Friday, July 31, 2009

Three Issues)

Jangan Pandang Depan : Starring Supreme Star Semi Value
Semi Value said that “ MIC had checked and discovered that the problem involving the sale of the Kg.Pala village for development - which resulted in the villagers being forced to evict only surfaced after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng became chief minister. He went on to say that he is willing to go to the Andaman’s if it is for an Indian cause! Wow what a true hero of the marginalized Indians. Why Andaman, why not Nicobar Island (check why I said Nicobar Island). He further said the party has deposited the RM3.2 million premium for the return of the affected land with the party's lawyers and when the land is hand over to the Kampung Buah Pala villagers, the payment would be forwarded to the state government. Why is he giving the money to the state government? Shouldn’t he be talking to the UMNO owned developers? Why he is raising this issue only now yet the Kg.Pala issue was ongoing for a long time during the KPI Minister tenure as CM. Confusing…confusing!
Bollywood in the making. One group of about 100 people was led by Pakatan Rakyat heavyweights such as Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran and Perak executive councillor A Sivanesan marched towards MIC HQ to meet Vel Pariah ( MAIKA Chairman aka Raising Star, the savior and son of the one and only supreme hero Semi Value, ala bollywood movies i.e Super Star, Supreme Star) .Macam biasa lah Tamil Movie our heroes were confronted by the baddies and a scuffle took place. Some 300 MIC members or possibly hired thugs rushed to Vel Pariah’s rescue led by the upcoming “Little Superstar” Youth national coordinator T Mohan - with banners demanding for an explanation on the Kampung Buah Pala land issue in Penang. Aiyo…MIC lu panggil itu orang mari nak cerita sama dia pasal MAIKA lepas itu lu lepaskan anjing jalanan, kenapa ini? Our dear opposition aka pakatan, why does it take you guys this long to raise this issue as I remember Kula telling the Indians that he’ll take legal proceedings against MAIKA and that was some two years ago! Why raise the flag now? Politics Kah? I only blame the Indian for electing this Semi Value as their Supreme Leader for this wayang!

Teoh Beng Hock
The death of Teoh, 30, on July 16 outside Plaza Masalam, following interrogation for 10 hours by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has raised concern among many Malaysians. The inquest into the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock was postponed to 5th Aug and his death was classified as "sudden death" by the police. Wonder why? His death is surrounded with many unanswered questions; what was he doing after the interrogation by MACC, why is that his hand phone was still with MAAC official after his interrogation and the position of the body after the fall also raised suspicions. People used to die during police custody but now they are also dying while MACC investigation. There were call by various parties for and against MACC and the police. Last year in Parliament, Wan Ahmad Farid, then deputy home minister, told the Dewan Rakyat that there were 1,535 deaths in prisons, rehabilitation and detention centres between 2003 and 2007, averaging 383.75 deaths per year. Meanwhile, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the past prime minister, admitted that 108 persons died in police custody between 2000 and 2006, the majority of whom were Indians and Kugan was one of them! So what are we as Malaysian going to do about this?

ISA
There are two set of protestors one for and another against the Internal Security Act (ISA) and they are determined that their respective rallies will proceed on Saturday ( 1st August 09) a direct defiance of a police order.
The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI by its Malay abbreviation) and Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris) separately said today that they are going ahead with their gatherings despite a police warning yesterday. GMI president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said his movement will not attend a meeting with the police today as requested as it would not make any difference if we meet the police because they have already issued a warning.
Pewaris deputy president II Rahimuddin Md Harun stressed that his movement intends to defend Malays and the nation by standing up for the security law. Wonder what ISA got to do with Malay rights and its sovereign! He said that the police are not the ones who should decide what is best for the country and does he thinks he does? I agree at least to this one.
GMI represents more than 83 NGOs, political parties, student bodies, women’s rights groups and human rights organisations. Pewaris represents 12 Malay NGOs. What does this tell you?
Another wayang by Gerakan Youth whom failed to submit a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to call for the removal of the Internal Security Act led by its leader Lim Si Pin as they had not informed their intention to the palace officials earlier. Gerakan Youth, which had originally planned to participate in an anti-ISA rally tomorrow, decided to submit the memorandum today as it was pulling out of the rally. No “telur” kot or was it not part of their KPI? Jangan buat-buat pandai tapi keluar bodoh ( don’t pretend to be smart but come out stupid).

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Open Letter to Dr.M

I read this mail in Malaysiakini addressed to Tun Dr.Mahathir, an interesting mail.

Dear Tun Mahathir,

I refer to Tun’s article entitled ‘Walk in the Shoes’ written on the July 20, 2009 on Tun’s website. Allow me to share my opinion with regards to what had been written by Tun.
2. I believe the questioner perceived that non-Malays are feeling very oppressed and disappointed with the “injustice” against them in Malaysia (by a government that is controlled by Malays). The non Malays have strong reasons for feeling very oppressed and disappointed with the injustice towards them in Malaysia. In fact non-Malay bumiputera specifically the Orang Asli and Sabah and Sarawak bumiputeras also share the same feeling as they too were not given the same treatment as the Malays whereas they are the original inhabitants of this country. How many non-Malay bumiputera were accepted into the government sectors and government owned corporations like Petronas?
3. I do not know if this questioner ever asked non-Malay luminaries the same question that is the feeling of Malays as to the state of their ancestors’ country that they have now become a race that relatively speaking are the poorest and still lagging behind.
Tun, the keywords here are ‘the poorest and lagging behind’ and that means irrespective of race, Malay or non-Malay. If aid had been given to those who are deserving and in need without taking into account race, skin colour and religion and it was found that the majority of the deserving poor are Malays, it would have been well received by all. No one will question such a policy. It is only wrong to create a purpose and then systematically misuse a policy to provide priorities to a particular race without taking into account the merit and need. In fact if such a policy is implemented - by taking into account needs and merits in deciding the distribution of aid, the majority of the Malays will automatically receive the benefits.
It has been more than 30 years the NEP has been implemented and there are still many Malays who are poor and lagging behind. Does this not give an indication that the NEP has failed in its implementation and that something drastic needs to be done? The gap between the poor and the rich keeps increasing where wealth is only directed to a group of Chinese, Indian and Malay individuals. When you were in power, you gave many lucrative contracts to your non-Malay friends and some of them went to become among the richest individuals in Malaysia. Why didn’t you give the contracts to Malays back then? If you did, what happened to them?
And by using the argument that the richest individuals in Malaysia are from those who are non- Malays, Tun presumed that it is all right to continue the NEP by giving priority to the Malays and punishing the non-Malays who are poor and lagging behind? Is not the original intention of the NEP to help all who are poor and in need of economic aid regardless of race? Since when has the NEP been exclusively reserved for the Malays only?
Oh yes, is it not according to anthropological and historical studies, that most of the Malays in Malaysia and their ancestors actually originated from Indonesia, Thailand and India? Even from China? So their ancestors’ country is actually not Malaysia, just like mine? For example yourself, Tun.
4. If he were to ask and the luminary answered sincerely, he will find that the Malays are most disappointed with their relative poverty that they are forced to keep asking all the time and also lagged in various fields. Does it mean that with the existence of the NEP for more than 30 years now (almost reaching 40 years actually), the Malays have truly progressed and no longer lagging behind in various fields? Has it ever been pondered that the number of Malays who have progressed and no longer lagged behind had increased is due to the lowering of the yardstick or standard as well as the quota given by the government to enable them to be accepted for participation in specific fields? Is this to be regarded as an achievement to be proud of? Isn’t that self deceiving?
5. They try to convince themselves they are masters in their own country but they know that actually they are not masters. The non-Malays are the true masters. Is it so very important for the Malays or the non-Malays who are all Malaysian citizens to be jostling to be the true masters? Why are Malay Political leaders like Tun so obsessed with the mission to be ‘masters’? Tun was almost correct by saying (only very few) non-Malays are the true masters even after 30 years of the NEP being used to give priorities to the Malays. The question then, how could this happen?
The Malays have been helming the country through Umno. Priority is given to Malays in business, economy, education, job opportunities and etc. through the NEP, yet the ones who become lords are a handful of non Malays? How can this possibly happen? Is that not strange and weird? Whereas those in power are the Malays and policies involving important sectors gave priorities to the Malays?
And Tun, please rectify the misleading statement ‘non-Malays are the true masters’ by adding ‘a few’ in the front. I am a non-Malay and I do not feel at all that I am master.
6. Because they are willing to share their country with other races, the race that originates from much more ancient civilisation (4,000 years old) and who are more successful, today what little that they still have is being removed from them.
Tun, please clarify ‘what little that they still have is being removed from them’. This statement is very confusing and irresponsible. Priorities set aside for the Malays and the Sabah and Sarawak bumiputera are enshrined in the constitution and no one can change or amend those facts except with the power of 2/3 of the parliament. What that is frequently disputed here is the lack of fair treatment and implementation that veered from its real provisions as well as the tendencies of political leaders who attempt to twist existing facts according to their distorted interpretations for their own selfish interests.
7. Think only of the New Economic Policy (NEP). Corporate wealth distribution in the NEP is 30% for bumiputera (even though they are 60% of the population) and 40% for other races as well as 30% for foreigners. But after 39 years of effort, the portion that is with them is only 20%, while the portion that is with the other races is almost 50%, even though they form only 26% of the total population.
Thank you for sharing this statistics, Tun. This clearly proves that, the NEP policy implemented all these years has failed terribly! If it had been implemented regardless of race but looked only at needs, undoubtedly those who will benefit the most would be the Malays as most of them are poor and from them who make up ‘60% of the population’. Why is Tun still tenaciously defending the NEP implementation that has failed and only benefits very few individuals?

In line with Tun’s logic (twisting statistics to support arguments and making it into a believable ‘fact’), I am a third generation inhabitant in Malaysia, just like Tun. Why can’t I obtain the same treatment as that received by Tun? I have no statistics of non-Malay citizens born in Malaysia who are the third, the fourth generation compared to ‘Malays’ who immigrated to Malaysia, lived here for less than 3 generations but received the same treatment as the original inhabitants. For example, Khir Toyo? Syed Hamid Albar? Many foreign citizens in Sabah possess MyKad and the ‘Malay Bumiputera’ status? Statistically (referring to the number of years living in Malaysia), I am definitely more qualified to receive ‘better’ treatment than them, right?
I believe the statement that corporate wealth distribution of 30% for the bumiputeras is not very accurate; instead 30 % for Umnoputra is more accurate. The total membership of Umno is less than two million and this means that this 30% corporate wealth distribution is savoured by Umnoputra – who represent but only 7 % of the Malaysian population. Agree?
Additionally, is it the fault of the non-Malays that they were brought here and multiplied here? Why must the ‘blunder’ done by other people (the British) be borne by the non-Malays, particularly new generations like me? Non-Malays do not have the option but to serve and pledge allegiance to Malaysia and what is requested is fair and equal treatment as has been provided for them in the constitution. That is all, Tun.
Read more: http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/109151

We Conquered Balik Pulau

I am not going to write about politics as it is all screwed in Malaysia under Najib and his 1 Malaysia concept. So for a change I am going to write how I build the 1 Malaysia principle my way! Read on.
I got up early receiving a SMS from Zul ( a malay), one of our Bike Pusher Gang member( we are not an illegal gang but a group of bike enthusiast) saying that he is unable to join us today as his 'home minitry' rejected his application for the ride even though he was one of the schemer for today’s trail! Well I was at the meeting point first, Dinas Nasi Kandar Restaurant and saw two other riders from another group namely Pak Cik (Malay) and another guy. Slowly one by one of my team mebers came and we were ready and equally excited to explore a new path suggested by Yazid (Malay) as he experienced this trail during his birthday bash thrown by his ex-colleagues some time back. Not sure why he planned this path yet all of us were gearing to go. It was Yazid, Tee, Arthur, Sufian, Fauzi, Idris, KB, Suri , Malik and I left Dinas around 7.30am (truely Malaysians). We set with Yazid taking the lead as he brought along his brand new bike, very “changih” one and must be expensive too! I didn’t noticed his bike until Sufian pointed out to us as Yazid’s glaring jersey was overwhelming and overshadowing his bike.
Anyway we set off taking the quarry trail which was okay for a while but it started to go uphill and as usual some of us were struggling but not Yazid still leading the pack followed by the rest. Sufian as usual the slow starter but would catch up and overtake everyone after a while which indeed happened today too. It was a difficult uphill ride and to save guard the sanction of our team name ( Bike Pushers) I did the honour of getting off the bike and start pushing followed by KB. Yazid fell back to look up for us and Idris is one dude who will share his experience and provide tips on how to upgrade the bike or cycle uphill or downhill. He was with KB for a while until I decided to take over partnering KB not that I am a good coach or what but just an excuse to find a pushing partner and to release Idris from the agony of being slow because of us. Thanks Idris for taking time to join us and to share your experience with us. (Really appreciate it buddy).
Midway on top of the hill we took a lot of photos and moved on till we came down an orchard path which was great ride leading to the main road. I did not where I was yet just followed the rest until someone said "go left" and as soon as I hit the main road…boy was it an uphill trail for kilometers. It was not an easy ride for me as I was trailing back from the rest and guess who was leading the pack now…the one and only champion...Arthur Leh. The team were divided into three groups now with Team A consist of Arthur, Tee, Sufian, Malik and Idris,Suri, Fauzi and Yazid in team B and the last pack by KB and myself or something in that order. After a lot of struggle we reached the midway point of the scenic view of Balik Pulau, really breath taking! After resting for while to catch up with our breath the fun ride began as we rode downhill and this was a sheer excitement to all of us but it was short lived as the pack stopped and took a right turn from the main road to my disappointment. We stopped by a narrow mud road trail took photos again and moved down the trail. It was a very steep down ride with sharp bends yet all fun for all of us. Finally we reached Balik Pulau and sat for our breakfast at a food court and we rewarded ourselves with a hearty breakfast and I ate 2 chapatis, one vadai and one Teh O Ais. It was a sumptuous breakfast to me and we talked for a while and finally decided to move on. I remember Yazid saying it’s going to be a smooth ride back to Bayan Baru or Sungai Ara and even said that we’ll do about 35KM per hour. I was thinking yeah right 35KM an hour! We headed back without Idris as he is meeting his other half for breakfast and going on to Telok Bahang for durian feista. We said good bye to our Sifu and hit the main road. That reminded me of a chat that I had with Arthur and came to understand why he has so much of energy compared to the rest of us. It is because of his daily secret trainings alone at night to 'Karpet'! Yes, you read it right, it was to Karpet (peak in Sg.Ara hill). Would I go alone to Karpet at night alone…holly cow no way man! I also heard something to this effect that Tee and Sufian requesting Arthur to inform them of his secret night rides. Count me out on this one guys to Karpet at night! Anyway we took the Kampung way back and saw a young Malay bo by the road side looking at us passing by and I gave him an army salute and he saluted back.
Later it started to go uphill and uphill and uphill for kilometers after kilometers nonstop and along the way we met other riders with whom we exchanged greetings. It was not as difficult as Karpet but it was slow and painful long ride back home. There were a lot of road works that was going on and we need to stop from time to time to allow vehicles from the opposite direction to pass by. It took a while to reach the peak to hit downhill and all of a sudden KB disappeared from my view as he joined the rest of the group leaving me all alone to be the last member of the pack ! It was some 90 minutes ride on our return to Bayan Lepas and we stopped near the Sri Setia Project for a drink at someone’s stall that Arthur knew. Malik suggested that we go for another uphill ride by the Sri Setia project for which no one responded, and I said something to this effect 'cukup lah kawan torture untuk hari ini'. So we said our goodbyes for the day and went back to our respective homes to nurse the pains and aches! In summary the trip was fun-pain-fun-pain with pleasant memories. Looking forward for next Saturday for this same route not for the challenge but for my chapathi & vadai in Balik Pulau! There you go, Najib and BN, you do not have to spend milion of our rakyats' money on publicity stunts but just honest and truthful policies that will bring all the various races together towards nation building. Think about it Najib as I did not spend millions.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Bukit Cina vs Kg.Buah Pala

I read this interesting article from MT by Naragan and only sharing for your reading pleasure and conclusion.
"Politicians will always be politicians. They can say anything that suit their purpose for the moment and then switch willy nilly when the tables turn. See what Guan Eng had to say about Bukit Cina and compare that with what he is doing with Kampung Buah Pala. This was in a speech titled:
‘Vision 2020 Of Malaysia Being A Developed Nation Will Not Succeed If There Is No Clean Government, No Balanced Growth, No Human Resource Development And No Equitable Distribution Of Economic Benefits’
At The Save Bukit Cina 20th Anniversary Dinner on Nov 28, 2004
He said “…..(Malacca, Sunday): DAP’s success in saving Bukit China from being demolished by the then BN and MCA in 1984 shows the importance of preserving important cultural and historical heritage over development projects for the sake of private gain. Both BN and MCA saw only ringgit signs when they proposed leveling the oldest Chinese cemetery in Malaysia to build houses, shophouses and shopping complexes.”
Naragan's comment: See the hypocrisy in his words. What we are now saying about Kampung Buah Pala and about the move to level the only remaining Indian Heritage Village in Penang is that it is a heritage location and must remain so for all of posterity. But does he care? He seems to be more interested in pleasing his investor benefactors all in the name of the ringgit signs he talks about.

He continues “…..Unlike BN and MCA who may see ringgit signs in the largest piece of available land in the centre of Melaka town, DAP and the people of Melaka saw 3 important links in preserving Bukit China namely:
· cultural and historical heritage not only for the Chinese community but also as an important mark of friendship between Chinese and Malays when Princess Hang Li Po married the Melaka Sultan;
· environment heritage in providing a green lung that made Melaka a more natural and livable area for residents apart from helping to maintain its historical atmosphere; and
· an important tourist site that attract foreign tourists and revenue helping Melaka’s economy.

Naragan's comment : So is Penang different from Melaka that the logic does not apply, or is it because it is Indian heritage that the logic does not apply because the Indians are too powerless to matter, or it is because he is now Chief Minister and the logic does not apply any more. Everything of what he said about Bukit Cina applies to Kampung Buah Pala but that does not matter anymore.
In that same speech he goes on to say “…It is indeed shocking how UMNO Kota Melaka can be allowed to owe quit rent for 25 years of RM 83,701.15 and UMNO Jasin allowed to owe cukai pintu for 18 years of RM 83,701.15 without any action taken. In contrast there have been cases where private landowners who owe only 2 years in quit rent have their land confiscated by the state government. UMNO and MCA should be ashamed for not respecting the law even though they are the government.”

Naragan's comment: We are saying that there is fraud involved in the sale of land not owned by Penang State to a private developer. But he chose to totally ignore this point as it will instantly make the sale null and void. This will turn the whole picture around – something he is clearly showing he does not want to do now. Which bigwig is he trying to protect like UMNO in Melaka? Guan Eng should be ashamed for not respecting the law even though he is the government, by not taking action on such fraudulent activity within his Government.There seems to be a very clever and silent conspiracy involved in this multimillion ringgit deal - between some bigwig developer, the state administrators through their cooperative and Guan Eng.

All his arguments that he cannot do anything other than pay compensation to the Villagers do not hold water as he is nowhere near exhausting all the options available. He has held his position steadfastly reiterating like a parrot that he could not do anything against a federal court order, as if that was what we are asking him to do. He is playing very dumb here. This is a very well disguised dumbness for all I care.
His argument that this sale will affect investor confidence is utter nonsense as the instability that will be caused by any move to raze the village is much, much more and he fully well knows that, which is why he is in such a hurry to sweep the problem away, by teasing the Villagers and offering the Villagers compensation for their land.
His argument about the precedence this will create is just more rubbish – this is the kind of precedence any government will want to set, which touts Competency, Transparency and Accountability as its operating philosophy.
He says this will create precedence for other people who have been cheated of their land to lay legitimate claim of ownership to the land and cause trouble for developers and investors in the process. In the first place he won the Chief Ministership on the promise that he will champion the people's cause against such treachery. But what do we get, more old wine in new bottles.
In summary, Guan Eng should stop his antics, should stop trying to fool the people and come clean and save the village or he and his DAP will face the same ignominous doom as UMNO. He is failing the people miserably with these antics. We expected a more erudite democrat when we elected him, but what we have is just more of the same crap that we tried to replace in the last elections.
The people will ultimately triumph."

Interesting comparison!

Friday, July 10, 2009

News at a glance

The ‘High Chaparral' Kampung Buah Pala issue has been a thorn for the Penang run DAP government. Earlier they were calls that Lim Guan Eng and DAP were running the state as their own without consulting PR partners and the recent row on the appointment of MPSP head was centre of controversy. The sacking of one of the councilor’s as well. High Chaparral is now another issue where both the BN and PR jokers are playing politics! The villagers will file a fresh writ at the Penang High Court next week to stake claim of ownership over the village, which they claim to have resided in for nearly 200 years. According the documents, the cooperative society had paid RM2.247 million on March 14, 2008 - a week after Lim had become the chief minister. The land was transferred by the state government to the cooperative society on March 27, 19 days after Pakatan Rakyat captured the Penang government in the March 8 general election. There are accusation that LGE claims that he is unaware of this transfer as Cecil Rajendra the then counsel for the villages have told him that there was a pending court case on the village land. Well people are talking that DAP cares more about pigs than human being as they threaten to pull out of Kedah state government over a abattoir! What an irony, so stop playing politics and get down to business if Koh Tsu Koon has done something wrong and fraudulent hence bring him to court or put a caveat on the land! Aiyo…. LGE don’t talk through your personal secretary that you don’t want to be a populist but a champion of CAT. Walk the talk buddy! Remember DAP election campaign vote for us we’ll save you or over our death body will they take Kampung Pala!
I am surprised that the former PM so called the father of modern Malaysia was not so supportive of Najib! What a shock for someone who closed an eye on many corruptions accusation thrown on Najib but now hitting on him. Wonder why? Is it because Najib is making his own decision now compared to earlier by consulting him on any government policies? Malaysiakini quoted Mahathir said Najib gained "more negatives rather than positives" since taking over as the prime minister from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on April 3. He is now holding a poll in his blog to get the rakyat response on using English to teach Maths and English. Why are you seeking the rakyat’s support now Mahathir and in many other case all the rakyat’s plea fell into deaf ears; Perak Assembly, PKFZ, stimulation package? Do you feel that the PM is changing and challenging you? Sudahlah Mahathir.
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar has managed to set aside a bail condition to surrender his passport.The matter was decided by Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Zainal Azman Abdul Aziz, who overturned a decision made by the Sessions Court on Dec 11, 2007. DAP is claiming that he is a BN man now as a reliable insider source but they loved Ganaphathy Rao statement supporting DAP decision in Penang that Hindraf has erred in Kampung Pala incident. I guess DAP is like UMNO too, only like to hear songs of praises but not criticism. Personally I don’t care whether Uthayakumar is PR or BN that man deserve a better treatment! Always remember one of the reason why you blokes won was because of him, you jokers were never prepared to win in Penang just to reduce the 2/3 majority,remember?
Aiyo this joker is still alivekah? MIC president S Samy Vellu today hit out at Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) for denying the party permission to rebuild a 75-year-old Tamil school in Perak."They have forgotten the sacrifices made by Indians who played a major role in the construction of the railway track from Ipoh to Padang Besar," said Samy. Dai you have forgotten about the Indians during your presidency for the last 28 years, why cry foul now about KTMB. This is not new for the Indians as they have been living marginalized for the last 50 so years. The government did noting and more so you did nothing, just swindled all for yourself and your cronies? Remember…remember Telekom shares and also remember MAIKA Holdings, PP Narayanan Hostel, Indian Association in Setiawan? Do I need to go on?

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Why English is not Important

Most of us would have either read or discussed for the past few weeks about using English to teach Maths and Science. Recently Muyhiddin Yassin, our beloved DPM made a press statement he has already discussed and explain to Mahathir about the decision to revert to BM to teach both the subjects. Why is that he and Najib are still talking to Mahathir when the later is no longer in politics? Do they need his approval to govern or is he still running the country? Anyway below are two reasons why I agree with DPM and also the Education Ministry that they should not use English as education lingua franca not only to teach Maths and Science but also English as a subject.
Case 1: UiTM
4th UiTM INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FIESTA
19 – 23 November 2009 FUTSAL-RUGBY 7- TENPIN BOWLING-BADMINTON

Dear Sport Friends,

Regarding about the global issue H1N1 happens around the world, sadly to be informing that our UiTM International Sports Fiesta will be postponing to 19-23 November 2009.
For all teams which have been confirm to participate in our events, we have to say sorry for this announcements and our Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health also advise to us to change the date for this current situation.
By the date have been confirm incoming this November hopefully your teams still can participate in our event and don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.
And again, we would like to say sorry about the date change for the sake of our health among us.
See you in this November at UiTM Malaysia!!

Regards,
Mr. Mustaza Ahmad
Director
Sports Centre
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Malaysia

CASE 2: University Tun Hussien Onn

New Straits Times
23 August 2008, page 43

HONORARY DEGREE AWARD
7TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY UNIVERSITY TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
TO
YANG AMAT MULIA RAJA ZARITH SOFIAH BINTI ALMARHUM
SULTAN IDRIS AL-MUTAWAKIL ALALLAHI SHAH
D.K.II, S.P.M.J., S.P.C.M.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah has born on 14th of August 1959 in Hospital Batu Gajah, Perak. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith is a third son to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzwan and Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Mazuwin binti almarhum Raja Arif Shah.
Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah get early education in Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Datin Khadijah Kuala Kangsar in the state his birthplace namely in Perak. After end of the education in primary school, Yang Amat Mulia continue the education to form one at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Raja Perempuan Kalsom Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
In the month of September 1972, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah have set forth to England for further education in Chaltenham Ladies College, Gloucestershire to form six. Then, Yang Amat Mulia continue learning it in Davies College London in September 1977 and his following year in receive enter to Somerville College, London after having passed Oxford Entrance Examination.

After graduated at Oxford University with Bachelor of Art in June 1983 and follow the traditional University of Oxford, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith will receive Master of Art after three years in 1986. Yang Amat Mulia also is a linguist follow several courses including language Mandarin at the tertiary level, French and Italy language.
As his father, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah is a person that talented in picture arts. Refinement of soul, Yang Amat Mulia always watching natural beauty environment immortalize in the form photograph and painting to make look and reference. Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith performance become guide to deliver the message education to general public. Yang Amat Mulia concern on women and natural world and it custody aspect in become deep theme in painting.

Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah comply have interest profoundest field documentation. Apart from producing book, Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith doubled up guest writer in the The New Straits Times newspapers and in personal column it “Mind Matters” in The Star newspaper. Besides writing, Yang Amat Mulia comply active presenting a working paper at the conference national level and international.
Education from her father and mother over concern to the people, make Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah likes engaged in voluntary activities about as Deputy President of Majlis Wanita Johor (ROSE), Chief of Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia Johor branch, Chairman of Nationalistic Community Service Red Crescent Malaysia, Patron of Spastic Children School in Johor Bahru, Patron Rotary Club of Tebrau Foundation, advisor of Traditional Arts School International in London and become Pro Chancellor University Technology Malaysia (UTM) and becomen Royal Felllow Faculty of Language and Linguistic University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

As the appreciation towards her contributions of ideas and efforts in the development of education in Malaysia, Chancellor of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Duli Yang Amat Mulia Tunku lbrahim lsmail lbni Sultan lskandar, Tunku Mahkota Johor, has approbation to presented the awards to Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakil Alallahi Shah the Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at 7th Convocation Ceremony of University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in this year. Congratulation from us, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia members.

There you go; there is no reason why English should be used in Malaysia as medium of instruction after all during the Melaka Sultanate we did not use English though! I also heard that the Education Ministry will no longer send our students overseas and call back those in overseas to join our local universities as we are among the worlds' best.

Flight or Fright

I was away on a business trip to Kuala Lumpur yesterday and decided to travel by Fireflyz because Subang Airport being the closest to KL compared to LCCT or KLIA and also for nostalgic reasons being the first International Airport in Malaysia as it brought back memories of the past.
Anyway I am not writing about airports but of a fantastic merry go round trip that I had during my return flight from Subang to Penang. The flight was scheduled at 8.20 pm and they were reliable as they were preparing to take off on time and it was I guess a 60 sitter Fokker plane. I found my seat number and sat down reading the NST of the day which I have not been doing since Nov 2007. It has been ages that I read the main press media for reasons known to most and one being for their “un-biased “report with utmost professionalism.
I am not going to talk about press freedom either, coming back to my story. There I was enjoying a pleasant trip back to Penang to see my other half as I have told her that I should touch down by 9.20pm and she assured me that she’ll be at the airport to pick me up. After 30 minutes in the sky the trouble started as the weather was becoming bit rough. The plane went through some turbulence and I was ok for now in this rainy conditions it is normal for planes to go through turbulence more so a for a Fokker. I was very wrong as it began to shake more and flashes of lighting could be seen outside and the weather began to take a bad turn when we were about to reach Penang. It was raining heavily with the plane shaking left to right, up down and realized that the plane was surprisingly going faster than normal. The turbulence was getting worst and the plane was fast descending and all of the sudden I saw Penang Airport on my right and it appeared very close. I thought that the pilot would land the plane but had my doubts with the speed the Fokker was going and it was descending at the middle of the runaway which is not normal. To my shock the plane just took a violent thump on the runaway and took off again swaying left to right. Just like in the Hollywood movies and I heard people let out a loud cry with curious heads looking either at each other or through the window. I guess at this very moment when the plane took a thump our entire life history would have flashed before us. My first thought was what will happen to my family if something were to go wrong? Who would take care of them? I do not even have a will that could administer my so called “assets” not to mention the debts? The tall tale of Michael Jackson’s will issue came to my mind? Wondered what difficulties would they go through? The legal vulture and predators would do a scavenger hunt on my loved ones. My god! Did I become more religious at the moment, I don’t think so, I became more of a realist as I became more rational in my understanding of religion and god. I did not lost faith in religion nor trying to be religious but merely questioning the very existence of god? When man looses all direction in life and I reckon he turns to god for an answer. Could god be just “hope” that mankind wants to believe in as he does not have answers to many of his life questions? It became unquestionable belief called “faith” that keeps him going in life.
I could see that many may have embraced their faith or become reborn Christian, Hindus, Buddhist Muslims or whatever faith that they’ve lost. The lady sitting beside me was kept her eyes locked close while clasping both her hands together like saying a prayer and I looked around and I saw some anxious faces that looked pale even in the dimed light of the aircraft. The plane was lifting higher and higher into the sky and I thought that it is going to turn back to do another attempt to land , that’s when the pilot announced “ due to bad weather we have to turn back to Subang airport”! His voice was no assurance to all of us and the passengers let out their frustration with a disapproving moaning sound. Million questions pumped through my head, my heart beat was faster than usual as if I am doing my exercise. As a seasoned practitioner of breathing technique I was trying to calm myself by taking deep controlled breath, technique which I learn to handle myself during stressful or anxious moments. Little did I know that my heart had its own agenda of not listening to my breathing technique as it continued to pound faster! It was another one long grueling hour ride back to Subang with more curious faces all around. When we landed in Subang, it gave us a big relief and we were told that they are not sure when we can board the flight again. I could see everyone of the passenger clinging on to their hand phone upon reaching the terminal updating their loved ones of their experience and some of them were very descriptive with their gestures. I wonder if their mobile phone has any features that can show their gestures while they were talking, any way mine doesn’t? After waiting while the announcement came asking us to board the plane again and I could see a group of people were talking to the attendant and I guess that they are not willing to board the plane and possibly asking for a refund. I boarded the plane and this time I was very calm indeed and the flight was alright for 30 minutes in the sky but the turbulence started again until we reached the Penang airport. This time around I could see that the plane flying was lower compared to the earlier trip as I could see the housing and street lights below. The flight was slowing down and hovering slowly towards the airport with the island slowly become visible. The plane descended on the runaway with much anticipation as I think the passengers probably not hoping for another round trip experience. Finally I reached Penang safely at 11.40pm and my trip from Subang to Penang took about 3hours rather than mere one hour. What an experience guess, I’ll be writing my will after all!