My swan bigger than your swan.....

Malaysians seem to be pre-occupied with setting some record or other. Biggest this, longest that, highest something or other. Why do we indulge in this? Do we really need such shallow achievements to crow about to all? Are such records of international recognition? Are they a waste of resources that could be more meaningfully expended in other avenues? Are we so insecure that we need such feats to gather attention to ourselves?

A record breaking burger was recently made in Pennsylvania that weighs in at 55.79kg. Now that's a real whopper! A humongous beef patty sandwiched between the halves of an equally giant bun and garnished with pounds of tomatoes and lettuce. Let's see Popeye's friend Wimpy wolf that down. A claim is being filed with the Guinness Book of Records.

That was a creditable burger and record. Not like our local attempts. Longest hot dog 'record' which consisted of hot dogs stacked end to end does not a world record make. Anyone can do this. What will impress is a fantastically long bun holding an equally long sausage. Same with the 'longest' satay grill, just lots of satay grills juxtaposed on adjoining tables. The latest was the kebab attempt; another case of just sambung-sambung. This is pathetic! Maybe this is why we have a local book of records; we can't get into the Guinness. Or is it because Guinness is not halal due to its stout. Whatever.

Our local attempts at setting dubious records are a waste of time, resources and effort. It is better that the money spent be chanelled to charitable purposes and the free time of the participants expended on social work.