Since I was a kid, I have always wanted to go to college and pursue my studies there. That dream
of mine came true ofter I got my S.P.M. results in May 1992 and I was offered into two places,
I.T.M. Arau in Perlis and I.I.U. Matriculation Centre in Lembah Pantai. I was very indecisive at
that time as to which I would choose. I wanted to continue my studies in pure science like what
I did in my secondaries but at the same time my interests in money and business overwhelmed me.
As miserable as I was, I chose to enter I.T.M. right up on the north of the peninsular to take up
Diploma in Science. It was a three-year programme. It was in mid June 1992. My parents sent me
there. I was not used to parting with my family nor my friends at that time that I felt really
miserable during the first few hours. The place was quite a havoc with fellow students and
families. After a few hours, I met a few guys that I could make friends with. They came from
different parts of Malaysia and that was one of the advantages of being in colleges - You get to
meet lots and lots of different kind of people.
Don't mention it - The first two days were
horrible. Brutalism and sadism took place during the orientation week. The orientation
committees were merciless. Make a mistake - If you would want to 'ride on a motorbike' or be
a 'human alarm clock' in the morning. 'Ride a motorbike' means that you imagine that you are
actually on a motorbike - Regardless what kind it is - With your hands on the handle bar and your
legs bend halfway down - For five minutes - Minus the motorbike. I didn't get these punishments
(fortunately) but my friends did. Why? Because they turned their heads to girls when they passed
through. What a mess.
Come to think of it... It was quite fun though knowing that you were not
the only one being brutalised. Everything you did, you did it together with your friends.
Everything you got into, you got into it together, with you friends. That was one of the
experiences that I acquired during my one-week stay there. Friends in campuses or hostels
are different in their own special way. They know you better. They will know what your favourite
foods are and if you would like vegetables with them or not. We shared everything from toothpaste
to instant noodles. I even learnt to eat them raw when I was there. What a mess.
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), my senses came back to me. Why should I do a diploma programme when I could take
up a better degree programme that was offered to me by I.I.U. I left I.T.M. that very Sunday
(the first and last in I.T.M.) and went back straight to Kuala Lumpur. I arrived in Kuala Lumpur
very early in the morning and went straight to enroll myself in I.I.U. Matriculation campus in
Lembah Pantai. There I had to indulge in another week of brutalism (at least that was what I
thought...). No it was not. Surprisingly, the committees were extraordinarily nice and tolerant.
Why... I even skipped one or two of the orientation programmes. Do that in I.T.M... and you would
get a free ride on the 'motorbike'.
The week went fine there in I.I.U. People there are the
nicest ones. They can get very nice and close to you. I still remember some names as my good
friends (right until now) such as Hazri, Bob, Anis and Tahir (forgive me the names I did not
mention not that you people are less in the rank...). The place was very suitable for learning
and the lecturers were great. I was there for two years. I graduated the matriculation centre
in 1994 and was offered a place in the main campus in Petaling Jaya with my other friends.
Truthfully, my life in the matric centre was one of the most remembered ones. Unfortunately,
the hostel that they gave me when I was in the main campus was unsuitable for a human being to
live in (why... I don't think that even my cat would like to live there...). So... I stayed at
home and drive everyday to the campus which was 20 kilometres away. I did not mind that at all.
But... I was there for one year only when I had some arguments with the deputy dean of my
kuliyyah (Economics and Management) and later I boycotted the final examinations of the second
semester of that year. I was dismissed right after that. I still think that they made a mistake
there. I praised the place. I was proud of it. Until now.
I was indecisive then as whether to continue my studies or start to look for a job. My father
came to the rescue and offered me another chance to continue my studies and so I chose to enter
M.S.M. Trolak in Perak and enrolled in the best programme there was in Malaysia, The ABC
programme. It was an accounting professional course and they were doing a twinning programme
with the college (ABC) in Dublin, Ireland. Hostel life started again.
I was senior by at least
one year to them but most of them were three years younger than I was but in the same batch. I
encountered a few hard feelings between us. In one occasion they even got into physical when
they put out the air of my tyres. I did nothing. I let it be. And a few weeks after that they
found out that I was not too bad afterall and offered truce to me. I did not believe in revenge
so I accepted. They are good friends until now.
My life in M.S.M was indeed a very enjoyful one.
Sudirman, Thiru, Azlan and Aswin were the best of my buddies there. If I were to write
everything that we had done together, from doing a circus ride on the EX-5 to sabotaging the
director's cars, I could write a novel. They were great. The place was great. However, the
programme has been moved to the new and better campus in Kuala Lumpur. I bet they must miss the
chimps and the other 'wild lifes'. One of many things I learnt from that place is... Be cool,
do not report your friends (or enemies) to the authorities, and you will be fine and they will
respect you.
Then... Here I am... In the middle of one of the greatest cities on earth (at least that is
what they have been exaggerating) in Middlesex University. Nothing actually I can say about
this particular place. I would be such a pessimist though. The lecturers are good but not as
good as they have back home. They are much harder to be with. They administration system is...
What can I say... Conservative (I hope that would change with the new
government...). But what the heck... I'm here. I will get to finish my degree the same time as
will my friends in I.I.U. in 1998. That is my vision for the time being.
My view is... Talking out of experience, it is better to study domestically than abroad. The
systems are much better and the subjects are much more relevant and not to mention all rounded.
The assessment system, a mix of American and British systems, I think is the best there is.
And... Studying locally is also cheap.
However, contrary to the above statement and after balancing the pro's and con's I will have
to come to a decision that there are indeed some outstanding advantages of studying abroad that
you sometimes never get when studying domestically. One of them is the advancement of knowledge
and information. These places (U.S, Europe and Advanced Asia) are where the new technologies
come from. Students there will get the advantage of having to learn the new things earlier than
local students. Having these knowledge and information will put them at the very competitive
edge thus will put them into a better prospect for future excellence. Plus... You will get to
see new places.
As an ordinary youth, I have always voiced my views rather strongly.
I am firm with my stand and nobody could move me once I have made my decision
on any circumstances. I suppose my family (especially my parents) would have
understood that by now. Far from being obidient (like my siblings), I have
always being the hardheaded one.
Recent development in Malaysia really interest me (eventhough most of the
riots happened when I was still in London). To say I am on the neutral ground
may not be the truth. To say I am on Anwar's side is far from the truth.
Frankly, I have always admired Anwar. And Mahathir is my hero. I am not
saying who is right or wrong but the unrests disgust me.
Liberalists are liberalists. I am one myself but not an extreme one. Street protests
are certainly not the way to voice dissatisfaction. Anwar may be right, and
he may also be wrong but his provocations are destroying Malaysia's image.
Anwar and his supporters may or may not realise this but foreign countries
and foreign medias have been given a heaven of a time to condemn Malaysia.
Being a Malaysian in the UK, I have to say that there are burning hate for
our country here and the rest of the so-called Western Civilisations.
We can clearly compare between the two, Anwar and Mahathir. Anwar is the
liberalist and Mahathir is an authoritarian. Mahathir despises the West but
Anwar is their friend. Probably the sexual misconducts allegations are
outrageous. I myself could not believe that. But we cannot deny of Anwar's
tendency towards the West. Remember I am writing of my preference here.
Freedom of speech right? Mahathir is the one we need. Why? Because he is the
hero of Malaysia. Where else in the planet can we find a leader like him?
Indonesia? Certainly not. Arabs? All are American puppets. But Mahathir stands
for us. Never in history have minor countries stand up to Western bullies.
Remember, we have won economic wars with the UK and Australia. All these
happened during Mahathir leadership.
Anwar suggested to accept IMF aids. Mahathir refused. Why did he refuse?
Because he could clearly see what Anwar was blinded from. Once we accept
terms from IMF, we would be forever bound to the West. Do you think IMF gives
out loan without any catch? Certainly not! Certain conditions may apply
remember? Poor countries in Africa have experienced this. IMF rules their economies
thus their countries. Have you ever paid interests more than your actual loans?
Well, these poor countries are.
Mahathir may be wrong. So? Does that mean the West is right? Yes, to Anwar's
supporters. The West accuses our courts as being corrupt. Is Mahathir paying
off the judges? Do they know that the Malaysian Supreme Court made the
original UMNO illegal in 1988? Mahathir was President and Prime Minister at
that time. The same Mahathir who brought us economic growth miracle for
eight years in a row... The kinda miracle the Western countries can only
dream of. He has put us on the world map. Yes, he may be corrupt. But who
is not? Anwar?
My personal view is that we should back up our leader against Western threat.
We really don't want to be like the Arab nations being puppets of the West,
do we? Remember, the economic crisis is temporary, the loss of a great
leader is forever. Mahathir had handpicked Anwar to be his successor. Now,
he wouldn't have chosen Anwar if he knew at that time that he would later
sack him, would he?
