The Malaysian Insider

OCT 30 — In his recent Budget 2010 speech, our Prime Minister announced that RM1 billion will be spent to help the police beef up their enforcement services. He targets a reduction of 20 per cent in snatch thefts and robberies by the end of 2010. The initial response to that proposal will of course be positive — crime levels have escalated to such alarming heights in Malaysia that any effort or initiative towards crime reduction and prevention will be warmly embraced.

OCT 17 — I’ve written before about how Egyptians love to honk continually when they are driving, and so in going against the grain of opinion buzz on the Umno assemblies, Bagan Pinang, 1 Toilet and coroner’s inquests, I thought that it would be timely to continue my little musings about Cairo’s traffic.

When a Malaysian takes that maiden journey by car on the streets of Cairo, he or she can be forgiven for pleading to be put back on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, where it is still relatively easy to cross busy roads and traffic lights work (most of the time). There is also a general (although not unanimous) consensus by both motorists and pedestrians alike, to be orderly and safe on Malaysian roads.

OCT 3 — Egyptians are a very proud people. And why shouldn’t they be? They have an almost bottomless pit of historical, religious and cultural heritage to pluck from, plus some of the most amazing travel destinations to offer — from sprawling white deserts to the breathtaking Red Sea to lure tourists from all over the world. All through the centuries tourists have flocked to Egypt to experience her splendour, and they will most likely continue to do so until the end of days. After all, archaeologists are still discovering new temples and tombs which must be showcased to the world.

SEPT 19 — “Jangan bawak dia keluar — dah senja, nak masuk Maghrib dah”, my father admonished, just as I was about to take my toddler son for a walk outside the house. We were at my parents’ place for buka puasa, and the weather being lovely, I figured that a stroll outside would do wonders for my son’s bottled-up energy.

“But it’s not even 6.30pm – Maghrib isn’t until 7.15pm” I tried to explain, unfortunately drawing a long, angry scowl from my father.

Sigh. “Okay”, I ceded. “We’ll just play inside” I said, to my son’s screaming displeasure.

AUG 29 – The first thought that springs to mind when I think of an Egyptian Ramadan, is their practice of Mawa’ed El-Rahman, the tables of mercy.

This is where wealthy Egyptians, comprising corporate bigwigs, high-ranking officials, celebrities, even famous belly dancers, would erect large, colourful marquees in impoverished neighbourhoods around the city, providing hearty meals to the vast number of Egyptian poor in a quest to fulfill God’s decree to help the unfortunate during Ramadan.

Destitute Egyptians would throng these mercy tables in droves, and often full occupancy is reached at least an hour before iftar, the breaking of fast.