Testimoni: Kisah denda di sekolah

Kisah 1 (murid lelaki)
1. Cubit dan pulas perut = Melukis dalam buku teks.
2. Rotan dengan ranting pokok = Gagal menghafal surah.
3. Ditarik rambut sideburn = Buat bising dalam darjah.
4. Ditarik hidung sehingga mancung dan merah-merah = Kesalahan kerana saya hensem sangat.
5. Didenda baca Surah al-Kahfi = Terlepas jemaah Subuh pertama.
6. Didenda membaca ikrar di hadapan perhimpunan = Mahu membeli nasi lemak di luar pagar asrama pada waktu sekolah, selepas habis peperiksaan besar sekolah.

Kisah 2 (murid perempuan)
1. Salah jawab soalan kerja rumah semasa darjah 4 - dicubit dan ditarik pipi sehingga merah dan berbekas kuku cikgu.
2. Menjawab soalan rakan sebelah yang bertanya, cikgu kata saya bercakap semasa dia mengajar - berdiri seorang diri di hadapan kelas sehingga tamat kelas.
3. 'Anugerah' kelas terkotor akibat disabotaj oleh sekumpulan senior yang dengki entah kenapa - berdiri di atas kerusi, di koridor sekolah, menghadap kelas pelajar tingkatan empat, sepanjang waktu kelas.
4. Ponteng persatuan (dengan sengaja) - dirotan di tapak tangan dengan rotan bulu ayam, di hadapan seluruh ahli persatuan.
5. Masbuk solat Subuh kerana berbaris lama menunggu giliran masuk tandas - dirotan di tapak tangan dengan rotan nipis, sehingga bengkak selama seminggu dan tali jam tangan putus semasa dirotan. Dirotan itu di dalam masjid, selepas solat Maghrib. Kami para pesalah berbaris di tengah, di bawah tirai masjid yang memisahkan pelajar lelaki dan perempuan. Tirai itu diselak, supaya pelajar lelaki dapat lihat kami dirotan :)
6.Denda mengaji sejuzuk Al-Qur'an sehingga jam 2-3 pagi kerana berpesta makanan tengah malam dalam bilik dorm

Kisah 3 (murid lelaki)
Semasa kelas prep malam, saya cuba pergi ke dewan selera untuk minum air. Rupanya warden ada tunggu di depan, jadi saya ubah haluan untuk pergi jenguk kawan di sickbay, berdekatan dewan selera. Warden suruh saya pergi ke depan rumahnya, dan mandi tanpa buka baju melayu yang dipakai. Kemudian suruh saya pergi ke kelas dalam keadaan basah lenjun. Hukuman yang langsung tidak mengubah sikap, bahkan menyimpan dendam...

Kisah 4 (murid perempuan - sekolah semua perempuan)
Didenda berlari di padang pada waktu malam, sambil berbaju kurung. Ada yang memakai selipar. Ada juga yang berkasut tumit tinggi. Jika tidak salah, semua didenda kerana ada pelajar yang menjawab ketika guru bercakap dalam perhimpunan. Ia berlaku sebelum kelas prep malam.

Kisah 5 (murid lelaki)
1. Dirotan beramai-ramai kerana main bola semasa hujan lebat.
2. Mengutip batu-batu kecil yang menghalang pertumbuhan rumput kerana asrama lelaki bising.
3. Tidur di bawah ampai beramai-ramai kerana asrama bising sekitar jam 3 pagi.
4. Tidur di gelanggang tenis kerana asrama bising sekitar jam 3 pagi

Kisah 6 (murid lelaki)
1. Semasa kelas prep malam, warden datang meronda kelas. Lalu dia terjumpa debu dan sampah kecil yang tidak disapu habis. Maka semua pelajar diminta keluar beratur, cubit sedikit seorang debu2 itu dan buang ke dalam tong sampah.
2. Warden terjumpa satu plastik coklat yang tak dikutip. Satu kelas (lelaki sahaja) disuruh mengusung plastik coklat itu dan buang ke tong sampah. Setiap orang mesti pegang bucu plastik itu.

Kisah 7 (murid lelaki)
Saya teringat seorang kenalan bercerita, dia asalnya pelajar yang berjaya di dalam pelajaran. Semasa di Tingkatan Dua, dia mendapat seorang guru yang sikit-sikit ketuk kepala murid dengan tumit kasutnya walaupun kesalahan kecil. Bilangan ketukan diseragamkan dengan bilangan jawapan yang salah. Setiap ketukan bukan perlahan. Suatu ketika, kenalan itu mendapat penyakit sawan. Selepas itu, dia semakin sukar memahami pelajaran dan seringkali mudah lupa apa yang dipelajari. Keadaan itu berterusan sampai di Tingkatan 6. Lebih tragik, semasa guru itu hampir menjadi kakak iparnya, dia hanya mampu membenci di dalam hati dan tidak pandai mengadu pada kedua ibubapa dan abangnya. Selepas berubat dengan pelbagai cara, penyakit sawannya itu beransur kurang. Dia terus membenci guru itu selepas guru itu menjadi kakak iparnya.

Kisah 8 (murid lelaki)
Sebagai pelajar lelaki, saya tidak kisah dengan denda bersifat fizikal. Yang paling saya tertekan bila didenda adalah bila cikgu sebut saya sebagai ''Pendatang.''

Kisah 9 (murid lelaki)
sewaktu darjah 4 saya kena rotan di tapak kaki di hadapan perhimpunan hari Isnin sebab kasut sekolah tidak dikapur...kena berdiri atas kerusi sampai habis waktu Ilmu Hisab sebab lambat jawab (bukan tidak boleh jawab, cuma lambat jawab) satu soalan sifir yang ditanya oleh Guru Besar yang kebetulan lalu di tepi kelas sewaktu cikgu sedang mengajar Ilmu Hisab / Matematik...nasib baik semasa itu saya jenis budak lelaki yang tidak tahu malu...kena berdiri atas kerusi pun masih tersengih2...

Kisah 10 (murid perempuan)
Denda yang saya terima tidak seteruk mana (ditampar depan kelas kerana tertinggal buku latihan matematik di rumah, sampaikan gelang emas tebal cikgu patah dan terpelanting).

(sumber : sahabat facebook Pn Ainon Mohd, PTS)

Pelaksanaan MBMMBI pada tahun 2012

surat siaran ini perlu dibaca bersama dengan pekeliling SPI 12/2011(http://www.scribd.com/doc/72361300/SPI-12-2011-Pelaksanaan-MBMMBI)
Surat Siaran KPM Bilangan 6 Tahun 2011

Orang mukmin dgn 6 ketakutan

Buku: Nashaihul 'Ibad - Nasihat-nasihat Agama Kepada Calon Penghuni Syurga 
Tajuk: Dalam Bab 5: Orang Mukmin Mengalami 6 Macam Ketakutan
Penulis: Imam Nawawi


Saidina Uthman Ibn Affan berkata bahawa khuatirlah kita kepada 6 perkara:

1) Takut kepada Allah jangan-jangan ia dicabut keimanannya.

2) Takut kepada para Malaikat (penjaga kita) jangan-jangan banyaknya dicatatkan keburukan-keburukan yang akan memalukan kita di hari kiamat kelak.

3) Takut kepada syaitan jangan-jangan ia membatalkan amal kebaikan kita seperti berjayanya dia menghasut kita agar kita riak dan sebagainya.

4) Takut kepada Malaikat Maut jangan-jangan dicabut nyawa kita dalam keadaan kita ketika itulupakan kepada Allah SWT.

5) Takut kepada dunia jangan-jangan kita disibukkan daripada membuat persiapan untuk menghadapi akhirat kelak.

6) Takut kepada keluarga serumah dan kaum kerabat jangan-jangan kesibukan kita melayan mereka membuatkan kita dilupakan daripada mengingatkan Allah SWT.

Keenam-enam hal di atas ada kaitannya dengan Rukun Iman.




Fikrah:


Takut adalah elemen penting dalam mendefinisikan diri sebagai seorang insan. Dalam konteks ini, Imam Nawawi mengupas tips menjadi penghuni syurga. Bukankah ini hadiah yang sungguh paling istimewa untuk mereka yang takut!

We can make a Difference

Just brilliant!


"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke.

Isu Sekat pembaharuan Cukai Jalan

Hak terhadap harta.
Perkara 13 Perlembagaan Persekutuan

(a) Tiada seseorang pun boleh dilucutkan hartanya kecuali mengikut undang-undang.

(b) Tiada sesuatu undang-undang pun boleh membuat peruntukan bagi mengambil atau menggunakan harta-harta dengan paksa dengan tiada pampasan yang mencukupi.

Selalunya Perkara 13 ini digunakan di dalam kes pengambilan tanah melalui Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960. Sebenarnya Perkara 13 ini bukan sahaja melibatkan harta tak alih seperti tanah, tetapi meliputi harta alih seperti kenderaan. Justeru penafian hak memperbaharui cukai jalan dan lesen memandu oleh Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) juga sebenarnya termasuk di dalam penafian hak rakyat terhadap harta. Alasannya jika seseorang rakyat itu dihalang dari memperbaharui cukai jalan kenderaan mereka yang menyebabkan kenderaan itu tidak boleh digunakan maka rakyat itu telah dinafikan haknya terhadap harta.

Jika seseorang rakyat telah dinafikan hak mereka menggunakan harta (kenderaan) mereka tanpa alasan yang berlandaskan peraturan dan undang-undang maka Perkara 13 (b) menyatakan bahawa pampasan hendaklah diberikan. Ini bermaksud jika JPJ menghalang seseorang memperbaharui cukai jalan yang menyebabkan kenderaan tidak boleh digunakan, maka JPJ hendaklah membayar pampasan kepada pemilik kenderaan tersebut.

Hujah ini adalah bersandarkan keputusan kes Leonard Lim Yaw Chiang lwn Director of Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Negeri Sarawak yang telah diputuskan pada tahun 2009. Di dalam kes ini, seorang rakyat bernama Leonard Lim Yaw Chiang telah disenarai hitam dan dihalang oleh JPJ Sarawak dari memperbaharui cukai jalan kereta beliau. Beliau telah memohon kepada Mahkamah Tinggi Kuching untuk memutuskan bahawa tindakan JPJ menyenarai hitam dan menghalang beliau memperbaharui cukai jalan adalah salah. Beliau juga memohon gantirugi daripada JPJ di atas kehilangan penggunaan kereta beliau selama kereta tersebut tidak boleh digunakan kerana tiada cukai jalan.

Mahkamah telah memutuskan bahawa JPJ tidak boleh menyenarai hitam kenderaan di atas suatu kesalahan yang belum dibuktikan di Mahkamah. Tindakan JPJ menyenarai hitam diputuskan telah bertentangan dengan Perkara 13 Perlembagaan. JPJ juga telah diarahkan membayar gantirugi kepada pemohon dalam kes itu kerana kesusahan beliau tidak dapat menggunakan kenderaan sehingga terpaksa menyewa kenderaan lain.

Justeru di sini ingin dimaklumkan kepada pemandu-pemandu dan pemilik-pemilik kenderaan yang dinafikan hak mereka memperbaharui cukai jalan dan lesen memandu, bahawa hak anda dilindungi oleh Perlembagaan. Pihak berkuasa tidak boleh sewenang-wenang menafikan hak anda.


SOALAN:

Bagaimana JPJ boleh menghalang pembaharuan cukai jalan?
1) Seksyen 17(1)(d) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 (Pindaan) 2010
JPJ berkuasa menghalang seseorang melakukan apa-apa transaksi termasuk perbaharui cukai jalan tetapi setelah JPJ BERPUASHATI bahawa seseorang ada perkara yang belum selesai dengan JPJ dan Polis.

Bagaimana JPJ hendak BERPUASHATI?
2) Seksyen 17(2) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 (Pindaan) 2010
JPJ hendaklah memberikan peluang kepada seseorang membuat representasi. Ini bermaksud JPJ hendaklah menjalankan siasatan adakah seseorang itu ada perkara yang belum selesai. Maka semua pihak perlu hadir iaitu pemilik kenderaan, JPJ dan Polis yang mengeluarkan saman. Perlu disiasat adakah saman yang dikatakan ada kepada seseorang itu betul atau tidak. Sudah dibuktikan di mahkamah atau tidak. Jika tidak maka JPJ tidak boleh menyenarai hitam. Inilah maksud BERPUASHATI

3) Seksyen 17(5) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 (Pindaan) 2010
Jika dihalang daripada perbaharui cukai jalan maka Pengarah JPJ hendaklah maklumkan kepada Ketua Pengarah pengangkutan, di mana Ketua Pengarah hendaklah maklumkan secara bertulis dalam tempoh 14 hari kepada pemilik kenderaan tentang alasan halangan dibuat ke atas pemilik. Namun, adakah notis ini pernah dikeluarkan kepada pemilik?

Jika anda dihalang daripada perbaharui cukai jalan tanpa alasan yang sah anda boleh:
a) Minta alasan bertulis daripada JPJ kenapa anda dihalang.
b) Minta JPJ perbaharui cukai jalan dengan segera jika alasan bertulis itu tidak munasabah dan tidak betul.
c) Jika JPJ enggan mematuhi permintaan anda, anda boleh menyaman/menuntut di Mahkamah untuk gantirugi kehilangan penggunaan kenderaan anda dan kesusahan anda kerana tidak boleh menggunakan kenderaan

(Sumber: sahabat facebook)

Why we shout in anger?

A professor was teaching about anger; he asked his students, "Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset? The students thought for a while. One of them said, we shout because we lose our calm. "But why shout when the other person is just next to you?" asked the professor. "Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you are angry?" The students gave some other answers but none satisfied the professor. Finally he explained, "When two people are angry at each other, their hearts psychologically distance themselves. To cover the distance, they must shout to be able to hear each other.

The angrier they are, the stronger they will shout to hear each other through that great distance. Then the professor asked, "What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? It is because their hearts are psychologically knitted. The distance between them is very short. The professor continued, "And when they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they even get even closer to each other in their love.

Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all....

So next time you shout at a loved one or a colleague, know that you are creating distance between your heart and that person's heart. The true test of growth in your life is not always found in what you say, but in what you choose NOT to say. Even though you might have every "right" to respond harshly to someone who has wronged or offended you (personally or professionally), remember the big picture and this whole story.

How many times have you been spared in spite of your mistakes and imperfections? Grace enabled us to see each day. Reflect on that and don't take things for granted in your life. In appreciation for all that you have been given, choose to give up your right to hold an offense or debt against others. Your capacity to thrive and the grandeur of your life's legacy will be a direct reflection of your ability to forgive and forget.

"Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget".

Festival Busana Muslim hina Islam - Helwa Abim

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Okt: Bahagian Hal Ehwal Wanita (Helwa) Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) memandang serius penganjuran Islamic Fashion Festival atau Festival Busana Muslim di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini yang gagal memenuhi serta mematuhi kehendak syariah serta konsep aurat yang digariskan di dalam Islam.

Helwa Abim berpandangan bahawa isu penjagaan aurat dan hijab adalah vital sekiranya masyarakat mahu membicarakan tentang fesyen Islam.

“Justeru, Helwa Abim merasa sangat kecewa dan terkilan dengan interpretasi fesyen Islam yang gagal dihayati dan difahami secara keseluruhannya, khususnya menyentuh isu penjagaan aurat yang menjadi elemen terpenting dalam penghayatan Islam secara keseluruhannya,” ujar Naib Presiden Helwa Abim, Fadhlina Siddiq dalam kenyataan kepada Harakahdaily.

Malah, katanya apa yang dipotretkan kepada masyarakat sewaktu penganjuran Islamic Fashion Festival itu nyata jauh tersasar dan mengelirukan masyarakat Islam sendiri malah serta merupakan unsur-unsur penghinaan terhadap Islam dengan jelas.

Tegasnya, menutup aurat dan hijab adalah lambang wanita Islam yang hadir dengan esensi murni yang signifikan untuk memelihara kehormatan, maruah dan melambangkan akhlaq seorang wanita Islam.
Tambahnya, aa bukan pakaian bermusim untuk pesta-pestaan serta bukan pakaian untuk melambangkan siapa yang lebih Islamik.

“Bahkan ia juga bukan interpretasi bahawa inilah pakaian Islam yang sebenar mengikut pandangan peribadi sesiapapun,” ujarnya.

Jelasnya lagi, anjuran menutup aurat bukan untuk pesta-pestaan semata-mata kerana ia adalah anjuran ketegasan wahyu dan perintah yang tuntas demi menjaga kehormatan dan maruah seorang wanita Islam sebagaimana yang terkandung di dalam al-Quran.

Beliau memetik maksud ayat Surah an-Nur ayat 31 yang bermaksud: Dan katakanlah kepada perempuan-perempuan yang beriman, supaya menahan pandangan mereka (daripada memandang perkara-perkara yang haram) dan memelihara kehormatan mereka dan janganlah memperlihatkan perhiasan tubuh mereka kecuali yang zahir daripadanya. Dan mereka perlu melabuhkan kain tudung mereka ke dadanya.

Begitu juga dengan firman Allah SWT di dalam Surah al- Ahzab, ayat 59 yang bermaksud: Wahai Nabi, suruhlah isteri-isterimu, anak-anak perempuanmu serta perempuan-perempuan yang beriman supaya mereka melabuhkan pakaian bagi menutup seluruh tubuhnya.

“Andai wanita Islam jelas tentang konsep dan anjuran syariat tentang kewajipan menutup aurat, tidak timbul soal fesyen Islam yang berterusan mahu dipesta-pestakan sedangkan ia jelas bertentangan dengan syariat dan sama sekali terpesong dari fahaman esensi kepentingan menutup aurat yang sebenar,” katanya lagi.
Isteri Perdana Menteri, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor adalah penaung festival tersebut.

Sementara itu, Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (Gamis) menyatakan rasa kesal dengan penganjuran Festival Busana Muslim itu yang jelas menghina syariat Islam dan Rasulullah s.a.w.

Menurut Ketua Penerangan Gamis Pusat, Mohd Yusof Hadhari Saidon, pastinya pemikiran sempit itu semakin mencelarukan kefahaman muda-mudi terhadap Islam itu sendiri sehinggakan terdapat pemikiran Islam ala pemerintah Malaysia sekarang dan yang dituntut di dalam Al-Quran.

Justeru, Gamis mempersoalkan ke mana perginya badan-badan agama dan NGO Islam yang sebelum ini lantang dalam forum perdana menghuraikan kewajipan berpakaian seperti termaktub di dalam Surah An-Nur, ayat 31.

Katanya, perkataan "Muhammad" dalam tulisan Arab secara terbalik diguna dan dipakai di dada salah seorang peraga fesyen yang tidak menutup aurat adalah suatu penghinaan yang amat jijik dilemparkan kepada Islam.

Tegasnya, Gamis mengecam sekeras-kerasnya tindakan Rosmah yang didapati menghina syariat Islam dan Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. apabila salah satu fesyen mereka melukis nama Nabi dalam keadaan pakaian itu jelas mendedahkan sebahagian besar aurat mereka.
Tambahnya, sangat mendukacitakan jika rakyat Malaysia khususnya umat Islam masih tidak tersedar dan sensitif akan isu itu.

“Dulu umat Islam sangat sensetif terhadap isu murtad, kita juga berarak bantah kartun Nabi yang dibuat di Denmark. Kita juga tidak terlepas menyertai perarakan Maulidur Rasul, menyatakan sayangnya kita kepada Rasulullah, tetapi ini juga satu bentuk penghinaan terhadap Rasulullah, dan kita perlu bantah serta bertegas dengan mereka yang menganjurkannya," tegasnya.

Sehubungan itu, katanya Gamis memuji tindakan pertubuhan tertentu yang akan mengadakan himpunan aman pada hari ini sebagai membantah tindakan penganjuran festival itu.

Sehubungan itu, katanya Gamis meminta anak muda dan Gamis negeri supaya turut sama turun menyatakan bantahan terhadap kemungkaran dan kemaksiatan terhadap Allah serta pengkhianatan ke atas muslimah seluruhnya di samping bersama menyedarkan masyarakat akan kepentingan kembali kepada Islam yang sebenar.

Sumber: Harakahdaily

Leading the Way

Sunday April 25, 2010
(SUMMARY / EDITING version)
Leading the way
Teacher Talk
By MALLIKA VASUGI

The country’s education system can progress only if it is led by those who are willing to acknowledge their own inadequacies, rectify them and move forward.

FOR many of us school teachers who have been around for quite a while, incompetent leadership at many levels of the education system is something that we have encountered so frequently that we may have subconsciously accepted it as the way things naturally are.

You don’t question why, you just move along doing the best you can given the circumstances. Then there are times that even when the truth stares so squarely in our faces, we fail to acknowledge it.

Perhaps our senses have gotten so used to mediocrity and inadequacies on the part of those above us that we have given up expecting anything more. In fact ,we may have even forgotten that alternatives are possible.

We know that it is not the qualities that define a leader that put them there in the first place.

Lack of vision

We sense the deficiency, the lack of vision and purpose, the unclear definition of goals, the absence of charisma and dynamism. We cannot feel the strength of character that spills over from leader to follower, nor the spirit that inspires, encourages and defines the paths and purposes of their efforts. And yet, despite sensing these things, we often sink back either in apathy or resignation, knowing that there is not one thing we can do about it.

Besides, things are quite comfortable the way they are. We don’t want head-teachers or administrators breathing down our necks endlessly with their relentless, fault-finding missions. We also do not need them coming up with some new-fangled programmes or ideas that would increase our already precariously tilting, overloaded work-cart.

No thanks. We are quite content with our administrators and heads.We know our job and we know how to get it done, and it doesn’t matter who is officially above us. But does it really not matter who leads us when so much has been talked and argued about teachers’ present duties and the deep dissatisfaction caused by the unyielding burden of documentation?

Sometimes,  it is hard to shake off the demon of skepticism that sits on our shoulders reminding us of past promises of relief that never came to pass because they crashed halfway into the barriers set up by individuals, who despite being unclear of the concept, occupied certain places of authority in the system.

We can’t help wondering why it is that new policies or programmes that seem so fundamentally and intrinsically good when they are announced, eventually get watered down to mere words and numbers on papers for documentation purposes.

Flawed messages

Then there are times you wonder who are the leaders above the leaders? Has something been lost in translation. Has the cascading principle of getting information across resulted in more and more diluted residues reaching the real level of implementation? Is it due to the vision problems of the leaders along the way whose job it is to ensure the wholeness and purity of the message reaching us? Or, is the message itself flawed, drawn up by leaders who lack true understanding of education, who have never skimmed beyond the surface of our educational philosophy?

The average Malaysian government school teacher is not in the position to decide on who becomes her school principal, who heads her panel, or department. Neither can she decide who is in charge of other departments in the nation’s education network. In other words, “ours is not to question why”, although the questions sometimes loom over our heads in black, clouds that threaten to split open anytime.

No one wants authoritarian megalomaniacs, but no one wants an ineffectual and indecisive leader either. But even what we want is dependent on us, whether we have become so comfortable with the insipidity of the situation that we have ourselves suffered a loss of vision and fail to see the deficiency.

We have failed to see that we need leaders who can lead. Leaders who are truly competent, who know what they are doing, who have a honest passion for the education of the children of their nation, formulate all their rules and policies, their curriculum and programmes around these goals, rather than personal ambition, pride, and egotism.

Knowing the direction

What after all defines a leader? It is not enough to sit in an ivory tower and point the way. Inspirational author, Oswald Sanders says that we can only lead others as far along the road as we ourselves have travelled. A leader has to know the road so clearly that he is able to pull others after him.

He has to have the capacity to inspire and to influence. So how do we get these leaders. It is after all so easy to theorise and say grand-sounding words, but how do we actually ensure that we have leaders of such calibre if they really do exist in the first place???

We are often told that true leaders are made, not born and that the mantle of leadership requires a lifetime of exercise. There are some however who look upon the position of leadership as part of a “rehabilitation” exercise.

They feel that allowing a totally unsuitable, incompetent candidate to be in the position of leadership will shake him up, turn his path around and transform him. That is also why there are schools that have allowed students with long discipline records and no evidence of leadership potential, into positions of student leadership.

What they may fail to realise is that incompetence often breeds incompetence. We do not promote people to leadership position because we feel sorry for them or in hopes that it will cause them to turn around.

A leadership position is not rehabilitation grounds nor a half-way house. Followers of leaders are often constrained by the boundaries of the leader’s own potential. This could also be the reason why many teachers who started out with such fire in their souls became cold and frustrated. They were fenced in by the limitations of those above them. Authority we respect, look up to, believe in and be confident with. It provides structure in our lives and defines our role, and direction.

We want the authority of leaders with integrity who confirm our deepest sense of justice.

In time, perhaps some of us will also hold positions of authority in various departments of education. And it is vital that we look upon that position not as one that allows us to lord over others, or to flaunt our supposed superior capabilities. Rather, it should be perceived as one in which you are best able to serve the purposes of education with the humbleness that comes from knowing that no matter how much you know or have achieved, you can never quite completely arrive.

(source: TheStar)

Confession of a Cikgu

Confessions of a Cikgu

Teacher Talk by NITHYA SIDHHU

(The Star, 11 April 2010)

A senior teacher talks about how she is fast losing her enthusiasm for the job because of the ever-increasing non-teaching chores she has to take on.

IT was recently announced that a committee, headed by Education Director-General Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom, and comprising representatives from various teachers’ unions, has been directed to look into complaints by teachers on how they have been burdened with other chores instead of focusing on their primary duty — teaching.

However, it is comforting to know that the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, has himself said that he feels that there is a basis to teachers’ concerns. He wants the committee to thrash out problems and get back to him with sound recommendations to improve the lot of teachers in the country. The deadline? Two months.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Teachers are looking forward to some positive and workable recommendations from the committee.

The story below is of a teacher with 27 years of experience whom I shall refer to as Tee. Tee loves sharing her knowledge with students. She even takes pride in class projects and thoroughly enjoys the interaction with her charges.

However, over the years, she has been burdened with paper work and has been constantly called to work on Saturday and dumped with more responsibilities.

Teachers are bogged down by unnecessary paper work which leaves them with little time to focus on teaching. — File photo

Such duties which can easily be carried out by a clerk, is taking a toll on Tee, 52, who is losing her enthusiasm for teaching. It will be a shame if the country has to lose dedicated teachers like her.

A steady job

Tee was born in a small town in Selangor, and is the eldest of 10 children. Tee’s father was a lorry driver and her mother, a rubber tapper. After completing her secondary school education, she decided to teach and had applied for a place in the then teacher training college (it is now known as teacher training institute).

“It had always been my ambition to be a teacher and my parents had no objections, so long as their eldest daughter had a steady job, or as they would refer to it, an ‘iron rice bowl’ job.”

However, before that materialised, she accepted a JPA (Public Services Commission) teaching scholarship at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Science and graduated with honours in 1983. She obtained a Diploma in Education from UKM the following year.

Tee started teaching in a secondary school in Karak, Pahang and had stints in Sekinchan, Sg. Pelek and Selayang all in Selangor, before she was posted to her present school in Petaling Jaya in 2004.

“When I began to teach in the eighties in small towns, students then were very simple and they respected their teachers.

They did not seek much outside help or tuition for the subjects they were weak in, as they do today.

“At that time, their only source of knowledge and solution to their problems lay in doing the homework we gave them in school.

“As such, the the teacher-student relationhip was good. I could actually chart the personal development my students made under my tutelage. We teachers were instrumental in shaping their personality and character,” she says proudly.

Tee does not mince her words when she is asked to comment on how teaching was like, more than two decades ago.

“Those days, all I had to do was to teach, guide and to get to know my students as well as I could. If there was paperwork, it was minimal.

“If you look at students today, you can see that, because of their exposure, they are more knowledgeable. They have higher expectations and demand more from their teachers. I even feel that some of them are very egotistical.”

There’s one aspect of her job that Tee feels has changed for the better — preparing and setting examination questions.

“It was a more difficult task back then, but now, with the advent of numerous workbooks, the computer and educational DVDs, the job has become so much easier.”

I ask her if she is satisfied being a teacher.Tee thinks hard before responding.

“When I first began teaching, my salary was very low but I was a happy teacher. Today, my salary is much higher, and rightfully I should be happy, but I am not.”

“The clerical work I have to do, is becoming unbearable. You see, as a Mathematics teacher, I already have a lot of preparation, planning and marking to do.

“Now, on top of that, there are many other deadlines to be met. All parties, including parents, the principal, colleagues and students have high expectations.”

As a ketua bidang (head of department), life at school is even more stressful for Tee.

She is in charge of several academic programmes and for her, the documentation and filing she has to oversee, is literally back-breaking.

At 52, and with menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flushes, plaguing her, Tee’s sentiments about school have not changed.

In fact, for the first time in her teaching career, she was stressed and worried when the new school year began in January.

“I was anxious about my work and the ever-increasing responsibilities for the entire year. Could I take all this and more for another year?” she asks with a frown.

Tee tells me of an ex-colleague who had just passed away due to breast cancer, and of another one, who was currently undergoing treatment for uterine cancer.

When Tee herself went for a mammogram recently at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), she was startled to hear from a nurse at the Radiotherapy Department that nine out of 10 patients undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital were teachers.

“Do you think it’s caused by stress?” she asks.

I found her question disturbing to say the least. Can it be?

Blank expressions

“You know,” she tells me, “I also find myself thinking a lot about my students these days. Sometimes, when I see ‘blank expressions’ on their faces, especially from those who are academically weaker, I wonder to myself ‘Why are they here? What do they feel about having to learn something that is not relevant to their daily life?

“For some of them, Mathematics is such an alien subject that even I begin to wonder what I am doing with them. On top of that, I feel that students today have to learn too many subjects and this makes life very challenging for the weaker students.”

Tee is of the opinion that the Government should set up more vocational schools to provide living skills training to this group of students.

“At least then we can help produce our own skilled workers, rather than having to import them.”

Tee feels that these days, she is more like a clerk doing paperwork instead of spending time giving personal attention to her academically-challenged students.

“Just think. Each class has about 30 to 40 students, so to be efficient, one has to have classroom management skills too. With the type of students we have, it is no easy task managing them. Many young teachers are afraid when they have to enter a classroom.”

Tee also regrets that with her increasing workload, she has little time to mentor and guide young teachers at her school.

“These teachers lack experience badly, and I feel they need to be guided for at least a year.

“With senior teachers being bogged down with non-teaching duties, there is hardly any time to develop a young teacher’s potential, or help boost their self-confidence.

“Often, they just get thrown into the deep end of the pool and unlike us — the teachers of the older generation, who had so much more grit and resilience — this group of young teachers take a longer time to adjust and cope.”

Tee tells me that despite being graduates, many of them lack communicational skills.

“For the teaching of Science and Maths in the higher forms, young teachers simply aren’t competent in the language of instruction.

“Students then start complaining and parents start calling up the school demanding an explanation.”

Tee shakes her head. “If I’m given the choice today, I don’t think I’ll choose to be a teacher anymore. I’m not against teaching; I enjoy being with my students. In fact, I’m at my happiest when I’m in the classroom. But our job today isn’t just to teach and deal with students, is it?”

“Don’t get me wrong. In class, I still do all I can for my students. I know they view me as a stern person because I follow the rules and I mean business when I am teaching them. I’m a hardworking and responsible teacher.

“I do sometimes crack a joke or two, and we all laugh together. Sometimes I tell them stories about my difficult childhood and how I had to be like a mother to all my younger siblings — how I had to act responsibly even when I was just a teen and the amount of housework I had to do and how difficult life was for me.

“I know my students admire me for the determination I have shown through the years to make something of myself. We have a good relationship – my students and I. I am firm but kind. I even treat them with sweets and chocolates.”

Tee also shares with me what she thinks about her relationship with her students.

“Oh, without question - they are very bold, talkative and not as disciplined. They want to be treated as friends rather than as students. In class, they are quick with their comments and remarks.

“In fact, I get aggravated when my students are rude or indifferent.

“But, personally, I’m a cheerful person so I do let down my guard once in a while and have some fun with them. As a teacher, I realise that they have needs that I must meet.

“For their sake therefore, I have to be prepared mentally and emotionally, as well as be sound in my own knowledge, especially in the subject that I teach. So far, that has not been a problem with me.

“When they tell me that I’m the best Additional Mathematics teacher they’ve had, I feel truly rewarded.

“When they get good results in Maths, some of them have even hugged and thanked me for being their teacher.

“I like getting positive feedback from my students, and I must admit that I feel young because I’m always surrounded by them.

“So, you see, it’s not the teaching part I don’t like. It’s the other chores that get me down.”

I ask Tee what is the best compliment she has received as a teacher. She is wistful, but her answer moves me as it still does her.

“One of the happiest moments in my life was when a mother thanked me for helping her son to be a cheerful, confident young man.

“The mother told me that her relationship with her son had improved tremendously because of me. It felt very good that I had such an effect on someone’s life.”

Does Tee have any advice for young teachers?

“Be committed, be knowledgeable and be prepared for what you are supposed to do. Always remember that if you want your own children to be taught by good teachers, then be a good teacher to the children of others. What goes around comes around.”

On a serious note, Tee is already thinking of applying for optional retirement next year simply because of the ever-increasing non-teaching chores.

Teachers in the news

Monday, 12 April 2010 (The Star)

Teachers should be treated better


BESIDES the heavy workload of teachers, I would like to highlight their poor working condition and environment. Almost all other government departments have better working conditions.
Hospitals, police stations and other government departments are now fully air-conditioned but teachers have to slog in hot and humid classrooms where the fans and lights are sometimes spoilt.

The male teachers would love to wear ties in the classroom but the humidity does not work in their favour.It can be argued that some schools have air-conditioned staff rooms but how many are that privileged?Even if the staff rooms are air-conditioned, there is an unwritten rule that we can only switch on the air-conditioners after 10am.

In some schools, the fans are not allowed to be switched on in the morning. Students are only allowed to do so after recess to cut cost.
Students will not be comfortable learning under such conditions.Teachers are professionals and soon even primary schools will be flooded with graduates and they deserve better treatment than this.

Canteens in schools, compared to other government departments, are also far from satisfactory. The space or room allocated for teachers is congested and stuffy and don’t come with air-conditioning. Thanks to privatisation of the general workers, our toilets are much cleaner but a great deal has to be done to upgrade the facilities.Having only one or two small cubicles as toilets for teachers is embarrassing.

Correct me if I am wrong, but all other government staff except teachers are provided with stationery. Teachers use more pens than anybody else but we are not provided with these. Nowadays, we are compelled to use white board markers which do not come cheap. There are schools which provide each teacher with two markers at the beginning of the year. We are told to buy our own refills or get new markers. Each marker hardly lasts a week. I am not being petty about buying marker pens and other stationery but why do other government staff enjoy such facilities while teachers have to shoulder such expenses?

I feel teachers are the most under-rated civilian staff and they deserve better treatment and opportunities for promotion. Most of us get promoted not on merit but on the time-based system.
It cannot be denied that the Education Ministry has been creating more opportunities for promotion but what percentage of the profession does that represent? To add to the woes of senior teachers at secondary schools, young teachers have been employed to teach Form Six classes just because they get to jump to a higher scale. Senior teachers who have been teaching Form Six classes all these while are relegated to lower forms. Some argue that young teachers should be given a chance to get quick promotions. But what about the seniors? Don’t they deserve some recognition too?

While other departments have their own fleet of vehicles for official purposes, teachers have to fend for themselves. Not all teachers can afford luxury cars and pupils feel shy to make a trip in a teacher’s car as it is not flashy enough.

JAYARAJ K.G.S.,
Sitiawan.

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Reply:
Tuesday, 13 April 2010 (The Star)

Be sure you love teaching before joining the profession



I AM quite disappointed with the views expressed in the letter “Teachers should be treated better,” (The Star, April 12).

There is too much grumbling and complaints between the lines. Government school teachers should be thankful to their boss, the Government. There is only recruitment and retirement in the teaching profession. Have you ever heard of any retrenchment of teachers? Teaching in government schools is such a laid-back career as it is not affected by the economic downturn or other circumstances.

Moreover, most school teachers still have enough energy and free time to do part-time job such as tuition, direct sales and insurance, or help their spouse to run a business.

On top of that, they have salary increments every year and are paid allowances regardless of how bad the economy is.

They enjoy about 78 days of holidays annually, excluding public holidays.

So, what else do teachers want? Teaching is a noble profession and people should be sure that they love teaching before joining the profession.

ANGRY PARENT,
Malacca.


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Reply:
Wednesday, 14 April 2010 (Suara Hati)

Teachers’ complaints valid and reasonable

AS I have many teachers in my extended family, I feel the need to respond to the letter “Be sure you love teaching before joining the profession” (The Star, April 13) in order to clarify some misconceptions about the teaching profession.

Firstly, it is true that most teachers have lifelong job security. However, if you think teaching is so laidback and easy, you should try handling one of the more raucous classes for a week and see if it changes your perception.

The average fresh entry into the profession has to go through 30 to 40 years before reaching retirement. Many of these years will be spent struggling with students who have absolutely no desire to learn.

Secondly, I disagree with the view that most school teachers have plenty of free time. Don’t generalise from a few, highly visible examples who seem to be touting the latest health supplement at every opportunity.

It is true that most school sessions last only half the day. However, dedicated teachers have most of their non-teaching hours taken up by meetings, co-curricular duties, lesson preparations, endless marking of books and test papers, and various committee responsibilities. Wouldn’t any non-teacher protest if their non-office hours were intruded upon by such obligations? If some teachers attend to family matters or hold tuition classes in between, it is through the sacrifice of their own personal time and energy. Again, would any of us in the private sector accept our bosses telling us how to spend our free time once we have clocked out?

Thirdly, the number of holidays that teachers get is often the envy of other sectors. However, this is somewhat offset when meetings are held in the middle of school holidays. Teachers also have fewer days of personal leave to use for important events like weddings, and such leave is subject to potentially strict approval.

Finally and most importantly, many teachers do indeed love teaching. It is the whole reason they joined the profession in the first place. Again, don’t let a few opportunists who brag about their light schedules and plentiful holidays tarnish the entire profession. Many teachers today feel that they are overburdened with paperwork and other compulsory tasks that interfere with their lesson preparations and actual teaching.

These teachers signed onto the job aspiring to teach and guide eager young students, but they didn’t realise that inputting of data, compiling of statistics and writing of progress reports would form the bulk of their work. And this is not even including the after-hours obligations I mentioned earlier.

So give teachers a break, including a little respect and sympathy. If some teachers ask that their working conditions be made a little less strenuous and distracting, it is a valid and reasonable request.

SCOTT THONG YU YUEN,
Ipoh.


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Reply:

Official REPLY from MOE 

Ministry of Education (MOE) would like to thank Mr. Jayaraj K.G.S. of Sitiawan for his marked of concern through his article, “Teachers Should Be Treated Better” pertaining the treatment teachers should be receiving in their line of duties educating our young nation. The MOE takes Mr. Jayaraj K.G.S. concern seriously thus it is vital that the matter be looked into in further understanding and detailing.

Teachers’ code of attire during their working hours at school are addressed specifically in Surat Pekeliling Ikhtisas Bil 6/1985 dated 9 May 1985 and Surat Pekeliling Ikhtisas Bil 7/2001 dated 7 June 2001. In both Surat Pekeliling Ikhtisas, it is clearly stated that male teachers are encouraged to wear ties during their working hours at school, thus weather permits they remain encouraged to do so.

The importance of conducive working environment in any education facilities is not deniable. MOE agreed that to provide conducive learning and working environment for all in the school premises is of upmost important and must be advocated. Teachers are no doubt prominent to the growth of the nation education and sensitivity as well as improvement on their welfare will always gain attention from the MOE. Its importance can be discerned in various steps already taken by the MOE to improve teachers’ welfare. As it is, the MOE is now conducting a study pertaining teachers’ welfare particularly on teachers’ work load and the findings to this study will definitely help the MOE to further improve teachers working environment.

The suggestions made by Mr Jayaraj K. G. S. to MOE is not an isolation but already taken care of from time to time. MOE would be glad to look further into all matters pertaining teachers welfare as the need arises.

Ministry of Education (MOE) refer to an article published in THE STAR newspaper dated 12 April on the issue of – TEACHERS SHOULD BE TREATED BETTER.


CORPORATE COMMUNICATION UNIT
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION MALAYSIA

Pelajar sekolah tidak tahu menulis surat?

Ramai pelajar tersingkir awal

Oleh HAPIZAH AZIZ
berita@kosmo.com.my

"... KOTA BHARU - Pos Malaysia Berhad mengesan sebahagian besar daripada kira-kira 120,000 pelajar yang menyertai Pertandingan Menulis Surat Kepada Perdana Menteri yang diadakan baru-baru ini, tidak memahami teknik penulisan surat.

Pengerusi Pos Malaysia Berhad (Pos Malaysia), Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat berkata, pihaknya bimbang jika masalah itu berpunca daripada ledakan teknologi siber termasuk khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) menyebabkan generasi muda hari ini gagal menguasai teknik dan gaya penulisan surat dengan betul. ...." - Kosmo

Fikrah:-

1) Apakah bahana yang menimpa anak murid hari ini, bakal memudaratkan masa depan negara pada masa depan?

2) Ceteknya pemikiran masyarakat jika tidak melihat ini sebagai satu persoalan besar. Peraduan yang dibuat dalam BAHASA MELAYU, (sekarang BAHASA MALAYSIA) tidak dapat disempurnakan oleh sebahagian besar murid sekolah! Adakah kesilapan DASAR PEMBELAJARAN PPSMI selama 8 tahun selama ini satu punca?

3) Adakah ledakan teknologi persuratan SMS menjadi satu 'mind setting' bahawa persuratan formal dan tidak formal boleh dicaca-merbakan, dicampur-adukkan, dan diambil ringan?

4) Malangnya negara majoriti orang melayu apabila rakyat berbangsa Melayu sudah tidak mampu berkomunikasi dalam Bahasa Melayu Aras Tinggi, bahasa ilmu, bahasa keTamadunan, apatah lagi bahasa Perpaduan? 

5) Lebih malang, apabila bahasa Melayu, yang sekarang ini diiktiraf sebagai Bahasa Malaysia tidak digunakan sebaiknya sebagai Bahasa Perpaduan 1Malaysia, apabila kecelaruan dalam Santun Bahasa tidak diambil serius oleh murid-murid sekolah 1Malaysia?

finding the right attitude

A boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a loving couple and the boy was the gem of their eyes. When the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle open. He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and keep it in the cupboard. His wife, preoccupied in the kitchen totally forgot the matter.
The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle fascinated by its color and drank it all. It happened to be a poisonous medicine meant for adults in small dosages. When the child collapsed, the mother hurried him to the hospital. He died.

The mother was stunned! She was terrified how she was going to face her husband. When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child, he looked at his wife and uttered just five words.

QUESTIONS:
1. What were the five words?
2. What is the implication of this story?

If you were the father, what would your words be when you meet the wife?
If you were the mother, what would your words be when you meet the husband?


ANSWER:
The husband just said "I am with you Darling".

The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior. The child is dead. He can never be brought back to life...
There is no point in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he had taken time to keep the bottle away, this would not have happened. No one is to be blamed. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her. If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be much fewer problems in the world.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.

MORAL OF THE STORY:
Very often we spend time in asking who is responsible or whom to be blamed, whether in a relationship, in a job, in school, in the family, or with the people we know when things go wrong. And, with this mental attitude, everything there after is bound to fail. Blame is the start of divide and discord. Blame never concord. But it is indeed very difficult to practice like in the story above because blame is anger or hate-based. And it blinds ! The mind justifies when it is clouded with blame.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." – Winston Churchill

Kes Kalimah Allah

Kenyataan Media ABIM

 31 Disember 2009

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) ingin menyatakan rasa kesal terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur yang telah membenarkan penggunaan kalimah Allah oleh majalah Harold : The Catholic Weekly. Kesan utama kepada penggunaan ini ialah masyarakat bukan Islam diberikan hak berdasarkan tafsiran perlembagaan untuk menggunakan kalimah Allah dalam penerbitan ataupun penggunaan seharian, dan sebarang larangan oleh pihak berkuasa atau otoriti agama Islam adalah tidak sah.

ABIM menilai keputusan ini:- 
1) Tidak bertepatan dengan semangat peruntukan Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang meletakkan Islam di tempat yang istimewa di kalangan agama-agama lain di negara ini. 
2) Ia juga bertentangan dengan larangan penggunaannya yang dikeluarkan oleh Kementerian Dalam Negeri dan Majlis-Majlis Agama Islam Negeri kerana ia dikenalpasti bakal mengelirukan akidah dan konsep ketuhanan di kalangan umat Islam, merobek sensitiviti umat Islam selaku majoriti di negara ini  serta
3) Berpotensi menimbulkan  ketidak tenteraman awam sekiranya tidak ditangani secara baik..

Justeru Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) memohon campur tangan Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu untuk menghentikan segera polemik kalimah Allah. Gesaan ini selari dengan peruntukan perlembagaan persekutuan, yang menetapkan segala urusan berkaitan dengan hal ehwal agama Islam diletakkan di bawah kuasa serta naungan Raja-Raja Melayu.

ABIM juga menyeru agar pihak Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) bertindak lebih tegas mengikut peruntukan perlembagaan, undang-undang sedia ada dan enakmen undang-undang Islam di negeri-negeri dan tidak mengeluarkan permit penggunaan tersebut pada masa-masa akan datang. ABIM juga menyeru agar pihak KDN menggunakan segala saluran perundangan yang ada untuk mengemukakan rayuan terhadap keputusan yang merobek sensitivit umat Islam tersebut.

Akhir sekali, ABIM memohon agar semua pihak bertenang dan menghormati keputusan ini dan tidak bertindak secara emosional demi untuk menjaga keharmonian serta kestabilan hubungan di antara kaum di negara ini.

 MOHAMAD RAIMI AB.RAHIM

 Setiausaha

Kenyataan Media-Jaga Hubungan Baik Malaysia-Indonesia: ABIM Gesa Hentikan Provokasi

Kenyataan Media-Jaga Hubungan Baik Malaysia-Indonesia: ABIM Gesa Hentikan Provokasi

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) memandang berat terhadap tindakan provokasi yang dilakukan oleh pihak-pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab, berhubung beberapa isu serta insiden yang membabitkan hubungan baik dua hala di antara kedua-dua negara semenjak kebelakangan ini. Ini memandangkan provokasi-provokasi tersebut boleh menjejaskan hubungan erat yang sedia terjalin di antara kedua negara serumpun semenjak sekian lama.

Di samping itu, ABIM menilai provokasi-provokasi ini telah memperlihatkan ceteknya pengetahuan dan kurangnya kefahaman terhadap persamaan budaya dan nilai masyarakat yang dikongsi di antara kedua-dua negara serta rantau Melayu keseluruhannya, sepertimana yang telah dibuktikan oleh fakta dan realiti sejarah. Bahkan, laungan slogan serta tindakan provokatif seperti “Gayang Malaysia” serta insiden “buluh runcing” jelas tidak menggambarkan amalan budaya hormat menghormati, berbudi bahasa, saling bantu membantu sudah sebati di kalangan sebahagian besar masyarakat di kedua-dua negara. Sejarah lampau telah membuktikan tindakan-tindakan sedemikian boleh mencetuskan ketegangan serta boleh mengakibatkan keadaan huru-hara sekiranya ia tidak ditangani dengan tegas dan penuh hikmah.

Justeru, atas semangat perkongsian agama dan budaya yang sama, ABIM menyambut baik usaha yang yang telah dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan kedua-dua negara untuk menangani isu-isu berkaitan menerusi saluran diplomatik yang sedia terjalin di antara kedua-dua negara.

Mengambil kesempatan ini, ABIM menyeru rakyat di kedua-dua negara agar tidak terpengaruh dengan dakyah yang cuba dilakukan pihak-pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab, di samping meletakkan kepercayaan sepenuhnya kepada usaha diplomatik yang dibuat oleh kerajaan kedua negara serta tidak mengambil tindakan yang boleh menjejaskan hubungan baik yang sedia terjalin di antara kedua Negara semenjak sekian lama.

"Demi Kebenaran & Keadilan"

Khairul Faiz Morat
Naib Presiden Antarabangsa ABIM
11 September 2009 / 21 Ramadhan 1430h

Penang Trip

1) Hari Sabtu, 11 Julai 2009; Bermula jam 8 pagi, kami semua berkumpul di Reception untuk program lawatan ke seluruh Pulau Pinang. Kami, seramai 30 orang, yang datang dari pelbagai negara di Asia Tenggara, akhirnya dapat mengadakan aktiviti bersama-sama secara santai dan secara tidak langsung, memperkenalkan Malaysia kepada rakan-rakan seAsia Tenggara.

2) Secara ringkasnya, berikut adalah tempat yang kami lawati, mengikut susunan:-

i) Snake Temple
ii) Penang Bridge (Island – Butterworth)
iii) Penang Bird Park (Seberang Perai)
iv) Ferry ride (Butterwoth – Island)
v) Fort Cornwallis
vi) Thailand Temple (Sleeping Buddha)
vii) Burmese Temple (Standing Buddha)
viii) Teluk Bahang Dam
ix) Penang Butterfly-Insect Park
x) Batu Feringgi
xi) Masjid Terapung
xii) Leh Kok Si Temple (Pagoda)

3) There are some interesting experiences that I personally think, as a Muslim, as a Malay, and as a Malaysian point of view as well. It may sound nothing, or ‘cerewet’, and , maybe it just my feelings of being too sensitive. The question is, What will you think, if you are in my shoes?

4) Well, it happens that it’s raining all the way, from the morning until we got back to RECSAM. The trip actually, went so well, as we went from one place to another. I have to give all credits, and our appreciations to Mr Dominique, our trip supervisor, and our drivers, Mr Michael and Mr Arshad.

5) Frankly, this is my first time visit to any kind of temples; and today, I went into 4 kinds of Buddhist temple! At first, I have hesitation to get involve in this trip because of the belief that Muslim shouldn’t get into any other religous places. I gave big thought about this again and again. I chose to be more open minded, and have faith in the knowledge that I gained about the rationale and the openness of Islam; and not to be drag into ‘Muslims’ and Malays’ culture’, and their ‘taboo’ness.

6) We manage to visit Telok Bahang Dam; these are the water to supply the whole Penang citizen. As we rode along, there’re motorcyclists group brooming’ passing us. They’re youth group, some of them have flags, red and white in colour on their wheels, and most important clue is that they’re wearing black shirt, with ‘1Malaysia’ label!

The activity, can be considered as ‘healthy’, if they had followed some important rules of traffic and have certain disciplines in group! As we stand beside the dam, looking at the group, I just wonder, what will happen in 10-20 years ahead, since these ‘group’ will be leading the nation.

7) During the visit, we had lunch at Batu Feringgi. There’s a nice looking warong (stall). The food is superbly delicious! We ate nasi campur, with various choices of lauk. There’s Makcik (Auntie), maybe the owner of the stall, then gave us the price for each plate of ours. I sat with the drivers as we chat all along. Then, we realized, that we’re the one that left, as all our collegue has done and walking around.

Soon, the Makcik came to us and ask, “Yang pakai baju batik tadi, dah bayar ke?” “Err.. tak pasti la, makcik.” We replied. Then she says, “Dok la.. Hok tu, dia pi ambik 3 ekoq udang. Udang tu, mahai. Makcik ambik malam tadi, teruih masak pagi tadi, Fresh lagi tu. Kalau setakat udang hok 5 kupang tu, Makcik tak kisah aaa” Then, I look for my fellow friend, Meck (from Laos PDR), while Mr Rashid stays with her. Well, actually, Meck, had already paid. His food was RM11, and been paid to the husband. Meck gave RM50 bill, and the husband return RM40. Well, she actually expected another RM1 from Meck, which actually was a treat from her husband. To make her stop babbling, Mr Rashid gave his RM1.

8) We continued our trip to Masjid Terapung (Floating Mosque), near Bukit Feringgi. We also need to go to the toilet as well. Then, some of our women collegue, (from Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar), asked, whether, women are allowed to get into the mosque? Well, I say yes, ofcourse! Anyone can enter the mosque. Then, we walked together, as I do some explaination about Islam, and our responsibility to do prayer, 5 times a day.

As we walked by, one guy came over and shouted, “ehh.. ehh... ni, dari mana ni? Ni, tak boleh masuk ni...” while showing his point finger.
Everyone stunned...
“Err.. sir, they are from outside.. Err.. Can not understand you.” I replied..
“No, you can’t enter here... You just can only walk around by certain perimeters. and, I am strict on you can’t enter. Hang paham, hang habaq kat depa” He replied still fingering us, with angry voice.
Now, everyone is looking at us, and I said calmly, “ He maybe mad because of you’re wearing skirts, and not covering the hair. But, you can still go walk around the corridor, and to the toilet. As for men, we all can enter inside the prayers’ hall. And I’m sorry again on behalf of the guy”

Some of the women, went back to the van, and some proceed to the toilet, while, all men follows me around the mosque, and even in the prayers’ hall. After that, I started to pray as they took photos. I am quite surprise, when I finish my Zohor prayer, my friend, Sithet, from Cambodia actually were taking videos of my rituals of praying. When I asked what for, he said, this is his first time to see Muslims’ ritual, and he is pretty sure that this is also new to the others as well.

9) I’ve written 4 stories that I faced today; that I personally, think it is very significant to my belief, my community, and my responsibility towards the Almighty Allah.

Even this entry is my new part of my life that I feel the need to improve.

Berhenti seketika

1) Kalau diberi skala untuk prestasi diri, dalam suku tahun pertama tahun 2009, 10- untuk prestasi yang terbaik, 1- untuk prestasi yang paling rendah, rasanya di manakah skalanya? Yang ini, hanya diri sendiri sahaja yang mampu memberikan jawapan yang tepat dan ikhlas.

2) Kalau diberi peluang untuk melakukan sesuatu perubahan, sudah tentu perubahan kepada kebaikan, berapakah bayaran yang sanggup dibayar? Yang optimis, akan menyatakan kesanggupan dan keberahian yang luar biasa. Bimbang, bila masanya tiba, untuk mulakan perjalanan sudah mula goyang dan menggeletar. Bayaran telah dibuat. Komitmen telah ditetapkan. Apa yang lepas, tidak dapat ditarik balik. Maka, pelayaran harus diteruskan jua, walau badai nampaknya semakin kuat menghempas kapal, dan membawa bersama ombak besar dan hujan petir, hanya mereka yang sikapnya optimis sahaja akan berjaya.

3) Beban bertambah seiring dengan kematangan, dan potensi yang ada dalam diri sendiri mengubah persepsi kepada realiti. Kadang-kadang, memang terasa padahnya bila banyak bersuara, banyak juga cacat-celanya, banyak jugalah dosa-dosa terpalit dalam dada; Yang lama, dan biasa akan pantas mengambil kesempatan menolak segala perkara. Kata mereka, nah, padan muka!

4) Hmm... Lagi ditumbuk, lagi ditampi, serba-sedikit, hampir pecah perisai diri. Mungkin ini masanya mengubah haluan. Menetapkan semula sasaran, memantapkan semula pendirian, mengemudi terus pelayaran. Walau apa pun, badai pasti ada di depan. Daripada hanyut-tenggelam di lautan kerana kesesatan, lebih baik karam kerana perjuangan! Kerana Legasi perjuangan pasti akan diteruskan.

5) Berhenti seketika apabila sudah tepu dan telah beku segala yang berlaku. Yang itu hanya sejarah masa dahulu. Sekali lagi, kesakitan dan kepahitan menjadi ubat penawar kekusutan. Tetapkan pendirian; Optimislah bahawa putaran sudah tiba ke titik minimum, dan ini masanya untuk berputar ke arah peningkatan. Segala yang lepas semestinya suatu pengajaran dan iktibar masa depan.

5) Terima kasih pengalaman. InsyaAllah, diizin Tuhan, langkah ini akan diteruskan... (terima kasih kalian)


Fikrah Imayu

Mencari iktibar dan pengajaran

1) Sekiranya berlaku sesuatu perkara yang tidak disangka-sangka dan tidak memihak kepada kita, bernasib malang, tidak berkesan pada mana-mana hasil, gagal dalam mencapai matlamat, atau kehilangan arah, dan seerti dan semakna dengannya, apa yang boleh dilakukan?

2) Kebiasaannya, kita akan mencari kesalahan orang lain. Cari kesilapan orang lain adalah pilihan yang paling popular dan paling mudah; Tujukan sahaja jari-jemari kita kepada mana-mana sahaja orang yang terlibat secara langsung mahupun secara tidak langsung.

3) Ada pendapat menyatakan adalah lebih baik mencari kesilapan diri sendiri. Lihat kelemahan dalam diri yang menyebabkan perkara itu berlaku. Biasanya, ini diterima sebagai kaedah yang menunjukkan ketinggian pekerti dan lebih kelihatan rendah diri. Ia juga melihatkan diri ini adalah orang yang boleh menerima kesalahan dan kelemahan diri.

4) Sama ada menyalahkan pihak lain atau diri sendiri juga sebenarnya tidak membawa apa-apa erti dan kesan kepada hasil atau peristiwa yang telah pun berlaku. Dan, sebenarnya akan membawa masalah yang sama teruknya dan mungkin lebih besar pada masa akan datang. Bukankah ungkapan 'yang berlalu biar berlalu, dan ambil pengajaran untuk masa depan' merupakan nasihat yang akhirnya diberikan kepada kita oleh penasihat-penasihat di sekeliling kita? Maka, bermain permainan tuduh-menuduh ini sebenarnya tidak membawa kepada ungkapan nasihat tersebut pada akhirnya.

5) Jadi, apa yang boleh dilakukan apabila menempuhi saat malang ini? Menuduh pihak lain akan membawa kepada persengketaan dan lebih banyak tuduh-menuduh akan berlaku. Manakala, menuduh diri sendiri pula akan membawa kepada sindrom fobia dan sikap takut menghadapi risiko dan akhirnya tidak akan membawa kepada kemajuan.

6) Mungkin kaedah yang boleh dikongsi di sini dapat membantu.
Tanyakan kepada diri 3 perkara penting:
a) Adakah saya telah melakukan perkara yang patut dilakukan?
b) Apakah perkara yang tidak patut saya lakukan, telah saya lakukan?
c) Apakah perkara yang boleh saya lakukan, tidak saya lakukan?

7) Keliru?? baca perlahan-lahan setiap soalan tersebut dan jawabnya dengan ikhlas dan secara terbuka. Terbuka di sini bermakna keterbukaan dengan hati dan minda. Tidak perlu mencari dan menuduh kesalahan pihak lain mahupun diri sendiri. Hanya ambil tindakan yang patut selepas menjawab soalan di atas.

8) Tindakannya berasaskan kepada soalan ini:

Dan, apa tindakan saya selepas ini?



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Fikrah-
1) Setiap kali nota motivasi ditulis; sasaran pertama adalah untuk diri saya sendiri; kemudian, barulah pembaca lain!
2) Ini memang bukan berkenaan orang lain atau berkenaan diri sendiri. Ini hanya suatu jalan kebenaran yang tidak popular apabila menghadapi dugaan yang kelihatan malang.
3) Kenapa dikatakan 'kelihatan malang'? Kerana sebenarnya kita tidak tahu yang 'kelihatan malang' itu, sebenarnya bala untuk kita, atau sebenarnya 'rahmat dan nikmat' dari yang Esa.
4) Maka, amat tidak wajar untuk menolak bala atau rahmat kepada orang lain; apatah lagi diri sendiri! Bersyukurlah!