'Perpaduan Kunci Keamanan, Kemakmuran Negara', Berita Harian, 31 Ogos 2017

'Rafizi hits a raw nerve over internal PKR schism on Pas talks', New Straits Times, 31 August 2017

 

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli’s outburst on divisions within the party leadership over talks with Pas has struck a raw nerve among colleagues. (File pix)

By SYED UMAR ARIFF AND HANA NAZ HARUN - August 30, 2017 @ 6:26pm

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli’s outburst on divisions within the party leadership over talks with Pas has struck a raw nerve among colleagues.

They said Rafizi’s unfounded claims had tainted the party’s public image and could be seen as a gibe over PKR leaders’ goodwill during a recent visit to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who was recovering from heart surgery three weeks ago.
In expressing disappointment with Rafizi, PKR vice-president Tian Chua denied the former’s allegation in that there were gross factionalism in the party over talks with Pas for a possible pact in the 14th general election.
“I am very disappointed with Rafizi. Whatever factionalism within PKR over Pas as claimed by him is untrue. There is no pro-Pas or anti-Pas groups among the party leaders as made up by him,” Tian Chua said when contacted today.
Tian Chua, along with PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, and another vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin were named as among those in a faction allegedly in favour of Pas cooperating with PKR to maintain Selangor under the tripartite rule.
Rafizi is against the cooperation with Pas as seen in his spate of attacks against the Islamic party, which now enjoys a bipartisan relationship with Umno on matters concerning the interests of Malays and Muslims.
Azmin had said he was assigned by PKR’s leadership to engage with Pas and denied that the talks, which had been reiterated as unofficial, was carried out of vested interests.
Echoing Azmin’s sentiments, Tian Chua said it was illogical to note that a person had a personal agenda over an issue because he was assigned to resolve it.
“Each and everyone of us in the party has role to carry out as assigned (by the party leaders).“If you are assigned to talk to Pas, it does not mean that you have a vested interest. It just means that you have to carry out the duties assigned to you.
“It does not make sense that you are pro-Pas just because you are assigned to talk to the party,” Tian Chua said.
Shamsul said Rafizi’s statement could be construed as a jab at PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Azmin’s recent meeting with Hadi.
“While that is his personal view, of course, it can be interpreted as a mockery over the party president and her deputy’s recent visit to Hadi.”
Meanwhile, political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the dispute between Azmin and Rafizi would only cause an even bigger crack within PKR.
Sivamurugan said this spat posed a difficult challenge for Dr Wan Azizah to resolve, adding that if it isn’t immediately address, the party may struggle to keep things together.
“Rafizi has been trying to bring down Azmin ever since he engineered the Kajang Move in 2014, but has failed time and again.
“Unless this internal spat is solved immediately, PKR may see its future going down the same road as how we saw Pas and its breakaway group, Parti Amanah Negara.”

'Analysts: Challenges ahead for Pakatan Harapan state chairmen', The Star, 31 August 2017

Nation

Thursday, 31 August 2017 | MYT 11:10 AM

       

by michelle tam

image: http://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/online/2017/08/31/03/16/pakatanleaders-140717.ashx/?w=620&h=413&crop=1&hash=1D3DA08806AD2EDAEFD15DCF9CDC5067CB89F656

A file picture of the Pakatan leadership dated July 14, 2017.

PETALING JAYA: Political analysts are divided over the list of state chairmen released by Pakatan Harapan on Monday, with several identifying the many challenges facing those appointed.
Pacific Research Centre's principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun said the appointments showed that the Opposition coalition was trying hard to have a balanced representation of its various component parties.
"The real challenge lies in whether the state chairmen can consolidate and coordinate the component parties' support within the states," he added.
Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research director Ibrahim Suffian noted that there was no indigenous representation from Sabah and Sarawak.

"I would think, for a coalition that sells itself as a challenger to Barisan Nasional, it ought to have leaders from those major communities as well," he said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian also expects some dissatisfaction from Sabahan, Sarawakian and Indian leaders because the distribution of "main position(s) in the party also reflects inclusiveness within the party".
"From the beginning, we saw that they were reluctant to engage indigenous or Indian leaders as the main actor or top-level position holders, and I'm not surprised if they were left behind again," he said.
He said hoping to garner votes but being unwilling to appoint the said groups to top-level management might land the party in trouble.
"In fact, they never learned from the (leadership) list released earlier, when only M. Kula Segaran was given treasurer position, whereas there was none from Sabah or Sarawak."
Prof Dr Sivamurugan noted that the list shows that the chairmen could also be the state leaders, such as Mentri Besar or Chief Minister.
To him, the distribution is clear, except Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is seen as more prominent in Kelantan as a showdown with PAS looms.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir believes the top leadership in Pakatan Harapan had considered various factors before picking the chairmen.
"Of course, to them, they have picked the best candidates, in terms of credibility or influence. Whether voters have the same perception or assessment regarding the state chairmen is another story," he said.
The real test, according to Dr Jeniri, is to what extent the party can mobilise the grassroots, convince voters to vote for them in GE14, and make their election machineries more effective.
"Based on my observation, the problem with Pakatan Harapan is that they don't have an effective election machinery compared to Barisan Nasional component parties," he added.
As to whether the lack of Indian or indigenous representation will matter, Dr Jeniri said it is most important that the leadership is inclusive policy-wise.
"They can't have a policy that's very Malay-oriented or Chinese-oriented. They have to take into consideration that voters now have a very high level of political literacy, and policies must be inclusive."
According to Universiti Malaya political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, many of the appointments were expected, such as Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Penang, as well as the names for Kedah, Johor, Kelantan dan Terengganu.
"These appointments are taking place while PKR is dealing with internal issues, such as vice-president Rafizi Ramli who was accused of being an Umno agent by his own party.
"The same goes for Azmin's intention to work with PAS in Selangor, which is said to not have found support from other top leaders in Pakatan Harapan," he added.
He said the Sabah state chairman also faces a "big challenge" in proving the coalition's relevance in the state as three DAP leaders have left Sabah DAP while PKR assemblymen have also left the party to join opposition parties like Parti Warisan Sabah, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Cinta Sabah and Barisan parties.
However, the biggest challenge faced by state chairmen lies in finding popular, personable candidates with integrity for the upcoming general election.
"Not only do the Pakatan Harapan state chairmen have to act as coordinators between the component parties, they have to be smart political strategists to ensure they win big in the state, with no seat grab in the contested seats.
"To help resolve any disputes over seats and avoid three-cornered fights, it is an important task at the coordinating stage of the state-level Pakatan Harapan," added Dr Awang Azman.
The state chairmen are:
Selangor - Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali
Penang - Lim Guan Eng
Johor - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Kedah - Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir
Pahang - Datuk Fauzi Rahman
Perlis - Ameir Hassan
Federal Territories - Tan Kok Wai
Kelantan - Datuk Husam Musa
Terengganu - Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin
Negri Sembilan - Aminuddin Harun
Perak - Ahmad Faizal Dato' Azumu
Melaka - Adli Zahari
Sabah - Christina Liew
Sarawak - Chong Chien Jien

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/31/challenges-ahead-for-pakatan-harapan-state-chairmen/#RFresOYV4T027LKb.99

'Pupuk Semangat Patriotik Sejak Prasekolah', Bernama, 30 Ogos 2017

 
Tarikh kemaskini: 30/08/2017

Oleh Sarimah Othman

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Ajukan soalan mengenai 'Merdeka' kepada sekumpulan kanak-kanak prasekolah, lalu lihatlah keletah dan dengarlah jawapan mereka.

Anda akan mendapati ada di antara kanak-kanak itu yang melaungkan perkataan 'Merdeka' beberapa kali. Ada yang membaca ikrar Rukunegara. Malah ada yang menyebut tentang Jalur Gemilang.

Ada pula menyanyi lagu 'Tanggal 31 Ogos' atau lagu 'Saya Anak Malaysia' yang dipopularkan pada 1980an.

Apakah sebenarnya erti Merdeka? Mereka punya pengertian tersendiri namun maksud 'Merdeka' perlu diperjelaskan dengan mudah agar mereka memahaminya.



Mungkin ada yang berpendapat kanak-kanak prasekolah terlalu awal untuk memahami erti kemerdekaan. Namun perlu diingat, melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya.

Pensyarah Sosiologi Politik, Profesor Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian berkata kanak-kanak perlu diajar asas simbol-simbol kenegaraan seperti lagu Negaraku, Jalur Gemilang, kedudukan perdana menteri, institusi Raja-raja, institusi keagamaan dan lain-lain yang berkaitan.

Pensyarah Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) itu berkata penting bagi kanak-kanak memahami nilai-nilai kebangsaan, perlembagaan dan Rukunegara agar mudah membentuk peribadi mereka. Jadi, kelak mereka akan sentiasa menghormati dan mengiktiraf pelbagai lambang kedaulatan negara.

SEMAI SEMANGAT PATRIOTIK

Sivamurugam berkata ada negara yang sememangnya mengajar kanak-kanak pada usia prasekolah.

"Pengisahan kemerdekaan sangat penting. Namun perlu ada kaedah yang sesuai untuk menjelaskannya agar dapat menarik perhatian kanak-kanak, umpamanya menggunakan gambar-gambar sebagai medium pembelajaran.

"Lihatlah Jepun sebagai contoh. Gambar-gambar para pejuang kemerdekaan diletakkan di sekolah-sekolah dan para pelajar dilatih supaya tunduk menghormati para pejuang itu," katanya yang dipilih sebagai ?Ikon Patriotik Bulan Kebangsaan' untuk dua tahun berturut-turut sejak tahun lepas.



Sehubungan itu, Sivamurugan berkata banyak cara boleh dilakukan dalam usaha memupuk semangat cintakan negara dalam kalangan kanak-kanak umpamanya dengan menjemput watak-watak atau personaliti tertentu yang boleh melakonkan peristiwa-peristiwa berkaitan perkara yang mahu disampaikan.

Bagi memastikan kanak-kanak memahaminya, erti kemerdekaan perlu disampaikan secara kreatif bersesuaian dengan minat mereka.

Beliau menegaskan, usaha-usaha itu tidak boleh sekadar menjadi jadual berkala dalam takwim sahaja, sebaliknya dilakukan secara berterusan.

Guru sewajarnya menjadi ?role model' namun perlu diingat bahawa tugas membentuk generasi akan datang dan membina negara bangsa adalah tanggungjawab bersama segenap lapisan masyarakat.

PROGRAM 'CHARACTER BUILDING'

Tinjauan ke beberapa buah prasekolah di Lembah Kelang mendapati tidak semua yang menjadikan sambutan Hari Kebangsaan sebagai satu daripada program tahunannya. Mungkinkah sambutan itu tidak dianggap penting kerana kanak-kanak itu masih kecil?

Menyedari tanggungjawab terhadap pembangunan modal insan bagi kanak-kanak generasi pasca merdeka, pengetua Q-dees Kindergarten (Q-dees) di Sungai Buloh Golf Resort, Selangor, Nor Hemylia Mohd Nor, 45, berkata tugas di prasekolah bukan sekadar mengajar malah membimbing dan mendidik ke arah membentuk keperibadian dan menyemai nilai-nilai patriotisme.

Saban tahun tadika itu menganjurkan sambutan Hari Kebangsaan dengan pelbagai aktiviti berbeza berdasarkan garis panduan yang disediakan ibu pejabat francais tadika itu.

Nor Hemylia berkata program yang dianjurkan bergantung kepada tema tahunan sambutan dan mesej yang disampaikan merangkumi asas maksud di sebalik sambutan Hari Kebangsaan.

Persediaan selalunya dibuat pada minggu kedua atau ketiga Ogos.

"Tidak sukar melatih kanak-kanak. Mereka mampu menghafal lagu tema Hari Kebangsaan dalam tempoh beberapa hari sahaja. Nyanyian adalah medium yang mudah menarik perhatian kanak-kanak, itulah antara cara untuk memupuk semangat cintakan negara," jelas beliau sambil menyambung bahawa guru-guru kemudiannya akan menjelaskan maksud lagu tema itu.

Nor Hemylia berkata memandangkan kanak-kanak berusia empat hingga enam tahun, cerita disampaikan secara ringkas dengan kaedah yang menarik dan menggunakan bahasa yang mudah difahami.

"Kami memberi penekanan terhadap usaha membentuk modal insan secara berterusan. Ia antara yang diterapkan dalam program ?character building' serta didikan agama.

"Selain itu, menyemai nilai kecintaan terhadap negara dalam jiwa kanak-kanak adalah penting agar prinsip Rukunegara dapat difahami dan menjadi amalan mereka," jelas beliau.

ANAK WARGA ASING

Bertugas sebagai guru tadika selama 30 tahun memberi pengalaman berbeza setiap tahun bagi Zuriah Ismail, 57 tahun.

Kini mengajar di Tadika Islam Tengku Ampuan Jemaah, sebuah daripada tadika di bawah Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) sejak 10 tahun lepas, beliau memberitahu bahawa kira-kira 80 peratus daripada kanak-kanaknya adalah berketurunan asing.

Bagaimanapun, tambah beliau nilai-nilai kebangsaan tetap diajar, dipupuk dan diterapkan kerana kanak-kanak itu dilahirkan di negara ini.

Malah, aktiviti pada setiap hari Jumaat merangkumi nyanyian lagu Negaraku, mengenali bendera Malaysia serta ?memperkenalkan' mereka dengan perdana menteri-perdana menteri Malaysia.

"Tapi setakat mana penerimaan mereka terhadap pengajaran mengenai kemerdekaan itu sukar dipastikan terutamanya kerana latar belakang masing-masing yang berbeza.

"Apa yang pasti adalah, bagi mereka, Hari Kebangsaan adalah hari untuk kibarkan bendera, mereka berseronok, menyanyi dan melaungkan 'Merdeka'. Malah ada kanak-kanak yang menyifatkannya macam Hari Raya," kata beliau.

Sementara itu, pengusaha Littlebell Kindergarten (Littlebell) di Damansara Utama, Selangor, Teng Lig Phing, 39, pula berbangga dengan penyertaan kanak-kanak di tadika beliau melaksanakan projek Hari Kebangsaan tahun ini.

Kanak-kanak berusia berusia tiga dan empat tahun membuat kolaj bunga raya daripada kertas kitar semula manakala kanak-kanak berumur lima dan enam tahun 'membina' Menara Kembar Petronas daripada botol-botol air mineral.

Tahun ini merupakan kali pertama Littlebell menganjurkan projek, tetapi setiap tahun tadika berkenaan mengadakan program kesedaran sempena Hari Kebangsaan.

BERNAMA

'Inculcate Patriotism From Young', Bernama, 30 August 2017

Inculcate Patriotism From Young
Last update: 30/08/2017

By Sarimah Othman

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Ask pre-schoolers about "Merdeka" and watch in amusement as they attempt to answer.

You will find some of them crying out "Merdeka" repeatedly. Some would recite the Rukunegara while others would talk about the Jalur Gemilang.

There were also those who would launch into 'Tanggal 31 Ogos' or 'Saya Anak Malaysia', patriotic songs that have been famous since the 1980s.

How do we teach them what Merdeka actually means? Some may think they are a little too young to discuss such a heavy topic but it is better to start them young.

Political sociologist Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said that children needed to be taught the basic symbols of nationhood such as the Negaraku and Jalur Gemilang songs, the status of the Prime Minister, the monarchy and religious institutions.

The lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)'s School of Social Sciences said that it was important for children to understand national values, the constitution and the Rukunegara as it would help shape their character. This is so that they will grow up respecting and acknowledge the various symbols of their country's sovereignty.

SOWING THE SEEDS OF PATRIOTISM

He said there were countries that taught preschool children nationhood in the bid to inculcate patriotism from an early age.

"It is important to teach them the history of our independence. However, the methods need to be age-appropriate so as to attract and retain their attention, such as by using photos.

"We can look at Japan as an example. The photographs of their freedom fighters are placed in schools so that the students would bow to them in respect as they pass by the images," said Sivamurugam, who was recently selected as the National Day Patriotism Icon for the second year in a row.

He said there were many ways to instil the love for the nation among children. Among them would be to invite characters or personalities beloved by children to act out the scenes related to the messages that needed to be conveyed.

To ensure age-level understanding, the storylines would need to be presented in a creative way that was suited to their interest.

He believed that the inculcation of such values needed to be an ongoing effort and not something that was carried out only to commemorate a date or event.

Although teachers should act as role models, society must acknowledge that it takes a village to raise a child. Shaping the future generation is a collective responsibility.

CHARACTER BUILDING ACTIVITIES

A survey at several preschools around the Klang Valley revealed that not all preschools incorporated the National Day celebration into their annual activities programmes. Was it because they assumed the children are too young to benefit from it?

Realising their responsibility towards human capital development among post-Merdeka generations, the principal of Q-dees Kindergarten (Q-hn dees) in Sungai Buloh Golf Resort, Selangor, Nor Hemylia Mohd Nor, 45, said the preschool would clebrate National Day every year by organising a number of activities as prepared by the franchise's headquarters.

The activities would usually begin in the second or third week of August.

"It isn't hard to train children. They are able to memorise the National Day theme song only within a few days. Singing is a medium that is appealing to children and is one of the ways we can inculcate their love for the nation," she said, adding that the teachers would then explain to the children the meaning of lyrics.

Nor Hemylia said as preschoolers were aged between four and six years old, the stories should be presented in a manner and language that was easy for them to understand.

We focus on continuous development of human capital. This is among what we try to inculate in our character building programmes.

"In addition to that, it is important to instil the love for the nation from young so that the principles of Rukunegara can be understood and practiced," she explained.

TEACHING OTHERS

The experience is a little different for Zuriah Ismail, who taught at a kindergarten where 80 percent of the children there were those of foreigners.

The 57-year-old has been teaching at Tadika Islam Tengku Ampuan Jemaah, a kindergarten under Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) for the past 10 years.

Despite that, she said, the children were still taught the values of nationhood as the children were born in Malaysia.

In fact, every Friday, the children would sing Negaraku and be taught the flags of the states of Malaysia and the prime ministers of Malaysia.

"It is a little difficult to ascertain how much they accept or understand what is taught, due to their different backgrounds. However, they understand that the National Day is a day for them to fly the flag, have fun and cry out 'Merdeka'.

"Some of the children even describe the merriment as similar to Hari Raya," said Zuriah, who has been teaching kindergarteners for 30 years.

'In SEA Games Victory, Khairy Emerges As Political Winner', The Malay Mail, 2 September 2017

Malaysia

 

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
September 02, 2017

Khairy Jamaluddin congratulates the national football players who qualified for the final against Thailand after a 1-0 victory over Indonesia during KL2017 SEA Games Men's Football semi final match at Shah Alam Stadium. ― Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 — By surpassing its 111-gold medal target, Malaysia exerted its dominance of the 29th SEA Games in its best outing at the tournament to date.
Naturally, the entire nation is on a high and that feel-good factor has for the moment allowed Malaysians to forget their differences.
This could bode well for Khairy Jamaluddin, the youth and sports minister and Umno Youth chief who is also tipped to be a future prime minister, who did well to position himself as the man who made all of it possible.
Proof of this was there right from the get-go: from the well-calculated decision to endorse a punchy unifying theme for the Games — “Rise Together” — to publicising the fact that he is the first minister to represent the country in the biennial games' polo debut, to his well-timed appearance before cameras in key moments of victories throughout the tournament.
Take, for example, his timely appearance with Olympic bronze medalist Mohd Azizul Hasni Awang when the world keirin champion won the keirin sprint game to bag Malaysia's 111th gold, the medal that effectively made Malaysia the region's top sporting nation.
Make no mistake, Khairy is well aware of what being a media darling can do for his image.
“He knew that if he could bring people together for the Games… most importantly he knew that he had to be seen as doing so… it would definitely boost his credentials,” an Umno Youth member told Malay Mail Online.
Larger than life
In fact no sports minister in Malaysian history has enjoyed as much popularity as Khairy. One only needs to look at the 2001 SEA Games, which was also held here, to understand the extent of the Umno Youth chief's popularity.
The Malaysian contingent bagged 111 gold medals then to top the tournament's ranking, yet almost nobody attributed the success to the sports and youth minister of the time, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Compare it to this year's Games. One would find it almost impossible not to see or hear Malaysians mention Khairy while congratulating the athletes.
Views polled from Facebook found that there is almost a consensus among users that Khairy somehow played a role in the solid performance of the Malaysian SEA Games contingent, even in sports that our athletes and trainers already excelled at (squash, swimming, hockey and gymnastics to name a few) before Khairy became the sports minister.
“Thanks to Khairy… now our sports are getting better,” wrote a Facebook user by the name of Khairulirfan. Another female user by the name of Shura wrote “We can see so much difference in our athletes' performance… all thanks to Khairy”.
One of the crucial elements driving his popularity, especially among the youths, is what analysts describe as “constructive engagement”, a method of encouraging direct public participation — or at least the appearance of it — in the decision-making process via engagements on social media.
The result is the enormous amount of valuable data that allows him to understand how youths think.
In this sense, Khairy has made himself a household brand. No young leaders, even from the talents available on the opposing side of the political divide, have been able to match the Umno Youth chief's ability to connect with youths.
“Khairy and his team calibrate themselves to the prevailing state of young people and maximise youth volunteerism — the personal sense of purpose in people coming to terms with age — rather than explicitly dictating terms. We have never had a sports minister with this approach before,” said Praba Ganesan, chief executive of KUASA, a democracy outreach initiative who is also a sports enthusiast himself.
Boon for Barisan Nasional?
But popularity ratings alone would not mean much if the SEA Games success cannot help Khairy draw more youth support towards his party and the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
While sports may have the ability to douse political animosity and discontent, the effects are often temporary; no political parties have been able to boast an uptick in support because of their sports accomplishment, not even BN, analysts said.
And the KL SEA Games has also had its fair share of gaffes and blunders; like the upside down Indonesian flag mishap, or the riot at the Shah Alam Stadium started by vexed fans, some of whom had queued from 4am to buy tickets to watch our Under 23 side dethrone reigning champion, Thailand, for the gold medal, only to be told that none were available.
As quick as they were to attribute the minister's role in the athletes' success, a survey on Facebook and Twitter also showed that fans felt Khairy was directly responsible for much of the blunders.
Yet some analysts believe this will have little impact on the Umno Youth chief's approval rating. In fact, some believe Khairy could be the first Umno Youth politician to succeed in exploiting the country's sporting success to boost his personal and political brand.
“KJ, with his considerable resources and extremely good looks, has no worry on the popularity front. TN50 is a great tool to rope in the youngsters, making them feel that their opinions matter,” Oh Ei Sun, adjunct senior fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said.
TN50 or National Transformation 2050 is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's initiative to “chart a new course for Malaysia” in the area of economic and social development after Malaysia achieves a fully a “high-income” nation status by 2020.
But unlike Vision 2020, which Najib and Khairy criticised as an elitist top-down policy of the previous administration, TN50 is the opposite in the sense that the government provides — or is seen providing — a more participatory platform for Malaysians to give their own input.
 And the Umno Youth chief has been at the forefront in promoting TN50, ensuring that young talents are employed to act as “ambassadors” that work under his guidance.
“You need strong and vibrant leadership to keep the momentum and interest... and that’s how KJ filled the vacuum to ensure we will become the champion and provide the best service to other nations as well.
“For me, he has proven to set new expectations among ministers as he became one of them, inclusive rather than exclusive,” Sivamurugan Pandian, an analyst with Universiti Sains Malaysia, said.

KJ Praised For Quick Action On Flag Blunder, 21 August 2017

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/08/21/khairy-praised-for-quick-action-on-flag-blunder/

KJ Dipuji Tindakan Tangkas Isu Bendera Indonesia Terbalik

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/2017/08/21/khairy-dipuji-tindakan-tangkas-isu-bendera-indonesia-terbalik/

'Wala' Kemerdekaan Negaraku', Pena DrSiva, Utusan Malaysia, 22 Ogos 2017

'Testimony On DrMahathir-Era Forex Losses Begins Today', New Straits Times, 21 August 2017

'Najib's Notice Of Ties With Zahid Prevents party Crises', New Straits Times, 8 August 2017

'Kit Siang Eyeing Penang Seat?', New Straits Times, 5 August 2017

'Kupas Selera Pengundi', Sinar Harian, 26 Julai 2017

Nanyang Siang Pau newspaper, 20 July 2017

'Dr M Will Stop At Nothing', New Sunday Times, 23 July 2017

'PH Perlu Anwar Untuk Kekal Dalam Pentas Politik Negara - Dr Sivamurugan', Awani 501, 20 Julai 2017

PH perlu Anwar untuk kekal dalam pentas politik negara - Dr Sivamurugan

Afza Fahmidah dan Wan Syamsul Amly, Astro Awani | Julai 20, 2017 12:44 MYT

                        

DR SIVAMURUGAN: PH masih memerlukan khidmat Anwar untuk memastikan sokongan rakyat terutama golongan reformasi kekal dalam arus politik perdana negara. - Gambar fail

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan (PH) masih memerlukan khidmat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim untuk memastikan sokongan rakyat terutama golongan reformasi kekal dalam arus politik perdana negara.

Pensyarah Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian bagaimanapun berkata, PH perlu menerangkan dengan lebih jelas perbezaan fungsi ketua umum, pengerusi dan presiden gabungan itu.

Jelasnya terdapat pertembungan personaliti dalam ketiga-tiga jawatan di dalam PH itu yang menimbulkan kegusaran rakyat.

“Kedudukan ketua umum masih lagi untuk membuat keputusan dan berikan arahan, manakala pengerusi berfungsi untuk menetapkan, mencari platform atau landasan bagi perjalanan perbincangan, diskusi serta sumbang saran dalam PH.

“Presiden pula memainkan peranan dalam melaksanakan serta menggerakkan perjalanan PH. Kita juga harus melihat kedudukan dewan presiden, iaitu badan tertinggi dalam PH, di mana ketuanya ialah Datuk Seri Wan Azizah.

“Baru-baru ini wujud dilema tentang mengapakah mesyuarat dipengerusikan oleh pengerusi dan bukan oleh presiden di bawah dewan presiden yang berperanan sebagai dewan harian atau yang menentukan perjalanan harian PH itu sendiri. Dalam konteks ini, jika tidak wujud penjelasan yg lebih jitu dan meyakinkan maka akan wujudlah persepsi secara berterusan ke atas PH,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.


 Pada Rabu, Presiden Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin menegaskan, beliau tidak melihat berlakunya kekeliruan jawatan-jawatan tertinggi dalam PH.

Jelasnya, setiap jawatan ada peranan masing-masing yang akan diputuskan melalui perlembagaan parti tidak lama lagi.

 

Dalam pada itu, jelas Dr Sivamurugan, jawatan ketua umum pernah diwujudkan ketika Anwar ditahan pada 1998.

“Kita harus melihat sejarah peruntukan jawatan ketua umum yang dibuat ketika Anwar ditahan pada 1998 di mana ketika itu sukar untuk membuat keputusan rasmi, maka jawatan itu dilahirkan supaya beliau masih boleh membuat keputusan dan memberi arahan kepada Wan Azizah.

“Saluran yang dibuat (ketua umum) memastikan tiada keputusan dibuat tanpa persetujuan daripada Anwar jadi ia usaha untuk memujuk golongan reformasi untuk terus menyokong walaupun dengan kehadiran Dr Mahathir sebagai pengerusi PH.

“Saya percaya keyakinan bergantung kepada bagaimana mereka boleh melahirkan kepercayaan ke atas struktur baharu ini memandangkan wujudnya tiga jawatan yang berbeza seolah-olah akan melahirkan pertembungan dalam konteks menentukan keputusan,” tegasnya.

Tambahnya, setiap personaliti yang memegang jawatan tertinggi di dalam PH mempunyai penyokong masing-masing yang perlu diyakinkan selain langkah pembentukan ideologi politik baharu atau berasaskan politik berdasarkan personaliti.

“Jika personaliti itu yang diutamakan, maka akan runtuhlah pembentukan ideologi politik baharu yang akan menyukarkan proses untuk melahirkan keyakinan secara berterusan yang akan beri impak kepada PH,” ujarnya.

Sebelum ini Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia Datuk Salleh Said Keruak berkata, PH cuba menyembunyikan fakta daripada rakyat Malaysia bahawa DAP, yang mempunyai kerusi terbanyak di Parlimen dalam kalangan parti gabungan pembangkang itu, sebenarnya yang menentukan siapa bakal Perdana Menteri.

Tegasnya, walaupun pakatan itu mencadangkan Anwar menjadi Perdana Menteri berikutnya tetapi dalam realiti politik, jawatan itu akan diputuskan oleh parti yang mempunyai paling banyak kerusi di Parlimen.

Setiausaha Akhbar kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad sebelum ini turut berkata, dakwaan Dr Mahathir bahawa beliau adalah 'top dog' pihak pembangkang dan setaraf perdana menteri adalah tidak benar kerana beliau sebenarnya sekadar boneka dalam barisan kepimpinan baharu PH.

Tegasnya, Pengerusi DAP Lim Kit Siang sebenarnya yang menjadi ketua pakatan pembangkang tetapi beliau tidak ditonjolkan dalam carta kepimpinan gabungan PH.

'Polls Likely in April, Say Analysts', New Straits Times, 20 July 2017

'Ajakan Mahathir Bersifat Politik', Sinar Harian, 19 July 2017

'Ambil Langkah Selesai Konflik', Sinar Harian, 16 Julai 2017

'Who Will Lead Pakatan Harapan?, The Star, 15 July 2017

'Hentikan Timbul Persepsi Tidak Tepat', Utusan Malaysia, 15 Julai 2017

'Opposition Must Resolve Leadership Woes', New Straits Times, 15 July 2017

'Pengajaran Daripada Pilihan Raya UK', Pena Dr.Siva, Utusan Malaysia, 11 Julai 2017

'Perkasa Kembali Dalam Sektor Awam', Berita Harian, 7 Julai 2017

'Ahli Politik Wajar Contohi Ketegasan Abdul Hadi', Utusan Malaysia, 28 Jun 2017

'Pakatan Lenyap Jika Anwar Jadi Calon PM', Utusan Malaysia, 21 Jun 2017

'Pakatan Harapan To Announce Leadership Line-Up Next Week', New Straits Times, 10 June 2017

'Focus On Winning GE14, Not On Who Will Be PM', New Straits Times, 8 June2017

'Undi Rosak, Protes Atau Sudah Bosan', Pena Dr. Siva, Utusan Malaysia, 6 Jun 2017

'PKR's Placard Gimmick A Blow To DrM', New Straits Times, 23 May 2017

'All Eyes on PKR Congress', The Star, 19 May 2017

'Azmin Tak Pecat Tiga Exco PAS Untuk Bertahan Hingga PRU-14', Berita Harian, 19 Mei 2017

'Runtun Budi, Runtuh Bangsa', Pena Dr.Siva, Utusan Malaysia, 17 Mei 2017

'Pakatan May Lose Big Without PAS', New Straits Times, 16 May 2017

'Laman Media: Punca Perpecahan kaum?', Sinar Harian, 15 Mei 2017

'Pentadbiran Kerajaan Selangor Tidak Tergugat', Sinar Harian, 14 Mei 2017

'Politik Matang UMNO dan PAS Demi Negara', Kosmo, 10 Mei 2017

'Logos Did Not Show Struggle', New Straits Times, 10 May 2017

'Bukan Mudah Gugat Kubu Kuat', Sinar Harian, 9 Mei 2017

'Varsity Students Think Bribery Is For Survival', New Straits Times, 8 May 2017

'Opposition Too Riddled With Conflicts To Govern, Say Experts', New Straits Times, 7 May 2017

'Hadi: PPBM Lacks Directionb, So No Alliance', New Straits Times, 30 April 2017

'muktamar Will Define PAS'S Direction For Years', New Straits Times, 21 April 2017

'Terus Pertahankan Institusi Raja-Raja Melayu', Utusan Malaysia, 5 Aprilm 2017

Negaraku, Malaysia, Pena Dr.Siva, Utusan Malaysia, 20 Mac 2017

'UMNO Must Convince Other BN Parties', New Straits Times, 13 March 2017

'Daftar Undi Automatik, Malaysia Sudah Boleh Mula', Sinar Harian, 5 Mac 2017

Daftar undi automatik, Malaysia sudah boleh mula

HASLINA KAMALUDIN

5 Mac 2017

  

   

Para pengundi yang hadir menunaikan tanggungjawab untuk membuang undi.- Foto Bernama

SHAH ALAM – Kerajaan boleh mengambil pendekatan dengan membuat pendaftaran mengundi secara automatik terhadap setiap remaja yang menginjak usia 21 tahun.
Penganalisis politik dari Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian berpendapat, Malaysia sudah ada kemampuan untuk ke arah itu dan mengikut jejak beberapa negara yang sudah melakukannya.
Menurutnya, dengan cara ini ia dapat mengurangkan angka golongan muda yang masih tidak mendaftar sebagai pengundi.
“Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) dan Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) boleh merealisasikan perkara ini.
“Kita tahu, mengundi adalah tanggungjawab semua, namun jika kita hanya menunggu, dikhuatiri akan lebih ramai tidak mahu mendaftar memandangkan ada beberapa faktor yang saya kira mengapa golongan muda ini tidak mahu mendaftar,” katanya kepada Sinar Online.
Beliau berkata, sungguhpun ia mungkin dianggap satu perubahan drastik, namun ia boleh dijadikan percubaan untuk ke arah lebih baik.
“Sudah pasti akan ada pro dan kontranya. Tetapi, jika kita tidak mulakan dari sekarang, bila lagi?
“Jumlah 4.1 juta yang masih belum berdaftar dan majoriti adalah golongan muda, ia tidak boleh dipandang ringan.
“Antara faktor yang menyebabkan mereka tidak mahu mendaftar adalah kurang sikap ingin mengambil tahu kepentingan mengundi serta tiada pendedahan khusus mengenai tanggungjawab sebagai pengundi,” katanya.
Katanya lagi,  ada juga segelintir golongan muda ini merasakan, mendaftar atau tidak, ia tidak akan membawa apa-apa perubahan terhadap sistem yang ada sekarang.
“Pandangan itu silap. Dengan kefahaman yang betul, jumlah ini akan dapat dikurangkan dan lebih ramai golongan muda akan mula mendaftar.
“Tetapi, tugas untuk memberi kefahaman bukan terletak kepada SPR dan parti politik sahaja. Ia perlu dilakukan oleh semua pihak termasuk keluarga sendiri,” katanya.
Jelasnya, keengganan golongan muda mendaftar sebagai pengundi memberi kebimbangan kerana merekalah nadi masa depan negara.
Lebih banyak pendedahan perlu dilakukan untuk menyuntik semula semangat dan mengembalikan keyakinan kepada golongan ini untuk mendaftar.

'Putus hubungan Diplomatik Pun Tidak Apa', Kosmo, 6 Mac 2017

'Banteras Habis-Habisan', Mingguan Malaysia, 5 Mac 2017

'TN50 Gagasan Besar Masa Depan Negara', Pena DrSiva, Utusan Malaysia, 18 Februari 2017

              

 

NAJIB TUN RAZAK bersama Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin ketika sesi Wacana Dialog Perdana pada program Dialog Perdana Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) di Dewan Tuanku Canselor Universiti Malaya di Kuala Lumpur pada 19 Januari lalu. UTUSAN

 

PERDANA Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak telah melancar­kan Transformasi Na­sio­nal (TN50) di Dewan Tunku Canselor Universiti Malaya pada 19 Januari lalu. Ia membawa petanda baru dalam konteks negara kita; yang akan melakar sejarah tanah air mulai 2020. Namakan gagasan, visi atau misi mahupun wawasan, intipatinya jelas: memacu kecemerlangan berterusan negara dalam ledakan persaingan global dan memastikan kekal aman, sentosa, bahagia, rukun dan sejahtera; dari generasi ke generasi.

Pendekatan baharu diperkenalkan untuk merealisasikan pembentukan gagasan besar TN50 ini. Di peringkat awal diadakan dialog dengan kumpulan sasar; khusus­nya generasi muda sebagai ­modal insan yang akan memeta dan membawa lonjakan dalam ketamadunan baharu Malaysia.
Pelbagai kaedah dan pendekatan dirancang untuk memastikan transformasi nasional ‘untuk rakyat dari rakyat’ berpaksikan amalan ‘bottom-up’ dilaksanakan. Ini sesuai dengan perubahan landskap negara dari konteks demografi dan geografinya. Hakikatnya, bicara town-hall ini amat signifikan bagi menggarap mindset, keperluan dan kemahuan setiap warga Malaysia ini.

Matlamatnya apabila kita ­me­langkah masuk ke tahun 2020; TN sudah tersergam untuk diimplementasi berpandukan kehendak dan persetujuan majoriti yang akan dan telah memberi sumbangan maklumat, pandangan dan idea untuk turut serta dalam perwatakan TN50 ini.
Cabaran kepada sekretariat ada­lah mendekati pelbagai kumpulan kerana masing-masing ada kepentingan dan pandangan berbeza, seterusnya mencari formula menang-menang supaya semua­nya merasai nilai kepunyaan (ownership) dan pemilikan (belonging). Ujian adalah untuk turut menerima teguran dan kritikan tetapi jika membina, rasional dan praktikal; saya percaya ia akan diberi pertimbangan yang sewajarnya.
Dari sekecil kanak-kanak, remaja, dewasa dan warga emas serta kumpulan pelajar, mahasiswa, keluarga, anak, guru, pensyarah, nelayan, petani, pekerja awam, jururawat, wartawan, pengamal media, peguam, pelayan, pramugara, pekebun, doktor, pembersih sanitasi, pekerja swasta dan lain-lain pekerja am, staf sokongan, profesional, ­masing-masing ada tanggungjawab ke atas pembinaan negara-bangsa TN50 ini atas matlamat TN50 adalah untuk kita bersama.
Harus diingatkan Wawasan 2020 dicipta pada 1991 mengikut acuan yang dirasakan sesuai untuk pencapaian tahun 2020 mengikut trend kebanyakan negara maju dunia pertama tatkala itu. Hakikatnya, antara sumbang­an besar Wawasan 2020 adalah membina kelas pertengahan yang ­semakin membesar berbanding kelas bawahan. Dilemanya adalah kelas pertengahan tersepit di tengah-tengah. Maka, perancangan efisien harus mengambil kira soal ‘sejahtera’ untuk melengkapkan elemen aman dan sentosa.
Masyarakat semakin materia­listik dan individualistik. Bagaimana TN50 akan pastikan wujud hubungan saling melengkapi an­tara kesemua kelas masyarakat ini agar jurang mengecil dan garis kemiskinan juga bersesuaian de­ngan keadaan semasa? Kita juga harus melihat dalam konteks satu gagasan besar agar kesemua ne­geri termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak menikmati limpahan kekayaan negara sepenuhnya supaya soal tidak ada jalan, elektrik, air memencil; dan soal maruah diri, masyarakat dan negara membesar. Nilai inovasi TN50 akan melengkapkan nilai kecekapan untuk menggapai kejayaan.
Kita tidak boleh bandingkan dengan Jepun dan Amerika hari ini tetapi mempunyai ‘imaginasi komuniti’ yang mahu dizahirkan pada tahun 2050 mengikut acuan sendiri secara rasional dan praktikal. Jika KDNK Malaysia diramal menjadi berkali ganda menjelang tahun 2050 ­berbanding 1990 dan 2020; kini rakyat Malaysia harus menjadi enam kali ganda sejahtera dan mapan pada tahun 2050. Tanggapan bahawa ‘satu saiz untuk semua’ mesti dihentikan kerana setiap kumpulan sasar mempunyai latar berbeza dan kelonggaran dalam pelaksanaan sesuatu da­sar perlu demi menjamin hasil yang memberangsangkan.
Cabaran perlu mengambil kira perubahan teknologi dan budaya serta yang lain jika mahu berada pada kedudukan yang baik ter­utama dengan anjakan berpusat kepada inovasi. Ia boleh menjadi cabaran jika ideologi politik tidak diberikan keutamaan berban­ding sistem penyampaian. Yang pentingnya masing-masing harus boleh bersama selepas selesai pe­milihan demi masa depan negara bangsa ini. Banyak agensi perlu bersama supaya kebajikan masyarakat kekal terpelihara. Ini yang akan menguji kematangan.
Dunia maju juga masih bergelut dengan nilai dan norma serta budaya melainkan budaya dijadikan sebagai gaya hidup. Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan 2015-2030 (SDG) Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) boleh dijadikan rujukan terutamanya ke arah kemiskinan sifar; tiada kelaparan; kesihatan dan kesejahteraan; pendidikan berkualiti; kesaksamaan gender; air dan sa­nitasi bersih; tenaga bersih; pertumbuhan ekonomi; industri, inovasi dan infrastruktur; kurangkan ketaksamaan; komuniti/ bandar mapan; produktiviti dan kepenggunaan bertanggungjawab; perubahan cuaca; alam air; alam ta­nah; keamanan dan keadilan; dan rakan untuk mencapai kesemua matlamat.
Hanya keyakinan dan kepercayaan dapat membawa kejayaan di sebalik perancangan TN50. Malaysia bakal mencipta sejarah baharu. Kesemuanya adalah di bawah pemilikan dan tanggungjawab bersama sesiapa sahaja yang menamakan dirinya warga Malaysia.
PROFESOR DR. P. SIVAMURUGAN dari Pusat Pengajian Sains Ke­masyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia.