Tribute to a colleague

Today marked a historic day in the life of a teacher, Mr Pang Seng Chong, who after giving his best and all for 36 years, serving faithfully in SMK Kuala Krai, finally clocked out at 2.05 pm.

Mr Pang started teaching Mathematics in SMK Kuala Krai in 1974 (then was known as SMR Kuala Krai) and faithfully continued for 36 years until he retired today, 23 Aug 2010. 36 years in only one school is a tremendous feat, which I believe can be matched by only a few. Scores of his students had gone through his hands and a number of them later returned to be his colleagues in the same school.

A simple, unassuming and a man of few words, he was ever ready to guide any of his students, including some teachers who needed his service. A teacher who is no doubt an expert in his field of Mathematics, and overlooked as a GC and other promotion prospects, however held no grudge or complains. Such was his character that all he wanted was to teach and he continued to teach until before he clocked out.

It is noteworthy to mention that at least before his retirement he managed to secure his DG48 this year giving him a slightly better pension. Three cheers to a super teacher who now deserved a good rest before he considers his next rendezvous. May God bless his every move now and forever more.

Racist remarks should be condemned

If it is true that the incidents where the Principals of the secondary schools in Kulai, Johor and one in Kedah uttered racist remarks against the Chinese and Indian students, then the Primcipals had shown total disregard and feelings of Malaysians at large. It is very unbecoming and I call upon the Ministry of Education, especially the Minister himself, to spearhead the investigation and mete out the appropriate punishment so as to teach the two culprits a lesson. If needs be, such Principals should be sacked. Otherwise the Ministry would have set a precedent and encourage others to do so.

The action of such Principals showed a blatant disrespect for the 1Malaysia concept as so hotly encouraged and espoused by our beloved Prime Minister. If the Ministry fail to take immediate step to solve the issue, I'm afraid 1Malaysia is just a cheap propaganda to be liken to a toothless tiger.

As Principals they are supposed to set a shining example for the teachers and others to follow. Instead they have become thorns in the flesh dirtying the teaching profession and smearing the good name of the country. I wonder how they were selected to be principals in the first place. Maybe, in future, all would be and potential headmasters and principals must be compelled to undergo psychiatry test before appointment. I wonder if these are only the tip of the iceberg.

Cooperation is vital

The Prime Minister's call to the Chinese to help turn Malaysia into a high income economy is both timely and vital. It couldn't come at a better time where no man is an island or survival of the fittest but to ensure survival of all of God's creations. I believe the Chinese are ready to turn the nation into a high profile one and make the 'prosper thy neighbour' into a reality. Afterall the Chinese are well noted to be very hardworking and excellent money manager and their entrepreneurship spirit will be a great boost to all citizens. However, besides the economic cake is expanded and distributed fairly, the Chinese do wish to know as well how we can cut and distribute the education cake fairly well so that no one race will feel left out or feel that they are given the leftovers. Take Uitm for example which is solely for Bumiputeras where other races have no place but foreigners are welcome. That is the irony. It would be a morale booster for the 1Malaysia slogan if we can ensure that education is truely for all. Another classic example is the GLCs where not a single CEOs goes to the non-Bumiputeras. Yet another thorn is the never-ending 30% in the NEM and virtually every sector. That talks so much of rejuvenation and dampen the spirit of oneness. I wholeheartedly agree with the PM's brother when he said the NEP has been 'bastardised' and it is high time our beloved PM takes cognizance of his brother's views before our economy continues to be at the tail-end.



Jeremiah Tan

Baby dumping: Death Penalty won't work

Baby dumping seems to be another social problem plaguing the nation and so much has been said about it. The latest controversial suggestion is to impose the death penalty on people who dump their baby or babies. Before the cabinet get all cooked up and becoming too emotional, one question the government needs to ponder over is: Have we run out of ideas on how to tackle this menace OR are we trying to take the easy way out?

Are we going back to the old maxim - An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Is the cabinet very confident that by imposing the death penalty it can solve the problem? Just look at drug trafficking. Even the hangman's noose cannot deter the traffickers. They keep coming back flooding the nation with all kinds of ways to outwit the police.

The school, families and the community have their roles to play to help and educate those facing this problem. Schools should start to inculcate good moral values beginning from primary schools with the hope that many will realise that baby dumping is not our way of life. Teachers have vital roles to play because students tend to listen and obey their teachers more than their own parents. Parents should be held responsible for their children, especially those below 18. As the old maxim goes, 'Like father, like son', parents are the actual role models for the children to emulate. If parents smoke, what business do they have to tell their children not to. Likewise if one has two or more wives, the children will tend to do so or even worse. Community should act as the eyes and ears, not only for their immediate families, but for the people around them as well. They should not fear reporting to the school authorities or those in power any immoral activities or activities detrimental to societies.

No religion would condone baby dumping as it is a sin to take life. It is roported that many of them lack religious education and because of that indulge in illicit sex. Pornograhy becomes the norm to these sexual predators. After all, pornography is easily available and who is there to stop them. Therefore parents, schools and the communities must instil instil religious values in children from a very young age, probably even before pre-school. The introduction of sexual education may have to be speeded up instead of the continue debate and sugar coating. Sometimes we talk more than we do and the end result is left to anybody's guess. Let's not waste time. What the public wants is some concrete action from the those in power.



Jeremiah Tan

Swiftlets

A lot has been written and said about swiftlet breeding, including a master guidelines to be formulated for all would-be swiftlet breeders. In the meantime while waiting for those guidelines to see the light of day and the will to enforce them, please bear with the residents having to suffer the excessive noise and the unsightly monstrous buildings put up by swiftlet breeders with the cooperation and approval of the local authority here. It would not be too much to say that the building of premises for swiflet breeding seem to get out of hand with all kinds of extension and pattern haphazardly approved. Not to mention the droppings by these birds while looking for suitable 'hotels' to put up for a night.

Until today not a single soul from the Ministry of Health or the relevant authorities dare to issue a clean bill of health that the breeding of these birds in residential areas and towns will not bring any health problem later on. I would like to challenge the health authorities to conduct spot check on all these premises and enjoy the blast of smelly air when the door is opened. From what I have observed here, the owners do not even clean and remove the waste as regularly as claimed. If at all an epidermic takes place who is going to be responsible? I am very disturbed when some politicians, doctors and wealthy landlords have no qualm in giving their full support to this lucrative trade. However, is it worth to gamble with the life of others where health takes a back seat? Nowadays, money is everything. As long as a few powerful lords make money it is ok. The poor will continue to suffer in silence. The irony is even the PM clamour for the people to go for it without warning them of the negative effects.

I sincerely hope something is done before the situation gets out of hand. It is no point crying over spilt milk.



Jeremiah Tan

Let's be more united

Dear Editor







As our country prepares to celebrate its 53rd birthday, I am proud of my country that may be small geographically but big in thinking. I am equally proud of its diversity with diverse cultures, food, religions, etc. Yet I am perplexed that after 53 years of independence, we continue to have people who do not seem to be able to agree to disagree. It is alright not to see eye to eye at times and to debate fiercely on certain issues, no matter how sensitive they maybe, for that is the spice of life. I vehemently diaagree when some leaders are so against the raising of issue they termed sensitive. After 53 years of living in a sovereign nation with a level of maturity so much higher than 20 or 30 years ago, we do not seem to know how to respect the thinking and arguments of others. We allow our emotion to take the better of us. Mind you almost all our politicians on both sides of the political divide are graduates with big thoughts yet display the kind of political maturity that is way below the expectation of the rakyat. When one poltician or any fellow Malaysian for that matter, raise an issue that is not to the liking of the other party, there is an immediate booing, shouting and threatening calls. We want only our view to be heard and respected but not others. Politicians continue to champion the cause of their own races with little or no regard and respect for others. This unholy championing must stop if we want the world to respect us as Malaysians. We must be Malaysians in every sense of the word. Let's stop seeing ourselves as Malays, Chinese or Indians first if we wish to progress far and wide. God is no respecter of people. He loves and gives to everyone equally. Why are treating each other less? 53 years down the road, are we still going to talk of unity in diversity, planning programmes after programmes with unity in mind? Wake up, fellow Malaysians. God loves you.





Jeremiah Tan

Are you listening?

Many a time people take listening for granted. They think they are listening but in actual sense, they are not. Of course all of us are listening since we have ears but what are we listening to. If you make a survey, you will discover that many of us are more of into 'general listening'. We just listen in general, not really picking up what transpire around us. If we just simply ask someone around us what the announcement is about, it would most probably be that you won't get what you want. This is because our ears are not focusssed on the announcement or any telecast for that matter.
Listening is a specialised skill that needs to be trained, well-trained, in order to get the gist of the subject matter. It is not easy but it is not impossible, either. One reason why many who attend seminar, meeting, etc do not get much from the session is because they are not sure what to listen for. In other words, these attendees are not trained to use their ears well. It is easy to say, "Pay atrention to the speaker, or " Be focus". But how?
Let's give some thought to this skill before we lose out on a lot of things in life.

My Hometown

Many may not be familiar with this little town called KUALA KRAI. It is in the middle of Kelantan, one of the most interesting states in the country. If you have never heard of this 'exciting' town, well, I don't blame you. Pay a visit, get acquainted with it and surely you will like it. I'm not bragging. You will be surprise and fall in love at first sight.

Many have been here and some had been here umpteen years, having uprooted their entire families from Johore, Negri Sembilan Wilayah Persekutuan, Penang, you name you have it. This little town is well represented with people all over the country finding, afterall, Kuala Krai is not too bad. Peaceful, serene and its loving people, why not make this place your permanent abode. things are easily available and within walking distance. If you are an exercise freak, there are plenty of nice jogging tracks with its lush greneries, where you can jog your hearts out!

Food is not a problem here and you can never go hungry 24 hours a day. Language should not be a barrier, though bahasa kelate is the official language here. Mandarin is easily understood by all, young and old plus all the dialects spoken in the Chinese world. So you see you shouldn't think anymore but find your way here and enjoy the easily forgottten heaven.

Oh yeah, before I forget. If you love to hear birds singing or rather bird lovers, then you are moving in the right direction. It is terribly lucrative trade. What are doing waiting for?

Respect your parents

Calling all teenagers! Respect your parents and you can never go wrong. In fact God exalts us children to respect our parents that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth (Ephesians 6:3)

Your parents may scold you and may be tough on you. It is all for your own good. You may find it hard to swallow and angry but at the end of the day, they are your parents. Today the world is so chaotic and uncertain. Anything can happen once children are outside. Therefore it is only natural that parents are afraid their children may be in the wrong company or up to something that is no good. All parents love their children and want them to grow up to be useful people, pleasing and loving. Nagging, scolding grumbling and all the unwanted noises can sound terrible but take them in your stride. Treat them as music to the ears and the situation will be all right. If your parents or grandparents nag and nag you, just be cool, smile, talk to them or may be offer them some tea. That will be a refreshing change and it may work.

Remember we will all grow old one day. Could we be worse than the situation now? Could we be nagging even more or grumbling from morning to night? How would your children feel or say? Think about it. Ponder about it

Whatever happens, never, never forget your parents. At the end of the day, they are the ones who will stand by you, forgiving you and forever cherishing you in their souls. When you are far away from home, don't forget to call. Your voice is enough to light up their lives and give them thousands of reasons to smile

Your friendly servant