Posts Tagged ‘Marginalisation’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

award for SJKT Ladang Jeram for 10 years container classroom (and 5 more years added) use

August 8th, 2011
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


The school is SJKT Ladang Jeram, Kuantan.

This is a photo of the said container classroom (from HRP website):

The container classroom has been in use for the past DECADE. Not one year, not two year.

I think the company that demolished the place 10 years ago is PASDEC Corporation, based on this reply from MOE:

Ministry of Education (MOE) would like to refer to an article published in THE STAR dated 23 July 2011 on the issue of – School uses container to curb classroom shortage.

Guru Besar memaklumkan bahawa Pengerusi Lembaga Pengelola merangkap Pengerusi PIBG telah mengadakan beberapa pertemuan dengan pihak Pasdec Corporation Sdn. Bhd untuk membincangkan isu tapak SJK (T) Ladang Jeram, Kuantan.

Dalam pertemuan terkini, antara Encik S. Jayakumar, Pengerusi PIBG SJK (T) Ladang Jeram, Kuantan dengan Encik Azhar bin Haji Ibrahim, Pengurus Koordinasi Projek Pasdec Corporation Sdn. Bhd telah memutuskan perkara berikut :

1.    Pihak Pasdec bersetuju memberi tapak  alternatif baru seluas 3 ekar sebagai tapak baru SJK (T) Ladang Jeram, Kuantan.

2.    Lokasi sebenar akan ditentukan kemudian oleh pihak Pasdec. Anggaran lokasi lebih kurang 2 km dari tapak sekolah kabin sekarang.

Pihak Pasdec masih membenarkan sekolah kabin sekarang beroperasi ditempat asal dalam jangkamasa 5 tahun lagi.

source: http://bpa.bernama.com/details.php?id=1944

 

 

So, the school will be using the container for another 5 years??? Syabas! Do we deserve this?

A TAMIL school at Ladang Jeram in Kuantan has been using a container as a classroom for the past decade, Tamil Nesan reports.

Beserah and Sungai Karang humanitarian and welfare society (Bakkis) president Wan Azlan Wan Salleh said it was a shame that this was still happening even after 54 years of independence.

He said he had spoken to headmaster P. Ravilogath, who said the school badly needed six classrooms to cater for its students.

Wan Azlan hoped that the visit by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob’s special representative R. Gunasegaran to the school would bring about a solution to the decade-old problem.

The school building was reportedly demolished by a company, which took over the estate for commercial development 10 years ago on the condition it would build a six-classroom building and a temple.

However, there had been no development to date.

source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/7/23/nation/9156652&sec=nation

Comments Off on award for SJKT Ladang Jeram for 10 years container classroom (and 5 more years added) use »

Posted in Tamil-Schools

Tags:

deservedly creative…

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


Telephone dialogue:

Student: Hello?

X: Hi Student, how are you? This Ms. X from the university calling.

Student: Good morning, maam! What is the matter you are calling me today?

X: As you know, a great VIP is coming down next week. Students should take this chance to meet the person who famous worldwide. So, do come for the award session, OK?

Student: Oh maam, this is study week for exam. We are having exam next week. I can’t afford to attend the ceremony.

X: I know. That’s why we will give you 5 marks for attending the ceremony. How? OK or not?

Student: 5 marks? Hmm…make it 10 and I’ll attend (grins to himself).

X: 10 cannot la. 5 is OK.

Student: OK, I’ll try to attend it. 5 marks can help me to pass some subject.

X: OK, make sure you remind me to mark your attendance on that day. Bye.

Student: Bye.

Now, what kind quality education you expect to get if by attending a award presentation ceremony, you get 5 marks for your subject? Who decided on this modus operandi? Does MQA know about this?

Really creative place to study.

Did I mention about having a “rehearsal” when the rest of the organization is on leave and the bunch of wise leaders ask their department people to attend? No food because cafe is closed (public holiday, duh!). No general workers around (something about lack of written memo – maybe they worried no OT). Academicians have to arrange tables and chairs.

And they have the gall to ask to come again on Sunday.

Comments Off on deservedly creative… »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Personal

Tags:

Have Astro no aid

April 23rd, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Actually, earlier the minister in charge mentioned that if a house has “facilities” like TV or sofa, they won’t be eligible for aid. So, what’s next? Having motorbike, car, telephone, PC, or handphone means you are rich? Are we trying to keep the poor in the dark ages instead of empowering them?

So imagine when you read something like the news below:

The words “disabled, Astro” and “aid” cannot occur in the same sentence, as far as the Welfare Department is concerned.

The department bars the disabled from getting welfare aid if they have Astro or a television set at home.

The rule applies even if one lives in someone else’s house, temporarily or otherwise.

S. Karupanan, 73, found this out the hard way three months ago when the department cut the RM200 aid to him as he was temporarily staying in a house which “had Astro service”.

The department had paid for surgery on one knee and promised to underwrite the cost of the operation on the other knee.

But while awaiting the second surgery, he moved into his daughter’s house and his troubles began.

Welfare officers who came to visit him saw red when they chanced upon the Astro connection and immediately withdrew the aid.

For K. Shanmugam, 51, who applied for welfare assistance in 2005 on becoming paralysed, it has been a string of “no’s” from the department for aid.

His mistake, he believes, was his honest reply when asked if he had a television set and Astro at home.

“That’s the first question they asked. When I said I had both, they immediately said that I was not eligible for assistance as there were others poorer than me.”

The former crane driver, who was earning RM2,000 in Singapore when a motorcycle accident four years ago left him paralysed, was baffled by the department’s decision.

He said that the bills of the family of six were paid by relatives who realised that he only had Astro to keep him company when the children were out of the house.

“I cannot work. The only pleasure in my life now is the Astro service,” he said.

Another extreme case is that of a a disabled 40-year-old, paralysed from the neck downwards, who lives with her partly-paralysed mother.

The disabled woman, who declined to be identified, decided against applying for an Astro connection after being warned by a welfare officer that they would cut aid to them if she did so.

What she cannot understand is why they would do so as Astro was the “only” company she and her mother could have at home.

“We cannot leave our house and we live on donations and welfare aid. What’s wrong if some people who sympathise want to get us an Astro connection?”

I will agree with the Welfare department in the scenario that the aid given may be “misused” to subscribe to Astro services. I mean, if you can save the extra RM35 or RM50, it can be used for medication, food, savings etc.
However, in this era, the idea that TV is a luxury item is ludicrous to say the least, more so if by staying in a house that has TV (let’s say recuperating from injuries at your relative’s place) , your aid is cut off. The TV can obtained in many ways – second hand, hand-me-downs, gifts etc. Astro is also the only window to the world and information from some category of people, like the bed-ridden. Besides, it also provide cheaper entertainment for folks who can’t afford to go to cinema or hangout in shopping centers. So, the problem may lie in the definition/criteria used by the Welfare Department. I hope its not something created 20 years ago!
Now, I’m not promoting Astro or TV-watching, but I think it should not be a criteria for selection of people for aid. MIBA and KIOKU thinks the same as well:

The Malaysian Indian Business Association wants the government to review the decision to deny aid to the disabled if they have an Astro connection or a television set at home.

Its president, P. Sivakumar, said the Welfare Department should realise that the disabled had little else but television programmes to keep them company. “We have received many complaints of welfare aid being withdrawn after the department found out that the disabled person had an Astro connection or television set at home.”

Disabled Persons’ Integrated Family Services (Kioku) secretary-general Chris S. Kali Thasan said the Welfare Department should not impose such conditions on people seeking assistance. “I remember years ago even those who had a refrigerator were denied assistance. Now it’s Astro. It’s unfair in many cases as Astro bills are usually paid by relatives or well-wishers.”

He said Astro programmes were a good diversion for the disabled who could not work and had to stay at home.

Representatives from disabled people groups met Minister Shahrizat yesterday to show their unhappiness. Shahrizat promised to look into their request:

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the department would be reviewing the ruling that bars the disabled from getting aid if they had a television set or Astro service at home.

She said this at a meeting with 12 disabled people who came to see her at her ministry yesterday over the issue.

The disabled, who came in wheelchairs, were from the Disabled Persons Integrated Family Services (KIOKU), Independent Living and Training Centre and the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.

“You are telling me to look at it, which I will. I think it’s a reasonable request and I will look at it,” she said, adding the ruling did not constitute discrimination against the disabled.

“We will come back with realistic answers.”

… She said the ruling only applied to those under the Disabled Persons Unable to Work scheme, who were being given RM150 per month in aid.

“The underlying principle for welfare aid to the poor and needy is to ensure that their basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter, are met.

“As such, the ruling on Astro is applicable because it gives an indication of the affordability of the applicant to spend on something extra, in this case entertainment.”

She said Astro was considered a monthly expense that would reduce welfare aid being used for basic needs.

Shahrizat said the ruling did not affect the other two welfare schemes for disabled workers and people caring for a bedridden disabled person, who get RM300 a month.

She said action would be taken against officers who imposed the ruling on people in these two schemes

…. She said she understood the predicament of the disabled, with most lying on a bed the whole day, with nothing to do but stare at empty walls.

Shahrizat said she would also speak to Astro to provide free services to the disabled as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. There are 28,608 disabled people registered with the ministry.

Well, as part of CSR, Astro can afford to waive the fees, so its a good suggestion by the Minister. We hope it becomes a reality. Maybe by showing their OKU cards, the relevant groups can get waiver of fees.

It seems Baitulmal, which provides aid for muslims also have similar ruling, according to Sisters In Islam.

Comments Off on Have Astro no aid »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

MIC Youth submits memorandum on RTM airtime

April 21st, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to publish the memorandum, but you can read the writeup (edited) and view the photo of the submission:

Dear all,

Good to see all are having a united voice over this matter. This issue of change of RTM Tamil News airtime has been raised in vernacular newspaper by MIC Youth Adviser,Mr.Vell Paari two days earlier. And it has been raised in within the Ministry by both Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and Dato Dr S Subramaniam.

Under the guidance of Mr.S.Vell Paari, earlier today,Mr.T.Mohan led a team of MIC Youth members which included Mr.C.Shivarraaj,Mr.S.Subramaniam and Mr.T.M.Selvam to handover a memorandum titled ” MEMORANDUM UNTUK MEMPERTINGKATKAN KUALITI SIARAN BERITA TAMIL DAN PROGRAM-PROGRAM TAMIL DI RTM ” to MOI Minister, Dato Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim

Our leaders had a fruitful talk with the Honourable Minister where he promised to revamp the structure and system of RTM news within 30 days. He even gave few constructive idea like forming a “special committe” with MIC Youth and NGOs to “monitor” Tamil language programs in RTM.Thank you.

For further information please call Mr.C.Shivarraaj at 019-266 3060.

mic-youth-memo-rtm

More photos at Pemuda MIC website.

I remember writing about the airtime in RTM2 last year, and just to update, let’s see what’s on RTM2 today:

2.30pm – Ardhangani (Hindi?)

5.00pm – Suvaiyana Sutrulla

5.30pm – Thisaigal

6.00pm – Tamil @ 2 (news)

4.30am – Piriyatha Uravu

Total of 2.5 hours of Indian programmes in 24 hours.

Comments Off on MIC Youth submits memorandum on RTM airtime »

Posted in Indian

Tags:

Bukit Kiara estate resident to be relocated

February 21st, 2009
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I wonder if the cabinet was properly briefed on the situation before PM Badawi announced the place as open space. If not, the fault lies solely with MIC and PPP as the representatives in the Cabinet. Or perhaps their voices were defeated by other stronger arguments. Bukit Kiara to PPR Kg Muhibbah in Puchong is about 20km. Not easy to relocate even for middle class income earners, what more of people within low-income bracket. Perhaps the Cabinet can also issue statement for provision of some allowance such as transport cost and COLA while the families are staying in PPR.

Obviously the claim that they were promised houses at the same location needs supporting documents. Without it, their claims will be brushed aside. Not sure which group made the promise as claimed by the residents.

As for Kg Pandan Indian Settlement residents, looks like they have agreed to temporarily move to the PPR while their houses are being built. They did not get their wish to move to a nearer location. Also the status of the Tamil School and temple is still in question. Will it be relocated “temporarily” to PPR Kg Muhibbah which house a significant number of Malays as well?

THE 100 families residing in the Bukit Kiara estate longhouse will be relocated to the PPR Pantai Permai in Pantai Dalam despite having waited for 27 years for new homes to be built at their current address.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said the decision to earmark the plot of land as open space was made by the Cabinet and announced recently by the Prime Minister.

Meeting the people: Saravanan (right) speaking to some of the PPR Kg Muhibbah residents.

He said the ministry and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall had no jurisdiction to question any decision made by the Cabinet.

“The residents should be receiving relocation notices by the end of this month,” he said during a visit to PPR Kg Muhibbah in Puchong on Thursday.

However, he said both MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and the MIC Supreme Council were urging the government to delay the move.

He added that Samy Vellu would also discuss the matter with the Deputy Prime Minister, who also chairs the special Cabinet Committee on Indian Affairs.

The residents have been staying at the longhouses as temporary accommodation since the 1980s following the Government’s acquisition of the Bukit Kiara estate.

They claimed that they were promised proper flats at the same site.

The residents had earlier rejected the option to move to PPR Kg Muhibbah as it would be too far for them, as they mostly worked around Bukit Kiara.

Meanwhile, Saravanan said squatters from the Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement would move in to the recently completed new phase of PPR Kg Muhibbah by March and would stay there temporarily until the completion of new flats at the site of the settlement.

“Even though the construction is estimated to take about two years, we are confident that they can return to the old site earlier than they think,” he said.

The 250 squatter families in Kampung Pandan earlier rejected the offer to move to PPR Kg Muhibbah due to concerns over proximity, medical facilities and public transportation.

They later sought Public Complaints Bureau chief Senator T. Murugiah’s help to be relocated to a site in Sungai Besi which is 15 minutes away, but the move caused a brief spat between the two leaders.

Saravanan said the ministry was also looking for appropriate locations within the PPR to set up a worship place and a funeral parlour for the Indian community.

“Those under medical attention can also write in to prove to us that they need to stay near to certain medical institutions. We will assess the cases and facilitate their needs if necessary,” he said.

Asked about public transportation for the PPR dwellers, he said the ministry was working together with the relevant parties to provide the facility for not only Kg Muhibbah, but also other PPR in the city.

PPR Kg Muhibbah houses about 8,000 residents who moved in four years ago. Three of the 12 blocks are still vacant.

Comments Off on Bukit Kiara estate resident to be relocated »

Posted in Indian

Tags: