I do think that Malays are more sabar and laidback.
However I don’t agree with Anonymous that if the shoe was on the other foot, there would be no media uproar should Malay kids in Chinese school be made to eat in the changing room (toilet*) instead of in the canteen.
* In the Seri Pristana school photograph – see here – the rooms are marked “tandas”.
We should pay heed to the simple matter of ‘doing unto others’ as how you would like others to do unto you (or your children).
Comment by Anonymous @ 2013/07/27 at 4:02 am
“If the HM were a non- Malay/non-Muslim and if Malay students in a Chinese school were made to eat in a changing room, this would be a non issue.
“Most Malays are known to be timid and not vocal. The Malays have to change their mind set or else kena tindas by the minorities. From this day onwards, the Malays should wake up and do the same as the nons. Put up any discriminations we encounter from the nons in FB and let it go viral.”
The big picture
There are 1,375 pupils in Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristana. Out of the 28 non-Malay children, only one is Chinese.
To recap, below are the stats from the Education Blueprint (2012-2025).
Now project this trend into the future and its implications on the country.
.
What happens when evangelistas take control of sekolah Cina?
Comment by The New Fascist @ 2013/07/25 at 9:40 am
<Quote>
“With Hannah Yeoh et al doing the proselytizing, all PAS has to do is sit tight and enjoy the show.
Talking about this country becoming more Islamic. You see, Malaysia is becoming more Islamic not because PAS is very competent in propagating the words of God but because they have closet “Islamists” like the “Honorary” Speaker doing the “deed” for them.
I have one question. I need readers’ help. Care to help out ?
Here is the question.
How much is the “outsourcing” contract worth for the DAP’s Evangelists to help PAS in their proselytizing campaign ?
Or is the DAP being paid in other forms, such as Federal Government Posts i.e Ministers, Deputy Ministers in a future Theocratic Malaysia ?”
<Unquote>
If Pakatan ever succeeds in storming Putrajaya, will DAP demand to be Finance Minister? Education Minister?
Will the DAP evangelistas pull the same “Your Allah is my God too” stunt, but now as the occupant of Putrajaya backed by the power and the resources of the state …
… like the hold that they and their Madam Speaker have got on Selangor now?
JAIS dan MAIS tak pantau ke?
Bukankah Sultan sudah bertitah bahawa orang bukan Islam tidak dibenarkan untuk menggunakan kalimah Allah?
Will hijacking and subverting the Islamic terminology (wear tudung, bersahur, munafik mengucap “Insha Allah”) be carried out by the evangelistas in the schools too?
Remember. We now have a lot of Yang Berhormats (including those in PKR) who are Dif-Dif Kehormat that are invited to the schools and sponsoring programmes.
And not to forget The J-Star being used as a school resource during English lessons.
Comment by Conrad @ 2013/07/27 at 9:36 am
<Quote>
“What I find amusing is that these same Islamic demagogues are now holding hands with the Christian evangelists, each hoping the other would repent and see the light.
Failing which divide Malaysia along religious lines where each would have control over their religiously enthralled supporters.”
<Unquote>
Helen Ang 
If the HM apologised for forcing Malay kids to eat in a changing room and allowed them back to eat at the canteen, I would pardon the HM and moved on with my life. If I were the school PTA committee members, I would push for a drive seeking donation to enlarge the canteen. TQ.
Back in my alma mater, there were 2 different canteen operators. One a Chinese & the other a Malay. The Chinese also operated the snacks & drinks stall thus he had the bigger space. That said, the kitchen for both were next to each other separated by a 4 feet wall. The Chinese though does not sell anything other than chicken based food thus also patronized by the Muslims. There was never an issue then over the halal-ness of the food prepared by the Chinese operators.
Recently I chanced upon the Chinese operator at the airport. As his son was a classmate for many years, we were acquainted. I asked him why was he flying about in the middle of a term. Apparently when the school was taken over by the government & switched from a Sekolah Menengah Bantuan to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan, his contract to operate was terminated despite being there for over 20 years. Taking over was a Malay operator on the basis that he’s unable to guarantee the food he serves is halal.
Also back then, when Raya was celebrated closer to Chinese New Year, the school athletes would be training daily from 4:30 onwards for the Inter Secondary School Athletic Meet. As our school was the perennial champions in Kuching, the school took the meet seriously. Due to the early sunset in Kuching compared to KL, we had to train from 4:30 onwards to squeeze in 2 hours of training. At the end of the session, we’d be making a beeline for the drinks station where glucose drinks & cold fresh soya bean drinks would be sponsored by the canteen. As the Muslims are fasting, the canteen towkay would ensure that he packs both drinks for every Muslim athlete to bring back home.
The point is, the canteen operator has been accommodating in his operations over the years by serving only chicken & even packing drinks he sponsors for the Muslim athletes. For that matter, he’d be the one sponsoring our packed lunches whenever we compete at the stadium. And lo & behold once the board of governors handed the reins over to the education ministry, his contract was terminated despite having 2 1/2 years to run.
As for the dressing room cum eating area fiasco, I’d reserve my judgment on whether or not it was intentional or otherwise. I can however understand the parents’ anger over the issue. Just because it was also used by the Muslims before don’t make it right. A dressing & shower room should be used for just that.
As for the reaction from the Malays should the roles be reversed, I’d say it will be the same if not more considering they’re the majority in the country. Let’s be honest. Racial tension today is at the highest levels since probably May 13th. And the slightest excuse will set us all off considering the combustible nature of things now. And the batu apis from DAP are not helping to alleviate things at all.
The DAP firestarters know that something similar to May 13 will attract international attention. They know for a fact that if it really happens, they will benefit from it.
How ?
For one, they will demand international action to protect the minorities, knowing full well that the minorities in this case are not the Chinese and Indians, but a cabal of Christian Fundamentalists who have provoked a massive response from the majority Malay Muslims.
I for one certainly pray and hope it will not come to this, but looking at the antics of these DAP firestarters, and a Chinese community already hoodwinked into believing that the DAP is their only way to salvation, I dare not say what the future will hold for any of us.
We have been living side by side peacefully for over 2 centuries now. But I guess people do change with the times. So now its anything goes for extremists from both sides.
FFC,
I was reading your comments and found them enlightening until your very last sentence “And the batu apis from DAP are not helping to alleviate things at all.”
Why would you want to bring DAP into the equation?
Why did Guan Eng call the HM a racist? That was uncalled for. Is that not an act of pouring oil into the fire?
Don’t kid yourself saying that DAP doesn’t take any opportunity that present itself to take brand someone or something related to the administration as racist. Plenty of examples if you care to look.
Fakin’ Fake Calvin,
You should know by now. Guan eng loves to incite (Chinese)that they are discriminated (by who else, UMNO, meaning Malays).
That is deflection tactic. You accuse others as racist when you are the person who is racist. Guan Eng sees it from racial angle just like his father.
I vouch DAP is the most racist of parties that I ever met. It cares only about Lim Dynasty. It persistently leads the Chinese into literally colliding with Malays.
It gives false impression to Chinese that they are unstoppable. So, we have rude Chinese youths insulting dark skinned Malaysians and took law into their hand, insulting and preventing people from voting.
We have Chinese who are plain “kurang ajar” . Just like Namawee and porn couple.
If Guan Eng have a minimum decency, he would realise that his action will only lead to racial clash. Chinese are led into believing that no one dares to stop their provocation.
One just need to look at dap leaders tweets to judge who is batu api and racist. Helen, maybe for fun sake, there should be a poll in your blog between pkr, pas and dap, which party more racist and batu api?
I’m sorry to hear about your kind chicken-rice uncle, bro.
REF: “What I find amusing is that these same Islamic demagogues are now holding hands with the Christian evangelists, each hoping the other would repent and see the light.”
The relationship of the islamist to the evangelist is the similitude of the relation of water to oil. Why? Well, the islamist guy and the evangelist guy both pray to THEIR hard-fought “Allah”. So? Well, both water and oil also contain oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
Otherwise, islamist, and evangelist, and water, and oil just does mix with each other in so many ways. But the DapPas can cook up a political storm, just like oil and water are used to cook up a dish that would entice just about every unwary hungry soul.
Pardon me for the slip-up, no pun intended: The line should be “otherwise islamist, and evangelist, and water, and oil just does NOT mix with each other in so many ways.”
it was a wrong decision by the HM, (and could be extended to Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah, and Pejabat Pelajaran Negeri too), simply because his (their) decision to allow the contractor to renovate the canteen when it still the school period. Why not during school break?
and its also a wrong moved by the students parents to said that the HM decision was meant to discriminate the non muslim students. Seems that Malaysians now are having fun to “TEMBAK” without “PERIKSA” their target and use the social media to create the uproar. Ganeswari Kelly..i cannot understand why you failed to get explanations from the HM before you TEMBAK him in social media ..are you trying to be an instant artist?..mee segera la kan..you are so pathetic, bad example..
re: “Ganeswari Kelly..i cannot understand why you failed to get explanations from the HM before you TEMBAK him in social media”
It was reported in the pro-oppo media that the woman had tried to contact the school admin but did not get any response.
re: “Seems that Malaysians now are having fun to “TEMBAK” without “PERIKSA” their target”
It gets more difficult to bersangka baik when the target stages, as a form of damage control, that show of buka puasa by Malay men themselves eating in The Room.
That was deceptive and backfired b’cos it made the non-Muslims even more suspicious of any explanation that the HM tries to give.
If people complain about the place not suitable to eat when in fact it was used before why is the act of the teachers to conduct breaking fast is deceptive? They might want to feel how is the feel to eat in the room.
re: “why is the act of the teachers to conduct breaking fast is deceptive?”
B’cos the teachers have the option of breaking fast in the meeting room, the teacher’s/prefect’s room, counselling room, and oh, how can I forget … the teacher’s canteen.
re: “They might want to feel how is the feel to eat in the room.”
They should have done the test run in March (konon) before the sent the kids there.
Teachers rarely eat at canteen with students. Yes they have option but like I said earlier they want to experience what the fuss is all about.
From the press reports I gather that the teacher’s canteen is adjacent to the pupils’ canteen, and the “renovation work” was to replace the wooden door separating both canteen with a glass door.
Zack,
Seri Pristana is a newly built school. It has 18 classrooms, which if you multiply by two (morning and afternoon session) can accommodate 36 classes.
Let’s say 35-40 students per class. That means that Seri Pristana was built to cater for between 1,260 and 1,440 pupils. We’re talking maximum enrolment here.
Seri Pristana has 1,375 students according to a newspaper report (Utusan, if I’m not mistaken). This figure is just about right for the size of the school as originally intended.
So let’s split Sri Pristana enrolment into two session, morning and afternoon — 687 students per session.
So that’s the number that canteen should have been built to cater for, or if we further stagger the meal break into two, that would be 343 pupils during recess.
Back to my point earlier. Seri Pristana is a new school with a lot of posh facilities. Heck they have TWO changing rooms. Some poor and old schools don’t even have enough toilets much less changing rooms.
I have been reliably informed that the school has a lot of posh facilities. It defies logic that a school which can build tow changing rooms, AV room, music room, computer labs etc, etc did not build a canteen big enough to accommodate 343 pupils for their meal break.
That is why the “month of March” factor is the big question.
The non-Muslim parents claim that the changing room arrangement only started during Ramadan.
If I can be persuaded that it’s true The Room was used since March, then I wouldn’t suspect the principal of niat jahat. If The Room was only used since the start of puasa month, then I would suspect that the school segregated the non-fasting students.
At the moment, it is a case of He Says, She Says.
Needless to say, the oppo supporters easily believe the worst.
On the other hand, I’m willing to listen to alternative accounts and whatever leads that you are willing to furnish me.
But the accusations presently being hurled against me – this time by pro-establishment supporters – are unfair.
I have given you the Twitter account that proves it has been used before Ramadan. What more do you want? (Like Utusan asking) Why continue harping on the issue as the students have a proper place to eat now.
Rather than making speculation why don’t you heed you own posting before ie invitation to visit the school, ask the students themselves?
True, you have provided a tweet that implies “before Ramadan”. However the non-Muslim kids say it was after Ramadan.
So it is a case of “He says, she says” and who we want to believe.
Secondly, the fact that I posted the invitation is proof that I did not start out with any intention to kenakan Seri Pristina but on the contrary.
However now as the development unfolds and the pihak sekolah is putting out stories that don’t tally, I have my suspicions.
Re: “But the accusations presently being hurled against me – this time by pro-establishment supporters – are unfair.”
Well I think that’s the nature of partisan politics. When you agree you are right when you disagree or offer a nuanced take, you are wrong.
However as for this post. I think there are a couple of issues we should consider.
The process of Islamization started decades ago under the UMNO watch. The very fact that there is a cultural shift in the Malay community and an overt presence of Islam in nearly every public institution is evidence of this.
The reason something like this would not get much attention in the press (if it concerned Malay students) points more to the hot button issues that each community has rather than anything else.
Take for instance this whole “racist” doctors fiasco. I often wonder if a Malay had made the same kind of accusation on FB instead of the issue being managed by UMNO, would the results have been different ?
I am sure the red bean militia would have attempted to shout it down but if a recording or something was adduced that pointed to smoke…..
Generally I admit that the Malays are far more laid back than the other communities here in Malaysia but there are important qualifiers to this that would entail going into deep cultural differences.
Malay language media have a whole different set of preoccupations at the moment and the English media is targeting a whole different demographic and furthering its own agenda.
The incomparable Said Zahari former Utusan editor in one of his interviews bemoaned the kind of news stories we were told as being important to the Malay community.
As for the Islamic demagogues and the Christian Evangelist.
While I don’t think there is anything wrong with a non Malay aspiring to the government post you mentioned especially if there are part of an alliance – wasn’t the late Tan Siew Sin, finance minister ? – I do think that this kind of horse trading will go in PR, esp. between these two elements., like it goes on in any disparate political alliance.
This really does not concern me. What concerns me is the rural/urban divide. The former most probably dominated by the radical Islamic wing of PAS and the latter most probably dominated by “acceptable” Malays and the evangelical wing of DAP.
As I said before the DAP now defines Non Malay middle class aspirations. They care not if the rural heartland remains the way it is as long as they become a reliable vote bank for PR, supporting PAS and PKR.
This is actually one of the reasons I accuse the DAP of racism but that’s another story.
‘The process of Islamization started decades ago under the UMNO watch. The very fact that there is a cultural shift in the Malay community and an overt presence of Islam in nearly every public institution is evidence of this.’
So we owe you and your kinds an apology now, for being a little bit more pious now, more than what you can stand for? Do we need to get your community’s approval to carry out our ibadah and other religious observations?
This statement is not new nor it is original. DAP had been saying this for as long as I remember. And I’m not that old. So go figures about the made believe mantra, that has been going around in the English media and at times will get pick up by some English reading pseudo intellect upstairs.
Can we stop the bullshit already?!
The teachers & PIBG members breaking fast in that room b’coz they were challenged and to prove that the room is really clean and without any stinking odour as what stated by Guneswari.
Pls read the comments previously in Guneswari FB, about 3 or 4 Indians challenged the Malays saying that ” if the room is clean, why don’t you break your fast in that room”. So that act of “breaking fast” is not just a show as most people thought.
No matter what is the reason, i.e. the canteen not big enough, too many students, canteen being renovated, shower room is cleaned etc, we simply don’t treat human beings in that manner. Period.
What worse is that the treatment was perpetrated by the school authorities (I mean adults) and the pupils were in no position to object except to oblige.
re: “the woman had tried to contact the school admin but did not get any response.”
Diragui. GB dan PIBG cakap tak pernah ada bantahan atau teguran. Ganeswari lebih selesa untuk lepaskan perasaannya ke dalam facebook. Tapi aku percaya dia tiada niat untuk timbulkan ketegangan sepertimana yang terjadi. Sebagai ibu dia minta siapa saja untuk membantu, tidak kira Allah maupun parti2 politik.
Dan sebagaimana tulus dan ikhlas tindakan Ganeswari, aku percaya begitu juga niat dan tindakan GB Nasir (termasuk juga PIBG, guru2 dan mungkin juga pihak PPD). Harap maklum bahawa perkara ini dah dibangkitkan dalam Mesyuarat Agung PIBG. Janganlah expect setiap cadangan tu disampaikan kepada setiap ibu dan bapa secara bertulis ataupun lisan, dan menunggu kelulusan dari setiap seorang dari dema.
Unfortunate sebab anak Ganeswari baru berpindah ke situ, unfortunate sebab Ganeswari dapat maklumat dari drebar bas, unfortunate sebab tak dapat maklumat lanjut dari GB, guru atau staf sekolah.
VERY UNFORTUNATE sebab sekarang bulan puasa. Kalau Ganeswari dapat lihat 300 murid Melayu ada di dalam bilik persalinan tu, mungkin laungannya berlainan dari apa yang terpapar di facebooknya.
Berbuka puasa di bilik persalinan itu? Satu gimik bodoh yang tak patut dipersalahkan sesiapa. Dema ni amatur tapi berniat baik.
Kita tak patut salahkan sesiapa, tak patut hukum sesiapa tetapi setiap seorang dari kita harus belajar dari episod ini, jangan nak berlagak pandai dengan teori dan imaginasi sendiri, dan jangan nak fikir kita sorang saja yang betul dan orang lain salah.
“Kalau Ganeswari dapat lihat 300 murid Melayu ada di dalam bilik persalinan tu, mungkin laungannya berlainan dari apa yang terpapar di facebooknya.”
Bilik persalinan itu boleh muat 300 orang? Biar betul?????
Takdelahhh… just a figure of speech… Maksimum Ganeswari dapat tengok pun tak sampai 30 anak India dalam bilik tu. Kalau 10x ganda tentu pecah fb dia sebelum sempat ditutup.
QQ,
Kalau kita tengok saiz bilik persalinan itu melalui gambar yang tersebar online, rasa-rasanya maksimum hanya boleh muat 30-40 murid setelah mengambil kira meja dan kerusi yang dimasukkan. Sekolah tersebut ada 1,300 lebih murid-murid. Kalau rehat dipecahkan kepada dua sesi, maka 600 lebih murid-murid yang akan menggunakan kantin. Saya tak nampak macam mana menggunakan bilik persalinan itu dapat mengurangkan kesesakan di kantin.
Lagipun, selaku orang dewasa berakal yang bergelar cikgu/pendidik saya tak nampak dalam keadaan apa sekalipun (sama ada kantin kecil, diubahsuai dll) kita boleh melayan murid-murid yang masih mentah dengan menyuruh mereka makan dalam bilik persalinan.
That what I think. In Islam ada hadis setiap amalan bermula dengan niat. Apa niat Ganeswari mengirim posting di Facebook yang berbaur perkauman seolah-olah menunjukkan bilik itu memang dibuat untuk pelajar India. Padahal pelajar melayu pun pernah makan di dalam bilik tersebut.
Apa niat guru membuat buka puasa di bilik itu? Adakah niat untuk damage control? Baca balik dr sumbernya iaitu blog Mazidul Akmal. Dia tulis “Jadi kami membuat keputusan berbuka di ruang sama selepas doa dibacakan. Tidak ada sebarang masalah, Alhamdulillah, kami berselera makan selepas sehari menahan lapar dan dahaga.”
Ok I found this sentence from Mazidul’s blog which might indicate their niat.”Gambar itu, suasana majlis berbuka puasa di bilik persalinan disalah anggap sebagai tandas oleh sebilangan orang,” kata Hussein.
Anyways, is it not that there were people challenging them to eat in the room. So they did. What is wrong with that?
Sorry to say, but the photo and the niat (i.e. taking up the challenge to show that even Malay adults don’t mind) makes them look silly.
It is silly for those thinking in different wavelength. But I don’t think it is deceiving. They stated their intent.
Zack,
Those who want to whack the headmaster(to make Malay looks bad) have no intention of accepting the truth.
If the woman who complained is really for solution, she should go to the proper channel/ Instead, she too played racial sentiment.
What is wrong in “cikgu cikgu” in breaking fast in the changing room. At least, they tried to clear the situation.
THE TRUTH IS no amount of explanation will suffice as people like Kit Siang, his son and those “entourage” from DAP , not to forget Khairi’s secretary refuse to accept that there is no issue in the first place.
Again, Khairi’s secretary tweet just proved what other have been saying, That khiari is just a man who speaks good english who simply refuses to understand Malay concern on his choice of secretary.
Kita tau gimik tu bodoh tapi tak payahlah nak perbesarkan hingga menjadikan ia satu lagi kesilapan GB Pristina ni.
Kalau nak timbulkan keraguan, aku pun boleh cakap si Ganeswari ni bukan boleh percaya sangat, memang kaki riuh yang melampau2. Orang Hindu (orang utara selalunya sebut hindu untuk bangsa Tamil) memang macam tu, kalau ada dua orang naik bas pun dah riuh, apa lagi kalau satu di depan dan satu di belakang (bas).
(But then, it’s not so in this case. Ianya naluri seorang ibu yang risau dengan keadaan yang dihadapi anaknya.)
Cuba bayangkan jika kita in their shoe. 1 Bayangkan bagaimana dan kenapa GB pilih bilik persalinan itu, apa pilihan yang dia ada. 2 Apa yang dibincangkan di Mesyuarat Agung PIBG. 3 Apa kata guru India yang ditugaskan menyediakan bilik itu. Tak payahlah nak fikir hingga ke luar kotak atau ke luar kawasan sekolah, nak mintak peruntukan, nak buat dua sessi rehat, nak buat roadshow untuk kutip derma, nak buat kantin 3 tingkat untuk keperluan masa depan, dsb.
Fikir sajalah sebab apa dia masih sanggup terima kemasukan murid baru walaupun melebihi dari jumlah yang mampu.
Dalam kes bilik persalinan dijadikan bilik makan tu aku bayangkan GB rasa tiada apa salahnya satu bilik yang cantik dan bersih dijadikan tempat makan, murid boleh beli makanan di kantin dan datang makan di situ (dekat saja). GB tau sebab itu sekolah dia, tau bilik itu bersih atau tidak. Orang2 dewasa yang lain pun tau sebab dema memang terlibat dengan sekolah itu. Murid pun boleh terima sebab tau keadaan yang sebenar. Berapa ratus murid yang balik mengadu dekat ibu dan bapa yang dema makan dalam tandas? Berapa ratus rungutan PIBG terima dari ibu dan bapa untuk bulan Mac, April, Mei, Jun dan Julai?
Aku kesian dengan GB yang disalahsangka dan ditokok lagi dengan pelbagai fitnah dan tekanan2 yang melampau. Aku tak boleh salahkan dia kerana bodoh dari aku. Jika difikirkan dia perlu dikenakan tindakan dan hukuman, aku percaya Timbalan Menteri Kamalanathan juga patut dihukum sama. Malah si pengadu pun patut diberi pengajaran agar menjadi whistleblower yang lebih peka dengan suasana sekeliling.
re: “Bayangkan bagaimana dan kenapa GB pilih bilik persalinan itu, apa pilihan yang dia ada.”
Kantin, kantin guru, bilik sumber, bilik mesyuarat (ada dua buah di Seri Pristana), bilik pengawas, bilik AV (dengar-pandang), bilik muzik, bilik seni, bengkel kemahiran hidup, bilik kesihatan gigi, bilik pemulihan, bilik Self Assess Learning, dsb.
re: “Fikir sajalah sebab apa dia masih sanggup terima kemasukan murid baru walaupun melebihi dari jumlah yang mampu.”
Setakat 1,375 orang murid masih boleh ditampung sekolah itu. Seri Pristana mempunyai 18 buah bilik darjah. Ia adalah sekolah dua sesi, maka 36 kelas.
Katakan satu kelas ada 35 murid, maka 1,260 orang murid semuanya. Kalah satu kelas ada 40 murid, maka 1,440 murid semuanya. Seri Pristana mempunyai 1,375 orang murid, iaitu masih dalam lingkungan selesa.
re: “Dalam kes bilik persalinan dijadikan bilik makan tu aku bayangkan GB rasa tiada apa salahnya satu bilik yang cantik dan bersih dijadikan tempat makan, murid boleh beli makanan di kantin dan datang makan di situ (dekat saja).”
Kantin sudah ditutup dan tiada makanan yang dijual. Murid membawa makanan dari rumah. Maka mana-mana bilik lain pun boleh digunakan.
re: “Berapa ratus murid yang balik mengadu dekat ibu dan bapa yang dema makan dalam tandas?”
Hanya 28 orang budak bukan Melayu yang terbabit (jika kita mempercayai “she says” daripada “he says”).
re: “Berapa ratus rungutan PIBG terima dari ibu dan bapa untuk bulan Mac, April, Mei, Jun dan Julai?”
Mengikut ibubapa bukan Melayu, bilik itu hanya digunakan sejak bermulanya bulan puasa.
re: “Aku kesian dengan GB yang disalahsangka dan ditokok lagi dengan pelbagai fitnah dan tekanan2 yang melampau.”
Tak kesian kah dengan budak India yang sekarang ini dikhabarkan dimaki-hamun oleh guru dan menerima ugutan culik?
re: “aku percaya Timbalan Menteri Kamalanathan juga patut dihukum sama”
Buat apa Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran itu dihukum? Dia telah memberi derma RM10,000 on-the-spot kepada sekolah.
re: “Malah si pengadu pun patut diberi pengajaran agar menjadi whistleblower yang lebih peka dengan suasana sekeliling.”
Pengajaran yang bagaimana?
Re. “Kantin, kantin guru, bilik sumber, bilik mesyuarat (ada dua buah di Seri Pristana), bilik pengawas, bilik AV (dengar-pandang), bilik muzik, bilik seni, bengkel kemahiran hidup, bilik kesihatan gigi, bilik pemulihan, bilik Self Assess Learning, dsb.”
Except for Kantin Guru, bilik-bilik lain semua sememangnya “out of bound” kerana budak-budak memang nakal dan suka usik sini sana tak kiralah anak siapa. Tanpa penyeliaan 24-7, kerosakan pasti berlaku.
BTW, Kat sekolah tu tak ada cikgu bukan Melayu ke? Kalau ada kenapa mereka tak bantah?
Kalau mahu, sebagai satu contoh, bilik seni boleh dialihkan kepada bilik muzik (gabungkan kedua-duanya) dan bilik seni itu dikosongkan bagi menampung murid-murid bukan Islam sewaktu masa rehat.
Memandangkan Seri Pristana mempunyai kemudahan yang begitu lengkap dan canggih, sukar untuk dipercayai bahawa kantin sekolah tidak dibina dengan secukup besarnya.
Sukar untuk dipercayai bahawa kerja-kerja menaiktaraf kantin dijalankan untuk sekian lama.
Yang ni pulak?
BTW, Kat sekolah tu tak ada cikgu bukan Melayu ke? Kalau ada kenapa mereka tak bantah?
Salah seorang guru membuat laporan polis.
Before or After?
Kalau selepas kes ini jadi Besar maknanya Cikgu tu HIPOKRIT. Mereka sepatutnya membantah sejak mula lagi.
Tak diketahui apa kandungan laporan polis oleh guru. Tapi sebelum kes ini meletup, sememangnya tidak sesiapa (daripada kedua-dua pihak yang bertelingkah) akan membuat laporan polis.
Re “It gets more difficult to bersangka baik when the target stages, as a form of damage control, that show of buka puasa by Malay men themselves eating in The Room.”
Yet the pro-opposition supporters are more than willing buy all the craps from J-Star and read it as the TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
Re; That was deceptive and backfired b’cos it made the non-Muslims even more suspicious of any explanation that the HM tries to give.
Bila suka kentut pun bau wangi, bila tak suka beri bunga pun macam beri tahi. Itu la perumpamaannya sekarang ini.
Dear lol,
What you say may be true of the pro-Pakatan hangouts (i.e. that they will credit whatever the storyline that favours DAP) and your perumpamaan is valid as well but it does not apply to me nor to my blog.
They are using this incident to accuse that even what a teacher in Sg Buloh does is Umno’s fault (as is everything else) and as one of the building blocks to badmouth the BN govt, with the aim of putting Pakatan in power.
You and the rest of the Malay readers shouldn’t forget that I DO NOT WANT Pakatan, particularly the DAP evangelistas to come to federal power.
In fact I am one of the 10 percent Chinese who voted BN in GE13.
Therefore I view the hostility directed at me and the Seri Pristana threads here as overly defensive and unwarranted.
Let’s just find out the truth. It is better to know exactly what happened and remedy the situation than to provide untenable excuses which can be used as ammunition by the master manipulators (DAP-Pakatan propagandists).
“You and the rest of the Malay readers shouldn’t forget that I DO NOT WANT Pakatan, particularly the DAP evangelistas to come to federal power. ”
We know that.
As I said a couple of times before we are in the situation of “He Says, She Says”. Whatever the outcome is, both sides have already made up their mind.
Personally, I have accepted the HM’s explanation, admission and apology. Nothing more that he and the school authority can do from now on except making good of the wrong which I think they have done it.
As for the opposition, what else do they want? Burn the HM at stake?
What about this story that the hypocrite opposition never give a hoot and hardly made it to the main stream media news?
“Apa sudah jadi dengan perkembangan seorang Guru Cina Celaka di SMK Gelang Patah yang menghina pelajar Melayu sebagai Melayu Babi! Laporan polis sudah pun dibuat. Masih tiada lagi tindakan. Hanya kenyataan PDRM dalam siasatan. Lamanya!”
Baca Selanjutnya: http://apple-bru.blogspot.com/2013/06/breaking-news-guru-cina-menghina.html#ixzz2aEySQf5X
For some reason the chinese “religion” now required puasa….
There are some small minority of Malay….
With the same cleanliness as shown in SK Pristina…..
I have no problem seeing my kids there…
As I said before I even pray in such a place let alone eat…
No Fuss!
mdsabu,
Seriously you pray at such place?
Kat kaki lima kedai, kat tepi jalan pun boleh, jika tiada pilihan.
Here are some examples:
1. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ojzXZjzPmM/T3OmBYVciSI/AAAAAAAABmo/DdFzERLxC6o/s640/Solat.jpg&imgrefurl=http://informations-the.blogspot.com/2012/03/edisi-sentap-siapa-kata-solat-kat-tepi.html&h=480&w=640&sz=55&tbnid=h_GLuKM4XZzz7M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__8Tynem8UNO_Oy9yiEsFT4VTjJ00=&docid=YG8JZ3zxKRA96M&sa=X&ei=uKLzUb2yAYn_rAfpp4CABg&ved=0CEEQ9QEwAw&dur=154
2. https://www.google.com/search?q=solat+tepi+bangunan&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=598&bvm=pv.xjs.s.en_US.MpiVkF51mpA.O&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=IaPzUffbGMfYrQe_rYGoCg#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=B30490f4zNS1pM%3A%3BowmuPyCygAqsjM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F_Ya__1NHvB2Y%252FTSEgjdBqHJI%252FAAAAAAAACn8%252FJrSVpPzs0Ng%252Fs400%252F15-10.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.resepirahsiaku.com%252F2011%252F01%252Ftiada-alasan-untuk-tidak-solat.html%3B500%3B335
3. https://www.google.com/search?q=solat+tepi+bangunan&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&biw=1366&bih=598&bvm=pv.xjs.s.en_US.MpiVkF51mpA.O&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=IaPzUffbGMfYrQe_rYGoCg#facrc=_&imgdii=B30490f4zNS1pM%3A%3BGtpJzIH3nUhOqM%3BB30490f4zNS1pM%3A&imgrc=B30490f4zNS1pM%3A%3BowmuPyCygAqsjM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F_Ya__1NHvB2Y%252FTSEgjdBqHJI%252FAAAAAAAACn8%252FJrSVpPzs0Ng%252Fs400%252F15-10.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.resepirahsiaku.com%252F2011%252F01%252Ftiada-alasan-untuk-tidak-solat.html%3B500%3B335
maybe I should post a picture of me Solat in such a place….
but then someone would say I want to menunjuk pulak : )
Mengata AKU LAH tu… He! He! He!
aku bukan kata jo…aku kata ur friend…that someone with USA back of his nickname…you know la…
seriously…by Allah…yes…I have and I will….
Will the DAP evangelistas pull the same “Your Allah is my God too” stunt, but now as the occupant of Putrajaya backed by the power and the resources of the state …
PAS is islamist while DAP 3.0 is Christianist (new word ). It would be Eygpt. BN is secular. UMNO tries to Islamic but to the core they are secular like our inherited constitution. Gerakan and MCA are never Buddhistist or Taoistist but secular. But with the rubbles of the Catholic church we are seeing Catholicist tendencies among the politicians.
I wonder they are no calls by the Taoist, Hindu and Buddhist to be more Taoistist, Hinduist or Buddhistist.
Correction
Rumbles not rubbles
The fact that none of the Malay parents post pictures on Facebook when their kids ate in the room before Ramadan probably answer your question.
What if their kids never did eat in the room before Ramadan?
I do recall that you directed me to one tweet by a Malay woman who said her younger sister had eaten in the changing room.
In any case, the police will be investigating. If they interview the students, we shall find out the truth.
‘Police receive 18 reports on SK Seri Pristana’s makeshift canteen issue’ (Sin Chew report, here)
I read that the daughter of the HM also had ate in the room before on her Facebook.
The HM had also made a police report of people slandering and fitnah him.
Any non Muslims here joining?
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/27/Fast-for-a-day-to-show-unity-Initiative-calls-on-nonMuslims-to-join-Ramadan-practice.aspx
A sincere J-Star initiative :) ?
It does beg the question would there be such an initiative if it involved a Non Muslim cultural/religious practise (keeping in mind that there is fasting in the Christian, Hindu and Buddhist faiths)?
Apparently Rafizi Ramli can’t even sing hymns for whatever reasons but OKM can exhale the term Allah, with nary a concern for his religious convictions.
I have nothing nice to say about Marina and Nikki, is part of what would be considered the Opus Dei (in terms of indoctrination) of the DAP/Oppositional forces in this country.
I do like Uthaya Shankar and what he is trying to do but in this case he’s on the wrong track on the train to Yasmin Ahmad land.
Wow, this topic on the school and PGA insensitive decision for the well being of their students can be runaway hit if it is a film. Judeging by the reactioan in created. Fully agreed with Helen, there is no need to direct the agression to her.
This is a simple case of a ‘bebal’ HM. Dont have to turn it into inter racial or even UMNO and PAS issues.
For DAP, well we cant really expect them to let this one slip way that easy, can we?
1. “Wow, this topic on the school and PGA insensitive decision for the well being of their students can be runaway hit if it is a film.”
A version of “I Know What You Did Last Summer”.
2. This is a simple case of a ‘bebal’ HM.
Give the guy some credit will you. It is a case of misjudgement. Ask any teacher here, he/she will tell you how difficult it is to manage a school and students.
A case in point. A friend who is a school counselor not long ago had invited a parent to discuss and resolve an issue regarding her daughter who had been (allegedly) labelled as the “CLASS BOHSIA” for her loose character. Definitely my friend had advised the daughter and several boys much earlier but to no avail. This is what he got in return from the mother:
” BUDAK BUDAK LELAKI TU PUN SAMA GATAL” as if there is no problem at all with the daughter’s behaviour (Plus according to my friend the mother also looks like Bohsia as well, if I am not mistaken; or maybe he just said that out of anger).
There are countless stories that he told me that the school has to shoulder and resolve that never made public. Memetik kata seseorang tidak lama dulu “Kalau pandai anak dia orang, tapi kalau jadi apa-apa yang buruk semua salah cikgu”.
so true kan…reality nye asik cikgu jer lah yang kena. and of course most teachers are also malays….so lagi lah org senang nak whack. here its about where u eat but in other countries some kids dont even get to eat…hopefully after all this furore these people who make all these noise will calm down and reflect and realise how ridiculous they are.
hopefully after all this furore – of people making threats to kidnap a 9-year-old girl and (allegation of) Seri Pristana teachers bullying her in school
these people who make all these noise – screaming about why Umno is not loudly defending a Malay headmaster
will calm down and reflect – on how they want their children to be treated if their kids were a religious and ethnic minority
and realise how ridiculous they are, especially commenters who resort to tropes like “of course most teachers are also malays” so criticizing a Malay teacher means attacking “Malay institutions” and Article 153 lah.
dah la apa nak gaduh2, beremosi dan menuduh melayu rasis. cikgu pelik dgn sikap kita membesarkan perkara kecil sedangkan byk agenda pembangunan negara yg perlu digerakkan.
jika ada india yg mati sebab makan di changing room logiklah nak buat 18 repot polis. cikgu sudah lebih 20 tahun mengajar sekolah Kdbangsaan Malaysia, guru Melayu tidak rasis. cuma mak bapak yg rasis dan bahlol, pentingkan diri sendiri.
bila jemput mtg pibg mereka sombong tak hadir tapi bahlol inilah yg selalu buat bising khususnya dari kaum india. Cikgu2 Melayu satu Malaysia ada perasaan dan JANGAN PAKSA kesatuan guru2 Melayu berdemo pertahankan HM YG DIANIAYA.
kami tak perlukan impotent UMNO utk pertahankan hak kami guru2. kami boleh bangkit sendiri! wakil menteri dan HM sudah mohon maaf sudahlah. let us move on to develop Malaysia!
“JANGAN PAKSA kesatuan guru2 Melayu berdemo pertahankan HM YG DIANIAYA.”
I say GO FOR IT.
Kesatuan Guru mungkin kena buat laporan polis terhadap salah guna perkataan Malay dan Allah dalam post FB ‘si ibu’.
I think MdSabu has already proven you wrong about Malays not causing a fuss. As he commented on your previous post, ” I personally couldnt care less whether you guys want to eat front, left, right or back of me.” This is the type of attitude that appeals to Westerners, Christians and even Agnostics like me. It tells me that a person like MdSabu isn’t a threat.
Malay muslim behaviour is generally rather tame. This is unlike British of Indian-Muslim and Pakistani heritage, who are very vocal. They act assertively to defend their religion if they feel it is being threatened. I admire the Pakistanis and Indian Muslims in the UK who stand up for themselves.
But I digress. The point I want to make is the story started small. The Hindu parent was dissatisfied with the treatment her child got. Allegedly she tried to contact and complain to the school administration, but failed. Instead of trying again, or going to ministry of education to file a formal complain, she posted her picture on Facebook. Sounds lazy and cowardly of her. In fact, with all the bad press surrounding the issue, I think you can consider her act nearly seditious.
Anyhow the story gained traction because theStar headlined the story. And then the story was picked up by the Singaporean Straits Times, Asia One and even International Business Times, India edition. It became viral worldwide.
The story fit the narrative. Non-muslims are marginalised in Malaysia.
However, if the shoe was on the other foot, as you put it, there would be no story, in my opinion. The Star probably wouldn’t make a sensational headline, and you won’t see the international papers pick up the story. It wouldn’t cause any distress or uproar because the assumption is the Malaysian government themselves would take care of the problem. Plus it wouldn’t fit any narrative about Malaysia.
Newspaper readers like to read stories of the underdog who is oppressed, especially at an international level. If a few Malay kids were bullied by the Chinese in a Chinese school in Malaysia, readers would think it is a local non-issue, or at the most a Malaysian national issue. That doesn’t sell newspapers.
re: “I think MdSabu has already proven you wrong about Malays not causing a fuss.”
Malays cause a fuss even when non-Muslims start eating at a hotel/club buffet before the call of azan.
re: “As he commented on your previous post, ‘I personally couldnt care less whether you guys want to eat front, left, right or back of me’.”
He was the one who started the fuss in the first place that the sight of non-Muslims eating in front of Muslim pupils would “inconvenience” the fasting kids.
Going by the same logic, the sight of classmates eating rendang or beef burger should inconvenience Hindu kids too.
And since MdSabu expects the non-Muslims to refrain from eating within sight of the fasting Muslims (Seri Pristana settled this by putting away the nons in The Room), everyone else should refrain from eating beef within sight of Hindus and meat within sight of vegetarians (which we can settle by banning the sale of meat in school canteens if the school is majority Hindu).
Which is done in India where previously McDonald’s had a difficult time breaking into the food market.
“Malays cause a fuss even when non-Muslims start eating at a hotel/club buffet before the call of azan.” — But did theStar make a headline of this? No.
Also, if a Hindu is inconvenienced by the sight of a non-Hindu eating beef, can’t the non-Hindu use the DAP-style argument by claiming it’s not beef, but lamb or some other beef-looking meat?
re: “Malays cause a fuss even when non-Muslims start eating at a hotel/club buffet before the call of azan.” — But did theStar make a headline of this? No.”
It was written by NST senior editor (not sure of his current position, but he was/is Group Editor) Zainul Ariffin.
re: “Also, if a Hindu is inconvenienced by the sight of a non-Hindu eating beef, can’t the non-Hindu use the DAP-style argument by claiming it’s not beef, but lamb or some other beef-looking meat?”
Hahaha.
But NST can’t get the international attention. The problem with NST is they, like Utusan, have been thoroughly discredited as being the ‘government mouthpiece’.
You have to admire the Star for being able to break the mold of being the government-owned paper to becoming a paper that speaks to the new generation of Malaysians (Chinese and Indians in particular).
I did a quick check on google and found that the school canteen story was picked up by news sites in Singapore, India, Hong Kong and even in the Gulf, where there is a sizeable indian expat population. I couldn’t find a western paper that has picked up the story. Is that a coincidence?
Perhaps Zainula and his type are not happy with some kiasus bantai almost all the food! Much to their dismay when the Kambing Panggan dan Gearbox Tulang liau ka liau!
aik…helen….?
this is uncalled for….
extend your memory a little back….
how did my comment ended up there? was it not because an “innocent” mother who’s concern about her kids put up those facebook photos….throw in some Allah and Islam remark to add spice….
you posting that post…triggered me to contribute into your comment section…heated debate between me, ac dc…conrad etc…
and so on and so forth….
yeah…just put all the causing fuss upon my shoulder….
thank you
re: “yeah… just put all the causing fuss upon my shoulder”
Of course it’s in relation to the Seri Pristana flap and not you that is the first cause. Don’t be pedantic.
mdsabu,
Chill. This is a platform for a good (some bad) dialogue. A
Md Sabu please let us know if there were cases of you or your family being made unwelcome in Australia. I certainly don’t think Australia is the land of milk and honey that you portrayed in your previous post.
Did you ever feel like an Australian waitress gave you a bad seat because you appear ‘muslim’? Did children and their parents in Australia cross the street because they saw you coming? Did Australian women with white skin avoid taking the lift with you? Did you pray in toilets because you know that Australians would look askance at you for performing your religious rituals in public, around other non-muslims?
The above all examples of covert racism.
Jampi
You are correct..Here (Aussie) is certainly not the land of Milk and Honey…nor does the US or the UK (which I have also lived)..
I prefer Malaysia than here….I personally dont feel any of the things that you mention above…but there are other things that I do feel related to racism…
With regard to the prayer…you could hardly find any surau/mosque here…in many town…there is none…so you either pray around the corner on the street and feel awkward with all the starring eyes or you go to changing/parent/shower room to pray (not toilet though it is connected to toilet.).
Have you seen any where in Aussie media of me posting a picture of me with the caption “muslim force to pray in “toilet”…Is this what christian/jesus teach you? and so on and so forth…???” No I have not done that…and is not a big thing anyway…and I understand that as a minority, you cant expect the majority to allocate a space for you just for you convenience…
The starring eyes doesnt necessarily mean racism…its just something they dont used to…
But the issue is not just with muslim…there are other non white non muslim… these people feel the same as well… and is minority as well..
But what is interesting to look at is how they behave in this country in comparison to how they behave in our Malaysia….
Somehow they could understand the minority-majority common sense but in Malaysia these understanding seems lost…
This is what dissapoint me the most….
I guess most of us who went and stay overseas understand this relation and naturally show respect to the “native” (Now dont start arguing about “native” with me) but when it come to Malaysia….sigh…
re: “I understand that as a minority, you cant expect the majority to allocate a space for you just for you convenience…”
You’re saying that you pray in a changing room because you belong to a minority faith and there is no space (surau) allocated to you in Oz.
The Seri Pristana case is entirely different.
A canteen is the proper space allocated for pupils.
The Seri Pristana canteen is already there and due to puasa month, it is empty. However the school (SP as well as other national schools) chose to close their canteens and thus deprive non-Muslim students of the use of the facility.
I don’t know where (which town) you are now in Oz but I’m assuming that there is no covenant between the town and you whereby it promises to provide you a mosque. However other facilities are provided the inhabitants such as fire station, post office, community hall, etc.
Churches are not built by the state. If you want a surau, then you and your fellow Muslims in your town in Oz can collect the building fund and make the proper permit application to build one, like the evangelistas do in Malaysia.
Whereas the school is different. The primary school is a covenant between Malaysians and the government where the authorities have promised education opportunities for the rakyat.
Those 28 Indian, Chinese and (1) orang Asli kids are registered at a Sekolah Kebangsaan (not vernacular). They have signed up to the System.
Part of the deal is that the ordinary features of a normal schooling environment are provided them and this includes recess where they can go to the canteen to have their meals.
In this aspect, the headmaster of Seri Pristana has defaulted on the government’s end of the bargain in delivering a most basic feature of any democratic (or even non-democratic) country, which is decent education for the young.
You as an adult by your own free will had elected to pray in a changing room.
The kids are between 7 and 12 years old and at the mercy of the adults of a different race and religion, and they were ‘ordered’ (compelled) to use an unsuitable place for having their meals.
However clean the changing room looks, you can’t get away from the fact that it is still next to a toilet.
Zaid Ibrahim wrote that this “incident unfolds because Malay/ Muslim administrators do not think non-Malays/non-Muslims are important enough to be treated with respect and dignity”.
HILANG HATI PERUT
Zaid further wrote:
“What has happened is the result of heightened Malay-Muslim consciousness, promoted by politicians and Islamic bureaucrats who—under the cloak of race and in some cases religion or both — want to be identified as champions of their race and religion. But by invoking false ideologies of patriotism and Islamisation, they have invaded the public space and filled the minds of the people with so much indoctrinal nonesense that some Malays/Muslims have forgotten basic human decency and moral values in their interpersonal relationships with others. The process has numbed the conscience of these administrators, a condition described by our Malay elders as hilang hati perut. It means they have lost their sense of fairness, empathy and understanding and can no longer appreciate the consequence of their actions on others who do not belong to their group. They simply no longer care enough to.
“These false champions of their race and religion then blame non-Malays and non-Muslims for being insensitive.”
Datuk Zaid’s article can be read at his blog, http://www.zaid.my/?p=774
I think it was a pretty good article. As always, the problem with Pakatan supporters (and I suppose Establishment supporters too) is that they detest anyone who gives any indication he/she may be navigating with a moral compass. Or maybe they just get confused with any indication of navigating with a moral compass.
Helen
Whether it is in a covenant or not is not an issue…the issue is whether the thing is ok or not ok….in this case whether the kids eating in “toilet” is ok or not?
If for some reason, there is a covenant to build surau, would it then be suddenly wrong to pray in “the toilet”?
I cant be bothered to response anymore…..be it what you or Zaid want to think….If you and Zaid want to think that is tak berhati perut and “lost of decency” then so be it…..but dont implicate Malay and Islam with it ….
just implicate me and the H.M…..
Kes Buli la ni, apa lagi!
mdsabu,
As Helen points out, your comparison is off. The canteen is a designated location for eating in school. Closing it off and making the non Muslim students use the change rooms to eat shows different treatment based on religion in a national school. This should not have happened. And a change room is certainly not a proper place for dining.
A similar comparison would be (theoretically) in Australia, where you are ordered to use separate areas from the whites to eat, or made to sit at the back of the bus. Some small towns in Australia actually had that policy before it was banned in the 1960s.
“As for could understand the minority-majority common sense but in Malaysia these understanding seems lost…”
In these countries the law specifically prohibits separate treatment. A school headmaster doing the same thing in Australia would be immediately suspended and dismissed from his post if found guilty. Like you, I am staying in Australia on a long extended business trip. There is a mosque close to where I am staying, in a neighbourhood that is 97% non Muslim. The minaret is the tallest structure in the neighbourhood.
AC DC read carefully what you have just wrote…
Is it me or you who’s comparison is “off”?
This is the problem when looking from biased point of view (including me) that we sometimes dont even see that we are “off”…
How you made the leap from using “toilet” as canteen to an apartheid law of seggregation is again beyond me…this is indeed “off comparison” from what we are discussing…whereas the “the toilet” dining room under contention has been used even by the muslim themselves. So its not about seggregation…unless the canteen has been exclusive to the muslim and the nons is thrown into the “toilet”.
It is a designated (obviously not in Helen’s designation) dining room for all…not just for the nons
“… dining room for all…not just for the nons”
mdsabu, if you bother to read some of the comments here and elsewhere like this one written by Ravinder Singh, most nons believe that was staged as a cover up.
Also, read Art Harun’s piece few days ago. He said “the closure of the school canteen during Ramadhan is prevailing in many national schools. Apparently, this is done to “respect” the Muslim students who are fasting” (sic).
I did bother myself to read those that claim that it was a staged….
I also read those that said it has been going on since March and that muslim has also been using “the apartheid toilet” as well…
So which version do you want to believe?
I know mine is the later and let me guess…. yours must be the fisrt one?
And where does this end?…
Re ;”So its not about seggregation…unless the canteen has been exclusive to the muslim and the nons is thrown into the “toilet”.
Well there’s also the suspicion that the canteen was closed because of Muslim sensitivities during the fasting month. The facts have not emerged yet.
As it is the process of segregation between Muslims and Non Muslims has been going on for decades because of this process of Islamisation. The conversion laws, the conflation of race and religion and other forms of norms (legal) have ensured that for the most part each community views the other with suspicion.
Political parties have a field day milking this situation for all its worth.
So then specific to this broahua, it really is not a problem of seggregation…so hopefully everybody take notice….
Let keep other issue for other day/other page to discuss eh…
exaggerative and highly flammable remark such as “Malay Muslim Apartheid” should really be avoided.
By the way…the self seggregation has already been going on with the chinese/Indian wanting to remain Chinese/Indian with or without the Islamisation.
Re: “By the way…the self seggregation has already been going on with the chinese/Indian wanting to remain Chinese/Indian with or without the Islamisation”
Actually the main factor of the increasing retreat into communalism is the Islamisation factor.
The DAP is propelling the Islamisation.
And it is not news is it, that UMNO, Malays and Islam had been picked on to take out the Nons out of the blame equation. How convenient!
Conrad,
I dont think “Islamisation” is the MAIN factor….but the vernacular system is…
I see “communalism” of Chinese everywhere including in the US, UK and Aussie….
Is that because the “Islamisation” is also strong in those places?? Of course not…
The truth is, it is purely human nature for a person to tend to flock with people that have more in common with them in terms of cultural, reli etc.
However the Chinese or the Malay for that matter, in this western country has very little chance to maintain their commonness after 2nd… third generation… especially without the vernacular system…. hence the reason why there is less self seggregation after 2nd third generation of their kids.
Why ? 28 students cannot be accomadated with 3 tables and chairs at the canteen dining area. Please no reason as renovations and all those long winded stories. We no the facts why can we accept the reality.
Canteen means places to buy food and eat
Changing Room/ Shower Room is meant just for that, not to be converted into a dining area.
Beastofburden,
You got it wrong. The real issue is the canteen is too small to accomodate more than 1000 students who take lunch at same time. Not for 28 students only.
If PTA seems OK with it, why create a fuss. It is clear that many are keen to play the racial gallery
Shamshul,
Seri Pristana is a new and canggih school.
It has 18 classrooms and for two sessions, morning and afternoon can accommodate 36 classes.
If we have 40 pupils per class, the Seri Pristana can accommodate 1,440 pupils.
At present the enrolment of Seri Pristana is 1,375, which is well within the comfortable range that the school was built for.
Divide 1,375 pupils into two sessions and we get 687 pupils per session.
If the recess is staggered into two periods, e.g. Recess(1): 10am-10.20am and Recess(2): 10.30am-10.50am, then the canteen needs only to accommodate 344 pupils at each go.
Like I said, Seri Pristana is a new and canggih school. As we already know, it has got two changing rooms (poor schools do not even have enough toilets),
two meeting rooms, music room, computer lab, science lab, Living Skills workshop, resource room, textbook room, (it is common for the new schools have all of these facilities), Self Access Learning room, special needs room (for OKU students), AV room, art room, sick bay, recovery room, dental health rooms …
Now, please lah, don’t tell me that a school which has such a complete set of facilities (with those rooms listed above taking up so much space) did not build a canteen big enough.
And as I’ve shown between the comparison between the enrolment and the number of physical classrooms, Seri Pristana’s 1,375 pupils still falls within a comfortable zone as it can take a max of 1,440 pupils.
If we absolve the Education Ministry of fault, i.e. grant that the Ministry had built the school dengan secukup syarat, then this flap is due to the idiosyncratic decision of the headmaster.
Why are all of you – in your overzealous defence of the HM – opening up the field for the Ministry of Education and the Ministers of Education to be attacked by the critics as if the government did something wrong?
Here the school is fine! Examine the HM’s actions as an individual, please.
Having worked with many civil contractors, I can tell you their ability to fuck up projects is legendary. That said, the ministry should be held responsible for approving the school for use, before checking the adequacy and fitness of the facilities.
I think Helen is still trying to highlight the sentiment from the non Malays is that there was mal intent in assigning the changing room or at the very least extreme lack of consideration and empathy. The Muslims do sometimes bulldoze their ideas onto nonmuslims without going through due process.
Similarly, the nonmuslims are now quick to raise their grievances through social media rather than proper channels. This is now becoming quite a habit among them.
Both are guilty. But from the standpoint of a person viewing from another country, the pictures on facebook have done major international perception damage, and the handling of the issue was poor. The star and other oppo sites have also used this for political mileage .
Shamsul,
So is it possible for a small room with only two or three tables to resolve an excess of few hundred students?
The real issue is the proper canteen being closed through out Ramadhan, when a small section in the canteen could have been set aside for the non fasting and non Muslim children.
If the canteen operator does not wish to operate in a period of low business, the non Muslim children could still bring their meals from home.
AC-DC,
Get your facts right. The closure started well before Ramadhan.
A changing room of course does not solve the crowding issue. But surely it is a better alternative than eating beside “longkang’.
The real issue is that the complainant created an issue out of nothing. she made it as a racial issue and happily used by Guan Eng to whack the headmaster and portrayed that the non Muslims are discriminated (by who else if not the malays).
If the complainant is not satisfied, do go to proper channel. But as much as she wants to protest, she must also remember PTA has no objection.
Head master of course is not perfect just like you and me. We may question his decision. But can we say that eating beside longkang is a better choice than comfortable in changing room.
re: “The closure started well before Ramadhan.”
Since so many police reports have been made, hopefully the police would get to the bottom of this discrepancy in the dates.
re: “A changing room of course does not solve the crowding issue.”
Do we believe that there is a crowding issue in the first place? NST managing editor Nuraina Samad writes in her column today that the Seri Pristana canteen can hold 500 pupils.
The school should have roughly 687 pupils each session (divided equally) and if the recess is staggered into two time slots, 344 students each break time. No problem with capacity.
If the kids all come out for their meal break at the same time, then we have (687 – 100 =) 187 excess students.
The changing room looks like it can accommodate max 30 pupils. This does not resolve the problem of 187 spillover pupils from the main canteen.
Sorry but the HM’s story doesn’t add up.
Helen, i think the police have better things to do. The only way they will take action is if this is further politicized or court demands requires action.
This issue is about as urgent as my police report I filed against my tenant, who isn’t paying rent.
Helen,
Which part of headmaster’s story that does not add up?
that it would be better for students to use the changing room while a minor construction on the canteen taking place OR the uproar because someone plays racial card here?
re: “it would be better for students to use the changing room while a minor construction on the canteen taking place”
The students have purportedly been using The Room since March. Has the minor construction on the canteen taking place since March as well?
All the children use the space since March due to limited space at the canteen. Unfortunately, due to minor renovation plus misjudgement they extend it right through Ramadhan; thinkingbthat it will be much easier that way.
Like I said, the math doesn’t add up.
The school should have roughly 687 pupils each session (divided equally between morning and afternoon).
NST managing editor Nuraina Samad writes that the canteen can accommodate 500 pupils.
If all the pupils come out at one go during recess, then there would be an access of 187 pupils to the seating capacity. The changing room which looks like it can accommodate max 30 pupils would not do much to ease the congestion of 187 pupils.
This scenario above of one recess break is less likely b’cos the vendors might find 687 pupils too many too cope with (depending on how many food stalls there are operating).
Another scenario of two recess breaks is the more likely, i.e. staggered to two time slots, with 344 pupils eating each break time.
Hence if the canteen can accommodate 500 as reported, then it should have no problem coping with 344 pupils and there is no need to send anyone to the changing room.
The outcry arises b’cos the non-Muslims do not believe that:
(i) the changing room has been used since March also by Muslim students
(ii) the story about the renovation work paralyzing the canteen; the benches are neatly stacked on the tables implying that the canteen is closed and there are no signs of repair being carried out
Instead the popular belief is that the mostly Indian pupils were put in the changing room b’cos it’s fasting month.
So there is conspiracy ! Put on your tin foil hats!
Well, 10 adult men did put on a show of buka puasa in The Room when they could have easily buka puasa in the teachers’ room or teachers canteen or anywhere else in the school since by buka puasa time, the school would already be empty as the pupils have all gone home.
I think they did it to show it is safe to eat in the changing room.
If you really want to build a case against the HM or school or ministry or whoever, then it would be advisable to take air samples from the room and see how much air-borne pathogens there are there. If it doesn’t meet World Health Organization guidelines, then you have cause for suing.
I like commenters who can come out with concrete suggestions! :D
Dear Helen,
Man, I respect the way you handle the comments. We need more people like you. Your sincerity shows.
Though I don’t necessarily agree with you, but I think attacks against you are way off and unbecoming. But your calm reasons handled the situation well and you need no defending. Respect you on this.
My view is that to turn this into a racial issue is wrong. To give impression that the HM teacher school and PTA are racists by purposely confining all the non Muslims into eating in the toilet is wrong and deplorable. After reading the arguments, I do believe that its driven by other consideration in particular logistics than race. But that doesn’t mean I agree to turn the shower room however clean into a canteen. Unless more facts are available I still think its bad judgement call. Such criticism against them is acceptable.
To attack them being racist like LGE did is wrong. LGE likes to use the word racist ikut suka hati dia. He’s racist himself. Probably ill write a piece as well.
And to those gunning you down, stop it. Helen is honest and consistent so its fine to have contrarion views. LGE for example is totally dishonest and deceiving. You should aim there. If you want to pick a fight against me go to my blog.
Ellese,
I could not agree more. Especially when you say Guan Eng being dishonest.
Guan Eng even manipulated his own son to whack Muhyidin. So what respect that we can give to Guan Eng. Nothing.
Re: “Guan Eng even manipulated his own son to whack Muhyidin. So what respect that we can give to Guan Eng. Nothing.”
What’s this in reference off ?
Conrad,
For the uninitiated, Guan eng’s son was accused of molesting. I do not know the truth just like everybody else.
Muhyidin when asked advised Guan Eng to make police report. Muhyidin did not accused Guan eng’s son. He was asked on his capacity as Ministry of education on what action needs to be taken.
Guan eng, in his “element ” pleaded to Muhyidin to spare his son from brutalty of politics.
As if Muhyidin accusing Guan eng’s son in the first place.
So now you know how manipulative Guan eng is.
C’mon, I accuse LGE of being complicit in the rise of the RBA – the DAP’s propaganda machine.
The propaganda war waged against his (LGE’s) son was a complete lie. If we can agree that LGE is to blame for the DAP’s propaganda why not apply the same standard to Muhyidin and UMNO ?
Conrad,
Why must Muhyiddin or UMNO be blamed on this allegation?
I admire your patience abang, seriously.
Honestly, I think if the situation is reversed, ie. Malay kids in Chinese school, I doubt it won’t evolve into this… But I could be wrong. Perhaps some politicians will exploit it, like now.
Sad to say, but I agree with Helen’s prognosis that issues like this, is one of the reasons for the low Chinese enrollment in national school. I think those former mission schools have higher enrollment.
Regarding the DAP’s work, do you know some kids as young as Std 2 or 3, whom I doubt would know who the Education Minister is, but knows who Hannah Yeoh is? :)
Gig,
Politician(Guan eng) already exploited it. Not to mention good for nothing Tweet Queen, Hanna Yeoh.
Let us get real here. Low enrollment in national school is due to Chinese mistaken belief that their Chinese culture will only survive if they have separate school(meaning no mix with other races).
And they say that while lamenting why we cant be like singapore in all aspect(minus separate schools).
So, do not be surprise that other races also say that chinese(in general as a race) as racist.
Corrent Shamsul. There is also their oft-repeated claim that Sekolah Kebangsaan has lower academic standards than Chinese schools.
Shamsul anuar,
[Quote: “Low enrollment in national school is due to Chinese mistaken belief that their Chinese culture will only survive if they have separate school(meaning no mix with other races).”]
No, Chinese do not enroll their children in Chinese school to preserve their ‘Chinese’ culture. Nor do they do it because they don’t want to mix with non-yellow skin people.
It is no mystery… they just want their children to know another language. Back in the 80s and 90s, English educated parents were rather skeptical about sending their children to Chinese schools. Reason being they fear they (the parents) cannot help tutor their children in their homework, and Chinese schools are notorious for giving out homework to children like no tomorrow.
Today, since the emergence of China as an economic powerhouse, parents are more determined than ever to give their children the advantage of knowing Chinese.
It is also no secret children in Chinese schools are better at maths.
Those Cina who migrated to western countries had denied their offsprings to having to know another language, i.e. Chinese.
In that case, your theory that org Cina want their kids to learn Chinese fall short.
Setem
[Quote: Those Cina who migrated to western countries had denied their offsprings to having to know another language, i.e. Chinese.]
You talk as if Malaysia is the only country in the world where one can learn Chinese.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/21/uk-mandarin-education-idUSLNE73K07720110421
I think what he meant is the vernacular system….dont be naive….those link that you quote is merely a mandarin class which can also be easily adopted here in Malaysia in the national school….It is far from the full fledged segregationist school system with mandarin/tamil as medium (not as another language to learn) aka SJKC, SJKT etc…
I have personally lived there….I can vouch that there is no such thing as the chinese public school (SJKC)….There might be private specialised school in London or somewhere…but not that I know of and if there is it must have been 1 in 1000 public school.
mdsabu,
Appreciate you sharing your overseas experience and clarification on venacular vs Chinese kebangsaan schools.
As for my reply to Setem, people who migrate have compelling reason to do so. Choices in life are seldom easy but the pros obviously outweigh the cons of denying their children a Chinese education.
HH,
Then maybe you are not aware of what said by Dong Zong. That was the reason they gave.
I am all for learning mandarin, Tamil, Arabic or Kikuyu. But separate school system separates us.
There is no denying that sheer population of china makes it as economic powerhouse. By all mean, learn Mandarin. I am talking about a separate matter: separate school.
Shamshul anuar,
Yep, I wasn’t aware what Dong Zong said.
Lemme find out more first.
shamshul anuar,
I recall LGE was very vocal on this and other issues. I highly suspect the intentions of those who claim to be champions of of a particular race or religion… & those who demand harsh punishments. If indeed the HM is guilty, I prefer the PSD handle it and let the law run it’s course.
Chinese schools to safeguard culture is not mistaken believe. That’s the excuse. Although language is an important part of culture, that’s not the over-riding reason. Most Chinese Malaysians have already lost touch with their cultures and traditions.
Chinese schools do not have any subjects on Chinese culture. Their syllabus are similar to national schools. As with any language, to learn it requires the right environment. Without a strong command of Mandarin, it is difficult to learn & understand Chinese culture and literature. I think the Chinese Independent schools have subjects on Chinese culture. Of course it differs from person to person in terms of the interest. Although there are English translations available now, sometimes it is impossible to translate the nuances and correct meaning. Actually, I would prefer if they include some subjects on Chinese literature, cultural values and ethics.
I have often expressed the question that, why is it that today, the parents who were educated in SK schools, are enrolling their kids in Chinese schools. Why? They grew up mixing with all races, studied in BM, etc. right? Are they, collectively, racists?
Racism is an individual decision. Perception, OTOH, might be a collective one. Yes. The truth is other races perceive Chinese as racists, and likewise. That’s life.
The real reason? Insecurity.
Chinese education is viewed by most in the community as their safety net. In terms of priority, the closest analogy, although not quite accurate, is what religion is to the Malays, education is to the Chinese.
Most average Chinese would even mortgage their houses to fund their kid’s education. Compounded with limited places in public unis, most accept that their kids will have more options in education and work through chinese education. Which is why, issues like this Pristina case and others, only reaffirms their decision.
Singapore… well, I don’t think they envy Singapore in all aspects. Education, yes. Many Johorean Chinese do send their kids to school there. Business, no. It is expensive there. In fact, many Singaporean companies open offices here due to lower costs and bigger market. Quality of life, no. Expensive and stressful. Jobs, yes. Higher salary, after conversion. Early in life, they flock there to work. Later in life, they come back to retire.
Reply to jampi #97
“So there is conspiracy ! Put on your tin foil hats!”
Well I don’t think the photo op was to show that the environment was safe. Some ( a good many) Malaysians have no problems eating in the most unsanitary of places, so I doubt the real issue is with air quality control – although eating in a supposed toilet, is well just crappy.
No, I think the real issue is what we have been talking about in numerous threads, religious sensitivity or the supposed Muslim insensitivity.
Since there is very little info to go on besides the bungled attempts by the Establishment and blood in the water agenda of the Opposition, all we can do is speculate, insult and generally come up with narratives which support our perspectives.
How do we legislate good manners? It’s hard, if not impossible.
We can’t expect to take action against this particular changing room issue because what crime was committed? You tell me.
Assigning a temporary lunch location for the kids who were not fasting is not criminal.
Mind you, the HM could argue his action was not even against non-Muslims as some Muslim kids would no doubt be abstaining from fasting due to medical or personal reasons (early menstruation may be a probable cause).
The insult is no where near as egregious as what Alvivi did, which was clear cut and intentional.
So even if you were to bring the HM or the education ministry to trial, I am pretty sure there is no law that can be used to prosecute them. Plus, I am sure if there were such a law, the legal whizzes in DAP would have thought of using it already to gain even more political mileage.
The issue isn’t about legislating anything or maybe it is.
Why was the HM asked to take a week’s leave ? Because its about perception.
Let us suppose there was some sort of religious/racial bias on the part of the HM and that all of this is a continuing pattern (as some pundits have pointed out) in the way how the State or its agents ( maybe working independently) to enforce religious sensitivity.
What then is the solution. ?
You make it sound as if there is no basis for Non Malays to have a suspicious attitude when it comes to issue like this.
On the other hand it could be just bad management on the HM’s part, with absence of malice and the issue got blown out of proportion thanks to the partisan climate of the country.
And surely, to a great extent, thanks to people like you. I just thought you might want to add that. Owned it!
Reply Helen # 85
“The DAP is propelling the Islamisation.”
On the one hand, the DAP is legitimizing Islamisation by colluding with PAS in gaining a foothold in the Malay heartland, and on the other, they are attempting to create Evangelical “zones” (urban) which would enable (economically) their Muslim fundamentalist partners.
This may be a tin foil hat theory, but if pressed I think I could make a fairly decent argument for it.
re: “make a fairly decent argument for it”
Go ahead.
OK but remember I’m not married to this particular conspiracy theory or anything, just throwing it out there. And keep in mind I’m talking in a real politik sense.
Forget about the so called secular ethos of the Oppositional forces in this country. The DAP and PAS are the backbone of the Opposition in this country, two religiously defined entities kept intact by the glue of PKR.
Secular for the Opposition means what the DAP and certain members of PKR define it as. Now the DAP has a problem. How to get their partners into power, so they (PR) can redefine the power sharing formula ?
What the DAP is doing by funding Malay religious entities is attempting to demonstrate to the Islamic guardians in all their guises, that the DAP (and the Evangelical wing) is willing to do business with the aim of gaining Federal power.
The DAP is not interested in the rural heartland. What they want is their “Malay” partners to control these areas, so it would be a vote bank for an alliance made up of disparate religious imperatives.
The urban areas, would act as some sort of Christian enclaves that would economically sustain the back wood Malay vote banks. Now by Christian enclaves, I do not mean that everyone would be Christians or anything like that, but that political power would be in the hands of the Evangelist wing of the DAP.
In short these urban centres would be defined by Evangelical power structures doing business with acceptable Malay proxies and that Federal power would be defined by Malay vote banks and Chinese Evangelical money.
Is there a way where you can put up a poll system in this blog where visitors can vote on each issue. For instance, for this Canteen Issue, everybody has been talking and recycling the same reasoning over and over again and it seems no end to it.
1. Do you believe the canteen cum changing room has been operating since March?
2. Do you believe that it is a case of misjudgement by the HM?
3. Do you believe that the HM did it on purpose as the affected children are the minority?
Etc.
The thing is how do you control the 1 vote for I visitor system?; else the CT and RBA will spoil the poll result with multiple votes as in the case of J-star poll last year.
re: “everybody has been talking and recycling the same reasoning over and over again and it seems no end to it”
Extended talk is okay. I hear Jamie and Zack better and where they’re coming from with each subsequent reiteration, and it helps foster the berbaik sangka. Taking in their views allows me to rein in my own.