Ervan’s Weltanschauung

“Let’s make this application online”

I raised my hands, and questioned the rationale for the online application system as it will limit access to only those with Internet access, which is frankly, not even 50 percent of the Malaysian population.

Only because it was cool to have it online. And probably someone needed to cash in on the project.

The Sarawak elections saw DAP taking over 6 seats. Knowing how the campaigns were done, it is disheartening to know that they won by playing the unfair price hikes experienced this year. It does not matter if the price hikes were due to external forces. But I guess that’s what you get if you give too much.

I mean, votes can easily be bought on the value of money and not of ideas and policies.

Or when money fails, we can always try to trumpet our patriotism. In the case of Malaysian doctors not returning back after gettng their qualification. They were told to return out of patriotism. And while we wait for them to return, or sue those who decided not to return, we send the current crop of medic students to India, Russia and Indonesia.

Hmmm, interesting. The medical schools in India and Indonesia are better than UK? And of course, *cough* even Malaysia? I would not know. But for the time being, I go for the cost reason. Definitely the reason why many are not sent to UK. Especially when some choose not to return, but hey, 5 years of education, and you are returning to a paltry job, work round the clock and have to kiss up the ass of the powers that be. I don’t blame them. Frankly, I am not surprised. I would have earned more should I choose to work in UK. But I returned, because I believed I could make a difference.

But alas, it was a false belief. And frankly, I think many of my generation share the same sentiment. Perhaps some are still optimist, I on the other hand, have to say, am slowly stop believing in it. I don’t see things improving, unless we, Malaysians do try and make that change. Yeah, just like what MJ sang (refer to the Man in the Mirror song)

The only constant thing is change, but change is the hardest thing for a person to do. At least now, I am slowly seeing the other side of Malaysia. The one that was sheltered from me for the past few years. And I am slowly taking this journey to re-discover Malaysia, just like what Rehman Rashid did many years ago… and what some of my friends did back in 1998.

Remember the tagline from years ago? To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia? For some, loving Malaysia is like loving someone who does not love you back. Malaysia is not perfect, but hey, it is home. And it is somewhere I belong….

We can always come up with catchy and cool taglines. Too bad we don’t walk the talk.

First of all. Dan Brown’s book is fiction. Fiction that cleverly use fragments of history, different perspectives on facts, and of course, excellent storytelling that lead you thinking from the start.

Frankly, I do not understand all the fuss. And I do salute the Opus Dei for not picketing, boycotting or prevent others from watching it. That speaks volume of their integrity. Despite the fact that Opus Dei was not exactly the nice guy in Da Vinci Code.

I listened to the speech by Langdon (Tom Hanks) to Sophie nearing to the end of the movie. I like the words. It sums up a lot of things. So what if Jesus is not divine, and is just a normal man. For most, they believe that he is the saviour. The question of his divinity is nothing compared to the fact that he brought Christianity. That’s the most important thing.

On a bigger perspective, why do have to care that one religion is correct, and all others are wrong? The basic of any religion is the believe on a divine power. For some, it is God, or a family of Gods, or a group of Deities. And you have to remember, most religions teach its followers to be good. Too bad not all of us (myself included) are really following that.

Just remember, we are all taking the path leading to God. But each and everyone of us are taking different routes to reach God.

I woke up this morning, remembering that I have to find the insurance cover for my car. Searched hi and lo for it, and could not find it, anywhere. Later I realised it was stored somewhere else… heh

But, I found some interesting stuff. Memories from the past. Letters, postcards, raya cards from friends. Some were from old flames. Found a long letter from one, and a very long letter indeed. I smiled as I read through it. Brought back sweet memories. Too bad we grew apart. But, since we are of different race, and religion, that will always be a stumbling block.

Then came postcards and letters from my friends. My close buddies. We are still in touch. Although, I would say, not as regularly as before. One telling about his adventures in New York, another with the adventure in San Francisco, and one who mailed his postcard from Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris as he was about to leave to God knows where.

But the ones that I treasured, and was kept, better than the rest, are the two Thank you cards from a brilliant student leader during my time. He was the founding chairman of the current student organisation that’s been a pain for Tok Pa. My close friends would know who this person is.

He can be a pain. Not many people can get along well with him, only a few. And I am glad that I could get along with him, although with much effort from my part. The two thank you cards are much treasured by me, as I know, my efforts were appreciated. The simple thank you cards is a forgotten art nowadays. We don’t see it often. But this simple gesture, helps to make someone feels appreciated, and others think better of you.

People asked me, why I left Malaysia’s own giant, PETRONAS.
I guess I need to prove myself. Not in any other Malaysian company. But in a truly international, multinational company.

There is no regret at all in leaving PETRONAS. In fact, it’s the best move I’ve made. Especially after today. I re-learned again the things I did prior to joining Crude Oil Group. And not only I rediscovered my Midas Touch, I have learned so much more…..

Thanks to the challenge they gave me.

I had lunch with my an ex-colleague today. During our conversation, she made me realised that I got this job out of my own networking skills. I did not use somebody’s name, or someone’s close in order to secure the job. Networking opened the opportunity, my reputation did the rest. I was briefly introduced to the recrutiment people, and they know about my reputation. A quick interview with the Country Manager, and that’s it. I’m in.

I know I am happy right now. I don’t mind coming in early at 8 am, even though my office hours start at 9 am. And I don’t mind leaving the office at 6:30, 6:50, or even 7:15 pm. And then continue doing my work at home till the early hours of morning. I love what I am doing now. All from my own effort.

And I feel very good inside….

CEOSs say how you treat a watier can predict a lot about characters

In short, if someone is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, that person is not nice at all. Period.

In Malaysia, if you are somebody, he or she will always try to take advantage of the situation. Well, the police escorts, the red carpet treatments and the VIP mentality. I am sure you heard of it. Some can be so thick skin that they refuse to pay the excess baggage fees. And that’s just part of the story…

It’s like, the big people in Malaysia are so pompous.

But, it’s not all that bad. You’ll be surprised to see some of our homegrown CEOs can be seen taking the public transportation. If you actually pay attention to your companions, you’ll be surprised. And I am not talking about the CEO of some RM 2 companies. I am talking about CEOs of public listed companies whose faces are published every now and then in newspapers, and broadcasted on TV.

I salute these breed of CEOs. Obviously they read Bill Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management. Okay, that’s wrong, it should be READ and PRACTISED. And from I heard from the CEOs employers, they too think highly of their CEOs. They respect those CEOs not out of fear, but genuine respect. One even told me that he was rather surprise to find his CEO sitting on the KLIA Express when he knows that the CEO could just use his chauffeur driven S-Class….It made him realise that his CEO is not someone God-like, but actually a human being, just like himself. And for that, he respected the CEO.

I wonder, when my generation starts to fill in the CEOs of the many companies in Malaysia, will some of us follow the footsteps of the CEOs I’ve been talking about?