Please pray for Malaysia...

Received this in my email today.....truly saddens my heart...here's what it says:

What has become to malaysia??


My religion is non-Muslim: I have a name for my religion

Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Never before in the 50-year history of Malaysia have there been more
"Little Napoleons" who have become school principals and administrators
who lack the most elementary understanding and respect for the rights and
sensitivities of diverse races, religions, languages and cultures of
plural Malaysia

I have received and put on my blog another complaint by a parent against a
school principal – of SMK Bandar Utama 4 Damansara - about the lack of
understanding and respect for the sensitivities and rights of diverse
races, religions, languages and cultures in plural Malaysia which are the
real assets of the country.

It is most shocking that the never before in the 50-year history of
Malaysia have there been more "Little Napoleons" who have become school
principals and administrators who lack the most elementary understanding
and respect for the rights and sensitivities of diverse races, religions,
languages and cultures of plural Malaysia.

This letter from a parent complaining about the principal of SMK Bandar
Utama 4 Damansara reads:

"I would like to bring to your attention, the latest happening in SMK
Bandar Utama 4 Damansara (near Ikano Power Centre). This school has about
85% of its students who are Chinese. Its first HM is a Chinese and
followed by a Malay lady. All this while, the school has a proud
tradition of good old days where students can wear shorts for PE lesson,
celebration of major Chinese festival like Chinese New Year, cheerleading
team and secular school type of school assembly.

"Unfortunately, all these good times are gone with the coming of a new
Malay headmistress who is a religious bigot. With 10% Muslim students,
she is now imposing 'bacaan doa' during assembly, banning of the
cheerleading team, no more wearing of shorts for PE and the worst of all
is that for the coming CNY, the school can have a lion dance performance
but WITHOUT the DRUM.

"This is really absurd because the Chinese drums are very noisy. How can a
minority group in the school imposed their values on the majority group -
another case of insensitivity among the Muslims."

There have been over 40 comments since the blog went up this morning,
including instances of insensitivity in other schools, such as a
complaint from a parent whose son is in a primary school in Kulim.

The parent was incensed at a printout of the personal particulars sent out
by his son's teacher asking parents to verify.

He was very surprised at the "religion" category, as there are only two
choices - Muslim and Non-Muslim.

He asked: "So what does that mean? My religion is non-Muslim. I have a
name for my religion, why can't (they) put more choices?"

The parent wanted to know whether this format was drafted by the school or
the education ministry – an answer all Malaysians are also awaiting.

Is the Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein setting the
proper role model for teachers and students as an exemplary Malaysian
fully respectful of the sensitivities and rights of the diverse races,
religions, languages and cultures which is the asset and pride of the
country – as to be advertised internationally as "Truly Asia"?

For a start, Hishammuddin should set an example as an exemplary Malaysian
and Education Minister by making amends and apologise for his
insensitive, divisive and incendiary "keris-waving" episodes in the past
two Umno Youth general assemblies – setting the worst possible example
to teachers and students on respect for sensitivities and rights for
diverse races, religions, languages and cultures in plural Malaysia.

Lim Kit Siang


Indeed, we need to be like the sons of Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12: 32).....we need to stand up and pray.......