Batu Caves Condo Controversy: Temple Man Protests But His Children Bought Units

PETALING JAYA: While he has been part of a group protesting the construction of high-rise apartments in Batu Caves, his three children did just the opposite – they signed up to purchase units in the same project.

"Don't ask me, you'll have to ask my children," said Datuk A. T. Rajah (below), a long-standing committee member of the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in response.

This shocking revelation came as both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat continue trading barbs as to who was responsible for approving the two blocks of condominiums of 25 and 29 storeys on the fringe of the limestone caves.

The developer, Dolomite Industries Company Sdn Bhd, said that 70 percent of the 474 units in what has been named "Dolomite Park Avenue" has been sold and the first phase of development of 18 shophouses has been completed.

The names of Rajah's children – A. T. Kumararajah Thambyraja, Geetha Thamby Raja @ A. T. Rajah and Rajakumar Thambyraja appear in the list of purchasers, a copy of which was obtained by theSun.

Kumararajah is also listed as the temple's education sub-committee chairman.

However, the list is said to be incomplete as there is yet another list of "VIP purchasers" which includes officials of the local council and their relatives.

This contradiction of sorts comes in the wake of threats by the temple committee to initiate legal action against Dolomite.

On Oct 26, temple committee chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah and former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu spearheaded a protest against the development.

They gave the Selangor state government one month to issue a permanent stop-work order for the proposed development but the deadline expired two weeks ago.

The committee was upset that the high-rise development will block the view of the 42.7m Lord Murugan statue. It also raised issues of safety.

Nadarajah was quoted by the media as saying: "We will go all out to demand a stop to this development. If the building is constructed, the beauty of the Batu Caves reserve will be hidden behind it."

Rajah, when contacted, maintained he did not buy any units but did not deny his family members owning units there.

"I did not buy any units. My children – may be they could have bought. Don't ask me, you'll have to ask them," he said.

The project was approved in 2007 by the Selayang Municipal Council under the BN administration, but changes to the building plan was approved by the current Pakatan-led council in 2008.

Source : http://www.thesundaily.my/news/562707

Mahabharata – Bahagian 10

Raja Santanu mendengar syarat-syarat tambahan yang dikenakan oleh Gangga.

“Selepas tuanku memperisterikan saya nanti, tuanku mesti berjanji bahawa tuanku tidak akan menghalang apa-apa yang saya lakukan,” katanya sambil duduk dengan penuh sopan di tebing Sungai Ganges.

“Tidak menjadi masalah, wahai gadis rupawan. Apabila kau sudah menjadi isteri beta, kau akan menjadi permaisuri di Kerajaan Hastinapura. Tentu sahaja kau boleh melakukan apa-apa sahaja dan tidak akan ada sesiapa yang menghalang,” Santanu yang dilamun cinta cuba meyakinkan.

“Saya tidak kisah tentang orang lain. Saya mahu tuanku berjanji bahawa tuanku tidak akan menghalang saya. …”

“Baiklah.” Santanu ketawa sebelum menghampiri Gangga dan memegang tangannya dengan penuh kasih.

“Beta berjanji tidak akan menghalang apa-apa sahaja yang kau lakukan selepas kita berkahwin nanti.”

Gangga menguntumkan senyuman. Namun, masih ada kesayuan pada wajahnya. Bagaikan masih ada syarat-syarat dan peraturan berat yang perlu dipenuhi oleh raja itu jika mahu memperisterikannya.

“Tuanku juga mesti berjanji bahawa tuanku tidak akan mengecewakan saya,” gadis itu bersuara perlahan.

“Apa? Mengecewakan kau?” Santanu segera memegang dagu Gangga yang ayu. “Beta sekarang sedang dilamun cinta dan beta tergila-gila akan kau. Beta pasti tidak akan mengecewakan kau sama ada pada waktu siang atau malam.”

Gangga tersipu-sipu mendengar kata-kata yang diucapkan raja berkenaan.

“Kalau tuanku mengecewakan saya, maka saya akan segera meninggalkan tuanku dan istana.”

Senyuman pada wajah Santanu tiba-tiba hilang. Dipandangnya mata Gangga dengan penuh tanda tanya. Kemudian, baginda kembali tersenyum.

“Janganlah kau risau memikirkan soal itu, wahai gadis yang berjaya menambat hati beta. Beta berjanji tidak akan melakukan apa-apa perkara yang mungkin membuatkan kau berasa kecewa. Sebaliknya, beta berjanji akan membahagiakan kau pada setiap masa,” Santanu melafazkan janji setia.

“Maknanya, Gangga mengenakan tiga syarat kepada Raja Santanu. Bukankah begitu, datuk?” Hassan bertanya sambil menghitung pada jari.

“Benar. Ada tiga syarat utama yang dikenakan. Apakah syarat-syarat itu?” Datuk yang sedang bercerita mengemukakan pertanyaan kepada cucu-cucunya.

“Pertama, Raja Santanu tidak boleh bertanya perihal asal-usul Gangga dan identiti sebenar dirinya. Kedua, raja itu tidak boleh menghalang apa-apa sahaja yang dilakukan oleh Gangga selepas mereka berkahwin,” pantas Hussain menjawab.

“Syarat ketiga pula adalah bahawa Raja Santanu tidak akan mengecewakan Gangga pada bila-bila masa. Sekiranya salah satu janji itu dimungkiri dan wanita penuh misteri itu merasakan dirinya dikecewakan, maka dia akan meninggalkan raja dan istana,” Hassan menambah.

Datuk meneruskan kisah dengan menceritakan bahawa akhirnya Santanu dan Gangga berkahwin dalam suatu majlis yang gilang-gemilang. Gangga menjadi permaisuri di Kerajaan Hastinapura yang diwarisi keturunan Kuru.

Kehidupan pasangan itu ternyata aman dan bahagia. Tidak lama kemudian, Gangga mengandungkan anak sulung. Apabila cukup masa, lahirlah seorang putera yang comel. Santanu terasa amat gembira kerana sudah ada waris sulung untuk mengambil-alih tampuk pemerintahan selepas ketiadaannya.

Namun begitu, kegembiraan Santanu tidak bertahan lama. Beberapa jam sahaja selepas putera itu lahir, Gangga membawa bayi berkenaan ke tebing Sungai Ganges.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2012/12/09/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-10/

No gains from Deepavali carnival’

KLANG: The Malaysian Indian Textiles and General Stores Association (MITA) has claimed that many local Indian traders suffered substantial losses resulting from the Indian shopping carnivals and trade fairs held in the country.

MITA secretary Maheswary Ramasamy said the shopping carnivals held in conjunction with Deepavali last month drastically affected the livelihood of many local Indian businessmen in the Klang Valley, especially those in Little India, Brickfields.

“Such carnivals and trade fairs participated by foreign textile, handicraft and costume jewellery companies have affected the local traders’ good business during the festive season.

“It’s not fair for foreign traders to come into our country and take away the local traders’ business,” she said.
Indian trade fairs organised by local event management companies were originally meant to be participated by manufacturers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to introduce products like textiles, handicraft and costume jewellery to local traders.

Maheswary noted the objective had changed over the years as foreign traders involved in the trade fairs started doing retail sale to local customers.

The trade fairs had also become an avenue for foreign textile companies to sell their substandard and rejected items to vulnerable consumers.

She urged the relevant authorities to stop issuing permits to local event management companies that bring in foreign traders to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Surendran Subramaniam, a saree shop owner from Sungai Petani, Kedah, claimed he suffered 70% business losses due to the Deepavali carnival held at Bukit Jalil and Village Mall, Sungai Petani, recently.

“With all these trade fairs being organised in September, October and November, the good business we used to enjoy during Deepavali is also doomed,” he said, adding that local Indian traders can only expect good business during the festive season to recover their debts.

Another Indian trader from Penang who insisted on anonymity said many Indian traders selling lower range items in the island suffered losses of about 20% to 30% due to the Deepavali shopping carnivals and trade fairs.

“There were many stalls set up by organisers of such trade fairs at Penang International Sports Arena and this had badly affected the business of the surrounding Indian traders selling lower range items like clothings and imitation jewellery costing below RM100,” he said.


Source :-Bernama

Mahabharata – Bahagian 9

Kisah dalam epik Mahabharata bermula dengan penceritaan mengenai Raja Santanu daripada keturunan Kuru yang memerintah Kerajaan Hastinapura.

Pada suatu hari, Santanu berada di tebing Sungai Ganges apabila baginda terpandang seorang gadis yang terlalu rupawan. Hati baginda terus tergoda dan memutuskan untuk memperisterikan gadis yang tidak dikenali asal-usulnya itu.

“Beta pemerintah kerajaan ini. Sudikah kau menjadi isteri beta, sekali gus menjadi permaisuri bagi Kerajaan Hastinapura?” Demikian Santanu yang dilamun cinta berahi terus bertanya kepada gadis berkenaan.
Gadis itu pula kelihatan agak terkejut; apatah lagi tiba-tiba disapa dan ditawarkan peluang menjadi permaisuri. Gadis yang memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai Gangga berusaha menolak cinta Santanu secara penuh sopan.

“Maafkan saya, tuanku. Tapi tuanku tidak mengenali saya. Apakah semata-mata kerana tertarik pada rupa fizikal saya, maka tuanku bersedia untuk memperisterikan saya dan menjadikan saya permaisuri di kerajaan ini?”

Santanu yang sedang dilamun cinta berahi mengakui bahawa itulah yang sebenarnya berlaku. Baginda tidak kisah tentang asal-usul serta apa-apa perkara mengenai latar belakang Gangga. Apa yang penting adalah bahawa gadis itu bersedia menjadi teman hidupnya.

“Begitu mudah seorang raja membuat keputusan untuk berkahwin dengan seorang wanita yang langsung tidak dikenali?” Hussain bertanya apabila datuk menghentikan sebentar penceritaannya.

“Yalah, datuk. Sebagai seorang raja yang disegani dan dipandang tinggi oleh penduduk Kerajaan Hastinapura, tindakan Raja Santanu kedengaran amat tidak wajar dan membelakangkan kedudukan sebagai keturunan diraja,” tambah Hassan pula.

Datuk memilih untuk tidak menghalang pasangan kembar itu mengeluarkan pandangan dan komentar mengenai kandungan epik yang terkenal itu. Memanglah wajar segala kisah yang dipaparkan di dalamnya dianalisis, diteliti, dibahas dan diperkatakan mengikut konteks semasa.
“Demikianlah nampaknya apa yang berlaku dan diceritakan pula oleh Vyasa dalam teks Jaya. Ingat lagi teks itu?”
“Ya, datuk. Teks itu kemudian dikembangkan menjadi epik Bharata dan seterusnya menjadi Mahabharata yang sedang kita perkatakan,” Hassan menjawab sebelum Hussain sempat membuka mulut.

Datuk mengangguk sebelum membelek-belek halaman buku Razmnameh yang merupakan terjemahan epik berkenaan dalam Bahasa Parsi. Kemudian, beliau meneruskan cerita.

“Wahai gadis jelita, kau mintalah apa sahaja yang kau mahu. Beta akan berikan. Mintalah kesemua harta milik beta atau mintalah supaya seluruh Kerajaan Hastinapura ini diserahkan kepada kau. Atau mintalah nyawa beta. Semuanya sanggup beta serahkan asalkan kau sudi menjadi isteri beta,” Santanu meraju tanpa segan-silu.

Gadis yang ternyata jelitawan dan menggoda paras rupanya itu akhirnya bersetuju untuk berkahwin dengan raja berkenaan. Santanu gembira bukan kepalang dan terus melonjak kegembiraan di tebing Sungai Ganges.
Akan tetapi, Gangga mengenakan beberapa syarat yang wajib dipatuhi oleh Santanu tanpa sebarang persoalan.

“Syarat pertama adalah bahawa tuanku tidak akan bertanya apa-apa mengenai asal-usul dan identiti sebenar saya,” gadis ayu itu berkata dengan tegas tetapi manja sambil duduk di sisi Santanu.

“Beta setuju,” raja itu menjawab dengan segera. “Beta tidak kisah tentang asal-usul kau. Apa yang penting adalah bahawa kau bersedia menjadi isteri beta, mampu membahagiakan beta dan layak melahirkan waris beta. Malah, kau akan menjadi permaisuri di Kerajaan Hastinapura.”

“Tapi itu baru syarat pertama. Dengarlah syarat-syarat seterusnya,” kata Gangga.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2012/12/02/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-9/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 8

Seorang lagi individu yang berpeluang belajar kisah Jaya daripada Suka ialah Parikshit. Ada pun, raja itu merupakan anak kepada Abhimanyu, cucu kepada Arjuna dan cicit kepada Pandu.

Hal ini bermakna bahawa keturunan Pandu berpeluang mendengar kisah (sejarah) generasi terdahulu menerusi sebuah epik yang digubah oleh Vyasa dengan menggambungkan unsur sejarah dan sastera.

Pelajar kepada Vyasa yang dianggap paling tekun dan berminat ialah Vaisampayana. Pelajar itu pula kemudian diminta oleh Janamejaya – putera kepada Parikshit – supaya menyampaikan kisah Jaya kepada golongan manusia – orang kebanyakan – supaya kehebatan keturunan Kuru dapat diketahui umum.

Suatu perkara yang menarik untuk diperhatikan adalah bahawa Vaisampayana mengambil kisah Jaya yang disampaikan oleh Vyasa dan melakukan sedikit pengubah suaian. Hasilnya, versi yang disampaikan kepada orang kebanyakan adalah epik yang dinamakan Bharata.

Mulut Hassan dan Hussain terlopong. Mata mereka terbeliak. Otak mereka ligat berusaha mencerna pelbagai maklumat baru yang disampaikan datuk.

Brickfields history to be wiped out

Journalist and pastor Balan Moses, who grew up in Brickfields, feels that there is very little being done to conserve the nostalgic and historical past of this part of Kuala Lumpur.

Unfortunately, the historical 100 Government Quarters in the area will be demolished to make way for modern buildings, Moses notes in his book Brickfields and Beyond: Stories from the Past to be launched tomorrow.

“The iconic Hundred Quarters along Jalan Rozario and Jalan Chan Ah Tong, which is to be demolished next year (2013) as part of a redevelopment project, should be preserved for posterity.

“I feel that the authorities should consider modifying the re-development proposal to maintain some semblance of history by retaining some of the facades of the quarters. I agree that one cannot stop development but some thought should be placed on preserving heritage buildings like these,” said Moses, who is now an editorial trainer at New Straits Times.

Moses is inviting all those who have lived in Brickfields in the 1950s and 60s to attend the launch at the Lutheran Church in Brickfields at 10am. “We can discuss ways of conserving whatever remains of the old Brickfields’ heritage can be conserved.”

Moses said that conservation had been managed very well in some parts of the city where the facades of late 19th century and early 20th century shophouses had been retained with some measure of architectural ingenuity.

There are plans to build a multi-storey car park and hawker stalls in place of the historic Hundred Quarters. “Imagine having stalls and restaurants in buildings that are a throwback to a time long gone. Tourists and locals may very well appreciate the history that comes with the food.

 “The Hundred Quarters where I lived for 15 years epitomises the neighbourhood that has grown on me over the years. I, like many others, feel the imminent loss of the place that shaped many a world view,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

Moses has used the uniqueness of the time they lived in as the backdrop for the stories. “All of them are stories culled from half-remembered tales from my childhood and youth, a melange of fact and fiction,” he said.

He has also attempted to include social commentary on the traditions, customs, conventions and practices among Malayans, and later Malaysians, on issues like class differences, romance and nation-building within a multi-racial populace.

The book will be launched by former Malaysian Bar Council president Dr Cyrus Das. It is an anthology of 15 short stories set in Kuala Lumpur’s historic suburb of Brickfields in the 1950s and 1960s.

This is Moses’ second effort at putting down for posterity the lifestyle, ethos and character of a community in a bygone era. He has moved genre to fiction by bringing to life some of the characters featured in his first book, Brickfields: A Place, A Time, A Memory published in 2007.

Brickfields and Beyond: Stories From The Past may be reminiscent of the past for most Malaysians who grew up in such small enclaves around the country in the 1950s and 1960s. It may also prove to be of benefit to younger readers wanting to experience a way of life redolent of the past when things were far less complicated than they are now.

“As development changes the face of Brickfields, this book may help readers conjure pictures in their mind’s eye of a time gone past that will surely never return.”

Moses, who has also been pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church Brickfields for the past five years, is contributing all proceeds from the sale of the books to the Hands Across Brickfields project which he initiated three years ago.

Under the project, nearly 200 packets of food are distributed to the poor of Brickfields, including destitute single-parent families, drug addicts and the homeless, every Sunday afternoon at the compound of the church.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/214921

Mahabharata – Bahagian 7

Selepas perjanjian termeterai antara Ganesha dan Vyasa, maka proses menyanyikan dan mendokumentasikan kisah Jaya pun bermula.

Vyasa menyampaikan kisah kompleks keturunan Kuru dalam bentuk epik dan puisi yang dinyanyikan berdasarkan apa yang dihafaznya selama ini.

Dewa berkepala gajah pula mendengar dengan teliti dan memahami sepenuhnya kisah kompleks itu sebelum mencatatkannya dalam bentuk tulisan sepertimana diminta oleh maharishyi berkenaan.

Ruang waktu yang digunakan oleh Ganesha untuk menghayati dan memahami kisah yang dinyanyikan oleh Vyasa memberikan pula peluang kepada pendeta itu untuk memikirkan serta menggubah stanza-stanza baru untuk dinyanyikan.

“Jadi, apakah Vyasa sekadar mereka-reka kisah Jaya yang disampaikan itu?” Demikian Hassan bertanya dengan penuh rasa ingin tahu.

“Yalah. Bukankah epik Mahabharata yang berasaskan pada epik Jaya dianggap sebagai teks kudus dan teks sejarah?” Hussain juga tidak mahu melepaskan peluang untuk mengemukakan kemusykilan.

Datuk berfikir sebentar. Ternyata beliau tidak mahu terburu-buru memberikan jawapan berupa penjelasan yang mungkin mengeruhkan keadaan. Lebih teruk lagi jika penerangan yang diberikannya boleh ditafsirkan sebagai cuba mempersoalkan kredibiliti Vyasa sebagai individu pertama yang mendokumentasikan kisah yang dipercayai berlaku di Hastinapura.

“Saya serahkan persoalan itu kepada kamu sendiri untuk memikirkan. Bagaimanapun, tidaklah menghairankan jika seorang tokoh seperti Vyasa memerlukan masa untuk berfikir dan menggubah ayat-ayat yang paling sesuai dalam bentuk stanza berdasarkan kisah yang sudah dihafaznya,” datuk cuba menghuraikan.

Pasangan kembar yang tekun mendengar cerita datuk kelihatan termenung seketika. Mereka mengangguk-angguk kecil sebagai tanda memahami logik yang diperkatakan oleh datuk.

Hasil daripada pembacaan dan rujukan pelbagai sumber yang sahih, Hassan dan Hussain juga sedar bahawa teks Razmnameh dalam bahasa Parsi yang ada pada mereka adalah terjemahan daripada teks Mahabharata yang dikarang dalam tulisan Sanskrit. Teks itu sendiri sudah melalui suatu proses pengubah suaian yang agak banyak sejak Vyasa menyanyikan kisah Jaya untuk ditulis oleh Ganesha.

Sesudah teks Jaya dikarang dan didokumentasikan dalam bentuk bertulis, Vyasa terasa amat lega kerana sudah ada sumber rujukan yang sahih. Walaupun apabila dia meninggal dunia nanti, akan wujud teks bertulis yang boleh dijadikan rujukan.

Dalam pada itu, maharishyi berkenaan tetap berusaha memperturunkan kisah epik keturunan Kuru kepada anaknya, Suka. Epik Jaya turut diajar kepada para pengikutnya yang berminat mengetahui kandungan sebuah epik agung yang bakal menggegarkan dunia.

Adalah dipercayai bahawa Narada berpeluang mendengar kisah berkenaan, lalu menyampaikan (menyanyikan) kepada golongan dewa di kayangan dengan iringan veenai (bukan tambura) yang sering dibawanya.

Sementara itu, Suka – anak Vyasa – pula terlibat dalam usaha bersungguh-sungguh menyampaikan kisah Jaya kepada golongan gandhara, raksasa dan yaksha.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2012/11/18/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-7/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 6

“Sebaik sahaja awak mula menyanyikan kisah yang mahu disampaikan, saya akan mula menulis,” kata Ganesha kepada Vyasa.

“Itukah sahaja syaratnya?”

“Syarat utama adalah bahawa awak tidak boleh menghentikan penceritaan awak melalui nyanyian sepanjang proses penulisan ini.”

“Maksudnya?” Vyasa meminta kepastian daripada dewa berkepala gajah yang sedang duduk bersila di hadapannya.

“Sebaik sahaja awak menyanyikan satu stanza, saya akan mula menulis kisah itu dalam bentuk tulisan bagi tujuan dokumentasi seperti yang awak impikan.”

“Benar. Itulah yang saya harapkan.” Masih ada nada kemusykilan pada suara Vyasa.

“Sebaik sahaja saya selesai mencatat stanza itu dalam bentuk bertulis, awak wajib menyanyikan stanza seterusnya. Boleh?”

Vyasa memandang wajah gajah yang dimiliki Ganesha.

“Kenapa syarat seperti itu yang diletakkan oleh Ganesha?” Hussain bertanya kepada datuk yang sedang menceritakan mengenai asal-usul teks epik Mahabharata.

“Saya rasa syarat yang diletakkan Ganesha tidak patut menjadi masalah atau isu kepada Vyasa. Bukankah maharishyi itu sudah menghafaz keseluruhan kisah yang mahu disampaikannya?” Demikian Hassan pula mencelah.

Datuk kepada pasangan kembar itu tersenyum sambil kedua-dua tangannya memegang erat teks Razmnameh yang merupakan terjemahan epik Mahabharata dalam Bahasa Parsi.

“Tentulah ada sebab mengapa Dewa Ganesha meletakkan syarat itu. Pada masa yang sama,” kata datuk sambil memandang Hassan dan Hussain silih berganti, “jangan lupa bahawa kisah mengenai syarat yang diletakkan itu itu juga dipercayai adalah sebahagian daripada kisah yang diceritakan oleh Vyasa dan direkodkan oleh Ganesha.”

“Oh, memang absurd,” kata Hussain sementara matanya bercahaya merenung ke arah datuk.

“Ya, sangat sureal,” Hassan menambah. “Jadi, apa yang berlaku selepas itu, datuk?”

Datuk meneruskan cerita bahawa Vyasa – maharishyi yang bijak dan berjaya memujuk Brahma dan Ganesha melalui pertapaan – bersetuju dengan syarat yang diletakkan oleh dewa berkepala gajah.

“Saya bersetuju dan berjanji akan akur sepenuhnya pada syarat yang diletakkan. Akan tetapi, saya juga perlu mengemukakan syarat tambahan sebagai pelengkap kepada syarat yang anda letakkan itu,” kata Vyasa dengan tegas tetapi penuh hormat.

Ganesha ketawa sehingga belalainya terangkat dan perut buncit pula terhinggut-hinggut.

“Syarat tambahan apa pula yang mahu awak letakkan untuk menguji saya?”

Vyasa senyum kecil. Dia sedar bahawa dalam keadaan sekarang, dia tidak boleh meletakkan terlalu banyak syarat. Tambahan pula, dia yang memerlukan bantuan khidmat Dewa Ganesha untuk merakamkan kisah yang mahu diceritakannya dalam bentuk bertulis.

Bukan Ganesha yang memerlukan saya, tetapi saya yang memerlukannya. Maka, saya perlu sangat berhati-hati. Demikian fikirnya.

“Beginilah. Saya setuju dengan syarat bahawa sebaik sahaja anda selesai menulis satu stanza yang saaya nyanyikan, maka saya perlu segera menyanyikan stanza seterusnya,” kata Vyasa dengan penuh diplomatik.
“Ya, benar. Itulah syarat saya.”

“Syarat tambahan saya pula adalah bahawa selepas saya menyanyikan satu stanza, anda wajib memahami sepenuhnya makna kisah yang terkandung dalam stanza berkenaan sebelum mencatatkannya dalam bentuk tulisan.”

Dewa Ganesha tersenyum sambil mengangguk-angguk.

“Saya suka akan permainan ini! Baik, saya setuju dengan syarat yang awak letakkan."


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2012/11/11/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-6/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 5

“Jadi, awak akan bercerita dan tugas saya adalah merekodkannya dalam bentuk bertulis?” Ganesha bertanya untuk mendapatkan pengesahan daripada Vyasa.

“Ya, benar. Saya sudah menghafaz cerita yang maha hebat ini sejak dahulu. Cabaran kini adalah untuk mendokumentasikannya sementara saya masih ada,” maharishyi itu mengakui tanpa berselindung.

Menyedari hakikat dan realiti tradisi lisah, Vyasa tahu bahawa kisah yang digubahnya pasti akan berubah – mengalami proses tokok-tambah – apabila disampaikan secara lisan daripada seorang individu kepada individu lain.

Proses itu adalah perkara yang lumrah dan memang tidak menjadi kesalahan. Malah, epik yang dirangka oleh maharishyi itu dalam bentuk puisi adalah juga kisah yang ditokok-tambah bagi menjadikan penceritaan, plot, watak, perwatakan, tema, persoalan dan sebagainya lebih menarik serta mengundang rasa ingin tahu khalayak pendengar.

Pada masa sama, Vyasa sedar bahawa selepas epik yang mahu disampaikannya itu didokumentasikan dalam bentuk bertulis – dengan judul Jaya – pasti masih akan ada tukang cerita pada masa hadapan yang merombak, mengubah dan menokok-tambah cerita mengikut peredaran zaman. Malah, epik itu akan diterjemah ke pelbagai bahasa dan mengalami perubahan mengikut citarasa setempat.

Semua itu tidak menjadi masalah kepada Vyasa. Impian dan cita-citanya adalah untuk memastikan epik yang dikarangnya dalam bentuk puisi lisan dirakam dalam bentuk bertulis untuk rujukan zaman-berzaman. Itulah khazanah yang mahu ditinggalkannya untuk dunia.

“Tidak bolehkah Vyasa menulis sendiri epik yang diimpikannya itu?” Demikian Hussain bertanya apabila datuk berhenti sebentar untuk meneguk teh suam di dalam cawan.

“Yalah, datuk,” Hassan turut mencelah. “Tak bolehkah maharishyi itu mendapatkan perkhidmatan manusia biasa untuk menjalankan tugas sebagai tukang tulis profesional?”

Datuk ketawa kecil selepas mengelap bibir. Beliau membetulkan duduk di atas kerusi kayu di halaman rumah. Angin petang bertiup nyaman.

“Boleh sahaja Vyasa berbuat begitu. Akan tetapi, dia mahu epik yang dikarangnya mempunyai nilai tambah, iaitu didokumentasikan oleh seorang dewa. Bukahkah itu tujuan Vyasa melakukan pertapaan kepada Dewata?”

Pasangan kembar Hassan dan Hussain mengangguk hampir serentak. Datuk pula meneruskan cerita mengenai bagaimana akhirnya kata sepakat dicapai antara Vyasa dan Ganesha, si dewa berkepala gajah.

“Saya bersetuju untuk memikul tugas ini dengan senang hati. Akan tetapi saya mahu meletakkan suatu syarat yang wajib dipatuhi.” Demikian kata Ganesha sambil duduk bersila di hadapan Vyasa.

“Syarat apakah itu?” Vyasa bertanya dengan penuh debar; umpama peserta kuiz di televisyen yang perlu memenuhi syarat tertentu sebelum layak meneruskan cabaran bagi merebut peluang memenangi hadiah lumayan yang ditawarkan.

“Sebaik sahaja awak mula bercerita, saya akan memulakan tugas menulis kisah itu dengan sempurna tanpa menokok-tambah walau sepatah perkataan dan suku kata. Jangan difikirkan soal bagaimana saya akan memastikan akan ada bekalan dakwat yang berterusan pada mata pena sepanjang proses penulisan ini.”
Vyasa mengerutkan kening. Apakah perangkap yang sedang cuba dipasang oleh dewa berkepala gajah itu?


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2012/11/04/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-5/

PAS bela bekas buruh paksa Jepun

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS Perak berazam untuk membela hak bekas buruh paksa dan waris yang terlibat dalam pembinaan landasan maut sepanjang 415km dari  Thailand  ke Burma semasa Perang Dunia Kedua (1942-1946).

Melalui penubuhan Sekretariat Jejak, bekas Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Seri Ir Nizar Jamaluddin berkata pihaknya akan menjejaki bekas buruh landasan dan waris mereka bagi membantu menyelesaikan konflik tuntutan pampasan  ‘Wang Berdarah’ yang diberikan oleh kerajaan Jepun sebagai ganti rugi berjumlah RM207 billion.

Nizar berkata, dengan jumlah itu setiap keluarga dianggarkan layak menerima sehingga RM3 juta wang pampasan.

Katanya, setakat ini pihaknya berjaya mengesan seramai123 waris keluarga buruh berkenaan di Perak dan 347 waris di Pahang.

Nizar mendakwa, berdasarkan laporan sebuah laman web pihak berkuasa di Jepun, pembayaran telah dibuat kepada Malaysia oleh kerajaan Jepun sejak zaman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad menjadi Perdana Menteri tetapi sehingga kini tiada penjelasan diberikan kerajaan Malaysia.

Beliau yang juga Pengerusi Sekretariat berkata, wujud satu nota yang disahkan oleh Gabenor Bank Negara bertarikh 13 Disember 2004 berhubung jumlah dana bernilai RM207 billion yang sepatutnya diberikan kepada 30,000 bekas buruh terbabit.

Surat tertentu

“Ada surat-surat tertentu yang dikeluarkan Kementerian Kewangan kepada persatuan yang mengesahkan wang tersebut dalam simpanan mereka (kerajaan).

“Misalnya surat bertarikh 29 Mac lalu, satu memo daripada Kementerian Kewangan kepada Pengerusi Persatuan Bekas dan Waris Buruh menyatakan dana itu telah diangkat untuk kelulusan kerajaan dimana prosesnya dimaklumkan kepada pejabat Peguam Negara dan peringkat Sumber Manusia.

“Perkara ini disahkan Menteri Kewangan, (wang) masih dalam simpanan.

“Kalau masih disimpan mengapa tidak diberikan kepada rakyat,” soalnya

Menurut Nizar, seramai 72,000 penduduk Tanah Melayu pada ketika itu dikerah dan hanya 30,000 orang daripada mereka yang kembali ke Malaysia sementara selebihnya gagal dikesan.

Sekembalinya mereka ke tanah air, satu pertubuhan dibentuk yang digelar Persatuan Kebajikan Bekas Dan Waris Buruh Binaan Landasan Kereta Api Siam Ke Burma Tahun 1942-1946.

Mengikut pecahan, jumlah 30,000 buruh ini mellibatkan 60 peratus bangsa Melayu, 20 peratus India, 15 peratus Cina dan 5 peratus bangsa lain.

Sekiranya mereka masih hidup, umur mereka dianggarkan antara 80 hingga 85 tahun.Sejak didaftarkan secara rasmi pada 11 Januari 2011, persatuan terbabit telah memohon beberapa kali untuk mendapatkan wang pampasan dari kerajaan Malaysia tetapi hingga kini masih gagal.

Waris dan bekas buruh berkenaan boleh menghubungi Sekreteriat Jejak melalui talian 019-231 6539 dan 013-3266194.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/11/07/pas-bela-bekas-buruh-paksa-jepun/

Hindu voters get Deepavali 'love letter' from Najib

In conjunction with Deepavali the coming Tuesday, a number of voters in Selangor have received greeting cards coupled with a letter signed by Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak, calling on them to embrace the concept of 1Malaysia.

The colourful printed letters together with the greeting card sent through snail mail appears to target Indian voters who are Hindus in the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled state.

The voting details of the recipients are also printed on the letter, including the name, polling district, and the state and parliamentary constituencies.

The one-page letter with the 1Malaysia, BN and other logos that bear the the wordings "Sayangi Selangor, Yakini BN" (Love Selangor, Trust BN) and "Pusat Khidmat Rakyat BN Selangor (Pakar)" (Selangor BN people service centre), carry a special message from the prime minister, in Bahasa Malaysia and in Tamil.

In the 'love letter', Najib highlights his much vaunted 1Malaysia concept, stressing that it was introduced and implemented to strengthen unity among Malaysians.

This BN concept by BN, he says, can be fully enjoyed only if it is received by the people with open arms, regardless of their differences in race, religion and culture.

"The concept of 1Malaysia is one of the important elements for BN to continue to develop the nation towards advancement."

Najib also touches on the recently tabled Budget 2013 that has proposed various incentives "focusing on improving the quality of life".

"It is hoped that the incentives proposed will reduce the burdens, especially those caused by the impact of global inflation that is being faced by all Malaysians regardless of position and status," he says in the letter.

Najib concludes his message by stressing that the Festival of Lights is a symbol of positiveness as it rejects all negative elements. He hopes all Malaysian Hindus will celebrate the festival in the spirit of 1Malaysia.

This is not BN's first attempt to engage Selangor voters through the traditional campaign route.

During the Malaysia Day period in September, young voters in the state received a letter signed by Najib which, in three languages, urged them to drop the "confrontational culture".

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/213680

Critics pan Petronas' Deepavali advertisment

This year's Petronas advertisement wishing Hindus ‘Happy Deepavali' is a far cry from the late film maker Yasmin Ahmad's affectionate, meaningful and memorable works.

The three-minute festive clip ‘Let's do the Dappan' - a musical depicting people dancing in the streets - is in bad taste, according to many viewers.

Wikipedia explains ‘Dappan Kuthu' as: "The musical can be heard being played in houses where death has occurred to reduce or to suppress the sound of crying or to inform others about a death in Tamil villages. It is a typical song genre that goes along with liquor and pickle."

Launched on YouTube on Sunday, the Happy Deepavali advertisement is expected to hit the airwaves this weekend and has already drawn negative comments in the social media.

One YouTube comment states: "For God's sake, do some research on the Indian festive season... Seriously, in what way does this represent Indian culture?"

Another YouTube comment noted: "This is worst ad I have ever seen for Deepavali. It is a disgrace and insult.

"It's a thumbs down for the one who conceptualised the ad. Please don't ever play this ad on TV. I missed Yasmin Ahmad's ad."

Former Malaysian Hindu Sangam president A Vaithilingam said: "It is a controversial advertisement from the start. It shows gangster-like Indian characters causing havoc in the community.

"The clip stereotypes Indians negatively as the ones creating traffic jams by dancing in the middle of the streets.

"It is something typified with the Hindraf movement and Bersih 3.0 to insinuate that Indians are to be blamed for causing traffic jams. This should be stopped and removed from YouTube and the airwaves immediately."

Advertisement targeted at youth

Senator S Ramakrishnan who has also seen the clip on YouTube, said although the Petronas advertisement was targeted at the youth, it glorified a passing trend which will soon fade.

According to him, the clip does not represent the more than 5,000-year-old Indian culture or the sentiment of celebrating Deepavali among Hindus the world over.

"The advertisement does not portray Indian culture, but is based on the current trend of Tamil films that depict violence, gangsterism and idol worship of film stars.

"At the end of the advertisement, the hero character emulates Rajinikanth, a Tamil cinema superstar. It portrays Indians as being a nuisance to society, who should not be taken seriously."

Although the advertisement attempted to be hilarious, Ramakrishnan said it puts Indians in bad light showing them street urchins and delinquents.

A film director who has seen the Petronas Deepavali advertisement said it was quite clear that it was produced by a team of non-Indians or poorly-advised Indians who do not really understand Indian culture and values.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/213529

PI Bala threatens to bare all if MACC keeps mum

Private investigator P Balasubramaniam has threatened to expose more details of attempts to bribe him in relation to his 2008 statutory declaration (SD) linking Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

In a letter to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) that Malaysiakini has sighted, Balasubramaniam who is in hiding in India said the information he possesses is already in the hands of foreign journalists and would be released if the commission continues to do nothing.

"My lawyer is holding everything for me. Also foreign journalists have everything. (They are) just waiting for my instructions and then (they) will release everything.

"By then (it would be) too late. As I said, please inform me or my lawyer within seven days, otherwise I am not responsible for what happens," he wrote.

In the letter dated Nov 2, Balasubramaniam expressed frustration at MACC's inaction.

"Why is the MACC not doing anything about my case since 2008? Is it because it involves the prime minister?

"My case is very clear, you don't have to investigate much. I have already given you all the evidence you need," he wrote.

He noted that the MACC had initially asked for an interview with him in London, but had not turned up at the last minute.

Subsequently, Balasubramaniam said he had answered all of MACC's questions which were couriered to him.

"You will recall that I assisted you by answering all your questions and had my affidavit affirmed and sworn before a notary in London as you requested.

"My lawyers then personally delivered this affidavit to your office in Putrajaya in August 2010," wrote the PI.

‘Bribed to implicate PKR’

Balasubramaniam claims that some people had bribed him to get him to implicate PKR leaders, including party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, of paying him to commit perjury in his 2008 SD linking Najib with the murdered translator.

He said he was approached by the same people - businessman Deepak Jaikishan and a police officer by the name of Suresh - who had threatened and subsequently paid him a substantial amount, to sign a second SD to say that his first sworn statement was made “under duress’.

A key figure in the Altantuya murder controversy, Balasubramaniam fled to India with his family after signing the second SD.

Balasubramaniam later said that since then, Deepak and Suresh again approached him in April last year to bribe him to implicate PKR leaders.

In his letter to MACC, he complained, "I have given you enough time (to act), so far nothing has happened, zero.

"I am sitting here in India and cannot come back to Malaysia as I am afraid for my safety. I have got no job. How long do you think I can survive?" he wrote.

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/213408

Hindraf and Anwar finally meet

For the first time since its inception, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has officially met PKR's top brass, including Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, to discuss issues affecting the Indian community.

The Hindraf delegation was led by the movement's chairperson P Waythamoorthy (right), who appear to have a less acrimonious relationship with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, compared to his brother Uthayakumar.

Uthayakumar is Hindraf's most recognisable face who was the movement's de facto leader in Waythamoorthy's absence. The latter was in self-imposed exile since December 2007 and returned on Aug 1.

Under Uthayakumar's stewardship, Pakatan components, save for PAS, have repeatedly avoided any high-level talks with Hindraf. Uthayakumar has since formed the Human Rights Party, which threatens to contest seats currently held by Pakatan.

Mahabharata – Bahagian 4

Hussain dan Hassan masih terpegun mendengar kisah yang disampaikan oleh datuk mereka. Nampaknya kisah di sebalik penghasilan epik Jaya – yang menjadi asas kepada epik Mahabharata – juga amat menarik dan wajar diketahui.

“Saya memerlukan khidmat tukang tulis terhebat untuk berkolobrasi dengan saya bagi menjayakan projek mega ini,” kata Vyasa dengan penuh hormat kepada Brahma yang menjelma di hadapannya.

Selepas berfikir sebentar, Brahma memutuskan bahawa Ganapathi adalah pilihan terbaik untuk memikul tugas penting dan berat ini. Tambahan pula, dewa berkepala gajah itu masih bujang dan tentu tidak menghadapi masalah untuk meluangkan masa yang lama bersama-sama Vyasa. Tidak akan ada isteri atau kekasih yang cemburu buta.

Teks yang dicadangkan oleh Vyasa pastilah sebuah epik yang panjang dan memerlukan masa yang lama untuk dikarang atau dirakam dalam bentuk tulisan. Brahma, Vishnu dan Shiva serta pasangan masing-masing sibuk dengan tugas hakiki dan sukar memberikan komitmen tinggi yang diperlukan bagi menjayakan projek mega menghasilkan teks berdasarkan penceritaan lisan oleh Vyasa.

Traders rally at PM's door as gloomy Deepavali looms

With only about two weeks left to Deepavali, some 40 Brickfields petty traders today took to Putrajaya in a last ditch attempt to have their traditional festive bazaar site for the last eight years restored.

Converging outside the Prime Minister's Department under the scorching afternoon sun, the traders unfurled banners and chanted slogans, appealing for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to intervene in the matter.

The protest comes after weeks of negotiations with the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry failed to yield results.

The traders are upset that their Deepavali bazaar site had been moved from Jalan Tun Sambathan - the main Brickfields thoroughfare - to the inner street Jalan Berhala, which they say has adversely affected their business.

"There is only about two weeks left before the bazaar ends. Business in the new area is very bad.

“I will not be able to recoup my investment if they don't let us move back," said a frustrated garments trader Joseph Nathan.

Launch nationwide protest, Indians urged

PETALING JAYA: MIC president G Palanivel has called on Indians to launch a nationwide protest against the proposed condominium project slated to be built near Batu Caves temple.

In a statement today, Palanivel also urged non-governmental organisations, irrespective of their political leanings, to voice objections against the 29-storey condominium project.

“The Selangor state government should stop this project. A mere stop-work order to conduct soil tests at the vicinity is not enough,” he said.

On Monday, the Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple chairman R Nadarajah raised objections against the proposed condominium project by Dolotime Industries, slated on a land beside the temple.

The project was approved by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

Selangor state executive councillor for local government, Ronnie Liu, later issued a temporary stop- work order to conduct soil tests on the land to ensure the construction would not damage temple statues.

The temple committee plans to hold a protest tomorrow to pressure the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government and the developer to stop the project.

nPalanivel, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said that the state government should look for an alternative land for the condominium project, claiming the soil near the caves was not suitable.

“The hills in Batu Caves are made of limestones. The area tends to become soggy whenever there is a downpour. Development work there may cause the caves and the condominium to collapse in years to come,” said Palanivel.

He added that the soil test is not going to prove anything in the long run.

Palanivel also urged the state government to compensate Dolomite for its losses.

“Hulu Kelang is a water catchment area. It should be left on untouched,” he said.

The condominium project was approved on Sept 27, 2007 when the state was under Barisan Nasional’s administration.

The temple committee had taken fullpage advertisements in major Tamil dailies today to urge people to participate in the rally at temple compound tomorrow.



Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/25/launch-nationwide-protest-indians-urged/

Ambiga, a people's hero but no politician

Though the event “Datuk Ambiga (Sreenevasan) Bersama Rakyat” in Kedah yesterday seemed like a political outing, the Bersih icon was quick to dismiss the notion when she said “we are not politicians”.

“We are not fighting for BN (Barisan Nasional) or Pakatan Rakyat. We are fighting for you. We want your vote to mean something. We want to make sure they do not steal the value of your vote.

“Whoever comes into power, we should be able to remove them in five years if they are not good,” added the Bersih co-coordinator, as the largely Indian crowd in Paya Besar clapped thunderously.

“We also want the government to support Bersih (the electoral reform coalition). It’s been 55 years, one of the longest (rule) in the world. It is time to make our politicians accountable”.

The pouring rain in Padang Serai failed to deter 1,000-odd crowd  who turned up at the Bersih event yesterday evening, led by Kulim Hindraf chief M Asokan, and other local NGOs.

Ambiga was accompanied by a string of other speakers including Kedah state executive council member Aishah Ghazali, Selambau assemblyperson S Manikumar, PKR vice-president N Surendran, Kedah senator Saiful Idzham, Suaram ecretariat member Cynthia Gabriel and National Indian Action Team chairperson Thasleem Mohd.

Mahabharata – Bahagian 3

Pasangan kembar Hussain dan Hassan tekun mendengar kisah yang disampaikan oleh datuk mereka mengenai Vyasa iaitu individu yang dikreditkan sebagai pengarang epik Mahabharata yang terkenal di serata dunia.

“Vyasa ialah anak kepada Maharishyi Parasara. Kamu berdua sudah sedia tahu mengenai epik Jaya yang dihasilkan oleh Vyasa dan kemudian digabungkan dengan epik Bharata untuk menghasilkan Mahabharata,” kata datuk sambil memegang erat teks Razmnameh yang merupakan terjemahan epik berkenaan ke Bahasa Parsi.

Menurut lelaki tua itu, selepas Vyasa menggubah sepenuhnya epik kisah perang tersebut secara lisan dalam minda, dia memutuskan untuk merakamkannya dalam bentuk tulisan sebagai bahan dokumentasi bagi generasi akan datang.

Pujangga dan pemikir itu dilaporkan mengadakan meditasi dengan penuh khusyuk; memohon petunjuk daripada Dewata bagi merealisasikan impiannya menghasilkan teks Jaya – versi asal Mahabharata – dalam bentuk bertulis. Langkah proaktif ini juga bagi memastikan gubahan yang dipenuhi pelbagai unsur budaya, dharma, moral, etika dan sebagainya tidak hilang begitu sahaja selepas ketiadaannya suatu hari nanti.

“Penduduk beragama Hindu di Benua Kecil India percaya bahawa Brahma muncul di hadapan Vyasa berikutan meditasi yang dilakukannya. Lalu, Brahma iaitu dewa pencipta bertanya kepada maharishyi itu, apa yang dimahukannya.”

Hassan dan Hussain terus khusyuk mendengar cerita daripada datuk. Sambil mendengar, mereka membiarkan daya imaginasi melayang ke masa silam. Seolah-olah kisah itu sedang berlaku di depan mata.

“Saya menyimpan suatu kisah yang sangat menarik dan amat penting untuk dijadikan panduan bagi generasi akan datang. Saya bimbang bahawa kisah berbentuk semi-autobiografi dan faksyen ini akan hilang atau mengalami perubahan yang terlalu banyak sekiranya hanya disebarkan secara lisan,” kata Vyasa kepada Brahma yang muncul di hadapannya.

“Lalu, apa yang mahu dilakukan?” Dewata bertanya.

“Saya mahu supaya kisah yang saya gubah ini dirakam dalam bentuk bertulis supaya menjadi bahan dokumentasi yang kekal merentas zaman,” Vyasa menjelaskan.

“Maka, kamu mahu beralih daripada tradisi lisan yang menjadi amalan manusia selama ini dan masuk ke dalam tradisi bertulis yang sehingga kini hanya menjadi amalan golongan dewa-dewi?”

“Benar. Namun, transformasi dan reformasi ini bukan bermakna tradisi lisan mahu dilenyapkan terus. Sekurang-kurangnya jika versi bertulis sudah ada, tidak akan timbul kemungkinan kisah keturunan Kuru yang saya gubah ini hilang daripada rekod dan sejarah.”

Khabarnya Brahma akur pada alasan, hujah dan rasional yang dikemukakan oleh Vyasa. Apa yang bakal dilakukan oleh Vyasa adalah suatu tindakan proaktif berbentuk transformasi dan anjakan paradigma melampaui zaman. Namun, Brahma sedar bahawa segala apa yang berlaku adalah mengikut aturan yang sudah ditetapkan.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/21/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-3/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 2

Sambil membaca epik Razmnameh dalam Bahasa Parsi – atau apabila mendengar datuk mereka bercerita – Hussain dan Hassan akan menambah watak-watak baru pada rajah keluarga keturunan Kuru.

Dipendekkan cerita, Bhisma tidak mahu menggauli pasangan adik-beradik Ambika dan Ambalika (balu kepada Vichitravirya) kerana sudah bersumpah untuk mengekalkan keterunaannya. Bhisma lalu memujuk ibu tirinya, Satyavati supaya memujuk Vyasa agar menggauli Ambika dan Ambalika demi untuk memastikan jurai keturunan Kuru dapat diteruskan.

Watak Vyasa inilah yang kemudian tampil sebagai penggubah epik Mahabharata yang kini tersebar ke seluruh dunia dan dianggap pula sebagai sebuah kitab suci dalam agama Hindu. Bagaimanapun, Hussain dan Hassan sedar bahawa teks asal yang dipercayai dikarang oleh Vyasa adalah Jaya yang merupakan cerita asas kepada kisah yang kemudian dikembangkan pula oleh Vaisampayana menjadi Bharata.

Sebahagian daripada teks Jaya gubahan Vyasa dikenali sebagai Bhagavad Gita dan sehingga kini mampu berdiri sendiri.  Keseluruhan teks adalah dialog antara Arjuna dan Dewa Krishna, bapa saudaranya. Semasa Arjuna pergi ke medan perang, Dewa Krishna menawarkan diri menjadi pemandu kereta kuda. Dialog yang berlaku antara Arjuna dan Dewa Krishna sepanjang perang itulah merupakan bab keenam dan diberi judul Bhagavad Gita.

Dewa Krishna memberi pelbagai tunjuk ajar, panduan, nasihat, motivasi dan bimbingan kepada Arjuna di medan perang. Memandangkan bab keenam itu mempunyai ciri-ciri yang sempurna sebagai sebuah karya epik, ia diberi judul Bhagavad Gita dan mampu berdiri sendiri sebagai sebuah teks kudus.

Sementara itu, seorang pencerita profesional yang dikenali sebagai Ugrasrava Sauti pula dikatakan menggabungkan Jaya dan Bharata, lalu menghasilkan epik yang dikenali sebagai Mahabharata, teks dengan hampir 1.8 juta perkataan dan panjangnya empat kali ganda Ramayana.

Berbalik kepada kisah Vyasa yang akur pada permintaan ibu kandungnya, Satyavathi, lelaki itu menjadi bapa kepada Dhritarashtra (dilahirkan oleh Ambika dan buta sejak lahir) dan Pandu (dilahirkan oleh Ambalika dan menghidap penyakit kekurangan sel darah merah). Seorang lagi isterinya, Pinjala pula melahirkan anak yang sempurna bernama Suka.

Di kemudian hari, perebutan takhta Kerajaan Hastinapura berlaku antara Yudhisthira (anak Pandu) dan Duryodhana (anak Dhritarashtra). Watak Suka pula akan memainkan peranan penting dalam menyebarkan kisah Mahabharata (Jaya) kepada Raja Parikshit, iaitu cicit Pandu dan cucu Arjuna.

Namun, sebelum itu, Hassan dan Hussain tidak sabar untuk mendengar datuk mereka menceritakan bagaimana Vyasa berjaya menghafaz dan menyanyikan epik Jaya yang dipercayai dirakam dalam bentuk tulisan oleh Dewa Ganesha berkepala gajah. –


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/14/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-2/

Extortion: Police urge death-in-custody kin to help probe

Police will investigate the claim that personnel from the Cheras district police headquarters had demanded RM300 from the wife of P Chandran prior to his death in their custody, Cheras OCPD Mohan Singh said today.

"We are investigating the matter to verify if the claim is true, and we invite the family to come forward to help identify those they allege made the demand," Mohan said when contacted.

Of the three police reports lodged on Chandran's death and the circumstances surrounding it, he said, only one was lodged in the Cheras police district, at the Pudu police station.

The other two, lodged by the deceased's brother P Gunalan, were made in Simpang Renggam, Johor, and were about incidents that took place under the jurisdiction of the Dang Wangi police district.

"The Kuala Lumpur police will be investigating all claims," Mohan said when asked about the extortion claim stated in a police report lodged by Chandran's brother-in-law, R Rajan Naidu.

In his report, Rajan said Chandran's widow N Selvi told him that police personnel had asked her for RM300 when she sought information on Chandran, when he was still alive.

Police raised money for family

The other two reports were lodged by Gunalan claim that police negligence led to Chandran's death. Police claimed that Chandran died from heart disease and classified it as "sudden death".

The family insists that he was suffering from hypertension, and that police did not allow Selvi to see him and pass his medication to him, resulting in his death on Sept 10.

While the extortion claim will be investigated, Mohan said, he pointed out that Gunalan in one of his police reports acknowleged that police assisted the family in sending Chandran's remains to Simpang Renggam.

"They said they wanted to take the body home on the same day, so we arranged for everything. We even raised RM200 among us to help them as they said they had no money.

"It was a humanitarian act and I don't think there is anything wrong with that," Mohan added.

The family yesterday sent a memorandum to federal police chief Ismail Omar asking for Chandran's death to be investigated.

The have also engaged a lawyer to file a negligence suit against the police and government.

VIDEO|2.20 mins

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/211520

Police 'extorted' wife of death-in-custody victim

Police asked the wife of death-in-custody victim P Chandran to pay RM300 when she sought information about her husband at the Cheras district police headquarters just before his death.

This is stated in a police report filed by the victim's brother-in-law, R Rajan Naidu.

Rajan says in the report that Chandran's wife, N Selvi, told him a police officer asked her to pay RM300 before disclosing information about her husband.

"She told me that the police officer had sought RM300 for information on her husband, and told her that police were taking him to court," the police report lodged says.

The report says Selvi had to "sleep under a bridge" during the two nights she stayed in Kuala Lumpur to check on Chandran, and to pass him his hypertension medication.
The victim, a lorry driver, and his family which consists of six daughters aged 17 and under, are based in Simpang Renggam, Johor. His youngest daughter is a toddler.

Selangor to reward Paralympic Games medalists

The Selangor government has announced that it will reward two national athletes who bagged medals in the 2012 London Paralympics Games.

State exco Dr Ahmad Yunus said that archer Hasihin Sanawi (right), who won silver in the men's individual recurve W1/W2 event, will be awarded RM30,000 while Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli, who clinched bronze in the men’s shot putt F20 category, will get RM20,000.

"The prize money will be handed over during the state athletes award ceremony, which will be held before the end of this year," he said.

Meanwhile, at the same press conference, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim played down calls from Selangor PKR for his political secretary Faekah Husin to resign for criticising deputy president Azmin Ali.

"That is a normal comment in internal PKR party politics. My stand is this should be resolved internally," he said.

Quit rent not paid

Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid said the Selangor government will be appealing a High Court's decision to overturn the government's move of seizing Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan's (YBK) land in Serendah for not paying quit rent.
                          
He added that the appeal was based on a legal issue, but said YBK could have the land back as long as it paid its quit rent in full and followed the necessary procedures.

Yayasan Melaka had in 2010 offered to pay the quit rent due on behalf of YBK but was rejected by the state government.

"You can't ask someone else to pay for your land, however, if they want to pay it, they should give the money and you use it to pay yourself.

"You can't let someone else pay it under their name or next time they may claim it is their land, he said.

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/211352

Bkt Jalil residents to meet PM’s special officer again

PUTRAJAYA: Former Bukit Jalil estate workers, who are in a tug-of-war with the government over the last two years, will meet Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s special officer Ravin Ponniah at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tomorrow in an effort to reach an amicable solution to their problem.

Bukit Jalil estate workers committee treasurer K Balakrishnan said this was conveyed to him when he and four other committee members delivered a memorandum to the PMO this morning.

It is learnt that Najib had offered a low-cost flat and an additional RM35,000 to each family of the former estate as compensation as the land they are staying has been earmarked for development. The offer was RM9,000 more than the previous offer by the government.

However, the estate committee representing 250 members from 41 families are not happy with the latest government offer.

“The fundamental issue here is not about money but the land which we have been staying for more than four generations,” Balakrishnan told reporters when met outside the PMO.

Why discriminate Paralympic winners?

PETALING JAYA: MCA parliamentarian for Pandan Ong Tee Keat has questioned the discriminative and ‘unfair’ reward system for disabled athletes and is planning to raise the issue in Parliament soon.

Ong said he would devote a portion of his debate speech on Budget 2013 to question the system, which offers a lucrative one-off cash reward to Olympics medalists but not to their Paralympics counterparts.

Under the Athlete Incentive Scheme (Shakam), gold medal winners at the Olympics received a one-off RM1 million payment while silver and bronze medal winners receive RM300,000 and RM100,000 respectively.
This was in stark contrast to Paralympic gold medal winners who received RM300,000 while silver and bronze medal winners get RM200,000 and RM100,000 respectively.

“Today, despite them winning medals, there is still a world of differences in terms of the treatments they got as compared to Lee Chong Wei or Pandelela (Rinong).

“Disabled athletes fork out double efforts to take part in Paralympics, they should be given equal shares of reward,” Ong said in a video clip posted on his YouTube channel.

When contacted by FMT, Ong also disagreed with Sport Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek’s recent remark that the reward gap was due to the Paralympics games’ structure, where multiple sub-categories are found under a category such as 100 meter sprint.

He said the ministry should take into account the physical challenges the disabled athletes need to endure and the jobs they may forgo to take part in the trainings.

Hence, he urged the ministry to come out with a mechanism that would ensure disabled athletes’ job security.
“The adoption scheme (bapa angkat) should be extended to disabled athletes, whereby government-linked companies and big corporate entities adopt them and provide them with a flexible job.

“At least they don’t need to worry that if they go for training for two or three times in a week, they will lose their jobs,” he said.

Malaysia bagged one silver and one bronze medal in the London Paralympics Games last month, equaled the achievement of the able-bodied athletes in Olympics.

Of the 23 athletes in Malaysia contingent, Hasihin Sanawi won a silver medal in archery while Mohd Ziyad Zolkefli clinched a bronze in shot putt.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/07/why-discriminate-paralympian-winners/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 1

Hussain sedang menelaah teks Razmnameh dalam Bahasa Parsi bersama-sama Hassan apabila dia menyedari betapa Mahabharata adalah sebuah epik yang amat kompleks dan sukar dihuraikan secara terperinci dalam masa yang singkat. Tidak hairanlah datuk mereka turut menghadapi masalah untuk menjelaskannya secara mendalam.

Vyasa selaku pengarang epik klasik India ini ternyata menggunakan cerita berbingkai dan plot kompleks dalam menyampaikan cerita yang menggabungkan unsur politik, agama, geografi, teknik perang, dharma, moral, falsafah, keluarga, persahabatan, ketaatan dan ribuan topik lain dalam sebuah epik yang diperakui sebagai teks puisi terpanjang di dunia.

Epik Mahabharata pada asalnya ditulis dalam bahasa Sanskrit pada sekitar kurun ke-5 Sebelum Masehi dan kurun ke-2 Masehi.  Ia mengisahkan perang saudara antara golongan Kauruva (seramai seratus orang) dan golongan Pandava (seramai lima orang) berikutan tindakan golongan Kauruva merampas kerajaan daripada golongan Pandava secara tipu muslihat.

Namun begitu, sebagai permulaan kepada kisah yang terbahagi kepada 18 parva (bahagian) ini, Hassan dan Hussain mahu mengenali individu bernama Vyasa yang bukan sahaja bertindak sebagai penggubah epik itu, malah turut tampil sebagai salah satu watak penting di dalamnya. Hal ini boleh dibandingkan juga dengan kehadiran Valmiki sebagai watak dan juga penggubah sebuah lagi epik klasik Sanskrit iaitu Ramayana.

Satu lagi nama timangan bagi Vyasa ialah Krishna. Bagaimanapun, nama itu adalah sempena kulitnya yang gelap dan bukan merujuk kepada Dewa Krishna – yang kebetulan juga tampil sebagai satu lagi watak penting dalam Mahabharata.

Vyasa dikatakan anak kepada Satyavati dan Parashara. Terdahulu, Satyavati bersuamikan Shantanu dan salah seorang anak yang lahir ialah Vichitravirya. Maka, Vyasa dan Vichitravirya merupakan adik-beradik tiri; seibu tetapi berlainan bapa. Demikian Hussian dan Hassan pernah mendengar cerita daripada datuk mereka.

Menurut kisah dalam Mahabharata, Vichitravirya berkahwin dengan pasangan adik-beradik, Ambika dan Ambalika. Malangnya putera itu meninggal dunia akibat batuk kering. Maka ibu mendiang, iaitu Satyavati, cuba memujuk Bhisma (anak tirinya) supaya menggauli Ambika dan Ambalika demi meneruskan generasi Kuru.

Ya, kisah dan jurai keturunan dalam Mahabharata memang amat kompleks. Satyavati bersuamikan Shantanu sebelum mengahwini Parashara. Shantanu pula sebelum itu sudah mengahwini Ganga yang melahirkan Bhisma. Maka, Bhisma, Vichitravirya dan Vyasa adalah adik-beradik tiri dalam suatu keluarga yang amat kompleks.

Pasangan kembar Hassan dan Hussain terpaksa membuat rajah khas untuk menggambarkan hubungan kekeluargaan keturunan Kuru supaya dapat mengikuti kisah Mahabharata dengan lebih baik.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/10/07/mahabharata-%E2%80%93-bahagian-1/

India’s Oscars fiasco

Indian selectors have been unashamedly and unconcernedly picking the wrong film and sending it up to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for an Oscar nomination. Barring a few occasions, this has been happening for years.

This year, Anurag Basu’s Barfi is India’s choice to compete with some of the masterly works from around the world. Michael Haneke’s Amour and Christian Mungiu’s Beyond the Hills are just two in an otherwise impressive list.

The works of Indian directors like Girish Kasaravalli, Rituparno Ghosh, Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Tigmanshu Dulia among others were just dumped into the din by the selectors.

With an attitude which smacks of arrogant parochialism and nepotism, it is not surprising that ever since 1957, when India began sending a movie, only three Indian works have made it to the Oscars shortlist of five in Best Foreign Language Picture category.  The three films, all in Hindi – Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan – could not clinch the actual Oscar.

Budget not aimed to fish for votes, says PM

The tabling of the 2013 Budget is not to fish for votes, but a commitment by the government to bring prosperity to the country, said Najib Razak today.

Thus, the prime minister said the government should not be accused of being populist because it had succeeded in achieving numerous successes and fulfilling its promises to the people.

He said the government had implemented policies and spent on projects to encourage economic growth to the extent that it was capable of recording a remarkable economic growth when the world was facing economic crisis.

He cited the listing of Felda Global Ventures Holding (FGVH), which recorded the second highest initial public offer (IPO) after Facebook, as one of the major succeses.

"This is our pride, so we cannot be accused as being a populist government.

"A populist government is one that is irresponsible, which promises things which are impossible to implement," he said in his speech at the Paroi Youth and Sports Stadium in Seremban today.

LIVE: Budget 2013 speech - salient points

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is reading his fourth budget speech which is aimed at shoring up support before the 13th general election and rein in the deficit.

"Since the last 55 years, Malaysians have placed their trust in the same government at every stage of the nation’s development. We thank you for your trust. We have never betrayed the people. Instead, we have repaid the trust given to us manifold," said Najib.

"This government has never promised the moon, the stars or the galaxy. We have never painted a pretty picture based on wishful thinking. As a responsible government, we continue to speak the truth even though it may be unpleasant.

"We have never misled to the rakyat with tall tales. On the other hand, we have always offered solutions and provided good leadership to every problem faced by the rakyat.

'Raja Bola' Ghani Minhat dies

Football legend Abdul Ghani Minhat, nicknamed ‘Raja Bola’ or ‘King of the Ball’ died today. He was 77.

Abdul Ghani passed away at 10.34am at the National Heart Institute (IJN) as a result of complications following a heart bypass operation, his brother-in-law Nik Kamaruddin Ismail told Bernama.

He said Abdul Ghani would be buried at the USJ 21 Muslim cemetery in Subang Jaya after prayers were conducted at the Kampung Baru Mosque.

Abdul Ghani leaves behind wife Tengku Aishah Tengku Ibrahim and four children, two boys and two girls.

During his heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, Abdul Ghani played in the position of inside forward and was a crafty and agile player dreaded by opponents. 

Although, he was born in Rantau, Negri Sembilan, Abdul Ghani contributed his great talent as a player and coach to the Selangor team.

In 1959, the Selangor Football Association (FAS) conferred on him the title ‘Raja Bola’ in appreciation of his vast contribution to the state.

Abdul Ghani was adjudged the best national football player in 1959 and 1960. He is known for having scored 106 goals in only 15 matches.

- Bernama

Budget to court voters, target lower deficit

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to court voters with a generous budget today ahead of a looming election, while taking steps to cut the country's fiscal deficit and tackle its rising debt burden.     

Facing what could be the long-ruling coalition's closest election, Najib is expected to delay much-needed reforms to broaden Malaysia's tax base and reduce its dependence on oil revenues to at least next year while announcing measures to help poorer families struggling with rising living costs.     

"This will be a budget that is mildly expansionary but fiscally responsible," a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, told reporters at a briefing yesterday.     

The budget for 2013 will target a reduction in the deficit target from this year's goal of 4.7 percent, the official said, adding that the economy should expand by between 4.5 - 5 percent this year and 4.5 - 5.5 percent in 2013.    

The South-East Asian country's public debt as a percentage of GDP is just short of its self-imposed ceiling of 55 percent - up from 43 percent in 2008 - while its budget deficit of 4.7 percent in the first half of 2012 is the third-biggest in Asia after Japan and India.     

Najib to hold second budget Twitter on Oct 3

The online community can pose questions on Budget 2013 to Prime Minister Najib Razak on #TanyaNajib on October 3.   

"I invite Malaysians from all walks of life whether from urban and rural areas, specialists, athletes, artistes and foreigners residing in the country to join #TanyaNajib," he said.   

The Q& A session will start at 9pm.   

In the latest 1Malaysia blog entry, Najib said Budget 2013 was made after considering views of the people.   

"I thank you all for the input thus proving that this budget is made by the people and for the people. I want to interact with you all to get feedback on the budget after it was tabled."   

Najib who is also finance minister said the 2013 budget is expected to have positive impact on the economy and the community.   

Recognising the fact that the budget will provide big initiative to the country, he said the second #TanyaNajib session will benefit everyone.   

"For #TanyaNajib: Budget 2013, I plan to fully utilise the online communication platform.   

"Ah Jib Gor, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and many more. I will do it via my Google+ account and will take questions from other social media sites.    

"The session can be watched live via my Youtube page. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more information on how to join."   

Najib said #TanyaNajib session held on January 11 last year received favourable response via Twitter.  

"I've answered some of your questions via Youtube. They range from personal matters to those on economic affairs of the country."   

Source- Bernama     

Groundbreaking study details Taib's US$21bil empire

A ground-breaking report released by Swiss-based NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) estimated the assets of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's family at US$21 billion (RM64 billion).

The wealth of Taib himself has been put at a whopping US$15 billion (RM46 billion), making him Malaysia's richest man, outstripping tycoon Robert Kuok who has US$12.5 billion.

The report entitled ‘The Taib Timber Mafia: Facts and Figures on Politically Exposed Persons from Sarawak, Malaysia' was released today in Brussels to coincide with a visit by the Malaysian Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok to the European Commission.

It is the first report that describes in detail the business activities and personal wealth of 20 members of the Taib family in Malaysia, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States and other countries.

The report aimed to build international pressure against the Sarawak's first family and provide investigating bodies, journalists, Sarawakians and interested parties with hard evidence on the Taib financial empire.

BMF estimated the combined net worth of 20 Taib family members at close to US$21 billion, spread over 400 companies around the globe - all built through their near complete political and economic control of Sarawak - one of the poorest states in Malaysia - over three decades.

Hindraf chief stopped from leaving the country

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy was barred from leaving the country this evening on grounds that he is a national threat.

"The immigration officers informed me that a restriction has been imposed on me by the Immigration Department director-general and the inspector-general of police.

"The reason given from both sides is that I am a threat to national security," Waythamoorthy said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

He said he was to take a 6.30pm flight to Manila in the Philippines for a business trip and is now stranded at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang.

"The government has cheated me. They issued me with a perfectly good passport on July 30 and then, two months later, I am not allowed to go out of the country.

"When I came into the country, I was not a security threat, but two months later I have suddenly become a security threat," he said.

Waythamoorthy said he would lodge a police report against Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and the inspector-general of police for falsely accusing him of being a security threat.

He will also lodge a report against the director-general of immigration for acting beyond his powers.

"They have basically made me a prisoner in my own country. It is a breach of international convention and laws that stipulate you cannot prevent a citizen from leaving his country without cause," Waythamoorthy said.

The restriction would also throw a spanner into his plan to meet with his lawyers in London this weekend for Hindraf's case against the British government, he added.

The Malaysia High Commission in Singapore had on July 30 granted Waythamoorthy a passport for his return to Malaysia after his self-imposed exile in the UK since 2007.

The Hindraf leader was allowed to enter the country on Aug 1, without any restriction imposed.

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/209234

Things are looking up for MIC

When G Palanivel took over the MIC presidency nearly two years ago, he had two mammoth tasks ahead of him – to unite the various factions in then fractured party and to recapture the Indian votes that Barisan Nasional lost in 2008.

He can be proud of the remarkable success he has achieved in the first task.The second task is much more difficult. In 2008, about 65% of the Indian votes were against BN. MIC contested nine parliamentary seats and won only Segamat, Tapah and Cameron Highlands. It recaptured Hulu Selangor in a by-election in April 2010.

As the 13th general election approaches, many observers, including a major section of the Indian community, are wondering whether MIC can increase its representation in Parliament or even retain its four seats.

Palanivel has a subdued public face, especially when compared with his predecessor, S Samy Vellu. But still waters run deep. Those who know him well can testify to his visionary character and his diligence in pursuing progress for Indians. He is never short of innovative ideas for the uplift of the community.

In his quiet way, he has scored several notable achievements in the past two years, one of the latest being the government approval of RM100 million for renovations and upgrading works at Tamil schools. And he has obtained special permission from the prime minister to have these works undertaken by Indian contractors.

Another milestone in his political career was obtaining RM180 million for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) run by Indians. As a result, thousands of these entrepreneurs, sole proprietors and petty traders are expected to expand their businesses.

Google blocks anti-Islam film in Malaysia

Google has begun barring access in Malaysia to an anti-Islamic film that has sparked fury across the Muslim world after the country’s Internet regulator lodged an official complaint.

The low-budget movie, entitled ‘Innocence of Muslims’, has angered followers of Islam for its mocking of the Prophet Mohammad, and for portraying Muslims as immoral and gratuitously violent.

A spokesperson for video-sharing site YouTube, owned by internet giant Google, told AFP today that it began restricting access to clips of the privately-produced film yesterday, in line with its community guidelines.

“When videos breach those rules, we remove them. Where we have launched YouTube locally and we are notified that a video is illegal in that country, we will restrict access to it after a thorough review,” he said.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was reported to have asked Google on Saturday to remove clips of the controversial film, believed to have been produced by a small group of extremist Christians in the United States, from YouTube.

Some extracts of it were still available on the video-sharing website today but several other clips had been blocked to users in the Muslim-majority country.

Google has also denied access to the videos in Indonesia, Libya, Egypt and India.

In cities across the Muslim world protesters have vented their fury at the amateur film by targeting symbols of US influence ranging from embassies and schools to fast food chains.

The US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other US officials were killed last week in an attack by suspected Islamic militants on the US consulate in Benghazi in protest against the film. A total of 17 people have died in violence so far.

Muslims held demonstrations across Malaysia on Friday, calling for the United States to prevent distribution of the film they said was part of a plot by “Christian extremists”.

Cabinet ministers have reportedly also demanded the film be taken offline and condemned YouTube for being “insensitive” and “oblivious to the tumult it has caused”.

Source- AFP

New education blueprint - salient points

Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin unveiled the country's new education blueprint today, a process which began in October last year when the government embarked on a national dialogue with the aim of revamping the education system.

Below are the salient points from the blueprint. Members of the public will be able to view the blueprint during open days in the next three months. The final plan will be presented to cabinet in December.

Language

• All Year 1 to Year 3 students to undergo Literacy and Numeracy screening (Linus) twice a year in both English and Bahasa Malaysia (currently Linus tests are done only for BM).

• After-school remedial classes for Years 4-6 (to phase out 'remove' classes for those with problems with English and BM after Year 6 by 2017).

• All English teachers must pass Cambridge placement tests within the next two years.

• Accelerated pathway for high performers: 5 years (instead of 6) for UPSR and 4 years (instead of 5) for SPM.

• Benchmark mathematics and science tests on the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) and Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (Timss).

• 11 years of compulsory schooling (up from 6 years). By 2020, all school leavers have SPM or equivalent qualifications.

• All special needs students in equipped special schools by 2025.

• Each child to learn a third language by 2025 (starting with Chinese, Tamil and Arabic). Spanish, French and Japanese will be offered later.