Malaysia's 'National Education Blueprint 2006-2010'

"We need to face up to the fact that Malaysians have to compete with billions of our fellow Asians who are hungry for the kind of prosperity and stability we have achieved over the past 20 years. They will work harder and smarter because they are hungrier. All Malaysians, especially the Malay community, have to come to terms with this fact. If we don’t rise to the ever-increasing critical challenges, we will return to being losers in the global race."

This statement made during the presentation of the National Education Blueprint 2006-2010 by Malaysia's Minister of Education Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein caught my eye when I was browsing NST (New Straits Times) online newspaper (Spelling out the nation's future educational needs (close new window to get back to this page)).

I hope this mean that the Malaysian Government realise that the emphasis of the nation should be more on wealth creation than on the distribution of that wealth.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country whose population comprises 3 main races - the Malays, Chinese, Indians, the natives and others. The Malays says they were neglected during the colonial rule by Great Britain and were thus at a disadvantage as compared with the other races. There is thus an affirmative program which give various privilages to the bumiputras (sons of the soils which comprises the Malays and the natives, but it seems the emphasis is more on the Malays) like special quotas in the Universities and discounts to new houses sold by developers not available to others, Government contracts and so on. There is a fear that this may dull the competitive spirit of the Malays. Further, it may not fit in with the ongoing globalisation, where nations have to compete with each other.

A shoe design Institute for Malaysia by the world famous shoemaker, Jimmy Choo?

Malaysia has aspiration to become an educational center for the region. Malaysia have many public and private educational centers and have a large number of foreign students.

World famous shoemaker, Datuk Jimmy Choo (Datuk is the Malaysian version of knightship), in a press conference, announced his intention to set up a shoe design Institute in Malaysia. "I am a Malaysian and I want to give back to the people of Malaysia for the respect and support they have shown me over the years. It is only right that the institute be built in my home country before anywhere else" he said in the conference. He said that there is currently no shoe design institute in Malaysia, and he will like to be the first to set up one. He also hope to sponsor a few young designers abroad to learn about the industry.

Penang-born Jimmy Choo, a couture shoemaker based in the East End of London and recognized for his excellent craftsmanship, is favoured by international stars and elegant women worldwide. He can count among his clients the late Princess Diana. Jimmy Choo was supposed to meet her to present a pair of cream, low-heel shoes at Kensington Palance on September 1, 1997, just 18 hours after her horrific car accident. His other royal clients include Queen Ann-Marie of Greece, Queen Raina of Jordan, the former Queen Noor of Jordan, the Sultanah of Pahang. His othere clientele includes film stars, pop stars and other celebrities. Datuk Michelle Yeoh, now a famous actress from Malaysia, and Madonna were also his clients.

Malaysia now has something to look forward to. Let's hope that comes into reality soon.