Oriental Travels

A response by Michael Backman?

2007-09-15T12:04:00.000+08:00

I recently sent my article, 'At 50 Malaysia Boleh', to a website that was donning the Michael Backman's name i.e. http://www.michaelbackman.com/ Here is the reply I got in my e-mail.

From: Michael Backman
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 1:25:20 PM
To:
May I refer you to the auditor general's report just released in Malaysia, or is this also another mat salleh attempt to stop Ministers and other officials from stealing the rakyat's money. It's time for you to face a few facts I think. Perhaps you should think about this during this month. Malaysia seems to be run by too many people who fast and also steal; they adopt the symbols of piety but the reality is very different. But you support these people. Well done.

Travels: Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia

2007-09-12T14:00:00.000+08:00

It was 5:30am when the alarm clock rang. 5 hours of sleep. Should have slept earlier. Had to drag myself out of bed to catch the 7:35am flight to Bayan Lepas from KLIA. This is not a golfing morning. Waking up and getting out of bed is not as easy as having a round of golf in the morning.

The flight itself was uneventful. Reached Bayan Lepas at around 8:20am. Breakfast at the airport and we were off in a cab to Inokom in Kulim. It was my first crossing of the Penang bridge and I cant help wonder what the whoo-ha was all about years ago when the bridge was built.

The meeting itself in Inokom was quite interesting. Got to see how they assembled cars. The people were receptive and responsive. It would be great working here (if we got the job). Although I would become a weekend dad once again. Dont think the kids would like that.

The meeting concluded around 4pm and we proceeded to Penang to catch our flight back. Had the cab driver divert us to Gurney Drive for a quick bite. Had some items which I cant pronounce nor remember.

Was back home at around 10pm. Wife was waiting by the door. A sight for sore eyes.

The Dancer

2007-09-01T21:35:00.000+08:00

Was at a school alumni recently and was fortunate to have taken a picture with this lovely dancer. Of course, I took her home.

My Golfing Results

2007-09-01T12:58:00.000+08:00

Handicap: USGA 15.7
Home Club: Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) (HC18-West/HC17-East)

Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) Friendly: 47 (1st Nine)

Nine hole friendly with Dad. Down RM35

Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) Friendly: 45-38 (-7)
Yahoo!!! Yahoo!!! Yahoo!!! Up RM290 of which RM237 is from Mr Eddie. Broke personal best of 40 for 9 holes. After being down in the first 9 to Eddie, Adam took control of his game to overcome the deficit and come home strongly with 5 pars and 1 birdie. With local knowledge, this was Adams stronghold, breaking Eddie's week of unbeaten run. Nik Par was silenced early in the 2nd nine.

09/09/07 Kundang Lakes Golf Club Mini Tournament: 52-55 (+17)
Terrible day, Lost RM90. Have got to call some people to recover the losses.

Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Syah (KGSAAS) Friendly: 50-51 (+11)
This was a good day. Won RM278 from Mr Budi who played 106. Yahooo!!

02/09/07 KLCC Monthly (Tasik Putri) Open Results: 44-49 (+3)
30/08/07 KLGCC Merdeka Tornament: 44-51 (+5)
19/08/07 KLGCC Annual Day 3: 43-52 (+5)
18/08/07 KLGCC Annual Day 2: 56-48 (+15)
17/08/07 KLGCC Annual Day 1: 51-44 (+5)

Updated 09/10/2007

At 50, Malaysia Boleh

2007-09-01T12:15:00.000+08:00

The Western Culture is doing the same thing again, trying to force its values and trying to teach what is right and what is wrong onto the East. Arguing about how well and how cultured their civilization is and how backward and stupid the East is. An article written by Michael Backman (a moron in my opinion) understates this point. As Mr. Moron had eloquently put it, “Malaysians are still arguing over the race wealth argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up”. May I remind Mr Moron that the western civilization, and amongst the most advanced countries in the west, are still arguing about the same point. Australians are arguing this matter with the aborigines, Americans with the blacks (or African Americans) and the Red Indians (or Native Americans) on Affirmative Actions. Through the western insecurities, we also hear terms such as War Against Terrorism, Axis of Evil and Nuclear Weapons. What is important to the west must be important to everyone else.

It's a tough world out there and the East can handle its own problems. We don’t really need Western sympathy. What we need is an understanding of the diversity of life in this planet and with diversity comes the need for tolerance, balance and understanding.

Trying to equate these diversities into figures and hoping it will have some check and balance is immature. The science can only be used as a guideline. There are other matters that need to be looked at. One is history. However, I am not here to teach the History of the Eastern Civilization.

It is also a habit of the West to belittle the achievements of the East. Wheatear this is knowingly or unknowingly is not my call. As Mr. Moron had put it, “Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures. This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.” What makes a world leader, is it fame? Riches? Power? On my many journeys and stays in the west, I have met a lot of people. Some I call friends and some I would prefer not to call anything. I met an Indian working in Canada that had much praise of the former Malaysian prime minister and sees him as a world leader. He sees Malaysia as an example to be modelled after. Sorry, I don’t think this chap was exposed to any of the Malaysian media. Does having recognition by the people of London or New York make a world leader? I think not. Does it matter that probably everyone in London and New York can (maybe) actually point to India on the map? They probably cant do this either. But even if they can, does that make India better than Malaysia? My friends, Americans, English, Australians are mostly ignorant about the world around them. Having been partially brought up in the west, I think I have the right to say that their education system is only biased towards the west. They cant point out to these places on the map because of their ignorance and stupidity. How else do you explain the murder of a Sikh for the sins of an Arab.

The west gets nervous when the East is able to produce or pay their way to progress. Of course the schools in Malaysia need cash, sure, there are other organizations and projects that can better or prepare Malaysians for the future rather than the ones that had been Mr. Morons example. But Malaysia also needs diversity in progression. The Americans still pour a big chunk of their budget into military when there are still people living on the streets and the level of literacy is probably lower than most countries in the east.

Malaysia BOLEH (CAN) and don’t let anyone say otherwise.