Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka : I'm proud to be a Malaysian

31st August is just around the corner, most of you know its our independence day. I say most and not all, because some may have forgotten. For some its just another public holiday, time to go shopping, vacation, picnic and lots of other activities. Many failed to understand the true meaning of independence day. Just fixing flags at your house or on your car or watching the national parade does not mean you have done your part.

Independence day reminds us on how hard and difficult it was for our grandfathers or great grandfathers living under the rule of foreigners who took all the wealth from this country and treat the locals badly. How lucky we are now, we are under the rule of our own leaders. Thanks to our past leaders who managed to make Malaysia an independence nation. We became a sovereign nation and have our own government by our own people.

Having said that, in the modern world, you can politically be independent but how about technologically, economically, mentally and socially. We are in the age of information and one don't have to be present physically to dominate us. That's why we need to be smart in all aspects and be aware of any developments taking place in all corners of the world. Small nations with no military power can be so powerful and dominate in international arena and influence the decision made by others and even by the super powers. I hope all the young Malaysians understand the real meaning of independence and work hard to ensure that Malaysia will be forever independent and respected by all.

I'm proud to be a Malaysian

No decision is Perfect

It's difficult to satisfy everybody with one decision. I'm just talking about 70 officers in my division but it will be even worst if you compare the whole country. When government implements something there will be thousands of views. There will be also one group of ppl who will be never in agreement whatever the government does because they have a preset mind to oppose even the initiative is good and benefit them. One good example is the implementation of GST. Most quarters of the society support GST as it replaces sales and services tax as well as improves the government's fiscal position.

The same thing i'm doing the best for my division in meeting the rising and demanding needs of the nation. The world is so dynamic and things changes fast which has direct impact on the domestic economy. To keep up as well as introduce new things to sustain economic growth and ensure the people are satisfied, i together with my team of officers crack head days after days formulating policies and measures conducive to meet those needs. Anyway, we take criticism and unhappiness as part of our daily work. What is more important is the happiness of the majority of the ppl in the country.

The same thing goes within my division, when i decided that only 4 days leave can be taken for the coming raya celebration there were many voices opposed to it. Even they compare with other divisions within Ministry of Finance where there is no restriction on taking leaves. I always put work before individual happiness and many don't agree to it. For me seeing the public's happiness and nation's progress, in itself gives satisfaction. God understands me.

BEA - Iftar. Thanks to all.

Well thanks to all BEA officers ( both muslim and non-muslim brothers and sisters) who attended the majlis berbuka puasa. Red Wok restaurant though simple but the steam boat and other dishes were delicious. Worth it for the price of RM 30 per head. By the way, I'm not promoting the restaurant. We had good time gathering outside the usual and often tension environment in BEA. I should thank the young BEA officers who almost all attended the function. This is really a team spirit. Those officers who are usually quiet in the office seems to smile and have good time with their fellow colleagues. Thanks to Julida (I didn't type wrongly the name but that's how it's written on the reserved table) and Desmond as well as Treasurer Farhana and photographer Sallehuddin. Thanks to Zalinda who took food for me.

This function was a memorable one too. Muzamil who is attached to BEA under the cross-fertilization programme completed his one year term and will return back to telecoms. I didn't get to know him well but the Services section officers always talk highly about him. The other person I would like to mention here is Tresna. The colors and aroma of BEA. She has been in BEA, i guess for more than five years. she is going to further her studies in UK. All the best to you. But please comeback to BEA.

I always say that there is no working place in civil service that is so challenging and interesting as BEA. Not many people agree with me. If you really work and mix around not isolating yourself in your room and confine yourself only to your desk job, you will learn lots of things. From modeling, economic aspects, international relations and fiscal issues. All these information, you won't have within one division in any organisation in the civil service. These information will help you when you are doing masters and even PhD in the future. It all depends on you.. whether you want to excel or be mediocre officers.

For me there is no time to rest or be complacent. I believe - you need to learn and strive hard to excel in whatever you do.

R u satisfied with what you have achieved in your life ?

Most people when posted with this question will surely say that they are not satisfied with what they have achieved thus far. some will say they will never be satisfied even until the day they die. Of course some will say i'm satisfied with what i have achieved. Some even will say i'm ok with what ever God have provided. If fated to get even more than what i have expected than i thank God. I dunno what will be your answer?

For me i'm not satisfied yet. Its not about money or glory or title. I have certain ambition in my life that i have not fulfilled. Till then i have to strive in my own way to achieve my ambition. What's that ambition? I'm not going to tell you.

What's more important in this entry, is for everyone to have an ambition and work ahrd to achieve it. Never say i'm ok with whatever i have. YOU are OK...but you can do better and achieve more than what you have now. Some Malaysians lack this spirit of striving hard to be the best and keeping on trying to better their life.

Protecting the Turf

One thing i notice (of course I noticed these things long before)during this budget exercise, the entities are protecting their turf. Its human nature you don't want other ppl to come into your territory. However, the world is changing so fast and ppl need to accept if they need to change or their organization need to change. Most often if changes are suggested by outsiders, the insiders feel intruded and go all out against changes. On the other hand, if the changes originate inside, they will accept and support it. That's why any changes to be made must get the buy-in from all the stakeholders. Even if changes come from outside, if support comes from inside then everything will be alright.

Sillytoe again don't understand me!!!. Forgive her. Young kid... sorry young woman. See i even say sorry for small mistakes. A man who admits his mistakes is the greatest man. Man usually never will admit his mistakes. On her statement that i contradicted myself when i said; i couldn't be bothered what others say about me. It doesn't mean that i don't listen to others. It doesn't mean that i feel what ever i say is right and others are wrong. What i really meant is i don't care what ppl say about me but that doesn't mean that i don't listen to them. OK. i better stop arguing with her. I bet she will reply me because she herself can't accept criticism.

Acronyms

Currently, the country is flooded with acronyms. Civil servants especially are required to know the meaning of these acronyms if not at least to pass their PTK exams. Among the major acronyms are NEM, SRIs, GTP, ETP, NKRA, NKEA, EPP and BOs. These acronyms were created by NEAC and PEMANDU. I'm not sure how many Malaysian understand the link between all these acronyms and the development objectives and the inter-link among these acronyms. Some are confused, some try hard to memorize these acronyms and others couldn't be bothered.

Its not the acronym that is important but the objectives of all these initiatives. Ultimately whether this nation is going to achieve the target of a developed and high income economy and the rakyat benefits together with the prosperity of the nation. The uphill task is to change the mind set of each individuals to accept the transformation and changes that is taking place. Undivided support from civil service, private sector, NGOs and the rakyat are needed. Sounds like a politician talking.

But in reality whether you like it or not, we must accept that the initiatives being undertaken are for the benefit of the people and the nation.

Its not what others like you that matters but what others think of you

Its 3.12 am 18/8/2010, I cant sleep and eyes are wide open as if its mid-day. Sometimes it happens in your life too. I'm just wondering what to write. Everybody think they are the greatest in the world. Even everyone of you who r reading this blog. Whatever you do u think, you r doing the right thing and others are wrong. But life is more than that. Its not about right or wrong. Its a process of understanding things around us and learning how to deal with it. Whats right for us may be wrong for others but more importantly what matters the innocent feeling in our heart and mind that we are doing the right thing.

Some may say like sillytoe.. we need to be kind and say nice things. I cant be a hypocrite saying nice things, when in reality i dont feel so. May be others can be actors saying all the good things and be nice to everybody, so that everybody likes u. For me its not important that ppl likes you or not but they are able to read your mind.

I can read most of my officers minds and can tell what kind a person they are. When they talk to me, i know how sincere they are. Some even seems to be so pious but inside its another thing all together.