jelas.info

Sorry been a bit lax lately, I’m still organising my thoughts on all that’s going on. In the meantime, here’s an excellent opportunity:

MACEE is pleased to announce the 2010 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program. The Global UGRAD program provides scholarships for one semester or one academic year of U.S. study in a non-degree program. This program is funded by U.S. Department of State. The goal of this program is to provide a diverse group of emerging student leaders, from non-elite and under-represented groups with a substantive exchange experience at a U.S. College or University.

Successful applicants can expect an in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture and academic institutions by engaging in substantive academic exchanges at colleges and universities across the country.

All Global UGRAD program participants will be enrolled full-time in undergraduate course work chosen from the host institutions existing curriculum to allow students ample opportunity for substantive interaction with U.S. academic and classroom culture.

Courses on topics including academic research and writing, critical thinking, time management, note-taking and studying for and taking tests will be offered. Participants will live on-campus with American peers.

Students will be provided with opportunities to participate in up to ten hours of community service activities per semester. Additionally, an internship component will be required for all academic-year participants during the academic component of the program. Internships will be related to each participant’s field of study and/or career plans.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible students need to be currently enrolled and have completed at least one year of undergraduate study by the time their program begins. Participants must also have at least one term of study remaining when they complete the program. Participants should also be 24 years or younger at the time of application.

TO APPLY

Please complete the application form attached and ensure that the application package reaches us by November 30, 2009. The completed application package should include the application form, academic transcripts, letters of reference, and TOEFL score report. For more information, please Email to Ms. Kalis at kalis[at]macee.org.my

Application forms can also be downloaded from here.

All applications should be submitted to:
MACEE
Global UGrad Program
18th Floor, Menara Yayasan Tun Razak
200 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur

Interesting eh?

I’ll be the first to admit such online polls aren’t always the most accurate or what not, but still, I’d say that’s some indication (I mean, who goes to the KDN website anyway?)

I’m sure some people would like to blame Malaysians for being ‘uncivic’ or ‘unpatriotic,’ but if the cops are sincere, it’s time for some soul searching.

Perhaps not the best analogy, but I find myself thinking of Americans post 9/11 who asked themselves “Why do they hate us?”

I think policing is a noble job. Lately, I’ve been engrossed in a series of extremely enjoyable police novels.

But how did it get so messed up in Malaysia?

I think questions 2 and 3 give good indications. An incorruptible police force (you have no idea how I hate to say it, but think Singapore) earns the ‘hormat’ or ‘kagum’ of the rakyat. A 70% bribery rate says a lot about a police force, and creates the impression that cops are always out harassing you for a bribe.

(In my experience, don’t offer, and you won’t be asked for one. You might bet let off too, seeing it’s likely to be a bogus operation).

Question 3 reminds us of why too much police power is spent breaking up rallies (and the occasional assembly sitting), and not enough on the most simple, basic, but effective aspect of police work: patrolling the streets.

Question 5 of course is a matter extremely close to our hearts – IPCMC now!!

Not long ago, the Deputy Home Minister whacked Lim Kit Siang for saying only 1% of Malaysians feel safe, as reported by the Home Ministry website itself (who he’s actually implying is an idiot I’m not really sure).

I think the statistic is not far off. They’ve just put private security guards on my road too. It’s a weird feeling, driving through the guards all the time, but I can certainly understand why they’re there (why a whole tax paying neighbourhood has to pay extra to feel safe, I understand less).

I bet either you or someone very close to you has been a recent victim of crime right?

So I think it’s time for politicians to stop being idiotically defensive and in denial, and really face up to the degree normal Malaysians from every walk of life are suffering from the scourge of crime.

I almost forgot, a friend of mine is doing a comedy show last weekend and this one, details below :)

You can kill people and throw them off buildings in this country, but God forbid you should “bite” a cop.

Let’s start by some truly, truly incredulous statements from the judgment:

Batu MP and PKR strategic director Tian Chua was today fined RM3,000 and jailed six months after being found guilty of biting a police constable and preventing the latter from discharging his duty.

Earlier, magistrate Mohd Faizi Che Abu found Chua not to be a credible witness as his defence was a mere denial.

“Even a video recording submitted by the defence showed he had resisted arrest.

“Although the video recording did not show the biting, I believe it did as the policeman had testified that he had punched the accused and Chua had retaliated by biting,” said the magistrate.

Mohd Faizi however said the policeman was not on trial but the accused was.

“I find the policeman’s credibility intact as he did admit when testifying at the prosecution stage that he punched Tian Chua,” said the magistrate.

He said that the sentence meted out to Chua should send a message to the public to respect the court and the law of the land.

O_O ?!?!

I cannot help but feel that swearing is the appropriate response.

So let me get this straight, the magistrate – our representative of Malaysia’s mighty paragon of integrity, the justice system – has decided to uphold the testimony and integrity of this one policeman, BECAUSE HE ADMITTED HE PUNCHED AN ARRESTEE.

And he’s talking about a sending a -ing message?!

I think the message clearly is: it’s ok to abuse prisoners sayang, it will just make any testimonies you give more credible.

But nevermind. We’re concerned with the truth, no? Let’s look at the videos once again.

Here’s the short version, wherein the punching can clearly be seen:

And here’s the long version, action around 6.30 onwards:

So the cop in question is the guy in blue. He shamelessly punches Tian in the head, wherein Tian says “Eh, you jangan pukul saya, jangan pukul.”

Nowhere is there a “Jangan gigit!” or any cry of pain, or ANY indication of a biting.

So what is this 2 bit magistrate basing his judgment on? The testimony of a proven thug.

Hukum rimba!!

Just a mild hunch, but I’m getting a slight feeling things are afoot.

“30,000” for 1Malaysia in Ipoh, a surge of BM crusaders left and right, 50 percent broadband connectivity, green buildings, claims that Malaysians feel reallll safe on the streets, government acquiescence on EPF issues, and here’s my fave alarm bell ringer: anti-Anwar rumour mongering.

(with regards to the latter, take it from the former staffer: no hanky panky. get off it guys, come up with something newlah, boring edi).

Even the Pakatan guys seem to finally be sitting up and trying to look sharp. I’m heartened by today’s press conference, which shows at least some indication that the leadership no longer slumbers, and takes matters at hand seriously.

Maybe it’s just a post Bagan Pinang wave, and I’m sure there are plenty of reasons for BN not to call elections soon, but I think we should all be vigilant nonetheless for we will know not the hour nor the day.