Former Education D-G Murad Dies

Al-Fatihah
Former director- general of education Tan Sri Murad Mohamed Noor died here tonight. He was 78.

The former educationist died at 9.15pm at the Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre in Jalan Ampang here where he was admitted two weeks ago for a lung infection.

His family members were at his bedside when he passed away, said Murad's younger brother Tan Sri Marzuki Mohamed Noor.

He said Murad was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) yesterday and was conscious up to 8pm tonight.

Marzuki told reporters Murad's remains would be brought to his house in Damansara Heights tonight and then taken to Penang to be buried next to his mother's grave in Penaga, Seberang Perai Utara.

The late Murad, the eldest of seven siblings, was born in Penaga. He leaves a wife, Puan Sri Azizah Aiyub Ghazali, and four children.

Murad was the director-general of education from 1976 to 1985.

As the director of education planning and research before that, he had spearheaded a study on the problems of school dropouts and highlighted ways to address the problem in the famous Murad Report of 1973.

Murad, who was also chairman of the board of directors of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), had received a special award for leadership in education in 2004 at the national-level Teachers' Day celebration.

One of his many contributions in the field of education was the New Primary School Curriculum (KBSR) in 1983 which emphasised the three R's of reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic.

He was also responsible for the taking over of religious schools and turning them into national schools.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in expressing his condolences to the family, described Murad's death as a big loss to the field of education.

"My condolences to the family of the late Murad," he said at the Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) base here before leaving for Davos, Switzerland, to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. (Bernama)

***** A rare breed of man indeed. It's a pity that we don't have enough Murads in our country. If we did we would be right there at the very top, among the world's finest nations.

Earlier posts:
1) Tan Sri Murad Mohammed Noor - Penawar For The Nation.
2) Let the Teachers Teach.

From Bernama: Murad The Quintessential Malaysian

Aussie University Honours Malaysian Tycoon

Malaysian-born Maha Sinnathamby, the creator of the A$12 billion Greater Springfield residential development near Brisbane, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

Multi-millionaire Sinnathamby, who has a deep commitment to education, was instrumental in attracting the Toowoomba-based USQ to establish a campus in Springfield last year, now home to about ,1000 students, many from Asia.

He was conferred the doctorate by the university's chancellor, Bobbie Brazil, to the delight of his family, corporate colleagues and academic staff.

Greater Springfield, Australia's first privately-built city, 28km south-west of Brisbane, has won international acclaim for its uniqueness.

Sinnathamby, a product of Seremban's St Paul's Institution, who grew up in Negri Sembilan, said: "I'm extremely proud of this honour because I have a lifelong passion for education."

The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove, said the conferral of the doctorate on Sinnathamby was in recognition of his distinguished service to the Springfield community and to USQ, while also acknowledging his strong advocacy of the ideals of the university.

Apart from his business acumen, Maha possessed some unique personal characteristics, Prof Lovegrove said. "Among them are his broad vision, an entrepreneurial spirit, a tenacious nature, a willingness to take risks and think outside of the square, a community focus and commitment in the face of adversity.

"These ideals align closely with those of USQ and help to explain the close ties that have formed between the university and Maha," he said. (Bernama)

***** It's always nice to read about Malaysians who have succeeded abroad, especially those who have achieved much without the aid of crutches and quotas and have never been honoured with a Datuk or Tan Sri title. The success of such people should serve as encouragement for those who feel that they have been left by the wayside through unfair government policies and racial discrimination under the guise of 'social engineering' and 'national unity'.
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Tun Razak's Legacy Lives On

The legacy of the second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein lives on through his thinking and policies which he had implemented, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in a Bernama report released today.

He said the spirit of the New Economic Policy (NEP) mooted by his father was treasured, inferred and explicated in the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said this policy signified that Tun Razak was a leader who was ahead of his times in championing and developing the nation.

"In the National Mission, we are still focusing on povverty eradication, stimulating the economy, addressing racial and regional imbalance, uplifting the quality of life, and ensuring that the policies are well implemented," he told reporters after opening the "Tun Razak's Legacy to National Development" seminar here today.

Najib said as a son, Tun Razak was his source of inspiration to work hard with selfless devotion for the benefit of the people and country. He said Tun Razak was an honest, sincere and hardworking leader who acted in the best interest of the people.

For instance, he said, in 1962 Tun Razak travelled for over 43,000 miles (68,800km) by road, air (plane and helicopter) and boat, and cycled and went on foot to visit 45 state and district operations rooms nationwide.

Najib said unknowingly he had been following Tun Razak's ways and dedication, and was especially encouraged by his speech at the MCA general assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 9, 1975. Tun Razak had said: "The leaders must always be together with the people. Otherwise, we will never know the people's needs and aspirations."

Najib said he admired Tun Razak's moderate ways and in shouldering his responsibilities which were telling when he headed the National Operations Council (Mageran), set up after the racial riots on May 13, 1969. As Mageran director, he said Tun Razak was vested with the absolute power to govern the country but he did not cling on to it like leaders in certain countries.

Najib said Tun Razak regarded his responsiblity as Mageran director not as a burden but a vital one, and he set up the National Consultative Council in January 1970 which formulated the social contract and Rukun Negara (National Principles) which became the foundation of the people's prosperity and peaceful co-existence.

He said Tun Razak governed the country as Mageran director for only 21 months before handing the power back to the people by returning the nation to democracy on Feb 23, 1971.

On his father's achievements, Najib said chief among them were ending the confrontation with Indonesia and forging diplomatic relations with China, the first country in the region to do so. Najib also described Tun Razak as a leader with a transformational trait as he had changed the economic and political landscape of the country.

"Clad in bush jacket, going on foot with a walking stick and clearing his throat, Tun Razak moved the government machinery to ensure the smooth implementation of development (projects)," he said.
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World Class IJN Performs Open-Heart Surgery Without Blood Transfusion.

The National Heart Institute (IJN) recorded another success Monday when it conducted an open-heart surgery without blood transfusion on a 56-year-old retiree.

The four-hour aortic valve replacement operation on the man started at 8am. IJN had performed three similar operations before this - the last one was about 10 years ago.

Today's operation was conducted by a 10-member team lead by IJN's consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Pau Kiew Kong.

The team comprised two surgeons, three anaesthetists, two perfusionists (person who monitors heart-lung machine), two staff nurses and one OT technican.

Speaking to Bernama after the operation, Dr Pau said the patient, who suffered from aortic stenosis, had asked him to conduct the operation without blood transfusion due to certain reasons.

"He does not want any blood to be given to him. We respect his wish but he must fill up the "no blood" consent form before the surgery takes place," he said adding that such operation would only be carried out on the patient's request.

Blood transfusion which is regarded as the safety net is always practised in major surgery, however, according to Dr Pau heart surgery without blood transfusion was quite safe if carried out properly.

Dr Pau said prior to the surgery certain measures would be taken such as maximising the patient's blood by using drugs. The team must also minimise the patient's blood loss during the surgery.

The local cardiac surgeon said IJN had the expertise to carry out such operations if requested by the patient. "We can do cardiac surgery without blood, safely," he said. (Bernama)

****** Syabas IJN! This is the kind of news that really makes one's day. When we put our minds to it we can be as good as and even better than the best.
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Death Of An Intellectual. Syed Hussein Alatas 1928 - 2007.

AL-FATIHAH

A former politician and academic, Professor Syed Hussein Alatas, died at his home in Damansara Heights, here at 9.30 Tuesday night. According to his son-in-law, Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, Syed Hussein died of a heart attack.

He had earlier fallen down at home and was immediately taken to the University Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya, where he was pronounced dead. His remains were taken home early Wednesday morning for burial later Wednesday.

Syed Hussein was born on Sept 17, 1928 in Bogor, Indonesia. Syed Hussein's academic career began at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka where he worked as head of the research department from 1958. He had also served with the University of Malaya from 1963 to 1967 before being appointed as Head of the Department of Malay Studies of the National University of Singapore from 1967 to 1978.

Syed Hussein was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malaya in 1988. He was also among several intellectuals who had formed the Gerakan in 1968 as an offshoot of the defunct Labour Party. The Gerakan was relatively successful in the 1969 general election where it campaigned for social justice.

Syed Hussein also played an important role in the formation of the Parti Keadilan Masyarakat Malaysia (Pekemas) when Gerakan joined the Alliance coalition in 1972. However, the Pekemas collapsed in 1978 following massive defections. (Bernama)
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UPDATE: Prof Syed Hussein's Death A Great Loss

Jamali Shadat - Comedian Extraordinaire.

If laughter is the best medicine, then veteran comedian Datuk Jamali Shadat certainly qualifies as a medicine man.

A myriad of colourful bougainvilleas in the garden greets visitors to Datuk Jamali Shadat’s house in Pulau Indah, Klang. Bright and cheerful, Jamali’s abode does not just reflect his sunny personality, but also his beginnings – he was a gardener for more than 12 years before he hit the big time in showbiz.

“It was my late stepfather (Kemat Haji Nawawi) who showed me the beauty of flowers. He had wonderful blooms and plants in his garden,” said Jamali as he loving ran his hand over two vintage Vespas parked in his living room. I bought these two scooters in the 1960s and 70s and I’ve kept them in good condition. I still ride them now and then,” he said, grinning widely.

Much of Jamali’s time these days is taken up with running his JL Permata nursery, a flower trade that involves his youngest child Sazali, 30. Another son, Azmi, 32, helps with a chicken-rearing business. But all these flowers and chicken are mere hobbies to Jamali, who would very much prefer to go up on stage. He still gets invited to do gigs in public and on TV.

Famous for his Atan and Atuk characters, Jamali’s appeal lies in the fact that his comedy is tailored to suit a multi-racial audience. “When I impersonate a character from a particular race, I bear in mind their cultural sensitivities. Tradition and culture are important and should never be belittled,” he stressed. “Sure, you want people to laugh but there is no need to be crude about it.”

Looking younger than his 65 years – “I fast regularly; that’s the secret of my youth” – Jamali took delight in doing impersonations at every opportunity, talking like an Indian with tongue a-rolling one minute and like a Chinese in a sing-song voice in another. Jamali does this with ease because of his exposure to the various communities.

The youngest of nine siblings born in Bukit Kapar, Klang, he had worked during his teenage years to supplement the family income. “I worked in the market with the Chinese, in the estate with the Indians, and in a bread factory owned by a Punjabi.” So their speech and mannerisms rubbed off on Jamali, who incorporated the various facets of Malaysians and the way they speak into his repertoire.

At home, his family used to receive visitors of all races. Jamali recalled one family friend, an old Indian cowherd named Pattu. “Pattu spoke to me in Tamil a lot. He would also sing Indian lullabies to lull me to sleep. He sort of adopted me when I was a small boy. Till today, I can still sing his Indian lullabies,” he said.

Jamali’s first public performance was in 1957, on a makeshift stage in Bukit Kapar, before his neighbours and fellow villagers. “The villagers knew about my antics and made me do it. It was unnerving but the experience set me for future stage shows,” he chuckled at the memory.

Word soon got around about this talented young man who could do very good impersonations and jokes. More village performances followed and a relative – “Cikgu Salleh Daud, one of my strongest supporters” – thought that he should go for state competitions. He did, and won a few.

Then television beckoned. In 1971, Jamali won the Bakat TV talent quest and became a household name. After that he was given a TV slot called the SAJ (Saloma Ahmad Daud and Jamali Shadat) Show. In recent years, his TV appearances were Atan Oh Atan Oi (Hari Raya of 2000), and the Jamali Shadat Show (2001). He is now a judge on Raja Lawak Astro which started last year and is still ongoing.

While he has enjoyed his career as a comedian, showbiz is not something that Jamali wants his children to get into. “Too much uncertainty,” said Jamali who has been married to Lela Yaakob for 47 years. The couple has eight children now aged between 30 and 44, and a grand total of 36 grandchildren. “My children have not shown any inclination towards the entertainment industry and I am fine with that. It is not an easy life.”

After 40 years of making people laugh, Jamali said he will still do it if he is wanted. “A little slower but still going strong,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

And those of us who first saw Jamali Shadat back in the old days of black and white TV and found him funny will certainly want him to bring his humour to a new generation. “Thank you, I feel very happy to hear that. For me, that is the ultimate accolade,” he said humbly. (By K.S. Usha Devi, TheStar)
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Chief Justice Siti Norma, An Exemplary Malaysian, Retires

After 43 years in the legal profession, the Chief Justice of Malaya, Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob, will retire Friday. Siti Norma, 67, held the Chief Justice's post for almost two years since Feb 8, 2005 and is the first woman in the country to occupy the post.

She said in a special interview at her office here that retirement would change her routine slightly as she was focused on work in the past. She is also a Federal Court judge. "Forty-three years is a long time and I am used to working from 9am to 5pm. Things will change slightly after this," she said.

Born in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, on July 6, 1940, she received her early education at Sekolah Melayu Rahang, Seremban and her law degree at Gray's Inn, London in 1962.

"I did not have a plan after finishing school, but my father always hoped his children would become doctors or lawyers. At that time none of my siblings had fulfilled that hope. "Teaching was one of the most respectable professions in 1957, but I could not visualise myself as a teacher and chose to read law instead.

It was passion for the profession that kept her going from year to year until she reached her present level. "There was always something new that I could learn in law. The field continues to expand and it was interesting to decide how to apply it to particular cases," she said.

She said that to be a good judge, one must exercise great patience and never make decisions in a hurry.

Siti Norma started as a Senior Assistant Registrar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court in July 1963. She later held several important posts including President of the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Senior Federal Counsel at the Solicitor-General's Office and Chief Registrar of the Federal Court. She was appointed a High Court Judge in April, 1983 and later as an Appeals Court Judge in 1994. She became a Federal Court Judge in 2001.

Reflecting on the achievements of women in Malaysia, she said Malaysian women had made great strides, including in law. She advised them to project themselves and their skills to compete with men.

In life, she added, she stuck to the philosophy of "carrying out one's tasks to the best of one's ability."

She is blessed with three children through her marriage to Datuk Seri Meor Ayob Mior Shaffie. They have seven grandchildren.

Asked on her plans after retirement, she said that she had no plans for now but added that it would be good if she got to travel. (Bernama)
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UiTM V-C Prof Ibrahim Abu Shah, An Enlightened Man Of Scholarship.

Those who believe that learning English will make a person less Malay have been lambasted as "shallow minded". This from none other than Universiti Teknologi Mara vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah. He thus joins millions of other Malaysians, the silent majority, in acknowledging the dire need to acquire a good command of English and that it will in no way lessen one's 'Malayness.' The big difference is that he has openly voiced his opinion and more importantly speaks with the authority his office confers upon him. In Prof. Ibrahim we have an enlightened academic and those in doubt should give him their serious attention.

Many more like the good Professor have to come forward if we are to see any substantive change in attitudes and policy that will enable us to compete at the global level on an equal footing. The opposition to change for the better comes from two main areas. One is the nervy Malay nationalist and language champion represented by the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. These are the people who often tout France and Japan as examples of countries 'independent' of English. Apart from that claim not being entirely true, the reality is that we are far removed from the inner-strengths that characterize the Japanese, French or even the Koreans. One shouldn't compare an ant with elephants and say "if Jumbo does it so will I." Sounds good on paper, but alas....

The second group which forms the major opposition to change, is ironically the government or at least part of it, the Umno part. This is the main stumbling block to the effective mastering of English. While it has made piecemeal changes to the education system to accommodate English learning, it is a situation of neither here nor there. The government panders to the fears and prejudices of the nationalists and by acting in this manner it is doing a very great disservice to the majority of Malaysians who are increasingly becoming handicapped and uncompetitive in the inevitable borderless world to come.

We as a nation are being effectively held hostage by a few thousand nationalists, politicians and civil servants. Remove them from the equation and who knows, things may be far better than it is today. However it is comforting to have in our midst learned men like Prof. Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah who are willing to be heard and be a rallying point for others to join in the inexorable push to excellence. If in the process the Malay language champions and others wish to be left behind, so be it.

Read the NST report on the topic here:
Those who believe that learning English will make a person less Malay have been lambasted as "shallow minded".

The criticism from Universiti Teknologi Mara vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah was aimed at those who had in the past voiced their opposition to public universities teaching more subjects in English.

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka was among those who had said that such a move would cause Bahasa Malaysia to lose its status as the country’s official language.

"The Bahasa Malaysia is our mother tongue and our language; it does not mean that if we speak English we are less Malay," he told the New Straits Times.

Ibrahim said English was an important language in view of the globalisation taking place.

Last week, in the Dewan Rakyat, Member of Parliament for Kuala Krai Ismail Mohamed Said had asked Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed for the current statistics on the university’s unemployed graduates

Mustapa had said that the university had only a small number of unemployed graduates compared with other public universities because it produced top graduates who were marketable and spoke good English.

UiTM, which was set up to provide higher education for Bumiputera students, currently has an enrolment of 90,000 students in its campuses nationwide.

Formerly known as the Mara Institute of Technology (ITM), UiTM is an affirmative action university which comes directly under the government.

"Besides English, we also encourage our students to learn a third language like Mandarin or Japanese," Ibrahim said.

He said the university produced about 30,000 graduates a year and they were trained to adapt to the job market.

"We only offer professional courses and most of these courses emphasise the need for English. For weak students who come from rural areas and do not have a good grasp of the language, we provide them with an intensive six-month course prior to their diploma and degree courses," he said.

Ibrahim said this was only applicable to students who did not get a credit for English in their Matriculation or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.

"This method has worked well for students who do not have an English-speaking background," he said.

The university also encourages students to speak English by holding an English language month or week.

"During this period, if they are caught speaking in Malay, they would be fined," he said, adding that most lectures were also conducted in English.

Ibrahim said the use of English in lessons had been part of the university’s system since ITM’s inception in 1956.

"Our programmes are mostly based on American programmes and that is why most of our students speak American English," he added.

He said many UiTM graduates were holding top positions in the country as the university had emphasised on entrepreneurship skills as well.

Ibrahim said 80 per cent of the chief executive officers of plantation companies and 52 per cent of the total number of professional accountants in the country were UiTM graduates.

Ananda Krishnan's Multimillion Dollar House.

Malaysian tycoon T. Ananda Krishnan's stunning new multimillion dollar Kia Ora homestead near the rural town of Scone, about 330km from Sydney, is to be entered in the Australian House of the Year contest after recently winning the prestigious 2006 Housing Industry Association Hunter Home of the Year Award.

Kia Ora means "Welcome" in the Maori language.

The house, with its large open plan and modern design impressed Hunter Home Award judges who described it as "sensational and practical" at the presentation of awards in Newcastle, about 120km from Scone. The award-winning house commands stunning views of the historic Kia Ora Stud in the coveted Segenhoe Valley, in the Hunter Valley District.

Ananda is believed to have acquired the 1,800-hectare property about three years ago. The house, designed by Paul Berkemeier, will now be entered in the Australian House of the Year contest which will be decided in Sydney on May 12.

Scone builder Jeff Towler, who spent more than two years building the homestead which features ingenious use of local materials, said it was by far the most challenging project he had worked on. "It was so difficult because of the incredible attention to detail required, and that is what really sets it apart from other houses," Towler said.

The house has a large open deck space, a heated swimming pool, two fireplaces, beautifully landscaped gardens with stunning native plants, and breathtaking views from all sections of the house. Towler said it was a pleasure to work for Ananda who knew exactly what he wanted and set high standards.

The Segenhoe Valley, where Kia Ora Stud is situated, is renowned for producing thoroughbreds and Kia Ora has, for over 80 years, produced some of the best in Australia. A programme of pasture development implemented under Ananda's ownership has optimised the potential of this outstanding horse property.

-- BERNAMA

***** Am posting this bit of trivia as it's been a very very busy day and am hard-pressed for time.

Tan Sri Murad Mohammed Noor - Penawar For The Nation.

I have posted on Tan Sri Murad Mohammed Noor previously and had then described him as a man light years ahead of his time. In today's NST he spoke about education, the NEP, Umno and the nation. He has the credentials and the sincerity to be a very successful leader of this country. That report here.

He’s been around long enough to know what exactly needs to be done, and this former educationist has some strong views on race relations too, writes SU AZIZ.

"WHEN you look at someone, do you think about whether he is Chinese or Indian?" asked the bright-eyed, 76-year-old gentleman in front of me. "It shouldn’t even cross your mind unless it is out of superficial curiosity." Yes, Tan Sri Murad Mohammed Noor believes that we should think of ourselves, first and foremost, as Malaysian.

Murad was our director-general of Education for 10 years until he retired on his birthday on April 10, 1985. As a full-time educationist, Murad was directly involved in establishing the International Islamic University and spearheaded a study in the 1970s which detailed the problems of school dropouts. The study, famously known as the "Murad Report", highlighted ways to address this problem.

"Remedial education. That is the way to tackle the problem," explained Murad. "Before you can remedy a situation, you must first know what the illness is. Every teacher is a remedial educationist. "If a student cannot read, then teach him to read. Don’t let it go and expect someone else to pick up the pieces."

Murad applies this same logic to a pressing issue of our time: racial polarisation. "How we can remedy our racial issue is perhaps by pointing out to them (our children) the various factors that can make them feel Malaysia is their country. "Point out opportunities, feed them knowledge and yes, using the same language also helps."

So education is key then? "Positivity is vital. As a teacher who imparts knowledge, teach them how to contribute towards the nation and how to appreciate the multi-racial aspect of our country."

Born in 1930, and educated in Kedah, Universiti Malaya, Singapore and Britain, Murad lived through one of Malaysia’s most turbulent periods — the 1969 race riots in Kuala Lumpur. This riots led to a state of Emergency, the suspension of Parliament until 1971 and the NEP (New Economic Policy).

Thirty-six years on, we can only imagine how difficult it must have been in those early days after May 13, to rebuild the nation. Murad was one of those people who helped pull Malaysia out of those dark times. "It was tough but not impossible to restore peace quickly," explained Murad. "This was because the NOC (National Operations Council which was established to govern the country provisionally) that drew up the NEP and Tun Abdul Razak (our prime minister then) were adamant about promoting national unity... to prevent May 13 from ever happening again."

The NEP’s aim was to help eradicate poverty among the Malays through rapidly expanding our economy and "to wipe out the identification of race with economic function. "Our country recovered much faster than other countries that faced the same situation. This is due to the co-operation of all races. Everybody felt the same way, they never wanted the incident to happen again. May 13 shattered our beliefs. It shook us," said Murad. "Everybody was aware of the danger but we got on very well. This was because of the NOC’s rigid control of the situation.

"At the Umno general assembly, some of them lost their cool. They used strong and emotive words. To me, that was unnecessary. It could be misunderstood, and was it necessary to do that? It could create ill-feeling between the races. Why do we want to backtrack? Bury the dead, this is what I say. Move on from there. I was very pleased when our deputy prime minister said he will ensure that such things will never be said or happen again. He will and should nip it in the bud."

Murad said post-May 13, education played a vital role in re-building the country and it still could. "Do you know how? Children in our (national) schools suffered from uncertainty then. This is also the problem we face today. We should be able to break the racial barrier through education. We have tried for almost 50 years to do so.

"Admittedly, we (educationists) succeeded in making Bahasa Malaysia the common language in schools but speaking a language alone will not instill racial harmony. I speak English but that does not make me an Englishman! Let the educationists go back to handling the education of our children. Right now, they (the policy makers) don’t allow it.

"During my time, a director-general could decide on everything except for the policies. Today, the Cabinet decides on every tedious thing. When then can they concentrate on the more important policies or issues concerning our education system?"

Murad started as a teacher in Kedah in 1957. "When I started (teaching), it was the time when our government decided that Bahasa Malaysia should be the medium of communication instead of English. I was told to go and teach the students and I did that, armed with only the English textbooks that I had to translate myself. Back then, what the teachers said was more important than what the parents said. Teachers were bodies of knowledge.

"Now, everybody is a teacher. It may seem so simple but in fact, it is complex. Today, there is the Internet, sophisticated television programmes and so on. Teachers today no longer play that important a role in a student’s life.

"We (educationists) cannot force unity externally. Then it is superficial. It has to come from within, we should teach our children that we share a common country. That this is ours."

Throughout the interview, Murad noted down his thoughts. ("It comes from being a teacher, you see.") Today, he is still active in research and currently has been asked to evaluate the sekolah rakyat (religious schools). Murad is also chairman of the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Council and a senior non-independent director of IJM Corporation Berhad. There are also the numerous talks that he is asked to give. "I enjoy that. This is because in the past I was told what to say and now I am allowed to say what I want."

With slightly more time on his hands now, Murad indulges in another love — cooking. "I prefer cooking European food. Not for the taste. I don’t eat much, you see. But it is not so messy. Malay food is a big production, and all that cleaning up!"

Having had to read so many reports and files when he was working, he now enjoys reading biographies and classics, plus — as a pile of books were placed in front of me — cookery books.

Having brought up two sons and two daughters, Murad now spends a lot of time with the youngest of his four grandchildren.

"I used to enjoy travelling but nowadays, they (the airport officials) take the joy out of it with all these paranoid checks.

"I also enjoy doing what I am doing now — talking to journalists!"

After a thoughtful moment, he asked, "Do you know what an abstract noun is? It describes something you see but cannot touch."

Would the word Malaysian fall into this category? "I wish to see one nation, which was what I set out to build in the first place. I passionately believe in the preamble of education.

"I long to see a nation of greater morals with higher civic- consciousness, a nation that can call their neighbour, neighbour, irrespective of their race."

Related post: Let The Teachers Teach.

Chong Lim - A Malaysian To Be Proud Of.

Composer Chong Lim's Malaysian background has helped him compose some stunning music with "Arabic flavour" for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha next month.

"Having spent my youth in Malaysia I am familiar with Malay and Arabic music which I have incorporated in my four pieces for the Doha Games," he said.

"I was thrilled when I was asked to compose pieces for Doha. It was a great honour to do something for Asia," said the Ipoh-born musical director, composer, producer, arranger and keyboard player.

"It was a big challenge for me and a fantastic opportunity to showcase my multiracial Malaysian heritage," he said.

Lim, a household name in Australia for his amazing work with Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Sir George Martin of the Beatles fame, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Guy Sebastian, Elton John and many other international stars, composed the music for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies, winning international acclaim.

He is musical director for Channel 7's "Dancing With the Stars" series, Australia's highest rating TV show, watched by millions each week. He also performed with Olivia Newton-John for Australian-born Princess Mary of Denmark at her wedding.

Despite his heavy workload, Lim, a former student of St Michael's Institution, Ipoh, said he would love to do special performance in Malaysia if given the opportunity. "I will be holidaying in Penang for about three weeks after the Doha Games and would be happy to hear from anyone in Malaysia if they have ideas for a performance in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Lim, who will be in Doha as musical director, said the Doha Games would be a bigger spectacular than the Sydney Olympics and Melbourne Commonwealth Games. About 7,000 performers will showcase their talents at Khalifa Stadium and it will be watched by about three billion people internationally.

The closing ceremony line-up is expected to include Hong Kong's Jacky Cheung, Bollywood's Sunidhi Chauhan, Lebanese Star Magida El Roumi and Spanish tenor Jose Carreras.

--By Neville D'Cruz (BERNAMA )

***** Truly an achievement that Malaysians can be proud of. A genuine and outstanding example of Malaysia Boleh. As with other such great Malaysian successes, it had to be realized overseas. Now that's saddening.

Composer Ahmad Nawab Receives National Artiste 2006 Award

For music lovers, especially those of the melodious Malay super hits of the past five decades, this award must come as good news albeit a belated recognition of an icon and someone who is synonymous with quality Malay fare. The multi-talented musician's strength was his ability to appeal to the widest audience transcending age, race and nationality apart from a remarkable consistency in maintaining the highest standards. The full Bernama report follows.

Composer and musician Datuk Ahmad Nawab, who has composed more than 2,000 songs since his involvement with the musical world, received the National Artiste 2006 award Sunday night.

The award, presented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, was one of the categories of the National Arts Awards 2006, organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

Ahmad Nawab, 73, also received RM60,000 cash and was made the ministry's representative for national and international seminars. He had served with the RTM Orchestra for 17 years, and won numerous accolades including the Merak Kayangan Award (Best Song) for his first song `Bintang Malam' in 1980.

Earlier, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said in his speech that the National Arts Award, held once in two years, was the country's highest recognition for artistes.

He said that four criterias were used in assessing artistes' for the awards - personality, knowledge, contributions and compositions. "A total of 32 artistes were selected to receive the awards out of 217 candidates," he said.

Other winners at the ceremony were cartoonist Datuk Mohd Noor Khalid or Lat, composer Suhaimi Mohd Zain (Pak Ngah), dancer Ramli Ibrahim and theater activist Zahim Albakri.

Klasik Nasional radio station won the Arts Promoter Award for the media category, while the Education Ministry's Schools Division (Public Sector), DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (Corporate Sector), The Actors Studio (Arts Company), Datuk Mohd Yaman Ahmad Mus and Goh Eng Boon (individual).

--BERNAMA