Jaga berat badan, aduhai orang Malaysia!11-05-2007 03:19:09 PM Oleh JESWAN KAUR
KUALA LUMPUR: Warga Malaysia seharusnya berasa bimbang, jika tidak berasa malu, dengan rintihan Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek yang kerajaan tidak boleh menjaga kesihatan setiap orang.
Warga Malaysia sendiri perlu menjaga kesihatan masing-masing dan kata kunci di sini ialah disiplin diri. Malangnya ini bukan satu sifat peribadi yang boleh dibanggakan oleh rakyat Malaysia.
Keluhan Dr Chua adalah susulan kepada laporan yang menunjukkan Malaysia sebagai negara dengan bilangan terbesar golongan obes di rantau Asia, iaitu 25 peratus daripada penduduknya.
Bukan setakat itu sahaja bilangan mereka yang gemuk di Malaysia melampaui bilangan di Jerman dan Perancis. Selain itu bilangan mereka yang obes telah berganda sejak 10 tahun yang lepas.
Adakah ia satu kes Malaysia Boleh? Ya, tetapi bagi tujuan yang bermanfaat.
Menurut Dr Chua, jika rakyat Malaysia tidak membetulkan tabiat makan tanpa had mereka, negara akan menghadapi "epidemik" penyakit-penyakit yang berkaitan dengan berat badan dalam dekad akan datang.
Daripada penduduk seramai 26 juta orang, enam juta warga dewasa mempunyai berat badan berlebihan dan dianggap sebagai obes. Dan tahap obesiti di kalangan warga dewasa meningkat tiga kali ganda dalam tempoh kurang daripada 10 tahun, meningkat daripada 4.4 peratus pada 1996 hingga 12.2 peratus pada 2003.
Sebab untuk bimbang Satu tinjauan yang dijalankan oleh penyelidik pasaran TNS Asiapanel pada tahun lepas mendedahkan yang 38 peratus daripada suri rumah Malaysia mengalami berat badan berlebihan, yang tertinggi di kalangan lima negara Asia termasuk Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam dan Korea Selatan.
Menangani obesiti merupakan keutamaan kerana jika ia dibiarkan tanpa terkawal ia boleh membawa kepada penyakit-penyakit kronik yang lain seperti diabetes, strok, sakit jantung, kegagalan buah pinggang dan pundi hempedu.
Diabetes, strok dan penyakit-penyakit gaya hidup lain lebih baik dicegah kerana mahal untuk merawatnya. Menurut Dr Chua, lebih satu juta warga Malaysia menghidap diabetes sementara bilangan pesakit yang dimasukkan ke wad-wad hospital kerajaan oleh kerana komplikasi diabetes telah meningkat 100 peratus daripada 21,872 orang pada 1995 kepada 41,375 orang pada 2005.
Kementerian juga memberi amaran yang berjuta-juta rakyat Malaysia di bawah umur 40 boleh mengalami penyakit-penyakit kronik dan strok, khasnya kerana amalan pemakanan tidak sihat, tabiat merokok dan gaya hidup yang mengehadkan pergerakan mereka.
Lebih kurang 2.3 juta perokok dan 8.4 juta orang yang mengelakkan senaman menghadapi risiko segera daripada diabetes, darah tinggi, strok dan penyakit jantung.
Terdapat lebih banyak lagi statistik -- lebih daripada 10,000 warga Malaysia meninggal dunia setiap tahun kerana sakit jantung dan kegagalan buah pinggang. Tiga juta mengalami kolesterol tinggi sementara 2.1 juta lagi menghidap diabetes. Dan setiap hari, 110 warga Malaysia diserang strok, pembunuh ketiga di negara ini selepas barah dan sakit jantung.
Lebih 40,000 kes baru barah dilaporkan setiap tahun. Apa lagi, hanya enam daripada setiap 100 orang dapat mengawal tekanan darah mereka.
Alasan utama di sebalik angka-angka penyakit yang terus meningkat ini ialah sikap "hidup untuk makan" dan tidak hiraukan senaman.
Senaman atau teh tarik? Sampai bilakah rakyat Malaysia akan terus mengabaikan kesihatan mereka dan mendera tubuh mereka hanya kerana mahu memuaskan selera mereka.
Pelbagai kempen kesihatan yang dianjurkan oleh Kementerian Kesihatan tidak banyak menunjukkan kejayaan dalam menangani masalah warga Malaysia yang obes. Nampaknya warga Malaysia sanggup berbuat apa sahaja untuk menikmati teh tarik dan nasi lemak mereka, sehinggakan mereka mengetepikan diet dan senaman.
Di sebalik melakukan senaman, rakyat Malaysia lebih rela duduk di kedai atau warung mamak dan menghirup teh, dan itupun pada bila-bila masa sepanjang hari.
Malangnya, apabila memilih antara senaman dan teh tarik panas, ramai akan memilih minuman itu. Senaman sering diketepikan dan dilupakan. Hanya apabila pemeriksaan doktor mendedahkan mereka mengalami kolesterol yang tinggi, yang boleh mengganggu kesihatan jantung, baru mereka mula berfikir.
Ada kalanya, sedikit "paksaan" boleh membantu. Sebagai contoh, majikan boleh mewajibkan senaman sebelum mula kerja. Jika tidak, tiada harapan untuk melihat mereka, khasnya golongan muda, melakukan senaman dan menjalani gaya hidup sihat.
Sayangilah tubuh sendiri Tiada siapa yang dilarang daripada mengisi perut mereka tetapi pada masa yang sama otot tubuh juga tidak boleh dilupakan. Malaysia, seperti yang diketahui, adalah syurga makanan tetapi demi kesihatan tubuh sila kurangkan sedikit makanan goreng yang kaya dengan kolesterol dan lemak.
Dan gaya hidup sihat juga memerlukan sedikit masa untuk memikirkan apa yang kita telah lakukan selama ini dan yang akan kita lakukan. Yang lebih penting ialah untuk sentiasa ingat yang kita makan untuk hidup dan bukan hidup untuk makan -- dan ini memerlukan disiplin! BERNAMA
11 May 2007
18 April 2007
Renungan : Merdeka! Merdeka ! 50 tahun
Perlu syukur nikmat kemerdekaan
18-04-2007 11:00:06 AM
Oleh Melati Mohd Ariff
MELAKA: Sebut sahaja perkataan merdeka, airmatanya bergenang. Suaranya bergetar. Jelas ada semacam hiba dan duka tersemat di dalam hati pejuang kemerdekaan yang semakin lanjut usia ini.Ketika negara ini merdeka hampir 50 tahun lalu, Datuk Wira Borhan Md Yaman berusia kira-kira 28 tahun. Darah muda yang mengalir di tubuhnya ketika itu menjadikan semangat juangnya untuk melihat tanah airnya bebas daripada cengkaman penjajah meluapluap.Meskipun tidak pernah bergelar Yang Berhormat (wakil rakyat), bagi diri Borhan, setiap detik usia yang dihabiskan untuk perjuangan memerdekakan bumi tercinta ini tidak minta dibayar dengan pangkat atau kedudukan."Kita berjuang dulu bukan nak jadi orang besar, bukan nak jadi orang kaya dan sebagainya tetapi kita nak perjuang dan membela kemerdekaan bangsa. Kita nak membina bangsa dan negara yang kita cintai ini," demikian kata Borhan, nadanya perlahan tetapi tegas ketika diwawancara di kediamannya yang serba sederhana di Klebang Besar di sini barubaru ini.Kalau hendak diikutkan Borhan telah merasa pelbagai rencam keperitan hidup semasa British berkuasa, kedatangan tentera Jepun, keganasan "Bintang Tiga" (komunis) dan semasa darurat (1948-1960).
KISAH SEMASA KECILDilahirkan di Kampung Lubuk Redan, Kuala Sungai Baru, Melaka pada 7 April 1929, ayah Borhan menyara keluarganya dengan menanam padi dan menoreh getah.Di sebalik kemiskinan yang menghimpit kehidupan keluarganya, ayah Borhan sentiasa menekankan pentingnya pelajaran dan disiplin diri kepada anakanaknya.Borhan berjaya masuk ke darjah enam pada penghujung 1941 tetapi dia hanya sempat belajar selama dua bulan apabila Jepun menyerang Malaya.Borhan meneruskan persekolahan pada awal Januari 1946 apabila British kembali ke Malaya. Pada penghujung tahun yang sama, beliau menduduki peperiksaan untuk menjadi guru pelatih dengan gaji kira-kira RM15 sebulan. Ketika itu usianya sudah menjangkau 17 tahun.Borhan gigih mendidik anak bangsa. Beliau mengajar di beberapa buah sekolah di Melaka sebelum dilantik sebagai pengelola pelajaran dewasa negeri Melaka oleh Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein pada 21 Julai 1964. Pada 1970, beliau dilantik menjadi pengarah Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat Negeri Melaka dan beliau memegang jawatan itu sehingga 31 Disember 1974.Beliau kembali bertugas sebagai pendidik pada 1 Januari 1974 sehingga 6 April 1984 di Sekolah Henry Gurney (2) di Bandar Hilir.
PEMBABITAN DALAM POLITIK TANAH AIRPembabitan Borhan dalam senario politik tanah air khususnya dalam Umno bermula apabila beliau menjadi ahli Umno cawangan Bandar Melaka pada 1951. Ketika itu beliau berusia 22 tahun.Potensi beliau sebagai pemimpin terserlah dengan perlantikannya sebagai anggota jawatankuasa pemuda Umno Melaka. Pada 1954 beliau dipilih menjadi penolong setiausaha pemuda Umno Melaka.Kerjaya politiknya dalam Umno Melaka terus berkembang apabila beliau dilantik ke Jawatankuasa Umno Negeri Melaka pada 1955 sebelum dilantik sebagai Setiausaha Umno Negeri Melaka dari 1 April 1956 hingga 1 Januari 1958.Beliau terpilih sebagai Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda Umno Melaka dari 1959 hingga 1969. Di samping itu Borhan juga menganggotai Jawatankuasa Pemuda Umno Malaya selama 10 tahun iaitu dari 1961 hingga 1971.Beliau meletakkan jawatan sebagai Ketua Pemuda Umno Melaka pada Oktober 1969 apabila berlaku krisis "pecahan empat bahagian dalam Umno Melaka".Ketika menjadi Ahli Jawatankuasa Lembaga Kemajuan Bahasa Kebangsaan pada 1962 sebagai mewakili Umno, beliau memainkan peranan penting dalam menukar nama-nama jalan di Bandar Melaka dengan namanama tempatan. Antaranya ialah "Wolfarstorn Road" kepada Jalan Bendahara, "Main Road" dan "Great Eastern Road" kepada Jalan Temenggung, "River Side Road" kepada Jalan Laksamana, "Buona Vista Road" kepada Jalan Hang Tuah dan "First Cross Street" kepada Jalan Hang Jebat.
BESARNYA MAKNA KEMERDEKAANSebagai pejuang kemerdekaan, Borhan semestinya merasa puas kerana dapat menyaksikan dua peristiwa penting detik tanah air tercintanya merdeka. Pertamanya ialah upacara menurunkan bendera Union Jack dan menaikkan bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu di Padang Kelab Selangor pada pukul 12 malam 30 Ogos 1957 dan keduanya upacara pengisytiharan kemerdekaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu pada 31 Ogos 1957 di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.Borhan menghadiri keduadua majlis itu sebagai Setiausaha Umno Negeri Melaka. Menurutnya, beliau datang ke Kuala Lumpur menaiki teksi bersama isterinya, Datin Hajjah Maimunah (meninggal dunia pada 17 April 2005), serta bendahari Umno Melaka Haji Johar bin Haji Abdul Aziz dan isterinya."Semasa peristiwa menurunkan bendera, sejak pukul 8 malam orang dah mula penuh, dari seluruh negara mereka datang untuk menunggu detik yang amat bersejarah di mana satu bangsa yang dulunya dijajah dalam berapa detik lagi akan menjadi bangsa yang merdeka dan berdaulat," cerita Borhan, air matanya hampir menitis mengingatkan kembali detik yang bersejarah itu.Ada cerita yang agak lucu berlaku kepada Borhan dan isterinya selepas tamat upacara di Padang Kelab Selangor."Selepas bersoraksorak gembira, waktu itu hampir pukul 1 pagi, baru teringat nak cari tempat tidur. Semua dah penuh. Kemudian ada seorang pemuda yang memandang kepada kami dan bertanya apa yang kami cari. Dia memberitahu kami kalau sudi marilah ke pondoknya. Pondok itu terletak di kebun getah. Pemuda itu rupanya penoreh getah. Keesokan paginya, hujan turun dengan lebat pada waktu subuh. Selepas membersihkan diri di perigi, kami bertolak ke Stadium Merdeka," cerita Borhan.Menurut beliau, meskipun hujan turun rebas pada pagi pengisytiharan kemerdekaan oleh Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Stadium Merdeka dibanjiri orang ramai yang berpusupusu datang untuk menyaksikan hari yang bersejarah itu.Kemerdekaan ke50 yang disambut pada 2007 ini besar maknanya bagi seorang pejuang veteran seperti Borhan."Kita menyambut jubli emas, satu peristiwa yang sangat besar kerana kita telah dewasa. Kita seharusnya bersyukur kepada Allah kerana dengan izinnya kemerdekaan yang kita capai 50 tahun lalu kita telah kecapi segala hasil dan nikmat perjuangan kemerdekaan," tegas Borhan. BERNAMA
18-04-2007 11:00:06 AM
Oleh Melati Mohd Ariff
MELAKA: Sebut sahaja perkataan merdeka, airmatanya bergenang. Suaranya bergetar. Jelas ada semacam hiba dan duka tersemat di dalam hati pejuang kemerdekaan yang semakin lanjut usia ini.Ketika negara ini merdeka hampir 50 tahun lalu, Datuk Wira Borhan Md Yaman berusia kira-kira 28 tahun. Darah muda yang mengalir di tubuhnya ketika itu menjadikan semangat juangnya untuk melihat tanah airnya bebas daripada cengkaman penjajah meluapluap.Meskipun tidak pernah bergelar Yang Berhormat (wakil rakyat), bagi diri Borhan, setiap detik usia yang dihabiskan untuk perjuangan memerdekakan bumi tercinta ini tidak minta dibayar dengan pangkat atau kedudukan."Kita berjuang dulu bukan nak jadi orang besar, bukan nak jadi orang kaya dan sebagainya tetapi kita nak perjuang dan membela kemerdekaan bangsa. Kita nak membina bangsa dan negara yang kita cintai ini," demikian kata Borhan, nadanya perlahan tetapi tegas ketika diwawancara di kediamannya yang serba sederhana di Klebang Besar di sini barubaru ini.Kalau hendak diikutkan Borhan telah merasa pelbagai rencam keperitan hidup semasa British berkuasa, kedatangan tentera Jepun, keganasan "Bintang Tiga" (komunis) dan semasa darurat (1948-1960).
KISAH SEMASA KECILDilahirkan di Kampung Lubuk Redan, Kuala Sungai Baru, Melaka pada 7 April 1929, ayah Borhan menyara keluarganya dengan menanam padi dan menoreh getah.Di sebalik kemiskinan yang menghimpit kehidupan keluarganya, ayah Borhan sentiasa menekankan pentingnya pelajaran dan disiplin diri kepada anakanaknya.Borhan berjaya masuk ke darjah enam pada penghujung 1941 tetapi dia hanya sempat belajar selama dua bulan apabila Jepun menyerang Malaya.Borhan meneruskan persekolahan pada awal Januari 1946 apabila British kembali ke Malaya. Pada penghujung tahun yang sama, beliau menduduki peperiksaan untuk menjadi guru pelatih dengan gaji kira-kira RM15 sebulan. Ketika itu usianya sudah menjangkau 17 tahun.Borhan gigih mendidik anak bangsa. Beliau mengajar di beberapa buah sekolah di Melaka sebelum dilantik sebagai pengelola pelajaran dewasa negeri Melaka oleh Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein pada 21 Julai 1964. Pada 1970, beliau dilantik menjadi pengarah Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat Negeri Melaka dan beliau memegang jawatan itu sehingga 31 Disember 1974.Beliau kembali bertugas sebagai pendidik pada 1 Januari 1974 sehingga 6 April 1984 di Sekolah Henry Gurney (2) di Bandar Hilir.
PEMBABITAN DALAM POLITIK TANAH AIRPembabitan Borhan dalam senario politik tanah air khususnya dalam Umno bermula apabila beliau menjadi ahli Umno cawangan Bandar Melaka pada 1951. Ketika itu beliau berusia 22 tahun.Potensi beliau sebagai pemimpin terserlah dengan perlantikannya sebagai anggota jawatankuasa pemuda Umno Melaka. Pada 1954 beliau dipilih menjadi penolong setiausaha pemuda Umno Melaka.Kerjaya politiknya dalam Umno Melaka terus berkembang apabila beliau dilantik ke Jawatankuasa Umno Negeri Melaka pada 1955 sebelum dilantik sebagai Setiausaha Umno Negeri Melaka dari 1 April 1956 hingga 1 Januari 1958.Beliau terpilih sebagai Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda Umno Melaka dari 1959 hingga 1969. Di samping itu Borhan juga menganggotai Jawatankuasa Pemuda Umno Malaya selama 10 tahun iaitu dari 1961 hingga 1971.Beliau meletakkan jawatan sebagai Ketua Pemuda Umno Melaka pada Oktober 1969 apabila berlaku krisis "pecahan empat bahagian dalam Umno Melaka".Ketika menjadi Ahli Jawatankuasa Lembaga Kemajuan Bahasa Kebangsaan pada 1962 sebagai mewakili Umno, beliau memainkan peranan penting dalam menukar nama-nama jalan di Bandar Melaka dengan namanama tempatan. Antaranya ialah "Wolfarstorn Road" kepada Jalan Bendahara, "Main Road" dan "Great Eastern Road" kepada Jalan Temenggung, "River Side Road" kepada Jalan Laksamana, "Buona Vista Road" kepada Jalan Hang Tuah dan "First Cross Street" kepada Jalan Hang Jebat.
BESARNYA MAKNA KEMERDEKAANSebagai pejuang kemerdekaan, Borhan semestinya merasa puas kerana dapat menyaksikan dua peristiwa penting detik tanah air tercintanya merdeka. Pertamanya ialah upacara menurunkan bendera Union Jack dan menaikkan bendera Persekutuan Tanah Melayu di Padang Kelab Selangor pada pukul 12 malam 30 Ogos 1957 dan keduanya upacara pengisytiharan kemerdekaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu pada 31 Ogos 1957 di Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.Borhan menghadiri keduadua majlis itu sebagai Setiausaha Umno Negeri Melaka. Menurutnya, beliau datang ke Kuala Lumpur menaiki teksi bersama isterinya, Datin Hajjah Maimunah (meninggal dunia pada 17 April 2005), serta bendahari Umno Melaka Haji Johar bin Haji Abdul Aziz dan isterinya."Semasa peristiwa menurunkan bendera, sejak pukul 8 malam orang dah mula penuh, dari seluruh negara mereka datang untuk menunggu detik yang amat bersejarah di mana satu bangsa yang dulunya dijajah dalam berapa detik lagi akan menjadi bangsa yang merdeka dan berdaulat," cerita Borhan, air matanya hampir menitis mengingatkan kembali detik yang bersejarah itu.Ada cerita yang agak lucu berlaku kepada Borhan dan isterinya selepas tamat upacara di Padang Kelab Selangor."Selepas bersoraksorak gembira, waktu itu hampir pukul 1 pagi, baru teringat nak cari tempat tidur. Semua dah penuh. Kemudian ada seorang pemuda yang memandang kepada kami dan bertanya apa yang kami cari. Dia memberitahu kami kalau sudi marilah ke pondoknya. Pondok itu terletak di kebun getah. Pemuda itu rupanya penoreh getah. Keesokan paginya, hujan turun dengan lebat pada waktu subuh. Selepas membersihkan diri di perigi, kami bertolak ke Stadium Merdeka," cerita Borhan.Menurut beliau, meskipun hujan turun rebas pada pagi pengisytiharan kemerdekaan oleh Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Stadium Merdeka dibanjiri orang ramai yang berpusupusu datang untuk menyaksikan hari yang bersejarah itu.Kemerdekaan ke50 yang disambut pada 2007 ini besar maknanya bagi seorang pejuang veteran seperti Borhan."Kita menyambut jubli emas, satu peristiwa yang sangat besar kerana kita telah dewasa. Kita seharusnya bersyukur kepada Allah kerana dengan izinnya kemerdekaan yang kita capai 50 tahun lalu kita telah kecapi segala hasil dan nikmat perjuangan kemerdekaan," tegas Borhan. BERNAMA
21 March 2007
Renungan bersama
Remaja terpesong salah siapa?
20-03-2007 03:11:22 PM
Shah A. Dadameah
REMAJA masakini memang jauh lebih berani daripada generasi ibubapa dan nenek moyang mereka dalam mencuba semua perlakuan dan perkara-perkara yang aneh.Menindik telinga dan hidung mungkin suatu perkara yang lazim di lakukan di kalangan sesetengah kaum kerana itu sebahagian daripada budaya mereka.Tapi kini ramai anak muda kita yang mencucuk lidah, perut dan bahagian-bahagian tubuh yang lain termasuklah di tempat-tempat yang lebih sulit.Mereka bukan setakat menggunakan subang atau anting-anting tetapi keakadang juga menggunakan butang, pin dan apa saja yang boleh dicucuk ke tubuh.Dandanan rambut yang berbagai warna, bukan sekadar untuk menutup uban atau sebagai kaedah rawatan tapi untuk menarik perhatian pada kecantikan atau ketampanan mereka.Dan bila bercakap, tanpa perasaan malu atau segan, perbualan mereka akan diselitkan dengan sebutan ‘f***’ dan kata-kata lucah dan mencarut.Pakaian mereka dipengaruhi fesyen daripada video muzik Barat dan gaya hidup majalah hiburan dan riadah mereka pula apa saja yang lasak, ekstrim, agresif dan ranjang.Ramai remaja sekarang akan melukis tatoo (ukiran hiasan berdakwat) pada tubuh badan mereka dalam pelbagai bentuk dan gaya.Bagi mereka yang sudah biasa dengan gaya hidup sedemikian, tentunya merasakan tidak ada apa-apa yang salah dengan apa yang mereka lakukan baik dari segi pakaian, muzik, tarian dan aksi yang diperagakan.Kalau inilah keadaannya sekarang, tidakkah kita bimbang perkara-perkara yang lebih aneh mungkin akan berlaku di masa depan dan akan diterima sebagai "biasa"?Di majlis penyampaian Anugerah Academy di Hollywood baru-baru ini, penyanyi rock Melissa Etheridge kelihatan mengucup bibir seorang wanita sebelum naik pentas untuk menerima Oscar untuk lagunya, I Need To Wake Up, dari filem dokumentari An Incovenient Truth, yang diumumkan sebagai lagu terbaik.Dalam ucapan penerimaannya, Etheridge memberi penghargaan kepada wanita tadi, yang beliau gelar "isteri saya".Peminat yang mengikuti perkembangan dunia hiburan tentu tahu bahawa beliau dan pelakon Tammy Lynn Michaels adalah dua orang wanita yang hidup bersama sebagai pasangan suami isteri.Pada audien Hollywood, ini perkara biasa tapi di Malaysia – buat ketika ini –ia sesuatu yang jelek.Tidak keterlaluan untuk membuat kesimpulan bahawa sekiranya remaja kita sering melihat, mendengar dan memerhati gelagat-gelagat dan imej-imej begini akan sedikit sebanyak terpengaruh dan akan turut meniru apa yang terpahat di dalam minda mereka.Kalau remaja itu dari keluarga yang kaya, mungkin ia tidak mendatang banyak masalah kepada pengamal-pengamalnya. Tapi, jika ia daripada keluarga yang susah, ia akan merasa tekanan yang amat banget hingga sanggup mencuri, menjual dadah, menjual tubuh atau memeras-ugut semata-mata untuk mendapatkan wang bagi memenuhi keinginannya untuk diterima sebagai orang moden, berfesyen dan trendy. Kebelakangan ini, saya mendengar banyak rungutan dan ketidakpuasan hati cara hidup teruna dara di masa kini.Di dalam suatu khutbah Jumaat, imam menasihatkan jemaah masjid supaya "tengok-tengok anak kamu."Pada suatu majlis agama pula, seorang penceramah megupas bahaya yang mungkin berlaku dari pengaruh MTV, internet dan lambakan penulisan lucah di pasaran.Di sebuah stesen radio, seorang tamu siaran menyatakan tidak elok untuk para remaja menyanjung tinggi selebriti-selebriti yang cuma nak menunjuk-nunjukkan hiasan mewah, bergosip dan melibatkan diri dalam skandal.Di dalam suatu forum, ahli panel berbincang trend sekarang boleh melalaikan anak muda hingga lupa daratan.Jadi apakah tindakan yang munasabah yang perlu diambil?Misalnya, adakah kita berupaya nak melenyapkan program-program TV yang disiarkan oleh satelit yang canggih? Dalam hal ini, banyak pihak menuding jari dan menyalahkan pihak lain ke atas apa yang sedang berlaku.Sudah tentu, yang sering memberi pendapat dan pandangan ialah orang politik dan aktvis-aktivis hak kemanusiaan yang selalu bercakap pasal bahaya rasuah, pentadbiran tulus dan hak asasi di dalam perlembagaan.Kalau berbincang masalah remaja, mereka sering menyalahkan ibu bapa, pihak sekolah, penguatkuasa dan media.Namun, bila seseorang ulama menjelaskan masalah ini dengan nas-nas Al-Quran atau hadis, orang politik dan orang dari pertubuhan bukan kerajaan inilah yang pertama membidas pendapat ulama itu.Cepat-cepat mereka menyanggah pandangan asal mereka dan bertanya balik kepada golongan ulama: "Bukankah ini satu amalan demokrasi. Di mana bahayanya?"Pembaca budiman, saya tidak berani menyatakan saya ada penyelesaian kepada segala masalah yang dipertengahkan di pojok ini.Saya percaya kebanyakan ugama melarang dan tidak merestui anak remaja mereka mencuba perkara-perkara yang berunsur lucah dan keji.Namun, ramai telah meninggalkan pegangan ugama mereka dan menggunakan demokrasi ciptaan manusia sebagai prinsip utama.Sebagai seorang Muslim yang masih belum lengkap pengetahuannya, saya cuma boleh mengingatkan orang Islam agar jangan cepat melatah bila ulama bercakap dan peganglah kepada prinsip amal makruf, nahi mungkar. Allah wa’alam.
20-03-2007 03:11:22 PM
Shah A. Dadameah
REMAJA masakini memang jauh lebih berani daripada generasi ibubapa dan nenek moyang mereka dalam mencuba semua perlakuan dan perkara-perkara yang aneh.Menindik telinga dan hidung mungkin suatu perkara yang lazim di lakukan di kalangan sesetengah kaum kerana itu sebahagian daripada budaya mereka.Tapi kini ramai anak muda kita yang mencucuk lidah, perut dan bahagian-bahagian tubuh yang lain termasuklah di tempat-tempat yang lebih sulit.Mereka bukan setakat menggunakan subang atau anting-anting tetapi keakadang juga menggunakan butang, pin dan apa saja yang boleh dicucuk ke tubuh.Dandanan rambut yang berbagai warna, bukan sekadar untuk menutup uban atau sebagai kaedah rawatan tapi untuk menarik perhatian pada kecantikan atau ketampanan mereka.Dan bila bercakap, tanpa perasaan malu atau segan, perbualan mereka akan diselitkan dengan sebutan ‘f***’ dan kata-kata lucah dan mencarut.Pakaian mereka dipengaruhi fesyen daripada video muzik Barat dan gaya hidup majalah hiburan dan riadah mereka pula apa saja yang lasak, ekstrim, agresif dan ranjang.Ramai remaja sekarang akan melukis tatoo (ukiran hiasan berdakwat) pada tubuh badan mereka dalam pelbagai bentuk dan gaya.Bagi mereka yang sudah biasa dengan gaya hidup sedemikian, tentunya merasakan tidak ada apa-apa yang salah dengan apa yang mereka lakukan baik dari segi pakaian, muzik, tarian dan aksi yang diperagakan.Kalau inilah keadaannya sekarang, tidakkah kita bimbang perkara-perkara yang lebih aneh mungkin akan berlaku di masa depan dan akan diterima sebagai "biasa"?Di majlis penyampaian Anugerah Academy di Hollywood baru-baru ini, penyanyi rock Melissa Etheridge kelihatan mengucup bibir seorang wanita sebelum naik pentas untuk menerima Oscar untuk lagunya, I Need To Wake Up, dari filem dokumentari An Incovenient Truth, yang diumumkan sebagai lagu terbaik.Dalam ucapan penerimaannya, Etheridge memberi penghargaan kepada wanita tadi, yang beliau gelar "isteri saya".Peminat yang mengikuti perkembangan dunia hiburan tentu tahu bahawa beliau dan pelakon Tammy Lynn Michaels adalah dua orang wanita yang hidup bersama sebagai pasangan suami isteri.Pada audien Hollywood, ini perkara biasa tapi di Malaysia – buat ketika ini –ia sesuatu yang jelek.Tidak keterlaluan untuk membuat kesimpulan bahawa sekiranya remaja kita sering melihat, mendengar dan memerhati gelagat-gelagat dan imej-imej begini akan sedikit sebanyak terpengaruh dan akan turut meniru apa yang terpahat di dalam minda mereka.Kalau remaja itu dari keluarga yang kaya, mungkin ia tidak mendatang banyak masalah kepada pengamal-pengamalnya. Tapi, jika ia daripada keluarga yang susah, ia akan merasa tekanan yang amat banget hingga sanggup mencuri, menjual dadah, menjual tubuh atau memeras-ugut semata-mata untuk mendapatkan wang bagi memenuhi keinginannya untuk diterima sebagai orang moden, berfesyen dan trendy. Kebelakangan ini, saya mendengar banyak rungutan dan ketidakpuasan hati cara hidup teruna dara di masa kini.Di dalam suatu khutbah Jumaat, imam menasihatkan jemaah masjid supaya "tengok-tengok anak kamu."Pada suatu majlis agama pula, seorang penceramah megupas bahaya yang mungkin berlaku dari pengaruh MTV, internet dan lambakan penulisan lucah di pasaran.Di sebuah stesen radio, seorang tamu siaran menyatakan tidak elok untuk para remaja menyanjung tinggi selebriti-selebriti yang cuma nak menunjuk-nunjukkan hiasan mewah, bergosip dan melibatkan diri dalam skandal.Di dalam suatu forum, ahli panel berbincang trend sekarang boleh melalaikan anak muda hingga lupa daratan.Jadi apakah tindakan yang munasabah yang perlu diambil?Misalnya, adakah kita berupaya nak melenyapkan program-program TV yang disiarkan oleh satelit yang canggih? Dalam hal ini, banyak pihak menuding jari dan menyalahkan pihak lain ke atas apa yang sedang berlaku.Sudah tentu, yang sering memberi pendapat dan pandangan ialah orang politik dan aktvis-aktivis hak kemanusiaan yang selalu bercakap pasal bahaya rasuah, pentadbiran tulus dan hak asasi di dalam perlembagaan.Kalau berbincang masalah remaja, mereka sering menyalahkan ibu bapa, pihak sekolah, penguatkuasa dan media.Namun, bila seseorang ulama menjelaskan masalah ini dengan nas-nas Al-Quran atau hadis, orang politik dan orang dari pertubuhan bukan kerajaan inilah yang pertama membidas pendapat ulama itu.Cepat-cepat mereka menyanggah pandangan asal mereka dan bertanya balik kepada golongan ulama: "Bukankah ini satu amalan demokrasi. Di mana bahayanya?"Pembaca budiman, saya tidak berani menyatakan saya ada penyelesaian kepada segala masalah yang dipertengahkan di pojok ini.Saya percaya kebanyakan ugama melarang dan tidak merestui anak remaja mereka mencuba perkara-perkara yang berunsur lucah dan keji.Namun, ramai telah meninggalkan pegangan ugama mereka dan menggunakan demokrasi ciptaan manusia sebagai prinsip utama.Sebagai seorang Muslim yang masih belum lengkap pengetahuannya, saya cuma boleh mengingatkan orang Islam agar jangan cepat melatah bila ulama bercakap dan peganglah kepada prinsip amal makruf, nahi mungkar. Allah wa’alam.
08 March 2007
Seks bebas
Renungan buat ibubapa, para pendidik dan masyarakat. Ini merupakan masalah bersama dan perlu kerjasama semua untuk mengatasinya.
Pelajar lahirkan anak di sekolah07-03-2007 11:31:25 PM
Oleh CHAN LI LEEN
IPOH: Seorang pelajar Tingkatan Empat, yang mengadu sakit perut, dan minta dikecualikan daripada kegiatan sukan rupa-rupanya bersalin seorang bayi di sekolahnya.
Dia melahirkan bayi itu pukul 1.30 petang tadi di ruang bilik sakit sekolahnya di Manjung, kira-kira 90km dari sini.
Bayi perempuan itu, yang masih bertali pusat, ditemui mati di dalam sebuah beg milik pelajar berkenaan.
Ketua Polis Daerah Majung ACP Zainuddin Yaacob bagaimanapun enggan mengulas sama ada bayi itu sempurna atau belum sampai waktu.
Rakan-rakan sekelas remaja itu melihat pelajar pucat, dengan kesan darah pada pakaian seragamnya, di atas katil di bilik sakit.
"Mereka memaklumkan perkara itu kepada seorang guru, yang kemudian membawa pelajar itu ke hospital. Guru tersebut tidak perasan bayi yang telah meninggal dunia itu berada di dalam beg pelajar itu bersama pakaiannya," kata ACP Zainuddin.
Remaja itu kemudian memberitahu doktor tentang kelahiran dan kematian bayinya.
p/ Siapakah yang patut disalahkan?
Pelajar lahirkan anak di sekolah07-03-2007 11:31:25 PM
Oleh CHAN LI LEEN
IPOH: Seorang pelajar Tingkatan Empat, yang mengadu sakit perut, dan minta dikecualikan daripada kegiatan sukan rupa-rupanya bersalin seorang bayi di sekolahnya.
Dia melahirkan bayi itu pukul 1.30 petang tadi di ruang bilik sakit sekolahnya di Manjung, kira-kira 90km dari sini.
Bayi perempuan itu, yang masih bertali pusat, ditemui mati di dalam sebuah beg milik pelajar berkenaan.
Ketua Polis Daerah Majung ACP Zainuddin Yaacob bagaimanapun enggan mengulas sama ada bayi itu sempurna atau belum sampai waktu.
Rakan-rakan sekelas remaja itu melihat pelajar pucat, dengan kesan darah pada pakaian seragamnya, di atas katil di bilik sakit.
"Mereka memaklumkan perkara itu kepada seorang guru, yang kemudian membawa pelajar itu ke hospital. Guru tersebut tidak perasan bayi yang telah meninggal dunia itu berada di dalam beg pelajar itu bersama pakaiannya," kata ACP Zainuddin.
Remaja itu kemudian memberitahu doktor tentang kelahiran dan kematian bayinya.
p/ Siapakah yang patut disalahkan?
06 March 2007
Tips for the Diplomat's Wife
By: Datin Seri Sharifah Aziah Syed Zainal Abidin
Publish by IDFR MoFA Malaysia 2006
The wives of diplomats play an importants role in support of their husbands abroad. This role cannot be taught or learned in aclassroom. Normally years of experience, keen observation, poise, grace and sosial wisdom that are so necessary in this field.
It is my sincere hope that this handbook will serve as a useful guide for both new diplomats and their wives, as it contains a collection of useful tips based on wealth of experience that would make most people proud. I should also stress the importance of a guide such as this, as it bears much relevance to the image of our country and how we project it as representatives abroad. This essential task inevitably falls not only on diplomat, but also on the diplomat's wife. The mannaer in which she carries herself in both the public and privert spheres would be an important reflection of her own abilities and potential.
by the Advisor of Perwakilan
Datuk Rastam Mohd Isa
30 Okt 2006
The Role of the Diplomat's Wife
1. A diplomat's wife should accompany her husband at post unless specified in a hardship posting, for examples. While her career is important, some sacrifices are also required for the workings wives.
2. Wives should attend a pre-posting course before following her husband at post.
3. A diplomat's wife should take an interest in the history, customs, and current affairs of Malaysia before gaining a better insight of her host country.
4. It is encouraged for wives to understand that their husband's job can go beyond the normal working hours. Being away from home for a length of time and not able to attend to some pressing personal demands are but some of sacrifices that wives have face to support their husband's role as a diplomat. Complement his role and lighten his workload and make his work easier.
5. Be gracios, be tactful and be respectful of others. These are some of the traits that may prove to be an asset to yaour husband's diplomatic career.
6. Criticing the host country is a serious faux-pas. Be sensitive to the local customs, traditions and beliefs.
7. Wives must first become a supportive member of "Perwakilan" before getting himself involved in the activities of local organisations.
8. At post, the diplomat's wife must quickly acquaint herself with the locals, places of interest, shopping malls, restaurants and any other related things that may be useful in carrying out her role.
9. If your command of spoken English is weak, attempts must be made to improve your language skills. Your ability to speak the local language would be an advantage.
10. It is encouraged to take up an activity of interest to diversity your knowledge. Develope a safe and pleasant hobby and continue to educate yourself.
11. Foster 'esprit de corps' at all times not just within the malaysian community but with the wider diplomatic community as well.
12. Avoi back-biting or back-stabbing. It is an unhealthy habit.
13. A diplomat's wife should avoid arguments and quarreling with people. Be mindful of the fact that your 'transient' stay at post really is temporary. Bring home sweet and pleasant memories of your posting. Cherish it forever.
14. It has been said that a good diplomat is one who gets along well with members of the Mission's community first before they can be a good diplomat with the local or foreign community. Likewise, a good diplomat's wife is one who could do all the above and more.
15. Observe the proper code of dressing. At official funtions, wear our national dress Baju Kurung or Kebaya. If the dress code is smart casual, choose one that is presentable- pant suits are a safe bet.
16. Be articulate. When asked for an opinion, say the right thing, choose the right words. Do not hurt anyone. And do not be too familiar with someone you have just met.
17. Living together in a small community can sometimes, it is advisablle to mind your own business. In times of adversity think positive. It is the prerogative of the host to invite who ever they choose to their guests. Do not take offence if you are not invited.
18. Be a friend to all and an enamy to none. Never intrude into the privacy of your colleagues and friends. Respect them. accept all invitations unless you have an unavoidable matter to attend to.
19. Diplomat's wives should avoid grouping amongst themselves at social funtions. They should mingle with the other guests.
20. Do not gossip, especially about the boss or the boss' wife. No one is perfect. Never wash your dirty linen in public. Learn to be discreet.
21. The newly-arrived diplomat's wife should make a courtesy call on the Head of Mission's wife upon arrival before she leaves the post.
22. All wives attached to the Malaysian Mission are automatically members of "Perwakilan". Be supportive of the Head of Mission's wife in her role as Chairman of 'Perwakilan'.
23. Protocol must be observed at all times. Everyone should know their place and position in the overall organisational structure.
24. Be considerate of others whose needs may be different from yours. As much as possible, avoid patronising anyone.
25. Be house proud. Take good care of your house. maintain a clean home and pay extra attention to your toilet/bathroom/powder room and kitchen. This yours and your country's image.
26. Whwn accompanying a VIP's wife on her official visit, the lady in attendance should not take advantage of the outing to do her personal chores at the same time.
27. When your husband is posted to a difficult post, support him and do not give him unneccessary stress by complaining about the place. Wives should be happy to be with their husband and their children wherever they assigned.
Royal Palace Protocol
1. It is important to conduct appropriate behaviour in any environment, especially in the presence of the Rulers.
2. Do not speak unless spoken to.
3. Refer yourself as 'patik'. and not 'saya' or ' I'.
4. Avoid wearing the colour yellow in the presence of the rulers, avoid using the colour white when attending a royal funeral, no purple in presence of Perak Royalty, and no royal blue in the presence of the Johor royalty.
5. Do not sit cross legged.
6. Point only with the thumb of your right hand.
7. Never walk infront of the ruler. If need be, walk at an angle or ask "Mohon Ampun Tuanku Patik terpaksa...."
8. When dining , do not begin before the Guests of Honour, and stop when they stop eating.
9. Only offer your hand for a handshake after they extend their hand to you.
10. Do not leave before the Guests of Honour.
11. Do not be too familiar with members of royalty to the extent that you may forget the royal protocol.
12.When presenting a gift, remember the following:
a. inform the palace of your intention
b. Present the gift on a tray with yellow doily/ tray cover
c. Do not expect the Ruler to hold or take the gift from you. Ensure that someone will take the gift away.
13. When seated with the Ruler place your right hands in your lap, with the right hand over the left.
14. When standing always fold your hand in front of you or leave at your sides. Avoid putting your hands behind your back.
15. Never turn your back to the Rulers take three steps backward, before leaving the room.
16. Sleeveless shirts/dresses should not be worn in the palace. Be conservative in your dressing. Use the National dress in the royal presence.
17. It is advisable to wear shoes which are closed toe/court shoes for official functions.
18. Common royal words to remember:
a. makan -santap
b. minum- santap minum
c. mandi- bersiram
d. to go- berangkat
e. balik- berangkat pulang
f. tidur-beradu
g. saya-patik
h. beri-sembah
i. minta diri-mohon
j. sakit-gering
k. marah-murka
l. terima kasih-menjunjung kasih
The Ambassador's Wife
1. During an official visit at post, it is common courtesy for an Ambassador's wife to brief the Foreingn Minister's wife on programme upon arrival and before meeting the First Lady.
2. The Ambassador's wife should make a conscious effort to ensure that the Foreign Minister's wife is not sideline during a visit.
3. When inviting the First Lady from her suite, the Ambassador's wife should accompany the Foreign Minister's wife and together invite the First Lady.
4. The Foreign Minister's wife is to be included in the motorcade throughout any VIP visit involving wives.
5. After the intense preparation expended for an official visit, it is fair that wives at post be given an opportunity to meet the official guests and their wives.
6. manage your time well. If you are the hostess, make sure that you are ready to receive your guest when they arrive.
7. A gracious hostess is always considerate to her guests. When serving food, she must be sensitive to the dietry needs of her guests. The ambience she provides should be pleaseant and comfortable and her company interesting. An Ambassador's wife must complement her husband's role and reflect her malaysian identity.
8. An Ambassador's wife should treat the officer's wives fairly. If assistance is required from wives to cook for official functions, it is a good gesture to reimburse them for their effort, either in cash or kind.
9. It is never an easy task to manage the household staff. Whilst the role of an Ambassador weighs heavily on the aspect of entertaining, household staff should never be exploited or abused. Provide them with the comforts of home and ensure that their welfare is not neglected.
10. You are the leader. As Chairman of 'Perwakilan' at post, the Ambassador wife is a leader and therefore must exercise her role accordingly.
11. Possesing interpersonal skills is an asset. Listen to the problems of the community. Be a big sister, a mother, afriend or an aunt. Lend your shoulder for comfort whwn the situation demands. always ensure that the welfare and well being of the staff and the family at post are not neglected.
12. The Head of Mission either at a big or small mission is an official representative of the Goverment abroad. It is therefore best to leave the running of Mission to Head of Mission alone. Wives and male spouses should stay away from possible controversies and unnecessary allegations.
Publish by IDFR MoFA Malaysia 2006
The wives of diplomats play an importants role in support of their husbands abroad. This role cannot be taught or learned in aclassroom. Normally years of experience, keen observation, poise, grace and sosial wisdom that are so necessary in this field.
It is my sincere hope that this handbook will serve as a useful guide for both new diplomats and their wives, as it contains a collection of useful tips based on wealth of experience that would make most people proud. I should also stress the importance of a guide such as this, as it bears much relevance to the image of our country and how we project it as representatives abroad. This essential task inevitably falls not only on diplomat, but also on the diplomat's wife. The mannaer in which she carries herself in both the public and privert spheres would be an important reflection of her own abilities and potential.
by the Advisor of Perwakilan
Datuk Rastam Mohd Isa
30 Okt 2006
The Role of the Diplomat's Wife
1. A diplomat's wife should accompany her husband at post unless specified in a hardship posting, for examples. While her career is important, some sacrifices are also required for the workings wives.
2. Wives should attend a pre-posting course before following her husband at post.
3. A diplomat's wife should take an interest in the history, customs, and current affairs of Malaysia before gaining a better insight of her host country.
4. It is encouraged for wives to understand that their husband's job can go beyond the normal working hours. Being away from home for a length of time and not able to attend to some pressing personal demands are but some of sacrifices that wives have face to support their husband's role as a diplomat. Complement his role and lighten his workload and make his work easier.
5. Be gracios, be tactful and be respectful of others. These are some of the traits that may prove to be an asset to yaour husband's diplomatic career.
6. Criticing the host country is a serious faux-pas. Be sensitive to the local customs, traditions and beliefs.
7. Wives must first become a supportive member of "Perwakilan" before getting himself involved in the activities of local organisations.
8. At post, the diplomat's wife must quickly acquaint herself with the locals, places of interest, shopping malls, restaurants and any other related things that may be useful in carrying out her role.
9. If your command of spoken English is weak, attempts must be made to improve your language skills. Your ability to speak the local language would be an advantage.
10. It is encouraged to take up an activity of interest to diversity your knowledge. Develope a safe and pleasant hobby and continue to educate yourself.
11. Foster 'esprit de corps' at all times not just within the malaysian community but with the wider diplomatic community as well.
12. Avoi back-biting or back-stabbing. It is an unhealthy habit.
13. A diplomat's wife should avoid arguments and quarreling with people. Be mindful of the fact that your 'transient' stay at post really is temporary. Bring home sweet and pleasant memories of your posting. Cherish it forever.
14. It has been said that a good diplomat is one who gets along well with members of the Mission's community first before they can be a good diplomat with the local or foreign community. Likewise, a good diplomat's wife is one who could do all the above and more.
15. Observe the proper code of dressing. At official funtions, wear our national dress Baju Kurung or Kebaya. If the dress code is smart casual, choose one that is presentable- pant suits are a safe bet.
16. Be articulate. When asked for an opinion, say the right thing, choose the right words. Do not hurt anyone. And do not be too familiar with someone you have just met.
17. Living together in a small community can sometimes, it is advisablle to mind your own business. In times of adversity think positive. It is the prerogative of the host to invite who ever they choose to their guests. Do not take offence if you are not invited.
18. Be a friend to all and an enamy to none. Never intrude into the privacy of your colleagues and friends. Respect them. accept all invitations unless you have an unavoidable matter to attend to.
19. Diplomat's wives should avoid grouping amongst themselves at social funtions. They should mingle with the other guests.
20. Do not gossip, especially about the boss or the boss' wife. No one is perfect. Never wash your dirty linen in public. Learn to be discreet.
21. The newly-arrived diplomat's wife should make a courtesy call on the Head of Mission's wife upon arrival before she leaves the post.
22. All wives attached to the Malaysian Mission are automatically members of "Perwakilan". Be supportive of the Head of Mission's wife in her role as Chairman of 'Perwakilan'.
23. Protocol must be observed at all times. Everyone should know their place and position in the overall organisational structure.
24. Be considerate of others whose needs may be different from yours. As much as possible, avoid patronising anyone.
25. Be house proud. Take good care of your house. maintain a clean home and pay extra attention to your toilet/bathroom/powder room and kitchen. This yours and your country's image.
26. Whwn accompanying a VIP's wife on her official visit, the lady in attendance should not take advantage of the outing to do her personal chores at the same time.
27. When your husband is posted to a difficult post, support him and do not give him unneccessary stress by complaining about the place. Wives should be happy to be with their husband and their children wherever they assigned.
Royal Palace Protocol
1. It is important to conduct appropriate behaviour in any environment, especially in the presence of the Rulers.
2. Do not speak unless spoken to.
3. Refer yourself as 'patik'. and not 'saya' or ' I'.
4. Avoid wearing the colour yellow in the presence of the rulers, avoid using the colour white when attending a royal funeral, no purple in presence of Perak Royalty, and no royal blue in the presence of the Johor royalty.
5. Do not sit cross legged.
6. Point only with the thumb of your right hand.
7. Never walk infront of the ruler. If need be, walk at an angle or ask "Mohon Ampun Tuanku Patik terpaksa...."
8. When dining , do not begin before the Guests of Honour, and stop when they stop eating.
9. Only offer your hand for a handshake after they extend their hand to you.
10. Do not leave before the Guests of Honour.
11. Do not be too familiar with members of royalty to the extent that you may forget the royal protocol.
12.When presenting a gift, remember the following:
a. inform the palace of your intention
b. Present the gift on a tray with yellow doily/ tray cover
c. Do not expect the Ruler to hold or take the gift from you. Ensure that someone will take the gift away.
13. When seated with the Ruler place your right hands in your lap, with the right hand over the left.
14. When standing always fold your hand in front of you or leave at your sides. Avoid putting your hands behind your back.
15. Never turn your back to the Rulers take three steps backward, before leaving the room.
16. Sleeveless shirts/dresses should not be worn in the palace. Be conservative in your dressing. Use the National dress in the royal presence.
17. It is advisable to wear shoes which are closed toe/court shoes for official functions.
18. Common royal words to remember:
a. makan -santap
b. minum- santap minum
c. mandi- bersiram
d. to go- berangkat
e. balik- berangkat pulang
f. tidur-beradu
g. saya-patik
h. beri-sembah
i. minta diri-mohon
j. sakit-gering
k. marah-murka
l. terima kasih-menjunjung kasih
The Ambassador's Wife
1. During an official visit at post, it is common courtesy for an Ambassador's wife to brief the Foreingn Minister's wife on programme upon arrival and before meeting the First Lady.
2. The Ambassador's wife should make a conscious effort to ensure that the Foreign Minister's wife is not sideline during a visit.
3. When inviting the First Lady from her suite, the Ambassador's wife should accompany the Foreign Minister's wife and together invite the First Lady.
4. The Foreign Minister's wife is to be included in the motorcade throughout any VIP visit involving wives.
5. After the intense preparation expended for an official visit, it is fair that wives at post be given an opportunity to meet the official guests and their wives.
6. manage your time well. If you are the hostess, make sure that you are ready to receive your guest when they arrive.
7. A gracious hostess is always considerate to her guests. When serving food, she must be sensitive to the dietry needs of her guests. The ambience she provides should be pleaseant and comfortable and her company interesting. An Ambassador's wife must complement her husband's role and reflect her malaysian identity.
8. An Ambassador's wife should treat the officer's wives fairly. If assistance is required from wives to cook for official functions, it is a good gesture to reimburse them for their effort, either in cash or kind.
9. It is never an easy task to manage the household staff. Whilst the role of an Ambassador weighs heavily on the aspect of entertaining, household staff should never be exploited or abused. Provide them with the comforts of home and ensure that their welfare is not neglected.
10. You are the leader. As Chairman of 'Perwakilan' at post, the Ambassador wife is a leader and therefore must exercise her role accordingly.
11. Possesing interpersonal skills is an asset. Listen to the problems of the community. Be a big sister, a mother, afriend or an aunt. Lend your shoulder for comfort whwn the situation demands. always ensure that the welfare and well being of the staff and the family at post are not neglected.
12. The Head of Mission either at a big or small mission is an official representative of the Goverment abroad. It is therefore best to leave the running of Mission to Head of Mission alone. Wives and male spouses should stay away from possible controversies and unnecessary allegations.
05 March 2007
Malaysian Graduates
A need to rebrand our graduates
01-03-2007 02:16:51 PM MUSINGS by MARINA MAHATHIR
A FRIEND of mine told me an alarming statistic the other day. According to the 9th Malaysia Plan, about two-thirds of Malaysian graduates would not be able to find graduate-level employment.
That means that of the more than 60,000 graduates at all levels each year, about 40,000 will not be able to get a job commensurating with their qualifications.
It’s not that we haven’t been educating people. According to the Ministry of Higher Education website, the numbers of young people going into public institutions of higher learning between 2000 and 2005 have been steadily increasing, from 54,495 to 80,885.
Funnily enough, in private institutions of higher learning, which generally take in more students than the public institutions, the numbers have been decreasing, from 178,899 to 113,105, over the same period of time.
My guess is that many have not been able to afford the private universities and had to go to the public ones.
But maybe what’s more revealing is the number of people who actually graduate from university.
Most public university students do graduate. In 2005, there were 79,934 graduates, or 98% of the intake. On the other hand, far fewer students graduate from the private universities, only 57,953 or 51% of the intake. Which may say something about the varying standards in the public and private universities.
Even more interesting for me is the level that students graduate from. Most university graduates are content with getting a first degree, with very few going on to further degrees. Which might be an indication of the need to find a job quickly. But then, that first degree itself has not made them employable.
There have been several thorough analyses why our graduates cannot find jobs. Most do not have the skills for the workplace, including communication skills. I have never had to interview many people for jobs but those who do all attest to this inability of candidates to express themselves.
I do meet many young people studying in local universities who are bright, fluent in English and happy to express their views. But what is obvious is that they are brought up in urban areas and have access to resources that help their confidence.
Yet as a government survey two years ago stated, most of the unemployed are Malays from lower-income families who lack command of the English language. Undoubtedly they also come from rural areas.
In many countries around our region, graduates who cannot find employment at home are able to go abroad to seek their fortunes. Not all will be employed to their level of learning, such as Filipina graduates who work as domestic help overseas, but the reason that they can go abroad at all is because they speak English.
Our graduates will not have that option because of poor language skills. I also doubt if ours would be willing to work as domestic help overseas just to earn money.
So much of exportable skills these days require language fluency. India has managed to tap into the call-centre business because of the availability of English speakers. So well-trained are they that in the US you can speak to someone and not realise that that person is actually in Bangalore.
Here I get calls from telemarketing people who are not only unable to speak English, but also cannot even speak beyond a script once you ask difficult questions.
We need to worry about these unemployable graduates because we cannot have bored and frustrated people milling about, because many social problems stem from unemployment.
Some might think that because most of our graduates are women, this is not a big problem because eventually they will get married. But we don’t build our universities just to have lots of housewives, nor, for that matter, fast food order-takers. We educate people to help develop the country, so they need to be put to good use.
There are many suggestions as to how to redress the situation, including retraining. But perhaps we need to also rethink employment itself.
There are many NGOs and social organisations that find it hard to get good people because people assume that either they don't pay well or they are disliked by the Government. Yet NGO work provides individuals with unique personal development experiences, different from other jobs.
We should also encourage social entrepreneurship, where people use business skills to do society some good, rather than just make profit. It’s a different way of thinking, but different is exactly what we need these days.
Besides, it earned Prof Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, a Nobel Prize. If Bangladesh can have a Nobel laureate through social entrepreneurship, we might as well try it.
01-03-2007 02:16:51 PM MUSINGS by MARINA MAHATHIR
A FRIEND of mine told me an alarming statistic the other day. According to the 9th Malaysia Plan, about two-thirds of Malaysian graduates would not be able to find graduate-level employment.
That means that of the more than 60,000 graduates at all levels each year, about 40,000 will not be able to get a job commensurating with their qualifications.
It’s not that we haven’t been educating people. According to the Ministry of Higher Education website, the numbers of young people going into public institutions of higher learning between 2000 and 2005 have been steadily increasing, from 54,495 to 80,885.
Funnily enough, in private institutions of higher learning, which generally take in more students than the public institutions, the numbers have been decreasing, from 178,899 to 113,105, over the same period of time.
My guess is that many have not been able to afford the private universities and had to go to the public ones.
But maybe what’s more revealing is the number of people who actually graduate from university.
Most public university students do graduate. In 2005, there were 79,934 graduates, or 98% of the intake. On the other hand, far fewer students graduate from the private universities, only 57,953 or 51% of the intake. Which may say something about the varying standards in the public and private universities.
Even more interesting for me is the level that students graduate from. Most university graduates are content with getting a first degree, with very few going on to further degrees. Which might be an indication of the need to find a job quickly. But then, that first degree itself has not made them employable.
There have been several thorough analyses why our graduates cannot find jobs. Most do not have the skills for the workplace, including communication skills. I have never had to interview many people for jobs but those who do all attest to this inability of candidates to express themselves.
I do meet many young people studying in local universities who are bright, fluent in English and happy to express their views. But what is obvious is that they are brought up in urban areas and have access to resources that help their confidence.
Yet as a government survey two years ago stated, most of the unemployed are Malays from lower-income families who lack command of the English language. Undoubtedly they also come from rural areas.
In many countries around our region, graduates who cannot find employment at home are able to go abroad to seek their fortunes. Not all will be employed to their level of learning, such as Filipina graduates who work as domestic help overseas, but the reason that they can go abroad at all is because they speak English.
Our graduates will not have that option because of poor language skills. I also doubt if ours would be willing to work as domestic help overseas just to earn money.
So much of exportable skills these days require language fluency. India has managed to tap into the call-centre business because of the availability of English speakers. So well-trained are they that in the US you can speak to someone and not realise that that person is actually in Bangalore.
Here I get calls from telemarketing people who are not only unable to speak English, but also cannot even speak beyond a script once you ask difficult questions.
We need to worry about these unemployable graduates because we cannot have bored and frustrated people milling about, because many social problems stem from unemployment.
Some might think that because most of our graduates are women, this is not a big problem because eventually they will get married. But we don’t build our universities just to have lots of housewives, nor, for that matter, fast food order-takers. We educate people to help develop the country, so they need to be put to good use.
There are many suggestions as to how to redress the situation, including retraining. But perhaps we need to also rethink employment itself.
There are many NGOs and social organisations that find it hard to get good people because people assume that either they don't pay well or they are disliked by the Government. Yet NGO work provides individuals with unique personal development experiences, different from other jobs.
We should also encourage social entrepreneurship, where people use business skills to do society some good, rather than just make profit. It’s a different way of thinking, but different is exactly what we need these days.
Besides, it earned Prof Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, a Nobel Prize. If Bangladesh can have a Nobel laureate through social entrepreneurship, we might as well try it.
Tips untuk rambut sihat
Try This 4-Step Diet for Your HairPosted by
Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. on Wed, Feb 21, 2007, 9:26 am PST
Put your hair on a four-step diet and reap the benefits with stronger, more lustrous locks!
Step 1: Eat plenty of iron-rich protein Protein is necessary for all cell growth, including hair cells. And the iron found within certain protein foods helps your red blood cells carry oxygen to all cells in the body, including the hair follicles.Good sources of iron-rich protein include clams, oysters, lean beef, turkey, duck, lamb, chicken, pork, shrimp, and eggs.
Good sources of vegetarian iron-rich protein include tofu, soybeans, lentils, beans, and black-eyed peas.
Step 2: Load up on Vitamin CVitamin C improves the body's ability to absorb non-heme iron (also known as vegetarian-based iron), so vegetarians should eat iron-rich vegetables and foods rich in vitamin C at the same meal.
Good sources of Vitamin C include guava, peppers, oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, pineapple, papayas, lemons, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
Step 3: Be sure to get your Bs (folate, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12)These vitamins are involved in the creation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells, including those of the scalp, follicles, and growing hair. Without enough B vitamins, the cells will not thrive, causing shedding, slow growth, or weak hair that is prone to breaking.
Good sources of vitamin B-6 include fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, garbanzo beans, wild salmon, lean beef, pork tenderloin, chicken breast, white potatoes (w/skin), bananas, and lentils.
Good sources of Vitamin B-12 include shellfish (clams, oysters, crab), wild salmon, fortified whole-grain breakfast cereal, soy milk, trout, lean beef, and low-fat cottage cheese.
Good sources of folate include fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black-eyed peas, soybeans, oatmeal, turnip greens, spinach, green peas, artichokes, okra, beets, parsnips, and broccoli.
Step 4: Don't forget the ZincThe mineral zinc is involved in tissue growth and repair, including hair growth. It also helps keep the oil glands around the hair follicles working properly. Low levels of zinc can cause hair loss, slow growth, and dandruff.
Good sources of zinc include oysters, lean beef, crab, ostrich, pork tenderloin, peanut butter, wheat germ, turkey, veal, pumpkin seeds, chicken, and chickpeas.
For more information on healthy eating, check out my new book: "Joy Bauer's Food Cures" and my web site at www.joybauernutrition.com.
Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. on Wed, Feb 21, 2007, 9:26 am PST
Put your hair on a four-step diet and reap the benefits with stronger, more lustrous locks!
Step 1: Eat plenty of iron-rich protein Protein is necessary for all cell growth, including hair cells. And the iron found within certain protein foods helps your red blood cells carry oxygen to all cells in the body, including the hair follicles.Good sources of iron-rich protein include clams, oysters, lean beef, turkey, duck, lamb, chicken, pork, shrimp, and eggs.
Good sources of vegetarian iron-rich protein include tofu, soybeans, lentils, beans, and black-eyed peas.
Step 2: Load up on Vitamin CVitamin C improves the body's ability to absorb non-heme iron (also known as vegetarian-based iron), so vegetarians should eat iron-rich vegetables and foods rich in vitamin C at the same meal.
Good sources of Vitamin C include guava, peppers, oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, pineapple, papayas, lemons, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
Step 3: Be sure to get your Bs (folate, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12)These vitamins are involved in the creation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells, including those of the scalp, follicles, and growing hair. Without enough B vitamins, the cells will not thrive, causing shedding, slow growth, or weak hair that is prone to breaking.
Good sources of vitamin B-6 include fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, garbanzo beans, wild salmon, lean beef, pork tenderloin, chicken breast, white potatoes (w/skin), bananas, and lentils.
Good sources of Vitamin B-12 include shellfish (clams, oysters, crab), wild salmon, fortified whole-grain breakfast cereal, soy milk, trout, lean beef, and low-fat cottage cheese.
Good sources of folate include fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black-eyed peas, soybeans, oatmeal, turnip greens, spinach, green peas, artichokes, okra, beets, parsnips, and broccoli.
Step 4: Don't forget the ZincThe mineral zinc is involved in tissue growth and repair, including hair growth. It also helps keep the oil glands around the hair follicles working properly. Low levels of zinc can cause hair loss, slow growth, and dandruff.
Good sources of zinc include oysters, lean beef, crab, ostrich, pork tenderloin, peanut butter, wheat germ, turkey, veal, pumpkin seeds, chicken, and chickpeas.
For more information on healthy eating, check out my new book: "Joy Bauer's Food Cures" and my web site at www.joybauernutrition.com.
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