A revealing truth about myself

Updated: A young, enthusiastic and upcoming staff of SWCorp, Hariz, who has now become a friend, asked if I wrote this blogpost below. He provided his response, which confirms that YB Nga Kor Ming has taken interest in the matter. 

"Smlm saya baru siap buat memo kepada YBM untuk isu d batu Caves." (Last night, I just wrote a memo to the Yang Berhormat Menteri (Nga Kor Ming) regarding the issue at Batu Caves (which I believe he was sent to investigate)."  

My response will help all of you, my friends, to understand what I am up to. My role is more strategic than what some people think of me as an old nagging complainant. 

        You can now see that, although I have been defending PMX and the Madani government, I am not their apologist, but I don't mind saying that, in this respect, I am playing the role as the wise old mandrill, Rafiki in the animated musical film, 'The Lion King.' Previous I likened  my role  to Lobo, a favourite TV series I followed as a child. 

Rafiki

        Rafiki is playful, but he also carries a bakora stick with him, which is used to strike at the hyenas. 

With his bakora stick always on his person, Rafiki uses his wisdom to guide those in need, most notably Simba. (When needed he would use his bakora stick to strike at the hyenas).

        Truth is, I am persistent -- resulting  in many issues I was following up on, being solved. This does not mean that you can keep telling me your problems, and expect me to solve your problems, as you, being the original complainant also have a responsibility to get your voice heard. It is a thankless job. 

        Read my response to Tuan Hariz whom I respect for his proactiveness: 

I am glad the minister is showing some interest. Had I known he would intervene, yesterday’s blog post would not have been necessary. Let’s see what unfolds from here. 

        Until now, my quiet appeals to him have gone unanswered, so when I notice any action taken, it only appears to stem from assumptions that it could be due to the intervention of YBM Nga Kor Ming. I often give credit (YB Dr Zaliha and YB Dr Siti Mahmud and former minister, YBM Annuar Musa) to those who solve problems on the ground, because my job is only to speak on behalf of those who do not know who to complain to.

        That said, the issues which could have been solved by YBM Nga were also raised with others when I do not hear from him, that he would intervene.

        With MBPJ, I do not have to go beyond the mayor. I leave it in his discretion on what is right, and needs to be fixed. 

        Whatever the case, I’ve always believed in giving credit to whom it’s due. This blog post documents the bittersweet reality of our dealings with politicians and civil servants.

        Our problem isn’t a handful of isolated incidents—it is a systemic failure rooted in the inertia of local authorities, the attitude of little Napoleons mentioned by Pak Lah, and the inaction or indifference of elected representatives and their appointees (local councillors).

        Yesterday’s flash flood at Batu Caves is symptomatic of deeper issues I’ve long highlighted. If poor drainage construction is indeed one of the root causes, then the failure to compel contractors to rectify faults before handover is proving costly.

        In this instance, the root cause remains unidentified. But in a previous flood that affected homes in my estate, the culprit was clear: neglect and lack of supervision. For two consecutive years, neighbours suffered. Thanks to one of the residents who climbed up the slope to check, we later discovered a clogged drain on an elevated road. 

        Once the tree trunk was removed, the flooding ceased. It poured last night, yet no homes were hit—proof that proper maintenance matters.

        My appeal to HRH the Sultan is for a shift in culture and mindset of the local and state governments. I’m mindful, however, that even after Sultan Sharafuddin’s symbolic painting of frogs and primates in the August House, little has changed. 

        Still, the rakyat’s voice must be heard. If we want a better Malaysia for the next generation, you and I must be the catalysts for change.

        For me, I will not get to enjoy the change that PMX and the Madani government is trying to bring to the table but at least, I leave behind a legacy that you and my children get to enjoy. 

        And this is also the legacy that was left by my grandfather, whom I used to hear a lot about, but never had the opportunity to know him personally as he had passed on before I was born. I still carry his DNA. 

        The late Mr Ng Han Ti was an O-Levels 'graduate' in the early 40s/50s. Despite his poverty, after his own father left him and siblings in Malaya to return to China, he was supported by his teacher to pursue his education until he completed his Form V. In those days, that was the highest level of education one could get, with the exception of the children of a few elites, who could afford university education in United Kingdom.

        Despite his scholarlastic achievements and his position as chief clerk at Seremban hospital, my grandpa was known to cycle to his favourite coffee shop every evening to meet ordinary people with little or no education. 

        Due to their lack of education, they would ask him to read letters written in English sent to them from the government agencies. At times, he even helped them to draft the replies in English, and I have seen at least one document which carried his beautiful handwriting. 

        Such was Grandpa, and I’m grateful that his spirit of altruism runs in my veins. I suspect I carry some of Grandma’s DNA too—she was a formidable matriarch, especially after Grandpa passed on, raising 13 children with unwavering strength and iron-clad resolve.

        Like my Grandpa, a man of peace, I am always open to friendship even with my "enemies" unless I find that they prove to be persistently untrustworthy. 

         Life is short. My suggestion to the Dewan Speaker: why not encourage all parliamentarians—across the political divide—to stage a few light-hearted charades like this during the current term? Just once in a while, let them have some fun together and ease thr political tension that sometimes drive us up the wall , too.