‘Consider the number of unemployed who cannot secure a job simply because they cannot speak fluent English. Not every single Malay can secure a contract or a civil service job.'
On '152 street rally' set for next month
Alex C: For god's sake, are these petty racial issues are all that Gapena can think of? Rallies to defend the Malay language? They might not have noticed, but all subjects in schools are taught in Malay except for maths and science.
If I may ask, what does one really lose by learning these subjects in English? Does it makes one less Malay? They do not even consider the number of unemployed who cannot secure a job simply because they cannot speak fluent English. Do they think every single Malay can secure a contract or a civil service job?
Does it not bother them that the majority who are unemployed are Malay? It is shameful enough that there are even 'hushed' cases in local universities about even lecturers who are not capable of teaching in English.
Do they think that Malaysians can step out of this country and communicate with others in Malay? Or is it that they expect others to speak to us in Malay only? I wonder what they're all ashamed about when Zainuddin Maidin went live on air with Al-Jazeera last year and sounded just fine.
I suggest to those who are complaining to set up a fund, build a private school for their own children and teach them anything they want but English. Don't bring about the downfall of everyone else who wishes to learn and compete globally.
On Victory in KT will reinvigorate takeover plan
Arunasalam.P: Whenever and wherever a by-election is held in Malaysia, the people in that constituency can expect a bounty of goodies such as the roads being resurfaced, clogged and stinking drains cleaned, road lights and traffic lights installed.
This plus water and electricity connected, variety of licenses approved with the snap of the finger, land titles given to the landless people, decades-old problems resolved and a variety of other goodies all in the name of a ‘caring government".
Isn't this ‘buying' and bribingthe voters? Doesn't this violate election laws? Furthermore, the candidates are also a ‘caring' lot with a very high visibility in the run-up to the by-election.
My friend said that once votes are cast and the results announced, these politicians will disappear and only reappear during the next election.
The print and electronic media is also extremely obedient to their masters. The obedient media would ensure that nothing bad or detrimental about the government is written or broadcast. The voters need to be indoctrinated throughout the campaign period so that they would not be swayed by ‘false stories' from the opposition.
However, present day voters are not a bunch of fools who could be easily swayed. These old tricks do not hold water any longer.
The more I read the controlled media, the more my blood pressure rise. I hope that the voters in Kuala Terengganu would vote wisely and not be misled by empty promises and offer of goodies.
On The art of politicising English, Maths and Science
P Sritharan:
I have noticed and I have experienced that intelligence is matched to our fluency in the English language. This is an unwritten law, especially in the developing countries. My question. ‘Is it acceptable and a fair judgment of a person's intelligence?'Why should we give English such a high status? Maybe during the 80's and before it might have seemed to be justifiable. However, as for now, you can be ‘educated or highly educated' even if your knowledge in English is average.
This is due to the fact that Malaysian universities and colleges offer most of their diplomas, degrees, Masters and their PhD programmes in Bahasa Malaysia.
The quality of our local graduates is of acceptable even though there is some room for improvement. Again, I am not referring to English but to other aspects that would boost their quality.
There are many local graduates who have an inferiority complex just because their level of English is below than those with whom they communicate with.
I feel this is wrong and they should be brave enough to communicate with others in Bahasa Malaysia as long as this is Malaysia and to whom you communicate with are Malaysians.
However, at the same time, they should take serious measures to improve their English as it is one of the important criterias for promotions, especially in the private sector.
On Not-so-smart toll agreements
Maniam Sankar:
The findings from the limited review of the declassified toll agreements thus far already challenges all norms of good government and governance.The reports, however, are so faceless. If the rakyat's interests were undermined in the agreements, we should also know who were the movers involved in the drafting.
Let there be open justifications presented.
On Take a step back and review KLIA-East@Labu
P Sritharan:
After IJN issue, we now have another controversial issue related to Sime Darby. This time it is an airport planned to be built near Labu. This particular airport is said to cater for low cost carriers especially that of AirAsia.If at all it is true, then, I have a few doubts. Currently we have four major airports - three commercial and one air force - within the Klang Valley.
So, why do we need one more airport near Labu, which is quite near to KLIA and the current LCCT?
At the moment, the new airport is said to be for low-cost carriers. However, why do we need another airport for low cost carriers since we already have the LCCT just next door. Has the current LCCT reached or is near reaching a 100 percent capacity usage?
Even if that is the case, what about the old Subang Airport. It is said that Subang Airport is strategically located and currently is under-utilized. Even if it needs an upgrade, I feel Subang Airport has the infrastructure.
This means the cost to convert Subang Airport up to the standard required would be lesser. If at all they are still adamant to build a new airport, then let them build it in at a reasonably distanced location.
Most importantly, they must ensure that they do not compete with other airports next door. If that is the case, then it would result in both operating at a loss.
Yee: Sime Darby had made a welcomed move. No matter how beneficial it could have been for the public, the crux of the matter is that the public should be able to get top quality healthcare without losing our home or assets. Why change that?
Sime Darby, like any other corporate company, has stakeholders and a profit line to watch. No matter how good it looks on paper, somebody will have to pay for the cost of running a top quality heart center.
In the end healthcare becomes an expensive ticket item borne by insurance companies and in turn by the rakyat . Surely we can all learn from the US healthcare system which has absolutely gone out of control.
Apart from that, Sime Darby does not exactly have a good reputation for social responsibility. In Sime UEP developments itself, promises have been broken, responsibilities not met.
Homes were built right next to the highway where residents have to contend with the noise each and every day. Sime Darby just sells the houses, shakes your hand, dust their feet and wash their hands of whatever comes after that.
If IJN was to go to Sime Darby, what is to stop them in 10 years or more in changing their policy or selling it off to another company which has no social responsibility? It just does not make sense and I'm glad this issue has been laid to rest.
On Oil price slumps to new four-year low at US$35.62
Millionth Citizen:
Dear minister, why is that petrol cannot be tagged at a lower price than RM1.52?Before the Pak Lah administration, petrol price was at RM1.52 when world crude oil prices were hovering around US$50.
Now, crude oil prices have been hovering around about US$50 and has been many days even lower. Tell us why are we not able to enjoy the privileges of low petrol prices. Thank you.
On Time running out for 'deviationist' sect
N: Being an Ahmadi Muslim in London, I am very much saddened that this cancer has now penetrated Malaysia.
The cancer of taking freedom away, the cancer where normal grassroots citizens are hindered from practising their religious duties. This is the same cancer that ultimately leads to a country being in the hands of extremists.
We have always been peaceful, loving and most of all united for the countries we live in. We always spread our motto 'Love for All, Hatred for None' to all and take actions on our words.
We always integrate, work hard for and contribute to our local communities. Our love for humanity is never stopped by the hatred sometimes shown by others.
Yet we can only pray to God Almighty pleading that He restores the true glory of Malaysia by Malaysia backing humanity, rather than bullies.
