malaysia education system

“Education is the best provision for old age”
Aristotle

Education is a very important aspect of a person’s life whether one admits it or not. Education can empower a person to earn a living and in the process, sometimes enable a person to reach the pinnacles of ones dream. Education is also an essential tool enshrined in the doctrine of basic human rights and no citizen should be deprived of it by its government. After saying that, it is therefore of utmost importance for a country to ensure the education system is well in place to produce capable and industrious citizens to build the country’s future and in the process providing its citizens of their basic rights. In Malaysia, there is no exception to the rule. However, the argument point here is whether the education system in Malaysia is effective in the said objectives?

No doubt there is some foundation being laid by the British during the colonization days. In a way our education system does bear some resemblance to the British. However, along the years since the 50s, have our education system evolved to meet the needs of a new millennium? It cannot be denied that there have been some changes but whether they are sufficient are another matter altogether. An indication of the status of Malaysia’s education system can be seen by numerous complaints by potential employers, mostly foreign based companies that Malaysian graduates are definitely not up to mark in terms of essential skills level. Academic knowledge is certainly not an issue since we can see that there are many top scorers among Malaysians in public examinations. What is the complaint about then? Academic knowledge is important, but the capabilities to execute it effectively are equally important. What is the use of having profound knowledge but unable to express it when it matters the most in the workplace.

There is too much emphasis on scoring perfect marks in examinations. Students in their early years are taught that the best students are the ones that score the highest marks and the most As in examinations. With this in mind, students’ priorities are distorted whereby they concentrate more on scoring marks rather than understanding the implications of each subjects being taught. In other words, we are actually training mindless robots with good memories but not an effective employee in the working industry. Most of the graduates have difficulties in communicating effectively in simple English in the workplace for daily routine work, what more during presentations. Some do not even get past the job interviewing process. Judging by all these issues, the government should realize that there is indeed something wrong with our education system. Rather than being in denial, concrete actions should be taken to rectify this matter before it gets much worse.

The first instance is the usage of English language to teach Mathematics and Science. This is actually a correct step forward but there have been reservations by certain quarters mostly originated from nationalism feelings that since Bahasa Malaysia is the national language therefore should be used instead. Not to belittle our national language, but how many countries in the world conduct their business in Bahasa Malaysia? What is the point of learning a subject in the national language when the terms to be used in the workplace later are mostly English? How will our graduates be able to adapt and even to compete if all their schooling days’ terms are not used at all. They basically have to spend much of their early working years just to adapt to the new terms being used! Our graduates will lose competitive edge this way.

The other grouses will be the treatment of students in terms of scholarships being offered. There have been complaints from the public that this process does not constitute a transparent affair. It is even seen by certain quarters that there are some elements of racial biased within the system. It is truly heart wrenching to read about top achievers not being able to pursue their preferred courses or even to secure a scholarship in the process. The Malaysian government has always been vocal to attract Malaysian talents from overseas to serve the country for patriotic reasons but failed to realize that it is the government itself shuns the potential talents in the first place. It is imperative for the government to realize that affirmative actions are no doubt important for a multi racial country in terms of nation building but there must not be any compromise on quality for certain critical industries and the best minds should be considered to serve in these industries foremost. After saying that, the Public Services Department should also heed the public’s call to be transparent in the matter in order to put to rest all uncertainties regarding the award of scholarships for potential nation builders of the future. Meritocracy is a critical element to be assessed here for we must ensure the best minds are given the tasks accordingly.

The Malaysian education system is not entirely flawed in that sense but there is definitely some room for improvements. The main objective of education should not be lost in some political playground. Education is to empower people to earn a living and in the process able to contribute effectively to the growth of a nation.

detention without trial

Detention without trial; a person can be detained for months and even years without going through the due process of the law. This term is beginning to be a norm not only in Malaysia but even in the world today. Human rights advocates clearly states that a person is entitled to a fair trial and right to be heard. Things like that no doubt can happen in countries controlled by autocratic regimes, but in the free world?. The next question that comes to mind will be, “How is then such action possible being practiced in countries that promote democracy?” Let’s do a thorough analysis on how such a concept can originate in the first place.

In Malaysia, detention without trial is enforced by the Internal Security Act 1960. Its primary objective is to suppress organized violence against persons and property in Malaysia. This legislation was originated from the British during the colonial era. At that time, it was solely used to counter the armed insurgency of the communists in Malaya. Touching on that point, the Americans used a similar tactic to counter the terrorists under detention at their naval base in Guantanamo Bay. There is a similarity here if one is able to pick up the insinuation. The legislation is used by a government on foreign nationals bend on destruction and mayhem towards their interests. If that is the case, can we say that the legislation is some sort of colonial-master tool to suppress dissent? For one, we don’t see them implementing such legislation on their own nationals. The conscience of America is beginning to question the legitimacy of detaining so-called terrorists without trial and to some extent, some of these “terrorists” are actually proven to be innocent people. Recently the Americans did enact the USA Patriot Act, kind of similar to the ISA. However, its implementation is widely criticized and is not easily enforceable to the whims of the government. How is this legislation enforced in Malaysia then? There are many reservations brought forward by Malaysians on ISA. It is undeniable good in way for it maintains peace and order. However, the main question one should ask is, at what cost?

The government of Malaysia has been using ISA against countless people. From triad members to cult members and not forgetting the source of recent outburst of discontentment, political adversaries. It is within logical sense to detain triad members and cult members for these people are a threat to national security and to the general public as a whole but politicians? It is difficult for anyone to see how a politician can be equated to an armed terrorist. The only common excuse that the government dishes out is, the politician is stroking racial sentiments and this could generate into all out racial clashes. It is definitely a nightmare if these clashes do happen in multiracial Malaysia but could this really happen? It did happen once in 1969 so there is always a possibility this might reoccur. The only argument is why this particular politician can’t be charged in court for seditious remarks rather than stripping off all his individual rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution and is treated like an outcast. Are our police force and public prosecutors that incompetent that they are unable to bring a simple case against the politician in the court of law? Furthermore, if the ISA is not in existence, couldn’t all the triad members and cult members be prosecuted as well? Every time the ISA is invoked, at that very moment the judiciary system in Malaysia will lose a credibility point. In the end, what is the point of having courts of law if the government can bypass these courts at its whim. The Malaysians’ perception is that the government can detain a citizen with impunity if the citizen is deemed to be a threat to national unity without any chance for him to defend himself in the courts of law. This is beginning to look more like living in a feudal state rather than a democratic state.

The ISA has also brew suspicion that the government is using the legislation to silence political dissent. This is certainly not without credence since most of the ISA detainees are basically politicians from the opposition camps. It is definitely unsettling that all criticisms hurl towards the government can be construed as dissent even for the constructive ones. As power corrupts, the government could run into the risk of abusing the ISA. It does more good than harm then if such law is repelled and inadvertently the credibility of the government will then be restored as a just entity protecting the rights of every citizen.

As Habeas Corpus, one of the oldest liberties clearly states “No free man shall be seized or imprisoned except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.”

the evolution of malaysia

The just concluded 12th general election in Malaysia has brought about changes that not every Malaysian could envision in their wildest dreams; the diminishing control of the mammoth Barisan Nasional over the government. No one expected the opposition parties can turn the tides as what had happened and this comes as a surprise even to the opposition members themselves. However, one can argue whether this is actually surprising to us normal Malaysians, especially those that cast their votes.

The built up to the election had seen many rare happenings that have never been seen before previously. Opposition’s rallies had seen crowds nearing to the thousands and mind you, these crowds comprised of different races mingling together to see what the speakers were trying to bring forward. The internet was abuzz by postings and discussions of all Malaysians irregardless of race and all of them saying the same thing; the present government is too powerful at the point of being arrogant. Malaysians should deny the Barisan Nasional 2/3 majority in Parliament. In the previous elections, all these talks did come out too, but the difference this time around is, it really happened! This is certainly mind boggling since for the opposition to achieve that, the majority of Malaysians voted against BN comprise of Malays, Chinese and Indians. Every race voted as one. It is still too early to tell but from what can be roughly seen, could this be the beginning of the creation of “Bangsa Malaysia”?

Before we jump to any conclusion, let’s do an analysis on how the opposition able to gain an upper hand this time around. What pushed nearly half the Malaysians to vote for opposition? During the campaigning period, the opposition actually did bring up some issues that affect all Malaysians irregardless of race; petrol price, judiciary problems, minorities’ rights eroded etc. These issues are commonly brought up by the opposition and BN with its past experiences should be able to brush them off as they did so previously. The plan did not work this time judging by the opposition’s thumping unprecedented success. BN had definitely miscalculated certain items not seen before from previous years.

The first miscalculation is that the bulk of the voters belong to a newer generation. Long gone are the days when issues like the racial riot of the 60s send a chill down the voters’ spine. This “scare-tactic” is no longer applicable since these voters are born after that period and it is difficult for them to visualize the so called terror then or even to comprehend how such event could happen in the first place. There is no place for racial sentiments for the younger generation since many are well read and exposed to global affairs. Threats will only put a foul taste to their mouth. The second miscalculation is the boon of Internet. The previous tactic of BN is to control the mainstream media to spread its propaganda. Media is a powerful tool to sway opinions. That is exactly what the Internet does. The old hands in BN have lost touch of what the latest technologies able to offer and the opposition took advantage of this. Propagandas had been spreading like wild fire thru the Internet championing the opposition’s cause. This is apparent since even a well known blogger has been voted into Parliament. The third miscalculation and the most critical one are the issues being put forward. Higher costs of living and increase in petrol are all normal issues faced by any developing country. The BN did a good job in pointing this out and even when the opposition says that it will reduce the price of petrol, it does not hold water for most of us well read Malaysians. Then why do the votes swing to the opposition one may ask. The real grouses most men on the street have are prices can increase but the government should justify why this has to happen. The magic words here are transparency and accountability. Corruption has been rampantly committed and charged in the court of law but this is just the tip of the iceberg, in the opinion of this new generation. Therefore, in their opinion, BN should be put in its place and to have a wake up call that its power is not a privilege but actually a blessing from the people of Malaysia. The outcome of the 12th general election showed just that.

Every Malaysian will now ask the same question, “What is in store for Malaysia right now?” Malaysians have shown that they are not to be cowed at anymore at the polls and they will vote for the benefit of the whole nation first with racial issues coming second. Just has they had single handedly dealt a blow to the ruling government, they could do the same if the opposition are not up to mark for the next 5 years. This will definitely keep the ruling coalition and even the opposition at their toes. They know now, to capture the hearts and minds of all Malaysians are at utmost important and will never take them for granted anymore. Changes are being made by both camps to reflect the wishes of the people. The opposition’s Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA) is actually quite similar to the New Economic Policy as practiced by BN. However, even though similar in essence, the MEA has a slight advantage; transparency. Open tenders will be practiced by the states captured by the opposition. Whether the ruling coalition will follow this directive remains to be seen but one thing is for sure, if they do not, the opposition will be seen as a better alternative. All senior officials are required to declare their assets in both camps and this is definitely on the right track to combat corruption. However, a point of note though, declaration is one thing but verification that it is correct is totally a different thing.

The sceptic would say that all these measures taken by both camps are just rosy color lenses aimed at enticing the people. This cannot be denied outright but in the end, if things do not work out, the people of Malaysia will exercise their voting rights effectively again in the next general election. This is definitely an evolution that can propel Malaysia to a whole new beginning in uncharted waters. God bless Malaysia.