Current issues, feedback & complaints on public services in Malaysia
I REFER to the letter “State exact number of parents” from Lokkmann Mohd (July 19) on surveys conducted in schools with regard to the teaching of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI), whereby it was reported that more than 95% of parents want to maintain PPSMI. The writer said the surveys were flawed as at one of the schools no more than 50 parents participated.
In the school to which my child goes, 94% of the parents who participated voted to con-tinue with PPSMI. The process of the survey is similar to the democratic process that is being practised in Malaysia. All parents of students from Forms One to Six were given survey forms by the Parent-Teacher Association. The forms were to be dropped into a ballot box provided and the votes counted at an extra-ordinary meeting called by the association.
All parents were given an equal opportunity to vote whether they wanted to retain PPSMI or not. There are of course parents who chose not to participate – I presume that these parents would abide by the decision of the majority. If one were to compare this with Malaysia’s democratic process in a general election, not all eligible voters register and not all registered voters vote, but still, the person elected by those who voted should be accepted as the elected representative of the people in that constituency.
Therefore, as a parent who participated in the process of voting to retain PPSMI, the figures of more than 95% reported by the Parents Action Group for Education is a fair representation of the views of parents involved and should not be doubted.
Lee Cheng Pohz
Penang
Source: The Sun – August 2, 2010
Reduce plastic use in hospitals
2 Aug 2010 The SunI RECENTLY had a dressing done and suddenly realised what a lot of plastic is being used in hospitals. There was a change of a thin plastic sheet over the bed, etc., and to think how many pieces are used a day in different departments.
Source: The Sun – August 2, 2010
FDI figures disputed
27 Jul 2010 The Sun
THE World Investment Report 2010 issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) reported a significant plunge in Malaysia’s FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in 2009.
The report has given Pakatan Rakyat leaders and supporters a much needed opportunity to deflect public attention away from the problems plaguing states under the Pakatan rule. DAP’s “economic adviser” Tony Pua has issued statements to buttress his charge that investors had totally lost confidence in Malaysia.
His statements betray a lack of understanding of the issue. I am not sure how Unctad arrived at the FDI figure of US$1.38 billion but Mida (Malaysian Industrial Development Authority) had months ago published in its website that Malaysia procured FDI worth US$6.48 billion last year. Sabah and Sarawak alone had attracted more than US$1.38 billion each last year.
Based on the figure of US$6.48 billion, Malaysia has done well compared to its regional peers. The numbers seem to indicate that foreign investors’ confidence in Malaysia had sky-rocketed. I had been travelling to Europe, Asia and the US in the last few months for business purposes and had the opportunity to speak to business leaders and investors. Almost everyone seemed to agree that Malaysia has made significant progress economically and politically. This is a sea change in perception compared to my trip in 2008 when the investors’ sentiments were mostly bearish.
The second point that Pua had pointed out was on the outflow of FDI. Malaysian firms have grown in recent years to be regional and even global players and champions. They have been investing and acquiring companies overseas. As such there is an outflow of FDI.
I agree with Pua that a drop in FDI shows a loss of confidence in the government. I am sure Pua would concur with me that the 80% drop in FDI for Penang is a testament that the investors have no confidence in the state’s leadership or its policies.
Calvin Sankaran
Bukit Mertajam
Source: The Sun – July 27, 2010
Penans deserve better
23 Jul 2010 The Sun
Source: The Sun – July 23, 2010
Health Ministry is better placed
23 Jul 2010 The Sun
Source: The Sun – July 23, 2010
To blog or not to blog
21 Jul 2010 The Sun
Source: The Sun – July 21, 2010
Are teachers ready to think out of the box?
20 Jul 2010 The Sun
UNDENIABLY
Source: The Sun – July 20, 2010
Put census card in proper place
20 Jul 2010 The Sun
I BELIEVE
Source: The Sun – July 20, 2010
Concrete step in wildlife protection
20 Jul 2010 The Sun
THE
Source: The Sun – July 20, 2010
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