Hidden driver, watching tigers

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

“Don’t worry Mr Driver, we will look after your car,” said the pride leader. Picture taken in Cameron Highlands.

Date : Wednesday, 13-April-2011

Crouching tiger, hidden hydrant

This hidden fire hydrant in Gua Musang could cause dangerous delays.

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Date : Sunday, 10-April-2011

mStar Online : 10 Cara Untuk Mempromosikan 1 Malaysia

mStar Online : 10 Cara Untuk Mempromosikan 1 Malaysia

PENDAPAT

Rabu Mac 30, 2011

10 Cara Untuk Mempromosikan 1 Malaysia

Oleh B. KUMARATHEVAN

KITA harus belajar dari nenek moyang kita tentang cara untuk hidup secara harmoni.

Gaya hidup bangsa kita pada masa lalu telah menunjukkan kepada kita bagaimana masyarakat zaman dahulu tinggal bersama dalam toleransi dan penghormatan tinggi terhadap bangsa-bangsa lain, budaya dan agama walaupun berhadapan dengan beberapa insiden dan kejadian kecil yang tidak diingini.

Pada pandangan penulis, adalah sesuatu yang memalukan jika kita gagal untuk terus merangkul keunikan Malaysia ini.

Sepuluh cara yang dapat membantu mempromosikan konsep 1Malaysia untuk menggalakkan perpaduan yang lebih besar di kalangan masyarakat pelbagai etnik di Malaysia adalah seperti berikut:

1) Orang dewasa harus menunjukkan teladan yang baik dengan menghormati jiran tetangga, rakan sekerja, teman atau seseorang daripada bangsa lain.

2) Orang dewasa tidak harus berbicara secara negatif tentang bangsa lain atau agama lain secara sembarangan atau terbuka.

3) Jangan memanggil seseorang dengan panggilan yang kurang enak di dengar terhadap orang daripada bangsa yang berbeza.

4) Anak-anak harus didorong untuk bergaul dan bermain bersama kanak-kanak berlainan kaum tanpa melihat perbezaan di antara mereka agar semangat kekitaan dapat dipupuk dari peringkat awal lagi.

5) Guru-guru terutamanya pengetua sekolah atau para pendidik di institusi pengajian tinggi harus memainkan peranan yang lebih besar dengan memberi motivasi kepada para pelajar dan meraikan kepelbagaian budaya di antara rakyat negara kita.

6) Kerajaan melalui agensi-agensi tertentu harus menganjurkan acara-acara yang lebih mantap dan menyeluruh untuk mempromosikan perpaduan yang lebih besar. Jangan tunggu musim perayaan atau pilihan raya baru hendak menganjurkan sesuatu.

7) Organisasi bukan kerajaan (NGO) termasuk persatuan, kelab dan pertubuhan perlu bekerja sama dengan syarikat multi nasional atau industri kecil untuk menganjurkan kegiatan sukan, seminar dan kem-kem yang merangkumi penyertaan semua bangsa.

8) Kementerian Pelajaran harus mempertimbangkan untuk melupuskan sistem kuota bagi membolehkan cabaran kesetaraan yang positif dalam sistem pendidikan.

9) Para pemimpin agama yang sepatutnya menjadi soleh dan takut akan Tuhan harus berlatih mengamalkan sikap toleransi yang tinggi dan selalu bekerja untuk menyelesaikan perbezaan pendapat di kalangan masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama secara ramah dan kondusif.

10) Para ahli politik perlu bijaksana dalam membuat kenyataan atau ketika mengambil keputusan mengenai isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan masyarakat berbilang kaum. Dengan sepuluh pendekatan ini, saya percaya kita boleh mencapai perpaduan yang lebih dinamik dan membantu merealisasikan hasrat 1Malaysia secara lebih sistematik.

Sekian untuk renungan dan iktibar kita semua.

- Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Tilt head to insert coin, thank you

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Any neck sprains caused while paying for your parking in Gua Musang is deeply regretted.

2 Malaysians among world's '100 most inspiring people'

2 Malaysians among world's '100 most inspiring people'

KUALA LUMPUR: Two prominent Malaysian women have been included in a New York-based global advocacy’s list of 100 most inspiring people around the world for their work in advocating the rights of women and girls.

Zainah Anwar - who founded Sisters In Islam (SIS) and is the project director of Musawah, an international collaborative group for equality and justice in the Muslim family - and blogger, women’s rights and HIV/AIDS awareness advocate Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir were named in the list put out by Women Deliver.

Zainah and Marina joined the rank of other distinguished personalities including former US first lady Laura Bush, ABC news anchor and tv personality Christiane Amanpour, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, CNN Hero of the Year and anti-sex trafficking activist Anuradha Koirala, talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

The list, announced in New York yesterday, was compiled based on the recipients’ work in improving the lives of women and girls in the fields of health, human rights, politics, economics, education, journalism and philanthropy.

Zainah who occupied the seventh position in the list, said she was informed of her inclusion in the list in mid-February.

“It is an honour for Sisters in Islam's work to be recognised at the global level. Our work breaks the myth that Muslim women are oppressed and victimised, and further breaks the myth that Islam is inherently a religion that discriminates against women,” she said.

Zainah described her biggest achievement was in empowering Muslim women to claim their right to be treated as human beings of equal worth and dignity.

She added Musawah, which was initiated by Sisters in Islam two years ago and led by an international committee of scholars and activists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Gambia, Nigeria, Iran, the United States and the United Kingdom, had become a source of hope for change in the Muslim world.

The organisation was also invited to Geneva to give briefings to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee).

Meanwhile, Marina, who occupied the 57th position, said Women Deliver contacted her through her blog last week.

“I am very honoured to be named in the list. I think it’s nice that Malaysia is recognised. It makes people aware of Malaysia and we get international recognition. People will also take us more seriously,” said Marina who is also a SIS board member.

In a press statement released yesterday, Women Deliver president Jill Sheffield said last year had been “widely viewed as the year women’s issues finally came to the fore in international development.

“This list recognises those who successfully navigated the corridors of power, along with those on the front lines, who have worked to expand the rights and choices for girls and women everywhere,” she said.

Other countries in the region mentioned in the list were Cambodia and Philippines with one and two representatives each. Representation from Sub-Saharan nations was the highest with 26 names followed by the Middle East and North Africa with 20 names.

Women Deliver, launched in 2007, promotes and advances the health of girls, women and mothers and serves as a global source of information for advocacy and action.

Among its advisors are Amnesty International, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

Read more: 2 Malaysians among world's '100 most inspiring people' http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2Malaysiansamongworld_s_100mostinspiringpeople_/Article/#ixzz1Fe63UDYm

You can make a difference

SPEAK UP! :: Letters KUDOS to MCA for its efforts to set up mobile service vehicles to serve the poor in the rural areas by providing free services such as health screening, counselling, legal consultation and crisis relief. Though the government and some NGOs are making efforts to help those who are in need and to promote racial unity, there are thousands who have been overlooked. Let’s stop blaming one another. All the efforts of some quarters to tackle the problem of the needy will be in vain if there are those who don’t take the responsibility to participate in nation building. Recently, a friend of mine sent me an encouraging email. He shared a little bit about Mother Teresa’s humility that taught the world the true meaning of love through charity. In 2008, I had the opportunity to watch the movie about the life story of Mother Teresa. There were tears in my eyes. That movie inspired me to take the challenge with my family to help in whatever way we can, especially in promoting unity. Just as her selfless work among the poverty-stricken people of Kolkata became an inspiration for me and my family, so I believe it will challenge every citizen to the core to make the difference in our society, nation and the world. Mother Teresa said: "God admires us not for what we do but for how much love we put into what we do. Together let us build a chain of love around the world." Whatever we are able to do, though it may seem to be unrealistic, out of date or insignificant to human minds, it doesn’t matter, just continue to pursue the higher calling by helping the poor and the needy with nation building in mind. "Legends leave behind legacy, so take the challenge to make the difference!" Kumarathevan BalakrishnanGua Musang

KJ Generation Resources newsletter (2011)

KJ GENERATION RESOURCES newsletter

Dear friends, 2010 was a great year for us and we thank God for the many wonderful experiences. 

We had the opportunity to conduct motivation seminars besides coaching the students to speak in  English at our training centre (KJGR) that focuses on character-building programme. The students showed interest in learning and progressed quite well.

Since we started to teach English and character-building programme in Gua Musang in October 2009, we have taught quite a number of students of various races including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli and Pakistani.

They were aged between 5 and 55 years old. There were many others who attended the seminars that we had organised. Our seminars was facilitated by trainers and professionals from Malaysia as well as from overseas including America, Australia, Finland, South Korea, Mexico and Indonesia.  

We are continuing our effort to help educate and motivate the students who will be attending our trainings this year. We have started our classes for 2011.

Our aim is to teach English the easy way, organize motivational and character-building programmes, nurture the spirit of unity among people of different culture, race and religion besides organizing social concern activities. 


As we are involved in this community development and nation building programme, we are in need of financial and material support. You are most welcome to partner with us to touch and transform the community here.

Yours sincerely,

B.Kumarathevan and S.Josephine Kumar

Managers of KJ Generation Resources

Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

016-4734313 or 016-4687414

"BUILD CHARACTER, BUILD LIVES!"

 

K.Joash Kumararaj presenting "Humpty Dumpty" (Bollywood version)

‘Attractive’ rubbish

‘Attractive’ rubbish

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Instead of attracting tourists to Cameron Highlands, the rubbish pile found at the Simpang Pulai road bend leading to the hilltop will only attract flies and diseases.

Date : Friday, 10-December-2010

Note: Hope the authorities concern will take swift action.

‘Attractive’ rubbish

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Instead of attracting tourists to Cameron Highlands, the rubbish pile found at the Simpang Pulai road bend leading to the hilltop will only attract flies and diseases.

Published in The Star Thumbnails: Friday, 10-December-2010

Learning English with Arts & Crafts

Draw, cut, paste, pencil, colours, stick, glue, scissors, underline, paper, object, look, erase and much more were among the vocabularies used to help participants to bring out their hidden talents and creativity.

About thirty participants were enthusiastically drawing, colouring and were learning the ways and means to create some beautiful arts and crafts.

“Though it looks like an art class but it is actually an English programme with a difference.They were given the opportunity to learn and express their desires, emotions and creativity as they become so engrossed in the special programme.

“Simple instructions in English were used as part of language learning process,’’ said Josephine Kumar, Principal and assistant Manager of KJ Generation Resources (KJGR). 

The event was a two days school holiday programme themed: “Learning English with Arts and Crafts” organized by KJGR at its premises in Gua Musang, Kelantan. 

The participants age from three to 28 years old consist of nursery kids, school students and young adults. 

According to Josephine, the participants from various background and culture including Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli took part in portrait and cartoon drawing including different facial expressions, colouring and creating crafts using old magazines, books and cut outs.  

The participants also learned many vocabularies during the sessions conducted by a group of twelve professional trainers from USA, Australia, Finland and South Korea.

English was used continuosly as a form of communication to teach arts and crafts which made the langguage programme active and alive within the classroom.

Team leader, James Alen who is an artist said, this programme is another creative way to stimulate the imagination and the creativity of the individuals which subsequently helps them to learn English easily and effortlessly. 

"In this way, it can also help them to develop communication ability through teamwork. Whilst receiving compliments and praises in English for their artwork, the participants will also learn to respond by saying some basic greetings," he said. 

Josephine believes, using profesional trainers, mostly from English speaking countries occasionally will help improve the linguistic competence of the participants because they are forced to listen attentively, receive instructions from those trainers and respond to them intelligently. 

"This is our continues effort since we began our English training centre one year ago,'' she said adding, besides their normal English class, KJGR have successfully organized few programmes such as, "Towards Destiny", "Fun English Lessons with Native Americans" and "Using Music to Learn English".

She explained, KJGR wants to impart and achieve three most important elements in these students through all their programmes, one is to improve the students communicative skills, next is to build confidence in each one of them and finally to shape their character to be better citizens.

She said that the event is also to promote understanding and building relationship with one another from various background, cultures and traditions inline with the 1 Malaysia aspiration.

A participant, Rokimin Uda Din, 28, who desires to travel abroad said that the event has help boost his confidence and self esteem. "I want to improve my English in order  to be able to communicate boldly and fluently with English native speakers".

Another participant, Chong Tao Ying, 14, who loves to draw said, it is impressive to know that he could learn English through arts and crafts. 

For more information or update on other events, email KJGR at kjgenerationres@gmail.com or contact 016-4734313 or 016-4687414.

ends.

Kids learn English while drawing and colouring.

Anis Aqilah (student): "I know..this is the forehead. Am I right?"

One of the trainers, Aaron (middle), a doctor of chiropractic become the human anatomy for the children to learn about body parts.

Foreign trainers are observing and giving instructions in English to participants as they are working on their artwork.

 Professional trainers from overseas are having discussion in English with Orang Asli participants.

Kids and trainers enjoying "parachute ball game". It's an outdoor activity to learn English.

        Yes we did it! Kids showing thumbs up after finishing their drawing.

  

Todd (second from left) and Dave (right) helping the participants to draw sea animals.

        

      James teaching participants the method of how to draw human face.

Participants showing their drawing - human face.

Kids enjoy drawing on the floor at KJGR entrance.

Some of the participants and foreign trainers posing for the album at KJ Generation Resources, Gua Musang, Kelantan.

end.

Photos & Story by: B.Kumarathevan 

Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

016-4734313 or 016-4687414

KJ Generation Resources Newsletter

 Using Music to Learn English

It was an exciting moment and the whole place was filled with such joy and celebration.

Most of the participants, age between eight to fifty years old, who was timid and shy to speak in English started singing, dancing and even took part in sketch presentations.

About 35 people who attended a special programme called ‘Using Music to Learn English’ benefited much from the programme and was seen exited throughout the session.   

The three days programme which was organized by KJ Generation Resources at its premises in Gua Musang, Kelantan recently was attended by participants of all races including Malay, Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli and a Pakistani.

This programme was conducted by eight trainers from Serdang, Selangor to help participants fall in love with English. They comprise of a teacher, IT engineer, graduates and students from various colleges and universities.

Team leader, Jacqueline Hoe said, the programme was designed in such a way to give the participants the understanding that this language is easy to learn if  unique methods and attractive approaches are used to teach.

“We use musical instruments such as acoustic guitar and bongo to teach modern Western and folk songs besides introducing ‘dikir barat’ style song plus 'Rasa Sayang' in English.

“Our team also taught the participants some dancing steps for an English pop song ‘Hoe Down’ to get them exited as well as to promote the easy way to learn spoken English,” she added.   

The trainers comprise of Malaysians from different cultures and a Botswanian also took part in group performance by acting together with the participants in three different sketches in English.  

“It is truly a great experience and a memorable English class I have ever attended. I desire to learn to speak this language quickly,” said a 50 year old participant who just wants to be known as Madam Loo.

Another participant, a Pakistani, Musa Basheer, 17, said that the special programme has helped him to get rid of the fear to learn this language and gave him the confidence to pursue his communication skills in English.

Ends. 

 

Dance, sing and learn English: The participants enjoy learning some simple dance steps as they sing along the pop song in English.

Music is a language: The trainers are using an acoustic guitar and bongo to teach English via Western and folk songs.

Acting makes it perfect: A group of participants together with the trainers are presenting a sketch in English. 

  

By: B.Kumarathevan

Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

016-4734313 or 016-4687414

Street Lights from Gua Musang to Cameron Highlands

Gua Musang (GM), Kelantan to Cameron Highlands (CH) in Pahang is only about 1 ½ hours drive. The journey which is about 100 kilometers on that moderate road is truly enjoying if we are traveling in day time.

 Eventhough there are few landslides along the way, the cool breeze and greeneries plus the Orang Asli settlement on both sides of the road gives you a pleasant feeling and an experience of what local eco-tourism is all about.

 Nowadays, more local and foreign tourists are using this road to travel to and fro GM and CH for this is the shortest way and it’s also easy to get to the North South Highway through Simpang Pulai road.

 Unfortunately, traveling on the same road at night is totally a different story. For travelers, night driving along that stretch could be dangerous and probably a nightmare. Around 8pm, the whole road becomes so dark and traveling on that way can be quite risky.

 Few days ago my family and I were traveling back to GM from CH on that road. It was about 7.30pm. After about 40 minutes drive suddenly right in front of us we saw an oncoming motorbike skidded and fell on the middle of the road.

 I quickly got down from the car and managed to pull aside an elderly motorist who was badly injured. He lamented in pain that he hit a stone that was on the road and fell. I tried to stop two other cars that pass by to come to his aid but they didn’t do so.

 It was pitch dark and by the time I could pull aside the man’s motorcycle, a speeding truck ran over it and sped off in the darkness. Thank God, nothing happen to us. A little while latter, two motorists stop to help and took care of the injured man.

 Though it was very dangerous to stop our car in that dark road, we couldn’t leave the helpless man on the road unattended. Moreover, I couldn’t take him into my car either as it was full.

 You can imagine, what could have happened to the elderly injured motorist if he was unnoticed in the middle of the road in that dark night. This is not the first time we encounter such incidents. There were many accidents occurred in that road.

 I strongly urge the government to take immediate action to solve this problem by installing street lights along GM and CH road and also the road leading to Kuala Lipis, Pahang which is equally dark, for the safety of road users.

 The respective authorities should create emergency lanes and also install SOS telephone booths for the benefit of the public.

 I believe this will be the best time for the people of GM to demand for government’s quick action since it is Galas state by election on the 4^th November.

Henceforth, I hope the government will build good roads with public safety in mind to avoid more road accidents or any unwanted incidents.

Ends.

Pix: 

Pictures of accidents and land slide that occurred along Gua Musang and Cameron Highland roads.

Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Gua Musang

PENDAPAT

Isnin Oktober 11, 2010

Pengalaman Menyaksikan Kemalangan di Jalan Cameron - Gua Musang

Oleh B. KUMARATHEVAN

GUA MUSANG: Jarak di antara Gua Musang (GM), Kelantan ke Cameron Highlands (CH) di Pahang adalah lebih kurang seratus kilometer sahaja. Perjalanan yang akan mengambil masa kira-kira 1 ½ jam di atas jalan itu adalah menyeronokkan terutamanya pada siang hari.

Walaupun terdapat beberapa kejadian tanah runtuh di sana sini, pemandangan di kedua-dua belah jalan berkenaan termasuk kehijauan alam semulajadi, hawa yang agak dingin dan juga penempatan Orang Asliadalah sesuatu yang amat menarik.

Ia juga memberi peluang kepada sesiapa sahaja merasai nilai pelancongan di kawasan pedalaman atau “eco-tourism”.

Pada masa kini, ramai pengguna jalan raya termasuk para pelancong dari dalam dan luar negara kerap menggunakan jalan berkenaan kerana ia adalah jalan singkat yang menghubung GM dan CH serta satu-satunya jalan terdekat untuk ke Lebuhraya Utara Selatan melalui Simpang Pulai.

Malangnya, perjalanan pada waktu malam agak berbahaya, malah ia juga mungkin menjadisatu pengalaman yang mengerikan kepada sesiapa sahaja khususnya kepada mereka yang tidak ada pengalaman menggunakan laluan ini.

Ini kerana sepanjang jalan tersebut agak gelap gelita dan memandu pada waktu malam adalah agak berisiko tinggi.

Beberapa hari yang lalu, kira-kira pukul 7.30 malam, saya dan keluarga saya sedang dalam perjalanan ke GM dari CH. Kira-kira 45 minit kemudian, kami terkejut melihat sebuah motosikal dari arah bertentangan tergelincir lalu terhumban di atas jalan tersebut.

Saya dengan segera bergegas untuk membantupenunggang motosikal tersebut. Lelaki yang berusia dalam lingkungan 40an itu mengeluh dalam kesakitan bahawa dia terlanggar batu di atas jalan itu dan gagal mengawal motosikalnya.

Saya cuba mendapatkan bantuan daripada duakenderaan lain yang lalu ketika itu malangnya mereka enggan berhenti. Kemudian saya dengan segera menarik lelaki berkenaan ke tepi jalan.

Sebelum saya dapat menarik motosikalnya yangberada di tengah jalan, sebuah trak yang laju merempuh motosikal berkenaan dan terus menghilangkan diri dalam kegelapan malam.

Nasib baiklah kami selamat dalan kejadian berkenaan. Beberapa minit kemudian, dua penunggang motosikal turut menghulurkan bantuan.

Walaupun jalan tersebut terlalu gelap untuk berhenti, tetapi kita rasa serba salah untuk membiarkan penunggang yangtercedera teruk itu di atas jalan raya walaupun pada masa itu kereta saya juga penuh dengan seisi keluarga.

Bayangkanlah apa yang mungkin terjadi sekiranya tidak ada orang yang melihat penunggang itu tersungkur dan berada di tengah-tengah jalan yang gelap gelita itu.

Ini bukanlah kali pertama, kami melihat kejadian sebegini di jalan berkenaan. Banyak kemalangan pernah berlaku di atas jalan tersebut selain kejadian tanah runtuh di beberapa tempat sepanjang jalan itu.

Saya menggesa pihak kerajaan untuk mengambil tindakan segera mengatasi masalah tersebut dengan memasang lampu jalan sepanjang GM ke CH serta jalan GM ke Kuala Lipis, Pahang yang turut gelap untuk keselamatan para pengguna jalan berkenaan.

Pihak berkuasa juga harus membina lorong kecemasan serta memasang pondok telefon SOS yang boleh digunakan pada waktu kecemasan di jalan berkenaan bagi kemudahan orang ramai meminta bantuan.

Saya juga rasa ini adalah waktu yang paling baik untuk menggesa kerajaan bertindak cepat lebih-lebih lagi ketika kawasan berkenaan berhadapan dengan pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri Galas pada 4 November akan datang.

Sebagai pengguna jalan raya, saya berharap kerajaan akan mengambil kira akan keselamatan para pengguna dan memberi perhatian kepada kejadian-kejadian seumpama ini.

PENULIS merupakan bekas wartawan di sebuah akhbar nasional berbahasa Malaysia

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPEAK UP! :: Letters Road to Gua Musang needs street lights THE 100km drive from Gua Musang in Kelantan to Cameron Highlands in Pahang takes about 1½hours. Many motorists also use it to get to the North South Highway via the Simpang Pulai road.But at night the pleasant drive becomes a hazard. It becomes pitch dark by 7.30pm. A few days ago my family and I were travelling to Gua Musang from Cameron Highlands at about 7.30pm. After about 40 minutes of driving we saw an oncoming motorcyclist fall. I got down from the car and managed to pull aside the elderly motorist who was badly injured. He lamented in pain that he had lost control of his motorcycle after running into a stone on the road. Two other cars went by without stopping though I was waving frantically. Before I could pull aside the man’s motorcycle, a speeding lorry ran over it and sped off in the darkness. Thank God, nothing happened to us. A little while later, two motorists stopped to help and take care of the injured man. Though it was dangerous to stop our car in that dark road, we couldn’t leave the helpless man. I couldn’t take him into my car because it was full. You can imagine, what could have happened to the injured motorist if he was lying unnoticed in the middle of the road. Many accidents have occurred on that stretch of the road. I appeal to the government to install street lamps along the road and the road leading to Kuala Lipis in Pahang for the safety of road users. The authorities should add emergency lanes and install emergency telephone booths for the benefit of the public. I believe this is the best time for the people of Gua Musang to demand for prompt action since there is a by-election for the Galas state seat on Nov 4. I hope the government will build good roads with public safety in mind to prevent more road accidents or any unwanted incidents. Kumarathevan Balakrishnan Gua Musang