Increasing polarisation among races, perhaps the "Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua" initiative is a cure?

A news report from the MI which is of relevance amidst talks and discussions about the polarisation of races in this blessed country:

Language barrier to racial interaction, study reveals
By Debra Chong April 26, 2011


KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — A significant number of secondary school dropouts with Chinese primary vernacular education have little, or zero, command of English or the national language, according to a study.


Observers say this has created a group of Chinese who only interact within their own ethnic community and points to increasing racial polarisation in multicultural Malaysia....


....Tan Yew Sing who heads the KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall admitted that the problem was very serious and the association had set up a committee to look into the issue and arrest the problem.


He said the racial divide has become more pronounced in the last 10 years, starting with primary school education.


“The whole [education] system needs to be revamped... We need to find out how to build up an environment for interaction with people of difference races,” Tan told The Malaysian Insider.


“The whole [education] system needs to be revamped... We need to find out how to build up an environment for interaction with people of difference races,” Source here.


Tan Yew Sing was quoted to have said that that “The whole [education] system needs to be revamped... We need to find out how to build up an environment for interaction with people of difference races,”


I agree wholeheartedly, that the whole education system needs to be revamped if we want racial polarisation to be curtailed before it gets any worse. For this to happen then we should first decide not to voluntarily segregate our young from primary level.  


I could not think of a better option than to have a "Satu Sekolah Untuk Semua " System with option to teach Maths and Science in either Bahasa Malaysia or English with emphasis to have each student taking their own mother tongue language classes. 


This is the way forward for the nation's future. If successfully implemented we would see that not only our children having the benefit of mixing together from young knowing each others culture and religion but also be fluent in BM, English and their respective mother tongue (Mandarin or Tamil).


In order to have a One School For All System, the Government of the day will have to make decisions which will be unpopular with many, as understandably the existing mix Education system has taken roots since Merdeka, the Government must first find the political will to make the change in the name of the greater good it will bring to this blessed country. (Perhaps the Government can take inspiration from the Singapore or Indonesia experience)


Speaking of the National Language Act, I am alerted to a post from Blogger SatD here and the press release by LHDN here extract as follows:

"LHDNM di dalam memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik kepada pelanggannya telahpun mengorak langkah untuk memungkinkan laman sesawang di dalam Bahasa Mandarin sepenuhnya tapi inisiatif itu masih di peringkat pembangunan. Buat masa ini pembayar cukai boleh melihat 

terjemahan borang B dan BE di dalam Bahasa Mandarin di dalam laman sesawang Bahasa 

Malaysianya"  

I hope that the LHDN which is a very popular arm of the Government of Malaysia, while to be commended in their enthusiasm to be Tax Payer Friendly would however adhere to the National Language Act (National language to be used for official purposes), please understand that  websites(sesawang) are official Government applications. Nevertheless, translation applications embedded in Government website would be a good option. 

MOE should consider option in implementing two mediums of instructions for Maths and Science

I like the latest news on what PM Najib has to say about the teaching of Maths and Science:

Netizen views sought on English

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is keeping an open mind in implementing two mediums of instruction in the teaching of Mathematics and Science in schools.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would like to get public feedback, especially from netizens, on the matter.

Speaking at the First Malaysian-Asean Regional Bloggers' Conference at Intercontinental Hotel here yesterday, Najib acknowledged the concern raised by the public.

The abolition of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, or PPSMI, in 2009 by the Education Ministry had caused controversy, drawing protests from parents who wanted the government to review the decision. 

"I know some people still believe we should go back to PPSMI. Let's hear the views of the bloggers so that we can find a solution that is practical and can be implemented," he said in reply to a question by a blogger.

"I don't see it as a zero-sum deal for us to be fluent in Bahasa Malaysia and English. Having said that, the best way for us is to be proficient in both."

Read the rest here.


I think the decision to terminate the PPSMI based on pressure mostly from the language extremists and politicians with vested interest was taken rather in haste and had caused much anxiety among Malaysian Parents both in the urban and rural areas. 


The policy decision to study Maths and Science in the mother tongue cannot be reversed  now for obvious reasons, BUT a very good idea is to offer teaching of Mathematics and Science in English as an option. 


Only this time  Kementerian Pelajaran  should go direct to the Parents, the most important stakeholder of all, for them to decide what is best for their children, yes, I firmly this is something that should not be decided by Politicians or Language extremists NGOs.

POS Malaysia buy over by TS Syed Mokhtar owned group, how could it be positive news for Malaysia

I would like to share this story, about TS Syed Mokhtar's(TSM) ever expanding business empire. I have actually worked with one of TSM's many companies back in the 1990s, I must say that he is an astute businessman surrounded by astute business advisors. I am impressed by his philanthropy, the Al-Bukhary Foundation and many more not known. As one of the leading Malay Businessman who made good, I look up to him as a source of inspiration. However sometimes I do question why he is given so much by the Government, the latest being POS MALAYSIA:

Khazanah sells Pos Malaysia stake to DRB-HICOM

Syed Mokhtar adds POS Malaysia to growing empire

The above news prompted a very critical response from blogger Snowball here:

This Guy is Buying Up My Country and Passing Me All the Risks

I think Snowball has a point or two, really there must be other Malay/Bumi entrepreneur out there with the right group of financial advisors who will be equally good or better who are loyal Malaysians who can do the job. 

Placing so much national and strategic assets on one person's hand surely is not good common sense lets not even begin  talking about the financial and security risk exposed to Malaysians and Malaysia. 

Psst...I am available if anybody looking for partners for takeover of Gomen entities..He he.

The DAP is for all practical purposes the voice of ethnic Chinese community, is it a good or bad thing for Malaysia

As can be observed in the by-elections since March 2008 and the recent Sarawak State Elections, it is obvious that the DAP is multiracial in name only, it relies, panders on and canvasses for ethnic Chinese votes so much so that the DAP has now for all practical purposes become the political voice of the Malaysian Chinese community which has given it almost complete support since March 2008. The tired looking MCA and the Gerakan is virtually reduced to merely taking pot shots at the DAP with regards to this growing support. 


Going by this momentum and barring a last minute miracle that the MCA and Gerakan could persuade our Chinese brethrens to return to BN's fold it is likely that the next GE will see a political polarisation that has never before been seen since perhaps the early 1970s. The BN will in all likelihood win the next GE perhaps even get the magic 2/3rd majority (read here) but this BN will likely be dominated by the Malays/Bumis against an Opposition lead by the DAP dominated by ethnic Chinese. I personally do not think that this is good for Malaysia and something I firmly believed our PM Najib Razak does not want to happen, not on his watch anyway.


Readers should do well to read this article from Malaysia Instinct though:

Reject DAP to show that Chinese are not chauvinists
FRIDAY, 22 APRIL 2011 11:17

By: Susan Lim

DAP seems to not mind playing with fire.With the encouraging result they received in Sarawak’s election, the party seems more and more determine to continue the same game of promoting racism.

DAP’s chauvinisms were clearly displayed in Sarawak when they arrogantly call for the Chinese to consider race factor when throwing their votes.They attacked other races and played on sensitive religious issues without the slightest concern that they might hurt the feelings of fellow citizens.

DAP insulted Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud for being a Melanau, which reflect the real feelings of DAP towards all other Bumiputras including Malays, especially.Pehin Sri Taib has promised to step down, and the Sarawakians believe him because there is never any doubt over BN’s culture of a smooth transition of power. With that, there is really no need for DAP to insult anybody, any race or tribes while campaigning.

The arrogance of DAP is overwhelming whereby they tried to convince the Chinese that they don’t need the government. They believe that they can strive higher without having anything to do with the government.The irony is, they insist to be heard by the government and that all their demands and needs be fulfilled.
In the end, DAP managed to raise even more suspicion towards the Chinese and isolate them further from other races.

However, not all the Chinese were dragged into the dangerous game played by DAP. This is statistically proven with 38% of the Chinese especially in rural and remote areas of Sarawak chose to reject DAP and voted for BN.

The Chinese in the rural and remote areas found that DAP’s call to reject BN’s development campaign is irrelevant. DAP failed to see that the issues of development and infrastructure including basic infrastructure such as water and electricity are still very much relevant to the people in these areas.

Obviously DAP has no concern over the rural folks whom they assumed to be non-Chinese.

DAP was only thinking about the Chinese who makes up the majority of the people in the urban areas who already have almost everything that they might need in terms of development and infrastructure.

This only re-affirmed the fact that, DAP is a racist party and it will always be that way. With that in mind, Malaysians should ask ourselves these questions:

How could a racist party be fair and just when all they could think of is the Chinese and the already wealthy Chinese who want to be wealthier?

What would happen to the people in the rural and remote areas should DAP become the government of Malaysia?

How could DAP claim to fight for unity when they strongly insist to be separated and isolate themselves from others?

How could Malaysia be a better place under DAP if racial tensions keep rising?

Will there be peace in the country if everybody keeps targeting and blaming and pointing fingers to each other as a result of DAP’s racist leadership?

How can the Chinese continue to prosper should they continue to be under suspicion by other races for being chauvinists or racists?
Bottomline is, the Chinese need to prove to us that they are not chauvinists or racists like what DAP is making us believe. And the Chinese can only do that by rejecting DAP in the next election. Source here.

I agree that the DAP is playing a very dangerous game of one-upmanship between races, pitting the Chinese against the non-Chinese. If majority of our  Chinese brethren especially those in the urban areas are taken in by the devisive message  that DAP sells, I am afraid that they will be committing a serious error of judgement. 


All Malaysians must understand that Malaysia is like a ship sailing on the ocean, all have a role to play one must depend on the other, no one race can survive on their own and no one race should even think about imposing their will on the other. Everybody is protected by the Perlembagaan. Malaysia is a real Democracy.

Israel leaders should be charged for crimes against humanity for authorising use of white phosphorus bomb on Gaza civilians

After World War 2 The Armies of Iraq(under Saddam Hussein) United States(In Fallijah) and Israel(Gaza) has been known to use white phosphorus bombs against human targets in Iraq-Iran war, Fallujah(Iraq freedom fighters) and civilians in Israeli Occupied Territory of Gaza respectively. Read here and here.

While Saddam Hussein has been hung for crimes against humanity and the US seems to have stopped at Iraq apparently the Israeli Army continues using the phosphorus bomb to devastating effect on the stricken innocent civilians of Gaza. The latest story:

Israel army use white phosphorous in latest attack on Gaza
Medical examinations point to the continued use of prohibited weapons by Israel in Gaza
Saleh Naami , Monday 18 Apr 2011


Ihab Keheal, head of the justice department’s medical examiner’s office in the Gaza Strip, has stated that examinations conducted by his office have unveiled evidence indicating that the Israeli army used white phosphorous and other internationally prohibited weapons in its latest operation in Gaza.


Making his comments in a press statement released Monday, Keheal said that the bodies of Palestinians killed in the latest escalations were torn apart and charred to the extent that they were barely recognizable.


Keheal added that his office was conducting delicate tests to discover the instruments used by the occupation army in its operations on civilians, including weapons and chemical munitions forbidden under international law.


The Palestinian Ministry of Justice, according to Keheal, is in contact with committees responsible for documenting war crimes as well as Palestinian and international rights organizations.


He hopes the reports issued by his office could be used to try the Israeli occupation for its crimes in an international court of justice.


In this way, expalined Keheal, it is of the utmost importance that the world is aware that the occupation forces persist in using internationally forbidden weaponry against Palestinian civilians. He called on the world to take responsibility and protect civilians especially in light of Israel’s renewed threats of launching military operations on the Gaza Strip.


In the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, which claimed the lives of 1,400 Palestinians, most of which were civilians, Israel admitted using white phosphorous against civilian targets in the strip.Source here.

White phosphorus bombs are classified as prohibited chemical weapons even by the United States (Read here) its use against civillians or areas where there will be civillians present should be globally banned. If it does not kill the victim, It causes horrible wounds to the human body, the use of white phosphorus bombs should be banned and the head of states of any country which authorised the use of the deadly bomb against civillians should be charged for crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment. If Israel is guilty of using the weapon then its Prime Minister  and his Defence Minister  should be charged by in the International Court of Justice.

IDF dropping White phosphorus bomblets over Gaza

Artillery Shell armed with white phosphorus ordnance exploding over Gaza

Civilians running for cover

The Unlucky Gazan Civilians

The ones lucky to be alive

THE WORLD MUST REALISE THAT NOT ONLY A PEOPLE IS BEING SYSTEMICALLY HARMED BY THE ISRAEL GOVERNMENT BUT OUR HUMANITY IS BEING DESTROYED BY OUR FAILURE TO STOP THE CONTINUING ATROCITY AND THE USE OF DISPROPORTIONATE FORCE ON GAZAN BY THE ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE

Aftermath of the Sarawak State Elections 2011: Dr Chua explains his call to SUPP not to take any post in the Sarawak Gomen

Dr Chua explaining his call to the SUPP not to take any post in the new Sarawak State Gomen as he thinks the result of the election showed that the Chinese do not want SUPP to represent them:

Tee Keat insisted MCA stay in Cabinet, says Soi Lek
By Debra Chong April 19, 2011


KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek ticked off its political arch-rival the DAP today, saying it was his predecessor’s wish that the MCA remained in the Cabinet despite suffering a “setback” in the 2008 general election.


“As regards to the decision of the MCA to take up government posts after the 2008 general election despite the setback suffered by the MCA, I wish to reiterate that it was not my call.


“I was then not the party president,” Dr Chua said in a statement today.


“I cannot comment on a decision that has been decided by my predecessor (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat),” he stressed.


The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s senior Chinese partner has been under attack since Dr Chua called on its Sarawak partner, SUPP, to refuse all state Cabinet posts after its dismal showing in the just-ended Sarawak polls.


While the SUPP kept silent on the issue, the opposition DAP decided to jump into the debate and told the MCA to look at itself first before disparaging its own ally.


“I think Chua Soi Lek has to look at MCA first because making such comment. MCA lost so big in 308 tsunami,” Sarawak DAP lawmaker Chong Chieng Jen said to The Malaysian Insider about the MCA president.


The former health minister also said he was not in a position to comment on Perak MCA member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon who is a state executive councillor.


He insisted that the MCA had always followed the wishes of the country’s ethnic Chinese community.


“Should the MCA suffer the same fate, as in the 2008 polls, in the next general election, the MCA central committee will then have to deliberate on its position in the federal and state government,” Dr Chua said.


At present, there are only four MCA members out of a total 30 ministers in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s Cabinet.


They are Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (Health Minister), Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha (Transport Minister), Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung (Housing and Local Government Minister) and Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen (Tourism Minister).


Turning around, Dr Chua questioned the DAP over its concern for SUPP and suggested that the mainly Chinese party was now feeling guilty that Sarawak Chinese will no longer have a Chinese voice to speak up for them in the state assembly.


“Is it feeling guilty and responsible for the possible exclusion of Chinese representation in the Sarawak state government which will have great consequences?” he asked.


But he repeated his stand that the SUPP had lost the support from the local Chinese in the hornbill state and had no right to insist on a stake in the state assembly.


“It is clear that the SUPP Chinese candidates did not receive the support of the Chinese community and thus cannot claim legitimacy.


“My statement was made with sincerity as a leader of a Barisan Nasional component party,” he said, denying it was a racist statement. Source here.

I believe Dr. Chua has a point, I say one cannot eat the cake and have it too.

The aftermath of the Sarawak General Election; wither the BN Chinese based parties in the face of the DAP onslaught?

The Sarawak 2011 State Election has ended with a convincing  BN 2/3rd majority win over Pakatan led by the DAP relentless campaign based on race. The results: 

Source: MI here.

While the BN is the biggest winner in the Sarawak elections with the PBB leading the way with 35 seats, Chinese based BN/SUPP lost big time to the DAP which led the Pakatan rally as the PKR challenge withered in the election heat and PAS which thought that they had a chance got a duck instead.

DAP's campaign was a no holds barred racist assault on CM Taib and the BN party components, asking the Chinese constituent to oust the CM who in his 30 years of public service had done nothing but good for the prosperous Sarawak community. Seems BN's "madu dibalas dengan tuba" and SUPP the BN Chinese based party was practically trounced by the DAP with Sarawak Deputy CM Dr George Chan even losing to a young DAP candidate. Dr Chan has now announced his decision to quit politics.

The obvious ethnic Chinese leaning towards the DAP has prompted many partisan opinions this one sums it all:

A reaction from Utusan is simply BN has to go on without the Chinese votes in the next GE..Realiti Baru a sentiment which I believed is being shared by many many people.

This is what I twitted this morning on what I think the unfortunate scenario is:

"Pengundi ethnik Cina diSarawak terlampau dipengaruhi janji manis DAP, mereka ingat PR boleh menang Sarawak dgn simple majority, DAP deliver all seats, remainder by PKR and SNAP and maybe 1 by PAS macam configuration kerajaan Perak DAP sebelum ditumbangkanlah, unfortunately only DAP delivered while PKR,SNAP dan PAS kecundang. Apabila wakil etnik Cina SUPP ditewaskan sekarang yg nampak rugi dr segi politik ia lah etnik Cina yang berharap Pakatan menang. When the music stops they don't hv a chair to sit on. Now CM Taib is thinking hard about their representation in the DUN Sarawak."         (eddydaud, Mon 18 April 10:51)

Today CM Taib has announced his State Minister lineup and as expected there is no SUPP Adun as Deputy CM:

Sarawak Cabinet sworn in, minus DCM from SUPP

It remains to be seen how the new Sarawak State Government would react to the voters who had voted overwhelmingly for the DAP. Nevertheless, I guess Dr. Mahathir would have the last say:

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that the Chinese community in Sarawak has rejected multiracialism after being infected by the virus of Chinese racism that he said is the guiding principle of the DAP.

He also suggested that any DAP administration would only be ostensibly Malaysian.

The former prime minister accused the DAP of destroying the power-sharing formula that Barisan Nasional (BN) had implemented for half a century.

“I congratulate the DAP for bringing its racist politics to Sarawak. Before this all races co-operated well with each other for the good of Sarawak. Now we see clearly that the Chinese community in Sarawak has rejected multiracialism,” he wrote in his blog today.

“They have become infected by the virus of Chinese racism that is the guiding principle of the DAP,” said Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister.

On Saturday, the DAP won 12 mainly urban seats in the Sarawak state election by riding the anti-Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud sentiment.

Dr Mahathir said that the DAP in Sarawak, where it first established itself in 1978, was almost totally rejected in the past.

But after winning the lion’s share of Chinese-majority seats, “the DAP has destroyed this power and wealth-sharing formula by separating the Chinese from the rest,” he said.

“For more than half a century the races in Malaysia had worked together to build the nation. The world saw stable BN governments with power and wealth being shared by all races quite fairly.

“None of the races got everything that they considered they were entitled to — not the Malays, nor the Chinese, nor Indians, nor Ibans, Kadazans, etc. All had to give up something. That is the essence of sharing,” he wrote.

The DAP doubled its presence in the Sarawak state assembly from six to 12 seats in Saturday’s election, nearly wiping out its rival Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) in Chinese-majority seats where the latter only won in two such seats.

Dr Mahathir, who was PM from 1981 to 2003, said if the same pattern was seen in the next general election that is expected to be held in a year, it would split the country.

“Malaysia faces a grave danger of being divided by two parties — one Malay dominated by default and the other Chinese by choice. This will not be good for Malaysia. But this is what the DAP is striving for. A two-party system based on race will not contribute to stability much less national unity.

“I pray and hope that the Sarawak pattern is not repeated in this beloved country. Let us all think carefully whether we want to split up this country or we are prepared to sacrifice something of our own in order to maintain the stability and growth through the BN coalition,” he said.

He said that even though the DAP talked about a Malaysian Malaysia, it only appealed to the racial sentiments of the Chinese.

“Those Chinese who reject the DAP seem to be considered as non-Chinese by the DAP. The presence of a few Malays in the DAP is just window dressing,” he said.

He again accused the DAP of emulating Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in sidelining the Malays.

“It is the same as in Singapore where the PAP government sidelined their Malay supporters completely. The Malays make up 15 per cent of the island’s population but their share of political power and wealth of this very prosperous nation is about one per cent.

“Of course, Singapore is ruled by Singaporeans. The same would happen in Malaysia should the DAP rule this country. It would be ostensibly be Malaysian,” he added. Source here.

I think our Malaysian Chinese Brothers should prove Dr. Mahathir wrong and should reject DAP's racist politics.

Nalla on Anwar, an interview in Kuching on 12 April 2011

Nobody and I say nobody knows Anwar Ibrahim like Datuk K.S. Nallakaruppan, in this latest video dated 12 April 2011 he confirms 99.5% that his former friend is the man in the sex video.

Please pay attention to what Datuk K.S. Nallakaruppan have to say, I believe him, he is a hell lot more credible than Raja Petra.

JANGAN PERCAYA ANWAR IBRAHIM

Guan Eng say 15% flat tax rate should extend to locals, I agree wholeheartedly

Prime Minister DS Najib announced yesterday a very generous offer to Malaysians who worked outside this country to tempt them to come and work in Malaysia. An offer which really make a lot of Local Professionals including yours truly who have worked more than 25 years in this country paying taxes as any LOYAL citizens of Malaysia really wonder what this Government is up to. The story here:


Najib proposes flat 15pc income tax to lure back talent


I am no supporter of DAP's Lim Guan Eng, but his statement here makes sense:


Extend 15pc flat tax to locals, says Guan Eng
By Yow Hong Chieh April 13, 2011


Lim: Isn’t it better to work overseas since the Malaysian government would treat you better than when you are working in Malaysia?


KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The 15 per cent flat income tax offered to Malaysian professionals working abroad is discriminatory and should be extended to local-based Malaysians, Lim Guan Eng has said.
The Penang chief minister said giving Malaysians overseas incentives to lure them back may actually backfire and encourage more professionals here to leave.


“Isn’t it better to work overseas since the Malaysian government would treat you better than when you are working in Malaysia? One can then return back to enjoy the 15 per cent income tax benefit,” he said in a statement today. 


Read more here.


This time I must say that I wholeheartedly agree with Guan Eng. 


I, like many other citizens of Malaysia have been dilligently paying taxes to Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri equivalent to at least 1 month of our salary for at least the last 15 years and like many Local Professionals have helped in no small ways to build this great nation of ours and thus we deserve a break from the Government too. 


Why give generous tax breaks to people who don't bother to help build Malaysia when we needed them, why not help us Locals some of them are great BN supporters, the BN Government should not alienate their voters, agree DS Prime Minister?

A blogger in Egypt jailed 3 years for criticising the Army, a plea to my brethren in Sarawak

When the Egyptian people's revolt managed to oust President Mubarak we all thought that it will be the beginning of change, a new democracy so to speak.


How wrong were we, the Army left almost intact in the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak had imprisoned an Egyptian Blogger for three years for criticising the Army. The story here.


I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.


For the people of Sarawak I wish to remind them to vote wisely, better to stay with the the devil you know than the seemingly angel you don't know which could be very well the mother demon itself.

The tale of a Englishmen and a foreign "bride"

An update from the MI,  the "bride" strikes back:

Transeksual Fatine: Saya banyak korban, tapi ‘suami’ saya abai saya

Original post:

Sad story about  man duped by a man(transsexual actually) read here:


I fell for the woman of my dreams... and she turned out to be a he
By DAVID LOWE
Published: 27 Nov 2009


WHEN Ian Young sat down next to a beautiful woman in a packed cafe in Kuala Lumpur, he had no idea they would one day be married.Nor did he know that his pretty companion was a man.


In just three years, Ian has gone from being a straight lad from Derby - who was with his previous girlfriend for eight years - to being in a full-time same-sex relationship.


Ian married 36-year-old Fatine, who is a pre-op transsexual, in a British civil partnership ceremony in May.


But now Fatine faces deportation back to Malaysia, where homosexuality is ILLEGAL.


Ian, 30, who owns his own property maintenance company, says: "I know it is hard for people to understand but I love Fatine. I feel lucky to have met such a caring, wonderful person.


"It doesn't matter to me that she is a transsexual - it's the person she is inside that I care about and love.


"I can't contemplate the idea of us not being together. I look at her and see a beautiful woman."


Ian met Fatine in a Starbucks cafe in the Malaysian capital's famous Petronas Towers in August 2006. He was working as a security officer in the country at the time.


He says: "I asked if I could nick the seat next to her. When she looked up and said, 'Yes' I was overwhelmed by her striking eyes and exotic features.


"We started talking and I was immediately impressed by how good her English was. When she got up to leave I asked for her number. Read more here.

Poor Mr. Young got dumped almost as soon as his wife(the transsexual) got her visa to stay in the UK read here:

Man tells of heartbreak at being dumped by transsexual wife
by Wendy Fuller, Daily Mirror 12/04/2011


A MAN has spoken of his heartbreak at being dumped by his transsexual Malaysian wife – a fortnight after she was granted a visa.


Ian Young, 32, spent £12,000 battling to get the visa and said he was hounded out of care-taking jobs at three schools by angry parents because of his love for wife Fatine, who was born a man.


He said: “I lost my job, I lost my house and finally I lost my wife. I used every penny I had and I lost everything.


“I need to try and sort my life out, to start over again.”


Mr Young, of Derby, met Fatine, 38, while working in Malaysia and initially did not realise she was a man. But after she told him, the relationship continued.


He said: “Being straight, I did have a few concerns but I couldn’t ignore how I felt.”


Fatine moved to Derby and the couple tied the knot in a civil ceremony in 2009. Mr Young is now said to be seeking a divorce. Read in full here.

I say there's a sucker born every minute but I am sure Mr. Young will move on and he does have a generous heart, I wish him well and I think he will finally find a women who will love him in return for what he is.

Professor Ramlah Adam: Non Malays fail to understand Malaysia's history

In response to  Dr Ranjit Malhi Singh critique of the history syllabus in our schools. Professor Ramlah Adam came up with a response:

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Secondary school history textbooks seem too Islamic and Malay-centric because non-Malays fail to understand Malaysia’s history, Malay rights group Perkasa asserted today.

Perkasa leadership council member Datin Paduka Professor Dr Ramlah Adam flayed historian Dr Ranjit Malhi Singh today for saying that the current history syllabus had downplayed the contributions of non-Malays and other religions in the country’s history.

“The non-Malays do not understand this because they do not want to accept the concept of Malay supremacy (ketuanan melayu),” Ramlah told reporters here.

Ramlah, who is also a historian and the author of the Form 3 and Form 5 history textbooks, insisted that there is “nothing wrong” with the current history syllabus for secondary schools.

“The history syllabus is well-balanced … we don’t talk or put in negative issues that have happened, we take in the positive (parts).

“What do you want to be put in? About how the contributions of the non-Malays are in the form of the Malayan communist party?

“We do not emphasise May 13 even. It is negative … we only put in one line, the important thing is that we must maintain racial harmony and patriotism,” she stressed.

Ranjit, who was the author of history textbooks until 1996, believes that “scant attention” has been paid to the efforts of the Chinese and Indians in the development of the nation.

He has also charged that there are too many “half-truths and factual errors” in the current syllabus, and that it is laden with “value judgments.”

But Ramlah said the reason for the emphasis on Malays and Islam was because the Malays were recognised by the British as the original inhabitants of the land.

She also said that historical records showed that various agreements were done and signed by the British and Malay rulers, and not any other race.

Ramlah pointed out that the parties which signed the 1957 Merdeka agreement and the agreement for the formation of Malaysia in 1963 were also the Malay Rulers.

“We are not discriminating, we are following what has been clearly recorded in history.

“The non-Malays, they came to this country, contributed as either investors or labourers (kuli),” she added.

The Perkasa leader went to great lengths to explain that the contributions of the non-Malays have been mentioned in the history textbooks — the late Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun H.S Lee, for example, were duly recognised for their efforts in shaping Malaysia.

“Ranjit was talking about how Yap Ah Loy was not recognised ... well, he did not form Kuala Lumpur, that’s why he’s not mentioned.

“Ranjit himself was called by the government, along with Tan Sri Professor Dr Khoo Kay Kim, to check the syllabus … he signed it and got paid. There was no complaint then,” Ramlah claimed.

Ranjit had lamented the fact that non-Malay leaders like Yap Ah Loy were not duly recognised in the history textbooks.

Ramlah admitted, however, that the Form 4 history syllabus had placed a lot of emphasis on Islamic civilisation, and that the government was working to revamp the current module.

“The government is already looking into it, so why is he complaining? Ranjit is a consultant. I do not know what his motives are … we cannot afford to fool around with history, we must make sure it is accurately represented,” she added.

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the spate of complaints urging a revamp of the history textbooks showed that the “minorities” in the country were too demanding in wanting to assert their “rights.”

“Islam is the religion of the country, Malays are the majority ... its simple,” he said today

Source here.


I think the good Professor have a few points there, I don't know what Dr Ranjit is trying to do  but the history of any country will always be told and taught through the eyes of the majority  and this holds true for any country in the world be it Singapore thru to  the United States of America. Malaysia should not be any different.

Friday Reflections: Hope and Optimism

From a kind blog, Alhamdulilah:

Optimism


Our scholars explain to us that hopes can make an impact on our lives and affect our path toward a goal. "A good word is charity" (Bukhari and Muslim) as our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said.


Certainly words have an effect. When we speak ill words and curse our manners and behavior are certainly affected, likewise it affects those around us. The scholars of the past would write entire texts about terms, which Muslims should not use, due to the negative affect they have on one's behavior and thinking. One such topic was the topic of cursing someone or something.


Modern research supports the notion that our scholars have promoted, which is to be optimistic, as it brings positive effects into ones life. The greatest examples of this are the supplications we say on a daily basis, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did and taught. These du'a themselves are optimistic and promote optimism. Du'a leads to purity and builds optimism, it fills the heart with safety and hope.


May Allah guide us to be among those who are optimistic.

Source here.

Singapore Defence Budget is top 20 largest in the world: Want to know why?

"The Republic of Singapore defence budget is very large. It was reported that  in 2005, Singapore’s defence budget as a percentage of GDP (4.5%) was the 17th largest in the world. That amount translated to over USD 7 billion for FY 2005. In contrast, Singapore’s immediate neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia spent just under USD 4 billion (2.3% of GDP) and under USD 5 billion (1.2 of GDP) respectively. Both in absolute as well as percentage of GDP terms, Singapore’s defence budget outstrips its two immediate neighbours’. Some estimates (the reliability of which cannot all be verified) place Singapore as the second-highest defence spending country in the world, behind only Israel, when the defence budget is measured in per capita terms."

Source here.

I think I can partly figure out why Singapore Gomen insist on spending on very expensive high tech push button weaponry, no not because they are afraid of being surrounded by Malaysia and Indonesia but just have a read at this:

Army recruit gets maid to carry backpack for him
Written by Malaysia Chronicle

SINGAPORE - A Singapore recruit who sparked internet debate after he got his maid to carry his backpack has stepped forward and admitted his mistake to his superior.


In a letter to The Straits Times Forum Page, the Ministry of Defence said the Singapore Armed Forces has completed its investigation into the case.


'The serviceman concerned has identified himself to his commander,' said Colonel Desmond Tan, director of Mindef's Public Affairs Department.


Col Tan said he was a recruit undergoing the Physical Training Preparatory phase prior to Basic Military Training (BMT).


'The recruit is remorseful for his actions and realises that it was wrong for him to have allowed this,' he said.


'He has been counselled and continues his training. The SAF has reminded all servicemen to be mindful of their conduct in public.'


A photograph of the full-time national serviceman (NSF) and his maid, which was taken from a Facebook account, surfaced on The Straits Times online portal Stomp on March 27 and became viral.


It showed just their backs and appeared to have been taken in the Tanah Merah vicinity.


The image spawned emotions ranging from outrage to amusement to angst about the state of Singapore's youth.


It also led to a frenzy of forum postings, tweets and articles. Spoofs also made the rounds, with one showing a platoon of maids carrying field packs marching on a parade square.


The Daily Chilli

Yes, Singapore conscript soldiers are going soft, just hope they don't have their maids following them into battle.


Ah, these are Real Soldiers from Malaysia: