The official school uniform is not with the ‘tudung’. So why are students in certain schools being penalised for not wearing it?



On Swimming club not acceptable in school

Amir Kamal: I agree with JTB. Headmasters and headmistresses of 'Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaans' seem to be free to change, adapt and even sabotage government policies. The Education Ministry is definitely aware of this trend in schools, but as JTB pointed out, many of the ministry's officials share this morally upright mindset and chose to close an eye.

A niece of mine goes to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Tinggi near Janda Baik, Pahang. She dares not go without her ‘tudung’ as penalty points would be given, which when accumulated up to a certain number, would subject the students concerned to punitive action.

As far as we know, the official policy is that nobody can prevent a student from putting on the ‘tudung’ if she so wishes. In other words, the official school uniform is not with the ‘tudung’. The ‘tudung’ is merely allowed to be donned so as not to create religious protests from Islamic extremists.

An almost compulsory ‘tudung’ ruling is, therefore, very much in contradiction with the national policy.


On 13% spike in violent crimes: police

Hamdan Ibrahim: Time and time again we hear of people being murdered, robbed, raped or have their personal safety violated but the powers-that-be seems to be turning a deaf ear to the public’s plea for better security. Society is living in fear as crime against society is getting from bad to worse.

The influx of foreign workers both legal and illegal has more or less contributed to the crime rate statistic of our country. Even in broad daylight, vehicles have been known to be hijacked by car and women have been killed or maimed by snatch thieves.

Our police need to change their poor image and work ethics to fight crime in this country. There is no point for the government to allocate more funds for the police if corruptions and abuse of power by our men in blue is still not curbed. The independent police commission (IPCMC) which should have been set up by the government to check on alleged police abuse of power has suffered a premature death. What hope is there?

As the crime rate escalates, it would be a matter of time before people take law into their own hands and vigilantes will maim or kill robbers who are caught red handed rather than waiting for the police to act.

KSN: The spike in the crime rate is public knowledge. This mere admission is an damning indication that the police have failed miserably to carry out its designated public duty.


On Samy blasted for 'lies and half-truths'

KSN: Why is Samy going to India and trying to convince the Indian government about the pathetic state of the Indians in Malaysia? His propaganda was exposed by the Indian press. Was it not enough that his former buddy, the Tamil Nadu chief minister snubbed him?

He had to carry his hollow stories to New Delhi. Does he not know that the Indian High Commission in Malaysia has sent volumes of reports on the state of affairs of Indian Malaysians to New Delhi?

It is Indian Malaysians he and the BN have betrayed and it is these people he must convince with concrete economic plans to accelerate their welfare - not the Indian government. The Indians in Malaysia will never trust the MIC and its goons in the future. Never. Samy and the MIC are history and shameful history at that.


On EC clarifies 'underage voter' email

Ratnavendra: I chuckled when I read the above report The state codes for two of the MyKads doen't even exist in the NRD database.

Imagine, person a person of 110 years old, rushing to the NRD to ensure his vote counts in the general election - well, the youth of today could certainly learn the importance of the ballot box from these folks!

The mockery of a democracy in this country. Someone call the Guinness World Book of Records and Malaysia Book of Records. They might have just missed listing the oldest person in the world.


On For BN and PM, MIC to mobilise thousands

Sunny Lim: If it is true that MIC is organising a gathering at the Cheras badminton stadium where the PM will address the Indian crowd, then so be it. What is democracy after all?

Whether the police deploy their water-cannons to disperse the crowd is yet to be seen. Malaysians are filled with anxiety each time a gathering or rally is announced.

It will be wise for the police to reject such a gathering to redeem its own image after failing to be rational over past applications for permits for peaceful gatherings.


On Polls: Be prepared for dirty tricks

YSM: Pak Pandir’s letter is a good reminder to vote wisely this coming elections. It would be difficult for the opposition to win not because they are not formidable or capable but more because the incumbent government has full control of the media, the police, the EC and other government agencies. The urban ‘rakyat’ knows this well and as time goes by, thankfully, the ‘rakyat’ are more educated and able to gain access to the Internet.

If enough of us vote against the incumbent government, we will surely deny them a 2/3 majority. This is important so as to curb the arrogance and rubbish that comes out of Parliament. There is a need to bring back accountability to our national leaders.


On 'Allah' ban and The Joshua Project

Jason LKH: It is amusing to note how the writer views Christian evangelical activities. Perhaps the writer should think this way: Using the term ‘Allah’ for non-Muslims may turn them to the Islam faith rather than the opposite! However, I have to make certain corrections regarding the writer’s views about evangelism. Each and every Christian is commanded and commissioned by Jesus Christ to share the Good News. Now, Jesus did not commission us to Christianise but merely be witnesses and to testify about the Messiah. This implies that we merely share, and it is up to the recipient of the Good News to choose, to follow Christ or not. In evangelism, no one is forced in the doctrine of Christianity.

And with regards to her claim that missionaries are guised as aid workers in Afghanistan. I do not suppose they guised themselves, but in response to the faith, they eagerly reach out to the oppressed people, an example that Jesus Christ has shown while He was living amongst the Jews. Christians are called to be ‘salt and light’ of the world so can these missionaries ignore that command? And then, the same concept of evangelism applies. These aid workers share the Gospel, and it is up to the recipient to believe or not - no one is forced to believe.

Nevertheless, dear Fatimah Idris, wouldn’t you want others to experience the enlightenment of the faith you profess?

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