Ignorance of our past will fail us in the future

The remarks of several Ministers and Officials of the Malaysian government on stopping the remains of Chin Peng to return to Malaysia, IMO, is childish, reflects an unforgiving nature and incapable of compassion. The remarks were of course also absolutely unnecessary.  The reaction does not acknowledge our nation's history. More regrettably, it shields (especially) our younger generation from a discourse that would help them understand and appreciate our nation's past.

We need to appreciate the fact that nations have histories (not just one history) across a long timeline. They may not be aware of it but the knee-jerk reactions of such ministers and officials will definitely go down in history to be studied by our future generations.

Ignorance of our past will fail us in the future.

Chin Peng’s remains: Go to court if unhappy, says Najib - The Malaysian Insider

The Problem of Compulsory Schooling | The Unbounded Spirit

Malaysia's Education Blueprint (MEB) 2013-2025

(source HERE)

In the blueprint, the Ministry of Education will be extending compulsory education from the current 6 years to 11 years. Is the right move?

Buddhism talks about the true nature of oneself, the "Buddha seed" that needs to be cultivated and nurtured. What are we doing here, is there a Buddhist response to the MEB?

Here's a quote:

"The evidence for all this as it applies to little children lies before the eyes of anyone who has watched a child grow from birth up to school age. Through their own efforts, children learn to walk, run, jump and climb. They learn from scratch their native language, and with that, they learn to assert their will, argue, amuse, annoy, befriend, charm and ask questions. Through questioning and exploring, they acquire an enormous amount of knowledge about the physical and social world around them, and in their play, they practice skills that promote their physical, intellectual, social and emotional development. They do all this before anyone, in any systematic way, tries to teach them anything.

This amazing drive and capacity to learn does not turn itself off when children turn 5 or 6. We turn it off with our coercive system of schooling. The biggest, most enduring lesson of our system of schooling is that learning is work, to be avoided when possible."

Click to read on   The Problem of Compulsory Schooling | The Unbounded Spirit

Malaysia at 50: My Three Wishes

Malaysia is 50 today!

I have three wishes for Malaysia:

ONE. I wish that Malaysians be wiser and socially mature. Let us not be driven fear or anger that blinds from that fact that Malaysia as a nation is constantly evolving and changing. Slow as it maybe sometimes, we need to be led by facts and knowledge.  Let us not be swayed by the different agendas, ego and emptions of others. Let us not be afraid to seek for knowledge and continue doing it through question, discussions, dialogues and even debates.

My hope is that in time we will be able to go beyond persons and personalities. A mature society arises when the people seek for knowledge and elected leaders be accountable for providing these knowledge truthfully and with integrity. It is  not about who is right but more of doing what's right. 

TWO. I wish that Malaysians be better friends with one another. There is so much division and separation. Many did not make enough efforts to emphase on unity and integration in a deep and holistic manner. We must make the effort to be colour-blind and to learn to appreciate one another.

There is so much we can learn from one another.

THERE. I wish we do not give up but continue to be patient. Democracy is not dead, it is a process. We must continue to endeavour with patience, compassion and peace in our hearts.

Let the future of our country be driven by such positive energies.

Happy Malaysia Day, 2013 everyone!

PEACE.