Life in Myanmar : 1 Year & Still Loving It...!

Thank You Myanmar :)

Mingalabar!!

Can you believe it? It’s been one whole year since I first moved to Yangon, Myanmar. I’ve waged wars on mold, I’ve battled the excruciating heat with some water-splashing fun in between that, I’ve enjoyed the cold and now we’re going into another rainy season. I’ve got my dehumidifiers and my Mold Busters at the ready. I think I’ve hoarded enough stock to last the 4-5 months of rain and mold! Here’s one thing that I’ve really learnt while muddling through the bloopers, the oddities and the plain frustrations – that is to laugh it off and say “Welcome to Myanmar.” After all, I could choose to dwell on my miseries, but unlike some of the expats, I don’t have a “hardship posting fee” and therefore, living here had been my choice. However, I’m blessed to say that life here is good.


Myanmar has really moved forward in more ways than one and being right in the middle of the dynamism of a country that is changing right before my very eyes is exciting indeed. I’m not here to write about whether Myanmar is taking a step in the right direction, too fast, too slow or whatever. I’m just writing about my observations and experiences.


I’ve lived through the seriously crappy internet. It’s still quite crap, but at least, the pages sometimes load now and I can send attachments most of the time. Watching YouTube is a pain-in-the-a** but I still can – only problem is I tend to use up my limited ration before the month’s up. Mobile internet is now pretty ok. I can now upload photos on FB in a jiffy on good days. Yay! What’s even better – I can now Viber and Whatsapp my family at home! Super! No longer feeling so disconnected J And guess what? Fiber optics have arrived!!! - that is if you can afford the USD7k+ installation fee.....

The cars – OMG. My travel time to work has increased from 20 minutes last year to 30 minutes 3 months later and now, anytime between 40 – 50 minutes – depending on rain, flood and road closures. Road upgrades are also taking place all over the city – but now that the rain has come, not sure if all will be right on time for the SEA Games in December. Also – the ‘Flintstone Taxis’ that I used to have to take are now hard to come by. Almost every other taxi on the road these days are brand new – with AC that works. I remember a time when the taxi drivers were still afraid and nervous to use the AC of their brand new ride. Well, not anymore.

New TV stations, new journals, new magazines, new newspapers – media outfits are raking it in, especially after the whole censorship lift last year. And what’s more – dailies are now available!!! Newspapers used to only be published on a weekly basis. But as of 1^st April, a few of the publications have gotten their daily license and are now running full-steam ahead.

New venues catering to the upper-middle class and the expats are sprouting everywhere in the city too. There are now cafes and malls which makes you feel like you’re definitely not in Myanmar. What’s more? Parkson just opened and walking through the departmental store feels just like home.

On the work front, it had been slow, but rewarding nonetheless. The local team is now more ready to accept new ideas, never-been-done-before events. I executed my first ‘flashmob’ on the streets in downtown Yangon – also the first in the city – in in February. I’m hoping to do the same in the capital – Nay Pyi Taw sometime in June. We’ve launched 4 websites and 4 Facebook pages despite the questionable internet speed – thanks to Da Boss Woman who has serious vision. I mean, it really had taken me all of one year to convince the local team to start thinking – because after all, isn’t that what democracy is all about? My conversations with the local team can still be collated into a “Book of Myanmar Bloopers” and it’ll be a best-seller, I swear! Needless to say, I am still enjoying the process of learning all about what it feels like to be behind-the-scene of multiple retail formats. I’m blessed with the opportunity.

Of course, whilst I no longer have to go through 7 hours a day without electricity, the power-cuts still occur and electricity is pretty unstable especially during the summer months. And you just got to love Myanmar for her “Myanmar Moments” like right in the middle of shampooing your hair, the power goes off. Yes, in Myanmar, no electricity = no water. Or of ceiling that leaks despite the numerous Myanmar-style repair works – creating a flood situation in your apartment. Oh, I swear, I could write a whole book about these “Myanmar Moments”. But despite the “Myanmar Moments”, the journey so far had been truly amazing. And I believe, only in Myanmar, you are trained by the national Lethwei Champion & Golden Belt holder and his team for almost next to nothing. As you can tell, I'm enjoying my Myanmar boxing lessons extremely and I'm working towards my first fight in the ring! (ok - I just ROFL-ed at that statement) Myanmar had treated me and my husband really well. And in return, we’ve promised to do good by her people too.

Another big change from last year is really the underprivileged kids I have come to work with. I started with just one home and have expanded my reach (or my clone) to three homes now – with about 100+ kids in total. From a time where they had nothing to eat, nothing to wear, nothing to sleep on – they now have – sure, it’s nothing fancy and it’s not foie gras, but they’re not going to bed hungry or cold. To top it off, they are enjoying Art lessons, Music lessons, English lessons and etc. All these help with the food, the clothes, the roofs and their basic skills couldn’t have been done by me alone. And for that, I am extremely grateful to my friends in Malaysia who have pitched in their kindness and generosity to help me with the kids – be it spiritually or physically (or hovering, some might say :P). Since October 2012, every month, I’ve had groups of friends come in bringing with them boxes of clothes, stationeries and of course, wads of cash to be used for the kids. We’ve even held an ‘Empowerment Workshop’ for the older kids which aimed at helping them identify their dreams and encouraging them to go for it and we’re very excited to say that part two of the workshop will be happening end of June.

Whilst I enjoy my work, I am happiest when I am spending time with the kids. There is a feeling I cannot explain – the feeling when you see a whole group of children, wishing so much to learn and to improve their lot in life that it literally shows on their faces – how can you explain that feeling? When I see those faces, I want to try even harder to help them. Plans are under way to develop self-sustainable programmes for these kids so that they learn to stand on their own two feet, as a home and as individuals too.

Just as I teach the kids, I’m myself going through the learning process too. And I learnt this the other day : “The only thing standing between what you can do and what you cannot do is whether you want to do it or not.” So true, right?


With that, I will continue to make the best of all the blessings and opportunities given to me here in Myanmar and I will continue to do my best. Thank you, Myanmar and I hope this blessed relationship will go on for a long time to come J 

GE13 : The "Tsunami" Aftermath - An Open Letter To The PM, To Pakatan Rakyat and To Fellow Malaysians

The all ugly headlines.

It's been 2 weeks since the Malaysian GE13 and while it seems like the iron is starting to warm down, the dust looks far from being settled.

I was one of those who flew home to vote for change - and came out seriously disappointed with the results. When I woke up to catch the red-eye back to Yangon and saw the news, my first thought was "Shit, it's still them." Then, millions of messages flew my way, some flew past me - asking us to stay strong and that a revolution takes years and as such, we've taken our first steps, yada-yada-yada.


Well, that revolution thing may be true. In fact, I was even thinking perhaps a change might still take place, considering how much the rakyat had shown its powers on rallying for change. I was naïve enough to think that perhaps, this would be BN's wake-up call. Nobody can ever be that, that, that stupid not to wake up to the roar of the rakyat. Ever the idealist.......

And what was one of the first thing the shit-head PM said? "Chinese Tsunami". That was stepping on my tail - the 2nd time. Then the UMNO running-dog paper called Utusan comes up with a headline that asks "What More Do The Chinese Want?" The Star echoed with "The Chinese Would Be Sidelined". That's stepping on my tail the 3rd time. And then the idiot PM comes out to defend Utusan. That's stepping on my tail the 4th time.

With that, I left Malaysia angry, frustrated and no, I alone (as I cannot speak for others) do not accept the incumbent government as the party that I had voted for. I flew home all the way to vote for change, to vote for justice. But judging on the fiery racist remarks, it just tells me - BN will never, ever change.

I've been tossing and turning for the last couple of weeks over my own feelings and thoughts on all the above. And so, I decided to write this 'open letter'. I clarify - I'm no political analysts and I'm not here to talk about smokescreens and conspiracy theories. These are but my own point of view. A lot of talk, and I know talk is free, talk is easy. Some may agree, some may not. It's a free world (if not country :P)

________________

Dear Mr. Najib ("Mr." is used intentionally as I have every intention to greet you as an equal),

You asked what more do the Chinese want, well, can I ask what have you given me before? Can't answer me, eh? And then you ask why did the Chinese like me betray you and your goons, and went on to vote for the opposite team instead. Ok, since you asked me as a Chinese, I'll give you a Chinese answer. Although, I believe it is the wrong stereotype.

Firstly, please look at it from a business point-of-view. I see Malaysia as a "BERHAD" company. The day I was born, I was given a birth certificate as required by law (and please don't think this certificate is your "favour" to me. It ISN'T). This certificate is my shareholding certificate to a company called Malaysia. So, one of the T&C of this share certificate is that I get to vote for the Director and his team that would be running the company.

Now, if you only used your pea-brain for just a second - you would know that any businessman/woman worth their salt would obviously look at putting in place a team that would make profit for the company. I'm not sure a Director and his team who makes over-priced purchases on machines and submarines that wouldn't work is considered as someone with great business skills. I mean - *slap forehead ten times* right? Under your steerage, the company seems to have made considerable losses - a drop in the quality of living, escalating crime rates, increasing gap between the rich and the poor, serious drop in quality education, no further achievement in sports, no real development in the country, and you know what? I could go on and on. In summary - you and your team had failed to give me any ROIs (and that's called Return On Investment just in case you don't know) at all. And I personally think, your time is up. I mean, your nemesis Pakatan Rakyat had won the pitch with me simply because in the smaller companies (which I am also a share certificate holder of, by the way) where they had been given a chance to steer, had shown at least some form of ROIs. As such, I voted for them. I mean, you and your team had been given how many mandates thus far? And yet, nothing to show. I'm ready to invest on another team, you see.

Whilst your racist war-cry is in real bad taste, as a "Chinese" businesswoman, I can understand where you are coming from. In fact, I think your team is pretty brilliant in defining your target market segment. The Chinese are a minority group in Malaysia. In actual fact, with or without us, makes no difference to your brand/product. Since your product and brand is made for mass usage, why waste time targeting the minorities, right? You obviously need to keep your 70+% of your major market segment happy. Thus, a strategy you thought would echo your market sentiments.

But Mr. Najip, marketing case studies and history have shown that products or brands who do not keep up with market trends will find their market share graph going down. Case-in-point - Nokia. I'm using Nokia as an example because Nokia used to be one of the top mobile phone brands. But because they aren't exactly changing with times, they now have mobile phones that would be more suited for the masses (read SEC C and below), not the executives or upper-level white collars or the yuppies. Hell, even school kids would rather be caught dead than with a Nokia. My point is - your strategy is no longer cool. But then again, your Mamakootie Agent Mr. M pointed out that Pakatan Rakyat's target market is the urban, educated people. So, it can only mean that your target is the.. err... rural, uneducated. Well, my friend (no, I take that back. You're not my friend) - newsflash. People progress. One day, rural will become urban and uneducated will become educated. UNLESS, of course, your aim is to keep them where they are so that you can forever pull the wool over their eyes. Hang on a second, that is already what you're doing, aren't you??? *horrified discovery on my part*. Just to stay in power, you will hold back other people's progress?

As a shareholder, my biggest concern is to not see the company going bankrupt. I mean, all those "Free Gifts" promotions you are running so rampantly is surely going to hurt the bottomline. Then all the investments I had been making (read TAXES and yes, I do pay them) will come to naught. I shudder to think of the day when the people of Malaysia is sent to Myanmar to work as maids or construction workers. In fact, right now, I'm thinking of how stupid can I be, investing in a company that is headed that way?? I mean, really now, do I even want to invest in a company that is the laughingstock of the region, if not the world? I have businesses in Cambodia. I've got my local team asking me about that damn indelible ink (because it seems that the ones used in Cambodia really lasts a long time). And then I've got them asking me also - "how come Malaysia is inviting Cambodia to observe your elections? We are third world country, you know." I don't know. They can ask the stupid pea-brain Prime Minister, I guess. That means YOU, Mr. Najip.

In conclusion - from a time where I thought I should be fair and cross one vote for your team and cross one vote for the opposite team, I think right now, I've had enough of you and your team's nonsense. As a tax-paying shareholder, I'm fed-up with the racism, the INEQUALITY, the corruption (how can you steal my investment and put them into your own pocket??? - under corporate laws, that's called CBT!!), the crime rate, the everything under your regime. So NO - you do not get my vote, you didn't and you do not have my acceptance.

_______________

Dear Pakatan Rakyat,

And so right, I voted for you. Not really because I truly, truly believe in you guys, but because I just wanted a change and no other team's pitching. So you lost. So what? Maybe it's a good thing. You now have a bigger team in the parliament and you have another five years to learn. Whilst I am myself bitterly disappointed with your loss and I do not accept Mr. Najip's mandate, I've gotten over it. And I think you should too. It's time to start working!

Popular votes and all that jazz aside, you still lost. Yes, yes, I know - gerrymandering, fraud, phantoms and so on - what are you going to do about it? Cry like a little boy? If you're going to do that, just join the now-defunct MCA team and close shop. Time to grow up and be a man. I didn't vote for you guys to conduct one rally after another. Stop wasting resources and get to work. Your campaigning should start now and not 2 weeks before GE14. Don't you agree?

Why did you fail to win over the hearts of the rural population? Are you making your presence felt enough with them? Or are you doing a UMNO-BN/MCA? "Because you didn't vote for me, I don't represent you"? I think you could take a page from Obama's speech here - "Even though you didn't vote for me, I hear your voices, and I'm going to work as hard as I can to be your president." A dear friend of mine posted on his FB status - "praying for rapid urbanization and internet penetration into the rural areas within the next 5 years." Damn right, Pakatan team. You heard that?

I'm not even sure this could be possible, but if I am looking at this from a business / marketing point-of-view again, since the company called Selangor and Penang is making profits, perhaps, some of those profits could be re-invested into 'opening of new markets' - like Sabah / Sarawak? Again - that's just me, ya. You need to check with your other shareholders too. We don't want a case of 'misuse of funds'.  Whenever a new product or brand is launched into the market, a long-term education and awareness programme is required. Not just a 2-week campaign! And definitely not on-going long-term 'sales promotion' programmes.

Look at your statistics. How many new voters by the next GE14? Who are you targeting? Are you speaking to them? Are you in tune with their demo and psycho profiles?  Are you speaking in their lingo? I really do like your UBAH posters - specifically the DAP ones. It showed me 'young, dynamic, modern, heart-warming.' But I'm from the urban area. Are those in the rural areas grasping the communication concept behind your strategies?

Dear Pakatan Rakyat team, I could really go on and on with my thoughts about what you should do but I'll be seen as an annoying armchair-critic. But I think it is very possible that you already have the best people in place to do what you need to do. Like what a certain Shenren said in his letter to FMT - "Learn some science and assess the impact of climate change. Learn some engineering and go invent something that will lift up the lives of rural Malaysians...."

Get going. Do your job. Stop the in-fighting and what-not. Don't pull wool over your supporters' eyes cause they will soon as see through all that smoke-and-mirrors. Whilst the rakyat had lived through the smokescreens for over 50 years, they will be less forgiving now because they had awaken from their stupor.

With that, go forth and multiply.

__________________

Dear Fellow Malaysians,

My above rants to the idiot PM and the PR team are just that - my rants. In all honesty, I'm a wandering soul, in search of where I belong. I'm a Malaysian by default because I was born here. But does that necessarily mean a sense of belonging? In fact, I was born on Merdeka Day. But does that necessarily translate into a sense of patriotism for me?

The fact that I had for the first time only felt truly Malaysian during the Kelana Jaya ceramah 2 weeks ago must surely say something, yes? And I had only been living away from the country for the last 5+ years. That plus 4 years earlier on. So, what it was two weeks ago was just what they called "hangat-hangat tahi ayam" - if my Bahasa still serves me well. I was swept away in the heat of the moment.

I had been indifferent for so long that the ounce of "infatuation" I felt at the stadium that night was kind of cherished. For that, fellow Malaysians, I thank you. Sure, I bitch about the government (don't tell me you don't :P), I know "Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku..." and my Rukun Negara by heart for I had been forced to recite them every Monday mornings for 11 years. But it doesn't necessarily means I feel it.

Last week, I had a discussion with a very close friend - if Malaysia was under attack by say, North Korea, would you stand in the frontlines to protect your country? Without hesitating, my answer was a "NO". While she said "For Sure!" And my friend started going on a lecture about "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." I had the same discussion with MOH (My Other Half). It was the first time we asked each other this question, actually. I gave him the same answer. He looked at me funny. I looked at him funny too because his answer was an "Of course!" So hang on, it seems I'm the only one then who wouldn't shed blood for my country? But how can I fight for something or someone when I don't feel passionately for it? When I don't feel I belong? I mean, I'd just as quickly bite the bullet for my family, my husband, even for the kids I support...... simply because I feel I belong. But with my country.... I'm not so sure, really.

I guess, one has to understand how far deteriorated my relationship is with my country. I blame it on the government and definitely on my own indifference as well. At a young age, I was already exposed to how I am never really "Malaysian" as far as the ruling government was concerned. Let me tell you what was the stepping on my tail the first time about.

I scored 8As out of 9 subjects in my SPM and had an aggregate of 6. My parents, both government teachers had already forewarned me that they cannot afford to send me for private education. This the same parents who saved up on their income to let my brother and I enjoy a MacD's burger while they ate their dinner at the five-foot stall. Anyway, I applied for the government JPK scholarship. I needed it. I wanted it so badly because I did not want to spend another 2 years doing my Form 6 under government education (and I already knew then that our education system did not really cultivate thinkers) and I did not want to get into local uni and be given some crap history course or English Lit course. At a time where I wanted the scholarship so badly, I failed to get one. And here's the crusher - a Malay girl who only scored 5As received a full scholarship instead. I went on a battle and finally got private scholarships for my diploma - in fact, I even got a personal scholarship for an additional diploma (they know who they are) and then further on to my degree in Australia - also on a private scholarship. I had to work my ass off, but I wasn't going to let the government stop me. Thank God for the fighter in me.

The rest, as they say, is history. I am where I am today, not from the governments' so-called "hands of friendship". My relationship with my country from that point on was all downhill. I had lived in Australia - my first forays with a "free" world (also helped that I was far and away from my parents! LOL!), I've lived in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and now Myanmar. In all the times that I had lived away from home, I had never missed Malaysia. When I am homesick, it's because I miss my family - all of whom are living in Malaysia. I don't even miss the food. Not that I don't enjoy Assam Laksa or Nasi Lemak or Char Kway Teow or whatever. In fact, I think Malaysia's Lor Mai Kai is the best and you can't get that anywhere else (at least not in countries where I had lived). But when I am away, I just don't miss them at all. Yes, when I am encountering a third-world problem like - internet, I would naturally think - Malaysia's better. But does that make me wanna move back home? No. 

This whole Chinese thing - whatever political mind-games the arse-holes are playing, I took it personally. It is for this crap that they had shoved down my throat for years that I am until today, more Chinese than I am Malaysian. Of course, again, I know this is just me. Some people may react very differently. To each its own. And don't get me wrong, I have many Malay friends and Indian friends and a select few who are truly people I would bite the bullet for. I was raised well by parents who simply taught me that we are all equals. You know, the efforts by this group called 'Kita Kawan Mah' are truly heart-warming. However, just to be a bit of a spoilt-sport here - if Malaysia, in this day and age, needs an anti-racism campaign...... how far behind are we? I mentioned before in one of my blog - racial differences will always be there. We don't need a government that will play up on it and use it against us instead.

I think it's not enough to just love Malaysian food or have the "-lah" at the end of every sentence. As I already said, I don't feel I belong. In fact, they keep telling me to balik tongsan. Do they even know what "tongsan" means? If my Chinese does not fail me right now, I think tongsan means the place where one was born. So where do they want me to go???

To be honest, right here in Myanmar, I feel more of a sense of belonging than I feel for Malaysia. Of course, who is to say I won't overstay my welcome one day? Because I had moved and adapted in so many countries, the good is I am a citizen of the world. Well, maybe not the world, just all the third-worlds :P The bad is I am forever wandering in no-man's land, wondering where the hell my tongsan is.

I don't live in Malaysia and as such, some might say it looks like I've already jumped-ship and as such, who am I to make rants. But back to my point with the idiot PM - would I invest in a company that is headed towards bankruptcy? Of course, things aren't or may not be that bad. I'm just saying. Call me a typical, selfish Chinese then. But I'm not about to put all my eggs in one basket. I salute the Yeo Bee Yins and the Supermans who left everything they had and went home to fight a good fight. Just like motherhood - it's not a sacrifice I can make. I voted for change - also in hope that it will help me on my wandering journey to discover my sense of belonging. Again, idealistic.

But here's the thing, my dear fellow Malaysians, while I am still searching for the place where I belong, "tanah tumpahnya darahku", my tongsan - whatever you call it, it does not mean I do not support your fight for justice or for change - the same as I would stand by the Myanmar people's fight - IF their cause is something I support or believe in. Or Cambodians, for that matter.

I still say Thank You - to those 50,000 (or was it 60,000?) Malaysians at Stadium Kelana Jaya on the night of 4th May 2013 for letting me feel, even just for a couple of hours, a modicum of Malaysian in me. I caught myself by surprise for still remembering my Negaraku and I was even more surprised that everyone stood still and respected the song (warning bells : why should I be surprised at that??)  

Dear fellow Malaysians, thank you for listening to my rants. Till I find my tongsan, you guys, stay safe. And here's a song for you guys : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWt4wmZ_EMI

A Wandering Malaysian (no pun intended) 

 

 

 

Life in Myanmar : My 1st Water Fest in Myanmar :)

Being part of the fun !! :)

 (p/s : This article is also available on Vanity Shack here)

Hello folks! And a very happy Myanmar New Year (albeit a rather late one)…. !

So it was that the entire nation celebrated the Thingyan Festival (also Water Festival) from 12^th April – 22^nd April 2013. That’s right. That was 10 days national holidays to celebrate the festival and the new year. Wooohoo!! MOH and I were very excited to be celebrating our first Water Fest in Myanmar. Because it was such a long break, we took the opportunity to travel to Ngapali as well, also known as the Hawaii of the Orients :)

We have had our taste of Water Festival in Cambodia before. However, their “Water Festival” there isn’t about splashing water, but it’s the boat race. But during the Khmer New Year, there is water splashing. Unfortunately, in Cambodia, they do it with flour and powder – which was really not so enjoyable. Myanmar was a whole different ball game altogether.

For about 3 weeks running up to the celebration, workers were manually constructing these pandals all along the Inya Lake and the Kandawgyi Lake – the main source of water for the splashing (eeewwwee factor included). Tickets were being sold for access to these pandals. It was such a big thing for the locals. However, the government only issued licenses for 35 pandals this year but still, there were some make-shift shacks in front of shops, private residences and other establishments too. Of course, the ticketing and the modernized celebration on the pandals were only introduced some 3-4 years back (talking about alcohol-induced patrons jumping to Oppa Gangnam Style blasting from the speakers).

We stayed in Yangon for Day 1 of the Water Fest and after a lunch celebration with the children from the homes where we volunteered at, we took to the streets of Yangon. And my, oh my…. It was exciting indeed! They were trucks after trucks of people going around, stopping under each pandals to get a dose of water, splashing water out to people on the streets (like me!) and dancing as the trucks went along the roads. You see, if you get splashed, it supposedly meant that you have been blessed. Although, I don’t think that is the real reason one gets splashed anymore. It’s really all about having fun these days.  I quickly learnt that a quarter of the fun was in the avoiding of the splash, a quarter of the fun was in the sneaking a splash, a quarter of the fun was in chasing down a splash and a quarter of the fun was getting splashed. One of my City Mart colleagues also had a pandal built right in front of his house and we were invited to go over for free beers and great music too. Oh, I had a tremendously awesome time!

And then we left for Ngapali. The “Hawaii of the Orients” hype was a bit overly-done. BUT, here’s it – I fell in love with Ngapali. It is a charming beach town in the state of Rakhine. Despite the place being packed with tourists (everyone wants to go there it seems) and rooms were all full, it was still quiet and nice and you don’t get crowds – really different from Bali. The water-splashing continued on in Ngapali, though not with the great water pandals of the city. In fact, it was so much more ‘real’ here with little kids trying to get at you with just a tiny improvised tin can. On the hotel’s shuttle bus (we stayed in Sandoway Resort which was superb) from the airport to the hotel, we were splashed. Yes, did I not mention any vehicles with windows down were main targets for the people splashing water? Even when we left for the airport at the end of our trip, we were splashed thoroughly! – though this was much to the annoyance of some ‘gwai los’ who were in the same shuttle as us.

We had a splendidly great time in Ngapali, just chilling and relaxing by the beach, the sea was awesome though the waves were a bit rough but the water temperature was just right and of course, enjoying a whole lot of fresh and cheap seafood on the menu! I had always loved Rakhine food and here I was in the state of Rakhine enjoying their best :) 3 days passed by very quickly and soon, we found ourselves unwillingly on the flight back to Yangon. Ngapali closes for the season at the end of April as the rainy season takes on Myanmar and will reopen Sept / October. (For those planning to travel there, best to check with your travel agent!).

We arrived in Yangon on the final day of the ‘water-splashing’ and to do what the locals do, we set-up our own little “pandal” right in front of our house and started splashing passers-by too! The locals were laughing at us – the two foreign idiots. But they love us, we know. What amazed me though was how respectful people were of each other. Monks and police were a big no-no, of course. But anyone who puts a hand up as a sign of protest will not get splashed. Some taxis had their interiors all wrapped up in plastic in preparation for all the ‘wetness’. Some would laugh at you for missing. Some would slow down for you. Some would go out of their way to avoid you.

Whatever it is, Myanmar certainly opened up the new year with a splash and we were glad to be a part of it. I’m sure it’s not too late to wish all my Myanmar friends a new and prosperous year ahead and may all good things come their way :)

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Look at the little boy!!

Sunset @ Ngapali.......

The Bay Of Bengal

Air Asia sponsored Pandal on Kabar Aye Pagoda Road

Splashing good time!

 

 

 

I'm Not Afraid, To Take A Stand

For the last couple of weeks, my FB was filled with political updates and views from various friends and groups. Initially, I hadn't thought of coming home to vote. First of all, I just made a trip during Cheng Beng and money don't grow on trees. Second of all, work is getting a bit swamped for me back in Myanmar. Not the most perfect time to leave.

But MOH (My Other Half) and I had a talk about it and decided, we should be back for it. So, we booked our tickets and I told Da Boss Woman that "my country needs me."

So it was, I arrived late last night. Today, being Labour Day and all, I took to venturing out all the way to Ipoh on the ETS to see my Grandma. You see, I had wanted the chance to get in touch with the "elections atmosphere" on the grounds. Because after all, what I see on FB may be lopsided views or sentiments. Furthermore, I was unable to view the various YouTube videos posted. It's a "Welcome to Myanmar" factor :P (in case you're wondering, internet is painfully slow in Myanmar). And because I was trying to download these videos, I had also successfully used up all my limited GBs for the month!

Anyway, I wanted to venture out because I wanted to get a feel for myself about what's going on in my country. But I also wanted to write this piece before I zeroed in on the ceramahs as I wanted to have my own views.

What did I see or hear today? I saw 2 Singhs at the train station waiting area with a copy of the mainstream paper and they were gesturing and slapping the front page and saying "Tell them to quit-lah! Enough is enough lah!" At the coffee shops and restaurants in Ipoh that I went to today, people had the upcoming elections as their main meal. For the first time, I realized "Ini Kali-lah" wasn't just an FB propaganda :P People were actually saying it to each other. Regulars at my aunty's coffee shop came, sat around in groups and before they left, they said to one another "Remember! Ini Kali-lah!"
I saw drivers honking at those volunteers putting up the opposition flags and giving each other the thumbs up sign or a 'tabik'. I heard people voicing their upcoming glee in seeing MCA be thrown into oblivion. The two Malay chaps sitting right behind me in the train wouldn't shut-up about ABU - although admittedly, I dozed off halfway. Back in my kampong, even though the dark blue flags were seriously everywhere, the folks said "they can hang as much as they like, as long as they don't win." Just FYI, my kampong had been MCA stronghold for as long as I can remember. Many of the old folks here lived through 513 and are still somewhat in fear of it. My Grandma being one of them. But apparently, they aren't going to let that fear stop them this time. They've got children and grandchildren like me going home to tell them 513 is the dark ages.

Well, from what little I saw today, I think the rakyat wants change. I don't know. Maybe because it is something I wanted to see? Maybe I just didn't go into a BN-stronghold area? In case you don't already know, I'm supporting the Opposition. And I personally want the change. Borrowing my favourite rapper's words - "I'm not afraid, to take a stand."

Here's why I flew home to vote.

Some say the new PR coalition isn't tried and tested. They say "better the devil you know than the angel you don't." I say to hell with that. I for one, do not believe in that concept. I never had. In Myanmar, one of my key roles as a consultant for the largest local retail chain is to bring about positive changes in the marketing department. I teach the local staff to try new ideas, try new methods, take calculated risks. They are like some of the Malaysians today - afraid of the change. Afraid to let go of 50+ years of doing the same thing over and over again. So, I think 56 years of bad governance is just simply - enough. I mean, you know what they say right? "Hurt me once, shame on you. Hurt me twice, shame on me." And this is like what? 56 times over?? Don't have to go far. Think Bersih, Lynas, Teoh Beng Hock, the Great Diamond Ring, the cows. OMG. Enough!

So, I am voting in the PJU constituency. I do know Tony Pua. We've exchanged some emails. He was looking for a candidate. I wanted to pass on to him some dirt on TM :P But we're not best of friends. I have no idea who the hell is Yeo Bee Yin. I did read her profile and was impressed. Happy to know she is so passionate about what she's doing. But here's the thing, I would vote for anyone - whatever background bad or otherwise they have, as long as it isn't the incumbent party - because I think it is time for Malaysia to change. At the very worse, what could happen? 5 years of the same shit that we had lived with for 50 over years, no? That, my friends, is called calculated risk. And as I always preach to my staff - both in Cambodia and now in Myanmar - you never try, you never know.

I am indeed writing as if the Opposition will win this historical elections. But when they do win, I'd like them to know what I am voting for - 2 fundamental points (actually, I have a whole list, but that will take me all week to write them down!) and I can only speak for myself here :

1) A country that is built on racial unity and harmony
I had always spontaneously treated myself Chinese first, Malaysian second because that was how the idiot incumbent government ruled us. Second-class rights. No doubt, I have many Malay friends and some of my most cherished clients were Malays (who treated me like family, by the way), the fact remains that I grew up in an environment where merit didn't quite count. I want the new government to help all the poor, regardless of race or religion. I work with a lot of underprivileged kids both in Cambodia and Myanmar. Some are Christians, some are Buddhists, some are Kachin, some are Bahmese and so on. I don't particularly single out a certain ethnicity to work with. New government - kindly do the same please. I want the new government to reward the rakyat based on merits and not based on race or religion. I don't play football nor follow football, but perhaps it is time to look at a more racially balanced football team. Something like that, as an example. Crutches for those who need it, and not crutches for a particular racial group. Racial differences will ALWAYS exist. But I need a government who DOES NOT play up on that but instead promote what makes us similar and what makes us equal.

2) A country that is safe at every level
This is so important to me. I don't live in Malaysia, but my entire family does. I worry to death about them when I am away. And when I am back for a visit, they worry to death about me so much so that it really cramps my style. I can't run at 4am in the mornings because my Mama and Papa would have a stroke. Sure, I do think they are over-reacting, but can you blame them? After all, a running mom was recently killed by a thief. I would like the new government to address this issue immediately because if the crime rate is high and the safety issue is a major concern, I have no idea how you intend to make Malaysia a flourishing land. And I would think twice about moving back too because I love my freedom to be outdoors, to walk about without fear of being robbed or raped or whatever. The police force should be rakyat-friendly instead of the other way around. Just because they are in uniform does not give them the right to act all bullish to us rakyats. So new government - please kindly take note. This issue is important.

Basically, I want a country I can be proud of. Not because of the Lee Chong Weis or the twin towers. But because Malaysia is fast booming, fast developing, offering plentiful opportunities to both local and foreign investors, because Malaysia's education system is a great example to follow in the region (and doesn't churn out idiot lawyers who try to strangle themselves in a courtroom), because Malaysia is a great example for other nations, at least within the SEA region. I want a Malaysia who is for Malaysians and Malaysians who are for Malaysia.

Together with many other Malaysians who made the trip, I'm sure many of us who travelled are hoping that this is the one trip we can all say was "Damn Bloody Worth It" - because otherwise, not only would my airfare be a waste, it will be a tad cumbersome to move my entire business out of the country if Malaysia once again falls back to the idiot government.

With that, Pakatan Rakyat, I wish you great good luck this coming 505. Ini Kali-lah!!!