when a life is lost

National Service trainee Haziq Jaafar died on 21 April 2006, allegedly being beaten by another in a not so friendly fellow in the tv room squabling over maybe the control of the tv remote buttons, a ciggie, 50 sen coin, name calling or some other reasons known only to those in the tv room. The next day the whole clan waited for his body at Kluang District Hospital. At some point a man walked up to the mother and said in the most inaudible voice, a trifle whisper told her, his name and that he is the Jurulatih Disiplin at the camp. And he said:

"Sabar banyak-banyaklah kak." then he walked away. Everybody just looked at him. Is that all he could offer? Obviously Haziq's family and relatives have good upbringing, else someone would have beaten the trainer to pulp.

The nerve of some people.

Bridge? What Bridge?

Johor Menteri Besar was ashen as he gave the news. The bridge project, which is supposed to link the spanking new Customs and Immigration Complex to Singapore, was null and void as announced by the Prime Minister by fax to all media and was flashed by Bernama at its website. Everyone, well at least those in Johor, was shocked. The MB, put on a brave face on the camera.

But the people thought the idea was unthinkable. The PM is talking about the country's sovereignity, sand and airspace included. So people, forget the bridge, don't be selfish, we need airspace and sand more than mere links. The Causeway still works, doesn't it?

tsk tsk tsk.