Now What?

I really hope they remember Rambo was just a Hollywood movie character.

Umno Youth leaders to get military-style training! That's the headline. Stupid isn't it? At a time like this in Malaysian politics they make an announcement like that? Who's their spin doctor? I mean even if you have been sleeping the last 52 years and woke up to read that in the Bernama news release you'd be a little miffed. Wouldn't you?

Umno’s training bureau will soon organise a course for Umno Youth division chiefs based on a commando-type training module, Umno vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

(Commando-type training? What does that mean? Rambo-type killing techniques? Terminator-type firepower to replace tear gas and water cannon?)

Ahmad Zahid, who is the bureau’s chairman, said the course would enhance resilience and competitiveness among Umno Youth leaders.

(Resilience? Competitiveness? What? Are we playing a game of volley-ball or something?)

He said the course would be carried out by the Umno Youth movement, National Civics Bureau (Biro Tatanegara) and the Malaysia Veteran Commandos Club.

(So would these organisations also provide the same training for MIC Youth? MCA Youth? Or is it just for Umno Youth?)

“This was the kind of course we had when Datuk Seri Najib Razak was the youth chief."

(Oh really? I see....I wonder what that was in preparation for?)

“Camaraderie needs to be instilled in today’s youths; that is why (Umno Youth Chief) Khairy Jamaluddin and his executive council members have agreed to take part in the course, to be held soon,” he said.

(Ah it's about camaraderie? That's a good thing. So when are you announcing the training for MCA, MIC, PPP, Gerakan, PBB, SPDP, PRS etc. etc. etc.)

The training bureau would also provide a course with a different module for Wanita and Puteri Umno leaders, he said.

(Oh but of course. We wouldn't want all that raging hormones to be bunked in the same barracks would we? They might have their minds on camaraderie of a different sort. Anyway, Make Love Not War is sooooooooo 60's la)

Thanks to our leaders!!

Celebrate good times, come on!

Back to BM.................The Star

English in schools: Policy reversed.........The New Straits Times

Tokoh akademik mendesak kerajaan supaya memansuhkan dasar Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) dengan segera dan bukannya menunggu sehingga 2012...............Utusan Malaysia

Science and maths to be taught in mother tongue.....Sin Chew Jit Poh

2012年起恢复母语教学 废英化数理政策....Nanyang Siang Pau

(Tried looking for Tamil newspapers online. Couldn't find any.)

It's a great day in Malaysia today.A day that will go down in history as a day of celebration. Celebration of short-sightedness and knee-jerk stupidity. Rejoice fellow-Malaysians.

New Economic Plan

Emm.. 30% tak cukup, I give 50%, enough?
Cannot!! Kite belum ready!!!

When I read Najib's pronouncement yesterday I was a little unsure what he meant. Today, I am totally confused. Why? Najib says something which I didn't quite understand. And today, PAS's Hadi Awang made a statement which is totally stupid even. Okay, okay maybe I am not making myself clear. Okay let's go read what The Malaysian Insider reported.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced yesterday that the government will drop the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity requirement for Malaysian firms seeking public listing, the cornerstone of the New Economic Policy (NEP), but they will now have to offer 50 per cent of the public shareholding spread to Bumiputera investors.

Drop the 30% Bumi equity requirement and then have to give 50% of the public shareholding to Bumi investors. Errrrr.....okay. That's different and is good for us Malaysians issit? Okay.
Then the Hadi fler says....he rejects the government’s plan to drop the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity requirement for Malaysian firms seeking public listing because he believes that the time is not yet right because the Malay community is not strong enough to face economic challenges.
First, Najib's announcement doesnt'make sense to me. The 30% equity requirement would not have benefitted the ordinary Bumi folks like me, right?

Would they have the money or the knowledge to make such investments? No, right? That's why after years of the NEP we're still in the same shit-hole. And so, now give 50% of public shareholding to Bumi investors? Huh??? What's the difference? Isn't that going to have the same effect on our Bumiputra brethren? A BIG nothing???!!!And then the blaardy PAS fler says he rejects the proposed plan because the Malay community is not strong enough to face economic challenges.

So? It's been 50+ years. When are they going to be 'strong enough' with this kind of treatment from the people in government? Then the next part of his statement is quite laughable...“What was proposed before has not been achieved yet. We want equality for all races but at the same time, the Bumiputeras must be given the strength,” he told reporters in parliament today.

As a Malaysian I totally agree. But this strength must be in education, mental empowerment, confidence...not in hand-outs which in the long run benefit nobody. So can Najib or Hadi or somebody please say something intelligent?

1 Malaysia split already ah?

Prime Minister Najib Razak tried again to 'sell' his concept of 1Malaysia which since its launch no Malaysian has understood. What does it mean?

I Dunno. Nothing new in this story except that I spotted this photo in The Malaysian Insider's report on this morning's song and dance sales pitch for 1Malaysia at Dataran Merdeka where the PM and assorted VIP's gathered to make a speech and do an exercise routine.

See? 1Malaysia what. Even the Prime Minister and his First Lady come out and join all of you for some exercise. On a Saturday morning some more you know. If not 1Malaysia where got like this? I am sure it was unintentional but if you look closely at the big 1 behind the all the YB's you will notice a distinct crack.

Prophetic you think? Doomed before it starts? Of course la some people will make some millions first doing all the posters, banners, TV commercials and what not.

Good eh? Malaysia Boleh!!! Actually, not so boleh la. Making a plywood prop like that also cannot do properly. What la!

Our Engrand

I was on my way to my office where the morning discussion of mix.fm caught my attention. The discussion was about the important of english.

Alright, let's try and talk about this in a constructive way. No racist remarks, no disloyal comments, totally objective. Can? Alright..

Bahasa Malaysia is OUR national language. We are all proud of it. We are, or should and must be, proficient in it. It is our unifying bond as a nation.

Bahasa Malaysia is NOT an international language. We NEED to be fluent in an international language if we are to really become participating citizens of this Global Village.

English is an international language. Malaysians must be fluent in English to compete globally.

It is NOT true that Malaysians are fluent in English.

It is NOT true that learning English will corrode our sovereignty, our loyalty, our Malaysian-ness our unity as a nation, our loyalty as Malaysians.

It is so NOT true that Malaysian children can become fluent in English if fed on a 45-minute per week diet of English lessons in schools.

Okay, I hope that I have established the parameters of this playing field.

Finally

"Them" and "Us"He started it? He ends it?

I am a happy Malaysian today!!!

After 52 years of independence a Prime Minister of Malaysia finally gets it right! For decades Malaysians have lived with, accepted and embraced each other's differences. And gotten on with it. "It" being the gotong-royong way of building and developing the country we love. And doing it for ALL Malaysians.

Then the politicians began to highlight our differences and startied calling on Malaysians to "TOLERATE" each other. When before it was understand and accept it suddenly became tolerate. Even without my Engrand being very good I know that to tolerate implied superiority of one over another. And of course that ripened into the 'them and us' attitude which festered into the 'we are masters and you are the tolerated immigrants' and other superiority complexes.
But now a Malaysian Prime Minister has announced that it is "......Time for all races to embrace, and not just tolerate, each other".

And I am a happy Malaysian today. Now to try and understand fully what he really means by his 1 Malaysia concept. If I can't, I'll pretend...

Everything is falling down, falling down, falling down..

Somebody's going to face some music for this la.

Yes, and we are all eager to know who it is going to be.

The roof of the RM300million Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Terengganu collapsed yesterday. Fortunately, nobody was killed or injured. Thank God for that. The stadium was barely a year old."Contractor to face music if negligence involved, says DPM"Wah! DPM upset you know. Contractor to face music man! How about that?Hello, this is not a clogged drain but the whole roof of a stadium collapsing.

And some more the state of our ruling Yang Dipertuan Agung. And somebody is going to face the music. I think a little stronger language is needed here. I am hoping that the DPM didn't actually say that but that it was just some sub-editor's dry sense of humour.And then the Menteri Besar of Terengganu was quoted as saying, "We are eager to know the cause of such massive destruction".

Eager to know? What's this results of Akademi Fantasia ah? Eager to know? What does that tell us? WE ARE DAMNED ANGRY! WE WANT ANSWERS! WE WILL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS! HEADS WILL ROLL! Any one of those also can use isn't it? Eager to know wor. What la!But actually quite laughable la the way things happen here hor?

So Funny

Come, come, we all fren-fren now. What is past is past lor.. Hehe

The ironic hypocrisies of politics sometimes defies logic. Don't you think so. Recently, that old Communist Party of Malaya fler Chin Peng has been a lot in the news. He wants to come back to his home country. Just to die la cos the baarger damn old already, right? Wah! When he said that, all SHIT hit all the fans la. A whole bunch of people jumped on the bandwagon and shouted CANNOT! How can anyone be so insensitive to all the people who've suffered as a result of the communist's terrorist activities? It will open old wounds. It will definitely make 'us' unhappy. CANNOT! And the government echoed CANNOT!

It is the PEOPLE's wish and we must listen to the people.Let bygones be bygones la said some other groups of Malaysians. After all other former members of the MCP were allowed to come back to live out their winter years in the motherland. So why can't the Chin Peng fler be accorded the same treatment?

And then the media make a big deal about the PM's visit to China. Damn big milestone event la. Following in his fathers footsteps la. Will be damn good for the country la. Etc. etc. etc. But like some people pointed out, China was behind the MCP all those years of the Emergency what. They presumably supplied some of the bombs and guns and strategies and ideologies that caused such misery and tragedies to those Malayans who are against allowing Chin Peng back to die. So how come our prime minister makes a much-publicised visit to China to woo these old enemies to come to our shores?

I mean, I am not against one or the other. But what's with this hypocrisy la.And oh I just read from my friend, Mob's Crib (the blog) that some minister wants to prosecute blogs that 'promote' Communism. Well, I guess I'm on that list now. At least for investigation.

Politician's craps

It's been irritating me for quite a long time now. So today I thought I'd rant about it here and see how many of your out there feel the same way.Have you noticed how our Malaysian politicians LUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRVVVVVEEE to THREATEN?

All the baargers do it. Bariasan Nasional baargers. Umno Baargers. MCA Baargers. MIC Baargers. PKR Baargers. DAP Baargers. Independent Baargers. They all, at one time or other when it suits their immediate purposes, threaten. Either threaten us or threaten their opponents.Threaten us - If you don't do as we tell you... May 13!!!

Threaten the opponents - If you don't do as we say...I will print the list, release the video, call the witness, show the signed affidavit/stautory declaration etc. And of course the most famous threat, until recently, We will take over the Federal Government by (date)!Baargers all like small kids la. No wait. That's insulting the kids.The latest threats appear to be coming from this woman who is contesting the Penanti By-elections. She says she has evidence of wrong-doings by the PKR flers who were her old colleagues. Yes! I got proof. I got video (or is it audio) recording of the proceedings.

Actually, I've had this proof long time already.Oh yes ah? Then expose the wrong-doers and bring them to book la. Waffor all this threats. For what?I don't know about you la. But my upbringing tells me that if there is a crime committed or a wrong perpetrated against the public it is my DUTY to expose the wrong-doers and bring them to book. I don't use my knowledge of the criminal acts to threaten the 'culprits' for my own purposes.

Right? Or have things really changed so much in this country?

Dayaks United

This morning while reading Borneo Post online, I found one colum written by James Ling, Dayaks must sink their differences: Masing, caught my eyes.

“Dayaks must not differentiate between Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, etc. We must sink our differences and focus on the similarities and common interests. We are all united Dayaks,” said Masing. He said Dayak unity was vital in all spheres, particularly politics among Dayak leaders.

Yes, of course, we are united dayaks, but the truth is that, the real dayaks united has burried alive ever since the PBDS rip.

I highlighted the part of particularly politics among Dayak leaders, because the root of these problem were came from them. To change the dayaks, the dayak leaders themselves should take a first steps to change and concentrate on the similarities and common interests of us all, the Dayaks.

The funny part is that the person who once, have brought the matter of dayak unity into destruction now talk about dayak unity? *Sign***

Nothing personal, just a view from my little window.
I respect Datuk Seri Dr James Masing as a strong political leader who stands for the dayaks, the thing is that, when the strong is much too much, its tend to destroy the will. Political is a manipulating games, the love of power plus manipulated is equal to destruction. That's what happened to PBDS.

Think twice, look back times, dayaks used to be very very united under the well known famous sarawak based party PBDS (Parti Bersatu Dayak Sarawak). Used to be..

After the government initiatives to fix the broken party by made a greatest decision of to ban the party at last, dayaks later splits into various groups, the fight of thought begun to take place, the differents of political perspectives and view fill the air. Today, dayaks has no original party which purposely stand for them. Pity dayaks, but some people are happy!

Where is the almighthy PBDS? Its gone. Why? Because of Masing and Daniel? Nope, and yes, they does contributed some, we, dayaks also contributed some, but half of the contribution is came from outsiders.

You know what I mean. Well, if you don't, pretend...

School of Thought

The Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua campaign initiated and supported by several bloggers is too radical.

You shouldn’t abolish vernacular schools, because Malaysians should have the right (if they don’t already) to educate their children in their mother tongue.

Having said that, I strongly believe that government-funded, government-run schools should only provide secular education, with the national language as the medium of instruction.

As far as I’m concerned, religious instruction and education is the responsiblity of parents, not the government.

Religious schools should be privately-run and privately-funded. Same with vernacular schools.

We have a national language so national schools should use it as the medium of instruction. This is not only logical, it is reasonable as well.

National schools are ultimately funded by Malaysian taxpayers. It is only fair that these schools use the language that is common to all Malaysians, the national language.

However, the Constitution of Malaysia provides for all those things that I have suggested be limited; it allows the government to establish and fund religious and vernacular schools.

I TOOK a look at the Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua petition.

By and large, the petition squarely blames vernacular schools for inculcating individuals with thinking that is disruptive to inter-ethnic harmony and unity.

I cannot agree with that.

There are also such individuals among those who did not go to vernacular schools.

If these people went to school at all, it would have been to schools where the national language was the medium of instruction.

It is not the medium of instruction at schools that should be faulted but the fact that too many of our children do not learn, play, and eat together. Not anymore.

Such a pity, as our children will reap what we sow.

Too Lan to hear la

This morning while driving to work I heard this piece of 'news' on the radio. The deejay was making an announcement calling for interested young Malaysians to attend an audition session that was going to be held by Universal Studios (the theme park) Singapore. It seems that Universal Studios, the theme park, is going to open in Singapore and they were looking for people to join their workforce. What made me feel 'too lan' and I must admit a little envious of our neighbour is this.

Our YB's have spent millions of our Ringgits on study trips to theme parks all over the world. Disneyland and Universal Studios included I'm sure. My God, we don't even have one here in Sarawak. And where is the Marina Underwater World of miri? So, after all that the Singaporeans are going to build Universal Studios on their Sentosa Island Resort. And we Malaysians are being offered jobs there.

You say la. Too lan or not?

Damn terror Engrand we all!

"Ah macam ni la. First we twist their heads open.... then wash their brains....then..."


I was glancing through the soggy fish-wrap this morning and something in it caught my eye.

"Oman looks to Malaysia for English teaching plan"

Now, wouldn't that make you do a double take too? Apparently, Malaysia's Teaching of Maths and Science in English (PPSMI) has earned rave reviews in the Gulf States and a 12-man delegation from Oman is in town to see how we do it.

Well, hopefully there aren't any delegates there charged with ensuring that Omani writers learn the rules about using ambiguity in journalism. Just look at the headline. What does that make you think? That we damn good at teaching English, right? No. It's the teaching of Maths and Science they're talking about. But I digress. Sorry. So back to the story....

The Oman Education Ministry plans to set up a dual-approach system where English is taught alongside Arabic in classes. Ah so.....so they come and learn from us. Some more, one of the delegates said, "The level of English proficiency among Malaysian students really stands out....". Huh??? Oh wait, she said that after visiting SK Bukit Damansara. Geography does explains a lot doesn't it. The delegates also visited schools in Putrajaya and Cheras but the paper didn't report them saying anything after those visits. Hmmm....

So who says that our standard of Engrand no good? See? Even the Arabs want to come and learn from us what. Maybe it is our way of reverse colonisation. We export our standards to flers like the Omani's and other friendly Arabs. In a few years, they'lll be worse than us. Then we take over!!! Yay!!!

Mat Rempit menace

"Don't worry. When you grow up we give you another title if you don't like Rempit. OK?"

When I read the following article in The Sunday Times I was rather ... what's the word? Bemused? I also don't know la. But I do know that this thing with those young flers on their souped-up little motorcycles has been going on for just a bit too long without resolution. Remembering what's happened in the past I can't help but think that the 'authorities', whoever they might be, have just not been quite resolute about how they intend to deal with it. Not beyond making some polite noises whenever the occasions called for it. Or making half-ass excuses for their inaction and/or ineffectiveness.

Well, they did do something years ago when those motor flers first began to gain celebrity status. The 'authorities' gave them a really cool name. Mat Rempit!!! Then all of a sudden being a hell-raising motorcycle hooligan became quite the thing to aspire to among certain youth. From then on the MR flers have been steadily rising in notoriety and getting themselves into front page news on a regular basis. Most recently they hit the headlines when it was reported that it was one of them who caused the death of an expectant mother after a botched snatch-theft attempt.

The usual hue-and-cry hit the headlines. Again. The police, as usual, threw up their hands in resigned desperation. And in the process re-named these motorcycle mavericks. Road Thugs!!! Samseng Jalanan!!!

Mat Rempit. Samseng Jalanan. Road Thugs. Doesn't really matter what we call them. Fact of the matter is, there seems to be nothing anyone can do about this menace. Why? Well, maybe this statement by the new Youth & Sports Minister will shed some light. I am not going to comment on his statement at all. You read it and then draw your own conclusions as to why Malaysia can't solve a problem such as this. Enjoy!

But don't get too angry okay? And try not to foam at the mouth like the YB tends to do.The "road thugs" (samseng jalanan) label given to Mat Rempit, youths with a penchant for street racing is a bit too much, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.He said only a handful of Mat Rempit were involved in crime while the majority were just ordinary youths looking for some fun."This explosion of culture happens in many countries like that shown in movies like Tokyo Drift and The Fast and The Furious," he said after presenting prizes to "Golf Amal 2009" participants at Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak here yesterday.Shabery said the scenario was similar to that during the 1980s when the community was against the craze for Scrambler motorcycles and Breakdance.

Despite disagreeing with the label, the minister said Mat Rempit groups were looking for trouble racing in the streets rather than at the tracks."Mat Rempit are not interested in real racing. They can always join racing clubs if they want to. The closure of Batu Tiga track and the distance of Sepang track is not an excuse. Building more race tracks is not the solution. They just want to show off to other road users."Shabery urged the authorities to tackle the Mat Rempit problem at the source, particularly the role of parents as most of the motorcycles used were owned by family members. -- Bernama

What a nice Youth minister! And of course he ends by blaming the parents lor. Eh? Sorry, I said I wouldn't comment. Maaf ye?