Axed UM VC

Axed UM VC says its because she’s a woman
Beh Lih Yi November 17, 2008
Former Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Rafiah Salim has alleged gender bias by the government towards local academicians amidst the controversy of her not being re-appointed to the post.
MCPX
The first woman to head a public university in the country, Rafiah’s contract was not renewed recently and she was informed on the decision merely 48 hours before the expiry of her term.
She was appointed in May 2006.
“Just because we are women and we don’t have that thing between the legs so we are not good,” she told Malaysiakini in an one-hour interview today held at her new office at UM.
Former vice-chancellors of UM, the country’s oldest public university, are often granted an office premise to conduct research and development.
“It’s so sad because there is this a ministry in charge of higher education and you expect them to be more liberal and advanced in their thinking,” the 61-year-old former law lecturer and former Bank Negara assistant governor argued.
Explaining her allegation of gender bias, Rafiah said she recently learnt that the women VCs were only given a two-year contract while male VCs were given a three-year contract. This included her successor Prof Dr Ghauth Jasmon.
“Doesn’t this [show they are] more confident in men than in women?” she questioned.
Clashes with deputy minister
Rafiah’s contract was extended for another six months in May this year until the government’s decision to discontinue her services recently.
Following this decision, she has locked horns with Deputy Higher Education Minister Idris Haron after the latter gave an explanation in Parliament on why her contract was not renewed.
Idris (left) had said that UM needed someone with a high level of performance who could elevate the university’s status and the new appointee, Ghauth, had vast experience in public universities.
The decision to discontinue Rafiah’s contract also sparked off a debate in Parliament with some women parliamentarians raising their concern that the issue involved gender inequality.
Former national unity and social development minister Napsiah Omar also expressed her displeasure over the decision.
On this, an irked Rafiah argued: “I don’t care why they have replaced me but what I am upset about is the defamatory remarks that the deputy minister made in Parliament.
“He was really casting aspersions on my capability, track record and insinuating that I didn’t perform.
“He could have given whatever excuse he wants [although] I know it’s difficult for him to justify it because it’s a gender thing [...] but because he can’t provide an explanation, he cast aspersions on me.
“If he had said it outside Parliament, I can sue him. I have 34 years of an excellent career,” said Rafiah.
Defending her two-and-a-half year term at UM, she said the transformation plan she laid out for the university was on track and one example was that she has successfully increased the number of UM publications from 3,300 three years ago to 5,882 as of June this year.
The former VC, who came all prepared for the interview complete with her ‘report card’ also pointed out that the university has managed to climb the Times Higher Education World University’s rankings from 246 last year to 230 this year.
“When were just about to come up, they stop me,” she lamented, adding that she was not told how she did not perform well.
‘I couldn’t be bothered anymore’
Despite her anger, Rafiah denied she was bitter over the episode other that what Idris has said in Parliament. She said she was of the view that it was the ministry’s prerogative to appoint their candidate.
“They have a right to appoint a monkey if they want,” she told Malaysiakini.
Rafiah also stressed that she was not interested in seeking reinstatement to the post.
“I am not interested in reinstatement. I am not interested in the job anymore, I have moved on. I have booked my holiday to see my grandchildren and I have started my book [...] but suddenly he (Idris) comes and defames me,” she said.
Rafiah was obviously upset over the 48-hour notice given to her over the non-renewal of her contract, saying this showed the ministry’s lack of respect for ‘basic human decency’.
According to her, the decision not to extend her contract had already been made beforehand - even before the search committee tasked with appointing the VC had interviewed her.
“The system is flawed, he (Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin) talks of transparency… what transparency? Was it advertised? What are the criteria? Do any of us know the criteria they are looking for?” she asked.
Rafiah, however, declined to comment when asked on how the selection process could be improved.
“Don’t correct it, I am already out [...] I couldn’t be bothered anymore,” she replied.
Khaled, who was Rafiah’s student when the latter was a UM law lecturer, has called for the debate over the controversy to stop.
The minister also stressed that new UM VC’s appointment was made according to procedures and the decision was final.
Tomorrow: Rafiah reveals political interference in UM

HINDUISM–THE RELIGION OF YOGA

It is an unfortunate fact that even today many still do not understand the Yoga/Hindu connection–so, let's look at the facts:

*Just as it is common knowledge that when one uses terms such as Baptism, Bible, Mass, Confirmation, Jesus, the Cross, Christmas and Pope, for example, one is referring to the religion of Christianity. Similarly terms such as : Yoga, Namaste, Asanas, Hatha Yoga, Astanga Yoga, Shiva, Kundalini, Chakras, Vedas, Puja, Samskaras, Patanjali, the Aum and Sat Guru, for example, refer to the religion of Hinduism a.k.a. Sanatan Dharma.

* The word "YOGA" (and other associated words) is Sanskrit. Sanskrit is the prayer language of Hinduism and is to Hinduism what Latin is to Christianity, or Hebrew to Judaism or Arabic to the religion of Islam.

* The word "YOGA" translates into "Spiritual Union" which is the identical meaning of the word "RELIGION." (Therefore it is an "obvious" fallacy that "yoga" is not "religion.")
[* Since "YOGA" (or CLASSICAL YOGA) is a broad term denoting the yogic/religious process to spiritual union, a preface word is used to correctly denote the specific spiritual discipline; i.e., Karma Yoga or spiritual union through ethics and self-less service, for example.]

* Guru Patanjali (often considered "The Father of Classical Yoga") was, of course, a devout Sanatanist/Hindu. This great sage comes from the Saivite Hindu lineage and naturally spent much of his life in and around the Chidambaram Siva temple in Tamil Nadu, South India.

* All devout Hindus (to one degree or another) live a spiritual/religious lifestyle following the various forms of Yoga; i.e., Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Nada Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Japa Yoga and Kundalini Yoga, for example. Obviously, these spiritual disciplines are not found in the Jewish, Christian, or Muslim religions, for example. [Note: Various Yogic disciplines are taught within the Buddhist, Jain and Sikh religions–religions that have directly evolved out of Sanatan Dharma/Hinduism.]

* All the yogic disciplines are detailed in the many scriptures of the Hindu religion; i.e., the Vedas/Upanashads, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Agamas and Tirumantirum, to name a few. In contrast, the Bible, Torah and Koran make no mention of Yoga.

* The authentic teachers of the many aspects of Yoga are the priests and prophets of Hinduism; i.e., Pandits, Pujaris, Sadhus, Yogis, Swamis and Sat Gurus. In contrast, Rabbis, Fathers and Imams are not teachers of Yoga.

* One only needs to look-up the word "YOGA" in a dictionary or encyclopedia to become aware of the Hindu connection; i.e, Yo'ga n. (spiritual union) Hinduism. (Websters) Yoga (Sanskrit "yoke"), one of the six classic systems of Hindu philosophy..." (Funk & Wagnalls).

* One only needs to look in any book on comparative religions to discover the Yoga/Hindu connection. One only needs to look up the word "Yoga" and one will be directed to the chapter on the Hindu religion certainly not to the chapter on Christianity, for example.

* Of course, any book on Hinduism will also be about the various spiritual disciplines of Yoga. For example, in Swami Sivananda's All About Hinduism "The Raja Yoga system of Hinduism is also splendid and unique..." "Hinduism provides spiritual food and Yoga Sadhana for all sorts of people..." p. 6. In contrast, pick up any book on Christianity and look for the spiritual disciplines of Yoga.

* And, of course, all one needs to do is visit a Christian Church, Synagogue or Mosque and inquire about being taught the various spiritual disciplines of Yoga to quickly discover where Yoga is not. Of course, one only needs to visit a Hindu temple or Ashram to be quickly immersed in authentic Yogic practice and teachings.
The point of presenting these facts is not to claim the superiority or exclusivity of Hinduism and its yogic spiritual disciplines but rather to simply point out what should be a common sense realization. "If it walks like a duck..." Certainly one would not speak of the Bible, Jesus and Easter, for example and then make the naive assertion that this has absolutely nothing to do with religion and certainly not Christianity. Similarly, anyone with a bit of knowledge would not use words like Yoga, Namaste and OM, for example, and then make the naive assertion that this has nothing to do with religion or Hinduism. This absurdity can perhaps be clarified by the following:
In the world of careers, everyone realizes that there many unique ways of "earning a living." Each one respects one's chosen specific way of "doing business." Certainly no one would cry "intolerant fundamentalism" to one one who stated they were a plumber, for example. And, who would cry "exclusivity" over the common sense realization that the plumber does not perform his occupation on a patient in the hospital? This job, of course, is for the one with the specific title of "Surgeon" or "Doctor." Ironically, however, too often in the realm of religion there is a tendency to think that simply because one states that they follow one or another of the world's religions that this amounts to creating an exclusive religion. There are obviously many profound religious paths (and perhaps more to come). This recognition and respect for the various religions should be natural as each individual and groups of individuals find an affinity with one of these spiritual traditions. Of course, a problem arises when any one of these religions claims exclusivity. This tendency is "obviously" an immature view. Equally naive however is the modern tendency to divorce the spiritual disciplines of Yoga from Sanatana Dharma/Hinduism-the religion of all forms of Yoga.
In Summary, the various spiritual disciplines of Yoga constitute the religion of Sanatana Dharma/Hinduism. Similar to all other religions, intimate instruction and services are offered only on a donation basis. Generally, everyone is invited to study these spiritual/religious/Hindu disciplines. However just as in any religion, the teacher is (in this case) a qualified Hindu teacher.

[Note: Sanatan Dharma/Hinduism is a world religion and not an ethnic race, therefore just as anyone can become a Christian, for example, anyone can become a Hindu.] What Yoga is not is an exercise routine, taught by anyone for a fee. The Hatha Yoga exercises, meant to prepare for meditation or Raja Yoga, are merely one part in a much larger progressive series of Hindu spiritual/religious disciplines.

WHAT IS YOGA?

The questions should actually be: "What is Real Yoga?" "What is phony 'yoga'?" Real Yoga is, of course, all about the progressive religious teachings and practices of Hinduism. Phony "yoga" is, unfortunately what you find today.
To discover Real Yoga, all one has to do is the least bit of credible research; i.e., dictionary, encyclopedia, books on comparative religions, books on Hinduism, books on non-Hindu religions and conversing with those educated in their own religion. Of course the phony "yoga" and so-called "certified yoga teachers" will never tell you the true facts about Real Yoga. These scam artists have a vested interest in not only money but also, more importantly, their ego.
What these phony "yogis/yoginis" have done to Real Yoga is no different than what millions of arrogant (and, thus, ignorant) invaders have done to not only Hindus but also many other cultures and religions.

Yoga

Yoga (Sanskrit: योग, IAST: yóga, IPA: [joːgə]) refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India; to the goal achieved by those disciplines; and to one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy.[1][2]
Major branches of yoga include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.[3][4][5] Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition.[6] Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including the Vedas, Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.
The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings,[7] and is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite".[8] Translations include "joining", "uniting", "union", "conjunction", and "means".[9][10][11] Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise. A practitioner of Yoga is called a Yogi (gender neutral) or Yogini (feminine form).