Good Friday & Hymns

I think some of the best hymns that ever written were written on the theme of the cross, Christ's passion & death and what all these meant to us. Two of my favourites were penned by Issac Watts.

 Alas! and did my Savior bleed, 
and did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head
for such a worm as I?

Was it for crimes that I have done,
he groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
and shut its glories in,
when God, the mighty maker, died
for man the creature's sin.


But drops of tears can ne'er repay
the debt of love I owe.
Here, Lord, I give myself away;
'tis all that I can do. 

 When I survey the wondrous cross 
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all. 

Some people found the word 'worm' offensive in the 1st hymn and removed it and substitute it with 'sinner'. I prefer the original which is more graphic. The more wretched we see ourselves, the more precious will the grace of God be to us.

'Two things are needed to humble us. First, let us consider God in His greatness, glory, holiness, power, majesty and authority. Then, let us consider ourselves in our mean, abject, and sinful condition - especially our enmity against God, which still remains in our heart'. (John Owen)

Our response to His grace - Both the hymns come to the same conclusion. Ourselves, our lives.

Some other notable hymns on the same theme;

O, Sacred Head Now Wounded

The Old Rugged Cross

Hallelujah! What a Saviour

There is a Fountain

Value Investing - The Investment Philosophy That Works

(This is the unedited version of the article that appears in the Personal Money magazine, March 2008 issue)

I can’t remember when I actually started investing. It must be a few years after I’ve started working because what I earned the first few years was just enough to make ends meet. In addition, I bought a condo at the wrong time i.e. just before the Asian Financial Crisis. Due to the soaring interest rate, I was forced to borrow from my father to reduce the loan amount and negotiated with the bank for a fixed monthly payment.

However, I bought my first insurance policy during my first working year. It was not sold to me. I literally bought it i.e. I took the initiative to approach an insurance agent to work out a plan for me. Although I didn’t really have any dependants at that time, I felt that if something were to happen to me and it doesn’t result in death, I didn’t want to be a burden to my family.

Coming back to investments, I started off by buying unit trusts. I thought investing in unit trusts was a great idea. People pooling their money together and diversifying their risks through professional management. After a while it’s doesn’t seem to be moving anywhere. I made some money. I lose some money.

Then I started reading books about investments. John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, the 2^nd largest mutual fund in the US revealed to me what was wrong with my unit trusts investments. Cost. It was really costly to invest in Malaysian unit trusts then. Your investment will immediately go down by 5%-7% upon purchase of an equity fund. The unit trusts industry is now moving in the right direction by cutting its sales charge.

I started to invest directly in the stock market in 2001 after reading Peter Lynch. One of the tips he gave on how to pick stocks was ‘Visit the shopping mall’. See what kind of products people buy or what shops were always full with customers. Link them back to the companies that own these products or shops. I noticed Jaya Jusco in 1 Utama was always full of people during the weekends. It’s the same at the Jaya Jusco in Melaka whenever I visited my sister. I checked its market price. Low PE. There was little or no coverage by analysts. Another tip given by Peter Lynch was look for companies that are not covered by analysts. So Jaya Jusco was the first stock I bought at around RM3.00.

One more advice from Peter Lynch was to look at companies that are not glamourous or doing boring business but profitable. What could be more boring than a company producing nuts and bolts? That was why I bought into TONG HERR in 2003 at less than RM1.50. I don’t think there were many analysts covering the company at that time.

I began to slowly catch on with the concept of value investing having read Ben Graham and books about Warren Buffet. Value investing is really an investment philosophy. Lawrence Cunningham says it’s partly a state of mind and it is characterized by habitually relating the price of a stock to the value of the underlying business. I also subscribe to the Tan Teng Boo’s investment newsletter iCapital. Tan is one fund manager that practices value investing. iCapital.biz, a closed end fund managed by Tan has given investors a 160% (as of 31^st December 2007) return since its IPO in Oct 2006. I never believe in subscribing to IPOs but iCapital.biz was the only IPO that I’ve subscribed to.

Value investing is not an easy investment philosophy to follow. It demands a lot of patience, discipline and faith. Sometimes it doesn’t appear to work. But my faith in value investing paid off in 2007 after my portfolio made a return of 66.96%.

Lastly, let me share my IDEAL way of investing in the stock market. I – Ignore the madness of the crowd D- Disregard those Modern Finance Theories e.g. Modern Portfolio Theory, Efficient Market Hypothesis, beta etc E – Examine business, not markets A – Avoid market timing L – Look for diamonds in the rough, companies ignored by analysts. The above ideas are not original but the acronym is. I must admit there were times when I didn’t follow my own IDEAL. That was when I got into trouble. IDEAL + PATIENCE + DISCIPLINE = INVESTMENT SUCCESS Well, I still consider myself a novice when it comes to investing. No one can claim to be an expert unless he/she has gone through a stock market crash and survive.

A Moratorium

It has been an emotional rollercoaster week. From the highs of Saturday night / Sunday morning to the lows over Kit Siang's announcement about the Perak MB. I've published my comments in a few blogs. From asking people for more patience to asking Haris Ibrahim to form a new political party since this so called BR cannot work together.

Just read this from Sivin Kit's blog and I think it's the best advice I've heard in times like this. Otherwise I will lose my sanity. I need to think about the assignment on the Gospel of John which is due in May. Need to monitor my investments more closely. Made a lot of money last year but beginning to lose a lot this year also. Need to spent more time with my family instead of going from one blog to another.

Well, this blog will have a self imposed moratorium for sometime over political issues. Let our newly elected BR politicians have some space.

Before this moratorium starts, I would like to say that I think all the abuses and accusations that have been hurled at Lim Kit Siang have gone overboard. I was equally pissed off about his announcement but all the venom that was spewed would have 'killed' any ordinary mortal, at least emotionally. But I guess he is no ordinary mortal having on and off getting this for more than 40 years. Actually I was planning to write something about LKS but now it looks like it has to wait and I'm sure what I intended to write would have changed in light of what has happened these last few days.

Goodbye, Mr. Guna

It was just last week I saluted Mr. P Gunasegaram, the executive editor of the Edge Weekly over his column '10 steps to a freer and fairer elections'. Actually I wanted to end my post with 'I hope what he has written wouldn't cost him his job' or something to that effect.

Now I've just read his latest and final column 'Some election thoughts .....and goodbye' in the latest issue of the Edge written before the GE2008. Was he pressured to resign? All he has to say was 'After years of writing commentaries, I have been the opportunity, if you will, of doing something different, albeit in a modest - putting my money where my money is so to speak.'

O course, I don't expect him to reveal much. He may not have even been told to resign directly. Any journalist worth his/her salt and is true to his/her calling will resign if pressure is exerted on what you can or cannot write.

I also suspect his last column was not meant to see the light of day. He may have alluded to this by writing 'I owe a debt of gratitude to our editor-in-chief Ho Kay Tat, who consented to this column and I am sure took a lot of flak for some of the comments made here, often without even my knowledge'

After criticizing the EC for its last minute decision on the use of indelible ink, he predicted that the BN will retain its 2/3 majoirity and the most Kelantan would remain with PAS. I'm sure he is glad to have been proven wrong. Too bad we don't get to read how glad he was to have been proven wrong.

All the best Mr. Guna. All these years I've enjoyed reading your columns.

VR (Victory 4 Rakyat) Day - 8/3/08

A new dawn has descended upon this country. A dawn where the 3 major races are united in their fight against corruption, mismanagement, injustice & sheer arrogance. It is going to be a beginning where we don't have to identify ourselves as Malay, Indian, Chinese or other races. But only as anak bangsa Malaysia. Where everyone irrespective of race or religion will have a place under the Malaysian sun.

The above was only a dream on nomination day 2 weeks ago. I was at the nomination centre in PJ to lend my support. We had more flags than supporters. I knew it was going to be an uphill battle then. We had our first ceramah that night itself. The numbers that turned out was quite respectable compared to that of our opponent. Tony shared about his background. The next night the crowd was much bigger. Maybe because people knew Kit Siang was coming.

At the end of the week, when someone asked me what are our chances, I said 50-50. But after the 2nd MJ Cafe ceramah where the people stood their ground in spite of the heavy downpour, I knew we had the edge and especially our opponent made a fool of herself in the Malaysiakini interview. As the 2nd week of campaigning was coming to the close and seeing the mood of the people all round the country especially in Penang, I thought there should be no reason why Tony can't win. But the margin of victory left me completely astounded.

My only disappointment was not being able to be the polling and counting agent despite attending the training class very early on. Somehow my name has gone missing.

YB Tony - I have full confidence in you and all your other elected colleagues in Parliament & various State Assemblies.

Thank you Malaysians. Malaysians Boleh!

Chandra Muzaffar. You are also Rubbish! Proud to have you as my PM, Anwar!

Firstly, I would like to thank Chandra Muzaffar for being among those who first awakened in me my political consciousness, sense of justice and concern for those who are marginalized in the society. In my early teenage years, I've already been reading the Aliran Monthly. It was those articles by Chandra that must have laid the foundation for my thirst for Justice, Freedom and Solidarity.

Although I've stopped to take him seriously after he left Aliran and began to change his stance, never have it crossed my mind that he will stooped so low by attacking Anwar at this particular time. I was pissed off. I must confess that swear words filled my mind as I read his statement about Anwar. The betrayal is now complete.

I won't waste time rebutting him. Others have done so. You can read it here. (Media statement by Aliran, the social reform NGO he founded) or here (Wee Choo Keong who was barred from joining PKR by him) and here (Tian Chua, whom he encouraged to join PKR)

Suffice to say, he is now rubbish to me. Consigned to the same heap as Abdullah Badawi.

Earlier this week before reading what the rubbish has to say about Anwar, one of my cell group members emailed to all our members about Anwar. The gist of her email is 'Can Anwar be trusted knowing that he is also not clean in the past? Below was my response.

Anwar was no angel. That is a fact. In fact when he was in power I’ve heard some Christians even compared him to Antichrist because of the Islamization program he was pushing. But 6 years in prison on trump up charges would definitely changed a person. Either he has repented and will henchforth fight against injustice or just bidding his time to return to power and unleash his vengeance.

But given Anwar’s experience in the Government, he will surely realize that it’s almost impossible to break UNMO’s power and hegemony despite his optimism that he will lower petrol price once Keadilan forms the new Govt on 9/3/08. If he wants to return to power, the more realistic path will be to go back to UMNO and there were in fact certain quarters in UMNO who were courting him when he was released including the SIL, KJ. I’m sure with some political maneuvering he should be able to get in and get to the top again. UMNO certainly lacks a leader with charisma like Anwar.

Why then would he want to continue to be in the Opposition where the prospects are not bright? Why would he want to go round the country in a punishing schedule, often time speaking at 5 to 6 different places in a day. So I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he is sincere in moving the country to a brighter future. Though I’m a DAP supporter, I think Keadilan offers the best viable alternative to the present political structure. One that is not race based. DAP needs to reinvent itself and leave behind some of its baggages, but it is still one party that has consistently fight for our rights through thick and thin.

Just would also like to add that if he was corrupt, I'm sure Mahatir and his enemies could have easily found the evidence to nail him. They don't have to resort to those ridiculous charges to do him in.

UMNO is more afraid of PKR than DAP & PAS combined because PKR's success will mean the end of their gerrymandering to win seats. It will signal the end of race based politics which is the raison d'etre for parties like UMNO, MCA & MIC. So is Anwar irrelevant?

We have been deceived for 4 years. Well, I don't mind being deceived by someone who is eloquent, articulate, knowledgeable, full of charisma and respected in the international arena. But I certainly don't want to continue to be deceived by a sleepy idiot. That will make me an even bigger idiot!

So Mr. Anwar, I'll be proud to have you as my Prime Minister!

Tony Pua for Parliament! (2)

Just came back from Tony's ceramah at SS2. Thoroughly soaked by the downpour but thoroughly satisfied as well. A foreigner who happens to be in Malaysia and doesn't know about the coming election can be forgiven if he/she thinks that a rock concert was about to take place in SS2. I arrived slightly before 8.30pm and already I have to stand so far behind that I could hardly see the speaker. Not too sure who he was. If I'm not mistaken he looked like Cheras MP, Tan Kok Wai.

Lau Weng San, the candidate for DUN Kpg Tunku was the next speaker. Crowd continue to swell. By the time he finished and it was announced that RPK was the next speaker, a big round of applause went up, very much like welcoming a celebrity. Of course in a sense RPK is a celebrity.

That was when the sky began to open up. Up went dozens, then hundreds of umbrellas. Most of the crowd stood their ground. RPK said that we are already used to acid rain, so what can this rain do to us? He asked whether he should continue as by now the heavy rain has turned into a downpour. Even with umbrellas, most of us were soaked. The crowd replied with a resounding 'Yes'.

Next came Tony. Even before he went on stage, chants of Tony! Tony! Tony! resounded through the crowd. By now it was past 10.30pm. The rain has stopped. The crowd was even bigger than when I first arrived. Half way through his speech, Tony announced the arrival of Fong Po Kuan. Now the crowd started to chant Po Kuan! Po Kuan! Po Kuan!. When she went on stage cameras started flashing away. Tony and her posed for the press. It was a bit like some well known HK actor and actress went on stage. First time I heard her speak. Well, she was not called 'cili padi' for nothing. By 11.30pm she told the crowd she is sorry as she has to leave to rush to Bukit Bintang for another speaking engagement. I also took my leave.

I'm not going to relate what each speaker has spoken but my purpose is to convey a bit of the atmosphere of the ceramah. One word. Electrifying!


Below is a comment left on Tony's blog by one Anon

Hi Tony,

I'm a Rafflesian and I have been following your election campaign.

Sorry to be blunt, but I feel you have wasted your talent by choosing to return to Malaysia. What can you achieve even if you manage to get into Parliament ?

Had you stayed in Singapore, your prospects are much better. There are many Malaysians in Singapore's Parliament now like our Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan was previously from Penang.

It's a real pity. Stop wasting your time and energy on racist Malaysia!

This is my response

S'pore is nothing without Malaysians' (Lim Kit Siang)

I hope Tony will make a great example and inspiration to those Malaysians in S'pore to come back and fight to reclaim our beloved country from people who are raping and plundering it.

So PJU voters, can you see how important your vote for Tony is? It goes beyond just putting him into Parliament. After all he is only one person. But by voting him into Parliament, you may be able to bring back 10 or even 100 'Tony Puas' from across the globe.

We have a choice not to be branded as racist Malaysia.

Therefore I appeal to you PJU voters, vote for Tony Pua so that many more 'Tony Puas' will be encouraged to return to help rebuild our beloved nation. Let Tony know that he has not wasted his talent by returning to Malaysia.

Arise Anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia of PJU and vote one of your own into Parliament! He will not only serve your community but most important of all he will not remain silent when your rights and the rights of all Malaysian irrespective of race and religion are being trampled upon.

I salute you Mr. Guna!

I wish I could reproduce the entire article by P Gunasegaram, one of the executive editors of the Edge Weekly, '10 steps towards freer and fairer elections' for the benefit of those non subscribers. I'll just reproduce the 1st sentence of the 10 steps here.

1. Putting emphasis on proportional representation
2. An independent election commission
3. Disallow early elections unless there is a no confidence motion in Parliament
4. Mandate a campaign period of at least two months under the law.
5. Allow rallies without the need for permit
6. A free and fair press
7. Equal and fair air time
8. Non abuse of government machinery for elections
9. Transparency in funding and restriction in the amount of money used
10. Non-interference and independence of all government agencies

He concluded ....'unless we get a statesman as a leader, there is no chance that things are going to change drastically anytime soon. Sad!'

Yes, it's sad because we don't have a statesman as our country's leader. What we have is rubbish.

Here is someone who writes without fear or favour. So unlike Wong Chun Wai from the Star, chief apologist to the BN. Where is your conscience Datuk Wong?