Creative Writing Competition - In the mind of suicide bomber

Second Place : By M.K. Lim

     It was a rainy day, but the water spilling on the ground was neither colourless nor odourless. Thick red fluids with a smell that could take your appetite away was thickening, sipping into Mother Earth. The only thing left to be done was mourn. Days of smiles and laughter were too long gone that no one can remember how to even fake a smile. All that was left were fear, anxiety, hunger and pain. It was the time of war.

     War can never really be over. Even when it ends in reality, the image runs wild alive in memories. People who lived in a war zone are different from those who grew up in peace. The survival instinct are much sensitive. Similarly vengeance lurks everywhere. When one loses his family, friends and everything around him, one loses his existence. When existence are erased, what else is there to look forward to? If it is going to end, might as well end it with a purpose.

     With a purpose of vengeance, one are more than willing to implant dynamites as organs to repay the damages that was once done. As mentioned, if life has to end, better end it with a sign of warning, threat and power than to end it annonymusly.

     Pain and hatred are lovers.They come together in every way. When one hates too much, the pain is unbearable. Why bear the pain so bad, when it is just one click and a loud bang to end it all? BOOM!! Goodbye hatred. Goodbye pain. Goodbye pitiful soulless life.

     No one to share your life with. In the midst of a crowd, all that comes into mind was images of those long gone. Blood path everywhere. All that was left standing no longer have watery eyes but eyes of lost and loneliness. If love cannot drive a person crazy, loneliness can. Imagine being trapped in an island, with no animals or human, Your best friend would be a soccerball. Trapped in a life, the old lady cleaning your room could be your next lover. So, loneliness drives out ones most crazy intentions.Even if it means the end of everything, wouldn't it be better? At least this ending does not carry loneliness with.

     All that feelings and thought are just too much for a 5' 2" inch man to bear. It's a no wonder he ended up exploded in a subway, not physically, but mentally. All that was too much for anyone to bear, This ending, may not br a happily ever after. However, a big BOOM and splash and crash served all the purpose. Vengeance is sweet, Pain, hatred and loneliness no longer lingers and a message and warning was sent, delivered. A click and it ended happily ever after with a BANG.

Creative Writing Competition - In the mind of suicide bomber

First Place : By K.M. LEW

  Suicide bomber intended to cause a huge spread of damage or kill another, in which the attacker expected to die at the end of the process.

     Kamikaze is one type of the suicide bomber. Their tactics is actually a ritual act of self-sacrifice by the state military forces. These suicide attacks, carried out by Japanese kamikaze bombers, were used as a military tactic aimed at causing material damage in the war.

     The kamikaze best shown in the attack on pearl harbor back in 1940’s. In these attacks, airplanes were used as flying bombs. Planes often laden with explosives, bombs, torpedoes and full fuel tanks. And these pilots were prepared to die in the suicide attacks. But what it is really in their mind?

     These suicide bombers aren’t psychos or abnormal beings; sacrificing their life just like that. Instead, they  thought that, a person die is better than the whole nation, which mean they will do more than putting of their people at stake. Those pilots, for example, if their sacrifice can save their nation, people by winning the war, there is no doubt for them to have a second thought on it.

     Though these suicide attacking are inhuman but, back in the olden days, to conquer another, they have to sacrifice everything in order to achieve victory.

     Japanese armed forces were indoctrinated with the following five-point oath. Few of it, which includes, a soldier must make loyalty his obligation, propriety his way of life and have high esteem military valour. They were all well-trained to fulfil the 5 oaths. Because of these oaths, kamikaze will always be the most effective and most harmful attacks for them as their people are ready to sacrifice. When the planes were out of bombs, final resort of attacking ways is to crash the whole plane to their enemies most important database.

     What about just a normal suicide bomber? Are they psychologically abnormal? There must be something which motivates them to do so.

     Some did it just to revenge. When people came to an extend which they really give up everything and totally do not put hope in life. They might actually seek revenge to the frustrator and end their life along with them. In a way, they can end their life and also can seek revenge.

     You can roughly know what is the thinking of the suicide bomber if you understand their situation and put yourselves in their shoes.

Scholarship in Singapore

By M.K. Lim

 
Singapore Scholarship 
Singapore has been known to have many scholarships for students from the ASEAN countries. Talented and academically gifted students are able to continue their studies in Singapore to develop their potential and equip them with skills that will enable them to confidently step into the new millennium.

The ASEAN Scholarships lead to the award of the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education ‘Advanced’ (GCE ‘A’) Level (or equivalent) certificates. Outstanding students who perform well in the GCE ‘A’ Level (or equivalent) Examination may apply for the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarships offered by the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University or Singapore Management University.

There are a few qualification needed for a student to apply for the scholarship

1. Citizens of ASEAN countries (except Singapore).
2. Have an outstanding academic record, a good command of English and meet the entry requirements for NTU, NUS and SMU.
3. Completed Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) or completed General Certificate of Education Advanced Level with a pass in English and 3 other 'A' level subjects or completed UEC examinations

 How to Apply :
 Get the Singapore Scholarship application form from 

  Singapore High Commision
  Consular Section, 209 Jalan Tun Razak
  50400 Kuala Lumpur.
  Tel: 03-2161 6277 

          or 

   download a soft copy from website www.mfa.gov.sg/scp

Applicants will be required to submit a typed written essay of about 300 - 500 words.Applications must be endorsed and submitted by

  Public Service Department Training Division
  Parcel C, Block C1, Aras 5,
  Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
  62510, Putrajaya. Tel: 03-8885 3387

Further information, click on website: www.mfa.gov.sg/scp  
         or 

  write to :


  The Singapore Scholarship
  Technical Cooperation Directorate
  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanglin
  Singapore 248163
  Tel: (65) 6379 8000 Fax: (65) 6479 3357
  
  Email: mfa_scp@mfa.gov.sg

Leo Bookstore

By M.K. Lim


Georgetown, PENANG : A bargain bookstore has just opened in Penang Island last month.

     This bookstore that focused on selling high quality second handed books and bargain books.

     In this bookstore, owning books are made affordable.

     Despite being in Penang for only approximately three months, the bookstore has been widely known.

     This is mainly because Leo Bookstore does not only offer affordable bargain books but also old high quality books that are not longer published.

     Name a book and the owner help you own them.

     Book lovers will find haven in this bookstore.

     "I love reading but sometimes I felt a little obliged to buy certain books as they are so expensive but now my problem is solved," commented a happy 16 year old Chuah Teng Hock while purchasing four storybooks home.

     The owner of Leo Bookstore said "I am doing this not only for the money but also for the interest because I like reading myself and I know how hard it is sometimes when you cannot find books that are already no longer publishing."

     Book lovers who are staying in Penang Island can easily find this bookstore on the First floor of Island Plaza.

The details of the bookstore are as follows :


Address :
Lot 1-25, First Floor, Island Plaza,
118 Jalan Tanjong Tokong, 10470 Penang.

Tel : 04-899 8911
Fax : 04-890 8912
Email : leobookstore@gmail.com

Operation hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday : 11.00am - 9.00pm
Sunday : 12.00pm - 7.00pm

Creative Writing Competition - In a rapist mind

Second Place : By K.M. LEW

     Every year, there will always be a column for rape cases in the newspapers. Victims will always have a hard time baring with the consequences. But, what is it in a rapist mind?

     Anger in a rapist can drove him to commit crime. A mind full with anger can actually make a person to think more pessimistic towards things around him. And he might just displace his aggression on someone else instead of the frustrator itself. It is sad to see that when they put all their frustration on an innocent victim who know nothing about it.

     Furthermore, it is about power and control. Someone might feels that there is little control in other areas of his life and thus, there is a need for him to seek for the power to control over something. Rape, can actually gives him the power to control over the victim. For example, the rapist has the right and control whether to let the girl go or do anything he wanted towards the victim. The sense that, he decide what to do and when to do. No one is there to control and judge him for his acts. And this can actually reduce the stress and depression had in the rapist.

     In addition, the rapist is a sadist, which they enjoy and gain pleasure by inflicting pain or watching pain inflicted on others. They enjoy seeing the pain in the victim; and love to see them begging for help. The rapist will never care about what and how the victim feels. They are like, dehumanizing them.

     Besides, what makes them to commit the rape might also due to the past experiences or hostile childhood experience. For example, the rapist might have a bad childhood experience such as been abused when he was young, or being sexually harassed can also lead to hostile attitude when he grow up. 

     Last but not least, the hatred towards women. Hostile childhood and past experiences can also lead to  the hatred towards women. Sometimes, man rape not because the need for sexual pleasure but just the prejudice he had on women. When a man had this kind of hatred towards women, and thus, they might actually have a certain attitudes and behavior towards women. It is not surprise that they can displace their aggression on those women whom they hated.

     You can never know what goes inside the mind of a rapist and when a rapist would commit the crime.