TwoSen

IT is sad that police roadblocks caused massive traffic jams which in turn caused inordinate delays leading to late or non-arrival of candidates at the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) examination centre for the Civil Procedure paper on July 14.

It is little consolation for students to hear CLP director Muniandy Kannyappan say that “a candidate who passed the four other papers would be given a conditional pass, i.e. a pass on condition he passes the Civil Procedure paper because he was caught in a traffic jam due to the roadblocks”.

We must bear in mind the enormous psychological stress that a candidate underwent when he or she made a mad rush to get to the centre on time that day.

For instance, it was reported that “a female student who was caught in the jam jumped out of her friend’s car, stopped a motorcyclist and begged him to take her to the examination centre where she proceeded to take the exam at 9.25am”.

Given such harrowing ordeals, how does the CLP director expect the candidates to have performed at their best?

It could have come to pass that the candidates who missed the paper (Civil Procedure) might have passed it but for the roadblocks.

Therefore, in all fairness, a candidate who missed or arrived late for Civil Procedure but passes three out of the other four papers should be allowed a conditional pass, i.e. a pass on condition he/she passes Civil Procedure and the other referred paper, given the extraordinary circumstances due to the police roadblocks.

DR A. SOORIAN, Seremban

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS to badminton legend Ng Boon Bee on being conferred the Darjah Datuk’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar (DPTJ) award which carries the title “Datuk” (”Datukship for 40 on Negri ruler’s birthday” — NST, July 19).

Ng partnered Datuk Punch Gunalan to win the All-England men’s doubles title in 1971.

He also won the same title, partnering Tan Yee Khan, in 1965 and 1966.

Punch Gunalan was conferred a datukship many years ago and after all these years, Boon Bee is also being recognised. Better late than never.

MOHD FAIZAL ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

WHILE travelling by KTM Komuter from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur last week, I was pleasantly surprised when a young lad gave up his seat for me. Usually, this does not happen. I have to stand while the young people just sit.

Then, at the Mid Valley Megamall stop, I saw two kids making way for an elderly lady and a mother with a child.

I thank them for their courtesy. Kudos to their parents who have taught them to care for the elderly.

BULBIR SINGH, Seremban

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

I WOULD like to voice my frustration regarding the attitude of the headmaster of a secondary school in Ipoh who has been denying Indian students their rights for years.

Year in and year out, he has refused to apply for an additional day off for Deepavali (Monday, Oct 27) although there are more than 500 Indian students in the school.

The headmaster does not seem to think that Indian students need to celebrate the festival with their loved ones.

All my friends and relatives want their children’s school to take an extra day off.

My child has to return on Deepavali night from hundreds of kilometres away to attend school the next day.

The headmaster has planned the exams conveniently the day before and after Deepavali so that Indian students will be forced to attend school.

My child told me on Tuesday that his school is only replacing two Saturdays for Hari Raya Puasa and nothing was mentioned about Deepavali.

I was informed by my friends from neighbouring schools that the government has given the green light for schools to take two extra days off after Deepavali, on Oct 28 and Oct 29.

I do hope the authorities concerned will look into this matter immediately.

MANIKAM DEVADAS, Ipoh

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

THERE is a directive from the Federal Government that all state governments should buy and use the Proton Perdana V6 as the official car to support the national car industry.

So, deviating from such a directive is a show of non-compliance and open defiance of Federal Government policy.

Not only has Terengganu chosen the Mercedes Benz car as the preferred official car for the state, the Penang government also placed a sizeable order for these cars before the March 8 elections.

Perhaps there are orders also for Mercedes Benz cars from other state governments that the rakyat has no idea about.

The Terengganu menteri besar has given the excuse that Proton cars often break down and are more costly to service or repair.

This statement may jeopardise future sales of the Proton Perdana V6 and other models in the range.

On the contrary, it is common knowledge that it is rather expensive to service and repair a Mercedes Benz, even if it breaks down rarely.

RM3.4 million is a lot of money, particularly in Terengganu where there are many people living in poverty.

And where did they get the money to buy these Mercedes vehicles?

It must be taxpayers’ money. Yes, though it did not come from oil royalty, it is still wasteful spending of taxpayers’ money.

They could have put the money to better use for the benefit of a lot more people than just their executive councillors and senior government officers.

LAU BING, Subang Jaya

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

MOST Malaysians today are musically illiterate and have been so for a long time. This is no exaggeration.

Increasing commercialism has affected significantly music education and music-making.

Music is taught no differently today than decades ago as is the commercial musical output — both recorded as well as performed.

Music education in schools, for instance, does not cater to a holistic understanding and appreciation of the universal mix of music available.

The levels of musical knowledge or even the performance capability acquired in public schools and higher institutions of learning have to be improved.

Private instruction in music still employs outmoded and drill-oriented experiences that tend to keep alive music traditions of alien cultures instead of bringing out the best in the student.

Thus, the bulk of Malay-sians today remain ignorant of the true potential that music can bring into one’s life.

Try asking any Malaysian to sing the national anthem correctly. In public gatherings, most people opt to merely mime the words while the choir or CD playback covers this lack of public singing.

In the commercial arena, music is not doing that well either. It has steadily declined in quality and quantity.

Try asking any recording company in Malaysia. Music activity in the commercial world is most often targeted at a musically illiterate crowd which literally looks at the performer rather than his/ her musical ability.

Reality shows are regularly churned out for a musically ignorant audience.

Words like “talent search” and “academy” are thrown in to fool audiences and make a lot of money.

Most of the time, the critics or jury in such “talent” shows have exhibited very little knowledge of vocal pedagogy or stagecraft themselves.

Limited words such as “pitching” and “feel” are repeatedly used in their comments that clearly indicate this shallow knowledge.

Indonesian singer Hetty Koes Endang was a guest critic in one such show lately.

She really showed what a true critic should be like and was in a class of her own.

Even the station concerned was not prepared for her comments. Our Anita Sarawak is one who can match this Indonesian diva and should be roped in as often as possible to share her talent and experience.

JOHAMI ABDULLAH, Malaysian Association for Music Education

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

THE database of senior citizens in need of jobs suggested by M. Ganeshadeva (”Jobs for retirees: Don’t let them be a burden” — NST, July 22) is a good idea.

Since retirement, I have started a small business, doing training and language-related work. I find it difficult to recruit and retain young people as they are more interested in working for big companies.

Such a database, as suggested by Ganeshadeva, would benefit not only retirees seeking to spend their time gainfully after retirement but also those in need of support in their attempt to start a business.

R.H. , Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

THE Consumers Association of Penang refers to the report “Towing, car repairs to cost more from today” (NST, July 1) by the president of the Federation of Workshop Owners Association of Malaysia which stated that towing charges are to be increased by between 25 and 50 per cent with immediate effect.

According to the association, new towing charges for the first 20km would be RM100 during the day and RM150 at night, with every subsequent kilometre to cost RM1 by day and RM2 at night.

The move by the association to increase towing charges by up to 50 per cent, and to do so in such a manner, is exploitation of innocent road users.

It is unclear whether prior study, consultation with relevant authorities and feedback from the public were taken into account before towing charges were increased.

We feel that before the association decides to increase towing charges, it should first ensure that the services provided by tow truck operators are satisfactory and efficient.

Probes by CAP since 2001 have revealed that tow truck operators are rough and they often insist that damaged or stalled vehicles can only be repaired at selected workshops and not at a workshop of the vehicle owner’s choice.

There have also been cases where workshop owners tow away vehicles following an accident without the approval of vehicle owners, an offence under Section 51(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

This section states that vehicle owners have full rights to determine which workshops they want their vehicles to be towed to for repairs.

Workshop owners also remove registration number plates without first consulting vehicle owners. Section 14(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 states that “the registration number assigned to a motor vehicle on the registration thereof, or a new registration number assigned under Section 11 shall, unless otherwise provided, be displayed and illuminated on such motor vehicle in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made”.

Therefore, workshop owners, with or without the consent of vehicle owners, have no right to remove registration number plates from vehicles, as by law registration number plates have to be displayed.

CAP calls on the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to look into this issue as consumers could easily be exploited and denied their right to fair services.

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS, Consumers’ Association of Penang

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

CONGRATULATIONS to Datuk Nicol David and Datuk Ng Boon Bee on being bestowed awards by the Penang and Negri Sembilan heads of state for their contributions to the nation in sports.

Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a “Million Ringgit” carrot for athletes competing in the forthcoming Olympics and world-class tournaments.

But what about the officiating officials at these levels? There are a handful of officials who are picked by international sports federations to officiate at these prestigious events.

I have been selected to officiate in the Olympic and world sports meetings.

Beijing will be my third Olympics, after Sydney and Athens. I have also officiated at four World Cups since 1998.

We, the unsung officials, are always ignored.

We are not asking much. Perhaps the government could also introduce a similar scheme — maybe with a lower amount or a pension scheme — so that it can take care of our loved ones when we retire.

The DPM should seek the assistance of local sports associations to identify and vet the list of officials appointed to the various world-class sports.

The Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and the Olympic Council Of Malaysia could assist in this.

A.S.Ipoh

Source: NST – July 24, 2008

I AM really concerned by the reckless way some of our motorcyclists are riding their machines nowadays.

Worse still, many of these motorcyclists are youngsters who may not even possess a valid licence and have no inkling of the dangers they pose to themselves and other road users.

Recently, while I was driving along the Seremban-KL Highway, a group of motorcyclists weaved past me and other cars at high speed.

They were not riding their motorcycles in a proper manner but were performing “superman” stunts on their bikes.

With the constant heavy traffic on the highway, I shudder to think of what could have happened had one of these riders fallen off his machine or the car driver in front of him suddenly applied the brakes in panic.

I believe this open defiance of traffic regulations is due to the lack of enforcement by traffic police.

Police should get tough on these lawbreakers before they kill themselves and others with them.

MICHAEL NG, Seremban

Source: NST – July 24, 2008