SJK(T) Ramakrishna dapat Bangunan Baharu

Pada 16 Jun 2017 lalu, saya hadir menyerahkan blok bangunan baharu SJK(T) Ramakrishna di Negeri Pulau

Pinang kepada pihak pengurusan sekolah secara rasmi. SJK(T) Ramakrishna mendapat 3 blok bangunan baharu untuk menampung 260 orang murid dan guru – guru  yang sedia ada. Blok Bangunan Baharu SJKT Ramakrishna ini telah mula dibina pada tahun 2015 dan siap sepenuhnya pada tahun 2017.

Blok bangunan Baharu ini dibina dengan Kos Rm4.70 juta yang diperuntukkan oleh Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia dan ianya mempunyai 3 blok bangunan baharu yang dibina dalam bentuk “U”. Sebanyak 12 bilik darjah dan bilik – bilik khas seperti Bilik ICT, Makmal Sains, Bengkel Kemahiran Hidup, Bilik BOSS,Bilik Mesyuarat, Bilik Bimbingan & Kaunseling, Bilik Pemulihan, Bilik Cetak, Bilik fail, bilik peperiksaan dan Kedai Buku.

Bukan itu sahaja, saya telah pun mengagihkan peruntukan penyelenggaraan RM320,000 ringgit pada tahun 2016 dan pada tahun 2016 tambahan peruntukkan sebanyak Rm150,000 untuk membuat penyelenggaraan sehingga bangunan baharu ini siap sepenuhnya.

Dengan adanya bangunan baharu ini, dijangka ada ada pertambahan pendaftaran murid – murid pada masa – masa yang akan datang.  Saya mengambil kesempatan ingin mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Y.A.B Dato Sri’ Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Perdana Menteri Malaysia, YB Dato Sri Mahdzir Khalid Menteri Pendidikan Malaysia dan YB Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam, Menteri Kesihatan Malaysia merangkap Presiden MIC yang komited dalam memartabatkan imej dan infrastruktur SJKT di Malaysia.

SJKT Taman Keladi, Nation's 528th Tamil School

On 8th May 2017 I had the pleasure of attending the ground breaking ceremony of the 528th Tamil school in the nation SJKT Taman Keladi in Kedah. The plans for the school are very impressive and will have all modern facilities and infrastructure needed for the holistic educational experience each student is entitled too. It will have 18 classrooms , a computer lab, a science lab, a living skills learning room and also other facilities such as a library and text book room. The cost of the entire project is RM 18 million and with this ground breaking the continues transformation of Tamil schools continues with a flourish.

 Currently the are 524 Tamil schools in operation, SJKT Taman Sentosa in Klang is the 525th school which is currently being built. SJKT Taman Bandar Mahkota Cheras is the 526th and the ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for 30th June 2017.The 527th is SJKT Bandar Seri Alam under construction in Pasir Gudang Johor. The 529th and 530th are SJKT Headwood in Sungai Siput and SJKT Taman PJS1 in Petaling Jaya. These new schools when completed will bring up the total Tamil schools in the nation to 530 and this is testament to the steadfast commitment of the Malaysian government under the esteemed PM Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak to ensure the future of vernacular education in the country.

Since the honourable PM has taken over the administration of the country we have seen a tremendous injection of financial aid towards the physical rejuvenation and added Tamil schools in Malaysia. To those naysayers who keep saying the vernacular schools are under threat in our country I can't think of a better response then this. The government has spent and continues to spend billions of ringgit for the continues operation of vernacular schools in the country.

The opposition often criticise for the sake of critiquing without a proper basis or understanding of the real situation and their misleading statements cause unnecessary     Ill will just to satisfy their political expediency. I'd like to ask how much the governments in Pinang and Selangor have allocated to Tamil schools financially since 2009 and how much land they have given as well. I challenge them to show their commitment so far.

I must take this opportunity to thank the honourable PM for his dedication to the cause of transforming Tamil schools and also the president of MIC Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam for his vision and role as a catalyst for the changes taking place in Tamil schools. I must also thank the honourable  Education Minister Dato Seri Mahdzir Khalid and the ministry of education for their unwavering support and dedication to the transformation process. The vision encapsulated in the National Education Blueprint (2013-2025) includes the comprehensive development of all schools across the board and this government is very focused on ensuring no student or school is left behind in the quest for a globally recognised quality education.

Perpaduan Asas Negara Malaysia

Asas sesebuah negara berdasarkan semangat kenegaraan dan perpaduan yang dipraktikan oleh rakyat Malaysia merupakan negara contoh kepada semua negara lain kerana negara kita yang mempunyai kombinasi pelbagai kaum yang hidup aman, sejahtera dan paling penting secara harmoni sejak negara kita merdeka. Perpaduan antara semua kaum adalah sentiasa kukuh dan tidak berbelah bahagi.

Initipati perpaduan ini adalah hasil hubungan silaturahim dan budaya rakyat Malaysia iaitu saling hormat menghormati antara kaum ini telah diamalkan sejak sekian lama dan sifat murni ini diturunkan sejak turun temurun melalui sejarah warisan yang ditinggalkan oleh nenak moyang kita.

Contoh terbaik yang saya boleh beri apabila saya dipilih menjadi Ahli Parlimen Hulu Selangor dan saya diterima oleh semua lapisan masyarakat termasuk para muslimin dan muslimat dari Hulu Selangor. Malah saya menjadi salah seorang daripada ahli keluarga mereka yang sentiasa menerima kunjungan saya dengan senyuman dan hati yang terbuka.

Pada bulan Ramadan, saya akan turut serta dengan rakan – rakan yang beragama islam di Parlimen Hulu Selangor dengan menyertai mereka waktu Sahur, Buka Puasa malah moreh pun ada. “Singgah Sahur dan Berbuka Puasa” ini telah saya amalkan sejak lama dan penglibatan saya dalam majlis sebegini mendekatkan diri saya dengan penduduk – penduduk yang beragama islam. Apabila tiba Sambutan Hari Deepavali, saya akan menerima kunjungan ramai masyarakat berbilang kaum untuk turut serta dalam memeriahkan sambutan ini. Ketika Majlis –majlis sebegini, saya berasa gembira dan syukur akan memajmukan yang kita amalkan selama ini.

Ramai yang mengetahui di kawasan saya juga terdapat para alim ulama seperti YBhg Dato’ Ustaz Haji Zainal Aibidin bin Sakom yang juga Bekas Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Batang Kali yang cukup tersohor. Di peringkat kebangsaan pula kehadiran pemimpin hebat cendiakawan Islam seperti Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Dato Jamil Khir Baharom dan YB Senator Dato Asyraf Waidi bin Dato’ Dasuki. Mereka ini amat dikenali ramai dan cukup mahir dalam ajaran agama islam namun tidak sekali mereka mengkritik kefahaman agama lain

Parti MIC yang merupakan parti keramat yang mewakili masyarakat India di Malaysia sentiasa mempertahankan Perlembagaan Malaysia dimana setiap kaum diberi kebebasan menganuti agama masing – masing dan pada masa yang sama Parti MIC juga mengiktiraf kedudukan Agama Islam sebagai Agama Rasmi di Malaysia. Namun begitu apabila seorang individu dari luar negara memberi pandangan atau ideology yang boleh mengugat kesejahteraan dan perpaduan rakyat Malaysia maka Parti MIC tidak akan mendiamkan diri dan akan bangkit mempertahankan agenda perpaduan negara.

Parti MIC tidak pernah menentang mana – mana agama dan sentiasa menghormati rakan – rakan sekutu kami yang dari berlainan bangsa, agama dan kaum namun pendirian Parti MIC tetap teguh dan menentang habis-habisan dengan campur tangan orang asing yang dilihat cuba melaga-lagakan rakyat Malaysia yang berbilang Kaum. Bak kata pepatah “Bersatu teguh, Bercerai Kita Roboh”. Penentang ini adalah terhadap seorang individi yang bernama Zakir Naik pendakwah yang India yang menyampaikan ideloginya yang penyebabkan percanggahan pendapat dan boleh meretakan keharmonian semua rakyat Malaysia.

Negara asal Zakir Naik sedang menjalankan sisatan terhadap beliau atas pertuduhan jenayah berkaitan penggubahan wang sehingga negara India memohon bantuan Polis Antarabangsa untuk membawa balik Zakir Naik ke India untuk penyiasatan. Zakir Naik yang sepatutnya menyelesaikan pertuduhan terhadapnya dilihat cuba mencetuskan persengketaan antara kaum khususnya dengan yang bukan beragama islam. Adalah sungguh tidak beradab apabila beliau menghina agama dan kepercayaan kaum lain (selain islam) yang diamalkan oleh rakyat Malaysia.

Saya tegaskan sekali lagi MIC sebuah parti yang matang tidak pernah dan tidak akan menyelar mana – mana agama di Malaysia tetapi MIC berhak menegur sesiapa sahaja yang cuba “bermain api” mengancam perpaduan kaum yang menganut pelbagai agama termasuk islam di negara tercinta ini.

Amalan retorik dan menyemai bibit – bibit kebencian yang tidak kondusif yang dipraktikkan oleh Zakir Naik perlu ditangani segera. MIC berdiri kukuh dalam saf kepimpinan yang sama mendaulatkan perlembagaan negara ini.

Terima Kasih

Ditimpa kesusahan tanpa keberkatan ilmu daripada guru

Kehidupan seseorang itu akan terus ditimpa pelbagai kesusahan sehingga akhir hayat jika gagal memperoleh keberkatan ilmu daripada guru.

Pendakwah terkenal, Datuk Mohd. Kazim Elias berkata, oleh itu, pengorbanan dan jasa guru perlu sentiasa dikenang walaupun mereka telah bersara.

“Selain itu, sikap yang sama juga perlu ditunjukkan terhadap guru anak-anak kita. Meskipun mereka tidak mengajar kita, tetapi guru-guru itu telah mendidik anak-anak kita membaca dan mengira. 

“Jadi, kita perlu menghormati dan mengenang jasa mereka agar hidup terus diberkati,” katanya dalam Ceramah Perdana berjudul Guru Oh Guru sempena Festival Hari Guru Kebangsaan 2017 anjuran Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kumpulan Utusan di Padang A, Angsana Mall, di sini malam tadi.

Ceramah yang bermula pukul 9 malam itu turut dihadiri Pe­ngarah Pendidikan negeri, Shaharudin Sharif dan Pengarang Pendidikan Utusan Malaysia, Wahid Hashim serta kira-kira 700 warga bandar raya ini.

Sementara itu, Mohd. Kazim berkata, guru bukan hanya golo­ngan pendidik yang mengajar di sekolah atau institusi pengajian sebaliknya individu yang memberi manfaat kepada pihak lain.

Makaatas sebab itu kelebihan menjadi guru ini adalah pahalanya cukup besar kerana tiga amalan sahaja, iaitu sedekah jariah, ilmu yang dimanfaatkan dan doa anak-anak yang soleh yang boleh dibawa sehingga me­ninggal dunia.

“Saya sendiri telah mula menjadi guru pada tahun 1992, manakala pada 2006 saya mula membuka sekolah berasrama yang kini mempunyai 250 pelajar. Jadi, hampir 11 tahun menjadi guru besar.

“Banyak pengalaman yang saya peroleh sepanjang tempoh tersebut dan perbezaannya adalah ibu bapa hari ini yang cukup mencabar berbanding dahulu kerana majoriti melepaskan segala tanggungjawab kepada guru dan jika berlaku apa-apa, mereka menyerang pula guru berkenaan,” katanya. - Utusan

ETHICS IN JOURNALISM AND RESPONSIBLE REPORTING

Journalism to me is a respected profession and only those with passion, high integrity and responsibility are suited for this job! 

 

As an accredited public relations practitioner, I have the highest respect for all my friends from the media.  They have and continue to play a big role in assisting me to disseminate important information to the public.  It is a partnership that I cherish.  And, in the cause of my engagement with them, I got to know many wonderful people and I am humbled that many of them are still my good friends until today!

 

However, some malicious reporting in a few media recently is worrying.  I have been the direct target of these malicious reporting in some of the media.

 

According to the code of ethics by the Society of Professional Journalists, ethics in journalism is defined as – “Public enlightenment of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.”

 

It is indeed sad that recently a Tamil media published a story of a demonstration participated by primary Tamil school students outside their school compound in Kalumpang, Hulu Selangor.  This was in relations to an alleged shortage of teachers in the school.  This particular media failed in its moral, ethical and professional obligation to verify the alleged news before publishing it.

 

Incidentally, I am the Member of Parliament for Hulu Selangor and also the Deputy Minister of Education of Malaysia.  In no uncertain terms do I wish to state my strong objection and anger towards these irresponsible adults who put the life and safety of the students at risk by forcing them to demonstrate by the side of the street in front of their school.  Those responsible for this incident should be charged according to the law for endangering the lives of the students as well as other road users! 

 

I have published in detail the matters and actions taken related to this matter on my Facebook and many of my readers have condemned the actions of these adults who used innocent students to demonstrate for their own selfish agenda.

 

The issue on the shortage of teachers in the Tamil school was brought to my attention on 10 March 2017 during my meeting with the Headmasters of all the Tamil schools in Hulu Selangor.  I escalated this matter with the state and district education departments for an immediate solution.  The department assessed the issue and appointed 2 teachers to report to the school on 2 May 2017 (today). This information was communicated by the Headmaster of the Tamil school to the PIBG Chairman on 26 April 2017 and he thanked the Headmaster for resolving the matter.  On the morning of 27 April 2017, this same individual organised the demonstration outside the school for an issue that he is well aware off, has been resolved.

 

What is the motive of this individual in doing so?

 

Besides the PIBG Chairman, what was the motive of the Tamil media in publishing the news without verifying it with the Headmaster, the Ministry of Education or even myself?  Can the readers then consider this as false news?  What is the responsibility of this Tamil media towards its readers?

 

There are serious consequences when the media does not report the truth or practice fair reporting.  Should we consider this a deliberate act to sensationalise the news or pure ignorance?  Reporting the actual facts after the damage is done does not restore the credibility of the media when there is no known action by it to verify the facts before publishing!

 

Do we need something tragic to happen before the law is amended to hold these irresponsible people for reporting false news?

Warm greetings to each one of you who is reading this blog!

My absence in the blogging arena for about a year is something I did not anticipate. I've been blogging for about 10 years now and have always enjoyed sharing my experiences and opinions and not doing it for a year has redoubled my desire to put pen to paper or rather finger to keyboard as the case maybe.

It's been exactly 7 years to the date I was first elected as an MP for Hulu Selangor. It has been a very adventures and enlightening journey so far. I've learnt so much through a myriad of experiences and indeed I'm blessed to have this opportunity to serve. 

My elevation to the Deputy Minister of Education post is equally humbling and a worthwhile opportunity which I'm continuing to seize and make the best of on a daily basis. The responsibility of handling the single most important resource of a nation weighs heavily but rewards amply when policy and implementation work in coherent efficiency.

 

I missed my engagement with you in sharing views and obtaining valuable and constructive feedback from my dear readers.

 

My responsibilities at the Ministry of Education (MOE) had kept me on my toes as there are various challenges to be faced and time is of the essence in ensuring success. I am happy with what I have been able to contribute and achieve at MOE, the schools, teachers and students.  It has been a challenging and most satisfying journey that I will continue to work with commitment and passion.

 

Today, I wish to announce my return to the blogging world!

 

I will be sharing my views on education in general, Tamil schools, the challenges and opportunities in education for the Indian community in Malaysia, the political transformation that is taking place in Malaysia, critical announcements from MOE and MIC, activities and programs in my parliament constituency in Hulu Selangor as well any other public interest matters that I am privy to.

I look forward to your continued support of this blog.

 

Thank you !