PPSMI: It is the concept, not the language

Feizrul Nor Nurbi

October 30, 2011 Lately, it is interesting to note the shift in stand by proponents of Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI) generally, and specifically the group calling itself Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE). No, not that they somehow understand the folly of their campaign in reintroducing PPSMI in Malaysian schools, but rather the refocusing on their raison d’être - from  arguing that PPSMI will improve the standard of English in Malaysian schools - to the argument that PPSMI will help to empower the nation in the field of Science and Mathematics.

The class war in our education system

Feizrul Nor Nurbi, Shah Alam

There has been an audible cry made by the supporters of Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI) for the policy to be reinstated as an option in the national education system. An option here means schools are able to choose whether to continue teaching Mathematics and Science in English or revert to pre-PPSMI medium of instruction, being Bahasa Melayu in national schools or Tamil/Mandarin in vernacular schools. While on the surface it seems fair to consider this demand from the groups, digging a bit deeper exposes the dire ramification if this choice is given. Firstly, succumbing to this demand will open the proverbial floodgates of never-ending demands from irrational parents acting on the pretense that their demands are just for the good of their children.

Manila must stop the bombings

S.M.Mohamed Idris, Penang

Citizens International condemns the bombing of villages and communities in Mindanao by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which has killed, and caused massive displacement, of civilians. The bombing is in retaliation for the 31 Filipino soldiers killed during an attack on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan in Mindanao. The attack by two Philippine Army platoons in an area deep inside MILF territory forms a pattern of violations by the AFP of the ceasefire agreement still in force. AFP has carried out attacks in Western Mindanao despite MILF objections to deployment of troops in areas with predominantly Moro population. We call on President Benigno Aquino to take urgent steps to stop the bombing and cease all military operations on the ground, and expedite the peace negotiation. In August this year President Aquino and MILF chief Hadji Murad Ebrahim met in Japan and agreed to fast-track the negotiations but that has not happened. The talks have stalled because of the Philippine government’s refusal to respect previous agreements signed by its predecessors and wanting to start from scratch.

Don't run away from international laws on refugees

Renuka T Bala, Kuala Lumpur

Lawyers for Liberty once again calls upon prime minister Najib Razak not to dilute the protection that international law accords to refugees. With the purported agenda of busting people smuggling and combating human trafficking, the Malaysian government, has reiterated its determination to revive the scandalous refugee swap deal despite the Australian High Court's finding which declared the deal  illegal. Given the findings of the Australian High Court that the minister in charge  was unable to satisfy the Court that Malaysia had fulfilled three important criteria that would deem it safe for asylum seekers, the Malaysian prime minister's insistence that refugees are treated very well rings hollow.

The Hajj: An Introduction

Ismail Ibrahim Nawwab

October 30, 2011 The Hajj—the Pilgrimage to Makkah—is essentially a series of rites performed in and near Makkah, the holiest of the three holy cities of Islam—Makkah, Madinah and Jerusalem. As it is one of the five pillars of Islam—that is, one of five basic requirements to be a Muslim—all believers, if they can afford it and are healthy enough, must make this Pilgrimage at least once in their life. The Hajj must be made between the eighth and the 13th days of the 12th month (called Dhu al-Hijjah) of the Muslim lunar year. Donning the Ihram In a general sense, the Pilgrimage begins with the donning of the Ihram, a white seamless garment reminiscent of the robes worn by the Patriarch Abraham (the same Abraham known to Jews and Christians from the Bible) and Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. The Ihram is also a symbol of the pilgrims' search for purity and their renunciation of mundane pleasures. For men this garment consists of two lengths of white material, one covering the body from waist to ankle, the other thrown over the shoulder. For women it is customarily—but not necessarily—a simple white gown and a headcovering without a veil.

Nasib Orang Asli di pedalaman Kelantan terbela

Mohd Nor Yahya

KOTA BHARU, 30 Okt: Sebelum ini ada pihak mendakwa masyarakat Orang Asli di Kelantan tersisih, sedangkan pelbagai usaha dilakukan kerajaan negeri bagi membela nasib mereka. Pada tahun lepas 75 keluarga masyarakat Orang Asli di Pos Sendrop menerima sijil penempatan berkelompok, di mana setiap keluarga mendapat dua ekar. Malah sejak 1990 sehingga sekarang pemimpin masyarakat Orang Asli dilantik sebagai ahli majlis Majlis Daerah Gua Musang dan penghulu tanpa mukim. Dan terbaru kawasan seluas 606.6 ekar di penempatan Orang Asli di Pos Jerdip akan diisytiharkan sebagai Rizab Penempatan Orang Asli, Selasa ini. Pos tersebut terletak kira-kira 30 km dari Bandar Gua Musang, berada di lokasi strategik antara Kawasan Perancangan Pusat Pentadbiran Broke dan Bandar Peranginan Sigar.

Bohong: Pelabur takut undang-undang Islam

Abdul Aziz Mustafa

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Okt: Dakwaan kononnya perlaksanaan undang-undang Islam menakutkan pelabur adalah pembohongan, kata Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu. "Kita ambil Iran sebagai contoh. Walaupun melaksanakan undang-undang Islam, negara itu menerima pelaburan langsung asing (FDI) sehingga US$3.6 bilion tahun lalu. "Jika kuasa-kuasa besar tidak memaksakan sekatan atau sanction ke atas Iran, adalah diyakini jauh lebih banyak FDI melimpah masuk ke negara itu," katanya. Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek semalam dilaporkan mendakwa perlaksanaan undang-undang hudud akan menyebabkan negara ini mundur serta menakutkan pelabur asing dan pelancong.