NE'ER A KNIGHT DO I ASPIRE NOR EVER WAS ONE

Papalados felt: very honored, having received comments from fellow cyber surfers apart from the irrepressible HRH: The Prince Guy and The Ever Formidable: Avenger for the Oppressed- His Excellency: The Don Diego De La Vega-his closest, buddies cum frequent commentators. Papa must only extend his heartfelt appreciation for The Venerable Personages for taking the wee bit of their valuable time viewing this inconsequential blog of his. Daman, an old school mate, good to hear from you again old chap. As for the kind anonymous who inquired as to whether papa has any ambitions of office- not in this lifetime: HAHAHA! Further to that he is not a Dato, it was just The Prince, a long time friend and an ex schoolmate having a little bit of fun. The fact is, papa is, not really, that agreeable, being called one considering the current ‘stigma’ attached to some personalities (Ameno Goons-especially so) adorning albeit undeservedly the Honorific Appellatives. Do: Forgive this worthless self Your Majesties. It is only your humble servant remonstrative way of highlighting some pertinent occurrences, at present, that, he thought in his little wayward mind, do not at all reflect the exaltedness of the designations upon some persons wearing them, and only, in the context, of this post, and none extra to it. Ampun Tuanku. For Mawar Berduri, papa does have the few more dangdut stories to tell however still in draft form, but, will be posted soonest possible perhaps the immediate after this little article. Come two weeks time insyaallah he may find it a bit tenuous even redundant talking about polity and statecraft having heard through the grapevine of yet another Mega tsunami hitting our shores. Should that event arrived only tears of relief and complete elation that would veritably overcome him. All, his, decade long wait has come to end. The Rakyat will reign supreme. No need to dabble in politics anymore. Papa can go back to his inconsequential self- a seedy cum wretched dangdut enthusiast- a grayish head of hair degenerate or to invoke the more popular nomenclature albeit affectionately- a middle-aged bastard. Hidup Barisan Rakyat!

SHOULD BE THE CASE SHOULD NOT IT- ALL FOR THE RAKYAT

There is actually no argument at all should one takes a gaze at the new line of state exco members in Selangor. The ruling parties currently in control of the state’s administration do walk their talk of taking into consideration the rakyat’s requirements with regards to an effective management in respect of the perceived needs of the subjects within the referred- territory .
The inclusion of a portfolio that deals with illegal factories, it may jolt one’s sensibility that the authorities include such a department within their multifaceted supervision. Could, not recall, other states: having that particular operating office- if ever. Quaintly, it goes to show how insidious was the previous administration. How, was it, that, illegal factories, be allowed to flourish without actions, ever being taken? Jaded questions: all, the more, pointing to unabated graft and corruption, being, perpetrated at nearly all levels within the entire gamut. Little Napoleons notwithstanding there must be the, all empowering political patronage in the background. Bee End’s rogues- no doubt about it.
Are, there really, decent people inside the behemoth or any decency left: some semblance perhaps but already- gone.
Considering that the newly sworn in government aims to move these factories to more suitable locations (within the ambits of the by laws-quite of course) bears testimony that they are sensitive to the surroundings along with the needs of the business community inside the state.
Since the state has a university of its own, the inclusions of the portfolios: science technology and innovation, education and higher education, research and development and human resource development somehow could, be effectively- connected. In order, to realize a comprehensive type of action plan that could, be tied, in together, especially on issues concerning education and training particularly for the young, within the region. It is only- AUKU that remains- the evil phantom- lurking, in the background but seriously, emasculated as of now from the menacing specter it was before. For sure, the current administration, would not, tolerate such pernicious apparatus, that was, devilishly utilized, by the previous government. The Federal leaders would of course try as they may to make the Act- even though weakened, wreaked the little bit of havoc albeit as destructive as possible. However, it remains, to, be seen if AUKU would still be tolerated as the encompassing management philosophy in the territory has all but remained the way it was before.
Caring government, poverty, welfare and plantation workers are really quite self- explanatory if their work scope, were to, be scrutinized. The addition of these portfolios using the literal meanings of the terms very much goes to show how serious the new chiefs are about tackling these overly serious cum urgent issues in their dominions. Never before, any government gave that much emphasis on such tenuous points in question. Subjects: that were, attended to, whence need be and not go out of hand by the Bee End leadership before. The rest of the portfolios if viewed from the summary expounded above, substantially supplemented the ones before resulting in a concise and comprehensive management plan that, can be said to cover most of the crucial areas that need be dealt with especially by a determined albeit fledgling administration. Howsoever with, the newly spirit of camaraderie, resourcefulness and incorruptibility there is, no way that the new government would falter. Adding to the fact that the Tan Sri has just proposed, a study, being done to inquire into the numbers of unemployed youths in Bandar Tun Razak and ways in tackling the situation by offering employment, strikes the propitious note should any decent bloke hears of it. Much in contrast to answers given by the Bee End boys and girls, should, the same, situation, persists in their constituency. The likely answer not unlike the numerous times before would be just: they would look into it- period.
Papalados refrains from mentioning gender or race because he finds, those type of considerations irrelevant as it is the new Malaysia and one, should not, judge anyone else, all the more, one’s leaders by questions of demographics but by capableness and qualifications. Qualified they are overly so but capable- being the up most- upright persons they are proved to be- must only be academic. Hidup Barisan Rakyat!

WOULD BE BETTER IF?

Uncle Lim’s decision, to not attend, the Perak’s MB swearing in ceremony the few days after the PRU 12 was much derided by the mainstream media. His subsequent apology albeit only three hours later was, conversely, played down and hardly mentioned along with the much festive reporting the following day. Comparatively as to what is contemporaneously transpiring in respect of the dejected MB aspirant and his twenty- two cohorts, certain double standard practices, could be distinctively perceived. Why was the media passive on this issue and unlike the previous yet similar occurrence, appeared supportive of the Ex MB. Did not the media understand the vibrations emanating from the populace post March 8 that certain minimum standards tolerated before must make way for greater paradigms commensurate with the temperaments holding sway among the rakyat as of today and the times ahead. Free and fair reporting still appears as distant to the editors as Pulau Satu is to the Pantun author. Little, that they, understand, that Malaysia, has just experienced sea changes and with them must be the attachments that are the logical consequences resulting from the transformation in the first place. Should they negate one for the other, they outcome could only be utter ridicule particularly for the Media Bosses if not the ones higher up. Quaintly in any war, should the term be permissible, it is perhaps commendable to include a policy for ‘withdraw’ alongside the belligerent line of action initially. If things do not seem to go one’s way perchance it would be exemplary if not advisable to prepare oneself to become the opposing force the next time around. An analogy could be from the ruling coalition to an effective opposition. By, and large, it was the rakyat’s choice was not it. The rakyat rule- there is no two away about it. Makkal Shakti.
Coming back to the issue of the MB designate but was not to be, could it be prudent if not downright foolish to do battle with the King and expect something positive coming out of it. Poignantly did not one perpetually invoke the lofty representations of: “For King and Country” each time one achieves victory for the nation. Yet one now finds it imperative to ‘contend’ with His Majesty. Stupidity may not be an appropriate term should this act of ‘Derhaka’ or defiling The Supreme Leader be allowed to continue without end.
Should His Majesty discover things that did not please him then appease him even to the extent of calling, for, a, state- wide, elections if need be. Be magnanimous, there is nothing to gain by being impertinent. The rakyat would look highly on that. He is The King for heavens sake. Who: would you pick up a fight next: GOD? Alls said, what, are we, without, our King. DAULAT TUANKU!
Papalados does find it the little bit uncouth talking about contemporary politics considering his position as a seedy cum wretched middle aged dangdut lover but for the little that he finds observable and pertinent with respect to the murmurings on the ground nowadays. It could be the bit recommendable should the younger set from the populace finds in them the propensity to join political parties in ever more numbers. Any party, for that matter, regardless, of the Bee R or the Bee End. However, this time, not for, personal riches nor for corruptible power but for the rakyat- sure and simple. The aged and the unsavory must in the end give way for the young and impressionable, that is how the law of nature works- without, fail. It is just that the conditions are so ripe now what are with the sentiments of the rakyat much favorable to good governance, humility on the part of the leaders, unostentatious in the way they project themselves and deploying the best of manners in their everyday dealings. Never also must the chiefs be too abrupt and overly brash, so, as to, avoid any uncalled for- wielding of wonted daggers during impassionate speeches. Talking about impassioned discourses, they must always be about the rakyat and for the rakyat rather than the perpetuation of an unending exploitation of the country’s valuable resources particularly so in the name of the ‘sons of the soil’ component of the citizenry. The reality being the bumiputras: their ancestral lands, being seized, each, and everyday, and their lives- the majority of them not being improved but stuck ever more in a quagmire of feudal like bonded slavery. The masters: becoming richer, every second onwards, colluding, all, the more, with cukong capitalists comprising of all main racial constituents in the country. Not one racial type holds sway. Everybody is rich but the majority of the rakyat remains near destitution poor, quite many had to resort to day and night vocations, just to survive- a simile, could, be: the head just being above water. Prices escalated like, nobody’s, business with the authorities hard pressed to engage any effective form of control over things. It was only much later that a semblance of actions taken, be projected, but the people have suffered, deprived of their essential food items if not for that considerable while. None of the proactive stances from the government these few years back, only ad hoc executions albeit haphazardly- most of times. All, the more, inducing, the rakyat, to be suspicious, of the true motives, behind, the Government’s, actions. Issues of demand over supply and world prices may not hold water anymore. Rather collusions on a grand scale with the evil cukongs whereupon everybody at the top profits. Nonsensical but after numerous instances of quite similar occurrences, they do bear logic. The net 70 billion earned by Petronas, who beside the powers that be could verify the exact figure and how it came to be to the nearest cent, taking into account documents, validated and endorsed by outside auditors- foreign but reputable accounting firms. For all you know, the real figure could be three times that!
Now that the Bee R, control, five states, the enormity of the pillaging could surface in time. Prepare yourself to be shocked. Curses: to you: Ignominious Charlatans. May you rot in hell! For all your excesses, God has the final say. He has made you and your administration, irrelevant. The, people, knows it, and shortly, the powers of the good and the righteous will oust you from your exalted positions. Only sensibility, can, save your party, whence, everything, need, to be, revamped and every corrupt person spurned but you have not done that or you find it impossible initiating such affirmative actions. Half a century is too long a time and no one blames you for your immovability. You have been around for too long and it is time to move on but repackaged yourself only this time substantially or risked, being, thrown, into the dustbins of history. The country is more than ready for a two party system. Make sure you are eligible to be one of the two.
Penultimate to the post, papa would like relate a ceramah(political speech) and jamuan(celebratory feast) he and the good Prince attended just late afternoon on the most recent Sunday in Gombak. Where the good doctor Tan Seng Ngiaw of The DAP recounted how he earnestly implored all State Assembly Men and Members of Parliament post elections, regardless of any parties, to go to the ground, listen to the rakyat and set to remedy things for them. He continued by saying that politics is all about serving the rakyat and nothing should deter the people’s representatives from doing just that. “Your time is for the rakyat, make sure you are always seen, with, them” he further elaborated.
So then- our young men and women, should you decide to participate that little bit more in politics do listen to what the good Doctor has to say. He has been in Parliament for seven consecutive terms. He knows what, he is talking about, he, is quite the authority on it. Deter yourselves from personal gains and/or empire building or risk- being thrown- asunder, by the rakyat. Be the good person and the upright leader at all times. Would, be better for everybody, would not it?

THE TOTOKS

What could be best described as the adherents of a grouping as zealous as can be, even though the said grouping may have as its philosophy one of multifarious doctrines together with multitudinous convictions. The members must only be vehement in their articles of faith that they find it most difficult even near impossible to alter albeit change as, yet, a miniscule bit their dogmas against an onslaught of ideas that was brought about by new and recent developments within their common territory. Ideas by their own Countrymen, outside their lodge, that they perennially regard, as irrelevant and quite poignantly- lesser human beings. Nevertheless the very ideas that came not from within the country but from beyond the borders, as a result, of the sea changes that occurred on other shores and different hinterlands. Notions of greatness that were manifested justifiably so by a set of people ever so magnificent having rid themselves of chauvinistic cum blind ethnocentricity. Freedom of expressions that, should, rightly so: allude to a state of being that is significantly better disposed against the more than few, ever more, competitive opponents in the realm of newfangled ideas and inventions. Most, could not, as, contemporary instances dictate, contend, with a nation bestowed with the most number of inhabitants- in terms of her manufacturing prowess. Cost, and economies of scale, wise, quite, of course. Only in the areas of quality added that probably than most, can, one- upped, the ante, or perhaps so, but for the conditions to be ripe and ready, we must all be free in the much elevated sense of the word without any shackles, physical or otherwise. Draconic covenants along with selective communications must, never be allowed, to roam free without end. They must only be discarded at the most opportune moment, to be, deposited, into the proverbial- dustbins of history- where they rightly should be in the first place. Mechanisms for people to vent their dissatisfaction must, be activated, lest every few years, so much so, that anarchy and mayhem may not get the better of us. Proud to say that it has worked all across the Golden Chersonnee and North Borneo that the result is gratifyingly- made manifest in the Confederation, upon the faces of her young and impressionable particularly so, ever hopeful and confident of a new, vibrant and dynamic nation. By, the Greatness of God, it will come to be in the not too distant future. Insyaallah. Lastly, we all have in us levels of totokness, mostly due to culture and creed but the idea is to reduce it to a plane that would able it to become promising for all. Never, must we, allow it, to be maleficent, or risked our most recent albeit much positive Nation Building turning out stale and clichéd. Unity In Diversity: Everybody. Long Live The Peoples Front!

AS IRRELEVANT AS IT MAY SEEM

There is absolutely no relevance should a degenerate middle- aged bastard be juxtaposed alongside an institution so venerable and sublimed. Polity and statecraft must only be forwarded their dues, democracy must, perennially, be activated, all, the more so, lest anarchy and mayhem reigned supreme. So much so that the backdrop of any respectable commonwealth should have the subliminal awareness of constitutional government, being the protagonist that rightly brought about the concurrent state of affairs in the homeland.
Peace in all its relative manifestations would be the priced item sought by peoples all over although better planes of the like, could be, achieved. Experiences from other territories can be, made the yardstick in order to arrive at the optimum, as, yet, the best for the citizenry. Howsoever the means through which the ideals, be effectuated may not be so, clear- cut, as the incumbent in all probabilities would not be so relenting. Fight, he or she will albeit utilizing everything at his or her disposal even though some components from their defensive apparatus may not be ‘utilized’, that, Lady or Gentlemanlike.
Covenants: ever so draconic plus the quaint co-opting of the state’s machinery in spite of the fact the said action being contrary to the spirit of the contest, at- the very least. But- power, quintessentially, does make perspectives blur or does not it? However, altruistic inklings the world over are ne’er the praxis they should rightly be but rather the textbook theories, platitudinous and trite to the extreme. Exotic notions that invoke more of the drawbacks as opposed the felicitous. Far fetched yet attainable but relegated to the peripheries thus turning the majestic proposals into whimsical ideas of near crazy social scientists, abetted- by, and large- by pointers emanating from a dominion that prefers skewing mass communications much one sided-theirs: most of times, if not every time.
On the other hand should the fat of the land be visibly shared amongst all plus the general outlook economy wise still sustainable with growth quite feasible, minor infractions on the government's part would still be tolerated even neglected, regarded, more so, as the niggling bits that are the littlest yet necessary evils. But- when, prices do get to be burdensome together with the ones higher ups be suspected to be ‘colluding’ with the pot bellied capitalists, then and only then could things be that bit tenacious for everyone. Pretty much the scene all over, across the five continents should the post be surmised at this juncture. The dynamism of any body politics can never be compared to anything much sordid cum wretched not unlike dangdut, no matter how many times papalados would like try to portray his beloved dance genre as the quintessentially polymorphous art form that imbibe the best of the best from all over. Notwithstanding that, the bloody thing, could never attain, even the minutest recognition much less the minutiae of respect from any sane person, domiciled, within its own neighborhood. Dangdut’s seediness will always surpassed itself, making papalados, the dance’s, unwarranted Spokesperson, all, the more, like dangdut- seedy, sordid and wretched and rightly, must never, be taken seriously. To think, that he wants, to talk about something, so inspiring, the, likes of- politics. F…..k you: papa!

THE CLUB EXTRAVAGANZA- THE MAKING OF A DANGDUT KING

Papa and HRH, The Prince Guy both received quite similar messages through their hand phones that unkel will be at The Lotus Restaurant, Medan Tuanku in about half to three quarter hours time. Considering that the smses, were sent, about an hour before the two friends appeared at the establishment, unkel should be visible amongst the few and dispersed, patrons, sitting out at one of the many tables laid out Al Fresco style outside the main hall of the restaurant.
However, there was, not any glimpse of him, the prince even went about both sides of the restaurant but still no visible signs of unkel. It was quite strange as most times, his hunched up figure would be the most prominent either from the back or sideways. Without wanting to, waste any more time The Prince called unkel.
He was in the air- conditioned section of the eating- house, of all places. Papa and the prince did not even know of the availability of that portion. Since unkel, is not known, to smoke, for sure he would head for that particular segment of the eatery, together with the fact that K.L has been a little bit stifling as of late, even so in the evenings.
He waved at the two friends, signaling them to come join him and Mann Twopie at the only occupied table in the hall. Papa remembered, the voice he heard, unkel was talking to, the few seconds after, papa, answered his call on the handset- it was, Mann’s. There were visible signs of much feasting on the table, what was with the few bits of saffron colored rice here and there together with a bowl of unfinished dark curry gravy and a few slices of pickled cucumber, arranged haphazardly on a small plate. Both must have had beriyani suppers.
Mann’s laptop was, switched on, displaying The Kuala Lumpur bourse’s, for the day, prices listing with unkel intently viewing the monitor, right hand index finger on the mouse pad, maneuvering the cursor so as to how best to utilize the website. Unkel, an astute investor, never did bother trying out the computer thingy even though acquiring the ubiquitous notebook more than a while ago, preferring to personally visit his stock dealer at the bank along with monitoring his ‘investments’ from the giant screen displayed in the hall of the bank’s stock and share department floor. Whence, the graph’s, vigorously moves up and down, then, unkel could rely on his proverbially ‘fat wallet’ maintaining its chunky size for the bit while longer if not perpetually- for that matter.
The Prince asked about Lanchapap, unkel replied Lan’s at his seaside apartment, readying it for tenants renting for the long Chinese New Year Holidays just started. Fancy, these two fellows, both unassuming, yet discerning investors, all the same. Papa further inquired about Natasha and Melissa, unkel answered, both him and Lan have not called them, since. Well it just confirmed papa’s suspicions, with respect to their ‘lascivious’ exploits, they just did not happen. They, meaning unkel and Lanchapap are most of times- busy, with their ‘day to day’ activities albeit cash churning ones, so to spend indeterminately on some silly girls' fickleness, would be quite ‘counter productive’ for them. There were not the tangible profits, to be, made, however, should unkel decide to take one or both to be his betrotheds, the returns, could only be indescribable, but, then again, his heart may not be able to take it or keeps on pumping for the better, either or.
Papa suddenly felt peckish but could not obviously finish a plate of beriyani, so he ordered buttered Nan and Dhal. The nans were fresh and soft although he could not really eat them all, the prince saying he was full initially just could not resist the succulent pittas, he, sort of, dipped in- the nans into the dhall, of course. Even the seemingly satiated unkel and Mann were not able to resist, tasting some.
It was between ‘savoring’ the traditional north Indian oven baked bread that unkel, sort of, reminisced; of his past exploits, as regards the ‘ladies’ in his life. How he could not ‘hold on’ to a relationship, always saying the wrong things and not having the ‘finesse’ should the term be proper, to further ‘cement’ the connectedness into a more substantial cum permanent state of affairs. Mann interjected the few yet considerable times into unkel’s discourse, adding the bits and pieces that somewhat ‘enriched’ to a greater degree unkel’s quite woeful ‘life story’. He was party to most of unkel’s love feats albeit failed ones- almost all. Mann was the one who send the flowers, the introductory greeting cards and the quaint notes stuck behind wiper blades, on the windscreen of the girls’ cars. Considering, the fact, that most, of the lassies, that unkel pursued were the bombshell beautiful plus the quite ‘glamorous’ in their own rights, small wonder that unkel got the ‘rebuff’- most of the times. However, it, must also, be said, that unkel was the rather handsome chap- in his younger days- that is.
Taking note of his watch showing the time was quite nearing the witching hour that unkel inquired from papa and the prince as to where best to proceed, post supper, Papa pretty much leave it to unkel, the same also with prince. Unkel suggested The Club: Extravaganza.
So, it was, the four of them already making their way into the dance hall, Mummy Zahidah immediately approached them however making her way straight to papa upon seeing him nearest to her, together with the fact that she knew him best and the longest. She asked papa whether he and his friends just want to watch first and booked girls later or they prefer the dancers joining the group immediately. Unkel answered by saying “ Oh Mummy, At the very least allow us to sit first “, Laughingly, the good natured Zahidah said ok but she will still bring two girls once they are seated. Papa looked at unkel quizzing like but he gave the ok sign.
Mann was already gone when unkel, papa and The Prince found their seating arrangement situated a bit farther back inside the club but with quite a clear view of the dance floor. Papa gestured at unkel inquiring where, had Mann, gone to, unkel gesticulated back signaling that he was outside waiting it out at one of the stalls. Mann is attached; to one of the more prestigious corporations in K. L, and would, not want, to be, seen, dead, in a seedy establishment not unlike a dangdut club. Papa quite understood Mann’s predicament, the reason being that dangdut is largely seen as low class and sordid by Kuala Lumpur’s citizens. Considering also that Mann is rather the ‘Upper Manager’ in the Company it would not be good to be scandalized by seemingly cavorting with a Hostess in a dangdut hall. Howsoever for Papa, dangdut is not quite like that, its clubs are where the ‘arts’ are played out together with what is happening as regards the ubiquitous ‘dance’. The dangdut ‘dance’ that is not hindered by conventions nor governed by covenants. Dangdut could only be so fluid that papa would not miss for the world as to what its quaint movements- had evolved- into. Exactly what was conjectured, dangdut has evolved into ’Salsa’. That was they were doing: the dangdut Kings that is, Salsa but a bit interspersed with the minutest ‘Bollywood’ maneuvers, the quintessential hint of spices and fiery chili peppers.
Heartily papa, hell bent, manipulated his ‘four step formula’ to the utmost, twisting and turning with Ninie, one the two dancers sent to him and unkel by Zahidah, The prince decided to join Mann sitting out at one of the stalls outside, just to provide him company. What can anyone say about the Prince except that he is the true ‘royal’ amongst lesser men-not unlike; papa.
Somehow papa’s four step worked, to the extent of his dancing did not seem out of place amongst the few other dangdut kings on the dance floor, prancing together with him. Oops! Papa mentioned the few others, as if he is already one of them- the dangdut Kings that is; but exactly that, he felt like a dangdut King, he can dance like them, attested also by Ninie- an old hand in dangdut. When asked later, by papa, how was his dancing? Ninie answered, she was just following as to what, was instructed, by papa- of all things. He was the teacher or rather what was thought by Ninie, despite the fact that this was the first time he had really tried out his ‘four step formula’ and ‘four hands on’ at that. He thought that Ninie should have been the master and the discerning commentator yet she was the student or volunteered herself to be. Papa must have been that ‘good’, no wonder Ninie’s hands were not taut, she wanted papa to lead her and at the same time to teach her, imagine that. Papa, without doubt, had become, a DANGDUT KING! The intense swirls and twirls, and all the time papa was thinking he was quite making a fool of himself. Papa was truly elated, he felt like crying, all those years and he had finally reached the pinnacle. He had stepped upon the Dangdut king’s concourse and made his mark, attested not by anybody but the dancers themselves. Isabella the other girl sitting with unkel whispered to him, whence informed later by unkel, citing “Abang tu pandai menari” or “The Abang or Older Brother knows how to dance”. Behold Citizens Of The Blog- The Advent Of Yet Another Dangdut King In Town. Ya Be Da Be Doo!