Thousand Words : Snapshots of Life

Food for Thoughts

2009-09-19T07:59:00.001+08:00

No Plans

2009-09-17T08:12:00.004+08:00

What's the use of planning if the only result you get is to see all your hard work in reaching your goals come crashing down on you and you can't do anything about it? It just leaves you depressed, disenchanted and feeling sorry for yourself. Better to live day by day without any expectations so that you don't end up hurt.

That's IT!!!!!!!

2009-09-03T21:04:00.002+08:00

I'm going to set some goals to help me survive till the end of the year and hopefully by then get myself out of a rut that has been sinking me to a slow death day by day. Don't know how successful I'll be but doing something is better than nothing.

1. Stop feeling sorry for myself.

2. Remind myself that despite everything I have it better than so many people out there that are worse off.

3. Find joy in the small things.

4. Find one reason a day to feel happy about.

5. Recharge myself, get my butt out of the house and live again.

6. Rediscover my lost passion of the lens, go somewhere new each week, take photos that I like and to please no one else but myself.

7. Take one step at a time, forget the past and move on.

8. Stop stop stop feeling so helpless and depress.

9. Find real friends that accepts you for being you.

10. Rekindle relationships that has stagnated from caring for just one person.

11. Find love, but to first find reasons to love myself first.

Who'd Ever Thought Smiling Was Hard?

2009-09-03T20:38:00.002+08:00

If you'd told me that the simple act of smiling, of being happy and joyous and of having an uplifting feeling that tomorrow holds endless promises was something that comes naturally I would've agreed months ago. I've always been a pessimist but I've never let myself feel hurt or down or to fall into despair. When times were tough I've always been able to cope and to bounce back, all it needed was a good night sleep and the next day all way right in the world again. Yet at this moment, no matter what I do, things all feel as if all the effort I put in are futile, that whatever I do seems so pointless. It feels like the hardest thing to feel happy again and not to fall into self loathing and pitifulness. And it has never felt so lonely before ever. I know I really have to shake this feeling off, but at this point in time, I just can't. So for those out there that have someone to be with, or are able to enjoy their happiness, cherish it and grasp it so tightly that it can never escape you.

It is a Sad Day So Near to Merdeka

2009-08-30T18:24:00.003+08:00

If you haven't read about the Cow Head Incident in Selangor please do.

It is a sad day and worrisome incident that such a thing happened and within the Holy Month of Ramadhan which is a month of contemplation, fasting and forgiveness and within days of Merdeka, a celebration of freedom for ALL races. It is sad or scary if you consider:

The people of Section 23 say they are left with no choice but to take protest and bring a severed cow head to the Selangor State Secretariat. A wholly "Muslim" congregation parades a symbol sacred to another religion to protest the construction of a religious worship center in their housing area is provocative and sacrilegious. And these people are suppose to be fasting this month. God knows only how swift action would be taken if anything nearing bacon was wielded and calls for death to infidels would be incited if it was the other way around. And through all this time have they seen Indians or for that matter of fact other races protest violently when only the Section 23 residents have acted uncivilly?

"We object to this temple" and "Rodziah Babi" written on the fence. Using an item forbidden by ones religion while wielding the object of sacred nature of another in protest is just sheer hyprocracy and bigotry.

These people claim to represent the voice of all Section 23 residents. So it is really 90% Muslim or 40% Indian in Section 23? I can't believe who's right at this moment but just hop over to the Department of Statistics and it can be cleared up easily right? But why does racial composition matter anyway? Oh right, allocation of land for worship depends on the area's racial composition and thats why Indians, Chinese, Christians are finding it so hard to build places of worship while under the government policy, land is alienated for suraus and mosques in every housing estate. 1 Malaysia I salute you.

Police took no action in halting the illegal protest and no further action were taken even if from my eyes the act warrants ISA if there was ever a case. Other illegal rallies and protests were put down with the full force of the law. Bloggers have been arrested, questioned and jailed. A mysterious death of a person brought into MACC questioning is slowly dying down and no answers are forthcoming. A murder of a Mongolian national has gone off the radar and no justice is forthcoming. A death of an Indian in police custody has no solution though evidence have pointed to the fact that there was foul play. Body snatching and demolition of Indian housing were greeted without an eyelid of those not concerned with other races. Where were the people of Section 23 then?

They said they feel cheated by the PR Muslim Leaders. What does Pr or not have to do with this? Or are there some malignant forces from the cough 'opposition' stiring the pot because the corrupt and bigoted ex premiers got booted off when they deserve it and now is stiring the hornet's nest to regain power, God wonders if these people should even be elected ever. Why feel cheated, the people of Kg Buah Pala also said they feel cheated by PR but wasn't these problems a legacy from the previous administration? Will voting UMNO save the day for the Section 23 residents?

They say they were not consulted? Is this the relocation of some dangerous nuclear waste dump, some hillside project that threatens their life? From the sound of it relocating a temple is akin to putting a mental asylum or pusat serenti or even a prison with violent criminal next to their house. It boggles the mind to understand how siting of a religious temple in a housing estate would need consultation or their approval. For god sakes people its a temple and you can't coexist with one when the rest of Malaysia have happily coexisted with Malay houses of worship built with tax payers money at every corner of the country. Have we ever protested. Oh yeah we forgot what a ruckus it was when Teressa Kok was slandered by Utusan concerning her disapproval of the azan being played from a surau which turned out to be untrue. Did we all come with pork and did the unthinkable. I think we are more civilised and tolerant in that sense.

160 m from a house, 50 m from a playground and 150 m from a surau? Why is this relevant or even a concern? People please take a drive down to Harmony Lane in Melaka where a Chinese temple, Masjid and Indian Kuil are within walking distance of each other and is there any conflict? 160 m from the house? Industrial areas have been built within less distance and are more harmful than a mere kuil can ever be and no one complains. 50 m from a playground and comments that parents now fear letting their children play near the temple? Mind boggling as it makes it sound as if temple going people are liable to cause mischief and trouble to the point that children need fear. I've entered numerous temples and joined them while they pray and not once have I feared for my safety and life. It's scary to think if these people actually have this mindset against other races or pity them if they really think other races are as such.

Prices of houses falling? Property devaluation? I believe similar concerns were voiced by residents of a condominium when plans for the expansion of a Muslim cemetery right outside their property were approved but in the end with all their peaceful protestation it was snowballed through. Where was the justice then and you expect the opposite now? What of the Muslim cemetery in Bukit Damansara and Sg Buloh Forest Reserve? So green space can be trammeled for the sake of religion while siting a religious temple in an housing estate is unacceptible?Prices falling, let me see research showing this actually occurred, that property near temples and kuils actually devalue. In the end such flimsy excuse denigrate the intelligence of the people in the area. Please refrain from making asses of yourselves.

Relocation of the temple was proposed by BN to an industrial estate which as far away from any residential area. Smart move and its no wonder why its not a good move to relocate the temple to a housing area nearer to the masses. It's no wonder under BN's policy permits to construct places of religious worship for other races are curtailed. Complex and long hauled permit and planning permissions? normal. Race-based requirements such as percentage of total population to site building? with slowly reducing non-muslim birthrates siting looks likely to become impossible in future. Its no wonder and sad to see so many Christian worshiping in shophouses and Indian temples being demolished as illegally sited. Sad Sad. The tenets of freedom of religion is guaranteed in the Constitution but in practice is sorely true. And I thought we were living in Malaysia and not Myanmar or China.

If the legacy of the past 50 years have led to paranoia and xenophobia among the population concerning each other then its a sad sad day indeed. What can make residents who are Muslim's fear for another religion as if it is so antithesis to have them nearby I cannot fathom. At the same time it is scary to see if true that the general populace holds such disdain and loathing for people of other religion and races. If it only involves a handful of people then its ok but if it really is the general attitude and perception shared by the majority Muslim population something is wrong in this country. Playing with fire concerning religion and race will lead to long term impacts and those wishing to use such tactics to their own gain are really the most despicable persons on earth.

Merdeka 52 Years of Malaysia

2009-08-29T09:37:00.002+08:00

This Merdeka is our 52nd year of existence as a nation. It might be a good time to reflect on what it really means to be Malaysians. Does it only end at us ticking an immigration form stating our country of origin? Is it just a denomination we use to reply to others who ask us which country we are from? Is it nothing but a name and no more? Lets look back to nearly half a century and see what we had to go through to get to this point in history. Multiple races finding their destinies entwined in a foreign land, staying on because of the promise of opportunities and a place to call home, hardships and wars, having to forge a nation from so many diverse patches of origins, people, religion and background can be a daunting task. We might gripe and complain that things are not right in the country, we may bellyache about the corrupt and incompetence of our politicians, our growing mistrust and fragmented society, our unjust and self-defeating lack of meritocracy and fairness but we must also take to mind that we have a lot to thank for. Where as could've gone the way of Yugoslavia with its endless sectarian and racial wars and terror leading to its eventual breakdown as a country, we are still very much vibrant and intact as a people and as a country. So what does that say about us? No country is perfect.

For this Merdeka, forget about the political infighting, the actions of extremist and fanatics that want to paint us Malaysians as a intolerable, bigoted and fascist bunch, the ever present corruption and injustice. What Merdeka means to us is freedom, freedom to do right or wrong but by our own. If we fail than we have only ourselves to blame. Politicians would always like to remind you that the success of the country is due to the Government and how they have led us the past 50 or so years. I say the success of this country lies more in the ordinary people that have given their sweat and blood to build this country up. As great as leaders such as Tunku Abdul Rahman and those lesser leaders that has followed in his footsteps, Malaysia would not be a reality if not for the man on the street. So let it be a celebration among us the rakyat and that no matter how bad things are on the top, we as a nation led by the actions of the individuals chart a course that will bring us to greater heights.

When the national anthem Negaraku starts playing, stand tall and sing, not for the politicians, not for the government but for your country and for yourselves. Happy Merdeka Day come Monday.

2009-08-28T22:20:00.002+08:00

Glen Hansard - Falling Slowly Lyrics

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

How to Continue Loving in a Relationship?

2009-08-22T18:14:00.001+08:00

Ask me again in the next lifetime. I'm too hurt and fed up with it to want to go through it again.

Life Wasn't Suppose to Be Fair Was It?

2009-08-08T10:15:00.004+08:00

It's been a really tough year and it doesn't look like it will get any easier as the days goes by. I've been hurt like I've never ever been before and I feel so lost. My mother was hospitalised for the best of a month and during that time it really took a toll on my dad who's getting on in age. My colleagues in the office has been in a sort of musical chairs this year as well with the result that the familiar faces of three years ago can now be counted on one hand. Friend's who you thought were genuine turns out to be double faced, turning their back when you need their support and getting snubbed in the process. I've enough heart breaks alone to really make me believe that it's no longer worth it to love anyone because it always ends in you being hurt. I've people that makes you feel inadequate, down and god damn useless. Most of all I'm lonely.

I've never really felt alone in KL before this. Its the most densely populated city in Malaysian so within such a sea of humanity how can one truly be alone? I've no close family here. Maybe everyone is just right, it's just me, the anitsocial, the hopeless socialite. Most people never know how hard it is to befriend someone, and when you think you found someone, it turns out you get back stabbed later. I've always known that I'm not the best in anything, I just try to be me, but it is never good enough. It's always something wrong with me, something not right, something non-conformist that others view as if you are like some social pariah. When you hear people at the edge you wonder how can anyone drop as far down to the point that life seems no longer liveable. It's scary that these few months the thoughts that I have to the point that I've to slap myself back to reality in case I really resort to something stupid. Pouring yourself in work helps, at least you're tired out at the end of the day to the point that you don't care anymore.

I just want to laugh again, I just ask for some happiness, I just want to be accepted and loved. Yet these simple things seem so hard that I wake up crying for no reason at all. I feel depressed and down and I have no one to turn to or want to turn to. I know this is quite scary but I'm taking things day by day hoping to move forward as much as I can. Being self pitiful isn't healping I know but I've to get through this. The lesson I learnt, getting close to someone makes you vunerable to get hurt, helping someone out doesn't always mean that someone will help you back when you are in need, being a man isn't manly unless you fit the stereotypical mold cast for all Herculean image that a man should be; masculine, confident, brash, action oriented and good looking.

When can people learn that imperfections makes us us, that there is no perfect person, that there is no such things as a happily ever after. Life is hard and yet it should not be so. I've always excepted that flaws and imperfection in others, I may not like certain people but I never fault them for it. We may not always agree but can't we be earnest and agree to disagree at times. When you try to be understanding and kind, people say you are weak and soft, when you decide to turn the other cheek, people say you don't stand up for yourself or that you re without principles, you give people space and not try to find arguments, you are called indecisive and without leadership, you try to find amicable middle ground and you end up ostracizing both ends. Maybe the flaws in me is that I'm too patient, that I ask others to act without being pushy, that I am willing to take the abuse and angry shouts and consternations because I don't want to be antagonistic, that I don't pick fights, smoke gamble or drink, that I'm perceived to be weak and it hurts. I seriously does. Well maybe life with the motto of 'survival of the fittest' isn't working for me. Maybe I'm not suited to live life at all.

Sigh Good day to you all may you all have it better then me.

Daicon 2009 - Cosplay Galore Part 2

2009-07-13T23:45:00.003+08:00

Otaku news from Malaysia always seems to be on the bad light and especially from Sankaku Complex a site well known to highlight the seedier side of Japanese visual and animation culture and lovingly take pot shots of China which must be swelling his page views each time he does that. Funny bit is that Malaysia also generates preety much bad vibes from the site blogger. The latest news is about Daicon 2009 which the web mentions about an incident where a manic otaku fan actually went up to swipe Chihara Minori's Evian water and began to execute an 'indirect kiss' by sipping the very bottle she just had taken from. The writeup can be found HERE. Oh well I wasn't there the second day so the verity of what actually happened is lost to me but I'm sure in this age and time with so many people with digital cameras, videos and camera phones there must be something floating about on the net.

Anyway, continuing my blogging with more shots of the cosplayers during Daicon 2009. Again if you are the one depicted or know of that person please feel free to contact me and I'll send the high res photos to you as thanks for posing. Here goes:

Daicon 2009 - Cosplay Galore Part 1

2009-07-12T01:01:00.004+08:00

Cosplaying is an intriguing form of anime/ manga fandom with people making elaborate costumes in the likes of their facourite character. Made well coupled with talent from the cosplayer, the results can be fantastic. The showing at the Daicon 2009 at Multimedia University were a testemant to how cosplay has become part of Malaysian culture as well. The participants really went all out. To me the most impressive showing were the girls cosplaying as the girls from K!-on, particularly of Mio and Yui. Guess Ritsu and the others weren't as popular. Don't see much of other more popular anime recently such as Macross, Code Geass and others. On the other hand old favourites such as Haruhi Suzumiya, Bleach and Naruto still show popular strength as can be seen in the turnout. Maids in maid costumes were beautifully done but not much of other typical costumes such as nekomimi, miko or suzimizu can be found. Other notables noticed during this saturday were the Mario Brothers, oldies but still gold more due to the infectious cheerfulness of the guy playing Mario than anything. The two Dantes were good and costume well done but they have to put more in the act to define the carefree macho guy Dante is. Others not participating in the cosplay contest can be seen throughout the convention. Cute and moe characters do dominate with a profusion of goth-loli and lolita fashion, the Ouran Host Club was also popular. Not forgetting the dancing storm trooper Danny Choo which gave quite a showing with his MJ dance and antics to the applause of the audience. Tomorrow is another day of event so expect to see more cosplayers.

Daicon 2009

2009-07-11T22:32:00.004+08:00

It's been quite a long day but one that is refreshingly positive. I actually only heard about Daicon 2009 when it was posted on Animenews.com, guess the local promotion was slow or lacking else confined to a small circuit of groups. Anyway, I always wanted to head to a anime, manga, cosplay, otaku fest. Since this time it falls on 11 - 12 July 2009 of which I'm actually physically in KL and without anything to do I headed to Cyberjaya for the Multimedia University where the event was being held.

Here is a summary of what to expect:

"Daicon is a celebration of Japanese Modern Visual Culture held in Malaysia at the Multimedia University. Daicon 2009 features various visual arts activities inspired by Japan including cosplay contest, doujinshi booths, figure collection display from Gundam, Macross and other anime as well as the appearance and concert from Chihara Minori."

Highlights of the 11th and what to expect tomorrow:

(1) Cosplayers

Both days have scheduled cosplay events, the individual cosplayers on Saturday and group cosplay on Sunday. The quality of the costumes were good especially the seifuku and goth loli inspired K!-on groups. The cosplayers were a friendly bunch who didn't hessitate to pose when asked. Some characters were too fun, the two guys playing Mario and Luigi were just barrels of smiles, the Dantes from Devil May Cry were more macho and kept on crossing their swords and pistols. The most attention grabbers must surely be the girl playing Haruhi in her bunny suit and concert getup as well as the people who were K!-on crazy, very elaborate and great setup. The setup and management of the contest was a bit of a letdown as the sound system wasn't really top notch, music drowning the cosplayers speech and technical problems here and there. I think the cosplayers were more animated and active in the waiting areas with the photographers then they were on stage. The finals were also not as thrilling as I had hoped but never being in a cosplay contest before not really sure how others are handled.

(2) Sales Booths

Lots of booth setup throughout the hall. Some are selling artwork and doujinshi from local artists. The most popular must be the merchandizing booth where people had to lineup to view the stuff on sale. Not much of a selection and prices can go off the roof (a t-shirt at RM114), the items include character mugs, folios, writing pads, t-shirts, stickers, etc. Come early to ensure you get the best stuff and avoid a 30 minute waiting time.

(3) Figurine Display

Several booths on display throughout the hall. The most impressive must be the figurines from the various animes and games. The organisers were a bit strict to enforce photographers behind a predetermined lined, understandably since one of these figurines can run up to 4,000 yen. The models were top notch and must be worth the huge moolah forked out. Glimpse lovely bikini clad idolmasters, the entire haruhi and lucky star neroids, hatsune miku, hayate, Ah! My Goddess, Tears to Tiara, Chobits, you name it. The other booth of interest is the Malaysian Macross Fan stall with models of the various Macross crafts particularly those from the latest Macross Frontier. A Gundam building contest is one of the events going on as well.

(4) Karaoke Contest

Karaoke contest today. Opinions are mixed. On one hand I can safely say 80% (90% if I'm mean) can't sing to save their life. I either have to admire their bravery and guts to go up in front of a few hundred people and sing with broken high notes, out of pitch, or totally messed up the beautiful songs that anime can provide. There were a few shining moments, those that can sing can realllyyy sing. But overall it was just an ear splitting experience, doesn't help that the hall is not sound proof and the din from the booths mixed in with the singing, and again the bad sound system all contributed to quite a fracas.

(5) Board Games and Maid Cafe

A slew of board games challenges (Zooloretto, Settlers of Catan, Jungle Speed) were ongoing throughout the day. A Go competition was running at the same time. A maid cafe was also being run at one corner of the hall. Didn't go in to take a look but judging from some of the wandering maids they don't look half bad. This was unlike the creepy feeling of realising that 2D cutesy girls in maid costume works better as they are than their 3D counterparts when I was at Singapore.

(6) Chihari Minori Q&A and Concert

Guest star for the event is of course the much touted seiyu Chihari Minori who played various animes most famous of course being Nagato Yuki in Haruhi Suzumiya. She was holding a Q&A session today with a concert tomorrow. Both events are pay events though so be ready to fork out a minimum of RM50 for seats and RM250 for exclusive access to the voice actress including posing Q&A and getting her autograph.

for those that missed the events today you all still have a chance tomorrow. Further information can be obtained at the website HERE.

For additional photos of todays events check out my FLICKR Page. Oh if anyone featured in the photos wishes for a high res photo please contact me. Also thanks to those that allowed themselves to be photographed and apologies if sometimes I was caught impromptu photographing.

Laveenia Sivalingam's Arangantrem

2009-07-06T22:24:00.003+08:00

Congratulations to Laveenia and thank you for allowing us to share in this day of yours where you took to the stage and dance your heart and soul for the audience and for the Gods. I have so much to say about your three hour performance but I was left breathless at anticipating each new twist, each turn of your form and the multitude of expressions you presented that left everyone in awe. If I had words to say I would comment that you showed great confidence on stage and there was never a moment that you looked in doubt of your own ability, which was honed in the countless hours of grueling practice and choreography. You also looked full of joy and pleasure at dancing, each step bringing about smiles and pleasure as if truly you are in communion with the deities. So I hope that you will be able to continue gracing the stage and let the audience enjoy the wonder that is Indian classical dance.

Thank You for Visiting the Exhibition

2009-07-05T20:43:00.004+08:00

Thanks everyone for visiting the exhibition.

Thank you to those that gave their limited time to come all the way to KLPAC for the joint exhibition by Visithra and I. The turnout from people I know were mixed but there were so many out there that gave their support by just attending and viewing the exhibits. To these people (you all know who you are) I am truly grateful to know that our friendship over the years means so much to the lot of you. First off would be from T'san and Mira for being the first to attend early on Saturday and the lovely bouquet of flowers presented to us. Then there was Kwang Meng and brother and Lay Cheng,I'm really touched that you all actually made it all the way from Ipoh to attend and walking the long distance from the KTM distance to KLPAC. Then to Kuok Sum for bringing (dragging hehe) his two lovely ladies from Toastmasters to come and visit especially since they just had to attend a meeting themselves. Jeremy Tok and his German counterparts for making an appearance. The old Master's gang, May Yen, Cheng Yi, Pei Ni and family for taking time off their ever so busy schedule and its was great catching up with everybody. My cousin Gary (Wai Ken) and his lovely girlfriend, sorry for not being able to entertain you all as I should since I was watching the Mak Yong performance. Joe and Faridah for giving us the support and space for our exhibition and for becoming our first patron.s Ripi and Ali for coming over to see us and everyone else that may not have been mentioned.

It has been quite an experience for those three weeks. It is my first exhibition and those few weekends sitting there and watching the crowd is an experience that I truly enjoyed. It touched us that so many took time before, in between or after performances to linger and comment on the photos, some even reading the articles (wordy as they were) line by line, it really shows that the effort putting those up were not wasted. I especially am intrigued that my photo of the Indian temple corridor was the one garnering so much attention, even to a point that a man walking on the opposite side of the hall made a 90 degree turn and headed straight for that one photo. Some took time to go one by one to view all 20 photos, others were more interested in particular pieces.

We wanted the exhibition to be fun yet informative. We had some people asking about the photo on Agathian Home and inquiring how they can get in touch with them. Others were interested in the shots of Pekeliling Flats, we had a few people mentioning they used to stay there and it was nostalgic. So once the three weeks were up it was a decision that was not wasted, even if we didn't turn a profit, the experience left us more the richer for it and I fell in love with KLPAC. If not for the exhibition I would not have known what joy it was to enjoy the arts. I went for my first theatre performance which cost me only RM15 and loved the Mak Yong which featured a stellar cast ensemble. I went to watch a Shakespearean play by the Young People's Theater and loved it. I was invited to attend an alternative dance to celebrate the solstice and got dragged as part of their show, led in arm (against my will) to be the centerpiece, Viz must have been laughing all the way seeing me dragged as such. I finally got to attend Urbanscapes 2009 and had a blast. I plan to continue this love of the arts and if there is a chance for another exhibition the decision will be clear. It was a lot of work and I really have to thank my partner for the hard work she put in, especially for the posters, without her this might not have pulled off. We still have photos for sale so if you are interested please contact us for the price. We are also releasing limited prints so if interested do call or get in touch. Again thanks everyone.

Exhibition 01 - Childish Innocense

2009-07-04T17:08:00.005+08:00

Location : Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (2008)
Camera : Canon EOS 400 D
Photographer : Chong Sim Chung

Many people know about the immigrant issue in Sabah, yet we seek to shroud our eyes from the fact that the majority of the locals here in Kota Kinabalu and similar towns are in fact foreigners. With its historically fluid borders with Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines, many arrive to seek a better life on Sabah’s shore. Walk by the stretch of coast along the modern Wawasan Square and Le Meridian Hotel and you will see the rows of wooden sheds and makeshift stalls at the local Kota Kinabalu Market. During market day, early in the morning or at the night market, one sight you cannot miss would be the large number of children, from as young as five to teenagers loitering the area.

These children are the street children of Sabah, the legacy of unfettered immigration, both legal and illegal to the State. Most of these children are without citizenship and thus are not entitled to education, healthcare and social benefits we enjoy. They will not be in schools or experience the normal childhood Malaysian children often take for granted. They live day-by-day in limbo, surviving the harsh reality bequeathed onto them, losing their innocence early in life.

Most follow their parents who are traders here or act individually to serve as bag carriers to the myriad people shopping for groceries, exchanging services for a few cents of coins which will likely be used to supplement their parent's meager earnings to ensure that they survive the day with food and shelter if any are to be had.

Yet if you meet them they are just like any other children with the innocence and joviality that only children can show. They smile, they play with whatever they can find, they laugh, they cry and they dream as any of us would. They show a spirit un-broken, not even by the difficult life they lead. They find simple pleasures in their surrounding and show a bond with each other that surprises you. These photos tell their stories so they we never turn a blind eye again.

in/Visible - Joint Photo Exhibition (Kervin/ Visithra)

2009-05-16T09:55:00.005+08:00

It's been a long cherished wish of mine to be able to share my photos and this is one step in the long path. I will be having my first exhibition in a joint venture with Visithra to be held at KLPAC from 1 - 14 June 2009. Entrance is free so I hope that you will be able to join us on our photographic journey.

Why did we call the exhibition in/Visible you may ask. We both have been shooting around Malaysia, in places both remote and familiar. In KL alone, walking by the city we often find ourselves in familiar sights, the large malls, the busy streets, the gardens, commercial areas, food stalls and tourisy attractions. In our haste to get from one place to the other, we often miss so much of our surroundings, and you'd be amazed to find that in the most improbable places, there is beauty. The theme also fits with both our passion in the living soul of KL and not just its infrastructure and places. It's the people that makes KL a living breathing place that throbs with life, without its people, the city is dead. Our Country is rapidly developing and in that haste we often forget or choose not to see the less privelaged in our society, the folks living in shanty towns and remnant villages amidst the sea of concrete jungle, the kids and orphans that is trying their best to live on while facing whatever challenges they face, the disabled and infirmed and the foreigners and drifters that we depend so much for our development, all these are invisible to us. That's what we want to show people, that we have to open our eyes, take a step back and appreciate what makes our Country as it is today, what makes us Malaysian.

The general synopsis of our exhibition is as follow:

We often breeze through life seeing things without connecting to our surroundings. The duality of our surroundings is revealed, only when we stop, for a moment, and view through unclouded eyes.

Shot in various places across Malaysia, using Canon point and shoot; and DSLR cameras, the exhibition aims to capture the spirit of the photographers, Visithra and Kervin who have found a convergence in photography through a shared passion in life.

We hope that you would take time off to drop by the gallery, KLPAC is an astonishing venue and you'll love the gardens, art space and old buildings found in its grounds.

Visit our Facebook event page to sign on or to find out on updates. See you there and thank you.

The Sun Sets

2008-12-13T15:54:00.004+08:00

Sometimes you wonder if the sun is setting in your life ending in darkness or its just a respite for an even more glorious dawning.

Faces of the Times

2008-12-12T08:15:00.003+08:00

A handshake speaks volumes of these people, even when we had no means of communication.

In the small town of Dengkil, you can meet a microcosm of what Malaysia truly is. Walking by the local mosque during Aildil Adha after the morning sermons were finished, the group of people streaming out would be familiar to any Malaysian at present. All were Bangladeshis who form part of the 2 million or so immigrants and foreigners that call Malaysia home for economic reasons. As they exit the mosque, these people who are often more misunderstood most of the time show a side that we don't often acknowledge, that they are just as human as any resident here in the country. Seeing their compartiots, they openly welcome each other by giving hugs and embraces, surprisingly a gesture that many locals would not even deign to show citing impropriety of public indecency.

In a land which they don't speak the lingua franca (I tried but was replied by a mix of body language and facial expressions), often working in the lowest paying jobs that Malaysians scoff at, they often only have themselves to rely on. Looking back at our nation's history this is a glimpse of what our forefathers endured, living in ramshackled conditions, far away from home anf often exploited and at worse endured suffering and death. The camaraderie and friendship shown by these people only serve to define what Malaysians are and what we can expect the demographs to be in future, some foreign nationals already surpasses the legal numbers of certain races in the country, so how do we define ourselves as a nation? Do we still go by race, religion and political affiliations? Or do we look beyond and treat a citizen as anyone who contributes to the nation, a nation of melting pot that is not one or the other but of the whole.

Another quark we seen in this town is a reflection that Malaysia is very much a multicultural and tolerant nation, even if this was truer in the past then present. A stone throw away from the main road of Dengkil we can see the mosque that the Bangladeshis stream out from, is also a Chinese temple set up in the early 30s and further down is a small roadside shrine and temple manned by Hindu Priests. If the proximity of structures of various religion is not enough, we bumped into a Chinese uncle seating on the five foot walkway who greeted my Indian friend with so fluent Tamil that she was amazed that he spoke even better than most Indians, and this was his only language. Times are changing and multiculturalism is giving way to racism and narrow minded politics. We should take a leaf from the little town of Dengkil, located near to the ultra modern administrative capital of Putrajaya (of which is nearly all Malays), that we as a nation are more than the sum of our race, religion and beliefs and we share this land with each other, for better or for worse.

Talking on the phone to home.

All smiles and as charming in wit, he must be the most fluent and eloquant Tamil speaker that Visithra had met.

Bangladeshis waiting off the rain after morning sermons at the mosque.

Rise the Chauvanistic Generation

2008-12-01T20:08:00.005+08:00

You take one step and you think that Malaysia is finally shaking off its racial polarization after being haunted for so long by it and the next thing we find is that instead of making progress it feels like we make a back slide to the bottom and we have to start again. I believe that many Malaysians are moderate, pragmatic and progressive that wishes to be left in peace to make a living for themselves and their family but there are groups out there that revel, enjoy even being in the limelight and would not be shy to use what ever means to achieve their 5 minutes of fame.

Race relations have been a thorny issue for too long especially since many quarters have been shooting their mouth out, questioning the origin of the people of Malaysia, harping on imposing religious laws onto others and now we have a group of so called 'Malay Chauvinists' that decided that they would wake up and so Datuk Chua Soil Lek for RM 2 million for comments made that he would support Malay rights but not Malay supremacy.

It's quite a tragic comedy, one which I know not to laugh or cry. In the age when Obama made history in breaking into mainstream America as the first black president we have people like Mohd Apis who heads the Young Malay Graduates Movement. It sends a thingling feeling in me to image that these are the leaders of tomorrow, people who have been weaned on tax payers money, paid to be sent to study overseas, landing cosy and comfy government positions and contracts and getting fat at the expense of other people that are more derserving than them. It is surely a farce to see tax payers money bringing up bigots, racists and race chauvanists into our society.

A look at their web page and other of their ilks show that they are neither intellectuals, contributors of society or even decent human beings. The entire page could even be called seditious and a danger to security, moreso than Raja Petra's blog or even the entire Hindraf movement and maybe a sprinkle of Ayah Pin Combined. Rather then rant and rave I'll let readers decide for themselves on what is written and decide are these proxy of UMNO and running lapdogs worth even our time to lambest or should they be pitied that in a world where diversity should be encouraged they chose to be narrow minded and retrograde.

GGMM Webpage
Perak Bangkit
Keris Pusaka Melayu
YEOPerak
Pemuda Enggang
Empayar Malaya
Panglima Perang Cyber

If they are so keen to sue Dr Chua, let them look back in history as well as brush up on their kenegaraan where the constitution safeguards the rights of all races, religion and rights. Then the orang asli should pay Mr Apis a visit with a petition to collect on payment rendered for:

(a) invading and displacing the kaum pribumi/ orang asli from their ancestral land
(b) infringing and trampling on the rights, culture and lifestyle of the orang asli
(c) disregard the orang asli as bumiputera whereby they have as much right and even more to be here than immigrants from tanah melayu
(d) pay back interests for the years that malay imigrants have been residing and inhabiting this land which belongs to them

I think RM2 million is too little don't you think?

The Mannequin Graveyard

2008-10-21T22:45:00.002+08:00

It's often amazing what you can stumble into. Was walking to Laman 2008 when passing through Muzium Negara we saw this display. The workers were discarding tons of used mannequins used for displays.

It's amazing to see the details on some of these pieces and when I saw them being loaded it hit my mind a question "Where do mannequins go when they die?" We'll we stumbled into one such resting place, it was scary how life like they were and how creepy a pile of them look, it almost human in tragedy to see them.

Still its sad to see them discarded, I imagine they have been on display for years sitting in the stuffy museum displays for people to see them in their historical regalia. Now they are striped naked, bare and discarded as if they are junk. It is a sad fate.

Kampung Baru Ramadhan Food Trail

2008-10-19T14:30:00.003+08:00

This is the first time I saw fried popiah with chili padi in it, was nice but not as crispy as I liked.

One thing I look forward every time its puasa is the stalls of food selling lovely stuff for berbuka puasa. Nowadays its so common to find a pasar Ramadhan in almost every single location here in Kuala Lumpur each with its own variety of foodstuff though the more common fare are always present no matter where you go, just the quality differs. I've heard complaints once that many of these stalls often pop up just during Ramadhan when people are out to get some extra cash for Hari Raya and thus the quality of the food served are questionable, how good can it be if its only available just one month of the year by a cook who doesn't specialised in cooking? True there are the bad from the good but generally I find the atmosphere of the pasar more delightful then the food served. Its often busy with people browsing and puchasing food, the sights and sounds and the pushing and shoving to get at price morsels along with the shouts and stunts of the stall keepers trying to attract customers to their stall (who wouldn't as competition is stiff, imagine there were 10 murtabak stalls in a single street). You can tell which are popular by the lines forming and during this year at Kg Baru, I saw a queue a street long for a particular murtabak stall and they had 5 skillets going at once and still can't keep up.

The stalls at Kg Baru streched several streets long with all kinds of foodstuff. There were murtabak, nasi campur, ayam pangang, goreng pisang, apom, drinks, roti jala, roti john, kepak ayam, nasi kerabu, som tham, mee and meehoon goreng, etc. Visithra, Praveen and I went about purhcasing from most of the stalls to test the food there. Sadly it wasn't as nice as I expected compared to the one we went to at Subang last year. The som tham we had was tasteless, the nasi was ok though but on the pricey side (ayam, sambal and sayur for RM5.50 is a bit much) and the restaurant we went to served my two Indian friends tom yam with beef inside and asked us back what was the problem. But it was nice walking about and enjoying the atmosphere there, the best sight we had, the Kg Baru mosque distributing the famous bubur lambuk for free to the crowd.

Ayam Perchik is one of the dishes I look forward to every Ramadhan.

Kepak Ayam being sold on skewers.

A shy stall owner making ikan bakar.

Variety of juices were on sale.

The famous murtabak stall where the crowd were just lining up to buy as soon as it left the skillet.

Roti jala being made.

Roti jala goes great with chicken curry.

Ikan keli masak sambal my favourite!

Roti John, just that the guy was handling it with bare hands.

Otak-otak freshly made to order.

Prepacked drinks is just a thrist quencher after a hot day out.

Street Children of Kota Kinabalu Part 2

2008-10-19T14:08:00.003+08:00

If eyes could talk this girl would have much to say. Hanging about all day at the Kota Kinabalu wet market, carrying baggage for a few cents seven days a week.

Street Kid, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

So young yet having to work to sustain life.

Smile when hardships are upon you is one way to get you through difficult times.

Curiosity and inquisitiveness are still part of this child though her childhood is long gone.

One of the countless bag children in the Kota Kinabalu Market. Plastic bags tucked into her clothes and a pouch to hold the change she gets for her service and nothing else but the clothes on her back.

Moving on, she walks by looking for the next customer to offer her a few cents to carry their bags. At least its an honest living.

Averting his eyes from me, a chance shot managed to obtain a portrait of this kid.

Elsewhere in another life, she may have grown up to be a beauty enough to grace the catwalk, yet her beauty never diminishes even in her present condition.

Hunger is a constant companion, without means for a proper meal this kid was sucking on the discarded sauce for fruits, something most of us never think about throwing away.

Through Different Eyes - Street Kids of Kota Kinabalu Part 1

2008-10-12T21:47:00.004+08:00

Having a little fun at my expense, this cheeky little bugger is too cute to kill.

I always wanted to do a photo essay on the subject of street kids in Kota Kinabalu at its ironic that I only managed to get about it now when I was there for a day when I had five years previously to do so. These kids comprise of both locals and foreigners particularly those from the Philippines and Indonesia whose parents arrive here through both legal and illegal means. Most of then are without citizenships and thus are not entitled to education, health and social benefits that we enjoy, in other words they live in limbo from day to day. Yet if you meet them they are just like any other children with the innocence and joviality that only children can possess. Most follow their parents who are traders here or act individually to serve as bag carriers to the myriad people shopping for groceries at the Kota Kinabalu Market, exchanging services for a few cents of coins which will likely be used to supplement their parent's meager earnings to ensure that they survive the day with food and shelter if any are to be had. These photos tell their stories and we may have to look at ourselves and question who is entitled to be citizens and who are the foreigners, particularly in Sabah.

Different reaction from different kids are the norm, some are natural posers that will keep on following me to get in front of my shots, others are more reserved like this kid who stares warily, others are just plain afraid and hid from my lens probably from advice not to have their face so easily identifiable in case I'm from the authority.

Portage for cash, offering to carry heavy packs of vegetables and meat for customers for a few cents.

In the absence of any family structure, kids find other avenues to give them a sense of belonging, forging close ties with one another as if thats the only form of 'family' they will ever see.

Unabashed, this guy got in front of my camera countless of times and kept on saying 'ambil gambar ambil gambar!'

Are we exploiting them or are we helping them to earn a living? Western child labour laws isn't known here.

A look straight from Dicken's novel as if he's saying "Please sir can I have some more?"

Though he may look shabby and messy his eyes shone with an intelligence borne more from surviving on the streets than any formal learning.

Life isn't too hard if there are others of similar situations as these boys gang up together.

Taking a moment to rest in her mother's arms as she mans the vegetable stall at Kota Kinabalu Market.

XDR Tuberculosis - James Nachtwey

2008-10-04T00:09:00.000+08:00

Normal tuberculosis, if treated diligently, is very inexpensive and doesn’t take very long to cure. But if normal TB is not treated, it mutates and becomes 100 times more expensive, requires a two-year cure and a long stay in the hospital, which many of those infected cannot afford.

The thought of XDR getting out of control is truly frightening.

Check out one of the many live showings of James Nachtwey’s photos around the world.
Go to www.xdrtb.org to view the photos, learn more about XDR-TB, spread the story and take action to stop the disease.
Pick up a copy of this week’s TIME magazine to see an eight page spread of the photos

I Used to Believe

2008-09-13T10:43:00.003+08:00

I used to believe that BN was still redeemable even after the defeat in March 8 and its subsequent rhetorics into a party for all Malaysians.

I used to believe that for all its faults and failings the ISA was a tool that could be used to control the more extreme elements in society to ensure peace in the country.

I used to believe that Abdullah was a fair man that actually has the heart of the country in mind and with at least a bit of fairness to all races.

I used to believe that even at the nadir of political success, the MCA, Gerakan, MIC and all other component parties will still have the interests of the Non-Bumis at heart even with the domination of UMNO.

I used to believe that March 8 marked a maturing of democracy that will bring Malaysia forward into a better country.

I used to believe that race based politics and divide and rule politics have once and for all been sent back to the stone edge.

I used to believe that it was immoral and unfair to voters that Anwar wanted to wrest control of the contry by hook of by crook.

Now i believe a transitional change in administration is too long overdue and should be achieved by any means as even its better to have an untried government than a morally brankrupt government we have now. The arrest of RajaPetra, Teresa Kok and Tan from Sin Chew has also shown that the Abdullah government has no respect for the new media, the old media and the opposition who are no longer opposition and the use of the draconic ISA shows that it has no respect for due process. It pains me to see the real culprits aka UMNO and Ahmad Ismail go scott free while the messengers of the rakyat are the one punished. What happened to the whistle blower protection bill? I used to think that if BN reformed that I will still vote for them in the coming elections but as things are I don't think I will ever again turn to BN, I'd rather vote PAS than MCA. It is a lesson to all Malaysians today that a government which no longer cares of the rakyat should not be allowed to hold the reigns of power ever and this is what BN has shown now. MCA and Gerakan should divest their interests in the coalition which is now a sinking ship.