How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Getting 'humsup' wrong with 'kiam siap'...

is not as harmful as using 'humsup' to mean 'larnsi'.

I would explain the Cantonese term 'humsup' as an adjective to describe a man (at least, that was the origin of it) who is fond of sexually harassing women, in words as well as in action. It is generally regarded as derogatory and men would feel offended if described as such. It was only recently that I heard someone actually felt 'honoured' to be described as such! But there is a big difference between acting in public and in the privacy of one's home.

I mentioned in my earlier post about my wife mistaking 'kiam siap' in Hokien for 'humsup' in Cantonese. Just imagine how harmless it could be: describing someone 'humsup' (amorous in an offending way) by using 'kiam siap' which means stingy!

But there were two separate instances: when a Malay civil servant used the term 'humsup' to describe a young man (known for being decent and shy in the company of women) who acted 'larnsi' (Cantonese for being 'actsy') in his office. It was by chance that I discovered that he could have mistaken as explained. I was proven right when a local retired 'chegu' used the term 'humsup' and in the course of conversation, I realised he was describing someone who acted bossy! I hope my message would reach out to those Malays who happen to think 'humsup' means 'larnsi' so that they would not unintentionally defame someone for the wrong reason.

I take this opportunity to wish all Muslims 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri'. There was a year when my daughter was born on this day, so it has special meaning to us too.
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