Sabah...ooo Sabah...

SABAH politics - always an interesting subject to talk about. It can be dull, it can be funny, it can be interesting, and it can be very tense.

when Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee decided to pull out of the Barisan Nasional coalition on Sept 17, 2008, all eyes were on this Sabah-based political party, everyone wants to know whether this party, which has been under the BN wing for 14 years will divert their struggle to helping the Pakatan Rakyat. They already announced their no confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ... so the only logical thing would be to join the opposition's fray. But of course, YTL has his own plan.

so on Nov 22, 2008, when he launched the SAPP Centre Putatan at Putatan Square, he announced that the party would not join the Pakatan Rakyat, but admitted to meeting Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, over breakfast.

when asked, YTL just told the media that they discussed on fuel prices, global economic turmoil, illegal immigrants and peace mission in Mindanao.

He shared DS DI's view that the Petroleum Agreement 1974 should be reviewed. "Why not, even the Federal Constitution is amended, so what's wrong with reviewing the oil royalty," he said.

YTL further commented: "Although the Chief Minister has announced that the State Government will not review the oil royalty, for us, it is not the end of the story ... we will fight to bring fairness for the people of Sabah."

The former Chief Minister also stressed that they will not join Pakatan Rakyat, simply because they do no want to refer or report to any other political parties outside Sabah, stressing that it defeats the whole purpose of having State autnomy, especially when the State is quite capable of making its own decision, managing its own financial ... after all, State autonomy is included in SAPP's eight points.

honestly, SAPP's struggle is noble. But time will tell on whether the party will remain firm with its stand. He said that com geneal elections, SAPP will be constructive and innovative with their relationshp with Pakatan Rakyat.

"Whether we are going to oppose or support the Pakatan Rakyat in the next general elections, we will be contructive and innovative with our relationship of the coalition. One thing for sure, we will not jeoparise our mision to have political autonomy for Sabah, Sabahans and other political party in the State," he explained.

for now, all we can do is to sit back and watch ... it is going to be an interesting experience ahead, I am sure of that!

growing up

MY niece, Jasmine Natasha Wong, just turned one on Oct 30. She is getting naughtier every day ... or is it smarter, whichever, she will still be our little angel. I just hope that she'll grow as a nice person, smart and witty ... inheriting all my good qualities (ahhhakksss *chuckle*).

My mom told me the other day about Jasmine, she tried poking milk in a box with a straw, and I was imagining her little fingers struggling to poke the box ... she must have learned it from her parents. Then when my brother-in-law's mom stopped her, she struggled and crawled under the bed, so the poor grandmother had to go under the bed to pull this little creature out. Bahaya ni, kici-kici sudah licik, next time jadi spy hehe

I think I had a good childhood too. I used to climb trees, reading good books up on one of the branches, and later fall asleep (I still wonder how I manage to stay steady and did not fall), cycling with friends around kampung (growing up, I don't really have many girl friends, so I guess that explains my tomboyish attitude), I have my fair share of getting my parents pissed at me, my mom used to chase me around the house, and I normally beat her by hiding under the house, she can't catch me there hehehehehe ... jahat ooo if i think now, the pain I put her through, but yeah, wouldn't you run if you see rice cooker cable in her hands, sakit bah tu kena pukul, gila, siapalah mau mengaku kena pukul, suicide bah tu...

Looking back, my childhood was different from my sisters, but my parents were good at educating us, all equal. The difference with my time was the society, it was more peaceful then, but may be because I was not polluted with all this political agenda and complicated problems, all was just fine.

During my sisters' time, I was already in my upper secondary (it's eight years gap between me and my second sister), so the age difference was huge. I was more mature, so instead of getting scoldings from two adults, my younger siblings got more scoldings and get bullied by me (I have the power to bully and scold MUAHAHAHAHAHA) ... so the upbringing is different. I love being bossy to my younger siblings, and came this term in my family: "Don't pass orders" ... because I always pass orders to my younger siblings, bah kaki bully kan hehe

The point is, living as one big happy family is great, so, treasure the relationship well, don't ever let it slip away, love each other with great joy

By the way, Happy Belated Birthday Jasmine

November wind ...

IT'S 46 days to Christmas ... i think, and already i'm excited. It'll be a great December for me this year, there'll be a wedding (my second sister, Marianne Pamela) and may be, a little newcomer (Emmy Jane's second baby) in the family.

My parents, of course, are extremely happy, it's double bonus for them, a new son-in-law and a baby ... funny how life changed in just within 11 months. I thought it would be a terrible year but everything turned out to be good, my life is so full of joy and laughter ... and I have to thank my family, and yes...friends who have always been there in my ups and downs.

However, i'm keeping my fingers crossed, I hope the sun will continue to shine on us all and guide us to better life ahead ...

Life...

THERE are all kinds of lives in the world. It builds one's character. It makes life interesting. It makes the world go round.

The difference make people think, believe and want different things, they want to achieve different goals, they have different motives, and makes one face his or her problem differently.

I have come to term that my family may not be the best in the world, but we are what we are. My sisters and I are not the same, may be because of the age, the sense of responsibility, the interest.

(Little background here - I am the eldest of four girls. My father, Barnabas Sokial, is an ex-public relations officer and was attached to the Sabah Police Headquarters in Kepayan and my mom, Litty Jomboh Anthony, is a teacher with Sekolah Kebangsaan Kepayan. The second daughter in the family, Marianne Pamela, is attached to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, the third, Emmy Jane, is a policewoman in Keningau, while the youngest of us all, Stephanie Laura, is still studying)

This time around, we are blessed with the additional people in our family. My brother-in-laws Martin and Lowrance, my niece Jasmine Natasha and soon another Little Angel will come along. It makes the days merrier.

Honestly, it is not easy to be the eldest in the family, it's a lot of responsibilities, but it's not a burden at all. I'm prepared for anything. It's a lifetime 'contract'. I made a promise to my parents that I will take good care of my younger siblings and that is a promise I will treasure...even if it means sacrificing myself.

Well, I guess that's life. Although I'm not born into a perfect family, but this is my irreplacable family. I will not trade the very important people i.e my family, my life, or even my burden with anything.

appreciate and be appreciated

I appreciate shapes. I appreciate colours. I appreciate sounds. I appreciate silence. I appreciate life.

Often we refuse to listen. Often we refuse to look. Often we refuse to speak. Often we take things for granted. Often we believe in something unbelievable, something impossible, something unacceptable.

Sometimes we forget to reflect. Sometimes we forget to look at our past. Sometimes we forget to look at ourselves.

Most of the time we demand appreciation. We want to be appreciated, and blame it to "human nature". But do you know how to appreciate. Do you actually stop and smell the roses, or any flowers, plants for that matter? Do you actually listen to the birds chirping in the morning? Do you understand why people think differently? Do you know why people are so obssessed with something that they refuse to accept other things?

I, honestly, can be very critical. I critic almost everything, cloths, shoes, bags, hair, nails, underwear ... it becomes an addiction. I often tell friends that it is an art, an art of observation, scrutinising every detail ... I get the kicks of looking at people's flaws, but I always forget to look at myself, I should ask myself: "am I perfect?"

But, of course, as fast as we could run, we cannot hide from the fact that we all like to look, listen and speak. May be criticising people is a way of appreciating them. They have made their point that their weirdness would draw attention, that's an achievement to their effort. I am sure, we made someone's day.

For one to be appreciated, one must first appreciate. Appreciation is earned ... just like respect. So the next time you see something nice, spare some time to appreciate it. Tell the one you love and your loved ones how much you love them. Thank your parents for their sacrifices and contribution, do it now while you still can ... I just did!

i'm happy, but...

THIS is not another broken-hearted story. Well, ok, a little bit. Nothing sensitive. Nothing earth-shattering, just gladness that Chelsea actually won, beating Manchester City 3-1 ... no words can explain how happy I am at this very moment. It is just sad that the referee had to give John Terry a red card (stupid o kan!!!) ... and yes, I watched the game, and still up at this hour, nothing wrong mah for girls to watch football, lagipun i'm off today (Sunday).
It's also sad that MU lost to Liverpool 2-1 (yes, I watched the game too!), but Liverpool was playing amazingly. MU was just too ... how can I put this ... lazy? slow? over confident?
Can't wait for next week's match lah, it'll be so much fun ... except the fact that John Terry will not be around ... sedihnya!!!
Actually, another reason why I watched the two matches was to get my mind off the ISA issue used against a fellow journalist in Penang. It's such a 'black day for the media'. We, media friends from Sabah, staged a silent protest, some wore black t-shirts/shirts as requested, but all tied yellow ribbon on either the hand or bag or camera. We, reporters, have to stick together, in bad (not bed) or good. We have no one to turn too except to each other, so the phrase ' a friend in need, is a friend indeed' is aptly used in this sense.
Gee...I wonder how I got from football to this heart-breaking issue? Guess once a reporter, will always be a reporter, can't hide our feelings and the urge to write something controversial? exciting? news worthy? ... with the ISA watching us, I do not think there is freedom of speech anymore, so I guess 'they' all should also stop calling/preach for fair reporting, there is none already, we're force to write all good, and nothing but good stuff.
Unless you have a different opinion lah ... (would I get arrested for writting all this here?)

my goodness, it's September, a month passed by without me realising it (except the day I turned a year older ... damn), it's ok, growing old gracefully (ya ya ya bla bla bla). I know I need to type something here but i'm blur right now, may be i'll come back later when i'm thinking straight (apa tidak, curi-curi use office internet, balik rumah no thrill bah pakai internet hehe)

just a thought ...

I was told that if you pray hard, your wish will come true. I prayed (although not that hard) and yes, some of my dreams have came true. If I prayed harder, I believe God will answer all my prayers.

Life, in short, is simple. What makes it complicated? Well, I must say we ourselves make life difficult. We like the impossible and somehow it's too impossible that it's impossible to achieve (unless probably you are Tom Cruise and acting in Mission Impossible. I never like the movie, Tom Cruise looks stupid in that character!!!), but then again, that only happens in the movies, reality, not all mission is possible.

For one to reach one's goal/s, one will have to work hard (apart from praying), nothing comes easy nowadays, nothing comes for free. No pain, no gain ... of course, this is an overused phrase, but it's true. After 14 years in journalism, I realise that my work had taught me to be the person I am today, I am stronger, wiser and more mature. I have no regrets. I now can look back and be happy, I may not be the best journalist around, but I have improved a lot over the years.

But I could not do it without my mentor, my former Chief Editor during my Borneo Mail time, George Kanavathi, my current chief reporter Ripin Mintow at Borneo Post, and of course, my colleagues. My BIG, no no no HUGE is the word, thank you to them. Their guidance and patience had given me the inspiration to move forward, pushing me through the odds, making the impossibles possisble ... and ooooo my seniors, thank you, thank you and thank you ...

Honestly, there are goals to achieve and until then, I will not stop from trying.

new here ...

as much as I hate to admit, this blog thingy is kinda new to me ... not that I don't know its existence but I, kinda, enjoy reading other people's blogs, may be because they can think of better things to write, or may be because their blogs are more interesting.

Lets put this simple, honestly, I do not know what to write, talk or discuss in this blog, may be someone out there who happens to come across my blog could contribute interesting issues for us to write or discuss.

I even surprised myself to even come up with this blog ... mmmmmmm ... funny huh??? But may be this is just another avenue for me to write something from nothing, does that make sense? But that's reality ... I am writing something base on nothing, well until I actually find something fun, interesting and worth writing, i'll come back to this blog. Until then, I still welcome anyone who wish to drop a few words and offer ideas