The manacles are cracking...

The incident that happened in the beginning of year 2001 has changed my life. I was then a first year student in UPM. One day, I read a news article from the paper, reporting that the government had closed down a Chinese primary school in Damansara. I was pissed off by the closure of the Damansara primary school, because it is a "Chinese" school (I was indeed thinking in that way by then. Later only I found out that there were some fallacies. It is not a racial issue, but it's actually a violation of Human Rights - right to mother-tongue education and community rights.)

In the mean time, DAP organised a walkaton in support to the "Save Our School" (SOS) movement. Immediately, I had registered myself as a participant, not knowing what is DAP and the distance between Pudu Jail and Damansara School (which is damn far!!). Happily, we started our walk, and got arrested by the police an hour later.

Around 40 of us were arrested for "illegal procession" and were sent to two different police station. I was sent to Bricksfield police station. It was my first experience with the police. I was ordered to take SB's (Special Branch) statement, which I later found out that it was illegal. (According to Criminal Procedure Code, SB has no right to record statement from a suspect)

No action had been taken on us. But the incident had inspired me a lot. I had started to question the mainstream values, which I believed in all the while.

The manacles of my mind are cracking!

Mr. Minister, I am not your fan!

As lion dance performers, we often have opportunities to meet with those so-called "big guns", such as cabinet minister. In 1997, we were invited to perform in an occasion where the then Minister of Housing and Local Government, Dr. Ting Chew Pei was also present. We were happily snapping photo with the then powerful man after our performance.

In year 2004, I campaigned for Dr. Lee Boon Chye (top) from Parti Keadilan Rakyat during the General Election. Coincidentally, Dr. Lee's rival in the contest of Gopeng parliamentary seat was the man whom I met 7 years ago. Ting eventually won the battle, but he is no more a powerful man, neither in the cabinet nor his own party - MCA.

p/s: I am third from the right (standing, of course)

I was once a state representative...... :P

We won the first ever lion dance champion for the organisation/school in Perak lion dance competition, 1996. We were very excited because we had qualified ourself to the National Dragon and Lion Dance Tournament, for the first time. The competition was to be held in Seremban.

After a short moment of joy, we underwent a month of "horrendous" training to prepare ourself for the national tournament. Once, I fell from a 6-feet high pole for mistaking intructor's directive. Before landing, my chest hit on an extremely hard metal disc. I was unable to breathe for some seconds, and only then I realised the importance of oxygen to human being.

On the day of tournament, it was windy and the competition was held outdoor. Many troupes could not complete their performances. We had successfully completed our performance and won the forth place among 13 competitors. It was an encouraging result because we were competiting with professionals like the Malaysia Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association, Muar (The five times world champion and the champion of the tournament).

The toughest part in a lion dance competition is the final stage. The performers are exhausted but yet they need to squeeze every ounce of their strength to complete the performance by using the same route they have come. According to the competition rules, performers are not allowed to start the performance from one end and end at the other end. At this stage, perseverance become an important element to decide whether the performers could complete the performance.

I was thinking, isn't the social movement working in the same way? At the final stage of changing a dictatorial regime (when we are about to win), we will face rampageous, fierce and final attack from them. Perseverance and determination are important to keep us moving in that gloomy but short period of time. If we manage to overcome, we are the victors!

Top: Warming up before the performance starts.

Middle: Performing......slow and steady (I was behind the lion head)

Bottom: Saluting the panel judges after the performance.

Dong dong dong..............

I was an asthmatic child for years, like Che Guevara (left). I had joined the Art of Self Defence Society in my secondary school. The initial intention was to do more exercises in order to enhance my weakling body. This had given me an opportunity to have in-depth comprehension of the Tionghua culture. The organisation had also taught me the importance of discipline, perseverance and team work. Best of all, I was lucky enough to meet with a group of sincere and lovely friends who shared same interests with me. Thank you guys, all the best!

Pictures:
(Top) Annual Chinese New Year mission - lion dance performance to raise fund for the society.
(Bottom) Picture with a group of kompang (Malay traditional drum) performers after performing in a supermarket.

My first ever birthday, 1981

Mmm.....I wish there would be a lasting world peace, stepping down of all sinister dictators, prevail of democracy, freedom and human rights......
Hey, don't overact, you are only one year old!
Hehe.....too excited. I think I better do something in line with my age - MAKAN!