BE LOYAL TO KING AND COUNTRY

I refer to your report " Six charged with insulting Perak Ruler," (NST Mac.14)

It is regrettable that some young Malaysians to day have either forgotten the Principles of the RUKUN NEGARA, or just can't be bothered to respect and practice them, as all Malaysian should. Its their lackadaisical attitude that have driven them to be disloyal to King and Country, and instead insulted and posted vulgarities against the Sultan of Perak on the Internet, for all the world to read. It is disgusting, and as Malaysian I am ashamed of them.
This is a serious and sensitive public interest issue that could be blown out of proportion if the matter is not dealt with quickly. Malaysian of all races are expected to respect the Sultan and the King as Head of State, as enshrined in the State and the Federal Constitution.
When I was attending a course in London a couple of decades ago , I had the opportunity to visit the Speakers Corner in Hyde Park where I observed many foreigners , standing on soap boxes badmouthing their own country and its leaders. I was told by my British course mate that at the speakers corner everyone can talk on any subjects under the sun except on the Queen and the Royal Families of England. You could be arrested by the police and charged for insulting the Queen.
A couple of years ago an American was arrested for insulting the King of Thailand and he was sentenced to I think 8 Years imprisonment , and early this year he received the King's pardon and was released from prison and
deported.
Malaysia too has the law to punish such traitors, and as Malaysian let us live by the principles of the RUKUN NEGARA, and be loyal to King and country.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

SEND BULLIES TO REFORM SCHOOL

I refer to the letter from Jane Ooi," A police presence will help," (NST Mac.10 ), and your report," Call to set up auxiliary police unit to tackle bullies ," (NST MAC.7 ). While I have my reservation about the suggestion to set up such unit, what more a detention center in schools, I feel that the Ministry of Education , The Parent Teachers Associations,and the School Boards, should first study the legal aspects of the ideas, whether it is legal, practical or the need to implement such proposals in our schools.
People especially foreigners should not have the perception that our schools are akin to Juvenile Detention Centers . Besides I am sure the police does not have the manpower to provide such services to all schools in the country.
True indiscipline among some school children ,in some schools, are getting out of hands and the teachers seem helpless to tackle the complex problems themselves, for fear of reprisal from both parents and students, who are more daring and " KURANG AJAR " today, than we were before. They even dare to damage teachers' cars, abuse them with filthy language, and at times even assaulted them. So it is unfair to blame the teachers alone.

My suggestion which I think is more practical and the police presence is not to obvious, is to enlist
the school discipline teachers as trained auxiliary police officers. They should wear the police uniform while in schools, and with the help of the school police cadets or prefects, oversee to the school discipline. Its objective is to induce in students the respect for law and order , regard for property, love for their parents, teachers and fellows students.

Sacking of students from schools is not going to help them reform, and I still feel that the schooling and home aspect should never be neglected, and if these fail, they should be recommended to be sent to reform school such as the Henry Gurney Schools for being beyond parental control.The teachers and officers of the schools are trained to break even the hardest of gangsters and bullies. Believe me I was the Officer in charge of Henry Gurney School II, Bandar Hilir, Melaka from 1960 to l970.Students who are committed to the schools will be able to continue their education till form five or even six.

NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

WAYS TO FIGHT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

NEWSPAPER reports of the continuing rise in juvenile delinquency, especially in schools is cause for concern. In the 1960s and 1970s most juvenile delinquents were school dropouts, but this trend has changed as more schoolchildren, are now turning to crime . There is certainly an urgent need to recognise the problem and take positive steps to arrest this unhealthy trend
Offences committed by students these days include assaulting their teachers and fellow students,bullying, theft, housebreaking,robbery,extortion,dadah abuse,sexual crimes, smoking, drinking,truancy, vandalism and illegal racing. Smoking among students of both sexes is also reported to be on the rise, in spite of the no smoking campaign launched by the Government.
It has now been established that most juvenile delinquents are schoolchildren, especially those who come from broken homes in the slum areas and also from urban areas., and as such I strongly believe that in the prevention of juvenile delinquency , the home and the schooling aspect should never be neglected , but then there are more than 40,000 single mothers who are living below poverty line, and with so many children to take care,they are often neglected , and something must be done about this.

I think the weakest link lies in the absence of a policy on crime prevention in schools to evaluate the impact of home environment ,truancy ,indiscipline ,dadah abuse, smoking, drinking etc on child behaviour and in particular its relation to juvenile delinquency.
I hope the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation ,and others instead of just prescribing antidotes play an active role not only in preventing crime, but also to determine ways in which the public, parent-teacher associations,the mass media, Government departments, non Governmental Organizations , can contribute to the reduction of crimes especially in schools.
Public response has been encouraging as seen by the number of people writing to this column, giving their ideas and suggestions, and I feel that MCPF should take the initiative to gather all the ideas ,informations,and suggestions and call upon all the relevant authorities to have a seminar and come out with a solution that could be implemented in our schools system.There should be a referendum on the issue.
The following suggestions could be of help:

.School social work should be introduced to help students modify their attitudes towards
schooling and their teachers and to enhance adjustment to the school enviro0nment.

. Build up their sense of belonging and loyalty to the school through sports academic excellence, and co curricular activities.

Better communication between parents students and teachers through the PTAs to discuss and solve problems

The mass media should promote the appreciation of the intrinsic value of education. It is very important for parent and the community to realise the importance of education as a positive step towards the prevention of crime and delinquency

Students should be guided on the useful occupation of their leisure hours. More playing fi elds should be developed ,instead of golf course and cyber cafes

Students should be compelled to be members of disciplined uniform groups. They could help discipline teachers enforce discipline. School discipline teachers should be members of the police volunteer reserve with powers to arrest and detain, and they should be in police uniform while teaching in schools. Its objective is to induce in students the respect for law and order, regard for property, love for their parents, teachers, fellow students and elders, and a sense of pride in themselves and to foster in them the awareness of their abilities.
.
They should also be encouraged to take up vocational training, hobbies,or socializing ,like biking, hiking picnic canoeing and other organized activities.

Religious groups, clubs like the Lion and Rotary Club , PTAs, NGOs and private sectors companies should take an active part in organizing various activities for students so that they would not be left on their own

Re introduce the post of Probation officers,besides handling probation reports, they should also be responsible for handling schoolchildren who play truant and to report the matter to the schools and their parents as it is done in the United Kingdom..They should work closely with the police in all matters regarding juvenile delinquency.

There is no easy way to fight juvenile delinquency . I realise also that it is not an easy task to implement all suggestions put forward by everyone as there are a lot of obstacles to be overcome such as funds.

However we must realize that it is better to spend on preventive measures rather than see our schools turned into ganglands, which will not benefit future generations.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

WRONG TO SAY ORANG ASLI ARE MARGINALIZED

I refer to the letter, 'A leg-up for Orang Asli", (nst Feb 13) by Datuk S Ambiga.
It is regrettable that the learned President of the Bar Council, for whatever reasons,took the opportunity during the ongoing political crises in Perak to commend and highlighted what the Nizar Administration did in the last 10 months for the Orang Asli in Perak.
What irked me is that, why is it that the Bar Council, all these years never even mentioned, let alone commended or highlighted the Federal Government's effort to improve the socio economic standard of the
Orang Asli community in Malaysia for the last six decades?
I am sure to day the Orang Asli are much better off than their ancestors of 70 years ago when they used to live in deep jungles, far away from civilization
without proper housing. electricity, water, proper food,medical and health care, education and economic activities .
In 1939 ,the British established the Department of Aborigine Affairs,which is now known as Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli,headed by a Director General to oversees to the affairs of the Orang Asli in Malaysia. In 1961 the Federal Government established an Administrative Policy with and objective to integrate the 141,000 Orang Asli community with mainstream Malaysian society, so that they will be at par with all the other communities..
Unfortunately it is not an easy task for the Department to integrate the minority prebumi people, as they still prefer to be among their own community and practice their own culture, customs ,and religious beliefs . About 39% of them still lives in the jungles, 60% in jungle fringes and 1% in kampongs and towns
However the government's effort at improving and uplifting their socio economic standard is ongoing and they are slowly moving out of their cocoons
and leaving the jungles for better life, In 2008 ,RM 58 million was allocated to implement development projects, like better houses with modern amenities , schools ,clinics,community halls roads ,bridges etc.
So it is certainly wrong to say that the Orang Asli are a marginalized group. I do not wish to delve further on the subject, and I leave it to The Director General of JHEOA to give a better picture on whether the Orang Asli are being marginalized or not .


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

norshahidmohdnor@gmail.com No. 55 SS 3/41 Kelana Jaya 47300 Petaling Jaya
Tel.03 78730320 , 019 2213647
13 February 2009

MAKE BUKIT LARUT THE VENUE FOR ECO TOURISM

There are people who want upgrading and modern development, including the cable car project for Bukit Larut, while there are others who are nature lovers including myself as a Taipingite , want the surrounding jungles with its flora and fauna , birds and bees, butterflies and insects, monkeys and most probably tigers, preserved for heritage.

Bukit Larut the former Maxwell Hill, is the only hill resort left in Malaysia which has not suffered at the hands of massive development. It will not be long though if the proposal for the cable car project goes through. Instead of spending RM 60 million on the project which I am sure will not be profitable, it would be wise for the State Government to spend around RM 5 million ringgit to improve the present infrastructure and winding steep narrow, 15 km road leading to the top of the hill, including lighting up the whole stretch of the road.This would enable better 4 WD vehicles to make faster trips up and down the hill The drive up on a land rover is indeed a part of the old charm, and many would want to experience it once in a lifetime.
One of the many wonderful features and charms of Bukit Larut is the quiet nights, the charming and romantic atmosphere that it has which is still old and pristine. When one stands on the verandah of the rest house at night facing and looking down at the flickering lights of Taiping town with the cool breeze blowing on one's face and the sounds of crickets and insects droning and buzzing in the nearby jungle, one would feel so peaceful that for a moment one would feel as though one is in a Lost World. This is the feeling that we want our tourists to feel in Bukit Larut, not the sounds of discos , noise from the pubs with wine women and song, or enjoying in the comfort of a five star hotel with a golf course., and swimming pool. Bukit Larut should be the venue for eco-tourism , and if it is kept the way it is today, without changing the whole environment ,it will be on the world map and will become a magnet to not only local but also foreign tourists.
Before bringing in the tourists accommodation must be improved and make sure that there are enough rooms available, maintain the Colonial facade of all the present buildings with repairs and renovations.Refurbish the lobby, the dining hall,and all the bedrooms in the rest house with new furnitures. Toilets facilities with hot and cold running water should be up to international standard and should be maintained at all times
Build a new food court with Asian and Western menu , a convenience store, and internet cafe with wi fi and high speed internet services. I remember the Hill used to have a small post office and this should be revived , with a police post, a clinic with a resident doctor, and a 4 WD ambulance added up.
Next improve on the infrastructure ,by repairing and upgrading the cement steps leading from the base station to Tea Garden. Add iron railing on both sides of the steep steps and build a couple of concrete platforms on both sides of the steps as rest areas, .Theses would provide better access to those who are keen to walk up the hill, and enjoy the sounds and sights of birds from the jungle .
As an eco tourism resort, it should have a camp site where people can pitch their tents ,or provide tents for hire. It should also be equipped with public baths and toilets, BBQ pits, camp fire site etc. As a boy scout in the fifties we used to camp somewhere near Tea Garden,and held campfire and BBQ with our scoutmaster the late Mr Utam Singh. I am sure this will attract Boy Scouts and Youth Groups not only from Malaysia but throughout the world
Build more log (kayu bakau) cabins near the camp sites for visitors who would want to experience living in a jungle for a couple of nights.

Have more well arrange flower gardens with tulips and roses as the main flowers, and turn it to look like an English garden with a small flower shop to sell the flowers to visitors.Establish a nature museum with various species of staffed birds , insects and butterflies,found in Bukit Larut. Provide a better and beautiful park and children"s playground complete with public toilets and amenities where day trip visitors can have their family picnics .
Whatever it is the State Government must appoint a professional managing director with professional workers to manage the Hill Resort for the benefit of not only the local but also foreign tourists.Finally I would like to urge the people of Taiping who loves the town to say definitely 'NO' to the cable car project.

NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

EDUCATE LITTERBUGS NOT HELP THEM

I refer to your report,"Volunteers to clean up Thaipusam rubbish", (nst Street 4 January).
Year after year, and I am positive that the same scenario at the Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple after Thaipusam this year would be the same , as tons of waste and litter, would be left behind by hawkers,stall holders, visitors, and devotees, for someone else to pick.

Thanks to the Selayang Municipal Council and Alam Flora who as usual, would clear the rubbish and clean up the place within a couple of days. These die hard litterbugs will never learn to keep the place clean, simply because they know that the authorities who are paid will do the job, for them, so why bother?
This year Sampah Masyarakat, a non -profit organisation , together with about 100 volunteers will join the Selayang Municipal and Alam Flora workers to reduce the rubbish left behind during the celebrations.
While I applaud the noble cause , I feel that the move to encourage youths to participate in the cleanliness work ,when everyone has left the site is ridiculous .I dont understand the rational behind the move.
Instead Sampah Masyarakat should organize an educational programme , to remind and to warn the public not to throw rubbish anywhere they like. especially in a sacred place like the Temple. Volunteers should be going around mingling with the people, distributing plastic bags and encourage the people to throw their rubbish into the bag which they should be carrying around until they come to the nearest bin where they can deposit the bag.Volunteers should be given loud hailers to encourage people , hawkers and stall holders not to litter but to put all their rubbish in the bins provided.Enforcement officers should also be going around , warning litterbugs of the possibility of being fine.
If Sampah Masyarakat, the volunteers ,and
the enforcement officers could play their role strictly and positively, I am sure there will be less rubbish to collect from the floor.There is a need to change the mindset of these litterbugs.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA

AWARD ALL BRAVE PUBLIC SERVANTS

AWARD ALL BRAVE PUBLIC SERVANTS

--------------------------------------------------------------

I refer to your report," Award for soldier who braved pain for duty", (nst. l9th January)
In my letter to this column, "Praise for an injured soldier's devotion to duty ,(nst 20th August). I suggested that he be commended and promoted for his exemplary conduct and devotion to duty.Kudos to Corporal Mohd Zamri Md Soot, who was awarded the Darjah Keberanian Kedah by His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Kedah on his 81st Birthday. I presume that he had also been promoted to Corporal soon after the incident.
In spite of this ,he is still a modest soldier, who did not want to disappoint his comrades , or ruin his battalion's reputation. Despite his injury he did not flinch and remained on parade right up to the end. Now that he is a moral booster and a role model to his battalion, he should at least be a Sargent .
I would also like to suggest that the fireman who risked his life to save a suicide bid woman , be commended and promoted for his brave deed . C Kesaven didnt hesitate and rushed forward to break the woman's fall. She landed in his arms and escaped death. (nst 16 th January)."Woman falls into fireman's arms.
I am sure critics would say that all these acts of bravery are in line of their duties as uniformed personnel,, but would anyone be brave enough to wait for a 60 kilogram object falls into his arms from a hight of a three story building?. Well done C.Kesaven ,you risked your life in line of duty.


NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR
PETALING JAYA