Tudung for all policewomen

The Inspector General of Police of Malaysia sent out a directive that all female police personnel in Malaysia have to wear the head scarf (tudung) for all march-pass, passing out ceremonies and the national parade. This was met with very unfavourable response from the non muslim community, the loudest protests are from the oppositions, as usual. Then the IGP quickly clarified that it is only compulsory for muslim female police personnel, it is optional for non muslims. Then the Prime Minister said that if tudung is part of the police uniform, then all policewomen should wear it regardless of religion backgrond. So on the recent 199th police day parade we saw almost all the policewomen wore the scarves, except for a few non muslim policewomen. It will be interesting to see what will be the fate of these few who did not comply. The question of whether should female workers who deal with the public, especially with foreign visitors wear the tudung while on duty is not a new one. Those in the service industries like hotels, tour operators, restaurants, entertainment sector as well as the media are against it for fear that the label of Malaysia being a radical muslim nation will stick. Those who are for it will argue that muslim women should be allowed to wear tudung in the workplace, otherwise it will be considered harassment of individual's religion. But in the case of the policewomen wearing tudung in official parades has taken a new twist to the issue. What would the real radical muslims inMalaysia react when they learn that non muslim women are wearing the tudung which they consider the utmost suci (holy) n the public? They will certainly take this as a very big insult to their religion. My statement is not wihout any grounds. Remember not very long ago some non muslims trying to show their friendliness to their muslim colleagues by greeting them with the muslim phrase,"Assala maliakum", and the friends took offend thinking that the non muslim guys are mocking them. And this became a big issue. They insisted that only muslims are authorised to say such phrase. Only words itself created so much troubles, what more with the holy scarf ? There is another point I wish to raise here. The Chinese youth have being accused by the government,the police department and UMNO politicians in the past that they are not patriotic because very few of them like to join the police force. And they are only interested in making money. Those who said this ought to have their brains checked or to be put through an IQ test designed specially for primary school students. Please be informed that NOT all Chinese youth are from rich families, don't look so surprised, it is an undeniable fact. They will gladly join the police force to enjoy the steady job with many not tracable side-incomes, if only you don't make it difficult for them to join and also not to create any deep unease like the case of tudung. Come on, Chinese are human too, they also do not like religion harassment. So the best way is to stay out, keep clear of all these unease. Tell me honestly, do you think more Chinese youth will wish to join the police force after reading the IGP's new directive in the news?

Dong Zhong and NFCSH End Dispute

The dispute between the two major groups of Chinese educationists in Malaysia, the Dong Zhong (United Chinese School Committees Association) and The National Federation of Chinese School Headmasters was put to an end with the help of the Jiao Zhong(United Chinese School Teachers Committees Association) in a meeting between the three groups in the presence of other concerned parties. The three groups quickly came to an agreement to end the dispute and to reconcile for the good of Chinese education development in Malaysia, after one hour and a half of discussions. They will adhere to the following four general understandings :

• To highlight to the government the importantce of the Dong Zhong in the running of Chinese medium schools in the country
• The award of tenders to canteen operators in Chinese schools should remain the provocative of the Dong Zhong
• The setting up of a committee to oversee the running of all fee-collecting matters in the Chinese schools
• The Dong Zhong should be kept informed about matters that involve fee-collection.

The above agreements seem reasonable, it is what it should be in the first place. The handling of matters involving money will be more transparent and nobody will run the risk of being wrongly accused in the future.

We are fortunate that our educationists finally come to their senses and decided to talk things over instead of exposing all the ugly matters in the media. And there is still hope for Chinese education development in the country at the end.

Dong Zhong Vs The Headmasters

While my attetion was grabbed by tensions build-up between Taiwan and China the past few days, tensions are also building up between factions of the Chinese community in my own country! Chineses are good fighters - amongst themselves,that is. The National Federation of Chinese School Headmasters is at war with Dong Zhong (United Chinese School Committees association). Traditionally all headmasters of Chinese primary schools are appointed by Dong Zhong's affiliate members, that is the school committees of individual Chinese schools. But this power of Dong Zhong has gradually but surely being eroded by the government, and the Chinese school headmasters consider themselves more as government servants than employees of the Dong Zhong nowadays. So there is not much respect left for the Dong Zhong as far as the headmasters are concern. This is not surprising to see the current dispute between the two to grow into this scale oblivious to the concerns of the Chinese community in Malaysia. And there is no sign that either side will be eager to bring this to an early stop. Apparently this dispute was started by a committee member of a School's Parents-Teachers Association in Petaling Jaya by accusing that some headmasters in Chinese primary schools are receiving hefty kickbacks from suppliers of text-books, excersie books, stationeries and computers. As a result these suppliers enjoy monopoly over the supply of these items, and parents are not allowed to source from else where. This were echoed by several parents in the press. One businessman (reported to be a member of a school committee) put up a RM50,000.00 reward for information related to any corrupted headmaster in Chinese school. To make matter worse,there are actually 40+ responses to it. The response from the furious headmasters was dramatic. The placed advertisements in the newspaper threatening to disband The National Federation of Chinese School Headmasters and also will stop conducting all tuitions (extra classes) for Bahasa Malaysia,English Language and computers beginning second half of 2006. And they will only supply text-books recommended by the Education Department, and parents will have to look for reference books for their children on their own. Wow this is quite a bomb for the parents! I don't know about other parents, I personally welcome the NFCS announcement, I would feel much relieved. I have two schooling kids, the amount they have to pay is ridiculous. And they keep changing the texk books every year, the younger child can not just reuse the books handed down from the elder one. I think something is fishy there, is there a need to change it every year? Good news is Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussien announced that less emphasis will be placed on examinations in the new education system. Text-books, reference books and tuition classes will not play such an important role then. As an after thought why can't the two sides sit down and talk, is there a third party preventing this to take place? In the case of Taiwan and China, USA is the obvious culprit; but in our case, who?

IGP Warns OCPDs

Inspector General Of Police Tan Sri Bakri Omar reminded 145 district police chiefs (Officer in Charge of Police Distrct,OCPD) that they should be more sensitive when dealing with the public, especially regarding matters that may give rise to the issue of human rights. The IGP was speaking to these OCPDs attending a 3- day human rights seminar. He reiterated these officers were being taught human rights all the times, this seminar was also conducted to reinforce their understanding of the subject. If need be,this seminar can be extended to acheive the objective. If there were officers still can not understand, then they are advised to change jobs, "We don't want stupid officers..." he said. The IGP was frustrated after a series of incidents bringing the police force into disrepute recently. Bravo, well put,Tan Sri !

Malaysia's First Online Grocery Shopping Portal

eGrocries.com.my - the first online gorcery shopping mall in Malaysia was launched by the Wah Kong group and MnEBay Technologies Sdn Bhd. They expect the portal will generate RM6 million turnover in the first year of operation. Aren't they a bit over optismatic? The general Malaysian public is still not tuned to online purchase just yet and a vast majority feel insecured revealing their credit card details online. To over come this fear eGroceries provide door-door delivery and accept credit cards at the door. Then again this will limit their coverage, and defating the purpose of being "on the net" in the first place. Their door-to-door delivery is limited to Klang Valley areas only, and to enjoy this service the minimum purchase is RM100.00 in one receipt. Also they do not make deliveries on the following holidays: New Years Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Hari Raya Haji, Labor Day, Wesak Day, Agong's Birthday, Sultan Selangor birthday, Independence Day and Christmas Day. Orders will be delivered the next working day in the above cases. Not much an online experience, right?