60 Minutes of Darkness

60 Minutes of Darkness
By Lintang Bob Yong
A sighted person was helping a blind man to get home. The helper said to him that they must hurry because it would soon be dark. The blind man asked what darkness was.
In a sighted world, most people have not experienced a total darkness. And darkness has often been associated with evils and spooky situations. Most children are afraid of darkness when left alone.
The global community celebrated the earth Hour 2010 on Saturday, March 27. On this day, all lights were turned off for an hour from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
What is this Earth Hour all about? What is the significance of it?
The earth Hour which was initiated by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. It was an attempt to avert catastrophic global warming. The campaign was globalized in 2008 and in 2009, there were over 4000 cities in 87 countries took part in this event. This event is to remind people of the immediate need to fight climate change that has threatened to harm nature.
This video will give you an insight of the Earth Hour.

Malaysia has participated in the Earth Hour 2009 and Earth Hour 2010.
So, did you turn off the lights on March 27?
Yes, I did.

Life in the 40's....St. Gabriel's School and me

Life in the 40’s............. St. Gabriel’s School and me
By Lintang Bob Yong
I attended St Gabriel’s, a missionary school back then in 1946, where all the students came from poor families in the nearby vicinity of the school. Our school was a “borrowed-school” which means we had to attend classes in the afternoon, after the regular school (Pudu English School) finished their classes in the morning.
The school was founded by an Australian priest, whose name was Rev. TE Currie on April’s Fool Day, 1946. Till today, many of the old students who are now successful in their own rights have fond memories of our founder headmaster, who passed away more than 25 years ago in his home country.
Being a non-government aided school then; there were no spectacular academic achievements for the students to shout about. But there were many unforgettable activities that I can still vividly recall. I am very proud to talk about them with great enthusiasm whenever I had the chance to reminisce.
We attended classes with our shirts off, yes half-naked. Our headmaster reckoned, with the hot climate of our country, it would help us to cool down and therefore we were able to concentrate more in our studies. Looking back, I must admit this had worked!
Every day we were fed with a tea spoon of palm oil because the headmaster felt that we were too skinny and under-nourished. Most of us were in fact looked more like the African children that we often see on TV. Our parents were poor folks, feeding from hands to mouth. As far as I know, the palm oil had done us good as many of my class mates who are now in the late 60’s and early 70’s, are still strong and kicking.
Before the end of each school term, we were to weigh ourselves naked and stand in front of our headmaster. Even though some of us had yet to reach puberty, we were too shy to face him. So we would try all tricks to stay away from this ordeal. As we grew older, we learned that the reason for him to do this was to allow him to examine us physically at close range so that he could detect skin diseases that required medical attention. We were too young to know about hygiene and our parents were too busy to look after us.
We had our headmaster and the teachers to thank for their untiring efforts in educating us, showering us with loving tender care and passionately looking after our welfare and health.
Till to date, I believe that my well being was moulded by Rev. TE Currie who had taught us to learn scripture and read the Bible. We were even required to attend classes on physiology conducted by him. “With God nothing is impossible” which by the way was our school motto then.
In remembrance of my headmaster and school, I have adopted this school motto to my blog.

I am a Tiger

I am a Tiger
Bob Yong
According to the Chinese zodiac, there are 5 elements to categorize each of the 12 animals which rotate in every 12 years of the Lunar Calendar. These elements are metal, wood, water, fire and earth.
Accordingly, in year 2010, the tiger is a white metal tiger which starts its reign on the 14th of February; the first day of the Chinese New Year. Some Chinese prefer to call it the “golden tiger” as it sound more auspicious.
Tiger which is a huge powerful animal has been described as beautiful, smart, brave and confident. If you are born in the year of tiger, you are ambitious but boastful, as well as quick-tempered. On the other hand, you have always been accepted as a great and true friend to be associated with for life. In time of crises you can be depended upon. Business-wise, you are successful because of your honesty, persistency and flexibility.
Sadly, tiger is well sought after for its meat and parts which are being made into traditional medical products, mainly manufactured in China.
A lot names are associated with tiger. No doubt you have heard of tiger-man, tiger dance, tiger-tail, tiger-suit, and recently, a celebrity named Tiger Wood has been the talk of the town and the world.
So, what kind of tiger are you; a crouching tiger perhaps?

Quiet Time With God

Quiet Time With God
Bob Yong
One of the basic essentials of being the followers of Jesus Christ is to spend some quiet time with God. Much as we want to make time to meet with God, we often take the easier way out by allowing other priorities to take charge of us. To connect with God, we must find time daily, irrespective how busy we are. If we fail to keep appointment with God daily, we would not be able to hear His voice. Allotting a daily time of Bible reading and prayer is essential in one walk of faith. Singing songs of praise is another great way to be near and be with Him.
Time spent with God is time well spent.

God is the creator of the universe. He gave us the mountains, sea and the animals, including us so that we may live harmoniously and peacefully in His grace. It’s an awesome world with amazing grace.

Should the use of the term Allah be an issue?

Should the use of the term Allah be an issue?
By Bob Yong
The constant harassment by the government and the religious bodies to restrict the publisher of the Catholic Herald to use the word Allah in the Bahasa Malaysia of the Bible version had caused injustice to non-Muslims. Christians view this as a violation of the Federal Constitutions.
The Malaysia Muslims argued that the word Allah which means God is the exclusive use by Muslims is hard for right thinking people to comprehend and has become a laughing stock of the world. To begin with, the word Allah is Arabic in origin. Not a single Arabic country has ever objected to its use in other counties. As a matter of fact, the word Allah has been used a long time ago well before Malaya got its independence.
Christian Bible is translated into many languages and can be downloaded from internet without restrictions and difficulties. It is mind boggling as to why our authorities seem fit to classify Bible in BM version under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act. Why and how the Holy Scripture has been viewed as a threat to the security of our country?
Freedom of choice to embrace and practice any religion of our choice is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution. Nothing is mentioned in it that the use of the word Allah is prohibited. Sikhs in Malaysia use Allah in their prayers too and so have many other countries.
Believing in any religion and praying to Almighty, I believe will enhance ones own well being and will bring peace and prosperity to our country. It does not matter whether I use Allah or God or Shen (Mandarin) or Rab (Sikhs) in my prayer.
But one thing is clear in my mind that religion is not to be mixed with politics. Politicians are not Allah and they should not behave like one. Allah is happier if we, irrespective our religious belief and cultural backgrounds, pray as One Malaysia.
Now let’s pray for peace and understanding.

Christmas isn't Christmas (Till it happens in your Heart)

Christmas isn't Christmas
(Till it happens in your Heart)
By Bob Yong
Christmas is around the corner and Christmas without singing the merry carols is no Christmas at all. It is the season to be jolly and the festive mood couldn’t be any sweeter by listening to those ever green Christmas carols which all of us are familiar with since young.
Living in Malaysia, snow has always been a mysterious and fascinating commodity to children. Being born and grew up in a tropical country like ours, we listen to many Christmas carols being sung, depicting the beauty of snow. Until now these carols are still clearly ringing in our ears. When young, I always wanted to touch and feel the snow and had been dreaming about it on every Christmas.
I’m dreaming of a White Christmas.................

Not forgetting that Jesus was born on Christmas day...............
And remember, Christmas is the time to love and time to give.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

God is my refuge and strength. When I am afraid, I will trust in Him.

Voice of a Senior Citizen

Voice of a Senior Citizen
By Bob Yong

Come January 2010, the new budget announced by the Government recently will come into effect and this has left senior citizens in a lurch. While it has often been said that old is gold, the government does not appear to think that it is so.
Here are the reasons why:-
5% Real Property Gained Tax (RPGT)-Ordinary citizens who had bought houses often considered such purchases as investment for old age. This notion has changed after the announcement of the 2010 budget whereby a property sold after January 1. 2010 will be subject to a 5% RPGT on the total gain. This means if you were to sell a house, bought at RM200, 000, 20 years ago, at RM1 million after the effective date, you will be taxed 5% on the gain of RM800, 000. The tax will work out to RM40, 000.
RM40, 000 would mean nothing to property speculators but it is a heavenly lot to retirees, especially to those who are required to sell the house to meet medical bills.
Prior to this, the 5% Tax was based on a sliding scale for a five years term. Should an individual’s property be disposed off after 5 years, no RPGT will be imposed. Why is there a need to change this? Does the Government know the long-term property owners are the losers? If indeed it is necessary to do this, the new rulings should only be applied to properties bought and sold after January1, 2010.




RM50 Service Tax on credit cards-Although the amount to begin with is a small sum to fuss about but the government has overlooked that these credit cards are for security and convenient reasons for the holders, particularly of that of senior citizens who do not want to carry a big amount of cash, lest they fall preys to snatch-thieves and robbers. Seem to me by citing the reasons that it would cultivate good habit of prudent spending and discouraging those who have many credit cards to give up some, is like putting a cart before the horse. It is more acceptable to the credit card users that the Service Tax will only be imposed for those who have multiple cards. A bad pay-master is always a bad-pay master and it has nothing to do with the number of cards one holds.
Senior citizens are always at the receiving ends. While employed, they had paid all taxes dutifully. With this in mind, the Government should be mindful not to further burden the senior citizens with all the unnecessary taxes. The Government is responsible to look after the public fund diligently, and must bring those who misuse the public fund to book without excuses. It is not right to ask the public, especially the senior citizens to make good the misappropriation of fund by these crooks.
I ask the Government to leave the senior citizens alone and let them enjoy their twilight golden years.