Goodbye President Bush.

'>Goodbye President Bush.

Iraqi journalist throw W Bush his pair of shoe to celebrate his legacy of illegal war in Iraq.

The Dying Chini Lake , Pahang

Chini Lake evokes a different nostalgia to me. It is the very first area that enables my eyes to be opened up to the disparity that our socio-economy-politics enable us. The Orang Asli of the 3 kampungs were in a sorry state. That was about 10 years ago. I went back to Pahang this year to visit the Bera area and it was equally non developing.

Hence, this screaming topic (on a MOnday morning) attracted me. The Pahang Government is seeking help from the Federal Government to revive Tasik Chini which is dying a slow death.

Tasik Chini, the country’s second largest freshwater lake, used to attract
scores of visitors during its lotus blooming season every year but it is dying
due to a number of factors including illegal mining, logging and pollution which
had adversely affected the entire eco-system.

This is where i don't get it. The mining, logging and land development is all under the purview of the Pahang state. They enjoyed the money that comes out of it thru taxes or some personal monetory arrangements. Just go to Taman Negara and one will find the loggers cutting trees while the eco-tourists are passing by. That is the same with Chini and Bera. To demand additional RM4 million to rehabilitate and RM1 million from federal ( my tax money) annually for maintainence work is a joke while someone from the state government is enjoying windfall from these illegal or sanctioned operations. State Health, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun is joking, right?

Correct or politically correct?

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Read the statements in full -Results out -- International Maths and Science scores (TIMS)

Similarly, the Washington Post (12/10,
Glod) reports, "Results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science
Study (TIMSS), released today, show how fourth- and eighth-graders in the United
States measure up to peers in dozens of countries. U.S. students showed gains in
math at both grades." Specifically, "the average score among fourth-graders has
jumped 11 points since 1995, to 529." Still, "students in Hong Kong, Singapore,
Taiwan, Japan, Russia, and England were among those posting a higher average.
Hong Kong topped the list with an average score of 607." Meanwhile, the "average
science performance" for students in the U.S., "although still stronger than in
many countries, has stagnated since 1995."

Following my postings on Mukriz Mahathir's suggestion where I was asking some hard questions on his thinking process, stumbled upon the latest ranking result for fourth ( Standard 4) and eight graders (Form 2). One of his suggestion was in parotting his father's direction to have science and maths taught in English (non mother tongue). Both Malay and Chinese nationalists insists that it is the wrong strategy. So, lets look at the result and compare the medium of instruction in their public school system.

Hong Kong ( Mother tongue - Mandarin)

Singapore ( "Non mother tongue" - English)

Taiwan ( Mother tongue - Mandarin)

Japan ( Mother tongue - Japanese)

Russia ( Mother tongue - Russian)

England ( Mother tongue - English)

Could not find England's education detail in wiki and my informed guess is that the language would be English.. hehe.

Anyway, based on the ranking (which Malaysia is obviously not included) of results in both areas seemed to point that those who studied English and Mathematics in their mother tongue ( Grade 4 & 8) do perform better.

While Mahathir is very good in politics and have brilliant ideas, the educationists do have a point. Other researchs have also point towards using the language of the native towards teaching science and mathematics. This dipstick analysis is not conclusive yet the array of evidences are there to support this argument. However, we should not discount the robustness of the syllabus and the effectiveness of the governance that contributes to the result. Politicians that refuses to engage their brain to look at data and research before making judgements are just plain lazy. Some are calling Mukriz stupid, but I think he is a smart man but careless with facts.

So, do we want to do the right thing for our education system or do the politically correct thing?

Of Immunity

Why do people want immunity from prosecution?

The Malaysian Sultans lost their immunity in 1993 when a series of abuses were done to the rakyat. The rulers have since adapted except for a fracas or two involving the younglings. As a result, people still retain their respect for this institution.

With the amendment, the Malay Rulers can be charged on any personal wrongdoing, outside of their role and duties as a Ruler. However, the charges cannot be carried out in a normal court of law, but in a Special Tribunal under the purview of the Council of Rulers.

Blackwater is a military contract provider to the US army in Iraq. After years of immunity and wanton killings, the Iraqi government finally managed to arm twist US into lifting of its immunity in exchange that Iraqi government does not ask US to leave. Natural juctice is the allowed to flow. Blackwater security guards charged with killing 14 Iraqis

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"In 2006 four people were killed and 43 homes destroyed in a nearby suburband in 1993 a 12-storey condominium tower collapsed, burying 48 people mainly maids
and children." (AFP)

Statutory immunity granted to local authorities under the Section 95 (2) of the Street, Drainage & Building Act 1974 (Act 133) has protected the government over many incidences of mismanagement and covers up the effects of corruption, incompetency and bad decision making. The Highland Towers incident in 1993 shows the unfairness of this clause when the local authority was deemed immune to any criminal charges. Subsequent civil suits by residences was also negated and their final loss was confirmed this year.

The majority decision delivered by Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad said that if
the local councils were made liable, it would open the floodgates to further
claims for economic loss, and this would deplete the council's resources
meant for the provision of basic services and infrastructure. (MB)

And I thought that the council's resources comes from the rakyat who pay taxes and all the assestment rates. So, is it fair that the councils can wantonly decree and decide and even if their decision is damaging and causes people to die, they are free from prosecution? If Sultan and occupiers can be made liable for their mistakes, why is the local council special and beyond reproach?

My heart goes to all who have lost and are impacted by this event. I too live in a high rise condo beside a hill and that scares me.

Why do people want immunity from prosecution? Ask your local councils for the answer.