I have received and put on my blog another complaint by a parent against a school principal – of SMK Bandar Utama 4 Damansara – about the lack of understanding and respect for the sensitivities and rights of diverse races, religions, languages and cultures in plural Malaysia which are the real assets of the country.
It is most shocking that the never before in the 50-year history of Malaysia have there been more “Little Napoleons” who have become school principals and administrators who lack the most elementary understanding and respect for the rights and sensitivities of diverse races, religions, languages and cultures of plural Malaysia.
This letter from a parent complaining about the principal of SMK Bandar Utama 4 Damansara reads:
“I would like to bring to your attention, the latest happening in SMK Bandar Utama 4 Damansara (near Ikano Power Centre). This school has about 85% of its students who are Chinese. Its first HM is a Chinese and followed by a Malay lady. All this while, the school has a proud tradition of good old days where students can wear shorts for PE lesson, celebration of major Chinese festival like Chinese New Year, cheerleading team and secular school type of school assembly.
“Unfortunately, all these good times are gone with the coming of a new Malay headmistress who is a religious bigot. With 10% Muslim students, she is now imposing ‘bacaan doa’ during assembly, banning of the cheerleading team, no more wearing of shorts for PE and the worst of all is that for the coming CNY, the school can have a lion dance performance but WITHOUT the DRUM.
“This is really absurd because the Chinese drums are very noisy. How can a minority group in the school imposed their values on the majority group – another case of insensitivity among the Muslims.”
There have been over 50 comments since the blog went up this morning, including instances of insensitivity in other schools, such as a complaint from a parent whose son is in a primary school in Kulim.
The parent was incensed at a printout of the personal particulars sent out by his son’s teacher asking parents to verify.
He was very surprised at the “religion” category, as there are only two choices – Muslim and Non-Muslim.
He asked: “So what does that mean? My religion is non-Muslim. I have a name for my religion, why can’t (they) put more choices?”
The parent wanted to know whether this format was drafted by the school or the education ministry – an answer all Malaysians are also awaiting.
Is the Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein setting the proper role model for teachers and students as an exemplary Malaysian fully respectful of the sensitivities and rights of the diverse races, religions, languages and cultures which is the asset and pride of the country – as to be advertised internationally as “Truly Asia”?
For a start, Hishammuddin should set an example as an exemplary Malaysian and Education Minister by making amends and apologise for his insensitive, divisive and incendiary “keris-waving” episodes in the past two Umno Youth general assemblies – setting the worst possible example to teachers and students on respect for sensitivities and rights for diverse races, religions, languages and cultures in plural Malaysia.
#1 by bystander on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - 10:39 pm
well said hiro.
#2 by bystander on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - 10:46 pm
as i have before, kerismuddin is a racist. he is HP6 and he has not done anything good to alleviate malaysian education standards but only making it worse. where is the directive or policy? why are these principals or little napoleans not sacked as examples? what an idiot.
#3 by DarkHorse on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - 10:58 pm
“Under the guise of teaching “World history and geography,†Muslim activists are infiltrating the American educational system. The impressionable young minds of our boys and girls are being indoctrinated to potentially accept and embrace the religion of Islam. This is the goal behind the course on Islam that is currently being taught to the 7th graders in the California public school system and other schools around the country.”
The United America Committee is one of many websites post 9/11 apparently dedicated to fighting Islamic extremism but many of these are really anti-Islamic.
It is inconceivable that in a country like the United States with a secular constitution and a belief in the separation of church and state, where you are not allowed to put the Ten Commandments in a the lobby of a court house, where students in schools are not allowed to say prayers (Christian, Jewish or Muslim etc) at the beginning of each school day, where religious symbols and icons are not allowed, that public school students are being exposed to religious propaganda as part of the academic syllabus.
#4 by seantang on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - 11:06 pm
“With 10% Muslim students, she is now imposing ‘bacaan doa’ during assembly, banning of the cheerleading team”
I used to turn up at school after assembly after they began reciting the ‘doas’ in my school donkey’s years ago. And when they started to punish us for missing assembly, we’d turn our backs to the HM when the doa was being read. But then again, we were in form 5 when that happened, so we weren’t much afraid of being disciplined by teachers who were shorter, smaller and infinitely less scary than us.
“the school can have a lion dance performance but WITHOUT the DRUM.”
Make sure they never use kompangs for any school activities then.
#5 by DarkHorse on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - 11:23 pm
Those who would like to believe in the Islamizaiton of America’s schools may find Pat Buchanan’s book “ The Death of the West†, shall I say, an interesting read?
“…that attack clearly demonstrated that among those who have entered this country, millions illegally, tens of thousands are loyal to regimes with which we could be at war, and some are trained terrorists sent here to murder Americans.â€
Patrick Buchanan observes, “a foreign enemy is inside the gates, and the American people are at risk in their own country. In those days after September 11, many suddenly saw how the face of America had changed in their lifetimes.â€
Pat Buchanan is well known for his anti-Hispanic bigotry – among others.
#6 by Eagle on Wednesday, 16 January 2008 - 11:49 pm
In response to the BU4 School. I am a parent who is deeply worried about the education system. Last I heard is that this little Napolean has even bull dozed Muslims students from the lower class to the Top class. And for the coming PIBG it has been rumored that she is getting as many Muslim parents to attend to ensure that the Chinese are squeezed out – slowly but surely. This attempt was tried last year in the PIBG when the President speech was interupted half way and was insisted to be presented.
On the Lion Dance performance – I suggest that the Little Napolean write to the PM’s office and insisted that in future all drums be banned during MCA open house.
The previous HM who happen to be a Chinese have build the reputaion of the school from nothing to among the reputable schools in Selangor. With a stroke of the pen, Ms Little Napolean will destroy such creation at the expense of the students. Over the last 2 years parents que up at the education office to appeal for a place for their children in the school. Now parents are considering transfering their children out.
I hope that by me writing parents would keep their children in the school and continue to help improve the school so that end of the day we make BU4 the pride of Selangor.
#7 by sybreon on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 12:20 am
sybreon, you were wrong as you commented and supported the wearing of songkok by non muslims even through compulsion.
hi bystander, could you please mention specifically where I supported the wearing of the songkok? i have never ever supported that.. you obviously did not understand a thing i said..
if you were right and there is no need to stand up for our non muslim rights, then there is no need for the principal of JBEC to back down
i just call things as i see them.. my only difference with your view is that i did not see the songkok issue as a race/religion one.. and i still do not see it as a race/religion issue.. like i mentioned, as an analogy, if the principal mandated all male prefects to wear skirts, nobody would scream “gender issue”.
#8 by undergrad2 on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 12:47 am
“To the Malay-Muslim readers, I implore you to consider the plurality of this society called Malaysia, and I ask you to search in your heart….†Hiro
DIVERSITY, PLURALITY and PLURALISM
The moment the word “plurality†is mentioned one thinks immediately of “diversityâ€. But what of “pluralism†? Is diversity synonymous with pluralism? If not synonymous how does the difference affect Malaysian society today?
Diversity is said to be just plurality i.e. Chinese culture, language and traditions existing alongside those of the Malays, Indians and others. But “pluralismâ€? Pluralism, on the other hand, is the interaction that creates that civil society, a common society – from all that plurality. It is sad that some five decades after the social contract, we are no closer to that common society.
Instead our leaders (read: UMNO) cry out in support of “exclusion†and “assimilation†fully knowing that assimilation is anathema to the Chinese anywhere, any country they choose to make their home. Our diversity has produced in fact deep fractures and divisions. Of late encounters tend to be hostile. We see manifestations of such hostile encounters in areas affecting religion and education – over who have the right to certain words, over who have the right to insist on a particular dress code.
Under Tunku’s Administration, the diversity of our society has produced a period of bridge-building. Where is that bridge-building today? Where are the interfaith dialogues? Why can’t there be interfaith coalitions to fight poverty among all races of different religions?
Pluralism is not just plurality and diversity. Pluralism is the engagement with that diversity. One can only be a bystander to diversity but pluralism requires active participation in the process towards building that common society. In the case of Malaysia with large ethnic minorities, pluralism is the only response to diversity – unlike Indonesia.
Regretfully, the fact that Islam (the religion of the Malays) is given a special position in the country’s Constitution and the fact that Malays are given special privileges in education etc under the Constitution, the engagement that is referred too becomes a war of attrition. Unless our national leadership (read: UMNO) learns and understands that pluralism is more than just mere tolerance of differences, the road towards nation building continues to be a rocky one.
#9 by trashed on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 2:30 am
Ironic as this may sound, is it time for the minorities in Malaysia to cry out for a level playing field in all aspects of social, educational, political and economic life in Malaysia ?
Because it looks like the majority race has been suppressing the minorities in Malaysia.
#10 by hyperventilating on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 2:41 am
I was present in meeting called by the headmistress and I am completely outraged by her answers. She infact gave us a standard answer for all the parents queries presented that day. The school used to have “Malam Bakat” every year, but she called for a ban for such events, citing it should be “malam budayaan”..my foot…the childeren nowadays should be encouraged to find their talents!
She indeed preposed to build “pondok” or gazebos all around the school, If did not counted properly, 7-8 of thems..citing providing more rest areas…
#11 by hyperventilating on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 2:47 am
As far as I know the entire school had not obtain the “certificate of fitness” too. Will all the students studying under the school adequately protected by insurance? Will any insurance be valid if misfortune happens??
If she continues with her whims and fancy, I proposed for the signature drive from all the parents to drive her out of the school.
#12 by hyperventilating on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 3:06 am
I just learned from my kid attending BU4 that the headmistress is also banning the celebration of the coming Valentine day. For the previous years, the school scout society makes and sells items to students (infact a scout fund raising event) celebrating valentine day; and furthermore the teacher in charge is a Malay. why she is Banning this too? I just wonder wh at is next? All girls to wear “tudung”??
I tell my kids to say it out loud after each baca doa sessions..”In Christ Name..Amen” and encourage his classmates to recite similar phrase pertaining own religion…A Mi To Foo…
#13 by Count Dracula on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 3:24 am
Where have you been the last fifty years??
#14 by ChinNA on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 5:05 am
When will it be the time when we need a common naming standard for ourselves and our children?
China has already propose to legislate this that all Chinese citizens have Chinese character names.
So it is only a natural progression that in Malaysia, there should be a national standard too. An accurate expectation is that should be like this: Given-Name Father-Name; surname should be irrelevant in this standard.
#15 by burn on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 5:38 am
up till now, i still don’t get it! why they need to do bacaan doa in school. can’t they just do it at home instead, before heading to school.
my time, i always curi masuk after morning assembly with mostly malay friends. what we do is to lepak near makan store nearby!
i would prefer to go back to english version type of teaching, like st george or st john school in taiping, or secondary english school in kluang, where none of this happen. and the teachers there are more loving and caring if compare to now, where everything have become more religious and less experience principals to head the schools.
next year my child will be in form one, and i hope i can enrol her to any good english school available that’s headed by experience principal. before that it’s bad, right now, it’s getting worse to ugly. if no choice, will sent her to singapore.
#16 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 5:46 am
Some food for thought :
1. She’s merely doing what many schools are already doing.
2. All new HMs must now be Malay / Muslims
3. Will she soon require all girls to cover-up?
4. The student population must reflect racial composition
#17 by zack on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 5:58 am
There is no such things hapening!!! All lies !!!!!!
#18 by Chong Zhemin on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 6:28 am
He was very surprised at the “religion†category, as there are only two choices – Muslim and Non-Muslim.
What the heck is this? First we have bumiputra and non-bumiputra. Now muslim and non-muslim. It’s just getting worse~
Don’t forget that we cant put Taoism as the religion in Mycard as well.
#19 by OCSunny on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 6:52 am
A few writers sound like ones from the BN camp?!?
#20 by BlackEye on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 7:19 am
“Malaysia is one of most globalised country. We are so foreign trade and investment dependent. We have so many people educated overseas…” limkamput
That is not the meaning of ‘globalization’!
#21 by DwarfSnakehead on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 8:12 am
I think it is high time for the Malays to wake up.
MALAY is not ARAB. You should have your own culture and religion and be proud of it. For your own good, throw away all those unhealthy arab culture.
Do you think the arabs give a shit about malays or other muslims, especially those from 3rd world countries?
Look back at the many incidents of stampede in Mecca, especially the one in 1990 where 1426 pilgrims died. The Saudi government just bulldoze all bodies into a mass grave, without identifying them or notify their next-of-kin making insurance claim almost impossible.
So please wake-up, you are no arab no matter how hard you pretend to be! The arab will still prefer westerners than asians anytime.
#22 by limkamput on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 9:42 am
That is not the meaning of ‘globalization’! blackeye
Those attributes i mentioned certainly are some of the aspects of globalisation. If you think they are not, may be you want to share what is in your mind. I have read the book by Thomas Friedman, The World is Flat. So, if you are referring to the wider aspects of globalisation, I think I know that.
#23 by bystander on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 10:00 am
sybreon, to use your quote “Personally, I’m not sure if there’s anything wrong with wearing it”. is it not contrued as support or in favour of wearing the songkok? It is wrong if it is made compulsory for non muslims to wear. we know that for sure. It should not be made compulsory. Yours is misplaced patriotism. about time we non muslims stand up to stop islamisation encroaching into our cultural and religious rights.
#24 by Toyol on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 11:15 am
35% of the population is supporting the remainder 65%…and they want to talk nonsence with us?!!!
#25 by Cinaputera on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 12:55 pm
a vote for BN (more precisely MCA & Gerakan) is a vote for islamisation ala umno style. I don’t see anything wrong for DAP to coorperate with Barisan Alternatif even with PAS as a component party. Give BA a try for 5 years and see if they are really that extreme as compare to the present BN morons.
#26 by Malaysian on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 5:10 pm
Sometimes i got this sad thinking:
The day when Barisan alternatif can take over is when country resouces run dry, Money mostly spent with huge budget deficit (due to generous govt spending to boost economy), coupled with a bunch of narrow minded rent-seeker, who is demanding more wheel chairs and tongkat subsidised by those who try to WALK forward.
Even the best doctor might hv difficulties to treat such a terminal disease…
#27 by anti-racism on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 8:55 pm
Sometimes I think about it..what if DAP takes over Barisan..
#28 by alaneth on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 9:34 pm
Hishamuddin is on the track to become DPM and then PM!
What will happen to Malaysia if he becomes PM? What will happen to the non-Malays/Muslims?!
Anwar Ibrahim on the other hand is very much unalike Hishamuddin & his keris. Anwar even quotes Confusius teachings in his speech (UPM 1997). He is open to all races & religion & a very good example Education Minister unlike the insensitive fanatic we have now.
Which is why DAP is good to work with Keadilan (Anwar) but never never ever work with the green moon Taliban party.
I will always support DAP for my life! If no DAP in the constituency then Keadilan is my second choice.
BN Future = Hishamuddin = ‘you know what the dark future holds’
OVER MY DEAD BODY will I ever vote BN.
DDD A PPPPP
D DD AA PP PP
D DD A A PP PP
D DD AAAA PP P
DDD A A PPPPP
DD A A PP
PP ALWAYS MY CHOICE!!!!
#29 by hyperventilating on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 10:30 pm
I urged the PIBG of SMK BUD4 to call for a emergency meeting to formalise the objections and protest. , I call for the PIBG chairman to sent out notices to all parents to attend the meeting…by handing out flyers to students at school gates. Have a signature drive, sent official complilations to Headmistress and Ministry, and MCA, MIC, DAP, it must be a “BIG BANG EXPOSURE” use C4 explosive if Najib provide them(to prevent cover-up) and have the press informed via press statements.
As I had understood, NST went to the school Today to interview [deleted] she called in reinforcements from her penolongs (whom of course tongue-tied). See what will come out in tomorrow papers. If it did not appear in the papers, we all know who blocked the news…who controlls the press???? Malaysia Boleh !
#30 by Count Dracula on Thursday, 17 January 2008 - 11:44 pm
Like a reverse take-over??
#31 by blackt90 on Friday, 18 January 2008 - 3:22 pm
I am a Form 5 student studying in SMK BUD(4) and I stand in total support of our principal. I am a Chinese.
Firstly, I think this issue has been blown out of proportions. This is just a small matter yet it has been receiving so much attention on the media. Much of the news going about are just ‘khabar angins’. They are just baseless rumours.
Those who first started this complains are not students. They are ex-students as well as parents. Please bear in mind that the news that they are receiving are not first hand. It probably has passed through at least 1 or 2 other people beforehand. Therefore, they have no right to comment on what is happening internally in our school. We know what is going on the best.
I shall leave our principal to justify her actions by herself. But I want to make it clear that it we were CLEARLY ALLOWED and ENCOURAGE to pray according to our own religions during the bacaan doa. I myself would pray according to my own religion during that short period of time. Do remember that we are in a country where the majority of our population are Muslims. How can we expect them to respect us if we don’t even respect us in the first place?
I would like to request all those not involved directly in this issue not to make any accusations or whatsoever because this will only cause more controversy. In our school, students are currently divided because some are against the rulings and some are not. This has caused much debate and lessons had to be stopped for a while for an ‘emergency meeting’ among teachers.
Even as we accuse the principal of not being open minded, we should first examine ourselves. Lets all be open minded and listen to all sides of the story instead of just commenting on the surface. Do not make accusations without actually knowing the entire situation as this will disrupt the function of our school.
To all the ex students of SMK BUD(4), learn to discern right from wrong. Not everything you hear is 100% right. Please do not ‘bertokok-tambah’ to the story just to create publisity. This issue has brought many negative effects to our school and I hope that you will think before you speak.
Lastly, keep politics out of our school. We are only students.
#32 by Bangsa Malaysia on Friday, 18 January 2008 - 4:59 pm
blackt90, so are you trying to say that the news you receive are of first hand wherelse the news all ex-students and parents are of rumours?
Please define small matter? Some matters may be small to you but not to me and everyone else. For example, my birthday is important to me but definitely not to you. It is the same for this case.
Let me remind you that it wasn’t the parents or ex-students who started your so called ‘rumours’. If the teachers and students of SMK BUD4 did not mention anything about it do you think the parents and ex-students whom are not directly related to the school will ‘complain’? If the students of the school did not mention all these to their parents do you think the parents will know about it? How? Parents do not go to school every day like their children every day
And what makes you think that we did not listen to all sides of stories before even commenting or like you said, ‘complain’? If what we heard is not be 100% correct then what did you hear that makes you think that you are 100% correct? How would you know that we had ‘bertokok-tambah’ to the story? Again do you know the exact story? If yes please share. What we parents and ex-students are doing is for the benefit of all students including yourself. If you think what we are doing is wrong then I have nothing to say.
Thank You.
Please think further and yes same to you. Think before you speak.
#33 by blackt90 on Friday, 18 January 2008 - 7:08 pm
Exactly, parents do not go to school everyday. The news that they receive are through their children. Most children twist and turn stories just to get things done their way, I cannot deny that I do that too, so that my way would sound right, and all other ways sound wrong. Lets wait for our pengetua to justify herself, I shall not do it for her.
Much of this issue has been misinterpreted and misunderstood. People tend to assume things. This is why we have so many versions of the story. For example, the lion dance. Some versions say that the drums were banned because it was ‘too noisy’ whereas others say that it was because the drums ‘would attract malay ghosts’. Now, it is unlikely that the pengetua would have stated 2 reasons for the same thing. So, who else can we put the blame on?
If the parents and the ex-students want to do good for us students, leave us alone. Stop accusing our pengetua. Would wearing long pants during PE and not having lion dance hurt us that bad? No it wouldn’t. If we have to, we would rather wear long pants during PE, not have a lion dance, and endure through the 2 or 3 minutes of bacaan doa weekly, rather than turn our whole school into turmoil.
I am not saying that I agree with what she does, but please, do not create any more troubles. Thank you.
#34 by Bangsa Malaysia on Friday, 18 January 2008 - 8:13 pm
blackt90 Says:
Today at 19: 08.12 (59 minutes ago
‘Some versions say that the drums were banned because it was ‘too noisy’ whereas others say that it was because the drums ‘would attract malay ghosts’. Now, it is unlikely that the pengetua would have stated 2 reasons for the same thing.’
Whether she said both of those I have no comment. But my question is, why can’t we state 2 reasons for the same thing? Lets take another example, I can say that you are fat and ugly. Isn’t that 2 statements? ‘FAT AND UGLY’. Why not? I don’t see anything wrong with that. Fat and ugly does not clash. Or lets say, i spotted a car and said, ‘WOW that car is beautiful and big.’ Is that a problem? I guess not. I rest my case.
#35 by blackt90 on Friday, 18 January 2008 - 11:02 pm
Bangsa Malaysia, your previous comment is very irrevelant. Since you claim that you are doing this for our (SMKBUD4’s) benefit, I suggest that you stop making such shallow and childish remarks. I am just doing my duty as a student, trying my best to recover peace within our school.
If you wish to debate, please do it elsewhere. Bear in mind this is a blog. Thank you.
#36 by undergrad2 on Saturday, 19 January 2008 - 2:53 am
“If you wish to debate, please do it elsewhere. Bear in mind this is a blog. Thank you.”
Huh??
#37 by alaneth on Saturday, 19 January 2008 - 11:40 pm
blackt90, I hope the fanatic, extremist Pengetua has not brainwashed her students to support her.
To give in a little, any amount to her – even not wearing shorts for PE or give into no having lion dance etc will eventually erode our rights.
Previously in Indonesia & even Brunei the Chinese there have their rights gradually eroded little by little by giving in to all these – like what you are trying to do….. slowly, see what has happened to the Chinese in Indonesia & Brunei today…?
Also an interesting site you may like to visit (The US Dept of State’s report on Religious Freedom in Malaysia). Your school’s case may appear in their report next year – who knows SMK BUD4 can make it to the US’s notice ? :
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90143.htm
(See that I don’t trust Malaysian press – I rather trust blogs & international press/sites on Malaysia’s news as we don’t have good press freedom & all news are covered-up). I’d rather trust DAP’s blog or Malaysiakini.
#38 by kaybeegee on Monday, 21 January 2008 - 5:59 pm
Bangsa Malaysia you dont exist. Guru Besars like the little Stalins(let us not insult Napoleon)dont want a Bangsa Malaysia, obeying the commands of their Master’s Voice. UMNO.
There are other religious activities that are equally noisy.
#39 by ktteokt on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 - 9:49 pm
What do you expect from an “uncivilized” man like Hisham? He can lead a mob of hooligans threatening to burn down Chinese Assembly Hall during the Suqiu era when he was the Minister of Youth and Sports. Pulling out the keris and making threats and after that claiming that the keris will “protect” the people of Malaysia is utter nonsense especially coming from the Minister of Education.