Ahad, 1 September 2013

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food

When fine wine meets architectural mastery: six must-see French sites

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 04:37 PM PDT

September 02, 2013
Latest Update: September 02, 2013 03:37 pm

As wine tourism becomes increasingly popular, many of France's most illustrious wineries have renovated their facilities to provide the optimal experience to visitors.

Enotourists, who are more and more eager to uncover the secrets of wine-making, will also delight in the architectural charm of the cellars and vat rooms, some of which are the work of top international architects and designers.

Here, we take a look at six architectural marvels among France's wineries.

Château Cheval Blanc

With its legendary vineyards, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Emilion, just outside of Bordeaux, is among the world's most picturesque wineries.

Its cellar, which opened in June 2011 after 16 months of construction, was designed by the architect and urban planner Christian de Portzamparc, who created a wave-like structure calling to mind "a groundswell, carried by concrete sails towards the light and the skies."

Website: www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com

The Tavel cellar, a French national treasure

With its unique and historic architecture, the Cave coopérative de Tavel, a cellar shared by several wineries in the southern part of the Rhône Valley, was officially named a French national heritage site in July 2013.

The region has seen its reputation take off in recent years as its rosé wines have become more popular, and the new status of its cellar is likely to further enhance its prestige.

Website: www.cavedetavel.com

Domaine Les Aurelles (pic)

The owners of this winery, Basile Saint Germain and Karl Mauguin, called upon Eric Castaldi and Gilles Perraudin to bring a modern spirit to the site in the early 2000s.

Perraudin designed an impressive cellar in natural stone slabs, with remarkable thermal and acoustic properties.

Website: www.les-aurelles.com/

Château Faugères

When designing the cellar at the Chateau Faugères in Saint-Emilion, Swiss architect Mario Botta aimed to "establish a comparison between the 'rational' architecture built by man and the 'natural' evolution of the landscape, for the mutual enrichment of both."

The architect was commissioned in 2009 by fellow Swissman Silvio Denz, the winery's owner, to design this monumental, stylish and functional structure, which since bears the name Chai-Cathédrale de Mario Botta.

Website: www.chateau-faugeres.com/

Château Pavie

The Parisian interior design firm of Alberto Pinto was brought in to remodel the Château Pavie, which reopened after two years of construction in June 2013.

The structure, all in natural stone, stretches across 8,500 square meters, with an additional 1,500-square-meter terrace.

The blending, packaging and storage cellars occupy 600 square meters on the ground floor, while the opposite wing welcomes visitors to the site, with its tasting room and gift shop.

Website: www.vignoblesperse.com

Château Mouton Rothschild

This world-famous winery called upon the architect Bernard Mazières, along with the set designer Richard Peduzzi, to oversee the renovation of its cuvier, or vat room, which re-opened on June 16, 2013 after two and a half years of renovation.

The space houses 64 vats in a harmonious blend of wood and steel, with its oak beams and metallic pillars.

According to Richard Peduzzi, the design of the vat house calls to mind the imagery of the Encyclopedia edited by the French Enlightenment philosophers Diderot and d'Alembert.

Website: www.chateau-mouton-rothschild.com

– AFP/Relaxnews, September 2, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Sturridge goal sinks United

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 07:30 AM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 11:19 pm

Daniel Sturridge's third goal in as many matches gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Manchester United in a feisty Premier League match at Anfield today.

On a day when Liverpool celebrated 100 years since the birth of legendary former manager Bill Shankly, Sturridge lifted the crowd further when he flicked in Daniel Agger's header from close range in the fourth minute.

Champions United, without striker Wayne Rooney after a training-ground incident left him with a bad cut on his forehead, rarely threatened to equalise despite dominating possession in the second half.

The defeat consigned United manager David Moyes to another loss at Anfield, having failed to win in 12 attempts at Liverpool's home when he was in charge at Everton.

The result left Liverpool as the only team to win all three of their opening games, a feat that can be matched by Tottenham Hotspur when they travel to Arsenal for the north London derby later today. - Reuters, September 1, 2013.

Sturridge goal sinks United

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 07:30 AM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 11:19 pm

Daniel Sturridge's third goal in as many matches gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Manchester United in a feisty Premier League match at Anfield today.

The defeat consigned United manager David Moyes to another loss at Anfield, having failed to win in 12 attempts at Liverpool's home when he was in charge at Everton.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the loveliest pup of all?

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 12:11 AM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 03:22 pm

An extremely hairy dog parades with his master during the European Dog Show on Friday in Geneva. Big, small, shaved, hairy, curly, more than 11,000 doggies of all kinds, from all corners of Europe competed. - AFP, September 1, 2013.Huge, tiny, bald, or fluffy, but all groomed to the extreme: more than 11,000 dogs from all over Europe are in Geneva this weekend for the continent's biggest canine beauty pageant.

"Grooming is really important," explains Steinar Balken as he repeatedly whips a brush through the long silky white fur of his small five-year-old Japanese Spitz called AL-x.

"The brushing is also good for calming the nerves -- both his and mine," says the 58-year-old Norwegian, bending down to rub noses with AL-x, who is balancing on a small folding table, apparently oblivious to the pumping music, barking and scattered applause filling the exhibition hall on the outskirts of Geneva.

The small, white fluffy ball of fur with his pointy face and ears will soon enter the ring in a bid to add a European title to the global one he already has under his collar this year.

Teeth, fur, posture: the jury studies every detail, first classing the dogs within each of the 230 races represented at the three-day event, then within 10 groups, and finally, by Sunday night, they will name one dog the loveliest of the lot.

Despite a long list of scientific standards, show organiser Laurent Pichard acknowledges that "a human interpretation of beauty" also plays into the decision.

For the dogs themselves, the road to glory can be uncomfortable: many wait for hours in cages before they are taken out for further hours of grooming, sometimes including the use of curlers, styling products and even perfume.

The long wait is interrupted only by short trips to one of three large outdoor "dog toilets", or walks through a multitude of stands offering everything from dog food to bead-studded leashes and dog magnets -- sidestepping pools of urine on the floor as they go.

A dog waits during the European Dog Show on Friday. - AFP, September 1, 2013.Then in the ring, the pressure is on: the dog first stands still as its impeccably dressed handler adjusts the position of its feet, head, and pulls the tail to make it point upwards.

Then they together walk and run round after round to show off the elegance of the canine's strides.

There are no cash prizes, but the winning "couple" will receive tickets to Orlando, Florida to take part in the world championships there.

"The breeders do this for their own personal satisfaction," Pichard explains.

That is certainly the case for Balken.

"It is great using resources and time on what you are interested in. As long as the dog is happy to do what it is doing, it is really a ball," he says, pointing out that he and AL-x go to as many as 30 shows a year.

"I don't have time to do much else."

Sitting in a lawn chair with three large Bergamasco Shaphards at his feet, Italian breeder Camillo Capitanio says he mainly likes attending shows to raise awareness about the "very old race", with their long matted, almost dreadlocked fur.

Beauty is not the only focus at the show, which also features competitions focused on abilities like "dog-dancing", where dogs and their handlers do small choreographed dances to music.

"There are some parallels to figure skating," says dog-dancing instructor Christiane Buhler, after showing off her skills with a small, black Schipperke.

One of her students, in his 80s, also dances around the ring with his golden retriever, which rolls over, runs in circles and walks between his legs on queue.

"Both the owners and the dogs have so much fun," Buhler says.

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about dog shows.

"Dogs are intelligent and complex animals, and not toys," animal rights group PETA wrote to AFP in an email, describing shows like the one in Geneva as "degrading" and cautioning that the beauty products used could harm the animals' health.

Sylvie Menetrey, a dog trainer and a dog show commentator, disagrees, insisting that the training needed to attend a show is good for the dog's development.

"It's great to love, feed, care for and walk your dog, but dogs have brains and they need to use their brains to learn things," she says, insisting: "It makes them happy." - AFP, September 1, 2013.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the loveliest pup of all?

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 12:11 AM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 03:22 pm

"Grooming is really important," explains Steinar Balken as he repeatedly whips a brush through the long silky white fur of his small five-year-old Japanese Spitz called AL-x.

The small, white fluffy ball of fur with his pointy face and ears will soon enter the ring in a bid to add a European title to the global one he already has under his collar this year.

Despite a long list of scientific standards, show organiser Laurent Pichard acknowledges that "a human interpretation of beauty" also plays into the decision.

Then they together walk and run round after round to show off the elegance of the canine's strides.

There are no cash prizes, but the winning "couple" will receive tickets to Orlando, Florida to take part in the world championships there.

"The breeders do this for their own personal satisfaction," Pichard explains.

That is certainly the case for Balken.

"I don't have time to do much else."

Beauty is not the only focus at the show, which also features competitions focused on abilities like "dog-dancing", where dogs and their handlers do small choreographed dances to music.

"There are some parallels to figure skating," says dog-dancing instructor Christiane Buhler, after showing off her skills with a small, black Schipperke.

One of her students, in his 80s, also dances around the ring with his golden retriever, which rolls over, runs in circles and walks between his legs on queue.

"Both the owners and the dogs have so much fun," Buhler says.

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about dog shows.

Sylvie Menetrey, a dog trainer and a dog show commentator, disagrees, insisting that the training needed to attend a show is good for the dog's development.

"It's great to love, feed, care for and walk your dog, but dogs have brains and they need to use their brains to learn things," she says, insisting: "It makes them happy." - AFP, September 1, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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Judi Dench as Irish woman searching for son grips Venice

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 12:59 AM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 11:59 pm

Judi Dench enjoying the attention at the red carpet for the movie Philomena, directed by Stephen Frears, during the 70th Venice Film Festival in Venice yesterday. - Reuters pic, September 1, 2013.Judi Dench brought pathos and laughter to Venice on Saturday with her performance in the title role of Philomena, the true story of an Irish woman who searches for the son who was taken from her and sold by nuns.Pope Francis, who has taken over a Catholic Church beset by scandal, should watch the film, director Stephen Frears said.

"I'm very keen that the Pope should see it," he said.

"Philomena" debuted at the Venice film festival alongside James Franco's Child of God, the chilling tale of a cave-dwelling necrophiliac, and Night Moves about three eco-warriors who plot to blow up a dam.

Asked why he had made a film about such a taboo subject, Franco said it had provided a way "for me to examine something that's pushed out of civilised society".

Philomena is based on The Lost Child of Philomena Lee, the 2009 book by Martin Sixsmith which prompted thousands of adopted Irish children and their mothers to come forward and tell their stories.

Philomena goes to America to look for her son with world-weary journalist Sixsmith, played by co-writer Steve Coogan, creating what Frears describes as "an odd-couple film, an extraordinary road trip".

"I really liked the British humour which contrasts with the religious issues," said Jacopo Mascholini, a 22-year-old student from Rome who attended the screening.

Put to work in a Catholic laundry after having a baby out of wedlock in 1952, Philomena loses her son to strangers and is prevented from finding him again, but does not lose her Catholic religion.

Philomena's uncomplicated faith is emphasised by the cynicism of Sixsmith, who lost his job as a British government spin doctor in 2002, beset by controversy over an email that allegedly said September 11 was a good day to bury bad news.

Sixsmith asks Philomena during the film why God gave people sexual desires if the church would then brand them sinful.

"Was it some weird game to relieve the boredom of being omnipotent?" he asks.

"The real Philomena's faith I found very affecting, but my heart is much more with the cynical journalist," Frears said.

Outsiders come in

The two other films being premiered on Saturday and entering the running for a prestigious Golden Lion award depict characters isolated from society.

Kelly Reichardt's Night Moves stars Jesse Eisenberg alongside Dakota Fanning and Peter Saarsgard as young radical environmentalists who plot to destroy a huge dam.

Eisenberg's Josh lives in an environmentally sustainable commune, surrounded by organic artichokes and aura-reading machines, without any obvious family of his own, and fails to fit in.

"He is an outsider of the outside," Reichardt told Reuters on Saturday. "But Josh feels pretty right about everything, so that's his sort of impetus."

Texas-born actor Scott Haze plays a lonely Tennessee backwoodsman whose traumatic life twists him into a necrophiliac and murderer in Child of God, based on Cormac McCarthy's novella of the same name.

Director Franco plays a bit part in the film, which requires English subtitles to decode the grunting delivery of Haze's character Lester Ballard.

"It was a way for me to examine something that's pushed out of civilised society, and someone who is extremely isolated and lonely and who wants to in fact connect with other people but is in fact incapable," Franco said after the film's premiere.

Nick James, editor of the British film magazine Sight & Sound, was not convinced the film had pulling power.

"I'm not sure why anyone would want to see it who is not a James Franco fan," he said. - Reuters, September 1, 2013.

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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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Parti politik dan NGO lulus resolusi kutuk krisis Mesir, desak sidang khas Parlimen

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 03:03 AM PDT

OLEH MD IZWAN
September 01, 2013

Pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan parti politik Pakatan Rakyat (PR) hari ini meluluskan resolusi mengutuk rampasan kuasa di Mesir selepas selesai Sidang Meja Bulat Isu Rampasan Kuasa Mesir yang diadakan di ibu kota hari ini.

Dalam resolusi yang dibacakan oleh Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu menggesa pemerintah tentera supaya mengembalikan kuasa dan hak kepada rakyat Mesir.

"Kami pertubuhan politik dan ngo Malaysia yang menyertai sidang meja bulat mengenai Mesir pada 1 September 2013 mengutuk sekeras-kerasnya pembunuhan beramai-ramai dan penindasan politik di Mesir.

"Kami sebulat suara menolak rampasan kuasa pihak tentera, kebebasan politik di Mesir dan perlantikkan kepimpinan pemerintah yang tidak sah kerana ia bertentangan dengan lunas demokrasi dan kehendak rakyat Mesir," kata beliau semasa membacakan resolusi tersebut.

Mohamad juga berkata usaha untuk memberi tekanan kepada pemerintah tentera Mesir akan diteruskan tanpa henti, serta menggesa supaya pihak antarabangsa mengambil tindakan terhadap pihak tentera yang merampas kuasa.

"Dengan kesegaran dan hak asasi manusia adalah impian rakyat Mesir tanpa mengira bangsa, masyarakat sejagat semua seluruh dunia bersolidariti dengan perjuangan demokrasi di Mesir.

"Kami berikrar untuk berusaha dengan segala upaya bagi menamatkan pemerintahan tentera dan kembalikan kuasa kepada presiden Morsi yang dipilih secara sah," kata Mohamad semasa membaca resolusi itu lagi.

Dalam sidang sama, cadangan oleh Presiden Ikram Malaysia Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh mendesak supaya satu sidang khas Parlimen juga dimasukkan dalam resolusi tersebut.

"Kami juga yang telah berbincang pada sidang hari ini, menyeru Parlimen Malaysia meluluskan satu resolusi seperti yang dibentangkan oleh saudara Syed Ibrahim tadi.

"Kami mendesak Parlimen Malaysia mengadakan satu sidang khas untuk mengutuk keras kekejaman di Mesir," kata Mohamad lagi.

Turut kelihatan dalam sidang meja bulat tersebut beberapa wakil daripada NGO seperti Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), wakil DAP Zairil Khir Johari dan wakil daripada PKR, Tian Chua serta Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Sementara itu, wakil Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Ahmed Fahmy, juga turut hadir pada sidang meja bulat hari ini.

Pengasas Jawatankuasa Hal Ehwal Luar FJP tersebut menggesa masyarakat antarabangsa supaya bersama menyatakan sokongan kepada perjuangan rakyat Mesir yang dinafikan hak demokrasi mereka, disamping membidas beberapa negara arab lain yang bersekongkol dengan rampasan kuasa.

"Hak asas fundamental rakyat Mesir telah dinafikan, rampasan kuasa yang tidak demokratik ini perlu ditentang.

"Rampasan ini didalangi oleh mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab, yang mahu melihat Mesir berpecah serta didalangi oleh anasir luar seperti Israel dan juga negara arab seperti Arab Saudi," katanya lagi.

Bulan lalu, Presiden Mesir, Dr Mohamed Morsi digulingkan dalam satu rampasan kuasa oleh pihak tentera.

Sehingga kini pertempuran antara penyokong Morsi dari gerakan Ikhwanul Muslimin dan pemerintah tentera masih belum berhenti walaupun sudah mengorbankan banyak nyawa.

PAS juga telah menghantar memorandum bagi menyeru Kabinet membuat ketetapan bahawa kerajaan Malaysia mengadakan Sidang Dewan Rakyat tergempar mengutuk insiden di Mesir. – 1 September, 2013.

Melayu DAP: Tanda Putera propaganda kerajaan, biar rakyat menilai

Posted: 01 Sep 2013 02:54 AM PDT

OLEH MD IZWAN
September 01, 2013

Pemimpin Melayu DAP, Zairil Khir Johari membidas filem kontroversi Tanda Putera sebagai sebuah filem propaganda kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN), menyifatkannya sebagai sejarah versi berat sebelah yang dibuat oleh pemerintah.

Ahli Parlimen DAP Bukit Bendera itu berkata peranan kerajaan dalam mewujudkan propaganda sememangnya sudah diketahui, serta menyeru agar pemimpin dalam DAP agar tidak cepat melatah mengkritik filem tersebut.

"Tanda Putera sememangnya ditaja oleh kerajaan, jadi ini dilihat sebagai satu propaganda kerajaan yang sudah memang selama ini berterusan melalui BTN (Biro Tata Negara )dan media.

"Ini adalah satu lagi cara mereka wujudkan propaganda, versi sejarah mereka sendiri," kata beliau kepada The Malaysian Insider.

Bagaimanapun, Zairil berkata filem tersebut adalah sebuah produk budaya dan sekiranya wujud kesilapan ataupun ketidakpuashatian ianya mestilah didebat secara sihat untuk memberi kefahaman kepada masyarakat.

"Saya rasa apa-apa pun, filem ini adalah satu produk budaya... jadi janganlah haramkannya, jangan kita larang, kita boleh balasnya dengan naratif kita sendiri. Maksudnya, kalau kita nak lawan kita kenalah guna hujah.

"Ini mungkin versi mereka, kita boleh terangkan ini pula versi kita. Kemudiaan, masyarakat boleh berdebat, berhujah dan membuat keputusan sendiri," ujarnya lagi.

Zairil juga menyatakan pendirian tidak bersetuju dengan langkah kerajaan Pulau Pinang yang menasihati pawagam-pawagam di negeri yang ditadbir DAP baru-baru sehingga menimbulkan kritikan terutamanya di kalangan pemimpin BN.

"Bagi saya, saya secara peribadi tidak menyokong apa-apa usaha untuk menyekat ataupun mengharamkan apa-apa output budaya.

"Biarlah, biar rakyat sendiri yang menghakimi dan menilai produk itu... jangan kita sebagai kerajaan mengongkong output ekspresi budaya," tegasnya lagi.

Minggu lepas, kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang menyeru pengusaha pawagam di negeri itu tidak menayangkan Tanda Putera atas penyebaran maklumat yang tidak tepat berhubung tragedi rusuhan kaum 13 Mei 1969.

Namun, pemimpin utama PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tidak setuju dengan tindakan kerajaan Pulau Pinang tersebut.

DAP telah mengkritik filem berkenaan yang kemudiannya disambut oleh MCA menyuaraksn kebimbangan berhubung babak dan dialog dalam filem berkenaan yang boleh mencetus ketegangan kaum.

Penasihat DAP Lim Kit Siang kesal dengan filem Tanda Putera yang masih menayangkan babak beberapa pemuda Cina kencing di tiang bendera laman bekas Menteri Besar Selangor Datuk Idris Harun meskipun filem itu telah dittangguhkan oleh kerajaan BN bagi mengelak musim Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13).

Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek menggelar tindakan Lim sebagai satu perbuatan bodoh kerana Lembaga Penapisan Filem di bawah Kementerian Dalam Negeri sahaja yang berhak membatalkan tayangan sesebuah filem dan bukannya kerajaan negeri.

Ahmad Shabery berkata beliau mahu penjelasan daripada kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang atas usaha mereka untuk menahan penyangan filem Tanda Putera di negeri itu.

Beliau menambah usaha kerajaan negeri yang dikuasai DAP itu hanyalah satu gerakan yang mahu menghancurkan seni filem tempatan.

Katanya, agensi di bawah kementeriannya akan meneliti terlebih dahulu sejauh mana kuasa kerajaan negeri dan kerajaan tempatan bagi menghalang tayangan sesebuah filem di tempat mereka. – 1 September, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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Merdeka: Keluhan rakyat biasa

Posted: 31 Aug 2013 04:58 PM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 08:00 am

Shukur mempunyai lebih 30 tahun pengalaman sebagai wartawan dan bekerja dengan pelbagai media. Beliau kini pencen tetapi menjadi pemerhati politik yang tegar.

Setiap zaman mempunyai generasinya dan setiap generasi pula memiliki "pahlawan" atau pejuang masing-masing.

Zaman penjajah yang panjang - melebihi 500 tahun - walaupun dibelit oleh sistem feudel, namun masih wujud ramai para tokoh yang progresif yang menentang penjajah.

Nama-nama seperti Orang Kaya Datuk Bahaman, Tok Sagor, Mat Kilau Abd Rahman Limbong dan lain-lain seangkatan dengannya sentiasa diingat sebagai pejuang kemerdejaan, sehinggalah zaman Dr Burhanudin Al-Helmy, Ahmad Boestamam, Ishak Haji Muhamad, Ibrahim Yaakub dan lain-lain.

Tetapi malangnya, yang tertonjol hanya "kehebatan" para pemimpin Umno yang dipropagandakan siang dan malam, terutama ketika negara menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan seperti sekarang, menggambarkan seolah-olah peranan para pejuang lama kemerdekaan tanah air itu tidak bermakna lansung.

Ini suatu penyimpangan sejarah yang sangat ketara, namun dibiarkan berlanjutan kerana dipromosikan oleh media tradisional yang dikuasai oleh parti yang memerintah.

Bagaimanapun kedengaran pelbagai rungutan, terutama pemimpin yang berkuasa, bahawa bendera Jalur Gemilang tidak banyak dikibarkan di seluruh tanah air, sambutan kemerdekaan tidak sehebat di masa lalu dan pelbagai kekecewaan lagi.

Ada yang kesal bahawa generasi baru sudah melupakan sejarah tanah air, tidak ingat lagi siapakah yang berunding di London untuk mendapatkan kemerdekaan dan tidak lagi mengingati segala yang berlaku sebelumnya dan segalanya.

Pada pendapat saya, tidak wajar pihak tertentu mengeluh dan kecewa disebabkan sambutan kemerdekaan dalam keadaan muram, dakwaan generasi baru "melupakan sejarah" dan sebagainya. Hal ini tentu ada sebabnya jika kita mengamati keadaan sebenar suasana negara sekarang.

Bagaimanakah rakyat biasa hendak bergembira dan berpesta-pesta menyambut kemerdekaan, ketika mereka dihimpit pelbagai masalah berat yang hampir tidak tertanggung oleh mereka.

Kecualilah pembesar politik, orang kaya dan super-kaya, yang memiliki banglo, apartmen dan pelbagai kereta mewah, saham-saham, tokoh korporat yang mendapat projek besar berterusan, yang berligar dari padang golf, ke kelab-kelab mewah dan sebagainya.

Tetapi rakyat biasa yang bergaji, umpamanya, RM2,000 sebulanpun payah untuk membeli sebuah rumah teres, kerana harganya begitu tinggi, sementara tidak semudah itu pula untuk mendapatkan flet kerana sangat terbatas pembinaannya.

Pemaju tidak berminat hendak membina flet, kerana tidak mendapat untung yang banyak, sementara tanah di bandar besar hampir tidak ada lagi untuk dibangunkan flet atau rumah murah yang lain oleh kerajaan negeri.

Di samping itu, harga barangan keperluan harian yang terus menerus naik melambung seperti tidak terkawal dan ini sangat menyeksa rakyat. Harga barang yang mahal ini menyebabkan nilai wang di tangan menjadi amat kecil, belum lagi harga ubat di klinik swasta yang meningkat, semuanya melemaskan rakyat.

Situasi seperti ini tidak memungkinkan rakyat biasa menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan dengan penung gembira. Ini masalahnya, bukan kerana mereka tidak taat tanah air.

Yang bergembira sakan menyambutnya hanya segelintir para pemimpin besar bersongkok tinggi, yang berucap di pentas sambutan, menyatakan rasa gembira kerana negara bertambah makmur, kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi negara terus meningkat, rakyat bergembira di mana-mana.

Selepas berucap, pemimpin politik dijamu makan minum dengan pelbagai hidangan, lalu sang pemimpin politik berbisik dalam hatinya sendiri bahawa "memang benar rakyat Malaysia begitu makmur".

Ada menteri yang berkata, "kalau harga ayam naik, jangan makan ayam". Ini sebuah kata-kata yang sepatutnya hanya dituturkan oleh pelakon yang memegang watak orang bodoh ketika bersembang di warung roti canai dengan kawan-kawannya dalam lawak jenaka di TV.

Tetapi apabila seorang menteri bercakap seperti pelawak, bayangkan bagaimana rakyat melihat dan mengadili mindanya.

Bagaimana pula dengan masalah jenayah yang sangat menakutkan. Dulu, kes-kes tembak-menembak jarang didengar, tetapi kini sudah menjadi perkara biasa. Hampir setiap hari kejadiaan seumpama itu berlaku dan sudah ada nyawa terkorban.

Belum lagi dengan kes-kes rompak dan ragut yang menjadi-jadi setiap hari. Orang ramai, khususnya wanita, sering menjadi mangsa, bahkan sudah ada nyawa melayang. Semuanya ini sangat menakutkan menyebabkan rakyat merasa tidak selamat, terutama apabila keluar rumah.

Pihak polis sudah mengumumkan senarai nama-nama kumpulan samseng yang kini sedang berkeliaran. Pihak polis berusaha membasi penjenayah ini dan sudah ada tangkapan dilakukan dipelbagai tempat, hasilnya sudah mula kelihatan dan diucapkan tahniah atas usaha polis yang bersungguh-sungguh.

Bagaimanapun, penjenayah terus bermunculan di sana sini, entah datang dari mana. Namun kita perlu memberikan kepercayaan kepada pihak polis dalam membasmi jenayah ini hingga ke akar umbinya.

Sementara itu dalam suasana menyambut kemerdekaan, kita melihat pula "kebanjiran" pendatang asing yang sangat menakutkan, yang datang dari pelbagai negara.

Jika kita berada di tengah bandar besar, seperti Kuala Lumpur, terutama pada hari-hari cuti umum, kita seperti berada di sebuah negara asing, dikelilingi oleh pelbagai warga negara asing – Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Filipina, Pakistan, Indonesia, malah orang Afrika yang bertubuh tegap, masing-masing dengan lagak dan gaya serta bahasa masing-masing.

Bagaimanakah pendatang asing ini dengan mudah berada di tanah air? Ini pertanyaan yang sering kedengaran di mana-mana oleh rakyat tempatan.

Tiada sebarang jawapan diperoleh, bagaimanapun kebanjiran pendatang asing ini akan mengundang pelbagai masalah, terutama masalah sosial, kesihatan, tempat tinggal dan lain-lain.

Khabarnya sudah ada dalam rancangan pemerintah untuk "mengimport" 1.3. juta rakyat Bangladesh ke sini untuk bekerja dalam pelbagai sektor swasta dan ini memang sangat menggamatkan.

Inilah situasi ketika negara menyambut hari kemerdekaan di mana semua masalah ini memerlukan penyelesaian segera supaya rakyat Malaysia benar-benar menikmati erti kemerdekaan dan kemakmuran tanah air dalam suasana tenang dan selamat. - 1 September, 2013.

Criticism paranoia

Posted: 31 Aug 2013 03:57 PM PDT

September 01, 2013
Latest Update: September 01, 2013 08:00 am

Cass Shan started off as a copywriter tasked with understanding buying behaviour. She now immerses herself in understanding buy-in behaviour.

Malaysians (possibly due to their Asian upbringing) fear criticisms.

They think a criticism is a sign of their weakness. They think criticism mean there's something wrong with them. They think criticism mean someone dislikes them. They think, they think, they think.... And then they think some more.

Thinking as a result of criticism is exactly the point of a criticism. Except, you're not supposed to think negatively (which also applies to anything that happens to you in life) but to think positively about how a criticism can build you to become a better person.

Criticism may be merely a person seeing something you don't – and while you may disagree, your critics may have a point. Just because a criticism hurts your feelings, doesn't invalidate what a critic has to say. You may simply agree to disagree. Instead, watch how politicians in this country resort to calling the opposition "stupid" or "playing politics" or request the public to "ignore" them.

I, for one, think the freedom of speech guarantees the right to criticise.

Which is why I find it annoying when people hate politicians who resort to name calling ("stupid", etc.) then go on to do the same in their personal life.

I am all for arguments and debates – a person calling out points for discussion and refuting it backed by evidence or examples – but I draw the line at name calling, referring to something said as "stupid" without any reason why it is supposedly "stupid" and other name calling tactics.

If you haven't already read my "controversial" No-STPM campaign article that was featured on Loyar Burok, you missed out a grand "comment" section where detractors came out in droves defending the merits of STPM.

And while I'd like to think I won that debate, I think the real winners are the audience who get to read both sides of the story – thanks to the furore it caused and the passionate accusations that arose due to people's emotions attached to the issue in question.

One person, in particular, commented that it was "wrong" for a writer to criticise someone. Apparently, criticising someone meant being "unprofessional" and will constitute in a writer not being taken seriously.

I bring your attention to the good ol' writer Zan Azlee's debacle with Ridhuan Tee whom he has been critical about on numerous occasions.

The two of them have had "go's" at each other for some time now. If criticism mean not being taken seriously, then all the movie reviewer and food reviewers would be singing praises about their object of review – hence robbing people of a fair chance at hearing the negative news.

Just because one is a professional writer, doesn't mean one glosses the truth with so much varnish that people don't see the harsh reality. Reporting should be impartial but opinion pieces hardly so.

The issue, therefore, is not that criticism is a bad thing – but that people are too afraid of criticism.

Hence, I feel Malaysians should realize that no matter what someone criticises you with, it is within you to take that criticism in a positive light and make the best out of it.

Despite the grand accusations I received in my above-mentioned post, I did not think it was demeaning, accusatorial, nor do I think that people who criticise me are just sour grapes or embittered by my article. Why? Because everyone has a right to opinion, and that right needs to be defended.

Instead, I respect people who throw accusations and argue on a public forum (criticism included – even if hurled in my direction with an AK-47), where both sides have a chance at defending themselves, more than people who resort to making judgements and accusations behind someone's back – without daring to speak up in the very same public forum where they would be able to have a fair debate with both parties.

In fact, I have learnt from my critics that I had left out important points that needed addressing and also realised that in some instances, my writing wasn't as clear as it could have been.

I'm happy my critics brought up issues that could have been in the thoughts of many others who may be less vocal – thus giving an opportunity for issues to be discussed for the benefit of all.

At the same time, I admit I had sometimes been drawn to the same impassionate intonation that my critics use, hence prodding myself to evaluate further the point of the key messages.

Hence, more people need to realise that criticism merely brings out points to ponder that raises questions and provokes critical thinking.

The world doesn't owe it to you to roll out the red carpet and flourish you with a waving red pom-pom. If anything – glorifying everything and everybody – what I call sickly optimism – simply doesn't prepare a person for the challenges that life has in store for everyone. You owe it to yourself to make the best out of anything negative thrown your way.

Criticism is not really something that everyone should fear. While it may be damaging at times, it truly depends on how we react to criticism. If there are no merits in a criticism hurled at you, treat it like water off your back. And if there are merits to it, it's an opportunity to better yourself.

Do yourself a favour and critic this article if you are harbouring such thoughts. I may not agree with you, but I will defend your right to say it. - September 1, 2013.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Ahad, 1 September 2013