Monday, September 18, 2006
What's the cost to be an intellectual?
When Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for intellectuals to be globally outstanding, it seems so far fetched, to me, for a great number of Malaysians to achieve that. From tax incentives and prices of educational materials to the freedom of intellectual discussions everywhere in Malaysia, the environment to produce intellectuals, let alone globally competent intellectual remains a myth.
One global survey found that in Malaysia, less than 15% of the population received higher-level education. A lesser percentage of that pursues further academic level. Highly intellectual people are a rarity in Malaysia. When such people enter politics, most of them rarely hold the reins but are reined in by their voters who put them in power. Such is the soulless intellect and intellectual.
From another perspective, to produce intellectuals, reading should be a habit. It is a very expensive activity to read the latest title in the market to keep abreast of world developments in every human and non-human endeavour. Simply, because quality books are a rip-off.
Students in higher learning institution can easily spend up to RM500 per semester (3 months). That makes a total of RM2000 per year. A family who has several children at higher educational centres will probably incur at least RM5000 per year. Schoolchildren need books, too. They may spend several hundred ringgit per month to buy new activity books, magazines, storybooks, etc. Parents who study further may also spend money on reading materials. One tends to question, why only books? Why are not included all other educational materials, like CDs, software, magazines, newspapers, etc. for tax exemption? The meagre RM1000 allowance for book purchase does not reflect a serious and whole-hearted intention of the government to produce a knowledge-based society that will face the challenges of the coming competitive years and global era. It is truly a high-priced venture to become an intellectual in Malaysia for the not so well to do lay people.
To become an intellectual, one needs to read, read, and read, and to do more reading. Yes, other than book purchase, one can visit the library. Most public libraries offer old edition books. Alternatively, one can be an outside member of a university library. Such libraries are now under private management. One has to subscribe at RM100 per year with RM150 deposit per book to borrow. If one wishes to borrow four books at a time, then one needs to deposit RM600. In some areas, the government is not intimate with what the people are experiencing. It is pointless to urge people to accomplish various expectations when the environment for the said expectations is not provided for.
In Malaysia, what is discussed within the classroom in campus is not supposed to be repeated outside, particularly regarding topics under Malaysian Studies/History/Politics or the like. What touches the sensitivity of the status quo is to remain untouched even when it does not help the understanding of our history and perspectives. Therefore, students are often unaware of the depth and factual aspects of some topics in discussions. We see lecturers and teachers unable or refusing to engage in controversy, that is, playing safe, for they will be monitored and their lectures and discussions taped by camouflaged students working for those that have a stake in keeping students uninformed about the real events of history. Therefore, we see the negligibility of free intellectual thinking.
The internet is truly a source of information. Where in some countries the rate of charges is minimal, Malaysia, via Telekom Malaysia, is charging a rate that puts off whole-hearted research by those with average means. Of course, the hikes in petrol price have also diminished the intellectual quest of the lay people. How can that be happening? For sure, this question suggests that no such consideration (the erosion of intellectual quest) was evident when the price hikes occurred.
Harvard University, the top ranking global university, waives fees for low and middle-income families. Such move is exemplary, for great brains can come from all sections of the society. One of the stepping-stones to become globally competent is a great education from a great university. Therefore, really, I have a pessimistic view about Malaysians achieving globally outstanding status in great numbers unless the real aspects that propel the production of such globally outstanding intellectuals exist.
Comments:
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One of the most glaring hindrance in Malaysia especialy amongst the Malay is how much lost we are into the hedonistic world of the pop culture, movie, concerts etc. We are being fed with so much of entertainment that our intellectual capacity freezes.
# posted by 
: 5:27 PM
: 5:27 PM
That's part of the grand plan to freeze brains from thinking.We need to the counter the culture.Position ourselves in where we can best work for change,with zest.
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