So Manek Urai still goes to PAS despite the razor thin 65 votes it obtained against its arch rival, Umno.
In the general election last year, the Islamist party obtained an overwhelming majority of 1,352 votes and the result then had some sort built the confidence of the PAS that it would again topple Umno with similar or even bigger majority in the by-election.
But the prediction went a little bit too far and the 65 votes majority may have sent shivers to the opposition front by now after its sterling performance in last year’s general election and seven by-elections with the exception of Batang Ai.
Kudos definitely must go to the new Prime Minister and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for engineering various positive changes which may have turned the votes against the opposition front in Manek Urai.
The scrapping of the 30 per cent bumiputra equity for companies seeking listing on Bursa Malaysia and the 11 gifts dished out by Datuk Seri Najib in conjunction with his 100th day in office may turn out to be working in favour of the ruling coalition.
Ok, enough praises for the BN in this case as my column today is not about how well BN had done in denying a comfortable victory for PAS in this by-election.
The more pertinent issue other than the Manek Urai or the 11 gifts is the scrapping of the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English
Immediately after the announcement by Tan Sri Muhyiddin who is also the Education Minister on the reversal of the PPSMI policy, it earns immense wrath from the majority public who remains silent.
SMSes were circulated like wild fire few days ago urging the public to cast their opinion on the policy change on the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s popular blog.
A quick check on the blog while I am writing this piece reveals that 82,792 respondents were against the reversal of the policy initiated by Tun DR Mahathir before he stepped down in 2003.
Another 13,221 on the other hand said yes to the policy change.
With the decision to switch the teaching of both subjects to Bahasa Malaysia in 2012 with the Chinese and Tamil national-type primary schools entirely in Chinese and Tamil respectively, what would become of the future of the Malaysian kids?
I am not worried about those rich kids whose parents can afford to send them to private schools or English tuitions or even overseas to continue acquiring the English language.
But how about those kids coming from poor family background who have only the national education system to rely on to prepare them for their future?
Well, fair enough that the government realizes the importance of the English language as an international lingua franca.
But how on earth can the hiring of 13,933 teachers and additional teaching time for English in both primary and secondary schools improve the proficiency in the language when the government admitted that many teachers are not even proficient or comfortable with the use of English.
Shouldn’t we be worried about the standard of the new English teacher recruits who went through the Bahasa Malaysia medium with no knowledge of English grammar or structure to teach the kids?
And how the increase of the time allocated to teach the English language can improve the proficiency of the language when a pass in the language is not even required?
I feel extremely outraged by this decision made solely because of political mileage at the expense of the future of Malaysian kids and what Tun Dr Mahathir stated recently that he felt sorry for the Malaysians will be stupid without the English proficiency.
While our neighbouring country, Singapore has long realized the importance of English and prosper with it, our government of the day on the other hand is pedaling backward with such a decision.
Politicians from both divides, I beg to you all to not playing politics in this case as it means the future of the country is being played by you for your selfish reason.
Do the honourable thing by bringing back the English education system at least at the secondary level.
The future of the Malaysian kids is not for you to politicize and theirs is as important as yours who have the privilege to go to private schools and overseas.
“I is from Malaysia. Where is you from?”
That’s the future Malaysian for you.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Quota free announcement sends shiver to PR
As I settled into my hotel bedroom in Jakarta last Friday while on my trip there, I watched the CNBC 30 minutes interview with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak by chance after switching channels few times for the right programme for the night before I hit the sack.
The interview show came after the major announcement by Datuk Seri Najib three days earlier to do away with the 30% bumiputra equity which wins accolade from all strata of the society as well as foreign investors.
The move comes at the right time when the whole world is bracing for the hard economy which requires more foreign investment into the country to remain steady on the economic front globally.
No country is an island by itself if it wants to survive in this borderless world or what Thomas L. Friedman calls it a flat world.
So the timely announcement for a more liberal economic approach by Datuk Seri Najib is a move in the right direction.
The important announcement by the Prime Minister that the 30% bumiputra quota requirement for companies seeking to list on the Bursa Malaysia would be done away with is definitely great news for many companies which are looking to invest in this country.
The previous requirement of 30% bumiputra equity in fact is doing more harm than good to the country’s economy, resulting in many of these major companies shifting their investment to countries like Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam where economic approach is more liberal and friendly to investors apart from the cheap labour cost.
The Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) which dictates regulations governing the foreign investments into the country, instead of attracting foreign investors had in fact chased them away with those unfriendly policies which made Malaysia not economically conducive for investment.
The scrapping of the FIC as announced by the Prime Minister must be pleasing to the ears of many foreign investors who are hoping to invest in this country.
With FIC no longer in existence, the emphasis would now be on participation instead of equity as announced by Datuk Seri Najib.
There is no point to make it unfriendly to these foreign investors with various controls and regulations which are meant to protect the bumiputra interest when at the macro level, our country is bound to lose out to the so-called third world countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia which are offering even more attractive packages to foreign investors.
As I was In Jakarta, my tourists guide by the name of Teddy was telling me that the incumbent President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or fondly called SBY is well liked by most Indonesians for his neo-liberal economic approach.
By the time I write this column, SBY has been reported to be on an unassailable lead to continue his second term in office compared to his two rivals, Megawati Sukarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla.
His popularity among the Indonesians is understood based on his five years of steady economic growth, slow but even handed reform of bureaucracy and security forces and a tough anti-corruption drive which has netted several senior officials.
SBY, according to Channel News Asia had weathered the global financial meltdown with strong domestic demand underpinning growth at around 4% this year, the highest in the region and third only to China and India among the G20 countries
“Saya sokong SBY sebab di bawah pemerintahannya, semua rakyat Indonesia senang cari makan dan ekonomi pun baik,” Teddy told me as he chauffeured me on a three hours drive amid the massive traffic jam to Bandung.
So Datuk Seri Najib who has barely assumed office for about 100 days is definitely on the right track despite him facing resistance from within Umno for his liberal approach.
Such protectionist policies which have been done away with are akin to taking away the crutches from the bumiputra who have enjoyed the privileges for decades.
But the slumber is not forever in this case as the hard fact is that the world outside is already moving leaps and bounds leaving our country way behind if such myopic outlook of the bumiputra remains, resulting in our country becoming uncompetitive internationally.
Kudos must go to Datuk Seri Najib for his bravery in coming out with this tough decision which may stir the hornet’s nest among the Malays but the Prime Minister is definitely wise enough to know that he will do injustice to Malaysians of all races if he continues with the populist measures meant only for political mileage.
Najib, you’ve sent shiver to PR by now!
The interview show came after the major announcement by Datuk Seri Najib three days earlier to do away with the 30% bumiputra equity which wins accolade from all strata of the society as well as foreign investors.
The move comes at the right time when the whole world is bracing for the hard economy which requires more foreign investment into the country to remain steady on the economic front globally.
No country is an island by itself if it wants to survive in this borderless world or what Thomas L. Friedman calls it a flat world.
So the timely announcement for a more liberal economic approach by Datuk Seri Najib is a move in the right direction.
The important announcement by the Prime Minister that the 30% bumiputra quota requirement for companies seeking to list on the Bursa Malaysia would be done away with is definitely great news for many companies which are looking to invest in this country.
The previous requirement of 30% bumiputra equity in fact is doing more harm than good to the country’s economy, resulting in many of these major companies shifting their investment to countries like Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam where economic approach is more liberal and friendly to investors apart from the cheap labour cost.
The Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) which dictates regulations governing the foreign investments into the country, instead of attracting foreign investors had in fact chased them away with those unfriendly policies which made Malaysia not economically conducive for investment.
The scrapping of the FIC as announced by the Prime Minister must be pleasing to the ears of many foreign investors who are hoping to invest in this country.
With FIC no longer in existence, the emphasis would now be on participation instead of equity as announced by Datuk Seri Najib.
There is no point to make it unfriendly to these foreign investors with various controls and regulations which are meant to protect the bumiputra interest when at the macro level, our country is bound to lose out to the so-called third world countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia which are offering even more attractive packages to foreign investors.
As I was In Jakarta, my tourists guide by the name of Teddy was telling me that the incumbent President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or fondly called SBY is well liked by most Indonesians for his neo-liberal economic approach.
By the time I write this column, SBY has been reported to be on an unassailable lead to continue his second term in office compared to his two rivals, Megawati Sukarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla.
His popularity among the Indonesians is understood based on his five years of steady economic growth, slow but even handed reform of bureaucracy and security forces and a tough anti-corruption drive which has netted several senior officials.
SBY, according to Channel News Asia had weathered the global financial meltdown with strong domestic demand underpinning growth at around 4% this year, the highest in the region and third only to China and India among the G20 countries
“Saya sokong SBY sebab di bawah pemerintahannya, semua rakyat Indonesia senang cari makan dan ekonomi pun baik,” Teddy told me as he chauffeured me on a three hours drive amid the massive traffic jam to Bandung.
So Datuk Seri Najib who has barely assumed office for about 100 days is definitely on the right track despite him facing resistance from within Umno for his liberal approach.
Such protectionist policies which have been done away with are akin to taking away the crutches from the bumiputra who have enjoyed the privileges for decades.
But the slumber is not forever in this case as the hard fact is that the world outside is already moving leaps and bounds leaving our country way behind if such myopic outlook of the bumiputra remains, resulting in our country becoming uncompetitive internationally.
Kudos must go to Datuk Seri Najib for his bravery in coming out with this tough decision which may stir the hornet’s nest among the Malays but the Prime Minister is definitely wise enough to know that he will do injustice to Malaysians of all races if he continues with the populist measures meant only for political mileage.
Najib, you’ve sent shiver to PR by now!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
What a relief that Umno-PAS unity talk failed!
What a real big sigh of relief now that the supposed unity talk between Umno and PAS does not take off.
At least the March 8 so-called political tsunami which swept across the country with the whole nation waking up the following day feeling revitalized and full of hope for a change for the better still lives on.
The unity talk regardless of who initiated the move, be it Umno or PAS does not really do any good in the first place for this nation of multi-racial and multi cultural diversity.
But alas, the message from the voters seems to have fallen on the deaf ears.
Many of these politicians are simply ignorant or refused to accept the reality that the racial cards, which had been played for so many elections seem to be not workable or enticing to the voters, especially the urbanites anymore.
Since the March 8 general election, we have seen chorus of calls from politicians to discard racial politics but so far, this seems to be a very reluctant call than from the bottom of their hearts.
Before the Umno or PAS went into the failed clandestine unity talk, do these politicians know exactly what a unity government is supposed to be?
It seems from news reporting that the unity talk between these two Malay dominant parties was focusing very much on Malay unity.
Fifty two years into independence, I believe Malaysians should be more than matured to realize that for a nation to move on, we have to discard the communal feelings among us and concentrate on pulling our weight together to achieve a common goal, which is a nation for one Malaysia regardless of whether you are a Malay, Chinese or Indian.
If we look into history, a unity government was formed only when there were national disasters or wars when the ruling and the opposing parties came together to face the crisis.
For instance, in the United Kingdom, the electoral system is often said to discourage coalitions, but nonetheless National Governments were formed during World War I and II.
During the Great Depression, a coalition termed National Government was formed in 1931 between Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald and the Conservative and Liberals.
So looking into the unity talk between Umno and PAS with the sole agenda of uniting the Malays, would it be a right idea for this country which since the general election last year is slowly moving towards a right direction?
I guess it is not as the unity talk was more than meets the eyes and was very much of a political motive rather than for the overall benefit of this nation.
The only option for Umno to remain politically relevant is to form an alliance with PAS to weaken the Pakatan Rakyat which is riding high at the moment.
But such an effort may not go down well with most Malaysians who are hoping to see the emergence of a political party which cuts across the racial line.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should revamp Umno and like what Karim Raslan stated in his column, Ceritalah that Umno should take a middle ground and stand not only for the Malays but also the Chinese, Indians, Ibans or Kadazans.
I would have no qualms for the formation of a unity government between BN and PR to sincerely sit down together to do something for the country in a larger picture.
A unity government to look into the sorry state of the rule of law and the separation of powers in this country is almost welcome by every Malaysian.
The current economic recession requires politicians from both divides to come together and find ways to weather the economic storm.
The rising crime rate all over the country needs the attention as well from both the ruling party and the opposition.
On-going debates on the medium of instruction used for the teaching of Science and Mathematics and whether English should be made a compulsory pass for all SPM students needs urgent intellect and pragmatic solution from the politicians.
Formation of a unity government to look into these matters rather than of racial political tone should be the top agenda.
There is no time for any of these politicians with myopic view to keep raising the racial bar if this country were to move forward.
But lucky we that the timely announcement by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to do away with the 30% bumiputra equity requirement may continue to give Malaysians renewed hope for a better governance in this country.
At least for now, the racial overtone is silent.
At least the March 8 so-called political tsunami which swept across the country with the whole nation waking up the following day feeling revitalized and full of hope for a change for the better still lives on.
The unity talk regardless of who initiated the move, be it Umno or PAS does not really do any good in the first place for this nation of multi-racial and multi cultural diversity.
But alas, the message from the voters seems to have fallen on the deaf ears.
Many of these politicians are simply ignorant or refused to accept the reality that the racial cards, which had been played for so many elections seem to be not workable or enticing to the voters, especially the urbanites anymore.
Since the March 8 general election, we have seen chorus of calls from politicians to discard racial politics but so far, this seems to be a very reluctant call than from the bottom of their hearts.
Before the Umno or PAS went into the failed clandestine unity talk, do these politicians know exactly what a unity government is supposed to be?
It seems from news reporting that the unity talk between these two Malay dominant parties was focusing very much on Malay unity.
Fifty two years into independence, I believe Malaysians should be more than matured to realize that for a nation to move on, we have to discard the communal feelings among us and concentrate on pulling our weight together to achieve a common goal, which is a nation for one Malaysia regardless of whether you are a Malay, Chinese or Indian.
If we look into history, a unity government was formed only when there were national disasters or wars when the ruling and the opposing parties came together to face the crisis.
For instance, in the United Kingdom, the electoral system is often said to discourage coalitions, but nonetheless National Governments were formed during World War I and II.
During the Great Depression, a coalition termed National Government was formed in 1931 between Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald and the Conservative and Liberals.
So looking into the unity talk between Umno and PAS with the sole agenda of uniting the Malays, would it be a right idea for this country which since the general election last year is slowly moving towards a right direction?
I guess it is not as the unity talk was more than meets the eyes and was very much of a political motive rather than for the overall benefit of this nation.
The only option for Umno to remain politically relevant is to form an alliance with PAS to weaken the Pakatan Rakyat which is riding high at the moment.
But such an effort may not go down well with most Malaysians who are hoping to see the emergence of a political party which cuts across the racial line.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should revamp Umno and like what Karim Raslan stated in his column, Ceritalah that Umno should take a middle ground and stand not only for the Malays but also the Chinese, Indians, Ibans or Kadazans.
I would have no qualms for the formation of a unity government between BN and PR to sincerely sit down together to do something for the country in a larger picture.
A unity government to look into the sorry state of the rule of law and the separation of powers in this country is almost welcome by every Malaysian.
The current economic recession requires politicians from both divides to come together and find ways to weather the economic storm.
The rising crime rate all over the country needs the attention as well from both the ruling party and the opposition.
On-going debates on the medium of instruction used for the teaching of Science and Mathematics and whether English should be made a compulsory pass for all SPM students needs urgent intellect and pragmatic solution from the politicians.
Formation of a unity government to look into these matters rather than of racial political tone should be the top agenda.
There is no time for any of these politicians with myopic view to keep raising the racial bar if this country were to move forward.
But lucky we that the timely announcement by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to do away with the 30% bumiputra equity requirement may continue to give Malaysians renewed hope for a better governance in this country.
At least for now, the racial overtone is silent.
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