:: speak up :: judge fairly :: defend the needy ::
I would like to officially announce my availability and expertise as a Wedding Emcee.. mainly because in the past couple of weeks I’ve been involved in emceeing two separate weddings in my family! (note to self: to be paid in the next round)
Family affairs are overwhelming, fulfilling, time-consuming, and in the final analysis, extremely worth it. Thank God for families!
It’s very amusing when people link you here and there.
I haven’t had time to blog since the last post, but there have been very interesting comments to my interview on Malaysia Today.
One that especially caught my attention was the fact that I am related to certain people and hence how I got to where I am today workwise.
I initially contemplated whether or not to respond to this, as it might seem as a move of being defensive. But I suppose in the spirit of transparency, which I fully advocate, there is no harm in making a clear statement 
So, here goes. I have no known direct relation to Michael Yeoh (my boss), nor Francis Yeoh (business tycoon) or his dad (Yeoh Tiong Lay).
But I understand why people would make that assumption though. There aren’t that many Yeohs around in KL, so hence people make that connection. Perhaps we were related like 4 generations ago, in the Fuchien province of China itself. Who knows?
Okay. Point made.
I’m speaking at a youth camp this weekend on the topic of “Politics & Injustice: What’s Faith Gotta do with it?”
This is obviously a topic that I’m pretty familiar with already, but I’ve only ever spoken to crowds made up of adults, activists and/or theologians. I’ve done one session on blogging with a bunch of intellectual youth at a writers’ camp, but this will be a different ball game for me.
Having expired from the old sunday teaching classes a long time ago, getting back in touch and in rhythm with 13-18 year olds is gonna be a slight toughie, especially on the above subject that is as dry as bread crumbs. Wonder how they will take to it. I need to pump them with some activity. These are some of the things I am thinking to do in the workshop to ensure maximum participation from the young un’s.
Wish me all the best!
It’s certainly been a long time (yet again) that I’ve left my blog hanging and dry. Very irresponsible of me. Allow me to update it with some articles first, and then some long overdue reflections over the past couple of months.
Genuine unity
A young Malaysian believes in a Malaysia that smiles with her heart.
By TRICIA YEOH
ON Merdeka Day, one is witness to a fanfare of celebrations, semangat muhibbah and flag-flying. This year is no different, and I stand by my fellow patriots in giving full allegiance to this nation we call “home”, because really, this is a home like no other.
Every year, there will be images of ladies impeccably clad in their respective traditional outfits, singing their lungs out to patriotic songs, on television.
| Tricia Yeoh: ‘I, like many Malaysians of my generation, naturally trust our leaders to look out for us.’ |
What perturbs me, however, is that some of these choir singers wear plastic smiles, seemingly disconnected from the songs they sing. Since I first noticed this, I’ve seen many false expressions of unity in the country.
These days I’m in search of something more meaningful.
I, like many Malaysians of my generation, naturally trust our leaders to look out for us.
I am therefore troubled when I hear remarks by a Parliamentarian, no less, that people of my particular skin colour should leave the country and go back to where we belong. Had it not occurred to my dear statesman that this country truly is where we belong and to which we firmly pledge our allegiance?
Establishing the fact that Malaysia is a multi-racial society should be sufficient to convince us that the country must serve all and all alike.
The stinging realisation of practices that discriminate one particular group over another has hit home. Thousands of Malaysians have chosen to migrate, preferring countries that recognise meritocracy first.
I have chosen to work in the area of public policy in Malaysia. I believe that working in the area of public policy gives me a tremendous opportunity to influence change in society on a macro level. I am willing to grasp at straws for the sake of a better tomorrow, even if it takes several generations.
In my work, I have had the opportunity to interact with people of all races, religions, geographical regions and backgrounds. These encounters help to shape public policies on socio-economic issues.
I believe that we must agree upon a culture of inclusiveness and appreciate people for who they are without necessarily placing them in little compartments in our heads.
Only then can we appreciate policies that aim to achieve a greater good for collective gain.
It is also necessary to move beyond artificial displays of unity. People should be given equal treatment, as it is crucial in ensuring that they feel accepted and united.
It is only upon dealing with the two fundamental notions of non-discrimination and equality, that we can begin to grapple with issues such as corruption, inefficiency, unemployment, lack of safety and security, pollution, and other socio-economic problems.
Public policy reform through research, analysis, dialogue and constructive criticism is a long and laborious process, but one that I feel is worth doing.
I believe in a day when this nation will move beyond petty racism and discriminatory practices. I believe in a day when race and religion are not wrongly used as political tools for power gain.
I believe in a Malaysia that celebrates cultural diversity beyond rigid identities of categories, and one that practises genuine unity because it desires to.
I believe in a Malaysia that smiles with its heart. No more lip service, no more plastic smiles, please.
A bit of navel-gazing here.
Many moons ago while working on my sturdy laptop I heard a little tweet coming from somewhere in my room. I jumped out of my chair in excitement, thinking there was a little bird stuck in here somewhere. I called everyone to come and listen, search for the poor creature that had undoubtedly found itself trapped inside. Intermittently the little thing would tweet in desperation, and we would all shout in unison saying we think it’s here, here..
The drama ended when, (of course, an hour later…) the sharpest ear caught the sound emanating from the very machine at which I was furiously typing at before.
Only 2 nights ago did I discover that the tweeting of the laptop is signal of hardware failure. Now how was I supposed to know that, honestly??
I recently returned from a wonderful weekend at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2007, in Kuching, Sarawak. It was a wonderful affair, particularly because this year happened to be its 10th year anniversary as well. I have been wanting to visit their cultural village and Festival for many years now, and finally got myself there.
It was a fantastic amalgamation of cultures and languages, both from the stage and its audience. I had Australian friends telling me that they never have these kinds of performances in Australia, where such a wide range of music can be feasted upon. Indeed, we had artistes from Afghanistan, Scotland, Vietnam and of course Malaysia. Highlights for me were the massive crowd moving together in love for music, celebrating their passion for music and life, yet differentiated enough in their backgrounds and cultures.
What I liked about the Festival was that it was exotic in nature, right in the very heart of the Rainforest. The stage couched within the forest itself, backdrop no fancy schmancy stuff but with nature’s pure raw energy that drives you to feeling whole. The cultural village also offers a glimpse into the indigenous Sarawakian world, where each home is labelled and furnished appropriately with its respective cultural heritages - Rumah Melanau, Melayu, Kelabit, Dayak and so on. I played on their guitar - equivalent (not quite the same), and played the bamboo stick game. Fun.
The final night was amazing personally because I had an extra mini concert, having followed my friend back to the hotel in which most of the musicians stayed. By the pool, all musicians whipped out their respective instruments and played the night away as if there was no tomorrow. They came together, colour and language aside, just with their guitars, double bass, banjo, percussion instruments, and made music all night long. Till the sky turned a shade of light blue and grey. And then I went to bed.
Here’s to June 11-13th Festival next year, 2008! All you people who have been wanting to go but never made it, please I implore you - go for it! It’s an experience not to be missed. Only in Sarawak. (The Sarawak Tourism Board better be paying me. But then again, do I want Taib’s money? I don’t think so.)
Hola, Hallo, Ni Hao, Hello, Apa Khabar to all.
Tricia Yeoh has decided to awaken from her blogging slumber and amidst the eye of the busiest, stormiest periods, emerge to report on the numerous activities that she is being actively involved in. It is also the first time that she is publicly acknowledging her name on the blog as Tricia Yeoh. Perhaps it was due to utter humility that she has refrained from announcing her name blatantly before.
Nevertheless, the crowd has convinced her that this is the best solution to get any message across. And she certainly has so much to say, it spills out of her heart and mind at times. So, welcome back to cyber space. At a time like this, when Nathaniel Tan and Raja Petra Kamarudin are being incessantly targeted, she feels that there needs to be some kind of strategy that speaks to both sides of the bridges, because anger stirs and clouds gather. She thinks that being combative on either side is not really helping either.
She thinks. And continues to do so. Please join Tricia as she goes on a thinking journey (which has never ended, and God only knows when it started because her mind gets tired of it sometimes).
I guess I should blog more often. I have lots of thoughts to pen down but seem to have little time. As a blogger one has a responsibility to upkeep one’s blog or it becomes overgrown with weeds. I have to constantly clear the air and do some springcleaning around here.
Anyway I’ve had the honour of being tagged for the “Thinking Blogger Award” by two people. I hardly call myself that (a thinking blogger) since I am such a temperamental blogger. But here it is, and thanks to the two of you who linked me 
THANK YOU!! *bows*
Someone asked what the purpose and role of someone living in abject poverty, with no hope and access to education, is in this world. It’s easy enough to respond that the rest of us who do have access and material goods should shoulder the responsibility to provide aid and capacity building to the rest. Aside from receiving input from the other privileged beings, what should their identity be formed upon? Perhaps the answer comes in the form of viewing society as community and not as isolated individuals.
As we enter the week towards Easter, and as I try my best to contemplate the reason for looking to the divine, I remember a beautiful song, lyrics and music both raw and real. They epitomise the cry of humanity when all else fails. And, when there are no easy answers, an inexcusable remark to make but I can only echo the words of David the Psalmist.
Psalm 13 (How Long O Lord) Brian Doerksen
How long O Lord, will You forget me
How long O Lord
will You look the other way
How long O Lord
must I wrestle with my thoughts
And everyday
have such sorrow in my heart
Look on me and answer
O God my Father
bring light to my darkness
before they see me fall
But I trust in Your unfailing love
Yes my heart will rejoice
Still I sing of Your unfailing love
You have been good
You will be good to me
