TwoSen

WE refer to the complaint by Kenny Goh of Cheras, Selangor, on delays encountered while posting letters (”A hassle over letters” — NST, Feb 5).

The post office’s operations involve four active counters and are equipped with the queue management system with two buttons: “A” for payment of bills and “B” for multiple services. All four counters provide multiple services, including accepting postage for parcels, PosLaju and PosDaftar as well as sale of stamps.

The post office at Batu 9, Cheras, is undergoing major changes and renovations which are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

After the renovations, more counters will be added.

Goh and other customers would be pleased to know that the renovations are part of Pos Malaysia Bhd’s goal of becoming a customer-centric organisation.

We have taken Goh’s comments into consideration and after the renovations, we will add a counter for customers to buy stamps and handle the postage of parcels, PosLaju and PosDaftar.

Customers are welcome to contact our customer service centre through PosLine at 1-300-300-300 from 8.30am to 9.30pm, Mondays to Saturdays (except on the first Saturday of the month) to give suggestions or comments.

DATIN ROHAIZA HASHIM for Pos Malaysia

Source: NST – February 11, 2008

I READ with great interest the Football Association of Ma-laysia’s plan to recruit former Liverpool player Ian Rush to train our players.

FAM is also sending national coach B. Sathianathan for a three-week stint with Manchester United where he will shadow its assistant manager, Carlos Quieroz.

I am not convinced that this approach will raise the standard of Malaysian football.

I am a Manchester United fan but I am not sure that the English Premier League is the best in the world. It is perhaps more widely exposed and commercially packaged.

Manchester United is successful because it is a rich club that can buy good players.

All it and other clubs in Europe do is scout around for talented players to make up their teams.

I am sure this aspect cannot be followed by FAM. Even the English national squad finds it difficult to find players to represent the country.

The best option for us is to look at the African Nations Cup 2008. These so-called poor countries produce top players, such as Didier Drogba of the Ivory Coast.

It would make more sense to study how Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Egypt produce fantastic squads with less money than we spend on the sport. We should learn how Ghana produced Junior Ago-go, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, Egypt its Mohamed Zidan and Cameroon its Stephane Mbia.

How about sending FAM deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin and Sathianathan to Ghana for a three-month stint and develop a plan to revive Malaysian football?

M.Z.A., Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – February 11, 2008

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently announced that a pilot project to reduce social ills and crime would be launch-ed in 10 areas in the Klang Valley.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, which is responsible for the project, will identify those areas.

The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation views the proposed pilot project as a good move.

The past years have seen numerous social issues like the drug menace, juvenile delinquency and crime, child abuse, vandalism, littering and moral degradation.

They are an indication of declining values which, if not addressed, will jeopardise our aspiration to make Mal-aysia a developed nation.

Wherever modernisation and economic development take place and result in better standards of living, new problems crop up.

We not only have to cope with social problems and economic challenges but other issues such as racial integration, unity and nation building.

What is disturbing is that hardly a day passes without reports of crimes and social ills. They have prompted many to ask what is happening in society.

The easy way out is to regard them as aberrations and hope that this madness will fade away and life returns to normal.

But the reality is that crimes continue to be committed by the socially deviant and young people.

We have to examine the causes of these criminal acts and find the answers to these problems.

The government, non-governmental organisations and the community need to embark on a massive “Values for the Nation” programme to promote human values in our society.

We must not be a society of selfishness and greed, madly pursuing material wealth. We have to build communities that have a caring spirit, moral awareness and spiritual enlightenment.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE Vice-chairman Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation

Source: NST – February 11, 2008

DEPUTY Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Kiat has reminded students to be active in extracurricular activities to gain entry into local institutions of higher learning.

Although these activities reflect only 10 per cent of the overall score, it could make a difference in the selection of students for admission (”Being active in school may pay off” — NST, Feb 4).

All of us know these extracurricular activities will nurture and discipline students and that it is during these activities that students learn about leadership, teamwork and problem-solving.

But does anyone know how our schools are handling these activities?

Each student has to take part in one uniformed body, one club and one sport.

But how frequently do students get to participate and what is the time allocation given for each activity?

What are the schools and Education Ministry doing for the many dynamic and enthusiastic children?

The schools have their extracurricular activities on Saturdays.

Minus the many holidays, each student gets to participate in extracurricular activities 10 to 14 times a year.

How do you shape and educate students if they can take part in these activities only 10 times per year?

What is happening in primary schools is even worse.

A primary school in Shah Alam recently started its first extracurricular activity (Tuesday 4pm to 5.30pm) for a uniformed body.

The rest of the extracurricular activities will be on following weeks.

By the time they have another meeting for this group, I think these children will have forgotten what happened in their previous lesson.

Can anyone from the ministry advise what criteria the schools are using for the extracurricular activities?

Millions of ringgit have been allocated to the ministry to empower primary and secondary schools.

I wish the education minister would help our youngsters by involving them more in extracurricular activities.

M.S., Shah Alam

Source: NST – February 11, 2008

EVERYTHING points to another re-election of the Barisan to form the Government. I hope this will not lead to my fellow Malaysians not being bothered to take an in-terest in the election process. There are still a lot of reasons to ensure that the elections go on.

Whatever the eventual outcome, what is more important is that we practice a form of political system that allows us to vote for the people we want to represent us and to form the Government.

This we must cherish and ensure that it is continued. One sure way to see to it that this system is not abused and eventually taken away is for all Malaysians to register to vote when they come of age and to exercise the right to vote when the time comes.

Secondly, it is important that we exercise this right to vote wisely.

Malaysians, like those in democratic countries all over the world, face a dilemma of deciding whether we should vote for the party or for the individual candidate.

Very often we have heard the well-quoted statement that a particular party can nominate a buffoon who will get elected because the candidate contests on that particular party’s ticket! How true this is when we see how some members of our parliament from the government and opposition sides behave and speak!

The voting population of a nation with more than 50 years of election experience must be able to discern whether it should vote for a party even if the candidate is a buffoon! If we continue to blindly support incompetent candidates form a party we are only allowing ourselves to be ridiculed and insulted.

All political parties must note that the performance of their candidates in Parliament is open to scrutiny.

Thirdly, urban voters tend to feel that they are the keepers of democracy when they cast their votes to ensure a certain number of opposition members get elected to Parliament so that they can “make some noise.”

True, without them, how can this country claim to be among those in the world practising democracy?

I have a special word for my fellow constituents in Ipoh. Ipoh used to be the opposition strong hold when the Peoples Progressive Party was in the opposition.

The DAP had a chance in the last four years to represent the people of Ipoh through Mr Lim Kit Siang and Mr Kulasegaran and I am sure we feel that very little has been done for us in Ipoh.

Maybe, it is time we give a chance to the MCA to prove to us that they can do more for us.

Just take a look at the stagnation we face in the last four years and you can see why I appeal to my fellow constituents to vote for a change.

Being apolitical, I merely want to see that our country is stable and progressing at a reasonable rate.

When I vote in this coming election, I will not vote as a party member of any party but for the person who will represent me reasonably well in Parliament, bringing up issues that will benefit me and my fellow constituents and eventually my nation.

I will vote for someone who can influence my government to do something good for my laid back city of Ipoh and bring us some development and not merely for a name that excites and a person who is great to watch on TV when Parliament is in session.

Do not merely listen to the rhetoric of seasoned politicians during the campaigning, but look at the track records of individuals and parties. Vote wisely.

VICTOR CHEW,
Ipoh, Perak.

Source: The Star – February 10, 2008

THE Deputy Prime Minister announced two days ago that a pilot project to reduce social ills and crime would be launched in 10 selected areas in the Klang Valley.

The Women Family and Community Development Ministry, which is responsible for the project, will identify the areas involved before implementation.

The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) views the proposed pilot project as a good move to address the nation’s social issues and find ways to overcome them.

The past years have seen numerous social issues like the drug menace, juvenile delinquency and crime, child abuse, vandalism, littering and moral degradation.

They are an indication of declining values that, if not addressed truthfully, will jeopardise our aspiration to make Malaysia a fully developed nation.

Wherever modernisation and economic development take place and result in better standards of living, new problems crop up. We not only have to cope with social problems and economic challenges but other issues of tremendous concern to racial integration, unity and nation building.

What is disturbing is hardly a day passes without reports of crime and social ills.

It has prompted many to ask what is happening in our society. The easy way out is to regard them as mere aberrations and hope that given time this madness will go off and life return to normal.

But the reality is crime continues to be committed by the socially deviant and even by young people. We have to examine the causes of these criminal acts and find the answers to these problems.

The Government, non-governmental organisations and the entire community need to embark on a massive “Values for the Nation” programme to promote human values in our society.

We must not be a society of selfishness and greed, madly pursuing material wealth. We have to build communities imbued with a caring spirit, moral awareness and spiritual enlightenment.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,
Vice-Chairman,
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation.

Source: The Star – February 10, 2008

Recently, I boarded a taxi at Taman Jaya LRT Station in Petaling Jaya to get home.

It is a 10-minute ride and I am very courteous and friendly with taxi drivers, as I know they would have had a bad day fighting through traffic. And I was my usual self with this driver.

I gave him directions to my home but he was rather quiet and did not want to speak. As we approached the road to my home I told him it was another right turn but he stopped suddenly and asked me to get off as he claimed it was difficult to reverse which is not the case.

I asked him again to go near my house as it was a really hot day and he refused. Anyway I took out the fare and gave it to him but he rudely threw back the money saying he did not want it!

What do we actually do about such taxi drivers? Do we report them to relevant authorities with the hope they will take some kind of action? Or do we just remain quiet so that this cabbie can do the same thing again to another lady?

SHASHI NETTO
Petaling Jaya.

Source: The Star – February 10, 2008

ROAD campaigns, Ops Sikap, CCTV cameras and lower speed limits are efforts taken by the Government to ensure a lower number of accident and fatalities on the road during the festive season.

The recent Slim River bus crash that claimed the lives of Mohd Zailini Mustafa, Lee Nian Ning and Pang Poon Eng has made me wonder if any of the efforts will get the desired results.

Often, drivers are blamed for accidents but I think the Government should be responsible, too.

I remember on one of my journeys back home to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur, the bus driver was speeding, talking and messaging on his mobile phone. I caught him not using his hands free set but later in the journey he used it.

Thank God we reached our destination safely.

I hope the relevant authorities will look into matters concerning reckless drivers very seriously.

CHEN PELF YEEN,
Malacca.

Source: The Star – February 10, 2008

I REFER to the letter “Pupil punched for not finishing homework,” (The Star, Feb 7). I would like to share my views as a fellow victim who suffered the same abuse 36 years ago and continues to suffer from its effects.

I can personally attest that the damage done by any form of physical abuse by a teacher or any perpetrator is not just physical but also emotional and psychological.

That a defenceless 10-year-old boy was attacked in such a manner described as punched, caned excessively and slapped resulting in him falling ill is inexcusable even if the teacher’s motive is doing it “for his own good.”

I recall vividly how as a timid 10-year-old I failed to do my maths homework because I did not know how and my father came home too late to help.

I cowered fearfully as the teacher went round the class to check.

All of a sudden he shouted at me, grabbed my hair, pulled me across the class while toppling chairs and tables, all the time screaming four-letter words at me and slapped me repeatedly in front of the class.

I was in a daze and remember standing alone in a state of shock, face red and looking desperately for help from my classmates, but all I could see was fear in their eyes.

As a result of the physical, verbal and emotional abuse, I failed all my maths test because each time I was faced with the subject my mind shut down.

The education system solution to my predicament was more caning that only serve to exacerbate my problem.

I suffered depression and shame for months after the abuse.

I would often look down from the fourth floor of my classroom balcony wrestling with the desire to jump.

Why am I recounting all this? Because I want teachers to understand that they have the power to build or destroy the lives of students entrusted in their care.

I also want parents to understand that the physical scars will heal quickly but not the emotional and psychological scars that can be embedded for a lifetime.

There are now therapies that can easily heal emotional pain but I was ignorant of these options.

I continue to suffer flashbacks and unwanted emotional triggers as an adult but did not know or understand why until I suffered anxiety attacks and turned to therapy which has largely helped me identify and overcome the problem.

I am now actively helping to bring awareness and healing to others and pray that this letter will make a difference in the lives of traumatised children and adults who continue to live in emotional pain.

The magnitude of this problem can be seen in the Malaysian Psychiatric Association’s newsletter which says that anxiety disorder is very common.

A rough estimate of 25% to 30% of the population may be affected by it.

For panic disorder, the estimate is up to 5%, with women outnumbering men by two to three times.

They most commonly develop in early adulthood, with a mean age of presentation of about 25 years old, but the disorder can develop at any age.

They have been reported in children and adolescents and are probably being under-reported in this age group.

Most of them also suffer from depression as a result of severe symptoms and continuing fear and apprehension.

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM FIGHTER,
Petaling Jaya.

Source: The Star – February 9, 2008

I AM a Malaysian professional based overseas who is back home for the Chinese New Year holidays.

On Thursday, I decided to take my nephew and niece, both aged 13, to watch Meet the Spartans.

The queue was horrendous and it was more than 45 minutes before I reached the ticket counter.

Here I was told that as the movie was rated 18PL, both my nephew and niece were not able to see it.

I put my foot down and complained that I had queued for almost an hour and insisted that the kids were with their legal guardian. I demanded that three tickets be issued and would not take no for an answer.

The person at the main counter relented but warned that I would be stopped at the check-in counter and if my nephew and niece were not allowed in, there would be no refund on the tickets.

True enough I was stopped at the check-in counter and told that the kids would not be allowed in. I complained and argued that they were with their legal guardian. They explained that the movie is a little violent and contained foul language.

Knowing the Censorship Board, I explained that it does not make a difference as the board would have butchered the film.

To be fair, they explained that these were the rules set by Finas. They said cameras were installed in the cinemas and if kids below 18 were caught inside, the management could face a penalty.

I was fighting a losing battle and decided to give up. The management was kind enough the refund me the value of the tickets.

I have not seen the movie but the trailer seems harmless enough and the movie poster made it seem like a wholesome family-oriented movie.

It is no secret that the Censorship Board has been and still is the laughing stock of pretty much the entire media industry in the developed world for reasons best left unsaid. That is besides the point here.

Fair enough that an under-aged child should not be allowed to view movies rated above 18 if he patronises cinemas unsupervised.

My question is: If a legal guardian accompanies a child should not the opinion of the legal guardian supersede that of the Censorship Board? Should I not have the right to decide for my child if a movie is appropriate for his viewing despite the Censorship Board’s classification?

I shudder to think that the board has the moral authority to overrule me in the upbringing of the kids under my care.

GANENDRA INPARAJAH,
Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Star – February 9, 2008