I went to UK for almost two weeks for 4 objectives - accreditation visit, witness the historic installation of Sr Ong as RICS global president, interview QS applying for ISM membership, and attend ISM UK chapter's reception dinner. The accreditation visit together with Prof Dr Abdul Rashid was one hectic week as upon arriving at Heathrow airport we travelled direct to Liverpool and Bristol and back to London. Although I was physically and mentally exhausted it was satisfying meeting with the learned professors and lecturers of both universities and ensuring QS program for Malaysian students meets the requirements of Malaysian construction industry. 
I spent my birthday on 2nd July meeting UKC committee members and interviewing applicants for ISM special entry in London. On the 4th July 2011, busload of Malaysian surveyors arrived at RICS headquarters, uncouth by British standard, we were cheering and hooting with flags flying when Sr Ong was installed as RICS global president - the first ever non-British and it was a proud moment for all Malaysians. On 5th July 2011, we attended UKC reception dinner held at Holiday Villa which was well organised and successfully held and I could not have been more proud of them. Personally I get a feeling of euphoria and a sense of achievement being able to be part of making UKC a reality and celebrating its 1st anniversary in London. Well done Sr Faisal and his hard-working team.
Coming back to Malaysia, I was down with flu and had coughing fits. I cut short my stay in London to be back in time for ISM 50th anniversary dinner and my niece's "sambut menantu" ceremony. However to my utter disappointment the dinner was postponed on the advice of the police due to the meaningless planned show of demonstration by groups of disatisfied hooligans - calling for the so-called "Bersih" rally. They had their window of opportunity to forward their memorandum when they had an audiance with the Agung but they choose to resort to illegal street demonstration and disrupting people's lifes in their arrogant show of defiance. This is the leadership with Pak Pandir mentality of "menang sorak kampong tergadai". The leaders of the pack are still stuck in immature "campus politics" in their pursuit for attention with one main objective of trying to put the nation in chaos, which at the end of the day they fail miserably. They have the audicity to inform foreign press that it was a success and the guts to make further demands on the government.
What makes my heart aches is seeing my fellow Malays berpecah belah - how vulnerable are we? The fate of the Malays lies in the hands of these 3 leaders - unfortunately all of them have different ideologies and approaches -Transformation, Islamic, and ...... (I don't have any vocab for Annuar's approach). All three somehow have some baggage - one is the wife, the other is a holier than thou attitude, and the another is a pompous self-centred liar. I wish I have the power and miracle to knock some sense in these three so that they could work together. It needs divine intervention.
Dear Maimun
ReplyDeleteThe 20 odd of us who flew in to London to witness the proud ascension of a Malaysian Surveyor to the throne of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors were indeed overjoyed on the occassion.
For us it was history indeed; 140 years later and for me 33 years as a Chartered Surveyor it was humble gratification to note that a non-British can ascend to the highest office in their own homeland. That speaks for Bersih (Transparency)elections in the RICS. Could we get a Vijian to be the president of the new Royal Institution of Surveyors with its 50 years of existence; now that we have opened for international members. UK Branch is not made up of foreign members; they are all Malaysian Surveyors ekeing a living in the foreign land.
Aside from it, I for one was happy that the dinner event was postponed, and now I can happily attend it.
I hear you are back in the Council as an ordinary Council member! shows how much RISM means to you. Keep it up.
My Dearest Dr Wan
ReplyDeleteSr Ong's installation was a hisotrical event and having to share that with fellow Malaysian Surveyors makes it even better....fantastic in fact! Bus load ....yeah...that's our Malaysian style. It was a great achievement for someone that we all know in person. A great person and an exceptional leader.
Reception dinner, the great British weather and the fashionably malaysian style 'punya delay'....that's all part of the uniqueness of it and alhamdullillah...all went well but of course with flaws as we are just a year old. Setahun jagung and baru nak belajar merangkak. BUT.... we are very honoured to be able to host it and really2 appreciate the attendance of our own Malaysian's delegations who came for the inauguration.
Meeting, networking, jumpa kawan lama and new faces that instantly became like a 'long lost friend', it is definitely a dinner to remember.
Terima kasih kerana sudi hadir pada majlis makan malam kami!!!
Keep in touch and we'll see you when we see you. Take care
Dear Dato' Mani
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I was part of that historic moment. I enjoyed my stay in London tremendously especially with the whole group of us there. I just love being actively involved in ISM and thank you for that encouragement.
Dear Maria
The reception dinner was not reflective of a group of you just being "setahun jagung and baru nak belajar merangkak". It was amazing and you all have outdone yourself. Keep it up dear and hope to see more activities and membership increase. And thank you for taking the time out to bring me to bicester for my "jimmy choo". Every girl need to have one true to the 1Malaysia spirit !!!!
Luv
Wan Maimun