 2 and some of the better Grade 3 went to form six; and get paid a scholarship. Chinese students, not only denied of a scholarship, were made to pay the school fee. And even better. Malay students with Grade 3 were all accepted into ITM. Now many of them are Professors and Associate Professors.
So, can anybody tell me why aren't the Kelantanese Chinese of the peranakan-descent on the right track to extinction?.
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