Sigh .... !!

I read this very scary piece of news in The Star today.

The sky’s the limit for Malacca’s Mat Rempit
By MARTIN CARVALHO
MALACCA: The state has issued a challenge to youth nationwide especially Mat Rempit to take to the skies in a micro-light aircraft.
To make good the challenge, the state via Tabung Yayasan Melaka, is offering RM6,000 loans to those interested in obtaining their micro-light aircraft pilot licence here with the 4B Youth Movement flying club based in Sungai Rambai, Jasin.
“I hope the Mat Rempit will take up the offer and learn how to fly an aircraft instead of racing illegally on the roads and getting themselves killed,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said when opening the Malacca Air Carnival yesterday.

If it's not bad enough that they terrorize the roads, now we are encouraging them to terrorize the skies. Soon there'll be a new catchphrase - It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a Mat Rempit!!! Run for your lives!!!!

Menace on our streets

The road thugs are at it again. In recent months, they have attacked both local and foreigners, male and female, young and old, able and disabled. It seems the authorities are finally coming to terms that this menace is now spinning out of control. According to the authorities the reason these youths have turned to a life of crime (call it what you will, as far as I am concerned, it’s crime) because they are bored. I don’t understand why we are even validating them by accepting such ridiculous excuses. I am sure most youths have their moments of boredom but they don’t exactly go on rampage on the streets, do they? Our authorities and politicians have for far too long treated these thugs with kid gloves. From suggestions that these thugs be turned into role models (go figure!) to sending them off to rehab and national service (please, not the same place our kids go to!), the only thing they have not really done is to throw these thugs into jail. As far as I am concerned, if they are not too young to hurt and maim, they are not too young to be severely punished. The authorities must stop glamorizing their actions and just jail them instead of slapping them on their wrists. It’s time the citizens regain our safety on the streets. We deserve as much.

To teach or not to teach

Our Education Ministry is once again deciding whether to continue teaching Science and Mathematics in English. And once again, our children are the ones who’ll have to pay the price for their decisions.

My humble opinion is that they should continue teaching these subjects (and if possible the other subjects as well) in English. The reason is a no-brainer. English is the lingua franca so it makes sense to equip our children with the communication skills they will require to make it in the business world when the time comes.

I’ve always worked in an MNC (since my first job) and my job requires me to converse in English with our counterparts elsewhere in the world. I’ve seen job applications completely written in Bahasa Melayu and applicants who can barely understand a word of English, let alone write in English. Again, this is a no-brainer. Would the MNC hire someone who is unable to communicate in English? The answer is a resounding no for the reasons listed above.

I had an interesting conversation with an old Malay lady I met at my daughter’s school. She speaks excellent English and as she proudly told me, she has lived in many countries around the world. She is able to proudly hold her head up high wherever she is in the world because she is able to speak English, as well as, if not better, than the native speakers. The best thing is, she was a product of our National schools, when English was the main medium of instruction.

We’ve been given the excuse too many times that the reason Science and Maths should be taught in the national language is because many children from non-English speaking backgrounds are unable to grasp the subjects taught. Let me ask this … if a foreign worker from Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan etc is able to master the Chinese language in a matter of months, surely our children can do better? If the powers-that-be think that for some reason, our children are unable to absorb new languages, I would certainly take that as an insult. The fact is, learning is central to our progress as human beings. It’s whether or not we choose to learn. And I think it is no secret that many are choosing not to learn.

Is it any wonder that many of our graduates are unable to find a job? With globalization, the world is getting smaller and people are getting more competitive. However, it does seem to me that the powers-that-be and our graduates are still sitting comfortably in their shells, oblivious to the fact that if they do not make an attempt to buck-up, they will be left behind. When they do finally come to their senses, it will be too late. And when that happens, who will they blame for this?

If we want to compete with the rest of the world and hold our heads up high, proper education is the way to go. It is not about having the biggest roti canai or the longest stretch of satay in the Guinness Book of Records. We are only competitive when we are able to communicate with the rest of the world in a language they understand.

Bersatu

By now most people would have read about the local politician who stirred up a hornet’s nest last week by uttering racist remarks. It’s a pity really that after all these years of living together peacefully we all seem to be more divided than ever. Or at least that’s what our politicians will have us believe.

My daughter came back from school excitedly last week, declaring that she’s just learned a great song where children from all races sing together in unity. That title of the song, coincidentally, is “Bersatu” which in English means united. I can’t help but feel the irony of this, because it was just last week that the act of an irresponsible politician threatened the very fabric of unity in this country.

Parenting is no walk-in-the-park. It’s hard enough as it is and our politicians are not making things easier with all the remarks they make. I wish they would just make up their minds on what they really want for the country and its people because on one hand the kids are being taught to stand united together, and on the other we have politicians ripping apart the fabric of our unity.

How do I explain to my daughter the actions of the irresponsible politician especially when she’s been taught at home and at school that we should respect one and all irrespective of their skin colour and religion? Or perhaps it will be easier to just send the politicians back to Standard One to re-learn everything they have obviously forgot.

People say the darnedest things

I read this in The Star today.

WHEN a backbencher talked about the prevalence of homosexual activities in his debate on the motion on the Mid-Term Review Report of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, he did more than just raise a topic.
He also raised a few eyebrows. Some MPs were even seen exchanging smiles.
Datuk Ab Rahman Dahlan (BN-Kota Belud) said the Government should take steps to inform the public about the prevalence of such activities, to the extent that some toilets in shopping malls had become their haunts.
“According to a local Malay tabloid, many of the homosexuals paid to enter public toilets and engage in their activities there. One security guard was quoted as saying that those involved were usually young men.
“And if you go to certain hotels in the city, many foreign tourists can be seen bringing young males up to their rooms after 11pm. Most often, these males are young Malay men,” he said.
Ab Rahman said that similar to how it had acted against scourges like HIV/AIDS and drug addiction, the Government had to come out in the open and admit that homosexuality was a problem in the country.
“This is so that the rakyat can start to accept the fact that we do have a problem with rampant homosexual activities,” he pointed out.
Ab Rahman also urged the people to sympathise with the family members of homosexuals for their suffering.

Is it just me, or is there something wrong with the statement above?

Angst Ridden Day!

Today is one of those days for me. I’m quite sure I woke up on the wrong side of bed because I’m feeling very combative. Reading the morning papers didn’t help to quell that rising angst, instead it made things worse. Perhaps I should list down what’s been bugging me? These are some examples ….

No. 1 : Parents who do not discipline their kids

These are parents who do not bat a single eyelid when their little “angels” are wrecking havoc on other people’s property. After they're done, it looks like a hurricane just passed through. The worst thing is, their parents either pretend it's normal behaviour OR reprimand them ... in the sweetest voice. When kids are testing their limits like this, they need to be shown who's boss. That's called setting limits! At times like this it takes all the self-restraint I’ve got to NOT discipline them myself. One of these days I might just snap and do it.

No. 2 : People who think it’s their right to stick their noses into our business

The way I see it is, whatever it is we do is none of anyone’s business. Especially smarty-pants who think they’re doing us a big favor by giving us unsolicited half-baked advice. The rule is ... if we don't ask, it means we don't need it.

No. 3 : Ministers who spout nonsense

When will they ever learn? Shooting themselves in the foot does not make the public perceive them to be smarter. It just makes us wonder why we voted for them in the first place.

No. 4 : People who ride motorcycles into parks

Aaargh! This group of people really, really riles me. I can’t understand why anyone would want to ride their motorcycles in the park because frankly, most people like to enjoy a quiet walk in it. There’s a park with a nice lake near our home, but the quiet environment is unfortunately ruined by these motorcyclists. They ride their motorcycles on the running tracks so adults and kids alike have to hop onto the grass each time to let these inconsiderate motorcyclists pass through. There’s a reason why it’s called a running track, folks! You’re supposed to run on it, not ride on it.

No. 5 : People who conveniently forget to return stuff they borrowed

At some point of our lives, we’ve all met people like these, haven’t we? If they really want the stuff why can’t they just be forthright and ask for it? If I'm in a really good mood I might even say yes.

*Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out*

Hmm .... I’m feeling better already! Thanks for "listening"!

Color blind and proud of it!

I had a most interesting discussion with the grandma of my daughter’s friend the other day. She is a feisty Malay lady while I’m Chinese. Her grandson and my daughter have been classmates for 3 years now and are best friends.

The topic of our discussion was how well the kids are getting along with each other, regardless of their race and how proud we are of this fact. Some of my daughter’s best friends happen to be Malays and Indians, so combined, they represent multi-cultural Malaysia.

The Malay lady told me how confused she was to hear politicians speak about race relations amongst us because in her opinion, we all regard each other as friends. I totally agree with her because I have friends from other races too. When I speak to them, I don’t see them as Malay, Chinese or Indians, I see them as just my friends. So why is it that our politicians are so bent of making us see our differences rather than to embrace and celebrate it?

If politicians speak about race segregation happening in national schools, perhaps they would like to spend a day in a private school. That’s because in my daughter’s school, all the races study and play together. The kids do not stick to friends of their own race because, frankly, they’re colour-blind when it comes to skin colour.

It does seem like the kids know more about race relations than the politicians. Perhaps it’s time for the politicians to go back to school.