By: Open Mind

Source: The Borneo Post

WHEN we look at the world, many people are found to have two faces. One the real face and the other, the masked face.People are always watchful of others, to highlight their shortcomings and their weaknesses. They are not inclined to rejoice about the better performance of others.

People are seized by this kind of approach in life. When we become jealous of and disturbed by the achievements of others, we are not enjoying our life. We become perturbed and tense.

We don’t have the time to look at ourselves as to what extent, we are free and what we are doing. We become enemies of ourselves.

It is not that looking at others or watching others is bad. If it is done with the view of copying others’ good qualities and achievements, which provide an eye-opener, then it is good.

Some people think that they are a superior species and cannot mingle with others. They feel that if they do, their position and greatness will get eroded.

They keep a restricted movement schedule. They are actually shutting themselves away from noble thoughts and opportunities to learn.

Therefore watch yourself and tread forward with power, maturity and self-growth. There will be total harmony within.

Most of us focus on our incompleteness. As a response and to cover ourselves, we change these feelings of being inadequate into believing that we are better than others.

In reality, we are all invaluable. Reject your doubts and insecurities. Keep affirming to yourself that you are unique. Treasure your uniqueness.

Thought for reflection: It is good that we do not all think alike. It is the difference of opinions that makes life interesting.

The Borneo Post

Unemployed graduates’ predicament — sharing experiences
By Diana Kuwa

WILL I be able to find a job that I want after I graduate?  I bet this question must have been haunting most of our undergraduates today.

I was in the same situation four years ago.

It has been quite a dilemma for me during my final year in the university.

When I was in Form Three, I remembered that I was still quite unsure of what my future was going to be like.

I was a straight-A’s student then.

At that time, all I knew was that I needed to do well to enable me to be in a competitive class and keep my parents happy.

Frankly, I did not

have much interest whatsoever in taking Science subjects.

Looking at my future, I felt that I wanted to have a job that would require me to use most of my mathematical skills.

It was my teacher who gave us the encouragement to take up accounting as a career.

I considered myself lucky because I was able to choose the subjects that I wanted to take for my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) under the open system introduced by our Ministry of Education then.

I was able to pursue my dream of becoming an accountant without jeopardising the hope of my parents to see me study in the Science stream.

I took up accounting as my core subject when I was doing my matriculation but things were not as easy as it seemed to be, in order to be accepted to study in that field.

I ended up taking my degree in economics and business as I was not able to secure a place in my preferred university to do my preferred course.

So did my other friends who were in the same situation like me.

I was again in a dilemma when entering the university, thinking about my future career.

Am I going to become an economist or a businesswoman after I graduated? During my university years, we were allowed to take optional subjects.

As most of my friends took up subjects that were much easier to score like Art, I on the other hand chose subjects which I considered relevant to the course that I took up.

Entering the job market after graduating was another challenging experience.

It was never easy to find a job that truly matches one’s qualification.

If one flips through the local dailies, most of the jobs publicised are for those with accounts, sales and engineering background.

Applying for a job in the government sector was also a frustrating experience.

These are the hardships that we commonly faced after we graduated.

Keeping track of all my friends in the university, I found that only a few dare to venture into business.

Some are doing sales and working with the government.

The rest tried their skills in becoming teachers.

When they were asked why they chose teaching as a career, they simply said teaching is highly in demand now and because of the good pay.

Of course! That is the trend now.

Somehow, I felt that their three years of studies were put to waste when they chose to take up other professions such as teaching as their last option to secure a job.

I have been working in different working environments for the past four years — sales, hotel and bank.

And now I am adding communications into my resume.

Despite the difficulty in getting a dream career, I am still struggling to find ways of putting my knowledge and experiences to good use in my current job.

People have frequently spoken about quality graduates for years now.

I personally think that nurturing quality graduates has to begin from young.

Students must be guided by parents and teachers along the way so that they would be able meet the job market demand of the and contribute to the development of the state after they graduated.

Graduates on the other hand, must proactively hunt for jobs with the proper guidance of the university especially through the various faculties before completing their study to avoid unemployment. The number of unemployed graduates has risen.

My advice is never to be too choosy in taking up a job because you will end up with nothing.

It is the invaluable experience one gets when working that matters most in adding value to our graduates! If you do that, you can say that the sky is the limit.

I wish all unemployed graduates the best in your effort to seek employment.

Diana Kuwa is a communications officer of Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (Azam).

• 3rd Voice, published fortnightly was initiated by Azam and SDI. Feedback can be sent to diana@azam.org.my

• Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (Azam) in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Germany (KAS) will organise a Sarawak Roundtable on ‘Boosting the Calibre of Today’s Graduates’ this year to provide an avenue for discussion on the above issue.

Work together and work with love

by: Open Mind (The Sunday Post)

MANKIND today, is faced with many global problems which are connected with one another directly or indirectly and which, together, have created a complex and grave situation.

The problems of environmental pollution, nuclear weapons, poverty, violence and crime, family splits, mental tension and diseases like aids and cancer, are only some of them.

The very nature of human beings and their inability to work towards the common good of mankind has resulted in global conflicts and poverty in every part of the world.

They see only the smaller picture and not the overall betterment of the world. To succeed in the global arena, personal agendas have to be thrown out of the window.

The elements of love, unity, concern for the well-being of all, cooperation and the practical implementation of values are missing.

For example, cooperation: It is very important to have respect and good wishes for each and every one involved in the task. It is equally important to make sure that whatever I am doing is for mutual benefit. Then others will cooperate with me.

Love: If something is difficult, it means there is no love. Where there is love, even a task as difficult and big as a mountain becomes as easy and light as cotton.

Patience is a quality that is much lacking. Everything that happens, happens for the good. But we need patience to see it manifest.

When I am able to understand the secret behind each event, I will develop patience and move forward with lightness.

Thought for reflection: To cooperate with God in His task of world renewal is the greatest achievement.

Sembayang Minta Diri di Suman

Tuhan Jesus, nuan udah udu badas enggau aku.

Aku terima kasih ka samoa pengerindu enggau pengiboh ti udah di tunjok nuan ngagai aku ngelama tu.  Lebih agi aku terima kasih laban nuan bisi begulai enggau aku diatu.

O Tuhan, suman ka aku ari samoa utai ti patut di suman nuan.  Suman ka aku ari samoa penyakit tuboh.  Suman ka aku ari samoa penyakit pengirau ati.  Suman ka aku ari samoa penyakit ti ngachau runding aku.  Suman ka aku ari samoa penyakit ti ngachau semengat aku.  Tuhan Jesus ti nelap, suman ka aku ari samoa pemangah ti bisi besarang dalam ati aku.  Ibun aku Tuhan enggau sepatut ia.  Beri ka aku O Tuhan, penetap ati ngambi ka tuboh enggau semengat  aku sama-sama nyembah nuan, ngambi ka samoa runding aku, pengingin aku, pengingat aku, peragam aku, pengasai aku serta aku empu segulai enggau Roh Kudus nyembah nungah nuan Tuhan Jesus.  Isi aku enggau pengerindu Nuan, O Tuhan Jesus, ngambi ka aku nemu rindu ka diri laban nuan bisi dalam aku.  Aku sigi arap ka Sante Trinitas: Apai, Anak enggau Roh Kudus ti udah diau dalam aku leboh maya aku di Baptisa lalu ngering ka aku leboh aku nerima Sakaramenta Pengentap.

Terima kasih O Tuhan ti besai kuasa laban nuan udah datai ngagai aku enggau maioh macham jalai.  Aku rindu ka nuan lalu majak deka rindu ka nuan enggau pengambis ati aku.

Tulong aku Tuhan Jesus, ngambi ka aku ngasai ka pengerindu nuan, laban pengerindu nuan ti udu maioh udah di beri ngagai aku; nya alai kau ngasai ka diri dalam tasik pengerindu, lalu nya ti ngasoh aku nadai penusah ngampun orang enggau pengambis ati aku, lalu rindu ka sida ti baru ke udah jai enggau aku lalu ngampun samoa sida ti enda ulih di kiingat aku agi.  Aku ngampun samoa sida lalu rindu ka samoa sida enggau pengerindu ti bisi ba aku enggau pengambis ati aku.

O Tuhan Jesus, laban pemeri ti udu besai bakatu – ianya nuan meri pengerindu nuan ngagai aku, lalu diau dalam aku; nya alai aku ulih muru samoa penakut ari Pengidup aku.  Leboh aku ingat penakut lama, aku ngenang pemesai pengerindu nuan ngagai aku, lalu aku ulih rindu enggau pengerindu nuan; penakut nya lalu lenyau ari aku.  Nya meh pemesai kuasa nuan, O Tuhan.

Aku muji, aku beterima kasih, aku rindu ka nuan Tuhan Jesus enggau pengambis ati aku.  Tambah ka pengerindu aku mimit-mimit tiap hari.  Tuhan Jesus, aku terima kasih ka samoa utai. Amin.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit, you who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal.  You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me.  I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be.  I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. AMEN.

No other language but English
By E P Yeo

I HAVE always restrained from making any comments when it concerns religion or education matters.

The only time when I do so is perhaps during my leisure hang-outs with friends — from both the political and social circles — which I daringly do so because of the immense wrath that I may earn if I go public for the fact that these two subjects are ultra sensitive which could touch one’s nerves.

So this week I finally decided to pen my views concerning the issue of teaching of Science and Mathematics in English language which has caused endless debates since its inception six years ago.

Now that the final decision is yet to be made by the Cabinet which is still awaiting a report from the Ministry of Education, with facts and figures I supposed, on whether to continue the teaching of the two subjects in English, it is just fair for every concerned Malaysian like me to voice out  the issue.

I am deeply enraged by a group of protesters who had taken to the street in Kuala Lumpur recently to protest the use of English in Science and Mathematics as this group of protesters does not represent the majority Malaysians who have remained silent.

The only thing that this group of protesters could earn my little respect is when they knew how to exercise their universal right of freedom of expression albeit for the wrong reason as far as I am concerned.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was a visionary and far-looking statesman who earns every Malaysian’s respect for building the nation to what it is today and for his decision as a Prime Minister in implementing the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English despite the many criticisms levelled against him.

I agree with many out there who keep silent and whom I have spoken with on this issue that the government ought to continue the use of the international lingua franca as a medium of instruction in these two subjects.

Many friends of mine have acknowledged that the English language standard among the younger generation is deteriorating compared to  yesteryears when the medium of instruction was in English before it was eventually switched to the Malay language.

Just ask any employers about the standard of English among jobseekers and you may hear the common laments on the deplorable standard which does not need my further berating.

I must count myself lucky that my parents decided to send me to the La Sallian mission school throughout my primary and secondary level where I enjoyed the privilege of having a conducive environment which allowed me to use English language extensively.

While the arguments on the right approach will continue, I kind of agree with a friend who is an Australian graduate in his 40s that the government should go back to the previous education system where mother tongues were used to teach Science and Mathematics at primary school level.

As these students go to the secondary level, all the subjects will be taught in English language and I must say this is the best way to address the stalemate which has kept the government being indecisive for too long for fear of political backlash.

Of course efforts must also be taken to encourage the use of other languages such as Chinese due to the fact that China is an economic super powerhouse now which requires one to master the language.

But the government and politicians must understand that whatever decision made would have repercussions in the long-run and if any decision made is based solely on political consideration, then these politicians are just being selfish and not fit to occupy the higher-up for they cannot see what the future lies if a wrong decision is made.

I must stress that the use of English in the education system neither makes us less Malaysian nor disloyal to the country.

I was not surprised when  having a long conversation and discussion with two diplomatic officers from Singapore who were in the city last year to find that they speak impeccable English with confidence.

But the same cannot be said of some of our civil servants who struggle to construct even a simple grammatically correct English conversation.

But who are we to blame for this sorry state of English standard if we, for any selfish reason, object to the use of English in our education system?

The fingers of course cannot be solely pointed at politicians as we too should bear the responsibility for we all know that politicians are only concerned about getting their most treasured votes to stay in power.

I rest my case that English is the way to go.

The Borneo Post

by: Open Mind

Love does not demand anything but giving

EVEN if one has love, sometimes one fears losing it. But we should just keep giving love and respect to others. As we sow the field, we will reap the fruit.

We should internalise this practically and not just intellectually.

We do not need external force such as a show of anger. We need internal power so that we can share it with others.

Love is the spiritual magnetism that draws men together for the working of miracles.

“Ten men banded together in love” wrote Carlyle, “can do what ten thousand separately would fail in.”

When love is strong, personalities do not need to create an impact, for love itself is stunning and it illuminates the important things naturally.

When one understands that he is a traveller on this earth and that others are co-travellers and have a definite role to play, egoistic nature will turn into adjustments, understanding, co-operation and love.

When I appreciate others fully, it boosts their self-esteem and helps them pass on a loving attitude to others.

Love means so much more than lust or romance. Keep alive the greater meaning of the love we all seek. Even though I may not see the results immediately, love always works.

Recognise the love you give, and cherish the love you receive.

Thought for reflection: Through love one is able to change the negativity of the other individual.

By Famas

KAPIT: Although Kapit has a  population of about 120,000, the Health Department here has only four medical officers and a surgeon.
There is only one medical officer at the polyclinic at Beletih and three medical officers and a surgeon at the 135-bed Kapit Hospital.
Statistics reveal  that  200 to 300 patients are seeking treatment at the polyclinic daily.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Economic Planning), Larry Sng Wei Shien who is also the Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Planning), told Eastern Times that  the situation had worsened during the current economic recession.
 More patients were seeking treatment at the polyclinic and hospital  now in the first two months of the year,  compared with the same correspondending period  last year. 
Larry said he had raised the issue with the State Health Department, Kuching which had assured him that it would transfer a doctor from the Sarawak General Hospital to serve here.
“This is just a temporary measure until more doctors are trained and qualified to serve in Kapit. I understand that there is an acute shortage of doctors and surgeons throughout Sarawak.
“Nonetheless, I urge the Health Department to quickly address this issue.
“I sympathise with the existing medical staff who are working tirelessly to attend to the needs of the people. But how much can each doctor do when he or she has only two hands to spare at any one time?” said Larry.
  Kapit Member of Parliament, Alexander Nanta Linggi, has also raised the need for more doctors to serve here in the Parliament sittings.   Despite promises from the Minister of Health to look into the matter,   no concrete actions had been taken to address the pressing issue so far, he said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of SADIA (Sarawak Dayak Iban Association) Kapit branch, Edward Manggah Kendawang has called on the government, especially the Federal Ministry of Health to act immediately to fill the vacant posts of medical officers in Kapit.
He disclosed that his grandson who sought appointment at the polyclinic  March 5, was registered as early as 7.30 am.
However, he  was only attended to around noon because  there was only one doctor and hundreds of patients.
“The people of Kapit  face great inconvenience because we can’t refer our sick people to the nearest hospital like Sibu General Hospital where  there are many specialists.
“We have no road links to other towns. We have to depend on the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) for medevac (medical evacuation).
“Most of the time, the evacuation is not successful either because there is no seat or the flight is cancelled due to  unfriendly  weather,” he said.
Edward is also the Secretary of PBB (Parti Pusaka Bumiputera Bersatu) Pelagus Division, an Exco member of Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) Kapit branch and the chairman of the Consumer Association here.
“We  also want the government to get ready a helicopter to medevac   critical patients to the nearest hospital for specialist treatment in times of emergency,” he added.
Edward also talked about a critical case which happened recently.
He said the late headmaster SK Ulu Sungai Yong, Kasol Engkabi  had a  stroke and was referred to Sibu Hospital.
“The helicopter never turned up and   the patient finally reached Sibu at around 6.00 pm by express boat. He died subsequently and buried at the local cemetery on  March 3.
“This is a very sad story because the late Kasol was a very senior headmaster. If he was attended to immediately by  specialists,  his  life could have been saved.

A typical example

“This is a typical example and there are more sad stories that have occurred here,” he added.
Edward urged the government to fill up all the vacancies at the Kapit Hospital and the polyclinic so that  there was no need to   refer  patients to Sibu.
“Currently patients from Song and Belaga are sent here for referral cases.
“The problem we are facing now is the lack of doctors. The poor doctor has to work round the clock and  serves not just during office hours but on call as well. In short, he works 24 hours a day.” he said.
The chairman of Kapit Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Kho Chiaw Chai said the  services provided by the Health Ministry in Kapit was unsatisfactory because of the shortage of medical officers.
He hoped the Ministry would “distribute” the   medical officers fairly throughout the country. He said the shortage of  medical officers was acute in  the rural areas of Sarawak and Sabah. 
“In Sungai Siput, a small town near Ipoh  in Perak,  there are 11 medical officers in the hospital there,” he claimed.
Ma Tian Ho, who is  the Chairman of Kapit Tai San Ten and Kapit Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owner’s Association (KCROA), said the Kapit community had, through various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here, voiced its concern on the matter many times.
“We’ve even sent memorandums to the government. But so far, there is no action,” he said.

- God willing, I am going to serve there!

by Open Mind (The Borneo Post)

Have a big heart – be rich inside

IT is a big thing to be a real server of people, and when done well, it nourishes the heart. When the heart is used, there is a radiation outwards which touches not the heads of people but their hearts — and then they change themselves.

We don’t need any resources to serve from the heart; we just need to be rich inside. Rich means we have got space and space means an open heart.

To serve from our hearts is to give ourselves to life. Not our words, our time or our business, but ourselves. When I am generous, I will become cooperative and enable others to become virtuous through my virtues.

The more I use my specialities in this way, the more I will find them multiplying.

Full potential means our heart is open. To have a good heart is one thing, but to give of it, to create something, is a more powerful donation.

Giving is an art. Everyday I gratefully let something go, making space in my life for new ideas and experiences. Everyday I remember my own essence.

If I limit the love I give to just one or two, it will eventually halt. If I learn to create love inside my heart and silently give it to everyone I meet, love will grace every corner of my life.

Thought for reflection: The happiness, the welfare of individuals is the net result of love towards others.

By Peter Sibon

KUCHING: If you’ve ever lost your wallet and your valuable documents such as Mykad, driving licence, ATM card and credit card, don’t get emotional. It certainly won’t help.
Instead, be composed and practical. Firstly, report your loss to the nearest police station and try to recall everything you have in your wallets when you give your statement to the police. For a proper police statement you need to pay RM2 as processing fee.
After that, report to the National Registration Department (NRD) about losing your Mykad. For your information, a first offender (one who loses Mykad for the first time) will be charged RM100 plus a RM10 processing fee. A second offender will be charged RM200 and RM10 processing fee, while a third offender will be RM310 poorer.
On top of that if you prefer to look more presentable, do bring along your long suite to the NRD’s office, otherwise you have to make do with what the NRD provides.
After filling the necessary form, you will get a temporary IC. After that you would be advised when you can collect your new Mykad which would normally take one month.
Once you are done with the NRD, proceed to the Land Transport Department (JPJ) where you can renew your driving licence quite fast. Of course you will be fined, but its only RM20.
After you are done with applying for these vital documents, you will be relieved of at least RM132.
For the loss of ATM card, you will also be fined RM12, and RM50 for every credit card lost.
In all, if you are working, you need to take your off-day as the whole process will take at least a day to complete.
The moral of the story is very simple. Never take your important documents for granted. It’s not worth the time and money you have to spent.P/S:  Call and cancel your atm and credit cards beforehand.

月亮惹的禍

By Famas

EASTERN TIMES

KAPIT:  Larry Sng Wei Shien has raised up the issue of road development in Kapit Division at the closed-door Barisan Nasional leaders’ meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak yesterday morning at Hilton Hotel in Kuching.
At the meeting, it is learnt that the Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Economic Planning) cum  Assistant Industrial Development (Planning) Minister, had informed Najib that Kapit was the only division  not yet connected by road to other major towns in the state.
He told the Deputy Prime Minister that Kapit needed more infrastructure development like road and bridges as it was very inconvenient for the people to travel to the other divisions. 
Citing an example, Larry said that  patients at the Kapit hospital had to catch the early express boats if they needed urgent treatment in Sibu.
He welcomed the proposal for more infrastructure development under SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) for Kapit  and hoped that the federal government would allocate the funds quickly to implement the projects.
It  is learnt that Najib told Larry he would look into the matter as soon as he received the proposal.
He assured the people of Kapit that the federal government would improve their town’s connectivity to other major towns in the state.
A memorandum from the people of Kapit requesting for a road link from Kapit to Kanowit was handed over to the government through Kapit Member of Parliament, Alexander Nanta Linggi and to Larry himself late last year.

ye lu hua xiang suo guo tian,
guo sheng fan rong hao xian,
bin li cheng xin ling yun zhi,
fa fen ren sheng yong xiang qian.