Leave politics out of examinations

The recent announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that history would made a must-pass subject in the SPM examination at the Umno general assembly raises many doubts on his motives behind the move. Why did he choose to make such an important announcement at the Umno assembly? Shouldn’t it be more appropriate for him to make the announcement with the top officers from the Education Department? Was this decision discussed elaborately before being announced? Is there any hidden agenda behind this abrupt decision like what many believe?

While making History as core subject in primary schools may be a good move but making it a must-pass SPM subject I am afraid will not be wise as it would become just another subject that would be studied to pass the examination. History is an important subject that must be studied by all in schools but making it a compulsory exam subject will not have any benefits as our students will just memorize the historical facts just to pass or even score A in the subject. What is needed is a clear understanding of the historical facts that shaped the world in which we live. For this there is a need for lively discussion, debate and visits to places of historical sites to appreciate what, how and why certain events took place.

On the local scene the subject should be taught to make our students appreciate the real facts in history in particular those related to our country’s founding, the rule by foreign powers and the Federal Constitution and not to indoctrinate our students with a narrow and biased interpretation of these facts. It could be a tool for racial unity if it is taught rightly to enable our students of all races to value the sacrifices of the founding fathers of our nation without any ethnic distinction. It is a fact that all races contributed to what we are today and this is what they must be taught and not hidden for political or other reasons.

Besides our own history, world history should also be included as of late the knowledge in such history is rather poor. Many of our students do not know anything about major personalities who have shaped the world. Many do not know the circumstances surrounding the world wars, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and cold war between the West and Communism. Many of our students know little of the great religions of the world, in fact they are ignorant about any religion other their own, which is indeed a sad state of affairs.

There is a need to be more open about the teaching of history in schools. Teachers must be more objective and not carried away by emotions in narrating the events that took place in history. There should be no attempts to hide the truth behind the events that unfolded in the past. In fact students should be allowed to engage in discussions on the various historic events to judge for themselves the right and wrongs in history.

History is an important subject that we should be taught but making it a compulsory subject for the passing of an examination is taking it too far. Furthermore the timing and place of the announcement of the decision at the Umno general assembly smacks of a political motive and politicization of our education system in particular the crucial examination like the SPM is indeed detrimental to the future of the nation.

Moving on as Malaysians

Leaving behind the pendatng issue and move on

At the recent 57^th MCA general assembly, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak declared that the Chinese are loyal citizens of Malaysia and should not be perceived as immigrants. This was one the strongest statements from a prime Minister on the status of non-Malays in the country.Many may be skeptical of his but should be turning point in the history of the nation.

After four to five generations of arriving in the country how can they be still regarded as immigrants or ‘pendatang’ when they all born and bred here. In fact many of them have never set foot on a foreign soil. It would be unfair and illogical to call them pendatang and thereby deny them of equal opportunities with their other fellow Malaysians.

Pendatang or otherwise Malaysians of all races have contributed greatly to elevate the nation to where it is today. They have all also benefitted immensely from that development for which they are all thankful. Despite having originated from different lands, they were exceptionally united in fighting the colonialists, the Japanese and the communists which led to the formation of truly independent nation. Unfortunately the unity that existed then is fast eluding us which should indeed be a cause for concern. After more than half a century, isn’t it time for us to put aside this issue of pendatang and move forwards as Malaysians?

The time has come to recognize Malaysians by their contributions to the country regardless of race. The time has come to tap the potential of all citizens to remain competitive in today’s fast moving global world which recognizes no borders based on ethnicity. The time has come to give assistance to all Malaysians in need regardless of ethnicity, as the primary concern should be poverty. The time has come to create a mindset to regard all citizens as equal and legitimate citizens, who are here to stay and share the fortunes and misfortunes of the nation which we all regard as our motherland.

The Prime Minister has declared and introduced the 1Malaysia concept to fulfill these aspirations to make Malaysia a modern, progressive and united nation. To make this a reality, the Barisan Nasional, in particular Umno must lead the way do away with race politics which is the main obstacle to the ideals of 1Malaysia. Race-based political parties must ultimately make way for multi-racial ones which will ultimately breed leaders who will regard themselves as Malaysians and champion the plight of all citizens not just their own race. Only with such leaders will we be able to ensure that no one community, however small, is neglected for whatever reasons.

Giving time for others - the story of Jack and Besler

Giving time for others

This story which was mailed to me by a friend illustrates that people value our time we give them more than anything else,money,food and gifts. In our hurry to pursue our goals in life we tend to overlook that many people around us are in need. Even those who cared for us in the past are conveniently forgotten as they are out of our sight.

As we grow older we will realize that unless we give a little of our time for others, they too will not have time for us when we are in need. This is a fact of life, which the sooner we realize the better.

Thank you for your time

Jack & Mr. Besler

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.

There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important... Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.


The night before he returned home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture... .Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Adopting a mindset of moderate thinking

The Star,Oct 7,reported that many leaders attending the Eighth Asia-Europe Summit (Asem) have expressed support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s call to make moderate thinking a global trend. The positive response from world leaders has prompted the PM to think of ways to promote such moderate thinking worldwide

The biggest challenge to world peace in extremism of any sort be it racial, religious or any other ideologies. Although all religions came into to existence to promote peace among men but today their abuses have become a serious threat to that peace itself. In fact religious extremism has become the most serious threat to the human race today and unless moderation is adopted by all there is real fear of the extinction of the human race with the availability of sophisticated nuclear weapons. The PM’s call for moderation is indeed timely and wise and must be heeded by the world community.

While our PM’s call was well received by leaders outside, it is more important for our own leaders to heed his call. As the saying goes ‘Charity begins at home’ so must moderation also begin at home where extremism is also from time to time threatening to disrupt the peace and harmony in our multi-racial and multi religious nation. Of late there has been number of incidences that were the result of such extremist attitude among some members of the population and even leaders at high level. These numbers may nevertheless be small but if not nipped at the bud, the damage they could cause to undo the peace and harmony can be tremendous.

The authorities should be firm to act against anyone, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation or social status, who is seen to advocate extremism in any form. Prompt and stern action against such people is the only way to deter those who may want to resort to such extremist activities for their own vested interests. Those in positions of power and influence, like political leaders, educators and civil servants must be seriously warned not to say or do anything that would touch on the sensitivities of others. Activities that encourage religious and racial moderation must be held from time to time to emphasize its importance among all such leaders.

A moderate mindset is of utmost importance for ensuring lasting peace among the diverse ethnic groups in our country. We may have many ideal policies to promote tolerance among the people, the latest being the 1Malaysia policy. These will remain just political rhetoric unless there are deliberate and sincere attempts to implement them without fear or favor. We must not let the few with extremist’s minds among us to derail the peace and harmony that the vast majority of Malaysians want.

CM Lim Guan Eng's Merdeka message

Penang's CM Lim Guan Eng's Merdeka message was NEVER published by the mainstream media for obvious reasons.

Let Penang be a beacon of hope for Merdeka — Lim Guan Eng

AUG 31 — As we celebrate our 53 Merdeka, the country appears more divided than ever by racial, religious and even personal hatred. Fomenting racial and religious intolerance and hatred is now the rule rather than the exception.

The biggest challenge is whether Malaysians can rise above the language of violence used by extremists and fulfil our destiny of Merdeka 53 years ago of a shared society belonging to all and promising prosperity to everyone. Penang is under constant siege and attack by extremists and political foes from BN and Umno who use lies to create tension and division.

Amongst the lies still used is that the Penang state government has banned the Maulidur Rasul procession, banned Pasar Ramadan, replaced the YDP Agong’s name in Friday sermons with the Chief Minister’s name, only evict Malay villagers and traders. Up till today, the state government has not evicted a single Malay or non-Malay household and when enforcement action is taken against traders, only 30 per cent is Malay. Even when eviction is done by private landowners, the state government has also intervened to negotiate a settlement.

It is because our opponents are bankrupt of ideas that they resort to race and religion. Race and religious hatred is the final weapon of the extremists who can not win any debate based on facts and logic or find any weaknesses in PR’s performance.

Their desperation can be shown when the Penang PR government can not be faulted for being corrupt, abuse of power or wasting public funds. None of PR leaders have become rich or own luxury homes. We lived in a moderate lifestyle and travel by economy air wherever we can.

PR has reduced corruption with our CAT governance of Competency, Accountability and Transparency by turning around a projected deficit of RM35 million in 2008 to a record surplus of RM88 million. This was repeated again in 2009 by turning around a projected deficit of RM40 million to a surplus of RM77 million. For the first time in history, Transparency International praised Penang’s CAT governance for fighting corruption.

That is why the state government can afford its senior citizens appreciation programme of annual payout of RM100 to all over 60 years and RM1,000 one-off to beneficiaries of senior citizens which costs nearly RM20 million. That is why the state government can give RM100 water rebate in 2008 to all poor and middle-income households costing nearly RM 20 million. That is why the state government can give money annually to partially-assisted schools of RM 11.3 million. That is why the state government can double the allocation for Islamic affairs to RM 24.3 million in 2010 as compared to RM 13.5 million under BN in 2008.

All these successes in implementing a people-centric government have made our political opponents desperate. They become more desperate when Penang became the first state to ban sports betting(judi bola) after the Federal government issued the licence. Due to Penang’s lead, the Federal government had no choice but to cancel the judi bola licence. Certainly many BN and UMNO leaders must be angered by the cancellation of the judi bola licence because of loss of revenue of hundreds of millions of ringgit.

Penang will forge ahead in establishing the first people’s government in Malaysia that listens to the people, do the people’s work and give hope to the people. We will also remain steadfast in barring sports betting in the state as this is the common aspirations of 1.5 million Penangites regardless of race.

Let Penang be a beacon of hope for Merdeka, democracy, integrity, public morality and a people’s government as well as a symbol of national unity where Penangites live together in harmony and mutual respect.

* Penang 2010 National Day Message By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town On 31 August 2010.

Taken from Malaysian Insider

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or newspaper. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

Kami menghargai jasa baik Ketua Menteri.mp4

The woman who knew no happiness

Fated not to be happy

This is a true story of Nadia (not her real name), a 32 year old single woman whom I came to know recently. She is the second child in a family of four and she comes from a kampong situated in the remote part of Kelantan. Her parents both being illiterate were laborers in an estate there. The father retired prematurely due to ill health and is now old and incapacitated. Her mother is still working there in the estate and taking care of the father.

Nadia and her siblings moved out of Kelantan about ten years ago in search of jobs and ended in Penang where she and he younger sister now work in a cloth factory, each earning about RM600 a month. Her youngest brother is deaf and dumb from birth and stays with them in a rented low-cost house. Her elder brother who came with them to Penang has left them and lost contact with the family after he got married a few years ago. She does not know of his whereabouts despite seeking the help of the police.

About 6 months ago Nadia detected a lump in her breast for which she sought treatment at the government hospitals in Penang. As no definitive treatment was forthcoming after repeated visits, she decided to seek treatment at the private hospital where she was diagnosed as having breast cancer and was advised mastectomy (removal of breast) followed by radiation and chemotherapy. On hearing the news of her illness she broke down and cried and it was a difficult time trying to console her and her sister.

She was so upset that after all her sufferings since childhood she has now to cope with cancer. She had just joined a new firm about a month ago and having cancer would mean she will be relieved of that job, which she needs so badly to support her handicapped brother and old parents. What is going to happen to her, her younger sister and her handicapped brother? She is only 32years, not married and now she has to remove her breast. Will she ever get married and enjoy life like other women of her age? Her miseries were real and agonizing.

“I suffered all by life and never knew what happiness was until of late when things were beginning to fall in place. Now with this cancer all my hopes are dashed forever. Why must God do this to me?” Nadia asked between sobs.

It was so touching to hear her narrate her pathetic story. She is all alone with nobody to confide in at this time of a major crisis in her life. I gave her few days to think about her treatment and reassured her as best as I could, knowing very well that I will not have the courage like her if placed in her position.

A few days later, Nadia came back with her parents who had come all the way from Kelantan. They looked totally lost in the urban environment of Penang and I doubt they fully understood the implications of their daughter having cancer. I was impressed with the brave front put up by Nadia as she had decided to go ahead with the mastectomy. It showed her great wisdom and maturity that would put many of us to shame.

She said, “Doctor, I want to live a little longer until my sister and brother are settled in life, so I have no choice but go ahead with the surgery”. She asked for a few days to raise the money needed for the operation from her friends who were willing to help her out.

A few days later she was admitted and surgery done successfully. During her stay in the hospital she was accompanied by her grandmother who was in her early seventies. Despite her age she was there with the granddaughter day and night taking care of her. She pleaded with me to give my best to cure her granddaughter whom she loved her so much, stressing that she had never seen happiness in a life.

Nadia has now recovered from her surgery and would soon be referred to the Oncologist at the government hospital for further treatment of her breast cancer. Her prognosis may look good but with cancer, life is not going to normal anymore as the chance of recurrence is always there to cause worry and anxiety.

As Nadia’s gets prepared mentally, physically and financially for her next the next phase of her battle with cancer, a number of uncertainties go through her mind. Where and how do I go from here? How long more will I live? What will happen to my sister, brother and parents if I die now? Above all this is the biggest and the most puzzling question, why did God allow this to happen to me? We can give all kinds of answers to reassure her but that puzzling question also lingers at the back of our own minds to which we have no answers.

Nadia may be my patient and as a doctor I may know how to treat her breast cancer but I have a lot to learn from her which I do not know in life. I do not know how to cope with cancer if it strikes me. I do not know how to handle my loved ones who depend on me for love and support. I do not know whether I will still have the strength and spirit to continue helping those in need and fighting for the truth and justice which I advocate all must do. In short I do not know how to carry on with my life if I happen to be struck with a deadly disease.

Many of us are preoccupied with petty problems and pick up fights with anyone who disagrees with us. It is the result of arrogance due to our ego. Our problems may be nothing if only we open our eyes to see that others are in greater problems than us. Only by reaching out to others in pain and agony, not just praying that God will come to help us, will we realize the triviality of our own problems in life.

Learning about other faiths

Being open to learn about one another

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s recent advice that Malaysians should understand the sensitivities of all religions practiced in the country is timely. The number of unpleasant race-related incidences of late indicates that new generation of Malaysians have little or no knowledge of the practices of communities different from their own. This ignorance leads them to pass unsavory remarks on others which creates tension between the races from time to time. This is a sad state of affairs that must be corrected with some urgency if we want to see the success of the 1Malaysia policy being advocated by the Prime Minister.

Education is the single most important factor that contributes to the molding of a sound and stable mind. It is important to impart the right knowledge at a young age so the individual grows up into a right thinking person capable of differencing the right from wrong. It is important that children from a very young age are taught the right in all religions.

It is unfortunate that our newer generation is not being taught about the cultures and practices of all communities like it used to in the fifties and sixties. At that time regardless of our ethnicity we were taught of all the great religions and their founders which led us to regard these great people with respect and admiration that we hold on in our hearts till this day.

Today the situation is very much different where our children are segregated by race and religion to be taught about the own religion only. This has led to a situation where members of each community grow up to regard that their culture and religion are superior to others. The demands by certain groups for their legitimate rights are not tolerated by others as it is seen as challenging their own which is unfounded. How can racial unity and harmony ensue in such an environment of suspicion and animosity?

There are those who consider learning about another religion will be a threat to one’s own. This notion is baseless and must be discarded. In fact by learning about the different religions we tend to strengthen our own faith as we would realize that all faiths teach the same values that lead to God.

Racism and religious intolerance that are beginning to rear their ugly heads are largely due to ignorance of each other’s cultures and traditions. This must be checked at all costs as otherwise may lead to dire consequences. There is no way we can develop love and respect for others when we do not know them and there is no way we can know if we do not take the trouble to do so.

The biggest obstacle to appreciating the good in other religions is the mindset that is prevalent in many of us, “Mine is the best”. It is time to change that to the mindset, “we are all equal”. Until and unless we can make the switch of our mindset, true respect and tolerance for our differences will remain remote.

The Prime Minister has made his call loud and clear – zero tolerance for racism and as Malaysians who value of the well being of the nation, we must rally behind him to make that a reality. It is time for us to stand up to say no to racism of any sort. The first step for us will be to adopt an open mind to study other religions to appreciate the good in their teachings. Having gained that knowledge, the next step will be to cultivate in our own lives the respect for the practices and believes of one another and by our example instill that respect in the young who will invariably emulate us over time.