Paying our Last Respect

To: The Late Mr. Lau Kim Kee

BUKIT MERTAJAM: More than 500 friends, relatives and MCA members attended the funeral of Lau Kim Kee, the father of state MCA deputy chairman Lau Chiek Tuan yesterday.
Kim Kee, 75, who died of natural causes at 8am on Friday, was survived by his wife Seah Gaik Soon, 73, four sons, a daughter and 13 grandchildren. He was laid to rest at the Berapit Chinese cemetery.

Chiek Tuan, the eldest son, described his father as a “humble and simple man who was very down to earth and patient”.
“He was a person who would not easily get angry or throw his tantrums at others. And he had never complained of any pains or aches while he was alive,” he said.

Last respect:(From left)Batu Kawan MCA division chairman Tan Lee Huat, Paya Terubong assemblyman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun, Padang Lalang assemblyman Tan Teik Cheng,State Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Lye Siew Weng and others present at the funeral yesterday.


More than 400 mourners from 168 organisations including schools, welfare bodies, Rukun Tetangga and Residents' Associations followed the funeral procession yesterday.
The cortege left the house in Taman Bukit Indah at 11am.

On Saturday, Transport Minister-cum-state MCA chairman Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy had led state MCA leaders and members to the house to pay their last respects.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, Penang chief minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and state MCA leaders were also among the over 10,000 people who paid their last respects during the five-day wake.

總會長拿督斯裏黃家定2008年新年獻詞

首先，我要恭祝全體馬來西亞人民，新年快樂，百尺竿頭，更進一步。

一國的發展，跟政府與人民的努力及關係息息相關。我國過去建國50年來能夠取得的豐碩發展成果，就是有賴於政府與人民多年來的努力、共識和緊密配合所聯手開創的。

過去的一年，國內的局勢經歷了不少的演變和挑戰，包括通貨膨脹、汽油漲價以及全球化衝擊等壓力。迎向全新的一年，只要政府和各族國民繼續秉持這種勤奮工作、有良好配合的積極性態度，在馬來西亞國民精神的大前提下，團結一致共同努力打拼，我們將能夠共同跨越和克服前方各項挑戰，打造一個更美好和發展蓬勃的明天。

過去的一年，我國也渡過了收穫不俗的一年。我國代表，在幾項國際賽事中取得優異的成績，包括羽球、壁球、舞獅、大專辯論、音樂創作等，甚至已經具備世界級競爭水準，證明我們只要發奮圖強也可以跟世界強國一爭長短。我國的宇航業也寫下歷史性的一頁，成功遣送第一名馬來西亞太空人上太空進行研究探索。

經濟領域的發展是大馬華裔所極為關注的，也對族群的生計和基本生活需求帶來廣泛性影響，各階層的人民都希望擁有穩定的工作、事業順利，生活可以過得更好。重視群眾路線的馬華，一直以來都有關注和瞭解各階層人民在各行業所面對的問題，並把這些人民的意願反映到內閣，確保政府所推行的經濟政策能夠有效帶動國家發展、符合全球化的開放制度並具有競爭力，進而讓各族國民受惠。

我深信，今年隨著第九大馬計畫底下的各項重大計畫和工程已經正在落實中，而涵蓋南馬、北馬和東海岸的經濟特區或走廊計畫也已經陸續推展，國內的經濟和投資氣氛將會逐漸改善，國內各族商家將擁有更開放的參與空間，也將吸引更多外資的注入，進而帶動國內各行業的商機和成長。

馬華將繼續在內閣爭取，改善和糾正任何已經落伍和含有針對性的封閉型經濟政策，並將平衡兼顧各族群和整體國家的經濟發展空間。在處理貧窮和赤貧問題方向，馬華也將確保政府以更宏觀的跨族群態度，協助任何面對生活壓力的各族低收入族群。

馬華將繼續推動符合華社利益的各項文化、社會及政治計畫，在政府內部發揮影響力糾正在推行策略時所出現的偏差，並不斷的促使各項政策的制定能更公平、合理地惠及全民。從1999年截至去年，在馬華的積極爭取下，政府已經批准增建了9間華小，並搬遷61間華小。這70間全新華小校舍的建築工程全數落成後，初步估計將在全國各地增加超過6萬個華小學額。

而在這新的一年，馬華將繼續爭取在華人人口密集的地區增建和搬遷更多華小，確保有興趣接受華文教育薰陶的華裔子弟們都有機會到華小就讀。另外，除了教育部例常撥款，馬華今年已經成功向中央政府申請到為數不少的特別華校發展撥款，協助有需要的華校，包括進行搬遷、擴建、修建工程，或應付緊急需要，確保各地華校的校務獲得穩建發展。

在英文教數理的考試媒介語課題方面，馬華一直堅持華社的意願，並在去年末成功爭取獲得首相的同意，批准華小以母語作答。今年馬華將繼續關注這項英文教數理制度的推行進展，並適時向教育部反映意見以作出檢討。

在大專獎貸學金方面，相比起1980及90年代每年只有幾位華裔生申請到公共服務獎學金，自2000年至今，在馬華的積極爭取下，已經有超過2，100名華裔優秀生在短短8年內獲得有關獎學金，到美國、歐洲、日本、澳洲、印度等各國著名大學就讀專業科系。

在其他政府獎貸學金包括最高元首獎學金和高等教育基金方面，我們也將繼續確保符合資格的各族優秀生都有機會獲得協助。

馬華旗下的各項獎貸學金計畫，包括來自拉曼大學、拉曼學院和自立學院的獎貸學金、張明添教育基金等，也將繼續運作協助有需要的學生完成高等教育或技職課程。

為了鼓勵更多華裔加入公共服務領域，馬華將成立一個特別秘書處，在內閣和公共服務局的配合下，爭取現有更多有能力的華裔公務員獲得升職，尤其成為高級官員；提供更多在國內大專就讀的公共服務獎學金給華裔優秀生；在中文報章刊登招聘廣告；以及到各大專進行彙報會等策略，鼓勵更多華裔大專青年成為公務員。

馬華將持續加強打造健康政治文化的決心，以其能獲得新時代華社民眾的認同與支持。馬華在接下來的日子，將繼續為廣大華社和全體大馬子民謀求更良好的生活保障，在經濟、教育、治安、文化、宗教、弱勢關懷，和新村發展等方面，繼續盡最大的努力，以務實的態度和誠懇的民族良知，發揮在政治主流的力量，並以九大政綱作為鬥爭目標，為族群和國家打造更美好的未來。

欢迎不关闭华小言论

华小困境及需求 政府应更深入了解

（北海17日讯）马青槟州分团团长黄泉益州议员对教育部长再次作出政府不会关闭华小之言论表示欢迎。

教长这一项声明，认证华小在国家的重要性以及华小在过去对国家做出的贡献。

文告中，黄泉益也希望政府在保证之余，应更深入了解及关注华校之困境及需求，包括增建华小，教育拨款，师资短缺，升学问题及奖励金申请等，均能抱着一视同仁和开明的态度解决。
他说，华小是我国教育体系中其中一项优势，因为华文教育体系及执教之教师，是中国以外，是全世界最好的。

祈望政府继续以行动来证明一切。

本文告刊登於：光华日报

勿抄捷徑 勿闖禁區

Errant biker cheats death

IT was an accident waiting to happen. The motorcyclist rode across double lines along busy Jalan Permatang Pauh in Seberang Prai to turn into a slip road with ‘No Entry’ signboards and bang! his machine collided head-on with a trailer about 50m away.

And this happened right in front of a group of reporters who were there for a press con- ference called by Bagan Jermal assemblyman Ooi Chuan Aik to highlight that 'No Entry' signboards had been erected at the spot.

Ooi was instrumental in getting the authorities to put up the signboards two weeks ago because many road users, especially motorcyclists, made illegal right turns from Jalan Permatang Pauh into the slip road to avoid having to stop at a traffic lights junction just a mere 50m away. This had resulted in many accidents occurring at the spot.
Fortunately, the 45-year-old motorcyclist in yesterday's accident only sustained minor injuries.
Trailer driver K. Elangkovan, 37, was relieved that the victim did not die as he feared the worst when the latter landed underneath the front of his vehicle.

Eyewitnesses:Ooi(second left)helping to pull the motorcycle up after the crash with a trailer.

Ooi said two to three accidents occurred monthly along the slip road which is part of the old Permatang Pauh road that is connected to Taman Kerapu.

Taman Kerapu Rukun Tetangga chairman Dr Ng Yoke Wah said some of the accidents resulted in severe injuries to the victims. He proposed that yellow lines be drawn along the 50m-long slip road and that brighter lights be installed at the junction.

Ooi said he would liaise with the relevant authorities on the proposal.

■黃泉益、鄭麗青（左三及二）與沈耀權（左一）等人視察已安裝告示牌的路口，並提醒駕駛人士勿再闖入禁區。

駕駛者愛抄捷徑 三百間屋厝路口 變車禍黑區
（檳城‧北海）駕駛人士愛抄捷徑，導致北海三百間屋厝路口成了車禍黑區。峇眼惹瑪州議員黃泉益昨早剛要苦口婆心勸導駕駛人士勿闖禁區，怎知當下就發生了一起電單車與羅里迎面相撞的車禍，這起及時的“實例”，令眾人看得紛說“太湊巧了吧？”。

違規電單車迎面撞羅里
當時，黃泉益帶領記者到上述路口巡視，希望通過媒體勸請駕駛人士勿再闖入已豎立了“嚴禁駛入”的峇東埔舊路，孰知他才發出呼吁，一輛違規電單車就在大家的眼下駛過，並直接撞向迎面而來的羅里。所幸，羅里司機眼見一輛電單車硬闖禁區迎面而來時，就已放慢速度並及時踩住了煞車擎，肇禍騎士被捲入輪胎底下，幸運的保住性命。

平均一個月內3車禍
這場車禍印證了駕駛人士，特別是電單車騎士已將峇東埔路通往浮橋的舊路視為前往三百間屋厝的“捷徑”，就因這些駕駛人士貪圖方便，造成有關路口平均在一個月內，至少發生3起車禍，甚至有騎士因此失去雙腳。由於頻密接獲當地居民的投訴，黃泉益已要求威省市政局在路口豎立了“嚴禁駛入”的告示牌，但指示牌雖已安裝了2星期，但基於人為因素，該區的車車禍至今沒有減少，令黃泉益也不禁搖頭嘆息。他希望駕駛人士，特別是電單車騎士遵守交通規則，勿再拿自己的性命開玩笑。黃泉益，峇東埔舊路雖然存在已久，但隨著峇東埔新路在70年代開闢後，這條舊路就已禁止讓駛駕人士從北海方向直接駛入，但偏偏很多駕駛者為了貪圖方便而造走不誤。
他說：“其實，從北海方向來的駕駛人士要進入三百間屋厝，可以採用一旁的峇東埔新路進入。”

伍育華：圖方便挺而走險“禁止駛入”告示牌虛設
三百間屋厝居民伍育華說，有關路口在早前就已豎立了“禁止駛入”的告示牌，雖然後來又不見了，很多駕駛人士應該都知道該路是禁止駛入，但大家卻視之為捷徑。他說，雖然該路附近有時也有警察執行任務，但他們很多時候都無視駕駛人士的犯規行動，因此才會造成一些駕駛者為貪圖方便而挺而走險。他說，由於該區目前共有逾40間小型工廠，所以每天進出三百間屋厝的車輛及電單車越來越多，只要駕駛人士不遵守交通規則，將很容易將發生車禍，特別是在天色昏暗時刻。駕駛的羅里被被違規電單車騎士迎面相撞的司機依南胡文心有餘悸的說，他當時從遠處就看到一輛電單車迎面而來，所以就已放慢速度，沒料到那輛電單車最終還是直撞向其車輪底下。

星洲日報／大北馬‧2007.12.05

Dancing for a good cause

Cute dancers:These colourfully-attired performers are among 260 pre-schoolers showcasing their talents at a dancing contest.

BENDING their knees and spreading their hands out, a group of young children got ready on stage to perform their Thai classical dance.

The group was among 260 pre-schoolers gathered at the hall of SJK (C) Chung Hwa (2) in Taman Bagan for the Seberang Prai Pre-School Dance Competition recently.

Held for the first time, 27 kindergartens in the area took part in the competition.

The children, aged between four and six years old, were dressed in various costumes. There were those dressed in pantaloons and belly button barring blouses for the Arabian dance and a group of children dressed as mime artists.

The event was organised by Bagan Jermal assemblyman Ooi Chuan Aik’s service centre.


Congatulations:Ooi(squatting)presenting the first prize to participants of Tadika Persatuan Pendidikan Akhlak Che Wee Khor.

“We have managed to collect RM3,000 and the proceeds will be given to Pusat Harian Tunas Harapan Pektas in Mak Mandin and the But-terworth branch of the National Au-tism Society of Malaysia,” said Ooi at the event.

He added that the event was also held to expose the younger children to different cultures.

“It is obvious the little children trained hard for their performances. It is important for children to perform well academically and also be active in co-curriculum activities,” he said.

The winning team of the night was the dance troupe from Tadika Persatuan Pendidikan Akhlak Che Wee Khor in Butterworth. They won the first prize of RM300.

The 18 girls and boys in the troupe performed a Chinese traditional dance titled Miracle.

Kindergarten teacher Angie Ng said: “It was not that hard to teach them the steps. The boys performed a dance using drumsticks while the girls performed the ribbon dance.

“It took us only one-and-a-half months to perfect the dance,” she said.

The kindergarten’s younger pupils also walked away with the second prize.

Under the tutelage of kindergar-ten teacher Sim Bee Kian, the children, aged four and five, performed a Japanese Doll dance.

The girls looked adorable in their fetching pink kimonos and feet en-cased in socks with Japanese slippers. The boys were dressed in flowered kimono coats and knee-length shorts.

Third prize-winner was Tadika Simpang Ampat who participants performed a dance with lighted artificial lotus flowers. The girls were dressed in cream chiffon dresses with Mongolian headdresses.

馬青四輪驅動車隊 十一月初沙巴愛國行

馬青總團四輪驅動車隊在于十一月1日至4日，在沙巴展開“建國44‧薪火堅持4X4沙巴愛國行”。
馬青總團長拿督廖中萊說，馬青對華文教育發展，不是喊口號而已，而是實際行動支持，這次在沙巴舉辦愛國行，除了宣揚愛國訊息，也是落實“馬華9大政綱”第4政綱──“強化中文教育發展”。

他在記者會說，馬華在沙巴已有15年，已在當地生根，隨著沙巴拉曼學院成立，以及各項惠及當地人民活動的推展，例如教育巡迴講座，馬華和馬青受到當地人民熱烈歡迎。

籌委會主席兼馬青副總秘書拿督蔡金星說，這是馬青總團成功完成“獨立五十‧薪火堅持4X4愛國行”后，所延續的另一個階段。“籌委會將自費到沙巴參加愛國行。車隊如同在西馬的愛國行，將沿途訪問沙巴每所獨中，並捐助3萬令吉。受惠獨中包括沙巴崇正中學、沙巴建國中學、沙巴吧巴中學、沙巴保佛中學、丹南崇正中學、斗湖巴華中學、古達培正中學、沙巴拿篤中學和山打根育源中學。


馬青副總團長兼沙巴州分團團長周國和說，這是第一次4輪驅動車隊在沙巴州，舉辦協助獨中籌款教育運動。

據估計，至少會有20輛四輪驅動車參與其盛。出席記者會者包括馬青副總團長周連瓊。
本人也參加這次的“建國44‧薪火堅持4X4沙巴愛國行”。

有更多相關活動的點點滴滴，請點擊："薪火坚持"点点滴滴
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Wishing you a Happy Deepavali

This is the favorite time of year because the Lakshmi comes alive during the Hindu holiday of Deepavali (or Diwali). Each year, around the new moon in October or November, Hindu people celebrate this Goddess of Fortune and invite Her into their homes, attempting to secure Her favors for the year to come. This year, Deepavali day falls on November 8, eve of the new moon.

Lakshmi is such a special Goddess. She’s magical, and practical. Her mate is a God and her best friend, a guy. She is a living Goddess, worshipped around the world. In these times of challenge as in all times of challenge, she can be a comfort and a healer; she brings a sense of greater fortune even in the darkest moments. She is a powerful cosmic connection; a divine female who looks like us, and offers a sense of courage, of hope, of power.

As the Hindu Goddess of Good Fortune and Beauty, she represents and is seen as the personification of abundance, prosperity, wealth, well-being and harmony. She is actively worshiped daily by millions of Hindus, and interfaith practitioners of Goddess spirituality, around the globe. Because of her popularity she is considered a universal Goddess. Yet Deepavali is her special holiday because it is a holiday of lights, and represents a sweet, soulful and prosperous time when people dress up and celebrate in the name of the Goddess of Fortune.

On the night before Deepavali Day children often light off firecrackers and sparklers, and in some parts of India, adults bang pots and pans to scare off Lakshmi’s dark sister, Alakshmi. Then women line their windows and door ways with tiny lights (deepa) that are offerings to Lakshmi, to help her find her way to their abode.

One Deepvali Day Lakshmi is honored with worship such as Homan, Abishekam and Puja. And later that day the Sarada Puja to bless account books for the year is offered, followed by a Lakhmi-Kubera Puja, to Goddess of Fortune and The God of Wealth. For two days, people participate in additional pujas and “Annakut Utsavam,” where people bring sweets to the temple or make offerings in their homes to Lakshmi and her beloved Vishnu. In the temples the food is stacked and overflowing around holy icons and the priests hand out blessed sweets to children and especially needy devotees. They are accepted gladly, in two hands, and a respectful bow of the head. People often kiss or pray over this blessed food, called prasad, before eating it and taking in the energies of the Goddess and her mate.

Lakshmi is a goddess who brings all good things to light and to life! She has one of the most colorful creation myths of all the deities in the Hindu pantheon. It is said Goddess Lakshmi was born, fully-grown, on a pink lotus that rose from the milky sea. She was immediately be-decked, be-jeweled and worshipped by the gods and sages. They prayed that she would come to their abodes, and to their worlds, for they believed that where Lakshmi is you will also find riches and fulfillment.

Three millennia later, she remains the symbol of all things fortunate, and she is a highly sought after and beloved female deity.

May The Goddess Lakshmi come to your house on Deepavali and bring ALL THE BEST to you the whole year, especially for my friends who stay in Mak Mandin, Butterworth.


p/s: This posting credited is to The Goddess Gift.