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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Education Is Not A Zero Sum Game/ 教育非零和游戏

The strong reaction to the Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s suggestion that UiTm be opened to non-Bumiputeras is alarming, adding to the racially-charged tension of the past week which started with the protests over the Bar Council forum on Muslim conversion issues last Saturday.Tan Sri Khalid in making the suggestion, is saying what non-bumi like to hear.

But I do fear that some interest groups will try to manipulate the issue into a zero sum game between the different races of this country, which is to say that one racial group can only benefit at the expense of another.

This has turned into another divisive issue, which cannot be healthy for the country. If we are not careful, the country will be torn apart by our differences of opinion rather than be united by our common goals.

While I respect the rights of students and various bodies to object to Tan Sri Khalid’s suggestion, it is the angry tone of the protests, as exemplified through various press statements and the placards carried by protesters, which has caused some concern among the majority of all right-thinking Malaysians from all races and religions.

Education is a particularly politicized issue in this country, although it should not be so. What the MCA and its senior leaders should emphasize at this point is its stand on the issue.

The MCA should seek to point out that the common goal for all Malaysians is for the government to ensure the highest quality educational opportunities for all Malaysians, be they Malays, Kadazans, Ibans, Indians or Chinese. Whether or not UiTM is opened to non-Bumipueras is an issue which can be discussed in an open, mature fashion.

While I understand the aversion of most Malaysians and their political leaders towards any racially-charged issue, it is also unhealthy to sweep things under the carpet. I believe the majority of right-thinking Malaysians, be they of any racial group, are not just mature enough but are also sensitive enough to each other’s feelings to discuss and debate issues of concern to everyone.

Name-calling or sloganeering will not resolve matters, unless we are in a competition to see who can shout the loudest. The MCA, as one of the oldest political party in the country, can play a role, to be a beacon of moderation and progressiveness, if its leaders stand up for all Malaysians in times like these.

If other races feel uncomfortable with the Chinese, for example, it is the MCA’s responsibility to assure them that what we stand for is a Malaysia in which all of us are equal partners in this country.

I believe that Tan Sri Khalid’s suggestion should be taken at face value. I choose to see it as a suggestion which everyone is entitled to disagree with, but should be respected. I cannot see how he should be called a traitor, as was suggested in some of the strong public statements in response to his suggestion.

If the institution were to ever open its doors to non-Bumiputeras, it would be welcomed, just as any educational institution associated with the Chinese community always welcomes students from all communities.

I am sure it will promote interaction among students of all races. This is what the Government is trying to do with all sorts of programs. Let us not be distracted by the divisive rhetoric of the past week, whether it is about religion or race. Let us talk about our common goals as Malaysians to ensure the best education for all Malaysians.

Education is not a zero sum game.

雪兰莪州务大臣丹斯里卡立提出开放玛拉工艺学院的学额给非土著的建议,引起马来社群强烈,这令日前因为反对律师工会举办回教徒论坛所挑起的种族紧张气氛升温。事实上,丹斯里卡立所说的正是非土著所爱听的话。
然而,我担心有心人将企图把上述课题扭曲成国内各种族间的一场零和游戏,即一个种族得益,等于其他族群蒙亏。这将演变成一个分歧性的课题,对国家不是一种健康现象。如果我们不谨慎处理,国家将因为意见的分歧而四分五裂,失焦于为共同目标而团结一致。

我尊重那些学生及各组织的反对权力,那是群众的愤怒声音,他们通过声明文告及大字报提出抗议,来自国内各种族、宗教背景的有正确思维人士,已经对这样的局势表示关注。尽管我们坚持教育不该被政治化,但在我国,教育课题已经成为政治议题。

而在玛拉大学的风波上,马华及其资深领袖当前必须阐明他们在这个课题的立场。

马华应该指出,全体马来西亚人民的共同目标,是要政府确保能向所有人民提供最高素质的教育机会,不论是马来人、卡达山族、伊班族、印裔或华人。玛拉工艺大学是否要开放给非土著,其实是一项可以开放及成熟的讨论。

据我了解,大部分大马人民及政治领袖对任何种族课题感到不自在,其实把问题扫在地毯下是不健康的做法。我相信,大部分有正确思维的大马人民,不管他们来自哪一个宗教,不仅是态度成熟,同时也能够以体谅他人感受的态度,去讨论或辩论那些尤关每一个人权益的课题。

指名道性或高喊口号将无法解决事情,除非我们比赛谁喊得最大声。马华作为国内其中一个历史悠久的政党,可以扮演引领中庸及先进性的角色。举例说,如果其他族群对华人不满,那么马华有责任向他族证明,我们强调的是国内全体人民都是同等的伙伴。

我认为应该从表面意义去看待丹斯里卡立的建议。或者这是所有人都不赞同的建议,但必须给予尊重。我不认为他应该被视为叛徒。

若该大学日后开放给非土著,将是受欢迎的举措,就像任何由华社创办的学员,一向来都开放门户给各族群学生。我确信,这将促进各种族学生互相交融,这也是政府在各项计划所要贯彻的精神。我们不要因为过去一星期出现言分歧论而自我分化,不论是关系到宗教或种族。让我们放眼一个共同目标,确保所有大马人民都能有最好的教育。

教育绝对不是一场零和游戏!


15 comments:

Jefferi Chang said...

I personally support the action by the selangor menteri besar khalid ibrahim plan to open the universities to just non bumis. Many interest group already manipulated with lots of issue and it not just education but in social and economic issue. our country has already torn apart not in just racial spectrum but partisan when the pakatan rakyat won the 5 states in the latest general election. Protest made by various bodies occurs because of their own ignorance to self improvement to be able to compete in the real world stages. MCA has long lost his stand of any issue especially regarding on the education issue when they allowed the education system to be altered and changed for some certain people benefits and income. Think about where are your young one got their education. i believe not in local universities. One has to know that bumiputras not just consisted the malays, but other races in sabah and sarawak and huge part of them don't agree with the special treatment enrollment that can render the future generation uncompetitive in the world stages. I believe majority of malaysian are matured enough to think what good and bad for them. It just left some minorities’ ignorance people who still want the current situation to stay so that they can manipulate the people for their own benefits. again, mca as one of the oldest party has failed to protect and fight for its people right and welfare due to the fear losing power and fortune that they has for such a long time. It was getting obvious mca not really relevant anymore because it becomes the tools for some certain of groups to achieve their own propaganda and agenda. Malaysia chinese many times make their stand support for malaysian, but it was short sighted and ignored and the worst being labeled as an anti establishment and other sort of accusation that not fair. It is rare to see a malay political leader that willingly have the guts to say the right thing to its own race people. Selangor menteri besar intention was not as bad as it sound. The greater benefits will be on the malay race when they are no longer protected by this baby bubble that long has been the weakness and barrier to their development and achievement. For the malay races to being able to compete in a real world stages, they have to stop all this unfair policies and with that, respect will be upon them who really capable and done well in respective field. Education is important to spread the interracial values among the multiracial people in Malaysia. A wrong education value among the younger generation will give a bad impact to the future generation and political situation.

PoliBug | 波力拔克 said...

Tan Sri Khalid 作了一个非常醒目的示范,他当然没有实权改变,但至少他已经看到听到及感觉到非土著的处境,或者,与其说是土著或非土著的处境,倒不如说是国家所面临的危机。遗憾的是,提出这项建议的并不是非土著领袖,但单在整个事件中看到的反应,我们便不难想像,若这项建议出自一名非土著领领之口,后果可能更加难以想像;不过也不一定啦,即便是华人领袖喊话,马来人也不一定会当一回事,毕竟最后的决定也不在华人手上.... 这是相当可悲的政局现状...

受教育和获取人身自由及安全一样,是基本的人权,在10/12/1948 联合国所发布的世界人权宣言中,就已非常清楚的阐述在第26项条文的第1项条款上:"人人皆有受教育之权。教育应属免费,至少初级及基本教育应然。初级教育应属强迫性质。技术与职业教育应广为设立。高等教育应予人人平等机会,以成绩为准。"

身为联合国成员,在独立了五十一后,马来西亚人竟然还有这种匪夷所思的思维,认为高等教育应以肤色区分作准,实在令国人汗颜!

蔡医生,您确实应该出来参选马华总会长,至少翁大头到现在都还停留在只会作人身攻击的低劣水平,成不了大事,马华若真的不幸没有能做事的人出来主持大局,我看连小弟这种小角色也要蝉过别技了....

as i see it said...

there come this story , long time ago there was one disloyal husband /father who disowned by family . this old man , who unfortunately holding a high post in his communities hope that his good name was not tarnished by his acts .
He was caught with valid evidence by unknown parties ( he claimed that his enemies ), the negotiation to cling on to his power and money earning post failed when the VCD was made known to public first kind of event in this country !!
when things progressed to this stage , anyone with a sound mind will not deny but openly seek a forgiveness from public . He discussed the matters with his boss , his boss of coz very unhappy with his inferior who making a whole lot mess . He has urge this old man to leave the post gracefully , and he did it simply he was asked to do so . Remember , this old man was not willingly leave his post but he claimed that he has the gut to start from the zero ground .OHHHHHHHH,,,,, no no no , old man , u are wrong , u are only start from zero when u leave ur constituency to someothers not for ur son .
1e need leader that has no criminal or blacklisted record , otherwise , the opponent parties will exploited it fully everytime the elections comes .
w need leader that not hypocrit , means manakuk di air keruh , for ur trivial acts and statments that appears . we can concluded ur are the leader that only concerns how u gain political capital each time u open mouth .
we need leader doing what he preached . challenged me if u are not !
yes , we do not elect the " pope" in this coming oct party election ,
but we need leader that we high standart of moral .beside , we are in eastern culture
Don`t asked others like small time division , bahagian leader voice out for u . recently got one stupid bitch that voice her sympathy for u . this will make anger lot more people
u have to understant that ur political career is just end > PERIOD . go la , leave it for good .
nobody wanna see ur ham sap face

bakakuk said...

I do not see any reason to open up UITM. Let the in-breeding continue. We all know that they are dumb and need help from the Government.

Why should we, make them smart by pitting their brains with the best brains.

They don't believe in competition So let them be, They have shown their true colors anywhere!

Lets concentrate on other matters that is more important.

jayzap said...

well said, datuk.

It seems that you are more outspoken after you have become an ordinary MCA member.

Never too late. keep it up.

jayzap said...

well said, datuk.

without ministry portfolio seems to have done you good. Now you have more time to take on issues effecting Malaysians.

Keep up the good works.

Ti Lian Ker said...

Wednesday, August 13, 2008
bWARe of d UGLY rACe caRd....
I read the NST headlines today "PM SLAMS KHALID OVER CALL TO OPEN UiTM TO NON-BUMIs". Haaa...is it an issue? I thought UiTM had open it's doors to Non-Bumis a couple of years back. Under the Leadership of ULTRa Mahathirism...the Leader himself has shown an open mind..opening doors of progressions...Are we reversing...

MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim merely proposed that 10 per cent of all new student intakes in UiTM be reserved for non-Bumiputreras and foreign students. It's a PROPOSAL. It's worth considering. Think of the exposure and interactions of the Bumiputera students with representatives of all Malaysians of diverse culture,religion and race. this will augur well for their education. What about globalisation? Don't highlight the few that had succeeded and done well from UiTM, it could be due to their foundational education,exposure or family upbringing. What about the general achievements of the rest of UiTM graduates? Have we done a survey on their rate of achievements or failures? Study their background and see the sought of Bumis that had excel in their career by virtue of their ability,personality and education and under what circumstances or environment. What about the 'kataks' in the coconut shell? Time to do justice to their education...give them the necessary exposure and a more complete holistic educational exposure...I thought we have free ourselves from the trappings of race. LIMA PULUH TAHUN MERDEKA? KITA MASIH DIBELENGGUKAN DENGAN PERANGKAP PERKAUMAN...TUMPUKANLAH PADA PENDIDIKAN DAN PELAJARAN YANG JITU DEMI NEGARA! MARILAH KITA MEMBERI SEDIKIT RUANG UNTUK AGENDA PErPADUAN...ADAKAH POLEMIK PERKAUMAN DISEBABKAN PEMILIHAN? ELECTION UMNO atau PERMATANG?? CUKUP! CUKUP! CUKUPLAH! DEMI NEGARA,BANGSA DAN AGAMA!!! DEMI UNTuK SEMUA!!!

UiTM pro-chancellor Tan Sri Arshad Ayub told the New Straits Times that "the existence of UiTM is in accordance with the New Economic Policy to eradicate poverty and restructure the society....."

Hey! Hey! I thought the NEP had lapsed in 1990 and it has been long replaced with New Development Policy. Some people just want to hang on to the past instead of moving forward. What about VISION 2020? Lets move forward and be more progressive. The Bumiputera Agenda are already institutionalized. Stop playing the RACE CARD and think of the next generation. PeNDIDIKAN YANG JITU DEMI NEGARA, BANGSA DAN AGAMA!! You are an ACADEMIC not a POLITIKUS? The Spirit of Holistic Education...Showlah you are a professional..We Malaysians are so caught up with the RACE CARD, we lost a lot of our professionalism.

Tan Sri! Your statements below are also flawed,debatable and defective.

"Malays only made up 35 per cent of the total intake for higher education in public and private higher learning institutions.....The majority of students in critical fields like accounting and pharmacy in public higher learning institutions are non-Malays and in private higher learning institutions , 90 per cent of the students are non-Malays"

We need to put a stop to all these nonsense inciting racial lines of thought as we need to buck-up as Malaysians to put us on the right track in order that we can remain competitive and move ahead.

What about the demonstrations by UiTM sudents? WHERE IS THE UNIVERSITY ACT? WE STOPPED A GROUP OF EDUCATED , CIVIL PROFESSIONALS TO DISCUSS RATIONALLY IN AN ORDERLY BAR FORUM but we allowed disorderly anarchist to be rough and aggressive -to demonstrate over a mere statement of proposal. It's an act of INTIMIDATION by a group of aggressive minorities bullying the SILENT MAJORITY into succumbing to their views and wishes ...maybe there's a puppeteer too!!! MB Selangor doesn't even have the power to approve, implement or execute his proposal. He's just thinking aloud. Where's the spirit of MUZAKARAH? Are we preaching but not practicing? Mana ISLAM HADHARI? Time to stop the dictates of a group of aggressive and loud minorities and listen to the silent rational majority. I believe the demonstrations are orchestrated...DON'T BLAME THE ANARCHIST! WE MOULDed THEM, that way....

MY PLEA TO ALL LEADERS! PLEASE STOP PLAYING WITH RACIAL SENTIMENTS OR DRUM UP EMOTIONAL RACIAL FEELINGS!!!!!!
WE ARE ALREADY TOO DEEPLY ENTRAPPED IN NON-PROGRESSIVE RACIAL POLEMICS....
POLITICIANS AND PERCEIVED ACADEMICIANS OR ASPIRING ACADEMICIAN POLITICIANS MUST STOP ENSNARING OUR MINDS WITH RACE BASE UNSCIENTIFIC RACIAL ARGUMENTS!

TO ALL MALAYSIANS I CALL UPON THEE TO .... VOTE OUT THE RACIST!
WE SHOULD HAVE A LAW TO STOP THIS EXPLOITATION OF RACE BASE ARGUMENTS IN ORDER THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AS A NATION FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MALAYSIANS. THIS DOES NOT MEAN AN END TO RENDERING BUMIPUTERA ASSISTANCE OR DEPRIVING THEM OF ANY CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION OR PRIVILEGES....STOP PUTTING FEARS OR ANXIETIES IN OUR NUBILE' MINDS.......STOP THE BOGEYMAN!!!!!!
JAIL THEM!!!!!
Posted by Ti Lian Ker at 8:57 AM 0 comments

Hi&Lo said...

Malaysia's education policy is driven by politics. In fact the portfolio is a stepping stone to premiership.

Politics rules over wisdom. Even the great Mahathir now realises the folly of teaching Maths and Science in Bahasa.

He used to use Japan as an eg that English can be done away with in Science and Maths.

What he didn't tell us was that in Japan the body responsible for translation is multilinguistic and multidisciplinary.

Dewan Bahasa Pustaka does not have the Science expertise and efficiency to translate the works.

Semut Api said...

chua... i believe that the education system should be integrated into one conprehensive system.. only then i believe that it is possible to approach education in a racial manner...

colorless said...

The protest is a proof that they are real dumb and can't figure out that Tan Sri Khalid is trying to help them to be intellectually competitive.
This also proved that our PM-for-all-Malaysian is a racist and preventing their own kind from getting out of the tempurung so that the elite who are educated overseas continue to rule the country in the future.
Come to think of it, why would the non-bumis ever want to study in UiTM whose quality is worthless in the real world.

Pearls said...

Didnt the PM dug his own grave in this matter again? One story after another and yet, this PM keep making the same stupid mistake. What is wrong with this fella?? Dumb is an understatement!! Anyway... I see this PM kena tiang kow kow already...

I dont know what the whole fiasco is about. Education is a right that should be given to every Malaysians irrespective of race and religion. If these people, yes, those dumb ones studying in U don't know what TM (not trademark ah.. get it right)included cannot understand this basic simple concept, than I think this so call U dont know what TM is not worth the fight. Because, look at what this U dont know what TM is breeding!!!!! A bunch of moronic insecure racists!!

How could people call themselves an educator when their thinking can be so narrow and heavily tainted with colours of biasness is really beyond my comprehension. If this is what U dont know what TM is churning out, I dont think the non-bumis should go there.. I dont think this place should be allowed to continue to teach anyone or anything!

Cheong said...

I don't think is a good suggestion to open up to non bumis. Only 10% of non bumis will lead to non bumis to follow the rules and regulation set for bumis since the opening of UiTM. Can non bumis follow the regulations such as wearing songkok and baju melayu during Friday? For me the media is making the issue up to stir the perpaduan of rakyat Malaysia. If possible the media must quote all the statements by MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and not just particular statement to get better sales.

SOP said...

What's the point of maintaining 100% to Bumiputera while at the same time can't even compete with Universities from Myanmar, Bangladesh, or Cambodia ? (with no disrespect to these countries)

ZORO said...

Now they are using the students to protest on their behalf. I thought the University Act forbidding these kids from carry out demonstration or politic...Worst, they had a police permit to legally doing it! Even the Hiugher Education Minister and Deputy Principal of UiTM joined in to stir up the matter. Double standards plus abuse of power and floundering of the laws, what's the relevant authorities going to do on these future leaders who are definitely don't like non-Bumi Malaysian? Can these non-Bumi Malaysian seeking some sorts of justice by referring it to the United Nation? If American or the Wests are so concerned about human rights in China especially on the Tibetan; how come they turn a blind eye on these non-bumi groups in Malaysia? Again, is it also that they are double standard?

Charlie89 said...

extract from:
uncleboo66.blogspot.com

...建筑工程基金被干捞事件,当官的都知道是很普遍的事情,对这个事件敢怒敢言有个屁用,我们要的是杜绝干捞这回事,干下干捞的,就把他送进监狱。

城市交通问题乱七八糟谁不知道?还需要谁去敢怒敢言?我们要的是解决问题。

大道过路费是在吸老百姓的血,谁不知道?我们也不需要谁再去为这件事发怒讲鸟话,我们要的是废除收费站,造桥补路,不是政府应该做的吗?以前登嘉楼被回教党拿下执政权,不是马上把收费站铲平吗?为甚麽今天雪兰莪、吡叻、吉打和槟州,不能把收费站铲平?其他被国阵保住政权的州属为何不能废除收费站?

今天还有谁不知道陆路交通局有很多贪官?谁不知道我们的所有政府部门都官僚妖气冲天?

敢怒敢言不是不可以,却必须怒得有威严,言之有理和效率,像我今天这样乱吠,只是一个成不了事的政棍在发牢骚,不是敢怒敢言。

敢怒敢言如果要在竞选高职时用,必须是一种政绩,而不是三年喊一次的口号,三年讲一次的理想,越讲就越丢票!

敢怒敢言不是不可以,却必须怒得有威严,言之有理和效率,像我今天这样乱吠,只是一个成不了事的政棍在发牢骚,不是敢怒敢言。

敢怒敢言如果要在竞选高职时用,必须是一种政绩,而不是三年喊一次的口号,三年讲一次的理想,越讲就越丢票!

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