Speak (Or Write) No Evil

It's been a while since my last posting, and this is not a good sign for a newbie like me. Well, I was actually midway into a new posting but decided to ditch it. The entry, which was not to be, was inspired by a news article I read about French President Nicolas Sarkozy's administration.

After considering that the topic could veer into unchartered, dangerous waters, I thought the better of it. From the outset, AideSpeak is not meant to be a SoPo blog, and as far as possible, I will avoid the topic. Which brings me to the subject of the day: The Aides' Great Restraint.

Working for a top politician, we aides have to be super-cautious with what we say. Every single word, will one way or another, be linked to the boss. Receiving an SMS which reads: "My god, did u read what OKC said in da papers?!!!! how can?" usually does not warrant a reply. Or the safest response could be: "Noted, tq."

Going beyond that, and one will be treading on a political minefield. Whatever personal opinions on the subject is best left unshared. Words from those directly linked to the boss (like yours truly) has an uncanny way of getting around.

The last thing you want is the grapevine abuzz with talk like: "Did you hear what the Minister's aide said about so-and-so?" Worse, if such words reach the boss' ears.

And then, there is also the legals aspects. Being a civil servant, I am bound by the General Orders and the Official Secrets Act. I have to be mindful that the moment I blurted out something which I should not, it could well land me in jail.

Hence, the lesser I speak on work-related matters, the less likelihood that I will say the wrong things.

In a sense, it's quite frustrating, especially being an ex-journalist where I thought of nothing when shooting my mouth off on current issues.Now, I have to exercise a great deal of restraint.

It's not easy looking for "neutral" words when conversations stray into contentious topics. "Really?", "interesting..." and "I'll inform the boss" are my more common ones.

Sometimes, I have to put up an expressionless face when deep down, I wanted to rip the person's guts out simply because I so totally disagree with him or her.

It gets easier if it's text messages. You have more time to choose your words and the communication is devoid of any visual giveaways like body language and facial expressions.

The same rule applies even to family members. One of them just asked me if so-and-so will be made a Minister. My reply to him was the same as I would to others: "I don't know". First of all, I genuinely do not know. Although I could make an educated guess, I was not quite prepared to share those views as yet.

Ok, I guess enough has been said on this topic. Better stop before I blurt out something I should not...

Fire-fighting

It's bloody exhausting fighting fire. It is, it is, it is...

Of late, my boss has come under intense media scrutiny over some decisions he made. I am not here to discuss the merits of what he has done. But each time the media put him under a microscope, it feels like a tonne of bricks just came crashing down on my shoulder.

All of a sudden, your stress level rises exponentially. Each and every news item need to be thoroughly scanned. Sometimes, a reaction is warranted. The worst is dealing with those who already have preconceived notions about certain issues and who simply refuse to open up to any other opinions except their own.

All these sap your energy and even rob you of the ability to think clearly, although these are qualities you need in abundance during fire-fighting. This round, I was slightly scorched.

But a friend on Facebook offered consoling words: "just let it (the current issue) burn la. sooner or later, it'll burn out."

Beep-beep...

Few can live without a mobile phone these days. That ubiquitous contraption has evolved from being a status symbol to a necessity faster than any invention.

I own a Nokia E61i - huge by ordinary standards but it has served me well for over a year now. Of late, I notice that I treat the device - which I oh-so-adore only a few months ago - as somewhat of a nuisance. And it's not only me who feel the same. At least one of my colleagues share the same sentiments.

The reason? We have all been inundated with calls and SMSes, due to the boss' recent elevation. They range from congratulatory messages ("Your boss is the besttest!!...") , suggestions ("You tell your boss this is how to save the planet..."), or complaints (no example for this one, haha). Naturally, I also received calls and SMS-es from journos ("Who ah will he appoint as sec-gen?" was a common one).

I believe many of these calls and short-messages were made and sent out of sincerity and without malice. But being at the receiving end of the avalance of communication at a time when your workload has also increased sharply truly tests one's patience. And of late, that virtue is running thin, not only in me, but also my wife who has to put up with a phone which can't tell the difference between office-hour and family time.

In the office now, here is one common reaction among aides every time our phone rings or beeps: A painful grimace even before knowing who the caller/ sender is. This is followed by sheer reluctance to reach for the device and later, the moment of truth, which induces either a deep sigh or great relieve. Sadly, it is often the former nowadays.

Officially, my scope of duties does not include dealing with many of the characters who call or send SMSes. But working for a public figure, there is no way I can brush them off. (Ok, I DO have ways to get around the irritating ones, but that's a topic I'd rather not blog about). I call this POPO or Paradox Of Phone Ownership - You really need it, but you wish you don't.

Actually, there's still quite a bit for me to share on this subject, ranging from the bizarre to the outrageous calls I have received. But then again, my phone is ringing...

Aidespeak is now online!

Today, I have decided to put my blog online. I have always wanted to blog, especially since I left journalism some five months back.

For one, I miss writing, the only trade I ever knew before taking up my present posting. Secondly, I do not want to lose this skill.

I wrote my first posting, Tingkat 4 , months ago and only put in up last week. Prior to this, this blog is password-protected (I wanted to feel comfortable first before making it available to all).

Aidespeak will NOT be a SOPO blog . We already have many of those. This will just be my little playground which I hope can generate some interests from family, friends and those curious about government aides.

Why do I put it up today? I was looking for an auspicious date. And coinciding it with my son's third birthday today sounds like a great idea. So there guys, happy surfing!

MCA's first central committee meeting tomorrow

Tomorrow, my boss will chair his first party central committee meeting. By journalistic standards, especially in the Chinese media, it's a huge event, coming on the heels of his recent victory, and more importantly, his promise for change.

Being from the media previously, I can imagine that the press' focus will be on the appointment of party posts, chiefly that of the secretary-general, CC members and State liaison committee chairmen. All these will be deliberated during the committee meeting.

I have received far too many queries from the media and non-Press people on who is in the List. I ought to be flattered that they think the party president consults me on such things. Thanks, but no thanks.

I can understand the media and party members' anxiety or sense of excitement, but sorry, I really do not know. In fact, I DO NOT WANT to know. Not knowing makes my job easier, really.

Sorry, folks. But I think the new administration can make do with a little sense of mystery and suspense sometimes.

15 hours in Manila

Two days ago, I was in Manila and spent all but 15 hours there. It was my first trip to the The Philippines and we arrived at the Ninoy Aquino airport at the ungodly hour of 4.20am via a connecting flight from Changi.

The boss was there to attend a regional high-powered transportation meeting, and due to his other commitments, we could only leave KL late at night.

After an almost four-hour flight from Changi, putting up with the airline's (not MAS) painfully uncomfortable seats, we were greeted in the hotel by the Malaysian delegation ready to brief the Minister on the meeting that was to take place in less than four hours.

With daybreak catching up, I caught less than 2 hours' sleep in an otherwise sinfully-comfortable room.

In the morning, the meeting, which was preceded by an informal pow-wow breakfast, went on well. I surprised myself having little difficulties staying awake. After lunch, everyone adjourned to the Malacanang Palace for a signing ceremony - the highlight of the entire meeting. After an almost 40-minute wait, President Arroyo strolled in, greeted her foreign guests and in less than 15 minutes, the show was over.

As me and my boss had to rush back to the hotel before catching our flight, we were ushered into an awaiting car (while others took the bus). I wanted to hop into the boss' car, but was prevented from doing so by the security personnel. Instead, I was told to take a ride in the police car that served as an outrider for the boss!

(Come to think of it, that was my first - and hopefully last - ride in a police car. I guess it must be quite "swey" to be in one.)

Upon reaching the hotel, we had less than an hour to freshen up and pack. And in no time, we found ourselves back at the airport to catch the 7.40pm flight. Again, we headed for Changi as there were no more flights to KUL at that hour.

By the time we touched down, the last flight to KL had already departed and we travelled by road back home - a journey which took as long as the flight from Manila. I reached home around 3.30am - about 32 hours since I left. Not that I was counting then when the only thing on my mind was to hit the sack.