The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 19 Jul 2011 05:05 PM PDT JULY 20 — Yes, as we all watched in shock and horror, the Brazilians failed four times from just 12 yards! It was truly incredible to watch the drama unfold as the land that produces the most exciting players in the world got their noses put out of joint on penalties. No, this is no Brazil bash but the unthinkable can and will happen in sport. However, there is another story reminiscent of the "floating" penalty spot, as was evident in La Plata in Argentina. The shootout brought back that memory of another competition and a sensible referee. It was July 31, 2004 in Chongqing, China and the tie was a quarterfinal match between Japan and Jordan at the AFC Asian Cup 2004. With the score at 1-1 after 120 minutes, the game went to penalties and the Japanese team started the shootout. Up stepped Shunsuke Nakamura, his standing foot slipped and the ball ended up in Row Z. Ditto Elano. The penalty spot was "loose" after some torrential rain during the game but Jordan made no mistake to go one up. Next was Alex, and he suffered the same fate. However, this time the referee took note and after consulting with the other match officials, he decided to have the shootout at the opposite goalmouth. The Jordanians eventually lost 4-3, after sudden death, missing the last four of seven penalties. Sitting in the commentary box, yours truly was pleased with the brave decision made by a very sensible referee in the interest of the game. That the referee, Subkhidin Mohd Salleh, was a fellow Malaysian was a coincidence but at that time he had to face criticism from many quarters. But such criticism was certainly not justified in my opinion. As I was watching the Brazil versus Paraguay shootout, the stature of Subkhidin Mohd Salleh grew even bigger after seven years. And there was no reason as to why Sergio Pezzotta could not have taken the same decision to change ends for the penalties. It is solely the referee's discretion as to which goalmouth for the shootout but the Argentinian referee let the game down. Since this has happened to the next host of the World Cup, maybe FIFA will now make it a rule for a referee and his assistants to first examine both penalty spots to determine which end is better suited to ensure a spectacle and not a joke. We now have surprise package Peru up against new favourites Uruguay. I think it would be difficult to not see the World Cup 2010 semifinalists making the final match and taking home the Copa America. The other finalist should be Paraguay, although Venezuela will make it a battle with their compact hard running style. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Posted: 19 Jul 2011 05:01 PM PDT JULY 20 — Politicians are sneaky, tricksy beasts. I like joking that entering the profession means having your spine surgically removed, though am also inclined to believe my colleagues' theory that lobotomies are also involved. How else can you explain the sudden about turns, and flip flopping more than a desperate fish out of water? "Did I say that yesterday when today I am saying the opposite? No, I was misquoted!" the politicians cry after being caught out in a sudden reversal of opinion. Truly, this sudden political amnesia is disturbing. So it is really no surprise that most average Malaysians dislike "being political" as they like being seen as still having a backbone and, ideally, brains. That is why a lot of Malaysians are happy to declare they are neither for one side nor the other, even in private conversation. I blame the government, really, for the average Malaysian being too cowed to have or express an opinion. My countrymen (and women and small children), let me tell you this: it is fine to be political. It is absolutely all right to care about politics, about governance, about civil rights, liberty and the like. We should all be political, but that does not mean we need to be partisan. It is rather annoying that in this country, if you care about the welfare of the Malays, you are seen as pro-Umno, if you care about Indian welfare, you are seen as being a follower of that "dangerous" movement Hindraf. In that light, then should we call anyone caught on video doing naughty, naughty things pro-MCA? Or pro-PKR? The mind boggles. There is a different group I see emerging from the so-called minority. People who previously shunned political discussion, who happily admitted to apathy, who are now loudly making their opinions known. They still refuse to show allegiance to any political party and honestly, why should they? A vote is a citizen's alone and is not the business of anyone else. If this group had a voice, I imagine this is how it would describe itself: 1. We care about our country. 2. We don't care about your parties. Umno, PKR, PAS, MIC, Gerakan... your party squabbles and internal goings-on do not concern us. We care that you have a plan and know how to execute it. Show us why we should vote for you. 3. We want to speak and be heard, that is all. 4. We actually do think for ourselves and we're a little tired of sitting back and letting the government do the thinking when it's clear it needs a lot of help. I see these people everywhere. My friends. My relatives. People who have been content to not bother with current affairs are suddenly asking questions and asking that most important one: "What can I do?" The simplistic answer used to be: "Vote." But that is not enough anymore. Malaysians are seeing the need to do more than wait every four years to do something about the current state of affairs. After so many years of Malaysians being told what they couldn't do, perhaps it is time for them to figure out what they can. Come up with solutions on their own, work on ideas, start on doing things as a collective of communities instead of passive citizens waiting for a nanny government. The government keeps harping on about creating more opportunities and driving innovation. You cannot have the latter in an environment of oppression. Stifling public freedoms also stifles creativity and progress — that is the reality the government has to learn and face. Malaysians are seeing more than ever that putting faith in politicians is often misplaced and that it is pointless being on a politician's side. Citizens need to be in their own corner, be their own champions instead of always doing a Tina Turner, holding out for a hero. In the end, we are all our own champions and the hero we need is the one looking right back at us in the mirror. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
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