Thursday, May 22, 2008

All wrapped up in silliness

I am actually in favour of a change in our national school uniform design.

My kids are wearing the same kind of clothes I wore to school more than 20 years ago, and that ought to be enough reason for the fashion police to make an arrest, don't you think? ;)

And someone from an association I've never heard of before (until this came out in the news) thinks our school uniforms are too sexy for our young sirens, oops I mean girls.

National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari's wise quips:

"The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it becomes a source of attraction. This could see them getting molested, having pre-marital sex and all sorts of things. It becomes a distraction to men, who are drawn to it, whether or not they like looking at it."

"All this leads to babies born out of wedlock and to an extent, even prostitution."


"This is the source of the problem, where we can see that schoolgirls themselves are capable of using this to attract men to them."

Can someone file a police report for slander against men in general and our schoolgirls in particular?

Or should we just give in to this fear mongering and redesign our school uniforms to look like this:-

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Look Ma! No Whites!!


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Monday, May 19, 2008

The ground just shook in Seremban

I was sitting on my sofa when I felt the ground shook about 15 minutes ago. I'm in Seremban right now and I have a bad feeling about this.

Dr M bikin UMNO Terbaru?

He caused the demise of the original UMNO and famously formed UMNO Baru and became the new party's member #1. Today, he announced that he is quitting UMNO Baru, and urge other members to follow suit.

Is he now going to be member #1 of UMNO Terbaru with Sanusi Junid member #2?

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The Star Online, Monday, 19 May 2008

Dr M, Sanusi quit Umno (Final)


Mahathir quits Umno

ALOR STAR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and veteran party man Tan Sri Sanusi Junid announced Monday that they are quitting Umno.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this on Monday at 12.35pm, citing a lack of confidence in the current leadership.

"I am quitting Umno today," he told about 1,000 people, mostly Kedah Umno members, at a talk here on Monday.

"I will write a letter to Umno headquarters to inform that I have quit the party," he said.

He has been critical of his appointed successor Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, blaming the current Umno president for the party's disappointing performance in the 12th general election.

The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, of which Umno is the largest component party, won the March 8 election with a simple majority, and saw four more states join Kelantan under Opposition rule.

Dr Mahathir urged other party members to quit too, as a way of pressuring Abdullah into vacating his post.

However, he advised those who do quit not to join any opposition party, adding they can all rejoin the party once there is a change in leadership.

Abdullah has so far refused all calls for him to step down, and said he would defend his presidency in the party polls in December.

Sanusi, who is a former Kedah Mentri Besar, also quit the party on Monday.

PM Abdullah: Shocked

Meanwhile, Abdullah said he was shocked by the decision and, despite their differences, had not expected him to leave.

However, the beleaguered premier said he would stay on and fight for the party.

“Perhaps some other members might leave too, but this won’t entirely affect the party. It all depends on whether the rest want to stay on and continue to fight for the party too,” he said.

Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed his shock and sadness too.

Najib, who read a prepared statement to Malaysian reporters at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, said he was prepared to meet Dr Mahathir to discuss his decision.

"I will also discuss with Datuk Seri Abdullah, whom I had contacted just now, on efforts to strengthen Umno and also the issue of leadership transition in the party.

"I hope all Umno members will stay calm and give support to our efforts to strengthen the party," he added.

In KLANG: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said Dr Mahathir’s decision will affect public perception of Umno’s strength and possibly discourage youngsters from joining the party.

Many of those aged below 40 years grew up during Dr Mahathir’s premiership and hold him in high regard.

“Dr Mahathir’s resignation will have a huge impact on the trust that this group of people, including the Malays, have in Umno and its capability to lead the country,” he said.

He said youngsters wanting to join the party now might also shy away as questions would be raised on Umno’s ability to be effective as a party.

“These youngsters might not join other parties but they will stay away until Umno can mend the current situation and avoid splits in the party,” he said.

In PUTRAJAYA, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said it was a bad time for Dr Mahathir to quit Umno as the party was going through a difficult period.

He said the resignation would not help in efforts to rebuild Umno.

"He is doing more damage than good; whatever it is, the party is still looking for a new direction and we need everyone to remain united and not split," he said.

Syed Hamid expressed fear for the future of Umno because Dr Mahathir had a great influence and a person of his stature could rattle and destroy the party.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Dr Mahathir's hatred for Abdullah was seemingly stronger than his love for Umno.

He said the former premier should realise that asking others to follow his footsteps would only make it easier for Pakatan Rakyat to take over the Federal Government.

"What he is saying is that if you love Umno, leave Umno -- it does not make sense," he said.

Shahrir also said that Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir should be the first to take up his father's suggestion to quit.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said he was surprised at the decision, but added that it was Dr Mahathir's right to do so.

"Every member has the right to join or leave the party," he said.

Asked if Umno would convene an emergency meeting, the former Umno vice-president and Selangor Mentri Besar said that "we will wait and see."

The next Umno Supreme Council meeting is scheduled to be held within two to three weeks.

Urged to reconsider
In IPOH, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan called on Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

Speaking at a press conference after a Wesak Day celebration at the Malaysian Buddhist Associatino (Perak branch) hall here, Ong said he was saddened by Dr Mahathir's sudden announcement.

Barisan Nasional was currently facing a huge challenge and his decision would not benefit Umno and the coalition, said Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister.

As a former Prime Minister, his words carried weight and would affect all levels of the people including party leaders, he said.

“We do not hope for any more problems and neither should we create more,” he said. “Our country needs stability and not uncertainty. His decision would paint a bad impression for the rakyat (citizenry) and foreign investors,” he added.

Lumut Umno division chief Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir also urged Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

“I feel very sad with Tun's decision to leave the party. It should not have happened in the first place,” he said.

Dr Zambry, who is also Pangkor assemblyman, said Dr Mahathir was a great leader who provided a sense of direction and ideas for the party and country.

The problem involved a former president and the present one, he said, adding that it so happened that the predecessor had appointed the current one.

“So it is a complex issue,” he said, adding that the current leadership must immediately find ways to overcome the problems in the party.

Dr Zambry pointed out that it was not unprecedented for former party presidents to quit Umno, adding that Dr Mahathir was the party's fourth president to leave the party.

The other three were the late Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn, he added.

In PETALING JAYA, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Dr Mahathir's decision would not solve the problems faced by the party and would instead give more strength to the Opposition.

"At this time when the party is under stress, all parties including leaders and former leaders must work together to heal Umno so it becomes firm and strong," she said.

In MALACCA, Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Aziz Tapa, 85, said that he was shocked at the news and was at a loss for words.

“How can it be when he (Mahathir) says that he loves Umno? I met him only few days ago in Johor and everything seemed okay. What he is doing is not right,” he said when contacted here on Monday.

Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik described the move as an "interesting but tragic development" for Umno.

"It's shocking news to me. If true, then I would say that it is an interesting yet tragic development for the party,” he said.

Reacting to Dr Mahathir's resignation, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, “This will weaken the party at a time when it is facing its enemies.”

Dr Mahathir joined Umno at its inception in 1946.

He became a Member of Parliament in 1964 when he won the Kota Setar Selatan seat.

He lost the seat in the following general election in 1969.

Following the May 13, 1969, riots Dr Mahathir was sacked from the Umno Supreme Council on July 12 because of the widespread distribution of his letter to first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman criticising Tunku’s manner of handling the country’s administration.

Dr Mahathir rejoined Umno on March 7, 1972 and was appointed Senator in 1973. He relinquished the senatorship post a year later to contest the Kubang Pasu seat in the general elections. He was returned unopposed and was appointed Minister of Education.

In 1975, Dr Mahathir became one of the three vice-presidents of Umno.

Tun Hussein Onn appointed Dr Mahathir Deputy Prime Minister on Sept 15, 1978.

Dr Mahathir was Prime Minister of Malaysia from July 16, 1981, until Oct 31, 2003.

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Happy International Family Day

Did you know about it?


Life is short.
Love and appreciate the family that you have.
Happy International Family's Day to you!




Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Barisan Nasional Government a disgrace

A letter published in the NST today should put our Barisan Nasional Government to shame but we all know that this is what happens when agenda Ketuanan is the order of the day.

WHAT MORE CAN I DO TO IMPRESS?
by T.H.L.
Malacca


I SCORED 11 A1s and an A1 for 1119 English. In the Penilaian Menengah Rendah examinations, I was among the top students at national level. I have consistently been the top student throughout primary and secondary school.

For co-curricular activities, I scored 9.65 out of 10 marks. I held various posts in school, including the president of the Student Council, president of the Math and Science Society, secretary of the Tennis Club, and treasurer of the Scout movement. I have also received the Principal's Award.

At the national level, I led the school team to win the National Science Challenge. Besides that, I am also a King Scout. I was also a school debater. I obtained a Gold Certificate in Olympiad Physics and High Distinction for the National Chemistry Quiz.

I applied to do Matriculation, a Public Services Department award and a place at a local university. However, I have been turned down for everything, including a place in Matriculation.

Despite achieving excellent results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations and excelling in co-curricular activities, I did not receive a single offer. What have I done wrong? What more do they want from me?

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Over the past few days in casual conversation, I have heard stories that further reinforces the sad state of affairs in our education system.

Case #1 is of a lady lawyer who has a successful private legal practice in Seremban. Her daughter studied in a local premier girls' school and one day the girl was hauled up to the principal's office and given a stern warning for not wearing a tudung nor baju kurung to school.

The lady lawyer went to see the school principal to protest the matter and insisted that it was not part of the Education Ministry's directive that Muslim girls must don the baju kurung and headscarf to school. What shocked her next is the principal telling her to take her girl out of the school if she refused to abide by the principal's rules.

That must have been the last straw for the lady lawyer because not long thereafter, the family packed up their bags and migrated to New Zealand.

Case #2 is of a girl who scored 2A+ and 2A- in her STPM exams and yet unable to get any offers from our public universities to study medicine. Disappointed, she sought the help of a local lawyer who wrote to the former deputy Education Minister about her case but the YB must have been too busy to even bother to reply.

Why are we still lamenting about brain drain in our country?

Despite the privileges and quotas yet some Malays are leaving this country and some who have graduated overseas on PSD scholarships refuse to return home. The non-Malays have long given up hope that all they have to do is study hard and the government will help them to achieve their dreams and ambitions.

These are the makings of the Barisan Nasional government that people have voted into power. Hopefully, the day will come soon when all Malaysians will have a second chance to make this country a better place for all of us, whether you are a Melayu or not. And you should bet our hope lies not in BN.

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Thursday, May 08, 2008

A mom's pleasure

Guess what these are?


The bottom layer



The top layer


The carrier

It's my kids' lunch boxes!

My kids love it and it makes them look forward to days when they had to stay back in school for extra classes or co-curricular activities. Plus, it's also something I thoroughly enjoy doing.

The bottom layer is where I pack dessert, yoghurt and extra drink for hot days. The top layer makes up their main meal. It could be a home cooked meal, noodles or in this case, sushi!

Most of the time, they get to name their choice a day earlier although there's no guarantee that it's what they'll get. Well, ... actually, I want to keep an element of surprise for them which makes their day all the more interesting! On special days, they even get a note or card from mom. :-)

These lunch boxes are the envy of my kids' classmates because none of their friends ever have anything like it. Most of them had to make do with canteen food. Which is why I try to pack extra chocolates and tell them to share some of the dessert if they can't finish it themselves. My son tells me that it is hard for him to refuse the girls who often surround him asking for a piece of this and a piece of that - especially on sushi days! But I suspect he dishes them out generously because he really enjoyed being surrounded by the girls. ;-)

I know my efforts make my kids feel special because they proudly told me so. They feel like a million dollars whenever mom makes her appearance at the classroom door with their lunch boxes.

So, what makes this mom happy? Nothing much really, as long as the kids are happy, healthy and safe.

I know this Sunday I'll get hand-drawn cards from them. And they'll wish me Happy Mothers' Day. But frankly, for this mom, I'm grateful to be given a chance to be a mom. The pleasure's all mine, all mine ...

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I might not be able to update my blog regularly for a while due to busyness. But I'll try to ...

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adopt your own virtual pet!