Thursday, April 30, 2009

Facebook without a face 没脸


Facebook is for you to show your face, and to see others' faces too.

It is a social networking website... for socialising. Anti social and anti face are not supposed to join.

I noticed many people joined the Facebook but shy to show their faces... no pictures, or half covered pictures..

What is the point of joining Facebook !

Facebook (中国大陆翻译成“非死不可”), 是让你可以显示你的样貌,同时也看到其他人的面貌。

这是一个社交网页。。。就是推动网上社交活动。那些抵御社交或不愿意露脸的人,不社会参与。

我发觉到有许多人成为会员,但却又害羞公布样貌,没有照片,或者只放半遮照片。

那参加Facebook 是为了什么?

Economy winter 金融的冬天

An email came this morning from a Japanese car-manufacturing customer.

It stated in the opening to thank everyone for a historic record car sales last year, immediately followed by " the outlook of this year is not as bright...".

The company is requesting immediately for 20% - 30% reduction in prices from all suppliers.

A Kondankai (chit chat) would be arranged to explain the Gentan-i (basic price) on other potential areas for further cost improvement (more cut?).

May be I have to tell this customer: Sayonara.... gojiyuu ni otori kudasai (please help yourself) !


今早收到一通顾客电邮,来自一家日本车制造厂。

信中开头就感谢大家过去一年来的支持,创下了历史性的最高汽车售量。紧接下来,就是说今年的展望,会不如去年了。。。。

这公司要求所有的供应商马上把供应的产品价钱调低 20 - 30 %。

公司也会再安排一次与供应商的“聚谈”,商量基本价钱的结构,看看能否再把价钱更降低。

看来我得向它说:沙唷娜那。。。阁下请自便吧!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A priest is sick 神父病了


Fr. William mentioned about the ill health of Fr. Anthony Chan during Easter vigil.

I went to see him this afternoon. He just returned from hospital after radiotherapy.

About six years ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Operation was done to remove the cancerous growth. Doctor did not recommend any further treatment such as radio- or chemotherapy due to his advance age. He lived happily after the operation.

Four months ago, he was coughing badly. A check up revealed the cancerous cells has spread to his upper torso, especially neck and lungs. Lately he was in pain and the doctor recommended radiotherapy on his neck.

He has to undergo a course of 20 treatment to shrink a growth in his neck. Today is the 9th treatment.

He looked tired and subdue but managed to smile and said a few words. He is not eating well due to the treatment and lost 10 kg since the radiotherapy. He did not complain of any pain but need suction to clear his phlegm.

He is well looked after by Mrs Lee (72), a Kelang parishioner. She is there during day time taking care of his needs.

Before I left, I held a hand of Fr. Chan and said that he has been taking care of God's people all his life, it is time for God to take care of him. He smiled and nodding his head.

17-4-1988


在复活节守夜弥撒时,威廉神父提到为陈安当神父的健康祈祷。

今天下午,我去探访他。他刚在医院接受了电疗后回来。

大约在六年前,陈神父患了大肠癌。医生动手术切除了受影响的部分,但因神父的年事已高,所以没有推荐电疗或化疗。他就健康快乐的过了几年。

四个月前,因为严重咳嗽不止,去检验身体,被发现癌症细胞已经扩散到整个上半身,特别是肺和颈部。后来因为痛,所以医生就决定要他去做颈部电疗。

这个疗程共有20 次,是要电缩颈部的肿瘤。今天是第九次了。

他看来非常的疲倦,静默但还是展现了他的笑容,及简短的说几句话。电疗使到他丧失胃口,自电疗后,已经瘦了十公斤。他没有任何疼痛,但有很多痰,需用机器帮助吸出。

目前有一位吧生教友李太太(72岁)悉心照料陈神父。她会在白天陪伴神父及照顾他的需要。

临走前,我怃住陈神父的手,告诉他说,过去他毕生照顾天主的子女,现在应该轮到天主照顾他了。他展颜一笑的点点头。

The epic journey 漫长的旅途 (2)

On my March 20 2009 posting "The epic journey" about 2 boxes sent to Elizabeth in UK, it took almost five months to arrived.

I requested Elizabeth to provide me with the pictures of the 2 boxes, the pictures reached me more than a month later... why every thing so slow?!?

Following are pictures of the two boxes ... and its contents :D

在三月二十日的 漫长的路途 帖子里,是关于我们寄去给英国小女的两箱物件,约在五个月后才抵达。

我叫她把两个箱子的照片传过来给我看看,超过一个月后,才传了过来给我。为什么都这么慢呢?

以下是箱子的照片及里面的物品。。:D



At home in Kajang
加影家里








Moving to port
搬到港口











Arrived at Scotland
到了目的地苏格兰























Rice cooker made Bak Ku Teh
(all from the boxes)
用刚收到的饭煲及料煮肉骨茶
(全是箱子寄过去的)

Monday, April 27, 2009

I can only pray 我只能祈祷

It is midnight. I am thinking of the young girl (33 years old) in Tung Shin hospital who is undergoing cancer treatment. I visited her this afternoon.

I am thinking also of her mother by her bed side 24 hours a day.

They are from outstation. The girl is at the fourth stage of cancer, and has already spread to bones and spinal cord. She is under radiotherapy - today is the fifth day of the ten days treatment. Her face is puffy.

She is too painful to move or get up from bed. Fluids accumulated in her lungs, so drainage tube is inserted through her back to drain out the water. Not a good sign.

But she is courageous, optimistic. She maintains smiling face always. She hopes to get better after the radiotherapy.... can walk at least. But doctor may recommend chemotherapy immediately after this radiotherapy. Is she able to withstand such drastic treatment?

I am thinking of the mother too. What is in her mind? how is her feeling? Looking at her own flesh and blood in pain and in suffering, bed-ridden?

Being a father myself, I feel for them, it is piercing pain in my heart.

I have seen enough of cases to know the outcome of the treatment ... more is not necessary good. But what can I do to help?!?

I think of our heavenly Mother...five decades of Roasay may make me feeling better......

Mother Mary, pray with me, for the young girl and her mother... do something, anything .......

Merciful Father, may you hear our prayer, grant her peace, hope and strong faith.



现在已是深夜。我正在想作在同善医院接受癌症治疗的那位女孩。我今天下午去探望了她。

我也在想作她的妈妈,二十四小时的在她床边,照顾着她。

她们是 外地人。那个女孩已是第四期的癌症,癌细胞也已散布到全身及脊骨。她目前正在接受电疗,今天是十天疗程的第五天了,看起来,她还好,只是脸已经有点浮肿了。

她不能坐立或走动,因为会引起非常大痛楚。她的肺部积水,所以需要从背后,插管把液体导出。这不是一个好征兆。

但她非常勇敢,乐观,常常保持笑容。她希望电疗过后,至少能够下床行走。这是医生如此说的。但医生也说,在电疗过后,她会需要化疗。她的身体能够接受这么极端的治疗吗?

我在想作这位做妈妈的,她的内心到底在想什么?看着自己的骨肉,年轻的女儿(33岁)患上这个绝症,躺在床上,需要她全天的照顾,感受如何?

作为一名为人父者,我的心是刺痛的!

我看过许多如此的病患者,也知道这些治疗或疗程的结果是怎么样的。。。多并不一定就是好。但我能作什么呢?

我想到了我们天上的妈妈。一串玫瑰经可能会使我心情好过些。。。

圣母玛利亚,与我一同和我为这个女孩及她的母亲祈求。。。相帮她们。。。不管什么,都可以。。

仁慈的天父,俯听我们的祈祷,求你赐她平安,希望和坚强的信德。

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Easter musical 复活音乐剧


The Single Adult Ministry of our parish presented an Easter musical play entitled 【Jesus, His story 】 this evening at 7:00pm.

The cast is superb, the music is superb... the audience is superb.



我们堂区的单身成人事工今晚七时,在教堂呈现了一齣复活节音乐剧,题目:耶稣,他的故事。

演出精彩非凡,音乐及歌唱超棒。。。观众也一级棒!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

仁爱 、宽恕

一个是该打, 一个是罪有应得。

被打的人还是心有不甘。我被你挥拳一袭,鼻子流血,成了永远的“歪鼻”(YB), 还需要被人抬上救护车,住院两天,身心都受折磨,真没脸。不惑之年,还给一个血气方刚的年轻人袭击,真是遗憾终生。不怪的对方数度要求道歉,被打的一方都不回应。现在对方只被判监禁两天,实在是有点不忿气。(这是给你们的警惕,嘿嘿。。以后别乱来!)

打人者,大好青年,血气方刚,嫉恶如仇。听到了有不义之事,马上义愤填胸,一时失控,不管三七二十一,给个怒拳这老家伙尝尝。过后才知道事态的严重,要向对方抱歉,但却不受理。现在被判监禁两天及罚款六千,得多谢法官网开一面,以情 、以理,以教,来满全法律精神,从轻发落。不怪的新纪元学院新任院长潘永忠激动的说:“啊!我太高兴了!”。但对一个幼嫩的青年来说,已是一个重创及教训了。

一件震动华社 、华教的事件,表面上是落幕了。至少叶新田膝前的乖乖副手第一个发言就是这样说的(我已意料到他会为主人第一个发言的人)。他说希望这判决给所有的人一个警惕,我的主人已经知道这个判决了。

在这事件中,华教 、 华社有学到什么吗?有什么启示吗?有什么警惕?

没有!整个事件证明了都是为私利,为名利,为权利的斗争。这些受人尊敬的长者 、领袖 、学者 、道德护卫者,除了没有以身作则外,也没去自我反省,到底事件到这个地步,是如何造成的。整个事件过程中,没有“共识”,“礼待”,“让步”,“协商”,“牺牲”,“仁”,“义” 等美德出现的丝毫迹象。

我想,华社 、华教错过了一个表扬华人数千年的文化 、道德 、传统美德的机会。领袖也没活出我言我信,我做我言。这一拳是白打,白受;这两天的监牢是白坐,六千罚金是白给的。

以事论事,以这宗打人案来看。

我不期望会看到如耶稣说的:当别人打你右脸时,你也让他打你的左脸。”,更难做到他说的你要原谅他人七十个七次。这是成圣之道,要求非常的高。教宗若望保禄二世宽恕刺杀他的人,也非常人所能作。但最近发生中国温家宝总理原谅向他丢鞋的学生,没有一点启示吗?

中国数千年儒家思想的仁,恕;“仁者爱人”,宽恕的精神去了哪里?

我翻开【董教总】出版,张子深编著的『孔子智慧』,第一面的就是“一颗善心”。颜回说:别人对我好,我也对他好。别人对我不好,我仍然对他好。再往下看,【论语】评选,名列头条的是“一个恕字”。子贡问孔丘:“有一个字可以终身奉行的吗?” 孔子答:“恕也,己所不欲,勿施于人”。在书的结尾,还讲了好多孔子的“仁”是什么。董总诸公,是否有去翻阅?

我们常说,不要如小孩子般的见识。作为华教的领袖,学者,长者,必有宽阔的胸怀,诗书修养内涵。有些事情不能只靠文告 、法律来解决。博士田不是泛泛之辈,不是米田共的田,而是新纪元学院的田,是华教的垦田。你不是潘西满,一介莽夫;你不是三米又维鲁,不认识华人的礼仪廉耻,你是长者,众人的榜样,特别是淳淳学子都要向你看齐。如此的长相,难怪会犯众怒。你在名利斗争中,忘记了华人的美德,你应该走下楼,到董总出版社翻翻华人儒教的书籍,别忘了你是出版人叻!

这个打人者,不就是我们的孩子吗?仁者爱人,爱人如己,有教无类。。。这些不需要我说,一位教育界的风范,是必须具备的。

“度尽劫波兄弟在,相逢一笑泯恩仇”。 发文告不能解决事情的。

华教到底是什么?教育是什么?


我还是要说,为老不尊,带坏子孙。

打得好,该打!

(我不鼓励暴力,但既然已做了,下次千万别再做)




Friday, April 24, 2009

A surprise 一个惊喜


You may be one of the millions who have seen her singing.

Dateline:11-4-2009。

A 47 years old lady.

She is plump and conservatively dressed village woman, a very ordinary looking woman.

She walked out to the stage of a talent competition filled with giggles and whistles of skepticism.

Millions on TV and thousands live audience were waiting for her to shame herself, especially the 3 cynical and peevish judges.

She sang. The applause. The standing ovation. The biggest surprise.

A star is born... decades later. A dream realised...decades later.

This is the story of Susan Boyle of England.

Lucky ? No, it is Courage !

Don't judge the book by the cover!















可能你已是看过她唱歌的千千万万人之一。但也可能还没有,因为她是唱英文歌曲。

日期: 11-4-2009

一个47岁的妇人。

发胖,穿着保守的一名村妇,非常非常普通的一位村妇。

她站上一个天才比赛的舞台,传来观众阵阵的冷笑及讥讽的怪脸。

数百万的电视观众,还有数千位现场的观众,等着这位妇人在台上出丑,特别是那三位尖酸苛刻的评判员。

她开声高唱。接下来是掌声。观众站立的热烈反应。这是个极大惊喜。

一颗新星诞生了。。。数十年后。一个梦成真了。。。数十年后。

这是英国苏珊。博尔(Susan Boyle) 的故事。

运气?不是,是勇气

人不可貌相!

Bad time 困境

Just have tea with my friend at the Mamakshop near my office. I noticed there are 3 hawker stalls set up recently selling Malay kuih-muih, nasi lemak...

Time is bad, really really, frighteningly bad.

My friend who runs a paint factory, suffers 80% drop in business and facing difficulty in debt collection.

He supplies paint to factories manufacturing component parts of computers, electronic and home appliances (such as plastic covers). Many big names in home appliances had closed plants, or reduced production or workdays.

Where is the government stimulus lifeline?


刚和一位朋友去办公室附近的麻麻店喝茶。

我注意到有三档新开的路边小摊, 售卖马来糕点 、椰浆饭等。

我的朋友是开漆料厂,面对八十巴仙生意滑落,及收账困难。

他供应漆料给许多大型的电脑 、家电配件(如塑料外壳)制造厂。许多工厂已经关闭,有些则减产或减少工作天数。

不知政府的救市配套去了哪儿?

Monday, April 20, 2009

Kuala Sepetang, Kuala Sangga and Pantai Remis *** 十八丁,老港,班台 ( 3 )

Pantai Remis town 班台市区


We returned from Kuala Sangga Island to Kuala Sepetang at about 3:30 pm.

All of us bid farewell to Mr. Lee for his hospitality and assistance. My wife and I continued our journey to Pantai Remis while Peter and friends heading home to Ipoh.

The state route to Pantai Remis is straight and flat lined with oil palm trees. We arrived at my god-daughter Selina's house at Kg Sg Batu forty five minutes later. According to record, Kg Baru Sg Batu is the first Chinese new village in Perak established by the colonial authority about 60 years ago.

It was a family celebrations of grandma's 70th birthday and Selina's 19th birthday. All food were cooked by members of the family - delicious home-cooked food. More than 100 close friends and relatives attended the celebrations.

Pantai Remis is a beautiful coastal town with trees and shops along the main road. We stayed a night and left for home after breakfsast (Sunday).

Selina and grandmother returned to Singapore in the evening.











New village houses 新村屋子



我们在下午大约三点半左右回到十八丁,向李先生道别,并感谢他的接待及向导。过后我和太太继程前往班台,而兴文及朋友则取道回怡保。

从十八丁到班台的州际公路平坦笔直,沿途都是棕油芭,只需四十五分钟,就抵达班台,双溪巴都新村乾女儿欣茹的家。据资料显示,双溪巴都新村是英政府六十年前,在霹雳建立的第一个新村。

这是一个生日庆祝会,庆祝欣茹十九岁生日及婆婆的七十岁生日。这是一个家庭庆典,食物都是家族成员烹煮的美味拿手佳肴。当晚约有超过一百名亲戚及朋友参加。

班台是一个沿海市镇,道路两旁有许多树木及商店。我们在那儿住宿了一夜,在早餐后(星期天),就启程回家了。

欣茹及婆婆则也在傍晚回去新加坡。


From left: Selina's father, mother, grandma, grandpa, aunties and cousins
左起: 欣茹的爸爸,妈妈,婆婆,爷爷,姑姑们及堂、表兄弟



















Kuala Sepetang, Kuala Sangga and Pantai Remis *** 十八丁,老港,班台 ( 2 )

The boat journey

Peter has arranged a boat to pick us at the restaurant jetty for the 25 minutes trip to kuala Sangga Island to visit the small church.

Our boatman Mr. Lee, a local resident and a fisherman, told us the story of Kuala Sangga and the church.

Kuala Sangga is a small island at the mouth of Sepetang river and Sangga river. About 100 years ago, Catholic migrants from Teochew, China inhabited the island and lived off the sea. They built houses along the coast line and linked with a long wooden bridge. There was no running water and electricity supply. They relied on rain water and power generated by generators even untll today. They also built a school and a church.

As time progressed, many had moved to the mainland. Today, about 40 households remained and none of them is Catholic.

It was about forty years ago, a fire destroyed few houses but stopped at the church. A local lady resident claimed that she saw a lady on top of the church putting out the fire. They believed it was St. Ann, the patron of the church.

With the dwindling Catholics in the island, priest from Taiping found it difficult to maintain the wooden church which was in deplorable condition. So they decided to close the church and removed the statue and other religious articles. The move met with strong opposition from the non-Christian residents.

They claimed that St. Ann was protecting the islanders. They enjoyed peaceful living and good fortune. Moreover, they have consulted their god through temple medium that should the church and statue removed, their safety and fortune would not be protected.

In order to keep the statue, they started the "save the church" project (believed to be the first and only in history by non-Christians).They contributed money, materials and labour to rebuild a new church for St. Ann. It was completed and dedicated on 31-8-1998.

They have another testimony after the building of the new church. On 26-12-2004 when islanders received the news of the tsunami, they set out to the open sea to scout the horizon for movement of the waves. They saw great waves coming towards the island but changed course when reaching the river mouth of the island. They thanked St. Ann for saving the island. (The strong waves could easily destroy all the wooden houses built right at the coast line)。

Today, there is no Catholic in the island. The church is maintain by the non-Christian islanders. They light candles, offer flowers and fruits at the altar on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month. The Catholics would come once a year only in August to celebrate St. Ann's feast with Mass and prayer.

The small church is a full concrete building. It looks newish, clean and peaceful. We stayed there for our Rosary and prayed to St. Ann to continue intercede for the islanders. May God continue to bless them with peace and happy living.

The church is the testimony of religious harmony and the communion of people and nature. It is the living history of hard working migrants from China braving the challenging living conditions, and in their small ways, has contributed to the building of the nation. And it is a part of our local church history too.

I have a very warm, home coming feeling after the visit to this small church.

I checked through our local Catholic Directory, sadly, this small St. Ann church is not listed.


More pics on Facebook 更多照片

Video on Youtube 录影




The interior of the church, Mr. Lee at left. 教堂内部。 最左为李先生


兴文安排了小船到餐馆楼下的小码头接我们,到老港 (kuala Sangga)去参观圣亚纳小教堂,船程需时二十五分钟。

船主李先生是天主教徒,本地人,以渔业为生。他告诉了我们有关这小教堂的历史及故事。

老港处在十八丁及桑加河口。大约在一百年前(十八 、九世纪),来自中国潮州的移民就定居在这个岛上,以海为生。他们在海岸旁建立了木屋,以木桥互相连接。这里到今天,仍然没有电流及自来水的供应。他们以发电机发电,雨水作为食水及日常使用。他们也建立了一所学校及一间教堂。

随着环境的改变,许多岛民已经移居到内陆,目前只剩下大约四十户人家,没有一家是天主教的家庭。

大约在四十年前,一场大火烧毁了数间屋子,但到了教堂,火却熄灭了。当时有一位妇人,她说看到一位妇人,在教堂上把火熄灭。他们认为就是圣亚纳,这间小堂的主保圣人。

随着教友的减少,这件破旧教堂的维修及保管非常困难。驻太平的管理神父决定把它关闭,并移走所有的圣像及圣物。这个决定受到当地非教友岛民大力的反对。

他们归功圣亚纳的保佑下,岛民享受稳定及平安的生活。他们也去找过膜拜的神,通过乩童,被告知千万不要让这圣像被移走,教堂拆除,不然这个岛的平安及财富就没有了保护了。

为了不让圣像被移走,村民们展开了“保堂行动”。我想这是有史以来,第一次非教友保护教堂运动。他们慷慨的捐赠现金 、建筑材料及劳力等,把水泥教堂建起来。新的教堂在1998年,8月31日正式开幕祝圣。

村民还有另一个见证。在26-12-2004 海啸发生后,岛民得知了消息,马上派船到外海观察海浪的移动情况。他们看到巨浪朝着他们的方向前进,但当到了小岛所处的河口时,大浪转了方向分散。这使老 港逃过了可能的灾难。他们感谢圣亚纳的又一次保佑。(巨浪会轻易的把建在沿岸的木屋摧毁)。

今天,岛上已经没有天主教徒了。这间教堂的保养 、清洁工作,就由非教友村民负责。他们在每个农历月的初一及十五,必会到来点蜡烛,供奉鲜花。天主教徒只有在每年的八月,到来参加主保日敬礼及弥撒。

这小教堂是全水泥建筑物。看起来很新 、清洁,也有一种宁静的气氛。我们大家在里面躬诵玫瑰经,要求圣妇亚纳,继续为这个小岛的村民转祷,祈求天主继续降福他们,平安,生活稳定顺利。

这间教堂是宗教和谐,人和大自然共融的见证。这是来自中国的移民,勇敢、勤奋开荒,为国家作出贡献的活生生历史。这也是我们天主教会历史的一部分.

到过了这教堂后,至今仍然有一种非常温馨 、回家的感觉。

可惜,当我查阅教会的通信录册子,这间教堂没有列入册内。

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Kuala Sepetang, Kuala Sangga and Pantai Remis *** 十八丁,老港,班台 ( 1 )



18-4-2009, My weekend rendezvous.

A weekend.
A group of friends
A small Island.

A boat.
A fishing enclave.

A church.

With these ingredients, it promised to be a wonderful weekend rendezvous. However, the weekend was not planned based any one of the above.

It all started with 2 invitations.

First, a birthday invitation from my god-daughter Selina of Pantai Remis, Perak who is now working in Singapore. She called to invite me to attend a joint celebrations of her grandmother's 70th and hers 19th birthdays to be held at her home in Pantai Remis on 18-4-09.

Second, an invitation from Sr. Theresa Chew to a folks music concert at Sg. Buluh o
n the same date. I told Sr. that I was not able to go because of the above birthday invitation. I told her also of my intention to visit Kuala Sepetang since I am going up north. Kuala Sepetang was a hotspot in the recently concluded Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election and I considered it a place of interest. Immediately Sr. Theresa told me I must visit a historical small church on an island across Kuala Sepetang.

I called up my good friend Peter Cho of Ipoh for more information of the small church. He too expressed his interest of going to visit the church and would undertake to make all necessary arrangement for the visit.

On Saturday, my wife and I met up with Peter at Ipoh. Nine of us - my wife and I, Peter and son Andrea, and five BEC friends, left for Kuala Sepetang at about 10:30 am in two cars a
nd arrived 1 hr. 15 mins later.

Kuala Sepetang, a small Chinese coastal fishing village with many old wooden houses and shops perched on the river side. Many are used as jetties and business premises main
ly for the collection and distribution of sea harvests. We saw many colourful boats coming in to unload their catches in plastic containers.

It was noon so we decided to have lunch at a restaurant on the first floor of a concrete building where downstairs is the jetty.

The seafood dishes were fresh, tasty and........pricey too. We ordered fish, prawns, squids, la la, crabs... We got a good view of the village and surrounding mangrove swamps from the restaurant.




18-4-09, 周末约会。


一个周末。
一群朋友。
一个小岛。

一艘船。
一个鱼村。
一间教堂。


这样的条件,肯定是一个奇妙愉快的周末了。但这个周末的起因,和以上的因素毫无关系。

它的缘起,是因为两个邀请。


第一,我在星加坡工作的乾女儿欣茹,来电邀请我出席18-4-09,在她的家乡班台(Pantai Remis) 举行的生日庆祝 - 她婆婆的七十大寿和她的十九岁诞辰。

第二,周丽娜修女邀请我出席也是在18-4-09假双溪毛儒举行的乡音考古音乐会。我告诉她不能出席,因为我已经答应了出席乾女儿的班台生日庆祝。我也告诉她,既然北上,我将会到十
八丁(Kuala Sepetang) 看看。十八丁在最近的武吉干当国会议席补选时,成为了一个万人关注的焦点。周修女马上提醒我,记得到对面一个岛上的小教堂参观。它充满历史及传奇,值得一走

我联络了怡保的好友朱兴文,要求他提供更多的资料。没想到他也表示有兴趣去参观这件小教堂,并答应安排到岛上的一切事宜。

就在星期六,我和太太到怡保和兴文会合。我们一行九人 - 我和太太,兴文及儿子安德鲁,加上他BEC的五位朋友,在早上十点半,共乘两辆车,朝十八丁出发。在一个小时十五分后,我们就抵达目的地了。

十八丁是一个典型的华人渔村,有许多木材房屋及沿岸建立的商店。它们除了用来
做生意之外,也是小码头,供收集及分发鱼产之用。我们见到许多五颜六色的鱼船进 、出,装载着他们的收获。

适逢是 中午,我们决定先吃午餐。我们找到了一间楼上的餐馆,它的楼下是收集鱼产的小码头。这里的食物美味可口,特别是海鲜,新鲜又甜美。我们点了鱼 、虾 、螃蟹 、啦啦等,但价钱就不那么可口了。。。。

从这楼上的餐馆,我们可以鸟览了这个渔村的景色及附近的红树林。

Friday, April 17, 2009

click..gerak 行不动

On the eve of March 8 2008 general election, Party Gerakan Rakyat was in festive mood. They had many reasons to do so. Dr. Koh Tsu Koon was expected to be appointed a minister after the general election to replace Lim Keng Yik who was retiring. Party officials in Penang was jostling to fill the seat vacated by him and the loot of Exco seats. Every thing seemed good.

On March 8 2008, the political tsunami has changed the landscape of the country beyond recognition.
Overnight, Gerakan was uprooted.... finished...almost!

Koh Tsu Koon's ministerial dream shattered. The party lost the Penang state and the chief ministership which Koh has been holding for the past 18 years. Gerakan party is in tatter.

Koh Tsu Koon accepted the defeat true to his gentleman character. He cooperated in the transfer of power to L
im Guan Eng from DAP. He took full responsibility of the defeat and vowed not to accept ministerial appointment through senatorship as a matter of principle. Many felt for him and sympathised with him.

Hardly one year later, the new Prime Minister Najib has appointed him a Minister through this value-adding process. He accepted it happily... his dream finally materialized. He was criticised for not upholding his principle and accepted his appointment through this "back door" process.
(In Malaysia, we have a setup called Upper House. Anybody, be it nobody, somebody, looser or even corrupted politician, just go in there, through this passage, you are value-added as a Senator, hooray...wahlao....you can be a minister - liao!) .

With his appointment, Koh is given a "chicken breast bone" (bony with little meat). It is a difficult ministry and un-enviable task, has litt
le advantage to the revival of his party but may contribute to his downfall or even demise of his party. It is a double bladed sword too. Given the current situation, he has to take it. (contrary to Gerakan Youth leader Lim See Pin who called Koh's appointment as "Super Minister" overseeing 28 ministers' performance... siok sendiri le)

His appointment indicates:

1. BN politic is all about power and position.
2. The respectable gentleman Koh Tsu Koon has died.
3. Koh Tsu Koon the minister is just another power and position craving, principle-less politician.
4. He is enjoying gratuity, benefits as former state assemblyman, former chief minister, plus salary, allowances and perks of senator and minister (jia be liao!).
5. Without voters' support, he still can be a minister. So why bother to give him your vote.

6. His senatorship is a "gift" from UMNO. May not exactly be a puppet of UMNO, but definitely he has no "face".
7. His portfolio of national unity and key performance index of ministries makes him a clown and hastens his fall.
8. National unity? Koh is not able to unite his own tattered party before and after the March 8 election. Building unity is not a strong point for Koh.
9. A loser party president ..... what clout he has to judge the ministers' performance.... a mouse judging elephants, lions and tigers? doubtful KPI figures.

Looks like the Gerakan party has come to a dead end of gerak now!

在去年三月八号大选之前夕,民政党是浸淫在一个喜庆的气氛中。他们有很多值得 庆祝的理由。许子根将在大选中攻打国会议席,以让他能够从退休的党主席林敬益手中接过部长的职位。其他的党要也忙着在争取接过许子根上京后的首席部长空 缺,及还有其他的行政州议员的肥缺。一切都非常令人兴奋。

三月八号政治海啸的到来,把国家整个政治版图改得面目全非。一夜之间,民政党被连根拔起,全军覆没。。。几乎如此!


许子根上京之梦粉碎,槟城州政府政权失陷,坐了十八年的槟城首席部长之位也不保,民政党陷入的支离破碎的局面。

许子根以君子的风度,接受失败,并非常合作的把州政权顺利的移交给接任的林冠英。他对党在这次大选的失败,接受全部的责任,并誓言绝不接受通过委任为上议员,而当上部长。
当时他确是赢得的人们的赞赏和同情。

事过刚到一年,他在这个月,被新首相纳吉委任为首相署部长,掌管国家团结及部门表现指数。他很高兴的接受了委任。许多人批评他走后门当官的方式。(在马来西亚,有一个上议院。任何人,不管什么人,就算是默默无名者,腐败者,失败者,只要你经过这管道,你就变成上议员,就可以当部长了!)

他的接受委任,就如获得一块鸡肋,吃之乏味,丢之可惜。这是一个吃力不讨好的部门。他的封官,未必对他本人及党
的复苏有帮助,搞不好还可能是他的失蹄之地,甚至加快民政党的灭亡。这个官位是把双刃剑。但以目前的政治环境之下,他也得接受了。(可笑的是,民政党青年团团长林时彬却称许子根的官职是”超人部长“,看管28位部长的表现。。。真是自己爽的笑话!)

他的接受官职,显示了:

1. 国阵的政治就是权力和地位。

2. 受人敬重的君子许子根,已经不存在了。

3. 现在的许子根部长,也只不过是和其他贪念权力和地位的人没两样。

4. 他可以享受到前任州议员 、前任首席部长的退休恩俸,加上议员 、部长的薪金 、福利 及各种津贴,真的是“吃不完”!

5. 没有人民的支持,他还是一样升官,所以,为什么还要给他选票你!

6. 他上议员的地位,是巫统了礼物。虽不致称为巫统傀儡,但确是件丢脸的事。

7. 他的官位,将使他成为吃力不讨好的小丑。

8. 他官拜团结及表现指数部长,但他却不能在三零八大选之前 、之后团结自己的党内部。搞团结不是许子根的强项。

9. 一位不得选民支持的党主席,有什么威望可以评估部长的表现?就如老鼠给大象 、狮子及老虎评分。打出来的指数能够想信吗?可能这是狐假虎威的典型参考例子了。

看来民政党可能是柳暗花明又一村,但也可能是到了一个死胡同了!看来后者的可能性较高。

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Our housemaid 我们的佣人

We got up at 5 this morning.

We left for KLIA at 6 to send off our housemaid Yani to go back to his kampong at Medan, Indonesia... for good. She has been working for us for the past three years.

When the earthquake and tsunami struck Aceh on 26th December 2004, Yani, a single parent, was staying at the epic center Nias Island off Sumatera mainland. They survived by escaping in time to the higher ground.

With home and livelihood destroyed, they moved to Medan. She decided to look for a more lucrative job overseas to support her 2 children and parents*.

Leaving behind two young children was not easy for her. 3 years in Malaysia has saved up enough of money for her to start life anew in Indonesia.

Last night, bidding farewell to us, she down on her knees to express her gratefulness and asked for forgiveness of her any wrong doing. As our appreciation to her trustworthiness and hard work, we presented her a souvenir to mark the 3-year stay with us .... not a Lorex, but a genuine Seiko lady wrist watch.

She is going home to a new environment different from the day she left three years ago. She has to re-adjust herself to the life back home.

We wish her well in her new life. May God bless her and family, especially her two young sons, with good health and happiness.

As for us, we have to adjust our lives too. Pauline decided not to employ new maid. So from today onwards, we will assume the new identity: Pauline and Simon a.k.a Maria and Mario........ :D

I am washing my cup already.....

* Her father passed away a year ago without seeing her.



今早我们五点就起床了。

六点正,我们就驱车前往吉隆坡国际机场,欢送我们的佣人雅妮 Yani 回印尼棉兰的故乡。她已和我们工作三年了,不会再到回来续约。

2004年,十二月二十六日的亚齐大地震及海啸发生时,雅妮(单亲)当时和家人就住在地震震央的尼亚岛。他们很幸运的及时逃到高处,才避过了这个浩劫。

家园和生计被摧毁之后,他们举家搬到棉兰住居。这时雅妮也决定到国外寻找更高收入的工作,以养活两个年幼的儿子及父母*。

丢下两个年幼的孩子,离乡背井的到马来西亚来工作,不是一件容易的事。三年的工作,她储蓄够了一点钱,可以在家乡开始新的生活,她就决定不在续约而回乡了。

昨晚,在正式和我们告别时,她双膝下跪,感谢我们过去三年的照顾,也请求我们原谅她若有的任何过失。我们对他们过去三年的工作及诚实表示赞赏,送了她一份纪念品,不是金劳力士,但一个精美的原装精工女装手表。

她现在回到一个和她三年前离开时不同环境的家乡,所以生活必须做出调整。

我们衷心的祝福她一个很好的新开始。我们也祈求天主降福她及家人,特别是她的两个孩子,健康平安。

至于我们,也需要作出调整,而太太也决定不再聘请新的家佣。如此这样,我们的身份也做出相同的改变。从今天起,我们的另一个新的身份是:玛丽亚和玛丽欧。。。。 :D

我已经开始清洗自己的杯了。。。。

* 她的爸爸在一年前逝世,没机会和她见面。

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

还要部落格 Blog the talk

在驾驶中,听到了电台新闻报告,吹擂新首相纳吉的个人部落格1malaysia.com.my 展开的民意调查,获得热烈反应。调查的课题是:最需要关注的课题: 1. 教育资源分配。 2. 学术水准。 3. 非学术教育计划。当时大约有3500 人参与。

本着好奇心,我登录去看看。我以为里面会有更多的课题给我选择,如人民的安全。非常失望,这个部落格就如其他政府部门形式一样,没创意,没新奇格局,离不了官腔是也。我也奇怪,这样的课题,不就是应该由教育部长或高教部长提出的吗?为什么由首相来提出呢?我认为首相应该提出重点课题,来征询人民意见,如问问人民, 他应该优先处理或民生最关注那些课题呢 - 经济?贪污 ? 司法改革 ?教育改革 ? 团结 ?种族极端化 ?

我现在要告诉尊贵的首相一个很重要的课题,需要他的优先关注:人民的保安及安全

我的一位芙蓉的朋友,在进入巴刹的厕所的时候,给两名匪徒抢劫。虽然他已自愿的拿出钱包给他们,但还是遭到他们的毒打,使到他遍体鳞伤,脚还折断。

另一朋友告诉我这个事故。她加影一位朋友儿子,在路上时,遭来自后面的摩多骑士用针般的铁支插入他的后脑,意图抢劫。伤者被送入医院,昏迷整个星期,在一个月后逝世。

在安顺,一位老妇人,在家被抢劫及打伤,因惊吓过度逝世。

星洲日报报道,吉隆坡马路利的居民害怕在早晨下楼,孩子害怕上学,商人不敢开档,因为太多的抢劫了。

还有许多在报纸上被报导的及没报导的案例。

我们生活在恐慌中,我们真的不安全。

现在的匪徒,丧尽天良,他们非常的残酷,除抢钱之外,还毫不犹豫的伤害受害者。可能和警察本身常用暴力有关联吧!有样学样啦。这个恐慌的环境,警察好像是一筹莫展。

尊 贵的首相,我们在大众传播媒体中已看够你了。你拥有 TV 1, TV 2, TV3, NTV 7, TV 8, TV9, 马来先锋报,每日新闻报,星报,星洲日报,南洋商报,东方日报等等可以利用,为什么还要加多一个部落格来重复这一切呢?你以为我们没事做,会到你的部落格 去听官腔吗?

这根本就不需要,也是浪费资源。




While driving, heard the radio news boasting very good response from the public to the poll conducted in the Prime Minister Najib's blog 1malaysia.com.my on which is the most important (issue) to address: 1. The distribution of education resources, 2. The standard of education, 3. Non-academic education programmes. About 3500 respondents so far.

Out of curiosity, I visited the Blog. I thought there may be more choices of topics or issues I can voice out, like security and safety of the citizen. Very disappointed. It is just another government site. Nothing new, nothing fantastic. And I wondered this poll should have been conducted by the Education Minister, not the Prime Minister. Prime minister should ask his people, which are the most urgent issues to tackle: economy? corruption? judiciary reform? education reform? unity? race polarization?.......

I wanted to tell the Prime Minister right now one very important issue needed his full attention (besides the 8 mentioned by Lim Kit Siang, the Opposition veteran leader in his open letter to the PM today ) : The security and safety of the people.

A friend of mine in Seremban was robbed and assaulted by two robbers when he went to the public toilet in the market. Despite giving them money willingly, the robbers assaulted him violently after taken his money.... He sustained head and body injury and a broken leg

My friend just told me this incident. Her friend's son in Kajang was poked by a very sharp pin-liked object at the back of his head by two motorcyclists with the intention to rob. He was sent to hospital and was in coma for days. He died one month later in hospital..

An old lady in Telok Intan was robbed and assaulted by robbers at home. She died later.


Taman Maluri residents afraid to come downstairs in the morning, children afraid to go to school, hawkers too fearful to open store for business.......

And many other cases reported and not reported in the media.

We are not safe. We are afraid to go for morning walk, afraid to go to market, afraid to walk alone, afraid to drive at night, afraid to let out our children, citizens employed private guards to protect their homes.......

We live in fear! We are not safe !

Criminals are getting more violent. They are willing to kill or maim the victims for no reason. May be they are inspired by police brutality...! Anyway, the Police is not responding appropriately to arrest the situation.

Dear Prime minister, we have enough of you in TV1, TV2, TV3, TV7, TV9, Utusan Melayu, Berita Harian, The Star, Nanyang, Sinchew, Eastern.... why should we go to your blog to see you repeating the same old things.... nothing better to do meh?!

This is unnecessary and a waste of resources.







Aches & pains 酸与疼

While clearing my stuff, I found this very useful piece of information which I had kept for more than 30 years.

This exercise is very effective in relieving aches and pains in the lower back. I have practised it for past 30 years.

Kneel on the floor with knees six to eight inches apart. Bend your torso forward from the waist stretching your arms out in front of your head so that your forehead and most of your arms are on the floor. Your upper body slope down from your hips to the floor. Press your chess as close to the floor as you can(as shown above). Your upper torso weight should be on your hands. Relax for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat as many times as you like.

It is a Yoga-like pose and it is very effective.


这是我在清理旧资料时发现的一张非常有用的讯息。我已保存了整三十年了。

这个运动对解除下半身脊椎疼痛非常有帮助。过去的三十年里,我常常的应用。

两脚大约六到八寸分开,双脚下跪。上半身从腰上端弯下,双手向前俯伏,肘及掌按地,额头也点地(如图)。你的身体的上半部重量全在你的手部,腰下垂。尽量松弛,保持一到三分钟。你可以随意重复做多次。

这动作和瑜伽的姿势很相似,效果非常的好。

Monday, April 13, 2009

师傅与徒弟 Master & apprentice


这是一篇我在诗巫【爱之光】月刊二月份里面写的一份文章,在此和各位分享。【爱之光】创刊于1978年。

圣母军的训练观念是师傅与徒弟的方法。圣母军没有训练团员的课程,没有讲课,没有教材。它的训练法是把工作摆出来,然后用实际的工作,作为示范,去教导新团员如何工作。简单的说,就是身教。

在一个堂区里,司铎就是师傅了。司铎工作多,就需要很多人来和他分担及协助他的部分工作。所以,司铎除了照顾教友群体的需要,还要训练一批能够帮助他工作的信友。

大约在二十七年前,当我初加入圣母军时,还是一位吴下阿蒙,根本就不知道什么是圣母军,也不知传播福音是什么一回事。当时的本堂是法国籍的夏理和神父(下图)。很多时候,我就是跟作他去拜访医院、教友家庭、病老者,穷困者及慰问亡者家庭等。慢慢的从他那儿学习到关怀别人及接触他人是多么美妙及有意义的事。夏神父的榜样,他的传教士精神,俭朴的生活,成为我学习的榜样,也就奠定了我日后在教会工作的基础,圣母军也成为我归属的团体组织。

我只是跟他学习的许多“徒弟”之一。一位师傅,可以训练出好多好多的徒弟,造福团体,教会及社会。耶稣自己也立下了这样的榜样,他为了准备归化世界,曾经拣选(耶稣去寻找)了一小群人开始,叫他们跟在他左右,亲自教导他们,又用他自己的精神充实他们。(手册:司铎与圣母军)

今天,很难找到师傅拜艺了。假如你找到了,就要好好的珍惜,并且要学以致用。


Below is an article (in Chinese) I wrote in the February issue of 『 Love of Light 』 ( founded 1978) monthly Legion newspaper published in Sibu, Sarawak.


The idea of formation of the Legion of Mary is the master and apprentice method. This is the ideal way of training. Instead of delivering lengthy lectures, the master places the work before the eyes of the apprentice, and by practical demonstration shows him how it is to be done, commenting on the different point thereof as he proceeds. Then the apprentice himself attempts the work and is corrected in his execution of it. It is lead by example.

In a parish, parish priest is the Master. Parish priest is laden with works and responsibilities, so he needs many helpers to share and help in his works. Besides the pastoral care of his people, the priest needs to train up laity to be his co-workers.

More than 27 years ago, when I joined the Legion of Mary, I was raw and naive, knew nothing about the legion, and evangelisation was a foreign term. The parish priest then was Rev. Fr. Henriot (pic below). I used to follow him to visit hospitals, families, aged, sick and lonely, the bereaved and many others. I experienced the joy of caring and reaching out to others. Rev. Fr. Henriots's missionary spirit, simple living has become my role model of service to others, and laid the foundation of my serving to the church and membership in the Legion of Mary.

I am one of the many apprentices under Fr. Henriot. A master can have many apprentices to serve the church, community and society. Our Lord Jesus, the Master of masters, in preparation for the conversion of the world, was to surround himself with his chosen ones, whom he tutored and filled with his own spirit. He led by example.

Today, willing master is hard to come by. If you found one, make good use of the opportunity.

与启蒙师傅合照(2008) My formative master

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter 复活节

Christ the Light 基督之光

This is the night of joy,
Night of light,
Night of life!

This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chain of death and rose triumphant from the grave. Jesus Christ is risen.

Alleluia ! Alleluia! Alleluia.

We just came back from a 4-hour Easter vigil. We have 59 Elects (candidate) Baptised tonight.

Wishing all you friends - Happy and Blessed Easter !

Blessing of baptismal water 祝圣圣洗圣水

这是一个欢欣的夜晚,
光明之夜,
生命之夜。

今晚耶稣摧毁了死亡的枷锁,胜利的从死亡中走了出来。基督复活了.

阿肋路亚!阿肋路亚!阿肋路亚!

我们刚参加了4 个小时的复活节守夜庆典回来。今晚我们有59 位侯洗者接受领洗成为教友。

谨祝大家 - 复活节快乐!

圣洗及坚振圣事 Baptism, Confirmation

Friday, April 10, 2009

Good Friday 耶稣受难


We attended the Good Friday service commemorating the death of Christ began at 3:00 pm. (the time Jesus likely died)

The Way of the Cross was held outdoor for the first time with people reenacting the suffering of Christ carrying his Cross under the hot afternoon sun.

10 minutes after we entered the church for other parts of the service (veneration of the Cross and Communion), heavy downpour followed. It was almost a yearly weather during Good Friday, hot sun,dark cloud, rain and sun again.

During the General Intercession prayer For all in public office, I offered the intention of the people of the Chapel of St. John in Triang:

Let us pray for those in public office,
that God may guide their minds and hearts,
so that all men may live in true peace and freedom

Almighty and eternal God,
you know the longings of men's hearts,
and you protect their rights,
In your goodness
watch over those in authority,
so that people everywhere may enjoy
religious freedom, security, and peace,
especially the parishioners of the Chapel of St. John.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.




我们参加了下午三点举行的耶稣受难苦路,以纪念耶稣为了人的罪,被钉死在十字架上。下午三点相信是耶稣的死亡时间。

今年的苦路是第一次在户外举行, 在热日当空下,以真人重演了耶稣当时受难,背负十字架受刑的情景。

过后,我们进入教堂进行其他阶段的礼仪(亲苦架及领圣体),不到十分钟,倾盆大雨到来。每年的耶稣受难日,天气度大约如此, 烈日 、黑云 、下雨 、烈日。

在隆重祈祷文的时候,当为政府官员祈祷时,我特别奉献了直凉圣若望小教堂教友的意向:

请为政府的一切官员祈祷,
求天主按照他的圣意
指引他们的思想和心神,
使他们能为人民谋求
真正的平安与自由。

全能永生的天主,
你知道人心的渴望,
也保护人民的权利;
你仁慈的眷顾所以身负公职的人民,
使世界各地,依赖你的助佑,
都能获享持久的平安,
幸福的生活,
以及信仰的自由,
特别是直凉圣若望教友们。
以上所求,
是靠我们的主基督。
阿门。