poobalan.com

Earlier, I wrote that Star and NST gave conflicting reports on the breakdown of the 151 fast track students. Looks like someone read my blog and checked on it (yeah…wishful thinking!). Looks like Star reported wrongly this time. PSD clarifies below that 117 normal Malaysians and 34 privileged Malaysian were those who qualified. This is going to anger MMMM and ABIM even more!

PUTRAJAYA: The Public Service Department (PSD) has provided “fast lane assistance” to 117 non-bumiputra Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia top achievers from low-income families, applying for scholarship to study abroad.

Public Service director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said a total of 151 students were eligible to have their applications put on the fast lane and the remaining 34 were bumiputra students.

He said the assistance was extended to the students who scored 10 A1s and who came from low-income families, earning below RM1,500 a month.

“We accepted it as that and did not try to adjust anything,” he said, clarifying an earlier report, which said more bumiputra applicants were given “fast lane assistance” compared to the non-bumiputra.

Ismail pointed out the figure was actually the opposite, adding that while scholarships for these students were “almost assured of, they still had to attend interviews.”

source

Popularity: 1% [?]

Actually, I didn’t want to dignify the MMMM and ABIM’s statements regarding PSD’s ratio with a reply. But I thought of highlighting some issues/mistakes/points in their arguement:

1. There’s not mention of 90% and 10% breakdown in Article 153 (3). It just says:

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may, in order to ensure in accordance with Clause (2) the reservation to Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak of positions in the public service and of scholarships, exhibitions and other educational or training privileges or special facilities, give such general directions as may be required for that purpose to any Commission to which Part X applies or to any authority charged with responsibility for the grant of such scholarships, exhibitions or other educational or training privileges or special facilities; and the Commission or authority shall duly comply with the directions.

Clause(2) mentioned above is as below:

Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, but subject to the provisions of Article 40 and of this Article, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall exercise his functions under this Constitution and federal law in such manner as may be necessary to safeguard the special provision of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and to ensure the reservation for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak of such proportion as he may deem reasonable of positions in the public service (other than the public service of a State) and of scholarships, exhibitions and other similar educational or training privileges or special facilities given or accorded by the Federal Government and, when any permit or licence for the operation of any trade or business is required by federal law, then, subject to the provisions of that law and this Article, of such permits and licences.

Since the above Clause(2) refers to Article 40, here it is:

In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law and of the Second Schedule, by him or by the Cabinet or any Minister authorised by the Cabinet, but Parliament made by law confer executive function on other persons.

This means that the Agong can decide on such porpotion that he may deem reasonable to ensure reservation for Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Maybe His Highness in his wisdom realises the 90/10 quota being used all this while is utter nonsense and outdated.  So, questioning the ratio is akin to questioning the King? Can it be called seditious? Maybe treason? Now, how many reports were made against Karpal? Perhaps we can set another record, this time against ABIM and MMMM?

2. Article 152 covers issue of language. So I think the newspaper miswrote the number.

3. The NGOs use population as a criteria to establish ratio. Fine, I guess. But what if some of the recipients in 65% group scored lower than those who did not get selected under the 45% group? Wouldn’t that be against the sense of natural justice, fair play and even any version of Islam? Isn’t it plain simple and clear that the solution is to choose the best 2000 students based on results, income, extra-curricular activities, and interview results? Continue Reading »

Popularity: 1% [?]

Jom…let’s join MIC and collect our privilege cards! Can get discounts, special offers and whatnots.

Samy also makes a joke:

 Samy Vellu said the card would contain the MIC’s logo that will also serve as an attraction for more new members to join the party

Never knew that the logo is a reason to join the party. Well, I guess anything goes I just hope people to burn the cards in public later

MALACCA: A privilege card will be issued to the 630,000 MIC members as part of the party’s rebranding exercise in creating a corporate image apart from rewarding them, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.  He said the card, called the “Dhana” or Wealth Cards in Sanskrit, would allow each member to enjoy at least 20 benefits and privileges. They include special healthcare programmes, mobile phone offers and discounts on newspaper advertisements, motorcycles, automobile, entertainment and retail outlets as well as travel.

Speaking at the opening of the 62nd Malacca MIC delegates conference here, Samy Vellu said MIC would be the first political party to offer a discount and privilege card to its members when it is implemented.

“The MIC’s 630,000 members are a powerful economic force and it’s time to bargain economic privileges for party members,” he said, adding that its value and features must appeal to members especially to the youth segment. He said the card was also to show the party’s appreciation to members for their loyalty and sacrifices.

Samy Vellu said he has also asked the party headquarters to compile the members’ photographs and vital information to enable the cards to be issued.  “I hope members will cooperate with the MIC headquarters by submitting their photographs,” he said, adding that it would take some time before all the members were issued with their card.

He said the party would also hold discussions with other big shopping stores or malls, petrol stations, travel agencies, airlines, hotels, car rental companies and other related companies to provide ‘Dhana’ cardholders with discounts and other privileges.  “It is actually to the advantage of these companies as they will have 630,000 loyal clients who will make purchases at their stores or companies,” he said.

Samy Vellu said the card would contain the MIC’s logo that will also serve as an attraction for more new members to join the party, he said.

source

Popularity: 1% [?]