Letters
by Angelia Ong
Just to let you know:
1. SMK BU4
Hip hip hoorah! You will all be glad that the fiasco at the BU4 school has been resolved. The Headmistress has now conceded to bring back the lion dance, cheerleading squad and other ‘banned activities’. Power to the parents! Fortunately some members of MI4, together with other PIBG members rallied together in a show of force. This new headmistress thought she could push her way around…. not knowing that she is dealing with the super heroes of BU4..
My residents association is very vocal thankfully and now we are continuing our fight to gain our playground/field (which I believe they have been fighting for the last 12 years) and I think a compromise can hopefully be reached.
It’s very sad to see green lungs (seeing the letters in twosen.com) of bukit kiara, kota damansara and Sg Buloh being ravaged in the name of development. Parks and playgrounds being shrunk or built on.
#1 by Jong on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 3:39 pm
Congrats to all parents! Good energy, right direction to put this new headmistress in the right perspective. Great job, that’s the way to go!
#2 by dawsheng on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 3:42 pm
‘The Headmistress has now conceded to bring back the lion dance, cheerleading squad and other ‘banned activities’.”
There is no victory if the Headmistress is still the Headmistress of BU4.
#3 by Cinnamon on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 3:52 pm
Parents of SMK BU4,
Congratulations! This will serve as a lesson to all fanatically government servants that they cannot play God or do anything they like.
You have won the issue, because you stood up on your beliefs and principles. But I am sure they would have been many chicken-hearted parents who chose to keep quiet when you needed their vocal support. Ignore them.
Something similar incident happenned in Kulim last year, the school tried to be funny, but the parents made the school apologize.
#4 by dranony on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 4:16 pm
I think the very fact that YB Lim thought it important enough to devote his attention to the issue in this blog, and to invite discussion and criticism to it, helped to resolve the issue.
Perhaps that LMN HM did read this blog after all, perhaps she did not. But I’d think that these LMNs think that they are dealing only with a few parents, and that they can override their objections.
BUT when the issue reaches YB Lim’s blog, it suddenly takes on a “national issue” status, and hence these LMN’s suddenly realise that they are unable to justify and defend against a bigger audience.
Kudos to the parents of SMK BU4, and thanks to YB!
#5 by grace on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 4:18 pm
I rejoice with the pupils and parents of SK BU4 for having their rightful activities restored.
I believe they have Mr Lim to thank for highlighting their cases on his blog. I have seen many cases whereby MCA and Gerakan simply do not want to take action just because they feel their positions are jeopodised. I do hope they would translate their gratitude by voting DAP this coming GE.
I am not a DAP member. But I feel there is a great need to vote as many of DAP to Parliament or State Assemblyto check the abuse of power by the BN.
Secondly, I hope the MOE would come down hard on those HMs.
What they should do is to state their terms and conditions of appointment ofPricipals or HMs. One of the terms should be that they should not touch on the sensitivites and cultures of other races. If they cannot tolerate the practices of non-Muslims, then kindly reject the headship or they can elect to be HMs of Religious schools,
#6 by Libra2 on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 4:44 pm
If one has no right to something or does not deserve to it, and finally gets it, then I will consider it a victory.
In this is case, it was a right taken away which is being returned.
Will this problem be resolved had the issue was brought to the MCA?
#7 by Jimm on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 4:50 pm
This is nothing as GE is just around the corner and BN need to put up a grand show to ‘create’ their 2/3 majority again which guaranteed by EC.
This HM is just be told to cool it down for the time being, I believe she will make her waves again in near future after the GE.
After all, leopards will never loses their spots ….
#8 by smeagroo on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 4:52 pm
Dont worry abt the HM for the edu min. surely would hv gvn him/her a good promo after this. All in a day’s work to stir up issues and show the might of the KEris.
If only, these same ppl would channel their new found energy to kick the useless BN out. Show them that they cant mess with ppl like this.
#9 by mata_kucing on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 5:23 pm
And who says the opposition is useless? Imagine if we can elect a few dozens more of Lim Kit Siangs to represent us.
#10 by Wurotzman on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 5:52 pm
Congratulations to all students and parents of the school. More Malaysians should emulate this incident and voice out against injustices done to them. Let this be the beginning of a better and corruption free era.
#11 by DarkHorse on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 7:51 pm
It is a small victory to expression of speech but an important one. The message is clear. Stand up for your rights and not let yourself be cowed into submission by figures of authority.
#12 by cuddlyfamily on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 8:23 pm
goodness! I hadnt realised the letter would be posted! I have to say although LKS has kindly posted news on this, the parents and the residents committee have been tireless on the community’s issues, in particular reg: the schools etc and they deserve full kudos.
And perhaps the HM will learn to give and take after her initial experience. Let’s see what happens :) Misguided optimism perhaps but I’m trying to believe our country is capable of better :) (if not some of the time).
#13 by philyong on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 8:28 pm
I really hope this issue has been resolved. But anyhow I would like to thank all supporting parties. If it wasn’t for the effort from all sides I believe this issue would not be resolved.
To the parent whom took the initiative to write the letter to YB Lim, KUDOS to you. If it wasn’t for your letter this issue would had been kept silent.
Last but not least, a BIG thank you to YB Lim for publishing this issue in your blog!
#14 by aje on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 8:35 pm
I guess this sort of problems keep coming back to haunt usfrm time to time.We must stay alert all the time.
#15 by Godson on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 10:23 pm
Good job everyone parents and DAP. I will share with all my friends and families about these news.
We must continue to be alert at all times and help each other.
May God continue to guide you all.
#16 by lhteoh on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 10:56 pm
If this happened just after GE, do you think the authority will revert their decision so soon??? In this case, I am sure the top guns have instructed the school to do so. Come on Malaysians!!!! you should know by now how the BN works. They only work infavour of the minority when they need your support in the coming GE. Some how we need oppositions and strong oppositions to check BN’s wrong doing. AGAIN A VOTE FOR OPPOSITION IS A HOPE FOR FUTURE MALAYSIANS.
#17 by Jong on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 11:14 pm
Of coz we know the HM was directed to revert her earlier decision, on instructions from the top at MOE .
This only happens once in 4-5 years when GE is near.
They want to look good and want your votes, what else?!
#18 by DarkHorse on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 11:31 pm
Well, in that case these UMNO goons are naive in thinking it will make any difference!
Limkamput thinks the Indians would now vote for BN because Thaipusam has been declared a public holiday.
The Indians are not a gullible lot and so are the Chinese.
#19 by BoDo Singh on Thursday, 24 January 2008 - 11:51 pm
Who said the Indians are a gullible lot??
#20 by waterfrontcoolie on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 12:27 am
It wasn’t a victory! Such action by educator is a sign of ‘ running out of ideas’. They avoid any ‘controversy’. I can bet you, the school would have remain the ‘same’, whether she is around or not. Sincerely I can’t understand how school heads are selected when the Minister keeps ‘sloganeering world class’ when the basic criterion of a sucessful school is a dedicated head; and this is seldom applied. Most of these heads are ‘small time politicians’ and you can imagine the amount of time they spend in meetings and kueh-mueh. Well, if any one wishes to hear that Malaysian education in general will one day compete in the world ranking; keep on dreaming!!
#21 by U32 on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 12:32 am
Again I would say to this Pengetua that she has made a good move; whether it is because of the coming elections or somehow she is aware that she should be opened to a plural society. Give her time to improve herself. You can’t expect the government to sack her because no matter how louzy she may be, she is still an asset because of her duration of work experience. Being a Pengajar means teaching others and teaching ownself. If one thinks that one is right all the time and the other side is always wrong, that is a bad attitude for one to become a Pengajar. This particular Pengetua would not be the first Pengetua to give you a headache. There are others in their own ways unknown to themselves, create conflicts and unfairness. Unless the Ministry starts to do something concrete, you will still have some of these Pengetuas and some of these Pengajars who are actually not fit for their positions.
#22 by mendela on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 1:52 am
I think there is nothing much to celebrate at all.
Such airhead fanatics HMs should be fired instead.
Just imagine, there are still hundreds if not thousands of such HMs/teachers roaming out there in every corners of Malaysia.
When can Malaysia get rid of such parasites totally?
#23 by malaysiatoday.com on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 2:13 am
Testing to see why my posting is missing.
#24 by malaysiatoday.com on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 2:14 am
Negeri Sembilan Syariah Court declares Gan Eng Gor was a muslim
(China Press, Seremban, 24 Jan 2008) Negeri Sembilan Syariah Court declared late Gan was a muslim, he must be burial with Islamic ritual and in the muslim graveyard in a legal tussle amongst the siblings.
The Syariah Court set aside all court orders to prevent Gan’s remains from burial according to islamic law and also ordered police to assist Islamic Affair Department to claim the remains of Gan from the hospital mortuary.
The Judge, Muhamad Nazri made this judgment at 10.42 AM after hearing all evidence from Islamic Affairs Department in certifying that Gan Eng Gor was converted to islam under his will.
All siblings of late Gan except his eldest son, Abdul Rahman Gan Abdullah were absent in the proceeding.
Abdul Rahman Gan Abdullah refused to receive notice from the Seremban High Court
The eldest son, Abdul Rahman Gan Abdullah of late Gan refused to accept a notice from the Seremban High Court for a hearing at 4 PM for an injunction application to prevent him from claiming the remains of late Gan. He was said hiding inside the building of Syariah Court .
The notice served by late Gan’s other siblings is to order Abdul Rahman Gan Abdullah, Negeri Sembilan Islamic Council, Sasale Siew, Negeri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department and National Registration Department to present themselves for the hearing. But only Negeri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department received the notice served by the lawyer representing Gan’s family.
#25 by malaysiatoday.com on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 2:14 am
A heated argument and scuffle amongst the siblings at Hospital mortuary
Abdul Rahman Gan Abdullah under the escort of a group of policemen arrived at the mortuary around 11.50 AM to claim the remains of his father, Gan Eng Gor. Gan’s other siblings tried to prevent their eldest brother at the entrance of mortuary, a heated word argument and scuffle ensued. Nevertheless the elder Gan managed to enter the mortuary under the escort of police.
The siblings’ lawyer arrived 12.10PM at the mortuary to demand all parties stop claiming the remains until the application for an injunction is heard.
After negotiations, the Gan’s family and police both agreed to meet the Magistrate.
The consensus decision by all parties is to delay the claim of remains by Islamic Affairs Department until 5 PM.
Gan’s remains was buried in a muslim graveyard
High Court rejected the application for injunction by saying civil court has no jurisdiction to intervene syariah court. The body of Gan was claimed by his eldest son at 6 PM and buried in a muslim graveyard.
Translated from China Press by Malaysiatoday.com
http://www.chinapress.com.my/content_new.a…rt=0125mf20.txt
#26 by cheng on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 5:23 am
There is no doubt that many people, the parents, Kit, et. al. worked hard on this issue. Reversal of the earlier decisions should not be viewed as a so called “victory”! Where is the accountability? Will action be taken on this headmistress? Did anyone carry out a post-mortem and root cause it? What is the preventive measure so that this kind of cases will not be repeated in the future?
Dasar pandang ke timur? Look at the Japanese. I am sure in such a case, a Japanese headmistress will make a public apology and resign. At least, Chua Soi Lek mengundur diri… Not many Malaysians can do this. I am ashamed.
#27 by malaysiatoday.com on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 5:54 am
IF an unconscious minded old and ailing pork eating man who know nothing about Islamic teachings and someone claimed he had converted to Islam by showing his thumb print on a “masuk islam” certificate.
What happen if someone puts my thumb print on a “masuk islam” certificate when I am in the sleeping mode? Can I disqualify from this kind of unconscious conversion process?
Syariah Court ruling is not just hurting the family of deceased man, it also tarnishing the image of Islam.
Why High Court has no jurisdiction on this case? The High Court should has the legal power to determine the conversion process of a non-muslim (prior to he is converted to muslim) is done within the constitutional liberty rights or not.
Federal Court already ruled that a marriage registered in civil court can be judged by the High Court even one of the couple already converted to Islam.
Why Seremban High Court is so chicken out to judge on a religious conversion procedure for a Buddhist or Taoist to Islam is valid or not?
Let non-muslim judge to handle this sort of cases if a Muslim judge in a civil court is obliged to obey his/her own religious teaching and cannot act impartially.
#28 by malaysiatoday.com on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 6:15 am
Tussle to claim “muslim” corpse is a chronic disease for racial unity in Malaysia
The long-term solution is enacting a new law to mandate non-muslims to apply for a “religion relieve certificate” from a civil court before he/she is allowed to convert to Islam. This new ruling can effectively preventing any secretive or unnoticed or unlawful relligious conversion from one religion to another religion for non-muslims.
#29 by malaysia born on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 9:05 am
Now you know why an opposition voice is so important!
Do the right thing in the coming election…..
#30 by bystander on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 9:09 am
hold your horses. do you really think moe will sack this LMN of BU4? no way. she holds a PHD or appropriately known as Permanent Head Damage
#31 by oknyua on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 9:54 am
She might reverse her decision, but did she admit to her mistakes? The MOE might have intervened and you and I know this is just a gesture prior to the General election.
Of course a victory is a victory. Savour the moment while we can. But fact this religious freak never admitted to her mistake means she would introduce the same restrictions in more subtle ways – either in this school or other schools.
#32 by Jong on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 11:11 am
The parents should give her a letter in writing with cc to MOE and let her reply accordingly. Make note of her reply, make it public, photocopy to all parents of the students.
This might help.
#33 by Godamn Singh on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 12:24 pm
“The Headmistress has now conceded to bring back the lion dance, cheerleading squad and other ‘banned activities’.”
Is there a way to confirm this? Was a circular in fact issued lifting the ban etc?
#34 by oknyua on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 2:14 pm
Jong, Godamn singh,
I think this is typical of these little napoleons (ess). As we said, in the name of religion, their directives were not written, so the retraction are also not written.
Religion clouds the issue and no ministry officers can pinpoint to which part of the Ministry’s directive had been infringed. For her, she escapes under the rules. (What rule? Religion is above the Rule) It like that all the time.
#35 by bra888 on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 6:30 pm
I rather have the HM fired.
I believe the HM should be punished too right? I mean, a mistake has been done regardless of the correction made. Let this be the first and the last time any HM will dare to cross the line. The HM should have considered the consequences of his/her actions and must accept them. If a student has committed a serious offense, the HM himself/herself will not let that student go without taking any action towards to student right? Furthermore, this is the HM we are talking about. The punishment should be more severe because the HM should set a good example to the students. Other than that, the HM clearly abused his/her powers that effected the entire student in that school.
If the HM is left unpunished, he/she will never learn and may repeat his/her mistake. A system that doesn’t punish the wrongdoer cannot exist.
#36 by Godamn Singh on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 8:37 pm
It is not that simple!
This is a government servant. Had she just been a principal of a private school she could be fired by the School Board but even then it would have to be proved that she had violated the terms of her contract. Otherwise we’d be looking at loss of salary etc for the remaining term of her contract.
#37 by kritikus on Friday, 25 January 2008 - 10:41 pm
HIP HIP HOORAY
THE ELECTION IS HERE AND YOU WILL GET ALL YOU WANT
JUST VOTE FOR US – BN
IT IS NOT A SUPRISE OR ACHIEVEMENT
WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED AFTER SHE FIRST REFUSED????????
#38 by bra888 on Saturday, 26 January 2008 - 10:15 am
Lost of salary would be fine too. As long as that HM receive his/her punishment for his/her wrong doings. It’s just that I would rather want that HM to be fired.
#39 by alaneth on Sunday, 27 January 2008 - 12:16 am
Count our blessings that the issue at SMBU4 happened, whether we like it or not.
Look at it another way – whether the issue is resolved or not, a big hu-ha there will generate more votes for DAP in PJ Utara & its neighbourhood.
Blessing in disguise.
#40 by Toyol on Monday, 28 January 2008 - 1:55 pm
Just goes to show that being timid and scared brings no results. If want change you have to fight for it. And we will keep fighting…Congrats to all
#41 by hyperventilating on Monday, 4 February 2008 - 3:48 am
though we can be happy achieving what we wish for, remember, only by joining forces we can achieve more! when comes the GE, remember, to rid the BN of majority, we must JOIN FORCES, i sincerely wish all the opposition parties, to for go one’s ego, and join forces for a mutual goal ! and dont encourage thinning of votes by contesting among themselves! otherwise we can fight till the cows come home and still achieve nothing!