Open Letter From "Ice Cream Seller"

> Subject: Fwd: FW: Open Letter From "Ice Cream Seller"

> Note: Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah today criticised Malaysians who
> have emigrated, saying it was “wrong” and insinuating that they were
> betraying the sacrifices of their forefathers.
>
> Husni, who is second finance minister, explained that “our
> forefathers” settled here because they believed that their children
> would have a future in Malaysia .
>
>
>
> Open Letter From "Ice Cream Seller" to Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni
Hanadzlah, Deputy Minister of Finance , Malaysia
>
> Dear Deputy Minister Husni
>
> A story (true) in response to your statement about emigration by ingrates.
>
> Sometime in 1980, when I was a final year student in London , I had a
> very short tele-conversation with my father. In those days, there were
> no call cards, Skype or the like and calls were expensive. He had a
> very simple message - "Don't come home, Son".
>
> Now almost 30 years on, I see where he was coming from.
>
> He advised me to stay on in the UK or if I found the weather not to my
> liking, told me to go to Australia - even if it meant that I may
> eventually marry a "white girl" as he put it. I was 23 and marriage
> was certainly not on my mind.
>
> He was a 'pendatang'. This pendatang however secured a scholarship to
> study in Raffles College (the pre-cursor to the University of Malaya)
> and served some 30-odd years in various senior teaching positions
> culminating with the last few years in the Malay College (Kuala
> Kangsar, MCKK) .
>
> Amongst his students - a list of past and present ministers and
> opposition figures.
>
> I didn't heed his advice till last year and spent the last 28 years in
> Malaysia . However, it became increasingly untenable to work here
> without compromising my values, integrity and conscience.
>
> Why did he advise me such? With hindsight, I saw his foresight.
>
> As an educationist, he saw we were heading to be another Ceylon (from
> where he was sent when orphaned), Burma , Philippines and in today's
> scenario, Zimbabwe .
> He saw what the outcome would be when we mess up education with politics.
> He saw that religion would be a divisive factor in years to come (he
> even encouraged me to learn Jawi as a 9 year old).
> He believed that in a country like this, mixed marriages would help
> cement society.
>
> He saw in some of our leaders of yesterday that even in their youth,
> they had unbridled cunning and only needed an opening to exploit that
> trait.
> He saw in some of his students potential to be PM but said that would
> never be because they were "too smart for UMNO's liking".
> He saw that given our racial demographics, religion would be used as a
> means to ensure the survival of a particular group.
> He believed that eventually, the Malays would have a class war amongst
> themselves.
> He said that even amongst the Malays, many of the English educated
> would opt to live away from Malaysia .
> He told me promotions won't necessarily be given for competence. These
> are usually won in the Clubs (read political party today) and over a
> few drinks. Being a bit of an introvert myself, he encouraged me to
> join clubs, associations and play sports and travel.
> He said honesty doesn't necessarily pay in this world but still better
> to be honest and live with dignity.
>
> Our home was (at different times) home to 3 delinquent Chinese boys -
> sent by the Juvenile court. He volunteered to take them in. Add to
> that a few other Indian boys.
>
> Though not my mother tongue, I spoke to my parents in Malay till I was
> about 10. We took in a Chinese lady injured during the war and she
> lived with us for about 40 years till she died. My father referred to
> her as his mother in law. I thought she was my grandmother even though
> my mother was not Chinese!!
>
> By the late 70s and early 80s, he saw that this scenario would not
> likely repeat in the years to come.
>
> When he died in 1982, we were pleasantly surprised to see some of his
> students (by then in their 50s) come from different states for his
> funeral.
>
> One told me that it was my father that made sure he spoke flawless
> English and another told me how my father would bring the 6th Formers
> home from the hostel and used our home for dinner and to teach them
> social graces - including dancing (taught by my mother). Partners were
> arranged from the convent school with the blessings of the
> headmistress!!!
>
> 29 years on, I view his foresight through the same prism and now
> agonise as to whether I should tell my children the same.
>
> For now, I am allowing my eldest to pursue his tertiary education overseas.
>
> Maybe when he finishes, he may not be as shortsighted as I was. Pray
> God grant him wisdom and vision.
>
> Last year, I resigned from my job, returned the company car and
> driver, said goodbye to my executive package and moved to Australia
> where I now live with no maid, no driver, no Audi 2.8, no golf, no teh
> tarik sessions, no bonus etc but am rediscovering humanity running a
> humble ice cream shop.
>
> Sometimes we learn very late.
>
> An ice-cream seller
>
>
>LETTER 2:
>
> A Malay but no longer Malaysian
>
> by H. Batson
>
> I am a Malay who has given up my Malaysian citizenship to live in
> another country. I have never been discriminated as a citizen of this
> foreign counry when it comes to job opportunities (promotions). I got
> to where I am not because I am a Malay but because I am good at what I
> do.
>
> Prior to issuing me a certificate of good character (one of the
> requirements to become a citizen), I was interviewed by the Asst High
> Commissioner of Malaysia .
>
> He was a nice man. He asked me this question:
>
> Asst High Commissioner:
>
> “Are you sure this is what you want to do?
>
> Because it is such a shame that Malaysia will lose a professional like you.”
>
> My reply:
>
> "I would love to contribute to my beloved country.
>
> However, my husband is an “orang puteh” and although he is a
> professional, it was impossible for him to get permanent residence in
> Malaysia .
>
> You don’t make it easy for us, what more I am a woman. My husband will
> never get citizenship."
>
> Asst High Commissioner:
>
> "Yes I agree, we don’t make it easy that is why we lose so many professionals."
>
> What more can I say.

It’s getting way too costly to own a home

The Star Online: OPINIONS: Friday October 1, 2010


SOURCE: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/1/focus/7140931&sec=focus

It’s getting way too costly to own a home

AS I will be getting married next year, I have been looking forward to
owning my first home. However, it is really painful to witness the everincreasing
prices of houses which is outpacing my income growth.

Recently, I walked into the sales office of a new condominium project and
the sales person told me the developer is giving a special eight per cent
discount for units on the lower floors. The person told me that I only had
to put down two per cent to secure a mortgage, as they will report to the
banks the full price of the condominium, and give me the eight per cent
discount without the bank’s knowledge.

Coupled with ever higher loan-to-value ratio, it sure is a sign that the
market is now beyond the reach of most genuine home buyers.
Otherwise, why resort to such tactics to entice buyers to sign on the
dotted line?

This reminds me of the hey-day before the 2008 crash in Britain. Just
before the crash, British banks were lending up to 110% of the value of a
property. Any form of affordability test was circumvented by mortgage
advisors who encouraged buyers to “self-certify” their income levels to
declare an inflated income.

The whole of the UK was in a euphoria, and everyone was piling into the
“sure-win” property market. Mortgage repossession in Britain has
increased drastically in the past couple of years, probably causing ruin to
the lives of those caught out.

After looking at the property market in the Klang Valley, I am now more
inclined to rent my first home.

I can rent a nice house in a good area for RM2,000, whereas I would
have to pay RM4,000 or more to the banks if I were to buy a similar
property in the same area. Many people say renting is a waste of money.
I don’t see how paying double the rent amount to a bank to service the
interest is not a waste of money.

HAPPY TO RENT,
Petaling Jaya.

Related story: Is Buying or Renting better
http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyGuide/Finance/2139/0/0

A Letter from P1 Wimax CEO

Dear JEFF LIM,
Today, P1 is 2 years old!
We’ve grown from strength to strength in the last 2 years because of YOU.

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P1’s journey in making broadband available for ALL has seen some challenging trenches and cliffs. Despite these challenges, YOU chose to stand by us, supporting us along the way.

For this, we can’t thank YOU enough.

Our promise to YOU is to continue to make it better and to serve YOU better than ever before. As P1 grows and flourish, we will continue to deliver the best experience YOU so rightfully deserve.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for being part of this historical milestone in discovering the world of 4G broadband.

More importantly, TERIMA KASIH, XIE XIE, NANDRI and THANK YOU for being our valued customers.
Revolutionizing 4G Broadband together with YOU,

From:

Michael Lai
Chief Executive Officer