But nevermind, like most Malaysian, I am ch…… wait, I have to rephrase that. Like most MALAYS, I am choosing to bury my head in the sand, pretending everything is ok, and occupying myself with my personal life instead. The love (Malays got to have love), the relationship, the tears, the DRAMAs (and Malays definitely need dramas!), I’m choosing all that over everything else because they are most convenient for me. Who cares about the rest of the things, right?
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Well well, it is almost that time of the year again. It is almost budget time, Belanjawan! I love Belanjawan. I used to follow the live telecast every year. Not anymore, because my favorite part of it has now gone. It was the part when Anwar introduces new words to the masses. It’s like he will say “Listen up peasants, from now on I want all of you to use the word ‘XXXX’ in every single cycle of your life. Why? Because I’m standing up here, and you peasants are way below down there, so you have to listen to me!”
Then all of us will clap our hands, praise him for his brilliance in shoving himself into our faces, then we laugh, then we praise him some more. Then the next morning, in every single newspaper, the words he chose for us got printed on every page, so we will never forget. Then everybody praises him and laugh some more.
Good old times, let's bring it back!
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1Malaysia – People first, Performance now!
Now where do I start?
Let me try to make it short and simple. I think 1Malaysia is a spectacular example of ‘one way re-branding / PR’ effort (Does that term exist?). I have never come across something that on the surface, and by ‘surface’ I mean the mainstream media, have no words except for lavish compliments towards it; but just underneath the surface, and by ‘underneath the surface’ I mean regular people on the street, have no words except for spiteful criticisms. How can anything be so contrasting, I do not know. Now I’m not against controlled and moderated media, in fact I’m a firm believer of it, but on this 1Malaysia deal, it is just super-zealously ridiculous. Thank God for the internet, if not I would come to the conclusion that 1Malaysia is perceived by the people of this country as the best thing since sliced bread.
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Ok, on to serious stuff now. Yesterday while driving back from work, I think I heard on the radio that the government is mulling over an increase of cigarettes tax by 20cents per stick. Or maybe someone suggested for the government to do that, but that’s not the point. The point is, increase of 20cents per stick?!!! Are you crazy? Our government might be evil, our government might be stupid, but I don’t think they are crazy. So most probably, I heard it wrong. I mean, it can’t be 20cents per stick! That’s RM4 increase! Yes, I definitely heard it wrong.
Anyway, when it comes to cigarettes price increase, it is not whether it will happen or not. It is inevitable, only a question of how much, because for Belanjawan, it comes with the territory. (I remember only once the price remained, and that only because the price was increased just before budget).
I’m still waiting for someone in the parliament, or anyone important for that matter, to stand up for the smokers. I want someone in the parliament to say out loud that smokers are the most marginalised group in the country. I’m still waiting for that special someone that can give smokers the respect they lost, the respect as a human being. If people can defend gays, can make sure drug addiction becomes safer, can say wearing tudung is not wajib, surely it won’t be too much to ask to do the same for smokers. Surely?
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Below is something I found on the net. Probably it is from a standup show from some angry funny guy. I just find it really interesting. So read on, especially all you non-smokers. This guy talks sense. I’d vote for him as our prime minister!
I smoke, if this bothers anyone, I recommend you looking around the world in which we live and... shutting your fucking mouth. Either that or suffer a facial burn, your choice. After all this is America, land of freedom, so you have that option ahead of you. I now realize I smoke for simply one reason, and that is spite. I hate you non-smokers with all of my little black fucking heart, you obnoxious, self-righteous, whining little fucks. My biggest fear, if I quit smoking, is that I'll become one of you. Now don't take that wrong. How many non-smokers do we have here tonight? By round of applause, non-smokers. A few of you. Good, 'cause I have something to tell you. I do. I have something to tell you non-smokers, and this is for you and you only, because I know for a fact that you don't know this. And I feel it's my duty to pass on information at all times, so that we can all learn, evolve, and get the fuck off this planet. Non-smokers, this is for you and you only, ready? NON-SMOKERS DIE EVERY DAY. Sleep tight. See, I know you entertain some kind of eternal life fantasy because you do not smoke cigarettes. May I be the first to pop that little fucking bubble of yours, and send you hurtling back to the truth? You're dead too. Have a good evening. And you know what doctors say, "Shit, if only you smoked, we'd have the technology to help you! It's you people dying from nothing that are screwed." I got all sorts of neat gadgets waiting for me, man.
Isn’t he fabulous? One of the great minds in our era for me!
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Last but not least, I have a message for what it seems the most popular couple on the planet right now. In this age of time where people pretend to care about the environment, I suggest you two built a statue on every corner of the streets in this country. You know, so we can save a lot of pages in our newspapers from having to feature your pictures every single day (and by every single day I mean EVERY FREAKING SINGLE DAY!). I bet this way, in 365 days, we can manage to save more trees in our rainforest than our anti illegal logging enforcement team can in 3650 days.
You know it makes sense!
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