Tan Sri Ismail Adam - 'Please do not over rule the Honorable Prime Minister's decision'

The recent announcement by PSD Director General Tan Sri Ismail Adam is something that has caused a lot of uneasiness among 2008 SPM students and their respective parents. This issue is very close to the heart of the people and much thought should be given before a decision is reached. The previous year when there was a public outcry when students with flying results were denied scholarships the honorable Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi diffused the situation by announcing that any student who achieved 9 straight A1s would be allocated scholarships. This intervention by the prime minister was timely and very well received by the rakyat.

Tan Sri Adam has categorically stated that not all straight As students will be eligible for scholarships. This is definitely a step backward for the countries education system and overall aim of increasing and enhancing the human resource capability of the nation. Those who are have worked hard and attained excellence should be rewarded and no less then the Prime Minister has agreed to this. Putera MIC strongly objects to the PSD Director Generals statement which implies this practice will be stopped. We strongly urge Tan Sri Adam to carefully rethink the decision and make a decision that is in the best interest of the students and their futures.

When the Prime Minister made the decision last year there was overwhelming support for it. Has the Prime Minister agreed to the new decision? How come he didn’t state the scholarships were only for the year it was announced and not for the future too? What has changed so drastically that such a well received decision has to be reversed? The people are watching this issue very closely and they need to be reassured that the government has the interests of the people at heart when making a decision. Students should be confident that when they study hard and do well the government will reward their effort and this will spur them to work harder.

Another point we would like to raise is the fact that by Tan Sri Adam’s own calculation there are 2000 overseas scholarships and there are 1676 student with straight A1s. This being the scenario shouldn’t all those who got straight A1s be entitled to scholarships. Even if all those who got straight A1s were given scholarships there would be about 300 and more available for others. As for those who got straight As the local 10 000 scholarships will be available to them.

As a country striving to become more competitive and first world in all ways, educational policies are of paramount importance. Taking this into consideration we urge all involved rethinking their decision and doing what’s best for students and the country. The people await a decision for them and supporting their well being and not against them. PSD hopefully will not disappoint.

MY VIEWS....

I remembered what was said once by Dato' Seri Nazri - A Government servant must just be a government servant he cannot be a political master or change it to be a government master. A government servant does the job instructed by the political master.

It seems that everyone wants to over rule the Prime Minister's decision ? Why ? Do they think that they can be a better Prime Minister or the Prime Minister is not capable enough to make his decision.

PROpenmic - dedicated to Public Relations Practitioners all over the world

If you are a public relations practitioner or even a student or an academician, I don’t know if you have heard about a social network group for public relations practitioners called ‘PROpenMic’.

Indeed in my opinion, I don’t think many Malaysians or for that matter, ASIANS are aware of such an existence of an amazing and outstanding website.

For your information, ‘PROpenMic’ is a website public relations students, faculty and practitioners can come together and share notes about public relations. I have signed in to the site and I am indeed proud to share with all of you that I think I am the first Malaysian to do so, I have also created a spot where all Malaysians can share their notes and experiences in public relations.

I have indeed realized the so called ‘WOW’ factor when I was surfing into this site. It is indeed great to see how public relations is being studied and practiced all over the world.

PROpenMic? Is a metaphor. You can step in up and speak your mind. The website’s goal is to be the social network for public relations student, faculty and practitioners worldwide. The website is ad free and nonprofit with an education focus. Already, they have members from over 50+ countries and almost 300 universities worldwide. ‘PROpenMic’ is your network for connections and learning. Ultimately, the network is about you helping others.

The site was founded by Mr. Robert French from the United States of America. He teaches public relations at Auburn University. Mr. French has been actively involved in this discipline for over 25 years with experience ranging from public relations, broadcasting and university administration to teaching.

For those of you who haven’t visited the site yet, please do! Here’s the link: http://www.propenmic.org/

MY VIEWS……

MY Malaysian friends, please do not bring a political link to ‘PROpenMic’, it has nothing to do with MIC.

DATO' SERI S SAMY VELLU - A SELFLESS LEADER

As of late much criticism has been directed at MIC party president Dato Seri S. Samy Vellu. It seems that he is the proverbial glass house and everybody and anybody have a divine right to revel in taking pot shots at him. There have been calls for him to step down and relinquish his position within the party. I’d like to highlight certain truths about the leader of the Indian community in this country for the last 30 years. It cannot be denied that everything is not perfect; something’s could have been dealt with differently, better handled perhaps. However equally true is the fact that there have been countless positive effects from his leadership not only too many individuals but also in policy making and implementation of government policy that has benefited the whole Indian society in Malaysia.

A reflection on the strides our community has taken in the last 30 years is testament to his leadership and stewardship. In short space of time we as a community have grown in leaps and bounds in terms of economic prosperity, academic achievement, and social upward mobility when compared to generations before us. Could this have been achieved without the vision and tenacity of a selfless leader? The answer is a logical and emphatic no. MIC as a party has contributed more than RM 100 million to the education of Indian children over the last 30 years. Another milestone achievement of esteemed Dato Seri S Samy Vellu is the creation of the AIMST University and off course TAFE College. For the record it’s the only Indian owned university outside off India and it caters for the educational needs of our children. All this achievements are the result of MIC efforts as a party and reflect the quality of the president.

On calls for his resignation I’d like to point out that there are only 2 ways that will happen. One is when Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu himself feels that he cannot contribute anymore and a new person is needed to take over and voluntarily releases power. He is a man of great convictions and clarity and I’m sure he will make that decision when the time is right and not a second earlier. The other way for him to leave the party is of course due process of elections within the party. Anyone is free to stand against him and claim the presidency. But the point to note here is that his fate is in the hands of the 650 000 MIC members and they will decide, in fact they should decide and not anybody else. As long as the party members endorse him and his leadership then he has every right to continue serving the community. Also asking Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu to leave now is like asking a child to leave his ailing parent in their time of need. No child can do that, and Dato’ Seri S Samy Vellu is needed to restore the splendor and confidence of the party at the moment.

In conclusion I’d like to say to the party president’s critics that he is listening to the voice of the people, he is aware of their needs and aspirations but he also needs all our support to help him achieve our collective goals. Change for the sake of change benefits no one. So while constructive criticisms are always welcomed yet let it be done in the spirit of cooperation and improvement and not unfairness and unfounded malice.

MY VIEWS......

Please read my article again.