We enter this world with nothing and we leave with nothing.
What do we leave behind?
Until his death, I knew little of Markus.
Since his passing last Wednesday, I got a little insight into this young man from his BLOG, but this did not prepare me for what I would later learn.
Friday night last, I attended the wake service.
Testimony after testimony from people whose lives Markus had touched left me completely in awe of this young man who had packed more selfless love for others in his short life than many of us will do if God gave each of us ten lifetimes. You can read some of those tributes HERE.
At the funeral, as the casket was lowered, my thoughts briefly drifted away to another anak Bangsa Malaysia who we had recently buried.
I speak of the late Kugan.
Markus was at Kugan’s funeral.
I could not help but reflect on the stark contrasts between these two anak Bangsa Malaysia, both in life and in death.
One blessed with opportunities, the other not so.
One passed on peacefully in his sleep, the other suffered a torturous death.
I have no doubt that as we buried Kugan, Markus, like so many of us, would have felt much anguish at the life and death of Kugan.
What did Markus leave behind?
A legacy of dreams and visions of a nation built on the precepts of justice and equality, where no child might be made to feel unloved, or lesser than the next.
And much unfinished work to make this world a better place.
Markus has left us to pick up where he left off.
May his spirit continue to inspire the many lives that he touched.
The People's Parliament 
nspirasi
February 9, 2009
indeed a unique young man…moved to take action to fight for a better nation…
let us pray that Markus’ life… and death inspires many more of his generation to take up the cause…
…to help create a new Malaysia which affords equal opportunities to ALL Anak Bangsa Malaysia!!!
our prayers are with the family..
RIP…Markus…we r very proud of you..a true Anak Bangsa Malaysia
Victor
February 9, 2009
my thoughts are with this young man’s family…he was just a few years older than my daughter..Thank you Haris for doing all that you can for the rakyat..Bless you….
Robert
February 9, 2009
Markus had surely inspired me and many others who had the opportunity to cross his path. Such a young man, but with matured dimensions not easy to match, so filled with vibrance and full of life, only to have his life so prematuredly taken away. The standards he set would be difficult to emulate.
We will remember you, Markus, and may you rest in peace.
farida
February 9, 2009
Haris,
I am moved by Donald Cheah’s words – one of those who paid an overwhelming tribute to Markus :
“Why did God take away someone who obviously was making such a positive impact? I can only believe that by taking Markus away, God planned to make an even bigger impact. God does not make mistakes.”
Those of us who were not impacted by Markus when he was among us simply because our paths did not cross or because we never took the time to get to know him are impacted by the suddenness of his death.
And the truth has been revealed – his amazing life, his acts of love for his fellowmen carried out in quiet, unassuming ways. What a towering human being he was!
Markus lives on, on our dear Earth, because his mark is on our lives. Markus lives on because in some way or other we are immeasurably changed by his going, in our thoughts, our relationships, our plans or goals in life.
A wise woman once said this to me: “Think of how you can add value to the lives of others. That’s what we are on Earth for.”
Someone else said of the time we spend on Earth: “First God, then your family, then your work or other things.”
I cannot help but think of a young nephew I have now growing up so fast that his thoughts and his love for man and the Earth overwhelm me.
I think of the tears I saw in his eyes and the bewilderment he felt when he asked in grief: “Why must those animals be killed? They too need to survive.”
I think of him with his love for adventure in his imagination and his physical environment.
I pray his father will go alongside him as he makes his exhilarating way into manhood and beyond, and that his mother will know even as she releases him into the man’s world he belongs to, that she has done her job well in bringing him up through her discipline, her involvement in his education and her love and comfort.
I think of my nephew because Markus has left a mark on me.
I think of Markus and I just want to shout out into the skies above, “God, I know you are telling us through Markus to stop in our tracks and take stock of our lives.”
And to my nephew, if you are reading this, know I love you dearly and I want to add value to your life, while I still can.
God bless everyone.
Rasupal
February 9, 2009
You have said preciously. We had two anak bangsa Malaysia from two different backgrounds. While one named Kugan had helped us to voice the inhumanity in the police, the other lived an exemplary life of a anak bangsa Malaysia. Markus has indeed made a “Mark” for himself.
Having said that, I appreciate you for being instrumental for the birth of this anak bangsa Malaysia and others are who make Malaysians proud.
Observer
February 9, 2009
I rather see Markus alive. Human beings are quite forgetful, they need someone to remind them, time and again, to take stock of their lives.
It is not impossible for those who had passed away to be alive again. Very difficult of course, Odysseus and Gilgamesh can testify to that. But it’s not impossible.
Markus might even already have reincarnated, if you believe in reincarnation, as a human being once more, perhaps again as an Anak Bangsa Malaysia or a baby some where in this world, or perhaps reborn/reincarnated in the heavens to live out many aeons/kalpa of happiness there. Who knows? But I am hopeful that he has reborn once again among us as a Malaysian, probably a very cute, tiny baby right now to some very lucky Malaysian couple in this country as we speak, so that he may bless this country again with his ideals and his deeds in the coming future. We’ll just have to wait about another two decades for that.
flyer168
February 9, 2009
Dear Haris,
My deepest condolence to the family of our dear friend the late Marcus.
May God bless his soul & may his soul rest in peace for the legacy he has left for us all Anak Bangsa Malaysia to emulate.
Haris, your compassion for the late Kugan & now Marcus is truly remarkable – god bless !
Nanda
February 10, 2009
Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn
Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope
I no longer strive to strive towards such things
(Why should the aged eagle stretch its wings?)
Why should I mourn
The vanished power of the usual reign?
Because I do not hope to know again
The infirm glory of the positive hour
Because I do not think
Because I know I shall not know
The one veritable transitory power
Because I cannot drink
There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again
Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place
I rejoice that things are as they are and
I renounce the blessed face
And renounce the voice
Because I cannot hope to turn again
Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something
Upon which to rejoice
And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And I pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain
Because I do not hope to turn again
Let these words answer
For what is done, not to be done again
May the judgement not be too heavy upon us
Because these wings are no longer wings to fly
But merely vans to beat the air
The air which is now thoroughly small and dry
Smaller and dryer than the will
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still.
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Pray for us now and at the hour of our death
T.S Eliot. Ash Wednesday, I
anak tempatan
February 11, 2009
Most of us pretend that we care about what is happening to our country, the injustices, corruption, the degradation of humanity, the lies, the spin and the total bullshit. We are armchair critics and mostly anons. But this young man who went out and was present when it matter most. He has inspired me to do more and to cast away my petty selfishness and kiasuness. Markus, god loves you and thats is why he called you home earlier to spare you all the evil that goes on in Malaysia but your selflessness will not be forgotten and shall encourage all decent anak Malaysia to fight on for a better future for our children.
aloysius
February 11, 2009
There comes a time when we heed a certain CALL. Haris, Yes Markus passing is another beginning for all of us Anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia.
May the work God has begun in each one of us find inspiration to march on even as I write this with tears streaming down. May I offer these tears as my commitment to ALL ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIANS that even as I just celebrated my 59th Birthday, I feel born-again to step up the tempo to commence the BANGSA MALAYSIA ROAD SHOWS immediately.
Thank you God for the gift of Markus and his family. May you Bless his soul as your welcome him to your house of eternal joy.
Till we meet again Markus, Pray for us. Pray that we have the courage, wisdom and endurance to further the work you have gladly embraced.
Aloysius . Anak Bangsa Malaysia
aloysius
February 11, 2009
TIME FOR THE 3RD FORCE
The time has come for some REAL concrete actions to make sure we do not loose this one opportunity we have to change the stranglehold by the UMNO-BN Putras.
Mahdar, the root problem is that many in current leadership positions are “no-choice candidates”. These are loyal party members from various dis-satisfied sectors of society.
1.Dis-satisfied UMNO members (the largest group in PKR)
2.Dis-satisfied MCA/MIC/GERAKAN members
3.Dis-satisfied Social & Human Rights Activist
4.AND THE JUST DIS-SATISFIED members of society
Which one are You? I am nos 3 & 4. This is normal in life. However if that is still the only reason you are in PKR, you will not last long and many have already been dis-satisfied and left.
You have heard of ‘love on the rebound’. Well sometimes it blossoms into real love, when the couple move beyond superficial/emotional attraction of the moment and develop real relationships. When this happens, Magic!
Sad to say there’s little magic in many PKR members. Many still only have their hatred for BN and its past practices as their main reason to be in PKR. There is little genuine corporate love among PKR members, and I believe one of the major reasons is that many do not really know why there are in PKR. They may have their personal reasons..and that’s usually THE PROBLEM. A political party like any organised group/organisation can only move as one when we move as One Spirit, One Mind and One Body.
To be of One Spirit, you need to know, understand and practice the beliefs, aims and objectives and modus operandi of the party. You feed the Spirit with the Vision & Mission of the Party Founder-Leaders (DSAI a major leader) as articulated in the official documents of the party and it’s Founders. Here is where the problem. It has been sometime since PKR printed the Constitution, Aims & Objectives of the party. Many are not aware of the 17 Core Principles (which covers almost every areas of life). So many want positions in the party, but are not aware of the promises made for PU 12. I have discovered that many have not seen/read PKT Manifesto 2008/MEA (Malaysian Economic Agenda). These are basic party documents which the spirit of the party is written for all party members. I believe that not many Divisions have held Orientations for the influx of new PKR members since 8 March 2008. This also goes for many existing members who are more embedded with their old party culture, whatever their past affiliation. Without an Orientation and Political Education for PKR members, only the old will surface. That’s what we see today.
We now have a rojak culture in PKR. Old UMNO/MCA/MIC/GERAKAN habits are repeated in the party. HARAPAN BARU UNTUK MALAYSIA is now just a slogan to many. If you don’t what we stand for, how can you stand up to the pressures from within and without.
TIME FOR “REALITY CHECK”, leaders in position who need help in their respective areas must be humble enough to accept the help offered. I have heard many cases of this new breed of party members who are looked as threats to existing party leaders.
TIME FOR THE 3RD FORCE
Many in BN/UMNO still arrogant. Many in PR are lame-ducks. Since 8 March 2008, after all the talk of fighting corruption, the PR government in Selangor has not been able to stop or unearth corrupt practices of the “little” Napoleons. Residents have file complaints of developer-BN collusion in many housing and development projects that did not take into consideration the feed-back from the Rakyat. Cases after case have surface but lame-duck Selangor PR government letting off previous BN-GOVT misdeeds, seems like PR may also be colluding with same unscrupulous developers.
Lake in ARA-Damansara gone!, Tunnels issues has revealed corrupt practices, Taman Kelana Indaman low-costs flats 1580 units built on landfill still not fit for occupation after completion for more than 3 years, Kota Damansara-Carrefour project-illegalities by PKNS/MBPJ revealed-protests by 11 RAs but PR Selangor govt gives green-light to go-ahead. Numerous other cases but no major corruption cases have been persecuted.
Where do the Rakyat stand? TIME FOR THE 3RD FORCE to rise to the occasion! Since 8 March, many NGOs, RAs/RTs, Professionals, Academics, Educators, Training Consultants, ICT Specialists, Legal & Management Consultants and Trainers and many others have offered to help. Many complained that many leaders in PR are afraid of these quality volunteers as they may usurp the current low-quality leaders.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The 3RD FORCE who are made up of the above volunteers must come together to make sure ALL WAKIL-WAKIL RAKYAT deliver then promises their parties made. One thing all PR component parties agreed was to endorse THE PEOPLES’ VOICE & THE PEOPLES’ DECLARATION. THE 3RD FORCE will work with anyone including MPs/ADUNs/Councilors who will help achieve THE PEOPLES’ PLAN based on the PEOPLES’ DECLARATION. Please state your stand and stand with THE 3RD FORCE. COME & JOIN THE 3RD FORCE!
Aloysius Francis Pinto
Innovator for the MALAYSIAN AGENDA FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
11 Febrauary 2009
Janaka
February 14, 2009
It shocking news for everyone that knew Markus Ng. Markus Ng gone too soon. I was sadden by the shocking news and after knowing more about Markus Ng, I began feeling better. Lord need Markus Ng more than us here. Markus Ng are such a great person walk the talk of Truly Anak Bangsa Malaysia. I was touched by Markus Ng’s great commitment, wonderful contribution and shared responsibilities toward a better Malaysia. Knowing Markus Ng especially from the blog and memorial site (Tributes and Condolences) , such a wonderful god fearingly righteous man, bring us tears of joy of great existence on earth and I, personally knew why Markus Ng have to go earlier than many of us. Markus Ng must have been done up his homework, duties and responsibilities while many of us here still struck here and have plenty more to go, perhaps. Here the lyrics you written touches our heart.
But God seems to have another plan
something I don’t understand
The countdown has began
If there is no tomorrow for me
I’ll never get a chance to tell this story
how I loved you so
how I’d always wanted you to know
From here it is clearly shown that God seems have another plan for Markus Ng. What a wonderful words from Markus Ng. We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family members, relatives, friends and closed ones . We always remember and will always love Markus Ng from the very deepest bottom of our heart. Many of us believe Markus Ng must be in Heaven enjoying in the kingdom of Lord. We thank you, Lord for the opportunity for our paths to cross, no matter how briefly, God bless, Bro!
Janaka
February 14, 2009
Something quiet interesting here. Kugan’s 16th Prayer held on Feb 3rd till next morning Feb 4th. I wonder what was the link between them. FYI I remember saw photos of Markus present at the Kugan funeral procession.