International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2006

Got an email from Matt Damon this morning, and learn that the U.S. Senate is poised to slash billions of dollars from plans to fight AIDS and poverty. Sigh... isn't it good to know what the government is doing to NOT help those who are in need? Anyway, no time for sarcasm.

The main focus of this post is to inform all of you about the 23^rd Annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial, which will be held on May 21 (Sunday).

The largest grassroots AIDS event in the world, the original annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial was held in San Francisco and New York in 1983, when the cause of AIDS was unknown and no more than a few thousand AIDS deaths had been recorded. Now being observed simultaneously in over 300 cities worldwide, the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial which takes place on the third Sunday of May every year, is to remember those who have passed away, support those who are living, educate the public and community leaders, raise awareness and decrease stigma related to HIV/AIDS.

If you wish to participate in this year's Candlelight Memorial, feel free contact any of the following coordinators:

Malaysia
Malaysian AIDS Council
Coordinator: Mona Sheikh Mahmud
No 12, Jln 13/48A, Boulevard Shop Office,Off Jln Sentul
Kuala Lumpur, 51000
Malaysia
Tel: +603 4045 1033
Fax: +603 4042 6133
Email: mona@mac.org.my
Website: www.mac.org.my

Catholic Mission Kuala Terengganu
Coordinator: Rainer Rotthoff
5,Jalan SG 8/11,Tmn.Sri Gombak
Batu Caves, Selangor 68100
Malaysia
Tel: 0060 19 743 723 2
Email: rainersg@yahoo.com

Pelangi Community Foundation
Coordinator: Rainer Rotthoff
5 Jalan SG 8/11, Taman Sri Gombak
Batu Caves, Selangor 68100
Malaysia
Tel: 0060197437232
Email: rainersg@yahoo.com
Website: www.pelangifoundation.org

Positive Living Malaysia
Coordinator: Benerdick Monteiro
43C, Jalan SS 15/4,
Subang Jaya,, Selangor, 47500
Malaysia
Tel: 603 5635 5535
Fax: 603 5636 5535
Email: ben560122@yahoo.com

United Nations Children's Fund, (Malaysia Country Office)
Coordinator: Indra Nadchatram
Wisma UN, Block C, Kompleks Pejabat Damansara, Jalan Dungun,
Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50490
Malaysia
Tel: (+6.03) 2095 9157
Fax: (+6.03) 2093 0582
Email: inadchatram@unicef.org
Website: www.unicef.org

Family Planning Association Malacca
Coordinator: Ms Mehalah Lingam
Dewan Hang Tuah, Jalan Hang Tuah
Melaka, Melaka 75300
Malaysia
Tel: 06-2844474
Fax: 06-2813969
Email: fpamel@po.jaring.my
Website: http://www.ffpam.org.my

Pelangi Community Foundation
Coordinator: Azmi bin Uda
1583,Jalan Jambu Bongkok,Kp.Jambu Bongkok,Mercang
Dungun, Terengganu 23300
Malaysia
Tel: 0060193604031
Email: rainer@pelangifoundation.org
Website: www.pelangifoundation.org


Singapore
Coordinator: Mr. Herman Lim
Blk 135 Bedok North St 2 #07-135
Singapore, Singapore 460135
Singapore
Tel: 93637191
Email: hmtiga@yahoo.com

Patient Care Centre/ CDC/TTSH
Coordinator: Ms. S. Mary Stevens
11, Jalan Tan Tock Seng
Singapore, Singapore 308433
Singapore
Tel: 065-6357949
Fax: 065-2524056
Email: stevens_mary@ttsh.com.sg

Do show your support for this event, and let the families and friends of those who have passed away due to HIV/AIDS related complications know that they are not alone and the community is being mobilized to support them.

To learn more about the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, or to be a coordinator/sponsor for the Candlelight Memorial, log on to www.candlelightmemorial.org, or click on the banner below.

A Day At The Registration Office: An Interview

A friend of mine recently went to the Registration Office to get himself certified as a Malaysian. Talking to him to find out what happen, we ended up discussing more than just his experience at the Registration Office. A guy with a mind of his own, he also shares his views about our current government, and what he would do to better the country…

(BOLD - Me…, Italic - Him…)

I heard you went to the registration office to get yourself certified as a Malaysian, how did that happen??
More and more places are deciding to reject the old IC, including banks. Having missed the December 2005 deadline, I decided to go get it done once and for all wanted to go to the office in Kota Damansara, but unfortunately no one could find the way, so I detour all the way to PJ State.

How could you missed the deadline in the first place?
Well, lack of annual leave to go. Unfortunately just having started work, I have no leave, and the government doesn't make it compulsory for employers to give us a day off to go settle it.

I see.. so how was the treatment at the registration office?
Well, we reached there and it was as empty as a haunted house. Even the government staff were missing, except for one or two counters.

Msising?
Yeap, there were a total of 18 counters but only 8 staff. So (I would say) 10 people missing? Don't know where they went. Maybe minum teh tarik?

So, do you think the government should give a compulsory leave for everyone to renew their identity card/licenses etc?
Well, at least half a day. Its not our fault that they wanted to change the perfectly alright IC to the Mykad, which by the way is full of shit and problems. They said the Mykad cannot be forged... WRONG!

Well, the government seems to be very staunch and confidence on Mykad and its usage.
Read the star newspaper. Apparently there are some problems with the Mykad, that's why they took away that "over the top" compound. Previously they wanted to fine RM40 for (people aged) 25 and below, and my mom would (have to) pay a RM200 plus fine being in the (age) 35 and above range. But I was charged RM10 for the card, which is a hell lot better than RM40 or RM200. You know? That "compound" table is still on their website… for a government that places so much importance on technology and ICT, they don’t even update their website

So, do you think your new Mykad will change your life?
Mykad? Change my life? Sure. Previously they had me listed as Christian, as of today, I set the record straight and I'm now a Buddhist, and there was a slight problem with my finger print. Apparently new one didnt match old one, so I have to wait an extra 2 months on top of the normal 2 months to get my IC.

Wait. How did you mysteriously become a Christian in the first place?
I have no idea. I have never listed myself as a Christian. They must have assumed that since I'm Eurasian I'm a Christian. Does that mean I screwed up the last population census? Because they apparently had one extra Christian lying around.

I hope they didn't put you through hell in getting that changed.
The lady at the counter gave me a look and said, "sini tulis Christian." And then I said, "bukan, saya Buddhist." Then she examined my face, went to another pc and clicks around, then she asked me, "tapi you Eurasian kan?" Then I said, "ya, Eurasian and Buddhist." Being mixed screws up a lot of people's thinking.

What about the finger prints changes?
She told my mom it must be because of the detergent, which causes my skin to crack and thus the change in fingerprint, which is bullshit! I don’t do enough washing up for anything to crack and fingerprints never change! I assume the previous arse screwed up the scanning, or didn’t get a clear read.

So what do you think of the overall performance from our friendly governmental staff at the registration office?
I think (the lady who served me) was slightly moody, but besides that i guess it was ok. I just thank god that there wasn’t (a lot of people) there, if not her mood would be even worse.

Are you disappointed that they didn't smile and perform up to stand like the government always said their workers would be?
(Laughs) I never expect government staff to smile. Expecting them to smile would be like expecting Sadam to confess to his crimes or bush to get an IQ.

you think it's natural for government staff to be unfriendly?
They aren’t naturally unfriendly. They just lack emotion. Something like a brick wall.

What do you think causes the difference? I mean, we have all those smiley faces at Starbucks, and even 7-eleven that operates 24 hours a day, have their staff always smiling and greeting their guests. Why do you think governmental officers achieve the same?
Well, government officers are exactly Starbucks material. A bit of hard work and they fall to pieces. It seems that they want an easy life; something which I think the government has been providing them.

So you think this has to do with the big fat paycheck that they get?
(Laughs) Yeah, and all the fringe benefits as well. Everyone knows that government officers have great benefits: housing, pension, etc.

But aren't all these supposed to motivate them instead of demotivating them?
When the government just gives it to them regardless of performance, it tells them "what the hell, good or bad performance, I still get my benefits", whereas at other corporations/companies, its all performance based what you get is based on what you give.

So do you think the government can do to improve their their staff performance, then?
Well, they sure need to change their modus operandi,

Let's say if you are the government, aren't you afraid that by taking away their benefits, they're going to go on a strike? And lose all your workers?
There are tons of unemployed people out there... so what if they go on strike. I'm sure the positions will be filled up faster than you can say "hire me".

But new blood still needs time to train.
Time to train? The job is straight forward. I think the unemployed grads wont have a problem fitting in.. and with those type of benefits... it would be so easy to attract people in

But that still doesn't attract a lot of unemployed people to become a teacher, or join the police force, or the army.
Well, lets just put it this way, government offices are mostly filled with a single race, as for teaching, the benefits are not the same and the job is harder; police force, not many people plan to catch robbers in Malaysia; army… doesn’t exactly have a great reputation.

So you think race is an issue when it comes to governmental vacancies especially office desk-job?
Well, yeah. The Chinese and Indians most probably can’t get it so easily, but the government would place one or two here or there, just so that they can say there is no discrimination... but (they) are just putting them in there for the sake of a good name.

So what do you think could solve this? Obviously a quota can't be right for jobs.
Quota...? There should just be equal opportunity. Whoever is suitable should get the job. Those who are already working there won't feel so great because they know that there are more people wanting their position, but with the current "hire a certain race" policy, I guess they are feeling protected.

So you think that policy should be lifted?
Well, lets just say I think government offices should be more competitive like your beloved Starbucks and other companies in the private sector.

But dun you think by taking that away, the "certain race" might not be happy as well?
(Laughs) Well if they are unhappy, all I can say is that our government caused it. By sheltering them, the government has in fact made them inefficient.

So you're implying that a revolution is needed for everything to start over again?
Well, revolution would be too drastic. As with everything in life -- baby steps of change; just don’t remain stagnant.

Agree or disagree? Post your comment here.

An Original Jessism © 15052006

Lunch At Kyushu

Went for lunch with my colleague at a Japanese Restaurant today. Had the usual set lunch we always order. Today, the girl who always serves us seems a little down. She was always very energetic and all, but today she just looked sad.

Anyway, after lunch, I saw her at the cashier, and Jess being Jess, me with my big fat mouth just have to ask: "Are you ok? You seem tired today." And she started blushing and said something about how I always notice her. Then as I was about to turn and leave with my colleagues, she asked me to hold on a sec and proceed to give me her card! Which is great.... if I'm straight. My colleagues, who know that I'm not, started laughing, which makes her blush even more.

At that very moment, I really don't know what to do! I've had girls coming up to tell me that they like me, and send me lovey-dovey smses, but a call card??? I never had that before! Should I take her card? Should say "it's ok, I don't need your card. I'm gay."? Well, she already looked sad and she's now blushing. So Jess took her card, while making a mental note to himself that he should NEVER go back to that shop for lunch, ever again.