Had some friends from Malaysia over this past week and I can tell you one thing about Malaysians -- they love talking politics.
Ok. Let me be brutally frank -- they love to gossip about just anyone or anything.
I mean, do they know the Prime Minister, his wife and his SIL?
Yeah, they told me that that is how everyone refers to h i m. I know that. They call h i m SIL as though SIL are the three most obnoxious alphabets.
My pals asked me how come I know so much. And these are my pals, y'hear.
"I read the blogs and on-line news, dumbo!", I snapped.
"Malaysian blogs?", Susie asked me.
"Yeah, you dimwit," I snapped back, again.
What is wrong with these people? Don't they read blogs, I asked.
Of course, they do. But they're Malaysians and they HAVE to read blogs to know what's really going on in the country.
What's wrong with your newspapers, I asked, feigning ignorance.
"Eva, honey, You read the notorious Malaysian blogs and you don't know why we don't read the newspapers?"
They're no fools, my pals.
Back to gossipy Malaysians.
They gave details of the Prime Minister as though they are living under the same roof with the man.
"And did you know that SIL named his newborn after the angel, Gabriel....Jibreil or something, which is the Muslim version?", Sam asked.
"What's wrong with that?" I asked.
"Dunno. Don't seem right. That's what my Muslim friends tell me," she replied.
But, if that's forbidden, wouldn't SIL and wife know that? Hmmmmm.
So, tell me, when's the elections, I asked.
"Whenever the PM's people feel that it's a good time. That means when the people have forgotten what a lousy PM he is," reasoned Susie.
That's a good one. I wonder when that will be.
Told you, Malaysians think they know everyone intimately!
20 comments:
Jibrail is the Muslim version, I think. Funny, everyone here says the name's wrong. Something to the effect that it is too strong a name for a mere mortal. I know the government has a list of names you can't give your new babe. For eg, you can't call him Tengku Ahirudin if you aren't a member of the royalty or not married to one. You can't call your son or daughter Allah. You may choose one of God's many names but there has to be an Abdul (servant in Arabic?) preceding it. You can call her Pundek or him Butoh, etc etc.
Jibrail, Jibrel, Jibreil aren't on that list, apparently.
p.s. pls don't name your son SIL, people, he might turn into a monkey.
Ahaa! The Prez from All-Blogs was here.
Just curious, Peaches. Why do you have so many Malaysian bloggers, if not all, on your blog roll if you're somewhere else?
Nostalgia?
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SIL can name his son whatever he wants. Just don't start a dynasty.
ahirudin: Hail the chief!
Personally, I don't knbow why anyone would wanna name their child, (son, of course) after an angel.
Frankly, I don't know of any Jibreil. Maybe I haven't been around wide enough.
But the SIL, from what I hear, is one spoilt youngster. I suppose, only in Malaysia could anyone actually get away with that kinda antics.
And no, siree. Dont no monkey for a son!
Thanks, man, for leaving your footprint here.
ahirudin,
sorry, i meant - dont WANT no monkey for a son.
hello there honeybunch.
Oh, what a clever question. that's my honeybunch.
actually, i never quite realised that i've got just malaysian bloggers on my roll.
that's really by design. i have a couple of favourite american and european blogs but they're not near as interesting as those on my blog roll. American blogs are largley personal blogs. but they have very little relevance to me at this point in time.
sure, there are malaysian bloggers who blog personal stuff but they are interesting.
does that answer your question, sweets?
Eva,
We didnt know much about those who walks the corridors of power before because we only the mainstream media to rely on. Since they are so unrelaiable we read the alternative medias. Horor of horors we start knowing mega things called called PKFZ, Oil For Food, Uncompleted Navy Patrol Vessels, Private Jets, Private Yatchts, houses in Perth Australia. How is that for simpletoons like me to comprehend?
Hahahahaha! Eva Peaches,
Been meaning to ask you about your blog roll for sometime but it slipped my mind coz we seem to be doing our other usual stuff to 'entertain' our guests.
Anywayz, I was contemplating sprucing up me blog and went blog hopping to check out what's cool, hence, was a little more attentive on what's shown on everybody's sidebars. And then, I noticed yours.
Yeah, I guess we Malaysians are a bunch of colorful and complicated lot. And never ever ask a Malaysian blogger for an opinion coz you'll get an ear-full.
What do you get when ten Malaysian bloggers get together to talk?
Ten different subjects and everybody seems to be able to multi-converse!
Have a nice weekend, my dear and may your Harley never run on empty.
Hi Eva
Thanks for the compliment! (I am on your blogroll). Appreciate it very much.
I agree with you about our fellow Malaysians who are well-versed with the political scene ... and some on a seemingly personal level. ;)
It makes for interesting conversations ... plus it takes us away from family gossip. :)
Zawi,
I suppose when the newspapers, which are supposed to be telling you about all that's wrong, aren;t doing it, then it's only logical that the people turn to blogs and websites.
and several prominent malaysian bloggers have got into trouble or their crusade to tell the truth, i read.
in the US, bloggers are pretty powerful and growing from strength to strength.
No shit!
shar,
yeah..frankly, this gossipy streak isn't really an exclusive malaysian trait.
it transcends race, y'know.
haven't you come across tittle-tattle of the american variety? british too?
it's a universal trait.
but i think it's because you don't get to read about that minister with a sexy thang or that minister caught in that hot hotel, that people are inclined to talk about it.
anyway, my harley never runs on empty. neither do i, sweets.
JT,
cool JT, cool.
thanks for visiting.
hmmm, am flattered as well as I am up there as well. Yes, dont name your son SIL, I know its convenient to call out: SIL, SIL come here...but still not a good ring to the ear.
Eva,
Things are picking up. More people are reading blogs. But they are not enough to sway votes due to low internet penetration and those who have internet connection dont use them fully. I know of a relative who is a teacher, her set of pc is mostly used by the children to play internet game. Thats just an example.
kak teh,
what a delightful surprise!
of course you're on my blogroll. you're on everyone's blogroll.
i read blogs that have you on their blog roll.
Hmmm, I was told by Malaysian pals that if you just put an A in between the I and the L, that would be more apt.
Take care, Kak Teh.
Zawi,
That's really good to know.
But what a pity that your relative has not been using her PC to the max.
thanks for visiting, Zawi.
Yes, Malaysian love to talk about politic and gossip about the politician.. hehe.. too bad ar
keeyit,
well, i guess if it makes them happy....
perhaps will help them stay younger, huh?
that's on the bright side.
it can also shorten their life.
Hiya Eva Peaches,
We'll be celebrating the Eid holidays over the weekend and if you get to hear a '10 on the Richter scale' news from this part of the world, it means all the politicians here have resigned and were replaced by bloggers!
That'll be the day, huh luv.
And uhhh..Peaches, do I get to wear that leather cod-piece now? I mean the one that has "Use me" carved with a Bowie knife.
Be healthy, look sexy and above all, stay naughty always.
hey Shar hons,
a scale of 10. That would probably hit us here too on the pacific side, I tell ya!and that means there'd be nothing left in malaysia, not even bloggers.
i won't pray for that, sweets.
and yes..it is the Eid and good that it fall on a weekend.
I got invites for lunch and dinner from my Moslem friends.
You take care, honeybunch. and that cod-piece. hmm that reminds me.....
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