Archive for the ‘BornInMalaysia’ category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Inspiring stories about 2008 SPM students

March 13th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Inspiring stories about 2008 SPM students:

Disability not a hurdle to get 12As

For hearing-impaired N. Aghilan 17, his 10 1As and two 2As made him the top special student in the country, and also the top student of SMK Jalan Bukit Kajang.

In a phone interview, father M. Narayanan said Aghilan, with 70% loss of hearing, would go through the subject matter days before it was taught in class.

“Despite wearing a hearing aid, he still needed to sit in the front row and teachers had to face him when they spoke so he could read their lips. His friends and teachers were a real help,” said Narayanan.

He said Aghilan hoped to secure a scholarship to study software engineering.

Moral of the story:  Focus, focus, focus.

Fire and noise fail to hamper students to get 11As

In Alor Setar, a pair of twins used a food court in a supermarket nearby to study after a fire partially damaged their father’s hardware shop in Jalan Datuk Kumbar.

Chan Huai Xing and Huai Ying, students of SMJK Keat Hwa spent between two and four hours at the food court revising their studies because of the noise from the renovation work at the hardware shop.

Their determination paid off. Huai Xing scored 11 1As while Huai Ying scored 10 1As and one 2A.

“We spent hours almost daily at the food court until the examination in November.

“Although the place was noisy as well, the din was less distracting than the noise and dust at home,” said Huai Xing.

She hopes to pursue her dream to become a doctor while Huai Ying aspires to be a dentist.

Moral of the story:  Determination to succeed can overcome hurdles.

Fisherman’s daughter is top scorer in SPM 2008 (20As)

Nik Nur Madihah Nik Mohd Kamal is the top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia scorer with 20 As.

The 18-year-old student of SM (Agama) Maahad Muhammadi Kota Baru obtained 19 1As and one 2A.

The eldest of four siblings, from Kampung Parang Puting near Pantai Sabak, said the three-day SKOR seminar, organised by Berita Harian which she attended last year, helped her a lot in answering questions on subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Bahasa Melayu.

“I did not miss any tuition classes and group studies which the school organised as I could not afford to take private tuition with my parents small income.”

Her father is a fisherman and her mother is a cleaner.

Her results were announced by state Islamic Development, Education and Dakwah Committee chairman Mohd Amar Abdullah at the school yesterday.

Nik Nur Madihah said her father, Nik Mohd Kamal Husin, 42, and mother Mariani Omar, 40, had also encouraged her to do well.

“I plan to further my studies overseas so that I can help my parents and my siblings in the future.”

Moral of the story: poverty is not an hurdle to success

Student spends 5 years away from home to study

Noraziatul Atikah Idris, five years of being away from her mother in Penang paid off the moment she scored 11 1As in her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

The student of Kolej Yayasan Saad (KYS), a private school in the state, said her SPM results was her gift to her mother, Normilah Isa, 42, who operates a hawker stall back home in Penang.

“I come from a poor family and my mother is the sole breadwinner after the death of my father two years ago.

“For me, poverty is a blessing because it motivates me to work hard and to ensure I strive for excellence in whatever I do.”

Noraziatul, 18, who has two other siblings who are in Form Four and Year Six, is also determined to set an example to them through her results.

“I left Penang to join this private school after my Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah.

“In the beginning, I was a bit reluctant to leave my mother but after considering the reputation of KYS and how difficult it is to get in, I accepted the offer.

“Now, I am grateful for the opportunity given.” said the lass, who is on a scholarship from the college.

Noraziatul, who wants to become an economic analyst, hopes that she would one day bring her family out from the clutches of poverty.

KYS is a “Sekolah Wakaf” which adopts a campus-style learning environment with state-of-the-art academic and sports facilities for its students.

Deserving students from low socio-economic background with exceptional Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah results are granted the Yayasan Saad scholarship, thanks to the generosity of foundation chairman Tan Sri Halim Saad.

Moral of the story: sacrifice and grab opportunities than comes by

Ex-cancer patient scores 12As!

For Nor Amalina Abd Rahman, who scored 12 As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), the examination was nothing compared with the test she went through two years ago.

The 15-year-old is lucky to be alive today after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which doctors fought with chemotherapy and surgery.

Her greatest test well behind her, she sailed through the SPM with flying colours.

The former Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Sheikh Abdul Malek student said there were moments when she wondered if she would live to sit the examination.

“Stage Three meant the cancer had spread through the pelvic cavity to the lymph nodes, the small bowel or the surface of the liver, and doctors were not too optimistic of my chances of survival.

“I later found out that the cancer had spread throughout the abdomen and I only had between 15 and 20 per cent chance of survival.

“It was a miracle of sorts that I beat the odds,” said Nor Amalina, who has been declared cancer-free for more than a year.

The fourth of seven siblings said she still had to go for blood tests and check-ups every other month but said she had never felt healthier.

“This episode has made me determined to be a doctor some day. I knew that I could never make that happen if I did not take my studies seriously.

“There were times when I felt tired and lethargic but I did not let that stop me from hitting the books and attending tuition classes after school.”

Amalina said her parents had been wonderful in helping her cope with her workload, especially when the examination was looming large.

Her father, Abdul Rahman Harun, 56, said he and his wife, Khadijah Ismail, 48, were worried their daughter may be pushing too hard to do well in the examination.

“We knew she went through a lot battling her cancer and we thought she might be jeopardising her health by working too hard.

“Now, we are glad that everything has turned out well but we are going to worry again soon when it comes to letting her pursue her studies.”

Moral of the story: Never give up

1 comment »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Sivakumar can’t defend himself

March 12th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Earlier, Sivakumar, who was waiting for his case to be called, was seen approaching assistant state legal adviser Zulkarnain Hassan, who had entered the courtroom at about 9.50am, but Zulkarnain avoided speaking to him and was later seen sitting with lawyers acting for the three independents.

A frustrated Sivakumar claimed that he tried to speak with Zulkarnain after friends identified him as his representative.

“But when he (Zulkarnain) came in, he refused to talk to me. I wanted to ask him so many things.

“I don’t even know his name or who he is. I don’t know who is (to be) my lawyer,” said Sivakumar.

Imagine your lawyer not interested to speak with you. It is weird actually. The State Assembly speaker is deemed to be part of state government by the Judicial Commissioner, while some say he is not since its explicitly stated that members of state assembly are not part of public service. Refering to NH Chan (former Court of Appeal judge):

I shall start with section 24 of the Government Proceedings Act 1956. I have highlighted the important words for easier reading. Sub-sections (1) reads:

“(1) Notwithstanding any written law –

(a) in civil proceedings by or against the Federal Government…

(b) in civil proceedings by or against the Government of a State, a law officer … authorised by the Legal Adviser of such State … may appear as advocate on behalf of such Government…”.

As you can see, this sub-section is not relevant as it only applies to civil suits brought by or against the state government, not a public officer.

And sub-section (2), which is relevant on the subject of discussion, reads:

“(2) Notwithstanding any written law in civil proceedings to which a public officer is a party –

(a) by virtue of his office; or

(b) in his personal capacity, if the Attorney-General certifies in writing that it is in the public interest that such officer should be represented by a legal officer; a legal officer may appear as advocate on behalf of such officer…”.

This sub-section only applies to civil suits brought by or against a public officer. In such a case, a public officer may (the word is ‘may’ not ‘must’) be represented by a legal officer which could include the legal adviser of the state.

Therefore, there is nothing in section 24 (2) of the Government Proceedings Act to suggest that a public officer if he sues or if he is sued must be represented by a legal officer such as the state legal officer.

In any case, section 24 (2) of the Government Proceedings Act only applies to civil proceedings to which a public officer is a party. Therefore, the question is, does the speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a state hold office as a member of the public service? If he does, then he is a public officer.

Article 132, Clause (3) of the Federal Constitution states that:

“(3) The public service shall not be taken to comprise –

(b) the office of President, Speaker, Deputy President, Deputy Speaker or member of either House of Parliament or of the Legislative Assembly of a State.”

So now you know that the speaker and the members of the Legislative Assembly of a state are not part of the public service as they do not hold office as public officers. Therefore, section 24 (2) of the Government Proceedings Act does not apply to them.

The whole article seems to question the competency of the “novice” Judicial Commissioner, but that’s another story. Well, that’s NH Chan’s version, you may say. I guess we have to see what articles exists in the law to negate Chan’s arguments. Perhaps the JC’s ruling had such details.

If Speaker Sivakumar is considered government staff, then he must use the state attorney to represent him in court. Problem is, the state attorney also represents new MB Zambry against the State Assembly Speaker in another suit. So, question arises if the office of state attorney can discharge its duties well or fairly, because its responsibilities lies to the state, not to the individuals it may represent. Thus, one can’t be blamed for thinking that the state legal advisors will lean towards the new MB and penalise the Speaker.

Further more, I think the notion that one is forced to use a particular legal service flies in the face of our basic rights to justice. How can a person expect to have his fair day in court when he can’t even represent himself, or worse still is represented by someone he has no faith in? I might as give up and concede to the opponents.

Sivakumar is in deep trouble. The feeling is that he has “musuh dalam selimut” (enemy within) and surely will lose his cases.

Comments Off on Sivakumar can’t defend himself »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Indian

Tags:

RM60 billion!

March 10th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


First it was RM7 billion. Then rumours mentioned RM35 billion.

Today, DPM najib reveals RM60 billion worth stimulus package which is nearly 9% of the GDP. The package will be implemented over two years. Some details:

  • RM15 billion in fiscal injection
  • RM25 billion in guarantee funds
  • RM10 billion in equity investment
  • RM7 billion for private finance initiative and off-budget projects
  • RM 3 billion in tax initiatives

The expenditure is aimed at:

  1. Reducing unemployment, increasing employment – RM2 billion
  2. Easing the burden of the rakyat, especially vulnerable groups – RM10 billion
  3. Assisting the private sector – RM29 billion
  4. Building capacity for the future – RM19 billion

FIRST THRUST: REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT AND INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

To create a total of 163,000 training and job placement opportunities in the public and private sectors. 6 steps to be taken as below:

  • First: Increase the number of participants under the Special Training and Re-Training Programmes for retrenched workers and the Dual National Training Scheme to enhance skills of those currently employed;
  • Second: Increase the number of training programmes with the cooperation of industries and related companies, such as in electrical and electronics, welding, robotics and construction. In addition, more industrial and technical skills training will be conducted by Skills Training Centres in all states for 10,000 trainees.
  • Third: Provide on-the-job training for unemployed graduates, in the financial sector by the Securities Commission and Bank Negara Malaysia for a period of 2 years. A total of 1,000 unemployed graduates will participate in this programme;
  • Fourth: Provide 2,000 training opportunities and job placements in GLCs, particularly in the services sector, such as outsourcing, aviation, utilities, health and creative multimedia;
  • Fifth: Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) will implement attachment training programmes for graduates and those with skills certificates. Participants will be placed in PUNB investee companies for a period of 6 months to a year. On completion of training, qualified participants will receive financial assistance from Projek Pembangunan Usahawan Dalam Bidang Peruncitan (PROSPER) to venture into business. PUNB targets 2,000 graduates to be trained under the attachment programme;
  • and Sixth:Further strengthen the Program Tunas Mekar to encourage graduates to venture into business activities and add value to existing small and mediun enterprises (SMEs). A total of 500 graduates and SMEs will participate in the programme.

To establish 22 JobsMalaysia Centres and upgrade 109 existing centres to facilitate access for workers and employers to obtain job placements, career counselling and information on training opportunities.

Employers who employ workers retrenched from July 1 2008 be given double tax deduction on the amount of remuneration paid. Only those employing from March 10 this year to Dec 31, 2010 is able to claim so.

The government proposes that existing tax exemption of RM6,000 given on retrenchment benefits be increased to RM10,000 for each completed years of service.

Government to recruit 63,000 staff to fill vacancies and serve as contract officers in various government agencies as follows:

  1. Expedite recruitment for RM50,000 vacant posts at the support and professional level in the federal civil service;
  2. Create additional 13,000 jobs for officers on a contract basis in government agencies, as follows:

(i) Recruit 4,000 officers on short-term service with minimum SPM qualification and monthly salary of RM1,200;

(ii) Recruit 1,000 graduates as school teachers on contract basis with monthly salary of RM2,000;

(iii) Recruit a total of 800 contract workers to strengthen the implementation of Program Cari under the Women, Family and Community Development ministry for a period of six months to a year;

(iv) Recruit 1,000 public health assistants on contract basis in local authorities for control and prevention of infectious diseases;

(v) Recruit 4,500 contract officers as enumerators in the Department of Statistics to carry out population census; and

(vi) Recruit 1,700 nurses and health support staff in the Health ministry.

To encourage more Malaysians to pursue Masters (10,000 places) and PhD (500 places) by financing tuition fees and research grants up to RM20,000 for student pursuing PhDs locally and RM10,000 for those taking Masters programme. This includes all local IPTAs, UNITEN, MMU, and UTP. MOHE will be in charge of running the show. And yeah, its open for all Malaysians, based on merit.

Levy on foreign workers will be doubled for all sectors except construction, plantation and for domestic maids; the levy will be paid by the employers and not by the workers.

SECOND THRUST: EASING THE BURDEN OF THE RAKYAT, IN PARTICULAR THE VULNERABLE GROUPS

A sum of RM674 million in subsidies will be allocated to avert price increases of necessities, such as sugar, bread and wheat flour. Without these subsidies, the price of sugar will increase RM0.47 per kilogramme, wheat flour RM0.60 per kilogramme, and a 400-gramme loaf of bread by RM0.26. The Government will also provide RM480 million to ensure that toll rates are not increased. With these measures, the Government will allocate a sum of RM27.9 billion for subsidies in 2009

the Government proposes that house buyers be given tax relief on interest paid on housing loans up to RM10,000 a year for 3 years.

the Government will issue syariah-compliant Savings Bonds amounting to RM5 billion this year. The bond will have a maturity of three years, with an annual return of 5% and will be paid quarterly to bond holders. Apart fron providing an additional savings instrument to the rakyat, the bonds will provide holders with additional income. Bondholders will receive additional income of RM250 million a year. The bonds are available to all citizens aged 21 and above, with a minimum investment of RM1,000 and a maximum of RM50,000.

Allocation of RM1.95 billion is provided to build and improve facilities in 752 schools, particularly in rural areas as well as Sabah and Sarawak. A sum of RM300 million from this allocation will be used to improve facilities in government-aided religious schools, national-type Chinese and Tamil schools as well as mission schools.

Banking institutions have agreed that retrenched workers defer the repayment of their housing loans for one year.

THIRD THRUST: ASSISTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FACING THE CRISIS

the Government will assist in the auto-scrapping scheme for PROTON and PERODUA. Under the scheme, a discount of RM5,000 will be given to car owners, who trade in their cars, which are at least 10 years old, for the purchase of new PROTON or PERODUA cars. The Government will finance part of the discount borne by PROTON or PERODUA

Comments Off on RM60 billion! »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

One year after…

March 8th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I read the papers today. The common topic was first anniversary of THE general elections. The one recognised as an earthquake or tsunami. The one that brought the ruling coalition to its knees in 5 states (4 now) and denying 2/3 majority in the parliament. In a way, after 50 years of independence, I guess its a renewal process. A rebirth of sorts. Not forgetting, the first general election to utilise the Internet and Web 2.0 to the opposition’s advantage.

The macro impacts  of the election are manifold – more politicking among leaders, possibility of two-party system, more awareness of rights among the public, revelation of alleged irregularities in earlier administration, increase in interest in politics, innovative crimes and conspiracies, sprouting of NGOs unheard of before this, and new use for words like “katak”. Without doubt, having a strong opposition will benefit the public as there will be more effort from both sides to win over the public. However, of late, the economic crisis has put a dampener on things. The political spats are being seen as detrimental to the country and many think the energy should be spent on working together for economic revival. Wishful thinking I’ll say. I doubt the politicians have the “greater good” in mind. Its all about one-upmanship. Decisions are made with political stability and positions in mind.

Anyway, we leave the bigger impacts to the expert. What did 8 March do to me? Or to you? Any difference in your life, barring the the economic downturn?

Personally, I benefit from the free water in Selangor. The local council’s services is yet to improve to our expectations. Other than that, things are going on as usual.  For me, the change of state government has little impact. Most likely due to the fact that I don’t use much of the services being offered. No school-going kids. Not involved in businesses or activities requiring permits. Nothing to do with quotas.  I have not benefited from the  welfare benefits offered by Selangor government like RM3000 for elders and RM1000 for university students. So, I guess I’m not a good candidate (yet) to judge the CHANGE.  The increase in foreign workers, crime and cost of living is something which is not solvable within a year or two. Thus I doubt we can judge state governments on this areas (not to mention its beyond their powers). Anyway, I knew this much earlier, as the elections promises made by the parties quite generic and were not meant for people like me.

The federal government is also grappling with economic problem, party elections, power transition to new PM, and slow implementation. Crime rates not decreasing, corruption statistics unchanged, complaints increasing on government department, and many issues related to equal rights and racial discrimination always plague the ruling coalition.

In terms of secondary opinions, people I meet generally have a positive opinion on the Selangor government. Of course, if we read the papers, we can see all the alleged cases of previous government which tends to put the current government in better light. There are also complaints on current EXCOs and ADUNs but nothing big so far, other than Elizabeth Wong scandal.

One more glaring change is the increased noise from royal houses. More royalties are coming out with their statements and recently, the Kedah Royal Household even wants immunity resinstalled – something which is retrogressive, in my opinion. I think there will come a time when one has to let go. Things change.

Before I end, I guess what the PR state governments haven’t done is declaring their assets. They should do away with flimsy excuses like waiting for forms or the right time and JUST DO IT.

Comments Off on One year after… »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Foreigners eating away locals livelihood

March 7th, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Today I saw a foreign worker selling young coconut water (air kelapa muda) along the road to my housing area. There are few other stalls along the 2km road – all manned by locals, except for the one I mentioned above. The Indonesian workers who work at housing development projects moonlight by offering services to local residents – everything from cement work, painting, tiling, plumbing. You name it, they’ll do it.  And of course, they charge as high as local workers if you fall for it. The foreigners don’t pay taxes and escape all kinds of fees. There’s even one family squatting on a land next door and our police and local council (MPS) can’t spot them in broad daylight! Yup, this is Bolehland for you.

Thus, its not surprising to see SK Devamany commenting that “foreign workers (and students) are taking away business opportunities from locals by working longer hours for less”.  He also added that the foreigners are moving from labour-intensive jobs to go into the micro-credit system. He said they were running businesses in Kampung Baru and the Chow Kit area, besides farming in rural areas. He also said locals allowed foreigners to run their businesses.

“The more foreigners work here, the more difficult it will be for locals to get a salary hike.”

To curb the trend, Devamany suggested several measures, including intensifying enforcement against foreigners and amendments to the law requiring employers to balance their workforce, suggesting 50/50 ratio.

Foreigners are overwhelming the country – due to corruption. In the name of business, trading, and permits, thousands of workers are brought in, but where they go after reaching Malaysia remains a questions. The rot starts from Immigration Department and I guess involve many people.  Just to give you an idea, a “agent” who is involved in securing work permits spends RM5000 for spa treatments and RM10,000 for hotel dining. Not for himself, but for his “guests” at the government department. That’s for a month. So, its natural only that one asks for the whole process to be investigated. That’s what Devamany asks of MACC:

Why is it so easy from them to enter the country?

I hope the MACC will play a bigger role in protecting our country from such problems

The Home Affairs Ministry needs to alter its foreign worker policy and not stoop to the whims and fancies of employers for they are only looking for maximum profit

Yeah, why indeed?

Education is also not spared. Due to competitiveness, local colleges and universities are importing students of dubious academic qualifications and intentions. Now we see cases of suicides, black money scams, robbery, drug distribution, prostitution etc happening. We see foreigners selling knick-knacks,

I remember writing about the corruption case and arrest of Immigration Department’s officer last year July. The issues with foreign workers is a long running saga, perhaps going back into last 15 years. If one is going to investigate the wrong-doings, it will take a long time and most probably fruitless.

So, what is the solution? We need immediate, short-term, and mid-term, and long term solutions.  There’s a need to balance between industry requirement and local employment needs. Our local youths are of not much help either. Some expect money to fall down on their laps, and we are not talking about RM500 here. Quite recently, I had a diploma holder with less than few years experience asking for RM3000 salary! In this time of crisis, we have to lower expectations a bit. We still employ barbers from India because local don’t fancy the job. Of course lower salary is an impending factor. The locals, even if they lower their expectations, they can’t compete with foreign workers’ salaries.

The downside of reducing dependency on foreign workers is the increase in operational costs that is solvable in two ways – business absorbing the increase or passing it to the consumers. No prizes for guessing the correct answer. The question we should ask is if the lower operating cost and increase profits is worth the security problems and long-term population issues.

Only critical industries like construction and plantation should be still allowed to import workers. I was in a hotel in KL end of last year. All of  the workers were foreigners! And here in our country, we have hotel management courses being offered by all kinds of colleges.  Makes me wonder!

Comments Off on Foreigners eating away locals livelihood »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags: