Rightways

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

PERMAI stimulus package RM15b for MCO 2.0

https://youtu.be/EYiZuWA8pb4

Democracy in the US in clear and present danger

https://youtu.be/-oAudzgilHU

Next Wednesday, Joseph Biden will be anointed President, guarded by 20,000 National Guard troops in battle gear against not foreign enemies, but domestic threats

A week is a long time in politics. Last Wednesday, armed supporters of President Trump stormed the sanctity of the Capitol, the temple of American democracy.

This Wednesday, President Trump became the first president in American history to be impeached twice.

Next Wednesday, Joseph Biden will be anointed President, guarded by 20,000 National Guard troops in battle gear against not foreign enemies, but domestic threats.

This was supposed to happen only in Hollywood movie scripts.

Consider these bizarre facts: the pandemic is claiming more than 4,000 deaths daily in the United States; digital media like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook have banned tweets and comments by their own President; all US stock market indices are still rising, and bitcoin has surged by 27.9% in 13 days.

The article of impeachment stated in more stark terms than any foreign commentator would dare to express: “President Trump gravely endangered the security of the United States and its institutions of government. He threatened the integrity of the democratic system, interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and imperiled a coequal branch of government.

“He thereby betrayed his trust as President, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law.

“Donald John Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honour, trust, or profit under the United States.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (pic below)summed it up as “he is a clear and present danger to the nation.”

Arguably, Trump has committed the sin of poisoning the well of democracy, not just in America, but for the rest of the world.

Although Western democrats extol its virtues back to the Greek Age, modern liberal democracy is very recent.

As late as 1978, only one third of the world lived in democracies; by 2015, more than half do. But since then, populism, Brexit and Trumpism have caused many to lament that democracy is receding.

Today, the gold standard of liberal democracy in America is being tested, if not questioned.

Work in progress

The problem is that liberal democracy based on social equality, rule of law, tolerance of diversity, is a work in progress.

Given very different cultures, history, religion and institutional set-ups, democracy is practiced differently, requiring huge efforts by all citizens.

Democracy that has no performance-accountability when what is promised is not delivered.

That became evident when the 2008 global financial crisis accentuated rising social inequality and insecurity to large segments of the population.

Democratic politics fragmented and did not seem to be able to deliver on promises.

Austrian economist and political philosopher Joseph Schumpeter became famous for his observation that the driver of capitalism was entrepreneurship, which led to creative destruction. He was equally original and sharp in his realist analysis of democracy.

In his classic Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, four conditions must be satisfied for democracy to work: the quality of politicians in terms of ability and moral character; social consensus that democracy does not solve everything; a well-trained and effective bureaucracy; and finally, “effective competition for leadership requires a large measure of tolerance for difference of opinion.”

Schumpeter understood that democracy has difficulty in making decisions when society is deeply divided.

Vote-seeking

Vote-seeking behaviour means that policies are always for the short-term, so politicians under serve the long-term interests of the nation.

For example, democratic and rich countries like Australia cannot even agree on dealing with climate change, because vested interests in the mining industry consistently block change through lobbying. If democracies cannot deliver long-term structural reforms that are painful and unpopular, then in the long-run, citizens will seek alternatives, such as autocracies or anocracies (democracy with autocratic characteristics).

Trump put American democracy in clear and present danger by violating all four Schumpeter conditions.

First, nearly half the voting population ignored his moral issues, because they believed him calling the mainstream news as “fake”.

Second, he violated many of the unspoken rules, codes and conventions that buttressed democratic checks and balances, aided by lawyers and attorney generals whom he also threw under the bus.

Third, he questioned the loyalty and efficacy of the vaunted American bureaucracy, which then failed to protect the Capitol from violent protests.

Lastly, he openly sought division, rather than work bi-partisanly to heal social divisions.

Asians have much to learn from Schumpeter, who foresaw that democracy is about majority rule, but works in practice through an elite that deals in votes rather than in money. Since capitalism by definition values money more than labour, money under financial capitalism has a nasty habit of corrupting politics.

How to control money politics from corroding diverse rights and public goods is a perennial issue in all systems of governance.

If there is one lesson that should resonate in Asia, it is that violence cannot be an answer to the democratic process.

Inciting violence

Trump realised too late that inciting violence in his supporters to protect his version of electoral victory ended up with him denouncing violence in the name of law and order.

Retribution occurs to those who incite violence abroad, because violence can bounce back at home.

Next week, the Trump Reality Show will thankfully end, and life will return to some form of normality, so we can address the threats of pandemic and job losses without being diverted by another tweet.

For Trump, impeachment will only withdraw his right to hold further public office. He was made by media, and he will be haunted by media for the rest of his life. But he will go on to earn millions from book sales and paid appearances.

The clear and present danger to democracy is a distorted system where heads I win, tails you lose.

We need to change this system, but we don’t know how to do this democratically. Perhaps Joe Biden has the answer.

By Andrew Sheng, a Distinguished Fellow of Fung Global Institute, a global think tank based in Hong Kong. The views expressed here are his own.

Source link

How security threats and Covid have changed Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony

Biden inauguration: How security threats and Covid have changed ceremony

Troops descend on US capital to ensure the new president can be sworn in amid threats of violence.

bbc.com

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Donald Trump impeachment: A chaotic presidency doomed to end in disgrace...

Blaming China For US Poverty And The Broken American Dream

https://youtu.be/e-E8Ex1bgmQ

January 20, 2021 marks Pompeo's last day as US State Secretary. Let's review the "political viruses" that Pompeo has spread throughout his tenure and some other outrageous comments by the US' worst-ever secretary of state:

Farewell to Pompeo! Observations on the 'diplomatic legacy' of the US' 'worst-ever secretary of state'

As US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is about to end his tenure amid a "real-life House of Cards" transition in the White House, the man widely described the "worst secretary of state in history" continued his crazy efforts to smear China, in an attempt to put a sheen on his "personal diplomatic legacy," regardless of the tense US-China relations and other wrecked global ties he leaves trailing in his wake.

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Who is messing with Hong Kong?

Hong Kong's youngters barking up at the wrong tree: preaching the West's cheats, divide-and-conquer, farce hearing !

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Friday, January 15, 2021

The reopening of schools, childcare centres and institutes of higher learning during MCO 2.0, CMCO, RMCO

YOU HAVE THE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE THE ANSWERS

BELOW are some questions and answers relating to schools and institutions under the Education Ministry as well as the status of public examinations during the movement control order period.

School reopening

Q: Are all students in areas under the movement control order required to return to school when it reopens on Jan 20?

A: Only students sitting for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and Diploma Vokasional Malaysia (DVM) 2020 and 2021 students, as well as the equivalent international exams, will be allowed to return to school to undergo the Implementation of Teaching and Learning (PdP) via face-to-face.

Non-examination students will undergo Home-based learning (PdPR).

Q: Will students having to undergo public examinations but living outside MCO areas be allowed to return to schools that are under MCO areas or vice-versa?

A: Yes. Special authorisation letters will be issued by the school management to allow students to cross districts or states to attend school.

Q: Are parents/guardians allowed to send their children or children under their care to school?

A: Yes.

Q: Are students in remove class who have appealed to sit for the Bahasa Melayu Literacy Screening (Pengesahan Literasi Bahasa Melayu) allowed to be in school?

A: Yes. Students can attend school to sit for the Bahasa Melayu Literacy Screening on Jan 21,2021. For students unable to attend, they can take the test on Feb 3,2021.

Central Assessment Schedule (Pengurusan Pentaksiran Pusat) and public exams

Q: Will the central assessment schedule and SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM as well as equivalent international examinations proceed?

A: Yes.

Q: Will the postponed SPM trial 2020 be conducted?

A: Yes. The examination will proceed once school re-opens for face-to-face lessons.

Boarding School Enrolment

Q: When will students sitting for the SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM exams be allowed to return to boarding schools?

A: Beginning Jan 16.

Q: Are parents/guardians allowed to visit students living in boarding schools that are under the MCO?

A: No.

Q: Will students be allowed to go for outings and overnight events?

A: No.

Teaching and Learning (PdP)

Q: How will PdP be implemented for students aside from those sitting for examination classes?

A: Students must undergo home-based learning (PdPR) based on the suitability and the preparedness of teachers and students. Teachers can refer to the PdPR manual which can be downloaded from the Education Ministry portal www.moe.gov.my

Q: How can Year 1 pupils for the 2021 academic session access the Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia (Delima) platform as part of the PdPR?

A: Pupils can access the Delima portal using their user ID and password given by the school.

Q: How can students access the TV Pendidikan educational programme schedule? A The schedule of TV Pendidikan can be accessed via the Education Ministry’s official portal and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @KemPendidikan.

Sports and co-curricular activities

Q: Will face-to-face sports and co-curricular activities be allowed?

A: No. However, virtual activities are allowed until the latest announcement from the Education Ministry.

Q: Will sports activities for PdP of the Physical Education subject and Health Education (Pendidikan Jasmani and Pendidikan Kesihatan) outside of the classroom be allowed?

A: No

Management of the textbook loan scheme (SPBT)

Q: Are the Form 5 2020 students required to return their textbooks?

A: Only after they complete their SPM examinations.

Q: Will the Form 5 2020 students be using the same textbooks used by the Form 5 2021 students?

A: No. Students will be provided with the Form 5 Secondary School Standards-based Curriculum (KSSM) textbooks for use in 2021.

Q: When will other students aside from the Form 5 2020 need to return their textbooks and collect their new textbooks?

A: Return and distribution of textbooks will be implemented based on the return schedule in stages set by the school management once school re-opens.

Q: How can students obtain digital textbooks?

A: Students can download digital textbooks from the Delima platforms at moe-dl.edu.my or teachers can help download the digital textbooks, print and distribute them based on the required topics only.

School admission assessment (PKSK)

Q: Will PKSK be implemented during the MCO period?

A: Yes. The new PKSK dates for students entering Form One are Jan 20 to 29. For Form Four students, Feb 15 to 25.

Special authorisation letters will be issued by the Education Ministry to allow candidates to cross states or districts to attend the assessment centres.

Q: What are the necessary steps that need to be taken before a candidate sits for PKSK?

A: All candidates must bring a slip to sit for the PKSK and the special authorisation letter to attend PKSK that can be downloaded below:

i. spskt1.moe.gov.my (Form 1)

ii. spskt4.moe.gov.my (Form 4)

Q: Will candidates with any medical symptoms be allowed to undergo PKSK?

A: No. Parents/ guardians will need to get confirmation from certified medical officers and inform the head of the assessment centre (Ketua Pusat Pentaksiran).

A new date for students to sit for the PKSK will be set later.

Q: Are candidates under quarantine allowed to sit for PKSK?

A: No. Students are only allowed to sit for PKSK after the end of their quarantine period. A new date for the students will be set later.

Q: Are candidates who test positive for Covid-19 and treated in hospital allowed to sit for PKSK?

A: No. However, they will be allowed to do so once they are discharged from the hospital. A new date to sit for the PKSK will be announced later.

Q: Are candidates living in MCO areas allowed to change their PKSK centre?

A: Yes. Candidates need to submit an application to the head of assessment centre (Ketua Pusat Pentaksiran) that they are applying to.

Teachers and non-education services member (anggota perkhidmatan bukan guru)

Q: When are teachers required to be at the station of duty?

A: Teachers are required to be at the station of duty before Jan 20.

Q: Are teachers required to be present at schools placed under the MCO?

A: Teachers’ attendance at schools are required as below:

i. Teachers involved in the SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM for the year 2020 and 2021 as well as equivalent international exams.

ii. Teachers involved in examination management.

iii. Other teachers that are ordered to be present by the head of departments.

Q: Are teachers living outside of MCO areas allowed to be present at schools that are currently under MCO or vice versa?

A: Yes. Teachers are required to obtain a special authorisation letter from the head of department.

Q: Aside from teachers, who else is allowed to be present at school during the MCO?

A: i. Non-education services members (Anggota Perkhidmatan Bukan Guru) with orders from the head of department.

ii. Essential services workers such as cleaners, security personnel, and canteen staff.

iii. Wardens and boarding school administrators.

Q: Will non-education services members be allowed to work from home?

A: Yes. The head of department can consider the request to work from home made by non-education service members according to their workload and the need to be physically at the office.

Management and operations of private education institutions (IPS)

Q: Are childcare centres allowed to operate face-to-face?

A: Yes. This includes international and expatriate preschool classes.

Q: Are all categories of IPS in MCO areas allowed to have face-to-face learning?

A: No. Only classes with students that are sitting for the SPM/ SVM/ SKM/ STPM/ STAM/ DVM for 2020 and 2021 as well as equivalent international exams will be allowed to operate face-to-face.

Q: Are all IPS categories centres such as tuition/ language centres allowed to operate face-to-face learning?

A: No.

Q: Does an IPS that has been allowed to operate face-to-face learning require a special authorisation letter in order to allow students/ teacher/ staff to be present?

A: Yes.

Management and operations of Pusat Anak Genius Negara (PAGN) and Pusat Genius Kurnia (PGK)

Q: Will PAGN and PGK under the MCO areas remain in operation?

A: Yes. However, this is subject to the quota allowed; priority will be given to parents/ guardians who are both working.

Q: Can parents/ guardians send their children or children under their care for half a day to a PAGN?

A: Yes. However, parents/ guardians must inform the teachers earlier so that activities and routines for children or children under their care can be planned smoothly.

Source: Education Ministry