"No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life and breeds ill will and suspicion – it is an evil government" - Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind 1954

Undergraduates told to become creator of transformation

Daniel John Jambun

I must say I am very irritated by a little-noticed news story published in your esteemed paper last October 27, titled “Undergraduates told to become creator of transformation.” It was as a report of a speech by the Prime Minister delivered by Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein at the closing of the Prime Minister’s Trophy Debate between students of institutions of higher learning at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur on October 22.

In that speech the PM outlined five major aspects to be played by undergraduates in the country’s development, including becoming creators of transformation “instead of spreading controversies.” He said “undergraduates must become solvers instead of causing disasters besides becoming lovers of knowledge instead of becoming dream merchants.” At this point my patience ran out.

How is it possible for young people not to create controversies in the pursuit of change, in the effort to transform the Malaysian society? What if the social or political situation is so bad that they have to voice their opposition to what are being practiced? How are they going to transform society if they are just puppets trying to follow and join what is going on, for better or for worse?

And what does the PM mean by causing disasters, becoming lovers of knowledge instead of becoming dream merchants?

These are all conflicting concepts! We must all be dream merchants, selling our dreams to transform the Malaysian society into becoming a great example for other countries.

How can we be lovers of knowledge and then don’t apply them and just support the government even if it is doing a lot of things wrong? Is that causing disasters? No! That is changing a bad system, and that is the very purpose of the democratic system under a constitutional monarchy that we enjoy in Malaysia . Najib himself had said that the age when the government is supposed to know everything is over. Very often, the new generation knows what they want for their country’s future, and they want to dismantle old and outdated systems that are making our administration obsolete.

Najib also said that the young people shouldn’t “become merely vendors of empty stories just to gain sympathy in continuing the personal agendas of certain groups” and then admitted that “We all know the voice and ideas of the young generation today, particularly the undergraduates, must be taken as the best capital which will drive the country’s development.” What he seems to be saying is that students shouldn’t try to be politicians but they are the ones with the best ideas to drive the country forward. That’s another contradiction in terms.

As I see it, the ideas of the younger generation cannot be stopped or controlled by the current crop of government leaders. It’s way too late for that. The young people know what they want for their country, for their children and grandchildren and they have been too much exposed and educated through observations of developments in other countries to be so easily influenced by sweet talks from their leaders.

Najib said in the same speech, “At the very least, they can act as an effective reciprocal instrument for all the government policies and plans” which to me meant that he expect all undergraduates should reciprocate (react positively to show gratitude). This means they shouldn’t oppose or criticize. But, again, what if the policies and plans are wrong and against the interests of undergraduates like the provision in the Universities and University Colleges Act which prohibits students form becoming involved in politics?

The best way is to have the dialogues open from both sides, with the government being receptive to criticism and not just expecting support for everything it does. If the government cannot tolerate criticism from the younger generation, the country’s forward move will be stalled, and the opposition will have even more reasons to want to change the government.

Comments (5)...

written by cheekhiaw, November 13, 2011 09:37:10

Kalau nak mereka belajar buat transformasi, panggil anak2 universiti itu debat macam mana negara boleh dimusnahkan kalau dituan pencuri... ...

written by educationist, November 13, 2011 08:14:01

'..in your esteemed paper.." - one of the prostitute MSM media no less!!

Coming from Najib, what else can one expect!!

He wants to emasculate the young generation to the chains and ropes the UMNOputras have strung round the rakyat!!

Like that eunuch of his, who's the UiTM VC, he does not want the young generation to be imbued with the spirit of freedom , to question what is not right or proper but to just toe the line!! ...

written by flyer168, November 13, 2011 01:02:04

Just to share this...

"Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will.

But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others.

I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual - Thomas Jefferson

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good - Martin Luther King, Jr.

"No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life and breeds ill will and suspicion – it is an evil government" - Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind 1954

"The raison d’?tre for any nation is the rule of law, justice and freedom for the people" - John Quincy Adams:

You be the judge.

Shalom. ...

written by SoundMan, November 12, 2011 21:21:21

This Prime Minister Najib with no mandate from the people, is saying, "stick to 1+1=2 no more no less". He says, NO to thoughts, probabilities, potentials, opportunities and ideas that can transform human lives.

What Najib wants are "kwai, kwai" students, don't think beyond the rice bowl. ...

written by onnetline, November 12, 2011 20:50:53

Daniel John Jambun, it's never too late to understand or know what hypocrites or liars look like. More importantly, do you need these so called ' leaders ' to continue to represent you .. ? If not, tell your friends, family or anyone you know to vote them out .......... comes the next election !