SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES, LITERACIES AND TRANSLATION

LSP 402- SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL ENGLISH

SEMESTER II
ACADEMIC SESSION 2019/2020

RESPONSE WRITING (30%)

Answer ALL questions.

Any PLAGIARISED answers will be penalised.

Excerpt 1

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah
shows his compassion by standing with the people in times of need. This is after
Sultan Abdullah gave his consent to the government not to pay Royal Emoluments to
him and his consort for a period of six months from March until August.

In a statement, Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad

Fadil Shamsuddin said the King’s decision was aimed at easing the government’s
burden to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Ahmad Fadil said the decision was also
to support the move by the Prime Minister, ministers and deputy ministers to give
two months of their salaries to the Covid-19 Fund. “The royal consent also reflects
the King’s deep concerns over the latest development of the pandemic and the
country’s financial situation,” he said yesterday.

Ahmad Fadil said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had been informed of the
decision. Ahmad Fadil said Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku
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Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also expressed their appreciation to all
doctors and healthcare staff. In conjunction with World Doctor’s Day on Monday,
Their Majesties expressed appreciation to all doctors and medical personnel,
especially frontliners, for their services, dedication and tireless sacrifices in carrying
out their responsibilities to curb the pandemic.

(Extracted from: The Star, April 2020)

Link: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/04/01/sultan-abdullah-giving-up-
six-months-allowance

Respond in about 100 words for EACH question.

1. What are your views on our King, Queen and ministers forgoing their
emoluments and salaries?
(15 marks)

2. Apart from royalties and ministers, who else should take a pay cut to support
the Covid-19 Fund? Why?
(15 marks)

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Excerpt 2

In early March, Yuming Wang, a Philadelphia lawyer, watched with increasing

concern reports of racist incidents against Asian Americans over coronavirus fears
trickle in from other cities. A Chinese woman was attacked for wearing a mask in
New York City. A 16-year-old Asian American student was physically assaulted in
Los Angeles.

Wang, who is the honorary chairman of the Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition,
decided to create a WeChat group for Chinese Americans who were worried about
the rising numbers of racist incidents during the pandemic. Soon after, he began
working closely with state and local police, the Philadelphia Commission on Human
Relations, and other law enforcement agencies to encourage Chinese Americans
who experience racist incidents to report them.

“Chinese Americans have been increasingly worried about their safety every day,
and the issue is getting deeper and deeper into their mental health concerns,” Wang
said. “Among [the group members], the biggest concern is that when someone goes
somewhere, [they] may be attacked, verbally or physically, because of being Asian
or Chinese Americans.”

(Extracted from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 2020)

Link: https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-racism-asian-
americans-mental-health-20200422.html

Respond in about 100 words for EACH question.

1. Why do you think a particular race is the target of racist attacks during this
pandemic?
(15 marks)

2. How would you react if you witnessed racism?

(15 marks)
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