Things happen for a good reason

Photo credit: www.jpost.com

There is a small glass table in my home. Right from the beginning, my mind was fixed that this table was meant for flowers and nothing but flowers. For years, a lovely floral arrangement sat prettily on this table.

A year ago, someone broke the vase that held the flowers. I was really upset. I wanted to run to the shop immediately to get a new vase, but work held me back. Yet, I did not want to leave the table undecorated. I looked around the house and saw a crystal salt lamp sitting on top of a cabinet. I decided to relocate the lamp to the glass table as a temporary measure.

When it was time for bed, I switched off all the lights. Suddenly, the whole house was caressed by a golden glow. It never happened before. I gasped in surprise. I quickly turned around to locate the source of the glow. It came from crystal salt lamp! My goodness, this lamp has been my companion for years, but I have never given it so much attention until that night.

I sat down on a chair to admire the lamp and its light. I realized that when it was sitting on top of the cabinet, its glow was restricted by its position. Now that it sits on the glass table, its glow reaches out in every direction.

I believe things happen for a good reason. The vase is broken for a good reason. I am glad I did not berate the person who broke it. If not for the broken vase, I would never have known that the crystal salt lamp and the glass table are meant for each other. Together, they fill my home with a golden glow, most distinctly at night.

I can't believe it!

I talk to my friends and it’s always about the depressing politics, declining economy and deteriorating crime scene.

To make things worse, my car develops a strange electrical problem which my trusted mechanic can't fix. I call the EON service centre and they tell me to leave my car there overnight. Oh no, I can’t do that. I would be crippled without my car.

Sometimes, unpleasant situations are a blessing in disguise. Thinking hard to solve my problem, my brain goes into memory retrieval mode and downloads an old file – the archived information of a man who helped me when my car broke down over ten years ago.

In that incident, I was in Kuala Lumpur and my car wouldn't start. A friend gave me a number to call. I got through to a man who said he would send his men over. I did not have to wait long. Two men turned up, jump-started my car and I followed them to a shop near the busy and bustling Jalan Pasar. The shop belongs to a Mr Wong who repairs automobile electrical system.

I was advised to replace the alternator. It was dusk when the job was done. When it was time to pay the bill, I found I did not have enough cash. Mr Wong said without hesitation, “Don’t worry. Take the car now. You can pay me tomorrow.” My jaws dropped. How could he trust me, a total stranger? He said that was how he conducted his business – trust. I did not betray his trust. I went back to the shop the next day and paid him.

One day, a friend from Seremban came to Kuala Lumpur. His car stalled on a street. I told him to call Mr Wong who promptly sent his men. Later, my friend called me, “Mr Wong charged me for the new battery only. He didn't charge me anything for sending his men over to jump-start my car. I can’t believe it!”

Suddenly, I know why my car is misbehaving now – so that I can see Mr Wong again. This incredible businessman is now in his seventies. He is still the same affable man I know. When I tell him the problem, he gives his trademark response, “No problem. We’ll look at it right away.”

While waiting for the car to be diagnosed and treated, I chat with Mr Wong. I ask him, “Last time you didn’t charge for house service. Do you charge now?” He replies with a laugh, “No! I still don’t charge. No need. You pay the repair bill, that’s enough.”

A worker approaches and says, “It’s done.” I ask Mr Wong for the bill and he says, “RM15 only.” RM15 only? For a problem that my mechanic can't fix and EON Service has to keep my car overnight? I can’t believe it!

If your car needs an electrical doctor in Kuala Lumpur, you may want to give Mr Wong a call.

Mr Wong Yoon Sui

Yoon Sui Electric Service Sdn Bhd

5 Jalan Beruang

Off Jalan Pasar

55100 Kuala Lumpur

03-9221 8368

Sincere Cops

I wish to thank and salute these two exemplary members of the Royal Malaysia Police who went out of the way to help me:

• Lance Corporal 114116 RAHATAN BIN TAHRIN
• Constable 142296 ASRI BIN DARI

One night, I drove home past midnight. When I reached the house, I pressed the auto-gate remote control. The gate refused to open. I pressed the control again and again. Nothing happened.

My family was away for a few days so I couldn't call them for help. I sat quietly in my car and gathered my thoughts. My brain went into problem-solving mode. All of a sudden I thought of the police.

Why shouldn't I run to them for help?
Why shouldn't I trust them with my problem?

I drove over to the police station. I told the police officer on duty of my predicament. He was very helpful. He made a call and soon two policemen turned up at the station - one was a lance corporal and the other a constable.

Both policemen followed my car on a motorbike. When we arrived at the house, it was past 1am. They told me their plan. One of them would climb over the gate, go up to the house, open the main door with the door keys, go inside and locate the auto-gate manual switch.

As the policeman was clambering up the gate, he chuckled, “This looks like housebreaking.” The other policeman was amused. I had my moment of anxiety.

Oh dear, are the neighbours watching this “housebreaking”? Would they call the police?

Finally, the drama was over – the gate opened and I could get into the house. I was so grateful to the two policemen. I offered them some money as a token of my appreciation. Both declined without hesitation. I was taken aback. If I had to hire a skilled person to do the job, I might have to pay a handsome price.

The two policemen were adamant despite my persuasion. They touched their chests with their hands and said, “Kami ikhlas.” (We are sincere)

I will always remember them as admirable members of the Royal Malaysia Police who serve our country with integrity.

A World of Paranoia

The recent robbery has turned me into a paranoid nut.

It was dusk and I was driving along a lonely street in a residential area. I looked into the rear mirror and saw a motorcyclist behind me. He picked up speed and began to overtake me. My brain sent out a red alert and steered my body into fight or flight position.

As the motorcyclist passed me, he glanced at me. Then, he stopped at the side of the road. I hit the panic button. I stepped on the accelerator and swerved my car to the middle of the road. As I passed him, our eyes met. He had a strange look in his face. Then, he turned and walked into the house.

Goodness gracious, he lives there??!! If he does, my bizarre behaviour must have shocked him as much as he had scared the daylights out of me.

I remember a very different time when paranoia was not in my vocabulary. I was in secondary school. After every volleyball practice, I would ride the bus home. When I got off the bus, it would be past 8pm. I had to walk past a dark sawmill with logs piled up high on both sides of the road. Wearing my T-shirt and shorts, I had always reached home safely.

Sadly, today, children do not have the freedom to do what I had done without facing danger or even death. They can’t even walk to the crowded and brightly-lit night market without the fear of being abducted, abused, tortured and murdered.

Yes, the world has changed. But, has it changed for the better? In today’s world of scientific magic and technological wizardry, are we better off?

If I could live my life again, I don’t want to go into space or walk on the moon. What I want to do is to ride the bus, walk past a dark sawmill and reach home in one piece.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

It takes two bloody robbers to make me feel how blessed I am.

When I reached Menara Great Eastern in Jalan Ampang, the complex security senior officer offered his help instantly. He was kind and sympathetic. He assigned his men to keep an eye on my car and instructed a lady officer to accompany me to the 6th floor.

Thank you, sir! I will post his name later. In my confused state of mind, I forgot to get his name. (He is security supervisor MR M ELANGOVAN). I also wish to thank the lady officer who comforted me all the way in the lift. Terima kasih, puan! (She is security officer PUAN SHAKDAH OTHMAN).

When I reached the 6th floor, I'm grateful to my friends in Toastmasters International for helping me to clean my wounds and getting me plasters. Where did the plasters come from? They appeared like magic!

In particular I wish to thank Division Governor Mr Azmi Shahrin, Area Governor Mr Paul Tan, my Club President Ms Sandy Tan and the lovely lady Ms Jane who got me the plasters.

I thank God for blessing me with kind people in my hour of need.

I almost have a heart attack when the robbers attack

Yesterday, Saturday 15 March, I was robbed along Jalan Ampang, Selangor, while driving in my LOCKED car.

I took the slip road from MRR2 Expressway to Jalan Ampang heading towards Great Eastern Mall. Traffic on the slip road is usually slow because vehicles queue up to get into the main road of Jalan Ampang.

All of a sudden, I noticed a guy racing towards the passenger side of my car. The next instant, there was one big EXPLOSION.

The glass window on the front passenger side was smashed and splinters flew all over my car. The criminal grabbed my handbag which was on the passenger seat, then ran towards a waiting motorcycle. In a flash, they were gone.

The explosion left me in a state of shock. When I came to my senses, I found I was bleeding from my left hand and left leg. My heart pounded so violently I thought I might collapse.

Robbers in the Klang Valley must be really desperate to resort to such violent measures.

Please alert your families and friends, especially the ladies.

Damn it, I can't seem to get the explosion out of my head!

Timeless Barbarians

During the Chinese New Year, I visited a busy shopping complex. The car park was full, forcing me to circle it a couple of times. Finally, a car came out of a parking space right in front of me. Unfortunately, I did not have enough room to manoeuvre my car into the space.

There was a solitary car behind me, so I opened the door of my car and gestured to the other driver to reverse his car a little. Astonishingly, he did not budge an inch. I gestured again but my effort was in vain. What an unkind driver! Anger began to surge through me. When people are angry, they do stupid things. I guess I was no different. I had this urge to punish the driver by refusing to move my car so that he was stuck behind me for good. If he refuses to budge, so can I.

Fuming, I looked into my rear mirror and saw a woman sitting next to the male driver and a few children in the back seat.

Suddenly, I was jolted by a knock on my window. A Chinese man was standing by my car and he asked if I was looking for a place to park. I nodded. He said, “There’s an available space over there. Go quickly.” I was so grateful to him, “Thanks! I’m so angry with the driver behind me.”

His next words shocked me out of my rage. “What do you expect from people of that race? They behave like that!”

What made him say that? Where's the logic? A stubborn, stupid and unkind driver can be found in any race, including my own. Making racial remarks and blindly condemning others seems to be a barbaric instinct in humankind.

There's a story of a particular village occupied by two rival clans. Though of the same ethnic origin, each clan regarded the other clan with disdain. The differences ran so deep that the members of each clan refused to let their offspring marry the other clan. So, you see, this barbaric instinct is the cause of not only racial problems but also tribal conflicts.

It looks like humans can run amok anytime if they do not know how to rein themselves back.

Back to the incident in the car park. I was as stubborn and stupid as the other driver so that made two 21st century barbarians, one from each race.

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Malaysian Currency, Indian Family

I looked at Maniam with awe and admiration. He is a travelling gardener and all-purpose guy for menial tasks. My friend moved house and got Maniam to help to move the furniture, household appliances, audio video equipment and even the garden plants. Some of the things were as heavy as lead. But, to Maniam nothing is impossible.

My friend gave away an old TV to Maniam. I saw him tying the 5okg TV to the pillion seat of his motorbike. I asked him what he was trying to do. He said he was going back to his house and the TV would be riding pillion. But, his house is not down the street. It is 20km away! And, he has to travel through a stretch of highway. Can you imagine the 50kg TV wobbling on the pillion seat? What if it topples off?

I firmly told Maniam I would help him to transport the TV in my car. On the way, I began to interview him.

"How many children do you have?"

"Two. A boy and a girl."

"They are lucky to have you as their father. You work very hard."

"My children live in India."

"India? Are you Malaysian?"

"Yes, I'm Malaysian. But, my wife is from India, so my children live in India."

"How often do you see your children?"

"Twice a year"

"So, you see your wife only twice a year?"

"No, she comes here every three months."
"Why do you choose to live like this?"

"My children will have a better future in India. I send all my money to them."

"How do you spend your time here without your family?"

"With friends. I share a rented house with a group of friends. I share my room with two other people."


I'm still trying to understand Maniam. Why is he willing to make such sacrifices? Has he been misled, brainwashed or has my country failed to convince him that it can offer his children a good future?