What is the difference between Mindraf and Hindraf? Malaysiakini

Out of all the political parties present in Malaysia now. DAP stands more of de-racialised non-communitarian politics in Malaysia. PKR can be argued as one as well but the whole set up of it was more like justice for one man than justice for a nation. It has been trying to accommodate for all now. But it has more cracks and plastering to do before it is considered genuine.

Hindraf should be part of a political entity because their concerns are political related. How long are they to beg by the doors of parliament? The move to remove political members in Hindraf was definitely called for. Having political friendly politicians makes their movement more legitimate. Hindraf is and should always be only a watch dog for the Indian community and a Hindu movement for spearheading legal actions against wrong doing parties.

The members from Hindraf who want to embark into politics should approach DAP and PKR to create a balance representation or start a genuine multi racial party. With people who believe in Makkal Sakthi and have genuine grouses about the malaysian society. If Mindraf is started than all the principles of their struggle when started, would contradict now. Hindraf was against BN formulation. A party like MIC did not function well under BN regime. Which was controlled by UMNO.

To every struggle there must be a starting point. Hindraf should have started their political pursuit in the beginning. Right after the mammoth rally. It has lost a lot of it's momentum over the year. But on the other hand a lot was promised to Hindraf when Anwar, Kit Siang and all the others jumped into the election frontline in the name of Makkal Sakthi. But not much was seen after that. There are still 3 more guys in ISA and 1 exiled. If these men were masquerading as fighters for the Indians they would have given up or backed down by now. But their spirits are still burning brightly without fail. I respect these men. So Thanedra’s action to start a political party is in a way playing the political game. The government’s action to outlaw Hindraf is reasons for the political action by Hindraf members. I hope they dissolve the party and form a united racial party when the time comes for that.


I was also fighting and persuading my friends of my society to understand Hindraf. Many of them were too accustomed to the good life of Malaysia that they failed to see the balance 80 percent of Indians who live below the average income group. Indians have no savings. We have not much asset or advantage in this country. So even though I agree that injustice and lack of representation of many other communities are also present. But somebody has to do it. So if you aren’t then you shouldn’t stop those who are trying to protect theirs.


Indians should be in politics. It is a must. Good man with good virtues and vision should be leading this community. There must be proper representation of all races in a cabinet. No leader can see what is needed by individual communities if there isn’t someone to represent them.

The rule of law should exist for all.

Dear Reader

Happy New Year to Everyone.

Alcohol and Babi Protest by Pewaris. Malaysiakini

So dissapointing to see some of our Malaysian Malays behaving like this. If Malaysia wasn't multicultural. It wouldn't be what it is now. How long do you think you can be like this? All this will come down one day. It's best to look around us and learn that the globe is changing rapidly and we should start changing as well. God Save Malaysia.
Pewaris is backed by BN people thats why it's able to stage such things.










Found this on a Pewaris site as well. not sure what is our government doing about this. Pakatan Rakyat state government should put a stop to this nuts.

Babi Protest by Pewaris Malaysia - Malaysiakini

So dissapointing to see our Malaysian Malays behaving like this. If Malaysia wasn't multicultural. It wouldn't be what it is now. How long do you think you can be like this? All this will come down one day. It's best to look around us and learn that the globe is changing rapidly and we should start as well. God Save Malaysia.

Manikavasagam the people's man. Malaysiakini

Why does a Selangor PKR deputy liaison chief needs to resign to gets things resolved?
Is Keadilan just another UMNO or is it selected few individuals Interest? Does Klang town need to transfer their bus station? Can't it be upgraded?

I spoke to my friends from klang. They agree that bus station does need it's upgrade but not move it totally 7-8km away. Imagine all the businessman's around there and it's convenience being in the heart of town. Already Malaysia has one of the worst integrated transportation system compared to it's other economic peers in Asia. It's sometimes just so hopeless to explain to foreigners how to get to a place that you just advice them to take the cab. But wait we have cab driver who haggle prices, chooses their passenger and destination and worst they are sometimes rude. Lets not go into the conditions of the taxi's. Crime rate is shocking.

Manickavasagam thank you for doing this. You prove that if check and balance in Pakatan Rakyat works or not. If PKR wants to be like UMNO then it will only drown as fast as it surfaced. I support Pakatan Rakyat totally but i want it to be a party that serves the people by the people and not by corruption and racial motivation. If it takes 1year or 10 years to be a Federal Government let it be. Build it with quality and not by quantity.

Manickavasagam is a responsible man. He is brave to make a change. Many in his position would have remained quiet to retain their position and popularity. But he choose do what is right. Why have a position that does not have a purpose? Would you want to be used just as a puppet for others to get political mileage? Like MIC? PKR is one party but it's backbone is their racial integration. If what we see is the fake side of PKR than we should not support them further. Hindraf that gave Pakatan Rakyat it's voice is now illegal and hiding. Shouldn't this people brought back into the mainstream to help produce results. What is Pakatan Rakyat doing? It's going to be 1 year since the came to power. 3 to 4 years from now is the next General Election. That's not very far away. We should shake the earth under Barisan Nasional and Build a stronger Foundation for Pakatan Rakyat. PR needs to field quality candidate for all constituency by the next General Election. So start moulding your man and women to bear the responsibility and vision.

Sometimes you read the junk statements from our federal government it's like hanging yourself in shame. There is no quality there. It's so frustrating you feel like punching some of them but patience is virtue. Except for Internet users. We need a sincere and dedicated government till then we shall be patient. I'm against Hudud law, that's for PAS. The government should never use religion to govern it's people of different believes. It will only cause havoc. MCA are just opportunist playing issues to garner back support. Shameless. Samy vellu please step down. I'm glad Devamany is the new Treasurer but MIC is a lost cause. sadly.

This is my 2009 New Years wish. A brighter Malaysia. A lot of mix opinions on Malaysia economy for 2009-2010. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Whatever it may produce, let's hope for the best. God Bless you Malaysia. Happy New Year!!

Rais Yatim praises bush shoe thrower? stupid #$%. Malaysiakini

AP - Saturday, December 20KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's foreign minister has praised the Iraqi journalist who tossed his shoes at President George W. Bush, saying it was the "best show of retaliation" for the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Rais Yatim praised "the shoe-throwing act by that remarkable reporter who gave President Bush his final farewell last week."

"That shoe-throwing episode, in my view, is truly the best weapon of mass destruction to the leader who coined the phrase 'axis of evil' to denote Iran, Iraq and North Korea," he said in a speech late Friday at a dinner to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the United Nations.

Television reporter Muntadar al-Zeidi stunned observers when he threw both his shoes at Bush during a press conference in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Dec. 14. Bush deftly ducked out of the way both times.

The reporter also shouted in Arabic, "This is your farewell kiss, you dog!" In Iraqi culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of deep contempt.

Al-Zeidi has been handed over to the Iraqi judiciary.

Bush has played down the incident, but the case became a rallying point among opponents of the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated Friday for al-Zeidi's release.

A Saudi man reportedly offered $10 million for the shoes, and an Iranian cleric suggested they should become museum pieces. However, authorities said the shoes had been destroyed by investigators.

Predominantly Muslim Malaysia opposes the U.S.-led war in Iraq, but supports Washington in its fight against global terrorism.

New Judges’ Ethics Committee bill tabled. Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Judges' Ethics Committee bill, tabled for first reading at the Dewan Rakyat at 10am, paves the way to set up a committee to deal with any judge who has committed a breach of any provisions of the Judges' Code of Ethics.

The bill seeks to establish the committee for matters related to conduct and disciplinary of all others other than the removal of a judge from office under Clause (3) of Article 125 of the Federal Constitution.

Chief Justice of the Federal Court is the chairman of the committee, unless he is the complainant, in which case the next senior judge shall be the chairman.

The committee, to be comprised with odd number of members, is made up of President of Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of Malaya, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, judge of Federal Court, Court of Appeal Judge or a High Court as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court deems fit to appoint.

The bill states that the appointment of the committee is on ad hoc basis and members of the committee shall comprise judges who are senior in the order of precedence to the judge who is the subject of a disciplinary proceeding.

It states that the committee is to abide by principles and procedures set out in this act and the Code of Ethics.

The proceedings of the Committee is to be held in camera.

It shall not be a trial but an enquiry as regards to the breach of any provisions of the Code of Ethics committed by a judge referred to its by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court.

The bill also states that the Evidence Act 1950 does not apply to proceedings of the committee.

If the chairman or any member of the committee has a direct or indirect interest in any disciplinary proceeding, he should disclose to the committee the fact of his interest and the nature of his interest.

For the meetings of the committee, the chairman is to decide on its date, place and time.

The chairman and not less than two members of the committee will form the quorum for every proceedings of the committee.

The chairman will maintain and keep the records and minutes of proceedings of the committee in a proper form.

For decision of the committee, the majority is deemed the committee's decision if it is not unanimous.

The decision of the committee is final and not to be challenged, appealed against, reviewed, quashed or called in question in any court on any ground.

No court is to have jurisdiction to entertain or determine any suit, application, question or proceeding on any ground regarding the validity of such decision.

The committee will also ensure that its decision in any disciplinary proceeding is communicated in writing to the judge who is the subject of the disciplinary proceedings.

Published: Monday December 15, 2008 MYT 12:32:00 PM
By Lee Yuk Peng

Local students are intellectually weak. Malaysiakini

Friday December 12, 2008
Backbencher: Local students are intellectually weak
At the Dewan Rakyat
Reports by LEE YUK PENG, ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN AND LOH FOON FONG

LOCAL university students are intellectually weak, not because they get involved in politics but, because they are too lazy to study, says a backbencher.

Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN — Pasir Salak) said the students did not read books but merely relied on notes from lecturers.

“They are lazy to do research and also can’t be bothered to read anything in English,” he said when debating the Universities and University Colleges Bill yesterday.

“This is because it is difficult. A headache for them to do so.”

Meanwhile, amendments to the University and University Colleges Act 1971 were passed after a lengthy debate, despite attempts by Opposition MPs to make their own amendments to the proposed Bill.

Tony Pua (DAP — Petaling Jaya Utara) had earlier submitted 10 proposed amendments to the Speaker.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the amendments would give students a wider form for expression of speech.

He said although they were not allowed to join political parties in universities, the Government was making the first progressive step by allowing students to be exposed to the activities of these organisations.

“The only organisation that they cannot join is the Al-Qaeda,” he said in winding-up the debate on the amendments at the committee stage.

Khaled said students would be exposed to the viewpoints and activities of non-governmental organisations and they would not need approval from education authorities.

Khaled said students would be allowed to organise activities with politicians and political parties on issues related to education.

He refuted the assertion by Pakatan Rakyat MPs that the Act itself was against freedom of expression as provisions in the amendments were in line with limits outlined under Article 10 (iii) of the Constitution.

Student leaders, however, rejected amendments to the Act.

Ridzuan Mohammad, 22, an Undergraduate Movement for Abolishing University and Colleges Act secretariat member said Tajuddin should retract his statement, adding that those who were lazy were only a minority.

Indian activists in Malaysia launch protest fast. Malaysiakini

AP - Sunday, December 14KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - About 20 ethnic Indian Malaysian activists launched a protest fast Sunday to demand the release of their leaders who have been imprisoned without trial for allegedly threatening racial stability.

The protesters began consuming only water outside a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur, but there was no consensus about how long they will continue the fast, said S. Jayathas, a member of the Hindu Rights Action Force.

"We want the government to listen to us and look into our legitimate rights," Jayathas said.

The group shot to prominence in November 2007 when it led tens of thousands of Indians in a rare street protest seeking an end to policies benefiting the Malay Muslim majority and to gain better opportunities for Indians, who form the bottom rung of Malaysia's social ladder.

The protest marks the first anniversary of the jailing of five of the group's leaders last December under a tough security law that allows indefinite detention without trial. The government has also since banned the group, accusing it of inciting racial hatred.

Last year's street rally was considered a watershed in the country's politics, emboldening Malaysians unhappy with the government and boosting opposition parties to spectacular gains in general elections in March.

Minority Indians and ethnic Chinese have recently become more vocal in speaking out against the government's decades-old policy that provide privileges in education, jobs and business to Malays, who comprise nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million people.

Melaka tarik balik larangan lawat Kelantan. Malaysiakini

Melaka tarik balik larangan lawat Kelantan
KOTA BHARU 12 Dis. - Kerajaan Melaka menarik balik arahan yang melarang semua kakitangan agensi kerajaan negeri itu mengadakan lawatan rasmi ke Kelantan.

Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam berkata, larangan tersebut ditarik balik selepas lapan tahun kerana Pas tidak lagi menuduh ahli-ahli UMNO sebagai bukan Islam.

Bermula hari ini, katanya, agensi kerajaan negeri tersebut boleh mengadakan lawatan rasmi di Kelantan tanpa sebarang sekatan.

"Larangan untuk mengadakan lawatan rasmi ke Kelantan ditarik balik sebab saya tengok mereka (kerajaan Pas Kelantan) tidak lagi mengatakan kita tidak Islam.

"Bermula hari ini semua rakyat Melaka bebas untuk mengadakan lawatan ke sini dan bukan itu sahaja Ketua Menteri Melaka telah datang ke sini sendiri hari ini.

"Sebelum ini ada kita datang tetapi bukan atas nama kerajaan negeri tetapi parti," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis pelancaran Promosi Pelancongan Negeri Melaka di sini hari ini.

Program tersebut dirasmikan oleh Pengerusi Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Negeri Kelantan, Datuk Abdul Aziz Derashid.

Turut hadir Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Warisan Melaka, Datuk Seet Har Cheow.

Ia diadakan bagi mempromosikan produk pelancongan Melaka di negeri ini.

Arahan

Pada April 2000, Mohd. Ali melarang kakitangan agensi kerajaan negeri Melaka mengadakan lawatan rasmi ke Kelantan kerana tuduhan Pas yang menyifatkan ahli-ahli UMNO kafir.

Arahan itu bukan bertujuan menganiaya kerajaan pimpinan Pas tetapi bagi memastikan dasar-dasar tidak baik yang dilaksanakan oleh negeri ini tidak dicontohi oleh agensi kerajaan di Melaka.

Mohd. Ali yang juga Naib Presiden UMNO berkata, seramai 45,023 rakyat negeri ini melawat Melaka bermula Januari sehingga Oktober tahun ini.

"Jumlah penduduk Kelantan yang melawat Melaka meningkat sebanyak 4,685 orang berbanding hanya 40,338 orang dalam tempoh yang sama tahun lepas.

"Kita berharap pada tahun depan ia akan meningkat sehingga 60,000 orang dengan promosi dan tarikan baru yang disediakan khusus untuk para pelancong lawati," katanya.

Tambahnya, ia sejajar dengan hasrat kerajaan negeri itu untuk mencapai sasaran 8.2 juta pelancong pada 2010 dengan hasil pendapatan sebanyak RM4.2 bilion.

This is so dumb. This is like the page in our passport that says we cant visit Israel. Why is it a health safety issue? I cant imagine why a government needs to do that?
So Malaysia Tak Boleh...

Malaysia upholds ban on student political activity. Malaysiakini

By JULIA ZAPPEI,Associated Press Writer AP - Friday, December 12KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's Parliament has amended a law to allow university students to join social groups but still bans them from political parties, a restriction slammed by critics Friday.

Lawmakers approved the amendments to the Universities and University College Act late Thursday to allow students to become members of social and other groups outside campus.

But they left untouched a clause that bans students from joining political parties, illegal groups or any other organizations that the government specifies. The law also states that students are not allowed to express support for any political party.

The amendments need to be approved by the Senate and king before taking effect, but these steps are usually formalities.

"In many ways there is more freedom now, except that they cannot join political parties or express support for them. But they can express their views," said Rozaid Abdul Rahman, an aide to Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin.

Ridzuan Mohammad, coordinator of a coalition of eight student groups that campaigned for the act to be repealed, said the ban on political activities leaves students reluctant to speak up for fear of disciplinary action.

"Those changes are cosmetic," said the 22-year-old Universiti Malaya education student. "We want the UUCA to be abolished."

Government officials have argued that the law _ introduced in 1971 to quell student unrest _ is necessary so students concentrate on their studies and don't get influenced by politicians.

Opposition politicians voted against the amendments to the law, which they say restricts freedom of expression and fundamental human rights.

"It's strange to say this is an improvement," said Tian Chua, a lawmaker with the opposition People's Justice Party.

Rais Yatim doubts if Thailand will be able to host ASEAN summit. Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - Malaysia raised doubts Wednesday over whether crisis-hit Thailand will be able to host a Southeast Asian summit, which has already been postponed from December to March.

The venue for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit had also been moved from Bangkok to the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai because anti-government protesters were occupying the capital's two airports.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim expressed "sadness" over the turmoil in Thailand , where the ruling party has been dissolved and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat barred from politics for five years.

"In terms of the next summit, which we were hoping to be held in Chiang Mai, now it is not to be," Rais told a press conference.

"So we'll have to wait (to see) whether Thailand of the future will be able to furnish for us in ASEAN the commitment for the summit," he said.

"Malaysia only hopes that the next government or the next authority in Thailand would be able to foster and germinate the essentials of ASEAN."

Singapore has urged that the ASEAN talks be held as soon as possible, preferably in January, given the urgent need to discuss the impact of the global financial crisis.

It said that the summit could instead be held at the Jakarta-based secretariat of the 10-member ASEAN.

Rais indicated that bilateral relations with neighbouring Thailand had been affected by the turmoil.

"Of course we would like to see relations with Malaysia in particular develop at a level that is more constructive and lasting," he said.

"We truly hope the system of democracy in Thailand would germinate again and foster the kind of relationships we need within ASEAN."

Malaysia Airlines MD Named Orient Aviation Person 2008. Malaysiakini

Tuesday December 2, 12:24 PM
Malaysia Airlines MD Named Orient Aviation Person 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 Asia Pulse - Idris Jala, managing director and chief executive officer of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) (KLSE:3786), has been named Orient Aviation Person 2008 for being the driving force behind the national carrier's amazing comeback.

While many wrote off the airline when it made its biggest losses ever of RM1.3 billion (US$0.37 billion) in nine months in 2005, Idris joined the airline and turned MAS' record losses into record profits and rebuilt confidence and morale among its 20,000 employees, all within two years.

"MAS recorded RM851 million (US$243 million) in the financial year 2007, its highest profit in 60 years of operations, and is only one of the six airlines in the world recognised as a "5-star airline" by Skytrax, United Kingdom, an accolade it has won for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008," MAS said in a statement Monday.


Idris said he was pleased and honoured to accept the award as he and his team worked hard to turnaround MAS. Now, they are embarking on a business transformation journey in pursuit of their vision to become the World's FIve Star Value carrier.
Idris said he is blessed with a great team of people who are passionate about the airline.

Orient Aviation chief executive Barry Grindrod said Idris acted speedily and decisively. In the last three years, he has slashed US$500 million costs at MAS.

Idris is on target for additional cuts of US$280 million in operational costs this year. Significantly, he has also restored morale in the carrier which was rock bottom when he joined the airline, Grindrod said.

He has quickly become one of the most highly respected chief executive officers in the industry worldwide, he said.

Previous winners of the award, which was established in 1999, include Chew Choong Seng from Singapore Airlines; Geoff Dixon, Qantas Airways; Jaime Bautista, Philippine Airlines; Kanok Abhiradee, Thai Airways International and David Turnbull, Cathay Pacific Airways.

Orient Aviation is a magazine published for distribution to members of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, with the majority of members being airlines in the Asia Pacific region and organisation in the airline and tourism industries.

(BERNAMA-OANA

Najib giving Crime Statistic. Malaysiakini

While the public was increasingly worried by the rise in crime, statistics however showed that the crime rate in Malaysia was far lower than Japan and Hong Kong, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak

What the @%!% is Najib talking about. I've been living in Hong Kong for the past 2 months. I've never felt need to worry about pick pocket's or muggers. I never felt the need to worry about snatch thieves or robbers. The cops here walk among the peoples and are not corrupted. The cops here are taller than me and I'm about 6 feet. They look intimidating and having them walk around in crowded places like any other shoppers but in their uniform makes the atmosphere feel really safe.

My Parents came to visit me a few weeks back. They took the public service transport while i was at work. I had no worries at all about their safety. I even see lesser accidents here compared to Singapore. Public transport is efficient. You don't have taxi drivers trying to con you. Same as in Singapore. They are all metered and well maintained. The condition of the taxi's in Malaysia itself is concerning.

Rape and Murder punishment must be taken very seriously in Malaysia. How can one live in a happy environment if we consistently need to worry about our family. Or to come back to a ransacked house. Or to find a mugger just around the corner. Every single person in Malaysia needs to have and Identity card and a finger print record. It's mostly foreign workers who come to Malaysia to earn money but end up loosing their job because of unplanned and un consistent projects in Malaysia. They are not treated properly by their employers. So they flee and join illegal gangs that need men's like this to do all the risky and dangerous jobs. They start small but they quickly catch up. Malaysia is turning into a Hollywood movies like Gangs of New York.

What Najib forgot to include in that statistic were the specific cases. Like Rape, mugging , robbery, corruption and murder is surely much higher in Malaysia compared to Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is nothing like how the Chinese Action Gangster movies portray. It is very safe. In Singapore, girls can walk safely to their block at 2am. But in Malaysia it's not safe for a girl after 8pm.

"Based on the statistics given by the police, it indicates that the crime rate in Malaysia is lower than Japan and Hong Kong.

"It is also just slightly higher than Singapore to the basis of per hundred thousand of population... but the perception of the public is not the case," said Najib at a press conference in Parliament after the economic council meeting.

PKR please look beyond the horizon. Malaysiakini

Highly disappointing to hear that PKR wants to replace Mathematics and Science back into Malay. I for one have experienced the difficulty of studying Maths and Science in Malay at Kebangsaan School and then immediately continue my further studies in the UK. I did Engineering so you can imagine the terms and words used were completely different. Even tough i went for tuition's which were taught in English during my secondary schooling life. I still found it hard. Imagine those who were hard core Malays, Indians or Chinese.

I wont say it's impossible to catch up. I did eventually. But i did see my college mates who were Malays struggle because of this. The extent of books which are available in English is far greater and better for studying. To tell you the truth i studied my Accounts, Add Mathematics and Physics syllabus in English to pass those Papers.
Malaysia in a position where the security guard outside the building can converse in English but the Receptionist in The Lobby cant speak anything else except Malay. I'm not criticising the Malays but what I'm emphasising is that our Malaysian Education system doesn't give enough important to English.


Mahathir lately criticised the Chinese and Indians for being stubborn for refusing to let their children mix with the other races and study in a Kebangsaan School. He gave examples of France and Germany for upholding their language. True and i wont deny this. But this countries have a much more older history for their language. Yet they are able to speak English for business and enterprising. I believe all Malaysians can speak and understand Malay. Why even when i meet Malaysians abroad i warmly great and have a pleasant conversation in Malay. Every Malaysian I have meet overseas were always happy and proud to meet another fellow Malaysian and exchange a few words in Malay.

But regrettably my own mother tongue which is Tamil is in a disappointing state. Even tough i still can converse in Tamil. I would badly hurt the ears of a proper Tamil speaking person. Because Tamil was never given importance's in primary or secondary kebangsaan school so i never gave importance to it. I had to go for extra Tamil Classes when my friends were playing outside. So imagine the extent of my concentration in class.

I would highly recommend that Moral class should be scrapped and replaced with mother tongue classes. Why study moral for? All we did to for exams were remember all the moral values before the exam and immediately write down all the moral values onto the back of the question paper, if I'm not mistaken it was like 16 and 36 sub values. Then you read the question and see which were the closest in values required and answered the question. It wasn't a subject that gave me revelation or inspired me to be a better man. That's the truth for me. I cant speak for the others. This purely my experience and many of my friends. So maybe they can structure Mother Tongue subjects that gives importance to moral values.

The Malays can go for their Agama class while the Chinese and Indians can go for their Mother Tongue classes. If the government doesn't provide this then how can they condemn the Chinese and Indians who want to protect their language by sending their children to Chinese and Tamil Schools.

My friends who were educated in Tamil and Chinese School are in par with the kebangsaan students after leaving school. So why should they send their children for Kebangsaan Schools then? Example my cousins who are Eurasian that studied in Tamil Schools. The are part french yet speak beautiful Tamil because they studied in Tamil School. Kebangsaan Schools are good for racial bonding. My best friends till today are my buddies from Kebangsaan School. Who are Chinese, Indians and Malays. But if my culture and heritage is lost in my generation then what will become of my kids. Mother Tongue classes should be integrated into our education system and given importance. Because i believe Kebangsaan School provide a great deal of cultural and racial bonding between students.

I do not agree with Singapore education system at all. Except for their successful implementation of the Mother Tongue Syllabus. We can learn from others success and failures. Malaysian Education system is not up to standard with international education standards. A few good implementation are done to improve this so don't spoil it.


I really disappointed to hear Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim interest in Building a Muslim Polytechnic college. Why can't it be for all. Why should the non Muslim tax payers pay the bill for such an institution? If it should be done then it should be fully privatised.





Pathmanck

Men's Single Finals won by China's Chen Jin .Malaysiakini.

Hong Kong Super series Men's Single Finals just came to an end. One of the best and exciting finals i've seen. Great play between Lin Dan and Chen Jin. Chen Jin won the Men's Finals. So the next would be at YONEX-SUNRISE BWF World Super Series Masters Finals will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia for 18 – 21 December 2008. At Stadium Tertutup Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Malaysian womens double lost to China. Malaysiakini

Malaysian Womens double Chin and Wong lost at semi final just moments ago in Hong Kong Badminton Open. Sadly they were no competition to the China.

1,300-year-old Islamic note may solve mystery. Malaysiakini

Inscription could answer Qur'an question vexing historians for centuries
By Jennifer Viegas
Discovery
updated 1:11 p.m. ET Nov. 18, 2008
An Arabic traveler who engraved his name on a block of red sandstone over 1,300 years ago may help solve a question about the Qur'an that has vexed historians for hundreds of years: Why was the text seemingly written without diacritical marks?

Diacritical marks, which include accent marks, tildes, umlauts and other notations, help to distinguish one letter from another and aid in pronunciation. When added or removed, they can completely change the meaning of a word or sentence.

Analysis of the recently found sandstone inscription, which predates the earliest known copies of the Qur'an, determined that it reads: "In the name of Allah/ I, Zuhayr, wrote (this) at the time 'Umar died/year four/And twenty."


According to researcher Ali ibn Ibrahim Ghabban, who, with his wife, discovered the 644 A.D. inscription northwest of Saudi Arabia, "It is an immensely important find, since it is our earliest dated Arabic inscription."

Ghabban, a member of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, added that it also "shows evidence of a fully-fledged system of diacritical marks."

A paper describing the find appears in the latest issue of the journal Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy.

Robert Hoyland, a professor of Arabic and Middle East Studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, explained the significance of Ghabban's determination to Discovery News.

"Whether the Qur'an was originally written in a script that contained diacritical marks is very important because Western Qur'an scholars generally say that it wasn't and therefore feel free to make some amendments to the Qur'anic text by changing the diacritical marks to give it a different meaning, which is, of course, very unpopular with modern Muslim scholars and Muslims in general, who mostly feel that the Qur'anic text they use is the original text revealed to Muhammad by God," he said.


Ali ibn Ibrahim Ghabban and Robert Hoyland
A tracing of the inscription, which reads, "In the name of Allah/ I, Zuhayr, wrote (this) at the time 'Umar died/year four/And twenty."
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Although the earliest Islamic inscription, which is also the world's second oldest evidence for written Arabic, does not include punctuation or vowel marks, it does contain markings to distinguish consonants that are identical in shape. This proves such a marking system was already in place before the earliest known copies of the Qur'an, which date to sometime between 652 and 680 A.D., Hoyland indicated.

Ghabban now believes Muhammad's close associates and early followers "stripped Qur'ans of diacritical marks" in order to permit "Muslims to read the Qur'an as it was revealed to Muhammad in the various dialects of the Arabs, and allowing the skeleton of the word to bear all the meanings which appear in it."

Hoyland added that, "this would mean that Western scholars would have less excuse to change the text as we have it now."

Without diacritical marks, for example, a sentence such as, "I took with my whole hands," can also be interpreted as, "I took with my fingertips."

The first known Islamic inscription, whose carver might have made his own mark while walking down a Syrian pilgrimage road, may solve yet another Arabic history mystery: When did noted Islamic leader Umar ibn al-Khattab die?

According to tradition and other historical accounts, a Persian soldier assassin stabbed Umar in public as the caliph was leading prayers in a mosque. Zuhayr, who may have witnessed the violent crime, recorded that Umar died in "four and twenty," which means 644 A.D.

© 2008 Discovery Channel

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