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.
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 knowsThat 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:BernamaNew Straits Timese-sinchew-i.comThe Star3540 Jalan SudinRocky' BruEnglish Section.com
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!
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!
