Can't we live in peace and harmony

Man should be free to move, allowed to believe in whatever he feels right (of course as long as he does not cause injury or harm to others)and able to discover and innovate to improve the livelihood of mankind.

We have gone through numerous wars in history, wars to uphold religion, wars to expand territories, wars to gain wealth and resources, wars to show power and greed. These were the past which led to greatest destruction such as Pearl Harbour, Hiroshima and Nagasaki incidents. But man being man never learns from History. though we have a history tv channel to remind us what happen in the past. Till today wars are still going on in some parts of the world. The oldest and longest being the Palestinian issues, between Muslims and Jews.

My simple question is why can't we live in peace and harmony s brothers and sisters. Like i said in my previous entry that we are from the same species (human beings). Although we are different in skin color, speak different languages, believe in different religion, like different living environment (temperature, urban or rural), think differently (philosophy of life) and eat different food but we are the same human beings having the same red color blood, yellow color brains and we all die when the time comes. Nobody lives forever ( although some say you live forever through your thoughts, writings and creations).

While your on a short journey in this world, why don't we spend quality lifetime helping each other, never repeating past mistakes and for the betterment of mankind.
We always claim we are the greatest creation of God and we are special with thinking power and ability to control the earth and the planets. Sad to say we are the lowest ranked species because with all great minds given we can't live in peace and harmony.

Islam vs Christianity or Terrorism vs US

Another long holidays celebrating Eid Mubarak after fasting for one month in ramadhan. While muslims celebrate Eid there is also anger among muslims created by Rev. Terry Jones who said he his going to burn copies of holy Quran on 9/11. Although he called off his widely denounced plans to burn copies of the Quran, damage done, Muslims all over the world are angry and furious. Its not the religion Islam that preaches its followers to attack and kill innocent human beings. The people who attacked are terrorist and dissatisfied people who took law in their hands. If Rev Terry burned the holy Quran, he is also equivalent to one of those terrorists who is insensible.

I agree with Pres. Obama's Sept 11 memorial speech:
As Americans we are not — and never will be — at war with Islam," the president said. "It was not a religion that attacked us that September day — it was al-Qaida, a sorry band of men which perverts religion."

We humans what ever religion, color and culutral differnces we belong to same the species and we should live in harmony, peace and helping each other and not killing one another.

Back in Malaysia: the concept of 1Malaysia preaches the same thing. Although Malaysia is a multi-religion, multi-race and multi- cultural country, we live as 1Malaysian citizen in peace and harmony together building our nation as one of the successful and respected country in the world.

Who is who?

This article gonna be a controversial one. I am gonna write about the characters in my office. The reader can use your own imagination to guess who they are. Of course, readers outside Ministry of Finance won't be able to guess who they are.

This girl has a nice voice when she reads.

This man never on his handphone or answer's his fon call. I never bother to call him.

This lady talks very fast and never stops.

I call this lady angel, quiet only talks when u ask something

This lady is difficult to control and she has her own mind

This guy is an angel too. straight forward and innocent

She looks 'out-going', 'naughty" but in reality very conservative and soft-hearted

This guy is quite new but fast learner and dependable

This officer is dependable and i always ask him to do lots of things

This ladies i call twin sisters but different colors. Coz if one is not around, you can find her in the other's room.

This guy is never able to understand the environment and will continue to pursue what he wants.

This guy is a great gossiper, they say even ladies cant't beat him

This lady wears everything matching same color from scarf to shoes....

This guy seems to know everything, tough to deal with him

This guy too seems to know everything and always comments negatively

This lady is a tall woman, like a model

This lady is another tough lady to deal with, has her own mind but worst it takes some time for her to listen to you.

This lady is hardworking, looks innocent but i have a doubt

They say this lady is my blue-eyed girl. I just treat same as others, only that she is so hardworking and intelligent which falls into my category of people.

This lady fond of taking medical leaves. Kids always not well.

This lady when u say something, she will say her husband is also same. When u say u have experienced something, she will immediately say she or her family has experienced the same thing.

This lady talks very fast sometimes i don't understand her. I will say go slow

These two senior officers never talk much. I don't know how to bring them onto the main stream of BEA

This guy is unique, u will never find another character like him in this world..

This guy, good english, i thot intelligent and resilient but......

This girl smiles even when you scold her

This lady i call her siti nurhaliza......

This guy complete his task very fast but not satisfactory....sometimes mistakes

This two innocent guys , both hardworking one married and the other going to get married


I think i better stop here. Try and guess whether you feel, you fit well in one of the characters i mentioned above. If you feel disappointed my apologies. I just wrote what i feel after having attending meetings and gatherings with you all. You can email me if you disagree either here or personally to my email: drirwan.abdullah@treasury.gov.my

and myself : you can comment on my character too
.

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.