Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all Readers

Just this morning I had the privilege to attend the launching of the Productivity Report 2009 and the Productivity Award 2009 Presentation Ceremony held at Subang Jaya and officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed (TokPa), Minister of MITI. I also had the opportunity to bring along several students to this event which would have given them a good experience as well as networking opportunities. I strongly believe in enriching our youths, as I feel that they are the anchor runners of our nation.

The second session of the event included a 'Highlight Session' with a paper presentation entitled “Achieving Growth Through Productivity” by YBhg Dato’ Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, Council Member, National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). The paper above all underlined the concept of the New Economic Model (NEM) which was revealed by the Prime Minister a while ago and highlighted the importance of the NEM as a model to achieve a better standard of living for the 'rakyat'.


During the question and answer question (which was started off by YBhg Tan Sri Dato` Ir Wan Abdul Rahman bin Hj Wan Yaacob, MPC director, on the insistence of the uncouth emcee), I posted the question on the willingness of ISIS, MPC and other governmental departments to go on the ground to explain the objectives as well as the framework of the NEM to university students as they are the ones who are integral to the working of this new model.

To that, Dato' Dr Mahani confessed that whilst there is a need to explain this policy, the NEAC with its limited number of members (with some overseas) are not able to carry out this task. Later, another MPC director, YBhg Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur suggested that Members of Parliament should take the responsibility to explain the NEM to their respective constituencies as it is "...bigger than sending out an astronaut", as it deals with the livelihood of the rakyat.

I see this spectacle of having the right tools but never the right timing never ending. Somehow, commonsense should just prevail. There should be a strong emphasis to explain the NEM to the masses as it affects each and every citizen of this country, including your Malaysian Malay Muslim.

There is a Malay saying: "Tak kenal maka tak cinta" which basically means "to love is to know". A good analogy is a job description (JD) of an employee. How can an employee work effectively if he is not told the specifics of his duties? Similarly, the rakyat in general, and the voting young especially, would want to learn how do they fit in the jigzaw of NEM. As they learn of their roles and the expectations placed upon them, surely their effectiveness in driving the country forward should also develop further.

As I mentioned earlier, I came with a strong and eager contingent of a good mix of students, both local and international, but ended up explaining the NEM myself to them. Surely there are people more ready, willing and able to do this? I thus urge the respective parties to put the agenda of explaining the NEM to the youth of Malaysia as their utmost priority. These young people are after all, the ones who would be carrying the baton at the next lap.


Regards

Weeding out Bad Hats of the Malaysian Higher Education Industry

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all

The Star recently highlighted a couple of news on the issue of colleges running programs without valid regulatory requirements. This is an ongoing issue as Malaysia is moving towards the mission of becoming renowned for its institutions of higher learning.

The natural attraction of Malaysia is understandable; being the melting pot of Asian cultures, the country is also blessed with good weather as well as the friendly people who are mostly conversant in English. However, the fertile ambience has also made the country a front for companies intending to make the quick buck, so much so the government of Malaysia is considerably finding it a challenge to nab these institutions in the bud.

There are basic pre-requisites for a college to run a programme; firstly the college must be approved of a license to operate by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) as stipulated in the Private Higher Education Institution Act 1996 (Act 555). An institution should have the license certificate, which is usually valid for a period of five years, publicly displayed. Secondly, the program offered must also be approved. The approval letter should include the details of the program including the duration, the location of conduct, the courses in the program as well as other important information. Sadly though, there still exist colleges who flout these rulings and plead oversight as their escape clause from punishment.

As a Malaysian Malay Muslim, I am thankful that MOHE, especially the Department of Private Education, is continuously taking a pro-active stance in this issue. I urge them to continue acting strongly against these irresponsible institutions which are putting the national agenda of establishing Malaysia as a regional higher education hub in jeopardy. All it takes is a few bad hats to turn cases such as the ones above into bad publicity.

In moving towards a nation supported by the service based industry under the New Economic Model (NEM), the focus on quality and innovation in tertiary education must not be compromised. Thus, we as the public could work hand in hand with the regulatory bodies such as MOHE and the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) to weed out these unscrupulous owners of higher institutions whose only thoughts are centred around making quick profits above anything else. By highlighting higher education-related cases, we are safeholding not only the national interest, but the survival of our children.
 

Regards and WasSalam

The Gambit at Hulu Selangor

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day dear readers.

I nearly fell off my seat when I first heard of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's (DZI) selection by the PKR bigwigs for the Hulu Selangor by-election which was announced in Serendah on Tuesday night. More surprisingly, the announcement was made in advance of Barisan Nasional's planned announcement on 15 April, which earlier declared their intention to field a candidate from the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).

Being an old goat in politics, DSAI could have taken the cerebral option and a safer bet in Dr Halili Rahmat, a neurosurgeon by practice and a local respected figure. However, the glutton that had defined his character all these years reared its head again and BN's bait in the possibility of pitting PKR against an MIC candidate got the PKR supremo hasting an early decision. What a pity, I must say.

On one hand, the liberal DZI appeals to likeminded voters who are cognisant to his views on many issues including his comments on the legitimacy of the steps taken by HRH the Sultan of Perak in resolving the impasse of the Perak State Government.

On another hand, the make-up of the majority rural community would mean that his persona may not be entirely appealing, especially in defending the track record of PKR in dealing with bread and butter issues ever since the party successfully wrested P94 from Datuk G Palanivel (DGP) in 2008.

It is obvious that from the beginning, the BN coalition had already made their calculations prior to the death of the late Hulu Selangor incumbent, Allahyarham Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad. Subsequently, the MIC red herring was thrown intentionally to get PKR all woozy and overconfident. Apparently the gambit tactic is working so far and PKR might regret the naivety of their chief in taking in the bait.

The only block for me to point out on a comfortable BN win at Hulu Selangor is in the stubborness of MIC in sticking to none other than DGP. Although intended to show unity and undivided support for the candidate, this gesture nonetheless gives rise to accusations of putting the BN leadership in a spot. Secondly, by risking the outcome of BN choosing an alternative candidate to DGP, the MIC stands to be ridiculed for having a disillusioned view of the whole scenario in Hulu Selangor and not listening to the sentiments of the voters, who irregardless of ethnicity, are yet to absolve the MIC leadership from the bad handling of issues related to the Indian community. Thirdly, members overlooked for this candidature may decide to field themselves as independents, indirectly challenging the currently weak MIC leadership.

All in all, I see this by-election going into a tight race of sorts. My recent findings through last week's trip to Hulu Selangor showed the level of support for either side is still unclear. Come Saturday however, this would surely change. And perhaps, DZI is DSAI's red herring after all!

Regards and Wassalam.

A Bosnian Pleasantry

It has been about fifteen years since Bosnia-Herzegovina emerged from the rubbles of war devastation which resulted from inter-ethnical atrocities among its three major ethnic components with the true aftermath of this deep socio-political gash still subject to debate. However, an undisputed fact is that Malaysia (having derived from its own experience), had always been acommodating and vocal in its support for a peaceful and just nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

To this effect, Bosnians hold dear YABhg Tun Mahathir Mohamad (TMM) as head of an international friend and contributor to the rebuilding and subsequent progress of the Balkan country. How fitting then, to coincide with the commemorating of its independence, the community of Bosnia-Herzegovina through University Of Sarajevo (UNSA), has conferred TMM with its distinguished 'Honorary Doctorate of the University of Sarajevo'.

The Dean of the UNSA Faculty of Machine Engineering, Professor Dr Ejub Dzaferovic, had this to say in his proposal submission of TMM's candidacy:

Mr Mahathir proved, in his international activities, his sympathies for Bosnia and Herzegovina and peoples living there, by taking an active role as the 'Ambassador of Peace' in settling down war conflicts, and later, by helping reconstruction and development of our country. He was trying to transpose his positive experience that correct inter-ethnic relations can be achieved only by justice, consistency and economic prosperity, even to the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order with that, his role has been very active in connecting economy and universities of both countries via international projects. The University of Sarajevo has a very considerable cooperation with universities in Malaysia and with Malaysian companies as well. The cooperation reflects in mutual realization of teaching and scientific projects.

Congratulations to TMM for the award which further enhances the image of Malaysia in the international arena. As a discerning Malaysian Malay Muslim, I am both proud and thankful, and hope that the cooperation between Malaysia and Bosnia and Herzegovina be further deepened, especially in the field of higher education.


Regards and Wassalam

Menabur Budi Pada Yang Pasti

Assalamu alaikum dan Salam Sejahtera para pembaca yang budiman

Sejak kecil saya meminati tanaman dan berkecimpung di dalam hobi berkebun. AlhamdulilLah, setelah usia ini semakin lanjut, saya menjadikan hobi ini sebagai riadah untuk mengeluarkan peluh. Selalunya saya akan ke rumah orang tua saya pada setiap hujung minggu untuk berziarah dan di sana saya akan mencuri masa bagi melakukan hobi ini. Antara yang saya usahakan adalah tanaman cili, terung, mangga, pisang, ubi kayu dan ubi keladi.

Jelas hobi ini ada kelebihannya yang tersendiri. Sepertimana tajuk artikel ini, berkebun merupakan aktiviti menabur budi kepada tanah, yang pasti memberikan pulangan. Bukan hasil tuaian yang saya maksudkan, tetapi pengeluaran oksigen kepada alam yang menjadi bekal kepada semua hidupan. Hasil tuaian adalah bonus kepada usaha ini yang apabila tanaman mengeluarkan hasil, merupakan sesuatu pengalaman yang mengujakan.

Antara hasil yang diambil

Mangga yang dibungkus dengan surat khabar dan akar pokok jalar

Pisang Raja digoreng buat hidangan minum petang yang lazat

Saya mengesyorkan hobi ini kepada semua pembaca tidak kira usia ataupun di mana lokasi anda. Semoga usaha ini memberikan kita jasmani yang sihat, rezeki yang berkat, dan udara alam yang selamat.

Sekian dan Wassalam.

Epitaph of a Brother

Assalamu alaikum, Happy Holidays and Good Day dear readers

I have been privileged to know a man which I consider my brother. His passing was a shock to me, and I am still at pains to accept his demise. Hopefully my sharing with you will make this easier to take.

He was one of the rare kind. The Bobby Mercer character in 'Four Brothers'. It was once said that Horatius needed two to defend Rome at the Sublician. Well, in 'Abang Onn', he would have probably needed only one.



Inna lilLahi wa inna ilaihi rajiuun. Ila hadratin Nabiyy ahmadim Musytaba Muhammadim Mustafa RasulilLahi sallalLahi alaihi wa sallam. Khususun ilahi ruhi Mohamed Onn bin Sulaiman, kiramin al Fatihah..


Kind regards and Wassalam

Kedaulatan Raja

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all readers

The recent Federal Court ruling on the legitimacy of the sacking of Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (DSMNJ) and the subsequent appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (DSDZAK) by the Sultan of Perak was met with a wave of emotions from both sides of the divide.

Whilst the ruling BN camp breathed a sigh of relief and joy, the Pakatan Rakyat coalition expectedly denounced the decision, and declared among others that it was 'shameful', and 'a black mark in the history of the country’s judiciary'.

Some may understand the disappointment of the former ruling government, but what made me sit up to write this piece is the remark by a someone who has had a history with the judiciary.

The party’s political bureau chief Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said the court has decided that the principles of constitutional law, parliamentary democracy and justice were subservient to political wishes.

“It means that the Malay Rulers now have an absolute power over the Chief Executive of the State.

The Sultan now not only has the power to refuse the appointment of anyone proposed by the government of the day as the Mentri Besar that he disapproves of, he also has the power to dismiss the said Mentri Besar if he so wishes,” he said.

He said it seemed that the constitutional requirement that a constitutional head only acted on the advice of the Mentri Besar or the Prime Minister was now no longer applicable.

The last remark made me think deeply on his intended agenda. Putting the will of the people against the supremacy of the head of state is a very dangerous game, especially if the learned ruler had taken steps deemed appropriate to resolve such an intricate impasse.

Moreover, how can impartiality be dispensed by a Mentri Besar or Prime Minister if the very issue at hand is the survival of the incumbent as the head of the exco?

I am shuddered by the fact that Kedaulatan Raja is being poked and questioned but worse, politicized with such henious intentions.

Only Allah swt can have pity on these poor souls.

Regards