STUDENTS AND GAZA

Recently, due to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, masses has begun thinking on what we can do to help this matter, albeit not as a soldier, I believe we could lend our hands. This bloody war on innocent the Palestinians should not be condoned. Ever since the Balfour Agreement existed, the crisis between Israel and Palestine has been happening. It prolongs until today without a concrete solutions. Things getting worst when Arabs are silent like stone. They don’t even have the brotherhood spirit to help the victims.

Arab states are blessed with oil and gas and that makes them so rich. Economy should be perceived as modern ‘weapon’ to curtail US (Israel ally) economy. Apart from military gadgets, curtailing US economy will put a great effect on Israeldecision to attack the Palestinians. A call to boycott US products is actually one of the ways (some people say the sole way) we could do to help the war victims. Parents might start telling their kids that McDonald’s is just a two buns with a dead meat between it. Dr. M once said, you’re not going to die without McD and KFC. Take it easy. After all, they are not healthy stuffs.

 

According to Hishamudin Rais, we shall not perceive this matter as a battle of religions; instead, it is a dilemma of sovereign territory, faced by them. Israelis came from all over the world, settled on West Bank i.e. Palestinians’ lands illegally. Yeah, sort of mini invasion at that time, but now, it grows at larger scale!

 

At the same time I read a newspaper cutting on the statement done by Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Khalid Nordin. He said that students are allowed to participate in demonstrations against the Israel’s attacks on Palestin. Okay, it seems good news for me. Eventually government realises students’ voices are quite important. After all, students are future leaders, so future leaders could gain their ‘leadership’ skill via demonstrations. Demonstrations as a way to express or to demonstrate your thoughts are cool.

 

However I would like to add a bit based from what I got from the talk I attended last night. We Malaysians are not daring enough to stand up against violations made by the government which are similar to what Israel has been doing to the Palestinians. Examples are detention without trial, Kg Berembang’s tragedy, aborigines’ lands were seized, people died while in police custody, people were beaten due to their participation in peaceful assemblies and many more. Aren’t these examples similar to the Israel’s conducts on the Palestinians? Yes, we feel secure to pick up safe issue like this as government is sympathy towards the Palestinians and hence it is okay to have public discourses on this issue. Try to have similar event on the abovementioned issues, I bet hundreds of police will be ordered to disperse people and to stop the event.

 

Personally, I feel that is the long term plan that we could do and it depend largely on the Malaysians awareness on the aforesaid issues. On the other side, the short term plan which might affect US economy is a realistic measure by boycotting US products. Students too, should be given freedom to show their concerns on any matter and not restricted to certain issues only.

 

Writer is trying her best to stay away from the delicious Prosperity Burger.

The aftermath of NEP

Malay, as defined under Article 153 of Federal Constitution is a person professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language and conforms to Malay custom. These are three features which generally projects who is Malay.

 

Being Malay or bumiputera (which is not defined under Federal Constitution) is special in the sense that, there is a “protectionist policy” which commonly known as affirmative action. Generally there is high degree of misunderstandings on this positive discrimination among societies. Talking about affirmative action, it has something to do with UiTM and I am glad as there are several people who care to share their views on the previous post on this blog- “My say on UiTM”. Healthy discussions should be norms in this country instead of spending too much on politicking. After all, letting political masters to decide for people is the biggest mistake which Malaysians have been done. We vote, we take the lead and we decide.

 

Come back to my point, some people perceived Malay as a group of people which usually tainted with futility, sluggish, playful and possess a never-ending malady of inability to focus as well as too dependant on government. Basically this is something which Tan Sri Khalid said on tv regarding the PKNS’s conflict.

 

Of course, being Malay I am quite upset which such statement for a simple reason that, the bad features which I mentioned above impliedly commensurate with a predominant race in this country – the Malays. Such generalisation is hurtful and I believe not all Malays are like that. Yes, for Tan Sri Khalids’ supporters, I am aware he made such statement in the light of maladministration for many years in PKNS. We are too complacent with the surroundings – Malay surroundings. We are hesitating to open the door to non Malays. We are afraid of the shadows in the darkness, full of uncertainties and indistinct. The question is, after the establishment of NEP, is this the outcome which we expect from Malaysians?

 

 

Two distinct schools of thoughts may explain the answers. First, this state, a sovereign state of Federation of Malaysia is a state which has a long line of history and the fact that Malays are indigenous people cannot be disregarded. Hence, Malays ought to be master and shielded with many privileges. These privileges in return should not be challenged as it should be regarded as token of appreciation from non Malays towards the Malays for accepting them as citizens. In simple words, challenging the privileges equals to challenge non Malays citizenship. Due to this so called social contract, Malaysians are living happily under one roof despite races and origins of the people. However, does this privilege benefit the Malays? Why social disparities are so glaring in terms of economy and social? Who to be blamed? To make simple assertion that Malays are born with bad habits is a total nonsensical. Dr.Mahathir used to say even for so many years as PM, yet he failed to change the attitude of Malays. This statement may be used by certain people who cherished by idea of bad breed will never create good fruit. What is the extent of the truth behind this statement is left undecided. Nevertheless, this topic is deemed as sensitive and I believe majority of Malaysians are not ready to have public discourse on this matter. For the sake of knowledge, it should be debated prudently.

 

Secondly, is taking an approach in the view of Human Rights Law. Human Rights identify affirmative action and seen as assistance towards certain groups and this should be regarded as temporary in nature. The aim of this action is to speed up development of such groups through supplementing them with special assistance as they are lagging in terms of meeting minimum standards for human needs. Reid Commission recognised that there is a need to review this privilege after 15 years of its implementation. After that, it is up to our political masters to decide on it. So far until now, it has never been revoked. The trajectory of NEP is claimed to move towards the betterment for Malays. True enough? Let’s look at reality and be realistic. There are various calls to abolish this action. Could abolishing it resolve the matter? The tool is good, but then, the vehicle which acts as to implement it is tainted with many appalling elements. In my view, two steps to be taken- have a thorough reform of this vehicle which necessitate a high degree of political wills and review the viability of Malays and Bumiputera should these privileges to be abolished.

My say on UiTM

This topic could be outdated compared to permatang pauh by election. I just want to express my thoughts over what have happened lately.

As a UiTM student, I must admit that I am so thankful for being selected into UiTM. Moreover, my SPM result wasn’t excellence and I did not manage to get into public universities after the UPU result on public universities fresh intake.

 

I applied for MMU and I was offered with alpha level (similar to matriculation programme) in information technology which costs me a lot of money.

It took me a long time to decide on the MMU offer. In the mean time I tried to apply for UiTM second intake somewhere in June or July (UiTM intakes done twice per year & if I’m not mistaken it’s the only public university which intakes are done twice per year).

 

Alhamdulillah, many thanks to the Almighty Allah Ta`ala, I’d received an offer – diploma in public administration from UiTM.

 

I put a lot of effort during my 3 years diploma programme and I managed to graduate on time with an excellence result. After that I pursue to law school.

Being taught in political science and public administration as well as development administration makes me well verse with our nation’s scenario and history. Thus things are getting interesting when I can merge my knowledge with the laws. To be frank, I love reading blogs like Malaysia today, Malaysia kini and etc. it exposed me to the news that I could not get in local mainstream mass media. I‘ve been doing that since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s dismissal in 1998. Lots of funny and fishy things happened. Lecturers were not hesitated to share their views in this case. Blogs supplement me with knowledge and also update me on the current issues.

 

Now, come back to the point, I’ve been studying in UiTM since 2003. I go to UiTM because I do not afford to go other universities especially private one. This is a fact which I must admit and plus I am not an intelligent student who entitled to a scholarship to go abroad then.

 

UiTM is meant for poor malays and bumiputera only. Only those who are not financially strong and do not have second chance to further their studies are the people who are entitled to get into UiTM. It goes with the history of the establishment of UiTM itself.

From my point of view, this is the idea which lies beneath the objective of Article 153 of constitution.

 

When Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim made a suggestion, I repeat, a suggestion, to open 10% places to non bumiputera as to give competitions, there were outrageous outcries from UiTM VC and students. Students marched off to MB office as to show their protests. On the night before the march, I’d been told to sign a petition of protest and to wear black shirt during the march. So the allegation of UMNO sponsoring or bribing students with black shirts is false and baseless.

 

I did not take part in the march because I knew this issue has been politicized by unscrupulous, filthy, desperate politicians.

Why? Because MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim wasn’t the first man to make such statement, in fact there have been a few statement made previously even from non Malay bodies and yet no protests were made.

When MRSM opened to non malay where the semangat melayu gone? Why there was no protest against Dato Nazri Aziz and Dr.M then?

And why the semangat melayu came up when Tan Sri Khalid made that statement?

 

These are the big question marks which I think are answerable through what has happened in our local political scenario.

As for the main objective of UiTM establishment which to help Malays and bumiputera to be at par with other races is good effort. This affirmative action is lawful in legal sense. However, we mustn’t forget that big names born from UiTM like Media Prima CEO Datuk Farid, Dato Zaid Ibrahim, Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah CEO of PNB, Dato’ Salleh Majid and many more is a strong proof that UiTM managed to produce these kind of people.

 

Question of the quality of UiTM graduates are subjective in the sense that it differs from people perceptions. But I strongly think it depend on the student. If you work hard you will impress your employer about UiTM, vice versa. It happens in other universities as well, let’s be fair okay?

 

Should government intend to implement what Tan Sri Khalid had suggested, there should a thorough study on the viability of the Malays and bumiputera to face the challenge without privileges under Article 153. This issue is sensitive towards certain people, and I write this article based on my stand and not inclined to any parties.

 

As for present scenario, there are few rich and famous sons and daughters of Dato’s, Tan Sri’s, are studying in UiTM. I do not understand why they are here, since they are not categorized as poor people like me. They can afford to go to other universities. Indirectly they already grab the places of poor people who entitled to study in UiTM and deny these poor people rights.

 

And my final say is that UiTM students have been dragged into politics. Extra evidence is when Khairy Jamaluddin came to UiTM before the 12th general election with the purpose to meet Kelantanese. If I’m not mistaken the video of his speech at Dewan Sri Budiman is available at youtube.

 

As a university, it should be a place which is free from political interventions. Let us, the students be given freedom to think, observe and choose what we want. As for government, I think the effort made way back from the reign of Tun Abdul Razak is a very good effort. However, the system cannot run smoothly if people kept meddle in the system as to exploit it for their political interests as it will jeopardize the future of Malays and bumiputera and the nation, as a whole. 

Bar Council’s forum: do we tend to get misled easily?

On 9^th august 2008 there was a forum regarding the issue of the hot-debated Article 121(1A) of federal constitution. As a student, this is my first thought over the forum.

 

First of all, laymen are not aware of the treatment which are given by our legal system towards the non Muslims when they are in disputes with their Muslims ex spouses or relatives who covert into Islam. As a muslim, I am stick to the true teaching of Islam that, Islam do not discriminate non muslims. Instead muslims are obliged to treat non muslims equally regardless their religion, origin or skin colours.

 

Secondly, it is important to highlight this fact to the readers that, the supreme law in Malaysia is not Islam. Thus, we are basically not a religion skewed state, but more or less much inclined to the hybrid system which incorporates religion and secular system in our legal system.

 

Now, there are 2 parties in dispute- muslim and non muslim. Disputes happened many forms like matrimonial, rights to bury corpse and others. Muslims can seek their rights at Syariah Courtwhile non muslims can seek their rights at civil courts. How on earth to settle problems when there are 2 different courts involve in a single issue? This is the gist of the matter- an overlapping of powers of two different courts.

 

Now, from my view, what bar council did is a form of effort to settle the matter. Simple logic could solve the problem if we could confront sensitive issue wisely..( I don`t intend to take this matter easily and on logic only..). Should you have a problem and other people are discussing on it, why can’t you join in and give your views? Being provoked by the media should not become a strong excuse to get overwhelmed easily and jump into conclusion in a second. Anyway this is part if Islam teachings too- musyawarah.

 

On the other hand, I wonder why JAKIM did not take place in the forum. The forum should consist of those who are an expert of syariah law and Islam too. Anyway i`m was informed that someone from syariah court withdraw himself from the forum. He ought to be there and give adequate explanations on Islam’s view of the matter.

the bitter part of our attitude and education system

i know and i admit there are thousands of discussions on this matter. this morning the lecturer `interrogated` my classmates and i regarding contract law which we did it on the first year. of course few things that we know is actually wrong and this has not been pointed out since we already  did it, by assuming that yeah, got A for that paper means you are an expert now.sadly,it is wrong.A does not shows your level of knowledge as you might fail in the reality application of the law itself.

the gist of this piece of writing is we, malaysians love to keep quiet when lecturer ask..`do you have any questions?`. a friend of mine pointed out that there are several lecturer who warned us `do not argue with me`..this is an absurdity.as varsity student we are expected to think and not to say yes without thinking.we must argue so that our level of thinking as well as knowledge improves.

i still remmeber when i was 11 years old, i asked my science teacher, what is DNA?she gave me a disappointing reply by saying that you are too small to know this stuff. at that time there was a rape case and the word DNA was famous. thats why i asked her. i feel shamed and disappointed with her attitude. later i asked my father who gave me a lenghty explaination on it.

what matter me most is our attitude.do we want to produce 1 class thinking society?yes.but how do we treat students?is it fair to them by denying their desire of knowledge hunger?luckily the lecturer loves to argue and i like her style of teaching.she keeps me busy so that i could come out with my own stands as to why i say this and that.

when i did english courses at the british council, i must admit i prefer reading children books, because it gives me knowledge that i don`t have.mind you, the books were imported from UK.it covers Shakespeare( i know this man when i`m in varsity,pity..), Einstein in detail, history of world war, winston churchill, and others which all of it i do not know when i was in school.that books full of colours as well as explaination on the topic..i could say it suits primary school students in UK.

if we are to put the blame for the lame system, actually you will ended being disappointed.so the best way is to read more and try to inculcate this habit to small children.apart from that,never disappoint small children as what my primary school teacher did to me.

a new surrounding

being in the new group after a tough battle to get inside the group is a worth thing. i am not a super woman who could face all sorts of teaching styles without a good mentally prepared. i will go for normal streams which i`m used to it. a friend of mine have to either willing or without a willing heart to be called as `ustazah` which means a very pious lady! and that name come from none other than our own lecturer. there you go. a fine name coupled with a good personality. however i cannot stand to refrain myself from laugh coz i know her well.very chaotic person, when we are together, we will laugh and laugh..talking on any stuffs ranging from girlish thingy, laws, politics, hot bachelors and others..hahaha..i just drop by to write something to remember this sweet evening

A story on Allahyarhamah Aina Mardiah…

The first time I met her she was just an ordinary teenager. We met at Bukit Aman, whereby both of us were kindly given time to meet our relatives who has been detained under ISA. That was the first and the last time I met that girl.

I met my uncle and Aina met her father. Both of them have been detained about 6 years under ISA. Okay, let’s leave the ill story of the grounds of their detention, as the essence of the intended story is on the death of Aina Mardhiah.

She fell at her house, then unconscious. Doctor revealed that she had blood clot inside her head since she is small. When she fell, the blood clot spread inside the head and caused her to collapse.

Her father, whom I called as uncle Acep, was informed about his offspring’s health status and it required him to see her as soon as possible for a few hours before she was announced dead, she was fully dependent on what me, as a layman call it as life machine.

Police told my aunt that uncle Acep had depart from KEMTA, located in Taiping at 1 noon. However he arrived at 9 pm and his beloved daughter has passed away around 6 pm. If uncle Acep was really departed from KEMTA at 1 noon he supposed to reach hospital at 5 as it only takes 3-4 hours journey from taiping to klang valley. If only uncle Acep was brought earlier to see Aina, he is certainly able to meet her.

Bureaucracy processed caused this delay and this delay is too much. When I was seeing my uncle at bukit aman, I was told by the police that under a new minister, ISA detainee must have official permission from the said minister before he could be brought out from KEMTA. 

Something should be done. Let this tragedy become the first and the last one. We shall not compromise with ‘lame’ bureaucracy processes. There are a lot of people who have raise hue and cry on this piece of law. However, it needs political will to change this kind of circumstance. The executive should loose the knot in emergency situations as it is a very torturing situation when you are helpless while facing ‘lame’ bureaucracy processes.

For Aina, may God hold you softly in palm of His hand……

Animals and Human

Today I watched prime news, as usual there were tons of political issues apart from the ninth Malaysian plan outcome that had been tabled by PM at the parliament today.

What makes me sad is because there was clip which showed sick cows being kicked and attacked by human!

Personally, I am animal lover, not because I have deep interests over animals, but as human being who is blessed with brain which enable me to think and act like human. Unfortunately, there are several human who claimed themselves as civilised, much more modern, first class-human being, intellectualists, bla..bla… they are only human in outer form, which other human see them as ordinary human being, but the inner side of them, their heart and soul are just like the violent barbarians and animals.

The sad thing happened at the animal auction centre in New Mexico, US.

 

The sick cows are abandoned and not treated. So who’s to be blame for crazy cow disease?

 

Not only that, the sick cows were or has been kicked by human. I also saw the faces of the cows were bleeding severely. I also believe they use electrical gadgets on the cows with the intention to hurt it.

When it comes to this point, I think the human who attacked the sick cows has degrading themselves. They are no longer human with brain, but a violent barbaric without brain.

 

Dear readers, I strongly recommend all of us to avoid or boycott cosmetic products, medicine that has been tested on animals. Stop this cruelty by choosing organic products.

Shall we toss a dice on the oil price?

 

Once again, under the present government rule, the oil price is increasing. As a Malaysian, I strongly believe that such increment is a huge burden for Malaysians.

It is no longer a myth that once the oil price goes up, other commodities` price goes up too.

Trade and consumer minister announce that taxi and bus companies are not allowed to increase fare as they are provided with fleet card which entitled them for diesel subsidies. However, due to lack of enforcement and commitment, a friend of mine had to pay RM 8 to taxi driver, instead of RM 5 that she usually pay from bus stand to her home. Who’s to be blame? This is a piece of reality that happens to people. I do believe most of Malaysians have been through this kind of circumstances. For ministers, they are provided with a lot of allowances, which I believe they don’t feel hardship that we, Malaysians have to feel the taste of hardship of living in a country which produces oil. Shame.

It is not a fairy tale story for Malaysian that petronas is a multi billionaire revenue company and said as one of the best profitable company in the world. Petronas has been exporting local oil and importing oil for local use as local oil is lack of sulphur and make it as a high quality oil and expensive too. Most of people questioned about the existence of petronas. Why we got to pay more for oil since we do produce oil? We suppose to pay less for oil like Venezuela; they pay oil as cheap as 16cent per litre.

I watched Bernama news, which aired through Astro, Salahudin Ayubi told the reporters that the financial reports of petronas has never been tabled at the parliament, I wonder if it’s classified under OSA too. As a member of parliament, he and other parliament members deserves to read the report as it have something to do directly with rakyat.

Even though pak lah annonce several figures in monetary form to be given to rakyat when they renew their driving license, it cannot relief the rakyat burden. What RM 625 per year could do? If pak lah thought that figure is meant for oil alone, than I bet he is wrong for rakyat will face with other commodities price hike. This whole thing is madness and made without proper studies.

As one of the rakyat, I do agree and want to suggest few things here.

• I strongly urge the government to table the financial report of petronas at the parliament.

• I agree with Datuk Shahrir Samad, Pm and ministers allowances should be reduced.

• Expenses for unnecessary things which do not benefited rakyat should be abolished like` islam hadhari’ campaigns

• Foreigners’ wages which is paid by tax payers’ money should be revised. Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra`s conductor who is a mat saleh, and he is paid about RM 160K per month. This is a classic example on how tax payers’ money is wasted. Of all 26millons of Malaysians, for god sake, is there anyone could be the conductor? Besides, it is Malaysia, not some mat salleh wannabe philharmonic orchestra, ok?

• For the oil subsidies, I do agree with one of the TV3 viewer’s, that those with myKad shall be entitled with the subsidies. Foreigners have to pay oil according to the world price.

• There must be a reformation to upgrade public transport system. This should be done without any intervention of cronies who love to meddle in. Rakyat won’t mind to use public transport if it’s really efficient.

• For those who are lucky to be elected as MP, I hope there is a limit of claim for their lodging and travelling expenses. No more 5stars suite throughout the parliament session. No more business class for flight tickets. If Lim Guan Eng could do it, there should be no problem for other rakyat representatives as well.

• The number of petrol stations which provide NGV should be increased. This could give the rakyat alternative to shift to a cheaper energy.

 

No doubt that the global oil price gives huge impact on local oil price, which must be put into every Malaysian thought. Thus, wise steps to preserve present energy like minimize your energy use could help to preserve energy and thus it could help to reduce the impact of global warming. Try to reduce electricity use, reduce unnecessary journey by your car, instead, use public transport. by that way, we won`t jeoperdize the future of our planet.

keluar parti?

biar lah apa pun keputusan dr.m untuk keluar parti jika political gambit nya menjadi aku memang salute lelaki yang sebaya dengan datuk ku.

jika ia dapat memuaskan hati nya, biarkan.kerana aku yakin beliau didalam keadaan tertekan dengan pelbagai masalah dan karenah politik semasa, di tambah pula dengan keputusan siasatan kes lingam yg mangaitkan beliau dgn kes itu.

aku tak ingin komen panjang lebar tentang ini kerana ia amat menarik untuk di komen tanpa melihat outcome political gambit bekas PM ini.