By Joseph Tawie
Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian has received complaints from native parents about their children being classified as Malays in their school report cards.
According to him, the children’s “keturunan” (origin) were stated as “Melayu” instead of “Lain-Lain” (others) as practiced in the past.
“We were informed by one parent that the status cannot be changed (back) because it was already within the system and the education officer was not able to make the changes,” he said.
Sarawak PKR was also furnished with a copy of a letter inked by six concerned parents which was sent to the state teachers’ union president seeking a clarification on the matter.
“We echo the concerns of these parents because it has great implications in the future,” said Baru.
“If the status is not clarified and maintained, it can be implied that a native person, once he or she is classified as a Malay in official school documents, is a Muslim by virtue of the definition of Article 160 (of the Federal Constitution),” he added.
Article 160 states that “a Malay means a person who professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, conforms to Malay custom…”
Whereas, Article 161 on natives states that “in relation to Sarawak, a person who is a citizen and either belongs to one of the races specified in Clause (7) as indigenous to the state or is of mixed blood deriving exclusively from those races; and…”
“The races to be treated for the purposes of the definition of ‘native’ as indigenous to Sarawak are the Bukitans, Bisayahs, Dusuns, Sea Dayaks, Land Dayaks, Kadayans, Kalabit, Kayans, Kenyahs (Including Sabups and Sipengs), Kajangs (including Sekapans, Kejamans, Lahanans, Punans, Tanjongs and Kanowits), Lugats, Lisums, Malays, Melanos, Muruts, Penans, Sians, Tagals, Tabuns and Ukits.”
Meanwhile, Baru demanded that the Education Ministry launch an immediate investigation into the matter and provide an explanation.
“We are afraid that this may just be the tip of the iceberg and we would like to alert other native parents to check the status of their children before the matter becomes irreversible,” he said.
Union to raise it with ministry
When contacted, the president of Sarawak teachers’ union, William Ghani Bina said he had taken up the issue to the state deputy director of education.
“And I am going to Kuala Lumpur and on Thursday, I will discuss it with the Director-General of Education,” he said.
“For you and I this is very bad. How can a Malay go to church? How can a Malay celebrate Christmas? How can a Malay celebrate Gawai?” he asked.
He added that these children and their families ate pork as well.
“How can they be of keturunan Melayu?”
He also noted that while the documents of the children indicated that they were ‘Melayu’, their birth certificates clearly showed that their parents were ‘Christians’ (see photos).
The children go to the Temenggong Datuk Muip school in Miri.
Read also article from Malaysian insider :- Race change to Malay in Sarawak school spooks parents
So do we still keep mum on this issue? William Bina?
As said before…this could one of the reason why the education dept sent/base 2-5 west malaysian malays into the rural school!
Converting our children without our knowledge….and now they says that the can not simply change the status because its already in the system?
Comment by headhunter2million — December 3, 2010 @ 2:19 PM |
There is an update from the Education Ministry..
*PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT THE MESSENGER (ME)
UPDATED KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is unaware that the race of indigenous children has been changed to Malay in their school report cards.
Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong told FMT this was the first time he had heard of it.
He said the fault did not rest with his ministry, but the National Registration Department (NRD).
“It could not have happened under our education system, because the ministry follows the child’s birth certificate,” he said.
“Any correction to this (a child’s racial origin) must be done with the NRD, not us. This has nothing to do with the ministry. We have no right to say if you’re Malay or Chinese. We’ve no right.
“As far as I know, a child is registered based on the birth certificate, which is downloaded, or based on the system,” he added.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmt-english/politics/barisan-nasional/13584-melayu-native-kids-ministry-in-the-dark
Comment by Kate — December 2, 2010 @ 4:21 PM |
the whole malay-sia thing is a joke!!
Comment by Vir — December 2, 2010 @ 1:02 AM |
Please read the various debates for Sarawak independence in HU also other related blog pages. There is a strong feeling among many bloogers that we should get our of Malaysia. Th sooner the better!
Comment by Sarawakfreeinfoservice — December 2, 2010 @ 10:37 AM |
Now you understand lah!
Comment by Orang2bangkit — December 7, 2010 @ 5:54 PM |
It’s a lot of nonsense giving the computerization as an excuse.
Assuming it’s an honest mistake, you can’t have the National Ministry of Education computer system designed by some back shop in Kampung Attap that does not a procedure for correcting errors complete with designated authorities to execute valid change.
Problem may just be the “malas” syndrome with malicious intent!
The Malaysian Public Service is, if you need reminding, an enormous “malas” and incompetent lot heavily tinged with the corrupt mentality.
Just imagine Hishammuddin closing his eyes over the Immigration guys letting in illegal immmigrants day in an out, imprisoning illegals for years costing us millions annually. This Hisham should be shot without his pants on. Useless incompetent bugger!
Comment by Wayang Street — December 1, 2010 @ 11:37 PM |
Yeah! You are right man! No excuses. No “ahem” made the same mistake 10,000 times??- not just school reports, ID’s birth certs???
How do you explain this as a computer qliche or innocent slip of the finger on the keyboard?
Don’t tretat us like we were born yesterday!
Comment by orang2bangkit — December 2, 2010 @ 10:46 AM |
UMNO’S COLONISATION AGENDA: DAYAK RE-CLASSIFIED AS “MALAY”!
On 30 November 2010 Radio Free Sarawak broadcasted news of an extremely sensitive issue exploding in Sarawak.
It was revealed that Sarawak Dayak students are being re-classified as “Malay” in Government schools.
This shocking news is not flattering to the Dayaks and other tribal people. It is a policy of wiping out their identities. The finger automatically points at the usual suspect UMNO as there can be no other source of such a policy. All UMNO’s agenda.
It is the final step towards total colonisation and domination of the Dayak peoples .
This is an outrage, insult and mindless thing to do the Dayak peoples who have been stripped of their land wealth and disempowered by UMNO PBB BN machinations.
It must be better than Darwin’s theory. This is the instant evolution of races throwing out Darwin’s theory that live forms evolved over millions of years.
UMNO/PERKASA has been rabidly promoting its brand of Apartheid to reinforced Malay superiority by legislation together with aggressive religious proselytisation openly (in Sabah) and by stealth (imposing Islamic values on other races in Sarawak school system, as higlighted in halal food issue in Christian schools) and mass transmigration. For the sake of increasing electoral numbers the mentally warped UMNO ideologues and demagogues are ready to DEBASED themselves and go about re-classifying other races as “Malays”..
While this is laughable, we can’t help being horrified by their group mental somersaults which is to be distinguished from the rest of sane Malays. Ordinary Malays would not have dreamt of such a social re-engineering scheme. They have lived in harmony with other races for a long time especially in our country Sarawak. No one wishes to upset this harmony. But along struts UMNO. Sabah has fallen prey to its scheme and now Sarawak.
We must remind ourselves that it was this type of chauvinism that led the Nazi with similar warped thinking to start physically eliminating other races. The Japanese (descendants of the Chinese) embarked on their “holy race war” against China and killed up to 30 million Chinese from 1930s to 1945. Pogroms against Chinese have been common in Indonesia. Najib’s father Razak started the racial massacre of Chinese and Indians on May 13 1969. There is rumours that they are planning another massacre as the have been secretly purchasing and amassing weapons – in the event of losing another election.
Now UMNO is embarking on a paper genocide by re-classifying Dayaks as Malays. Even though they may not have slaughtered any Dayaks, they have caused them mental pain and anguish to be treated in such a shameful demeaning way. They did not even ask the Dayaks for their permission!
Only recently many Dayaks have talked about how the Malaysian Constitution fails to include the Dayak peoples. May be re-classifying is UMNO’s smart thinking to include Dayaks as “Malay” and avoid changing the Constitution.
Thousands upon thousands of Dayaks have patiently borne the sufferings and miseries inflicted on them by UMNO PBB BN. Most of their land and sources of food are gone, rivers ground and air polluted and environment damaged. It must be added that their traditional community life has also been destroyed and broken on a large scale because of the new colonial government’s anti-people policies.
One would therefore not be surprised that sooner or later Sarawak Dayaks may lose their patience. In 2009 in South Kalimantan their Dayak kinsfolk rose in anger against government transmigration policies and turned on the Madurese migrants. A estimated 3000 to 10,000 Madurese were killed in that mini war.
In Sarawak the only visible Malayans are the colonial occupation army sittiing pretty in their camps all round the country. If Dayaks are angry enough they may attack the camps conveniently holding up the Malay soldiers.
UMNO BN should tread extremely careful on this matter. Take it as a warning. Don’t push the Dayaks too far. You have not yet experienced their fury!
Wait and see.
All Dayaks must stand up and oppose UMNO ‘s dishonest chicanery and demand a stop to its racist game.
Comment by Abang — December 1, 2010 @ 8:44 PM |
UMNO’s subversive element is already penetrating Sabah and now Sarawak. They are found in the Education Ministry, PDRM, SPR, National Registration Department and Federal Office. Sarawakians especially the natives must be more vigilant when dealing with these sunversive elements planted by UMNO into Sarawak.
Comment by SK Subramaniam — December 2, 2010 @ 9:48 AM |
subversive..
Comment by SK Subramaniam — December 2, 2010 @ 9:49 AM |
We will be colonised by WM/BNUMNO/ by all means to the extend of whatever weapons they have…politics/ekonomi/religions/race…like Sabah PATI all get IC.They import few thousands teachers to rural areas so they can missionaries the local .My father and mother,me too renew a number of times our IC…cips wrongly religion/gender /lelaki/perempuan..so simple but .purposely on thier hidden agenda.These are white collars/proffessional” corrupted politics”..to suppress the DAYAKS. parai nuan buat kaban kitai tok?
Comment by Clarence — December 1, 2010 @ 6:59 PM |
WE ARE ALREADY COLONISED.. WAKE UP SARAWAKIANS!
The agenda has been made clear. They are taking over our Identity. Dayaks and other native people become “Malay”. Many inncoent people don’t they have been “absorbed” and if they know they may not know how to get out of it.
This is a horror sci-fi movie coming through. These aliens are taking over!
Comment by Orangkuasa — December 2, 2010 @ 10:33 AM |
I am surprised that William Mawan/Alfred Jabu/James Masing have not gone on record to say that “THIS IS IN LINE WITH SATU MALAYSIA, WE ARE TRYING TO CATEGORISED EVERYBODY UNDER ONE CATEGORY FOR ADMINSTRATION PURPOSES”
Comment by eureka — December 1, 2010 @ 2:29 PM |
Ya, why ah?
Mebbe they oni wan to kick up some nonsense, smoke screen only, mah!
Comment by bakut teh — December 1, 2010 @ 11:24 PM |
Is this helping with the coming election or a distraction . As we all know when come the 3 evils, money,politic and religion they are sensitive issues, powerful and destructive to blind side the opponent. “Divide and Conquer”.
Comment by sam — December 1, 2010 @ 1:30 PM |
I think such insensitive and arrogant UMNO BN behaviour shows lack of any respect for the Dayaks. It will actually unite all Sarawakians to vote against UMNO PBB BN.
Comment by Orang2bangkit — December 1, 2010 @ 8:53 PM |
Apparently the powers-that-be are working in collusion with the Education official to systematically increase the Malay in Sarawak for their political agenda.
In Sabah, they gave the Muslim immigrants ICs to vote in the BN.
Let’s stop these outrageous and despicable acts and return the power to the ‘rakyat’.
Comment by PH Chin — December 1, 2010 @ 12:28 PM |
Dear Friends…
This might be what we call CARELESS MISTAKE…
and this mistake CREATED by someone WHO RESPONSIBLE for the registration of that “native” kid…
This MISTAKE can’t be corrected? Simply because “IT” was already in the SO CALLED “SYSTEM”…
PLEASE….the “SYSTEM ITSELF MADE BY US…HUMAN…NOT BY GOD…so…it is changeable…
Comment by AnakIban — December 1, 2010 @ 11:31 AM |
If this is widespread – systemic, and not an isolated case involving an incompetent teacher or school administrator, then the affected parents have every right to react forcefully.
If its not widespread, but the fact that there has been many ‘mistakes’ and ‘controversies’ in the past along the issue of race and religious identity (and management thereof), suggest that this is an issue worthy of careful deliberation by the law makers.Here’s a partial list of alleged ‘mistakes’, that were no doubt ‘controversial’ then, as is now.
1. The Home Ministry appeal the Federal court judgement against banning the term ‘Allah Taala’, used in Iban and Bahasa Indonesia bibles – even though the term had been used since as far back as early 1900s
2. The case of an Iban mixed-parentage student who was disqualified as Bumiputera and could not attend UITM even though the student would be designated Bumiputera in Sarawak.
3. The case of a Sarawakian teacher who can 10-year old Basil for bring pork-’lace’ fried rice to school when supposedly there is no blanket ban on non-halal food, especially so – in Mission school. (Note however that school canteen are reputedly require to serve only halal food – presumably inclusive of schools where there is 100% non-muslim)
4. Lets not forget the Hindu temple(s) issue, which Hinduraf took up and they appear to have sustained constituency and supporters for their cause – which suggest their concerns and cause may be genuine, and not for political mileage.
5. Joseph Entulu, one of the junior minister in the Federal Government had suggested to abolish the use of the term Dayak,to collectively denote many of the native tribe in Sarawak – because the term had been used by many Malaya folks as an adjective, reserved for uncouth, uncivilized people.Many educated Iban considered it a unifying factor to group themselves with the smaller minority, as Dayak – although I would understand if not all educated Kayan,Kenyah,and Bidayuh would want to be shadowed and diluted by the Iban, in an umbrella social organization.
6. Mujah, the SADIA secretary general, rightly points out there is no mention of Iban, in the Federal Constitution. Which means, quite literally, since the Iban are not enumerated – even though the group is the largest in Sarawak, that they do not exist. And that would have long term implication, socially – if not administratively.
7. Finally, the issue of ‘Dan Lain Lain’ as the default race category in government form – is affecting every one who is not Malay,Chinese or Indians. Some would see this as a slap on their face: a demeaning categorization, a non-entity. Some people would also be sensitive about ticking their religion in government form – which like DLL, might be used to discriminate against them.
8. As if Bumiputera, which is further classified into Bumiputera Malaya and Bumiputera Sabah and Sarawak, if not literally, but at least conceptually and in the minds of ordinary folks and decision makers, is not confusing enough, the dramatic rise of Ketuanan Melayu into the Malaysian lexicon – force ordinary Malaysian to search for what that mean to themselves and their future generation.
9. Then of course, I would be remiss if I don’t mention Najib’s vacous concept of ’1Malaysia’ and compare that against DAP original ‘Bangsa Malaysia’, which later transformed into ‘Middle Malaysia’. How does the political definition of ‘self’, fuse with the sociological, cultural, and religious identity ?
10. Finally, I reckon I’m a Sarawakian first, a Malaysian second. And I suppose, in the same token – the Malaya folks would call themselve orang Melayu Malaya, orang Cina Malaya, orang India Malaya – to differentiate themselve from the country bumpkin from ‘ulu’ Sarawak. Except that, in contrast with the superiority complex of some ‘orang Malaya’, I think I have much pride in my country bumpkin origin in Sarawak.
And the point/conclusion to this post …. if any ? – is to suggest, that perhaps its best to simplify our identity, and say we are all human beings, in flesh and blood. And we would accord the same of others. The rest are just accident of birth, and upbringing. Are Malaysians ready to be emancipated global citizen, or to remain cooped up and seeking to find comfort in the bosom of race,religion etc to satisfy the individual’s existial angst ?
Comment by MERAMAT TAJAK — December 1, 2010 @ 11:15 AM |
What happens is one Dayak student is classified as Malay…and is he automatically a Muslim (as in the case in Malaysia)…then what happen if his parent cook him food with pork meat or oil, and he has brought to the school, will be punished and canned????
All these bullshit things created by UMNO and UMNO mentality…not from the Islam religion itself
Comment by Salah Satu — December 1, 2010 @ 9:32 AM |
The system can be changed because it is made by human. This is the most common excuse that they always tell. “Its the fault of the system, I cannot change it.” If he/ she cannot change it, then get someone else with the authority to change it!
And if some ministers we to tell this as a typing error, Dayak and Melayu is quite different. Unless they use other keyboard configurations. The letter D is quite far from the letter M.
Thank goodness for the strong existence of the opposition. If this were to happen 30 years ago, the government would claim this as purely surat layang.
Comment by max — December 1, 2010 @ 9:24 AM |
don’t forget what happened to the Madurese
http://www.insightnewstv.com/d54/
K
Comment by Kate — December 1, 2010 @ 5:21 AM |
*Of course it can be changed. He/she is head of the school, the register is their responsibilty, its held by them. Its they that registers each child absent or attending.Its also they who have records of each and every child’s profile. No one should mess with that profile…
…Every man, woman, and child has what we call DNA, its that — that makes us who we are. DNA does not change, cannot be changed just because we are black, white or inbetween…its *your* DNA..no one else has it…
Even if they manage to change your religeon without consent, they cannot change your DNA, you will always be Iban, Dayak etc.
It sounds like a joke but its not. If you lived in England any important forms for employment would ask you your religeon, its then put away safe in case of an accident. Should you die from any Injuries sustained in that accident then you can be buried appropriately to your religeon. We would not ask, or mark your notes as a Christian if you were a Muslim. Different burial rites for one thing.
Problem with changing a profile is, If that person dies. What if he/she was originally a Christian and someone changed him to Miuslim, then buried next day and not in the coffin?
What if the person was originally a Muslim and someone changed him to Christian. He would not go to burial the day after as he should be so he could be with Allah?
See how one should not mess with nature.
As has been said, this IS an imfringment of your human rights to *tamper* with who you are. Stand together strong and get changes made to each and every child’s records.
Be proud of who you are.
Comment by Kate — December 1, 2010 @ 5:14 AM |
The natives should bring their parang when talking to these idiots and see if what had been wronged could be corrected.
Comment by SK Subramaniam — December 2, 2010 @ 9:52 AM |
What is Bidayuh DNA ha? Is it DBNA? And Iban DNA? Nadai utai. ‘Race’ is a social construct.
Comment by Pak Bui — December 3, 2010 @ 12:43 AM |
Taiping error
Comment by ramli — November 30, 2010 @ 8:54 PM |
This is the most outrageous and shocking OBSCENE sickening thing I have ever heard of UMNO’s morbid racism so far!
I feel like vomiting!
This is an shameful infringement of our Dayak’s basic human rights to determine for ourselves who we are. UMNO wants to rub out our identity!
Now UMNO wants to re-classify Dayaks as Malays! How far it will go with its Nazi ideas?
Not even Jarkarta dares to re classify the Kalimantan Dayaks. These brothers don’t take such treatement lying down! UMNO don’t forget what happened to the Madurese who pushed the Dayaks around in Singkawan Kalimantan.
But in Sarawak we are still asleep. Land and food sources gone, rivers, soil and air polluted, our environment destroyed under the PBB UMNO BN rule.
Dayak brothers and sisters wake up from your slumbers!
Orang orang bangkit!!!
Comment by Orang2bangkit — November 30, 2010 @ 8:05 PM |
Oh my beloved people how I have cried for you, time is hastening, the leashed is getting shorter and shorter. Persecution is knocking at our door, wake up my people!!!!!!, pray, fast, come on my fellow brothers and sisters, for your children sake. WHAT? ARE STILL KEEPING QUITE, VOTE FOR CHANGE, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Teardrops — November 30, 2010 @ 6:36 PM |
SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT IN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. MUST SOLVED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING IN FUTURE. LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO CREATE A PROBLEM IN EDUCATION SYSTEM BASED ON RACE AND RELIGION. NOW WHO IS FORCING OTHERS TO THEIR BELIEVE?…ASHAME…..
Comment by RENTAP — November 30, 2010 @ 6:12 PM |
Is William Ghani Bina a Malay? Or is he always sleeping without a Datukship? Or is he just milking Royal Jelly? The last time there was a crisis in St Thomas’s School he was sleeping!
Why can’t a Malay go to Church? There are Malays worldwide who are not Muslims but Christians or Scientologists? South of the border, there non Muslim Malays, though not many. There are Malays in Malaya who are Yahudi especially those in UMNO! Why can’t Malays celebrate with their friends at Gawai or Christmas times?
Khalid Samad has gone to a Church and he is from PAS! He might not have prayed there. But he has gone into a Church.
Comment by ctzen — November 30, 2010 @ 6:08 PM |
Bro,
In this case:
Khalid Samad is born a malay into this world. He can pray in the church if he wants but when he leaves, he is still a malay. I’m sure if KS is given an opportunity to convert to other races or faith, he would not do so because he loves his original race.
Now tell me, how many Malays have gone to the church and tells the country about it? I do know Khalid Samad has (I’m proud of him). Has mahatir, najib, rosmah, muhyiddin and others done so.
For these 6 kids, they were born Christians but without their knowledge, converted to Malay when they go to school. These kids may not even been in mosque or surau in their life. Now that is called daylight robbery and I don’t think they would like very much if they grew up and knew what happened to their race.
Now there is a difference.
Comment by max — December 1, 2010 @ 10:47 AM |