NS Issues ALL Ironed Out?

Can we really expect all the problems of the NS go go away just like that? Can one press statement dispel the doubts and concerns of parents? I have said it earlier here, here, here and here - the National Service needs to be more transparent. What is so difficult to update the website in details, tell the public the activities they have carried out, issues they have address - a report to us parents and citizens.

YBhg Tan Sri, do not treat us like kids - be open and tell us, work with us. Otherwise, just suspend it or quit! We do not want to see any more crocodile tears and finger point after the next incident.

Convince us all!

‘NS issues all ironed out’ (Sunday STAR, Dec 30, 2007)

By STEVEN DANIEL

MALACCA: The national service (NS), now into its fifth year, has ironed out most of its previous problems, said NS Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

“We have a team to monitor the effectiveness of co-curricular activities as well as the infrastructure and management at all camps.

“Another measure soon to be set up is the flying squad that would resolve problems related to welfare, cleanliness and conflicts immediately,” he said.

Goodbye: NS trainee Nor Baizura Samsudin,17, waving to friends and relatives after boarding the bus to the Tasik Chini camp in Pahang at Stadium Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — Bernama

Lee urged parents not to worry as steps had been taken to ensure the trainees were well taken care of at the 83 camps nationwide.

He said parents should not think of the NS as a nuisance or waste of time but be supportive as it helped build character and instil good values.

“Trainees and their parents can also provide their feedback to further improve the programme,” he said after seeing off 639 trainees in Ayer Keroh to camps within the state, Negri Sembilan and Johor.

He said the trainees would be allowed to return from Feb 5 to Feb 10 for the Chinese New Year holidays. Those celebrating Thaipusam could also go home from Jan 22 to Jan 24.

Malacca mayor Datuk Zaini Md Nor said his second son Mohd Fahmi Zaini, 18, was excited to join the NS.

“It will be a good learning experience for him and he can make a lot of new friends,” he said.

All set: An NS trainee being sent off by his family at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching.— Bernama

A total of 37,000 trainees will undergo the programme from Dec 29 to March 11.

They are part of a total of 110,000 youths from across the country to join the NS training programme for 2008.

Last year, 100,000 youths were trained under the programme.

Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Zainal Abidin Zin said 800 buses were used to transport the first batch of trainees to their respective training camps in the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak.

He also said 41 aircraft were used to fly the youths from the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak, and vice versa.

BUCKLE-UP!!!!!

A New Year Resolution - get those kids buckled-up!

Driving to Ipoh a couple of weeks back, I encountered (as usual) the many impatient tailgaters who came within inches of my car and the occasional zig-zaggers who could not wait for me to move to a slower lane. This people gets me really angry at times. But really makes me mad are the driver who are ferrying their families! I have observed that many of these impatient drivers were carrying their families - with children in the car! Yes, children in the car! The children were not restrained and not buckled-up.

Even some of my friends do not buckle up their children (although I am not sure if they are one of those reckless tailgaters) and their excuse was, "Our children do not want it, they make a lot of noise!".

When are they going to realize that as parents we have the choice to to insist that "resistance is futile" and they need to buckle up.

When are they going to realize that not buckling up results in many deaths on the road? According to RSD director-general Datuk Suret Singh says such an enforcement could prevent 350 deaths per year, which is the police statistic number for the number of unbelted backseat passenger accident deaths. (Source: Paultan.org).

When will we realize that many countries have made the usage of sea rear seat belt mandatory and that we cannot wait for our Government. The police are too busy giving excuses after each Ops SIKAP while out politicians seems to have more important things to do. It is obviously more important to important to amended the Federal Constitution to allow for the extension of the election commission director than to pass a Bill enforcing mandatory seat belts for all passangers in a vehicle.

When do we realize that we will need to it ourselves. This is one resolution we can make this new year. BUCKLE-UP!

Happy New Year 2008

Life without Astro and Streamyx

I recently decided not to renew my ASTRO account and left it suspended for a while. We have gotten by with ASTRO for almost 2 months now. 2 months earlier I got my Streamyx terminated - not on purpose. One fine day Streamyx decided to go down - I call the usual 1-800--xxxx number and got the usual report number. After one week, no progress. Called again - they never heard of my report number or my complain - never mind, got another report number. After 2 weeks no progress. I was promised a technical would show-up, but he never did. Called again - no such report again, went through the process..... etc. To cut the long story short - I received a payment reminder and my line would be terminated if I did not pay. Pay for what?? Anyway, no difference - no Streamyx non of my fault! Anyway, that's besides the point.

The interesting thing is that - we got by! No major problems (so far), some grumbling from the kids though. For internet access - we shuttled to the nearest Starbucks or the nearby Petronas station what offered free wi-fi.

The good thing was that - we had more family time. Our kids are reading more. Even our youngest one is pestering us with "reading time" almost evening.

This got me thinking, I am not sure if I want to get that subscription up again. Life seems pretty good without these electronic feed. If I need connectivity really urgent, I have my 3G phone.

Heard recent Buddhist talk in KL recently. A member of the audience asked how to manage his children... family problems, etc... The monk replied, "kill the TV". I guess there is some wisdom in that thought and this killing I suppose if not "panatipata"....

If you the kids are restless not enough family time..... trying turning off the TV - really turning it off.

Good luck!

When we cane, we have FAILED (2)

This is comment on my blog published on FamilyPlace though it would be good to share  this

- Comments : First of all, these people seriously believe they are sincere in addressing the indiscipline in school. What a frightful thought, because they of course think they are clever people. And clever people do not like to reason much because well, they are already very much clever. These 700 (most probably handpicked as those 'most likely to say aye') would recommend just about anything that DEFLECTS from the FACT that it is them, parents and teachers as a collective whole, who have been unthinking in supporting a system and way of life which created an entire generation of dysfunctional youth. It is these same people who have chosen, unthinkingly or knowingly, to place their priorities in life in such a way that has caused the erosion of all values worth living for in a civilised society. They would recommend any measure which will not make them stick their noses into the plain truth; that they were the ones responsible for bearing these children / choosing this prof

Anyway, if you think about it, the more blunders he collective society and the government makes when it comes to the development and learning of our youth, the better it is for fence-sitters and pro-learning people; it will force people to make a choice how much is enough. Nothing short of a critical mass of people who have awakened to the failings of this post-dated form of 'learning'will create real change.

As for my personal experience with caning, 2 years ago my daugher was caned until her little Std.1 palm swelled up so much she couldn't hold her spoon properly. She forgot one page of writing. I wasn't aghast so much at the physical action of the caning, but her meek acceptance that someone could use authority to inflict a form of violence on her. Being a single mom raising a daughter, the last thing I want her to accept is that a person who has supposed authority over you can hit you. She's going to get married some day and I don't want her to be with anyone which will hit her!

Of course some people will say, 'Gosh you're so extreme. You think too far.' But I guess it's the 'not thinking far' kind of mentality which has given us a regressive progress in the past few decades. And then there are those who will say, 'Ahh! It's just a little caning....' but that sounds exactly like an abuser saying, 'Ah, it's just a few bruises and cuts' and a rapist justifying, 'Ah, it's just some skanky w****' and SHE DESERVES IT.' How many teachers will actually say, 'The kid didn't deserve it?' The fact that you use force as a means cannot justify the 'He/She deserves this....' mentality.

Seriously, the reprobation of caning isn't about forsaking discipline. It's about waking up to think about what values you're going to own as a society. Be aware that violence isn't a sudden overturn of emotions gone wild. Violence is conditioning over time, a numbness to compassion, a justification of terror.

It's understandable that some well-meaning parents and teachers are ignorant of the repercussions of violence in teaching a child. The previous generation used to argue that they were caned and they turned out alright. I say to them, back then, education was so valuable that seldom a child wanted to get caned for the novelty of it. Furthermore, children learned in an environment which made them feel the learning is so precious,teachers were generally more knowledgeable and well-trained than the students and their parents and knowledge was not just something they could pick up outside. Back then, they wouldn't risk expulsion because learning was an asset to some degree. If times have changed and the objectives and environment for learning has changed, do we expect to apply the same methods to instil discipline? The causes for indiscipline today is far from identical to the causes of rare cases of indiscipline 'back then when you were young.'

Schools shouldn't be burdened with disciplining students - they should focus on the core of imparting knowledge and nurturing learning. There wasn't even proof to begin with that the Dark Ages practise of punitive measures to subdue learners was effective in creating learning. Schools were never centres for discipline. Learning happened under trees during Socrates time. Neither Alexander the Great nor Buddha would've achieved what they had if schooling for them was all about punishment.

Punitive measures in schools were a thoughtless and careless extension from the Dark Ages when priests caned boys in the believe that it would 'beat the devil out of them'. When schooling became 'large-scale', they borrowed these practices as a quick fix. Punitive measurement has never been proven to be either effective nor constructive. So much research has been made on the effects of physical punishment but we choose to forsake ALL THAT WISDOM in favour of a practise from the Dark Ages that had neither value nor reason except in gratifying egomaniacal priests.

Perhaps the next time they pick '700 people', they should pick those who are doing a good job as teachers and parents and instead ask these people how they've managed to instil learning and discipline WITHOUT the cane. I would've thought that would be an obvious fact.

- Submitted By  : Sloane
- Submitted On  : 06:05,  11/30/2007

When we cane, we have FAILED

PARENT WHO CARE: STOP THE CANING

Caning in schools is NOT RIGHT! Infact, CANING IS NOT RIGHT! It should be abolish if we can are serious about making schools learning and knowledge centers. It is a place where children learn or at least be provided the opportunity to learn. It is a platform for the young to be nurtured to be better people. By caning students, we have gone against our educational policy of "...developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic....". How can you teach people as you beat them up? How will their self-esteem be after caning? How do other students see them? More importantly how will teachers see them?

Instead we are preparing children who are fearful, unthinking in an environment which is unforgiving and at times heartless. If we cane (and expel, practised today) what message are we telling our children? One message is clear is that: "It's the child's fault!" They cannot change, they have committed a mistake. Where did children their behavior from? From the moment they are born or from us adults? Are we conveying the message that we it is okay to hurt another person if they cannot change or do not agree with you - no fault of theirs?

Let us think about why we cane? Is it because nothing else works? Or is that we have given up trying and take the easy way out by pulling out the cane? Is is because teachers have no time, to counsel, talk and to the students and/or their parents? Counseling surely takes time - people cannot change overnight. Does school teachers/counselors have the time? Some teachers will say, the kids are rotten, bully and break every rule in the school. My message to the school authorities is: " In that case, just shoot them! It will save the country a lot of money and the police will surely not have to deal with it 10-20 years down the road".

I see it as a failure on the school (and to a great extent) the parents as well. As teachers and parents we have failed to listen when we decided to use the cane. Sure some will turn out good but most will not.

Most importantly, the message given to the younger children is that "violence is okay" - this is a scary thought.

In this aspect, schools have failed.

Schools need to find the solutions to the problem of the young, not pass it on to the future and lets others (police) handle it. As difficult as it may be, it has to be done. Stakeholders need to come together and work out the solutions. The Minister need to drive change and bring commitment to educate the children with that same fervent energy as he raises the kris (and defends it). It would be really refreshing if out Minister defend children - give them the due respect and recognition they deserve.

The path is difficult but can be done. if we put our minds and hearts to it and focus on our children. They do not deserve this at all.

Time to make a change.

Something for our minister to think about:
Kenya Outlaws Caning in School

More news on this topic in
Malaysiakini
New Straits Times

Detained children to be 'rehabilitated'???

For those who just woke-up, on November 10,2007 Malaysia witnessed its first major peaceful "demonstration"/march/walk (whatever it is called) to drive electoral reform. The event was organized by BERSIH (http://www.bersih.org)

I can understand what the police locked down the entire city on that and had to spray acid laced water and shoot tear gas at the people (not that I agree) but I CANNOT UNDERSTAND why the children (as young as 6) had to be detained and have their statement taken! Now these children will have to be rehabilitated. See Detained children to be 'rehabilitated'. Is this desperate or a stupid move? Who are are real people who needs to be detained (if they really need to)? The police have summoned the four key political leaders involved in the event for statements to be recorded - why the children?

For photos click here. For more information, click on BERSIH above or check this out for tons of links and photos.

FREE THE CHILDREN AND LEAVE THEM ALONE! GO CATCH THE BAD GUYS!

Mental Litercy in Schools?

Malaysian National News Agency :: BERNAMA

Do really need this or does somebody else need this more? Mental Literacy. Mental literacy is a pseudoscientific and popular psychological term coined by Tony Buzan. First thing that came to my mind was "Mind Map" - I think he made a lot of money selling this. Interesting, Hishamuddin had nothing to say, to busy waving this kris elsewhere?

I wonder when can we stop introducing piece-meal initiatives (aka half-baked) and start looking a the bigger picture and vision of our education system and process? Do our leaders have such a vision, any vision for the future of education?

A Breath of Fresh Air, but can there be real changes

Education articles usually catch my attention in the local papers. On the October 16th New Straits Times, it featured an interview with the Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom (Director General of the Ministry of Education) on the topic of cluster schools. For the still uninitiated the cluster schools was one of the main trust of Education Blueprint unveiled by our education minister. What caught my interest was not the the interview but a commentary by Professor Emeritus Datuk Khoo Kay Kim. Professor Khoo is a member of the Cluster of Excellence Advisory Board.





Chappell School is a World Language Magnet Cluster School located in the north side of Chicago


Several things he said caught my attention. First, the need to create creative and bilingual students, not students who follow rules. This is interesting as rules and its adherence has always be a pillar of schools today. Secondly, Professor Khoo stressed that schools must not operate in isolation, they must involve parents. Third, facilities are not important, its the teacher. He gave the example of Plato and Socrates produced some of the best students under a tree. It seems to be an acknowledgment that a "school" is not as important. It's the teacher and the learning process.

Perhaps it is time for a shift in paradigm and move away from schools. True creativity and thinking our of the box of our education system, not necessarily build bigger boxes.

When will we can break out from the walls schools?



Read the NST articles here and and Prof Khoo's piece here.

FREE BURMA

DEAR DPM........

It pains and hurts me to read the DPM say that "since the NS Training Programme was introduced in 2004, only 14 trainees had died and not 20 as reported by a local daily" (emphasis the author's). Read full story in Bernama here.

The extract of the story is produced below before Bernama decides to "update the content".


Meanwhile, he clarified that since the NS Training Programme was introduced in 2004, only 14 trainees had died and not 20 as reported by a local daily.

Of the 14, six deaths were due to illnesses suffered by the trainees themselves such as heart disease, asthma and liver infection. Meanwhile, he said four deaths occurred during training, two died as a result of accidents, one trainee died while on vacation and one died three days after the completion of training. Of the remaining two cases, one drowned while on holiday and the latest case at the Cheneh Cemerlang Camp in Kemaman was being investigated, he said.

"ONLY 14"???????? - How cold and heartless can you be dear DPM?!!!??? Not only are you heartless, your statement implies that the NS is not responsible for the death!

How more many more death will it take for you to know that parents celebrate and jump with joy when they realize their children do not picked for national service?

How many more death will it be enough to for you realize that each one of these persons were somebody's child - a Malaysia and that the suffer greatly?

How many more death will it take to realize that we you, as DPM need to stand up and take the courage to STOP the national service program and make radical changes, report the changes publicly and make the process transparent to the us the Rakyat.

How many more death will it take for you to know that most people have LOST confidence in the National Service program?

Will you just issue another statement the next day to say you were misquoted or the press reported out of context?

I dedicate this song to you, "Blowing in the Wind" by Bob Dylan. The most relevent lines are:

Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

May you continue to hear this in your all your dreams and quiet times in the day, everyday. We will pray you realize that 14 death is ENOUGH!

I am upset.

ANOTHER NATIONAL SEARVICE DEATH

This time its Mohd Rafi Ameer, 18. Died after suffering from fever and having a fall. It seems that the NS camp took too long to send the him to the hospital. It was alleged that his aunt was denied access to see him or take him to the hospital.

Bob Dylan asked:
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Here in Malaysia, it seems that it not blowing in the wind, its blowing in HOT AIR!

National Service (NS) Training Department Director-General Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil:
"We're waiting for the outcome of the post-mortem for the cause of death,"
" A committee headed by the deputy Training Operations Sector director-general, Jamaluddin Masrin, would be set up to investigate the case including the complaint.."
[Bernama]

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak:
"an inquiry into the incident would be thorough and any responsible party found to have been negligent would be punished
[NST]

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is STILL the Chairman of NS Program. No action, no responsibility, not bothered. Refuse to take resign or take any responsibility. This time no pictures in the the local press of him crying and sobbing, maybe waiting for the next death?

Perhaps Tan Sri might like to look at this post by TECheah in the Malaysian Medical Resource site for some answers.

If you missed those whole news while busy celebrating out Merdeka Celebration, check out the following news and blog sites:
Bernama
New Straits Times
e-sinchew-i.com
The Star
3540 Jalan Sudin
Rocky' Bru
English Section.com

A Breath of Fresh Air.....MERDEKA is meaningful again.

It was heartening to know that there is yet hope for our country. It was refreshing to hear what Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said in his recent speech in a public lecture to inaugurate the Khazanah National Development Seminar in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 2, 2007.


Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin

In a time when I turned the pages of our local press it was for laughthers (or cry) depending how we want to react to sometimes nonsensical statements by our local politicians (note: NOT leaders) who pretend to be leaders. The lack the depth and maturity to go beyond the murky waters of politics and shine in the sunlight of statesmanship is sometimes too obvious. Just watch the going-ons in our Parliment and you will understand. If the Parliment is a place from which key policies are debated and changes are initiated, think again. I posted something here, click on it to have your laughs.

This year is our 50th anniversary of our nation's independence. Unfortunately, it is also this year that I wondered what the roles of the courts is to dispense justice or to please people. It is also thsi year that the entire Malaysian Cabinet decided took notice and punished a young man from Muar - for singing the Negara Ku in his own style (and much more), and more more stories. Raja Dr Nazrin Shah's speech on Sept 2 is indeed a breath of fresh air.

If you missed it, its here in The Sun. The full text can be downloaded here.

There's hope, let's cherish it!

Happy 50th MERDEKA Malaysia!

MERDEKA!

FINALLY! I am free from the MERDEKA programs, MERDEKA news and MERDEKA postings about what MERDEKA should and shouldn't be, MERDEKA messages, MERDEKA advertisements and MERDEKA whatever (7 times, right?) to focus and reflect on what i think the meaning of MERDEKA.



It is also time to look around, acknowledge that we are all different in many ways, and to give that respect and space to others who may not be like us. Even better, learn from them. I will try my best to be more tolerant and understanding with the hope that our society will be a happy one for ourselves, our children and future generations. Let's not argue about or fight abotu what state Malaysia is, and focus on building a peaceful and harmonious state.

Let's all look at out 50th Merdeka not to our past alone but make it a gift to our future generation!

Salam MERDEKA my friends and may we all be well and happy!

SHUT UP? NO WAY! HELPS ON THE WAY!

I must congratulate the Malaysian Cabinet. Yes the Cabinet who has taken valuable time away from pressing matters such as the state of sports in the country, the worst bus accident in Malaysian history, the failure of PKFZ and other minor things such as the rate crime in our country and the economy - just to help this creative student promote his music to the world!

How many world leaders and their Ministers really take the time to help creative local musicians onto the world stage, providing wide publicity to his works. A chap from Muar by the name of Namawee has been given this privillage - a privillage even stars like Siti Nurhaliza and Jac Victor did not get. Namawee now is world famous, his hit single now has exceeded over 1,000,000 hits (not counting the other sites hosting his song) and I can say probably many times more. I think there is not a single office in Malaysia that has not heard or circulated the URL to his hit single, Negarakuku. In the real world, it would have been a record - a platinum hit in days!

The Malaysian Cabinet Ministers deep understanding and appreciation of the internet technology has definitely helped in this effort. In singing praises to the Cabinet, we should not forget the local mass media for their kind generosity and magnanimity. I do not think Namawee spent a single sen on advertising to drive traffic to his song and his blogsite. Very rarely do we get this level of generosity from the press. I tried to get a discount to advertise a not-for-profit event some time back and of course, I did not get it. The wonderful thing is that ALL the local papers came together to give unprecedented mileage to this wonderful young man. The latest I have heard is the legal fraternity is jumping to do his bit starting to make this young man famous. Leading this initiative is the Attorney General himself! Great work!

All it takes now is for Namawee to go take the world by storm and make Malaysia proud. Go get a recording contract or start to sell you songs online via i-Tunes. You should not waste the efforts of our Nation's leader to working so hard to see you successful.

If you have just woken and missed the entire episode, here's the hit single below.



I personally like this on, Kawanku

Happy Birthday Malaysia!

SHUT UP!

Malaysiakini reported that The Internal Security Ministry has confirmed that they have given a directive to all mainstream media not to publish any news on the issue of Malaysia being an Islamic state.

The reason given was that it's sensitive and can cause tension. When are we going to grow-up as a nation? We will be celebrating 50 years of Independence as we are still being treated worse than kids. Imagine being to told to "shut up" every time you want to say something.

In parenting programs, psychologists and educationists expounds that parents and teachers allow children to speak their minds and express themselves. When they do that, we adults can understand the problems the kids face and address them accordingly. We are taught to LISTEN and to communicate - basic respect for our children. If our leaders do not have the wisdom to understand and appreciate this, how can we deal with bigger things, how can demonstrate leadership in the international arena. Forget the Nobel Prizes, go play "gasing" in space, make the world's first inter-galactic "roti canai", keep making and breaking ridiculous like the biggest dinner, the longest coin line. We are fifty years as an independent nation, on our social maturity level, in reality, we have regressed to the time before independence.

As long as we have blogs, keep the discussion going. Keep talking about it!

I wonder when the Internal Security Ministry will issue directives to ban the internet followed by kopi-tiams, and later ban the gathering of two or more persons. It we keep this up, it may not be long before we get a directive not to talk. There might come a time this directive will come - "DO NOT THINK".

This is our country, we are 50 this year.

What's the Role of Courts?

Picked this up in the NST on Saturday. Just wondering if the role if the Courts to dispense justice or to "appease everyone". This was quoted by Ahmad Jailani, Lawyer to Siti Fatimah who seek to renounce Islam. Instead she was asked by the courts to undergo counselling and "learn more about Islam". Read more about it here The New Straits Times Online.

I am confused: Am I living in an Islamic state?

These were the words of our Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak

‘Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular one’
‘Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state’
‘We have never been secular…’

I am confused?

I have read about the Reid Commission responsible for drafting the Constitution and how we were taught taught in school about the equality and human rights and that we were (at least until last week) not an Islamic state.

Our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman said on the occasion of his 80th birthday as reported by the Star in February, 1983.:

‘The country has a multi-racial population with various beliefs. Malaysia must continue as a secular State with Islam as the official religion’.

Tunku was not alone.

This how the report in the Star reads :

‘Former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn has supported Tunku Abdul Rahman’s view that Malaysia should not be turned into an islamic state…”The nation can still be functional as a secular state with Islam as the offical religion,” he said’

[Source: The People's Parliament]

Looking at Islamic states today in the other parts of the world, not only am I confused, I am also afraid. Afraid of what the future would be here. I am not surprised when many if my friends tells me they are either in the process of emigrating, planning to emigrate , thinking of it and for those who are not so well-off, dreaming about it. Anyone not in any of the above state of mind - raise your hands! Wonder how many hands we will see.

How do you feel? Confused as I am?

Perhaps if we all read and learn about our Constitution, we will be less confused. Not sure if our politicians ever read them - I doubt it. You might want to read it and send a copy to them for them to read.

I think you can purchase it from the Malaysian Law Journal or some of the following sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Malaysia
http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/malaysia.pdf
http://www.pogar.org/publications/other/constitutions/malaysia-e.pdf
http://www.gov.my/MyGov/BI/Directory/Citizen/LegalMatters/Constitution/**
http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/our_malaysia/government/constitution.cfm**
**Cannot find the Constitution proper, let me know if you can find it

More readings at The Malaysian Bar Council

Rebirth of Malaysian Soccer?

I thought I could be a little positive (or as positive as I can be) relating to this issue. I guess the last straw is the current Asian Cup tournament - it so painful to watch our Malaysian team play like school kids. It's also really depressing as well. Much has been said in the local media already.
Perhaps I would like to say this to the President, " I do not think you are a coward, just not competent" - please resign and have professionals run FAM"

I look forward to the day I could take my children to the soccer stadium, experience the sights and sounds - of course watch great matches by our national team. Alas, I guess I may not see it again this life time but I hope my children will. FAM have buried the glory past and when the President said that he will not step down - the last rites to Malaysian soccer. As of to day our ranking slipped another 5 points to 154. So, to the people and FAM: "Just Leave!"

An observation though, the interesting thing about this whole episode is how the press, particularly the NST went after the FAM, seeking the justice people demand. This is indeed a rare occasion, it would really be good if the NST couple tackle corruption with this same determination of even hit on our education systems to drive changes. But when I browsed the NST today - the same meekly news (if some can be called "news") showed up. Sigh.

Let wisdom, tolerance and understanding pervail

Late though, I am happy Revathi is finally released - at least physically. Mentally she is still imprisoned. Technically, she is released to the custody of her parents. What does mean when a 29 year-old is released to the custody of her parents? I can understand if she is under 18 years of age, but not this situation. Despite her release, she is not allowed to leave Islam and she will continue to receive "counseling" from the Malacca Islamic Council - not sure how long these "counseling" sessions will last. Sad to day but the there is no release yet - the imprisonment still continues.

What happens to the baby, Diviya? She still does not have a birth certificate. It is also clear that Revathi has not changed her religion and will not do so. I am not sure how long this will go on and when it will end. I personally hope Revathi's personal rights and freedom of choice is respected. Some bedtime reading here, here, here, and here and much more on the internet if you type "Revathi released" search on Google.

Despite the gloom, I feel this is the right time and opportunity for people involved in this case to show tolerance. The Syariah Court, "in its wisdom" has granted the release (The Sun, Jul 6) could continue to demonstrate compassion that made Islam as a great world civilization that it is. This is expressed here and here. I feel this is a time when the world needs to see the true face of Islam in its beauty, depth and splendor.

I pray, wisdom, tolerance and understanding prevails.

Thai constitution drafters vote not to make Buddhism national religion

I feel the right decision is made...

Thai constitution drafters vote not to make Buddhism national religion

my earlier random thought on this matter here.

Buddhist Needs to be more Engaged

Over the past months, we we have been hit by news of religious intolerance and fanaticism. Many concern people have voiced their opinions and through the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Toaism (MCCBCHST) have organized prayer gatherings, vigils and even a memorandum to our Prime Minister. I am sad that it seems that the Buddhist community does not seem to show much concern or awareness of such issues.

A quick glance of blogs and websites that carried the MCCBCHST news and activities are mostly Christian-based websites. There seems little or no news carried in any of the major Buddhist websites or blogs. Am I wrong to say that the Buddhist community are not aware or we not concern about these issues. I do hope I am wrong.

While we focus the mind and the breath during meditation, we need to be aware of the quality of air we are breathing, what will be the point of meditating when the air we breath is dirty. So to with our community, where is real metta, karuna or mudita when we do not feel and act to the injustices in our community.

I pray we can and will make a positive impact to our community.

Where is tolarance?

I am not sure how many people heard about the incident in Bangsar recently. The NST's Syed Nazri wrote a commentary here only after Lim Kit Siang highlighted it here. We shake our heads and wonder what's happening to our society. I am sadden to know that the Revathi and Suresh case is still unresolved, in the name of religion families get broken up and happiness gets thrown out the back door (or front door). Where is tolerance? I feel it makes more sense that the inter-religious dialogue be carried out immediately and I think the Inter-Religious Commission is a good move to start with. I also appreciate the MALAYSIAN CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF BUDDHISM, CHRISTIANITY, HINDUISM, SIKHISM & TAOISM (MCCBCHST) in their efforts. One such effort in the the publication of a booklet that represents a memorandum of concern submitted to our country’s highest authority which sadly has not been responded (at least not publicly). It is good to know that the MCCBCHST is been active in the forefront here and elsewhere.

Where is tolerance when the putting up of the images of different religions is not accepted like in recent case in Bangsar? Where is tolerance when in schools only religion is made dominant. We have heard of so much horror stories of the death of religious tolerance in Malaysia such as here and here. It does not help when other religions makes disrespectful remarks about other religions here. I am sure there are much more website and blogs that expresses their own opinion. Is this a sign that the degeneration of our society getting worse?

It it also sad when within religious organizations continue to have bickering and in-fighting happens, and allow the personal ego to dominate. Yes, there are and will continue to be differences in thoughts and perspectives, in the Buddhism is is called ditthi (interesting article on karma and ditthi by Bikkhu P A Payutto here).

I personally feel we all need to see the bigger picture of social justice, tolerance and development. Yet, we must see them from the smallest perspective - our own personal spiritual practice and communication with God.

Can play a role, each and everyone of us? I pray, we look into our hearts to find that peace to bring back tolerance into our society.
May all beings be well and happy.

Happy Fathers' Day Dad!

my personal fathers' day message from Amrita

Fathers’ Day was last Sunday (Jun 17). One of the biggest challenge of Fathers’ Day (like any other “days”) the challenge is to separate the commercial environment telling us what to do, how we should celebrate or even how to spend money on such an occasion from the genuine celebration to appreciate fatherhood. For me, just being with my family gives joy and happiness. Having my kids make cards for me is just as special. I got some of the best cards this year and every year. Here are the cards and letters I got this year.

Sam in her usual creative style

I guess more importantly, Fathers’ Day is beyond the reminder of my responsibilities to my family. I guess any father (or mother) knows the responsibilities. Even my children can list these responsibilities out – especially since I realized that in school she "studied" moral, civic and character building as actual subjects! Lord (interpret any lord) knows why there must be these three such subjects in school. Academically, they have learned well. On the other hand, practice is another matter. As I was saying, responsibilities are a given – something that needs to be done.

An attempt by Arian (with help form her sisters I guess)

Beyond responsibilities, fatherhood is about facing challenges. Such are these challenges that can so easily tell us to just give-up trying. It is so easy to retreat inwards and feel pity for ourselves. If you happen to be the sole breadwinner in the family, you will encounter this as an even greater challenge – especially when there so much uncertainty in our livelihood and factors beyond our control.

For me, fatherhood is not merely about fulfilling commitments and responsibilities; it’s about – personal development and breaking down of our mental barriers - working hard and being happy at the same time. It is extremely difficult to go through tough days at work, yet come back without bringing some of these negative energies back home. For this I appreciate my dad. He has gone through good and challenging times and up till today, he will not stop at anything to help his children. Yet he finds the time and space for himself. I have not made any card for my dad but I want to say I appreciate the things you have done and I love you dad!

Happy Fathers’ Day (and everyday) and to all fathers reading this.

KV Soon

The content of
Amrita's letter

Malaysia, My Root

Last night I caught the Premier of the series "Malaysia, My Root" on ASTRO AEC (Channel 19) by Wong Kew Lit. This series documents the Chinese in Malaysia and how it is assimilating in to Malaysian society. The first in the series, talk about mainly the Peranakan Chinese in Melaka and Kelantan (yes, Kelantan). One interesting thing highlighted was that one of the Masters of the Wayang Kulit is a Peranakan.

There were several other features in the hour-long documentary including several youths who have been observing Thaipusam by participating in the Kavaadi.

I feel this is a very interesting documentary which I recommend everyone to watch. This documentary is special to me as it help me understand my own roots as Chinese as we continue to evolve and change in our Malaysian community. I feel we must understand, appreciate and link history with our lives.

I am definitely excited about the program and will watch the rest of the 12 episodes.

Remember:
ASTRO Channel 19
Time: 7.30 pm
Sundays

Farewell Week

It was a busy and hectic past 2 weeks and have not been able to blog much. Last week was dominated by news of death. First it was the 100 days anniversary of my Wai Leng's father passing. Then it was a friend's mother who passed away in the early morning while cleaning the house. On the same day, another friend's grandfather passed on - he was 99. On the same day, we heard the news of the demise of Loga the Alleycats. I have always enjoyed the Alleycats ever since my schools day when they came and played our school event. I dedicate this song to my friends who have lost dear ones........."jangan-lah kau bersedih hati"



Let's remember the good thing of our dear ones and continue to dedicate merits.

May 13 - finally got a copy

MAY 13 - Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969



Actually, I got it last week. Came into my office in a mysterious package, without the sender's name. Thank you Praveen! It was a pleasent suprise. Reading through the early part of the book really shakes the foundation of my historical knowledge - mainly the "official" history. It seems that our nation needs to relook and rethink our entire mind-set of what it means to be Malaysian - at least this is what I felt. I will share more thoughts after I finish reading the book. I think every Malaysian should get a copy of this book.

You can obtain them at (taken from Elizabeth Wong's Blog):

a. MPH said they don’t want to sell it, as KDN has advised them not to, even though the book isn’t banned. In the updated English version of the news there appears to be a change of instructions.

b. Kinokuniya said, because the book is controversial, they will practice self-censorship and not sell it.

c. Popular said, they will sell it - and this is exactly why I hold a Popular Bookstore card for the past five years.


d. You can also get copies online at Malaysiakini's Kinibooks

You can also drive to Singapore to get one.

SMART ART

You are welcome to visit my children's art blog

http://smart-art-designs.blogspot.com and give us your comments .

Nothing Exciting on TV?

Try the newest reality TV.




Poles apart from the all inspiring talk by Carly Florina. Sometimes I wonder if I should laugh or cry to see the highest decision making body in our country in such a manner. I am also wondering how or what to teach my kids....... (still trying to figure this out) anyone has ideas, let me know.

Lecture by Carly Florina

Just heard Carly Florina's lecture on my MP3 phone. It was a lecture in the series The DFJ Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Program held weekly lecture where entrepreneurial leaders share the lessons of experience with the Stanford community. I have following this lecture series for over a year now, heard many speakers - enjoyed most of them. But Carly's lecture was by far the most inspiring I have heard so far.

To me what was interesting was her experiences as leader and her thoughts about leadership and change and making the right choices. She started he career as a secretary because she was "unemployable" with a Medival History and Philosophy degree, parents objection after she dropped out from law school and having to make decisions and weigh options each time she came to a wall. How she ended with one of the biggest technology company was also interesting.

There were many things said on but what struck me was the how she made her choices "life is not one choice and done......... we need to do the pros and cons (and) search your heart........". That pretty much sums up a lot of my own situations and thought processes.

I don't want to tell everything here but I recommend you listen to this lecture and be in touch with the rest of the other lectures thay might interest you.

Credit: picture source from Wikipedia by António Milena/ABr., 2004

Links:

1. Carly's lecture here: http://edcorner.stanford.edu/downloadMaterial.html?mid=1679&fileId=6471

2. STVP Website here: http://stvp.stanford.edu/

Buddhism: Official Religion for Thailand?

Are our neighbors going down the path of Malaysia? I was reading a news article in the Bangkok Post, April 7 where it was quoted that the concern that if Buddhism is not adopted as the official religion it "will entail grave consequences because Buddhism can be overtaken by other aggressive religions if the state authorities will not provide sufficient protection". This remark is sending a chill down my spine, especially after a recent highlight of religious issues here in Malaysia and the Al-Jazeera program on apostasy. I pray Thailand do not walk this path.

In the Buddha's teaching, the Buddha constantly reminds us about the danger of me, mine and the attachment to the self as a cause of dukkha. I think this is situation is exactly the opposite of what the Buddha teaches. Some monks have claimed ownership to say Buddhism in Thailand is theirs and will vow to fight to protect it.

The article further remarked that According to supporters, the national religion clause is only a matter of recognizing social reality because most people in Thailand are Buddhists while the national culture and history are closely intertwined with Buddhism. Besides, the King is constitutionally required to be Buddhist.

According to the same article, the military has already expressed support for the Sangha's moves. The parliamentary committee on religion has also turned the clergy's demand into its own proposal to the Constitution Drafting Committee, thus making the Sangha's petition officially in the legislative pipeline.

It also quoted that the Sangha sent a troop of monks to the sacred Bodhgaya pilgrimage site in India, to take a fighting vow. There they publicly declared that the Sangha would lead a nationwide boycott against the draft constitution if Buddhism is not institutionalised as the national religion.

In another article, it seems that there are sensible people who feel that it is more important to understand why youths are turning their backs on Buddhism. They too felt that the sensitivity is needed especially in light of the seemingly endless violence in the deep South, where the gap of mistrust between Muslims and Buddhists remains as wide as ever, and any move to nationalise Buddhism could easily be exploited by the Islamic extremists to further widen the divide.

Phra Paisan, a respected and socially-engaged Buddhist monks in Thailand questioned the Sangha's motive and gives a very poignant perspective. I feel that his article is a stark reminder to the Buddhism to look inward to solve our problems and not to look outside to the Government to solve the problem of social problems and the decline of Buddhism.

Hence, I cannot agree more that Buddhism is a religion of peace and compassion. Which explains why Buddhism and other religious faiths have, for centuries, co-existed in peace and harmony in Thailand. To mix Buddhism with nationalism is a dangerous gamble which does not bode well for multi-religious harmony in the long term.

Links to this article:
Clamoring of a national religion (By Sanitsuda Ekachai, Bangkok Post, April 7, 2007)
Thailand: Keep religion out of charter (The Bangkok Post, April 7, 2007)
Thailand: Not in need of 'status crutch' (By PHRA PAISAN VISALO, Bangkok Post, April 19, 2007)

Ditelan mati mak, diludah mati bapa

Ever heard of this saying? Losely translated it means that if swallowed, your mother would die and if spit out, your father would die. Some people call it catch-22 situation though it may not be a very accurate translation. A better word describing the situation would be dilemma - a situation where in a situation, neither one if two decisions will be suitable.

image from http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/

Choices are always difficult especially when most the time the choices we have been making were relatively easy to make or when we do not have to make them. However, recently dilemma has fallen upon the devotees in a Buddhist community somewhere in Selangor.

Devotees are being made to choose - temple A or temple B? Must decide, lobbying is intense for one of the sides - wait a minute...... did I mention lobbying? I am just wondering since when Buddhist organization need to lobby for support and members? The last time I did any lobbying was when I was in a political party. With the private meetings, "buy you makan" get togethers the race is heating up. But wait a minute, who is racing who? Somehow, I saw only one team and they are racing very hard against.....(who is that again)?

This situation makes the above sayings relevent. People are being torn between one child wants to go to sunday school A while another wants school B. Families are beginning to feel the pinch. Husband wants to go to temple A and wife wants to go to B. The dilemma continues....

I remember when I was young(er), in a Dharma talk, a monk spoke about dilemmas and difficult choices. This monk told me that people think tend to think in a box - in one direction. He reminded me that sometimes, we need to make many decisions, often times, we need to think outside the box. Sometime, we need to decide NOT to make a decision and at times continue to create more and more choices - this only makes the situation worse. We were also reminded by this monk that actually there is only one way....


The way of our heart. This way can only be achieved when we learn to quiet out minds and listen to ourselves, as the answers lies within - not what other people say. The result might be just something we did not think of earlier at all. So, don't get caught in a perception of dilemma, just ...

Take care my friends!

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. - Buddha ...

RM1.3b on Education Complex - the obsession with BIG buildings continues.

Updated (May 6, 2007):

In an NST article here today, Our Education Minister clarified (one day after) that the RM1.4b complex will be a consolidation of the 27 teacher training institutes in Malaysia into one, with the RM1.3 billion Nilai education complex becoming the main campus and the rest as branches. According to the NST too, He also added that each branch would have its own niche area and speciality such as early education, special education and physical education, besides offering general teaching courses.

No start date was given and I hope we can expect more piece-meal information over the coming weeks and months.

Original posting:
If anyone read the NST today, you will find this article on the building of an education complex in Nilai. This complex will cost tax payers RM1.3b to be build in two phases. It is suppose to strengthen the teaching profession and improve teachers surroundings and welfare.The project would also provide the facilities and infrastructure for strengthening professionalism in the teaching profession as well as for capacity building. I am just wondering how the above objectives achieved. We do not even know when it will start, when phase 2 kicks in and when will it complete. I wonder if the Minister knows. If he or the ministry knows, nobody is telling.

I searched the MOE website and found nothing. Even the Minister's speeches have not been updated since the beginning of the year. No detail of the implementation of the Blueprint is even mentioned in the site. Is everyone busy with implementing the blueprint perhaps? I am sure the Minister has been giving speeches since January but nothing has been posted. So much for transparency. The MOE website reflects the actual department. You walk into the department, if you want information, you go to the right officer after directing you from one place to another. If you want something on the web you click here and there but don't really get anything and walk (click) away somewhat frustrated. The good thing about the web though, is that we do not have to answer many questions while being directed. Welcome to the information age of the Ministry of Education!

This RM1.3b center project seems to come up from nowhere and I am just wondering where it is heading and why the obsession with big buildings. Could the money be put into better use such as:
a) increase salary for teachers (can hear clapping the in background)
b) appoint good trainers and consultants to train and upgrade teachers nation-wide by conducting regular training nearer to the teachers (logic tells me that paying one person to travel is much cheaper than asking many many teachers to travel to one place)
c) fund more teachers for higher education, upgrade themselves (more clapping)
d) upgrade facilities in schools (teachers will surely be happy, students will be too)

and things many teachers will tell you.

I am looking forward to what happens next. Stay tuned. If anyone has eyes and ears on the ground at the right place, let us know.