There goes another of our gems.
Although I have not met Terence Gomez personally, I have read many of his works and I have tremendous, tremendous respect for him.
I agree two years is too long a time to ask for a sabbatical.
But, why not work out something like a no pay leave, or pay him only the basic salary while he goes UN-ing?
But NO!
Malaysia being Malaysia, she shoots another bird dead.
I am stunned...
Terence, I am pleased you have decided to get out of that hole.
As they say, the world is now your oyster... good luck, my friend!
See The Star article on UM academic resigns after leave rejected
Gardening, photography, food, fishing, traveling, scuba diving, life in Japan, plus of course, news and views of being away from home...
That's right. UM's loss, UN's gain.
ReplyDeleteLrong, thanks for the feedback on my comment on 'cruthes' the last time around.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, this new episode is nothing strange to me, living in this current governance of the nation.
T. Gomez's appointment is a reflection of his professionalism and competency, something that we should strive to keep ashore. Unfortunately, he's of no political use, :), hence he can be let-off.
On the aspect of international competency and stature, isn't it strange that Malaysian of bumiputra status has not been able to compete as well as the other Malaysian race? You for example, is plying your trade in Japan.
Indian, Pakistanis and Chinese (the countries, not the race) has been able to ply their trade everyone in the world. Something must be very good with their education system!
On the bumi's handicap compares to the non-bumi, maybe it's the malay medium schools are very inferior compared to the chinese medium schools? I reckoned it is, as well as the smaller scope of life of soem of the bumis.
Dear Mamat, a pleasure to hear from you again. Actually you are right, this episode is really nothing strange. There are just too many things done the 'crooked' way that I sometimes fail to understand, wondering, 'Is this the best Malaysia can do?' Your other point about the lack of competitiveness of bumiputra in the international arena... this is really very unfortunate because I personally believe any bumiputra is as capable as the next guy anywhere. There is just no exception to this game: bumiputras just have to lock horns with the best, and there is no need to look far. Start locking horns with fellow Malaysians and be the very best. Unless bumiputras want to get off midway and relax in the kampong, only catching fish when hungry in the rivers. I doubt so. The medium of instruction as I see it is merely a tool. We can go with Malay, but should have never compromised English. I cannot speak or read or converse in Mandarin. I am where I am because of English.
ReplyDeleteDear geen, thanks for your comment. Yeap, there was once a bumiputra student here who asked me to be his guarantor for the car park he was renting. He was on the Malaysian government scholarship. I said to him, you should be studying hard, and not spending the rakyat's money on buying a car. Of course, he totally ignored me and went ahead to buy the car. He is not alone. I spent six months at Southern Illinois University before transferring to Texas Tech University. I could see many such cases there too. The folly of the government lying to itself that matriculation = Form 6 is plain for all to see. I don't think such politicians last very long. People, not only non-bumis, but many a bumi, are fed-up. In my inner clique of friends, we call this phenomenon, JAMOT (Just a matter of time) case. (Actually originated from boyfriend-girlfriend relationships... Sure to koyak one, just a matter of time.) I for one, hope and believe change will come. The people will rise against these injustices, one day. I am sometimes in touch with Dr. Bakri, the surgeon in California. He is one such bumiputra I admire highly. I would say, all we need is maybe, 10% or 20% of such Dr. Bakris in Malaysia, then we may begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel... maybe I am dreaming, for now...
Yes its realy UM's loss. I am not sure whether it was true but I once heard that UM had rejcted Nobel prize winner Amartya sen's application to work here (before he won the prize). Maybe it was for the best as I am sure he won't have won it if he had worked with UM.
ReplyDeleteAdam... I read that UM rejected ex-Prof. Jomo's application for promotion to become senior professor even though three Nobel Prize winners recommended him to the UM council... sometimes I really wonder, who is pulling Malaysia's legs in her climb to rise to be an advance nation...
ReplyDeleteOn Amartya Sen's rejection, same story with that number one golf player also... imagine having 'Malaysian' residents being the number one golf player and also a Nobel Prize winner...