Bus crash at Genting Highlands

Photo: Fire & Rescue Dept of Malaysia's Facebook page

A terrible tragedy indeed. The accident happened this after around 2:30pm on the road going downhill from Genting. The driver lost control of the bus ferrying 53 passengers plunged into a 60 metre ravine.

Latest death count is 37. 
The dead: 24 males and 13 females
Injured: 16

I do notice that some cars and buses plying that route at unsafe speeds. Some impatient ones will even tailgate the vehicle in front and overtake dangerously.

Condolences to the families of the victims.

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37 dead in Genting bus crash (Updated) 

PETALING JAYA: Thirty-seven people were killed in the country's worst road tragedy, after a bus carrying 53 plunged into a 60m ravine near Genting Highlands around 2.45pm Wednesday.

The dead included 24 males and 13 females. Sixteen people were injured in the incident.

The 2.45pm accident happened when the ill-fated bus was descending a steep slope.

Fire and Rescue Department principal assistant director (Operations) Datuk Soiman Jahid said some 450 personnel from his department, the police and Civil Defence Department were involved in the search and rescue operation, which was finally called off at 10pm.

He said the cause of the accident had yet to be determined and that they had yet to interview witnesses.

"But the descent was very steep and if the bus was not controlled well, it could have skidded and plunged into the ravine. This is the initial assessment of the rescue team," he said.

He said the dead included the driver of the bus.

It is believed that the driver lost control of the bus, which then rammed a divider before plunging down the gorge.

Some of the passengers were flung from the bus during the incident.

According to the police, more than half the passengers on the bus were foreigners, from China, Bangladesh and Thailand

The bus was also overloaded as its capacity was 44 passengers, authorities said.


The accident occurred at KM36 of the Genting-Kuala Lumpur road, some two kilometres from the Chin Swee Caves Temple, as the bus carrying 53 people was coming down from Genting Highlands and heading towards Kuala Lumpur.


Earlier, rescuers worked frantically to reach people trapped in the bus. Some 30 policemen and nine ambulances were at the scene.

Traffic in the area was at a standstill as police ensured rescue vehicles could reach the scene of the accident.

Bentong OCPD Supt Mansor Mohd Noor confirmed the incident to The Star but could not give further details.

Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (in blue jacket) at the scene of the accident in Genting Highlands Wednesday.

"I can confirm that there were passengers on the bus but how many there were I don't know yet.

"Authorities are en route to the site now," he said.

- Source

Vernacular Schools = Polarisation?

 

A bigot's views.

It seems that a certain group of misguided people have found a new passion in life, which is whacking vernacular education. They are obsessed with Chinese & Tamil Schools. You can sense their deep hatred with anything that does not conform to their narrow mindset. And one such person goes by the name of Narinder Singh, who works for FMT.

What's with these people and their fixation with vernacular schools anyway? They think they know better that the communities themselves? Do they think those parents who put their kids through vernacular education are stupid? Do these bigots  think that they are perfect role model citizens?

These people are perfect examples of bigots. And they are really starting to get on my nerves...

Below are excerpts from Narinder's article, blaming vernacular schools for, what else, the racial polarisation in Malaysia. Actually he whines and complains about pretty much everything, but hardly offers any solutions.

Race-based education policy and polarisation

by Narinder Singh
Full article here.

The fragmented education system has indeed “polarised” the minds of the different communities.

.... Racial schooling

"It is baffling that despite vernacular schools insisting that they adhere to national policies in delivering the education system, then why the need for such schools which revolve around a particular mother tongue?"....

If the writer is even "baffled" by the existence of vernacular schools, why on earth is the writer even writing about something he has zero understanding of? Did he ask his Chinese or Tamil friends? If he has any to begin with...

....It is time to abolish vernacular schools. Historically, they came into play as a by-product of settlements during the British Occupation. We stubbornly held on to it and what we have today is an in-direct culmination of racial sentiments in these establishments. Deny as much as we want, but the fact remains that when one is put thorough a homogeneous system, the outcome can only be biased and it is due to conditioning.

The same can be said for the his biased and ill-informed views. Don't you just love it when these people selectively quote history to justify their points? The British left behind more than just vernacular education. ..

Imagine a six-year-old being nourished for the next six to 11 years in a system where only one majority race exist. What do you expect if “racially inclined” thought process does not breed in the mind?

It is proven that the early formative years of education is the most vital and critical in carving the minds for future behaviour. In the same tone, why the issue of racial polarisation being heavily politicised by the opposition and even the government alike? ....

It is true that the formative years are important for a child. That is precisely the reason parents send them to vernacular schools at that age. The writer tries to be politically-correct by using "racially inclined" thought process, but it just highlights his hypocrisy. Just say what you mean, "racists". 

A racist will be a racist in any environment.

The fragmented education system has indeed “polarised” the minds of the different communities. This is the root problem in our society today. Every stakeholder shoves the blame on another for the racial discontent that we experience today. Nevertheless, they are nothing short of being hypocrites.

Take the bull by its horns if they indeed dare to look into the truth. The irony is at every change of guard at the education ministry, the game plan takes a twist.

Pot calling the kettle black. The root problem is people like you Narinder. People who cannot accept different cultures, races, languages. The real bigots are people like you, who tries so hard to hide these facts, and refuses to see the truth. They want everyone to live and believe in their make-believe world. They are living a lie.

...Racially-oriented education will only blossom into race-based polemics in all levels of our society. Almost every issue nauseously has been skewed on the lines of race. ...

What the heck is "racially-oriented education"??? You mean they actually teach kids to be racists in school??? There you go... the real reason for his discontent. Race again. And it is so convenient to blame vernacular schools because kids are easy targets. The writer doesn't even have the guts to be honest. You have a huge problem with race. That is your problem. Don't blame others, ok?

....Visit any tertiary education or even primary schools; you see groups of students socialising only with their own ethnic group. Having gone through the system, racial polarisation is indeed magnified multiple folds at tertiary level. We have race-based student societies, activities and even formal social gatherings.....

Again, blaming students, the helpless... why can't he just be honest. I suspect he doesn't go out much... My advice to him; come out of your cave once in a while, and take a stroll in the real world, go to the nearest restaurants for example, what do you see? Adults mingling with their own race. What about during festivals? People of the same race again! He would certainly find it a very disturbing sight. I'm sure after that he will be running back to his cave...

....We need a gigantic, herculean scale revamp of the education system. Racial polarisation will resolve only when we have a “Malaysian Education” and not race-based especially in the formative years of the young. It may take another generation when a citizen of this country identifies himself as a “true Malaysian.”

A dish goes wrong when either its ingredients are incorrect or you have a half-past-six cook or both. In our education system, we have the perfect blend of both being lousy.....

You know what they say about empty vessels. His obsession with the Malaysian identity shows that he doesn't relate to his own culture and identity. Hence his crisis.

At the end of his tirade, he has failed to even mention the core issue with education, which is the quality and standard. All he can see is just race, race, race... Race is his real issue. Vernacular education is his excuse.

My observation has shown me that when someone tries too hard to show they are not racists and bigots, they usually are. If you are not, you will not have any issues with other races, cultures or language to begin with. You will be quite comfortable with who you are, and who the other person is.  

Kids don't form prejudices in their formative years in schools. At that age, it can only happen at home. 

It is formed in their later years, teens and adulthood, when they face the realities of life.

In life, polarisation exists everywhere. You will meet bigots or racists from every race. It doesn't mean that you have to carry racial stereotyping through life.

This Narinder Singh comes across as a very confused person, perhaps even someone with an identity crisis. And there are many of his kind running loose in this country who considers themselves as "true Malaysians". True nut-cases would be more accurate.

Fukushima - Are we safe?

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Fukushima apocalypse: Years of ‘duct tape fixes’ could result in ‘millions of deaths’

Even the tiniest mistake during an operation to extract over 1,300 fuel rods at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan could lead to a series of cascading failures with an apocalyptic outcome, fallout researcher Christina Consolo told RT.

Fukushima operator TEPCO wants to extract 400 tons worth of spent fuel rods stored in a pool at the plant’s damaged Reactor No. 4. The removal would have to be done manually from the top store of the damaged building in the radiation-contaminated environment. 

In the worst-case scenario, a mishandled rod may go critical, resulting in an above-ground meltdown releasing radioactive fallout with no way to stop it, said Consolo, who is the founder and host of Nuked Radio. But leaving the things as they are is not an option, because statistical risk of a similarly bad outcome increases every day, she said. .....

........

- The racks inside the pool that contain this fuel were damaged by the explosion in the early days of the accident. 

- Zirconium cladding which encased the rods burned when water levels dropped, but to what extent the rods have been damaged is not known, and probably won't be until removal is attempted. 

- Saltwater cooling has caused corrosion of the pool walls, and probably the fuel rods and racks. 

- The building is sinking. 

- The cranes that normally lift the fuel were destroyed. 

- Computer-guided removal will not be possible; everything will have to be done manually. 

- TEPCO cannot attempt this process without humans, which will manage this enormous task while being bombarded with radiation during the extraction and casking. 

- The process of removing each rod will have to be repeated over 1,300 times without incident. 

- Moving damaged nuclear fuel under such complex conditions could result in a criticality if the rods come into close proximity to one another, which would then set off a chain reaction that cannot be stopped......

........'If and when the corium reaches the Tokyo aquifer, serious and expedient discussions will have to take place about evacuating 40 million people'....

......At least the northern half of Japan would be uninhabitable, and some researchers have argued that it already is'....

.......'The mainstream media, world governments, nuclear agencies, health organizations, weather reporters, and the health care industry has completely ignored three ongoing triple meltdowns that have never been contained'.....

 - Source

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There's hardly any news about this terrible event these days. It's been 2 years already since the Earthquake and tsunami struck Fukushima. Looks like things are not getting any better. Many people do not realise the magnitude of this disaster and it's consequences. Radioactive water from the nuclear plant has been leaking into the ocean for 2 years already. And there is nothing we can do about it.

Until today, no one seems to be able to come up with a solution. Perhaps it's because there is none.

Actually, from the info I found online, it seems that Japan is already contaminated, including Tokyo. I'm not sure how safe are Japanese food nowadays because the Japanese government will knows there is no point in checking for radiation contamination. What are they going to tell the people? That they can't consume their own food and water?

I suppose it would be a matter of time before something worse happens at the reactor and the whole northern hemisphere would be contaminated.

The worrying thing is that the effects takes years to surface, when we see a rise in cancer & birth defects.

Here in Malaysia, we are planning to build 2 nuclear reactors. We had our first dose of radiation contamination in Bukit Merah, Perak, in the 80s. Now, 30 years later, we have Lynas in Kuantan. No matter how they justify these things, I still think it is a bad idea.

Why do humans like to muck around with things we can't control? All because of economics. Since the day it was discovered, nuclear technology has caused more destruction than benefits. It is pure evil.

Be Mindful

We’re sorry, says Buddhist chief high priest

Buddhist chief high priest K Sri Dhammaratana said as we live in Malaysia , we must be sensitive to other religions.

PETALING JAYA: Buddhist chief high priest K Sri Dhammaratana Nayake Maha Thera has apologised on behalf of a group of Buddhists who meditated in a surau in Johor recently.

“We would like to apologise to our Muslim brothers and sisters for the actions of a certain Buddhist group from Singapore in having their meditation session at the surau of a resort in Kota Tinggi,” he said in a statement today.

The chief high priest was referring to a viral video clip depicting a group of Buddhists led by a monk chanting inside a surau of a resort in Tanjung Sedili Besar.

The video showed the group sitting on mats while facing a picture of Buddha , which was placed on a table underneath Quranic verses that were hung on one of the walls.

“I advise Buddhists in Malaysia and Singapore to respect the religious sensitivities of other religionists while carrying out our own religious obligations,” added Dhammaratana. 

Using common sense

When contacted by FMT, Dhammaratana expressed hope that an incident of this magnitude would not repeat itself.

“I try my best to encourage Buddhists to not have this kind of incident in the future,” he said.

Declining to say whether the actions of the Buddhist group were right or wrong, he instead said: “We have to understand as we are living in Malaysia, you have to use a little bit of common sense.

“We should not make other people unhappy, we should try our best to make everyone happy.

“All Buddhists must at all time be conscious and aware of the fundamental principle expounded by Lord Buddha: ‘It is impossible to build one’s own happiness on the unhappiness of others’,” he said.

Police have since arrested the resort’s 45-year-old operator, a Singaporean with Malaysian PR status.

Known only as Ahmad, he was arrested yesterday afternoon at the Tanjung Sutera Resort. He has been remanded until Aug 16.

Police said the incident is being investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.

-Source

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Resort owner who let Buddhists use surau remanded for 4 days

KOTA TINGGI: The owner of the resort in Tanjung Sedili Besar here, who had allowed a group of Buddhists to meditate in a surau, has been remanded for four days.

He was brought to the Session's Court here at about 9.30am Tuesday before court registrar Hairul Azhar Mohamad who approved the remand order until Friday.

The 45-year-old, who is a Singaporean with Malaysian PR status, was arrested Sunday afternoon at the Tanjung Sutera Resort, 40km from here.

Police said the incident is being investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.

- Source

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Buddhists must be sensitive to the feelings of the people of other religions. It is unfortunate something like this happened, which should not have happened in the first place if we are careful. The manager should not have allowed the surau to be used for other religious functions. The tourists should have been a bit more mindful as well.

It's sad that the manager is arrested for this because I believe it was unintentional.

I sure most Buddhists regret that this incident happened and echos the thoughts of Venerable K Sri Dhammaratana.

Zaid Ibrahim - Why MCA must rejoin the Government

 

Zaid Ibrahim

 

Why MCA must rejoin the Government

by Zaid Ibrahim

The call made by the Chinese business community and NGOs for MCA to rejoin the Cabinet is not surprising. If MCA is to have any future it must rejoin the Government, but party members must also do more than what they have become accustomed to doing. In the past, they delivered allocations to Chinese schools and representated the Chinese community in business and educational issues. A few of their top leaders held Cabinet posts and this  enabled them to dish out some contracts to the  Chinese towkays. The lower-rung MCA operatives held positions in local councils, which gave them some leverage with grassroots members.

MCA needs to and can do more. Its Deputy President’s statement that rejoining the Cabinet would allow the party to be more vocal on issues that are relevant to the Chinese community is frankly hard to understand. You can be vocal without holding Cabinet posts, and you certainly don’t become a part of the Cabinet just to be vocal. You join the Cabinet to implement policies that you believe are essential for your community and the country. If MCA were to rejoin the Cabinet, it must do so for the right reasons. Being vocal without having the ability or willingness to implement key policy issues will reduce MCA to being like just another NGO: vocal, but essentially helpless.

I think it’s important that MCA rejoins the Government, especially if the party can get the Prime Minister’s undertaking to listen and act on key issues. On top of the list is for MCA to  do its part to stop racism from spreading its wings in national politics. There is no way we can overcome economic and financial challenges in the future if the country is divided along racial, religious and ethnic lines, so a well-crafted Race Relations Act is urgently required. The law must be there to punish or at least discourage racism and all its ugly ramifications  from spreading. Discriminatory practices must be outlawed. The rights of citizens must be respected, regardless of whether their forefathers came from China, India or Sulewasi. Immediate action must be taken against racist conduct and remarks. Companies and the Civil Service must be open to all races without discrimination, for this is the only way we can progress as a nation.

Wanting to have a Race Relations Act is not asking for the sky. In fact, it was discussed at the Cabinet level but several senior Ministers developed cold feet, making it impossible to carry  through. That was five years ago and race relations have clearly deteriorated since then. A Race Relations Act will signal to the people that this Government is concerned about racial discord, that it has the political will to act against racism and racist policies, and that it has every intention to deal with the subject fairly to maintain peace and harmony.

Laws are useless if not they are not enforced fairly or made applicable to those who violate them. In Malaysia, Malay or Muslim demogogues—especially from UMNO  and Perkasa—have escaped prosecution despite making blatantly racist remarks. The Government, however, has been quick to act against those on the fringe or from other races. MCA should make it a point to get the Prime Minister to promise that the Public Prosecutor will be given a free hand to charge anyone—anyone—who violates the Race Relations Act.

If MCA can get this done, then it would be worthwhile for the party to rejoin the Cabinet. There are other key issues that MCA leaders can champion and stick their necks out over, but they must get the Prime Minister to agree on these specific issues before taking on their Cabinet posts. The Chinese community and other Malaysians will appreciate it if the MCA is able to be a force behind constructive policy changes, and this appreciation will translate into voter support in the next General Election. On the other hand, if MCA is content just to be “vocal”, they will end up parroting the same, tired lines about Perkasa and hudud law. While this will make them look busy, the Chinese community and everybody else will not be fooled and will vote against the party as they did in GE13.

Still, on balance, I would like to see MCA rejoin the Government and I hope the Prime Minister will be bighearted as he was when he offered a Deputy Minister’s post  to Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy. He needs to accept MCA and the key issues they bring. This country needs close cooperation from all sides; including a massive dose of “give and take” from the warring factions  or it will be split beyond repair.

- Source

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I'm going to contrast this excerpt from an article, expressing the thoughts of another group of Malays:

Perkasa gesa Putrajaya lantik Menteri Pengangkutan dari Umno Selangor

 Syed Hassan Syed Ali of PERKASA

Putrajaya digesa melantik segera Menteri Pengangkutan daripada kalangan pemimpin Umno Selangor sebagai "menghormati keputusan MCA untuk tidak menerima jawatan dalam kerajaan."

Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Kebangsaan (Perkasa) menegaskan parti Cina dalam Barisan Nasional (BN) itu tidak lagi mempunyai ahli ekoran majoriti pengundi berbangsa Cina telah menolak mereka ketika Pilihan Raya 2013 pada 5 Mei lalu.....

............"Berapa sangat yang usahawan Melayu dapat dengan projek MRT? Sistem IT yang digunakan oleh sekolah-sekolaj bernilai lebih RM5blion kepada YTL, apa hasilnya kepada BN?" soal Perkasa dalam kenyataan tersebut, merujuk kepada beberapa projek mega yang sedang dirangka kerajaan...........

..............."Jadi sedarlah pemimpin tertinggi umno. Cukuplah beri kepada mereka setiap kali mereka minta. Segerakan lantik pemimpin Umno untuk jawatan kekal Menteri Pengangkutan...........

-source

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I'm starting to wonder, why is it that everyone is so concerned about MCA joining the government. Seems like there's a sudden urgency. I really wonder why...

There are people who would use any excuses they could think of to justify MCA's inclusion in the government, without giving a passing thought about the Chinese community and the position they are in. MCA can't even solve their own problems, and you are asking them to walk in like a boss and tell the Prime Minister to agree to this Act?

If MCA follows Zaid's advice, supporting an Act, which was abandoned earlier due to a lack of support, it would only put itself in the line of fire from opposing parties within BN & UMNO. As it is, certain groups in UMNO are already eyeing positions and contracts.

Why must the Chinese always be used for the benefit of others? Why make the Chinese stick their necks out again, only to suffer fools again? Sometimes I wonder about the true role the MCA, and by extension the Chinese, plays in Malaysian politics.

MCA must be allowed to decisively solve their internal conflict. If it is allowed to simmer, it will not be able to function effectively. In fact, this applies to all the component parties in BN. If these politicians were doing their jobs instead of exploiting the people with racial & religious issues, we won't even need the Race Relations Act.

National Education Blueprint

Fear and anxiety under the mysterious veil

2013-08-06 15:38

By LIM MUN FAH
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
Sin Chew Daily

The National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 will be launched on September 6, but the government has so far not yet announced its revised version. Fear and anxiety of the Chinese community can be found under the mysterious veil. Although they are unable to achieve exactly the same view on certain issues, the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), the United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong), the LLG Cultural Development Centre Berhad and other Chinese education organisation, however, are all worried that the Education Ministry might try to change the nature of Chinese primary schools through changing the teaching method.

Undeniably, there is always a big gap between the government and the Chinese community in terms of views and stands on education issue. The government claimed that the introduction of the education blueprint was based on a good intention to enhance the quality of students, teachers and schools, while strengthening students' ability in mastering Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathematics and Science, to improve the overall quality of education in the country. The Chinese community, however, pointed out that even though the education blueprint has not mentioned the intention to eliminate Chinese primary schools, it set the target to make national primary and secondary schools the first choice of all parents by the third wave (2021-2025).

The Chinese community is most worried that the nature of Chinese primary schools would be wiped off under the "ultimate goal".

Has the Chinese community been over sensitive? Or is there really a hidden agenda in the education blueprint, making the Chinese community extra cautious at every step?

Obviously, it has been a big knot between the government and the Chinese community.

As they are unable to untie the knot, they have different views over the education blueprint.

For instance, the Chinese community is unable to agree to the use of a standard Bahasa Malaysia curriculum for all students in both National and National-type schools starting from the Year 4 cohort in 2014 and a substantial increase for the Bahasa Malaysia learning time to 330 minutes as recommended by the education blueprint. Jiao Zong insists that the Bahasa Malaysia learning time should not be more than 210 minutes while Dong Zong believe that 180 minutes would be enough.

In addition, the English learning time is also controversial. According to the transformation plan, Chinese primary schools have only 120 minutes of English learning time but they are required to use the same curriculum used in national primary schools having 330 minutes of learning time. It leads to the question of how should teachers teach and how should students learn? Union of Chinese Headmasters' president Pang Chong Leong believes that such an English course schedule will eventually cause Chinese primary school students to suffer in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

In short, the Chinese community's greatest worry is the "ultimate goal" of the Education Ministry. They are worried that under the "single-stream education" thinking, the nature of Chinese primary schools would be changed, or worse, eliminated. If the government has no such intention, the only way would be to enhance communication with the Chinese community and through direct dialogues, develop a policy that can eliminate the worries of Chinese community, instead of simply calling it "overreaction" while sealing the door of communication and negotiation.

The Chinese community has never questioned the status of Bahasa Malaysia and is always willing to increase Chinese students' standard of the language. It is just having a different view with the Education Ministry in terms of teaching methods. These differences should be resolvable through communication and coordination. Although it takes time and might affect the "targeted effectiveness" of the National Education Blueprint, it is more in line with the public opinion of a win-win solution and could instead enhance its "execution efficiency".

I believe that the smart government will choose the win-win solution.

-- Source

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Actually, I've been meaning to write about this for some time.

This National Education Blueprint is another issue that is precisely what I view as kids suffering for the doings of adults.

While on the whole, the blueprint sounds good, ambitious even. Unfortunately, beneath the grandiose veneer, lies elements of deceit. It's as if these 3 point are sneaked into it on purpose, hidden in plain sight.

The 3 points that will be detrimental to Chinese schools.

1. From 2014, the switch to Bahasa Melayu curriculum from Primary 4 onwards will result in poor academic scores for the students. That is a guaranteed outcome. As a result, the academic performance of Chinese schools will nosedive. Although they reviewed this, but the point that it was included in the first place is a sinister move. The final objective, of course, is to have a standardised curriculum in Bahasa Melayu for all schools, a one school system. With that, it would spell the end of Chinese schools. It would defeat the purpose of studying in a Chinese school when less resources are available for Chinese language.

2. Next is the subject hour for BM & English. The proposed drastic increase in BM hours means that those hours will have to be taken from other subjects because other subjects are currently taught in Mandarin. This would also result in a drop in the students' academic scores. This, in my view, is a veiled attempt to undermine Chinese schools. Even under the present curriculum, there is already a marked decrease in Mandarin subject hours. The problem is, increasing hours for the sake of it is not a solution at all. It's quality, not quantity that matters. The problem that need to be addressed is actually the quality of these language teachers. Some are not very proficient in their respective language subjects.

3. One Secondary school system. Under the blueprint, although vernacular primary schools will still be allowed, the secondary school level are consolidated into one national stream. What will happen to the Chinese Independent secondary schools? If the Chinese language proficiency drops in Primary level, students will have a hard time in Chinese Independent Schools.  So, effectively, the plan is to close these schools.

Looking at the points above, anyone with half a brain can see that one of the objectives of this education blueprint is to eliminate Chinese education.

It seems these people are still not done mucking with education after all these years. They are determined to close the Chinese Schools. If not directly, then indirectly. Mahathir tried it. Anwar tried it. Now it's Muhyiddin's turn. I would even hazard an informed assumption that most Malays share that view. Chinese schools are made out to be a torn in the flesh, with plenty of reasons and justifications, but none are true. It's made out to look like these schools are the cause of all of the nation's problems.

Let me offer a better solution. First, make those national schools to be the schools of choice. Improve them. Just like the days when the mission English-medium schools were the schools of choice. Those days, Chinese schools were not popular at all. Let's just be truthful and honest for once. Can it be done? How long will it take for the current system to be improved to the level of those English-medium schools? More than 40 years have passed since the switch. That is 40 years of decline. So, don't blame me for my skepticism. I don't think they can be brought back to it former glory in 15 years. Improvement, perhaps. Somehow, I do not have much faith in the ones who will actually be implementing it; headmasters, teachers, MOE, LPN, etc.

Those who attended mission schools back in the days have nothing but praise for the system, environment, students and teachers. From the day the English-medium system was replaced with the current system, it was downhill all the way. Besides the low quality of teachers, Islamisation began creeping into the school syllabus and school environment. The same can be said of the country as a whole.

Why do you think we have embarrassing incidences like the shower room & 'balik china' remarks recently, and the years before? It is real. Only when we acknowledge the real problems, will we be able to come up with concrete solutions.

Unfortunately, I find the blueprint lacking in honesty. While I do agree that on the whole, the blueprint looks good, and that kids of various races should be encouraged to mingle, I don't see the current situation in schools as the cause of the racial issues mentioned. I see words of 'unity' peppered throughout the entire proposal. The proposal, in it's current form, will not solve those problem because the root cause is not in schools. It is in adulthood. It is the adults today that are the problem. The adults don't even mix. They live and work in largely homogenous environments. Be honest. The adults are the racists.

Racism and prejudices starts in adulthood, not childhood!

Let's say for the sake of unity, everything spelled out in the blueprint is implemented, with this One School system. Applied from Primary 1 to Secondary 5. Wonderful. What happens after that? Will these students be attending the same colleges? Will all institutions of higher learning be open to all races, based on merit? And what happens after they graduate? Will the government also ensure that these young adults have a fair chance of mixing in a multi-racial environment? In government & public sectors?

You see, when you start to muck around with people's lives, make sure you also think about the results and consequences. You must see it through, all the way. Not half-way and leave it to someone else to clean up the mess, and certain communities to suffer the consequences. The most cruel thing, is to give false hope to a kid, only for him/her to find out later in life that it was a lie. By then, it will be too late. And the cycle repeats itself.

So, it is not just a question of whether the Chinese opposing it or not. Most importantly, is society, all communities, ready and willing. Of course I, like everyone else, would like to see everybody enjoy equal opportunities. But is it feasible and realistic?

The Chinese Malaysians view Chinese schools as their safety net. The language allows them to explore and learn about their culture and identity. Make no mistake that the Chinese Malaysians are acutely aware of their origins. How could they forget, while some of them are now already the 3rd or 4th generation post-independence, are constantly reminded of their roots from young.

Every generation, are instilled in them from young, to be prepared in case of any eventualities. Every parent, preparing their young the best they could, so that they have more options in life.

This must not be construed as being unpatriotic. It's being pragmatic and realistic. This is how insecure the Chinese feel in this country. Were the Chinese Indonesians who flee the country in 1998, unpatriotic? No. They fled because they had to.

Why is it that enrollment in Chinese schools are increasing every year? Why do some of these parents, who went to national schools, are enrolling their kids in Chinese school. These parents can't even speak, read nor write in mandarin at all. They studied in a multi-racial environment, mixed with all races. So, is their decision racial? No. It is has nothing to do with race.

Disunity happens in adult life. It is here, that the solutions are needed, urgently.

Education issues could never be solved with political solutions. If the aim of any education transformation plan is to raise the standards of education, then why the constant threat to vernacular education, specifically Chinese education when these schools have been consistently maintaining and improving their standards?
As history has proven, when politicians meddle with education, we all know how it will end up.

Well, we'll just have to wait and see...

Ruling a big country is like cooking a small fish (治大国，若烹小鲜). When you're frying a small fish, too much poking will ruin the meal - Laozi

 So the meaning is: create general policies and direction, but do not micromanage. To do this well, you must understand the ways of your people and not go against the grain.

MCA & Government Posts

Groups want MCA to take up govt posts

07 August 2013
COMMUNAL VOICE: 'Party can still deal with education, economy, crime prevention'

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese non-governmental organisations (NGOs) want MCA to return to the cabinet.

They feel that the Barisan Nasional component party can still play an important role in safeguarding Chinese interests.

Speaking to reporters at MCA's headquarters here yesterday, deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said 58 NGOs had expressed their desire in wanting MCA to rescind its stand to reject all government posts.

"They made the call because they feel that MCA can still solve many issues faced by the Chinese community.

"MCA is the largest Chinese-based party in BN and we can play an important role in formulating fair and visionary policies."

He, however, said any decision to accept government posts or joining the cabinet must first receive delegates' support during its annual general meeting...............

- Read more

================================================

Overcome weakness first, MCA told

Leven Woon
August 7, 2013

Chinese associations have urged the MCA to stop being subservient before deciding to hold government posts again.

PETALING JAYA: Chinese non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said MCA should reform and rid itself of its subservient attitude before taking up government posts.

“Without reforming, the party will have little or no impact if its leaders were to hold government posts again,” they told FMT today.

Several Chinese bodies have intensified calls for MCA to hold government posts again during the party’s meeting with 58 Chinese NGOs yesterday, citing that several issues plaguing the Chinese community are not resolved due to the absence of MCA.

In response, MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai has promised to review the “no-government-post” stance with the party’s central committee later.

Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies chairman Chew Saw Eng, who attended the meeting yesterday, said the NGOs had also conveyed a clear message that MCA should cease playing the role of “firefighter.”

“Now it seems wherever there is a fire, MCA is putting it out,” she said, referring to MCA’s frequent move in helping to quash the racist statements or policies made by Umno leaders.

“But we don’t want this. We want MCA to play an influential role in policy-formulation,” Chew said.

Citing the National Education Blueprint 2013- 2025 debacle, she said MCA had failed to urge the government to take heed of the Chinese educationists’ views.

“It is said to be implemented by September but until now we have yet to hear any of our suggestions being taken into account,” she said.

The Chinese educationists have criticised the drastic increase in the frequency of Bahasa Malaysia lessons in Chinese-type primary schools, the abolition of remove classes and priority to the national-type schools as put forward in the draft report released last year.

Don’t expect major impact

Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China Committee member Shai Ching Han said it was more important for MCA to resolve its internal problems than to contemplate joining the government again.

“MCA will face a heavier responsibility should it re-enter the cabinet because as it is, the party is left with only one post, that of transport minister.

“So if it remains what it is today, I don’t expect it to produce a major impact,” he said.

“Besides, as a BN component party, it cannot be saying that there are no other channels for it to voice its opinions,” he added.

Shai said the timing of talks to rejoin the government, which is near the party elections, would give the impression that MCA leaders only cared about government positions.

Meanwhile, Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities committee member Siow Chee Min supports MCA’s plan to hold government post again, saying that the community has been encountering obstacles since the party’s exit from the government.

He said although not all the MCA leaders performed well the last time, some of them still did their jobs.

“But I also hope that they will be more vocal when speaking up for the community,” he said.

MCA has declined all government posts after a dismal showing in the recent 13th General Election.

- Source

================================================

Government posts... To accept or not to accept?

I will have to agree with MCA's stand in declining government posts, for now.

Taking up posts now would make MCA leaders look like a greedy lot, looking out for their own personal benefit. It will lose the community's trust and the internal problems would continue.

I think MCA needs to solve their internal problems first before they can serve the community, country, and government. Through the years, they have lost much credibility in the eyes of the Chinese. If MCA fails, the only semblance of a multi-racial government is in the opposition.

Reform first, then only talk about government posts. You can't be effective in government when you are weak...

If MCA still wants to stay relevant, they will have to come back swinging!

Chinese Malaysian Talents

Enjoy! Some of my favourites....











Here's a list them:

• Ah Niu (Tan Kheng Seong, 阿牛/陈庆祥) - singer
• Eric Moo (巫启贤) - Taiwan-based singer]
• Penny Tai (戴佩妮) - singer-songwriter who won the best composer in the 17th Golden Melody Awards
• Fish Leong (梁静茹) - Taiwan-based singer
• Victor Wong (黄品冠) - singer-composer
• Michael Wong (王光良) - singer
• Nicholas Teo (张栋梁) - singer
• Z Chen (张智成) - singer
• Gary Cao (曹格) - singer-composer
• Rynn Lim Yu Zhong 林宇中- singer
• Danell Lee Chieh Hun (李桀汉) - singer who won the second season of Malaysian Idol
• Karen Kong (龚建诗) - singer from Labuan island, East Malaysia. She performs in Malay, which is quite unique for a Malaysian Chinese singer.
• Lin Jian Hui (林健辉) - singer
• Quincy Tan (陈仁丰) - singer-songwriter
• Reno (蕾诺) - Female singer-songwriter who won The Best Chinese Act in Malaysia VIMA2010(Voice Independents Music Award)
• Liang (Tan Chung Liang) - singer from Klang. Performs songs in English and Malay.
• Che'Nelle also Cheryline Lim - Popular international pop singer
• Namewee (Wee Meng Chee) - Singer-composer who evoked controversy due to his music video Negarakuku
• Vince Chong - Singer
• Vivian Chua Yi Wen - Singer
• Gin Lee - Hong Kong-based singer

- Source

The Chinese Dilemma

The Chinese dilemma

By Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

’KONGSI’ CONCEPT: Each side has to sacrifice something so that the other can gain something

IN response to the emergence of a Malay political party,  Umno and its success in rejecting the British inspired Malayan Union, the Chinese community of the 1940s saw the need for a political party of their own to present their views to the British government.

Thus was the MCA conceived and born, led by Malacca's Sir Cheng-Lock Tan. Although it was intended to counter the influence of Umno and protect the interests of the Chinese community, events changed the strategy and role of the MCA.

In 1952 the Kuala Lumpur Umno leaders and the Kuala Lumpur MCA branch leaders decided that in the Kuala Lumpur municipal elections, they should not contest against each other, but instead should support each other's candidates in their respective constituencies.

The results startled them as they defeated almost all the non-racial parties. Realising the political advantage of cooperating with each other the Tunku (Abdul Rahman) and Sir Cheng-Lock Tan, and senior leaders of the MCA and Umno decided to formalise their cooperation by setting up the Alliance, a coalition of MCA and Umno.

The basis of this coalition was the idea of supporting each other and sharing the power gained. Buoyed by the success of the Alliance party in the 1955 elections, in which the MIC had joined, the Tunku looked more kindly at the proposal of Sir Cheng-Lock that citizenship should be based on jus soli (citizenship by being born in the country) and not jus saguinis (citizenship based on the Malaysian citizenship of the father or mother, i.e. citizenship based on blood relation).

The Tunku did not quite agree but he nevertheless decided to give one million citizenships to unqualified Chinese and Indians.

With that the confrontation between the Chinese and the Malays changed into positive cooperation.

It was a classic kongsi that was set up. The essence is an undertaking to share. Sharing involves a give and take arrangement, in which each side has to sacrifice something so that the other can gain something.

As the Malays made up the majority of the citizens they naturally led the Alliance. But the Chinese and Indians were not without adequate power. In any case Malay political power would be mitigated by Chinese and Indians' voting and economic power.

The Tunku saw immediate benefit from the "kongsi" as he believed Malays only wanted to be government employees and the Chinese wanted to be in business. There would be no conflict or tussle between them.

The Indians would fill up the professional posts. He did not foresee the days when government could not create enough jobs for the greatly increased number of Malays.

The kongsi Alliance worked well. But in 1963 Singapore joined Malaysia.

 Immediately the PAP tried to gain Chinese support by condemning the Alliance kongsi for being disadvantageous to the Chinese.  Malaysians, said the PAP, were not equal.  There should be a Malaysian Malaysia where all the benefits should be based on merit alone, with the best taking everything, irrespective of race.

Without saying so in so many words the PAP was inferring that the Malays did not deserve their positions. The best people should rule the country. In the eyes of the PAP, Singapore was ruled by the best qualified people. That they happen to be almost all Chinese is incidental.

In the 1964 elections the MCA and Malaysian Chinese generally valued their cooperation with the Malays. They rejected the PAP and its chauvinistic appeal, giving it only one seat.

The Tunku realised what the PAP was up to and decided that Singapore should not be a part of Malaysia. But the PAP was not done. The remnant of the party in Malaysia set up the DAP to carry on the Malaysian Malaysia meritocratic formula for undermining Chinese support for the MCA.

Harping continuously on the so-called Malay privileges and the unfairness to the Chinese, the DAP slowly eroded the idea of kongsi in the multi-racial coalition of the Barisan Nasional.

Despite the fact that the Barisan Nasional supported Chinese education and the use of the Chinese language, the DAP convinced many Chinese that the Chinese, their culture and language are not given proper treatment by the Barisan Nasional coalition.

The MCA was attacked for not doing enough for the Chinese.

In my opinion, there are politicians, and there are statesmen.

Many are quick to jump on this article, branding it as racist, pitting the Chinese against Malays. But if we read it in the proper context, what it says is quite true. Sometimes, we must be willing to see things as they are, no matter how hard it is to accept.

The Chinese, would instinctively be on the defensive. Especially DAP leaders, such as Lim Kit Siang, because of what Dr. M wrote about the DAP. While I respect the elder leaders, such as LKS & Karpal's unwavering determination on certain issues in the past and standing up for his principles, I disagree with his views on this.

 Excerpt from LKS's blog:

Malaysia does not have a Chinese dilemma but a Mahathir dilemma

The author of “The Malay Dilemma” has tried to coin a new complex, “The Chinese Dilemma” which he defined as “whether the Chinese in Malaysia should make a grab for political power while dominating economic power or to adhere to the principle of sharing which has made this country what it is today”.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is making history in coining a complex which exists only in his febrile imagination, as it does not afflict any single Chinese in Malaysia – whether in Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional!

I will like to know whether there is any Chinese in Malaysia who will stand up and state that Mahathir is right that there is such a “Chinese dilemma” in Malaysia!

So, here I am... standing up. The truth is there is indeed a Chinese Dilemma. More like a crisis the way I see it. While politicians like to tell the people to think about the country, the same applies to the politicians as well. Pitting different communities against each other is just evil.

If you must defend your party, by all means do so. But do not use the Chinese as an excuse or justification. The Chinese community is not DAP.

Anyway, as I've written many times before, politicians will always be politicians. Their view on issues will always be from a political perspective. Whereas the people view it from a social perspective.

The way I understand it, the article is not even disparaging or insulting the Chinese. Blaming DAP, yes. The Chinese? No. Instead, I find the message truthful. A reminder.

He was actually referring to MCA.  Comparing MCA with DAP.

His core message is for the MCA, on whether MCA will do what is right for the Chinese community, and Malaysia in general. Or has MCA forgotten it's roots. And also to the Chinese readers, on what their priorities are, and whether they still trust MCA. Or have they forgotten.

Education has always been the top priority for the community. Economy, second. Have the Chinese forgotten that? or were they distracted by the other issues concerning the economy, corruption, freedom of speech, etc that they have failed to realise it?

The danger of being blindly led by politicians is that the people will give what the politicians want, power, but gain nothing for themselves.

The Malays, especially the UMNO supporters, do not see the real Chinese dilemma. The fact is, every community has it's own problems and issues. Politicians will exploit these issues for their own benefit. The Malays see it as political. Actually, it's social.

The Malays (in general) see the Chinese as chauvinists hating Malays, grabbing power, unpatriotic, etc. 

The Chinese (in general) see the Malay government as oppressors, systematically pushing the Chinese from this country.

There a reason for this perception. When the Chinese 'make noise', it is viewed as the voice of the community as a whole. When Malays do the same, it is usually viewed as the voice of UMNO or the government itself. That is because the government and by extension it's agencies, are predominantly Malay.

For example, watch this video which was taken recently, purportedly happened in Puchong involving traders & MPSJ.



The Chinese view this as bullying and discrimination by Malay authorities. The Malay community would see this as Chinese bullying the Malay authorities, who were only doing their job. See?

If we view this without racial glasses or prejudice, it is actually enforcement against unlicensed traders. I think it is part of the enforcement carried out recently: 

MPSJ cracks down on illegal traders

Council raids Selangor Wholesale Market in Seri Kembangan after receiving complaints from public and licensed traders there

Jun 29, 2013

SUBANG JAYA: THE Subang Jaya Municipal Council recently seized the merchandise and equipment  of a trader who was found to be carrying out business illegally at the Selangor Wholesale market in Seri Kembangan.

In the at 9am operations on Wednesday, seven compounds were also issued against several others under the Petty Traders Bylaw 2007 for trading without a licence.

Read more: MPSJ cracks down on illegal traders - Central - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/mpsj-cracks-down-on-illegal-traders-1.309410#ixzz2bBN6u7M8

Perception.

1. Malay dominance in government. If those enforcement officers comprised of various races, it will not be viewed with racial prejudice. Same with the recent school controversies. Same with other government agencies. The incident below happened in Danau Kota, Setapak...



2. The second video above, disproves the earlier racial bias... Petty traders, especially illegal ones have always been a problem. But some are sympathetic towards these traders. Illegal traders comprises of various races, and everyone are not spared. Yes, it looks cruel to confiscate their goods. So I think enforcement sometimes must not be so heavy-handed. Maybe issue fines instead. Confiscating their goods is taking away their capital. Some borrowed money to guy their goods. But then, if allowed unchecked, then nobody would want to apply for trading licenses anymore. Moderation is the key.

All of us are familiar with those illegal VCD sellers, and the periodic enforcements, which can turn violent at times. Those involve the secret societies, which is actually a social concern for the Chinese community. Scores of young Chinese are lured into it every year.

3. More importantly, and most disturbing, is the behaviour of the affected young Chinese guy in the first video, presumably a trader. His actions speak for itself. Violent. Hurting himself, to frame the officers.

Watching that first video, the Malays will feel angry towards the Chinese. The Chinese will feel the same towards the Malays.

I only feel sadness.

Is this what the Chinese want for their community? Their youths behaving like this? Which part is culture? Which part are values? Which part is Chinese?

SK Sri Pristina (Update) - Student ostracised

Student ostracised after mother’s exposé

August 5, 2013

The Year 3 girl is coming home in tears, refusing to return to SK Seri Pristana following her mother's exposure of the makeshift canteen in the school's changing room.

PETALING JAYA: The nine-year-old daughter of whistleblower Guneswari Kelly who first highlighted the makeshift canteen-in-a-changing room at SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh is facing tremendous pressure in her school, forcing her parents to even consider transferring her to another school.

“This poor child is being victimised for what her mother exposed. She is being isolated by the teachers and even her classmates,” said a parent who is close to Guneswari.

The parent added that the ‘attacks’ on the Year 3 student started the very next day after the issue hit the national spotlight following wide media coverage.

“Her teacher blamed her in front of her classmates that it was her fault for the school to be in the limelight. The girl was very distraught and embarrassed by this finger-pointing.

“And then when the education authorities conducted an inquiry on the makeshift canteen, this girl was told that she was not required to take part in the fact-finding session.

“But it only got worse as even her friends started staying away from her. No one is speaking to this girl and she is very heartbroken by the whole incident,” said the parent.

The parent further said that Guneswari only found out about the problems her daughter faced when she saw her child taking pencils and highlighters from home to her school.

“When asked, she had told her mother that she wanted to give them to her classmates so that they become her friends again. But when the child came back from school on Thursday, she told her mother that she didn’t want to return to the school again,” said the parent.

FMT learnt that both Guneswari and her husband are now mulling the possibility of transferring their child away from the school.

“They feel their daughter needs a fresh start and that she can’t continue studying in the hostile condition. It is sad that teachers, who are supposed to educate our children, are behaving in such a manner,” added the parent.

Both Guneswari and her husband have decided not to speak to the media right now. However other parents close to them said they are waiting for the whole issue to cool off over this AidilFitri break before making any decisions.

HM refusing to meet parents

Another parent, meanwhile, lashed out at the school headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor for refusing to meet them to discuss the way forward from this issue.

“We are still waiting for him to meet us and to move on. This issue can’t continue to linger. The school must stop blaming the non-Muslim students and turn this into a race issue,” said a father of a student in the school.

He added that there were also other incidents of teachers mocking non-Muslim students, intimidating them and ridiculing them for the makeshift canteen exposé.

“We (the parents of non-Muslim students) are waiting to see the HM as well as the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) to solve this issue but to date, we have been given the silent treatment,” said the father.

He said that the PIBG was also making several misleading statements over the canteen issue, including saying now that the PIBG had discussed and agreed to have the makeshift canteen.

“This is not true as we have some parents who were in the said meeting and this matter was not discussed. This is one of the issues we want to raise at the meeting,” he said.

Apology from ministry

FMT could not reach the school HM or the PIBG chief for comment. All parents quoted in this story are unwilling to reveal their names for fear of their children being ostracised in the national school.

SK Seri Pristana had come under fire after Guneswari highlighted in her Facebook two weeks ago that it was using a changing room as a makeshift canteen, ostensibly due to some minor renovation work at the canteen.

Parents however said it was done to keep away the non-Muslim students from eating in the open.

Following a national uproar over the matter, the school and the Education Ministry apologised to the parents, with the school headmaster saying that he had set up the makeshift canteen as the school canteen was too small.

The ministry had then approved for the canteen to be renovated.

- Source

Well, this was sort of an expected outcome. I don't believe for a moment that the parents are that naive to think that things will be normal after all that has happened. Well, looks like the only option left is to change school and move on. Pity the kids though.

MCA Transformation

Recovery from losses – MCA learns from experiences of political parties from abroad

Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai

MCA HQ, 5 Aug – In today’s globalized world, no country can live like a hermit and political parties are not exempt. MCA Deputy President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai led committee members of the MCA Special Taskforce for Transformation on a work visit to Beijing from 29 July through 3 August 2013 where they met up with representatives from the Communist Party of China (CMC). “MCA is not only listening to grassroots members and Chinese community leaders but also getting views from international political parties.”

This working visit is part of the MCA Transformation process where besides gathering feedback from party grassroots leaders from Chinese guilds and associations, MCA also embarked on learning from international counterparts their organisation’s process and practice of people’s participation in local level administration and selection of village heads and party candidates.

He cited the example of the Kuomintang of Taiwan (KMT). Taking a leaf from KMT which suffered its first ever political defeat in 2000 after ruling the island since 1949 and how it rebuilt itself to recover lost confidence.

Responding to a reporter’s question who inquired regarding MCA members who not happy over members chosen as GE candidates, the lawmaker for Bentong remarked that MCA will have to go through the candidate selection process and then corroborated the information by drawing a comparison with KMT’s experience. “The KMT selection process is based on 30% from the party decision, and 70% from public. KMT uses a public survey system to see if the candidate is proper. They put 3 candidates, and the one with the majority public support becomes the candidate. In Taiwan, the public surveys are very efficient.”

Quality members above quantity

From Tiong Lai’s briefing to the media corp, it is clear that the study tour to Beijing was productive. “One of the things which we found fruitful was how they select party members. They go through a very detailed selection, training for two to three years before they can be admitted to become members. They (CPC) look for quality members and not quantity.”

Drawing an analogy with MCA’s experience, the wakil rakyat for Bentong also highlighted that “in view of this, when we went around the country in the first stage of visit (feedback gathering for party transformation), we received a lot of calls to re-register members. We want to review the number of members in our MCA. It is one of transformation agenda is to cut down our size, re-register members to get more committed and dedicated members in line with the party’s struggle which is very crucial.”

Weighing in on the comparison with Kuomintang, Tiong Lai revealed, “when they (KMT) lost in the 2000 GE, they re-registered their members. (Likewise with MCA,) We want to build in the commitment, responsibility of the members and to be proud to be a party member. We want to build a sense of belonging among party members to the party.”

Besides the KMT, the MCA delegation had also met up the Democratic Progressive Party, the Opposition in Taiwan to learn from them how they intend to succeed at the next general elections.

The MCA Deputy President then highlighted on the study tour to Beijing from 29 July to 3 August 2013 where exchange of ideas were made with representatives from the Communist Party of China (CPC). During the visit for six days, the MCA Transformation Special Taskforce managed to visit five important organisations. They are

1) Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee

2) International Department of the CPC Central Committee (special bureau where the CPC links with foreign parties)

3) Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee

4) State Internet Information Office (on how the CPC regulates the internet)

5) Party History Research Bureau

The study tour to Beijing involved visits to two rural areas i.e. one in the town and another to the village to get a clearer picture of the organisation work there.

“We are very impressed with their organizational functions where we found that they are very liberal, open in reaching out to the community and also to get the support of the people,” said Tiong Lai.

Democratic practices at the village level in Beijing

Similar to our New Villages, there are also appointments of village heads tasked with administration matters at the local village level.

“When they appoint the village heads, besides the party decision, they also go through an election process by the villagers themselves. That is the system they practise. At the village level, they have village elections to elect their ketua kampung (village head).

More exchanges between MCA and CPC expected

Plans afoot to enhance bilateral ties between MCA and CPC as relayed by Tiong Lai.

“During the visit, we also talked to one of the Deputy Ministers (International Department) where they welcomed our visit and exchanged a lot of views including how to build up relationship with MCA. They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UMNO, and we agreed to sign a memorandum with them. We are discussing this at this stage so that in the future, we can formalise our two-party relationship.”

“This is very fruitful because they also agree. For the CPC, they have signed this MoU with more than 400 parties in the world. We think that it is a good exchange programme we can go through. In future, their leaders and ours can have more exchange programmes.”

Also present at the press conference were MCA Youth National Chairman Datuk Dr Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Secretary General Dato’ Dr Hou Kuk Chung and Young Professionals Bureau chairman Datuk Chua Tee Yong. Wanita MCA Chairman who could not make it for the press conference is also in the Transformation Special Taskforce committee.

- Source

Well, looks like MCA has returned to work... although I do not understand why they would need to visit other countries to 'learn'. hehehe.



Perhaps they have their reasons... but they have been rather vocal lately regarding issues close to the Chinese community's hearts.... no, not racial ones as some Malays may like to think. There are 2 issues that the Chinese hold in high importance. 1. Education 2. Economy, in that order. Religion is viewed as something personal, except for Islam, which is institutionalised and does affect everyone. Race is not even an issue that affects them. Culture, on the other hand, is, to a certain extent.

Anyway, I'm neither partial to MCA nor DAP. I'm only concerned about the welfare of the Chinese community and their future in this country. When I see certain undesirable trends affecting the community, I will voice out my thoughts.

So, let's get back to the topic.

The way I see it, the reason MCA is in their current unenviable state is partly their own undoing. The other part is UMNO. With the demise of Gerakan, MCA is the last of the Chinese political parties. I don't view DAP as a Chinese party though, because they are not.

It's all good, that as a political party, MCA is currently embarking on a transformation programme. Their current efforts are, however, only party-centric. However, I would like to know how they plan to address the lack of support from the community itself. A political party's survival depends on it's electorate.

Insecurity

Although others might argue that the Chinese are 'ganging' up or uniting against others, especially the Malays, I beg to differ. I am of the view that the Chinese community is actually feeling very, very insecure in this country. They are so worried that they are actually on the verge of panic. Which was one of the reasons they threw their support for Pakatan. There are various reasons of course. Insecurity is the root. All other reasons are only the manifestations.

I will say it as I see it. My intention is not to disparage anyone.

Education

This tops the list for most Chinese parents. Right now, they don't see any light at the end of the tunnel. There are not enough Chinese schools to accommodate the increasing number of students, especially in the urban areas. Although they are under-funded, they are relatively well-managed. From the day their kids enter pre-school, they are already planning their kid's educational path up until higher education. Some join the national stream in secondary education, and then hope for a place in public unis. But because of the limited places in public unis, some have decided to go all the way in Chinese stream, and then on to private unis. Through the years, more are opting for the latter.

MCA should help the kids. 

Not the parents... the kids. Do it for the kids, and the parents will reward you with their gratitude. Find out from the parents what their concerns and worries are. Provide solutions, working on the ground. Publicise the results, not the problems. All these publicity on low enrollment and fighting for a place in public higher education actually have the opposite effect. It just shows that MCA is weak, and puts the government in bad light. That is why many Chinese are not even perturbed that MCA is not taking positions in the government. It also shows how disconnected the MCA leadership with their community. Representation means nothing is it is not effective.

If MCA can allay the parents' fears on education, making sure that help and assistance are available for poor and deserving students, half of the battle is won. MCA must be able to show a clear path, and options, that are available for the kids' education. Do it for the kids.

As an example, English & Bahasa Melayu is a concern in Chinese schools. Most Chinese parents are very worried about English & Bahasa Melayu proficiency in a Mandarin learning environment. Sometimes, these subjects are taught by Chinese educated teachers, who are themselves, not very proficient in those languages. To learn a language, the environment is important. These classes must be taught fully in the respective languages. Organise English & BM workshops on Saturdays, but it must be conducted by an instructor whose first language is the language taught. Simple things like this will be greatly appreciated by parents, your voter base.

Young & Energetic workers/members

MCA should be more active in Chinese schools. It is one of the last bastions where DAP has not dominated.... yet. Sadly, MCA workers are hardly visible. Only those VIPs will appear during official functions like PTA meetings, when they want the votes, or publicity. Please face the fact that those days are gone. Forever.

Many from the previous crop of leaders failed miserably. They did not serve. They were self-serving. They went through the motions but delivered nothing. They took the people for granted.

If the MCA is really serious about transformation, change the people. There are many young adults who can contribute, but only if MCA appeals to them.

Youths prefer someone their closer to their own age group to lead them. Those in their 20s to 30s are ideal candidates. MCA will have to be there for community service, to resolve issues. Which is why they need younger people who possess greater stamina and drive.

You will be in the parents good books when you help their kids, and be seen doing it. Get the support of the adults through caring for their kids. Simple.


Young Adults
I think what MCA is doing for the exchange programmes is great. MCA's biggest challenge is actually their human resource. They need the right people on the ground that will appeal to the younger urban electorate. MCA needs to rebrand, fast!

They are indeed sweeties, but parading them at your events are going to cut it.

This is close, it will appeal to a certain group.

This is more like it... nice.

These are the contemporary urban Chinese youths. Does MCA appeal to them?

MCA needs to broaden their base with a more diverse group of members. They need more of the 'bananas' group. hehehe. Well sort of... actually Chinese-speaking 'bananas'. Some might feel offended by this, but it's true. They need more English-speaking professionals in their ranks. Better still, Tri-lingual. These are the ones who can be their voice, and represent the community's aspirations. Only then, can they penetrate the urban community, which it must, to survive the general elections.

The Mandarin-educated Chinese realised their weakness by being mono-lingual, emphasising too much on Mandarin and neglecting English & BM. These days, they made sure their future generations are proficient in at least 3 languages, mainly Mandarin & English & BM, in addition to their respective dialects.

Anyway, it's all about gaining the community's trust. Can the Chinese community put their trust in MCA?

We'll see....