We continue our thought-provoking discussion on the deeper meaning behind the issues at stake.
This time John Hilley, from that “piece of land called Scotland”, responds to tunglang’s views on work passion and creativity (see preceding post) and challenges some of the prevailing assumptions about nationalism, development, and global competition.
Dear tunglang
Thanks for that heartfelt statement on the higher moral value we might place on the work we do, or strive to do.
Are we a nation that lacks creativity and risk-taking?
Blog reader tunglang shares his thoughts with us:
Have you heard about work passion?
It has nothing to do with your paycheck amount or job prestige or social status. It has more to do with your own inner calling, your love for the work you enjoy doing that makes Monday not that dreaded day of the week.
It is what some of us don’t care to listen carefully to in the busy, rat race to achieve or to meet social acceptance, regardless whether we are happy with our work or not.
Of late, we have heard a lot of talk in the news about the death penalty. Some of our politicians talk as if the death penalty has widespread acceptance.
So I am curious to know to what extent ordinary people really support capital punishment.
Personally I am against the death penalty for a number of reasons.
Globally, more and more countries are doing away with capital punishment. According to Amnesty International, more than two-thirds of the countries in the world have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice:
Total abolitionist in law or practice: 139
Retentionist: 58
Now, let’s see how many of you support or oppose the death penalty.
[poll id=”57″]
I notice press reports mentioning the DAP’s three promises should Pakatan take over Putrajaya:
Shouldn’t a progressive electoral platform highlight the following:
Much has been said about the capital outflows from Malaysia. But where exactly are Malaysian firms investing in?
The top 10 destinations outside the country for Malaysian investments in 2009 were:
A Gallup global survey reveals that Malaysia is way down in the list of ‘happy countries’.
Respondents were asked how they felt the previous day and had to rate “whether they felt well-rested, respected, free of pain and intellectually engaged”.
Denmark is the ‘happiest’ country in the world, according to the Gallup survey results published in Forbes.
The ranking among Southeast Asian nations is as follows:
79 – Thailand
81 – Singapore
85 – Indonesia
91 – Burma (and Bangladesh)
94 – Malaysia and Philippines
96 – Vietnam
130 – Laos
148 – Cambodia
I see a ‘spy camera’ has been found in Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim’s office.
Oh my, there’s never a dull moment in Malaysia.
This is a so-called ‘spy camera’ – actually a video camera placed among the curtains – that beeps when the battery level is low. (That’s how the camera was found.)
What can we expect from the next general election, which a few believe may coincide with the Sarawak state election?
The last general election was widely described as a watershed general election, but real change is still some way off, although we are now closer to a viable two-coalition system.
The new Ketua Penguasa of the Penang Botanic Garden, Tengku Idaura, has a monumental challenge ahead of her in restoring and improving the Garden in line with best practices.
She is seeking the assistance of volunteer botanists and garden enthusiasts.
Says Tengku Idaura:
It’s heartening to read the comments about the Penang Botanic Gardens. After working here for seven days, I feel downright discouraged at the volume of tasks ahead of me. Most of all, can I remove all the unnecessary structures which the officials would declare as “structurally sound” and therefore…