Jangan sebab Nyamuk Kelambu dibakar

Nyamuk sejenis makluk perosak yang tidak disukai manusia sering membawa penyakit penyakit vektor yang payah diubati dan kadangkala membawa padah hingga maut dibuatnya. Penyakit penyakit yang sering disebut dan sinonim dengan nyamuk ini adalah malaria, elephantiasis, denggi dan chikungunye. Seringkali, perhatian utama terpaksa diberikan agar aku mesti menjauhi dari ancaman nyamuk ini. Sikit saja gigitannya akan membuatkan keresahan, rasa marah yang membara dan tindakan membunuhnya mesti dilakukan segera kalau tidak dia akan mengancam lagi dan akhirnya membuat hidup aku langsung tidak bermaana. Nyamuk ini jelas sejenis serangga yang licik dan menampakkan tabiat nya sebagai binatang yang tidak disukai manusia. Tapi ianya kejadian makluk ciptaan tuhan yang hidup bebas mengikut azali ianya dijadikan. Walaupun aku tak suka namun hakikatnya aku tiada pilihan dan tempuh saja lah kerana sebagai manusia biasa, aku lemah tak berkuasa melawan kehendak illahi. Walaupun tuhan maha kaya, apa saja kehendak aku untuk melenyapkan serangga ini, walaupun dengan doa tidak mungkin ianya lenyap dimuka bumi kepunyaan tuhan ini.

Bertambah malang adanya manusia yang tabiatnya macam NYAMUK, tanpa ia sedari, banyak menggigit mangsanya dan macam nyamuk betul adalah amat licik, menghisap darah kawan taulan dan bertindak tanpa dia sedari. Kalau ianya memimpin sesuatu organisasi maka awaslah  ...tak tau apalah nak diceritakan disini. Aku terkena lagi gigitan NYAMUK ini didalam bilek mesyuarat semasa QTime...dibelakang aku tanpa kerelaan, tanpa merujuk keputusan minggu lepas, tanpa persetujuan diperolehi NYAMUK ini mengenakan aku lagi, tak serik serik aku juga nak digigitnya, tak mau dia gigit diri dia sendiri dengan alasan kurang bijak, siapa tak marah dan melenting dek bisa digigitnya...kalau sekali tak apa dah 3 kali, Gigitan Pertama, Gigitan kedua dan Gigitan Ketiga yang aku tak perlu cerita dan menjadikan Sejarah hidup aku, ingatan sakit yang tidak mudah aku lupai hingga akhir hayat aku, Nyamuk ini cari peluang menggigit kalau tidak ia  meracau dan mencoccok cocok ketelingga bos atau orang atasan dengan "Ngennng.. Ngenggg.. Ngeengg' sehingga bos aku jadi pendendam keatas aku, sampai ketahap bos aku menghalau aku keluar dari bilek pejabat... tau je lah hari itu hari dimana lapuran penilaian prestasi kena disiapkan oleh bos untuk aku... Diantara perkara perkara yang tidak akan aku lupa keakhir hayat ku dan akan disebut oleh anak cuccu ku ...ini lah bahawa bisanya gigitan NYAMUK sehingga peluang naik pangkat pun hilang kerana prestasi kurang baik seumur hidup macam kena lumpuh gigitan nyamuk yang berbisa. 

Bos yang menilai aku tu pun seorang yang rapat, amat aku kenal semasa di UiTM dan AIT sehinggalah beliau pi Birmingham dan aku pernah singgah disana berhari raya dirumahnya. Tak mungkin atas dasar itu beliau menghukum aku begitu kejam kalau tidak disebabkan NYAMUK tadi...aku tetap sanjung dia dan mendoakan kejayaaan beliau walaupun pena dia merekodkan prestasi buruk kepada aku.

Salah seorang rakan sekelas aku dulu telah cuba meredakan keadaan idalam sessi petang jumaat 14 november; QTime semalam dan menasihati dengan ungkapan dan amaran tajam kepada aku kerana bersikap marah dan tidak menghormati 'seniors as leaders'. Aku akur aku tidak seperti dia dah naik pangkat, aku syukur kerana beliau bernasib baik dan aku perlu 'respect' dia pasal dulu pun dia juga menghantar mempelai pengantin semasa aku kahwin dulu. Aku rasa beliau mahu di hormati sebagai orang atasan sekarang sewajarnya dengan taraf yang dinikmati beliau ...tapi ...............

 "As leaders... Respect is earned and not demanded".

Beginilah bercelarunya keadaan apabila adanya NYAMUK membiak didalam organisasi dan menganggu ketenteraman orang yang keciwa seperti aku ini.

Disebabkan ini aku marah dan marah yang sepatutnya, kerana....

" The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn't angry enough. "

Bede Jarrett

"It is better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life. "
Elizabeth Kenny

Ignore integrity at your peril

Raja Dr Nazrin Shah

HOW often do you hear a top leader say "integrity applies to me, too"?

Until Thursday night, I'd never heard it said in this country.

The executive dinner talk to observe National Integrity Day was a precursor to the National Integrity Convention held in Kuching, Sarawak. The hotel ballroom was filled with some 350 leaders, politicians and civil servants.

"Seminar integriti, seminar integriti, seminar integriti!" huffed one civil servant. He'd been to so many, and was tired of hearing of integrity this and integrity that but not seeing it practised by the top leadership.

Not that integrity is a fashion or trend that needs to be set by the people at the top, but it would be some consolation to the masses to see their leaders living lives of integrity. If for nothing else, then at least to know that while the people themselves are leading honest, hardworking lives, the nation's treasure chest is not being emptied by those entrusted to guard it.

When Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah stood to give his speech on integrity, it was to a respectfully quiet audience who were looking forward to hearing wise words spoken.

Such is Raja Nazrin's reputation.

On paper, his speech was 30 paragraphs long, taking up five printed pages in size 10 font. But when spoken, it was enunciated so well, so thoughtfully and so sincerely that one hardly felt the time pass. 

The full text can only really be appreciated in its original Malay, which was peppered with different words describing greatness of royalty and rule -- and all these responsibilities inextricably bound to integrity.

"Integrity is not a new theory, concept, creation or discovery. It is a basic principle which cannot be ignored; it is essential: a component that must be had, a character that must be lived to a convincing level; it is the prerequisite for determining an administration that is bersih, cekap, amanah (clean, efficient and trustworthy)....

"The fall of an empire, a monarchy, a nation and leadership is often caused by practices which ignore integrity....

"In the records of the history of the Malay Sultanate, integrity is the foundation that determines the sovereignty of a ruler, the majesty and nobleness of the monarchy, and the supremacy and greatness of a government."

Raja Nazrin then referred to 14th century texts of Malaccan laws and the Tuhfat al-Nafis, which prescribes that the main function of one who claims to be a ruler or raja is to uphold God's laws on earth. If the raja ruled according to his whims and ignored God's edicts, crisis would befall the nation.

He further referred to Hikayat Raja Pasai and notes by Tun Seri Lanang on the ruling administration of the Malay sultanate of Malacca, observing that the fall of rulers and governments past were because integrity was set aside to serve the raja's lust for power and property.

In giving the examples of the unethical practice of the Raja Melaka who kidnapped Tun Teja, who was betrothed to someone else, and the occasion where the Raja Melaka mistreated the bendahara's entire family only because he wanted Tun Fatimah, who was married to Tun Ali, Raja Nazrin, to his credit, did not look to history for texts that would give greater freedoms to royals and justify unjust acts. Rather, he chose those that highlighted what is unacceptable of rulers.

For instance, history has shown how rulers were brought down because of their excessive ways, like Sultan Seri Alam, who was removed from his throne because of his extravagant spending.

"In upholding integrity, there is a two-way line of communication between raja and subjects in the spirit of the contract between Demang Lebar Daun and Seri Teri Buana, which outlined the 'magna carta' of the royal-ruled Malays and is manifest in the phrase raja adil-raja disembah (a just ruler is a respected ruler).

"The raja is obliged to maintain high integrity to ensure the people's loyalty to him. Thus, rulers need to realise that with their position comes power, and with this power comes responsibility; therefore, each one who has power is actually undergoing a test of his values, trustworthiness, honesty, sincerity, justness and impartiality."

Stressing that the monarchy was not merely symbolic or useful for just opening events and attending parties, Raja Nazrin said "a raja acts on the advice of the government that is chosen by the people".

"However, if this advice runs contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, the law and justice, then a ruler must not follow this advice. He must not side on injustice or condone any action that does not reflect truth."

But, it was not just rulers or leaders that needed to have integrity. It was important for every citizen to have high integrity. A leader or citizen who had no integrity was the enemy within the nation.

"Integrity would cease to exist not only through the wrongful actions of the ruler or top leadership, but also when those responsible for checking-and-balancing the leaders do not possess the strength to correct wrongs."

Were Raja Nazrin's words that night mere rhetoric? 

When the regent was scheduled to arrive at 8.15pm, he came. At 9.45pm when he was scheduled to give his speech, he gave it. At 10.30pm when the function was scheduled to end, the prince promptly shook hands with his hosts and left. Bedtime was a reasonable hour for all who attended.

The text of his speeches contain footnotes for his many references. This is not just the act of a scholar but also the act of an honest person. And remember, too, that this is the prince who paid for his wedding, even though, as the Raja Muda of Perak, he was entitled to use public funds. As a person of means, it is unconscionable to dip into the public purse, especially where you are the primary beneficiary. Also, in Islam, the man is the provider of the family. Therefore, if a man cannot pay for his wedding without going into debt in the process, then he is not ready for the responsibilities of setting up a family.

That Raja Nazrin has set these positive examples for everyone to look up to and follow lends greater meaning to his speech on integrity. Political leaders would do well to take his lead. It is ironic that, in this democratic nation, a handful of young royals like Raja Nazrin, who have not been elected to their positions, are fulfilling their responsibility to the nation and its people, vote or no vote. But, that is integrity.

Aniza Damis, NST Online 9 November 2008

Anti-graft commission to start as early as January 2009

KUCHING: The formation of the Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC) may be sooner than expected.

Anti-Corruption Agency director general Datuk Seri Hamdan Said said the commission might begin its work as early as January. "The cabinet has given the nod and the bill will be tabled in Parliament next month.  "We expect everything to be done in the next one or two months, or even sooner," said Hamdan after the Program Gerak Mesra BPR Media event on Friday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his keynote address at the National Integrity Convention 2008 here on Friday, had said the MCAC law would replace the Anti-Corruption Act 1997. Abdullah had also said the parliamentary session would be extended to Dec 18 to debate the bill, which included provisions for the setting up of an Anti-Corruption Advisory Board and a Special Committee on Corruption. Hamdan said the advisory board and special committee would consist of non-governmental organisations, parliamentarians and ACA officers.

"Their role is to monitor investigation procedures to make them more transparent."  The agency is also expected to recruit more than 1,000 officers to facilitate reinforcement. Hamdan said the agency's five-year plan included employing some 5,000 officers from various backgrounds, such as engineers, auditors and accountants, and other law enforcement officers. "With the professionals on board, incentives and benefits will be drawn up to commensurate with their expertise."  In Kuala Kangsar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the MCAC Bill 2008 would be tabled for the first reading in Parliament by Dec 11. He said a draft of the bill was being printed to be distributed to members of parliament. On the setting up of the advisory board and special committee, he said seven to nine members would be appointed to the two panels, with prominent members of the community sitting on the first panel, and MPs and senators making up the second. Both panels, he said, would be chaired by the commission's chairman. "This is a check-and-balance mechanism to eradicate corruption in the country," said Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas MP, after opening a dialogue on the works of Tan Sri P. Ramlee at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Temenggong Kati yesterday. "The important thing is for the MCAC to improve the service rendered by the Anti-Corruption Agency."  The advisory board will advise the commission on matters concerning corruption in the country, while the special committee will study the commission's annual reports. The commission will have the liberty to determine matters such as salaries and staffing.

by Dennis Wong; NST Online 9 November 2008

'Rulers may disagree with govt leaders'

KUCHING: The Rulers shall not agree with advice given by government leaders which goes against the spirit of the constitution, rule of law and universal principles of justice, the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah said Thursday night.
“Generally, the Rulers act based on the advice by government leaders elected by the people. Nevertheless, the Rulers cannot accede to acts which do not symbolise justice or sanction moves which do not mirror truth. “The Rulers’ views, observation and counsel in the administrative affairs of the country touching on the question of integrity which encompasses justice, law, judiciary, misappropriation, power abuse, corruption and wealth distribution, are with the desire to strengthing the Government so that it is stable and receives people’s trust,” he said at a dinner in conjunction with the National Integrity Day here.
To ensure the Rulers’ integrity is not questioned and the throne remains respected, Raja Nazrin said, the Rulers shall always be intelligent and wise, master knowledge, understand the surroundings and changes, and possess a group of advisers comprising experts and people knowledgeable in the relevant fields. “This will enable the Rulers to fulfil their roles with integrity and make the smart, accurate, just and fair decisions,” he said.
Raja Nazrin said the Rulers are part of national institutions whose role is to strengthen the democratic system by carrying out the check and balance responsibility and the function as an independent tribunal for the legislative, executive and judiciary branches.
As a source of reference should a crisis occur, he said, the Rulers function as the balancing mechanism which safeguards national stability, protects people’s wellbeing, ensures justice, enhances the Government’s integrity and strengthens the democratic practice in the country.
“The Rulers have a role as the pillar of stability - source of justice, thrust of unity - hence enhancing the level of people’s confidence in the systems of governance and society based on democratic practices, rooted on the doctrine of the separation of powers. “The Rulers have constitutional responsibilities and the responsibilities need to be carried out intelligently so that it can help build a high-integrity country,” he said. Raja Nazrin said the institution of Rulers shall have the role and function to productively and constructively contribute to the nation. “The Rulers reside at a special position, have the opportunity to give smart views to influence and determine the direction of the nation positively and constructively through counsel, encouragement, persuasion, reminder and admonition,” he said.
To strengthen integrity practice, Raja Nazrin said, the Rulers shall hold consultations and negotiations, gather opinions and be open minded to assess each advice rationally, objectively and fairly. - Bernama

fr thestar online 7 November 2008

Greater efficiency will reduce corruption

KUCHING: Greater efficiency in the public delivery system will help reduce corruption, Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi said.
He said there would be no need to resort to corruption if things were done quickly and efficiently without unneccessary delay.
“If you improve your efficiency, corruption will go down. The public will also be happy because services are delivered fast,” he said Friday in a panel discussion on the theme “Integrity, the Catalyst for Sustainable Development” at the National Integrity Convention here.
The convention was organised by the Malaysian Institute of Integrity in collaboration with the state government and in conjunction with National Integrity Day.
Zaki said high standards of efficiency must be continually improved upon and not allowed to decline in order to meet public expectations.
Giving an example, he said that once the public could get their passports in four hours, they would not settle for getting it in 24 hours.
“You must keep pushing the standards up so that you don’t slack,” he said.
He also said politicians should lead by example when it comes to integrity and rooting out corruption.
“Politicians are our leaders. If they don’t set good standards, everybody will follow. “If the boss is not firm, everybody will not be firm,” he added.

written by Sharon Ling from thestar online: 7 November 2008

YOUNG LEADERS: A mature brain is what counts

AT a recent meeting, Tun Musa Hitam is reported to have said that this country needs young people for top posts. Not so. This country needs brains, brains with leadership quality, maturity and experience (and perhaps other desirable attributes). It does not matter if the brains sit on top of young or old people because it is brains that drive countries and organisations to success. No point having top posts with young people with limited, immature or no brain power.

fr the NST Online : 31 October 2008