PSD Scholarships Should Be Given To Those Who Score On Merit

I would like to comment on Umno Youth Education Bureau Chief Ahmad Ikmal Ismail and ABIM secretary - General, Khairul Arifin Mohd Munir who have stated that the PSD scholarship for non - bumis which was increase from 10% - 45%, will effect the chances of Bumiputra to obtain scholarship. Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had announced on May 29 that there was a fairer distribution of Public Service Department scholarships for studies abroad, with 1,100 scholarships awarded to Bumiputera and 900 to non-Bumiputera students.

I feel it is time for UMNO to look into widen picture. The country surrounding us are heading towards globalization, but here we are still being harsh towards other races. It is time for UMNO to realize all their mistake and ego that have cost for the Political Tsunami at the last general election. UMNO should also realize that the Federal Goverment could only be formed if MCA, MIC and Gerakan win all their seats together with the Sabah / Sarawak political parties.

Logically, all students should not fear losing out to lesser performing candidates if they had met all the criteria set by the department. As for Outstanding bumiputera students should not worry about being deprived of scholarships if their qualifications meet the criteria set by the Public Service Department (PSD). The current PSD policy of automatically awarding scholarships to applicants who obtained 10As and above in SPM, and whose monthly family income fell below RM1,500 as announced by the prime minister in last year's budget still stands, applicants who meet this criteria need not fear losing out to lesser performing candidates. The PSD also should publish the names of those who have been given the scholarship and PSD should be more transparent and inform applying students the reasons for their rejection.

Comment By Umno Youth Education Bureau Chief Ahmad Ikmal Ismail : http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/NewsBreak/20080601172716/Article/index_html

Comment By The Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) : And this is what Bernama reported :-
The Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) has called on the government to clarify the necessity for the Public Service Department (PSD) to increase the ratio of scholarships for non-Bumiputeras from 10 percent to 45 percent. "We object to this move because it now means that 700 scholarships for bumiputera students are gone,"

Abim secretary-general, Khairul Arifin Mohd Munir, said in view that the education quota issue was closely related to provisions in the federal constitution like Articles 153(2) and 153(3) it was therefore necessary that Malaysians be given an explanation for the move.

To Gerakan Acting President - Let Members Decide.

Who Will Be The Next Penang Gerakan Chairman?

With party elections from branch level is starting next month, every eye will be on the Penang Gerakan Chairman post since the current chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh TK will be heading to federal level to help rebuild Gerakan all over the country. The about to elect new chairman will be undertaking a huge and heavy responsibility to win back the heart of the people of Penang and to retain back 'The Pearl Of The Orient'. There is an online survey being conducted on the Penang Gerakan Youth Secretary blog with few names have been nominated. The survey shows that the members are interested in two candidates who are Datuk Seri Chia KC and former Batu Kawan MP, Huan CG. With Huan leading the poll on a slim vote, we can come to a conclusion that the ground level members are now interested in new blood.

With acting president already stating that he prefers new blood to lead Gerakan, well the mandate should be given to the members to decide. It is widely speculated that the Acting President is blessing his close aid, Chia KC for the post ( published in a Chinese daily ). So why play political game and confuse the members? If the Acting President wants young blood to take over, than he should not interfere in the selection of the state chairman. Tan Sri Dr Koh, you have taken a wrong step before election, please don't repeat it again. leave it to the members and we have a huge task to be done after the party elections. ( TO RETAIN PENANG )

PGRM - GERAKAN

Vision for Gerakan
To be the party of choice for all Malaysians.

Mission of Gerakan
To build a united, democratic, just, egalitarian, liberal and progressive nation for all Malaysians, transcending the barriers of race and religion.

The Three Thrusts
1. To voice Gerakan’s ideology, policy position and advocate a Malaysian solution for various major issues.
2. To rebuild, rebrand and re-empower the party at all levels to effectively serve and represent all Malaysians.
3. To win the people’s hearts and minds, and to regain the people’s mandate.


EIGHT (8) MAIN STRATEGIES FOR GERAKAN

1. To pro-actively formulate and voice principled policy positions, seek and effect workable and viable solutions, based on Rukun Negara and the party’s ideology, for major national issues affecting the country and the people.

2. To be a constructive and effective opposition in the states under Pakatan Rakyat and to be the voice of the people within Barisan Nasional to pursue the reform of Barisan Nasional as a genuine and effective multi-racial coalition of political parties, committed to realizing a fair and just Malaysian society.

3. To effectively rebuild and revitalise, enhance and empower the party’s presence and position nation-wide, especially in all our parliamentary and state constituencies in Penang and other states, with the aim of regaining people’s trust and mandate through the following:-

(a) reinforcing links and relationship with the people;
(b) upgrading effective services to the people;
(c) organising meaningful activities for the people;
(d) identifying and training potential leaders
(e) preparing for elections at all levels.

4. To actively reach out to and forge smart partnership with members of the civil society and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), such as associations, unions, guilds etc to work together to resolve issues and problems.

5. To embark on membership expansion and consolidation by:-
(a) motivating and activating existing party members;
(b) recruiting more Malaysians from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, with emphasis on youth and women;
(c) providing more flexible organisational structure and attractive programmes, such as Gerakan Muda, open branches and cyber branches, etc.

6. To boost the morale and quality of leaders and members through increasing, revamping and upgrading political training programmes, for party leaders, members and supporters to reinforce ideological commitment; enhance knowledge on history, economy, society, culture, religion and politics; upgrade leadership, management and speaking skills, etc, and to make Gerakan competitive, vibrant and relevant as a learning organisation.

7. To re-energise and revamp the party’s organisation and administration at all levels, including bureaux and taskforces, so as to be even more effective and efficient in implementing various programmes and achieving the objectives of the party.

8. To further improve communication and public relations strategy to enable the people and party members to better understand and support the party.


EIGHT (8) MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN
Gerakan to set direction, state position and seek solution for each area

1. Safeguarding Human rights and equality --- including issues such as equitable distribution of opportunities and wealth, abolition, amendment or reform of existing restrictive or discriminatory legislations, policies and practices.

2. Promoting Religious freedom and harmony --- promoting inter-religious mutual understanding and respect, establishing clear guidelines and procedure on conversion from one religion to another, implementing more liberal and positive strategy for places of worship, etc.

3. Inculcating Common values and multi-cultural diversity _-- including inculcation of common universal moral values, appreciation of multi-culturalism and multi-racialism, etc.

4. Advocating Good governance and integrity –-- such as upholding the rule of law and separation of power, promoting judicial reform and a clean efficient and transparent government.

5. Generating robust and sustainable economic growth -- through enhancing competitiveness, promoting ICT and knowledge-based economy (K-economy), consolidation and diversification of various economic sectors, development of small medium enterprises, etc.

6. Sustaining ecological balance, quality of life, safety and security -- promoting better planning, proper environmental conservation and waste management, safer and more secured habitat, through more efficient services, more effective enforcement, and more active local participation.

7. Achieving a caring and healthy society -- through empowering women and youth groups, advocating gender equality assisting the disadvantaged and disabled, promotion of sports, cultural and social activities, etc.

8. Enhancing education and human resource development -- supporting the growth of all schools, colleges and universities; promoting multi-lingual capability and relevant skill sets; inculcating positive attitude and enterprising spirit to face future challenges and changes.

PDC - Hentikan Proses Memusnahkan Bukit Batu Kawan

ISU PERTAMA - PDC MENGGONDOL DAN MERATAKAN BUKIT BATU KAWAN DISEBELAH SELATAN


Keseluruhan Bukit tersebut telah digondol dan kerja kerja 
mengeluarkan tanahdan meratakannya terus berjalan seperti 
biasa. Semasa Negeri ini dikuasi oleh Kerajaan Barisan Nasional,
pembangkang iatu DAP pada masa itu pernah mempersoalkan tindakan 
tersebut dengan meletakan  kepentingan alam sekitar sebagai 
alasanya. Namun tiada siapa yang perduli. Bukit berkenaan 
terletak berhadapan dengan laut, ianya menjadi tampanan kepada 
angin rebut dan taufan yang datang dari arah laut. Tapi kini 
semuanya musnah. Pertanyaan saya, Dimanakah Jabatan Alam Sekitar?
Kemana perginya mereka yang sering berseminar dan bercakap tentang 
kepentingan alam sekitar? Semuanya menjadi bisu. 

ISU KEDUA – PDC MENGOREK DAN MENGGONDOLKAN BUKIT BATU KAWAN DI BAHAGIAN UTARA

Kerja mengorekan dan meratakan bukit sedang rancak dijalankan dan adaketikanya sehingga kepukul 11.00 malam. Tanah tersebut dikeluarkan untukProjek Penang Science Park di Seberang Perai Tengah. Apa yang lebih malang dan sangat mendukacitakan ialah dibahagian bawahnya terletak Kampung Masjid Batu Kawan. Kedudukan bukit berkenaan adalah berhadapan dengan kuala sungai , kedudukannya menjadi tampanan kepada angin rebut yang datang dari arah kuala sungai. Apakah Projek Penang Science Park dan Para Pelabur dari Jepun atau pihakkontraktor itu lebih penting dari warga Malaysia diKampung Masjid BatuKawan, maka PDC tidak perlu memandang walau sebelah mata terhadap maklukdisitu. Apakah tiada lansung pihak yang prihatin dan bertangungjawap untuk turut berasa bersalah serta tersentuh akal budi mereka untuk sama sama merasai masalah tersebut. Kemana perginya slogan masyarakat penyayang, kemana hilangnya kempen Cintai Alam Sekitar, dimana lenyapnya semangat dankesedaran Sambutan Hari Bumi yang baru sahaja disambut seluruh dunia.

ISU KETIGA – PULIHARA BUKIT BATU KAWAN SEBAGAI KAWASAN PELANCONGAN

Terdapat banyak misteri dan perkara yang masih lagi belum diterokai di Bukit Batu Kawan.

Selain daripada mitos dan sejarah yang cukup menarik terdapat haiwan – haiwan pelik di kawasan ini. Adalah wajar sekiranya bukit ini ipulihara dan dijadikan bukit Bersejarah. (http://praba7.blogspot.com/2007/09/history-of-batu-kawan.html)

Uthayakumar Seeks Release

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar ( ISA Detainee ) Seeks Release Claiming Denial Of Medical Treatment. Lawyer P. Uthayakumar today applied to the High Court for his release from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) claiming he was denied medical treatment. His lawyer, N. Surendran, filed the application on the grounds that he was being limited and denied from getting medical treatment for his diabetic condition and was not sent to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for his heart problem. thayakumar, 46, claimed that around mid-February the medication given to him by his fiancee S. Indradevi had run out, and he asked the detention centre officials for the medication which had been prescribed by the Taiping General Hospital.

Uthayakumar claimed that the officials refused to entertain his request and forced him to request to meet the detention centre director six times to facilitate his family to supply the medication. Surendran filed the writ of habeas corpus at the High Court Registry in the Courts Complex in Jalan Duta here at about 11.30 am. Uthayakumar's mother, G. Kalaivani, his fiancee S. Indradevi and Kapar Member of Parliament S. Manikavasagam were with Surendran. Uthayakumar and four others, lawyers M. Manoharan, 46, V. Ganabatirau, 34, R. Kenghadaran, 40, and former bank officer K. Vasantha Kumar, 40, are being detained under the ISA.

However Bernama reported that Uthayakumar received medical treatment 10 times until April 14 at government hospitals and clinics since being detained at the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping last November. The Prisons Department in a statement said he was also supplied with various types of medicine for his diabetic condition. The department issued the statement in response to allegations from some quarters that he was being denied proper medical treatment. It said early this month, the home minister had also given permission for Uthayakumar to be brought to the Penang Hospital and the National Heart Institute to undergo health checks by experts.

Happy Wesak Day

Wish all Buddhist a very Happy and Prosperous Wesak Day.