Ah exams! They are a coming…

Right now I’m in my final study week before end of semester examinations commence at university. Yet somehow I’m not inclined to study. Its been this way since two semesters ago.

To say that maybe its just because I am not cut out for law (which is my course) would be misleading. I love law. What fascinates me about law is that it concerns the origin and exercise of (especially cocercive) power. My attachment to law stems alot from my long time interest of politics.

I would say it is the way the faculty of my university teaches law. Yes, this is another higher-educational-institutions-are-not-what-they’re-supposed-to-be rant so you can stop reading now if you’re put off by reading so many of them out there already

No, fine. Well, thing is, public education in Malaysia is just not up to scratch. Today a letter to English language daily, The Star, a reader roundly condemned those Malaysians going overseas to get an education but do not come back. But really, why would they? Don’t misunderstand moi, I have my share of patriotism, though Youth and Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob might beg to differ. But then, all we get going to a university here is to attend lectures, where one gets talked down to instead of being engaged with. Yes, there is a difference between preaching, which is commonplace in almost all educational institutions, from primary to tertiary in Malaysia, and an ernest desire to connect with and even learn from, and not just impart to, students. I still remember that song, Getting to know you, from that classic film, the King and I, where the English teacher employed by the Siamese king sang to her students, members of the royal household mostly, to highlight that respect and even learning is a two way street, not one. Ai, when will we Malaysians ever learn. Before I tended to blame Malaysians in general, but now considering the recent change in political climate following the March 8 elections, the performance of the BN Government in this regard comes closer under my scrutiny in this regard, and sad to say such a culture derives from, and is merely an extension of, them. They keep themselves in power by teaching the people not to be critical, KBSR, KBSM and other “critical curriculars” notwithstanding. So, going by the many positive changes happening in my home state since the newly created “Pakatan Rakyat” took power, I daresay such a situation can only seriously be changed when Government changes at the Federal level too, education being their prerogative, after all.

(To be continued…)

Down with the World Assembly! Long live the United Nations!

On April the 1st, news of Pakatan Rakyat wasn’t the only one to catch my eye.

For those of you who know me a little better, either in real life or online, you’ll know I am an avid player of this online simulation game, NationStates. I have been active there since May last year and have found an online community I can identify with. Not only do we have the same interests (ie politics, global issues) but they are on the whole a nice bunch, that is, those who I met living as a nation in the region of Technopolis. Although I eventually left that region due to irrecocilible differences with some of that region’s existing members, I was fortunate in a way to have those agreable move with me into a new region, Technotopia.

 For those of you not in the know, NationStates is a simulation game, created by Max Barry in 2002 to promote his book, Jennifer Government (a spectacular satire on capitalism!) - you register and “found” a nation. You control decisions made though its parliament, which is a simple game of approving predetermined issues, and issue messages to other nations within your region on what are called Regional Message Boards (RMBs). For more, just visit the link and click on their FAQ page.

The part of the game pertinant here is that the game also simulates joining a global body, where membership means being bound by its rules (which affect your nation’s stats) and also being able to draft resolutions to be voted upon. Yes, you guessed it. It works somewhat like the United Nations, and heck, it was called the United Nations! Joining the UN was as easy as applying, and those in the UN could “endorse” any other fellow UN member within the same region, and the highest would occupy the position of UN Delegate, a position of stature within a region, with certain added benefits.

It was a good system. Here the United Nations name was being used for something good. Something the real United Nations was set up for in 1945 after the second world war, to promote greater cohesion, unity, harmony and greater understanding amongst world peoples. Remember the UN Charter?  We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war… to reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights… etc we all know what a cock and bull that is. Not only have they failed to save suceeding generations from war, they have actually contributed to its increase, and human rights violations are greater in number now then ever before, especially in a certain Middle Eastern State this UN helped to found (no guesses which one) it was an open secret that the United Nations was subservient to those who provided the bulk of their funding, the United States, who uses and abuses the organisation like its personal whore whenever it wants.

Not in NationStates at least. Though an online fiction, it was nice to see that resolutions were being passed for the betterment of man, and that “nations” within NationStates were all in reality people hailing from different parts of the world who were friends. But alas this was not to last as on April 1st Max Barry announced on NationStates that the real UN had sent a letter warning Max Barry that his use of the name and flag symbol of the United Nations on NationStates was violating Interllectual Property laws, as well as ordering that he take down such a “traversity” at once.

Now, I ask all, is this really proper? One, how is it that names and symbols of the United Nations, an international organisation, political at that, get to copyright its symbols? Surely if this were allowed to pass, the Vatican City could lay claim to the Bible!

Second, why suddenly out of the blue send a legal notice? Haven’t they got more important notices as such to serve, say on, those such as George W. Bush and Tony Blair for war crimes in Iraq? Or maybe on the Israeli Government for their illegal West Bank barrier wall? Maybe even on the Chinese Government for their oppression of Tibetan and Xinjiang minority groups? Or Myanmar’s military junta for yet again failing to respect the demands of the international community by a swift reversion to democracy and the immediate release of jailed leader Aung San Syu Kyi?

No, these are not a priority to the UN, no sir. Rather, they would prefer to sue others over petty issues such as copyright. Don’t let me even get started on the unjust nature of interllectual property. Max never did no harm nor did those who come online to NationStates using the United Nations banner as a vehicle towards real peace.

For the benefit of all, let me reproduce verbatim what my reaction was in NationStates upon learning of this development;

Everyone! This whole real United Nations condemning NationStates for using the so-called UN brand is a load of bull!

The United Nations is supposed to be about unity and solidarity of the world people, and NationStates, I believe, promotes that through its many nations, regions, and yes, its United Nations. There is nothing wrong with the use of the symbol, and name for these purposes, which are noble.

I find it ridiculous that the name “United Nations” is protected under Interllectual Property laws, laws which lets face it suck in the first place for all the creativity and innovation they stifle, and for all the suffering they cause those who can’t afford the price that comes with using such “property”, some of whom live in the most destitute parts of the world.

Attempting to force IP laws down on us here is abhorrent and contemptous of ongoing efforts to solidify the bounds of humanity under the United Nations banner, and so we must undertake to resist such vile attempts. I urge a vote AGAINST the resolution tabled by Maxtopia in the so-called “World Assembly” right now to indicate protest and freedom from the shackles of such repressive Capitalist laws! Long live the United Nations!

Interllectual property is not cool, its unjust. And so are the United Nations for enforcing it. Adding to their ineptitude owing to failing to follow their own founding principles and behaving like a respectable world organisation, this really is it for them. Leave us alone, wont ya, UN, go sue someone else.

Pakatan Rakyat for the people!

I was surfing the net this evening when I came accross a very interesting piece of news in the online edition of The Star, a local English daily.

According to the report, the Malaysian Opposition parties, PAS, PKR and DAP are to form a new coalition, called the Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Pact).

This event truly heralds a new beginning in Malaysian politics. For the past 50 years of independence, we have lived under the divisive, corrupt and nepotistic government of the Barisan Nasional (BN, National Front). This new alliance is a godsend for all, and just the right response to March 8th’s political tsunami recently.

This is the joint statement of the heads of all three of these political parties, taken from YB Lim Kit Siang’s blog. 

The leaders of KeADILan, DAP and PAS met today in furtherance of the meeting held on the 18th of March 2008.

Today’s meeting was attended by, among others, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Dato’ Seri Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang and YB Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

In today’s meeting, we have proposed to consolidate the cooperation between the three parties under the name “PAKATAN RAKYAT”. This name has been proposed pending confirmation by the respective parties.

Pakatan Rakyat pledges to uphold the rights and interests of all Malaysians, regardless of religion or race, as enshrined in the Constitution.

With the results of the recent elections, the state governments of Kelantan, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak and Selangor will be known as Pakatan Rakyat state governments. The policies of these governments will be conducted in accordance with the policies of Pakatan Rakyat.

To further mutual understanding regarding such policies, a convention of all Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives of Parliament and State Assemblies will be held on the 27th of April 2008.

We have developed and strengthened the structure of Pakatan Rakyat by creating under the Leadership Council, consisting of the leaders of the three parties, a Joint Secretariat consisting of three leaders from each of the three parties. This joint Secretariat will be tasked with building the foundation and framework of the Pakatan Rakyat for ratification by the Leadership Council.

Congratulations to PR. May more good things follow for you, for Malaysia. This Blog proudly proclaims itself as one of the first to give a review on the Pact.