Giving up on the system but not the principle

When I was retrenched in January 2002, my colleagues and I protested. Actually, our protests led to our retrenchment to begin with. We cried that it was unjust, and that it was an attempt to victimise union members in the organisation. Long story short: four of us filed for wrongful dismissal, lost at the Industrial Court; then three of us filed for a judicial review because we could see that the decision of the IC had totally sidelined our case and evidence. Unfortunately we lost again. My co-claimant said the judge seemed like he had not even read our lawyer's submission.

We still think we were wronged by the company and hold that it was unfair dismissal. Sigh. We join many thousands of people who feel the courts are there to defend the strong, not the powerless. The thought of going the next step, which in our hearts we know we should do because we are in the right, is daunting and discouraging. Admit defeat now? Is there a winner? What does it mean to the winner? To the loser?

Anyway, in the early days post-retrenchment, when I vented my frustrations to my mother, she would say that had the retrenchment not happened, I would have still been in the organisation and not moved on. (Maybe, there were more retrenchments later in the company, and re-recruitment too) But she was mostly right. The retrenchment led me to CIJ, which for financial reasons led me to the UNDP, where I met Soeren, who supported me in CIJ, which then brought me to SEAPA.

I have read many places about the crossroads, that, no matter what you choose, it will lead you somewhere. Its not the crossroads itself but what you do with the path that is in front of you. But would I have known that by standing on Jalan 51/217 Petaling Jaya holding placards 9 years ago would lead me to being part of a regional network of press freedom advocates on Thoetdamri Road Bangkok? No.

Back to the court case. There were those who dismissed our case from the beginning and told us to “move on”. We have moved on alright, my friends and I. And I am proud for I've done. I did not sit at a mamak stall night in and night out, complaining about my fate. I did what was provided for me by law, exercised my right to seek justice. We lost, but that is a risk one has to take when you want to defend yourself. But I will accept that maybe it is time to end the fight. And in a way, I feel I am in a better position, because on several ocassions in the past, I have had the opportunity to speak out in defence of the company where press freedom was concerned. I found my peace with the organisation a long time ago, it was the principle of justice that I held on to, and will still do.

So this was pretty much my train of thought this evening, walking home from the office, after the rain, after my colleagues had their year end performance review and me listening to Zubir Ali's Harga Diri. Melancholy.

Settling in, in Krung Thep

With the King's Birthday and a resumption of the red shirts demonstration, I have begun my stint in Bangkok, or Krung Thep. I'm getting into the thick of things and will be travelling in the region mainly in January to meet the Board members who are in the Philippines and Indonesia. In a way, because I have been working SEAPA through CIJ for the last 8 years, the settling in is a little easier. My colleagues are great and I had a very warm welcome. My probation period includes a study trip of the organisation and I will be meeting the Board members also in Manila and Jakarta next month, after having a good session with the two members here in Thailand.

Thailand is always interesting, but especially so now. On the one hand, the developments frustrate the democratic process, but on the other, the situation presents the people with alternatives and new approaches that we hope through our work will contribute towards a peaceful transition. At this point, I'll keep it to that: Article 112 of the Penal Code and the Computer Crimes Act – I need some time to familiarise myself with, and negotiate those limitations:)

I live quite close to the office, which makes it convenient for the daily tasks, including going to the local supermarkets and market. Only downside is there is no Ikea here:( I can't get my favourite shelves that line my apartment in Malaysia! I'm enjoying my apartment, though its way smaller than my abode in Malaysia but it has some nice features tht I could get used to. Its low rise, and is cosy (can get tough in the morning when school kids from the next street shout the national anthem early morning!) This is view from the living area and part of the kitchen. You can see the trees by the dining area – that's where I do my morning birdwatching.

Without sounding like a hermit, my daily companions especially in the mroning at the kitchen window are the crimson-crowned flowerpecker, a pair of bulbuls (still trying to ID them though I'm inclined to settle for yellow vented) and a pair of the oriole; the pied fantail that absolutely loves the swimming pool and puts up a real good show; the koel in the distance and the oriental magpie. (And I was writing this, a pair of sunbirds(?) decided to make an appearance!) I plan to visit the parks that are not too far away to start my practice again, and then attempt the recommended sites for birdwatching outside of Bangkok. I need a zoom camera!

As far as my lingo skills are concerned, I can give directions to the cab driver (to the left, to the right and straight on; vegetarian food; and numbers 1-10 – I found some similarity to one of the Chinese dialects, so that makes it a little easier).

I'm hoping to catch up with some old friends after Christmas but I also expect that the pace will pick up quickly in the New Year.

And thanks to my colleague, have found the great spots for books - second hand and old copies at ridiculously cheap prices!

Will be back for a week in CIJ in KL next week to sort out transition and handover issues. Will miss the CIJ gang:(

I should have written about the India trip but have been struggling with the details. Some day.....

Note/Corrections: its the scarlet backed flowerpecker and the crimson backed sunbird (the male and female pairs for both).