Peace of Mind

Hi guys, it’s been quite a long time since I write anything about football, the most watched sport in the world, only rivaled by the Olympics and Formula 1. Less than 12 months we are going to witness the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and some countries has qualified and some ‘big’ names are surprisingly struggling to reach the tournament. As a considerable big fan of the sport and plays regularly at my hometown field back then, I’ve seen a generations of football players and styles throughout the years, in the 90s and the 2000s. Many legends have already retired and now we can see new legends are emerging in this modern world football.

In the spirit of World Cup, I would like to list down my best 11 that I’ve seen with my own eyes playing their football and what makes them a legend in my book in the past years and present.

Goalkeeper:
1. Peter Schmeichel
- Produced some of the best saves the world has ever seen. The one hand save from Faustino Aprilla in ‘95 and the one hand save vs Rapid Vienna in ‘97 are just a handful of memorable moment in his career. Big, tall, agile are few of his great attributes. He also booked himself in the international hall of fame by helping Denmark to their 1992 European Championship triumph. Since his departure from Man Utd., they struggled to find a similar replacement.

Defenders:
1. Alessandro Nesta
- I consider him a stronger and tougher defender than Maldini. Coming through the ranks of SS Lazio as a ball boy, then youth team and finally made his senior appearance in 1993. Has won every major trophy the game has to offer. Strong, hard tackling and quick made him the best defender in Italy in my book. Injuries always stops him from achieving more games and has been injured in all his World Cup campaigns in the middle of the tournament. But his contribution to the team was never in doubt. His pairings with Cannavaro made Buffon’s work light.

2. Rio Ferdinand
- Massively consistent, but once he made a mistake, it always cost his team a goal. That’s how important he has been for every team he has played since his West Ham days until Manchester United. He is the heartbeat of the defense, whereas if he’s not on form, the team is not on form. But that’s a rarity in his game. Tall and quick, his tackling always seems easy that some strikers didn’t realize they had lost the ball to him. Kaka compliment him by saying that he is the toughest defender he ever came across with.

3. Bixente Lizarazu
- One of the most unsung hero in world football, he is considered one of the best left backs of all time, a career spanning 19 years, from Bordeaux to Bayern Munich. His ability to stop an attack and counter attacking with his pace does brings fear to the visiting team and was crucial in Bayern’s successful 2001 UEFA CHampions League campaign. The best French defender by a good margin.

4. Jaap Stam
- The most memorable moment I had about him was his stellar performance vs Inter Milan in the quarter final of the 1998/99 UEFA CHampions League match. His ‘body nudge’ of Ivan Zamorano from the back does tell a lot about him, almost everything. Strong, fast, no-nonsense and hard tackling are only a handful of his attributes. Only an internal spat with Alex Ferguson cut short his blossoming career with Man United, but his career never took a fall from that point until his retirement in 2008.

Midfielders
1. Zinedine Zidane
- Whoever omits him from his best starting 11 is insane, full stop! One of only 2 players his history to be named three-times World Footballer of the Year by FIFA, every moves on the pitch is a touch of genius. Played in France, Italy and Spain, and mostly these clubs were on their golden years during which Zidane was playing for them. Eric Cantona did persuade Alex Ferguson to buy him when he was at Bordeaux, but he didn’t. That was probably the greatest mistake Alex has ever made. He has won every major honor football can offer including 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2000 EUFA European Championship. His most memorable goal should be that volley against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 UEFA Champions League final. Another great moment probably was his scream after Buffon tipped his header over the bar in the 2006 World Cup final. It still sends chills to my back whenever I remember that moment.

2. David Beckham
- The celebrity footballer, BUT a total professional on the football pitch as well. Who can balance these 2 different life in one go? Only Beckham does. Even Ronaldinho succumbs. With all the modeling thing and wild gossips everyday, his total commitment to football is always second to none, as Dwight Yorke once describe: “When I was at Manchester United, I was always the second fittest player in training, behind only to David Beckham”. His trademark free kick will never be copied by anybody, and is already something the football world is starting to miss. He has won every major honor in club-level football, but only on international stage the glory still haunts him. His 50 yards goal vs Wimbledon in 1996 and his equalizing goal vs Greece in 2001 was only some of his memorable performance that also include that tackle on Diego Simone that never was.

3. Steven Gerrard
- The ONLY Liverpool player I would love to see playing for Manchester United. Still below 30 and he’s already a legend in the game. A long shot specialist, he can win or lose a game practically by himself. Liverpool fans should thank God that he was born in the Merseyside. A leader by example, he motivates his teammates through his pace, passing and determination. When he got the ball just outside the box, most of the time it will rip the back of the net or crush the crossbar. One of his memorable goal was a 37-yards leveler vs West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final. Still at the top of his game, his team’s fortune always depends on how he plays.

4. Ryan Giggs
- The most appearance for Manchester United, currently standing at 814 and still counting, already surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton. The best ever FA Cup goal vs Arsenal in 1999 FA Cup semi final. Need to say more????

Forward
1. Eric Cantona
- King Eric was voted Player of the Century by Manchester United fans says everything. He was the player responsible for the club’s revival from the 26-year wait for a league title to it’s present dominance in English football. A rather controversial move from Leeds United in 1992 for 1.2million pounds after they had just won the league did raised a few eyebrows at the time. But this seemed to be the masterstroke of Sir Alex Ferguson when his influence made them champions in the same season for the first time in 26 years. He won 4 league titles in 5 years in Manchester before announcing his surprise retirement in late 1997, but his impact he left was evident until today. And not too far to say that his contribution and influence to the team made Roy Keane look childish. A legend of legend.

2. Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima
- The best striker I’ve ever witness to date, and most probably ever. The most complete striker. Already three-times FIFA World Footballer of the Year, his goals-per-game ratio his very impressive, wherever he plays. His most notable experience was definitely in the 1996/97 season, while playing for Barcelona, netting 34 goals in 37 appearance. In that season he showed everything a striker craves for; speed, agility, dribbling, finishing, heading and movement. In his heyday, his combination of speed and dribbling skills frightened defenders like no other they’ve seen in their life before. 2 times world cup winner with Brazil and a record 15 goals in the tournament cemented his position as the best striker in world football. A talent that can never be witnessed again in our lifetime surely.

On the bench:
1. Jose Luis Chilavert (GK)
2. Lilian Thuram (DF)
3. Pavel Nedved (MF)
4. Roy Keane (MF)
5. Ruud van Nistelrooy (FW)
6. Fernando Torres (FW)
7. Romario (FW)

Head Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson

Notable missing name, but worthy of a mention:
1. Wayne Rooney (FW)
- Need another 3 years and consistency in front of goal to entitled him in the hall of fame.

2. Jurgen Klinsmann (FW)
- He invented the diving celebration while at Spurs. Flamboyant striker, a joy to watch. Sadly his managerial career didn’t quite match his playing career.

3. Juan Roman Riquelme (MF)
- He dictates the tempo and style of play of his team. His silky skills and vision in the Argentinian team is second to none. But a great player needed to play at the highest level. Unfortunately his spells in Barcelona and Villareal didn’t quite lived up to his high standards.

4. Fernando Hierro (DF)
- The captain of the Galacticos in early 2000s, winning 2 UEFA Champions League medal along the way. A tough defender to get past and a great ambassador for the game.

5. Fillipo Inzaghi (FW)
- I don’t personally liked him or his play. But you have to give respect where it’s due. At the age of 35, he still scores on a regular basis at Milan and have been a loyal servant to the club. He holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of UEFA Champions League/European Cup with 68 goals. His most recognized attributes are his finishing touch and movement in the box.

Another Hari Raya Aidilfitri looming large this year, and although we are facing an imminent economic collapse in the US and slowdown globally, our people just don’t seems to care about it. The image of the crowded, almost demonstration-like hoards of people romping through the famed Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman bazaar to shop for Raya stuffs shows that we are either ignorant about what’s coming ahead or we are just too rich to be affected by the economic situation.

Some people don’t know that most of us are tied to this ’system’ in all aspects of our lives. Let me gives you an example, if a state government in any state falls into the opposition after an election, many contractors just went bankrupt because the loss of income. Why do you think that happened even though these are legitimate contractors? It’s because they exist from a ’system’, and when the ’system’ falls, they follow suit.

Take a look at this picture for example.

*Photo by by Lynda Rahim.

Crowd at Jalan TAR. Even with global economic downturn and H1N1 pandemic, NOTHING can stop our people from go all out. Good spirit eh?

So, let’s cut to the chase. In true Malaysian spirit, a perfect Hari Raya is one which includes Raya songs, by hundreds of artist’ ranging from the aura-effective Mawi to the legendary Siti Nurhaliza. Hundreds of songs has been developed and composed every year, just to make a little bit money out of our pocket, but in my honest opinion, nothing can come even touching distance to this 3 legendary songs. Here are my 3 best Raya songs of all time!

Selamat Hari Raya!!

1. P Ramlee - Dendang Perantau ( the best ever)

2. Saloma - Selamat Hari Raya

3. M Nasir - Suatu Hari di Hari Raya

You have anything that you think better than these? Reply to me…

Last week when I decided to bukak puasa with my former collage mate in Bandar Puteri Puchong, little that I know that I would encounter a very good nasi briyani chicken along the way.

I decided to bukak puasa near my friend’s home in Bandar Puteri in Puchong, which is a hell of a drive from Bangsar, using Federal Highway & LDP on rush hour! I am not sure if the name of the restaurant is Nasi Kandar Sri Bayu or Sri Bayu only, but whatever it is, it’s called Sri Bayu.

The seller of the nasi briyani is not the owner of the restaurant, but he merely rent a spot in that place to ply his trade on this honorable month. We talked quite a few things, and one I quite remember is that he said he only sell at this place during Ramadhan. On other month he sells at other places. For the food itself, he stores the rice, chicken and eggs together in a wooden basket old skool style, which I think enhances the aroma of the food brilliantly. Then it’s also served with dalca, typical gravy for nasi briyani.

Since I was trapped in the rush hour traffic, I arrived at the place at around 7.50pm, and my friends were finished with their meals. One of my friends did eat the briyani, and the plate was clear without a piece of rise, so it makes me interested to try. People may say it’s delicious because we were damn hungry because of the fasting, but fasting never affected my consciousness especially in decision making process. I was well aware of reality, so my judgment was made with a straight head, not exaggerating.

The rice was well cooked, not too dry, and not too sticky, with a little bit of oil to it, typical nasi briyani. The colors are nice yellowish with a mix of white and dark brown here and there. I can say that if you eat the rice with only dalca, that wouldn’t be a problem at all. Then the chicken was the best part. Since the chicken and the rice were cooked in the same kuali, the tastes and aromas of both compliment each other perfectly. The tenderness of the chicken, only God knows how to describe it. It’s so tender you want to swallow the bones altogether, but that might get you in some trouble later, haha. If you want to feel the juicy part of the chicken, make sure you ask for the drumstick or thigh part. That’s the best part of the whole chicken in my opinion. Then, the telur rebus comes together with the meal, and completed with the dalca gravy, which in my opinion, simply taste great! It’s a simple meal, but honestly it caught me by surprise to find out that in this corner of the world, I would find a very good, respectable nasi briyani, never ever mentioned in any blog by anyone. So, where’s credit due, I am taking this opportunity to inform you guys about this great discovery and I personally encourage you to give it a try.

My kind friend decided to pay for my meal because I had to endure quite a massive traffic jam to reach their place, so if you ask me how much it cost, I can’t answer that. But I believe it’s in the region of RM5 – 8. Since then, I’ve been ‘googling’ around for nasi briyani in KL that’s been recommended by bloggers, and so far I think http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73121 this one is currently the most talked about, as far as blogging is concerned. But, since the Zainul Nasi Kandar debacle, I decided not to trust any of these blog until I try it myself, and you guys should do the same. By saying that, I am not asking you guys to believe what I write here, but as an encouragement for you to try out yourself.

To give a rough direction on how you can go there, let’s start with the IOI mall. If you’re coming from Sunway toll and heading to Puchong, you’ll see IOI mall on your left, and Tesco on your right. Drive straight until you see a small signboard indicating Bandar Puteri or Giant. Keep on your left until you’ll reach the junction, and make the turn. After the turn, you’ll see Giant on your left straight away, keep right and head on the ramp. The road is an uphill road, so drive until you see a big building with a HOSPITAL sign in blue. Make the left turn at the hospital and you’ll see shop lots on your right. The restaurant is in that shop lot area. Look for Sri Bayu, it’s a corner lot restaurant with bright lights, so I’m confident you’ll notice it in no time. The place also has free wifi, so make sure to bring your laptops or your expensive Macbook while enjoying the nasi briyani. Below are the maps to make it clearer on where the place is exactly.

I give it a surprise 8.5 out 10 for the food, and it easily beat the Ismail nasi briyani in TTDI by a good margin. If you’re driving from Bangsar to Puchong like me, I’ll say it is worth the journey.

for full size, click here

for full size, click here

P/S: One more thing, please don’t compare this food with the expensive, air conditioned ‘original’ nasi briyani eatery anywhere in KL, because I’m not a fan of expensive restaurant and I believe most of us appreciates rare or low-profile kind of eatery as their favorite destination for food hunting.

First of all I would like to thanks everyone who wrote numerous blogs regarding where to get good food in Klang Valley and what type of food for what kind of price and so forth. Because some of their blogs was used as a reference for me to go out and try myself what they have been writing about (and compliment), especially nasi kandar.

As a Penangite, we were born and bred with nasi kandar around. Every road, every short cuts and every corner of a building, there’s a big chance that you might pass by a nasi kandar stall. Before we go on, let me get the fact straight, bar Hameediyah, most of the best and original nasi kandar are sold at stalls, not restaurant. This is fact that everyone should be aware of. In the exception of Hamediyah, which is located in a shop lot, it’s been there for 100 years, so the authenticity cannot be questioned at all.

Most outsiders think that the best nasi kandar Pulau Pinang is Pelita, Kayu or Kassim Mustafa. That is the only thing they know because those names are the most commercial of all. But if you come to Penang and ask the people here where you can find original nasi kandar, I can guarantee you guys that none of the above names will be mentioned. Not even a whisper of it, hehe.

So, as I’ve been staying in KL for a good 9 years now, the search for good nasi kandar goes on. One of the most mentioned nasi kandar outlet that I found on the internet was this Zainul Nasi Kandar in PJ. Numerous blogs heaps praise about their food and some even claim to drive all he way from port Klang to PJ just to get a taste of this original nasi kandar because it tastes so good. I think that it must be something special then. So we went there.

To be honest, I was very very disappointed with the overall taste of the food. It was well below my expectation, considering most of the blogs wrote positive reviews and some claims the food as authentic. Sorry to say, it was all wrong. You may argue that every person has different taste, but in this case, even nasi kandar Pelita seems great if you compare them side by side. In the gravy, there was nothing that reminds me of Penang. There was no bendi, no cabbage and telur rebus for that matter. And then the workers are all white!! Where are those fast-hands mamaks that we all know that’s been their hallmark? How in the world it can called itself Zainul Nasi Kandar Pulau Pinang is beyond me. The only positive thing that can be said about this place is that the long 10- 20 meters of queue does resembles a bit of Nasi Beratoq. But if those in line thinks that this is the original nasi kandar, they have been duped badly. Pity them..

Even Raihan Nasi ‘Ganja’ Kandar at Glenmarie is 10 times better than Zainul, and Mohd Yassin Jalan TAR is 3 times better than Raihan. This is my opinion, but this is a very detailed account of my opinion, after much consideration and choice of words. If you are excited about trying this food, forget it! If you want to try because you want to know how bad it is, then go ahead. But please keep in mind to NEVER think it as nasi kandar Pulau Pinang, because you may want to turn the table over in disbelief later.

I can only describe this food as a good nasi campur melayu, nothing more. If he thinks that his food is original nasi kandar Pulau Pinang, then it certainly is a very bad nasi kandar Pulau Pinang. For my fellow Penangites out there in KL, I advice you better to go to Raihan in Glenmarie or Mohd Yassin in Jalan TAR for far more better nasi kandar. At least if they claim that their’s is nasi kandar Pulau Pinang, I can smile and say “nice try”…

Ridhuan Abu Bakar 2009

• This big banner might be your property! (click on banner for full size)

I think it’s now the 2nd week of the real preparation for the upcoming Penang Free School Class of 1999 1st Ever Reunion Dinner after Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Currently the crew who has been tirelessly attending meeting, doing designs and promoting are:

1. Lee Choo Meng
2. Ridhuan ‘becks’
3. Wan Nor Rashidi ‘Shidi’
4. hazairi ‘Jay’
5. Munies
6. Nik Nazree
7. Mahadhir

and every other individual who has helped in promoting this event and contacting our long lost friend. I can hardly believe we already left school for 10 years now. Somehow the memories are still fresh in my mind.

Our blog can be seen HERE

Organizing an event is not an easy thing, especially if it involves a lot of people and resources. Thanks to the passion of these guys to see it become a reality, things has started to picking up. Promotion has been going thick and fast, programming also has started and finalising of the guest list is almost complete. Hopefully by the day itself, our target of 100 pax. will be met, with God’s will.

To be honest with you, I first got the idea of organizing this kind of reunion in 2005, that was 4 years ago, but it never materialized mainly because work commitment and lack of spirit maybe. So the paperwork has been kept in my hard disk since. But finally this year the proposal came to light simply because 10 year is seen as a benchmark, a decade of long lost memories that needed to re-live at what ever cost.

There are some friends that we meet everyday, some were lost completely, some we met once in a while and some has become enemy. There are also a set of individual who are so passionate and proud of the school and the attachment to it’s history, and some think the school as just a learning place. There are people who, in their school time, defy teacher’s advice and break the rules and now becomes a teacher himself! How ironic! I heard a friend who in school I never saw drawing anything, is now a graphic designer, and some are so clever at school now are just a plain joe because the brain has absorb everything too much too early.

That is why we are the Penang Free School Class of 1999 students. We are different, we are passionate, and finally we are the brave and for the the true!

Fortis Atque Fidelis

THIS is not to encourage road racing or illegal racing in any form. I just want to share my experience traveling and driving throughout peninsular Malaysia for a good 6 years. As some people would’ve known, driving is not just merely going from point A to point B, it is the manner of how you travel between those 2 points is what really matters.

I’ve been traveling a lot since I got my 1st car some 6 years ago. And to be honest with you, I’ve been watching MotoGP (formely known as World Grand Prix) and Formula 1 since I can remember being into life. I love motor racing more than I love football. Even to this date football is second to motor racing in my sporting interest.

If I were given the choice to pick between a professional career in GT racing or a professional football player for Manchester United, the answer will be the former, without second thought.

Racing discipline does not teach you just about speeding. The fundamental aspects of racing are, among others, awareness, reflexes, car control, patience and defensive driving. If everybody on the road applies these aspects on their everyday driving, you can only imagine how safe our road would be.

Let me put a brief explanation on how the above aspects, when applied on the road, can lead to a safer environment.

1. AWARENESS:
- In racing: awareness of the flags, stalled car, radio communication, pit signs

- On road: awareness of other slower cars in front, side and rear. Take notice of all the road signs and warning signs.

2. REFLEXES:
- In racing: how quick you can react in emergency (accident in front of you). The higher the speed, the faster you learn to react

- On road: the faster you react to a situation, the higher the chance you can avoid an accident

3. CAR CONTROL:
- In racing: rear wheel drive and high torque= over steer, wheel spin. Better car control improves your lap times.

- On road: put car into good balance after avoiding a dangerous situation, better handling in rain (u know how fast to go and how hard to brake)

4. PATIENCE:
- In racing: contrary to popular belief, racing driver is more patient than the average Joe on our normal road (including you!). They will always wait for the RIGHT moment to overtake, even if they had to follow another car for 20 laps or more.

- On road: the key to safety! If you can be patient for 20 laps behind a slower car, of course you can wait the right moment to overtake an 80-year-old grandpa on a single busy trunk road.

5. DEFENSIVE DRIVING:
- in racing: racing driver applies defensive driving when they ANTICIPATE what will happen in front of them and take the necessary measures to prevent from being involved in an accident. e.g.: slow the car down or take a different route

- On road: same. If you anticipate something is going to happen in front of you, then you can take necessary measures to avoid it. e.g.: slowing down, take a different route, honk, etc.

REMEMBER! When you took your driving license, they did not teach you the 5 aspects in details, especially Patience. But in racing, these are the BASIC knowledge that every driver has to have to become a pro race driver.

REMEMBER! Racing is not all about speed alone, there are more than just pure speed and gut-wrenching overtaking maneuver. Speed only does not kills, but recklessness and carelessness do. If a racing driver is careless or reckless on the track, he can be punished/ fined/ expelled/ suspension from the race immediately. Speed + careless can kill. Speed + reckless can kill. Slow + careless can kill. Slow + ego can kill. Slow + sleepy can kill.

If you think that speed alone kills, then every week any racing driver that pushes his car 300km/h on a straight line would have died mysteriously.

Take this scenario for instance. If a road that has a speed limit of 110km/h, and EVERY single driver drives at a speed of 110km/h, what you think will happen? Do you think them all going to die? If everyone drives at a constant speed 110km/h, there is much less tailgating and less overtaking because nobody has to push others because they are all on the same speed limit. If you reduce the chance of overtaking and tailgating, you automatically reduce the chance of an accident.

If you reduce the chance of accident, you reduce the chance of fatality. Only those who drive ABOVE the speed limit may have the chance of accident, but driving above the speed limit is speeding + reckless, and reckless driver may get into an accident.

If we all can apply these aspects of driving in our everyday driving, InsyaAllah, our road will be safer and everybody can drive with a smile on their face. I hope this article does educate me and somebody out there, and together we can make road a better place. AWARENESS & PATIENCE is key.

DISCLAIMER:
This is not a conclusive statement and should not be taken as-it-is or applied by anyone on any road in any means purely by reading it. I am not responsible for any mishap that might happen as a result of anybody heeding and applies this article into their driving. But if you benefited from it, that is great! THIS IS JUST AN OPINION THAT CHALLENGES CRITICAL RESPONSE AND FEEDBACK BY ANYONE. I AM TRYING TO EDUCATE FELLOW DRIVERS AND PRODUCE SOLUTIONS SO DRIVING WILL NEVER BE SO DANGEROUS AGAIN.

Rasuah adalah satu amalan yang boleh dikatakan diterima oleh masyarakat kita dan dianggap bukan suatu kesalahan atau dosa untuk mengambil atau memberi. Ini boleh dibuktikan dengan melihat keadaan di sekeliling kita, kawan, saudara mara, ahli keluarga dan teman sepejabat.

Definisi rasuah bermaksud 1 perbuatan yg salah di sisi undang-undang spt menerima atau memberi wang suap (pecah amanah, menggelapkan wang, mencuaikan tanggungjawab dll). 2 sesuatu yg diberikan atau yg diterima sbg sokongan.http://prpm.dbp.gov.my/carian.aspx?cari=rasuah&domain=PRPM

Pernahkan anda dengar ungkapan seperti “Biasala bang, nak hidup“. Daripada pemerhatian saya, saya mendapati individu yang menggunakan ayat tersebut banyak terdiri daripada golongan perasuah. Tetapi bagi mereka, apa yang mereka lakukan bukanlah rasuah, tapi salah satu cara untuk mendapat projek atau kontrak ‘demi mencari rezeki’. Maka, disebabkan dengan perkataan ‘rezeki’, segala amalan yang dilakukan untuk mendapat projek atau kontrak tersebut dianggap halal atau ‘biasa’.

Bagi sesetengah orang, atas alasan ‘mencari rezeki‘, individu sanggup melakukan hampir apa saja untuk mendapat sesuatu projek seperti merasuah. Tetapi mereka tidak mencuri, merompak atau ‘tikam belakang’ pesaing mereka kerana pada mereka, itu semua adalah jenayah dan berdosa. Tetapi mereka tidak tahu bahawa rasuah adalah salah satu bentuk mencuri dan merompak, cuma cara melakukannya lebih ‘low profile’ dan bersifat ‘under table’. Maka individu- individu ini berani melakukan rasuah tetapi takut untuk mencuri atau merompak, walhal semua perbuatan tersebut adalah jenayah dan sama sifatnya. Cuma modus operandi nya sedikit berbeza. Rasuah adalah mencuri. Rasuah adalah merompak.

Rasuah adalah amalan yang diterima oleh masyarakat kita, dan sekarang sudah menjadi budaya hidup kita. Kenapa? kata mereka ‘demi mencari rezeki’, ‘nak hidup’, ‘mencari sesuap nasik‘ dan bermacam- macam ayat simpati yang lain. Saya pasti anda mesti pernah mendengar orang disekeliling anda menyebut ayat- ayat tersebut. Mereka tidak sedar bahawa perbuatan mereka adalah sama seperti mencuri atau merompak kerana niat untuk merasuah bergantung pada beberapa sebab:

1. mendapat projek atau kontrak dengan cara paling singkat/ mudah

2. mendapat kelebihan berbanding pesaing anda dalam sesuatu tender

3. mendapat projek atau kontrak tanpa melepasi syarat- syarat tertentu

Apabila anda merasuah untuk mendapat salah satu objektif diatas, ia boleh dirumuskan sebagai mencuri atau menipu. Anda merasuah untuk mendapat kelebihan yang tidak adil berbanding pesaing samalah seperti merompak, kerana anda tahu tanpa rasuah, kemungkinan untuk anda mendapat projek tersebut amat tipis. Maka bagi anda, perbuatan merasuah boleh dijadikan sebagai ‘jaminan’ untuk mendapat projek tersebut. Itulah mencuri namanya. Mencuri dalam erti kata mencuri peluang pesaing anda untuk mendapat projek tersebut secara adil dan saksama.

Dalam proses tender, client akan memilih satu daripada beberapa pembida projek tersebut atas beberapa faktor seperti sebutharga, bekalan stok dan kualiti produk. Tetapi, apabila salah satu pembida merasuah client dengan wang ringgit, client tidak lagi akan membuat keputusan dengan menimbang 3 faktor tersebut, tetapi akan memilih pembida yang merasuah beliau kerana telah diberikan kelebihan yang tidak diberi oleh pembida lain, iatu wang. Tetapi dalam proses tender tidak ada mengatakan bahawa sesiapa yang memberi insentif wang yang lebih banyak akan mendapat projek tersebut, maka perbuatan memberi insentif wang kepada client adalah ‘mendapat kelebihan berbanding pesaing anda dalam sesuatu tender’. Itu adalah rasuah, dan itu adalah jenayah. Tetapi mereka akan kata “biasala bang, nak hidup” dan orang disekeliling mereka akan buat- buat bodoh dan buat biasa. Orang kita.

Kerana itulah saya menyatakan bahawa ‘rasuah adalah satu amalan yang boleh dikatakan diterima oleh masyarakat kita dan dianggap bukan suatu kesalahan atau dosa untuk mengambil atau memberi’. Kerana disebabkan ‘nak hidup’, ‘mencari rezeki’, ‘mencari sesuap nasik’, amalan rasuah tidak salah malah harus dilakukan. Bangsa kita sudah boleh menerima amalan rasuah sebagai salah satu amalan hidup demi mencari rezeki di dunia. Tetapi mereka memutuskan untuk lupa bahawa rasuah itu sama saja dengan mencuri, merompak atau menipu kerana rasuah memberi jaminan pulangan di masa hadapan. Ingatlah perasuah- perasuah semua, perbuatan anda sama saja dengan mencuri dan merompak. Ini adalah amalan yang keji dan anda berlindung dibelakang simpati orang lain dengan menggunakan ayat- ayat seperti ‘nak hidup’ atau ‘mencari rezeki’. Anda perlu tahu bawaha untuk hidup atau mencari rezeki, rasuah bukanlah cara yang perlu diikuti dan ia adalah satu bentuk jenayah baik dari segi moral dan agama. Itu tidak boleh dipertikaikan lagi.

Saya sedih.