A former PM has made the suggestion that Malay translation be available for the vernacular Chinese newspaper. His logic is that although most Chinese can read Malay papers, not many Malays know what is being reported in CHinese press.
This is what was reported in malaysianInsider:
“While Chinese people understand Malay language newspapers, most Malays don’t understand the Chinese press. Sometimes when the Chinese press say something harmful, people will not get the idea because of the lack of understanding,” said Mahathir.
I find this illogical. I read 3 languages, and I do not find the Chinese papers as outright racialist as the Malay papers. To ask the Chinese papers to come out with Malay translation would not be economically feasible, unless prices are raised which will add burden to the people who read the Chinese press.
Having said that, I think it is good for department heads in civil services as well as all ministers MPs, and ADUNs to know what is being reported in vernacular press. But it is not neccessary for the Chinese/Indian papers to come out with the translation.
What is required is to have a multiracial civil service, whereby a department head who cannot understand Chinese can ask one of his staff to monitor the Chinese press and let him know the gist of what is written.
This would enable the departmental heads to know the happenings and aspirations of a big segment of populations. This applies not only to Chinese press, but Indian and English press as well ( many department head cannot understand English now ).
SO it pays to have a multiracial work force, especially for those who are in positions which influence the lives of others..
Dr. Hsu's forum 
Aug 22, 2009 @ 14:29:56
Yes! it seems to be your suggestion is good!
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 14:43:07
Dear Dr Hsu,
I think you have completely missed the point and purpose of this ex-PM comments. He said that the Malays may missed anything BAD that the vernacular press may have written, not that the Malays do not just understand Mandarin.
His agenda is completely different from what you think it is.
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 16:23:50
If most of Chinese Malaysians can read Malay, English and Chinese, why can’t the Malay Malaysians? I guess a lot of Malay Singaporeans can read and write Chinese as well, why not Malay Malaysians?
Australian PM Kevin Rudd can read and write Chinese as well. Why?
Sometime I am just amazed why such kind of question can come out from the horse’s mouth.
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 16:27:02
Dr M should himself employ a translator to tell the public what he actually means when he says something. He often says different things to different audiences, and then do different things altogether, so much so we hardly know the difference between truth and lies when it comes from him. Some call it the hallmark of a conniving (ex)politician, some just call it plain hypocrisy.
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 16:34:49
Why don’t the malays learn chinese? ….and while they are learnning chinese, why not learn english too?
Oh I forgot….UMNO doesn’t want them to be too smart!
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 16:41:09
mycuntree,
I know what Dr M is trying to hit at. That is why I said he is illogical.
My proposal for dept heads to know what is happening in communities other than Malays has nothing to do with his suggestion. I am only taking this opportunity to try to push for civil service to be multiracial as well as more understanding as to the happening in Chinese as well as Indian community.
I thought Dr M’s suggestion is so absurd and RACIST that I need not point that out.
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 16:42:10
This old goat trusts no one but himself. He doesn’t trust a translator as well.
Put it this way, if the whole Chinese papers translated into Malay word-by-word, the old goat still doesn’t trust them.
This old goat needs to learn how to TRUST people. It is best he learns Chinese himself, as he trusts no one.
Haha, I can’t read Chinese myself, but that’s not a problem.
Old goat makan cili, M rasa pedas.
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 16:57:52
Senility is creeping slowly but surely into the mamak. Some of his brain cells have denegerated result..confusion and poor judgement, often saying nonsense.
Indirectly his statement is inciting hatred and creating suspicion in the malays mind regarding chinese.
I would have expected him to touch more on issues of national harmony, development and those higher stuff. His statesmanship is questional as a former PM lacking in virtue, wisdom and diplomacy.
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 17:07:00
monk,
You like mutton? I like, but I don’t dare to slaughter goat. How?
Mutton cook with cilipadi sure yummy.
Goat makan cili, mutton rasa pedas
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 17:28:47
he can get a Chinese wife. He doesn’t trust his wife?
Allahmak, not all Chinese can read Chinese, a Chinese can read Chinese but cannot speak Malay or English. Must get a Chinese lady that can read,
1stly – Chinese
2nly – Malay and, or English
3rdly – Tamil also or Malayalee
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 17:44:59
I think frustration has set in and missing the pleasures of a newly wed. Perhaps he should think of getting married to a younger women to keep him occupied and away from the verbal garbage. Three more slots available..why not..this is acceptable in this bolehland.
I wonder at his age whether viagra would do the trick or not .. ..just like sleepy have having a good time ??
Give him a second wife, he will have peace of mind and we will have peace too!!!. Ha Ha Ha
questional =questionable
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 19:01:50
Better still, use English as working language and translate all the Malay, Chinese and Tamil dailies into English language.
It will kill 2 birds with one stone, improve the English standard of all Malaysians and ensure the all Malaysians are billingual to improve their chances of employment in private sector and outside Malaysia (especially for the younger generations who are weak in English).
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 20:12:31
To translate into Malay….but when it comes to the topic on medicine and science, there maybe problems in getting the correct words and terms.
When words are wrongly used the chinese may be accused of belittling the malay language.
When it comes to religion it is even worse and sensitive. Example “We do not believe in God”. In malay kita ta percaya kepada Allah.
Again the chinese will be accused of instigating the malays not to believe in Allah.
See the problem
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 21:08:48
Anyone can translate the below into Malay?
他妈的，这只老马又乱放屁了。
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 22:03:54
This video rocks, must see lah
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Aug 22, 2009 @ 23:14:28
Its frightening to think that our country had been run by a leader with such a shallow mentality for 22 years!
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Aug 23, 2009 @ 11:05:52
Aiyoh Dr Hsu,
The more we read his statements and the more we quote him, the more he will feel important. I said before, this is his opiom for his long and healthy life. Now he has to come out with outlandish statements to attract attention. Don’t fall into his trap. I never read his blog. I never read his statements. BOYCOTT his blog and ignore his howling…then see what happens.
This old goat is now fit for the gutter. He has no more noble principles. He is extremely senile in a very dangerous way, his mind is still very alert and he is very clever, just like an old fox. He can say and write anything detrimental to racial harmony, and no one dares or wants to charge him.
SICK SICK SICK!!!
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Aug 23, 2009 @ 11:26:53
Teng Chang Khim is one DAP leader that I admire, I respect.
Watch the video above and you will agree with me.
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Aug 23, 2009 @ 20:27:23
Problem is that UMNO is trying to close the chinese schools. But then there are those Malay parents send their children to chinese school did nothing to defend them. If they value the importance of learning another language, they should come out and say something.
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Aug 23, 2009 @ 21:01:11
Our civil service need to be more multiracial to live up with 1Malaysia concept. More capable. dedicated and commited multi racial civil service is the answer for a fair and just Malaysia
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Aug 23, 2009 @ 21:13:17
He is senile so let him continue to make himself a bloody fool.
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Aug 24, 2009 @ 11:02:43
When we have an old horse that still thinks that he can control many minds,……forget it lah ! Let him continues to run wild into oblivion soon. The current state of affairs in one way or another, part of his 22 years of rule.
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Aug 24, 2009 @ 12:00:35
Why an old horse..this is too good for him. He is erratic in behaviour and at odds in what he has being say these few years.
Old dying Donkey mah.
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Aug 24, 2009 @ 13:13:11
The stupid old horse should study Mandarin then. If millions of Malaysians of other ethnic groups can study Bahasa Malayisa, they should do the same. Hundreds of thousands Malay youngsters have studied in Chinese schools, leading an example for old horse.
Anyway, let him speak. Time is limited.
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Aug 24, 2009 @ 14:10:50
On my way down south to malacca, I stopped by a small town Sg Udang. Got into a conversation with a local chinese teacher. Found out that the chinese school here has 3 classes for std one. Total chinese students 12 only and the rest are malays and ibans.
Reason quite obvious..dedication.
It so happened there was a malay man who is working as a guard in the same school chipped it.
“”He complained to the sekolah kebangsaan closeby where his children are studying:why is it that the chinese teacher can come every day to the chinese school to give free extra classes to the malays whereas you sekolah kebangsaan cannot do as such.””
Mind you that teacher stays 20km from the school.
All the more reason why chinese schools have to be retained. Dedication is the word.
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Aug 24, 2009 @ 18:21:25
Meng. It is dedication and pride. Under today circumstance, the Chinese community placed enormous pride on the culture. Hence the teacher want to show who is better.
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 02:18:04
A True Malaysian
10years ago, i have raised to one umno pax that Mandarin must be taught to all in schools as 3rd language. He said that i was anti-establishment.
He said must daulat kan bahasa malaysia.
Now, which race in the lost seat ?
UMNO is not making the Malays tri-lingual to be competent with other races. Instead look at what TunM had to say. Yuckss!!
After 51years merdeka, most Chinese are trilingual & by today majority Malays are unilingual..even that also ROJAK BAHASA MELAYU!!
I m disgusted with UMNO’s mentality, cannot let Malays learn more languages.
They are making Malays more backwards, more stupid, more non-competent….UMNO are a bunch of liars.
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 02:23:34
A True Malaysian
When i was in Year Four 1978, i curi-curi skipped Agama Class to attend Mandarin Class next door, it was basic Mandarin, I felt the need to learn becoz most of my friends are Chinese that time. Then, i was punished for skipping Agama Class.
That was almost 30years ago, yet after one after one after one Education Minister….all are sleeping beauty.
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 15:50:15
On my visit to the Sg Udang town, I had another shock. A new prison is scheduled to be completed by this year. This prison is built closeby to housing estates, 3 schools approx 3 km away and about the same distance to the town.
What’s the reason..I don’t know….but stupid planning.
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 18:54:21
Maybe you guys don’t like the good doctor’s suggestion but please stop calling him with derogatory names. Yeah, only a Chinese is good like LKY right? Don’t call other people racists when you are racists yourselves. And for heaven’s sake, it was just a suggestion. As an ordinary citizen, I would welcome it….to check what exactly the chinese press has written …..what’s wrong with that? why must be so malicious? Are you all angels? not making any mistakes? I know exactly what’s in your mind, all of you…..RACIST BIGOTS!!!!
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 20:30:17
Dedication, commitment and hardworking is the key word for a successful Chinese school. What is the difference between a National type school and Chinese school? Paperwork and look good in surface but not substance make the difference
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 21:30:03
Nobody is an angel but at least we don’t cause so much damage to the country, corrupting the judiciary, usurping powers of the legislation and abuse of powers. Nobody said LKY is as good a Chinese except in some people’s imagination LKY had also done much bad things on his way up the power throne.
We made mistakes but we suffer through them ourselves but when someone in power make mistakes, millions suffer. That is the difference. GOT-IT? Not BI-Gots.
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 22:34:50
Good doctor? You sure? I don’t see advice on H1N1 from him. If good doctor, should be talking like “good” doctor, don’t talk rubbish…..& got sabo…..respect?
Learn from our good doctor next time.
Good doctor eat cili, good doctor rasa pedas
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Aug 25, 2009 @ 23:42:03
The “GOOD” doctor should have continue to be a good doctor instead of a politician. Privatisation still cause sufferings in this country despite he had retired to the stable.
Operation Lalang and ISA made to the fullest. Millions of Malaysians survive not out of the generosity of the so-called good doctor.
The “good” backed Toyol and now Nusjb and see what we are going through. A good government don’t need gratitude from its citizens otherwise what the hell we vote them in.
Otherwise, if you think otherwise, you need your brain wash by a “gienuine” doctor!!
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Aug 26, 2009 @ 09:24:28
Atila,
Well, one cannot ignore Chinese race is one of the most adaptable race on earth. That’s why you can see Chinese flourish all over the world.
In Malaysia context, if the policy maker wants all of us to study Tamil or whatever languages, I believe many of us can. We have proven this, as many of us Chinese Malaysians can speak and write Bahasa well, to the extent of putting native speakers to shame.
But, one thing for sure, learning an extra language swill not result in us a lesser of our original ethnic. Nothing to lose but everything to gain.
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Aug 26, 2009 @ 10:13:11
Dear Dr Hsu
Perhaps you missed something which we Chinese worship. Money.
By having it also translated in BM, the market is widened threefold. Even if not all buy our papers, the proceeds can easily be doubled.
Of course whatever racist slurs we want to keep it to ourselves so that we are not called racists, we can always forget to print the translation.
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Aug 26, 2009 @ 10:25:34
In this increasingly globalised world, every economy is interconnected together.
Instead of opening up our minds to be a global villager by studying other ppl languages and culture, it is disheartening to see the “katak bawah tempurung” attitude that is still predominant in our country’s leadership.
Of course, to the powers-that-be, in this tempurung called Bolehland, they are still King Katak, so they don’t feel anything.
Just explain to me one thing, why the average Ahmad, Ah Kau and Muthu on the street have to pay a whole year salary to buy a car, that is only worth half that in the US or Japan, who only pay a month salary for it ?
Here, a Camry is like luxury car, when in US, this is like Nissan Sunny, the typical family sedan.
Unfortunately to the rest of us, we are enslaved by these King Katak in Bolehland.
Have you seen the video interview on this Tiong King Sing ?
This kind of ppl also can get into Parliament ?
Doc Hsu, I think you would make a thousand time better MP than this guy (even that feel a bit of an insult to you, to be compared to this low-life, sorry).
Do run for election the next GE, we will vote for you, even under Gerakan’s banner.
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