Monday 11 March 2013

About Musa and Sambas and My Extended Family

I found this while browsing the net which I think would be interesting to those who wants to know a little bit about the Tausug terrorist Musa who was killed by our forces.  The article links the two to the Jabidah massacre incident in 1968.  It is an interesting read.

On another note, I find it very difficult to write about anything else at the moment, with Lahad Datu occupying my attention.  I am spending the bulk of my time on the net scouring for news, roaming the military forums, and of course finding out as much as I could about our security forces, downloading the impressive photos of our men and their armaments for my collection ... (heh .. blame that pinoy OBEY who got me into this ..)  However, since I know nuts about military matters, I am not going to write about something I know nothing about.  Leave it to the experts, I say.

My areas of knowledge are far more mundane and some can say rather shallow.  I am more comfortable talking about Birkins, the must-have accessory of fashionistas, than say, the Glock Gen4 that was recently chosen by PDRM for our police.  I have far better knowledge on how to spot a fake Chanel 2.55 than a fake IC.

Until a couple of years ago, I also know nuts about politics.  When I decided to make Johor my base, I was determined to just do my job and not get too involved directly.  I went around the state, telling myself that I was just getting to know the locals, familiarising myself with my surroundings, and finding my roots in the state where I was born.  I was going to be detached from the politics.

But I wasn't prepared for the warmth, hospitality and acceptance of the people, most especially the kampung folks that I met.  I have been to the fishing villages of Penyabong, the Orang Asli village of Kampung Peta, the villages near Tanjong Kapal, the folks in Pulau Pisang, the various kampungs in Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Batu Pahat, Kluang and Segamat.  I couldn't help myself.  I fell in love with them, think of them like they are family, because they treated me like family.

And they are largely Umno members, some are community leaders, but mostly are ordinary grassroots members who are simple folks with simple needs, forming the majority of the almost 400,000 Umno members in Johor.  In some places, the social activities and way of life in the village are interwoven with the local Umno activities, that you can't separate the two.  They are hardworking, honest folks, and it hurts me to read the nasty comments being hurled at these people.

It is difficult for me to just let go of the generalised insults and vile names being heaped on these people by those who have better access to modern facilities, drive more expensive cars, earn more money and have more assets than them.  To me, these folks are the real Umno, and they are precious to me.

36 comments:

  1. Kat Johor being Umno is just not abt politics and bertanding. It's a community. We help each other during kenduri kawin, gotong royong to clean the kg, teach the youngster ngaji Quran, ajar tuition, hold aqiqah, cukur jambul whtever together.
    This was how it was in my area. Semangat tu ada lagi tapi with older generation dying and ppl moving away, it too is slowly withering.
    I am nostalgic pulak.

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    1. And that is precisely why I love the kampungs here in Johor.

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  2. what are you trying to say, bigcat tinsel?

    - Hantu Siber -

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    1. Reading about Musa and Sambas remind me that maybe if life had been different for them, they might not be who they were. If they have had different opportunities ... which makes me think about our own people, my extended family here in Johor, if they had been fed with the hatred and envy of what could have been like the Tausugs ... LOL, I am being complicated again.

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  3. Kampong people are generally very polite and humble ,but not necessary they are not well informed about the outside worlds as TV and radio are well served in that area nowadays .
    Being humble and polite in their upbringing ,the Malays in the kampong normally wont show that they know things, especially to the outsider ,making them [the outsider] think that they know less,but if you mix freely long enough with them ,don't be surprise they understand the worlds better.

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    1. Agreed, but their priorities are different from the middle class urbanites, they are simpler to understand in that way.

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  4. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....where's the old BigCat...this one is cocky ...got self-esteem issues.. check the need to angkat diri sendiri... got european blood lah konon.... birkins fugly bags ( jsut bcos its a symbol of $$$$) who cares ....plus the freaking false modesty... blergghh.

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    1. If this place has become boring for you, why are you here? Even take the time to comment some more. Don't have a life ke? So what if I like the look of birkins and 2.55? It's my taste, and my money, it is up to me how I want to spend it, and on what.

      And what is so bad about having European blood? Is it of a lesser quality than Asian blood? Kasta rendah ke kalau ada European blood? So what is so great about having pure Asian blood anyway?

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  5. Umno umno umno.....

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  6. UMNO is about brainwashing the common poor Malays to support the UMNOputra. The UMNOputra got millions in cow project but the common Malay have to beg the BR1M money. When other starts to query the cronyism and corruption of UMNO, the UMNOputra use the naive common Malay to defend their wealth (including the wealth of the non Malay cronies).

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    1. The hatred in you has blinded you to realities. As far as I am concerned, these kampung folks are the real face Umno. Your fight is among your greedy selves, don't involve us the ordinary folks. You are the one being brainwashed to hate without distinction, you are the urban Musa and Sambas, you are the one waging war of hatred against the majority of peace loving people. Your fight is about getting what you want at all costs. You think they are poor, but they don't consider themselves poor. They could have become like you, a middle-class self-centred miscontent, and many indeed did, but those who stayed in the kampung don't, because their wealth is not measured in the same terms that you measure yours. They choose the life they live.

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    2. You see, this is why I and many other people hate Pakatan people. You speak as if Pakatoons cannot get loans, cannot do business, and don't get the government's help.

      The common Malay has to beg for BR1M? Where? Show me where laa, lembu. While you're at it, why don't you show me how single mothers and the elderly in Selangor have been getting their promised allowance from the state government.

      Oh, wait. They haven't been getting them. That's why their suing the MB. Is this also the same as your "begging"?

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  7. I found out that orang Johor have a certain sense of togetherness that for me is absent elsewhere. It has its roots in their unique education, their adat, their respect for their Sultan, among other things.

    Some people might not be able to tell it apart from Malay culture elsewhere, but for me it is noticeable. For me, it's really appealing because they are able to do this without being obsessively clannish about it.

    To say it plainly, other places with strong self-identity are almost assobiyah in nature. In Johor, though, they happily welcome you into their fold.

    So yeah, I know what you're talking about.

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    1. Yes, we are very together here in Johor. We haven't lost the ability to use our grey matter. We lost some to the tribe of morons, but as they say, but you can't win 'em all.

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  8. It is sad for me to see so many Malaysian are qualified for the BR1M subsidy. This just prove that after 55 years of UMNO dictatorship, they fail to raise the standard of living of these malaysian especially the Malays. After 55 years you still see Bumiputras especially those in East Malaysia live below extreme povelty without even the basic amenities. The UMNOputra continue to rob billions from the rakyat and we must stop these.

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    1. yeah yeah.. all in the name of helping the poor..

      how bout those urban rich chinese, indians and malays? what do you do in return to the government who has made you filthy rich? turn your back and claim it is all your effort and hard work and bite the gvernmt's hand that has been feeding you?

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    2. A dictatorship that allows the opposition pact of evil to win and ruin 4 states? 55 years of absolute power that has created an economic development that brought our per capita GDP from USD814 in 1960 to USD5,364 in 2012? Just because you are capable of doing the dirty deeds you accuse others of, doesn't make it true. You would do it if you had the chance, wouldn't you? That's why you wanted power so much, regardless of the outcome, isn't it?

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    3. Those filthy riches are mainly the cronies of UMNOputra. At their level, there is no racism. Racism is used by them to fool the common Malay to divide and rule and to defend their wealth. They may be filthy rich but the common non Malays are still poor as well and with deteriorating living standard and qualified for BR1M as well. Worse, the non Malay are also discriminated in many aspect of NEP especially in education. It is time to wake up. UMNO is only intersted in the wealth for their UMNOputra only. Malaysian regardless race must be united and boot out UMNO in next election. Then only we got hope for this country. It is also good for UMNO as well as this gives them time to clean up their warlords and to come back stronger as their forefathers.

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    4. Anon 10:41, you are pathetic. Use a different script, can or not? Nevermind, I give you time to consult your handler. Come back with something different OK? Your broken record is getting dull.

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    5. Sorry I don't have any boss so no one for me to consult. I am just an average Malaysian who love my country and can't see my fellow Malaysian being fleeced by UMNO. If you see UMNO like God sent and no problem of their Hugh wastage of public money on so many failed projects then I see your blog as propaganda for UMNO to fool the Malaysian

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    6. Ordinary Malaysians work during the office hours, unless they are leave, which means they are doing something else, or on medical leave. If they are on the night shift, they would be sleeping it off. Since you are here during office hours, that means this is your job, or you are spending quite a bit of your employers' time to do your own thing, or you are on medical leave. So what is your illness? Mental?

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    7. Sorry, I am my own boss trying to survive this harsh economy and feeding my children because I got no help from UMNO as I need to earn every cent of my living cost and my children education and future.

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    8. Ah no wonder you are not making ends meet. You are supposed to work, not spending your time in front of a computer during daytime when you should be out there meeting clients or finding other opportunities to expand your assets. Most people use daylight as a chance to get things done you know. And you should be saving the money you are currently spending on bandwidth for your children's education fund. That's what simple, ordinary folks like the kampung folks do. That's why they are happy and you are not. Go on, there are lots of business opportunities out there if you would just get off your ass and do some real work.

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    9. How do you know I am not making my ends? I am one of the the big tax payer who finance your UMNO crooks. But I am just sad to see my fellow malaysian especially Malays continue to suffer under UMNO. Worse UMNO supporters like you see these kampong folks like zoo animals thinking that they are happy but UMNOputra themselve live luxurously.

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    10. If you are doing well, why are you complaining? If you are doing so well, why aren't you helping your fellow citizens to create even bigger wealth, by working with others to spread the prosperity that you are enjoying instead of whining that Umno is not helping you? Why should Umno help a successful person like you, when there are others that need the assistance more?

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    11. I am helping my fellow Malays by educating them that UMNO had fooled them for past 55 years or no, should be past 40 years unlike their forefather. I am also teaching my Malay staff that addicting UMNO petty subsidy is actually helping the UMNOputra to ruin this beautiful country. UMNO is beyond redemption. That's why UMNO can win vote by paying money and hiring people like you. The common Malaysian with
      conscience are not bought my money. We oppose BN not because we are bought by Pakatan. If UMNO show a slightest conscience by admitting that they are corrupted and take steps to correct the situation, I might change my stance. But looking at the death of TBH, the cow project, Mindef allegation by Deepak, PKFZ, deteriation of Malaysian education etc etc, I know that UMNO has no interest of solving the problem from the root. They just want to continue to fleece the Malaysian wealth. Like the taiwanese, in order to help the UMNO, UMNO must be booted out and be cleansed. This is the only way they can come back stronger.

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    12. Ah, so you are THE master handler of the CTs prattling inane things in the blogosphere. I am honoured that a General has assigned himself to BigCat :D However, allow me to suggest something, you should equip them with at least rudimentary knowledge of economics and finance, and maybe some skills in information gathering and deductive reasoning ... I have been getting really tired of educating your CTs, you know, basic things oso they don't know, information oso outdated. And that script, really boring la, you can use it among the blinkered cult members f PAS, DAP and PKR, but please la, I can assure you, the kampung folks are more intelligent than that you know. They are down-to-earth, logical, reasonable people ... that's why your propaganda is not working with them. Try a reasonable, and fact-based if not science-based arguments, OK. I am just trying to help you with your script, but it's OK, you don't have to thank me. To see more intelligent arguments from your CTs, would be thanks enough for me.

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  9. our per capita GDP from USD814 in 1960 to USD5,364 in 2012? Come on la! How many of us especially Malay got USD 5364? That's the average of few UMNOputra plus their cronies worth BILLIONS of USD and millions of Malaysian with USD below 500.

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    1. Anon 10:48, GDP per capita is an indicator of standard of living, not personal income. Go and do some reading and learn something before you come in here and broadcast your ignorance to the public.

      Man ... why do I get saddled with the bodoh ones????

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    2. Aiyooo manyak syiook la reading itu bashing sama Komtar cybertrooper. Hehe..

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  10. Lahad Datu occupies my thoughts also. I see reports of hundreds if not thousands of people packing up and returing to the Philipines. Why are people are scared enough to take their families to small boats in the open seas? This is a tragedy in the making. the issue isn't about illegal immigration - it is about fear. Questions of the rights to live and work can be dealt with in a managed, sensible way. The people that have lived in peace in Sabah for so many years should be reassured regarding their rights and the rule of law. All peoples of Sabah, and Malaysia, stand to lose and the political rhetoric must be toned down.

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    1. I think with more security personnel around, and with the traumatised population, the illegals are afraid that Sabah is no longer friendly to them. I'm sure the propaganda and rumor-mongering have been fierce among the illegals and locals, as the Tausug terrorists were trying to garner support among local Suluks as well as people back in the Philippines.

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    2. I agree with you, BC2, but I think its more than a fear of deportation - Indon workers have been picked up and deported for years from the peninsula with no great concern on their part. To me, setting off in small boats rather than booking a ferry ride or catching an Air Asia flight says fear for life rather than worry over deportation. I just think that it's time for some hotheads (not you, in case you were wondering) to cool the rhetoric before some unfortunates lose their lives at sea. Being an illegal immigrant shouldn't lead to a death sentence.

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    3. Cowboy, if you see the photos of the public, even small children, little girls waving, and villagers coming out of the houses to see our security forces going about their business at close range, asking them directly, their body language showed no fear. Please stop with the subtle take on the fear-propaganda thing, I don't have the patience to be nice about it. I have had enough of that reading Malaysia Chronicle, Free Malaysia Today, Malaysiakini, etc. - so please quit while you are ahead, before I really lose it.

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  11. Hi Big Cat.. I also feel sorry Anon 11:55. He really think that DAP,PAS and Anwar ANALyzer, will do everything by the books. Kelantan fot the past 22 years of PAS leadership is a model state for producing GROs and maybe tom yam cooks. Penang...under the DAP leadership, have shown that the election results can be changed due to computer glitch...Selangor..hmm let me see...manifesto is not a promise,but just promises made for the gullible like Anon 11:55. The sorry part is Anon 11:55 still believes in that promises.

    Anon 11:55, truly believe that there will be no tolls on the highway, free education university students, no corruptions.. Really? Hmm lets see who gonna be upthere if Pakatan took over.. Datuk Seri ANALyzer Anwar (maybe Anon 11:55 can be his "Special Assistant" assign to make coffee), Wan Azizah ( the Omega keeper), Nurul Izzah (the freedom religion fighter), Azmin Ali (the swinger), Lim Kit Siang (the Malay haters), Lim Guan Eng (the crusaders), Betty Chew ( the ash tray throwers), Karpal Singh ( the Godfather) , Gobind Singh (the apostate lawyer), Jagdip Singh( dunno what his good at but sure a cabinet post since he is Sunny Corleone) and last but not least the Hudud fighter aka no balls Pas President Uztaz Hadi Awang.. More like a family business than a cabinet line up to me. But to Anon 11:55, this is his dream team that will take Malaysia to next level.

    RM2 company for RM2billion job the 3rd Penang Bridge, awarded without the proper tender exercise..yeah thats a good indicator for a good government. We do look for an alternatives, but like Tun M was saying its better to deal with the devils we know than an angel we dont..

    As for those who believe that PAS will fight for Islam, Im sure your memory still can remember about the what your President said during the press conference about the kalimah Allah issue only to be contradict by the Majlis Syura. He dont even a balls to hold another press conference to set the issue right. What about the law that prohibit women cutting men's hair; the Kelantan State retract the summons after Godfather Karpal Singh ask them to do so. That is another clear indicator that PAS is so afraid of Karpal 'the Godfather' Singh. Hudud is relevant and should be implemented , but it need to revised and studied so it should be implemented according to ISlam that emphasis on fairness. But PAS used it to get votes from people like Anon 11:55.Anon 11:55 truly believed by voting for PAS his ticket to heaven is guaranteed.

    PKR..Anwar the ANALyzer..Im not gonna dignify that party or insults my inteligence by commenting about this party or him.

    So to Big Cats keep up a good work.

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  12. Anon 15:02,

    You know what, people like us (or myself alone) who backs the Gomen so much is actually being too polite when handling the likes of Anon 11:55..when they r throwing wild allegations to the Gomen (takda bukti) we r so struggling to find d real answers to that..actually we shud have asked back what they have done for the past few years except than empty promises..

    TQ bro for showing me the right path..n of cos to BC too

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