Thesun 2008-11-05 Page18 Citizen Nades Suffer The Majority

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speak up! TO most Malaysians, the name Dr Hasnat Khan may not ring a bell. The majority of Britons and followers of the royal family have described him as a man of pure and indisputable class who has high morals and principles; virtues that no other “gentleman” in Princess Diana’s life ever had – be it a lover or servant. He’s about the only one who resisted financial offers to write or talk about her and has maintained his integrity and loyalty. He is the man Diana famously described as “Mr Wonderful” – the undisputed love of her life. His liaison with Diana has filled a few thousand pages in the tabloids in UK, and even till today, he maintains that it is a private matter and should not be discussed. Attempts to get him to speak have been scoffed at. When I first asked him, he said: “I could have made a million pounds selling my story. That’s not me. I will not talk about something private in public.” That’s why he is held in high esteem by the British media. Ten years after the crash that killed Diana, Dr Khan came to our shores to start a new life, leaving the sad memories behind. But he almost went back getting the impression that our land is filled with people

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TELLING IT AS IT IS Acting Editor-in-Chief: Chong Cheng Hai Consultant Editor: Zainon Ahmad Executive Editor: Lee Boon Siew Deputy Editor: Patrick Choo (Production), Editor: R. Nadeswaran (Special Reporting)

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Suffer the majority flew to Kuala Lumpur. As usual, who can’t honour their promises there were the run-arounds, the and that contracts can be broken excuses and the like. at the drop of a hat. Disgusted, he picked up He had been given an theSun at a 7-Eleven store employment contract to head in Subang Jaya on the eve of the cardiac unit of a yet-to-be his departure. Coincidence opened private hospital. If he was or otherwise, he read this not already a “celebrity” in the columnist lamenting on the medical profession, he was wellmassive spending on Paya known in the UK as a proficient Indah Wetlands and that nobody cardiac surgeon. When the offer came, he put up his house for CitizenNades had been held accountable for millions that was poured into it. rent, sold his BMW and headed by R. Nadeswaran A phone call and we met for Malaysia. An estate agent up. That was October last year. found him a cosy apartment in Unlike the people he had dealt with over Subang in what he then believed was going his supposed employment, he discovered to be a long stay in Malaysia. the other side of most Malaysians. They Two days before he was set to fly, he were friendly, kind and sympathetic to received an email, telling him that his what he was going through. Some even “contract” had been terminated. Having offered help. His circle of friends expanded booked and paid for his air-ticket and with and in one of the many meetings we a furnished apartment waiting for him, he had in Kuala Lumpur and London, Dr Khan remarked: “If I had not stopped to pick up some drinks and picked up your newspaper, I would have returned to London with a different impression of Malaysia and its people.” From friends, the good doctor learnt about work permits, compulsory registration with the Malaysian Medical Council and other requirements which had to be met before he could hold a scalpel in his hands in the operating theatre of a Malaysian hospital. But he was told: “Everything is in order. Just fly in.” Taking what was said in good faith, there were no second thoughts. Two weeks of soaking up Malaysian hospitality and making friends – scores of them – he left our shores and returned to England where it was a reverse process – finding a job, finding a house and buying a car. When he was settled, he returned to Malaysia in June not expecting anything from anyone – he just wanted to meet the many friends he made in Malaysia during his sojourn.

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On Sunday, we met again in central London – he reflecting his appreciation to the many strangers who became his friends; this writer lamenting the fact that the “ugly Malaysian” syndrome cannot be contained wherever he goes. The thousands who are illegally staying and working in London have prompted the Home Office to consider imposing visas for Malaysians. As usual, the majority is paying for follies of the minority. But conmen dressed in business suits and pinstripes start only with grandiose projects (nothing less than a few million), – nothing less. They have neither the expertise nor the money – just the gift of the gab. “I’ve got the financing ... Datuk So and So gave one call to the bank and it was done ...” they would say. They embark (not invest) into all kinds of ventures – hospitals, flying schools, bio-diesel projects, high-tech studios and the like. They introduce themselves as neuro-surgeons, high-flying sports experts, retired pilots and even drop big names – cabinet ministers (past and present). But it’s a pity that many of them escape the long arm of the law. Some disappear, never to be seen again; a few with thick hides still appear looking sheepishly at the guests in the cocktail circuits while some “brighter” ones emigrate to Canada or Australia with dubious credentials to “export their expertise”. Not that these countries have lax regulations, but as usual, they continue to test the same dubious methods which had been used in the past. Dr Khan, fortunately, has not forgotten the horrendous episode in Malaysia. But he has not forgotten the many kind souls. Like the majority, he has time for Malaysia and its people (he’s coming back in February for a holiday). That’s a welcome respite for most of us. R. Nadeswaran is unhappy that globally, Malaysians are making a name for themselves for all the wrong reasons. He is editor (special and investigative reporting) and can be reached at: citizen-nades@ thesundaily.com.

letters

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Hard work pays I REFER to “Sharing the economic cake”(letters, Oct 31). I do not think that Malaysians of Chinese descent have some magical formula to do well in life. We are just Malaysians who are willing to work hard for our living. I think in this time and age, the seeds of hope for a better Malaysia have begun. But it needs to continue with us as individuals and communities trusting in spite of the seeds of fear, distrust and awkward statements we keep reading in the newspapers. We have minds and bodies of our own to do much good as a common people. We have the power to vote out anybody who sows the seeds of discontent and exclusive politics for themselves. And we also have

the will to vote in any person who struggles for a successful and united Malaysia. These are the people who are our nation’s true patriots. All of us need to stop and ask ourselves at a macro level, “Who are these people who are teaching us to distrust and what have they shared with you from their wealth to earn that support from you?” And we also need to reflect and ask ourselves at a micro level, “What has the other person walking past you on a street ever really taken away from you for you to want to disenfranchise them?” I am for peace and hope. Nick V Kuala Lumpur

Sharp eye on extensions THERE is no easy way to tell which extension to a house or a commercial building is erected legally or otherwise in Subang Jaya. Most construction takes place in full view of the public but there is no notice put up at the site to inform the residents of the project. The local authorities often turn a blind-eye to these extension works. Many extended portions of end-lot shop buildings in Subang Jaya are used as eateries, coffee shops, motor workshops, etc. There were news reports recently that the Subang Jaya Municipal Council had demolished a few illegal extensions to houses. It is unfair for the council to victimise

house owners who had put up extensions for a car porch or added a little more room to a cramped kitchen. The house owners should be given time to submit the necessary plans for the extensions to make them legal. The council should instead go after the owners of shops and commercial buildings with illegal extensions. They only need to spend a few minutes walking in SS12, SS13, SS14, SS15, SS18, SS19 and Taipan business centres. Almost all these extensions are on government reserve land. Lau Bing Subang Jaya