NO NEED TO FOLLOW THE BN WAY...

This is the season for by-elections. In a space of less than six months we are seeing three by-elections—Batu Talam (Pahang state), Machap (Melaka) and now Ijok (Selangor). All three are brought about by the untimely demise of the state assemblymen of these respective state constituencies. Now all eyes are focused on Ijok, in Berjuntai Bestari (formerly as Batang Berjuntai—never mind the reason behind the name change!)

As usual in any by-election, stiff lobbying will take place within all political parties vying for the vacant seat. The BN, being the incumbent holder of the seat and the state government, was the first to announce its candidate, in this case, K. Parthiban, 38, an MIC member and a teacher. The opposition comes from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, whose candidate is Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, 61, a corporate figure who is also their Treasurer.

The Menteri Besar of Selangor has already promised to pump in RM36 million to develop Ijok—a huge sum considering the small size of the constituency. For ordinary people, whose primary need is for good infrastructure, the RM36 million promised would be the best thing that can happen to their ‘sleepy hollow’ like Ijok.

The opposition is crying foul over the promise, because it perceives this to be a corrupt practice in elections (buying votes in a ‘buy’-election?) The fact is that, this sort of behavior has been going on for over half a century in Malaysia—since the country’s independence in 1957. With such a promise, there can be no doubt that BN will be returned handsomely in this by-election.
Who says there has to be a level playing field in any contest? This world subscribes to the notion that “might is right.” Whoever is in power will use it to perpetuate his or her power. The age of chivalry is gone. After all, even the PM is selected by the outgoing PM, and not by his party members.

In today’ NST, the DPM Najib Razak criticized PKR’s decision to field Khalid Ibrahim, a Malay, in a constituency with the largest Indian electorate in the country. He says that the PKR should follow the BN way by fielding another Indian PKR member to fight against the MIC candidate.

Najib Razak seemed to fail to understand that the purpose of a political party in a by-election (or any election for that matter) is to win. Any party will do whatever it takes to win an election. The BN has the luxury of fielding an Indian candidate because it is already in power. Even if it loses Ijok, it will remain the state government. The PKR does not have this luxury. It has to strategize in order to make the greatest impact on the electorate. It does not have to follow the BN way in selecting its candidate.

The PKR wants to repeat its success in Lunas (Kedah) by-election. The PKR needs to win the Ijok election because it will be a good barometer for the coming general election. It cannot afford to gamble in the choice of candidate just to prove it is a multiracial party. Perhaps in the general election it can adopt a more liberal attitude in the allocation of seats to satisfy all its members, but not in a by-election. Since Ijok is a Malay majority district, Khalid Ibrahim is a candidate sent by heaven! He is a local-born, a successful Malay corporate figure and Malays can easily identify him as the man responsible for the success of Amanah Saham Bumiputra. The people of ijok should give this man a chance to serve in the Selangor State assembly. It is time we have some dissent in the assembly which is now filled with all “yes-man”. After all, isn’t this what Najib wanted when he suggested that the education system should be revamped to eliminate rote learning. If we want to encourage healthy discussion by tolerating dissent, then it is time to put Khalid Ibrahim in the Selangor State assembly. The state will only benefit from his presence.

We don't need new curriculum....but

Today we read in the mainstream media (NST, STAR, etc) that the Malaysian DPM, Najib Razak, has suggested that the education curriculum be revamped. He said that rote learning must be replaced so that Malaysians of the future can be more creative and be able to think for themselves--or something to that effect. Prof Khoo Khay Kim of University Malaya and Tengku Shamsul Bahrain President of Nilai College were quoted as quickly supporting the idea.

To me there is nothing wrong with the present curriculum in our schools. There is no urgency to effect drastic changes to the curriculum. After all, the curriculum is the body of knowledge that we want to impart to the younger generation. We cannot escape from giving our children a set of knowledge--i.e. content of the curriculum.

The problem with our education system is that we do not know how to cultivate the minds of our children--to think independently and to participate in classroom discussions. Our teachers generally do not encourage questions from their pupils, for fear they cannot provide the answers. If this happens, these teachers think that they would lose face.

A teacher could always tell her (or his) pupils this: “Now, Ali, that is a very interesting question. Does anybody know the answer?” In all likelihood, someone in the class may have the answer. If not, and if the teacher is also not able to give the answer, she could say: “I do not have the answer right now, but I know how to search for it. Can you give me until tomorrow to give you the answer?” This is one way to avoid embarrassment, or get out of a difficult situation. It’s not that difficult, is it?

This sort of culture (not questioning your superiors) permeates in the Malaysian society. We see it in politics. Followers are not supposed to question the leader's decision.

For example, backbenchers (YB’s) are not allowed to ask ‘sensitive’ questions to the ministers. These YB’s are, supposedly, the representatives of the rakyat--yet they cannot raise issues that concern the rakyat.

UMNO has even “banned” contest for the top posts, because a contest means questioning the wisdom of the incumbent leader, who should be given free passage to lead, until he gets burnt out!

Therefore, it is widely perceived that 'wakil rakyats' are actually 'wakil pemimpin parti' (party leaders' reps). Take the case of Ijok by-election, and look at the way Works Minister Samy Vellu (cum MIC chieftain) selected HIS representative to contest in this by-election. His 'arrogance' has led to the resignation of the Kuala Selangor MIC chief P. Thirumoorthy--or was Thirumoorthy given the sack by Samy Vellu? I think it is the latter! The BN way of selecting the wakil rakyat is not "bottom-up" but mostly “top-down”. This same culture is slowly being adopted by non-BN parties. A mixture of bottom-up and top-down would have been more acceptable.

So, coming back to Najib's idea (actually he is not the first guy to suggest this, and I don't think he should be given the credit for mooting it), I believe that the present curriculum (Knowledge content) is alright. What is needed is that the teaching method should be revamped.

It is not that teachers have not been exposed to the most modern teaching methods in their training. The problem lies with the teachers trying to minimize work and to do what is the easiest. Some don’t even teach, but sit at their desks and tell their pupils to “use their time profitably”. It happened 40 years ago and it happens even today.

We should now be looking at how teachers should conduct their classes in a more congenial way so as to promote thinking. This is the new challenge—not to simply change the curriculum content. That would be too superficial and not hitting the nail on the head. Revamp the philosophy and practice of teaching itself.

Change the format of the delivery of the subjects taught. Have smaller classes and institute round-table discussions in the classroom. Make teachers more effective facilitators, and let the children learn through their own discoveries.

Have more group projects and make sure that the groups are mixed ethnically. Make them write reports and let them present their findings. Allow others to question the findings and let the presenters know that they have to be accountable for those findings. Detect plagiarism early so that this disease does not become contagious in society.