Cakapcakap

Tread with caution when deciding on big projects

2012-03-15T22:37:00.001+08:00

A letterto the editor which appeared in Utusan Malaysia today withsuggestions on how the development in Penang should be handled seemreasonable in light of the current hectic pace of mega projects onthe island. The writer would like to see a more balanced andsustainable form of development that will be enjoyed by all theresidents of the state. This is in line with what S.M. Mohamed Idris,the President of the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) saidon the mega roads and undersea tunnel projects that was recentlyannounced by the Chief Minister, in spite of an upcoming transportmaster plan.

Those in power do seem tohave a weakness for big projects, irrespective of which side of thepolitical bench they come from. Big projects will on the surfacebenefit everyone with its purveyors pointing out the rewards thatwill trickle down to all and sundry. The biggest slice of the cakewill go to the developer, which goes without saying and the crumbscan be had by the hordes. Don't forget to add the as yet unforeseenside effects of the development, during and after it is completed.

For example, building moreroads to ease traffic congestion seems such a waste of time. Justlook at the myriad of highways in Kuala Lumpur. Every new highwaybuilt does not reduce the traffic or reduce the time taken from pointA to B but more of than not, become bottlenecks during peak periods.A much better approach is needed and a master plan that is strictlyfollowed would be of more benefit than mere big, mega projects.

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Perseverance might not be for everyone

2012-03-14T21:27:00.001+08:00

How muchperseverance does someone need to pursue a goal? In the case of theSun's editor, hepersevered for ten years to have the accounts of the 1998Commonwealth Games to be made public. Alas, it is not a happy endingas the directors of Sukom98 who were in charge of the Games havedecided to dissolve the company and the public will still not be ableto see the accounts. Was it worth all the effort and time to come tothe end of the saga in this fashion? Would he choose to pursue suchissues in the same manner in future? He answered in the affirmativeto both questions as he felt the bigger picture of accountabilitywins the day hands down. He consoles himself by saying that you losesome and win some.

How many would perseverein other situations? There must be many unknown and unrecordedinstances of the ordinary who pursue their goals quietly and doggedlythrough many years and even decades. That goal to achieve what youbelieve in keeps you going despite the odds. Would you be desolateand down in the dumps if you have not achieved that goal at the endof the day? Of course you will be disappointed, to say the least butyou have to carry on to the next day.

Anyone worth his saltwould begin that journey with fiery enthusiasm but tempered with thehard facts of reality. The notion that the rewards would be handed toyou without an effort has to be set aside. Be prepared to besidetracked along the journey since there are others andcircumstances that might put a dampener on reaching that goal withinyour expected time frame. Perseverance in pursuing a worthy causeneeds lots of patience and fortitude to see it to the end.Undoubtedly, it can be a long journey and we might not get what weexpect. A decision on whether we do have the perseverance to evenbegin the pursuit has to be made before we take the next step. Oncethat is decided, the fun begins.

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Steel Magnolia versus Iron Lady

2012-03-13T21:44:00.000+08:00

Vintage Rafidshwho does not mince words is seen in the headlines again. Rafidahpointed out that Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is not resigning asa minister on April 8, but the post is no longer hers as she is nolonger a senator by that date. The minister's post is automaticallyvoid unless the senatorship is renewed. Shahrizat was appointed asenator after she lost in the 2008 elections and by virtue of thatposition, made a minister. It might just be a matter of semanticsperhaps but it does give an impression that Shahrizat is sacrificing herself for the good of the party.

Shahrizat, the steel magnolia againstRafidah, the iron lady? The winner is? Not of immediate consequenceto the majority of Malaysians except for those aligned and who mightgain something by being seen as one or the other's supporter. Thatis how leaders and supporters feed on each other. The leaders'character might even be impeachable and untainted but sometimes theantics of the supporters and family bring down the whole edificecrumbling down.

In this case, Shahrizat for the bettergood of the party and in cognisance of the coming next generalelections decided that she is better off being the sacrificial lamb.The “resignation” is a breather to the ruling party after all thenoise over the Natioanl Feedlot Corporation issue. It is anyone'sguess whether Shahrizat's decision would be taken positively by themajority of the electorate.

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Do businesses care about their customers?

2012-03-12T22:52:00.002+08:00

The problemfaced by a consumer in his dealings with an broadband ssrviceprovider seems to be symptomatic of the ways businesses handle theircustomers. It is only after repeated queries amd insistence would thecompany relent and give an off -handed concession that the consumerhas his rights too in the situation. The fine print in any contractis always used to justify not paying the consumer his dues when thereare differences of opinions regarding a faulty service. There will belots of correspondence and queries to secure the disputed amount fromthe company.

Sometimes the case needs to behighlighted in the media before the consumer can see any results. Myguess is some businesses follow the maxim, that once the consumer hasbought the goods or service from them, their responsibilty to theconsumer ends. So any request for the money to be paid back to theconsumers who made the businesses what they are in the first place,is met with a lackadaisical attitude. At a glance, delays are part ofthe procedures when dealing with consumers' request. What isimportant to some would be that initial signature from the consumerbut the after sales service would be handled later and put as lowpriority. Don't they realise that keeping the customers is a longhaul process?

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Career choices, decisions to be made

2012-03-11T13:20:00.005+08:00

The ever present dilemma,pursue your dreams or buckle down to society's expectations. Thechoice for some boils down to the monetary returns, as the money thatgoes with the highly regarded professions can be very high and worththe effort put in while studying at university. When you folloow yourheart's calling, your career choice might see you stuck in the middleincome group forever. It might even be worse if no one appreciateswhat you do..

The arts has never been promoted as afirst choice when any student goes to carrer and jobs fairs. Thesciences are a bit better off but nothing beats the highly soughtafter business and accounting degrees which can be a good steppingstone to a more bountiful material wealth.

Some opt for a compromise and pursue acarrer path that rewards them handsomely. These group of people usethe gains as a reserve when they decide to pursue their real lifeambitions. Others take the more difficult path of pursuing theirdreams from day one. They might make it big in the end but thegestation period could be quite long unless they talents areexceptional and much sought after by others.

The dilemma continues and each of ushave to decide whether the dream is worth pursuing as any hardshipsalong the way might be just too much to bear.

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Free legal aid for those who cannot afford it

2012-03-10T22:34:00.004+08:00

The MalaysianBar hopes at least 40% of its members would provide free legal aid tothose who are arrested or held in remand and this would be in linewith the formation of the National Legal Aid Foundation (NLAF) lastyear.

Wonderful news indeed and a welcomeassurance to anyone brought to court that there would at least getsome help from the legal profession. The legal profession has alwaysbeen associated with the good life as evidenced when we see thegleaming mansions and cars that is owned of some of the top legalminds in the country. They do deserve the riches in return for theirwork. Nevertheless, some of us could not afford the best with theirhigh fees.

What recourse do we have? We would turnto the not so famous legal help with more reasonable fees within ourlimited budgets. Unfortunately, there are groups of people who cannoteven afford the reasonable fees and with this latest move, at leastthey will have a chance to have their say in court. This approachwould help to see a fairer distribution of legal help to those whocan and those who cannot afford the current fees.

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Warranty period for maids?

2012-03-08T23:27:00.001+08:00

A working mother found the solutionto the perennial maid problem with the help of willing neighbours.She was fortunate that she had helpful neighbours but what aboutothers? Social norms have changed a lot since the neighbourlyatmosphere of days gone by prevalent in housing estates. At most,neighbours would just greet each other when they see each other goingand returning from work. Qute often, neighbours do not know eachother except during an event in the neighbourhood. There does notseem to be an effort among us anymore to get to know each other. Timeis always a factor, with everyone “busy” with their careers.

In that situation, the hardshipfaced by another working mother is understandable. She laments thehigh cost of having a maid, with a deposit of at least RM9,000 for anIndonesian on top of a monthly salary of RM650. She questions why thewarranty period is only three months compared to for example, anelectrical item costing RM100 which has a guarantee period of oneyear. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

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Employer at the mercy of maids

2012-03-07T23:30:00.000+08:00

My sympathy goes to the working motherwho finds herself at the mercy of her Indonesian maid who is nowdemanding more pay for the little that she does around the house. Theproblem started when the maid returned from her leave. The writer whohas given so much freedom to the maid is now held at ransom and isnow at wit's end trying to find the right balance of authority andkindness. Some may dismiss this as of no consequence but it hits hardon those who depend on the maids.

The never ending problem of maids hasput a strain on many households especially those with children. Howare working parents going to have some peace of mind when the safetyof their children is suspect. We have been depending too much onoutside sources for maids and there has not been any incentive forthe locals to take over the job. Would creches or day care centresnearby help? The recent reports on deathsat a nursery and child care centre has put that solution at risk too.

Those without immediate family membersare putting their children at risk with the maids, nurseries and daycare centres. But what other choices do they have? A bettersupervison of those who care for the children is needed butimplemening rules and regulations does take time and effort. Therewould be loopholes and black sheeps will appear now and again. It isa dilmema for the parents. Would full time housewives be a solution?The proliferation of online businesses helmed by mothers might be apositive sign but not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur.

Everyone has their own calling andinterest, so the mothers who have to depend on the maids have to grittheir teeth and bare with the inconvenience of sulks from maids untilthe children can fend for themselves.

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Cigarettes at Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia

2012-03-06T22:42:00.000+08:00

They shouldn't sell cigarettes at KedaiRakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) urges a reader in his letterto the NST. His suggestion is valid considering cigarettes are notnecessities and the price has always been increasing with almostevery budget proposal tabled in parliament. KR1M was set up to helpeveryone keep a lid on their expenses and cigarettes has never beenincluded in the basker of basic goods for any household. It is ananomaly to have cigarettes on the shelves of a KR1M.

KR1M was set up due to to the Prime Minister's concern over theincreasing cost of living affecting the low income rakyat living inthe urban areas. Based on a mini market format, Kedai Rakyat1Malaysia provides various basic necessities at low prices inconvenient urban locations. The key word here is basic necessities.

Are cigarettes a necessity? Yes, tothose who want it and they can find it quite conveniently elsewhereeven at that hole in the wall shops that share precious littlepedestrian space along the roads in Kuala Lumpur. Would sellingcigarettes bring a profit to KR1M? That is a given as it is a highlysought after product. Those who crave for it are willing to pay andseem to know how to manipulate their budget whenever there is a priceincrease in order to continue smoking the cigarettes.

Discontinuing selling cigarettes atKR1M will reduce the profits at the end of the day but at least thestores are making a statement that their products remain in the basicneeds category.

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Two M’sian writers in the running for world’s richest book prize

2012-03-05T23:17:00.005+08:00

Two booksauthored by Malaysians are among 149 books long listed to win theInternational IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2012, the world's richestbook prize. the two books, "21 Immortals" by Rozlan MohdNoor and "Days of Change" by Chuah Guat Eng were selectedand submitted by the National Library to be in the running for theprestigious award.

This is a good effort by theauthorities in promoting Malaysian writers world wide. At least itwill spur the curiosity of readers here and abroad on what thosebooks have to say. The process of writing and publishing takes a lotof effort and trying to make it to the world stage takes a furtherleap of faith. Not all writers can be successful and recognisedinternationally, so this approach is one way of encouraging others towrite for not just a Malaysian audience but for the whole world. Eachtome is a personal experience, very subjective and influenced by thereader's own preferences. A reader anywhere will choose and pick whathe likes based on his own perspective of the subject.

That book on the shelves in a Malaysianbook store might not receive the same enthusiasm abroad.Nevertheless, a positive move and at least more English speakingnon-Malaysians now realise that we have authors writing in English.

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Minimum wage for Malaysian workers soon?

2012-03-04T22:10:00.000+08:00

The government has reached an agreementwith the private sector on the minimum wage issue. Hooray! Good newsfor all workers, or is it? We do have to wait for the full disclosureof the details before we can really rejoice at the news. Does thismean that the current spell of one off aid to those below a certainsalary will be discontinued? The funds being allocated for schemessuch as BR1M could be better used to improve the network ofreasonably priced goods sold nationwide.

That would be ideal as the minimum wageshould take into account the different hardships faced by thoseliving in urban areas where the cost of living is much higher. Thebasic needs of food and shelter will always take a big chunk of one'stake home pay. If that portion of the monthly expenses could bemanaged prudently with prices within each family's means, there wouldbe more surplus to save for a rainy day.

All workers especially those strugglingin urban areas would definitely benefit from a comprehensive minimumwage policy. We have to wait for the details to find out whether itis really a boon or bane.

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Husbands' salary goes to wives

2012-03-03T23:15:00.001+08:00

In one provincein Indonesia, the male civil servants' salary will be transferred totheir wives' accounts in order to minimise the possibility of themoney being used on mistresses. A novel idea? Maybe not, since ingeneral, women have been known to be better at managing the householdfinances. Just take a look at full time housewives who manage to keepthe family well fed and clothed from the monthly allowances given bytheir husbands. The more enterprising, manage to supplement thatstipend by venturing into their own business.

The multi-level marketing industry hasquite a large number of housewives participating and women do havetheir own network of friends that they can depend on to generateanother source of income for the family. The husband's pay packet inthe wife's account does help to assure the women that at least, thehousehold expenses are well taken care of. It might not prevent thehusbands from having extra-marital affairs but the men have to findother sources of income to support that particular lifestyle.

The Malaysian authorities might want tolook further into this solution as one way to ensure that at leastthe basic needs of a household is met even if the men of the housegoes astray.

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Erykah Badu concert banned

2012-03-01T23:54:00.004+08:00

It is interesting that Erykah Badu isbanned from performing in Malaysia but there is no such action inIndonesia where she is slated to perform at the Java Jazz Festival.Indonesia is acknowledged as the world's most populous Muslimcountry. I guess the Indonesians do not follow to the letter thetenets of Islam compared to the Malaysian Muslims.

A few years ago Beyonce postponed herconcert in Kuala Lumpur, effectively a nod to an unspoken ban on herperformance but she continued with her tour in Jakarta. IndonesiaanMuslims' faith must have been shaken to the core from these artistescontinuos onslought on them. Fortunately, the Malaysian Muslims haveall the Islamic agencies and parties, working hard to save thefaithfull from plunging into hell.

This latest episode definitely confirmsthat Malaysian Muslims are a priviledged lot. Shall we assume thatthere is a guaranteed place for them as they have been well protectedfrom all the “evils” present in this world?

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The elderly

2012-02-28T23:51:00.002+08:00

A letterregarding the treatment of the elderly at homes reminds us that thisgroup of people are often neglected. All of us will eventually becomeold in future but most have forgotten this fact of life. Some of usdue to circumstances will not be able to fend for ourselves and haveto depend on others. Those without familial support will be takencare of by strangers. The lucky ones might get good caregivers whowill do their utmost to make the lives of the elderly under theircare as comfortable as possible. Alas, Uncle Tony who is mentioned inthe letter does not seem to be in that group.

As the elderly become more numerous insociety, a more holistic approach is needed to cater for them. Someof them need help physically but more than that, the attention givento them as a person would be the most important aspect in caring forthem. Time spent with them, is more precious than just the dailyroutine of feeding and clothing them. They are cranky, uncooperative,stubborn, and some would be going through their second childhood butdespite all these negatives, they still deserve better treatment.

They are in their golden era and shouldbe treated as such, priceless.

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New coins

2012-02-22T22:42:00.000+08:00

The blame game begins as the headlinesays “BNM faults autopay vendors”. At the moment, machines thatuses coins will still accept old coins but not the new ones as theyhave not been recalibrated to accept the new coins launched from 16January 2012. The Bank Negara said they had given operators andvendors of autopay machines more than six months to upgrade to acceptthe recently introduced new coins. Meanwhile, the MalaysianAssociation for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management president,H.C. Chan said the authorities had not informed them about the needto upgrade the machines.

Who is right? Even if Bank Negara hadgiven notice a year ago, should not the onus be on the authorities toensure that most machines have been recalibrated before the launch?The public are not against the new coins but when so much of ourdaily lives involves machines and coins, a more effectiveimplementation of the ruling would be beneficial to everyone. A muchmore thorough and smoother process to ease the transition to the newcoins is missing. As it is, there will be grumbles and frustrationsadding unnecessary stress on ourselves. The authorities have theexperience and expertise to make this exercise painless but thereality is not following their script.

People First, Performance Now?

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Debate between the races

2012-02-21T22:14:00.002+08:00

The headlinesaid it all: “Debate between races won't bring any benefit:Mahathir”. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said debates between the raceswill not bring any benefit because each race will continue to hold onto their own stand. Is that so bad? A debate would certainly be ableto highlight the differences as well as similarities between theraces. The warts and all of each race would be open for scrutiny.This would be a better approach than the usual way of treadinggingerly around sensitive subjects, especially those pertaining toreligion and culture.

We have to make the first step toconfront the boogeyman, the all encompasing sensitive issues. Anyissue can be deemd sensitive in the manupulative hands of those whodo not want to see a united nation forged among the populace. Thedivide and rule method is used relentlessly by these leaders as acover up in maintaining the present status quo. These leaders will bethe first to feel the brunt of a truly united nation if and when allraces in the country rise up to the occasion. Each of us have adecent streak and in reality are able to look at sensitive issuesobjectively if given the chance. When all facts are laid out andcivil exchanges are the norm, the benefit will flow naturally.

A debate between the races willdefinitely benefit everyone.

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Gracious and Compassionate

2012-02-19T20:53:00.000+08:00

Two articles appeared in the wake ofthe deportation of Hamza Kashgari from Malaysia back to Saudi Arabia.Both lamented on how Muslims have forgotten the true meaning of theirreligion. Hamza, 22, had sparked outrage for an imaginaryconversation with the prophet Muhammad on his Twitter account, inwhich he addressed him as an equal, amongst other lines were: "Iwill say that I have loved aspects of you, hated others, and couldnot understand many more."

The articleby Farhana Abdul Halim equated the reaction of some Muslim demandingHamza's death to the characters in the movie “The Twilight Saga”,She lamented that Muslims have turned Islam into a religion ofpunishments where all wrongs are dealt with severely. Muslims haveforgotten that Allah is most forgiving and compassionate. Even ifHamza is guilty of insulting the prophet, is it impossible or wrongto forgive him? As long as we are still alive, there is is alwaysroom for forgiveness from God. So who are we, mere mortals to ignoreHamza's apology?

The articleby Tehmina Kazi also questioned why some Muslims immediately demandthe death penalty for Hamza. The writer mentioned that those whothreatened Hamza should stop and re-examine their motives andremember what Islam is actually for. It is a belief system to purifythe heart and the writer quoted a hadith, "Verily, in the bodythere is a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the body is all sound. Ifit is corrupt, the body is all corrupt. Verily, it is the heart."

This brings us back to the mostrepeated phrase in a Muslim's life, Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim,which is usually translated as "In the name of God, mostGracious, most Compassionate". Gracious and compassionate, thatmust be our guide in whatever we do. We must never forget the depthof meaning or inspirational message that the phrase conveys. It isnot meant to be repeated parrot-like but to be practiced and inHamza's case, that compassion is sorely missing from some Muslims.

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Malaysia Singapore rivalry

2012-02-16T22:52:00.002+08:00

The latest headlinethat Malaysians enjoy sex more than Singaporeans is another episodein the continuing saga of sibling rivalry between the two countries.The Malaysian media loves to highlight the successes that we haveachieved as a nation vis-a-vis our southern neighbour, that littledot down south. I'm unsure whether the media in Singapore does thesame but a cursory glance at any topic highlighting our neighbourwould show a definite bias on our part. Nothing wrong with beingpatriotic but sometimes sentiment clouds the judgement.

I guess the results that show Malysiansenjoy sex more is a fact to be savoured. We do have to be cautiousthough with survey results, as in this case only 506 Malaysianparticipants took part. A bias in the composition of the group wouldgive the results published. A different group might give a differentresult which would show the opposite, ie, Malaysians do not enjoy sexmore than Singaporeans.

When results are not in favour of us,I'm quite sure the news would not be on the front page. In this caseresults on sexual satisfaction might not seem of importance to thecountry, but every little win against that irritating neighbour isworth highlighting.

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EPF helping the poor?

2012-02-16T00:35:00.005+08:00

Two lettersfrom readers regarding the loan to the Federal Territory Foundationwhich will help provide housing for the poor appeared in the Sun 15February 2012 and does highlight a major issue with the whole scheme.

One of the letters reminded us thatEPF's mission statement is to provide retirement savings forMalaysians and not addressing social problems like housing for thepoor which should be the government's job. The other letterreiterated that since money from the EPF is hard earned forretirement and not part of the income tax revenue, it should never beused or directed to be used by the government. Alas, in a round aboutway, the government is using the EPF's money through an indirectorder. The stated reason is to help the poor, so I guess it wouldmake the EPF members feel a bit better contributing to a good cause.

No one begrudges the scheme for thepoor but taking the money set aside for the members retirement hastouched a sore point. The detailsof the scheme does not seem to have additonal benefit for those whoneed it since at the end of the day, they still have to pay a highinterest rate for the loan. As one of the letters pointed out, wouldthe authority chase out those who are unable to pay? That definitelydefeats the purpose of the whole scheme.

Further details should definitely beforthcoming and the short period of time between the proposal and theannoucement does point to a rushed job. Or maybe it has been hatchedfor quite some time but the nitty gritty has not been finalised. Initial statements that need to be backed up later is not the correctway to assuage the public. It is their hard earned money.

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Wealth and power

2012-02-14T00:14:00.002+08:00

The articlewhich appered in the Star 13^th February 2012 mentionedthat for many people wherever they are,“the ultimate goal in lifeis the acquisition of greater wealth and power”. Looking at aglance the current pursuit of material wealth, what the author saidis very true indeed. The struggling masses in the poorer parts of theworld are struggling daily and constrantly just to eke out a living.They are lucky if they can get a meal once a day. The tremendouseffort to uplift themselves from poverty to a more sustainable lifewould need not just their own efforts but a lot of help from thetheir governments.

China as mentioned in the article hasmamaged to leap frog to become a new wealthier nation after takingthe plunge into a much freer market economy. The increasing number ofmillionaires from China is testimony to its success. The standard ofsuccess in this case is material wealth. Once someone has managed toleave poverty behind, the goal in enriching oneself seems to be anobsession. What is the ultimate aim?

It might be said that the millionairehas done his social duty if his business set-up has helped toincrease the number of job opportunities for others. In his own way,every businessmen has contributed to uplift another person's economicsituation. We can't dismiss the fact that some have exploited theirworkers and the rules and regulatons of the country are supposed toprevent such cases.

The succesful men, either self-made orwith the help of others, are not satisfied with their status quo.Most often than not, they will be unstoppable in their quest forgreater wealth. Even though the wealth accumulated can be put to gooduse but sometimes it is just to increase their own coffers and toenable them to continue indulging in their opulent lifestyle.

Examples of past and present successeswill continue to fascinate the general public and be a catalyst forothers to strive to be the same. A succesful man, with much wealthand power seems at ease with his achievements but whether he iscontented with what he has is another question.

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Mobiles nuisance

2012-02-11T22:09:00.004+08:00

The article on mobilesbeing everywhere struck me as very true since what the author saidreflects a common scene found in every nook and corner of thecountry. Whenever a group gathers for a meal, almost always the firstaction as they take their seats would be taking out the mobile tocheck the latest updates on their social networking sites. Whatexactly is the point of meeting each other if there is noconversation amongst them? They might as well be at home or somewhereelse and continue their communicatons with others using theirmobiles. At least, there will not be as much stress on themselvesmaking the effort to come to the designated place at the appointedtime. The traffic conditions especially in the urban centres are notto be sniffed at. So why not forego the motions of meeting each otherand just enjoy the mobiles at home. Saves energy, time and fuel.

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More like these, please

2012-02-09T22:43:00.001+08:00

Are they still man like Toh Chin Boonin our midst? He was highlighted in the Star6 February 2012 under the “Be Inspired” series. A 90 year old manwho for the past 54 years has scoured the obituaries of governmentservants in the local newspapers and helped the widows on how to maketheir pensions.applicatons to the Public Service Department (PSD). Hewill send a comprehensive pack which contains a hand written letterthat outlines the steps, a sample letter to the PSD and photocopiesof all necessary forms for the application.

Toh became aware of the difficultieswidows faced when filing claims for their spouse's pensions while hewas a legal assistant before his retirement.He wanted to help butduring the bereavement period, any advice given might have justfallen on deaf ears. He used another approach by writing to theminstead. His helpling hand since 1957 has seen some who thanked himthrough letters or even meeting him personally. He himself justcontinues with his routine and many more hopefully will benefit fromhis selfless act in the future.

Yes, how many are like Toh? Maybe thereare others unknown to us bringing cheer and hope, kindness andinspiration to those who need them. These are members of society whoare the backbone and pillars of strength, giving themselves in theservice to others, without any thoughts of rewards. They are the oneswho should be highlighted and put up as examples to emulate. Not justthe millionaires, high academic achievers or political big wigs. Somemight feel the contributions of these good samaritans do not merit asecond mention as their deeds only affects a few. Even though thosewho benefit from these deeds are few in number in comparison tonational level projects, at least some members in our society aretaking the initiave without any help from the government. Real lifestories like these are inspiring and can have a domino effect. If andwhen the act of helping others becomes part of our psyche and justanother altruistic act, imagine the impact on the whole nation.

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Well read

2012-02-07T23:55:00.000+08:00

According to the letter to the editorthat appeared in the New Straits Times 7 February 2012, we need to be well read persons in order to regain the lostart of conversation. This might be true for certain types ofconversations but sometimes those who have experienced life might bebetter conversationalists.

Conversations may cover a variety oftopics and those that touch on life is the most relevant to anyoneirrespective of his work or academic background. Observations canalso contribute to the wealth and depth of a conversation. A wellread person has to ponder and digest what has been read. If the wordsare just mere words to the reader, what has been read would not bringany positive benefits to any aspects of his life.

A passive reader will be able to readcountless number of books but at the end of the day, the activereader will be the better receipient of the knowledge contained inall those treasures. An inquiring, inquisitive, questioning mind willenhance the pleasures of reading and subsequently contribute to amore meaningful conversation. Quiet moments to reflect on what hasbeen read and observations would also add to a heightened pleasureduring a conversaton.

The art of good conversation will stillbe around as long as we put in the effort to be active in our pursuitof knowledge whether by reading or experiencing first hand what lifehas in store for us.

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Racism

2012-02-07T00:11:00.000+08:00

A timely letterto the editor appeared in the Star, 6 February 2012 notwithstandingall the sloganeering we are bombarded with from the ruling governmentof the day. The heading of the letter “No place for racism here”is most appropriate and must be repeated continuously until itbecomes a natural part of our lives.

The writer mentioned a teacher who saidthat the word racist does not exist. This statement was in responseto an incident in her class. How does the word not exist if theaction perperated by a group of people continue to emphasise thedifferences between the races. If the word does not exist, there willbe other words to describe that charcteristic of a group of peoplewho feel superior to other groups.

Differences between groups of peopleare part and parcel of human diversity. The difference does not makeone group superior to the other but it is more of a marker of whereand how each group acclimatised itself to its environment. Historyshows communities growing in places which might not be hospitable atfirst glance and the effects of adjusting to different locales wouldproduce a different approach to living.

Malaysia as a melting pot of so manygroups would host a myriad of colours and creed, each bringing theirpast history and adjusting to the new landscape. Later generationswould still have that link to the their ancestors in the way theyperceive and approach an issue. These differences are a positiveaddition to the nation's collective memory. A basis to foster unityand strengthen the bond between the people.

The combative approach does not bodewell for the nation's progress. The better way would be to embracethe plurality which is a fact of life of the nation and emphasise thepositves that each group can contribute to the nation.

Image from wikipedia

Kad laporan bajet

2011-10-10T22:07:00.003+08:00

Surat daripada seorang pembaca kepadaeditor theStar pada 10 Oktober 2011 yang bertajuk “Report card onprevious Budget is what's required” memang dihargai. Intipati suratitu menyatakan bagaimana saban tahun rakyat dihidangkan dengan bajetyang pelbagai tetapi setelah pembentangan bajet, tidak ada pulamaklumbalas tentang sama ada langkah-langkah yang telah diambilmelaksanakan bajet berjaya atau tidak mencapai matlamat yangdiidamkan.

Sebagai contoh dipetik satu perenggandaripada bajet 2012 yang berkaitan dengan SkimPersaraan Swasta:

“Skim Persaraan Swasta

108. Dalam Bajet 2011, bagi mempastikan pekerja swasta dan merekayang bekerja sendiri mempunyai simpanan mencukupi semasa bersara,saya telah mengumumkan pelepasan cukai sehingga 6 ribu ringgit untukcaruman kepada KWSP dan insurans hayat diperluaskan bagi meliputicaruman kepada Dana Pencen Swasta, kini dikenali sebagai SkimPersaraan Swasta. Bagi terus menjamin kesejahteraan rakyat di usiapersaraan di samping mempromosi skim persaraan swasta yang dijangkadapat merancakkan pembangunan pasaran modal, saya mencadangkan:

Pertama: Pelepasan cukai baru sehingga 3 ribu ringgit ke atas carumandalam Skim Persaraan Swasta dan anuiti insurans selama 10 tahun.Dengan ini, pelepasan cukai sedia ada ke atas Skim Persaraan Swastadan anuiti insurans dirasionalkan.

Kedua: Potongan cukai ke atas caruman majikan bagi pekerja dalamSkim Persaraan Swasta; dan

Ketiga: Pengecualian cukai ke atas pendapatan dana Skim PersaraanSwasta.”

Dana Pencen Swasta? Hmmm, apa yang kitatahu tentang Dana ini? Setakat ini perancangan dan pelaksanaannyamasih kabur dan belum ada maklumat yang lebih terperinci. Dalam masasetahun semenjak Bajet 2011 apakah yang telah dilaksanakan, siapakahyang telah mendapat manfaat dan adakah keberkesanannya menyeluruh,meliputi sejumlah besar pekerja swasta? Itulah soalan-soalan yangharus dijawab dalam Bajet 2012. Adakah insentif yang diberi dalamBajet 2012 membuktikan bahawa apa yang dijalankan dalam tempohsetahun dahulu telah berjaya atau sebaliknya.

Jika dilihat setiap bahagian Bajet2012, pasti ada kesinambungan daripada bajet-bajet terdahulu. Itusudah sepatutnya kerana apa yang baik harus diteruskan dan yangkurang berfaedah ditiadakan. Setiap bajet juga akan cubamemperuntukkan sejumlah dana untuk perancangan masa hadapan. Janganlupa, dalam keghairahan mengejar impian, jangan pula apa yangdikendong keciciran.

Different apologies

2011-08-20T23:17:00.000+08:00

What is the difference between the apology to Muslim readers published by the Star and the apology to the Prime Minister published by the online news portal, The Malaysian Insider ?

Are both apologies sincere?

The Star inadvertently published the offending piece due to an oversight in the steps taken before it appeared in their Ramadan Delights supplement. An experienced publishing entity would have all the checks and balances in place before any news item sees the light of day. In this instance, an anomaly occurred and the Star faced the consequences. We have to acknowledge that mistakes do happen and unfortunately it was an item that is sensitive to Muslims and a double whammy since it appeared during the fasting month.

The Star senior editor has been called by the Home Ministry to explain the debacle and as far as we can fathom, the case is clear cut, a mistake. Of course there are others who try to come out with conspiracy theories that the Star has always had an agenda undermining the Muslims in the country. Some comments highlight the fact that any negative news regarding Islam will always get special mention but the Star does try to balance its news content with contributions from Islamic authorities. Until concrete proofs are forthcoming, theories will remain theories.

Let us compare the previous scenario with the apology from the Malaysian Insider. An online news portal need only publish the apology on its website since it does not have an ink and paper edition, whereas the Star published its apology in both its printed copy and online site. The Malaysian Insider has done its part since the readers who had seen the news article would also be able to see the apology. Is that enough?

If anyone tries to look for the original article, they can only find the apology. The conclusion would be that the offending article has been taken off the site either thorugh Malaysian Insider's own initiative or after instructions from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). An intriguing side of this apology is the empty comments section with only these words appearing in its place “Commenting Disabled. Commenting on this page has been disabled by the blog admin.”

Aren't the editors of the Malaysian Insider the least bit curious to know the reaction of their readers? When we read the section on “about us” on its site, there is a paragraph which says “The Malaysian Insider values your thoughtful opinions on any reports or analyses contained here.” with the provision that it can edit or rewrite the comments for clarity. A bit of a letdown when readers are not even allowed to comment on the apology note.

The Star is still receiving a lot of flak over their mistake. Did the Malaysian Insider make a mistake too or was the meritocracy/mediocrity word already fixed in its place in the original article beforehand? The Prime Minister's speech on meritocracy and mediocrity is very important in view of the continuing debate on the impact it has on equal opportunities for all citizens of this country. If the online portal had already in mind that the PM prefers mediocrity, it is not too far fetched that unconciously the writer typed “mediocrity”, so as to add another evidence that mediocrity is the preferred action plan for the country.

What a shame, as more people turn to online news websites for their information of happenings around the world, a mistake such as this would put a damper on their reliability. Quite a few of the younger generation especially, have foregone the traditional news media and are now loyal to the new online news. There has always been sceptism on whether there is a balanced view in traditional media as they are seen to be linked to the ruling party.

On the other hand, if the new media only highlights the negatives of the ruling party, is that a balanced view too?

10 pendekatan selesai isu Injil

2011-04-04T01:36:00.000+08:00

Seharusnya tajuk berita yang tersiar pada 3 April 2011 di akhbar Berita Minggu ini menggembirakan semua penganut agama Kristian di Malaysia. Bukankah ini yang dinanti-nantikan semua supaya segala yang keruh kembali jernih. Sekali imbas, memang pendekatan yang diajukan menarik serta begitu adil dan saksama kepada semua yang terlibat.

Jika diteliti sekali lagi, kecacatan paling ketara ialah perbezaan apa yang dibenarkan di antara Semenanjung dengan Sabah dan Sarawak. Oleh kerana penganut agama Kristian yang lebih ramai di Sabah dan Sarawak, kelonggaran yang lebih meluas diberikan berkaitan pengimportan dan pengedaran kitab Injil di sana. Berlainan pula kaedahnya di Semenanjung kerana penduduk beragama Islam adalah golongan majoriti dan sensitiviti mereka mesti diambilkira. Di manakah letaknya konsep 1Malaysia dalam hal ini dan adakah kenyataan tentang penyelesaian isu Injil hanya gimik untuk menghadapi pilihanraya yang akan tiba di Sarawak.

Rencana di Malaysian Insider memberi ulasan yang jujur tentang isu ini. Komen daripada pembaca-pembacanya juga meluahkan perasaan bimbang dan tidak yakin tentang niat dan ketulusan kerajaan yang memerintah dalam melaksanakan semua pendekatan yang dinyatakan. Sesiapa juga yang pernah mengikuti perkembangan isu-isu sensitif tentang agama atau kaum di Malaysia pasti sedar tentang perjalanan sesuatu penyelesaian. Kenyataan demi kenyataan akan dikeluarkan bahawa masalah yang berbangkit telah menemui jalan penyelesaian yang prihatin terhadap semua yang terlibat. Pemimpin memang berkeyakinan apa yang dirumuskan adalah jalan penyelesaian tetapi pelaksanaannya?

Memang mudah mencapai kata sepakat di meja rundingan jika semua bersetuju bahawa keputusan yang akan diambil adalah untuk manfaat semua. Senario seperti itu jarang sekali terjadi. Tindakan bertolak-ansur yang lebih banyak berlaku tetapi pasti pula ada hadnya. Apabila perkara asaspun tidak dipedulikan dan hanya pandangan dan pendapat satu pihak sahaja yang diyakini benar, timbullah perbalahan semula. Setiap pihak berkeras kepala bahawa pandangannya sahaja yang benar dan tidak boleh tidak, mesti dituruti. Siapa yang mahu begitu?

Begitulah yang sentiasa berlaku di negara ini oleh kerana pihak pemerintah telah lunak dan sebati dengan persetujuan total daripada mereka yang berada di sekeliling. Walaupun ada yang membantah, suara mereka diketepikan, tidak diambil endah. Segala halangan dan rintangan yang timbul akan dibanteras menggunakan segala jentera kerajaan yang boleh digunapakai dan digembleng supaya pandangan yang telah dipersetujui oleh pihak yang tertentu sahaja dilaksanakan sepenuhnya.

Ketulusan adalah sesuatu yang asing dan ganjil bagi mereka yang diamanahkan melaksanakan tugas mencari penyelesaian sesuatu masalah. Sebelum ke meja rundinganpun, telah tertanam niat dan tekad supaya saranan pihak tertentu disokong oleh semua yang hadir. Memang tutur kata manis yang diluahkan menjadi penawar kepada mereka yang masih berharap tetapi kepada yang telah merasai pedasnya, apa yang dikatakan akan disambut dengan sinis. Berdolak-dalik, tidak tetap pendirian dan mengubah sewenang-wenangnya keputusan yang telah dipersetujui menjadi lumrah. Segala tindakan adalah untuk mendapatkan keputusan yang diingini. Ketika ini pilihanraya semakin hampir, dan segala tindak-tanduk mesti selaras dengan matlamat mendapat mandat sekali lagi memerintah negara.

Apalah sangat kata-kata jika tidak dilaksanakan sepenuhnya dengan iltizam dan kejujuran. Kenyataan demi kenyataan boleh dikeluarkan tetapi hasil pelaksanaan tetap menjadi ukuran sejauh mana keberkesanan sesuatu keputusan. Arahan daripada pihak atasan kadang-kadang mungkin tersasar dalam perjalanan kepada pegawai-pegawai yang sepatutnya menjalankan tugas yang diberikan. Apabila orang ramai bertanya dan ingin tahu kenapa pelaksanaan tidak seiring dengan kenyataan, masing-masing akan menuding jari kepada pihak yang lain. Masing-masing tidak mahu bertanggungjawab.

Tanggungjawab tersebut akan dipikul kumpulan yang lebih vokal, mewakili pihak pemerintah. Mereka bukan penjawat di bahagian pentadbiran di pejabat-pejabat kerajaan tetapi mempunyai peranan mencanang dan menyebarkan matlamat yang tersurat dan tersirat. Mengasak, mendesak dan mengapi-apikan sentimen sesuatu pihak, itulah tugas dan peranan mereka. Mereka menjadi alat yang paling berkesan untuk pihak pemerintah memastikan agenda mereka terus hidup dan kekal. Kaedah ini berbaloi kerana pihak pemerintah boleh menyatakan segala konflik dan amarah yang timbul tidak disebabkan tindakan pemerintah sendiri tetapi akibat pihak-pihak luar yang berkepentingan.

Apa yang pasti, pihak-pihak di luar lingkungan pemerintah ini diberi lampu hijau melakukan apa yang perlu untuk mengetengahkan idea dan buah fikiran yang telah dipersetujui. Pihak pemerintah mengambil jalan mudah, menyatakan keputusan yang telah dipersetujui ramai akan dilaksanakan tetapi hakikatnya akan dibangkang dan dibantah sekeras-kerasnya oleh kumpulan pendesak. Desakan daripada kumpulan seperti itu akan diambilkira oleh pihak pemerintah yang sudah pasti mengharuskan semua pendapat walaupun tidak selaras dengan keputusan yang telah dipersetujui sebelum itu. Alasannya ialah kerana mereka adalah pemerintah untuk semua tanpa membezakan yang melampau dan sederhana. Akhirnya kumpulan yang melampau itulah yang menguasai arah tuju keputusan pihak pemerintah dan pelaksanaan yang sepatutnya dijalankan hilang entah ke mana.

Itulah yang sering berlaku sejak kebelakangan ini di Malaysia. Mungkin tanda-tandanya memang telah lama wujud, cuma kita tidak begitu sedar dan mudah dikaburi dengan janji-janji manis daripada pihak pemerintah.

Isu kitab Injil telah lama menjadi tajuk perbincangan dan rundingan tetapi penyelesaian yang diambil masih belum boleh dibanggakan. Keputusan yang diambil masih lebih berat sebelah kepada satu pihak sahaja. Setakat ini tidak ada pula tanda-tanda bahawa penyelesaian akan benar-benar dilaksanakan sepenuhnya. Kita mesti tunggu dan lihat apa yang terjadi selepas musim pilihanraya berlalu.

Bilakah agaknya seorang penganut agama Islam di Semenanjung Malaysia akan berkata dia selesa dan tidak bermasalah mempelajari lebih lanjut tentang agama lain seperti yang dikatakan oleh seorang pemandu pelancong beragama Islam di Borobudur, Indonesia? Bilakah keyakinan tentang pegangan agama kita tidak akan diganggugugat atau goyah oleh sesuatu perkataan?

Alangkah lucunya negeri ini

2011-02-07T23:29:00.000+08:00

Alangkah lucunya negeri ini, sebuah filem Indonesia yang memaparkan pertemuan Muluk, seorang graduan yang masih belum mempunyai pekerjaan dengan seroang kanak-kanak yang menjadi penyeluk saku. Pertemuan ini mencetuskan idea kepada Muluk untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan bagi dirinya sendiri hasil penyeluk-penyeluk saku tadi. Dia menawarkan khidmat sebagai pengurus kepada kumpulan tersebut supaya dana yang terkumpul boleh berkembang dan mereka boleh menikmati pulangan yang lebih lumayan.

Idea ini ditentang pada mulanya tetapi di atas sokongan pelindung merangkap ketua kumpulan penyeluk saku tadi, Muluk berjaya sedikit demi sedikit membuktikan pendidikan yang diperolehinya selama ini boleh dimanfaatkan. Bapanya sendiri percaya Muluk telah berjaya bekerja sebagai pengurus sumber manusia. Memang tidak salah penjelasan ini kerana Muluk memang mengurus sekumpulan pekerja tetapi bukan mereka yang bekerja di pejabat. Tetapi apabila kenyataan sebenar diketahui, bapa Muluk begitu hampa. Timbullah persoalan halal haram, dan etika moral kerana menggunakan wang hasil mencuri.

Muluk tidak hanya menguruskan kewangan kumpulan penyeluk saku itu tetapi mengajak dua orang rakannya yang juga menganggur memberi pendidikan asas membaca dan menulis serta hal-hal agama kepada kumpulan kanak-kanak tersebut. Di sini juga, terdapat tentangan pada mulanya tetapi lama-kelamaan manfaat mempunyai pendidikan terbukti. Muluk memang mempunyai matlamat dan cita-cita supaya segala yang dilakukannya akan mengubah nasib kumpulan kanak-kanak tadi. Dia inginkan mereka berhenti terlibat dengan kegiatan mencuri dan bertukar menjadi usahawan supaya masa depan hidup mereka lebih terjamin.

Kegiatan mencuri pada pandangan kanak-kanak ini memberikan pulangan yang lebih lumayan berbanding pekerjaan yang dibenarkan di sisi undang-undnag negara. Muluk dan rakan-rakan terpaksa memberi pelbagai contoh dan teladan supaya sekurang-kurangnya sebahagian daripada kanak-kanak itu berani mencuba. Hasilnya tentulah sedikit pada awal penglibatan tetapi kanak-kanak yang mengambil keputusan menjaja barang-barangan di jalanan diberi sokongan supaya terus bersemangat dan mencuba.

Apa yang menarik ialah isu pendidikan itu sendiri yang menjadi bahan perbincangan di antara bapa Muluk dan bakal besannya. Besannya tidak yakin pendidikan itu penting kerana pada permulaan cerita, Muluk masih menganggur walaupun sudah lulus beberapa tahun dan memiliki sarjana pengurusan. Besannya memberi contoh anak-anaknya sendiri telah berjaya berdikari walaupun secara kecil-kecilan menjalankan perniagaan sendiri tanpa berharapkan segulung ijazah. Bapa Muluk pula berpandangan bahawa pendidikan tetap penting cuma mungkin nasib belum menyebelahi anaknya berjaya mendapatkan pekerjaan yang sesuai.

Muluk menggunakan isu pendidikan semasa meyakinkan seorang rakannya supaya mengajar kanak-kanak yang terbiar itu. Rakannya yang mempunyai sarjana pendidikan telahpun berputus asa dan saban hari hanya bermain daun terup bersama rakan-rakan yang sebaya. Rakannya pula tidak yakin manfaat pendidikan tetapi seperti kata Muluk, kesimpulan itu sendiri terhasil akibat pendidikan yang telah diperolehi. Kebolehan berfikir dan mencapai sesuatu kesimpulan adalah hasil pendidikan kalau tidak mereka hanya mengikut arahan.

Satu babak filem itu menonjolkan bagaimana asas membaca dan menulis begitu penting walaupun hanya untuk kanak-kanak kumpulan penyeluk saku. Rupa-rupanya pernah terjadi salah seorang daripada mereka lari ke arah balai polis ketika dikejar orang ramai kerana kanak-kank itu tidak tahu membaca papan tanda yang terpampang. Cuma nasib masih menyebelahi kanak-kanak itu dan dia berjaya mengelak daripada ditangkap dan dipenjarakan. Mengimbas kembali peristiwa itu memberikan semangat baru kepada kumpulana kanak-kanak itu bahawa pendidikan memang penting.

Muluk juga memberi contoh bagaimana hasil pendapatan penyeluk saku tidaklah seberapa jika dibandingkan dengan hasil rasuah yang dikecapi oleh orang yang berpendidikan. Kumpulan kanak-kanak itu begitu terangsang mahu belajar kerana bermimpikan pulangan yang lebih lumayan hasil rasuah. Ketika ini peranan rakan-rakan Muluk yang mengajar tentang etika, moral dan agama mengambil tempat. Konsep baik dan buruk, syurga dan neraka, perasaan bangga dan yakin terhadap diri sendiri dan negara disemai. Bukan pekerjaan yang mudah kerana kanak-kanak ini tidak pernah melalui semua proses ini. Mereka adalah anak-anak jalanan dan sudah sebati dengan dunia penyeluk saku.

Babak yang memaparkan bapa Muluk mengasingkan bekas kopi, teh dan gula kepada yang mana milik Muluk dan yang mana miliknya sendiri sambil menyatakan kekesalan tentang punca hasil pekerjaan Muluk meyakinkan kita bahawa isu halal haram memang satu isu yang telah termaktub hitam putihnya kepada kebanyakan orang. Apa yang diajar selama ini oleh para pendidik adalah sesuatu hasil itu sudah semestinya halal atau haram jika dikaji dari mana asalnya. Apa yang dilakukan Muluk sudah terbukti haram kerana memakan hasil perbuatan mencuri. Walaupun Muluk mempunyai niat memperbaiki kehidupan kumpulan kanak-kanak penyeluk saku itu, matlamat tidak menghalalkan tindakannya.

Muluk terpaksa akur dengan ketetapan itu dan hanya mampu berharap segala usahanya membuahkan hasil. Malangnya, beberapa orang kanak-kanak yang berani mencuba menjaja di jalanan hampir-hampir ditangkap pihak penguatkuasa bandar kerana undang-undang tidak membenarkan pengemis atau penjaja di jalanan. Muluk berjaya menghalang kumpulan kanak-kanak itu daripada ditangkap dan bertikam lidah dengan pegawai-pegawai penguatkuasa betapa menjalankan perniagaan secara kecil-kecilan patut dibenarkan berbanding kegiatan rasuah yang bermaharajalela di seluruh negara.

Apa yang boleh dilakukan oleh pegawai-pegawai tadi? Mereka hanya berkemampuan menahan Muluk dan juga orang lain yang menghalang perjalanan trafik di bandar-bandar. Mereka tidak punya kuasa atau pengaruh untuk menahan pegawai-pegawai atasan daripada terus-menerus mengagih keuntungan daripada kegiatan rasuah. Walaupun haram, rasuah melicinkan perjalanan pentadbiran dan tempiasnya boleh dinikmati semua.

Gandingan yang amat berbahaya. Pendidikan dan rasuah.

Wakil rakyat dan kesihatan

2011-01-24T00:36:00.000+08:00

Satu berita yang menggembirakan. Wakil-wakil rakyat mungkin terpaksa menjalani pemeriksaan kesihatan setiap tahun untuk memastikan mereka berkeupayaan menjalankan tugas masing-masing mengikut laporan Sunday Star 23 Januari 2011. Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai berkata dia akan membuat cadangan tersebut di mesyuarat kabinet yang akan datang memandangkan banyak pilihanraya kecil diadakan berikutan kematian wakil-wakil rakyat akibat pelbagai jenis penyakit.

Semenjak Pilihanraya Umum Mac 2008, sebanyak 14 pilihanraya kecil telah diadakan dan satu lagi akan diumumkan setelah wakil rakyat Merlimau meninggal dunia pada hari Khamis lalu. Sebelas pilihanraya kecil dijalankan setelah wakil-wakil rakyat atau ahli dewan undangan negeri meninggal dunia akibat pelbagai jenis penyakit termasuklah masalah jantung, kanser, angin ahmar dan jangkitan paru-paru.

Cadangan Menteri Kesihatan memang sesuai dengan saranan seorang penulis blog Obefiend supaya mewajibkan pemeriksaan kesihatan untuk semua wakil-wakil rakyat. Dia memberi contoh seorang pelatih yang perlu menjalani pemeriksaan kesihatan terlebih dahulu sebelum memulakan latihan di sebuah syarikat multi-nasional. Jika pelatih itu gagal di dalam pemeriksaan kesihatan, dia tidak akan dibenarkan membuat latihan di syarikat tersebut. Pelatih itu berjaya menempuh ujian pertama tetapi dikehendaki menjalani satu lagi pemeriksaan kesihatan ketika dia memohon kerja di syarikat yang sama. Sekarang dia diterima bekerja kerana terbukti pelatih itu sihat dan berupaya menjalankan tugas.

Itulah yang sepatutnya diwajibkan kepada semua wakil-wakil rakyat dan yang bercita-cita mahu memegang jawatan itu. Wakil rakyat merupakan pilihan rakyat di sesuatu kawasan dan adalah suara penduduk, orang ramai dan semua yang bermastautin di situ. Harapan yang tinggi diletakkan di bahu wakil rakyat yang terpilih. Mereka yang terpilih ini diberi amanah menjalankan tugas sepanjang tempoh yang diberikan, bukannya separuh jalan sahaja. Kebanyakan calon yang bertanding di dalam sesuatu pilihanraya akan membuat janji-janji kepada penduduk kawasan mereka. Kalau janji-janji tidak dapat ditunaikan kerana mereka pergi menemui ajal terlebih dahulu, pasti penduduk di kawasan itu akan berasa kecewa.

Usaha yang terbengkalai mungkin tidak dapat diteruskan apabila mendapat wakil rakyat yang baru. Wakil rakyat yang baru pula walaupun dari parti yang sama mungkin mahu melihat agendanya yang tersendiri dilaksanakan. Jika wakil rakyat itu dari parti yang lain, kemungkinan rancangan yang terdahulu diabaikan adalah lebih besar. Rakyat di kawasan itu yang menerima akibatnya, wakil rakyat yang terpilih tidak dapat meneruskan usaha yang dijanjikan. Perancangan baru harus dibuat dan kepentingan pihak-pihak yang lain pula mesti diambilkira.

Semua perubahan ini mengambil masa dan perbelanjaan tambahan. Perbelanjaan menjaga ketenteraman awam ketika pilihanraya-pilihanraya kecil setakat ini telahpun melebihi RM50 juta. Suatu angka yang besar dan boleh dimanfaatkan untuk keperluan pembangunan di kawasan-kawasan yang terlibat. Wang rakyat tidak seharusnya dipergunakan sebegitu rupa. Kalau calon-calon dan wakil-wakil rakyat diwajibkan menjalani pemeriksaan kesihatan setiap tahun, kos pemeriksaan tersebut tidaklah mencecah sehingga ke jumlah yang begitu besar. Lagipun pada masa ini banyak pusat-pusat kesihatan yang menawarkan pemeriksaan yang komprehensif dengan pakej jangka panjang untuk mengawasi perkembangan tahap kesihatan seseorang. Pemeriksaan setiap tahun sekurang-kurangnya boleh mengenalpasti apa-apa masalah yang mungkin dihadapi. Pencegahan memang lebih baik daripada pengubatan.

Gejala wakil-wakil rakyat yang meninggal dunia akibat penyakit lemah jantung mungkin paparan tentang apa yang berlaku di kalangan rakyat di seluruh negara. Perangkaan sebab kematian yang berkaitan dengan penyakit jantung menunjukkan peningkatan sebanyak 1.5% di antara tahun 2005 sehingga 2007 di kalangan lelaki berumur di antara 15-64 tahun dan peningkatan sebanyak 0.8% di kalangan wanita dalam lingkungan umur dan tempoh pemerhatian yang sama. Data terkini mungkin boleh membuktikan sama ada peningkatan itu berterusan atau tidak sehingga sekarang. Tetapi jika dilihat daripada kejadian wakil-wakil rakyat meninggal dunia semenjak kebelakangan ini, andaian peningkatan bertrerusan kematian yang berkaitan dengan penyakit jantung mungkin ada kebenarannya. Sementelah yang meninggal dunia merupakan wakil rakyat, tentu apa yang terjadi pada mereka mewakili juga apa yang berlaku di seluruh negara.

Apa yang pasti dan satu kesimpulan yang amat mudah dibuat kenapa berlaku peningkatan kematian akibat penyakit jantung ialah corak pemakanan dan gaya hidup rakyat pada masa ini yang tidak menyumbang kepada tahap kesihatan yang baik. Perhatikan sahaja apa yang dimakan setiap pagi di warung-warung dan kedai kopi oleh orang ramai. Nasi lemak, mi goreng dan makanan yang berminyak menjadi pilihan utama. Tidak cukup dengan sajian yang begitu membebankan perjalanan jantung kita, ditambah pula dengan meminum teh tarik yang sudah semestinya begitu manis. Kalau diminta minuman yang kurang manispun, sekali-sekala sahaja.

Itu baru bab makanan. Perhatikan pula tahap kecergasan rakyat negara ini. Semakin ramai yang berkereta untuk ke mana-mana dan kalau boleh mahu meletakkan kereta mereka betul-betul di pintu masuk sesuatu bangunan supaya tidak perlu berjalan jauh dari tempat meletak kereta. Apabila ada eskalator di bangunan tersebut, itulah yang digunakan. Tangga hanya perlu jika terdesak iaitu apabila lif atau eskalator rosak. Termengah-mengahlah semua yang menggunakan tangga kerana aktiviti itu jarang-jarang sekali dilakukan.

Manakan tidak. Mana padang permainan kita di bandar-bandar yang semakin canggih dan penuh dengan bangunan pencakar langit atau pusat membeli-belah. Setiap ruang yang ada digunakan untuk membina lebih banyak bangunan. Anak-anak tidak punya ruang untuk berlari-lari, berkejar-kejar sesama rakan. Ibu bapa dan jiran-jiran tidak punya ruang untuk bersantai di petang hari. Masing-masing ke pusat-pusat membeli-belah. Memang berjalan kaki di pusat membeli-belah kadang-kadang memenatkan kerana keluasan ruang perniagaan yang tersedia begitu besar. Berjalan-jalan membeli-belah tidak akan sama dengan berjalan-jalan di padang permainan atau bersukan. Berbeza. Amat berbeza.

Satu aktiviti santai, sementara yang satu mengeluarkan peluh dan menggunakan tenaga. Walaupun mungkin tidak sehebat olahragawan profesional, kegiatan bersukan berkala yang seharusnya dilakukan oleh setiap orang untuk mengekalkan tahap kecergasannya memang membantu. Apabila pemakanan yang seimbang beserta kegiatan beriadah yang merangsang jantung bekerja dengan lebih efisien menjadi rutin hidup, barulah gejala wakil-wakil rakyat satu demi satu meninggal dunia akibat penyakit yang berkaitan dengan jantung boleh berkurangan.

Media lama menang ?

2011-01-17T22:33:00.000+08:00

Rencana Ahirudin Atan yang tersiar di Malay Mail 6 Januari 2011 memberi satu pandangan yang menarik untuk direnung bersama. Dia menyatakan bahawa media lama telah berjaya mengalahkan media baru pada masa ini berdasarkan senario pertambahan pembaca media lama dalam laman-laman sesawangnya. Akhbar-akhbar aliran perdana semakin kurang pembelinya tetapi apa yang diperhatikan ialah pertambahan bilangan yang mengklik laman sesawang atau versi online mereka. Perkembangan ini kelihatan di seluruh dunia dan laman berita online setakat inii belum lagi mencapai tahap sedemikian.

Penulis mengambil contoh dari Alexa yang memberi maklumat tentang laman sesawang paling popular di Malaysia. Hanya ada tiga laman berita yang berada di kedudukan 25 ke atas dan dua daripadanya adalah versi online akhbar aliran perdana iaitu the Star (15) dan Utusan Malaysia (22). Malaysiakini (16) merupakan satu-satunya laman berita alternatif yang berjaya mencapai kedudukan yang tinggi. Prestasi akhbar aliran perdana terbukti sekali lagi apabila kita melihat data daripada Malaysian Digital Association untuk bulan November 2010. Enam akhbar aliran perdana yang mempunyai versi online berada pada kedudukan 30 ke atas iaitu the Star (9), Harian Metro (13), Utusan Malaysia (14), Berita Harian (16), Kosmo (19) dan Sin Chew Jit Poh (28). Senarai itu juga menunjukkan hanya Malaysiakini (11) dan the Malaysian Insider (23) yang berjaya mencapai kedudukan yang tinggi di antara laman-laman berita media baru.

Nampaknya pembaca yang sudah sebati dengan akhbar-akhbar aliran perdana tetap setia dengan versi online mereka. Setakat ini belum ada pula kajian yang dijalankan untuk menunjukkan peratusan pembaca media lama yang telah bertukar membaca versi online akhbar-akhbar tersebut dan sebab-sebabnya. Kesimpulan yang paling ketara ialah kerana versi itu percuma dan mudah diakses di mana-mana dengan bertambahnya alat-alat komunikasi yang semakin canggih.

Ini berbeza pula dengan Malaysiakini, satu-satunya laman berita yang mengenakan bayaran untuk mengakses lebih banyak berita yang ada di dalamnya. Pembaca hanya boleh membaca tajuk utama dan mungkin satu atau dua perenggan berkenaan sesuatu berita. Mungkin itu sudah mencukupi untuk sesetengah pembaca dan mereka yang mahukan lebih banyak maklumat akan bersedia membayar untuk menikmati faedahnya. Pembaca sedemikian sudah pasti bahawa apa yang akan dibaca nanti membawa pulangan dari sudut penulisannya. Ini adalah portal berita alternatif, memang yang ditulis tidak sehaluan dengan apa yang diperolehi dalam laman-lamab berita aliran perdana.

Bagaimana versi online the Star dapat bertahan? Lihat sahaja muka depan laman berita versi online akhbar itu setiap kali pembaca mengaksesnya. Iklan demi iklan akan kelihatan. Memang menyakitkan mata tetapi ada manfaatnya bagi pihak pengurusan kerana inilah sumber dana kewangan mereka. The Star dengan pengalaman sebagai salah satu akhbar aliran perdana yang paling laris mempunyai latar belakang yang cukup mantap dari segi kewangan untuk menerima jatuh bangun versi onlinenya. Matlamat supaya kekal sebagai laman berita yang paling laris dan berpengaruh di negara ini menjadikan versi online satu pertaruhan dan pelaburan yang boleh membawa pulangan yang amat lumayan. Jangka masa untuk mendapat pulangan tersebut mungkin mengambil masa bertahun-tahun lebih lama daripada sesuatu pelaburan yang tradisional tetapi itulah aliran masa kini. Generasi abad ke 21 lebih akrab dengan apa yang berlaku di alam maya dan kegiatan mereka banyak berkisar di situ. Kalau media aliran perdana tidak mengambil inisiatif menunjukkan keilbat di alam maya, sukarlah bagi mereka meneruskan matlamat menyebarkan maklumat yang tersurat dan tersirat kepada khalayak yang dikehendaki.

Apa yang menarik juga untuk diperhatikan ialah persamaan di antara berita yang tersiar dalam apa juga versi akhbar-akhbar aliran perdana. Bandingkan versi online Harian Metro dengan apa yang tercetak. Tidak ada apa-apa perbezaan ketara kecuali sesetengah berita yang dicetak tidak terdapat dalam versi online. Kekurangan ini mungkin juga satu kelebihan kerana para pembaca setia yang melihat versi online akan teruja membeli versi yang bercetak. Kumpulan ini selesa dengan apa yang terpapar dalam versi bercetak dan walaupun boleh mengakses versi online, kepuasan yang sama tidak dikecapi.

Lain pula halnya dengan kumpulan anak-anak abad iphone dan ipad. Mereka dan kumpulan yang selesa dengan teknologi terkini memang gemar dengan apa juga yang terdapat online. Lebih mudah dan lebih ringkas pada mereka. Tidak membuang masa. Satu klik sudah boleh memberikan maklumat yang diperlukan. Tidak perlu membaca analisa yang panjang berjela. Intipati padat yang diperolehi dalam genggaman sudah mencukupi sebagai bekalan untuk bersemuka dan menjadi tajuk perbincagan bersama-sama rakan-rakan di dalam dan di luar waktu kerja. Mungkin kerana itulah juga banyak analisa tentang sesuatu isu dimampatkan dan hanya hujah yang berkaitan ditekankan. Kadang-kadang membaca ringkasan sahaja boleh melahirkan kesimpulan yang tidak tepat dan menimbulkan perbalahan yang tidak sepatutnya berlaku. Ada ketikanya pembacaan yang teliti diperlukan dan ulasan yang lebih mendalam tentang sesuatu berita itulah yang lebih penting bukan tajuk utamanya sahaja.

Laman berita baru memang menghadapi dugaan yang mencabar. Walaupun ramai yang mengklik sesuatu laman berita itu tetapi selama manakah pihak pengurusan mampu bertahan mengendalikannya. Banyak laman berita baru yang menghadapi masalah kewangan. Ketika ini ada sahaja laman berita baru yang timbul tetapi bukan semuanya bermutu atau berwibawa dan setengah-setengahnya bertindan maklumat. Ada pula yang disangsikan mempunyai dalang yang mempunyai motif tertentu. Pertimbangan tentang kebebasan dan sikap neutral perlu wujud di kalangan sesiapa sahaja yang berniat atau bercita-cita terjun ke dalam kancah media baru. Kalau niat pembaca hendak mengetahui tentang berita-berita terkini sepintas lalu, versi online laman-laman berita akhbar aliran perdana sudah memadai. Laman berita media baru mempunyai peranan memberi sudut pandangan yang lain terhadap sesuatu berita. Inilah yang dicari-cari oleh pembaca yang mahukan pandangan daripada pelbagai pihak tentang sesuatu. Jika media baru berjaya dalam misi ini, ramailah yang akan mengakses laman itu apabila mula dilancarkan dan akan kekal menjadi pembaca yang setia. Ujian paling getir adalah bagaimana laman tersebut meneruskan kewujudannya di alam maya..

Rasuah

2010-10-04T20:59:00.000+08:00

Rencana ini juga tersiar di CPI Asia pada 27 September 2010 di bawah tajuk "Makan suap dihalalkan".

Ucapan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada perasmian Seminar Serantau "Menjenayahkan Rasuah" Inisiatif Pencegahan Rasuah Bagi Asia dan Pasifik, Bank Pembangunan Asia/Pertubuhan Kerjasama dan Pembangunan Ekonomi yang ke-10 di Kuala Lumpur pada 23 September 2010 mencetuskan ingatan tentang kempen Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah yang dilancarkan lebih dua puluh tahun dahulu.

Apa yang nyata ialah kegagalan kempen Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah (BCA) tersebut manakala rasuah hari ini pula sudah sebati menjadi darah daging setengah-setengah rakyat Malaysia. Tajuk seminar “Menjenayahkan Rasuah” memberi gambaran seolah-olah rasuah bukan satu jenayah pada masa dahulu. Hanya sekarang rasuah diiktiraf sebagai satu jenayah? Sedih bercampur-baur dengan perasaan kecewa yang amat sangat jika benarlah itu pendirian pemerintah. Lucu dan sinis juga apabila mengingatkan bahawa kempen BCA tidak digemblengkan dengan sungguh-sungguh tetapi bertukar bentuk menjadi pelbagai kempen dan slogan lain sepanjang dekad-dekad lalu. Malang sekali segala kempen dan slogan tidak membuahkan hasil yang memuaskan.

Walaupun Badan Pencegah Rasuah telah bertukar nama menjadi Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) yang kononnya lebih berwibawa, kejayaan membanteras gejala rasuah masih di tahap lama, yakni banyak ikan-ikan bilis yang dihukum tetapi jerung-jerung besar masih bermaharajalela.

Apabila SPRM atau pihak berkuasa yang bertanggungjawab disoal tentang kurangnya kes-kes yang melibatkan nama-nama yang berpengaruh, jawapan yang sering diberikan ialah kekurangan bukti. Memang agak sukar memerangkap nama-nama yang berpengaruh kerana jenayah mereka sering melibatkan orang lain yang berkepentingan. Jika yang tertuduh disabitkan kesalahan, mungkin ada pula kesan sampingan kepada orang lain dalam lingkungan yang sama. Apa yang diutamakan ialah menjaga periuk nasi masing-masing. Oleh itu mereka yang terlibat perlu memastikan bahawa nama mereka tidak terpalit bersama-sama yang dituduh. Bukti yang diperlukan tidak akan wujud dan mungkin sengaja dilenyapkan supaya tidak mengarah kepada pihak-pihak tertentu.

Media massa arus perdana sering memuatkan berita tentang tangkapan, tuduhan dan hukuman terhadap pengamal rasuah yang melibatkan jumlah wang yang hanya setitik dalam lautan yang dalam. Walhal kita boleh melihat dengan mata kasar setengah-setengah 'istana' dan aset mewah pemimpin parti pemerintah atau pegawai-pegawai kerajaan yang tidak mungkin diperolehi daripada hasil gaji atau elaun bulanan mereka semata-mata. Kesangsian tentang punca pendapatan mereka tidak terjawab. Jika mereka benar-benar bijak melabur dan telah melipatgandakan gaji bulanan yang diterima sehingga mampu hidup mewah, tentu sekali mereka tidak ada masalah berkongsi kaedah yang digunakan itu dengan para pembayar cukai negara ini, Sekurang-kurangnya bentangkan semua akaun yang berkaitan dengan harta mereka. Tetapi sebaliknya, mereka mengelak daripada memberi jawapan yang jujur dan nyata.

Kalau pemimpin dan yang berpengaruh tidak tertangkap atau dihukum kerana gejala rasuah, maka terbuktilah kegiatan ini merupakan contoh baik kepada yang berpangkat rendah dan rakyat jelata sebagai jalan pintas mencapai kemewahan. Rajin dan usaha tidak diperlukan dan tidak bernilai lagi. Setiap peringkat mendapat manfaat, dari golongan bawah sehinggalah pucuk pempinan negara. Apa yang dahulu dipandang jijik, telah bertukar sifat sebagai satu lumrah hidup. Kegiatan yang diiktiraf secara tidak langsung memudahkan kerja dan melicinkan perjalanan jentera negara dalam matlamatnya mencapai taraf negara maju pada masa hadapan.

Kerugian dari segi rohani dan jasmani diabaikan dan dilupakan. Apa yang penting, seolah-olah jampi serapah yang menjadi mantra ialah hasrat mengaut sebanyak mana kekayaan negara dengan cara yang paling mudah. Pedulikan orang lain. Hak hidup mewah itulah yang lebih utama. Rasuah telah dihalalkan.

Wang itu memang perlu untuk hidup selesa tetapi kenapa memilih jalan ini? Pada suatu ketika rasuah juga dikenali sebagai makan suap. Alangkah cocok takrif itu yang menggambarkan kegiatan orang yang sedang makan disuap seolah-olah dia masih anak-anak. Orang dewasa masih ditahap kanak-kanak. Sampai bila? Kenapa pula penyuap terus-menerus mengikut rentak yang meminta disuap? Bertepuk sebelah tangan tentu tidak akan berbunyi.

Masing-masing punya alasan sendiri kenapa mereka terjerumus ke kancah yang menjanjikan seribu-satu bentuk kemudahan dan kemewahan. Hidup di abad ke-21 ini pula penuh cabaran dan mereka yang tidak mempunyai apa-apa bekalan atau tidak mahu berusaha keras mendapatkannya memang mudah terpengaruh apatah lagi jika pemimpin dilihat sewenang-wenangnya menggunakan kuasa dan pengaruh untuk terus maju ke hadapan. Siapa yang mahu tertinggal? Jika yang di atas dibenarkan berbuat demikian terang-terangan, apalah salahnya jika yang di bawah pun menikmati sedikit juadah yang dihidangkan. Itulah pemikiran yang tertanam. Tolak ke tepi, pegangan agama, moral atau etika kerana seperti yang semua sedia maklum, itu semua perhitungan masa hadapan. Masa dan saat ini yang mesti diutamakan.

Bolehkah rasuah dibasmi daripada muka bumi? Mungkin tidak seratus peratus tetapi pasti boleh dikurangkan. Pucuk pangkalnya ialah pemimpin sesebuah negara, Hendak seribu daya tetapi setakat ini kurang sekali kesungguhan membanteras gejala yang semakin berleluasa di negara ini. Kempen demi kempen diadakan, badan yang diwujudkan menangani masalah ini dinaiktarafkan, hukuman ditambah tetapi yang benar-benar bersalah tetap bebas.

Kadang-kadang terasa seperti menonton sebuah sandiwara yang dihidangkan untuk mengabui mata rakyat. Kempen dan slogan, perbincangan dan perdebatan, seminar dan ceramah. Setakat itulah nampaknya usaha membanteras gejala ini. Sementara itu, yang sudah mahir dan masak dengan segala selok-belok makan suap akan terus disuap. Penyuap pula memang sedia ada di mana juga. Ada yang terpaksa menyuap tetapi ada juga yang sengaja menyuap supaya mudah mencapai apa yang dihajati tanpa banyak kerenah jentera pentadbiran. Semua mahukan perjalanan hidup yang selesa. Tidak terfikir di benak mereka bahawa penyakit ini akan berterusan jika tidak dicegah dari akar umbinya.

Penduduk tetap atau rakyat negara tetangga

2010-09-19T11:27:00.000+08:00

Membaca rencana yang tersiar di akhbar The Star 18 September 2010 mungkin pada mulanya tidak memberi apa-apa kesan pada kita, rakyat Malaysia.

Perenggan tentang satu rancangan radio di Singapura membuka mata. Program itu berhubung kenyataan Menteri Kanan Singapura, Goh Chok Tong bahawa kerajaan akan menghubungi kumpulan penduduk tetap yang terpilih di negara itu yang akan digalakkan mendapatkan taraf kerakyatan. Mengikut katanya, jika mereka tidak mahu menjadi rakyat negara tersebut, status penduduk tetap tidak akan diperbaharui.

Program radio itu mendapat banyak panggilan daripada penduduk tetap negara tersebut terutama sekali yang berasal dari Malaysia mengkritik kenyataan Goh Chok Tong. Ramai di antara rakyat Malaysia yang disoal sama ada mereka akan memilih kerakyatan Singapura berbanding status penduduk tetap, menjawab mereka tidak akan memilih kerakyatan negara tersebut dengan memberi alasan bahawa keluarga mereka masih di Malaysia.

Ada pemanggil yang menyatakan bahawa dia datang ke negara tersebut untuk mencari wang dan tertarik dengan standard hidup yang lebih tinggi tetapi lambat-laun akan pulang juga ke negara asalnya. Seorang expatriat pula menyatakan bahawa sejumlah kecil sahaja expatriat yang akan menjadikan pulau kecil itu sebagai tempat tinggal tetap mereka walaupun pulau itu terkenal mewah dan makmur.

Memang pelbagai alasan diberikan kenapa penduduk tetap tidak mahu menjadi rakyat jiran tetangga kita. Bukankah ini satu bukti kesetiaan dan cintanya rakyat Malaysia terhadap tanah air mereka sendiri walaupun kebanyakan daripada mereka yang berkerja di sana adalah dari kumpulan yang sering dilabel kaun pendatang. Malahan pada masa ini, semakin banyak pula rakyat negara ini daripada kumpulan bumiputra yang mencari nafkah bukan sahaja di Singapura bahkan di negara-negara lain di dunia.

Mereka berhijrah ke negeri orang bukan kerana tidak sayangkan tanah tumpah darah mereka tetapi keadaan negara pada masa ini seolah-olah mengusir mereka ke tempat lain. Situasi ini adalah yang sama dialami oleh negara-negara jiran kita yang menyaksikan ramai rakyat mereka bersusah-payah datang ke sini mencari rezeki. Ramai rakyat Malaysia walau ke hujung dunia pun masih tertambat hatinya ke negara kelahiran mereka. Keadaan dalam negeri sendiri banyak mempengaruhi keputusan mereka untuk ke luar negara.

Memang mudah untuk yang berfikiran sempit melabel mereka yang ke luar negara sebagai pembelot, penderhaka atau sekurang-kurangnya tidak mengenang budi. Tetapi jika segala titik peluh mereka sering dipandang sinis, seolah-olah ada rencana besar mahu mengambil alih hak bumiputra, tentu sekali mereka yang ke luar negara berhak berbuat demikian. Kumpulan bukan bumiputra digalakkan menyumbang segala ikhtiar dan usaha mereka dalam proses pembangunan negara tetapi sumbangan dan penat lelah itu jarang sekali dinobatkan atau diberi penghargaan sewajarnya.

Hanya konco-konco atau mereka yang mempunyai hubungan dengan pihak pemerintah diberi muka. Bagaimana pula nasib kumpulan menengah atau yang masih kais pagi makan pagi. Kumpulan ini tidak terhad kepada bumiputra sahaja tetapi merangkumi semua. Oleh itu, tentu sekali apabila ada peluang mencari rezeki di tempat lain, ia tidak disia-siakan. Tempat lain memberi segala kemudahan dan peluang untuk maju terus. Berbekalkan usaha dan iltizam, kejayaan boleh dicapai tidak seperti di negara sendiri yang mewujudkan pelbagai kekangan dan halangan.

Bilakah pemerintah akan sedar bahawa negara bukan sahaja kehilangan penduduk dari kumpulan yang dilabel pendatang tetapi sedikit demi sedikit yang bukan pendatang pun, iaitu bumiputra tidak senang dengan keadaan semasa dan mengangkat kaki ke luar negara sebagai tanda protes. Memang hujan emas di negeri orang, lebih baik di negeri sendiri, tetapi sampai bilakah kita sanggup dibuai janji-janji kosong.

Penduduk negara ini semakin berpandangan luas dan tidak mudah dikotak-katikkan oleh puak-puak yang mahukan kekayaan negara hanya untuk mereka dan yang bersekutu dengannya. Sampai bila kita akan dipandang remeh, seolah-olah masih anak-anak, dihujani dolak-dalik, alasan demi alasan. Kita semua adalah rakyat Malaysia, bukan pendatang. Kalau hendak bertegang urat tentang takrif siapa yang datang dulu ke tanah air ini, hanya Orang Asal yang berhak mendabik dada tanpa was-was.

Pucuk pimpinan pada masa ini tidak menunjukkan kesungguhan menangani isu penghijrahan rakyat ke luar negara. Alangkah sedihnya bahawa mereka tidak sedar betapa negara kerugian besar. Manusia adalah aset paling berharga sesebuah negara. Lihat sahajalah jiran tetangga kita yang dikatakan hanya sebesar noktah. Aset manusia merekalah dan sebilangan besar adalah dari Malaysia yang membawa mereka ke mercu kejayaan. Tanpa apa-apa sumber hasil sendiri, mereka berjaya melangkau jauh ke depan, sebaris negara-negara maju yang lain.

Malang sekali bagi kita, Malaysia semakin ketinggalan. Hasil negara entah ke mana, tidak dimanfaatkan sebaik-baiknya untuk semua golongan di serata pelusok dan daerah. Kita bertungkus-lumus membangunkan negara walaupun sumbangan kita tidak seberapa. Tentu sekali kita juga berhak menikmati hasilnya. Kita semua memang berhak ke atas kekayaan nagara ini. Bukan untuk golongan tertentu sahaja tetapi terbukti hanya peratusan kecil terus-menerus menikmati kemewahan dan tidak pula mereka rasa bersalah. Memang, perasaan bersalah itu tidak mungkin wujud dalam diri mereka kerana apa yang lebih penting ialah mengaut keuntungan sebanyak mungkin secepat mungkin selagi hayat masih ada.

Tamak dan haloba itulah panduan hidup kumpulan ini.

Meninjau kembali masalah ekuiti korporat Bumiputera

2010-09-06T00:52:00.000+08:00

Di bawah ini adalah terjemahan bebas rencana yang tersiar di CPI Asia pada 4 September 2010.

Meninjau kembali masalah ekuiti korporat Bumiputera

oleh Dr Lim Teck Ghee

Lebih daripada lima tahun telah berlalu sejak laporan kajian korporat oleh Asli mendedahkan bahawa pemilikan ekuiti korporat Bumiputera di Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur telah melebihi matlamat 30 peratus.

Penemuan kajian ini tentang 45 peratus saham Bumiputera berasaskan kaedah pengukuran yang berbeza berbanding dengan yang rasmi. Menggunakan nilai pasaran dan bukan kaedah rasmi penilaian nilai nominal, dan memperuntukkan ekuiti GLC berdasarkan perkongsian mengikut kaum, kajian mendapati bahawa sudah tiba masanya untuk menamatkan dasar yang telah dilaksanakan sejak tahun 1970-an.

Penemuan kajian ini tidak sahaja mencetuskan reaksi yang negatif kerana bukan hanya mencabar data rasmi tentang saham ekuiti yang dimiliki oleh masyarakat Melayu tetapi apa yang lebih penting telah mencabar ortodoksi rasmi.

Reaksi keras daripada pelbagai para pemimpin UMNO pada waktu itu menunjukkan kemarahan mereka - dan mungkin rasa takut - bahawa kajian Asli menidakkan keyakinan yang telah lama dipegang tentang bagaimana strategi ekuiti korporat Bumiputera perlu untuk kemajuan ekonomi Bumiputera dan sinonim dengan kepentingan Melayu.

Hilang dalam badai api itu ialah cadangan kajian tersebut yang merangkumi isu-isu yang luas. Cadangan-cadangan tersebut disampaikan semula di bawah ini.
Saya berharap cadangan-cadangan itu akan dibaca dengan lebih hati-hati oleh kumpulan para penggubal dasar dan ahli politik pada masa ini yang cuba mencari jalan keluar daripada apa yang telah disebut sebagai "pencemaran DEB" - penilaian yang dibuat oleh salah seorang ahli bank terkemuka negara, Nazir Razak.

Penemuan-penemuan tentang ekuiti korporat (dari Laporan Pusat Pengajian Dasar Awam)

GLC adalah pemegang saham ekuiti korporat yang utama. Pola operasi GLC kurang sekali mencerminkan keupayaan keusahawanan dan pembikinan.

Badan penyelia memastikan bahawa 30% daripada ekuiti syarikat yang disenaraikan adalah dimiliki oleh Bumiputera. Namun begitu, badan-badan ini tidak pula memastikan bahawa Bumputera perseorangan yang diperuntukkan sebahagian besar ekuiti syarikat yang disenaraikan, terutama saat IPO, mengekalkan pemilikan ekuiti ini.

Pengagihan saham syarikat yang disenaraikan kepada para pemegang saham minoriti Bumiputera semasa IPO harus dilakukan dengan cara yang lebih adil dan telus.Pada masa ini, kumpulan elit mendapat faedah daripada IPO tersebut, dan saham itu dengan cepat dijual semula untuk keuntungan besar.

Penjualan terus menerus oleh pemegang saham Bumiputera (sebahagiannya untuk kepelbagaian aset) merupakan punca utama apa yang disebut "kurang prestasi" Bumiputera berhubung dengan matlamat ekuiti korporat DEB berdasarkan definisi rasmi.

Bahkan jika penjualan ini tidak dikira, saham Bumiputera dalam ekuiti korporat saat ini jauh melebihi sasaran 30 peratus, jika metodologi pengukuran yang lebih objektif digunakan.

Usaha kerjasama intra-etnik di kalangan pengusaha China yang terkemuka amatlah sedikit.Terdapat semakin banyak bukti tentang kerjasama antara-etnik berdasarkan para rakan kongsi yang memberikan sumbangan yang sama untuk pembangunan sesebuah syarikat.

Peraturan dan dasar kerajaan, terutama dalam bentuk tindakan DEB, mengekang pembangunan keusahawanan dan menghalang pelaburan domestik dan asing.

Cadangan berkaitan ekuiti korporat.

Perusahaan yang dimiliki oleh GLC harus dikendalikan oleh profesional yang cekap dengan kepakaran dalam perniagaan syarikat di bawah seliaan mereka. Kedudukan pengurusan senior tidak harus ditentukan berdasarkan latar belakang etnik tetapi pada prestasi dan pencapaian profesional.

Kerajaan harus berhenti memperuntukkan ekuiti kepada Bumiputera individu sewaktu IPO. Peruntukan saham kepada Bumiputera sebelum IPO cenderung mempromosikan hubungan Ali-Baba dan hanya menjejaskann kepercayaan pelabur dan merangsang syak-wasangka.

Badan amanah Bumiputera, seperti ASN dan ASB, harus menjadi penerima manfaat utama dari IPO yang diperuntukkan untuk kumpulan sasar ini. Pada masa yang sama, harus ada keazaman yang sama oleh kerajaan untuk meningkatkan penyertaan saham daripada komuniti India dan Bumiputera Malaysia Timur melalui badan-badan amanah berasaskan masyarakat yang serupa.

Inisiatif kerajaan untuk mempromosikan pembangunan keusahawanan berdasarkan tindakan afirmatif akan menjejaskan usaha para usahawan, yang muncul terutama di kalangan IKS, tanpa sokongan pemerintah.

Kerajaan harus memusatkan perhatian mempromosikan sektor ekonomi yang penting dan IKS sebagai cara mengembangkan potensi ekonomi Malaysia.Kerajaan khususnya harus memanfaatkan potensi kelas menengah baru untuk memperkembangkan syarikat-syarikat dan mencari cara menyokong usaha tersebut.

Tindakan afirmatif berorientasikan kaum dan promosi perniagaan milik Melayu telah mencetuskan perpecahan intra-etnik Melayu yang serius dan pada ketika yang sama menghalang pembentukan persekitaran ekonomi yang berdaya saing. Kerajaan tidak harus meneruskan promosi dasar-dasar tersebut.

Dalam mengira saham ekuiti syarikat untuk setiap kumpulan etnik, adalah perlu berkongsi saham GLC mahupun syarikat penama sesuai dengan komposisi etnik negara. Ini akan memberikan pengiraan yang lebih adil dan objektif berkaitan saham untuk setiap kumpulan etnik, berbanding dengan metodologi saat ini.

Dasar kerajaan untuk meningkatkan penyertaan Bumiputera Melayu dan etnik minoriti lain dalam bidang perdagangan dan industri adalah lebih baik dicapai melalui usaha peningkatan kapasiti seperti pelaburan dalam pembangunan sumber daya manusia dan latihan kemahiran daripada langkah pemaksaan penstrukturan ekuiti.

Perlanjutan wayang berkaitan ekuiti korporat Melayu

Kita dapat memahami mengapa Perkasa, dan kumpulan parasit yang serupa sentiasa mengamuk tentang masalah ekuiti korporat. Gerakan nasionalis ultra sangat memerlukan isu-isu yang boleh memberikan mereka mandat sebagai pelindung kepentingan Melayu dan menggagalkan reformasi struktur yang diperlukan negara untuk membangun.

Apa yang tidak dapat difahami adalah mengapa UMNO terus menekankan tentang pencapaian sasaran saham ekuiti korporat menurut kaum sebagai matlamat utama yang perlu dicapai, untuk orang Melayu dan negara secara keseluruhan.

Ini benar-benar sasaran yang salah untuk difokuskan kerana telah terbukti lagi meyakinkan bahawa ia hanya menguntungkan sebilangan kecil ahli perniagaan yang mempunyai kaitan dan sudah kaya dan para pemimpin politik - dalam jumlah yang mungkin tidak lebih daripada beberapa puluh ribu sebanyak-banyaknya individu dan keluarga mereka.

Kita mungkin berfikir bahawa RM52 bilion daripada RM54 bilion nilai ekuiti yang dijual oleh pelabur Bumiputera pilihan antara tahun 1985 dan 2005 sudah menjadi bukti yang cukup bahawa orang dalam kumpulan ini tidak perlu faedah yang lebih banyak dan tumpuan khusus.

Lebih penting lagi, matlamat ekuiti korporat Bumiputera adalah salah kerana hal itu hanya akan mengalihkan perhatian daripada cabaran lebih penting bahawa negara dan khususnya Melayu dan masyarakat Bumiputra lain perlu hadapi.

Nota: Artikel ini pertama kali muncul di akhbar mingguan China, 'Red Tomato'.

Rencana yang baik daripada laman web loyar burok

2010-08-30T23:16:00.000+08:00

Inilah pendirian penganut agama Islam yang sebenarnya bukan seperti yang digembargemburkan oleh media massa arus perdana, Apa yang dikatakan penulis rencana ini memang tepat dan menepati sasaran. Rencana sepenuhnya:

Membangsatkan Nama Islam

30 August, 2010

By Syahredzan Johan

Malaysia sering diiktiraf di persada dunia sebagai negera majoriti Muslim yang moderat dan toleran. Malangya, kita tidak dapat lagi berbangga dengan kenalan ini. Saban hari bertambah laporan mengenai insiden-insiden berunsur ekstrimis dan zalim yang membangsatkan nama Islam.

Pada dekad pertama abad ke 21, akibat serangan pengganas yang dikatakan beragama Islam, dunia telah mengaitkan agama tersebut dengan keganasan dan ekstrimisme. Namun persepsi negatif ini tidak menular ke Malaysia. Untuk sekian lama, Malaysia dikenali di persada dunia sebagai “a moderate Muslim country.”

Malangnya, akhir-akhir ini kita tidak lagi boleh berbangga dengan panggilan ini. Kini kita menjadi tajuk utama seantero dunia kerana pelbagai perkara negatif yang dilakukan atas nama Islam. Islam di Malaysia semakin dilihat sebagai agama yang tidak toleran, angkuh dan melampau. Islam di Malaysia semakin dikatakan sebagai agama yang menekan hak-hak orang bukan Islam. Islam di Malaysia semakin disamakan dengan kezaliman.
Manakan tidak?
Dengan nama Islam, ada yang mahu menentukan nama tuhan yang boleh dipanggil oleh penganut agama lain.
Dengan nama Islam, ada yang membakar gereja.
Dengan nama Islam, ada yang membantah pembinaan kuil dengan berarak membawa kepala lembu yang telah disembelih.
Dengan nama Islam, ada yang memberi jusitifikasi penggunaan akta zalim seperti ISA.
Terbaru, sebuah NGO Melayu membuat laporan polis kerana membantah pementasan yang hendak dianjurkan oleh sebuah geraja di Shah Alam. Alasan yang diberikan adalah kerana Shah Alam adalah sebuah bandar yang majoriti penduduknya Muslim dan pementasan tersebut adalah pada bulan Ramadhan. Kononnya, ini akan “menyinggung sensitiviti” umat Islam yang sedang berpuasa.
Di Pulau Pinang, seorang khatib didesak untuk meminta maaf kerana telah mendoakan kesejahteraan seorang pemimpin bukan Islam. Alasan yang diberikan adalah kononnya perbuatan mendoakan orang bukan Islam adalah salah.
Terkini, isu yang hangat diperkatakan adalah kunjungan seorang ahli Parlimen bukan Islam ke sebuah surau untuk memberi sumbangan. Isu ini telah dipolitikkan oleh pelbagai pihak, sehingga ia melibatkan pihak istana. Maka jawatankuasan pengurusan surau itu digantung dan ahli Parlimen tersebut diberi amaran oleh majlis agama yang berkenaan. Saya tidak tahu sejak bila pula orang bukan Islam tidak boleh memasuki masjid atau surau. Tidak pula diberikan dalil atau hujah untuk menjustifikasi arahan yang tidak masuk akal ini.
Adakah ini cara kita berdakwah pada abad ke-21? Kita tolak orang bukan Muslim sejauh-jauhnya daripada Islam, kita berlaku zalim ke atas mereka dan kita rampas hak mereka untuk mengamalkan agama mereka. Adakah kita beranggapan bahawa dengan tingkahlaku kita ini, mereka akan lebih dekat dengan Islam? Kalau inilah strategi dakwah abad ini, saya berpendapat kita harus memikir semula strategi bodoh ini. Tindakan seperti ini memburukan nama Islam dan menyebabkan orang bukan Islam berfikir bahawa Islam itu adalah agama yang sempit, melampau dan zalim.
Kononnya, orang bukan Muslim seharusnya menjaga “sensitiviti” orang Islam. Kita harus bertanya, apakah “sensitiviti” yang dimaksudkan ini? Adakah terdapat justifikasi ke atas “sensitiviti” ini?
Sebahagian besar Muslim di Malaysia tidak pernah terdedah dengan kehidupan sebagai penduduk minoriti di sesebuah negara. Maka dari situ timbul retorik bahawa sensitiviti Muslim harus dijaga kerana Islam dianuti oleh majoriti rakyat Malaysia. Menggunakan logika yang sama, sudah tentu Perancis boleh mengharamkan pemakaian purdah dan Switzerland boleh mengharamkan pembinaan mimbar kerana “menyinggung sensitiviti” majoriti rakyat negara-negara tersebut. Juga menggunakan logika sama, cadangan membina masjid di tapak berlakunya serangan World Trade Centre tidak boleh diterima kerana ia kononnya “menyinggung sensitiviti” keluarga mangsa kejadian. Mengikut logika yang digunakan, maka hak penganut agama Islam yang menjadi minoriti di negara-negara tersebut harus dikorbankan demi menjaga “sensitiviti” majoriti.
Apabila kita majoriti, terlalu mudah untuk kita jatuh dalam perangkap pemikiran bahawa kekuatan itu adalah kebenaran.
Adakah kita lupa bahawa ketika menyebarkan Islam, Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. telah mengajar bahawa semua manusia adalah sama di sisi Allah, yang membezakan seseorang itu hanyalah iman? Sudah tentu perkara ini “menyinggung sensitiviti” sebahagian besar Arab Quraisy pada ketika itu, lebih lagi mereka yang mempunyai status di dalam masyarakat Quraisy. Adakah Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. seharusnya menghentikan ajaran Islam pada ketika itu demi menjaga “sensitiviti” masyarakat Quraisy?
Ini bukan Islam yang saya kenali. Ini bukan Islam yang menjadi cara hidup saya. Islam tidak pernah mengajar penganutnya berfikiran sempit, bertindak melampau dan berlaku zalim. Islam mementingkan keadilan dan kesaksamaan. Islam adalah agama indah dan keindahan itu dapat dilihat melalui kehidupan dan ajaran Nabi Muhammad S.A.W, junjungan umat Islam. Tindakan mereka ini adalah jelas bertentangan dengan apa yang disampaikan oleh baginda.
Mereka telah membangsatkan nama Islam demi kepentingan sendiri. Lebih menyedihkan lagi, mereka adalah berpangkat, samada pemimpin politik atau agama. Orang Islam sering mempersalahkan media Barat kerana memberi gambaran yang salah tentang Islam, tetapi apa kurangnya golongan ini yang telah memberi gambaran negatif terhadap Islam melalui tingkahlaku mereka?
Harapan saya adalah bahawa orang yang bukan beragama Islam tidak tersalah anggap bahawa Islam yang sebenar adalah Islam yang mana namanya telah dibangsatkan oleh mereka ini.
LB: Syahredzan Johan adalah seorang peguam muda dan rakan kongsi di sebuah firma guaman di Kuala Lumpur. Dia melihat dirinya sebagai seorang pengkritik politik dan pengulas sosial. Tetapi dia sebenarnya hanyalah seorang warga Malaysia yang mempunyai terlalu banyak pendapat. Dia adalah seorang yang patriotik, walaupun bukan dengan cara biasa seperti mengibar bendera. Dia percaya Malaysia mempunyai potensi yang hanya dapat direalisasi sekiranya rakyatnya belajar bersatu-padu dan bukannya berpecah-belah. Ikutilah Syah di Refleksi Minda.

Kejayaan Melayu/Islam di Singapura hasil usaha sendiri

2010-08-22T00:24:00.000+08:00

Rencana berikut diambil daripada blog Rudy Herman Sinen

Minoriti yang bangkit dengan jaya diri

Oleh
Mohd Guntor Sadali
MEMANGLAH orang Melayu di Singapura minoriti. Namun golongan minoriti ini berlainan daripada minoriti lain di dunia.
Begitu juga, ada yang melihat Singapura sebagai satu titik merah di kawasan Asia yang besar. Tetapi ia bukan titik merah sembarangan.
Adalah satu kesilapan besar untuk menyamakan saiz dengan keupayaan, seperti silapnya andaian bahawa golongan minoriti dan kecil itu lemah dan tidak penting.
Piala Dunia yang baru lalu membuktikannya. Sedang Sepanyol menjadi juara dunia, kuasa kecil bola sepak, Switzerland, merupakan satu-satunya negara dalam pertandingan itu yang menewaskan Sepanyol.
Sudah 45 tahun berlalu sejak Singapura meninggalkan Malaysia, namun masih lagi kedengaran ulasan kurang elok dari seberang Tambak mengenai masyarakat Melayu setempat.
Yang terbaru datangnya daripada mantan perdana menteri Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, yang secara bersahaja mengingatkan Melayu Malaysia agar tidak menjadi seperti Melayu Singapura.
Beliau tidak menjelaskan apa makna sebenar hujahnya, cuma komen ini dibuat dalam konteks kemungkinan Melayu Malaysia hilang kuasa di Malaysia. Sekali lagi beliau tidak menjelaskan kuasa jenis apa, cuma agak selamat menyatakannya sebagai kuasa politik.
Apa yang telah berlaku kepada orang Melayu di sini sepanjang empat dekad lalu? Apa yang mendorong Dr Mahathir untuk melahirkan keprihatinannya dan memberi peringatan kepada Melayu Malaysia? Saya musykil.
Masyarakat Melayu di Singapura tentunya tahu apa yang telah berlaku pada mereka. Pertama sekali, kita telah menjadi masyarakat yang amat berlainan berbanding 45 tahun lalu. Kita telah membangunkan identiti dan falsafah hidup kita sendiri yang berbeza daripada saudara kita di seberang Tambak.
Kita mungkin pakai pakaian sama, makan makanan sama, berucap dalam bahasa sama dan mengamalkan budaya sama. Tetapi persamaan itu berakhir di situ.
Kita sekarang adalah sebuah masyarakat yang mendokong sikap mahu berdikari, atau berdiri atas kaki sendiri.
Kita tidak percaya kepada pendekatan selalu diberi bantuan atau terlalu bergantung kepada bantuan pemerintah. Dalam erti kata lain, kita tidak mahu mentaliti menopang (crutch mentaliti).
Kita benar-benar yakin bahawa sebuah masyarakat yang mempunyai mentaliti menopang akan menjadi masyarakat dua ‘M’ – manja dan malas. Kita tidak mahu dilabel sebagai masyarakat yang manja dan malas.
Inilah sebabnya masyarakat Melayu kita sentiasa berusaha gigih demi meraih dana membina masjid, madrasah dan bangunan-bangunan lain kita sendiri dalam negara Singapura yang terbatas tanahnya selain nilai tanah yang tinggi.
Sepanjang masa lalu, kita telah meraih jutaan dolar dan menjadi pemilik bangunan-bangunan ini. Melalui usaha kita sendiri dan bantuan badanbadan lain, kita juga telah membantu golongan memerlukan bukan sahaja dari segi kewangan malah juga melengkapkan mereka dengan kemahiran baru agar mereka dapat meraih pendapatan bagi sara hidup mereka.
Namun bagi Dr Mahathir, apa semua yang telah kita lakukan dan capai tidak mencukupi. Beliau mengambil pandangan negatif dalam perubahan sikap dan minda kita, justeru mengingatkan Melayu Malaysia agar usah menjadi seperti kita.
Apa pula tentang kuasa? Bagi Melayu di Singapura, kuasa bukanlah bermakna menghunus keris. Bagi kita, ilmu itu kuasa. Malah kita percaya ilmulah merupakan kuasa sebenar.
Penekanan berterusan oleh masyarakat tentang pentingnya pendidikan dan meraih ilmu telah mendorong pembentukan institusi seperti Mendaki, Angkatan Karyawan Islam (AMP), Lembaga Biasiswa Kenangan Maulud (LBKM) dan banyak lagi.
Badan-badan bantu diri ini bukan sahaja menyediakan bantuan kewangan kepada pelajar memerlukan, tetapi juga membimbing pelajar kita agar memenuhi potensi mereka. Pada masa yang sama, badan-badan ini juga membantu menangani masalah sosial yang dihadapi masyarakat.
Sekali lagi, semua ini kita lakukan sendiri.
Kanak-kanak Melayu menghadiri sekolah sama seperti warga Singapura lain dengan satu matlamat sama – meraih pendidikan menyeluruh, dan tentulah mendapat keputusan peperiksaan yang baik.
Ya, memang ini mencabar. Seperti kanak-kanak lain, pelajar Melayu kita tiada pilihan selain bekerja keras. Ini satu hakikat kehidupan di Singapura yang telah kita terima – bahawa tiada jalan pintas bagi meraih kejayaan.
Kita tidak percaya kepada penerimaan layanan istimewa kerana ini akan hanya mengurangkan nilai pencapaian kita dan merendahkan harga diri kita.
Sistem meritokrasi yang diamalkan di sini memanglah satu sistem mencabar tetapi mendorong kita bekerja keras dan mengelakkan kita daripada menjadi manja dan malas.
Apa pun, Dr Mahathir dan beberapa pemimpin Melayu di seberang Tambak tidak suka dengan cara kita lakukan di sini dan telah memberi amaran kepada Melayu Malaysia agar tidak menjadi seperti kita. Bagi kita, kita tidak boleh memandang ke belakang.
Meritokrasi telah terbukti sebagai sistem yang baik dan adil. Ia mendorong kita bekerja keras dan menjadikan kita bangga akan pencapaian kita. Kita telah melihat bagaimana sistem ini telah memberi manfaat dengan bertambahnya bilangan doktor, peguam, majistret, jurutera, pemimpin korporat dan karyawan lain dalam kalangan kita.
Kejayaan dan pencapaian sebilangan mereka inilah yang mahu ditonjolkan dan diraikan Berita Harian apabila kita melancarkan Anugerah Jauhari 12 tahun lalu.
Malam ini kita mempunyai seorang lagi contoh model bagi masyarakat kita.
Kita, orang Melayu di Singapura, seharusnya bangga dengan pencapaian kita kerana kita meraihnya melalui kerja keras.
Memang benar apa yang kita capai sejauh ini mungkin bukan yang terbaik, dan kita masih ketinggalan berbanding bangsa lain. Masih terdapat sebilangan besar anggota masyarakat kita yang menghadapi masalah sosial.
Kita telah mencapai banyak kejayaan, namun perjalanan kita masih jauh lagi. Tetapi kita tidak harus berputus asa. Kita boleh lakukan lebih banyak lagi secara sendiri jika masyarakat kita bersatu dan berpadu.
Dalam isu-isu kritikal, kita harus berseru dengan satu suara.
Kita perlu saling membantu dan mengukuhkan dan pada masa yang sama mendekati masyarakat lain dalam negara Singapura yang berbilang bangsa dan agama.
Singapura yang berjaya dan makmur hanya boleh bermakna sebuah masyarakat Melayu yang berjaya dan makmur.
Bolehkan kita melakukannya? Meminjam cogan kata kempen Presiden Barack Obama, ‘Ya, kita boleh’.
Nota: Makalah ini berupa sedutan ucapan Editor Berita Harian dan Berita Minggu, Encik Mohd Guntor Sadali, di majlis Anugerah Jauhari Berita Harian 2010 di Hotel Shangri-La Rabu lalu.

29 Jul 2010
SINGAPURA

Kejayaan Melayu/Islam di Singapura hasil usaha sendiri
PENCAPAIAN masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura adalah hasil usaha mereka sendiri – menerusi kerja keras dan kesungguhan – selaras dengan nilai meritokrasi.
Tiada bantuan khas mahupun layanan istimewa daripada pemerintah yang membantu memacu kemajuan Melayu/Islam di sini.
Namun, walau perlu bersaing dalam sekitaran yang begitu sengit, masyarakat Melayu tidak mahu mencapai kemajuan dengan cara lain.
Dalam ucapannya di majlis Anugerah Jauhari di Hotel Shang-ri La semalam, Editor Berita Harian/Berita Minggu, Encik Guntor Sadali, berkata asas pembangunan Melayu Singapura sejak 45 tahun lalu adalah berlandaskan prinsip berdikari.
‘Kita tidak mahu disuap atau terlalu bergantung kepada pemerintah. Dalam erti kata lain, masyarakat kita menolak sikap menopang (crutch mentality),’ ujar beliau dalam majlis yang dihadiri lebih 300 pemimpin dan tokoh masyarakat daripada pelbagai bidang.
Turut hadir di majlis yang mengiktiraf Jauhari masyarakat Melayu itu ialah Menteri Tenaga Manusia, Encik Gan Kim Yong.
Intipati ucapan Encik Guntor itu ialah sebagai respons kepada teguran mantan Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, baru-baru ini supaya Melayu di negaranya tidak ditimpa nasib yang sama seperti Melayu Singapura.
Menurut Encik Guntor, komen sedemikian sering dilemparkan kepada masyarakat Melayu di sini, bukan sahaja daripada Dr Mahathir, malah sesetengah pemimpin lain di seberang Tambak.
Tetapi beliau menggesa masyarakat supaya tenang.
‘Masyarakat kita kini sudah berubah daripada 45 tahun lalu. Kita telah membangunkan identiti dan falsafah hidup sendiri yang berbeza daripada saudara kita di seberang Tambak.
‘Kita mungkin pakai baju yang sama, makan makanan yang sama, bertutur bahasa yang sama dan mengamalkan budaya yang sama. Tapi persamaan kita berhenti di situ,’ katanya.
Beliau menegaskan bahawa Melayu Singapura pastinya tidak mahu dilabel sebagai malas dan manja.
Lantaran itulah masyarakat Melayu bekerja keras untuk mengumpulkan sendiri dana bagi membina masjid dan madrasah, dan kini boleh berbangga sebagai pemilik bangunan-bangunan tersebut.
Menerusi usahanya sendiri juga, Melayu Singapura boleh berbangga dengan peranannya membantu anggota-anggota masyarakat yang memerlukan sama ada dari segi kewangan, pendidikan dan latihan pekerjaan.
Menurut Encik Guntor, komen Dr Mahathir itu mungkin merujuk kepada kuasa politik Melayu di sini.
Namun, beliau menekankan bahawa Melayu Singapura tidak menyamakan kuasa dengan menghunus keris. Sebaliknya, Melayu di sini berpendapat ilmu itulah kuasa sejati.
‘Anak-anak kita menghadiri sekolah yang sama dengan kanak-kanak lain dengan tujuan menerima pendidikan menyeluruh dan mencapai keputusan yang baik.
‘Memang mencabar, seperti kanak-kanak lain, anak-anak kita tidak ada pilihan lain selain bekerja keras. Inilah realiti kehidupan di Singapura yang kita terima. Pastinya tiada jalan mudah untuk mencapai kejayaan,’ ujar beliau.
Encik Guntor akur walaupun semakin ramai Melayu yang kini memegang jawatan profesional, tetap ada sogolongan Melayu yang masih ketinggalan.
Walaupun demikian, beliau menegaskan bahawa masyarakat enggan menerima layanan istimewa kerana ia hanya akan merendahkan nilai pencapaian Melayu sehingga terpijak maruahnya.
‘Meritokrasi ternyata sistem yang baik dan adil. Ia mendorong kita bekerja keras dan berbangga dengan pencapaian kita.
‘Bagi masyarakat Melayu Singapura, kita tidak boleh memandang ke belakang,’ ujarnya.

Speech by Berita Harian editor Guntor Sadali, at the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year Awards ceremony on July 28, 2010
It is a fact known to all that Malays in Singapore is a minority. However this minority is quite different from other minorities in the world.
Similarly, to some, Singapore is just a red dot in this vast Asian region. But it is no ordinary red dot.
It is a grave mistake to equate size with ability, just as it is wrong to assume that being small and in the minority is to be weak and insignificant. The recent World Cup proved this. While Spain may be the world champion, it was minnow Switzerland that became the only country in the tournament that was able to defeat Spain.
Forty-five years have passed since Singapore left Malaysia, yet every now and then we still hear non-complimentary comments from across the Causeway about the Malay community here.
The latest came from former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who casually reminded Malaysian Malays not to become like Singaporean Malays. He did not make it clear what he actually meant, but the comment was made in the context of the possibility of Malaysian Malays losing their power in Malaysia. Again he did not specify what type of power, but it could safely be interpreted as political power.
Now, what could have happened to the Malays here in the last four decades? What could have driven Dr Mahathir to voice his concern and to caution the Malaysian Malays? I wonder. The Malay community in Singapore, of course, know what has become of us here.
First and foremost, we have become a completely different community from what we were 45 years ago. We have developed our own identity and philosophy of life that are distinct from our relatives across the Causeway. We may wear the same clothes, eat the same food, speak the same language and practise the same culture. However, the similarities end there. We are now a society that uphold the philosophy of wanting to stand on our own feet, or what is known in Malay as ‘berdikari’ or ‘berdiri atas kaki sendiri’.
We do not believe in being spoon-fed or being too dependent on government help. In other words, we do not have a crutch mentality. We firmly believe that a community with such a crutch mentality will soon become a “two M” community – the first ‘M’ stands for ‘manja’ (spoilt), and the second for ‘malas’ (lazy).
We definitely do not want to be labelled as a pampered and lazy community.
That is why our Malay community here constantly work hard to raise funds to build our own mosques, madrasahs and other buildings in expensive and land-scarce Singapore. Over the years we have raised millions of dollars to become proud owners of these buildings. Through our own efforts and with the help of other organisations, we have also helped the needy not only financially, but also in equipping them with new skills so that they can earn their living.
For Dr Mahathir, however, all that we have done and achieved so far are not good enough. He takes a negative view of our changed attitudes and different mindset, and has therefore cautioned Malaysian Malays not to be like us.
What about power? For Malays in Singapore, power is not about wielding the keris. For us, knowledge is power. In fact we believe that knowledge is THE real power. The constant emphasis by the community on the importance of education and acquiring knowledge has led to the formation of institutions such as Mendaki, Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), the Prophet Mohamad Birthday Memorial Scholarship Board (LBKM) and many others.
These self-help organisations not only provide financial help to needy students, but also strive to nuture our students to their full potential. At the same time, these organisations help to tackle various social ills faced by the community. Again, we do these all on our own. Malay children here attend the same schools as other Singaporeans with a shared aim – to obtain a holistic education and, of course, achieve good examination results.
Yes, it is tough. Like all other children, our Malay students have no choice but to work hard. It is a reality of life in Singapore that we have come to accept – that there is certainly no short cut to success. We do not believe in getting any special treatment, because it would only reduce the value of our achievements and lower our dignity. The meritocratic system that we practise here is, without doubt, a tough system but it
helps us to push ourselves and prevent us from becoming ‘manja’ and ‘malas’.
Still, Dr Mahathir and some Malay leaders across the Causeway do not like the way we do things here and have therefore warned Malaysian Malays not to be like us. On our part, there is certainly no turning back.
Meritocracy has proven to be a good and fair system. It pushes us to work hard and makes us proud of our achievements. We can see how it has benefitted us by looking at the growing number of doctors, lawyers, magistrates, engineers, corporate leaders and other professionals among us. It is the successes and achievements of some of these people that Berita Harian wants to highlight and celebrate when we launched this Achiever Award 12 years ago.
Tonight, we have another role model to present to our community. So, the question is: Shouldn’t our friends and relatives across the Causeway be like us – Malays in Singapore? It is definitely not for us to suggest or decide. And we too have no intention of asking our own community if we would like to be like them either, because we have already chosen our very own path for the future.
We, the Malays in Singapore, should be proud of our achievements, because we have attained them through hard work.
It is true that what we have achieved so far may not be the best, and that we are still lagging behind the other races. There are large pockets in our community facing various social problems. We have achieved so much, and yet there is still a long way to go. But we should not despair.
We can do a lot more on our own if the community stay united and cohesive. In critical issues, we should speak with one voice.
We need to help and strengthen each other while at the same time reach out to the other communities in multi-racial, multi-religious Singapore. A successful and prosperous Singapore can only mean a successful and prosperous Malay community.
Can we do it? Well, to borrow US President Barack Obama’s campaign slogan, “Yes, we can”.
Straits Times

Sensiviti Islam

2010-08-21T02:04:00.000+08:00

Di bawah ini adalah terjemahan bebas rencana yang tersiar di The Nut Graph 20 Ogos 2010.

"Sensitiviti Islam" - Ke arah mana kita dibawa?

Perkasa menjadi berita lagi. Dan kali ini dilakukan sendiri, bukan kerana media yang sukakan berita sensasi cuba berjinak-jinak dengan kumpulan nasionalis Melayu ini dalam rangka meningkatkan pembaca.

Persembahan gereja menghina?

Persembahan gereja menghasut dan menghina?

Dalam tindakan Perkasa yang terkini, pengerusi bahagian Petaling, Zainal Abidin Ahmad, membuat laporan polis terhadap sebuah gereja Protestan di Shah Alam dan paderinya kerana merancang akan mengadakan satu persembahan Kristian dalam bulan Ramadhan. "Kami mahu gereja itu dan paderinya diselidik kerana menghasut dan menghina Sultan," kata Zainal Abidin kepada The Malaysian Insider pada 17 Ogos 2010. Zainal Abidin juga menuduh gereja tersebut sengaja berusaha berkhutbah tentang agama Kristian kepada warga Islam di Shah Alam yang mempunyai majoriti penduduk Islam.

Kita mungkin leka berfikir bahawa masalah ini terhad kepada satu kumpulan hak-hak Melayu, dan sudah semestinya Islam, membuat tuduhan liar terhadap rakyat Malaysia yang bukan-Islam dan bukan-Melayu. Kalaulah itu sahaja yang terjadi. Sayangnya, lebih banyak yang terlibat. Memang, apa yang sebenarnya yang dipertaruhkan adalah kawalan ruangan awam dan apa ertinya bagi kita semua.

Ruangan saya, bukan orang lain.

Apakah sebenarnya tindakan Perkasa di Shah Alam ini. Ia mengatakan bahawa kerana ini bulan Ramadhan dan kerana Shah Alam adalah kawasan yang majoriti penduduknya Islam, tidak ada kumpulan agama lain dibenarkan mengamalkan kebebasan beragama, berekspresi atau berpersatuan. Jika mereka lakukan, mereka boleh dituduh menghasut, menghina raja Melayu, dan jenayah berdakwah kepada umat Islam.

Saya menduga bahawa menggunakan alasan penghasutan dan lain-lain hanyalah cara menegaskan kawalan dan kekuasaan. Dengan menggambarkan bukan-Melayu dan bukan-Islam sebagai penjahat yang paling dahsyat, menjadi lebih mudah untuk ahli masyarakat yang kurang berfikir percaya bahawa hak perlembagaan bukan-Islam berhak dihalang.

Kita mungkin boleh menganggap Zainal Abidin, dan bahkan Perkasa secara keseluruhan, seperti orang gila. Itu sudah tentu satu kesilapan. Ini kerana Zainal Abidin dan Perkasa bukan satu-satunya sahaja yang ingin kawalan penuh terhadap ruangan awam, dan yang menggunakan versi tertentu Islam untuk melakukan pengendalian itu. Selain itu, bukan mereka sahaja yang melakukan hal ini dengan mengorbankan hak-hak dan kebebasan warga negara yang lain.

Mari kita ingat kembali bahawa sebelum Perkasa mula menjadi berita utama, lembaga penapis filem kebangsaan pada tahun 2005 telah mengharamkan filem Babe kerana dibintangi seekor babi sebagai tokoh utama, yang haram dalam Islam. Setelah itu, terdapat anekdot dari ibu bapa mengatakan bahawa di beberapa sekolah, kanak-kanak bukan-Islam diberitahu apa yang mereka boleh dan tidak boleh bawa dalam bekas makanan mereka sebagai menghormati sensitiviti Islam.

Seorang kolumnis Malaysia juga pernah mengatakan kepada saya bahawa perkataan "pigmentasi" ditapis daripada sebuah filem dokumentari yang ditontoninya kerana kemungkinan suku kata pertama adalah "babi". Dan pada tahun 2007, saya dapati bahawa farmasi Guardian tidak menawarkan Piglet sebagai sebahagian daripada promosi hadiah penebusan watak Winnie Pooh.

Masjid Seksyen 6, Petaling Jaya pula tidak ragu-ragu melaungkan bacaan terawih sampai larut malam pada tahap bunyi yang tidak mengambil kira lingkungan sekitar.

Kita juga perlu ingat tentang tindakan PAS sendiri untuk menentukan apa yang boleh dan tidak boleh dilakukan dalam domain awam. Setiap kali Pemuda PAS membantah sesuatu konsert, apa sebenarnya yang dilakukan adalah memberitahu semua orang - Islam dan bukan-Islam - yang imannya tidak akan terancam dengan menghadiri konsert itu, bahawa mereka tidak boleh berbuat begitu kerana PAS mengatakan demikian. Begitu juga, ketika PAS Selangor cuba melarang penjualan bir di daerah majoriti Islam di negari itu, apa yang dikatakan parti itu adalah bahawa gaya hidup semua bukan-Islam mesti tunduk kepada sebilangan yang Islam.

Oleh itu larangan dalam ruangan awam tidak hanya merangkumi apa yang dibenarkan untuk dilakukan gereja Protestan selama Ramadhan. Hal ini juga mempengaruhi makanan anak-anak kita yang dibenarkan di sekolah, minuman yang boleh dibeli bukan-Islam di persekitaran mereka, filem dan konsert dan kata-kata yang diizinkan untuk ditonton dan didengar, hadiah yang dapat ditebus di farmasi, dan gelombang udara di persekitaran kita.

Peristiwa ini memperkatakan apa kepada kita? Ia mengatakan kepada kita bahawa ada usaha perlahan-lahan walaupun tidak bersepadu oleh pemerintah dan bukan pemerintah untuk menentukan apa yang halal secara umum dan apa yang tidak. Tidak menjadi masalah jika tidak ada sebenarnya dalam Islam larangan terhadap bukan-Islam daripada membuat pementasan drama Kristian selama bulan Ramadhan, minum arak, makan daging babi dan menonton watak babi di panggung.

Intinya? Ruangan awam bukan lagi ruangan semua orang. Ruangan itu hak mereka - orang Melayu Islam yang percaya bahawa bayangan kepekaan mereka sahaja sudah memberi mereka hak untuk menghalang orang lain daripada menggunakan ruangan awam.

Perkara yang paling besar.

Larangan paling besar daripada semua larangan dalam konteks Malaysia saat ini tentu sahaja, larangan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) bersabit perkataan "Allah", "solat", "Kaabah" dan "Baitullah" di kalangan bukan-Islam.

Walaupun Islam tidak memiliki hak cipta untuk perkataan Arab, kerajaan BN menegaskan bahawa kata-kata itu milik umat Islam, dan umat Islam sahaja. Terutama orang Islam Malaysia yang tampaknya cenderung menjadi bingung jika jemaah lain menggunakan kata-kata yang sama.

Bolehkah sesuatu agama memiliki perkataan tertentu daripada bahasa Arab?

Bolehkah Malaysia melarang bukan-Islam daripada menggunakan bahasa Arab?

Larangan "Allah" dan tiga perkataan lain tidak berbeza daripada apa yang Perkasa lakukan di Shah Alam. Sepatah perkataan umum yang digunakan, seperti ruangan-ruangan awam yang dikongsi, hanya milik umat Islam. Seolah-olah pelakon pihak pemerintah Islam dan bukan pemerintah menyatakan, "ruangan kami, bukan orang lain. Perkataan kami, bukan orang lain. "

Oleh kerana tuntutan mereka tidak memiliki legitimasi sejarah, budaya atau undang-undang, mereka mengutuk bukan-Islam, menuduh mereka berbuat jahat dan berniat buruk. Mereka juga menggunakan kuasa negara untuk mengenakan dan menegakkan pemilikan ke atas "ruangan kami" dan "perkataan kami".

Perkara paling besar bukanlah hakikat lanskap politik kita yang semakin dipenuhi dengan tuntutan tidak rasional dan tuduhan liar daripada pihak-pihak Islam Malaysia yang tertentu. Perkara paling besar adalah bahawa semakin banyak usaha yang lebih dan lebih bersepadu oleh kuasa-kuasa ini, yang meliputi kerajaan persekutuan yang dipimpin UMNO, untuk mengambil alih ruangan awam yang dikongsi bersama.

Di manakah kesudahannya?

Setelah cerita tentang laporan polis Perkasa tersiar, ada seseorang di Twitter mengulas bahawa kita seterusnya boleh mengagak ada pula laporan polis yang akan diajukan terhadap bukan-Islam yang makan dalam bulan Ramadhan. Memang, saya percaya bahawa senario ini tidak terlalu dibuat-buat jika kita terus biarkan orang yang cuba mengendalikan domain awam untuk kepentingan fanatik sempit mereka sendiri, terus melakukan apa yang mereka lakukan.

Sekarangpun, bukan-Islam terus-menerus diminta untuk tunduk kepada kepekaan beberapa pihakIslam. Memandangkan tahap "sensitiviti" Islam yang diwarwarkan, kita akan terfikir orang Islam ini menjalani hidup mereka seperti puting terdedah, sentiasa terangsang. Walaupun pada hakikatnya, kita tahu bahawa orang Islam adalah manusia yang berfikir dan rasional yang memiliki salah satu sejarah tamadun yang paling maju.

Sudah tentu perlu ada perasaan hormat-menghormati adat dan sistem kepercayaan yang berbeza. Tetapi "sensitiviti Islam" tidak boleh dan tidak harus menjadi kayu pengukur yang digunakan supaya warga negara bukan-Islam ditolak haknya untuk makan daging babi, menonton wayang atau menggunakan perkataan "Allah". Jika kita membiarkan perkara itu terjadi, kita akan menjadi bangsa yang berperilaku seperti puting terdedah yang berjaya mengalahkan hak berperlembagaan dalam kebebasan beragama, berhimpun, berpersatuan dan berekspresi.

Dr. M kongsi rahsia kekal muda

2010-05-28T15:40:00.002+08:00

Berita “Dr. M kongsi rahsia kekal muda” yang tersiar dalam Utusan Malaysia 28 Mei 2010 memang menarik. Pada dasarnya saya bersetuju dengan kenyataan beliau supaya kita “Lakukan sesuatu yang menyeronokkan diri dan nikmati kerjaya serta hidup anda untuk kekal muda dan sihat pada usia emas.”

Tetapi perenggan seterusnya dalam berita itu memetik “beliau mengakui suka mengkritik terutamanya terhadap ahli politik lain dengan tanggapan dirinya lebih hebat berbanding mereka.” membuka ruang persoalan tentang kebebasan bersuara di negara ini.

Dr. M sebagai seorang bekas Perdana Menteri diberi ruang yang begitu luas untuk menyatakan pendapatnya tentang apa juga topik dan seperti katanya, jika tidak disiarkan media perdana pun, blognya masih dapat dinikmati semua. Bagaimana pula pendapat rakyat jelata? Bagaimana caranya pendapat rakyat boleh disampaikan kepada para pemimpin ketika beliau berkuasa dan selepas dia bersara. Saya tidak nampak apa-apa perubahan yang ketara dalam hal hubungan dua hala di antara pemimpin dan yang dipimpin.

Mungkin ramai pemimpin yang telah mempunyai akaun twitter dan facebook tetapi setakat manakah maklum balas daripada rakyat yang diberi perhatian atau disusuli dengan tindakan yang lebih konkrit.

Seingat saya, selama lebih 20 tahun menerajui pucuk pimpinan negara, bekas perdana menteri Malaysia yang keempat tidak senang dan tidak suka mendengar pendapat orang lain. Salah satu sikap Dr. M yang terserlah ketika memimpin negara ialah tanggapan dirinya lebih hebat daripada yang lain. Mungkin itu salah satu sifat yang perlu ada pada seseorang pemimpin supaya visi dan agendanya untuk negara dapat dilaksanakan tanpa banyak bantahan. Lihatlah akibatnya.

Dr. M memerintah ketika era internet masih belum lagi tersebar luas dan mereka yang mahu memberi pendapat akan disoal atau ditahan kerana mempunyai pendapat dan pandangan yang berbeza daripada apa yang rasmi. Ketika itulah khabar-khabar angin lebih banyak dipercayai ramai berbanding lidah rasmi pemerintah. Tetapi memang seperti yang dikatakan, era internet memberi peluang sama rata kepada semua untuk memberi pandangan tentang apa juga yang dilakukan sesiapa, baik pemimpin atau rakyat biasa.

Petua kekal muda dan sihat pada usia emas ala Dr. M pastinya untuk semua kerana kita memang suka memberi pandangan dan pendapat. Persoalannya, adakah semua luahan itu akan kekal sebagai pandangan dan pendapat sahaja atau kita boleh mengharapkan sesuatu yang lebih positif daripada pihak yang berkuasa?

Laporan tentang Sibu

2010-05-18T23:42:00.000+08:00

Rencana “Reporting on Sibu” yang tersiar di portal The Nut Graph pada 18 Mei 2010 amat menarik.

Penulis artikel memaparkan empat akhbar media arus perdana yang memberi penekanan yang berbeza dalam laporan mereka tentang kemenangan BN di Hulu Selangor berbanding kemenangan DAP di Sibu. Kita tertanya-tanya kenapa berita tentang Hari Guru tertera di muka depan akhbar walhal berita besar yang patut disiarkan ialah kemenangan pihak pembangkang. Guru-guru memang berhak dihargai tetapi itu sesuatu yang sudah semestinya dilakukan.

Peranan akhbar sepatutnya melaporkan berita walaupun mungkin berita tersebut tidak memberi gambaran yang positif tentang pihak yang berkepentingan dengan akhbar tersebut. Ramai yang mengatakan bahawa dasar sesuatu akhbar adalah tertakluk kepada pemiliknya dan dalam konteks negara kita, undang-undang juga memainkan peranan mengehadkan pandangan yang boleh disuarakan.

Sampai bilakah keadaan ini akan berterusan?

Better for us to tap solar power

2010-05-18T23:32:00.000+08:00

I am also perplexed as the writer to the “Letters to the Editor” that appeared in the Star of 18 May 2010 by the decision to look at nuclear energy as a solution to our energy problems.

I've always asked family and friends who worked in the oil and gas industry on the reasons why our country is not in the forefront of solar energy. It seems we have been too complacent or just too spoiled by the abundance of that energy source. No concrete or substantive effort has been given to alternative sources of energy during the boom years. Now that the supply is nearing its end, nuclear seems to be the favourite byword.

Why is France and Germany among the leaders in solar energy? Shouldn't we, in the equatorial belt be in the top ten list at least or better still be the leader in that field. A number of acquaintances have mentioned the prohibitive cost but isn't nuclear as expensive? I'm no expert in either but as far as I know from what I've read, solar energy wins hands down in terms of safety and long term cost effectiveness.

The sun is shining brightly on our land, why don't we use it?

The letter I mentioned is shown below and I've highlighted some parts which I find interesting.

I AM perplexed by the decision to look to nuclear as a solution for our energy needs. I would like to urge the Government to look at what the Japanese do to solve their energy needs. There is so much that we can learn from the small, but efficient, nation.

Too much is at stake. For a start, we do not have uranium or plutonium and we have to buy it from elsewhere. Why not look at something which is readily available in Malaysia in abundance and nearly free - sunlight?

Do we have in our pool of researchers someone who is doing something with regards to the potential use and exploitation of solar power generation? If the answer is no, then someone should be working on this immediately.

Please channel our limited ringgit to deserving causes.

Secondly, are we really capable of handling such a delicate but dangerous element? Looking back at the controversy in our handling of hazardous waste materials, it is doubtful.

Remember Broga? Nobody wants to have anything to do with such waste.

For the sake of our future generations, put aside personal interests and work out a solution acceptable to the layman.

TUAH ISHAK,

Johor Baru.

Everyone deserves a place in Malaysia

2010-05-16T13:23:00.000+08:00

The following letter appeared under Viewpoints of the New Sunday Times 16 May 2010. I've highlighted some parts which I find interesting.

I DON'T think anybody was really surprised that a transsexual sought asylum in Australia. If she feels she will not be discriminated there, then so be it. Our country may appear modern and progressive, but of late there have been too many instances to the contrary.

We tend to react defensively whenever we come across something different from the norm. In the case of transsexuals, we prefer to deny that they exist. Can you blame others for perceiving that we are not progressive?

For too long and in too many cases, we have said one thing but done the opposite. Transsesuals are human beings, too, and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Transsexuals have been around for generations and we shouldn't sweep them under the carpet.

Everyone has a right to a normal life and and an opportunity to earn a living. The New Economic Model talks about "inclusiveness", but does this extend to those who fall outside the parameters of set categories and accepted genders?

We need to move forward by embracing this issue and handling it humanely. It is not right for certain groups to define the norm and expect others to accept it no matter what. When societies veer towards the extreme, repercussions will be severe.

SANDRA RAJOO
Ipoh

We should just say no

2010-05-16T13:12:00.000+08:00

The following letter appeared in the Lifestyle section of the Sunday Star 16 May 2010. I've highlighted some parts which I find interesting.

I HAVE always believed that we women are to be blamed more than the men when it comes to the sexualisation of women. This is because, except for the underaged, we know what is required of us when we are asked to dress scantily for a photo shoot.

So what if there is the offer of money, etc? Why do we agree to the terms and conditions?

Even those of us who know that the man we have a relationship or affair is still married to his wife, we choose to carry on with him. Then later, when things don’t work out, we accuse him of deceit and breaking promises. It’s not that as adults we don’t know what we are getting into.

I am not trying to defend the men, but I wonder why we women can’t avoid such situations, although it takes two to tango? Remember, it is the men who are already married in the first place, or vice versa, although that is less common.

If we women won’t conform to what is required by the advertisers and promotors of a product, surely it cannot be forced upon us, can it? It is those who almost expose their whole bodies who should not be condoned.

As a woman myself, I love to look at beautiful girls and women, but not those who expose too much. Who do we blame then?

Evelyn

House auction ruled unlawful

2010-05-16T00:57:00.000+08:00

This news item appeared in the Star, 14 May 2010. I've highlighted some parts which I find interesting.

JOHOR BARU: A woman whose apartment was auctioned off by a bank after she failed to settle her instalments of RM1,385.17 six years ago was awarded RM25,000 in damages by a magistrate’s court here.

In her statement of claim filed in the High Court in 2006, Metildah Louis Angel Perix, 51, said she had taken a RM23,750 loan from RHB Bank to buy a low-cost apartment in Taman Rinting in 1999.

However, she was unable to settle her instalments amounting to RM1,385 between May 2004 and November 2004 due to personal and health problems.

After receiving a telegram from the bank about the arrears, Metildah had paid a partial sum of RM500 in January 2005.

She was shocked that the bank had auctioned off the house together with all her belongings on March 2005.

Her claim, filed through lawyers R. Jeyabalan and K. Bharathi, to nullify the auction, sought RM14,543 in damages for her belongings and RM28,000 for the apartment.

Magistrate Khairulnadiah Hasmi ruled that the auction was unlawful and awarded Metildah RM25,000 in damages.

The bank was represented by lawyer Norlinda Lasri.

Metildah said she was happy that she had gotten something back as she spent almost RM30,000 renovating the house.

“I do not understand why my house was auctioned off when just a small amount of money was owed to the bank,” she said.

Policies pushing grads away

2010-05-06T19:23:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Star 6 May 2010. I've highlighted some points which I find pertinent to the topic.

I WAS compelled to write this letter after reading the news report ”Concern over exodus of medical grads” (The Star, May 4).

According to the report, the vice chancellor of UKM Prof Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah was pleading with new medical graduates not to succumb to temptation of doing housemanship in Singapore without even first registering with the Malaysian Medical Council.

Without even asking for details from the dean of the Medical Faculty, Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Saim, I can safely assume that all 20 of those fresh graduates being poached to do housemanship in Singapore were non-Malays.

Apparently, there was another group of students at Universiti Malaya Medical Faculty opting to go to Singapore to do their housemanship and forgoing the prospect of ever practising in Malaysia.
I can also safely assume that these students were the cream of the crop, otherwise Singapore would not have bothered.

Such is the state of our country that new medical graduates have no confidence that they will be treated fairly even after graduation. They are afraid of missing out on post-graduate training. The salary issue is definitely not the main reason why they decided to leave. Even privately funded medical students studying overseas and government medical scholars are looking for reasons not to come home.

I urge Prof Sharifah to institute meritocracy in every part of her university in order to maintain standards. Prestige of our post-graduate medical training programmes have deteriorated because of manipulation of numbers and standards. The new graduates themselves can see this happening, that is why they are leaving. There is no point being a doctor who is not competent and the decision to leave has nothing to do with ethics or lack of patriotism.

Our standard of medical care is slipping. This can be confirmed by the large number of VIPs seeking treatment in Singapore. The wealthier ones see someone in Germany or the United States. Have they no faith in Malaysian doctors? Can you label these people as lacking in ethics and patriotism?

What new machine or equipment is available in Singapore that our hospitals here cannot afford? More often than not, our VIP patients end up being seen by Malaysian doctors who were disappointed by the system in the past and decided to stay in Singapore and not return home.

This is fine if you have deep pockets and can afford to pay your doctors in Singapore dollars. What about the man-in-the-street who has to make do with any doctor they can find? Malaysian doctors are hardworking and intelligent, but we are losing them to neighbouring countries because of short-sighted policies.

YAP BOON KAH,
Kuala Lumpur.

Abused by LRT security guard

2010-04-17T00:15:00.001+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Your City section of the New Straits Times 16 April 2001. The main points are highlighted.

I boarded the LRT at the Masjid Jamek station to Sungai Besi recently, using my Touch & Go card. However, when I reached the Sungai Besi station, I could not exit using the card.
When I complained to a security guard at the station, he shouted at me and told me to use other modes of transport if I wanted a perfect service.
Having experienced the service breakdown so many times previously, the station should have thought of a backup system.
I would have just walked away and endure the long queue, if not for the derogatory remark the worker made.
The innocent complaint about a lack of backup plans almost became an all-out brawl that lasted more than 10 minutes and witnessed by many people.
Do I not have any rights as a commuter and customer?
The incident was witnessed by many of the LRT company's employees but no one did anything to stop the foul-mouthed tirade from the guard - a poor choice of ambassador for the company (the guard claims to be the company's ambassador).
For the record, I never expected perfect service from the LRT provider as the variables are plentiful and anything can happen. However, it is essential to have a backup plan in case of contingencies.

WAL
Kajang

Penalised by bank for somebody else’s mistake

2010-04-16T23:49:00.001+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Star of 15 April 2010. The main points are highlighted.

I would like to voice my objection to the unfair penalty imposed on me by my bank even though it was no fault of mine.

I received a cheque that was directly deposited into my savings account by the issuer, hence I had no knowledge of this cheque. Then I received a letter from my bank informing me that the cheque had been returned due to the date being wrongly written. I contacted the issuer to let him know about the error and I was told that a new cheque would be issued.

With the issue sorted out, I rested easy thinking the matter was rectified. Imagine my shock when I checked my bank book to discover that I had been fined RM10 due to the returned cheque.

I am really annoyed because I was penalised for no mistake of mine. It was beyond my control and without my knowledge. I called up the call centre of my bank to get a clarification and was informed that the bank was right in doing so.

It is a question of principle. Can Bank Negara please explain the rationale for this action? Why was I penalised? Why are two parties being penalised for the same offence?

ESTEE,

Kuala Lumpur.

‘No haggling’ sign is just for show

2010-03-30T19:26:00.000+08:00

This is a letter to the editor which appeared in the Star of 29 March 2010.

AT about 10.30am on March 25, I was at the bus stop in front of IOI Mall in Puchong. I wanted to go to Petaling Jaya and approached one of the three taxis there.

All the drivers demanded RM20 instead of using the meter although the “No haggling” sign was plastered at the side of their taxis.

I reminded them of the newspaper report that they must use the meter but they refused to budge.

One of the drivers admitted that they preferred to take passengers straight to Kuala Lumpur and even suggested that I wait by the road for other taxis.

After a few minutes, a taxi stopped and a passenger alighted.

I approached the driver but he too demanded RM20. When I protested, he drove off.

I finally managed to stop a taxi driver who agreed to use the meter. The fare came to RM11.30.

As far as taxis are concerned, people like me are usually at the losing end. Taxi drivers complain about not being able to make a living even though their rates have gone up.

They refuse to use the meter even during off-peak periods, and on rainy days many opt to stay home!

VICTIMISED,
Kuala Lumpur.

Books are considered luxury items

2010-03-29T00:16:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Sunday Star of 28 March 2010

I REFER to the letter “Read the signs on why we’re not reading” (The Star, March 26).

I can’t help but agree with the writer that books are considered luxury items in Malaysia.

How many times have you gone into a bookstore to see the “Sale” sign everywhere and come out disappointed because it meant a markdown of RM5 from the original price of RM35.90?

When we compare the price of books overseas, the currency conversion may make it seem expensive but it is extremely affordable for someone living and earning their salary there.

When I was in Bangkok recently, I could find books which costs about RM15.

Our ministers have been talking about making Malaysia a reading nation ever since I was a toddler.

Now an adult, I only see book prices going higher and higher.

Are we expected to treat bookstores like libraries now?

And are libraries even accessible?

From what I know, even the small community library in Subang Jaya isn’t there to serve us with knowledge.

Honestly, before people in power go on babbling about how much we need to read, visit the bookstores in our country and tell us how on earth can we afford these books when they cost us half our grocery expenses at times.

JASMYIN TAY,

Subang Jaya.

It’s terribly lonely to be single

2010-03-27T01:15:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Star 26 March 2010.

I am wondering how single people, especially those in their 40s and 50s, cope with being single.

I am also single and we are the people who are not able to get married due to many reasons that are best known to ourselves.

My question is: If all women only seek the best men, where would all the second or third-rate men turn to if not prostitutes?

When age is catching up, people will come to a crossroads and make decisions for themselves.

I can’t blame the authorities for not legalising prostitution, given our Islamic culture.

But to be alone and to die in loneliness, I would rather have a brush with the authorities and meet my fate.

GRACIOUS,
Kuala Lumpur.

Stop using God’s name in vain

2010-03-24T00:13:00.000+08:00

A letter to the Editor which appeared in the Star 22 March 2010

I REFER to the letter “Gay lifestyle not welcome in our society” (The Star, March 22).

The writer sure has some issues about those who embrace the “alternative” lifestyle.

I do agree that in this day and age, the marriage institution is not what it used to be, but that doesn’t mean that all broken homes produce perverse people! Materialistic? Well, that depends on the individuals.

And please, stop using God’s name in vain.

I’ve had it up to here with those who use God’s name to abuse and seduce innocents, young and old and sadistically torture living things (read animals and humans), not forgetting those who love ramming down our throat anything to do with religion.

I have great friends who are gay and believe me, they love you and treat you with more respect than most of the God-fearing souls I’ve met in my journey through life.

A MALAYSIAN MUSLIMAH,

Cheras.

Gay lifestyle not welcome in our society

2010-03-24T00:08:00.000+08:00

A letter to the editor which appeared in the Star 22 March 2010

I REFER to “Show sympathy for gays and lesbians and update the law” (The Star, March 20). Whatever the causes, homosexuality is a perversion that cannot be accepted in any moral, God-fearing society as normal behaviour.

It is true, in Western society homosexuals have become a force to be reckoned with, to the point that people openly flaunt such sexual orientation. This is not an indication that these societies are evolving. On the contrary, it is a sign of Western decadence in a godless society.

The flawed Kinsey Report, broken families and a growing materialistic population have all helped nurture this perverse lifestyle.

WG,
Kuala Lumpur.

Show sympathy for gays and lesbians and update the law

2010-03-24T00:05:00.000+08:00

A letter to the editor which appeared in the Star 20 March 2010

IT certainly projects a less than desirable image for Penang to become a hub for commercial gay sex services: “Police: Penang a gay sex services hub (The Star, March 15).

However, it was then reported that such gay sex activities at health clubs in Penang seem to have ceased following the recent police crackdown: “Cops to continue monitoring organisers of illicit gay activities” (The Star, March 19). The two news reports are conflicting.

Society seems to have misunderstood many issues pertaining to gay activities.

Lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transvestites are often targets of prejudice and ridicule. Growing conservatism will make this minority group fearful and remain largely underground.

It is about time that issues such as homosexuality, transsexuality, bisexuality and HIV be openly discussed with proper guidance.

We already have a draconian law in section 377 of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual activities. Having such laws will do little in preventing HIV infections.

This ancient law may have been enacted as a discrimination against same-sex encounters. We must evolve to become a society where people must not discriminate against lesbians, bisexual, gays and transsexuals.

Their rights must be upheld and respected. We must be sensitive to their needs. Maybe repealing section 377 of the Penal Code could be the first small step.

NG SHU TSUNG,

Kuala Lumpur.

Terengganu offers free honeymoons to couples bent on divorce

2009-10-12T20:38:00.003+08:00

The headline itself was interesting but on further reading I was most perplexed by the sentence “but it is unacceptable for those married for more than two decades to file for divorce”. Why is it unacceptable? The fact that being married for such a long time is not a guarantee of a happy ever after ending. The long period together in a marriage is just that. A long period.

I'm sure the couple had tried on their own accord to find solutions to their problems and if divorce is the best solution, so be it. No amount of counseling or free honeymoons would save that marriage. We can only wish and hope that the couple will go through the divorce process in a civil manner with as little recrimination between both parties.

Que sera sera.

The full report in the online edition of the Star of 12 October 2009:

T’ganu offers free honeymoons to couples bent on divorce
By R S N MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU:
A free second honeymoon trip awaits any Terengganu married couple on the brink of breakup. The state will pay for it.
However, the honeymoon package comes with some counselling.
The aim is to bring peace between feuding couples and check the reportedly soaring divorce rates in the state.
The honeymoon packages would be launched by the end of the year after specific modules were incorporated that would to help husband and wife to turn back to each and stay married, said State Welfare, Community Development and Women Affairs committee chairman Ashaari Idris on Monday.
The programme would be jointly implemented by the state government and the Family and Community Development Council.
He said the state done a pilot project where 25 couples facing marital woes were selected for the honeymoon package. They spend three days and two nights away from home at a cost of under RM1,500 per couple.
The outcome was positive, he said without giving details as to the number of marriages saved. When the love between couples starts to turn sour, normal counselling would be provided. But only those on the brink of separation or divorce would be offered the second honeymoon, Ashaari said.
Some of the marriages that had now hit the rocks have actually lasted up to two decades, he said.
“We can understand newly-weds having problems understanding one another where a slight skirmish could lead to a separation but it is unacceptable for those married for more than two decades to file for divorce.
“With this package, we hope the couples will treasure their marital ties and avoid separations,” he added.

Hope of coming home to serve country dashed

2009-10-11T22:31:00.002+08:00

It looks as if Malaysia is the only country in the world that I know of at present, who does not want her sons back despite the qualifications they have attained. Just read the following letter to the editor which appeared in the Sunday Star of 11 October 2009.

"Hope of coming home to serve country dashed

I AM almost completing the Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of Western Australia and have been looking forward to serving the country.

I completed my undergraduate Science degree in USM Penang and opted for an internationally recognised teaching qualification for security purposes.

I recently applied online on the Education Ministry’s website for the position of Guru Sandaran Terlatih and have been regularly checking the site for updates after I found it difficult to speak directly to a person about my circumstances.

When I finally managed to speak to an officer from the ministry last week, he informed me that the route to a permanent post is via an initial probationary period subject to confirmation, and that it was the same for teaching students from public and private colleges.

He, however, could not offer me more information and suggested I call back at another time. I later spoke to someone else in the office about the process and she told me that I would need to have my qualifications recognised by the JPA before I could be granted an interview. But she did not know what should be done after obtaining the JPA recognition.

Anyway, I called JPA and was curtly told that my qualifications are not recognised, never mind that it is internationally recognised. I was too distraught to proceed with further questions like where should I go from here, etc.

I do not mean to sound pompous, but my reports and academic results have been outstanding and I have even been offered a teaching position overseas. I declined because I wanted to come home to serve my country.

To be presented with such news is both disappointing and shocking. I guess I can still apply to local private schools but my desire is to make a positive difference in the public education system – a system that I am proudly a product of.

Now I need to figure out what to tell my parents who have funded this course with their life savings. I know I will be faulted for not finding this out before enrolling but really, who would have thought that an internationally recognised qualification is not recognised in Malaysia? Needless to say, I am disillusioned and extremely disappointed that my qualifications and big dreams have no place in Malaysia. Do we even need to wonder why young people are forced out of their own country?

DISILLUSIONED,
Australia."

Some lost on both languages

2009-07-05T00:50:00.003+08:00

That was the heading of a letter to the editor that was published in the Star of 3rd July 2009.

I could not agree more. So the arguments to and for English as a medium of instruction will continue unabated until the politicians come to a decision. Whatever decision they make, I hope they will see to it that we master at least one language. That is the key.

But as always it will take another generation before we can see the results, good or otherwise. The children will definitely be the victims, especially the less privileged if the decision is not implemented accross the board.

Those who need help must be given the help. No two ways about it. We have to acknwowledge the disparity in distributing our scarce resources and we must make amends. If we ever hope for a more equal society, a very concerted effort must be the clarion call, not just boardroom talk.

The full letter:

IT is a known fact that our younger generation is weak in English and I am happy to know our Government is addressing this issue.

Sadly though, I have not heard anything about the level of proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia. Are we happy with the command of Bahasa Malaysia among our youths, especially the non-Malays?

We have used Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction for more than 30 years, and yet I can still find many who are below 30 years old who are weak in Bahasa Malaysia. Despite going through school and passing examinations, this group of people cannot converse in Bahasa Malaysia.

There are many local graduates who are neither proficient in Bahasa Malaysia nor English. They cannot speak, write or debate in both languages.

In short, for all its strength, our education system has created a portion of society who can neither speak our national language nor the international language i.e. English.

Why do we talk about mastering English to compete globally when we cannot even master our own national language?

RONIN TAY,

Kuala Lumpur.

Samantha loves her 'rainbow family'

2009-05-15T00:57:00.003+08:00

I love this article which appeared in the Star 11 May 2009.

I was especially thrilled when she said:

“I fell in love immediately with this beautiful thing in my arms; who cares about her skin colour?” said Samantha of her daughter Jodie, who is of Indian parentage.

Those are the sentiments that should be the mantra in everyone's life, more so in these troubled times. I am always naïve and the eternal optimist in that sense, believing humanity will be able to see that we are all one big family. I still nurture a hope that love will triumph and peace will prevail.

The full article:

Samantha loves her ‘rainbow family’

By LOONG MENG YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: When actress and former Miss Malaysia Samantha Schubert was “expecting” in 2004, she and hubby could not care less if the baby was black, white, brown or yellow – all they wanted was a girl.

“We were thrilled when the Welfare Department called about a week-old baby girl up for adoption.

“I fell in love immediately with this beautiful thing in my arms; who cares about her skin colour?” said Samantha of her daughter Jodie, who is of Indian parentage.

Two years later, Samantha and husband Oliver Knott again adopted a baby. This time an Indian boy they named Harry.

Samantha is herself an adopted child of Datuk Paddy Bowie, a business consultant and writer.

The Knotts had resided in England after their marriage, but the traumatic loss of their first child seven years ago brought them back to Malaysia to be close to Bowie.

Last year, Samantha gave birth to Thomas.

The couple play it fair with all three children.

“There is no difference between them. Jodie is the only daughter I have known, and I am the only mother Harry has ever known. In turn, they are the only older sister and brother Tommy knows,” she said.

If Jodie and Harry want to search for their biological parents when they are old enough, Samantha is cool with that as well.

Samantha said her life had been blessed many times over having been bestowed with a “multicultural, multiracial, multi-everything” family.

“Jodie and Harry are not my blood, but together with Tommy, they are my life,” said Samantha.

A MOTHER’S RIGHTS: No religious basis to convert baby

2009-04-28T18:51:00.002+08:00

A beautiful letter to the editor appeared in the NST today, the 28^th April 2009.

I particularly like the last few paragraphs of the letter:

“Patmanathan is a bad Muslim if he does not hand back Prasana Diksa to her mother and does not pay compensation to Indira for looking after the baby and for breastfeeding her for two years. Being breastfed by a Hindu mother does not make the baby an infidel. She is still eligible to convert to Islam after she grows up and becomes an adult.

Patmanathan himself drank the breast milk from his Hindu mother and consumed food and drinks, probably prohibited by Islamic law, until he reached the age of 40 before he suddenly decided to convert to Islam.

He should not impose his Islam-ness on his children. Let them be what they want to be like he did. He grew up as a Hindu boy, a Hindu youth and then a Hindu adult before he changed his Hinduism to Islam after he had probably encountered problems in his marriage.

I do not support non-Muslims who convert to Islam just because they want to run away from their responsibilities as husbands or wives or because they want to marry Muslim women or Muslim men.”

The last paragraph do reflect what is happening at present.

The full letter:

A MOTHER’S RIGHTS: No religious basis to convert baby

By : DR IBRAHIM ABU BAKAR, Bangi

I READ the case of Indira Gandhi and her struggle to secure her right to live with her three children -- Karan Dinish, 11, Tevi Darsiny, 12, and 1-year-old Prasana Diksa, who is still on breast milk.

The New Sunday Times reported that Indira, a kindergarten teacher, had been waiting for her baby girl in the compound of the Ipoh district police station, but her baby was not returned to her by her estranged husband, who has converted to Islam.

As a lecturer of Islamic theology and philosophy, I am of the view that K. Patmanathan, who is now known as Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, should return Prasana Diksa to her mother. The Hindu mother has every right to look after the baby.

Islamic theology does not impose any religious duty on the father to take away the baby girl from her Hindu mother.

This baby should not be prohibited by her father from being breastfed by her mother. If he does, he is wrong and evil in Islamic theological view because Islam does not impose any religious duty on any baby regardless whether she was born to a Hindu or Muslim mother. Islam imposes Islamic religious duties upon mature men and women, not upon babies and children. Please let this baby girl be breastfed by her mother.

Some Muslims hold the view that when a husband or wife converts to Islam, he or she has the right in Islamic law to take the children with him or her and then convert the children to Islam. Islamic law does not say so.

The "Islamness" of the children is not taken into account in Islamic theology. Islamic theology will count on the "Islamness" of human beings who are mature.

The Islamic terms for mature, sensible and responsible human beings are "aqil" and "baligh". Patmanathan has been supported by some ignorant Muslims on the pretext of protecting the purity of Islam and his three children. These Muslims are wrong.

There is no Islamic legal basis for Muslims to help someone take away a baby from her mother and then convert that baby to Islam. Islam does not count on the converted babies and Islam does not reward those who have converted the babies to Islam.

The babies have no Islamic religious duties and, therefore, they are neither rewarded nor punished for such actions.

Therefore, I support the decision by the prime minister and his cabinet that the civil marriage has to be settled by the civil court and the religion of their children be the religion at the time their parents were married in civil law. With this decision, the baby should be returned to Indira as she needs to be breastfed and cared for.

I think the police should arrest Patmanathan if he is reluctant to deliver Prasana Diksa back to Indira after the court decided to give her interim custody of her three children.

Patmanathan is a bad Muslim if he does not hand back Prasana Diksa to her mother and does not pay compensation to Indira for looking after the baby and for breastfeeding her for two years. Being breastfed by a Hindu mother does not make the baby an infidel. She is still eligible to convert to Islam after she grows up and becomes an adult.

I do not support non-Muslims who convert to Islam just because they want to run away from their responsibilities as husbands or wives or because they want to marry Muslim women or Muslim men.

CONVERSION: What state enactments say

2009-04-28T18:45:00.003+08:00

The letter to the editor which appeared in the NST 27^th April 2009 gave the legal perspectives of the current conversion to Islam issue.

The concluding paragraphs are points to ponder for those who are adamant in converting babies and children to another religion.

“From the above provisions, conversion to Islam is clearly a personal act of utterance of the two clauses of the affirmation of faith by the person wishing to convert. And he or she does it on his or her own free will.

So, how could a parent convert his or her child to Islam? He or she can only consent to the child's conversion. The child's conversion to Islam, in any case, is not valid if the child has not uttered the affirmation of faith on his or her own free will. A certificate of conversion, if ever issued, will not remedy the non-compliance with requirements of a valid conversion to Islam.

Does the conversion to Islam by a parent make his or her children Muslims? The legislative answer is no. This is because Section 2 defines a Muslim as (b) a person either or both of whose parents were at the time of the person's birth, a Muslim; (e) a person who has converted to Islam in accordance with Section 96.”

Quite a number have forgotten those facts.

The full letter:

CONVERSION: What state enactments say

By : MOHAMAD HAFIZ HASSAN,

International Institute for Advanced Islamic Studies Kuala Lumpur

THE law relating to conversion to Islam is dealt with under provisions of the various states' Administration of Islamic Law Enactments.

The law was simple to begin with. The earliest enactments merely provided that the Majlis (Islamic Religious Council) was to keep a register of converts, that no person should be converted otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of the enactments or any rules made thereunder, that no person who had not attained the age of puberty should be converted, and that all conversions should be registered by the Majlis (see, for example, Selangor's Administration of Muslim Law Enactment 1952).

The current law is more elaborate, contained in 10 to 11 sections, depending on which state enactment one is looking at. The provisions contained in most of these enactments relate to requirements for conversion, moment of conversion, duties and obligations of a convert, Registrar and Register of Converts, registration of converts, certificate of conversion, recognition of a convert as a Muslim, determination of religious status of an unregistered convert, offence for false information, power to make rules, and capacity to convert (see, for example, Federal Territory's Administration of Islamic Law Act 1993).

Clearly, the current law retains and elaborates the statutory regime for registration of converts.

Let's look at Perak's Administration of the Religion of Islam Enactment 2004. The provisions relating to requirements for conversion to Islam are found in Section 96. It states, among others, that for a valid conversion of a person to Islam, the person must utter in reasonably intelligible Arabic the two clauses of affirmation of faith, must be aware that the two clauses mean "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. is the Messenger of Allah" and must utter the two clauses on his or her own free will.

As soon as he or she finishes uttering the two clauses, he or she becomes a Muslim and shall be referred to as a muallaf (Section 97). The muallaf may then apply to the Registrar of Muallaf for registration.

If the registrar is satisfied that the requirements of Section 107 have been fulfilled, he may register the muallaf's name and other particulars in the Register of Muallaf. In so doing, the registrar has a duty to determine the date of conversion to Islam and enter the date in the register (Section 100).

There is another provision which is of particular importance. It is Section 101, which provides that the registrar shall issue a certificate of conversion to every person whose conversion has been registered. It also provides that the certificate of conversion shall be conclusive proof of the facts stated therein.

Above all, there is Section 106, which provides that a person may convert to Islam only if he or she is of sound mind and has attained the age of 18 years. If below that age, he or she must have the consent of the parent or guardian.

From the above provisions, conversion to Islam is clearly a personal act of utterance of the two clauses of the affirmation of faith by the person wishing to convert. And he or she does it on his or her own free will.

Religious understanding

2009-04-20T01:03:00.004+08:00

Ah, another letter which appeared in the Star of 18^th April 2009 on the perpetual issue of religious tolerant and understanding (misunderstanding?) in Malaysia.

What is pertinent is the one sided situation at the moment. Non-Muslims have ample opportunity to learn about Islam but there seems to be a dearth of avenue for Muslims to learn about other religions. Officially of course. Unofficially, there is always the internet, but it would be a major stepping stone towards a more meaningful understanding of different religions if Muslims are exposed to the others.

One paragraph from the letter said “Perhaps, non-Muslim religious programmes and inter-faith dialogues should be aired on national TV”. That hope, I am afraid would be just a dream looking at the current situation.

But, we the optimists, those who want a better nation, have eternal hope.

The letter:

Religious understanding a two-way traffic

I AM responding to G.K. Lim’s letter “Good for non-Muslims to learn about Islam” (The Star, April 13).

Personally, I believe it is equally good for Muslims to learn more about the faiths of various non-Muslim religious groups that are practised in Malaysia particularly.

And it is best to learn from the qualified sources, such as the respective religious groups, to prevent any misconceptions.

Getting to know each other is a two-way relationship and I find the situation nowadays is not so.

From my observation, most Malaysian Muslims have a long way to go in understanding and appreciating the faiths of their fellow non-Muslim Malaysians.

Perhaps, non-Muslim religious programmes and inter-faith dialogues should be aired on national TV.

I beg to differ from Lim as there are a lot of Islamic TV programmes aired on national TV to enable non-Muslims to understand Islam.

Certainly the time has come for fellow Muslim Malaysians to learn and appreciate the non-Muslim faiths as we march forward as citizens sharing common universal values.

THE ANALYST,
Kemaman.

Religious freedom: 'Allah' part of Iban prayers

2009-04-06T18:57:00.003+08:00

I was glad when I read one particular letter to the editor of NST which appeared today, 6^th April 2009.

I was especially heartened by these two sentences:

“After the Gawai, when we return to Kuala Lumpur, the grandchildren continue to attend mengaji lessons. There is no hint of confusion among the Muslim members of the family.”, and

“he will recognise that those of us who use the word "Allah" or "Allah Taala" in our Christian prayers and publications have no other agenda but to practise our faith in our own language.”

I shall emphasise again, “there was no confusion” and “no other agenda”.

But it seems the Malay Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia do not want to accept those facts. Insecurity complex perhaps or a chip on the shoulder? Heaven knows.

The full letter:

Religious freedom: 'Allah' part of Iban prayers

By : TAN SRI LEO MOGGIE ANAK IROK, Kuala Lumpur

VIEWS attributed to influential personalities, including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, prohibiting the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims are very disturbing -- including for those of us whose mother tongue is Iban.

Islam is the official religion of this country. No one questions that. Similarly, the Constitution guarantees the right of religious freedom.

Followers of different faiths worship in their own ways and there is always some sensitivity attached to religious issues. Thus, I will not touch on matters of theology or religious doctrine. Moreover, this is more a question of language.

I am told that "Allah" is a standard Arabic word for God and is also widely used in the Middle East by non-Muslims.

Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, assistant minister in the Chief Minister's Department (Islamic Affairs) in the Sarawak government, noted that the word had been used by the followers of the Sidang Injil Borneo in Sarawak for more than 50 years.

Furthermore, the Majlis Islam Sarawak does not think that Muslims in Sarawak are confused when non-Muslims use the word "Allah" in their liturgy (Borneo Post -- March 9).

My parents and family members were baptised into the Catholic faith in 1947. As a 6-year-old boy, I was taught to pray to "Allah Taala". The Creed, the acclamation of faith in the Christian prayer, when rendered in Iban begins as follows: "Aku arap ke siko aja' Allah Taala, Apai Ke besai Kuasa, Ke ngaga Seruga enggau dunia."

In my own immediate family, through inter-marriage, there are Muslims, Christians and Hindus. Once a year, at Gawai Dayak, we visit the family longhouse. When the prayer leader reads excerpts from the Iban translation of the Bible, the words "Allah Taala" are an integral part of the prayers.

After the Gawai, when we return to Kuala Lumpur, the grandchildren continue to attend mengaji lessons. There is no hint of confusion among the Muslim members of the family.

Ahmad Zahid is no ordinary individual. He received the highest number of votes among the three newly elected vice-presidents in Umno. Going by tradition, it may be expected he will be appointed to a senior and important portfolio in the new cabinet line-up.

One hopes when he is given wider responsibility, as different from aspiring to a post in Umno, he will recognise that those of us who use the word "Allah" or "Allah Taala" in our Christian prayers and publications have no other agenda but to practise our faith in our own language.

How can that be made illegal?

Taxis again

2009-04-05T22:14:00.003+08:00

The suggestions that appear in the letters to the editor in the Sunday Star have been brought up countless times before, but as John Inbaraj said in his letter,

“There are many simple things that can be done to upgrade the public transport system. It certainly cannot be achieved by someone who does not have the will.

I hope that the transport minister will revamp the CVLB administration.

Effective management is in identifying the right people for the job.”

The will to do the right thing is the key ingredient in solving this perennial problem. I am pessimistic about any about turn in this respect. So, shall we just abandon any hope?

Blame the system

2008-11-20T23:59:00.003+08:00

The letter to the editor which appeared in the star of 20th November 2008 seems appropriate.

The most relevant part for me:

“Our education system is clearly failing. To make matters worse, we suddenly change our teaching medium for Science and Mathematics to English without proper consultation and preparation.

We have to stop simplifying our problem by blaming the medium. No language can cure this illness. I bet even if we change the medium to totally English, there will be no change in the quality of our graduates.

We will still be producing robots but perhaps English-speaking robots. “

My sentiments exactly - the medium of instruction is not the culprit. When we get the basics right, the product of the Malaysian education system would be on par with the best in the world. At the moment we are almost always at the bottom of the ladder, neither here nor there with the children, the victims. Of course, the leaders would never take responsibility for the debacle, safe in their cocoons. The common people are the ones who continue to suffer.

Please, oh please, do something positive before more innocents become victims of ill-conceived ideas. Put aside the pride, and just for once, come together for the sake of the nation. Malaysia, it is the only one I can call home.

A leopard???

2008-09-17T05:34:00.002+08:00

Two headlines:

“Zaid sticking to his decision” and “Anwar branded a hypocrite on ISA”.

A study in contrasts. One quits and the other stayed put for more than 10 years. People can and do change but does the leopard change its spots?

Language is no barrier

2008-09-14T05:47:00.002+08:00

The letter which appeared in the star of 10 September 2008, from a 19 year old student might not sway the opinion of those in favour of continuing teaching science and mathematics in English to Malaysian students. Some highlights:

"I have found that my friends and I have not had much problem switching between languages even though we were taught S & M in three different languages. So I can conclude through my experience, and I’m sure most students would agree, that language isn’t the issue here.

However, the quality of education in these two subjects has greatly deteriorated over the years.

I say, settle on one language and focus on improving the quality of our education."

There was another letter which appeared in the nst of 11 September 2008. Some highlights:

"Rembau member of parliament Khairy Jamaluddin ("It's high time we ditched this policy" -- NST, Sept 9) makes an important point in questioning the policy of teaching Science and Maths in English: that it goes against the core value of educational equity for all social strata.

The policy has a strong class bias, favouring children from urban families with higher income.

It acts to widen gaps between rich and poor, urban and rural."

The main gist of this ongoing debate to me is the deteriorating quality of education in this country and the unequal distribution of opportunities to deserving students. The victims are the students. A flawed policy must be acknowledged as such. It is not too late to take remedial action and follow the recommendations from the study, ie, improve the English language standards but not by teaching other subjects in the language. The emphasis should be teaching the language itself and improving the overall education system.

Teaching of science and maths in English

2008-09-09T23:20:00.002+08:00

I thought the letter from KJ which appeared in the nst of 9^th September 2008 quite balanced.

Some highlights:

"The issue here is not the importance of English.

Furthermore, the problems and weaknesses of this policy are not confined to one ethnic group. The study revealed that the ones who gained from the policy were a small percentage of Malay students from upper middle-class families who went to good, urban schools. The paper further showed that even Chinese students struggled with learning Maths and Science when taught in English, demonstrating that this is a problem that cuts across ethnic lines.

They don't need to be taught Maths and Science in English to read reference books in English later on. They just need to be proficient in English, which clearly this policy has failed to achieve.

It is high time we ditched this policy for the failure that it is and learnt from an episode of a flawed and ill-conceived policy defeating what were, I presume, noble intentions."

There was another letter which appeared in the star of 8^th September 2008 on the same topic from someone who was taught science and maths in Bahasa Malaysia.

Some highlights:

"Hence, my main points are:

1. It is not important for English to be the medium of instruction for Science and Mathematics. Stop wasting money and resources trying to implement this.

2. The standard of English in our schools has been deteriorating for so long that many of the teachers we have in schools are themselves not proficient in English.

3. The problem is the teaching of the English language itself. Don’t send Science and Mathematics teachers for English courses when some English teachers themselves need English courses, and English teachers who don’t need English courses need a useful syllabus from which to teach!

5. Don’t make the use of Bahasa Malaysia the scapegoat. It is important for Bahasa Malaysia to remain the medium of instruction in schools for the sake of national identity, which is vital for genuine national unity.

Finally, please identify and address the real problems in our school system.

Make sure Science and Mathematics are taught properly, and don’t discriminate against students who are poor in English but may have the aptitude for Science or Mathematics."

Food for thought.

Politically blind and tone deaf?

2008-09-09T05:10:00.002+08:00

The article with the above headline which appeared in the sun of 8^th September 2008 highlights the situation fair minded Malaysians are facing now.

The next to last paragraph in the article was especially telling:

As PR leader, a politician from Penang, and a man who says he will abolish the New Economic Policy and by extension an economic policy based on racial requirements rather than need, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has yet to take a public stand on this issue. His silence is disappointing. It also suggests political analysts who laud PR as breaking the mould of racial politics are deluding themselves. What was heralded as a "new dawn" in Malaysian politics may well turn out to be a "false dawn".

Politicians who are just plain arrogant abound in this day and age, there is no other word for this resurgence of uncouth behaviour. The thinking that ‘we’, a particular community, are the only group entitled to call this fair land our home is the height of folly. Even in the heat of election campaigning, there is no excuse for such utterances. There still persist that idea, I’m not sure who planted it, that the rest be damned, we can make it on our own.

Reality check is in order here. We are in this together, sink or swim as one. That should be the rallying call. There are bigger challenges out there in the big bad world and as a tiny nation, we must, put aside all differences and come together as one. That is the only choice for us.

Exact replica

2008-04-06T12:15:00.002+08:00

There was a paragraph in Rehman Rashid's column which appeared in the NST of 4^th April 2008 that caught my eye.

'In December 1998, while Umno and the nation were reeling from the sacking and subsequent travails of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Mahathir told the press his successor would have to be an “exact replica of myself”.

“Some fit here, some fit there,” he said. “If they fit in completely, they will be my twin, but I don’t have one.”

Abdullah was sitting beside him at the time, smiling that crinkle-eyed smile we have all come to know so well.

I was one who admired the strength such unruffled geniality might have called for.'

The particular phrase was “exact replica of myself”. How telling. And now the good doctor rants ad infinitum about his successor? We reap what we sow – that should sum up the present situation. Shouldn't the good doctor be proud that his students are emulating and continuing his legacy, and in some instances, going beyond expectations to greater heights of mismanagement. I doubt the good doctor will see that point.

Spot On

2008-04-03T21:45:00.002+08:00

The following letter to the editor appeared in the Star of 3^rd April 2008.

It not only puts the whole issue of extremism and Islam in the right perspective but is a clarion call to all moderate Muslims to take a stand against those who have hijacked the religion for their own benefits.

I particularly like the paragraph - “Yet, none of the moderate Muslim leaders denounce or reject the violent, hateful extremists even as they protest against a film prominently featuring them.”

I for one acknowledge that I am a guilty party to this silent apathetic stance.

The whole letter:

Extremists must be taken to task too

HAVING read Dr Chandra Muzaffar’s letter “Film is fitnah indeed” (The Star, April 1), I agree with his conclusion that Geert Wilders’ film intentionally misrepresents Islam as a religion that discriminates against non-Muslims, although I do not see why Dr Chandra considers Wilders’ views as racist when Islam is a religion, not an ethnicity.

Joining him in protest are Muslim groups and leaders worldwide, including former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Barisan Nasional Youth, the National Fatwa Council and the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia. They are all saddened by the film’s wrong portrayal of Islam as inherently violent and intolerant.

But I am also saddened to note that even as the Muslim leaders are outraged at Westerners deemed to be mocking Islam, not a peep is uttered about the extremists who call for hatred and death against non-Muslims – as captured on video in the Dutch film.

The only reason Wilders’ film is considered to be smearing Islam is because it repeatedly juxtaposes verses from the Quran with videos of terrorist attacks and extremist imams preaching hatred of non-Muslims.

If so, then why aren’t moderate Muslim leaders and groups condemning the extremists who interpret those verses as justification for their hate-mongering? Without their antics, Wilders’ film would have little material to cause provocation with.

These extremists are the ones who cause some Westerners to view Islam as a violent religion. These extremists are the ones hijacking and re-branding Islam as a religion of war and intolerance in the public eye.

In my opinion, such extremists are far more to blame for giving Islam a negative image than lone individuals such as Wilders. Who is more likely to give a religion a bad name – some mocking “outsider” who has an ulterior political motive or violent “insiders” who actually claim to follow that religion?

Yet, none of the moderate Muslim leaders denounce or reject the violent, hateful extremists even as they protest against a film prominently featuring them.

Instead, more calls for boycotts and more protests are made against Wilders – a man whose image of Islam is undoubtedly coloured by those very extremists. What image does this portray when every time, Muslim leaders attack the messenger (Wilders or newspaper cartoons), but not the message that they are noisily proclaiming – about extremists who are successfully using Islam as a rallying cry for violence and hatred?

In fact, I am certain that Wilders is counting on such a knee-jerk reaction from Muslims, with maybe some riots and spontaneous murders of innocent bystanders thrown in (such as what happened with the Jyllands-Posten controversy), in order to prove his point to the world.

If his aim is to influence public opinion into seeing all Muslims as hate-filled extremists, then I’m afraid that the prominent Muslim moderates are unwittingly aiding his agenda with their very selective denouncements.

SCOTT THONG YU YUEN,

Ipoh.

Sack bad advisers

2008-03-11T22:47:00.002+08:00

Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik's advice that the PM should sack bad advisers is just one of the remedies needed by the present ruling government.

Dr. Lim hit the nail on the head when he also mentioned other factors that contributed to the recent mauling of the BN party at the hands of the opposition in the recently concluded 12^th Malaysian general election.

“Other reasons contributing to the losses included the arrogant attitude of some Barisan politicians, the lack of cyber campaigning and the discriminatory implementation of government policies by certain civil servants, he pointed out.”

There is no necessity for the PM to have an independent panel to find out why Malaysians rejected the BN. The few reasons mentioned by Dr. Lim should be sufficient to start an overhaul of the whole BN concept and how it implements its policies.

Of course, there is also the oft-forgotten factor of self denial.

Malaysia PM rejects calls to quit

2008-03-09T21:25:00.002+08:00

What a difference in attitude compared to Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Granted, the PM did not lose his seat, but he is the chief architect, the leader and the man responsible for the country's current mess.

For once I agree with the good doctor. The poor guy, he has very poor judgment when it comes to appointing his successor.

The PM and his BN cohorts are so obviously out of touch with the sentiment of the people which has been festering and clamouring for a positive change for the past four years. A malice that had its seed planted from the previous administration. A promise to change the way the country is administered is just that, a promise.

Now it will be the opposition's turn to prove that they will hold true to the promises made during the election campaign. It will be an interesting battle of wits, to say the least, between the federal government who still holds the purse strings and the five opposition controlled states.

If nothing else, this is definitely the dawn of a new ear for this country.

Ticket machines: Better service by end of month

2008-02-16T07:03:00.002+08:00

I just saw this reply which appeared in the NST of 7 February 2008.from the RapidKL management to a query from a reader regarding the ticket vending machines at KLCC.

A few gems:

'However, since the problem occurred during the weekend when we have fewer technical personnel available, there was a delay in rectifying the problem.

We truly understand the situation and constraints faced by the writer.'

Shouldn't the management deploy the same number of technicians or even more during the weekends. KLCC is a major attraction in Kuala Lumpur and there are crowds even during the weekend. If the management truly understands, this simple effort would help a lot.

'In view of the fact that the upgrading of these machines is under the purview of Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad, the asset and infrastructure owner, we discussed this matter with them some time ago but were informed the upgrading had been delayed.'

Did this problem occur only after the change of ownership? I don't think so. This particular statement seems to be a stock answer for a lot of companies who have undergone a change in ownership. The message is loud and clear, pass the buck.

'However, the upgraded machines will be in place at all stations by the end of this month.'

We'll see.

Foreigner bashing

2008-02-07T19:11:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Star of 7 February 2008.

'Foreigner-bashing in the heart of KL’s tourism belt

LAST weekend, in the vicinity of the Pavilion in KL, just outside Wisma Cosway, I witnessed a disturbing incident.

A group of young boys, aged between 13 and18, were running around in a mob. While running, if they saw someone who looked like a Bangladeshi, they would push and punch the person and quickly run away before the victim could react! I saw this happen five times within a few minutes.

Most people would brush it off as just a bunch of young punks “having fun” but the consequences can be catastrophic.

This is in the vicinity of KLCC and the Golden Triangle! What kind of international publicity would that provoke? Even worse, what if it was a local mistaken for a foreigner? Then, it would be racial time bomb!

I hope that the authorities and especially the police realise that these “minor” incidents and bad behaviour may be small to bother about now but what about the long-term effects.

What I witnessed is just the tip of an iceberg.

BAFFLED LOCAL BORN,
Subang Jaya'

This looks like the second time I've seen someone commenting on youths mobs accosting innocent bystanders. In this particular incident, the target are foreigners. As the writer says it is just a racial time bomb waiting to happen

if the victim is a Malaysian.

What exactly has happened to our youths. They have so much time on their hands that they have to resort to bashing people to get their kicks. Is this a sign that the mayhem brought by neo-nazis or football hooligans in western countries are making an appearance here?

Those entrusted with keeping the peace seems conveniently missing from the scene. Where are they? Their presence would at least be a preventive measure. A short term solution but very necessary to curb this disease in the bud.

Non-Halal food

2008-02-07T12:05:00.000+08:00

A news item in the Straits Times Singapore dated 5 February 2008 seem eerily familiar.

The highlight of the news item for me was this paragraph:

'Religious leaders agreed that such moves by schools will result in a backlash.

Mr Rhazaly Noentil, veteran mosque leader at the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), said other races will think that the Muslims are not accomodating towards others.

Religious leaders said Muslims and non-Muslims can dine together, as long as Muslims consume halal food.'

I doubt Malaysian Islamic religious authorities would even give such a statement. Maybe after some pressure from the government. Willingly, I don't think so. There are so many who are supposedly knowledgeable in Islam with a win or lose attitude when confronted with matters pertaining to the religion.

Why can't we think of others as well. They have feelings too. The authorities always stress that Islam is a very tolerant faith but in practice, there is so much blatant bulldozing of rules. When will the enlightened come forward?

Bibles confiscated

2008-02-07T07:12:00.000+08:00

This news item appeared in the Star of 5 February 2008.

'Fu: Seized Bible copies returned to owner

PUTRAJAYA: Copies of the Bible taken from a woman at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal recently have been returned to her, Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said.

He said the that English Bible was confiscated by a Customs officer from the woman who had just returned from a visit to Manila.

He said it did not involve the ministry.

“The Customs officer has no authority to do so and on being told of the matter, we asked the Bible to be returned immediately to the person,” he said.

Fu said the incident should not have taken place, adding that he had clarified the matter with the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM).

He said the address of the person was taken but no telephone number was noted down and as a result, the ministry had to wait for the person to call to collect the books.

He was responding to a statement by the CCM secretary-general Rev Dr Hermen Shastri that a Malaysian Christian had her Bibles taken away by Customs at the airport.

Shastri said that the unilateral actions of certain government agencies were undermining the Government’s stated claims of protecting religious freedom in the country.

Last month, Fu ordered Christian children’s books with drawings of prophets to be returned to a bookshop in Kuala Lumpur after the books were seized by a unit in the ministry.'

What is happening? This is not the first time an incident like this occurred. Does the seizure of religious books by the Malaysian authorities mean non-Muslims cannot practice their religion anymore? Does everyone have to be Muslims? Even that route would be the version approved by the religious department. Are we turning into another Saudi Arabia? The only country I know where every citizen must be Muslim and practicing their approved version of the religion. Frightening thought. No wonder more and more Malaysians are leaving the country including the Muslims.

Government Jobs

2008-02-02T00:22:00.000+08:00

This letter appeared in the Star of 1 February 2008.

Elusive job in the civil service

THE past weeks, a few government officials including our Chief Secretary have announced that the Government will change its method of recruiting people as civil servants.

This is a good move, and I hope it will able to attract excellent people to join the Government and GLCs. It will also diminish any criticism against the Government that recruitment methods are biased and selectively based on race and gender of the applicants.

However, I will like to share my experiences when applying for government positions since graduating a decade ago.

I had been applying for jobs with the PTD, government agencies and also GLCs for as long as I can remember without receiving any feedback whatsoever. I was not called for any interview.

My latest experience was when I applied for a post with a newly set-up government authority for one of the economic corridors.

I managed to pass the two interviews, including one with the managing director of the agency, with flying colours.

According to an HR official, I would get the job but they needed to do some restructuring within the organisation before they could issue me an offer letter.

I waited for nearly three months for the agency to issue a Letter of Employment (LOE) and was given a lot of excuses by their HR department for not being able to issue one immediately.

Just this week, I received a letter from the agency saying that they could not offer any LOE. They also could not tell me why they could not hire me.

Even though I do respect that it is their sole prerogative, it is very sad that this agency, which is supposed to lead government investments and projects, performs unprofessionally.

By the way, I am Malay with an overseas degree in accounting and with working experience in IT and project management.

The PM or Chief Secretary to the Government can announce a lot of policies or encourage people to join government service, but at the end of the day the bureaucrats decide the applicant’s fate.

DISSATISFIED APPLICANT,

Kuala Lumpur.

If it is true that the letter writer is a Malay, then it is proof that the brain drain will continue irrespective of race. The civil service will never be able to attract the best and brightest that the country has as long as the little napoleons frustrate the noble aim of filling in the jobs with quality. We will definitely get the quantity.

Development or principles

2008-01-31T23:28:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor appeared in the Star 31 January 2008.

Development not a reward but a duty

TO ALL aspiring candidates in the coming general election, I wish you would not pretend to have the people’s problem at heart and at the same time issue “threats” that they will not see any development in their area should they give their votes to the “other side.”

It is shocking to read such statements from politicians, as in this day and age the majority of the people are more aware of their rights and the duties expected from an elected representative.

In any election, there will always be a winner and a loser. Just because the candidate from the ruling party loses doesn’t mean development for the area comes to a halt.

MPs and State Assemblymen are chosen by the people to “serve the people” and not the other way round.

Bringing development to the people irrespective of which way they voted is a responsibility of the Government not a reward.

MICHAEL NG,
Seremban.

I doubt the ruling party agrees on the writer's opinion. The vote for development mantra has been a part of the election process in Malaysia since independence from the British. This exchange might also occur in other countries but it is blatantly obvious here.

The hardest hit would be those in the rural areas where development aid however meagre is heaven sent. They are the people who need the basics to survive. But hats off to them when they vote the opposition as it does show that they are willing to sacrifice that immediate gain. Of course, they will suffer in a way but there is a sweet after taste in the knowledge that you have managed to dent the ruling party juggernaut.

How Hindraf can help itself

2007-12-15T15:24:00.000+08:00

That was the headline of a letter to the editor which appeared in the Star of 14th December 2007.

The writer's suggestions seems to be reasonable especially some parts:

"should strongly consider and carry out but in a responsible approach – legally, through the proper channels and peacefully.
If and when they become leaders, make the changes. Keep in mind that leaders in Malaysia should not represent one particular race or religion but each and every citizen of Malaysia.

Please drop this hostile approach.

Abide by the law. Rallies can’t work in Malaysia. "

But I am not sure the Hindraf leaders would even consider the suggestions as they seem hell bent on using the confrontational approach.

No favours asked

2007-11-29T22:21:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor which appeared in the Sun of 28 November 2007 is one of the most illuminating and encouraging statement from someone who has managed to come to terms with what life has given her.

This is the spirit and gumption which should be a part and parcel of everyone irrespective of creed or religion. But alas, a lot of us tend to give in to our base instincts and seek the easy way out. A damning scenario.

"No favours asked I am a first generation Malaysian Indian. My father came to Malaysia from India in search of a better life. He left behind the security and comfort of his homeland, his family, his relatives and friends because he truly believed that Malaya (as it was known then) was a land of opportunity. This country, he told himself, would become his new home. No one forced him to come – it was a personal choice. In time, my father sent for his bride to be and my mother too came to this unknown and foreign land. They soon settled down and started a family, which would grow over the years to include seven children. Life was not easy here but my father persevered. He could have easily thrown in the towel, packing up his family and leaving for his familiar homeland as did many others, but he did not. Yes, he faced many kinds of trials and tribulations – financial woes were aplenty and discrimination at the workplace was rife. But he took it all in stride. This was his homeland now – both my parents had given up their Indian citizenships and were proud to call themselves Malaysians. They were willing to take whatever life gave them. My father has since passed away. Since coming to Malaysia, he only visited his country of birth on two occasions – the last one was just a couple of months before his death. My mother on the other hand, returned to India only once and it has now been more than 40 years since her last visit. When I asked her if she misses the land of her birth, she said that except for wanting to visit her siblings over there, she is quite content in remaining in Malaysia as this is her home now. I am not afraid to admit that growing up in Malaysia has not been a complete bed of roses – there have been numerous ups and downs, many instances of discrimination and injustice but I have learned to take it in my stride. Many a job has slipped from my fingers not because I lacked the qualifications or experience but simply because I am the wrong colour. Yet discrimination comes in many forms – so it will be unfair for me to only highlight the racial discrimination that still exists in this country – we face discrimination in many places – in our places of worship, amongst our own ethnic community, in the workplace, gender discrimination etc. There are many like me who have faced walls and barriers and there are many like me who have picked ourselves up from the dust of oppression, put a smile on our faces and marched on with determination. I don’t hold my parents responsible for the struggles I face in life and I don’t lament that the world owes me a living. I know of many people who have pulled themselves out of the depths of poverty through sheer hard work and determination and who have made something of themselves. While it would have been easy for them to start pointing fingers and blaming everyone else for their sad state of affairs, they have chosen to channel their energy into something worthwhile and make something of themselves. Then there are those who use their talents in helping others – in bringing a positive change to a particular group or community. They are aware of the many shortcomings in legislative measures and government funding, so instead of merely making noise about the situation, they chose to do something about it as well. If we believe that our community has remained at the bottom of the ladder all these years, then perhaps its time we asked ourselves why. Have we allowed ourselves to remain in the shackles of "colonisation" and hoped that someone would hand us the key or have we attempted to break free? There are many success stories amongst the Indian community so why do we continue to sit and wait for hand-outs when we can fend for ourselves? Let’s face it – there is no one government anywhere in the world that is perfect. If there were, then there certainly would be a mass exodus to that Utopia. However it is not impossible to reach this Utopia – all we have to do is free ourselves from this "the world owes me" mentality and learn to help ourselves. A quote from the great Mahatma Gandhi says it well: "Rights that do not flow from duty well performed are not worth having." Patricia Pereira Via e-mail"

Abort policy?

2007-11-20T21:22:00.000+08:00

I like this letter to the editor which appeared in the New Straits Times of 20^th November 2007.

Use of English: Stick to the goal

By : S.K., Seremban

I AM concerned about our education system and the haggling over the teaching of subjects in English.

There appeared to be good reasons for the change five years ago, but these reasons are forgotten and there are attempts to revert to the old system.

When a new policy does not meet its expectations, please don't abort it but introduce changes so that the goals can be achieved. Please don't conduct experiments on education.

The last paragraph is very telling. As I recall, there was a concerted effort to teach all subjects in Bahasa Malaysia starting from the 1970s. So, any failure in that system means that policy should not be aborted, right? Why the switch back to English?

The often quoted answer for the switch back was the role of the language of instruction in pulling down the standards. Is that true? I still feel that language is a tool. The change to Bahasa Malaysia was supposed to be not just as an instrument of instruction but also a rallying point for the citizens of Malaysia.

Just have a look at non-English speaking countries in the world especially those in Europe and everyone's favourite country at the moment, China. They have made quantum leaps in the fields of science and technology through, surprisingly the use of their own mother tongue. Not English.

Of course English is the dominant language in the world at the moment. But notice how many in the West are learning Mandarin to gain a foothold in China? So maybe, it all boils down to the political will of the leaders. If the leaders deem a particular language is necessary to improve the nation's competitive age in the market place, they will come with all sorts of reasons to abandon that old policy.

A better perspective on last saturday's demonstration?

2007-11-16T21:26:00.000+08:00

Some of the points I like in the article by Rehman Rashid which appeared in the New Straits Times 16th November 2007.

But what they were really up against were the provisions inserted into the Constitution as a caution against mass rallies turning into mass murder.

Perhaps the 47 years since the Emergency and 38 years since the May 13 riots are sufficient to prove that Malaysians can be trusted now to assemble without let or hindrance; that the police should be expected to perform only traffic management, not crowd control.

Had that been the point of it, Saturday's rally might have helped prove that point. Breaking the law to change the law may be justified if "the law is an ass, an idiot", as Dickens' Mr Bumble fatuously remarked in Oliver Twist. But changing the system to change the law is oxymoronic.

I could sympathise, therefore, with his insistence on "changing the system". That's where he and the rally made perfect sense: Why respect a system you want to change? So my only question to him was: Change to what?

But is that what our reformists want? If so, no one's saying so. "Clean Elections", "Judicial Reform" or "Burn Baby Burn" all lack the specificity that would help the rest of us know exactly what they're selling. What exactly do they see as a better future for all? Where would they take us? What's the end they have in view?

Yes, it is still a blur to me too. Better the devil we know?

Malaysian Poetry by a Malaysian

2007-11-13T20:57:00.000+08:00

A friend forwarded this poem to me:

Happy Diwali everyone

This is a story about Malaysian society
Where different races supposedly live in harmony
In 2003, came along a Prime Minister by the name of Abdullah Badawi
Who led his party to a resounding election victory.

This is a PM whose promises are many
All his slogans are equally catchy
As a result, many people are taken in completely
By his humble and Mr. Clean personality.

First among his chief promises is to combat corruption immediately
That has everyone applauding loudly
But until today, all the major cases are still one big mystery
Lack of evidence or is he fooling us secretly?

Not long after, he introduced Islam Hadhari
Some complained there is only one version of Islam from the Almighty
Anyway, what is it all about, no one knows exactly
Except for some broad points outlined in theory.

Then, he said we need to cut our budget deficit quickly
Which started the dismantling of Tun M's legacy
This caused us to hear about the crooked bridge flip flop story
With all the accusations, what is fiction and what is reality?

By his own admission, his son is extremely wealthy
Because he controls a listed company by the name of Scomi
Was once implicated in the shipment of banned components to a
Middle Eastern country
But his son claimed ignorance and that's the end of the story.

He also has a son-in-law by the name of Khairy
Not elected but is UMNO Youth's deputy
Got entangled in the merged Avenue-ECM Libra entity
Which happened right under the nose of the PM-led Finance Ministry.

Then, we came across a foreign newspaper reporting factually
Of his adventure to see a yacht at a faraway place somewhere in Turkey
This is not true, he said insistently
But I don't see the newspaper issuing any apology.

Next, came the jet on the itinerary
Bought or leased, he is lucky that Malaysians are not financially savvy
The jet is also for the Agong's use, he said publicly
I wonder whether the Agong requested for one specifically?

Later, we read of his holidays in an Australian city
Staying in a mansion owned by someone named as Patrick Badawi
We shouldn't be so critical if he was only away temporarily
Except for the fact that there was a major flood in our own territory.

Then, we get the case of Proton disposing off a subsidiary
Not for a large amount but for a mere penny
Many think behind the deal something's very fishy
Tun M's pet project is certainly going awry.

Overall, crime rates are going up rapidly
Confidence in our police is at its lowest historically
But the IGP got his tenure extended easily
He must be thinking everything's hunky-dory.

He has also been busy launching economic regions lately
Trying to attract foreign investments into the country
Sadly, some are saying that the northern development is benefiting a crony
While others argue the southern one will end up as LKY's colony.

You see, I can go on and on about this indefinitely
Because it is easy and I do not need to create any of them individually
They are all plucked from the web where the stories about him is aplenty
From promoting judges unfairly to always being sleepy.

Actually, I am just an ordinary Malaysian who cares about her country
And I have to state that I am not against him or his policy
For I do not care who is the Perdana Menteri
As long as the person is capable and trustworthy.

Another take on the weekend demonstration

2007-11-13T20:49:00.000+08:00

Another letter to the editor which caught my attention.

The part that I like:

"As a senior citizen, I can safely say that I have seen more than others.

Nothing much has changed because those with political ambitions always begin their dream in many capacities and they all claim to fight for the people and justice.

But they compromise their ideals and values for their own pursuits. How can they claim the elections are not fair when PAS has been in control of Kelantan for so long?"

I guess the demonstrators feel that their action is the only avenue left to voice out their frustrations with the system. But as the writer said, how did the opposition remain in control of a state for so long? There must be something right as well with the system. We have to acknowledge there are always room for improvement in the way we do things but does the end justify the means?

Illegal gathering

2007-11-12T21:25:00.001+08:00

This letter to the editor seems fair comment. Passages that I like:

"Like many ordinary people, I am not passionate about politics. Yes, the rising cost of living does bother me and so are many issues but at the end of the day, I am also appaled at the manner politicians keep claiming to represent me.

Secondly, I am amused by the claims that there have been unfair polls in Malaysia. If that were the case, Kelantan would not be in PAS control for so many terms.

Please be sensitive to the calls of the people on issues like cost of living and crime because they are very relevant.

We do not care for illegal gatherings because they cause hardship and losses to the people."

Well, that seems to sum up my feelings too. Maybe I'm apolitical or too cynical to be bothered. What I have seen so far is that those who get their hands on the reins of power have yet to show a deep empathy for those who need their help.

Until that day comes, I doubt any politician is worth looking up to in my opinion.

Air Asia, another view

2007-10-16T23:05:00.000+08:00

For the first time a letter to the editor has given a different take to Air Asia's express boarding policy. This appeared in thestar of 16th October 2007 in response to another letter of 12th October 2007.

But the bottom line as always, is that Air Asia is a business entity. It does not run a charity service. If we are willing to pay good money for full service airlines why can't we fork out that extra ringgit for the express boarding rights? The fares are and will always be lower than the other airlines, so I doubt that extra ringgit would make a dent to the customer's budget.

Astronaut, cosmonaut

2007-10-11T21:20:00.000+08:00

In the midst of the euphoria and self congratulatory pronouncements among those who concocted the idea of sending a Malaysian into outer space, should not a moment be spent as well on the plight of those still on the ground. Just look at the 11 October 2007 headlines of NST and The Star .

This land of ours, Malaysia, is blessed with good fortune but unfortunately there are still some who are just trying to eke out a living. I wonder if there has been any concerted effort or think tank on eliminating this part of our social landscape permanently.

If only a portion of the money spent on this space exploration was used instead or simultaneously to implement a programme to eliminate poverty at the lowest levels of the economic ladder, I’m sure this space odyssey could be a double celebration.

But I can only dream.

Loyalty

2007-09-27T04:47:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor which appeared in the Star of 26^th September 2007 speaks louder than words of my own predicament.

"Misplaced loyalty?

I’m writing about the misconception about loyalty. I have been a loyal customer of Bank Simpanan Nasional for at least 10 years and together with my wife we hold numerous accounts with them. As the bank has made the application for credit cards a much simpler process, I tried applying for one. It was very disappointing that my application was rejected.

My loyalty with Maxis is also a point to note. Despite being with the service provider for more than 12 years, it is sad that I’m still being billed RM40 for access fees as well as RM10 for my wife’s supplementary line.

Maybe I’m old-fashioned but loyalty to me means a lot and I’m sure that a lot of people will agree with me.

BERNARD GOMEZ
Kuala Lumpur. "

I like the definition I found in the thefreedictionary - A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection. Often used in the plural: eg, My loyalties lie with my family.

Yes, in this day and age, this trait is an anomaly. A dinosaur age trait incompatible with the three minutes fame ambitions of the general populace. The public are not encouraged to nurture this trait anymore unless there is something to gain by both sides. Often times, it is a one-sided affair. Not a win-win situation. The world has indeed changed. For the better?

Malaysian Malaysia

2007-08-29T21:20:00.000+08:00

This news item appeared in the Sun 29th August 2007. I am just speechless.

"Zam accuses theSun of promoting 'Malaysian Malaysia' KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28, 2007): Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said today Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik's assumption that the Malay and Chinese newspapers favour certain parties and are not fair to all the races was inaccurate.

On the contrary, in many issues, "the Chinese and Malay newspapers are fairer to Malaysia than certain English newspapers.

"To say that theSun newspaper is a champion of Bangsa Malaysia shows that Dr Lim Keng Yaik sympathises with the newspaper which has all this while fought more for (the DAP's) 'Malaysian Malaysia'. "In many issues, theSun newspaper has touched on matters that offend the Malays, including the special rights of the Malays, the New Economic Policy (NEP), the social contract among the races that was agreed upon before Merdeka and also the question of unity in the society," he told a news conference after attending an "Anak-anak Merdeka and Malaysia" gathering in Angkasapuri here today.

(Anak-anak Merdeka are those born on Aug 31, 1957, when the country achieved independence and the Anak Malaysia are those born when Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963.)

Lim, who is Energy, Water and Telecommunications Minister, was quoted as saying in Penang on Sunday (Aug 26) that theSun had used the Malaysian approach compared with the other newspapers, which according to him, were biased towards certain parties.

Zainuddin said the newspaper often blew up issues that contradict the federal constitution besides "publishing statements that oppose and question the government's action to suspend the Makal Osai newspaper recently".

He said the government acted to ensure that every religion was respected and it showed that the government cared about religious sensitivities.

"The Chinese newspapers, which are written and read by the Chinese, do not involve the feelings of the other races but the English language newspapers must be more careful because they are read by all the people," he said.

Zainuddin said theSun had also blown up the issue of the Merdeka Statement, the so-called wish list of the majority of the society which, among others, claimed that racial unity had been fraying at the edges.

"theSun has also published articles which leaked government secrets.They have also blown up the issue of the proposal to repeal the Common Law and published articles rejecting the proposal when it had not been decided whether to implement it," he said.

"I've kept the article. What we considered as discussed in the Cabinet was published by theSun.

"What is theSun up to? Are they fighting for a Malaysian Malaysia? Is this what (Datuk Seri Dr) Lim Keng Yaik says is a newspaper that fights for Bangsa Malaysia?" he asked.

"Bangsa Malaysia must be founded on the social contract, the country's principles of law, not outside this (aspect)," he said, reports Malaysia's national news agency Bernama.

Zainuddin said theSun should be viewed as a newspaper that supports the DAP because it fought for a "Malaysian Malaysia", which is the DAP's objective."

Bribes

2007-08-27T20:41:00.000+08:00

This letter to the editor was published in the Star of 27th August 2007.

"Don’t resort to bribery when caught

AN SMS published in The Star on Aug 24 caught my attention. “D figure dat 40% of policemen r corrupt is 2 modest. I am an old man n i’ve never met a policeman who refuses 2 selesai.”

Let's go back to the root cause of bribery and corruption, and how we, the people on the street, contribute to it.

If we obey traffic laws, will the police stop us and issue a summons?

If we follow the law, wear a seat belt, obey the traffic lights, do not use the handphone while driving, do not jump queue, do not speed, and have a valid driving licence and road tax, there will be no reason for the police to issue us summonses.

To those who are stopped for flouting traffic rules, please just accept the summons (because you did wrong), and go pay at the police station.

But most people choose to selesai because they want to save money and time.

Bribing the police when we are at fault and then accusing the police of being corrupt is not the right thing to do.

I suggest that those who keep getting summons, and find it hard to obey traffic rules and laws, stop driving. Either you employ a good driver or use a cab.

I OBEY TRAFFIC RULES,

Kuala Lumpur."

This point of view assumes that we did break the law. But sometimes, don't doubts creep in questioning why we were detained? We have come to a point when the sight of the man in blue conjures images of detention in a jail or at least the dreaded track to the nearest police station.

The man in blue do not represent those who are there to help us in our times of need but someone who wants to take advantage of our misfortunes. There have been countless tales of the callous attitude of those wearing that uniform.

This might be a generalisation, but that is the prevalent feel we have about the entire force. A sad truth.

Commuters to blame

2007-08-13T21:54:00.000+08:00

This news item that appeared in the Star 13 August 2007 caught my eye. Here is the full article.

"Commuters urged to be more prepared for Merdeka

By ELAN PERUMAL

POOR travel planning by commuters resulted in long queues and congestion at Putra LRT stations in KLCC recently.

There was nothing that Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd (RapidKL) could do about the situation since there was sudden surge in the number of commuters due to the Pikom PC Fair, said RapidKL rail operations division general manager Azmi Abdul Aziz.

He said the long queues and congestion were caused by commuters dependent on counters and vending machines to obtain tickets.

Azmi said there were not many people who took advantage of the monthly pass, prepaid travel cards and Touch&Go and the situation would not have been as bad if the majority of commuters had avoided obtaining tickets from the counters and vending machines.

According to him, RapidKL had done its best and even increased the counters from one to five and provided attendants offering change for those queuing up at vending machines.

“We feel sorry for the inconvenience caused but we can only improve the situation to a certain level as there were 3,000 commuters flocking the station.

“The situation lasted for six long hours and we had a tough time overcoming the long queues,” he said

He also thanked the commuters who had conducted themselves well as there were no untoward incidents reported at the time.

Azmi advised commuters not to be overly dependent on ticket counters and vending machines if they wished not to be caught in similar situations in the future.

For commuters who used the LRT on a daily basis, he said the monthly pass would be the best option since it was only being sold at RM90 with unlimited usage.

“Others can obtain prepaid tickets and Touch&Go cards from our counters so that they can go into train platforms without having to queue up for tickets.” he said

Azmi hoped that commuters would be more prepared for the upcoming Merdeka Day countdown event on Aug 30 and 31.

“We are expecting more than 100,000 people to commute on the LRT and we will do our best to improve the quality of service and the frequency of the trains,” he said."

The first paragraph itself made my blood boil, "Poor travel planning by commuters resulted in the long queues and congestion at Putra LRT stations recently?"

Were there enough signs to encourage commuters to use prepaid tickets and Touch & Go cards before they use the trains? Haven't the management learnt anything for the past ten odd years? Whenever there is a crowd pulling event near any of the stations, the crowd will be at least ten fold than the usual number. Don't tell me you have not prepared for that kind of numbers. Don't you want those numbers? Aren't those numbers that are keeping you in the black, I hope.

Please give the commuters some respect. We did plan our journey. Didn't we leave our cars and use the public transportation system as urged by all and sundry?

Facing a harsh reality

2007-08-12T21:47:00.000+08:00

This letter from a reader was published in the Star 10 August 2007.

I refer to “Foreign workers getting a better deal than locals” (The Star, Aug 9). It appears that the writer is looking at the employment scenario from an idealistic point of view.

This is a world where people have a choice to work where and how they wish, provided they have the basic desire to work, to progress in life, to develop a country’s economy, and to help children achieve their dreams.

People work to give themselves an opportunity to better themselves, to take care of their needs.

Whether local or foreigner, work is work and employers want someone who has the qualification, qualities and desire to work. And it’s the employer’s prerogative who they choose and decide to employ.

Please allow me to elaborate on what happens on the other side of the foreign coin.

Both local and foreign workers enjoy a basic pay (if one refers to salary earned as an enjoyment!) and I can guarantee you that not all foreign workers are guaranteed overtime.

Only common sense will tell you that any visitor/worker who lives in a foreign country needs accommodation and other basic facilities. And we’re not talking about five-star hotel facilities.

Here, basic can mean living in a shoplot premises together with more than 25 others, and queuing to use the one toilet/bathroom with broken doors and slimy floors and walls.

Premises have inadequate ventilation; are infested with cockroaches and rats; without space to hang wet clothes to dry; and food preparation is done on the floor.

Transportation is given in poorly maintained vehicles without air-conditioning; with blackened torn/broken seats and driven by locals who consume stimulants. Cost of rental and utilities are equally divided and deducted from the workers’ salary.

The reason foreigners seem to earn more is mainly because they know how to save more, in order to feed, clothe and educate their loved ones back home.

They can live on plain white rice, vegetable dhall curry and a weekly meat treat. A group of five will contribute RM1 each to buy half a chicken that is cooked and shared by them.

Are the local workers prepared to work under such conditions?

Fees/commissions will always be paid to low income recruitment agents or high-end headhunters, local or foreign. And the recruitment fees are deducted from the workers' salary for six months to one year by the employers. Upon renewal of the yearly work permit, the deduction is repeated.

The cost of yearly medical checkups are also deducted from the salary. They work 365 days, 12 hours a day without overtime. And when they take leave, their salary is deducted.

Are the local workers prepared to work in such conditions for a so-called higher salary?

This is the hidden reality of life among foreign workers. There’s nothing free in life.

P. TULADHAR,
Kuala Lumpur.

I just want to answer the question "Are the local workers prepared to work in such conditions for a so-called higher salary?" Definitely NOT.
I guess we have been blessed with so much that very few are willing to go back to that kind of basics to earn a living. Our forefathers may have done so, and I'm sure those starting a new life elsewhere are willing to do the same. But the locals demand a minimum. And if we are honest enough with ourselves, the foreign workers should also be given a minimum. Not the inhumane treatment they are getting now.
But I doubt humanity is in the minds of the employers. As long as the money comes in with minimal expenses, everyone should be contented.

Positive improvement

2007-08-06T21:35:00.000+08:00

The news in the New Sunday Times of 5 August 2007 brought a smile back to me. The article did give some hope to the disabled which one day might even include yours truly. I guess the Air Asia management have a human side after all. I do hope this proactive attitude is not just a flash in the pan but an ongoing paradigm shift of the Malaysian psyche. I just can't help but wonder the reasons behind the sometimes atrocious way Malaysians deal with those less fortunate than themselves. Just look at the way our northern neighbour handles the same situation. Can't we take a leaf out of them?

MAS unions in route appeal

2007-07-28T10:28:00.000+08:00

I am upset to say the least after reading the Business Times of 27 July 2007 article on MAS unions appealing to the authorities to postpone the opening up of the lucrative Kuala Lumpur Singapore route.

As a consumer, I would have thought Air Asia request for just two flights daily quite reasonable. The argument that Tiger Airways from Singapore would also have to be given the same rights and consequently diverting business to Changi is neither here nor there.

As if no one realised that Changi is well ahead of its competitors in the regional air hub stakes not through a mollycoddle approach from the higher-ups. But through liberalisation and a forward looking attitude. That comes from their geographical position as well as their commitment to excellence. Just look at how they have jumped on the bandwagon of low cost budget carriers. If we do not support our home grown idea, we'll be left behind, with or without protection, sooner or later.

We need a big dose of local rationalisation. We should not be afraid of competition, but rise up to the challenge. No amount of postponement will help the national carrier if a lackadaisical attitude is prevalent among the work force. The same goes to the departments linked to the industry – tourism, immigration, customs etc. If we want to be number one, everyone must put in their two cents worth into the effort.

Kudos to Air Asia crew

2007-07-26T10:17:00.000+08:00

I was pleasantly surprised that my flight on AK880 to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur on 25^th July 2007 threw up another side of Air Asia after the countless brickbats hurled against them. I'm glad that some of the air crew attached to Air Asia went beyond their usual scope of work. I guess it was just a part of their job to help a passenger feel as comfortable as she can.

A lady was complaining of being uncomfortable about half an hour before we landed in Bangkok. Most probably it was brought on by the air pressure sickness syndrome. But nevertheless the air crew did their utmost best to find a remedy for the lady despite the limited resources on board. I think she did not suffer from the usual air pressure malady but the condition was worsened by some other complications. Her past medical history perhaps since I heard the stewardess asking when was the last time she took her medication. I could see the desperate look of helplessness on the passenger's face as she put herself entirely into the stewardesses hands.

But all went well, and a two thumbs up must be given to the four crew members that day. All the best to Air Asia.