Rebuttals On Malay College Essay
Rebuttals on Malay College Essay
My review of Khasnor Johan’s book on Malay College drew many responses, including a rebuttal from the author in the form of a Letter to the Editor. I will re-post that letter later, pending permission from Malaysiakini.
My piece was published on many websites and chat groups of Malay College’s “old boys.” Hence the many responses, including from some very distinguished alumni. These readers were obviously new to my work as they raised the same old trite issues that my earlier readers brought up over a decade ago. That is, they questioned my competence and indeed my right to comment in view of my residing abroad. By their tone, they dismiss me as no longer “one of us.” These readers focused on my personality and other irrelevant personal matters rather than on my ideas.
Then there are those who suggested I am good at only criticizing but cannot offer constructive ideas. When I write that Malay College does not even prepare its students for university, I am also implicitly suggesting that Malay College should have Sixth Form. In my book, An Education System Worthy of Malaysia, I suggested that Malay College and other residential schools eliminate their lower forms and concentrate only on Forms IV to VI.
One responder, a very distinguished old boy, asserted that I have an ego “as big as big school,” without once commenting on the substantive issues I raised. On the point that no alum has yet to contribute generously, he pointed to the piddling efforts at restoring Mr. Norton’s old residence and the surau.
Yet this ‘old boy’ is on the board of many corporations, statutory bodies, and the college itself. His hobbies include sailing fancy yachts; he no doubt has other equally luxurious toys. To the likes of him, those meager contributions are “substantive.” I wonder whose ego is “as big as big school,” his or mine?
It will be a long time, if ever, before Malay College will get its Halim Saad Library, Megat Najmuddin Aquatic Center, or a Nawawi Effendi Orchestra.
My essay is a book review. I would have thought that many old boys would be eager to get a copy of the book. Judging from the comments, few if any, had read the book! One admitted to buying it but thus far, he has read only a few pages. Presumably, he gave up after seeing his name was not in the index!
I thank the few who engaged me on the issues. How refreshing! Some agreed with me, others did not. One suggested that it is the responsibility of all old boys to contribute in their own unique ways. I could not agree more. Reviewing the book was my minor effort at doing this.
Surprisingly, again reflecting something that I do not know exactly what, the most eloquent and solid responses were on my website rather than on the college’s chat groups.
I raised many major issues in that review; sadly, no one bothered to comment on them. Malay College, for example, is still a “glorified middle school.”
In typical Malaysian fashion, many blame the college’s woes on others, especially those bureaucrats at the Ministry. Conveniently forgotten is that many of these top officials, including former Ministers of Education Anwar Ibrahim and Musa Mohamad, are old boys. Where is the supposed clout of our alumni network?
In her rebuttal, Khasnor Johan agrees with me that the title of her book over promises. She blames the college’s old boys for the choice of the title. I have always considered a book to be the author’s baby; others may suggest, but the author gets to name it. Her blaming her sponsors is a convenient cop put.
Her excuse for not having references was that it was not an academic book. She confuses the detailed footnoting of an academic treatise to the general referencing found in popular publications. Besides, when you are quoting word for word, you are duty bound to put the necessary attribution or credit regardless whether it is a dissertation or lay essay. We learn this elementary courtesy early in high school.
To my criticism that she offers no prescription as to what ails this national heritage, Khasnor responded that it is not her place to offer any. Hers was merely to chronicle, not to analyze and prescribe. Besides, that was not the mandate given, she claims.
Yes, there is a place for mere chronicling, of simply telling the story and leaving the analyses and interpretations to readers. They call that fiction writing.
“We report, you interpret!” is the canard perpetrated upon novice journalists and writers. The reality is that we implicitly filter though our analysis and judgment what and how we report.
You do not compartmentalize your brain. Just because you are commissioned to write a book does not mean you do not bring all your skills and intellect to bear on the project. Anything less and you do not serve your client or readers well. More importantly, you do not produce your best or enhance your reputation.
December 17th, 2005 at 7:58 pm
Dear Bakri,
The reactions from MCKK alums to your frank and balanced review of the Khasnor’s book are not unexpected. They cannot accept criticisms, no matter how well intended. “The College” is sacred.
I am, however, bit surprised by Khasnor’s rebuttal in Malaysiakini.com. No mea culpa from her. I remember her during my varsity days in the early 1960s as a very serious, smart, level headed and hardworking student. She has done some pretty good work over the years to earn her keeps in academe. She is married to Dr. Harold Crouch who is a very respected researcher and an authority on contemporary Indonesian Affairs. I suppose, ego got in her way. Having read it myself on the strong recommendation of Dollah Kok Lanas (he autographed my copy!), her MCKK book is, in my view, a blemish on her record.
If we cannot reach intelligent people who can only take criticisms as attacks on their person, how can we bring about change. “Cemerlang. Gemilang and Terbilang” will remain a slogan. Maybe, that is what Imam Badawi wants. More slogans and ceremonies, the better that will be for him. Soon enough, we will be overtaken by our ASEAN friends. Singapore and Thailand are already ahead of us. In a few years, Vietnam will do better than Malaysia Boleh!
All said, we must never give this “battle of the minds”, because change will come. If we do not embrace change or plan for it, it will be forced upon us. In the end, I believe we shall overcome.
Let us get ready for another year of blog activity. We must renew our commitment to promote rational dialogue and discourse in 2006. I am counting on all our bloggers to join us. They must never be scared to disagree, because in dealing with the future, there are no right answers or perfect solutions.
Happy New Year.
December 17th, 2005 at 10:12 pm
Sdr Din,
Gold is tried by fire. If you are not gold, fire would disintegrate you. Criticism is much like fire. Criticism shines you like gold, if and only if you are gold.
Gold has been the pursuit of many in histroy and still does now. Many has been mislead by sundries of glitters and will continue to. Ability to discriminate the fake from the original will determine the future.
December 17th, 2005 at 11:14 pm
“We learn this elementary courtesy early in high school.”
Er, we do? I know my teachers told us to “buat rujukan” (even if all the rujukan were fake), but some Malaysian students (currently in places like NUS, Yale, Berkeley, etc.) have told me they never learnt to reference sources until they entered university or did their A Levels.
December 18th, 2005 at 2:03 am
Truth is multi-layered. Ego blinds us from accepting that there are other sides to the issue. No one has the monopoly of truth.
December 18th, 2005 at 5:54 am
have to agree with johnleemk. i dont think they thought us well on how to make references for essays at sekolah menengah. it was only when i did a research for my BSc recently then i knew how to properly make references.
happy new year to all. hope everybody will continue to write passionately in 06. its been amusing and fun to have read all the entries and comments, esp here at bakrimusa’s.
‘words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind’ - Rudyard Kipling - Indian born British writer
December 19th, 2005 at 11:12 am
Judging by the responses or lack thereof it seems that few people care for the future of MCKK even amongst its alumni. Sad but this is a reflection of the Malay mentality and attitude.
December 19th, 2005 at 6:12 pm
Dear Ogre,
such strong and sweeping statement … just because there’s so few response here does not account to anything .. definitely not the reflection of the “orang Melayu” mentality and attitude. where does that come from anyway?
December 19th, 2005 at 6:25 pm
Dear All:
I do get many responses, some very passionate, from the college’s alumni, but they are all directed to me personally or else posted on their various chat groups and websites.
Many took issue with my discussing such “family” issues in Malaysiakini and the open media generally. They would prefer that I discuss them internally at our alumni meetings or chat groups. I of course disagree. MCKK is a public institution, and the public has a right to know how its resources and funds are being expended.
M. Bakri Musa
December 19th, 2005 at 6:49 pm
They used to proudly display their school ties on every Wednesday. Then, to their surprise, one after another of their icons (you know who), fell in disgrace. Now they are back as commoners, hiding their identity they so proudly proclaimed!
We lost the PPM (Piala Perdana Menteri) to MC that year! I was so dissapointed that I “piak” and “suntut” the whole night long!
December 19th, 2005 at 7:03 pm
San
I had expected the old MCKK Boys will be up in arms defending their beloved institution and promising to make changes and improve MCKK and bring honor to the once highly acclaimed institution. I had also expected the MCKK old boys to start a fund raising campaign or to pledge donations and contributions to modernize MCKK and to enable the institution to recruit outstanding teachers and coaches. MCKK had given them so much and MCKK had enabled them to be who they are today. It is not a sweeping statement as even Dr M says Malays easily forget. Sometimes Malays need the shock treatment to wake them up. Barulah Melayu nak mengamuk.
December 19th, 2005 at 7:17 pm
It was not PPM but Piala Hamdan Sheikh Tahir. That night, budak STAR bertumbuk dengan budak MC dekat tangki air!
December 19th, 2005 at 9:27 pm
Ogre,
although MCKK have “melayu” in its name BUT it never was a true represenation of all the Malays students/schools … thus your sweeping statement about all Melayu ! there are many better “sekolah Melayu” than MCKK .. so keep malays attitude and mentaliy out !
December 19th, 2005 at 10:24 pm
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
My Malaysian Brothers and Friends,
With year coming to an end, you must reflect on what happened since Mr. Badawi received a huge mandate in March 2004 to govern Malaysia, particularly in the last six months of 2005.
As I see it, there is too much spin, misinformation and disinformation, and propaganda from Malaysian Officialdom these days. Your media is in cahoots with the men in the corridors of power. You, as citizens, can no longer separate fact from fiction. I hope I am wrong. But I am sure, as someone living abroad, I am confused. I see a lot of revelations of problems and wrongdoings, but not the political will to solve them.
I worry that your Government is beginning to believe its own propaganda, and will in the end begin to see it the “truth”, and will be unable to deal with reality. The Malaysian public cannot help, but be cynical these days. There is, in my view, a crisis of confidence in Malaysia as a result of information asymmetry (a more polite word for lies and deception).
As a potential investor on your stock exchange, I am waiting for clear policy directions before I put my money at risk. Why is your stock exchange underperforming, compared even to the Jakarta Stock Exchange? Why was there a substantial decline in Foreign Direct Investment?
Do you, for example, believe the girl in the infamous squat video is a 22 year old Malay, and not PRC Chinese national? Why this sudden change in the script? Do you accept the statement of the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Dato Azmi Khalid that he did not go to China to apologise to the Chinese leaders? If you do, please tell me why he and the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Dato Zahid Hamidi had go to Beijing as if the whole world is crumbling down on your country!
Do you hear anything more on the case of the IGP’s son and his “illegal” activities in Jalan Majid India? What is your Police itself up to? Some people in Kuala Lumpur believe that your Special Branch could be behind this squat incident in order to trap the Opposition. Mdm. Teresa Kok took bait and could now be in trouble for raising the alarm bell. You are now told to wait for the Report of the Independent Inquiry Panel in mid-January 2006.
If your Government cannot be relied on to speak to the truth to its own people, your former Lord President and Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Malaysian Police, who is a man of integrity, cannot do much to restore the credibility of Officialdom. You can have commissions after commissions. After all that, what?
All the talk about openness, transparency and public accountability romoted by your former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Tan Sri Musa Hitam (who has become a self serving stooge probably in desperate need of a Tunship[?]) has come to nothing. Mr. Musa is very vocal these days, especially after being given a fresh lease of political life by PM Badawi. Could this be yet another talk in an ongoing series of talk only but no action. Perhaps, Mr. Musa himself can explain his stance to you on this webblog. By the way, was he the man who Mahathir fired from office for mishandling the Memali incident in Bailing, Kedah?
Let us stop accusing Mr. George Bush of lies and deception. At least, for all his faults, Mr. Bush has gone before the American people in just 48 hours ago to say that he has made some serious mistakes over his handling of Iraq and accepted responsibility for them as President and Commander-in-Chief. That is an act of leadership.
I am sure that Americans will rally behind their President, no longer a Presidential candidate, who is now seen as human and fallible as they are. But there is no doubt in their minds that President Bush is a staunch defender and protector of American national interest and security. We may not agree with his methods. In fact, we are all outraged by his unilateral use of military force to effect regime change in Afghanistan and Iraq. But he has shown moral courage by admitting that he could be wrong, and now needs the support of Americans to see through a difficult phase in Iraq’s transition to democracy.
Can you expect your Prime Minister to go on national television to tell the Malaysian public that your economy is not doing well, that he has not done much since he took over the reins of power from the great and respected Mr. Tun Dr. Mahathir and accept responsibility? Or will Mr. Badawi rely on his spinmeisters to do the job of defending him?
For your information, your Prime Minister came to my country to ask my King Abdullah to support his Islam Hadhari. He was rebuffed. Can someone on Dr. Bakri Musa’s webblog explain Islam Hadhari to me, please? Maybe, a certain Mr. Baju can help?
December 20th, 2005 at 11:05 pm
If Khasnor had used the book for her thesis in an American University she would have been given a D for plagiarism! and perhaps sacked from the university. What is it then if she cannot give credit to her sources. But then intelligent people do give stupid responses when criticised. They will defend themselves with hollow views and opinions.
This is a common phenomenon among Malaysians - if criticised defend yourselves with all your might or attack the attacker.
For instance if I argue with an UMNO man on the failures of its leaders, he will rebut, ” The Opposition will be no better if they form the government.”
In Parliament when the opposition raises embarrassing issues, an UMNO member will most probably say, “What is your motive”, “You behave like monkeys”, “See a keling and a snake kill the Indian first”. “If you are not happy go back to your country of origin”.
Well, all these words have been uttered.
There is an inbuilt defence mechanism among leaders in the government and corporate world because they feel admission to a failure is a weakness.
Little wonder the entire system is wallowing in mud.
December 21st, 2005 at 8:16 am
enough of this MCKK rubbish. i was selected to join this ‘elite’ institution several times when i was in primary school. i did not go - preferring to attend SAHC one of the top schools in the northern part of the country.
years later i kicked a lot of MCKK asses at their own game.
enough said.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!
December 21st, 2005 at 5:11 pm
Tuan Bulat- another ultra school lover who is proud of his mediocre former school. The same goes for MCKK old boys. Keep on romancing your glorious past!
December 21st, 2005 at 7:23 pm
Hello,
I am new to bakrimusa.com. Forgive my intrusion but I’d like to share with you what I learnt when an old flame Kolej boy visited me recently.
He told me that Mdm Khasnor Johan did not write the book alone. IT WAS NOT AN OPUS she researched and wrote while on commission. She could not have done the research all by her lonesome self. Some Kolej boys say she conveniently let her name be used.
The insights in the book were from a grand old boy, a Tan Sri whose autograph appears on almost 50% of the books sold or donated. A keen writer, Tan Sri wrote most of the content.
The grand old boy, a former politician/journalist did not want to seen as glorifying his Big School. Therefore he asked Mdm Khasnor to take the credit while he did most of the work that he would have done anyway.
This, Dr Bakri accounts for the heavy bias of anecdotes coming from his time and his generation in the book.
I found the book pleasant enough to read on a weekend if all you wanted to do was put a picture of what happened in Kolej in the 50s and 60s.
The title and its teaser, “But What’s Next?” warrants a more involved mind, working hard to know what the exalted alumni of the school would do to put it still among the premier schools in the country. Leadership among the older boys (batch 50s and 60s) was good but the newer batches from Dato Nazri onwards leaves a lot to be desired.
The ‘thoroughbreds’ in KK had better wake up. Otherwise, we sisters at STF, Sri Puteri and TKC would rather look away to the MRSM boys for friendship.
December 21st, 2005 at 9:42 pm
Interested to buy Botero’s Still Life with Violin and Still Life with Lobster. Anyone has any connection with MAS?
December 22nd, 2005 at 5:43 am
yes, jambu
i am proud of my alma mater - one that has produced two prime ministers (tunku and mahathir) and many cabinet ministers, outstanding citizens and leaders in the private sector.
i am sorry you cannot find reasons to be proud of yours.
again, a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.
December 22nd, 2005 at 5:52 am
Question from our man from Riyadh (for a foreigner you show too much familiarity with Malaysian names)
“Do you, for example, believe the girl in the infamous squat video is a 22 year old Malay, and not PRC Chinese national? Why this sudden change in the script?”
The latest from the grapevine is that the woman is Indian. Do you believe? I do.
I am Mr McGoo.
December 22nd, 2005 at 6:01 am
Good thing that Munir Majid is an old boy of RMC and not the MCKK, otherwise another stain on the school’s record. Reading MGG Pillai’s e-mails on MAS, I feel really sad. These stories have been floating around for a few weeks now, but they are all the more credible now that the senators have been briefed by MAS management.
Bro. Din has been complaining about how we have been overtaken by Thailand and soon may be even Vietnam. This is not surprising as the story of MAS is very much a story of how Malaysia is run these days. What can we do about the state of affairs?
Just read the stories and weep.
http://www.mggpillai.com/sections.php3?op=viewarticle&artid=13004
http://www.mggpillai.com/sections.php3?op=viewarticle&artid=12926
December 22nd, 2005 at 7:40 am
The best education comes from ordinary schools which exposes the student to all walks of life. But with the present state of our education system, which parent of means dare to stake on our national school system. I don’t think I am far from wrong to say there’s too much political tinkering after the late 70s onwards. I shudder to imagine the divide between the elites and the common rakyat will become wider and wider in the years to come. The leaders of tomorrow who are from international schools will be so out of touch with reality. If today the divide is already bad, 10 years down the road … the poorer will get further downtrodden. There are already 2 worlds existing side by side in beautiful Malaysia. I guess all our ministers are aware of this and have their other foot in a developed country.
December 22nd, 2005 at 7:48 am
Is it by any coincidence come election year, the public exam results produce record number of straight As? States ruled by opposition such as Sabah at one time under PBS had poor exam results. But after taken over by BN, overnight there was a reversal of fortune.
December 22nd, 2005 at 5:26 pm
to that man from riyadh … …. compare to Malaysia .. Saudi Arabia has yet to allow women to vote ! This the most basic human right in the yhis century
December 22nd, 2005 at 11:54 pm
Mr Sam,
If you represent the prevailing attitude in your country, then I am justified in making my earlier comments, and also you better forget about attracting foreign investment and tourists to your country. You deserve to remain in the boondogs.
Happy New Year.
December 23rd, 2005 at 12:08 am
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mr. Magoo,
I read your newspapers, investment reviews from your broking houses and other research and rating agencies. I also visit websites like http://www.bakrimusa.com, http://www.malaysia-today.net, http://www.malaysiakini.com, and others like nizamzakaria and jeff ooi.
It is my business to know about Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region. I visited Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching quite often on business, but not since the changeover to this Mr. Badawi.
Right now, I am staying away from Malaysia because I feel your leadership is neglecting the economy. If you want to know more, please read what I wrote earlier.Don’t be like Mr. Sam. Being Mr McGoo is bad enough.
Good New Year to you.
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:48 am
Mr. Imran,
Forget about this Sam. Your concerns on Malaysia under the leadeship of the current PM are valid. As a Malaysian, I’m getting worried too. Stories of fast depleting reserves, weakening corporate balance sheets, letargic stock market, bonds defaults etc are starting to find their ways into the medias. Over the last 2 years, Malaysia’s growth has been primarily driven by private consumption aided by easy credit conditions i.e. credit cards are given freely in supermarkets and bus stops! Household debt-to-GDP is now close to 60%!
What has the current PM does? Popularity drive.
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:56 am
Spelling error - “lethargic”!
Another thing that he did good was, “blowing someone else’s candles”!
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:11 am
is there no truth in my comments … oh ..man from riyadh … who knows everything about malaysia but nothing about his own backyard …
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:14 am
and benta your worries are understandable and you think that those in power doesn’t ? come on ….
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:03 am
Dear Mr. Imran, or that man from Riyadh as sam said.
Your comments are valid and should also be a concern to Malaysians too. I believe Mr. McGoo is skeptical that you as a foreigner could be so knowledgeable about Malaysia’s affair. I am afraid he did not see the wood for the trees, so to speak, because the gist of your comment is the only thing that matters not who you are. This brings me to think that if you have not mentioned about your being from Riyadh, this will be a racial issue in Mr. McGoo’s mind. Such is the mentality of Malaysians that I wonder if the fault is the result of our education or the political system.
I have on a few occasions on business in Riyadh and Jeddah in the past. In that short period I could not have known too much about Saudi Arabia’s affair but a few websites have enlightened me a lot.
(muttawa.blogspot.com and http://www.arabnews.com/)
Islam seems to be the common ground to both countries but in almost every other aspect we are different.
I think both countries still face tremendous tasks to become a developed country based on universal values instead of religious doctrine. This is another subject for another occasion.
One thing for sure, Malaysia would love your Riyal.
Wishing you the very best for the New Year.
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:17 am
to the man from riyadh
keep up the tirade of verbal abuse. but you really dont have to act like a foreigner to get the attention you seek.
malaysians are not dumb. we can think for ourselves. by the way, the websites you frequent are the kind of websites ordinary malaysians would frequent - not the kind a foreign investor or foreign businessman would visit for information.
good try.
December 23rd, 2005 at 1:23 pm
Ahh…. why you people are shouting at each other????
Tell you what.. I think this concern about MCKK reflects the elitist nature of the blog owner, the commentatorts and unfortunately some Malaysians…
Education must be provided for all. There has to be equality in education, there should be no differentiation of receiving the quality of education in a boarding school like MCKK or a school in in Ranau, Sabah. Or in a school Tumpat, Kelantan…
And people should determine for themselves what kind of education they would like to receive, they should not be dictated by those who claim to know better or by those who think education is to feed the corporate sector and industry…
Equality, Fairnes and Freedom in Education!!!
December 23rd, 2005 at 7:14 pm
First of all, thank you Bakri for not deleting my previous post. I must admit that it is off topic, but I think that it is important to know of the bungling ways in which our most prestigious companies is run or meddled in - and by a group of people (like Munir) who are very much a product of our elitist education. Having an elitist education and after that an elitist career and lifestyle doesn’t make a person the right leader in the present competitive and fast changing global environment.
I have only worked in multi-national companies, and being in IT, worked in quite a few of them. I have seen the way blue-blooded companies are run, and how “streetfighter” types are run. It is the streetfighter types which are surviving and winning these days.
December 25th, 2005 at 9:27 pm
Dear Bakri,
Though people may agree or not you have arouse others to discuss and intiate the thinking process.
December 25th, 2005 at 9:29 pm
Dear Bakri,
Though people may agree or not you have arouse others to discuss and intiate the thinking process.
March 1st, 2006 at 12:18 am
Peace be Upon everyone,
I regret that we argue with details with what we think is fact but sadly only amounts to fiction.The very moment we forget there will always be someone somewhere that will take advantage. We are to blame for everything.
Forget about race and culture. We are often confused with what is fact and what is fiction. It was never about race and culture. We are all brothers irregardless of race and culture. That was how it started and that is how it will end.
All ideologies were put a halt to and the world was forced to follow one ideology based upon the free and open market economy created by the same people guaranteed intelligence, wealth and beauty. This country that we all love, follows this man made system that is flawed. Our great leaders have tried to re-inforce this sytem with strong fundamental values and morals based on the truth as a common ground for all.
The only problem to this “new” system is that we have an enemy. The enemy is from within, transgress race, culture etc. We have to adrress this issue and must strive to work together to conquer this “enemy” within.
“No-one will help us if we do not try to help ourselves”.
August 4th, 2006 at 8:15 am
–Rebuttals on Malay College Essay - M. Bakri Musa:
“In her rebuttal, Khasnor Johan agrees with me that the title of her book over promises. She blames the college’s old boys for the choice of the title. I have always considered a book to be the author’s baby; others may suggest, but the author gets to name it. Her blaming her sponsors is a convenient cop put.”
“Her excuse for not having references was that it was not an academic book. She confuses the detailed footnoting of an academic treatise to the general referencing found in popular publications. Besides, when you are quoting word for word, you are duty bound to put the necessary attribution or credit regardless whether it is a dissertation or lay essay. We learn this elementary courtesy early in high school.” –
Your suggestion that Khasnor Johan is somehow a lazy writer and a liar is totally absurd and proves that you missed the mood of the book and that you must know very little about the person, Khasnor Johan. Her sponsors did in fact ultimately name the book - a title she would not have chosen herself. But beyond that, to attack a person like that so baselessly is absolutely appalling and shows that you have a problem not only with the author but with MCKK in general. If you are critical of the school then say so clearly. Your attack on the author is unjustified. Surely you can appreciate the position she was in.
Furthermore, the book clearly sets its boundaries and fulfilled its mandate so your complaints - especially ones that attack the author’s integrity - are wholly unwarranted. Your criticisms seem to really be at the school and the old boys and their certain way of thinking/life but somehow you have confused your obvious disdain for sections of the alumni with the integrity of the author.
_____________________________________________________
–Din Merican Says:
“If we cannot reach intelligent people who can only take criticisms as attacks on their person, how can we bring about change.”
“I suppose, ego got in her way.”–
Sir, I beg you to demonstrate how M. Bakri Musa’s review can be interpreted in any other way but to have included a personal attack on the author.
______________________________________________________
–Libra Says:
“If Khasnor had used the book for her thesis in an American University she would have been given a D for plagiarism! and perhaps sacked from the university. What is it then if she cannot give credit to her sources. But then intelligent people do give stupid responses when criticised. They will defend themselves with hollow views and opinions.” –
Where exactly did she plagiarise? Please elaborate.
August 28th, 2006 at 1:58 am
Myra,
My attention was lately drawn to your contribution to the chat-fest that M Bakri Musa has initiated here. In it you wrote:
‘He told me that Mdm Khasnor Johan did not write the book alone. IT WAS NOT AN OPUS she researched and wrote while on commission. She could not have done the research all by her lonesome self. Some Kolej boys say she conveniently let her name be used.
The insights in the book were from a grand old boy, a Tan Sri whose autograph appears on almost 50% of the books sold or donated. A keen writer, Tan Sri wrote most of the content.’
I am astonished that you would pick up a malicious gossip and then proceed to put it in the public arena without so much as questioning its veracity. You are fortunate that I regard the extremely slanderous suggestion that I ‘conveniently’ put my name to someone else’s work as ludicrous and laughable. Even so, to imply that I lack academic honesty is defamation of character and were I to take you to court I know I will win hands down. But I am not a litigious person.
That said, not for one moment would I forget Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad’s valuable
assistance but to claim that he wrote ‘most of the content’ is outrageous. His contribution has been duly acknowledged in the book. But I am sure that even he would not view your suggestion as a compliment to him. He is his own man and doesn’t need to operate behind a woman’s skirt (or in this case sarung)! Besides, a Collegian, through and through, troubled by false modesty? That’s a new one!
I am all for open and frank discussion and for ‘initiating the thinking process,’ to quote one of the participants above, but using a forum such as this as a license to malign people is way, way out of line.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Dave
Interesting topic… I’m working in this industry myself and I don’t agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future
September 13th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Dave
Interesting topic… I’m working in this industry myself and I don’t agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future
September 13th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Dave
Interesting topic… I’m working in this industry myself and I don’t agree about this in 100%, but I added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future