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VALENTINE’S DAY: Please understand it's not just about love
(in Letters to the Editor, NST 9th february 2012)
PAS Youth has once again called for a ban on Valentine's Day, saying the day promotes immoral activities.
The same group had called for a ban on concerts such as that by Elton John.
Such a stand on Valentine's Day is childish. The very day to express gratitude and love has been tarnished as a day to indulge in immoral activities.
Young Malaysians are mature enough to think and may celebrate the day with more meaning. Over the years, Valentine's Day, which was marketed solely to lovers, has broadened, with spouses, parents, family members and friends expressing love for each other.
The healthy progress of Valentine's Day encourages people to express gratitude to their parents.
Immoral activities happen every day. Likewise, expressions of love and gratitude can be done daily, but our Asian culture finds it difficult to express feelings, unless it is a date where everyone expresses love. Valentine's Day is the right time for Malaysians to express themselves.
Let us love each other, whether it is Valentine's Day or not.
Read more: VALENTINE’S DAY: Please understand it's not just about love - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/valentine-s-day-please-understand-it-s-not-just-about-love-1.44196#ixzz1n9rxRvtI
Promote only students who can read, write
I REFER to “8% of National Service trainees cannot read or write” (The Star, Jan 10). This is shocking and alarming, especially since Malaysia is gearing to be a developed nation. I suggest that students should not be allowed to move up to secondary school if they still cannot write or read when they are in the final year in primary school.
Just like college students who cannot pursue their degree if they do not possess a diploma, primary pupils should be asked to resit their papers or be tested in literacy before they can proceed to secondary level. On the other hand, teachers must ensure these retained students can read and write, perhaps with additional classes and transformational methods to teach them to read and write.
The Government can enrol the assistance of non-governmental organisations or volunteers to spend time and effort on additional reading and writing classes so that these students will eventually pick up the skills.
CHEW HOONG LING,
Kuala Lumpur.
Think out of the box
(in the news ::: The Star, Opinion section, November 8th, 2011)
I AM delighted to read “Health Ministry sets sights on new drivers, students as organ donors” (The Star, Nov 5). In the United States, New Zealand and Australia, stating your willingness to pledge organs in the driving licence has long been practised.
What we can do to encourage organ pledges
(in the news ::: theSun, Speak Up!, 10 Nov 2011)
WITH reference to “Bid to get new driving applicants to be organ donors” (Nov 5), I am delighted that the ministry is finally making efforts to gain more organ pledgers.
In more developed countries like the United States, New Zealand and Australia, stating your willingness to pledge organs in your driver’s licence has long been practised. A few like Spain, France, Austria, Greece, Sweden and Singapore use the opt-out system to encourage more organ donors.
Embrace our differences
(in the news ::: The Star, Opinion section, September 1st, 2009)
I REFER to “The race to 1Malaysia” (Sunday Star, Aug 30). In scrapping the “race” column in official forms, the Government is serious about the 1Malaysia concept.
I wonder what could really be achieved with the “race” field in any official forms.
Many may say that it is important for statistical purposes, but how do Sabahans and Sarawakians fill in the forms when only three major races are stated and then “Others”?
