Farewell!

I am bidding farewell to my friends, colleagues, customers and business partners of SEEBURGER. SEEBURGER, German-technology, one of the best technology I have seen for systems integration and managed file transfer. I had a great experience learning and sharing - understanding challenges and working them out together. Above all, where business have not worked out, friendship did. Deep appreciation to all.

For people who have always wondered what I did, Well, here you go!

And off I go too! Where am I heading to? Well here's a hint below. Will be moving from the full time corporate environment to something closer to the heart!

 

Stay in touch!

 

Over 50 years of independence....

........... our country has come to this:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/selangor-religious-authorities-hunt-for-christians-who-used-allah-illegally

 

Our Prime Minister, Najib continue to give us boiler-plate, template statements to ask us to tolerate all those things. Not saying anything, seems totally disconnected with the real situation. We wonder where is the leadership in our leaders?

http://www.1malaysia.com.my/en/blog/mesej-krismas/

We do not tolerate it. We are also not angered by it and no, we do not hate or dislike the people who does this. We still love them all as fellow human being. This is what is is all about acceptance and appreciation of difference. inclusiveness. When can we get there?


Fortunately, there are voices of hope and sensibility here:

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/mujahid-yusof-rawa/article/selamat-hari-natal-my-message-of-peace

and many more whose voices that are not as loud. We hear you, we want to hear more!


My prayers for this day is to continue to bring out that the spirit of compassion, generosity and wisdom. Ultimately we all seek happiness.  Let's do it together!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Shifting Mindsets - This is What Education is About

I read this article , A School With No Teachers, Where Student Teach Themselves

It is really heartening to read initiatives such as the 42. Indeed, this is what we need for our children. I know there are many, many more alternative, inward looking initiatives.

For far too long, children have been spoon fed. It is time, they do what we are all naturally brought up to do, learn to learn!

The approach of the 42 can be daunting or even scary. This can be said for many other alternative approaches. It fundamentally redefines the entire concept of school, some thing may of us have been familiar with for a long time.  Such approaches totally reinvents the role of teachers  It is as if the ground we have been walking on has been removed. It is difficult to comprehend what to do and it is common that respond with fear and quickly seek for comfort, familiar ground. Some go to the extent of trying eliminate such alternate thinking adopting them as threats.

Some will embrace the change. Takes them by the horn, as it were. In doing so, activate a change in consciousness. They see change as necessary, for the betterment of their lives and the lives of future generations. Some found courage motivated by the fact that their children have been bullied or abuse, or have special learning needs that the mainstream schools cannot provide. They have found that schools have to be examination orientated, lost its true meaning and lost its bearing on developing the whole child. Many parents sees the necessity of such actions born out of a dire need that see their children get good education where the mainstream schooling environment have failed them. 

There are those who see a slightly bigger picture that the schooling system as a political-corporation process of domination and control. Indeed schools have become a place where young impressionable minds are being dumb-down and "brainwashed". Forced to think in a particular way or to accept that a certain thinking is right. Minds becomes more closed than open. One only need to see how history is being taught (or not being taught) at all. Or how subjects like moral, civic-consciousness embedded with nationalistic ideals are being drummed into minds of kids. Corporations, on the other hand would mold children's minds to consume and buy, buy and buy! The underlining message is that happiness arises when we have things, positions, status etc.  The political-corporation control of schools is a deadly combination.

What if we are out of mainstreams schooling and make a mistake? My answer:

 "Correct it! Education Is a process . It is a process that you can be in control. If you choose to."

Education is about changing our minds and altering our consciousness. To do this, we need to overcome our own barriers of fear, complacency rough about by our own conditioning. Real learning comes from breaking our of our minds, to find ourselves, our real potentials.

What do all these?  Ultimately, it is about happiness and wanting happiness for our children. We tend to forget it as we try to pin happiness to be able to "survive" in society and complicate ourselves with schools, curriculum, examinations, jobs. career, etc.  Happiness is about finding oneself and being at peace. The more opportunity we allow our children (and ourselves), the better the opportunity for them to be happy.

CLiCers: Trying not to get schooling in the way of education

(Check out our initiative, CLiC from Learning Beyond Schooling, our own learning process with our children and the community)

Education Is NOT The Same As Schooling

I wrote about Problem of our Education System: My Take where I shared the need to separate education from schooling and that the there need to be an Ministry of Schooling, while the Ministry of Education takes on a very different role.  No government (perhaps maybe one or two Scandinavian countries who might try  something different) will ever make it happen because it is not in their interest to do so. Moreover, it is too much work!

Anyway, this video that will help you appreciate why schooling does not equals to education.

Lembah Bujang: Saving our Values and Our Humanity

This is Bujang Valley. Malaysia's richest archaeological site and home to South East Asia's oldest recorded man-made structure

This place is being destroyed!

These archaeological remains show that there was a Hindu-Buddhist polity here. The name itself is roughly translated into "Dragon Valley". The area consists of ruins that may date more than 2000 years old. More than fifty ancient tomb temples, called candi (pronounce "chandi"), have also been unearthed. The most impressive and well-preserved of these is located in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok. The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located here. In the area of Bujang Valley known as Sungai Batu, excavations have revealed jetty remains, iron smelting sites, and a clay brick monument dating back to 110AD, making it the oldest man-made structure to be recorded in Southeast Asia.

Research also indicates that there was a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom here possibly as early as 110 CE. The local rulers adopted Indian cultural and political models earlier than those of Kutai in eastern Borneo, in southern Celebes or Tarumanegara in western Java, where remains showing Indian influence have been found dating from the early 5th century. Relics found in the Bujang Valley are now on display at the archaeological museum. Items include inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools and ornaments, ceramics, pottery, and Hindu icons.  (Source: WIKIPEDIA)

I spotted the news on Free Malaysia Today on Nov 29, 2013 that "Chandi 11" a site within the valley was destroyed by developers. This caused an uproar from NGOs and the online community. I was personally upset that such a thing could happen to some our oldest monuments and archeological sites.

It was then reported in the Malaysian Insider that, "The Kedah state government said it was helpless to stop a developer from harming ancient tomb temples at the historic temple site of Lembah Bujang because the area was privately owned."

The Kedah State government made a U-turn decision and  "ordered the housing developer involved in the demolition of several 8th century heritage site temple remnants known as Candi Sungai Batu or Bujang Valley site 11, to stop development at the site immediately."

It seems that the demolishing work has been going on for about a month before the first report!

What really hit me is the fact that, there is so little regard for historical and cultural heritage - especially demonstrated by the Kedah government. I think this reflects the truth of our country's leadership where history is given very little regard. The site was discovered and an active archeological site decades, no effort was do none to preserve it. Federal Tourism and Culture Minister, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, had also failed or neglected to respond to the situation despite the fact that Lembah Bujang is Malaysia's richest archaeological site and home to South East Asia's oldest recorded man-made structure.

Let us not forget that we are who we are today because of the past. It is our heritage and we need to be proud of it. Understanding the context and histories, can help unite our people. This callous action by those involved in the demolition work shows a deep ignorance of our past, arrogance of the present and worst of all - allowing profit to over-rule our culture and heritage.

Selling and profiteering over history shows that our value system (at least where our current leadership here is concerned) is lost! When we lose our sense of values, we will begin to lose touch with humanity and it will lead to further destruction. This is when everything will have a price and the the highest price wins!  This has to stop!


The battle to save Lembah Bujang is way beyond political, racial and even religious boundaries. I am really encouraged that people from all walks of Malaysian society has come together to save Lembah Bujang.

The battle to save and protect our value system. Our sense of doing what's right represent our humanity, it is what makes us human.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, an ancient temple similar to the destroyed site, in Bujang Valley, Kedah, Malaysia. Photo via Flickr user _alladdin_ [Creative Commons]

My first visit to Lembah Bujang in 1998. After a retreat in Wat Bukit Perak

Some interesting links

• Sultanate of Kedah
• Langkasuka
• Early History of Kedah
• Red Earth Kingdom / Chi T

• http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26259
•  
• http://corporate.tourism.gov.my/mediacentre.asp?page=feature_malaysia&pagemode=search&news_id=2&subpage=archive
• http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Kedah/Bujang-Valley-Archaeological-Museum-Bukit-Batu-Pahat?page=/3

Problem of our Education System: My Take

Here's a quick take on the woes and complain about the education system and what we could do.

Rename "Ministry of Education" (MOE) to "Ministry of schools" (MOS)

I think the Ministry is doing an excellent job trying to improve the school system. Credit  needs to be given for the efforts in trying to improve the qualities of teachers, liberate and improve standardized testing, improving infrastructure of our schools, etc as described in the Education Blueprint launched earlier this year.  Whatever their intentions or motivation may be and as long as it is done with the true intent of helping children, we should support them. They should continue to do just that - improve schools, innovate it, take the best processes and technologies available and bring them into the schooling system.

Acknowledge that the education process does not happen only in schools

Having said that, we also need to recognize that the family, the community and society at large, play an equal, if not, more important role in the education process of the  child. We need to acknowledge this wholistic aspect of education. Perhaps this is why an "education" ministry finds it so challenging to compress the education process into schools. Our children can truly benefit from their communities' cultural and spiritual values. Such values are gradually being eroded in a consumeristic and increasingly profit-driven society.  Education is about the preservation and expoliation of culture and its inherent values. We must allow the family and community to decide how to best do this, even if it means parents choosing to opt out from the formal schooling system of the MOS.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) Role

The MOE needs to acknowledge the diversity of influences that contributes to the education of the whole child. Balancing and supporting all such aspects must be the function of education. Hence, there may still be a need for a Ministry of Education. Their scope needs to include all these other approaches and influences and offer assistance and support to children and families on a much wider educational landscapes beyond conventional schooling.  In my opinion too, the education  of children must move beyond standardized testings and academic achievements and progress towards a caring mindset and the holistic practice of social, environmental and economics of  sustainability. Admittedly, this is a huge task indeed!

I believe this can only be achieved if an open-minded and inclusive attitude is adopted. It requires more then just mindset change. It is an entirely new shift - a mindshift!

No one can claim to have all the answers to all the problems faced by the current schooling system but I am positively concerned about my children's future in this rapidly changing world of ours. And I have a vision.

Is change possible?

When we choose to complain without creating solutions to problems, it is called unproductive criticism. Guess what? Each day that we complain instead of doing something proactive is a day wasted. Each month that we moan and groan at its problems is a month wasted. Before you know it, our children have gone through the entire system that we are against. It is like applying handiplast strategies and quick fixes, such extra tution, extra classes and extra whatever money can buy.

I believe that change must happen from the grassroots - parents like you and I who are deeply concerned about our children's education, and their children to come.

Change is possible when we are committed, when we see the bigger picture and deal with the smaller problems. It is possible when we are not afraid to question, comment or discuss. We need a whole new thinking process and this can only be done individually as well as collaboratively.

The question I want to pose to critics is: what are YOU doing about it? Is it sufficient just to hit the "repost" or "share" button for articles from Sir Ken Robinson or titles that have catchy phrases like "reform, not just transfrom", and just wait for a response? 

The choice is in your hand. It is entirely up you!

I am thinking about getting together and discuss deeply about this, we need to act. Interested? Drop me a note! Thank you.

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.

Memories of Nashville - June 2012

Memories of Nashville - June 2012, a set on Flickr.

It has been over a year since Amrita and I visited Nashville and to LA and finally off to Berkeley and SF before heading back to home.

Many interesting things happened after that and more to come.... stay tuned.

You might want to check out Amrita's blog on her experiences and more.

Different views

Different views, a photo by Lord Taipan on Flickr.

Parents and children always have deferring perspective of things………

Allowing children the time and space to have their own views helps mold a strong individuals.

Parenting not easy.

Kids!

Kids!, a photo by Lord Taipan on Flickr.

Children in their innocence have always inspired me.

Discourse needed, not threats.

Originally posted on Jul 31, 2013 as a reflection for Fast4Malaysia. I have made some changes and added more thoughts to this - do share yours too.

Watch how kids talk, dialogue and solve problems. We can learn from them.
talk!, a photo by Lord Taipan on Flickr.

What has the Alvivi "BKT" posting, Beauty Contest Fatwah, Eating in a school changing room, seemingly racial slurs, and now the video of  a Muslim with a dog, and other similar cases have in common?

One More Death! How many more?

I am deeply sadden by the death of P Karuna Nithi,  this is the third custodial death in 11 days! Like many other concerned Malaysians, I am upset and this puts the credibility of PDRM much further doubt. 

The IGP must act swiftly and without hesitation to investigate this case and in all other cases. Too many cases dragged too long. PDRM must also follow procedures and make such procedures transparent to the public.

Malaysian History: Lessons from the Emergency

Hands up if you understood the Malayan Emergency (1948-1953), watch this....

Take a piece of paper and see how many questions can you ask?

Obviously this is a perspective from the victor's point of view, not the vanquished.







Now watch the following BBC's interesting programs

An Education Monologue

Here is a thought we shared on our FB page

"Most of the friends I know are college kids and they complain that college is too stressful with too much work and exams. When I ask them why they chose to go to college, their reply is: 'College is my second option (or third?) because I cannot take the risk with my first option - which is actually what I really want to do but my parents will not like it.' And I'm thinking What? They go through life with all these back-up plans that they are not happy with, so what's the point? And the working ones are not happy with their jobs either because they do the same things day in and day out just to please their bosses and have no time to really do what they really like, like dance! 

I can never live a life of a robot. I want to be a great dancer, guitarist and singer! I will work very hard to get the skills I need. Life is too short - we should just follow our hearts and be happy doing what we do!"

Join us in our discussion on alternative education and learning, Learning Beyond Schooling, HERE

Why your 8-year-old should be coding

When the medium of communication was sound, we learn language and communicate through speech. We learn pronunciation, intonation, diction, etc. Kids sang song like "a is for apple a... a... a..." to help them develop the skills.

When the medium of communication was a piece of paper, we learn to write. We were taught to hold a pen, translate the sounds of our speech into symbols we call characters (or strokes). Automation was happening and it began with the typewriter. Not everyone had a typewriter, so kids continued to learn to write. Obvious learning to read was synonymous to writing.

When paper was enhanced with the digital medium, children were then taught to type - computers were began to be placed in schools (mostly urban schools). Along with that other tools such using a mouse, draw and use applications like spreadsheet and art. It was still a mostly stand-alone unconnected world. Now we could, speak, write and read and use these skills on a computer.

Today when the internet drives social media with a strong mobile presence, the tools we use to communicate are evolving - times will be different. Coding may be a necessary skills (although still very much in its infancy) otherwise our communication will be limited.

Yet, as all these are happening, we still retain speaking and writing skills.

We are evolving!

Why your 8-year-old should be coding | VentureBeat

GE13: Thoughts and Reflection

http://beyond-buddhism.blogspot.com/p/buddhists-to-polls.html

Tsu Koon says best to ignore inciters of religious rows

I do not agree with Dr Koh that we should merely ignore inciters.

It is not a matter of giving such people further publicity, we NEED to hear voices of peace, reconciliation and to a great extent, sensibility. Keep quiet and ignoring such loud voices of hatred, is in a way condoning them.

As Minister in charge of unity, it is not only your duty, it is also your responsibility be the voice of moderation that encourages reconciliation  As a minister in the government of the day, you have some control over the media, why not only bring but encourage voices of peace and harmony. Why remain quiet and discuss internally only? Sadly, when it matters most to hear your voice, nothing come out except for excuses!

I personally feel that to bring about harmony it is also important to move beyond tolerance to appreciation and understanding, We need much more engagement and activities to be  done right from schools to the government offices. We also need legislation and possibly new laws that governs us towards that direction. We need to see an action plan, not just excuses.

Yes, we won third in the world interfaith harmony week 2013. I think you deserve some credit but it is critical to know that interfaith harmony is not about winning prizes, it is about how people feel. Right now - I think there is still a lot more that needs to be done.

Main - Malaysia - Tsu Koon says best to ignore inciters of religious rows @ Thu Mar 28 2013