By: Yeo Yang Poh (Aug 02, 2009)
WHY march, when the government has said that it will review the Internal Security Act? Why march, when there are other very cosy ways of giving your views and feedback?
One would understand if these were questions posed by nine-year-olds. But they are not. They are questions posed by the prime minister of this nation we call our home. Answer we must. So, why?
Because thousands who died while in detention cannot march or speak any more. That is why others have to do it for them.
Because persons in the corridors of power, persons who have amassed tremendous wealth and live in mansions, and persons who are in the position to right wrongs but won t, continue to rule our nation with suffocating might. And they certainly would not march. They would prevent others from marching.
Because the have-nots, the sidelined, the oppressed, the discriminated and the persecuted have no effective line to the powerful.
Because the nice ways have been tried ad nauseam for decades, but have fallen on deaf ears.
Because none of the major recommendations of Suhakam (including on peaceful assembly), or of the commissions of inquiry, has been implemented. Because the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is not in sight, while corruption and insecurity live in every neighbourhood; and (despite reasoned views expressed ever so nicely in opposition) Rela (people s volunteer corps) is being brought in to make matters even worse.
The proponents in Su Qiu (remember them?) were not marchers. In fact it is hard to find nicer ways than su qiu , because the term means present and request or inform and request . In terms of putting forward a view or a request, it is the height of politeness. Yet they were labelled extremists they who did not march.
And now you ask, why march?
Because you gave non-marchers a false name! You called them the silent majority , who by virtue of their silence (so you proudly argued with twisted logic) were supporters of government policies since they were not vocal in raising objections. You claimed to be protecting the interest of the silent majority . Now some of them do not want to be silent anymore, and you are asking why?
Yes, because double standards and hypocrisy cannot be covered up or explained away forever; and incompetence cannot be indefinitely propped up by depleting resources.
Because cronyism can only take care of a few people, and the rest will eventually wake up to realise the repeated lies that things were done in certain ways purportedly for their benefit .
Because the race card, cleverly played for such a long time, is beginning to be seen for what it really is a despicable tool to divide the rakyat for easier political manipulation.
Because it does not take much to figure out that there is no good reason why Malaysia, a country with abundant human resources and rich natural resources, does not have a standard of living many times higher than that of Singapore, an island state with no natural resources and that has to import human resources from Malaysia and elsewhere.
Because, in general, countries that do not persecute marchers are prosperous or are improving from their previous state of affairs, and those that do are declining.
Because Gandhi marched, Mandela marched, Martin Luther King marched, and Tunku Abdul Rahman marched.
Because more and more people realise that peaceful assemblies are no threat at all to the security of the nation, although they are a threat to the security of tenure of the ruling elite.
Because politicians do not mean it when they say with a straight face or a smile that they are the servants and that the people are the masters. No servant would treat his master with tear gas, batons and handcuffs.
Because if the marchers in history had been stopped in their tracks, places like India, Malaysia and many others would still be colonies today, apartheid would still be thriving in South Africa, Nelson Mandela would still be scribbling on the walls of Cell 5, and Obama would probably be a slave somewhere in Mississippi plotting to make his next midnight dash for the river.
And because liberty, freedom and dignity are not free vouchers posted out to each household.
They do not come to those who just sit and wait. They have to be fought for, and gained.
And if you still want to ask: why march; I can go on and on until the last tree is felled. But I shall
obviously not.
I will end with the following lines from one of the songs sung in the 1960s by civil rights marchers in the US, without whom Obama would not be able to even sit with the whites in a bus, let alone reside in the White House:
It isn t nice to block the doorway
It isn t nice to go to jail
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways have all failed
It isn t nice; it isn t nice
You ve told us once, you ve told us twice
But if that s freedom s price
We don t mind ...
Yeo Yang Poh is a former Bar Council president.
Make My NuMbErS Grow!!
The Thinker
Staring out the BUS, thinking abt life..
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
An Open Letter to a Muslim Journalist “Spy”
Just something to caught my attention to be shared.
Saudara,
I just read that recently you and a friend visited one of the churches that I belong to. I was surprised that you had to do it in disguise. You should have told the Catholic community there that you were coming and we would have given you a grand welcome.
Such was the experience of the MP for Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad from Pas, who was even given a standing ovation when he visited and had a dialogue with the parishioners of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam last year.
Some time back I was attending a Mass (Catholic worship) in a Catholic church in Petaling Jaya and was very moved by the presence of a group of Muslim students together with their Muslim professor who had taken them there as part of their “exposure programme”. None of them were converted.
You see we are not an underground church nor do we function in a clandestine manner. Our hearts are on the holy and not on the hideous. We even pray for Najib the PM, though I feel we do not pray enough for the Opposition. We also pray for people like you who do more harm than good to the name of your religion of peace, tolerance and compassion.
Further, what takes place in Catholic churches is highlighted in our in-house newspaper which was quite unknown to the whole population and whose readers formed an insignificant number – until the Government decided to prevent it from using the word “Allah”. Alas, the Herald should thank the Government for making it so well-known today.
Religious Misfits
It is a pity that you have gone through so much trouble to “investigate” under guise what is going on in Catholic Churches or that “Muslim teenagers were being converted to Christianity in Kuala Lumpur 's churches every Sunday”. You should have gone directly to the Special Branch, which sends it officers to visit our churches occasionally. Surely they will be able to tell you that you would be only wasting your time!
As for the information that Muslims are being driven in droves into Catholicism (which you have concluded to be “false” in your article) it has been a fallacious and stale rumour for quite some time, spread by those who have an obsession and paranoia or by the increasing number of lower echelon zealots or “Little Mullah Napoleons” running riot with their brand of religion.
In Feb. 2006, the Mufti of Perak, Haji Harussani Haji Zakaria, claimed that 250,000 Muslims (of which 100,000 were Malays) had apostatized themselves, while 100,000 more had submitted applications to do so. Of course he was unable to substantiate his claim because it was false.
In Nov. 2006, about 500 Muslims protested in front of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh following a SMS wherein the same Mufti had disclosed that about 600 Muslim students of the Ungku Omar Polytechnic were to be baptized by national mariner Azhar Mansor!
The church was not converting Muslims but instead was holding the First Holy Communion Mass (one of the rites of initiation to the faith) for 98 Catholic children, many of whom were traumatised by the sight of a threatening mob. Imagine the very unfortunate impression the young Catholics would have got of Islam and of Muslims.
The mufti who had proven to be more of a misfit, was not man enough to own up. He blamed it on an SMS sent out by a woman! Why no action was taken against the mufti, and why the authorities remained mute (on both occasions) over his “mischief” remains but a mystery. You must have been motivated by the mufti.
If indeed the Catholic Church has the conversion of Muslims as its hidden agenda, it would surely have started converting hundreds or even thousands of impressionable young Muslims through its Catholic Mission schools which have existed for as long as 100 years, But no such thing has ever happened.
The Muslim classmates and friends that I had in St Michael’s Ipoh are still good and respected Muslims today, and such was their appreciation and respect for the La Salle Brothers that they made sure that their children in turn would attend a La Salle school or a Convent!
Sacrilegious
Sadly, your disrespect knew no bounds. You chose to abandon all human and religious decency with impunity as a journalist and a Muslim. Under pretense of being a Catholic you participated in the church service and even partook of the Holy Communion (a white and sacred wafer) strictly meant only for Catholics.
You consumed the white wafer which Catholics hold as very sacred and treat with utmost reverence, and both of you spat out the remnants, photographed it and published the picture in an article entitled "Tinjaun Al Islam Dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad" which was published in the May 2009 issue of the Al Islam magazine.
I shudder to think of what could happen if the reverse took place -- if for instance two reporters from the Herald were to enter a mosque disguised as Muslims, partake of the rituals and desecrate something which the congregation considers very sacred.
I can imagine Khairy Jamaluddin leading a group of Umno Youth thugs and burning the effigy of the Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and even threatening to set fire to a few churches, and Zulkifli Nordin rousing up a mob and invading the Herald’s office and demanding that it be shut down for good; or certain Muslim NGOs insisting that the two journalists be jailed under the ISA!
It makes me wonder how does a “creature” like you exist in this country? Are you the product of the educational, social or even religious system or process created by Bolehland’s leaders (also read as “Umno”) over the past 30 years?
How is it possible that you could blatantly trespass into a place of worship, violate its sanctity, insult its adherents, even publish your transgression and completely ignore the implications and consequences (will there be any)? What gives you such audacity?
It all points to the reality of you being a cog in Umno’s machine – a political party that has politicised religion for its survival by creating unfounded insecurities amongst Muslims and a distrust of other religions. Meanwhile it dominates, dictates, decides and even defines what non-Muslims can and cannot discuss, deliberate on, and display in print.
Najib’s 1Malaysia is really Malaysia in one big mess!
As I join my Catholic brothers and sisters in forgiving you (a Catholic duty we are reminded of!), I also pray that you will feel the full weight of God’s wrath upon you.
I feel sad for the many good Muslims in this country who have a respect for peoples of other faiths, for not only have you insulted Catholics but you have insulted them too. Islam would do well without religious misfits like you!
Martin Jalleh
(15 July 2009)
Saudara,
I just read that recently you and a friend visited one of the churches that I belong to. I was surprised that you had to do it in disguise. You should have told the Catholic community there that you were coming and we would have given you a grand welcome.
Such was the experience of the MP for Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad from Pas, who was even given a standing ovation when he visited and had a dialogue with the parishioners of the Church of the Divine Mercy in Shah Alam last year.
Some time back I was attending a Mass (Catholic worship) in a Catholic church in Petaling Jaya and was very moved by the presence of a group of Muslim students together with their Muslim professor who had taken them there as part of their “exposure programme”. None of them were converted.
You see we are not an underground church nor do we function in a clandestine manner. Our hearts are on the holy and not on the hideous. We even pray for Najib the PM, though I feel we do not pray enough for the Opposition. We also pray for people like you who do more harm than good to the name of your religion of peace, tolerance and compassion.
Further, what takes place in Catholic churches is highlighted in our in-house newspaper which was quite unknown to the whole population and whose readers formed an insignificant number – until the Government decided to prevent it from using the word “Allah”. Alas, the Herald should thank the Government for making it so well-known today.
Religious Misfits
It is a pity that you have gone through so much trouble to “investigate” under guise what is going on in Catholic Churches or that “Muslim teenagers were being converted to Christianity in Kuala Lumpur 's churches every Sunday”. You should have gone directly to the Special Branch, which sends it officers to visit our churches occasionally. Surely they will be able to tell you that you would be only wasting your time!
As for the information that Muslims are being driven in droves into Catholicism (which you have concluded to be “false” in your article) it has been a fallacious and stale rumour for quite some time, spread by those who have an obsession and paranoia or by the increasing number of lower echelon zealots or “Little Mullah Napoleons” running riot with their brand of religion.
In Feb. 2006, the Mufti of Perak, Haji Harussani Haji Zakaria, claimed that 250,000 Muslims (of which 100,000 were Malays) had apostatized themselves, while 100,000 more had submitted applications to do so. Of course he was unable to substantiate his claim because it was false.
In Nov. 2006, about 500 Muslims protested in front of the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh following a SMS wherein the same Mufti had disclosed that about 600 Muslim students of the Ungku Omar Polytechnic were to be baptized by national mariner Azhar Mansor!
The church was not converting Muslims but instead was holding the First Holy Communion Mass (one of the rites of initiation to the faith) for 98 Catholic children, many of whom were traumatised by the sight of a threatening mob. Imagine the very unfortunate impression the young Catholics would have got of Islam and of Muslims.
The mufti who had proven to be more of a misfit, was not man enough to own up. He blamed it on an SMS sent out by a woman! Why no action was taken against the mufti, and why the authorities remained mute (on both occasions) over his “mischief” remains but a mystery. You must have been motivated by the mufti.
If indeed the Catholic Church has the conversion of Muslims as its hidden agenda, it would surely have started converting hundreds or even thousands of impressionable young Muslims through its Catholic Mission schools which have existed for as long as 100 years, But no such thing has ever happened.
The Muslim classmates and friends that I had in St Michael’s Ipoh are still good and respected Muslims today, and such was their appreciation and respect for the La Salle Brothers that they made sure that their children in turn would attend a La Salle school or a Convent!
Sacrilegious
Sadly, your disrespect knew no bounds. You chose to abandon all human and religious decency with impunity as a journalist and a Muslim. Under pretense of being a Catholic you participated in the church service and even partook of the Holy Communion (a white and sacred wafer) strictly meant only for Catholics.
You consumed the white wafer which Catholics hold as very sacred and treat with utmost reverence, and both of you spat out the remnants, photographed it and published the picture in an article entitled "Tinjaun Al Islam Dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Murtad" which was published in the May 2009 issue of the Al Islam magazine.
I shudder to think of what could happen if the reverse took place -- if for instance two reporters from the Herald were to enter a mosque disguised as Muslims, partake of the rituals and desecrate something which the congregation considers very sacred.
I can imagine Khairy Jamaluddin leading a group of Umno Youth thugs and burning the effigy of the Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and even threatening to set fire to a few churches, and Zulkifli Nordin rousing up a mob and invading the Herald’s office and demanding that it be shut down for good; or certain Muslim NGOs insisting that the two journalists be jailed under the ISA!
It makes me wonder how does a “creature” like you exist in this country? Are you the product of the educational, social or even religious system or process created by Bolehland’s leaders (also read as “Umno”) over the past 30 years?
How is it possible that you could blatantly trespass into a place of worship, violate its sanctity, insult its adherents, even publish your transgression and completely ignore the implications and consequences (will there be any)? What gives you such audacity?
It all points to the reality of you being a cog in Umno’s machine – a political party that has politicised religion for its survival by creating unfounded insecurities amongst Muslims and a distrust of other religions. Meanwhile it dominates, dictates, decides and even defines what non-Muslims can and cannot discuss, deliberate on, and display in print.
Najib’s 1Malaysia is really Malaysia in one big mess!
As I join my Catholic brothers and sisters in forgiving you (a Catholic duty we are reminded of!), I also pray that you will feel the full weight of God’s wrath upon you.
I feel sad for the many good Muslims in this country who have a respect for peoples of other faiths, for not only have you insulted Catholics but you have insulted them too. Islam would do well without religious misfits like you!
Martin Jalleh
(15 July 2009)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
My Heart Pours Out-Understanding and Acceptance vs Tolerance
I find the article below very interesting and very intrigue as it speaks my thought out clear and loud. Those who has somehow come across my path during my tenure as VP of University Malaya's Student Union would know that I've speak on this topic fondly about how tolerance is vastly different from acceptance or 'understanding' my words.
Malaysians (specifically our politicians) always talk about tolerance or toleransi in Malay language which means I accept your ways and manner because I'm told to do so and force to do so by my culture. If given a chance, the blade that has been kept in the pocket for so long would be taken out and stuck in the heart.
Now..would we want that to happen here in Malaysia? Although I don't write a long article to justify my means but in my own small way, I've been advocating to building this nation upon acceptance and understanding where things like the example of certain race not knowing the needs and culture of other minorities due to fault of our education system and fault of our elected leaders who do not have the nation's heart at their peak of interest, fault of a nation that only educates the needs of one race where all must obey and adhere too without any regards to needs and practices of others.
I do not propagate that the non-Malays question the royalty and special Malay rights because if you look at it with perspective, there is nothing to argue about (arguments only arise when these 'sensitive' topics are brought out of context and expanded based on certain parties whim and fancy. Let us truly be a nation that blends culture and embrace/celebrate the difference we have and treasure our eventful history and move on. Let the tears and bloodshed be a thing of the past and not threaten each other will black history. Let the pass be the pass and may all God loving people work together, respect each other, love thy neighbour as thy self and prove the world that Malaysia is Truly Asia, Malaysia can really be ONE MALAYSIA, Malaysia is not MALAYsia, Malaysia can reach Vision 2020 and Malaysia may one day arise to be more than just a country recognise as above Singapore and below Thailand.
Enjoy the attach article from Malaysiakini.
Beef, pork and the case of 'Pendidikan Moral' for all by TG | May 11, 09 2:31pm
Just like any other peace loving ordinary Malaysian, I was attracted to the new slogan by our Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. I found the following on 'Acceptance and tolerance' at our PM's website.
There's quite a big difference between the two-tolerance and acceptance. When you say you tolerate, you don't quite like it, but you accept it because you have no choice. But if you talk in terms of acceptance, it indicates a state of mind that you are embracing something positively.
It's important for us to migrate from this concept of mere tolerance to acceptance. Acceptance in the sense that you are ready to accept things. If you're willing to accept things, if you embrace things willingly, then I think your capacity to look at things in a more positive manner is much better than mere tolerance.
That's important because then you don't have any baggage and you're not weighed down by any negative pre-conceived notions and you're willing to look at the best the person can offer. This is what we require for Malaysia. We have to get the best of the Malays, the best of the Chinese, the best of the Indians, the best of the others and mold them together so that collectively we'll be much bigger than the sum of the individuals.
This is definitely a way forward for all Malaysians. Even in our school syllabus, our students are taught (actually are forced to memorise) on ‘tolerance' in their Pendidikan Moral studies.
The following is taken from the website of the Education Ministry:
'1.6 Toleransi asas perpaduan perpaduan kaum:
Kesanggupan bertolak ansur, sabar dan mengawal diri bagi mengelakkan berlakunya pertelingkahan dan perselisihan faham demi kesejahteraan hidup. Toleransi menwujudkan perpaduan masyarakat, amalan hidup pelbagai kaum dihormati
- Agama / Kepercayaan
- Cara hidup
- Adat resam
Menghormati amalan hidup pelbagai kaum
i. Membincangkan contoh-contoh adat resam dan kepercayaan pelbagai kaum berkaitan dengan kelahiran, perkahwinan dan kematian.'
On paper, it seems that it's not impossible to achieve our PM's aspiration as children are being taught on this issue since their schooling days. But hold your horses first. There is a big loophole here due to our own educational system.
The problem is the 'Pendidikan Moral' subject which is compulsory for all non-Muslim students only. You may ask me whether this is really a big problem. Let me illustrate then an incident which happened at Tekam Plantation Resort in Jerantut, Pahang last year.
Our company organised a team-building trip there late last year. In our organisation, around 30 percent of the staff are Hindus. One the first day itself, I did notice that they served beef frankfurters, and there was no notice to inform the guests about it.
When confronted, one of the food and beverage staff there denied that it was beef and said that it was actually chicken. We couldn't prove it as they had already cleared the remaining food from the table.
The next day, they served beef curry puffs! Now, as Malaysians, all of us know that Muslims don't consume pork and non-halal meat and Hindus/Buddhist don't consume beef. But some of my Hindu colleagues actually consumed these curry puffs before someone realised it.
We were so angry and disappointed with the F&B manager and boycotted the lunch provided by them in the afternoon. Things improved a little bit after that.
Later that day, one of my colleagues informed us that the F&B Manager admitted that he was unaware that Hindus do not consume beef. Although I was shocked at the beginning, further discussion among us highlighted a much more serious issue.
We believe that he must be from a school where more than 90 percent of the students were Malays. He would have scored good grades for the UPSR examination and then sent to a Mara college where (almost all the students are Malays). He then would have pursued his course at UiTM (the same case with the majority of students being Malays there).
How do you expect him to know that Hindus cannot consume beef since he was technically isolated from plural society for almost 20 years. On top of that, no 'Pendidikan Moral' subject was taught to him.
Suddenly, you put him in the job market of a plural society and expect him to know that he must easily assimilate with people from other religions with some of whom consume pork and non-halal food and worship idols!
My anger towards this F&B manager turned into pity. Who can actually blame him as he has been systematically trained not to accept people of other races/religions as his own countrymen?
It may not be too late for our new education minister to make 'Pendidikan Moral' a compulsory subject for all so that at least the Muslims in this country are aware of do's and don'ts of the people of other religions and vice-versa.
Malaysians (specifically our politicians) always talk about tolerance or toleransi in Malay language which means I accept your ways and manner because I'm told to do so and force to do so by my culture. If given a chance, the blade that has been kept in the pocket for so long would be taken out and stuck in the heart.
Now..would we want that to happen here in Malaysia? Although I don't write a long article to justify my means but in my own small way, I've been advocating to building this nation upon acceptance and understanding where things like the example of certain race not knowing the needs and culture of other minorities due to fault of our education system and fault of our elected leaders who do not have the nation's heart at their peak of interest, fault of a nation that only educates the needs of one race where all must obey and adhere too without any regards to needs and practices of others.
I do not propagate that the non-Malays question the royalty and special Malay rights because if you look at it with perspective, there is nothing to argue about (arguments only arise when these 'sensitive' topics are brought out of context and expanded based on certain parties whim and fancy. Let us truly be a nation that blends culture and embrace/celebrate the difference we have and treasure our eventful history and move on. Let the tears and bloodshed be a thing of the past and not threaten each other will black history. Let the pass be the pass and may all God loving people work together, respect each other, love thy neighbour as thy self and prove the world that Malaysia is Truly Asia, Malaysia can really be ONE MALAYSIA, Malaysia is not MALAYsia, Malaysia can reach Vision 2020 and Malaysia may one day arise to be more than just a country recognise as above Singapore and below Thailand.
Enjoy the attach article from Malaysiakini.
Beef, pork and the case of 'Pendidikan Moral' for all by TG | May 11, 09 2:31pm
Just like any other peace loving ordinary Malaysian, I was attracted to the new slogan by our Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. I found the following on 'Acceptance and tolerance' at our PM's website.
There's quite a big difference between the two-tolerance and acceptance. When you say you tolerate, you don't quite like it, but you accept it because you have no choice. But if you talk in terms of acceptance, it indicates a state of mind that you are embracing something positively.
It's important for us to migrate from this concept of mere tolerance to acceptance. Acceptance in the sense that you are ready to accept things. If you're willing to accept things, if you embrace things willingly, then I think your capacity to look at things in a more positive manner is much better than mere tolerance.
That's important because then you don't have any baggage and you're not weighed down by any negative pre-conceived notions and you're willing to look at the best the person can offer. This is what we require for Malaysia. We have to get the best of the Malays, the best of the Chinese, the best of the Indians, the best of the others and mold them together so that collectively we'll be much bigger than the sum of the individuals.
This is definitely a way forward for all Malaysians. Even in our school syllabus, our students are taught (actually are forced to memorise) on ‘tolerance' in their Pendidikan Moral studies.
The following is taken from the website of the Education Ministry:
'1.6 Toleransi asas perpaduan perpaduan kaum:
Kesanggupan bertolak ansur, sabar dan mengawal diri bagi mengelakkan berlakunya pertelingkahan dan perselisihan faham demi kesejahteraan hidup. Toleransi menwujudkan perpaduan masyarakat, amalan hidup pelbagai kaum dihormati
- Agama / Kepercayaan
- Cara hidup
- Adat resam
Menghormati amalan hidup pelbagai kaum
i. Membincangkan contoh-contoh adat resam dan kepercayaan pelbagai kaum berkaitan dengan kelahiran, perkahwinan dan kematian.'
On paper, it seems that it's not impossible to achieve our PM's aspiration as children are being taught on this issue since their schooling days. But hold your horses first. There is a big loophole here due to our own educational system.
The problem is the 'Pendidikan Moral' subject which is compulsory for all non-Muslim students only. You may ask me whether this is really a big problem. Let me illustrate then an incident which happened at Tekam Plantation Resort in Jerantut, Pahang last year.
Our company organised a team-building trip there late last year. In our organisation, around 30 percent of the staff are Hindus. One the first day itself, I did notice that they served beef frankfurters, and there was no notice to inform the guests about it.
When confronted, one of the food and beverage staff there denied that it was beef and said that it was actually chicken. We couldn't prove it as they had already cleared the remaining food from the table.
The next day, they served beef curry puffs! Now, as Malaysians, all of us know that Muslims don't consume pork and non-halal meat and Hindus/Buddhist don't consume beef. But some of my Hindu colleagues actually consumed these curry puffs before someone realised it.
We were so angry and disappointed with the F&B manager and boycotted the lunch provided by them in the afternoon. Things improved a little bit after that.
Later that day, one of my colleagues informed us that the F&B Manager admitted that he was unaware that Hindus do not consume beef. Although I was shocked at the beginning, further discussion among us highlighted a much more serious issue.
We believe that he must be from a school where more than 90 percent of the students were Malays. He would have scored good grades for the UPSR examination and then sent to a Mara college where (almost all the students are Malays). He then would have pursued his course at UiTM (the same case with the majority of students being Malays there).
How do you expect him to know that Hindus cannot consume beef since he was technically isolated from plural society for almost 20 years. On top of that, no 'Pendidikan Moral' subject was taught to him.
Suddenly, you put him in the job market of a plural society and expect him to know that he must easily assimilate with people from other religions with some of whom consume pork and non-halal food and worship idols!
My anger towards this F&B manager turned into pity. Who can actually blame him as he has been systematically trained not to accept people of other races/religions as his own countrymen?
It may not be too late for our new education minister to make 'Pendidikan Moral' a compulsory subject for all so that at least the Muslims in this country are aware of do's and don'ts of the people of other religions and vice-versa.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
6 months and counting on...
Its been 6 months since someone dear to my family was brought back HOME..
Its been 6 months since my life was altered (for good or for bad)eternally..
Its been 6 months since my life will always be filled with a void and sweet memories altogether..
Its been 6 months since God has challenge me in ways I do not comprehend..
Its been 6 months since my tears flow freely as flashing memories passes by..
The date is 24 October 2008 and that was the day I 'graduated' from my GIP programme with Nielsen and receive the confirmation of my mother's departure from her suffering of her ailing and weakening body that has succumbed to cancer.
A part of my life is missing ever since her return to be with the Lord Jesus. A mother who calls you at least once each week to find out whether your life is going well, a friend who listens to all my private woes and joy, a confidante that I trust with my deepest secrets, a wife who cares and love my dad, a mother to my sisters who misses her dearly..Words can never describe how I feel now as I ponder upon the good years we had with this special person I call 'Mother'!!
Although a part of me knows she went with a happy heart to meet her Saviour and Lord but my human-ness can never hide the feeling of 'IF ONLY' she did not have to go.
I won't have the chance to show mom her future daughter-in-law, her future grandsons and grand-daughters..won't have chance to buy her that branded handbag which I promise to get once I've reach that level of stature and the list goes on.
I just miss this special person who holds the title of MOM..Its a futile attempt to write out what my hearts feel and as I write this entry..tears are flowing again as the song of Amazing Grace, sung by Chris Tomlin renders on my laptop..I shall let the pictures to do the talking/memory I have in me..
"one of the best family pic"
"happy couple-ing"
"first visit to Elder sis in Brunei"
"Anniversary in Hospital-place isnt sig as long as LOVE is there"
"Ever so positive although being sick"
"Smiling through the waves of life"
"Happy moments before 'departure'- a week before"
"The Service"
"Breaking down in public-overflow with emotions during testimony"
All I can say is...24 October would bring a significant meaning from 2008 onwards. For the Lord who gave life to my life bearer has taken her back to a better place-the Kingdom of God where everything is perfect!!
Its been 6 months since my life was altered (for good or for bad)eternally..
Its been 6 months since my life will always be filled with a void and sweet memories altogether..
Its been 6 months since God has challenge me in ways I do not comprehend..
Its been 6 months since my tears flow freely as flashing memories passes by..
The date is 24 October 2008 and that was the day I 'graduated' from my GIP programme with Nielsen and receive the confirmation of my mother's departure from her suffering of her ailing and weakening body that has succumbed to cancer.
A part of my life is missing ever since her return to be with the Lord Jesus. A mother who calls you at least once each week to find out whether your life is going well, a friend who listens to all my private woes and joy, a confidante that I trust with my deepest secrets, a wife who cares and love my dad, a mother to my sisters who misses her dearly..Words can never describe how I feel now as I ponder upon the good years we had with this special person I call 'Mother'!!
Although a part of me knows she went with a happy heart to meet her Saviour and Lord but my human-ness can never hide the feeling of 'IF ONLY' she did not have to go.
I won't have the chance to show mom her future daughter-in-law, her future grandsons and grand-daughters..won't have chance to buy her that branded handbag which I promise to get once I've reach that level of stature and the list goes on.
I just miss this special person who holds the title of MOM..Its a futile attempt to write out what my hearts feel and as I write this entry..tears are flowing again as the song of Amazing Grace, sung by Chris Tomlin renders on my laptop..I shall let the pictures to do the talking/memory I have in me..
"one of the best family pic"
"happy couple-ing"
"first visit to Elder sis in Brunei"
"Anniversary in Hospital-place isnt sig as long as LOVE is there"
"Ever so positive although being sick"
"Smiling through the waves of life"
"Happy moments before 'departure'- a week before"
"The Service"
"Breaking down in public-overflow with emotions during testimony"
All I can say is...24 October would bring a significant meaning from 2008 onwards. For the Lord who gave life to my life bearer has taken her back to a better place-the Kingdom of God where everything is perfect!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Slapping Own's FACE..
I've been following the news both from main stream and also the alternative news portal and I feel so oblige to just scrabble some thoughts here in my blog. Wanted to write an article on my comment but due to time constraint, I'll just keep it short.
I'm sure if you read the news of our newly DPM talking about non-Malay 'seolah-olah tidak menghargai' what the BN has done just before each time there is an election (giving out goodies. He was mentioning that when BN gives out all this 'incentive' or goodies, whichever suits your taste bud and saying that the non-Malays have not appreciated it by turning goodies into votes, isn't that blatantly admitting that DPM or BN is trying to buy the votes???
Coz in my childish mind, I think what he is implying is that development and money incentive from BN can ONLY be given to those who turn it into votes in elections to come. No votes=No help from BN government
Isn't that a threat to the citizens of Malaysia as a whole?? (I hope we aren't that dumb to know that fact)
And if talking about citizens being ungrateful to BN, shouldn't the whole Malay race be considered ungrateful the MOST? [I'm not trying to stir any racial sentiments but to stir your thought on how misguided the argument was given]
Reason of saying so is because the government has ensured that Malay special priviledges and Islam as the official religion is enshrined in our Constitution, MARA and likes are established purely for Malays, there is the MCKK which only houses Malays, Malays have Amanah Saham purely design and solely sold to them, quota in almost everything that is offered to the citizens (scholarship, civil service etc), discount for buying properties coz of race not household income and my list can go on and on..but eventually, what I want to say is..If its truly about being ungrateful, then the Malays are the most ungrateful lot coz they should be behind BN with 100% votes.
Having said the above, I MUST EMPHASIZE here that my intention is to stir the thought of looking at the bigger picture and don't just accept what our leaders say as leaders are mere human being that happen to be MP because of US in the first place. Let us analysis the whole situation wholesome and don't play the game of accusation merely to divert the attention of the true cause of failure:
Money incentive didn't turn into votes because the Rakyat are dissatisfied with 'goodies' that only comes before election and by-elections. Serve the people well during the whole term with respect and honesty on your day job and I PROMISE- votes will come back to BN for a TRUE proven record since the Alliance was forge.
I'm sure if you read the news of our newly DPM talking about non-Malay 'seolah-olah tidak menghargai' what the BN has done just before each time there is an election (giving out goodies. He was mentioning that when BN gives out all this 'incentive' or goodies, whichever suits your taste bud and saying that the non-Malays have not appreciated it by turning goodies into votes, isn't that blatantly admitting that DPM or BN is trying to buy the votes???
Coz in my childish mind, I think what he is implying is that development and money incentive from BN can ONLY be given to those who turn it into votes in elections to come. No votes=No help from BN government
Isn't that a threat to the citizens of Malaysia as a whole?? (I hope we aren't that dumb to know that fact)
And if talking about citizens being ungrateful to BN, shouldn't the whole Malay race be considered ungrateful the MOST? [I'm not trying to stir any racial sentiments but to stir your thought on how misguided the argument was given]
Reason of saying so is because the government has ensured that Malay special priviledges and Islam as the official religion is enshrined in our Constitution, MARA and likes are established purely for Malays, there is the MCKK which only houses Malays, Malays have Amanah Saham purely design and solely sold to them, quota in almost everything that is offered to the citizens (scholarship, civil service etc), discount for buying properties coz of race not household income and my list can go on and on..but eventually, what I want to say is..If its truly about being ungrateful, then the Malays are the most ungrateful lot coz they should be behind BN with 100% votes.
Having said the above, I MUST EMPHASIZE here that my intention is to stir the thought of looking at the bigger picture and don't just accept what our leaders say as leaders are mere human being that happen to be MP because of US in the first place. Let us analysis the whole situation wholesome and don't play the game of accusation merely to divert the attention of the true cause of failure:
Money incentive didn't turn into votes because the Rakyat are dissatisfied with 'goodies' that only comes before election and by-elections. Serve the people well during the whole term with respect and honesty on your day job and I PROMISE- votes will come back to BN for a TRUE proven record since the Alliance was forge.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Letter to PM
This letter below can relate to me and many Malaysians as our 6th PM take over the nation and is promising certain things to the people. I personally do not care whether he was involved in killing the Mongolian, 'makan' till satisfied with all taxpayers money, has a royal history behind him; for ONE good reason and that is he is now the PM.
Do what you said. Restore the hurt and uneasiness that has affected our past by honouring the true intention of NEP which is to help all poor regardless of race and religion. Be the PM of the people (not just UMNO or Malays)as you now represent MALAYSIA and not MALAY-sia.
I can blind myself from the past wrong IF you are able to make this nation one step closer to ONE-ness as promise. However, I still wear a spectacle of doubtfulness as our PM has not really step up for now. By saying that he would help us get through the economic crisis, you see in newspaper that state government and other organizations wasting money to congratulate him for his 'success' which did not entirely came from the rakyat anyway..Our PM did not voice out to tell these boot lickers that this act is not necessary and boot lickers should use the money for better use.
Anyway, have a read of this article below by a fellow writer.
Najib, don't be the shortest term PM
Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan | Apr 6, 09 4:32pm
Dear Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak
First, Malaysians congratulate you on being appointed the sixth prime minister of our beloved country. Next, some quick wisdom for you.
Please reduce your cabinet size to not more than 20. For a small country with a population of about 26 million, 31 ministers handling about 30 ministries plus few more portfolios under the PM’s Department is probably one of the highest in the world per capita.
Yes, you said being the prime minister is a huge responsibility the people have given you. Actually, no. The people did not appoint you as a prime minister. You took it upon yourself. So the people do not owe you anything.
It is you who owe the people. So you will have to prove yourself. Stop being overconfident of having the royalty behind you. The royalty would only take a split second to shift sides if the balance of power swings the other way. So stop fooling yourself.
By reducing to the cabinet to 20:
i. You will save big money for the country especially during these difficult times. We know how much money it takes to run each ministry and how much leaks out to political party interests and for personal appeasements.
ii. The ministries will become more effective and dispense ‘quality’ and forceful decisions.
iii. You will reduce money politics tremendously. They won’t clamour for ministerial posts anymore because they must know and be told in very clear terms that ministerial positions do not come with party positions.
Malaysians cannot be cheated anymore. It is so clear who performs and who really doesn’t. A ministry is a very tall order. You cannot give it out like peanuts for political expediencies.
iv. You do not need to appease all coalition members by having a place for them in the cabinet. Be a bit creative. There is no shortage of positions of power all around you to fill. Some chairperson positions are better paid, they are able to dispense development and are more powerful than a minister.
v. The ministerial posts will become more elite, respectful and more influential.
And please stop the habit of accepting expensive gifts when attending functions. And please stop making special clothes for every specific function. You are burning by wholesale the people’s hardearned money which has these days fallen extremely scarce.
And stop awarding too many honours to people who did not work for them and who do not deserve them. Thousands of ‘Datuk-ship’ and other honours are given away to people by virtue of them just being members of political parties.
Do you know how people who have really contributed to the country’s betterment (not with money) year in and year out feel when they are bypassed for an award in favour of a neighbour who is just a branch head? How do you explain that?
And please appoint ministers by meritocracy and not by names submitted by the coalition parties. Heading a political party and heading a ministry is quite a different cup of tea altogether. Some leaders who come up in the party by money politics will expect to be appointed ministers in order to do some ‘recovery’. When the takers stop, the giving will stop too.
Malaysians are now far more intelligent than you imagine. You don’t know that because you are surrounded by people that only ampu you. So you do not know the truth. People won’t buy the same lame excuses that ‘the names submitted by the coalition party heads are the best in ‘quality’ for a ministerial appointment.’
You would be wiser if you ask these parties to submit a list of names with the candidates bio-data and professional achievements. Then you decide who would be best by meritocracy to be appointed ministers. You don’t want to be shamed when a minister is unable to show results to the citizens and you keep sinking in the polls.
You don’t want ministers that can’t even speak proper Bahasa Malaysia when answering in Parliament, would you? You don’t want ministers that cannot understand what it means to bring meaningful changes for the betterment of the country. You don’t want a minister who surrenders halfway saying he just can’t solve the taxi men’s recalcitrancy, would you?
I am sorry. But if Mohd Khir Toyo’s traveling and spending revelations are any indication, a much lesser number of ministers will mean saving government expenditure by the billions. Imagine, there are still many pockets of people living without a roof over their heads, without water and electricity.
They deserve this money more than anybody else. Now that many more are unemployed, you will never be able to explain to them or to the taxpayers such a serious betrayal of the people’s fund.
Please reduce serious wastage. Limit the money these ministers can spend overseas and make sure they stick to the budget. For every ringgit spent by your ministers both federal and state, the people will want to know what will they and the country get in return.
Real investments, real business and real opportunities. Malaysian people do not buy empty promises and empty hopes anymore. We have been cheated enough and for far too long. We now read between lines.
Do not appoint members of Umno Youth to a ministerial post. It is a big NO. It takes time and training before they can become a minister. You took a long time and the long route. So you are the best trained to be a prime minister. You could possibly even become the best prime minister this country will ever have.
But first, you will have to listen to the people. The changes you have been talking about and the ‘One Malaysia’ thing is good thing if done honestly and sincerely. But you will have to ask some of your big-mouthed ministers to watch their mouths and start listening to the people.
Stop behaving arrogantly with smugness and stop hurting the feelings and dignity of the rest of us. The Chinese, the Indians, the rest are here to stay. So stop treating them as second-class citizens.
We know you will have to repay your gratitude to the last two prime ministers. You must appoint Mukhriz and Khairy into the Cabinet. It is okay. But let them start from the deputy ministerial level.
Khairy will have to watch his mouth or he will bring you down. You don’t want that, would you?
Please change or the people might change you instead in no time. If you don’t buck up, please be reminded, you could end up as the shortest term prime minister. What a pity that would be, don’t you think?
Do what you said. Restore the hurt and uneasiness that has affected our past by honouring the true intention of NEP which is to help all poor regardless of race and religion. Be the PM of the people (not just UMNO or Malays)as you now represent MALAYSIA and not MALAY-sia.
I can blind myself from the past wrong IF you are able to make this nation one step closer to ONE-ness as promise. However, I still wear a spectacle of doubtfulness as our PM has not really step up for now. By saying that he would help us get through the economic crisis, you see in newspaper that state government and other organizations wasting money to congratulate him for his 'success' which did not entirely came from the rakyat anyway..Our PM did not voice out to tell these boot lickers that this act is not necessary and boot lickers should use the money for better use.
Anyway, have a read of this article below by a fellow writer.
Najib, don't be the shortest term PM
Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan | Apr 6, 09 4:32pm
Dear Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak
First, Malaysians congratulate you on being appointed the sixth prime minister of our beloved country. Next, some quick wisdom for you.
Please reduce your cabinet size to not more than 20. For a small country with a population of about 26 million, 31 ministers handling about 30 ministries plus few more portfolios under the PM’s Department is probably one of the highest in the world per capita.
Yes, you said being the prime minister is a huge responsibility the people have given you. Actually, no. The people did not appoint you as a prime minister. You took it upon yourself. So the people do not owe you anything.
It is you who owe the people. So you will have to prove yourself. Stop being overconfident of having the royalty behind you. The royalty would only take a split second to shift sides if the balance of power swings the other way. So stop fooling yourself.
By reducing to the cabinet to 20:
i. You will save big money for the country especially during these difficult times. We know how much money it takes to run each ministry and how much leaks out to political party interests and for personal appeasements.
ii. The ministries will become more effective and dispense ‘quality’ and forceful decisions.
iii. You will reduce money politics tremendously. They won’t clamour for ministerial posts anymore because they must know and be told in very clear terms that ministerial positions do not come with party positions.
Malaysians cannot be cheated anymore. It is so clear who performs and who really doesn’t. A ministry is a very tall order. You cannot give it out like peanuts for political expediencies.
iv. You do not need to appease all coalition members by having a place for them in the cabinet. Be a bit creative. There is no shortage of positions of power all around you to fill. Some chairperson positions are better paid, they are able to dispense development and are more powerful than a minister.
v. The ministerial posts will become more elite, respectful and more influential.
And please stop the habit of accepting expensive gifts when attending functions. And please stop making special clothes for every specific function. You are burning by wholesale the people’s hardearned money which has these days fallen extremely scarce.
And stop awarding too many honours to people who did not work for them and who do not deserve them. Thousands of ‘Datuk-ship’ and other honours are given away to people by virtue of them just being members of political parties.
Do you know how people who have really contributed to the country’s betterment (not with money) year in and year out feel when they are bypassed for an award in favour of a neighbour who is just a branch head? How do you explain that?
And please appoint ministers by meritocracy and not by names submitted by the coalition parties. Heading a political party and heading a ministry is quite a different cup of tea altogether. Some leaders who come up in the party by money politics will expect to be appointed ministers in order to do some ‘recovery’. When the takers stop, the giving will stop too.
Malaysians are now far more intelligent than you imagine. You don’t know that because you are surrounded by people that only ampu you. So you do not know the truth. People won’t buy the same lame excuses that ‘the names submitted by the coalition party heads are the best in ‘quality’ for a ministerial appointment.’
You would be wiser if you ask these parties to submit a list of names with the candidates bio-data and professional achievements. Then you decide who would be best by meritocracy to be appointed ministers. You don’t want to be shamed when a minister is unable to show results to the citizens and you keep sinking in the polls.
You don’t want ministers that can’t even speak proper Bahasa Malaysia when answering in Parliament, would you? You don’t want ministers that cannot understand what it means to bring meaningful changes for the betterment of the country. You don’t want a minister who surrenders halfway saying he just can’t solve the taxi men’s recalcitrancy, would you?
I am sorry. But if Mohd Khir Toyo’s traveling and spending revelations are any indication, a much lesser number of ministers will mean saving government expenditure by the billions. Imagine, there are still many pockets of people living without a roof over their heads, without water and electricity.
They deserve this money more than anybody else. Now that many more are unemployed, you will never be able to explain to them or to the taxpayers such a serious betrayal of the people’s fund.
Please reduce serious wastage. Limit the money these ministers can spend overseas and make sure they stick to the budget. For every ringgit spent by your ministers both federal and state, the people will want to know what will they and the country get in return.
Real investments, real business and real opportunities. Malaysian people do not buy empty promises and empty hopes anymore. We have been cheated enough and for far too long. We now read between lines.
Do not appoint members of Umno Youth to a ministerial post. It is a big NO. It takes time and training before they can become a minister. You took a long time and the long route. So you are the best trained to be a prime minister. You could possibly even become the best prime minister this country will ever have.
But first, you will have to listen to the people. The changes you have been talking about and the ‘One Malaysia’ thing is good thing if done honestly and sincerely. But you will have to ask some of your big-mouthed ministers to watch their mouths and start listening to the people.
Stop behaving arrogantly with smugness and stop hurting the feelings and dignity of the rest of us. The Chinese, the Indians, the rest are here to stay. So stop treating them as second-class citizens.
We know you will have to repay your gratitude to the last two prime ministers. You must appoint Mukhriz and Khairy into the Cabinet. It is okay. But let them start from the deputy ministerial level.
Khairy will have to watch his mouth or he will bring you down. You don’t want that, would you?
Please change or the people might change you instead in no time. If you don’t buck up, please be reminded, you could end up as the shortest term prime minister. What a pity that would be, don’t you think?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Does TWO wrong make ONE right?
Its always intriguing to ponder does two wrong make one right? Because it seems that at certain point in our society, logical thinking don't really happen esp if the scenario is in politics. One person who builds a mansion in Klang and scoundrel the people's money is only let off with warning and in fact, just got off like that due to his sudden demise (some say 'let it be since he is already dead') or some leader in Penang who belittle other races in a state where other races are the majority but gets welcome in party meeting with glamour and triumphant kompang beats as a HERO of their race although being suspended by the central party while ON THE OTHER HAND,others who just mention their views are being dump into ISA or being threatened with life bullets sent to their address and at times, career being burnt due to concrete finding such as the ASLI incident few years back (I'm unable to comprehend esp since we're educated to argue cases based on facts and figure).
Coming to my point of the day, it is reported (The Star, 6 Apr 09-Better voice in government with a Chinese Deputy PM, says Wee) that certain "friend" in the Ally has suggested that a post of Deputy PM and Deputy Chairman of BN be created for a certain race to 'forge' better representation while "friends" (Malaysiakini.com, DPM-to-be coy over 2nd DPM proposal)from the so ever mighty keris party of the coalition (coz they control everything, although not admitting)either refuse to be drawn into speculation or having denial syndrome out of sudden. (funny how Malaysian politicians work with each other huh..)
My point is like this:
1) Was it right for Friend C to suggest establishing a post?
2) Was it proper for Friend M to retaliate as such?
Point 1: As someone who holds strongly in One Malaysia or Bangsa Malaysia as its famously known, I hold steadfast to my believe that Malaysia can only move forward as a nation when race based politics are in the bin(debatable question whether a race based system can work. Therefore, creating a post specifically for just another race ain't moving in that direction; in fact, it confirms that our leaders are not doing what they preach on podiums during Merdeka celebration or speaking to global community. I would only support this suggestion if it were out of a portfolio urgency or due to creating a special task force to forge unity once and for all in our land.
Point 2: Having said the above, I would also strongly advocate that the reactions given by Friend M are also very childish and immature, thus confirming my doubt in the coalition is a big happy family. Some say its a political gimmick played by Friend C to be a populist, a fighter for their own race (isn't that Friend's M all time favourite weapon anyway), cashing in on the timing as Najib clings on to power etc. All failed to see that the issue of race is still a ticking time bomb, awaiting some idiot to trigger it. All friend M seems to be doing, is either deny it or reply its not important to discuss for the moment and there are bigger task at hand.
HELLO!!! We've been trying to tackle race-based issue since Independence. What else is more important than true unity and for Malaysians to unite??? Damn.. They are still too selfish to attempt on this delicate discussion.
The issue is how to get this country we all will pour our blood (tanah tumpah-nya darah KU)to look into each others eyes with love, compassion, understanding not compromising, and build sense of patriotism that not only 'menjelma' during Merdeka month on posters and slogans but is SHINING throughout the whole year on Tanah Melayu.
It has been far too long we allow lip service on UNITY..It has been far too long race and religion is being suppress to be practise in true freedom..It has been far too long citizens are kept un-informed of our politician-leader's true intention..It has been far too long Malaysians have kept quiet..It has been far too long Malaysians remain dormant and 'tidak apa'..It DEFINITELY has been a long long 50 years of sliding backwards.
TWO wrong definitely doesn't make ONE right!! Therefore, we as a nation has to ensure that the government works for its people and not the people become slaves to its elected representatives...
p/s If you're a book lover, may I suggest reading "the clash of civilization and the remaking of world order" by Samuel P. Huntington
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Saya Pun Warganegara Malaysia
Recently as I was surfing for Malaysian related news, I decided to give The Nut Graph a view since its been some time since I last visited the site. And an article caught my eye not just because of what the title is but more so because who wrote that article.
It was entitled ‘Saya Pun Melayu’ by Zaid Ibrahim.
We Malaysians know very well that ever since birth, race and religion somehow or rather always get twine in our daily life especially during political campaign or political motivated speeches in respective party such as the just concluded UMNO Assembly. (This includes all other race-based parties that exist in Malaysia)
Ever since my younger days, I have been inculcated by our society that race makes a big difference in life. If you are born a non-Malay, you need to suck up all the dismay when applying for scholarship or opportunities laid out as there is a quota for race; suck up the fact that due to difference in skin colour, you may be promoted slower if not at all to executive management in civil service; suck up the fact that it would most probably take you twice as hard to be on same level playing field. Nonetheless, are we (non-Malays) that badly treated in Malaysia??
After March 2008 mark the ‘social awakening’, I believe many Malaysians (all races) see a dim light at the end of the tunnel which never existed under M leadership. For those who has always dream of a country where Malaysians live as one and not separated by colour, we must persevere as the wave has only started. Each citizen should play a part, no matter big or small with valour to hold steadfast. A time when a matured society where level of trust is not just a mere political rhetoric sounding for publicity; a time when true ‘understanding’ exist-will come.
(Understanding has to go both ways. Meaning non-Muslims respect our Muslim Bro&Sis way of life and don’t question while the Muslim community also do not obstruct the way of life of fellow countrymen)
History and education on our Malaysian constitution should be taught in high school level to inculcate sense of loyalty and knowing how this nation was forged to be what and where we are. Government should not impose its will but leave it to academicians to deliberate and criticize as history is built by facts and figure, nothing more.
Do read Zaid Ibrahim’s article when free.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
If truth be told, Najib can't be PM (from Malaysiakini.com)
Truth in the perspective of Malaysian public has long been distorted and people are confuse on who to actually believe as both parties are always 'right' in their argument and the higher you are--the more elements are there to prove your 'truth' as compared to the next poor guy who is relatively a nobody. Therefore, it is time for us as a nation to practise what we preach and walk the talk of being 'open' in all that we do. Wise leaders are needed badly especially when our country is still being plagued with hatred (hidden within individuals or enslave in an organisation awaiting to burst its larva) among certain fractions; be it political, blood-line, ideology, race, religion, culture and the list just go on.
I sincerely hope it will come a day when true democracy can be practise by matured society and government of the day is chosen by the people for the people as they were once of the people. May God bless us all...
Below is just for your reading/sharing...
Zaid Ibrahim | Mar 18, 09 1:51pm The following is the hard-hitting speech by former law minister Zaid Ibrahim at the Royal Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur today.
comment This is the second time I have been invited to address a Rotary Club. Thank you for the honour. Given the times we live in, perhaps it might be appropriate for me to speak about the leadership transition that has been foisted upon us Malaysians.
I say ‘foisted’ because neither me nor anyone in this room had any role or say in the choice of the person who will lead Malaysia next. We were mere bystanders in a political chess game. And yet the transition is a subject of great consequence to the nation, one I would say is of great national interest.
Leadership is definitive; the individual who assumes the mantle of leadership of this nation, whomever that may be, is one who for better or worse will leave his mark on us. His will be the hand who guides us to greater success, or possibly gut-wrenching disaster.
Save for the dawn of Merdeka, never in the history of this country has the choice of prime minister been so crucial: Malaysia is in crisis. We are facing tremendous economic challenges with unavoidably harsh socio-political consequences. Our much undermined democracy is once again being assailed by those who would prefer a more autocratic form of governance.
Our public institutions are hollowed out caricatures, unable to distinguish vested party interests from national ones, unable to offer the man in the street refuge from the powerful and connected.
Our social fabric that took us from colony to an independent nation and on through the obstacles of nation building has reached a point where it sometimes feel like we are hanging on by a thread. This is the Malaysia we live in.
PM’s resignation ill-fated
This is the Malaysia which Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leaves behind. Our prime minister will resign later this month - an ill-fated decision. I say ill-fated not because he has been a great prime minister and we would lose irreplaceable leadership, that is regrettably not the case as all things said and done, Abdullah could have done much more for Malaysia.
Rather, I say that his resignation is ill-fated because his departure will expose the country to forces which may take us down the road of perdition faster than ever. Much has been said of Pak Lah being a weak leader. However, what his critics have not adequately addressed are the consequences of replacing him as prime minister with the anticipated incoming president of Umno, Najib (Abdul) Razak.
It is an undeniable truth that the average Malaysian is anxious about the anticipated transition. Many would prefer it did not happen.
There are two reasons why this is so. The first has to do with the reasoning underlying Umno's demand for the transition itself. The second has to do with Najib personally.
We must recall that after the 2008 general election - a great success for the nation but a fiasco for Umno – one of the chief complaints by the powers-that-be within Umno was that Abdullah’s feeble leadership led to the concept of Ketuanan Melayu being challenged and ultimately undermined.
His critics also lashed out at him for the latitude given to civil society, a move which they believed weakened a key aspect of Umno's political leverage. It followed in Umno's mind that in order to regain lost ground, it was necessary to reassert its ideology with greater strength.
There was nostalgia for Mahathir's heavy-handed style of leadership and a return to the times when the party cowed many into subservience and submission.The conservatives in Umno yearned for a return to Mahathirism, hoping that it would become a cornerstone of the leadership transition plan. There has been much speculation and punditry on whether a return to the Mahathir era would be good for Malaysia.
Difference between then and now
Let me offer some of my own insight to this debate. The major difference between then and now is this: in most instances, Mahathir was harsh and dictatorial if he believed it was good for the country. But an authoritarian style of government under anyone else would be dictated by the need for self preservation and very little about the country’s interest.
The evidence is all around us. After March 8, (2008) when the prime minister ceased being the home minister, the threats of reprisal have escalated and a climate of fear re-cultivated. The detention of Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoong Cheng exemplify this turn for the worse, this appetite to use the sledgehammer.
The shameful power grab in Perak and wanton disregard for public opinion over how BN wrested control of the silver state make many people shudder at the prospect of a return to the dark days. If that was not depressing enough, we have had to bear witness to the police and the newly-minted Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) displaying their allegiance and support to the BN when all we needed and craved for were honest brokers.
It stands to reason that in the mind of the average Malaysian, having suffered a significant loss last March, Umno is on a rampage to regain what it lost by any method available and the man who is expected to lead it to victory is the man who succeeds Abdullah: Najib (Abdul) Razak.
A prime minister must have the confidence of the majority of the rakyat. In order for this to be the case, his integrity must be beyond question; not only must he be such a person character, he must be seen to be such a person. The office of prime minister is one of great trust, he who holds that office cradles the nation in his palms.
For this to be the case, there cannot be anything in the mind of the greater public that, correctly or otherwise, associates him with matters of criminality, wrongful action, improper conduct or abuses of power. In short, he must be beyond reproach in his dealings both official and private.
Without intending any accusation, it is regrettable that in the collective mind of the rakyat, Najib is not such a person. If a referendum were to be conducted on the subject or if the prime minister was to be elected directly by the rakyat, I do not think Najib would succeed. The reason for this is obvious: the rakyat has doubts, fuelled by the unanswered allegations against him and his unwillingness to confront these allegations.
It is not a mere trifle in the minds of the rakyat that despite a direct challenge from a member of parliament in the august House recently, the deputy prime minister remained silent, not even denying the implicit accusation made against him and demanding that it be repeated outside the chamber in the tried and tested method of refutation employed by parliamentarians throughout the world.
It has not assisted the cause of the incoming prime minister that the MP concerned was suspended for a year on a motion tabled by a fellow minister without the member having been afforded an opportunity to defend his position.
Evidence of SMS text-messages
Consider this. Commissions were paid to an agent for the procurement of submarines through the Defence Ministry, Najib (then) being the defence minister. It is unthinkable that he had no knowledge that the agent was his adviser and aide, Abdul Razak Baginda. The commission paid out was exceedingly large, in excess of RM400 million.
The defence minister was dutybound to direct enquiries to see if there had been any impropriety in the way the contracts were awarded when news of the commission surfaced; after all the price of the submarines would be considerably lower without the need for such commissions.
Taxpayers, you and I, have paid for those submarines at a price that in all probability factored in the commission. Taxpayers are yet to be told of an inquiry let alone the result of such an inquiry.
Consider the Altantuya Shaariibuu affair. A young woman was brutally murdered, her corpse destroyed by explosives.
These explosives are not the usual type of explosives, yet no inquiry was held to determine how they were available to these killers. Those accused of her murder are police officers serving in the Unit Tindakan Khas, a highly specialised unit who amongst other things serve as bodyguards to the prime minister and the deputy prime minister.
Amidst evidence that the accused were employed to protect the PM and the DPM, they were directed to (Abdul) Razak Baginda through the aide of the deputy prime minister. Amongst other things, we have heard of the senior investigating officer admitting that the deputy prime minister was an important witness and yet no statement was taken.
It is not unreasonable to think that this is irregular, more so when evidence of SMS text-messages from the deputy prime minister concerning material matters have surfaced. The text-messages cannot be ignored, proverbially swept under the carpet.
Even if they do not establish - or are not capable of establishing - any culpability on the part of Najib, these issues must be addressed.
The air must be cleared, it is thick with accusations and doubts which can only undermine the office of the prime minister if he were to assume it. The deputy prime minister's cause has not been aided by the fact that charges were preferred against (Abdul) Razak Baginda only after public outcry, the manner in which the prosecution was conducted and the decision of the High Court acquitting (Abdul) Razak Baginda not having been appealed.
Power grab an unmitigated disaster
The Perak affair was an unmitigated disaster for the nation. It is no secret that Najib led the charge there and is still overseeing matters.
In the minds of Malaysians, Perak is synonymous with the deputy prime minister. They now equate him with the high-handed tactics that were employed to seize power, tactics that included the disappearances of the three crucial assemblypersons and the blockading of the legislative assembly by the police.
In doing so, they equate the DPM with the hijacking of democracy, the only persons saying otherwise being those persons who have associations with Umno. In their minds, no responsible leader would allow for the undermining of the institutions of state and the constitution of this nation.
They ask, rightly so, whether this is the kind of leadership that Malaysians can expect from Najib when he becomes the prime minister.
With all of this, and more, how are we not to feel anxious? How are we to sleep peacefully at night? I know that I cannot. The situation is desperate and the air is pregnant with tension. We need the state of affairs to be resolved in a way that is in the best interests of the nation and the rakyat.
To an extent, this is a matter for the Barisan Nasional. I urge its members to put politics aside and think things through. We all want a better future, a safer and more prosperous life for our children, all of them, a Malaysia where our children can reach for the stars with the certainty that there is nothing to stop them from being the Malaysians they want to be.
Let the king be kingmaker
I do not believe that the Barisan Nasional will do what is necessary. Politics has a tendency of making those who embrace it cynical. The answer lies elsewhere, with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In this case, His Majesty plays the role of ‘kingmaker’. The discretion to appoint the prime minister who succeeds Abdullah lies with His Majesty. Though His Majesty is required under the constitution to appoint the person who commands the confidence of the majority of the members of parliament, it is a matter for His Majesty's judgment.
Never before has such a heavy burden being laid on His Majesty to make a brave and correct choice.
For King and country, I urge His Majesty to take into consideration the prerequisites to appointment and the concerns of the rakyat. There is no constitutional obligation on His Majesty to appoint the president of Umno as the prime minister. There are still well qualified members of parliament from Umno who can be appointed PM to bring us back from the brink.
Malaysia needs someone who the rakyat can throw their weight behind without reservation. Someone they can trust and respect. Someone who has no scandal to distract him and thereby gain respect from the international community.
These are difficult times and be prepared for worst times to visit us. Malaysia needs a leader who will unite the country in the face of the adversity. Divided, we are weak. I am loath to say it, but for the reasons I have set out am compelled to say that Najib will most certainly divide us and in doing so, will nudge us closer to the edge.
Some of you may say that all efforts to promote the national interest are at this stage an exercise in futility. If truth be told, I am tempted to slip into cynical hopelessness too. I am fighting the temptation to give up for one simple reason: Malaysia and all that it represents. This is a blessed country, a country too valuable for us to turn our backs on.
I sincerely hope it will come a day when true democracy can be practise by matured society and government of the day is chosen by the people for the people as they were once of the people. May God bless us all...
Below is just for your reading/sharing...
Zaid Ibrahim | Mar 18, 09 1:51pm The following is the hard-hitting speech by former law minister Zaid Ibrahim at the Royal Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur today.
comment This is the second time I have been invited to address a Rotary Club. Thank you for the honour. Given the times we live in, perhaps it might be appropriate for me to speak about the leadership transition that has been foisted upon us Malaysians.
I say ‘foisted’ because neither me nor anyone in this room had any role or say in the choice of the person who will lead Malaysia next. We were mere bystanders in a political chess game. And yet the transition is a subject of great consequence to the nation, one I would say is of great national interest.Leadership is definitive; the individual who assumes the mantle of leadership of this nation, whomever that may be, is one who for better or worse will leave his mark on us. His will be the hand who guides us to greater success, or possibly gut-wrenching disaster.
Save for the dawn of Merdeka, never in the history of this country has the choice of prime minister been so crucial: Malaysia is in crisis. We are facing tremendous economic challenges with unavoidably harsh socio-political consequences. Our much undermined democracy is once again being assailed by those who would prefer a more autocratic form of governance.
Our public institutions are hollowed out caricatures, unable to distinguish vested party interests from national ones, unable to offer the man in the street refuge from the powerful and connected.
Our social fabric that took us from colony to an independent nation and on through the obstacles of nation building has reached a point where it sometimes feel like we are hanging on by a thread. This is the Malaysia we live in.
PM’s resignation ill-fated
This is the Malaysia which Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leaves behind. Our prime minister will resign later this month - an ill-fated decision. I say ill-fated not because he has been a great prime minister and we would lose irreplaceable leadership, that is regrettably not the case as all things said and done, Abdullah could have done much more for Malaysia.
Rather, I say that his resignation is ill-fated because his departure will expose the country to forces which may take us down the road of perdition faster than ever. Much has been said of Pak Lah being a weak leader. However, what his critics have not adequately addressed are the consequences of replacing him as prime minister with the anticipated incoming president of Umno, Najib (Abdul) Razak.
It is an undeniable truth that the average Malaysian is anxious about the anticipated transition. Many would prefer it did not happen.
There are two reasons why this is so. The first has to do with the reasoning underlying Umno's demand for the transition itself. The second has to do with Najib personally.We must recall that after the 2008 general election - a great success for the nation but a fiasco for Umno – one of the chief complaints by the powers-that-be within Umno was that Abdullah’s feeble leadership led to the concept of Ketuanan Melayu being challenged and ultimately undermined.
His critics also lashed out at him for the latitude given to civil society, a move which they believed weakened a key aspect of Umno's political leverage. It followed in Umno's mind that in order to regain lost ground, it was necessary to reassert its ideology with greater strength.
There was nostalgia for Mahathir's heavy-handed style of leadership and a return to the times when the party cowed many into subservience and submission.The conservatives in Umno yearned for a return to Mahathirism, hoping that it would become a cornerstone of the leadership transition plan. There has been much speculation and punditry on whether a return to the Mahathir era would be good for Malaysia.
Difference between then and now
Let me offer some of my own insight to this debate. The major difference between then and now is this: in most instances, Mahathir was harsh and dictatorial if he believed it was good for the country. But an authoritarian style of government under anyone else would be dictated by the need for self preservation and very little about the country’s interest.
The evidence is all around us. After March 8, (2008) when the prime minister ceased being the home minister, the threats of reprisal have escalated and a climate of fear re-cultivated. The detention of Raja Petra Kamarudin, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoong Cheng exemplify this turn for the worse, this appetite to use the sledgehammer.
The shameful power grab in Perak and wanton disregard for public opinion over how BN wrested control of the silver state make many people shudder at the prospect of a return to the dark days. If that was not depressing enough, we have had to bear witness to the police and the newly-minted Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) displaying their allegiance and support to the BN when all we needed and craved for were honest brokers.
It stands to reason that in the mind of the average Malaysian, having suffered a significant loss last March, Umno is on a rampage to regain what it lost by any method available and the man who is expected to lead it to victory is the man who succeeds Abdullah: Najib (Abdul) Razak.
A prime minister must have the confidence of the majority of the rakyat. In order for this to be the case, his integrity must be beyond question; not only must he be such a person character, he must be seen to be such a person. The office of prime minister is one of great trust, he who holds that office cradles the nation in his palms.
For this to be the case, there cannot be anything in the mind of the greater public that, correctly or otherwise, associates him with matters of criminality, wrongful action, improper conduct or abuses of power. In short, he must be beyond reproach in his dealings both official and private.
Without intending any accusation, it is regrettable that in the collective mind of the rakyat, Najib is not such a person. If a referendum were to be conducted on the subject or if the prime minister was to be elected directly by the rakyat, I do not think Najib would succeed. The reason for this is obvious: the rakyat has doubts, fuelled by the unanswered allegations against him and his unwillingness to confront these allegations.
It is not a mere trifle in the minds of the rakyat that despite a direct challenge from a member of parliament in the august House recently, the deputy prime minister remained silent, not even denying the implicit accusation made against him and demanding that it be repeated outside the chamber in the tried and tested method of refutation employed by parliamentarians throughout the world.
It has not assisted the cause of the incoming prime minister that the MP concerned was suspended for a year on a motion tabled by a fellow minister without the member having been afforded an opportunity to defend his position.
Evidence of SMS text-messages
Consider this. Commissions were paid to an agent for the procurement of submarines through the Defence Ministry, Najib (then) being the defence minister. It is unthinkable that he had no knowledge that the agent was his adviser and aide, Abdul Razak Baginda. The commission paid out was exceedingly large, in excess of RM400 million.
The defence minister was dutybound to direct enquiries to see if there had been any impropriety in the way the contracts were awarded when news of the commission surfaced; after all the price of the submarines would be considerably lower without the need for such commissions.
Taxpayers, you and I, have paid for those submarines at a price that in all probability factored in the commission. Taxpayers are yet to be told of an inquiry let alone the result of such an inquiry.
Consider the Altantuya Shaariibuu affair. A young woman was brutally murdered, her corpse destroyed by explosives.
These explosives are not the usual type of explosives, yet no inquiry was held to determine how they were available to these killers. Those accused of her murder are police officers serving in the Unit Tindakan Khas, a highly specialised unit who amongst other things serve as bodyguards to the prime minister and the deputy prime minister.
Amidst evidence that the accused were employed to protect the PM and the DPM, they were directed to (Abdul) Razak Baginda through the aide of the deputy prime minister. Amongst other things, we have heard of the senior investigating officer admitting that the deputy prime minister was an important witness and yet no statement was taken.
It is not unreasonable to think that this is irregular, more so when evidence of SMS text-messages from the deputy prime minister concerning material matters have surfaced. The text-messages cannot be ignored, proverbially swept under the carpet.
Even if they do not establish - or are not capable of establishing - any culpability on the part of Najib, these issues must be addressed.
The air must be cleared, it is thick with accusations and doubts which can only undermine the office of the prime minister if he were to assume it. The deputy prime minister's cause has not been aided by the fact that charges were preferred against (Abdul) Razak Baginda only after public outcry, the manner in which the prosecution was conducted and the decision of the High Court acquitting (Abdul) Razak Baginda not having been appealed.
Power grab an unmitigated disaster
The Perak affair was an unmitigated disaster for the nation. It is no secret that Najib led the charge there and is still overseeing matters.
In the minds of Malaysians, Perak is synonymous with the deputy prime minister. They now equate him with the high-handed tactics that were employed to seize power, tactics that included the disappearances of the three crucial assemblypersons and the blockading of the legislative assembly by the police.
In doing so, they equate the DPM with the hijacking of democracy, the only persons saying otherwise being those persons who have associations with Umno. In their minds, no responsible leader would allow for the undermining of the institutions of state and the constitution of this nation.
They ask, rightly so, whether this is the kind of leadership that Malaysians can expect from Najib when he becomes the prime minister.
With all of this, and more, how are we not to feel anxious? How are we to sleep peacefully at night? I know that I cannot. The situation is desperate and the air is pregnant with tension. We need the state of affairs to be resolved in a way that is in the best interests of the nation and the rakyat.
To an extent, this is a matter for the Barisan Nasional. I urge its members to put politics aside and think things through. We all want a better future, a safer and more prosperous life for our children, all of them, a Malaysia where our children can reach for the stars with the certainty that there is nothing to stop them from being the Malaysians they want to be.
Let the king be kingmaker
I do not believe that the Barisan Nasional will do what is necessary. Politics has a tendency of making those who embrace it cynical. The answer lies elsewhere, with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In this case, His Majesty plays the role of ‘kingmaker’. The discretion to appoint the prime minister who succeeds Abdullah lies with His Majesty. Though His Majesty is required under the constitution to appoint the person who commands the confidence of the majority of the members of parliament, it is a matter for His Majesty's judgment.
Never before has such a heavy burden being laid on His Majesty to make a brave and correct choice.
For King and country, I urge His Majesty to take into consideration the prerequisites to appointment and the concerns of the rakyat. There is no constitutional obligation on His Majesty to appoint the president of Umno as the prime minister. There are still well qualified members of parliament from Umno who can be appointed PM to bring us back from the brink.
Malaysia needs someone who the rakyat can throw their weight behind without reservation. Someone they can trust and respect. Someone who has no scandal to distract him and thereby gain respect from the international community.
These are difficult times and be prepared for worst times to visit us. Malaysia needs a leader who will unite the country in the face of the adversity. Divided, we are weak. I am loath to say it, but for the reasons I have set out am compelled to say that Najib will most certainly divide us and in doing so, will nudge us closer to the edge.
Some of you may say that all efforts to promote the national interest are at this stage an exercise in futility. If truth be told, I am tempted to slip into cynical hopelessness too. I am fighting the temptation to give up for one simple reason: Malaysia and all that it represents. This is a blessed country, a country too valuable for us to turn our backs on.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Am I who am I??
I was thinking awhile on what should my entry should be especially since I've been away from blogger sphere for some time and I stumble upon this personality/character test that was posted on FB by a colleague and decided to just give it a run. And whoalla..below is what the system 'analyst' me to be. Why not you comment on how relevant and accurate does it say about me.
I would definitely be interested to know how others perceive me to be and whether is that my true self showing away. If you feel uncomfortable to reveal your true identity, just drop by being anonymous.
If you're interested to check the test, click here.
I would definitely be interested to know how others perceive me to be and whether is that my true self showing away. If you feel uncomfortable to reveal your true identity, just drop by being anonymous.
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.The seriousness of your love:
Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.If you're interested to check the test, click here.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Thinker will be back in ACTION soon enough..give him some time to re-strategies his life ya =p
Thanks for the concern given by asking "why no updates for so long?"
Thinker will be back with thoughts this month of March 09'...stay tuned
Thinker will be back with thoughts this month of March 09'...stay tuned
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
