ISLAMIC FINANCE.... FOR THOSE WHO AGAINST IT

It has been a while since I wrote my last entry. This one was taken from my status in my Facebook.

To quote Badlisyah, CEO of CIMB Islamic Bank "22% of banking assets are from Islamic banks, 60% or more for capital markets particularly debt market whilst 80% in equity alone" and "It's easier to sell Islamic banking products to non-muslims than to muslims" (why I am not surprised with this statement.....hmmmm). My 5 cent advice before you want to be look as champion for 'against' so-called Islamic banking/ Islamic finance is: 

(1) get to know the difference between Islamic banking and Islamic finance. If you cannot tell the difference in 5-10 words, you have a very long way to go, so pray harder.

(2) get to know what are banking products and capital market products (be it conventional and Islamic) plus insurance and takaful.

(3) If you think the Islamic finance was developed over last 20-30 years ago, you have a long way to go.... so pray harder.

(4) If you are so overwhelmed with fatwas from so-called ulama' from another countries that against Islamic finance and took it as bona fide statement, let me tell you a story; there was one a Great Grand Mufti, a Great Shariah Advisor, shook the world when he claimed that 80% of the Sukuk were not Shariah compliant (while he forgotten that three quarter of Sukuk floating around the world were stamped by him that led him to be a multi-millionaire, nick-named as Brad Pit of Islamic finance). Till now I dont know what turned him from Shariah advisor to Shariah celebrity.

(5) to condemn one's country financial system, make sure your country is way better off than the country you are criticizing. This is more like 'tale of two cities'; one uzbekistan guy criticized of how devious and devilish of Islamic banks in Malaysia (based on the analysis by singaporean professors on the average Islamic banking's profit income and expenses as compared to conventional bank's interest income and expenses, probably on hourly or daily basis for the last 20-30 years and run it on the Eviews, and resulted that the movement between profit & interest significantly co-vary between each other). Therefore, the profit of Islamic banks is as good as conventional interests so they say. Since i happened to be in that forum, I told everybody that at least Malaysia eager to have alternative ways in running its own financial system. Some country dont even have Central banks (uzbekistan is one of them). The same pay-out doesnt justify both animals are same. They may be similar due to intense competition between conventional and Islamic markets with close monitoring by central bank. Coke is Coke and Pepsi is Pepsi. And thats why Britnney Spears lost her million dollar Coke contract when she was pictured drinking Pepsi.

(6) Stay away from people who are propagating Islamic finance can be understood by 'only' reading classical Shariah books, fatwas and ijtihad by the imams for the last 1000 years ago. Why? to understand Islamic economics, understand the conventional economics first. To understand Islamic finance, understand what is conventional finance first. Islamic finance is about Islam (religion) and finance. Period. 

(7) Some Shariah advisor from middle east do not have degree, let alone doctorate but people recognized them due to lineage from ulama' family and the tradition of their family and their fatwas are worthily uphold. They are competent enough to sit together with Sheikul Al-Azhar. Over here, it is not uncommon to hear from ustaz/ ustazah in Malaysia to preach Islamic finance is not in any classical books. It is a modern invention. Go dig my Note No.(3) above. Therefore, please, please, please,..before you listen to your ustaz/ustazah in TV/ youtube/ radio/ go dig their background first, where he acquired the knowledge. Some of them are worth listening only on how to take mandatory bath (aka mandi wajib). 3 big Shariah specialization: (1) Jinnayah (jenayah), (2) Munaqahat (marriage or perkahwinan) and Muamalat (transactions and contracts). To deny existence of Islamic finance is as good as denying Muamalat in Shariah. Therefore, go dig my Note No.(3) above. 

I'm not claiming the system (be it the banking and capital market) is perfect. There are still holes be it in law system to the operations which need to be perfected. However, I believe that the effort is worth to take rather than sit down and talk about it. Wise man used to say to me, its better to be in the field and trying your best to win the game rather than be the spectators and yell out to the team. At least, while playing with the team, we 'in control' of the situation. If we become spectators, we're not 'in control' of anything except our mouth. It's your choice either to play the game or be the supporters. There were saying that our 4 Imams, they will be granted with 2 pahala if their ijtihad are in line with Islamic percepts and 1 pahala if its not. This shows that Islam uphold the 'efforts' more than others. Wallahuallam.

10 Nasihat Untuk Menjadi Isteri Solehah

10 Nasihat Untuk Menjadi Isteri Solehah

copy from: http://www.myberita.com/10-nasihat-untuk-menjadi-isteri-solehah/

HATI ibu mana yang tidak gembira tatkala anak gadisnya dipinang orang. Sukanya hati bukan kepalang lalu pelbagai langkah bersiap untuk melangsungkan pernikahan dijalankan menurut tertib dan adat.

Biasanya ibu dan ayah akan bertungkus-lumus berusaha menjadikan majlis akad nikah puteri kesayangannya dengan penuh komitmen supaya meriah dan ceria.
Adalah wajar ibu bapa pengantin wanita memberikan petua dan nasihat buat anaknya yang bakal melangsungkan pernikahannya. Nasihat supaya anak memelihara dan menjaga alam rumah tangganya sebaik yang terdaya.

Inilah yang pernah dilakukan isteri ‘Auf ibnu Mihlam Asy-Syaibani yang dikatakan ada memberi nasihat kepada puterinya yang akan bernikah dengan Raja Kindah. Pesan isteri ‘Auf Ibnu Mihlam Asy-Syaibani: “Puteriku, kini engkau meninggalkan tempat kelahiran menuju rumah baru dan orang baru yang belum pernah engkau ketahui keadaan dan wataknya. Maka, jadilah engkau sebagai pengabdi yang baik bagi suamimu, supaya dia menjadi pengabdi yang baik juga bagimu. Perhatikan baik-baik sepuluh perkara daripadaku supaya ia menjadi modal bagi hidupmu.”

Begitulah kasihnya isteri ‘Auf terhadap anak gadisnya, tetapi kasihnya itu bukan mengadakan majlis besar-besaran dan serba mewah, kasih sayang dizahirkan melalui kaedah menyalurkan nasihat berguna buat anaknya melayari alam rumah tangga supaya aman sejahtera dan bahagia.

Pesanan pertama kepada anaknya: “Jadilah engkau sebagai pendamping hidupnya yang selalu menerima apa adanya. Sebenarnya nasihat isteri ‘Auf itu bertepatan kehendak agama kerana sikap qanaah, bersedia dengan hati lapang terhadap kemampuan suami, menu keharmonian rumah tangga”. Erti kata lain, isteri tidak sesekali membebankan suami yang di luar batas kemampuannya. Inilah seharusnya ada pada diri seorang isteri solehah.

Seterusnya pesanan kedua beliau: “Bergaullah engkau bersama suamimu dengan cara mendengar dan mentaatinya.” Seorang Ulama’ pernah mengatakan: “Seseorang isteri itu hendaklah memberikan layanan pada suaminya, memelihara anak, mengatur urusan rumah tangga sebaik mungkin. Hendaklah dia memberikan layanan pada suami dengan layanan yang wajar dan sesuai keadaan.”

Isteri ‘Auf berkata lagi: “Tunjukkanlah dirimu di hadapan matanya sebagai seseorang yang paling menarik baginya dan tampilkan dirimu di hadapan hidungnya sebagai seseorang yang paling harum.” Kebijaksanaan dan kesediaan isteri menonjolkan imej peribadi dalam aspek lahiriah dan dalaman mampu mewujudkan hubungan lebih intim pasangan suami isteri. Ia ibarat suatu tembok pengukuh dalam membina keluarga bahagia melalui landasan diredai Allah.

Beliau juga berpesan supaya memperhatikan penjadualan waktu makan yang betul dan tepat serta menjaga ketenteraman masa tidur. Jadi, jika diteliti apa dipesan isteri ‘Auf kepada anak gadisnya, sesuai dan relevan dijadikan sebagai pedoman kita semua.

Pesanan lain, “Sesungguhnya kelaparan seseorang akan menyebabkannya mudah beremosi dan kurang tidur pula menyebabkan seseorang itu mudah melepaskan kemarahan.”
Ini adalah langkah proaktif isteri mengelakkan suasana kurang baik dalam berkomunikasi dan berhubungan dengan suami. Memang lumrah manusia, emosi menjadi kurang stabil dan mudah dibelenggu rasa kurang tenang apabila perut lapar atau kurang tidur. Lagilah bahaya kerana emosi negatif boleh meletup tanpa disangka. Justeru, apa yang disarankan isteri ‘Auf adalah jalan pintas untuk membendung anasir negatif daripada muncul dalam rumah tangga. Mengamalkan budaya mencintai kebersihan juga ditonjolkan dalam wasiatnya supaya anaknya menjaga kebersihan tempat tinggal, keamanan harta suami dan berikan perhatian kepada suamimu serta keluarganya.

Jika kita amati pesanan itu, kita akan jumpa peringatan terbaik mengenai penjagaan persekitaran rumah tangga yang ceria dan bersih. Juga terselit ingatan supaya isteri menjadi seorang yang beramanah menjaga harta benda dalam rumah tangga.

Pesanan beliau selanjutnya dikira penting dipelihara rapi oleh isteri. Kata beliau: “Janganlah engkau membuka rahsia suamimu kepada orang lain dan jangan engkau melanggar perintahnya”. Islam menegah isteri menceritakan hubungannya dengan suami atau hal rumah tangga kepada orang lain.

Yang terakhir katanya: “Janganlah engkau berasa susah ketika dia dalam keadaan senang dan janganlah engkau berasa senang ketika dia dalam keadaan susah, kerana yang pertama termasuk moral yang tidak sesuai dan yang kedua termasuk merosakkan suasana. Jadilah engkau orang paling mengagungkan suamimu, agar dia menjadi orang yang paling memuliakanmu.” Begitulah pesanan bermanfaat dan cukup indah dikemukakan isteri ‘Auf Ibnu Syaibah kepada anak gadisnya. Ibu bapa sewajarnya menitipkan pesanan untuk dijadikan panduan kepada anak yang akan melangsungkan pernikahan demi kesejahteraan rumah tangga mereka.

INFO: 10 pesanan jadi isteri solehah
1) Sentiasa menjadi pendamping suami, menerima segala kekurangan dan tidak membebankan suami.
2) Mendengar dan mentaati suami.
3) Memberi layanan baik kepada suami, pelihara anak dan menjaga rumah tangga.
4) Sentiasa tampil menarik dan wangi untuk suami.
5) Mampu mewujudkan hubungan intim yang baik dengan suami.
6) Menjaga makan minum suami yang betul, tepat serta waktu tidur bagi elak emosi suami terganggu.
7) Sentiasa menjaga kebersihan diri dan tempat tinggal.
8) Amanah menjaga harta benda dalam rumah tangga.
9) Isteri tidak boleh membuka aib suami dan hal rumah tangga kepada orang lain.
10) Isteri kena jadi orang yang paling mengagungkan suami.

Sumber:  http://www.myberita.com/10-nasihat-untuk-menjadi-isteri-solehah/

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 1997 - 1998 By Nor Mohamed Yakcop

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 1997 - 1998
By Nor Mohamed Yakcop
A moment comes, which rarely comes in a lifetime, when a particular event redefines a person’s life and changes the course permanently.

For me, the meeting with Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in Buenos Aires (Argentina) on the evening of October 3, 1997 was such an event.

It enabled me to devote the next 6 years of my life working for Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, meeting him almost daily. In the process, it enabled me to see, at very close range, the abilities of this great man.

The combination of many noble qualities in one person is rare, and it is this unique combination that has enabled Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to transform Malaysia from an otherwise typical third world country into a thriving and vibrant nation, well on the way to become a developed nation.

It is also this combination of qualities that enabled Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to save Malaysia from becoming another IMF nation during the financial crisis of 1997 - 1998.

Wawancara Tun M Mingguan Malaysia 17/2/2013

TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad masih cergas dan terus bekerja walaupun sudah hampir 10 tahun bersara daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri Malaysia. 

Pada usia hampir menjangkau 88 tahun pada 10 Julai ini, beliau masih ke pejabat pada setiap hari bekerja manakala pada hujung minggu, menyampaikan ucapan apabila menerima jemputan. 

Selain itu, beliau turut menulis di dalam blognya, CheDet, dan menyumbang artikel kepada akhbar The News Straits Times dan Utusan Malaysia. 

Are we Muslims are that gullible and confused?

"Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed" (Modal bukanlah kejahatan, ia baru akan menjadi kejahatan kalau disalahgunakan. Modal dalam bentuk tertentu atau lain-lain akan sentiasa diperlukan)  - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi aka Mahatma Gandhi

Sadly speak, even some Muslims believed Capital per say leads to capitalism (John Calvin, Max Weber, Adam Smith). Therefore, they resort to socialism. Indirectly, these people shared the same spirit of Karl Marx for that matter. His masterpiece 'Das Capital' aka 'The Capital' spells out the effect of capital that can outrageously leads toward unfairness to the society. To him, the very essence of a capitalist is his desire to gain surplus-value. Socialism and communism are alike. Socialism is primarily an economic system, while communism is both political and economic. The fact that Socialist Party did exist for quite some time was a successor from the lefties like PKMM, API, AWAS and PETA alike. It was not a surprise when some Muslims did involved in communist guerrilla activities even though the highest order in communism is to accept equality in every way, and the existence of God is not in the dictionary. To these Muslims, their fight was to eradicate poverty, equality and justice in the economics system and for the betterment of the Country even if they have to assimilate in un-Islamic movements. Clearly, Machiavelli doctrines was well accepted on this very land.

Capitalism and democracy, are the twin ideological pillars capable of bringing unprecedented prosperity and freedom to the world. Together they come hand in hand, we've long been told. Now, be it capitalism, socialism, democracy and communism, they are all man-made. They are not perfect. They are far from perfect. Consider this, when socialism is perceived as an economics system for communism, China became super power by replacing capitalism without changing its political stand. Now we have combination of capitalism and communism. Whats left was communist countries like Cuba that became brouhaha for being able to provide free education. Have anybody noticed that how many Cubans can even steps into tertiary education system?

Sometimes I wonder of why in Khutbah Jumaat or Friday sermons, we never talk about the Market system. Islam is not against market system per se. Islam does not deny the market forces and market economy. Even the profit motive is acceptable to a reasonable extent. Private ownership is not totally negated. Yet, the basic difference capitalist and Islamic economy is that in secular capitalism, the profit motive or private ownership are given unbridled power to make economic decisions. Their liberty is not controlled by any divine injunctions. If there are some restrictions, they are imposed by human beings and subject to change through democratic legislation.

I have seen people associating KFC barrel price and raw bird as capitalism? but they never questioned their father for running coffee shop as associating with capitalism or freemason or illuminati for that matter (huhuhuhuhu..... probably the shop was set up on the holiest land on earth.....yeahh right). I have seen people obsessed with socialism as way of life.

My question now, are we Muslims are so gullible and confused?

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. These are the sins to avoid..

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. These are the sins to avoid..

1. wealth without working,

2. science without humanity,

3. business without morality,

4. lastly, politics without principles (U-turn, flip-flop aka kluk-klek).

Ini bumi yang aku pijak. Itu langit yang aku junjung.

Ini bumi yang aku pijak. Itu langit yang aku junjung. 

Bila mana aku jumpa si hantu makan dedak atau si anak penjaja kedai kopi yang jelongak kerbau rampung, aku akan ingatkan diri aku, ini lah si buntat yang kepingin menjadi gemala sementelah si bungkuk baru betul. Bila si kaduk naik junjung, bulatnya bersegi, bila bersanding, ia melukai. Apa yang hendak dikata lagi, pemuka-pemuka ugama laksana bangsawan. Lebih bangsawan dari bangsawan. Uang pelincir disalir berlapik kartas haram diberi diambil lagaknya, tapi tanah pusaka tergadai ke Langkasuka dan Temasik tidak apa? Bagai air daun talas, walaupun buaiannya digoncang, namun anak masih dicubit. Laksana kucing pemuka naik haji, pulang si kucing mengeong juga. Lurus-lurus paku, hujungnya berbentuk juga. Masakan mentari boleh dilindungi dengan nyiru? Pokoknya, mampukah kita biarkan biduk tiris menanti karam?

Walau ada yang bilang si bulang sali kacak sama, tinggal lagi mujur malang, bagi kita, biar kena tampar dengan jari yang bercincin daripada kena jentik dengan tangan yang berkudis. Diam kita bukan kerna penggali berkarat, diam kita ubi berisi. Kita bukan lagi bersuluh dengan batang pisang, tapi bulan mentari. Dengan nama yang Maha Esa. Dengan warisan wasiat sembilan Raja-Raja Melayu. Ayoh, kita rapat-rapatkan saf. Masa hampir tiba untuk tanjak sonsang.

Ini bumi yang kita pijak. Itu langit yang kita junjung.

Sayangku

Song and lyric by Arzim


Anggun wajahmu menghiasi hati
Canda tawamu pengubat sepi
Terbilang tunggal tersemat di jiwa
Kau yang terindah tiada dua

Akalku berlabuh di tempat yang salah
Namun cintaku tak pernah berubah
Ku biarkan kau melangkah pergi
Yang tersisa hanya mimpi

Oh sayangku
Kembali padaku
Aku cinta pada mu

Bawa jiwaku
Bawa nyawaku
Bawa cinta mu dulu

Oh sayangku
Buang ragu mu
Kau segalanya buat ku

Kau puisi
Dalam ragaku
Aku rindu pada mu

ISLAMIC FINANCE .... FOR THOSE WHO AGAINST IT

To quote Badlisyah, CEO of CIMB Islamic Bank "22% of banking assets are from Islamic banks, 60% or more for capital markets particularly debt market whilst 80% in equity alone" and "It's easier to sell Islamic banking products to non-muslims than to muslims" (<--why am I not surprised with this statement...hmmm). My 5 cent advice before you want to be look as champion for 'against' so-called Islamic banking/ Islamic finance is: 

(1) get to know the difference between Islamic banking and Islamic finance. If you cannot tell the difference in 5-10 words, you have a very long way to go, so pray harder.

(2) get to know what are banking products and capital market products (be it conventional and Islamic) plus insurance and takaful.

(3) If you think the Islamic finance was developed over last 20-30 years ago, you have a long way to go.... so pray harder.

6 Ways Your Brain Attempts To Sabotage Your Goals & Dreams

Copied from: http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/6-ways-your-brain-attempts-to-sabotage-your-goals-for-success/

By Joel on August 2, 2012

This is an article by Gregory Ciotti, founder of Sparring Mind.

Now we know that you should never make excuses for not sticking to your goals, and we understand that from time to time you will have your valid reasons, but what if it is not really you to blame for your failures and that your brain is actually out to sabotage your hopeful plans?

Well this article here explains the 6 ways that your brain plays tricks on you to sabotage your goals and dreams.

1.) Your brain can hurt your goals by fantasizing too much

Would you believe that fantasizing is the #1 way your brain can unintentionally ruin your goals?

It seems unlikely, right?

The thing is, the proof is in the pudding (or in this case, the research): psychologists have found that while positive thinking about the future is broadly beneficial, too much fantasy can have disastrous results on achieving goals.

Researchers tracked the progress of how people cope with four different types of challenges.

As an example, in one of those challenges (trying to find a fulfilling job), those who had spent the most time fantasizing performed the worst in a variety of critical data points:

·        they had applied for fewer jobs

·        they had been offered fewer jobs

·        if they were able to find work, they had lower salaries.

Why?

Why could fantasizing about a positive end take a turn for the worse?

Jeremy Dean, a psychological researcher at UCL London and the owner of PsyBlog had this to say about the researcher’s conclusions:

The problem with positive fantasies is that they allow us to anticipate success in the here and now. However, they don’t alert us to the problems we are likely to face along the way and can leave us with less motivation—after all, it feels like we’ve already reached our goal.

It’s one way in which our minds own brilliance lets us down. Because it’s so amazing at simulating our achievement of future events, it can actually undermine our attempts to achieve those goals in reality.

Our poor brain is thus a victim of itself.

Again, this is not to say that visualizing goals is necessarily a haphazard strategy for achieving them, it’s just that we need to be aware of the dangers of excessive fantasy.

Instead of being entranced with what the future may bring, we need to learn to love the work here and now.

Enjoying our day by day progress and realistic ‘checkpoints’ is a much more practical way to create our future; getting lost in grandiose dreams that focus on the ultimate end is not.

As they say, don’t give up on your dreams, but don’t fall under their spell either.

Quick career tips to propel you to greatness - by Roshan Thiran

Written by Roshan Thiran in The Star 'Talking HR'

LAST week, I had the pleasure of spending time with Nobuyuki Idei, the former chairman and CEO of Sony Corp.

Idei-san shared with me some of his sadness in seeing Japan go through the numerous issues triggered by the tsunami. A few hours later, I met a friend who complained about how horrible his job was. The next day, I heard the plight of a pilot who was jobless due to the current oversupply of pilots in the country. Next up was a number of university students who lamented how hard it was to find a job in this country. The moping went on and on. By the end of the week, I felt like a sadness magnet.

Thomas Edison looked at setbacks as a chance to rebuild even stronger.

I spoke to a colleague and she felt the same way I did. Apparently, she too felt like a grievance centre too. So, instead of writing an HR article this week, I have decided to write a “be happy” career advice letter. So, here goes:

A career advice letter:

Dear friend,

Let me assure you that your career will go nowhere if you are in a state of misery. Great leaders don't complain but proactively solve issues plaguing them. Thomas Edison, with his friends, watched his state-of-the-art factory destroyed by fire. Insurance only covered a small fraction of the cost. Instead of complaining how luck was never on his side, he rebuilt his factory within weeks. He saw the blaze not as a disaster but as a fantastic opportunity to redesign a better factory.

Edison smiled a lot. You, too, can start by smiling. People who smile more aren't just more stable and better at getting along with others they live longer too.

US researchers found that those who smiled most intensely lived longer than those who weren't smiling. The researchers, whose results hold even when corrected for other factors, claim the wider you grin and the deeper your laughter lines, the more likely you are to have a long existence.

On the flip side, pessimistic and negative people have more health issues. Studies reveal that pessimism is associated to mental problems, pains, chronic sicknesses and decreases in physical functioning.

Optimistic people have far better careers too. According to psychologist Elaine Fox, “optimists feel they have some control over what happens to them, tackling problems as temporary hitches rather than as ongoing difficulties.”

So, cheer up and brighten up. That itself will increase your probability of success.

Career advice

Here are a few career tips for you:

1. Always smile. It's the best lesson you will learn in life. When I was working in a tough assignment at NBC (a TV and media company), I hated the job and was constantly complaining to my friends. The only upside was being based in New York City and having an office next to Conan O'Brien's studio so I got to meet lots of movie stars. But I was depressed about how “stupid” my job was. But my mentor gave me a piece of advice that I will never forget. He said “just smile” and things will turn out better. So, everywhere I went and in whatever I did, I smiled. True enough, things turned around and I was given a bigger role. Smiles make a difference.

2. Take on the toughest and hardest jobs early on in your career. Tough jobs teach and accelerate you, pushing you out of your comfort zone. Don't jump for the easy, sexy jobs. You may end up having too much time with easy roles and may start complaining.

By taking on the job that no one wants, people will notice your bravery, excitement and determination. It will give you confidence that you can take on the world and be prepared for anything thrown to you. I hated the tough assignments in my first few roles. But I keep plugging along and ultimately was rewarded by tougher roles which helped me accelerate faster.

3. Keep learning. Each time I ask people if they love to learn, they all answer yes. What most people forget is that learning is very painful and tough. It requires hard work and practice. Try learning a new language or a new skill. It requires hours of focus, dedication and persistent practice. You can't be CEO instantly. You have to learn so many thing before making the grade to run an organisation. But learning requires sacrifice and time. Getting the big job involves hard work and learning.

Here comes the tough part. You want to move to a new role to learn more but your manager does not let you. Instead of getting upset with your boss, first answer these questions: Have you learned all there is to learn in your current role? Have you contributed as much as possible to your current role? Have you performed your role better than your predecessor? Have you left a significant legacy in your current role?

If you answered yes to all these questions, first wear a smile on your face and then let your manager know you are getting bored and need to move on. Usually, if you are truly an asset to the company, your manager will figure out how to give you a new role.

4. Don't be a victim to circumstances. Don't be taken hostage. Control your destiny or someone else will. Your career is your career. Your career does not belong to the head of HR or the CEO. You and you only will determine if you have a great life and career. Take responsibility for your life. So, don't hide under banner like “I have no talent” or “he is better than me”. Those are just cop-out statements. You are ultimately accountable to yourself. And complaining is another way of escaping the reality of a situation. If your career is going nowhere, it is probably your fault. Sure, there may be other variables but you need to take charge and not play victim.

The good news for you

Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the good news all around you. Yes, there is good all around. Let me share with you three things that are going for you and your career right now:

1. You have gifts, strengths, talents, and interests that can take you and your career to incredible heights. In fact, some of your inherent capabilities probably aren't being fully utilised to help you in your career. So, look yourself in the mirror and repeat this statement to yourself “I am a genius” and go out there and use your gifts fully.

2. The greatest leaders have had the worst luck. Soichiro Honda had his factory blown up three times and lost everything but he still prevailed. Abraham Lincoln was a defeated man for many years but he ultimately received honour as a great leader. All great leaders go through horrible experiences. So, if you are having a horrid time, you can smile and bask in the knowledge that you are part of a group of greatness. And you will prevail.

3. Many successful people had bad grades. Richard Branson did not finish school. Neither did Albert Einstein. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs didn't finish university. In Asia, Lim Goh Tong, Robert Kwok and others never had great academic careers. So, if you were horrible at school, you can still be successful. And if you were a good student, don't worry. There are tons of examples of good students doing well too.

So, I would like to end this letter by asking you to do me a small favour. Imagine you are now in 2022. Ten years have passed since you read this letter. Now, imagine only positive things have taken place in your life. Describe these wonderful positive things that have happened to you. As you reflect on these wonderful positive experiences and see how everything you ever wanted has happened, I am sure you will start smiling and doing. Positive thoughts are meaningless if not accompanied by positive action. So, smile and do.

Yours positively,

Roshan Thiran

Roshan is the CEO of Leaderonomics, a social enterprise whose goal is to help everyone smile continuously.

This article was copied from http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2012%2F10%2F9%2Fbusiness%2F12141662&sec=business

PLANET CLAPTON

PLANET CLAPTON. A minor planet 4305 was named in Eric Clapton’s honor in 1990. Discovered in 1976, it was given the provisional designation of 1976EC. The citation announcing the name appeared in the Minor Planet Circular Number 16249 dated 10 April 1990.

Eric Clapton is not the only rock musician who has had a planet named after him. The International Astronomical Union at Harvard University has honored several others. They include John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Holly and Jerry Garcia.

Lelaki

Bangkit - DJ Fuzz ft. Altimet & Salam

Lagu: Bangkit - DJ Fuzz ft. Altimet & Salam 

Bangkit bila ditolak jatuh bangunlah semula
Bangkit bila diluka nanti pulihlah semula
Bangkit biar bersusah dulu nanti senang semua
Sakit pada luka kan pulih semula
Bangkit

Dengan nama yang Maha Esa
Maafkan aku aku terlena
Mata buka tapi aku leka
Sekarang kita sedia pasang deria kita lebih peka

Siap gerak gempur
Siap rentak tempur
Redah onak lumpur
Maju tiada undur
Tak kenal uzur hingga jasad kita terkubur
Kalau kurang kaki tangan lutut dan siku dihulur

Ini malam kita pakai tanjak songsang
Askar jati gerak senyap yang lain berkompang
Berani segorombolan tak takut bila seorang
Kuatkan benteng jangan ada yang berlobang

Bangkit bila ditolak jatuh bangunlah semula
Bangkit bila diluka nanti pulihlah semula
Bangkit biar bersusah dulu nanti senang semua
Sakit pada luka kan pulih semula

Bangkit bila ditolak jatuh bangunlah semula
Bangkit bila dijajah boleh tawanlah semula
Bangkit ingat ketua dulu supaya jalan lurus
Kalau tidak ditepi bendung ku tak berakar

Sabit kau umpama cahaya
Yang menyinari bumi
Kau umpama Hang Jebat
Yang melindungi hak dirinya
Kau umpama senjata
Yang melindungi tanah
Sememangnya pendekar yang gagah perkasa

Mana Tun Fatimah
Mana semangat Tun Teja Datuk Maharajalela
Mana cucu Datuk Merah
Keberanian Sarjan Hassan dan Leftenan Adnan
Mari memartabatkan perjuangan Datuk Bahaman

Keris dulu dalam tangan sekarang dalam otak
Paling tajam tak perlu hunus keluar tengkorak
Catur congak cukup sebelum langakah diorak
Tanpa rancangan rapi dah tentu kemenangan rosak

Rapat-rapatkan saf dan buka kuda-kuda
Bila bersatu tunggu lihat siapa berani cuba
Yang akan datang menaruh pada yang semasa
Bangkitlah nusantara

Bangkit bila ditolak jatuh bangunlah semula
Bangkit bila diluka nanti pulihlah semula
Bangkit biar bersusah dulu nanti senang semua
Sakit pada luka kan pulih semula

Bangkit bila ditolak jatuh bangunlah semula
Bangkit bila dijajah boleh tawanlah semula
Bangkit ingat ketua dulu supaya jalan lurus
Kalau tidak ditepi bendung ku tak berakar

Jadi bangkit berkumpul di bawah panji berbulan sabit
Tak sujud pada sesiapa di bawah langit
Tak mengalah walaupun betapa sakit
Sebelum layar bahtera mari kita

Berakit-rakit ke hulu berenang-renang ke tepian
Bersakit-sakit dahulu bersenang senang kemudian
Kemudian

Bangkit bila ditolak jatuh bangunlah semula
Bangkit bila diluka nanti pulihlah semula
Bangkit biar bersusah dulu nanti senang semua
Sakit pada luka kan pulih semula

Bangkit.. bangunlah semula
Bangkit.. tawanlah semula
Bangkit.. umpama cahaya

Gary Moore's Quotes

‎'It's always the crazy ones who are drawn to the guitar. I have never been interested in playing any other instrument. To me, only playing the guitar seemed to promise adventure' 

'I have been accompanied by the guitar throughout my entire life, almost. It has become a part of me. Or rather, have I become a part of it? Either way, we have melted into an organic unity'

'There is a place for the guitar in every aspect of music. It's up to the player to find that place within the musical spectrum'

'The electric guitar is a very responsive, expressive instrument and it takes years of playing and tinkering to learn how to get the most out of it'

Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011)

TAHUKAH ANDA??

1) Dia lah yang menggerakkan negara islam yang lain untuk membantu Bosnia & Herzogovinia ketika umat islam disana disembelih oleh pengganas Serbia.

2) Dia juga lah yg menghantar ratusan komando Malaysia yang dibawa masuk secara sulit ke Bosnia untuk membantu saudara seIslam ketika era pencerobohan dan pembunuhan beramai-ramai umat Islam di Bosnia ketika itu. “Kalau negara Arab ini tidak datang membantu, kita hantar sahaja askar kita,” - Tun Mahathir.

3) Dia juga lah berpakat dengan kerajaan Sultan Brunei menyediakan jumlah dana yang berjuta dollar untuk membeli senjata dan peluru anti kereta kebal untuk tentera Islam Bosnia.

4) Dia lah yang pernah menangis ketika melawat Bunker yang menjadi pejabat Yasser Arafat di Palestine.

5) Dia juga lah pemimpin islam yg Yasser Arafat hubungi meminta bantuan dan pertolongan ketika diserang oleh rejim zionis.

6) Dia juga lah yg mempertaruhkan nyawa isterinya,Tun Dr Siti Hasmah menaiki pesawat ke Baghdad membawa bantuan kemanusiaan kepada umat islam demi untuk melepaskn sekatan Amerika Syarikat.

7) Dia lah yang digelar MahaFiraun dan dia jugalah yang lantang mengutuk kekejaman Yakjuj Makjuj / Zionis ke atas umat islam serta mempertahankan islam dimata dunia.

8) Dia lah yang berusaha keras, tak hanya duduk berdoa tanpa berbuat apa2.

9) Dia lah yang ketika saudara islam yang berlainan parti mendoakan kecelakaan untuknya. Tapi dia diizin oleh Allah SWT masuk ke dalam KAABAH.

10) Dia jugalah pernah ditembak dan mengorbankan jawatan tertinggi yang beliau ada bagi menyelamatkan umat Islam di Bosnia.

Malah beliau kini dianggap sebagai seorang pemimpin dunia yang berjaya meskipun memimpin sebuah negara yang kecil. Beliau bukan hanya berjaya Memerdekakan negaranya dari semua segi, tetapi berusaha memerdekakan negara-negara lain dari belenggu falsafah pembangunan yang dijana dari barat yang jelas muflis idealistiknya..

Siapa dia? Ya... dia lah...

TUN DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD, Bekas PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIA dan manusia yang dihormati UMAT ISLAM dan PEMIMPIN ISLAM seluruh dunia .

Saya ♥ dan TERIMA KASIH TUN DR MAHATHIR !

Tun M, Mingguan Malaysia, 23 September 2012

Saya sedih. Bukanlah saya berharap kerana kesedihan saya akan menarik simpati sesiapa. Hanya saya ingin menyatakan perasaan saya- perasaan apabila melihat kaum bangsa saya, orang Melayu, begitu sekali tidak tahu bersyukur, begitu sekali mudah lupa, begitu sekali mudah dipengaruhi dan diperalat oleh orang lain sehingga sanggup memburukkan bangsa sendiri.

Bagi generasi yang dilahirkan selepas merdeka tentulah mereka tidak merasai sendiri kehinaan yang dialami oleh orang Melayu semasa mereka dijajah dahulu. Tetapi takkanlah mereka tidak baca sejarah bangsa mereka.

Jika mereka sudah lupa, jika mereka tidak dapat memahami pahit maung, pedih perit bangsa yang dijajah, izinkan saya yang biasa dengan tiga penjajahan bercerita sedikit berkenaan orang Melayu semasa dijajah.

Rata-rata mereka miskin, tidak berilmu pengetahuan, tidak memiliki apa-apa kecekapan, tidak terdaya mempertahan negeri-negeri mereka. Mereka terpaksa bertuankan orang putih Inggeris yang mereka terima sebagai Tuan mereka di negeri mereka sendiri. Mereka bukan tuan rumah. Mereka sebenarnya hamba rumah yang diduduki orang lain.

Orang putih, secara terbuka menyatakan orang Melayu adalah bodoh dan malas, tidak mampu menyumbang apa-apa kepada pembangunan negeri-negeri mereka. Mereka hanya layak jadi pemandu kereta dan orderly atau budak pejabat atau kerani. Mereka dianggap tidak berkebolehan melaksanakan apa-apa kerja yang dipertanggungjawab kepada mereka. Orang asing dari India dan Cina perlu dibawa masuk untuk mengatasi masalah Melayu malas dan tidak cekap.

 

Datang Jepun. Orang Melayu hilang jawatan perkeranian dan jawatan-jawatan rendah yang lain. Mereka terpaksa jadi penjual pisang di tepi jalan - kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang.

Jika tidak tunduk serendah mungkin apabila lalu di hadapan askar Jepun, mereka dipaksa tatang ketulan batu yang besar sehingga mereka pening dan jatuh. Mereka diarah panjat pohon kelapa untuk dapat buah kelapa bagi askar Jepun. Jika gagal mereka ditempeleng dan terbongkok-bongkok meminta maaf daripada askar Jepun.

Tanpa bertanya sedikitpun akan pandangan orang Melayu sebagai pemilik negeri-negeri Melayu, Jepun menghadiahkan empat buah negeri Melayu, iaitu Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan dan Terengganu kepada Siam, kerana membalas budi Siam.

Di bawah pemerintahan Siam, orang Melayu diarah supaya menghormati lagu kebangsaan Siam dan bendera Siam. Saya lihat sendiri seorang orang tua Melayu yang tidak turun basikalnya semasa lagu kebangsaan Siam dimainkan, ditendang di kepala oleh askar Siam apabila lagu berhenti dan ia jatuh terlentang di atas jalan. Saya dan beberapa Melayu lain tidak berani menolong orang tua yang telah jatuh. Kami bangsa yang dijajah dan boleh ditendang oleh sesiapa yang menjajah bangsa kami. Jangan siapa tolong.

Kemudian, British kembali dan raja-raja Melayu diugut akan diturunkan dari takhta mereka jika tidak tandatangan perjanjian Mac Michael supaya negeri-negeri Melayu diserah secara langsung kepada British. Dan raja Melayu pun tandatangan dan diturunkan pangkat kepada kadi besar negeri mereka.

Cadangan Malayan Union British bertujuan menamatkan negeri-negeri Melayu sebagai Tanah Melayu, milik orang Melayu. Ia akan jadi milik siapa sahaja yang mendapat taraf rakyat Malayan Union milik British.

Dalam keadaan orang Melayu begitu miskin, daif dan tidak berilmu pengetahuan, tidak memiliki apa-apa kecekapan, tidak mempunyai senjata, tidak tahu berniaga, sudah tentu mereka akan menjadi kuli dan hamba kepada orang lain yang lebih pintar, lebih cekap dan lebih kaya daripada mereka. Sudah tentu tidak akan ada Tanah Melayu, tanah tumpah darahnya orang Melayu. Mereka akan jadi bangsa yang tidak bernegara, tidak bertanahair. Tidak ada masa depan bagi mereka.

Alhamdulillah. Di saat itu mereka tiba-tiba sedar. Berkat beberapa kerat di antara mereka yang terpelajar yang tahu akan malapetaka yang menanti bangsa mereka, mereka ketepikan sikap kenegerian mereka dan kesetiaan kepada raja masing-masing atau kepada keturunan mereka. Mereka bersatu dan bangun menentang rancangan Malayan Union British.

 Perpaduan Melayu yang tumpat ini, pendirian mereka yang tidak berbelah-bahagi berkenaan penolakan Malayan Union memaksa British gugurkan rancangan mereka dan kembalikan negeri-negeri Melayu bersama Pulau Pinang dan Melaka yang dimiliki British kepada orang Melayu. Maka terselamatlah orang Melayu dan negeri mereka.

Malangnya sekembalinya sahaja Semenanjung Tanah Melayu ke tangan orang Melayu, maka bermulalah rebutan untuk nikmat yang datang dengan pemerintahan sendiri, khususnya untuk menjadi ahli dalam dewan-dewan negeri dan dewan undangan Persekutuan. Keahlian ini menjanjikan pangkat, elaun dan lain-lain kemudahan.

Untuk bekerja sebagai budak pejabat memerlukan kelulusan tertentu. Tetapi untuk menjadi Yang Berhormat, menteri, bahkan Perdana Menteri tidak memerlukan apa-apa sijil atau kelulusan.

Yang kecewa, yang tidak dapat nikmat yang dikejar lupa akan nikmat perpaduan dan mereka tinggalkan UMNO untuk tubuh kesatuan mereka sendiri. Dengan ini mereka akan dapat dicalon oleh parti mereka untuk bertanding dalam pilihan raya yang akan datang.

Kumpulan pertama yang menubuh parti serpihan terdiri daripada ulama dalam UMNO yang kecewa kerana permintaan mereka supaya 10 daripada mereka dicalonkan oleh Tunku Abdul Rahman ditolak olehnya dan hanya satu sahaja yang diberi kepada kumpulan ini.

Tetapi Tuhan Maha Kaya. Rata-rata orang Melayu terus menyokong UMNO yang mana ini memberi kemenangan kepada UMNO dan rakan-rakannya. Demikianlah besarnya sokongan ini sehingga British terpaksa serah kuasa kepada Perikatan ciptaan UMNO. Jika Parti Islam mendapat lebih daripada satu kerusi, nescaya kemerdekaan tidak tercapai pada 1957.

Tanpa merampas hak orang lain, pemerintahan yang bertunggak kepada Melayu berjaya membangunkan negara dan memberi kepada bangsa Melayu dan bumiputera lain pelajaran, latihan dan peluang yang tidak pernah dinikmati oleh mereka semasa dijajah.

Berkat semua ini maka terpulihlah maruah bangsa Melayu. Alhamdulillah.

Ramalan bahawa pemerintahan yang dipimpin Melayu ini akan merampas hak dan harta kaum lain tidak menjadi kenyataan. Sebaliknya pimpinan yang diterajui Melayu berjaya memajukan negara sehingga dikagumi dunia.

Semua ini terang dan nyata. Dunia akui kebolehan orang Melayu yang memimpin Malaysia. Tetapi mereka belum sampai ke tahap bersaing dengan kaum lain terutama dalam bidang perniagaan dan perusahaan.

Malangnya kejayaan yang sedikit ini telah menjadikan mereka bongkak dan tamak. Rebutan kuasa antara mereka terus berlaku dan rebutan yang berpunca kepada ketamakan individu tertentu menyebabkan perpecahan dan serpihan daripada parti utama mereka.

Mereka yang kecewa kerana gagal merebut tempat menghasut ahli-ahli dan pemimpin kerdil untuk menyertai mereka, untuk menjayakan hasrat sempit mereka merebut kuasa, terutama untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri. Untuk ini mereka membohong, menyalahtafsir agama, menyokong orang lain yang tidak suka melihat orang Melayu meraih walaupun sedikit kekayaan, kedudukan dan nikmat yang terdapat di negara ini.

Hasilnya ialah perpaduan Melayu diganti dengan perpecahan. Orang Melayu yang dahulu digeruni oleh British kerana kukuhnya perpaduan mereka, sekarang berpecah kepada tiga kumpulan kecil yang terpaksa mengemis untuk mendapat sokongan orang lain termasuk mereka yang menentang segala usaha untuk mengimbangkan kedudukan orang Melayu dengan kaum-kaum lain.

Sokongan orang lain ini tidak diberi secara percuma. 

Jika mana-mana daripada parti Melayu ini memenangi pilihan raya dan mendirikan Kerajaan, tak dapat tidak Kerajaan ini akan terpaksa mengikuti telunjuk orang lain. Melayu tidak lagi akan menjadi tunggak kepada pemerintahan negara yang mereka rela berkongsi dengan orang lain. Mereka akan jadi puak minoriti dalam pakatan yang mereka sertai. Inilah yang akan terjadi hasil perpecahan orang Melayu.

Siapakah yang membawa malapetaka ini. Tak lain tak bukan malapetaka ini dibawa oleh orang Melayu sendiri - orang Melayu yang tamak, orang Melayu yang kurang pintar, orang Melayu yang mudah dipengaruhi nafsu, yang mudah dikuasai oleh perasaan benci apabila dihasut.

Orang Melayu sudah lupa akan betapa hinanya mereka semasa dijajah dahulu. Mereka tidak pun mengakui akan nikmat yang banyak yang dinikmati oleh mereka setelah merdeka dan mereka menerajui Kerajaan - Kerajaan Malaysia merdeka.

Oleh kerana lupa dan tidak bersyukur, mereka rela supaya perpaduan yang memberi kekuatan kepada mereka dimusnahkan. Mereka sanggup dipecah dan dipisah daripada kuasa yang sedikit 
yang ada pada mereka.

Sebab inilah yang saya sedih. Bangsa saya jelas tidak dapat menangani kejayaan. Bangsa saya mudah lupa. Bangsa saya tidak tahu bersyukur. Bangsa saya tidak tahu mengambil iktibar daripada nasib yang menimpa kaum sebangsa yang hari ini tinggal di wilayah yang dikuasai orang lain.

Jangan bersedih dan bersimpati dengan saya. Bersimpatilah dan bersedihlah dengan diri sendiri, dengan anak cucu yang akan alami masa depan yang gelap kerana kita tamak dan begitu benci kepada bangsa dan pemerintahan oleh kita sendiri.