EXTRACT (TRANSLATION) OF
SPEECH BY LOH SENG KOK, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR KELANA JAYA,
SECONDER OF THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE ROYAL ADDRESS DELIVERED IN
MARCH 2006
1.
NATIONAL INTEGRATION AND MALAYSIAN CITIZEN.
2. EXPECTATION ON 9TH MALAYSIAN PLAN
3. INCREASE OF PRODUCTIVITY TO OVERWEIGH THE NEGATIVE
EFFECT CAUSED BY
THE WITHDRAWAL OF OIL SUBSIDIES.
4. PRUDENT USAGE OF OIL SUBSIDIES & CITIZENS’
CONFIDENCE.
5. RESTRUCTURING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.
6. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES.
7. KEY PERFORMANCE INDEX FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND
DELIVERY SYSTEMS.
8. WATER SERVICES INDUSTRY & NATIONAL WATER SERVICE
COMMISSIONER.
9. Our Inheritance – History Text Books.
The
purpose of learning history in school is not solely for the purpose of
knowing the past or its origin but it is more to understand how the
present becomes. The main reason of history must concentrate on the
meaning of contemporary historical issues and the lesson that can be
learned. As such the learning of history can develop critical mind and
cultivate the principal base of our social and nation policies.
In the context of Malaysia, the purpose of history teaching is to ensure
the continuation of national unity and prosperity of the society.
Malaysia is a country with multi races, ethnic groups and religions.
Thus, history books play an important role to maintain balance in the
development of the nation.
However, the present history subject:-
o
does
not create a critical mind nor contain a large balance of understanding
of other races contribution for the development of the country. For
example, the movements against the Japanese occupation in World War 2
only depict the resistance from the Malay but the Chinese and Indian
involvement has been neglected: or
o
does
not give deeper understanding regarding the formation of other
civilizations in creating the spirit of competing beside the
harmoniousness of the society, example form 1- 5 curriculum ,only a
minor portion of Chinese and Indian civilization is mentioned.
The
present history text book, even though not inaccurate, it is incomplete
or lacking in somewhere.
Malaysia, with a majority of Muslims living in peace and harmony with
other races of various religions and beliefs has often been looked upon
as a progressive and moderate country.
Understanding other cultures and religions and its practice is essential
to ensure our young generations can appreciate the richness of various
cultures and religions in our society. This is important in building a
human energy force that can face competitive challenges globally.
5
out of 10 chapters in the present form 4 school text books are focusing
on the Islamic civilization. There should be a balance in the
dissemination of information so that the younger generations could have
the chance to understand and appreciate other civilizations, religions
and cultures besides developing an open mind to accepting new ideas.
From
the events of the administration of Malayan Union that had motivated the
Malay national movements; we acknowledge the Malay Congress effort in
1946 and the formation of UNITED MALAY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION (UMNO) to
unite the Malays, thus to defend the pride, honour and sovereignty of
this country.
Indeed, we cannot deny the joint efforts of the Malays, Chinese and
Indian and the alliance of UMNO, MCA and MIC that have shown a strong
unity in striving to achieve the independence of our country.
After 48 years of independence, we are yet confronted with another
challenge that is globalization – an attempt to test the strength of our
unity. School children and the younger generations should be equipped
and prepared to face this new challenge. Our history text books must
recognize and show the truth of our heritage from the struggle of our
fore fathers.
History must reveal matters regarding the support, courage and respect
among us without disregarding the deeds and contributions by all races,
so it can be a lesson to motivate all of us in our pursuit of unity to
face new challenges. In this context, there should be a balance of
emphasis in regards of the contribution by all involved.
Conclusion: We must revise all the history curriculum in high school
level, high education level example private college ( e.g. Malaysian
Studies), all the text books used for evaluation and public service
exams – to ensure the accuracy in translation, a complete composition
regarding facts and events of history.
Choice of subjects’ contents handled by the Curriculum Development
Centre must be more balance and reflects the true
pluralistic/multiracial society.
Text
books quality must be upgraded, example in its contents, academics text
references, printing quality and pictures inside the history text books.
The
examiners in the Malaysia Examination Board must comprise of different
races to ensure that the contents in the exam questions and answers
reflect the objective and desire of the teaching of history in nation
building.
In
other words, there must be a variety in the content of history subject
in order to provide our young children with knowledge and facts that can
be used to understand the overall history with rational and critical
mind in this globalization era that is competitive and yet at the same
time they will appreciate the true meaning of patriotism in Malaysia.
“FAKTA WARISAN” is an article that has been published in front page of
Utusan Malaysia is a good example where histories of all over the world
are shared together for the appreciation of all readers. This effort
should be praised for its contribution in propagation of the thinking of
the people.
10. RELIGION
DATA IN MYKAD & JABATAN PENDAFTARAN NEGARA (JPN).
Regarding the issues of religion data error in Mykad, present procedure
that has been practiced in JPN: need not present any document to prove
one’s religion, only to fill in form A to make amendments or corrections
regarding religion data in Mykad.
RM
20 penalty charges will be imposed for the amendments if it is the
applicant fault (example, applicant did not provide new information
during requisition). However, there will be no charges if the mistake is
made by the JPN officers itself.
Current problems faced by the applicants:
I.
Many
officers disregard the outcome and prolonged their administration
duties.
II.
Non
consistent management where penalty charges for changing Mykad varies
between RM20 to RM50.
III.
Officers often refuse to give a copy of personal data back to the
applicant.
IV.
Technically, local JPN officers have no authority to change the personal
data in the system. Nonetheless, a few JPN officers think that they can
do so.
From
the error evidence, people appreciate JPN decision for not imposing any
penalty charges for the mistakes made by their officers. Nevertheless,
it is difficult to prove it. The only evidence is in the application
forms. The problem that arises is whether the officers can/will produce
the original application.
A
Malaysian will apply Mykad at the age of 12 or 18 or under any new
Government exercise programs. Thus JPN should realize it is essential to
upgrade any new information such as address, religion and others that
might change after a period of time.
Often, JPN wrongly assumed that all Chinese are Buddhists and Indians
are Hindu and the list goes on.
Proposal for a better solution is that citizen be given a grace period
between three to six months without penalty charges to amend or to
correct any information error regarding religion. JPN too should prepare
a suitable form for updating the personal data.
11. PROVISION
AND PREPARATION FOR RELIGIOUS PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIVERSAL
DEVELOPMENT.
Every development that has been planned and carried out in this country
should be aligned with the practice of chastity values towards the
formation of a civilized society and sustainable development. Thus,
development plans for residential settlements that take into
consideration of chastity values should be given priorities and
applauded.
A
universal research and development guide line in order to create a
balance between physical and environment development with human
development should be followed and carried out.
For
a country that have a unique society, provisions and preparations for
non Islamic worship places should not be neglected. A worship place like
temple, altar and churches has its own functions. These places can also
function as civic centre, gatherings for meetings and discussion, as a
nation and human development institution.
We
applaud the projects for building a church in Putrajaya where a
competition to invite the public to participate and come up with a
design for the church. Now we are still waiting for the result of this
competition that I am sure will bring wonders and add beauty in
Putrajaya.
Provision in preparing the place for religion worship is in accordance
with the Government effort to achieve 2020 VISION in developing
civilized society without neglecting high moral values. In 22nd
April 2000, National Council in Local Government has approved Guide Line
Research & Development, Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa Semenanjung
Malaysia (Piawaian Perancangan JPBD 4/2000), with provision for places
and space for non Muslim should be followed and fulfilled, based on its
location and ratio as has been approved.
However, till today, the town planner and the developer seem to ignore
this guideline. Many religious groups are not given proper treatment and
place to practice their beliefs. Hence, a firm and strong enforcement
should be carried out to ensure that related agencies and developers
gazette place for non Muslim to practice their beliefs in their
development plans for new development areas.
Meanwhile, as revenues of the country are joint efforts and
contributions of all citizens in Malaysia of multi races and religions,
government allocations should be fair and just in matter of provisions
for worship places of major religions. Allocation should be at least
according to the racial ratio.
While proclaiming the constitutions on the Independence Day in 1970, by
the SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong-4, one of the most important principal
that has been said “ Islam is the official religion of the
Federation. Other religions and beliefs may be practiced in peace and
harmony and there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on
the ground of religion “.
As
such provision and allocation should be awarded by the government for
all religions in this country.
12.CANCELLATION
OF CHURCH REGISTRATION BY THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES (R.O.S)
Any
registered association with R.O.S. is bound under the 1966 Association
Act but we must understand that an association is allowed not to follow
the rules and laws that are inappropriate for the association.
The
problem that the church parish and religion associations facing today is
that there has been complaints R.O.S has terminated the registration of
a church or a religion association without any justified proof and
explanation.
A
church which is meant for guarding human souls has been terminated its
registration on the following reasons:
·
Confusions among the members itself.
·
Did
not publish their general meeting notice to members.
·
Accepting members from college students without the consents from the
Vice Chancellor concerned.
·
Proposal: R.O.S officers should be thorough and discreet in the matter
of cancelling any registered
organization particularly where religion is
concerned.
An
organization should be given opportunity to rectify and solve their
problems as no one is perfect.
In
case involving a religion organization, R.O.S should make an effort to
meet with the head of religion before any action taken. For the case
involving a church registration that has been cancelled due to a
complaint made by the non-members should have not have happened. No
action should be taken unless complaints or reports made be the member.
13. GUIDELINE
FOR PRAYER RECITAL & JABATAN KEMAJUAN AGAMA. (JAKIM).
Our
Independence is a result of joint struggle from all races in this
country that uphold the principal of unity, consent and understanding.
Any effort by the government to introduce new regulations and policies
for society or human development with chastity values should abide by
the provision under the Federal Constitutions so that the rights to
freedom of religion is respected with the understanding of the position
of Islam as an official religion in this country.
The
government should encourage healthy dialogue among every religion
believer and concern over religion sensitivities especially among the
enforcement officers. Religion issues can have positive and negative
impact, thus there is a need for an equal universal value for all
religions.
Recently, I discovered that JAKIM is preparing a prayer recital
guideline for all in the country. I was made to understand by JAKIM that
this guideline be used by anybody, any government agencies and private
sectors in any official or non-official events.
The
preparation for this guideline was done without any consultations,
references or discussion with other prominent religion leaders including
leaders from Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity,
Hinduism and Sikhism.
This
is against the principal of respect, understanding, consent and
cooperation that has been encouraged by the government and leaders to
be practiced especially by the publicly sector.
The
government should look into this issue immediately thus to safeguard our
country’s status which is respected by the world with its rich
multiracial, religions and cultures.
Thus, as a step to recognize other religions and abide by the provision
of rights to freedom of religion under the Federal Constitution, a
pragmatic step to ensure and encourage understandings with religion
should begin with the public sector. With that, I would propose to the
Government to incorporate JABATAN KEMAJUAN AGAMA-AGAMA (JAKAM).
JAKIM has managed and handled the Islamic welfares perfectly
(approximately 60% of Malaysians are Muslim). The rest 40% non Muslim
should be taken care too. They are very significant and very valuable
human resources for the country development; furthermore they are also
important contributors to the economic and social growth in this
country. Thus, JAKAM should incorporate responsibilities and functions
with reference to the jurisdiction of JAKIM for the non-Muslims.
JAKAM and JAKIM can always come together to manage
matters pertaining to religions under one roof, to coordinate and
handle matters required
MCA
Official Website 17 March 2006
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