VMY 2007 non performing? Minister non-performing as well?

“The purpose of introducing an embarkation card is because we merely want to know their activities, whether they go abroad to travel, for business, study, visit relatives or other reasons.

“The number of Malaysians travelling abroad every year is high and we want to know why they like to go out of the country. If it is for travelling and tourism purposes, we hope to encourage them to participate in domestic tourism,” he said yesterday.

Tengku Adnan said Malaysia had a lot to offer and many Malaysians had yet to visit local places of interest, adding that while his ministry was aggressively promoting foreign tourists to visit the country, domestic tourism was equally important.
Source : The Star April 23rd, 2007

It would be more beneficial if TA look into efforts in building the domestic tourism instead of asking all Malaysians who go overseas to complete embarkation card. If Malaysians are not going for domestic holidays, then he would want to understand why from surveys of general public or review the incentives for domestic holidays. There is no need for embarkation forms.

It clearly shows that he is not in touch with the grassroots of Malaysian travel industry. If only he maintains rapport with the people in the industry and he will find the answers within instead of embarkation card and comments which causes national embarassment.

Is he also aware that travel industry worldwide has grown such that people travel overseas because of cheaper air fares e.g. RM9.99 to Manchester and offers for accomodation. The baby boomers has saved their monies and only know taking opportunity to travel. This is a world phenomenon and not only Malaysia.

While he manage "remotely" or from the tree top, it is not a surprise that he still "wonder" why VMY 2007 never really took off till now. Keep wondering till we welcome 2008 or rather he might not be there then.

Printing at least 15 million embarkation card will again waste public funds! Assuming a card is RM1 then the cost of the cards can be a staggering RM15million. Again, Malaysian tourism promotional funds wasted by a Minister who seem to emulate or competing with his boss on spending public funds. Monkey See, Monkey Do!

If he carries on with his plans he would embarass some high profile Malaysians;
(a) en-route to South America, he goes to Turkey to inspect boat,
(b) go Perth to open Nasi Kandar restaurant and etc.

It would be best for TA play police for rakyat and report on VIPs who travel overseas every month with a zero report card or State Excos who goes on overseas trip to waste public monies or wakil rakyats going overseas to spend on ill-gotten monies. Then it justifies embarkation card!

Going ahead with the embarkation card, I would appeal for TA to make public reports without fear or favor of statistics VIPs (including spouse) going abroad and purpose. At least we know the most preferred destination of Malaysia's rich and famous whether it's London or Perth! We rakyat, wants our monies spent on printing embarkation card to be worth the cost incurred in implementing this silly requirement.

He may just help rakyat to save public funds instead of causing inconvenience to business community and holiday makers whom had save their salary for a well deserved annual holiday abroad! It's also his chance to redeem his position as a Minister.

Humility In Life

Que sera, sera.
Whatever will be, will be.
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera.

That was the part lyrics of a song which was played on trusted antique radios in the 60s and on an unpredictable future but which we can steer to. I used to wonder who my friends will be?

When I was at the age of 10, my buddy is the son of a prominent MP in Malaysia and I quickly got adjusted to being around with the family which had lived humbly in total disregard of the position as a public figure in Malaysia. Those occasional glance of his dad at home raises lots of questions in my mind as to what is this man actually does whilst doing lots of reading and constantly in deep thoughts.

Although with his busy schedule, family life was never neglected and I do remember how strict my buddy's grandmother used to be which also explains the discipline instilled in the family besides driving a desire to succeed in life. All siblings cycled to school but I do remember on some occassions being driven to school by the man I respected himself, which I truly treasured every moment of that ride. My dad could not afford a car then where public buses, bicycle and walking was our means of getting around.

The way they led their life, and the struggles the family had to got through, was an insight which many people will never understand or able to experience. Daily life was simple and had no frills of a public figure or statesmen being lavished upon. A real humble life and home.

"Humility makes great men twice honorable." quoted Benjamin Franklin. It is the ingredient and secret of successful people. I firmly believe such saying hold lots of truth and it's the message of the heart which someone able to transfer and etch deep in the receiver's heart and soul. Humility is also a word which would prove alien for individuals practising croynism, nepotism and being corrupt from the the public appointed position.

Since we finished school, we have not been in contact but our mothers still continue to be in contact on that occassional meet to keep updated of our wherabouts.

But I do remember the occassion of a Government crackdown of a purported racial linked where hosts of politicians and activists were arrested and placed in detention camps including my buddy's brother and father. My buddy had returned from overseas where he was studying and came over my house to pick me up for a chat and drink. I could see the fear, grief and total disbelief on my buddy's face of what had befell on his beloved family in a single stroke of irresponsible dictator type action. During the trying times of such event, the family kept their believe firm and putting a brave face forward.

Whatever is being said of him by the ruling party, I respect and admire the energy and consistency of this wonderful man whom had kept to his word till today to continue the struggle of the marginalized people of Malaysia which I foresee he will not let-up till the last day he lives on this land he truly love and live on called Malaysia. He maintains his principle in life to put forward the truth where liars today dare to call "rumours", "lies" or "deceit".

If liars and the corrupt maintains their innocence, what will the truth be? It is definitely a challenging question to answer and left to the people of Malaysia to decide what is best for the nation now through to 50years of independence. What more better place to voice the direction of Malaysia then the upcoming General Election!

"If I do not come forward to fight for the cause of the deprived people of Malaysia, who will?" asked my buddy's father. That question till today still lingers in my head and will continuosly be a question given the present political scenario of Malaysia.

I do remember vividly of a General Election then, where my buddy's dad had caricatures of him on posters being pasted and distributed depiciting him being beaten up in a boxing ring which I never understood why then. 31 years forward, the poster is something I had kept with me as memories of my friendship with this special someone whom I respect. Today, I fully understood the cause he is fighting for.

The man is Uncle Lim Kit Siang, Opposition Leader of Malaysian Parliament and to my buddy (his son), wishing you every success. We shall meet soon like old times!

Unlce Lim keep on fighting the inevitable truth and only time prevails the truth! Keep the fire of belief burning and letting you know that there are Malaysians out there who share your burning desire for rakyat.