Archive for October, 2011

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Kolams and football clubs

October 19th, 2011
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Seems similar to kavadi during Thaipusam bearing logos and insignias of football clubs. Kolams usually consist of geometrical designs (southern India ones) and also more colorful ones (Rangolis from Northern India). The design is can be intricate or simple with either white or variety of colors used. The more colorful designs will have motives like peacock, elephant, oil lamps, flowers, swans, conch, and so on.

However, the attempt to create kolams with football team crests doesn’t really fit into the cultural aspect of the kolam.  I won’t mind anyone creating them, but won’t consider them for the purpose of contests,  or house decoration for festivals/functions.

 

Instead of creative and captivating kolam designs promoting the cultural heritage of Indians, youths here are creating designs of popular English Premier League football teams.

The state MIC is worried about this disturbing development and wants the practice of putting the crest of teams like Liverpool and Manchester United on kolam designs stopped.

Expressing disappointment over this trend, which has surfaced among younger football fans, state MIC chairman Datuk R. Perumal said: “Kolamis an ancient art dating back some 5,000 years and should not be sullied by images that have nothing to do with Indian culture.”

Perumal said many kolam designs depicting the two football clubs were drawn during competitions organised in conjunction with Deepavali. He noted that kolam was not just a decoration.

“It used to be created using coarse rice flour to invite birds and other small animals to come into one’s home and life.

“The kolam depicts the harmonious co-existence between men and animals.

“It is a sign that all are welcome into one’s home and also brings prosperity,” he said.

Using the kolam method to create the crests of soccer clubs deviated from its original design and purpose.

“It used to be a matter of pride to be able to draw large, complicated patterns but we are not going to commend those who draw crests of soccer clubs as they are just copying the designs from pictures,” he added.

Separately, Perumal said the state government had distributed RM200 cash aid to some 500 Hindus in the state on Saturday.

They also received household items so that they could enjoy the celebration.

source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/18/nation/9715212&sec=nation

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Bangi ADUN and councillors oppose cinema plans

October 19th, 2011
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Just like Shah Alam, Bangi is another place I can’t relate with.  Just don’t have the feeling of belonging.

Talking about rights, sure, you want to protect your “easily swayed” followers from the sins of the world. Fine, but why deprive other residents? Why discriminate and force them to travel further to catch a movie? Why not you station your volunteers to stop your followers from patronising cinemas instead of punishing other residents?

Is this example of how minorities can be discriminated or marginalised? They have to incur more cost and waste more time. I shudder to think what will happen if we allow religious-based politicians or leaders to rule. Surely disaster as they only think their religion is the center of the world. We can talk till our voices go hoarse that “our religion is fair and just” but remember that implementers are humans who are definitely no saints. We have our own egos, arrogance, misplaced ideals and interpretation that will easily cause hardship.

And I just wonder how many of Bangi residents have their Internet access and downloading all kinds of movies? Or subscribing to Astro? Or buying pirated DVDs? So, you ban cinemas means all OK?

There are many, many movies that come from eastern countries with “eastern values”. Plenty of good movies from India, Iran, Korea and so on. Even western movies are also entertaining and some have good values. There are movies for children too, like cartoons and animations. So, I wonder what kind of councillors and ADUN are representing Bangi, a place with plenty of educational institutions.

If these people don’t want such entertainment, why don’t the relocate to say, Afghanistan, instead of causing misery to others? Win-win situation.

I hope the next time a proposal for cinemas arrives, those responsible will get opinion from experts before making decision. Don’t just rely on your misplaced and overrated wisdom.

 

PAS has again rejected plans for a cinema in Section 15, Bangi, saying there will be films not in line with Islamic and eastern values.

Bangi residents who want to watch a movie have to travel 18km away to the nearest cinema in Alamanda Putrajaya in Putrajaya or 25km away to the Aeon Cheras Selatan Shopping Centre in Balakong.

Kampung Aman Bangi Federal Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKP) member Law Siong Deng, an avid moviegoer, said he had looked forward to finally having a cinema in Bangi and was disappointed when he found out that it had not been approved.

“I had always hoped for a cinema here so that we do not have to travel far. It can cater to the students of UKM, Mara and other education institutions in the area.

“There was a cinema in Warta but only Malay movies were screened. We hope that companies like GSC or TGV would set up a branch here and provide more variety for cinema-goers,” he said.

Taman Permai Bangi resident K. Satia Nathan, who enjoys Tamil movies, heard about plans for a cinema in the new commercial centre last week and was also disappointed that it had been rejected.

“I go to the movies twice a month with my friends or my wife.

“It would be great to have one in Bangi so I do not have to drive 30 minutes to Metro Point in Kajang,” he said.

Bangi state assemblyman Dr Shafie Abu Bakar from Pas said a few years ago there were plans to have a cinema in Komplex Warta in Jalan Medan Bangi, Kawasan Perusahaan Bangi and near the district office.

“Both plans were rejected and earlier this year there was another proposal to build a cinema in Jalan Reko.

“Six of us protested, including me and Kajang municipal councillors in Bangi. We want to uphold Islamic values.

“Having a cinema will lead to vice activities and there will be films not in line with Islamic and eastern values.

“We do not want that here to corrupt the minds of our young,” he said.

Dr Shafie said most Bangi residents were against having a cinema in Bangi.

“Among those who want a cinema here are people looking to make a profit whereas we are looking out for the society,” he said.

When pointed out that there are movies with the “U” (for general public) rating, he countered that this was not a guarantee.

“We have to monitor it, hence it is best to not have it at all.

“Besides, there are cinemas not far from Bangi. We want our place clean, free from such elements,” he said.

Datuk Mohd Zaidi Md Zain, who lives in Section 3, Bangi, agreed that it is not wise to have a cinema in Bangi.

“There was a cinema in Bangi but it closed down eventually as there was no support from the people.

“This is not a political issue but the sentiments of the people. With academic institutions in Bangi, we worry about social problems should a cinema be built here,” he said.

Law said he disagreed with the statement that certain films can corrupt the minds of the young.

“It seems that we are moving back in time. Vice activities can happen anywhere.

“Just because there is no cinema does not mean that there will not be vice activities in the area.

“Others should not be deprived of watching a movie. It is just a cinema and a place families can go to, not just couples,” he said.

Bangi state coordinator Datuk Mohd Fathil Daud, who is also the Serdang Umno chief, shared his sentiment and agreed that having a cinema would be good for the community as Bangi residents do not have to travel far.

“With or without the cinema, vice activities will still take place,” he said.

When contacted, the director of the project’s developer, Richard Cheong, said he had no idea of the ban on the proposal for a cinema at the commercial project.

“I have heard of the ban on cinemas in Bangi, though. We do not have plans for a cinema at this stage,” he said.

The five-block commerical project includes a four-storey supermarket and office blocks.

source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/10/19/central/9693227&sec=central

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Bayan Baru MP speech on single school system

October 19th, 2011
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There was some brouhaha about MP for Bayan Baru asking to close down vernacular schools as per his speech in the Dewan Rakyat last week. He clarified yesterday that his speech was misunderstood.
I dug out excerpt of his speech (along with Q & A with 2 other MPs) from the Hansard as per below. He did not pinpoint vernacular schools only for closure, but also the religious schools.  And Namewee was used as an example of how far a person can be removed from multi-cultural society due to education. I still remember an academcian friend from a Chinese school background who didn’t know what was Deepavali! However, to blame it pure on school is not correct because the rest of the time, the children are free to mingle around with/learn about others through activities like tuition, open houses,  TV shows, and so on.
Having said that, I don’t think just because the guy studied in Chinese medium institutions, he is rude. Plenty of so-called religious people who went to national schools can also be foul-mouthed, rude and violent.  People who go overseas to study in Western countries, also can behave the same. Doesn’t mean much.
And I guess he forgot the private and international schools that allow locals to enrol. Should also be banned, if follow this logic. Doesn’t mean if you have money you can escape the rules right?
He also mentioned Vision Schools (Sekolah Wawasan). Need to do an independent audit to see how each school was treated in terms of rules and regulation, facilities, funds, priorities etc.
His conclusion is that should have singular secular school system.  Good suggestion, if ample allocation (time/venue/teacher/funds) is given for each student to also learn about own culture along with other people’s culture.
… Sama seperti undang-undang peninggalan penjajah yang sewajarnya dimansuhkan untuk kita melangkah ke hadapan sejajar dengan dasar transformasi negara, sistem persekolahan peninggalan penjajah juga harus kita mansuhkan secara serta-merta. Saya mencadangkan di Dewan yang mulia ini agar kerajaan berpendirian tegas dalam isu ini, setegas pendirian untuk menghapuskan ISA dan memperkenalkan sistem satu sekolah untuk semua. Mungkin pihak kementerian boleh memperkenalkan kembali Sekolah Wawasan yang dahulunya ditolak bulat-bulat puak ekstremis tetapi pada asasnya sistem sekolah pelbagai aliran bahasa berdasarkan sesuatu bangsa harus dihapuskan dari bumi Malaysia kita.
Salah satu punca kelahiran individu yang biadab lagi kurang ajar seperti Namewee ialah pendidikan awal yang sungguh rasis dan terasing dari dunia sebenar bumi Malaysia. Malaysia bukan negara China, Malaysia bukan negara India dan Malaysia bukan juga negara Arab. Malaysia kita adalah satu negara majmuk dan seharusnya sistem pendidikan kita diolah kembali. Transformasi sistem persekolahan atau pendidikan peringkat sekolah rendah dan menengah adalah suatu yang kini pincang kerana sistem peninggalan penjajah telah menyebabkan kemunculan generasi yang sungguh rasis dan hanya memikirkan kepentingan kaum masingmasing. Saya pasti Namewee tidak akan bertindak sebegitu liar dan memaki hamun seorang wanita dalam klip video terbarunya jika beliau diasuh secara betul dalam persekitaran yang majmuk. Sebenarnya saya kesian melihat Namewee kerana walaupun mungkin berbakat, perwatakan beliau amat hina dan jijik.
Tuan Yang di-Pertua, rancangan penambahan hampir 15,000…
Dato’ Zulkifli bin Noordin [Kulim Bandar Baharu]: Yang Berhormat Bayan Baru.
Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi bin  Tuanku Jaafar]: Yang Berhormat, masa sudah habis Yang Berhormat.
Dato’ Zulkifli bin Noordin [Kulim Bandar Baharu]: Seminit sahaja Tuan Yang diPertua. Sekejap sahaja. Saya cuma hendak tanya pandangan berkenaan dengan isu Namewee tadi. Saya lihat daripada sejarah pendidikan beliau ini, dia ini bersekolah daripada kecil di sekolah aliran Cina – Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina  Chung Hwa,  Chung Hwa High School, sampai ke universiti pun  Ming Chuan University, Taiwan. Jadi adakah ada yang tidak kena dengan sistem pembelajaran di sekolah-sekolah ini ataupun dia itu sendiri sebagai individu yang memang dilahirkan untuk biadab?
Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi bin  Tuanku Jaafar]: Yang Berhormat Bayan Baru, jam sudah pukul satu, Yang Berhormat. Jawab tengah hari nantilah. Terima kasih Yang Berhormat.  Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat, Mesyuarat ditangguhkan dahulu hingga 2.30 petang nanti. Terima kasih.
Mesyuarat ditempohkan pada pukul 1.00 petang.
Mesyuarat disambung semula pada pukul 2.30 petang.
 [Tuan Yang di-Pertua mempengerusikan Mesyuarat]
2.32 ptg.
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Sila, Yang Berhormat Bayan Baru.
Dato’ Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim [Bayan Baru]:  Terima kasih Tuan Yang diPertua. Sebelum saya meneruskan ucapan, saya ingin  menjawab apa yang telah dibawa oleh Yang Berhormat Kulim Bandar Baharu tadi sebelum saya akhir ucapan sebelah pagi. Isu sekolah-sekolah yang kita terima dari zaman penjajah dulu.  Kita sedar bahawa sekolah-sekolah sekarang ini sekolah aliran Cina, aliran Tamil, aliran agama tidak sepatutnya dijalankan lagi sebab penjajah tinggalkan kita satu sistem yang isu dia divide and rule. Dia memecahbelahkan kita. Akan tetapi, kalau kita masih hendak teruskan bermakna ia akan melahirkan mereka yang pemikiran ekstremis.
Saya sebut Namewee tadi sebagai satu contoh. Akan tetapi kita boleh melihat bahawa ekstremis-ekstremis ini masih wujud. Yang pergi ke  sekolah aliran Cina tidak memahami kebudayaan Melayu, kebudayaan India begitu juga yang aliran India dan aliran agama pun sama.
Jadi oleh sebab itu, saya meminta kerajaan mengkaji semula dan kalau boleh merubah sistem pendidikan negara. Sistem kita sudah gagal sebab ekstremis sudah wujud. Orang macam Namewee boleh wujud, boleh hentam kromo kaum lain,  masyarakat yang tidak boleh diterima oleh beliau. Ini akan menjadi satu – akan menimbulkan satu keadaan bermasalah kepada kita. Saya hendak sambung Tuan Yang di-Pertua.
Datuk Ismail Kasim [Arau]: Sedikit.
Dato’ Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim [Bayan Baru]: Ada lagi.
Datuk Ismail Kasim [Arau]: Setengah minit. Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua yang dikasihi dan terima kasih Yang Berhormat Bayan Baru. Saya ingin bertanya pendapat Yang Berhormat, apabila kita melihat sistem vernakular yang diguna pakai di negara ini. Walaupun kita melihat ada unsur-unsur atau pun elemen yang dibangkitkan seperti Namewee Yang Berhormat timbulkan di dalam perbahasan. Cuma kita bernasib baik, kita tidak ada proses indoktrinasi seperti mana yang diamalkan oleh negara-negara lain di mana kita membenarkan sistem dalam bahasa ibunda masing-masing dapat berjalan. Tidak ada proses asimilasi ataupun indoktrinasi yang cuba dibuat oleh kerajaan. Adakah ini tidak mencukupi pada sebuah negara yang bernama Malaysia pada hari ini, itu pandangan Yang Berhormat Bayan Baru yang saya minta beri penjelasan. Terima kasih.
Dato’ Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim [Bayan Baru]: Terima kasih Yang Berhormat Arau. Saya tidak nafi mungkin niat dan pemikiran atau pun cara kerajaan fikir mungkin untuk kebaikan. Akan tetapi, kita lihat dari praktiknya kalau kita lihat sekolah-sekolah agama pun ada guru-guru yang mengajar anak muridnya tidak menggunakan  chopstick sebab itu haram. Chopstick orang Cina yang guna. Kita Melayu guna haram.  Begitu juga dengan minuman Cocacola,  makanan Mc’Donald. Jadi ini contoh yang saya beri. Di sekolah Cina orang macam Namewee wujud. Kalau kita lihat yang belah kanan ini pun ramai yang perangai macam itu pun ada ekstremis.
Jadi oleh sebab itu kita harus sedar dan kita tidak mahu masa depan anak cucu kita ini terlibat dalam pemikiran seperti ini. Kalau murid-murid mungkin kita cakap tentang bahasa sahaja di sekolah aliran Cina, India dan agama. Akan tetapi, pemikiran mereka kena ubah. Walaupun kerajaan berniat baik tetapi saya percaya yang sehabis baik ialah satu integrasi, buat satu sekolah sekular, kebangsaan di mana semua kaum boleh mengambil bahagian. Okeylah, saya teruskan sebab takut tidak cukup masa.

 

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Confusion over Deepavali holiday in IPTAs

October 14th, 2011
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The 1Malaysia Indian Students Movement (1MISM) launch at UM July this year by PM Najib saw an important announcement regarding extra holidays for Deepavali. It seems, the letter from JPT MOHE to IPTAs on 15th September stated that such holidays are to be given for Indians students only (There’s a copy of the letter here but not sure if untampered). Meaning, Indian (actually should be Hindu, this also don’t know means who la???) students will miss out classes because the classes will still go on.

Worse still, according to one FB entry, there was a comment “Najib bukan VC UKM” (refer here) when students asked why got class on 25th evening and 27th morning.

This will reflect badly on PM Najib and MIC since they were touting extra holidays, but actually its like time off only in some IPTAs. MISM (MIC) better clarify before they cause more damage.

Obviously the IPTAs are in a bind because PM already promised, but to implement, they are the ones who have to figure out ways. I think the IPTAs can do it like schools, by declaring “cuti peristiwa” (event holiday) and replace the classes on Saturdays. If they think that tolerance/sensitivity/acceptance/understanding of various cultures is important, they will find a way and not use reasons like MQA rules as an excuse.

Coming to the question: is convenience of the majority is of more importance than the convenience of the minority, even if the convenience of the minority doesn’t cost/affect much? We talk about national unity and sacrifices, but it doesn’t work for others?

It is very sad that education institutions that are supposed to instill good values of understanding others cultures, acceptance, tolerance etc is in the forefront of being ignorant, apathetic, intolerant and insensitive. What kind of impression are they giving to the students and staff? Should we blame the IPTA management entirely, or the education and social system that they grew up in? Being minority is not easy, and to think its going to get worse is indeed scary.

Even want to implement in IPTA is difficult, imagine want to ask IPTS to provide extra days off for Deepavali! So far heard that MSU having exam on the eve, while Segi KL is closing on eve (half-day) and 27th.

Certain universities are ignoring the government’s directive to give Indian students a longer break to celebrate Deepavali, said the Human Rights Party (HRP).

HRP sec-gen P Uthayakumar (right) in an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today complained of the “year in and year out recurring problem” for Hindu students who fail to enjoy similar accomodations granted other holidays such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Christmas.

According to him, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was only exempting Indian students from lectures rather than giving an official break.

“This would cause the Indian students to miss their lectures for three days,” said Uthayakumar.

“Apart from UKM, we are also receiving complaints from in particular Indian students studying in Unimas and UMS that lectures will be conducted as usual even on Deepavali day, which is not even a public holiday in Sarawak,” he added.

Najib, he said, had at the launch of the 1Malaysia Indian Students Movement at University Malaya on July 27 announced that the government would direct  universities to make provisions for the Hindu festive period.

The Ministry of  the Higher Education followed up with a circular on Sept 15 to all public universities to reschedule classes and examinations to allow for a longer break for Indian students.

“In that circular, Indian students nationwide were promised a longer break from 25 to 28 October to celebrate Deepavali which falls on 26 Oct,” said Uthayakumar.

He added that they have received complaints that universities are not implementing other provisions cited by Najib, such as a students’ shuttle service to nearby Hindu temples for students and making available vegetarian food.

“Or is this part of ‘the government policy was good but it’s  implementation was bad’ political play gimmick?” said the HRP sec-gen.

source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/178646

 

Excerpt from a report in FMT is below:

… In an open letter to Najib, HRP’s pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar, named Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) as among those defying the directive.

“UKM’s deputy vice chancellor, Professor Noor Azlan Ghazali, even told the student leader, Kok Kiong Lum, that there are too many holidays in Malaysia,” he stated.

“He said that even Hari Raya and Chinese New Year holidays are only two days long so it is only fair that just one day be given for Deepavali.”

Uthayakumar further said that UNIMAS was conducting lectures on Deepavali day itself as it isn’t a public holiday in Sarawak.

“The Indian students there must also be given the opportunity to return home and be with their families on this auspicious day,” he said.

source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/10/14/keep-to-your-word-hrp-tells-pm/

 

 

 

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matriculation exam starting day after Deepavali

October 14th, 2011
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Time after time we notice the same issues. Officially of course its a one day public holiday, but where’s the sensitivity, acceptance, understanding and empathy? You don’t expect students to go back for the festival and return in a day, do you? We don’t see any exams on the very next day of Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or X’mas, even though official holidays are one or two days only.

Conclusion: convenience of the majority is of more importance than the convenience of the minority, even if the convenience of the minority doesn’t cost/affect much?

And MIC, is still at the stage of “hoping” after so many years. They should have blasted the relevant departments instead of dragging ministers into this. Simple thing also want to see PM or minister. Very embarrassing.

It is very sad that education institutions that are supposed to instill good values of understanding others cultures, acceptance, tolerance etc is in the forefront of being ignorant, apathetic, intolerant and insensitive. What kind of impression are they giving to the students and staff? Year in, year out the same thing happens. But since everyone is hopping on to 1Malaysia bandwagon in recent times, the folks at Bahagian Matrikulasi should thought ahead and foreseen this issue. Should we blame them entirely, or the education and social system that they grew up in? Being minority is not easy, and to think its going to get worse is indeed scary.

MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel said he had spoken to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about the matriculation examination that has been fixed a day after Deepavali on Oct 27.

Palanivel said he had also spoken to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who said the Education Ministry was aware of it.

“Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is also Education Minister, said they were considering postponing the exam to a new date,” he said via SMS to Bernama here on Friday.

Palanivel, who is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said he raised the matter after receiving complaints through SMS and phone calls from the Indian community.

He said postponing the matriculation exam would go down well with Indians celebrating Deepavali and hoped the deputy prime minister would make an announcement soon. – Bernama

source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/14/nation/20111014152506&sec=nation

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