Besides being an avid badminton fan, I also fancy watching boxing matches especially world heavyweight encounters.

In the 1960s, I still remember very vividly, encounters of boxing matches between Muhammad Ali or Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston. However, my ardent interest in heavyweight boxing, has of late, waned. This is because the likes of good heavyweight boxers, such as George Foreman, Floyd Paterson and Muhammad Ali are no longer in the arena today.

To state that I have lost complete interest in the field of heavyweight boxing is indeed a fallacy. In fact, I am still interested in anything that involves fighting or human combat.

Permit me to explain what is meant by the above statement made. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever envisaged what I witnessed. As a Fifth Former, while I was pursuing my upper secondary education in one of the town’s premier school in Klang way back in the 1960s, will again be reenacted.

First and foremost, readers should permit me to describe the poor discipline condition of the secondary school I was enrolled in at that time. The Disciplinary Board of the school faced enormous problems then. Gangsterism, amongst others was one such problem the teachers faced. Smoking was another. Fighting was yet another headache which the Prefects Board and Discipline committee had to face with daily.

While trying to address the problem of running away from school or ponteng sekolah, I remember an incident whereby the Discipline Board happened to take action on a Form 3 student whose ponteng record was to be described as atrocious.

Unfortunately, for the discipline teachers and prefects of the school mentioned, the above student upon whom they took discipline action on happened to be the son of a notorious ex-gangster of the town. The Form 3 boy involved was in fact publicly caned by the discipline master of the school.

The boy went home crying and reported the matter to his father. Being the notorious thug that he was, the father lost his temper upon hearing his son’s complaints.

According to the story unfolding, the gangster father from hence forward used to visit the school premises every recess time to pick upon the Indian discipline master who happened to cane the ex-gangster’s son. The notorious gangster as the saying goes, had a “bone to pick” with the discipline master from then onwards.

In full view of nearly a thousand pupils, the father concerned would single out the discipline master, shoved him and pushed him around and challenged him to a fist fight. Calling the discipline master all sorts of nasty names and what not, the gangster father would attempt to provoke the discipline master to take him in a hand to hand confrontation.

Of course, other teachers who happened to witness the encounter would try their utmost best to prevent a fight ensuing between the two raging adults. One the patient disciplinary master and the other, the raging gangster father whose son was punished for running away from school.

Could readers envisage a brawl between a father and a teacher in the presence of thousands of students in a school vicinity?

Although heated words were frequently exchanged every time the above two adults happened to meet, luckily good civic consciousness prevailed and no fight ensued eventually.

The above interesting episode has gone by now for many years. I have in fact almost forgotten about it now. As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, never in my wildest dreams had I ever envisaged such incident ever happening in my life time again. This is until recently, when I chanced to read an interesting article which appeared in the Star newspaper dated 27 August 2010 entitled, “Traders’ head wants a fist fight with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng”.

The above interesting story brings back reminisces of the incident whereby the gangster father issuing a challenge to the school discipline master of my school which happened some 50 years ago. The father was dead set to pulverize my discipline master.

In the episode involving Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, it is reported that Komtar Merchants Association (K.M.A.), deputy president Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman, is so enraged that he has challenged Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to a fist fight.

Mohamed Ghani alleges the D.A.P. leader has defamed him. Ghani incidentally issued yet another challenge to Lim a second time recently. Ghani claims that Chief Minister Lim has accused him of embezzlement and is willing to fight Mr. Lim If the latter could provide a venue.

The Penang police have however warned Mohamed Ghani not to take the law into his own hands. A very interesting challenge, I would dare say. If such a fist fight were ever to be held, I would not miss the opportunity to fly down to Penang for the interesting event.

My assumption of En. Mohamed Ghani was the chap must have been a former boxer previously. I was right. Star newspaper reported Ghani took part in many boxing centers some 20 years ago. Although Ghani is said to be 10 cm shorter than Chief Minister Lim and appear slightly stouter today, he is not afraid to issue Lim a challenge.

The episode which I witnessed in secondary school years ago has surprisingly again come to pass some 50 years later. Well, life is full of interesting episodes.

Just imagine, instead of instituting court proceedings, two well known national leaders are challenging one another to a fist fight to settle their differences. What has become to our judicial system? Its days, must be numbered.

The public currently await to see who is right and who is wrong in the above encounter. As the saying goes, “the truth will prevail”. Shortly, we shall see who is telling the truth and who is not.

Is the Chief Minister of Penang Lim Guan Eng or is it the deputy president of K.M.A., Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman who is correct this time around. Eagerly, we Malaysians await the results with abated breath.

Pondering over the interesting episodes of Lim and Ghani and to quote Chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Wira Ayun Yaakob, who have advised the duo, especially Ghani, that it is the holy month of Ramadan, the puasa month. People should learn to be more patient and rational instead.

The Deputy Commissioner went on to advise that Ghani had already lodged a police report over Lim Guan Eng’s accusation. And so be it. He should not create any more problems. Whatever the outcome may be, should a fist fight finally come to pass, the above fight would certainly need a referee. I can only see the best referee around being Mr. Lim Kit Siang, the onetime former parliamentary leader of Malaysia parliament. How about that?

Talking about the skirmish between Mr. Lim and Mohamed Ghani, Madam Chong Eng, D.A.P’s Wanita Chief, suggest Mohamed Ghani should iron out his problems with Lim through discussion.

For readers’ info, Lim Guan Eng will be 50 this coming December 2010. I’m sure his wife, Betty, would not fancy her husband getting into any physical encounter with anybody at all.

As a parting shot to this article, it should be made known to one and all, that Mohamed Ghani is only 44 years old this year. Anyway, do readers think a 44 years old issuing a challenge to a 50 years old man is a fair fight? Think about it!

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Approximately a year ago, I have commented upon the Indonesian nationalist group, Bendera, which then accused Malaysians of taking advantage of Indonesian language.

Besides that, Bendera also accused Malaysians of taking advantage of Indonesian maids who are stationed in Malaysia.

In last year’s episode, Bendera threatened to infiltrate Sabah and Sarawak and attack Malaysia with spears, blowpipes, cangkuls and hoes.

This year however, Bendera has seen it fit to again pick up a quarrel with Malaysia. This time around, Bendera has been brought about its protest after the August 13th detention of 3 Indonesian maritime officers by Malaysia after the officers held 7 Malaysian fishermen.

To show their displeasure, the nationalist group has seen it fit to throw human faeces into the compounds of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta. The group has also made a mockery of our national flag, the Jalur Gemilang during last Monday’s demonstration.

It should be reminded that 3 things foreigners and foreign countries should refrain from doing against us. One of them is stepping upon our nation’s flag. Two is to refrain from ridiculing our national anthem. And three obviously is to accord due respect to our Embassy overseas.

Bendera should consider the good relationship which Indonesian workers currently enjoy with Malaysian employers. For this, permit me to relate to you a few instances which I personally have encountered.

A wan tan mee shop has an Indonesian helper at her establishment. She has reputedly been working for her Chinese employer for some 7 – 10 years. Her employer treats her like a family member.

Just recently, her employer made a decision to purchase her a new Honda motorcycle. For this their Indonesian maid has to pass her undang-undang or Highway Code test first.

The above demonstrates the close affiliation between her employer and herself. For your information, the Indonesian maid refers to her employer as “mummy”.

I have always accorded the highest respect for all things Indonesian. While pursuing my studies in Penang in the seventies, I took an ardent interest in Indonesian fiction and novels, majoring in fiction Indonesian and reading works of famous Indonesian authors as Mochtar Lubis, Pramoedya Anantoer Toes and reading well known works like Sendja Di Jakarta and Atheist.

The present spat between Bendera and our nation, in my opinion, should not have taken place at all. Good bilateral relations are worth more than the squabble which has resulted in a minor misunderstanding.

So far, our country has been very understanding with regards to Bendera’s actions. As our foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said recently, Malaysia’s patience has been tested. It would not tolerate the situation for much longer.

Although Bendera has its own political and domestic problems in Indonesia, Malaysia should not be drawn into it. Malaysia should not be drawn its internal squabble as a victim,

The Indonesian government however, has condemned Bendera’s actions towards its neighbor, Malaysia. It however, has assured Malaysians working and visiting Indonesia of their safety.

The Indonesian government has given its assurance, that it is its responsibility to protect all nationals, including Malaysians visiting and doing business in Indonesia.

However, despite the assurances given by the Jakarta authorities, security around the Malaysian embassy and the residence of the Malaysian Ambasssador Datuk Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin, has been beefed up. We hope that the present dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia will be settled soon.

It augurs well for the good relationship which has existed for so long between our two countries. In fact, Malaysia has always looked towards Indonesia as a big brother. Such close relationship should in fact continue to exist.

To end this short article, the Malaysian government has cautioned the Bendera nationalist group, that its patience with it has been running thin, following unruly protests of Indonesians against the country.

We sincerely hope that the Indonesian government will take immediate and concrete actions against Bendera to stop the unwarranted behavior of some unruly citizens.

In the latest announcement in conjunction with the national day celebration recently, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Datuk Mukhriz Mahatir said that recent anti-Malaysia demonstrations which were held in Jakarta, the Indonesian government is responsible for the safety of all investors in that country.

Likewise, the Malaysia authorities do not wish deplorable incidents to mar good relations which currently exist between the 2 countries.

Datuk Muhriz however, reinserted that the recent demonstrations, especially in Jakarta could have been organized by third parties out to jeopardize the good relations between Indonesia and Malaysia.

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Our nation has been independent since 1957.

That is a total of almost 53 years. After so many years, our country has unfortunately not moved an inch closer to the solidarity we wish for. After being free and independent for so long a period, it is indeed sad that the concept of 1Malaysia has yet to be propagated.

The people of Perak are being threatened by the Ipoh Municipal Chairman, Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim, to fly the Malaysian flag at their business premises in conjunction with the forthcoming National Day or Merdeka Celebration this 31st August.

Patriotism and love for the country cannot be forced. It must come from within. From deep in our hearts. Believe it or not, you either love your country or you do not.

Insensitive decisions made by leaders of our nation today, unfortunately go a long way to promote ill will amongst the citizens of our country. The warning of the Datuk Bandar of Ipoh has met with much criticisms from the public and all Malaysians as a whole, the Perak Local Government Committee Chairman, Datuk Dr. Mah Hang Soon, has informed the public a retraction of the ruling by Datuk Roshidi has been made.

Datuk Mah said, trying to implement a ruling by the Ipoh Municipal council will not go down well with the people. It is not the way to get the people to show their love and patriotism for our country.

The Datuk Bandar, for your information, has even warned traders and businessmen that they will be fined, their business licenses suspended and blacklisted, if they failed to fly the Malaysian flag.

And recently, we hear of another leader of our country, a principal, a Pengetua or a Headmistress of a large school, which is supposed to inculculate “patriotism” and love for our beloved country, making uncalled comments to her pupils, a multi-racial assembly of young minds.

The above principal, unfortunately, has gone on to make racist remarks against non-Malay students. The Police are currently making their investigations into the serious matter.

The lady principal, in doing what she did is likened to a popular Malay proverb, “Seperti ketam menyuruh anaknya berjalan betul”. How can a leader, a Guru Besar, a Pengetua lead our young if she herself is of such a character, a racist, a chauvinist, be chosen as a leader of our multi racial community which Malaysia is made up of?

The Education Department has informed us public, the principal has gone on leave voluntarily. It would be better and more appropriate for the lady principal involved to have handed in her resignation letter immediately.

In my opinion, schools and educationists throughout the nation, do not require her services. We must always remember, no one is indispensable. Good riddance to bad rubbish, as the saying goes.

It is said, both sides of the parliamentary divide have criticized the principal involved, a school in Kulai Jaya, Johor for her insensitive remarks while launching National Day celebration recently.

Public opinion says, it was unbecoming for a principal to make such remarks. They recommend stern disciplinary action be taken against her.

Pertaining to this case, M.C.A. deputy publicity bureau chief, Mr. Loh Seng Kok, has made the suggestion that the Education Ministry incorporate the 1Malaysia concept in teacher training. In fact, if not mistaken, the above concept is already in the syllabus itself. The M.C.A. feels the principal, who made the remarks to her pupils, should be severely disciplined as she holds a leadership position in our society.

M.I.C. Secretary General Datuk T. Rajagopalu however says he sees no reason for the principal uttering such racialistic remarks, especially when Merdeka Celebrations are just around the corner. Insensitive remarks especially with the national celebrations approaching are beyond one’s comprehension.

Furthermore, her audience comprises the younger generation and our future electorates. With her comments, it looks likely as if the 1Malaysia concept has been sabotaged.

The M.I.C., it is believed, will support M.C.A. president call, that the principal who describes her non-Malay students of her school as penumpang or passengers in the country, be given a desk job and to receive counseling courses as well. It the above should happen, shame on her!

Meanwhile, Gerakan education and bureau chairman Mr. Lau Chin Hoon, has demanded a public apology from the principal for making such degoratory remarks to her pupils. He continued by saying, some form of deterrent penalty should be imposed. He urged the authorities to take steps to prevent such situations from worsening.

The best amongst the suggestions, I feel comes from the D.A.P. adviser, Mr. Lim Kit Siang.

I concur with Mr. Lim’s stern and no nonsense approach. Sack the principal for making such racist remarks. We cannot and must not tolerate such remarks in a multi-racial country such as ours. Our existence as a nation, in fact rests upon it.

As a parting shot, this article would like to state, “The severest disciplinary action must be taken against the principal, who is unfit to be in the education service of a multi-racial society.

As a teacher of driving school students, I am embarrassed of the lady principal. You do not deserve to be called a Cikgu at all! No Malaysian can forgive you for your utterances! You have let us all down badly. It augurs poorly for the concept of 1Malaysia which the nation’s leaders are trying to hard to achieve.