| A geology graduate turned writer, Khairie Hisyam Aliman enjoys stating the obvious... occasionally in writing. He is still figuring out how to write a proper bio of himself. |
Are you a closet racist?
May 08, 2013MAY 8 ― On Sunday night, a Chinese friend tweeted: “Why are Malays so anti-Chinese? What did we ever do to you guys?”Dear friend, I have no idea how to answer that. I don’t know.Results aside, this election has brought out the worst in many people. Social media was inundated with hate and disparaging comments disguised behind the words “Not to be racist, … Read More
Alas, I think too much about books
May 06, 2013MAY 6 — I wrote previously that starting a new job is like reading a new chapter in a book. In fact, each of our lives is like a book. It might even be a series of books — hopefully with happy endings where we at least survive very long.We open our eyes in the morning and the narrative begins in our heads. As the story begins (with us gaining full … Read More
It’s a terrible, terrible world
April 29, 2013APRIL 29 — “Familiarity breeds contempt — and children.” — Mark TwainSome time ago, after breaking the news of my wife’s pregnancy to a couple of acquaintances, the talk drifted to the subject of parenthood. Then one of them said: “I’m never having children. This world is so terrible, what for I want to bring new life just to suffer in it?”But is the world … Read More
Fasihkah kita berbahasa ibunda kita?
April 25, 201325 APRIL — Kekadang penulis kagum dengan rakan-rakan penulis kolum di The Malaysian Insider ini yang mahir menulis dalam Bahasa Melayu walaupun Bahasa Melayu itu bukanlah bahasa ibunda mereka. Jika dilihat daripada kepetahan ayat-ayat mereka berbicara, mungkin ramai tidak menyangka bahawa sebilangan mereka bukan berbangsa Melayu. Rasa rendah diri pun ada … Read More
Planning your online afterlife
April 22, 2013APRIL 22 — People who know me know that I think about death a lot in a preparing-for-afterlife way. So it was welcome news that Google announced the Inactive Account Manager feature recently. Or as Contextly founder Ryan Singel called it in his tweet, “Google Death Manager.”In a nutshell, the feature allows you to dictate what happens to your Google … Read More
Candidate vs party: How to choose?
April 21, 2013APRIL 21 — I remember a time in my early teens when I sat near a group of adults discussing the pros and cons of BN and the opposition at a local kenduri.Eventually one of them turned to me and asked which party I would support. “Depends on who the candidate is, I suppose — if he is a good person or not,” I said. They laughed and did not take my comments … Read More
So how?
April 11, 2013APRIL 11 — Earlier this week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged to fight corruption if Barisan Nasional retains power after the coming general election. His pledge follows his earlier promise of a peaceful transfer of power if there is a change in government. It is a welcomed promise.But, a big question mark follows. How does he intend to do … Read More
Protecting the faith
March 29, 2013MARCH 29 ― In school, one of my teachers was an ustaz whom we fondly (and quietly) nicknamed “The Rock” for his muscular build and piercing glare. There was even a rumour going around that he was a former boxer!Despite his apparently intimidating appearance, however, we enjoyed his classes as he was an easygoing, funny and entertaining teacher. And the … Read More
This balancing act called writing
March 21, 2013MARCH 21 — Sometimes I feel that writers should have their own personality disorder classification, because writers live with a split personality. And every writer has a split personality.On one side, he is confident and self-assured with a dash of arrogance. On the other side he is cautious, perhaps even paranoid and full of self-doubt.One needs courage … Read More
Your world is yours for the taking
March 11, 2013MARCH 11 — “Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?”The above lyrics from Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself” sums up why it is one of my all-time favourite songs; there is something novel and grand about having a once-in-a-lifetime shot at lifelong success that … Read More
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