Thesun 2009-10-13 Page14 Tee Keat Should Just Go

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theSun

| TUESDAY OCTOBER 13 2009

speak up! letters

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USM works towards sustainable future THE recent release of the THES-QS university rankings has got everyone’s attention again. What is obvious are the comments from certain quarters regarding Universiti Sains Malaysia’s slight drop (from 313 to 314) and the sniping regarding its Apex status obtained last year. I strongly believe that any discourse attempting to relate the two (ie the THES ranking and the Apex status) is intellectually anathema and simply borne out of sheer frustration and to a degree, misplaced envy. At USM, we are part of the fraternity that has evolved a blueprint that will be engaging, relevant and focused on the uplifting of the livelihood and welfare of Malaysia’s less privileged and hopefully, the world’s bottom billions; granted it is a work in progress and numerous tweaks and refinements will have to be made but the imperatives are crystal clear – “USM will set its vision of a sustainable tomorrow while keenly promoting values such as equity, accessibility, availability, affordability and quality as its optimal endpoints while embracing the protection of the ecosystem, the conservation and restoration of resources as well as the development of human and intellectual capital towards this purpose. It will position itself in meeting existing and future global aspirations towards the upliftment of the billions trapped at the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid.” (Quote from USM’s Apex document). The apocryphal THES ranking, flawed as it is in both mechanics and methodology, clearly does nothing to dissuade USM’s academic populace from striving

ever harder in their intellectual pursuits. It is annoying that this matter resurfaces annually, but will not detract us from focusing on the real issues at hand. Does it not bother the public that littered among the top 10 ranked universities were people that precipitated the global financial crisis? Should we revisit our noble mission just so to fit the THES survey? What if we ignore the survey altogether next year and fall out of the THES radar? Does that mean that we have actually been “relegated” to a nothing university? Put in their simplistic yet proper context, the THES survey has been likened to getting the famous All Blacks Rugby team to take part in the Fifa World Cup or for Usain Bolt to compete in the 10,000m – both exercises in futility and the sooner this point is accepted, the better it will be for all and sundry. If being relevant to the cause, being committed to our mission while acknowledging our shortcomings and being honest in our intellectual undertakings all translate into having to compromise our “league position”, so be it. It is important to realise the value of working within our strengths and towards meeting our ideals and hopes. Within the mélange of courses being offered and the plethora of people-centric researches being conducted, USM is obviously unique, a university with a conscience, as it were. No number or rank can ever diminish this fact. Azlan R. Nuruddin School of Housing, Building and Planning USM

Tee Keat should just go Scene: Dome, KLCC. AZMAN: Wow! The MCA delegates really spoke up. They decided that they have had enough of the public spat among their leaders and voted to kick them out. They really spoke their mind. Wow! What a breath of fresh air. Mohan: Well, that’s one way of looking at the outcome of Saturday’s MCA extraordinary general meeting. I wish delegates of other parties would also speak up instead of merely endorsing without so much as a whimper what their leaders decided. Azman: Is there another way of looking at it? Of course, by deciding the way they did – no confidence in their president, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, and refusing to re-instate his rival Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek as deputy president – they have also shot themselves in the foot. Now they have no president and no deputy president. Chong: They just don’t seem to care. They were so fed up. Wonder if they would have voted the way they did if they had known the outcome. And now it looks like the MCA would be in for a bigger WhatTheySay trouble. by Zainon Ahmad Azman: All because two top leaders decided they also don’t care what happens to the party as long as each prevails over the other. Of course each was confident of triumphing over the other. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen the way they wanted. What’s your view on this Cikgu? Zain: I am sad because I thought Tee Keat would get a thumping endorsement of his leadership. So that he could continue to be a strong minister of transport – stronger maybe – to throw more light into the shady affair of the PKFZ, the Port Klang Free Zone. A multibillion ringgit shady affair. And it’s all our money. So I am sad because I am not sure another minister would pursue the affair as relentlessly or as bull-doggedly as Tee Keat. Mohan: I am also sad. Many others too, I’m sure. Now the shady affair would probably move into a darker area. And soon to be forgotten. We lost our billions and no one will be punished for it. Yes, Cikgu I also thought for a moment that there was a chance of at least one scandal or one shady affair – out of the many that we

have – gets to be exposed. Azman: I am not sure I agree with you entirely. The government has set up a task force to look into the affair. So with or without Tee Keat, the shady affair would be looked into. Mohan: Maybe. Chong: But surely you can’t blame the MCA delegates if the shady affair is not thoroughly investigated. They were not thinking about national matters when they voted. Their thoughts were only on party affairs. Zain: You think so? Don’t you think that those who are not interested in seeing the PKFZ affair being investigated thoroughly did not seek to influence the delegates? To ensure that Tee Keat is rejected. Mohan: I agree with you Cikgu. So it is not just a simple vote of no confidence in a party president. What about those who don’t like the shape of his face? And those whose toes he has stamped or trampled on? Some say he is a bit abrasive. It seems not many people like his leadership style too. Zain: Yes. Many people actually feared Tee Keat being strongly endorsed. Just imagine how strong he would be if three quarters of the delegates had demonstrated their confidence in him? Many in the party would begin to fear him. Chong: Many outside the party too? Zain: Why, of course. He would be a real party strongman. The MCA could be strong too under his strong leadership. But then I am not sure many people want to see a stronger and more united MCA emerging even though it would make the BN a more formidable party. Chong: Cannot be bullied ma. Zain: Maybe. So you see a lot of interested people and a lot of interested groups want to see Tee Keat brought down. I am sure they are now savouring his defeat. Too bad. Azman: But can’t he stay on? Zain: He could but he shouldn’t. He has lost the vote of confidence and so he should step aside. The delegates had spoken with a clear voice – they do not want him anymore. Azman: But he lost by only 14 votes. Zain: One vote or 14 votes it does not matter, he lost. Some would say he should be responsible enough to stay on to help the party to organise fresh elections and then go. I say that’s hokum. He had made his pitch and lost. Let others decide what to do now. As far as he is concerned, he should just go.

Adopt sustainable water plan

Klebang Besar reclamation poser

THE Coalition for Sustainable Water Management (CSWM) is in agreement with “Water laws lack check and balance” (Letters, Oct 6). We are confused as to why the government is continuing to push forward with the Kelau Dam-Pahang-Selangor raw water transfer project. The coalition had sent a detailed report to members of the federal and state governments on the fact that the need for the Kelau Dam and the interstate water transfer project is based on flawed and inflated water use figures derived in the National Water Resource Study. We continue to question why, if the government truly believes a water crisis is looming, no other

I WAS under the impression that no development that could possibly affect the environment proceed without an environmental impact assessment report (EIAR). It has come to my attention that the reclamation in Klebang Besar, Malacca, is proceeding without an EIAR. This area is a breeding ground for the famous “geragau” prawns and is near Pulau Upeh, a turtle breeding area. Are we going to lose these precious pieces of nature to indiscriminate development. Isn’t the objective of an EIAR to ensure that development does not interfere with nature? Apart from losing these gifts of nature from God, my grandchildren will not have any beaches to enjoy in Malacca as little

step has been taken to ensure water security, other than pushing for the dam and transfer tunnel? Why are no large-scale efforts being made to enforce water conservation among users, both domestic and industrial? It is not uncommon for countries or states to face periods of water scarcity. However, knowing that there will be periods of low water reserves, these places monitor strictly consumer use of water during the dry seasons. Furthermore, they aim to reduce overall water consumption, to ensure water security and the sustainability of this critical resource for their country or region. The coalition finds it ironic that the date of the pending water crisis

for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur continues to move into the future, together with the completion date of the water transfer tunnel project. Previously, the water shortage was projected to occur in 2007 and then 2009. Now it has moved forward a few years yet again. There is no doubt that the RM9 billion Kelau Dam and Interstate Water Transfer project will be the kingpin for the construction sector underpinning future growth. But it is an unnecessary project. Money should be better spent on projects the country really needs. CSWM Via email

by little the beaches are rapidly disappearing. Does Malacca really need another theme park? It definitely does not need more high rise condos as there are many beach-side condos for sale. Many of these have been on the market for 10 years. Does a city that has gained Unesco World Heritage status care about the environment, conservation and sustainable development? Malacca should show the world that it really cares about the environment, people’s lives and well-being and put a stop to this madness. Anak Malacca Malacca