Lasallian Friends in Touch

FT2!!!!

2011-08-08T11:21:00.004+08:00

Hey guys,

FT 2 is just around the corner!! have you informed Isaac of your attendance yet? if not, please do so ASAP by sending an email to aisaac610@gmail.com telling him of your attendance as well as how many

Just a sneak peak at the programs in store for you for FT2 :)

Saturday morning will see FT members having fun doing ice breakers and energizers and getting to know fellow FT members from all around Malaysia :D

After that, experience Ipoh life with some Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan, where FT members can go around taking pictures, and find sumptuous meals, with a catch :D

At night, FT members will be treated to a Tayangan LaSalleCentre, followed by thought provoking questions and discussions.

The whole weekend promises to be exciting, illuminating, and FUN!

So what are you waiting for? Come for FT2!!

See you there! :D

FT Week 2

2011-07-27T15:55:00.001+08:00

Wassup folks!

Hope all is good with everyone.

Yupp, its time for FT2 and you are invited to join us.

Details as follows:

Date : 13 & 14 August, 2011

Venue : La Salle Centre, Ipoh

Theme : ‘CHILLAX’

What’s the weekend about? It’s a time to Chill, Chat, Sweat and find some food to eat. We will have time for a movie screening and some discussions that would bring some food for thought and some reflection .

So take note of the dates and join us for FT2.

If you are interested in attending, please confirm your attendance for FT2 by August 6 to Isaac :)

Ciao and see you in Ipoh on 13 August!!

Nothern Regionals 2011

2011-07-18T14:32:00.001+08:00

From the South, we move on to the North to see what our OTs have to say about the Northern Regional Lasallian Convention :)

I found it a very challenging experience. It was a good opportunity for me to test my people-skills as well as being able to communicate with people. It also gave me the opportunity to learn about what fellow Lasallians think.

I also had the chance to get to know the senior FT members better, like Jason, Kok Loong and everyone. It also gave me a better perception and view of the Lasallian mission.
-- Kenny Liew, OT

~~~~

So there I was onlining one night when suddenly I received a text message from Isaac inviting me to be the co-chairperson for the Northern Regionals along with my partner-in-crime, Kok Loong. After quickly checking dates and exchanging a few SMS-es with Kok Loong, I accepted the invite, hoping my uni wouldn't schedule any final exam papers the day after the convention (They didn't. Kok Loong wasn't so lucky though).

Being a chairperson for a convention was definitely a different experience compared to being a normal OT. While a normal OT usually only has to focus on his/her own sub-com, a chairperson needs to actively know what's going on with each and every sub-com. It was also a learning experience for me as it gave me a chance to gain a deeper understanding on how each of the sub-coms worked, especially the sub-coms that I had never had the chance to be involved in.

Being the chairperson also made me realize how relatively old I was. The Organizing Team for this year's Northern was one of the youngest I had ever seen and for a vast majority of them, it was their first time organizing a Lasallian convention. I must say that considering the youthfulness of the team, they did a impressive job organizing the convention. It was wonderful to see their dynamism and exuberance in getting the job done.

I must congratulate them for taking the step up from being delegates to being OTs and in keeping with the theme, Forward with Faith, I hope they keep the faith well into the future. Faith in themselves, faith in service, and faith in the community around them. The Lasallian faith.
-- Jason Chang, Chairperson

Southern Regionals 2011

2011-07-13T16:44:00.005+08:00

The Southern Regional Lasallian Convention this year is my very first regional in Semenanjung. It is indeed a whole different experience for me as I've taken up a different responsibility from my Regional days in Sarawak. Apart from being an OT, I was also a chairperson, and facilitator.

Facilitating was never a thing I would want to do before this. But the very reason why I've decided to be a facilitator is because I've been involved with the organizing team for a while now and I think it is time for me to try something different. Then Isaac asked Teck Peng and I if we wanted to be the chairpersons for this convention. I had no idea how I'm going to do it but I agreed with it thinking that I'm just going to move Forward with Faith.

Towards the end of the convention, I felt glad that I've been to the convention, and accepted these responsibilities. For me, it's like taking a short break from work in university to experience the positive energy of our fellow delegates, teachers as well as the OTs. I have always been glad to be involved in the Lasallian activities because these are the time for me to meet my favourite people as well as new friends. :)

-- Lovena Tay, Chairperson

For this year's Southern Regionals, I was one of the organising team members. The theme for this year's convention was quite a unique theme for me that ‘Forward with Faith’ as it involves a lot in our daily life. I learn a lot from the sessionsand it was a good theme that shows us how strong our faith is, not just for God, but with the people around us and ourselves.

It was a personal journey for me as well, as I took a more active role this year compared to last year. I am happy that the convention was a success even though there were a few hiccups along the way. This year's convention was a great convention for me as I learnt a lot. This convention is not about the culture or religion, but it is a way to show that we live in a world not just to have a wonderful life but to share with others who are in need so they can have a wonderful life too.
-- Fathimy, OT

LEAD 2011

2011-05-14T12:23:00.010+08:00

Dates for LEAD 2011 are up!!! Interested? Read on to find out more!!!

Salam Mesra kawan kawan La Salle.

Once again, LEAD is back for 2011. LEAD stands for Lasallian Expedition And Development. As per previous LEAD camps, there will be 3 LEAD camps organized this year. The camps will be held in June, July & August 2011.

Organising Team
To sign up as a LEAD OT, all you need to do is send an email to Isaac at (aisaac610@gmail.com) latest by May 20, 2011.

Requirements
12 – 15 persons are needed per camp
To attend pre-meeting with boys
To attend OT Meeting after pre-meeting with boys
To be present at the LEAD camp

Where & When

LEAD 1 : ST. GEORGE’S INSTITUTION

Date : June 17 – 19, 2011

Venue : Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar

Pre-Meeting

Date : 4 June (Saturday)

Venue : St. George’s Institution, Taiping

Time : 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

LEAD 2 : ST. MICHAEL’S INSTITUTION, IPOH

Date : 8 – 10 July, 2011

Venue : Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar

Pre-Meeting

Date : 25 June (Saturday)

Venue : La Salle Centre, Ipoh

Time : 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

LEAD 3 : ST. XAVIER’S INSTITUTION, PENANG

Date : 9 – 11 September, 2011

Venue : TBA

Pre-Meeting

Date : 15 July (Saturday)

Venue : St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang

Time : 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

Above are the details of each LEAD. Please take note of the dates.

What are the Pre-meetings :
To get to know the boys and to find out some background information about the boys. This information will help us in planning our programme and the sessions for LEAD.
We have two hours with the boys.
After meeting with the boys, the OTs will then meet to plan the LEAD programme. Therefore the meeting from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm is very necessary

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and join us in making each LEAD a success!!

La Salle Brickfield's Contribution

2011-05-08T02:44:00.007+08:00

Of their own volition and through the capable hands of their very committed teacher, La Salle Brickfields brings to the table their own version of Earth Hour-Day.

In collaboration with the Earth day celebration, I showed my students some video clips on Earth Day, a few animal planet Earth Day promotional video clips (of which I got them from Toh Shaw Shiuan from St Andrew's Muar), and then we sang some songs.

After that we had a reflection session on how we can save the world in our own might or capability. I passed around a piece of paper on which they can write their earth day pledge and give their very own 'stamp of approval' on it. It sdidn't have to be something big, it can be something that we can start to put to practice everyday.

Though only five members turned up, I personally feel that quantity is not as important as the quality that we would like to instill in our students, i.e. the sense of responsibility to our environment @ mother earth.

-- Mr. Siew Weng Keong

VOTE EARTH!!

A close up of the students' pledges

St Joseph's Kuching does their part

2011-05-01T00:21:00.004+08:00

St Joseph's Kuching does their part for Earth Hour-Day. Here's a short sharing from Lasallians Gabriel Wong and Reuben Then:

Gathering at the Park, armed with rubbish bags, ready to battle :)

We gathered at the reservoir park at 8.30a.m, with teachers, Puan Stella and Puan Freda.

After that, Nicky briefed us about what we were to do. We were then separated into smaller groups so more areas of the park can be covered quickly.

We met many people while cleaning up the park, and some of the senior citizens also praised us for the time and effort taken in cleaning the park. One of them was our very own Lasallian Brother, Brother Justin!

Personally, it felt good being able to do my part for Mother Nature. Although it wasn’t much, but it’s a belief that a small gesture goes a long way. It felt even better after some of the senior citizen who was walking there in the park approached us and complimented us for the time taken to help clean up the park.

At the end of the day, the only feeling to describe it was just AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME, and it left me wanting for more. Caring and taking care of Mother Nature should go on, instead of just the one day in conjunction of Earth Day. Peace!

--Gabriel Wong

Cleaning up balloons from a leftover party

Reuben and Peter doing their part

When I first started doing the cleaning up, I felt a bit unwilling as I have never done it before. I even questioned myself to why should I do it. But as I get into the task, something struck me and I did it with an open heart. I never knew it can be much fun especially when you have friends doing it with you, who believe in the cause for what they are doing it for. I learnt that from the worst job or task that we are asked to do, there is always something fun and positive behind it.

--Reuben Then

Aaron diving 'deep' into the mini waterfall

Group Picture!

Earth Day, the St. Andrew's way

2011-04-27T23:04:00.002+08:00

Our Lasallians from St Andrew's were the first to kick off our Earth Hour-Day programme. Below, a sharing from Tay Jian Yao

Our school in conjunction with the Earth day celebration held some activities in our school. The activities are coordinated and planned by the Lasalle Fellowship of Saint Andrew. Toh Shaw Shiuan who is the president of the Lasalle Fellowship and Tay Jian Yao its vice president collaborated with Miss Quek our teacher adviser to carry out the event.

We prepared a short clip and power point presentation regarding Earth day and about the significance of Earth Day. We showed them the importance of Earth Day and the activities that can be carried out during the event throughout the globe. We held this activity in our school lab where we displayed the clip to our Lasalle members to educate and clarify to them about the significant of earth day. After viewing the clip, our members commented about our presentation and was very delighted and interested about this activity. They also wanted to play their part in preserving Mother Nature and our beautiful world by doing simple things such as reduce pollution and recycling.

Next we also printed and pasted several articles regarding the Earth Day event on our school board. Our main objective is to encourage other students as well to do their duty as responsible citizens in conserving nature. The articles included steps and measures taken by countries and governments across the globe to protect our planet from pollution. We got these articles from various sources like the internet, magazines and others. After reading up the articles on our board, the students are also interested in our activity and promised to help to conserve nature.

In a nutshell, the activity we carried out not only had a huge impact on our fellow schoolmates but us as well. By carrying out the Earth’s Day event we had certainly acquired much beneficial and wonderful knowledge about the nature. We also learned more about our role of preserving and conserving the environment and the ecosystem

Earth Hour-Day 2011

2011-03-26T16:54:00.006+08:00

It’s Earth Hour today people!! :)

So, turn off your lights for one hour at 8:30-9:30 pm tonight!!

BUT, that’s not all, as Lasallians, let’s take that extra step. Let’s do something extra for Mother Earth.

Apart from observing Earth Hour by turning off our lights, we invite you to do something more, like helping out at a recycling centre, handing out flyers to why we should preserve the environment, hold a recycling drive, “An Inconvenient Truth” screening, and many more!

This year, it will be a month-long activity, where we will start from 26 March 2011, until 22 April 2011, which is Earth Day. During this month-long period, we have coordinators in different locations, and if you want to do something but not sure what, fret not.

Just look for the people below and you can plan forward from there :)

1. Lee Kin Onn – Melaka
2. Nicky Tay, Gabriel Wong – Sarawak
3. Dinah Wong, Sarventhan – PJ, Klang
4. Michael Cheah, Jason Chang – Penang
5. Gooi Harvey – Ipoh

6. Lovena Tay - Johor

7. Jason Tan - Seremban

Don’t worry if the region that you are from does not have any coordinators, we are still getting the list up, but you can contact Choulyin directly at choulyintan@gmail.com and she will arrange accordingly for you :)

So what you waiting for? Let’s help Mother Earth today!!

Bro. Alvaro's Letter to Young Lasallians

2011-03-24T13:53:00.005+08:00

A letter from Brother Alvaro to Young Lasallians :)

BEING A YOUNG LASALLIAN IN 2011

Many times the best way to place ourselves in the historic time in which we live is to look at the past and take advantage of the sources of wisdom of our ancestors. For that reason I would like to begin with a story attributed to American Indians.

An old tribal chief was chatting with his grandchildren about life. He told them: "There is a great struggle going on inside me...it is between two wolves! One of the wolves is wickedness, fear, anger, envy, sadness, bitterness, greed, arrogance, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride, egotism, competition, superiority. The other wolf is Kindness, Happiness, Peace, Love, Hope, Calmness, Humility, Sweetness, Generosity, Benevolence, Friendship, Empathy, Truth, Compassion and Faith.

This same struggle is happening within you and within all beings on the earth. The grandchildren thought for a minute and one of them asked the grandfather: Which of the wolves do you think will win? The chief simply replied: WHICHEVER ONE YOU FEED."

Being a young Lasallian in 2011 means to nourish the best instincts you have in your heart, but not just you personally, but in harmony and support with all those young people today who, no matter where they may be, have made their own the values of faith, fraternity-community and service that are our hallmarks. Young Lasallians – young Brothers, volunteers, former students, young teachers, students – are an important part of the Lasallian Family and they play a leading role in the Lasallian mission that we carry out in 82 countries in favor of children and young people from different races, cultures and religions. Together and by association with other Lasallians, young people feel that the mission commits them to building God's Kingdom, a Kingdom in which we can all experience what it means to be sons and daughters of God and to live as brothers and sisters. A Kingdom where creation is respected and cared for and where the poor come first and the unloved find affection and reasons to live.

This is not obvious and it never has been. English doctor Ronald Gibson began a conference on generational conflict, using these citations:

1 Our young people like luxury and they are bad-mannered, they do not pay attention to authority and they have no respect for elders. Our children today are true tyrants. They do not stand up when an older person enters a room. They talk back to their parents and they are simply bad.

2 I have no hope for the future of our country if today's youth take power tomorrow, because the young people are intolerable, insatiable, just horrible.

The first citation is from Socrates (470 -399 B.C.) and the second is from the Greek poet Hesiod (720 B.C.). There is no doubt that the struggle between the two wolves is not only an issue for today and neither is the matter of prejudice towards the young.

As I was writing this, I read in the newspaper yesterday, January 13, of the marvelous example given by a young Australian boy of 13 years of age, who drowned after refusing to be rescued before his 10 year old brother Blake, during the tremendous floods that afflicted his country at the beginning of the year. This act and many others, as well as my own experience during my trips to the different Regions of the Institute and my encounters with young people from various cultures and religions, filled with generosity, sensitive to and in solidarity towards others, wanting to fight for a world of peace and justice, make me believe firmly in young people.

In 2011 we are experiencing a curious reality. In general, young people today live for a longer period of time at home with their parents than young people did in the past. In a certain sense and in spite of various family models that have been established, the family continues to be a fundamental element, as has been confirmed, for example, in the Report of the Holy Mary Foundation on young Spaniards from 15 to 24 years of age in 2010, in which 71% of the young people surveyed think that the most important thing for them is the family and 85% of them still live with their parents. I see in this a sign of the times for us as well. The Lasallian Family should be a center of interest for young people. In it they should find incentives and service programs, they should feel that they are valued as persons, find affection and a sense of closeness, the comradeship of their school years should last beyond those years, they should open themselves to the needs of others, find answers for their concerns, grow in their spirituality, and facilitate their encounter with God. In the heart of the Lasallian Family, young people should contribute the values proper to their age, such as courage, creativity, freedom, energy, mobility, the search for adventure and their ability to be open. This is their way of participating actively in association and making the mission their own – in favor of other young people, especially the poor and the less loved. In 2011 we will celebrate, with the entire Church, World Youth Day in Madrid from August 16 to 21. The slogan for the event is: Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (cf. Colossians 2: 7). This event is also an invitation to all young Lasallian Christians to deepen their life of faith while focusing on the Lord Jesus, our teacher, brother and friend. As Saint John of the Cross said: "those who love end up resembling the beloved more and more." If we are planted in Christ, our faith will translate into a gratuitous but effective love to transform the world with the spirit of the Beatitudes. We shall also use the occasion of the World Youth Day in Madrid to have a meeting for all young Lasallians who are present, in order to share as a family, to live the communion that characterizes us and to deepen our values as members of a Church which is understood as the People of God in which we all have an important, fraternal and united mission; always attentive to the needs of the poor; committed to the fight for justice; in service of those who are last on the earth...It will also be an occasion to ask ourselves if what we have learned in our schools has translated into service, in accord with the well-known and wonderful slogan: Enter to learn, leave to serve.

On both the Church and Lasallian Family levels, young people have a special mission to respond to God's call and to commit themselves to his plan of salvation to be open to all without distinction, because what God wants is that all might be saved, as our Founder Saint John Baptist de La Salle reminded us so insistently. It is enough to recall how in the history of salvation young people have played a leading role. We can think of the young David and his friend Jonathan, in the call of Samuel, in John the Apostle and in the maiden Mary at the amazing moment of the Annunciation.

Madrid will also be the place for a longer meeting for young Lasallians from RELEM (Lasallian Region of Europe and the Mediterranean). I hope that this meeting will be for them a time of grace and that as they return to their respective countries, like the disciples of Emmaus after the encounter with the risen Jesus and following the invitation made to us by our last General Chapter, they will have eyes that are open and hearts that are burning, so that they do not stay closed in on their own small interests, but by being planted and built up in Christ, they will live an active faith in the practice of love, that they will be builders of fraternity, peace and justice. It will be a great joy for me to be able to participate in these two meetings, God willing.

Fraternally in De La Salle,

Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría Superior General

Regionals!

2011-03-15T11:50:00.000+08:00

Hey peeps,
Just a short update;

Dates for this year's Regionals are as follows:
1st-3rd April (Southern)
15th-17th April (Northern)
14th-17th March (Sabah)
4th-8th June (Sarawak)

If you're interested and would like to lend a helping hand in your respective regions, please contact Isaac at aisaac610@gmail.com for more info! :)

Earth Hour 2011 - The Lasallian Way :)

2011-02-24T10:26:00.008+08:00

“Oh no, climate change, rubbish piling up, polluted air, polluted water, chopped down trees, Mother Earth is dying. She is weeping out to you save her for her future citizens”

Save her and save yourself!

Take down these dates and do something for the earth and yourselves before it is too late!

26 March 2011 and 22 April 2011.

Important dates for Mother Earth.

Want to help her?

Here's your chance to do so!

26 March 2011 - Earth Hour, a global initiative whereby people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour at 8:30 pm in an effort to take a stand against climate change.

22 April 2011 – Earth Day, founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment.

Come on Lasallians, let’s take an extra step, take the lead by not only turning of the lights for an hour and just preach awareness about Earth Day.

Let’s live it!

We are inviting you, Lasallians to reach out to your community and go the extra mile by coming up with creative ideas to save mother earth and have FUN in the process! Are you up for the challenge?

We are looking for volunteers from each school to come up and be coordinators for Earth Hour, and Earth Day. Within this one month stretch, we invite you to come up with creative and fun ideas on how you can help the environment, and execute it. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it can be just a clean up of a park, or helping sort out items at a recycling centre. And don’t you worry; we will guide you along the way! =) It would be wonderful to have one coordinator for each school. If anyone is interested do send an email to Choulyin at choulyintan@gmail.com and we will guide you from there!!!!

COME AND BE PART OF THE GREEN SQUAD!!!

PS The Children - Workshop on Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

2011-02-11T12:48:00.004+08:00

Click on image for larger view

Let Tsu Chong know if you're interested to come, or just leave a comment. Deadline: Next Wednesday 16 Feb 12.00pm.

No worries on registration fees, we can find ways to raise fund.

More Photographs from FT 1!

2011-01-28T04:01:00.004+08:00

Courtesy of Soon Heng and Rinesh.

Learning about technical aspects of photography from Br Matt.

'If you don't have a tripod, borrow someone's shoulder!' (someone like Debra)

Deviating from the task at hand - from taking pictures to posing for pictures! (except for Pui Yi and Marveen - note the ever-ready cameras in hand)

Sealing the ballot box with magic tape.

Br Vincent lighting the flame of the Malaysian Lasallian Formation Team.

Swearing-in ceremony.

"We, the members of the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commission pledge to give our...". To find out more, do come for FT Weekend 1 next year. =)

Choulyew, Choulyee and Choulyin spreading some family love to Dinah, Terry and Siew Wei.

Yes, Lasallians like to pose.

La Salle Petaling Jaya alumni meeting missing one kaki (Mr. Liow Kok Loong)!

One big happy (and hardworking!) family.

New Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commissioners!

2011-01-22T23:36:00.002+08:00

Congratulations to Aaron Chan, Siew Wei, Choulyin, and Vincent Ooi for being elected into the MLYC for 2011-2013!

The FT looks forward to working with the new commissioners.

Also a big thank you to Isaac, Pui Yi, and Tsu Chong for a job well done in 2009-2011! Kudos!

...and Now, Moving Forward with an account of the FT Weekend 1, 2011 and a new MLYC !

2011-01-19T04:43:00.011+08:00

Here's what happened through the lenses of Mark Low:

Formation Team Weekend 1(FT Weekend 1) had just came and gone. It was a totally new and different experience for many of us. This FT Weekend 1’s theme was 'The Art and Science of Photography'. Photographs can express many things because it gives an individual a perception in just about anything and having good photography skills could come in handy anytime in the future. In addition to that, this FT Weekend 1 was also the 4th appointment of the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commissioners.

Like every other gathering, no matter whether it is a FT Weekend or not, we enjoy the company of our friends as some of us have not seen each other in awhile. FT Weekend 1 did teach us about the trick and trade of photography, however, I felt the most important part was having a gathering with all our friends there to enjoy, have fun and unwind for the weekend.

Brother Matt conducted the sessions as he has a rich background and experience in photography that he could share with us. We found it very helpful as before this, we never knew how to operate such sophisticated cameras. After that, we had games before moving into the more serious part of the FT Weekend, that is the elections of the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commission and the amendments of the Constitution.

It was an enjoying weekend for many of us, a break from the reality of our daily lives, away from all the unnecessary stress. We really learnt how to use the camera to capture a perfect picture so that we could keep memories and not forget them. FT Weekend 1 was certainly one of the weekends that we will remember for a long time.

-----@------

The sessions on photography ended with an outdoor assignment - to choose a theme and to capture photos that reflect the theme. Here are Jeremy and Pui Yi's photographs from the outdoor adventure. They're still not sure if these are good photos or not. Care to guess the theme?

..and a few more people share about activities in the previous year...

2011-01-19T04:22:00.005+08:00

It has been been four years since i started getting involved in the Lasallian youth movement in Malaysia. Being involved in the whole process, beginning as a delegate for both the regional and the national convention, followed by the self development phase as a formation team member, and then the volunteering work as an organising team member for the various regionals and even nationals has taught me a great deal which i wish to share with others.

I finally got that opportunity when i was invited to be a facilitator for the regional convention. It came as a surprise to me because i never pictured myself as a facilitator, probably because i was having a lot of fun being an OT and never thought of myself being experienced enough to facilitate a session for the regional conventions.

Me, being my optimistic self, took up the challenge and till today i am glad i did so. The moment i took up the responsibility of being a facilitator, i realised that this is going to be a new phase in my lasallian journey of self discovery and i was right.

The whole facilitaion process starting from the moment of the facilitation workshop till the actual session was filled with challenges. It was all very new to me. During the whole process i realised that being a facilitator is not easy. All this while i had this picture in my head that facilitating a session was a walk in the park and that sending the message across to the delegate was easy, but i finally saw the big picture.

The whole process of facilitating is to put ourselves in the shoes of the delegates, as well as experimenting with new methods of passing on a message in order to make the convention memorable. Throughout the workshops i learnt new methods and witness old ones.

It was a real eye opener for me. I dare to say that after the facilitation experience i have become a more serious person in terms of my mindset and the way i look at things. I'm lucky to experience for myself the other side of lasallian work, the serious side. In short, the whole facilitation experience has been a memorable one and i hope that in the future i will be given more such opportunities.

- Soon Heng -

Wai Hin felt that the Conference on Education Malaysia "was one good, cekap experience for me and I'm glad that I am part of this event. I was put in charge of the AVA system. It was a good experience as I really learnt a lot from this event. To be honest, this was my first time going for a conference. The preparation and the whole process was totally different from organizing camps and events. I was lucky that I was put in charge of AVA as I could witness the conference. I was able to listen and the topic of the conference related to me as a student! The topics were interesting and the issues that were raise on during the discussions were insightful. I was excited about it. Yeah, I am very glad that I was part of the team. Thank you."

Rinesh shares that...

Knowing our rights would allow everyone to live equally. Often we hear about students' rights, workers' rights, human rights etc, but did you know children have their rights too?

YEAP THEY DO.

I bet you all didnt know about this when you were growing up? Perhaps it was what some parents do best - to not educate children about the 42 Articles in The Convention on the Rights of the Child as drafted out by UNICEF, so that we would grow up as healthy, obedient Malaysians. =)

After several meetings and a workshop within the past few months, i was astonished to know that children have rights too! And currently, a group of dynamic and enthusiastic Lasallians headed by our dear commissioners and programmes coordinator are working on workshops to educate not only Lasallians and the public, but also kids on the existence of these articles.

PS: did you know Corporal Punishment (Caning, Pinching, Jentik-ing, etc) is against children's rights as it is considered ABUSE?

A few more reports on LDOPP...

2011-01-19T04:03:00.003+08:00

Colour-blind

Reuben Then from St Joseph's School, Sarawak shares:

With the theme above, the Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace (LDOPP) was held at the St Joseph’s Secondary School, Kuching on the 14^th and 15^th October 2010. More than 1000 students and teachers, from both morning and afternoon session, took part in this annual activity.

The organizing committee of this activity was lead by me, assisted by others to ensure the activity ran smoothly. Guiding us were Madam Stella Caroline and Madam Ruby Erie, the SJS Lasallian Society Teacher Advisors.

This year’s theme focused on racism that’s happening around the world and in Malaysia. Students and teachers were told of the negative effects of racism to everyone and how we can stop racism during a speech at the school’s weekly assembly. It was stressed that we should follow Saint John Baptist de La Salle – we should be colour-blind and do not discriminate others.

A simple and short video clip was shown and this impacted most of the students and teachers strongly on the effects of racism. A mini-exhibition was also set up, showing pictures and articles of racism that’s happening around the world, both past and present.

Some photos from St Francis' Institution showing their LDOPP programme that consisted of video presentations, discussions and universal prayers for peace:

Another thought on 20th NLLC 2010

2010-12-31T05:01:00.004+08:00

I am really thankful to be given the chance to experience another NLLC but this time as a part of the organizing team. I have to say that it is a different experience altogether from being a delegate but it is one that I will hold close to my heart.

It didn’t matter to me having extra responsibilities this time around. The fact that this was my first time as an OT as well made my experience even more meaningful. I enjoyed every moment of it and it gave me such a clear reminder of how things were done at La Salle Centre.

To me this group of OT’s really worked hard for each other, shared one another’s burden and gave their all with very little to complain about. It didn’t matter to them that I was new or inexperienced but they took me in and I instantly felt a sense of belonging even from the start of the first OT meet.

We were all made up of Lasallians from different schools, different backgrounds and from all across the country and it's always going to be inspiring for me to be given the chance to work with such incredible individuals, with each of us willing to contribute in any way we can.

This year’s theme “Forward with Faith” gave me a real different view on spirituality as a Lasallian and it really challenged me to look deeper into myself and my beliefs. It’s been a really emotional journey for me but a meaningful one at that.

It has been a privilege working with such a group and although I still have much to learn I will look forward towards continuing my journey just as I enjoyed my time as an OT in Nationals.

-Leroy-

Reflections on 20th NLLC 2010

2010-12-31T04:57:00.003+08:00

NLLC - the news that you're invited to participate in this convention is indeed exhilarating and exciting. For me, I had the same feelings when I knew that I was invited to help out as an organizing team member. I had mixed feelings too, as this will be my second year as an OT and I felt that there were expectations for me to be like Superman. Anyhow, that feeling was all gone when I replied yes and I have no regrets towards that decision.

From the planning and the actual convention, every moment has made an impact in my heart, although the amount of lame jokes throughout the convention was quite extreme. I felt that it is an honour for me to meet new people and too see old friends. It is very refreshing and inspiring to see the passion and the motivation in everyone. Listening to the sessions and the stories shared also made me remember the Lasallian mission and the reason behind the need for service.

One of the delegates asked me why I wanted to be an OT, and I actually took some time to respond. After putting some thought in it, I feel that it is a learning process for me. It is a break from the daily routine that I have in campus where life is very self-centered. All the laughter and tears in the convention made me grow to be a better person within my circle of friends, family and society (I hope).

-KOK LOONG-

La Salle PJ - 2nd year of LDOPP while St Andrew's School takes a baby step!

2010-12-31T01:57:00.005+08:00

From SMK La Salle, PJ, we conducted two projects. One was preparing a poster and the other was doing up the Heritage Notice Board in the Lecture Hall.

For the poster, all of us from Regionals planned the sketch and design of the poster and stuck the poster in front of the Porch's Corridor. The same thing was carried out for the Heritage Notice Board. For this, we chose stories, information and pictures for everyone to read.

One of the good part about this project was that we managed to complete it before the school session ended. We were late and it was difficult to arrange a meeting with Pn. Vasu, our principal, to discuss. Therefore, we were glad and happy to finish it at our time of goal. In addition, we also had good and co-operative teachers who lent a helping hand and supported us all the way. We also had the wondrous and warm support from our fellow members.

Although we couldn’t continue and proceed with other projects, we did feel good and blessed to be the ones to carry out these two. Since the school’s management is happy to create awareness about the various, good themes the Regional Convention team brings in every year through LDOPP, I think we should continue doing LDOPP projects in the many more years to come. This would simply be the way of changing the world, and making it a better place, just like our role model St. John Baptist de La Salle.

And we have a few pictures of a screening from St Andrews...

St Anthony's join the fray...

2010-12-31T01:53:00.003+08:00

Eng Heng writes:

COLOUR-BLINDness is the inability to distinguish specific colours from others. But in a wider sense, we all need to be COLOUR-BLIND. We live in a world of many races, religions and creeds. But our differences are meant to be embraced and celebrated, rather than to discriminate and alienate. Human history is marred by various instances of horrific racial violence that jolts us and makes us wonder why.

In conjunction with the International Day of Prayers for Peace (LDOPP), the Lasallian Board of SMK Saint Anthony held an essay writing competition which is divided into 3 categories:

i) Category 1 (Form 1 and 2)

ii) Category 2 (Form 3 and 4)

iii) Category 3 (Form 5 and 6)

The titles for the essay writing competition are as follows:

i) The Colours of Malaysia

ii) I am Malaysian and proud to be one

iii) Diversified Unity

iv) Equality among Races

Besides essay writing competition, we decorated our heritage wall which is located just beside the stairs so that all the students can have a look at it. We decorated it with articles and pictures which provided by the La Salle centre.

This year, SMK Saint Anthony for the first time successfully held LDOPP. It was not a huge success but it’s the sincerity and the hardwork that meant the most. I hope next year we will organise a better LDOPP.

And here's an insightful piece from Jason Ng Kin Kit:

I am Malaysian and Proud to be One

With Malaysia celebrating its 53^rd year of independence, it gets one to think. Looking at the fact that celebrations tend to get less and less interesting as years pass, one may observe that school children have far less enthusiasm as the generation progresses, and during occasions such as this, sometimes more than half of the student body doesn’t even bother showing up.

I remember how I was forced to pay a dollar and twenty cents for a flag that’s stitches came undone even before I had the chance to wave it. Has patriotism really been reduced to merely waving a flag to a song that’s lyrics we don’t see a reason why we should remember? Has patriotism really been reduced to merely giving long meaningless speeches that seem to be trying to implement a sense of unity within its audience? Is this the true depiction of independence? Is this how we honor those who fought for it? Hardly.

Despite all that, a deep sense of belonging managed to creep up and out somewhere from within. A quiet yet very real sense of pride to be where I am. To be here, on earth, at this particular spot, HERE, in Malaysia. And as I look around me, no single individual being the same; not in looks, not in color, not in character, not in race or beliefs.

Yet something within blinds me to all differences and compels me to love. And like a gush of fresh air that hit me out of nowhere, awakened my spirit, and for a moment there I felt a true taste of freedom. Freedom from hatred, from prejudice, from bitterness and intolerance. Yes, it is an uphill task, and a constant struggle, a battle that we are so close to losing but let me tell you is every bit worth fighting for.

For in all the complexities of how a nation stands as one, the strive for unity boils down to one simple reason. This is MY country. MY people. If I don’t love it, fight for it, who will?

I am Malaysian. Aren’t you one too?

Next up, St Xavier's Institution!

2010-12-31T01:44:00.003+08:00

Daryl Cheah shares:

Lasallian Day of Prayer for Peace, otherwise known as LDOPP was tasked to us by La Salle Centre, Ipoh. Our theme this year is “Colourblind”. Our activities were selling of button badges, setting up a booth, giving a speech to the students and setting up of peace wall. The duration was a one month period from 24^th September till 21^st October.

The project started out with a speech given by Teh Jia Wei to the students during our Friday school assembly regarding our topics and activities that were about to be carried out.

During the 27^th of October, a peace wall was decorated along our schools ping pong court with articles on peace and was revealed to the students on the 28^th of September. It stayed up till the 21^st of October.

After that, on the 4^th of October, we prepared sweets with tags containing quotes that show colour-blindness, as well as peace quotes, to be given out during the 1^st and 2^nd recess.

A canvas was prepared for students who supported our cause to sign and put hand prints on it.

On the 15^th of October our fourth and final activity was selling of Button Badges. The button badges were sold out fast. We earned a total of RM 120.00. The money will be donated to the La Salle Centre Penang.

The good thing about LDOPP is that we ourselves get the chance to accomplish this project to make a better future for everyone else. We were able to touch hearts and change lives as said in our school motto. We only managed to reach out to a handful of students, but as long as we touch the hearts of some, it’s already a big achievement for us.

The project opened up my eyes towards the suffering of many because of difference in religion. It opened my eyes and made me realise that even thought we are from different races and religions, there is only one race in the world, it is called The Human Race.

Honsa Ung writes:

The good thing about LDOPP was I had a chance to work things out together with my fellow friends and develop teamwork among us. Furthermore, I have learnt how to overcome obstacles which were blocking me from reaching the top.

What went wrong during LDOPP was only the timing, preparation and organization. Some of the teachers did have some interest in this programme and supported us. For the students, most of them were actually interested in this programme and questioned us about it but unfortunately they don’t really know the story of La Salle.

I am happy to be in the organising team of LDOPP. It buries the spirit of changing lives in me and I have learnt a lot of stuff from here. It was quite tough organising LDOPP as we lacked manpower sometimes and it clashes with our exams, but we took it as a challenge and got over it.

St Paul's Institution's turn at glamour..

2010-12-31T00:51:00.008+08:00

Danesh Thiagarajah shares about SPI's activities for LDOPP:

i. Launching at School Assembly :

Prayers of Various Faiths led by members of PLC

Launching of LDOPP 2010 by Principal of SMK St.Paul, Madam Yap See Moi, followed by Message of Peace on the Peace Wall.

Launching ended with Universal Prayer.

Abel Arwin presenting his opening speech.

Mdm Yap See Moi launching LDOPP SPI 2010.

ii. LDOPP ‘Colourblind’ Evening :

Slide Show entitled ‘Colour Blind’ and Music Sing Along

Movie Screening : The Power of 10 Cents

Reflection

Interfaith Prayers and music, followed by the lighting of candles for peace.

‘Celebrate Diversity’ Game

Some of the many guests who attended the main event on Saturday night.

Some of the guests lighting up the STAR FOR PEACE.

The STAR FOR PEACE .

The game called Celebrate Diversity being carried out.

The guests with Mdm Ng for a group photo.

iii. PEACE WALL :

The Peace Wall was set up at the centre of the stage at the Assembly Ground for the students and teachers to put up their messages of peace. The response was overwhelming and the wall filled up with messages of peace within two days.

Mdm Yap placing her peace message onto the peace wall.

Some of the students writing in their peace messages to be placed onto the peace wall.

The peace wall with some of the many messages that were put up during the three day period.

v. EXHIBITION :

An exhibition of articles, stories and pictures in conjunction with LDOPP was put on display a along the walkway outside the staffroom. This informative display was able to give genera information to Paulians on the significance of LDOPP, and was a focal point during the 3-day programme.

The exhibiton that was held for students to read and learn about LDOPP.

Another view of the exhibition.

Some of the students at the exhibition.

The Organising Committee of LDOPP 2010 was happy to note the encouraging response to the programmes and activities held this year. Especially motivating and much appreciated was the response to the LDOPP ‘Colourblind‘ Evening which saw an attendance of over 50 members, teachers and guests. This was despite the fact that the event was held at night.

The Organising Committee worked well together to ensure that the programmes and activities planned were carried out successfully. The hard work and cooperation is much appreciated.

We would like to record our appreciation to the La Salle Centre, Ipoh for supplying us with the LDOPP Kit to help us to carry out this programme successfully.

Our sincere thanks to the Principal, Madam Yap See Moi for her support and encouragement, our teacher-advisor Madam Ng Siew Pin for her guidance, and to all Paulians for their support in ensuring the success of LDOPP 2010.

Some of the committee members with Mdm Ng.

When La Salle KK also became 'Colourblind'

2010-12-30T17:15:00.004+08:00

Ms Yvonne, teacher advisor of La Salle KK shared that:

La Salle KK had our LDOPP this year between 11 Oct – 04 Nov. During the Monday assembly, Sheldon made the introduction speech (in BM), followed by inter-faith prayers led by Othman, Pritchard and Izral. Meanwhile, Fareez and other members of the Young Lasallian Movement (YLSM) had done up an exhibition on the YLSM notice board in our senior campus.

Inter-faith prayer during assembly

Exhibition on notice board

It was an improvement from last year’s exhibition and speech, as I could see the spirit in the YLSM boys when they prepare for the occasion. I think LDOPP should be continued – it is a very meaningful and educational thing for the students as a whole. To be more effective, I suggest that more BM should be used, and simpler, less sophisticated and ‘scholastic’ materials need to be adapted, as we need to cater for Form 1 – 3 students as well.

A 'Colourbind' St Martin, Tambunan

2010-12-30T03:33:00.006+08:00

Roland Ronald:

Lasallian Youth Movement(LYM) Sm St Martin telah membuat lawatan dan kerja amal ke Pusat Pemulihan Komuniti (PPDK) pada 16 Oktober 2010 sebagai salah satu aktiviti sempena LDOPP.

LDOPP dijalankan bagi mendoakan keamanan dunia dan disertai oleh semua pergerakan La Salle di dunia, termasuklah LYM di Sm St Marrtin, Tampasak Tambunan.

PPDK adalah pusat yang menempatkan golongan orang kurang upaya sekitar daerah Tambunan. Ibubapa menghantar anak mereka ke tempat ini, agar didik untuk berdikari dan belajar untuk melakukan kerja-kerja rumah serta menguruskan diri mereka sendiri.

Seramai 15 ahli Lasallian dari LYM dan diiring dengan seorang guru La Salle telah sama-sama menjayakan aktiviti ini. Setibanya kami di sana,rombongan kami disambut oleh Puan Ruth selaku penyelia tempat itu, ibu bapa dan anak-anak mereka. Antara aktiviti yang dijalankan di tempat ini ialah:

Ø Membersihkan halaman PPDK

Ø Mengelap tingkat

Ø Menyapu ruang dalam pusat itu

Ø Membantu masak untuk makan tengah hari

Ø Bermain “games La Salle” bersama warga PPDK

Keriangan dan kegembiraan jelas terpancar di wajah warga PPDK. Setelah melakukan kerja-kerja pembersihan, kami pun berehat sambil meluangkan masa kami dengan bermain dengan mereka. Nampaknya, aktiviti yang dijalankan oleh ahli belia La Salle Sm St Martin telah merapatkan hubungan antara kami dengan mereka di sana.

Tepat pukul 1.00 petang, kami menjamu selera dengan hidangan tengah hari yang disediakan oleh beberapa ahli La Salle dan mereka yang bertugas menyediakan makanan tengah hari untuk warga di situ. Sebelum balik, ahli LYM membantu penyelia pusat itu untuk mengemas dan menyusun tempat tersebut.

Sebagai seorang manusia yang sempurna, janganlah sesekali kita menyisihkan masyarakat yang kurang sempurna dan berlainan bangsa, agama dan bahasa.

Sesungguhnya tema LDOPP pada tahun ini, benar-benar menyedarkan kita bahawa “COLOURBLIND” menuntun kita ke arah kehidupan komuniti yang aman dengan layanan yang sama rata. Ini disebabkan tema ini merupakan satu metafora untuk mengajak masyarakat untuk tidak mengamalkan diskriminasi berdasarkan warna kulit dan ketidak sempurnaan orang lain.

Saya sangat berbangga menjadi seorang lasallian yang dapat menghulurkan tangan untuk membantu mereka yang serba kekurangan.

Darrell Robert:

Pada 20 Oktober 2010, Pergerakan Belia La Salle (LYM) SM. St. Martin, Tambunan, Sabah telah menjalankan aktiviti sempena LDOPP.

Aktiviti ini dimulakan dengan mesej pengenalan LDOPP yang dibacakan oleh Saudari Dana Herman. Mesej ini menyeru kepada semua warga sekolah menjadi buta warna dan bersama-sama menentang unsur rasisme serta merayakan unsur-unsur kepelbagaian di Malaysia. Selain itu, mesej ini juga menyeru agar menghargai dan merayakan kepelbagaian agama, bangsa dan budaya yang ada di negara ini.

Selepas itu, satu “slideshow” telah dijalankan untuk memberikan pengenalan LDOPP kepada seluruh warga sekolah dan menghayati erti sebenar tema aktiviti tersebut. Kebanyakkan daripada pelajar Sm St Martin sangat khusyuk menonton “slideshow” tersebut.

Selepas slideshow selesai, pembacaan doa telah diadakan bermula dengan doa untuk seluruh dunia atau Universal Prayer yang dibacakan oleh saudara Joey clement Henry diikuti oleh doa-doa daripada agama-agama utama di dunia seperti Buddha yang dibacakan oleh saudara Boniface Wong, doa Kristian pula dibacakan oleh saudari Viona Henry dan manakala bacaan doa Muslim yang disampaikan oleh saudara Nazar Shah Anuar.

Aktiviti ini, diakhiri dengan laungan “Lasallian” oleh ahli-ahli Pergerakan Belia La Salle (LYM) Sm St Martin dan diikuti oleh seluruh warag Sm St Martin yang terlibat dalam aktiviti ini.

Ribuan terima kasih dan penghargaan kepada semua ahli yang terlibat dalam menjayakan aktiviti ini dan seluruh warga sekolah atas kerjasama yang diberikan.

Saya sangat bersyukur kerana diberikan peluang yang besar ini untuk melaporkan betapa jayanya aktiviti ini dijalankan pada tahun ini. Semoga aktiviti ini dapat memberikan kesedaran dan dorongan kepada seluruh warga sekolah dalam jangka masa yang panjang kerana ini dapat membantu pelajar Sm St Martin agar tidak bersikap rasisme dalam mengharungi apa jua cabaran pada masa hadapan.

Dana Herman, coordinator for St Martin’s:

Sepanjang pantauan yang saya lakukan, saya dapat melihat bahawa ahli La Salle SMART sanggup meninggalkan kelas peperiksaan mereka untuk menjayakan aktiviti Ldopp ini.

Pada awalnya pengetua sekolah ini tidak mahu ahli La Salle yang terlibat dalam peperiksaan seperti PMR,SPM, dan STPM melibatkan diri dalam program LDOPP.

Namun, ia tidak melemahkan semangat Lasallian mereka. Mereka yang melibatkan diri secara majoriti adalah di kalangan Ting. 5 & 6.

Hal ini telah membuatkan kalangan pendidik sedar bahawa kelab ini bukan sahaja mampu mengubah nasib orang lain tetapi juga telah mencipta satu semangat yang utuh.

Bagi pandangan saya, program Ldopp seperti tahun ini, perlu diteruskan pada setiap tahun kerana aktiviti ini kemungkinan boleh meningkatkan motivasi kepada diri belia La Salle di seluruh Malaysia.

Akhir kata dari saya, saya sangat berbangga kerana mendapat peluang untuk menjadi salah seorang kordinator dalam program yang julung-julung diadakan ini. “Once A Lasallian, Always Be Lasallian”.

Formation Team Weekend 1

2010-12-23T10:53:00.003+08:00

Time flies. Soon it will be Christmas Day, and then New Year Day will creep up on us, and what next?

The Formation Team Weekend 1! It will be held on 15 - 16 January, 2011. We're telling you this one year ahead of time, so make sure you book your weekend at La Salle Centre early!

Here's wishing all who are celebrating, a very Merry Christmas and a ...New Year's wish on the way!

Voices of Students: LISTEN UP!

2010-12-18T05:31:00.012+08:00

Hello!

It is the end of the year when everyone is bitten by the holiday bug, be it for Christmas or New Year.

While you're taking a break from studies/work, please do spend a little bit of time to support (sign) this campaign, and also to FORWARD the information below to all your friends, family, colleagues....EVERYONE!

During the Conference on Education Malaysia 2010 organised by La Salle Centre in May, a campaign was launched to promote a student-centric education system, one where students' views are given due consideration in matters affecting them (English or Malay, History or not, PMR or UPSR etc).

This campaign is helmed by the Malaysian Lasallian Formation Team (FT), led by the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commision (MLYC).

The objectives of this campaign are:

- to gain endorsement from 25,000 Malaysians who believe that the views of students need to be taken into consideration for their best interest.

- on 16 April 2011, a youth forum will be held to discuss on Malaysian educational issues and come up with recommendations for the education system.

- on 15 May 2011 (Malaysian National Youth Day), a report containing the recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Malaysia

The purpose of this campaign goes beyond encouraging people to listen to the students in terms of education. It is hoped that further long-term benefits will also be achieved.

When others listen, students will be more empowered to speak up and to give their opinions. Encouraging students to articulate their views will lead to a culture of analytical and critical thinking, which is a much-needed skill for students to become leaders of tomorrow (or even today!).

We have approximately 80 delegates for each convention. With 20 conventions under La Salle Centre’s belts, we could have 1,330 (70 x 19) signatures from delegates alone.

With approximately 1,000 students in each Lasallian school, and 15 Lasallian schools all over Malaysia, we could have 15,000 (1000 x 15) signatures from Lasallian students alone.

After that we only need 8,670 more signatures to reach that targeted 25,000.

If each Lasallian student asked 0.5 family member to join in, we would reach our target in no time! (of course, friends, family, teachers… are very much needed to help make this campaign a success, not just 0.5. ;P )

So, in this season of giving, do lend your name for a good cause and spread the word, and to all current students, do get EVERYONE in your schools to sign our petition in January!

Please visit www.voicesofstudents.wordpress.com for more information. The online petition can be found at http://www.petitiononline.com/VOSLU/petition.html.

And as 2011 knocks on our door, let us open the door and say ‘Yes, we can!’

Photo and Films on Children's Rights at The Annexe Gallery

2010-12-15T03:23:00.003+08:00

If you want to learn more about children rights, or if you are on holiday with not much planned, do head to Central Market Annexe in Kuala Lumpur for some films.

YOUTH LENS: Photo & films on children’s rights

Date: 14.12.2010 - 19.12.2010
Time: 11.00 AM - 08.00 PM

YOUTH LENS: Photos & Films on Children’s Rights

Photography Exhibition & Film Screenings
Tue 14 to Sun 19 Dec
Photo Exhibition: 11am to 8pm
Film Screenings: 8pm (Mon to Fri), 3pm (Sat & Sun)
Presented by Voice of the Children
Admission free

“Youth Lens” represents a collection of photos taken by the children of Chow Kit. Led by Dina Zaman, Sheng Saw, Zulfirdous Abu Hassan and Adriana Nordin Manan, these children were each given a disposal camera, taught the rudiments of working a camera and just told to have fun. And have fun they did. The exhibition is exciting, funny, sweet, sad and a little naughty. The images carry a certain insouciance with the backdrop of Chow Kit reflected back into the children's lenses.

This exhibition (like “Everyone Has Hope: Photos by Burmese refugee children” held here last month) is inspired by the documentary "Born into Brothels" by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski. Described as a tribute to the resiliency of childhood and the restorative power of art, "Born into Brothels" is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in the red light district of Calcutta, where their mothers are sex workers. Given a camera each, the children were taught to look at the world with new eyes.

You are invited to the
EXHIBITION OPENING
Tue 14 Dec, 7.30pm
Screening of “Back to the Streets” & “Stolen Futures” by Malaysian filmmaker Mahi, followed by discussion
Refreshments are served

+

WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME
Films about street children
Tue 14 to Sun 19 Dec
Admission free

A mini film festival on the theme of children will be held in conjunction with the exhibition. These films of social realism provide a brutally honest look at the lives of kids on the streets of the world. Powerful, raw and often despairing, these films have awakened societies to the harsh realities of the forgotten children on the streets, as well as the inadequacy of the institutions designed to help them. All these are films more people need to see. We also hope the films may inspire local filmmakers, artists and writers as well as the public to document and listen to similar stories in Malaysia and join in the struggle to protect children’s rights.

Tue 14 Dec, 8pm
“BACK TO THE STREETS” & “STOLEN FUTURES”
Dir: Mahi Ramakrishnan | Malaysia | 2009 & 2010
In "Back to the Streets" Mahi follows the story of angry teenagers who find themselves on the street living in a rubbish chute. Honest, frank and at times alarming, it is a mirror to how we have let our children down. "Stolen Futures" looks unsentimentally at issues around baby selling – the reasons why babies are bought and sold.

Wed 15 Dec, 8pm
SALAAM BOMBAY!
Dir: Mira Nair | India | 1988

Abandoned by the circus for which he was working, 10-year-old Krishna made his way to Bombay to earn some money – he wants to save up before returning home to his mother. While selling tea in the red-light district, he befriends a drug addict, falls in love with the new girl at the brothel and earns the wrath of the pimp and pusher. Filmed with actual children from the streets of Bombay, this film-festival favourite reveals the innate dignity, resilience and hopes of all children.

Thu 16 Dec, 8pm
PIXOTE: SURVIVAL OF THE WEAKEST
Dir: Hector Babenco | Brazil | 1981

On the streets of Sao Paulo, a 10-year-old runaway boy named Pixote is arrested during a police round-up homeless people. Pixote endures torture, degradation and corruption at a local youth detention center. When he eventually escapes with three other boys, they survive by the only means available to them: robbing, pushing drugs and pimping. Rejected by the Academy Awards but hailed by critics, the film is described by Roger Ebert as “a rough, unblinking look at lives no human being should be required to lead.” [Audience advisory: Contains mature themes and scenes]

Fri 17 Dec, 8pm
LOS OLVIDADOS (THE YOUNG & THE DAMNED)
Dir: Luis Bunuel | Mexico | 1950

When El Jaibo is released from juvenile detention, he reunites with his old gang to terrorise the slums of Mexico City – taking revenge on those who betrayed him, bullying the weak and robbing the crippled. When young Pedro is framed for Jaibo’s crime, he is given a chance to rehabilitate. Will he break the cycle of poverty and violence? Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, even winning the exiled filmmaker the Best Director award at Cannes in 1951, Los Olvidados was initially reviled as too damning a portrait of Mexico.

Sat 18 Dec, 3pm
GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
Dir: Isao Takahata | Japan | 1988

A brother and a sister have to fend for themselves in Japan during WWII after their mother died and their aunty becomes mean to them. To distract from their constant hunger, they entertain themselves with fireflies in a jar. Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name, this Studio Ghibli-produced anime is perhaps one of the most haunting and devastating anti-war films you will ever see. "Takahata's alternately sweeping and intimate animated feature," according to Movie Guide, "is a moving depiction of the fates of cast-off children who become casualties of war."

Sun 19 Dec, 3pm
BORN INTO BROTHELS: CALCUTTA'S RED LIGHTS KIDS
Dir: Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski | India | 2003

Described as a tribute to the resiliency of childhood and the restorative power of art, "Born into Brothels" is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in the red light district of Calcutta, where their mothers are sex workers. Given a camera each, the children were taught to look at the world with new eyes and empowered to document it for themselves. In this Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature, “these children give us vibrant pictures of hope in the midst of oppression.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Annexe Gallery is supported by Central Market.

For enquiries, please call:
Pang Khee Teik (Arts Programme Director): 012 305 1135
Jerome Kugan (Media Manager): 016 802 7347
Lim Chung Wei (Arts Manager): 012 207 5140

The Annexe Gallery
1st & 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe
Jalan Hang Kasturi
Kuala Lumpur
Tel +603-2070 1137
www.annexegallery.com

A record of LEAD - St Anthony's School, Teluk Intan

2010-11-28T01:32:00.006+08:00

LEAD camps were held during the second half of this year to encourage and build leadership skills and teamwork amongst Lasallians chosen to attend the camps. Thanks to Stephen Liew who collected the sharings of others, we all get to share a tiny part of SASTI's LEAD experience.

From the point of view of an organising team member, Sit Teng:

All throughout the three days that I was there, I was totally amazed and inspired by how the organising team fulfilled their tasks. It was overwhelming to see how dedicated they were and how they selflessly gave more of themselves to guide other organising team members and participants without any complaints.

The warmth and acceptance among the participants was really heart-warming as they mingled around regardless of their skin colours. And they could definitely put a smile on your face despite how tired you were.

The most incredible experience during the LEAD programme was definitely the hiking activity. It was the first time I went hiking and what made it better was that I was doing it together with new friends.

Many things happened during hiking that was worth remembering. It surprised me how challenging it was to climb a hill and how everyone worked together to reach the top. The participants learned to lend a helping hand to those who needed it.

LEAD was an unforgettable learning process where you can learn and play at the same time. It was a great experience to be part of the LEAD programme.

~HST~

From the point of view of a participant:

Saya naik bas untuk pergi ke Ulu Kenas pada hari yang pertama. Dalam perjalanan, saya nampak banyak benda yang menarik. Perjalanan itu amat menyeronokkan bagi saya dan kawan-kawan saya. Setelah sampai di Ulu Kenas, kami menurunkan kayu "bamboo". Selepas itu kami main permainan dan dipecahkan kepada beberapa kumpulan.

Nama kumpulan saya ialah "Forest Monkeys". Nama kumpulan lain termasuk "Mix-FM", "Waka-Waka", dan "Cap Ayam". Selepas itu kami pergi ke kem yang disediakan dan letakkan barangan kami di sana.

Selepas itu kami semua mandi bergilir-gilir, makan malam, dan pergi ke dewan. Kami mendapat banyak ilmu di sana.

Harvey: 'Don't worry, you'll soon grow to be as tall as I am'.

William: 'It's ok to be vertically-challenged. You must make up for it by being larger than life!'

Joanne compliments the participants on the clean, tiled floor?

How to build a raft: 1. Talk about it.

2. Somehow the strings get tied and we PUSH!

3. Pose for pictures and look cool!

4. Test out the rafts.

5. Have fun!

Writing thank you cards.

William congratulates the boys while Isaac...er...

Group picture!

Inter-Civilizational Youth Engagement Program 2010

2010-10-27T14:40:00.002+08:00

Here's a notice about an upcoming programme that might be of interest to you, forwarded to us by Vinesh.

The closing date is over, but they might still be accepting applicants if there's available space. Do give it a try! If you're interested and would like an application form, do drop a comment here.

1. Youth leadership program limited space - complementary.

2. A chance for you to have an international experience.

18 October 2010

Dear Friends!

The International Movement For A Just World (JUST) is organizing an Inter-Civilizational Youth Engagement Program 2010 (JUST IYEP4). From 26 - 30 November 2010 at Melaka Malaysia. This year theme is YOUTH: TOWARDS A GLOBAL CULTURE?

The Program will bring together some 50 youths between the ages of 21 and 25 of different nationalities and religions to reflect upon inter-civilizational relations in today’s world, based on the growing challenges to culture and cultures in today’s societies. The uniqueness of the program will be underlined by the shared spiritual and moral discourse each civilization can bring to the debate. This year, the emphasis will again be upon the young participants themselves and their ideas and visions for the future.

With this objective in mind, we are now starting our process of recruitment of participants. It would be much appreciated if you could nominate 1 or 2 candidates from among your young employees, interns or members to participate in our Program.

Application Instructions

Who can apply?

Young scholars, NGO workers, Peace and Human Rights activists, youth leaders, researchers, who are active in civilizational dialogue, peace studies or interfaith programs. Age 21-25.
Preference will be shown to applicants who can demonstrate how this Program will directly benefit them, their organization or academic institution in developing dialogue programs at local, regional and/or international level.
Proficiency in English is required. If you are accepted you will be required to participate fully in the, discussions and role plays in English.
Please do not apply if you do not have strong English skills.

How to apply?

Send completed application form, resume/CV, essay titled, ‘My cultural heritage and me’ with a letter of recommendation and passport photo to:

JUST IYEP4 Secretariat

International Movement for a Just World

JKR 1258, Jalan Telok off Jalan Gasing, 46200 Petaling Jaya

Selangor D.E., MALAYSIA

Tel: 6 03 7781 2494Fax: 6 03 7781 3245

E-mail: justadmin@just-international.org

This form may be submitted by post, or e-mail
Applications will be acknowledged on receipt. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of selection soon after the closing date.
Participants are responsible for arranging and funding their round-trip travel from home country to Malaysia. No request for financial support can be considered. Participants are expected to seek financial support from their own organization and /or other foundations.

Registration Fee

There is no Registration Fee; the organizers will cover food, accommodation, transportation during the program and all program materials.

For this purpose we are enclosing the nomination form. We would be grateful if the forms duly filled could be returned to the address below by 26 October 2010.

For more insight into what JUST and the JUST IYEP program are all about please visit www.just-international.org and go to YOUTUBE using keyword ‘IYEP2, IYEP4’ to see highlights of previous JUST IYEPs.

Launch of the Campaign on Free Education

2010-10-20T17:12:00.001+08:00

Dear all,

During FT 2, the FT members have agreed to support a campaign by youth asking for free education for all.

The campaign will be spearheaded by Gerakan Menuntut Pendidikan Percuma (GMPP) of which the Lasallian FT have agreed to play a small role in. GMPP consists of university student groups such as KAMI, GAMIS, DEMA, as well as Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)'s youth group.

The campaign will be launched this Saturday night, in conjunction with PSM 4th annual Konsert Malam Revolusi. There will be performances by bands such as Meor, Ayam Fared, Auto Artistik, Nik, as well as performances by a refugee group and a violin player. The focus of the night will be the fight against neoliberalism.

Date: 23/10/10 (Saturday)

Time: 8pm

Place: Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

Please do come to:

- support the launch of the campaign for free education

- promote the Lasallian campaign 'Voices of Students'

If you don't know what is 'Voices', please proceed to www.voicesofstudents.wordpress.com and help to spread the word far and wide.

If you can make it this Saturday night, please contact Pui Yi at 0175006747 or puiyi.wpy@gmail.com.

More updates to come on GMPP and 'Voices of Students'!

A letter from Brother Superior, Br Alvaro

2010-10-09T17:38:00.007+08:00

If you want to promote peace promote creation.

To value creation as a gift of God to humanity helps us to understand the vocation and the value of man.

I invite you to engage yourselves in the promotion of a creation which is a promotion of peace. To commit yourselves, as the Guarani Indians of Paraguay said, in search of a land without evils.

The earth is our common home, in it we are engaged as individuals, we are with others, we discover God. I think that today you as Lasallian Youth are very sensitive to this reality, so it is important to live a solidarity that will lead to sharing resources with those less fortunate and to take the means, however small and disproportionate that they may appear to seem, to leave to future generations a livable world.

Certainly the concern over climate change and its consequences must be part of youth concerns, as well as the interiorization of attitudes of respect, gratitude, love and concern for our mother earth. But I believe we must have a special concern for those who today enjoy less of creation and do not benefit from the extraordinary advances of current technology. For La Salle service of the poor always was primary.

This is a compassionate solidarity by which we allow ourselves to be affected by the sufferings of others, acting against avoidable suffering and assuming the task of finding ways of hope and transformation.

Freedom Film Festival 2010.

2010-10-06T16:00:00.001+08:00

Leave a comment if you're going, we can meet up.
Highly encouraged to go - it's an eye opener.

------
FreedomFilmFest2010 is back for the 7th year. The annual human rights film festival will be held throughout the month of October & November, gracing cities across the nation including Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru, Miri and Georgetown!

This year, KOMAS is proud to announce that the main premier of FreedomFilmFest2010 held in Petaling Jaya is organised in cooperation with theSELANGOR STATE GOVERNMENT under the care of Exco Kebudayaan YB Rodziah Ismail.

Date:

16 & 17 October, 2010

Venue:

Menara PKNS, 17 Jalan Yong Shook Lin, 46200 Petaling Jaya (Google MAP)

*Nearby LRT Putra Asiajaya or LRT Putra Taman Jaya.

RapidKL Buses: T505, U66, T629

The two-day festival will feature 14 award winning Malaysian and international human rights documentaries.

This is a private closed door event. Please REGISTER ONLINE to get your FREE tickets:
http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org/tickets

Enquiries: freedomfilmfest@komas.org

FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE
All thematic sessions will be followed by a 20min facilitated discussion with exciting and knowledgeable resource persons. So come prepared with your questions/if any, and to participate and share!!

Sat, 16 Oct, 2pm
Theme: OUR RIGHTS & POLICE POWERS
“The Story of Human Rights”
“Every Mother's Son”

Sat, 16 Oct, 3.30pm
Theme: RIGHTS OF THE POOR
“Raul The Terrible”

Sat, 16 Oct, 5pm
Theme: CONSIDERING NUCLEAR AS AN ENERGY SOURCE
“Uranium – Is it a Country?”

Sat, 16 Oct, 7.30pm
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF FFF2010 by YB Rodziah Ismail Exco Kebudayaan Negeri Selangor.
PREMIERE OF FFF2010 COMPETITION FILMS
8.25pm “Pilih”
9.15pm “Hak DiNafikan”
10.05pm “Kisah Tauke Mancis&Minyak Tumpah”
11pm Awards Ceremony

Sun, 17 Oct, 12pm
Theme: EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
“Hutan Kehidupan Kami(Land is our life)”

Sun, 17 Oct, 2pm
Theme: APPLICATION OF ISLAMIC LAWS IN MALAYSIA
“Mencari Kartika (Searching for Kartika)"

Sun, 17 Oct, 3.30pm
Theme: MIGRANTS IN LIMBO
“Special Pass”

Sun, 17 Oct, 4.40pm
THEME: MALAYSIA – INDONESIA: SAME-SAME?
“Budaya Tak Terbatas (Borderless culture)”

Sun, 17 Oct, 5:30pm
Theme: FOCUS ON BURMA
“Hongsha's Bag”
“Burma's Hidden Killers”

Sun, 17 Oct, 8pm
Theme: WOMEN HEROES IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION
“Pray the devil back to hell”

*Full film synopsis available at http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

FREDOMFILMFEST2010 is funded by the EUROPEAN UNION in cooperation with KONRAD ADENAUER STIFTUNG.

Check out OUR WEBSITE for more screenings in Miri, JB, Penang etc. Do email us freedomfilmfest@komas.org if you're interested to host your own screening party on our behalf at your OWN hometown!

http://freedomfilmfest.komas.org

A letter from Rome

2010-10-05T03:40:00.005+08:00

Re: 4 International Lasallian Days for Peace

Dear Brother Visitors and Auxiliary Visitors,

We are very pleased to write this letter as a kind reminder of the fourth annual International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP) initiative.

As has been the custom in the last few years, we are calling on Lasallian Institutions and Lasallian Groups to spread the word that starting on September 21, 2010 - the United Nations’ sanctioned International Day of Peace - and ending on October 21st , we Lasallians will be fostering peace in our world through prayer, study and action.

We are building on the very creative model adopted by the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commission, and also on the many wonderful initiatives over the past three years. All Young Lasallians (YLs) in your respective Districts and Regions are being called to find ways to participate in this powerful Lasallian peace movement.

Each Region/District/Local Educational Center will provide its own personal touch to the four weeks of the program. Some will have programs that span the entire month; others will select certain days to plan their activities. No matter what your local response may be, we are asking that where possible you organize some activity (either a culminating finale or a single experience) on Wednesday, October 21st so that all Lasallians around the world will be united in prayer/study/action for peace.

We encourage you to forward to us any relevant resources and materials related to the theme of ‘Peace’ you might have and which could be useful to other groups in preparation for this event. It would be greatly appreciated if you could forward us the contact details of Lasallians in your District who would be interested and willing to participate in or coordinate such an activity within their local educational center or apostolate.

The initiatives in the different Districts and Regions could take the form of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Voluntary work experiences both within and outside your own district

• Commitment to live a simpler, less consumeristic life-style

• Assembly activities in schools

• Prayer services

• Workshops / Campaigns / Art Exhibitions

• Peaceful marches

• Sending of letters to local authorities calling for Peace in specific areas of conflict

• Intercultural or Inter-religious activities

• Others

For further updates and correspondence regarding this initiative or any other ICYL project, kindly contact us at icyl@lasalle.org.

Yours sincerely,

Br. Charles Kitson, fsc

International Secretary for Lasallian Family and Assoication

Joseph Gilson.

International Coordinator for Young Lasallians

21 September - 21 October...

2010-09-30T16:38:00.009+08:00

...is the period for LDOPP!

What is LDOPP? It's the Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace. It started out as a 'day', and now the name has stuck, but activities can go on for more than one day, as well as go beyond prayers.

Do check out older blog posts to find out more about LDOPP.

Activities will be held all over Malaysia in Lasallian schools during this period. The activities are in line with our theme for this year. Read on to find out more!!

Every year of LDOPP will have a different theme. The theme determines the topic of the information provided in the LDOPP kit for Lasallian schools. The theme for 2010 is ’Colourblind’.

‘Colourblind’ is an inability to recognise certain, or even all, colours. Alternatively, it is also used to describe a person who does not discriminate or judge others based on skin colour or ethnicity. This year for LDOPP, we are inviting all of you Lasallians to be colour-blind towards skin colours and to spread this message to other people. La Salle and his brothers provided education for the poor, regardless of nationality or skin colours. As Lasallians, it is up to us to uphold La Salle’s belief that everyone is equal.

To be ‘Colourblind’ is to be against racism. Racism is the belief that people of different races have different character or ability because of their race. It is also a belief that a particular race is better than others. The worst effect of racism is when there is abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race because of such beliefs. A clash of differences can have many bad outcomes. Consider the information below:

· World War II (1939-1945) killed 52 million worldwide. The Nazi genocide against a number of groups: Jews, Gypsies and non-whites to name just a few was a clear example of racism.

· The genocide of Bosnians (1992-1995) because of Serb nationalism resulted in 200,000 killed, and 2,000,000 (million) refugees.

· In Rwanda (Central Africa) (1994), over a period of 100 days, up to 800,000 members of the Tutsi tribe were killed by another tribe, Hutus. As many as 10,000 were murdered each day.

Besides these major acts of racism, we also see racism happening in our everyday lives. For example, when someone judges another person based on his race and don’t want to be friends, when someone thinks that all people of a particular race are unintelligent, dirty, cheats, etc. These small acts of racism hurt others and can lead to larger conflicts.

What can we do about this?

As we all know, Malaysians are made up of many different races or ethnicities. Among us, there are people who are Indian, Orang Asli (Semai, Jahai...), Chinese, Malay, Iban, Kadazandusun, Punjabi, Melanau, Murut, and so many MANY more! The special thing about Malaysia is that the people from each ethnic group maintains their cultural identity, instead of being assimilated into just one culture. Yet, although the people are different, there is a common identity. We all belong to a multi-ethnic country called Malaysia. Despite all our differences, everyone is Malaysian.

To overcome racism, it is important to understand different cultures and celebrate the differences and colours that each culture brings to our lives. It is hoped that through the activities organised by Lasallians during LDOPP, we can:

- create awareness about racism and its effects

- understand that many people in this world are against racism and that we can be one of those people

- celebrate and appreciate differences instead of being afraid of them

- unite as Lasallians and Malaysians against racism

By having activities with this theme, we hope that more people will take the time to consider the impact of racism on others, as well as on their own lives. Only with knowledge can we begin to prevent race-based injustices, and to help those in need. Through YOUR efforts, people can begin to do what they can in their own capacity and choose to unite instead of divide.

Let us all choose and learn to be

‘Colourblind’.

We invite those of you who are out of secondary schools to be in solidarity with the Lasallians in schools - to do something in your own way to celebrate diversity and stand up against racial discrimination.

FT & Consti

2010-09-01T22:02:00.002+08:00

The 2^nd Formation Team weekend was held last weekend where representatives from the BAR Council came and helped us in understanding the Malaysian Constitution.

It was a fruitful weekend for all as the workshop taught us of the many important principles in the constitution, its importance, and so on.

The Malaysian Lasallian Formation Team hence recognizes the importance of the Malaysian Constitution as the supreme law of the country. It is a document by the people and for the people, that ensures fairness, justice, and equality in the country.

Thus, it is important for all Malaysians to understand the principles and content of the constitution and respect them. By knowing and understand the constitution, we will then know the fundamental rights and liberties of which we are entitled to.

It is a document that brings all Malaysians together in solidarity – regardless of race, age, gender, or creed.

Upcoming ... Balik Kampung to Ipoh!

2010-08-24T04:40:00.004+08:00

Project CRC is off to a good start after its first meeting on 14 August 2010. LDOPP is up and running as well. Now it's almost time for...

Formation Team Weekend 2!!!

Come and join us as we explore our Constitution together with representatives from the Bar Council.

How do we learn about our Constitution? More importantly, how do we learn about our Constitution in an interesting way? Would it be like Sejarah, or Pengajian Am, where we sit in front of texts and study them?

Well, hurry up contact Isaac, get your train/bus tickets, and come find out!

See you soon!

A small article for you to browse through:

Defending our chart and compass

By MARTIN VENGADASAN

Constitutional expert Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi shares his passion for a national treasure that has guided this country’s democratic journey for half a century.

MY book is important because the Constitution is under attack,” says Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi somewhat alarmingly.

The silver-haired gent is fresh from the launch on Thursday ofMalaysia’s Document of Destiny – An Introduction to the Federal Constitution, an epic work dealing with the document that has helped shape our country.

While he is impeccably attired and speaks in cultured tones, his fierce commitment to defending this country’s Constitution is unmistakable, and Shad finds himself an important thinker in an ideological war.

Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi feels that knowledge of the Constitution is a pre-requisite to good citizenship, hence his effort to publish his latest book. – CHUA KOK HWA / The Star

“The Constitution is under attack by a number of people who believe that we should move towards the Islamic state. It is under attack by those who feel that the ‘social contract’ must be renegotiated.

“Frankly, it is also undermined by judges and civil servants who apply their own interpretations of the Constitution and allow their personal allegiances to colour the practical application of the laws that govern our country.”

Just why is it important that this document needs to be so fiercely defended?

“In pre-legal or under-developed societies, religion or custom provided the base upon which people lived their lives. However, in a developed system you need political laws to form the nation.

“The Constitution performs a number of functions. It creates the branches of government and confers powers upon these branches.

Importantly, “It also imposes limits on these powers and describes the relationship between the various arms of government, the King and the Prime Minister, the Federal and State Governments, the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, and so on.”

Shad explains that the Constitution delineates a state’s relationship with its citizens, setting out their rights to life, liberty, property ownership, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.

Despite his obvious passion for these legal documents, Shad admits that a Constitution is by nature imperfect.

“Life is larger than the law, and there will be many situations in which the law provides no guidance.

“A Constitution is sure to be full of ambiguities and conflicts. It seeks to strike a balance between might and right, to permit liberty, while at the same time enforcing responsibility.”

Checks and balances

The Malayan Constitution was first framed in 1956 and took effect upon Merdeka, on Aug 31, 1957.

It was subsequently revised upon the union of Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore with Malaya to form Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.

Since that time, however, it has experienced more than 600 amendments. That works out to an average of 13 changes a year since 1963! It almost seems as if this important document, fundamental to our democracy, has been tampered with willy-nilly....

Considered globally, this is, in fact, an unusual number of changes. They were possible because Malaysia’s ruling coalition (first the Alliance Party, and now the Barisan Nasional) has always commanded a two-thirds majority in Parliament, enabling it to change the Constitution at will.

This situation finally changed following the March 8 General Election – and Shad seems rather pleased about this.

“In any context, it is not good to give overwhelming power to one person or group of people. Power, like wine, goes to the head, and there is no man or woman alive who can be trusted with absolute power.

“The system needs checks and balances, and that is why the current political situation is preferable from the point of view of a Constitutional advocate.

“It means that the Government can function, pass laws, implement policies, but is not so strong as to ride roughshod over dissenting opinions.

“Indeed, the last general elections indicated a large gap between public and Government perception on many issues, which I believe is a result of having a press that is not free. The irony is that the Government wished for and received a compliant media, and then it proceeded to believe its own press!”

One of the more worrying Constitutional issues of late has been freedom of religion, specifically the freedom accorded to a Malay who wishes to change his religion.

“Here we have a classic conflict between freedom of religion and issues of apostasy,” says Shad. “In general Malaysians do have the freedom to profess and worship. But one has to ask, where does one draw the line on freedom of religion?

“Does it include the right to devil worship? The right to blaspheme other religions?

“But I don’t know of any other country in the world where race is as tied so closely to religion as it is in Malaysia for the Malays and Islam.

“In other Muslim countries, race is race, religion is religion. Here, there is no freedom to exit the religion because it is tied to political power.”

In their opinion

Shad’s willingness to discuss such issues openly means that he is open to attacks himself.

“I get a fair amount of feedback on my column in The Star. (Reflecting on the Law appears every fortnight, on Wednesdays, in the Views pages.)

“I would say that 60% are supportive, 30% oppose me, and 10% are abusive! I have learnt to live with it. I want to protect the Constitution but some think I am too liberal and others think I’m too conservative!”

Shad’s new book, Document of Destiny, is a historical and legal analysis of the Malaysian Constitution.

However, Shad’s intellectual openness has also won him many friends.

Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairman Edmund Bon says, “I applaud Shad because he is one of the few scholars who will speak freely about religious freedom in this country. He is also very active in promoting Constitutional awareness.

“His column is an excellent forum to expose Constitutional and human rights issues, and is useful to the lay person because it is written in a way that is easy to understand without detracting from the importance of the issues at hand.”

Dr Sarjit S. Gill, professor of Social Anthropology at Universiti Putra Malaysia, agrees.

“I think he’s doing a very good job. Shad is known as a man of principle, who is critical with his work and who is not afraid to be critical of the Government in defence of the Constitution.

“That is something that is lacking in Malaysia, the ability to have healthy debate on important issues and take the opposite view if need be – we have many ‘yes men’ professors in Malaysia.

“The younger generation should take their cue from Shad, whose work is well-known internationally not just in Malaysia.”

Guided by moderation

Still, Shad acknowledges that, ultimately, the Constitution is only a guide to how a society should run.

“It is not enough to merely have a well-framed Constitution.

“One of the most beautiful Constitutions I have ever read was that of the old USSR. However, it was clearly not a functioning one. In other cases, such as India and the Philippines, there are wonderful freedoms promised in the Constitutions but they are paper rights because so many are engaged in a struggle for survival.

“In certain countries like France, Switzerland, and Sweden, there is less of a dissonance between the promise and the performance of the Constitution.

“However, the dissonance is very large in the United States, particularly if one looks at the African-American community.

“In Malaysia, the society that has evolved is one that has a strong economic base but is lacking in civil and political rights.

“Despite wastage and corruption, we were given a head start because we had a globalised economy before globalisation.

(Malaysia was integrated into the world economy from as far back as colonial times thanks to worldwide demand for our rubber and tin, among other resources.)

“Malaysia is not a failure by any means, but in terms of rights we are still in the era of the Emergency.

(The Emergency was declared by the British in June 1948 to battle a communist insurgency.)

“If we look at the Internal Security Act (enacted in 1960), it is not the most barbaric preventive detention clause in the world, nor am I opposed to preventive detention on principle, but it is the indefinite detention without charge that is so alarming.

“In such cases, the executive is the accuser, the adjudicator, and the executioner, which is simply unconscionable.

“Greater freedom must be given to civil society if we are to evolve.”

Shad believes that Constitutional literacy is an absolutely essential tool if Malaysians are to develop a keen political and civil consciousness.

“The Constitution is our chart and compass. I think knowledge of the Constitution is a pre-requisite to good citizenship.

“The Constitution is the guardian of our rights and the source of our freedoms. Yet it is not even taught in universities except to those studying law.

“Members of Parliament and senior civil servants can be blissfully unaware of the provisions of the Constitution.

“The youth are terribly ignorant of the painstaking process under which it was forged by leaders who had to battle extremism from within and without their respective communities.

“The Malaysian Constitution was not framed by ideological passion, but guided by the spirit of moderation.

“It has reconciled the seemingly irreconcilable conflict of interest between ethnic and religious groups in a way that has few parallels in the modern world.”

Landmarks

JAN 18, 1956: The Reid Commission was formed to carry out a Constitutional conference held in London.

Aug 31, 1957: The Constitution takes effect upon Malaya’s independence.

February 1962: The Cobbold Commission begins its study to incorporate the needs of Sabah and Sarawak into the Constitution of the proposed new nation, Malaysia, to be made up of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak.

July 9, 1963: The Malaysia Agreement is signed by Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Sept 10, 1963: The Kelantan State Government begins action against the Federal Government in protest against the Malaysia Agreement.

Sept 16, 1963: Malaysia is formed, and a revised Constitution takes effect.

Sept 23, 1966: A crisis erupts in Sarawak when Chief Minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan is unconstitutionally sacked by the state’s Governor.

May 17, 1969: The Constitution is effectively suspended under a state of emergency following racial riots on May 13.

Aug 31, 1970: The Rukun Negara (National Principles) amendments are made to the Constitution.

Nov 8, 1977: Emergency rule lasting three months is proclaimed in Kelantan after a vote of no confidence is passed against the then Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohamad Nasir.

Aug 3, 1983: A Constitution Amendment Bill is passed by Parliament but not agreed to by the Malay Rulers.

1988: The year of the judicial crisis when then Lord President Salleh Abbas and five senior judges were either removed or suspended from office.

1992: Following an assault allegedly committed by the Sultan of Johor, Constitutional amendments were proposed to remove the immunity against prosecution enjoyed by Malay rulers.

May 30, 2007: The Federal Court dismisses Lina Joy’s appeal to remove the word Islam from her identity card. – Source: ‘Constitutional Landmarks in Malaysia’, edited by Andrew Harding and H.P. Lee (ISBN: 978- 9679628197)

Life beyond the Constitution

SO much of Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi’s life is connected with the study of Constitutional law that one could be forgiven for thinking that it is an all-consuming passion that leaves him time for little else.

But, as the man himself says, “life is larger than the law”, and there is much more to Shad than just the academic.

Born on Nov 17, 1946, in New Delhi just before India’s independence the following year, Shad was raised largely in Dehradun in the hills of Uttar Pradesh state.

His Urdu-speaking family (he has three older sisters and a younger brother) was wealthy enough to send the children to the United States to study, although Shad did well enough to earn his own scholarship at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

After studying political science, he then made what he calls an easy transition to the study of law. He furthered his studies at the Aligarh Muslim University in India before getting his PhD at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa here.

However, it was not just studies that led him to settle here.

“I came here in 1971 for employment purposes but then I met and married my wife, Abidah Adam, a Malacca-born Malaysian. Since then I have taken up residence and am now a citizen of Malaysia.”

The couple have five children, aged between 34 and 16, and two grandchildren. None of Shad’s children, however, have followed his example.

“Well, my son is a law graduate but he moved into advertising. I think half of the country’s law graduates don’t practice as lawyers, but the training proves useful as many jobs have legal elements to them.”

When he’s not busy writing 800-page legal tomes or columns for newspapers, Shad spends a lot of his time reading.

“I read on all subjects not just the law and Islam. I would say that Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet is a particular favourite.”

While he might come across as the eternally desk-bound academician, Shad is actually quite the gardener: “I like to keep myself busy with walks, and I used to do a lot of gardening, although I’ve been a bit too busy lately. I have planted 15 or 16 trees in my compound and I plan to plant 100 before I move on from this life.”

Despite forming an early and deep affinity for political, legal, and philosophical study, Shad eschews the concept of having heroes.

“All my life, I’ve never believed in heroes. There are heroic ideas and heroic actions, yes, but for me there is no hero worship. Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill, for example, were men who did things I greatly admire, but also other things that I didn’t care for.

“I think if you fall into the trap of hero worship you will eventually find that your hero may have feet of clay and you will be disappointed. Of course, as a Muslim, I know that the Prophets are exemplars of everything good.”

Still, over the course of his legal studies, he found that certain individual stood out.

“The American Chief Justice Earl Warren was one of the greatest judges of the 20th century, and during his tenure many important landmark decisions about desegregation were passed, such as that of Brown vs the Board of Education.

(Desegregation is the process of ending racial segregation, most commonly used in reference to the United States.)

“The British judge Lord Denning, who served for nearly four decades, also gave many brilliant judgements, while India had a string of judges who stand out.”

Shad is keen to add that Malaysia has also had its share of judges who were committed to Constitutional law.

“Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim is a shining example. He was a true Malaysian hero. Even though he wrote simple judgements, his integrity and dignity were impeccable. He was involved in shaping the Constitution and he remained devoted to it through his life.

“Others include Datuk Karam Chand Vohrah, Tan Sri Ong Hock Thye, Datuk Mahadev Shanker, Tun Salleh Abbas and Tan Sri Dato’ Eusoffe Abdoolcader who wrote fantastic judgements. In fact, right up to Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum, the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, we have had judges who fight to uphold the spirit of the Constitution.”

Although Shad has made Malaysia his home, he has been involved with Constitutions around the world, including helping to frame the Constitution of the Republic of the Maldives in the early 1990s.

“I wrote it from A to Z, although it has recently been revised. I was also consulted by the Fijians, when they were re-writing their Constitution after the two coups led by Sitiveni Rabuka (in 1987).

“I was also involved in drafts for Constitutions for Afghanistan and Iraq, sadly, after the recent wars that were conducted in those countries.”

Given that he’s now into his 60s, one could be forgiven for thinking that Shad might want to wind down and take things easy during his twilight years.

“I have many plans beyond planting those trees,” he laughs. “I want to write a few more books. In fact, I want to write one book for each of my children.

“And this may sound a little silly but I also want to learn to build a bookshelf on my own, to house all the books I have.

“Professionally, though, it is my aim to continue to promote Constitutional literacy so that all Malaysians, not just an elite who are involved in the legal profession, are aware of the importance of this beautiful document.” – MARTIN VENGADESAN

Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace (LDOPP 2010)

2010-07-27T19:20:00.009+08:00

To note down in your planner - Project CRC, LDOPP 2010, Formation Team Weekend 2 !!! Ok, you don't have to take part in EVERY initiative, but it would be great if you can join us for at least one.

Come on and remind yourself how crazy Lasallians are (kabbadi, captain ball, gala panjang, Nasmir?) and how we all have a good heart deep, deep, deep down somewhere that disturbs us and makes us want to do something for society!

Read on for more information on LDOPP 2010 (to save your time, it's similar to the one on Facebook).

The idea of LDOPP actually came from the International Symposium of Young Lasallians held in Rome in 2006. As a result, the International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL) invites Lasallians all over the world to come together for an International Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace, as ONE International Lasallian Community during the 3^rd week of October.

We hope that this year will be the 4th consecutive year that LDOPP is held all over Malaysia. And to do that, we need your help!

LDOPP is not just a day of prayers. It is also a day to share information through exhibitions, or a day of charity to reach out to others, or more.

The purpose of LDOPP is to unite Lasallians and show that we believe in peace, as well as equality and respect for everyone. We believe that we can do something, big or small, to make this world a better place.

Each year, we discuss different issues for LDOPP, such as war and child abuse. This year, our theme is 'COLOURBLIND'! Can you guess what our issue is?

The LDOPP kit is currently being put together by volunteers from the FT. Now we need YOU to be our coordinator.

Task of a coordinator:
- Contact students in one Lasallian school.
- Ensure that they receive the LDOPP kit and understand it.
- Guide them in the process of organising activities in conjunction with LDOPP.
- Be the link between the students and La Salle Centre should there be any problems or questions.
- Indirectly contribute towards the success of passing the message of LDOPP to different communities.

Want to be an LDOPP COORDINATOR? Contact Pui Yi at puiyi.wpy@gmail.com as soon as possible!!!

~ I saw a terrible tragedy and I yelled at God, “How could you let such a thing happen? Why didn’t you do something?”
A little while later, God’s answer came : “I did do something. I made you.” ~ Author unknown.

Project CRC

2010-07-25T21:16:00.004+08:00

Dearest friends,

La Salle Centre is pleased to announce that we’re embarking on an initiative called “PROJECT CRC” in the upcoming months. We would like to invite you to be part of this project and details are as follow:

1. WHAT IS PROJECT CRC?

Firstly, CRC refers to the document called “Convention on the Rights of the Child”, a United Nation’s human rights framework on children. As it is related to children, it is something close to our lasallian mission.

Project CRC is an initiative where FT members will analyze and study the CRC document, and subsequently run 1 day CRC workshops for the community. Our end goal for this year is to run two 1-day workshops in our lasallian schools in end October or early November.

All FT members are invited to be part of this initiative! However because this is a new initiative, we regret that most of the meetings, trainings, etc will be held in Klang Valley area (PJ/KL) as most of our active members are located there.

2. YOUR ROLE

a.Attend 3 discussion meetings to deepen understanding on CRC and its principles. [First meeting will be held on 14/8/2010, 2-5pm @ La Salle Hall, PJ. The subsequent 2 meetings will be decided later]

b.Attend 1 facilitation training meeting to equip ourselves to facilitate the workshops. [Tentatively in October]

c.Develop session modules/manuals for the training. (Modules are available, but you’ll need to further enhance and develop it).

d.Run a one day workshop for a lasallian school in Klang Valley. [Tentatively in end October or early November]

4. FURTHER DETAILS

Please contact Isaac or Tsu Chong directly.

5. HOW TO SIGN UP

If you wish to be part of the CRC team, please fill up the form @ https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&pli=1&formkey=dGNHZkVoMEV5VnNOR2ZnWGQ0YU5qdnc6MQ#gid=0

We are certain that this initiative will be beneficial for all parties. We hope to hear a favourable response from you!

FT WEEKEND 2 - MyConstitution

2010-07-21T13:17:00.001+08:00

Date: 28-29 August 2010

Venue: La Salle Centre Ipoh

Conference on Education Malaysia 2010

2010-07-15T01:14:00.008+08:00

Life after Regional Convention...

2010-07-10T01:15:00.005+08:00

Lasallians from St Paul's Institution, Seremban, went on a little adventure recently. Read on to find out more about their trip!

Our visit to the Orang Asli Settlement in Kampung Belihoi, Mantin was held on Tuesday, 8 June 2010. 25 members accompanied by 2 teacher advisors of the Paulian La Salle Confreres took part in this visit.

We gathered at the school at about 7.30am. Some of us helped to carry items such as packets of rice, biscuits, milo and others that were bought to be donated to the orang asli. We departed from SMK St. Paul at 8.00am by a school bus. The journey took about 30 minutes.

Once we reached,we had to walk for about 10 minutes to the village. We were greeted by the village head and invited to the chapel to wait for the other villagers to come.

We had many activities at the village such as a colouring contest, water balloon game, statue game, human snake and ladders and also the ‘pinyada’ game.

We spent about three hours at the village.

The closing ceremony ended with speeches given by the village head and his son as well as Mr.Morgan and Pn. Ng, the 2 teacher advisors.We left at about 12.00pm.

Overall, the visit to the Orang Asli Settlement was a success. We made a difference. Although small, we still felt it was significant.

Choo Huey Chian