Malaysia Gemilang: University, A Fascist Place ?

The Regime of Fascism
Before the start, let us analyse the meaning of the word "Fascism". This is the description as provided by Wiktionary :
{Noun}
1) A political regime based on strong centralized government, suppressing through violence any criticism or opposition of the regime, and exalting nation, state, or religion above the individual.
2) A system of strong autocracy.

Such a negative word.....

Yee Yang Yang in UPM
Malaysiakini reported on the 16th and 17th on a student by the name of Yee Yang Yang, a student of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) but maybe not "Universiti Paling Menakutkan" having various personal possessions confiscated by campus security.

Via Malaysiakini, on the account of the confiscation:
According to Yee, the security guards were conducting a spot check on two rooms in his hostel with his room being one of them.

Yee was then subjected to a interrogation session where the security guards had allegedly demanded to know why he was involved in politics.

“I asked them: You (security guards) said earlier that you were looking for a stolen mobile phone, why are you asking me about politics?” said Yee when contacted.

Two attempts to lodge reports by Yee has been failed by the police due to assurance given by UTK to return the stated items. Another attempt is probably on the way.

Via Malaysiakini, some mind-boggling facts:
Yee belongs to the "anti-establishment" camp (Barisan Mahasiswa Bersatu) and the incident is suspected to be connected to impending campus elections .

Rival students groups - mostly between anti-establishment and pro-government factions - are already in the midst of campaign preparations as polls are widely tipped to be announced soon.

Last year, the anti-establishment group - who are generally regarded to be pro-opposition - has boycotted the students election, claiming that the rules are heavily stacked against them.

In recent years, student groups not aligned to the government-backed Aspirasi faction are often subjected to harassment from campus authorities.
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Other Incidents in UPM
As the fever of campus elections grows, Harakahdaily through Malaysia Today posted an article with supplemented photos.

Pictures:
1) Yellow paint poured over a student's motorcycle.
2) "Threat" Notice with splattered yellow paint : "Nak Sihat Jangan Bertanding" (Do not Contest if you want to stay "healthy") .

On top of that it seems that Mohd Taufiq Mahmud, Chairman of Barisan Mahasiswa Bersatu (BMB) and a colleague of Yee Yang Yang were facing problems days before the confiscation. His motorcycle was locked by the Headmaster and HEP officers.
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Conclusion
It is certainly weird that so many things can happen in a matter of a few weeks one can't help but wonder if there is any greater power in work. If there is, would it be appropriate for us to describe these actions in a single word : INTIMIDATION ?

If Malaysiakini had described correctly, government-backed factions are not harassed. That's ironic and mind-boggling.

The Yee Yang Yang incident reminds the public of a similar case in the form of the Nathaniel Tan arrest. Yee Yang Yang is not arrested but Nat had his items confiscated as well. Nat claimed that his belongings have not been returned to him in the article Me, Yee Yang Yang… Are you next? . Two months had passed.

A number of blogs on the net tried to put this incident on a racial fiasco : Malays on one side, chinese on the other. Such mentality is inaccurate. The chairman of Barisan Mahasiswa Bersatu is a Malay while Yee Yang Yang, a member, is a chinese. Both are from the same side. Malaysians need to think out-of-the-box !

All of a sudden, I feel a tingling sense of fear. However, my choice would be to persist in writing. The last I checked, Malaysia is supposed to be democratic. I cannot accept a fascist state.

Malaysia, A Land of "One Straight Minds"

Abdullah's Higher Education Strategic Plan
New Straits Times reported Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's plan to improve Malaysian universities and raise them to world-class standards. Although such initiative from a leader is certain welcomed, the Members of Parliament should evaluate the plan before fully embracing it. A writer by the name of Syed Husin Ali responded in a Malaysiakini article Higher Education Strategic Plan - a critique . It seems that the Abdullah's plan contains a number of loopholes.

Another response that I particularly support is from Dr. Azly Rahman, a frequent writer in "Republic of Virtue" of Malaysia Today . His article is aptly titled Critical Theory for our varsities .

What is Critical Theory?
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes it as this:
According to these theorists, a “critical” theory may be distinguished from a “traditional” theory according to a specific practical purpose: a theory is critical to the extent that it seeks human emancipation, “to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them” (Horkheimer 1982, 244)

So, what makes a "critical theory" different than "traditional theory"?
.... a critical theory provides the descriptive and normative bases for social inquiry aimed at decreasing domination and increasing freedom in all their forms.

The key phrases are "Social Inquiry", "Decreasing Domination" and "Increasing Freedom". It is even right to say "Critical Theory" is a form of "Democracy" for "The Mind"; The Allowance for alternative thinking towards developing better solutions for the society.

I would conclude that "Traditional Theory" breeds students of "One Straight Minds" whereas "Critical Theory" creates "Creative-Innovative Minds". In the modern world of science, information and communication, creativity and innovation are certainly needed to transform Malaysia into a first world nation.

Varsities creating Robots?
Does anyone still remember about the Wawasan (Vision) 2020 plan? Malaysia is only 13 years away. The public is not very positive on achieving the outlines of the vision. Maybe there are some particular good reasons Abdullah named his report "Strategic Plan For Higher Education: Laying The Foundation Beyond 2020" ?

Now it's "Beyond 2020" ?

Dr. Azly further stated: Many of our university leaders who still cannot and will not understand the difference between the concept of hegemony and totalitarianism as opposed to education and liberation. To them, it is a place for exercise total control of the mind, body and the soul.

Such a statement is made true with the Akujanji pledge that academicians have to sign before entering a university. The reason that Malaysia is still in its sad state of affairs, of intense corruption, racism and mismanagement resulted from an education system that limits freedom in thinking. In short, our varsities are creating mind-controlled beings, also known as robots. Robots only respond to the actions pre-programmed in its central processing unit (CPU). They are not intellectual. Perhaps, Abdullah should include the abolition of Akujanji in his plan.

In order to cure a disease, one should go to its root / core. Solving the symptoms by pouring more money will not help much. If the governing body established is not independent, the disease will persist and the leadership will find itself going back to square one.

Response to Dr. Azly's article in Malaysia Today
Malaysia, A Land of "One Straight Minds" (Becoming crooked only when one senses money and benefits of fanning the racism fire, albeit in a 'crooked-but-stupid aka. evil' way)

Dr Azly,

I think you will make a better Minister of Education. We need people who think like this.

You know something, my friend and I was having tea in a mamak store the other day and as students of the stupid KBSM syllabus, were discussing what is lacking from our education system.

Our conclusion was this:

1) The system lack subjects like Critical Thinking. We are taught to be spoon-fed

2) We are taught to think in dead-pan, one straight mind ways ... with subjects such as Moral. Pendidikan Islam was taught in a way that is not beneficial for the growth of mind.

3) We do not have a useful subject such as "Civic Consciousness". Ironically, this subject was taught back in the days of English schools in Malaysia. So, what is different between being "Civic" and being "Moral"?

Moral is too subjective to be classified into a few so-called "nilai-nilai murni". It can be impractical and illogical at times. I have a few sample SPM questions to prove my point. I can provide them when requested.

Whereas, Civic Consciousness is useful in real life. For example, my father used to tell me that those days, teachers used to inform children not to stand in front of the same bus they came down from, while waiting to cross the road.

Why? Is it immoral to do that? No, that's rubbish. They should not do that because:

a) Due to the height of the bus, the driver may not be able to see you (a children) which may result in an accident when the vehicle moves forward.

b) It is not good to endanger your life for doing something like that , just to save time. You can always walk to the back of the bus instead of the front. However, this model is not standard. The children are taught to behave according to situation. If the driver has stopped the bus (shut down the engine), then it is okay to stand in front of the bus.

c) If everyone were to stand in front of the bus, the bus would not be able to move away from the spot. It will cause a massive traffic jam. This is not an utilitarian approach, just because you save your time, everybody has to waste time waiting for you to complete your foolish selfish action.

Now, you wonder why KL has traffic jam? Now, why is it that British people drive better than us? Now, why is it that the British pedestrians are more well-behaved?

4) Our education is made with propaganda. Serious events such as May 13 and Operasi Lalang 1987 are not properly healthily discussed. Due to this, the generation would have a big misunderstanding on the chain of events. Sweeping events like these under the carpet will make the "racial" situation worse. Even when its not swept under the carpet, such events will be "made"/written to function as a political agenda. Not forgetting, we have something called "Akujanji", highly critical in a a negative way, not because of the good thinking it fosters, but because of its bad implication towards creating a "closed-mind" evironment.

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There you are.. These are only the 4 basic points. Bear in mind, each and every component described can be tied back to "Critical Thinking".

There are more of course. Most of the other problems are symptoms and not the real cause,

You see, the root of this is Mentality @ Thinking. If our education system can be changed to encourage free and critical thinking, the other "symptoms" can be eliminated as well.

Pouring huge amounts of money in Budget 2008 towards education will not solve the problem. Likewise with waving keris and shouting around.

Money, Supremacy and ISA do not make One Straight Minds become Brilliant. Sadly, this is the point that Pak Lah's government fail to see. Maybe those that we are supposed to depend on are the biggest One Straight Minds of all. I have not seen any constructively intelligent blueprint for education development in Malaysia.

Mengapa "Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan" Masih Wujud?

Blogger "Another Brick in the Wall" telas menulis artikel di Malaysia Today: Around The Blogs berkenaan pengekalan penggunaan Bahasa Mandarin dan sekolah Cina.

Katanya:
" Perhimpunan Agung MCA Kebangsaan ke 44 baru-baru ini mengemukakan 12 resolusi yang mana separuh darinya melibatkan isu pendidikkan. Salah satu dari isu-isu itu menuntut pengajaran matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik di Sekolah Cina dalam bahasa Mandarin. Dari sebelum Merdeka, sekolah Cina adalah modal politik yang tidak habis-habis dijaja oleh kesemua parti politik Cina - MCA, Gerakan dan DAP. Niat tuntutan ini jelas untuk mengekalkan identiti Sekolah Cina tetapi implikasi tuntutan ini melebihi itu. "

Blogger tersebut turut membangkitkan isu penggunaan Bahasa Mandarin dalam konteks perniagaan dan diskriminasi terhadap orang Melayu sebagai kesannya. Disoal juga mengapa Sekolah Cina patut dikekalkan walaupun ia adalah "legasi kaum pendatang" sedangkan kaum Cina patut berintegrasi dengan masyarakat Malaysia umumnya.

Penulisan ini juga boleh dibaca di halaman blogger tersebut. Tajuknya Disebalik Tuntutan Bahasa Mandarin Pemuda MCA

Merujuk kepada artikel di atas, penulis ini (Sagaladoola) telah membuat analisis dan inilah hasilnya:
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MENGAPA "JENIS KEBANGSAAN" MASIH WUJUD? : ANALISIS

Sememangnya ada sedikit kebenaran dalam pandangan "Another Brick in the Wall". Namun begitu, harus juga diberi perhatian kepada beberapa ciri-ciri kegagalan kerajaan untuk menyeragamkan sistem pendidikan di Malaysia.
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ANALISIS 1: DASAR YANG BAIK MUNGKIN MENJADI DASAR TIDAK BAIK

1) Sememangnya idea Sekolah Wawasan yang diketengahkan adalah bagus.

Namun disebabkan kecurigaan dari segi pandangan kaum bukan-Melayu kerana tindakan sesetengah pemimpin di parti politik Utama Malaysia, tidak dapat dilaksanakan.

Kebanyakan kaum bukan-Melayu kini berasa tidak yakin terhadap tindakan kerajaan. Ini adalah kerana banyak laungan berdasarkan arus perkauman seperti "Ketuanan Melayu" diikuti dengan penggunaan keris dan kata-kata "bermandikan darah".

Menteri yang menggunakan keris bersertakan lolongan ialah Menteri Pendidikan sekarang !

Dakwaan ini bukannya tidak berasas. Sesetengah pemimpin Melayu suka menggunakan isu perkauman atau mengeluarkan buku 13 Mei dalam mesyuarat untuk menaikkan nama mereka dalam arena politik. Tindakan ini seakan-akan sudah menjadi satu budaya yang tidak sihat, namun masih diteruskan.

Saudara "Another Brick in the Wall", fikirkanlah kalau anda dilahirkan orang Cina diletakkan dalam keadaan tersebut, adakah anda masih ada keyakinan terhadap kepimipinan sebegitu. Adakah anda yakin untuk menutup sekolah jenis kebangsaan dan memberi kuasa pentadbiran kepada pemimpin sebegini?

2) Orang Cina khuatir, jikalau mereka membenarkan dasar pendidikan mereka dikawal oleh orang sedemikian, mereka takut kemungkinan didiskriminasikan dari segi permakahan dan sebagainya. Ini bukannya tidak berasas, tetapi kalau dilihat secara teliti, kebanyakan polisi yang diimplementasi mempunyai dasar-dasar yang tidak sama rata.

Seperti contoh, DEB yang pada mulanya baik dan disokong oleh kaum bukan-Melayu, dipusing-pusingkan sehingga ia menjadi alat yang menyusahkan.

Mangsa yang paling ketara adalah kaum bukan-Melayu kerana duit untuk menjana DEB datang dari titik peluh mereka. Majoriti duit cukai pendapatan datang dari kaum bukan-Melayu. Dengan berbanyak-banyak "bail-out", mereka sudah hilang keyakinan.

Fikirkanlah apa reaksi mereka kalau diberitahu pengurusan yang sama akan membuat polisi untuk Sekolah Wawasan?

ANALISIS 2: PENGURUSAN YANG LEMAH

3) Lihatlah keadaan Sekolah Kebangsaan kini. Kualiti turun mendadak sejak pengenalan KBSR / KBSM. Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan hanya mengalami masalah dari segi penguasaaan Bahasa Inggeris dan Bahasa Melayu.

Ada sesetengah pihak yang suka membandingkan kualiti sekolah kebangsaan Malaysia dengan sekolah di benua Afrika.

Semua orang tahu bahawa kebanyakan negara Afrika adalah mundur.

Pendidikan membentuk masa hadapan anak-anak. Adakah anda akan berasa yakin meletakkan masa depan anak-anak anda kepada pengurusan sebegitu?
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ANALISIS 3: BIRO TATANEGARA

4) Terdapat unsur-unsur negatif yang diterapkan dalam isikandungan pendidikan. Ini menambah kepada dasar tidak yakin kaum bukan-Melayu terhadap menyerahkan seratus-peratus pengendalian pendidikan kepada kerajaan.

Link 1: Biro Tatanegara Spread Racist Teaching (Biro Tatanegara sebarkan ajaran negatif perkauman)
Link 2: Biro Tatanegara sebarkan ajaran, pemikiran yang melampau?
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Ini adalah antara sebab utama mengapa kaum bukan-Melayu ingin meneruskan sistem pendidikan jenis kebangsaan. Penulis merasakan pendirian ini tidak akan bertukar sehinggalah politik pemerintahan berteraskan laungan politik perkauman dimansuh atau dihapuskan.

Sila jangan lihat penulisan ini sebagai satu sindiran. Sekiranya, keadaan di atas boleh diperbaiki, maka, keyakinan kaum bukan-Melayu akan bertambah untuk merealisasikan Sekolah Wawasan.

Namun begitu, penulis ini bersetuju bahawa kriteria "Mandarin is required" (Bahasa Mandarin diperlukan) untuk kemasukan ke syarikat swasta tidak sepatutnya berlaku. Bahasa Kebangsaan Malaysia ialah Bahasa Melayu. Orang Cina sepatutnya menghormati pendirian ini sebagaimana termaktub dalak konteks "kontrak sosial".

Orang Melayu pula patut melupuskan kriteria "Bumiputras only can apply" (Pekerjaan untuk bumiputra sahaja) terutamanya di syarikat GLC dan sektor kerajaan.
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Adalah tidak adil jika dikatakan Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan dikatakan mengajar perkara yang tidak baik untuk perpaduan negara. Seorang penulis berbangsa Melayu berpendidikan Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) mengutus surat kepada Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com) bersubjekkan "Terima kasih, sekolah Cina!". Penulis bernama Ngo Yian Jee pula dalam surat yang lain menyatakan yang berikut:

" Jika dikaji dari silabus mata pelajaran SRJK(C), boleh didapati bahawa unsur-unsur perpaduan awal-awal lagi telah ditekankan dalam semua aspek dari segi permahaman, saling menghormati antara kaum hinggalah ke seni budaya dan adat-istiadat pelbagai kaum.

Pengajaran Bahasa Malaysia sebagai bahasa rasmi negara juga diberi pernekanan yang secukupnya supaya semua pelajar akan faham, fasih, malah menghayati kecantikan Bahasa Malaysia.

Tengok, bukankah sebagai seorang warga negara yang berbangsa Cina, saya, boleh menulis dalam Bahasa Malaysia dengan begitu lancar sekali? Walaupun tidak sebaik mana, tetapi sekurang-kurangnya boleh menyampaikan segala yang ingin disampaikan.

Jika khuatir, pergilah tanya mana-mana murid sekolah SRJK(C), manakah tanahairmu? Jawabnya pasti Malaysia. Siapakah Bapa Kemerdekaan negara? Jawabnya pasti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tiada seorang pun murid SRJK(C) yang tidak tahu nyanyi lagu ‘Negaraku’ kerana seperti di sekolah kebangsaan, ‘Negaraku’ dinyanyikan setiap kali perhimpunan diadakan. "