I finished church today and hang around, waiting for my choir practice.
This guy walked up to me. I am happy to see him because we had missed meeting up in church for a while already.
So, as I dig into my wallet for a few bucks for his lunch, I asked him, “Eh, that day you got go that big-big gathering at Rifle Range?’
He replied, “Omm orrghh” He has difficulty speaking and unless you have tuned into his wavelength, you won’t be able to understand what he said.
I have that feel good feelings. And I cheekily asked him, “Aiyorrr….why you don’t go? Big people come, got singing somemore. Out side your house only mah…”
He insisted he is not interested by waving his hands and continue to grunt that he is not happy.
Still not finished with my teasing, I told him, “I hear they give money you know? People said they give RM60. Yorrr…you don’t go, wasted already.”
He is adamant that he is not interested.
He is John. He is crippled, mentally challenged, he can read English, speak Bahasa Malaysia, loves God and is usually unkept because of his physical disabilities. But he is one of the most determine person with the highest level of principles. If someone hurt his feelings, he will feel disappointed and stay away from them. (I have a few private conversations with him and knew about it.)
He just touched 21 years old on February 21 (if I am not mistaken). I asked him if he voted but he didn’t. Must make mental note to see that he is registered as a voter. He will know who to vote in the next election. Certainly.
I pray that the new State Government will acknowledge that there are a lot of people who are very poor who live in Rifle Range who needs the Government’s help. People like John who lives in a one room flat infested with rats and stank of unclear rubbish. I am glad that my previous State Government who told the mainstream media that Rifle Range folks have higher living standards sudah tapau balik kampung.
And yes, I am evil and wicked that the night of concert we saw turned out to be a big slap to the ex-Gov. Even poor people have their own wills and cannot be bought with Ah Niu singing or all the big guns visit. To people like them who made the wise choice, I salute them. One of my reader told me the poor folks in Rifle Range each get RM60 and they donated RM10 to DAP at Han Chiang ceramah. Of course, this is hearsay only.
We must remember that these are the people who helped us get rid of a corrupted Government as they live in the densest populated area. They are the ones who voted in the new CM of Penang and Liew Chin Tong for the Parliamentary seat and I will make sure that they better live up to the promises of giving them a better living condition. Otherwise, the obnoxious 5xmom will have plenty of things to gripe.
I am jotting this down because I may forget them as the years pass by. But now that it is written on the net, the new Penang state government cannot run from what has been put online.
(John is being assisted by St. Vincent De Paul society for the poor and other well wishers. He tries to sell sweets to earn a living but people are usually turned off with his appearance.)
Lilian.. this election has also boosted your comment also d! wakkaka:D sure google ad sense extra d this month:D
whojen – LOL, traffic yes but adsense tarak lah cos the CTR only 0.6%. But I am not sure if Nuffnang can afford to pay me according to my band. LOL. I guess they go by the average lah.
I’ve seen John before at IC church. I think he told me he had a little candy stall at BJC. He said that to me a few years ago when I saw him at a bus stop in Jelutong and gave him a lift to BJC. I tried looking for the stall but have not found it.
hahah dun think nuffnang can.. if not timothy have to sell his car to support yours.. wkakaka:D
thx for the great update for the election
tv so slow and * lambat! lol
Time to send petition to new state govt for a fresh coat of paint and repairs š
People Power should not stop here but should continue to work unitedly and proactively to bring about real changes in every way we can. Let’s continue to give our support and trust to this new DAP & PKR government.
Thank you Lilian for your updates during this period.
9pek9bo – I think there is a clampdown going on now. All the influential sites are blocked already.
pablo – I wonder how soon before we can start to see changes.
whojen – They are still dishing up propogandas.
des – Ya, he has stopped selling because people normally won’t buy from him. He has difficulty bathing etc so not very pleasant for some people.
Dear Lilian,
Great that you highlight about this especially those poor people in Rifle Range. I too hope the new sate government will able to assist this poor people who also deserve a better quality in life. Do keep us posted.
Give them 1 year to do so š
And in 6 months time or sooner, they should start to korek korek all the dirt and expose them. We want accountability.
Hi there, am a relatively new reader of your blog. Your post abt John made me look thru your previous posts on him. And I gotta say I feel humbled. Sad.
And oh. I thought I was the only one silly enough to tear up while singing hymns during mass. Especially that line, “and I thank you Lord, for the trials that come my way…” Coz the Lord knows how much trials Ive been through. Almost seems as if the song is addressing how I feel.