CRUELTY TO DOGS IN MALAYSIA- MPS in the Limelight!

Article in "The Sun" newspaper, Malaysia
Tue, 11 Sep 2007

Animal lovers protest against contest
By: Llew-Ann Phang

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 11, 2007): A group of 30 animal lovers from several organisations marched to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) today to loudly protest against the council’s dog-catching competition which is offering RM15,000 as the first prize to residents committees.

Representatives from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Association, Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PetPositive) and the Coalition of Animal Lovers chanted "Stop the hunt!" and held up posters to get their message through.

MPS enforcement officers stood on guard at the main entrance of the MPS tower, while the group led by SPCA chairwoman Christina Chin, the Coalition’s Natasha Valerie Fernz and PetPositive president Anthony Thanasayan marched in, with DAP’s Ronnie Liu and N. Surendran in tow.

They wanted to hand over a joint memorandum to MPS president Zainal Abidin Azim but he was on leave.

MPS assistant public relations officer Helda Syima Abu Talab met the group with some colleagues, including officers from the enforcement unit, but the group asked instead to see the health and municipal services director.

The crowd’s patience was further tested by a Selayang resident who spoke aloud about the lack of concern for dog-bitten victims, and defended throwing stones at stray dogs, saying these dogs threatened people.

Amid this, animal groomer Nuraini Rozaiti Mahamud, 35, stole the show with her Mix.fm life-size cardboard cutouts of radio DJs Ika, Serena C and Pietro in one hand, and her Australian silky terrier Phoebe in the other.

Nuraini said she would allocate some of the RM50,000 prize money – if she won the Mix.fm competition that ends on Friday (Sept 14) – to animal shelters, and treat orphans to a kenduri, besides pursuing her studies in animal psychiatry in Australia.

She waved off concerns that she would get into trouble if a picture of her and Phoebe was published, saying she did not neglect her Islamic obligations of samak (washing with mud), and found it an easier task with the taharah soap (made of mud) found in traditional Malay medicinal shops.

An MPS assistant administration officer finally persuaded the group to hand over their memorandum to Helda because the health and municipal services director was in a meeting.

The memorandum states that stray animals were a result of irresponsible owners who dumped and abandoned their pets or owned pets that were not neutered.

Together, the organisations called for:

• an immediate end to the dog-catching competition;

• implementation of highly effective neutering initiatives;

• fines against irresponsible pet owners who dump and abandon their pets;

• implementation of smart, humane and effective legislation to promote responsible pet ownership; and

• education and publicity campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership.

Helda declined comment, saying the MPS president would be the best person to speak on the matter.

Not a dog's world in Selayang

Family claims two pet canines ill-treated by council officers

CECILIA VICTOR

Thursday, May 19th, 2011 12:05:00

SAY SORRY : Molly (left) and brother Pavithiran want the council to apologise

SELAYANG: A family has alleged their pet dogs were forcefully taken from their home in Taman Seri Gombak by Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) enforcement officers and beaten at its pound despite having valid licences.

S. Gunasegar, 48, said his dogs, an Irish Terrier and a Chihuahua mixed breed named Tiger and Tommy respectively, suffered body and leg injuries as a result of the beatings.

“My veterinarian told me that the injuries to my pets were consistent with beatings using a sharp object,” he told The Malay Mail.

Gunasegar said his neighbours told him the council officers came to his house about 10.30am on May 4 when he and his family were on holiday in Malacca.

“My house gate was left unlocked and the officers had barged in and took hold of my dogs without any prior notice given,” he said, adding the council officers said they took his pets due to complaints by neighbours irritated by the constant barking.

“I had to pay a RM200 fine but my two pets, which used to be so lively, looked lifeless when I brought them back on May 6.”

His daughter Molly, 23, said: “Tommy's thick hair had to be shaved off so that the veterinarian could take a closer look at its skin injuries due to the beating. The two days our dogs were at the pound also traumatised both, and Tiger, which is one and a half years old, also fainted.”

Gunasegar said he wanted an apology and RM5,000 as compensation from the council for the ill-treatment of his pets.

“My dogs are licensed and the council officers had no right to enter my property without permission.”

At Press time, the council could not be reached for comment.

SELAYANG POUND: SPCA SELANGOR URGES DVS TO PROSECUTE

SELAYANG POUND: SPCA SELANGOR URGES DVS TO PROSECUTE

Wed, 18th May 2011, 08:34pm

25 FEBRUARY 2010, SELAYANG – Visits by the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (SPCA Selangor) and animal rescuers to the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) dog pound in Rawang in the last few days have revealed that the pound is grossly mismanaged, and that almost a dozen dogs have died in the pound since Sunday.

On Sunday, an animal rescuer visited the pound and reported that it appeared the dogs were not being fed or watered. She brought back 5 emaciated puppies, one of which was dying already. The SPCA vets had to euthanise the puppies due to their severe condition, and sent them for a post-mortem at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) on Monday morning.


SPCA’s help declined
SPCA contacted MPS Director of Health and Licensing Dr. Razif Zainol Abidin on Monday morning, offering a supply of dog food and assistance with improving conditions at the pound. However, Dr Razif declined the offers, saying that the MPS had food and did not need help with the pound.

Later on Monday, the SPCA Selangor Inspectors and vet went to the pound, but were denied access to the pound. The caretaker refused to let them in, as he did not want to get into any trouble with the management. However, after some coaxing he allowed them to go in briefly to look around – but warned them not to take any photos. There were approximately 20 dogs and puppies in the kennels, only half of which appeared to be in reasonable health. The kennels and dogs were heavily infested with ticks. Volunteers from animal rescue groups Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better and AnimalCare had brought food and water containers, and bags of dog food earlier and had fed and watered the dogs.


Two dogs lie dead in the MPS Pound on Wednesday morning


“Though the floor had been washed down, there was no evidence that the kennels were disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of prevailing diseases in the pound like distemper, parvovirus, and tick-fever,” says SPCA Selangor Veterinarian Dr Karen Koh. There were four dogs in one kennel that looked very ill and emaciated. “Since providing medical care for the dogs is beyond the means of the council, they must ensure that dogs that are severely injured or ill are euthanized by a vet promptly, and not left suffering in these enclosures for days,” says SPCA Selangor Animal Inspector Cunera Kimlon.

A second visit was made early Wednesday morning. The gate to the pound was open, and the SPCA team began inspecting the kennels again and taking photographs. The sickly dogs that were seen two days earlier were no longer around. All the puppies had been placed together in one kennel, while the neighbouring kennels housed 2-3 adult dogs each. Food and water placed by animal rescuers was still there. Two dogs were found dead, a brown mix-breed dog and a black Spitz-mix wearing a red collar.

“We were invited to a meeting with Majlis Perbandaran Selayang, to discuss how to immediately improve this miserable situation the pound dogs are facing, but this invitation was immediately revoked upon them learning of our pound visit on Wednesday morning,” says SPCA Selangor Chairman Christine Chin. “However, we are still keen on teaching them how to manage their pound better in the short-term and long-term – if they are willing to accept our help. Municipals should be encouraging animal loving constituents to help at the pound, not chasing them out,” she continues.



Puppies, some too small to drink from the water container


Council in the spotlight again
In 2007, MPS incurred the wrath of dog-lovers all over the world when they decided to initiate a financially rewarding dog-catching competition inviting the public to participate in what looked like ‘fun-filled festivity’ to reduce the stray population. The competition was quickly scrapped after protests from animal welfare NGOs and the public. Animal welfare NGOs have always highlighted that reducing the stray population requires a long-term strategy - low-cost spay/neuter programs, public awareness campaigns, proper licensing and effective legislation discouraging abandonment of pets or allowing them to stray in their neighbourhood.


SPCA pressures for prosecution
SPCA Selangor has over the years lobbied the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to regulate and monitor dog-catching activities and the management of council pounds. Last year, the DVS issued the ‘Guidelines for Humane Stray Management for Local Councils’ to all Malaysian municipal councils, but few improvements have been made by the councils – with even basic needs such as food, water and a clean environment often not provided for the dogs.

“SPCA Selangor is pressing for a closure of all pounds that are not managed humanely, and strongly condemns those that reject help from animal welfare groups. This withholding of food, water, and medical attention causing unnecessary pain, suffering and death to the impounded dogs is tantamount to cruelty to animals. MPS officials in charge of the pound management must be charged for cruelty to animals under Section 43 of The Animal Act 1953(revised 2006). The DVS must take strong action against these perpetrators as this offense is so widespread – municipal councils feel the law will never catch them as they have been getting away with it for years,” Chin urges.

‘We are shocked and disappointed with the conditions at the Selayang pound, and we are sending out a strong message that SPCA Selangor and fellow Malaysians find the inhumane treatment of these dogs completely unacceptable,” she continues.

Razif- the Pengarah against Dogs!!

MDDB Notice Board :

THE MAN IN CHARGE - HEART OF STONE
Dr. Razif Zainol Abidin
Pengarah Kesihatan & Pelesenan
razif@mps.gov.my
Tel : 03-61370757 Faks : 03-61388300

There are some very serious questions that need to be answered. According to a friend who has been going to the pound for the last three years, these three dogs were alive when she went to the Selayang Municipal Council Pound on Sunday. However, they were all dead and bundled-up when she went the following day.
There are now allegations that these dogs - which were sick - were drowned.

It didn't cross our minds that this could have happened until several people wrote to us asking why the dead dogs in the pix were wet? It breaks our hearts to see the pictures of these dead dogs - look at the big brown guy with the collar - he looks like someone's much loved pet.

As it is Ernie - 013-6064446 admitted that she seized dogs without issuing compounds and owners were fined RM1,000 to reclaim their dogs. There have also been many complaints that she does not allow anyone into the pound - this is reflective even up to today when members of the public were told that they can't go in and feed the dogs.

Local council pounds must be accessible to the public - that's how its supposed to be. We are also concerned about a black patch where a dog had been purportedly cremated - why was this carcass cremated when the rest were wrapped in garbage bags - was this dog really dead when it was set on fire? These are the questions which need answers.

Anyway, according to rumours the SPCA was told that it was barred from yesterday's meeting because it had gone to the pound to take pictures in the wee hours of the morning. The MPS people didn't tell them this but an individual did. Many of the dogs had also been killed on Tuesday and six more were brought in on Wed - wonder how many of them were seized without the owners being compounded?
What happened here?

WET!

WET AND TWISTED!

WET!

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

MPS (Selayang) - Pound Dog Cruelty

---

MPS - Majlis Perbandaran Selayang
Jalan Industri 3/5
Taman Pelangi, Rawang
(near APC factory, next to Canpac factory)

MDDB Notice Board : http://malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/

MAYHEM IN SELAYANG

If the Klang pound was bad, the Selayang Municipal Council pound is mayhem at its worst. These pictures were taken by an animal activist who has been trying to bring change to the Selayang pound for years. The pictures were taken today morning (21-02-2001). According to her there were many dead dogs lying around and some had been packed in black garbage bags and placed at the entrance of the pound. There were a lot of blood on the floor and according to the caretaker the dogs have not been given food and water at all because ‘they did not have containers.’ He said the Department of Veterinary Services people have not been to the pound for about a month. The dogs are dropping dead of starvation and dehydration. The place is a nightmare and even some of the councilors have voiced their concern to us. So, people we have to go back to doing what we did for the Klang Pound which had brought about some change. Please forward this to as many people as possible and write to the people whose e-mails we have included in this post. Please also sms the local councilors to tell them that we will not tolerate such cruelty. According to the activist erica chum - she has been highlighting the deplorable state of the pound for the last three years but no one had taken the initiative to do anything about it. She says she has seen many horrific things during her almost weekly visits to the pound - such a dog with one eye popping out once. She also alleges that dead puppies were simply washed into the drains. According to Erica, the vet who's supposed to go the the pound does not do so anymore because of the new location at Rawang. So, she says the dogs are left to die of starvation. These are serious allegations. However, we are sure that people , who had not bothered to do anything so far, will all rush to the pound soon. Whatever, it is - let justice be done for the voiceless.

YANG DIPERTUA
MAJLIS PERBANDARAN SELAYANG
Datuk ZAINAL ABIDIN BIN AZIM
selayangmesra@mps.gov.my

Dr. Razif Zainol Abidin
Pengarah Kesihatan & Pelesenan
razif@mps.gov.my
Tel : 03-61370757 Faks : 03-61388300

MPS and Dog Enforcers(1)

"If the Klang dog pound was bad, the Selayang Municipal Council dog pound is mayhem at its worst. These pictures were taken by an animal activist who has been trying to bring change to the Selayang pound for years.

The photos were taken yesterday morning. According to her, there were many dead dogs lying around and some had been packed into black garbage bags and placed at the entrance of the pound.

There was a lot of blood on the floor......"
~MalaysiaKini,
Animal hell at Selayang dog pound





======================================

The dog being tortured at the KTM station

So MPS appears to be "efficient" when it comes to dogs?
I now wish to start a series of articles on the criminal conduct of MPS where the treatment of animals are concerned- which I shall highlight internationally wherever possible.
This is going to be the first in the series ...... until they stop this bigotry & hypocrisy of "Little Napoleons" in MPS- for good!!

For Starters
a Google search for
"Selayang Dog Pound" generates
an impressive 4,800 results!!
The results are SHOCKING!!
Click Here for images, and here for videos.

These are the people who have been put in place to "Govern" the people!!

Of late, there has been more "Dog" issues being created by MPS.
At Amansiara, (Note: The developer sales office enticed buyers by assuring them that they'll be allowed to keep pets- but upon handing over the keys, threw a rule book that stated otherwise to them) despite efforts at containing the situation through internal monitoring, MPS has thus been very uncooperative at have chosen to harass owners at their whim & fancy.

While they have been cooperative on on front, just when we are on the verge of a settlement- somebody decides to sabotage the whole process and criminalize all dog owners due to a few bad apples/owners who should be penalized instead.

Despite the fact that local by-laws does allow the keeping of pets in landed property, MPS (which is a state authority) refuses to allow it - citing the STA (Act 318) as being the highest law! Their excuse (not "reason", mind you) is that the Strata Titles Act disallows it in the by-laws (Third Schedule).
Just today at 9 am- two guys landed up in front of my house without showing any identification, politely warns me to remove my dogs!!!

It is very obvious here that there are "certain quarters"- while smiling and feigning support/cooperation at "meetings" - claim that their "hands are tied", and that they have to "abide by the law"!!

All these, while the MPS health authorities have a HORRENDOUS track record of Animal Cruelty where dogs are concerned. Meanwhile, they ignore the problems created by irresponsible cat owners who allow their pets to roam freely and defecate in other people's property.
This is not to mention the filthy drains around eateries or the Dengue Fever incidence in Selayang itself. Never mind the allegations of demand for bribes from industries by the health officers- just so that they are not shut down for breeding mosquitos that kill!!

Gunaraj screaming his head off to Dr. Razif over the phone to be allowed in.

YB William Leong & Tuan Gunaraj have been most cooperative in this matter.
However, "some other people" appear to feign innocence while they insist on the bigotry, "rule by law" and selective enforcement of it- and in all their hypocrisy bemoan the same when UMNO persecutes them though the very same attitude.

I now post my letter (in part)to YB Leong (who like I said, was very efficient and cooperative) ...

Dear Sir,
This letter is written after a few meetings with MPS on the above matter which has yet to be resolved.

It was with great hope that we attended a meeting chaired by Tuan Gunaraj- which apparently sorted out the problems, only to be held up after all the time spent to come to a working solution. Following up on this matter, at a meeting yesterday, Tuan Husnal "Az"hari said that he instructed that the approval be withheld. (I understand that it was after a complaint was brought to his attention by a resident at about the same time).
Therefore, MPS still refuses to licence dogs owned by residents, even if the JMB were to make the house rules/guidelines to monitor and control pets/animals and agrees to get a consensus from all residents prior to allowing pets. Even if they don't licence- all we ask is that they help us monitor pet owners and enforce discipline among them to the benefit of all.

While the NYDP (Tuan Husnal) of MPS apparently understood the problem, he says that he is helpless in this matter, as the act states that animals that "may be a nuisance" aren't allowed- and hence does not wish to "expose MPS to the possibility of lawsuits".
Meanwhile, although he has "conscientiously" agreed to refrain from conducting "operasi" to pound dogs, licensing is still being withheld- and abandon Amansiara in this matter. This means, we do not get the support required to enforce proper discipline among pet owners.
Effectively, this takes away any possibility of the JMB enforcing the house rules which we are entitled to make for ourselves. He also mentioned that MPS would not hesitate to conduct an "operasi" against ALL dogs, should there be complaints lodged by any resident.

This action although appears to be a reprieve of sorts (to pet owners like me), not only does it not empower the citizens as it is intended to under Act 663, but also exposes us to further anxiety & the pets to the uncertainty/insecurity of future operations conducted in response to a few "bad apples" which are bound to exist.
This mode of action sound much like the BN modus operandi of "destabilize to stabilize"- wherein an undesirable situation is artificially created so as to enable the enforcement of draconian laws.

Dear Sir,
Pakatan Rakyat has been speaking of Ketuanan Rakyat, and Merakyatkan Ekonomi- and it can only be done through rational and conscientious implementation of the law. I hope and pray that I would live to see the day when Malaysia lives up to its true potential through the implementation of the progressive policies of Pakatan Rakyat.
While I write these things, I'm fully aware of my limited knowledge of the law and the politics that make them happen.

In my humble opinion, quite often, laws aren't really suited for certain circumstances- but are still used to achieve a different target. The law is meant to allow for harmonious coexistence between all - that is ultimately the spirit of the law, and it is up to us to allow space for that spirit to be developed through mutual respect. When times have changed, concepts have changed it is imperative that we disregard some of them- even if they may not have been amended.

To enforce them selectively, and then bemoan the persecution of Anwar or the deprivation of funds when the Federal Govt practices "rule by law", would be nothing short of hypocrisy on part of the Pakatan Rakyat Government of Selangor- of which many of us have vouched for.
The law is only an instrument and a guide by which we live- and it isn't something we should enforce at our whims and fancy, when it suits us.

Dear Sir,
I have proposed that I resign from the post of Chairman of the JMB due to this matter, so as not to compromise the neutral image of the JMB. It is impossible for me to remain neutral in this small matter, which is of great importance to me personally- especially when MPS has made the situation so complicated. I for one would like to have the "rule of law" over "rule by law" to exist in Amansiara.
It would a great comfort to us responsible pet owners if you could assist us in bringing about a resolution in this matter (which is incidentally, a matter which is very close to my heart). Rather than abandon my furry friends, I would rather leave Amansiara- after having spent a fortune for the land upon which I reside now (which I actually got for my two dogs, and not myself).

Once again, I appeal for your assistance in resolving this matter of pets on landed properties in Amansiara.

Thank you.


Faithfully,

Dr. Victor D'Cruz,
Chairman,
JMB MC Amansiara,
48000 Rawang.

Of course it is ....

Is the Tunku’s dream dead?

Mariam Mokhtar | May 27, 2011

As a nation, we are moving backwards in time. We are almost tribal in the way we defend our racial space.

COMMENT

How ridiculous that 54 years after Merdeka, we are still talking in terms of Malays, Chinese and Indians, and that we cannot and will not think and work as Malaysians.

In the article, “Big Unity Plan” (Sunday Times, May 28, 1961) the Federation Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, warned of the communist threat: “We want citizens to think, feel, believe and work for the good of Malaya and look to Malaya as the sole object of their loyalty. This, I am sure, is the desire of all in the country except for a small minority.”

Last week, I spoke with a 77-year-old Malay lady, who used to work in the Tunku’s secretarial pool. The lifestyle that she described then, is a far cry from the one that we read about today.

She had photographs in which Malays dressed in sarong kebaya and had bee-hive hairdos, or long flowing locks. Young people went to dances with music played by live bands in town. Her friends and work colleagues were of different races.

Although her mother and her mother’s peers, dressed conservatively, the selendang was the norm, even among the older generation. In some typical Malay families, men and women ate separately. This was probably in deference to the breadwinner, who was the man of the house.

Parents sent their children to the mission schools, to be taught by nuns. There were no issues with the morning assembly, when the Lord’s prayer was said.

During catechism, the Malays had their agama classes, but every child went to “moral class” or “civics” as it was also commonly known.

Children who were sent to board in Convent schools, shared many experiences. During Sunday mass, the Muslims stayed behind and read while waiting for their friends to return from chapel.

One couldn’t help notice the interaction and bonding between the girls, for in the schools, children of various races, including Europeans and non-Malayans, were thrown together.

So what went wrong in the intervening years?

Symbol of hypocrisy

Today, the Malay has replaced the sarong kebaya with the unflattering sack-like baju kurung. At work, women don the tudung, not because they want to but because of peer pressure and career advancement.

The tudung has become a symbol of hypocrisy. If it is supposed to signify that the girl is chaste, then it is maddening to see tudung-clad girls in parks openly kissing and fondling their boyfriends. It makes a mockery of the tudung and what it is supposed to signify, if anything.

However, no one I asked, would dare volunteer that their grandmothers and grand-aunts were not as religious, just because they lacked today’s standard tudung.

Children, including toddlers, are told they cannot play with children of the opposite sex. Conservatively clad girls in baju kurung cannot easily run around in the playground or play on a climbing frame because they are told it is not ladylike, or the “baju” is a physical impediment.

When boys are not familiar with girls and vice-versa, apart from their own brothers or sisters, they find it awkward to relate to members of the opposite sex, when they are later thrown into a social, work or study environment.

Young hormones and a lack of exposure play havoc with teenagers’ feelings and they mistake mutual attraction or curiosity, for love. The need to explore their feelings may lead to sex, which both are mentally and physically unprepared for.

Today, mission schools are in a terrible state of disrepair. It was as if these physical structures were being punished for churning out hundreds of thousands of educated children, some of whom became excellent scholars, administrators, scientists, academics and captains of industry.

Symbols of Christianity had by the 80s been eroded. Gone were the crosses from school badges. Chapels in convents were stripped of their religious artifacts, some of which had been around for several decades and were of historical and religious significance.

Even corporations were not spared. The much loved Christmas party for the staff children, all but disappeared.

Few treated these parties – with Santa Claus and his cotton-wool beard, or the decorated Christmas tree, which was really a Casuarina tree – with any religious significance.

Today, these Christmas parties are not politically correct, at least not in Malaysia. And if they are held, all religious symbols and hymns are banned if senior government officials are invited.

Fear of causing offence

Many Malay weddings are increasingly becoming “his” and “hers” affairs where the sexes are segregated as soon as they arrive.

The racial and religious scarifying of Malaysia has gone to such an extent that many non-Malays are afraid to invite their Malay friends to their homes for fear of causing offence.

Among the Malays, there is probably more fear of the moral police than of breaking God’s bond, when people go out for drinks with friends or when they are having a relationship with people they are not married to.

As a nation, we are moving backwards in time. We are almost tribal in the way we defend our racial space.

The lady I know, who once worked in the PM’s office half a century ago, has now altered her outlook of Malaysia. Today, she is convinced the Chinese and Indians are out to take control of Malaysia.

Had she been to Perkasa’s or Umno’s ceramahs, I asked. What about the efforts of the opposition, I ventured.

“No,” she replied. “I watch TV and the television says that Umno is doing so much for the nation.”

When asked to quantify “so much”, she volunteered “like building roads for the kampungs”.

“Now you tell me, what the opposition has done?” she challenged.

It’s our business, too

Not every urbanite is Internet-savvy and not many Malaysians are readers who would pick up an opposition leaflet, if they were freely available.

Without any media exposure, people who have no access to the alternative publications cannot appreciate what the opposition has done.

Only a week ago, I was trying to explain to another older person that we should be bothered, especially when the government splashes out on billion-dollar projects where there is no transparency involved in awarding the contracts.

“Why should we care? Let them waste the money. It’s their business,” he cried.

It was only after some explanation that he realised that the grand projects were funded by his money, or rather our money: the taxpayers’ money.

So, it appears that we do not have to go to the rural areas to look for ignorant people, or people who are not aware that the opposition exists.

Mariam Mokhtar observes local politics keenly. She is an FMT columnist.

Feds Govt sabotaging Selangorians?

Federal Govt Bailing Out Water Concessionaires

LETTERS/SURAT

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 admin-s

By Tony Pua

It has been reported in the media that the BN Federal Government has decided to bail out the debts of the Selangor privatised water companies to the tune of RM6.5 billion. This move has in effect killed any remaining possibility of the Selangor state government striking a deal with these companies to restructure and take over the water industry in Selangor.

The debts of these water companies were at risk of default after they were unable to meet their installment earlier this year. Of the four companies, Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary, Syarikat Bekalan Air Negeri Selangor (SYABAS), had debts amounting to more than RM4.2 billion.

The failure of these companies to service their debts, had no bailout been offered by the BN Administration, would have necessitated these companies to come to the table and negotiate the terms of restructuring with the Selangor state government or other parties which has made offers to acquire the businesses and assets.

The Selangor state government has made a third offer amounting to RM6.3 billion into acquire these water companies, and taking over their debts obligations. In addition, the state government is able to ensure that there will be no water tariff hikes post restructuring. Gamuda, through its subsidiary Pengeluaran Air Selangor Holdings (SPLASH) has also made an offer to acquire the same companies for RM10.8 billion, a figure including the existing debts.

However as a result of the Federal Government bailing out the massive debts, they have relieved these companies of their cash flow problems. This will mean that there is now no urgency for these companies to agree to any form of restructuring as desired under the Water Services Industry Act (2006) as they now have the upper hand at the negotiating table at the expense of the rakyat.

In fact the likely outcome from the bailout is that the Federal Government will follow up with the taking over water-related assets will be these privatised water concessionaires will continue to able to operate and profit from the provision of water services in Selangor, without having to be burden by debts which have been accumulated over the years.

The result is clearly a loss for the people of Selangor for they have lost an opportunity for the privatised water industry to be truly restructured to ensure quality water prices are to be provided at the lowest possible prices.

The Minister of Energy, Water and Green Technologies, Datuk Peter Chin must immediately provide clarifications for the move to bail out the debts of the water concessionaires before a restructuring deal is finalised, at the expense of the people’s interest. He must also fully disclose at the same time the means and terms of repayment to the Government by these concessionaires with the Government taking over these debts.

Finally, the bailout debunks all earlier claims by the BN Government that it is acting in the interest of the rakyat, and serves to prove that it is only interested in protecting the interest of its political cronies above everything else.

OUT WITH THE NON-MUSLIMS?

by steadyaku47

Islamic leaders question non-Muslim rights

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani

May 22, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 – Several Islamic leaders have questioned the loyalty of non-Muslims in the country, declaring today the community’s rights must be re-evaluated if Malaysia is to call itself an Islamic state.

Former president of Islamic Da’wah Foundation Malaysia (Yadim), Datuk Nakhaie Ahmad, said treatment of non-Muslims must be based on the social contract agreed and pointed out that the government has been too gracious to the community.

“In attempts to get vote and support of non-Muslims, we have been very gracious in giving them their civil rights. Civil rights given to them includes the rights to vote, participation in politics, hold office, involvement in the military and so forth but we cannot just willingly give them everything.

“Our offer must be based on religious practices. If we look at the prophet’s agreement in the Madinah constitution, civil rights were given to the Jews but the rights must be paid back with responsibility. They must have the responsibility and agree to defend our country and not insult the agreement,” he said during a forum here.

steadyaku47 comment:

What can the non-Muslim do if Barisan Nasional, under instructions from UMNO, legislates to take away the civic rights of non-Muslim? Take away the rights of non-Muslim to vote in the general election – in any election in Malaysia? Take away the right to participate in politic, hold office, involvement in the military and hold Malaysian citizenship? All in the name of protecting the interest of all Malays. All Muslim?

And what if Barisan Nasional legislates, under instruction from UMNO, that these civic rights will only be given to Muslims who are Malays only!

And here is the reality. There is nothing the non-Malays and the non-Muslim can do! Not a single bloody thing! UMNO controls the Armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force. UMNO controls PDRM. For good measure there is RELA and any other government department and machinery that would be required to dominate and exert effective control over the total population of Malaysia. And of course the Malays numerically out number the other races in Malaysia. Checkmate the non-Malays. Checkmate the non-Muslims.

So what’s me worry in as far as UMNO is concern?

I put it to you that UMNO’s worry will be the Malays themselves! The Malays are no longer beholden to UMNO. There are too many Malays who see themselves outside UMNO. Too many Malays who will not tolerate any attempts by UMNO to do this in the name of the Malays! And these Malays will know that this is purely an attempt by UMNO to seize power for themself not for the Malays. The racial and religious factor is merely a convenient means to an end. Not only will these Malays vocalize their dissent but they will consider it their duty to stop this atrocity from happening.

It is an insult to the non-Malays to talk about a social contract. To question their readiness to defend Malaysia against external aggression. Hell it would be more real to say that what we have to defend Malaysia against are Malaysians who accuse other Malaysians of being enemies of the state and enemies of Islam. And they do so for their own vested interest to create chaos and turmoil in Malaysia for their own vested interest – and their interest is to dominate politically.

It has nothing to do with Islam, nothing to do with a Caliphate state based on divine revelation and a constitution based on the Quran and on prophetic traditions.

Anybody who talks about taking away the civic rights of any citizens of Malaysia is out to make mischief and cause racial strife. They must be mad to think that this sort of talk will not bring trouble to our nation. And they think that by doing so they are advancing the cause of UMNO, the Malays and Islam. Huh!

Are we again to have morons with headbands running amok with parangs, keris and guns killing any Chinese and Indians they meet in the street? And of course children, women and the elderly will be their first wave of victims. Are the Chinese and Indians then to go seeking Malays who are living amongst them and start hacking these Malays in retaliation for what other Malays have done? Then the Armed forces are brought in to “maintain order and peace” a euphemism for “go kill the non-Malays” and while all this is happening those same bastards that instigated these racial killings are busy taking political power and dividing the spoils of a racial war amongst themselves!

And if you non-Malay thinks that we Malays will sit quietly and allow UMNO to do this - then you must be out of your mind. I tell you this: There are enough Malays and non-Malays in this beloved country of ours that will move with great determination and resolve to ensure that this scenario will never happen or be allowed to see the light of day. No more, no more, no more! Enough killing!

So if UMNO and these religious morons think that they can take away the civic rights of any citizens of this country in the name of Islam and the Malays then I urge them to think again. UMNO is UMNO. UMNO does not talk for the Malays. Do not think that it is possible to take this country of ours to the brink by threatening to take the civic rights of any citizens in this country. We will call your bluff and then proceed to ensure that neither race nor religion will ever cause chaos and strife in this nation again.

Be rest assured that when push comes to shove, there will be enough of us to bring sanity to our nation. There are enough Malays in the Armed forces now who will not be part of any political cleansing of any race. Enough sensible people in PDRM to stop the senseless killing of women, children and the elderly be they of any race. And best of all I am comfortable in the solidarity the people have shown in the last general election to know that when asked, the Rakyat will respond with common sense and rationality. With a sense of purpose to make the politicians understand that they will not be allowed to have their way with us! You are one. With me we are two. Who else will join us? MERDEKA.

"Moderation":- The "Albatross" around Najib's neck ....

"An albatross around one's neck"

Meaning:- A burden which some unfortunate person has to carry.

Origin

This phrase refers to lines from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in which the eponymous mariner, who shoots an albatross, is obliged to carry the burden of the bird hung around his neck, as a punishment for and reminder of his ill deed.

Coleridge published the work in 1798, in the collection of poems that is generally accepted as being the starting point of the Romantic movement in English literature - Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems:

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

God save thee, ancient Mariner
From the fiends, that plague thee thus
Why look'st thou so ? - With my cross-bow
I shot the ALBATROSS.
...
Ah. well a-day. what evil looks
Had I from old and young
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung.

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Raja Petra teams up with WikiLeaks' Assange

READY TO ROCK ... The whistle-blowing duo Assange and Petra marking the 'smart' partnership at the Duke of York, Norfolk, UK

(Harakah Daily) - Malaysia Today, the online portal run by self-exiled blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, has teamed up with world renowned whistle-blower website WikiLeaks run by Julian Assange.

Marking their cooperation, Petra and the Australian-born Assange signed a Memorandum of Understanding in a simple ceremony in Norfolk yesterday.

Launched in 2006, WikiLeaks, which made world headlines over its exposure of US documents in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, specialises in the publication of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistle-blowers.

In February, amid revelation of diplomatic cables embarrassing governments across continents, Assange, who in 2009 was awarded Amnesty International's Media Award, appealed against a decision by a court in UK to have him extradited to Sweden to face charges related to sex crimes, which he has denied.

Petra's own whistle-blower website meanwhile has been no less controversial, rocking Malaysian politics with its publication of confidential documents exposing everything from corrupt low-level civil servants to an alleged involvement of the prime minister's wife in a murder case.

Only recently, Petra granted an interview to UMNO-owned station TV3, urging authorities to investigate a statutory declaration claiming that Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife, had been personally involved in the brutal murder of Mongolian agent Altantuya Shariibuu in November 2006.

What a shameless decision!!!

Sodomy II: Evidence, testimony and Anwar’s defence

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

May 17, 2011

Anwar leaves the courthouse after his sodomy trial in Kuala Lumpur on May 16, 2011. The judge ruled that Anwar has a case to answer on the sodomy charge. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — In the course of the Sodomy II trial, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s defence team had pointed out a vast array of “inconsistencies” but trial judge Datuk Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah has concluded the opposition leader has a case to answer.

This ranged from the credibility of the star witness and accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan to the methods in which DNA samples were illegally obtained from Anwar during his overnight lockup detention in the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

“It does not come as a surprise but what is shocking is that he (Mohd Zabidin) has prejudged the case, and extended it beyond prima facie.

“This makes the position of the defence very precarious,” Anwar said yesterday.

The following are some of the highlights of the case where the prosecution and defence saw things differently.

1. Prima facie case in Sodomy II

Mohd Zabidin, in his ruling said that there is a prima facie case in Anwar’s sodomy charge as Saiful is a credible witness.

The High Court judge, in his decision, quashed the defence team’s arguments in attacking Saiful’s credibility. They had charged that Saiful had lied in open court, and charged that there were many loopholes in his testimony.

Lead defence counsel Karpal Singh had previously demanded that Saiful be charged with “lying” in court about being sodomised by Anwar, and had pointed out that there were too many inconsistencies between the charge against Anwar and the star witness’ testimony.

On April 25 this year, Karpal urged the court to direct the prosecution to charge Saiful under section 195 of the Penal Code for fabricating evidence with intent to procure conviction of an offence punishable with imprisonment.

The veteran lawyer’s main contention was that although Saiful has accused Anwar of sodomising him, his testimony proved otherwise and showed that “there was no element of hesitation” on Saiful’s part during the alleged act of intercourse on June 26, 2008.

The lawyer’s contention was that the conduct of the accuser had been inconsistent with that of a person who was sexually violated.

According to Karpal, Saiful had every opportunity to leave the condominium unit of Desa Damansara on June 26 (the day of the alleged sodomy act) but based on his testimony in court, he did not do so.

Karpal pointed out that Saiful’s testimony indicated he had “voluntarily” followed through with the alleged sodomy and did not show any form of restraint.

Saiful had admitted to having attended a PKR function the next day, an act unbecoming of a person who had just been sexually violated, according to Anwar’s lawyer.

2. Framing of charge against Anwar

Karpal also said that Anwar had been placed at a “tactical disadvantage” as he was charged under section 377B of Penal Code relating to consensual intercourse with no mandatory imprisonment, instead of section 377C of the Penal Code pertaining to non-consensual intercourse with mandatory imprisonment for a term of not less than five years.

Mohd Zabidin had however quashed all arguments relating to Saiful’s credibility as a witness, and even ruled that Saiful’s failure in not lodging a police report after the alleged sodomy did not mean the complainant had “lied”under oath.

The judge also said that since there had been no dispute that Anwar had directed Saiful to go to the Desa Damansara condominium, there was undeniable proof that both of them were there during the time of the alleged act.

3. Saiful’s alleged “affair” with a deputy public prosecutor

On July 27 last year, deputy public prosecutor Farah Azlina Latif was dropped from the team prosecuting Anwar for sodomy after allegations surfaced that she was romantically involved with the trial’s chief witness — Saiful.

The Malaysian Insider reported the allegations after fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin alleged that Farah was having an “affair” with Saiful.

In response, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail then announced that the junior prosecutor was removed to prevent negative public perception of the Sodomy II prosecution team.

Abdul Gani said Farah Azlina had to be dropped not because she was found guilty, but to avoid any negative public perception on the prosecution team.

Abdul Gani also said that an internal investigation will be held to look into Raja Petra’s claims and action will be taken accordingly.

No action has been taken so far and neither Saiful nor the prosecution team has denied the allegations of an “affair.”

4. Testimonies of expert prosecution witnesses

Defence lawyers have throughout the course of the prosecution’s case sought to raise doubts over the testimonies of witnesses Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim, Dr Siew Sheue Feng and Dr Khairul Nizam Hassan. All three were the Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) doctors who had examined Saiful on June 28, 2008 when he complained that he had been sodomised by a “high-profile” politician.

Dr Razali had testified last year that evidence of semen in Saiful’s anal region was sufficient to indicate penetration, despite no tear or injury to the anus. The examination was done two days after the alleged sodomy.

The same doctor had also testified that seminal fluids can remain in a person’s rectum up to 72 hours after being sodomised.

Dr Razali had said he inspected Saiful’s anus 54 hours after the alleged act took place.

However, the doctor maintained that upon examination he found that Saiful’s rectum was empty despite the fact that Saiful had complained that he had not defecated since he was sodomised.

Similarly, HKL forensic pathologist Dr Siew testified that there were no signs of injury to Saiful’s anus upon examination, saying that he took down a “detailed” history of Saiful.

Anwar’s lawyers have questioned why the KY Jelly lubricant, used by Saiful in the alleged sodomy, was not analysed despite being admitted as evidence together with the other items.

The item was filed as evidence through investigating officer ASP Jude Pereira.

This led Anwar’s lawyer Sankara Nair to accuse Pereira of evidence tampering.

But Mohd Zabidin also decided that there was nothing “inconsistent” with the clinical findings of the HKL doctors as well as the government chemists who had taken DNA samples from Saiful and Anwar.

This is despite the defence’s repeated claims of possible contamination and degradation of material evidence by Pereira.

5. DNA samples obtained in the Sodomy II trial

Anwar’s lawyers have argued that the DNA samples obtained in the trial were obtained through illegal means and that seminal fluids found in Saiful’s anal region may have been his own semen.

Ramkarpal Singh, one of Anwar’s lawyers, argued that government chemist Dr Seah Lay Hong’s report findings showed that seminal fluids found in Saiful’s high rectal area may be his own as Saiful’s DNA profile — identified as profile “12, 13” — was more “dominant” than the DNA profile of an unidentified “Male Y.”

Dr Seah, however, had denied this, saying that there were two types of extracts found in the high rectal area — non-sperm and sperm extracts.

Saiful’s DNA profile, according to the government scientist, fell in the first category.

The findings of the chemist report had however confirmed the defence’s arguments, as Saiful’s DNA profile was found both on the sperm extract and the non-sperm extracts.

Ramkarpal also questioned why there were no seminal stains found on Saiful’s undergarments and trousers if semen had been ejaculated into the complainant’s anus.

Dr Seah refused to comment on the matter, and said that Ramkarpal’s question was just a “speculation.”

The prosecution, headed by Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden, had argued that the High Court has no power to exclude evidence from Anwar’s sodomy trial just because it was obtained through “unfair means.”

Yusof claimed that judge Mohd Zabidin should not be concerned with how evidence samples in the trial were obtained “as long as it is relevant, it is admissible.”

Anwar’s defence lawyers had won a ruling in which all evidence retrieved from the lock-up during the period — a towel, toothbrush and mineral water bottle as well all DNA samples relating to the items — was expunged.

The judge had overturned his earlier ruling when the prosecution produced an arrest warrant which had gone “missing” during the trial, therefore justifying Anwar’s overnight arrest.

In their closing submissions, the prosecution submitted that the DNA samples taken from three items in a cell where Anwar spent the night on July 16, 2008 matched the “Male Y” DNA profile.

“It confirms the unknown contributor Male Y is Datuk Seri Anwar. This shows there is a prima facie case,” Yusof said in his submission on whether Anwar should be called to enter his defence in the Sodomy II trial.

Yusof had also said Anwar was the sole detainee in the lockup at the time when the items — a towel, toothbrush and mineral water bottle — were retrieved.

Chemist Dr Nor Aidora Saedon and Supt Amidon Anan were called earlier this month to identify the items to be marked as exhibits.

Anwar had refused to provide DNA samples in his first sodomy trial in 1998 for fear they could be manipulated.

Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim also claimed last January that DNA evidence was fabricated in Anwar’s first sodomy trial.

The DNA Identification Act 2008 was passed to compel suspects to provide DNA samples despite protests from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers.

Mohd Zabidin again in his ruling quashed all the defence’s objections and points, and ruled ultimately in favour of the prosecution.

He also said that the DNA evidence taken from Anwar’s lockup on July 16, 2008 could be used as evidence as the PR de facto leader was the last “occupant” in the holding cell before the three items were retrieved for DNA sampling.

“There is no reason for this court not to accept evidence in this case... I find degradation, even if there is, to be insufficient,” ruled the judge.

Funny 1-Malaysia "Justice":- Utusan "reprimanded" .... Zunar ARRESTED

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have raided the Cartoon Kafe, owned by prominent opposition political cartoonist Zunar, and seized more than 60 of his upcoming "Cartoon-O-Phobia" book scheduled to be launched tonight.

~Zunar arrested under sedition, upcoming book seized

BUT .......

Utusan let off with ministry warning

May 12, 2011

Najib had been urged to take strong action against Utusan Malaysia. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — The Home Ministry has slapped Utusan Malaysia with a warning letter for publishing an unsubstantiated front-page article alleging a Christian plot to usurp Islam as the religion of the federation, which sparked a furore among the country’s majority Muslims and minority Christians.

The ministry today issued a statement that the editor-in-chief of the Umno-owned newspaper, Datuk Aziz Ishak, has been invited to the ministry to explain the daily’s violation of the Printing Presses and Publishing Act 1984.

The Malaysian Insider learnt he went to the ministry in Putrajaya at 4pm with another senior editor.

On Saturday, Utusan Malaysia carried a front-page article headlined “Kristian agama rasmi?” (Christianity the official religion?), claiming the DAP was conspiring with Christian leaders to take over Putrajaya and abolish Islam as the religion of the federation.

The report, based entirely on unsubstantiated blog postings by two pro-Umno bloggers, charged DAP with sedition for allegedly trying to change the country’s laws to allow a Christian prime minister.

Yesterday, the Penang government filed a formal complaint to the Home Ministry demanding stern action against Utusan Malaysia over the report.

In the complaint, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng sought for Prime Minister Najib Razak to act sternly against the Malay daily to prove that the newspaper does not enjoy full legal immunity.

Today, Lim took the matter further when he called on Najib to axe the Utusan Malaysia editors and reporters responsible for the “false report”.

Najib was also forced today to meet with the church leaders over the issue, after which the prime minister said he was pleased the church leaders had pledged to respect Islam’s position as the religion of the federation.

According to Najib, the church leaders also said Christians had no desire to challenge the provision within the Federal Constitution.

Najib did not, however, offer an apology for the report by his party’s mouthpiece.

Reexamining Tony- the "god-fearing Christian" ......

If asked if I am a godfearing Christian, I would readily admit to it.
I have been attending Cathechism (for Catholics) since I was
old enough to read, and would be at best, an average Catholic.....
Therefore, IMHO, the Church should keep out of politics, and the Politicians too should keep out of churches (if they want to preach) fulfilling one's religious duties is a different matter.
The church is the house of god, and please keep god in mind,
not DAP, or PR, BN or UMNO!
-Tony Yew, Church in Politics or Politics in Church?

******************************

Big Dog has gone to town with his pack of lies in his blogpost- Rampas kedudukan Islam wujud?.

Never mind the Dog- I'm more interested in the misguided, "god-fearing" Tony Yew who has a very peculiar brand of "spirituality" here. FYI- Tony is now BigDog's "Christian" poster-boy .... according to the lying BigDog, apparently, "even the Non Malays/Muslims are complaining of this unhealthy trend."

Tony Yew blames the lies by “Big Dog” and Utusan Malaysia's inflammatory headlines on “civil activism” ….. i.e. Fr. Paulino standing up for the persecution of ISA detainees, Fr. OC Lim's prayer for the Supremacy of the Federal Constitution (& the cessation of the subtle religious persecutions which have been taking place) and even YB Khalid, Teresa Kok and Haris Ibrahim for disputing Perkasa's stand that he's is a second-class citizen in “his church”!!

He calls himself a "devout Christian". That's fine by me.....

However, he believes that those fighting for justice are to be blamed for the deceit propagated by the government. He believes that explaining the political persecution faced by the rakyat, and defending the weak, “corrupts” his spirituality ….In other words, he believes that the free expression of dissent, is the cause of deceitful propaganda, persecution, or tyranny!!!

That means- these social evils are there, simply because you objected to it!!! I don't think things can get any more twisted than that ... ("Tony- what you smokin', bro? Care to share?)

He condemned those pastors who made statements in support of social justice in church. He condemned those who have gone out on the street to protest against the tyranny against another fellow human being.He believes that Church is supposed to be the "House of God"/ House of Prayer" , and pastors should just be parrots who rattle out incoherently pretending that they are "serving God", and nothing else.

Now let's examine the premises upon which he built that high pedestal (the “god-fearing Christian”) upon which he has placed himself ….

Is Tony Yew saying that it was an "unChristian" thing to do, when Fr. Paulino walked in protest against the evil of ISA? Or when Haris refused to agree that he was a “second-class citizen”? Or when Khalid came around speaking justice? Or when Fr. OC Lim prayed for the Supremacy of the Federal Constitution?
Does he think it is a very Christian thing to turn a blind eye to social injustice?
I can almost hear him say, "Oh, but this is different- as priests, their job is to just conduct masses, do the confessions & indulge in the rituals for the benefit of the church to go on worshiping in peace. And politicians should come around speaking to their electorate in “my church”, because it is the House of God"

Tony, I don't mean to be judgmental- but just maybe, you need to reexamine your "faith" as described in your post. Please get to know of the difference between "religiosity" & "spirituality". Look it up, mate.
From what you've written, your definition of "Christianity" and "Church" is actually limited to the definition of the religiosity- which is exactly what people like the Big Dog (and his political masters) would like you to believe, being "god-fearing" is all about.
(Just go & ask the Perkasa types, Tony- they'll tell you that you're on the right track in your faith!!)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Is spirituality a part of religion or distinct from it?
Is it impossible to be spiritual without being religious?
Conversely, is it possible to be religious without being spiritual?
Spirituality may be broadly defined as personal relationship
of an individual to a state of mind,
being or place outside of the experience of our five senses.
And it emphasizes a deeper understanding of life and the sacred.
For most Christians, spirituality involves developing
a personal relationship and experience with Jesus Christ
through prayer, meditation, or Bible reading.

However, this is a narrow definition of spirituality
because it does not make any references to life,
as if Christians live in a vacuum.
In other words, what is missing from the definition
is the element of practicality---
how one lives one’s spiritual life in a sociological world characterized
with a web of relationships and interrelationships with people.
~Religiosity vs. Spirituality
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It appears that his "spirituality" is limited to parroting words (poetically into pretty little prayers) and the rituals associated with it. (I cannot be certain, but) he appears to believe that being a "god-fearing Christian" means, that he should as a "catholic" only entails in reciting prayers, making donations to church, indulging in penances/rituals and "being peacefully apathetic" to the social injustices that takes place around him. (It reminds me of someone I once knew back in my younger days, who used to go to temple & roll on the ground in penance- then go back to her slutty ways the very next day.... ha ha!)

BUT- he want a nice building for church, in a nice location, and processions to parade his faith to the world..... and we should be very hush-hush in church, unless we wish to bribe God for favours or maybe indulge in some spiritual masturbation which would result in "peace". Maybe he even believes that if not for the building where he goes to indulge in his religiosity, his God would end up being homeless on the streets. Probably plenty of bling-blings added to the architecture of the church would make his god sleep better & even strengthen Tony Yews faith too.

Just sharing, Tony – I don't believe that when Jesus said “I am the truth, way & the life”, he meant it about him physically- but the spirit & the values he stood for. No amount of worshipping him would mean anything, if you did not get that part right. Please know that there is such a thing called “extra-ordinary salvation”.

This is my perspective spirituality & true worship ...
You cannot just do it in church- God doesn't need your prayers, offering/bribe of your 10sen, nor your judgements on values preached in the homily. God doesn't need that.
True worship, is when you can translate the values which you are supposed to believe in, to your daily life. True worship is when you work with anyone who believes in "Universal values". True worship is when you are willing to die for a friend- and there can be no greater love than this.
Anything less, and you'd fall short in the spirituality which was preached by Jesus. You'd be nothing more than the Pharisee who dressed in garbs, indulged in rituals, ignored social justice .... And remember- they too, condemned Jesus for his activism for social justice ....

To me, I believe that the doctrine of "separation of state & religion" is confined to partisan politics & Government. I believe that it is imperative that we (more so the church leaders) support social justice in word & deed (transcending partisan politics) to be conscientious Christians- not just parrot prayers or dance around town in a procession/freak-show, to grease your ego.

One is being hypocritical at best, when one tries to project that he is a "faithful Catholic"- and yet deplore the church's demand for social justice & Constitutional religious rights.
I find it strange that your "spirituality" ignores the need for efforts towards educating the people on social justice. Worse still, you even go to the extent of condemning the shepherds who do their Christian duty in guiding their flock on the morality of it all.
Instead, you are more interested in a procession around Shah Alam to parade to the world your faith, while you ignore your moral obligation to share the pains which your brothers suffer.

If you were to ask me, going by Tony's standards, I don't think I'd categorize myself as much of a "god-fearing Christian"- not by a long shot, bro! I don't place much premium on the dogma/rituals attached to religiosity.
It is nice to know though, that you have such confidence in your faith.

Take care.

************************************

“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name,
and in thy name have cast out devils,
and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
~Mat 7:21-22
***************************