Down with English! Malay Pride Must Come First!

The fear of our Malay brothers and sisters today is that of their faith in Islam and Malay culture, that, to them, is easily eroded by virtue of teaching math and science in English - in the case of Malay culture. The matter of faith in our religion is a matter for a separate discussion.

Just over the weekend, thousands (reported after the article below) of Malay students, including that of the Opposition (PKR and PAS), staged a massive protest in KL. All in the name of stopping the government's policy of teaching math and science in English. Their reasons: because it will erode our cultural identity, or it will make us respect English more than our own mother tongue.

Goodness gracious. How small minded can some people be?

How on earth can a language erode one's own culture? A language is a means of communication. By virtue that English has been chosen by History to be the standard means of international communication, be it in politics or business, it is therefore important.

Respecting one language over another doesn't make any sense either. This Abu Qassim Nor Azmi, Student Union leader, speaks of this and obviously doesn't know what he is talking about - it sounds idiotic and stupid. I wonder what sort of education he has been receiving. If you watch the video below, you will hear Abu Qassim speak, you will then realise why it is important that English is emphasized in Malaysia. The standards have dropped far below what is needed to be proficient to communicate effectively in this increasingly Globalised world that we live in. The young university scholar speaks like a primary school boy, unable to articulate himself properly and basically speaking in broken English. He seems to say that he has grown accustomed to speaking English, even outside class, however, it appears that he doesn't do it very well.

If my Malay Muslim culture, ingraned into me from birth to adulthood is so easily shaken and eroded by learning a language that would help me communicate effectively in this world, ultimately contributing to the quality of life I will have, then I must be a very weak person.

I would only fear these things if I were of weak character and didn't have any faith in the strength of my principles that are driven by the cultural conditioning that I grew up with.

Culture is more than just a language my brothers and sisters, it is our way of life. And so what if we speak a different language at the workplace? Or even at home? Does that make us less Malay? Less Muslim?

Many of my father's friends who are from a different generation of Malays were brought up with the English language - they are no less Malay than anyone else. Some of them even attended Christian Missionary schools, they were never forced to say the Lord's Prayer, but stood in respect when it was said. Some even know the exact words to the prayer too. They are still devout Muslims who attend Friday prayers and their faith hasn't wayned.

So what is all this protesting for?

Here are some of the facts of how serious the situation is.

1. Proficiency of English in Malaysia is at its worst. It has been going downhill since Anwar Ibrahim was Education Minister, when we came up with the failed Bahasa Baku.
2. Students in Primary school upwards are being taught by young teachers, who themselves are not proficient in the language. My nephews and nieces have often corrected their teacher in matters of pronunciation and grammar.
3. Malaysia used to produce top notch scholars from University Malaya, which in the 60s was highly regarded. Today, our crown jewel has fallen to the rank of over 300. A degree from this university has little value outside Malaysia, for graduates seeking post graduate studies in the West, will need to prove themselves again by retaking certain undergraduate subjects, one of them is English.
4. Malaysia was aiming to be the Cyber centre of South East Asia, and over a decade has passed, with little to prove. Though it has never been said openly, the problem with multinational corporations is that of the quality of human resources available. They have since moved on to form their Outsourcing centres in Philippines and India. Why? Because of proficiency in IT and more specifically for the Philippines, English - spoken and written.

Malaysia with it's vastly Malay language curriculum which is forced upon every ethnic group, has failed to ensure that people are properly educated and proficient in a language that is used to communicate with the rest of the world. English is the official business language of the world. Surely, you won't try educating a Mainland Chinese or a Japanese person in Malay for your convenience of communication.

The government is right in taking these initial measures to restore the standard of English to what it was before.

Take for example the Indians and the Pakistanis, they speak English fluently, so much so, that they can convince most westerners that they can do everything and anything. We all know this. Are they any less Indian or Pakistani? Have they cast out their Caste system? Have they stopped worshipping their Hindu Gods or Allah? No. Have they forgotten their provincial cultures and the crafts that are unique to their cultural heritage? No again.

So my dear brothers and sisters, why so much fear over such matters? Think before you act, do not act in haste and take a step back and see the broader picture.

If you feel that your Cultural heritage is being attacked, remember that culture is instilled into you by your parents, how well they have done it will be evidenced by how you, as an adult choose to live your life. How you, as an individual decide what is important to you. And it certainly has nothing to do with learning how to speak the one language that is understood the world over.

Do not fall prey to the acts and support of some politicians, in this case PAS and PKR. They are simply buying political capital by appearing to support you and your cause.

Malaysia is regressing. This latest protest, in the large numbers that it attracted is one that is of great concern. It appears that the vast number of ignorant people in Malaysia are growing, and they appear to be mostly Malay. It is very sad, very sad for us as Malays.

By this act of ignorance, we only shame ourselves and our culture. Surely it isn't part of our culture to live in our little world where Malay is an effective means of communication among 27 million people.

If the BN and the King doesn't come out to make a strong statement on the matter, and to help the people understand, it will mark the midpoint of Malaysia's regression.

To regain our footing in English proficiency to what it was previously, it will take more than just a couple of generations. May God help our children and help them forgive us for making their future a little more bleak in this competitive world.


Hundreds of Malaysians stage language protest
By Melissa Goh, Channel NewsAsia Malaysia bureau chief
07 March 2009 2238 hrs

Video
Hundreds of Malaysians stage language protest

KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds of Malaysians, mostly Muslim Malays, had taken to the streets to protest against the use of English to teach Mathematics and Science in schools.

Police fired water canons and tear gas to disperse the crowd as they marched to the National Palace in downtown Kuala Lumpur despite a police barricade, in an attempt to reach the National Palace.

The protest was led by opposition Islamic party president Abdul Hadi Awang, flanked by national laureate, A Samad Said.

Their aim was to deliver a request to the king to change teaching of Mathematics and Science from English back to Malay language.

The switch in languages made by the government six years ago as part of an effort to lift the standard of spoken and written English among students.

The demonstrators claimed that the move has failed and is leading to an erosion of the Malay cultural identity.

Abu Qassim Nor Azmi, of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students said: "Now we talk in English when we go to the canteen, and when we go out, we continue to talk in English. This will lead to a crisis of identity, we will repect English more than our own mother tongue."

The police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, but many re-grouped despite heavy rain.

The inspector general of police lashed out at the protestors for being what he called "demo crazy".

More than 120 were later detained for questioning.

The protestors maintained that they are apolitical and their aim is to protect the Malay language which is the national language guaranteed under the federal constitution, but the opposition Pakatan Rakyta alliance is capitalising on the rising public resent towards the UMNO led government.

Mohd Saifullah Zulkifli, an Opposition Youth Leader charged that UMNO is setting a very bad record even though they are supposed to represent the Malays.

Prime Minister designate Najib Razak had appealed to the country's predominantly Malay population not to be overly obsessed in protecting the Malay language.

He assured them the Malay language will always remain the premier official laguage in Malaysia.

DPM Najib's Declaration: Malaysia An Islamic State

Horror of Horrors... what do the minorities do now? Everyone, be it Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist or Christian was always under the impression that PAS was the party that intended on setting up the much feared Islamic State. Now, it seems that UMNO has deemed Malaysia to have always been an Islamic State. When did this come about? In every past election that I can recall, UMNO always stressed on the fact that PAS was extremist and in that same breath commented negatively of PAS intentions to set up an Islamic state in Kelantan, let alone the whole of Malaysia.

This was the tactic employed to woo voters to a more moderate Barisan Nasional with a moderate Muslim-Malay party, UMNO. The deterring factor for a majority of Malaysian voters in voting the opposition has always been the fear of PAS and their Islamic State ideology.

But recently, our DPM Najib has declared Malaysia as never being secular (contrary to our understanding) and always being an Islamic State. Shock and awe, the whole country was in uproar, especially the minority races. We didn't vote for this, we didn't agree to this!

Even though the Constitution does not state that we are an Islamic State and specifies Islam as the main religion of the country, people like DPM Najib and Former PM Mahathir, who obviously do not understand the nation's constitution they were meant to uphold, or has never read it. This may be believable in Najib's case, but not likely in Mahathir's, as he is known to be an avert reader - so what was his objective?

It seems that UMNO politicians love to play the racial and religious card in their attempt to win over PAS voters. For most Malays and Muslims these days, the more religious you appear to be, the stronger a candidate you become. A very narrow and shallow reason for choosing a country's leadership. Nonetheless, this is the rural Malay voter, unfortunately the urban Malay is .

Not caring for the impact that their statements have on all Malaysians, and forgetting that it is the Malay, Chinese, Indians and "Lain Lain" (Others) who make up this country and what it is today, they make statements that undoubtedly make everyone nervous.

The Nation's leaders in UMNO seem to think that just because they have been given a firm mandate by the majority of Malaysians, they can say what they like and make things like "Islamic State" policy overnight. Since when?

Furthermore, and more upsetting, people like Najib can insist that their statements are correct and not bother addressing the public's concern. Additionally, a media blackout on the subject had been established, only to allow statements by DPM Najib and PM Badawi to be publicised. Basically saying that "It's our right to say these things, what you believe or feel doesn't matter".

How dare you! Malaysia is made up of many people from many different races. We built this country together. Don't think you can make such sweeping statements and then arrogantly not attend to the public's outcry.

To think that UMNO practically begged for the Chinese vote in 1997 when Anuar Ibrahim formed PKR and went to the elections. BN won by a margin afforded to them by the Chinese vote. It could have easily gone the other way. And this is how you say thank you? Najib should not forget that during that election, he nearly lost his parliamentary seat by a few hundred votes.

If I recall correctly, during that time, UMNO was making remarks against voting for either DAP or PKR on the basis that they are tied up with the extremist PAS, which had the intention of setting up an Islamic State that UMNO knew DAP will never agree to.

So I suppose UMNO has a short memory... perhaps it's time to refresh it and to establish the impermanance of UMNO and BN's role in leading the people.

So, years after that episode, and now that UMNO feels that it's clout with the people is secure, it can say whatever it likes for the benefit of the Malays and Islam.

I am surprised that after all that, UMNO can make an about turn and declare that Malaysia is an Islamic State.

What does this mean to the people? Simple, UMNO and BN are now expendable. We tried to avoid becoming an Islamic State and were led to believe that by voting for BN we would be safe from such fundamentalist ideologies. However, since it has been declared that we now are, what difference will it make if we choose to vote for PAS or the opposition?

Some may say, it's Najib's words against all the nation. But I think that there are many in UMNO who support this, and these people are key players in the party and government. In which case, it is a matter of time before UMNO becomes a fundamentalist Islamic party. Slowly but surely, the minorities feel that their rights are being encroached upon. Slowly, but surely, UMNO is becoming more Islamic. It is a matter of time before everyone feels the full force of this change.

Voters can make the change now, if they wanted. A message can be sent to the likes of UMNO that this will not be accepted. Besides, with the many votes that UMNO will receive from either loyalists or those who are afraid to chance their vote to the opposition, perhaps for the many of us who are patriotic enough to attempt to preserve the balance of power and sanctity of our nation, we should vote opposition over UMNO candidates where possible. Perhaps by reducing the number of UMNO seats in parliament, we can eliminate rhetoric by people like Najib, Khairi, Nasir, "blog-hater" Zam and a number of others.

Why do we want to have leaders who go out there, shooting off their mouths without caring about how what they say affects all of us? They should be removed from power and hopefully silenced. Well, at least we are not giving them a pedestal to stand on!

Here's an article extracted from the Today paper, a Singapore publication. The writer has certainly made an accurate analysis worthy of reading - you'll find that it's what you have been thinking, but never verbalised.

14 August 2007
News Comment Section
Malaysia's State of Ambiguity

A TACTIC used by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in his fight against the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) in 2001, was to declare Malaysia an Islamic state. This, he figured, would take the windsout of the sails of the PAS, whose stated aim is to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.

While the opposition Democratic ActionParty (DAP) made noise, the general public was hardly up in arms over the matter. The issue was soon forgotten although Dr Mahathir never retracted his declaration.

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak reiterated the former Prime Minister’s stance, stating that not only was Malaysia an Islamic state, the country had never been secular in the first place.

Mr Najib got support from Dr Mahathir and drew expected criticism from the likes ofthe DAP, lawyers and rights groups.But something else happened: The Information Ministry took the unusual step of telling newspapers not to publish any articles on the issue, on grounds that this could cause“tension” among the public. Only commentsby Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy were allowed for print.This move reflects how much the situation has changed. The bulk of the voting public during much of Dr Mahathir’s era was more compliant, less vocal and, perhaps crucially, did not have the Internet.

Today, Web-savvy, younger voters are more willing to stand up for their rights. Several issues, not just the Islamic-state controversy, have illustrated this point.

Earlier this year, Malaysia’s biggest bank came up with a policy that required its panel of lawyers to have at least three partners, one of whom must be a bumiputera holding a minimum of 50 per cent equity in the partnership. Maybank came under intense fire from the non-Malay community, which led to a quick withdrawal of the policy.

I am of the Internet generation, but I remember a time when both government agencies and private corporations could implement discriminatory (dubbed “affirmative action”) policies with impunity, such as the one Maybank tried to push.

Not today.

Last year, the annual general assembly ofthe United Malays National Organisation (Umno), saw speaker after speaker make fiery speeches. One delegate said they were willing to“risk lives” and “bathe in blood”. Another asked when Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein was going to use the keris he had brandished at the event.

The backlash from the televised and well-blogged event took Umno by surprise. Shortly after that, the government decided future general assemblies would not be televised, and began to take reconciliatory steps to assuage non-Malay outrage.

Mr Hishamuddin, who is also Education Minister, within months, announced the construction of a new Chinese school and some RM2.1 million ($918,000) in grants for Chinese schools. He also assured the Chinese community that the government would not close down Chinese schools, had no objections to building more and would resolve the shortage of Chinese school teachers as well as raise the standard of Chinese primary schools.

Even Mr Khairy Jamaluddin, the Prime Minister’s fiery son-in-law, has mellowed in his rhethoric. Last year, he called for the government to increase the affirmative action quota for Malays if the Chinese were not happy with the 30 per cent set aside. He made similar outrageous comments throughout much of last year and refused to apologise for them.

This past weekend, however, he denied that Umno was racist. “How can we be racist, when we are defending equality?” he said. He cited the power-sharing agreement Umno has with other component parties as an example.

Mr Badawi, who had kept silent on Mr Najib’s Islamic-state comment, recently came out to say that Malaysia was “not a secular state” but neither was it “a theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan” — his typical “neither here nor there” comment.

It’s also reminiscent of the government’s “strategic ambiguity” approach on the issue of whether Muslims are allowed to leave their religion. While the issue of apostasy is not something that non-Muslims are particularly concerned about, as it doesn’t directly affect them, an Islamic state is something that doesn’t sit well with them.

Lawyers say the Federal Constitution is unambiguous about Malaysia being a secular state — Article 3 (1) states it clearly— but the apostasy cases have shown how murky these things can be in practice. And while it’s true that non-Muslims have freedom of religion and can lead very secular lifestyles, there’s always the danger of the slippery slope.

This is probably why Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Bernard Dompok risked angering his Umno colleagues by saying at a public forum: “I will not agree that we are an Islamic state.” He understands full well that today’s non-Muslim public will not accept any ambiguity on this matter. But does Mr Badawi?

Oon Yeoh is a writer and commentator based in Kuala Lumpur.

Islamic Department Religious Officers Harrassing Innocents

Women's rights in Malaysia are fast being diminished. Would you or anyone else consider the lady pictured below "exposing her body"? Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin (pic), 22, was singing at an entertainment outlet in Sunway City, Ipoh when Religious Officers from JAIP raided the place.

Firstly, it's obvious that the lady is not "exposing" her body. To think that wearing long pants and a sleeveless top is indecent exposure is absurd. Frankly, she appears to be dressed normally and much unlike performers in most other countries where they wear gowns with plunging necklines and body hugging clothes.

But really, is that bad? Why would people say that it's a bad thing to see the outline of a woman's body? Islamic Religious Officers in Malaysia seem to think so. They say it's "lucah" or pronographic. There are those who say that a woman who doesn't wear a "tudung" or headscarf is also "lucah". The only reason why it's pornographic to them is because they have unclean thoughts, uncontrollable lust and desire for what they cannot have. Because of this most Muslims believe that it's better to keep the women covered up so that the men are not tempted.

What utter nonsense, if the men have a problem, they should confine it to themselves, learn to see things differently or if it's that hard, just castrate themselves.

So, in Siti's case, even more offensive and greater intrusions were made. The officers called her IC (Identification Card) "Najis" or Shit (as in Biological Waste) and refused to touch it! Isn't that amazing! The newspaper has quoted it as unclean, but Najis really means Shit.

They were then put in a small room where the officers sadistically turned down the temperature and the officers said "let them freeze". Isn't that quite inhuman? And against people's basic human rights?

Siti was also detained overnight until 10am the next morning and had to suffer the intrusion of the male Religious Officers constantly photographing her. Perhaps they haven't seen a pretty woman before and because they are so used to seeing women wrap themselves up, this is something new to them. Perhaps they will use those pictures to "relieve" themselves later on.

The officers were also scheming to frame her for alcohol consumption, as per her observation of them being disappointed when her test returned a negative and the objection of one officer.

Further to that, JAIP director Datuk Jamry Sury said he was confident that his officers had not acted outside of their jurisdiction in issuing the notice. And said “According to Islamic laws, a Muslim woman is not allowed to serve or entertain a man who is not her husband in a place where immoral activities usually take place,” he said.

How on earth is Sunway City an immoral place.? Is this man out of his mind? It's obvious that he knows nothing of the world and what immoral is. Besides, the lady was singing in a public place in front of men and women and possibly children. So saying she was entertaining men suggests that she was in a strip club doing lap dances, which is hardly the case. Sunway City should file an injunction against this man and his department because what he suggests promotes a negative image of the company and can bring about a potential loss of business.

It is this sort of stupidity that is brought about by poorly educated people who are unable to get jobs in the private sector fresh out of the local Malaysian Universities. At which point, our government says, we must hire them so that they have jobs. Thereby increasing the number of civil servants and costing the taxpayers more money year on year. Mostly and sadly, Malay, who are given preferential treatment in exams from Form 5 through their varsity years. This had bred the stupidity as exemplified by such actions.

In the words of YB Minister in the PM's Department - Nazri,"Bodoh, Bodoh, Bodoh".

So, this is what our tax money goes to. Little bastard Hitlers who impose their brand of Islam upon us, who intimidate us and we pay their salaries and bonuses. I say, the BN and federal government should either sack them or we should remove the BN from power. Many of us thought that because we vote for BN, we save ourselves from PAS, but over time, it's becoming more apparent that BN leads a government and government organisations that are intolerant, backward and filled with Malay Ultras and Islamic Extremists.

So, why should moderate Malays and minority races vote for BN? What is the incentive now?

Sure, the Federal Government will now announce that there are overzealous officers who are just executing their duties.

We say not.

This is harrassment, infringement of human rights, bigotry (gender biased) and improper. In which part of the law does it state that Religious Department officers can detain people overnight, and if so, for what reasons? For wearing a sleeveless blouse? Also, in which part of the JAIS procedure manual (if one does exist) does it state that officers can go about harrassing the detainee by photographing her? Also, in where are the procedures and guidelines that ensure that detainees are properly treated and the handling officers remain true to the cause and not become part of the problem?

No more excuses BN leaders. You either take responsibility and shape up or we, the people, will ship you out!

There have been problems with the bastard Hitlers of the Islamic Departments for a very long time now. People are stopped in the streets just for holding hands and kissing. Aged foreigners have had their rooms intruded into by such officers who in one case accused them of "Khalwat" or close proximity.

Malaysia is fast becoming like the Arabs they adore so much. Soon, we will be living in a South East Asian Saudi.

Since the government is not doing much to change this, perhaps it's time to change the government. But we all know that people will still vote for BN. By voting the opposition, we ensure that there are voices that will speak for us as well and we will give them a bigger voice in parliament.

The aim for this election is to REDUCE the BN Majority in Parliament, in the hope for a better Malaysia and hopefully, this will help teach certain government leaders like Khairi, Nazri and their close associates that there is no place in the people's hearts for extremists or ignorance.

The Article:

The Star
Singer held over dressing

IPOH: The Perak Religious Department (JAIP) has ordered a singer to appear before the Syariah Court for “exposing her body” during a performance and “encouraging immoral activities”.

However, an indignant Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin, 22, said she was wearing a sleeveless top and long pants when JAIP officers raided an entertainment outlet in Sunway City where she was performing on Tuesday.

“Our band had just finished and it was a little past midnight when they came in and rounded up all the Muslims.

“They asked to see our MyKad but one officer refused to touch the cards, referring to them as najis (unclean),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu said the JAIP officers later detained seven people, including four employees of the outlet, and brought them to the department office.

“They put us in a tiny room and turned up the air-conditioner. I heard one officer tell the other: Bekulah dia orang (Let them freeze),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu also said the male officers kept taking photographs of her, adding that she was made to stay overnight in that room until 10am.

She said the officer who finally came to record her statement at 8am, accused her of consuming alcohol and drugs, being involved in immoral activities, and that her MyKad was a fake.

“I took the breathalyser test twice and when the reading remained at zero, the officers looked frustrated.

“I heard one tell the other: Tapi dia tak minum lah (But she did not drink),” she said.
Siti Noor Idayu said an officer even told her that the money she earned working in the outlet was duit haram (illicit money) and that her parents, children and future generations would all be tainted for using such money.

“They finally wrote me a notice accusing me of dressing sexily and encouraging immorality just because I sang there,” she said.

The notice ordered her to appear before the Syariah Court here on Aug 6.

When contacted, JAIP director Datuk Jamry Sury said he was confident that his officers had not acted outside of their jurisdiction in issuing the notice.

“According to Islamic laws, a Muslim woman is not allowed to serve or entertain a man who is not her husband in a place where immoral activities usually take place,” he said.