Singapore Riot - Little India

Singaporeans in disbelief 

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are still in a state of disbelief that a riot by a group of foreigners at Little India actually happened in this relatively trouble-free island late Sunday night.

Bank employee Eugene Leong, 28, said that it was difficult to digest the images of about 200 foreigners attacking several police patrol cars, ambulance, a bus and setting them on fire.

"Its not something that you would think would ever happen, especially in Singapore, as we are famed for our stringent regulations.

"Watching the incident on the news was shocking and scary and now many of us want to know what action will be taken to make sure it doesn’t happen again," he said when interviewed along Race Course Road where the rioters ran rampant.... - SOURCE

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Eighteen injured as foreign workers riot in Singapore's Little India district

Police said about 400 people on the scene began rioting, attacking the bus as well as police vehicles after officers responded to reports of a commotion.

Officials said 10 policemen, four civil defence staff and the bus driver and conductor were among the injured, but none were seriously hurt.

A total of 27 workers were arrested on charges of rioting, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison plus caning. - SOURCE

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Many people in Singapore, Malaysia and across the globe, has expressed disbelief that this could happen in Singapore.  Well, like they say, whatever that can happen, will happen. The question on everyone's mind is "Why?". People want to know the reason behind it. The accident, involving a 33-year-old Indian man, was the trigger for the riot. I suppose we will have to wait for the investigations to be completed.

However, I can't help myself from speculating that it is due to pent-up frustration, and the accident provided the trigger. Perhaps these foreign workers were not treated well, or were even exploited. One thing for sure, they were definitely angry.

Before we point fingers at those rioters for being trouble makers, we should first establish the motive and cause. Well, I am fairly certain that they were not trying to overthrow the government of Singapore... :) and the cause can't be a traffic accident, else we would have riots everyday.

In almost every case of rioting, except for those involving revenge, ethnic hate, subversive or political in nature, the perpetrators were usually the discontented, angry, and powerless in the society they were in. Riots like these are an expression of victimhood.

Employers & governments should treat foreign workers (legal or illegal) fairly and more humanely. They should not be exploited and abused. They come to your country to work & earn a living by doing jobs that your own citizens do not want to do. Governments should ensure they have laws and regulations in place to deal with these workers' welfare and safety. Else, do not allow these workers into your country.

Anyway, Malaysia has had her fair share of similar riots involving illegal immigrants. Click on the titles to read more.

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1998

Malaysia Riots Kill 8 Immigrants and an Officer

Published: March 27, 1998

Eight immigrants and a policeman were killed in rioting today as Malaysian authorities put nearly 1,500 Indonesians on boats in a mass deportation, the police said.

The deaths stemmed from a clash between the police and hundreds of inmates at a detention camp for illegal immigrants near the capital.

Rioting also broke out in two other camps when the police moved in before dawn to repatriate Indonesians. Many of them are from the Aceh region of Sumatra, where there was a separatist rebellion that has largely subsided....

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2001

Illegal immigrants riot in Malaysia

More than 2,000 illegal immigrants have rioted and set fire to a detention centre in southern Malaysia.

Police fired teargas at the inmates to regain control during the overnight disturbances, but several buildings at the centre in Pekan Nenas in Johor state were razed to the ground.

No serious injuries were reported.

Officials say most of the immigrants who rioted were Indonesians, who were due to be deported on Saturday.

Last week the Malaysian Government announced it would deport 10,000 Indonesian illegal immigrants each month.

It says their presence has led to a growth in crime and fewer jobs for locals affected by the economic slowdown.

Officials figures say there are almost 500,000 Indonesian immigrants in Malaysia.

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2010

200 illegal immigrants stage riot at Ajil detention camp 

 KUALA BERANG, MALAYSIA: Some 200 illegal immigrants from Vietnam and Myanmar went on a riot at the Ajil detention camp late last night.

It is believed that the immigrants had tried to torch the main administration building at the camp at around 9.15pm, sparking a melee.

It is also learnt that several of the immigrants were also injured during the incident and had been warded at the Hulu Terengganu Hospital....

... In 2005, 131 Thai Muslims who were seeking temporary shelter from unrest in Southern Thailand were housed in Ajil camp.

While on July 1 last year, 700 Myanmar illegals had caused a ruckus at Semenyih camp.

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2011

WIKILEAKS: IMMIGRATION DETAINEES RIOT AFTER RELA BEATS PRISONERS

On April 20, after more cigarettes were found, Immigration officers beat an Indonesian and a Pakistani detainee. One refugee described how the officers struck the men on the soles of their feet and along their shins, and administered electric shocks. The Pakistani detainee reportedly cried out for help during his beating and, unable to walk, tried to crawl away until another detainee was ordered to drag the injured man back to the detention block... 

Selangor's High Income ADUNs

Selangor MB suggests Federal government review salary of PM and MPs - Bernama

Amid growing criticism over the pay hike for Selangor state assemblymen, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (pic) today proposed that the Federal government review the salary of the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament. He said it was about time the Federal government take a similar approach to that of the Selangor state government... Source

Name your charity, Selangor tells assemblymen unhappy with pay rise

The Selangor government has taken its controversial “donation” call to assemblymen who reject the salary increment to the next level by preparing pledge letters for them.

Exco member Datuk Teng Chang Kim said those who felt the increment was too high should sign the letter authorising the assembly to donate their increment to charity.

"We will be glad to help you donate the money," he said, adding that the letters had been circulated by Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim. - Source

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I suppose the whole country is already aware of the Selangor state assemblymen, both BN & PR, impending windfall. Rejoice, people of Selangor, for starting next year, you will be represented by incorruptible, high income earners!

You know, the lack of common sense of some people never fails to amaze me. And their arrogance are even more amazing. Those that take the cake, however, are those who blindly defend and make excuses on behalf.

1. Income levels have absolutely no relation to corruption. Lack of integrity & morals is what leads to corruption.

2. Public office is not private sector. One just needs to be elected, the other have to prove their capabilities and knowledge or skills to be hired.

3. Politicians can give themselves raise their own salaries, employees can't.

4. Lastly, pointing out that you are less corrupt does not mean you are not.

Reasons given to justify such obscene increments are just plain dumb. Come on. Don't insult our intelligence. And it was most entertaining to see the 2 persons who got the highest increments, the Speaker & MB, trying to defend their ridiculous pay hike. I mean, do they seriously think they are talking to farm animals?

"Bad excuses are worse than none."

Actually, they can't even come up with a single good reason for it, because there is none. The only reason is greed. What else could it be when they give themselves half a million a year because they say they deserved it? To me, it is corruption. Only that it does not qualify to be termed as such because it is done legally. Why not go all the way then, since you think you deserve it?

Selangor is touted as a rich state with about RM1Billion in reserve. Again, rejoice Selangorians! After all the cost saving and frugal administration all these years, and telling the world how well they have performed, what do they do with the money? Help themselves to it of course! And the MB even tells BN to do the same so that he can have his cut? Do they even listen to themselves talking?




Tell me honestly, did any people from the state benefited directly from the state's funds? Has your life improved tremendously, if at all? A PR supporter I know in his 60s, who requires medical treatment, still has to find work to pay for his medical and living expenses. What is the point of going gaga over these political parties and their politicians if you don't benefit? Or were you mislead into supporting the wrong things in the first place? Things like governance, freedom, rights, ideologies, etc. are abstract, non-tangible.

Voters should be demanding for tangible things, like free medical care, affordable houses, clean water, free education, child allowance, benefits, subsidies, and such. Get the allocations for schools, childcare, medical care. You yearn for the way of life like those of developed countries? Well, Selangor is a developed state!

 Demand these from your State Governments now when they have the funds. It is your right. If you don't, after they are done, there won't be any left. What is the point of voting them to office when you don't get anything? Think, people. Think! They are going for the money!

 Politicians think they DESERVE it? Don't you, the people who put them there, think you DESERVE it too? 

Today, the road conditions are still bad, water still dirty, open burning still going on, etc. The only thing the PR state govt. has done as soon as they took over the state in 2008 was to penalise consumers by implementing the stupid "no plastic bags day on Saturdays" and making shoppers pay 20 sen for each bag. That is all they are capable of?

In light of recent events, it's about time the people of Selangor start questioning their ADUNs exactly what they have done FOR the people. Anyone with a bit of common sense can see that these politicians, both in BN & PR, are increasing their own salaries and incomes in light of rising living costs and inflation. Other states are following suit, Perak, Penang, Johor. Next will be the MP & Ministers' turn. In the coming years, they will be buffered and will lead a rather comfortable life while the people will be struggling to cope with rising costs. I doubt any employer out there will be as generous to their employees.

In the first place, there should not even be any increments at this time, amid a sluggish economy. Shouldn't governments be prudent and help the people instead of rewarding themselves? Afterall, they keep telling the people to be frugal and change lifestyle.

The voters have indeed been taken for a ride, and deservedly so. They were indeed a passionate lot when protesting fuel hikes, toll hikes, electricity hikes, or any other hikes. They were the loudest when in comes to criticising the Federal Government, but when it comes to their favoured political parties, they are apologetic.

Hypocrites! Birds of a feather do indeed flock together.

It's sad to see the people taken advantage of like this. Now that you've seen their real intentions, do the decent thing and start looking out for yourselves for a change.

Stand up and demand what is due. Do not let them take you for granted! It's about time they did some real work instead of getting free rides!

The Teaching of Maths and Science in English

Pix Source

Dr M slams Education Blueprint for ignoring him on the teaching of Maths and Science

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today reiterated his earlier stand that schools must teach Science and Mathematics in English.

He was commenting on the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025, which was unveiled last month by Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Dr Mahathir went on the offensive today, claiming that he had given a lot of input for the blueprint and yet, very little of what he said was used by the Government.

"The Government is focusing too much on Bahasa Malaysia. The Malays, however, are not experts in science and technology. This kind of knowledge comes from the West and the information is mostly in English," he added.

Noting that the Government had instead followed the advice of National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said by reverting to teaching both subjects in the national language, Dr Mahathir said this would only hamper the country's development.

"He (Samad) only knows about Bahasa Malaysia. He is not a Science man. I am a Science man and I can still speak in Malay," he pointed out, adding, "This is why I keep talking about it."

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir joked that he would like to be the prime minister again, after being told that he was recently voted the most popular Umno leader.

Malaysia's prime minister of 22 years scored 79% satisfaction level among 600 Umno supporters in a survey which was conducted last month by the Merdeka Centre.

"I financed them," he quipped at a press conference today, causing the room to erupt in laughter.

Even though he resigned as prime minister 10 years ago this month, Dr Mahathir fared better than Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who scored 69%, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (58%) and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (54%). - October 1, 2013. - Source

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I agree with teaching Maths & Science subjects in English. It is the correct thing to do. Unfortunately, it faced a lot of objections from various quarters including teachers. I noticed that parents, in general, are quite supportive of it, in urban areas anyway. Not too sure about the rural folks. But the most vocal group are the educator themselves.

I suspect it is due to the language barrier, or rather the lack of English language proficiency of the people in the ministry & schools. Teachers in national & vernacular schools struggled with this policy. The question is, when the government decided to abolish it, was it done in the interest of the students or the adults.

Why does the government like to do things on an ad-hoc basis? It's always firefighting. Everytime a policy is changed, it involves not just huge amounts of funds, it also affects the students, parents & country. It proves that the Ministry of Education & Education Department is inefficient.

Obviously, the teachers of these 2 subjects must possess a certain level of English proficiency. Those who are lacking in this department should be retrained. Else, find a suitable candidates.

The overall standard of English must be raised. It has a direct bearing on the country's competitiveness and human capital.

I wish, for once, they would stop political meddling in education.

I'll end this post with a piece of good news regarding education.

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Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrive in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

RM100mil boon for Xiamen University Malaysia campus 

KUALA LUMPUR: Xiamen University – China’s first university to be set up outside that country – received a boon with a RM100mil donation by local tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok for its campus in Malaysia.

Kuok, based in Hong Kong, gave the money to build a university library, which will be part of the main building.

This was announced by Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, the Prime Minister’s special envoy to China, during a luncheon attended by President Xi Jinping here yesterday.

Tan Sri Robert Kuok

Present were Kuok, businessmen and representatives from non-governmental organisations.

The Malaysian campus of the Chinese university will be built in Salak Tinggi, about 16km from the KL International Airport in Sepang.

It is expected to be operational in September 2015.

“While Chinese education is well protected here in Malaysia, the Chinese community here mingle with other races and live in harmony,” said Ong.

Xi, in his speech, said the Chinese diaspora in most countries were successful.

He joked that some China nationals thought that Malaysian singer Fish Leong was from China.

“We have 40 years in strong diplomatic ties with Malaysia and I hope this will last,” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Ong said Xi told him that he and his wife Peng Liyuan tried durians on Thursday night and enjoyed it.

Ong said this was Xi’s second visit to Malaysia after visiting Sibu, Sarawak, 20 years ago. - source

MCA - The knives are out!

Dr Chua Soi Lek - pix source

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — The storm in a teacup that is MCA’s dismissal of veteran politician Datuk Lee Hwa Beng is an indictment of how little its affairs still mattered to those outside the party, according to two political analysts. Saying the ripples of the unexpected intrigue will not resonate beyond the walls of Wisma MCA, they brushed off the move as just another by president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to consolidate his power in a party struggling to reconnect with the Chinese community it professes to represent. “It has come to a point where we are just looking at how low MCA can go... a political party that does not win elections is not a political party,” political analyst Khoo Kay Peng told The Malay Mail Online when contacted. .....

... Lee has set tongues wagging since Thursday, after he posted a series of tweets claiming that he was sacked from the party for apparently inviting DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang to the launch of his book, “PKFZ: A Nation’s Trust Betrayed”, last year. Lee, once Port Klang Authority (PKA) chairman, later alleged that his sacking was aimed at stopping an “Anything but Chua Soi Lek”, or ABC, movement that he professed to have started in a few states. The boot also came just a week after Lee was elected as a central delegate for MCA’s Kelana Jaya division. ...

.... Chin was equally dismissive of the consequence Lee’s expulsion would have on the party, noting that he was not a party warlord, a power broker in the party or a leader with a strong support base. ....

.... “Chua Soi Lek is in control. There is no suggestion that he is not in control at the moment. No other leader is able to challenge his control of the party and they have not pulled themselves together.” Khoo noted that the EGM was a calculated move by Dr Chua, since little support among party delegates was going Liow’s way ― even key leaders formerly in ex-president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s camp were now seen as aligned to Dr Chua, despite the two’s bitter rivalry over the presidency previously. “We don’t see many lining up behind Liow and some key people who were with the Ong Tee Keat camp are now aligned to Chua... he is a very smart politician,” Khoo said, referring to Dr Chua. ....

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/lees-sacking-just-another-hole-in-sinking-mca-ship-analysts-say#sthash.FnJF6Kam.dpuf

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Lee Hwa Beng - pix source

Looks like the campaign ( “Anything but Chua Soi Lek”, or ABC) against Dr Chua has claimed it's first victim, Lee Hwa Beng (ex-State Assemblyman for Subang Jaya). MCA just loves to fight don't they. It must be a Chinese cultural thing. Fight, fight, fight.

Anyway, Lee Hwa Beng will not be missed. Especially not in Subang Jaya where they have found a new Christian leader who trounced Gan Meng Foo of MCA last election & Lee Hwa Beng before that. When a 3-term state assemblyman (Lee) can be defeated by a first-timer with no experience, what does that say about the incumbent & his party?

If the reports are correct, that Chua Soi Lek indeed commands the the majority of grassroot support, then I don't see any reason to force him to resign. They have got to stop mucking around with the grassroots. If this ends up with another "peace plan" arrangement like the the previous ones, they might as well dig in at MCA's assets and call it a day.

And the Chinese can go suck on an egg, figuratively speaking of course :)

National Service Programme

pix source

All in the name of racial integration. All these ideas, efforts and programmes are implemented with the excuse of promoting racial integration... using our kids.

My question is, is it the kids' fault for racial polarisation in the first place. No? Then why are we blaming them & using them?

Isn't it the adults who are the cause for racial & religious problems? If so, should it be the adults who should attend these camps, starting with the politicians first?

What is wrong with people these days. Some defend this NS programme with silly reasons. Some oppose it for a myriad of reasons as well.

To me, logic prevails. I do not agree with this NS programme. Most parents do not agree.

But yet, despite strong and vocal opposition, it was forced upon us, all in the name of racial integration. Since 2003, it's been 10 years now. Did it achieve the desired results? I highly doubt so. What it managed to achieve is to make parents hate the government more, especially those whose kids suffered injury, and death.

It's always easy to prescribe solutions for symptoms. The real cure is too difficult, if not impossible, to carry out. They target schools, vernacular schools, force non-Malay kids to mix with Malays. They set up camps to force non-Malay kids to mix with Malay kids. When you force people to do things against their will, do you expect them to respect and like you? Will it create more animosity or less, towards the government?

More importantly, why muck around with people's life & kids?

If you must insist on carrying on with this silly programme, make it voluntary instead of compulsory.

Read more here

Rupert Sheldrake - The Science Delusion

This is an interesting video which I would like to share. 

Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of more than 80 scientific papers and ten books. A former Research Fellow of the Royal Society, he studied natural sciences at Cambridge University, where he was a Scholar of Clare College, took a double first class honours degree and was awarded the University Botany Prize. Apparently, he was once based in the Botany Department of the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, from 1968 to 1969,  where he studied rain forest plants. Read more here

Anyway, back to his talk about scientific dogmas, debunking what is believed as constants. He speaks about the speed of light, which experiments have shown, does not travel at a constant speed. And gravity as well. Towards the end, he briefly mentioned the human mind.

People should be able to question and enquire. People should learn to investigate instead of believing blindly. Find the truth. Kids are born to be curious. It is nature's way to help them learn. Unfortunately, it's the adults who suppress and impose conformity upon them. The kids then grow up losing that ability to think. Such a pity.

Balik China, India - Part Deux

What can I say. Racism is thick these days.

Hot on the heels of SMK Alam Megah Principal Pn Hjh Missyati Binti Dani, is an assistant principal of SMK Engku Husain in Semenyih. Seems to be a monthly trend. See my previous post last month.

Previous post: Balik China, Balik India

Ok. Apparently this time, the kids were told to "go back" for not singing the national anthem. Before anyone scream "Unpatriotic" or "Traitor" let's put things in perspective. These are school kids. Teens. During school assemblies, there are bound to be a group of naughty kids mucking around at the back. Even if these are really unruly kids, the remarks are still uncalled-for. Where did they train these teachers?

There are many ways to discipline a kid. Making racial insults is definitely not one of the most effective way however you try to justify of defend it.

There seems to be a lot of cases like this these days. These people take out their frustration and anger towards a particular community on the kids. I strongly suggest counseling.

This is the reason why I maintain that racism & bigotry starts with adults. But many still insist that we must close down vernacular schools for racial harmony, and force school kids from different races to mix. That is a flawed concept. It's the adults who are teaching racism to the kids.

Will this go away, or will it drag on like the Sri Pristina case? We shall see...

Principal: Abdul Ghafar Kunchi Mohd

Assistant principal under probe for "balik India, China" remark

PETALING JAYA: An assistant principal of a secondary school is being investigated for allegedly telling some students to "balik India, China."

Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan said the ministry was waiting for a report on the matter from officers handling the case.

"If indeed the allegations are true then the ministry will take appropriate action," he told The Star Online.

The teacher allegedly became angry after some students did not participate in singing the Negaraku during the weekly assembly at SMK Engku Husain in Semenyih, Kajang a few days ago.

School principal Abdul Ghafar Kunchi Mohd told The Star Online that the school had reported the matter to the ministry and the Selangor Education Department.

He said a meeting was held on Thursday over the matter with ministry representatives and the school's Parent-Teacher Association where both he and the assistant principal were present.

He declined to comment further saying that the matter was now in the ministry's hands.

PTA president Prof Datuk Ali Hasan lambasted teachers who felt it was acceptable to tell students to return to where their ancestors came from.

"In my opinion they need serious re-training to refresh their minds on acceptable teacher-student behaviour," he said.

Ali said that teachers and educators who were found to racialise education should remember their roles in guiding children.

"The spirit of bangsa Malaysia should be inculcated in them, so they will extend it to their students instead of dividing issues racially."

He said that educators who caused racial issues should be dealt with, regardless of position.

The incident comes shortly after several racially-toned incidents involving schools, including a case in August when a Shah Alam school principal was made to apologise to students for telling them to "go back to India, China or Indonesia".

Another case was that of SK Seri Pristana, where headmaster Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor was accused of being racist after non-Muslim students were found eating their meals in a changing room during the Ramadan month.

- Source