Ignorance and Ignoring.

It was too compelling. I had to write it all out to express what's running on my mind.

I believe certain individuals would say that politics are for older people. Certain would say politics are dirty, and they rather stay out of it. Certain would say their simplicity of mind cannot grasp the complexity of politics, so they rather save their effort and time from understanding politics.

I understand that my blog's coverage is insignificant. But still, I would like to abide in my principles.

What I'm trying to express, is my frustration and disappointment in Malaysia's youth.

Just a few months back, during the March Election 2008, my lecturer questioned the class in KDU, mass comm course, people who communicate with the masses, his question was this,

"When you have your rights to vote, would you take the effort to register and practise your rights?"

None put up their hands.

The other day while I was working, my colleagues were having a short talk about politics and they were arguing about which flag represents which party. One of them at my age couldn't even be sure whether the "japanese" looking flag was PKR or PAS.

And I strongly believe, many don't understand what NEP is all about. Or about Permatang Pauh.. maybe perhaps about Ahmad Ismail.

I may not be a politic analyst, but I don't have to be one to do research and understand the importance and seriousness of politics in this land.


Sept 16th, Anwar's self imposed date of overthrowing the current ruling Government and NONE of my contacts on MSN is even a little concerned about it. Well, except for Ean and my gf. I doubt the excuse of ISA would come and arrest is the reason they did not mention anything.

Is it ignorance? Or simply the fact that they couldn't be bothered?

We're talking about possibilities of riots and fights. We're talking about possibilities that there could be drastic actions taken to restrict the movement of the opposition which could result in locking us away at home. We're talking about the nation's economy instability which leads to less job opportunities.

I plea that the likes of me, the Intellectuals, blessed with rich education, do your role. Many who suffer in poverty are oppressed and are not given the equal opportunity to be educated, it's comprehensive if they succumb to corruption and ignorance. But we who are blessed with education but chose to use it for personal gain, is truly unforgivable.

I dare say to those who choose to escape and refuse to face the hard times in our very own country, I can't help but to lose my respect to you as a friend, as a proud citizen of Malaysia. So many individuals sacrificed and gave their all to make this country harmonious and strong and by running away, you've put their effort into the depths of abyss.

Don't forget, we ARE the leaders of tomorrow. What we do and think influences the next generation which equates the future of this country. It is all gain to know about your country's politics and all lost if you don't. In the bigger picture, that is.

If this message of mine did awaken you, and you would like to start to make a change for Malaysia, for starters,

Did you know Tun Mahathir has a blog?


www.chedet.com

I'm not implying that you should support his views but at least consider his opinions as he was our previous Prime Minister.

Get updated with the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim as the big news of him attempting to overthrow the Government.

www.anwaribrahimblog.com

The media.

www.malaysiakini.com

www.thestar.com.my

That mykad of yours in your wallet/purse verifies your citizenship in Malaysia. Start learning to appreciate it. There are many who long to have an identity in a country and would risk their lives to get one.

I apologize if this message's tone is aggresive or offensive. I do not have intentions of mocking or insulting anyone at all. But I do look forward to anyone who wishes to share their thoughts and views about the current political scene.

Thanks for your time, really do.

Oh and yes , spread the word.

God bless this country.

Game on?

Words used at interviewed comments, statements and elaborations are not word for word.

In 1997, the internet café trend arrived at our shores.

“Yes, it was 1997 when the first internet café invaded into my hometown, Ipoh,” says pro gamer Wu Meng Soon, at the current age of 21 this year.

During that period, internet cafés were sprouting on a slow scale, solely meant for surfing at websites and sending e-mails. Charging at a cutthroat price of RM4 per hour, internet cafes did not appeal to the youngsters of that era.

Internet cafes were also name as cafes, simply with the reason of serving food and surfing on the internet at once. However, it was just a matter of time before realizing that the idea of dining at the computer table was not feasible.

Trend Maker

World renowned PC game, “Half-life” was created by Sierra Studios at 1998, was soon introduced to internet cafes here. A science fiction first-person shooter game, developed by Valve Software made a tremendous change in the internet café industry. Starting off with the change of the term “Internet café” into “Cyber Café”, this first person shooter game makes no room for players to dine and game simultaneously. Yet, it was until Valve Software saw the opportunity and potential of the cyber gaming industry among the cyber cafes, “Counter Strike”, a developed first person shooter game, consisting of counter terrorist battling it out with the terrorist in different maps with different objectives.

Immediately, cyber cafes sprouted like mushrooms after a rain all over Malaysia. The game was fancied and welcomed by Malaysians enormously that players keep crowding the cyber cafes all around the clock, beginning from morning until the wee hours of the day.

“We would even skip school to just have hours of fun at the Cyber Café,” claimed by many players who are students at secondary schools and colleges during the hype of the trend.

The trend did not begin with just the arrival of Half-life and Counter Strike but also with the fact that it a means of escape from the dreadful studies of students from their school life. It also allows them to dwell in another realm of challenging their egos and building their fame in the cyber gaming world.

Currently, the trend appeals to majority of players from the age 16 to 24. Students and employees in their uniforms could be seen gaming in the cyber cafes.

“Most players retire from the gaming world at the age of 22 to 24, supposedly getting serious into their studies and career life,” said pro gamer Wu Meng Soon.

Detrimental or Beneficial?

At this era of the second millennium, it is a common trend for players at cyber cafes to game until wee hours in the morning, neglecting their sleep, family time and expenses.

“When we game, we game hard,” claims pro gamer Wu Meng Soon, which also goes with the nickname of susu.

When asked whether he regretted involving himself into the trend, he expresses the priceless experiences he had while going serious into gaming.

He met various players from different backgrounds, coming all the way from Singapore.

Furthermore, his passion for gaming also motivated him to take a big step of organizing a team to compete in tournaments. The leadership experiences boost his confidence and character as well as learning to deal with players to create a strong teamwork.

He and his team has participated in nationally acknowledged tournaments in the cyber gaming industry such as WCG (World Cyber Games), operated by Korean company International Cyber Marketing, ACG (Asia Cyber Games) and WGT (World GameMaster Tournament).

Each tournament requires strict and disciplined training, to ensure victory in hand.

“If you’re going all at it, 3 weeks before the tournament arrives, a minimum of 6 hours mind drilling training is compulsory,”

“Otherwise, you don’t stand a chance to even enter semi-finals,” expressed pro gamer Wu Meng Soon.

He also describes the intense focus of forming strategies and tactics to implement in his team according to their skills and personality.

On top of that, his social skills improved due to the fact that team mates in his team has conflicts among each other, disliking certain attitude or style of playing of each other and he as a leader in the team would have to resolve those conflicts in the most ethical and professional way.

“I tried to make them speak out during discussion, but they refuse to, so I had to deal with them personally,” when asked to state the other problems involved when attempting to resolve the conflicts between the members.

Other obstacles during training such as spending family time, girl friends, working schedule and school assignments get into the way while trying to obtain maximize performance of the team’s effort in training.

“Players who wish to form a team must be prepared to face all these obstacles, but overall, it’s a worthy effort,” he said with a smile.

Game on?

Question is, how long will this cyber gaming trend last?

“The main factor behind this trend, is not the players, not the location of the cyber café, not the economy or the politic of the country but rather how well the game developers create their games,”

“If without fail, game developers identify and comprehend the gaming trend among the players, adding on to fresh and creative concepts, players will continue to flood the cyber cafes,” pro gamer Wu Meng Soon explains.

As long as this trend lasts, it brings great profit for investors into cyber cafes.

“During peak hours, average of RM2,600 which is from 5p.m. until 1a.m. is earned,” states Chow Kah Hou, an employee of Blitzone, located at Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya.

That equates a total earning of RM100,000 and above per month for Blitzone, which has 120 computers operating in the premise.

At weekends, Blitzone will be so packed with players that it spills over to other competitors nearby. It is rumored that the management intends to expand to the 2^nd floor to keep up with the response of the players.

Thanks for your time.

God bless, cheers.