Chow Kit Kita:Chow Kit Road

The first ever ‘Pesta Chow Kit Kita’ was held on 21 November 2010 and showcased Chow Kit and its community through the eyes of teens living there.

Chow Kit Kita was a community mapping project by teens, for teens of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur.

The festival was the outcome of a four-month-long series of workshops conducted for the first phase of the project which covered the theme ‘Ethnic & religious diversity in Chow Kit’. Workshops, which included illustration, mural painting, photography, video, acting, T-shirt printing, and research, were facilitated by a group of young volunteers from various art and media background.

‘Pesta Chow Kit Kita’ were hoped to be proud effort of ten teens aged between 13 and 15.

Chow Kit Kita was the brainchild of Lew Pik-Svonn and Fahmi Reza.

“The teens’ portrayal of Chow Kit is crucial to show that behind the image of Chow Kit, typically known for negative activities, is a community of youth trying to lead a regular life. By working on this project, it will also give the youth a greater sense of pride, ownership and responsibility towards their community,” says Lew.

Besides the launching of the map mural of Chow Kit, there were host of activities which promised to be fun yet insightful and purposeful. By this way, visitors would be able to appreciate Chow Kit better through a photography exhibition, origin of road names exhibition, video screening, and a street performance. There were also be a T-shirt printing station, live graffiti, music and dance, and even a best dressed (in traditional costume) competition.

Chow Kit Kita and the festival was supported by KL Krash Pad, National Art Gallery, Thumbprints United, PELAKA paint, Cititel Express, Choong Hing Trading, Click! and Malaysian Bhangra Association.

The festival were take place at KL Krash Pad (346 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit) from 2pm to 7pm.

Admission was free.

[edited sikit-sikit from a video post in web]

Tidak wajar Sin-Chan dijadikan ikon

Jangan terkejut andai tiba-tiba anak anda berumur kurang tujuh tahun melondehkan seluar serta menunjukkan punggungnya sambil menggoyangkannya dan berkata, “Punggung....” Timbul persoalan, dari mana mereka belajar perkara sebegitu?

Ini secara jelas adalah pengaruh yang tidak sihat daripada rancangan kartun kegemaran kebanyakan kanak-kanak termasuk sesetengah ibu bapa sendiri iaitu Sin-Chan. Sedarkah kita bahawa, bukan semua kartun adalah selamat bagi ditontonkan kepada anak-anak mutakhir ini.

Sebagai contoh rancangan Sin-Chan sendiri yang banyak dengan unsur lucah, siri Sponge Bob yang menjadikan 'Bikini Bottom' sebagai tempat tinggal mereka.

Tidak kurang juga kebanyakan kartun yang menjadikan tema pergaduhan, perbalahan dan membalas dendam sebagai tema dan jalan cerita. Tidak kurang juga kartun yang mempromosi adegan seksual dan cara berpakaian yang tidak senonoh serta tidak mengatup aurat.

Tanpa menafikan kartun mampu menjadi instrumen pendidikan yang terbaik untuk anak-anak namun dalam masa yang sama ianya juga amat berpengaruh dalam menanamkan budaya dan akhlak yang tidak baik kepada anak-anak.

Lantas, adalah menjadi kesalahan yang besar apabila ibu bapa sendiri yang mendorong anak-anak mereka bagi menonton siri-siri yang ternyata lebih besar kesan negatif berbanding kesan positif. Namun, dalam masa yang sama kita berterima kasih kepada pihak yang berjaya mencipta watak Upin dan Ipin, watak kartun animasi yang diciptakan oleh warga tempatan.

Kejayaan Upin dan Ipin sebagai produk animasi Malaysia yang berjaya menambat hati kanak-kanak tempatan dan luar negara wajar dipuji dan diangkat menjadi ikon kanak-kanak terkini dengan lebih penambahan unsur didaktik secara langsung mahupun tidak langsung.

Di Indonesia sebagai contoh, ikon Upin dan Ipin digunakan semaksimum mungkin dengan melekatkan dan mengaitkan watak tersebut termasuk pada buku-buku agama.Ini tidak lain adalah bertujuan bagi menarik dan mendapatkan perhatian anak-anak dan secara tidak langsung terhadap bahan-bahan bacaan agama.

Kesimpulannya adalah pemantauan dan penyaringan terhadap rancangan-rancangan kartun di televisyen perlu dilakukan oleh ibu bapa apabila anak-anak di rumah sementelah pada waktu cuti sekolah sekarang ini.

Dalam masa yang sama pihak televisyen bertanggungjawab menyiarkan hanya rancangan yang berfaedah dan mendidik kepada anak bangsa.

[http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/150451]

Siswa diminta banding negeri BN & Pakatan

[http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/151493]

Pemimpin Mahasiswa berperanan penting untuk membantu mengembalikan keyakinan di kalangan penuntut universiti supaya menyokong kerajaan, kata Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir.

Katanya cabaran yang dihadapi kerajaan sekarang adalah mendapatkan sokongan daripada penuntut-penuntut universiti di Malaysia kerana kebanyakan mahasiswa dan mahasiswi lebih cenderung untuk menyokong pembangkang.

"Mahasiswa dan mahasiswi perlu membandingkan apa yang dibuat oleh kerajaan di bawah Barisan Nasional dan negeri-negeri di bawah pakatan pembangkang dan menilai sendiri pihak manakah yang lebih berkhidmat kepada rakyat," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada sesi Bicara Orang Muda anjuran Persatuan Alumni Pemimpin Mahasiswa Aspirasi Malaysia (Aspirasi) di pejabat Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (Miti) di Kuala Lumpur, malam tadi.

Turut hadir ialah Presiden Aspirasi, Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

Sehubungan itu, beliau menasihati penuntut universiti agar tidak terpedaya dengan pelbagai tohmahan dan janji-janji yang diberikan oleh mereka kerana ia akan merugikan negara dan rakyat Malaysia, kata Mukhriz.

Selain itu, pihak Miti juga membantu graduan-graduan universiti untuk memulakan kerjaya sebagai usahawan tetapi mereka dinasihati agar melakukan kaji selidik mengenai pemasaran supaya barangan dan perkhidmatan yang disediakan memenuhi kehendak pasaran semasa, katanya.

Beliau berkata Miti mendapati beberapa usahawan gagal menebusi pasaran antarabangsa kerana tidak melakukan persediaan dan perancangan terperinci mengenai pemasaran dan tidak memenuhi kehendak pasaran semasa.

--Bernama

Secretary says...

Assalamu'alaikum, Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia buat semua pembaca-pembaca blog PerMaSTA.

[PENGUMUMAN KHAS BUAT AHLI-AHLI MAJLIS TERTINGGI PerMaSTA dan Sobals]

Pada 22hb Disember 2010, Rabu, satu mesyuarat akan diadakan di antara ahli-ahli majlis tertinggi PerMaSTA dan Sobals. Mesyuarat tersebut akan bermula pada jam 9 malam, bertempat di bilik PG9 (wing kiri, FasBio, bilik PerMaSTA).

Kehadiran diwajibkan terhadap semua ahli majlis tertinggi. Agenda yang akan dibincangkan adalah; penubuhan persatuan fakulti baru untuk FasBio (Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi Alam).

Sekian.

Underware That Could Save Your life - an analysis by Tracy Staedter

Any cyclist can tell you the importance of wearing a helmet to save a noggin' from damage during a crash. Bikers add leather gear to the equation for the open highway. And Firefighters wear heat-resistant pants and jackets when battling fires.

Soon U.S. military personnel may find that wearing underpants could save their lives. Not just any ol' Hanes or Fruit of the Loom

brand -- although arguably wearing tighty whities in certain battlefield circumstances might be more prudent than not. However, what I'm talking about are briefs that have carbon-based electrodes screenprinted onto the fabric, which acts as a biosensor to measure blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs.

The innovation comes from nano-engineer Joseph Wang of the University of California, San Diego. In an interview withReuters Television Wang said:

"This specific project involves monitoring the injury of soldiers during battlefield surgery and the goal is to develop minimally invasive sensors that can locate, in the field, and identify the type of injury."

And even beyond this, the waistband could contain medication, such as a pain-relief drug, that it could release in the presence of certain injuries.

Like all technologies that get their start in the military, these intelligent textiles could eventually make their way into civilian life. Elderly folks could wear the underpants to help monitor cardiac conditions, potential symptoms for a stroke or changes in diet that could affect any diabetic conditions. (No surprise, since someone's already developed underpants for hospital patients with incontinence; the garment sends a text message to nurses when accidents occur.) And athletes could also benefit during training by wearing an undergarment that monitors physical conditions.

[taken from an article http://news.discovery.com/tech/underwear-that-could-save-your-life.html]

Electronic Pick-Pockets Target Credit Cards - an analysis by David Teeghman

Credit card scams are about as old as credit cards themselves, but electronic pick-pocketing is a relatively new threat to your credit card security. It's creepier than most credit card scams too, because it lets thieves secretly scan a back pocket or purse to read information off credit card equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology). These cards allow you to tap readers at gas stations pumps or check-out counters. They can also pick up identification information on RFID-embedded passports.

This capability has been around for a while, but it's gotten a lot more attention ever since the Fox affiliate in Memphis aired a story about it a couple weeks ago.

In the report, a man using a card reader and netbook was able to walk up to several people and engage in credit card "skimming," as it's called. He picked up credit card numbers, names and expiration dates for random passersby, none of whom he actually touched.

One piece of information RFID does not transmit is the CVV (Credit Verification Value) security codes on each credit card, according to Snopes. That's the three-digit code on the back of every credit card that most, but not all, e-retailers ask for when making a purchase. And because this credit card scam doesn't steal the actual card, just the information on the card, it's useless if it can't be used at an e-retailer like Amazon.

Even though there are approximately 140 million Americans with RFID-enabled credit cards, there have been no reported instances of credit card numbers being stolen this way. But that could be due to the fact that so many don't know this technology exists. I certainly didn't know this credit card scam existed before today.

Most people don't know this could happen to their credit card, but the government has known about it for years. That's why many government employees have to wear a special "jacket" for their government IDs. And there are security sleeves you can purchase, like these from Identity Strong, which prevents card readers from getting the information encoded in RFID chips.

So, do you think this is a serious threat to your credit card information, or a lot of people getting scared for no reason? Will you do anything more to keep your credit card numbers away from "electronic pick-pocketers"?

[taken from an article http://news.discovery.com/tech/electronic-pick-pockets-target-credit-cards.html]

Perhimpunan Mahasiswa Negara pentas penyelesai masalah mahasiswa

KUALA LUMPUR: Sekumpulan penuntut universiti bercadang mengadakan Perhimpunan Mahasiswa Negara pada 11 Januari tahun hadapan di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor (KLSCAH) untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi mereka.

Seorang ahli kumpulan pelajar tersebut, P Dinesweri berkata tujuan utama perhimpunan adalah:

• menyatukan penuntut universiti tanpa mengira kaum, institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) dan kecenderungan politik.
• membentuk sesi Parlimen Mahasiswa yang akan mencari penyelesaian terhadap masalah yang dibangkitkan
• memobilisasi penuntut di semua IPT untuk saling bekerjasama di dalam satu rangkaian sesama sendiri

"Dalam sesi pertama semua pelajar yang menghadiri perhimpunan akan diberi masa dua minit untuk mengutarakan masalah mereka.

"Lima isu utama kemudiannya akan diperhalusi di dalam sesi Parlimen Pelajar di mana para pelajar mengutarakan penyelesaian kepada masalah tersebut.

"Sudah tibanya masanya pelajar bertanggungjawab menyelesaikan masalah dan bukannya mengadu," katanya dalam sidang akhbar di KLSCAH hari ini.

Menurut Dinesweri, seramai 250 hingga 300 penuntut dari 85 IPT di seluruh negara telah menyatakan kesediaan untuk menyertai perhimpunan tersebut.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, sehingga ini tiada ahli dari majlis perwakilan pelajar (MPP)tetapi mengalu-alukan penyertaan mereka.

"Penyertaan mereka akan meningkatkan keberkesanan MPP," kata penuntut jurusan pendidikan dari Universiti Malaya itu.

Media turut dimaklumkan bahawa kempen perhimpunan ini telah dimulakan melalui pelancaran laman web pada minggu lepas.

Ketika ditanya tentang arah tuju kumpulan ini selepas sesi Parlimen Pelajar, Dinesweri berkata ia terpulang kepada konsensus penuntut pada 11 Januari depan.

Beliau juga memberitahu bahawa mereka belum menerima apa-apa halangan dari pihak pentadbiran mana-mana institusi pengajian tinggi berhubung dengan perhimpunan ini.

"Para pensyarah yang rapat dengan kami menyokong langkah ini, katanya kepada FMT."

Sementara itu seorang ahli kumpulan ini, Ahmad Farid yang juga penuntut jurusan undang-undang tahun kedua dari UKM, menambah bahawa perhimpunan ini akan menyediakan pentas kepada para pelajar yang tidak menyokong kumpulan mahasiswa pro-mahasiswa mahupun kumpulan mahasiswa pro-kerajaan.

"Ia merupakan jalan tengah untuk mereka," katanya.

[sebuah petikan artikel dari http://freemalaysiatoday.com/bahasa/?p=11436]

Senarai nama pelajar yang berjaya mendapat tawaran pengecualian yuran

Unit Kemasukan telah pun mula mengedarkan surat tawaran pengecualian yuran kepada semua fakulti yang terlibat. Bagi Kampus Shah Alam, surat tawaran telahpun diedarkan manakala bagi Kampus Bestari Jaya surat tawaran akan diedarkan pada hari Isnin ini.

Surat tawaran boleh diambil di Pejabat pentadbiran pada 20/12/2010 jam 2 petang, fakulti masing-masing. Tarikh tutup penghantaran permohonan bagi pengesahan penerimaan tawaran ini adalah pada 29 Disember 2010 (Rabu).

for more: http://www.unisel.edu.my/index.php/media-centre/news-a-announcements

Secretary says...: Pursuing studies abroad...

Assalamualaikum , Salam Sejahtera & Salam 1Malaysia (^_^)

Here i am again, writing a new post to you about pursuing your studies abroad. I have made an effort to do a little research on some universities that you can choose ! i hope with the selections i gave here would be useful for you to refer, if not, then do apologize for the flaw :)

First and foremost, let's look on some universities in Asia shall we? I've come up with few list of Universities names that all of you might be interested:

1. Universities of Tokyo [http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index_e.html]
2. National Taiwan University [http://www.ntu.edu.tw/]
3. The University of Hong Kong [http://www.hku.hk/]
4. National Cheng Kung University [http://web.ncku.edu.tw/bin/home.php]
5. Peking University [http://www.pku.edu.cn/]
6. National University of Singapore [http://www.nus.edu.sg/]
7. Prince of Songkla University [http://www.psu.ac.th/]
8. Seoul National University [http://www.snu.ac.kr/]
9. King Saud University [http://www.ksu.edu.sa/Pages/default.aspx]
10. Indian Institute of Science [http://www.iisc.ernet.in/]
11. University Sains Malaysia [http://www.usm.my/]

these lists are my random choice that i have selected from the Top 100 Asia Universities for 2009/2010...

F.Y.I: USM is on the 94th place on the Top 100! so yeay to Malaysia...as for UKM, sadly, they are not on the list...tapi takpe! it's not about which is best universities and which is not! It's about the guaranteed and privileged that you will have when you pursue your education in anywhere you want...

next post shall be Europe! ;)

Secretary says...: Pursuing Studies to UNSW

Assalamualaikum, Salam sejahtera, Salam Ukhwah dan Salam 1Malaysia :)

Good morning to those yang berjaya bangun pagi, hahaha seperti saya, i'm not a morning person, so having morning classes are not my favorite thing to go to...back to the point that i want to make in this post, have you ever decide in pursuing your studies abroad? this i'm asking to my fellow friends in Faculty of Science & Biotechnology (our newest faculty name, by the way)...

While i was browsing trough my internet, i stumble upon a link that leads to UNSW, yes it's University New South Whales...which this university made me reminded of this one annually test that i take from my high school years in Sri Inai KL...that test was a combined of mathematics and science...it was a FUN-A-MENTAL test! and Alhamdulillah i was presented with good grade for that test, x de lah teruk sangat, point average, so i'm not a loser lah...haha, well, this test were imported from the UNSW itself, don't know what was the reason, tapi mungkin untuk menguji EQ student...masa tu tak terfikir pulak nak tanya, but i take the test eventually...so, enough about my little exaggerative story...

This university provide a place for students in FaSBIO to pursue studies in UNSW, one of the university that i suggest for you to choose ;)

there's a faculty called Faculty of Science [http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/] this faculty contain 9 schools ; aviation, materials science & engineering, psychology, biological earth & environmental science, mathematics & science, biotechnology & bio molecular sciences, optometry & vision science, chemistry and physics.

to know more about those schools I've mention, you can easily click on the following links:

http://www.aviation.unsw.edu.au/

http://www.materials.unsw.edu.au/

http://www.psy.unsw.edu.au/

http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/

http://www.optom.unsw.edu.au/

http://www.chem.unsw.edu.au/

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/

You must be thinking WHY STUDY SCIENCE IN UNSW? Well, they've got the answer :

"Our vision is to be Australia's leading international research university with a reputation for excellence in scholarship, learning and the student experience. In 2008 we have almost 8000 overseas students, over 250 sister university partnerships and a growing number of close liaisons with industry, commerce and professions (nationally and internationally). Our programs are relevant to today's ever-changing world and our students are in touch with the demands of their chosen professions."

And they even got the reputation to brag about! :

"UNSW scored highly in the 2009 Good Universities Guide and was awarded the maximum five-star rating for ten key performance indicators, including research grants, research intensity, student-staff ratio, staff qualifications, graduate starting salary, student success in gaining employment, teaching quality, acquisition of generic skills, cultural diversity and positive graduate outcomes.

This score was based on research grants, research intensity, student-staff ratio, staff qualifications, graduate starting salary, student success in gaining employment, teaching quality, acquisition of generic skills, cultural diversity and positive graduate outcomes.

UNSW is described by the The Good Universities Guide as "one of the heavyweights of Australian higher education...it's big, tough to get into and ... (offers) an intense, rich tertiary experience". For more information visit the Good Universities Guide web site.

Science at UNSW has been ranked No. 1 in excellence for teaching and learning under the Federal Government's 2009 Learning and Teaching Performance Fund.

The fund rewards universities that demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning for domestic undergraduates, awarding scores across four discipline groups. Institutions are assessed on graduate surveys measuring levels of satisfaction and employability or progress to further study, and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations data on retention and progression rates.

UNSW will receive a total of $6.9 million from the Fund, the highest allocation of any university, and $1.4 million above the next ranked institution. Click here to find out more.

UNSW is a leader in research, and its scientists are among the best in the world in DNA technology, quantum computing, bioengineering, weather prediction, wildlife management, drug development, cosmology, psychology and mathematics. We are developing new medicines and materials, repairing the environment, turning plastic bags into steel...the list is endless."

GREAT NEWS TO THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!!! :

"UNSW offers a range of scholarships to science students, including the prestigious Malcolm Chaikin Scholarship valued at $15,000. Our links with business and industry also attract many other scholarships.

Science Industry Scholarships: The Faculty of Science provides numerous scholarships in partnership with reputed industries and organisations in Australia for undergraduate students taking degrees with specific Faculty Schools. This industry partnership program aims to provide an incentive for attracting the best and brightest students to undertake science programs. In turn these scholarships provide opportunities for our high quality graduates to work in these industries. The current list of our industry partners includes: OneSteel, Rio Tinto, AngloCoal, CSIRO, ANSTO, Weir Minerals, Xstrata Coal, Cochlear, Hanson Construction Materials Ltd, CCI Pope, BHP Billiton NTC, CSR Pilkington, Sandvik Steel, TEMCO, Bridges Institutional Broking.

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and performance in interviews. For further information regarding the Science Industry Scholarships, please contact Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Associate Dean Strategic Industry Liaisons, veena@unsw.edu.au, Tel: +61 2 9385 4426 Fax: +61 2 9385 5956."

TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR CAMPUS LIFE? click here!

[http://www.unsw.edu.au/futureStudents/undergrad/sad/Life_at_UNSW_videos/]

they event have Student Societies for those who are active!:

http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/student-societies/

so...if you are interested, you can check the requirements and steps on how to apply, click here!:

http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/entry-requirements-and-how-to-apply/

i hope these information i found for you are helpful...other universities are on their way, i will make time to search them for you...cheers!!

Harith Iskander's "Race Malaysia"

STAND-UP comedian Harith Iskander Musa is dead serious when it comes to being Malaysian.

Of Malay and Scottish descent, he had a hard time ticking a box within the racial category when he was growing up. “Why don’t we get rid of the four boxes and just have one box. Race: Malaysia,” he tells The Nut Graph in an 11 Oct 2010 interview at Samsaraa, the restaurant Harith and his wife of Chindian descent, Jezamine Lim, opened in April 2010.

Come 2011, Harith would have been making audiences laugh here and overseas for 20 years. In October 2010, he was the headliner in the Kings and Queen of Comedy Asia tour, featuring five of the best stand-up comedians from Malaysia, Singapore, India and Vietnam. The show played to a packed house in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Harith first became famous for being a funny man because of the Shell ads he acted in. Since then, he’s endorsed other recognisable brands such as Nescafe and Celcom.

Harith has also hosted TV talk shows, acted in theatre, movies and TV serials, and performed in and co-directed m usicals, the most recent being the box-office hit Cuci the Musical, together with his buddy Hans Isaac. His most recent production as writer, actor and director is the sketch comedy programme Ten Ten Ten on Astro Warna. He also co-stars with Singapore’s most famous export, Phua Chu Kang, played by Gurmit Singh, in the latest two seasons of Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd on ntv7.

Harith realised the value of his work as a comedian when he discovered how much laughing mattered to others. “I get a rush when I do a good show, knowing that people have laughed for half an hour or 45 minutes,” he says, adding that the people who make him laugh are his friends and his wife.

for more: http://www.thenutgraph.com/harith-iskanders-%E2%80%9Crace-malaysia%E2%80%9D/

Kene Pantau jugak ke?

MALAYSIA JALIN KERJASAMA NEGARA LUAR PANTAU GERAKAN SYIAH : HISHAMMUDDIN – berita hairan

Malaysia menjalin hubungan rapat dengan negara termasuk Arab Saudi, Iran dan negara jiran, Singapura dan Indonesia bagi memantau gerakan Syiah bagi memastikan ia tidak menjejaskan keharmonian dan keselamatan negara.

Hishammuddin Hussein, berkata keadaan dunia tiada sempadan menuntut pihak berkuasa mendapatkan sebanyak mungkin maklumat berkaitan fahaman itu daripada negara berkenaan.

Sambil mengakui fahaman Syiah belum sampai tahap menimbulkan ancaman keselamatan negara, beliau berkata kementerian tidak akan berkompromi dan sentiasa memantau sebarang fahaman atau gerakan yang mempunyai unsur militan.

“Dari segi fahaman itu, kita minta Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) dan pihak bertanggungjawab memantaunya, tapi dari segi keselamatan setakat yang saya tahu, fahaman itu tidak menimbulkan ancaman membimbangkan. “Pemantauan dilakukan kementerian banyak berkisar terhadap isu yang berhubung kait dengan kegiatan militan dan setakat ini fahaman Syiah tidak mempunyai unsur berkenaan,” katanya.

for more: http://tukartiub.blogspot.com/2010/12/ini-gila-pantau-pulak.html

Shelah on The Fairly Current Show

This week Fahmi Fadzil catches up with old acquantaince, entertainer Shelah.

In this episode, Shelah talks about her return to stage, and a certain "orphan" that precipitated the process. She also explains the concept behind the 3-year-old Seksualiti Merdeka, and talks about the repressive nature of sexuality in conservative Malaysia.

Shelah calls herself the reigning drag queen of Malaysia, and will be hosting Rainbow Massacre, a revue which is part of Seksualiti Merdeka, the premier festival celebrating sexuality in Malaysia.

After Makan Sambal Belacan, do what? Dance lah Macha!!!

Different but Same Same : The Sambal Belacan Story

Malaysians. Gotta love us. We're all a little wacky in our own way, but seriously, underneath it all, we're just one and the same.

Let's celebrate the difference (and the many public holidays that come with it)!

School Principlas & myEffingStory

As if dealing with racist statements from politicians isn't enough, its a whole other thing when school principals are in on the act too! While the 'he said-she said' rhetoric plays out in the media, we turn the tables on these educators for once and teach them a lesson or two. Also, our friends at Astro inspired us (again!) to spoof another one of their programmes during this Merdeka/Malaysia Day period. The victim this time ? MyStory!

http://www.popteevee.net/default.aspx?e=1087

That Okay Song

Mahasiswa kecewa harga barang naik (Surat dari seorang Mahasiswa UIAM)

Rakyat Malaysia dikejutkan dengan kenaikan harga barang '4 dalam 1' pada minggu lalu. Kenaikan ini memberi beban yang besar kepada rakyat Malaysia memandangkan musim persekolahan akan bermula pada awal Januari hadapan.

Lebih malang lagi, kesannya bakal dirasai oleh seluruh lebih 300,000 mahasiswa di Malaysia apabila semester baru akan dibuka menjelang hujung Disember ini.

Alasan pengurangan subsidi harga barang amat tidak relevan apatah lagi kenaikan barang baru sahaja berlaku tidak sampai enam bulan lepas iaitu pada 15 Julai yang lalu.

Di sini, mahasiswa mempertikaikan di mana prinsip 1Malaysia yang dilaung-laungkan oleh Kerajaan selama ini. Jika betul rakyat didahulukan, kenapa kenaikan berlaku dalam masa enam bulan?

Seperti kata pepatah 'kera di hutan disusui, anak sendiri mati kelaparan.' Rakyat terus menjadi mangsa penarikan subsidi sedangkan kerajaan mampu membayar perunding-perunding asing dan kroni mereka.

Jika terus menerus berlaku perkara seumpama ini, mahasiswa pastinya akan terus dizalimi demi menjaga kepentingan sesetengah pihak.

Kenaikan harga makanan di kampus pusat pengajian tidak dapat dielakkan lagi kerana pengusaha kafe atau kantin terpaksa menanggung kos pengangkutan lebih dari biasa akibat kenaikan petrol dan diesel serta kos bahan makanan seperti gula.

Hal ini menimbulkan kemarahan dan rasa tidak puas hati terutamanya mahasiswa yang akan menempuh semester baru. Bagaimana hendak cukup biasiswa/pinjaman diberikan jika keperluan sara hidup semakin naik.

Kesannya, lebih ramai mahasiswa terpaksa mengikat perut untuk meneruskan pengajian dan berkerja sambilan untuk menampung kos sara hidup.

Jika perkara ini berlaku secara berterusan, bagaimana Malaysia hendak melahirkan pelapis dan rakyat yang kompeten dari sudut akademik mahupun sahsiah jika mahasiswa tidak dapat fokus dalam pengajian mereka?

Penulis merupakan pelajar tahun 4, jurusan Pengajian Ilmu Wahyu dan Warisan, UIAM dan merupakan exco perhubungan awam, Kelab Ma'ruf 2009/10.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/150246

Kematian Sebuah Demokrasi

DEMOKRASI HITAM : DUA DITAHAN POLIS – mkini

Kira-kira 15 orang yang menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai Demokrasi Hitam berhimpun di hadapan bangunan parlimen sejak pagi tadi sebagai tanda bantahan terhadap penggantungan beberapa ahli parlimen Pakatan Rakyat.

Mereka yang sepatutnya berarak bagi menghantar memorandum aduan kepada Suhakam dari bangunan Parlimen ke pejabat Suhakam di Jalan Raja Laut sejurus tengahari ini, bagaimanapun dihalang oleh polis.

Akibatnya, berlaku kejadian tolak-menolak antara mereka dengan kira-kira 50 anggota polis yang sejak pagi tadi mengawal kawasan sekitar parlimen itu.

Akibatnya dua orang penyokong Demokrasi Hitam ditahan polis dan Yusmadi Yussof (PKR-Balik Pulau) sedang berbincang dengan polis.

for more: http://tukartiub.blogspot.com/2010/12/di-parlimen-pun-mereka-menipu.html

Mak janda nak jadi permaisuri

Macam-macam punya gila. Macam-macam punya sandiwara sedang dipentaskan. Lepas satu, satu, tak habis habis. Macam-macam punya cerita. Macam-macam punya labun.

Aku yang jadi tukang karut ini tak sempat nak berjanguk ada sahaja cerita baru yang wajib 'diselampitkan'.

Belum pun abis cerita Saifool, ada pula cerita budak sekolah mati kena terkam buaya di Shah Alam. Sebelum ini ada kes anak Cina cekik leher sendiri. Kes ini masih belum selesai.

Sudah bertahun-tahun laporan mahkamah tak siap-siap sampai uban aku tumbuh di ketiak. Agaknya sudah reput leher anak Cina dalam kubur tetapi siasatan macam mana dia cekik leher dia sendiri masih jadi satu misteri.

Kisah punya kisah, ada satu kisah yang jadi raja segala kisah. Inilah dia datuk dan nenek moyang dari semua kisah-kisah yang pernah dikisahkan. Inilah kisah benar. Kisah benar yang benar-benar belaka. Kisah Mak Janda yang ingin jadi permaisuri.

Al-kisah mengikut kata sahibul hikayat adalah seorang Mak Janda dari negeri Antah Berantah. Dari apa yang telah diceritakan, Mak Janda ini ditakdirkan pendek dan gempal ketika dilahirkan.

Dari zaman kanak-kanak lagi orang sekampung telah memanggil dia Minah Becok kerana mulutnya cukup becok. Becoknya bukan macam murai tercabut ekor tetapi macam Samy Vellu ditemubual RTM.

Maka orang orang kampung pun membuat pantun dan seloka:

Ada seorang Minah Becok
Badannya gempal kakinya tepok
Siang tidur malam bermimpi
Hendak menjadi Raja Permaisuri

Maka mengikut tuan yang empunya cerita, Minah Becok ini pun membesarlah. Maka Si Minah ini berkahwin dan beranak. Mengikut cerita yang didengar melalui akhbar Baca Gembira, si minah ini telah tujuh kali berkahwin dan tujuh kali bercerai.

Berita kahwin cerai kahwin cerai ini sehingga sekarang masih belum digazetkan dalam Parlimen. Ia masih menjadi rahsia negara.

for more: http://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/149119

Pluralisme: Masalah metodologi, bukan niat...

Akhir-akhir ini, terdapat ahli akademik cenderung melabel tokoh-tokoh tertentu, sebagai cenderung atau menyokong fahaman pluralisme agama. Ada tokoh dilabelkan sedemikian, kerana menghadiri satu 'majlis rasmi' kuil Buddha di Kelantan. Seorang lagi tokoh dikaitkan dengan pluralisme, antaranya disebabkan sikapnya yang konsisten membenarkan penggunaan nama Allah oleh bukan Islam.

Ada pihak yang menganggap 'kecenderungan melabel' itu sebagai berniat jahat. Tapi, saya tidak beranggapan sedemikian. Saya tidak percaya, ahli akademik yang melabel itu berniat jahat. Saya percaya, ahli akademik tersebut berniat baik dan ikhlas. Iaitu memelihara kesucian agama.

Saya juga tidak mempercayai, 'pelabelan' ini dilakukan dengan niat menggunakan isu akidah, untuk mewujudkan permusuhan di kalangan ahli politik.

for more:http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/151033

History a pass subject, but whose version?

“Apa yang saya perkatakan ini tidak menghairankan. Di abad ke-20 kita telah dipampangkan dengan kes-kes hukuman tanpa perbicaraan di Amerika Syarikat, tragedi ‘holocaust’ di Benua Eropah, penyembelihan rakyat Palestine di Asia Barat serta penghapusan etnik di Bosnia dan Rwanda.

“Jadi, bayangkanlah, apakah kesudahannya, jika setiap generasi rakyat Malaysia mengambil pendirian untuk mempersoal kewajaran kontrak sosial kebangsaan yang telah dimuafakatkan pendahulu mereka sebelum ini.”

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his opening speech at the 2010 Umno general assembly. Najib said Malay Malaysians had made the ultimate sacrifice to achieve independence in allowing other races to share what was then known as Malaya.

He said open debate on the special position of Malay Malaysians and the social contract could lead to unease and incite primordial instincts amongst the races. Citing examples of the Jewish holocaust and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Rwanda, Najib said history had shown that such instincts, if not tempered, could result in violence. (Source: Umno president’s speech at the 2010 Umno general assembly, Office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, 21 Oct 2010)

“The (education) ministry will improve the history syllabus content by focusing on aspects related to the country’s constitution, to improve understanding on the formation of Malaysia.”

for more: http://www.thenutgraph.com/history-a-pass-subject-but-whose-version/

Kelebihan menjadi Melayu pertama...

ARE you Malay first? Or Malaysian first? That is the current rhetoric in some parts of our political landscape and is spurring some Malaysians to engage in a contest over what it means to be Malaysian.

For certain the question is not a new one. The DAP has for the longest time been brandishing the motto of “Bangsa Malaysia” in an attempt to dismantle the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s race-based politics. DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, for one, is nowhere close to letting up on this issue. He has demanded repeatedly for, especially, Umno politicians to declare if they are Malaysian or Malay first.

And while Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin seemingly failed the test question, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz recently scored some points by declaring he was “Malaysian first and Malay next”. But is the question really about which should come first? Why does it seem to matter so much? And which of the two labels — one about race and the other about citizenship — is more profoundly important to us as Malaysian citizens?

for more: http://www.thenutgraph.com/the-benefit-of-being-malay-first/