The Project

The Project: The justification or ‘hentam sajalah Belalang’ strategy


When breeding of cats suddenly became the ‘in-thing’ for that period of our development phase, I was among its most ardent enthusiasts. The reason is simple enough. To me the idea of raising these cute-little-four-legged creatures as a professionally planned development programme, had my adrenalin flowing. Yes, for me there was no second thought about the whole affair. How fantastic, I thought. Yes, cats — just like most animals are lovely creatures.


But there was this ‘little’ bureaucratic aspect which must be hurdled.


‘First, we have to justify,’ declared the newly elected CEO of Cats Production Authority in his maiden meeting of the Board of Directors. His thick, golden-coloured-metal-frame-Gandhi-styled glasses were virtually resting on his nose. Occasionally he has to peep over the frame, in order to communicate.

“Justify?” Anne Brenda from the Anti Animal Cruelty Front, a board member of the Agency wanted to know details.

“Yes, like all government projects, ours must also be properly explained, reasoned, justified before it is given the go-ahead!” the new CEO Cat Agency made an effort to explain.

“Oh, yes, it’s the people’s fund.”

“I am no ‘animal’ doctor, neither am I, a breeder. But I just love cats. Shall we just collect and house all alley cats for this project?” The new CEO of the Cat’s Agency politely smiled.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is not that simple. We have to be more convincing with our proposal before this project is approved.”

“That complicated??” Mr Ong, a retired company clerk-turned-animal lover was keen to hear more on the nitty-gritty element of project approval.


“Don’t worry, we will explain” assured the newly appointed CEO of my country’s premier Cat Agency.



2. During one week end, I was having fun with ‘adik’— also another of the ‘stray version’ picked up by my daughter-in-law, somewhere in remote Selangor when suddenly our conversation digressed into the world of project proposal and its justification process.


“Yes dad, we have to be careful on how we spend our limited resources — the rakyat’s money.” My son was trying to explain the whole process. Rather complicated he must have thought.


“Yes, they are known to be very meticulous with rakyat’s money. There is no doubt about it.”

“You do not seem to be happy…”

“Well, it’s quite alright with me. After all, we the rakyat generally do not complain much. Do we? My only worry is that, may be, and may be in the not-so-far future, you may have one nuclear plant in your neighbourhood!”


“Please do not pray for that Dad. Please!” Zam was clearly disturbed.


3. It was a few months later, we had the announcement.


Yes, an announcement by the top brass of a certain ministry that we, that as a nation of fun-loving and kind-hearted humans, badly in need of a Permata version for animals. For a start, a Cat Project was chosen— it was announced.


My CEO, still smarting that golden-coloured-metal-frame-Gandhi-styled glasses which somehow still refused to be in position, was standing beside the top ministry brass. His magnanimous grin virtually splashed all over the TV screen!

“What is so funny, dad?” my son must have been studying his dad, a worn-out retired government servant who — in those working days, has been dealing with projects. Yes, projects to alleviate the miserable livelihood and well-being of the general masses.

“Nothing…nothing, I was just thinking of our long established wisdom in implementing projects in this land of ours.”


4. That reminds me of something. Do you still remember the late P. Ramlee in “Nujum Pak Belalang”? Yes, we always have a strategy: That ‘hentam sajalah Belalang’ strategy.