Following our disastrous experience of the tsunami, I did expect the usual finger pointing at the 'complacency' or 'incompetency' of the government, and I was not disappointed.

But in reality how many Malaysians, including those who wrote in to blast the government, had heard of the word 'tsunami', its characteristics, symptoms indicating its imminent arrival and

consequences of its power prior to Boxing Day 2004? How many knew what to do even if a warning had been given?

What's that word again? Tsunami!

It's easy to condemn officials for not informing Penang when the phenomenon struck Langkawi first. But as I mentioned, who at Langkawi knew what it was? We saw on private video clips, people sauntering nonchalantly on the Penang beaches as the tsunami arrived, with some standing right at the waterline pointing with curiosity and interest at the unusually 'big' waves.

Come again with that word? Tsunami!

Then, was there a procedure to report such happenings? And how would the warning be conveyed to the public at, and residents living by, the beaches or near the seaside? Some lifeguards in Penang did the right thing by warning people to stay off the beaches because of the 'rough seas'. We were thus blessed by their actions which minimised casualties, but we need to remember the warning was based on the assessment of 'rough seas' rather than any understanding of an imminent tsunami.

Sorry, but what strange word did you just mention? Tsunami!

When was the last tsunami to hit Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia? I gather the last likely occurrence in the region was more than a hundred years ago when Krakatoa blew up. Even then, did Malaya experience the associated tsunami? The fact is the majority of Malaysians didn't know anything about this, if I may term it, alien phenomenon.

Could you please repeat that foreign term? Tsunami!

The second thing I had expected was the religious angle, and there, without fail, I saw the 'Good vs Evil' letter from one of malaysiakini readers.

I had a quiet chuckle (I know it's insensitive during the present circumstances but I can't help it - sorry) because whenever such natural catastrophes visit mankind, the 'justification' machine would go into overdrive, to explain why there now exists an irreconcilability with certain aspects of religious teachings.

Why don't we just leave the Almighty alone, or attempt to answer on His behalf? Who are we to understand his intentions or plans? Have we been nominated as his spokesperson?

Just accept that an earthquake of unusual magnitude occurred, giving birth to the tsunami, which has nasty destructive forces when it hit land. But of course, that may shake some people's faith in the face of a disaster of such incomprehensible dimension, and the religious rationalising becomes mandatory. It is mandatory only because man has to defend his theory, rather than God's.

Instead of wasting time pondering over something not within our control or limited understanding, let's do something that is - dig deep into your pockets, pilgrims, and contribute to those less fortunate than us.