Going against conventional wisdom

Facebook Learning Beyond Schooling: Going against conventional wisdom:

"It is empowering to know and act upon the fact that there are alternatives to educating our children and actually exercising our right as parents to adopt them. Through homeschooling, our children has grown in ways others thought were not possible.

As challenging as it may be to be going against conventions, we believe that this is what makes a real difference. A difference that comes from our hearts for the love of our children and an appreciation of the world they will live in the future.

We invite you challenge convention wisdom to find your own alternatives. The world in the future is way beyond schools as we understand today.

(A brief reflection of the day)

Warmly,
KV&WL"

Copenhagen 2009: Track what's happening to negotiations

You can do something...

check out minute by minute update HERE

The Editorial: 14 days to seal history's judgment on this generation

for Malaysia, I took this from The Sun

14 days to seal history's judgment on this generation

By: (Mon, 07 Dec 2009)

This editorial was published yesterday by 56 newspapers around the world in 20 languages including Chinese, Arabic and Russian. The text was drafted by the editors at the Guardian newspaper in UK during more than a month of consultations with editors from more than 20 of the papers involved.

LONDON: Fifty-six newspapers in 45 countries today took the unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common editorial. They did so because humanity faces a profound emergency.

Unless we combine to take decisive action, climate change will ravage our planet, and with it our prosperity and security. The dangers have been becoming apparent for a generation. Now the facts have started to speak: 11 of the past 14 years have been the warmest on record, the Arctic ice-cap is melting and last year’s inflamed oil and food prices provide a foretaste of future havoc. In scientific journals the question is no longer whether humans are to blame, but how little time we have got left to limit the damage. Yet so far the world’s response has been feeble and half-hearted.

Climate change has been caused over centuries, has consequences that will endure for all time and our prospects of taming it will be determined over 14 days. We call on the representatives of the 192 countries gathered in Copenhagen not to hesitate, not to fall into dispute, not to blame each other but to seize opportunity from the greatest modern failure of politics. This should not be a fight between the rich world and the poor world, or between east and west. Climate change affects everyone, and must be solved by everyone.

The science is complex but the facts are clear. The world needs to take steps to limit temperature rises to 2°C, an aim that will require global emissions to peak and begin falling within the next 5-10 years. A bigger rise of 3-4°C -- the smallest increase we can prudently expect to follow inaction -- would parch continents, turning farmland into desert. Half of all species could become extinct, untold millions of people would be displaced, whole nations drowned by the sea. The controversy over emails by British researchers that suggest they tried to suppress inconvenient data has muddied the waters but failed to dent the mass of evidence on which these predictions are based.

Few believe that Copenhagen can any longer produce a fully polished treaty; real progress towards one could only begin with the arrival of President Obama in the White House and the reversal of years of US obstructionism. Even now the world finds itself at the mercy of American domestic politics, for the president cannot fully commit to the action required until the US Congress has done so.

But the politicians in Copenhagen can and must agree the essential elements of a fair and effective deal and, crucially, a firm timetable for turning it into a treaty. Next June’s UN climate meeting in Bonn should be their deadline. As one negotiator put it: "We can go into extra time but we can’t afford a replay."

At the deal’s heart must be a settlement between the rich world and the developing world covering how the burden of fighting climate change will be divided — and how we will share a newly precious resource: the trillion or so tonnes of carbon that we can emit before the mercury rises to dangerous levels.

Rich nations like to point to the arithmetic truth that there can be no solution until developing giants such as China take more radical steps than they have so far. But the rich world is responsible for most of the accumulated carbon in the atmosphere – three-quarters of all carbon dioxide emitted since 1850. It must now take a lead, and every developed country must commit to deep cuts which will reduce their emissions within a decade to very substantially less than their 1990 level.

Developing countries can point out they did not cause the bulk of the problem, and also that the poorest regions of the world will be hardest hit. But they will increasingly contribute to warming, and must thus pledge meaningful and quantifiable action of their own. Though both fell short of what some had hoped for, the recent commitments to emissions targets by the world’s biggest polluters, the United States and China, were important steps in the right direction.

Social justice demands that the industrialised world digs deep into its pockets and pledges cash to help poorer countries adapt to climate change, and clean technologies to enable them to grow economically without growing their emissions. The architecture of a future treaty must also be pinned down – with rigorous multilateral monitoring, fair rewards for protecting forests, and the credible assessment of "exported emissions" so that the burden can eventually be more equitably shared between those who produce polluting products and those who consume them. And fairness requires that the burden placed on individual developed countries should take into account their ability to bear it; for instance newer EU members, often much poorer than "old Europe", must not suffer more than their richer partners.

The transformation will be costly, but many times less than the bill for bailing out global finance — and far less costly than the consequences of doing nothing.

Many of us, particularly in the developed world, will have to change our lifestyles. The era of flights that cost less than the taxi ride to the airport is drawing to a close. We will have to shop, eat and travel more intelligently. We will have to pay more for our energy, and use less of it.

But the shift to a low-carbon society holds out the prospect of more opportunity than sacrifice. Already some countries have recognised that embracing the transformation can bring growth, jobs and better quality lives. The flow of capital tells its own story: last year for the first time more was invested in renewable forms of energy than producing electricity from fossil fuels.

Kicking our carbon habit within a few short decades will require a feat of engineering and innovation to match anything in our history. But whereas putting a man on the moon or splitting the atom were born of conflict and competition, the coming carbon race must be driven by a collaborative effort to achieve collective salvation.

Overcoming climate change will take a triumph of optimism over pessimism, of vision over short-sightedness, of what Abraham Lincoln called "the better angels of our nature".

It is in that spirit that 56 newspapers from around the world have united behind this editorial. If we, with such different national and political perspectives, can agree on what must be done then surely our leaders can too.

The politicians in Copenhagen have the power to shape history’s judgment on this generation: one that saw a challenge and rose to it, or one so stupid that we saw calamity coming but did nothing to avert it. We implore them to make the right choice.

on having fun...

Have not been blogging for a while, too much happening - at work and
at home. I will talk about work later (probably never). However,
homeschooling's getting very busy - and fun!

We recently had a very enjoyable camping trip and a session with Dato
Lat in Perak. Camping was great, I have not been out camping for a
looooooonnng time. Too long. The rain tried to stop us but we did not
allow it. We had our camp in the open. We also had our campfire. Yes,
the kids burnt (in their attempt to roast) mushy-mellows.

The morning session with Dato Lat was inspiring. It was very great to
hear the simple kampung boy stories of friendship, fun and innovation.
Friendship because there were no politically created barriers, just a
couple people trying hard to have fun. It reminded me that we need to
have fun and it's perfectly OKAY! - One thing I noticed that morning
was, Dato Lat having fun! I (others too) saw sparkle in his eyes when
he spoke and interacted with the kids. There was fun and laughter -
the kids and we adults had lots of fun as well. The best way to have
fun is with friends. Hey, even Lat's dad joined in. Thank you Lat for
reminding us one of our main purpose of life!

Dato's session also reminded that we are by nature innovative and
creative. Read Lat's book, see how the kampung boys (and girls)
device games to entertain themselves. Notice how they use leaves,
stones and whatever they could find to device games. They surely did
not have politicians to remind them that we need to be innovative and
creative *ouch*. We just need to remind ourselves that we are already
creative! Just have fun!

These memories will continue to linger on - well, untill the next
camp. If you like to check out photos, log on to
http://learningbeyondschooling.org

(mobile blogged, mistakes and error blamed on small phone keyboard)

A's & more A's

* Sigh * talking about educational reform - what reform?

Looks like the thinking is how to grade the students better after giving out As like nobody's business. Now we know when the MOE goes and plan this is what comes out.

Check out The Star

New grade of A+ for SPM

By KAREN CHAPMAN

PETALING JAYA: A new grading system for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) will be implemented from this year.

Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the change would provide a detailed breakdown of excellent candidates who obtained grade As in the examination.

“The change means there will now be a new grade of A+. Previously, the highest grade possible in the SPM was 1A,” he said in a statement yesterday.

........

Read on here

Dining in Ipoh (updated)

I always enjoy dining in Ipoh (and other smaller towns and cities for that matter). Why? Firstly, Ipoh food is GOOD and very reasonably priced.

More importantly, I like the family environment. Yes, restaurants may be noisy but I saw something unseen in KL - nil presence of maids. There were no maids to take care of children, yet children were better behaved. No stress, no screaming! Happy, noisy envionment.

I did not see a single maid in the restaurant among the customers. At the table behind us, a mother was even reading to her child while waiting for food to arrive!

Perhaps people in Ipoh and other towns believe that things can work out without a maid. Good to know many still believe in themselves as parents (and grand parents)!

BY the way, some might enjoy the food at SUN MARPOH Restaurant in Ipoh Garden (on same road with the Maybank Ipoh Garden Branch)

Draw & WIN!

JOIN US & SHOW US YOU CREATIVITY

Children's Art Competition

Finally the basketball court is ready

After weeks of waiting, we finally have our basketball in USJ 20 court back. All looks nice and wonderful. Shot a couple of balls this morning and monday will be the start our games again! Thank you MPSJ!

I guess we would not mind that the court is not smooth, the hoops rattles and the size of the court seems somewhat different. Afterall, we are not playing NBA playoffs.

Looking forward to Monday morning.

Do we see opportunities?

It really pains me to read about and watch the whole episode of "cow-head protest". It pains me because after 52 years of independence we seem to be moving backwords. I have read that our nation's founding fathers took great effort to build and to ensure unity amongst Malaysians. With whatever contact or negotiated terms, they had all agree to move forward together as one nation.

I grew up with friends of all races, different cultural background and different religious beliefs and we accepted each other for who we are - we did not have to tolerate - we were sensitive and appreciative of each other. I am sure many of us share this exprience that makes our country such a wonderful place to live in. It pains that my children had to see that and that doubt may arise if I they is the country for them.

It pains me even more especially when I know that our children may have to grow up in an environment of hatred, anger and intolerance. I know that if we continue to speak up and act with kindness and compassion thingswill change. I wonder if our children will have the opportunity to people rise above these murly issues of social relationship to see real social maturity. If the answer is yes, then it will be a golden opportunity for us and especially our children to experience transformation our society.

Where will we head to, do we see opportunities?

I pray we do!

Let's us rise above as Malaysians and let good sense and social maturity prevails.

While we are still in the Merdeka month, Happy Merdeka!

Is there another disease?

I wonder if anyone noticed this or is this just me. I noticed from news articles, almost all the victims who dies in relation to the H1N1 influenza had visited the doctor/hospital before their death. In some cases, it took 2 - 3 visits to the doctor before it was confirmed it was H1N1. During that time, the doctor gave no quarantine instructions, some still move around shopping centers- without masks.

I know of a friend who passed away recently - a young mother. She leaves behind a 5 year old child. We knew her daughter had been sick and after that was her turn. We also knew that she had been to the doctors - more than once. We saw her just 2 weeks before that- healthy and bright.

Last week a relative went to the to the doctor's twice with flu symptoms. No test were done. With fever and cough, she continues to go about with her live, including going to public places. We really hope she will be fine and it is just a normal flu.

I wonder if there is another diseaseof the non-virual type we need to treat.

Can we rise above....

Can we raise about the common hatred and anger? Can we rise above our egos and our insecurities? Can we rise above ourselves?

When we rise above ourselves we will find that we are all on the same planet, going through similar challenges in life. SO why fight?

We have sent Malaysian into space and achieved great things. Yet many a times, we allow our emotions and desires govern us. We let our quest for power and materials things make us look so petty and at times (more often, these times) really stupid.

We need to raise above all these to resolve issues and challenges we face as the society, a nation.

This is my wish for Merdeka 2009.

Happy Merdeka: Celebration of Hope for the future!

What do you feel when the police jumps in super swift action for wearing black, holding up a candle to state you stand on the principles of freedom and human rights while the police stand by entertained by a group of people hurling insults, holding up a cow's head inciting racial tensions and threatening bloodshed over the building of a Hindu temple in a majority Islamic community?

How do you feel when you see legitimately elected state governments being forced out of power - disregarding (almost every) the rule of law? What went through our minds as we see the Speaker of the Perak Assembly being dragged out by a group people reported to be the police like bouncers throwing out unruly customers from a night-joint?

What was the feeling when the saw the Hindraf protests, BERSIH rally and the latest anti-ISA movement quelled by the might of the police, while we see crime rate continues to rise and the often lament they there are not enough resources?

What goes through our minds as we see the continuous decline of the standard of English language and the apparent flip-flopping of education policies driven by political motivation? What do business people here feel as we continue to experience economic decline with no clear strategy moving forward? What about Beng Hock and the hundreds who have died in custody? The list goes on from death relation to H1N1 to road congestions.....

The feeling is of ANGER, FRUSTRATION and a sense of HOPELESSNESS to a certain extent. I bet there are more people thinking of migration now than before. Perhaps that's why migration services continues to be advertised on the front pages of Malaysiakini!

So, what does this all mean for Merdeka (Independence) Celebration on August 31st?

As a nation going beyond 50 years, we need to go beyond anger and frustration. Malaysians of all races needs to respond not react to situation. We need to be level-headed, calm and to respect one another - as this is the place we call our home. Let this Merdeka be a great start to the appreciation of one another and to acknowledge that we all had a role to play in building this nation of ours - no matter how small orbig a role.

Merdeka is also a reminder that we, Malaysians, must transcend beyond politics, political, parties and individuals. Merdeka is a reminder that we can make changes because we are empowered to. It is not just about wearing black, holding candlelight vigil and voice dissatisfaction. It also not mere parades and slogan designs. Merdeka should a celebration of the opportunities.

We must find a way and to go beyond the negativity and look forward to the future - forward to an opportunity for change.

Merdeka is about the celebration of hope. The hope for a better future for our country still exists.

Happy Merdeka everyone!

(2009)

Why are we so obsessed

With all the "A"s? Even Buddhist temples are not spared.

Why?

Great Relief, yet more death are happening....do we care?

That there no reported death relating to H1N1 over the past 24 hours. Should we still we alarmed? YES! Malaysia is now ranked no 8, shot up over the past month - not the kind of "Malaysia Boleh" we want to achieve. I sincerely hope this number stays and we all take the neccessary precautions. To keep yourself updated, this is good reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_flu_pandemic_by_country

Talking about death. While we were caught up in the death of Teoh Beng Hock, another death in police custody happened. Many have missed this. Check out Haris' blog

http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/why-is-gunasegaran-dead-do-you-care/

Lastly and not the least important, you may not heard about this young chap, Gary Robert who died under very mysterious circumstances. We must read this blog, http://justiceforgaryrobert.webs.com/ - speaks for itself. You must make this known!

I care, yet I am angry! How much is the a Malaysian's life worth?

Spread the word.

REST IN PEACE!

My Conspiracy Theory

Just a consipracy theory, nothing more (unless you choose to believe otherwise):

I cannot help but to think that the Police, Judicary and other agencies are working for the opposition PR. Some bloggers has questioned the intelligence of the Police in arresting the candle-light vigil participants or anyone one wearing black for that matter. Shouting through the microphone right in front of the people. Doing this in full view of local and international media - including Malaysiakini! They are not stupid! They definately know the vigil participants are not deaf, so why need to use a bullhorn a few meters away. They know that the world is watching and the Police knows exactly what they are doing. They also know the video will be out to the whole world through the internet. I am sure they watch too. I am sure thier children and relatives watch them as well. It is not they they are totally ignorant of the influence of cyberspace.

If you look at carefully - no one really was hurt when they arrested the vigil participants. None of the lawyers were hurt too. In fact many were released with no charges. Some will be released in a couple of days. I am sure the Police know the criminal procedures very well and not to make fools of themselves. There is a reason whey are doing this, a really smart reason indeed. They also give reason for the Malaysian BAR to respond swift and hard, calling for the IGP and Minister of Internal Affairs to resign. Clever.




Why are Courts producing such declarations and judegments which seems to go against the grain of common sense? Are the judges intelligence questionable? They cannot just be just mindlessly following orders of the current political masters? Do you think that people of such high intellectual and social stature allow themselves to be perceived as mere servants? I don't think so. They are also not stupid. They are not fools. They know exactly what they are doing.

They also know that images like the Perak Speaker being dragged out of the House would be captured and spread all over the world and every Malaysian would have seen or heard about it (see below)



I think they have a plan and it has nothing to with the current political leaders. They's why BN leaders seems not to be in control at all. Shooting off their hip every time they are put in a corner. Making policy decisions in speeches without proper think through and planning. Or say things that are not suppose to say like our foreign minister at the White House recently (Check the video here)

My theory is that they know that the Pakatan will take over, the Poilce knows who the new bosses are. By doing what they are doing, only makes the BN look stupid and out of control. This will make the people angry and expediate the transition to a new government. I think they are as fed-up of the situation as the people are and this is their way of making change happen. This is a little sacrifice they have to make and they know the people would hate them for it. People, lets not be too hard on them.

They cannot go to the streets and protests like us. Imagine a Federal Court judge holding a candle joining in a candlelight vigil. Imagine too, the IGP coming out supporting by a wearing black t-shirt holding candle. Cannot happen right? DO you think the police, the judges or government officials are robots without brains, cannot think? Do you they they are absolutely happy with the political situation, considering the very low salaries the officers are getting? Go figure. This is their way of saying, "we want change too"!

How else can you explain what's happening. Right?

Goalpoast Moving Problem Solving Strategy

It would be really easier if our Honourable Minister and the Cabinet make know clearly the criteria for the award of the scholarships. Cutting down the number of subjects, does not bring us any nearer to any clarity and understanding how the problems can be solved. What is so difficult to let us know know the selection and award criteria openly and in a transparent manner so that students can work towards achieving them. One cannot just move the goalpost anytime they choose to, for the benefit of the few.

I shake my head in despair the manner in which our minister solves problems. I am truly doubtful if he can undertake any serious reform of improvement to our education system other than mere talk and shoot from the hip policies. If we wait any longer another two generations of our future generations will be screwed (if not already).

Better buck-up and look ahead to the future - for ALL Malaysian.

Government ponders limit on number of SPM subjects
Source: NST.COM.MY
By Hamidah Atan

2009/05/22

PUTRAJAYA: The number of subjects each student can take in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination may be limited to put an end to issues pertaining to the awarding of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, said yesterday the ministry felt strongly that the number of subjects should be streamlined to resolve the perennial problem.

He said the cabinet had discussed the matter twice and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would chair a special meeting to discuss related issues next week.

Barisan Nasional component party leaders are expected to attend the meeting.

"The meeting will deliberate further ideas and proposals with regard to fairer and equitable distribution of scholarships," said Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman and Umno deputy president.

He was speaking after meeting Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shirlin and committee members of the movement at his office.

There have been allegations of unfair distribution of scholarships by the PSD.

"One of the most common questions is why some who scored, say 14 As, were given the scholarships but some who got 19 As were not. The view is that the ministry should streamline the number of subjects.

"Why should you take up to 20 subjects? Some of the subjects are not even taught in schools but they learned them in tuition centres. I have nothing against these people but it has created other issues in terms of consistency."

He said students in boarding schools were told to take certain subjects but those outside could sit for as many subjects as they liked.

The problem arose when people started comparing the results of these students, he said.

"There are other considerations as well. One of the things my ministry is looking into is whether there is a need to limit the number of subjects so that everyone, whether they are in boarding or normal schools, can take the same number of subjects, like what we did before. We did not go for the number of As."

Muhyiddin said the PSD had a strong basis for awarding scholarships.

"It has to take into account socially-disadvantaged students in remote areas as well as those in premier schools.

"If you don't take into consideration those socially-disadvantaged students, they will not get the scholarships. But if you start comparing, this will create dissatisfaction.

"We acknowledge the grouses and we will discuss this in the meeting."

He said a study would also be carried out.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong recently criticised the PSD on the issue.

Dr Wee, who is also the deputy education minister, said MCA Youth had requested MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and three other MCA ministers to refer the matter to the cabinet.

This was to ascertain the procedure and criteria for awarding scholarships to students to study overseas, he had said.

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dr Dominic Lau had said his party was willing to offer help to students who were rejected by the PSD.

He said the PSD should consider reviewing the applications of students who were turned down to give them a chance to pursue their studies overseas. If they were rejected, he said, an explanation should be given to them.

One School for One Language, One Race, One Nation?

Satu Sekolah untuk Satu Bahasa, Satu Bangsa, Satu Negara! 

Very soon, we will be robots, walking, dressing, speaking and thinking (if thinking is allowed by then) in exactly the same way. This may happen if we have this 1sekolah a reality. Is this way we envision Malaysia to be? A land of just robots? Killing the very roots of our culture - the culture of diversity? We have grown as a nation appreciating the diversity of our cultures and languages.

This is the new initiative by someone who calls himself "Kijang Mas" whose blog is named "Demi Negara". This person does not even have the guts to make himself public and apparently does not even reside in Malaysia and who so convinently blames the vernacular schools for the disunity in our community.  He obviously failded to see that issue of (dis)unity is not merely a product of schools. We need to see the big picture, the policies in schools, who put those policies there in the first place. What are our leaders and politicians doing about unity and how are they treating each other. We have not got it right. Here I agree with Khoo Kay Peng:

The proponents of 1Sekolah cannot even be truthful about the main problem of disunity and racial disharmony. Why blame the Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools when it was obvious that some UMNO politicians had started the racial blame game? Did you hear any students or teachers from the vernacular schools doing the same? Why is Rockybru keeping his golden silence when a vernacular newspaper, Utusan Melayu, from his media group is keeping up with the tradition of racial flaming?

It is disappointing to see a group of 'pro-unity' bloggers parotting the same rhetoric to cause even more disunity.

Calling the vernacular schools as a cancer and a cause of our society's destruction is both shameful and dishonest. These schools had produced some of the finest leaders for the country. Many of MIC, MCA and UMNO leaders came from vernacular schools.

I am glad that Education Minister Muhyiddin rejects campaign to abolish vernacular schools.

However, we must bear in mind that while racial appreciation and social integration are key elements in the maturity of our nation, it has to begin from the top. Our political leaders must throw away racist mentality and truly work towards one Bangsa Malaysia. This Bangsa can arise from appreciation of the fact that different cultures can exists with understanding and respect.  

Let's not forget that our mission (according to the Ministry of Education) is:

To develop a world-class quality education system which will realise the full potential of the individual and fulfill the aspiration of the Malaysian nation. 

Note: Realize the full potential of the individual - for the sake of our children, there needs to be a balance. We need to also be ahead of the curve in terms of the educational strategies and development world-wide. Each time we fight, our children gets left behind. Let's focus on improving the overall standard of education for the sake of our children.

Aung San Suu Kyi Imprisoned by Regime

It is indeed sad news and I hope you support the effort to have her release!

Aung San Suu Kyi Imprisoned by Regime 

News Update and Actions

5.14.09

Just as her current house arrest is about to expire, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi — leader of Burma’s opposition party, the National League for Democracy — has been taken into custody at her lakeside home in Rangoon, and held to face a special court at the notorious Insein Prison (sic!), along with her doctor Dr. Tin Myo Win and her live-in caretakers, Khin Khin Win and her daughter Win Ma Ma.  They are charged with violating security laws specially crafted to control the conditions of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest. She has been under house arrest for thirteen of the last nineteen years. 

Accustations against Aung San Suu Kyi and the others stem from the capture of a 53-year-old American John Yettaw, who apparently swam across Inya Lake to Suu Kyi’s lakeside compound on the night of May 5. NLD sources said Suu Kyi spoke with him, her caretakers gave him some food, and Suu Kyi asked him to leave the premises, but he appears to have spent the night on her property.  Security officials believe that Yettaw had made a previous visit to Suu Kyi’s compound in late 2008.  Yettaw’s motivations are unknown. A US consular representative talked with him Wednesday in the presence of Burmese intelligence officers. Yettaw will face trial separately on serious charges.

This March, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that Suu Kyi's present detention violates international and Burmese law. Her latest term of confinement was due to expire at the end of this month, and it is clear that the junta has been looking for a legal pretext to keep her in custody. Whatever John Yettaw’s purposes were, the burden will once again fall on Aung San Suu Kyi and her associates, who are now in prison, awaiting trial and oxymoronic Burmese “justice” under a regime of generals and thugs. If found guilty, Aung San Suu Kyi will face three to five years in prison.

At his noon briefing today, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon read the following statement:

 

"The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the news that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to the Insein Prison to face criminal charges. The Secretary-General believes that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is an essential partner for dialogue in Myanmar’s national reconciliation and calls on the Government not to take any further action that could undermine this important process.  As he has said repeatedly, the Secretary-General believes strongly that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those who have a contribution to make to the future of their country must be free to be able to do so to ensure that the political process is credible.”

Along with many organizations and people around the world we call on the United Nations and ASEAN immediately to send envoys to Burma demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all Burma’s political prisoners. It is time for the Security Council to act. As Buddhists and lovers of freedom we urge you to encourage our own leaders to bring their influence to bear on Burma. We need to speak with one international voice. Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners must be free. The world is watching. 

As a first step, please go to the Burma Campaign UK’s website to take immediate action. 

www.burmacampaign.org.uk/ASSK_action.html

taare zameen par

Just watched a wonderful Hindi movie. Yes, Hindi! The last time I watched a complete Hindi movie was when elephant was the in thing. Anyone remember Haate Mere Saathi - I remember  we cried our eyes swollen ;-(

The show I was this evening was taare zameen par (Every Child is Special). Checkout their website here. 

Good movie, a little long though -not to worry as it has the elements of Bollywood - song and dance.

Parents struggling with their children's studies are encourage to watch it.

May 13

Let's not forget. I have blogged about this earlier here. I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts after listening to distingush speaker at the Forum 512 at the Civic Center last night.  

DSAI Addressing the Audience

Penalists of the Forum

A section of the crowd at the Forum

I feel that we must NEVER forget May 13, 1969. I disagree with YB Lim that the the new 513 is May 7. May 13 cannot be replaced. 513-69 is to be known and remembered. It must be taught in schools and appreciate that we need to move away from race-based politics. 513 must not be swept under the carpet. After all, the The event last night was entitled "From May 13 to 1Malaysia – The Future of Malaysian Nation"

While most speakers (sadly) took the opportunity to some (in some cases) a great deal of BN & Najib bashing, there was little said about the future apart form the often repeated need to reform everything from judicary to transport. Yes, they are important but. I felt there was not ehough discussions about policies, strategies or approaches to learn from 513 and the future. I suppose if we looked at the 3000 people who attended - came from different racial, social and economic background, the future of Malaysia is definately bright.

I personally felt these two things which the speakers said stood out. Firstly, Datuk Seri Nizar when he took over the microphone, he recited a verse about the Quran that talked about unity and appreciation of the different races and traditions.  Taking religion to bring about unity is often said, not usually seen. This is one man who, in my opinion, "walk the talk". 

Secondly, Tricia Yeoh mentioned that the most important policy of all that needed to be changed and transformed is EDUCATION.  Iit is about time someone spoke out about the sorry state of education we are in. Specifically relating to this posting it is the politicising and the lack of innovation in our education that has prevented out younger generation to know and appreciate our own history (no matter how dark it may be).  We owe it to our younger and their future generations to tell them their history.

May all the victims of the May 13, 1969 (and the subsequent days) find peace, where ever they are. 

May we have a better Malaysia for all!

Nizar is Perak MB! (Or is it? - Updated)

image source: westmalaysia.com

Latest in the musical chair saga. http://tinyurl.com/pblppl 

We just witness a mockery of the justice system in the speed the appeal was granted. I guess it back to the either the fish market / underground meeting / taiping zoo / perak wrestlers federation

===earlier post====

Yes! Great news! Glad there are still brave and impartial Judges!

I understand that YB Nizar has about 20 hours of being the rightful MB until an appeal is filed by Zambry.  The question is that will Zambry continue to fight or conceed defeat and gain whatever respect and dignity that's left in the BN.

We will find out tomorrow afternoon.

Police State? (updated with video)

(video from Malaysiakini)

Police state

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term police state describes a state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the population. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism and social control, and there is usually little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political

 power by the executive.

The inhabitants of a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views, which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement. Political control may be exerted by means of a secret police force which operates outside the boundaries normally imposed by a constitutional state.

police state –noun

a nation in which the police, esp. a secret police, summarily suppresses any social, economic, or political act that conflicts with governmental policy.

from dictionary.com

Remember!

Cowards?

Picture source: http://zainulfaqar.wordpress.com/

Cowards? If not, let the people decide-lah!

Dictionary.com: Coward

cow⋅ard     [kou-erd]  

–noun

1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.

–adjective

2. lacking courage; very fearful or timid.

3. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity: a coward cry.

Origin: 

1175–1225; ME <>

Synonyms:

1. craven, poltroon, dastard, recreant, milksop.

cow·ard       (kou'ərd)    n.  One who shows ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain.

[Middle English, from Old French couard, from coue, tail, from Latin cauda.]

cow'ard adj.

Word History:  A coward is one who "turns tail." The word comes from Old French couart, coart, "coward," and is related to Italian codardo, "coward." Couart is formed from coe, a northern French dialectal variant of cue, "tail" (from Latin cōda), to which the derogatory suffix -ard was added. This suffix appears in bastard, laggard, and sluggard, to name a few. A coward may also be one with his tail between his legs. In heraldry a lion couard, "cowardly lion," was depicted with his tail between his legs. So a coward may be one with his tail hidden between his legs or one who turns tail and runs like a rabbit, with his tail showing.

Cow"ard\ (kou"?rd), a. [OF. couard, coard, coart, n. and adj., F. couard, fr. OF. coe, coue, tail, F. queue (fr. L. coda, a form of cauda tail) + -ard; orig., short-tailed, as an epithet of the hare, or perh., turning tail, like a scared dog. Cf. Cue, Queue, Caudal.]

1. (Her.) Borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs; -- said of a lion.

2. Destitute of courage; timid; cowardly.

Fie, coward woman, and soft-hearted wretch. --Shak.

3. Belonging to a coward; proceeding from, or expressive of, base fear or timidity.

He raised the house with loud and coward cries. --Shak.

Invading fears repel my coward joy. --Proir.

Cow"ard\, n. A person who lacks courage; a timid or pusillanimous person; a poltroon.

A fool is nauseous, but a coward worse. --Dryden.

Syn: Craven; poltroon; dastard.

Objective Question (20 marks) [updated]

Where was the scene below recorded?

(A)  Ipoh Fish Market 

(B)  Ipoh Police Station

(C)  Ipoh Illegal Casino 

(D) Ipoh Underground Leaders' Meeting 

(E) Perak Wrestling Federation (PwF) [thanks rafil]

(F) Taiping Zoo

Video from Malaysiakini

coup d'é⋅tat

coup d'é⋅tat

  [koo dey-tah; Fr. koo dey-ta] 

–noun, plural coups d'é⋅tat  [koo dey-tahz; Fr. koo dey-ta]

a sudden and decisive action in politics, esp. one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force. [source: dictionary.com]

In my opinion, this just happened. That's how BN came into power.  I cannot believe what I read today and the pictures I saw. Totally no regard for the law (what law?). If the Speaker can be forcibly removed and dragged to ligitimize the BN state government, what democracy are we having? 

It is just sad ;-(, bordering to ridicilous, when the entire city is locked down, people dressed black are arrested, law-makers (opposition, of course), gets arrested, the lists goes on..........when can we get back to governing, getting the economy back on track or even improving our education system.  Some say, we get the government we deserve. 

picture source: www.malaysiakini.com

picture source: anilnetto.com

If either parties refuse to give up power, take it back to the people!

Transforming Education or Just Talk? (updated)

Caught the news in The Star, "Less exam-oriented education under new UPSR curriculum" and the video of the interview here. In a nutshell, YB Datuk Dr Wee stressed that the MOE is embarking on a "transformation" of the education system with the introduction of a new curriculum that is more holistic and less examination based will be introduced for Year 1 students from 2010.

Have we heard this before somewhere? I have come to the conclusion that each minister or deputy minister, wants to leave its mark immediately upon taking over the ministry. Remember the time we had "Smart Schools?" Yet there are still the same schools do not even have electricity. The we had "Vision Schools" to bring different schools together in one same location with the aim of social and racial integration. Today, it seems that we are more divided. Sadly, initiative remains only a vision, the division is still here.

Of course, not to be out-done by his predecessors, then came along the "Cluster schools". The bigger the better. Accompanied the cluster schools, was of course the grand launch of the "Master Plan" with all the fanfare and what not. What's happening now - no updates anywhere. If something is happening, show it!

Now comes the over-used, at times, abused, buzzword of "transformation". Grand plans of curriculum revamp and examination redefinition, and whatever the speech writer put in for the minister.

Firstly, the speech writer is so engrossed in the system that he/she and the deputy minister did not realize this. There are NO examinations until Form 5. Anything before that are assessments (penilaian). If there are no examinations in the first place, why put the need "reweight" them. I am sure they are smart enough to look into a dictionary to understand the difference between examinations and assessments. By the way, transforming education system in Malaysia is not just about changing the curriculum. Needless to say, it involves much, much more than that. As the Deputy Minister, YB should know better what ills our education system and our schools. The problem is after each grand speech there are usually NO PLANS articulated, no clear STEPS for action, and no MILESTONES. No clear engagement strategy with stakeholders. Nothing of this is mentioned (at the time of this posting) on MOE website.

Next, curriculum "transformation" (I hate this word already) cannot be done in a vacum. There are many issues regarding schools, teachers, discipline, you name it... still unresolved. Theses issues unaddressed will kill the whatever transformation initiatives (real or unreal). I suppose this is not the speech writer's scope of work to see this through.

I personally feel, whoever the minister or deputy minister is, they need to stop taking the MOE as a playground to show off grand plans while waiting to the promoted or even be prime minister. The world has moved on , changed and transformed. Much new innovation and (true) transformations in education and learning have taken place. We urgently need to keep up and move forward.

For the sake of our children and their future and the future of our country, don't take the easy way and send your children overseas and leave us here. So, wake up dear ministers! Do your job, and show us. Don't just talk! We have heard too much, seen little.

What's Schooling?

I have always believe that a big part of education is gaining the ability to push boundaries and go beyond the limits of convention. For this will bring forth creativity and drive innovation. For it is true human nature to be progressive and go beyond who or what we are, to make change in our lives, to be who we are and above all be HAPPY.

Hence, I found this interesting article that encapsulate a lot of thoughts and concerns about what's wrong with school. Check out full article by Dr Azli Rahman at here or here.

"What is schooling?"

Teaching, as the thinker Anatole France said, is a subversive act. It must not only inform and remind but also must excite, agitate, and ignite the fire within. It must create troubled minds and leave students with more questions and some answers. It is not a funneling process; it is not a banking concept. It is a romantic act of flowering and transforming. It is a cybernetic act of creating beautiful patterns of thinking in each and every curious mind that we are entrusted to help liberate.

If you can teach, subvert. Turn your students into subversives; ones who will challenge authority and ignite revolutions. Help them revolt against conventional wisdom. Let them question scientific facts. Let them also question historical facts because there are none. Let the children grow into intellectually radical beings who would will refuse to be turned into human cattle that know only how to graze in wastelands cultivated by the modern corporatist states. Let them become radical humanists who will throw the greedy ones out of power.

The world we live in is too damaging to the human mind. It makes us docile. It makes us “dreadful” as the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard would say. It creates this mental chronic fatigue syndrome in us with information overload but not enough of it being processed. The mind cannot reflect because the conditions for reflective moments are not created. We are, as many an information theorist would say, drowned in information and starved for knowledge. Governments find it useful to have unthinking citizens. It is easier to control good workers than to control good thinking citizens.

In Malaysian public universities, we have courses in ‘thinking skills’ but we still conduct witch-hunts. In our public schools, we say we infuse critical and creative thinking skills in our curriculum, but we still produce students who think that rote-memorisation is the best form of learning. Our government wants its citizens to become ‘towering’ people but we have oppressive measures to silent dissenting views.

Teachers need to understand what is mentally ailing this nation. They must help children find heroes within themselves. They must teach what independent thinking means and to fight against those who wish to shackle the mind of the independent thinker. When one man stands up for justice and his entire political clan revolted against him, we have a classic example of what the Italian thinker Antonio Gramsci called ‘hegemony’. What is the use of one being schooled if in the long run the agenda is to be engineered as beings who would create and propagate structures of oppression such as militarism, structural violence, state-sponsored terrorism, engines of mass destruction and instruments of the perpetuation of Space Age imperialism?

Read on here.