Archive for September, 2008

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Tamil School Teachers Union ask more places

September 29th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I read with surprise the statement from MALAYA National Tamil School Teachers Union President P. Tharmalinggam which said that union is unhappy that only 100 temporary teachers out of 1,067 have been given the opportunity to pursue the teacher’s training course during the holidays.

Maybe he did not realise that 100 out 1067 is 9.37%, which is more than the Indian community population percentage. So, if going by race-based quota, how can he ask for more places? From where did the union get the courage? Not HINDRAF, I guess. Must be the MIC rebranding. 🙂

The rest of his statement:

He said there are more than 900 vacancies in Tamil schools and more temporary teachers were needed to overcome the shortage. He said more Tamil school teachers were needed every year as enrolment was increasing .

The union has been forwarding memoranda requesting the Edu­cation Ministry to increase its intake of temporary Tamil schoolteachers for the training during the holiday courses.

He said the standard of education in Tamil schools could be improved with the deployment of trained teachers.

“Most temporary teachers have been working for more than five years and they have the necessary experience, dedication and commitment to give quality education to the school children,” he said.

The report should highlight how many places are available in the first place before proceeding to the enrollment. Maybe the places are limited and there also requests from Chinese schools, religious schools, and national schools.

Actually, my cousin got a place and had finished her studies earlier this year. She’s waiting to be transferred to accompany her husband in another state.

Comments Off on Tamil School Teachers Union ask more places »

Posted in Indian, Tamil-Schools

Tags:

Xavier and Zuraida on Ampang temple demolition

September 26th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Malaysiakini reports more details from the PR-led state government and a PR MP emerges. Earlier Ronnie Liu gave his points, and now we have Xavier (state EXCO) and Zuraida (MP for Ampang).

According to Xavier, the MPAJ ordered the demolition without the knowledge or directive of the state government. Secondly, the temple is not registered with the state council. He also tries to argue that it is not a temple but a shrine!!!! The size is immaterial. The issue is giving due respect. Don’t tell me can demolish a surau but not a mosque.

“We have a format prepared for temples in Selangor to register with the state but this temple was not on the list of registered temples. And it is not a temple, it is a shrine which it is located on a forest reserve,” he said.

Xavier also denied the accusation by MIC on PR breaking its promise. Instead he said MIC was trying to politicise the issue. (Well, what you expect a political party to do? Crazy fellow!). He says the focus is now to find a way to restore the temple. (OBVIOUSLY!).

“Pointing fingers at another is not going to solve the problem,” he said. “It was actually demolished in 2002 but the temple committee had it rebuilt when the opposition came into power March this year. But they failed to register it.”

So, giving failure to register as an excuse?

Ampang MP, Zuraida Kamaruddin adds more confusion by saying that its was probably a result of misunderstanding between the municipal authorities and the temple committee. How many times have we heard this kind of reasons? Why not just get rid of people who always misunderstand?

The incident happened following a misunderstanding between MPAJ and the temple management on renovation works and documentations relating to management procedures,” said Zuraida in a statement today.

According to Zuraida, some MPAJ councillors had already met with the council’s vice-chief to resolve the matter. Some documents have already been prepared and were under consideration, she added.

She also pointed out that (temple chairman) Murugiah had previously complained the temple’s problems had not been resolved by the previous Barisan Nasional state government even after 19 years.

Finally, Zuraida blasted the MIC for trying to take advantage of the current situation, accusing it of trying to create backlash for the Pakatan Rakyat government.“The component BN party is taking this opportunity to try and restore its organisation and their reports were made to attract attention,” she said.

But Malaysiakini noted that the MP never did explain how and why the temple was demolished. So, she beat around the bush, but could not answer the question.

Meanwhile, the temple’s chairman S Murugiah has demanded to know who was responsible for tearing down the temple. The 37-year old told Malaysiakini that he suspected someone had reported on the shrine and this had led to its demolition.

I also don’t understand the chairman’s comments. If its just documentation or registration problem, surely the MPAJ would have sent letter or warning first. Not straightaway demolish.

So, this is a peculiar case. Who authorised the demolition. Let’s wait for MPAJ boss to answer.

5 comments »

Posted in Indian, Religion

Tags:

Murugiah’s PCB is above all ministries

September 26th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Deputy Minister Murugiah who was criticised by Home Minister Syed Hamid over the Teresa Kok food in lockup incident, replied back saying that he was only doing his job (attending to the people’s complaints and solving problems) when he made his statements. He even cleared it with his boss, Bernard Dompok.

“His statement asking me not to interfere in other people’s affairs is simply asking me and the 270 staff in the Public Complaints Bureau to close shop,”

“Between January and August the bureau received about 180 complaints on each ministry. How can I do my job if I can’t interfere in another ministry? The Public Complaints Bureau is above all ministries when it comes to handling complaints.”

From NST:

“As a junior (deputy) minister and head of the Complaints Bureau, I am receptive to criticism, but investigating complaints, even from the opposition, is one of my responsibilities.”

He said the government could not afford to practise double standards and that Kok’s allegations of being served food that she compared to dog food, had tarnished the image of the country.

“It was not an arbitrary decision on my part, although I did initiate the move.”

“Syed Hamid’s criticisms are not justified because probing public complaints is my job and my obligations are to the public while being accountable to the prime minister.”

Murugiah said Syed Hamid should talk to him directly instead of making comments publicly.

“I’m trying to do something good for the general public, treating everyone fairly regardless of whether they are from the Government, the Opposition or members of the public,” he said.
“As a junior minister, I will always accept with an open heart guidance from (Syed Hamid), and if he would like to show me the best way to do my job.”

So, will Syed Hamid show the way? His ministry is already under attack from nearly everyone over the misuse of ISA. Now, another headache for him.

Comments Off on Murugiah’s PCB is above all ministries »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Sultan to help Ragu

September 26th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Yesterday, we read how Ragu was asked to get a support letter from Sultan of Perak to get his MyKad. Today, the Sultan summoned ExCO Sivanesan, State NRD Director and State Welfare Director to meet him at 2.30pm.

“I was informed by the ruler’s office that he wanted the government officers to brief him on Ragu’s case. He is showing concern over the lives and living conditions of his subjects,” Sivanesan said here yesterday.

Home Minister Syed Hamid said that a temporary (green MyKad) identification document will be issued “immediately” with the state NRD until the Home Ministry considers Ragu’s application for permanent MyKad.

According to Syed Hamid, the green card was stopped in 2004, but now there are plans to reissue them for thousands of Malaysian who suffer without proper identity cards.

Obviously, there will be an investigation, according to him to identify who gave wrong information to Ragu.

“He should not have been asked to go to the palace to obtain the letter. We do not involve the Rulers in this situation. That is not the way we (the NRD) operate.”

He said the ministry would attend to Ragu’s problem immediately, adding that it could have been avoided if the parties concerned had carried out their duties diligently.

Comments Off on Sultan to help Ragu »

Posted in Indian

Tags:

demolishment of temple in Ampang

September 26th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


According to Waytha, this was one of the temples that sparked HINDRAF into action. This particular Kaliamman temple in Kampung Tasik, Jalan Baru in Ampang was tried to be demolished a few times, and on 9th Sptember 2008 (two weeks ago), MPAJ officials demolished most of the temple. After that, I remember reading Selangor EXCO (can’t remember who) saying that the state government viewed this seriously and action will be taken against the officers because never consult with the councillors/committee/EXCO first.

Then, we have the following action from MIC:

Samy Vellu condemns the demolishment and took a swipe at the state goverment because it failed to uphold its promise not to demolish any temples. He said the state should have ordered the local council not to demolish it.

Well, I think the local council did not heed the state government ruling. So, we expect to see some heads to roll. Pakatan leaders must talk their words and get rid of such troublemakers in the local council. Having said that, let’s count how many officials were reprimanded or disciplined while MIC was in power via BN prior to this. Anyone with any figures?

Obviously its careless and an injustice to remove demolish the temple without relocating it first. so, stiff punishment is expected.

A very “fast” action from MIC is that after reading in the papers about the demolishment which happened two weeks ago, its Selangor Youth Chief went to make a police report. They are able to take action after two weeks, which is relatively fast, though not as fast as the old opposition. Looks like the opposition party MIC must be a bit more faster in the future and get news from the grassroots immediately.

While Samy is blaming the state goverment over the actions of the local council, I think this shows the lack of authority and cooperation between this two entities. Local councils come under the Housing and Local Government Ministry. If a new state government faces such disobedience from local council, just imagine what respect MIC got in the last decade from these councils. I guess DBKL, MPAJ etc. don’t even give face to MIC leaders, that’s why we had many cases of temple demolishment. So, we can say that MIC is powerless to stop this problem and its not their fault? And now when the new party takes over, same problem. So who is to blame? the local council, the state government or the federal government?

I remember the Selangor state government saying that no more places of worships will be demolished, and establishment of some committees (just like BN style). the EXCO in charge of local government, Ronnie Liu says:

Ronnie Liu, who is chairman of the state’s local government, study and research committee, said the state had issued a directive to all local councils to halt action against places of worship when it came into power but the officers defied the order.

He said that in taking the action last month the officers also bypassed the committee on non-Muslim affairs headed by state executive councillors Teresa Kok, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and himself.

“I contacted the council president a day after the incident and asked him to investigate the matter and identify those involved,” he said.

“I was told that he has submitted a preliminary report to my office but I have not read it since I am away in China now so it would be unfair for me to comment further.”

Liu had said a day after the incident that he was upset with the council officers’ actions and threatened that they would face stiff action.

A day after the incident. Not two weeks.

6 comments »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Indian, Religion

Tags: