speaker's corner

#514 two interesting views about religion.

2012-01-12T00:23:00.001+08:00

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Raja Petra Kamarudin

Since time immemorial, humankind has mulled over three basic questions – why are we here, who created us, and where will we go after we leave this world? We are guided by the belief that nothing happens without a reason. For us to be here there must have been a cause for it to happen. Something or someone must have triggered creations. Creations can’t self-create or just happen by itself for no rhyme or reason. So we work on the premise that there has to be a supreme being – the Creator called God.

More crucial to this question of who created us is the need to believe that there is a very important reason for our creation. We are not here for nothing. We are here for a reason. Hence, to make this theory plausible, we must go somewhere after we die. If not, we will exist for nothing and after we die, we just die. That would be a total waste of life. We need to be motivated and this motivation would be that something better awaits us after we die.

For these reasons, humankind needed to invent the concept of religion, basically a set of rituals and a belief system. Religion helps explain everything and answers all these questions. Religion reveals the secrets of our existence and the secrets of the Afterlife. It gives us the comfort of knowing that our life is not in vain and, more importantly, neither will our deaths if we have lived the life of a decent human being.

Religion works on the basis of rewards and punishment, that we will be rewarded for the good deeds and punished for the bad, and which is supposed to turn us into decent human beings. However, good and bad are subjective and different religions have different value systems (e.g., the concept of Jihad, suicide squads, and the killing of apostates in Islam).

Religion also makes it easier for us to accept death, especially the loss of our loved ones. We would like to believe that those who have died are ‘at peace’ and are ‘resting’. The concept of religion and the belief in the Afterlife has helped humankind reject the finality of death and regard it as merely the process of ‘moving on’ to a better resting place while awaiting resurrection.

Contrary to what many religionists believe, religion did not come about suddenly – such as, one fine day, God spoke to the Prophet (there are 124,000 Prophets in Islam although only 25 are mentioned by name in the Quran) and religion came into being. Actually, religion evolved over thousands of years and the many religions in existence today evolved and transformed (even mutated) from earlier religions, some now extinct.

If you were to study the history of religions, a few facts are very apparent. First would be that later religions borrowed from earlier religions. Hence there are no original religions. Take the Abrahamic faiths as one example. The ‘operating system’ for the Abrahamic faiths is, naturally, the teachings of Abraham, the Father or Patriarch of the Abrahamic faiths. I would call this Version 1.0.

Then along came Moses and Abraham’s teachings evolved into Judaism, what I would call Version 1.1. Jesus then emerged to introduce Version 1.2 (at least the Christians would have us believe, although I would dispute this and argue that Jesus was a Jew and not a Christian). Finally, we have Muhammad who ‘improved’ it further and introduced Version 1.3, what we know as Islam.

Religionists believe that these are all different religions. Actually, they are all the same religion and merely mutations of earlier religions. And even these are mutations of yet earlier religions such as the old Pagan, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, etc., beliefs. It is no coincidence that stories such as the virgin birth were also believed by pre-Abrahamic faiths.

Some religions survived, mutated and grew while others died off and became extinct. This is because religion was tied to the state. And those religions that were endorsed by the state survived and grew while those that the state did not endorse died off – mainly because the state murdered all those considered deviants, heretics, etc.

Today, the three Abrahamic faiths dominate the world, only because other religions were not allowed to exist. Non-Christians and non-Muslims were forced to either convert or die. Those who refused were killed. Eventually, most converted to either Christianity or Islam and their descendants automatically embraced (or inherited) the religion of their forefathers out of tradition and through indoctrination.

Had freedom of choice been allowed and had no one been forced to adopt the religion of his/her political masters, there is no guarantee that, say, Islam would be the dominant religion of the Middle East. Most likely the majority in the Middle East today would be Zoroastrians. The Nestorian/Coptic Christians plus the Jews of the Middle and Near East also faced persecution and were forced to embrace either Islam or the Roman version of Christianity.

The survival and growth of religions has been tied to political and economic considerations. The Byzantine and Sasanian Empires became Christian and Muslim respectively for political and economic expediency. Thereafter, once the rulers made the decision to embrace a certain religion, the population followed suit to avoid the risk of persecution and/or death – such as during the Tudor reign in England when Protestant Christianity replaced Catholicism.

Rulers have always used religion as a form of control over the population. Prophets never preached religious structures or a system of priesthood. It was only about the acceptance of God. When the Prophets exited, the priests stepped in to create a religious ‘system’, which was used to dominate and control the masses. Hence, while we may argue that God created humankind, humankind, in turn, created religion. And that is why, while we may argue that there is only one God, there is not one religion but many religions. In conclusion, I would argue that religion did not come from God but is a creation of humankind.

#513 the judiciary and what became of it

2012-01-09T13:05:00.000+08:00

The charges, when finally published, were manifestly absurd. Running over 12 sheets of paper, it was clear that quantity had been substituted where quality was lacking, and some of them actually related to Tun Salleh's behaviour after suspension. Many of them related to his speeches and press interviews, whereby sinister meanings were imputed to various innocuous comments that he had made.

Daniel John Jambun

I must say I was flabbergasted to read Tun Mahathir Mohammad’s statement that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s intention to hold a rally against his conviction on January 9th was an attempt to attack the judiciary in Malaysia

#512 the big dilemma

2012-01-08T00:06:00.001+08:00

Yes, it's true that Anwar might be sent to jail. Yes, it's also true that there's no one capable in PKR. And it's also true that the most capable person to take over PR would be Lim Guan Eng, but no one would accept a DAP Chinese as the PM. Not anytime in the near future at least. And so, we're left with PAS. Which has Dr. Dzulkefly, Nizar Jamaluddin and Khalid Samad as capable candidates.

But here's the question. If we do install a PAS leader as the leader of PR, will they be able to handle the pressure of certain influential PAS members who insist on the creation of an Islamic State? Or will they crumble?

#511 what is your prayer?

2012-01-04T02:22:00.001+08:00

Prayer is our means of communication with God. If perceived as a requirement, something outside the context of love, prayer can easily become a series of words rooted in works. Just as a marriage will falter when communication becomes obligatory, so too our relationship with God can become awkward and stilted if we don't understand the true heart of prayer.

- ODJ.

#510 what is your democracy?

2011-12-01T06:42:00.001+08:00

“The highest measure of democracy is neither the ‘extent of freedom’ nor the ‘extent of equality’, but rather the highest measure of participation.”

- A.D. Benoist

#509 a history lesson

2011-11-27T17:57:00.001+08:00

By N. RAMA LOHAN
from The Star Online

Yes, we all know the Portuguese came and conquered Malacca in 1511 — but did you know that they tried to take the Sultan’s magnificent bed back to Portugal?

IN the port town of Belem, near Lisbon, a map of the ancient world etched on the ground near the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) has Malacca carefully noted on it. Or “Malaca”, as it’s spelt there. It’s only fitting that this European town on the other side of the world marks our little city/state because it was from Belem that seafaring Portuguese in the 15th and 16th century set off to explore and trade with India and the Orient during the Age Of Discovery – and Malacca’s role during that age was very much more than just a footnote in both Portugal and Malaysia’s history

This year marks the quincentenary of the capture of the famously-rich and thriving port back in 1511 by the second Viceroy of India, Admiral Alfonso de Albuquerque. Of course, anyone who has ever gone through the Malaysian school system will know that date, and the events and consequences of the time the “white man” came to these shores. But behind the sweeping events on history’s stage are intriguing nuggets known mostly to historians or students of history alone. For instance, according to the Portuguese, Sultan Mahmud Shah, the then ruling Sultan of Malacca, was an opium addict! Though the The Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu) does state that he was also fond of literature and studied religion....

Malacca in the world: In the Mappa Mundi (World Map) etched into the ground in Belem, ‘Malaca’ is about the only location noted for this part of the world (close up, below, right), a sign of the city-state’s influence in the 16th century.

Rocking the status quo

Two years before the landmark events of 1511, though, Portugal and Malacca were already in conflict when Admiral Diego Lopez de Sequeira arrived at the trade-rich entrepot at the behest of Portugal’s king, Emmanuel I, to establish trading ties.

The Portuguese themselves had only then recently rid themselves of Moorish domination within the Iberian Peninsula, a liberation after 800 years. Almost as a backlash, the need to spread their Christian faith grew exponentially, and coupled with the desire to extend its trade dominance, the Portuguese eventually became the first global empire and the longest lasting of the European colonial empires, spanning nearly 600 years.

“Before the Portuguese found their way to India and further to the Far East, the Muslim Moors controlled the spice trade to Europe. Wresting this control was seen as a commercial gain as well as a religious duty – an extension of the crusades the Christians had long waged against the Muslims,” reveals historian Dr Khasnor Johan, who taught history at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia from 1974-1992 and has the book The Emergence Of The Modern Malay Administrative Elite to her name.

Christianity and the Europeans’ trade request were entertained with little courtesy and the reigning Sultan of the time, Sultan Mahmud Shah, egged on by Gujerati Muslim traders who were hard-done-by the Portuguese previously, chose to attack the very first Portuguese fleet to arrive in Malacca.

“The presence of the Portuguese would have been seen as additional competition and a threat to the status quo, so it is not unexpected that they (the Gujerati Muslim traders) would have been unhappy.

“The Muslims would have used religion as an additional factor in making the argument that the Portuguese should not be welcomed, thus persuading the Sultan not to conclude a treaty of peace with the Portuguese,” Khasnor explains.

“It has to be remembered that under the Malacca Sultanate, a system of trade and community relations had already evolved and worked well. The arrival of the Portuguese injected a new element into that system, upsetting the balance in the process,” Khasnor says.

That altercation would condemn Malacca to impending doom and the day arrived when Albuquerque – along with a thousand-odd men, comprising 800 Portuguese soldiers and 300-600 Malabarian mercenaries – sailed into the port town in July, 1511.

The pretext of the visit was to retrieve the Portuguese men held captive from two years before, but Albuquerque was also determined to wrest control of the renowned spice and China trade, in which Malacca played a crucial role.

Following a fierce battle that raged for three weeks, the Portuguese gained control of Malacca and would reap the benefits of the land and the city’s strategic location, controlling access to the Malacca Strait, a vital part of the trade route between East and West until the Dutch arrived to do the same in 1641. The superiority of the Portuguese proved too much for the men of Malacca to defend their port.

The Sultan’s men and mercenaries were reported to have used arrows, blow pipes with poisoned darts, the kris, lances and even guns. Allegedly, cannon were even discovered, some of which were dislodged from the ships of the Gujeratis and used on land.

Following the aftermath of the battle, the Portuguese retrieved 3,000 pieces of artillery and among them were 2,000 in bronze and one very large gun that the Samorin of Calicut (the ruler of a kingdom in South-West India) had sent to the Sultan of Malacca.

The small calibre guns are said to have been made locally, which is truly illuminating of the weapons technology available to Malacca then.

According to Peter Borschberg, an associate professor in the Department of History at the National University of Singapore, it was the Portuguese fire power that allowed them to defeat the defenders of Malacca easily. “Armour, tactics, military training, discipline of the troops would have all contributed,” he says.

Khasnor concurs: “The small arms of the Malays were no match for the Portuguese cannon, whose range was much further. The Portuguese strategy of attacking the bridge, thereby splitting the Malay forces into two, also played a big role in their victory.”

Albuquerque and his men chose to attack the bridge crossing the river that runs through Malacca town, knowing full well that would effectively divide the administrative part of the town from its commercial centre.

Alfonso de Albuquerque’s stature and impressively long beard reportedly had the Malaccan delegation bowing in awe and reverence when they caught their first glimpse of him on board his ship. — Image from Lendas da India, courtesy of Peter Borschberg

Carving up the region

The story of the fall of Malacca is one that is perhaps not necessarily the most unique. Also, it isn’t in the least bit aided by the history books in school painting a vague account of the events of 1511.

While the prescribed school syllabus for secondary schools by the Ministry Of Education mentions the likes of Albuquerque and of course, Sultan Mahmud, it leaves out colourful characters such as Utimutiraja (the rich and powerful Javanese trader living in Malacca who double-crossed both Sultan Mahmud and the Portuguese!), Nina Chatu (the influential Malaccan Hindu trader who aligned himself with the Portuguese) and Rui de Araujo (one of the captives in Malacca who – in a tale that could have come straight out of a modern thriller – relayed intelligence to Albuquerque with help from Nina Chatu between 1509 and 1511).

Whatever weight the school books give to the events of 1511, they were without a doubt among some of the most significant in Malaysia and Malacca’s history, arguably on par with America’s war of independence with the British in 18th century.

But unlike that conflict, which had a positive impact, giving Americans nationhood and setting them on course to world domination, the arrival of the Portuguese in Malacca, on the other hand, put a halt to the potential expansion of the Malay archipelago’s nascent power.

Things took a turn for the worse when rivalry among European powers further led to the carving up of many Asian regions into different spheres of influence.

Malacca’s fame during the 15th and 16th century as a lucrative entrepot in the region was actually unfortunate, as it made the port a target that the Western powers desired to control.

Malacca’s occupation isn’t merely about statistics or interesting stories confined to the history books because we continue to live with some of the consequences today.

“In view of the emergence of the nation states in Europe and the expansion of naval power and shipping, which allowed expeditionary voyages and long distance trade, it seems almost inevitable that Asia would have eventually been exposed to Western domination,” theorises Khasnor.

The control of the Malay archipelago might have begun at the periphery with the Portuguese and the Dutch, but by the time the British arrived, the Western world was taking much more of a hand in events in this part of the world.

“We are therefore still living with the consequences of that domination. For a very long time, our right to determine our own destiny and direction was taken away from us. But on the other hand, it is hard to see how we might have evolved or developed had we not been under Western domination,” adds Khasnor.

Thailand is a prime example. It was never colonised, yet it has developed, economically and politically, in much the same way Malaysia has, even if details differ.

The Portuguese believed Malacca’s position was so strategic that they constructed A Famosa in the port town to protect the trade route between Asia and their homeland. — File photo

Legacies left behind

The colonisation of Malacca may have very well kicked off the start of globalisation in this part of the world, a point observed by Borschberg, too.

“I was recently (in June) at a conference in Frankfurt (Germany) where issues of globalisation were discussed in connection with the Middle Ages. It was fascinating because the discussion traced the transmission of foodstuffs from Asia to Europe in the 6th to 14th centuries.

“But I suppose what made the case of the Portuguese different was the direct contact (not just gradual transmission, as in the Middle Ages) and the shift from overland to seaborne or maritime trade.

“Seaborne trade in the so-called Age Of Discovery enabled more goods to be exchanged and a greater number of people to interact. The real discoveries are not so much the lands of Asia or the Americas, but rather, the sailing techniques and the navigational routes to get to these places.”

The Portuguese capture of Malacca can be viewed as the case of an Asian port that was plundered by all-conquering colonists who exerted their might in the name of commerce and religion. However, the state today isn’t bitter about its past, claims Khasnor.

“The Malays are still proud of the fact that Malacca was once well known as a sultanate and one of the most important centres of trade and commerce in the East. Today, Malays might feel a sense of regret that Malacca was captured by the Portuguese and was never restored to the Malays until the end of British colonial rule, yet, when Malacca, as a state, celebrates its past history and heritage, it includes among the highlights of its existence the Portuguese influence, the unique blending of the races in the Portuguese Eurasian groups, the Baba-Nyonya and Indian Muslim communities and their cultural contributions,” Khasnor shares.

Historians speak of language and linguistic legacies left behind, and with the language came new ideas and concepts, Roman Catholicism, the introduction of foodstuffs and cooking styles, clothing items, architecture and building styles (the A Famosa Fort, among others).

“But influences are rarely a one-way process. More often than not, in the long run, you give and adopt into your own culture. And then there is the fusion of cultural practices – hybridity,” Borschberg adds.

Although the Dutch were also in Malacca, they stayed clear of making changes when they realised how well-assimilated Portuguese culture was, which is why the presence of the Portuguese remains strong in Malacca to this day, even half a millennium later.

In 1641, when the Dutch took hold of Malacca, the Portuguese were allowed to leave – as amnesty in the name of Christianity – but they weren’t allowed to take their slaves with them. So the backbone of the Portuguese community in Malacca was formed by Portuguese-speaking slaves and the few Portuguese who stayed behind, those who married locals and adapted to the way of life here.

“The Portuguese were in control of Malacca for more than a century and in that period, there would have been a small number of Portuguese who stayed long enough to form a community of their own. There would have been no women among them and for that reason, some would have married local women,” Khasnor explains.

Borschberg reckons that the number of Portuguese who stayed back would have been very small. “According to period documents of the time, 52 casados (a married settler) and their families ... all in all, fewer than 300 souls,” he says.

(According to census figures provided by Malaysia’s Department of Statistics, as of 2000, Eurasians in Malaysia – citizens and non-citizens – number 14,108. In Malacca alone, there are 2,176. The latest figures, from the 2010 census, are not available, as they are still being compiled.)

The Portuguese only had around 600 men in Malacca at any given time during their 130-year reign, and because their strength was in naval activity, they never sought landlocked regions, which is why they stuck with only Malacca and didn’t venture beyond to the rest of the Malay Peninsula.

“The Portuguese in Asia generally didn’t want large chunks of land to look after. It’s also a question of having sufficient manpower to control their possessions, and manpower was always short,” says Borschberg.

Of course, one of the greatest gifts of the Portuguese coming to Malacca are the stories left behind, especially the legends, and perhaps the greatest legends among them all is that of the Flor de la Mar (Flower Of The Sea) and her cargo.

The Flor was the largest carrack (three- or four-masted merchant ships) in its time and was used extensively in the Portuguese conquests of Asia. Close to a year after being in Malacca, when Albuquerque finally decided to sail back to Goa, India, he and his men loaded the Flor with the rich spoils of the Malacca sultanate, including jewellery, ornaments, statues and even the sultan’s bed.

Sailing north to the northern tip of Sumatra, the Flor encountered bad weather and was wrecked on some shoals. The ship split in half and lost all of its treasures, which according to treasure hunters, is the most valued shipwreck in the world. Albuquerque himself nearly perished in the disaster but was rescued.

Portuguese domination of Malacca lasted from 1511 to 1641, but though those events go back hundreds of years today, they have been woven into the very fabric of Malaysian society. In general, many of us treat those events as history book material, but think about it, in a strange way, the Portuguese put Malaysia on the world map all those years ago – they brought the Western world to us and made our presence known to the Western world.

All the countries around Malaysia were colonies of Western powers, except Thailand, so becoming a vassal might have been the only way for us to eventually become a modern civilisation. The accuracy of that opinion is open to debate, but we’ll just never know, will we?

#508 because it would not be fair to only argue from one point of view

2011-11-22T20:39:00.000+08:00

By ZAIN HD
alltherage@thestar.com.my

Many people find it surprising that I am against the education policy of teaching maths and science in English (PPSMI). This is considering that I am far more fluent in English than I am in Bahasa Malaysia, and went to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) where everything was taught in English to students who were largely not proficient in the language.

Throughout law school, I was a maths and advance maths private home tutor to students who were sitting for their SPM and PMR exams. Sometimes, I would teach in two different languages as not all the students could understand English well.

I was once a supporter of PPSMI, but have changed my stand since. I’ve come to learn that there’s a huge difference between making a decision and making an informed decision. I changed my mind about PPSMI when I understood the bigger picture.

It started when I saw a draft copy of a World Bank report that looked into the education sector in Malaysia, which is currently being vetted by the Ministry of Education.

In the country’s GDP, we spend 60% more than comparable countries and twice the Asean average for the expenditure of basic education. This is a pattern that covers at least 30 years. Using international comparison, the report finds little or no evidence of a relationship between spending and learning outcomes.

My take from this information and the report as a whole is best illustrated like this: Our education system is like a factory that is heavily invested, well funded, overstaffed and sufficiently supported by stakeholders from the people to their leaders.

Yet its products, the Malaysian students, are not noteworthy.

There is a fundamental problem here. The core objective of this system, which is to educate Malaysians, is not doing what it is meant to do. To implement PPSMI, assuming you think the policy is a good idea, will not be wise. Why ask for a lightweight tyre, when the core structure of your bicycle is falling apart?

If we are going to work on fixing these problems, then we have to be focused.
Implementing something like PPSMI would mean a dillution of energy, time and money towards making the overall system work.

PPSMI has yet to be proven to have significant correlation towards comprehension or results for tertiary science subjects. According to the World Education Ranking conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that measures competency in “Reading, Maths and Science”, the top scorers are Shanghai (China), Korea, Finland and Hong Kong (China). United States ranked 17th, behind Poland and Switzerland.

Here’s another interesting point, assuming that the idea is to make the transition into English tertiary science-based education easier for Malaysian students: Of the approximate 400,000 students who enter Year 1, only 100,000 of them go on to complete their university education. Of that, number, how many of them are actually in the scientific field of study?

Now imagine having PPSMI across Malaysia of which has relevance to a small segment of students.

Imagine the disparity we’re harvesting between the educated, and the non-educated, the employability between the science students and the non-science students. Considering the disparity, caused by the benefit enjoyed by a “selective” segment of our students, can this be good for Malaysia?

If having better standards of English is good for those studying in university and also the country, then improve English as a whole. Japan is ranked 8th in the OECD study and yet, I’m confident that by percentage our population is more exposed to English and understand the language better than the Japanese. Meanwhile, people in Netherlands, ranked 10th, are fluent in Dutch, English and French, too.

Both countries have their education system in their local language.

Education is a national issue that all Malaysians have equity in it. A small school in a rural area where kids live as far as a three-day walk, will not have enough students to make a separate class specially for PPSMI, assuming they even have a teacher who can manage it (well).

Therefore, even if it’s an option, that option is an illusion. They now don’t have access to a portion of our education system, simply because of where they are born. Is that fair?

We have to understand things by tracing back the philosophy of a national education system. Is it meant to give selective special education where the smart will become smarter, and then figure out what to do with those who lack the exposure and opportunities? Is it meant to enable all Malaysians as much as possible to this basic human right? Or, is it purely to produce a workforce or to build a nation of people who are smart and able to articulate?

There’s been a good amount of intelligent people in this world throughout history, who don’t even know English and yet have their knowledge and work transcend beyond their own borders. Let’s work towards a solution for Malaysia. A smart one.

#507 finance

2011-11-21T16:42:00.000+08:00

For many people, financial security is an important and overriding ambition. Should your choice of career be motivated by the financial security it will bring? Or is your security in the Lord of heaven and earth? This is not to say that he may not guide you into a well-paid career. The rich have greater responsibilities to shoulder in God's plans.

But is God the Lord of all your posessions? Many people today seem to follow unquestioningly the materialist idea that they should own more and more. But that is not God's way. God supplies according to our needs.

Most people today don't know much about trusting God for their daily needs. George Mueller supported not only himself and his family, but hundreds of orphans on the answers to prayer alone.

Dare to trust God for something small and ordinary, and next week or next year you may be able to trust him for answers bordering on the miraculous.

#506 Mahathir's only wisdom left

2011-11-20T19:38:00.000+08:00

Kinda the only issue that Mahathir is actually thinking properly before talking.

from the Star Online.

LANGKAWI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak can override his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, over the reversal of the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday.

The former premier, who introduced PPSMI in 2003, said a reversal of the policy would result in Malaysians being backward and ignorant.

“The idea of going back to Bahasa (Malaysia) in Mathematics and Science will make us all very backward.

“It's not that I don't have any respect for Bahasa, but the fact is that science is a different subject altogether - it is not static knowledge, it keeps on growing with research every day.

“We have to have access to that research otherwise, we will be backward,” Dr Mahathir told reporters here yesterday.

He said opting for English in the teaching of Mathematics and Science did not mean the country was being disloyal to the national language.

“It's not being disloyal. Being loyal only through language is not sufficient. (Instead,) be loyal through the progress made by Malaysians.

“If you want to teach the other subjects in the national language, that's fine, I support that. But I have to be practical. You don't want Malaysians to be ignorant.

“In this age of science and technology, if you don't progress in science, you cannot make any progress,” Dr Mahathir said.

Dr Mahathir, who was on Thursday sent copies of 7,000 signed petitions from the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) calling for PPSMI to be retained as an option in national schools, said Najib could overrule anyone if it was for the good of the country.

“If it is something for the good of the country, not only the Education Minister, but everybody can be overridden.

“Just hope people don't get angry and refuse to vote for Barisan National,” Dr Mahathir said.

In July 2009, it was reported that the PPSMI policy would be reversed with Mathematics and Science reverting to being taught in Bahasa Malaysia in national schools, and in Chinese and Tamil in vernacular schools starting from 2012.

#505

2011-11-19T18:47:00.001+08:00

Solid Evidence That PPSMI Works
by Syed Akbar Ali

This is from The Star here
.

The best UPSR results in last four years

PUTRAJAYA: This year's Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) results are the best of the past four years.

Of the 485,160 candidates who sat for the examinations, 269,021 had good scores with a minimum Grade C (not including straight A scorers).

"However, the number of straight A scorers reduced this year, from 10.02% in 2010 to 9.48% (46,012 candidates) in 2011.

"The percentage of candidates who scored below minimum achievement (those with grades D, E, or both) also decreased from 3.39% last year to 2.88% this year,"
.
So can the anti-PPSMI people answer this question : if PPSMI is so bad, then how come this year's UPSR results are "the best in four years"?
.
If PPSMI is bad, it should be the worst results in four years. Because that is what the anti-PPSMI people are saying, the performance of the students is going down. But here it says the performnace is the best in four years - it is going up.
.
Also last year 38,000 students scored straight As in all subjects in their PMR exams. Folks these are the PPSMI generation. They can handle Maths and Science in English. After eight years of PPSMI, the students are already getting accustomed to Maths and Science in English.
.

This is the best evidence.

#504 Pakatan's stand on PPSMI

2011-11-04T19:22:00.003+08:00

Two articles I read made me want to blog, so there.

1. “Educating students in a language that is foreign to them would benefit the English-speaking students at the expense of the rest, thus widening inequality,” says Nik Nazmi.

2. A couple of people also pointed out that PPSMI's reversal shouldn't be an issue as it is not the main problem, but we should talk about revamping the entire education system.

But let's stop for a moment and think.

Do we want Malaysia to be able to compete with the world, even though it's not the majority that will be able to grasp Science and Mathematics in English, or do we want to sacrifice global competitiveness for equality locally? Let's ask ourselves this. Even if we want to cater to the local students to bridge the gap of equality, how many students actually want to enter the science and maths world? I suppose a good number of them don't even have interest in science and maths, and are mostly forced by their parents to do science stream. So the medium of instruction doesn't actually make a difference. The dropping grades only shows that the grasp of English isn't there. Reversal of the policy wouldn't drastically improve the results.

Why don't we let the students that are passionate about science and mathematics decide - do they want to lag behind and face a tougher time when pursuing graduate courses, or do they want to be able to have a good start to prep them for their higher education?

Yes, it might sound evil to leave others behind. But as I have freshly graduated from high school, I know most of my friends in Science stream classes don't even want to be there. The excessive focus on the Science stream classes has cause them to be there. But if most students don't really want to be involved in the science field, it leaves only a small minority interested in the field, i.e. the ones who should voice out their opinion on the PPSMI field.

On a side note, the great number of students that are in science stream classes and don't want to be there could also contribute to the bad results. We definitely cannot blame it solely on English being the medium of instruction.

On the second point - yes, I admit. The education system isn't flawed. It's hopeless. A good number of it is propaganda. The standard is so low that it's kinda redundant to even sit for exams. And the syllabus doesn't challenge us to think critically. I mean, which competitive country still learns the topic of addition at 13 years old? That should be long completed at 6 years old.

If the education system is a mess, let's dream of our Utopian education system. At the end of it all - do we want it to teach science and maths in English, or BM? Bearing in mind that we can only influence local policy, the international language is still English, and a good 90% plus of reference material is still English.

#503 PPSMI again

2011-11-03T20:33:00.001+08:00

“It was already decided by the Cabinet back in 2009, after many levels of discussion, was passed in Parliament and even the opposition supported it. There was no negative reaction back then, I don’t know why it’s being brought up.

“Maybe they (PAGE) ketinggalan zaman (behind the times.) The government will not bow down to the demands of small groups like this,” Muhyiddin said today, in reference to demands made by the pro-English lobby group earlier this week.

- Malaysian Insider, 03/11/11

I don't know whether Muhyiddin is oblivious, or he is just plain stupid. Immediately after they announced the doing away of PPSMI, the opposition to that decision was fierce. Even Mahathir did a poll which showed that 84% of the people wanted PPSMI to continue.

He also states, "Some people can push and demand all they want, we are a democracy, but the government’s decision is final". I don't know what form of democracy is that, where the government makes all the decisions while ignoring the voice of the people who vote them in.

Last but not least, the stupidest statement ever.

“The question is whether the best way to learn English is to learn English in maths and science or to bring in master teachers to help our teachers improve their proficiency?"

I question this. Was the PPSMI's main goal ever to help students learn English? If so, why wasn't the English language subject done away with in the past 8 years? And if it was the main goal, then I question the previous administration's thinking. But no.

Here's what the PPSMI was made for.

In conclusion, the policy decision to implement PPSMI was made to ensure students’ mastery in science and mathematics in view of the fact that most of the sources are available in the English language. Indirectly, it is also hoped that the implementation of PPSMI would contribute to the enhancing of students’ command of the language.

The main goal is to help students compete internationally in the science and maths field. And we all know that no one internationally publishes their journals in BM. Why? Simply because no one outside Malaysia uses BM. The issue of PPSMI degrading BM does not arise at all. No one ever complained about the other subjects being taught in BM. History can be taught in BM as most of the Malaysian history sources are in BM.

But unfortunately, Muhyiddin and friends fail to see the bigger picture. I bet they're taking a huge chunk of money out of the textbook printers' profit from this reversal.

But that's just my opinion.

#502 PPSMI

2011-10-19T00:46:00.003+08:00

The fact of the matter is that the teachers are unequipped to teach both Science and Maths in English given the short period of time to adapt. While some have done well, others lag behind.

It's not really the teachers' fault per se, though certain teachers don't even bother to attempt to teach in English. The government has not provided a proper implementation and training process.

The problem is the teachers' training and delivery. So the rakyat keeps asking for the teachers to work on their English, i.e. the root problem.

However, the Education Ministry decides to implement a program to improve the students' English. Yes, to a certain extend, this should have been a vital area of focus. But the problem isn't the students' English. The problem is the teachers' English. And the book writers' English. Where else in the world do you learn broken English from school textbooks that was so bad it had to be recalled?

Only in Malaysia.

----------------------

By Sandra Rajoo

Many felt disappointed and let down by the decision taken by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to abolish PPSMI. No matter how lengthy the arguments presented by the MOE, they still fall short.

Saying that teachers have to use Bahasa Malaysia to cater to students who do not understand English does not present a true picture of what is happening in schools. The problem does not lie entirely with the students; difficulty arose because of teachers’ proficiency too. When PPSMI was introduced almost 7 years ago, no proper groundwork was laid to prepare for the transition. Teachers who had been teaching in BM all the while were forced to switch to English. Imagine the difficulty. The MOE implemented some programmes to help these teachers but unfortunately the momentum lasted only a couple of years. After that, as usual, everything died a natural death. By right, Heads of schools should have been tasked with ensuring that teachers conscientiously and continuously upgrade their proficiency, at the same time providing the necessary support. Lack of seriousness and commitment has led to the demise of good policies.

The MOE says the policy is ‘flawed’ but provides no lucid analysis to support this assertion. Surely such a pronouncement requires more substantial and clear arguments. Merely quoting two researches done by two university educationists in my view, is quite inadequate. Who the respondents were, which schools were involved, what the actual findings are etc., are not clearly outlined or explained. We would certainly like to read the actual findings in order to draw our own conclusions. Merely making general statements to justify a reversal of policy seems like a tactic to lull the unsuspecting public to go along with its ideas without question. The Ministry has a research arm, EPRD, but correct me if I am wrong, they did not conduct any study on this very important matter. Why so?

Read more here.

#501 How Zul Noordin distorts the truth

2011-08-17T23:11:00.000+08:00

By Raja Petra

He does not care about the law, argued Zul. Malaysian law may not have made it illegal or haram for Muslims to enter a church. But he is not concerned with that. He is guided by the example (sunah) of the Prophet’s Comrades (Sahabat Nabi) and Caliph Umar, one of the Prophet’s Comrades, refused to enter a church. This is all that matters.

Zul did not offer any details on this incident he quoted. He did not clarify when and where this incident was supposed to have happened. Either he is not clear about the incident or he is intentionally trying to mislead his audience.

Well, in that case, since Zul is either not too clear about the incident or refuses to clarify his statement with intent to mislead his audience, let me help with the clarification.

In the year 638, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Umar, the third Caliph, led an army to conquer Jerusalem. The Christian leaders of Jerusalem invited Umar into the Church of Holy Sepulcher so that he could fulfil his prayers. Umar, however, refused to do so out of respect for the Christians. Instead, he chose to pray outside the church.

Read more here.

#500 The National Museum

2011-08-16T14:03:00.000+08:00

By John Doe

It's one thing not-to-know. It's quite another thing to pretend-to-know, and pretend “educate” the masses. I am referring to Muzium Negara. Yes, the newly renovated Muzium which cost the Taxpayers Millions of Dollars. I deliberately stopped there, during my very recent visit to Malaysia. I was aghast at some of the exhibits. This message goes out to En. Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim. Your Muzium may look pretty today, but sorely lacks any credibility whatsoever. The Devil is in the details. So, here's my “Satanic Verse” to you.

The very first exhibit displays Pangaea. Do you not know that discussing Pangaea is a subservient attack on the Koran? All Judaeo-Christian-Islamic “Holy Books” state that the World is merely 6,000 odd years old. The Pangaea date starts at the 250million year mark. Is your Arithmetic so bad not to know the difference? Are you a closet Atheist? No? Why not show the entire Human Family Tree while you're at it then? Why just an Orang Utan? Afraid to lose your job? Hankering for a Datukship? Fat chance !! Next, behind the exhibit of the Human Evolution model, is Perak Man. Yes. The one which spent years in Japan, because Malaysians were deemed unfit to do any real study on real research work. Perak Man is the flagship of Zuraina Majid's career. However, she fails to explain why Perak Man is older than Adam and Hawa (Eve). Perak Man is touted to be 10,500 years old. This makes him circa 4,000 years older than Adam and Eve. Strange isn't it? Alright, “I believe, therefore it's true”.

Read more here.

#499 Penang: Getting back its mojo

2011-08-15T14:02:00.000+08:00

By The Economist

Adapted to the national stage, such policies could transform the way that the Malaysian federal government conducts business. Mr Eng says that the savings he has made by ending the “old systems of patronage” allow him to spend money on new social programmes instead, such as modest handouts for the elderly. These policies are popular, and the assault on corruption pleases foreign investors. Little wonder, then, that Penang has become a political weathervane as much as a lesson in economic development.

IF YOU are going to have a heart attack, have it in Penang. So one might think, to the see the hospitals in George Town, the capital of this north-western Malaysian state. Patients are flocking in. Ted Mohr, the head of the venerable Penang Adventist Hospital says that he will admit 70,000 medical tourists this year. The hospital specialises in heart procedures and it will perform roughly 23,000 of them this year, including 550 open-heart operations. Such is the demand that the hospital is doubling its number of beds.

Mr Mohr gives two main reasons for Penang’s success with the coronary crowd. First, it is relatively cheap. Open-heart surgery that would set you back $100,000 in America costs only about $10,000 in Penang. Second, Penang’s hospitals are as well-equipped as many in the West.

The combination of low cost and high technology is the main reason why industries across the state of Penang, made up of the original island and a larger bit of the mainland, are prospering again after more than a decade of decline. Their revival is important to Malaysia’s economy—Penang and the surrounding region account for 21% of the country’s GDP. But the renaissance could also have important political consequences for the country. Since 2008 Penang has been one of only four states (out of 13) run by an opposition party. If its politicians can claim the credit for the recent success, that should greatly help the opposition in the next general election, expected within the year.

Penang was founded as a free port by the British in 1786. Occupying a position between India and East Asia, the island drew merchants and middlemen keen to make their fortunes. Chinese, Indians, Armenians, Arabs and more all traded alongside each other. With its racial and religious mix, and dedication to the pursuit of free trade, Penang was in many ways the first custom-made city of globalisation.

The island’s fortunes sank as it lost business to its arch-rival, Singapore. In the post-colonial period Penang fell victim to the rise of nationalism. The region’s freshly minted republics chose to develop their own ports. Penang enjoyed a revival during the 1970s with the setting-up of Malaysia’s first free-trade zone (a “free port” by another name); this attracted big names in electronics, like Intel and Bosch, which built some of the first offshore assembly lines. But this boom was founded on cheap labour, and as Malaysia became richer other emerging economies, such as China and Vietnam, drew the assembly work away.

To recover its prosperity, Penang has sought to reinvent itself. With the rise of India and China, Penang’s location again looks very handy to foreign companies as a place to invest, as in the 18th century. It is relatively close to both big markets—yet offers advantages that trump Asia’s giants’.

Penang’s own “Silicon Valley” companies know that the rule of law in Malaysia gives them the sort of protection for patents and intellectual property they would not enjoy in China, and an ease of doing business that they could not find in India. Wages are higher than they were, but no more so nowadays than on the Chinese seaboard. The federal government has also spent liberally on bridges and the airport, making Penang better connected to the rest of Asia. And old George Town has been smartened up, which helps to bring in foreigners to live, work—and have surgery.

The result is another boom. Last year more investment poured into the state than any other in Malaysia. Scores of new electronics firms have swooped in to join the pioneers, along with an expanding cluster of 20 or so medical-device manufacturers. Crucially, most of the new jobs are in research and development rather than assembly. An American chip-designer, Altera, has a new facility with 1,100 workers in Penang, 800 of them engineers. Its head says that almost all the engineers are locals—which is good for Malaysia.

Whom to thank?

When the Democratic Action Party won the state’s legislative assembly three years ago, it became the first opposition party to triumph in Penang in more than 40 years. The victory presented a direct challenge to the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that has ruled the country continuously since independence in 1957. Penang’s new leader, Lim Guan Eng, says that the federal government has an “ambivalent” attitude towards him, cutting off some funding but not undermining his authority. “They don’t want us to get any credit, but they can’t afford to see us fail”.

The revival of Penang was already under way in 2008, but Mr Eng’s new policies have helped it along. He has become the first governor in Malaysia to open up all state tenders to competition. This has entailed dismantling the special preferences for ethnic Malays that have underpinned the BN’s rule since the early 1970s. That was when the Malay majority institutionalised affirmative action for themselves, to the disadvantage of ethnic Chinese (a majority in Penang), who were perceived to have got unduly rich. Mr Eng claims that by reforming the system he has ended the cronyism and corruption that wasted money under previous regimes.

Adapted to the national stage, such policies could transform the way that the Malaysian federal government conducts business. Mr Eng says that the savings he has made by ending the “old systems of patronage” allow him to spend money on new social programmes instead, such as modest handouts for the elderly. These policies are popular, and the assault on corruption pleases foreign investors. Little wonder, then, that Penang has become a political weathervane as much as a lesson in economic development.

#498 Umno deputy minister wants referendum law, lower voting age

2011-08-14T16:38:00.000+08:00

By Melissa Chi August 13, 2011

KAJANG, Aug 13 — Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said today Malaysia should have laws allowing for referendums, adding that the Election Commission (EC) should also lower the voting age to 18.

There is now no law to hold referendums, which is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal.

“It is about time we had legislation for referendums. I think the government of the day, whichever party, should get approval not just from the Parliament, but from the people as well, on big or fundamental issues,” he said at the Electoral Reform and Purification of Democracy Forum organised by the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and the Abim Lawyers Group (GPA).

Other panellists were Professor Dr Redzuan Othman, Universiti Malaya’s dean of the Literature and Social Science Faculty, and Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) director Wan Firdaus Wan Fuaad.

Saifuddin (picture), an Umno supreme council member, also said there should be an increase in civil society participation in the democratic process.

He said the problem now was that the state was still “condescending and does not trust civil society”.

“I agree with automatic registration for 18-year-olds to vote, if not for the 13th general election, there should be a roadmap leading towards this goal. If needed, we should change the law or the Constitution to make it easier for the people to vote,” he said.

The current minimum age for voting is 21.

He had previously urged PR and BN lawmakers to start “the ball rolling” by forming a caucus in Parliament for such a cause.

The Temerloh MP also said: “Just because BN had never lost doesn’t mean that the election is clean, and vice versa just because there is a constant change in government doesn’t necessarily mean the election is fair. We cannot be so simplistic in that thinking.”

Saifuddin, the sole BN politician who has spoken out against the government on the Bersih issue, instead urged his colleagues in the coalition look into revamping their approach when trying to deal with political dissent in the country.

“I don’t agree with Bersih because it is illegal but it does not necessarily mean that I disagree with Suhakam’s idea of a peaceful assembly,” he said.

He stressed that he disagreed with the comparison between the Bersih rally on July 9 and the recent riots in London.

The Bersih rally for clean and fair elections saw more than 1,700 arrests, scores of injuries and one death.

“We need a democracy that is healthier and fresher,” Saifuddin said.

Speculation is rife that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will call for a general election by year’s end after big-ticket economic projects gain traction, delaying earlier plans to seek a fresh mandate in the first half of 2011.

#497

2011-08-13T16:34:00.000+08:00

by Raja Petra

You will notice one thing about the Malays-Muslims. They are very preoccupied with getting non-Muslims to become Muslims. And they are paranoid about Muslims renouncing Islam.

Maybe what happened at the DUMC did happen. Maybe the allegations are true. I was not there but I have been told that the allegations are not entirely false. Nevertheless, I go by what the Malays would normally tell me.

If you ask a ‘sinful’ Malay why he does not stop his gambling and drinking and womanising and go to Mekah to repent and to perform the pilgrimage, he would reply, “Allah belum gerak hati lagi.” This translates to ‘Allah has not moved my heart yet’.

When a non-Muslim becomes a Muslim, the Malays would say, “Allah buka hati dia.” And this means Allah has opened his or her heart (to become a Muslim).

If you ask an ustaz (religious teacher) why Allah made only 20% of the world Muslim while 80% are non-Muslims, and why did Allah not make 100% of the world Muslim, the ustaz would reply, “Only Allah knows.”

In short: this is all Allah’s will and Allah could make you Muslim or He could make you non-Muslim and it is up to Him to open your heart to receive Islam or to repent your ‘evil ways’ and go to Mekah to perform the pilgrimage.

In other words, we have no say in the matter. Allah will decide when the time is right and whether it will happen or not. Allah will decide whether you are born a Muslim or born a kafir (infidel). Allah will decide whether you become a sinful Muslim or a good Muslim. Allah will decide whether the sinful Muslim finally repents and becomes a good Muslim. Without Allah’s will, nothing will happen.

Now, that is a most interesting concept. This means I may be born a Muslim but be born a bad Muslim because Allah has not opened my heart to become a good Muslim. This also means, later on in life, Allah may open my heart and I will see the error of my ways and repent to become a good Muslim.

Then again, Allah may will it that I be born a non-Muslim and, later on in life, convert to Islam when Allah opens my heart to Islam. Or, Allah may never open my heart and I may die a non-Muslim like 80% of the population of the world.

The crux of this whole issue is Allah decides and wills it and what happens (or does not happen) can never happen without the will of Allah. And only when Allah wills it or opens our heart will we see something happen -- and not otherwise and not before that.

Okay, based on this ideology, what about when someone is born a Muslim and later leaves Islam? Could this ever happen if Allah does not will it? Would it not be Allah who opens your heart to make you leave Islam?

Everything that happens is the will of Allah and everything you do is because Allah has moved or opened your heart into doing it. So, when you leave Islam is this not also Allah’s doing?

This is the confusing part about the argument on the will of Allah. You will never be born a Muslim without Allah deciding this will happen. You will never convert to Islam without Allah deciding this will happen. When you decide to leave Islam does Allah not also have a say in the matter? Is this not His will?

As I said, Malays-Muslims are preoccupied with non-Muslims becoming Muslims and paranoid about Muslims leaving Islam. So we now have a Gerakan Anti-Murtad (Anti-Apostate Movement) organising demonstrations in the Pakatan states to protest those leaving Islam.

I am not so concerned about Muslims leaving Islam because if it is true that nothing happens without the will of Allah then no Muslim can ever leave Islam unless Allah wills it. What I am more concerned about is Munafiq (hypocritical) and Fasiq (sinful) Muslims.

Why don’t these people also launch a Gerakan Anti-Munafiq dan Anti-Fasiq (Anti-Hypocrites and Anti-Sinners Movement)? We should perang (declare war) on Muslims who kill, rape, rob, steal, cheat, swindle, abuse their power, lie, and do all sorts of evil things that give Islam a bad name.

We should not worry about the quantity. After all, 80% of the world is non-Muslim anyway. We should worry about the quality. We do not want Muslims who have no scruples, compassion, honesty, ethics, values, etc. We want Muslims who demonstrate the ideals and ethics of Islam. We want Muslims who demonstrate what a good Muslim should be like. We want Muslims who show what a good Muslim is so that we can be proud of Islam.

That should be the perjuangan (struggle) for Muslims.

#496 Islam does not need crutches - Asri

2011-08-10T20:16:00.000+08:00

(Harakah Daily) - Muslim scholar Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said Islam was built upon reason and sound argument, and as such did not need to prove its truth through enforcement agencies.

In further remarks following the Selangor Islamic Religious Department's presence at a church dinner function over complaints that there were attempts at propagating Christianity to Muslim guests there, Asri told news portal Malaysiakini that the truth of Islam can be shown using sound arguments and not through preventive enforcement actions to stop Muslims from being influenced by non-Muslims.

Saying Muslims in non-Muslim countries especially in the West were active in propagating Islam, Asri drew a comparison.

“What if non-Muslim countries such as Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and other European countries decide to take similar action against mosques there?" Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.

“We know Muslims there are active in Islamic outreach to non-Muslims at Islamic centres and mosques. Non-Muslims are invited to mosques and given copies of the Qur'an and other Islamic literature.

“If they resort to laws such as ours, surely these mosques would be raided and prosecuted," Asri commented.

'Rethink Islamic education'

According to Asri, in a Muslim country like Malaysia, there should not be a situation in which Muslims can be easily swayed by arguments against the religion.

On the other hand, Muslims should naturally be able to exert their influence on adherents of other religions, he said.

"I'm not questioning JAIS, but we Muslims in Malaysia should think about it. Until when should we depend on laws [to uphold Islam]?" said Asri, who was arrested by JAIS officials in 2009 for giving a religious talk without its permission.

"If that is the case, there is a need to re-think Islamic education and propagation," he wrote in his SMS to Malaysiakini.

Earlier, the former Perlis mufti trained his gun on Islamic authorities in the country for failing to achieve the objectives of zakat. This he said resulted in desperate Muslims turning to help from churches. Saying zakat offices were luxuriously furnished, Asri said Muslims should not be quick to blame others for trying to win over Muslims when they had themselves failed to help fellow Muslims.

#495

2011-08-08T22:28:00.000+08:00

Raja Petra

Read the whole story here.

You must understand, Cousin, Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. And, according to the Federal Constitution, Malays are automatically Muslims. Furthermore, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, etc., are by law not allowed to preach to Muslims. That would be a crime in Malaysia. And if you give a Muslim a copy of the Bible to read, especially if the Bible is in the Malay language, that would be a serious offense.

Muslims are not allowed to leave Islam and convert to other religions. Those that do, do so secretly. Invariably, they become ‘closet’ Christians, Hindus or Buddhists. They will not even dare tell their own family that they are no longer Muslims. Many migrate to other countries rather than stay in Malaysia as ‘ex-Muslims’.

Actually, the Malaysian government will not want to openly admit this, but quite a number of Malays have left Islam. Some have left Islam to become Christians (not so many become Hindus or Buddhists). But we do not know the real figures because very few would openly declare their apostasy for fear of arrest.

Then we have many Malays who are Muslims in name only but are not practising Muslims. They sort of ‘masquerade’ as Muslims but do not really believe in Islam. But they have to pretend they are still Muslims or else they will get ostracised by society and disowned by their families.

So you see, Cousin, the Malaysian government needs to protect the Malays. If the Malays are exposed to the teachings of other religions many may actually leave Islam. The government is scared that the Malays are stupid and are easily tricked into turning their backs on Islam.

In Malaysia, we have an organisation whose job is to spread Islam and get non-Muslims to become Muslims. It is funded by the government and paid for by the taxpayers. Mosques and other religious activities are also government-taxpayers funded. So it is perfectly legitimate.

That, I suppose, is the bone of contention to most non-Muslims. The government propagates Islam and the taxpayers pay for this effort. But the non-Muslims may not propagate their religion to the Muslims even if they pay for this effort from their own pocket.

I know, to someone like you, this may sound extremely unfair and one-sided. The government propagates Islam and persuades non-Muslims to convert to Islam but the non-Muslims are not allowed to do the same and if they do they would get arrested.

But that is how things are done in Malaysia and for 54 years since Independence or Merdeka, the non-Malays have never complained. For twelve general elections, the non-Muslims have voted in the same government. In fact, the government depends on the votes of the non-Muslims. If solely based on Muslim votes, the present government would have been kicked out a long, long time ago.

So why make an issue of this only now? This state of affairs was acceptable for almost 54 years. Now, suddenly, it has become an issue. Why make an issue out of it now when for 53 years the non-Muslims could live with this situation?

This is why many Malays have become upset. They are of the opinion that the non-Muslims are beginning to be kurang ajar (insolent). When you thought you had no hope of gaining political power, you supported the party in power and tolerated the discrimination and persecution and did not utter one word of complaint. Now that you think the party in power is at the end of its rule and may soon get kicked out, you start shouting and screaming about religious discrimination and persecution.

I suppose England managed to change this sorry situation when they separated the church from the state. In Malaysia, however, church and state is still very much one and the same. And that is why what we see in Malaysia today is what we saw in England 500 years ago (minus the burning at the stake of course but replaced with detention without trial).

We must understand one thing, Cousin, and this is a very important point you must note. Malays may have been sent to school for an education but this does not mean you are smart just because you have gone to school and have received an education.

You see, Cousin, Malaysia’s education system does not teach us how to think. They just teach us how to pass our exams. This is the basis of Malaysia’s education system. So you may have gone all the way up to university level but that does not mean you are a thinker or that you have analytical skills (unless you had the advantage of a foreign education from young).

This means Malaysians are easily fooled and would swallow hook, line and sinker any crap thrown in their direction. And this is one reason the government can’t allow Christians to talk to Malays. Malays are too stupid to analyse which religion is better -- Islam or Christianity -- and they would easily be tricked into leaving Islam to become Christians.

But why would this be so? If the Malays are good Muslims and if Islam is a good religion, then surely they would not be easily tricked into leaving Islam to become Christians.

Ah, but that is just the problem. Most Malays are not good Muslims. In fact, most Malays do not even understand Islam properly. Like robots, they just blindly follow the rituals they have been taught without really understanding the substance and the foundation of the religion. Even dogs can be taught to do tricks and parrots taught how to speak. This does not mean dogs and parrots understand what they are doing and can analyse their actions.

This is the Malay, or rather the Malay-Muslim, dilemma. And because of that, the government needs to insulate and isolate Malays from the teachings of the other religions. If the government allows the Christians to preach Christianity to the Malays, there would be very serious danger that many Malays would become Christians.

That is the crux to the whole matter.

#494 Only In Malaysia

2011-08-06T12:19:00.002+08:00

Feeling hungry? Not enough money to put food on the table? Country not paying you enough? Need a place to work?

Come to Malaysia and be part of this beautiful country. An illegal worker you say? No worries. We'll just register you and thereby making you a legal worker.

We, unlike other countries, want all illegal immigrants and workers to be part of this country. Because we believe in doing illegal stuff. Because that's the only way to progress in the internet age.

Having doubts? Just take a look at our record:
1. Unaccounted murders.
2. Rampant piracy.
3. Corruption.
4. Public bribery.
and many many more...

So yes, flock to our country. Get your illegal butts registered a.s.a.p.
Because we believe - Malaysia, Truly Asia.
and many more

#493 Only In Malaysia

2011-08-05T12:14:00.001+08:00

I think if the 1Malaysia concept is their guiding policy, then I think Najib should come to defend Penang DAP with regards to the Penang MCA claiming they are racist for not issuing any contracts to non-Bumi contractors in government projects.

I also think Mr. Racist himself should voice up. Ibrahim Ali constantly talks about Malay rights and all that jazz, but when MCA claims DAP only offers contracts to Malays and Bumis, shouldn't Mr. Ibrahim Ali fly to the rescue of DAP?

Only in Malaysia. Only in Malaysia.

#492 Only In Malaysia

2011-08-04T12:06:00.003+08:00

I don't want to respond in a way that will divide me with my deputy, because that's a very dangerous thing to do in Malaysian politics. - Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak at MSLS2011.

So I suppose, if Muhyiddin were to say, all non-Malays should be massacred, Najib's stand would be to agree and back his deputy up?

Whatever happened to standing for justice and truth?

#491 Applying Prospect Theory to Ending Affirmative Action

2011-07-21T15:29:00.001+08:00

by M. Bakri Musa

www.bakrimusa.com

An insight of cognitive psychology (that sub-discipline dealing with mental processes like thinking and decision making) is that humans are far removed from the ideal of a rational self-interested Homo economicus (Economic man) when making decisions, contrary to the core assumption of traditional economics.

Two factors weigh heavily when we make decisions, given a set of alternatives. One, we are loss averse; that is, we magnify the value of a potential loss and minimize the potential gain even if the two are quantitatively the same. The other is that how those alternatives are framed very much influences our decision.

Although these insights refer to individual decision-making processes, nonetheless they can be extrapolated to the societal level, on how we collectively make decisions. This has relevance to the central wrenching issue dividing our Malay community today, on whether to continue or do away with affirmative action.

The example (minus the intricate mathematics and fancy graphs) used to illustrate the Prospect Theory (as this new insight is called) is the potential epidemic of an Asian disease hitting America that is expected to kill 600 people. When asked to choose between an intervention that would save 200 people and another that would have a 1/3 probability that 600 people would be saved with 2/3 probability that no one would, most would approve the first. Both propositions state exactly the same thing. The first however, framed it more positively with the element of undue certainty thrown in.

There are other variations on the same theme. Thus we willingly drive across town to save $5 on a $15 calculator but not on a $125 suit. The savings are the same – $5 in both cases – but what decides is the framing. Never mind that you spend $10 on gas to drive across town! Marketers make full use of these insights of cognitive psychology when advertising their products. Thus the grabbing banners: “Fifty percent savings!”

Returning to the difficult issue of affirmative action, we have made it unduly contentious as we have framed it unwisely. One, we have stated it as taking away special privileges, and being risk averse, we rightly reject that. Two, we have framed special privileges as being part of our character, our right by virtue of being the indigenous people. We forget that affirmative action was instituted for the explicit purpose of overcoming disadvantages we suffered under colonialism. Those privileges were meant to jumpstart our development so we could be on par with the rest of the community.

Read more here.

#490 5th of November

2011-07-13T20:21:00.001+08:00

Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Last night I sought to end that silence. Last night I destroyed the Old Bailey, to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words, they are perspectives. So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgot.

#489 joke

2011-07-07T21:19:00.002+08:00

The police department keep on harping on the fact that they have no received any permit applications for the Bersih 2.0 rally, yet they keep declaring that they will not approve any permit.

Orang nak apply buat ape? Waste time, money and resources ke?

#488 boohoohoo

2011-07-06T00:04:00.004+08:00

Perkasa chief, Ibrahim Ali, yesterday railed at Bersih leaders for being “insolent” and “holding the King to ransom” by demanding an audience with him.

Ibrahim pointed out that similar requests by Perkasa had been turned down and asked that the King ignore Bersih’s request as well.

This just goes to show how big a sore loser Perkasa is actually. Maybe the King realizes how dumb Perkasa is. And by refusing to meet Perkasa, He is effectively refusing to acknowledge it's existence. On the other hand, this goes to show Bersih is acknowledged by His Majesty. I love the satire Raja Petra did regarding this.

So unexpectedly regal was the Royal pronouncement that Ibrahim Ali and PERKASA let slip their masks to reveal their true hypocritical nature. They dared question His Majesty's decision in agreeing to and subsequently actually meeting up with Ambiga and her 09/07/2011 Bersih 2.0's organizers for a tete-a-tete at the Palace.

But, if the police are to be seen to be consistent in their upholding and enforcement of OUR Constitution and laws of Malaysia, then surely Ibrahim Ali and his followers MUST be hauled up and charged with Sedition and inciting racial and religious hatred? Or stand accused of practising double standards!

Especially since they publicly challenged the very ROYAL institution they swore they would protect from insults by "others" and "pendatangs" and have been quick on the draw in alerting the AG's attention to numerous alleged perceived slights directed at OUR Royalty. - Donplaypuks

In another article:

Perkasa’s chief Ibrahim Ali warned that Bersih stands on the verge of committing treason but stressed, in his usual warped logic, that if the movement forges ahead with its rally despite the King’s advice, then he will do the same.

Again we see how Ibrahim Ali doesn't really care about respecting the King. He himself admits of his will to disobey the King. Goes to show how "Malay" he is. So much for upholding the honour of this country. Jokes man I tell you.

#487 Ibrahim Ali is bigger than Umno

2011-06-28T00:18:00.000+08:00

by Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz

Only Ibrahim can secure a permit and get people riled up shouting profanities of all kind and burning portraits of comrade S Ambiga (Bersih chairman) and all as a counter-demo to another demo that has not even taken place!

#486 Socialism - An Islamic Concept?

2011-06-27T00:02:00.000+08:00

Raja Petra Kamarudin

One very senior PAS leader (I will not mention his name) said that he really admires Britain for being a very good example of what a Muslim country should be like. When asked what it is about Britain that he finds very Islamic, he replied the socialist system where the needs of the rakyat are looked after and well taken care of. Yes, according to this senior PAS leader, Britain is a good ‘Muslim’ country. And it is a good Muslim country because of its socialist policies. And in Malaysia we arrest people because they are Socialists. The Prophet must be turning in his grave at this transgression.

Read more here.

#485 An insult to Islam?

2011-06-01T22:25:00.000+08:00

by Hafidz Baharom

JUNE 1 — First and foremost, having a Christian prime minister is not an insult to Islam, nor is allowing a nation to become secular or even Christian.

Take a look at Germany. Their president and chancellor belong to the Christian Democratic Union Party. Yet, Islam is still alive and well in their nation.

If that’s too much for you to imagine, take a look at Netherlands then. Ruled by a monarch and extremely secular, their prime minister is from the VVD and his deputy is from the Christian Democratic Appeal party. Yet still, Islam is there, alive and well enough to be the cause of Theo Van Gogh’s death.

Should Malaysia become a secular or Christian nation, it will not be Islam that is offended. It’s just people who obviously were not granted the brains, patience or even sensitivity to understand that the first basis of the religion itself is to find moderation.

If a Muslim does wrong, he or she is told to repent. If a non-Muslim says something wrong, we are told, through Islamic teaching, to educate them and find a peaceful solution.

What I believe this means is that if we were to understand our religion properly, and if our muftis had any interest in preaching moderation, they would tell people to shut up and mind their own business instead of forwarding text messages of conversions to Christianity like a certain mufti, wreaking havoc and turmoil while fuelling Malay tabloids with enough material to incite hatred.

Islam dictates that we are only to resort to violence when there is clear provocation, not before. And a cartoon by a Norwegian newspaper is not a provocation enough to kill anyone nor is it a justification for a call to jihad and protest with placards written in bad English that just shows how bad your level of education is.

Muhammad (pbuH) and his followers would never have called for a jihad on the basis of a blog stating that there were people in Penang who said that they would make this 60 per cent Muslim nation a Christian one.

You know what he would do? Or what any rational leader would do?

Bring in the journalist and the bloggers, and ask them to produce witnesses to this so-called declaration. If he fails, cane him for the spreading of fitnah.

A leader, in this case, our prime minister, should know better than to just simply shrug the accusation off and explain parliamentary conduct to amend the Constitution. I think this is where Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his home minister of a cousin failed.

The lack of swift action or any action whatsoever against people like those in Perkasa, now that is an insult to Islam because, if anything, Islam cherishes harmony and tells us to act swiftly against rumours.

It also tells us to forgo belief in rumours without witnesses. But somehow, Malay genetics being what they are — a low brain cell count and a high hormone imbalance somewhere down the line — resulted in the Malay male population going out and protesting the dumbest things.

There is no greater insult to Islam than those who selectively preach the religion for personal gain. That goes for any religion. We saw it with George Bush, we saw it with PAS, and now, we’re seeing it with Perkasa.

Click to read more.

#484

2011-05-29T19:37:00.001+08:00

'The longer your "no big deal" list is before marriage, the shorter your "very special" list will be after marriage.' - Joshua Harris; Boy Meets Girl, Say Hello to Courtship.

#483: Others

2011-05-18T01:03:00.002+08:00

I see the state of the world and it grieves me
I hear the cries of the broken from the rich and the poor
I smell the fear of disease all around me
I feel responsible now that I've seen

Because we all were born to live for more
Than this more than this

So I want to love like You love
Love like You love
Wanna love others
The way that You love me
The way You love me

I've held the children unseen
And they move me
I wonder what I can do
To improve a thousand lives
I feel the absence of love
And it scares me
I feel responsible
Now that I've seen

Because we all were born to live for more
Than this so much more than this

I was that lost soul that You rescued
I was the orphan You adopted and brought into Your heart
I was acquainted with the hopelessness
Of living in the streets
That was me

#482 A Christian State?

2011-05-17T00:00:00.000+08:00

Well, if it's not as Utusan decided to paint it to be, then shame on those in the government for not willing to give the minorities the benefit of the doubt as they have so often graciously extended to the majority race, or more like the minority in power in the majority race.

But if this rumour is true, then I suppose these Christians have got it all wrong. Let's take a look at the life of Jesus. When Jesus came, it was the Roman empire that was in political power. Yet, he did not come to overthrow the Romans. He came to share love, and to teach us how to love each other as we do ourselves. Likewise, the Christians shouldn't worry so much about having to overthrow the current government, change this country into a Christian state, and install a Christian Prime Minister. It is highly irrelevant. A good Prime Minister is one that cares for his/her people, regardless of race or religion.

Besides, our country is a secular state. Official religion is mostly for formalities sake. What's the big deal? Why else do you think PAS is trying so hard to change Malaysia into an Islamic State. If this country was already Islamic, then PAS would be the most redundant political party in the world.

If you call yourself a Christian, care for the people around you. Jesus came to care for the people who had needs. Look around, there are a gazillion poor people, hungry people, people crying out for help, people crying out for love, people who just need a listening ear, people who just need a hug or someone to tell them it's okay that are found on the streets of this country. If you have a dime to spare, or a bun to share, or even a hug to show that you care, go forth.

Matthew 25:
³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

#481 May 13: A different perspective

2011-05-16T20:56:00.000+08:00

This article by Raja Petra was first published in Harakah on 24 September 1999.

UMNO is at it again! They are going round the country saying that keADILan and PAS have allowed the National Mosque to be used by non-Muslims to attack Muslims. UMNO politicians and Pusat Islam officials have likened the non-Muslims to “unclean” people because of their pork-eating and liquor-drinking so they should not have been allowed into the mosque.

Maybe these narrow-minded people have not noticed the daily busloads of foreign tourists visiting the National Mosque as part of their itinerary? Have these foreign (non-Muslim) tourists been screened whether they eat pork or drink liquor before being allowed into the mosque? I bet not!

UMNO adopted this very dangerous strategy once, 30 years ago, back in 1969, which resulted in the infamous May 13 racial riots. Now they are doing it again. It was a very narrow-minded and shortsighted strategy then. It still is now -- maybe even more so now seeing that we have entered the borderless cyber age and are about to enter a new millennium.

Race and religion should no longer be used to separate Malaysians in the divide-and-rule policy of the Barisan Nasional government. The Malays, Chinese and Indians must protest strongly and reject this outdated racial politics that is extremely dangerous and can disrupt the peace and stability of this multi-racial, multi-religious country of ours. UMNO is saying one thing to the Malays, and the opposite to the non-Malays. This is the height of hypocrisy.

Do any of you know the REAL story behind May 13 -- how is started, why it was started, and who started it? If not, then let me take you down memory lane.

To view more:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

#480

2011-05-15T14:38:00.000+08:00

#479

2011-05-14T13:48:00.001+08:00

#478 it's another year again

2011-05-07T00:25:00.001+08:00

The Happy Birthday song is probably the most abused song in the history of singing.

#477 wonder

2011-04-21T00:04:00.002+08:00

Too much of our time is spent trying to chart God on a grid, and too little is spent allowing our hearts to feel awe. By reducing spirituality to formula, we deprive our hearts of wonder.

- Donald Miller, "Blue like Jazz"

#476

2011-04-19T00:03:00.002+08:00

When we worship God we worship a Being our life experience does not give us the tools with which to understand. If we could, God would not inspire awe. Eternity, for example, is not something the human mind can understand. We may be able to wrap our heads around living forever (and we can do this only because none of us has experienced death), but can we understand what it means to have never been born?

- Donald Miller, "Blue like Jazz"

#475

2011-04-16T00:52:00.000+08:00

A little boy wanted RM100 badly and prayed for two weeks but nothing happened.

Then he decided to write GOD a letter requesting the RM100.

When the Pos Malaysia received the letter addressed to GOD, they decided to send it to the Prime Minister.

The PM was so impressed, touched, and amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a RM5.00 bill. PM thought this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy.

The little boy was delighted with the RM5.00 and sat down to write a thank you note to GOD, which read: 'Dear GOD, Thank you very much for sending the money, however, I noticed that for some reason you had to send it through Putra Jaya and, as usual, those corrupt crony took away RM95.00. I know that you love them God, but please I pray, do not ever trust them where money and women are concerned'.

#474 what is your deepest fear?

2011-04-06T18:48:00.000+08:00

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson

#473 economics

2011-03-28T11:48:00.002+08:00

Everything is an opportunity cost in this world. There's even an opportunity cost for time used to calculate opportunity cost. There's opportunity cost for time taken to consider calculating opportunity cost. And of course, I could have spent this time doing something more productive.

#472

2011-03-26T00:00:00.002+08:00

A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. - James Madison.

#471 edgewater =)

2011-03-19T00:47:00.001+08:00

#470

2011-03-18T00:20:00.000+08:00

Past tense of hit: hitted or hat?

*Laughs*

#469 and they said what you study would determine your future

2011-03-03T23:55:00.002+08:00

Looks like your future is way ahead of your studies.

#468 goblok!

2011-02-25T18:27:00.002+08:00

MCA's Lau Yen Peng just criticized the current state Government for not doing enough to alleviate the traffic jams in Puchong. He then stated that the jams have been around for so long and the state Government has done nothing. Has he asked himself this, how long has PR been in power in Selangor? Before that, who was the goblok who did nothing to ease the traffic congestions in this area? And for the record, the traffic conditions here have been so much better since PR took over.

#467 something i saw

2011-02-18T20:09:00.000+08:00

Got this off Amanda's blog.

Your car is German. Your vodka is Russian. Your pizza is Italian. Your kebab is Turkish. Your democracy is Greek. Your coffee is Brazilian. Your movies are American. Your tea is Tamil. Your shirt is Indian. Your oil is Saudi Arabian. Your electronics are Chinese. Your numbers Arabic, your letters Latin. And you complain that your neighbor is an immigrant? Pull yourself together !!

#466 The Price of Malaysia's Racism

2011-02-10T08:24:00.001+08:00

Slower growth and a drain of talented citizens are only the beginning.
By JOHN R. MALOTT

Malaysia's national tourism agency promotes the country as "a bubbling, bustling melting pot of races and religions where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups live together in peace and harmony." Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak echoed this view when he announced his government's theme, One Malaysia. "What makes Malaysia unique," Mr. Najib said, "is the diversity of our peoples. One Malaysia's goal is to preserve and enhance this unity in diversity, which has always been our strength and remains our best hope for the future."

If Mr. Najib is serious about achieving that goal, a long look in the mirror might be in order first. Despite the government's new catchphrase, racial and religious tensions are higher today than when Mr. Najib took office in 2009. Indeed, they are worse than at any time since 1969, when at least 200 people died in racial clashes between the majority Malay and minority Chinese communities. The recent deterioration is due to the troubling fact that the country's leadership is tolerating, and in some cases provoking, ethnic factionalism through words and actions.

For instance, when the Catholic archbishop of Kuala Lumpur invited the prime minister for a Christmas Day open house last December, Hardev Kaur, an aide to Mr. Najib, said Christian crosses would have to be removed. There could be no carols or prayers, so as not to offend the prime minister, who is Muslim. Ms. Kaur later insisted that she "had made it clear that it was a request and not an instruction," as if any Malaysian could say no to a request from the prime minister's office.

Similar examples of insensitivity abound. In September 2009, Minister of Home Affairs Hishammuddin Onn met with protesters who had carried the decapitated head of a cow, a sacred animal in the Hindu religion, to an Indian temple. Mr. Hishammuddin then held a press conference defending their actions. Two months later, Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Parliament that one reason Malaysia's armed forces are overwhelmingly Malay is that other ethnic groups have a "low spirit of patriotism." Under public pressure, he later apologized.

The leading Malay language newspaper, Utusan Melayu, prints what opposition leader Lim Kit Siang calls a daily staple of falsehoods that stoke racial hatred. Utusan, which is owned by Mr. Najib's political party, has claimed that the opposition would make Malaysia a colony of China and abolish the Malay monarchy. It regularly attacks Chinese Malaysian politicians, and even suggested that one of them, parliamentarian Teresa Kok, should be killed.

This steady erosion of tolerance is more than a political challenge. It's an economic problem as well.

Once one of the developing world's stars, Malaysia's economy has underperformed for the past decade. To meet its much-vaunted goal of becoming a developed nation by 2020, Malaysia needs to grow by 8% per year during this decade. That level of growth will require major private investment from both domestic and foreign sources, upgraded human skills, and significant economic reform. Worsening racial and religious tensions stand in the way.

Almost 500,000 Malaysians left the country between 2007 and 2009, more than doubling the number of Malaysian professionals who live overseas. It appears that most were skilled ethnic Chinese and Indian Malaysians, tired of being treated as second-class citizens in their own country and denied the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, whether in education, business, or government. Many of these emigrants, as well as the many Malaysian students who study overseas and never return (again, most of whom are ethnic Chinese and Indian), have the business, engineering, and scientific skills that Malaysia needs for its future. They also have the cultural and linguistic savvy to enhance Malaysia's economic ties with Asia's two biggest growing markets, China and India.

Of course, one could argue that discrimination isn't new for these Chinese and Indians. Malaysia's affirmative action policies for its Malay majority—which give them preference in everything from stock allocation to housing discounts—have been in place for decades. So what is driving the ethnic minorities away now?

To read more, click here.

Mr. Malott was the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, 1995-1998.

#465 failed experiment

2011-01-29T20:40:00.000+08:00

So curry with red wine wasn't such a good idea.

#464 A brief history lesson

2011-01-24T16:21:00.001+08:00

Malay history: What’s missing from the textbooks — John Doe

Brunei has always been known to be one of the earliest Muslim Kingdoms in Southeast Asia. They pride themselves on this fact. All their neighbours pride themselves in this too, and of course, since it is fact, it is irrefutable. Right?

Good. Let’s quickly look at some facts then:

It is taught in school textbooks that Pateh Berbai, the brother of Awang Semaun and Awang Alak Betatar, discovered Brunei. Awang Alak Betatar subsequently became Brunei’s first Sultan and was known as Sultan Muhammad Shah. Awang Semaun and Awang Alak Betatar were the famous heroes in Brunei during that time.

Sultan Muhammad Shah was the first Sultan of Brunei. He ruled Brunei from 1363 to 1402. He was the first Muslim ruler of Brunei as a result of his conversion to Islam in 1363 for his marriage to a Johorean-Temasik princess. Prior to conversion to Islam, he was known as Awang Alak Betatar.

He sent a mission to China in 1371 by which his name is recorded in Ming historical record as Mo-ha-mo-sha. Sultan Muhammad Shah died in 1402. Sultan Muhammad Shah was the first Sultan of Brunei. He ruled Brunei from 1363 to 1402. He married the daughter of Iskander, a Johorean-Temasik princess introduced by Bal-Paki, her brother-in-law to be.

So far so good... oh, really?

Read the above again very carefully!! Sultan Muhammad Shah married a Johorean-Temasik princess in 1363. Now, for all those products of Biro Tata Negara (BTN) out there, what year was Malacca formed? 1403. So, there was a Johor king already in 1363? Are you going to argue with Ketuanan Brunei on this? (By the way, he’s more Melayu than YOU!) Also for those who insist that Penang be handed over to Kedah, read the following again and again…

The Johor ruler was under the Thais. The entire Peninsular belonged to the Thais! The “king” of Singapore (Temasik), whom Parameswara of the Malaccan Sultanate murdered in cold blood was in fact the brother-in-Law of the “King” of Pattani, who was under Ayodthaya rule. For those who do not know, Ayodthaya is in Thailand. And that, my friend was already well established before 1363.

Next, Kota Gelanggi was also another Thai City (yet to be publicised). And why not? Because it is a Thai Buddhist kingdom. Yes, it’s along the Johor River. All I’m allowed to say at this point is that Kota Gelanggi is REALLY along the Johor River. Expose Kota Gelanggi, and you will find its 30ft Buddha statues and its many Buddhist Temples, in all its glory.

So, for Penang to go back to Kedah, ALL of the peninsula needs to go back to the Thais. Sarawak needs to go back to Brunei, Brunei needs to go back to Majapahit, Sabah needs to go back to the Philippines, and Parameswara needs to go back to Palembang, leaving the Orang Asli in charge all over again. (I find it ludicrous that the Orang Asli are disqualified as “Bumiputera” although they have been here since 60,000 years ago)

Next, the year 1363 is of great significance. Why? That was the year that the first Sultan of Brunei converted to Islam. And he immediately became the Ruler of Brunei? What was he before that? A fisherman? A carpenter? A farmer? What was Awang Alak Betatar in 1362? And what happened the following year when he became a Sultan? Is becoming a Muslim enough to justify becoming a Sultan? Was he the first person in Brunei to convert to Islam?

Let’s scroll back time by 100 years; the year is now 1264. A full hundred years BEFORE Awang Alak Betatar converted to Islam, and declared himself a Sultan. A trip to Bandar Seri Begawan is not complete unless one visits the Muslim graves at Rangas. Chuck your “pantang” out the window if you want to enjoy this first-hand, and in real life.

Amongst these tombstones is the one of a Chinese Muslim by the name of Pu Kung Chih-mu. He was buried there in 1264. He was a Muslim, buried in a Muslim grave! This is more than a hundred years earlier, before the ascension of Awang Alak Betatar as the “first” Sultan of Brunei. Not only that, he is not the only Chinese Muslim there. I cross-checked against the Brunei Museum Journal of 1993, and found that this has been so well documented!!

In fact, this grave had already been found since 1973. Whole communities of Chinese Muslims had already been living in Kampong Batu well before the 12th Century. It is clearly recorded in the 1973 Brunei Museum Journal, and was visited by professors from Japan and China. Pictures are on page 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12. Some are even in colour.

So, here’s another nugget for BTN un-educators. The Chinese brought Islam to this region in 1264. Wait! That’s not even correct. It was even earlier, because, this Muslim Chinese died in 1264. He had lived a full life in Brunei before he died. And before anyone even thinks of contesting this, let me draw your attention to yet another well-established fact, and let’s see how early the Chinese arrived.

According to records — as in the “Notes on the Malay Archipelago and Malacca Compiled from Chinese Sources” by WP Groeneveldt in 1880 — a Chinese Islamic trader arrived in Brunei in the 10th century. His name was P’u-lu-shieh. He was both a trader and a diplomat. SQ Fatimi writing in the Sociological Research Institute in Singapore in 1963 under an article entitled “Islam Comes to Malaysia”, P’u-lu-shieh name is akin to Abu al-Layth.

The Brunei King at that time was named “Hiang-ta”. The arrival of the diplomat-trader from China was greeted with great ceremony. If this is so, Islam actually arrived in Brunei in the year of 977.

If this is the year 977, and the Sultan’s name in the year 977 is Hiang-Ta, then how can Awang Alak Betatar be the “first” Sultan of Brunei in 1363? For those with very bad logic (or timeline problems), the year 977 is 406 years older than 1363. And in the year 977, the Chinese were already sending Muslim ambassadors to Brunei. The real question should be, thus, who exactly was that “Hiang Ta” who ruled Brunei in the year 977? An Iban? A Kadazan or a Chinese?

It gets even better. The MOST interesting thing was that the Brunei king’s delegation to China to return the emperor’s greetings was also headed by another Muslim official by the name of P’u A-li (Abu Ali).

Based on this fact alone, Abu Ali must have held an important position in the Brunei government if he was tasked to be Brunei’s ambassador in those days. This is, again, irrefutable proof that there was already a government, with a King, and some members of his royal court were Muslims. Again, this is proof that Islam had already reached Brunei before the year 977. This is 75 years into the beginning of the Soong Dynasty, and only severely retarded people will say that Abu Ali was an Arab because of his name.

And by the way, Malacca was not to have been discovered for another 400 years. Is there a prawn under the stone? You can bet your bottom dollar (because the ringgit is worthless toilet paper) that whenever John Doe writes, there is.

A number of European historians claimed that Brunei was still not a Muslim nation until the 15th century. However, the Ming Shih, Book 325, a Chinese reference book noted that the King of Brunei in 1370 was Ma-ho-mo-sa. Some say that this should be read as Mahmud Shah. In fact, local Brunei historians prefer to take this to refer to Muhammad Shah, the first Sultan of Brunei.

Robert Nicholl, a former Brunei Museum curator argued in another paper entitled “Notes on Some Controversial Issues in Brunei History” in 1980 that the name Ma-ho-mo-sa could be pronounced as Maha Moksha which means “Great Eternity”. “Maha Mokhsa” would make it a Buddhist name. Nicholl goes on to argue that even the Brunei Sultan who died in Nanjing in 1408 was not a Muslim. (History books always detail that the Sultan of Brunei went to China, but few will state that he died there),

Another historian Paul Pelliot said Ma-na-jo-kia-nai-nai was reconstituted as Maharajah Gyana (nai). But the closest title would have been Maharaja Karna. However Brunei historians have insisted that the King was Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan, who would have been the second Sultan of Brunei.

Nicholl further argued that Sultan Muhammad Shah converted to Islam as late as the 16th century and not during the 14th century as is widely known. However according to Brunei historians, Sultan Muhammad Shah converted to Islam in 1363 and that he ruled until 1402. After which time, it was Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan, who died in China who ascended the throne. That was when Sultan Ahmad reigned in Brunei beginning 1406.

And why did I bring up this detail? Simple! Read the top all over again:

Sultan Muhammad Shah married a Johorean-Temasik Princess in 1363.

And that Kota Gelanggi and the entire peninsular Malaya belonged to the Thais. And if this is true and correct, then both the Sultan of Brunei and his wife, would have been Buddhists.

In fact, the entire peninsular Malaya had been Buddhist and/or Hindu ever since the second century when Lembah Bujang was built.

And since this is the year 1363, all of Brunei and Borneo was also under the rule of King Hayam Wuruk, who was King of the Majapahit empire. And what religion did they have? (I’ll give you a hint... they built the Borobudor. And for those who claim that Borobudor is a mosque in disguise, please learn to recognize temple architecture.)

Borrobudor in all its splendour.

Oh, and even more important is this:

“Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan whose proper name is Zein Ul-Abidin, frequented the near distant islands, that He called ‘Solook’ (Sulu) from 1402 to 1424. Marrying the daughter (Parmursuli) of the Sulu Tomaoi (chief) Baginda” — it means he had a Filipino wife.

Also important to note, that since this is 1363, Parameswara had not yet swum across Pirate-Bay to reach Temasik yet. Hence, the need to locate the earlier kingdoms which pre-date ‘His Royal Pendatangness’.

During the reign of Wikramawardhana, the series of Ming armada naval expeditions led by Admiral Hajji Mahmud Shams (aka Zheng He), a Muslim Chinese admiral, arrived in Java for several times, spanning the period from 1405 to 1433.

By 1430, Zheng He’s expeditions has established Muslim Chinese and Arab communities in northern ports of Java, and thus Islam began to gain foothold on Java’s northern coast. “Admiral Hajji Mahmud Shams (aka Zheng He) was so frustrated when he first arrived in Java, because he could not find a single halal restaurant there”, so wrote Mah Huan, his scribe, thus deciding to spread Islam to the “barbarians” as Chinese records would write.

Also interesting to note is the following:

“In late Yuan Dynasty, China became chaotic, people who lived along the coastal area of Fujian, under the leadership of Ong Sum Ping’s siblings, escaped to eastern Kalimantan — they landed at the river mouth. When they were exhausted, facing a shipping crisis, someone lost their arms.

After that, the Kadazans named it as Sungai Kinabatangan — the place where the Chinese lost their arms.

Ong Sum Ping and his sister, and the Chinese people developed the area of Sungai Kinabatangan, and they increased their influences there. With the increase of his prosperity, the natives named him Raja, or King. The Chinese named him as ‘Chung Ping’ - meaning the General. We can clearly see that Ong Sum Ping controlled Eastern Kalimantan.

Also interesting to note is the following:

In Late Yuan Dynasty, China became chaotic, people who lived along the coastal area of Fujian, under the leadership of Ong Sum Ping's siblings, escaped to eastern Kalimantan — they landed at the river mouth. When they were exhausted, facing a shipping crisis, someone lost their arms. After that, the Kadazans named it as Sungai Kinabatangan — the place where the Chinese lost their arms.
Ong Sum Ping and his sister, and the Chinese people, developed the area of Sungai Kinabatangan and they increased their influence there. With the increase of his prosperity, the natives named him Raja or King. The Chinese named him ‘Chung Ping’ — meaning the General. We can clearly see that Ong Sum Ping controlled Eastern Kalimantan.
This is Ong Sum Ping Road in Brunei.
“Located the north-western part was the Sultanate Brunei; its southern area was controlled by local Malays (from Palembang) and they were in a state of decline. In the eastern part, they suffered from the invasion of the Muslim Sultan of Sulu. When the new (first) ruler — Sultan Muhammad Shah — ascended to the throne, he asked for the help of Ong Sum Ping. Sultan Muhammad Shah married his daughter to Ong Sum Ping, and titled him as Maharaja Lela. Muhammad Shah also asked his brother to marry the sister of Ong Sum Ping, and titled her as Puteri Kinabatangan. Via these marriages, these two regional powers built a close relationship. Under the cooperation of Ong Sum Ping and the Chinese armies, they fought against the Sulu Muslim invasion, and Brunei was saved from utter collapse...”
Without Chinese help, Brunei and Sabah would have collapsed and fallen to the Muslim pirate Suluks. And the year is the early 1400s. And for the record ‘Kina’ (kee-na) is used by Kadazan Dusun which, similar to ‘Cina’ (chee-na) used by Malay, refer to the Chinese. So, the correct way to say it in today’s context, is to call it CheenaBatangan, and Mount CheenaBalu, or Mount CheenaBaru (had they mispronounced it), and Kota CheenaBalu (to replace the British given name of Jesselton).
This is all in line with how the Kadazan pronounces Kina, to mean Cheena. Ask your Kadazans friends, if you want to find out more. (‘Sino’-anything means Chinese.)
Mt Kinabalu, is known as Mt CheenaBalu in the Kadazan Language.
This is the first clear record of the ‘Social Contract’. Both pendatangs would fight side by side to ward off other vicious attackers. Both pendatangs would help each other in times of need. And both pendatangs would intermarry, regardless of religion.

The second is that Maharaja Lela is a Chinese, and his name is General Ong Sum Ping. Now I ask you this: What is the significance of the title ‘Maharaja’? It contains the word ‘Maha’ followed by ‘Raja’. It is a title to mean ‘Most High King’. A title befitting a God and put together, it means “The God King, Lela”. The king of Thailand (Rama V, aka Chulalongkorn) also changed his name, from Dharma Raja to Dewa Raja)
Using one’s brains, one would easily deduce the following:
Firstly, the Sultan of Brunei was so extremely grateful that he elevated his Chinese brother-in-law to ‘God’ status.
Secondly, no Muslim is going to do that. ‘Maha’ anything is reserved for Allah. And to title his Chinese brother-in-law in this manner, whether Ong Sum Ping was a Muslim or not, is simply unthinkable had the Sultan really been a Muslim. Which again reinforces that Sultan Muhammad Shah was no Muslim.
Thirdly, Malaysia still has the title ‘Duli Yang Maha Mulia’ so I could be wrong about Muslims being able to call a human ‘Maha-something’ instead of the word reserved only for the divine.
And the best of course, is reserved for last:

“In fact according to Chinese records of the Liang Dynasty, Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty, Brunei had been sending her envoys to China and had also been receiving envoys from China. The earliest records stated that in the years 517AD, 521AD and 631AD, Brunei had sent her envoys to China. In 977AD, China sent her envoys to Brunei.” (see The Brunei Times)
The above sends a clear message that someone else was already King in Brunei circa 876 years before Sultan Muhammad Shah declared himself Sultan. It is also very clear that the Chinese were already in Brunei 53 years before the Prophet Muhammad was born.
Also important to note, the Chinese arrived at least 876 years before Parameswara reached Malacca. Could the Chinese have been the original royal lineage of Brunei? Remember that by the Year 53-Before-Prophet Muhammad, Chinese had already been living in Borneo. And never forget that the earliest Arabic maps label Malaya as ‘Barr Chin’ to mean Land of the Chinese.
And even earlier is this:
Second half of the 5th century: The Buddhist monk Hui-Shen and his Afghan companions travelled from China to Fu-Sang. Yes, the Afghans were Buddhists and carved the Bamiyan Buddhas that were destroyed by the Taliban.
Hui Sen visits Holotan (Java), on his way back to China. And the King of Java then sends seven missions to China begging them to recognize his kingdom, because no one else recognized them. This brings up strange questions. The Javanese kings did it, the Sultan of Brunei did it, and even Parameswara did it. Why were all these kings sucking up to the Chinese over the centuries? Is this what Ketuanan really means? Sucking up to China? All the Austronesians have certainly done it for the past 1,600 years, or more ....
Final parting thoughts …. Why are the oldest mosques in Malacca all shaped like Pagodas (in Trengkera)?
Why is there no ‘local’-shaped mosque architecture in Malacca? Why is there Bukit Cheena in Malacca, but no Bukit Melayu or more importantly, no Bukit Sultan? Why is there zero trace of any grave belonging to the Sultan of Malacca? Before anyone gives his lame excuse, there are at least 15 royal graves here in Brunei. All intact, all complete, and no missing links.
There are all records ranging from the Chinese (the later ones were Muslims) being in Borneo right from the fifth century right up till the 15th century. So the next time someone tells you that the Chinese only arrived in the 19th century …

#463 intriguing 2

2011-01-23T22:38:00.000+08:00

I love how people think that traffic disperses as soon as they honk. Even though the streets are packed and nothing can move. The look of determination in their faces scream, "The faster/more times/longer I press my horn, the faster traffic will just disappear!"

#462 mayuri says

2011-01-22T22:37:00.000+08:00

"...I heavily dislike you..." - Mayuri.

#461 intriguing

2011-01-21T23:42:00.003+08:00

I love how people try so hard to think of answers to questions that they are entirely clueless about, hoping that their brain will churn out non-existent information.

#460 when the arts collide

2011-01-20T12:54:00.000+08:00

Crazy video.

#459 the challenge #1

2011-01-18T22:19:00.002+08:00

It's time for Malaysians, of all race, gender, religion or whatever not; to pray for our country. To pray for justice to prevail, to pray for clean and transparent elections, for a good government, and whatever else you think is issues that bothers you.

#458 Lord Bobo

2010-12-24T17:45:00.001+08:00

Once, in an experiment by Martin E.P. Seligman, there were three sets of dogs. One set was the control dogs, let unharmed. The second set were fitted with shock collars, and placed in boxes with foot switches, whereby they have the ability to turn off painful shocks when needed. The third set of dogs was also tethered with shock collars, but the foot switches were rendered useless by experimenters, allowing the dogs no control. For the third set, the shocks came randomly. Eventually, the third set of dogs stopped attempting to press the foot switches, and became passive and depressed. During a second experiment involving the same dogs, where the dogs could end the shocks by jumping over a low barrier, the dogs from the third group refused to even attempt to jump. This is known as learned helplessness. It’s the same with human behaviour. Malaysian university students currently fall under the second and third sets. By denying students the right to exercise and advocate their personal opinions and beliefs, the system cultivates bitterness and depression, which incites them to leave, not stay in Malaysia. Some are blessed with the ability to switch it on or are fighting for it (UKM 4), but some are not so fortunate (ISA 7).

- Lord Bobo, Selangor Times 17th Dec 2010.

#457 mistaken much?

2010-12-23T11:03:00.000+08:00

TOP TEN MYTHS ABOUT MERDEKA. CLICK here.

#456 history from the non-UMNO lens

2010-12-22T09:35:00.001+08:00

10 years before independence

This is good, and is everything your form 4 textbook never talked about.

Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka from fahmi reza on Vimeo.

#455 his story, not mine.

2010-12-21T09:24:00.003+08:00

There’s so many complains about the history textbook, how it’s biased and full of lies and half-truths, how all 17 authors of the textbook all come from the same race, and the list goes on. Funny how we have a Professor Emeritus sitting in UM rotting away together with the many archives that surround him, yet no one bothers to ask him to contribute to our schools’ textbooks. Maybe, just maybe, they fear their propaganda might be jeopardized by the truth. The government wants to make history a compulsory subject, and I for one have no problems with that. I just have issues with the "history" that they claim to be true. If they could come up with a true account of unbiased history, then I'm all for it being a compulsory subject.

I shall not whine about how horrible the textbook is, and how many contradictory facts or biased views are in it. But I shall let you guys read the view of a concerned mother.

*********************************************

School History Textbooks - Historical Facts or Political and Religious Propoganda?
When one picks up a history book, one would expect to read a fair account of events as they actually happened in the past. Definitely, one would expect the most accurate record possible of history as it unfolded through the decades, written as objectively as possible.

A most reasonable expectation indeed when the book in question is a major textbook prescribed by our Education Ministry for our students nationwide. A book that is instrumental in shaping the young minds of our future generation. The issue takes even greater prominence when the content of that book is going to decide whether our students pass or fail in a major exam on which their future hinges.

Lay hold of the Form 4 history textbook that our children are compelled to digest. Read it for yourself. Take a good hard look while the storm is brewing in the teacup. And it is brewing for good reason. Be shocked at what the syllabus writers have managed to quietly incorporate into our school syllabus just a few years ago, unnoticed by most people, even parents of affected students.

This is no typical history textbook. Simply because the syllabus writers have not confined its content to history. Instead they have extended its boundaries seemingly to push a certain agenda. In the process, our history textbooks seems to have taken on a quest of its own - to win the hearts and minds of our children for that particular agenda. We have to take note that all 4 writers of the textbook comes from only one race and religion, without representation from other faiths and races.

I write as a concerned mother who cares about what my children are being fed in school. I write as a troubled citizen who cares about the younger generation that will one day helm the nation. I write based on my own personal review of the Form
4 history textbook and this review is based on the hard facts of the content of the textbook, without any intention to offend any religion, its prophet or believers. I will leave the review on the accuracy of the history to historians, who are already speaking out on the historical errors and distortions contained.

The first fact to note is the overwhelming proportion of the Form 4 history textbook being devoted to Islamic civilization (100 PAGES) while the other religious civilizations are barely given a passing mention (460 WORDS). Out of 10 chapters, 5 bulky chapters are devoted to Islamic history and civilization, which constitutes at least half a year’s study. This certainly is a disproportionate emphasis on one religion, to the exclusion of all other religious civilizations.

Most of us would not mind our children understanding more about Islamic civilization. But it has to presented fairly accurately within a balanced perspective. Do we want to mislead our children to believe that there is only one important civilization in the entire history of the human race and the rest are insignificant? Are the other major civilizations not worth studying in equal if not greater depth?

Giving our children a correct and broad worldview can only benefit our nation in the context of a globalized world. Otherwise, our nation will be producing people with an extremely narrow worldview and an incomplete and distorted view of world history. That is to our own loss.

Secondly, this history textbook seems to seek to influence the young minds of our children who come from various faiths, to follow the prophet of one particular religion. There is a detailed study of the life of the prophet Muhammad (pg 102 – 107). He is repeatedly praised throughout the chapters. Students are then repeatedly exhorted throughout the book, to emulate him as a ROLE MODEL in life (pg 106, 111, 124, 133, 137, 138).

We respect the Muslim belief in the greatness of their prophet. However, we have to respectfully suggest (with no offense intended whatsoever to the prophet) that teachings that encourage students to follow any prophet would more properly belong to a religious class meant for students who already subscribed to that particular faith. It has no proper place in a major history textbook for students of other faiths. In a plural society like ours, the religious sensitivities of other faiths must surely be respected.

Thirdly, throughout the pages of the textbook, history seems to have been written from a religiously biased viewpoint. Other religions seems to be cast in an unfavourable light. Consider some statements found in the textbook:-
(1) Islam is described as a religion easily acceptable and not confined to any race, nation or geography (pg 185).
(2) Islam can be accepted by many people because of the purity of its teaching (pg 110).
(3) The uniqueness of Islam resulted in many people embracing the religion (pg162, 163, 185).
(4) The conversion of some Arab leaders to Islam in 629 AD is described as “an act done after rational investigation into the truth of Islam” (pg 133).
(5) Islamic social policies are described as so attractive that European Christians converted to Islam during the Byzantize era (pg 163).
(6) Islam requires rational thinking and therefore is accepted by all levels of society. (pg 185).
Sadly, biased religious viewpoints are being unfairly shoved onto our children as established facts within the framework of a narrow religious perspective.

Fourthly, the history textbook itself dwells on the teachings of the religion. Whilst the children have to study Islamic concepts (pg 185), no space is given to a balanced comparison with the teachings of other religions. Our youth are therefore taught the virtues of one religion to the exclusion of others. Why not have a balanced approach and allow our children to learn the basic tenets of all major world religions? Allow them to engage in comparative studies. Will it not be healthier to promote better understanding among the races which has positive effect on nation building?

Fifthly, the textbook also promotes Syariah law as suitable and practical for a multi racial nation. It cites the example of the success of the multi racial community in Madinah governed by the Madinah Charter. The formation of an Islamic government in Madinah is stated to thus prove that Islam can be practiced in a wholesome daily living and should be emulated by the Malaysian society. Syariah law is hailed as just, complete and perfect, and can be followed by all communities (pg 128). There is mention of social justice under Islam (pg 128); equal treatment to all people under Islam (pg 110, 128); purity of the struggles of Islam (pg 112); fairness, integrity, consideration and generosity of Islamic economic principles (pg 128).

Perhaps the fifth ground raises the most questions and rings loudest the alarm bells. It makes us wonder why our school history syllabus is written in a way that seems to be condition the minds of our youth to accept Syariah laws as the basis of our legal system in the future? Is there a deliberate political and/or religious agenda at play?

Our Education Minister owes us an explanation. We want to know why our school curriculum has been allowed to be written from such a religious slant by a group of writers of only one religious background. We want to know the reason for this sudden but quiet change in the school syllabus a few years ago. We want to know why our children are compelled to disproportionately focus and digest so much on one religion without a balanced perspective of others?

We must demand for an immediate and urgent revamp and re-writing of the entire history curriculum for our schools and universities. There should be a panel of qualified historians from all races and faiths working reviewing the syllabus. Feedback must be obtained from the public. We must insist that politics and religious indoctrination be strictly kept out of our textbooks.

History should be what it is – an objective and accurate record of past events. We must no longer allow our school syllabus to be hijacked for political and religious propoganda. Until then, it is unacceptable to even think that History should be made a compulsory pass subject in SPM.

#454 much ado about faith

2010-12-10T14:44:00.002+08:00

(Jakarta Post) "Faith is something that you hold strongly in your heart, not where you work."

Or what you say, or what people say, or whatever else for that matter...

*In regards to non-Muslims barred from using the word "Allah" to avoid confusing the Muslims*

#453 One man’s lie is another man’s fact

2010-12-09T14:42:00.000+08:00

by Raja Petra Kamarudin

(Bernama) - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today advised Malaysian students abroad to be wary of some Malaysian media that are inclined to spinning news stories and spreading lies.

"I ask that the students understand the situation to prevent themselves from being influenced by the news spins and lies," he told a press conference after a dialogue with a group of Malaysian student leaders from throughout Indonesia, here, today.

Muhyiddin, who is on a four-day working visit to Indonesia since yesterday, was responding to the student leaders' call for the Malaysian media to be truthful and transparent in their news reports.

"I explained that the media was very influential, and while there were media which were supportive of the government, there were others that belonged to the opposition or were pro-opposition, with some of them good at spinning stories," he said.

Also present at the dialogue were Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin Syed Hassan and director of the Malaysian Students Department in Indonesia, Datuk Dr Junaidy Abu Bakar.

The deputy prime minister agreed that a seminar on the 1Malaysia concept be organised for the Malaysian students in Indonesia and other Malaysians in Jakarta so that they would understand the concept better.

He said experts on the concept could be invited to give talks and interact with the seminar participants here.

Muhyiddin said the Malaysian student leaders also expressed their support for the government's decision to abolish the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination, but wanted the school-based assessment system that would replace the PMR, to be a sound and viable one.

****************************************

It is certainly sound advice that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin gave to Malaysian students overseas. History as taught in Malaysian schools in the 1950s and 1960s was very different from the history being taught today.

The history that I learned in the Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur starts from 1066. I had to research on my own the history of 55 BC when the Romans under Emperor Claudius unsuccessfully invaded England and were sent packing back to Rome with their tails between their legs. The general who suffered this most humiliating defeat was none other than Julius Caesar himself who later on became Emperor of Rome.

It was not until almost 100 years later that the Romans managed to tame England -- but then only stayed for about 367 years before they decided to call it quits and abandon England’s shores for good.

The Romans could not bear the extremely cold English weather and extremely hot resistance from the Britons who never allowed the Romans one bit of peace. England, of course, was thereafter invaded by many regional powers such as the Vikings and the political boundaries of Great Britain were redrawn many times over those 600 years before the Norman invasion of 1066.

For some time England was ruled by France and there were occasions when the English king spoke only French. In fact, the language of the English court at that time was French and not English.

There is no longer any such thing as an Englishman. The term Englishman is a misnomer. What would you regard as an Englishman? For 2,000 years England had been occupied by one power or another, and at times many powers at the same time. The blood of the Englishman has been ‘contaminated’ by almost every known Caucasian.

In short, the Englishman jati (pure) is a fallacy and does not exist.

That is how I have understood history. And that was what we were taught in school back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Malaysian history, however, starts from 1946, the year Umno was born. And Malaysian students are taught that Umno fought for independence. They are also taught that the British tried to undermine the Raja-Raja Melayu (Malay Rulers) by introducing the Malay Union. In speeches by Umno leaders we are even told that the Rulers ‘sold out’ to the British and if not for Umno, who defended the Rulers, the Malay Rulers would no longer exist today.

Some try to downplay the ‘treacherous act’ of the Rulers by saying that the British tricked the Rulers into agreeing to the Malayan Union and it was Umno who pressured the Rulers to abort the plan. Without Umno the Rulers would have kowtowed to the British and would have lost all their powers.

In short, the Rulers had to be saved from themselves and it was Umno that had saved them.

Yes, there are much lies and spinning, as Muhyiddin said. Malaysians are not being taught real history. They are being taught Umno’s version of history. So what Muhyiddin said is true: Malaysians overseas must be careful of these lies and spins.

But it is the lies and spins of Umno that Malaysians must be careful of. What we are being told is not what really happened. Sure, Umno did send a delegation to meet the British to oppose the Malayan Union. But who were these so-called ‘Umno people’?

They were not the rakyat. The rakyat did not care. They were not concerned. In fact, they were not even aware about what was going on.

Those who went to meet the British were the orang istana or people from the royal court, the palace people. Is it any wonder that they all had Raja or Datuk in front of their names? In fact, Umno was ‘born’ in the palace of the Sultan of Johor. For all intents and purposes it was a ‘royal effort’.

So dispel all this talk about the Rulers selling out to the British and that Umno, a party of the rakyat, saved the Rulers who had agreed to the Malayan Union due to their ignorance. Many of the royalty then were well educated and were more English than the Englishman. I remember my grandfather speaking just like Winston Churchill. How more English than that can you be?

The British, then, were good at what they called ‘gunboat diplomacy’. They ‘persuaded’ foreign leaders to agree to the terms of His Majesty’s government with a gun at the head. Did they not use the same tactics on the Chinese Emperor to gain Hong Kong?

Umno, at that time, were not seeking Merdeka. They only wanted the British to abandon the Malayan Union and opt for a Federation of Malaya, which eventually did happen two years later. It was MCA that first broached the subject of Merdeka.

The British, of course, would not talk to MCA unless the Malays too were in the equation. The MIC at that time did not bother about Merdeka. MIC was a communist party that was more concerned with independence for India. Malaya was not their home. India was.

It was not until the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) stepped up the insurgency -- which resulted in the British declaring the Malayan Emergency -- that the British decided it would be prudent to allow Malaya self-rule. Many would not agree with me, of course, but I would dare say that Chin Peng accelerated Merdeka. If not, Malaya would have gained independence much later than 1957.

In fact, Malaysia too came about because of the Communists. Lee Kuan Yew was one smart cookie. He made a deal with the CPM who swept half the seats in the Singapore elections. This frightened the British who saw Singapore falling to the Communists.

Lee Kuan Yew told the British that the only way to stop the march of the Communists was to give Singapore independence so that, together with Sabah and Sarawak, it could form a new country with Malaya that would be called Malaysia. Singapore, on its own, would fall to the Communists. As part of Malaysia the Communists could be stopped.

So, while Chin Peng accelerated Merdeka, Lee Kuan Yew ‘convinced’ the British to give independence to Singapore so that it could join Malaya to form Malaysia. Of course, Singapore was not really interested in being part of Malaysia. It just wanted independence. And not long after that it left Malaysia to become an independent Republic of Singapore, which was what Lee Kuan Yew really wanted.

Lee Kuan Yew then got rid of the Communists by detaining them all without trial. He had used them to frighten the British and now no longer had any use for them. So he rounded them up and locked them away for a long time, the sneaky bugger.

But are Chin Peng and Lee Kuan Yew mentioned in this context? They were significant players in the creation of Malaya and later, Malaysia. What we read is about Umno this and Umno that. We are told that Malaya gained independence and Malaysia was later created because of Umno.

These are the lies and spins that Malaysians overseas and at home must be wary of. The history you are being taught is not the real history. What I have just related is the real history. But rest assured not a single Umno member would admit this. They are too ashamed to admit it. By admitting this they would be admitting that Umno is not really the hero that they pretend to be.

#452 Malay supremacy unIslamic, suggests chosen race, says Asri

2010-12-08T14:40:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — A renowned Islamic scholar silenced arguments today over the controversial “Malay supremacy” concept, charging that it was un-Islamic and akin to the Jewish’s “ chosen race” claim.
Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin wrote today that the act of placing the Malay race as more supreme than the others was against the teachings of Islam, which preaches tolerance and the equality of all races.

“If someone considers himself more noble simply because of race or ethnicity factors, or considers others lower than himself because they are not of the same race, such belief is wrong and goes against the teachings of Islam.

“Should this be the case, it can be likened to the Jewish claim that they are the 'chosen race',” he said.

The outspoken scholar added that such “pride” was rejected by Islam.

Dr Mohd Asri's view on the contentious concept is a direct blow to Malay rights group Perkasa, whose leaders have been blaring the “Malay supremacy” rhetoric to push for Malay rights.

In recent days, Perkasa clashed head-on with PKR leaders on the issue, with the latter group arguing that “Malay supremacy” or “ketuanan Melayu” was undemocratic, irrelevant and should be replaced by a more inclusive concept of “ketuanan rakyat” (people's supremacy).

PKR leaders, like its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his wife party president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy president Azmin Ali have openly rejected “Malay supremacy”, interpreting it to mean the supremacy of the Malay race above the others.

But Perkasa leaders shot back with a biting insult on Dr Wan Azizah and called her a “political prostitute” for rejecting the concept, claiming that it was tantamount to showing disrespect to the Malay Rulers and the Federal Constitution.

The right-wing leaders have argued that the concept of “Malay supremacy” was provided for in the Constitution as it referred to the special positions of the Malays as well as the Malay Rulers.

Today however, Dr Mohd Asri appeared to back PKR's view on the topic, pointing out that while there was no clear definition on the “ketuanan Melayu” terminology, the concept was also not formally expressed in the Federal Constitution.

“Hence it is strange for any party to attempt to defend such a fuzzy concept, whose meaning remains unclear,” he said.

Despite this, Dr Mohd Asri described the concept as one that propagated the supremacy of the Malay race above others, explaining that ultimately, the word “ketuanan” was derived from the word “tuan” in Bahasa Malaysia.

Its English equivalent, the scholar claimed, was “supremacy”.

“It refers to the root word 'tuan' and when combined with 'Melayu', it means that the Malays are in the status of 'tuan' or in Arabic, it is called 'siyadah' (supremacy).

“If you refer to the meaning according to the language, it means that the Malays are always on top, are more supreme and more noble if compared to the non-Malays,” he said.

A clearer definition, added Dr Mohd Asri, would mean that the “Malay race is supreme and most noble”.

He continued to assert that such a belief was un-Islamic and cited several verses in the Quran to back his claim.

As an example, Dr Mohd Asri pointed out that Allah himself had declared in Surah al-Hujarat verse 13, “Oh mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other, not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sigh of Allah, the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).”

“This verse explains that human dignity comes from one's core values, which is noble faith and morals that is defined as righteousness,” he said.

Dr Mohd Asri added that Islamic teachings also preached principles in assessing man without looking at his skin colour or race but at the moral values that he possesses.

“If a race should be viewed as noble, this nobility must be proven in how they lead their lives. The Malays or the other races can achieve this through their efforts towards upholding dignity, and not just by relying on their races or different ethnicities,” he said.

#451 Bring back the old, truly Malaysian, days

2010-12-07T14:37:00.002+08:00

1Malaysia is empty because it is propagated by a government supported by a racially-based party system that is the chief cause of our inability to grow up in our race relations, says Tengku Razaleigh.

I have played some small role in the life of this nation, but having been on the wrong side of one or two political fights with the powers that be, I am not as close to the young people of this country as I would hope to be. History, and the 8 o’clock news, are written by the victors. In recent years the government’s monopoly of the media has been destroyed by the technology revolution.

You could say I was also a member of the United Kingdom and Eire Council (UKEC) for Malaysian students. Well I was, except that belonged to the predecessor of the UKEC by more than 50 years, the Malayan Students Union of the UK and Eire. I led this organisation in 1958/59. I was then a student of Queen’s University in Belfast, as well as at Lincoln’s Inn. In a rather cooler climate than Kota Bharu’s. We campaigned for decolonisation. We demonstrated in Trafalgar Square and even in Paris. We made posters and participated in British elections.

Your invitation to participate in the 4th Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit (MSLS) was prefaced by a an essay which calls for an intellectually informed activism. I congratulate you on this. The Youth of today, you note, “will chart the future of Malaysia.” You say you “no longer want to be ignored and leave the future of our Malaysia at the hands of the current generation”. You “want to grab the bull by the horns… and have a say in where we go as a society and as a nation”.

I feel the same, actually. A lot of Malaysians feel the same. They are tired of being ignored and talked down to.

Just do it

You are right. The present generation in power has let Malaysia down. But also you cite two things as testimony of the importance of youth and of student activism to this country, the election results of 2008 and “the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the role of youth in the development of the country”.

So perhaps you are a little way yet from thinking for yourselves. The first step in “grabbing the bull by the horns” is not to require the endorsement of the Prime Minister, or any Minister, for your activism. Politicians are not your parents. They are your servants. You don’t need a government slogan coined by a foreign PR agency to wrap your project in. You just go ahead and do it.

When I was a student our newly formed country was already a leader in the post-colonial world. We were sought out as a leader in the Afro-Asian Conference which inaugurated the Non-Aligned Movement and the G-77. The Afro-Asian movement was led by such luminaries as Zhou En-lai, Nehru, Kwame Nkrumah, Soekarno. Malaysians were seen as moderate leaders capable of mediating between these more radical leaders and the West. We were known for our moderation, good sense and reliability.

We were a leader in the Islamic world as ourselves and as we were, without our leaders having to put up false displays of piety. His memory has been scrubbed out quite systematically from our national consciousness; so you might not know this or much else about him, but it was Tengku Abdul Rahman who established our leadership in the Islamic world by coming up with the idea of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Countries) and making it happen. Under his leadership, Malaysia led the way in taking up the anti-apartheid cause in the Commonwealth and in the United Nations, resulting in South Africa’s expulsion from these bodies.

Here was a man at ease with himself, who made it a policy goal that Malaysia be “a happy country”. He loved sport and encouraged sporting achievement among Malaysians. He was owner of many a fine race horse. He called a press conference with his stewards when his horse won at the Melbourne Cup. He had nothing to hide because his great integrity in service was clear to all. Now we have religious and moral hypocrites who cheat, lie and steal in office, who propagate an ideologically shackled education system for all Malaysians while they send their own kids to elite academies in the West.

The glory days

Speaking of football. You’re too young to have experienced the Merdeka Cup, which Tunku started. We had a respectable side in the 1960s and 70s. Teams from across Asia would come to play in Kuala Lumpur, teams such as South Korea and Japan, whom we defeated routinely. We were one of the better sides in Asia. We won the bronze medal at the Asian games in 1974 and qualified for the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Today our FIFA ranking is 157 out of 203 countries. That puts us in the lowest quartile, below Maldives (149), the smallest country in Asia, with just 400,000 people living about 1.5 metres above sea level who have to worry that their country may soon be swallowed up by climate change. Here in Asean we are behind Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, whom we used to dominate, and one spot above basketball-playing Philippines.

The captain of our illustrious 1970s side was Soh Chin Aun. Arumugam, Isa Bakar, Santokh Singh, James Wong and Mokhtar Dahari were heroes whose names rolled off the tongues of our schoolchildren as they copied them on the school field. It wasn’t about being the best in the world, but about being passionate and united and devoted to the game.

It was the same in badminton, except at one time we were the best in the world. I remember Wong Peng Soon, the first Asian to win the All-England Championship, who then just dominated it throughout the 1950s. Back home every kid who played badminton in every little kampung wanted to call himself Wong Peng Soon. There was no tinge of anybody identifying themselves exclusively as Chinese, Malays, Indians. Peng Soon was a Malaysian hero. Just like each of our football heroes. Now we do not have an iota of that feeling. Where has it all gone?

I don’t think it’s mere nostalgia that makes us think there was a time when the sun shone more brightly upon Malaysia. I bring up sport because it has been a mirror of our more general performance as a nation. When we were at ease with who we were and didn’t need slogans to do our best together, we did well. When race and money entered our game, we declined. The same applies to our political and economic life

Soon after independence we were already a highly successful developing country. We had begun the infrastructure building and diversification of our economy that would be the foundation for further growth. We carried out an import-substitution programme that stimulated local productive capacity. From there we started an infrastructure build-up which enabled a diversification of the economy leading to rapid industria-lisation. We carried out effective programmes to raise rural income and help the landless with programmes such as Felda. Our achievements in achieving growth with equity were recognised around the world. Our peer group in economic development were South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, and we led the pack. I remember we used to send technical consultants to advise the South Koreans.

… and then the slump

By the lates 1990s, however, we had fallen far behind this group and were competing with Thailand and Indonesia. Today, according to the latest World Investment Report, FDI (Foreign Development Investment) into Malaysia is at a 20-year low. We are entering the peer group of Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines as an investment destination. Thailand, despite a month-long siege of the capital, attracted more FDI than we did last year. Indonesia and Vietnam far outperform us, not as a statistical blip but consistently. Soon we shall have difficulty keeping up with the Philippines. This, I believe, is called relegation. If we take into account FDI outflow, the picture is even more depressing. Last year we received US$1.38 billion in investments but US$ 8.04 billion flowed out. We are the only country in Southeast Asia which has suffered net FDI outflow. I am not against outward investment. It can be a good thing for the country. But an imbalance on this scale indicates capital flight, not mere investment overseas.

Without a doubt, Malaysia is slipping. Billions have been looted from this country, and billions more are being siphoned out as our entire political structure crumbles. Yet we are gathered here in comfort, in a country that still seems to ‘work.’ Most of the time. This is due less to good management than to the extraordinary wealth of this country. You were born into a country of immense resources both natural, cultural and social. We have been wearing down this advantage with mismanagement and corruption. With lies, tall tales and theft. We have a political class unwilling or unable to address the central issue of the day because they have grown fat and comfortable with a system built on lies and theft.

No endorsements needed

It is time to wake up. That waking up can begin here, right here, at this conference. Not tomorrow or the day after but today. So let me, as I have the honour of opening this conference, suggest the following:

Overcome the urge to have our hopes for the future endorsed by the Prime Minister. He will have retired, and I’ll be long gone when your future arrives. The shape of your future is being determined now.

Resist the temptation to say “in line with” when we do something. Your projects, believe it or not, don’t have to be in line with any government campaign for them to be meaningful. You don’t need to polish anyone’s apple. Just get on with what you plan to do.
Do not put a lid on certain issues as “sensitive”because someone said they are. Or it is against the Social Contract. Or it is “politicisation”. You don’t need to have your conversation delimited by the hyper-sensitive among us. Sensitivity is often a club people use to hit each other with. Reasoned discussion of contentious issues builds understanding and trust. Test this idea.
It’s not “conservative” or “liberal” to ask for an end to having politics, economic policy, education policy and everything and the kitchen sink determined by race. It’s called growing up.
Don’t let the politicians you have invited here talk down to you. Don’t let them tell you how bright and “exuberant” you are, that you are the future of the nation, etc. If you close your eyes and flow with their flattery you have safely joined the caravan, a caravan taking the nation down a sink hole. If they tell you the future is in your hands, kindly request that they hand that future over first. Ask them how come the youngest member of our cabinet is 45 and is full of discredited hacks? Our Merdeka cabinet had an average age of below 30. You’re not the first generation to be bright. Mine wasn’t too stupid. But you could be the first generation of students and young graduates in 50 years to push this nation through a major transformation. And it is a transformation we need desperately.

You will be told that much is expected of you, much has been given to you, and so forth. This is all true. Actually much has also been stolen from you. Over the last 25 years, much of the immense wealth generated by our productive people and our vast resources has been looted. This was supposed to have been your patrimony. The uncomplicated sense of belonging fully, wholeheartedly, unreservedly, to this country, in all its diversity – that has been taken from you. Our sense of ourselves as Malaysians, a free and united people, has been replaced by a tale of racial strife and resentment that continues to haunt us. The thing is, this tale is false.

The most precious thing you have been deprived of has been your history. Someone of my generation finds it hard to describe what must seem like a completely different country to you now. Malaysia was not born in strife but in unity. Our independence was achieved through a demonstration of unity by the people in supporting a multiracial government led by Tengku Abdul Rahman. That show of unity, demonstrated first through the municipal elections of 1952 and then through the Alliance’s landslide victory in the elections of 1955, showed that the people of Malaya were united in wanting their freedom. We surprised the British, who thought we could not do this.

Abolish oppressive laws

Today, we are no longer as united as we were then. We are also less free. I don’t think this is a coincidence. It takes free people to have the psychological strength to overcome the confines of a racialised worldview. It takes free people to overcome those politicians bent on hanging on to power gained by racialising every feature of our life including our football teams.

Hence while you are at this conference, let me argue, that as an absolute minimum, we should call for the repeal of unjust and much abused Acts of Parliament which are reversals of freedoms that we won at Merdeka.

I ask you in joining me in calling for the repeal of the ISA and the OSA. These draconian laws have been used, more often than not, as political tools rather than instruments of national security. They create a climate of fear.

I ask you to join me in calling for the repeal of the Printing and Publications Act, and above all, the Universities and University Colleges Act. I don’t see how you can pursue your student activism with such freedom and support in the UK and Eire while forgetting that your brethren at home are deprived of their basic rights of association and expression by the UUCA. The UUCA has done immense harm in dumbing down our universities.

We must have freedom as guaranteed under our Constitution. Freedom to assemble, associate, speak, write, move. This is basic. Even on matters of race and even on religious matters we should be able to speak freely, and we shall educate each other.

It is time to realise the dream of Dato’ Onn and the spirit of the Alliance and of Tunku Abdul Rahman. That dream was one of unity and a single Malaysian people. They went as far as they could with it in their time. Instead of taking on the torch, we have reversed course. The next step for us as a country is to move beyond the infancy of race-based parties to a non-racial party system. Our race-based party system is the key political reason why we are a sick country, declining before our own eyes, with money fleeing and people telling their children not to come home after their studies.

So let us try to take 1Malaysia seriously. Millions have been spent putting up billboards and adding the term to every conceivable thing. We even have Cuti-cuti 1Malaysia. Can’t take a normal holiday anymore. This is all fine. Now let us see if it means anything. Let us see the government of the day lead by example. 1Malaysia is empty because it is propagated by a government supported by a racially-based party system that is the chief cause of our inability to grow up in our race relations. Our inability to grow up in our race relations is the chief reason why investors and we ourselves no longer have confidence in our economy. The reasons why we are behind Maldives in football, and behind the Philippines in FDI, are linked.

So let us take 1Malaysia seriously, and convert Barisan Nasional into a party open to all citizens. Let it be a multiracial party open to direct membership. Pakatan Rakyat will be forced to do the same or be left behind the times. Then we shall have the vehicles for a two party, non-race-based system.

If Umno, MIC or MCA are afraid of losing supporters, let them get their members to join this new multiracial party. Pakatan Rakyat should do the same. Nobody need feel left out. Umno members can join en masse. The Hainanese Kopitiam Owners Association can join whichever party they want, or both parties en masse if they like. We can maintain our cherished civil associations, however we choose to associate. But we drop all communalism when we compete for the ballot. When our candidates stand for elections, let them ever after stand only as Malaysians, for better or for worse.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah delivered this speech on 31 July 2010 at the Fourth Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit at the Nikko Hotel in Kuala Lumpur

#450 Melayu Are Stupid

2010-12-06T14:36:00.000+08:00

Written by John Doe

Who says that it is arbitrarily wrong to state the above? How many people even know who is a Melayu, and who is not? Do Malaysians even know the difference? Well, take a walk with me, and see how you fare on this educational journey.

The next time you meet someone who claims to be a “Melayu”, ask him, or her if he/she is a “Melayu Deli” or “Melayu Riau”. That’s the first question the individual needs to answer. A Javanese is definitely NOT a Melayu. He is a Javanese. The same applies to a Batak, Achehnese, Bugis, Sundanese, Sumba, Florence, Balinese, and so on. BTW, the Bataks are further subdivided into Karonese, Toba, PakPak, and so on. And NONE see eye to eye, and have much heated debates on which group is more “Pure”. I guess that they forgot that the concept of Thoroughbreds is directly propagating the concept of in-breeding. Somewhere, somehow, people just forgot this.
You see, in Indonesia, there are more than 164 suku’s, and Melayu is but one of them. Why is it so hard for goons like Abraham Ali to convince these Austronesian Migrants to call themselves a Melayu? The answer is so really simple. It’s because, in Indonesia, the Melayu are called “Lazy”, and “Stupid”, and “Totally Useless”. Go ahead, ask your Indonesian Maid what she knows about “Melayu”. And then call her a Melayu, and watch her putrid reaction. The original location for the Melayu is contested between the Medan regions, but more and more are agreeing that it was really in Jambi. Regardless, of which “camp” is correct, Medan is today, nearly void of any Melayu Deli. Most who have been to Medan, will quickly tell you that the Melayu are really really lazy people. Thus, no one wants to hire them, or to do business with them in Indonesia. It is so rare to find any Melayu who is hardworking here.

It might also come to surprise many, that the Melayu have almost disappeared in Medan today, to be replaced by Orang Jowo. The Javanese are really the more hardworking of the lot, and as such, have taken over most of Indonesia. In fact many in Malaysia are Javanese. These Javanese migrants brought along with them, their culture, and traditions. The Kuda Kepang is but one of them. Less desirable traditions which were brought over are “female circumcision”. (Google it, and look at the Malaysian statistics yourself) This has absolutely nothing to do with Religion, but rather a cultural trait. This is however, not to be confused with the Female Genital Mutilation of Africa.

So, it becomes harder and harder to understand Abraham Ali, each time he screams and shouts “Ketuanan Melayu”, when in actual fact, no one in the Peninsular is really Melayu to begin with. Tough choice, because if these Austronesians of Malaysia decide to call themselves by their original Suku/ Puak, then they’d lose everything which is promised to them as prescribed in the Federal Constitution. Tough. Just as Jibby is a Bugis, but decides to downgrade himself by calling himself a Melayu.

The Melayu are really looked down upon in Indonesia. The name itself is shunned, and in the Javanese Language, the word “Melayu” means a fugitive. No wonder so many still refuse to be called “Melayu”, except in rare moments when the carrot-on-a-stick is brought out. Phrases like “Don’t insult me by calling me a Melayu, I am a Javanese” can still be heard throughout Malaysia. It is also interesting to note at this point, that the Kelantanese are migrants from both Pattani, as well as from the Champa Kingdom in Central Vietnam. They too fled their country, and arrived in Malaysia in the not too distant past.

The Chinese. The Stupid Chinese !! They were always hated by the Javanese from time immemorial. First, the Chinese started to bring in this strange new religion called Islam. The Wali Songo Chapter is clearly marked in History. The 9 Supreme Mubaligh of Islam were all Chinese, and they spread Islam to all of Java. For years and years, this information was greatly suppressed.

This picture HERE shows the 9 Chinese-Muslim Saints are the symbol of the spread of Islam in the Nusantara.

The same fate of suppression applied to the Demak Kingdom. Up till very recently, all books about the Demak Kingdom was banned in Indonesia. Why? Their Sultan was a Chinese Man named Chek Kok Po, who is today known as Raden Patah. He had a vision to spread Islam to Java by the sword. And this he did by working in collaboration with Malacca, just across the Straits of Sumatera. Thus, together, they conquered most of the North of Java. The Majapahitans (Javanese), on the other hand, were Hindu. And they really started to develop a sincere hate for the Muslim Chinese, as it upset their Gods. At that time, it was Lingghi worship, which was predominant. Vishnu, Ganesha, and Krishna had already been slightly sidelined in favour of the Male Penis-worship. Somehow, the Javanese liked this, and thus, became sworn enemies of the Chinese, who insisted on bringing in Islam to these “Barbarians”.

THIS PICTURE shows the Graves from the Demak Kingdom. The Javanese hated the Chinese for forcefully bringing Islam to Indonesia.

The Indians also played an important role in bringing Islam into Malaysia. The Gujeratti’s were mostly Muslim, and were equally just as enthusiastic about spreading Islam to the same “Barbarians”. The Chola’s however, were mostly Hindu, and they were responsible for spreading Hinduism, which stayed in Southeast Asia for 1,500 years, beginning from the 2nd century in Lembah Bujang (Kedah), Bali and Champa, till the 15th Century. The Arabs on the other hand, were mostly Pirates, and robbed and pillaged their way to China. Their descendants, with the Mogolian refugees are the Bugis people today. It is no wonder, that the Bugis remained fiersome pirates, and were extensively used by Parameswara, to extort “Toll Fees” from passing ships. This over-enthusiasm to collect such “fees” eventually led to their demise when innocent passing Portuguese ships refused to pay. They were attacked by Malacca, and in retaliation, revisited Malacca with only 30 ships, subdued it, and made Malacca into their new Naval base.

It is important to note, that Ma Huan, the scribe of Zheng He, had recorded that there was not a single Muslim in the Island of Java when they arrived in the mid 15th Century. Perhaps Zheng He left a few Muslim Scholars behind, to help spread Islam. No one really knows. What we do know, however, is that Zheng He must have been very frustrated, as he could not find a single Halal Restaurant in Java when he arrived. Islam was not to touch the shores of Java till a good 50 years later, when Chek Kok Poh brought it in by force (literally by the sword) in the early 16th Century, when he conquered most of North Java.

Click here for illustration.

Coming back to the Melayu. Regardless of whether they are called Melayu Deli, or Melayu Riau, they are pendatangs to Malaysia. Their original homeland was in Jambi, Palembang, Brunei, Philippines, Sarawak, and the Riau Islands. Oh, and for the record, it is only called “Johor-Riau Islands” by Malaysia. The Indonesians NEVER call it anything else other than Riau.

So, here’s a recap.

1) We do not know why UMNO is chanting “Ketuanan Melayu”. Nobody is Melayu in Malaysia anyway.

2) The Melayu (Deli and Riau) in Indonesia are called Lazy, Stupid and Useless.

3) There is a deep-seated hate for the Chinese by Indonesians. Firstly because they brought Islam to Java, which upset their Hindu Gods, and second, their diligence today, which makes everyone else look lazy.

4) This deep-seated hate led to their Massacre during the Genocide in 1998. Watch the Youtube Documentary HERE.

5) Since most fake-Melayu’s in Malaysia are Javanese, it comes as no surprise that they brought along with them, this deep seated hate for the Chinese.

6) Despite UMNO people clearly announcing that they are anything BUT Melayu in public, it becomes ironic that no one is contesting their “Special Rights”, because the “Special Rights” are for the Melayu, yet no one benefiting from this, is a Melayu at all. Not even the Sultan’s who are Bugis, Palembang, Pattani, Orang Asli or “dan lain-lain” (as many are of mixed parentage).

7) I find it demeaning that ONLY the Melayu needs to be defined in the Constitution.

8) You want to find a Melayu, go to Brunei, Sarawak, Philippines, Riau, or Jambi and Palembang. There’s none left in Peninsular Malaysia.

9) Even Singapore has more REAL Melayu than Malaysia.

10) “Ketuanan Pendatang” is a much more appropriate replacement.

The Chinese have played an extremely large role in shaping the history of the Nusantara. Initially the Austronesians hated them for bringing Islam to the region, again, when the Japanese reinforced that the Chinese were evil, and today, they are still hated for making everyone else look lazy. Perhaps this deep-seated hate can be brought to rest, by bringing to light what truly happened in History.

Not the retarded History lessons which UMNO insists on force-feeding down the throats of the young, but rather the unbiased version from real Academics in the field. But for the record, no one wants to be known as a Melayu in Indonesia, as they are simply classed at the bottom of the bottom.

#449 the secret to long life..

2010-11-25T21:44:00.001+08:00

#448

2010-11-24T00:31:00.001+08:00

"Here's to the crazy ones. Misfits. Rebels. Trouble-makers. Round heads in square holes. Those who see things differently. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. 'Cos they change things. They push the human race forward. 'Cos the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

-Think Different, Apple Computers Ad

#447 malaysian politician jokes

2010-11-18T02:17:00.001+08:00

1. Najib, Pak Lah, and Old man Mahathir were patrolling in a helicopter.

Old Man Mahathir: "If I drop a piece of RM1000 note from here, the person that picks it up must be very happy."
Pak Lah: "If I throw two pieces of RM500notes down, it will make 2 persons happy."
Najib: "If I drop TEN pieces of RM100notes, there will be 10 happy people."

The pilot murmuring to himself: "Why don't all of you just jump down from here, that will make 25 million people happy."

2. Samy V wished to enhance his reputation by publishing a series of stamps with his portraits. One month after the launch, Samy surveys its sales.
Post Office Chief: "Not bad... but we got quite a number of complaints that the glue is not strong enough."

Samy: : "Really...?"

He spits at the back of the stamp and sticks the stamp on an envelope: "The glue seems ok."

Post Office Chief:: "Yes, but every one spits on the front of the stamp ...."

3. Midnight, Najib went for supper and bumped into a robber.

Robber: "Give me all your money!!"

Najib was very angry: "I am the honorable Prime Minister!"

Robber: "Well, then ... return all my money."

4. One fine day, Najib, Muyahiddin and parliament members were on the way to a meeting where they all crashed in an accident and was rushed to the hospital.

The reporters were at the hospital, the doctor shook his head "We have done our best to rescue the PM but ..."

Reporters:"How about Muyahiddin?"

Doctor:"We were unable to rescue him either ..."

Reporters:"Who have you saved?"

The doctor was excited:"Malaysia is now saved!"

5. Samy V visited the psychiatric hospital. All the patients hurray for him but there is one patient who ignored Samy.

Samy: "Why does he not welcome me?"

Doc: "He is normal today (not insane)."

6. Election campaign time -- car load of politicians were involved in a car accident.

A farmer saw and rushed to the scene but all the passengers were dead.
He buried all the passengers.

Few days later, the police in charge found the farmer and asked where all
the politicians were and was told that they had all been buried.

Police: "Did they all die?"

Farmer: "Hmmm, Samy was screaming that he is still alive when I buried him"

Police: "Then why you bury him anyway?"

Farmer: "Because Samy never tells the truth."

#446 are you a patriot?

2010-11-12T20:45:00.001+08:00

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the US, has something significant to share on one of the meanings of patriotism:

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country.

“It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.”

#445

2010-11-01T17:05:00.002+08:00

Someone once said, "Being gay is environmental. No man is born a gay, that is unless he was born without a penis, had a vagina and is capable of giving birth to children. Otherwise, he was born to get in bed with a female."

#444 what a joke

2010-10-20T01:02:00.002+08:00

Tan Zhongshan, Top Malaysian Law Student from Cambridge is under the ASEAN Scholarship and is going to practice law in Singapore. Shows how little priority the government puts on education, and the brain drain rate is unlikely to reduce.

#443 the bugle call

2010-10-08T02:13:00.003+08:00

Too often, we fall under social pressure to conform. To often we are victims of conformity, even when the status quo needs change.

There is a need for us to stick out like sore thumbs when things are unjust, when things are wrong, when things need to be changed around. And you can't ignore sore thumbs. Having opposable thumbs are pretty important in life. You'd do anything to soothe a sore thumb.

Idiom Definition for "Sticking out like a sore thumb": If something sticks or stands out like a sore thumb, it is clearly and obviously different from the things that are around it.

#442 UMNO and Population Engineering

2010-10-03T00:10:00.000+08:00

by steadyaku47

Since 1957 UMNO has effectively carried out the population engineering of our country to ensure its long-term survival by creating the myth of a two pronged “Ketuanan Melayu”. “Ketuanan Melayu” for the Malay masses who are lull into a feeling of being superior over the non-Malays because of their numbers and “Ketuanan Melayu” for the UMNO Malay political elites through the accumulation of massive material wealth for themselves and their cronies. And while UMNO has failed by almost any measure you chose to gauge them – good governance or morality – without question they have succeeded too well in the engineering of the population of this country of ours.

The duplicity of UMNO in proclaiming Satu Bangsa, Satu Negara while all the while undertaking a relentless program to whittle down the numbers of the non-Malays through very precise and focused initiatives is breath taking in its effectiveness!
Consider this:
In 1957:
– 45% of the population was Chinese.
– 12% of the population was Indians.
In 2010
– 25% of the population is Chinese.
– 7% of the population is Indians.
Over 600,000 Chinese and Indian Malaysians with red IC were rejected repeatedly when applying for citizenship and possibly 60% of them had passed away due to old age.
Since 1957:
– 2 million Chinese have emigrated.
– 0.5 million Indians have also emigrated overseas.
– 3 million Indonesians migrated to Malaysia to become Malaysian citizens with Bumiputra status.
Now the non-Malays are well aware of this tinkering and engineering of our population and it would do us Malays no good to say that it was UMNO doing and that we had no hand in what happened. As a Malay I was then comfortable that UMNO was the dominant partner in the Barisan Nasional.
It was comforting to know that Malays controlled four of the five major banks.
Education? Between 1968 to 2000:

– 48 Chinese Primary Schools closed down.
– 144 Indian Primary Schools closed down.
– 2637 Malay Primary Schools were built.
Of the total government budget for these schools 2.5% were for the Chinese Primary Schools, 1% for the Indian Primary School and 96.5% for the Malay Primary School.
Petronas Petrol Stations? Of the 2000 station the Malays owned 99%.
Yes we Malays were indeed in control. In control of what?
We were in control of the all the business licenses and permits for Taxis and Approved Permits.
We were in control of Government contracts of which 95% were given to Malays.
We were in control of the Rice Trade through Bernas that bought over 80% of Chinese Rice Millers in Kedah.
We were in control of UMBC, MISC and Southern Bank – all previously owned by Chinese.
We were in control of bus companies. Throughout Malaysia MARA buses could be seen plying all the routes. Non-Malays were simply displaced by having their application for bus routes and for new buses rejected.
Every new housing estate being built had a mosque or a surau. None, I repeat “no” temples or churches were built for any housing estate!
So why with control over all these highly visible entities and business opportunities are the Malays still unable to stand tall and with pride over and above the non-Malays? We are unable to so do because it was not the Malays that benefited from these opportunities - UMNO did.
Why must UMNO constantly harped about the need to spoon feed the Malays – about ketuanan Melayu when it is already in place and about Bumiputra status and all the privileges and rights that goes with that status?
And as a Malay I want to ask the non-Malays why you still chose to live in a country whose government has by its actions and deeds done whatever it could to make you not feel welcomed? The non-Malay I know have all told me the same thing – Malaysia is their country – they know of no other country they can call their own. And so they stay and put up with the abuses.
The difference now is that there are enough Malays who are shamed by the antics of this Malay political organization call UMNO. There are enough Malays to tell the non-Malays that we feel your pain. We understand your frustrations and despair at not being treated as equals in a country you call your own. And enough non-Malay has migrated abroad to cause our country to understand that their loss is another’s country gain. A loss, which our country can ill afford to sustain.
And more important all these ground swell of disgust and contempt at UMNO has manifested itself in a way these political idiots understand – losing our votes in the 12th General Elections. Amen for that.
And so we wait for the 13th General Election which we hope will dish out the relevant karma for UMNO and its Barisan Nasional partners. Meantime understand what they have done to us all – not only the non-Malays but also to the Malays and do not allow Barisan Nasional to play the race card and start their divide and rule antics on us anymore. You are one with me we are two.

#441 Road Map for Ketuanan

2010-10-02T00:00:00.001+08:00

written by John Doe

The Malaysian Military:

Present strength of the Malaysian Army is approximately as follows:
Malaysian Army Active: 110,000 personnel
Active Reserve: 41,600 personnel
Paramilitary: 18,000 personnel
RELA People's volunteer corps: 596,799 personnel
This makes it close to 800,000 Malaysian Military.

Strangely, this exceeds the Burmese Junta, which only has 492,000 Military.

What is even more surprising, is the fact that Malaysia only has a population of 25 million, while Burma, has a population of 50 million. So, while the world looks at Burma, and criticizes it for having far too much Military-to-Population ratio, I'm sure, that they forgot to look at Malaysia. Anything listed under the Military, is deemed "Classified", and out-of-bounds for scrutiny. Items such as a lone-thief with Jet-Engines bound for Iran, Stolen C4 for Mongolian BBQ's, Submarines which can only float, Sale of Burmese Refugees, and so on.

Looking at the above stats, one can only draw 2 conclusions.

1) The "Ketuanan Militar" (yes, I deliberately use the Indonesian word) is so useless, that it takes 4 times the number that of Burma, per capita.

2) Malaysia is preparing for Military Rule. Let's not forget all the recent announcements of new Military Purchases.

Assuming that Malaysia will not be ruled by the Military yet, let's look at Malaysian Efficiency.

Civil Servants
Malaysia has the highest number of Civil Servants in this region. Let us compare with the One Million Civil Servants in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This Indian state has a population of 75million people. Andhra Pradesh is always accused of being ultra inefficient, and too dumb to effectively run it's operations. Now here's the bad news. Malaysia also has One Million Civil Servants. And the fact that Malaysia has only 25million people, makes Malaysian Civil Servants Three times as inefficient, Three times as stupid compared to Andhra Pradesh. In comparison, even Indonesians, whom many UMNO people consider to be stupid, have only HALF the percentage-ratio of Civil servants ! Which, in effect makes Indonesian Civil Servants twice as smart as any Civil Servant you will meet in Malaysia. The Thais also have the same proportion as that of Indonesia. Same for Korea. Viva Ketuanan !!

Is this why they are called "Civil Servants" but need not behave like Servants?

Civil Servants by day, Mat Rempit by night.

Brains of the country
Previously, in response to the problem of unemployed graduates, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak declared that the civil service would be picking up the slack — an explicit admission that the government employs the worst of our graduates to keep them from turning against the government at the ballot box. (If you can't get employed, then come work for us)

Around the same time, Parliament was informed that 70% of public university graduates are unemployed.

Whatever the case may be, the fact is that a lot of the graduates our public universities unleash on the country are not employable. And these unemployable people find employment in the government.

Brawn of the Prime Minister's Dept.
There were only 4,414 staff in 1981
It takes 43,544 staff to run Jibby's admin today. And that is a 1,000% increase, with the largest spike in 2010, from 25,332 staff to 43,544 staff. (this is an increase of 71.893% in ONE YEAR!!!!) It is ironic, and iconic that Malaysians simply became 1,000% more stupid since 1981. We definitely need more BTN programs.
Just to rub salt into the wound, it only takes 1,888 staff in the White House to run America, which has a staggering 300million population.

I can scream and shout about Prostitutes, Beggars, Drunkards, and Slitty-Eyes with impunity, because I have Ketuanan.

Pocket of the Prime Minister's Dept
The White House budget request for 2011 (pg 13 of this PDF) is for a total of US$393,883,000 which works out to RM1, 299, 813, 900.

The Budget for our Prime Minister's Office is RM4 billion (US$1.25 billion)
So, while Malaysia spends triple that of America in terms of absolute Dollars, let's not also forget that America has a population of 300million, while Malaysia only has a population of 25million. Effectively making the Executive expenditure at 300 times more than America per capita !!

Bammy: "Eh, how come your office spends three times mine although your population is only less than one-tenth of America?"
Jibby: "We have Ketuanan...."
Bammy: "What is Ketuanan?"
Jibby: "Well, it's kinda like 1Malaysia... no one really knows, but we just shout about it, and my (uneducated) voters seem to like the sound of it..."

And for those who argue that the Military is placed under the Prime Minister's Department, I will want to immediately highlight that, this is also the case with Tan Swe, who is the Dictator of Burma. And by the way, Burma only spends US$39million for its' Military.

Now I pose it to you, is Malaysia really headed in the direction of Military rule? There certainly have been countless Joint-Military Malaysia-Burma Exercises in Myanmar already; both countries want Nuclear in their Arsenal, and Altantuya still rests uneasy.

The short-cut to Military Rule in Malaysia is, if UMNO can restart another May13th. This is something they look forward to. Below is a video which some UMNO-friendly person has put up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tStd1BEkIis&feature=related

Under Military rule, there will be no Opposition. Malaysia can lockup anyone for 20years like some other Nobel Prize Winner we know, and no Embargo is going to scare them. They've seen it fail in Burma, and certainly have enough oil money to shut up the opposition for a very very long time.

Malaysia badly needs a new government, and it needs to happen today!

#440 Burning the Namewee image: what if Namewee was Malay?

2010-10-01T23:58:00.000+08:00

Namewee is in the news again. At the launching of his album last night, PERKASA led a demonstration to protest against this young artist and the message in his songs.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 -- About 50 people, including members of Perkasa, turned up at the Chinese Assembly Hall in Jalan Maharajalela here tonight to stage a protest against controversial rapper Wee Meng Chee or better known as Namewee.

The group was seen carrying Perkasa banners and Namewee's pictures that were later set on fire, while some hurled abuse at the rapper who was launching an album in the hall.

I truly wonder if any of the mob have listened to all of Namewee's songs before passing judgement. Listening just to "Nah", and deciding that Namewee is a seditious Chinese rapper singing against Malay rights is like listening to the lines, "So that one impure blood, Quenches our lands!" from the French national anthem and deciding that the French are bloodthirsty revolutionists. You have to see the full picture, understand the context, read into Namewee's public declarations and explanations. Of course, this takes an open mind, and i do have to wonder how many such minds existed in the mob last night.

Debating the matter with friends, it came to me to ask a simple question: what if Namewee was Malay? Would the reaction against him by the Malays be so strong? Is he being demonised because he is Chinese speaking about a Malay, albeit rudely, in his video?
As i mentioned earlier, being rude does not necessarily make someone racist.

Let's explore this thought process further, would it have made a difference if Namewee was a Malay. Of course, we can't change something like that, but what we can do is look at what other Malays have said about their own race, and compare the reaction against them.

Perhaps the Number #1 Malay, Tun Dr Mahathir, would make a wonderful example. Read his seminal piece of work, The Malay Dilemma.

Mahathir wrote:

"...early Malaya, no great exertion or ingenuity was required to obtain food.. Under these conditions every one survived. Even the weakest and least diligent were able to live in comparative comfort, to marry, to procreate... the hot humid climate is not conducive to either vigorous work or even to mental activity."

He was referring to the Malays, and how lazy the race had become.

"[W]hatever the Malays could do, the Chinese could do better ... before long the industrious and determined immigrants had displaced Malays in petty trading and all branches of skilled work."

Mahathir claims the reason behind disparity is down to genetics. The Malays were lazy, basking in the hot tropical sun, well fed from an abundant soil, and genetically inferior to the hard-working Chinese, imported from China, and looking to carve a niche for themselves in this world. For these reasons, Mahathir claimed, affirmative action for the Malays were necessary. Then, he became the country's 4th Prime Minister, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Imagine if Namewee or any other Chinese personality had said the same, would the Malays be outraged? Yes, you can bet the house on it. The storm in the teacup we see today would be nothing compared to the wrath of the Malays then. How dare a Chinese rapper call us lazy, fat and genetically inferior! We spit on your affirmative action!

Sadly, Namewee did not write those words. Mahathir did, the patron-champion of PERKASA, ironically.

Is that the message that the ultra Malays are telling the world? If you're a non-Malay, you can't talk about Malays. If you're a Malay and you criticize the Malays, we'll make you our champion? Does that sound absurd to anyone else but me? Quite frankly, it's disgusting and a double standard of the worst kind.

Perhaps Mahathir was right after all. 40 years on, and The Malay Dilemma still holds some truths.

#439 THE 4 Es : WHAT THE NEM (ETP) NEEDS

2010-09-30T23:53:00.000+08:00

By Nurul Izzah Anwar, MP Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur

I wish to outline my big picture impression of how to make the NEM (ETP) a success for all Malaysians as part of my continuing constructive engagement initiative.

I had written two articles on ETP, the first ’15 Questions on ETP’ and the second ‘Fantasy or fallacy: ETP 6% annual growth rate calculations?’

It was said by some observers that the opposition only critiques without offering any alternative solutions to the ETP in particular.

However, all if not most of the ideas presented here have already been suggested, and I only wish to repeat them for the purpose of outlining the necessary steps to make NEM a reality.

I hope that this ‘big picture’ commentary with suggested actions will be considered seriously and explained by the government in the upcoming 2011 Budget announcement in Parliament.

As a footnote, the ETP Part 2 was conveniently announced publicly on 21 September, which is one day after the 20 September dateline for Parliamentary questions submissions.

The Critique

Returning to my articles on the ETP, the response received from the public in support or otherwise of the position I presented is most welcomed in the spirit of free speech in a democracy. This debate is a healthy development, albeit mostly through the alternative media.

The main points to my ETP articles and the various responses can be summed up as follows:

The ETP is a huge economic development or transformation plan that has its merits.

However, the numbers and various acronyms must not be a deterrent from discussing economics especially on its impact on all stakeholders.

The possible inconsistencies and accuracy of GDP growth projections was revealed when the PM last year, at an internationally attended multimedia super corridor event, claimed he was misquoted on his announcement of the 9% annual growth target for the next 10 years of being actually 6%. Even a prominent local research house alluded to an 8% growth rate.

Some have said that if real GDP growth is 6% annually, it will only take us to the target of US$17,000 nominal GNI per head if Malaysia's population grows at a 1 per cent compound rate a year for the next ten years. However, from 2000-2010, population grew by an estimated 1.86% (Dept of Statistics). If population grows at this faster rate instead of 1% over the next decade, then real GDP growth would also have be faster by this difference.

Also, the GDP growth projections didn’t include if any, the plans related to requiring a quality workforce by increasing government spending and investments in education and research and development capacity building.

It appears that most of the EPPs and BOs were proposed by specific companies such as the RM43 billion MRT project proposed by Gamuda-MMC. The question is, will the proposed project be awarded to the proposer or open for competitive international bidding? If this is not clarified, than the EPPs and BOs would only be a self-serving exercise for certain businesses.

To illustrate this point, would Pemandu be interested in my RM500 billion atmospheric dome proposal covering Kuala Lumpur against climate change or as a friend suggested a scaled down RM50 billion eco-project utilizing gigantic fans to blow existing pollution to our neighbouring countries?

As the proposer, all I need is an official award letter and a parliament act to set a price on the atmosphere along with a government guarantee letter to help me raise the needed DDI and FDI funds. My RM500 billion dome would increase GNI substantially and become a center of excellence as we would be the first in the world to do it. Isn’t this truly innovative? So let all Malaysians submit their innovative proposals to Pemandu for consideration, which can be named RPP (Rakyat Proposed Projects).

Furthermore, if most companies perceive that they do not have a fair chance to compete relative to favoured companies and with a lack of transparency, then this will have an adverse impact on investor confidence. For example, can we have more details on the 1Malaysia Development Fund to know if this exercise to acquire public assets is in the public interest?

The proven track record of not achieving the previous Malaysian Plans is also troubling. For example, 8th Malaysian Plan target of 7.5% growth only achieved an average 4.5% growth while the 9th Malaysian Plan target of 6% growth as of date is at an average 4.2%. This brings our past 10 year historical average growth to less than 5%.

The need to expand participation for national consultation should not be limited to various ‘laboratories’ involving big business, professionals and civil service inputs. The ordinary rakyat especially the rural and urban poor, youth, workers and civil society were not sufficiently engaged on the ground. Some may be intimidated let alone can afford to attend these public participation events or ‘Open Days’ in conference halls.

The widening income inequality and limited higher education opportunities, which is a contributing factor to widening the gap must be addressed adequately. Economic policies may have reduced the absolute poverty rate but they have also worsened the distribution of income. Thus, the bottom 40% of all households accounts for 15% or less of household income while the top 20% of households account for 50% or more.[1] Sabah, Sarawak and East Coast states bear a disproportionate number of hardcore poor, poor and low-income households.

The most fundamental determinant of any competitive economic plan, which is innovation, requires freedom. How are we free to be creative when our national cartoonist is arrested for humoring us?

Rushing to conclude a matter of national importance just to meet the 2020 year milestone and changing big plans introduced previously such as economic corridors, that are later repackaged by new Prime Ministers only adds to the inconsistent policy making culture (some say flip-flopping) that undermines confidence in the plan’s success.

The plan appears to works backwards from developed country status to high-income status in 2020. This is the source of the problem, silly as it sounds. The impact of this is not only to make the targets "costly, confusing and convoluted" but also conjectural.

Even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently alluded to the possible failure to achieve Vision 2020’s objectives, which is the premise for the NEM timeline.

Overall, there is much room for improvement in making the ETP viable, realistic and sustainable. And to do that, I now shall outline some suggestions in the form of a formula.

Formula for NEM (ETP) Success

I am providing a ‘4E’ formula to keep in line with the many acronyms introduced by the government recently. To be fair I find acronyms useful as mental markers to organize the numerous concepts needed to frame a big idea such as the NEM.

The ‘4E’ formula to make NEM a success is; Education + Empowerment + Efficiencies = Economic Growth (NEM).

The main thrust of the 4E formula is to 'Build Capacity' for productivity, innovation and sustainability through a one-time massive government investment similar in effort to the US Space Project, in education, research and development, political reforms and effective policies.

And on balance with the need for huge investments, we also need to reduce waste through efficiencies and transparency so that every ringgit invested in 'Capacity Building' provides the highest returns for the benefit of all Malaysians

First E: Education

The NEM already stated the need for at least 3.3 million quality workforce. This includes for more than half to be first degree and diploma holders.

To produce quality workforce requires quality education.

Before I proceed, I would like to note that the recent announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Education Minister that vocational education will be revamped is commendable.

The suggested actions to be taken are:

Depoliticize Education

The Deputy Prime Minister’s recent statement of his inability to take action on the case of the two principals for racist remarks due to administrative procedures may have an unintended consequence of reaffirming the separation between politicians and the civil service.

It is hoped that this ‘depolitisation principle’ includes all government ministries and to a certain extent also to the judiciary and other institutions. I hope it is not selectively applied for political expediency only.

Removing the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) will add towards improving the innovation culture and quality standards of tertiary education to meet NEM objectives profoundly.

· Pre-school, Primary And Secondary School Enhancements:

Offer Pre-school education to all Malaysian children

The current education NKRA achievement where 54,569 children have benefited from 1,358 pre-school classes is a step in the right direction.

However, it should be accelerated to cover all children numbering at least 1.5 million for three pre-school age group cohorts.

Enhance teaching capacity

- Hire more teachers and assistant teachers by 50%

- Upgrade teacher qualification and professionalism

- Increase salaries by 50%

Enhance school curriculum

Move towards a critical and creative thinking approach including for examination questions.

Increase School Hours

Adding 45 minutes daily can increase academic achievement significantly.

Single session schooling

Build more new schools and additional classrooms in existing schools. Also continue to fully equip them with ICT infrastructure.

· Tertiary Education Quality, Accessibility and Affordability

In summary the following should be considered for tertiary education excellence:

-Greater Autonomy

-Massive Phd Programs for Academic Staff

-Increase Research and Development capacity

-Increase Salaries

-Hire Foreign Academic Staff Talent

-Introduce Ranking System

-Convert PTPTN loans to scholarships

-Provide more scholarships and subsidies

All these actions would require political will and increased public financing to succeed.

The political will to depoliticise and democratize education along with repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) will signal the government’s sincerity and commitment to make the NEM a true success for all rather than just for a few Malaysians.

From a public finance perspective, even if the above measures add another 4.5% to the government’s 4.5% average education spending for a total 9% of GDP annually for the next 10 years, this will indicate to the people and the international community of our determination to meet the NEM objectives.

As a possible source of funds, I had proposed earlier that 30% of Petronas annual profit be a mandated contribution to a National Education Fund. This also would include implementing an NEP Bumiputera Equity Redistribution Plan (Quota – in a –Quota) where 25% of current Bumiputera equity ownership of both publicly listed or privately held companies be sold at par-value (which is the official equity ownership calculation criteria) to the same National Education Fund entity.

Second E: Empowerment

One of the most if not the most important key success factor for NEM’s success is innovation. And innovation needs freedom. Freedom can only come from empowering society.

To empower society, I had suggested that we need to add a fifth pillar to the national transformation agenda which is already based on four pillars of 1Malaysia, GTP (Government Transformation Plan), ETP (Economic Transformation Plan) and 10th Malaysia Plan, to be called the PRP (Political Reformation Plan).

PRP includes repealing all anti-democratic laws, respecting separation of powers, reforming national elections and restoring local government elections, returning the judiciary’s and other state institution’s independence, fighting corruption, ensuring a free media and by abiding to the true meaning of our constitution.

By doing so, I am sure that the international community specifically the foreign investors will find it attractive to return and contribute more than the 25% FDI needed to finance the ETP.

Third E: Efficiencies

There are three efficiencies that must be considered to make NEM successful.

They are Government Service Efficiency, Market Efficiency and Social Security Efficiency.

Government Service Efficiency
The current Government Transformation Plan (GTP) already addresses this matter to a certain extent.

However, I hope that the initial trend of depoliticising the civil service inadvertently introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister in regards to the two principal racist remark affair shall be a permanent feature to transform the government as planned.

I would also suggest that more talented Malaysians be recruited into the civil service by making it more attractive with market-rate salary and benefits. I believe quality should be the main consideration as we already have quantity with a huge civil service.

We also need a significant and empowered technocracy (i.e. professionals with specialized skills just as in Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.) There is no point in developing our human capital development to a very high level in these areas if they are not then placed in senior decision-making management and administration positions. It is possible to make bureaucrats out of technocrats but not the other way around. They must be empowered, evaluated and promoted based on achievements and track record.

Another important factor that will improve government efficiency and accountability is to return the Local Government Elections immediately. This third tier of government will provide a faster response by the government in delivering services for the real needs of the ratepayers.

Market Efficiency
Information or rather the quality of information is necessary for market efficiency.

This would include timely, accurate and consistent information on policy, events and plans.

One of the ways that information is reliable is to allow for a free media.

Therefore, as a step forward, I hope the government will allow more permits for daily newspapers to be approved including my own permit for Utusan Rakyat.

Structural distortions by favorable policy and selective benefits to certain sectors, economic leakages, corruption, opaque procurement practices and inconsistency policy statements will never make NEM a success for all stakeholders.

Social Security Efficiency
The households who live below the poverty line must be assured of equitable assistance from the government. This includes targeted subsidies for essential goods and services such as health and education.

As a first step it is necessary to review the Poverty Line Income (PLI) which should be RM1,886 rather than the government’s PLI average of RM800 per household . This would ensure existing policies and programmes are realigned accordingly to provide an effective safety net for the people.

Another step is to implement a living wage of at least RM1,500 per month.

And to ensure affordable living expenses, the government must enforce anti-monopoly laws across all sectors combined with fighting corruption and white collar crime that add cost to prices for consumers.

Fourth E: Economic Growth

I fail to see how Education, Empowerment and Efficiencies with the suggested actions are not crucial contributing factors for Economic Growth.

The absence of policies, funding and political will to implement these factors will only add to the current skepticism in the NEM initiative.

I hope that our economist and policy makers will add to this discussion with more details.

I also hope that a more constructive debate on these factors will take place with all stakeholders especially in the next Parliament sitting.

Furthermore, I would even dare to suggest that implementing the ‘4E’ formula will definitely benefit the current government’s standing and make the opposition more competitive for votes.

This is a price I believe the people and even the opposition should be willing to pay for a better Malaysia.

The cost of doing the right thing is nothing compared to the cost of a failed NEM plan leading to a failed nation.

#438 my love

2010-09-26T23:00:00.002+08:00

Oh my dear Siew Mai, how I love thee.
How I long for the warmth that you bring.
I think of you while under a tree,
and because of you, am I beaming.

#437 Aglio E Olio Smoked Salmon

2010-09-25T17:44:00.000+08:00

Smoked salmon, spaghetti, butter, garlic, olive oil, chilli flakes, salt, pepper, lemon zest and juice. Awesomeness in a plate.

#436 Taoism 101

2010-09-24T17:42:00.001+08:00

To not sleep when you're tired in class/boring class, is against the principle of wuwei. Therefore, you should sleep to avoid the conflict with nature.

#435 Perkasa Pushes BN Around: Not Bad for an NGO

2010-09-22T23:56:00.000+08:00

by Trinity Chua, Malaysian Digest

Perkasa is a Malay rights non-profit organisation or at least that’s what it is in official terms. Pressure group would be a better term to describe Perkasa, and a very effective one at that.

Since it was founded, Perkasa has lobbied for the New Economic Policy (NEP) to favour Malays and Bumiputras. It also has defended a school principal for uttering racist remarks against Indians and Chinese while addressing her pupils. Furthermore, the NGO has lodged police reports against several politicians for proposing – not even implementing – ideas such as debating on Malay rights issues and reducing the 30 equity target for Malays and Bumiputras in the NEP Plan.

Does an NGO have such rights to push Barisan Nasional (BN) back and forth? Does an NGO have the authority to direct BN’s every move? A better question would be: is BN a victim of Perkasa or is BN happily putting up a show with Perkasa to gain Malay votes?

Inconsistencies and Contradictions

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said there is a need for fair policies and system under a principle of inclusiveness which is part and parcel of his 1Malaysia concept.

“Being inclusive means we have to ensure our policies benefit all Malaysians. We have to ensure that systems are fair, and that every single Malaysian can recognise his or her own value,” were his exact words.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said that the government wants to hear NGOs’ feedback so long they do not touch on sensitivities of any race of the country.

As mentioned earlier, Perkasa has made proposals that only benefit a single race. How is it that the government is so responsive to this particular NGO?

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said at his Aidilfitri open house event said “In my view, Perkasa is not being provocative or encouraging people to hate each other unlike the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).”

How is this fair and equal and inclusive of every race as the prime minister proposed several days earlier?

How Far Will BN Bend Over for Perkasa?

It seems like Perkasa was successful in pressuring Najib to say that the 1Malaysia concept is based on Malay privileges. In the pretext of Malay rights, Perkasa has been going against Najib’s economic reform which aim is to raise the country’s competitiveness on a global level. It doesn’t take a genius to point out that Perkasa’s only concern is for the rights and privileges of a single group of race while others can all be left to fend for themselves.

Umno had said that Perkasa has every right to do what they did. Its deputy permanent chairman Datuk Mohamed Aziz said “It’s just like the other non Malay-based organisations which fight for their respective community’s rights. We didn’t comment on it. It’s their right.”

Yes, Perkasa is an NGO therefore they have the right to defend their objectives. But why is it that, of late, BN have been allowing Perkasa to influence their policies and decisions? For instance, Malay rights groups led by Perkasa have voiced strident views against the NEM for its aims at making affirmative action more market-friendly until Najib was forced to backtrack and call the policy a “trial balloon”. Also, Perkasa has redefined Najib’s 1Malaysia by asking the latter to state clearly that the concept is based on Malay privileges.

Umno leaders were quick to tell MCA President Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek to think about BN and its multiracial component parties while fighting for the Chinese community. I wonder how quick BN will be in telling Umno to remember BN while fighting for the Malay rights groups.

On the same note, the Association of Former Umno Elected Representatives (Penawar) has demanded party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to apologise for his remarks on Perkasa citing that it is racist for the standing up to Malay rights.

Penawar said “If Tengku Adnan refused to do so, Penawar will demand that Tengku Adnan be removed as Umno secretary-general.”

Additionally, Penawar has urged Umno to cooperate with Perkasa and otherMalay NGOs. Like Perkasa, Penawar have no authority over BN. So why are they so powerful that they can demand for a politician to be removed? Will BN allow these organisations to dictate their decisions just so that they can woo majority voters?

Our leaders really need to fully explain to the people why they decide to act according to the desires of these groups whenever they do so.

Perkasa and Malay rights NGOs have every right to voice out their opinions but far will BN bend over backwards for these groups?

Perkasa Governs BN

If Perkasa’s demands are granted by BN, it’s crystal clear that our leaders are only concern about pleasing one section of the Malaysian population. If that’s the case, ‘1Malaysia’ will become ‘One Big Lie’. Everything that Najib and Chua Soi Lek have been advertising on the media about “all races”, “equality” and whatnot will be for nothing.

One thing BN should be aware of is this: granting Perkasa’s every whim and fancies may get them the Malay votes for the upcoming general election but they will also lose the votes of other races which is what they definitely need. Do they really think one can gain the support of the masses by wooing only one section of the population? Do you really think the rest of the masses will not stand up to Perkasa’s actions?

As far as pro multiracial Malaysia citizens like me are concerned, there would not be a need to worry about winning majority votes if a government truly implement policies in a way that benefit everyone and without any biasness towards a particular race or creed of its rakyat.

#434 tis goodbye

2010-09-21T18:09:00.004+08:00

So long my dear curry, for I can have you no more.
It breaks my heart, but we have to part.
This is farewell, adieu, and that is all.
For a game of DotA, I have to start.

Apparently, the stereotype in Malaysia is that all Malays are rempits, all Indians eat curry and all Chinese play DotA. Guess this applies only to guys.

#433 a belated merdeka

2010-09-06T15:11:00.000+08:00

Tunku Abdul Rahman's great granddaughter

Sharyn Lisa Shufiyan, 24, Conservationist

Both my parents are Malay. My mum's heritage includes Chinese, Thai and Arab, while my dad is Minangkabau. Due to my skin colour, I am often mistaken for a Chinese.

I'm happy that I don't have the typical Malay look but I do get annoyed when people call me Ah Moi or ask me straight up "Are you Chinese or Malay"

Like, why does it matter? Before I used to answer "Malay" but now I'm trying to consciously answer Malaysian instead.

There's this incident from primary school that I remember till today. Someone told me that I will be called last during Judgement Day because I don't have a Muslim name. Of course, I was scared then but now that I'm older, I realise that a name is just a name. It doesn't define you as a good or bad person and there is definitely no such thing as a Muslim name. You can be named Rashid or Ali and still be a Christian.

I've heard of the 1Malaysia concept, but I think we don't need to be told to be united. We've come such a long way that it should already be embedded in our hearts and minds that we are united. Unfortunately, you can still see racial discrimination and polarisation. There is still this ethno-centric view that the Malays are the dominant group and their rights must be protected, and non Malays are forever the outsiders.

For the concept to succeed, I think the government should stop with the race politics. It's tiring, really. We grew up with application forms asking us to tick our race. We should stop painting a negative image of the other races, stop thinking about 'us' and 'them' and focus on 'we', 'our' and 'Malaysians'.

No one should be made uncomfortable in their own home. A dear Chinese friend of mine said to me once, "I don't feel patriotic because I am not made to feel like Malaysia is my home, and I don't feel an affinity to China because I have never lived there.

I know some baby Nyonya friends who can trace their lineage back hundreds of years. I'm a fourth generation Malaysian. If I am Bumiputra, why can't they be, too? Clearly I have issues with the term.

I think the main reason why we still can't achieve total unity is because of this 'Malay rights' concept. I'd rather 'Malay rights' be replaced by human rights. So unless we get rid of this Bumiputra status, or reform our views and policies on rights, we will never achieve unity.

For my merdeka wish, I'd like for Malaysians to have more voice, to be respected and heard. I wish that the government would uphold the true essence of parliamentary democracy. I wish for the people to no longer fear and discriminate against each other, to see that we are one and the same.

I wish that Malaysia would truly live up to the tourism spin of Malaysia truly Asia. Malaysians to lead - whatever their ethnic background. Only ONE NATIONALITY MALAYSIAN. No Malays, No Chinese, No Indians - ONLY MALAYSIANS. Choose whatever religion one is comfortable with.

#432 Billie Jean ala Ukelele

2010-08-28T02:52:00.000+08:00

#431 Why Be Afraid of PAS?

2010-08-12T00:26:00.001+08:00

By Kee Thuan Chye

SHOULD non-Muslim Malaysians be afraid of PAS?

That is a question that will be extremely pertinent when the next general election comes around. With a large percentage of the non-Muslim population being currently disillusioned with Barisan Nasional (BN), how would they vote if they were faced at the next general election with choosing between a candidate from BN and one from PAS?

The people who are most suspicious of and averse towards PAS are the Christians. Not all are like that, however; for instance, I know Christians who voted for PAS in the 2008 general election, including a pastor in Kedah. A Catholic friend in Penang says she and her church members fully support PAS. And many among the flock of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam, who gave PAS MP Khalid Samad a standing ovation when he visited it in 2008, must have voted for him.

But on the other hand, I have also come across Christians who are educated, middle-class and very sensible, but who are so scared of PAS that their fear seems irrational.

The religious aspect is of course of utmost concern to them. They are scared that if PAS came into power, it might establish an Islamic state, and that would seriously affect Christian worship. Considering that the Christians have become a beleaguered lot over the last 20 years because of increasing restrictions being placed on them by the Government, their worry about facing worse circumstances may be understandable.

For example, getting a permit to build a church, which is probably the most basic of their concerns, now takes an inordinate amount of time. The Catholics of Shah Alam had to wait 14 years before the then BN Selangor State Government allowed them to build their church. Christian groups wanting to circumvent this problem have resorted to registering themselves as non-religious organisations.

New churches are now expected not to look like churches. Some of them look like factories, especially the St Ignatius Church in Petaling Jaya, which reportedly was prohibited from putting a cross on top of its building. Furthermore, many churches are now located in shophouses because getting religious land for the building of churches is next to impossible.

On top of that, from time to time, some BN MP would kick up a fuss in Parliament or elsewhere about crosses existing on the facades of missionary schools and agitate to have them all removed.

Would all this get worse if PAS came to rule the country?

First of all, it is unlikely that PAS can do that on its own. It now has 23 seats in Parliament. It must win 112 of the total 222 seats to gain a simple majority and become the ruling party. That would amount to a huge quantum leap.

But even if that near-impossible event did become a reality, and PAS wanted to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state, it would still need to get enough support to amend the Federal Constitution for that purpose. It would need a two-thirds majority to pass the Bill, i.e. 148 votes. Where would it get the extra 36 to add to its 112?

It may then be argued that if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) got elected to form the government, PAS would be part of it. That is true. But if it still insisted on going ahead with its Islamic state agenda, it would need the support of its coalition partners to vote for the Bill. Given that its partners are PKR and the DAP, how many votes is it likely to garner from them? Enough to make two-thirds?

I reckon that even if BN, which would then be in the Opposition, relinquished the whip in the voting on the Bill, thereby allowing its MPs to vote according to their conscience rather than follow the party line, it would still be very unlikely that the two-thirds will be obtained.

Mathematically, then, the fearful Christians need not fear that PAS can impose an Islamic state. But for the sake of argument, even if it could and did, how much different would it be from what we’re in now? After all, Najib Razak has already declared Malaysia an Islamic state, which he did in July 2007. Since becoming Prime Minster, he hasn’t retracted that declaration.

Let’s have a look at PAS’ idea of an Islamic state. In its document on the establishment of such a state, it makes clear that Syariah law will hold sway but only Muslims will be subjected to it. Non-Muslims can choose to be subjected to it or to the current penal code of the land. In other words, there is no change for them.

It also guarantees “the rights and freedom of the individuals and the citizens of the state”, and among the rights protected are freedom of religion and right to cultural expressions; freedom of speech, political association and assembly; freedom to private ownership; freedom of education; freedom to engage in business; and so on.

It pledges to uphold parliamentary democracy as PAS has accepted democracy “as the best methodology” for realising its political struggle, and to take full cognisance of the reality and sensitivities of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural make-up.

From the look of it, there is not much difference in principle from the current state. The one major difference in PAS’ idea of an Islamic state, however, is that Islam will be the basis of socio-political life and it will be implemented as a comprehensive way of life.

This may be the difference that the Christians would recoil from. Even if they stopped to consider that Islamic principles are rather similar to those of Christian ones, especially in relation to the concepts of justice, equality, humanity, and that these principles are, in fact, consistent with the guarantee of religious freedom, they will not be comfortable with the setting-up of an Islamic state.

I am not a Christian myself but I do not want an Islamic state either. Neither do I want a Christian state or a Buddhist state or whatever-religion state. And that’s simply because I am strongly in favour of Malaysia being a secular state.

MCA president Chua Soi Lek recently came out to say that if PR wins the next general election, the prime minister might be from PAS. He was of course capitalising on the non-Muslims’ fear and distrust of PAS. But even if what he said does materialise, the PAS prime minister would most likely behave accordingly. The PAS politicians are not new to the game, and they are pragmatists too. They will rise to the occasion. And that occasion is recognising the realpolitik.

Malaysia is a diverse society and its major interest groups have to be pacified. The PAS prime minister would not be so naïve as to jeopardise his position by alienating them. The lessons of March 8, 2008, have been properly learnt.

Furthermore, can a PAS prime minister be that awful an option? Not if he is the likes of Nik Aziz or Nizar Jamaluddin. Both are held in high regard even by non-Muslims. Nizar even came to be adored by non-Muslim Perakians in just the short time he was their Menteri Besar. It is true that when he was named MB, there was initial apprehension among non-Muslims, but when they saw his subsequent performance, they became full of admiration for him.

Of course, it may be argued that neither of them will become PM, anyway, and in all likelihood the position would fall to Abdul Hadi Awang. He, too, is an old hand. He would know that as PM, he would not be able to behave as he would as PAS president. His constituency would be radically different, and he would have to juggle the needs of a whole spectrum of groups – ethnic, religious, cultural, etc – and keep them satisfied. He would have to sustain their support for him. Otherwise, the outcome at the following general election would be disastrous not only for him but also for his party and coalition.

There would be things he could not do. Just as an example, it would be foolhardy (no pun intended) to ban alcohol. Not only would this anger non-Muslims who drink (and even some Muslims who do); the international community would leave in droves. Then how would Malaysia obtain foreign direct investment? Malaysia would be seen as a repressive and regressive state. How would it be competitive in this globalised world?

The rules of the political game are different now from those of the past. If Hadi were to take a hardline Muslim stance in his policies as PM, his partners in PKR and the DAP would not let him, not to mention those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Christians and non-Muslims who fear PAS need to therefore reassess their feelings. This is not a country that is homogeneous. There is a large non-Muslim population that cannot be ignored. They might also consider that PAS’ stand on the “Allah” issue has been consistent and in support of Christian usage of the word. Pit that against a BN government that is deadset on banning it by appealing against the High Court ruling that allowed it.

Personally, I believe that a religion-based party is anathema to the harmonious development of our diverse society because politicisation of religion can be divisive. But PAS is a political reality that cannot be wished away, and it has the potential, in partnership with PKR and the DAP, of unseating the incumbent government, which needs to be removed for the sake of real and positive change.

As such, when the time of reckoning comes at the next general election, some of us when faced with the option of having to vote for PAS or BN would have to exercise the option without the baggage of irrational fear. If we don’t set aside these fears, we might end up making the wrong choice.

#430 here's to...

2010-08-05T13:58:00.001+08:00

here's to those who thought a ukelele was just a toy guitar with two strings less.

#429 super brain yoga.

2010-08-02T01:14:00.003+08:00

probably explains why I'm so smart now. =)

#428 and drumroll please...

2010-07-28T03:33:00.000+08:00

The top 3 birthday gifts I've gotten are from:

1. Daphne Lee
2. Daphne Lee
3. Daphne Lee

No joke man.

#427 not as it seems..

2010-07-24T17:03:00.000+08:00

And I think that most of us coming from the Malaysian Education System would believe that our Prime Minsters were heroes, all of them championing the national cause, believe in unity, and a smooth transition between all. Unfortunately, that fails to be the case.

Surat Terbuka Dr Mahathir kepada PM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
bertarikh 17 Jun 1969

Y.T.M. Tunku,

Patek berasa dukachita kerana tujuan patek membuat kenyataan kepada akhbar telah di-salah faham oleh Y.T.M. Tunku. Sa-benar-nya tujuan patek sama-lah juga dengan tujuan Tunku, ia-itu untok menyelamatkan negara ini daripada bahaya yang menganchamkan-nya.
Pendapat-pendapat Tunku berasaskan kepada cherita-cherita yang di-bawa kepada telinga Tunku oleh orang-orang yang mengelilingi Tunku yang chuma suka mencherita kepada Tunku perkara2 yang mereka fikir Tunku suka atau patut dengar sahaja. Benarkan-lah patek bercherita berkenaan dengan keadaan, fikiran dan pendapat2 rakyat yang sa-benar-nya supaya Tunku dapat faham tujuan patek membuat kenyataan yang di-tegor itu.

Tunku biasa cherita kepada patek sendiri ia-itu Tunku mengelakkan rusohan dengan menahan hukum bunoh yang di-jatohkan kepada 11 orang subversif China. Sabenar-nya tindakan Tunku ini-lah yang mengakibatkan rusohan dan kematian yang berpuloh kali banyak yang terjadi semenjak 13 Mei.

Tunku selalu "bertolak-ansor," ia-itu memberi kepada orang2 China apa yang mereka tuntut. Punchak tolak-ansur ini ia-lah pembatalan hukum bunoh tadi. Pembatalan ini menimbulkan kemarahan yang besar oleh orang2 Melayu.

Orang2 China pula menganggap Tunku dan Kerajaan Perikatan sebagai pengechut dan lemah dan boleh di-tolak ke-sana ke-mari. Sebab itu orang2 China tidak takut lagi menolak Perikatan dan orang2 Melayu pula tidak ingin kepada Perikatan. Sebab itu orang2 China dan India membuat kurang ajar pada 12 Mei kepada orang Melayu. Kalau Tunku biasa di-ludah di-muka, di-maki dan di-tunjok kemaluan, boleh-lah Tunku faham perasaan orang Melayu.

Orang2 Melayu yang Tunku fikir tidak memberontak telah-pun menjadi gila dan mengamok sehingga mengorbankan nyawa mereka dan membunoh orang yang mereka benchi kerana Tunku terlangsong bagi muka. Tanggong-jawab tentang mati-nya orang2 ini, Islam dan kafir, terpaksa di-letak di-atas bahu pemimpin yang salah pendapat.

Patek mohon ma’af tetapi patek ingin sampaikan perasaan orang-orang Melayu kepada Y.T.M. Tunku. Sabenar-nya, orang2 Melayu sekarang, baik PAS baik Umno, betul2 benchi pada Tunku, terutama orang2 yang di-hina-kan oleh orang China dan yang kehilangan rumah-tangga, anak-pinak, saudara-mara kerana tolak ansur Tunku.

Mereka kata Tunku chuma ingin di-kenal-kan sebagai "The Happy Prime Minister" walau-pun ra’ayat menderita. Mereka tahu bahawa dalam keadaan dharurat-pun Tunku ashek bermain poker dengan kawan2 China Tunku. Budak2 polis mencherita yang Tunku mengguna-kan kenderaan dan eskot Polis untuk menchari kaki poker.

Sa-balek-nya pula orang2 China tidak ada sedikit-pun hormat kepada Tunku. Mereka berkata Tunku "naïve" dan tidak ada kaliber. Ada lagi yang mereka kata yang tak dapat patek sebut-kan. Kata2 itu datang dari semua golongan orang China, dari intelek sa-hinggga China becha.

Pada masa lewat2 ini lagi satu kesan burok telah timbul. Orang2 Melayu dalam Civil Servis, dari Perm. Sec. ka-bawah, pegawai2 tentera dan polis Melayu tidak ada lagi kepercayaan dan respect kepada Tunku. Patek tahu kebanyakan mereka sokong PAS dalam undi pos. Pegawai Melayu dari
Polis, tentera dan askar biasa maseh patoh kepada kerajaan oleh kerana arahan sekarang sesuai dengan kehendak mereka sendiri. Kalau Tunku membuat apa2 yang tidak di-ingini oleh mereka, patek perchaya mereka tidak akan menurut kata Tunku.

Patek tahu Tunku takut kominis mengambil kesempatan kalau timbul kekachauan dalam negeri. Patek lebih takut kalau kerajaan mula "lose control over the armed forces". Sa-kali ini terjadi, keadaan tidak akan puleh semula. Sampai bila-pun kerajaan civil mesti tundok kepada tentera. Tunku biasa jadi "Happy Prime Minister" tetapi orang yang akan turut ganti tak akan merasai "happiness" apa2.

Patek harap Y.T.M. Tunku jangan-lah menipu diri dengan berkata "satu hari mereka akan bershukor dengan perbuatan saya". Ta’akan yang sa-orang itu selalu betul dan yang banyak selalu salah. Patek ingin sampaikan kepada Tunku fikiran ra’ayat yang sa-benar, ia-itu masa telah lampau untuk Tunku bersara dari menjadi perdana menteri dan Ketua Umno.

Patek faham betul2 kuasa yang ada pada Tunku dan patek masih ingat nasib Aziz Ishak. Tapi patek tak akan jadi sa-orang yang bertanggong-jawab kalau patek tidak terangkan apa yang patek sebut-kan. Kalau di-penjara sa-kali-pun patek terpaksa kata apa yang patek telah kata-kan.

Patek di-beritahu ia-itu Tunku berkata patek Pakistani. Patek tidak perchaya kata2 orang kerana patek tahu Y.T.M. Tunku tidak akan berkata begitu. Patek-lah yang selalu mempertahan-kan Tunku apabila orang2 PAS kata yang Tunku anak Siam yang ta’ berhak memimpin orang Melayu. Jadi Tunku juga akan mempertahan-kan patek walau-pun maseh ada dua sudu darah Pakistani dalam tubuh badan patek.

Patek sa-kali lagi mengulangkan ia-itu kenyataan yang patek buat itu ia-lah menchegah kejadian yang akan menambah perasaan benchi orang2 Melayu terhadap kerajaan dan menggalak-kan orang2 China menjatohkan lagi maruah orang2 Melayu. Rusohan yang lebeh besar akan berlaku jika ini di-
biarkan. Tentera sendiri tidak akan dapat di-kawal. Dan lagi kalau T.H. Tan dan dewan orang China boleh membuat kenyataan, kenapa ketua2 Umno tidak boleh?

Patek menulis surat ini dengan hati yang ikhlas dan harapan bahawa Y.T.M. Tunku akan bacha surat ini dengan sa-penoh-nya sendiri. Patek berdo’a ke-hadhrat Allah subhanahuwataala supaya di-buka hati Tunku untok menerima kenyataan yang sa-benar ini walau-pun pahit dan pedas.

Patek Yang Ikhlas,

(Dr. Mahather bin Muhammad)

#426 Quality, Quantity, and Equity in Malaysian Education #3

2010-07-23T00:25:00.000+08:00

M. Bakri Musa

Clinical Trials in Educational Initiatives

In addressing the issue of equity, we should not be content only with providing what we perceive to be “equal opportunities.” For if the results do not improve equity despite our intervention, then we must have the humility to examine our premise and be prepared to accept that what we thought of as “equal opportunities” are anything but that.

We may think that by making schools “free” we have leveled the playing friend and provided for “equal opportunity,” but if the results do not improve, then we must be prepared to re-examine our premise. It could be that the major constraint is not tuition fees but transportation and other costs. That was certainly the case when I was growing up. Thus to effectively level the playing field we should provide for transportation, especially for those living far away. American schools provide not only free transportation but also textbooks, another major cost item in education. For children of the poor, these schools also provide hot meals. Thus providing a truly “equal opportunity” entails spending more on the poor.

In educating children, we have to be aware of the Matthew effect, or accumulated advantage. This refers to the biblical verse, “For those who have, more will be given … ” (Matthew 25:29). When we provide “equal opportunity” to children on their first day of school, those who are already prepared (as having been to preschool or have parents with superior education) will gain considerably more than those who are not so advantaged, and this gap only widens with time. To effectively overcome this entails giving more to the disadvantaged, for if you continue with your “equal opportunity” you are effectively giving less to the disadvantaged.

The other pertinent observation is that the earlier this added help is given, the cheaper and more effective it would be. Meaning, it would be much cheaper and more effective to give extra help at the preschool than at first year in school; at primary than at secondary school, and at school than at university. James Heckman, the 2000 Nobel Laureate in Economics, have written persuasively on the economic advantages of these early interventions, quite apart from the moral arguments.

To apply Heckman’s insight to Malays, it would be cheaper and far more effective to provide preschools than it is to provide extra matrikulasi classes. Those matrikulasi classes in turn would be cheaper than to provide quotas in employment for Malay graduates. Meaning, providing free preschools and serving hot meals at kampong schools would be far more effective and considerably cheaper than spending billions on GLCs in terms of making Malays more competitive.

Apart from the commitment of resources, there must also be political will. There will be the inevitable obstacles, from the passive and less obvious obstacle as inertia, to more active opposition from those who perceive themselves losing or at least not gaining from the change.

It is to be expected that those who have been brought up under or benefited from the current system to resist change. Thus I have minimal confidence that our present personnel and institutions could effect these needed changes. Thus I would advocate adopting the Thai and South Korean approaches, meaning wholesale importation of the American school system, its curriculum, textbooks and teachers.

Unlike the Koreans however, I would begin at the very beginning, preschool, and then slowly work up the system to primary, then secondary, and later, undergraduate level. Once these youngsters are used to active learning and creative thinking at the preschool, they will not tolerate the rote learning and dogmatic style they would get from their teachers in the upper classes. Those teachers would then have to change. Besides, it is easier to instill new values and approaches on a fresh mind instead of having to have them unlearn their bad habits later at an older age.

Admittedly this would be a slower approach, but it would prove to be more enduring and effective.

I would add a twist or two to the Korean and Thai experiments. One is that the student enrollment at these schools should reflect Malaysian society. The other would be that these schools must provide scholarships (full or partial) equal in value of at least of 5 percent of their tuition income. The schools could then use that funds to balance the ethnic composition of their student body. Even in ethnically homogenous South Korea, there are already rumblings over the inequity of these private foreign schools, what with the poor being excluded.

When MARA started its matrikulasi colleges back in the 1970s, it too adopted the American college semester and other styles. Unfortunately it was only the styles, the superficial aspects not the core. Thus these students had electives, free from having to wear uniforms, and move from class to class. The core however, remains typically Malaysian – dogmatic instead of inquisitive; indoctrination instead of education. A generation later, nothing has changed.

I would also adopt the Rwandan approach of supplying a laptop computer to every primary school pupil. What we learn from that initiative is that those children are very effective in bringing about changes to the rest of the family and on their peers.

The other group I would give free computers would be our undergraduates. Once they have those laptops and our campuses wired, these students would have access to the libraries of the world and more. They could also listen to lectures given at the best universities of the world.

Malaysia has the added problem in that resistance to change in education is often camouflaged under nationalistic flavors. Thus the excuse to rescind the teaching of science and mathematics in English was not based on merit or valid evidence rather on emotional arguments over dubious nationalism. Political will would be needed to overcome such opposition.

This problem is compounded by what economist Timur Kuran refers to as preference falsification, our tendency of saying something publicly what we do not believe personally. Malaysians all abhor corruption, but when stopped by a cop for speeding, our first impulse is to bribe our way out. Preference falsification makes problem solving that much more difficult.

Our leaders keep extolling on the importance of Malay, yet they send their children abroad where the medium of instruction is anything but Malay. When I was growing up, my parents who were Malay school teachers were under tremendous peer and social pressures to take us out of English schools and enroll us in the then newly emerging Malay secondary schools. If Malay teachers did not support these new schools, who would, was the powerful emotional and nationalistic argument.

Blessed my late father, he bravely ignored those pressures. What fortified him, apart from inner conviction, were the actions of Malay leaders. While Tun Razak, for example, was trumpeting the promise and virtues of Malay schools, he was quietly sending his children to Britain for schooling! My father rightly concluded that until those leaders heed their own advice, he too would ignore them! My father also successfully used that argument on many of his fellow kampong folks. Today, their children owe my father a deep debt of gratitude.

After Tun Razak we had Mahathir, the professed champion of everything Islamic. He vastly expanded the Islamic establishment, with Islamic schools and universities as well Islamic ‘research’ institutes and court system. Did he send any of his children to Islamic school or college?

Today we have Najib Razak. He extols us to be glokal, to be liberated from our affirmative action clutches. So let’s see how many of his immediate family members who own and operate enterprises that would be free of cozy, san competitive-bidding government contracts.

The price we paid for Tun Razak’s preference falsification was a generation of bright young Malay minds sacrificed to the altar of Malay educational nationalism. Mahathir’s falsification caused another generation to be wasted through needless pursuit of false religiosity. We will know soon enough the price for Najib Razak’s folly.

Yes, preference falsification is pervasive, powerful, and worst of all, pernicious.

An awareness of all these obstacles should be enough to make a diligent leader humble. A healthy dose of humility is indeed what is required when approaching these problems. I do not pretend to know how the initiatives I offered here would actually work in Malaysia even though they may have worked elsewhere. Ideas that seem brilliant and foolproof in the comfort of the boardroom of a think tank or could withstand the super critical atmosphere of a graduate school seminar room may still flop in the field.

Hence the need to be humble and to think small; we should begin with pilot projects and field trials closely supervised, and then analyze the results. Then when the wrinkles have been ironed out and the necessary modifications made would you expand. Anything less and you would be playing around with precious young minds. That is morally wrong if not criminally negligent. Those precious minds are not expendable.

The brilliant young economist from MIT, Esther Duflo, suggested that leaders adopt the equivalent of a clinical trial before fully implementing any proposal. Clinical trails and double-blind studies are the norms in modern medicine; they enable physicians to advance from leeches to laser surgery.

Consider the examples of school dropout rates and enhancing educational performances, especially at the primary school level and particularly for Malays. There are certainly many brilliant ideas out there, from the giving out scholarships, as the British did way back when, to paying parents for keeping their children in school as Mexico’s Progressa program, to the Australian government rounding up children of aborigines and warehousing them into residential schools so they could live and learn in a more “civilized” environment. The Canadians did something similar to their native children.

The only commonality to all these undertakings, apart from their consequentialness, expensiveness, and massiveness, is that they were undertaken with the best of intentions. The results are also there, except that few are learning or willing to learn from them. The Canadian government to its credit examined its residential school system for the natives in 1996 and concluded using such phrases as, “an inherent element of savagery,” or “kill the Indian in the child.” At least the Canadians were honest.

Things need not be that way. Duflo tackled the perennial problem of school dropouts among African children as a research clinician would a disease. She conducted clinical trials. Among the traditional choices are paying parents, giving scholarships, and providing free books and uniforms. Then she added two non-traditional strategies: de-worming the students, and informing parents on the value of education. Actually both are not that non-traditional. De-worming was actually one of the recommendations advanced by a Malaysian Royal Commission back in 1960 to explain Malay underachievement in education. As for educating parents, that seems intuitive enough.

It turned out that the most effective strategy was to educate parents on the value of education, followed by de-worming the pupils. The conclusion: A healthy and physically vigorous kid is more likely to stay in school than if they are lethargic and worm-infested. This echoes former US Surgeon-General Jocelyn Elder’s observation, “You can’t educate a child who is not healthy, and you can’t keep a child healthy who is not educated.”

Traditional interventions like providing extra teachers, school meals, books or uniforms have minimal positive impact. Interestingly, paying parents has a negative impact.

Even after such a careful trial and we a found an initiative that works wonderfully, we should still not rest on our laurels. As mentioned earlier, good ideas, like good durians, have a shelf life. With changing conditions we must be prepared to continually tweak our programs. We must also be prepared to jettison once wonderful ideas if they no longer work, or that other ideas are better.

Fully residential schools, busing students all over the country to attend these schools were once good ideas; likewise universities’ matrikulasi. Today, they are resource wasting endeavors.

Improving the quality, increasing the quantity, and enhancing the equity of our education system are the necessary prerequisites if we were to have economic growth. Achieve this and a decade hence NEAC would report that our economy is robust because 80 percent of our workers have at least SPM. Such a declaration would reflect well on our economy as well as our workers and system of education.

#425 Quality, Quantity, and Equity in Malaysian Education #2

2010-07-22T00:23:00.000+08:00

M. Bakri Musa

Trinity of Quality, Quantity, and Equity

The UN lauds Malaysia for meeting – indeed exceeding – the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education. I caution against taking too seriously such praises. The UN works from the base of such countries as Afghanistan and Sub Sahara Africa; they should not be our reference point.

The dilemma of quality versus quantity is old and familiar. Retired Malaysians wistfully remember the old colonial English schools. Yes, they were good, and when you scored an “A” then, you knew that you were on par with those students in London and elsewhere who also scored an “A.” It was essentially the same examination. There was pride of achievement in that.

However, when you cater only to a tiny fraction of the population, you cannot claim credit for the success. Natural selection alone would guarantee you that.

Beyond the quality-quantity dilemma, those excellent colonial schools exposed yet another problem, that of access. Being only in urban centers, they effectively blocked out those in the villages. In a country where the urban-rural divide also paralleled (still does) racial and socio-economic cleavages, that was untenable and a recipe for social disaster.

Thus we have the added problem of equity to the already challenging quality-quantity conundrum. Again, this is not unique to Malaysia. America too faces its own equity problem, with well-funded suburban schools on one hand and dilapidated inner city schools on the other. As with Malaysia, race and socio-economic class compound that cleavage.

It is imperative that we address the trilemma of quality, quantity, and equity simultaneously; they are not incompatible. Achieving quality at the expense of quantity or equity is no victory. Quite apart from the inherent unjustness, it is hard for quality to be consequential in a sea of mediocrity. And if there is no equity in the system, it is simply not sustainable.

Equity at the expense of quality is hollow. That is socialism – yes, we are all equal, but equally poor. As for quantity without quality, that too is futile. Besides, it would doubly hard and more expensive to repair a damaged system; better to create a good one right from the very beginning.

Addressing all three would require a prodigious amount of commitment, an awareness of the obstacles, and a healthy dose of humility. The commitment would be not only of resources but also and perhaps more importantly, in leadership and political will.

Resources are necessarily limited; they must thus be expended prudently. Throwing money at a problem does not solve it; indeed that may spawn even greater problems like graft.

MARA spends billions to educate Malays through its expensive residential schools. The initial idea was great. Gather bright kids from poor rural areas and put them in residential schools where they would get good nutrition, modern living conditions, and superior educational opportunities. The impact would be greater than had resources been thinly spread through village schools, with each getting only a small fraction and not enough to make a substantial difference.

Indeed during the first decade or two, these schools worked as anticipated despite obvious leakages as with ministers’ children also being admitted. One wonders how much more effective it would have been had those children of the privileged been excluded.

However, good ideas, like good durians, have a shelf life. Today with urbanization, there are as many urban as rural poor Malays. As such, fully residential schools make less sense. MARA could instead have day schools in the towns to cater for those poor Malays in the area and thus save money in not having to house and feed them. If these schools were to have hostel facility, let it be limited to those living far away

Scrutinize MARA’s budget for education; the bulk would actually be spent on such non-educational items as feeding and housing the students. Yet in the statistics, those funds would be classified as expenditures on education.

Visit Malay College; the biggest building there is not the library or laboratories, but dormitories. The college will soon open its multimillion-dollar IB center. Again here, the bulk of the space and resources are not for education but simply to house and feed the students. Imagine if the center were to be a day facility (like the old Taylor College), it would be considerably cheaper to build and operate. You could then have three or four similar IB centers for the same cost, and benefiting that many more students, thus achieving both quantity and quality. And if we spread those centers around the country, we would also increase access, thus enhancing equity.

We could further increase quantity without sacrificing quality if we were to restrict entry only after Form III. Taking in students at Form I (the current practice) not only wastes scarce resources but is also psychologically unhealthy. Children should not be taken away from their families at such a tender and formative age.

On a smaller scale but in the aggregate quite large, if we restrict admission only to students in the immediate vicinity, we could save considerable transportation costs. Right now those ‘education’ costs are actually spent on chartering buses to transport students at the beginning and end of the school term. Think of the many library books and laboratory equipment that could be had if the money were not spent on those buses and train vouchers!

It is wasteful to have students from Kelantan attend MARA schools in Johore, while those in Klang Valley have to go to Kota Baru. A generation ago that was a good idea. Malays were parochial then and lacked a national identity. Thanks to the mobility of today’s society, that is no longer the case. So why persist on a resource-wasting practice that no longer serves its purpose?

Returning to Malay College, you would cry seeing the decrepit facilities. This is true of all the residential schools, even relatively new ones. Some MARA schools are now asking parents to take their children home during weekends to spare feeding expenses!

Query the stakeholders and their reflex answer would be to ask the government for more money. A typically Malay response! Yet there is one obvious and ready solution. Charge the parents, on a sliding scale based on taxable income. Even back in my days in the early 1960s there were quite a few who afford the full fare. A few of Mahathir’s children attended these expensive residential schools for free when he was Prime Minister.

With the extra revenue these schools could enhance their curricular offerings and physical facilities. More importantly, the thought of having to fork out those expenses might prompt rich parents to think twice about enrolling their children, thus freeing up slots for children of the poor.

Similar more efficient allocation of resources could be had at our universities. Currently the bulk of the new students have only SPM. The university thus wastes academic and other resources catering to those doing essentially Form VI in the first year. If we were to expand Form VI and restrict university admission only to those from there, the students would not only be better prepared but they would also get more out of the same number of their undergraduate years.

The universities’ matrikulasi and diploma programs are also a colossal waste as these could be undertaken more cheaply and effectively elsewhere, as at schools and polytechnics. Yes, there was a time when concurrently running the diploma program represented the optimal use of scarce campus facilities, but those days are now long gone. Today, our universities should focus only on academic activities that could not be done elsewhere, that is, education at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Scrutinize the typical university budget; the bulk (both operating as well as capital) is for non-academic purposes, as in feeding and housing the students, faculty quarters, and vice-chancellor’s residence. Today’s university is not only an academic institution but also a major hotel with long-term ‘guests’ in the thousands. This of course is a necessity but there is no reason why such non-academic activities could not be ‘out-sourced,’ thus freeing the university of the onerous burden. Marriott, the giant hospitality company, feeds and houses students on many American campuses. If Malaysian universities were to do the same, they could then send their deputy VCs in charge of housing back to teaching and doing research.

Malaysian universities also have extensive housing units for their staff. Again this is a waste. Some American universities also provide housing, but to attract young faculty members who otherwise would go elsewhere. In contrast, housing on Malaysian campuses are for established staff members who are not necessarily academics. Often they stay on long after they have retired!

There is waste at another albeit lower (cost-wise) level. I once met a Malaysian dean at a scientific convention in America. He had first class air ticket and stayed at a five-star hotel. Had he traveled economy and stayed at a more modest facility, he could have taken three or four of his fellow faculty members to that meeting. Imagine the good that would do to his staff and institution!

His excuse was that per civil service code he was ‘entitled’ to first class treatment. There we go again, that entitlement mentality! You cannot get rid of it even after you become dean and vice-chancellor.

Effectively addressing quality, quantity and equity would require efficient allocation of resources. That however, would require another commitment – from the leadership. This is desperately lacking.

Prime Minister Najib exhorts our graduates to discard their budaya menuggu dan pasif (culture of passivity), yet he is blind to the onerous and highly intrusive rules that govern our students. It is like challenging them to explore the wider world but at the same time keeping them on a tight leash.

Our leaders also keep reminding us of the importance of English, yet they shy away from making that a requirement for university entrance. They decry the lack of qualified workers in science and technology, but examine our public universities and the bulk of the resources are devoted to other than those fields. To reemphasize, effectively addressing quality, quantity and equity would require the commitment of not only resources but also and more importantly, leadership and political will.

#424 Quality, Quantity, and Equity in Malaysian Education #1

2010-07-21T00:22:00.000+08:00

M. Bakri Musa

Quality Education and Economic Development

In referring to the low quality of our labor pool, the New Economic Model Report cites statistics showing that 80 percent of our workers have only SPM level (11 years) of schooling. That surprises me, not the figure rather the fact that the SPM is now viewed as inadequate.

That observation reflects more on the quality of our education system than it does of our workers. For had our education system maintained its quality, and today’s SPM is of the same caliber as the old Cambridge School Certificate “O” Level, then I would argue that our workers are among the most highly educated.

Members of the National Economic Action Council (they wrote the NEM Report) are old enough to appreciate that when they obtained their O-level certificate, they were in command of sufficient intellectual and other skills to prepare them well for life. The same cannot be said of today’s SPM, as the Report clearly implies.

In suggesting that Malaysian workers should have more years of education, the folks at NEAC are falling into the same trap that had ensnared others, of confusing quantity with quality of education. For if our education system stinks (it certainly does!), then it does not matter whether our workers have college degrees; they still will not be well prepared for the workplace, as attested by the already thousands of unemployed graduates.

As declared in the Center for Global Development’s A Millennium Learning Goal: Measuring Real Progress in Education, we should “focus on the real target of schooling: adequately equipping the nation’s youth for full participation as adults in economic, political and social roles.” School completion alone is an inadequate indicator of this. Likewise, generous funding, low pupil/teacher ratio, and physically grandiose schools and universities do not necessarily reflect quality education.

Consider years of schooling. One can readily appreciate that a year at an Indonesian high school is not the same as at a South Korean one. Even within a country, there are significant variations, as with an inner city school in South Chicago and one in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. In California, the students are challenged with calculus; in inner city Chicago they struggle with “consumer math.”

As for pupil/teacher ratio, South Korean classrooms are more crowded than American ones, yet that does not negatively impact the learning of the Korean children.

Earlier cross-national studies attempting to relate workers’ educational levels with a country’s economic performance used such readily obtainable data as the level of funding, pupil/teacher ratio, and years of schooling. Even with such crude measurements economists were able to conclude confidently that workers’ educational levels correlate well with a nation’s economic development.

That however, could be the effect and not the cause. It could be that when a country is rich, it could afford to spend more on education rather than the investment in education making that country rich.

Such studies also exposed some glaring anomalies. Latin American countries have universal education yet their economies have been underperforming. Egypt and South Korea spend proportionately the same on education, with their young having comparable levels of schooling, yet their economies are a universe apart. What gives?

The OECD made a cross-national study of its labor force focusing specifically on cognitive (in particular reading and mathematical) abilities rather than years of schooling. As can be appreciated, this was a much more formidable undertaking than merely comparing national statistics that may or may not be actually comparable. The findings of this much more rigorous study are even more impressive, confirming not only the earlier findings but also explaining the anomalies.

OECD has since refined and expanded its studies to include developing countries. The resulting Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey is sufficiently rigorous to conclude that workers’ cognitive skills are causally (not just statistically) correlated with economic development across a broad spectrum of countries, from developing to developed ones. Meaning, a country could not develop economically if its workers are cognitively not up to par, regardless of the number of years of formal education.

The relevant cognitive skills relate to critical thinking, language abilities, mathematical competence, and science literacy. It should not surprise us that Indonesia, Bolivia and Peru remain economically backward considering that, as per PISA findings, the average reading ability of Indonesian students was equivalent to that of the lowest seven percent of French students; the average mathematics score of Brazilian students was equal to the lowest scoring Danish students; while the average science score of Peruvian students was equal to the lowest five percent of American students, despite the same number of years spent in school.

Malaysia was not included in the PISA study but it did participate in the Third (1999) International Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMMS – R). We scored somewhere in the middle, way behind Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. And so is our economy.

Malaysian leaders and educators do not like to be reminded of this; instead they would prefer us to focus on the fact that we are still ahead of Indonesia, Bolivia and Peru.

The American performance in TIMMS was not impressive either, and that prompted much soul searching. By way of contrast, in Malaysia I have not heard of any official pronouncements or seen academic papers on the subject. The only analyses done on the Malaysian performance on TIMMS were conducted by Malaysian-born American scholars.

Americans realize that they need a skilled workforce to create innovative products and start new entrepreneurial ventures that would drive economic development.

The American performance at TIMMS illustrates another apparent anomaly. While American students lag behind those of Asia and many OECD countries, the American economy outperforms theirs. At first glance this would negate PISA’s conclusion.

Two factors explain the apparent American anomaly. The first relates to the American curriculum and system of teaching. Since this is more important, let me dispose quickly of the second factor, that is, American industries, often supported by public funds, devote substantial resources to training and continually upgrading their workers’ skills.

My hospital has a department devoted entirely to the continuing professional education of its nurses, doctors and other personnel. American editors for example, regularly send their reporters to writing classes and to hear from luminaries in their fields.

For contrast, query any Malaysian civil servant on when was the last time he attended a course that would contribute to his professional development, and you would draw a blank. The response would be the same if you were to ask what professional journals he subscribes or reads regularly.

Returning to the more important first factor, while it is true that American students do not do well in science and mathematics, they shine in the critical and creative thinking department. Unfortunately these skills are not tested by TIMMS or indeed any pencil-and-paper test. The American curriculum, both at school and college levels, does not emphasize rote memory and regurgitation at examination time. Instead the focus is on critical and independent thinking. Thus American students have “open book” and “take home” examinations, a concept incomprehensible to Malaysians. American test questions probe your ability to think critically, not regurgitate textbook or lecture contents.

For those who find an “open book” examination incomprehensible, let me suggest some examples. If Hikayat Hang Tuah were a text in an American course, a typical examination question would be:

The central injunction of our Quran is to “command good and forbid evil.” To what extent have the three main characters (Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, and the Sultan of Melaka) followed this creed?

For Shahnon Ahmad’s Ranjau Se Panjang Jalan, a suggested question would be:

Describe three major ranjau (obstacles) faced by Lahuma (the central character). Imagine yourself the assigned caseworker. How would you guide him to overcome them?

Come to think of it, this would also be a good intellectual exercise for my readers who have read both great works of Malay literature!

As can be seen, those questions make you think. Further, there is no right or wrong answer. Such exercises in critical and creative thinking are the norm in an American classroom. It is this that accounts for the continuing innovativeness, remarkable resilience, and entrepreneurial vigor of the American economy.

Consider this. The American University in Cairo, which has an American curriculum and teaching style, has an enrolment of about 5,000, less than one percent of the total undergraduates in that country. Yet at the Egyptian embassy in Washington, DC, a prestigious posting where only the best get chosen, 40 percent of the staff are AUC graduates. The Egyptian establishment has rendered its judgment as to the quality of that institution, and by implication, the rest of the country’s universities, including its most famous and oldest, Al Azhar.

Undergraduates at AUC are required to take a course, “The Human Quest: Exploring the Big Questions,” where they pursue such queries as, “Who am I?” and, “What does it mean to be a human?”

The Asian ‘tigers,’ their robust economies notwithstanding, appreciate the value and uniqueness of the American system of liberal education; they strive to make their own more ‘American.’

Singapore consciously does this, but is burdened by the fact that it relies on current personnel (teachers, administrators, and policymakers) and institutions to effect these changes. Unfortunately they have been brought up under the old rigid system. I never underestimate the power of inertia, systemic as well as personal. It is especially difficult for individuals to change as that would mean repudiating the very system that had brought them to where they are today.

South Korea imports wholesale American schools, complete with the teachers and texts. As these schools are expensive, only the children of the elite could afford to enroll. In a way that would be a quick and effective channel of changing the whole system as those students are destined to be influential in their country.

Japan brings in thousands of young Americans to teach English under the JET program. Although they are primarily for teaching English, nonetheless their teaching methods and styles would inevitably spill over to the ‘native’ teachers.

Thailand recognizes the limitations of its current personnel and institutions to effect changes. Consequently it attacks the problem frontally by opening up the system. Thus international schools, primarily British and American, are mushrooming there. As in South Korea, these schools are affordable only to the elite. However, because of the ensuing competition from the sheer number of new entries, the costs have come down substantially and these schools are now within the reach of the middle class. Such schools would spawn a new revolution in education in that country.

These countries realize that they have to go beyond the numbers, as with the number of school years or universities, and focus instead on quality. These excellent schools are still far from being the norm; those countries still face the major challenge of access, and thus equity.

How should Malaysia approach the dilemma of quantity versus quality, as well as the issue of equity in her education system? The rest of this essay is my attempt at answering this.

#423 i'm sorry i'm a christian

2010-07-05T01:38:00.000+08:00

#422 citizenship to the non-Malays

2010-06-20T03:20:00.001+08:00

What about the magnanimity shown by the non-Malays in agreeing to recognise the special position of the Malays in reciprocation to give them a better life? Wasn’t that a magnanimous act on the part of the non-Malays? What if the non-Malays had from the outset refused to concede to the Malay demand on this issue and had remained unyielding till the end. Would the Malays be enjoying the sort of life they are leading without the goodwill of the non-Malays?

By Sivakumar

Citizenship to the non-Malays: Not given at the behest of the Malays
Historical facts should be projected in the right perspective without any bias

I refer to the article entitled, ‘“The Tunku, Merdeka and Malaysia,” by V.Chakaravarthy in Aliran Monthly Vol 30. No 1 where he stated, “Tunku was able to convince the Malays and they showed their magnanimity by granting citizenship to the non – Malays in exchange for the ‘special position’ of the Malays .This was the social contract which was bequeathed to us by our founding fathers’.

Although the article was written in praise of the Tunku, certain aspects of the article, with particular reference to the granting of citizenship to the non-Malays, need to be addressed and put in proper perspective as the above statement is generally the theory propounded by the Malays. At the same time it is also pertinent to reaffirm certain relevant issues regarding the role played by the non–Malays in achieving independence for Malaya.

Distortion

While the non-Malays are without any reservation grateful to the Malays for accommodating them as citizens of this nation but to say that it was by the magnanimity of the Malays that enabled the non-Malay to enjoy citizenship status is, to say the least, an exaggeration and a distortion of a historical fact. Some Malay politicians even keep harping now and then that the granting of citizenship by the Malays was a great favour done to the non-Malays for which the latter should remain indebted to them for
life.

This sentiment is also echoed at the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) courses conducted by the Government where it was alleged that
some Malay speakers had blatantly told the non-Malay participants that they should be grateful to the Malays for their magnanimity in granting them citizenship. It looks like even the Government is tacitly reiterating this fact to the non-Malays openly. Such a preposterous statement will not help to foster harmonious relationships between the Malays and non-Malays but will only mar the goodwill that exists between them.

First of all, the Malays do not have the legal authority to grant citizenship to others as the granting of citizenship is governed under the Constitution. It is quite clear that under the Constitution, citizenship may be acquired by a person by (a) operation of law (b) registration (c) naturalization and (d) incorporation of territory.

However, it must be pointed out that prior to the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948 there was no Federal Citizenship. One was either a citizen of one of the Malay states or a British citizen if residing in the Straits Settlement states of Malacca, Penang or Singapore.

However, by virtue of the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948, non-Malay residents in Malacca or Penang, who were British citizens, were entitled to acquire Federal citizenship automatically by operation of law. Thus the acquisition of citizenship by the non-Malays by operation of law is a vested right under the Constitution and not something given at the behest of the Malays as claimed by some.

To support my statement, I quote below from the book entitled, “The Constitution of Malaysia “written by Harry E Groves, Head of Department of Law, and Dean Faculty of Law, University of Singapore, which is self-explanatory.

“Malays are subjects if born in the State. Others are subjects if born in the State and one parent was born in the Federation of Malaya. Malacca and Penang, being without Rulers, did not have any State citizenship. Those who came within the terms of the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1948, recognized operation of law, registration and naturalization as methods of acquiring citizenship of the then Federation of Malaya. In addition to all subjects of rulers having Federation citizenship by operation of law, so did citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who had certain designated contacts with the Settlements of Malacca or Penang or with the Federation of Malaya."

To read more, click here.

#421 the irony.

2010-06-17T02:27:00.000+08:00

I killed a lizard with the book "How to know the will of God".

#420 he couldn't walk the talk

2010-06-10T23:57:00.001+08:00

And so our PM has bowed to the demands of Perkasa, keeping the 30% bumi quota in the economic sector which will see the rich Malays get richer, and the poor get poorer. All that just to gag those greedy people that make so much noise.

#419 yuck.

2010-06-08T23:56:00.002+08:00

The whole Sodomy Case II is just flawed. There is so many injustice calls and contradictions in the whole case.

First, Saiful Azlan says it’s done with consent. Now he changes it to without consent. Such a huge life-changing event (to have your anus torn by someone else’s private part) and he has no idea whether it was with consent or without consent.

Either way, there can only be three outcomes.

1. It was committed without consent.
This means that a 25-year-old dude, follows his 63-year-old boss around the world, knowing that Anwar has sodomized him before in various parts of the world, willingly meet him in a secluded condo alone without thinking for a moment that he could end up being sodomized like the countless times before. Isn’t one time painful enough to run away from the 60-year-old uncle for good? If you got raped by someone once, (excluding direct family members because you may have nowhere else to run) would you still follow the person around alone, especially empty condos or hotel rooms? Yet, here our good friend states that he has been assaulted in various parts of the world.
Secondly, if it was without consent, Saiful Azlan must be one heck of a weak dude to not be able to either run from or fight back from a 63-year-old uncle who probably doesn’t spend much time building muscles just to sodomize someone. That, or he rather let someone sodomize him to keep his job or for some other incentive, which in a way makes it with consent, no?

2. It was committed with consent.
This means Saiful Azlan is lying, and the court should charge him. Well this kind of means that no one will ever look at Anwar the same way. And that kind of means Saiful enjoys an old uncle inserting his thing into his butt. EWWW!!! This seems the most plausible if it indeed occurred.

3. It never happened.
Apparently they found semen remains in his buttocks four days after he was assaulted. This means that in those 3 days, he neither farted nor bathed nor pooped nor squatted?? One fart and everything would probably be gone. I think anyone who saw him in any of those days would probably say he walked in the most awkward way if he really tried to keep the semen in his butt.

Anyway, here's an interesting view on the whole case.

#418 to subsidize or not?

2010-05-30T23:17:00.001+08:00

Bankrupt, bankrupt la...

POSTED BY SIMON TEMPLAR

BN is on a mission to spread a certain propaganda on bankruptcy. Ummm... actually it's UMNO - MCA and MIC are powerless as they themselves claim. So, I correct myself. UMNO is on a mission to spread a certain propaganda on bankruptcy. And they are as always, on another mission to scare the shit out of us.

I say "kasi bankrap sajalah".

We all pay taxes; rich or poor. Most people have a simplified mindset that tax means the payment you made out of your monthly gaji and post submission of Borang B/BE. And most also know that corporates pay tax. But what about the 5% government tax you pay at McDonald's and Pizza Hut. What about the duties you paid for your Perodua Viva and Proton Persona? Or what about the hidden taxes paid by the manufacturers who passed the costs onwards to you thus causing you to be paying a higher amount for your goods and services - these are indirect and unseen by you. But you still pay the taxes. So everyone pays taxes. Yes, even you who earn below RM2,500 and do not qualify for the IRB's PCB. Even you who sell karipap at the roadside.

#417 engrish lesson 1

2010-05-25T00:57:00.000+08:00

IF PEOPLE FROM POLAND ARE CALLED POLES THEN PEOPLE

FROM HOLLAND SHOULD BE HOLES AND THE GERMANS GERMS AND THOSE FROM FINLAND ARE CALLED FINISHED!!!!!

#416 this is pretty hilarious

2010-05-20T01:49:00.001+08:00

#415 it's ridiculous lah..

2010-05-16T23:32:00.002+08:00

PM Najib promises Rejang Park RM5mil only if BN wins. This kinda means that if BN doesn't win, Rejang Park will have to deal with its own flood problems, and the government isn't going to care at all. So much for caring about the people and being the people's Prime Minister. Indirectly he's saying, you don't vote for me, you can jolly well be part of another country's problem for all I care.

Thankfully Jesus isn't like that. He doesn't care if we reject Him or constantly run away from Him, or do the things that break His heart. He still came to save us all, regardless of our "vote".