Recently I attended the wedding reception of a school mate who has settled down in the UK but chose to celebrate his daughter\’s wedding amongst family, friends and community. What struck me most was the father\’s pride and joy in the marriage of his daughter to a very humane gentleman of English descent. His wife, …
Human rights cannot be bought, sold or traded. This conferment of human dignity – i.e. one’s place of birth, ethnicity, religion and personality and the human conscience choices made – cannot be bought or sold. Both sides of the political divide now emerging in Malaysia must understand this fundamental principle. What lessons can we therefore …
In my last column I explained why I can only be considered a first class citizen of Malaysia and why my parents, the first generation in Malaysia, have given me a history and heritage of which I am very proud. There is no reason to ever ‘reduce’ me to a second class citizen, regardless of whoever …
My 3G perspective argues that truth requires the acknowledgment of three realities which is the sum total of human experience on earth – 1G is our parents’ generation; 2G is our own experience and 3G is our children’s generation. All three experiences explain and inform truth about anything that matters. Truth that matters cannot be …
Today I start a new column series; having written the last one for almost two years without favour or fear. Or, at least I tried. I am not sure how long I will continue to write such columns but for now, it is business as usual. The new series I choose to call ‘Truth Matters\’. …
There is a very modern philosophy which presumes that all things new are better. Unlike wine, which gets better with age – or civility which improves values over time with maturity – there is this uncanny but pragmatic logic that all things modern are better, always. But nothing could be further from the truth. …
The Sun had a story headlined \”Knowledge element\” with the word ‘knowledge\’ actually coloured in blue. The sub-headline on page 5 of their July 1 issue states: \”Landlord unaware of tenant\’s illegal activity will not be held liable.\” The Star also had two columnists on the same day arguing that \”ragging should be banned\” and that \”bullying has …
What is a mature developed society? When can we call ourselves a developed nation in our own mould? When is someone mature? Is sixty years the age of maturity for humans? Why is one’s 60th birthday such a big deal in many cultures? Well, last week was a monumental one for me. My eldest …
Many years ago, under the Demonstrator Applications Grants (DAGs) programme, we at the NITC funded an ‘electronic processing and approval of building plans project’ as a pilot to demonstrate the virtual delivery capabilities of the ICT technology. The project was an absolute success with the reduction of the e-processing of building plans from a span …
My professor of change management taught me that to plan for change one needs to understand change resistance factors, drivers for change, and then use the opportunity for leadership to effect the needed change. Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had considered most of these factors and has executed his change agenda. What is now left …
