Today I see something very interesting on newspaper. It’s impressive but it leads me to another question. I will tell you about the news I saw today later on. Let us discuss about something else now. I’m wondering whether some of you might find it difficult to search some related information regarding our country matters. Let it be politics, economics, entertainment, industries, or anything. I personally find it’s difficult to search such related information and most of the time it leads me to foreign website. Sometimes, it is also a shame where even foreign website have crucial issues discussion about out country but I can not manage to find even a small discussion about it in local website.

Take an simple example as today, I tried to punch in the keyword “BLM proton” where I noticed from newspaper it’s the latest model of Proton selling at 30 thousands plus. Quite interesting and attracting price for a domestic manufactured national car. But it ends up I found nothing and the only little info I manage to find is from a blogger. Even I check back the proton official website, it’s not there yet! What happens to our country dissemination of information? Yea, a good way to comfort myself is that Malaysia always announces some project before they have concrete planning. This becomes a joke when there is one time I attended a seminar and one participant asks the speaker, “What do you think about the Eastern Corridor Economic Region project?” Guess what the speaker said? “I have no comment on this project as there is no any concrete planning yet”. It’s true you know! As I went home after the seminar, I searched over the net about ECER and end up nothing really details on it. There are only list about news announcement about its launching ranked from Google search. Pathetic!

Now, back to the issue where I think the dissemination and update of information online were very poor in Malaysia. I have no idea why but there’s one thing I come across my mind where it might be caused by over control of government on media. As we all know, most of the official media in country now are being controlled by government. Nevertheless, some of the independence media online were being caught due to so called “sensitive” reporting. This greatly turns down the real passion of reporting in media. When a medium which is the core centre of info dissemination being over controlled by administration, it will turn into passive. In fact, we can rarely see negative report against “them” in media. The media itself don’t have the initiative to question and dig more about certain matters and thus a mere announcement without details plus concrete planning mega project still can be published on the main page of newspaper! How sad is that. It ends up citizen like us also become blur when we don’t know what’s happening. There is a saying recently which sounds like this “the citizen newspaper is now Youtube” as it reports more truth and more transparent. Imagine the level of severity in our country media industries.

Not that our country don’t have IT talented people. It’s just that sometimes, the leaders are themselves IT-illiterate. Good people on bottom of them can’t really perform if they themselves have poor awareness on the important of disseminating info through online. There is a saying in Chinese idiom which states that “it is ok for leader not to know everything, but he must be good in using every wise guy he has”.

Back to the earlier topic, I saw news about some politician having their own website set up recently. It’s in today newspaper together with their url. So, I decide to visit some of them and found out that it’s quite impressive to have such a website. But I would take it as one of the campaign for election. Whether the website will be maintained from time to time, I’m not really sure. From my survey on some of the government website, some are updated frequently, and some still in old version and outdated. Why don’t they look into fixing these entire first? There are bunches of IT students unemployed out there, and our country is still not so into IT yet? Such an irony isn’t it?

Jim Rogers is a legend in investment world. Fortune 500 just interviewed him regarding his latest book, “A Bull in China: Investing profitably in the World's Greatest Market”. Many had predicted China economic will definitely going to boost in these recent years especially when the Olympic 2008 is getting nearer. However, many also wondering how would this happens and is it just a temporary stimulation?

Jim Rogers is well-known with his style of biking and adventuring around the world to really understand the nation culture and economic growth before he really starts investing. He actually spent some times biking all around the country of China for past few years back. Through his observation he can (or at least he believes that) affirm that China will rule the next century in term of economic.

Many investors are still pondering whether to put their money into this mainland development and huge market. Undeniable it’s really growing at a swift pace. Some might be wondering whether the development and growth of China is just a “bubble”. Well, I would just said that their government themselves wouldn’t allow bubble development and let it burst or pop anytime. This is just not their style as we can see in few centuries ago, China spent years developing their citizen mentality and values patiently while countries around the world is having race in development. We can see that they are firm and patient enough in this aspect. At least, Jim Rogers also admitted that he did not see any “bubble” development so far.

Even if there is really a bubble development, there is nothing to worry about as China will continue to develop. The market and opportunities is too wide over there! Many ways of investing can be done over there. Jim Rogers himself did not invest on estate nor share over there. But instead he had their currencies and commodities. According to him, it’s better to invest shares in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other countries around Asia as it’s cheaper.

There is always the negative side in development. People start to ask what about the pollution created when China in such a great speed in development? Well, Jim Rogers actually had really sharp and far-sighted eyes in making his investment. He tells others that pollutions are opportunities! Well, who would think of that? But if we think deeply, I would fully agree with him. From what we observe now globally, we notice that pollution and the definition of green-awareness is spreading wider. The alarm had sounded and I can only say that those who are capable to change this situations and earth illness would be the scientist and researchers. BUT this could only be true provided that they are well equipped with advance technologies and assistances. From this point of view, I’m pretty sure that there are only few countries who are capable in making this noble mission a realistic. And undoubtedly, China is one of the countries.

When situation becomes worse, definitely one day China will seek a way to solve the pollution problem and when the awareness spread among the citizens, it actually becomes an opportunity. With the technology advancement they have, water Treatment Company, air Treatment Company and so on will start to established in China as well as other country to provide the services. Many eco-based companies will establish in China. On the other hand, their citizen value towards better and healthier lifestyle will develop. Just like the citizen in Europe and western countries now, whereby they are more aware on healthy lifestyle.

It might be a threat if happening in other countries, but not China.

Well, if you are wondering where to invest now, think again.

“The Secret”, ever heard of this book? Well, one of the best selling books right after it has been published. In fact, the content and the concept started off as a visual presentation leaded by Drew Heriot as the producer.

The book is basically about the “law of attraction” and it is nothing new. This theory existed long time ago, it is even mentioned in some of religious scripture. Especially in Hinduism, this is one of the concepts in their religious practice. Just right after a good packaging and “dressing up”, and it caught the attention from public. Think carefully, had we ever did that before? When we do not know anything about “the secret”, do we practice it?

According to the definition given in Wikipedia:
The Law of Attraction refers to an esoteric principle that individuals experience physical and mental manifestations corresponding to their predominant thoughts, feelings, words, and actions; and that they thereby have the ability to control the reality of their lives through thought alone. The principle is based on the concept that a person's thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, beliefs and actions attract corresponding positive and/or negative experiences. This process has been described as "harmonious vibrations of the law of attraction", [1] or "you get what you think about; your thoughts determine your experience."[2]

In the book, it mentions that it actually related to Quantum Physic and according to them, thought has an energy that attracts energy. In order to control this energy, w must practice 4 things. I could summarize it into “desires and ask”, “Focus”, “Feel”, “open to receive”. Alright, maybe it sounds too scientific and doesn’t make sense for you. Well, putting aside whether they make use of physical science either as proof or as metaphor or portraying it in good faith, it’s really a secret which we had practice all this long. If we think twice, doesn’t it sounds like our “pray”. No matter whether you hold a religion or not, you PRAY. Perhaps for free thinker, we called it “hope”. It’s usual for us human being to hope and pray for something.

We had been practicing this since century ago! Now only you come and tell us that this is “the secret”? It’s just that we seldom realize about how it really work. And even when they reveal “the secret”, it is still a mystery where no one can prove how the mechanism works. There has been a controversy when the publication of this book where many religion believers claim that it mistakenly usurping the role of God. But if think in another perspective, we might consider it as a book which strengthens us towards our beliefs. It doesn’t deny the existence of him, the Creator. Even some theory makes use of scientific explanation does not mean anything. If the Creator is so great, we should always believe that even the science itself (or Quantum physic) is one of the formulas created by Him.


The best part of this book is that, it actually encourages more and more of us to “pray” and to “hope”. If we look around, we notice every religions teach their believers to pray. Babies are born with hands putting together if you notice. If “law of attraction” is so true, why there are still so many wars out there? Why it still bring so many harms and damages to the nation. I would say that when there are 2 different attractions, the energy might condemn each others. In the en, it will only cause mass destruction to both sides.


I believe, it’s like an agreement with universe in bona fide (good faith) on what we are hoping for. If there is any “hope” which might cause imbalance to the rest of circle, it will definitely pay for the consequences. I quoted one of the speeches by survivor of booming:

Why have you had to suffer this?
Why this, the cruellest of inflictions?
Was there some purpose?
Why?
You look so monstrous, but could not know
How far removed you are now from mankind

--Toge Sankichi (A-bomb survivor), "At the First-Aid Station"

Never stop to believe until you’re “pray” get granted. Destruction is not meant to be as what we see it as. Never put ourselves at the position of judgment of Creator. We will never understand His justice as it’s too great for us to understand. At the same time, pray for the same humanity and peace that we hope for. Tragedies like this would not happen if there aren’t 2 groups of people “praying” for 2 different objectives.

Peace. Pray hard ! ~

This is a hot issue being discussed recently. Benazir Bhutto, the former president of Pakistan who was killed in an assassination. Benazir had self-imposed exile since Pervez Musharraf amend the Pakistan’s Constitution on not allowing prime minister to serve more than 2 terms. In 2007, Bhutto was once again allowed to return from exile. During a rally against in Karachi in October, she narrowly escaped an assassin's bomb. Yet, despite of the risk of danger she might encounter after returning to Pakistan, she remained calm and unbowed in her criticism towards Musharraf Regime.

The issue arises when she came back to Pakistan to prepare running for the national election in 2008. In demanding for a fair, un-bias and transparent election, she had put herself into a great danger. A militant nation which filled with corruption especially in government administration would not allow this to change. Election which is a channel of democracy practice had turned into a terrorism stimulator when there is a great disagreement. Terrorism had become the last resolution to terminate her dissatisfaction against the current administration.

From the scarification of this great lady, I notice that a great leader always comes with enemies. No leader will lead without people who run against them and this is truth. What makes a different is that, how the leader really faces the enemies and counters them in bold courage. I respect her spirit of fighting. Putting herself in this stake and risky position would really need a huge determination. Despite her own history of scandal in money laundering and corruption (Switzerland case), I could actually see her determination in making a change in Pakistan current situation. Who would ever risk herself in death in exchange other material?

Perhaps, it will serves as a good inspiration and aspiration for citizen in Pakistan. Not looking into the conspiracy theories which fill the air of Pakistan at the moment, we shall learn from this incident. Truth shall prevail through fair and justice democracy. Terror would not solve thing up and it will still continue in Pakistan as long as there is no concrete action from the administrating leader. I always believe that, when a leader or warrior is fallen, there will always be few more which step ahead to continue the noble mission. Who will rise after the assassination of Benazir? Her own son perhaps….

Bilawal Bhutto, 19 years old son of Benazir will likely to become her successor. “My children have told me they are very worried about my safety," she said. "I understand those fears. But they are Bhuttos and we have to face the future with courage, whatever it brings.” I guess her teaching towards her son on facing future with courage would definitely help in grooming him to become next great leader.

While Pakistan still falls in the situation of uncertainties, we shall look back to our country’s democracy. We should feel lucky that we haven’t come to a day where terror is the way of solving thing. We are just having some peace demonstration here. Shouldn’t we review back our constitution on election before it is too late? Actions need to be taken while people still have their faith and trust towards democracy policies. When the day people feel hopeless, Malaysia will definitely turned into a second Pakistan or even worse. Extend the retirement age of chief election commission to 66? What is this?

Review the necessary terms to make to more independence and creditable. Even we as accountant knows that if an auditor attached to a same client for years, it would cause threat. It’s always not advisable to have the neutral parties (if it is really neutral) to govern over a framework or mechanism for a long period. Don’t bullshit with me that it needs experience. Then what is the use of all the constitution? (if it doesn’t serve as guideline)

End of today’s crap. Continue study….

Since it is exam season, let us talk about education system. Of course, in order to make a good comparison I will use some other countries’ education system as example. As we all know, our country education system started 1816 when the Penang Free School, the oldest school in Malaysia had been established. However, a more proper education system established after independence. In fact Singapore shared the same root of education system as Malaysia. However, it diverged when Singapore requested from sole independence from Malaya. Till today, we can see there’s already a big gap between the education system of Malaysia and Singapore.

There is a saying, “The American educational system is what made America the richest nation in the world.” I would say that indeed it is! Its educational system had always been less elite than that of most European nations. By 1900 the U.S. had begun to educate its masses at the secondary level, not just in the primary schools that had remarkable success in the nineteenth century. As a university student, I would like to take an easy example where American universities would always look at the subjective factors in their admission policies such as the students’ co-curricular activities, essay writings, thesis writing, and of course interview. When we come back to Malaysia, the first thing which comes into our mind about universities enrolment would be “quota”. Yupe, and secondly would be “money”. (Obviously depicted especially in private universities and colleges)

I could only say that “quota” as well as “materiality” is the restriction for good education system. Though it’s one of our country specialties and uniqueness of having multi-racial and cultural environment, but it doesn’t make sense when it comes to performance assessment. This is even ridiculous when comes to education where there shouldn’t be any restriction and limitation.

And when we move on to talk about the assessment system in Malaysia, we realized that Malaysia is encouraging their students to “eat the book”. Yes, I’m serious about this as memorizing the whole book and throwing it out during examination is similar to keeping all in the stomach and vomits it out. It doesn’t undergo any process of “digesting”. Come on, digestion needs time. Any how, our education system is rushing the syllabuses faster than the bullet train and squeezing so many subjects in one semester expecting their students to become well-rounded person, well-versed in all kinds of knowledge. BULLSHIT! In fact the students just learn the skill of putting things exactly the same as they seen on the notes on examination paper. That’s the so called “Exam-oriented” system in Malaysia. So pathetic.

Just a simple quote from what I found on the foreign education practice:

Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education
1. Encourages contact between students and faculty
2. Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students
3. Encourages active learning
4. Gives prompt feedback on performance
5. Emphasizes time on task
6. Communicates high expectations
7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning

----A.W. Chickering & Z.F. Gamson, 1987. AAHE.

Well, from the above practice, we can clearly see the differences. Another quote I found on the net is that “Classroom Assessment is one method of inquiry within the framework of Classroom Research, a broader approach to improving teaching and learning.” It sounds simple, but if you understand the meaning of this statement deeply, you would notice the fallacy of Malaysia education system. It says “improving teaching and learning”. They put “teaching” at the first place where I can understand the intentions very well as educators are the most important catalyst in seeking knowledge. Now, come back to our “exam-oriented” system in Malaysia, would it help our educationist? If I’m not mistaken they are marking question paper of university students (remember! It’s “university students”! If it’s for primary or secondary, I can understandable tolerate) with answer scheme? Well, it’s ok for me if it serves as a guideline, but I don’t think we can score if anyone of us tries to give a wild daring answer. Until when only we can practice an examination system where lecturer expecting special and unique answer sourced from a mind-thinker rather than a book-eater. When we study, we relate, we expand, we diverse…. But it seems impossible here.

The mould shape itself has a big problem. How can we expect a good product from it? Probably I’m looking too far away. Even if we come back to the nearest neighbor, Singapore, we are left behind far away. National University of Singapore still ranked in top 150 of world universities. Quality of education has been maintained all this time and improvement had been made progressively through research and development.

Just to open your eyes wider, I quoted some of the universities motto as comparison to MMU:

“Amicus Plato，Amicus Aristotle，sed Magis Amicus VERITAS”
- Let Plato be your friend，and Aristotle，but more let your friend be Truth (Harvard)

“Dominus Illuminatio Mea”
-The Lord is my Light (Oxford)

“The University for the Knowledge Era” (MMU)

Imagine asking students to seek their own truth. Encourage them to learn from history great philosopher but can anytime counter their theory if you seek the real truth! Their mottos have something which is great and significant as the goal of seeking knowledge. But “The University for the Knowledge Era”, hmm……don’t know what to say

Out of the world top 20 universities list, 17 belong to American universities. It proves the saying that “the strong education beneath this giant nation serves as the nerve of the wealth of this country”. Still a lot to improve Malaysia!!!! Wake up!!!

Continue study~~~~ tired