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.
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