Whatever is the decision, We will accept it

It was agreed by mutual understanding that Malaysia and Singapore will accept whatever decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague-23rd May,2008 on Pulau Batu Putih in the Johor Straits which has been a long standing and thorny issue in the diplomatic relations between the two close neighbours. "Whatever is the decision, We will accept it" -this understanding should be the key to all Malaysians and Singaporeans and its our hope that the outcome would not affect bilateral relations of the two countries.

Both countries have put their claims on the rocky outcrops which had been developed into a lighthouse for sea route navigation into straits during the colonial era to the extend that it has strained the ties for many years. Finally both sides agreed the matter should be decided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which sat last year. Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim insist that, 'No one will come to us and help us except ourselves and thus the communality between the two nations should be on the top priority list and any difference whatever they are should be left to be scored later'. He said both sides needed each other to prosper in many aspects.

It is important that to create harmonious relations, there must be trust between each other and what was committed through rule of law or through international arrangements must be respected and follow through by both nations. Malaysia and Singapore need to work together to strengthen economic and regional resilience within Asean and to ensure the Asean Charter was ratified and fully implemented.

Its our sincere hope that all Malaysians, especially the Johoreans understand the issue and respect the verdict by ICJ later in the week. No one should interpreted or misconstrue the final say in the interest of the two nations.- Khartiges

Cuepacs thanks Prime Minister

Civil servants were waiting for good news for very long - before March 8 Election. But the reality is that the PM chose the right forum to announce some of the good news. Some welcome the good news but for some, its not what they are expecting for ! Then what exactly the civil servants wanted from the government ? It it RM 2,000 (honorarium) they wanted ? The PTK exam to be abolished ? Retirement age to be extended till 60 ? An increase in housing allowance ? Critical allowances for support group ?

Those are the demands from Cuepacs forwarded to the PM and to be fair to the government, it has approved three of its six proposals. Civil servants now have a choice of opting to retire at 56 or work until they reach 58. The PM also said effective Jan1 next year, the calculation of pension would be based on a maximum of 30 years of service compared to the current 25 years. The Government also in principle agreed that parents of civil servants who had passed on without leaving behind any heir would get a lump sum of ex-gratia payment.

Expectations on a revised housing allowance was very high among the supporting group but to be fair with government, the PM said a review of the housing allowance and the absorption of contract employers as permanent staff was still being studied and would announce its decision before tabling the 2009 Budget in Parliament in August.

Cuepacs on their part had thanked the PM for approving some of the demands. What has demanded by Cuepacs, at least some of demands have been delivered by the government and now its time for all civil servants to show their commitments and dedication by working hard and increase the productivity with quality and maintained the work ethic of efficient throughout the profession of their career. - Kathirvel

Tamil Schools and the Realities

Many critics claimed that one of the many reasons why the Indians (majority of them) did not vote for the Barisan in the last election was simply because the Tamil schools issues were not handled carefully by MIC neither the government. According to MIC report, early 1950's there were 888 Tamil schools and slowly it has been reduced to 523 in numbers. At the moment, 150 Tamil schools are fully funded by government and the balance of 373 are being assisted ( bantuan modal) by government. MIC on their part claiming they have tried their best to push the government to undertaken all 523 Tamil schools to be fully funded. But the reality is that 373 Tamil schools are yet to get the fully funded status. Why this is so ?

Education Minister Hishamudin Hussein Onn said, the government willing to fund all Tamil schools provided the schools are on government land not on private land. How to solve this issue? Indian NGO's are demanding the government to solve the issue as soon as possible as its been dragging for too long. But the land issue is in the hand of State government to solve it. I think the time has come for State government to fulfill whatever promises they've made in the last election, that includes five states ruled by the Oppositions. What we need is a better understanding and coordination among State and Federal government to solve the land issue for Tamil schools.

The Indian community and Tamil schools issues are inseparable and its lying there for too long and drastic actions to be taken immediately to get the support of the community.

-Kathirvel