TwoSen

I REFER to the contrasting views expressed by Dr Chandra Muzaffar of Penang (”Too sweeping a comparison” — NST, Nov 11) and John Chang (”Obama’s triumph: Seek what can bring us together” — NST, Nov 12) on the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States and what it means to Malaysia and Ma-laysians.

Chandra’s analysis showed a firm understanding of US politics as well as the more complex Malaysian ethnic, religious and socio-economic fabric.

In my opinion, Chandra is one of the few academics and socio-economic commentators who transcend ethnic and religious boundaries and speak boldly on inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations.

Unfortunately, many Malaysians, despite having the good intention of seeing improved race relations, fail to realise the complexities or the sacrifices that are required to achieve that objective in a multiracial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society like Malaysia’s.

It is only to be expected that those who are still trapped in a communalistic mindset would have difficulties in accepting frank opinions expressed by the likes of Chandra.

While I don’t disagree that Obama’s win has some good lessons for us to ponder, I concur with Chandra that it is too simplistic and sweeping to compare the US situation with the Malaysian context, which is made of a more complex and delicate palette.

It does reflect positively on the American people that they have made their choice for their next president by being blind to race and colour.

However, this result must be also viewed in the perspective that the main difference between a white and a black American is merely the colour of their skin as they do share a common religion, language and culture.

Yet it has taken the Americans more than 200 years to elect a black president despite having one of the most meritocratic and democratic societies in the world.

It’s worth noting that even Singapore, the poster boy among some Malaysians of a utopian society built on meritocracy, feels it is not ready to accept a prime minister from a minority group.

This despite the efforts of the Singaporean government to de-emphasise the ethnic, cultural and religious identities of the minority groups and to form a national identity based on the Confucian ethos coupled with Western ideals.

On the other hand, Thailand had no qualms about having a member of minority group (Thaksin Shinawatra, an ethnic Chinese) as its prime minister.

Even more significant than Obama’s victory were the successes of Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Benazir Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher, Sheikh Hasina Wajed and other women who had overcome far higher odds, prejudices, disadvantaged backgrounds and other challenges to become the prime ministers of their countries.

It also must be noted that Obama triumphed because he had consistently promoted a message of “change” which found resonance and acceptance among white and non-white Americans.

Had Obama run a campaign that emphasised his racial roots and more assertive racial rights, it is unlikely that he would have even been considered for the candidature of the Democratic Party.

What the above examples show us is that it is not unprecedented in the history of the world for a member of a minority group to rise to the top political position.

However, such an ascension requires assimilation into the majority group in terms of culture, religion, language and policies.

The path is much harder for a member of a minority community which prefers integration to assimilation, due to the very nature of the democratic process, irrespective of meritocracy.

CALVIN SANKARAN, Bukit Mertajam

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

I was disheartened to note that Malaysia has again come under the spotlight for the ill-treatment of animals.

The alleged cruel act of dog catchers in the Subang Jaya Municipal Council has caught the attention of an international animal welfare organisation from half-way around the globe (”Animal welfare: A blemish on Malaysia’s image” — NST, Nov 18).

I condemn the inhumane conduct of the dog catchers for treating the stray dog in such a manner, if it was true.

But who comes to the rescue of strays? What are our animal associations doing about it? Or are they not interested in strays?

There are organisations such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Malaysian Kennel Association, PAWS and the Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation.

Sad to say, most of these organisations seem to concentrate on pedigrees only.

When a dog is badly treated and the story is highlighted, everybody is quick with his criticism on how cruelly these animals have been treated.

But what about solutions? Has any organisation bothered to offer solutions or attempted to work with municipalities to solve the problem of stray dogs?

Stray dogs can be found around eateries, markets, stalls and neighbourhoods looking for food.

Many become carriers of disease.

Of course, they are also not pretty to look at and, hence, do not get the attention their pedigree counterparts enjoy.

My suggestion is that organisations that care for dogs — besides having competitions for the best groomed, smartest, cutest, biggest and smallest dogs — should also do their part in working with the authorities to make sure there are no strays.

Then there will be no reason for dog catchers to be employed by municipal councils.

BATHMAVATHI KRISHNAN, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

DO not neglect sports in school, as sports foster a sense of community. Sports transcend race and religion. Sports also keep students away from unhealthy activities.

In a study done in 15 urban schools in the country, it was found that 67 per cent of schoolchildren do not take sports seriously.

The reasons cited were laziness, the perception that there were no benefits from exercise and sports and the lack of facilities in schools.

Those who came from affluent families were more cognisant of the importance of sports such as golf, tennis, gymnastics, swimming and martial arts but prefer to take up sports outside their school.

At the same time, 38 per cent of these schoolchildren admitted to having had disciplinary problems.

A good lifestyle for children can be attributed to sports. Besides growing up healthy, they learn to value punctuality.

Preaching to children about these wholesome values alone is insufficient.

Children should engage in the practical aspect of these tenets.

They have to be induced to do it right from young and one of the best ways of nurturing these values is engaging them in sports.

Sportsmen value time. Time decides their performance and will also determine their achievements. They perform within a time limit or perform to beat time to achieve their best.

Even if children do not excel in their studies, sports can build their self-confidence.

Many sportsmen earn a living through sports.

Sports have also made them more tolerant of each other irrespective of race or religion.

The spirit of unity can be seen in sports throughout the world and, in the process of excelling in sports, people have grown to be more understanding, mature and committed to themselves and the community.

Studies have shown that besides physical health, sports can help improve one’s mental health through discipline.

Sportsmen can control their emotions better after going through physical training.

This helps them accept defeat in life, control their anger and think more rationally.

Students’ deviant behaviour can be restrained by encouraging them to engage in sports.

This effect among children has been seen in many schools where the principals have promoted sports.

Children have changed for the better and this has made school life much more congenial for students.

Self-discipline is formed through habit.

Therefore, engaging students in sports should start when they are young.

Schools should, therefore, make sports a routine, besides encouraging students to take up other activities that help their mental development, emotional strength and the nurturing of self-discipline and self-confidence.

DR M.A. NAIR, Bandar Muadzam Shah

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

THE uproar over the renaming of Jalan Silibin must be solved at once.

My family moved into Lorong Silibin in 1965. Silibin holds many memories for me, and I believe many thousands more cherish this place and its growth.

I do not wish to see the road renamed. While we acknowledge the contribution of P. Patto to Ipoh, from my experience of living in Silibin for more than 25 years, I believe he did not play much of a role in the development of Silibin. He was mostly seen in the Sungai Pari and Buntong areas.

CHELVAM RENGASAMY, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

I AM annoyed with the Perak government’s attitude over what is an unpopular move on its part (”More against renaming of Jalan Silibin in Ipoh” — NST, Nov 17).

What part of’ “no” do they not understand?

This renaming exercise (replacing Jalan Silibin with Jalan Patto) is wrong.

And there is no point in seeking more views and comments from the public.

What a further waste of money. Money that could be spent on the growing rubbish problem and the dengue menace, for a start.

And what if there is another resounding “no” to change of name?

Will the state government finally accept the public’s decision then?

Or will we be subjected to another round of views and comments, till it gets the answer it wants?

Our road names are not to be held to ransom.

Apart from the obvious cost and inconvenience involved, we do not wish to start an unhealthy precedent, whereby a new administration commences to stamp its identity and mark on all things that we hold dear.

By all means, honour the politician, but keep your hands off our landmarks.

MARIAM MOKHTAR, Ipoh

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

IN respect of the bid to rename Jalan Silibin as Jalan Patto, state executive councillor M. Kulasegeran (also MP for Ipoh Barat) must bear in mind that the DAP was vociferous in condemning the same practice by the previous Barisan Nasional government.

It was not many years ago that the Ipoh City Council had to reverse its decision to rename Jalan Foo Chong Kong as Jalan Tabung Haji because of public protest.

On that occasion at least the government took heed of the public’s feelings and left the old name intact.

For the present authorities to say that they will go ahead with renaming the road despite a public outcry is arrogant in the very least and smacks of double standards.

I have no problem with naming a road after Patto. He deserves to be honoured.

But if one has to name a road after someone, why not name a new road after that person? There are new roads being built every day.

This way, the public will not have to bear the inconvenience and expense of a name change, and the history of the existing roads will not be lost.

Ipoh has lost most of its links with the past because some of its main thoroughfares have been renamed — Brewster Road, Hugh Low Street, Thompson Road, etc.

In Taiping, the public is told what the renamed road was formerly known as.

It is time that guidelines were set for naming roads so that those in power know how to go about it. One guideline which we should all keep to is to not rename roads or, if it has to be done, do what they do in Taiping.

Politicians must not think that naming roads is their sole prerogative which cannot be challenged.

The Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak has sold itself as a “listening” government. It is time they started listening to the public.

YIN EE KIONG, Penang

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

I HAVE seen police patrolling in my housing area in the early morning hours with the beacons on top of their patrol cars switched on. Is this the standard operating procedure? Wouldn’t the beacon lights act as a warning signal to thieves preparing to break into a house or a car that police are in the vicinity, thus giving them sufficient time to hide or escape?

Perhaps the police have their own reasons, but I still think the beacons should not be switched on while they make their rounds in residential areas. Could the powers that be in the police force enlighten me on this matter?

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

THERE we go again! Another sector of the civil service will be getting higher pay based on experience and qualification.

The health minister acknowledges that Malaysia cannot continue to have cheap labour any longer and that the Health Ministry is working on improving the overall salary of nurses.

While I am not against rewarding nurses, I am concerned that another group of government servants is being treated like second-class civil servants.

I am concerned about how teachers are being side-tracked in respect of promotions and emoluments.

Teachers also form part of the critical service industry.

The Education Ministry and Public Service Department should take note that there are many graduate teachers with more than 20 years of service and most are stuck at scale DG44 or DG48. Why are these teachers not given due recognition?

What is most demoralising is that quite a significant number of these teachers have obtained their master’s degrees and even doctorates, but they are not rewarded like other civil servants.

They are not promoted or upgraded to a better scheme even with all the extra qualifications.

Before anyone accuses me of sour grapes, let me state here that I only have a basic degree and I did not attempt to further my studies because I did not see any benefit from obtaining the extra qualification.

The only satisfaction would be self-satisfaction, but I bet my last sen that those teachers who sought to improve on their degrees were hoping that they would be rewarded one day. Looking at things now, I do not see this happening in the near future.

Senior teachers who upgraded themselves from diploma to degree level have been denied perks and benefits in the past two years. The National Union of the Teaching Profession has only been paying lip service to the welfare of these teachers. Teachers of my batch and earlier are affected. It is heart-wrenching to see juniors getting better perks when we were the ones who were there first.

How do you expect teachers from my era and earlier to respect those who got promoted for being at the right place at the right time?

I, for one, will never look up to teachers or education officers who are in senior positions but who are less experienced and much younger. Give the seniors a break.

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

IN the days of yore, before the advent of electronic mail and mobile phones, the postman was one of the most loved and respected persons whose appearance with his mail-bag was always awaited and welcomed with joy.

Today, everything has changed. Not only have the smiles evaporated into thin air, but the service is non-existent despite the fact that postal services have been privatised as Pos Malaysia Bhd.

I wonder if residents in other parts of Malaysia have also experienced what I have gone through in recent years, or is my postal area an exception to the rule?

Where I live, the postman, on many occasions, could not be bothered to ring the door bell. Or if he did, he wouldn’t wait a few minutes more for occupants to appear to sign and receive registered items.

He would quickly drop a card in your mailbox and then it’s up to you to make the trip to the post office and collect your items within a specified time or they “will be returned to sender”.

I have tolerated such behaviour for some time, but the limit of my patience was reached when a postcard was left in the most tidak apa manner last Thursday.

Usually, the card would carry a stamped mark to tell you where to go and collect your registered item.

This card had no such mark, and I am left to fathom where I should try first: the post office in Spectrum, Ampang, or the parcel office in Taman Maluri?

Pos Malaysia should impress upon its delivery staff that they are paid through the charges levied on these parcels or the stamps on the letters.

They should make at least one more attempt the following day to deliver registered mail if the first attempt fails.

When all efforts fail, then and only then write out the card, but do it with care and professionalism.

SIT HIN KIN, Ampang, Selangor

Source: NST – November 20, 2008

I AM glad to read that petrol and diesel prices have been reduced again by 15 sen per litre. A big thank you to the government. It has kept its promise on this issue.

But will this reduction bring about a fall in prices of goods and services? It should.

Why are our traders and merchants so stubborn? Do they want the government to come down hard on them first? Or for consumers to boycott their goods?

I am thankful, too, that some hypermarkets have reduced their prices. But more is expected and I think they can do it.

I read on Tuesday that the price of flour has dropped but the price of white bread hasn’t come down. Are consumers being cheated? If so, can the ministry concerned act speedily? I see that the government is doing what it can but some businesses are not responding accordingly.

BULBIR SINGH, Seremban

Source: NST – November 20, 2008