Dear all,

Just posted below comment in Tun Mahathir’s blog:

Dear PM Tun Dr Mahathir,

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/01/31/science-maths-will-be-taught-in-english-again-says-mahathir/

Quote, “Mahathir acknowledged that Malaysians wanted to see reforms in the nation’s education policy, adding that he noticed weaknesses in the current policy that required attention.

“Of course, my views are not always popular or acceptable to many people but I feel that I need to push for certain things to make sure that our children grow up and find themselves able to tackle the problems of adult life,” he said. “That is the purpose of education.” Unquote

Yes, I agree with Tun that Malaysians wanted to see reforms in nation’s education policy. Refer to Tun’s Book “A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad”

Chapter 36:  Islam and Islamisation.

Tun had explained in length the golden era of Islamic Civilisation, where Islam emphasized on the need to read (Iqraq). Thus early Muslims apparently read the works of the Greeks, the Indian, the Chinese and the Persians. More than that, they carried out their own researches to add up to their body of knowledge in many fields. It was well documented that Muslim scholars are the one who pioneered astronomy, algebra, the study of disease and medicine, celestial navigation, and more.

For centuries, Muslims were well ahead of other civilisation in the mastery of the sciences, medicine and mathematics. But around the Fifteenth century, new interpretations began to spread, saying that (Iqraq) referred to the reading and acquisition of religious knowledge only. And unfortunately, Muslims and their religious teachers stress more on “fardhu ‘ain” (the performance of prayers, fasting, alms-giving and the Haj) which earns merit only for oneself is more important in the afterlife than the “fardhu kifayah”, the injunction which required that Muslim communities must have among them individually whose ability and actions will serve in the defend and promotion of the welfare of their communities and of Islam itself.

Almost immediately after such teaching, the Muslim civilisation regressed whereas the European Christians, who were then living in the Dark Ages, noticed the superiority of Muslim civilisation and decided to acquire the knowledge of the Muslim. They learnt Arabic and studied scientific and other books in the great libraries of the Muslim world and make translation first into Latin and then into other European language. Thus the European Christians rapid advancement in science and technology and with their much-improved weaponry, they were able to project their power in many Muslim lands and to the Far East.

On Chapter 58: Education

Although I was Minister of Education, the details of the Islamic syllabus were determined by Pusat Islam.

Unfortunately, the syllabus that was adopted neglected instruction in the Islamic way of life and its character-building values (ad-din). Emphasis was instead placed largely on the proper performance of the rituals. Islam was taught as a religion of ritual, of dos and don’ts of formalistic requirements and prohibitions, not as a religion of far-reaching human and moral responsibility, not as a way of life. Worse, many of the Islamic religious teachers were supporters of PAS, who took opportunity — and abused their position and public trust — to implant political creed and outlook into the minds of their young students.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/01/why-isnt-my-daughter-with-me-yet-indira-asks-igp/

“The police are aware where Prasana is but she is not in my arms yet. Why?” she asked, adding that she had been waiting to hold her daughter for the past 10 years.

Referring to Hamid’s statement that he is looking for a “win-win solution” and a” happy ending”, Indira said: “I don’t know what he means because without Prasana there is no happy ending.”

He also called upon civil society to come forward to put pressure on the IGP “to do the right thing”, further stating Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had often spoken about following the rule of law.

He said in this case, even the higher officers seemed to be not following the rule of law.

Arun said 24 police reports had been lodged from March 2009 to July 2019 but no investigation papers had been opened as “Indira was not called”.

He said Ingat had also written to the police three times, in June, September and January 28, 2020, “pleading for them to update us on the action and results of the special task force. We do not know what the task force is doing”.

Is Malaysia law enforcement is now into MALIGNANT STAGE OF ENMITY TOWARDS OTHER GROUPS? When members of a group take the step of withdrawing empathy from members of other groups, limiting their concern and compassion to their fellows. They may act benevolently towards members of their own group, but be cruel and heartless to anyone outside it.

How can anyone condone an irresponsible and despicable father of taking away a new born baby from the mother and converted himself and the baby to other religion with clear motive of not for the love of his convert religion but for his own selfish motive of denying his former wife of seeing her own daughter or paying child support to his former wife?

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/01/police-acted-only-after-syed-saddiq-called-igp-says-ppbm-man/

Hannaan said the mob had blocked the sole entrance and exit of the venue and attempted to surround Syed Saddiq’s table. They then began hurling insults at Syed Saddiq.

Failure of education policy! When these learning places are not manned by the right people, they produce shameless bullies, irrational thugs and sick-minded bigots.

Good critical thinking is the foundation of science and democracy. Science requires the critical use of reason in experimentation and theory confirmation. The proper functioning of a liberal democracy requires citizens who can think critically about social issues to inform their judgments about proper governance and to overcome biases and prejudice.

In this age of Google and Wikipedia – Children just need to learn Socratic Method of questioning (cultivate curiosity), Plato's Cave (the habit of thinking out-of-the-box) and Epicurus (systematic examination of factual claims). Teach them to use their own brain effectively, creatively and critically, so that they can adapt to the fast changing global technocratic landscape in order to survive independently; without anyone to keep telling them the list of 'dos' and 'don'ts' in adulthood.

CRITICAL THINKING

A critical thinker is able to deduce consequences from what he knows, and he knows how to make use of information to solve problems, and to seek relevant sources of information to inform himself without a busybody second or third party. Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime!

Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do or what to believe. It includes the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the following:
1. Understand the logical connections between ideas
2. Identify, construct and evaluate arguments
3. Detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning
4. Solve problems systematically
5. Identify the relevance and importance of ideas
6. Reflect on the justification of one's own beliefs and values

A leader must have GUTS to do what is RIGHT! Eleanor Roosevelt, spouse of US President Franklin Roosevelt, said: “DO what you feel in your heart to be RIGHT, for you will be criticized anyway. You'll be DAMNED if you do, and DAMNED if you don't. "

The detractors of Tun’s education reform policy are quick to condemn Tun. It is my hope that Tun will have the resolute to see through the education reform needed to save our future generation and our beloved Malaysia. Perhaps Tun can appoint Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Strategic Studies and International Relations Department senior lecturer Dr. Sharifah Munirah Alatas as Director General of Education to kick start the education reform policy.

Thank you

Yours truly,

SS LEE

P/S: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2019/01/24/a-radical-proposal-on-religious-education-and-why-we-should-say-yes/