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Wednesday 10 June 2009

English?

A bunch of politicians and self-appointed defender of Bahasa Malaysia is calling the Malaysian Rulers to rule that Maths and Science in schools must be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. They say, this is to defend the national language.

The problems starts with "Matematik dan Sains". That's Maths and Science in Bahasa Malaysia (BM). BM nowadays is nothing more than a systematic mispelt version of English. "Matematik" was Ilmu Hisab (which was probably from Arabic anyway). "Sains" use to be "Ilmu Alam". Even the word "isu" is from English. "Canggih" has long been replaced by mispelt "sofistikated" or it should be sophisticated. Other words (no pun intended): edisi (edition), kualiti (quality - used to be "mutu"), nasional (national), klinik (clinic), dokumen (document), projek (project), bajet (budget)... and the list goes on.

With so many English words in the Malay language, the language is essentially dead. That's sad. Mind you, I am all for a national language, but it must be preserved. Having it peppered with mispelt words doesn't give it any heart or soul. It's not that there are lack of words in BM that we have to borrow English words. Most words to exist in BM, but the English version just sounds better, I guess. Of course, in Science and Maths - a fair deal of words must be borrowed from "English"...

Idiots on Patrol

After suggesting to the committee here that is a good idea to have joint patrol between the residences and the police to enhance neighbourhood security, the committee has taken up the suggestion.

With one minor problem - the said patrol shall be carried out every Sunday morning at 10am.

This is the part that I go, what the eff. Why have a fixed schedule for patrol? Is there an understanding with the criminals that they will attempt crime only on Sunday morning at 10am to 11am? Fuck it. That's plain dumb. If the patrol is on every Sunday morning, criminals will just avoid our area on Sunday mornings only. Other times are fair game! Patrols must be random for them to be effective.

This is the result of amateurs trying to do a professional's job. I say, leave things to the pros, sit back and watch how it is done.