We call on all concerned including government and non-governmental organizations and parents to get rid of the mental block in order to face the challenges of women outnumbering men at universities (the gender gap)

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Views expressed at  the TV1 Debat Perdana
by Dr Tan Seng Giaw
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(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): The views expressed by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong during the Debat Perdana, TV1 Talking Points, on Youth and Excellence Character: Malaysia matters (Youth and the Future of the Nation) on 17 July, 2005. Other panelists were: Royal Prof. Ungku A. Aziz (President, Malaysian National Cooperative Movement), Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir (lecturer, Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, UITM; solitary journey to Antarctica) and Murugesan A/L Sinnandavar(MIC Youth National Secretary).

Moderator: Datuk Dr Nordin

Is Malaysia counted in the world?

A nation can occupy a prominent place in the world if it achieves a high standard in various spheres such as academia (education), government administration, economy, environment, science, technology and sports. If we put in great efforts, our universities like University of Malaya will be able to attain world standard. Malaysians especially the Government have to work harder to overcome the weaknesses. As it is, out of over 150 countries in the world, Malaysia is number 26—30 in international trade. From time to time, our players have won world titles in badminton and bowling. We have Malaysians who can swim across the English Channel, climb Mount Everest and traverse the Antarctic successfully.

Just as other people in the world, Malaysians can achieve excellence: excel in any field and live meaningfully. We need excellent workers in all sectors. Look at Malaysian scientists and professionals within and outside the country. There are those who have gone astray; they become drug addicts or commit crimes. But, youths who are future leaders of the country have opportunities. Those who possess universal and permanent values will live meaningfully. Students on private or public scholarships will return to contribute to the nation.

Akademi Fantasia

Prof. Diraja Ungku Aziz commented on youths having no directions, being influenced by advertisements and taken in by the Fantasy Academy. There are youths who are aware of things, being constantly on the guard against being taken for a ride. Anyway, entertainment is to entertain. We draw up a moderate guideline. If the public like Fantasy Academy, we encourage the producer to follow the guideline. Who knows this type of entertainment will be regarded as normal?. (At one time, jazz used to be regarded as unhealthy. It is accepted.)

Youths go to schools and universities to learn how to think. Many can think sensibly about the value of various types of entertainment.

Recently, there was an assembly of TED (Technology, Entertainment, Development) in Oxford, UK. Leaders in various fields including technology and pop music gathered to draw up their vision of the future. Scholars who go to UK may get to know what are the concepts projected.

Gender gap

From 1995 to 2005, the number of women in public universities is 472,279 (59.2%) compared with men 326,024 (40.8%). Similar trend occurs in other countries such as Australia and UK. (Prof Ungku Aziz questioned the situation in Australia. According to the editorial on 9 May, 2005, Sydney Morning Herald, in 1987, for the first time, women outnumber men at universities in Australia. There are now 70,000 more women at university than men. It is the largest gender gap in 40 years. 70% of boys stay on to finish year 12 compared with 82% of girls.)

TV1: It seems that in Malaysia young women excel more than young men—the Governor of Bank Negara is a professional woman (the daughter of Prof. Ungku Aziz). What does this mean to the youths?

This gender gap has implications. In some aspects, women are cleverer and more industrious. While encouraging women to work harder and to aim higher, I believe that all organizations concerned such as Ministry of Youths and Sports that has an allocation this year of over RM336 million, must pay attention to this. We are not ready to face this challenge. There is intractable mental block among ministries, non-government organizations and parents. We must get rid of this block, so that we can find solutions to the challenge.

For instance, many parents do not pay much attention if their sons do not come home early at night.  They go berserk if their daughters return late.