Thinking Allowed?

Morning ... I was a big-fan of Aliran. I don't miss an issue and in fact get myself politically involved(1994-1998) with many of ISSUES related to our government and with NGOs. Anyway, there was a column "Thinking Allowed" in the 'magazine' where it excites me.

You see, being a THINKING human and concern about the 'stupidity' surrounds me, this is a place where I could share with many intellectuals about ideas or thoughts where we could voice-out our opinions about ISSUES intellectually. And we will discussed how we could contribute for the betterment of situations, as the whole.

After a year of being a contributor to that segment, I was so glad that they organised a gathering for those like-minded to have an INTELLECTUAL discourse. I travelled to Penang(Aliran HQ is in Penang) and met about 30-50 professionals with similar interests and brain-waves. Few still in-touch with me and I appreciate such a human, articulate and determine. Unfortunately, these individuals are rare species in this modernised and materialistic(capitalism) world.

NGOs --- there were not too many of them 15 yrs ago, and only a few very active ones. Some are international-based organisations.

Pink Triangle - http://www.ptfmalaysia.org/ <--- click here to get yourself a little educated about what they do there.

AIDS was 'introduced' to our ignorant public ... when generally public will think of AIDS as a terminally-illed diease(only half correct, actually). So, public will shun those with 'AIDS'. In fact, to the extent that this 'patients' being isolated from public. We are talking about those with degrees or higher, ok? Thinking allowed?

If they are educated ENOUGH, they will certainly try to find out more about it, rather than merely talking about it over tea-time. And talking about it will NOT make the situation any better. We need to EDUCATE our public. See?

This is a HUGE challenge as we have recognised that our naive Malaysia society are un-educated in many aspects. Not until ONE of their friends or loved ones 'contracted' with the diease, they will still be talking about it as a casual usual conversation. These I called NOISES. Empty vessels make the most noise.

If you ask them about WHAT they have contributed, they might brush you off to cover their in-adequencies. Afterall, they are a DEGREE holder without KNOWLEDGE about what they are speaking about --- AIDS. Some even confuse between AIDS and HIV. Marina Mahathir ... heard of her, right? She is fighting for this good cause even when AIDS was not widely spread in Malaysia. The statistic has increased since then, of course.

To clear another un-informed information to our naive public, MOST of the AIDS patients are drug-abusers, NOT only through any sexual activities. Gayism not heard of 20-years ago. Yet, the stats surely didn't take into account of those unreported cases. Tell me ... HOW will you educate our public about ... say, AIDS?

If thinking are NOT allowed, Pink Triangle(then, forming of AIDS council) could not sustain their GOOD cause. Of coz Marina, being PM daughter, is a very strong lady. One of the respectable Malaysian for her sacrifices to see her vision carried out. Shaking hands with her during a PM's Raya open house will NOT be sufficiently enough to boast that you know her strengths. I will recommend our WOMEN to model her PASSION. Hats-off, Marina. Knowing you have let me see a woman's strength, in the male-dominated world. As you are as critical, yet humble tho your dad are the most prominent leader in our Malaysia history.