Reverberating Gongs and Clashing Cymbals

Natalie Shobana Ambrose (26 February 2009 – theSun)


There was a period in my childhood when I remember the long coffee table in the living room was home to thousands of tiny jigsaw puzzle pieces. Each time anyone of us walked pass, we'd be tempted to stop and find a fit. I very clearly remember one of my first jigsaw puzzles. It was purple, with panda bears going berserk and it was called 'pandamonium'. For a kid who couldn't pronounce the letter 'w' for the longest time, any word with more that 5 alphabets was just beyond my understanding at that age. But here I am today, after assessing all that's happened during the week, thinking what a state of pandemonium we are in. The country seems to be in a state of crazy… nuts…going bananas.

If the first thing you pick up to read in the morning is a newspaper, it would be tough to stay positive the rest of the day. It has been a seriously depressing week - from the 3 murdered UNCHR refugees, nude photos, sex tapes, more on the Perak situation, Manoharan, RPK and ISA appeals, the Malaysian girl pimped by her father in Sulawesi, the serial rapist cab driver, inhuman killing of stray dogs, KL City hall demolishing stalls without notice, no justice for Bukit Antarabangsa residents, maid jailed 5 years for killing baby, MBs suing each other over cows, cars, the long awaited admission that Malaysia will not make the 3% growth target, police brutality….. should I go on?

A rather scary - and/or sorry - state of affairs, isnt it? Quite the pandemonium even ..... But, then, who's accountable for it all?

It seems no one is.

The very people who did their best to rally the support of the people by holding press conferences and 'ceramahs' and promising to take care of the people's needs don't seem to be accountable for much. Maybe I'm being harsh....?

Somehow, I tend to judge those in power more severely. I expect high standards, I expect them to do the right thing, I expect them to know the Constitution and to interpret it accurately. I expect that they would put people first and be responsible. I expect that they will take pride in their role and lead justly. I expect them to be ethical, wise and respectful. Maybe I expect them to be a little superhuman. Like the Kung Fu Panda.

It's natural to judge those in power more harshly that we do our selves. We place a huge amount of hope that, as leaders, they will carry our burdens and solve our problems. That through their leading we will have a better place to live. A heavy load, but we've given them something precious - our hopes and our trust. And rightfully so. But when trust is lost and promises are repeatedly broken, is it any wonder why we are in such a state of pandemonium?

Every institution that is set up to fight corruption, advocate integrity, fight for justice and uphold peace seems to be swayed. Everyone seems to want their 5 seconds of fame, and some hog it even for 30 years. I notice we are quick to unearth 'hangat' news, but we are so slow in getting answers… so slow that often-times, things slip into silence till forgotten.

Maybe it's my fault that I want accountability and place leaders on a pedestal. Maybe I've had unrealistic expectations of our leaders. But shouldn't I have high expectations of those who, voluntarily, took an oath to serve?

In a recap of his Last Lecture, Randy Pausch was asked what he'd like his infant daughter to know about dating - and he said, "Believe nothing a man tells you and everything he shows you". Perhaps that's what we should do - believe nothing of the great speeches delivered and the promises given to us. Rather, observe the actions and decisions of our leaders to know where their loyalties lie.

I wonder what today's news will look like - are we going to remain in a state of pandemonium? Or, is the chaos coming to an end. If you haven't already lost your breakfast or gone insane from the first 8 pages in today's newspapers, maybe there's still hope. I supposed I should not wonder why people go crazy, I should wonder why we don't!


Natalie believes that we are accountable for what we do and what we fail to do.

Comment: letters@thesundaily.com

Let Me Count The Ways

Natalie Shobana Ambrose (12 February 2009 - theSun)

EACH year cupid’s arrow-range expands. Unless you’re made of tin and have a clock for a heart, anyone can be your Valentine … from family, friends, parents, pets and, in my case, Malaysia. Since love is the theme of the week, here are seven things I love about Malaysia.

» Malaysia boleh!

We’re such an optimistic bunch. While the rest of the world cringes at the state of stock market fluctuations, and the world unwillingly lives through an economic depression, Malaysia stays "unaffected" – although about 50,000 Malaysians will lose their jobs. Our optimism sometimes borders on delusion.

» Truly Asia

With a rainbow of races, cultures, traditions and languages, Malaysia is "truly Asia". We don’t have to travel the world to enjoy a variety of food. As a melting pot of cultures, we celebrate every festival with a public holiday though many remain unaware of the difference between race and religion or what is being celebrated. While we deny celebrating racial politics, we have a quota system in employment and public university intakes. We enjoy merging our languages that sometimes a lot can be lost in translation. Like the word "ketuanan". Sometimes in this confusion, we might even reconstruct history – and as long as it’s not questioned – all is well.

» Polite

In line with the Rukun Negara, Malaysians pledge to be polite, courteous and moral. Caucasians with blond hair and blue eyes will attest to our politeness – perhaps not African students or foreign workers. Similarly, many Malaysian men can be extremely friendly and vocal in their appreciation of the female form each time a woman walks past. In politics, character assassinations and dirty games are politely explained away as friendly banter. Yet, Malaysians would rather not smile at their neighbours.

» Hot & spicy

I love waking up not having to worry if I need a winter jacket or sweater. It’s the best weather in the world because I won’t freeze wearing my mini-skirt – though I’d turn blue in any air-conditioned office, mall or cinema. Everywhere there’s a green hill in Malaysia, the land is cleared and nature left devastated. But this has got nothing to do with super hot temperatures in our country. That is the result of problems caused by the west when they made millions clearing their rainforests. So, you see, from spicy hot food to a daily dose of "hot" news, there is never a dull moment in this tropical land of ours. Now that’s hot!

» Loud

From the loud beautiful sounds of the kompang, tabla and Chinese drums to the lively chatter in a mamak stall at any hour, and the maddening sounds of the Mat Rempits, Malaysia isn’t quiet. We build the tallest, biggest and largest of everything and have this desperate need to show off for the sake of winning world records that one has to wonder, why? And, when things get a little quiet we make a big fuss over police brutality, frog-jumping politics, helicopter and submarine deals ... and then suddenly all goes quiet ... with U-turn proposals on heart hospitals and Race Relations Acts. So, while the public are dumbfounded by the confusion, everyone’s given the runaround until people become too tired to make a fuss or bother about accountability. But all’s not lost, because each newly sworn-in MB makes loud promises that keeps the people quiet ... at least, till the next swearing-in.

» Ordered

Rules teach us what is acceptable and what isn’t in society. Malaysia is a country of rules – especially those promulgated for our good. And this includes the ISA. The rules are strictly followed especially if there’s a perceived threat. We have a great constitution, which the public are not completely aware of, because of interpretations or misinterpretations.

» Visionary

Malaysia’s got a "plan" for everything – from the New Economic Plan, Draft KL Plan, Vision 2020 and the Malaysia Plans 1-10. We plan so much – and for the "inevitable" – that, sometimes, the public even know the verdicts of the court before the court itself makes a decision. And with election results, even before the count is made. Vision or insight, or perhaps, even seer-quality or wisdom, our people have come to accept that it’s good to have a vision because it achieves goals, even if they aren’t very positive.

Some might think this a loathsome ode. I believe though that the opposite of love is not hate but indifference.

Happy Valentine’s Day Malaysia!

Natalie is looking for a I “heart” Malaysia T-shirt.

Comments: letters@thesundaily.com.