Monday, October 02, 2017

Social engineering at its best.

This clever social engineering and skewering of history to give the ruling party a sense of importance and 'shiok sendiri" feeling goes back from the mid-70's. But from 1996 onwards the butchering of historical facts took to the schools to alter the young minds with altered views thereon.  I've been high-lighting of this rot in our education system for as long as I can remember. Don't forget who the prime minister and his side-kick was then. Now read this article produced in toto below and wonder why I've been bitching all this while. 

Malaysian history textbooks — Ranjit Singh Malhi

SEPTEMBER 30 — I refer to the letter “Do not tinker with discipline of history” by Arof Ishak which was published recently in a local English newspaper. I fully agree with him that history is an established discipline of knowledge.
History writing should be a scholarly pursuit and not politically motivated or biased to serve a narrow agenda. However, I disagree, justifiably, with Arof Ishak that “The history of Malaysia will necessarily be Malay-centric because Malays and the natives are the founding population” and that “history writing in Malaysia has always been proper – there is no untoward racial bias.”
History is a factual account of past significant events that have shaped present day society and nation; it enables us to understand how present day society and nations evolved. Hence, in explaining the origin and current state of our nation and its plural society, one cannot ignore the role played by non-Malays, particularly the Chinese and Indians, in the making of Malaysia.
For example, how can one explain the New Economic Policy without drawing reference to the economic development of Malaya under British rule? Similarly, how can one account for the rapid economic development of Malaya before independence without taking into account the security provided by the British Government and the significant contributions of the Chinese and Indian communities?
Make no mistake about it. Without British rule and the significant contributions of the Chinese and Indian communities, Malaysia would not be what it is today. The Chinese and Indian communities are an integral part of our nation’s history.
The Chinese community played a crucial role in the development of the tin mining industry and towns. Virtually all the towns in what were then the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements developed primarily due to the enterprise of the Chinese.
In the words of Margaret Shennan, “The impact of the Chinese upon Malaya was decisive. It was through them that urban life developed in much of the peninsula. Alongside their mining villages they set up shops and workshops, and from these beginnings grew the main towns of the 'protected' states.”
It was Indian labour (mainly South Indians) that was the backbone of the rubber industry and primarily responsible for opening up much of what is today Peninsular Malaysia with their sweat, blood and tears. Rubber was the chief export of Malaya for several decades beginning from 1916; in 1957, rubber constituted 59 per cent of the total exports of Malaya.
Indian labour was also primarily responsible for building the roads, railways and bridges besides constructing ports, airports and government buildings.
Our history textbooks until 1996 were “proper” (i.e. provided a generally accurate and objective account of our nation’s origins and development). The trend of "rewriting" Malaysian history (Islamic and Malay-centric biased) started in 1996 with the formation of the Jawatankuasa Penerbitan Buku Teks Sejarah Tingkatan 1 & Tingkatan 2.
Its members (more than 15 for each committee), including the writers and consulting experts of the textbooks were all Malays. The three authors of the current Form One textbook (first published in 2016) are also Malays although the consulting experts are multi-ethnic.
Our current history textbooks are glaringly biased. First, they downplay the roles of the non-Malays in the development of our nation. For example, the previous textbooks used to mention adequately the contribution of the Chinese and the Indians in the development of the tin mining and rubber industries. Now, it is given scant attention.
Another example is that the current Form Two textbook (page 153) only refers to Yap Ah Loy as “antara orang yang bertanggungjawab membangunkan Kuala Lumpur.” All historians worth their salt will admit that Yap Ah Loy was primarily responsible for transforming Kuala Lumpur from a mining village into a leading commercial and mining centre after it was largely destroyed during the Selangor Civil War (1867–1873).
Indeed, Ahmad Kamal Ariffin (a senior lecturer with the History Department of Universiti Malaya) recently commented that Yap Ah Loy’s “role in rebuilding Kuala Lumpur should be given its place in history textbooks. Yap’s name is synonymous with Kuala Lumpur because if not for his contributions, the city may not be the national capital today.”
Interestingly, our earlier Form Four history textbook (second edition) published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 1979 provides a detailed account (about three pages) of Yap Ah Loy’s role in developing Kuala Lumpur. It states, inter alia, “Tidak suatu bencana juapun yang dapat menghalangnya [Yap Ah Loy] daripada membangunkan bandar yang dibimbing dan dimajukannya semenjak tahun 1868 itu.”
Second, there is a lopsided emphasis on Islamic civilisation. Five out of 10 chapters (about 40 per cent) of the current Form Four history textbook deal with Islamic history. The earlier Form 4 history textbook had only one chapter (about 17 per cent) on Islamic history.
Third, the amount of text related to Christianity Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism in the current Form Four textbook has been reduced by more than 25 per cent as compared to the earlier textbook. Fourth, our history textbooks do not tell the whole truth. For example, why can't we state categorically that the founder of Malacca (Parameswara) was a Hindu prince from Palembang who maintained his faith until his death.
Johnson Nga (a former principal of Methodist Girls Secondary School, Malacca) sums up aptly the biasness of our history textbooks: “We lie to our students. We lie to them by omitting parts of our history; by reinventing other parts; by glamourising aspects of it at the expense of other aspects. Our youth are not given the whole picture; not told the true story.”
Similarly, Associate Professor Helen Ting concludes that the contents of successive versions of Malaysian history textbooks show “a clear trend towards incremental and excessive Malay bias” and “a drastic increase in the study of Islamic civilisational history at the expense of world history and of the relative coverage of other ancient civilizations and religions...”
We must be proud of our multi-religious and multi-cultural heritage. Our history textbooks must tell the whole truth and not glorify a particular civilization or ethnic group based upon half-truths. In this regard, I applaud Distinguished Professor Datuk Shamsul Amri who recently stated to the effect that we have downplayed the Hindu–Buddhist influence in the early history of Kedah.
Archaeological remains show that there was a Hindu–Buddhist polity in ancient Kedah with the local rulers having adopted Indian cultural and political models — a fact which is apparently not highlighted in our current textbooks.
Our earlier Form Four history textbook (second edition) published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 1979 provided a detailed and objective account of Hindu-Buddhist influence in ancient Kedah, including facts such as “Kedah menjadi satu kerajaan berpengaruh India,” “Setengah-setengahnya [orang India] berkahwin dengan keluarga diraja” and “fahaman Hindu tentang beraja tertanam di dalam sistem kerajaan tempatan.”
We should all be committed to the writing of history that is accurate, generally objective and well-balanced that can contribute towards buttressing a sense of patriotism and pride as Malaysians.
Let’s adopt an inclusive approach which promotes national unity as best exemplified by His Majesty the Sultan of Johor, and not a divisive approach (exerting superiority of one particular ethnic group and religion over others) which hampers nation building.
Take heed of Professor Santhiram’s critical remark: “How can a people develop a sense of common historical experience and a sense of belonging to the nation if they feel alienated and marginalised and no recognition is made of their participation in the life of the country?” I rest my case.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.


Read more at http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/malaysian-history-textbooks-ranjit-singh-malhi

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time...

Is it me or has anyone else noticed that there used to be many "beware of snatch-thief" signage boards located strategically around the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur which has gone missing now since the SEA Games. I cannot even find that sign board on Google image search. Why ?? Are we too shy to warn tourists  of such mishaps ? It can happen in any big city anywhere in the world, no ? Perhaps we are so accustomed to living in denial, we'll remove all "negative" signboards and invite tourists to visit us at their own peril. 

We have had our top cops claiming crime is at a low in Malaysia and that what we read on social media is mostly exaggerated or blown out of context. But when I read this latest robbery in a bank in Damansara Heights, I though this must be the coolest heist I've heard in a long time (read here ). Imagine this guy, grabs RM600,000 in cash and walks out cooly and he must be intelligent too as he knew what he was doing by placing a magnet on the vault's locking system. A quick face-job and new identity could have got him out of town or country by now. 

And further reading ( here ) takes you to another solo robbery recently  at the OUB branch in Jalan Imbi wherein a machette wielding manager robs it of RM46,000 in cash and walked out of the main entrance. But unfortunately for him, he was arrested too.  

And on the same page I read with glee about that video clip that went viral  ( here ), of a 26 year old solo mat-rempit snatching "something" (it may be a phone or a wallet, I don't know) from a tourist at the Majestic Hotel entrance being caught. Now the police have to say thank you to social media users in giving the legs-up.

Well I'll be damned.  

Friday, September 15, 2017

Being politically correct and living in denial.

We as a nation stood by and allowed corruption to flourish in the name of religion. We have been too long politically correct in hushing our comments when corrupt authorities approved anyone to operate anything from schools to eateries without any care for safety in the name of religion. While illegals walked in and out of our country, we remained silent because we have to be politically correct as to not question their presence here because corrupt officials allowed them in all in the name of religion. 

Strange the Islamic religious departments in Malaysia is hell bent on curbing and/or banning the infidels' beer festivals, Valentines day celebrations, wishing the infidel "Merry Christmas", exercising with arms resembling a cross or Chinese sundry shops having alcohol drinks in the same tray as soft drinks in fridges BUT never never ever addressing CORRUPTION. What are the holy sacraments in Islam ? Is everyone okay with what happened yesterday at this religious school ? 

Yesterday a tafiz ( these Arabic terms are flooded in our vocabulary today, again to "konpius" the simple Malay folks into believing any word in the Arab language as holy text.) got burnt and within it 21 children and 2 wardens were burnt to crumbs, each piled one on top of each other because they could not escape as there was only one door to enter and exit and the fire engulfed those escape routes. ( here)  

As sad as I am to hear such tragedy, what shocks me is when a minister comes out telling us tax-paying citizens of all races not to judge the school operators too harshly as they have suffered enough trauma and what is even more appalling is the attitude of parents of those who perished in the fire. These unfit parents are saying their child died as a martyr. 
Wtf is wrong with these parents ?? Your child died because some damn illegal and greedy person with no license to operate a school and with no safe emergency exits had their school burnt to the ground and you call that martyrdom ? He died cursing everything and everyone for sending him there in the first place and you think he died for God ?? Hello stupid, don't give excuses for being an unfit parent and start suing the school operators and everyone who allowed them to run the school illegally. That was murder and corruption of the highest order. ( read here)
Here a kafir advises Muslims on how to run a school. I have also always wished to ban or close down ALL religious schools outside of temples, churches and mosques. 
Is anyone even bothered  to hear me ??


Friday, September 08, 2017

Arul Davasagayam Arokiam - Age 54.


R.I.P.

 Arul Davasagayam Arokiam Age 54.
Born: 7-7-1963 
Died: 6-9-2017
Leaves behind wife Sandana Mary and sons Melvin, Kevin, Edwin, Elwin and daughter Angeline
A quiet and talented musician. I have searched my very large collection of photos of Arul from the days in the NPC but could not find any. That's how he was, always in the back-ground.
At the funeral in the Cheras cemetary his sons, all accomplished musicians themselves who have performed in the NPC many times and call themselves The Nobody, sang "Let it Be" and "I wanna hold your Hands" from The Beatles which was Arul's all time favorite band. I was touched. And so must be Arul.
Today we miss another good friend.
Rest in peace Arul, wherever you are. Cheers !

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Who are the Rohingyas ?

Here are the facts about Rohingya.                       







1. Rohingyas are not Burmese. They called themselves as Rohingya. There are no such people in Burmese history and census. 

2. Rohingyas are in fact Bengali who speaks Bengali dialect, dress Bengali clothes and eat Bengali food and have Bengali cultures.

3.  Rohingyas are illegal immigrants who illegally entered  Myanmar from Bangladesh.

4. The Burmese government gave citizenship to many Rohingyas, but more and more illegal immigrant Rohingyas come from Bangladesh every year.

5. When they became citizens, they are equal under the law. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender.

6. Rohingyas raped underage girls (under 13 years old), tortured and killed these little girls.

7. Rohingya bullied Rakhine people, did several arson attacks, killed hundreds of Rakhine people and burnt thousands of houses.

8. Rohingya has been trained by fundamentalist Taliban and Al Qaeda (cited from Wikileaks and other credible news).

9. Rohingya owns thousands of guns to shoot Rakhine people. (Please go to Rakhine state and research it. Dozens of Rakhine people are killed by Rohingya bullets)


Myth 1. They cannot marry and have children. Government restricts them.

Fact : Rohingya population extremely increases every year in Myanmar. The rate is higher than Myanmar population rate. How come their population increases every year?
Myth 2. They have discrimination on religion. They don't have freedom of religion.

Fact : There are many mosques built by Rohingya in Rakhine state.  If they have restriction on religion, how come hundreds mosques in Rakhine state?
Myth 3. They are so poor that they don't have anything to eat.

FACT : The truth is they just want to get free money from UNHCR or organizations. They built a lot of nice houses and mosques. They bought a lot of guns and rockets. How can they build houses and mosques? How can they buy guns?

Myth 4. Rohingya are not Bengali.

FACT: Rohingya are in fact Bengali. Please check DNA. Please listen their dialect. Please research their language.  According to the research, they are not Arab or Burmese ethic. How come they speak Bengali if they are not? Why cannot they speak Burmese if they are burmese. How can they wear like Bengali and have Bengali cultures.


Myth 5. They are tortured by Rakhine people.
Fact: There are many Rohingya in Rakhine state. Their population is more than Rakhine people population. Rohingya population increases every year and Rakhine population decreases every year. If they are tortured by Rakhine, they will run away from Rakhine state and they won’t be sticking around like a super glue.

Myth 6: Rohingyas are so peaceful. 

Fact : Rohingya raped, tortured and killed Rakhine little girls. Rohingya bullied and killed hundred of Rakhine people. They burnt thousands of houses and dozens of Buddhist temples. How come the whole Rakhine towns and villages go to Ashes?
Why are many Rakhine people killed by Rohingya?


Myth 7. Government should recognize Rohingya as citizenship.

Fact: Bengali government denied its own people. Burmese government accept them and gave them citizenship and equal rights. However, more and more Bengali Rohingya illegally enter to Myanmar every year. They are rude and aggressive. They don’t respect native Rakhine and bullied Rakhine people. Then, they pretend to be like poor and nice guys. Why did Burmese government have to accept these kind of rude hypocrite terrorists? Burmese government already gave out a lot of citizenship to these so-called Rohingya and they are equal under the law. Nevertheless, government cannot accept any more illegal immigrants since they don't do any good for Myanmar.

Myth 8 : Burmese hate Rohingya so much because they are Muslim.

Fact : There are plenty of Muslim people in Burma. Burmese people treat with respect to those people who are not rude, aggressive and murderers. Burmese people treat with respect to those Rohingya who entered Burma legally, and who are not murderers.  

Short and Sweet: 

Rohingya are Bengali who illegally entered Myanmar and killed thousands of native Rakhine people. Government gave citizenship and equal rights to thousands of Rohingya. They built hundreds of mosques and thousands of houses in Rakhine State. Their population extremely increases every year due to illegal immigrant Rohingyas.  They bullied, raped, tortured and killed native Rakhine people every year. In this case, they are systematically attacking Rakhine state and Rakhine people. They killed many Rakhine, and burnt thousands of Rakhine’s houses. They made over 30,000 Rakhine people homeless. They were trained by Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Their Purpose: 

Even though government gave citizenship and equal rights to many immigrant Rohingyas, their desires cannot be fulfilled. They want to make Rakhine state to become their state. They want to claim that they are native people. They allied with Taliban as well as Al Qaeda, and they want to kick Rakhine people out of Rakhine state. They want to govern Rakhine state as their own state.