Thesun 2009-07-01 Page12 My England Not Powderful One

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speak up!

theSun

TELLING IT AS IT IS Managing Editor: Chong Cheng Hai Consultant Editor: Zainon Ahmad Executive Editor: Lee Boon Siew Deputy Editor: Patrick Choo (Production), Editor: R. Nadeswaran (Special Reporting and Investigations)

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| WEDNESDAY JULY 1 2009

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weeks. We can only hope that common sense aided by looking for long-term results would prevail. We cannot forsake our children’s future by taking a narrow-minded approach with politics being in the forefront. Any decision made must be thought out, argued and arrived at by looking at the benefits such a system would bring. with his counterparts and officials? How will But we should never allow sentiments or a he understand the numerous circulars and minority group to impose their will on all 27 directives issued by the organisers from time million Malaysians. That would be of course, to time? How will he speak the beginning of the end of our at the meetings of heads of dream of Malaysians being in While no one contingents? How is he going the forefront of technology, wants to argue to promote Malaysia? After all, much less a developed nation isn’t such a post always asso- that language is a by 2020. ciated with being the “sports unifying factor, let’s ambassador for the country”? not run away from the Dear readers, I do not want R. Nadeswaran has had many to add to the thousands of fact that mastering encounters with university comments which have English is the way graduates who cannot string appeared in this and other forward globally. two sentences in English withnewspapers. The “Letters to out five mistakes and yet lament the Editor” pages in most publications have that they are unable to find employment. He is been overwhelmed by the volume of mail on editor (special and investigative reporting) at this subject. The Education Ministry has said theSun. He can be reached at citizen-nades@ that a decision would be made in the next few thesundaily.com.

‘My England not powderful one’ I

N September 1996, I argued rassment last year? profusely with the authorities at This administrator’s “mistakes” the Anglia Ruskin University in won’t be the last we read. More and Chelmsford, England, who wanted more boo-boos will see print. More me to sit for an English proficiency and more letters and circulars will test after which they would decide if make the rounds in cyberspace. It’s I had to attend language classes. By no laughing matter either. If adminthat time, I already had 24 years of istrators have such standards, what journalism in English newspapers can you expect of the students? under my belt and I vehemently Yes, the debate on the teaching protested to no avail. of maths and science in English “All Malaysian students have to CitizenNades is continuing. Everyone wants sit for this test and if need be, they to have his say – the academiby R. Nadeswaran will have to attend English classes cians, parents, the politicians and so that they can better understand of course the self-appointed what is being taught,” was the curt reply. guardians of mother tongue. More than 90% of the 100-odd Malaysians who While no one wants to argue that language were government scholars sat this test. There is a unifying factor, let’s not run away from the were many casualties and of course, they had fact that mastering English is the way forward to spend endless hours at the language lab globally. Hence, despite all kinds of pressure while some of us used our time trying to learn and objections, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad German. pushed through his “reforms” in the education When I read an email recently containsystem so that Malaysians can compete in the ing a note purportedly sent by the director international arena. of sports at a public university, my thoughts Sad to say, the bold step he took is now at reflected on what happened 13 years ago at risk of being reversed. Pressure is mounting my university. Then of course, the two overon the authorities to go back to having one used phrases came to mind – “My England not medium of instruction for all subjects because powderful one” and “I no speaking Englang!” some quarters have turned it into a political The email from the university, which had hot potato. Some have argued that teaching the numerous grammatical and typographical two subjects in English is an affront to Bahasa errors is testimony to the deteriorating standMalaysia being the official language. Others ards of English and what most Malaysians have likened it as being condescending to the have to live with. If this was an isolated case, colonial British masters who introduced the it would be understandable that we have one English education system. On the extreme or two administrators who are incompetent side, we have those with blinkers who associin English. However, it has happened before. ate language with loyalty and patriotism. Remember the advertisement from another Now, imagine having the director of sports public university which caused a member of as the chef de mission for an international the Johor royal household so much embarsports tournament. How is he going to converse

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Confusing messages over Malacca aerorail THE Malacca aerorail project, touted to be the first in Southeast Asia has been announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. The public have been asked to take part in its threemonth feedback period by using the portal at www.aerorail.net or going to the MBMB office in Ayer Keroh. I believe that Malacca residents should check the plans, because there are some very confusing statements made by the chief minister. He is quoted as saying, “We are building this transit system for public convenience and to improve the efficiency of the state’s transport system.” But the aerorail is not an LRT as originally promised. And despite the huge cost of the aerorail, there are no planned improvements to bus service in the state, no integrated public transport system, and no evidence to show that the aerorail is needed. The chief minister also says that “Under phase one, the aerorail will begin near the

Ayer Keroh toll plaza and proceed to Malacca Zoo, Malacca International Trade Centre, Malacca Mall, Malacca Hospital, Malacca Sentral, Hang Tuah Mall, Malacca River and end at the Mahkota Medical Centre in Bandar Hilir.” Extending the aerorail through the historical core area and buffer zone is unacceptable. But what is even stranger is that the chief minister contradicts himself in the second part of his statement, where he says: “There will be seven stations in the first phase – Tun Ali Station, Cempaka Station, Sentral Station, Masjid Station, Peringgit Station, Kolej Station and the Malacca Historical City Council (MBMB) Station.” The plans on display also seem to bear this out – the first phase of the line will start at Jalan Tun Ali and finish at MBMB. So why is the chief minister telling the public two different things? Also, how will the aerorail from Jalan Tun Ali ease the traffic congestion in the main areas of Malacca town – namely Jalan Laksamana, Plaza Mahkota, Melaka Raya, Dataran Pahlawan and Kota Laksamana? Where is the solution for these heavily-congested areas? Once again, I ask Malacca residents to view the plans and give the chief minister the feedback that he clearly needs. It is time to clear the air before we proceed to build the aerorail. Moaz Yusuf Ahmad Subang Jaya

We have much more to offer tourists EVERY time I go abroad, I take a keen interest in the tourist potential of the country I am visiting, and when I return home, it reinforces my belief that Tourism Malaysia is not doing justice to promote Malaysia as a cost-competitive and value-for-money holiday destination. There are so many things we can highlight to tourists with a media blitz, but fail to do so. Malaysia offers among the cheapest hotel rates in the region, and even perhaps the world, but little publicity is given to this strong pullfactor. In comparison to countries in the region and in Asia, where the five-star hotel rates are between US$250 and US$300 (RM880-RM1,060) a day, the daily room rates for five-star hotels in Malaysia average around US$130-US$150 (RM459-RM530). Many of these countries also discriminate between locals and foreigners. Even meals at ordinary restaurants are much cheaper in Malaysia than in many countries. Recently, I was on holiday in a neighbouring country and went to a restaurant with a friend for a meal which cost RM69. The same meal in a restaurant in Bangsar, which is considered to be an expensive area in Kuala Lumpur, would cost only around RM25. The warmth and hospitality advertised by that country was a charade. In a country which prides itself on its smiling people, I was greeted with a stern look by the customs and immigration officers. At least our men and women in uniform at airports offer a smile. During my visit to one tourist attraction, a sign showed that foreigners had to pay RM35

as entrance fee, while it was free for the locals. In Malaysia, we don’t treat our guests in such a manner. English should be a selling point for our tourism promotion. Most people in Malaysia, even those who cannot communicate well, can at least understand the rudiments of the language. In many developed and developing countries, where English is not the national language, the majority of the population can hardly communicate with English-speaking tourists. Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah have so many hidden treasures yet to be discovered. As a Malaysian, I too, have not visited many of these treasures. The media can assume an important role in promoting domestic promotion, especially during school holidays. Tourism Malaysia should work together with the media to promote these tourist destinations. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen recently stated that there are around 12,000 foreigners residing in Malaysia under the Malaysia: My Second Home Programme. With the cost of living escalating in many European countries, Japan and the US, many of the nationals, especially retirees, from these countries would like to find an alternative place to reside in comfort. Malaysia would be the answer to their dilemma. Tourism Malaysia must get cracking. James Gonzales Kuala Lumpur