TwoSen

GOODBYE, Lucky and Flo, the two Labrador Retrievers that were a big help to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry in sniffing out pirated discs during raids conducted by the ministry.

And hello, Paddy and Manny, the two new Labrador Retrievers whose owner hopes will be just as good, if not better, than their predecessors in putting the pirates out of business for good (”Paddy and Manny have large paw prints to follow” - NST, Jan 9).

Paddy and Manny will arrive here on Feb 19 and will be attached to the ministry’s K-9 unit permanently, unlike their predecessors.

Since they will be the ministry’s asset, how about giving them Malaysian names?

The ministry could organise a contest to ask the public or its own staff to come out with suitable Malaysian names for the two canines.

MOHD FAIZAL ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

ON Jan 5 at 3pm, four out of the six ticket machines at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre RapidKL station were out of order. There were long lines at the two working machines and the ticket counter. What puzzles me is why RapidKL allows this to happen every weekend without fail.

Even on weekdays, the ticket machines are down. Why wait until four machines are down before calling the technician?

When it is crowded, one machine down is bad enough, let alone four. This is an unacceptable situation.

I understand that the trouble starts when the machines are full. It is therefore even more important for station employees to monitor the machines regularly to ensure that the machines are cleared quickly. All ticket machines need to be in proper working condition at all times.

I have called RapidKL’s customer service centre to suggest that they station technicians at the KLCC, KL Sentral and other busy stations permanently to clear the machines, especially during weekends, but obviously this is not happening.

This is the only way to ensure that the machines are cleared quickly, instead of waiting for technicians to arrive.

It is not fair to make passengers stand in long lines every week, either because the employees have not been monitoring the machines or they are waiting for the technicians.

The ticket machines are not user-friendly at all. Even when working, they reject either notes or coins.

It is common to see the notes not accepted message on the machines. Then when we use coins, the machines reject them.

One has to move to another machine and queue again to buy a ticket. I have seen confused locals and tourists struggling to use the machines because it only accepts one note.

RapidKL is taking too long to upgrade the ticket machines to accept multiple notes and issue multiple tickets. RapidKL should make the KLCC station a priority during the upgrade.

KLCC is frequented by local and foreign tourists. When machines break down and they have to wait in long lines, it gives a bad impression especially during Visit Malaysia Year.

I urge the RapidKL management to visit the KLCC and KL Sentral stations during weekends to see and fully understand the challenges that we face every week.

The problems have gone on for way too long.

We the passengers deserve better. No more apologies, excuses, promises and no point in asking passengers to give suggestions and file reports if nothing is done.

A.K., Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

THE commentary by K.P. Waran raises a valid point on the name of Batang Berjuntai (”What was wrong with my hometown’s old name? - NST, Jan 7).

If we keep on changing place names according to our whims and fancies, we will, in fact, soon be eliminating the bits and pieces of history attached to these places, towns, etc.

After a generation or two, this history will be wiped out from the community’s memory.

The names of places such as Batang Berjuntai are not names plucked out of the air.

There is always a history, folklore or myth behind them.

For instance, the name Muar came about as this town is situated at the estuary of Muar River, which is ‘muara’ in Malay.

Although the town was originally known as Bandar Maharani, the name “Muar” became accepted as time passed.

I remember there was a town called Binatang in Sarawak, but now it has been renamed Bintangor. We have lost whatever history there was behind the naming of the town as “Binatang”.

Similarly, there is a history behind the names of towns such as Anak Bukit, Parit Jawa, Ramuan Cina Besar, Tanjung Kling, Sungai Lembing, Pokok Sena, Tanjung Karang and the like.

I wonder if someone could initiate or write a book on the names of places in Malaysia.

This will be an excellent way to preserve the history of the names of places in our country.

DR S. NATHESAN, Muar

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

I READ with concern your report on how boys and girls are being placed in separate classes at SMK Seremban Jaya (”School’s segregation policy criticised - NST, Jan 10).

I am glad Negri Sembilan education director Abdullah Mohammad has directed the school to stop its gender segregation policy with immediate effect.

But what will happen to those who were directly involved in formulating such a policy? I am sure they will be let off the hook with a warning.

This is another reminder that there are many “little Napoleans” in schools who formulate their own rules and make national schools look like religious schools.

They daringly carry out their personal agenda despite knowing well that what they are doing is against the national education policy. No disciplinary measures have been taken against these culprits.

The most they get is a warning and that doesn’t affect their chances of getting their next promotion.

It is time the Education Ministry identified these “little Napoleans” and came down hard on them. A monthly bulletin carrying news of those found guilty should be produced to send a strong message that school heads cannot defy policies set by the ministry.

ANTHONY JOSEPH, Kluang

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

I AGREE with P. Pakiras of Johor Baru (”It’s only proper to use listed terms” - NST, Jan 9) that Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the national language institute established in the 1950s, be the sole authority which should determine the correct use of terminologies in Bahasa Malaysia in the country.

Otherwise, the existence of the DBP would seem meaningless. It is proper, therefore, that ministries and government departments continue to seek advice from DBP before introducing new words or terminologies in Bahasa Ma-laysia in their respective agencies.

In this respect, two days ago I was in a pharmacy and felt a bit uneasy over the use of the term “dispensan” on the sign to mean dispense or “give out” medicine at the counter.

I wonder why the pharmacy chose to adopt the word “dispensan“, by adding “an” to the English word, when a simple Malay word such as “memberi ubat” or “mengambil ubat” (take your medicine here) would have been more appropriate and easily understood by patients waiting for their medicine.

S. RAGUNATHAN, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

I AGREE with C.H. Gallop’s views (”Caning and that healthy fear factor” - NST, Dec 21) that there is nothing wrong with instilling a little fear among children to reduce indiscipline in school.

During my secondary school days in the 1980s, erring students were subjected to a public caning before an assembly.

All of us had a healthy fear of our teachers, and we were certainly well-disciplined.

Unfortunately, public caning was abolished by the Education Ministry some years ago, so the “healthy-fear” factor has disappeared, along with respect for teachers.

I think the ministry should urgently review the situation and bring back public caning to schools.

TAN YAP LUN, Tanjung Bungah, Penang

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

WWF-MALAYSIA applauds Universiti Sains Malaysia’s decision to prohibit styrofoam and other polystyrene material in favour of biodegradable food containers at its Penang campus.

In terms of both ecology and economy, the decision initiated by vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak is in the right direction.

Styrofoam and other synthetic material do not decompose easily and they can remain in landfills for more than 1,000 years.

During that time, these waste are bound to release harmful substances, including carcinogenic compounds, into urban areas and the environment.

Since these materials are man-made compounds, animals do not have a natural faculty to sense the obvious dangers.

Animals are known to choke on or get poisoned whenever curiosity gets the better of them. Plant roots also soak up toxins from these synthetics and pass them into the human food chain.

Burning up this material will not solve the issue either, as incineration releases noxious fumes and particulates which settle on water, plant life, and the human skin and causes air pollution.

We need eco-friendly alternatives, which make sound economic sense as well. USM’s initiative shows the way.

Eco-friendly biodegradable containers made of oil palm waste provide a timely solution.

These are among the many that can be used as substitutes in our plastic world.

They are manufactured from recycled material and will make it unnecessary to siphon additional resources from the environment.

Though these biodegradable containers have yet to reach economies of scale compared to its more polluting counterparts, it is Worldwide Fund for Nature-Malaysia’s contention that the crux of pricing depends on greater environmental consciousness and practice among members of the public.

Economies of scale are only achieved through greater adoption and utilisation. Numbers do count sometimes.

It is time for our corporate leaders to take the cue from the initiative of our students.

We hope Universiti Sains Malaysia will introduce the same eco-friendly concept at its Kubang Kerian and Nibong Tebal campuses.

DIONYSIUS S.K. SHARMA, WWF-Malaysia, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

THE commentary by K.P. Waran raises a valid point on the name of Batang Berjuntai (”What was wrong with my hometown’s old name? - NST, Jan 7).

If we keep on changing place names according to our whims and fancies, we will, in fact, soon be eliminating the bits and pieces of history attached to these places, towns, etc.

After a generation or two, this history will be wiped out from the community’s memory.

The names of places such as Batang Berjuntai are not names plucked out of the air.

There is always a history, folklore or myth behind them.

For instance, the name Muar came about as this town is situated at the estuary of Muar River, which is ‘muara’ in Malay.

Although the town was originally known as Bandar Maharani, the name “Muar” became accepted as time passed.

I remember there was a town called Binatang in Sarawak, but now it has been renamed Bintangor. We have lost whatever history there was behind the naming of the town as “Binatang”.

Similarly, there is a history behind the names of towns such as Anak Bukit, Parit Jawa, Ramuan Cina Besar, Tanjung Kling, Sungai Lembing, Pokok Sena, Tanjung Karang and the like.

I wonder if someone could initiate or write a book on the names of places in Malaysia.

This will be an excellent way to preserve the history of the names of places in our country.

DR S. NATHESAN, Muar

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

I READ with concern your report on how boys and girls are being placed in separate classes at SMK Seremban Jaya (”School’s segregation policy criticised - NST, Jan 10).

I am glad Negri Sembilan education director Abdullah Mohammad has directed the school to stop its gender segregation policy with immediate effect.

But what will happen to those who were directly involved in formulating such a policy? I am sure they will be let off the hook with a warning.

This is another reminder that there are many “little Napoleans” in schools who formulate their own rules and make national schools look like religious schools.

They daringly carry out their personal agenda despite knowing well that what they are doing is against the national education policy. No disciplinary measures have been taken against these culprits.

The most they get is a warning and that doesn’t affect their chances of getting their next promotion.

It is time the Education Ministry identified these “little Napoleans” and came down hard on them. A monthly bulletin carrying news of those found guilty should be produced to send a strong message that school heads cannot defy policies set by the ministry.

ANTHONY JOSEPH, Kluang

Source: NST – January 14, 2008

I AGREE with P. Pakiras of Johor Baru (”It’s only proper to use listed terms” - NST, Jan 9) that Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, the national language institute established in the 1950s, be the sole authority which should determine the correct use of terminologies in Bahasa Malaysia in the country.

Otherwise, the existence of the DBP would seem meaningless. It is proper, therefore, that ministries and government departments continue to seek advice from DBP before introducing new words or terminologies in Bahasa Ma-laysia in their respective agencies.

In this respect, two days ago I was in a pharmacy and felt a bit uneasy over the use of the term “dispensan” on the sign to mean dispense or “give out” medicine at the counter.

I wonder why the pharmacy chose to adopt the word “dispensan“, by adding “an” to the English word, when a simple Malay word such as “memberi ubat” or “mengambil ubat” (take your medicine here) would have been more appropriate and easily understood by patients waiting for their medicine.

S. RAGUNATHAN, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – January 14, 2008