The Reluctant Politican

The Reluctant Politican - Tun Dr Ismail and His Time

This is the long-awaited biography of Malaysia's powerful Home Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, who passed away of a heart attack on 2 August 1973. It is based on his private papers and on numerous interviews with his relatives and with people who knew him well, including Ghafar Baba, Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Robert Kuok, Lee Kuan Yew and Ghazalie Shafie.

New perspectives are provided about the struggle for independence, Malaysia's relationship with Singapore, the origins of Southeast Asian regionalism, the internal conflicts of the ruling party UMNO, MCA-UMNO ties, the fatal illness of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the May 13 riots, and the New Economic Policy. This book contains not only new facts about Malaysian and Singaporean history, but also insights into the processes of decolonization and nation building.

Finally, I've finished reading this book. To my surprise, I learned a lot about Malaysia's road to independence. Unfortunately, Tun Dr Ismail never made it to the top. Nevertheless, he is truly a hero who was lost in time. The history of him should be made public and all politician should take this man's principal as an example...

He was the one who brought Malaysia to the world but sadly this unsung hero was only recognized as TTDI to an average Malaysian.
If he was made PM, I wonder what will happen to Mahathir....

Another issue that was highlighted is how powerful individuals from different races be it Malay, Chinese and Indian contributed their time and energy in achieving Independence. This act is the main point to be remembered in celebrating our National Day. We are all Malaysian. We deserve to be here. Until our last breath...

Why men don't listen and Women cant read maps

I read this book a week ago and found most of it miserably (for me) true....



It implies around the main task of men and women millions of years ago which indirectly makes us what we are now. Man - hunt. Woman - nurture.

The first chapter is just as hilarious and true as the last chapter. It gets a little bit boring in the middle but come the last chapter which discusses about Sex, the favorite topic, you'll be eager to read more...

The first page highlights some things that are obvious which are :-

When a man goes to a rest-room, he usually goes for one reason and one reason only. Women use rest-rooms as social lounges and therapy rooms. Women who go to a rest-rooms as strangers can come out best friends and lifelong buddies. Everyone would be instantly suspicious of the man, however, who calls out, "Hey Frank, I'm going to the toilet - wanna come with me?"

Men dominate TV remote controls and flick through the channels; women don't mind watching the commercials.

Under pressure, men drink alcohol/smoke and invade other countries; women eat chocolate and go shopping.

Women criticize men for being insensitive, uncaring , not listening, not being warm and compassionate, not talking, not giving enough love, not being committed to relationships, wanting to have sex rather than making love, and leaving the toilet seat up.




Men criticize women about their driving (ops!!!) , for not being able to read street directories, for turning maps upside down, for their lack of a sense of direction, for talking too much without getting to the point, for not initiating sex often enough and for leaving the toilet seat down.

Men are amazed how a woman can't see a red flashing oil light on the car dashboard but can spot a dirty sock in a dark corner 50 meters away. Women are bewildered by men who can consistently parallel park a car in a tight spot using a rear-vision mirror, but can never find the G-spot.

If woman is out driving and gets lost, she'll stop and ask for directions. To a man, this is a sign of weakness. He'll drive round in circles for hours, muttering things like, "I've found a new way to get there" or "I'm in the general area" and "Hey, I recognize that petrol station!"

And so on....

I loved it!