Umno is not racist, says Khairy
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/6/nation/18511477&sec=nation
KLANG: Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin has refuted allegations by the Opposition that the movement practises racism.
“I don’t understand how the accusation come about – calling us racist. In fact, Umno always emphasises on the power-sharing concept and history has proven it.
First of all, the very name of this organization (United MALAY National Organization) is already a racist one, because this organization only caters for one ethnic race. Countless times, we come across news concerning this organization that simply borders on sedition and outright arrogance.
“Ijok is a good example, where an Indian candidate was nominated despite a Malay majority in the constituency. This had been repeated in many other constituencies.
“How can we be racist, when we are defending equality?” he asked after opening the Kapar Umno division youth delegates meeting here yesterday.
For a racist political party that always asks others not to "play with fire", I wonder how can KJ come to the conclusion that they are defending equality?!
BLA BLA BLA!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Anwar a traitor to Malay cause, says Khairy
Anwar a traitor to Malay cause, says Khairy
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/3/nation/18486221&sec=nation
KUALA KANGSAR: Umno Youth has labelled Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – who was once head of the movement – a traitor to the Malay cause.
In making the declaration, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin said: “The (coming) general elections is not about politics but the future of the Malays.”
To KJ, it's always about the Malays and nothing else. Look how a democratic process (elections) is being twisted and manipulated into a political weapon!
“Anwar is a puppet of the United States and the Jews, thus he must be hounded until there is no more place for him to run to,” he told a state Umno Youth gathering on Wednesday night.
More baseless allegations coming from this influential SIL. And look at the arrogant tone he's using: "hounded until there is no more place for him to run to"!
Among the 5,000 people present were the wing’s former chief Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Information Minister, and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.
Khairy said the movement was angered by Anwar’s persistence in wanting to do away with the New Economic Policy, a cause close to the hearts of the Malays.
“He wanted to abolish it simply because he wanted to win the support of the non-Malays,” he said.
And therefore UMNO wants to keep the NEP to win the support of the Malays. What is new? YAWN!
In Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Khairy said there should be no more statements from any Barisan Nasional component party leaders concerning demands for extra seats for the parties.
He said the coalition’s success was based on the power-sharing consensus formula, which will be maintained.
“Umno Youth will not accept threats from the component parties that they will leave the Barisan if they fail to get additional seats,” he said, in an apparent reference to the People’s Progressive Party’s request for more seats in the coming general election,
“That’s unfair and it’s not the Barisan style. We always share and discuss, and we make compromises.
“We hope there will not be any such talk from the component parties,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting on preparations for a Merdeka Day youth gathering.
Who the hell is this KJ to threaten and command the leaders of the BN component parties? For hecks sake, he's just the deputy chief of a Youth wing of the ruling party, not even a full-fledged component party. But then again, he's the SIL. Anything is possible!
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/3/nation/18486221&sec=nation
KUALA KANGSAR: Umno Youth has labelled Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – who was once head of the movement – a traitor to the Malay cause.
In making the declaration, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin said: “The (coming) general elections is not about politics but the future of the Malays.”
To KJ, it's always about the Malays and nothing else. Look how a democratic process (elections) is being twisted and manipulated into a political weapon!
“Anwar is a puppet of the United States and the Jews, thus he must be hounded until there is no more place for him to run to,” he told a state Umno Youth gathering on Wednesday night.
More baseless allegations coming from this influential SIL. And look at the arrogant tone he's using: "hounded until there is no more place for him to run to"!
Among the 5,000 people present were the wing’s former chief Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Information Minister, and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.
Khairy said the movement was angered by Anwar’s persistence in wanting to do away with the New Economic Policy, a cause close to the hearts of the Malays.
“He wanted to abolish it simply because he wanted to win the support of the non-Malays,” he said.
And therefore UMNO wants to keep the NEP to win the support of the Malays. What is new? YAWN!
In Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Khairy said there should be no more statements from any Barisan Nasional component party leaders concerning demands for extra seats for the parties.
He said the coalition’s success was based on the power-sharing consensus formula, which will be maintained.
“Umno Youth will not accept threats from the component parties that they will leave the Barisan if they fail to get additional seats,” he said, in an apparent reference to the People’s Progressive Party’s request for more seats in the coming general election,
“That’s unfair and it’s not the Barisan style. We always share and discuss, and we make compromises.
“We hope there will not be any such talk from the component parties,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting on preparations for a Merdeka Day youth gathering.
Who the hell is this KJ to threaten and command the leaders of the BN component parties? For hecks sake, he's just the deputy chief of a Youth wing of the ruling party, not even a full-fledged component party. But then again, he's the SIL. Anything is possible!
BLA BLA BLA!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
UMNO man takes Chinese dailies to task
UMNO man takes Chinese dailies to task
TEBRAU Umno division chief Maulizan Bujang says over-sensationalising of internal security problems by the Chinese press has turned them into racial issues.
He urged the government to close down Chinese dailies which are “irresponsible” in their reports, China Press reported yesterday.
Firstly, I truly doubt that the reports can be considered sensational. The reports are definitely reflective of the actual rising crime cases in the country. Nobody wants to exaggerate the truth just to get publicity. The media has the responsibility to report facts instead of bowing to the government propaganda machinery. Moreover, crime affects all residents of this country. So how can this UMNO man claim that the reports are racist in nature? Unless of course, UMNO is taking a racist slant at the entire issue. So we don't like something, we shut it down. This is typical UMNO-style at work.
Maulizan, who is Tiram assemblyman, drew loud applause when he said this in his address in the division’s delegates’ meeting on Sunday.
I'm appalled that there can be people actually clapping for this guy!
He said although the Malays in the area have given Umno their full support, the division felt the support from the Chinese community had declined, and economic and public security issues were among the main reasons.
Look, if you divide your political parties into racist components, for sure you will only receive support from one particular ethnicity. How do you expect ethnic Chinese to support politicians who threaten to bathe the kris in Chinese blood? How do you expect ethnic Indians to support politicians who threaten to demolish Hindu temples and "don't test our patience" type of statements? DUH!
“As an Umno leader, I regret the way the Chinese press has reported on the security issues, to the point that people’s problems look as if they are racial problems. This shows the irresponsible attitude of the Chinese press,” he said.
How exactly have the press been irresponsible? The irresponsible thing to do would have been to keep quiet, and paint a rosy picture of Johor being the ideal place to live in, despite the rampant criminal activities that threaten the safety and well-being of all residents!
He said the security issue culminated in a group of protesters gathering outside the official residence of the Johor Mentri Besar recently to hand over a memorandum to him to protest a gangrape and robbery case in Johor in which the victims were Chinese.
He said the police had already arrested a suspect who happens to be a Malay.
In view of this, Maulizan hoped the government can rein in the Chinese press and advise them “not to play with fire”.
I hear this phrase "don't play with fire" so many times from UMNO. I mean, don't they have a wider vocabulary to select from?
“I hope the government will take stern action against irresponsible Chinese dailies, close them down,” he said.
BLA BLA BLA!
He urged the government to close down Chinese dailies which are “irresponsible” in their reports, China Press reported yesterday.
Firstly, I truly doubt that the reports can be considered sensational. The reports are definitely reflective of the actual rising crime cases in the country. Nobody wants to exaggerate the truth just to get publicity. The media has the responsibility to report facts instead of bowing to the government propaganda machinery. Moreover, crime affects all residents of this country. So how can this UMNO man claim that the reports are racist in nature? Unless of course, UMNO is taking a racist slant at the entire issue. So we don't like something, we shut it down. This is typical UMNO-style at work.
Maulizan, who is Tiram assemblyman, drew loud applause when he said this in his address in the division’s delegates’ meeting on Sunday.
I'm appalled that there can be people actually clapping for this guy!
He said although the Malays in the area have given Umno their full support, the division felt the support from the Chinese community had declined, and economic and public security issues were among the main reasons.
Look, if you divide your political parties into racist components, for sure you will only receive support from one particular ethnicity. How do you expect ethnic Chinese to support politicians who threaten to bathe the kris in Chinese blood? How do you expect ethnic Indians to support politicians who threaten to demolish Hindu temples and "don't test our patience" type of statements? DUH!
“As an Umno leader, I regret the way the Chinese press has reported on the security issues, to the point that people’s problems look as if they are racial problems. This shows the irresponsible attitude of the Chinese press,” he said.
How exactly have the press been irresponsible? The irresponsible thing to do would have been to keep quiet, and paint a rosy picture of Johor being the ideal place to live in, despite the rampant criminal activities that threaten the safety and well-being of all residents!
He said the security issue culminated in a group of protesters gathering outside the official residence of the Johor Mentri Besar recently to hand over a memorandum to him to protest a gangrape and robbery case in Johor in which the victims were Chinese.
He said the police had already arrested a suspect who happens to be a Malay.
In view of this, Maulizan hoped the government can rein in the Chinese press and advise them “not to play with fire”.
I hear this phrase "don't play with fire" so many times from UMNO. I mean, don't they have a wider vocabulary to select from?
“I hope the government will take stern action against irresponsible Chinese dailies, close them down,” he said.
BLA BLA BLA!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
New course to make grads bolder
New course to make grads bolder
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/12/nation/18283141&sec=nation
BANGI: Public university students are expected to have greater confidence when they graduate following the introduction of a new course in entrepreneurship.
Starting with the intake for the 2007/2008 academic year, all students will now be required to take the Basic Entrepreneurship Acculturation module.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said that one of the aims of this move was to expose students to the entrepreneurial culture.
“This will enhance their confidence and train them to be independent and bolder when going into their fields after they graduate,” he said yesterday after closing the Institutions of Higher Learning Student Representative Councils Convention 2007 and the launching of the module here.
I see now that the ministry is seriously tackling the problem of the unemployed / unemployable graduates in Malaysia! A good effort, I guess.
The compulsory module, which comprises both theory (25%) and practical (75%) components, will include project papers, internships, presentation skills and input from successful entrepreneurs.
It is a standalone course with a two-credit weight and students must take it at least a year before they graduate.
So far so good.
Mustapa said private institutions of higher learning were encouraged to adopt the module for their students.
Higher Education Management Department director-general Prof Datuk Dr Hassan Said said that students not affected by the requirement could also take the course as an elective, subject to the availability of places.
The module was prepared jointly by the ministry, public institutions of higher learning and the Malaysian University Student Entrepreneurship Council.
Oops. Here's where it starts to fall apart. For a course that is supposedly designed to help students get some first-hand experiential knowledge on entrepreneurship, it's highly suspect that the module does not involve the expertise of the many companies, corporations, businesses and real entrepreneurs. Instead, the main shareholders of this venture are *gasp* the ministry, the universities and a student council! If there are no inputs from real businesspersons with real gems and experience, I wonder what quality will this module impart to the students.
This just shows how poorly informed the bureaucrats at the higher education ministry really are. By shielding themselves from the actual situation at the ground level, they come up with half-baked initiatives that, while sounding good on paper, is probably highly unworkable due to the fact that key sectors' involvement is not sought after.
Can anyone say that this is another patch job? BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/12/nation/18283141&sec=nation
BANGI: Public university students are expected to have greater confidence when they graduate following the introduction of a new course in entrepreneurship.
Starting with the intake for the 2007/2008 academic year, all students will now be required to take the Basic Entrepreneurship Acculturation module.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said that one of the aims of this move was to expose students to the entrepreneurial culture.
“This will enhance their confidence and train them to be independent and bolder when going into their fields after they graduate,” he said yesterday after closing the Institutions of Higher Learning Student Representative Councils Convention 2007 and the launching of the module here.
I see now that the ministry is seriously tackling the problem of the unemployed / unemployable graduates in Malaysia! A good effort, I guess.
The compulsory module, which comprises both theory (25%) and practical (75%) components, will include project papers, internships, presentation skills and input from successful entrepreneurs.
It is a standalone course with a two-credit weight and students must take it at least a year before they graduate.
So far so good.
Mustapa said private institutions of higher learning were encouraged to adopt the module for their students.
Higher Education Management Department director-general Prof Datuk Dr Hassan Said said that students not affected by the requirement could also take the course as an elective, subject to the availability of places.
The module was prepared jointly by the ministry, public institutions of higher learning and the Malaysian University Student Entrepreneurship Council.
Oops. Here's where it starts to fall apart. For a course that is supposedly designed to help students get some first-hand experiential knowledge on entrepreneurship, it's highly suspect that the module does not involve the expertise of the many companies, corporations, businesses and real entrepreneurs. Instead, the main shareholders of this venture are *gasp* the ministry, the universities and a student council! If there are no inputs from real businesspersons with real gems and experience, I wonder what quality will this module impart to the students.
This just shows how poorly informed the bureaucrats at the higher education ministry really are. By shielding themselves from the actual situation at the ground level, they come up with half-baked initiatives that, while sounding good on paper, is probably highly unworkable due to the fact that key sectors' involvement is not sought after.
Can anyone say that this is another patch job? BLA BLA BLA!
Lessons from Shenzhen
Lessons from Shenzhen
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/12/nation/18273465&sec=nation
SHENZHEN (China): Malaysia can learn from Shenzhen and its free trade zones, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
“Two things we can learn from Shenzhen – planning and incentives,” the minister told newsmen on Tuesday after a briefing by Futian Free Trade Zone director Xiao Yuan Sheng.
Syed Hamid, who is leading a delegation to China, was impressed by how Shenzhen had evolved into an economic powerhouse.
“They started as a rural area with a population of about 20,000. It has grown to 12 million, comprising four million mobile population.
“They tend to focus on the type of industries they want to develop,” he said, adding that Shenzhen was very focused and targeted the World’s Top 500 companies.
Syed Hamid in turn briefed Xiao on the Iskandar Development Region project in Johor.
Shenzen is China's success story in capitalism. It started out as an experimental project, to open up a small area of the tightly controlled country to free trade, investment and industrialization. Within a relatively short period, the project has started to bear fruit. Funds started pouring in. Demand for local skilled workers increased, thus improving the competence of the local human resource. New jobs were created, value was added to the Chinese people.
This is certainly a lesson we can learn in our country. The Iskandar Development Region is a good effort and a unique proposition to foreign investment. If we have the political will to exempt the region from the harmful aspects of the NEP and other racial quotas/non-tariff barriers, then surely the Malaysian people will be able to benefit, as was shown in Shenzen's success.
What remains to be done by the government is the commitment to stick to the original plan of the IDR and not be cowed by the political goons from UMNO who are shouting for the rights of the ethnic Malays to be protected via 30% shareholding equity, specially favoured contractors/vendors, and general bureaucracy.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/12/nation/18273465&sec=nation
SHENZHEN (China): Malaysia can learn from Shenzhen and its free trade zones, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
“Two things we can learn from Shenzhen – planning and incentives,” the minister told newsmen on Tuesday after a briefing by Futian Free Trade Zone director Xiao Yuan Sheng.
Syed Hamid, who is leading a delegation to China, was impressed by how Shenzhen had evolved into an economic powerhouse.
“They started as a rural area with a population of about 20,000. It has grown to 12 million, comprising four million mobile population.
“They tend to focus on the type of industries they want to develop,” he said, adding that Shenzhen was very focused and targeted the World’s Top 500 companies.
Syed Hamid in turn briefed Xiao on the Iskandar Development Region project in Johor.
Shenzen is China's success story in capitalism. It started out as an experimental project, to open up a small area of the tightly controlled country to free trade, investment and industrialization. Within a relatively short period, the project has started to bear fruit. Funds started pouring in. Demand for local skilled workers increased, thus improving the competence of the local human resource. New jobs were created, value was added to the Chinese people.
This is certainly a lesson we can learn in our country. The Iskandar Development Region is a good effort and a unique proposition to foreign investment. If we have the political will to exempt the region from the harmful aspects of the NEP and other racial quotas/non-tariff barriers, then surely the Malaysian people will be able to benefit, as was shown in Shenzen's success.
What remains to be done by the government is the commitment to stick to the original plan of the IDR and not be cowed by the political goons from UMNO who are shouting for the rights of the ethnic Malays to be protected via 30% shareholding equity, specially favoured contractors/vendors, and general bureaucracy.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
No getting back citizenship if you give it up
No getting back citizenship if you give it up
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/11/nation/18268076&sec=nation
PUTRAJAYA: Think hard and long before giving up your citizenship.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi warned that Malaysians who did so could not hope to get it back again.
Dear prime minister, why are you "warning" us? Is it a crime to migrate?
“The Home Affairs Ministry has made a decision to allow citizens to surrender their citizenship. The ministry has its own reasons to give their approval for this.
Typical government speak. Talking in generics but not providing any specifics.
“However, there is one thing that Malaysians must know and which I want to stress here. Those who have given up their citizenship cannot get it back if they suddenly want to become Malaysians again,” he told reporters after the Internal Security Ministry's monthly gathering here yesterday.
I would think that those who have migrated or are contemplating migration would have considered all the pros and cons and all the repercussions of their actions.
According to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho, some 106,000 Malaysians had given up their citizenship between 1996 and April this year.
Wow, that's around 10,000 per year, or around 800 per month!
Of the figure, 70% or 79,100 were Malays, 25,107 Chinese, 1,347 Indians and 350 of other races. Marrying a foreigner was the main reason given by women while most men cited better career options.
Well, the statistics match the ethnic distribution of Malaysian population, so no surprises there. However, this statistic disproves the many examples given by detractors that majority of those who migrate are the non-privileged (non-Malays). In fact, all ethnic races are equally displeased by the discriminatory practices of the government and the lopsided advantage given to the well-connected UMNOputras.
The preferred top five destinations of ex-Malaysians were the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia, according to Tan.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the high number of Malays emigrating was not a cause for concern but it would be good to know why they wanted to leave their homeland.
Muhammad said the need to “move around and see places” was in their blood as their forefathers were seafarers.
“In a sense, the Malays are just doing what their forefathers did. Travel and see the world. Venture into new areas and the unexpected,” he said.
Oh my god, what a pathetic excuse to defend the indefensible!
“Individuals of other ethnic groups also emigrated to other countries. Even the Chinese and Indians surrendered their Malaysian citizenship, so it should not be an issue if the Malays did so too,” he added.
This is probably the stupidest thing to say. Just because other people are doing it makes it OK for you to do it too? No wonder the Malays under the patronage leadership of UMNO will never progress. They are always bogged down by stupidity!
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/11/nation/18268076&sec=nation
PUTRAJAYA: Think hard and long before giving up your citizenship.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi warned that Malaysians who did so could not hope to get it back again.
Dear prime minister, why are you "warning" us? Is it a crime to migrate?
“The Home Affairs Ministry has made a decision to allow citizens to surrender their citizenship. The ministry has its own reasons to give their approval for this.
Typical government speak. Talking in generics but not providing any specifics.
“However, there is one thing that Malaysians must know and which I want to stress here. Those who have given up their citizenship cannot get it back if they suddenly want to become Malaysians again,” he told reporters after the Internal Security Ministry's monthly gathering here yesterday.
I would think that those who have migrated or are contemplating migration would have considered all the pros and cons and all the repercussions of their actions.
According to Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho, some 106,000 Malaysians had given up their citizenship between 1996 and April this year.
Wow, that's around 10,000 per year, or around 800 per month!
Of the figure, 70% or 79,100 were Malays, 25,107 Chinese, 1,347 Indians and 350 of other races. Marrying a foreigner was the main reason given by women while most men cited better career options.
Well, the statistics match the ethnic distribution of Malaysian population, so no surprises there. However, this statistic disproves the many examples given by detractors that majority of those who migrate are the non-privileged (non-Malays). In fact, all ethnic races are equally displeased by the discriminatory practices of the government and the lopsided advantage given to the well-connected UMNOputras.
The preferred top five destinations of ex-Malaysians were the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia, according to Tan.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the high number of Malays emigrating was not a cause for concern but it would be good to know why they wanted to leave their homeland.
Muhammad said the need to “move around and see places” was in their blood as their forefathers were seafarers.
“In a sense, the Malays are just doing what their forefathers did. Travel and see the world. Venture into new areas and the unexpected,” he said.
Oh my god, what a pathetic excuse to defend the indefensible!
“Individuals of other ethnic groups also emigrated to other countries. Even the Chinese and Indians surrendered their Malaysian citizenship, so it should not be an issue if the Malays did so too,” he added.
This is probably the stupidest thing to say. Just because other people are doing it makes it OK for you to do it too? No wonder the Malays under the patronage leadership of UMNO will never progress. They are always bogged down by stupidity!
BLA BLA BLA!
NEP stays, says Pak Lah
NEP stays, says Pak Lah
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/11/nation/18266005&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is willing to review policies or regulations deemed to be hindering the distribution of equity in the most sustainable, competitive and meaningful way.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, however, said Malaysian maintained its position that the New Economic Policy (NEP) was not a cost to doing business.
“Perhaps the most difficult question we must address is to improve equity without sacrificing competitiveness. Many have come to regard Malaysia’s affirmative action policies, widely described as the NEP, as a cost to doing business.
“But many fail to appreciate the spirit behind the policy, and this is crucial in understanding Malaysia,” he said yesterday.
Bear in mind that this speech is a targeted response against the EU envoy's "comments" on the NEP and its hindrances to global trade and economic growth. The prime minister doesn't say much in specifics, preferring to hide behind generic words and phrases to justify this outdated practice of institutionalized racism.
Abdullah said the objective to dissociate race from occupation or social standing was crucial in ensuring long-term unity for the country – given its legacy and racial structure.
I really doubt that the NEP has successfully done this. Look at the situation today. Politicians and government servants are mainly ethnic Malays. Handphone sellers and fruit stall owners are mainly ethnic Chinese. Mamak style eateries are owned mainly by ethnic Indians. Where is the dissociation of race from occupation or social standing?
“Racial-based riots raged in neighbouring countries while Malaysia was spared the experience. The expansion of an educated and multi-ethnic middle class, thanks to affirmative action policies, has mitigated the risk of mass unrest.
I agree that there is now a larger pool of middle class. But at the same time, the NEP has also created a wider rift between the super rich (UMNOputras) and the super poor. On the surface, our country is leaps and bounds ahead of other third world countries, by virtue of our chase for material achievements (think KLIA, twin towers, Putrajaya).
“But great disparities in income and social mobility still exist between ethnic groups. Whereas this may just be another issue in other countries, ethnic-based disparity strikes at the heart of national unity for Malaysia,” said Abdullah in his keynote address at a high-level dialogue with foreign investors and international business leaders.
It all really begins with the political setup of our ruling party. Since the BN is also a loose coalition of race-based political parties, we would expect racial issues to be central to their ideology. So what's new?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/11/nation/18266005&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is willing to review policies or regulations deemed to be hindering the distribution of equity in the most sustainable, competitive and meaningful way.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, however, said Malaysian maintained its position that the New Economic Policy (NEP) was not a cost to doing business.
“Perhaps the most difficult question we must address is to improve equity without sacrificing competitiveness. Many have come to regard Malaysia’s affirmative action policies, widely described as the NEP, as a cost to doing business.
“But many fail to appreciate the spirit behind the policy, and this is crucial in understanding Malaysia,” he said yesterday.
Bear in mind that this speech is a targeted response against the EU envoy's "comments" on the NEP and its hindrances to global trade and economic growth. The prime minister doesn't say much in specifics, preferring to hide behind generic words and phrases to justify this outdated practice of institutionalized racism.
Abdullah said the objective to dissociate race from occupation or social standing was crucial in ensuring long-term unity for the country – given its legacy and racial structure.
I really doubt that the NEP has successfully done this. Look at the situation today. Politicians and government servants are mainly ethnic Malays. Handphone sellers and fruit stall owners are mainly ethnic Chinese. Mamak style eateries are owned mainly by ethnic Indians. Where is the dissociation of race from occupation or social standing?
“Racial-based riots raged in neighbouring countries while Malaysia was spared the experience. The expansion of an educated and multi-ethnic middle class, thanks to affirmative action policies, has mitigated the risk of mass unrest.
I agree that there is now a larger pool of middle class. But at the same time, the NEP has also created a wider rift between the super rich (UMNOputras) and the super poor. On the surface, our country is leaps and bounds ahead of other third world countries, by virtue of our chase for material achievements (think KLIA, twin towers, Putrajaya).
“But great disparities in income and social mobility still exist between ethnic groups. Whereas this may just be another issue in other countries, ethnic-based disparity strikes at the heart of national unity for Malaysia,” said Abdullah in his keynote address at a high-level dialogue with foreign investors and international business leaders.
It all really begins with the political setup of our ruling party. Since the BN is also a loose coalition of race-based political parties, we would expect racial issues to be central to their ideology. So what's new?
BLA BLA BLA!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Abdullah: Varsities need to have well-rounded students
Abdullah: Varsities need to have well-rounded students
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/10/nation/18257000&sec=nation
BANGI: The Prime Minister wants public universities to have well-rounded students who are exposed to the outside world by having more attachment programmes with established universities overseas.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said students could be attached to foreign university for one or two semesters with credit transfer arrangements to give them time to gain new experiences and knowledge while proceeding with their academic studies.
He said that while academicians were sent for attachment programmes, it was also a good idea to send their excellent students to take up relevant courses at foreign universities.
“This will expose them to a different situation and let them get first-hand experience.
“This will give something meaningful to the students, and the universities will also forge cooperation with foreign universities,” Abdullah said at the Institutions of Higher Learning Students Representative Council Convention 2007.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who was also present, said the ministry was expanding the attachment programme, which was currently run on an ad hoc basis and with a small number of students.
“We are studying the capabilities of these universities, as it involves cost,” he said, adding that students who obtained double degrees from the foreign universities through the attachment programme were in high demand for jobs.
He said the ministry would heed Abdullah’s call and make the attachment programme a permanent feature, with preference given to excellent students.
Speaking at the opening of the convention, Abdullah also said that local public universities could no longer operate within their own campus walls but must keep pace with the changes that globalisation had brought.
Hence, it was imperative for them to forge cooperation with established universities overseas and the private sector to produce students of international standard, he said.
“Without providing such opportunities and introducing new courses such as biotechnology and nanotechnology that did not exist in the past, we will be denying our students such knowledge,” he said.
He said that going global was the only way for Malaysia to become an education hub.
“For R&D in particular, we will need cooperation and link-ups with foreign universities, including those more developed than us.
“Instead, we should think that because they are big we can learn from them and although we are small, there will be something they can learn from us,” he said.
Abdullah said the Government wanted to provide the best education infrastructure and hence, a large part of the annual budget had always been allocated for education.
I think the government is in a process of doublethink here. On one hand, they want to promote the country as a hub of educational excellence. On the other, they want to limit university freedom via repressive laws (UUCA) and centralized bureaucracy (ministry of higher education). With these roadblocks in place, no matter how many initiatives are started by the government, university students will never reach great heights. What is needed is a complete revamp of the education system and not ad-hoc patch jobs to layer the cake with more icing to make it more enticing to investors.
Ultimately, the government is looking for new ways to make money. Look at that last paragraph. So it's all about infrastructure and spending lots of cash to enrich the crony companies that will supply construction efforts, contracts for government projects and other services related to this so-called hub initiative.
The media seems to parrot perfectly the speech by the prime minister, but one wonders if there will ever be any analysis done to this piece?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/10/nation/18257000&sec=nation
BANGI: The Prime Minister wants public universities to have well-rounded students who are exposed to the outside world by having more attachment programmes with established universities overseas.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said students could be attached to foreign university for one or two semesters with credit transfer arrangements to give them time to gain new experiences and knowledge while proceeding with their academic studies.
He said that while academicians were sent for attachment programmes, it was also a good idea to send their excellent students to take up relevant courses at foreign universities.
“This will expose them to a different situation and let them get first-hand experience.
“This will give something meaningful to the students, and the universities will also forge cooperation with foreign universities,” Abdullah said at the Institutions of Higher Learning Students Representative Council Convention 2007.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who was also present, said the ministry was expanding the attachment programme, which was currently run on an ad hoc basis and with a small number of students.
“We are studying the capabilities of these universities, as it involves cost,” he said, adding that students who obtained double degrees from the foreign universities through the attachment programme were in high demand for jobs.
He said the ministry would heed Abdullah’s call and make the attachment programme a permanent feature, with preference given to excellent students.
Speaking at the opening of the convention, Abdullah also said that local public universities could no longer operate within their own campus walls but must keep pace with the changes that globalisation had brought.
Hence, it was imperative for them to forge cooperation with established universities overseas and the private sector to produce students of international standard, he said.
“Without providing such opportunities and introducing new courses such as biotechnology and nanotechnology that did not exist in the past, we will be denying our students such knowledge,” he said.
He said that going global was the only way for Malaysia to become an education hub.
“For R&D in particular, we will need cooperation and link-ups with foreign universities, including those more developed than us.
“Instead, we should think that because they are big we can learn from them and although we are small, there will be something they can learn from us,” he said.
Abdullah said the Government wanted to provide the best education infrastructure and hence, a large part of the annual budget had always been allocated for education.
I think the government is in a process of doublethink here. On one hand, they want to promote the country as a hub of educational excellence. On the other, they want to limit university freedom via repressive laws (UUCA) and centralized bureaucracy (ministry of higher education). With these roadblocks in place, no matter how many initiatives are started by the government, university students will never reach great heights. What is needed is a complete revamp of the education system and not ad-hoc patch jobs to layer the cake with more icing to make it more enticing to investors.
Ultimately, the government is looking for new ways to make money. Look at that last paragraph. So it's all about infrastructure and spending lots of cash to enrich the crony companies that will supply construction efforts, contracts for government projects and other services related to this so-called hub initiative.
The media seems to parrot perfectly the speech by the prime minister, but one wonders if there will ever be any analysis done to this piece?
BLA BLA BLA!
Are your hands clean, doc?
Are your hands clean, doc?
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/10/nation/18256139&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Remind doctors to keep their hands clean. That is what Health Ministry deputy director-general (medical) Datuk Dr Noorimi Morad wants nurses to do to ensure that patients do not get infected while in hospital.
“Nurses are better in complying than doctors. We have to persist in increasing awareness,” she told The Star yesterday after opening the 3rd International Congress of the Asia-Pacific Society of Infection Control.
“It is not that they do not want to do it, but they might forget when they are very busy. So, the nurses must be around to remind the doctors.
Somehow the tone of this Datuk is very condescending. For one, he stereotypes doctors as forgetful individuals who risk patients' lives by being unhygienic. Secondly, he demotes nurses to become the doctors' personal assistants who only need to remind doctors to wash their hands.
Granted the intention might be noble, but certainly there are more tactful ways to disseminate this information to these medical professionals, and not berate them in the mass media!
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/10/nation/18256139&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Remind doctors to keep their hands clean. That is what Health Ministry deputy director-general (medical) Datuk Dr Noorimi Morad wants nurses to do to ensure that patients do not get infected while in hospital.
“Nurses are better in complying than doctors. We have to persist in increasing awareness,” she told The Star yesterday after opening the 3rd International Congress of the Asia-Pacific Society of Infection Control.
“It is not that they do not want to do it, but they might forget when they are very busy. So, the nurses must be around to remind the doctors.
Somehow the tone of this Datuk is very condescending. For one, he stereotypes doctors as forgetful individuals who risk patients' lives by being unhygienic. Secondly, he demotes nurses to become the doctors' personal assistants who only need to remind doctors to wash their hands.
Granted the intention might be noble, but certainly there are more tactful ways to disseminate this information to these medical professionals, and not berate them in the mass media!
BLA BLA BLA!
Friday, July 6, 2007
TV ads must reflect Malaysian culture
TV ads must reflect Malaysian culture
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/6/nation/18226957&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: All television commercials must have at least 70% local content to reflect Malaysian culture and lifestyles under a new policy to be implemented soon.
Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the Cabinet had decided on Wednesday that at least 70% of these commercials must be made in Malaysia and feature local actors and shot in locations within the country.
He said the same percentage would be required for post-production of the commercials and for the usage of equipment and facilities available.
The minister said the present development of commercials was “unhealthy” with some television commercials being 100% produced abroad before being broadcast in Malaysia.
So we are not only propagating protectionist elements in our economy and industry, but also in advertising? Tell me, dear minister, how "unhealthy" can it be to trade some advertisements? The reason why advertisements made overseas tend to be shown is because that they are of higher standards and quality compared to locally made commercials that are dumbed down.
“Many of these commercials feature Caucasians and do not reflect the real situation of Malaysia and there would be culture problems,” he told a press conference after attending the “Nurturing National Warriors 2007” programme here yesterday.
What culture problems, pray tell? Please elaborate!
He said the advertising industry, including billboards, contributed RM4.7bil per year to the country’s economy.
“However, more than 80% of the television commercials being shown in this country do not meet the above specifications and this has caused the country to lose sources of income, work opportunities and professionals in the industry.”
So instead of encouraging more local content, the ministry forces it upon the advertising industry.
On whether the policy was a discrimination against people with Pan Asia features, Dr Rais said the ministry was not concerned with the looks of the actors involved in these commercials but would instead look at whether they were Malaysians.
“We will not monitor these commercials based on the actors’ appearances but based on the source and origin of these advertisements,” he said, adding a similar paper would be drafted soon to monitor billboard advertisements.
Flip flop of earlier decision?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/6/nation/18226957&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: All television commercials must have at least 70% local content to reflect Malaysian culture and lifestyles under a new policy to be implemented soon.
Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the Cabinet had decided on Wednesday that at least 70% of these commercials must be made in Malaysia and feature local actors and shot in locations within the country.
He said the same percentage would be required for post-production of the commercials and for the usage of equipment and facilities available.
The minister said the present development of commercials was “unhealthy” with some television commercials being 100% produced abroad before being broadcast in Malaysia.
So we are not only propagating protectionist elements in our economy and industry, but also in advertising? Tell me, dear minister, how "unhealthy" can it be to trade some advertisements? The reason why advertisements made overseas tend to be shown is because that they are of higher standards and quality compared to locally made commercials that are dumbed down.
“Many of these commercials feature Caucasians and do not reflect the real situation of Malaysia and there would be culture problems,” he told a press conference after attending the “Nurturing National Warriors 2007” programme here yesterday.
What culture problems, pray tell? Please elaborate!
He said the advertising industry, including billboards, contributed RM4.7bil per year to the country’s economy.
“However, more than 80% of the television commercials being shown in this country do not meet the above specifications and this has caused the country to lose sources of income, work opportunities and professionals in the industry.”
So instead of encouraging more local content, the ministry forces it upon the advertising industry.
On whether the policy was a discrimination against people with Pan Asia features, Dr Rais said the ministry was not concerned with the looks of the actors involved in these commercials but would instead look at whether they were Malaysians.
“We will not monitor these commercials based on the actors’ appearances but based on the source and origin of these advertisements,” he said, adding a similar paper would be drafted soon to monitor billboard advertisements.
Flip flop of earlier decision?
BLA BLA BLA!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Pak Lah: Be a caring society
Pak Lah: Be a caring society
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/5/nation/18222934&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Be a caring society. Do not think twice about doing charity for the poor, regardless of their race and creed.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made this plea to all Malaysians to help the Government wipe out poverty in the country.
The Prime Minister wants everyone to progress together.
I think that this is a valid plea from our prime minister. For too long, we have been neglecting the hardcore poor, thus further widening the gap between the super rich and the super poor. This is not helped by the current implementation of the NEP.
“I am proud to see, throughout the nation, people of all races and religions, who show a caring attitude towards those who are less fortunate than them.
“When giving charity, they do not think of the poor in terms of race or religion.
I like this statement. It says that Malaysian citizens are impartial to race and religion when it comes to helping each other. Well, can the same be said of the government's policies? Why are some policies only helping the Malays (and not even the intended target audience of the hardcore poor, but the politically connected UMNO cronies) and neglecting all other communities? Why isn't the spirit of NEP (eradicating poverty regardless of race) being upheld and implemented?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/5/nation/18222934&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Be a caring society. Do not think twice about doing charity for the poor, regardless of their race and creed.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made this plea to all Malaysians to help the Government wipe out poverty in the country.
The Prime Minister wants everyone to progress together.
I think that this is a valid plea from our prime minister. For too long, we have been neglecting the hardcore poor, thus further widening the gap between the super rich and the super poor. This is not helped by the current implementation of the NEP.
“I am proud to see, throughout the nation, people of all races and religions, who show a caring attitude towards those who are less fortunate than them.
“When giving charity, they do not think of the poor in terms of race or religion.
I like this statement. It says that Malaysian citizens are impartial to race and religion when it comes to helping each other. Well, can the same be said of the government's policies? Why are some policies only helping the Malays (and not even the intended target audience of the hardcore poor, but the politically connected UMNO cronies) and neglecting all other communities? Why isn't the spirit of NEP (eradicating poverty regardless of race) being upheld and implemented?
BLA BLA BLA!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Dewan Rakyat :‘No policy to bar opposition speeches’
Dewan Rakyat :‘No policy to bar opposition speeches’
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/20070704082235/Article/index_html
THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been ordered to withdraw its letter barring private television stations from broadcasting speeches by members of the opposition.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said he had written to the MCMC yesterday, asking them to immediately withdraw the order.
"It is not our policy to ask it to stop television stations from airing the opposition’s speeches.
"I was a bit slow in responding to this as I was overseas," he said in the parliament lobby.
Jeng jeng jeng! The hero from Barisan has saved the day from madness. Long live Barisan Nasional :P
BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/20070704082235/Article/index_html
THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been ordered to withdraw its letter barring private television stations from broadcasting speeches by members of the opposition.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said he had written to the MCMC yesterday, asking them to immediately withdraw the order.
"It is not our policy to ask it to stop television stations from airing the opposition’s speeches.
"I was a bit slow in responding to this as I was overseas," he said in the parliament lobby.
Jeng jeng jeng! The hero from Barisan has saved the day from madness. Long live Barisan Nasional :P
BLA BLA BLA!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Fong: Let unions call the shots
Fong: Let unions call the shots
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18194753&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Companies with strong union representation should be allowed to negotiate their salaries instead of having a government-set minimum wage of RM900, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said.
“If union representation is strong, let it be,” he told reporters after launching the National Human Re-sources Summit 2007 at a hotel here yesterday.
“They can get more than RM900, so why should we determine there should be that level?”
Dr Fong, who said the companies included those in the plantation and manufacturing sectors, cited Matsu-shita as an example of a firm with strong union representation where workers were in a good position to articulate their needs.
What about those companies who do not have strong union representation, or no unions at all?
He said a minimum wage would have an impact on companies such as fast food giants KFC Holdings Bhd and A&W, which employed school leavers.
“Any wage adjustment would affect the whole sector,” he added.
I'm sure that there can be some sub-clauses in the minimum wage legislation to cater for the school leavers temping at fast food chains.
Dr Fong reiterated that the ministry would continue to “engage” the MTUC on minimum wage, adding it was much more flexible to have a wage council in every sector.
“We are in the process of engaging with the MTUC.
“If they feel there is any particular industry where workers are not paid in accordance to their contribution, we are ready to move in to form these councils,” he added.
Dr Fong said seven such councils had been formed in the past two years, including for security guards and clinic assistants.
Ya, pass the buck back to MTUC to form these "wage councils". It delays minimum wage implementation and increases bureaucracy and therefore the perception is that the government is doing something useful.
When asked if maids should be included in minimum wage discussions, he said the sector should not be “tied together” with other categories because it would be unfair to the large number of households who needed the services of the maids.
Suddenly it's not fair to the households but entirely fair to the underpaid maids?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18194753&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Companies with strong union representation should be allowed to negotiate their salaries instead of having a government-set minimum wage of RM900, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said.
“If union representation is strong, let it be,” he told reporters after launching the National Human Re-sources Summit 2007 at a hotel here yesterday.
“They can get more than RM900, so why should we determine there should be that level?”
Dr Fong, who said the companies included those in the plantation and manufacturing sectors, cited Matsu-shita as an example of a firm with strong union representation where workers were in a good position to articulate their needs.
What about those companies who do not have strong union representation, or no unions at all?
He said a minimum wage would have an impact on companies such as fast food giants KFC Holdings Bhd and A&W, which employed school leavers.
“Any wage adjustment would affect the whole sector,” he added.
I'm sure that there can be some sub-clauses in the minimum wage legislation to cater for the school leavers temping at fast food chains.
Dr Fong reiterated that the ministry would continue to “engage” the MTUC on minimum wage, adding it was much more flexible to have a wage council in every sector.
“We are in the process of engaging with the MTUC.
“If they feel there is any particular industry where workers are not paid in accordance to their contribution, we are ready to move in to form these councils,” he added.
Dr Fong said seven such councils had been formed in the past two years, including for security guards and clinic assistants.
Ya, pass the buck back to MTUC to form these "wage councils". It delays minimum wage implementation and increases bureaucracy and therefore the perception is that the government is doing something useful.
When asked if maids should be included in minimum wage discussions, he said the sector should not be “tied together” with other categories because it would be unfair to the large number of households who needed the services of the maids.
Suddenly it's not fair to the households but entirely fair to the underpaid maids?
BLA BLA BLA!
MCA Youth submits student name list
MCA Youth submits student name list
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18196681&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA Youth has submitted a memorandum containing the names of 1,064 students who are appealing for a place in public universities to the Higher Education Ministry.
Its chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the movement compiled the names after sifting through all the appeals received.
“Most of them did not even get their first or second choice while others did not even get any offer. We are confident that these cases will be given the necessary attention by the ministry,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
MCA Youth education chief Dr Wee Ka Siong said that 179 of those on the list were deserving students who scored extremely well and had full points for co-curriculum activities.
Sometimes I wonder if the Higher Education Ministry deliberately screws up the university placement exercise just so that political parties can show their political might and generate good vibes among the people? Otherwise, how do we explain the 1000 plus hopefuls who were denied university placements of their choice despite excellent academic and co-curricular achievements?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18196681&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA Youth has submitted a memorandum containing the names of 1,064 students who are appealing for a place in public universities to the Higher Education Ministry.
Its chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the movement compiled the names after sifting through all the appeals received.
“Most of them did not even get their first or second choice while others did not even get any offer. We are confident that these cases will be given the necessary attention by the ministry,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
MCA Youth education chief Dr Wee Ka Siong said that 179 of those on the list were deserving students who scored extremely well and had full points for co-curriculum activities.
Sometimes I wonder if the Higher Education Ministry deliberately screws up the university placement exercise just so that political parties can show their political might and generate good vibes among the people? Otherwise, how do we explain the 1000 plus hopefuls who were denied university placements of their choice despite excellent academic and co-curricular achievements?
BLA BLA BLA!
Mainstream media still best channel, says Najib
Mainstream media still best channel, says Najib
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18200206&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: The mainstream media is still the best channel for the Government to relay information and messages, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
Yawn. The MSM is controlled by the government political parties. Of course it's the best channel for the government to spread their propaganda.
He said that the mainstream media's role, however, had become more challenging with the emergence of alternative media through the Internet.
“The alternative media via blogsites report many things that can be disputed because nobody knows the person behind the news.
Not all blogs are anonymously authored. Take for example this one. I plainly state my name for all to see and examine. Jeff Ooi also does the same. So does A Kadir Jasin and M Bakri Musa and many other bloggers. And many more blogs are anonymous because the authors fear the government's crackdown on whistleblowers who release information that is potentially harmful to the government's reputation.
“This is where the mainstream media is special,” he said at the Defence Media Awards Night here yesterday.
Special indeed. The MSM is directly controlled and regulated by the government to block all unsavoury news such as the recent MCMC directive to blackout all opposition speeches.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said the media could disseminate information on the importance of national security and defence to the people especially when the awareness on security issues was low.
He said that to face the competition with the alternative media, the mainstream media has to provide coverage based on facts.
Hmm... does that mean that the MSM has all this while been printing fiction and lies? Gosh, what a statement from the minister!
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/3/nation/18200206&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: The mainstream media is still the best channel for the Government to relay information and messages, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
Yawn. The MSM is controlled by the government political parties. Of course it's the best channel for the government to spread their propaganda.
He said that the mainstream media's role, however, had become more challenging with the emergence of alternative media through the Internet.
“The alternative media via blogsites report many things that can be disputed because nobody knows the person behind the news.
Not all blogs are anonymously authored. Take for example this one. I plainly state my name for all to see and examine. Jeff Ooi also does the same. So does A Kadir Jasin and M Bakri Musa and many other bloggers. And many more blogs are anonymous because the authors fear the government's crackdown on whistleblowers who release information that is potentially harmful to the government's reputation.
“This is where the mainstream media is special,” he said at the Defence Media Awards Night here yesterday.
Special indeed. The MSM is directly controlled and regulated by the government to block all unsavoury news such as the recent MCMC directive to blackout all opposition speeches.
Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said the media could disseminate information on the importance of national security and defence to the people especially when the awareness on security issues was low.
He said that to face the competition with the alternative media, the mainstream media has to provide coverage based on facts.
Hmm... does that mean that the MSM has all this while been printing fiction and lies? Gosh, what a statement from the minister!
BLA BLA BLA!
Monday, July 2, 2007
MCMC: Censor Opposition Viewpoints
You'll have to see it to believe it. Here is the official letter from the Malaysian Commission of Multimedia and Communications (MCMC).
It's little wonder then, that our MSM is so sanitized and there are hardly any stories and opinions coming from the opposition viewpoints!
It's little wonder then, that our MSM is so sanitized and there are hardly any stories and opinions coming from the opposition viewpoints!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Government is focused on economic development, says Abdullah
Government is focused on economic development, says Abdullah
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/NewsBreak/20070629155224/Article/index_html
IPOH, FRI.:
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the country continues to develop rapidly and is capable of facing challenges because the government has never deviated from its focus to develop the economy.
The country’s focus since attaining independence 50 years ago was on economic development and now, it was endeavouring to become a developed nation, said the Prime Minister in his speech at the simultaneous launching of the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCCI) 100th anniversary celebration and the 50th National Day Expo at the Indera Mulia Stadium, here today.
While I agree with the prime minister that our country's economic growth has been encouraging since independence, I feel that this is not 100% via the efforts of the government. If the citizens of Malaysia do not contribute productively, there will be no growth despite any government intervention. So, please, give some credit to the Rakyat!
Secondly, I don't think the statement that "the government has never deviated from its focus to develop the economy" is entirely accurate. The government has recently focused on developing Islam Hadhari (religious focus), condemnation of bloggers (control focus), censorship and repression of film and print material (media focus), and many other examples.
“The democratic government chosen by the people through an independent election process will continue to be chosen by the people as it is focused on important economic development programs,” he said.
If the election process is independent, why do we have perceptions of unfair gerrymandering, phantom voters, vote buying, media blackout toward opposition, no 3rd level (local government) elections, seat-vote disproportional distribution, and many more?
The government was also endeavouring on expanding the economy further by providing forward planing to face the global challenges and market compettion, he stressed.
“Your Prime Minister is not sleeping,” he said as he outlined various economic development programmes that have been planned, including the Iskandar Development Region and the Northern and Eastern Regional Development Corridor.
Oops. He shouldn't have said that he's not sleeping. Ever heard of the "pink elephant" syndrome? What happens when I ask you not to picture a pink elephant in your head?
After attaining independence, he said the country was depending on revenue from rubber and tin ore but with the plans drawn up by the government, the country was able to diversify its economy.
“The British did not teach us, but we planned to move forward... we became a producer of value-added rubber and palm oil. We also became an industrial country and we need to intensify efforts to increase products that can be marketed,” he said.
Abdullah, who is also the Finance Minister, said although the country’s trade had surpassed the record RM1 trillion mark, the volume should be increased with further development, not only in the Klang Valley but the whole country.
The Prime Minister is also confident that the country’s positive economic performance will be maintained because the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had never deviated from its two other important policies, namely unity and power sharing.
“Right from the start, the country’s leaders have emphasised on solidarity, the economy and power sharing... the BN maintains moderation because if any one race or religion runs the government, it will lead to problems. Now everyone is represented, this is our way and it must be maintained,” he added.
This lovey-dovey representation of the BN government is superficial and only skin deep. Everyone knows that UMNO rules, and the other compartment parties are merely there to make up the numbers. So why keep on harping on this so-called power sharing and unity?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/NewsBreak/20070629155224/Article/index_html
IPOH, FRI.:
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the country continues to develop rapidly and is capable of facing challenges because the government has never deviated from its focus to develop the economy.
The country’s focus since attaining independence 50 years ago was on economic development and now, it was endeavouring to become a developed nation, said the Prime Minister in his speech at the simultaneous launching of the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCCI) 100th anniversary celebration and the 50th National Day Expo at the Indera Mulia Stadium, here today.
While I agree with the prime minister that our country's economic growth has been encouraging since independence, I feel that this is not 100% via the efforts of the government. If the citizens of Malaysia do not contribute productively, there will be no growth despite any government intervention. So, please, give some credit to the Rakyat!
Secondly, I don't think the statement that "the government has never deviated from its focus to develop the economy" is entirely accurate. The government has recently focused on developing Islam Hadhari (religious focus), condemnation of bloggers (control focus), censorship and repression of film and print material (media focus), and many other examples.
“The democratic government chosen by the people through an independent election process will continue to be chosen by the people as it is focused on important economic development programs,” he said.
If the election process is independent, why do we have perceptions of unfair gerrymandering, phantom voters, vote buying, media blackout toward opposition, no 3rd level (local government) elections, seat-vote disproportional distribution, and many more?
The government was also endeavouring on expanding the economy further by providing forward planing to face the global challenges and market compettion, he stressed.
“Your Prime Minister is not sleeping,” he said as he outlined various economic development programmes that have been planned, including the Iskandar Development Region and the Northern and Eastern Regional Development Corridor.
Oops. He shouldn't have said that he's not sleeping. Ever heard of the "pink elephant" syndrome? What happens when I ask you not to picture a pink elephant in your head?
After attaining independence, he said the country was depending on revenue from rubber and tin ore but with the plans drawn up by the government, the country was able to diversify its economy.
“The British did not teach us, but we planned to move forward... we became a producer of value-added rubber and palm oil. We also became an industrial country and we need to intensify efforts to increase products that can be marketed,” he said.
Abdullah, who is also the Finance Minister, said although the country’s trade had surpassed the record RM1 trillion mark, the volume should be increased with further development, not only in the Klang Valley but the whole country.
The Prime Minister is also confident that the country’s positive economic performance will be maintained because the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had never deviated from its two other important policies, namely unity and power sharing.
“Right from the start, the country’s leaders have emphasised on solidarity, the economy and power sharing... the BN maintains moderation because if any one race or religion runs the government, it will lead to problems. Now everyone is represented, this is our way and it must be maintained,” he added.
This lovey-dovey representation of the BN government is superficial and only skin deep. Everyone knows that UMNO rules, and the other compartment parties are merely there to make up the numbers. So why keep on harping on this so-called power sharing and unity?
BLA BLA BLA!
Move to inculcate reading habit
Move to inculcate reading habit
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070629083515/Article/index_html
GEORGE TOWN, Fri:
The state government will embark on a reading campaign soon to encourage public participation in reading activities.
State Education Committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said about 80 per cent of people read newspapers but more should spend time reading other sources of information, including novels, magazines and journals.
He said this when launching KDU College Penang’s Literary Day here yesterday.
The event was organised in conjunction with the National Reading Month.
I think that this effort has noble intentions. However, I doubt it will take flight for the following reasons: government arbitrarily banning publications from being distributed in the country; persecuting any author who writes in contrary to official government propaganda; political control of local MSM and denying publication license to alternative news providers; and of course our beloved trio of repressive laws: Printing Presses & Publications Act, Internal Security Act, Sedition Act.
So this is just another BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/20070629083515/Article/index_html
GEORGE TOWN, Fri:
The state government will embark on a reading campaign soon to encourage public participation in reading activities.
State Education Committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said about 80 per cent of people read newspapers but more should spend time reading other sources of information, including novels, magazines and journals.
He said this when launching KDU College Penang’s Literary Day here yesterday.
The event was organised in conjunction with the National Reading Month.
I think that this effort has noble intentions. However, I doubt it will take flight for the following reasons: government arbitrarily banning publications from being distributed in the country; persecuting any author who writes in contrary to official government propaganda; political control of local MSM and denying publication license to alternative news providers; and of course our beloved trio of repressive laws: Printing Presses & Publications Act, Internal Security Act, Sedition Act.
So this is just another BLA BLA BLA!
Mayor: Be patriotic and fly the flag
Mayor: Be patriotic and fly the flag
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/central/18137534&sec=central
FLY the national flag if you are patriotic, urges the Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan.
“Also, adorn your properties with even brighter lights and better landscaping as the country is celebrating its golden jubilee,” he said.
These were the messages to the representatives from the 374 high-rise buildings in the city in a special briefing on the country’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Owners of all other buildings are also urged to do so.
Let me first say that this national flag flying fiasco does not symbolize patriotism. At best it is a superficial representation of love for king and country. Any tom dick and harry can fly the Malaysian flag and claim to be patriotic, but deep down, nobody knows if they will be the ones to commit the next criminal offense.
Next, while the world focuses on reducing energy wastage and curbing global warming phenomenon, our government seems intent on wasting as much energy as possible to shout to the world that we "memang boleh".
“Kuala Lumpur is like sugar. People flock here to do business or develop their career. They should be appreciative of the economic situation it offers,” Hakim said.
Typical of government servants to say this type of things. What exactly should we be appreciative of? The constant traffic snarls due to poor transport planning? The rising petty crime of metal theft? The ridiculous potholes and constant flash floods? Tell all, Mr. Mayor!
He said City Hall would also fly the Jalur Gemilang and put on a splash of lights at specific locations in the city, and encouraged properties owners to illuminate their buildings from Aug 16 to Sept 10 between 7pm and midnight.
Apart from that, there will be a competition to decide who does the best job while City Hall is still in the process of finalising the judging criteria, categories and prizes.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry’s programme department assistant secretary Megat Adnan Megat Ridzuan said Merdeka celebrations would be carried out in Kuala Lumpur in a series of grand events.
Launching of the Merdeka Month celebrations falls on Aug 17 in Malacca.
Adnan said the climax of the events would be the Giant Merdeka Celebration (Perayaan Raksasa Merdeka) attended by the sultans, heads of states and the people on the evening of Aug 31 at Stadium Merdeka.
So now even our Royalty is being used to promote and advertise this "monster celebration" (I'm surprised that the word "raksasa" is used!). Tell me again, who was it that asked us to change our lifestyle not so long ago?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/central/18137534&sec=central
FLY the national flag if you are patriotic, urges the Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan.
“Also, adorn your properties with even brighter lights and better landscaping as the country is celebrating its golden jubilee,” he said.
These were the messages to the representatives from the 374 high-rise buildings in the city in a special briefing on the country’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Owners of all other buildings are also urged to do so.
Let me first say that this national flag flying fiasco does not symbolize patriotism. At best it is a superficial representation of love for king and country. Any tom dick and harry can fly the Malaysian flag and claim to be patriotic, but deep down, nobody knows if they will be the ones to commit the next criminal offense.
Next, while the world focuses on reducing energy wastage and curbing global warming phenomenon, our government seems intent on wasting as much energy as possible to shout to the world that we "memang boleh".
“Kuala Lumpur is like sugar. People flock here to do business or develop their career. They should be appreciative of the economic situation it offers,” Hakim said.
Typical of government servants to say this type of things. What exactly should we be appreciative of? The constant traffic snarls due to poor transport planning? The rising petty crime of metal theft? The ridiculous potholes and constant flash floods? Tell all, Mr. Mayor!
He said City Hall would also fly the Jalur Gemilang and put on a splash of lights at specific locations in the city, and encouraged properties owners to illuminate their buildings from Aug 16 to Sept 10 between 7pm and midnight.
Apart from that, there will be a competition to decide who does the best job while City Hall is still in the process of finalising the judging criteria, categories and prizes.
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry’s programme department assistant secretary Megat Adnan Megat Ridzuan said Merdeka celebrations would be carried out in Kuala Lumpur in a series of grand events.
Launching of the Merdeka Month celebrations falls on Aug 17 in Malacca.
Adnan said the climax of the events would be the Giant Merdeka Celebration (Perayaan Raksasa Merdeka) attended by the sultans, heads of states and the people on the evening of Aug 31 at Stadium Merdeka.
So now even our Royalty is being used to promote and advertise this "monster celebration" (I'm surprised that the word "raksasa" is used!). Tell me again, who was it that asked us to change our lifestyle not so long ago?
BLA BLA BLA!
‘No’ to varsity change
‘No’ to varsity change
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/nation/18163106&sec=nation
NILAI: The Higher Education Ministry will not entertain appeals from students who want to change their university.
“We will only consider appeals from those who did not obtain a place or were offered courses which they had not listed in their application form,” minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.
He added that students could not change the course they were given if it was among the eight choices listed in the form.
Clearly, the minister does not want to admit that the current system of centralized university placement is flawed. How can a top STPM scorer be denied his first choice, instead is delegated to his fourth or fifth choice? Surely the minister is aware that the reason why those choices are filled up is because of fear that the applicant may not be granted any university place at all if the first or second choices were denied!
Of the 68,110 applications for degree programmes offered by local public universities for the 2007/ 2008 academic year, only 40,116 students obtained places.
Does that mean that there are now 28,000 more places for degree programmes offered by local public universities? Care to elaborate if these places are among the first or second choices of the applicants? Mr. Minister?
Mustapa clarified that not all the applications met the minimum qualification of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0.
“We will consider appeals from those who qualify (but did not get a place),” he said...
In the first place, there should not be any case where anybody "qualify but did not get a place". This shows the inadequacy and inefficiency of the centralized Higher Education Ministry.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/29/nation/18163106&sec=nation
NILAI: The Higher Education Ministry will not entertain appeals from students who want to change their university.
“We will only consider appeals from those who did not obtain a place or were offered courses which they had not listed in their application form,” minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.
He added that students could not change the course they were given if it was among the eight choices listed in the form.
Clearly, the minister does not want to admit that the current system of centralized university placement is flawed. How can a top STPM scorer be denied his first choice, instead is delegated to his fourth or fifth choice? Surely the minister is aware that the reason why those choices are filled up is because of fear that the applicant may not be granted any university place at all if the first or second choices were denied!
Of the 68,110 applications for degree programmes offered by local public universities for the 2007/ 2008 academic year, only 40,116 students obtained places.
Does that mean that there are now 28,000 more places for degree programmes offered by local public universities? Care to elaborate if these places are among the first or second choices of the applicants? Mr. Minister?
Mustapa clarified that not all the applications met the minimum qualification of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0.
“We will consider appeals from those who qualify (but did not get a place),” he said...
In the first place, there should not be any case where anybody "qualify but did not get a place". This shows the inadequacy and inefficiency of the centralized Higher Education Ministry.
BLA BLA BLA!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
ABDULLAH: Media has helped govt immensely in nation-building
ABDULLAH: Media has helped govt immensely in nation-building
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/NewsBreak/20070628134035/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:
The Malaysian media has been responsible in their reports particularly in helping the government maintain peace and harmony among multiracial Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
Without the sense of responsibility by the media, especially among the editors, journalists and media owners, the peace and racial unity enjoyed by the nation today would not have been possible, he said.
I'm not surprised by the editors', journalists' and media owners' "responsibility", or shall we call it "compliance". After all, their annual publishing license depends arbitrarily on the government's discretion. Self censorship is so prevalent, so much so that they couldn't even report on the PM's recent wedding without the instructions from the government!
He said history had proven the media had helped the government immensely to create a stable environment through their responsible reports, taking into account the sensitivities of the country’s plural society.
“Without the cooperation and understanding between the government and media practitioners surely the country will not have progressed to what it has achieved today,” he said when opening the 2007 Mass Media Conference organised by the Internal Security Ministry.
Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said looking back at history, it was clear that the Malaysian media had played a pivotal role in helping the government boost patriotism spirit, forge racial unity and self-esteem especially when the country was facing challenges, problems and crises.
So why not grant Malaysiakini a printing license? Why not grant party publications such as The Rocket permission to be distributed to the general public?
BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/NewsBreak/20070628134035/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:
The Malaysian media has been responsible in their reports particularly in helping the government maintain peace and harmony among multiracial Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.
Without the sense of responsibility by the media, especially among the editors, journalists and media owners, the peace and racial unity enjoyed by the nation today would not have been possible, he said.
I'm not surprised by the editors', journalists' and media owners' "responsibility", or shall we call it "compliance". After all, their annual publishing license depends arbitrarily on the government's discretion. Self censorship is so prevalent, so much so that they couldn't even report on the PM's recent wedding without the instructions from the government!
He said history had proven the media had helped the government immensely to create a stable environment through their responsible reports, taking into account the sensitivities of the country’s plural society.
“Without the cooperation and understanding between the government and media practitioners surely the country will not have progressed to what it has achieved today,” he said when opening the 2007 Mass Media Conference organised by the Internal Security Ministry.
Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said looking back at history, it was clear that the Malaysian media had played a pivotal role in helping the government boost patriotism spirit, forge racial unity and self-esteem especially when the country was facing challenges, problems and crises.
So why not grant Malaysiakini a printing license? Why not grant party publications such as The Rocket permission to be distributed to the general public?
BLA BLA BLA!
Tap resources from Internet, teachers urged
Tap resources from Internet, teachers urged
http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/technology/20070628114925&sec=technology
Teachers are encouraged to tap into the Internet resources to get supplementary notes for their students.
Penang Education director Ahmad Husain said teachers should keep up with time and incorporate new ways of doing things in view of the information and communication technology (ICT) age.
"Teachers too need to improve themselves. They have to value the pursuit of lifelong learning and continue to upgrade themselves.
"They should equip themselves with skills, knowledge and understanding on when and how to use ICT effectively in the classroom," he said in his speech during the island district level Teachers Day celebration at Dewan Sri Pinang in Penang yesterday.
Try telling this to our information minister, who repeatedly told journalists not to pay attention to websites, and also called bloggers unemployed women who will incite racial discord.
Ahmad also said teachers should continue to sharpen their thinking in terms of substance, creativity and quality.
"They are the role models for students. Whatever they do, children will follow.
Really, this sums up our education system. Our young generation is being brainwashed into mindless robots, who will only know how to follow orders from the top.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/technology/20070628114925&sec=technology
Teachers are encouraged to tap into the Internet resources to get supplementary notes for their students.
Penang Education director Ahmad Husain said teachers should keep up with time and incorporate new ways of doing things in view of the information and communication technology (ICT) age.
"Teachers too need to improve themselves. They have to value the pursuit of lifelong learning and continue to upgrade themselves.
"They should equip themselves with skills, knowledge and understanding on when and how to use ICT effectively in the classroom," he said in his speech during the island district level Teachers Day celebration at Dewan Sri Pinang in Penang yesterday.
Try telling this to our information minister, who repeatedly told journalists not to pay attention to websites, and also called bloggers unemployed women who will incite racial discord.
Ahmad also said teachers should continue to sharpen their thinking in terms of substance, creativity and quality.
"They are the role models for students. Whatever they do, children will follow.
Really, this sums up our education system. Our young generation is being brainwashed into mindless robots, who will only know how to follow orders from the top.
BLA BLA BLA!
All govt buildings to have plaster ceilings
All govt buildings to have plaster ceilings
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070628075241/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THU.:
All government buildings will have plaster ceilings in the future to avoid further embarrassing incidents of faulty ceilings.
Fed up with the numerous incidents of cracked or leaky ceilings, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the present acoustic ceilings were too thin.
And for how long has the PWD been constructing government buildings? And it took them this long to figure out that present acoustic ceilings are too thin?
"I will tell the Public Works Department not to use the acoustic ceilings any more as it has caused a lot of problems and shame for the PWD.
"I don’t think I can bear the shame of these incidents any more. I do not want to take the blame for someone else’s mistakes. In the future, we will spend a bit more and use plaster ceilings which will be better," he said.
Look at how the minister is speaking. Read between the lines and you will see he's merely saying "it wasn't me!" and instead pointing fingers to everyone else except himself.
Samy Vellu was commenting on yet another mishap at the Jalan Duta court complex yesterday, this time involving a bent ceiling.
A High Court (Commercial division) Judicial Commissioner had to postpone a hearing about 11.15am after she noticed from her bench that a decorated square piece of the ceiling was a little bent in the middle.
Samy Vellu said the ceilings at the Jalan Duta court complex and ceilings of other buildings displaying similar problems would be replaced with plaster ceilings.
I wonder how much this plaster ceiling contract will be worth. I wonder why the amount wasn't mentioned in this report.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070628075241/Article/index_html
KUALA LUMPUR, THU.:
All government buildings will have plaster ceilings in the future to avoid further embarrassing incidents of faulty ceilings.
Fed up with the numerous incidents of cracked or leaky ceilings, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the present acoustic ceilings were too thin.
And for how long has the PWD been constructing government buildings? And it took them this long to figure out that present acoustic ceilings are too thin?
"I will tell the Public Works Department not to use the acoustic ceilings any more as it has caused a lot of problems and shame for the PWD.
"I don’t think I can bear the shame of these incidents any more. I do not want to take the blame for someone else’s mistakes. In the future, we will spend a bit more and use plaster ceilings which will be better," he said.
Look at how the minister is speaking. Read between the lines and you will see he's merely saying "it wasn't me!" and instead pointing fingers to everyone else except himself.
Samy Vellu was commenting on yet another mishap at the Jalan Duta court complex yesterday, this time involving a bent ceiling.
A High Court (Commercial division) Judicial Commissioner had to postpone a hearing about 11.15am after she noticed from her bench that a decorated square piece of the ceiling was a little bent in the middle.
Samy Vellu said the ceilings at the Jalan Duta court complex and ceilings of other buildings displaying similar problems would be replaced with plaster ceilings.
I wonder how much this plaster ceiling contract will be worth. I wonder why the amount wasn't mentioned in this report.
BLA BLA BLA!
Hisham: Be proud of our diverse cultures
Hisham: Be proud of our diverse cultures
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/nation/18155823&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should be proud to be blessed with a wide variety of performing arts which reflect the diverse cultures and heritages of this country, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said last night.
The Education Minister was speaking at the gala charity night of the Festival of Cantonese Opera, that featured the world-renowned Guangdong Cantonese Opera Academy First Troupe which performed “The Power of Passion”.
What use is such diversity if it's not treasured by the ruling party UMNO, as evident in their racist outcries of bathing the keris in Chinese blood?
Hishammuddin said Malaysians should share the diverse culture and heritage and look beyond material wealth.
“Acquiring artistic skills is not easy, it needs a lot of training and discipline,” the minister said, adding that Malaysians need to acknowledge that arts bind them all together, cutting across all borders.
Perhaps UMNO cronies should also look beyond material wealth then?
Hishammuddin added that appreciation of the diverse cultures must start in school.
“Excellent academic results are not enough. Parents must also look at the importance of instilling in their children the knowledge of various cultures and heritage, and artistic skills.”
This coming from the education minister, whose ministry is embarking on nation-wide islamisation of public schools, imposing arbitrary dress codes, disallowing non-muslim canteen operators, etc.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/28/nation/18155823&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should be proud to be blessed with a wide variety of performing arts which reflect the diverse cultures and heritages of this country, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said last night.
The Education Minister was speaking at the gala charity night of the Festival of Cantonese Opera, that featured the world-renowned Guangdong Cantonese Opera Academy First Troupe which performed “The Power of Passion”.
What use is such diversity if it's not treasured by the ruling party UMNO, as evident in their racist outcries of bathing the keris in Chinese blood?
Hishammuddin said Malaysians should share the diverse culture and heritage and look beyond material wealth.
“Acquiring artistic skills is not easy, it needs a lot of training and discipline,” the minister said, adding that Malaysians need to acknowledge that arts bind them all together, cutting across all borders.
Perhaps UMNO cronies should also look beyond material wealth then?
Hishammuddin added that appreciation of the diverse cultures must start in school.
“Excellent academic results are not enough. Parents must also look at the importance of instilling in their children the knowledge of various cultures and heritage, and artistic skills.”
This coming from the education minister, whose ministry is embarking on nation-wide islamisation of public schools, imposing arbitrary dress codes, disallowing non-muslim canteen operators, etc.
BLA BLA BLA!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Drop demand for RM900 minimum wage, MTUC told
Drop demand for RM900 minimum wage, MTUC told
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/27/nation/18139163&sec=nation
SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress should be practical and drop its demand for a RM900 minimum wage for all private sector employees, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn.
Yes we still have people earning less than RM900 per month in Malaysia.
He said that if the Government were to comply with the demand, the country would lose its competitive edge.
I wonder how, by introducing minimum wage policy, will the country lose its competitive edge. The minister does not elaborate.
“Let’s be reasonable, we cannot allow our economy to be too rigid,” he said, adding that a blanket ruling could not be applied to workers in all sectors.
Dr Fong said the Government was prepared to discuss the matter with the MTUC but adopting a confrontational approach would not benefit anyone.
Yesterday, the MTUC organised one-hour pickets at several locations in the country. The biggest was held outside the EPF headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur in which some 1,000 workers participated.
I'm sure that these low wage earners are already being reasonable by organizing pickets and going through proper channels. If they were unreasonable, they would already be resorting to criminal activity to support their lives. Again, the minister does not elaborate what he means by the economy being too rigid.
Apart from the minimum wage, the MTUC is also demanding a RM300 cost of living allowance (Cola) for private sector workers.
“If we have a minimum wage of RM900, we would have to pay foreign maids as well as part-time workers the same amount. We can’t do that for everyone,” said Dr Fong.
Why is paying RM900 to foreign maids and part-time workers a problem?
The minister, however, admitted that a minimum wage could be introduced for workers in certain sectors such as dock workers and cargo handlers.
The minimum wage for most other sectors should be left to market forces, he said.
Why only these sectors? The minister again does not elaborate.
BLA BLA BLA!
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/27/nation/18139163&sec=nation
SEREMBAN: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress should be practical and drop its demand for a RM900 minimum wage for all private sector employees, said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn.
Yes we still have people earning less than RM900 per month in Malaysia.
He said that if the Government were to comply with the demand, the country would lose its competitive edge.
I wonder how, by introducing minimum wage policy, will the country lose its competitive edge. The minister does not elaborate.
“Let’s be reasonable, we cannot allow our economy to be too rigid,” he said, adding that a blanket ruling could not be applied to workers in all sectors.
Dr Fong said the Government was prepared to discuss the matter with the MTUC but adopting a confrontational approach would not benefit anyone.
Yesterday, the MTUC organised one-hour pickets at several locations in the country. The biggest was held outside the EPF headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur in which some 1,000 workers participated.
I'm sure that these low wage earners are already being reasonable by organizing pickets and going through proper channels. If they were unreasonable, they would already be resorting to criminal activity to support their lives. Again, the minister does not elaborate what he means by the economy being too rigid.
Apart from the minimum wage, the MTUC is also demanding a RM300 cost of living allowance (Cola) for private sector workers.
“If we have a minimum wage of RM900, we would have to pay foreign maids as well as part-time workers the same amount. We can’t do that for everyone,” said Dr Fong.
Why is paying RM900 to foreign maids and part-time workers a problem?
The minister, however, admitted that a minimum wage could be introduced for workers in certain sectors such as dock workers and cargo handlers.
The minimum wage for most other sectors should be left to market forces, he said.
Why only these sectors? The minister again does not elaborate.
BLA BLA BLA!
The First Bla
Why does Malaysian mainstream media sound so... repetitive? Boring? Condescending? Patronizing? Why don't we have quality, engaging, independent and intelligent news sources printed in Malaysia? Why do we always have to rely on internet news, foreign press, and blogs to provide us with readable material?
Well, the reason for this is that the mainstream media (MSM) is owned by the Malaysian government, specifically by the political parties that make up the false alliance BN. Due to this, the news reported by these papers generally become propaganda pieces which glorify the mediocre, and whitewash the relevant. Stories are heavily self-censored or editor-censored. Newsworthy items are embargoed by the government. Opinion editors have no courage to step out of the official line. All this stifles the journalistic development in Malaysia.
Doesn't it bore you when headlines scream "Change Your Lifestyle", or "Economy is Doing Well", or "RM90m for Leaking Buildings"? Doesn't it make you cringe? I'll tell you what effect the headlines have on me.
They make me go "Bla Bla Bla"....
Well, the reason for this is that the mainstream media (MSM) is owned by the Malaysian government, specifically by the political parties that make up the false alliance BN. Due to this, the news reported by these papers generally become propaganda pieces which glorify the mediocre, and whitewash the relevant. Stories are heavily self-censored or editor-censored. Newsworthy items are embargoed by the government. Opinion editors have no courage to step out of the official line. All this stifles the journalistic development in Malaysia.
Doesn't it bore you when headlines scream "Change Your Lifestyle", or "Economy is Doing Well", or "RM90m for Leaking Buildings"? Doesn't it make you cringe? I'll tell you what effect the headlines have on me.
They make me go "Bla Bla Bla"....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)