All Students At Politicians' Mercy

I'm really at lost for words with the politicians who are currently governing the country. One day they had this mind. Later, they thought it would be better in the other method. Finally, they said alright, we'll stick to another plan. All this just on one issue. I had blogged before that my country has many U-turn professionals as they kept changing directions not for the betterment but they do not know what's best or couldn't be bothered as long as their political agenda is met.

I'm referring to the teaching of Mathematics and Science subjects in the schools. The politicians are undecided whether to teach this two subjects in English or in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia. As long as they kept fiddling with this issue, I'm sure our students will produce results such as this. All the students are really at the mercy of the politicians.

In 2003, the Mathematics and Science subjects were taught in English for the second time in the country's education history. The first time was during my parents' era and for some senior bloggers. When it comes to my era, it was changed to Bahasa Malaysia language already.

In 2009, the politicians (who runs the country) decided it was time to change back to Bahasa Malaysia language. Reason? To maintain the patriotism irregardless of what distraction it will cause to the students. Time to implement this change - 2012.

From then on, many school PTAs had held meetings to convince / request the government to maintain status quo. Parents are so worried as they knew it would definitely affect their kids for sure. A NGO, Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE), has been working hard to gather the school PTAs decision on this critical matter. Many parents / PTAs had voiced out but it may have fallen on deaf ears. But do they have ears in the first place?

I'm repeating this statement of mine found in my previous blogpost (written in July 2009) of Change of Language for Students - "I really pity those students out there. For they have learnt these two subjects in English for the last six years, now they have to unlearn what they have learnt in English terms and absorb new terms in Bahasa Malaysia."

Well, it's eight years now since 2003. You have to unlearn what you learnt for the past eight years. Ain't it a ridiculous for the government to change the language next year?

In the last few days, Mission schools and Association of Sabah National Type Chinese Schools (comprising eight schools) intend to submit a proposal to the Prime Minister to request for the said two subjects to be taught in English in continuation.

The politicians can't see further than what they have in mind right now. The English language is being used as the main language for the mathematics and science articles / journals / research and by confining our students to just Bahasa Malaysia (without disrecpect to the national language), we are like telling our students to remain under a coconut shell and make sure you don't excel in these two subjects.

Out of a suddent, the MCA President mentioned that both of the said subjects MUST be taught in English if the nation is intending to move towards being a developed nation status and want to compete on the global front.

But he was on a different tune back in 2009 when the government decided otherwise as found written in his blog. He actually welcome the decision back then. Why didn't he tell the government that it's a MUST?

Then the Prime Minister, on reading the MCA President's latest proposal, said that the government will seek input from the parents first before finally deciding on which language to use.

I told you, I told you.

It's April now and the government is still deciding? The MCA President has already let the cat out of the bag by stating that the cabinet has, in July 2010, actually decided to revert back to Bahasa Malaysia from 2012 onwards.

Why then the Prime Minister said that the government will seek feedback from the parents? Is this just a talk, not a walk? Or a political gimmick in view of the Sarawak state election?

Even the Education Ministry mentioned that they will conduct a study as well. Can you change a cabinet's decision just like that?

Do you mean to tell us that the school text books (for Maths & Science) have not been printed in the Bahasa Malaysia language yet even after the cabinet decision? If they have been printed, are we to burnt all the extras?

What a government?!?!?!?!

I repeat again, the students are paying the price for all this nonsense.

The government kept repeating in telling the business community to expand beyond Malaysia. Please tell whether the international business community really bothers if your Mathematics and Science subjects were taught in either languages. They don't but they do bother if your English is not up to a certain standard. Actually they don't mind also because they will be able to cheat you since you are so poor in the English language.

We kept looking for Foreign Direct Investments to boost the country's economy. Foreign investors would prefer that the local employees have a good command of the English language as it would be easier to communicate or even to teach / guide easily.

All we have is just one English textbook for the English subject in schools today. And the government expects every single student's English proficiency to be of a high standard by the time they step into the working environment.

If the government hasn't notice, it was reported in the Malaysian Employers Federation's survey that local and international employers shows that verbal and written communication skills in English remain the most sought-after attribute in prospective employees. It's the most important trait employers look for when recruiting graduates. (extracted from Star)

I can see where Malaysia is heading into the future ....................

For those who kept fighting for it to be reverted to Bahasa Malaysia, I really don't know about your main intention but all I know is that it's not doing any good to the students / nation. Please put aside all your political agenda and put on your thinking cap for once or at least use your brain a little bit.
Reading: Students hail possible move to retain English for Science and Maths - Star
Reading: Govt to seek parents’ input on Science and Maths teaching - Star
Reading: Top jobs only for those who know the language well - Star
Reading: Let teaching of Maths and Science in English continue - Star

Related post - Parent Action Group for Education
Related post - PTAs Asking For Status Quo
Tags: Malaysian Education, Teaching Maths and Science in English, Teaching Maths and Science in Bahasa Malaysia, PTA, PPSMI, Association of Sabah National Type Chinese Schools, Mission Schools, Malaysian Employers Federation, Education Ministry

Uphold Democratic Principles

STATEMENT OF THE CCM YOUTH

UPHOLD DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES: FULL FREEDOM, FULL RIGHTS -

NO TO 10-POINT PROPOSAL”

**

8 April 2011

**

Kuala Lumpur – 8 April 2011. CCM Youth issued a press release today expressing their views in response to the various press statements issued by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (“CFM”), the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (“NECF”), the 10-point solution as proposed by Senator Datuk Seri Idris Jala (“10-Point Proposal”) Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, and comments made in the media by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and various parties.

1. 10-POINT PROPOSAL ONLY ADDRESSED THE ALKITAB ISSUE

The 10-Point Proposal presumed that Christians were only concerned with the Alkitab issue. That premise is incorrect. The 10-Point Proposal distracted both the public and the church leaders from getting to the heart of the matter, that is, the concern over the overt and covert manner which the government had discriminated against the Christian citizenry for close to forty (40) years that had resulted in the gradual deterioration of basic rights of Christians to freely exercise their faith.

2. RESTORE FULL RIGHTS AND FULL FREEDOM ENSHRINED IN THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION

CCM Youth denounced deplorable accusations that Christians were not being “fair” or “reasonable” in resolving the Alkitab matter. CCM Youth disclosed that the Malaysian government had unreasonably and unjustly acted in bad faith since the early 1970s to-date against the Christian community. Among some examples were:

• Gradual erosion of the control of mission schools which included even the physical removal of words such as “Holy” and crosses from schools, even though the land, building and board of governors belonged to the church;

• Removing or disallowing “Christian Fellowships” from being recognized as societies in schools and universities;

• Harassing and transferring out Christian teachers found teaching Bible Knowledge, a legitimate examinable subject for the SPM;

• Gazetting the AlKitab, the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, as a threat to national security under the Internal Security Act;

• Denying the use of the word “Allah” for the Christian God, even though it had been used by indigenous groups way before independence, and being the only Muslim country in the world to do so despite wide Arab usage;

• Denying Christians land to operate churches or cemeteries.

And the list goes on.

CCM Youth was saddened that Christians today were openly abused, harassed and provoked in the media and encouraged by the government, with all sorts of erroneous information being placed on official government websites put up as decrees; linking activities from Valentine’s Day to ‘poco-poco’ to crosses on football jerseys, to Christian beliefs without so much as a dialogue or a clarification with the Christian community. So much so that even the Islamic government machinery, with nods from cabinet ministers, the Home Ministry and state governments, unashamedly encouraged over-zealous religious officers and Islamic-based NGOs, to propagate and sow seeds of hatred towards the Christian community.

CCM Youth was informed that recently a group of students went for an excursion to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and were denied entry just because their uniform had a cross. After so many years of racial-religious polarisation under the hands of government machinery, religious and racial bigotry is now blatantly practised and widely nurtured in government departments against Christians.

CCM Youth believed that the 10-Point Proposal was superfluous as Christian citizens were not asking for anything extra, but for their basic constitutional rights, enshrined in the Federal Constitution, to be respected and honoured.

3. CHRISTIANS’ BIRTHRIGHT TO READ, SPEAK AND WRITE IN THE NATIONAL LANGUAGE

CCM Youth opined that it was ludicrous to deny Malaysian Christian citizens the right to use the country’s national language for the purposes of exercising their faith. On the one hand, non-Malay citizens are often criticized for their purported lack of loyalty when they did not speak Bahasa Malaysia, but when they did, like in this case in order to read the Bible, which they had been doing for generations, they were denied that right! CCM Youth reiterated that as citizens of this country, it was their God-given birthright, which “should not be given up, negotiated, traded away, nor ‘sold for a bowl of pottage’ ”, being simply rushed into just because Christian leaders were offered a “quick-fix” solution to the immediate problems that were originally created by unjust parties.

4. THE 10-POINT PROPOSAL DOES NOT CARRY THE WEIGHT OF LAW

CCM Youth decried attempts to create a “Band-Aid” compromise solution that did not carry the weight of law. If the Malaysian government were truly sincere, there would not be a need for a 10-Point Proposal. Insofar as this matter was concerned, all the government needed to do was to instruct the Home Ministry to drop its appeal on the “Allah” issue, which the Catholic Church won on 31 December 2009 when it took the case to the High Court. This action would immediately lead to the withdrawal of the Allah and the Alkitab from any further restrictions in the country. CCM Youth urged the government to uphold democratic principles and not play games by taking a round-about route that did not reflect their sincerity.

5. 10-POINT PROPOSAL SOWS DISUNITY AMONGST CHRISTIANS

The 10-Point Proposal served only to promote disunity amongst Christians, playing to the ruling government’s “divide-and-rule” tune. CCM Youth questioned how it could be plausible for a 1Malaysia, yet a 2-Bible and 3-Rule solution? If at all, it only cemented CCM Youth’s opinion that 1Malaysia had been nothing but political rhetoric. If Christian leaders had agreed to this proposal, the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak would have one rule; while believers in the Peninsula, including the Orang Asli, would have another rule. Should Christians subject themselves to such confusion and be manipulated to accept such terms? Likewise, by agreeing to such terms now, would Christians then forfeit the right to resolve future outstanding matters beyond the Alkitab issue?

6. NO GUARANTEE THAT PLEDGES OR ASSURANCES WILL BE HONOURED

Time and time again, the Christian community have been given assurances but only to be disappointed later on. CCM Youth urged church leaders to be wise, for what had been dressed as compromise could turn out to be an entrapment – “Even the elect were deceived, if that were possible.” CCM Youth pointed out that they were well aware that there were many obstacles ahead, and they understood the “card game was in the hands” of the government. Even if the Federal government gave the impression of giving way, they could fall back on the state government machinery that would kick in and take that to another gear which involved harassing book stores, printers, forwarding agents, schools and so on, located in affected states.

7. THE TIPPING POINT – TODAY’S DECISION WILL IMPACT FUTURE GENERATIONS

CCM Youth urged church leaders to take their time and not to be in a hurry. It was imperative that they did not fail future generations, or act in a manner that could adversely undermine or enslave future generations from practising their faith freely. CCM Youth urged church leaders to remain faithful and to take as much time as they needed to ponder and to ask pertinent questions without compromising the faith. Otherwise, future generations would return to remind past generations of leaders of "compromises" made today, or that the church leaders held silent when they could have spoken up, having restrained themselves from pursuing justice when they had the opportunity to do so. CCM Youth urged church leaders not to worry about having to come to a decision by the CFM’s Biennial General Meeting on April 14, 2011, but to take ample time to pray and seek the Lord before coming to a decision.

CCM Youth reminded church leaders that even the youths today were still learning the full extent of the rights that had been eroded to-date as events unfolded, and CCM Youth would endeavour to support church leaders to their best of abilities to recover that which was lost, and hand over full freedom to future generations as their legacy.

8. ARE WE SPEAKING TO THE RIGHT PARTY WITH THE AUTHORITY?

With due respect to Senator Datuk Seri Idris Jala, CCM Youth raised concerns that there were no assurances that he had the full weight of the cabinet behind him in this regard, given the underlying tones and lack of media support from cabinet ministers. Even the Prime Minister himself had been strangely silent. From remarks given by the Home Minister and various “shadow gatekeepers”, there had been no assurance that the relevant ministries would honour any form of agreement. What remained consistent so far had been the consistency of the government’s inconsistencies. The danger of flip-flops was not a probability, but a given. CCM Youth believed that this rush to force a solution was inadvertently linked to the outcome of the Sarawak elections and the potential impact from its Christian majority population. CCM Youth observed that it was this careless ‘short-term opportunistic’ attitude of the government for political expediency that had made them wary of such overtures and advised church leaders to exercise greater caution under such circumstances. If the government were sincere in addressing the grievances of the Christian community, CCM Youth believed that nothing less than the coming together of a task force from the Prime Minister’s Department, the Home Ministry, the Attorney General, the Education Ministry and all state governments and Islamic departments had to take place.

9. SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD

CCM Youth pointed out that it was Datuk Seri Idris Jala who apologized. So far, no official statement of apology had been offered by any ministry, especially none was forthcoming from the Home Minister, the main protagonist who directed the stamping of the Bibles. The public ought to know that this entire episode of the desecration of the Christian’s Holy Scriptures happened during the holy month of LENT which precedes and commemorates the Lord Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and celebrates His resurrection. If an opportunity presented itself for reconciliation and restoration to properly right the grave wrong committed, CCM Youth would certainly offer forgiveness. Obviously, the situation had yet to present itself.

10. CHRISTIAN CABINET MINISTERS MUST TAKE LEADERSHIP

CCM Youth noted that except for Datuk Seri Idris Jala, many Christian cabinet ministers have kept silent. One cabinet minister even called Christians foolish for holding prayer rallies. CCM Youth challenged cabinet ministers to be faithful and to choose today whom they served – whether God or man.

CCM Youth reiterated that they were not being unreasonable, audaciously demanding or stirring trouble. CCM Youth regretted that for a long time, the Church had remained silent, having compromised when it should not have. In good faith, church leaders had been drawn into endless unproductive closed-door meetings, given verbal promises and handshake agreements that never materialized. Unfortunately for the Church, Christian goodwill had not been reciprocated, and closed door agreements never honoured. The recent desecration of the AlKitab was the last straw.

CCM Youth called upon all Christians today to rally firmly behind their Christian leaders as they worked towards a resolution for the community. CCM Youth urged the Christian community to uphold their leaders in prayer more fervently.

CCM Youth reiterated that they remained committed to nation-building and bringing about justice, peace and reconciliation for all Malaysians and migrants, and would stop at nothing to bring about change for the betterment of all peoples regardless of creed, race or religion, through proclaiming truth and bringing about justice and transformation to the nation.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

(signed)
Daniel Chai
Secretary
CCM Youth
Email: ccmyouth@gmail.com
Tags: CCM Youth, Democratic Principles, Full Freedom, Full Rights

Defend My Right? But That's Not The Right I Want

The Malaysian Chinese Association's ("MCA") president is so thoughtful that he has gone over to Kelantan, who's on the verge of banning gambling in the form of lottery tickets, to negotiate on behalf of the non-muslims telling them that this has infringed the non-muslims' rights.

It was mentioned that he will defend the rights of the non-muslims. It's a big statement indeed. But is that the right that is applicable to all non-muslims. Is MCA wasting their time and other people's time. Many non-muslims would have preferred MCA to do something more useful and beneficial for Malaysia as a whole, not just for the non-muslims.

One questions, was it stated in the constitution that non-muslims must have those lottery rights?

If not, what right has PAS infringed?

Wait wait ..... it was mentioned that Big Sweep lottery was affected. Who owns Big Sweep and for that matter, who owns the other lottery tickets scheme in Malaysia?

And if PAS is stubborn and proceeds with their moves, MCA is sure that a legal suit will be brought against PAS. One of the reasons given is that Federal law permits the lottery schemes so it must prevail, not the state law.

Did you defend the rights of the non-muslims when the Christians had their bibles compounded and subsequently conditions were imposed for Bahasa Malaysia bibles in Peninsular Malaysia? If the government tells you not to interfere or said nothing, will you challenge the government in court?

Be consistent in your defending of non-muslims' rights. If you want to defend, please defend in all situations and not on selective basis. Please don't tell us that you have insufficient hands or your hands are tied due to specific laws. And why only non-muslims' rights?

Out of nowhere, MCA publicity bureau got involved by saying that PAS has the final say in the Pakatan Rakyat. Just weeks ago, DAP was mentioned to be taking that role. Maybe weeks later, it would be PKR's turn to take that final say role.
Tags: Malaysian Chinese Association, MCA, PAS, DAP, PKR, Lottery Tickets, Big Sweep, Non-Muslims' Rights

A Call For Patience

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA

(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457

Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

7th April 2011


A call for patience and careful consideration

The statements of regret and appeals for forgiveness expressed by the Government of Malaysia with respect to the impounding and stamping of the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, the Alkitab, resonate deep within the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

As a body that brings together a wide cross-section of the Christian community in Malaysia, we know about the sinfulness of man and have experienced the forgiveness of God. As such, we receive these expressions with all the sincerity with which they are offered.

We believe the Government’s proposals represent a basis for further dialogue and engagement towards a viable long-term and comprehensive solution.

As such, CFM feels that this process ought not to be hurried. Its constituent bodies are currently undertaking their own internal consultations prior to responding collectively to the 10-point resolution proposed by the Government.

We call for patience and perseverance, and continued prayer and quiet reflection, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our deliberations.


Yours sincerely,


(signed)
Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia
Tags: Christian Federation of Malaysia, CFM, Bahasa Malaysia Bible, Alkitab, Christian Community

Being Labelled As An Extremist Christian

Looks like what was stated in the Christian Federation of Malaysia's ("CFM") media statement as per my previous blogpost has been deemed extreme and hence, the CFM has also been labelled as extremists in requesting for its Constitutional rights to be recognised.

Who said that?

The Islamic Defenders Organisation (Pembela), an umbrella body representing nineteen Muslim non-governmental organisations has, on 28 March 2011, came up to say that these Christians should apologise and should use a proper channel to voice out. They suggested that the Committee for the Promotion of Religious Understanding and Harmony Among Adherents is the right place to settle this issue peacefully.

In the first place, the Christians had only issue a memorandum and didn't even stage a demonstration.

Secondly, the Christians are reminding the government of the Constitutional rights.

I think this Pembela has forgotten two things.
One - that the government has encouraged all students to study/learn in the Malay language during school age. No more English language except for one.

Two - that lots of people in Sabah and Sarawak speak/read in the Malay language only apart from their tribal language.

I believed that the Allah issue would be the main thing that caused thousands of Malay language bibles to be detained by the government.

Then the Valentine's Day issue was also thrown at the Christians.

Lately, even a dance movement by the name of Poco Poco has been linked to Christianity especially on its movements which signifies a cross. I almost fainted when I heard that.

These are all divide and rule signs and these are the things that will hold Malaysia back for years to come. Surprisingly, all these protestors are not concerned with the drastic drop in the Foreign Direct Investment or the terrible corruption that has plagued so many government agencies. But we are more concerned with which language the Christians would use or how certain events are linked to Christianity.

Even a Christian prayer rally that was held in Kuching on 23 March 2011, atteended by 3,000 people, was construed as going against the government. It was condemned by the Deputy Federal Minister, Joseph Salang Gandum telling the Christians not to make a fool of themselves.

Out of a sudden, Idris Jala in representing the government and in full view of the upcoming state election in Sarawak, the government has decided that everyone can import bibles of any language into Malaysia. Do I hear any protest from the Pembela now?

Suddenly you see the mainstream media potraying the government as the saviour in this issue.

You call this nation building or whatever you name it, 1Malaysia?

The Interlok book that will be used as a reference book in the secondary school is also another issue. Since there are so many people that are unhappy with it, why can't the government just remove it from being one of the recommended books. Such a simple step but the government insist that it has to be the book. Why? Again it talks about the minorities in Malaysia.

This is a pure divide and rule policy that will help those in power to rule the subjects by creating disharmony amongst Malaysians. Yet many Malaysians would fall for it.

And in many cases, new things will crop up to create a big news in order to cover other news that were hogging too much of a limelight.

This blogpost is not to stir any hatred or any discomfort among Malaysians but if any of the above issues have created tensions, blame it on the current government. Malaysia will not flourish as long as all the races are divided.

Anyhow, CFM has welcomed the government's green light as a positive move.

But then all this negative news have 'flown' all over the world and they are already laughing at us.
Tags: Divide And Rule Policy, Extremist Christian, Interlok, Malay Bible, Nation Building, 1Malaysia, Pembela, Allah, Bible, Christan Federation of Malaysia, Poco Poco Dance