Archive for June, 2010

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Another call for regulation of places of worship

June 20th, 2010
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Previously, many quarters have called for a department to be established by the government to handle non-Muslim affairs. But nothing really materialised, instead issues related to other religion were pushed to department handling national unity or passed to Minister like Koh Tsu Koon who is in charge of unity.

Recently, the Gurdwara Council provided their support as well, especially in relation to places of worship. This is because issues related to place of worship (registered ones) are handled by ROS. That too only covers administrative and management issues, not the religious aspects.

I think its been long overdue. There should be a department handling land issues, funding, religious official training, permits for foreign priest etc. This will ensure funds are not misused by being handed out via political parties for self-serving purposes. It will also ensure uniformity in helping places of worship to get registered, and managed well.

The Government should consider setting up a body to regulate places of worship for non-Muslims, the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council said.

Its vice-president Jagir Singh said there should be a body for non-Muslims like the Malaysian Islamic Development Department for the Muslims.

“This would be the best way forward. Having a regulatory body setting guidelines for non-Muslim places of worship would be good,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“This will provide an avenue for non-Muslims to go to if there was any dispute, instead of going to the Registrar of Societies (ROS),” he said.

When Sikhs have disputes in gurdwaras, the council would step in to look for an amicable solution, said Jagir.

“The complaints received by the council are mostly related to election procedures but not involving funds,” he said.

There are 118 gurdwaras in Malaysia with 82 affiliated to the council but all would heed its directives on religious matters, he said.

Jagir said the ROS was not a proper body with which places of worship should be registered.

“I am aware that many churches, Hindu temples and gurdwaras have registered with the ROS because of the difficulty in opening bank accounts,” he said.

Jagir, who is also the chairman of the legal panel of the council, said the Federal Constitution was clear that places of worship need not register.

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Mother’s Urgent Appeal for university fees for student Karthik

June 18th, 2010
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Please support wherever possible and spread the word around.

PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN ANNAI ILLAM SELANGOR DAN KUALA LUMPUR

(ANNAI ILLAM WELFARE SOCIETY,SELANGOR AND KUALA LUMPUR)

No 45 B, Jalan L/P 2, Taman Lakshamana Permai ,68100,
Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
(S. Chandrasekaran PJK ) 016 -2011 376 (hp) scm@sdc.com.my
(PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN ANNAI ILLAM SELANGOR DAN KUALA LUMPUR is a non-profit, charitable organization and is registered with the Malaysia Registrar of Societies (ROS) . situated in Taman Lakshamana Permai , Batu Caves )

Mr. Poobalan,,
Most Respected well-wishers and supporters,
Greetings!

Dear Datuk.
15th June 2010

Re: Mother’s Urgent Appeal for Support of University fees for Annai Illam- student-Karthik

1. First and foremost my very sincere thanks to you for your kind concern for the needy children and their parents in our Home.
2. Annai Illam (MOTHER’S HOME ) is committed to providing shelter and supporting learning activities , financial & educational support for the underprivileged and needy children & Mothers .
3. Student Karthik is known to me and Annai Illam and has been an outstanding and deserving child.
4. He has shown his interest in pursuing his ambition to become a Doctor since his early days.
5. He and his mother have on many occasions reached out with funds, medical assistance ,food, school uniforms and physical help for the needy children in our home for the past 15 years.
6. However, due to circumstances beyond her control ,Karthik’s mother has appealed for support for her son’s University Entry fees. The dateline is due soon.
· We wish to appeal to all our friends to sponsor /provide a grant /pledge support for Karthik.
· We are reaching out to 300 friends of Annai Illam who can pledge an amount of Rm300.00 each before the 21st of June 2010.
· Fortunately , A number of friends have pledged their support.
· Please go ahead If you wish to make a bigger pledge .
· Kindly contact me at 016-2011376 or E- mail scm@sdc.com.my
· Details of our Home is as follows:-Persatuan Kebajikan Annai Illam, Selangor & Kuala Lumpur.(Reg No. 0744-07-SEL)45B Jalan L/P 2, Taman Laksamana Permai,Off Jalan Sg. Tua, 68100 Batu Caves.Banker: CIMB Bank, A/c No. 1248-000-8203-05-7

We humbly appeal to you , Sir, to kindly support Karthik .

Thank you very much and GOD BLESS YOU

With all the good wishes and in a union of prayers.

Best Regards,

S. Chandrasekaran PJK
President,
Persatuan Kebajikan Annai Illam, Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
016-2011376

‘’Hello Sir,
I am Santhi Vellasamy, Karthik’s mother. I am sure that Sir, you know my eldest son Karthik. He was with you since small in Annai Illam programmes. He is a well-behaved, disciplined, and an intelligent student. He just finished his Form 6 and also Foundation in Science which he did well. Due to his excellence, he is offered a place in University Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia to pursue his tertiary studies in medicine. To be a doctor, is Karthik’s passion since he was a small kid. He always wanted to wear the white coat and also carry the stethoscope around. Now, when he is offered a place, which not many students can qualify, we are facing some difficulties in arranging the money.
We need to come up with a total of RM 80, 000 for the first payment within a short period of time. With my husband’s unfixed income, it is a bit difficult. My husband was retrenched quite some time back. Now, he is just doing a small business together with his elder brothers. The income there is not so much and it must be shared among his brothers too. Finally his share is just a small amount. I am working as a kindergarten teacher and my salary is not much too. I only get around RM 500 monthly. This is just enough for the household expenses and for my other two boys.
We tried to apply for Bank loans, but there are a lot of criteria needed, that we couldn’t fulfill. Therefore, getting a loan is also hard for us now. I cannot also depend on my other family members for money as everyone is also having their own problems and financial difficulties. I don’t want history to repeat again. As he is the only one with the passion and the intelligence to become a doctor.
I don’t want to destroy my son’s dream and his only ambition, to become a doctor just because we cannot afford to come up with the money. He has stood up high all this while, saying to everyone that he is a future doctor and I don’t wish to disappoint him. I know Sir, that there are many kind hearts out there that can understand our situation and offer us some help. I am really hoping and praying that all the kind hearts out there will be helping my son to achieve his dreams. Thanking you all in advance for all your kind help and assistance in making my son to be a successful doctor soon.
Thank you very much.

SANTHI VELLASAMY
016-6170086”

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HRP memo to abolish STPM

June 17th, 2010
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HRP handed over a memo to a representative of PM Najib at the parliament yesterday to call for the abolishment of STPM in favor of single program (matriculation) for all.

Abolishing a tougher program for the lesser one doesn’t seem to be a wise move, but maybe HRP is just trying to create some heat to force reaction from the authorities.

Its only fair that a single point of entry is provided, or if there’s multiple entry points, then every rakyat is given equal and fair opportunity to make use of the entry point. Any attempts to defend or justify otherwise is just excuse to practice discrimination.

So, for me, make only one way to enter IPTA – STPM (UEC also should not be used to enter IPTA). Other routes must be removed. OR, open matriculation to all and close down STPM. Not enough places, well, convert all STPM classes into matriculation classes, just need to retrain teachers and change the syllabus.

They also handed over a list of 48 names of students who did not get any offers:

NO NAME IC ADDRESS RESULT
1 Deborah Anne a/p John Philip 920608-14-5120 SMK Covent Bukit Nanas 13 As
2 Mohana Priya a/p Kasanathan 920122-14-5390 SMK Ibrahim 13 As
3 Shobanaa Rubini a/p Ganesarao 920305-08-6522 SMK Perempuan Methodist, Ipoh 12 As
4 Elwinder Singh a/l Jasvir Singh 920121-14-6017 SMK Sri Dasmesh KL 12 As
4 Sasvin a/l Manimaran 920816-10-5717 SMK Taman Sea 11 As
5 Sharmalla a/p Subramaniam 921218-05-5124 SMK Senawang Seremban 11 As
6 Gomalah a/p Ganeswaran 920728-05-5082 SMK Tuanku Jaafar Seremban 11 As
7 Sangitha a/p Elango 921218-05-5474 SMK King George V Seremban 11 As
8 Thenmoli Hanbrasi a/p Jothy 920520-08-5180 SMK Tawar 11 As
9 Deepashini a/p Rajindran 921106-08-5580 SMK Methodist (ACS), Sitiawan 11 As
10 Arvind a/l Rajan 920605-14-5045 SMK Kepong 11 As
11 Santhini a/p Ramani 921012-10-6096 SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 11 As
12 Shivanashini a/p Mathiyalagan 920428-02-5914 SMK Covent Father Barre 11 As
13 Prabagaran a/l Kanapathy 920829-08-5539 SMK Anderson Ipoh 10 As
14 Santhira a/p Vijaya Kumar 920814-14-5156 SMK Tengku Ampuan Rahimah 10 As
15 Divya Mala a/p Shanmugam 921118-10-5358 SMK Tawau 10 As
16 Serena Susan a/p Peter Manickom 920528-01-5078 SMK Iskandar Shah 10 As
17 Eiswaran a/l Ramasamy 920125-05-5227 SMK King Gedage V Seremban 10 As
18 Komathi a/p Muniandy 920719-02-5094 SMK Kulim 10 As
19 Pavithiraen a/l Segeranazan 921225-08-5903 SMK Dato’ Haji Hussein 10 As
20 Jayasri Nair a/p Janardanan 921219-07-5338 SMK Bedong 10 As
21 Ravind a/l Amaresan 920928-14-5867 SMK Ibrahim 10 As
22 Prabagaran a/l Kanapathy 920829-08-5539 SMK Anderson, Ipoh 10 As
23 Mogan a/l Mahadevan 921022-07-5641 SMK Datuk Haji Abd Kadir P.Png 10 As
24 Yuana Rooja a/p Murugah 921002-02-6092 SMK Ibrahim 10 As
25 Moganpriya a/p Thillamuthu 920924-02-5868 SMK Covent Fat

.+her Barre

 10 As
26 Thulasi a/p Palakrisnan 920310-08-6412 SMK Sains Raja Tun Azlan, Taiping 9 As
27 Uneshddarann a/l Nagandran 921125-01-5123 SMK Buloh Kasap 9 As
28 Nageeshvari a/p Tachinamurti 920129-14-6142 SMK Damansara Damai 1 9 As
29 Kesevaan a/l Morgan 920717-14-5947 SMK Raja Abdullah KL 9 As
30 Ghaithrie a/p Subramaniam 920312-01-5140 SMK Tinggi Kluang 9 As
31 Pavitra a/p Sehalinggam 920926-07-5658 SMK Convent Pulau Tikus Pinang 9 As
32 Priyatharisan a/l Balaraman 920609-05-5153 SMK Bukit Mewah Seremban 9 As
33 Yogeswary a/p Gunasegaran 920808-14-5416 SMK Convent Jalan Peel KL 9 As
34 Nandarcobini a/p Rajendran 920917-01-5662 SMK Dato Penggama Timur 9 As
35 Tarashini a/p Suthesan 920228-14-6682 SMK Convent Kajang 9 As
36 Lingeswaran a/p Ratnam 921110-01-6027 SMK Dato’ Penggama Timur 9 As
37 Rupini a/p Manoharan 920418-04-5428 SMK Undang Rembau N. Sembilan 9 As
38 Narmatha Darshini Nanthini Subramaniam 920903-14-5238 SMK (P) Sri Aman 9 As
39 Pavitra Sri a/p Ramaya 920202-02-5866 SMK Taman Ria Jaya 9 As
40 Parthiban a/l Perumal 920520-07-5105 SMK Kulim 9 As
41 Yasheera a/p Vasudevan 920103-14-5950 MAKTAB 8 As
42 Thennarasei a/p Pannir Selvam 920373-07-5018 SMK Tinggi Bkt Mertajam P. Pinang 8 As
43 Saraniah a/p Kalidasan 920624-08-5324 SMK Covent Father Barre 8 As
44 Kogulavarman a/l Asokan 920302-14-5195 SMK (L) Bukit Bintang 7 As
45 Dineshwary a/p Nadthan 920121-10-5370 SMK Subang Jaya 7 As
46 Kalaimalar a/p Perumal 921113-14-5502 SMK Seri Garing 7 As
47 Gadura Kishdra a/l Viswenaden 921103-14-5015 SMK Hillcrest 7 As
48 Navindren a/l Murugasen 920614-14-5135 SMK (L) Bukit Bintang 7 As

So, what do you think?

I doubt 7As can be considered as excellent results due to number of As easily accumulated by students. However it would be a good achievement for students coming from challenging backgrounds. While we can argue that only the best should given scholarship or only deserving ones given place in matriculation, it should be true for all, and not applied selectively. That’s the contention point, not because we are jealous or want to grab other people’s opportunities.

Thought of uploading the photos of the memo submission, but since its at HRP website, view it there:

http://www.hrp-my.org/2010/06/15/photos-memo-to-pm-najib-razak-at-parliament-15610/

http://www.hrp-my.org/2010/06/16/photos-2-memo-to-pm-najib-razak-at-parliament-15610-abolish-stpm/

Here’s a video from Youtube:

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Statistics for IPTA 2010 intake

June 17th, 2010
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Malaysian Insider’s article provides some basic statistics on IPTA intake this year.

28,633 (bumiputra), 9,569 Chinese,  2,304 (Indians & others), 43 (Orang Asli). Firstly, why Indians end up with others? Orang Asli not bumiputra?

The above translates into 70.69%, 23.62%, 5.69% and 0.11% respectively. As usual, we ask for more transparency in terms of more statistics, breakdown of applicants etc. But this goes unanswered year after year. The clamor for more transparency speaks volumes of how much the public trust institutions like IPTA. Sad indeed.

A total of 40,506 of 61,228 applicants have been offered places at public institutions of higher learning for the 2010/2011 academic session.

Department of Higher Education director-general Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said today 49,234 of the 61,228 were eligible but after vetting only 40,506 met the criteria and were offered places.

“Of those offered places, 28,633 were bumiputeras, 9,569 Chinese and 2,304 Indians and others,” he told a news conference here.

Dr Radin Umar said 66 Orang Asli applied and 43 were offered places while 656 disabled people applied and 282 were offered places.

“Orang Asli applicants not eligible for the first degree will be considered for suitable diploma programmes provided they put in a fresh application,” he said.

Dr Radin Umar said 2,088 applicants with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.00 had applied to enter the apex university, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and 404 were offered places.

He also said that 1,550 national and state athletes had applied and 934 were offered places.

Students can check on the status of their applications from noon tomorrow at the http://jpt.uum.edu.my, http://www.jpt.utm.my and http://upu.mohe.gov.my websites or contact the 03-8883 5858 hotline, 03-8883 5848 helpline or send a short message service (SMS) to 15888 by typing UPU RESULT and the identity card number.

The official offer letter to successful applicants will be issued on Saturday while the e-appeal application for unsuccessful applicants will open at noon tomorrow.

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Flying Sikh dumps DAP

June 15th, 2010
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Well, would you believe it! The Sikhs in DAP would be incensed after Malim Nawar (my mother’s hometown actually) assemblyman Keshvinder Singh (a lawyer too) quit from DAP to be independent (i.e. BN friendly and firm supporter of PM Najib, Menteri Besar Zambry, and 1Malaysia). I believe Keshvinder is also the first Indian rep to quit DAP and be independent. Well done!

And for what purpose? For the “kebaikan of the rakyat” of course 🙂

According to him:

He also said he was leaving because he was “very disappointed” with the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat leadership and the “excessive politicking” that got in the way of him carrying out his duties.

“I found it very hard to work with the Pakatan Rakyat people to serve my constituents,” he said, adding that he could not get any allocation for his constituents.

“I now realise that only Barisan can bring progress and prosperity to the people. I hope this decision will help me serve my constituents better,” he said at a press conference at a hotel here Tuesday.

“I will be going to my constituency soon to explain my decision,” he said, adding that he gave his resignation letter to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng earlier Tuesday.

In Malaysiakini, the following is mentioned:

Keshvinder said he chose to defect now instead of February last year – along with Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), Mohd Osman Jailu(Changkat Jering) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) – because he didn’t know how serious the problems were at his constituency then. 

“When I started doing work there (after February 2009) I found that there are severe poverty issues that really need to be solved,” he said.

Keshvinder said he hoped the BN state government will provide financial aid so that he can serve his constituents. 

“The state and national DAP did not assist me in helping the people. I couldn’t do anything for my constituents as an opposition state assemblyperson,” he said, adding that he had been using his own funds thus far.

Good for him, until we find out (or remember) that he was one of the people who claimed there were offers to buy him over last time:

On Feb 5 last year, five Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, including Keshwinder, had claimed they had been approached by agents to cross over to Barisan Nasional.

Keshwinder had said then that he had been offered RM10mil plus the position of the Perak MIC chief and a place on the state executive council.

So, which is which?

If really for “kebaikan rakyat”, why not just resign and force a by-election? We can literally see money falling down from sky (or podium) whenever there’s by-election. The people can get new school, new road, new surau, new temple, new bridges, etc. Maybe the voters in Malim Nawar should think about this. The amount of goodies they could get from by-election should last them till the next general election.

I’m curious too, in case the PR wins GE13 and Perak state, would he realign himself to be PR-friendly (assuming he stands under BN banner then)?

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