flash back: news of the decade

As promised a month ago, I would write a post about news of the decade. So here it is…

Actually, it’s not something big but I’m just making a big fuss of it coz I think it’s something imperative, especially to those who come from JKKP UKM.

I was having class with Dr. Siti Kathom the other day, with other coursemates.

Dr was lecturing all the way and suddenly, she came up with language issue. Most of us know that bahasa Malaysia is the national language in Malaysia and also the mother tongue for the malays. Since we were young, we learned all sorts of subjects in bahasa Malaysia. But before our former PM resigned, he made a new policy i.e. to teach maths and sciences subjects in English. My batch was the first batch to receive maths and sciences lessons in English since form 4, if I’m not mistaken. Since then, I’ve been learning almost everything in English except for history, moral and some other subjects. Learning everything in English means all the exams are conducted in English as well.

I still remember that most of my lecturers in Matriculation were having hard times adapting themselves to teach in English. But they somehow manage to get through and I would say that they did quite a great job.

The same happened when I entered UKM. My batch was the first batch to learn all the subjects in English except for Tamadun Islam and some other trivial subjects. In fact, my department was the only department to learn all the major subjects in English. I would like to admit that I was quite lucky to be able to learn everything in English. I’m that kind of person who would prefer to read books and does references using internationally written reference books, those McGraw-Hill books, Wiley and etc. International book are all written in English. Thus, it’s hassle free for me to read those international books, even making preparations for exams.

Undeniably, I prefer and love to learn everything in English, as this is the situation that all of us will meet when we go to work in the future. Even during my internship now, we use English to communicate, paper works, making calls, and during meetings. We cannot deny the importance of English in everyday life.

I was quite disappointed when I was still a freshman in uni, some of the lecturers still refused to translate the notes into English. Some even said that, language is not a problem. Well, it’s not true at all! Language is a MAJOR problem, it’s a BIG problem. If language is not a problem, why would the government repeatedly insist the importance of bahasa Malaysia and repeatedly encourage us to speak in bahasa Malaysia. With all the campaigns to enforce the usage of bahasa Malaysia in our daily lives and with the mindset: hilang bahasa Malaysia, hilanglah identiti sebagai orang Malaysia. Well, this is not the main point of my story.

Dr. Siti Kathom told us the other day that our thesis must be written in Bahasa Malaysia. I was very shocked to get this information. I was furious as well.

After 4 years of education in English, our thesis (passport to graduate) must be written in bahasa malaysia. This is so absurd. What the heck! If we were to write our thesis in bahasa Malaysia, why do they change all the teaching to English in the first place???!!! This is so not fair to all the students. Some even told me that, as long as I’m in UKM, as long as I’m a Malaysian, I can never run away from bahasa Malaysia. I don’t deny my identity as a Malaysian, and I don’t hate bahasa Malaysia or whatsoever. If we were to do our final project, which is the compilation of all our knowledge since 1^st year to 4^th year in bahasa Malaysia, why do all the lecturers trouble themselves trying to adapt themselves to teach in English. What’s the point of tormenting themselves and torturing the students. This is a no-win situation.

The way Dr Siti Kathom told us, it seems to be the final decision. I am so dissatisfied. I think everything is so ridiculous. It seems like I don’t have a chance to even disagree or object this decision. It seems like I can’t complain. Even if I want to complain, who should I complain to?? I thought this is a democratic country and now I can’t even have a say. I can’t even defend myself. What the heck!

Coursemates, is this what you want? Are you satisfied with this?


Update:

Should i write a warkah to Prime Minister???
I'm so undecided...i really want to fight for this but who wants to support me???
i am thinking that i want to make some changes but if i don't do anything about this, i will change nothing in the end.
i know the lecturers' pattern, if i overdid the complaining thingy, they might kick me out of UKM or even fail my thesis...
what i need now is a troop of loyal army to fight with me...who wants to support me, please let me know asap. i'm asking help from you guys...