Without Fear or Favour (Season 2) Part 4

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann


Please click here to read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

My case was not the first to be called. Luckily, I had the opportunity to observe other cases and learn.

Most of the detainees were not represented. When their names were called up by the interpreter, they were hauled into the “kandang OKT (Orang Kena Tuduh)” then left there alone to face the entire legal system, helplessly.

The Police then present the application for remand order to the Magistrate. The reasons forwarded by the police to justify further remand are very standard and monotonous i.e.

“polis tiada cukup masa untuk melengkapkan siasatan dan memerlukan lebih masa” that is the standard line uttered by the police. Surprisingly, the Magistrate would entertain such request and remand orders are normally granted.

There were a few cases that shocked me. There were two Indian men in their 40s or 50s being called up. The police applied to remand these two poor souls for further 14 days. What was the reason? I almost fell off the chair when I listened to the reasons advanced by the police. It was this:

“pihak polis masih belum mendapat laporan urin daripada jabatan kimia, oleh itu masih tidak dapat menentu sama ada terdapat bahan dadah di dalam urin. Minta reman dilanjutkan selama 14 hari.”

What?! The police was not sure whether the detainees were taking drugs yet the detainees were detained and their liberty taken away for 14 days because of the inefficiency of the police and the Chemistry Department. God help these poor souls. Man, you really don’t want to mess with the police, especially if you are innocent.

Almost half an hour later, after a dozen detainees’ names had been called up, it was finally my turn to stand up and defend my client.

I could feel the enormous pressure building on my shoulders. To defend and safeguard the liberty of a man is way too heavy for me. In a civil suit, when you lose a case, the worst thing that could happen to your client is to pay money. But if I am unable to convince the court why further remand is not necessary, my client Andy will end up behind bars and that is something I could not bring home and sleep with it.

I stated my name for record and informed the court that I act for Andy. The police started:

“Tuan, ini kes ugutan dan gangguan keamanan awam. Polis masih belum jalankan siasatan yang lengkap. Minta reman selama 5 hari.”

The Magistrate recorded what the police just said then turned to me, “ada bantahan?”

“Ya, tuan Majistret. Saya membantah reman order terhadap anakguam saya. Tuan, setahu saya, anakguam saya telah ditahan pada pukul 2 pagi semalam. Dan sehinnga kini, tiada apa-apa kenyataan diambil daripada anakguam saya. Masa telah dibazirkan oleh pihak polis dan polis kini datang ke Mahkamah yang mulia ini untuk melanjutkan reman tanpa apa-apa alasan yang kukuh selain daripada alasan yang remeh dan kosong.

Tuan, anakguam saya adalah pada semua masa berkenaan bersedia untuk bekerjasama dengan polis untuk membantu siasatan. Jika anakguam saya dilepaskan, tiada apa-apa bukti yang menunjukkan bahawa anakguam saya akan lari diri atau tidak dapat dihubungi untuk membantu siasatan. Oleh itu, anakguam saya tidak perlu diremankan di dalam lokap untuk membantu siasatan. Sekiranya kenyataan anakguam saya diperlukan, pihak polis boleh menghubungi anakguam saya dan anakguam saya akan datang ke balai polis untuk memberi kerjasama kepada pihak polis dalam siasatan kes ini.

Tambahan lagi, pihak polis tidak dapat menunjukkan apa-apa alasan untuk menyokong reman selama 5 hari ini. Kes yang melibatkan anakguam saya bukanlah satu kes yang rumit atau kompleks. Polis tidak perlu 5 hari untuk menjalankan siasatan. Ini adalah jelasnya satu penyalahgunaan proses mahkamah.”

Wow! I thought that was pretty good for a first timer.

The police replied, “Tuan, polis tidak mengambil kenyataan sehingga kini adalah kerana pihak polis ingin memberi rehat secukupnya kepada dia dan tidak mahu ganggu masa rehatnya.” (Wow, that was a very noble excuse)

The Magistrate busy jotting down everything we have just said. I turned to Andy and gave him a sign that we are doing good and he will be coming out soon, don’t worry.

The Magistrate reread what he had just written then scanned the police, me and Andy. Once he had made up his mind, he ruled, “reman diberikan selama 3 hari”

I could not maintain my balance and needed to grab the corner of the table for support.

3 days? Did you know how it was like to live in the lockup for even one day? Andy was held for one night and he almost went crazy.

I turned to look at Andy. Apparently, he did not know what was going on. He jerked his head to give me a “what’s going on?” sign. I walked slowly beside him and whispered, “they will remand you for a further 3 days.”

“I am not coming out now?” he sadly asked.

“I’m afraid not” I tried to calm myself too.

Andy did not say anything. He stared blindly into the ceiling. I guess he was thinking, “how am I going to survive these 3 days?”

The police handcuffed Andy and led him out of the courtroom and into a minivan where Andy will be traveled to the lockup, his home for the next 3 days.

When the minivan left the court, I saw his parents walking up the hill to Klang Court.

Ooh… I have a lot of explanation to do…

(To be continued…)

From RAC Surabaya Central - D3400 Indonesia

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann


Dear Members,

I received an email from our rotaract friend in Indonesia and I attach herewith for everyone's attention.

Fellow Rotaractors of RAC Port Klang,

Allow me, on behalf of the Rotaract Club of Surabaya Central - District3400 Indonesia, send our best regards and introduction.

We are a newly chartered RAC sponsored by the Rotary Club of Surabaya Central.

The main goal of our club is to promote professional development andenterpreneurship, which will be done in the way of Rotary Internationaland Rotaract. Hence, we want to establish partnership and friendship to asmany RAC as possible.

Please accept our regards and introductions.

Looking forward for a good and mutual relation between our RAC.

Jeffrey Haribowo
Director

Regards,
International Services Committee
Rotaract Club Of Surabaya Central
District 3400 - Indonesia

1st Day of DRA 2007

Contributed by Rtr Jia Thiam

District Rotaract Assembly (DRA) has never popped up into my head all this while not until today. What is DRA? What are the activities held during DRA? These are the questions which I kept pondering upon. I had my first District Event during the District Rotaract Conference (DRC). I was uncertain whether should I register my name as one of the candidate. I was scared that my RM180 will go down into the drain after realizing that this money are better spent off to a sumptuous Sushi at Sushi King. I would have never taken part in such event, if it’s not for the constant begging from Rotaractor Way Wen. Somehow, I gave in to Way Wen’s request. Since then, I can’t pull back anymore; else others will just categorize me as a liar. During the final day of my DRC, I was telling myself, “Hey! It wasn’t so bad at all. I learn many new things. I’ve made new friends and I’m definitely joining the District Rotaract Assembly (DRA)”.


Thus, I had my first hand experience during the DRA 2007 held at Tanjung Bungah. The journey there seems like an endless journey. Time and tide waits for no men. I wanted to appreciate every moment I had, spent by making new friends at DRA. Anyway, the journey took us 4 hour plus plus. Upon arriving there, I take a quick glimpse on the surrounding of the hotel. The beach caught my concentration but I had with me, my luggage. That leaves me no choice but to get myself registered first. The registration counter was held in a small room, three storeys above the ground floor. After checking in, I was told that Way Wen will be my roommate while Yiip Shaun will be stuck with a Subang Rotaractor for the coming three days and two nights. After they handed over my room key, I head straight back to my room to check it out.

I was shocked to be given such a huge room enough to accommodate at least six more rotaractors comfortably. My room had a good view of the sea. What more could I expect but to felt grateful knowing that I’m going to enjoy myself for the coming three days. After settling down, I head straight down to the sea. Had a short walk along the beach with Way Wen and I finally went up to my room to have a bath leaving Way Wen behind. Shortly after my bath, Way Wen came back. Heard from him that he was playing volleyball with the other rotaractors. I was stunned for 2.56 seconds knowing that if I had not taken my bath, I would be able to mix around with the other rotaractors. Anyway, Way Wen had his bath and we headed down to grab our dinner. We had our ice-breaking session after dinner. Supposedly to be held by the beach but the weather changed for a sudden. Strong ferocious wind kept blowing towards us and we’re expecting a heavy rain. The thought of the next tsunami kept running through my mind. Anyway, Ice-breaking session was held in a room. Everything went smoothly till I received a call from Yiip Shaun that his pal was somewhere in Penang . We were later brought by his friend to else where to have a taste of true Penang local food.

To be continued...

The Lion, The Crow, The Ant, and The Monkey (Part 1)

Contributed by PDRR Terence Lee

Rotaract, like any other organization in this world, is often populated by interesting creatures of intent and display. I'm sure you may have encountered several kinds by now.

Before you start jumping to conclusion or assumption, the purpose of my writing and sharing of this story is neither to label nor expose the many friends and acquaintances I've known in Rotaract. Like any good story should, my hope is you will find this story both educational and enjoyable to read (the sort of stuff Walt Disney's are made of).

Thus, allow me to begin.

Once upon a time, as I journeyed through the forest. . . . . I met the Lion, the Crow, the Ant, and the Monkey congregating one afternoon. With sincere curiousity, I asked of their purpose for this gathering. "We're discussing issues that are affecting this forest, and things that we can do to make this forest a better place to live in", explained the Monkey. They seemed so happy to see me and with utmost sincerity invited me to join them. I obliged.

During the discussion I observed. The Lion was most obvious trying to lead the pack, and let out a few roars when necessary. The Monkey was making a scene out of everything and everyone, including itself. The Ant was in its quiet self, listening. The Crow was somehow occupied with its own interest, picking on the ground. It was an interesting scene nevertheless. The day ended with a few topics being deliberated and a handful of suggestions offered. I was informed we would meet again 2 weeks from that day.

It was exactly 2 weeks from the last gathering. It nearly slipped my mind until the Crow flew by and reminded me about the gathering, and offered to ferry me there. The Crow and I were the first to arrive at the gathering point, then the Lion came walking in gracefully just before the tiny Ant. We waited for a few wind, but the Monkey was no where to be seen. The Lion insisted we wait for the Monkey, the Ant didn't mind, but the Crow was deeply unhappy. As for me, being a new member of this congregation, sat there quietly while letting nature takes its course. Finally, out of nowhere, appeared the Monkey. 'Better late than never' seem to be the order of the day.

We debated, negotiated, and finally confirmed, we shall make a visit to the Frog at the nearby pond to render whatever service we may to the community there. 7 days from that day we were to gather at this place before proceeding to the pond. The Crow was chosen to lead this excursion as he was the most familar and knowledgable about the pond.

The day arrived. We started our journey and reached our destination without much struggle, except the Monkey was no where to be found again. Apparently, it got lost along the way or somehow distracted. We met the Frog and expressed our purpose of the visit. The Frog thanked us and showed us the state of the pond he lives in. It was filled with waste disposed off by irresponsible creatures. The Crow suggested we help the Frog clean up the pond before sunset. The Ant quietly began to collect dead leafs floating on the pond, while the Crow targetted the foreign objects such as bottles and wrappers. The Lion seemed to find it difficult in wanting to get his paws dirty from non-hunting work, and the Monkey can't seem to decide what to do with his long arms and settled to do a few of everything.

This is the scene of fauna from different species working together for a common deed.

End of story.

What is the moral of the story?
The Crow may not be the most beautiful bird, but it's wise and willing to work.
The Lion may be mighty and full of charisma, but may not be willing to get dirty.
The Ant may be small and quiet, but works well with others and a good executionist.
The Monkey may be disoriented and playful, but it can add vibrance to an otherwise boring scene.

Do we have Lions, Crows, Ants, and Monkeys in our clubs?

To be continued. . .

Centennial RYLA Report - The Finale

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann


Click here to read Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3

Making New Friends

To be honest with you, initially I was very reluctant to join RYLA. I did not show any enthusiasm at all and I think that was felt by Eric too. The main reason was that I do not like mixing with strangers not to mention that I have to stay with strangers for 4 days! I am really content with my life and I thought with the current friends I have now, I have more than enough.

Anyway, as I was stuck somewhere in Kajang for 4 days, I have no choice but to take the initiative to know some new strangers. I surprised myself. I did not know that my communication skill was really that good. Once I was used to shaking hands and starting a brief conversation with absolute strangers, making new friends seems to be a very easy task. All we need are a sincere smile and the burning curiosity to find out more about the stranger.

I have made a lot of friends in RYLA. You know why I had problem waking up in the morning? That’s because we chat all night at the foyer, in the bedroom (by the way, the rules say that boys are not supposed to go into guys’ room and vice versa but all the rules were badly broken). And throughout these chit-chatting, our relationship progressed from mere acquaintances to friends.

We took down the contact numbers and email of everyone, and we promised to keep in touch and probably organise something like a alumni in future.

My Observation, Feelings and Experience

I must give credit to the Organising Committee for they have done a fairly good job in organising RYLA 2005. Thank you. Nonetheless, I would like to take this opportunity to record some of my constructive criticisms.

The whole RYLA was too relaxed. I know we are all adults so that we should not be monitored like schoolboys. But there at least should be a balance. I opine that the Organising Committee had been too relaxed in time keeping. Or they themselves were late sometime. I hope this is something the next organising committee of RYLA could look into. Punctuality should be something RYLA emphasise most.

Ok, I am done with criticisms. If you were cautious, you would have noticed that some of my criticisms had been secretly embodied in the main body above. So, I’ll give the Organising Committee a break. Nice Job & Syabas!

As you all would agree that life is a journey. We are unable to determine the length of this journey but fortunately we have the freedom to decide the width of it. We have the freedom, the privilege to decide what we want to see, feel, learn, contribute in this journey.

If there is only one thing I’ve learnt from RYLA that would be: dare to take the sudden turn. I took my sudden turn here when I decided to wake up and drive to Permata on 24/3/2005. It significantly or maybe forever changes the path and route of my journey. Should I decided to go to work on 24/3/2005 and continue with my routine life, maybe I would still be the same i.e. being robbed of this wonderful experience and opportunity unknowingly.

Thank you RYLA!

DRA: We learn, We Interact and That’s it?

Contributed by PE Lee Hui Hui

I remembered my first District Rotaract Assembly (DRA) in HolidayVilla, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur in year 2005. That was few months after my club obtained its charter. The venue was near to my place of work. So it was a blessing. But, it turned out that I had to return to office in the morning because of an urgent deadline.

And because of that, I missed my first group photo session after the opening ceremony.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself getting to know new faces from different club (although I feel odd at first fitting in)

Did I learn something there? Yes, I admit I did learn a lot about rotaract. For my first DRA, I attended the President/ President Elect/ Vice President Workshop with my club chartered president.

I remembered brainstorming solutions during the case study session. It is a norm for Rotaract club leaders to face problems like:

1) Inactive members and lack of participation in projects (Very common)
2) In ability to retain current members. (So common)
3) Difficulty in finding new members to ensure club continuity. (Common)

In DRA in Penang few weeks back, I attended the President/ President Elect workshop for the second time (because I did not hold any club office position for year 2006).

This time round, there was no case studies session (thank you GDL DRR Chandra and GDL DRRE Dinesh). What I had was more of an opinion sharing session by the incoming club presidents, president elects and vice presidents.

They do share the same doubts and fears like me. I would not know whether my fellow incoming board that went to the DRA training with me learned about such issues.

The common topics raised were lack of active members to commit and take up projects

I also listened to complaints by the respective district officers (who are also leaders in their club too) who raised issue like lack of participation in organized district projects and other interpersonal relationship problems.

What I can summarise is this = the survival of rotaract clubs purely depends on common factor – degree of interpersonal relationship among its members.

I was given the opportunity to be a panelist speaker in the morning plenary session led by PDG Dato Dr Low Teong. Title was how to build effective rotaract club. I spoke about from my club’s perspective on effective rotaract club based on email input from RAC Port Klang members.

All in all, it turned out that all the panelist speakers (IPDRR Jamie, DRC and incoming DRC and myself) got the feedback from the audience what we have presented does not match with the current situation faced by the district rotaract clubs.
(I don’t have to mention this, but I am sure readers will know what I mean)

In a nutshell, it ain’t a blue sky picture! And it is a reality.

And this case, why are we attending the DRA? Is there a common solution to solve human relationship issue?

Problems will never get solved if there is continuous bickering. Projects will never be executed if members don’t want to do it.

In this case, the DRA is just a platform for us to gather, learn, have fun and that’s it?

I had to make this sweeping statement => Have anyone ponder to put the knowledge to good use by serving well and building relationships?

In essence, joining a non profit organization like rotaract is actually one of the ways to learn to build relationships, formed new friendships and be a better person and leaders in our own field.

We have to learn to give and accommodate with members that come from different background, age group, financial standing, personality, beliefs, attitude and culture.

It is never easy building and strengthening human relationships. It is never easy being a leader because being human, leaders can make grave mistakes.

As I am writing this article I realized I am still learning.

I will bear in mind to learn how to adapt to difficult situations and face potential setbacks.
Nevertheless we as rotaractors must always strive to be a better person and hoping someday we are able to see the blue sky picture i.e. strong and effective rotaract clubs.

About D3500 Goodwill Visit Part 2

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann



Please click here for Part 1

Klang Bak Kut Teh really taste good!

Despite the missing luggage, everyone’s mood seemed ok when we took our breakfast at one Bak Kut Teh restaurant the next morning. Maybe the bak kut teh was too good.

The first contingency of the day? Yes, it came right after we finished our breakfast. Joe (a former Rotaractor from Ipoh who wanted to join us) called me and said he just woke up and asked whether we could wait for him in Klang while he traveled down to Klang from Old Klang Road by KTM Komuter. That would take at least 1 hour!

It was already 915am. Our initial plan was to reach Lata Kinjang Waterfall by 11 something then proceed to lunch at around 1pm. Now we’ll have to wait in Klang for another 1 hour meaning all our programme will have to be delayed for at least an hour.

I was not too happy with Joe but I did not want to spoil anyone’s mood so I faked a smile. Now I have to think of something for the Taiwanese friends to do to kill that 1 hour.

Luckily Klang KTM station is situated near “Little India” (an area well known for selling Indian goods, foods, clothing etc). We could tour Little India for an hour! Things like Indian saree, roti canai etc fascinated them.

Joe finally arrived one and a half hour later and as a result we only managed to take our lunch at 3pm (poor Taiwanese Rotaractors were starved to death but they did not complain as they thought it was our Malaysian culture taking lunch at 3pm…. my God)

After lunch we went straight to Cameron Highland. In Cameron Highland another contingency popped up. Due to the sudden change of weather and temperature (it was 38 degree in Lata Kinjang Waterfall and only 22 degree in Cameron Highland), 2 Taiwanese Rotaractors fell sick. One caught a cold and the other one had severe sore throat. Bringing them to clinic was not my original plan but nevertheless had to.

The next day after visiting strawberry farm, it started raining cats and dogs. We were trapped in the farm and were very hungry. 15 minutes later we decided not to wait anymore but asked the bus driver to drive the bus up the hill and pick us up instead. We patiently waited for the bus. But half an hour has gone and the bus was no where to be seen!

Finally the bus driver walked to us (without the bus) and informed us, “steering patah, brek cabut”. I immediately thanked the rain: if not because of the rain, we would have gone into the bus, down the slippery slopes then only realized “steering patah, brek cabut”. What would have happened to us then? I did not want to imagine.

What now? We were stuck in middle of no where, raining heavily, empty stomach and with a bus which has broken steering and defective brakes. Later we received call from President Feldman that the missing luggage that was supposed to be sent to him this afternoon had not arrived and MAS said it would probably take another day. Toying with the possibility that they might never recover their luggage, the Taiwanese Rotaractors had difficulty breathing.

Oh God! This was supposed to be an enjoyable trip! Not an EQ challenged quest! I then received a sms from President Feldman: “OC, this really ve been a great EQ challenge for u and those involved. Well who knows what will happen 2morrow? Anyway I will sink with u guys 2morrow if the motorboat dysfunction LOL!...” Yeah… very encouraging, President.

What did we do? Stay tuned.

(to be continued)

GSE Team RY2007-2008 to Hokaido, Japan

Dear Rotaractors,

For the next Rotary year, there will be a GSE Team from our District which will be be going to Hokaido, Japan. Every year, our district will match with different districts around the world for the above program.

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of The Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 and in the early years of their professional lives.

The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

Eligibility Criteria

Team members must:

> > be between the ages of 25-40;

> > be employed full-time in a recognized profession;

> > not be a Rotarian, honorary Rotarian, or employee of Rotary or the lineal descendant or spouse of a lineal descendant, a Rotarian, an honorary Rotarian, or an employee of Rotary;

> > not be the spouse of another team member;

> > not be an ex-Rotarian or the lineal descendant or spouse of a lineal descendant of an ex-Rotarian or ex-Rotary employee who resigned less than 36 months before the time of application.


Ideal Candidates

Ideal team members are:

> > between the ages of 25 and 40;

> > employed full-time in a recognized profession;

> > a citizen of the country in which they reside;

> > in good health;

> > neat in appearance and able to express themselves clearly and logically;

> > of a sound, general educational background;

> > interested in and clearly enthusiastic about their chosen vocation and in possession of outstanding vocational skills;

> > open-minded, tolerant, and flexible;

> > proficient in the major language of the partner district;

> > comfortable working as part of a team with a schedule that is physically and emotionally demanding.

For those of you who are interested for the above program, please do submit your name,age,profession and club to me by 13th April 2007.

After that please go to http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/gse/prospective.html and please download the GSE form and do fill up. Once you have got the endorsement from your respective Rotary Club, please send in by hand to me by 20th April 2007 as I would then forward it to the Incoming District Governor during the District Rotary Assembly in Ipoh.

Looking forward for your prompt action on this.

Thank You.

Yours in Rotaract,

DRRE Dinesh,
RY2006-2007,
RI District 3300,
Malaysia

Without fear or favour (Season 2) Part 3

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann


For the benefit of new readers, here are part 1 and part 2.

I was not the only lawyer in the courtroom. There were another two sitting on the seats reserved for lawyers.

I pulled out a chair next to one Chinese lawyer who appeared to be in his late 40s. The reason of me sitting next to him was not to make new friend but to learn from him at light speed everything about Remand Order. But I could not act like a stupid ignorant young lawyer cause that will give Andy extra stress thinking that the only friend who could help him right now was actually not knowing what he was doing (which happened to be the truth).

I broke the ice by introducing myself. His name was Kwok. Acting like I was frustrated to be dragged into the court at this hour by my client and pretending to be a seasoned criminal lawyer, I said, “I hate doing Remand Order, simple thing but have to wait so long, wasting time, don’t you think?”

Kwok was trying to be polite, “yeah, but that’s what we do. No choice”

“What’s your case about?” I started my pursue on digging knowledge out of him.

“Oh, my client was accused of assaulting his neighbour. Stupid case. It was just the normal fight between neighbours.”

“Yeah, stupid I know, but when was your client being detained?”

“Since last night around 9pm”

“How long the police want to remand him further?”

Kwok looked at me very strangely.

Oh! That was a very stupid question! I immediately regretted asking it. The police will not tell you in advance for how long they want to further remand the suspect, they will also not tell you why they want to remand him. You will only find out when your matter is called up and the police present their papers to the Magistrate. That question really made me looked like a rookie.

I saw a copy of Criminal Procedure Code inside Kwok’s briefcase then I realised I hadn’t got the opportunity to read the exact wordings of section 117 which deals with Remand Order. I came to Klang court straight after a meeting in Petaling Jaya, I hadn’t had the time to get back to my office library to do the necessary research.

It was rather shameful to ask a fellow lawyer for a copy of the Criminal Procedure Code in court as it was basic rule that all criminal lawyers should have studied the sections like the back of their hands.

Nevertheless, I had no choice but to ask Kwok if I could have his Criminal Procedure Code for awhile.

I have not touched Criminal Procedure Code since I finished my CLP exam.

The Chinese proverb is very true: you only realise you have not acquired sufficient knowledge by the time you need to apply it.

I speed read the relevant sections at the same time trying to digest its meaning. It was not a pleasant job. The feeling was like entering the exam hall only to find out you had missed out one important chapter which the teacher had earlier hinted that substantial questions will be coming out from there.

“Lagi 5 minit, Tuan Majistret akan keluar, siapa ada handphone tolong padamkan” the bailiff shouted.

Five more minutes?

I turned and looked at Andy who was staring at me. He was so helpless. To make him feel better (and indirectly also make me feel better), I nodded at him and put up a “ok” sign, in a very ironic way, telling him everything was going to be alright.

Just when I tried to chew up more sections from the Criminal Procedure Code, I heard the bailiff shouted, “Court! Bangun……”

The Magistrate had come out from his chamber.

Whoosh! In the courtroom there is no room for weakness and timidity. Someone’s liberty was at stake and I was entrusted to safeguard it. I felt my shoulders heavier and my stomach turned upside down.

(to be continued)

About D3500 Goodwill Visit Part 1

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann

me (centre) surrounded by tough guys who went through Taiwan National Service

Before reading this article, I humbly request readers to read my earlier related writing.

Though writing against the backdrop of the recently concluded D3500 goodwill visit, I am not giving details of the visit here but rather the general feelings, experience, observation, valuable lessons that I learned throughout this visit.

If there is only one lesson I learned through this project it will be this: you can’t plan or figure everything out. In another words, you must ever prepare for sudden changes or contingencies.

As a leader, you can plan everything you could think of, from A to Z but at the time of execution, things may not go in accordance to plan. To be a good leader, you must immediately accept and assess the situation rather than to complain or frown upon it. I now give example.

I do know that flight may be delayed. I was ready for that. But what I have never thought of was it could be delayed for more than 8 hours. That practically threw all the programme for the day down the drain. We wasted expensive cost on bus which we actually paid for it to wait at the Klang Stadium for our signal to travel to KLIA.

When I realised it was too late to tour KL after their arrival, I decided to cancel it altogether and instructed President Feldman to bring them straight to Klang upon arrival.

Then another contingency slipped through my calculation: ALL their luggages were missing! They virtually have nothing except the clothing and underwear they were wearing. Houston, we have problem.

The next day morning we were going north to Ipoh and Cameron Highland. Malaysia Airline only promised to deliver their luggage to President Feldman’s house around noon. Should we wait till the luggage arrives? What if Malaysia Airline breaches their promises? Will we then waste more time waiting in Klang?

I could not afford to be indecisive.

If we go ahead as planned without the luggage, how do we solve the problems like lack of clothing, fresh underwear, toiletries etc? They are here in Malaysia for leisure not for military training!

Sensing that Malaysia Airline’s promises could not be trusted lightly (which later proven to be correct as the luggage was not delivered to President’s house as promised), we went to Ipoh despite the adversity.

So you just thought all the sudden turn of event were behind us, fresh challenge came… only this time it was life threatening…

(to be continued)

Meeting this Thursday 5-4-2007

Dear all,

We will be having our club meeting this Thursday, 8pm at our office.

The speaker for the night will be none other than the mother to my daughter. First Lady Diana will be enlightening us about loans. I believe many of us would want to know about this subject, especially those who have started working. So please come in full force to this Thursday's meeting.

Also, still awaiting confirmation on Kwang Hwa's IU Day (7th April) & Salsa (12th April). I need confirmation on Kwang Hwa's by Wednesday and Salsa by the club meeting this Thursday. I hope I will not be disappointed.

Take care and see you guys soon...

Together, We Learn

Feldman
President

Centennial RYLA Report Part 3

Contributed by Rtr Harnniann

The Morning Physical Workout

You know what was the most challenging thing in RYLA? Yes, to wake up at 6.00 am in the morning. Well, I didn’t wake up exactly at 6.00am but I was not late for the physical workout. The first physical workout was fun. Our instructor was Puan Nini. We did some light aerobic then we had breakfast. The first physical workout was attended by most of the participants with the exceptional few still sound asleep waiting for the morning sun.

Well, the second day physical workout was of a different tune. Only half turned up. I am sorry, President. I woke up at 6.50am. I thought I was very late. But when I rushed to the foyer, wow, our instructor was sitting on the staircase waiting for the participants to slowly drag their fatigue-beaten bodies down the stairs (I was sure only physical body as their mind and soul were still in the bedroom). This time only half the participants turned up. The physical workout managed to continue despite the odds but the fun factor was short-lived.

If that sounds bad enough, wait till you see the third and final morning workout. Ha! President, I know there is no excuse for this but I have to admit that I woke up at 9.15am. When I woke up, I sensed no urgency at all because all (yes ALL!!) my roommates were sleeping with two actually snoring. I took my time cleaning up myself, again without any sense of urgency. When I walked to the dining hall, there was no breakfast left. That did bother not me as I still have a lot of food in my goodies bag. So, I walked slowly to the auditorium. I saw a few participants still chatting at the foyer.

When I reached the main entrance of the auditorium, one organizing committee (a Rotaractor) ushered me into the auditorium and said the speaker was waiting. It was 9.50am now. You guess how many were in the auditorium? We have almost 100 participants in RYLA and not even 10% were in the auditorium. It was a very embarrassing scene for the organizing committees, especially the Chairman. The speaker was not sure whether to start his talk or wait for others.

Later I was told that only 5 members attended the morning physical workout. I felt guilty. Our instructor Puan Nini had to wake up 4.30am to drive all the way from Ampang to Kajang and here, we participants chose to ignore her and buried our heads under the pillows (yeah I had two pillows).

Ha! This is the real story of RYLA which I am certainly sure that you won’t read it from the newspapers or any club’s bulletin. I am being very candid here.


Our Presentation

Basically every night after dinner, we did not have much to do. Remember I told you that we were divided into 4 groups? The Red team called themselves RedBull; the Green called Green Goblin; the Orange called Trinity United. Of course my team was the Bananas and our motto was “Banana Rules!!”.

After dinner we have to get into groups and discuss about our presentation. Ok, what was the presentation all about? Each team was given 20 minutes to perform a play which will send positive message to the youth. So given my drama background, many ideas started popping up in my mind (ooh, I forget to mention that I was the President of the Drama Club in Hin Hua High School. Ok, ok can’t I blow my own trumpet for awhile?)

I took charge of the presentation and I suggested we had a brainstorming session to come out with more ideas. After 15 minutes we finally have our original story: in a dark gloomy night, a Santa Clause (who actually was Colonel Sanders) suffered identity crisis. He walked along Jalan Petaling and a VCD seller approached him to offer him some porn VCD, he declined. Then a transsexual approached him and asked him whether he wanted “it”. Again he declined. Suddenly the Santa Clause pulled out one big banana and said, “Young man, you can resist anything!” (that’s actually the message we wanted to send out).

After some discussion we thought that the story was really bad and uninteresting. So, we came out with this idea:-

First scene:-
Tang tang tang tang! Banana Network 8.09pm news. Two newscasters reporting news. The first news was crime: there’s a Green Goblin in town destroying banana plantations!
Green Goblin came out shouting, “ha!! Kill all bananas!!! Hahaha!!!”
A passer-by called Peter Parker for help. Spiderman came to rescue. When spiderman reached the scene, spiderman said to Green Goblin, “What?! Don’t you have something better to do then destroying bananas? You bodoh lah!” and spiderman swung away.
Green Goblin started crying and said to himself, “oooh….. Green Goblin so bodoh!!!”

Second scene:-
Back to the newscaster, now it’s time for sport, reporting live on Formula One.
Two pit stop crews waiting at the pit stop for the car to come in. One team was Banana team and the other was RedBull team.
Ok, now come the Banana team car dashing into the pit stop lane and then sped out from the pit stop with full throttle after just 6 seconds stop. Wow! Impressive!
Then, there come the RedBull car (I was the RedBull driver). It was so slow!! It took a few minutes for the crew to change the tyres and pump petrol. What a stark contrast!

Third scene:-
Again it was sports news, reporting live on the Champion League between Banana FC vs Trinity United.
The players of Banana FC were smartly dressed, look good and burly. Hey hey, the Trinity United players were all acting like retarded players. After kicking off, the Banana players were in total control of the game. The poor Trinity United players couldn’t even find the ball!! So, Banana FC trashed Trinity United 15-0.

Yeah, we played joke on all the other teams and we did have fun. In all our scenes above, we projected the Banana Superiority and depicted others as inferior or even retarded. So, as expected, after our performance we were booed by everyone. Some participants took it personally and shouted at us. “What about fair play and respect?” “Other than making fun out of us, what are the messages you want to send to us?!!” Those were some of the remarks thrown at us when we walked down the stage. I knew some even went to the extent that they complained to the Rotarians. The atmosphere was quite tense and hostile then. But we, the Bananas stood united. All the effects on audiences were purposely and intentionally inflicted. We offered no apology.

I learnt something very valuable. If we can all stand united and deeply believe that what we do is right, we can achieve anything under any form of adversity. I am very proud to be in Banana team as my team had shown tremendous unity throughout and we really had fun even though we were hated by everyone. I honestly think that other people hated us because they envied us. We were the ones making most noise during lecture; we were the ones shouting our cheers when our team members performed while other teams sat quietly.

(to be continued)

What is expected of Rotaract Clubs - the point of view of the DRC

Contributed by PP Arthur Yeong
District Rotaract Chairman

I humbly lay these several strict injunctions on anyone reading this. Please do not quote any part of this blog out of context and please do not misconstrue anything herein as excusing mediocrity or disrespect for the letter of the law where such exists in Rotary & Rotaract.

A useful canon of construction would be to take whatever is said here against the backdrop of the Criteria for Chartering a New Rotaract Club and my own belief that a great number of Rotaract Clubs in the District is not necessarily a good thing. It is more important to have fewer but strong and vibrant Clubs. Conversely it is important to build up the membership of your Rotaract Club in terms of numbers.

Whatever is said here can only be beneficial if the reader applies them to himself or herself. It would be harmful if the reader thinks, “Hmm that reminds me of so-and-so”. Hence if the chapeau fits, wear it but please do not try to fit it on someone else’s head. Especially not mine.



1. Revisit your motivation for joining Rotaract.

The purpose and goals of Rotaract are contained in Rotary’s Policy Statement on Rotaract and I quote (the emphases are my own) :

A Rotaract club is a Rotary club-sponsored organization of young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30* whose purpose is to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical and social needs of their communities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service, and whose goals are:

a) To develop professional and leadership skills;

b) To emphasize respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual;

c) To recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve;

d) To recognize, practice, and promote ethical standards as leadership qualities and vocational responsibilities;

e) To develop knowledge and understanding of the needs, problems, and opportunities in the community and worldwide;

f) To provide opportunities for personal and group activities to serve the community and promote international understanding and goodwill toward all people.


Revisit your motivation regularly and bear in mind that motivation of yours.

Nobody joins Rotaract to make enemies or to make life unpleasant for oneself or for others. By the same token, nobody joins Rotary for those misguided reasons. If you find yourself embarking a course of action that is foreseeably likely to have these results, remind yourself that you could not possibly have joined Rotaract to do that.

If after this self-examination you cannot find any motivation but that which leads to destruction, either of yourself, your Club, some other Rotaractor or a Rotarian, then find the nearest exit and put one foot in front of the other until you are on the other side and then close the door gently but firmly behind you. And don’t come back until you have rid yourself of such poisons.

The definition of resentment = you take poison hoping the other guy will die
Proactive resentment = while waiting to take revenge you continue to take poison



2. Impress With Your Good Deeds and Nature



Usually a good and successful Rotaract Club needs to do nothing by way of promoting or advertising its strengths or achievements.

Although submission of projects for and winning of awards are integral to the Movement and is encouraged, the winning of an award is not necessarily a certification of the strength or vitality of that Rotaract Club. Neither does the absence of an award evidence the opposite.

If your Club is really good or strong or capable, others will do the trumpeting for you. And that I think is the sweetest victory – to have someone repeat to you the compliments they have heard about your Club from others.

The same may be said of you as an individual Rotaractor. Let your good deeds speak for you. Let your good manners advertise you. Let your good nature network for you. Let your willingness to go out of your way to lend a hand win you many influential people who will be indebted to you. Let your readiness to forgive heal all those who have hurt you or have had bad intentions against you. If you return evil for evil, where will it all end ? We will all just get entangled in a web of evil thoughts and deeds.



3. Work With and Not Against Your Sponsoring Rotary Club



The most important and most influential potential ally that any Rotaract Club can have is its sponsoring Rotary Club. That Rotary Club is represented by, and given a human face in the person of, your Rotarian Advisor.

I find that Rotaractors are not hostile to Rotarians in general and to their Advisors in particular. On the contrary it has been repeatedly impressed upon me by Rotaractors that they welcome and appreciate the presence of their Rotarians. It seems that most Rotaractors value the time they have with their Rotarians more highly than whatever other, even monetary, resources that the Rotarian may bring to his job.

If that is the case, what is the problem ?

Rotaractors here and there who are exceptional only in their Machiavellian manoeuvres in exploiting the structure and system for their own ends. We may need to go back to items 1 and 2 above.

However in this area, Rotaract Clubs are disadvantaged more by apathetic sponsoring Rotary Clubs and equally apathetic Rotarian Advisors, than by their own misdeeds or designs. A vigilant Rotarian Advisor doing his job properly would have discerned that something is amiss in the Rotaract Club and should have taken proactive steps to remedy the situation.

However your Rotarian Advisor can only advise, caution and admonish. He cannot and should not control your Club except to save your Rotaract Club from error. Most of the time Rotaractors do not commit a wrong or plan to commit a wrong serious enough for the intervention of the sponsoring Rotary Club. Usually they may disregard (to their own peril only) advice on the feasibility or profitability of a certain project. Or they may try to pull the wool over their Rotarian Advisor’s eyes. Nothing terribly serious or diabolical, just youthful exuberance expressed wrongly.

Although your Rotarian Advisor can veto any of your projects or activities which in his opinion is illegal or immoral or contrary to the spirit and principles of Rotary and of your sponsoring Rotary Club, it is an unenlightened Rotarian who actually does that on a regular basis. He should only advise, caution and admonish and leave you to learn from your own mistakes should you disregard the same.

However if you or your Board of Directors decide on a course of action that is objectively misconceived or wrong or defies the advice of higher authorities like the District Governor or District Trainer, your Rotarian Advisor would be derelict in his duty if he were to allow that to be perpetrated.

An example would be holding your Annual General Meeting on a date that clashes with the District Rotaract Conference.

What to do if your Rotarian Advisor is from hell ? Akan datang.



4. Understand Not Only the Letter but the Spirit of Rotaract and Rotary



The Standard Rotaract Constitution, the By-Laws, the Handbook, RI Statement of Policy on Rotaract, the DRR’s Training Manual, the Manual of Procedure (for Rotary) are all important documents that guide and regulate certain procedures, functions and training in these two movements. They may be said to be the letter or the framework of the Organisation. They are by no means the “be all and end all” of Rotaract and Rotary.

There is the other but no less important facet namely the spirit of Rotaract and Rotary. It is this spirit which fleshes out the framework and gives it life. Others include the Four Way Test, motto’s like “Every Rotarian An Example to Youth”, “Service Above Self”, “He Benefits Most Who Serves Best” et al.

Something need not be carved in stone for it to be instructive, enlightening, inspirational and worthy of imitation or striving for.

Ultimately it is the spirit and not the letter which matters more. Sometimes following the law to the letter may very well cause an injustice.

Unfortunately it is not always easy to discern the spirit of something. Almost definitely it cannot be learned or imbibed in six months or so. Depending on how sensitive and observant one is, it may take a number of years to come to any real appreciation of it. Some may join Rotaract at 18 and leave at 30 without having come within a light year of the spirit of Rotaract. The same may apply to Rotarians and the spirit of Rotary.

It is incumbent therefore for Rotaractors who may feel that they know everything about Rotaract and Rotary to ask themselves if they have also understood the Spirit of Rotaract and Rotary. If they are not sure, then I suggest they should humble themselves and bow to those who do for ultimately it is the latter who matter.

I would prefer Rotaractors who have Rotaract in their hearts, not in their heads. I would prefer Rotaractors who have a soul and who genuinely care and who struggle to maintain the ideals of Rotaract while trying to keep their Clubs alive rather than a pack of cold and efficient but heartless Rotaractors who can and do carry out super hyper mega projects. This second group may look like Rotaractors, they may act like Rotaractors but to me they are merely hollow shells resembling Rotaractors.



5. Learn to Enjoy Giving



Nobody who does not genuinely enjoy giving should join a Rotaract Club. It matters little whether you give your money, your worldly goods, your time and talents, your connections, your prayers and good wishes or most importantly, yourself. You must give and enjoy it. Genuinely.

Young adults are encouraged to join Rotaract for what they can get out of it ie Personal Development and I give it to you in the strongest possible terms that you can never develop as a person and as a Rotaractor without giving. I include those who may be tempted to think that they are developing personally simply because they contribute to EREY or are Paul Harris Fellows or Paul Harris Society members.

If I may, I would suggest a simple litmus test. If a Rotaractor contributes to one or more of Rotary’s many foundations and funds and yet looks out for free lunches and cheap thrills and is overly calculating is his/her dealings with others, then I suggest that personal development is probably not taking place yet.

I have no intention of detracting from Rotary’s eminently worthy and life-changing programmes which require the donation of money and neither do I discourage giving to those funds. Quite the contrary. I am talking of worthwhile giving as a means of personal development.

Let your giving be its own reward and pleasure. Let it end there. Let us not keep an eye open for real or potential recognitions and awards.

There are myriad ways of giving which will probably never gain you any medallions or ribands or certificates, maybe not even a mention. Some examples (whether in Rotaract or elsewhere) would be :

giving up your seat to someone else
giving way even when it is your right of way
giving up revenge
giving face even when the recipient does not deserve it
giving away something you need to someone whose need is greater
giving someone the benefit of the doubt
giving someone a second chance
giving credit when and where it is due
giving more than you take

As the adage goes, “Never forget what others have done for you. Always forget what you have done for others”.



6. Understand the Meaning and Cost of Commitment, Duty and Responsibility



Some say that Rotaract like Rotary is a voluntary organization and to that extent no one can tell you what to do. That may be true. It would be sad indeed if decent right-thinking human beings feel that they are not obliged to do anything unless there is a law written somewhere that compels them to do it and threatens them with a sanction if they disobey.

Rotaractors are expected not to be such sad specimens.

Rotaract ceases to be voluntary as soon as you join. The same is true even when you volunteer to hold any office or get anything done.

Thus if you accept a job, whether it be DRR or President or to arrange the chairs for your Meeting, you give up the option of not discharging your duty to the best of your skill and ability. If it is an unwritten rule that your position requires you to support another position, you must do so unflinchingly and without compromise. Or if you join a Rotaract Club, you must support your Club in as many ways as possible whether by attending its Meetings and projects, paying your dues or doing whatever needs to be done.

That means :

you have to get the job done without any excuses like you did not have enough time, your assistant director did not come through for you, your avenue member resigned, your pet fish went belly up etc;
if you say you will attend some event, then you turn up at the appointed time and place, again without any excuses unless there has been a death or serious illness in the family;
if you receive an email or a message to return call, you reply immediately if possible, if not then within 24 hours or if it is a Friday evening, then by Monday morning. If you need time to reply, say so and inform the sender how long you will require. The same applies to short messages and telephone calls;
you do not deliberately give anyone missed calls (unless the other party is your mum or someone who has given you permission to do so);
you must know your place in the Club and movement and not overstep the boundaries;
you sacrifice whatever other things that stand in the way of your delivering on your promise ie if the deadline is first thing tomorrow morning, you must sacrifice that hot date you have tonight; and
you subjugate your own wishes, ambitions and designs and make them coincide with those of the majority, (or if you are the Vice- President) with those of the President whom you are duty bound to support. You must also hold your tongue at Board Meetings and not contradict your President in such a way as to cause him/her to lose credibility.

Being responsible for something simply means you make that thing happen no matter what. Give no excuses, take no prisoners, blame no one else.

The sacrifices you make by way of missed lunches, aborted dates, zipping your lips when you are dying to blurt something out, suppressed emotions are what it cost you to be committed, dutiful and responsible.

Why are such high and seemingly superhuman standards demanded of someone who joins what he/she thinks is a voluntary organisation ?

To aim for anything lower would be an injustice to your own potential as a human being and a Rotaractor. To demand anything less would be to rob you of the satisfaction of knowing that you have honoured your commitment, paid the price, done your duty and discharged your responsibility both to your Rotaract Club and to yourself.



7. Leave the Place a Little Better than When You Found It



A simple request made by my former school principal and yet, a powerful and sobering reminder.

I will not define where “the place” is, or how much is “a little”, or how good is “better”. That must be left to the imagination and creativity and judgment of each individual Rotaractor.

Is the community where your Rotaract Club takes its name from, a better place than before your Club existed ?

Is the venue of your Meeting a better place after your Meeting than before ?

Is the venue of your project a better place after your project than before ?

Is the venue of the District Rotaract Assembly or District Rotaract Conference a better place than before ?

Are the toilets cleaner after Rotaractors use them ?

Is your Rotaract Club a better Club after you joined ? Or after your Presidency ?

Are your fellow Rotaractors better people or better developed personally than before they met you ?

What about fellowship ?

What is your legacy to your Club ? Your fellow Rotaractors ? Your community ?

You only need answer your own self-convincing conscience and nobody else.

I must admit that I never thought that I would enjoy being DRC so much, my forte and favourite people in Rotary having previously been Interactors. I think Rotaractors are more challenging. By and large they are nice people with the usual bad apples in each barrel as dictated by the law of averages.

The reason I had not resigned from Rotary in the past 7 years was a Rotaract Club.

The fact that I did not decline immediately when DGN Dr Rajindar offered me the same post in his Year says something. By then I would be better prepared but I am sure the Rotaractors would have mutated at roughly the same rate as to remain just as exasperating as ever.

Rtn Arthur Yeong
(RC Kinta)
District Rotaract Chairman