A NAS A WEEK - 1 MUHARRAM 1430H

Narrated 'Umar: I heard the Prophet saying, "The reward of deeds depends on the intentions, so whoever emigrated for the worldly benefits or to marry a woman, his emigration was for that for which he emigrated, but whoever emigrated for the Sake of Allah and His Apostle, his emigration is for Allah and His Apostle." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 58: Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar), Hadith No. 238]

A NAS A WEEK - 24 DZULHIJJAH 1429

But verily thy Lord, - to those who leave their homes (Hijrah) after trials and persecutions, and who thereafter strive and fight for the Faith and patiently persevere - thy Lord, after all this is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [an-Nahl, 16:110]

A NAS A WEEK - 17 DZULHIJJAH 1429

Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Said said, "I have heard that by his good character a man can reach the degree of the one who stands in prayer at night and the one who is thirsty from fasting in the heat of the day." [Hadith from Malik's Muwatta', Book No. 47: Good Character, Hadith No. 47.1.6].

A NAS A WEEK - 10 DZULHIJJAH 1429H

It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify Allah for His guidance to you: and proclaim the Good News to all who do right [al-Hajj, 22:37].

A NAS A WEEK - 3 DZULHIJJAH 1429

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: On the Day of 'Id the Prophet used to return (after offering the 'Id prayer) through a way different from that by which he went [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 15: The Two 'Ids, Hadith No. 102].

A NAS A WEEK - 26 DZULQA'IDAH 1429

Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view!" (the son) said: "O my father! do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills, one practising Patience and Constancy! [as-Saaffaat, 37: 102]

NEW ISDEV STUDY SERIES - METHODOLOGY OF TAFSEER

All are cordially invited to a new ISDEV Study Series on METHODOLOGY OF TAFSEER to be given by ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dr SAAD SIDDIQUI (pic.) from University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

The Series will be held at ISDEV on every THIRD TUESDAYS each month for 10 months, beginning from TUESDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2008, from 3.00 PM TO 4.30 PM.

The topics of the Series are as follows:

1st Month: Introduction to the Holy Quran and Its Significance
2nd Month: Some Basic Principles of Tafseer
3rd Month: Tafseer, Its Meaning and Commencement in The Age of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.
4th Month: Tafseer in The Age of Sahaba and Tabi’in - Sources and Methodologies
5th Month: Different Methodologies of Tafseer in the Period of Compilation
6th Month: Traditional Based Tafseer (Mathur Tafseer) I

7th Month: Traditional Based Tafseer (Mathur Tafseer) II

8th Month: Islamic Jurisprudence in Tafseer Literature (Ahkam Al Quran) I
9th Month: Islamic Jurisprudence in Tafseer Literature (Ahkam Al Quran) II
10th Month: Sufi’s Tafseer

A NAS A WEEK - 19 DZULQA'IDAH 1429

Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir: Allah's Apostle said, "You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 73: Good Manners and Form (Kitab al-Adab), Hadith No. 40]

WAWANCARA SUMUT POS (MEDAN) DENGAN PENGARAH ISDEV

Wawancara dengan Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh, Pakar Ekonomi Islam dari USM
Perbaikan Ekonomi Islam Harus Holistik

Medan, 9 Nov - Negara-negara Asean diminta bersatu menggalang kekuatan dan potensi masing-masing untuk menghadapi krisis global yang kini melanda seluruh belahan dunia. Menggunakan kekuatan sendiri harus dilakukan karena formula negara-negara maju tidak akan tepat untuk mengatasi krisis yang juga melanda negara-negara ASEAN kini.

"Strata negara kita beda dengan mereka (Amerika dan Eropa), sehingga formula mengatasi krisis globalnya juga tidak boleh sama dengan mereka," tegas Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh, Pengarah Pusat Kajian Pengurusan dan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV), Pusat Pengajian Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), kepada koran ini saat ditemui di Hotel Madani, Jumaat (7/11) malam.

Syukri Salleh menambahkan mengapa harus menggunakan cara berbeda dalam penanganan krisis di ASEAN, karena Indonesia, Malaysia dan negara ASEAN tergolong negara ketiga. "Jadi kalau menggunakan formula global hasilnya tidak akan mengena," bebernya.

Ilustrasinya kata dia, ibarat kita punya rumah, yang kita punya hanya kecil sementara tetangga kita rumahnya besar. Dan ketika pemilik rumah besar itu memasak makanan yang hawanya bisa mengganggu kita, apa yang bisa kita lakukan, tentunya kita punya kiat sendiri untuk mengatasi 'kiriman' aroma yang mengganggu tersebut, caranya bisa dengan menutup seluruh bagian rumah rapat-rapat agar tidak terkena imbas bau. "Disinilah dibutuhkan kejelian kita dalam menghadapi persoalan," katanya.

Prof Syukri Salleh hadir di Medan atas undangan Universitas Pembinaan Masyarakat Indonesia (UPMI) dalam rangka Wisuda dan Kuliah Umum Sabtu (8/11) kemarin. Saat wawancara Prof Syukri Salleh didampingi Rektor UPMI H. Syahruddin Siregar SH, MM, Pembantu Rektor I Drs Ali Mukti SH, MM, Dekan Falkutas Hukum UPMI Al-Umry SH,Mhum dan Sekretararis PMIH Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara Farid Wajdi SH, Mhum juga ikut mendampingi.

Jelasnya kata Syukri Salleh menghadapi krisis global yang melanda seluruh dunia ini masyarakat ASEAN harus menggunakan kearifan lokal masing-masing. "Hanya dengan mengandalkan kekuatan kita masing-masing maka kita akan selamat dari krisis ini, bila tidak kita akan ikut hanyut juga, "bebernya.

Dijelaskannya, krisis global yang terjadi saat ini tak lepas dari kerakusan manusia yang terus-menerus untuk memenuhi keinginannya. "Keiginan yang berlebih itu membuat para kapital di negara maju menjadi-jadi dan akhirnya ambruk," beber Prof Syukri Salleh yang memiliki suara lembut itu.

Salah satu obat dari krisis ini kata dia bisa dengan menggalakkan ekonomi Islam yang memang saat ini menjadi acuan semua orang. Namun menggerakkan ekonomi Islam juga tidak akan berarti apabila hanya ekonominya yang diperbaiki tapi syariah, aqidah dan akhlak tidak. "Jadi perbaikannya harus secara holistik tidak boleh hanya ekonominya saja yang menggunakan cara Islam namun akhlak dan aqidahnya tidak, itu juga tidak akan berhasil, " bebernya. (ton)

A NAS A WEEK - 12 DZULQA'IDAH 1429

We said: "Get ye down all from here: and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" [al-Baqarah, 2:38].

3 ISDEV THESES NOMINATED FOR BEST PHD THESIS AWARD

The Office of the Deputy Dean (Research and Postgraduate) of the School of Social Sciences has chosen PhD theses of three ISDEV graduates for the School's nomination for the Best PhD Thesis Award in Pure Arts of the University. The Award, to be delivered first time next year at a special night called Persada Kencana that aims to acknowledge excellence achievement of graduate students of the University, is managed by the Institute of Graduate Studies.

The ISDEV theses chosen for the nomination were:

1. "Methods of Management of the Islamic Development Institutions in Malaysia" by Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad who is now a lecturer of the Islamic Development Management Programme of the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad

2. "Code of Ethics of Islamic Development Institutions in Malaysia: A Case Study of Lembaga Tabung Haji" by Dr Nor Azzah Kamri who is now a lecturer of Islamic Academy of Universiti Malaya.

Dr Nor Azzah Kamri

3. "Zakat Accounting in Malaysia: A Peliminary Study" by Dr Zahri Hamat who is now a lecturer of the Development Planning and Management of the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Dr Zahri Hamat

A NAS A WEEK - 5 DZULQA'IDAH 1429

Narrated Abu Umamah: The Prophet salallahu'alaihi wassalam said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 41: Kitab al-Adab, Hadith No. 4782].

ARTIKEL DANA WAKAF OLEH MOHAMMAD SALLEH ABDULLAH (CALON PHD)

Oleh : Mohammad Salleh Abdullah
Tarikh: 27 Oktober 2008

Guna dana wakaf bantu bukan Islam

Cadangan pengagihan zakat kepada rakyat bukan Islam bukanlah isu baru. Ia pernah timbul di hampir setiap negeri. Di Pulau Pinang, misalnya baru-baru ini, dalam satu kempen pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Permatang Pauh di Kampung Guar Jering, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim juga pernah mencadangkan perkara yang sama untuk menarik hati pengundi bukan Islam.

Paling terbaru, di dalam sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri Selangor minggu lalu, wakil Kota Damansara, Dr. Mohd. Nasir Hashim mencadangkan supaya sebahagian peruntukan zakat disalurkan kepada bukan Islam bagi mengatasi masalah kemiskinan.

Dari segi hukum, usul tersebut tiada kewajarannya kerana agama Islam melarang agihan zakat kepada bukan Islam. Mengikut sarjana terkenal Dr. Wahbah al-Zuhaili dalam Kitab Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa-Adillatuhu al-Juz' al-Thani (terjemahan), Islam memperuntukkan bahawa zakat tidak boleh diberikan kepada orang kafir.

Mengikutnya, orang yang menerima zakat hendaklah seorang Islam kecuali mualaf menurut ulama Mazhab Maliki dan Hanafi. Tidak ada ulama yang mempertikaikan demikian.

Ini berdasarkan hadis Mu'adh Jabal r.a yang bermaksud: "Ambilkanlah ia (zakat) daripada orang kaya dan pulangkanlah ia kepada orang fakir mereka." Perintah ini menunjukkan zakat diambil daripada orang Islam dan diagihkan kepada orang Islam juga; tidak boleh kepada orang lain.

Jika terdapat tegahan atau larangan agihan zakat kepada bukan Islam, mengapa kita beriya-iya benar hendak menggunakan wang zakat yang ada. Kenapa tidak diusahakan sumber lain yang membolehkan dan mengharuskannya dari segi syarak.

Terdapat banyak cara, kaedah dan sumber lain yang boleh digunakan untuk mengatasi kemiskinan. Antaranya ialah melalui dana wakaf. Melalui dana wakaf adalah sesuai sumber kewangan dikumpul, digembleng dan digunakan dalam program pembasmian kemiskinan.

Bagaimanapun semua bergantung kepada bagaimana produk wakaf itu dipromosikan dan kedudukan lafaz/niat serta persetujuan pewakaf dalam kes membahagikan manfaat wakaf tersebut. Misalnya boleh dilancarkan produk wakaf tunai yang mana manfaatnya bertujuan untuk membasmikan kemiskinan untuk semua agama.

Wakaf Tunai ini boleh disasarkan pungutannya daripada orang Islam dan juga bukan Islam.

Keadaan ini dibenarkan kerana dari segi hukum syarak, orang bukan Islam diharuskan membuat wakaf dan menerima manfaat wakaf.

Mengikut Dr. Mustofa al-Khin dalam kitab Al-Fiqh Al-Manhaji (terjemahan), ulama-ulama Mazhab Shafie berpendapat harus mewakafkan harta kepada orang kafir sekiranya orang kafir itu adalah kafir zimmi yang tertentu selagi mana pewakaf tidak berniat jahat.

Perlindungan

Ini kerana memberi sedekah kepada orang kafir adalah harus, begitu juga dengan wakaf. Bagi orang yang membuat perjanjian damai (kafir mu'ahid) atau orang yang meminta perlindungan dengan kerajaan Islam (kafir musta'min) mereka ini dibenarkan menerima wakaf sebagaimana kafir zimmi.

Keharusan ini adalah selagi mana mereka berada di dalam negara Islam dan berpegang kepada perjanjian mereka. Tambahan pula dari segi sejarahnya mengikut kajian sarjana Barat seperti Stillman, Cizakca, Power, Kafadar, Nagamia, Yediyyildiz dan Singer, sebahagian besar daripada usaha-usaha kebajikan, perkhidmatan sosial dan pembasmian kemiskinan dalam dunia Islam pada zaman pertengahan disumbangkan melalui institusi wakaf.

Antaranya adalah penyediaan sekolah perubatan, hospital, kolam mandi (hammam), tempat penyediaan dan penyajian makanan, rumah-rumah tumpangan dan pusat-pusat perniagaan, dispensari bergerak, pusat rawatan kecemasan, perpustakaan, universiti serta Imaret atau pusat penyediaan makanan (public kitchen) yang merupakan entiti institusi wakaf yang sangat terkenal yang berperanan menyediakan makanan kepada orang miskin dan orang lain yang memerlukannya seperti pelawat dan pengembara tanpa mengira status agama.

Di Malaysia, misalnya mengikut data Johor Corporation (JCorp) hampir 30 peratus daripada pengguna-pengguna Klinik Wakaf An-Nur adalah terdiri daripada orang bukan Islam. Maka jika ternyata dana wakaf berkesan dan mampu membantu rakyat bukan Islam dan Islam mengatasi kemiskinan, kenapa masih tertumpu kepada dana zakat yang sememangnya mempunyai tegahan dan larangan.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 8

Oleh:HermanSamsudeen
Tarikh: Oktober 22, 2008

Kontrak Sosial Perlu Jadi Kurikulum Universiti

PULAU PINANG 21 Okt (Utusan Malaysia). - Naib Presiden UMNO, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mencadangkan supaya kontrak sosial dijadikan kurikulum di universiti bagi menjelaskan isu itu yang kini sering dipersoalkan oleh pelbagai pihak.

Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri itu berkata, penjelasan kepada generasi muda khususnya pelajar universiti penting bagi mengelakkan kekeliruan di kalangan mereka.

Katanya, jika perkara itu dapat difahami dengan betul, maka tiada pihak yang akan mempersoalkan mengenainya kerana sudah termaktub dalam Perlembagaan.

“Yang penting bukan mempersoalkan kontrak sosial tapi penjelasan supaya generasi muda faham apa itu kontrak sosial kerana tidak semua faham mengenai kontrak sosial dan mengaitkannya dengan sejarah negara adalah penting untuk diberitahu kepada mereka,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas menyampaikan syarahan Politik Melayu-Islam: Kemelut dan Penyelesaian di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), di sini hari ini.

Ceramah anjuran Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV) dan Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen itu dihadiri oleh pelajar dan tenaga pengajar USM.

Bagaimanapun, Muhyiddin berkata, kurikulum kontrak sosial berkenaan bukannya untuk didebatkan atau dipertikaikan oleh ahli akademik, sebaliknya bagi memberi penjelasan penuh.

Oleh itu, katanya, peranan penting haruslah dimainkan para pensyarah di universiti dalam memberikan penjelasan berkaitan dengan kontrak sosial itu.

“Penjelasan yang berkesan penting kerana apabila pelajar ini keluar dan bercampur dengan masyarakat mereka akan mudah untuk memahami konsep demokrasi dan perlembagaan yang kita ada,” katanya.

Tambah Muhyiddin, perkara yang termaktub dalam perlembagaan juga sama sekali tidak perlu diungkit dan jangan ada pihak cuba mempolitikkannya kerana ia boleh mengugat keharmonian negara.

Minggu lalu, raja-raja Melayu mengingatkan semua pihak supaya tidak lagi mempertikai dan mempersoalkan kontrak sosial, apa lagi menyemak semula atau mengubahnya kerana ia menjadi asas utama pembentukan negara ini.

Dalam kenyataan khas yang dikeluarkan menerusi Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja, Tan Sri Engku Ibrahim Engku Ngah, raja-raja menegaskan, kaum bukan Melayu tidak perlu bimbang mengenai hak sah mereka kerana ia dijamin mengikut Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan peruntukan Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri yang termaktub dalam Perkara 153 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

"Pemuda wilayah - pendekatan menerang lebih baik dari kita melarang orang bercakap soal kontrak sosial. Isu ini perlu dijelaskan seawal usia persekolahan lagi agar setiap rakyat memahami kepentingan perpaduan. Masalahnya pemimpin Umno dan Mca sendiri sering berbalah kerana tak faham tentang Kontrak ini. Adakah ianya wujud secara bertulis atau setakat faham-faham sahaja.Maka pemimpin kedua pasti ini lebih dulu perlu dikursuskan bagi memahamkan mereka soal Kontrak ini."

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 7

By: Promusm

Posted on October 21, 2008

Seminar politik 'Melayu-Islam' gamat, ProM nyata pendirian

Dewan Budaya USM Dimaklumkan sambutan Seminar Politik Melayu Islam, Kemelut dan Penyelesaiannya yang dianjurkan oleh Centre for Islamic Development and Management Studies (ISDEV) mendapat partisipasi yang luar biasa dari pelbagai pihak di sini.

Ucaptama seminar tersebut disampaikan oleh Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin turut mendapat respon positif oleh peserta seminar yang hadir.

Menurut wartawan kami, Sdr. Muhammad Al-Amien Sobri dalam sesi soal jawab, hanya tiga peserta dibenarkan bercakap. Masing-masing meletakkan harapan yang tinggi kepada Muhyiddin untuk melakukan perubahan menyeluruh dalam Pemilihan Agong UMNO (PAU) pada Mac tahun depan.

Turut hadir Pengerusi ProM USM dan beberapa pemimpin umum pertubuhannya.

Ketika ditanya apakah pendirian langsung Pengerusi ProM USM, Sdr. Adi Syahid Mohd Ali, maka ini jawapannya:

Pendirian kita (ProM USM) jelas (iaitu) mahu Universiti dan mahasiswa menjadi pemangkin kepada perubahan nilai dan penyelesai kemelut politik Melayu-Islam di Malaysia. Ini kerana kami yakin bahawa penyarah-pensyarah kita sangat jujur dan berdisiplin dalam menanggapi satu-satu permasalahan masyarakat, bukan bersifat politik kepartian” respon Sdr. Adi Syahid melalui telefon.

Sdr. Adi Syahid juga menjelaskan bahawa ProM bercadang untuk menyatakan pendirian dan membuat serahan tangan Memorandum Mahasiswa dalam seminar yang bermakna tersebut, namun gagal.

Ketika ditanya adakah ProM cuba mengambil sikap nasionalisme atau cauvenisme Melayu sebagaimana sisi pihak-pihak ‘tertentu’ dalam Universiti, ini pula penjelasannya:

Kemelut Melayu-Islam ini wajar ditangani bersama oleh mahasiswa dan Universiti. Secara peribadi, saya sendiri yakin bahawa kaum-kaum lain tidak pernah cemburu dan marah kepada pemimpin Melayu yang adil dan saksama. Yang mereka marah dan bosan adalah pemimpin-pemimpin Malaysia dan Melayu yang tidak bermaruah, mengamalkan politik wang, menekan perkembangan etnik-etnik minoriti dan menyalahgunakan ISA dan sebagainya,” tegas Sdr. Adi Syahid Mohd Ali.

Tambah beliau lagi, ProM berpandangan bahawa YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin lebih layak menggantikan YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi dalam proses peralihan kuasa Mac ini kerana beliau dikenali sebagai seorang yang bebas dari spekulasi jenayah, politik wang, berpegangan agama dan lebih toleransi; jika dibandingkan beberapa individu lain dalam UMNO buat masa ini.

ProM memaklumkan bahawa petang ini akan berlangsungnya mesyuarat penting dalam kalangan anggota ProM yang pelbagai bangsa dan idealogi di sekitar Transkerian untuk mencanai idea perubahan serta isu-isu yang berkaitan Melayu-Islam agar motto Bersama Universiti Menjunjung Perubahan berjaya digarapkan secara konsistan.

Seminar tersebut dilaksanakan secara sukarela oleh calon-calon Sarjana Tinggi Universiti -END

Dibawah ini adalah Draff Memo tersebut

MEMORANDUM TERGEMPAR

PRO-MAHASISWA UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA (Pro-M USM)

BERHUBUNG ISU MENANGANI KEMELUT POLITIK MELAYU-ISLAM

Kepada:

YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri

Kerajaan Malaysia

Selasa, 21 Oktober 2008, Dewam Budaya USM

PENDAHLUAN

Kami, pemimpin-pemimpin ProM USM dengan penuh rasa tanggungjawab dan prihatin degan isu kemelut politik Melayu-Islam yang cuba ditangani oleh Jabatan Pembangunan Pengurusan Islam (ISDEV) USM.

Secara asasnya, kami ingin menyatakan sokongan yang bulat kepada YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin untuk menangani isu kemelut politik Melayu-Islam di Malaysia ini.

Walaupun demikian, kami melihat cita-cita YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sendiri wajar direalisasikan sekiranya Universiti menjadi pomangkin nilai politik Melayu-Islam.

Bagi kami, Universiti atau ISDEV sendiri wajar dijadikan sekretariat pada penanganan kemelut politik Islam inio sekiranya semua pihak serius mahu menyelesaikan masalah bersama ini.

Ini kerana Universiti adalah pusat perkembangan nilai dan kemelut ini hanya mampu diselesaikan dengan syarat sekretariat ini disegani oleh masyarakat dan jujur dengan disiplin ilmu pengetahuan mereka masing-masing.

Justeru, kami pemimpin-pemimpin ProM USM sekali lagi ingin menyatakan sokongan bulat kepada YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan USM Universiti Apex wajar menjadi pemangkin utama pada penilaian semula kemelut politik Melayu-islam ini.

RUMUSAN PRO-M USM TENTANG ‘KEMELUT POLITIK MELAYU-ISLAM’

1. Kemelut politik ini berpunca oleh pengabaian nilai-nilai baik oleh ahli-ahli politik dan parti-parti yang berlandaskan Melayu-Islam.

2. Tiadanya seseorang public figure atau institusi yang disegani oleh semua pihak untuk membincangkan isu Melayu-Islam secara serius dan progresif.

3. Ketidakseimbangan pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu-Islam dalam kelas masyarakat di Malaysia sehingga mennyebabkan berlakunya vacuum dalam perjuangan agenda Melayu-Islam.

4. Ahli-ahli Parlimen Melayu-Islam lebih berpolitik dari mengetengahkan kepentingan melayu Islam di Parlimen yang bermanfaat.

TUNTUTAN KAMI, PRO-M USM DEMI MENANGANI KEMELUT POLITIK MELAYU-ISLAM

1. USM dijadikan sekretariat untuk menghimpunkan semua pihak dan membincangkan isu kepentingan Melayu-Islam di peringkat nasional.

2. Kami mencadangkan pihak berwajib menubuhkan Kelab Penyokong Isu Melayu-Islam di Parlimen yang terdiri oleh MP-MP Melayu-Islam yang merentasi idealogi politik kepartian dan sebagainya.

3. YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan USM dicadangkan untuk membuka pintu perwacanaan berhubung isu kependidikan, bahasa Melayu dan tulisan Jawi, kedudukan Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu, Special Position Melayu-Islam dan kedudukan Islam itu sendiri.

Justeru, kami ProM USM sekali lagi menaruh harapan yang tinggi agar segala tuntutan kami ini dibincangkan secara serius dan lanjut oleh pihak berwajib khususnya YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan USM sendiri. Kami juga bersedia bila-bila masa untuk bersama-sama semua pihak demi menangani kemelut politik Melayu-Islam ini agar tidak berpanjangan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

**BERSAMA UNIVERSITI MENJUNJUNG PERUBAHAN**

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 6

By : Promusm
Date: 22 Oct 2008

Cadangan subjek 'Kontrak Sosial', ProM puji Muhyiddin

FOYER DK USM ProM menyifatkan cadangan Naib Presiden UMNO, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yang mencadangkan ‘kontrak sosial’ dijadikan subjek di Universiti sebagai suatu langkah berani dan rasional demi memastikan pendidikan tinggi untuk mahasiswa; di sini.

Bagi saya, ‘Kontrak Sosial’ telah lama dimeterai (dan) saya yakin generasi pasca merdeka (mahasiswa) hari ini kurang didedahkan tentang kontrak tersebut dan perlembagaan sendiri, walhal perkara-perkara tersebut sangat diperlukan. Sebab itu, saya melihat cadangan Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin) tersebut wajar dipuji kerana sikapnya yang berani dan rasional,” jelas Pengerusi ProM, Sdr. Adi Syahid Mohd Ali.

Beliau juga mencadangkan kurikulum baru ini patut memberi fokus pada pengajian hak asasi mahasiswa, perlembagaan dan AUKU sendiri secara koprehensif dan sepadu supaya mahasiswa turut mengetahui dan sedar apakah hak-hak mereka dalam Universiti dan negara.

Pengerusi ProM juga mencadangkan USM mengambil inisiatif awal dan progresif untuk mempertimbangkan cadangan Tan Sri Muhyiddin tersebut, seterusnya merangka kurikulum berkaitan.

Cadangan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tersebut telah diucaptamakan dalam Seminar Politik Melayu-Islam: Kemelut dan Penyelesaiannya pada pagi kelmarin di Dewan Budaya di sini.

Seminar bermakna tersebut dianjurkan bersama oleh Pusat Kajian Pembangunan dan Pengurusan Islam (ISDEV) dan Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen.

Sebelum ini, Kerajaan dan Parlimen pernah berbahas dan melaksanakan kurikulum TITAS, Hubungan Etnik dan Pengajian Malaysia di beberapa Universiti, atas tujuan yang sama

Kenyataan ini dibuat semasa Pengerusi ProM menyertai Sukarelawannya di Kaunter Perkhidmatan ProM Akses-Cetak Slip Menduduki Peperiksaan, di sini.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 5

By:Bernama
Date : 22 Oct 2008

Explain social contract issues to students, minister tells universities

Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said explaining the issues to the younger generation especially university students was important so as to avoid confusion.

“The important thing is not to question the social contract but to give an explanation so that they understand what the social contract is all about especially among the younger generation, because not all understand the social contract.

“Therefore, giving the explanation with proper methods and linking it with the country’s history is important,” he told reporters after delivering a lecture on Malay-Muslim Politics - Crisis and Solution at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

The lecture, organised by the Centre of Islamic Development Management Studies and Nurul Yaqeen Foundation, was attended USM students and lecturers.

Besides, he said, university lecturers should play a crucial role in giving the explanation.

“An effective explanation is important because when the students leave and mix around with the community, it will be easy for them to understand the concept of democracy and the constitution that we have,” said Muhyiddin who is International Trade and Industry Minister.

He said the social contract issues had been solved long ago and all parties should accept it.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 4

By:Bernama
Date:October 21, 2008 18:52 PM

Pick Capable Leaders, Says Muhyiddin

PENANG, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said that in the coming march party polls he wants the concept of meritocracy to be practised by electing capable leaders and rejecting those who indulge in money politics.

He said only genuine leaders would be on the frontlines of the party's agenda, especially in facing Umno's "enemies", and who would not "hide" behind party members.

"We have to develop in our country's politics a system of meritocracy. We should not elect a leader just because we know him and he has money but we must choose based on ability, credibility and experience," he said.

Muhyiddin said this to reporters after delivering a lecture titled 'Malay-Islamic Politics: Crisis and Solution' organised by the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) and the Nurul Yaqeen Foundation at Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said that the matter was important in view of the fact that Umno as a political party had rejected money politics.

"This is a serious matter and has to be handled as soon as possible, the party has long rejected such practice and the people too cannot accept it," he said.

Muhyiddin voiced concern on the possibility of such culture during the party's divisional meetings that were being held throughout the country now.

"A high level of commitment is needed by all quarters, including from leaders who are contesting, and delegates who nominate.

"If this practice is not stopped, I worry that it can adversely affect Umno's image as the largest political party in Malaysia. It can also destroy Umno," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin expressed happiness and thanks for the nominations he received so far as a party deputy president candidate.

He said the support he received from the grassroots would spur him to serve and devote himself to the party.

"Thank God for the nominations I have received so far. This is just a start, the meetings have a long way to go. I hope those at the grassroots will continue to support me and that the support will remain for a long time," he said.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 3

By:Mohd Sabri Said Tue Oct 21, 08 4:13:41 pm Muhyidin akui berlaku ketirisan dalam penyaluran peruntukan DEB

PULAU PINANG, 21 Okt (Hrkh) - Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Tan Sri Muhyidin Yasin menempelak sebahagian kepimpinan Umno yang suka mengambil kesempatan daripada peruntukan kerajaan sehingga mengakibatkan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) dipertikaikan banyak pihak sekali gus memberi tamparan hebat terhadap Barisan Nasional (BN) semasa pilihanraya umum ke-12 Mac lalu. Jelasnya, paras kejayaan DEB tidak berganjak apabila hanya mencatatkan 19.4% di mana angka tersebut telah wujud sejak tahun 1980-an lagi "Kerajaan BN memang sebuah kerajaan yang prihatin dari segi memberikan bantuan kepada rakyat contohnya ketika saya menjadi Menteri Pertanian, Industri Asas Tani peruntukan diberikan sehingga melibatkan jutaan ringgit kepada sektor perladangan tetapi malang hasilnya orang Melayu masih berada di tahap rendah dan mendukacitakan," tegasnya ketika berucap dalam 'Syarahan ISDEV VII: Politik Melayu Islam, Kemelut dan Penyelesaian' di Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Pulau Pinang pagi tadi. Fenomena itu katanya, menjatuhkan imej Umno dan BN di kaca mata rakyat yang kini telah matang apabila BN hanya memperolehi 140 kerusi sahaja di mana Umno menguasai 79 kerusi di parlimen. Selepas SAPP keluar daripada BN bermakna status BN makin mengecil iaitu tinggal 138 kerusi parlimen dan ini tentunya meresahkan kedudukan walaupun BN menang tanpa dua pertiga majoriti sebagaimana dalam pilihan raya umum sebelum ini, katanya. "Kemenangan Pakatan Rakyat di lima buah negeri iaitu Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Kelantan, Selangor termasuk Wilayah Persekutuan memberi kesan bahawa sokongan pada BN agak menurun dan semakin menipis," katanya. Peratusan orang Melayu di sektor ekonomi negara masih di tahap lama dan sikap ini menunjukan apa yang dirancang oleh kerajaan selama ini tidak mengubah prestasi atau peningkatan di kalangan pemikiran orang Melayu, jelasnya. Jika terdapat ketirisan dan kebocoran DEB disebabkan orang tertentu yang mengambil peluang maka ia begitu malang sekali, katanya. "Saya bimbang trend kemenangan Pakatan Rakyat berkekalan akibat tingkah laku yang tidak menyeronokan di kalangan kita sendiri," ujarnya di hadapan ratusan hadirin. Bagi menangani masalah ketirisan yang berpanjangan, Umno kena kaji semula struktur pelaksanaan semua dasar yang berkaitan dengan ekonomi orang Melayu kerana di peringkat akar umbi masyarakat Melayu masih berada di tahap rendah dan perlu diperbaiki dari semasa ke semasa, katanya. Katanya, kebanyakan golongan ini sama ada luar atau pinggiran bandar lazimnya pembahagian bantuan tidak disaksamakan sebaliknya ada yang ketinggalan. Sedangkan sambungnya, kebanyakan bantuan yang diluluskan oleh kerajaan dicurahkan kepada masyarakat luar bandar bagi mempertingkatkan mutu perkhidmatan apa yang dilaksanakan oleh mereka. "Sikap ini yang merancakkan sokongan pada pembangkang semasa pilihan raya umum lepas akibat ketirisan yang berpanjang Umno dihukum kononnya gagal mengambil tanggungjawab demi memartabatkan bangsa dan agama," ujar beliau. Justeru katanya, masalah kemiskinan di kalangan masyarakat Islam Melayu masih menebal dan tidak dapat dikurangkan saban tahun walhal kerajaan telah mencari berbagai kaedah terbaik untuk memenuhi rancangan menyifarkan kemiskinan di kalangan masyarakat terbabit. Soal pengagihan kekayaan di kalangan masyarakat Melayu juga tidak telus dan banyak tersasar dan ini sekali gus merencatkan cadangan kerajaan untuk meningkatkan kedudukan orang Melayu yang rata-rata ketinggalan dalam banyak aspek, katanya. "Begitulah nasib orang Melayu masa kini maka sebab itu saya agak lantang menyuarakan tentang perlunya peralihan kuasa yang memungkinkan berlaku anjakan baru terhadap orang Melayu yang diketepikan," terangnya mangakui peralihan kuasa perlu dipercepatkan demi menjaga kepentingan Umno dan Melayu itu sendiri. - mns _

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS - 2

By Andrea Filmer
Date:22 Oct 2008, Wednesday

Need to explain social contract to the young: Muhyiddin

GEORGE TOWN - There is a need to explain the history and rationale behind the country’s social contract but it must be done in a proper manner. Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the younger generation had not been equipped with knowledge on the agreement and was therefore susceptible to questioning it.

“Many younger Malaysians are not in the know about what the social contract is all about and yet, we say they have to respect this very important component in our constitution,” he said Tuesday after giving a talk in Universiti Sains Malaysia.Muhyiddin said the recent statement issued by the Conference of Rulers was a testament to the importance of protecting crucial elements in the social contract including the special status of bumiputras, protection of other races, Islam as the country’s official religion and position of the Rulers.

“I think there is a reason why the Rulers expressed themselves on these matters. Maybe there is a need to explain (the social contract) but it should not be a debate but more of an explanation on what the content is and its relation to history on how the agreement was drafted and accepted. Muhyiddin also proposed that the history of the social contract be embedded in the university curriculum. “It could be done academically within a proper environment as part of their (the students’) study. That would be a good start for the younger generation to be fully equipped with the basic fundamentals of the constitution,” he said.

When asked whether there would come a time when the social contract could be left behind, Muhyiddin said there was no timeline as it had already been enshrined in the country’s constitution. “There is no start or end; it is done and is part of our constitution. It has not outlived its time because that is what had been agreed upon.“There is no timeline for the social contract because it has already been enshrined (in the constitution). It is not a separate contract, but is in the constitution and has been adopted and accepted by all,” he said.

On concerns of an emerging trend of money politics in the Umno party elections, Muhyiddin said he had received reports about incidents but obtaining evidence was a challenge.

“We have already asked that the (Umno) disciplinary board be more aggressive in managing this issue and we also request members come forward to report (any incidents).“If we choose a leader just because he gives you more money, then we are going to put in leaders who are not accepted by Umno and the rest of the country and that will be very bad for us.“I hope delegates will evaluate the candidates on the basis of meritocracy because what we decide in the Umno Supreme Council has got a bearing on the nation as well,” he said.

Muhyiddin is currently the front runner for the deputy president post ahead of the party elections next March. On former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad making statements on the party, Muhyiddin said an open attitude needed to be adopted.

“Freedom of expression is part and parcel of the democracy that we practice. Of course sometimes it is not nice, but nothing is nice nowadays. And there are a lot grassroots members who talk a lot about what the Government is. Some you can hear, but many don’t.

“I do not think we can stop people from saying what they want to express, including Tun,” he said.

ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII IN THE NEWS-1

By: Himanshu Bhatt
Date : Wed, 22 Oct 2008

Muhyiddin calls for BN revamp

GEORGE TOWN (Oct 21, 2008) : Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for the format of Barisan Nasional (BN) to be revamped to make component parties officially work together in serving communities across the racial divide.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin giving his talk on Malay-Islamic politics at USM.

He said the ruling coalition needed to be reformed at national, state and divisional levels to change the public’s perception of it being racially segregated, in order to help it in the next general election. This would entail having one BN office in each division, with representatives of component parties tackling community problems together, not on basis of race but by interacting with everyone.

“Then you create a picture of a new BN where everybody helps each other. It is not just on racial lines,” said Muhyiddin, who is contesting the post of Umno deputy president at the party's polls in March. “It would make BN more acceptable as a party that fights for every race on an equal footing.”

Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said this at a press conference after giving a talk on Malay-Islamic politics at Dewan Budaya, USM. The event was organised by the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV). Muhyiddin lamented that under the BN’s current “loose” format, parties only worked together during times like election periods.

“After that each component party acts on its own. MCA goes its own way, Umno goes its own way, MIC goes its own way. It does not seem as if we are working as one party together. “If there is a Chinese problem, it should not be left entirely with the MCA to deal with the problem. Umno must also come and help the Chinese,” he said. “When you have an Indian problem, don’t just leave it to MIC. Umno and MCA can also deal with it because we share a common vision.”

He said this was more important than the issue of posts within BN, which was recently brought up when MCA asked to be given a BN deputy chairman’s seat. Muhyiddin stressed there that the present set-up had worked well since BN was formed in 1974. “There is a history behind why the posts of chairman and deputy chairman are held by Umno, and why the heads of other component parties become vice-chairmen,” he said,

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (C) after delivering his talk on Malay-Islamic politics at USM. With him are Prof Muhammad Syukri Salleh (Left), Director of the Centrefor Islamic Development Management Studies.

“Many younger Malaysians are not in the know what this social contract is all about,” he said. “And yet they have to respect this very important component in our constitution that has been achieved after consensus among the founding fathers. “Maybe there is a need to explain, but the way you do it must be properly done.”

“To say that you cannot express your views or what-not because your post is only of a vice-chairman is not correct,” he said. Muhyiddin also denied that the social contract in the Federal Constitution, which was recently upheld by the Conference of Rulers, has outlived its time. He lamented, however, that the new generation of Malaysians was ignorant about what the constitution had spelt out on the positions of the various races, Malay and non-Malay alike.

He said there was a need to make youngsters understand the historical context, and that it should be made a part of university curriculum. The programme should be aimed at explaining the social contract, not question it, he said.

A NAS A WEEK - 27 SYAWAL 1429H

And (moreover) He hath put affection between their hearts: not if thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, couldst thou have produced that affection, but Allah hath done it: for He is Exalted in might, Wise [Al-Anfaal, 8: 63].

SIRI SYARAHAN ISDEV KE-VII - TAN SRI DATO' MUHYIDDIN MOHD YASSIN

PETIKAN DARI BERITA USM

Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin Sampai Syarahan di USM

Y.B. Tan Sri’ Dato’ Hj. Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Malaysia akan menyampaikan syarahan bertajuk ‘Politik Melayu – Islam: Kemelut dan Penyelesaian’ pada hari Selasa, 21 Oktober 2008, jam 10.00 pagi di Dewan Budaya Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.

Menerusi sesi berkenaan, beliau akan mengupas senario politik semasa di negara ini dari perspektif masyarakat Melayu dan fahaman Islam selain turut mencadangkan usaha-usaha yang wajar dijalankan oleh segenap pihak ke arah kemajuan negara.

Syarahan beliau ini dianjurkan sempena Siri Syarahan Pusat Kajian Pengurusan Pembangunan Islam (ISDEV) Ke-VII, USM.

Untuk maklumat lanjut, hubungi Sekretariat Siri Syarahan ISDEV di talian 04 – 653 2656/3422/2910 atau e-mel: isdev@usm.my.

A NAS A WEEK - 20 SYAWAL 1429H

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam)" [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 3: Knowledge, Hadith No. 69].

A NAS A WEEK - 13 SYAWAL 1429H

And know that among you is Allah's Messenger: were he, in many matters, to follow your (wishes), ye would certainly fall into misfortune: but Allah has endeared the Faith to you, and has made it beautiful in your hearts, and He has made hateful to you unbelief, wickedness, and rebellion: such indeed are those who walk in righteousness [al-Hujuraat, 49:7].

INVITATION TO ISDEV LECTURE SERIES VII: "MALAY-MUSLIM POLITICS: PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS" BY TAN SRI MUHYIDDIN YASSIN

On Tuesday 21st October 2008 beginning 9.30 am at Dewan Budaya Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, ISDEV in its 7th ISDEV Lecture Series will have Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industries Tan Sri Dato' Seri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin to speak on "Malay-Muslim Politics: Problems and Solutions". The programmes of the day are as follows:

9.30 am: Arrival of guests

9.45 am: Arrival of Tan Sri Dato' Seri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin

10.00 am: Asmaul-Husna

10.05 am: Lecture on Malay-Muslim Politics: Problems & Solutions

11.00 am: Questions and Answers

12.30 pm: Lunch

All are cordially invited.

A NAS A WEEK - 6 SYAWAL 1429H

Yahya related that Malik said, "The best that I have heard about the zakat al-fitr is that a man has to pay for every person that he is responsible for supporting and whom he must support. He has to pay for all his mukatabs, his mudabbars, and his ordinary slaves, whether they are present or absent, as long as they are muslims, and whether or not they are fortrade [Hadith from Malik's Muwatta', Book No. 17: Al-Zakat, Hadith No: 17.27.52].

ISDEV PROGRAMMES - OCTOBER 2008

Welcome back to the normal routines.

After having a long and hopefully an enjoyable Eid holidays, you are now cordially invited to ISDEV programmes as usual. The details of the ISDEV programmes for October 2008 are listed on the right side of this ISDEVNEWS. Among the highlights are as follows:

1. ISDEV Lecture Series VII entitled "MALAY-MUSLIM POLITICS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS" to be delivered by TAN SRI DATO' MUHYIDDIN MOHD YASSIN (Minister of International Trade and Industries Malaysia) on 21 OCTOBER 2008 (Tuesday), 10.00am at Dewan Budaya USM, Penang.

2. A new programme, QURANIC ARABIC to be taught by DR ABDUUL HAMEED KHAN ABBASI (ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow from the Department of Quran and Tafseer, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Allama Iqbal OpenUniversity, Pakistan) to be held at ISDEV every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am till 10.00am beginning TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2008.

3. ISDEV Monthly Graduate Supervision to be held on Friday 17 OCTOBER 2008. Dr Fatan Hamamah will speak on "Problem Statements" at 9.30am at ISDEV.

FOREIGN ISDEV MEMBERS & FRIENDS CELEBRATED EID AT ISDEV DIRECTOR'S HOUSE

During the first day of Eid Mubarak on 1 October 2008, after Eid prayer at Universiti Sains Malaysia's mosque, foreign ISDEV members and friends gathered at ISDEV Director Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh's house to celebrate the Eid together. They were ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellows from Pakistan, ISDEV Research Officer from Libya, and graduate students and ISDEV friends from Indonesia and Japan. They were accompanied by their wives and children.

A NAS A WEEK - 29 RAMADHAN 1429H

So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind (fitrah): no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not [ar-Ruum, 30: 30].

HAPPY EID MUBARAK

ISDEV NEWS on behalf of all ISDEV members, wishing all Muslims throughout the world a happy Eid-ul-Fitri. May Allah s.w.t. accepts our endeavours in seeking His pleasures during this Ramadhan, hence qualifying us to celebrate this Eid-ul-Fitri in a real sense.

IFTAR AT ISDEV, 12 SEPTEMBER 2008

On 12 September 2008, ISDEV organised an iftar evening, an occasion held every Ramadhan since the outset of the establishment of ISDEV. About 50 participants consisting of ISDEV Management Committee Members, ISDEV Fellows, ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow, ISDEV Research Associates, ISDEV Research Officers, ISDEV supporting staff, Islamic Development Management graduate students, School of Social Sciences staff and their wives and children gathered at Interactive Hall, School of Social Sciences to break their fast together. Tarawih prayer was also held after the breaking of the fast.

A NAS A WEEK - 22 RAMADHAN 1429H

Narrated Aisha: "With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers" [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 32: 'Praying at Night in Ramadhaan, Hadith No. 241].

A NAS A WEEK - 15 RAMADHAN 1429

The Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) is better than a thousand months [al-Qadr, 97: 3].

USM HEADING FOR THE PEAK - APEX UNIVERSITY

The Star
Sunday September 7, 2008

HEADING FOR THE PEAK

BY Karen Chapman and Simrit Kaur

After much speculation, the country’s first apex university was finally named this week.

ALTHOUGH there have been other ratings and rankings exercises, the one that really mattered was the accelerated programme for excellence (apex). The country’s four research universities were the frontrunners and it was no surprise when all four made the short list. However, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was the sole institution selected.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the university with apex status has the greatest potential among Malaysian universities to be of world-class standard.
In last year’s Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, Universiti Malaya (UM) was the highest ranked Malaysian university at 246, followed by USM (307), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (309) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (364).
Mohamed Khaled says quantitative and qualitative criteria were used to select USM, and that that the selection committee evaluated each university’s state of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness for change.
“After a thorough evaluation, the committee decided that only one university truly met all the criteria, namely USM,’’ he says, adding that the Cabinet had agreed to USM being given the apex status on Aug 27.
The ministry’s Programme Management Office (PMO) chief executive officer, Prof Datuk Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar, says the decision does not mean that USM has achieved the status, only that the university has the most potential to achieve it.
“This whole apex programme has been my ‘baby’ as I am very concerned that many of our top students go overseas and often do not return to serve at home,” he shares.
Having an apex university, he adds, means that at least some of the nation’s best minds will be retained locally. The apex forms one of the important initiatives under the National Higher Education Strategic Plan launched by the Prime Minister last year.
According to the action plan, which was released at the same time, apex universities will be given the autonomy to put in place the best in terms of leaders, faculty, students and facilities.
Since a large sum of money will be poured into ensuring USM attains greater heights, it is only fair that the public understands how it was selected.
Selection committee chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail says universities — both public and private — were invited to submit their proposals.
Nine institutions namely UM, UKM, UPM, USM, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Tenaga Nasional eventually did so.
Dr Mohamad Zawawi, who is former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak vice-chancellor, says the committee paid special attention to the institutions’ strategic intent and transformation plans.
Once UM, UKM, UPM and USM were short-listed, visits were made to the institutions where discussions were held with senior staff, academics, students and staff associations to understand the prevailing campus “climate” and factors related to the proposed plans.
“Apex is about accelerated change. It is not about business as usual but business unusual. We seek new and exciting ideas,” says Dr Mohamad Zawawi.
But that was not all. Prof Sahol Hamid says the committee also looked at actual world class university initiatives from other countries such as Germany and China.
Eventually it was modelled on the German Universities Excellence Initiative. Two German experts were in the country to assist the apex selection committee.
USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, adds that the validation exercise, particularly the on-site visits, is what makes the apex evaluation distinct from other surveys, including the ones done by Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings (which don’t make on-site visits).
“It gives the apex more credibility and reliability this way.”
At the same time, Prof Dzulkifli emphasises that USM has been working on its own transformation plan, which was put in place over the last six years, based on future demands.
“We started with the ‘healthy campus’ concept before moving on to the ‘university in a garden’ concept. We subsequently adopted the ‘research university’ concept.
“These then snowballed into a transformation plan that matched what the government was looking for when it announced that universities were invited to send in proposals for apex status,” he says.
USM’s plan is named Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
In terms of funding, Prof Dzulkifli says USM has requested for an additional RM830mil over the next five years (from 2009 to 2013) to transform into an apex university.
Former USM senior academic administrator Datuk Sharom Ahmat believes the university can meet the challenge of transforming into an apex university if it works towards it.
“No one university in the country is able to meet all the conditions of what an apex university must contain at the moment,” he says, referring to the key elements of best leaders, faculty, students and facilities as stated in the action plan.
Many were surprised by Mohamed Khaled’s announcement as they believed that by virtue of its history, status and higher ranking, UM would be the natural choice.
UM was the only public higher education institution to obtain a five-star rating in the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions 2007.
Transparency International Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, who is a UM alumnus, expressed disappointment that the university did not get the apex status.
“I cannot understand where UM fell short in terms of quality and standards. As one of the thousands of graduates, we would be appreciative of some more transparency and accountability in the assessment process,” he adds.
When asked why UM was not selected, Mohamed Khaled, a UM graduate himself had said: “It’s not about selecting the oldest university but choosing one with a doable plan that can help us transform our higher education.” Dr Mohamad Zawawi, however, believes the committee has made the “right choice” although those universities not chosen may be unhappy.
UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin believes USM deserved to be selected for apex status.
“I know they have been seriously working on their plan for a number of years, including doing scenario planning. They are ready for change. Together with a committed and stable leadership and a good team, I am sure they will carry it through,” she says.
On the next step, Mohamed Khaled, says USM needs to draw up a roadmap for transformation with a performance assessment index.
“It also needs to set several goals to achieve in the next five years,” he says.
Prof Dzulkifli adds that USM will seek to establish cutting edge research and development facilities next year. “This will potentially quantum leap the performance and visibility of USM as a new global player,” he adds.
What others say:

Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan ShahabudinUKM vice-chancellor: As for UKM, we will continue to execute the plans we have put in place. We realise change is not easy and this is something we need to cultivate. We will persevere towards our goals and show results despite the odds.
Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mustapha Raja AbdullahUPM vice-chancellor:I would like to congratulate USM for being chosen as an apex university. We at UPM will continue to follow closely our transformation plan to achieve excellence as well as generate wealth through the new agricultural industry. Congratulations to USM. I wish them the best of luck.

Datuk Rafiah SalimUM vice-chancellor: Based on our track record of transforming UM into the top-ranked local university within two years, we are disappointed not to be chosen. We will continue with our transformation plan, with or without apex status.

Apex university selection committee members:
1. Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail (chairman)
2. Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin
3. Tan Sri Dr Abu Hassan Othman
4. Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Gajaraj Dhanarajan
5. Datuk Dr Ahmad Zaidee Laidin
6. Datuk Zarinah Anwar
7. Prof Emeritus Datuk K J Ratnam
8. Dr Hena Mukherjee
9. Abdullah Abd Hamid
10. Dr Parmjit Singh
11. Prof Abang Abdullah Abang Ali
12. Prof Dr Azman Awang
13. Dr Sabine Behrenbeck (Germany)
14. Dr Inka Spang-Grau (Germany)
15. Higher Education Department director-general
16. Polytechnic and Community College Department director-general
17. Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer
18. National Higher Education Fund Corporation chief executive.
19. Planning and Research Division secretary

USM GETS APEX STATUS

The Star
Thursday September 4, 2008

USM GETS APEX STATUS
By Simrit Kaur and Karen Chapman

PUTRAJAYA: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been granted apex status. With it, USM can expect hundreds of millions of ringgit in additional funding to transform it into Malaysia's first world-class university.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that quantitative and qualitative criteria were used to select USM under the accelerated programme for excellence (apex).

Announcement time: Khaled flanked by deputies Dr Hou Kok Chung (right) and Datuk Idris Haron with a copy of the statement announcing USM as the country's first apex university.
“The selection committee evaluated each university's state of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness for change.

“After a thorough evaluation, the committee decided that only one university truly met all the criteria, namely USM,'' he told a press conference yesterday.

The Cabinet had agreed to USM being given the apex status on Aug 27.
The university that is given apex status is one that has the greatest potential among Malaysian universities to be world-class, and as such, would be given additional assistance to compete with top-ranked global institutions, added Khaled.
He said with apex status, USM will be expected to move up the World University Rankings with a target of top 200 in five years' and top 100, if not top 50, by 2020.
In last year’s Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, Universiti Malaya (UM) was the highest ranked Malaysian university at 246, followed by USM (307), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (309) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (364).
A selection committee headed by former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail short-listed USM, UM, UKM and UPM.
USM's transformation plan, entitled “Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow” focussed, among other things, on diagnostics, medical biotechnology, waste management, pharmaceuticals, nano-technology, membrane technology and vaccines.
Asked why UM was not selected, Khaled said: “I hope the apex status will spur other universities to strive for excellence, too. It's not about selecting the oldest university but choosing one with a doable plan that can help us transform our higher education.”
The other universities that applied for apex status were International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Tenaga Nasional.

A NAS A WEEK - 8 RAMADHAN 1429H

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet salallahu 'alaihi wassalam said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven" [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 31: Fasting, Hadith No. 125].

IFTAR AT ISDEV

In conjunction with the fasting month of Ramadhan, ISDEV is organising an iftar (breaking of fast) evening on Friday, 12 September 2008. Prior to that, in the morning, there will be a Monthly Graduate Supervision for the month of September.

A NAS A WEEK - 1 RAMADHAN 1429H

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint [al-Baqarah, 2: 183].

FADZILA AZNI AHMAD PASSED HER PHD WITH FLYING COLOURS

In her PhD defense held today, Thursday 28 August 2008 at 3.00 pm, the Board of Examiners had given a pass with flying colours to Fadzila Azni Ahmad (pic). The first external examiner had given her an excellent pass, with a scale of 1 (pass without correction) while another external examiner and internal examiner gave her a pass with a scale of 2 (pass with minor correction). Both external examiners suggested that Fadzila Azni Ahmad been given an excellent award for her well-researched and well-written thesis.

The Board of Examiners was chaired by Professor Dato' Abu Talib Ahmad (Dean of the School of Humanities, USM). External examiners were Professor Joni Tamkin Borhan (Universiti Malaya) and Professor Abdullah @ Alwi Haji Hassan (International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), International Islamic University Malaysia), while internal examiner was Dr Lilis Surienty binti Abd Talib (School of Management, USM). Also in the Board were Fadzila Azni's main and co-supervisor, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and Dr Suhaiza Hanim Zailani respectively.

The title of Fadzila Azni's thesis was Management Methods of Islamic Development Institutions in Malaysia. She will be officially awarded with a PhD degree after submitting three final copies of her thesis (with minor corrections as suggested by the examiners).

Congratulation and welcome aboard, Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad!

PHD DEFENSE BY FADZILA AZNI AHMAD POSTPONED TO THURSDAY 28 AUGUST 2008

Due to the public holiday in Penang on Tuesday 26 August 2008 as announced by the State Government of Penang (in conjunction with the by-election in Permatang Pauh), PhD defense (viva) by Fadzila Azni Ahmad has been postponed to 3.00 pm on Thursday 28 August 2008. The venue remains at the Mandela Viva Room of Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

A NAS A WEEK - 23 SHA'BAN 1429H

Narrated Sahl bin Sad: The Prophet said, "A single endeavor in Allah's Cause in the afternoon and in the forenoon is better than the world and whatever is in it." [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 52: 'Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad)', Hadith No. 51]

A NAS A WEEK - 16 SHA'BAN 1429H

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. The Believers must (eventually) win through. [al-Mu'minuun, 23:1]

A NAS A WEEK - 10 SHA'BAN 1429

Narrated Abu Umamah: The Prophet (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) said: Those who are nearest to Allah are they who are first to give a salutation. [Hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud, Book No. 41: General Behaviour (Kitab al-Adab), Hadith No. 5178]

AGE NO BARRIER FOR COUPLE - THE STAR, 5 AUGUST 2008

AGE NO BARRIER FOR COUPLE

By Ann Tan

RETIRED teacher Ismail Shafiee, 68, does not intend to stay idle during his retirement years and has taken up the challenge of a master’s degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

“My wife Salmiah Mohamad and I do not want to stay at home, watching television and waiting to die,” he quipped when asked why he was continuing his studies at his age.

The couple, who enrolled for a master’s degree in Islamic development management, were among 1,566 postgraduate students taking their oaths at USM’s Dewan Tunku Syed Putra on Saturday.

The couple obtained their first degrees in social science last year. Ismail said he did not enter university when he was young because his priority then was for his children to study until university level. “Now that all my seven children are university graduates, I have finished my ‘family agenda’ and it’s time to pursue my own dream,” he said.

Salmiah, 64, also a retired teacher, said age should not be a barrier for them since getting knowledge is a lifelong process. “When I was young, I was offered a place at university but it was too far from my home so I did not go,” Salmiah said. “When I was in my 30s, I applied to study at USM twice but failed to get in. Then about four years ago, when USM offered a senior citizens’ lifelong learning programme, we decided to apply.

“We also hope to be an inspiration for the young who stopped after their first degree,” she said. Asked whether they had problems following the classes and communicating with their younger course-mates, they said their experience in the education field helped a lot and they could cope with the pressure. However, Ismail said initially they had problems memorising the notes. They also admitted that they were not so skilful in using computers.

USM vice-chancellor Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said the university was targeting to take in 10,000 postgraduate students by 2010.“We are also aiming to be recognised as an Accelerated Programme for Excellence (APEX) university, which will take this university to a higher level challenge in the global arena,” he said.Dzulkifli said the university was giving incentives for master’s and PhD students who excelled academically.“The university will give them a monthly allowance of RM1,500 to RM3,000 based on their academic performance,” he said (The Star, 5 Ogos 2008, Ms M4, Events)