By Ng Eng Kiat

Most Malaysians have no notion of class. Which is sad, really, because there are those who claim to understand class but actually only see in shades of race and religion.

For them, class division is more about whether one is Malay, Chinese, or Indian than about the Mercedes S-Class. In reality, however, it’s the Mercedes (or kapchai) in your porch that counts, not your skin colour.

Unless, of course, one goes as far as to say “what car you drive depends on what race you belong to!”

Then, my friend, you probably belong in an era still fighting Hitler.

But you see, Malaysia is not the most forward thinking nation of all nation states. And Malaysians find themselves trapped between the S-Class and the kampungs, the tin mines, and the rubber estates. First World infrastructure, Third World …

Okay we don’t need to be reminded.

Mentality. Ahh, the things we learn about Modernisation, Dependency, and Globalisation. Don’t all dwell on mentality, mind-sets, values, etc., ie. the West and its civilly superior attitudes VS the Rest and their culturally backward traditions?

As patriotic as it sounds, positioning oneself nationally – and racially – in this purported clash of identities does not get one far in terms of advancing his or her community. Resistance that is defined through an ethnocentric lens is as ugly as America’s global “War on Terror”. Plainly, racial discrimination sucks.

So, bringing the discussion back home, we see racism instituted into various aspects of our lives to the extent that we find some forms even palatable. It’s come to a worrying stage for me, personally, when Malaysiakini publishes a letter written by someone who calls him/herself “A Concerned Malaysian” propagating very twisted connotations of Malaysia’s different classes, ie. the supposed clash between “racial classes”. I produce the letter here in full for all to read:

I’ll be a second-class citizen any day…
A Concerned Malaysian | Apr 18, 08 4:21pm

If you give me a choice between being a second-class citizen and the so-called Malay privileges, I would certainly be proud to be placed under category of ‘second class citizen’.

In a beautiful country like Malaysia , being a second-class citizen is an honour, a class of its own and is normally associated with big luxury cars, owning/controlling all kind of businesses and conglomerates right from retail, wholesale up to the manufacturing activities and import and export.

If you happen to be a second-class citizen, you should be proud of it. Second-class citizens in other countries envy us for what we can possess or achieve in terms of economic power and the wealth of the country where one can own up to almost everything under the sun in Malaysia.

There is no one in Malaysia to compete with you what more the so-called ‘first-class citizens’ who practically have zero economic power. To you second-class citizens, the sky is the limit.

You have got with you economic power and you also have a growing influences on the country’s political power.

One should ponder as to who owns and builds all the high-rise apartments and condominiums in this country for example?

Who owns and operates the manufacturing businesses, the hotels, the shopping complexes, the supermarkets, the distribution of goods and services and so many others?

The list is too long to mention here, you can see for yourself. So ponder all Malaysians before making up your minds on issues without first realising where we are.

For starters, other than desiring to gloat over the supposed superiority of “Second-class Citizens”, is there something genuinely of concern to Mr/Ms Concerned Malaysian?

I emphasise “supposed” in my previous line.  Second-class citizens of this country, assuming they are deprived of fair rights, supposedly drive big luxury cars, supposedly own and build all the high-rise apartments and condominiums, and supposedly do everything else “A Concerned Malaysian” cared to list in his/her letter.

“Supposedly” – because I’ve only seen such discourse produced by the UMNO ultra – not by MCA, never mind MIC – at their general assemblies.  I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that the letter writer is him/herself an UMNO ultra.  The brilliant Antares has already noted an earlier letter to Malaysiakini that sounds sheepishly mala fide.

Let’s then give “A Concerned Malaysian” the benefit of the doubt, which Malaysiakini has done, and consider the letter to be genuinely bona fide.  The writer’s contention about Second-class Citizens having great economic power such that it overwhelms whatever “Malay priviledges” is simply deceiving and quite frivolous.

It completely misinterprets the sentiments of communities who feel like they are treated as Second-class Citizens, firstly because disenchantment with BN’s great rule of Malaysia grew as a result of years of arrogance and contempt against the people’s right to fair participation in democracy, the economy, education, worship, so on and so forth (and not because people forgot they were rich in beautiful Malaysia).  Secondly, the fact that not all Second-class Citizens are rich is one major flaw in “A Concerned Malaysian’s” general and sweeping assumptions.  Hence, the writer’s attempt at re-positioning the anti-establishment Chinese community is pathetic and screams of the ethnocentric advice that “you should be satisfied with what you have, shut up before the keris bathes in …”

Okay, let’s not be reminded of such intolerance.

I find the part about First-class Citizens having zero economic power particularly condescending.  On second thought, it’s partially amusing.  Hello Class-F Contractors? Hello Zakaria Mat Deros?  ZMD probably won’t hear me hollering, never mind.  Bless him.  Hello Khairy Jamaludin?

Fine, I shall refrain from following the footsteps of those who take examples of rich and influential individuals to make representation of whole communities.  But wasn’t racial discrimination suppose to help First-class Citizens truly enjoy First-class opportunities?  It’s 2008, for Tunku Abdul Rahman’s sake, and something must be very wrong when despite the special privileges, First-class Citizens still have zero economic power.  No wonder  people aren’t voting those Third-class policy makers into power anymore.

At the end of the day, if we need to be reminded of class, we need to go no further than to our streets to see that not every Second-class Citizen drives an S-class.  Malaysians would probably be better off if we dropped the idea that the advancement of race equals the advancement of our nation.  After all, we do not see “A Concerned Malaysian” even concerned enough about the plight of our poor nation when all he/she’s bothered with are mini segments of elites.

Second-class? More like Second-class upper.

And shouldn’t you be more concerned about Third-class Citizens who were tear-gassed and chemical-cannoned because they thought they deserved better?

How dare you call yourself a Malaysian, yuck.

By Yeoh Li Ying

Come the long holidays, all 2nd year Communication student shall be interning in company’s around Malaysia, be it a well-known or ‘unknown’, everybody will just want to have time to learnt something from the organisation. I, for once also am anticipating to be an intern in a production house located near Petaling Jaya. I am also excited but at the same time wondering what the company will prepare for us. You know that you are scared and bracing on what the company will be expecting from you after 4 semesters in higher institution. Have you learned things and got the “IT” factor to be a successful intern in the said company? What will they expect from us? Have “the know how” factor to operate a video camera, to do post-editing and planning for a production? Or what about paper work? Preparing the company news release, creating an advertisement, doing a work plan? Or covering event? Writing a scene of what has happened? Writing an article to-be-published in the newspaper?

There are so many things. Yet have we really learned enough? Have the 4 semesters taught us well enough and push us to the right direction heading towards working life? Are we well familiar with functions lets say, Photoshop or etc.? We certainly don’t, but if we have the right attitude and mentality and show willingness to learned new things, I am sure we will be heading into a right direction in the company. My point is, as much as we might have learned in these four semesters, it is just not enough to make it to the working life just yet. Even with 3 years studying, it will not be enough for us. We ourselves, have to go out and work to know if we are capable in our career. That is why the opportunity for doing an internship is a good opportunity for us to brace the working world and learn from it.

Oh, and of course every organisation have their own style and way of doing things, thus bringing us forward, the *newbies* to learn their work ethics. And so we shall be learning their ideology and way of working, just like what we are studying. And after 2 months interning, we will be “hegemonised” by their working style. So, it’s up to us to want that style or dislike it. After all, we can take this 2 months to see what kind of organisation and style suits us. When we graduate next time, we could have other options to consider.

What we learn might not be enough and sometimes working life is cruel. Reality bites, but if we do have the perseverance to learn, I am sure things will turn out just fine. Let’s wait till 5th May 2008 and we shall know how we are going to face the working life. Happy Interning my dear friends! =)

**Wishing everyone a great time doing their internship and other reader a happy holiday. Let’s just share the experience after that. Have a wonderful time around! **

Oleh Sitinurul Zahra

Setiap kali aku membuka blog-blog popular yang ada semuanya mengenai politik, politik, dan politik. Nak muntah rasanya. Bagaimana dengan golongan belia seperti aku yang menuntut perhatian. Hanya berita sensasi Sufiah sahaja yang dilaporkan untuk meraih populariti. Kami di lupakan sehinggakan segalanya disalahkan kerana kami masih muda, darah muda kata mereka. Kadar jenayah makin meningkat dan juga pesakit mental dikalangan remaja.

Baru-baru ini ketika semua orang asyik menulis jawapan , mata aku terlihat sesuatu yang luarbiasa dan aku tahu ramai yang tahu apa aku maksudkan. Meniru. Sejak peristiwa itu berlaku aku sering sahaja ‘mengelamun’. Banyak persoalan yang bermain difikiran. Dari situ aku simpulkan perkara penting mengenai maruah.

Ingat lagi mengenai kes seorang pelajar perempuan yang bernama S. Subashimi yang berumur 12 tahun membunuh diri kerana keputusan peperiksaanya tidak memuaskan?

Banyak kes-kes seperti ini berlaku saban hari.

Biarpun kini semuanya mengenai berapa banyak markah yang kita dapat untuk membolehkan kita berjaya mendapatkan kerja di luar sana namun itu bukanlah segala-galanya. Aku tidak percaya pada sistem peperiksaan. Sistem ini tidak memperlihatkan kebolehan yang sebenar pada diri pelajar. Lihat sahaja pelajar-pelajar sekolah sekarang semuanya berlumba-lumba untuk mencapai ‘bergelen-gelen’ A setiap kali peperiksaan berlangsung.Sehinggakan ‘semangat’ ini dibawa masuk ke dalam universiti sehinggakan ada yang sanggup membawa nota masuk ke dewan peperiksaan.

“And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Ini apa yang dikatakan oleh Abraham Lincoln mengenai kehidupan. Hidup ini bukanlah semata-mata untuk meraih seberapa banyak ‘A’ tetapi ia lebih dari itu. Tidak semestinya hari ini kita belajar mengenai kewartawanan dan esok kita akan bekerja sebagai wartawan. Mungkin esok kita akan bekerja sebagai akauntan. Jadi sebagai seorang yang percaya pada Tuhan dan diri sendiri kita perlulah percaya suatu hari nanti kita akan berjaya biarpun sebelum dan sekarang ini kita menghadapi kegagalan.

Sebagai seorang yang bermaruah kita seharusnya tahu mengenai hak kita sebagai seorang individu atau rakyat. Apa yang aku lakukan tempoh hari merupakan tanggungjawab aku sebagai seorang mahasiswa. Jadi jangan salahkan aku. Sebagai seorang yang percaya pada ketelusan aku tidak mahu bersikap sambil lewa sehinggakan sanggup membiarkan orang meniru di dalam dewan peperiksaan walaupun dia adalah kawan baik. Kita punyai hak untuk di hormati, di kasihi dan lain-lain.Ya bukan senang untuk menjadi seorang yang bermaruah. Apatah lagi jika ia bersangkut paut dengan ‘cinta’ yang melibatkan orang yang kita kasihi.

Seperti Eleanor Marx dan Frida Kahlo yang merupakan wanita yang mempunyai pengaruh dalam sejarah dunia juga tidak dapat lari dari kecundang disebabkan cinta. Mereka berdua membiarkan hak mereka ‘dicabul’ kerana membiarkan pasangan mereka bermain kayu tiga dan seterusnya peristiwa itu menjadi nanah didalam hidup mereka. Wanita waja ini tidak mempertahankan hak mereka sebagai seorang wanita yang mahu pasangan mereka berlaku adil. Hak bukan hanya hak untuk mendapatkan keperluan asas namun hak untuk dilayan secara saksama dan dengan ‘pencerahan’ mengenai hak itu kita dapat hidup secara bermaruah dan tidak diperlakukan secara zalim.

Memang susah untuk kita menjadi seorang yang bermaruah. Orang lain lebih suka menjadi seorang yang bermuka-muka untuk mendapatkan habuan kerana apa yang penting bagi mereka ialah duit, kuasa dan pangkat. Maruah hanya dipandang enteng. Maruah juga disalah pakai contohnya kerana kawan dan ingin kekal didalam kumpulan individu sanggup ikut apa sahaja kawan mereka buat dan ini termasuklah dalam memilih kursus.

Jika semua mengambil kursus sains politik semuanya akan mengambil kursus tersebut biarpun tidak mempunyai minat terhadap kursus tersebut. Bila ada yang mahu mengambil kursus yang melibatkan pengiraan apa yang mereka katakan hanyalah negatif dan akhirnya tiada siapa yang berani mengambil kursus tersebut. Jika kita bermaruah semua anasir-anasir negatif itu tidak mendatangkan apa-apa kesan kepada kita.

By Aaron Rao

Recently I had a pretty interesting talk with one of my close acquaintance. She said “why do Malaysia try like to create record breaking ‘achievements’?”

The answer to that question is pretty debatable. I for one am more on the pessimist side.

Let us look at the latest record Malaysia or the government has set. The Angkasawan Programme. As much as it could be applauded to aspire young Malaysians to venture into rocket science, many argued that it is actually a gigantic waste of tax payers’ money. A whopping USD 45 million was used to fund the project and from the looks of it, Malaysians got nothing out of it except for some newspaper headlines, and a good looking spaceman who didn’t actually get far in space. USD 45 million could be much better used for already on going government projects. For instance building the Penang Monorail years ago, improve road infrastructure or helping the country reduce poverty.

I can’t ignore that the country did benefitted from technology transfer of the SU-30MKM fighter jets deal with the Russians. But I can’t ignore the fact that they could’ve gotten the deal at a more cost-efficient way.

Plus there are some pretty questionable issues on some decisions. For instance why was the more handsome of the two candidates picked for the slot? *laughs* (I know that’s stupid) Higher fan base maybe? And why not choose from the best group of local military pilots as a candidate? It saves time and money for training, and military pilots are obviously more qualified as they control multi-million dollar machines daily.

Now that he’s back from space “visiting”, his job is giving speeches on how to it feels to be a spaceman rather than teaching what he learned from his experience learning “spaceman 101”.

This is perhaps part of the governments role (besides ruling/governing), to create spectacularity to wow the country to keep their support. But somehow I’m pretty sure that the rakyat with give stronger support if they actually benefit from programs like this.

Ours is a developing country, and we could ill afford to spend such sum of money to send someone up to space when there are still people in the country that could lead much better lives with just a small percentage of the cost used to fund the program. Do what is needed to improve the country internally rather than externally showing our short lived capability.

An empty tin can makes the loudest sound. Let us not make Malaysia an empty can.

Kasikampus family wishes all students best of efforts in the current examinations.

By Shamala Suresh Kee

“A news organisation should be free to espouse any cause it wishes on the basis of that most fundamental of liberties, namely freedom of expression…..So, if a newspaper wishes to endorse one party, ideology or political alliance over another, that is its unquestionable right. On the readers’ part, they are free to accept or reject the newspaper’s position by choosing either to read its messages or not. This is simple enough a matter in a society that lives by time-tested democratic ideals.”

These are the exact words from the Sun’s editorial March 4 2008, written by the newly appointed editor, Chong Cheng Hai. One would expect a newly appointed editor to reach out to his audience and increase the readership of the publication as a response to the challenge posed by his chair. But, from what I read, the editor is rather unscrupulous over readership, according to him; readers can choose to read or not to read. Maybe it is because the Sun comes free, and people like me don’t have to fork out money for news, we are beyond consideration. I assume this came as a response towards the hammering received by the mainstream media over its slanted, one sided coverage of the election, that the The Sun claims that newspaper publication has the right to endorse one party, ideology or political alliance over another. That is its unquestionable right. As defiant as it sounds, it also sounds childish, and like a stubborn kid saying that it would have want it wants, and no one can say anything about it.

But, I’m afraid, that is not so with the Fourth Estate. Duped as the informal representative of the public in old British Parliament, the press has a responsibility, a social liability towards the public. Just because you own a publication, it does not mean you can choose to endorse or reject selectively, because the public gauges your credibility, the raison d’etre of your publication. And, are we really living in a ‘time-tested democratic ideal’, as claimed because, most international think tanks such as the Freedom House rates Malaysian media as an autoritarian one, heavily controlled and curtailed. I would say, the statement ‘living in a time-tested democratic ideal’ would a wee bit on the optimistic side of the spectrum.

If newspapers are only commercial industry, news reports would be commodities on sale, then who would look at the bigger picture, the bigger context of our politics, social and economics? Media does not exist in an ideological vacuum. The claim that ‘While media organizations can profess support for one party line or another, the other side on which reader’s rights lie-may not be possible to fulfill with matching enthusiasm’ shows the capitalist mind talking. Writings are based upon sidings, which side you take. Or rather, which side offers more gain than cost? Nobody wants to be on the losing side.

The purpose of media is definitely in question here. It does not mean, you do what you do because you can. Media should maintain a neutral standing, as the watchdog of the nation and take a dynamic approach of covering stories, rather than a static one that maintains status quo.

At the end of the editorial, the Sun claims that ‘a media organization that seeks to discredit a candidate or party it does not endorse should be ready to lose the support of readers who cannot accept its partisan attitude. That would only be fair deal, wouldn’t it?” Well, a fair deal means, the media does not endorse or support a particular party or candidate, rather, take a neutral stand because at the end of the day, readers are going to find that its better to go illiterate than read skewed reports.

Oleh Siti Nurulzahra

Seperti yang kita maklum pusat pengajian tinggi seharusnya melahirkan golongan yang mampu berfikir dan meneraju perubahan bukan mengekalkan budaya lapuk yang dipegang oleh golongan ‘tua’. Dengan apa yang kita lihat kini merupakan budaya lapuk yang dipegang oleh golongan yang ‘senang’ dengan apa yang mereka amalkan seperti membazir duit untuk aktiviti yang tidak berilmiah. Gejala seperti ini tidak dapat kita lihat jika kita berada di Amerika Syarikat, Australia, India dan jiran kita Indonesia. Apa yang berlaku kini memang menakutkan sehingga ‘urat saraf’ kita tidak lagi menunjukkan respon. Mengapa terjadi begitu sehingga tiada lagi respon?

Mungkin kerana kita sedar adanya tali-tali yang mengikat kita. Tali-tali itu sudah semestinya anda tahu dan sedar kewujudanya. Contohnya pihak berkuasa, media, persatuan dan juga pihak individu yang dekat pada kita. Lihatlah saja jika kita ungkitkan mengenai politik ada saja suara sumbang yang mendendangkan lagu keroncong mengatakan ini bukan masanya. Aduh!

Adakan anda berasa letih untuk memperjuangkan hak kita kerana setiap kali anda berjuang ada sahaja halangan dan kongkongan dari pihak tertentu?

Bukan anda sahaja yang berasa begitu. Ramai lagi yang berasa begitu.Jelas sebagai pendidik yang mengharapkan kita bersama dan berjuang bersama juga ‘pening kepala’ dengan situasi yang berlaku.Lihat sahaja suasana kampus yang ‘kosong’ apabila tibanya waktu berehat iaitu hari sabtu dan ahad. Tiada langsung aktiviti yang ‘meriah’ untuk kami sebagai pelajar untuk menambah pengatahuan diadakan.Kalau adapun semuanya perlukan duit. Adakah ini semuanya silap kami?

Dengan budaya yang diserapkan ini nampaknya para pelajar lebih suka duduk didalam bilik sambil berbual kosong dan melayari internet. Ini membuatkan kami lemah dan tidak mampu melahirkan pendapat dan idea yang bernas. Seperti yang kita tahu idea itu ada namun tidak ‘terpacul’ apabila perbincangan diadakan. Tidakkah anda kecewa?

Inikah apa yang kita harapkan apabila semua ini berlaku?

Aku percaya ramai yang mahukan perubahan namun mereka tidak tahu untuk berbuat apa-apa apabila orang ‘tua’ ini telah mendominasi dan membuatkan kami menjadi ‘katak dibawah tempurung’. Aku percaya kamu boleh menyuarakan suara anda melalui acara alternatif seperti ini walaupun dilihat cara ini tidak mampu melakukan perubahan seperti yang diharapkan.Kamu harus percaya cara alternatif ini boleh. Mahukan contoh kejayaan cara alternatif ini? Nampaknya kamu perlu membaca surat khabar maya. Percuma sahaja.

Biarpun kita dibentuk untuk tidak menyoalkan apa-apa itu tidak bermakna kamu tidak boleh berubah dan menyoal mengenai apa yang berlaku disekeliling anda sekarang. Seperti apa yang aku perhatikan kita dikongkong dengan aktiviti persatuan-persatuan yang boleh aku simpulkan dapat rencatkan minda para pelajar. Boleh dilihat ramai pelajar tidak mengikuti aktiviti berpesatuan ini. Namun tidak semua kita dapat melepaskan diri dari berbuat begitu kerana itu merupakan syarat untuk ‘mereka-mereka’ yang mahu menjadi pendidik.

Pada pendapat aku aktiviti itu hanya untuk mengokong diri aku dan bukan membuatkan aku lebih mampu bersuara atau pun membuahkan idea yang bernas. Lihat sahaja apa aktiviti mereka yang berpesatuan ini. Lihat dan fikir. Berkawat dan apa lagi?

Mahukah kita setia pada pemikiran lama yang jelas pada apa yang kita fikirkan itu tidak membawa untung apa-apa?

Jika kita mahu setia samalah kiranya kita dilahirkan tanpa perlu adanya minda untuk berfikir. Minda ini digunakan untuk memjana perubahan agar kita bergerak seiring dengan kemajuan yang semakin mara. Apa gunanya jika kita menggunakan minda ini hanya untuk merapu dan mengiyakan apa yang lapuk tanpa mempersoalkanya. Jangan lupa kita sebagai ajen perubahan harus gigih untuk memperjuangkan apa yang kita percaya. Tapi apa yang kita percaya itu perlulah sesuatu yang rasional.

Jiran kita banyak memberi aspirasi dengan menghasilkan buku-buku dan bahan-bahan media yang lain. Namun mengapa kita hanya memandang enteng sahaja terhadap apa yang mereka hasilkan? Aku rasa mereka lagi ‘cool’ dari kita. Lihat sahaja siapa diantara kita yang menggemari karya-karya yang dihasilkan oleh penulis dari ‘seberang’ itu. Nampaknya kita telah jauh terbelakang.Buku- buku yang dihasilkan mereka juga susah untuk kita mencapainya apalagi untuk meneliti hasil karya mereka. Kalau nak diharapkan kedai buku dikampus jangan haraplah mahu ketemu dengan karya-karya agong dari seberang. Bagaimana kita mahu memperjuangkan apa yang kita percaya jika ‘kitab-kitab’ hasil penulis berkaliber tidak kita baca dan teliti. Bukankah dengan pembacaan ia dapat mengukuhkan pemahaman dan membuatkan kita menjadi teliti dengan apa yang kita perjuangkan. Dengan hanya membaca novel cinta yang berharga Ringgit Malaysia 25 ringgit itu adakah kita dapat mengetahui mengenai Galileo Galilei dan S. H. Alatas.

Pembacaan, penelitian dan perbincangan sedikit sebanyak dapat menajamkan pemikiran yang membolehkan kita memahami apa yang berlaku disekeliling dan juga propaganda yang dibuat secara halus.Aku juga masih belajar dan itu tidak membuatkan aku harus tunggu hingga berumur 40ctahun untuk menyuarakan segala apa yang aku fikirkan.Masa itu aku ertikan aku sudah tua (hati masih muda).Jadi marilah kita bersama-sama ‘turun padang’ dan janganlah tunggu sehingga anda sudah mempunyai cicit kerana masa itu anda sudah letih menjadi kritikal rasanya.

By Aaron Rao

I’d like to say a few words regarding our dear own communications society PERKOM. From my own eyes, and probably the eyes of many, Perkom has not been doing what it is suppose to be doing. To bear the name of the school, I would like to see perkom actually doing things that has to do with communications and what we learn i.e. free movie previews, tickets to the Kancil Awards, or educational tours like to TV3 or Astro.

But guess what? What Perkom did this year, and every single year are probably a great waste of gathered resources that the committee themselves work their asses to mount up. Things are repeatedly being done year by year with new committees. Like selling T-shirts for instance, if you can’t come out with a really good design, then just don’t sell them. This is not just coming from me; almost all of the juniors I’ve spoken to hated the T-shirts. Last year’s painting of a horrible looking Malaysian Flag just to have it washed out in the rain after a single night is another example of how money is being wasted. That rag now is probably chucked somewhere collecting dust.

OK, probably those in Perkom exco will be saying I don’t know what problems they face. In all fairness to the excos, money is indeed a big big problem for Perkom to do anything that’s worth the student’s time to participate. Getting sponsors for a small varsity club is not an easy task. This is why this article is not directed to the committee, it’s more for those upstairs.
Please for crying out loud acknowledge that Perkom needs a big financial support from the school. You can’t expect a student walking into a big company with just an official sponsorship letter and leave with 1000 ringgit in their hands. If Perkom continues to come out with such ridiculous activities and ways to achieve profitability, might as well abolish the damn society.

When it comes to politics in Perkom, students please choose wisely. We have already learned countless times that racism is the most idiotic way to run anything that involves people affairs. Choose a leader based on strengths and charisma. Don’t just raise your hand and follow the crowd just because u belong in the same color. It happened last year, its pretty f(ish)ed up if it continues to happen. How often do we see a Chinese raise their hand to nominate a Malay or vice versa? Never, I suppose.

Perkom is now probably just a name for the committees to fill in to flower up their resumes. Who’s to blame? The choosers or the Chosen?

A new batch of Perkom committee has taken over, are we gonna see new fruitful agendas, or the same old crap? Let’s just wait and see…

Suarakami is where we feature you, young Malaysians, and let you answer silly questions. This week, staff writer Syarifah Hadli talks to Pana from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Check her out!

1. What’s the weirdest thing you find about Malaysians?

I don’t know… I’m also a Malaysian…and I’m not weird… Hehe

2. Malaysia’s achievement that you’re proud of.

Abang Sheikh Muzaffar’s accomplishment!!

3. Name one song recommended for the depressed.

Splender, “I think god can explain”

4. Best hangout place in Penang.

Anywhere will do as long as with my friends.. Terharu tak korang?

5. If you get to be the PM for one whole day, what do you want to change?

I want to change my identity.. Oh and transfer all the money to my mummy’s account.. That’s all Ngee

6. Name one rule that you want to slip into AUKU.

Please slip into this rule to be the last one.–> All of the above rules have been eliminated. Do what ever you want to.. Thank you and get off!!

7. Recommend a movie that changed your life & most likely to change others too.

Buli

8. If Siti Nurhaliza summoned you to join in a peaceful rally, would you say yes?

Yes, I love peace

9. One should never kill animals on the road while driving because everyone else will want to kill animals on the road too? Wth?

Tengku Farhana or also known as Pana, is one crazy chick who plays the bass whenever she jams with her friends. Currently an undergraduate at UPM Serdang, majoring in Sains Instrumentasi, she is also a member of RANtai, a group that initiate an art event in KL on yearly basis. 20 years old and she is still (ahem) single and available.

By Aaron Rao

For those who wish to be lecturers in the future and those who are new in tutoring, especially in tutoring, take this article as a preparatory step to become a better teacher.

There are few things newbies should learn when 1st entering into teaching, especially in universities and higher learning institutions.

1. Do not expect to gain respect from students by talking loud and being over assertive. Why? Because us students don’t give a shit when tutors shout. In fact, it makes us hate them more .a good way to request an audience from students is ask politely and talk gently even if you are going to burst out inside, keep it inside.

2. Should u feel the need to express anger, do it with grace. Why? Let me give u an example. When students hand phone rings, just ask who and why before suddenly asking them to leave the class. Sometimes students just forget to turn silent mode. Just like how lecturers NEVER REMEMBER to turn phone to silent while teaching.

3. Do not force a student to tell personal reason of being absent in public. They must have their reason. Don’t go forcing them to tell it out loud like “masalah wanita!!” in front of the whole class. Not only that it would be embarrassing for the poor girl, it would also lower your fan base.

4. Do not take strict attendance. Be lenient. Lecturers that often go by the book to much usually have very low fan base. Do not worry about students not coming to tutorials. After all, whether they fail or pass it’s in their own hands. There’s no need to bar a student right after the 3rd strike. Students wont simply be absent for the 3rd time unless they have a solid reason. Clarify the situation with the student before handing out any damn letters.

5. KNOW YOUR RANK. Bear in mind that students do not like tutors that act like they’re already on par with already established lecturers. Know your standard and behave like it. That way, students will know that u are humble and trust me, humility is the key to gaining mutual respect. Nobody likes a smart ass.

Please remember that students want to like their teachers. And it is easier to learn if harmony can be achieved.
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Kasikampus in support of healthy learning

Oleh Siti Nurulzahra

Berita Kampus merupakan warta yang dihasilkan oleh mahasiswa Universiti Sains Malaysia yang seharusnya melambangkan para pelajar itu sendiri. Dari segi pemikiran dan perspektif mereka sendiri. Apa yang dilihat dari berita yang dilaporkan hanyalah berkisarkan mengenai program mahupun buah fikiran dari pihak pentadbiran universiti sahaja. Adakah mahasiswa kita hanya tahu melaporkan mengenai apa yang berlaku dikampus sahaja tanpa mengupas isu semasa, politik dan ekonomi?

Menurut William L. Rivers dalam bukunya “The Mass Madia, Reporting, Writing and Editing” ketika membicarakan mengenai penerbitan mahasiswa menyebutkan, “It follows that any student publications – newspaper, magazine, or yearbook – must be approached as a serious work of journalism. It should report and explain newsworthy events in the life of the institution and provide medium for student expression. It should make it self indispensable to the school community. It can not be a clique operation a toy for the amusement of a small group – and serve the propose of mass communication”

Sepatutnya isi yang ditulis diolah dengan lebih kritikal kerana kelompok pembaca hanya berkisar dikalangan para pelajar dan juga pihak akedemik. Iaitu kelompok yang homogen. Kualiti berita juga perlulah berkualiti dan bukan menyajikan mengenai berita- berita yang ‘ringan’. Berita yang disiarkan haruslah bersangkut paut dengan kepentingan pelajar dan untuk masa depan mereka. Perlukah berita mengenai Pesta Konvokesyen ke-37 dan Program Citrawarna kali ke-8 ditunda dilaporkan dimuka surat depan Berita Kampus?

Rivers juga menyebut “His material are different because he is writing and editing for a small, homogenous community – a fact that should enable him to speak more meaningful to the majority of his audience.”

Adakah Berita Kampus melambangkan kesemua pelajar yang berada di semua fakulti?

Dimana sisipan mengenai ekonomi? Adakah mahasiswa tidak mampu mengupas mengenai hal tersebut kerana para wartawan dan penulis hanya berasal dari fakulti komunikasi? Bukankah seharusnya wartawan itu harus tahu serba sedikit mengenai hal- hal disekeliling yang meliputi hal ekonomi, politik dan isu semasa. Apa gunanya jika bakal-bakal wartawan dan penulis hari-hari membaca berita namun tidak mampu mengupas dan menulis mengenai sesuatu yang dianggap biasa. Kecewa apabila berita yang dilaporkan langsung tidak mencerminkan apa yang berada dalam minda para pelajar itu sendiri dan berita yang dilaporkan mencerminkan yang mahasiswa hanyalah berminat pada acara yang berlangsung didalam kampus sahaja terutamanya yang bercorak hiburan.

Berita Kampus ditujukan untuk civitas academica haruslah dapat memenuhi rasa ingin tahu dan informasi tentang perkembangan ilmu pengatahuan, sistem pendidikan baru, penelitian-penelitian yang tengah dijalankan mahupun mengenai pandangan para mahasiswa yang dianggap dapat membuatkan pelajar berfikir haruslah dilaporkan.

Surat-surat dari para pelajar yang disiarkan hanyalah membuatkan pembaca ketawa kerana hal-hal remeh yang disiarkan. Bukankan pihak universiti ada menyediakan kaunselor-kaunselor untuk para pelajar. Mengapa tidak pelajar rujuk dari mereka sahaja.Bukankah ini semua melambangkan sifat pelajar yang suka akan hal-hal remeh seperti apa yang dilaporkan didalam akhbar-akhbar tabloid?

Seharusnya berita yang disiarkan haruslah bersifat akademik yang membuatkan pelajar berfikir dan mendatangkan perbahasan dikalangan para pelajar.

Aku tidak tahu mengapa tiada langsung hal-hal mengenai pelajar diperdebatkan disini yang sepatutnya dilaporkan. Berita dari pelajar-pelajar berlainan fakulti juga tidak dilaporkan.Misalnya dari fakulti pengurusan. Seharusnya berita mengenai teknologi harus diberikan penelitian kerana pada abad kini teknologi memainkan peranan namun apa yang dilihat hanyalah mengenai program budaya sahaja yang dilaporkan dengan meluas.Berita sebegini tidak melambangkan kesemua para pelajar yang ada di universiti.

Informasi mengenai teknologi seperti program Photoshop misalnya dapat membantu para mahasiswa apabila kelebihan program ini dilaporkan dan ini dapat membantu mereka memilih kursus yang ingin diambil. Begitu juga berita mengenai pelaburan yang dapat membantu pelajar untuk menjadi seorang yang prihatin terhadap ekonomi negara dan dunia keseluruhanya.Bukan dengan hal mengenai Rahsia Tahi Lalat yang harus disiarkan.

Kesedaran haruslah dipupuk dikalangan para pelajar agar mereka tidak dibuai arus. Oleh itu peranan Berita Kampus adalah untuk membuatkan mahasiswa terjaga dari lamunan mimpi dengan menyiarkan rencana dan berita yang memberikan pengatahuan kepada pelajar dan membuatkan mereka mempersoalkan sesuatu isu yang diutarakan.