Pre France Lecturers- Before and After

Previously, you have seen the current pictures of my Pre France lecturers. I got some of their photo from Unikl's website that shows their when they first register at Unikl. The appearance is really different.

Monsieur Mourad - Top is before and below it is now.

Mademoiselle Larissa - Top is before and below it is now.

Monsieur - Top is before and below it is now. (Ya, I know, his face didn't change much)

Latest Addittion

Monsieur Kamaruzzaman Ismail - Malaysian Studies lecturer

Fabien - My Physics Tutorial Lecturer

Farewell Monsieur Atman Zarkaoui

Last Wednesday (Mercredi), Monsieur Atman Zarkaoui, my Physics lecturer announced that he is going resigned from MFI and go back to France soon. Therefore, next Wednesday (Mercredi), will be his last lecture class with us. Monsieur Mourad Zirour will be the replacement lecturer after that. Now, I will be seeing him for Mathematics and Physics lecture.

There goes a lecturer who always smiles and joke (though some of them are not funny) which gives us a little spirit to stay focus in his class.

Au revoir and bon vayage Monsieur Atman Zarkaoui. Hope to see you again, somewhere and somehow.

The good, the bad and the ugly Malaysian

Source: The Star Newspaper

WHY NOT?
BY WONG SAI WAN

Many things have happened in the past 12 months and as our nation celebrates its 52nd birthday, it is time for us to re-examine ourselves.

I WRITE this in a hotel room in Jakarta, a couple of weeks after Indonesia celebrated its 64th Independence Day. In my short three-day trip here, I found our neighbours to be very proud of their heritage, culture and achievements.

While some of us Malaysians tend to thumb our noses at Indonesians just because our only contact with them is manual labourers or maids, the republic is actually very progressive, and with a thriving democracy.

Like us, their society is not perfect; the rich are very rich and the poor are extremely poor.

However, a growing middle class is changing Indonesian society slowly but surely.

Being away from home always makes me more aware of my Malaysian citizenship, and the pride I feel in being a citizen of a blessed nation.

The advances we have made in the past 52 years is nothing short of a miracle, as the then Malaya’s creation more than five decades ago was a rushed decision that was not welcomed by everyone.

The main reason the British granted independence to Malaya then was that it no longer had the political stomach to rule its colonies on the other side of the world.

Many non-Malays in Malaya then had reservations about being independent from the “mother country”, unsure about how the Malays would treat them.

Some Malays were unhappy with the compromise agreement for independence – everyone was to be granted citizenship.

However, as history has shown, we have done not too badly despite all the original reservations and doubts.

Yes, like Indonesia, our nation has its problems, but just like our neighbour, we have advanced – and in my opinion advanced at a slightly quicker pace.

Thirty years ago when I first left the country to study in England, I always found it difficult to tell people where Malaysia was. My answer had always been “between Thailand and Singapore”.

However, during my job-related travels in the past 15 years, I find that this description is no longer needed. Everywhere I have been to – whether in Europe, South and North America, Africa, or even Siberia – they know of Malaysia.

Sometimes, they know of us for the right reasons but there have also been times they know of Malaysia for all the wrong reasons.

But the nation must put its citizens and their joy first. It is pointless to have a famous country, but its people an unhappy and miserable lot.

That is something our politicians must realise – Malaysia is for all of us, not just for some.

It’s their job to ensure that we are generally happy and, more importantly, proud to be Malaysians.

To mark our 52nd Merdeka, I have drawn up three lists which I call “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Malaysia” based on what has happened in the past 12 months.

The Good

1. We are still a nation and able to talk about things without reaching for guns to resolve an issue.

2. The Government has finally agreed to do away with having all of us declare our ethnic origins when filling in official forms. This will make us all feel more Malaysian because we no longer focus on our differences but on our similarities.

3. We are now closer to getting more transparent in the administration of the 14 governments that make up our federation with the setting of the Key Performance Index and Key Result Areas to ensure more transparency and quicker delivery of service to the people.

4. We have not been hit by any massive natural disaster and therefore we are still the lucky nation that our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman said we were. The Tunku had said Malaysia was a lucky nation “because we have no earthquake, typhoon or volcano disaster”.

5. After six by-elections in less than a year, we all still went back to work the next day despite some of them being quite bad tempered and highly charged events.

The Bad

1. The return of mob politics where demonstrators take to the streets to confront the authorities or just to forment trouble. Both sides of the political divide see such moves as legitimate political tactics.

2. The only way we Malaysians seem to pass news to each other is to forward unsubstantiated allegations – whether via SMS, e-mail, or Twitter.

3. The blame game continues across the political divide. The 12th general election was more than 18 months ago but we seemed to have not moved on, stuck as it were in a political twilight zone.

4. Most urban residents do not even know who their neighbours are because we are too caught up eking out a living.

5. Crime is a major headache for every Malaysian and soon we may be afraid even to leave our houses.

The Ugly

1. Racial polarisation is getting worse and it seems we do not want to do anything about it except to complain. The fires of distrust between the communities is being stoked by various politicians with an agenda of their own.

2. Some ministers and other political leaders are out of touch with the reality on the streets. They continue to believe that they must dictate the way we think because they know what is best. Such people are irrelevant.

3. Many Malaysians continue to believe that everything done in Singapore, Hong Kong or India is correct and anything done in Malaysia is wrong. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy and a defeatist attitude.

4. Ancient and draconian laws continue to be used; such legislation needs to be rid of if Malaysian society were to advance even faster.

5. We are probably the worse road users in the world and our driving etiquette has not improved despite all sorts of campaigns at all levels.

The lists are not exhaustive but are in my personal opinion important matters that must be resolved before we celebrate our 53rd national day.

■ Deputy Executive Editor Wong Sai Wan will celebrate Aug 31 by feeling proud to be a Malaysian, but one who is aware of his own weaknesses.

Still standing, for now

Bonsoir. Aujourd’hui nous-sommes Vendredi Vingt-huit Août deux mille neuf.

It has been more than 6 weeks since I have last stepped my feet in my house. Be gaining to miss the life in Melaka. If you think studying in SPM is hectic, try studying in MFI. Really hectic and stressful. Though it has its good side.

Next week, there will be a Français examen (French test) on Mercredi (Wednesday). So far, French is good. Still having some problem with pronunciation and Kirchoff’s law in Basic Electricity is my number one enemy as understanding and applying it is two different things.

Physics is still good for now while Mathematics is getting a little bit headaches. Plus, it is the Ramadan month and most of the shops are closed besides the period allocated to eat is limited, thus I tend to fast with the Muslims too which cause me to get tired easily. At least I can save budget since the price of food there is really expensive.

Je déteste la pluie parce que (I hate the rain because) it is really very cold here especially with the air-conditioner at Room A003. It is really very cold.

C'est tout pour aujourd'hui . Au revoir. (that’s all for today. Bye)

Be serious about 1Malaysia concept

Source: The Star

AFTER reading the report “All-round support for race-less forms proposal” (The Star, Aug 19), I was prompted to write about national unity and race-less forms. The question is how serious are we really about achieving this 1Malaysia concept?

The Government now acknowledges that there is ethnic polarisation and that is why the Prime Minister has to promote the vision of 1Malaysia.

It is the latest initiative to promote unity as, in the past, we have had the Rukunegara, New Economic Policy and the Wawasan 2020.

However, we do not see this 1Malaysia concept being promoted in the education sector. In the early 60s, the first Education Minister Tan Sri Khir Johari introduced the 001 cards to the school system which still exist today. The system requires one to state his or her race and religion in the card.

The school register and various other forms still require the filling in of one’s race and religion.

Even after the introduction of the 1Malaysia concept, the latest co-curiculum forms require the breakdown of the students’ race, just to determine how many students of a particular race are interested to take part in certain uniformed units, games and clubs.

The list can go on, but my point is if the Education Ministry continues to pursue and implement programmes based on ethnicity and conveniently forgets about 1Malaysia and the Ministry’s blueprint on integration of races, how are we going to achieve the 1Malaysia concept?

If the Government does not consider this overgrown concern, its credibility on the 1Malaysia concept will be questioned.

It will only create the impression that 1Malaysia is a dream concept of the Prime Minister.

If the Government is incapable of acting earnestly and decisively in the interest of racial unity, the 1Malaysia concept will not serve any purpose.

As such, I feel strongly that all of us must commit sincerely to transform the 1Malaysia concept into reality by taking the first step of doing away with the requirement of having to state one’s race or religion in all official forms and documents.

Consider this proposal to be a gift for all Malaysians in celebrating the 52nd National Day.

S. SUNDRALINGAM,
Ipoh.

Pre France Lecturers

Below are the faces of some of my lecturers in my course.

Mademoiselle Larissa - The beautiful French lecturer who always target me as I speak English in her class. After first, she pronounced my name as Sivara and now she is pronouncing my name as Sivara with a hash sound for my name. Never mind, at least she can pronounce part of my name.

Monsieur - An Iraqi lecturer who teaches me Basic Electricity. He looks friendly but in class he is very serious.

Monsieur Mourad – My Mathematics lecturer who knows basic Malay. So, don’t try talking bad in front of him in Malay.

Monsieur Jean-Christophe – My French lecturer who is very good and can be funny at times.

Mademoiselle Sandra – A French lecturer. Sorry, can’t describe her as she doesn’t teach me.

Monsieur Atman – My Physics teacher who always smile, don’t know why.

Mademoiselle Matahari- A vegetarian who is a very kind lecturer. One of the very few people who can pronounce my name properly.

No picture available yet.

Monsieur Fabien – A fascinating Physics teacher he is. He can speak really fast when he teaches and yet we can still understand what he teaches. I wander how much faster he will speak when he teaches us Physics in French next semester. He is like Mrs Goh Chee Peng, always teach a lot for a simply theory for us to completely understand it.

No picture available yet.

Monsieur Radhouan – He is my tutorial Mathematics lecturer. He is actually a Chemistry lecturer but that does not mean that he is not good in Maths. He teaches quite well

Putik Lada: Unity through acceptance

©The Star
By SYAHREDZAN JOHAN

Malaysians must accept that every citizen has a stake and a say in our country, as well as a place in the nation.

LAST month marked the 40th year since the terrible tragedy of May 13, 1969. The riots then represented the lowest point of race relations in the country.

Of course, we can safely say that things have improved since. Instances of ethnic violence have been very sparse and nowhere near the magnitude of May 13.

By and large, Malaysians have managed to live peacefully together in the 40 years after the event.

Yet, while we have not resorted to violence, we cannot deny that we have still to find true national unity.

We can project to the world that we are a multi-cultural, multi-religious society, the “melting pot of Asia”, but peel away the facade and we will discover that there is a deep undercurrent of suspicion and frustration.

No, we cannot claim to be united just because we have not experienced any major racial riots since 1969. Unity is not achieved merely by superficial levels of interactions with others.

We are not united simply because we work together, have lunch together, play football with each other or visit each other during festive seasons. Society remains fractured along racial, religious and social lines despite the illusions we create to portray the contrary.

Let’s face it, racism and racial prejudice are very much part of everyday life. True unity is still elusive to us. But what is the measure of unity?

Some advocate the assimilation of the various cultures and ethnicities into one homogenous society, discarding the different cultural identities for one single Malaysian culture and language.

Such an approach may have its merits. It may have worked if it had been adopted immediately after we achieved independence, but it would be impossible right now.

Forcing such assimilation would result in resistance and be counter productive to our nation-building efforts.

But national unity must be achieved in spite of our diversity. The racial make-up of our country is unique. We have an ethnic group with a majority but also sizeable ethnic minorities.

Our nation building efforts will inevitably be fraught with difficulty.

Acceptance is the key. We cannot achieve unity until and unless we accept each other, regardless of our race, religion, skin colour, sex, social status or wealth.

We must accept and believe that each and every Malaysian has a place in the nation. We must accept that Malaysians have a stake and a say in our country.

Yet, acceptance is easier preac-hed than practised. After all, it is human nature for us to prefer to surround ourselves with the “familiarities” of those that belong to the same ethnic or religious community as us.

Some say that we need to mingle with each other more. While this is true, it is difficult to do so if we view others with resentment and through race-tinted glasses, entertaining thoughts like “he can make it because of government assistance”, “they have monopoly of everything” or “we’ve been marginalised by others”.

Coupled with this, we also have other obstacles in the way of acceptance, the most prevalent being deep rooted prejudice, suspicion and resentment towards each other.

Let’s be truthful — a large part of it stems from socio-economic policies formulated along racial lines. The New Economic Policy (NEP) needs a thorough re-examination.

This is not to say that government assistance and affirmative action are no longer necessary — in some areas they are still very much needed — but we need to start creating policies that are more acceptable in today’s environment.

The NEP is creaking under decades of corruption and abuse, its original aims lost in a forest of political patronage and lack of proper implementation.

We can no longer justify government assistance and affirmative action that is entirely race-based. New and more equitable policies must be formulated with a mixture of race-based affirmative action and means-based government assistance.

Another obstacle in the way of acceptance is racial politics. Too many politicians resort to the race card to further their political ambitions. They portray themselves as champions of their respective race or religion, so much so that they have no qualms about fanning the flames of racism.

Are we willing to allow such people to sow strife and discontent just so that they may gain some measure of power, position or wealth?

Such irresponsible conduct cannot be tolerated. Parties from both sides of the political divide must ensure that their members and supporters do not resort to anything that can jeopardise the relationship among the races.

If we can formulate more equitable socio-economic policies, and eradicate racial politics, it will be easier for us to accept one another. We will have little reason to continue to fear, suspect or resent other Malaysians.

Some of us are able to accept each other and to stand united even with the status quo. Imagine what we can achieve if we can clear the hurdles standing in our way!

Unite we must. We simply do not have a choice in this matter. If Malaysia is to realise its full potential as a nation, we must achieve true national unity.

How much longer can we continue to live as a deeply divided nation without realising the price we have to pay for such divisions?

Globalisation is knocking at our door and we cannot afford to fight with each other when the real competition comes from beyond our borders.

It will take a change in culture, attitude and mindset. It will take time. It will not be easy. But as long as we continue in the right direction, we will one day be able to create a nation that is truly united.

> The writer is a young lawyer. Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column: a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, please visit www.malaysianbar.org.my/nylc

Malaysian Studies and Blood Donation

As usual, today test was very easy and I am still wandering the purpose of implementing this subject when it does not actually help much.

Back a most interesting issue is the blood Donation Campaign organised by the Universiti Malaya. It is seriously very painful but it was worth it as it can save human lives. What I am still wandering is the awareness of this campaign. There are many people who don't want to do such a holy thing to help those who could die without blood. Maybe one get to suffer it to realise it. "Sudah terhantuk, baru sedar.

Malaysian Studies Test Tomorrow

Bonjour, aujourd’hui nous-sommes Dimanche Seize Aout Deux Mille Neuf

Malaysian Studies, another one more subjects implemented by over government to instill the patriotic spirit within us. Though many of us know that it is does not do much good as students nowadays then to forget what they study in this type of subjects as soon as the test is over.

Try asking one of your buddies, who lead the first batch of Portuguese to Melaka. The answer is Lopez de Sequira (spelling might be wrong) which I think most people will not remember. Many people detest and don’t care about history. Even the Melaka government named a tower after a guy who attacked Melaka, Taming Sari. Moral of the story, we must attacked Melaka in order to get our names be permanent remembered with a tower or a road, etc. XD

The only way for one to remember history is to realize its significance in our life which many people will disagree with me as they will say it has no significance. Well, for me, a person who had a experience a lot of things that are best not to talk about and so on besides having a quite wide knowledge of History, I can tell you history made us and not realizing that is the main reasons there are a lot of problems in our country from racial discrimination to education to poverty and to many other things that I think you all are aware of.

Anyway, diverting back to the main topic, good luck to those who are taking the test tomorrow. Relax, it is only 30 objective questions. Hopefully, you all will do well but not as well as I will do. XD relax, just joking.

PUTIK LADA Working with Gen Y

Source: The Star

By MARCUS VAN GEYZEL

We want to live for more than work. We like to feel that we are living for more than just ourselves. Corporate social responsibility initiatives make a company more attractive to us, creating the perception that by not just living selfishly, employers are somehow better people.

THE economic downturn has thrown up many challenges to employers. One of the most publicised issues is retrenchments necessitated by cost-cutting. Employers know that there is a fine balance – they have to be mindful of the immediate need to keep the business afloat while ensuring good talent is retained.

With this in mind, the ability to understand the needs of employees – keeping them happy and motivated – is more important than ever. Globally, surveys have shown that employers struggle when it comes to the younger work force.

Popularly known as “Generation Y” or “millennials”, they include those born between 1978 and 1988.

My generation is apparently a bit of a conundrum for senior management. Why is this so? Are we really that different and difficult to decipher?

In short, no – provided that employers take time to understand the context in which we grew up, and the generational uniqueness in which we continue to work and live.

We millennials in the nascency of our careers are accustomed to living life at breakneck speed. Unconvinced? Consider the following.

Things which used to take generations (or at least one generation) to change – institutional structures, economic cycles, industrial shifts, linguistics, and socio-cultural norms now happen in a matter of years, sometimes more than once.

Since we’ve moved into the workplace, we millennials have experienced two major market crashes, the biggest single terrorist attack in history, two wars, two deadly pandemics and the bursting of no less than three global economic bubbles (dot-com, property and credit).

Technological obsolescence occurs in the blink of an eye. We have collected cassettes, CDs, minidiscs and now digital music. Innovation used to be permitted an occasional breather – for millennials, essential gadgets such as the Discman, iPod, mobile phone, computers and gaming platforms rarely last longer than two years.

And I haven’t even mentioned the fastest-changing medium of all – the Internet with its blogs, Friendster, mySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

Business owners and senior management from the “baby boomer” and “Generation X” era need to understand that the world that we millennials have grown up in has shaped the way that we think, live and work. In Malaysia, it is estimated that Generation Y account for a sizable chunk of the workforce at around 40%.

Broadly speaking, here are a few generalisations of what makes Generation Y tick.

> We look at the concept of a career differently. Generation Y has the highest number of qualified, skilled employees of any generation in history. However, millennials generally have a reduced sense of urgency in forging a career path.

Sociologists partly attribute this to the increased comfort level: working is no longer a matter of survival, and most graduates move back in with their parents after university, affording them the luxury of taking time to choose a job that they really enjoy.

Greater opportunities for success beyond the realm of traditional professional boundaries; huge success stories like Facebook were born straight out of college dorm rooms also contribute to the attitude that building a career can wait.

The concept of taking a year out to travel, experience new things or just relax is no longer the big black mark on a resume that it used to be.

> Work-life balance is not what you think it means. When it comes to keeping millennials happy at work, the concept of “work-life” balance is almost antediluvian. Merely being able to get off work early is not enough for Generation Y. In fact, studies show that millennials are happy to work late, provided that they enjoy their work.

Employers who display trust and grant flexibility to employees – not requiring them to rigidly work, work and work throughout the work day – in turn gain more productive and loyal employees.

Generation Y appreciates being allowed to take short breaks, come in slightly later, enjoy long lunches, or even work from home, without being judged. As long as the quality and quantity of their work is not affected, why should this concern an employer?

Surveys confirm that millennials who are granted flexibility during the week do not even mind being in touch with their work (such as by Blackberry) through weekends. Studies show that millennials view their work and life as a merged identity and look negatively upon employers who are too straight-laced.

The fun and social side of office life is valued by Generation Y, and we tend to be more willing to work hard in an office environment that is permissive of humour, concepts such as casual Fridays, office socials and is not all work and no play.

> We want to live for more than work. We like to feel that we are living for more than just ourselves. Corporate social responsibility initiatives make a company more attractive to us, creating the perception that, by not just living selfishly, the employers are somehow better people.

Statistically, more than 50% of millennials would prefer to work for a company that provides opportunities for employees to actively give back to the community.

> We thrive on overcoming challenges. Generation Y has grown up in the midst of the greatest knowledge boom in history – the Internet. It is irrefutable that information has been more widely accessed by millennials compared to previous generations.

Experts opine that the competitive and fast-paced world of millennials has evolved us into better problem solvers, able to handle big decisions quickly and properly, and even cope with failure better.

> Technology is crucial to us. We are the first generation to have built social networks online. We develop close friendships based on online interaction. We blog, tweet and update our Facebook status.

Access to technology is important to us. One consistently common theme that arises in every workplace survey done around the world is this: millennials are unhappy and unmotivated when the employer blocks access to the Internet or social networks.

Employers who do so are viewed as lacking the trust and flexibility mentioned previously.

Our grasp of technology is not purely for personal reasons – our ability to find information that is relevant to our work in a very short time enables us to be more efficient, and results in a more productive and successful company.

The above are just broad brush strokes of the Generation Y picture. Each employee is unique, and companies will need to take into account local cultures and their own corporate agenda when formulating employment policies.

But employers need to acknowledge the importance of making a conscious effort to understand and adapt to the mindset and needs of the millennials. After all, in time, we will be the ones running your businesses.

> The writer is a young lawyer. Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column – a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, visit www.malaysianbar.org.my/nylc.

Physique - Going to be Hell

Aujourd'hui nous-sommes Vendredi Quartorze Aout 2009

Bonjour everyone.

Monsieur Fabien Ezedine who is my Physics tutorial teacher is unavailable for this whole week. Many might think that I will say Yay!!! But I didn’t. This is because my group is the slowest among all four groups in Pre France in Physics Tutorial.

Other groups have gone as far as Exercise 8 while my group is still at Exercise 2. With this, I believe there will be more extra class next week. So much for my weekends. Haiz… A senior of mine have said that Monsieur Fabian had once has 5 hours of non-stop Physics. What!!! If this thing happens to my group, I don’t know what to say.

Come to think about it, this reminds me of Mrs. Goh Chee Peng, my Physics teacher in secondary school who always has extra class on every Saturday. Is it fate that every Saturday, I have to go Physics extra class? Only God knows.

Another Side of the ISA story

After I have ridiculed the ISA marches, I've been searching around the net for an acceptable, hard-hitting and eye-opening reason for that particular procession to occur and I think I have found one:

By Yeo Yang Poh, former Bar Council President:

WHY march, when the government has said that it will review the Internal Security Act? Why march, when there are other very cosy ways of giving your views and feedback?

One would understand if these were questions posed by nine-year-olds. But they are not. They are questions posed by the prime minister of this nation we call our home. Answer we must. So, why?

Because thousands who died while in detention cannot march or speak any more. That is why others have to do it for them.

Because persons in the corridors of power, persons who have amassed tremendous wealth and live in mansions, and persons who are in the position to right wrongs but won’t, continue to rule our nation with suffocating might. And they certainly would not march. They would prevent others from marching.

Because the have-nots, the sidelined, the oppressed, the discriminated and the persecuted have no effective line to the powerful.

Because the nice ways have been tried ad nauseam for decades, but have fallen on deaf ears.

Because none of the major recommendations of Suhakam (including on peaceful assembly), or of the commissions of inquiry, has been implemented. Because the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is not in sight, while corruption and insecurity live in every neighbourhood; and (despite reasoned views expressed ever so nicely in opposition) Rela (people’s volunteer corps) is being brought in to make matters even worse.

The proponents in “Su Qiu” (remember them?) were not marchers. In fact it is hard to find nicer ways than “su qiu”, because the term means “present and request” or “inform and request”. In terms of putting forward a view or a request, it is the height of politeness. Yet they were labelled “extremists” – they who did not march.

And now you ask, why march?

Because you gave non-marchers a false name! You called them the “silent majority”, who by virtue of their silence (so you proudly argued with twisted logic) were supporters of government policies since they were not vocal in raising objections. You claimed to be protecting the interest of the “silent majority”. Now some of them do not want to be silent anymore, and you are asking why?

Yes, because double standards and hypocrisy cannot be covered up or explained away forever; and incompetence cannot be indefinitely propped up by depleting resources.

Because cronyism can only take care of a few people, and the rest will eventually wake up to realise the repeated lies that things were done in certain ways purportedly “for their benefit”.

Because the race card, cleverly played for such a long time, is beginning to be seen for what it really is – a despicable tool to divide the rakyat for easier political manipulation.

Because it does not take much to figure out that there is no good reason why Malaysia, a country with abundant human resources and rich natural resources, does not have a standard of living many times higher than that of Singapore, an island state with no natural resources and that has to import human resources from Malaysia and elsewhere.

Because, in general, countries that do not persecute marchers are prosperous or are improving from their previous state of affairs, and those that do are declining.

Because Gandhi marched, Mandela marched, Martin Luther King marched, and Tunku Abdul Rahman marched.

Because more and more people realise that peaceful assemblies are no threat at all to the security of the nation, although they are a threat to the security of tenure of the ruling elite.

Because politicians do not mean it when they say with a straight face or a smile that they are the servants and that the people are the masters. No servant would treat his master with tear gas, batons and handcuffs.

Because if the marchers in history had been stopped in their tracks, places like India, Malaysia and many others would still be colonies today, apartheid would still be thriving in South Africa, Nelson Mandela would still be scribbling on the walls of Cell 5, and Obama would probably be a slave somewhere in Mississippi plotting to make his next midnight dash for the river.

And because liberty, freedom and dignity are not free vouchers posted out to each household.

They do not come to those who just sit and wait. They have to be fought for, and gained.

And if you still want to ask: why march; I can go on and on until the last tree is felled. But I shall obviously not.

I will end with the following lines from one of the songs sung in the 1960s by civil rights marchers in the US, without whom Obama would not be able to even sit with the whites in a bus, let alone reside in the White House:

“It isn’t nice to block the doorway
It isn’t nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways have all failed
It isn’t nice; it isn’t nice
You’ve told us once, you’ve told us twice
But if that’s freedom’s price
We don’t mind …”

We have to always remember that in this world, there are two sides to every story. I'm glad that my frustrations can be subdued by such an enlightening article here: I may have been proven wrong. But then again, we all have rights to voice our opinions and I'm happy that I'm able to express mine. That's what a democratic, civilised and mature country should offer to its citizens. That's what the leaders of tomorrow and the younger generation should do: to speak up without fear. And after putting that, there is no doubt of my stance that the ISA should be abolished, although I remain on the fence, not siding any particular political party.

Putik Lada: From Earth Hour to Earth Day

©The Star
Contributed by Dipendra A/L Harshad Rai

WITH the amount of effort that has gone into the Earth Hour celebration this year, I find it difficult to write about how I really feel about it. But what I want to say, really, is “Am I the only one who finds Earth Hour a little presumptuous?”

Slightly over two weeks ago, the entire country went gaga over the glitzy Earth Hour, about how switching off lights for an hour would save the planet.

I am sure this benevolent gesture has helped minimise the effects of climate change and in the process satisfied the conscience of many Ma­­laysians – that they have indeed done their part for the environment.

Alas, the euphoria over “saving the environment” then went quiet, very quiet indeed.

In fact, most of us went back to our daily routine, grinding away at reality, not stopping to think how our actions continue to impact the environment.

Why? Because there are no more pop stars, race car drivers and deejays to tell us about saving and respecting the environment.

With Earth Day fast approaching on April 22, we don’t need another re­minder on appreciating and res­pecting Mother Earth for a single day.

We need something a lot sterner than that.

Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness for the Earth’s environment on a daily basis.

Given that we have a population of 6.77 billion today, resources are strained in every imaginable way, and we really do need to look for novel ways to protect our planet.

We are, naturally, accustomed to the modern conveniences of life.

We drive, instead of walk, to reach a destination a mere three minutes away, or rely immensely on over packaging and plastic bags, which research has conclusively shown takes thousands of years to break down.

We unashamedly and unrestrainedly continue using air-conditioners or indulging in “open burning” techniques so that we can save a few ringgit. In short, we consume and waste on a planet where resources are finite.

I am sure all of us want to help “save” the environment.

Should we be satisfied with doing random acts and that, too, only when the media reminds us?

Shouldn’t caring for the environment be a matter of daily routine?

Why can’t the values of the environment be inculcated at a very young age when it is easier to shape mindsets?

Doing our part for the environment goes beyond the three Rs of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling, or even planting a few trees every now and then.

We throw rubbish indiscriminately so long as it does not litter our own compound.

We do not care about what happens to our rubbish as it is the res­ponsibility of garbage removal contractors to clean up our mess.

This is precisely why we need a new shift in thinking.

It is unfortunately much harder, because it requires a strong sense of willpower and effort to bring about a change of mindset with regard to the environment.

But not all is lost. Everyone from politicians, academicians, professio­nals and the man on the RapidKL bus must be prepared to effect a change in mindset.

How do we effect this change? The answer lies in education and le­­gis­­lation.

Most politicians feel engaging in meaningless shouting matches in Parliament does wonders for re-election rather than raising and debating sensible environmental questions and issues.

This is typical of the malaise facing Malaysia, and in a day and age where we are more concerned whe­ther our children should continue learning Science and Mathematics in English.

We neglect the wholesome value of a practical modern education.

Is it any wonder then that we are so impervious to the environment?

Honestly, how difficult can it be for the Education Ministry to conceive a new syllabus on environmental education?

By starting early, we are exposing the generations to come to the value and wisdom of protecting the environment.

Having “environmentally friendly” and conscionable legislation can play a positive role.

We can avoid the instance where an important stakeholder, the local council, can act with impudence following the decision of the apex Federal Court in the Highland Towers case, which absolved the local au­­thority of its failures and accorded it full immunity under Section 95 (2) of the Street, Drainage & Building Act 1974 for losses suffered by anyone should a building collapse.

This decision is, really, a backward step for the environment, and the quicker the lawmakers sit down and remedy the issue, the better it is for us.

I am glad that our new Prime Mi­­nister has set the tone right by having a ministry dedicated to green technology.

However, it requires more than just a name.

There is a need for a strong wind of change and the faster we embrace the aspirations behind Earth Day, the brighter our Sun will be.

Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column: a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, please visit www.malaysianbar.org.my/nylc.

MASAF

Salut, everyone.

On the 8 August 2009-Saturday (8 Aout 2009- Samedi), MASAF came to my college to give an insight of life at MFI. MASAF is an association at France where all the members are Malaysian students studying there. The lectures were quite long and boring though it was beneficial. Did you know that you can but a very good handphone for only 1 euro? That one was the most shocking one that I have heard. XD.

The food was nice and worth for paying RM 10 for it. (MFI subsided RM 20) However, there goes another day which I didn’t even study much.

Based on what I have heard, I am basically taking a big risk in applying for this course as I failed, I fail everything. Have to study harder.

Just don't try doing this in Mademoiselle Larissa's class. XD

Me & France Engineering

Somewhere in the month of May, I found out that I was offered JPA scholarship for France Engineering. I was shocked to see that. This is because I applied for Engineering Course and was hoping to further my studies to English-speaking countries and a friend of mine who get the similar scholarship was notified months earlier than I was.

Fear came over me as the need to learn a new language is not easy as language has never been my cup of tea. Furthermore, I was not prepared at all to get this course.

With the help of ReCom.org, I found that France Engineering Course has two batches. First batch, the scholars will do their foundation & degree (Masters, if they are lucky) at France and another which is the one I am taking is 20 months of preparatory program before going to France. However, the fear is still there.

July 12 was the day I enrolled in Malaysia France Institute (MFI), the place where I am going to studying my foundation. The first week which is the orientation week has its ups and downs. I met many new friends like Cyril who is an Iban, Akmal Ikhwan the Johorian, Ariff the Selangorian, Ihsan the local Bangi and Hazwan the crazy guy from Seminyih.

Now, after a few weeks, I think I am getting the hang of it. I THINK! As expected, I am slow in picking up French due to the fact that I use my right mind more than my left one. Still, with perseverance, I hope that I will succeed in learning it. Basic Electricity, Physics & Mathematics are interesting. I learn a lot especially in Maths in finding the origin of formulas. Basic Electricty’s pop quiz was kinda tricky.

Whether I will succeed or not, it will be known sooner or later.

UniKL Malaysia France Institute- The Place that I am currently studying at

Farewell Yaswin Ahmad, I will miss you and your movies.

Source:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/30/focus/4415645&sec=focus

An obvious icon for 1Malaysia
Along the Watchtower
By M. VEERA PANDIYAN


Yasmin Ahmad has contributed more than most politicians in creating better understanding and acceptance among Malaysians.

THE simple but emotive messages in her TV commercials tug at our heartstrings. Her films traverse race, class and age barriers with themes and scenes that are so contrary to the trite.

Her touching tales on love, friendship, respect, dignity and forgiveness make us laugh, cry and kindle our capacity to think.

Yes, Yasmin Ahmad let us see the hidden threads that bind us.

She was scorned at home by the usual bigots and self-proclaimed cultural puritans but her works won global acclaim and numerous awards.

Unlike them, she could always see the big picture. And she tried her darndest to make us colour blind to see it more clearly.

If the idea of 1Malaysia needs an icon, she can be it.

A scrutiny of her work might help better define the concept that still appears to be foggy to many both within and outside the Government.

Her movies and ads prove that Malaysians can easily relate to each other when it comes to core feelings and values.

In terms of numbers, her body of work might not be big but it is certainly prodigious in significance, especially with political and ethnic ruptures widening as never before.

Yasmin had done much to promote better understanding and empathy among Malaysians, especially the younger generation.

She had succeeded remarkably in being the first film director to reach out to all ethnic groups through the medium.

She did so by blending romance with comedy and tragedy, but mostly by embracing the country’s cultural diversity and using the power of our rich languages, dialects and accents.

Along with it, she challenged old mindsets and exposed obvious hypocrisies.

She may be gone but there is much that we can all learn from what she has left us.

Politicians who tend to see through racially tinted eyes, need just watch her moving Petronas advertisements to open up their minds.

Compulsory screening is also highly recommended for those running the Biro Tata Negara (National Civics Bureau).

If stories related by those who had to undergo racism-tinged courses are true, Yasmin’s movies and ads might help remove the blinkers that they have been wearing.

Datuk L. Krishnan, the 87-year-old doyen of the Malaysian film industry who uncovered and nurtured the careers of early Malay film actors, including the legendary (Tan Sri) P. Ramlee, are among those in the industry who feel that a bright light had been snuffed out so suddenly.

As he put it, she ventured boldly where others would not dare to tread.

Describing her as “far ahead of the rest”, he said he would not have risked touching matters deemed too sensitive in his time.

It was a shame that many in the industry did not understand, or chose to deride, her efforts when she was alive and some are still bent on doing so by trying to mar her image.

But many Malaysians who have been profoundly touched by her work despite not knowing her personally, have been able to get an insight into what she was like through her blogs – The Storyteller (http://yasminthestoryteller.blogspot.com/) and The Storyteller, Part 2 (http://yasminthefilmmaker.blogspot.com/) on which she made her last post on July 22, three days before her untimely demise.

They know that she remained humble to the end.

In one of her recent postings, she wrote: “Today, after making about 50 television commercials and six feature-length films, after winning 11 international awards, I often feel like I don’t know the first thing about filmmaking.

“But I know this much: If your intentions are pure, if you apply your craft with a view to observe humanity and, ultimately, God himself, very often something powerful will surface.”

Strangely, just 10 days before her death, one person made an ominous posting about her being recognised only after her death.

The person wrote: “Kat Malaysia ni Kak Min, minta maaf cakaplah, kalau dah mati baru orang nak appreciate. (In Malaysia, Kak Min, sorry for saying, people are only appreciated after they die.)

“How’s Datuk Yasmin Ahmad sound to you? Probably nothing... Coz you(‘ll) probably (be) dead by then!

“Pemergiannya merupakan satu kehilangan besar pada negara. Beliau telah membuka mata kita pada erti sebenar perfileman. Bagaimana seni, penceritaan dan aspek komersil boleh bergabung menjadi satu...”

“(Her demise was a great loss to the nation. She had opened our eyes to the true meaning of film. How art, storylines and commercial aspects can be merged into one…)”

Her response was succinct: “Saya tak pernah mengejar title. Takut riak. (I have never chased titles. I fear becoming proud).”

> Associate Editor M. Veera Pandiyan likes this observation by novelist and poet Marge Piercy: Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.

St Francis' Institution - New Committee Board for Librarian 2009/2010

Congratulations to the new committee members. I hope you all will do you best and thank you to Yong Pak Chin and his committee board for their job well done for the batch 2008/2009. I hope your all the best in your SPM and STPM studies.

Head Librarian : HUA KIA MENG
Asst. Head Librarian : IAN TAN

Secretary : WONG HON MUN
Asst. Secretary : GAN WEI SHENG

Treasurer : CHRISTINA YAP
Asst. Treasurer : LEE SHENG FU

Head of Disciplinary : LEE ZHEN AN
Asst. Head of Disciplinary : TAN SENG LEONG

Bureau Processing Book : TAN SHU WEI
RAYMOND SOO

Bureau K & K : CHO HUI LING
HOE HONG XIAN

PUBSO : DARIEN KOH

Acting to dispel the darkness

Read this article. Totally filled with sarcasm.

Source:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...6576&sec=focus
Acting to dispel the darkness

Brave New World
By AZMI SHAROM

Large balloons with writings pose a danger to passenger aircraft, and black clothes – the colour is associated with death – will drive investors away.
BELOW is a transcript of the final exams for the BA (Governance) degree conducted by the University of Malaysia in the second semester of the academic session 2020/2021. It is an excellent example of a First Class exam script.

Policing 101
Please answer the three questions below. Please ensure your handwriting is legible.

Question 1.
In your opinion, what is a threat to National Security?
A threat to national security is fundamentally anything that the police or Government wants to declare as a threat to national security.
In Malaysian policing and governance, what is important to realise is that the discretion to determine national security need not follow any logical thought process. To call something a threat is in effect to make something a threat.

The citizens of the country are safer and happier under such a system, because with such broad powers the police are able to ensure peace and prosperity.

Any citizen who does not understand the need for such powers is either mentally disturbed or a traitor to the nation who should surrender his or her passport and return to where he or she came from.

Question 2.
Give examples of a threat to National Security.
This question deserves much more time and space than a two-hour examination allows. I shall therefore limit my examples to two.
My first example is the dangerous act of flying large balloons. Balloons are a grave danger to the country because they can interfere in our growing air and space industry.

Aeroplanes flying over Malaysian airspace will have difficulty navigating if we allow large balloons to be flown.

There is always the risk that a pilot may mistake a balloon for a cloud and fly through it only to entangle the aircraft in the lethal combination of rubber and cable, causing the plane to crash and resulting in the death of hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of people.

The problem is compounded if the balloon has writing on it, for a pilot may be distracted and may take the time to read the writing, causing him to lose control of his aircraft and crashing it, killing everyone on board as well as people on the ground.

Another example of a threat to national security is the wearing of black clothes. Black is a colour associated with bad things like death and darkness.

If the people are allowed to wear black, then foreign investors will think that Malaysia is a country of death and darkness. They will lose interest in investing here and they will take away all their money.
This is the reason the Appropriate Malaysian Clothing Act 2015 was passed. Malaysians should wear bright coloured clothes, preferably silk batik, so as to portray a lively and cheerful country, thus attracting investment.

If we do not have foreign investment we will not be the great country that we are. According to the 2018 World Bank Report, we are still richer than Somalia and Myanmar.

This is because of foreign investment, and if anything threatens foreign investment, it is a national security threat; like black clothes.

Question 3
What is the use of Part II of the Federal Constitution?
This is a trick question. Part II of the Federal Constitution is entitled “Fundamental Liberties” and this entire part has been removed by the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2011.

In its place a new Part IIA has been put in. Part IIA is entitled “Fundamental Duties” and it lists the duties of citizens.

Among these is the duty not to light any candles whatsoever – unless in the event of a blackout – and the duty to not show solidarity with any person or cause unless a permit is applied for and obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Note: The candidate whose script this is went on to graduate summa cum laude and is now a personal assistant to a Minister. He is currently being groomed for a leadership role in the near future.

Dr Azmi Sharom is a law teacher. The views expressed here are entirely his own.