Tok Pa Reads Blogs!

Wow! I'm impressed. Our new Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed (Tok Pa) reads blogs and makes it a point to reply quickly where required.

Parliamentary Opposition leader, Sdr Lim Kit Siang blogged 2 days ago based on a newspaper report that Tok Pa should "prove first-class mentality" by releasing the Zahid Higher Education Report to the public immediately instead of in August this year.

On the very next day, Tok Pa emailed, yes, emailed Sdr Lim his response that the newspaper report was not exactly accurate, and that he has begun the process of de-classification and should be made available to the public within the next two weeks.

The report by the media at the press conference held at LAN last Thursday was incomplete.

What I stated was that the Wan Zahid report will be made public as soon as possible, to allow for public consultations and updating of the findings and recommendations, including the incorporation of elements outlined in the 9th Malaysia Plan. Tan Sri Wan Zahid has been tasked to oversee this effort and the final report is expected to be completed by the end of September, this year.

Sdr Lim rightly praised Tok Pa for "passing the first test... for blazing the path as the first Cabinet Minister in cyberspace to respond to views concerning his ministry on blogs and the internet".

Now, if Tok Pa reads blogs, or at the very least, one of his senior assistants must be, then I may safely assume that this blog is being read (or monitored?) as well. :) For Sdr Lim have often liberally quoted, linked and plugged various posts in this blog in the past and as recent as a week ago.

Tok Pa, if you are reading this, both Kian Ming and myself would like to warmly welcome you to our modest blog on Education in Malaysia. Both of us are extremely concerned about the state of education available and accessible to all Malaysians in this country and would love to help it improve. I'm sure you'd have read the many criticisms we have had on the system to date, some harsher than others. These are not written out of malice, but of a sincere and heartfelt desire to be providing constructive criticism so that the relevant authorities may take the necessary steps to remedy the weaknesses.

Tok Pa, we look forward to a more open, transparent and constructive Higher Education policy and era under your leadership. Despite the many cynicism which have been expressed by many Malaysians, some as comments by readers of this blog, we hope that the standards and quality of our tertiary education sector will improve significantly under your reign.

Welcome once again! :)