Mathematics and Science in English....Don't Confuse The Students

I failed to understand as why there is a disagreement in the implementation of English in Science and Mathematics. As though, those who were against the implementation don't have kids studying in primary or secondary school. As a father, it should be obvious that we want the best out of our children. Students should be best in both worlds i.e. a good command in English and a good mastering in Mathematics and Science. Again, it is obvious that if we want the best achievement, it should start as as early as possible. The current trend of learning is to introduce reading, writing and arithmetic in the early period of learning stage. A visionary parents will start teaching their children with English words. Professionals and educated parents prefer to converse in English with their children.

2. These are the trend in the society. Educational planners need to study the whole issue in total. There are issues of politics, economics, social and cultures that need to be considered. Parents who teach their children English at home sometimes are more committed to national building issues compare to others because they do care. Those who go for English are not traitors because English is no more the language of the colonials but it is a medium of communication and a medium for trade. The Chinese and Indians community will go for English even if it is a compulsory to pass Bahasa Malaysia in the exam. Again, it is obvious to them if you want to excel, the key ingredient is English. Is it fair to label them as not abiding citizen for failing to use Malay or competent in their usage of Malay? If educated parents go for English, shouldn't we think that those parents in rural areas must do the same to be at par. Is it wise to change the policy and let them rest on their laurels? If we want to change for the better, shouldn't we set for a higher target rather then to set a lower target an dream to get a better achievement? It doesn't compute so to say.

3. Malaysia is moving very fast towards a developed country. The analogy to reach early to any destination is to have a good and fast transport. No matter what it will cost, it is obvious and clear that a good transport is the answer to our dream to be the winner in the competition to reach a destination. Should you question whether you have the budget to buy the transport, skills to handle the vehicle, enough manpower for mobilization or sentimental issues such as love, dignity, pride to stop you from winning? The answer is no. By hook or by crook, no matter how difficult, a good transport is the answer. In this case, when it comes to national building and achievement the answer is the usage of English in critical subjects such as Mathematics and Science.

4. Therefore, if a decision needed to be made..the most important group to respond are the actual stakeholders i.e. the end users that will benefit most form the policy. In the Malaysian context, the business community should be given the due recognition and respect of their opinions. Business community knows what is best and should be done to our future generations. Business community determines the comfort, conducive environment and security living in our own country without interference of foreign elements.

5. If there is a resistance from Malay linguistic professors, it is obvious that their position are now being challenged because of the new policy. They will be seen as losers for not fighting their cause. If they were really sincere in their disagreement, the objections should have come earlier and not at this moment whereby the momentum of implementation is big. It is not wrong to go for Bahasa Malaysia. More importantly is whether it will bring benefits for Malaysians as a whole or not. Researchers in field of science is important and beneficial to the world scientific community. The question is whether it is beneficial to the community, whether there is a market value for the research and whether the investment incurred will give profitable returns. At the end of the day, it is a dollar and sense issues. A strong and wealthy Malay will be able to take care their language better rather than a weak and poor Malay. A good command in English doesn't mean that it will make them less Malay. What if he can speak good Malay during the United Nation's meeting or sing a Malay song in the Royal Albert hall of London ? Isn't that the achievements that we want out of the usage of Malay language?

6. Mathematics and Science in English is actually about implementations and not because of inabilities of rural students. It is about teachers that need to double their effort and given a proper re numerations for their effort. It is about ample time frame. More importantly, it is about a 'no turning back' in the policy. If there is one, I'm not surprise if there are teachers who prey that the government goes back to the old policy that will lessen their burden. Never in the history of national education policy whereby teachers are supplied with computers that changed their way of teaching. If it is about a competition mode, teachers should understand their role. Name to us your price, as long as you can produce students who excel in Mathematics and Science in English.

7. National policy should be discussed by committees and those concern parties in the issues. Once it goes to the street, there must be something wrong about it. You don't mix important decisions with emotions. Even if it is under the purview of the Minister of Education, the Prime Minister should be given the prerogative to decide what is best for the nation. As the leader of the country, every planning must fall into the right place. The decision is not with the cabinet, but the decision is best being left to the prime minister alone and for him to decide.

8. Students are just like white clothes. We should decide what is best for them. It is a learning process. They will learn what is being given to them. White cloth is the basics and you can turn them into red, black or any other colour. As in a batik printing, it can turn to any design and forms. The most importance is consistency, the right mix and the direction you are going. In this 'mathematics and science in English issue' we need a clear conscience. As a father..don't confuse your kids......

Politicians or Civil Servants ?

When Tun Mahathir came into office, I was in a boarding school in Kelantan. Even it seems years had passed by..the word of Bersih, Cekap, Amanah...still lingers in my ears...The changing of time (Peninsular following Sabah and Sarawak) making it earlier..too early to send kids to school and good to go out early and managed to have a round of golf in the evening..punch card..name tag..and so on.. I realised that it is about the work culture that he is trying to tackle with..when it comes to Pak Lah..it is about Cemerlang, Gemilang and Terbilang..nothing much can be seen on the changing of work ethics..nothing much that can really touched and reached the mass..and now..with Najib..it is about 'Satu Malaysia, Rakyat Diutamakan, Pencapaian Di dahulukan'....still.. where's the details on work ethics ?.....Politicians going to the ground..ok..no red carpet..ok..But...What about those bosses in the government department ? Are they doing the same on their own? I've yet to see one..frankly..

Therefore, to achieve greatness in running the country, it is the government machinery that matters..if it is about efficiency and efficacy....it is the government servant that should deliver..politicians come with ideas and government servants come with ways and means to achieve the ideas.. Even if it is about corruption..is it not wise to really double check what actually transpire between the monitoring body (civil servants) and contractors..or if it is within the private sector, between the borrower and authorities approving the loan? Or should we accept giving out commissions as a legal and acceptable norm in the community..

What 'Satu Malaysia' should go further and focus more is on the working culture..the re branding of the working culture of civil servants must be there to ensure success. Politicians used to be the 'check and balance' group to ensure all is well with the implementation and quality of work..unfortunately politicians seem toothless now days..civil servants cannot be transferred out easily for their wrong doings..politicians are being seen as 'leaders come and goes' but civil servants stay.....The immunity of a civil servant is seem to be more powerful and untouchable now days..The major difference on perks...If politicians do get benefits from any projects..it will be passed back to the community in the form of programs or donations..However if civil servants do get benefits..it goes to their pockets and not the community.... Since politicians are considered the 'boss', they need to be answerable... but the officer in charge (of the wrong doing) usually free from any charges...the bad perception will go to the politicians..

If you were to asked me.I would rather choose a politician...because most of the time the public will be the judge for their wrong doings and can be punished easily...civil servants ? Anybody dare to touch them ? They'll go for a different political party if you dare..The question now..if there is a setback in a government project..who should we blame to? ....Politicians or Civil Servants?

Just do your job BN..

As expected..PKR won in Penanti..what's the big deal? The status quo..if PKR,DAP and PAS won in the 2008 election..there are chances that they won again..but definitely they cannot win in Batang Ai or other BN's strong hold..demoralised..no..but BN members are keeping their tempers down..and it is quiet damaging that even revelations of the 'so called' bribery doesn't carry weight at all. Some even accused that the incident is being planned? What about the 'Lingham case' ...another well planned recording? One thing for sure..political followers now days follow their leaders blindly..the were hooked by their believed that their leaders are somehow sacred. Remember about the Al-Arqam movement..and how they were given continuous counselling for them to repent? Don't tell me politicians and the public need to be counselled? Paranoia..that BN will loose..no!..worried that BN will not get support..no! but Malaysians must start thinking and look at a bigger prospective and a broader angle..the right formula is being held by BN all these years..opposition..whether they want it or not.will try to emulate what BN has been doing since independence!

What's the solution then? To understand what's going on is simple..Use an analogy. If there is a fight between an incumbent and incoming candidate..what will the incoming candidate does? The choices that he got is only two..one you must show that you are good or better than the incumbent..secondly you need to tell everybody that the incumbent is incapable and failed in his duty..even if you don't have the prove..you need to provoke the incumbent..by hook or crook.. similarly between BN and PR (not registered)..PR cannot use the first strategy because BN is here since Independence and a lot of good deeds has been shown by BN..development..achievement in economy..achievement in the international arena and issues...etcetra..so what were left for them is to show how bad BN is..bombardment of 'lies'..continuous preaching of BN weaknesses...'facts' are immaterial because it is 'perception' and 'branding' that matters..

My advice to BN..just do your job..the 'rakyat' is always with you..you control the parliament..you still have the majority..why should you worry? One might say that your support is from Sabah and Sarawak..so what ?..majority is majority..just do your job..the majority of the rakyat is still sensible , reasonable and they are not insane..therefore when PKR, PAS and DAP talked about 'rakyat' ...I wonder which rakyat were they referring to?

Don't be fooled..be cool

A dissolution of the Perak state assembly may be not the real solution for Perak..BN will be the stupid lot if they agreed for the dissolution..majority rules..even with three seats, it is still majority..even PAS did rule Kelantan with only one seat extra! To make it simple..the way PAS, DAP and PKR are fighting all out is because they are on the loosing site. The key word..the PAS, DAP and PKR are developing and maintaining the momentum of fighting BN..why should BN goes for the bait? Do we ever imagine what happened in the legislative assembly of Taiwan will ever happened here in this beloved country of ours? Using the same notion..how sure are we that what happened in Thailand won't happen over here? A win by BN will be accused of election rigging and corruptions..street protest will pursue..they will pushed SPR for another fresh election? Going back to the 'rakyat' ? ....and the PAS, DAP and PKR will continue collecting political mileage in preparation for the 13th general election...an election is just a tool to choose leaders...PAS, DAP and PKR had four states in their stable..isn't that an indicator of their capability and strength ? ..Is it not an indicator of a fair and clean election?

Let the law takes it due course..I do think that it is good if judges do learn the reality in politics as well..the problem with judges are that they are not in contact with the real world as often as other profession do..when they decide they need facts and most of the time based on precedence and records...if it is not elaborated in the act..you can't do much..it is just like computers whereby the output will be based on what input you put in..do judges make decisions base on the fact whether it will benefit the public..the answer is may be yes or no..what matter is whether the decisions run parallel to the interpretations of law or not..because the laws are perceived to be fair to everybody..if the decisions is not parallel..it will be described as 'loopholes' in the law..as in the Perak case..when the MB refused to accept that he had lost the majority and trying to use an 'arm twisting' tactics by trying to suspend state assembly men in order to maintain majority? Even if it clearly states that the Sultan has the prerogative to appoint...by appointing another person..is it not that you are replacing the old guy with a new one? Could you appoint two MBs in one time? It is interesting to watch what will happen next ...

My opinion..don't be fooled..be cool...

A wrong step strategy.....

What happened in Perak State Assembly was purely a mistaken strategy by PKR. It makes them helpless and a bunch of fools at the end of the day. PKR used to project themselves as champion of democracy, transparency and integrity. There are at the loosing ends towards a more relax and cool BN members. BN looks matured and capable in comparison to a childish an short sighted strategy of PKR leaders in Perak. Years of experienced in leadership and leading the country do matters... It signifies the true colours of PKR leaders and could be a clear signal of a bleak future of PKR leaders. A simple rule in democracy principle ..majority rules! Forget arguments on technical or legal grounds..as a legislative member..you should have honour and pride..behave..able to control emotions and above all, do have respect for others...respect the right of the majority..don't forget that as a member of the legislative circle..you were chosen using the same principle!

A leader ..am I not ?

It is interesting to read in mainstream newspapers about the debate on who should take the lead in PAS. Should the ulamaks or professionals ? I'm not a PAS member or intend to be one..but what transpired should be take into account since PAS claimed to be an Islamic party all this while. It seems that PAS still fail and purposely trying to deny the fact that the most important aspect of leadership is not about knowledge but piousness and how close you are to Allah. It doesn't matter whether you are an Islamic scholar or professionals. The good example is how Allah swt put saidina Umar at the highest position as a Khalifah for the muslims. When it is about your relationship with your Creator there are no boundries. No quotas, no minimum entry level..and when you pray..you are in direct communication with your most loved one..wallahua'lam

All the best...Sir!

I was touched when our new PM visited commoners on Saturday (4th April,2009. i.e. the same date Tun Mahathir reapply to join UMNO). It's hard to see these qualities now days. That's what happen when leaders became well off as a result of holding important positions in the government. It's not wrong to own 'certain degree of comfort' or 'wealth' considering the time spent championing the cause of the people. Monetary gained from contractors or suppliers usually being passed back to the public or the lower income groups. The most important trait is that, once you are there...please do your job ..or choose other career if you really want to be a super rich and live in comfort!

As for our beloved PM..be yourself..I do know that you can do better than your father. It's simple, your father was not a premier son...yet he can produced a Prime Minister..I just wonder what the first premier son can do to the nation...I did remember..Firman Allah.." Sekiranya kamu membantu agama Allah..nescaya Allah akan membantu kamu dan menegakkan kaki di atas musuh-musuh kamu." -wassalam

Be a good hopper..

An elected representative is being chosen for firstly, his personality and appearance. Secondly his capacity and capability and thirdly for the party he is representing. A candidate will fill in all his particulars, personal background, free from any legal case and will be held responsible for any wrongdoings in the election. If he wins in the election..he will represent the people who had decided to choose him. However, if the party that he represents fail to perform their commitments for his constituency..shouldn't he be held responsible? Or is it better for him to hop for a better political party to serve his constituents? I would say..there is nothing wrong for you to hop as long as it will bring goods to your people..and you are pretty sure about it...Prince Hopper doesn't seem to be a bad nick name these days..

summary..strategy..security...

It hurts..in summary..the so called 'constitutional crisis' shouldn't has happened in Perak. The fact is ..what the Sultan did, may not happen before in the state..but that doesn't mean that he cannot do it as there is provision for his action in the Perak State constitution. If it really hurting the public..why don't these people charged under the sedition act..is it not hurting the feeling of the majority of the public tantamount to an act of sedition...this strategy of PKR, PAS and DAP is really damaging...'purely arrogant, purposely confusing the public and a very damaging style of politics'. I do feel that there must be stopped because they are not fit to be good politicians..if ISA is the solution...so be it! If the PKR,PAS and DAP harping on issues of inequality, injustice and bias for the sake of their political gain..I do think that it is justified..if BN take all the necessary actions and measures to maintain security and peace in the country..majority rules!..and BN will be held responsible if the bad political tactics are allowed in this country..because being the party with the most number of parliament seats ..BN should be held responsible!