I have lots of thoughts and rants about Merdeka and Malaysia… but I don’t really know how to express it. Perhaps I should just be thankful that I am living in an independent country thanks to the effort of our former government leaders 50+ years ago.
Happy 50th Merdeka anniversary.
The Malaysia International Fireworks Competition (MIFC) has surpassed my expectation. I went there last Wednesday with Kuanchong for the Australian show, which was decent. I am quite amazed with the number of crowds though, I didn’t expect so many people turning up for the show on a weekday.
Here are some MIFC fireworks’ photos and links from various bloggers and netizens…
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has revealed his “National Higher Education Strategic Plan Beyond 2020″ on Monday (August 27). His main 3 points are…
1. With immediate effect, greater autonomy for universities the chance to upgrade the institutions and source for funds for projects.
2. Introduction of Apex University - to be identified from the existing 23 public universities - would even be allowed to recruit their own faculty and students. Only the best students will be admitted into the apex universities.
3. Audit assessment committees, comprising experts, will be established to evaluate and rate academic achievements in higher institutions of learning.
Political commentator and author Kim Quek (real name Yong Thye Chong) has joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), expressing hope that “truth and goodness will eventually triumph over deceit and evil.” [Malaysiakini]
Kim Quek is the author of “Where to, Malaysia? – A Future with Anwar’s Reformasi or Back to Mahathirism?” He has been active in political writings since 1998 after Anwar Ibrahim’s saga and his articles are often featured at Malaysiakini and foreign media like Asia Times and Asia Sentinel etc.
I don’t like socio-political writers that object to government policies just for the sake of objecting. Although Kim Quek’s writing is mostly against the Malaysia government, he usually backs his criticism with good points and reasoning… I often find his articles a very good read.
I don’t think Kim Quek would provide a great impact to PKR campaign at the following election. On the other hand, I don’t wish to see his writings becoming overly biased after joining a political party.
Ministry of Human Resources will set a new rule to prohibit the requirement for Mandarin speakers in job vacancies in order to increase employment opportunities for Malays and Indians, said deputy minister Abdul Rahman Bakar. [Utusan]
Honestly, how often do we see jobs requirement that requires Mandarin speaking ability? You are not likely to find more than 10% of the job vacancies on Star or NST that has the requirement… so what is the big fuss about?
Besides, the Malay papers and the minister should think it in broader way… why do people want to hire Mandarin speakers? Most of the time it’s about profit, profit and profit!!!
I have read a recent report that Indonesian workers have surpassed the Indians as the 3rd largest ethnic group in Malaysia. I can’t remember the exact figure; if I remember correctly there are more than 2 millions legal Indonesian workers in Malaysia at the moment.
Do we really need so many foreign labour in Malaysia?
The government and private sector always claim that we are hiring foreign workers because nobody is willing to do those jobs; their claims is not 100% true.
We were probably short of labour forces when the economic was booming in late 80s; we had to find resources from oversea especially in the construction field. The construction companies then realized that they can get cheaper labour from foreign countries, and thus not willing to hire local workers with higher price.
Berita Harian is reporting about Namewee having another song that is insulting Malays. The article titled ‘Lagi lagu Meng Chee hina Melayu’ is referring to Namewee’s earlier song “Kawanku” for having insulting sentiment.
Out of the ~ 4 minute video, this is probably the only controversial excerpt from the song…
Cakap lagi la Cina balik China, kalau semua balik sini bukan Malaysia, saya takut mana kamu pergi cari kerja.. tapi biasalah orang Melayu pun tak suka kerja… semua masuk hutan hidung macam sakai.
Think whatever you like about the phrase, I don’t want to talk about it.
What irritates me is how Berita Harian is trying to raise racial tension among Malaysians. They are doing their best to raise anger from Malays against a fellow Malaysian, a Chinese unfortunately.
As mentioned in my earlier post about Namewee’s saga… I strongly felt that the local press is doing more damage to racial harmony than Namewee himself by publishing irresponsible news articles.
The editors of Berita Harian should be mature enough to know that the article would raise uneasiness to the society, and they still chose to do so. Aren’t these people supposed to be charged under seditious act instead?
Don’t even try to tell me that it’s press freedom or that it’s their responsibility to publish the facts. Namewee’s Negarakuku video is based on facts as well, but it is improper because some facts are not meant to be published.
Facts can be seditious as well… if Namewee is to be charged with seditious act, the Berita Harian editors shouldn’t receive any punishment less than Namewee. As far as I am concerned, Berita Harian is doing much more damage then Namewee’s videos did.
Malaysia International Fireworks Competition (MIFC) 2007 will be held from August 18 to September 2 (not daily, schedule below) at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
It sounds like a fun event… I am quite surprise that the organizer didn’t try harder to promote the show; perhaps they are focusing on foreign visitors instead. After all, the ticket isn’t cheap (RM38.50- RM181.50).
I don’t think I will want to buy the tickets; but I believe we can see the fireworks from distance… so I will be going to Putrajaya for one of the show. The schedule of the show according to MIFC’s website…
August 18 - Team Malaysia (Opening Ceremony)
August 19 - Team Global
August 22 - Team Australia
August 24 - Team Global
August 25 - Team Italy
August 30 - Team Japan
August 31 - Team Global
September 1 - Team Global
September 2 - Global/Pyrofest Canada (Grand Finale)
Update August 19 - seems like MIFC is doing better than I thought. Bernama reported that 100,000 people were in Putrajaya to see the show.
