Newsletter LT12 #4

Sunday, January 22, 2012 yueesun 0 Comments

1. Chinese New Year Dinner
2. Yayasan Khazanah LSE Alumni Book Prize
3. Malam Bakti 2012
4. Malaysia Headlines

Legend:
   Pressed for time? READ ME!

Hang Tuah: Truth or Myth?

Did Hang Tuah really exist? This particular topic is now one of the hottest debate in Malaysia after historian Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim commented that there is no written records of Hang Tuah, Princess Hang Li Po and Hang Jebat. As Malaysians, as part of our education requirement, we have learnt about the bravery of Hang Tuah in our textbooks. He was illustrated as a ferocious fighter, a loyal 'laksamana' and a hero who sworn by the famous words: "Takkan Melayu hilang di dunia” (Malays will never vanish from the earth). Once word came out that all these stories we've learnt were just myths, many people questioned about the authenticity of the history we've learnt. However, "twitter user Imran Syed Jaffar said it was pathetic that some Malaysians were arguing about Hang Tuah's authenticity. “Even Indonesians acknowledge his existence. (Is this an) effort to discredit Malay history?”" It was said that some people questioned Hang Tuah's existence due to many stories depicting him as someone with inhuman strength and mysterical powers.

Another big question was did Princess Hang Li Po exist? In the Sejarah Melayu, Princess Hang Li Po was described as a China princess, who soon became the wife of Sultan Mansur Shah. There was no records of her in the Ming Dynasty Chinese books. Josephine Chua also made a suggestion that it was unlikely that the Chinese emperor would allow any of his children to become the concubine or the fifth wife of a Sultan.

Political scientist and historian Dr Farish A Noor finds the whole debate incredibly silly. He finds that "the role Hang Tuah played in the shaping of political and social consciousness in Malaysia is more important". He strongly believes that Hikayat Hang Tuah should still be taught in school. Hang Tuah, the person who stands above narrow ethnic and political loyalties, and sees the human race as his family and the world as his home should be respected and remembered.

Don't Sit Too Long!

Health Physician Dr Abed Onn warns that back aches is one of the most common work-related ailments. This is based on his own experience as a doctor, and not on reliable statistics. However, he comments that back aches is one of the major reasons for lack of productivity and suffering. He stresses that not only does the older generation gets it, but so does many young adults. As Dr Seow puts,“Poor sitting posture, poor office ergonomics (designing of equipment to fit the human body), wrong lifting techniques and prolonged sitting can cause sprains and undue strain to your back.” There are various treatment techniques: resting more, stretching, medication, taking breaks in between sitting. As a last resort, surgery could also be an option.

Of course, "prevention is better than cure". So, please resist from sitting down too long!