PRESERVE PART OF PUDU JAIL

I refer to your report, "Pudu Prison makes way for traffic",(nst Oct.19) The curtains finally came down on the old legacy, Pudu Jail, and its wall facing Jalan Pudu and part of the execution chambers have been demolished, a couple of weeks ago to make way for traffic. The project is aimed at easing the traffic congestion along Jalan Pudu and Jalan Hang Tuah. While i appreciate the objective of helping motorists to end their daily traffic woos , surely the entire complex does not have to go.

Built by the British in 1895, Pudu Prison, a relic of the Victorian era is set to be completely demolished soon, to make way for more shopping complex.The decision to tear down the 114 year old prison has upset not only war veterans, locally , and overseas, but also the Ex-Prison Officers Association, Malaysia. who wanted part of the prison preserved for nostalgia.
Many NGOs,,historians,, lovers of heritage buildings, and I,an ex- Superintendent of the prison, have been writing many letters and articles on Pudu Jail to the New Straits Times , appealing to the Government and the Urban Development Authority to preserve part of the prison as a National Heritage, Alas they have been falling on deaf ears .
I can understand that UDA will not compromise on the re-development plan. After all it spent millions of ringgit to build a new prison at Sungei Buloh. However I would like to urge, The Malaysian Heritage Board, the Home Affairs , the Tourism,and the Cultural and Heritage Ministeries to appeal to UDA to consider preserving at least the Tower Block Main Gate, with the Administration Building at the back, for the purpose of turning them into a museum of Crime and Punishment.
This could be another landmark reminding Malaysians and tourists of the place, where local and foreign, prisoners and prisoners of war, from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan were once confined during World War 2.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA.
24.10.09

MCA SHOULD NOT SIDELINE BAHASA MELAYU

Many readers have been writing in about the importance of Bahasa Melayu, as the National Language of 1 Malaysia. and in spite of the frequent media reports, it is regrettable and distressing to see that of all political parties, the MCA, which is the component party of the Barisan Nasional failed to use Bahasa Melayu which is the National language on the backdrop of their Extraordinary General meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on the 10th of October 2009
It was entirely written in Chinese characters on top followed by bold lettering in English. This was not only a blatant disregard for the use of bahasa Melayu, on all official signage, posters,buntings, bill boards, and backdrops, but also did not comply with the requirements and directives of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Yes ,The government is encouraging Malaysian to learn and use English.,but not at the expense of sidelining Bahasa Melayu wich is the official National Language.
The backdrop was seen on all local T.V stations many times for a couple of days, and that for a moment I thought that the MCA's EGM this time around was held in either China, Taiwan or Hong Kong
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and other relevant authorities, did not protest or took any action, because they have no power to fine or take any other actions , on any organization that did not use Bahasa Melayu in their official administration.
It was reported in Berita Harian Oct.19) that 2 Acts, the National Language Act l963, and the Education Act l996 will be amended in order to give more clout to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka to act and fine the public sectors and their agencies for not using Bahasa Melayu in their official administration. The amendment is timely, in view of the fact that the DBP after 52 years of Merdeka is still toothless. I think that it will be more effective if the power is also given to, City Halls, municipalities,, Town and Local Councils. to act on the matter.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA
20.10.09

CREATE COOPERATIVE YOUTH BANK

I refer to your report, "Khairi,Stop being defensive," (nst Oct 15 ) While calling on the Malays to get rid of the crutches, and compete with the others on a level playing field, he suggested, that the Government create a Youth Bank "Bank Belia" for the benefit of Malay Youths to get involve in entrepreneur enterprises. It is vital since the youth are facing hardship in finding jobs and demanded that the Government settled their problems immediately, I think it is a tall order that contradicted with his maiden policy speech, calling on the Malays to stop being defensive and relying on the crutches.
If UMNO youth have the civilisational confidence, than they should on their own initiative find ways and means to stand on their own feet without depending on the crutches.Why then the need to have a special bank for the youth,when there are already so many banks and Government agencies that are committed to giving out loans and grants to would be entrepreneurs. I know of many Malay youths who have become successful farmers,,and businessmen on their own initiative. They applied for loans and grants, went for training in various fields, work hard, and were not afraid to dirty their hands, and when they have full confidence, they started their own business. To day they are successful entrepreneurs.
There are more than a million foreign workers in this country, and every one of them are employed, in various fields from plantation and cons traction workers to workers in fast food outlets, petrol stations, hotels, supermarkets and shopping complexes .and yet our youths said that they could not fi nd jobs. I was told by the foreigners that in Malaysia they could pick money on the roads, meaning that it is so easy to find jobs and make money in Malaysia than in their own countries.
UMNO youths with the help of the various banks and government agencies should be able to stand on their own feet and venture into business. There are plenty of opportunities out there .There are 3.4 millions UMNO members in Malaysia, and if each one of them contribute RM1 ringgit each monthly towards a Youth Fund, they would be able to collect RM 3.4 million ringgit a month, and that would add up to RM 40 milluion a year. I am sure all could afford to contribute RM 5 ringgit a month and that would add up to Rm 200 million ringgit a year, and after a couple of years with the help of the Government, it would be enough for UMNO youth to create a CO Operative YOUTH BANK , which not only could go into business,but could also give out loans and other benefits including dividends to members..Allow members to buy a minimum share of Rm 100 ringgit,and I am sure that it would attract more people to become UMNO members Imagine the amount of fund that could be generated. In a decade It could be as strong as Bank Rakyat or Tabong Haji.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA
16 Oct.2009

So What's in a Word

I refer to the letter by S.A.I. ,"Words tell their own tales", (nst 8 Oct) Bahasa Melayu was the lingual Franco, or Bahasa of the Malay Archipelago, spoken since the 15 century by more than 300 million people, not only from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei,and Indonesia, but also from Southern Cambodia, Southern Thailand, Southern Myanmar, Cocos Island, Christmas Island,Sari Lenka, and South Africa, Although a word may sound Malay, but it could be pronounced differently, in different countries. Even the meaning of a word could be different, so I am not surprised if the word "membutuh" which means "memerlukan" or need, in Indonesian could have a different meaning in colloquial Malay.

Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Melayu, are separated by some centuries of different vocabulary development, partly due to the influence of different colonial languages. Dutch and German in the case of Indonesia, and English in the case of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Some Malay dialects however show only limited mutual intelligibility with the standard language, for example the Northern Malays or the Kelantanese pronunciation, is difficult even for some fellow Malays in the South to understand. Each State has its own colloquial Malay accent.
Bahasa Indonesia contains a lot of words unique to it, that are unfamiliar to speakers of Malay. There are many ethnic dialects in Indonesia, however they have managed to standardised Bahasa Indonesia into one Official Language spoken in the same accent from Menado to Acheh. While we in Malaysia still speak Bahasa Melayu with our strong colloquial accent A decade ago there was a suggestion to use Bahasa Melayu Baku in schools with the pronouncation according tp the spelling of the word. This could have standardardised Bahasa Melayu as an Official language from Perlis to Sabah, but unfortunately that too has gone with the wind.
So I feel that it would be impossible to standardardise Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia, although it is Malay in origin. My only hope is that the Indonesian do not claim Bahasa Melayu as theirs as it originated from Bangka Island off the Southern Coast of Sumatra in the 7th century.From there it spread on to Jambi and Pelembang in Sumatra before going to Melaka.



NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

BAJU KURUNG WILL NOT CHANGE A NON MUSLIM WAY OF LIFE

I refer to the letter by Samuel Yesuiah,"Make them truly National," (nst OCT. 5 )

Many NST readers have been writing in, far too often with regards to the negative perception,that National Schools,are Malay and religious schools,because most of the students and teachers are Malays, and the language medium is Bahasa Melayu. So non Muslim parents shy away from sending their children to these schools, not because of all these weakness, but for fear of loosing out in respect of their own language and culture.
I am appalled by the writer's comment that some National schools encouraged their non-Muslim pupils to wear the "baju kurung",and to tie their hair, thus making parents look upon these practices as a subtle means of influencing , non-Muslim children to embrace the Islamic way of life. This uncalled for remark, and without any proof, is a blatant disregard for the sensitivities of the Muslims.
I have yet to hear official complaints or protests from non-Muslim parents over this issue. I am sure the schools only encouraged Muslim pupils to wear the "baju kurung" and "tudung" and to tie their hair neatly ,because there are still many Muslim students who do not use the "baju kurung and Tudung", which is their religious obligation to cover up their "aurat"
However non-Muslim pupils may use the baju kurung on their own free will, or with their parents consent .Many Chinese and Indian students wear this attire for comfort. I suggest the writer interview these students and find out whether they are forced to use the "baju kurung",before making such assumption.
Please remember that there is no compulsion in Islam. This is clearly written in the Al Quaran, I quote
"I worship not that which you worship
nor will you worship,that which I worship
and I shall not worship that which you are worshiping
nor will you worship that which I worship
To you be your religion, and to me my religion."

So it is ridiculous to assume that students will change their way of life, just by using the "baju kurung" and tying their hair neatly..
Many Malay women, including my wife, her five sisters, my six sisters, their daughters, my daughters were all educated in convent schools. The can even recite the Christian prayers, but none of them became a Christian. I believe that for as long as we want to be Chinese,Indians and Malays, the concept of 1 Malaysia will remain a political dream.



NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

REVIVE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE CENTER FOR TRAFFIC OFFENDERS

I refer to your report, "261 road deaths recorded during Ops Sikap," (nst Sept.29) .It appears that the campaign had not succeeded in changing the 'sikap' or attitude of road users. The recorded death toll was higher than last year's Hari Raya holidays. This not only saddened the government and other Malaysians, but most of all the families of the victims, who must have lost their loved ones and had to spend the festive occasion with tears of sorrow, and 'Tahlil' prayers.

Still, in spite of the frequent announcement of the accidents and death tolls over radio and T.V and strict enforcement by the police and J.P.J, Ops Sikap did not frightened, deter,or changed the attitude of drivers who continued to flout the traffic Rules with impunity.They seemed to be suffering from the 'kiasu' syndrome . The "I must win"," I must not give way," and " I must be first," attitude. Once behind the steering wheel ,they turned into monsters,uncaring, ill mannered ,inconsiderate, and irresponsible ..That was when they broke all rules under the sun, until they were awaken or died in a nasty accident
How then do we changed the attitude of such drivers?. The former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed,suggested in a local Malay daily, that offenders be put to shame by making them stand at road junctions or highways, with their faces painted and holding a board with the words 'I AM A TRAFFIC OFFENDER'. On the other hand the Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hasan gave a negative statement by saying that, drivers will not change their attitude even if a death sentence is imposed. Tan Sri Lim Lam Thye ,Chairman of the National Institute for Occupational and Safety and Health in his letter, " teach them to value their lives" (nst Sept.29) and many other letters ,written by him on this subject, have been falling on deaf ears, Teach them fine, it is easier said than done but who are there to teach, monitor, and enforce , the teaching.The Transport Minister ,Dato Seri Ong Tee Keat, was quoted by a local English daily at the Prime Minister's Hari Raya open house on sept.22 said that he wanted to bring down,the death toll further, and wanted to keep road users on their toes. Instead the drivers put their toes on their accelerators and increased the death toll from 31 on Hari Raya day to 261 at the end of Ops Sikap. Many readers have been writing to this column, suggesting ways on how to change the attitude of drivers,but the authorities do not seem to be interested, and every festive season we hear of rhetorical speeches made by the powers that be on accidents and death tolls, and ended without any positive action being taken. The government should start taking positive action now, if it is serious about reforming and changing the attitude of these drivers. I would like to suggest that the Minister take a look at the existing "Compulsory Attendance Centres, Ordinance or Rules l955.Two centers were built,one beside the Pudu Jail, and the other in front of Penang prison, to cater for offenders sentences under the minor Offences Act l955.These offenders were sent to these centers to undergo reorientation programmes from 5 pm to 9 pm daily. They were not confined behind prison walls and they could keep their jobs and stay in their homes with their families. At the centers they underwent re orientation programmes that included lectures on moral ,religious education, civic mindedness ,etiquette and respect for law and order and ,respect for others .They were taught to be responsible citizen..With amendment, or new legislation to the Road Transport Act, Traffic Offenders could also be sentenced to these centres .For the last decade, we have been talking about the Community Service Order Act, and nothing seemed to materialised . I think it is necessary to have the Act., not only to commit vandels but also traffic offenders, which pose a msajor threat to society.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA
30th Sept.2009

PROVIDE FREE BUS SERVICE

Many readers have been writing to this
column for many years, criticizing Kuala Lumpur's Public Transport

System, which I think has not shown positive improvement. There has
been endless complaints by not only the Malaysian public, but also
local and foreign tourists, on the inefficiency and deplorable
services provided for by the city's buses and taxis. Buses are often
crowded, especially during peak hours, and with the exception of
RapidKL buses, some of the others are old and dirty, and not handicap
friendly. The time schedules are not always observed, resulting in the
accumulation of people at bus stops. Some bus drivers are rude, and
inconsiderate, talking aloud,shouting and scolding old passengers,
smoking and talking on the hand phones while driving.
Some taxi drivers sometime refused to take
passengers to their destination, refused to use meters, and often
overcharged foreign tourists.They even refused to go on short
distances ,and demanded a fixed rate according to their whims and
fancies.
Soon there will be a fare hike for buses
and taxis,and this would further infuriate commuters , causing more
dissatisfaction with the city's overall transport system ,leading them
to buy private cars on low interest credit, and would further
contribute to the already congested roads.
Malaysian commuters are not angles either,
we do not queue, at bus stops or train stations.We have this 'KIA SU'
syndrome, , to get into the bus or train first, without bothering to
give ways to the elders, pregnant women, children or the handicap. We
rushed, jolted and pushed our way in order to get in even before
others can get out. The congestion created at the door, gave pick
pockets and sex perverts a field day to do their dirty jobs, without
being caught.
Still with all these inconveniences,public
transport is necessary compliment to car owners,and how how they
wished,they can leave their cars at home, and catch a bus, taxi, or
train to their places of work. To many people this is still the most
convenient way of commuting instead of driving through, the worsening
horrible traffic jam on the city's roads, taking hours to reach their
destinations. It is a nightmare to search for parking lots.Expensive
parking fees and being fined for indiscriminate parking ,burns holes
in their pockets.
I feel that the Transport Ministry and
City Hall should now work hand in glove to positively solve the
problems, and buy over all the privatized bus operators in the city,
and manage the Public Transport System on its own. The services should
be provided FREE within the city limits as it is being done in PERTH
Western Australia.
I was in Perth last week and was amazed
with the city Transperth's CAT (Central Area Transit) buses offering a
fast FREE and convenient means of traveling, in and around the city
(FTZ) Free Transit Zone..Free travel is only permitted within the
(FTZ) and if one travels outside the zone normal fares apply. There
are 3 bus routes , running in circles within the (FTZ) and each route
is covered by, The Red Cat Bus, The Blue Cat Bus, and the Yellow Cat
Bus. Each bus route covers 22 to 35 bus stops and each bus takes 6 to
8 minutes to travel from one bus stop to another. Within three days I
covered all the three bus routes , stopping at tourists spots and
places of interest, shopping complexes, covered by the three routes.
It was a marvelous way to tour the.city and it was FREE. That is how
people in Perth travel to work in the city. There was no traffic jam
even during peak hours.
The bus service is superb, the driver
friendly and very considerate especially towards the handicap, women
and children. People said thank you to the driver when getting off the
bus,and wished the driver "good dye" or good morning when going in.
There was no rush to get in or out, people are polite and
courteous,The buses are specially built to provide for the handicap
with wheel chairs and mothers with prams.
I suggest that the Federal Territory
Minister in The Prime Minister's Department, Dato Raja Nong Chik and
the Minister of Transport and his Officers visit Perth and make a
feasible study of Perth's Central Area Transit System to access
whether it could be implemented in Kuala Lumpur.



NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA