A twist of fate… Kedah man in Japan

Folks, this is a little story that yours truly penned for an internet newspaper focusing on Malaysian affairs...
The topic is, brain drain, so I thought I could offer my two-cents worth... 
The original article is found in Malaysian Insider... A twist of fate… Kedah man in Japan

MAY 30 — Like AC who penned “First love, long lost”, life just happened and before I knew it, I found myself enjoying life outside of Malaysia.

I am but a padi farmer’s son. I was working in a construction site after obtaining three Ds and one O for my Higher School Certificate in 1979. One day, my older brother handed me an advertisement by Singapore Airlines calling for pilot trainees. Fate had it that it was the last day for the application. It was a Friday and the post offices in Kedah were closed. My nephew drove me all the way from my village to Butterworth on a 100cc motorbike just to post the application letter. I can still recall how my buttocks hurt.

With rather average scores, I was very surprised that Singapore Airlines called me up for an interview. I miraculously got through that and some other medical checks that followed. Soon, along with a bunch of other Malaysians, I found myself on the way to Manila for pilot training. After being certified as a commercial pilot, it was fate again when the oil crisis in the early 1980s put a stop to the expansion plans of the airline.
Subsequently, we could not operate as pilots and were offered jobs as cabin attendants while waiting for the airline to recall us back to the cockpit. However, it was not to be. Singapore Airlines then offered us study loans to further our studies in the universities of our choice.

We were supposed to return to the airline after we graduated. Almost all of us went to US universities. Singapore Airlines did ask us to return to the cockpit after we graduated but only a handful of us did. The rest of us found new avenues. As it is, many of my colleagues from the pilot trainee days stayed back in the US. One went to the UK, another to Australia, and perhaps two or three returned to Malaysia.

I had the opportunity to remain in the US but I decided that I wanted to live in an Asian country, any Asian country. And somehow I had the good fortune of landing myself a scholarship from the Japanese government. To paraphrase AC, life simply occurred. I thoroughly enjoyed my graduate student days in three Japanese universities and made tons of friends, Japanese and otherwise. And as fate would have it, after obtaining my doctorate, one of my alma mater universities offered me a job for six years, after which, I was to return to Malaysia.

One thing led to another, and yes, before I knew it, I was promoted to become a professor and offered tenure. The next thing after obtaining my tenure was my missus and I bought a property and that really opened up another phase of life for us.

All my pals in the US, UK, and Australia (and, most likely, those who returned to Singapore Airlines as pilots) have surrendered their Malaysian passports.

Meanwhile, I choose to remain a Malaysian, heart and soul, and a proud Kedahan at that. I have no intention of giving that up.

Now, with the government touting the so-called Talent Corporation, would I be enticed to return to Malaysia? I shall touch on only the pull factors here in Japan as many other folks previously wrote about the push factors in Malaysia. There are three factors from my point of view.

First… from the professional aspect, there is probably zero chance of me returning. I have a “permanent” job here in a Japanese national university. I take pleasure in working with my Japanese subordinates and colleagues. I get a lot of respect from the Japanese community as a professor in a national university. It would be extremely hard to surrender what I have now in order to look for a job in Malaysia.

Second… socially speaking, I am thoroughly enjoying myself as a foreign resident in Japan. I am a permanent resident and except for the voting rights, I am on par with the locals. The public service is excellent and fair, while the people are extremely courteous and polite, and a joy to live with. To top this up, we are very lucky to find ourselves living among friendly and sociable neighbours. I have absolutely no complaints in this regard and would very much like to continue living under such favourable conditions.

Third… on a private basis, we are blessed with a sizable vegetable and fruit garden in our property. I cherish spending time and energy tilling the soil and cultivating the plants in the garden. To be able to do this in Japan as a Malaysian thrills me to no end and life simply could not be better. These too will be very difficult to give up for now.

Still, I do yearn for Malaysia and return home about twice a year for vacations. On every visit, I have always come away with the feeling that Malaysia is indeed a beautiful country. Perhaps when I retire from my job here in Japan, I might want to return home to further “re-discover” the many splendours of my beloved homeland.

Finally, on my hopes for a better Malaysia, I truly pray for a change in the government. I have faith in the people who have realised the folly of the crop of politicians in the present government. I am rooting for the folks in Pakatan Rakyat, for sure. These are the folks whom I believe can truly bring about a positive turn for my beloved country.

Finding solace in Kedah

Recently made an escape back to my village in Kedah, Malaysia.
The vast expanses of green padi fields offered much needed solace.
In the next few weeks, they will be turning golden yellow, ready to be harvested.
But too bad I had to hit the road before that.

Captured this on a cool cloudy day.
That farmer is in his 80s and he cycles about 3 kilometers or so daily to come tend his fields.
He has been doing this ever since I was a kid and he is still going strong.
The partially hidden mountain in the backdrop is of course, Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak).


The year 2008 was supposed to be Visit Kedah Year.
But the place is unfortunately, as usual, untidy.
Perhaps that feature itself is an attraction?
Anyway, took this shot of the Balai Nobat, the Clock Tower and Masjid Zahir on a really nice-blue-sky day.
There used to be many raintrees in this vicinity, huge ones.
But the municipality people, who knows what they are thinking.
In this aspect, I think they have a lot to learn from Penang.
They chopped off all of them (leaving perhaps one or two?) and planted those skinny palm trees and the ill-looking, under-nourished royal palms.
Won't be surprised if they are dead the next time I come around.

A closer view of the real pretty Masjid Zahir.
If not for the overhanging wires, I bet she would look even prettier.

HUMBLED, ONCE AGAIN...

Did anyone of you read Fong Po Kuan's blog entry on her friend becoming an American?

Such stories... pretty sad I'd say, come in truckloads as far as (non-Malay?) Malaysians are concerned... (Non-Malaysian friends may be scratching their heads, wondering why...)

Like Po Kuan's friend, I am no straight A student...

I obtained only two A2s for my G.C.E. exam... my grades were not solid like hers... and I was not particularly fond of studying... urrrggghh...

Of course, there was no place for a yellow man like me in the local universities in Malaysia...

While she had a relative to sponsor her to university, my saving grace was Singapore Airlines...

Go ahead, call me unpatriotic... and yes, I remain proud and forever thankful to Singapore Airlines for putting me on track that eventually leads to where I am now...

Today, 30th March 2007... 6 months after my promotion to professor... the Vice President of my university announced that the President is appointing me as Director of International Student Center, effective 1st April 2007, for a period of two years...

Frankly, I am just fine with being a plain, low profile professor... a workhorse toiling in the field, mingling with students, dirtying my hands with chalk, and sweating along with my colleagues...

I am just turning 49 this July and I think the university should appoint someone in the late fifties... I should be about ready in ten years' time...

Furthermore, the prospects of meetings upon meetings do not titillate my senses...

Still, it is too much of an honor for me...

I recall reading an article in an in-flight magazine on the way back from Melbourne...

A Japanese cook based in Sydney was just conferred some kind of medal by the Australian government...

Rather that considering it as another feather on his cap, he says something to the effect that he is humbled by the award... and that he owes it to the Australian people and government for giving him the opportunity to push the limits of his potential as a professional cook...

While I am nowhere compared to him (no medals for me...), my feelings concur with his...

Japan has, and continues to give me opportunities that I can only dream of if I were to remain in my beloved homeland, Malaysia...

Don't get me wrong here... you can call me a runaway if you like, but you can never take away the Malaysian in me...

Anyway, when the April rains come, I shall be wearing a new hat... and a darn heavy one too, I'd expect...

So my dear friends... wish me 'strength' as I would need lots of it...

MALAYSIA READY FOR 300 RINGGIT MELONS?

Heard over the radio yesterday about a farmer in Kagawa prefecture (that's where I live now) planning to export strawberries to Malaysia...

Shoppers in KL can expect to see this juicy red stuff on the shelves this Friday (tomorrow)...

The commodity comes in packs of 15 strawberries each...

Each pack will set you back by about 3150 yen, almost 100 ringgits...

Quite like eating jewels, eh...

Kagawa prefecture is also quite well known for her square watermelons...

Yes, square... as in not round...

Each square watermelon costs 10000 yen, almost 300 ringgits...

Unlike the strawberries, they are to be treated more as ornaments rather than for the stomach...

So, folks, watch out as you may very well see one of those weird-looking square green melons in your local department store one of these days...

KING OF CANNOT SPEAK MANDARIN

I recall a fellow Malaysian student at Nagoya University who took pride in saying that he is, well, the KOCSM...

I will not challenge him for the crown, but yesterday, I moved in lightning fast speed to organize a birthday lunch for my aging, ailing, and wheel-chaired bound mother…

As I walked into the restaurant, I was perplexed to see a handful of young kids, sitting at the table reserved for us…

I was like, hey, what’s this…

Then, it dawn upon me that they are the daughters and sons of my nieces…

Which makes me a, what… grand-uncle? No?

Minutes later, the familiar faces of my nieces and nephews surfaced…

Some of the unmarried but about to be married ones look really smart…

Chic… pretty… attractive…

I don’t get much opportunity to see them…

The obvious reasons being, communication problem…

I can’t speak Mandarin… poor me…

And they cannot really speak English…

Our dialects are different too…

So there I was, tongue tied and struggling as to what to say to them…

Which got me into thinking that I should really, really be picking up Mandarin…

THE GREEN PADI FIELDS OF HOME

Am back in my home town, Alor Star, for the past two days...

Feels really great to be around this territory...

The skies are so blue and every where I gaze, green padi fields seem to greet me...

I am back here for some family business, something personal that I may decide to blog about later...

Meantime, I shall try my best to be a good son and leave things to fate...

Anyway, on another front, the local food is as irresistable as ever...

* Now we are talking... *

My Penangite buddies like to brag about their char koew teow and laksa while the Ipohan fellas, hor fun...

Kedahans may be lousy at PR-ing their local delights....

Nonetheless, we are certainly not short of equally deliciously local fare...

Was even lucky enough to come across a durian seller last night...

The season has yet to kick off, but the taste was not too bad either...

PROUD TO BE A 'LIM' TODAY

Malaysian affairs has been and is still graced by quite a few of the 'Lim' clansmen...

Lim Chong Eu, Lim Keng Yaik, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Lim Ah Lek are some of the prominent ones...

If I am not mistaken, Ling Liong Sik also shares the same Chinese surname... no?

Sometimes of course, I feel embarrassed to be 'associated' with them, especially those in the ruling coalition...

Times when they appear so weak and patronizing to you-know-who...

But today, I feel proud...

Dr. Dr Lim Teck Ghee has quit ASLI...

That's integrity for you...

I am proud that my 'braddaaa' is standing by his work and telling the concerned parties to go and rot...

Says he, 'It is the fundamental right of the Malaysian public to question all government statistics and policies, more so when these are not transparent or defensible.'

I salute you, brother...

COMMUNIST CHINA & MALAYSIA

It just dawn upon me that there is a strange similarity between Malaysia and Communist China.

That is, their way of appointing vice chancellors (or university presidents) through political channels.

Viz, Malaysiakini...
'According to the Universities and University Colleges Act, the vice-chancellor is appointed by the minister of higher education. It is unfortunate that we have a system where the minister, in consultation with the prime minister, decides who should be the vice-chancellor of the university. That means the vice-chancellor himself would probably recognise he is rather indebted to the executive for his appointment'.

The one difference is perhaps; the Chinese university presidents and their top guns have no qualms to reveal their party positions in the university list while the Malaysian ones go 'incognito'.

See here for an example.

On a related front, I once read a Singaporean article suggesting that Malaysia is renowned for delayed (re)action.

As in the so-called congratulatory message from the prime minister to Gomez...

'The Prime Minister congratulated me on my appointment and said that he was proud that Malaysians were being given important appointments at international agencies such as the United Nations. He said he felt my research was important and could be used by the Government for policy planning'.

Now, how are we to digest this?

Is the prime minister really sincere in this message?

Is so, why the delay in conveying it?

He should have been among the first, at least the official mouthpieces would report it as such, to hit the ceiling with joy upon hearing the U.N. appointment weeks ago...

To paraphrase a writer I admire...

'The prime minister feigns...'

UNDER-RAGED 'FALLEN' QUEEN

Miss Canada just won the Miss Universe 2005 crown.

The other top four contestants were all from Latin America.

Interestingly, there was not even a single mention on Miss Malaysia in the report.

One wonders what happened to that cocky statement of hers...

'I am confident, intelligent and I have a great personality and that is why I should win'.

But this time, win she did not...

Could it be that, the Malaysian judges with their warped sense of judgement, were not invited to sit in the panel?


Excerpts...

Canada wins Miss Universe 2005

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Blue-eyed Canadian brunette Natalie Glebova was crowned Miss Universe 2005 in the Thai capital on Tuesday in the 54th annual pageant.

The 12-judge panel chose beauties from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Canada for the final round.

A TOWERING MALAYSIAN FLEES

There goes another of our gems.

Although I have not met Terence Gomez personally, I have read many of his works and I have tremendous, tremendous respect for him.

I agree two years is too long a time to ask for a sabbatical.

But, why not work out something like a no pay leave, or pay him only the basic salary while he goes UN-ing?

But NO!

Malaysia being Malaysia, she shoots another bird dead.

I am stunned...

Terence, I am pleased you have decided to get out of that hole.

As they say, the world is now your oyster... good luck, my friend!

See The Star article on UM academic resigns after leave rejected

EMULATE THE CHINESE? AGAIN??

For the umpteenth time, the Malays are urged to emulate the Chinese.

Well, I have this say to my Malay brothers and sisters.

You don't have to drink Guinness Stout or eat char siew.

All you have to do is to just get rid of those damn crutches and you are almost there.

Really, there's simply no need to emulate anyone.

Some excerpts...

Najib Urges Bumi Entrepreneurs To Emulate Their Chinese Counterparts

He said there were many positive traits that could be learnt from the Chinese community such as their diligence, commitment and far-sightedness.

"I have always thought that one of the best things practiced by the Chinese community in this country is to become entrepreneurs by going into business on a small scale initially and ensuring they the business grows so that it can be inherited by their family.

"This is the driving force for their success. This is the lesson that we Bumiputeras must learn and adopt in ensuring the continuity of successful Bumiputera enterprises," he said.

He said that in comparing the Bumiputera entrepreneurs with their Chinese counterparts, the most glaring trait among the Bumiputeras was the desire to get rich quickly and succeed instantly.

"The Malays will first say that they want to become entrepreneurs, later they say they want to become Umno division heads, thereafter, they take the short-cut and become a broker, apply for permits from the minister to bring in Bangladeshi workers," Najib said.

In addition, he said the Bumiputeras must discard the mentality of being too dependent on a career with the government sector which was inculcated by the colonialists. (Blaming the cow again!)

"The Vision 2020 that we aspire in becoming a developed nation will be meaningless if the Malay entrepreneurs were still lagging behind, not in a position to master the sources of wealth for the country, still unable to master technology and modern management," he added.
(BERNAMA May 05, 2005;)

Under-ragged queen

Sourced from The Star, 31st March 2005

‘I am confident, intelligent and I have a great personality and that is why I should win’, were the words that clinched the Miss Malaysia Universe 2005 title for Angela Gan, 23, from Tawau, Sabah (As reported in The Star, 31st March 2005).

Woah... yaya izzzeeet?

Well, like it or not, that cocksure statement won this young lady the rights to represent Malaysia in the Miss Universe 2005 pageant in Bangkok on May 31.

Will we see her breeze through that statement again to rightfully clinch that Bangkok title for Malaysia?

On unity and losers

On Unity... the Star reports: Najib says N.S. needed because schools failed in integration.

'The current education system has failed to integrate young people, thus the need for the national service (NS) programme, said Najib.

Students were not comfortable mixing with other races and kept to themselves. So we saw the need for the NS to integrate the various races'.

So, after so much talk of unity over the decades, we come to naught?

Fair enough. Now citizens of Malaysia should be looking forward to a full report in the near future on how successful the 'national service' is.

But, somehow one gets the feeling that it is a little difficult to believe that a 'national service' set up hastily, calling for a few months of service by the youths, can solve the unity problem when years of education cannot.

On Losers... the Sun reports: Singapore's GIC invests in Proton.

'The Government of Singapore Investment Corp. bought about 5% of Proton Holdings, signaling rising investor confidence in Malaysia's largest carmaker after it announced an alliance with Volkswagen AG'.

Wooah, do we not know something that Singaporeans do?

I think they have too much cash idling around, so why not bet on a dark horse and have some chuckles along the way.

There is a racehorse in Kochi prefecture, near (not really, actually) to where I live. Haru-Urara has not won a single race in 112 continuous appearances.

During her 100th race, the Japanese came from all over the country, expecting to see a miracle. But win she did, although not the race.

The Kochi Race Course had been bleeding red ink for years. That race alone brought in profits enough to cover years of loses.

Since then, Haru-Urara has become a star of sorts. She became the mascot of safe driving. Now, the Japanese are making a movie about her.

Haru-Urara. Beautiful Spring. A loser, turned winner.

Can that dark horse of Malaysia strike a miracle?