FAILURE TO UNSHEATH THE KERIS MAY PROVE COSTLY FOR HISHAM

In about four hours, the UMNO Youth Wing will begin it’s meeting with the traditional Keris being presented in what will be Hishammuddin Hussein’s last appearance in the Youth stage as it’s leader.

In a report by a news portal on the 22 March, it said that Hishamuddin will not unsheathe the Keris but “will lift up a covered keris as part of the opening ceremony of the youth assembly.”

When I bumped into a close associate of the Youth Chief earlier at the PWTC prior to the closed door meeting with the President, he said that after due deliberation, it was decided that Hishammudin will continue with the tradition of unsheathing the Keris and will be supported by the UMNO Youth Excos in his act because this is a Malay tradition and the others have no business in it.

As at yesterday afternoon, support from the ground for Hishammuddin for VP has been lukewarm because a good number of the members think that he is generally overrated. This comes from delegates who had not much power in their divisions’ nominations but have voting rights on the 26th to decide who they want to lead the party. This is the level where nominations mean nothing, and division chiefs have no influence whatsoever on the delegates as their votes will be by secret ballot. Most of them are waiting for him to continue being cowed into submission by non-Malays so that they can go to town even before the youth meeting ends running him down before voting begins for the main body.

Hishammuddin will either win or lose his Vice Presidential attempt on the Youth stage and not on the voting day proper. If he does the right thing and redeems himself in the eyes of the Malays with his world famous rhetoric, he may end his tenure as a hero and sail through the next day with his face on the front covers of all newspapers before voting begins for the main body. The Malays usually get carried away and get easily sold by rhetoric, especially if it is driven by emotion. In the end, others will benefit while they only get that brief satisfaction of exhibiting strong emotions, hence the old Malay proverb “Menang sorak, kampong tergadai”. It means literally that we may win in loud arguments but we lose our village.

As I have written in my posting http://tpj-one-thepatriot.blogspot.com/2008/04/might-of-keris.html entitled “The Might of the Keris”, a wise man once said that the Keris, once unsheathed will protect the person as long as he uses its power with full responsibility and fairness in the struggle for the community. If there is impurity in its use, then the hand that grips it will in turn earn its wrath.

Let us see if Hishammuddin repents and does justice to it this time. The Keris will either defend his future or end his political advancement with one fatal stroke.

A FINAL RUNDOWN ON JOHOR CANDIDATES FOR SUPREME COUNCIL

PART TWO

Johor being the State that gave birth to UMNO and is the biggest benefactor in the Ruling Government is fielding the most number of Candidates in the coming UMNO elections. While many are deserving and capable leaders, there are also several who are taking advantage of the State’s reputation to make it big in National Politics. Let’s go through them one by one and maybe after that you’ll be able to determine who they are with a little help from me.

ABDUL GHANI OTHMAN – MENTERI BESAR OF JOHOR

He was appointed Treasurer of the Johor UMNO Liaison Committee by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the then Menteri Besar which kick started his career in politics. Later he was appointed Senator before being elected as Member of Parliament in 1986. From 1987 to 1993, he was Deputy Minister before becoming the Sports Minister at the end of 1993. One of his achievements was to initiate a National Youth Program called “The Rakan Muda”.In 1995 he was appointed Menteri Besar of Johor succeeding Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He still enjoys this position at the behest of the Sultan of Johor.

He has since promoted Malay Arts and Culture specifically the Zapin and Ghazal keeping it alive and well in the Malay Community. He also introduced mandatory Quran readings every Friday morning before work begins in the government sector to promote the comprehension of the Holy Book. As an UMNO leader protecting Religion and defending the Race, he has done his part in both aspects and is a worthy candidate for Supreme Council.

SHAHRIR ABDUL SAMAD – MINISTER OF DOMESTIC TRADE

He was the youngest Political Secretary in the country serving Musa Hitam. Later he served Tun Razak in the same capacity until the latter died in London. In 1978, he won the Parliamentary seat in Johor Bahru. He was Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, then Minister of Welfare, Youth and Sports before being the Minister of the Federal Territories. He was out of mainstream politics for a long spell before finally being re-appointed into the Cabinet by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after the recent elections in 2008.

He is generally not a team player and has a mind of his own as proven twice when he resigned his seat in Parliament to stand and win as an independent and later when he resigned as the Backbencher’s Club Chairman for voting in support of the Opposition in Parliament.

He serves his constituency well and I once followed him to tend to a complaint by one of his constituents at 3 am just to confirm the report and take immediate action.

He is a good candidate for Supreme Council as we need a maverick to stand up for what’s right even if it’s against the wishes of the President as opposed to being a rubber stamp and an apple polisher.

AZALINA OTHMAN SAID – MINISTER OF TOURISM

She established the Puteri UMNO wing from scratch which was a mountainous task. She helped reach the young and restless ladies who were not too inclined towards politics and turned the Wing into a powerhouse envied by the Wanita wing under the leadership of Rafidah Aziz, which proved that they were of tremendous significance in UMNO prepared to replace the senior ladies in the Party.

She was Minister of Sports in 2004 before assuming the current post after the recent elections. She is currently a sitting member of the Supreme Council winning in the last UMNO election after having reached the maximum age in Puteri UMNO.

She is a “hands on” leader who gets things done quickly and was recently elected as the only female Division Chief in the country after her rival failed to get enough nominations to qualify in Pengerang.

We need more Ministers like her. Unfortunately, her officers are currently being investigated by the SPRM for political corruption, but if she is cleared of any wrongdoing, she would be a superb candidate for Supreme Council for her action oriented mentality which is not a widespread characteristic in Malay leadership.

DR ABDUL LATIF AHMAD – DEPUTY HEALTH MINISTER

He is the Mersing Division Chief and was one of the youngest State Executive Councillors in Johor serving two terms while also sitting in the Youth Wing as an EXCO member. He is a second term Deputy Minister and almost didn’t make the cut in the line-up after the elections. He was said to be vocal in the last few meetings while supporting the quick transfer of power.

He is affable but not quite in the frontlines because he is overshadowed by a strong Minister from the MCA, yet he is experienced enough and would be a good candidate to be considered for another term in the Supreme Council at least.

NORAINI AHMAD – DEPUTY MINISTER FOR LABOUR

She is the outgoing Chief of the Puteri Wing. She was appointed Deputy Minister presumably in respect of her position in the wing. She was secretary to the Backbencher’s Club and was deputy to Azalina who did all the work building Puteri while she just took over an already well established wing.

Ever since she took over the wing, the number of branches is said to have reduced out of lack of interest within the outfit. In Pulai alone, it started with around 26 branches under Azalina but at the last count, there were barely 18, this with the fact that our last Puteri Chief is a serving member of the Puteri Exco.(until 25 March) In the eyes of the majority in UMNO, not much have been achieved under Noraini’s leadership and because of this, there have been calls for the Wing’s role and position to be reduced to that of Putera UMNO. A Vice President’s equivalent is too high a position for a wing that is not quite up to the mark. The Puteri Wing should just be a bureau within the Wanita Wing. In addition, members are asking why they should consider a seat in the Supreme Council for every Puteri leader coming of age in every UMNO election.

Noraini is NOT a worthy candidate for Supreme Council although she might barely make the cut considering there are not more than 15 worthy candidates, meaning we have to still elect another 10 lousy ones to complete the 25 or our votes will be considered spoilt.

HALIMAH MOHD SADIQUE – HEAD OF THE JOHOR WANITA UMNO

She was an Executive Councilor in the Johor Government for several terms and was tipped to be at least a Deputy Minister in the new line up after the elections. However the Prime Minister was said to have come to his senses and opted not to appoint her even when Shahrizat Jalil lost her seat and Rafidah was not reappointed to the Cabinet.

She is currently just an ordinary member of the Tenggara Division and is reduced to being just a delegate after deciding not to defend her post as Division Chief. She was once considered a liability to the Menteri Besar in Johor because of her proximity with the leader although it was just merely a “rumor”.

She is a staunch supporter of Rafidah Aziz and it is said that if they both win in their respective contests, she will be looking at Rafidah every time there is a call to vote in the Supreme Council instead of doing what is best for the UMNO mass.

In several State functions introducing nationwide candidates running for Supreme Council, she is said to have brought busloads of Wanita members to cheer loudly when she is introduced on stage exhibiting artificial support for her fooling the locals.

Halimah too is NOT a worthy candidate for Supreme Council though she would be riding on the Johor and Wanita UMNO reputation to sail her through. Again, if she pulls through, it would be because the delegates will have little choice in completing the 25 person ballot.

DR PUAD ZAKARSHI – MP BATU PAHAT

He is currently the Batu Pahat Division Chief and Member of Parliament of the same. In 1997 he was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Johor State UMNO Liaison Committee and was Senator in 2004.

He is very vocal and is consistent in voicing the concerns and needs of the UMNO grassroots without fear or favour. When Prime Minister Badawi met with the Johor Liaison Committee for the first time after the disastrous showing (by BN standards) in the 2008 General Elections, he was only one of the two members in the Committee who asked outright for the PM to make way. The other person is Pulai Member of Parliament and UMNO Division Chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed, reflecting the views of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the great majority of UMNO members.

Dr Puad Zakarshi is a NECESSARY candidate for the Supreme Council, and I consider him a National Candidate as opposed to one from Johor because if his past reputation is anything to go by, he will bring the voice of the grassroots in there.

As a Malaysian citizen from Johor, I urge my fellow State delegates to choose ONLY the best and qualified amongst those from the State offering themselves for posts, even if it means there won’t be many who will succeed. Allegiance to the Party, and voting ONLY quality leaders from Johor, maintaining our leadership standard, would be the best way to exhibit our loyalty to the State and People of Johor.

For a recap of PART ONE covering the Deputy and Vice Presidential Candidates please go to http://tpj-one-thepatriot.blogspot.com/2008/12/9-candidates-qualify-to-contest-from.html. A slight correction: There are a total of 11 Candidates not counting the one for Deputy Chairmanship won uncontested from Johor, not 9. I stand corrected.

OF DOUBLE STANDARDS, FUNNY JUDGEMENTS & BREACH OF PROTOCOL

DOUBLE STANDARD

1. Why is it when Pakatan Rakyat’s EXCOs were charged in Court, no one, neither Pakatan members, nor the Rakyat asked them to resign from their posts and they continued to serve in their respective capacities until they decided to go Independent but when Ali Rustam is reprimanded by the Party Disciplinary Board, not charged in Court, he is asked to resign his post as Chief Minister of Malacca?

2. Why is it when Tan Sri Isa Samad, the sitting Vice President at that time was found guilty by the UMNO Discplinary Board chaired by the same person handing down judgment on Ali Rustam, he was forced to vacate his position as Minister of Federal Territories but when Ali Rustam was found guilty, he remains as Chief Minister of Malacca?

Now I can understand the political reasoning which is perhaps because we are afraid to lose Malacca in the next elections due to Ali’s huge influence in the State, but what escapes me is how this decision can come from a Chairman who claims, almost by thumping on his chest that the Disciplinary Board is Independent which has Separation of Powers bla bla bla, yet acts like he has been advised to compromise on his decision and went against precedent.

FUNNY JUDGMENT

1. A person can be guilty of the most watched out for and ONLY crime in a Party election, but he is let off with a warning.

I would think that in politics, either you are guilty or innocent. No two ways about it! It’s not like murder where they will have to determine whether you had the intention to kill to decide whether it is first degree murder, culpable homicide or manslaughter etc. In politics, would you ask a person giving out money or buying delegates the most expensive Chinese dinner whether or not he had the intention to bribe the fellows? Can you really be that daft? If the evidence is loose because the agent is an insignificant acquaintance, should he really be declared guilty? If there is an aiota of guilt, should he be allowed to contest at all?

How can one go on serving as a public official with the words “guilty” hanging over one’s head? How does this sound? “ The Honorable Khairy Jamaluddin is the guilty candidate running for UMNO Youth Chief”. He was found guilty by the Disciplinary Board for money politics but is allowed to contest for the top post in the UMNO Youth Wing.

Queer don’t you think? The Board would have done better by just declaring him innocent.

BREACH OF PROTOCOL

1. I would think also that the Disciplinary Board, although independent in their investigations, findings and judgment, is still answerable to the Supreme Council. This is because they were appointed by the Party Council, not the government or even Parliament. Therefore any judgment made by the Board should be recommended to the Supreme Council for their endorsement. They should have no right to make any independent announcements pre-empting the powers of the Supreme Council. A messy situation could have been avoided with Ali Rustam being persuaded to withdraw from the race in the name of unity without tarnishing his image and angering his supporters whom he can appease when they know the real reason for his withdrawal.

This is Party business and should remain there. Antagonizing factions within the party will only make things difficult in our effort to win back our lost ground in the coming elections. The Disciplinary Board should be headed by someone who can appreciate this front and not someone who perhaps can be influenced by old friends discussing it at the Country Club.

USUL UMNO BAHAGIAN PULAI MENYOKONG PPSMI 2005

Inilah usul yang dibawa oleh diri saya mewakili UMNO Bahagian Pulai. di Mesyuarat Agong Bahagian pada tahun 2005.

MUKADDIMAH USUL

MENGETAHUI : Ilmu adalah tunjang kepada semua akitek pembangunan sains,
teknologi, aero-angkasa, matematik dan pelbagai pengetahuan. Bahasa pula adalah penyampainya. Ilmu itu tidak mempunyai sempadan atau kesudahan. Selagi manusia itu ada:

“MENGUASAI ILMU - MENGUASAI DUNIA”

Ilmu tidak datang bergolek, tidak juga datang melayang – bak kata pepatah melayu:

“PECAHKAN RUYUNG DAPATLAH SAGUNYA”

BENAR : Banyak usaha telah dijalankan oleh kerajaan, dengan melibatkan pakar-pakar bahasa untuk mendaulatkan bahasa kita – Bahasa Melayu - bahasa kebangsaan. Dasar Pelajaran Baru berasaskan LAPORAN RAZAK (1956) dan LAPORAN ABDUL RAHMAN TALIB (1960) telah mengubah sekolah-sekolah yang pada awalnya dikenali sebagai Sekolah Rakyat, yang kemudiannya dikenali sebagai Sekolah Umum dan sekarang dikenali sebagai Sekolah Kebangsaan yang menggunakan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa pengantar. Ini semua dilakukan demi perpaduan dan penjenamaan IDENTITI MELAYU.

KEJUTAN : Istilah Dunia Tanpa Sempadan telah melonjakkan permintaan tinggi untuk menguasai ilmu. Bahasa yang menguasai dunia sahaja yang boleh dibawa dalam persaingan untuk mendalami bidang-bidang Sains dan Teknologi. Maka bersedialah kita dari sekarang demi memertabatkan Negara kita Malaysia sebagai negara maju.

MAKA : Dengan ini saya Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid B. Tan Sri Tengku Hamid Jumat – Naib Ketua UMNO Bahagian yang juga Pengerusi Biro Pendidikan Umno Bahagian mewakili UMNO Bahagian Pulai – mohon membentangkan Kertas Usul Pendidikan dalam Mesyuarat Perwakilan Umno Bahagian Pulai pada hari ini, Ahad, 22hb Mei 2005.

PENGAJARAN & PEMBELAJARAN SAINS DAN MATEMATIK DALAM BAHASA INGGERIS

Keputusan kerajaan untuk menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai pengantar mata pelajaran Matematik dan Sains telah dibuat untuk menghadapi cabaran era baru. Negara kita memerlukan generasi muda yang gagah bersaing dengan warga negara lain di dunia, terutamanya dalam bidang sains dan teknologi. Bahasa Melayu sudahpun membuktikan kebolehannya menyampaikan ilmu, termasuk Matematik dan Sains, hingga ke tahap tertinggi. Kejayaan ini telah dicapai melalui usaha gigih Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, tenaga pengajar di universiti, maktab dan sekolah, serta banyak pihak yang berkebolehan dari pelbagai bidang. Mereka telah membuat terjemahan dari buku-buku Inggeris, juga menghasilkan buku-buku asli dalam Bahasa Melayu.

Namun demikian, zaman ledakan ilmu dan maklumat (knowledge and information explosion), dan perkembangan ‘dunia tanpa sempadan’ telah mengubah ‘keselesaan kedudukan’ Bahasa Melayu. Kadar pertambahan ilmu dan maklumat tidak lagi seperti dulu. Pertambahannya berlipat-ganda, sehingga kadang-kadang menggerunkan – lebih-lebih lagi dalam bidang sains dan teknologi; terlalu cepat untuk diikut. Jika anak bangsa kita terpaksa menunggu untuk mendapatkannya melalui terjemahan ke Bahasa Melayu, akan ketinggalan akhirnya.

Secara kebetulan, Bahasa Inggeris telah menjadi bahasa dunia yang menyampaikan ilmu dan meklumat ini – sebahagian besarnya menerusi internet. Secara kebetulan juga, sejarah hitam penjajahan telah membawa Bahasa Inggeris ke Tanah Melayu. Bertahun kita bergelut dalam perjuangan memartabatkan bangsa. Ini diikuti pula dengan peristiwa 13 Mei 1969. Berbagai gagasan muncul dengan langkah-langkah untuk mencegah daripada berulangnya peristiwa sepertinya. Antara yang paling penting ialah pelaksanaan Dasar Pelajaran Baru yang berasaskan Laporan Razak (1956) dan Laporan Abdul Rahman Talib (1960) yang dikukuhkan oleh Akta Pelajaran 1961 – yang menetapkan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa pengantar, bermula di peringkat sekolah rendah. Bahasa Kebangsaan (Melayu) dijadikan alat pengikat dan pemersatu bangsa Malaysia. Semenjak itu penggunaan bahasa kebangsaan semakin semarak dan semakin diperluaskan ke peringkat tertinggi sehingga hari ini.

Hari ini kita boleh berbangga kerana telah berjaya mendaulatkan semula bahasa kita, Bahasa Melayu. Dengan keyakinan ini kita tidak harus ragu-ragu mempergunakan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa kedua. Ia adalah ‘alat’ di tangan kita untuk menguasai ilmu dan maklumat terkini, supaya kita tidak ketinggalan dalam era globalisasi ini. Demikianlah yang dilakukan di negara-negara seperti China dan Jepun – ia adalah langkah bijak tanpa mengabaikan bahasa kebangsaan sendiri.

Matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik telah mula diajar dalam bahasa Inggeris pada tahun 2003, iaitu kepada murid-murid Tahun Satu sekolah rendah dan Tingkatan Satu sekolah menengah. Jadi, pada tahun ini (2005), Matematik dan Sains disampaikan melalui bahasa Inggeris dalam tahun 1,2 dan 3 di sekolah rendah manakala dalam Tingkatan 1,2 dan 3 di sekolah menengah. Menurut jadual, tahun ini pelajar-pelajar akan mengambil PMR dan menjawab kertas dua matapelajaran itu dalam bahasa Inggeris; pada tahun 2007 mereka dijangka berbuat begitu di peperiksaan SPM dan demikianlah seterusnya. Bagi murid-murid sekolah rendah pula, UPSR akan diambil dengan kertas Matematik dan Sains dalam Bahasa Inggeris pada tahun 2008.

Kajian awal yang dijalankan oleh Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Johor telah menunjukkan hasil yang membimbangkan, iaitu prestasi anak Melayu di negeri ini, dalam matapelajaran Matematik dan Sains (tahun 2003 dan 2004) kini rendah, berbanding dengan pencapaian ketika dua matapelajaran ini diajar dalam Bahasa Melayu. Hasil kajian ini, yang telah dijalankan dengan rasa tanggungjawab dan prihatin terhadap kemajuan anak bangsa, haruslah dipandang serius oleh semua pihak.

Hasil kajian ini menyedarkan kita tentang satu masalah besar yang perlu diatasi. Namun, ini tidak bererti kita harus berundur ke belakang, pada peringkat awal usaha besar, penting, malah perlu ini. Setiap perubahan untuk menemui kemajuan memanglah terpaksa menemui masalah pada permulaannya.

CADANGAN KAEDAH MENGHADAPI KESUKARAN PPSMI DI PERINGKAT AWAL

Menginsafi keadaan ini, langkah seterusnya yang perlu diambil ialah mencari penyelesaiannya. Punca-punca masalah harus diselidiki. Strategi untuk menanganinya wajar disusun dan dilaksanakan bersama oleh semua pihak yang berkaitan. UMNO sebagai pejuang dan pendukung kemajuan bangsa – turut mempunyai peranan penting dalam hal ini. Menyedari kepentingannya, UMNO Bahagian Pulai mencadangkan beberapa kaedah awal untuk menangani kesukaran pengajaran dan pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris:

1. Tenaga pengajar: Siasatan selanjutnya mungkin sekali menunjukkan bahawa tenaga pengajar yang berkebolehan mengajar Matematik dan Sains dalam bahasa Inggeris perlu ditambah, terutamanya di kawasan-kawasan luar bandar. Kursus-kursus latihan untuk menghasilkan lebih banyak guru yang demikian perlu ditingkatkan di universiti, maktab dan pusat-pusat latihan harian, hujung minggu serta masa cuti. Bilangan tenaga pengajar turut dapat ditambah dengan mengambil lebih ramai guru yang sudah bersara dan memberi latihan semula kepada sebanyak mungkin siswazah sedang menganggur yang berpengetahuan dalam bidang Matematik dan Sains.

2. Kaedah Pembelajaran: Media massa (radio, televisyen dan surat khabar) boleh digunakan untuk menyampaikan pelajaran Matematik dan Sains dalam bahasa Inggeris dengan kaedah yang paling menarik dan berkesan. Di samping itu, rancangan dan siaran tv serta radio berbentuk akademik di samping menghiburkan perlu digalakkan pertumbuhannya untuk menarik minat mempelajari Matematik dan Sains dalam bahasa Inggeris.

3. Kemudahan Pembelajaran: Kemudahan komputer dan internet perlu diperluaskan ke kawasan luar bandar dan pedalaman agar para pelajar tidak ketinggalan untuk memanfaatkan kemudahan tersebut sebagai sumber ilmu dan maklumat. Minat mereka untuk menguasai bahasa Inggeris akan teransang dengan hebat sekali dengan kaedah paling terkini ini.

4. Peranan Sekolah: Untuk meningkatkan prestasi pelajar dalam ujian dan peperiksaan, pihak sekolah harus memperbanyakkan serta memperhebatkan sesi latihan menjawab soalan Matematik dan Sains dalam bahasa Inggeris. Panduan dan latih tubi serta penerangan aspek-aspek sukar yang diajukan kepada pelajar akan membina penguasaan mereka. Penguasaan akan meningkatkan minat dan minatlah yang akan membawa pelajar ke tahap penguasaaan yang lebih tinggi.


KEWAJARAN MENERUSKAN PENGAJARAN & PEMBELAJARAN MATEMATIK DAN SAINS DALAM BAHASA INGGERIS

Anak Melayu tidak kurang kecerdasan otaknya berbanding dengan kaum lain. Bakat dalam penggunaan bahasa juga sama baiknya. Begitu juga kebolehan semulajadi dalam Matematik dan Sains. Segala ini terbukti dengan kejayaan cemerlang yang dicapai oleh anak Melayu dalam pelbagai bidang termasuk Matematik, Sains dan Bahasa Inggeris. Jadi mangapakah masalah kemerosotan pencapaian anak Melayu dalam matapelajaran Matematik dan Sains timbul setelah ianya dikendalikan dalam Bahasa Inggeris, sedangkan pencapaian anak kaum-kaum lain tetap berprestasi tinggi?

Jawapan yang paling logik dan tidak harus dinafikan ialah: sikap. Anak Melayu kurang yakin malah menggeruni Bahasa Inggeris. Pelajar harus difahamkan sepenuhnya tentang peranan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai salah satu ‘alat’ untuk meninggikan daya saing mereka di kalangan bangsa-bangsa dunia. Kedaulatan dan keutamaan bahasa Melayu perlu ditegaskan. Namun rasa curiga dan tidak selesa terhadap Bahasa Inggeris perlu dikikis. Untuk mengubah pandangan dan perasaan negatif ini, penguasaan murid-murid melayu dalam ketiga-tiga matapelajaran ini perlu dipertingkatkan serentak dengan kaedah pengajaran terbaik diiring motivasi serta pembinaan keyakinan diri.

Apa yang telah dimulakan harus diteruskan atas rasional berikut:

1. Kalau kita berpatah balik menggunakan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa pengantar mata pelajaran Matematik dan Sains, akan berterusanlah masalah yang dihadapi di peringkat universiti selama lebih tiga dekad. Untuk mencapai tahap yang memuaskan di universiti, kuliah dan kerja makmal sahaja tidak mencukupi. Ilmu tambahan dari bahan rujukan sangat penting. Hasil-hasil penyelidikan dan pemindahan teknologi di peringkat tinggi yang telah diterjemahkan adalah amat terhad. Usaha penterjemahan tidak setanding dengan permintaan dan keperluan bahan rujukan. Pelajar kita menghadapi masalah untuk menguasai sepenuhnya bahan rujukan dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Akibatnya, antara lepasan universiti kita, hanya segelintir sahaja yang benar-benar cemerlang dan dihormati di peringkat antarabangsa. Masalah ini pasti semakin rumit dalam era ledakan ilmu dan maklumat sekarang. Kita memerlukan generasi baru yang dapat menguasai dengan cepat dan tepat segala ilmu serta maklumat yang bertambah secara berlipat ganda. Generasi baru ini sedang kita bina sekarang, dengan mengajar Matematik dan Sains dalam Bahasa Inggeris di peringkat awal. Kita masih mempunyai masa untuk mengatasi kelemahan awal. Dengan usaha gigih dari semua pihak, insyaAllah, apabila generasi baru ini sampai ke universiti, mereka akan berupaya sepenuhnya menguasai ilmu pengetahuan dalam bidang sains dan teknologi. Tidak ada lagi masalah memahami istilah, ungkapan dan struktur ayat dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Semua bahan, baik dari buku mahupun internet, dapat difahami dengan serta-merta. Kita akan mempunyai bukan hanya segelintir malah sebilangan besar siswazah yang setanding dengan lepasan universiti terbaik di negara-negara maju.

2. Mata pelajaran EST (English in Science and Technology), tidak cukup untuk membina penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris dalam sains dan teknologi. Jika mata pelajaran Matematik dan Sains kembali diajar dalam Bahasa Melayu, tidak mungkin semua istilah, ungkapan dan struktur ayat Bahasa Inggeris yang diperlukan itu diajar dalam mata pelajaran EST. Pelajar juga akan sentiasa mengalami kekeliruan antara istilah Bahasa Melayu dan istilah Bahasa Inggeris.

3. Jika kita berundur, kita akan memberi tanggapan negatif kepada anak bangsa kita. Setelah memimpin mereka ke jalan menuju kejayaan, tiba-tiba kita bawa mereka berpatah balik, semata-mata kerana menemui masalah di peringkat awal. Sebaliknya, kita harus mengundang mereka untuk sama-sama mengatasi masalah dan memupuk sikap positif dalam menempuh cabaran.

4. Di mata kaum-kaum lain juga kita membentuk imej negatif jika kita berundur. Mereka pasti membuat andaian bahawa kita berpatah balik kerana jelas sekali kita tidak mempunyai keyakinan terhadap kebolehan anak-anak kita berbanding anak-anak mereka. Tambahan pula, mereka tidak akan mengurangkan usaha mereka selama ini untuk memantapkan penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris anak-anak mereka. Di peringkat universiti, mereka akan cemerlang. Akibatnya, kita akan kalah bersaing di peringkat tinggi, bukan sahaja dengan siswa negara-negara asing, tetapi juga dengan pelajar kaum lain dari negara kita sendiri.

Kesimpulannya, perubahan sikap pelajar-pelajar Melayu, ibu-bapa dan guru-guru mereka, serentak dengan pengukuhan kaedah pengajaran dan pembelajaran Matematik dan Sains dalam Bahasa Inggeris adalah amat kritikal sebagai penentu kejayaan usaha ini. Penerangan telus dari pihak kepimpinan kepada pelajar, hala tuju pembangunan negara dan kursus-kursus motivasi dan penerangan, harus dipertingkatkan. Para pelajar, khususnya dan masyarakat amnya, harus disedarkan tentang kedudukan mereka di kalangan antarabangsa dan pelbagai kaum di tanah air sendiri.

InsyaAllah, berkat usaha kita dari semua sektor masyarakat dan kerajaan, anak Melayu akan menguasai segala alat untuk menimba ilmu dan maklumat seluas lautan tidak bertepi, secepat dan secekap bangsa lain di serata dunia. Semoga terlahirlah generasi baru bangsa kita yang berdiri sama tinggi dengan bangsa-bangsa maju di muka bumi ini.

Dengan kata-kata demikian, dengan rendah dirinya, saya mewakili UMNO Bahagian Pulai, mohon mencadang. Sekian, terima kasih. Wasallam.


Saya yang menjalankan tugas,

Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid b
Tan Sri Tengku Hamid Jumat
( Pengerusi Biro Pendidikan merangkap
Naib Ketua UMNO Bahagian Pulai )

Pada tahun 2009, empat tahun setelah usul ini di utarakan, saya masih berpegang kepadanya sebagai langkah yang terbaik untuk anak-anak bangsa Melayu terus maju menghadapi dunia tanpa sempadan dimana Bahasa Inggeris menjadi bahasa perantaraannya.

Tun Dr Mahathir has aired his views on this in his blog http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/, and I am inclined to concur with him one hundred percent.