PETALING JAYA: Scrap the policy of teaching Science and Mathe-matics in English and bring back Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction in the education system, said Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also called for the return of Bahasa Melayu’s status as the supreme language, which includes using it as the medium to teach Science and Maths in national schools and also strengthening its usage in Chinese and Tamil schools.
“This issue has become a controversy for far too long.
“We consider this policy a betrayal of Bahasa Melayu as our official language,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Anwar, however, conceded that it was important to master English and agreed that there should be constructive steps taken to improve the usage and understanding of the language.
“But how we do it should be decided by educationists and with consideration towards the national education policy.
“This includes not forcing our children to pass English as a compulsory subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) as this will result in many students, especially in rural areas, to fail,” added Anwar.
On another matter, Anwar questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s sincerity when announcing the government’s plan to introduce a new category of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships which would be based purely on merit.
“The last time when I suggested the plan, I was called a Chinese agent and a traitor to the Malays,” he said.
Anwar also lauded PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s proposal to have a debate with Najib.
He said an open debate would be the best way to clear up the accusations against the Kelantan Mentri Besar.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Najib’s crooning our tune now, crows Anwar
PKR leader Anwar and his wife Dr Wan Azizah addressing reporters at a PKR press conference today. – Picture by Choo Choy MayPETALING JAYA, June 28 – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today questioned the sincerity of the prime minister in announcing a new merit-based scholarship programme obviously aimed at winning back Chinese voter support from Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
“Last time, when I said it, I was called a Chinese agent. Now that Najib has said it what are you going to call him? Is he now a Chinese agent and traitor to the Malays?” said Anwar sarcastically when asked today about the new scholarships to be based purely on merit.
The Opposition Leader has been frequently labelled a “traitor” and “Chinese agent” by Umno leaders since he launched PR’s reform agenda.
Anwar’s PR has successfully used its Ketuanan Rakyat, or supremacy of the people, slogan to differentiate itself from Umno’s Ketuanan Melayu, or supremacy of the Malays, rallying cry which has caused concern even among non-Malay Barisan Nasional (BN) parties.
But Najib, in a speech to Chinese political and community leaders last night, pledged to set up a new “National Scholarship” based entirely on merit, and also indicated his administration’s willingness to eventually drop the racial quotas in more sectors of the economy.
The prime minister’s remarks suggest a concerted effort is finally being made to hijack PR’s more multi-racial platform.
Najib’s pledges on reform seem to also suggest that he believes he can control the potential backlash from Malays while wanting to convince the non-Malays that, even if they have misgivings about Umno and BN, they should have faith in him.
Anwar appeared to acknowledge the threat from Najib today, and claimed the prime minister had only partially adopted the opposition’s agenda but failed to emphasise on protection for the poor.
“When we proposed something, it has to help people regardless of race but at the same time we will protect the poor, that is our approach,” he added.
-- MalaysianInsider
Srcap teaching of Science, Maths in English
PETALING JAYA: Scrap the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English and bring back Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction in the education system, said Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He urged for the return of Bahasa Melayu’s status as the supreme language, which included using it as the medium to teach Maths and Science in national schools and strengthening its usage in Chinese and Tamil schools.
“This issue has become a controversy for far too long. We consider this policy a betrayal towards Bahasa Melayu as our official language,” hetold a press conference Sunday.
He, however, conceded to the importance of mastering English and agreed that there should be constructive steps taken to improve the usage and understanding of the language.
“But how we do it should be decided by educationists and with consideration towards the national education policy. This includes not forcing our children to pass English as a compulsory subject in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia as this will result in many students, especially in rural areas to fail,” he said.
On another matter, Anwar questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s sincerity when announcing the Government’s plan to introduce a new category of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships based purely on merit.
“Last time, when I suggested it, I was called a Chinese agent and a traitor to Malays,” he said.
Anwar also lauded PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s proposal to have a debate with Najib.
He said an open debate would be the best way to clear up the accusations that were thrown towards the Tok Guru.
He urged for the return of Bahasa Melayu’s status as the supreme language, which included using it as the medium to teach Maths and Science in national schools and strengthening its usage in Chinese and Tamil schools.
“This issue has become a controversy for far too long. We consider this policy a betrayal towards Bahasa Melayu as our official language,” hetold a press conference Sunday.
He, however, conceded to the importance of mastering English and agreed that there should be constructive steps taken to improve the usage and understanding of the language.
“But how we do it should be decided by educationists and with consideration towards the national education policy. This includes not forcing our children to pass English as a compulsory subject in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia as this will result in many students, especially in rural areas to fail,” he said.
On another matter, Anwar questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s sincerity when announcing the Government’s plan to introduce a new category of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships based purely on merit.
“Last time, when I suggested it, I was called a Chinese agent and a traitor to Malays,” he said.
Anwar also lauded PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s proposal to have a debate with Najib.
He said an open debate would be the best way to clear up the accusations that were thrown towards the Tok Guru.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
NATO , Russia Expected to Resume Military Ties
CORFU, Greece (AP) – NATO and Russia are set to resume military ties Saturday and agree to cooperate on Afghanistan, counterterrorism and anti-piracy patrols at their first high-level meeting since last year's war between Russia and Georgia, Western officials said.
Relations between the alliance and the Russian military were frozen in the aftermath of the five-day war last August. Although political ties have thawed considerably over the past five months, there have been no formal military contacts since then.
"I've come in an optimistic mood," NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said ahead of a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his counterparts from NATO's 28 member nations on the Greek island of Corfu.
"I expect (the meeting) will be the restart of our relationship, that we can see where we can more intensively work together, not shying away from the differences of opinion that we have," the NATO leader said.
The talks are being held in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, a panel set up in 2002 to improve ties between the former Cold War rivals.
The meeting comes as President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev prepare to hold a summit next week, and is likely to reflect the trend toward improved relations.
"What we would like to see is cooperation in areas where we have clearly identified interests," said a senior U.S. official who spoke on usual condition of anonymity. "We hope today's meeting is the beginning of the process of reviving military-to-military cooperation."
Despite last year's disruption of ties with NATO, Russia has continued cooperating with individual NATO nations such as the U.S., France or Germany by allowing them to use Russia's rail network to resupply international forces in Afghanistan, and its navy has worked with NATO warships on their joint anti-piracy patrols.
Officials said participants are expected to give a go-ahead Saturday for formal military ties to be restarted with meetings of defense ministers and military chiefs of staff.
NATO commanders are particularly interested in Russia's cooperation on the transshipments of military supplies to the rapidly expanding U.S.-led force in Afghanistan. The normal supply route to landlocked Afghanistan via Pakistan has come under repeated Taliban attack, and the generals are keen to have an alternate overland supply route available through Russia and the Central Asian countries.
Saturday's meeting coincides with preparations for Afghanistan's presidential elections Aug. 20, seen as a key indication of whether the U.S. and NATO are succeeding in their efforts to stabilize the nation. NATO also wants Russia to provide more assistance to the war effort, including helping the government army with arms and airlift.
The U.S. official said that in addition to Afghanistan, other areas of military-to-military cooperation range from anti-piracy patrols off Somalia and counterterrorism activities, to missile defense and other issues.
Lavrov is expected to brief the NATO ministers on Medvedev's proposal for a new European security structure, including a stability treaty encompassing Europe and North America.
Contentious issues such as Georgia and a key European arms-control treaty will also be discussed, but none is seen as an obstacle to improving relations.
"We expect a vigorous discussion on areas where we disagree," the U.S. official said. "But at the same time we would like to see agreement on how to move forward on a range of issues."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was expected to meet with Lavrov in Corfu, was forced to cancel those plans after she fell and broke her elbow at the State Department. Deputy Secretary of States James Steinberg will replace her.
The NATO-Russia meeting will be followed Sunday by a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose rotating chairmanship Greece currently holds.
The OSCE talks, which start Saturday night with a dinner, will be followed Sunday afternoon by a meeting between EU ministers to discuss Iran, the Greek Foreign Ministry has said.
Relations between the alliance and the Russian military were frozen in the aftermath of the five-day war last August. Although political ties have thawed considerably over the past five months, there have been no formal military contacts since then.
"I've come in an optimistic mood," NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said ahead of a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his counterparts from NATO's 28 member nations on the Greek island of Corfu.
"I expect (the meeting) will be the restart of our relationship, that we can see where we can more intensively work together, not shying away from the differences of opinion that we have," the NATO leader said.
The talks are being held in the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, a panel set up in 2002 to improve ties between the former Cold War rivals.
The meeting comes as President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev prepare to hold a summit next week, and is likely to reflect the trend toward improved relations.
"What we would like to see is cooperation in areas where we have clearly identified interests," said a senior U.S. official who spoke on usual condition of anonymity. "We hope today's meeting is the beginning of the process of reviving military-to-military cooperation."
Despite last year's disruption of ties with NATO, Russia has continued cooperating with individual NATO nations such as the U.S., France or Germany by allowing them to use Russia's rail network to resupply international forces in Afghanistan, and its navy has worked with NATO warships on their joint anti-piracy patrols.
Officials said participants are expected to give a go-ahead Saturday for formal military ties to be restarted with meetings of defense ministers and military chiefs of staff.
NATO commanders are particularly interested in Russia's cooperation on the transshipments of military supplies to the rapidly expanding U.S.-led force in Afghanistan. The normal supply route to landlocked Afghanistan via Pakistan has come under repeated Taliban attack, and the generals are keen to have an alternate overland supply route available through Russia and the Central Asian countries.
Saturday's meeting coincides with preparations for Afghanistan's presidential elections Aug. 20, seen as a key indication of whether the U.S. and NATO are succeeding in their efforts to stabilize the nation. NATO also wants Russia to provide more assistance to the war effort, including helping the government army with arms and airlift.
The U.S. official said that in addition to Afghanistan, other areas of military-to-military cooperation range from anti-piracy patrols off Somalia and counterterrorism activities, to missile defense and other issues.
Lavrov is expected to brief the NATO ministers on Medvedev's proposal for a new European security structure, including a stability treaty encompassing Europe and North America.
Contentious issues such as Georgia and a key European arms-control treaty will also be discussed, but none is seen as an obstacle to improving relations.
"We expect a vigorous discussion on areas where we disagree," the U.S. official said. "But at the same time we would like to see agreement on how to move forward on a range of issues."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was expected to meet with Lavrov in Corfu, was forced to cancel those plans after she fell and broke her elbow at the State Department. Deputy Secretary of States James Steinberg will replace her.
The NATO-Russia meeting will be followed Sunday by a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose rotating chairmanship Greece currently holds.
The OSCE talks, which start Saturday night with a dinner, will be followed Sunday afternoon by a meeting between EU ministers to discuss Iran, the Greek Foreign Ministry has said.
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