Educating Zahid Hamidi ......

The Minister of Defence, Zahid Hamidi had apparently said that Chinese and Indians 'not patriotic enough' and scooted from the parliament before he could be confronted!! That was his rationale behind the low percentage of Non-Malays in the Defence forces of our country.
To say that his statement was a result of his ignorance of "Ketuanan Melayu" which his UMNO hordes have been brandishing as the ideology to control the nation, would be naive if not silly.

From Merdeka onwards, more so after the NEP was enforced- the number of Non-Malays in the public sector have progressively dwindled, while the performance and corruption hase progressively worsened.
(Note that the relationship is inversely proportional).

It is common knowledge that it has been the intention of the UMNO regime to turn all public services sectors into "Malay (read- Umno) Institutions". In fact (if I'm not mistaken), they have admitted to this fact). Stories abound- on how non-Malays are discriminated and humiliated in the system. Any man in the street can tell you why it is that non-Malays refrain from joining the public services (unless they don't have a choice).

Why go so far- just check out the enrollment into the residential schools ("sekolah asrama penuh") these days - how many non-Malays are there? Parents fear sending their kids to places where they may be faced with hostile/bullying/humiliating environments. Performance/ Merit is never a consideration- in fact it works against you in the system. What is encouraged is racism, mediocrity and "pliability".

It might not be too far-fetched to say that it is the intention of the regime to use this excuse as a reason to have an all Malay Army which can be used to play up the "us against them" ideology- to intimidate the non-malays into submission to the rule of the elite Umnoputras (the hallmark of "Ketuanan Melayu").

So, the only conclusion that we can draw from this statement of his is that he is an ungrateful & shameless liar, who lives on "unpatriotic" tax-payers' money.

Here are a few comments which Zahid Hamidi generated on Malaysia Kini:-

Neders: Zahid Hamidi, how did you become the defence minister? You haven't a clue about the reality on the ground. I am an old boy of the Federal Military College (now Royal Military College) and many of my non-Malay contemporaries joined the armed forces.

Sure, a number worked their way up to become colonels and even a sprinkling became generals (you stood a better chance to be one if you were prepared to sacrifice your prepuce). This was because they were of a calibre that was hard to ignore.

However, a larger number got stuck at the 'major' level and were overtaken by Malay officers many years their junior. Also, the intake into the RMC progressively became so lopsided that the 'nons' became discouraged and later disinterested. Why would I want my sons to join the armed forces when their chances of fair promotions stand as much as that of a snowball in hell?

I dare tell you in the face never to question our patriotism. You are the one who created the situation and now blame the 'nons' for the problem.

Ranjit Singh: Patriotism or racism? Do you want me to lay the facts out about the selective recruitment process under Dr Mahathir Mohamad where mostly Malays were hired in all public sector under the New Economic Plan (NEP)?

Seriously, imagine such a statement from a minister. What more can I say? This is the quality of people we have in Umno. Doesn't that statement speak for itself?

AJ: I can speak of my experience in RMAF (Royal Malaysian Air Force). I joined in the early years of Mahathir's reign. The higher allowance went to the aircraft mechanics as they came in with higher school grades and did better in the aptitude tests. Malay to non-Malay ratio was almost 60-40. No one had to worry about promotions as it was a very fair process.

As the years past, the non-technical support staff allowance was adjusted to that of the technical staff's. Now there was no need to be smarter or start off with a higher aptitude. Moral and pride began to slip. Soon Malays, who were juniors and those who were left behind because they did not excel in their work, were promoted.

When questioned, those who did the appraisals showed us that promotions were race and not merit-based. It was a government directive and beyond their control. Non-Malays subsequently left the force in droves.

Rick Teo: Zahid, which school did you go to? Chinese and Indians don't want join the army because your kind will always bully the non-Malays in the army. Promotions do not go according to merit but kulit-fication.
Anonymous: Chinese and Indians are very practical. Why would they join the army when they will be marginalised and denied promotions? By the way, Chinese and Indians are patriotic in a different way, they contribute to nation building by paying the most taxes. Every race has different way of contributing to the nation.

Zahid, use your head before you say things.

OMG: The minister should be sacked for such an incendiary statement. It is pure rubbish. The Chinese and Indians don't join the army because they are passed over when it comes to promotions and are marginalised. The same goes for the civil service.

Xiao Zhu: Zahid must have his brain in the knee-cap. So many quotas and restrictions are imposed on non-Malays, and the government intentionally does not recruit non-Malays, and this practice applies to all government-linked companies. Look at past records in the Defence Ministry - how many non-Malays were serving the country in the past as compared to now?

Open the floodgate without quota and restriction, then let's see how many non-Malays will apply for the job.

Singa Pura Pura: You are grossly mistaken for saying so, Minister Zahid. Do you honestly believe that the Malays join the army and police out of sheer and wilful patriotism, not out of economic necessity or social conditioning?

The Chinese and Indians are 'prevented' (for want of a better word) from joining the civil service and innumerable other government-controlled services and companies. Yes, BN and Umno prevent and hinder the Chinese and Indians from being 'patriotic' Malaysians. That is the 'form' in which the regime wants to keep the 'nons' out.

In any case, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says 'Malaysian' should be second after one's ethnicity. So don't even dare talk about Malaysian patriotism. There is only 'racial nationalism' in the insidious guise of 'national patriotism' under Umno, whichever way you choose to interpret it.

Swipenter: Before Mahathir started deliberately to Malay-nise the civil services, police and armed forces, there was a good mix of all races in all government institutions. After discriminating against the non-Malays by putting up glass ceilings and quotas for close to 30 years, this good-for-nothing defence minister is demonising the non-Malays as "not patriotic enough".

Nuckins: Not patriotic enough? Based on what studies and evidence? Can you please show us your source, minister? If you cannot come up with the appropriate studies or facts, then are you trying to destabilise our country's inter-ethnic relations by shooting off your big mouth? If this is not seditious, I don't know what is.

Pak Kulop Miko: In most countries of the world, accusing certain sectors of the population of being "unpatriotic" would have resulted in the minister being raked over coals.

What evidence has he adduced to support his view? This kind of reasoning (hell, it is not even reason) is typical of BN leaders - they shoot from the hip, never ascertain any facts, consult nobody and never bother to improve their intellect.

Hamisu: I'll admit openly I am not patriotic. I don't wave the Jalur Gemilang on Aug 31. So what? Dumb ministers and government officials still can't figure the real reason why non-Malays are not that patriotic.

What's there to be patriotic about when we are not even treated as equal citizens. There so much discrimination from the day you are born to the day you die under the Malaysian sun. Does the phrase "I love my country as much as my country loves me" ring any bell?

The government, and especially this really moronic minister, still expects non-Malays to be patriotic. Make some real changes that treats non-Malays as equals, instead of labelling non-Malays as 'pendatang' (immigrants). Then you will see patriotism instilled by our own parents rather than the government.

Hello: What about the lack of numbers in the civil service? Are the Chinese and Indians also unpatriotic in not going there? This simpleton of a defence minister has come up with very simplistic reasons.

Why not look into the manner the applicants are recruited? The promotion opportunities offered to these non-Malay recruits? The hidden agenda of 'ketuanan Melayu', the watchword of Umno?

All this alleged unpatriotism lies with the policies of Umno with the silent support of its lackeys - MCA, MIC, Gerakan, etc. When you have fair recruitment and promotion opportunities, you will find the non-Malays applying in droves.

Meranti Kepong: Indeed, if the Chinese, Indians and other minorities are truly giving a stake in the country and treated as bona fide Malaysians without prejudice and discrimination and not as 'squatters' and 'immigrants', then they would be prepared to not only defend the country but to become true warriors of the realm.

Yang: I am shocked. Who is to say I am 'not patriotic enough'?

Remove the shades- It isn't "politics", It's about bigotry ....

IN addition, this is also another typical Malay-bashing tactic of the opposition.

Yeah yeah you will start screaming that PKR is mainly Malay.

From where I stand, I believe that PKR is not so much multi racial
as they would sacrifice any ethnic group
or religious group as long as it gives them political mileage.
- Mr. Z (referring to the "Caning of a child over Pork in School" issue).

===================================

For a start, let me say that I did not see how this was a "typical Malay-bashing tactic of the opposition".
Maybe I missed something ... but I'll move on.

You're very right about both the parent & teachers- but in this case, other than educating the child about not sharing the food, I don't see why she should do anything else.
The way I look at it- she DOESN'T HAVE TO PREPARE HALAL FOOD for the kid to take to school. All she has to do is tell the child to keep it away from practicing MUSLIMS/ HINDUS/Buddhists. (From what I gather, she did just that).

If I were the parent, I'll go to the school myself with the non-halal food to prove my point- becos, if children can be allowed to bring meat (which isn't kosher to vegetarian Hindus & Buddhists) beef (which isn't kosher to hindus) to a school, I don't see what can be wrong with pork.
It should also be the job of the school to respect the cultural diversity, educate the children & have separate sections where non-kosher food may be had.

LOL- Sorry to disappoint you Z ... but I don't see why i should get worked up on what you said about PKR. The way I look at it, you're quite right about PKR- in a sense. They are what they are- they'll sell out anybody, if they're not kept in check. That goes for anybody, when they're not kept in check & "7 deadly sins" are allowed to creep into their minds & hearts when they lose their focus.

You say that they'll "sell out" any group? But that doesn't mean it is necessarily a bad thing.....
For a start, maybe all of us NEED to sacrifice our narrow/selfish sectarian interests & stop talking about our chauvinism/ethnicity/religious preferences/privileges when in comes to education/economy.

It's not like UMNO is really doing much good for the Malay community beyond shouting at the rooftops about "ketuanan Melayu" and encouraging mediocrity, you know ..... most of the Malays I see aren't doing so well, despite what UMNO calls "special rights" accorded to them. meanwhile the economy is in shambles .... just as the social fabric of the nation.

Y'see, Z- politicians are politicians .... it is their job to exploit the people & extract as much political mileage as possible. The ruthless ones will manipulate society through propaganda for his personal benefit.
What is necessary is the check and balance in the 4 institutions of state which we have. Sadly, despite claiming to defend their rights to a good government, some ruthless parties proceeded to destroy these institutions by rendering them mere administrative rubber stamps.

Look around you, Z-

• Corruption has become the order of the day, and bigotry is promoted as a valid sentiment.
• Lies are disseminated to the public by those in power.
• Crime is hidden, supported and even defended by those in authority.
• Chauvinism is applauded, while mediocrity and stupidity are rewarded.
• Are you telling me nobody has been "sold-out" in this scenario?
• Or did some ethnicity/religion actually benefit from it all?

Meanwhile, the public is still blissfully going on sacrificing their rights at the altar of prosperity, amidst all the trappings of wealth around them which they gawk at with stupid pride.
To make matters worse, the public has been brainwashed into thinking that their rights are preserved, while the nation is plundered by the privileged few.

I do not say that our leaders didn't do any good. They definitely did some good here & there - but the damage they have caused in bringing about those little good is gonna prove far too costly in the long run. I don't wish to debate about it la, Z- You will see it for yourself in due time. Maybe you'll know why it all happened, maybe you'll wonder why- I don't know you well enough to say.

Very sad it is. If Malaysia is lucky, we may recover from this after reforms .... in a generation or so- that too if it happens. Otherwise, we just slide down the slippery slope .... and say sayonara to the good times.

No pork allowed in school ?

The following came to my attention through Facebook:-

No pork allowed in school ?

KUCHING – A pupil was allegedly caned 10 times on his palm for bringing fried ri...ce cooked with pork sausage and the PKR Woman’s wing is crying foul over the issue as they held a press conference this afternoon.

The pupil, Basil Beginda was allegedly caned by the Penolong Kanan, Iskandar bin Fadeli who was from Simujan on October 15 (Friday) for bringing non halal food to school and is tramautised by the whole situation.

In a press conference this afternoon, the mother of the pupil, Angela Jabing with Vice Chairperson, Voon Shiak Ni, State Woman Chief, Ibi anak Uding, deputy woman chief, Nurhanim Hanna Dato’ Haji Mokhen said she was shocked to learn that her son was punished for bringing non halal food to school. “I have never received any written circular from the school that children cannot bring non halal food in the school,” she said.

On October 19th, Angela. also a PKR executive went ot the school to meet up with the Principle who was with Iskandar. Angela said instead of clarifying or apologizing on the reason for her son’s punishment, Iskandar claimed that he could not find it in his record the incident and he did not recall such incident.

He then asked Basil to come and Angela said she saw her son filled with fear looking at Iskandar. Basil told Iskandar that he was always advised by his mother not to offer his non halal food to the Muslim and he had never done so.

The Prinicipal, Alice Chung said Iskandar had announced during the school assembly in February this year that the students are prohibited to bring any non halal products to the school for their own consumption as a noble act to respect the Muslim students..

Iskandar then told Angela, “Jangan besar-besarkan’ hal kerana isu ini isu yang cukup sensitif di kalangan orang orang Isam…..

Not satisfied with the explanation, Angela wrote in for an explanation. On the third day, she got a call from the Principal and request to meet up on October 29. She insisted on a written reply.

The letter, she said did not answer her question on the issue of why her son was caned 10 times for eating friend rice with non halal sausage. “Is this a justified action to be taken by a school on the school children?” she asked.

Angela also seek to know why St. Thomas, a missionary school is trying to implement the non-halal food rules on the children brought from home or whether the instructions are from the Ministry of Education.

As a working mother and a non muslim, she said she is concern that her son was punished unjustifiable and she is unable to produce halal food as she is a non muslim.

Nurhanim Hannah Dato Haji Mokhsen said the situation is not good for 1 Malaysia concept. She said it’s only food and all children of different races should sit and eat together as one family. “It is the way to live together in harmony. We are Sarawakians with different cultures, different religions,” she said.

Nurhanim said she was shocked at the punishment and that a boy that young should go through the punishment. “He did not cook the food and if the teacher is unhappy, they should call the mother,” she added.

Voon, Vice Chairman of PKR said she wanted the Education department to investigate the matter and ensure that appropriate action be taken.

She said the letter from the school did not touch on why Basil was caned and the letter did not touch on the real issue. The letter also clarified that Iskandar had told Basil not to bring non halal food to school.

Angela said if Iskandar is sensitive to the feelings of the Muslims, he should also announced that there should be no beef brought to school as a respect to Buddhist and Hindi and no meat should be brought to school as vegetarian are not allowed to do so.

She added that she wanted Iskandar transferred and if he did that in the next school, this sort of educationist should be fired.

When contacted, Principal Alice Chung said she has no knowledge of such situation and asked when it happened. When told that she had replied a letter to the mother of the boy on the pork issue, Chung said she is not allow to talk to any press as it is a directive from the education department.

When asked on the matter, she said she has no comment. When asked if a parent wants to know the condition of the regulation on the food, Chung said there was never any regulation that disallow the children to bring pork to school. “Anyone can bring whatever food they want,” she added.See more

by: William Lee

Happy Diwali!!

Diwali is a festival that relieves traditions/beliefs/faith which originates in Hindu Mythology. My exposure to Hindu mythology started during my student days ..... and not much since, actually.
Anyways, some regions in India have "localised" the myths associated with Diwali with different myths. However, the significance of it all remains the same- Victory of Good over Evil, Light over Darkness.

The info with regard to Diwali and how it is celebrated in various parts of India, is available all over the net. What is culturally predominantly prevalent in Malaysia is as practiced in Southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu.
Here is something from Musings of an Unknown Indian:-

Celebrations across faith: In Hinduism, across many parts of India and Nepal, it is the homecoming of Lord Rama (along with his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana) to Ayodhya - after a 14-year exile in the forest and his victory over Ravana, the King of Lanka (who had abducted Sita and held her prisoner). According to the legend, the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of (ghee) lamps (dĭpa), [thus its name: dīpāwali] - along the way to light their path in the darkness. Rama is considered as a symbol of good and a positive force while Ravan represents evil. Therefore, Diwali is considered as the festival, which establishes the 'victory of good over the evil'. More on this here.

On the night of Diwali, people light diyas, which is again a symbol of positive energy... in order to conquer darkness, i.e., the symbol of negative energy. Since Ram traveled from South India to his kingdom in North India, he passed through the south earlier. This is the reason why the festival is celebrated a day earlier in South India. Diwali usually comes 19 or 20 days after Dasara/Dussehra. In South India, it marks the victory of Krishna over Narakasura. Over time, this word transformed into "Diwali" in Hindi and "Dipawali" in Nepali, but still retained its original form in the South and East Indian Languages. In the Dravidian languages it is called as Deepavali and the same is used in Malaysia and Singapore.

In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of nirvana by Bhagavan Mahavira - the founder of Jainism - on 15 October, 527 BC.

Diwali has been significant in Sikhism since the illumination of the town of Amritsar commemorating the return of Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644), the sixth Guru of Sikhism, who was imprisoned along with 52 other Hindu kings at Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir. After freeing the other prisoners, he went to the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where he was welcomed happily by the people who lit candles and divas to greet the Guru. Because of this, Sikhs often refer to Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - "the day of release of detainees."

The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal, a majority-Hindu country, particularly the Newar Buddhists.

For more click HERE

Response to Waytha ....

"We in Hindraf/HRP are in no hurry. We are prepared to wait another 53 years if it means ultimately getting a true democratic country. After all, the blacks in America fought a “war” for more than 200 years to be recognised as equal citizens. The Indians fought another 250 years to gain independence. It took centuries for the French to be rid of the monarchy."
- Waythamoorthy

Dear Waytha,
This letter I write is in respose to the letter "WILL PAKATAN COMMIT TO A ROADMAP FOR TRUE DEMOCRACY" which you wrote.
It is really touching to note that you are so much into human rights. It is also touching to note that you wish to have all that you speak of through PR, despite not coming out in support of it.

Yes, yes- we know all this crap you speak of when you need the spotlight.
I can do the same too.
Firstly, I wish to ask of you to stop blowing your horn about HINDRAF's past "flash in the pan" - which came after the Bersih rally which was attended by Malaysian from all walks of life (as opposed to your HINDRAF) rally.
These delusions of grandeur you have isn't helping you one bit, mate!!!

How is it that you claim that the "tsunami" of 308 is because of the Hindraf Rally?
Are you saying that the people of Malaysia were in awe of the "courage" of Hindrafians, and so "fell in line"?
If that was the case, I'm Abraham Lincoln.

Where was Hindraf when BN sold the Kg Buah Pala land?
Where was Hindraf when civil society was fighting for a fairer election?
Get off your high horse, and come down to earth and face reality- You cannot fight this war alone!!!
If it was not for PR- Uthayakumar would probably be in jail.....
If it was not for PR, all your Kg Buah Pala folks would probably have been sitting quietly like church mice in some nook or cranny, while BN was selling out on them (as they did, when THEY sold the land!!).
While you come around pointing fingers at PR, bear in mind Waytha- that you wouldn't have had the publicity and the voice you seek- IF IT WAS NOT FOR PR!!

I would also like to remind you that HINDRAF had issued a statement in support of the UMNO/BN government (but only disapproves of the MIC leadership!!!)- even immediately after being blasted with chemically laced water, and whacked silly by the FRU on November 25, 2007.
Yes- you guys did that- hoping that you'll get some lollipops from the BN/UMNO Govt to serve your narrow and myopic sectarian agenda.What happened to all these litany of demands you make of PR today, back then when you were "supportive of the Govt, but protest the "Indian" leadership in Govt?

Suddenly, after the Hindraf rally, your balls swelled up so big after getting kicked by UMNO, that you cannot see if your feet are on the ground, is it?
You complain and whine like a child about how PR is "coalition without adequate mutual understanding"- but what have you done to make things any better?
What have you done to wrest power away from UMNO which has been persecuting a whole generation of the people you claim to represent?
Your hypocrisy here, is at best nauseating- just as your sectarian agenda.

You Waytha- don't understand that you play the game UMNO wants you to- the sectarian platform.
You Waytha- are so myopic, that you do not see how you can achieve what you ask of from PR (and probably more), IF ONLY you stood with them and understood the working of the system.
You Waytha- know that the State govts cannot do much when certain matters were decided by the previous govt or the federal govt.
You Waytha- should know that PR- warts and all - can only do the things you ask of it if it gets to Putrajaya.
You Waytha- should come down to Malaysia and tell us whether you wish for an UMNO Govt in perpetuity, or wish to ride on a hope for change through civil society & PR.
Of course- you also have the option of waiting for 200-300 yrs (as the African Americans, French or Indians you mentioned) for the "struggle" you wage from afar, while your countrymen suffer as a result of being convinced that they're "Indians" in Malaysia ....

Waytha- get one thing straight- those who fight for reform, know that we are in it for the long haul, and don't expect changes overnight. In fact, I think I can safely say that I do not belive that the changes can be fully implemented in our lifetime. The damage done to the very fabric of society over the yrs of Mahathir rule will take a generation to repair (if at all).
But we can try- for the sake of our children ..... nothing more.

Waytha- are you with us? Or against us?
Make your stand now, UTHAYA- or forever stop the hogwash!!!

The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) has been legalised

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================================

The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) was legalised yesterday in London. The officer bearers are as follows:

Chairman:
Raja Petra Kamarudin

President: Haris Ibrahim

Secretary: Yolanda Augustine

Treasurer: Natalie Sylvia Chow

Legal Adviser: Gilbert Jacobs

3 Committee Members:

Farouk A. Peru, Jeff Tan and Sam Chong

3 Board of Trustees:

Amarjit Singh Sidhu,

Lee Wai Siang and

Paramjeet Singh Karam Singh

2 cheque signatories:

Legal adviser and Treasurer

Bank account: HSBC

The MCLM website is in the process of being set up (http://mclm.org.uk/) so that you can read the movement's mission and vision statement plus sign up a as member. We will keep you updated of the progress.

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Azmi Sharom- The Man with the Tochang and His Ideas ....

(He once mentioned at an anti-ISA gathering at MBPJ (at the height of the "Free RPK" movement, that he hopes that the new complex being built in Kamunting for "Hotel Kamunting" will have a gym ......)

Azmi Sharom, human being
Written by straits-mongrel

Dr Azmi Sharom will speak this evening (Sat, Oct 30) at this month's SABM Dinner Lecture, an event that is sold out. A couple of months earlier, we met the man in his office at Universiti Malaya in the hope of uncovering what makes this soul tick

Candid: A scowl begins to escape when Azmi talks about racism.

YOU know him as the law academic with the semi-tochang hairstyle, those piercing eyes framed in black plastic; eyes that can burn a bigot in a flash. You probably remember his bold pieces in Brave New World, his fortnightly column in The Star (The Real Social Contract, We must never allow the mob to rule, Under Threat? What Threat?).

One of academia's few good men, many say. He's a brave one, echo others.

The man rolls his eyes. "What's so extreme about what I do anyway? Look, the stuff that matter to me - human rights, equality, fundamental liberties - these are values of a human being. I'm just being human. Being human! I don't carry a bomb, I'm not plotting a coup, I don't come anywhere near being a threat to national security."

Welcome to the world of Azmi Sharom, where in crisp humour-laced lines, it's a given that a spade is called a spade. The main question is what are you going to do about it.

"All too often we hear racists stepping up to make announcements - tuntutan ni, tuntutan tu - and we get all flustered," he observes in a frown. "We can't let these types dictate how we feel. If some bigot says 'Go back to where you belong', a whole bunch of us end up moping in one corner and feel all hurt.

"But why should we care?" he asks incredulously, his head slightly cocked.

"It should be 'We're born here. We belong here, equally as much as you. Equal, geddit?' That's how it oughta be. There's just not enough of standing up to these people. Take charge of your lives, folks.

"Sure it's not easy - there're two tiers where racism is perpetuated. One, it's in the institutions - it's embedded in government policies; you've read all about them especially in the alternative news. I needn't elaborate on that; it's boring. Two, personal attitude. This one's insidious. It lurks inside so many of us. The very same people who cry out against racism bear racist tendencies themselves. You just need to listen to conversations to know what I mean.

"We can fight both, and we should. We need to take possession of our lives again. And mean what we say, for crying out loud."

Inspiration for a good fight: Bruce Lee memorabilia tells quite a bit about the man:).

Azmi's office in the Law Faculty of University Malaya reveals an organised person - books and folders have their place yet they sit in spontaneous fashion, not ordered like soldiers. Looking about, you also catch the man's sense of humour and his life's pace - there's a South Park 60's-style alarm clock that shows 11:36 and 46 sec. It's stopped. On the wall above the door hangs another clock. It's stopped too. And Azmi doesn't wear a watch. Time has ceased being a linear arrow, it seems; what's to hurriedly measure about time anyway?

"These changes we seek, they're not going to happen overnight. But as more and more citizens get informed about human rights and equality, we will see that ethnicity doesn't matter any more.

"In my own case, it took me years to burn that away," says the Environmental Law specialist. "Today I don't give a hoot about it anymore. But it took time. I grew up in Penang. My parents are apolitical - there was no politics on the dinner table - but, you know, ethnicity is everywhere. It's always at the back of the mind, a bothersome bug.

"Of course, the good thing about growing up in Penang is you cannot date if you're a racist. I mean, Chinese girls were everywhere," his mischievous side shows.

Just souvenirs: "Hey, they are wrongful only if I use them. Nothing wrong in owning them. You got to know your rights."

The dare-to-think side of Azmi we know today was forged on foreign soil.

"My dad sent me to the UK to do my 6th Form - his personal funds by the way. Two key lessons I learned. I remember the teachers being openly critical of government policies. We were in Economics class, and the teacher was rationally ripping apart Thatcher's tax policies. I learned that there was nothing wrong with being critical. When rational it is, in fact, constructive.

"The second was getting engaged in honest conversations with other Malaysians of different background. A friend, half-Indian ethnicity, basically told me this: 'We just want to be equal'."

Sheffield University, where Azmi would go on to read Law, was also a plough to the young man's newly-tilled mind. "Sheffield was left-wing. There was a lot of discussion about fundamental justice and human rights issues. I was very exposed to different 'right' views with regards to the law. Generally, the premise was there has to be a strong sense of Justice. This I try to apply in my own teaching."

More than an education, Azmi also borrowed other aspects of Sheffield U's bohemian lifestyle. ("Guys, you got to have a life.") He jams in a band.

Loyal buddy: The guitar sits close by his desk, and there's no dust on it too.

"Please, to begin with, I don't have a band. Rather, my friends tolerate me in the group. But yes, music is a good outlet. I still play futsal too," says the man who tried one year of law practice and hated it. "I make space for recreation. Maybe it's easier for me as an academician to find the time, but hey, the lawyers have faster cars. They can get to places faster."

And as an academic in a public institution, might there be boundaries where he's prevented from venturing? "Honestly, I haven't been in a situation where I have to hold back. Of course, you need to know your rights. And your parameters. You need to stay informed."

And a parting advice for the concerned citizen: "Internalise. Really internalise the good stuff. All those questions about equality, they can only be answered by someone who truly lives by it. It's as simple as this, 'If I am a human being, how can I be treated otherwise? Equally so, how can I treat others otherwise?'."

And you realise there's really nothing extreme in what Azmi Sharom is saying. It's all fundamental.

Human being stuff.

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