Anthony Brookes Dies

As Salam..

As a person born barely 3 decades after independence, I admit that history surrounding how the nation got its Independence is still less understood by me. Not that I lack understanding in the road map on how the nation got its Independence, but the spirit, the emotion and energy by those people who were involved, wonders me. Those days, roads were lacking. Without roads, information will arrive late to the receiver. Today, information can reach the other side of the world in mere seconds through the cyber highway. Governments were brought down this way, and it is getting easier and more rampant.

Sometimes, I wonder, how would I be if I was born in those days.

One of the ways to really capture the energy of those rebellious days is to pick up a book. Real history books that narrates the true turn of events written by those who lived the time. History lessons in schools are the abridged version. Only essential materials are included just enough to make it understandable. History teachers are tied to finish up their lesson syllabus, thus making history which should be enjoyable as another feat of rot learning.

Pic by Alamy from The Telegraph.

What I would like to share in this post, is related to the history of Sarawak. Anthony Brooke, the heir to the throne of Rajah of Sarawak passed away on March 2nd at age 98. It is awkward that I am not well equipped on some of the facts about him and how he stands in the lineage of the Rajahs of Sarawak, as I read it in The Telegraph. To say the least, I am a bit embarrassed. I reckon, a person born in this land of the Hornbill should possess a good amount of knowledge on local history, particularly pertaining to the Rajahs of Sarawak till how the state formed Malaysia together with Sabah, Brunei, Singapore and Malaya. 

Some of the roads in Kuching were named after historical figures. For example, McDougall Road, Abell Road, Ellis Road, Crookshank Road, Deshon Road, Bampfylde Road, Ban Hock Road, Tun Ag Haji Openg and many others. Sad to say, I do not know most of these people. It must be something worthwhile to read up about them and their contributions to Sarawak that their names are etched in history as road names.

How do stand in history?

Where is it from?

The profession of doctors have been viewed as a noble one. Asked any first year medical student, for the reasons of choosing this line of study, almost all would answer, " ...to help people" or along that line. Therefore, it is up to the medical practitioner to uphold the sanctity of the the profession. Humility in the profession, will eventually be given 'pahala" or reward in this world or thereafter.

Doctors are bound to medical ethics. Without this codes of ethics, the system is exposed to risk of abuse. Risks may outweigh the benefits. Patients will suffer and be treated unjustly. When this happens, doctors too will be part of the blame. Humanity is jeopardised.

We know that thieves and robbers earn their income through unjust ways, which is stealing from other people. No matter if the rich steals from the poor or the poor steals from the rich, the main issue remains, stealing. The source of income is therefore illegal as it is derived from robbery, which is wrong. In the Islamic perspective, it is forbidden, or haram.

Doctors earns their income through the practice of medicine. Can the income be haram in the case of doctors? Yes it can when the doctors commit something illegal or forbidden in the practice of medicine. How is is illegal when the main purpose of practicing medicine, as heralded by first year medical student is to "...help others", one may ask? This is when medical ethics is breached. For example, conducting abortion which is not justified by any compelling reasons, supplying codeine or dextromethorphan containing cough syrup to abusers, and the list goes on. Even charging unnecessary medicine to patients that results in poly pharmacy can be a source for forbidden income.

As one of the speakers mentioned this morning over the radio, one who accumulate wealth illegally and forbidden in the face of the religion, will not lead a blessed (rahmat) life. They are bound to ripples of turmoil and vacuums even if they seem to be blissful in the outset.

So, where does your income comes from?

Integrity

Integrity is a very important trait in any person who does not live in seclusion. Thus, it is important in any person. 

Integrity involves honesty to some extend. The Online free Merriam Webster dictionary defines integrity as a state of incorruptibility, soundness and completeness.

There are many types of integrity such as the professional integrity, personal integrity or artistic integrity (Cox, La Caze et al. 2008). Having high integrity in one sphere does not guarantee a person to have equally high integrity in another sphere. 

Countries can be lost if integrity is loss. Rampant loss of integrity can bring down the government. Companies can lose billions if integrity of their staffs are in dire. Trust can be jeopardised if one’s integrity is questionable.

In human relations, the relationship between parents and children needs integrity. Without which, will lead to distrust between both parties. Most often, the children are affected, having a sense of distrust of their parents.

In the practice of medicine, issuing illegal medical certs to certify a person not fit to work on a particular day even though it is otherwise healthy is an example of poor integrity. The patient who is not genuinely sick may request that the doctor issue him the MC as he/she was late for work, or even “feeling lazy” as some patients would describe. The issue becomes complex if the patient put reasons such as needing to settle the summonses or to take care of their immediate family members who was admitted to the hospital to be absent from work. The medical cert is for genuine cases when the sick person comes for treatment and needs rest in the doctor’s professional opinion. It does not serve as a certificate to permit one to be absent from work to care for other people’s affair.

In the higher institution of learning, integrity is equally important. Lecturers and teachers must possess a certain level of integrity in carrying out their duties. Things that need to remain as a secret from other lecturers and students should remained as it is. Favouring another student for trivial and unjust reasons not related to academic work by merit should be thrown out. Even if the student is older than the lecturer or shares similar background such as attending the same school or state or having politically influential parents, it should not oppress the teacher to be a good facilitator of knowledge to other students. Illegal flings with students as a result of random attraction should not blind the lecturer’s view on the potential of other students under their care too.

Integrity test on one’s ability to refrain from opening the mouth unnecessarily as well. Gossiping is the lowest form of poor integrity. This is similar to rumour mongering. Not everything that is told should be inform to others. Most of the time, it should remained as a knowledge that is kept to one self. We should only inform others if the outcome does not benefit most parties or in other case, harmful.

Because of that, it is important to practice integrity. One of the method is to think before saying. It is easier said than done and needs continuous practice. 

I once received an email about a wise man who would ask himself 3 questions before speaking. However, it is not in my list and I can’t seem to find it in google. If I may recall, which I may be wrong, some of the questions are, 1) Is it valuable 2) does it benefit me? 3) Does it benefit others? Any negative answer to any of the questions will strike out the need to speak or inform and listen to the information that one was about to share.

Integrity makes trustable friends and honours a person. Loss of integrity makes new friends, but may not always be a friend in need.

Cox, D., M. La Caze, et al. (2008). "Integrity." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Fall 2008 Edition. Retrieved 10 March, 2011, from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2008/entries/integrity/.

               

Things that irks

As Salam..

Medical and health staffs are always being watched in every movement they make. An irritation no matter how small it is, will irk clients. Complaints will be made and a few sleepless nights will ensue. "Quieter" clients will remain quiet, and the richer ones will opt to go to the private centres to get their treatment.

I just got some complaints or "luahan perasaan" by some patients. Here are some of it, which I think not only affect the government hospital but also the other services. Not all the time, but infrequently you do get this.

• Doctor messaging in their mobile while consulting patients. A quick read on incoming messages is fine, but taking time to reply and then seem not focus on the attending patients is an insult.
• Doctors updating their facebook accounts. When patients approach them, they respond slowly, totally not focused. Although it has been blocked, some centres do provide streamyx broadband. Even if not so, their handphones have access to personal 3G band.
• doctor failed to explain  why a certain medication were given to them even after the patients asked them.
•  At times, when patients asked more, the reply from doctors are, "who is the doctor here? you or me?". This is very arrogant and rude indeed. Patients who read have access to the Internet, though not all are true and updated. It is your job to inform them.
• Doctor and nurses jollying and frolicking with each other in front of the patients and their relatives. Do you joke in front of the sick if they were your own parents?
• Do not consult others when unsure of the treatment. It is ok if the medical personnel or doctors do not know at times. It shows that they are honest. But, do consult other colleagues or specialist when if you are not sure, rather than giving out the wrong medication and kill the patients later on. 
• This is the best part.. doctors work like robots.. just continuing medications prescribed by the previous MO or specialist, even though an ailment is long gone or not there at all. This man was suspected to have pulmonary TB, which was confirmed negative on chest xray (reported by radiologist) and sputum AFB, yet, given full course of anti TB meds. Isn't that a waste on resources and the rakyat's money? Thus, the current moratorium on new medical school is the correct step taken.

Well, that was the account given by the patient. I have no idea what the story is on the other side. The question here is not about who is right or who is wrong. But how the current generation of government workforce should not be complacent when carrying out their duties. No doubt, things are improving. A friend from a private company mentioned before, if all the government service staffs are employed in his company, half will be fired within a year.

Please, rakyat didahulukan.

Dishonestly honest

As Salam..

Honesty is virtue, Yes, we all agree on that fact. However, we sometimes find it hard to be honest to other people, what more to ourselves. We deny ourselves to the actual facts and reinforce ourselves to the beliefs that we suscribed to. This can be done in response to disbelief. Sometimes, people are dishonest because of  personal gain. 

Recently, I found out that one of the hindrances of being frank and honest is the need to not deliberately offend the other person. This trait is very prevalent in our own  conservative society. Sometimes, it may be inappropriate to the point that it may be ridiculous (the other person is). I learned that people may be so tight up that their tongues may be tighter to tell and warn the other person on the harm he or she may get from playing with fire.

It is strange that the spirit within a solidarity can't be used to protect the whole herd. Brothers and members of a clan are supposed to look out for each other. Tell them if they are doing it wrong. Tell them even if it may offend them. Tactful words and proper explanations will let them see the light at the end and understand the reason on such direct-to-your-face tell. Ibn Hazm mentioned, "anyone who cares about your friendshp is willing to criticize you, while those who make light of your fault show they do not care" (1). 


There is a nice hadith that I came across in an article (1). The prophet said that the best companion is the person whose appearance reminds you of God, whose speech increases you in knowledge and whose actions remind you of the hereafter. It is really challenging to find these natures in a friend and companion of late. Appearance is most often  deceiving. Despite this, good thoughts towards a person is most welcomed. But, in the event of his or her canard acts, we are vindicated enough not to include them in our future communications. That said, forgiveness is still virtue and must be uphold at all times.

If you don't tell them of the things that puts them in the path of sin and evil, or about to bring rancour of others, they will not know and will never know. Once told, at least the decision they make after that is an informed one. Never think that by just keeping mum, while pretending as if nothing happened will keep away troubles. 

It just shows how dishonestly honest one is.

References:( Not according to the proper referencing method)
1. http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/purification-heart/the-best-companions/