Thursday, December 11, 2008

Fixing Malaysian Education System

Of late we hear the concern for the teaching of Maths and Science, closing down of vernacular schools, and on the quality of education. The issue is access to success. The vision is to collaborate and not to compete, and to bring in cultural perspectives into teaching so that each child may learn, learn well, learn meaningfully, and be able to live a good life as good, ethical, thinking and world-wise citizens.

It is in the realm of thought, language, education system, teaching strategies, nature of human intelligence, and how these relate to the economic condition that is central to our approach to designing an equitable and just principle and practice of education. We need to teach the nation how to celebrate the beauty of all languages and draw out their peaceful and ethical dimensions and not to politicize them at the expense of the advancement of human intelligence.

The issue is the commitment to explore new dimensions in teaching using Concept mastery and Constructivist principles as foundations, and approach "Ethno-Maths and Science" meaningfully.

If we stop politicizing education, stop dumbing down our students, teachers, and schools and start giving them the time to explore the concepts, skills, and motivation to succeed in their respective fields using high standards, we'll have a great society and nation. I once wrote a piece on "education in the yellow states" as somewhat of a tribute to the shape of things to come when a new regime "that understands education" comes into power.

Japan and Korea have consistently been tops in the International Maths and Science Study. But then again, there is a difference between being at the top based on standardized score alone and being top in making the students understand the subject matter through "process and not merely product approach". Herein lies "process-based" approach to teaching. A lot of times, we trumpet "top scores" (how many As students can bag in SPM, UPSR, or in any State tests, etc.). Of course if we "teach students to the test" and have a billion-Ringgit tuition industry to support rote-memorization learning, we'll be happy to showcase the achievement of "this or that" race.

Consider how much time is wasted in class - due to teachers missing in action, absent without official leave, attending weeks-long courses without replacement, politicians visiting schools and disrupting learning, poor accountability of student attendance, poor teaching skills, poor teacher motivation, way-too-large classes, etc. All these need to be addressed and corrected - fast. We are losing a generation of the best and the brightest Malaysian of the millennial generation. We still have not talked about the issue of equity and equality in education - the issue of access to success. We still have not talked about redesigning the entire system based on the concept of "small learning communities" and "teaching to the child's multiple intelligences". A long road ahead. But you and I trust the educational experts in both ministries - Education and Higher Education - have their strategies well laid out to prepare our children for an everchanging world of post-Obamanomics Depression.

So, what will we be good at as a nation? Worse, how many children of all races are going to end up as "strangers" in society reproduced as drop-outs because they failed in schools - not because of their own doing but because the school system has perfected the art and science of failing them. This has to radically change. I repeat - radically changed, including in the realm of leadership. After 50 years, we should have had an educational system that is a model of multiculturalism, higher standards, and evolving vision of success for other nations to study. We should have been a "premier" nation and achieved the "world-class" standard we hear being trumpeted so often.

The Space Shuttle


The Space Shuttle Endeavour, on its modified 747 carrier aircraft, takes off on the first leg of its trip from Edwards Air force base in Edwards, California back to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. — AP pic

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Lookout for Business Opportunities

A business opportunity is a chance to make Money, the better the opportunity the more Money one can make. This is what business is really all about, Making Money and creating wealth.

A business opportunity could be a one off such as washing a car for a friend for a few dollars or one that offers recurring revenue; starting a carwash for many customers making many more dollars. The choice is yours.

Business opportunities are presenting themselves everyday, the secret is to recognize and act on them when this happens. Often the idea occurs but lacks a marketing plan that identifies the customer and how to make the Money.

Just like a recipe for a delicious meal, a successful business should have the following ingredients:

• A product or service that has a good market or could soon develop one
• Recession proof
• Unbeatable marketing plan
• Superior service plan
• Great profit margin
• Fun and easy to operate
• Can offer you a great lifestyle

A business opportunity could be a business that is presently in operation but doing poorly. And with your magic formula can turn it around and make it very profitable. Or you can start from scratch. It will take an investment either way, both in time and Money.

In order to be really successful and make Tons of Money you have to
Know what you are doing, believe in what you are doing and Love what you are doing.

So when opportunity knocks, be prepared to boldly open the door and walk right in. Remember you only have one chance to make a great first impression! An entrepreneur is a person who can spot a Business Opportunity and take advantage of it. When you think of an entrepreneur, you think of a successful Money Making business person. Anyone can be one if you have the ambition, drive and determination to do whatever it takes; you will succeed.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Basic Understanding The Current Financial Crisis

Anwar destroys UMNO in front of international audience

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today made a series of accusations against Umno to an international audience, citing it as the cause of racial tensions and lack of economic competitiveness.


He also joined those who believe it is possible that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi may yet stay on after the Umno party polls in March.

Speaking on a special interview with Riz Khan on satellite television station Al-Jazeera, Anwar said he did not see extremism as a serious threat in the country but blamed the Umno-led governing coalition Barisan Nasional for harming race relations in Malaysia.

"I do not seriously see it as a threat but we will be on our guard. Unfortunately, Barisan Nasional, especially Umno, keeps on harping about Islamic and Malay issues in an extreme way," the former Deputy Prime Minister said.

He also said that while he believed in affirmative action for all marginalised communities, Malaysia as a whole needed economic growth to be propelled and that the Bumiputera-affirming New Economic Policy had been abused by Umno.

"Umno has used the New Economic Policy to enrich themselves with billions going to the families of Prime Ministers but the vast majority of the poor remain marginalised," he said.

He added that under an administration led by him, an affirmative action policy based on needs for all poor people would be established.

"Malaysia is a relatively rich country and we do not need to talk about quotas," he said in reply to a question on whether Indians would enjoy quotas in the way Bumiputeras now do.

The Permatang Pauh MP added that while Malaysia's economic fundamentals were strong, the present government has not been addressing the looming economic crisis.

"The Finance Minister had denied that we are facing a massive problem... RM5 billion from the Employees Provident Fund is being given to its cronies. Singapore will retrench 500,000 workers and Malaysia has 300,000 workers there but there are no tangible measures to address this," he said.

Anwar claimed that there is turmoil now within Umno and dissatisfaction among BN component parties while Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak faces continuous allegations of being involved in the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, graft in defence contracts and abuse of power.

As such, he believes that "Abdullah has the upper hand to take the opportunity to prolong his stay" despite Najib already securing the Umno presidency uncontested for the March party polls.

By convention, the Umno president is also BN chairman and Prime Minister but constitutionally, any MP who commands the majority of Parliament shall be Prime Minister.

Anwar said, however, that he was "not sure" how likely this scenario was, given the fact that this possibility was floated by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, who he said is aligned to Najib.

He also predicted that Najib only "talks about reforms" but would continue to defend "draconian laws and cronyism."

The former Umno deputy president also said he had "no problems that I was part of the system" as he was "the reform voice" and reminded viewers that this was the reason he was "sacked, jailed and beaten up," referring to his removal from government in 1998 amid allegations of corruption and sodomy.

He said that in his time at Umno, his views were well known through his writings and that he had fought for justice, and pushed for media freedom.

"I wrote that we should not insult the Asian intelligence, as if we are not ready simply because it took the United States 200 years, so we need 200 years. We must be stupid and blatantly ignorant then," he said, in an apparent reference to Dr Mahathir's stand that Malaysians are not ready for freedom of speech.

Also on Riz Khan's show last week, Dr Mahathir had said that "the people do not understand freedom of speech and it has caused racial tension." - Malaysiakini

Monday, December 8, 2008

Erti Sebuah Pengorbanan

Bagi umat Islam kisah pengorbanan yang dilakukan oleh nabi Ibrahim as ketika peristiwa menyembelih anaknya nabi Ismail as adalah suatu bentuk ketundukan dan lambang ketaatan yang cukup tinggi dalam menjunjung titah perintah Allah swt di mana peristiwa ini mereka kaitkan dengan ibadah haji dan ibadah korban yang disambut setiap tahun. Ketaatan yang ditunjukkan oleh nabi Ibrahim as terhadap perintah Allah swt ini telah dirakam oleh Allah swt di dalam Al-Quran yang sampai ke hari ini dibaca oleh seluruh umat Islam. Firman Allah swt:

“Ya Tuhanku, anugerahkanlah kepada ku (seorang anak) yang termasuk orang-orang yang saleh. Maka Kami beri dia khabar gembira dengan seorang anak yang amat sabar. Maka tatkala anak itu sampai (pada umur sanggup) berusaha bersama-sama Ibrahim, Ibrahim berkata: “ Hai anakku sesungguhnya aku melihat didalam mimpi bahawa aku menyembelihmu. Maka fikirkanlah apa pendapatmu!’ ia menjawab “Hai bapaku kerjakanlah apa yang diperintahkan kepadamu; insya Allah kamu akan mendapatiku termasuk orang-orang yang sabar”. Tatkala keduanya telah berserah diri dan Ibrahim membaringkan anaknya atas pelipatnya, (nyatalah kesabaran keduanya). Dan Kami panggillah dia: “Hai Ibrahim, sesungguhnya kamu telah membenarkan mimpi itu, sesungguhnya demikianlah Kami memberi balasan kepada orang-orang yang berbuat baik. Sesungguhya ini benar-benar satu ujian yang nyata. Dan Kami tebus anak itu dengan seekor sembelihan yang besar. Kami abadikan untuk Ibrahim itu (pujian yang baik) di kalangan orang-orang yang datang kemudian. (iaitu) : “Kesejahteraan dilimpahkan atas Ibrahim”. Demikianlah Kami memberikan balasan kepada orang-orang yang berbuat baik. Sesungguhnya ia termasuk hamba-hamba Kami yang beriman”

Umat Islam perlu memahami bahawa setiap peristiwa dan kisah-kisah yang dipaparkan di dalam Al-Quran adalah sesuatu yang mesti diambil pengajaran darinya. Firman Allah swt:

“Sesungguhnya pada kisah-kisah mereka itu terdapat pengajaran bagi orang-orang yang mempunyai akal. Al Quran itu bukanlah cerita yang dibuat-buatkan tetapi membenarkan (kitab-kitab) yang sebelumnya dan menjelaskan segala sesuatu dan sebagai petunjuk dan rahmat bagi kaum yang beriman”

Begitulah kisah pengorbanan yang ditunjukkan oleh nabi Ibrahim as terhadap perintah Allah swt. yang menciptakan dirinya. Semoga momentum kisah korban nabi Ibrahim as dan nabi Ismail as itu akan dapat memotivasikan kita sebagai umat Islam agar terus berusaha untuk menjadi umat yang terbaik serta tunduk kepada perintah Allah swt. Satu persoalan yang perlu dilontarkan kepada diri kita sebagai umat yang diiktiraf oleh Allah swt ialah; adakah kita hari ini telah menjadi seorang hamba yang benar-benar memiliki “ciri-ciri pengorbanan” yang sama seperti pengorbanan nabi Ibrahim as. Sebagai umat nabi Muhammad saw kita perlu melihat bahawa sebenarnya kisah kehidupan Rasulullah saw itu jika dikaji dan difahami satu persatu sejak mula turunnya wahyu yang pertama – surah Al-A’laq - hinggalah tertegaknya daulah Islam di Madinah, jelas memaparkan kepada kita bahawa perjalanan hidup Rasulullah saw itu sebenarnya penuh dengan pengorbanan diri dan harta baginda saw sendiri. Untuk itu, Allah swt telah memerintahkan kepada kita agar menjadikan kehidupan Rasulullah saw sebagai suri tauladan: Firman Allah swt :

“Sesungguhnya telah ada pada (diri) Rasulullah saw itu suri tauladan yang baik bagimu ( iaitu) bagi orang yang mengharapkan (rahmat) Allah swt dan (kedatangan) hari kiamat dan dia banyak menyebut Allah swt.”

“Katakanlah: “jika kamu (benar-benar) mencintai Allah, ikutilah aku, nescaya Allah mengasihi dan mengampuni dosa-dosamu.” Allah Maha Pengampun lagi Maha Penyayang.”

“Apa yang diberikan Rasul kepadamu maka terimalah ia. Dan apa yang dilarangnya bagimu maka tinggalkanlah; dan bertakwalah kepada Allah. Sesungguhnya Allah sangat keras hukuman-Nya.”

Berdasarkan hal inilah maka umat Islam hari ini perlu menyedari bahawa di dalam diari kehidupan mereka mestilah ada konsep “pengorbanan” yang perlu dicatatkan sebagai sesuatu yang mesti diperjuangkan di dalam kehidupan ini bagi melayakkan diri mereka untuk mendapatkan ridhaNya.

PENGORBANAN DAN IDEOLOGI

Pertembungan antara hak dan batil adalah suatu sunnatullah yang tidak akan berhenti. Ini adalah kerena kedatangan Islam itu adalah untuk menghancurkan dan menghilangkan kebatilan.

“Dan katalah: “Yang benar telah dating dan yang batil telah lenyap”. Sesungguhnya yang batil itu adalah sesuatu yang pasti lenyap”

Lantaran itu, untuk melihat Islam itu dimuliakan dan dimenangkan mengatasi cara hidup yang lain di dunia ini maka umat Islam perlulah sanggup bersedia untuk “berkorban” demi Islam yang mereka yakini ini. Tetapi satu persoalan yang mungkin timbul di sini adalah: adakah umat Islam hari ini telah memiliki jiwa yang sanggup “berkorban” untuk mempejuangkan agama mereka? Sejarah kehidupan Rasulullah saw dan para sahabat generasi awal telah menunjukkan kepada kita betapa kesanggupan yang mereka lakukan untuk “berkorban” demi kerana agama yang mereka yakini telah berjaya mengangkat Islam sebagai suatu cara hidup yang menguasai dunia selama lebih kurang 1400 tahun lamanya. Inilah yang dikatakan sebagai mereka yang memahami dan menyakini Islam sebagai satu cara hidup(ideologi). Mereka sanggup “berkorban” harta hatta nyawa sekalipun demi untuk melihat ideologi yang mereka yakini akan kebenarannya itu berjaya dimenangkan mengatasi deen-deen yang lain. Oleh itu, sebagai umat yang dikatakaan sebagai umat yang terbaik, umat Islam hari ini perlulah memiliki pemikiran dan perasaan yang sanggup “berkorban” seperti yang telah ditunjukkan oleh generasi yang terdahulu itu. Lihatlah bagaimana musuh-musuh umat Islam yang diketuai oleh Amerika hari ini begitu rakus dalam menguasai dunia umat Islam serta menyebarluaskan ideologi kapitalisma keseluruh dunia Islam. Realiti di bumi Iraq, Afganistan dan yang terbaru di Acheh memberikan gambaran kepada kita akan sikap dan tindak tanduk mereka yang menyakini ideologi kapitalisma. Apa yang mereka lakukan? Amerika Syarikat sanggup “mengorbankan” harta dan nyawa rakyatnya semata-mata untuk memastikan ideologi kapitalisma yang mereka anuti itu tersebar ke seluruh dunia khususnya ke bumi umat Islam. Perbelanjaan ketenteraan Amerika di Afghanistan dan Iraq pada tahun 2004 sahaja mencapai USD5 bilion sebulan!!!! Mereka lebih sanggup membelanjakan jumlah ini bagi memastikan dominasi mereka daripada membantu mereka-mereka yang memerlukan. Lihatlah sahaja komitmen mereka untuk membantu mangsa tsunami. Mereka hanya menjanjikan bantuan sebanyak USD350 juta; yang merupakan perbelanjaan ketenteraan di Iraq dan Afghanistan selama 2 minggu!! – itupun setelah ditegur oleh ketua bantuan kemanusiaan PBB, Jan Egeland. Inilah topeng kapitalisma Amerika.

“Sesungguhnya orang-orang kafir itu adalah musuh yang nyata bagimu”


Sejarah juga telah memperjelaskan kepada kita bagaimana kuasa-kuasa imperialis seperti Portugal, Sepanyol, Belanda, British dan lain-lainnya juga pada zaman dahulu merupakan bangsa yang sanggup “berkorban” semata-mata untuk mencapai matlamat mereka yang paling mereka agungkan iaitu 3G- Gold, Glorry and God. Bagi ideologi kapitalisma, imperialisma adalah thariqah mereka untuk menyebarluaskan idealogi tersebut dimana perlu kita ketahui bahawa imperialisma (ai-isti’mar) adalah pemaksaan dominasi (fardhu saytharah) di bidang politik, ekonomi ,ketenteraan dan budaya kepada negara-negara yang didominasi untuk kemudiannya dieksploitasi (istighlal).

“Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang kafir itu, menafkahkan harta mereka untuk menghalangi (orang) dari jalan Allah. Mereka akan menafkahkan harta itu, kemudian menjadi sesalan bagi mereka dan mereka akan dikalahkan. Dan ke dalam neraka Jahannamlah orang-orang kafir itu dikumpulkan.” TMQ8:36. “Adapun orang-orang yang kafir, sebahagianmereka menjadi pelindung bagi sebahagian yang lain. Jika kamu(hai para muslim) tidak melaksanakan apa yang telah diperintahkan allah itu) nescaya akan terjadi kekacauan di muka bumidan kerosakan yang besar.”

DIMANAKAH PENGORBANAN UMAT ISLAM HARI INI????

Salah satu aspek pengorbanan yang paling tidak, bisa menojolkan sebahagian kecil komitmen kaum muslimin adalah membantu mereka yang memerlukan. Benar, Amerika, yang gemar memperagakan topeng kepalsuan mereka telah hanya menjanjikan USD350 juta bagi membantu mangsa tsunami, namun jika kita perhatikan jumlah bantuan yang disumbangkan oleh negara-negara kaum muslimin yang kaya raya seperti Arab Saudi, hanyalah USD10 juta sahaja!!!! - satu jumlah yang tidak sepadan dengan kekayaan yang melimpah-limpah yang ada pada mereka. Persoalan ini pasti kerap bermain didalam benak setiap muslim yang berfikir – dimanakah pengorbanan kaum muslimin dalam membantu kaum muslimin yang lain? Ini hanya dari aspek bantuan kepada mangsa tsunami yang rata-rata beragama Islam, belum lagi pengorbanan dalam mengembalikan Islam sebagai ad-deen yang dominan.

Inilah realiti yang menimpa umat Islam di saat ini. Jelas, scara umumnya dapat kita simpulkan bahawa umat Islam hari ini masih gagal untuk menghayati erti “pengorbanan” yang mereka raikan setiap tahun apabila tibanya ‘Eid Adha. Bagi muslim yang memiliki jiwa “berkorban” mereka akan senantiasa terpanggil untuk melaksanakan ketaatan kepada seluruh perintah Allah swt samada ianya berbentuk perintah mahupun larangan Allah swt didalam usaha mereka untuk mendapatkan keredhaanNya walaupun mungkin mereka terpaksa mengorbankan segala-galanya baik harta mahupun nyawanya untuk Islam. Dia akan memahami bahawa kewujudan mereka di dunia ini adalah semata-mata untuk mengabdikan diri mereka sepenuhnya kepada perintah Allah swt.:

“Dan Aku tidak menciptakan jin dan manusia melainkan supaya mereka menyembah-Ku.”

Nasib umat Islam di bumi Palestin, bumi tempat terletaknya masjid Al-Aqsa sebagai kiblat pertama umat Islam dan masjid ke-3 mulianya selepas Masjidil Haram dan Masjid Nabawi, kini masih lagi berada di bawah kekuasaan rejim kufur Yahudi laknatullah. Begitu juga nasib umat Islam di bumi Iraq, Afghanistan dan lain-lain kawasan secara keseluruhan masih lagi berada dibawah dominasi kufur secara langsung mahupun tidak langsung. Bagi mengembalikan kedaulatan Islam dan kaum muslimin, suatu “pengorbanan” dari seluruh dunia umat Islam amat diperlukan. Persoalannya kini adalah: adakah umat Islam hari ini telah bersedia untuk melakukan pengorbanan seiring dengan sambutan hari raya korban yang diraikan diseluruh dunia?

Salam Eid al-Adha 2008

What is Eid al-Adha?

At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2008, Eid al-Adha will begin on approximately December 8th, and will last for three days.
What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?
During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.

The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

What else do Muslims do to celebrate the holiday?
On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. At some point, members of the family will visit a local farm or otherwise will make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter.