Donald Trump is Playing With Fire

I once said I rather watched Najib ascending Putrajaya for another five years than to watch Donald Trump be handed with literally an almighty power that would place him one of the most powerful leader in the world. People who know me - people who know exactly how much I despise Najib - would know that statement reflects a disgust to Donald Trump that is indescribable. 

Donald Trump is a dangerous man, not because he's making rash decisions, but because he is extremely ignorant. He has no prior political experience, and giving him the highest political power is a mockery of the politics that has given United States one of the most advanced democracy in the world. He treats politics as business, but politics is no business. You cannot deal with climate change, immigration bans, and international relation as how you deal with business. This is not something "it's either you get it, or I get it". You cannot go around and negotiate and boss around like you did with your Trump business. The world is not yours. Heck, America is not yours. You are entrusted with a vested, though misplaced, power to rule the greatest country in the world, not to owe it and disregard the people's thought and do it your way. Politics doesn't work that way.

The immigration ban is outrageous and preposterous. It's a textbook-unconstitutional executive exercise that ought to be trashed and the Supreme Court of the U.S. ought to have intervened in light of gross violations. It is my belief that if the three powers have been severely tipped to an abused side, then the other side must stand up on its own accord to balance the power. If the executive branch of this government performs such a heinous act to practise barbaric discriminations on grounds of someone's figment of ludicrous imagination, then the judiciary of the country, which has sworn to protect the nation and the sanctity of the country's constitution - must intervene.

It's been only nine days, and Donald Trump has opened the gate of hell and wrecked havoc at an unparalleled level. And we are expected to see him in action for another four years. This is unacceptable. The Americans need to stand up to protect their democracy. I'm not an American, but Americans please stay strong. Donald Trump is playing with fire, and the worst part is he doesn't realise it. 

The Year of the Rooster

And so it's the time of the year again! It's the time of the year where the definition of life is simply to eat, sleep, watch tv, binge on cookies and unhealthy food that give you unnecessary calories and fats, playing, and lastly, receiving angpaus! It's basically the only time of a year you are allowed to throw away your diet in favour of health-wrecking activities. It's the year of the rooster this year, and since I was born in the year of a rooster, this is basically my year! Well, there's really nothing much about CNY this year. My cousins are all spread over the year and since my mother's side of grandparents have long joined the angels in heaven, a reunion has not been held and sibling visits have been largely limited to those who live nearby. It's just a break for me, as my family isn't exactly traditional and we do not observe strict superstitious rules other people adhere to. Well, whatever it is, it's a new year nonetheless. And most importantly, it's a break from all the busy at work! Happy Chinese New Year guys!

Revisiting High School

I went back to SMJK Jit Sin yesterday after my friend invited me to return for a visit. Things have changed a lot. The school now has its own 24 season drum society and a Chinese traditional dance team. The toilets have been upgraded. Restaurants and kopitiams outside Gate 3 have mushroomed and students are now literally spoilt with choices. Back when I was studying there barely was a shop operating outside Jit Sin. Lots of teachers have retired, and those that haven't are showing some changes - ageing. We are all ageing. Going back to my high school in 2017 wearing 2011 Graduation Year shirt just hit me how much time have elapsed. Teachers who have become my friend because I was doing temporary teaching there, thankfully, remembered me and it was always great to catch up. Time has changed. Things are different. But it always feels home at a place where it once was your home.

Penang traffic Needs A Major Overhaul

I'm currently doing my internship on Penang Island, and even though I am a Penangite, I still hate Penang traffic with every fibre of my being. I was born and grew up in Bukit Mertajam, on mainland Penang, which is quite a different world from Penang Island even though both are in Penang - the result of the geographical divide. I understand that Penang is mostly lauded for its effort in history preservation, and old buildings are preserved, well kept, maintained and protected by law. And I'm not complaining that - Penangites ought to be proud of the state's history. The problem here is, most of the roads and buildings in Penang were built a long time ago before cars were expected to be a common household item. Thus, roads are painfully narrow, buildings are close together, densely built, and constructed without parking facilities. Finding a parking is difficult most of the time. These all cause the current traffic woes in Penang because, as mentioned, roads in Penang were not built to cater to today's traffic volume, and Penang's population was never expected to increase to today's digits. Exacerbating the situation is the poor public transport system that prompts people to drive their own car. An alternative has to be proposed, and the Penang government has rightly proposed MRT, but it now has become politicised because the federal government somehow refuses to allow it. Penang's traffic is really bad. Very bad. Something has to be done. And politics should be set aside in solving the woes. Seriously, what Penang needs is a traffic overhaul. BN should stop politicising everything - you won't win back Penang whatever noise you try to make - and start acting.

A new year, another new beginning

Time really flies, doesn't it? It's the second day of 2017 today and I felt like 2015 was yesterday and a year has gone by and now it's 2017! Okay, 2016 was a sucky year. It was bad politically, socially and economically. The world got much more unrest, tension kept piling up, and the world was dealt with a number of shocking blow from Brexit to an idiot who got elected to be the most powerful person of a very powerful country. 2017 wouldn't be much better - I just have to be realistic. But I do hope 2017 could be a better year for me.

For me? Well, I just hope I can leave me comfort zone permanently so that I could get a new life. Don't get me wrong - I love my life. A little bit too much. If I keep jailing myself in my comfort zone then I'll live my routine and I wouldn't have a change of life that I've always dreamt of. And I need a change - not because I like it, but because it is necessary as I am no longer the person I was. I guess changes are off-putting, but I guess the endeavours have to be met.