Foul!

Haresh Says, as published in the Malay Mail today. “APPA, look at that gila (crazy) man.” It was followed by a giggle as the boy’s father replied: “Yes, he is gila man. Don’t look at him, after you also become gila,” before bursting into laughter. Gila man happens to be this chap in his 30s who lived at Pekeliling flats while I was growing up there. We never really knew his real name but we all called him “aneh”. He was mentally ill. But aneh was one cool dude. In an era where mobile phones were only for the super rich while the Internet was non-existent, he was our walking Twitter and Facebook, as we obtained the latest “news” (mostly half-truths or made-up tales) and gossip in and around our neighbourhood. My family and I were having dinner one day at a small eatery next to the Sentul police station when we overheard the conversation between the boy and his father. My father immediately called aneh to our table. He recognised us as we e...

You sit in front of the doctor. With a sympathetic look, much like a puppy starving for attention, you hope the doctor comforts you. Without eye contact, the doctor asks what you are suffering from.   You reply you have the package — flu, cough and a slight fever.   The doctor finally looks up, scribbles something and asks: “Is two days MC enough?”   You walk out of the consultation room — having spent exactly four minutes and 32 seconds with the doctor. You listen to unqualified people tell you about drugs which they themselves are clueless about, pay the sum due and head home.   Typical isn’t it? Read more in Haresh Says today.