Let us the parents decide what language to teach Science and Maths

The one thing that pisses me off here is Anwar, PAS, DAP, the NGOs and even MCA wanting to have Science and Maths taught in the mother tongue - Bahasa, Mandarin and Tamil. This is the only area where UMNO has it right - teaching these 2 subjects in English. I am talking as a parent and have talked to many other parents - Malays, Chinese and Indians and they are all in favour of these two subjects being taught in English. These two subjects if our children enters college will be taught in English and not other languages. Do the Malays even realise that why it is they are not so employable in the market? The reason is simple - their lack of proficiency in English. There were many times that I wanted to employ a Malay because I believe in a multiracial working place - it is fun as it exposes us to other cultures. The only problem was, I couldn't find one who is proficient in English so I employed Indians or Indian muslims instead coz they have better command of English. So, why stifle the progress of Malays especially?

POLITICIANS, who are you to decide for our children? We want the best for our children but you politicians only want the best for yourselves. If you care for the Malays, you would push for English to be taught even more so. You would try every measure to make sure the Malay children catch up in English. If our teachers cannot handle it, then get foreign teachers temporarily to do it. Take a look at Korea and China. They hire American teachers to teach their children. They are overtaking us and what do we do? Go backwards!

I voted for PR in the last election and influenced my friends and relatives to do so too. However, this might not be the case again if PR insists on teaching Science and Maths in the mother tongue. I do not want my children to study these subjects in Bahasa or Mandarin coz they are of no benefit to them.

ISA detainees weevil and wild life meals

A quote from Malaysiakini,
Jeffrey Kitingan and four of his fellow inmates managed to catch a small snake on two occasions and a bird to supplement their diet when they were detained under ISA.
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Is it not bad and cruel enough for people to be detained without a trial under ISA? Why treat them even worse than criminals in normal prisons by not giving them the same privillege accorded to criminals to buy food and drinks from canteens? If the authorities are not willing to spend a little more money for better food for the detainees, allow their families and donors to provide food for them or run a canteen for them. ISA detainees should not be treated badly as most of them these days are politically motivated arrests. They are not hardcore criminals.

First, Teresa Kok complained about the food and I thought that she was being choosy but slowly the truth is coming out from other detainees. Imagine having to catch wild life like snakes and birds to supplement your food or having weevil infested food.

If Syed Hamid thinks that the food is alright, then he should stay there for a month and eat the same food with additional weevil protein added.

I urge the government to have a heart. To those who believe in God, you would not do this to another human.

MANSUHKAN ISA!

Let not heroes like Raja Petra cry alone

This morning I stumbled upon this particular blog by Sheih Kickdefella (his blogger name) touching on the arrests of Raja Petra and how we Malaysians are all talk and no action. It is indeed true. Malaysians rather grumble, curse and talk behind or come online and scream profanities and then hide or give one thousand and one excuses for why they are not able to show support for those who have been detained unfairly under ISA. How do I know? Well, I've tried convincing my friends to join me in Kamunting to show support for RPK and other ISA detainees during Raya and disappointingly, their replies were er.......

My dear Malaysians, don't grumble or regret when you see your country going down, when you see no future for your children or grandchildren coz what have you done to help make Malaysia a better place for all or even support the people who fought on your behalf. Don't let these heroes and their families suffer alone is my plea to all. Ever heard of the saying "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone"? Don't let it happen to these heroes.

Quote from his blog:
So truly Malaysian we are, we will rather relax and enjoyed our forthcoming holiday sipping Earl Grey in the balcony of the resort and yes, we will have no problem seeing our once beloved fella rotten in the Kamunting Detention Centre. Well, he is not the first, right?

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To read more on his article, click below:

http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/bariah-ishak-marina-lee-and-the-rest-of-the-heroes/#comment-39211

Hari Raya visit to Kamunting

I almost missed an important event today. I overslept. hehehe Anyway, I rushed and was one of the few earlybirds to arrive at Bays Water (near Tesco), the meeting place for all wishing to go to Kamunting to convey our Hari Raya greetings and show of support to RPK and the other ISA detainees.

Halfway on the bridge, there was a slight jam due to an accident and up pulled this car and the driver waved to me. I wound down my window and it was my friend who said "Wah, you also going?" Of course, I was going. How can I miss or not show my support for RPK after all he has done for us.

We made a stop immediately after the toll at Kamunting, took some photos (unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera along, so those who took them, please either post them here or email them to me at malgal128@gmail.com. Mohan, your email is not working for some reasons) and many said they were here because of RPK. RPK didn't have to do this and risk himself being in ISA but his sense of justice is so strong that he did it so this is why they were all here to let him know that he is not going to walk this walk alone. I must say that I agree coz that was what woke me up too. How can I let a man who has done so much walk alone?

My dear friend brought along cookies and other stuff for RPK and the other ISA detainees. I wanted to cook some curry chicken for them too but was told not to as they were not allowed to receive things like this. It is really inhumane of our government not to allow these detainees to receive food brought by well-wishers during this Hari Raya. Where is the spirit of forgiveness and compassion? Like I have mentioned before, these people are not criminals so don't treat them like one.

To the Malay guy who gave us chocolate cakes to eat, I want to say thank you for your kind gesture and support.

To the rest of the Malaysian who didn't go, please try to in future to help make a difference in our country. Abolish ISA. Freedom!

Win a person over with understanding and not ISA

Can ISA and all the counselling inside change the person into what the government wants them to be? I think not, observing and listening to the many people released from ISA. In fact, after their release, they are even more determined to get rid of ISA and if they were not from the reformasi movement, the detention has turned them into one.

Sometimes punishment can cause more harm and damage. It will make the person hate the government responsible for making their life miserable. Their families and friends will probably feel the same. So, what has the government accomplished by this punishment? Temporarily put fear into the people and temporarily stop them from talking. However, the government has forgotten that in this internet age, you stop someone, someone else takes over so the news doesn't stop.

A better approach would be to engage that person in an intellectual discussion, try to win him over. You definitely cannot win someone over by making his life miserable. Show a person kindness, care, sincerity, understanding and love and you might just win him over without incurring the wrath of the people.

Threats and punishment work only with cowards but not on courageous and righteous people. The more you punish and threaten them, the more they will fight you.

Happy Hari Raya Puasa

To all my Muslim friends, Happy Hari Raya Puasa.

I get to eat lemang this Wednesday and another one on Thursday and then on Saturday. hehehe

God bless you all, take care, drive safely.

Al Jazeera documentary on ISA

We need to get rid of the draconian law. The citizens must be given a right to defend themselves in the court of law. Today, it is them, tomorrow it might be your or your loved ones. Let us all come together to abolish ISA. Have mercy on those who are separated from their families during this month of Ramadan.