Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THERE is something ‘magical’ about Malaysian football.  Its trophy cabinet is pathetic when compared to badminton and diving. Many within seem to own a DeLorean time machine for they are often stuck in the past. And the woes plaguing the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and state affiliates — from finances to ethics — are more alarming than Zika. Why is football still the nation’s No. 1 sport? Its pull factor is phenomenal. The sport has been able to reach out to many of all walks, uniting those of opposing views and enjoying hundreds of thousands of loyal fans. It comes as no surprise why many continue to be lured to the FAM presidency. Even holding a position, regardless how minute, is seen as an “achievement”. The nominations for the FAM top post will close on Monday, leaving fans and observers at the edge of their seats over who will take over from the Crown Prince of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Shah.\ Those nominated...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol A RATHER naïve but good-hearted devout Brahmin from Haryana, India with a magnanimous spirit helps a mute Muslim girl from Pakistan return home. That is the gist of the 2015 Hindi movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan (when translated means Brother Bajrangi). Bajrangi is played by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, a Muslim, while the cute "Munni" is played by seven-year -old Harshaali Malhotra, a Hindu. The Bollywood fanfare aside, the real hero of the movie, to me, was Nawazuddin Siddiqui — a Pakistani reporter (Chand Nawab) in the movie. Chand documents the journey of Bajrangi and Munni as they travelled from the India-Pakistan border to the little girl’s village in Sultanpur, Pakistan. Chand uploads their epic adventure on YouTube and it goes viral. The story of Bajrangi and Munni is later picked up by the local press in India and Pakistan. For the record, the character of the journalist in the movie was inspired by ...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol HE slaps on a helmet, with hardly any padding within, and does not see the need to buckle up. In shorts and slippers, he sits on his bike — minus rear view mirrors — and goes full throttle paying little attention to his surroundings. Sounds like a Mat Rempit on a kap chai? Not exactly. Even those who own high-powered machines are guilty of such practices. Why is it that motorcyclists, riding on big or small bikes, generally disregard safety? Some say suiting up is an expensive affair despite cheaper alternatives. Others blame it on our weather, saying it’s too hot to wear jacket and gloves while there are those who don’t see the need to wear such attire due to the short riding distance. Then there are those who say they are mocked by their peers when they suit up — this is especially so among those who ride small bikes. But the disregard of such safety and bad riding practices has contributed to the la...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THE drains are clogged, rubbish strewn everywhere. Rats run around as mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters. Children, some learning to walk, play in such unhygienic conditions. This sums up the living conditions of the pockets of refugee communities in Ampang. Mostly from Myanmar, they live in small houses and make do with what little they earn from carrying out odd jobs. Those staying there are mostly illiterate. They know many among them are sick and some have died. To them, it is a way of life. Heading to the nearest hospital — Ampang Hospital — is a pricey affair. They instead rely on advice by sinseh who run traditional medicine shops nearby their homes. Malay Mail Afternoon, on Jan 11,  highlighted a possible rotavirus outbreak among the community in Ampang following the death of a 15-month-old baby on Dec 26. Another four children, between the ages of six months and three years were admi...

As published in Malay Mail today. IF hypocrisy was competed at the Olympics, we would have won gold a long time ago. Why do I say that? Here goes: Hypocrisy 1 Some two weeks ago I had a chat with some acquaintances.We were discussing the current predicament faced by Malaysians. Hailing from various backgrounds, speaking to them allowed me to better understand the very many sentiments of the average Malaysian on a Light Rail Transit. The subject of racism was raised. The group swore they were Malaysian first and demanded to be treated with respect and equally. They said no one should be judged by the colour of their skin or faith. I asked: “So if you brought a guy or girl of a different colour or faith home, would it be a problem?” One put his head down and said yes. Another in the group blurted: “My parents will kill me.” There was utter silence around the table. So much for respect and equality. Hypocrisy 2 Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali l...

As published in Malay Mail today Soo Siew Lan, 76, dances with staff Khairiah Mad Hassan during a fun therapy session at Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Monday. Medical staff should comfort patients despite budget cuts. - Picture by Hari Anggara (Malay Mail) HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol I BECAME a father on Oct 24. Having been by my wife’s side every step of the way, we were blessed with our bundle of joy, a baby boy, just days before Deepavali.   Our journey to parenthood was made easy thanks to one man — Datuk Dr Alex Mathews. A well-known figure in the fraternity and beyond, the former Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia president (1993/1994) comforted us every step of the way through his fatherly-like approach.   The well-groomed tie-wearing doctor, who could pass off as a headmaster, has a keen interest in sports. Having served the government for many years, his experience and wisdom are evident not only through his greyish hair but from his choic...

As published in Malay Mail today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my HE has been going for additional classes over the weekends, hoping to make his parents proud as he sits for his first major examinations — UPSR — in September. Twelve-year-old Rashid hopes to score straight As in the Year 6 national examinations which would then allow him to gain entry into the elite Maktab Rendah Sains Mara to fulfill his parents’ dreams. I pity Rashid as boys his age should be running about kicking a football in the evenings. Sadly, his parents insist what he and his classmates learn in school is inadequate and that times have changed. But I would sympathise with Rashid even more if his planned vacation with his family at Legoland after the examinations will be dashed if he is forced to re-sit the examination. The 2014 UPSR fiasco continues to haunt pupils, teachers and parents as they continue to wonder who was (or were) the culprit(s)? Two years ago, close to half a m...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol PEST, menace, imbecile and bodoh . These are among the words often uttered by drivers when a motorcycle zooms past them. Don’t get me wrong. I am a biker myself. I’ve been riding motorcycles ever since I left school and still do. On two wheels, it’s not about completing a journey but about enjoying an adventure. There are motorcyclists, including those on high-powered machines, who deserve a knock on their heads (and I’m being polite) for failing to respect other motorists. Respect, however, works both ways. Motorcyclists in Malaysia are often treated as “second-class citizens” as many drivers tend to disregard the fact those on two wheels have every right to be on the road as other motorists. Drivers complain of bikers who zig-zag dangerously and rempit where possible. But many forget that a motorcyclist is as important as the politician in a luxurious sedan, the clerk in a compact car, the cyclist o...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol SO what’s brewing in Selangor? Plenty. There’s the widely speculated rift between Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ahead of the Sungai Besar by-election. Residents in Petaling Jaya are up in arms over the proposed construction of an elevated highway which has been dubbed Kidex 2.0. Football fans are disappointed the state team, the Red Giants, have turned into dwarfs in the M-League. It is understood the Selangor Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has been keeping close tabs on the situation. PKR is experiencing yet another internal turmoil. It heightened after party secretary-general, Rafizi Ramli, lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and submitted evidence pertaining to allegation of graft and “requests for women” in dealings involving the state government. He was accompanied by several party members including Pa...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THE Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex has slowly but surely uncovered the intriguing mystery of Southeast Asia’s oldest civilisation. The centuries-old secret of Sungai Batu — once referred to as Kataha in Sanskrit — is simply mind blowing as archaeologists are unearthing more items including remnants of ancients barges and items which described what life was in this region in the first and early second centuries. A decade ago, an archaeological team from Universiti Sains Malaysia discovered other relics including iron-smelting facilities, monuments, jetties and administrative buildings in the area which is within Kedah’s Bujang Valley. Some historians argue the relics found are not as old as they are believed to be. Others insist Sungai Batu deserves to be called a Unesco heritage site for there are enough evidence to prove it is the oldest civilisation in the region – dating earlier than the famous Angkor Wa...