12  TELLING IT AS IT IS theSun | WEDNESDAY JULY 1 2009

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weeks. We can only hope that common sense

‘My England not powderful one’ aided by looking for long-term results would
prevail. We cannot forsake our children’s
future by taking a narrow-minded approach
with politics being in the forefront. Any
decision made must be thought out, argued
and arrived at by looking at the benefits such
a system would bring.

I
N September 1996, I argued
profusely with the authorities at
the Anglia Ruskin University in
Chelmsford, England, who wanted
me to sit for an English proficiency
test after which they would decide if
I had to attend language classes. By
that time, I already had 24 years of
journalism in English newspapers
under my belt and I vehemently
protested to no avail.
“All Malaysian students have to CitizenNades is continuing. Everyone wants
sit for this test and if need be, they
will have to attend English classes by R. Nadeswaran
so that they can better understand
what is being taught,” was the curt reply.
More than 90% of the 100-odd Malaysians who
were government scholars sat this test. There
were many casualties and of course, they had
to spend endless hours at the language lab
while some of us used our time trying to learn
German.
When I read an email recently contain-
ing a note purportedly sent by the director
of sports at a public university, my thoughts
reflected on what happened 13 years ago at
my university. Then of course, the two over-
used phrases came to mind – “My England not
powderful one” and “I no speaking Englang!”
The email from the university, which had
numerous grammatical and typographical
errors is testimony to the deteriorating stand-
ards of English and what most Malaysians
have to live with. If this was an isolated case,
it would be understandable that we have one
or two administrators who are incompetent
in English. However, it has happened before.
Remember the advertisement from another
public university which caused a member of
the Johor royal household so much embar-
rassment last year?
This administrator’s “mistakes”
won’t be the last we read. More and
more boo-boos will see print. More
and more letters and circulars will
make the rounds in cyberspace. It’s
no laughing matter either. If admin-
istrators have such standards, what
can you expect of the students?
Yes, the debate on the teaching
of maths and science in English
to have his say – the academi-
cians, parents, the politicians and
of course the self-appointed
guardians of mother tongue.
While no one wants to argue that language
is a unifying factor, let’s not run away from the
fact that mastering English is the way forward
globally. Hence, despite all kinds of pressure
and objections, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
pushed through his “reforms” in the education
system so that Malaysians can compete in the
international arena.
Sad to say, the bold step he took is now at
risk of being reversed. Pressure is mounting
on the authorities to go back to having one
medium of instruction for all subjects because
some quarters have turned it into a political
hot potato. Some have argued that teaching the
two subjects in English is an affront to Bahasa
Malaysia being the official language. Others
have likened it as being condescending to the
colonial British masters who introduced the
English education system. On the extreme
side, we have those with blinkers who associ-
ate language with loyalty and patriotism.
Now, imagine having the director of sports
as the chef de mission for an international
sports tournament. How is he going to converse
with his counterparts and officials? How will But we should never allow sentiments or a
he understand the numerous circulars and minority group to impose their will on all 27
directives issued by the organisers from time million Malaysians. That would be of course,
to time? How will he speak the beginning of the end of our
at the meetings of heads of dream of Malaysians being in
contingents? How is he going
While no one the forefront of technology,
to promote Malaysia? After all, wants to argue much less a developed nation
isn’t such a post always asso- that language is a by 2020.
ciated with being the “sports unifying factor, let’s
ambassador for the country”? not run away from the
Dear readers, I do not want R. Nadeswaran has had many
to add to the thousands of fact that mastering encounters with university
comments which have English is the way graduates who cannot string
appeared in this and other forward globally. two sentences in English with-
newspapers. The “Letters to out five mistakes and yet lament
the Editor” pages in most publications have that they are unable to find employment. He is
been overwhelmed by the volume of mail on editor (special and investigative reporting) at
this subject. The Education Ministry has said theSun. He can be reached at citizen-nades@
that a decision would be made in the next few thesundaily.com.
letters
letters@thesundaily.com
Ayer Keroh toll plaza and proceed to Malacca
Confusing Zoo, Malacca International Trade Centre, Ma-
lacca Mall, Malacca Hospital, Malacca Sentral,
messages Hang Tuah Mall, Malacca River and end at the
Mahkota Medical Centre in Bandar Hilir.”
Extending the aerorail through the historical
over Malacca core area and buffer zone is unacceptable. But
what is even stranger is that the chief minister
contradicts himself in the second part of his
aerorail statement, where he says: “There will be seven
stations in the first phase – Tun Ali Station, Cem-
THE Malacca aerorail project, touted to be the paka Station, Sentral Station, Masjid Station,
first in Southeast Asia has been announced by Peringgit Station, Kolej Station and the Malacca
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. The Historical City Council (MBMB) Station.”
public have been asked to take part in its three- The plans on display also seem to bear this
month feedback period by using the portal at out – the first phase of the line will start at Jalan
www.aerorail.net or going to the MBMB office Tun Ali and finish at MBMB.
in Ayer Keroh. So why is the chief minister telling the public
I believe that Malacca residents should two different things?
check the plans, because there are some Also, how will the aerorail from Jalan Tun Ali
very confusing statements made by the chief ease the traffic congestion in the main areas
minister. of Malacca town – namely Jalan Laksamana,
He is quoted as saying, “We are building this Plaza Mahkota, Melaka Raya, Dataran Pahlawan
transit system for public convenience and to and Kota Laksamana? Where is the solution for
improve the efficiency of the state’s transport these heavily-congested areas?
system.” But the aerorail is not an LRT as Once again, I ask Malacca residents to view
originally promised. And despite the huge cost the plans and give the chief minister the feed-
of the aerorail, there are no planned improve- back that he clearly needs.
ments to bus service in the state, no integrated It is time to clear the air before we proceed
public transport system, and no evidence to to build the aerorail.
show that the aerorail is needed.
The chief minister also says that “Under Moaz Yusuf Ahmad
phase one, the aerorail will begin near the Subang Jaya

We have much more to offer tourists

EVERY time I go abroad, I take a keen interest in
the tourist potential of the country I am visiting,
and when I return home, it reinforces my belief
that Tourism Malaysia is not doing justice to
promote Malaysia as a cost-competitive and
value-for-money holiday destination. There are
so many things we can highlight to tourists with
a media blitz, but fail to do so.
Malaysia offers among the cheapest hotel
rates in the region, and even perhaps the world,
but little publicity is given to this strong pull-
factor. In comparison to countries in the region
and in Asia, where the five-star hotel rates are
between US$250 and US$300 (RM880-RM1,060)
a day, the daily room rates for five-star hotels
in Malaysia average around US$130-US$150
(RM459-RM530). Many of these countries also
discriminate between locals and foreigners.
Even meals at ordinary restaurants are much
cheaper in Malaysia than in many countries.
Recently, I was on holiday in a neighbouring
country and went to a restaurant with a friend
for a meal which cost RM69. The same meal in
a restaurant in Bangsar, which is considered to
be an expensive area in Kuala Lumpur, would
cost only around RM25.
The warmth and hospitality advertised by
that country was a charade. In a country which
prides itself on its smiling people, I was greeted
with a stern look by the customs and immigra-
tion officers. At least our men and women in
uniform at airports offer a smile.
During my visit to one tourist attraction, a
sign showed that foreigners had to pay RM35
as entrance fee, while it was free for the locals.
In Malaysia, we don’t treat our guests in such
a manner.
English should be a selling point for our tour-
ism promotion. Most people in Malaysia, even
those who cannot communicate well, can at
least understand the rudiments of the language.
In many developed and developing countries,
where English is not the national language, the
majority of the population can hardly commu-
nicate with English-speaking tourists.
Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah
have so many hidden treasures yet to be
discovered. As a Malaysian, I too, have not
visited many of these treasures.
The media can assume an important role
in promoting domestic promotion, especially
during school holidays. Tourism Malaysia should
work together with the media to promote these
tourist destinations.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen
Yen recently stated that there are around
12,000 foreigners residing in Malaysia under
the Malaysia: My Second Home Programme.
With the cost of living escalating in many Euro-
pean countries, Japan and the US, many of the
nationals, especially retirees, from these
countries would like to find an alternative place
to reside in comfort. Malaysia would be the
answer to their dilemma.
Tourism Malaysia must get cracking.
James Gonzales
Kuala Lumpur