Taxi drivers: Rude, arrogant and intimidating
- From: cslee <short-crooked@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:26:02 +0800
Tinted windscreens: When rules don?t matter
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
I AGREE with D.W. about double standards in the crackdown on tinted car
windscreens (?Rules continue to be unclear? ? NST, June 13).
As a daily road user, I notice that almost all government vehicles on the road
have heavily tinted windscreens and windows, except for police patrol cars.
Who are these people who can drive vehicles with such heavily tinted windscreens
with such impunity?
Once, a Road Transport Department officer in a department vehicle asked a
motorist to pull over to the road shoulder because his windscreen was heavily
tinted.
But the RTD four-wheel drive?s windscreens were more heavily tinted than the
motorist?s. Why the double standards?
DESMOND TEW, Batu Pahat
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Teaching of science & Maths: No valid reason for a switch in language
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
I AM in complete agreement with Sue Thomas of Kuala Lumpur (?Yes, ministry is to
be blamed? ? NST, June 9) that we should not revert to teaching our students
Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Malaysia. I see no reason to change a policy
that has only been around for several years and whose benefits have yet to be
fully tested.
I have a child in Year 6 who has been studying these subjects in English for the
past six years. A change in medium of instruction at this stage would only
result in undue hardship as these students will need to re-learn in Bahasa all
the relevant terms used in these two subjects.
Being a product of instruction in the national language, I must say that for
technical subjects like Science and Maths, there is no value-added in learning
these technical terms in Bahasa. Let?s face it, English is the global language
and we must learn to be competitive in these times.
Learning Science and Maths in Bahasa is not going to give our students a
competitive edge over thousands of others the world over who are mastering the
English language.
If the government must go ahead with this unwise decision, then please provide a
choice for the students when answering the exam questions as to which language
they prefer.
Also, change the current system for enrolment in international schools which is
based on unduly strict criteria that either parent must be a foreigner or
someone whose transfer abroad for work purposes is imminent. The increasing
trend of parents seeking enrolment of children in international schools is proof
of their lack of confidence in the local education system.
I believe that the move to teach these subjects in Bahasa will only lead to a
drain of students from government schools into international schools, which
surely cannot be the government?s ultimate objective.
G. SHANTI, Kuala Lumpur
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Taxi drivers: Rude, arrogant and intimidating
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
AS a frequent visitor to Kuala Lumpur, I am writing to you because of the
deplorable service provided by Malaysian taxis.
Taxi drivers in KL are mostly rude, arrogant, intimidating at times and totally
ruled by greed for the tourist dollar. In fact they should be the front-line
ambassadors in the tourism industry as visitors to this country have to interact
with them constantly, but that is a role they have no wish to play.
Most taxi drivers, in my experience, will not use their meters ? only in two of
the 25 taxis I used during my 10-day visit to Malaysia did the drivers use the
meter. Unmetered taxi charges varied from RM10-RM25 for short trips within KL
city.
At the Starhill taxi stand, I observed 10 tourists walking up to taxis to
inquire about trips and fares. All 10 walked away after probably having been
asked some exorbitant fare.
I hate having to travel in a taxi in KL and I probably won?t return here. I
think the authorities need to do something very quickly to address this issue
because it creates a really bad image.
The last thing one wants to do on holiday is deal with rude and cheating taxi
drivers.
Apart from this problem I had a delightful time in your country.
STEPHEN COSTAM, Kuala Lumpur
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Petrol rebate: Stop the touts
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
I MUST thank Pos Malaysia for handling the fuel rebate claims with all the speed
it could muster.
So far so good, although we do read about touts selling claim forms to anxious
car owners. This must be stopped.
BULBIR SINGH, Seremban
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Petrol rebate: It should only be given to those who need it
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
SINCE Saturday, many of us have been making a beeline to the post office to
collect our RM625 rebate. This is one of the steps taken by the government to
help offset some of the hardship following the cuts in the petrol subsidy.
I welcome this move, though I reserve my opinion on the question of cutting the
petrol subsidy.
My concern here is that the government, through Pos Malaysia, is looking at a
plan for rebate collection by Malaysian car owners living abroad. I strongly
believe that they should not waste time on this.
The whole point of the rebate is to assist those who need it and are directly
affected by the higher petrol price. This is why it is restricted to owners of
vehicles under 2,000cc.
Therefore, those who are living abroad, who are not paying the higher petrol
rates and thus not directly affected by the cut in the petroleum subsidy should
not be entitled to this rebate.
According to press reports, some parents have argued that their children are
studying or working abroad and so cannot be present in person to collect the
rebate. A student who can afford to own a vehicle while studying abroad does not
need this rebate.
Likewise, someone who is working abroad is not directly affected by the higher
costs in this country. They, too, do not qualify for the rebate.
I feel that having car owners collect the rebate in person opens up avenues for
abuse. Allowing third-party collection would be opportunity for even greater
abuse. I also believe that each person should be allowed to claim rebates for
only one vehicle.
PETER CHONG, Puchong, Selangor
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Petrol rebate: Deeply offended
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
AS a person who has lived in Malaysia for 27 years, 16 as a permanent resident,
I feel deeply offended, discriminated against and hurt by the ruling that
permanent residents do not qualify for petrol rebates.
I honestly can find no valid reason for this decision, except that it serves to
remind foreigners, once again, that in this country they will remain so forever.
Considering that there are thousands of Malaysians who live and work overseas
and who after only a few years of residence in their host country can enjoy the
same benefits as citizens, and that Malaysia relies heavily on foreign trade,
the move to exclude foreigners living here from government benefits seems
unwise, unjustifiable and downright cruel.
While raising petrol prices by 41 per cent in one go was in the first place
dramatic, the lump-sum rebate is even more open to abuse. Smart ideas on how to
take advantage of the newest aid available have already surfaced (see the
Internet or join the queue at the nearest post office for details).
In the circumstances, I am curious to know whether it would cost the government
more to extend the rebate to permanent residents or pay for the possible abuse
of the benefit by Malaysian citizens?
Additionally, I find it difficult to reconcile the oft-quoted slogan ?our
strength lies in our diversity? with the fact that every single government
directive takes into account, first and foremost, differences in race, religion,
nationality, age and social status, all of which have little or no bearing on
the true character and ability of a person.
Indeed, how can a country aim for true development, happiness, well-being and
prosperity when it constantly focuses on the irrelevant?
As underlined by all honest economists and financial experts, the current crisis
is not due to any real shortage of food or oil, but rather is caused by unfair
and unethical practices during the production and distribution of vital
commodities.
In such trying circumstances, we can only survive if we help each other. Yet,
even at such a difficult moment, the government does not show that it believes
or practises the fundamental creed of ?love thy neighbour as thyself?.
It was never my intention to migrate to Malaysia , but fate willed otherwise.
While I?m sure that I love this country and would help it grow in every way
possible and respect the law always, this country has never failed to remind me,
constantly and regularly over the years, of what I am in its regard ? a
foreigner.
M.B.A., Ipoh
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Hindi fare: Take it all the way, please
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
THE Hindi drama serial Kamini Damini was initially aired over TV9. Only a few
episodes were shown then.
Recently, the same serial appeared on ntv7 starting with Episode 1. I watched
every episode again, hoping this time the entire series would be shown. That was
not to be. It was taken off abruptly. How disappointing!
It appears that Hindi drama serials are used as fillers. This is not fair to
Hindi-speaking viewers like myself as there are hardly any such serials for us.
TV2 did the same with Piya Ka Ghar, which had many more episodes to go when it
was abruptly taken off the air.
I hope the drama serial Kaajjal, now showing on TV2, will go on right to the
end. TV channels that feel they are doing Hindi-speaking viewers a great favour
should make sure that they show Hindi drama serials right up to the end as they
do for Asean Delights.
S.D., Johor Baru
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Fuel-subsidy cuts: It just had to be done
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
MUCH has been written about the latest petrol and diesel price hikes. However,
the various commentators have missed the most important point of all.
In the wake of a major setback in the March 8 general election, under constant
attack from a self-proclaimed ?prime minister in waiting?, facing relentless
harassment by a former prime minister and under pressure from his own party
members, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could have easily opted to maintain or
even reduce the price of petrol.
He could have put his political survival and personal popularity ahead of the
nation?s interest and maintained the status quo. This would have certainly found
support among some Malaysians who expect the government to continue to subsidise
their fuel-extravagant lifestyle and insulate them from soaring world fuel
prices.
However, Abdullah proved to be a responsible and courageous leader by risking
his own political future in doing the right thing ? reducing the fuel subsidy.
He could have easily traded short-term benefits for the long-term future of the
nation, especially in the light of the current political scenario. Thankfully,
he has refused to put his personal interest ahead of the nation?s.
The mark of true leadership is not about saying what people love to hear and
making politically correct, feel-good and populist decisions that would
ultimately be detrimental to the nation.
A true leader does what is right for the nation even if it is something highly
unpopular, personally and politically.
However, it would be unrealistic to expect every Malaysian to accept the
increase and bear the short-term pain for long-term gain. No amount of
explanation would make this segment of society see the rationale behind the
decision, as these people are being blinded by emotion and politics rather than
objective and logical thinking.
Unfortunately, at the other end of the political spectrum, the two key leaders
of Pakatan Rakyat, Lim Kit Siang and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, have failed
miserably in their duties as responsible leaders by resorting to political
grandstanding by making irresponsible and highly misleading statements about the
fuel-price subsidy reduction.
Anwar was even quoted as promising to reduce the price of fuel if he comes to
power.
It is indeed perplexing, especially when it is coming from a former deputy prime
minister and finance minister.
I am puzzled because no other leader in the whole wide world has discovered a
way to reduce or even stem skyrocketing fuel prices.
R. RAMAN, Klang
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Foreign jet fighters: Is this an incursion?
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
MY family and I were having murtabak at one of the stalls near Lido Beach around
4.40pm on June 2, when we heard the very loud noise of jet engines.
When we looked up, we saw two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16
fighter jets flying past.
The sound of the jet engines were deafening since they were flying very low. So
low that we could see the colours on their wings and tails.
The stall owner told us that the RSAF jets frequently fly low above Johor Baru.
These foreign fighter jets were clearly flying well within Malaysian airspace. I
know for a fact that Singapore Air Force jets are no longer allowed to fly in
our airspace. Are they now allowed to use our airspace for their military
training?
Z.A., Subang Jaya
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
Creating undue concern over Kg Kayu Ara folk
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
IN HIS letter (June 13), Ethan in Damansara Utama, along with his litany of
complaints against Kg Kayu Ara residents, decided that they should be evicted.
Does he have proof that the trouble stems from all the residents? I don?t think
the motorcycle noise is any worse than in my area in nearby TTDI. The ?squalor?
is not as drastic as Ethan makes it out to be. Maybe if the infrastructure was a
little better, plumbing and rubbish removal could be more efficient. The
gatherings that so disturb Ethan are in fact community interaction. Locking
yourself in your prime bungalow and demanding privacy while living near people
who are connected is going to be problematic for you.
?Gangs of hooligans? is a bit of an exaggeration. Young people who may not have
much to do waiting for the next poorly paid casual job ?hanging around?? Sorry,
but the young loiter, we all did. ?Indiscriminate? parking ? where in KL is this
not an issue? In TTDI, people park where they like, even BMWs and Mercs.
You want them removed? Where to? A vast majority are PRs, many having been here
for years. The majority pay rent for small but legal housing.
So Ethan, move them and ?sanitise? the area, then you can have ?nice? housing
and your area will be as safe as the next. By stereotyping these people, you
cause unnecessary concern and help keep low-paid citizens in poor conditions.
Take them away and who would be the cheap labour for dangerous building sites,
the broom handlers in businesses.
Help make Kg Kayu Ara a more liveable place by accepting them, using word power
to create infrastructure, or collectively paying them a decent wage. As an expat
in the area, I have come to know some of the families and find them just as
hardworking, decent and community-minded as I?m sure Ethan is.
Gordon Reid
Kuala Lumpur
Source: The Sun ? June 17, 2008
Benefits of teaching subjects in English
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
I REFER to the education minister?s call for feedback on the use of English to
teach Maths and Science and the ensuing debate.
I studied in a government English stream school ? from the primary till the
sixth form in the mid-1970s and in the Universiti Malaya?s faculty of economics.
Many of my peers and I greatly benefited from the use of English in the
education system then. It has enabled me to work overseas for many years as a
professional in American and French organisations in Singapore and at the local
and foreign companies in Malaysia. I have Malay friends and professionals from
my generation, all local graduates, who are successful in their fields. They are
all proficient in the English language.
The ability to interact, converse and communicate effectively in English is of
crucial importance and essential in every global organisation. Even Middle
Eastern and other foreign companies require their staff to have a certain level
of proficiency in the English language.
It would seem that the government is the only
employer who does not place a strong emphasis and requirement for their
graduates to have sufficient proficiency in English. Even government-linked
firms are headed by managers who are articulate and can communicate effectively
in English. Most, however, are educated overseas.
We all know what is the requirement and necessity for our graduates to have a
good mastery of the English language.
One of the government?s most significant policy to address this problem was the
teaching of Maths and Science in English from the primary level. To back track
now and revert after only six years at the primary level to judge the failure or
success of this policy is a grave mistake.
I believe that you can see the result only after one full education cycle ? at
the end of the university level.
I have seen that graduates who were taught in Bahasa Malaysia since the 80s lack
the crucial ability to communicate effectively in English. It is sometimes
embarrassing and appalling to see them give presentations or trying to
communicate with their peers in the same industry.
We have been fortunate that we have some local industry leaders who are very
articulate and comfortable partaking in intelligent discussions on the world
stage in front of the press and cameras. Unfortunately we have also seen some
who are an embarrassment.
This should serve as a good reason to persevere with the policy to build
proficiency in the English language from the primary school level.
TTDI Taurus
Kuala Lumpur
Source: The Sun ? June 17, 2008
13 months? pay: How to make the burden lighter
||||Yesterday 12:00 AM
SINCE the present steep rise in the cost of living also affects private-sector
workers, perhaps private-sector employers could consider paying their employees
on a bi-monthly basis if it will in any way ease the financial burden of their
employees.
Better still, they could consider paying their employees half-a-month?s salary
every fortnight ? that is, once every 14 days instead of once every 15 days.
Perhaps they could pay half-a-month?s salary every alternate Friday.
This would mean that with 52 weeks in a year, payment will be half-month?s
salary 26 times a year or a total of 13 months? salary per year.
Paying a total of 13 months salary over 26 fortnightly payments will help ease
the financial predicament lower-paid workers are now in, more than merely
dividing the current monthly salary and paying it bi-monthly.
M. GANESHADEVA, Kuala Lumpur
Source: NST ? June 17, 2008
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