Disclaimer: I am not pro-opposition, and neither am I pro-government. I am just pro-common sense!
The most recent thing that makes my blood pressure shoot up is the RM5bil Menara Warisan proposed under the 2011 National Budget. The first thing that came to my mind when I saw it in the papers is: what are they thinking? We are not a rich country, and hence, RM5bil should be spent very carefully, and not on some unnecessary luxury. A poor man shouldn't drive a new Mercedes if he can't even pay his rent.
Why I think the idea is totally ridiculous: KL has enough tall buildings. In fact, the Petronas Twin Towers are probably the most distinctive skyscrapers in the world. They have certainly put Malaysia on the map. People all over the world know about them and immediately think of Malaysia when they see them. In fact they give them their own names e.g. chopsticks. So, why is there a need for another one?
RM5bil is a lot of money. You can do a lot with that.
I feel that they could spend it on improving vocational education in Malaysia, thereby providing people with skills that can improve their standards of living. Vocational education is really important for the scores of people who are not into (or not suited to) academia. In countries like the UK and Germany, it plays a major role in training mechanics, plumbers, builders, carpenters who are then empowered by their skills to venture into business or to gain employment.
They can improve the status of our local universities and hence put us on the map for an even better reason. The level of research could be greatly improved, and other courses such as the arts (music, drama, fashion) could be developed.
They could also improve infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak by building highways, or rail links, thereby spurring development in these areas and improving our GDP as a result. In fact, even the railway in Semenanjung could do with upgrading. It definitely should not take 12 hours to get to Kelantan from KL by train. They could build a tunnel through the mountains and create excellent road and rail connections between the east and west coast (just like what Switzerland has recently done). Such infrastructure makes the country more attractive for foreign investment. Imagine if you could get to Kota Bharu by train in 2 hours? Or what if you build a high-speed train linking Perlis to Singapore? Imagine if it travels at 250kph? That would allow you to travel to Singapore in 3 hours! Or KL to Singapore in 1.5 hours! Such amazing logistics create limitless business opportunities!
The underprivileged society in Malaysia could certainly do with some help. Social benefits should be improved to emulate systems in the UK and in European countries. Disability allowance and job-seekers allowance should be introduced/improved. At the moment, crime is such a major problem in Malaysia and I believe it's due to an obvious reason: socioeconomic disadvantages. Giving them aid and guidance would be a deterrent from involvement in crime, and could help them move their lives in the right direction.
They could also improve our border protection to avoid illegal immigrants pouring in from all the surrounding countries. This is certainly an issue in Sabah where there are huge numbers of illegals from the Philipines and Indonesia, who contribute to a lot of socioeconomic problems.
Above are the many opportunity costs for the 5bil. I just hope people just do what is right in the end, and finally make a difference.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Friday, 1 October 2010
MPO Concert at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas
Last weekend, I went to see a concert by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall (Dewan Filharmonik Petronas) with Sharmini. The programme was, of course, mainly Russian:
The hall is certainly a lot grander than the other halls I mentioned, with beautiful wood features and a stunning chandelier-like thing which dominates the hall. The organ is also beautifully integrated into the wall of the hall, creating an impression of neatness and perfection.
The only grouse I have about the DFP is its seating. The stall seats are all below stage level, forcing the audience to look up towards the stage and limiting their view only to the front rows of the orchestra i.e. only the strings. It was impossible to see the woodwind section from the stalls. This limitation prevents the audience in the stalls from appreciating the magnificent orchestra as a whole. However, if you're willing to splurge, the box seats would be more than perfect in terms of acoustics and visibility.
I felt the dress code was rather unecessary. DFP is the only concert hall that I've been to that enforces a strict dress code. It creates a very elitist feel, especially to their evening concerts which require evening wear. I believe this sends out the wrong impression to the public because classical music should be made accessible to all, and not exclusively to a select few. I will understand if the DFP bans slippers, but I don't see why people can't enjoy music wearing jeans or even shorts. I have done that many a time in Europe and America and I find that it removes a lot of hassle from the concert experience.
Now about the audience. There was quite a mix of expatriates and Malaysians. They weren't as silent as the audiences I am accustomed to, and therefore, I found their whispering and murmuring very intrusive during the concert. They applaud immediately and do not wait for the impact of the piece to take effect after the pieces end. The pin drop silence after a deafening finale was not present as much as I'd liked it to be.
The MPO played wonderfully well. However, it wasn't particularly Malaysian because close to 90% of its members are expatriates! Ruslan and Ludmyla was executed to perfection, with every single semi quaver in perfect sync. The piano concerto was my favourite piece of the day, and I was extremely impressed by Alexandre Tharaud's (piano) agile, expressive and playful interpretation of it. It was simply a pleasure to experience. Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition was also very well played, but as I am too familiar with the piece, I did not enjoy it too much because I knew every note before it was played! As it was Sharmini's first time hearing this piece, it was rightfully her favourite piece of the day.
As a whole, the experience was excellent and I look forward to my next concert: Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2 and Shostakovich Symphony No. 8. I also hope that classical instruments gain more popularity among common Malaysians so that the MPO will eventually be truly Malaysian!
- Mikhail Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Ludmyla
- Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto for Left Hand
- Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
The hall is certainly a lot grander than the other halls I mentioned, with beautiful wood features and a stunning chandelier-like thing which dominates the hall. The organ is also beautifully integrated into the wall of the hall, creating an impression of neatness and perfection.
The only grouse I have about the DFP is its seating. The stall seats are all below stage level, forcing the audience to look up towards the stage and limiting their view only to the front rows of the orchestra i.e. only the strings. It was impossible to see the woodwind section from the stalls. This limitation prevents the audience in the stalls from appreciating the magnificent orchestra as a whole. However, if you're willing to splurge, the box seats would be more than perfect in terms of acoustics and visibility.
I felt the dress code was rather unecessary. DFP is the only concert hall that I've been to that enforces a strict dress code. It creates a very elitist feel, especially to their evening concerts which require evening wear. I believe this sends out the wrong impression to the public because classical music should be made accessible to all, and not exclusively to a select few. I will understand if the DFP bans slippers, but I don't see why people can't enjoy music wearing jeans or even shorts. I have done that many a time in Europe and America and I find that it removes a lot of hassle from the concert experience.
Now about the audience. There was quite a mix of expatriates and Malaysians. They weren't as silent as the audiences I am accustomed to, and therefore, I found their whispering and murmuring very intrusive during the concert. They applaud immediately and do not wait for the impact of the piece to take effect after the pieces end. The pin drop silence after a deafening finale was not present as much as I'd liked it to be.
The MPO played wonderfully well. However, it wasn't particularly Malaysian because close to 90% of its members are expatriates! Ruslan and Ludmyla was executed to perfection, with every single semi quaver in perfect sync. The piano concerto was my favourite piece of the day, and I was extremely impressed by Alexandre Tharaud's (piano) agile, expressive and playful interpretation of it. It was simply a pleasure to experience. Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition was also very well played, but as I am too familiar with the piece, I did not enjoy it too much because I knew every note before it was played! As it was Sharmini's first time hearing this piece, it was rightfully her favourite piece of the day.
As a whole, the experience was excellent and I look forward to my next concert: Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.2 and Shostakovich Symphony No. 8. I also hope that classical instruments gain more popularity among common Malaysians so that the MPO will eventually be truly Malaysian!
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