Don't play with fire

Fire can be very good and helpful but if we are not careful it can scald you, burn you or even kill you! Sometimes people like to play with fire not realising of its serious consequences. Physical fire may not be that bad but what is more potent is that unseen, hidden fire that can destroy relationship, consume a nation and finish off your soul. The words that we say, the things that we do and the people we associate with may make or break us. We are accountable for every word that we speak.

What is more damning is when our words begin to spread like wild fire without any hope of it being extinguished. Many play with fire for their own selfish benefits with little or no consideration for others. Their policy is, 'as long as I gain and survive, who cares about what happens to others'. This precisely is evil and these devils tend to hide under the covering of their so-called religion. They pretend to be religious and pious walking around trumpeting high and low. Beware of such danger lurking beneath you.

Some try to hide themselves under the cloak of the mass media purportedly trying to champion the cause of their own kind without any thoughts of others. At the same time these poisonous writers seem to enjoy the protection and blessing of their pay masters. They know fully well that if there is any big hue and cry later on, they can always count on their pay masters to plead ignorance. The usual words are, 'they are speaking for themselves, not on behalf of the media'. The mass media must be held responsible for every word utter by their staff and those associated with them.

Political leaders and those holding positions need to be extra careful not to breathe out fire unnecessarily. Those in power especially must be quick in dousing the flames so as not to create the wrong perception that they condone the immoral acts of such people. Problems today must be nibbed in the bud and people hate to see leaders who drag their feet in finding solutions.

Leaders are not indispensable

The waves of people's uprising against their leaders, first started in Egypt, are just unfortunate and disturbing. Whatever it is, the citizens become the ultimate victims of such tyranny. Such disturbances probably have been brewing for a long time without the leaders realising them or out of sheer pride and arrogance that they feel they are untouchables. Many of the leaders have being ruling for between 20 to 40 years plus and must have been too comfortable in their pews that they take the citizens and the people for granted.
I am not sure how these leaders were put in power but whatever it is you just cannot ignore the voices of the people, even if you rule with guns and cannons. When people become desperate and fed-up with the government, constantly listening to the lies and unfulfilled promises over the years, they will revolt at whatever cost, even their own lives. Take for example Egypt where 40% of the citizens live in poverty. Therefore it is not surprising that the Egyptians rose and toppled their leaders. I believe what happened and are happening in the Arab world can happen anywhere else
Let's not forget leaders come and leaders go and they are not meant to be there on the throne forever. Leaders are voted into power and if the people are not happy with their performance, they have every right to vote them out. Leaders must know when to step down or retire graciously, no matter how popular they may be. Unfortunately there are some who do not know when or how to step down giving the lame excuse that there are still unfinished business to attend to. Such excuses only give rise to suspicions and create ill-feelings and help to quicken the downfall of themselves and the party they lead. This is pure selfishness and bring unnecessary misery to others. Nobody is indispensable. When one steps down there will always be others to take over and lead the nation to scale greater heights. The willingness of some in Sarawak to pave way for others is to be saluted and appreciated.
Remember we can fool some of the people some of the time but we cannot fool all the people all the time. The people in the Arab world and elsewhere, including our country are well connected and they know what's happening. To think and believe that Malaysians are still not matured enough is far-fetch and childish. Leaders must treat the citizens with dignity and accord them the highest respect if they do not want to be dumped. Government is put in power to fulfil the aspiration and wishes of the people and not for cosmetic purposes. Abraham Lincoln aptly summed up: "government of the people, by the people, for the people". Leaders must not outlive their usefulness.

Give sports equal footing

The 1student 1sport policy is a very good move and a step in the right direction. However, I dread to think of its implementation in most schools if the gut and the willingness to move the policy is not carried out with zeal and zest by teachers. Afterall teachers are the people who either make the policy work or see its early demise. Your article, 'Declining interest a major worry', (New Sunday Times, 13 March) is not without justification as most of the national sportsmen and sportswomen have to come through the school system. The policy will just another policy if no serious effort and attention is paid at the school level.

First we have to take a relook at how Physical Education (PE) is carried out in school. To be honest it is more of an eye-wash just to hoodwink the ministry and the public. Most of the time students are on the field just because PE is in the time-table and they are there in their school uniform with their ties on! The PE teacher will be there using the remote control method or worse no teacher to supervise. If there is any monitoring by the District Education office or State Education Department it is announced before hand. Of course it is good and bravo. Just so much about PE.

When I was schooling, we have inter-house matches for most games and from those matches selection is carried out. Teachers had a good sampling of students to choose from followed by intensive training before they went for competition. Now students are selected on an ad hoc basis with one or two training or even worse no training. Schools send students for competition for competition sake just to avoid the hassle of more questions later on.

Most schools are more interested in the academic performance of the students rather than sporting excellence. When Heads of schools meet they are more interested to find out the number of As at the UPSR, PMR and SPM. Day and night tuition in some schools is the norm besides private tuition. When can students find time to indulge in sports? Parents are pushing their children for tuition for almost all subjects. Children are told that the only way to excel in this mad, mad world is through academic excellence and sports will NOT be able to feed you. Unless something is done quickly and seriously to the education system, there will be more major worries for the sporting fraternity. Unless the country starts to have professional sports for almost all discipline like in the west where players can earn a decent living, it is going to be a mammoth task to convince parents to push their children in sports.

Be safe rather than be sorry

The Tsunami in Japan is something very unfortunate and the whole world is mourning the huge loss of lives and properties. What is even more tragic is the leak from the nuclear plant that could bring untold misery and long term health problems for generations.

Now the whole world is pondering whether the building of nuclear plant is a wise move and does the benefit far outweighs the danger nuclear plant can pose. As our country tries to jump on the bandwagon joining the world in its pursuit of nuclear energy, it is good if the government can just abandon this idea if it has the citizens at heart. If a survey is to be conducted I dare say for certain that it will be an overwhelming majority against the construction of a nuclear plant in any parts of the country. Let's pray that the 'rakyat didahulukan' will be given prominence.

Nuclear plant is just too risky to any country. There is no doubt we are free from earthquake and tsunami but no matter what technology is applied, who dare to guaranttee its safety over a period of time. Dr Mahathir is right when he pointed out once there is a leak it is very difficult to control. Here we are talking of radiation, something you cannot see, feel or touch but can only be detected. Radiation is the word that will haunt every human being as far as nuclear is concerned. Which experts dare to certify that if a nuclear plant is to be built on very solid ground far from the maddening crowd, the ground will remain as it is till doomsday?

I call upon the citizens to voice out their displeasure loud and clear. Sometimes common sense prevails. Prevention is better than cure.

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