Nope. Kotenaga is not dragon's dick in English. Kotenaga is the Malay term for co-energy and kebarangkalian is probability in English (for maths).
Why I bring this up? Because my crystal ball says that there's a likelihood that maths and science will be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. The Education Minister who is also the Deputy Prime Minister will make the announcement soon if the subjects will be continued to be in English or back to Bahasa Malaysia sometime this month.
No, this is about him wanting to be popular among the Malays or about bowing to Anwar Ibrahim's insistence that the subjects be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. The children in Long Pasia, Jeli, Gong Badak, Ulu Tobiar won't be able to grasp the subjects in a language alien to them.
Teaching maths and science in English may prove to be acceptable in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara or Sekolah Kebangsaan St. John's but not to the rural folks who hardly speaks in English.
My wish is for the Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka (DBP), the guardian of Bahasa Malaysia to be more dynamic in researching and compiling lists of terminologies in Bahasa Malaysia for both subjects.
Also, it's high time for English to be made compulsory to pass in local exams. Only then the language will be taken seriously by students.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
M is for Mafia?
My friend who lives in Shah Alam said that the school where her children goes to saw six new principals within the past one year. Apparently, if you try to discipline a child in the school, you could be looking for trouble. The child might report you to his high ranking government officer father and you will be transfered out.
If you're a doctor in the government-owned Putrajaya Hospital, you have to be extra careful. The slightest mistake you make might cost you a transfer to some hardship area. All the ketua pengarahs seek medical treatment there. They don't like you, they'll transfer you out.
Last Sunday, I drove my friend's Mercedez Vito van to KLIA. I parked illegally at the passenger drop off point. I'm not the only one. I made a quick dash to the departure hall to say goodbye to my friend, her husband and his 81 years old mother from England.
Then, I rushed back to the van to avoid getting a summon. As I walked back to the van, I saw a police traffic officer was standing in front of the van, writing something on his notepad. I quickly approached him and said, "sorry, I had to send off a passenger who's on a wheel chair" (which was true anyway).
He didn't issue me a summon. Instead he said, "it's okay". Although I was relieved that we were not issued a summon, I also felt sorry for the Kancil in front of the van and other "low end" cars got booked.
I guess, we didn't get the summon cos the police officer didn't want to get into trouble with some "VIP". The van I was driving was a Merc with a fancy plate number. He probably thought it belongs to some ketua pengarah and he doesn't want to be transferred out.
It looks like we're living in a mafia country. Be careful who you're dealing with. You could be transferred out just like that.
If you're a doctor in the government-owned Putrajaya Hospital, you have to be extra careful. The slightest mistake you make might cost you a transfer to some hardship area. All the ketua pengarahs seek medical treatment there. They don't like you, they'll transfer you out.
Last Sunday, I drove my friend's Mercedez Vito van to KLIA. I parked illegally at the passenger drop off point. I'm not the only one. I made a quick dash to the departure hall to say goodbye to my friend, her husband and his 81 years old mother from England.
Then, I rushed back to the van to avoid getting a summon. As I walked back to the van, I saw a police traffic officer was standing in front of the van, writing something on his notepad. I quickly approached him and said, "sorry, I had to send off a passenger who's on a wheel chair" (which was true anyway).
He didn't issue me a summon. Instead he said, "it's okay". Although I was relieved that we were not issued a summon, I also felt sorry for the Kancil in front of the van and other "low end" cars got booked.
I guess, we didn't get the summon cos the police officer didn't want to get into trouble with some "VIP". The van I was driving was a Merc with a fancy plate number. He probably thought it belongs to some ketua pengarah and he doesn't want to be transferred out.
It looks like we're living in a mafia country. Be careful who you're dealing with. You could be transferred out just like that.
Thursday, 9 October 2008
And the fight begins
Now that Pak Lah is not defending his post as the president of Umno, the top two posts are now open for contest.
The Malays being feudal, are expected to nominate Najib Tun Razak for president. We're now waiting to see if Umno veteran, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah a.k.a Ku Li is still going for presidency. He has offered to contest against Pak Lah in the upcoming Umno election. But now that Pak Lah has stepped down, we don't know if he's going to support Najib for president or he still wants to contest.
Ku Li made similar attempt in 1987 against incumbent Dr. Mahathir Mohamed then. That has created a fraction in Umno - Team A means you're in Dr.M's camp and Team B means you're Ku Li's men.
Even before 9 Oct when Umno divisions convene to nominate their candidates, three members have offered themselves for the number two post. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin Yassin, one of the most senior vice president is not making any move just yet. Muhyiddin has publicly asked Pak Lah to reconsider the 2010 transition plan because he thinks it's a bit too long.
It's going to be exciting times between 9 Oct and9 Nov. And after that, a very long campaign period leading to the March party election.
The Malays being feudal, are expected to nominate Najib Tun Razak for president. We're now waiting to see if Umno veteran, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah a.k.a Ku Li is still going for presidency. He has offered to contest against Pak Lah in the upcoming Umno election. But now that Pak Lah has stepped down, we don't know if he's going to support Najib for president or he still wants to contest.
Ku Li made similar attempt in 1987 against incumbent Dr. Mahathir Mohamed then. That has created a fraction in Umno - Team A means you're in Dr.M's camp and Team B means you're Ku Li's men.
Even before 9 Oct when Umno divisions convene to nominate their candidates, three members have offered themselves for the number two post. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin Yassin, one of the most senior vice president is not making any move just yet. Muhyiddin has publicly asked Pak Lah to reconsider the 2010 transition plan because he thinks it's a bit too long.
It's going to be exciting times between 9 Oct and9 Nov. And after that, a very long campaign period leading to the March party election.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
He surrendered
Pak Lah finally made the announcement we've been waiting for all these time. A wise decision to step down by March 2009 instead of in 2010 as planned earlier. Personally, I think he should just let go now. But I'm relieved that he decided to leave sooner than 2010.
He has five more months in office. Just a guessing game here. There are a lot of things which he can sign off within this five months. We just have to watch closely.
One thing that has grabbed my attention was the announcement of Eurocopter replacing our outdated Nuri right after Pak Lah switched portfolios with his deputy, Najib Razak. Hmm...how much would be the commission?
In my previous posting, I also mentioned that he is still holding the chairmanship of Khazanah Nasional although Najib is now the Finance Minister.
Think about it.
He has five more months in office. Just a guessing game here. There are a lot of things which he can sign off within this five months. We just have to watch closely.
One thing that has grabbed my attention was the announcement of Eurocopter replacing our outdated Nuri right after Pak Lah switched portfolios with his deputy, Najib Razak. Hmm...how much would be the commission?
In my previous posting, I also mentioned that he is still holding the chairmanship of Khazanah Nasional although Najib is now the Finance Minister.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Not exclusively Umno's
I can't help but agree with Gerakan Youth chief candidate, Tan Keng Liang. The concern about the top two posts are not just an Umno matter. It is the concern of all parties in Barisan Nasional (BN).
And in the last general election, the people has spoken. Pak Lah should have taken the cue rightaway. What is the point of delaying the Umno AGM/party election to March next year when the division meetings will proceed as scheduled from 9 October till 9 November.
If Pak Lah cannot get enough numbers to be nominated, nothing he can do to change that March next year. He knows he cannot get the numbers. He just want to stay on as a PM for a little bit longer. At least, Umno Muar has got the guts to speak out.
I think, Keng Liang is being diplomatic. Gerakan acting president, Koh Tsu Koon is kinda fed up. Who doesn't? In fact, some Gerakan members have quit to join the opposition. However, they're not the MPs who can make up the numbers for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to take over the government. In fact, there's not enough MPs in Gerakan to fulfill that quota should they pullout of BN to join PR.
As far as I am concerned, I'm just tired of having a PM who doesn't pay attention to his surroundings and thinks everything is ok.
And in the last general election, the people has spoken. Pak Lah should have taken the cue rightaway. What is the point of delaying the Umno AGM/party election to March next year when the division meetings will proceed as scheduled from 9 October till 9 November.
If Pak Lah cannot get enough numbers to be nominated, nothing he can do to change that March next year. He knows he cannot get the numbers. He just want to stay on as a PM for a little bit longer. At least, Umno Muar has got the guts to speak out.
I think, Keng Liang is being diplomatic. Gerakan acting president, Koh Tsu Koon is kinda fed up. Who doesn't? In fact, some Gerakan members have quit to join the opposition. However, they're not the MPs who can make up the numbers for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to take over the government. In fact, there's not enough MPs in Gerakan to fulfill that quota should they pullout of BN to join PR.
As far as I am concerned, I'm just tired of having a PM who doesn't pay attention to his surroundings and thinks everything is ok.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Fools rush in
I don't understand why Anwar Ibrahim is in such a rush to be a Prime Minister. I think, he should just focus on the current five states, do really well and in the next general election, they will at least win a simple majority if not 2/3 (not that I want him to be a Prime Minister).
You see, whenever Anwar makes a public appearance, the police force has to mobilise more personnels to the venue. His supporters can get out of control. The police is already having problem with shortage of men. That is why the crime rate has increased.
If I am Anwar, I will not ask the BN MPs to defect. If they can defect from BN today, they can defect again tomorrow. I will doubt their loyalty. But of course, I am not Anwar. All he wants is the numbers for him to take control of the government. So, he doesn't care about their loyalty and if they're men of principle.
Unfortunately, all the rakyat care about now is a change in leadership and they don't care who will be at helm.
You see, whenever Anwar makes a public appearance, the police force has to mobilise more personnels to the venue. His supporters can get out of control. The police is already having problem with shortage of men. That is why the crime rate has increased.
If I am Anwar, I will not ask the BN MPs to defect. If they can defect from BN today, they can defect again tomorrow. I will doubt their loyalty. But of course, I am not Anwar. All he wants is the numbers for him to take control of the government. So, he doesn't care about their loyalty and if they're men of principle.
Unfortunately, all the rakyat care about now is a change in leadership and they don't care who will be at helm.
Sounds like Danaharta
In 1997 when we had to face a severe economic downturn, the government under the stewardship of Mahathir Mohamed setup Danaharta to help bail out ailing companies.
Danaharta was our national asset management company. When the sick companies are back in black, Danaharta sold of the companies back to the rightful owners. When all is well, Danaharta was to be dissolved (remember it used public funds to damper the situation).
We were heavily critisised by the US for coming up with such radical solution. Our government then, among others instructed some banks to cut loss and merge to reduce losses and avoid bankruptcy.
This month, in the US, Lehman Brothers, an investment bank collapsed. And AIG is also filing for bankruptcy. Guess what the US government is doing to manage the situation? They copy us. When I read this story here, I told myself, this sounds very much like Danaharta which the US used to critisise.
I just smiled.
Danaharta was our national asset management company. When the sick companies are back in black, Danaharta sold of the companies back to the rightful owners. When all is well, Danaharta was to be dissolved (remember it used public funds to damper the situation).
We were heavily critisised by the US for coming up with such radical solution. Our government then, among others instructed some banks to cut loss and merge to reduce losses and avoid bankruptcy.
This month, in the US, Lehman Brothers, an investment bank collapsed. And AIG is also filing for bankruptcy. Guess what the US government is doing to manage the situation? They copy us. When I read this story here, I told myself, this sounds very much like Danaharta which the US used to critisise.
I just smiled.
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