恐懼

人們都應有免於恐懼的自由。

Star Wars 中的尤達大師其中一句名言就是"Fear is the path to the dark side, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering"。

當一個地方的人每天活於惶恐的生活中，他們的精神面貌都變得扭曲，對有權勢的噤若寒蟬，對年輕的窮兇極惡。

A lovely day

Finally it is cooler today.  We were literally baking under the sun last week.

Many political incidents happened in Hong Kong in last few weeks.  People were murmuring "Hong Kong is dying".  However, if you look back the human history, our lovely home is still far from dying. 

My kids are playing some imaginative games in their bedroom right now.  They laugh, they yell, they just enjoy themselves.

Yes, life is never a piece of cake.  Let's appreciate every tiny beauty around us everyday.  Guess what, even a cool breeze from an electric fan can make you happy.

C'est la vie.

露絲瑪莉的蘿蔔糕

媽媽露絲瑪莉每年都做蘿蔔糕給身邊的人，非常美味，是妹妹和我的至愛。由於我們的口味很清淡，這個蘿蔔糕食譜沒有臘肉，不過你可加入任何喜歡的材料。

材料
八斤蘿蔔

水5碗*
兩碗半粘米粉
兩碗半糯米粉

細冬菇大約15隻

蝦米一碗

元貝一碗

粘米粉一碗半

粟粉一碗半

調味料：鹽3茶匙、白胡椒適量、雞粉一茶匙

*本食譜以「碗」作單位，即飯碗。

製法

A. 預備材料：

1. 蘿蔔去皮砌條，放入兩湯匙糖，加入水煲大約15分鐘，或蘿蔔開始腍身為止。如果想蘿蔔糕口感綿密，可將蘿蔔刨絲。
2．將煲過蘿蔔糕的水倒出，留下一碗水備用。

3. 元貝先炸香，用吸油紙將油吸乾，再用刀面壓碎。備用。
4. 冬菇砌粒，用糖和豉油來醃泡10分鐘，炒香。備用。

B．拌入材料：
1. 將蝦米和元貝混入蘿蔔條，拌勻。

2. 加入粘米粉，拌勻。

3. 加入粟粉，拌勻。
4. 加入A2的水。

4. 加入調味料，拌勻。

C．蒸煮：

1. 開中火，不斷攪拌。直至煲底的材料開始結成一團，收火。

2. 預備錫紙，在盆底塗上花生油。
3. 將蘿蔔糕團放入錫紙盆， 壓平。然後鋪上冬菇，再壓平。

4. 煲滾水， 放入蘿蔔糕蒸一小時， 其間每15分鐘加滾水到鍋裏。

5. 完成囉！！

Cooler weather

Surprisingly, the weather is getting dryer and windier by the mid of September this year.  Autumn has practically disappeared in Hong Kong, but it seems coming back this year.

Yes, the temperature is still very high during daytime, but we feel very comfortable in morning and evening.  The temperature drops below 30c.

I have a mood to buy some flowers back home.

Dear Mr. Spider 2

Dear Mr. Spider 2,

I found you outside my window in an extremely hot day.  I wish I could communicate with you, then I could warn you a typhoon is approaching Hong Kong.  I could suggest you to give up your big fat moth feast, grab your web and run without turning your head back.

Everything is too late, a Level 8 typhoon had swiped across here last night.  When I looked out, you were not there, I guess you had been wiped away effortlessly.

That's really bad....

《製造基督》觀後感

這是我所讀的一個劇戲課程要做的功課，順度放在這裏記存。 
《製造基督》觀後感

《製造基督》（Messiah）是英國劇作家Steven Berkoff的作品。同流劇團翻譯了此劇，並在於2012年6月15至17日於西灣河文娛中心演出。

原著在2000年於英國上演時已引起社會激烈的討論。它批判信仰，諷刺以宗教來控制人民的政客和極權政府。故事講述耶穌（J.C.）是一名演員和狂熱政治家。他希望拯救猶太人和抗衡羅馬政府， 同時認為聖經中的默西亞根本不會出現，所以他跟門徒依照聖經舊約的預言，演出默西亞被釘十字架及死後復活，使更多人相信他，團結整個猶太民族，對抗羅馬人，甚至要讓基督教傳揚至整個西方世界。預言，就是耶穌與門徒們的劇本。

正如文字工作者周穎榆在場刊提及，《製造基督》所「褻瀆」的不是宗教（religion）， 而是信仰（faith）。Berkoff沒有質疑上帝的存在，但他給觀眾一個很大的空間去反思，為甚麼人要相信一本由人寫成的聖經？為甚麼當人們稍為用理性去分析信仰和質疑聖經時，就被稱為自負？作者將「不要怕，只要信」一句話， 鞭韃得體無完膚。

不過，我不認為Berkoff否定耶穌是神之子。這點於第一幕第四場「哀子」表現出來。瑪利亞抱著從十字架上放下來的耶穌，痛心欲絕地細訴她聖靈懷孕的經過。而在第二幕末，耶穌淡淡地告訴觀眾，他做那麼多的事，都是愛我們。或許，耶穌在這劇裏，是真正的默西亞，只是他自己也不太肯定。當然，我沒有刻意看劇本導讀去驗證，這純粹是我的想法。

很容易理解，該劇會令基督徒感到冒犯。就算是對無神論者的我，也產生了很大的衝擊。看劇後有很多疑問，像老鷹群在我腦海上盤旋。究竟我在否定神的存在，還是在否定別人告訴我的神，還是因為古今中外，因為太多人以宗教為卑劣的手段來控制人民的行為和思考，而使我全盤推翻信仰？

這劇最成功的地方就是迫使你去思考宗教和信仰。

如前文所說，該劇另一個主旨是反映出政權和政治家（包括耶穌本人）如何以宗教來支配民眾，用教條來規範人民，剷除異己，以得到自身的利益。這一部分絕對是發揮得淋漓盡致。例如，大祭司說所有極權都需要大量的無知群眾在他們前面形成一說保護牆，所以，群眾絕不能得到真理。這不就是每天在地球上不同角落也發生的事嗎？我們每天聽到政客推銷他們的理念，不是也叫我們不要怕，即管相信他？

除了劇本，我也欣賞翻譯下過的努力。由於原著用了很多經文來編織對白，翻譯需要作大量的資料搜集，既要花心思地保留經文的優美，同時令對白聽來通順而不落俗套。是次演出中很多場也能呈現如詩意境。可惜，不知是否為了注入本土元素，有幾場的對白加入極多廣東話粗口。如場一「臨終現場」，耶穌被釘十字架時，負責守衛他的羅馬士兵們不斷以粗口辱罵他，頻密的程度是每句至少有兩個。粗言穢語用以傳達語言暴力，這我理解，在這血腥的場面出現也像理所當然。不過，這畢竟是一套翻譯片，所表達的地點更是確確實實的耶路撒冷。所以當聽到士兵說著非常地道，賦有深遠歷史和文化的廣式粗口， 不免感到有點突兀和過於庸俗。

該劇長兩小時三十分。演員的努力有目共曙，由對白至形體方面皆表現出色。除了主角耶穌和撒旦外，另一個很耀眼的角色是猶達斯。在聖經內他是一名叛徒，在這故事他是一名被迫演奸角而遺臭萬年的受害者。台上的猶達斯，悽美，有力地演繹他的無奈和壓抑，給我留下很深印象。

Got tired

Frankly, I really got tired with all those hoaxes and urban legends, and all those brutal and blooding photos of animals, which aim to evoke your empathy toward abused animals, spreading in fb.

In fb, you cannot tell a friend to stop sending out those horrible photos which make you vomit.  Why can't I?  Because they are just my friends but not close friends, I cannot predict how they would respond if I do so.

It is even harder for me to tell my friends not to post those silly hoaxes.  Even they are doubt about the stories, they spred them out anyway just in case.  This act actually brings negative impact to the society in some subtle ways, such as to maximize the stereotyping or even discrimination to certain group of people.  However, I don't bother to tell my 'friends' what I think, I don't want to look different and stand out and wait for an academic debate with others in the virtual world.

To stop such irritation, I would rather not visiting those social media.  Sigh.....

低智電視節目

星期天晚,無線正播著的遊戲節目,見到一群穿著短裙的女孩隨著音樂騷首弄姿.各人像在跳舞但完全沒有節奏,動作沒有勁,像hea著等收工,更遑論她們的動作一致與否.我真的搞不清她們是在跳舞還是在搞笑. 老實說,就算她們賣的是青春與性感,但作為一位表演者,可否認真一點?

看過十秒後我立刻轉到Discovery Channel,我不想讓孩子們看那節目,並不是因為它賣弄色情(有觀眾向廣管局投訴),而是它賣弄色情得來製作非常粗糙又反智. 我不是一個保守的人,但我想培養孩子成為有品味的觀眾.

無線,生性一點,好嗎?

1997年

同學仔在面書組織了名為忽爾十五載的寫作計劃，寫的是由1997﹣2002這15年間的人和事。
我選了1997年，這年對香港和我都意義重大。以下是我的文章：

1997年6月30日深夜，我抱著膝，坐在沙發，從電視看著香港回歸交接儀式。當晚下著滂沱大雨，令這歷史時刻更顯沉重。窗外淅瀝聲敲到我的心裏。

我當晚離家出走。跟父母閙翻了，他們認為求學時期不能拍拖。你叫我如何認同？畢竟我已是踏進雙十年華，有自己思想的成年人了！在很多國家，像我那年紀的女孩，已育有三個孩子也說不定。在過去半年，就因為這事跟他們磨擦，那一晚，不知何事，大家都過了臨界線。

我躲到男友家。看著電視，眼淚不自覺流下來。電視傳來《God Save The Queen》的壯麗音樂。英國國旗及香港殖民地旗幟在風雨飄搖中徐徐下降。一個多麼煽情的畫面！

這是我人生第一次如此反對父母。與其說是為了戀愛而離家出走，不如說是為了爭取戀愛的自由。他們認為沒有人比他們更愛自己的女兒，老是擔心女兒被男孩子傷害，變得無心向學。我沒有跟他們說，其實這些我老早經歷過，也熬過了。It was not a big deal at all！

其實，二十歲還弄到要離家出走，真的有點好笑。

電視中，洪亮的《義勇軍進行曲》奏起來，紅色的五星旗和香港特區區旗爬昇著。我們這一代，成長於彌漫著末世風情的年代：1984年中英聯合聲明，信心危機，移民潮，太空人，歌照跑，舞照跳，繁榮與安定，五十年不變，還有……笑聲救地球，還有……那用血寫在中國近代史上的六四事件。從兒時起，這些詞彙陪著我們成長，不斷衝擊我們的思想。終於到了政權移交的一刻，我感到的只是惆悵與茫然。我們這一代的大學生，遠不及火紅年代的那些天子門生，總是被批評為政治冷感，只顧享樂。 就像我，在這重要時刻，我為香港做到甚麼？我又能為香港做些甚麼？

還是為自己的兒女私情煩惱好了。

沒有興趣聽完江澤民的偉大講話，也哭得太倦，不知不覺睡著了。

第二天六時醒來，還感到臉上的淚痕的崩緊，天還下著昨晚那場雨。我很擔心爸媽，便跟男友說回家。六時三十分，他陪我到樓下，截了的士。男友看起來也很擔心，關上車門前，我應承他去爭取父母接納我們。車三十分鐘後到埗。雖然有傘子，但我跑回家那幾步路，還是濕透。 回到家，兩位怒火中燒的老人家果然已起床，在客廳等著我大興問罪。我見到他們完全沒有精神疲憊的跡象，心安定一些。至少，他們沒有傷心得崩潰。我穿越那此起彼落的雙聲道責駡，跑到房，關上門，倒頭大睡去。

之後劇情有點兒土。我當天淋雨後得了感冒，媽媽邊駡邊照顧我。病好後，我採取主動言和，雙方成功返回談判桌。兩代人重新對話時，電視重播著彭定康一家及查理斯王子踏上The Royal Yacht Britannia, 與香港人道別的一刻。彭定康看來很傷感，他那三位俏麗千金更哭成淚人。

爸跟我解釋他們的擔憂，我向他解釋我的堅持。最後雙方達成協議，我保証不會荒廢學業，兩年後如期畢業。（老實說， 讀文學院的，三年內畢不到業比畢到業難得多）， 他應承不再干涉我拍拖。是次對話史無前例的成功。一星期後，爸替我出了人生第一部手提電話，好讓我夜歸前跟他們交帶一聲。我跟朋友笑說老爸這招真高，現正可以查著我行踪了！當然，我心裏很甜，也知道是父母是信任我的。

若干年後，我跟那小男友結婚了。

婚禮前，爸爸問我：「當年我們阻止你跟小丸子拍拖，你還有怪我們嗎？」

「那會？」我答。「你們只是緊張我！所有爸爸跟寶貝女兒的男友都是天生的敵人罷。但你可放心，我會好好的！」

然後，我們一起微笑。

A new pair of earrings

Get bored with those lifeless and monotonous chain store accessories, I was searching for something manmade by local designers.  I have found this pair of earrings from Daydream Nation, the brand is Made by kawai.

Gorgeous, aren't they?  I think they look great with outfits from casual wear to party dress!

香港的博物館

我喜歡逛博物館，無論是香港或是國外。

慢慢，我發現到一個有趣現像: 香港博物館內的保安員遠比歐美的博物館保安員「盡責」。

每當有人走進香港的博物館，那些保安員便會金晶火眼的盯著。當有人從口袋
掏出手機，他們便會緊張地趨前。當發現那人只是用手機查時間或在notepad記錄，他們立即止步，隱伏在那人後面，直至他將手機放回袋裏。若果那人真的舉手機拍照，保安員便於0．001秒內，以方圓30米能聽到的聲線說：「這裏不能影相呀！」好作出殺一儆百之效。

當有小朋友來參觀，保安員更顯緊張。當孩子們走近一點展品，保安員立即走近他們，當他們快步行過，保安員會立即喝止（只是快步，不是跑）。

記得我還是中學生時，我參觀了一個關於流行藝術的展覽，那時興起讓參觀者互動的展品。其中一件展品是一本簿，參觀者可在上面塗鴉，旁邊還附有一支筆。我覺得很有趣，便在上面畫了一點東西。怎知一位保安員走來責罵我，問我怎麼畫花展品，我向她解釋她卻聽不進。我也懶得跟她理論，反一下眼便轉身離去。

上年夏天，我帶著小孩到某一藝術館內的兒童玩樂區玩，那裏有很多家長及小朋友。有一位保安員，我想她的角式是負責提醒在場家長必須盡做家長的責任﹣ 她的工作是不停地巡邏，然後指著一個小孩，問是不是你的。當你說是，她便會叫你好好看管他。我們待在那裏10分鐘，被提醒了4次。

我不是惱這些保安員，某程度上，他們的工作態度盡忠職守，藉得別人的讚賞。但這種有點反智的管理模式，是否藉得博物館管理層反思一下？

Somewhere over the rainbow

A beautiful rainbow appeared across the sky last evening.  When I see in the picture I had taken, I found there were double rainbows!!!  A faint bigger rainbow was at the top of the smaller one, which I could not seen by my naked eyes or I just omitted it.  It is really a rare view in Hong Kong.  As I remember, it was my first time to witness such wonderful rainbows in my life.


I brought the boys to rush downstairs when I spotted the rainbow, the boys were exciting.  We stared at it until it faded away.  


While we were walking back home, I was holding Linus, he rested his head on my shoulder and said 'I miss rainbow!!'

Tragedy

I was busy in the interview room when many Hong Kong people were witnessing the real time broadcasting of the hostage crisis in Manila.  When I finished my work at 9:00pm, I checked my facebook and found my friends were grieving what had happened. 


My heart was pounding quick, I was very shocked even I just browsed the messages of my friends in facebook, I though I would have cried if I watched the real time broadcasting.


When I watched the news report, I couldn't breathe.  How could this be happened?


We felt extremely sad, and it was the first time I felt I loved Hong Kong people that much.


If there is God, please bless the hostages, those are alive and in the heaven.

八十後

我不喜歡標纖效應,但我愛煞「八十後」這一詞°對我來說,這是一個褒詞°

可惜我是七十末出生,拉極車邊也談不上是「八十後」°

我也經歷過青春無敵時期,最討厭那些所謂的成年人對後生一輩說三道四,說我們如何不濟,一代不如一代°言談中你不難發現他們都帶有一種以踐踏別人而提高自己的酸溜溜,以及那種青春不再的無奈°

請大家真心聆聽「八十後」的意見°

還有那群自稱「五十後」「六十後」的人,拜托!不要表現那麼幼稚,別人叫XX後你又自稱XX後,一點創意也沒有,像跟小孩鬥嘴般低莊°

為甚麼地產商總是找洋妞拍洋樓廣告?

這些不就是陶傑常說釣「小農社會的奴性思想麼」?真是崇洋媚外得可笑!
還有,廣告中那些穿金帶銀獸皮(皮草)蓋著人皮的派對情景,我不覺得高尚,只覺得很虛假,很暴發°

512 64

豆腐渣是我們的名勝°

真理,成為我國最稀有的東西°

拜祭親兒被阻撓,母親節也不能慶祝 ,面對手無寸鐵的老百姓,怕得任何事也控制,卻有意無意助大黑領的勢力......

有這樣的政府,想成為超級大國,真是貽笑大方!

The pudding old couple

Jeff and I went to Central last Friday, we took a day leave after the New Year day.

There were the very very old couple selling pudding around the street corner. It was a cold day but they still worked very hard, they made every single coin by their bare hands. When there was no customers, they just stood still there, around 20 minutes, the old gentleman walked aside and sat on the staircase. He returned once there were more people buying the puddings.

I bought a pudding from them, I wanted to say happy new year to them, but I gave up, because I felt old people don't like receiving greeting from a stranger on the street.

Anyway, I want to say happy new year and salute to you two here! Wish you guys having great business. By the way, your stroller looks fab.

How "mentally retarded" it can be?

I have read the below article from SCMP just now, about the chaotic education system in Malaysia which tortures students and parents, and possibly ruin the kids' competitiveness in the future.

I am wondering if it will happen in Hong Kong... You know, the government sucks. Even our friend who is a teacher said the Hong Kong Education Department is "mentally retarded".

I better send my babies to international schools, and I will work harder in order to pay the tuition fee. I will teach them Chinese by myself.


Language barrier splits Malaysians into classes

English, Malay or Chinese and cost is the poser facing parents
Baradan KuppusamyUpdated on Sep 27, 2008

A visibly angry Maimunah Hamid shook her head in desperation as education ministry officials struggled to explain to angry parents gathered at a parent-teachers meeting at a national school in the city last week."I have had enough, I am moving my daughter to an international school," said Ms Maimunah, an accountant with Maybank, Malaysia's biggest bank. "I am sick of this flip-flop policy, why can't you all make up your mind?" Most of the 120 parents agreed with Ms Maimunah, 46, a mother of two daughters aged nine and 12."Make up you mind please ... English or Malay. Don't torture the children," said another parent Kanagaratnam Vellupillai, 39. "This issue has been going on for years and years." In fact the issue - English or Malay as a medium of instruction - has been hotly debated and remains unresolved since the British colonialists left in 1957.After acrimonious debate the matter was settled in 1967 that Malay would be the medium of instruction in all national schools, but that Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools could continue teaching in a mixture of Malay and their own mother tongues. However, in a decision in 2002, which was widely opposed by parents, officials, opposition lawmakers and even civil servants, Mahathir Mohamad ordered the return of English on the grounds that national education in Malay narrowed student minds, retarded economic growth and that if continued, Malaysia's competitiveness would collapse against Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.The return of English was widely supported by middle class parents such as Ms Maimunah and Mr Kanagaratnam, who were already westernised and inclined to want an open, English-based education for their children.However Malay nationalists, Chinese educationists and Tamil parents, who wanted Tamil as medium of instruction for Tamils, strongly objected to Dr Mahathir's desire to bring back English.The veteran politician offered a compromise - only science and maths would be taught in English. All other subjects would be in Malay and vernacular languages.That decision has been hotly debated ever since and the latest round erupted last month with academics, teachers and parents hotly divided over whether to continue Dr Mahathir's policy or revert to teaching all subjects in Malay.The matter remains an emotive issue in this multi-ethnic society divided by race, religion and now mother tongue education.Five years after Dr Mahathir retired in 2003 his successor, Abdullah Badawi, still finds it difficult to reverse the "science and maths in English" policy now widely described as a "silly legacy". At the time it was introduced, the move was strongly opposed by parents, educators and teachers, but Dr Mahathir pressed on. Opposition continued over the years and has reached a peak in recent weeks with top educators openly arguing that the five-year-old policy has seriously damaged students' grasp of not only English but also science and maths. "You cannot study a language by studying maths and science in that language," said Ungku Aziz, a former vice-chancellor of the University Malaya."The tragedy of our time is that students have no idea what is grammar and syntax, they are not proficient in English," he told an education forum this month, adding his weight to chorus of demands to end the policy."English or any language should be learnt as a language on its own right." National Union of Heads of Schools President Pang Chong Leong agreed with the argument against using English as the medium of instruction for science and maths."If the intention is to improve the pupils' English, then they should start with the arts subjects, such as moral studies, and also increase the number of English periods," he said at an education forum last week."Science involves a lot of thinking while maths does not use too much language and vocabulary. It goes against the principles of education and does not achieve any objective." Dr Mahathir reasoned though that by teaching the two subjects in English students would not only master the language but also science and maths to make the economy technology-driven, and implemented the policy against strong opposition in 2003, months before he retired after 22 years as prime minister.Neither aims, however, have been achieved, experts argue.They say English proficiency fell because less time was devoted to it in language study, while grasp of science and maths also suffered after the sudden switch from Malay.English originally was taught five times a week, 45-minutes a session in primary schools, but that time was reduced to once a week under the new policy. The saved hours were used to study science and maths in English, leaving teachers and students in the lurch.The government pressed ahead, spending billions changing school textbooks to English, training teachers to work in the language and at one time even importing scores of teachers from England to fill a shortfall.Over the years several government "review committees" have studied the issue and recommended to end the policy, but Dr Mahathir's influence in the political arena was so great that a final decision was always postponed.Another reason for the indecisiveness is that long-time education minister Hishamuddin Hussein is a Mahathir loyalist and unwilling to embarrass the former prime minister by ending the policy.However, at a teachers' meeting early this month, Mr Hishamuddin promised the government would make a firm decision - abandon English for Malay or continue the policy - by year end.Some parents, such as Ms Maimunah, are not prepared to wait for the government to decide."I want my daughters to have a wholesome, internationally recognised education so they can work and live anywhere in the world," she said."Later this year I am pulling them from the national school and registering them in an international one that follows the English semester system. It's expensive but worth it." However, parents like Mr Kanagaratnam, a City hall bus driver, cannot afford expensive private education. "English is a must for world commerce and the future. We must have a strong grounding in English," he said. "I hope the government keeps instruction in English just for science and mathematics. We don't want out children to return to Malay and play catch up all over again." The government appears reluctant to reverse the policy five years after spending so much money on textbooks and retraining teachers to switch science and maths from Malay to English. "We have already lost one generation switching from English to Malay. By reversing I fear we will lose another," said retired teacher Kathy Fong in a letter to the New Straits Times daily last week.");
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A visibly angry Maimunah Hamid shook her head in desperation as education ministry officials struggled to explain to angry parents gathered at a parent-teachers meeting at a national school in the city last week.
"I have had enough, I am moving my daughter to an international school," said Ms Maimunah, an accountant with Maybank, Malaysia's biggest bank. "I am sick of this flip-flop policy, why can't you all make up your mind?" Most of the 120 parents agreed with Ms Maimunah, 46, a mother of two daughters aged nine and 12.
"Make up you mind please ... English or Malay. Don't torture the children," said another parent Kanagaratnam Vellupillai, 39. "This issue has been going on for years and years." In fact the issue - English or Malay as a medium of instruction - has been hotly debated and remains unresolved since the British colonialists left in 1957.
After acrimonious debate the matter was settled in 1967 that Malay would be the medium of instruction in all national schools, but that Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools could continue teaching in a mixture of Malay and their own mother tongues.
However, in a decision in 2002, which was widely opposed by parents, officials, opposition lawmakers and even civil servants, Mahathir Mohamad ordered the return of English on the grounds that national education in Malay narrowed student minds, retarded economic growth and that if continued, Malaysia's competitiveness would collapse against Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The return of English was widely supported by middle class parents such as Ms Maimunah and Mr Kanagaratnam, who were already westernised and inclined to want an open, English-based education for their children.
However Malay nationalists, Chinese educationists and Tamil parents, who wanted Tamil as medium of instruction for Tamils, strongly objected to Dr Mahathir's desire to bring back English.
The veteran politician offered a compromise - only science and maths would be taught in English. All other subjects would be in Malay and vernacular languages.
That decision has been hotly debated ever since and the latest round erupted last month with academics, teachers and parents hotly divided over whether to continue Dr Mahathir's policy or revert to teaching all subjects in Malay.
The matter remains an emotive issue in this multi-ethnic society divided by race, religion and now mother tongue education.
Five years after Dr Mahathir retired in 2003 his successor, Abdullah Badawi, still finds it difficult to reverse the "science and maths in English" policy now widely described as a "silly legacy".
At the time it was introduced, the move was strongly opposed by parents, educators and teachers, but Dr Mahathir pressed on. Opposition continued over the years and has reached a peak in recent weeks with top educators openly arguing that the five-year-old policy has seriously damaged students' grasp of not only English but also science and maths.
"You cannot study a language by studying maths and science in that language," said Ungku Aziz, a former vice-chancellor of the University Malaya.
"The tragedy of our time is that students have no idea what is grammar and syntax, they are not proficient in English," he told an education forum this month, adding his weight to chorus of demands to end the policy.
"English or any language should be learnt as a language on its own right."
National Union of Heads of Schools President Pang Chong Leong agreed with the argument against using English as the medium of instruction for science and maths.
"If the intention is to improve the pupils' English, then they should start with the arts subjects, such as moral studies, and also increase the number of English periods," he said at an education forum last week.
"Science involves a lot of thinking while maths does not use too much language and vocabulary. It goes against the principles of education and does not achieve any objective."
Dr Mahathir reasoned though that by teaching the two subjects in English students would not only master the language but also science and maths to make the economy technology-driven, and implemented the policy against strong opposition in 2003, months before he retired after 22 years as prime minister.
Neither aims, however, have been achieved, experts argue.
They say English proficiency fell because less time was devoted to it in language study, while grasp of science and maths also suffered after the sudden switch from Malay.
English originally was taught five times a week, 45-minutes a session in primary schools, but that time was reduced to once a week under the new policy. The saved hours were used to study science and maths in English, leaving teachers and students in the lurch.
The government pressed ahead, spending billions changing school textbooks to English, training teachers to work in the language and at one time even importing scores of teachers from England to fill a shortfall.
Over the years several government "review committees" have studied the issue and recommended to end the policy, but Dr Mahathir's influence in the political arena was so great that a final decision was always postponed.
Another reason for the indecisiveness is that long-time education minister Hishamuddin Hussein is a Mahathir loyalist and unwilling to embarrass the former prime minister by ending the policy.
However, at a teachers' meeting early this month, Mr Hishamuddin promised the government would make a firm decision - abandon English for Malay or continue the policy - by year end.
Some parents, such as Ms Maimunah, are not prepared to wait for the government to decide.
"I want my daughters to have a wholesome, internationally recognised education so they can work and live anywhere in the world," she said.
"Later this year I am pulling them from the national school and registering them in an international one that follows the English semester system. It's expensive but worth it."
However, parents like Mr Kanagaratnam, a City hall bus driver, cannot afford expensive private education. "English is a must for world commerce and the future. We must have a strong grounding in English," he said.
"I hope the government keeps instruction in English just for science and mathematics. We don't want out children to return to Malay and play catch up all over again."
The government appears reluctant to reverse the policy five years after spending so much money on textbooks and retraining teachers to switch science and maths from Malay to English.
"We have already lost one generation switching from English to Malay. By reversing I fear we will lose another," said retired teacher Kathy Fong in a letter to the New Straits Times daily last week.

Patriotism and tainted milk scandal

After 11 years of the return of Hong Kong sovereignty to China, how do you tell others your identity? A Chinese, or a Hongkongese, or both?

Patriotism in China means loving the ultimate authority system of mainland, a dirty, corrupted system which allows tainted milk to poison their own next generation simply for the sake of fulfilling chimerical greed.

Can you love someone governs you but feeding you contaminated food? Can you accept someone who think it is appropriate to fake the public in the Olympic ceremony by replacing the little girl performer to a prettier one, for the sake of "maintaining the public image"?

Looking at that bureaucratic system of this country, I understand why independent thinking and honesty are precious.

To be, I feel ashame but I am a Chinese, I hope I can still be a Hongkongese, if Hong Kong can maintain its uniqueness and core values.

Quote of the day

"Beijing has been giving very strong messages to Hong Kong to maintain safety. The pressure from Beijing could be even heavier than from the terrorists." from the Security Chief of Hong Kong, Lee Siu Kwong, commenting about the security issue of Hong Kong during the Olympic game.