And You Wondered Why They're Jobless
Someone please tell those dudes at the government offices that implementing English zones needs a little more than posters and nice words. There's also the thing about dedication, and sincerity. And everything needs effort.
You were wondering why 50,000 of graduates are jobless? I'm wondering why the heck does a government office need so many employees when private MNCs are carefully selecting the 'right person' for the job. I suppose its probably really a matter of creating jobs for the market. And you know what? I really don't think these people appreciate the fact that jobs have been created for them. You ought to see them walk, they just saunter down the corridor while people like yours truly are waiting agitatedly for the documents to get certified.
'Cik boleh tak tolong dik...'
'ezcuz me this is English zon...'
'Oooh... okay could you help me... I've got this thing here that I need to get stamped and signed by an official...'
Stares blankly at me. Looks at my documents... 'Why is this in ... BI .... errr ... not in .... BM?'
Like WTF??!!! 'Errr... it's in BM. See..'
'Oh... eerr... yes.... errr.... sorry...'
'You know you've got an error in your English zone posters. It says Selected Service Counter instead of Selected Service Counters.'
'Errr...cakap sekali lagi?'
'Never mind.'
You know what's funny? The swish swish swish of the woman's baju kurung really gets to you you know... and then you wonder why on earth are you bothered with taking a whole day's leave, rushing to god-forsaken ends of the earth trying to get your documents certified when there's so many people in the office walking around, laughing around, all you need is two signatures on two xeroxed copies, you walk into the official's room, he's looking mighty busy at an almost empty desk and that guy asks you to, 'OK. Tinggalkan kat sana, pergi kaunter, nanti I bagi.'
And then you wait for a WHOLE fucking hour just to get two pieces of xeroxed copies stamped and signed. And then they say things about the private market not willing to give them chances and opportunities to prove their validity... when here I am, a recent entry into the private working environment, visiting a government office and getting frustrated over something so simple.
I know why there's bureaucracy now... there's just so many people they're employed, they've just have to create little flow in chores for them. Otherwise, what's the point of paying them?
The scary thing is, we're paying them. That's where our taxes go mind you. If I wanted to be racist, like how some people would go, they'll label them 'Malays', it's typical of them to be lazy. Maybe eight months ago I would say the same thing, because, now, let's be honest here, 99% of workers in government offices are Malays, and who's going to argue with me that they do seem terribly lethargic and slow-mo?
Maybe you'd like to come to a publishing firm, where there's no time to stoop for a rest even. The Malays in my company are the most hardworking people I've ever seen... and these people ARE certainly not jobless. Then, I see the great big divide... those people and these people. And I'm left hapless flailing in the middle as part of a more 'privileged' minority, so privileged that I'm not entitled to better education rights.
Anyway, I stopped complaining the moment I saw the Malays in my company. Right now? I'd respect that waiter working at the Chicken Rice Shop over a government service counter officer anytime. At least (s)he knows what 'service' means, and doesn't make my stomach wait.
