1. Don't simply believe what other's say, verify your sources and ask for facts, eg. I have the numbers, it's growing by the hour!
2. Believe that Pakatan Rakyat is multi-racial coalition ensuring Fairness, Competency, Accountability and Transparency > Support for HINDRAF, Manikavasagam, Race based Exco's line up, Malay Head for PKNS (which by the way, stands for Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor)
3. Do not get excited when Indians hold PAS flags during elections, by all chance, they must have been those obssesed with 'Sivaji the boss' Ibrahim.
4. Do not be stupid to assume racism and race based politics are out after March 8 elections. eg, emergence of various race based NGO's wanting to protect their rights, ketuanan Melayu issue, protest against single school proposal. Racism and race based politics are well and alive.
5. Don't think that just because malaysians voted for Pakatan Rakyat in 5 states , Malaysians are matured politically. Eg Demo at Bar Council Forum on Conversion, Jerit, Nude squad, Protest at Selangor MB's proposal to open UiTM to non-malays etc.
6. Do not think that alternative media, especially opposition owned, tells the truth all the time, eg, Suara Keadilan's take on cross overs which includes latest breakdown of Parliament seats.
7. Indian Malaysians should not rely on anyone for their own growth. Believe in yourselves. eg Hindraf's precarious position now and Pakatan Rakyat's non-contribution(except for some piece meal handouts) thus far.
8. 'Hunger Strikes' now also means liquid diet.
9. Parliament is a reflection of what we, Malaysians, actually are in terms of respect, decorum, decency and politeness.
10. Now everyone can become an MP or State Assemblymen, not to worry if your Bahasa Malaysia is not good. Better if you are unemployed.
11. Do not complain about quality of elected representatives and debates in the parliament when we, Malaysians voted in someone whose expertise is in stopping phantom voters, someone who's an expert in throwing double meaning words and terms, a sex-offender, someone convicted for corruption and abuse of power, and an amateur cinematographer.
12. Do not expect an MP or State Assemblymen from opposition (BN or Pakatan, depending on which state) to fight for your rights in the parliament/state assembly. They would most likely be glad to demontrate with you at your constituency for some publicity photos and will claim that he/she can't do much as an opposition party.
13. Don't complain if the oil price rises again, be prepared as you know what to expect already based on 2008 experience.
14. You can get away with murder if you have a good lawyer or if you are prepared to swear in a temple or a mosque.
15. You can continue building illegal temples or shrines, PKR and MIC will be there to fight for your rights, perhaps a relocation plan plus some compensation. Forget the local authorities and law of the land.
16. Look to Samy Vellu if you need some ideas on re-branding your organisation, party or even yourselves.
17. Malaysians are proving yet again to be a caring lot, they are even willing to raise funds for millionaires.
18. Malaysians 'mudah lupa'. Eg Anwar's 'excellent track record' for 16 long years in BN, DAP on Hudud Laws & Malaysian Malaysia, Gerakan and PPP's whole hearted support for BN until 2008 over ISA.
19. Free Market is always the best option.
20. Phantom voters were non-existent in Perak, Penang, Kelantan, Kedah and Selangor on March 08, 2008. Postal votes were surprisingly missing too.
21. Blame federal government if you are not able to fulfill your election promises.
22. Blame Dr Mahathir for everything that failed in this country during his term. Then we do not need Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Director General of government departments, Judges, IGP, Pengarah- Pengarah of all government and state agencies, CEO's of GLCs and Privatised companies etc. Let the Prime Minister manage everything on his own.
23. Urge the use all archaic laws available when you don't like any suggestions that promotes unity. Does not matter if you were against the same law in the first place. It's ok to contradict yourselves once in a while.
24. Use children for your cause, does not matter whether it is for cycling or street demonstration. For sure, the public will be sympathetic to your cause.
25. You can have you own 'Kangaroo Court' and determine the outcome of a percieved flawed judgement decades ago, in your favour. Not sure how to do it, just call the bar council.
Happy New Year to all readers.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Why Indian Malaysians Like Anwar
Like many others, I am quite baffled with Indian Malaysians obsession and support for Anwar Ibrahim as evidenced by the survey completed by Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research.
Indian Malaysians supports him as if he is their communal leader. Even the Malays and Chinese were outnumbered in terms of percentage of support for Anwar within their own community.
I tried to comprehend this baffling scenario and came up with several possible explanations. This may sound simplistic, outrageous but may well be true.
Hindraf
80% of Indian Malaysians are said to be Hindraf supporters, this is the around the same percentage of Indians who support Anwar. It is well known that Anwar, supports Hindraf’s struggle, although not explicitly. Many PKR and DAP members are also HINDRAF sympathizers.
Anwar is against UMNO and BN, so are Hindarf, so enemies became friends, Indians are more or less united behind Anwar.
What’s confusing is that Anwar has never (in my knowledge) agreed with the 18 point memorandum by Hindraf or agreed to address various issues raised by Hindraf, although he and many opposition party leaders shouted ‘Makkal Sakhti’ (Hindraf’s catch phrase) to excite the crowd during the election rallies. Neither did he sit in any Hindraf organized hunger strike.
Equally baffling is that Indians and Hindraf supporters also appeared to have conveniently forgotten that Anwar was a key UMNO figure for at least 16 of the ’51 years of discrimination, poverty, marginalization & ethnic cleansing’. They accused everyone from MIC, Samy Vellu to Mahathir for not helping Indians in the past but stayed silent in the case of Anwar.
PKR & Anwar’s Policies
From my conversations with several Indian Malaysians, none have a clear idea of what Anwar and PKR stands for except for the fact they Anwar has promised to do away with the current NEP and start a new policy that will be fair to all.
When I further stressed that DAP,PSM and even PAS have similar views, they seem confused, now not aware of what DAP and PSM stands for. When I highlighted that PKR lead Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor did not agree to a non-malay as the head of PKNS, they shrugged it off.
When I further added that Anwar, Lim Kit Siang, Abdul Hadi Awang signed the agreement on Sept 8 as proof that all three parties would uphold Malay rights. They (the Indians I spoke to) were further confused.
At the end I ended up confused as well not knowing why are they supporting Anwar & PKR! I may get similar responses from BN supporters, but that’s not the topic here.
So I went backwards and looked at what happened before and during March general elections to understand this (Indians support for Anwar) better and offer some mind boggling explanation. I realise that this may not be welcomed by PKRians, Anwaristas and Indian Malaysians in general but what the heck, this is my blog.
Heroism
Indians, especially those originating from South India like heroism. They love cult personalities and worship them. Some even built temples for them. This is definitely related to Indian Malaysians love for movies, especially Tamil Movies, where heroism is still well and alive. While the world has gone on with sophisticated story telling and multi-starers, South Indian movies, especially Tamil and Telugu movies, are still hero oriented.
Perhaps Indian Malaysian wants someone in the same mould to worship as their their leader. Samy Vellu, Subra, Kayveas and the rest are outdated. Anwar is their hero for the moment.
I did a simply survey with some Malaysian Indians, asking them two simple questions ; Who is the President, Deputy President of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, the answer, Anwar Ibrahim, when I said no, one adamantly told me to check my facts. President of Pakatan Rakyat!!. As for Deputy president, not a single soul gave me the correct answer…
Sivaji ‘The Boss’
For those who are not aware, ‘Sivaji The Boss’ was a record breaking Tamil Movies starring Tamil Super Star Rajnikant, playing a commoner fighting against a corrupt system and politicians. The movie was dubbed in all South Indian languages such as Telugu, Kanada and Malayalam and was a super hit too.
It was reported frequently that Indians supporters chanted ‘Sivaji, The Boss’ during Anwars campaign trail last and this year.
Anwar himself reportedly declared that he’s the Malaysian ‘Sivaji The Boss’ in rallies attended by substantial Indian Malaysians. There were various posters, stickers and T-Shirts distributed during the March elections with Anwar’s image superimposed to a ‘Sivaji The Boss’ movie poster.
This maybe another reason has probably endeared him to the Indians as I myself have heard the enthuasism expressed for Anwar from those who attended his rally. Most did not talk about any policy or manesfesto from his speeches but never failed to hide their excitement when Anwar say’s he’s “Sivaji The Boss”.
South Indian Political History
Apart from heroism and ‘Sivaji the boss’ factor, another related factor is that majority of the Chief Ministers of south Indian states of Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil are from the cinema and they are worshipped by Indians in those states. Cinema personalities such as MGR, NTR, Karunanithi, Jayalalitha, Raj Kumar have cult following which were translated into votes when they entered politics.
Most of their movies potray the hero as lower class do gooder, helping the poor, fighting against corruption, the government etc. None are really an Oscar materials though. For the fans, whatever they do in real life does not matter, even though several of the above Chief Ministers were known to be corrupt. Their fanatical supporters see them as god and close one eye on all their wrong doings. Sounds familiar?
The cult personality worshipping cannot be more evident when at least 30 people who committed suicide when Tamil Nadu actor turned Chief Minister, MGR passed away in 1987.
Like them, Rajinikanth, who potrayed ‘Sivaji, The Boss’, although never been active in politics has huge fans base, who keep on, from time to time, urging him to dabble in politics. He is so popular than if he steps into politics now, he can be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu without a sweat.
With Malaysian Indians’ affinity for South Indian movies and Anwar’s supporters ever closely associating him to ‘Sivaji, the boss’, Indians see Anwar as one of them.
Punch Dialogue & Rhetorics
Indian heroes are well known for their rhetorics or ‘Punch Dialoque although in real life they may not necessarily practice what they preach in the screen.
Fans literally clap and whistle when their favorite heroes let go a catchy line.
Perhaps they see the same with Anwar, whose strong oratory skills mesmerizes the crowd and he had been known to throws some quotes here and there
Here are some examples ;
My way is a unique way
If I say it once, it’s equivalent to having said it a 100 times
God commands. I obey
I’ll do what I say. I’ll also do what I don’t say
Only pigs come in herds. The lion always comes alone.
When I’ll come, how I’ll come, nobody knows. But when I need to come, I’ll be there.
You’ll be happier if you marry the one who loves you instead of the one you love.
Even if I come late, I’ll be the latest.
You’ll gain nothing without hard work. And even if you do, it won’t last for long
Finished. Finished. What’s done is done.
Yesterday I was a coolie. Today, I’m an actor. Tomorrow...
Some people say I’ll become like this I’ll become come like that. But only God knows how I’ll end up tomorrow.
Hey, wait a minute. This is not Anwar. Those are actual one liners loosely translated from the real “Sivaji the Boss”.
But they do sound familiar right…
Indian Malaysians supports him as if he is their communal leader. Even the Malays and Chinese were outnumbered in terms of percentage of support for Anwar within their own community.I tried to comprehend this baffling scenario and came up with several possible explanations. This may sound simplistic, outrageous but may well be true.
Hindraf
80% of Indian Malaysians are said to be Hindraf supporters, this is the around the same percentage of Indians who support Anwar. It is well known that Anwar, supports Hindraf’s struggle, although not explicitly. Many PKR and DAP members are also HINDRAF sympathizers.
Anwar is against UMNO and BN, so are Hindarf, so enemies became friends, Indians are more or less united behind Anwar.
What’s confusing is that Anwar has never (in my knowledge) agreed with the 18 point memorandum by Hindraf or agreed to address various issues raised by Hindraf, although he and many opposition party leaders shouted ‘Makkal Sakhti’ (Hindraf’s catch phrase) to excite the crowd during the election rallies. Neither did he sit in any Hindraf organized hunger strike.
Equally baffling is that Indians and Hindraf supporters also appeared to have conveniently forgotten that Anwar was a key UMNO figure for at least 16 of the ’51 years of discrimination, poverty, marginalization & ethnic cleansing’. They accused everyone from MIC, Samy Vellu to Mahathir for not helping Indians in the past but stayed silent in the case of Anwar.
PKR & Anwar’s Policies
From my conversations with several Indian Malaysians, none have a clear idea of what Anwar and PKR stands for except for the fact they Anwar has promised to do away with the current NEP and start a new policy that will be fair to all.
When I further stressed that DAP,PSM and even PAS have similar views, they seem confused, now not aware of what DAP and PSM stands for. When I highlighted that PKR lead Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor did not agree to a non-malay as the head of PKNS, they shrugged it off.
When I further added that Anwar, Lim Kit Siang, Abdul Hadi Awang signed the agreement on Sept 8 as proof that all three parties would uphold Malay rights. They (the Indians I spoke to) were further confused.
At the end I ended up confused as well not knowing why are they supporting Anwar & PKR! I may get similar responses from BN supporters, but that’s not the topic here.
So I went backwards and looked at what happened before and during March general elections to understand this (Indians support for Anwar) better and offer some mind boggling explanation. I realise that this may not be welcomed by PKRians, Anwaristas and Indian Malaysians in general but what the heck, this is my blog.
Heroism
Indians, especially those originating from South India like heroism. They love cult personalities and worship them. Some even built temples for them. This is definitely related to Indian Malaysians love for movies, especially Tamil Movies, where heroism is still well and alive. While the world has gone on with sophisticated story telling and multi-starers, South Indian movies, especially Tamil and Telugu movies, are still hero oriented.
Perhaps Indian Malaysian wants someone in the same mould to worship as their their leader. Samy Vellu, Subra, Kayveas and the rest are outdated. Anwar is their hero for the moment.
I did a simply survey with some Malaysian Indians, asking them two simple questions ; Who is the President, Deputy President of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, the answer, Anwar Ibrahim, when I said no, one adamantly told me to check my facts. President of Pakatan Rakyat!!. As for Deputy president, not a single soul gave me the correct answer…
Sivaji ‘The Boss’
For those who are not aware, ‘Sivaji The Boss’ was a record breaking Tamil Movies starring Tamil Super Star Rajnikant, playing a commoner fighting against a corrupt system and politicians. The movie was dubbed in all South Indian languages such as Telugu, Kanada and Malayalam and was a super hit too.
It was reported frequently that Indians supporters chanted ‘Sivaji, The Boss’ during Anwars campaign trail last and this year.
Anwar himself reportedly declared that he’s the Malaysian ‘Sivaji The Boss’ in rallies attended by substantial Indian Malaysians. There were various posters, stickers and T-Shirts distributed during the March elections with Anwar’s image superimposed to a ‘Sivaji The Boss’ movie poster.
This maybe another reason has probably endeared him to the Indians as I myself have heard the enthuasism expressed for Anwar from those who attended his rally. Most did not talk about any policy or manesfesto from his speeches but never failed to hide their excitement when Anwar say’s he’s “Sivaji The Boss”.
South Indian Political History
Apart from heroism and ‘Sivaji the boss’ factor, another related factor is that majority of the Chief Ministers of south Indian states of Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil are from the cinema and they are worshipped by Indians in those states. Cinema personalities such as MGR, NTR, Karunanithi, Jayalalitha, Raj Kumar have cult following which were translated into votes when they entered politics.
Most of their movies potray the hero as lower class do gooder, helping the poor, fighting against corruption, the government etc. None are really an Oscar materials though. For the fans, whatever they do in real life does not matter, even though several of the above Chief Ministers were known to be corrupt. Their fanatical supporters see them as god and close one eye on all their wrong doings. Sounds familiar?
The cult personality worshipping cannot be more evident when at least 30 people who committed suicide when Tamil Nadu actor turned Chief Minister, MGR passed away in 1987.
Like them, Rajinikanth, who potrayed ‘Sivaji, The Boss’, although never been active in politics has huge fans base, who keep on, from time to time, urging him to dabble in politics. He is so popular than if he steps into politics now, he can be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu without a sweat.
With Malaysian Indians’ affinity for South Indian movies and Anwar’s supporters ever closely associating him to ‘Sivaji, the boss’, Indians see Anwar as one of them.
Punch Dialogue & Rhetorics
Indian heroes are well known for their rhetorics or ‘Punch Dialoque although in real life they may not necessarily practice what they preach in the screen.
Fans literally clap and whistle when their favorite heroes let go a catchy line.
Perhaps they see the same with Anwar, whose strong oratory skills mesmerizes the crowd and he had been known to throws some quotes here and there
Here are some examples ;
My way is a unique way
If I say it once, it’s equivalent to having said it a 100 times
God commands. I obey
I’ll do what I say. I’ll also do what I don’t say
Only pigs come in herds. The lion always comes alone.
When I’ll come, how I’ll come, nobody knows. But when I need to come, I’ll be there.
You’ll be happier if you marry the one who loves you instead of the one you love.
Even if I come late, I’ll be the latest.
You’ll gain nothing without hard work. And even if you do, it won’t last for long
Finished. Finished. What’s done is done.
Yesterday I was a coolie. Today, I’m an actor. Tomorrow...
Some people say I’ll become like this I’ll become come like that. But only God knows how I’ll end up tomorrow.
Hey, wait a minute. This is not Anwar. Those are actual one liners loosely translated from the real “Sivaji the Boss”.
But they do sound familiar right…
Monday, December 15, 2008
HINDRAF Hunger Strike
15 on hunger strike over ISA
Fifteen Hindraf supporters launched a hunger strike on Sunday to demand the abolition of a tough security law which the government says is needed to combat terrorism, organisers said.
"The five-day hunger strike is to protest against the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and to demand all detainees are freed," S. Jayathas, coordinator of the rights group Hindraf which organised the strike, told AFP.
CORRUPTED BARISAN NASIONAL
"The hunger strike is also to demand the government end all injustices in Malaysia and stop discriminating against minority Indians."
The ISA, a relic of the British colonial era when it was used to fight a communist insurgency, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial.
The government says it is a vital tool to fight terrorism, but rights groups say the law has been improperly used to silence government critics, and that detainees are mentally and physically tortured.
Rights groups say 70 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are being held under the ISA.
Hunger strikers to only take water
The protesters are staging their hunger strike at a small temple north of Kuala Lumpur.
Some of those taking part are relatives of five Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders, who are being held under the ISA.
The five, one of whom is a state lawmaker, were arrested after enraging the government last November by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against Malaysia's minority ethnic Indians.
Ethnic Indians make up less than eight percent of the 27-million-strong population of the mainly Muslim Malay country.
Jayathas said the protesters would only consume water during the strike. -- Malaysiakini
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These bunch of jokers appears to have not learnt their lesson.
Hindraf or now disguised as 'Makkal Sakhti' appears to take cue from Tamil Nadu where numerous hunger strikes are held as a form of protest almost everyday.
It's quite funny that those held in India usually last a day, from 9am to 5pm and everyone goes back after that. Hindraf's hunger strike allows protesters to consume water. What 'hunger strike'?, they must be either joking or scared that the would not even last till the evening of the first day. They were also seen holding Gandhi's potraits. If they wish to emulate Gandhi, then they should not consume anything at all.
I think this is a first ever 'hunger' strike anywhere that allows protesters to consume water. Malaysia Book Of Records should have been there to record the moment of history made in our soil.
Hindaf's previous hunger strikes, reportedly in January and August met with poor support from their blood brothers, who had more important things, like job and family to take care rather than simply waste hours of their time.
The same is expected to happen this time, only 15 people are willing to participate. Whatever happened to thousands of their supporters!, I predict that the hunger strike will not last for days as expected.
Knowing well the characterictics of Hindraf supporters, I will not be surprised if participants run to nearest Indian restaurants for few servings of banana leave rice after a day.
I was at a Indian wedding last week, few of the staunch supporters spoke nothing of the hunger strike or Hindraf. One of them hosted the lavish wedding and another private bash at home, one has gone for a long holiday, one preparing for a birthday bash, while some came (few hundred kilometres) all the way from KL, put up a the nearest hotel to join the after dinner drinks.
This is maybe their version of "the result of years of discrimination, marginalisation, abject poverty and ethnic cleansing"..
Fifteen Hindraf supporters launched a hunger strike on Sunday to demand the abolition of a tough security law which the government says is needed to combat terrorism, organisers said.
"The five-day hunger strike is to protest against the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and to demand all detainees are freed," S. Jayathas, coordinator of the rights group Hindraf which organised the strike, told AFP.
CORRUPTED BARISAN NASIONAL
"The hunger strike is also to demand the government end all injustices in Malaysia and stop discriminating against minority Indians."
The ISA, a relic of the British colonial era when it was used to fight a communist insurgency, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial.
The government says it is a vital tool to fight terrorism, but rights groups say the law has been improperly used to silence government critics, and that detainees are mentally and physically tortured.
Rights groups say 70 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are being held under the ISA.
Hunger strikers to only take water
The protesters are staging their hunger strike at a small temple north of Kuala Lumpur.
Some of those taking part are relatives of five Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) leaders, who are being held under the ISA.
The five, one of whom is a state lawmaker, were arrested after enraging the government last November by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against Malaysia's minority ethnic Indians.
Ethnic Indians make up less than eight percent of the 27-million-strong population of the mainly Muslim Malay country.
Jayathas said the protesters would only consume water during the strike. -- Malaysiakini
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These bunch of jokers appears to have not learnt their lesson.
Hindraf or now disguised as 'Makkal Sakhti' appears to take cue from Tamil Nadu where numerous hunger strikes are held as a form of protest almost everyday.
It's quite funny that those held in India usually last a day, from 9am to 5pm and everyone goes back after that. Hindraf's hunger strike allows protesters to consume water. What 'hunger strike'?, they must be either joking or scared that the would not even last till the evening of the first day. They were also seen holding Gandhi's potraits. If they wish to emulate Gandhi, then they should not consume anything at all.
I think this is a first ever 'hunger' strike anywhere that allows protesters to consume water. Malaysia Book Of Records should have been there to record the moment of history made in our soil.
Hindaf's previous hunger strikes, reportedly in January and August met with poor support from their blood brothers, who had more important things, like job and family to take care rather than simply waste hours of their time.
The same is expected to happen this time, only 15 people are willing to participate. Whatever happened to thousands of their supporters!, I predict that the hunger strike will not last for days as expected.
Knowing well the characterictics of Hindraf supporters, I will not be surprised if participants run to nearest Indian restaurants for few servings of banana leave rice after a day.
I was at a Indian wedding last week, few of the staunch supporters spoke nothing of the hunger strike or Hindraf. One of them hosted the lavish wedding and another private bash at home, one has gone for a long holiday, one preparing for a birthday bash, while some came (few hundred kilometres) all the way from KL, put up a the nearest hotel to join the after dinner drinks.
This is maybe their version of "the result of years of discrimination, marginalisation, abject poverty and ethnic cleansing"..
Friday, December 12, 2008
Ban on student political activity upheld
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 —Parliament has amended a law to allow university students to join social groups but still bans them from political parties, a restriction slammed by critics today.
Lawmakers approved the amendments to the Universities and University College Act late yesterday to allow students to become members of social and other groups outside campus.
But they left untouched a clause that bans students from joining political parties, illegal groups or any other organisations that the government specifies. The law also states that students are not allowed to express support for any political party.
The amendments need to be approved by the Senate and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before taking effect, but these steps are usually formalities.
"In many ways there is more freedom now, except that they cannot join political parties or express support for them. But they can express their views," said Rozaid Abdul Rahman, an aide to Higher Education Minister Datuk Khaled Nordin.
Ridzuan Mohammad, coordinator of a coalition of eight student groups that campaigned for the act to be repealed, said the ban on political activities leaves students reluctant to speak up for fear of disciplinary action.
"Those changes are cosmetic," said the 22-year-old Universiti Malaya education student. "We want the UUCA to be abolished."
Government officials have argued that the law — introduced in 1971 to quell student unrest — is necessary so students concentrate on their studies and don't get influenced by politicians.
Opposition politicians voted against the amendments to the law, which they say restricts freedom of expression and fundamental human rights.
"It's strange to say this is an improvement," said Tian Chua, a lawmaker with the opposition PKR. — AP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As expected the opposition parties would never agree as they want students to be let loose and indulge in something that they are not supposed to be focusing on in the first place, unless of course if they are enrolled in courses related to politics.
I wonder why this is not an issue with private universities colleges. Why opposition parties are not seen anywhere near these institutions. Maybe because Parents don't want the children to waste their hard earned money, spending time supporting some chameleons and corrupt politicians instead of focusing on their studies.
What about us, the real taxpayers. (By the way, how many members of political parties actually do pay tax?) I am seeing the same rubbish coming out from the local universities, year after year. When debating this issue in the parliament, Datuk Tajuddin Rahman, the controversial MP, for once, spoke of something that strikes a chord.
He characterised graduates as “intellectually weak” and that "They don't go to the libraries and pursue additional knowledge to improve their minds. They are even lazy to read reference books as it is in English. They said it is difficult, gives them a headache. They only went for exams equipped with knowledge obtained from the lecture hall.” He further adds “Many had little general knowledge simply because they did not read enough,".
I had similar personal experience. In my course of work, I have interviewed more than 1,000 fresh graduates (no exaggeration here) in the last 5 years and I would hold similar view. I wrote some of it here.
Many have poor listening skills and can't even answer to the questions posed. I have done my surveys too and found that majority do not read anything other than those related to entertaintment.
Let's focus on improving quality of our universities and education as a whole. Politics can wait. Those who never worked with local graduates in large numbers will never understand the frustration. In fact, I had personally sacked many of them for many reasons including basic discipline (this is probably due to upbringing though). I admit that there are bright ones but they are in the minority.
Let the graduates develop basic skills like communication, interpersonal and leadership while in the universities before they get into something bigger like active politics. Our universities appear not to be helping them in all these crucial areas. This is the biggest headache cited by some of the MNC employers here in Malaysia apart from declining standard of English.
Political parties should focus on large number of Malaysians who has never voted and or even registered as a voter. That's a big number out there that can make a lot of difference to any elections.
Leave the students alone. Let's not send quality of our university and it's students further down the drain.
Lawmakers approved the amendments to the Universities and University College Act late yesterday to allow students to become members of social and other groups outside campus.
But they left untouched a clause that bans students from joining political parties, illegal groups or any other organisations that the government specifies. The law also states that students are not allowed to express support for any political party.
The amendments need to be approved by the Senate and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before taking effect, but these steps are usually formalities.
"In many ways there is more freedom now, except that they cannot join political parties or express support for them. But they can express their views," said Rozaid Abdul Rahman, an aide to Higher Education Minister Datuk Khaled Nordin.
Ridzuan Mohammad, coordinator of a coalition of eight student groups that campaigned for the act to be repealed, said the ban on political activities leaves students reluctant to speak up for fear of disciplinary action.
"Those changes are cosmetic," said the 22-year-old Universiti Malaya education student. "We want the UUCA to be abolished."
Government officials have argued that the law — introduced in 1971 to quell student unrest — is necessary so students concentrate on their studies and don't get influenced by politicians.
Opposition politicians voted against the amendments to the law, which they say restricts freedom of expression and fundamental human rights.
"It's strange to say this is an improvement," said Tian Chua, a lawmaker with the opposition PKR. — AP
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As expected the opposition parties would never agree as they want students to be let loose and indulge in something that they are not supposed to be focusing on in the first place, unless of course if they are enrolled in courses related to politics.
I wonder why this is not an issue with private universities colleges. Why opposition parties are not seen anywhere near these institutions. Maybe because Parents don't want the children to waste their hard earned money, spending time supporting some chameleons and corrupt politicians instead of focusing on their studies.
What about us, the real taxpayers. (By the way, how many members of political parties actually do pay tax?) I am seeing the same rubbish coming out from the local universities, year after year. When debating this issue in the parliament, Datuk Tajuddin Rahman, the controversial MP, for once, spoke of something that strikes a chord.
He characterised graduates as “intellectually weak” and that "They don't go to the libraries and pursue additional knowledge to improve their minds. They are even lazy to read reference books as it is in English. They said it is difficult, gives them a headache. They only went for exams equipped with knowledge obtained from the lecture hall.” He further adds “Many had little general knowledge simply because they did not read enough,".
I had similar personal experience. In my course of work, I have interviewed more than 1,000 fresh graduates (no exaggeration here) in the last 5 years and I would hold similar view. I wrote some of it here.
Many have poor listening skills and can't even answer to the questions posed. I have done my surveys too and found that majority do not read anything other than those related to entertaintment.
Let's focus on improving quality of our universities and education as a whole. Politics can wait. Those who never worked with local graduates in large numbers will never understand the frustration. In fact, I had personally sacked many of them for many reasons including basic discipline (this is probably due to upbringing though). I admit that there are bright ones but they are in the minority.
Let the graduates develop basic skills like communication, interpersonal and leadership while in the universities before they get into something bigger like active politics. Our universities appear not to be helping them in all these crucial areas. This is the biggest headache cited by some of the MNC employers here in Malaysia apart from declining standard of English.
Political parties should focus on large number of Malaysians who has never voted and or even registered as a voter. That's a big number out there that can make a lot of difference to any elections.
Leave the students alone. Let's not send quality of our university and it's students further down the drain.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Maths & Science in English - Let's Have A Referendum
The recent debate on teaching of Science and Maths in English has also brought about the worst in all of us, Malaysians. Every other group released and published research papers favoring their point of view.
Most of these research papers highlighted the failure of the policy citing recent years' UPSR, PMR and SPM results and concludes with how well the students education, upbringing and career would be if they are educated in the mother tongue, i.e Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil.
This year's UPSR results suggest that more students are now choosing to answer questions in English. I think the policy is fine, just that the implementation needs to be improved and enhanced further.
The roundtable discussion organised by the Education ministry is now reaching it's final stage. In a Malaysian give and take style, a compromise is apparently being worked out where teaching science and math would only be in secondary schools.
I cannot see what the benefit of this is. Fed up with the nonsense by education and political groups, a group of Parents (The Parent Action Group for Education-PAGE) has sprung to the defense of the policy. But PAGE is represented by parents around the Klang Valley therefore their views may be just of those in urban areas.
On the other hand, we have a serious threat from the Chinese Education Group. Read here.
Dong Jiao Zong threatened to launch a massive protest action should the government decide to continue with its policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English. They claim that the teaching Science and Maths in English is the greatest threat to Chinese education.
They also continue to champion so-called mother tongue education and conveniently ignoring the fact that Mandarin is not the mother tongue for majority Chinese Malaysians. The same applies to the proponents of Tamil education in this country.
If their claims are true enough, Dong Jiao Zong should also undertake research on the impact of teaching in Chinese medium on all other subjects to thousands of Malay and Indian students in Chinese schools.
More importantly, if they do really defend mother tongue education, they should be principled enough to bar non-Chinese student from being enrolled into a Chinese school and advice non-Chinese parents to enroll their children in Tamil and National Schools.
This threat of massive protest only confirms that education groups like Dong Jiao Zong are the greater threat to the peace and security of this country rather than an education policy. They are willing to threaten the government if things don't go their way, no matter that the decision has not been made. How irresponsible!
Political parties, obiviously afraid of losing support of the Chinese, have so far, I believe, not responded to this threat.
I personally think that the people, apart from some racist education groups and the ministry should be engaged in the decision making. Most research papers undertaken are skewed to reflect the preference and opinions of parties with vested interest. So it highly unlikely that the views presented by these interest groups reflects the true wishes of rakyat, especially parents and future parents to be.
I call for a referendum to be undertaken throughout the country to decide on this issue once and for all. I think there has not been any referendum undertaken in Malaysia for a long time. It's about time we do it and not leave such an important decision to the whims and fancies of politicians, race based education groups and other pressure groups.
For Once, Let the Rakyat decide..
Most of these research papers highlighted the failure of the policy citing recent years' UPSR, PMR and SPM results and concludes with how well the students education, upbringing and career would be if they are educated in the mother tongue, i.e Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil.
This year's UPSR results suggest that more students are now choosing to answer questions in English. I think the policy is fine, just that the implementation needs to be improved and enhanced further.
The roundtable discussion organised by the Education ministry is now reaching it's final stage. In a Malaysian give and take style, a compromise is apparently being worked out where teaching science and math would only be in secondary schools.
I cannot see what the benefit of this is. Fed up with the nonsense by education and political groups, a group of Parents (The Parent Action Group for Education-PAGE) has sprung to the defense of the policy. But PAGE is represented by parents around the Klang Valley therefore their views may be just of those in urban areas.
On the other hand, we have a serious threat from the Chinese Education Group. Read here.
Dong Jiao Zong threatened to launch a massive protest action should the government decide to continue with its policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English. They claim that the teaching Science and Maths in English is the greatest threat to Chinese education.
They also continue to champion so-called mother tongue education and conveniently ignoring the fact that Mandarin is not the mother tongue for majority Chinese Malaysians. The same applies to the proponents of Tamil education in this country.
If their claims are true enough, Dong Jiao Zong should also undertake research on the impact of teaching in Chinese medium on all other subjects to thousands of Malay and Indian students in Chinese schools.
More importantly, if they do really defend mother tongue education, they should be principled enough to bar non-Chinese student from being enrolled into a Chinese school and advice non-Chinese parents to enroll their children in Tamil and National Schools.
This threat of massive protest only confirms that education groups like Dong Jiao Zong are the greater threat to the peace and security of this country rather than an education policy. They are willing to threaten the government if things don't go their way, no matter that the decision has not been made. How irresponsible!
Political parties, obiviously afraid of losing support of the Chinese, have so far, I believe, not responded to this threat.
I personally think that the people, apart from some racist education groups and the ministry should be engaged in the decision making. Most research papers undertaken are skewed to reflect the preference and opinions of parties with vested interest. So it highly unlikely that the views presented by these interest groups reflects the true wishes of rakyat, especially parents and future parents to be.
I call for a referendum to be undertaken throughout the country to decide on this issue once and for all. I think there has not been any referendum undertaken in Malaysia for a long time. It's about time we do it and not leave such an important decision to the whims and fancies of politicians, race based education groups and other pressure groups.
For Once, Let the Rakyat decide..
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Allow EPF Dividend Withdrawals
Moving away from politics and blame game for a while with a suggestion to help Rakyat.
Recent decision by the government to allow EPF contributors to reduce their mandatory monthly EPF contribution to 8% has received mixed reaction from analyst and contributors.
It is said that the governments intention is to encourage spending which will contribute towards expansion of the economy in these hard times. The government must have known that if we Malaysians have extra cash in hand, we are definitely likely to spend rather than save.
While the move may help those in the middle and low income groups, it must be acknowledged that these are the same group who end up with less savings when they retire, as suggested by many financial planners. Lowered mandatory EPF deduction for 2 full years can be quite substantial and affect future savings and dividends, if any.
What I would like to propose is that EPF should keep the mandatory 11% reduction intact and allow contributor to withdraw yearly dividends which is usually announced early in the year.
With many private sector companies unlikely to give bonusses or increments this and next year, withdrawal of dividends would definitely come in handy at the start of the year where many families spend more than usual for all kinds of expenses such as school fees, clothes for school schildren, yearly property assessments, quit rents, insurance etc.
Let's say a contributor has a balance of RM 10,000 in his EPF savings and dividend announced by EPF is flat 5%, he would be entitled to one off RM 500.00 withdrawal.
This measure, if implemented on voluntary basis would definitely help those in need without affecting EPF contributor's mandatory monthly deductions and existing savings.
Recent decision by the government to allow EPF contributors to reduce their mandatory monthly EPF contribution to 8% has received mixed reaction from analyst and contributors.
It is said that the governments intention is to encourage spending which will contribute towards expansion of the economy in these hard times. The government must have known that if we Malaysians have extra cash in hand, we are definitely likely to spend rather than save.
While the move may help those in the middle and low income groups, it must be acknowledged that these are the same group who end up with less savings when they retire, as suggested by many financial planners. Lowered mandatory EPF deduction for 2 full years can be quite substantial and affect future savings and dividends, if any.
What I would like to propose is that EPF should keep the mandatory 11% reduction intact and allow contributor to withdraw yearly dividends which is usually announced early in the year.
With many private sector companies unlikely to give bonusses or increments this and next year, withdrawal of dividends would definitely come in handy at the start of the year where many families spend more than usual for all kinds of expenses such as school fees, clothes for school schildren, yearly property assessments, quit rents, insurance etc.
Let's say a contributor has a balance of RM 10,000 in his EPF savings and dividend announced by EPF is flat 5%, he would be entitled to one off RM 500.00 withdrawal.
This measure, if implemented on voluntary basis would definitely help those in need without affecting EPF contributor's mandatory monthly deductions and existing savings.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Mukhriz: Implement Single Structure In School To Enhance Unity
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief aspirant Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has called on the Government to abolish the vernacular school system to enhance unity among the people.
He said a single school system was the only way to check racial polarisation.
“The Government should consider introducing only a one school system with Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction, except for the teaching of Science and Mathematics, which is already in English,” Mukhriz told reporters at Parliament House yesterday.
“Of course, pupils should then be given the option to study their mother tongue. Under this system, the Malays will also have the option of studying other languages like Chinese and Tamil, and this will further boost unity among the races,” the Umno Youth exco member added.
In an immediate response in his blog (www.ongteekeat.net), MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat made a very short posting on the subject.
“Datuk Mukhriz is just one of the many who are now repeating the same polemics that are a few decades old, simply because of the advent of their party’s poll.
“It is saddening because politicians cannot think out of the box,” he said.
Earlier, Mukhriz said it was time Malaysia did away with the dual school system, which was practised by only a handful of countries in the world.
He expressed hope that the leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties would not view his suggestion in a negative light as it was meant to resolve once and for all the problem of racial polarisation.
“If they reject this suggestion, then they should explain why they are against it,” he said. “If you want equal rights then you cannot have a different school system. You cannot have your cake and eat it too,” said Mukhriz.
He also urged all parties to stop harping on issues that could create tension among Barisan component parties, including talk of Malay supremacy.
He said there had been many statements made by leaders of component parties that had the potential to create anger among the Malays and Umno members.
“If they insist on making such statements, then do not be surprised if the Malays start talking about the economic supremacy of the non-Malays,” he added.
“Despite all that has been said on the issue of Malay supremacy, the Malays do not feel in any way superior or that they are the masters when it comes to the country’s economy.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't agree more with Mukhriz. Perhaps he is trying to do what, in my opinion, the single biggest policy shift that Mahathir failed to undertake during his perceived dictatorship.
This is also what I have suggested long ago and even recently . What we need in one school for Malaysians with languages such as Tamil and Mandarin taught and even made compulsory, if need be, in all schools.
This is the only way the unite Malaysians and this has to start young. Malaysians in the same neighborhood must be made to go to the same school from standard one to at least Form 5. There also would not be any issue of unaided schools.
Suggestion like these has always been coming from the UMNO with the exception of perhaps PPP Chief Kayveas, who supported this idea.
Not surprisingly, MCA and MIC, not wanting to lose support of Chinese and Indian Malaysian, will continue to reject this proposal.
I do not expect DAP and PKR, who claims that further to the March 8 election, people want a change and the direction is towards multi-racial approach to everything, to support this and they would not want to lose substantial non-Malay support that they gained in the elections.
Experts and education groups (and extremist) further claim that research shows that the young ones are better taught in mother tongue language in primary schools. They conveniently omit the fact that Tamil or Mandarin is not the actual mother tongue of many Chinese or Indian Malaysians.
There are also been no research undertaken to review the impact on non-Malays who went to national schools and also thousands of Malays and Indians who goes to Chinese schools. I never heard any student who blames the type of school they went to, for their failure in studies or career. Neither did I hear Indians or Chinese have converted to a Malay or even Muslim after going to national schools.
These are myths created by politicans and education groups.
Then we also have products of these vernacular schools, who are bent on defending their schools and language at any cost, never mind if Malaysians remain disunited. For them their schools and language is more important than national interest and unity.
What's the difference then, between MIC/MCA and PKR/DAP? It's all the same; they depend on certain races and its extremist groups for votes and don't dare to propose something that will definitely bring racial unity and national integration closer than ever.
We need strong leadership and resolve if we preach about multiracialism, national unity, integration and eventual formation of Bangsa Malaysia. I lament the fact that Mahathir did not use his so-called dictatorship to force a change and get everyone to the same school. Perhaps his son will do just that one day, even that will only happen when common sense (something that is no longer common) prevails.
He said a single school system was the only way to check racial polarisation.
“The Government should consider introducing only a one school system with Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction, except for the teaching of Science and Mathematics, which is already in English,” Mukhriz told reporters at Parliament House yesterday.
“Of course, pupils should then be given the option to study their mother tongue. Under this system, the Malays will also have the option of studying other languages like Chinese and Tamil, and this will further boost unity among the races,” the Umno Youth exco member added.
In an immediate response in his blog (www.ongteekeat.net), MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat made a very short posting on the subject.
“Datuk Mukhriz is just one of the many who are now repeating the same polemics that are a few decades old, simply because of the advent of their party’s poll.
“It is saddening because politicians cannot think out of the box,” he said.
Earlier, Mukhriz said it was time Malaysia did away with the dual school system, which was practised by only a handful of countries in the world.
He expressed hope that the leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties would not view his suggestion in a negative light as it was meant to resolve once and for all the problem of racial polarisation.
“If they reject this suggestion, then they should explain why they are against it,” he said. “If you want equal rights then you cannot have a different school system. You cannot have your cake and eat it too,” said Mukhriz.
He also urged all parties to stop harping on issues that could create tension among Barisan component parties, including talk of Malay supremacy.
He said there had been many statements made by leaders of component parties that had the potential to create anger among the Malays and Umno members.
“If they insist on making such statements, then do not be surprised if the Malays start talking about the economic supremacy of the non-Malays,” he added.
“Despite all that has been said on the issue of Malay supremacy, the Malays do not feel in any way superior or that they are the masters when it comes to the country’s economy.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't agree more with Mukhriz. Perhaps he is trying to do what, in my opinion, the single biggest policy shift that Mahathir failed to undertake during his perceived dictatorship.
This is also what I have suggested long ago and even recently . What we need in one school for Malaysians with languages such as Tamil and Mandarin taught and even made compulsory, if need be, in all schools.
This is the only way the unite Malaysians and this has to start young. Malaysians in the same neighborhood must be made to go to the same school from standard one to at least Form 5. There also would not be any issue of unaided schools.
Suggestion like these has always been coming from the UMNO with the exception of perhaps PPP Chief Kayveas, who supported this idea.
Not surprisingly, MCA and MIC, not wanting to lose support of Chinese and Indian Malaysian, will continue to reject this proposal.
I do not expect DAP and PKR, who claims that further to the March 8 election, people want a change and the direction is towards multi-racial approach to everything, to support this and they would not want to lose substantial non-Malay support that they gained in the elections.
Experts and education groups (and extremist) further claim that research shows that the young ones are better taught in mother tongue language in primary schools. They conveniently omit the fact that Tamil or Mandarin is not the actual mother tongue of many Chinese or Indian Malaysians.
There are also been no research undertaken to review the impact on non-Malays who went to national schools and also thousands of Malays and Indians who goes to Chinese schools. I never heard any student who blames the type of school they went to, for their failure in studies or career. Neither did I hear Indians or Chinese have converted to a Malay or even Muslim after going to national schools.
These are myths created by politicans and education groups.
Then we also have products of these vernacular schools, who are bent on defending their schools and language at any cost, never mind if Malaysians remain disunited. For them their schools and language is more important than national interest and unity.
What's the difference then, between MIC/MCA and PKR/DAP? It's all the same; they depend on certain races and its extremist groups for votes and don't dare to propose something that will definitely bring racial unity and national integration closer than ever.
We need strong leadership and resolve if we preach about multiracialism, national unity, integration and eventual formation of Bangsa Malaysia. I lament the fact that Mahathir did not use his so-called dictatorship to force a change and get everyone to the same school. Perhaps his son will do just that one day, even that will only happen when common sense (something that is no longer common) prevails.
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