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A school is not a business

Article extracted from koolmokcikZ. Read more from HERE.

 

 

It’s not a business. It’s school

“If I ran my business the way you people operate your schools, I wouldn’t be in business very long!”

I stood before an auditorium filled with outraged teachers who were becoming angrier by the minute. My speech had entirely consumed their precious 90 minutes of inservice. Their initial icy glares had turned to restless agitation. You could cut the hostility with a knife.

I represented a group of business people dedicated to improving public schools. I was an executive at an ice cream company that had become famous in the middle1980s when People magazine chose our blueberry as the “Best Ice Cream in America.”

I was convinced of two things. First, public schools needed to change; they were archaic selecting and sorting mechanisms designed for the industrial age and out of step with the needs of our emerging “knowledge society.” Second, educators were a major part of the problem: they resisted change, hunkered down in their feathered nests, protected by tenure, and shielded by a bureaucratic monopoly. They needed to look to business. We knew how to produce quality. Zero defects! TQM! Continuous improvement!

In retrospect, the speech was perfectly balanced — equal parts ignorance and arrogance.

As soon as I finished, a woman’s hand shot up. She appeared polite, pleasant. She was, in fact, a razor-edged, veteran, high school English teacher who had been waiting to unload.

She began quietly, “We are told, sir, that you manage a company that makes good ice cream.”

I smugly replied, “Best ice cream in America, Ma’am.”

“How nice,” she said. “Is it rich and smooth?”

“Sixteen percent butterfat,” I crowed.

“Premium ingredients?” she inquired.

“Super-premium! Nothing but triple A.” I was on a roll. I never saw the next line coming.

“Mr. Vollmer,” she said, leaning forward with a wicked eyebrow raised to the sky, “when you are standing on your receiving dock and you see an inferior shipment of blueberries arrive, what do you do?”

In the silence of that room, I could hear the trap snap…. I was dead meat, but I wasn’t going to lie.

“I send them back.”

She jumped to her feet. “That’s right!” she barked, “and we can never send back our blueberries. We take them big, small, rich, poor, gifted, exceptional, abused, frightened, confident, homeless, rude, and brilliant. We take them with ADHD, junior rheumatoid arthritis, and English as their second language. We take them all! Every one! And that, Mr. Vollmer, is why it’s not a business. It’s school!”

In an explosion, all 290 teachers, principals, bus drivers, aides, custodians, and secretaries jumped to their feet and yelled, “Yeah! Blueberries! Blueberries!”

And so began my long transformation.

Since then, I have visited hundreds of schools. I have learned that a school is not a business. Schools are unable to control the quality of their raw material, they are dependent upon the vagaries of politics for a reliable revenue stream, and they are constantly mauled by a howling horde of disparate, competing customer groups that would send the best CEO screaming into the night.

None of this negates the need for change. We must change what, when, and how we teach to give all children maximum opportunity to thrive in a post-industrial society. But educators cannot do this alone; these changes can occur only with the understanding, trust, permission, and active support of the surrounding community. For the most important thing I have learned is that schools reflect the attitudes, beliefs and health of the communities they serve, and therefore, to improve public education means more than changing our schools, it means changing America.

Copyright 2011 Jamie Robert Vollmer

Memertabatkan kejahilan

• Ruang Befikir Semakin Menyimpit ???

• Memang kebanyakkan manusia malas berfikir. Kalau kebanyakkan manusia mmembenarkan diri mereka untuk berfikir, maka tidak wujudlah penindasan dari segi fizikal dan rohani. Hakikat bahawa begitu ramai manusia tidak sedar tentang penindasan ini membuktikkan bahawa sememangnya mereka telah selesa dalam zon kejahilan mereka. Begitu juga jika manusia memang rajin berfikir, tidak lah Al-Quran itu mengandungi berpuluh-puluh ayat yang mengajak, mengajar dan memujuk mansusia untuk berfikir. Malangnya dalam bidang agama pun mereka telah menggadaikan minda mereka kepada segelintir manusia lain yang kononnya mempunyai monopoli hidayah Allah. Namun itu persoalan yang lain.

• Walaupun manusia amnya malas berfikir, malangnya diNegara tercinta ini kemalasan berfikir bukan sahaja lumrah tetapi telah diinstitusikan sebagai satu budaya yang harus dipertahankan. Kelesuan dan kengganan untuk berfikir telah menular kesegenap lapisan kehidupan kita.

• Kita bangga dengan pemimpin-pemimpin yang boleh mengeluarkan kenyataan yang bukan sahaja tidak masuk akal tetapi menghina pemikiran manusia waras. Kenyataan-kenyataan mereka itu dengan bangga disiarkan dalam TV dan media arus perdana seolah-olah kita mahu mensejarahkan kebodohan kepimpinan kita. Begitu kerap sekali saya lihat kebodohan kempimpinan politik diraikan seperti pesta diringi oleh tepuk sorak badan-badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan blogger-blogger upahan yang semestinya “allergic” kepada kebolehan berfikir. Seperti ayat dalam Al-Quran, masing-masing gembira dengan kenerakaan masing-masing dengan memikirkan bahawa itulah syurga!

• Lebih teruk daripada dahulu, hari ini kita dapati begitu ramai “cendikiawan-cendikiawan” yang tumbuh sebagai cendawan tanpa sebarang kebolehan berifkir secara berilmiah atau pun mempunyai kebolehan intelektualisme walaupun masing-masing tanpa segan silu memakai gelaran “Dr” dihadapan nama mereka. Saya tidak harian perkembangan ini kerana saya sudah pun menjangkanya berlaku sewaktu saya masih belajar di UKM bertahun-tahun dahulu. Saya sudah  melihat dahulu bahawa satu budaya baru yang menghormati kelulusan daripada ilmu semakin berkembang di dalam negara tercinta ini. Kelulusan formal atau rasmi disamakan dengan keupayaan intelektualisme. Malangya juga ramai “cendikiawan” yang tidak faham maksud “intellectualism”. Ini lah antara sebabnya yang telah menahan saya daripada belajar sehingga keperingkat PhD kerana saya tidak dapat bayangkan diri saya dinilai oleh puak-puak “superficial” ini walaupun saya begitu cinta dengan ilmu dan proses pemikiran.

• Hari ini ramai bangga dengan adanya berpuluh-puluh universiti yang tumbuh bagai lalang yang tidak terjaga dan kehadiran hampir 2000 professor-professor dalam negara tercinta ini. Memandangkan kita mengagungkan dan memartabatkan kejahilan, maka tidak pernahlah kita tanya apakah sumbangan professor-professor ini kepada perkembangan ilmu dan masyarakat? Berapa banyakkah buku-buku ilmiah yang telah diterbitkan oleh cendawan-cendawan ini? Apakah teori atau falsafah yang telah mereka “profess” dalam kerjaya mereka sehingga layak digelar professor? Hari ini, professor adalah jawatan bukanya melambangkan keupayaan pemikiran. Perkara yang sama ini telah saya bincang dengan Allahyarham Professor Syed Hussein Al-Atas, bekas VC Universiti Malay dimana beliau mengelar golongan seperti ini sebagai “educated barbarians”.

• Apabila kita memartabatkan guru-guru dan pensyarah-pensyarah jahil, adakah kita harapkan penuntut-penuntut keluaran universiti tempatan akan berkembang sebagai pemikir, reformis dan berguna?

• JIka kita membuat satu kajian rambang, kita akan dapati bahawa kebanyakkan kita seolah-olah menganggap berfikir itu satu dosa besar yang harus dihindari. Kita katakan “boring”. Buku-buku yang memerlukan seseorang itu untuk berifkir dipandang sebagai satu virus yang tidak harus didekati. Kalau ada rakan yang membuahkan satu topik yang memerlukan perbincangan menggunakan akal, kita anggap dia sebagai gila atau ganjil. Mereka lebih minat untuk bercakap-cakap kosong mengenai kejadian didalam kehidupan mereka yang juga sama-sama kosong – hal ofis mereka, gelagat orang lain, wayang yang dilihat, masalah-masalah kecil-kecilan dalam kehidupan mereka yang dilihat besar oleh minda mereka yang kecut, dan lain-lain “mundane topics”.

• Sebenarnya bagi orang yang boleh berfikir, topik-topik ini lah amat membosankan kerana ianya dapat dijangka.  Sememangnya boleh jadi “stressful” bagi seorang yang boleh berfikir hidup dalam masyarakat yang menganggungkan kebodohan dan kejahilan.

• Paling ketara sekali penyakit tidak mahu berfikir ini adalah dalam hal yang bersangkutan dengan ketuhanan. Amat anih sekali bahawa mereka yang kononnya menganggap agama itu penting tidak mahu meluangkan masa untuk mengkaji atau memikirkan tentang apa yang mereka anuti. Kemalasan mereka itu cuba ditutup dengan alasan bahawa mereka tidak mahir dalam hal-hal agama dan oleh itu membiarkan orang yang lebih “berilmu” itu mengupas bagi pihak mereka. Apakah asas-asas pun tidak tahu? Begitu yakin sekali mereka ini dengan golongan yang dikatakan “berilmu”?  Saya yakin ramai yang tidak akan faham maksud saya disini kerana kita sudah pun di indoktrinasikan  dengan tanggapan bahawa mereka yang berkelulusan daripada universiti semestinya pakar dalam bidang tertentu. Maka, kita tidak pernah mahu berfikir atau menilai mengenai “kelulusan” pakar yang kita idolakan itu. Memang susah ke mendapat kelayakan formal universiti hari in?

• Pada saya, masyarakat yang membudayakan kebodohan dan kejahilan mengundang musibah keatas dirinya sendiri. Padahnya akan tiba walaupun mengambil masa yang lama.

• Namun mereka yang sudah lazim dengan candu tidak mahu berfikir akan ketagihkan kebodohan dan kejahilan. Seperti semua ketagihan yang merosakkan, kesudahannya amat jelas.

Salam.

Salam Aidil Adha

In Tribute To All Teachers

What Do Teachers Make?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.

To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?”

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began…)

“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?” (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

”I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn’t everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.”

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

“Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn’t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant…

You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE

“What do you make Mr. CEO?”

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

**M and S … Mr CEO rings any bell?**

(Article taken from koolmokcikZ, HERE.)

Selamat Merayakan Hari Deepavali

 

Bahasa Kebangsaan – Sanjungan kepada Kerajaan

Friday, October 14, 2011

NAJIB DILEMPANG MUHYIDDIN

Ini barulah JANTAN sejati…

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Okt — Semua penjawat awam diwajib menggunakan bahasa kebangsaan dalam segala urusan rasmi dan pentadbiran kerajaan termasuk ketika bermesyuarat, surat-menyurat atau seminar — langkah yang pernah digunakan kira-kira tiga dekad lalu — bagi memantapkan peranan Bahasa Melayu selain memperkasakannya sebagai bahasa ilmu. Menurut Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Kabinet bersetuju dengan keputusan itu.

“Bagi memastikan arahan ini dipatuhi, pekeliling perkhidmatan berkaitan Panduan Penggunaan Bahasa Kebangsaan Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam akan dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam,” katanya dipetik Berita Harian hari ini.

Muhyiddin mengumumkan perkara itu pada majlis sambutan Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan peringkat kebangsaan 2011 di Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) dekat Durian Tunggal semalam. Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran turut meminta syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC) memainkan peranan penting memperkasakan bahasa kebangsaan dalam segala urusan syarikat.

“GLC sewajarnya mempelopori usaha menyokong agenda nasional untuk memartabatkan bahasa kebangsaan dalam bidang berkaitan perbankan, kewangan, perdagangan, perniagaan, pembuatan dan lain-lain perkhidmatan,” katanya. Katanya, Malaysia wajar mencontohi sikap beberapa negara maju dan sedang berkembang maju yang tidak meminggirkan bahasa kebangsaan masing-masing, meskipun masih mementingkan penguasaan bahasa Inggeris.

Malah, katanya, daripada lapan ekonomi gergasi dunia iaitu negara G7, dan China, hanya tiga negara iaitu Amerika Syarikat, United Kingdom dan Kanada yang rakyatnya berbahasa Inggeris. Rakyat Kanada juga sebahagiannya berbahasa Perancis manakala di United Kingdom sebahagian rakyatnya berbahasa Welsh, Scottish dan Irish.

“Di Brazil, Russia, India dan China (BRIC) iaitu negara yang berada pada tahap kemajuan ekonomi paling rancak, hanya India tidak mengekalkan bahasa sendiri. Kebanyakan negara Nordik yang maju, juga mengekalkan bahasa masing-masing.

“Daripada empat negara Ekonomi Perindustrian Baru Asia Timur, hanya Singapura tidak mengekalkan bahasa ibunda. Jika kita teliti perkembangan negara-negara berkenaan, kita dapati bahasa Inggeris adalah bahasa penting tetapi bukanlah satu-satunya bahasa yang menjamin kemajuan.

“China tidak menjadikan bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa pengantar dalam sistem pendidikannya semata-mata kerana mahu meraih laba globalisasi. Mereka menyanjungi bahasa kebangsaan mereka dan menghormati bahasa kebangsaan negara lain,” katanya.

ULASAN:

Memang Muhyiddin dah kasi pelempang Jepun kepada Najib. Lepas ni apek yang tak faham isi borang dalam BAHASA MELAYU kena pergi kursus bahasa. NAJIB boleh sponsor. Dalam hari yang sama si Najib ni pergi merasmikan majlis pecah tanah di Melaka untuk Han higher Education. Yang duduk di depan Najib itu semuanya RAKYAT MALAYSIA dan hanya beberapa kerat sahaja rakyat negara lain.

Tapi Najib yg tak pernah reti bahasa ni dengan bangganya berucap di dalam BAHASA INGGERIS dan wallah, juruacara pula menggunakan MANDARIN. Sedangkan Backdrop menggunakan BAHASA MELAYU + Tulisan Cina. Barua betul. Rakyat Malaysia yg tidak mengenang budi mencari rezeki di Tanah Melayu tidak tahu berbahasa Melayu malah memperlekehkannya seperti Najib yang JARANG SANGAT berbahasa Melayu.

Sedangkan warga China sendiri mendapat TOKOH BAHASA MELAYU kerana berjuang berpuluh tahun untuk Bahasa Melayu diajar di 7 buah Universiti di China. Ehemmm NAJIB, ada tak FAKULTI Bahasa Melayu di UTAR, New Era College dan lain-lain Institusi milik kaum Han ini?

Reinstate PPSMI

From JUST MY THOUGHTS:-

 

Dear YAB DS Najib Razak, please be informed that many Malaysians wants the PPSMI back

The Gomen under Najib Razak must face fresh realities on the issue of the learning and teaching of Science and Mathematics in English with more and more groups other than PAGE coming out in support of the PPSMI. This issue will not go away even if the Gomen tries other systems on our poor schoolchildren bruised and battered over the years by the Gomen lack of political will in implementing what was a good teaching system which would propel our children in no small way into the technology and internet age, the PPSMI.

Malay NGO backs PPSMI policy

PETALING JAYA: A Malay non-governmental organisation backs the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English following a survey result among 15,000 respondents nationwide.

Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) said the four-month survey found that 54% of the respondents nationwide, including parents from rural areas, preferred PPSMI to be retained.

Some 70% of the respondents were Malays.

Although JMM’s constitution stated its role in upholding the Malay language, the demands of the parents supporting the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) must not be denied, said its president Azwanddin Hamzah.

“We have refrained from making any statement until the completion of the survey.

“Now, based on the findings, we urge the Government to listen to the voices of parents who want the best for their children and review its decision to abolish PPSMI,” Azwanddin said.

The survey also stated that 66% of parents from rural areas agreed that teaching Mathematics and Science in English would give their children a chance at a brighter future.
“Instead of abolishing it completely, the Government should give parents a say in the education of their children.

“For example, some schools in the city or large towns could offer PPSMI.

“The parents are supportive of the move. It is up to the Government and teachers to be prepared for the teaching of the two subjects in English.

“English is one of the requirements for our children to further their studies overseas, as well as being the main criterion in almost 12 million job applications in the nation,” said Azwanddin in a statement.

He added that results of the survey mirrored the findings of education advocacy group Parents Action Group For Education Malaysia (PAGE) which was in favour of PPSMI.

He said JMM was prepared to meet the Prime Minister with their findings with PAGE if necessary.

PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim called for a meeting with the Cabinet to find a lasting solution to the issue.

The termination of the PPSMI before having done a proper long term research on its successes or limitations was ill advised and premature. The Gomen should stop drawing on sand with their toes, just bite the bullet and give the PPSMI a new breath of life. At least give the Parents and their Children the option to decide what kind of education they want for themselves.

Perginya Seorang Pejuang

 

 

Tokoh Bahasa Dato’ Ahmad kembali kerahmahtullah

Suntingan oleh Zanuddin Salleh Aug 31, 2011

Dato’ Dr.Hassan Ahmad

Perkasa 31Ogos 2011 : Bekas ketua pengarah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Dato’ Dr Hassan Ahmad meninggal dunia di rumahnya di Petaling Jaya petang ini.

Presiden Perkasa YB Datuk Ibrahim Ali mengucapkan takziah kepada keluarga Allahyarmah Dato Dr Hassan Ahmad,yang telah kembali kerahmatullah pada jam 2 ptg tadi ,iaitu tarikh Hari Negara menyambut Kemerdekaan.

Ibrahim Ali menyifatkan allahyarham Hassan Ahmad lampu suluh di malam yang kelam, menerangi alam kebahasaan dan sastera bangsa, Beliau terus gigih memperjuangkan dan mendaulatkan Bahasa Kebangsaan.

Umat Melayu kehilangan seorang pejuang yang banyak berbakti kepada masyarakat dalam bidang bahasa dan sastera bangsa. Semuga rohnya di cucuri rahmat dan di tempatkan di kalangan para solihin.

Anak Allahyarham Dato’ Hassan Ahmad, Aida berkata, Allahyarham dipercayai diserang sakit jatung dan menghembuskan nafas terakhir sekitar 2 petang tadi.

“Ayah saya tidak sakit apa-apa,” katanya sebentar tadi.

Jenazah Allahyarham akan dikebumikan esok, kata Aida.

Di fahamkan Allahyarham ceria semasa menyambut tetamu di jamuan hari raya di kediaman beliau semalam.

Tokoh Bahasa ini kini menyandang Ketua Eksekutif Yayasan Karyawan, sebuah pertubuhan bukan kerajaan.

Beliau merupakan seorang penyelidik bahasa dan sastera yang banyak menulis tentang bahasa dan sastera terutama dalam tahun-tahun 1960-an.

Alfatihah…

Sikap Terhadap Aspek Pendidikan

Dari laman PANEH MIANG

Monday, July 4, 2011

FREE EDUCATION: Melayu nor Cina

Tuan Paneh Miang,

Walaupun posting ni dah lama, tapi menarik perhatian saya. Kadang-kadang saya tertanya kenapa kita umat Islam dan Melayu ni mundur dalam segala bidang. Dan (kini) barulah saya faham dan dapat jawapannya.

Jawapannya ialah SIKAP kita terhadap ILMU. Kita tengok orang Cina, diorang tak berkira pun nak keluar duit beribu-ribu untuk pendidikan anak-anak diorang. PIBG mintak, bagi. Cikgu mintak, bagi. Guru Besar mintak, bagi. Pendek kata asal program sekolah je, bagi. Padahal inilah yg sepatutnya orang Islam dan Melayu kita buat. Kan Allah dah firman dalam Al Quran bahawa menuntut ilmu wajib bagi setiap anak Adam? Jadi bila dah perkara wajib, maka wajarlah bagi kita mengadakan (pelajaran) dan bila kita keluar wang sendiri dan redha, barulah datang keberkatan pada ilmu.

Malangnya orang Islam Melayu ni dok mengharap kerajaan je sedia sekolah, cikgu, kerusi/meja, buku teks, makanan tambahan pun ada?! Jadi yang mak bapak ni kluar (belanja) apa? Suruh bayar yuran sekolah yang tak sampai RM100 setahun tu pun nak bising? Suruh kerajaan jugak (yang) bagi peruntukan? (Jadi) no wonder la takde berakah dalam ilmu.

Zaman nabi dulu takde pun wujud institusi sekolah. Semua orang Islam cari guru masing-masing, bayar diorang dan tuntut ilmu. Bahkan banyak ulama yang mengembara beratus/beribu kilometer ke Baghdad sama ada berjalan kaki (atau) naik unta guna duit sendiri (dulu Baghdad pusat ilmu), contohnya untuk tuntut ilmu. Sebab itulah ramai ulama-ulama yang dihormati macam Imam Ghazali dan Imam Bukhairi sebagai contoh. Ataupun ilmuwan Islam dalam perubatan macam Al Razi (atau) Khawarizmi dalam bidang matematik. Sebab apa diorang berjaya? Sebab diorang ada SIKAP yang positif terhadap ILMU masing-masing.

Zaman ni kerajaan bagi semua tetapi rakyat naik lemak (terutama Melayu Islam). Kalau boleh nak jadikan sekolah tu nursery asuh anak diorang. Tak puas hati maki/saman cikgu, ungkit balik duit yuran (yang) tak seberapa diorang bayar. Mak bapak balik rumah lepas kerja tahu main dan buat anak saja. Kadang-kadang saya rasa mak bapak ingat bagi pendidikan pada anak ni satu beban (dan) bukan(nya) tanggungjawab indah yang perlu dilaksana(kan). Itu pasal anak-anak sekarang perangai macam setan tak mahu dengar cakap cikgu sebab mak bapak sendiri dah (tak) ikhlas keluarkan duit untuk bagi ilmu pada anak-anak. Bila kita buat benda (tak) ikhlas dah tentu hasilnya Allah bagi sia-sia.

Anyway saya sangat sokong Paneh Miang punya langkah tu. Tapi yang lagi penting, brainwash la balik pemikiran manja rakyat sekarang ni, terutama(nya) orang Melayu Islam kita pada aspek pendidikan. Tak usah la lagi layan benda-benda macam FREE EDUCATION, sebab ini semua agenda kapitalis barat supaya manusia ni jadi robot (yang hanya tahu) kerja saja dan bukan(nya menjadi seperti) ilmuwan agong macam yang pernah tamadun Islam nikmati suatu ketika dulu. Saya harap Paneh Miang dapat jadikan post saya ni satu tajuk.

~Jentayu~

Edited from here.

Dasar Pendidikan Negara Melahirkan Pelajar-Pelajar Pasif?

Dimanakah silapnya sehingga pelajar-pelajar kita menjadi seumpama burung kakaktua yang hanya mampu mengangguk dan menggeleng sahaja?. Adakah ianya berpunca dari sistem pendidikan kita sendiri yang hanya mementingkan aspek menghafal dan mementingkan untuk lulus ujian penilaian?…

“..dengan sistem yang berteraskan konsep penghafalan dan menitikberatkan soal peperiksaan saja hanya menjadikan sekolah-sekolah kita sebagai kilang menghasilkan  copy and paste graduate yang begitu pasif dalam menangani keadaan sekeliling mereka. Tak guna berderet-deret A dalam SPM tapi kosong dan habuk pun tarak. How many A’s you get doesn’t guarantees that you are a truly smart person. Apa gunanya kalau lulus semua matapelajaran dalam peperiksaan tetapi sistem pendidikan kita sendiri gagal untuk mengolah segala kreativiti dan potensi sebenar yang ada dalam pelajar-pelajar kita. Jika tidak diperbaiki ianya akan memberi kesan kepada beberapa generasi akan datang dan kesan-kesannya pun boleh dilihat kini.

Baca artikel sepenuhnya dari KERAMBIT ASSASSIN di SINI..

The “Anak Malaysia” Side Show Freaks

A Classic Case of “Cakap Tak Serupa bikin” incident was recently presented to us. The hyped up “incident” of a mixed race couple trying to register their newborn baby as “Anak Malaysia” raised a few pertinent question. One of which is whether Malaysia can be considered as a classification of ethnicity or race.

Demographic data are used for various policy making activities and also for historical analysis on health related issues by various government of the world. For some readings on its usage go here. The level of granularity of the ethnic classification varies among jurisdiction, most major country that have seen significant in-flow of migrant population would begin to implement such a policy to assist in various decision making process, foreign countries which typically had one or two type of racial classification tend to lump various ethnicity into a larger group without proper consideration eg: American approach of using Filipinos as an ethnic category when these people are actually Malays. These are actually “proxy ethnicity“ for ease of recording. For details please go here to see a sample on how they collect demographic data at birth.

Now back to the issue of the DAP politician who created a stir by trying to register her newborn Chinese-Indian baby as “Anak Malaysia”.

Tell us what you make of it.

Below are some of the reaction towards the incident.

Hipokrit besar…Itu komen Senator Ezam Mohd Nor mengulas hu ha ADUN DAP Subang Jaya, Selangor Hannah Yeoh yang buat bising kerana Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) tidak benarkan beliau daftarkan bangsa anak perempuannya yang baru lahir sebagai Anak Malaysia.

Hannah yang berkahwin dengan seorang lelaki India buat bising di media pembangkang selepas permohonannya ditoak JPN.

Menurut Ezam, jika alasan kononya semangat 1Malaysia yang diberikan oleh Hannah, beliau dan seluruh kepimpinan DAP perlu memperjuangkan dahulu dasar pendidikan satu aliran, atau Sekolah Malaysia.

“Mengapa tidak perjuangkan sekolah Malaysia? mengapa pertahankan sekolah Cina? Saya cabar pemimpin-pemimpin DAP perjuangkan sekolah Malaysia” katanya dalam satu kenyataan kepada Agendadaily.

DAP sebelum ini menentang rancangan kerajaan untuk memperkenalkan dasar satu sekolah untuk semua, bagi memudahkan proses integrasi di kalangan rakyat Malaysia.

Jika dasar tersebut dilaksanakan, semua pelajar dari aliran Cina dan Tamil akan hanya menerima pendidikan menggunakan bahasa kebangsaan di dalam satu sekolah yang bercampur semua kaum.

Berbeza dengan keadaan sekarang di mana, sekolah aliran Cina dan Tamil menggunakan bahasa ibunda masing-masing sebagai bahasa pengajaran.

Bagaimanapun menurut Ezam, DAP tidak akan berani menyahut cabarannya kerana parti itu tidak akan berganjak daripada perjuangan mempertahan dan memperkasa sekolah Cina kerana itu asas penubuhannya.

“DAP bukan seperti PAS, yang prinsip perjuangan berubah-ubah dan kini PAS berganjak dari asas penubuhan parti daripada Islam kepada kebajikan,” kata beliau.

Sementara itu, JPN dalam satu kenyataan Rabu menegaskan bahawa ‘Anak Malaysia’ tidak boleh diterima sebagai satu etnik dan penentuan bangsa seseorang anak adalah ditentukan berdasarkan bangsa ibu bapa mereka.

“Jabatan ini ingin memaklumkan bahawa, penentuan keturunan bagi kanak-kanak adalah berdasarkan kepada keturunan ibu atau bapa kanak-kanak sahaja.

“Jabatan ini tidak dapat mendaftarkan sesuatu keturunan selain daripada keturunan ibu atau bapa kanak-kanak tersebut,”

Seperti dijangka dalam usaha untuk bikin riuh hal ini Setiausaha Agung DAP Lim Guan Eng yang juga Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang telah membuat kenyataan Khamis akan backing habis ‘ perjuangan’ Hannah Yeoh untuk daftar anaknya sebagai anak Malaysia menerusi mahkamah.

Di kalangan pemerhati politik pula mereka menilai isu ini secara tersirat dibangkitkan untuk memperlekehkan 1Malaysia.

Ini juga menjadi usaha berterusan DAP untuk korek apa juga isu sekalipun kecil untuk membuat orang bukan Melayu terus menerus geram terhadap kerajaan.

Ia dinilai sebagai salah satu strategi parti untuk menghadapi pilihanraya umum ke 13.-9/6/2011. Source here

And another one from CheGu Bard source here

Setuju anak malaysia tetapi perlu juga pertegas sekolah satu aliran
Sehari dua ini kecoh mengenai anak bangsa bangsa Malaysia. Perkara ini wujud apabila seorang Ahli Dewan Undangan negeri dari Selangor yang baru melahirkan anak gagal dalam cubaan beliau mendaftarkan anaknya sebagai bangsa Malaysia. Tindakan beliau mendaftarkan anaknya sebagai bangsa Malaysia kerana menurutnya dia berbangsa cina yang berkahwin dengan lelaki berketurunan India, maka anaknya tidak mungkin menjadi India atau Cina tetapi anaknya harus menjadi anak Malaysia.

Seperti biasa tindakan ini dilihat dari perbagai aspek. Ada yang mengambil perkara ini dari aspek negatif. Ada seorang ahli parlimen bekas PKR dengan sengaja menulis komentar mengenai perkara ini dengan meletakkan gambar anak beruk mungkin sebagai menggambarkan anak bangsa Malaysia yang tidak ketahuan identitinya. Malah rata-rata blogger pro Umno yang melihat tindakan ADUN ini dari aspek politik semata lantas memberikan komen negatif termasuk sanggup menulis komen-komen lucah berkaitan dengan status anak ADUN ini.

Ini semua jelas mengecewakan. Selaku anak muda kita harus membicarakan perkara ini dalam ruang yang lebih luas lagi.

Apa niat ADUN tersebut terpulang kepada dia tetapi kita harus mengambil peluang ini untuk membincangkan secara terbuka dan jujur mengenai pembentukan negara bangsa dan kesepaduan rakyat dalam negara.

Suka mengungkap semula tulisan Rustam Sani yang pernah menulis kita pernah cuba dengan serius merdeka sebagai negara bangsa tetapi usaha kita gagal kerana dihalang oleh British kerana gusar kita akan muncul sebuah negara yang kuat, mandiri dan menyaingi mereka. malah selaku negara bangsa yang kuat, Negara Rakyat ini juga tidak akan mudah memberi jaminan untuk mengikut telunjuk demi menjaga kepentingan pemodal Inggeris. Usaha pembinaan negara bangsa ini juga mudah dihalang British apabila Umno menjadi agen dalam negara yang menjalankan usaha sabotaj menggagalkanya.

Tidak dinafikan terdapat banyak tafsiran tentang makna negara-bangsa. Namun menurut Abdul Rahman Embong (2001:12), persoalan negara-bangsa secara konseptual menjadi permasalahan penting disebabkan terdapat beberapa kekeliruan mengenainya. Ini kerana ada pihak yang menganilisis perkara tersebut secara legalitis dengan menghubungkannya dengan konsep ‘warganegara’ dan ada pula yang melihatnya berdasarkan konsep ras yang dihujahkan sebagai sukar untuk terbentuk.

Malaysia telah merdeka sejak 1957, itu proses yang lama namun kita masih terperangkap dalam ‘lamunan perkauman sempit’ kita. Ini semuanya ialah impian penjajah kita dahulu. Semasa menjajah mereka memisahkan kita dengan dasar pecah perintah. Lebih malang lagi selepas merdeka dasar mereka kita teruskan dengan politik perkauman sempit yang diwarisi melalui Perikatan dan kini barisan nasional.Malah lebih parah malangnya apabila politik perkauman ini menjadi azimat sakti yang sering diperguna oleh regim pewaris penjajah setiap kali tergugat sokongan.

Mari kita fikirkan adakah kita semua ini Melayu, apa yang menjadikan kita Melayu atau apa bangsa identiti kita ? Seorang Melayu kahwin dengan cina anaknya bangsa apa ? Sepasang suami isteri Melayu yang hidup dengan penuh meninggalkan cara hidup melayu adakah anak mereka melayu ? Keluarga cina yang hidup dikalangan orang jawa mengamalkan kehidupan berbudaya jawa, makanan jawa, cakap jawa lebih fasih dari cakap cina, adakah mereka cina ?

Kita telah membuang masa, seharusnya perkara ini sudah diselesaikan lama. Ini masa globalisasi, amat menyedihkan apabila nilai sempadan negara mula menjadi kurang nilai kita masih melipat lengan baju bertekak soal sempit perkauman dalam negara sendiri.

Memang sudah terlambat kita harus mulakan segera sekarang jika tidak kita akan hilang daya saing. Kita harus jujur dalam membincangkan perkara ini, ke arah mana negara ini hendak dibawa. negara ini tidak boleh sentiasa terawang dengan banyak taboo yang konon tidak boleh diungkap dan harus didiamkan. Ini negara kita, jika kita tidak mahu bincangkan siapa lagi yang mahu diselesaikan. British sudah lama pulang kita harus berdiri sendiri mengendalikan negara kita mengikut acuan kita.

Jika tidak negara ini akan hilang daya saingnya. Jika kita masih diam dan taboo untuk bicara hal pokok negara akan terus hilang warganya yang bagus untuk bangun negara. Ganerasi baru yang bosan dengan negara ini akan keliru identitinya. Mereka akan melihat negara ini hanya tempat cari makan kerana mereka dihalang itu dan ini, seolah negara ini bukan milik mereka. Maka mereka akan berhijrah ke mana mereka selesa cari makan. Rakyat harus melihat bumi ini bukan hanya tempat cari makan sahaja. Ini tanah air kita.

Walaupun kamu keturunan cina kamu sudah tidak ada kawloon untuk balik kerana orang kawloon sudah tidak kenal kamu, kamu beranak di Nibong Tebal maka ini tanah air kita yang harus kita bina bersama. Jika kamu keturunan india kamu sidah tidak ada Kerala untuk balik, kamu beranak di Kombok, Negeri Sembilan maka sinilah kampung halaman kamu. Semangat ini harus wujud dan ia hanya akan wujud apabila kita ada rasa milik sama negara ini.

nota ringkas lemparan idea bangsa Malaysia ini saya akhirkan dengan dengan pertanyaan pada diri kita semua secara detik hati, adakah kita jujur hendak sama mencari ke mana arah dan bagaimana nak bentuk negara bangsa malaysia ini. Adakah kita jujur dan sedia berkorban beberapa ‘permata’ kecil dalam genggaman yang disayang untuk mendapat belian besar yang jauh lebih bernilai.

Cuba renungkan jika kita ke Singapura. Suatu ketika dahulu, selepas Singapura mencapai kemerdekaan (dari Malaya), urusan kebudayaan dan keagamaan disekat. Sekolah-sekolah beraliran Cina dan Tamil dibubar untuk mengurangkan semangat “kecinaan dan keindiaan”. Atas iltizam dan visi Lee Kuan Yew, Singapura telah berjaya menjadi sebuah negara-bangsa. Walaupun pada awalnya wujud sedikit kekangan kebebasan berbudaya dan beragama, Singapura kini terus bergerak ke hadapan. Lee Kuan Yew telah berjaya menyatukan kebudayaan Singapura. Lee Kuan Yew dilihat berjaya mengasimilasikan masyarakat Singapura. Kita boleh meletakkan Singapura sebagai contoh negara-bangsa yang maju dan berjaya. Kita boleh berbangga kerana Singapura adalah jiran kita yang kuat memberi saingannya.

Mana mungkin nak bina negara bangsa apabila pada peringkat awal pendidikan lagi majoriti anak malaysia terpisah-pisah. Jika kita semua tidak jujur dalam bab ini maka saya ungkap blogger A. Kadir Jasin (dan tolong jangan labelkan saya rasis) dalam tulisan beliau di Malaysia Today yang berkata “…Sebaliknya mempertahankan hak bangsa-bangsa lain di bumi yang sama adalah ‘hak’. Natijahnya, orang Melayu mempertahankan haknya dia dianggap rasis, tetapi apabila orang bukan Melayu melakukan yang sama ia dikatakan hak mereka…” Mungkin ada kebenarannya apa yang dikatakan oleh beliau.

dan cerita mencari identiti negara ini akan menjadi cerita tak sudah – sudah dan terpusing – pusing. Maka sama kita nyanyikan lagu, bangau oh bangau…………..

sekadar mengajak diri berfikir.

Also check out Sdr Kembara Politik piece

Tahniah! Pemimpin DAP bersikap patriotik hantar “Anak Malaysia” ke Sekolah Kebangsaan

–
Penulis tertarik dengan laporan bahawa Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) menolak permohonan Hannah Yeoh, ADUN Subang Jaya dari DAP untuk mendaftarkan bangsa anaknya sebagai “Anak Malaysia” di ruangan bangsa di dalam Sijil Kelahiran.

JPN tentunya sudah mempunyai garis panduan yang perlu diikuti bagi mengisi ruangan bangsa di dalam setiap Sijil Kelahiran yang dikeluarkan. Semuanya perlu mengikut peraturan dan prosedur yang ditetapkan. Bukannya boleh diisi ikut suka hati sahaja. Kalau ikutkan Hannah Yeoh ini mungkin sahaja beliau mahu mengisi “Caucasian” di ruangan bangsa anaknya, tapi takut nampak kelakar dan pelik pula nanti.

Sebenarnya Hannah Yeoh ini sudah tahu bahawa JPN sudah pasti menolak permohonan sebegini. Tetapi atas sebab Hannah ini berbangsa Cina DAP, memang semua perkara mahu dijadikan modal politik. Bak kata blogger RBF, “Masalah Laki Bini Dijadikan Masalah Negara!”. Yang suami mahukan anak didaftar berbangsa India. Yang Hannah pula tarik telinga suaminya berkeras mahukan bangsa Cina. Penyudahnya sengaja cipta isu dengan cubaan mahu diisi dengan “Anak Malaysia”.

Setelah ditolak, Hannah isi juga bangsa anaknya. Apa jalan penyelesaian yang diambil oleh Hannah Yeoh?Penulis ingatkan bangsa anaknya didaftarkan atas susur bangsa sebelah bapa iaitu berbangsa India. Tetapi bangsa Cina juga dipilihnya. Kenapa? Entahlah. Hanya suami isteri itu sahaja yang tahu apa sebabnya. Elok wartawan tanya kenapa dia pilih bangsa Cina tidak bangsa India?

Kalau ikutkan trend ‘patriotik’ Hannah Yeoh ini, penulis percaya akan ramailah anak-anak dari kalangan pemimpin DAP akan berebut-rebut memilih sekolah kebangsaan sebagai sekolah pilihan mereka. Mungkin bukan setakat berebut-rebut sahaja, tetapi lebih daripada itu. Mungkin kita akan lihat senario di mana pemimpin DAP berebut-rebut menghentam mereka-mereka yang menghantar anak-anak ke sekolah Cina lalu diheret jadi agenda besar negara. Ya! Agenda demi perpaduan sebenar. Tapi semua rakyat tahu, ‘patriotik’ Hannah Yeoh itu cuma “patriotik kura-kura”! Hanya berpura-pura patriotik!

Kalau ikutkan trend benar-benar ikhlas dan bersikap patriotik sebagai “Anak Malaysia” sudah tentulah Sekolah Kebangsaan jadi pilihan utama. Tapi penulis berani jamin, Hannah Yeoh dan juga spesis “patriotik kura-kura” yang lain sudah tentu ‘bermati-matian’ menghantar anak mereka ke sekolah Cina.

Bukankah begitu wahai Hannah Yeoh dan mereka-mereka yang tergolong dalam spesis “patriotik kura-kura”?

The strange thing about this whole episode is the fact that she choose to create an incident instead of using the right channel such as a push for a bill in the Parliament for the amendments of our racial categories. Singapore our next door neighbour used a more civil approach to the matter by bringing it up to the parliament for a debate and eventually came out a double barrel race registration policy for children of mixed marriages refer here

Greater Flexibility With Implementation Of Double-Barrelled Race Option From 1 January 2011

29-Dec-2010 filed under Public Advisory
With effect from 1 January 2011, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will implement the registration of double-barrelled race options for Singaporean children born to parents of different races.

2. This change, first announced in Parliament on 12 January 2010, gives parents who are of different races further flexibility and choice to decide how their child’s race should be recorded. Couples of inter-ethnic marriages now have the additional option to reflect both their races for their child as a double-barrelled race. This is on top of the existing options of choosing only one of the two different races – either that of the father or the mother – for their child. For example, if one parent is “Chinese” and the other is “Indian”, the child’s race may be recorded as “Chinese”, “Indian”, “Chinese-Indian”, or “Indian-Chinese”. The registration of the double-barrelled race will be limited to only two components, i.e. one hyphenation.

3. For relevant Government policies, such as the initial assignment to a mother-tongue language class in schools and the HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy, the first component of a double-barrelled race will be used. There will not be any advantage in terms of policy considerations for those who register either a double-barrelled or a singular race. For the presentation of statistics, the current way of presenting the published race statistics will be maintained and will be based on the first component of the double-barrelled race.

4. Details on the policy and registration procedures can be found on ICA’s website at http://www.ica.gov.sg.

Tolerating National Language Illiterates; The Established Immigrant Dilemma

The recent statement by the Deputy Minister of Education confirms our observation on the current state of these Illegal Institutions.

Wee: Improve your BM
IPOH: Pupils from Chinese and Tamil schools need to improve their proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia as early as at the primary level, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.

The Deputy Education Minister said pupils in vernacular schools should know the importance of the national language and how it could help them in their education.

Dr Wee noted that the percentage of pupils in vernacular schools scoring As for both Bahasa Malaysia comprehension and writing skills had declined by 2.9% and 3.4% respectively.

“One of the conditions for students to get their SPM is for them to pass or obtain a credit in the Bahasa Malaysia test. Passing the Bahasa test will also help them gain places in local universities,” he said after opening the national-level SJKC and SJKT Bahasa Malaysia Oral and Written Test Prime Minister’s Trophy contest here yesterday.

Dr Wee also noted that Bahasa Malaysia was among the world’s top five most important languages.

“There are some who say Bahasa Malaysia is not important, which is an unfair view. There are many people who use the language internationally,” he added. More here

Mr Deputy Minister

By your own admission the current state of our National Language mastery by the Vernacular School going children is poor (by virtue of the “need to improve from primary level”). Not only it is poor, their understanding of the importance of National language is also suspect.

Why the “international usage” justification? Are you implying that languages and in this case OUR National language importance is only tied to it’s international appeal?

How such justification can come from someone representing the Education Ministry is beyond comprehension.

It’s the National Language of the Country, a language that every MyKard carrying individual must master to a certain level of proficiency that allows them to be a Citizen of this country.

Unless you plan to follow the line of thinking that the Majority need to Impress the Bahasa Illiterate Minority

KUALA LUMPUR: Police must master communication skills and languages to enhance interaction when dealing with community problems.

Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said training in such fields was important to avoid any misunderstanding, miscommunication or claims that police were not friendly.

“They (police) must be trained or undergo courses related to communications to enhance their interaction skills when faced with difficult situations and foster goodwill.

“If equipped with such skills, police will know how to handle situation more professionally and what is required of the person who lodged the report. If will help erase any wrong perception of the police,” he told reporters after a roundtable on NKRA For Crime Reduction at Wisma Bernama on Tuesday.

“Just imagine if a Malay police officer spoke to the Chinese in Mandarin when carrying out his duties. This will certainly impress them.” More here

Strange indeed.

Such basic national language skills are clearly missing in some segment of our “Malaysian” community.

How different is this situation we now face with foreign workers?

PETALING JAYA: The sudden dependence on Cambodian maids – due to Indonesia’s freeze on its domestic workers – is not without its problems.

The biggest handicap is language, and many employers of Cambodian maids are having to use “sign language”.

“Employers need to be patient with them,” he said. Go here

And how do we Malaysians should feel when after more than 50 years of being “Malaysians” some people could only utter basic words

“我們希望華裔同胞重視母語教育，不過也須掌握英語及國語，因為我們不能成為單一語文的種族，只懂中文而不懂其他語文。” 蔡細歷還說，最近有一名專科醫生向他表示，很多華裔病人來到醫院或診療所，不懂國語也不懂英語，只懂中文，只會說“Demam“、“Sakit”、“Panas”幾句而已。

“We want Chinese compatriots attention to mother tongue education, but also have to master English and Mandarin, because we can not be a single language in the race, only know Chinese but do not understand other languages.”
Chua also said that recently a specialist told him that many Chinese came to the hospital or clinic patients, did not understand English do not understand Mandarin, only know the Chinese, would only say “Demam”, “Sakit”, “Panas” a few sentence only.
Dr Chua Soi Lek refer here (Translated using Google)

Well Dr Chua,

What about Bahasa Malaysia, the national language of the country in which you were born?

Or are you following the same line of thinking of DAP supremo Mr Lim Kit Siang who in 1969 incited communal hatred

 

Speech by DAP Organising Secretary, Mr. Lim Kit Siang, at the establishment of the Damansara elections Sub-Committee held at the Salak South New Village DAP Branch on Friday, 28th Feb. 1969 at 8p.m.

Last Tuesday, at the opening of the Yoke Nam National Type Primary School, the Assistant Minister of Education, Mr. Lee Siok Yew, said that “the national language should not only be used for lessons in schools, but also at home and in conversations wherever people meet.”

I will like to ask Mr. Lee Siok Yew, and his colleagues in the MCA. Including Dr. Lim Swee Aunn, Mr Khaw Khai Boh, Mr. Michael Chen, Mr. Quek Kai Dong, Mr. Siow Loong Hin, Mr. Chua Song Lim and Mr. Chan Chong Wen, whether they use the National Language at home, when they speak to their parents, wives, children and relatives? I will not ask Tun Tan Siew Sin this question as he does now know a word of Chinese.

I will also like to know from Mr. Lee Siok Yew, whether when in conversation with his MCA colleagues, like Mr. Michael Chen, they speak in the National Language?

Mr. Lee Siok Yew, when he called for the use of the National Language in homes, was trying to implement the UMNO policy of ‘one nation, one language’ in Malaysia. The UMNO fanatics will not permit the other languages free growth, and that is why they do not permit the use of Chinese and other languages in the Parliament, State Assemblies, correspondence with government, public notices, and as a media of instruction and examination in schools.

Ultimately, the UMNO fanatics want to see the end of the Chinese and other languages altogether – so that in public places, shops, homes, only the National Language is used.

Who was it who aided and abetted in the suppression and destruction of the Chinese language, education and culture in Malaysia? The MCA. More here

 

We would also like to suggest to our readers to go through the various speeches of Lim Kit Siang prior to the May 13 incident. That would give you an insight into his thinking and how the issue of language was politicised.

The same eerie scenario will be created against our Noble Satu Sekolah effort.

Ask yourselves fellow Malaysians

How long do we have to be patient with other “Malaysians” who cannot speak our National language?

These basic Nationality requirements have been there but implementation of the Language Board have been poor when dishing out the Malaysian Citizenship to the Pre-Merdeka Immigrants.

Wonder if the Language qualification requirement had been implemented strictly would we be facing this situation that we are in today?

Perhaps we should have gone the French way of paying them to go home.

Under the scheme, Paris will provide each family with a nest egg of €6,000 ($8,000) for when they go back to their country of origin. A similar scheme, which was introduced in 2005 and 2006, was taken up by around 3,000 families.

Hortefeux, who heads up the new “super-ministery” of immigration, integration, national identity and co-development, said he wants to pursue a “firm but humane” immigration policy.

The new ministry was a central pledge in Nicolas Sarkozy’s election campaign, who had warned that France was exasperated by “uncontrolled immigration.”

“To be integrated, you need language skills and a professional activity,” he told RFI, and said he is considering introducing a language test to prospective immigrants. More here

Mmm……a bit too late to consider but A Ministry of National Integration and National Identity would be a welcome addition to the Cabinet.

satD

The Uranus Monkey

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

Salams and Greetings SSS Visitors.

 

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha and Happy Holidays.

 

A bit off topic but did you know that the Holy Kaabah changes its cover once a year?

 

Shaikh Saleh Bin Abdul Rahman Al Hussain, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has handed over the new cover (kiswa) of the holy ka’abah to Abdul Aziz Al Shaibi, senior keeper of the ka’abah .

The holy ka’abah is draped in a new kiswa every year during the Hajj season on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah. This kiswa is made up of three parts: a sitaar (curtain) of the ka’abah door, an inner lining curtain inside the ka’abah and a hizam (belt). It consists of 47 pieces of cloth and each piece is 14 meters long and 101 cm wide and it is wrapped around the ka’abah and fixed to the ground with copper rings.

The kiswa is made of approximately 670kg of pure white silk and it costs more than 20 million Saudi riyals. Skilled craftsmen has embroidered this new cover with gold and silver threads to create calligraphy using verses from the noble Quran.

The holy Ka’abah will be adorned with the new cover on Arafat Day, Dhul-Hijjah 9 and after that it will be washed once more as it was washed before the holy month of Ramadan.

More here

 

As a parting note, allow us to share with you Prophet Muhammad’s Last Sermon delivered during the wukuf of Arafah

 

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the ‘Uranah valley of Mount Arafat’ (in Mecca).
After praising, and thanking Allah he said:

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib (Prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people”.

 

Drive safely everyone and hope that you’ll have a wonderful mid-week break.

In Love With Racism? … Sino-Indo Equation? … in Malaysia?

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PENERANGAN

Kami adalah sekumpulan rakyat yang prihatin (concerned citizens), mahukan perpaduan negara dan munculnya suatu Bangsa Malaysia yang tulen melalui sistem Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua (SSS).

Dalam pada Kempen SSS menonjolkan Bahasa Malaysia sebagai alat menyatu padukan rakyat, laman citra ini pada masa masanya menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris bagi maksud mendapatkan mereka yang ditujukan memahami sepenuhnya pesanan pesanan, penerangan penerangan dan hujah hujah yang dikeluarkan disini.

Pembaca dipersilakan membuat komen didalam Bahasa Malaysia atau Bahasa Inggeris dan Pentadbir SSS akan menjawab didalam bahasa yang digunakan dikomen tersebut. Pendirian dan pandangan kami banyak terdapat dijawapan jawapan kapada komen tersebut.

Dengan kepercayaan bahawa keengganan menggunakan Bahasa Malaysia sebagai bahasa pengantar disekolah sekolah dan dikhalayak ramai adalah diakibatkan kurang faham atau kurang menghormati Perlembagaan negara sepenuhnya, maka perbincangan dilaman citra ini telah diluaskan kapada isu-isu tersebut dalam konteks perpaduan pada keseluruhannya. Harap maklum.

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RENCANA KALI INI

However bad you feel about racism, no need to joke about it in your newspaper. And say, “I have learned to stop worrying and start loving racism”. And he is an opinion maker. Just look at what the writer wrote in the article below.

Then the Malaysian Insider banged Tun Dr Mahathir with the racist label. They exploited what TDM said when explaining his position in relation to Perkasa recently. TDM is racist for more than just Perkasa, said they. See the next article below.

We, of course, disagree. We’ll give our explanations and our views in our replies to comments readers make as we go along in here. Now, before anybody starts accusing us of being TDM lackeys, we state it loud and clear – that we are are not beholden to anybody but ourselves, as concerned citizens wanting unity and the emergence of a united and cohesive Bangsa Malaysia in this country.

Racist accusations, counter-accusations, calling for amendments to Bumi housing discount, even daring to call for the abolition of the 30% Bumi equity target – all these have increased racial polarisation further. In the midst of all these we came across what a writer wrote in Utusan Malaysia months ago – saying “‘Perang besar’ boleh berlaku di Malaysia jika kerajaan gagal menangani isu perkauman yang bebas diperdebatkan secara terbuka sekarang”.

And a few days ago another article appeared in Utusan Malaysia saying the Ministry of Home Affairs should show “signals” to the public not to argue or debate (“pertikai”) the Constitution – the sensitive Clauses, that is. Those that are protected under the Sedition Act.

Then a Sin Chew writer talks about the Sino-India (Indo?) equation in Malaysia. With some 4,000 years of history both China and India have, China especially, has finally made the “Great Leap Forward” – to borrow Mao Zedong’s terminology used during his disastrous economic programme of the 1960s. China prioritises economy instead of democracy, whereas India prioritises democracy, instead of economy, says the writer.

The writer exhorts Malaysia to take the advice of Japanese strategist Kenichi Ohmae that “if Malaysia can take advantage of its strategic location in the region, integrate its multi-racial society, and fully use its advantage of having large Chinese and Indian populations to strengthen relations with the software-based high-technology industries of India on one hand and build a closer tie with the knowledge-intensive industries of China on the other hand, no one will dare to ignore its economic development power by then”.

The key words there are “integrate its multi-racial society”.

Let’s discuss all the above.

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In love with racism

By TAY TIAN YAN
Translated by DOMINIC LOH

My original title for this article should have been Titiwangsa or: How I learned to stop worrying and love racism.

Sounding weird, isn’t it? What the hell is it?

Sorry, I could have got excessively intoxicated by Stanley Kubrick, whose Dr.Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb talked about the narrow nationalism and threats of nuclear bombs during the Cold War era.

Under the influence of his ideological education, an aggressive American general initiated the nuclear warhead to launch attack on Soviet targets, sending the world in utter annihilation.

Nuclear bombs are too dangerous and should not have existed in the first place. But thanks to politics, they had become a tool for the manipulation of world leaders and everyone just fell in love with them.

Kubrick successfully made such a dry and gloomy topic into a comedy, one that the industry has labelled the most outstanding satire ever made in human history.

Even the title of the movie itself became a popular pun during those years. And the same is still applicable in the Malaysian context today. For instance, Namewee should perhaps write another song titled : How I learned to stop saying “Nah” and sing “Hallelujah,” while Encik Jamal should rephrase his words: How I learned to stop saying Chinese education is bullshit and love the Dongjiaozhong.

Going a bit too far, right? What I’m supposed to talk about here is actually our Encik Johari.

I checked with the “Johari: We don’t need Chinese and Indian votes” on Youtube and found that the clip has been visited more than 300,000 times, a whole lot more than Namewee’s “Nah!”

Johari has apologised twice, but he also said the clip was altered and fabricated by some ill-intentioned people and that he had never been a racist himself, adding that Titiwangsa Umno indeed needed Chinese and Indian votes more now than ever.

Since he was no racist, and that the video clip had been altered and fabricated, it was indeed too harsh on him to get him apologise two times.

Why on earth has someone publicised speeches supposedly held behind closed doors, and why did people choose to hold two by-elections at such a timing?

Why Ahmad Ismail did not need to apologise back then, and Johari needed to do it twice?

Why could people sing racism loudly in the past, but even doing it behind closed doors now is strictly forbidden?

Time has changed. Yes, people are getting more intelligent and ballots become important now. Racism has been given a new, politically correct definition.

People used to stay away from racist talks, but now the same can become a topic to joke about.

So, I have learned to stop worrying and start loving racism.

Sin Chew Daily

MySinchew 2010.11.03

http://www.mysinchew.com/node/47567

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Dr M dubbed racist for more than just Perkasa — The Malaysian Insider
November 02, 2010

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today wondered why he is being regarded a racist for his association with Perkasa, the Malay rights group.

The former prime minister defended his links with the Datuk Ibrahim Ali vehicle, saying he wanted to ensure Perkasa would continue to support the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election.

The author of the one-time controversial “The Malay Dilemma” also said he could have been a racist a while ago but it did not happen.

“I had at one time the opportunity and power to be a real Malay racist. But I won elections with strong non-Malay support. In fact in 1999 it was Chinese support which gave me my two-thirds majority.

“I was obviously not regarded as a racist then (except of course by the DAP). So why am I regarded as a racist now when all I want to do is to ensure Malay support for Barisan Nasional parties, especially Umno,” the blunt politician asked in posting at his popular blog.

To be fair to the country’s fourth prime minister, there is nothing wrong in ensuring support for BN and in particular Umno. After all he was the founding president of Umno Baru in 1988. Not the original Umno born in 1946 but declared illegal in 1988 after one of its most divisive party elections.

No, Dr Mahathir can exercise the freedom of association enshrined in the Federal Constitution. As the rest of Malaysia can with any party that they support.

But no one is labelling Dr Mahathir a racist because of his association with the likes of Ibrahim, the maverick politician who says he has friends from across all Malaysian communities.

No, not for that. It is probably is due to comments Dr Mahathir has made since Election 2008. Among which is at a meeting in May 2008 where he flashed the race card, warning the Malays that they stood to lose much in the new political environment where the non-Malays were unafraid to make demands.

“If we don’t speak up, if we choose to keep quiet, we will lose our rights and the other races will take over,” he told some 1,000 people at a gathering in Johor Baru then.

Dr Mahathir had asked the audience whether anyone of them had read the memorandum forwarded by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) to the government. “What does it say? Malaysia for Malaysians! This is the reality of the present situation. If we do not speak up, if we choose to keep quiet, we will lose our rights and the other races will take over. When that happens, it will be like Singapore. Do you think we will still have control?” he pondered.

If anything, the man who coined the term Bangsa Malaysia in his Vision 2020 document “The Way Forward” in 1991 has moved to the right. Not because of Perkasa but even before Perkasa was a thought in the mind of Ibrahim.

The other reason is also simple. Perkasa and its sympathisers including Dr Mahathir have consistently tried to hijack the national discourse by saying that non-Malays are threatening Article 153 which contains 10 clauses.

The first clause simply reads “It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article.”

No one has questioned the clause but Perkasa and others have taken umbrage and have vowed to defend it.

In fact the tactic is interesting as Perkasa and supporters love to stigmatise words and phrases such as meritocracy,

Dr Mahathir is one of them. On August 24, his post “Is Meritocracy Racist” contained these lines: “What we are seeing today is not a campaign against racism but a campaign by racists against racists. The meritocrats are as much racists as the Malay NGOs, and Perkasa.

“Incidentally by writing this I know the meritocrat racists will condemn me as racist. So be it,” he said emphatically.

So, if non-Malays now cast Dr Mahathir as a racist, it is because he is unrecognisable from the Malaysian leader who once talked about Bangsa Malaysia and meritocracy and about the crutch mentality among Malays.

Not because he is friendly to Perkasa.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/breakingviews/article/dr-m-dubbed-racist-for-more-than-just-perkasa-the-malaysian-insider/

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ARKIB : 18/08/2010

Benar, ‘perang besar’ boleh berlaku di Malaysia

Oleh ZAINI HASSAN

GAGASAN 1Malaysia cukup menarik. Ia dapat mengelakkan ‘perang besar’ sebagaimana kebimbangan Mufti Perak, Tuan Guru Harrussani Zakaria walaupun malam tadi beliau tiba-tiba menukar perkataan perang kepada perkataan ‘heboh’, saya merasakan magnitudenya adalah sama.

‘Perang besar’ boleh berlaku di Malaysia jika kerajaan gagal menangani isu perkauman yang bebas diperdebatkan secara terbuka sekarang.

Kita tidak perlu bercakap mengenai tragedi 13 Mei 1969, kerana itu hanyalah konflik melibatkan kegelisahan kaum atau social unrest yang kecil sahaja. Kini kita bercakap mengenai ‘perang besar’ yang boleh meletus, jika keadaan gagal dikawal (oleh kerajaan).

Pelbagai pihak kini sedang membakar semangat antara satu kaum dengan kaum yang lain. Ia termasuklah cubaan untuk menukar Perlembagaan Malaysia sekarang kepada satu Perlembagaan yang baru.

Apakah cubaan itu dilakukan kerana pihak-pihak tertentu itu merasakan mereka sudah cukup besar kepala? Apakah cubaan itu dilakukan kerana mereka merasakan kerajaan yang ada sekarang akan tumbang dua tahun lagi?

Jika benar wujudnya dokumen seperti itu, maka benarkan andaian itu. Ini kerana mereka terlalu yakin mereka boleh memerintah kerana pegangan politik Melayu yang dibela oleh Perlembagaan lama, semakin luntur dan mulai terhakis.

Satu lakaran baru Perlembagaan Malaysia perlu ditulis cepat bagi menggantikan Perlembagaan lama yang mereka anggap lapuk sebagai persiapan seandainya mereka memerintah kelak. Mereka mahu melukis semula Perlembagaan atas nama sama-rata dan mengeluarkan istilah kontrak sosial, agama Islam – dan mungkin kedudukan raja-raja Melayu – yang bunyinya bagi mereka terlalu kolot?

Harussani yang mendedahkan kewujudan Perlembagan baru itu menjelaskan: ”Perlembagan baru itu menyisihkan hak-hak orang Melayu dan juga Islam yang dijamin dalam Perlembagaan sekarang.”

Orang yang mempunyai idea ini cukup berbahaya. Kerajaan harus menanganinya, jika ia terbukti benar, bagi mengelakkan tercetusnya ‘perang besar’. Saya, kita dan semua rakyat Malaysia terlalu takut untuk menghadapi situasi ‘perang besar’ itu. Tiada tempat yang boleh saya lari jika tercetusnya ‘perang besar’ itu. Bolehkah saya lari ke Singapura, Australia atau New Zealand? Saya tiada sesiapa di situ, apatah lagi tanah sekangkang kera.

Jika ia berlaku, maka ia akan tetap berlaku. Hanya Tuhan Yang Maha Esa sahaja yang akan menentukan nasib negara ini. Jika itu yang Dia mahukan, maka jadilah ‘perang besar’.

Tapi, siapa yang akan untung jika berlaku ‘perang besar’ itu. Orang Melayu, Cina, India atau Pribumi lain? Sekali lagi hanya Dia sahaja Yang Maha Mengetahuinya.

Malaysia sebenarnya dibentuk oleh satu denominasi yang berbeza. Bukan satu, tapi membabitkan pelbagai kaum dan warna kulit serta anutan kepercayaan yang berlainan.

Sukar untuk membentuknya untuk menjadi satu denominasi yang unggul. Usaha ke arah itu sedang dilakukan melalui gagasan 1Malaysia. Mungkin akan tercapai 50 ke 100 tahun lagi, bukan semalaman sebagaimana kepercayaan kebanyakan orang sekarang?

Bangsa Amerika mengambil masa selama 250 tahun untuk melantik seorang yang berkulit hitam sebagai Presiden mereka. Tapi ada syaratnya juga. Orang berkulit hitam itu haruslah seorang yang beragama sama dengan kaum dominan kulit putih. Bolehkah Presiden Amerika seorang yang beragama Islam, misalnya? Mungkin boleh, tapi ia memerlukan 250 tahun lagi?

Kaum Arab, walau macam mana sekali pun mereka berperang mereka masih Arab – satu bahasa, satu agama mungkin sedikit berbeza dari segi aliran mazhab. Begitu juga dengan bangsa Jepun, China dan India. Walaupun mereka bergaduh sekalipun mereka masih merupakan satu denominasi yang unggul, sama warna kulit dan yang penting sama agama.

Tapi, di Malaysia ia berbeza. Melayu, Cina dan India dengan majoritinya (setakat ini masih) Melayu hidup dalam satu negara. Jika kerajaan yang dipimpin oleh majoriti itu kuat, ia hanya boleh mengharmonikan keadaan sahaja. Itu pun jika majoriti itu dapat diterima oleh sesama majoritinya yang lain.

Selama beberapa dekad ini Malaysia cukup harmoni. Melayu, Cina dan India serta Pribumi lain hidup dengan harmoni kerana majoriti yang memimpin mereka itu kuat. Namun, sejak kebelakangan ini situasinya sudah berbeza. Ada golongan mahu menangguk di air keruh setelah melihat sistem pertahanan golongan majoriti itu mulai melayu.

Masing-masing mula mahu menegakkan hak masing-masing. Mereka mahu lebih. Masing-masing mahu kelihatan mereka itu dominan. Kaum Y berkompromi dengan Kaum Z untuk menjatuhkan Kaum X bagi membolehkan, mungkin, Kaum Y menguasai negara ini. Jika Kaum Y tidak berkuasa pun mereka mahu diberi peranan yang lebih lagi.

Maka itu, pelbagai taktik halus yang cukup strategik sedang dirangka secara teliti untuk membolehkan cita-cita itu dicapai. Rakyat harus dikelirukan. Kaum X,Y dan Z harus dikelirukan. Golongan majoriti yang terkeliru itu kini tercari-cari ranting untuk berpaut. Jika mereka merasakan Kaum Y itu kuat maka majoriti yang sudah minoriti itu akan menyambarnya.

Amat malang sekali kaum majoriti yang kuat satu ketika dulu kerana keupayaannya dapat mengharmonikan X,Y,Z tadi tiba-tiba menjadi minoriti. Mereka sudah berpecah-pecah. Malah ada yang sudah berani dan terbuka mempersendakan dasar DEB yang dibuat khusus untuk kaum majoriti itu dulu!

Tapi persoalan besarnya sekarang, apakah kaum yang dikalahkan tadi akan berdiam diri? Apakah pada ketika itu situasi yang kita semua tidak mahu ia berlaku, akan berlaku?

Benar, ‘perang besar’ boleh berlaku di Malaysia, nauzubillah…

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0818&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_10.htm&arc=hive

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KDN perlu tunjuk ‘isyarat’ jangan pertikai lagi Perlembagaan — Utusan Malaysia
November 01, 2010

Apabila Sultan Perak, Sultan Selangor, Sultan Johor dan beberapa Putera Raja-raja Melayu melahirkan kebimbangan terhadap usaha pihak tertentu membangkitkan isu kandungan Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan mempertikaikan kontrak sosial, sampai hari ini ia masih diperkatakan.

Baru-baru ini hasil Mesyuarat Majlis Raja- Raja kali ke-222 yang berlangsung di Istana Negara pada 13 dan 14 Oktober lalu, Raja-raja sepakat menyuarakan kebimbangan mereka.

Trend politik semasa di negara ini yang dilihat sedang meniup angin perkauman dan mencabar kedaulatan Perlembagaan negara amat-amat dipandang berat.

Kelmarin, Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja- Raja, Engku Tan Sri Ibrahim Engku Ngah dalam kenyataannya berkata Raja-Raja Melayu berpegang bahawa kontrak sosial yang telah dipersetujui ini merupakan watikah yang menjadi asas kepada keadilan sosial di negara ini yang merangkumi cita-cita bagi mencapai hasrat pembahagian ekonomi secara adil.

Sejak Mac 2008 lagi, akibat nafsu untuk berkuasa, perkara-perkara dalam kontrak sosial tiba-tiba dijadi modal politik untuk ditukar ganti. Jelas pemimpin-pemimpin yang membangkit perkara sensitif ini tidak peduli kefahaman rakyat yang selama lebih 50 tahun telah memahami dan menghayati sejarah pembentukan negara dan Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang diasaskan kepada kontrak sosial.

Tetapi sekelip mata mereka cuba mengapi-apikan rakyat supaya menyokong perjuangan mereka untuk berkuasa supaya dapat mengubah dan meminda kandungan Perlembagaan Persekutuan terutama mengenai perkara-perkara menyentuh agama Islam, kedudukan Raja-Raja Melayu, orang Melayu dan bahasa Melayu.

Sebagaimana telah ditegaskan oleh Datuk Seri Najib Razak ketika memberi ucapan dasar Presiden pada Perhimpunan Agung Umno Ke-61 lalu, bahawa Perlembagaan Persekutuan tidak boleh dipinda sesuka hati tanpa mendapat perkenan Majlis Raja-raja.

Kini Majlis Raja-raja meluahkan rasa hati masing-masing akan perkembangan politik dalam negara yang dilihat amat membimbangkan.

Majlis Raja-raja juga memandang serius kewujudan jenayah yang dikategorikan sebagai jenayah berat, yang boleh mengancam keselamatan, ketenteraman dan imej negara.

Usaha Kerajaan Persekutuan untuk menyatupadukan rakyat berbilang kaum berlandaskan semangat yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan mungkin sia-sia jika peruntukan negara tidak dihormati.

Hakikatnya, pihak tertinggi pentadbiran negara iaitu Majlis Raja-raja sudah menyuarakan pandangan mereka. Perdana Menteri dan pemimpin Barisan Nasional juga sudah berpuluh kali diseru supaya mengambil tindakan serius terhadap penghasut ketenteraman negara.

Tidak sukar untuk mengenal pasti siapa yang memanaskan bara perkauman dan mempertikai Perlembagaan negara. Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) pasti tahu siapa mereka.

Kini hanya pihak berkuasa yang berada di bawah KDN perlu menunjukkan ‘isyarat’ kepada pihak tertentu supaya hentikan mainan api perkauman dan menyebar dakyah memburuk-burukkan Perlembagaan negara.

Tidak perlu kita mengajar apakah tindakan yang patut diambil ke atas individu yang cuba mempertikai dan menghina Perlembagaan apatah lagi kuasa Majlis Raja-raja.

Jangan biarkan api perkauman terus dibiar membara. Bertindaklah demi kesejahteraan negara dan rakyat sebelum nasi menjadi bubur. — Utusan Malaysia

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The Sino-Indo equation in the Malaysian future

By LIM MUN FAH
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

China and India are ancient civilisations, and from AD1 to AD1820, they were the world’s two largest economies.

However, Western countries have dominated the world over the past few hundred years while China and India suffered a long-term decline. China was humiliated by the invasion launched by the Eight-Nation Alliance while India had become a British colony. The peoples of China and India had experienced the plight of being weak nations.

When we talked about the economic powers of merely 30 years ago, not many people would think about China and India. At that time, China was half dead after being ruined by the chaotic Cultural Revolution while India was then a synonym for the words meaning poor, dirty, chaotic and backward.

But the situation has change. Today, despite the serious gap between rich and poor, Chinese dragons and Indian elephants have become the most representative symbols of rapid economic growth.

The world has changed and Asia has risen. China and India are now back to the world stage and listed as among the four major world powers, alongside the United States and the European Union. It is an undeniable fact that world has undergone a great power shift towards the East.

The economies of China and India have been rapidly growing over the past 30 years. The two ancient civilisations used to have many similar experiences but they have chosen two totally different paths to achieve modernisation.

China has a one-party dictatorship governmental system. Although it lacks a democratic system, it has chosen a path that prioritises economy instead of democracy.

As for India, it pursues the democratic electoral system, and is known as the world’s largest democratic country. It is a typical model of a country that prioritises democracy, instead of economy.

The two giant ancient Asian civilisations pursuing two different systems have actually got rid of decline together and with different approaches, they are not now riding high on the road of prosperity. It is a competition between two different systems, as well as a kind of demonstration for the Third World. It is certainly something good for the promotion of world and stability.

Some people are worried that the simultaneous rise of two powers might trigger new conflicts. It is indeed an experience of human history, but it is not a necessity. After the World War II, Europe countries have basically maintained zero war and the long-term peace had guaranteed their prosperity and progress. If the Europeans are able to do it, why can’t Asians?

For Malaysia, the rise of China and India is a great opportunity. Renowned Japanese strategist Kenichi Ohmae pointed out that if Malaysia can take advantage of its strategic location in the region, integrate its multi-racial society, and fully use its advantage of having large Chinese and Indian populations to strengthen relations with the software-based high-technology industries of India on one hand and build a closer tie with the knowledge-intensive industries of China on the other hand, no one will dare to ignore its economic development power by then.

Yes, the opportunity may be fleeting and it all depends on us to grasp it!

Sin Chew Daily

MySinchew 2010-10-29

http://www.mysinchew.com/node/47341