"I say the wiser non-Muslim
stance would be to hold that
if syariah is what Kelantan Muslims want
and if we are given a cast-iron guarantee
that it will not be
implemented on us,
we would not object to Muslims wanting it,”
-Bishop Paul Tan
*******************************************
In response to my post commending Bishop Paul Tan on his comments wrt Hudud, I got a comment, as follows:-
" The implication for ALL MALAYSIANS is grave and disastrous. It's the initial inroad into "instituting a creeping, historically regressive and anti-democratic clericalism" which will eventually affect us all regardless of creed. The Bishop is at best naive if he thinks that it will only apply to Muslims."
First of all- let's see this debate/rhetoric for what it truly is ...
PAS is UMNO's greatest adversary- not PKR or DAP.
For PAS, "Islam" is at the same time, their strength and their Achilles Heel - unfortunately, PAS doesn't see the latter.
This is a conflict which Mahathir manufactured, to play the "politics of fear" (much like the old "May13" rhetoric) on the electorate & split the vote bank to UMNO's benefit and PAS's loss.
It is also a potent diversion from all that ails the Najib administration.
Sadly- the PAS Ulamas in their usual defensive political naivete/ stupidity, has fallen for it (and yes- OMG .. yet again!!)- hook, line & sinker!!
It really reveals the lack of political sophistication in PAS, thus revealing their weakness- and not "strength", as these PAS stalwarts believe- in their chest-thumping bravado!!
One wonders at times if they're that stupid ... while they seek to champion Islam.
They really need to brush up ...
Now wrt Paul Tan's comment-
He is I presume, well aware of the repercussions of Hudud, just as he is of being perceived as an opponent/enemy of Islam. If you noticed, he never discussed the "wisdom" of Hudud.
He's responding to the rhetoric in the best possible way to "douse the embers", lest they flare up- which could be what some "grand ol' man's" "politics of fear", to distract the people from the issues of the day and benefit Umno at the coming polls.
He makes it quite clear that while they (Non-muslims) are
entitled to their opinions, it is vital that non-Muslims are not to be seen to be "interfering" in Islamic affairs, lest they're accused of being "enemies of Islam" by some myopic individuals (who are into pixelated armpits or obnoxious kafirs on television).
The "no-objection" he expressed, came with a caveat - "if we're given cast-iron guarantees that it will not be implemented on us"- and that is the most important part, which many would tend to overlook.
He merely said that the Muslims are entitled to what they want.
It is a debate to be had among the Muslims- on the nature of Islam.
So now, the Muslims have to decide for
themselves, on what the nature of the religion they practice is.
Is it one of brutal retribution for "sins"?
Or is is one of compassion and respect for the sanctity of life?
Is it virtuous to deprive a man of of the free will which God himself has given? Does it really address the "evils" they presume is perpetuated by other systems, or does it actually make things go "underground"?
Would we be seeing greater frustrations and violent actions from the people exposed to violent actions in public?
These are probably questions the two schools of thought Paul Tan mentions, might consider - and makes quite clear
his hopes in “I pray the Mutazilites win the debate....", - meaning that hopes that
TGNA sees the facts of the matter with "reason", as "this is not a
question that is going to go away but it is not a question that will
continue to be framed in the same terms as it is today in Malaysia”.
As for me personally, I agree- in that Hudud isn't going to do us (Muslims & Non-Muslims alike, any good. I think these guys who talk about wanting Hudud, have lost the big
picture, and are mind-bogglingly naive to actually want it for
themselves
However, if Muslims insist on such brutal punishment on their own brothers is the most virtuous thing they can do as Muslims, who am I to say otherwise. Who knows - maybe Malaysia can one day be a hub for Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedic Hand/foot surgery.
Maybe we can even capitalize on it in our Tourism Malaysia calendar ... for fetishists as a blood sport and put public humiliation/ stoning high on the list................
Yup- the implications are "grave & disastrous".
********************************** If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual." - Frank Herbert
*****************************
P.S I've written about this issue long ago .... and many times too.
While I may not have addressed this issue too directly in many cases, they're there if you read through it carefully.
You may find some of what I wrote, if you were to click the "Religion" label on the sidebar. You may also read what I wrote replying to RPK back in 2008, in "Ignorance + Freedom = Chaos" to get the gist of what I try to say .....
"We in Hindraf/HRP are in no hurry. We are prepared to wait another 53 years if it means ultimately getting a true democratic country. After all, the blacks in America fought a “war” for more than 200 years to be recognised as equal citizens. The Indians fought another 250 years to gain independence. It took centuries for the French to be rid of the monarchy." - Waythamoorthy
Dear Waytha, This letter I write is in respose to the letter "WILL PAKATAN COMMIT TO A ROADMAP FOR TRUE DEMOCRACY" which you wrote. It is really touching to note that you are so much into human rights. It is also touching to note that you wish to have all that you speak of through PR, despite not coming out in support of it.
Yes, yes- we know all this crap you speak of when you need the spotlight. I can do the same too. Firstly, I wish to ask of you to stop blowing your horn about HINDRAF's past "flash in the pan" - which came after the Bersih rally which was attended by Malaysian from all walks of life (as opposed to your HINDRAF) rally. These delusions of grandeur you have isn't helping you one bit, mate!!!
How is it that you claim that the "tsunami" of 308 is because of the Hindraf Rally? Are you saying that the people of Malaysia were in awe of the "courage" of Hindrafians, and so "fell in line"? If that was the case, I'm Abraham Lincoln.
Where was Hindraf when BN sold the Kg Buah Pala land? Where was Hindraf when civil society was fighting for a fairer election? Get off your high horse, and come down to earth and face reality- You cannot fight this war alone!!! If it was not for PR- Uthayakumar would probably be in jail..... If it was not for PR, all your Kg Buah Pala folks would probably have been sitting quietly like church mice in some nook or cranny, while BN was selling out on them (as they did, when THEY sold the land!!). While you come around pointing fingers at PR, bear in mind Waytha- that you wouldn't have had the publicity and the voice you seek- IF IT WAS NOT FOR PR!!
I would also like to remind you that HINDRAF had issued a statement in support of the UMNO/BN government (but only disapproves of the MIC leadership!!!)- even immediately after being blasted with chemically laced water, and whacked silly by the FRU on November 25, 2007. Yes- you guys did that- hoping that you'll get some lollipops from the BN/UMNO Govt to serve your narrow and myopic sectarian agenda.What happened to all these litany of demands you make of PR today, back then when you were "supportive of the Govt, but protest the "Indian" leadership in Govt?
Suddenly, after the Hindraf rally, your balls swelled up so big after getting kicked by UMNO, that you cannot see if your feet are on the ground, is it? You complain and whine like a child about how PR is "coalition without adequate mutual understanding"- but what have you done to make things any better? What have you done to wrest power away from UMNO which has been persecuting a whole generation of the people you claim to represent? Your hypocrisy here, is at best nauseating- just as your sectarian agenda.
You Waytha- don't understand that you play the game UMNO wants you to- the sectarian platform. You Waytha- are so myopic, that you do not see how you can achieve what you ask of from PR (and probably more), IF ONLY you stood with them and understood the working of the system. You Waytha- know that the State govts cannot do much when certain matters were decided by the previous govt or the federal govt. You Waytha- should know that PR- warts and all - can only do the things you ask of it if it gets to Putrajaya. You Waytha- should come down to Malaysia and tell us whether you wish for an UMNO Govt in perpetuity, or wish to ride on a hope for change through civil society & PR. Of course- you also have the option of waiting for 200-300 yrs (as the African Americans, French or Indians you mentioned) for the "struggle" you wage from afar, while your countrymen suffer as a result of being convinced that they're "Indians" in Malaysia ....
Waytha- get one thing straight- those who fight for reform, know that we are in it for the long haul, and don't expect changes overnight. In fact, I think I can safely say that I do not belive that the changes can be fully implemented in our lifetime. The damage done to the very fabric of society over the yrs of Mahathir rule will take a generation to repair (if at all). But we can try- for the sake of our children ..... nothing more.
Waytha- are you with us? Or against us? Make your stand now, UTHAYA- or forever stop the hogwash!!!
Ozymandias I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. And on the pedestal these words appear: `My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!' Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away. - P. B. Shelley ==============================
It was in his perfect moment of glory at the delayed 2008 Umno Baru AGM - he was baptized at the pinnacle of his career as the President of Mahathir's Umno Baru. Despite all the calls for "change, change and more change"- some things will never change. That is the intellectual vacuum within, which begs for Mahathir's patronage. At his closing speech, true to his image, he subtly pleaded (or was is a jab) to a morose Mahathir, that he not be whacked silly (with the mindless audience applauding), when he said that Abdullah promised not to interfere or criticize him publicly.
It couldn't have been better for the man characterized as a "coward" by his mentor - the conflicts were ironed out, and the elections were engineered to perfection by rewarding the relevant warlords. He even choreographed a real coup in forcing Mahathir's presence as a show of "unity" for a "1Malaysia" (whatever that means). We'll never know for sure, but some say that Mukhriz's post was the carrot dangled for the jackass.
If Najib harbours any illusions of Mahathirs support, it is time he gets rid of it - for this old man don't work for nobody except himself. Najib may have just got more than he bargained for. For all practical purposes, in Mahathir's eyes, Najib is actually a jackass who has underperformed in all his duties since he was handed power on a silver platter. Considering Mahathir's persona, one cannot be faulted for thinking that Mahathir actually despises a philandering aristocratic spoilt brat. After all, Mahathir the politician, is never known to be gracious to his "allies" and "partners" - forget the adversaries. In fact, in Mahathir's book, they are all one and the same - an affront to his monumental ego (depicted by the twin obelisks in KLCC).
Abdullah's legacy is ready to be erased - just as many monarchs/ pharoahs of old had done to their predecessors. His corridors are probably destined to be as airy as it always has been. The crook-ed bridge issue is being revived once again. Hardly has his sweat dried, and Mahathir has already passed his "unsavoury" comment on CheDet, and is heavily lobbying for the "crooked bridge" by trying to appeal to the "stupidly patriotic" on the non issue of sovreignty.
====================== As the person concerned I will leave it to Malaysians to judge and to define "Mahathirism".
-Mahathir, www.chedet.cc
=====================
But knowing how these guys are (like his predecessor who had "big ears"), Jibby in his craving & grovelling for approval (as in the Ku Li report by the MSM), praise & worship from all around him, will probably allow his ears to betray his mind. While that of Mahathir may be certain (crooked bridge or not), one can only speculate the legacy (beyond the Altantuya legend, that is) that Jibby would leave behind - other than being another name on Mahathir's list of unworthy incompetents.
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“We are inconsolable at being deceived by our enemies and betrayed by our friends, yet still we are often content to be thus served by ourselves.” -François de la Rochefoucauld
$$$$$$$$$$$$ “It took me six months to be nice, to bribe each and every individuals to get back into their good books before our files were attended to” -Allegedly "misinterpreted" words CJ Zaki, now head of the JAC.
When Alan Paton wrote ‘Cry The Beloved Country’ he was lamenting over the inhumanity of man over man, of how the whites can devise, construct and implement race- and colour-based social and economic injustices over the blacks in apartheid-era South Africa.
The whole world had condemned this practice; we were among the loudest screaming against it.
South Africa has moved on since then, and today it is one shining example of an emancipated, open and progressive country, enjoying a respectable place in the community of nations. It has thrown apartheid into the bins of its history.
Here in Malaysia, yes we condemn apartheid, and quite rightly so. But in the same breath we were and are still its major proponent our version of apartheid.
We do not call it apartheid; of course not. We call it instead ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ under the guise of ‘championing Malay rights,’ and implementing it under the New Economic Policy. It’s smart, right? In none of them does the word ‘apartheid’ appear!
Yes, we are smart. We do not blatantly call it apartheid, we merely perfected the process of social separation. First of all we ensure the great majority of civil servants, the police, and the military are manned by Malays (the target benefactors). We give them good salaries, good perks and assured employment. We then devise rules and regulations, and even laws, to ensure the NEP’s easy implementation.
We then brainwash our Malay brethren with the notion ‘untuk agama bangsa dan negara’ that there is a higher ideal beyond performing a duty with professionalism and dedication, and that is doing things in the name of religion and race.
We devise rules and regulations, and even laws, to ensure the NEP’s easy implementation.
Then we design and implement social and economic policies like channeling lucrative government contracts, separate education streams, housing rebates, banking and financial support, in favour of, you guessed it, the Malays.
It does not stop there. We devise measures to prevent the people from raising too much objections to all these by introducing or continuing legislation and religiously implementing them.
The Sedition Act for example stops people from talking too much about language and religion. The Official Secrets Act prevents people from gaining access to government files.
Students and lecturers are not allowed to discuss and make public any subject that would appear to be critical to government (yes, government, not political) policies and philosophies.
All publications must, first of all, get operating licences. Newspapers must not only get a licence before publishing but it must be renewed every year.
Sacrifices conveniently forgotten
The king of all of the suppressive and oppressive laws is the Internal Security Act, when a citizen can be put under detention without the benefit of any charge!
All said and done, we sacrifice the rule of law in favour of rule by private individuals. To show that we are really smart, we pooh pooh the loyalty and patriotism of the non-Malay segment of the population.
We call them pendatang or immigrants bearing the stigma that they are social discard from their original country, similar to rogues, rascals, refugees, mercenaries and scoundrels. We just ignore their proven talent and ability in wealth creation and economic productivity, as well as to their demonstrated loyalty and patriotism.
Many of such pendatangs have made the ultimate sacrifices as military personnel defending its security, during the Emergency, the Confrontation period with Indonesia and as policemen while policing the social environment.
They have contributed and are continuing to, in sport and the arts. Their record as loyal and patriotic Malaysians is quite impeccable. But we do not really care.
The perplexing thing is that despite these attributes and positive records of the non-Malays, we are still going about championing and implement apartheid principles. In this new year, perhaps we can do with a little reflection: why are we doing all this?
We do this apparently to recover our lost soul. We perceive that we have been victims of colonisation when the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisers all but butchered the Malay entity, psychology and culture. In the process we perceive that we have lost our Malay identity.
With independence, we thought we could recapture the lost glory of Malay suzerainty by
becoming masters of all facets of a nation, especially its commerce, and economy. We found out that the Chinese community had beaten us to it.
We felt the Chinese had capitalised on our weakness and captured the economic initiatives (and wealth) as well as the social characteristics of the country. We lost ‘face’.
Now we want to regain the mertabat or dignity and pride of the Malay race!
Yes, we feel that we have to recover our soul and it is here that we are reminded of Paton’s book title, but in this case suitably paraphrased to – cry my beloved Malay soul.
Our Malay soul needs to cry for doing the right thing for the wrong reason or the wrong thing for the right reason; even for the wrong thing for the wrong reason, but not for the right thing for the right reason.
To start with colonisation is really not an excuse for our psychological malaise and ineptitude.
Colonisation has been a feature of human history and felt all over the world. There are very few countries that have not been colonised in the world.
It is thus a neutral concept in human social and economic development. It is certainly not an impediment to social or economic progress as we are wont to portray it. We should dump this notion that we hold dear into the bin of history.
Rethinking our way of thinking
Just look at the records. The Koreans were once colonised by the Japanese, but today Korea is an industrial power house. Singapore was once colonised by the British and was indeed a part of us, and today we see this tiny country being a solid financial, trading and industrial entity.
Most pointedly of all, the US was once a British colony and today it is the mightiest nation in the world. Our second grouse - that the Chinese have cornered the economic sector of the country also needs re-looking into, on two counts.
First, the Chinese did not become successful based on any conscious and concerted economic programme to economically marginalise us.
We did this self-inflicted wound ourselves. As proof, we have to note that most of the Chinese came to our shores with only their feet, hands, guts and brains and perhaps a bundle of clothes, nothing more.
They become successful for their hard work, both physically and mentally and for the sacrifices they were prepared to make and had undertaken. They were successful for having the mental fortitude to seek opportunities, grab those that come along and worked extra hard to realise the potentials of these opportunities.
Secondly, we have been given a chance to be equal with them, both under numerous 'special privileges' enshrined in the Constitution, as well as under its NEP implementation programme.
The special privileges have always been in the constitution while the latter began in 1970. In short, we have been given the chance - the opportunity - many times over, to better our Malay polity.
Whereas the Chinese had to struggle just to find and identify the opportunities, in our case they were handed to us on a silver platter!
Thus far we have failed to capitalise adequately on them. It rather shameful we missing out on these chances specially created for us in the first place.
Either way the root cause of our weaknesses and the strength of the Chinese lies in two words - positive thinking. Our thinking is mired with so many dos and don’ts, so many musts and musn’ts, so many cans and cannots, may and may nots, plenty enough to created and internalise doubts and fears in our minds.
So much so that we have doubt over what we can and what we can’t do, what is allowed and what is not. We spend a lifetime looking for these highly complex cans and cannots, musts and must nots, that we have hardly any mental energy left to develop and self-confidence to get on and face the realities of life.
Let’s refer to this case as the ‘can’t don’t and won’t syndrome’. The Chinese by the way are not encumbered by such syndromes.
What appears to have happened is that this syndrome has affected our mental ability to conceptualise. We see things on the straight and narrow. We accept wisdoms handed down to us by our elders as the gospel truth.
Blinded by sentiment
We do not see that things can be seen and interpreted in many alternative ways. We feel we have the monopoly on truth; we therefore think that we are right all the time and other people are wrong all the time. Witness the way we see religion for example.
We think that we as Muslims are right and other people who profess other religions are wrong, all the time.
We need to cry for thinking that we can and have doctored the way the people think and do things. We have been intimidating the people with what they can read or write or think and do.
We seem to be saying "you can think anything, do anything, write anything so long as it does not criticise or condemn the government".
Soul-searching and resuscitating is not or should not be about pointing accusing fingers at some bogeys. That would be a most negative thing to do. It would be better for us to be open-minded and be able to identify our own strengths and weaknesses.
We improve upon our strengths and dump our weaknesses. Mainly we must be able to develop the awareness that we have both the strengths and weaknesses in the first place.
To illustrate, the NEP has proved many time over as a failed strategy for our socio-economic advancement. Let us be aware of this in the first place and move on seeking other ways with better chance of success.
How about secularising the Malay mind? It might make for a good start for we can see many of the don’ts, can’ts, musn’ts dissipating into the wind.
In the meantime, here we are in the early days of a new year. We should begin by realising that whatever 'smart’ moves we had undertaken all this while have not really been that smart after all.
The joke is on us. Everybody says so – the liberated Malays, the non-Malays, our neighbours and the rest of the international community. Only those of us basking in our closed mind and benefiting from the profits of the status quo say it’s alright.
Happy New Year all the same and here’s hoping this year we can get a good perspective as to what propagating a good mertabat really means. It’s long overdue.
In the spirit of the coming Eid-ul-Fitr, I wish all my Muslim brothers/sisters - Selamat Hari Raya. More so, to all ISA detainees and their families.
As we celebrate Hari Raya, let us all spare a thought about the state of the nation, and the future that would come to pass, should the current political norms be perpetuated. Our "stake holders" in power, harp on "unity" and "race relations" and "religious harmony", while they provoke ill-feelings through the backdoor (e.g. the recent Toyol & Ahmad Ismail incident).
Have you ever thought about the "need" for a war with neighbours, so that "people see the need for Unity" or get distracted from the issues that plague a nation? So that the unsuspecting bogeyman, get's victimized, while the chest-thumping zealots cheer with pride? Leaders often do beat the drums of war as means to "unite a certain people, against themselves" - although a bogeyman is the point of focus.
In Malaysia today, what we have is nothing short of "war" - although it isn't exactly blood-letting. It's a battle of ideas. A war of ideas that can lead to a very real war, should the "old order" refuse to change with the times - and then all gained thus far would be lost. Not that I advocate it, but just maybe, a certain level of strife would be in order, so as to have people appreciate of "Humanity", instead of "racism and religiosity". That may just be what it takes to make them learn, if things don't change soon ..... No amount of ISA, PPPA or other barbaric legislations can prevent it - that is the law of mother nature.
On one front is the idea of "nationhood" while on the other is that of "racism" manifested in the form idea of "Ketuanan Melayu" that appeals to the pirates and those who seek simplistic and symptomatic "solutions" to complex questions. They then propose and extol the virtues of creating a "Race Relations Act" so as to exert control on the victims (and will possibly be enforced through selective persecution, as is currently practised in all matters),while they subtly stoke the flames of racism and promote ideologies of hate among the ignorant of "their own kind".
It is this ignorance that the pirates we know of capitalise on, to perpetuate this ideology. Hence, it was only fitting that 'top-dogs' like Mahathir should be the apologist for these ignorant ones, and ridicule intellectuals who attempt to educate the masses. Meanwhile some also gave tacit encouragement via "protection" to the those who force the suspension of such forums, or by discouraging apologies for such mistakes.
On the other front, Anwar has his hands full in trying to convince the elite the real need for this change. He also has quite a distance to go before he can convince the Malays that they would be the biggest losers in this political game should they insist on holding on to Umno as their god-ordained saviour. Taking this into consideration, I'm quite relieved that Anwar has wisely exercised discretion, caution & patience in his attempt at assuming his rightful role, despite having (I believe) a parliamentary majority. The current handicap is, though, is his inability to convince them that he doesn't seek retribution.
The economy is the new frontline in "war", and the post-WW II "Nation-state" as we know it is obsolete. History teaches us that with the onset of every revolution in philosophy & communication/technology - telegraph, the printing press, radio, television, transport, military etc, social revolution is inevitable and the balance tilts towards who masters these new technologies. It is now the age of the Internet/ cyber revolutionand(the "Age of Aquarius" - for those into such things) you adapt accordingly by absorbing these progressive ideas, or perish . Ku Li said it very well by saying that Umno has brought shame to Malaysia through its "Banana Republic ideas", and its decadent culture of patronage, by disregarding democracy within its fold. "Independence" as we have been taught to believe, is simply a figment of imagination that pirates capitalise on. It doesn't exist!
In a globalized world, those who refuse to assimilate in this economic/political reality, will be ravaged by a real blood-letting war - as in the African and banana republics. It's just a matter of time, if they don't reform - just hope they don't realize it too late. They may just have to pay a very stiff price as they delay reforms and play their primitive racist tune, and perpetuate the plunder!
The retribution will come to pass whether we want it or not - and the Umnoputras are unknowingly begging for it, with their plunder justified through racism. Just as prosperity was granted by investors based on promises - it can be taken away if politicians deliver on these promises.
Sometimes too much of a good thing culminate in very bad results. "Some people" have been having "too much of a good thing" over the last 50 yrs, without really appreciating how it came to be. It wasn't through the "goodwill", as they want us to believe. Rather, it was through blackmail and the politics of "fear & apathy" forced upon those who live by trade (by those who live by favour, patronage & the gun), that this was done. It is these shackles cast upon men at the "altar of prosperity", that the pirates define as "progress/success" - so that they can exert their will upon the masses, without them knowing it. The pirates have prospered in this unfettered market under the guise of NEP - and mind you, it isn't just Umno members who have benefited from this. There have been many others (local and foreign) who have benefited more than we know, and they wish for the current methods to remain.
Just as they plunder today under the protection of laws, there'll be far greater pirates/plunderers who'll hasten to relieve them of their ill-gotten gains - and be allowed to do so by the real powers who control money. People will suffer - even though it is only meant to start a new political order that will abide by their promises, in dealing with money.
Umnoputras will be wiped out in due time, and their "wealth" may not even last their lifetime. (But they may last a couple of years yet, though ..... they aren't as vulnerable as some think they are.) Malaysia is living up its "prosperity", on borrowed time - simply becos of the strategic location of the peninsular in the east-west trade routes (and not becos of the so-called "economic fundamentals").
The Umno ideology actually sets the stage for the extinction of the Malays as a force to be reckoned with, as they perpetuate their primitive politics and siege mentality. So much for the wawasan that Mahathir speaks of and parroted by many a politician & Malaysian.
======================================
Note: This blog may not be updated for the next few days due to unavoidable reasons. Things should be back to normal after Raya hols .... Once again, Selamat Hari Raya to all you guys. Cheer!!
"f you do not agree with government policies, don't be a government employee. Resign." - A. S. Cheek
"As supreme council members, they should uphold the ethics...."
- MMT
"Ex-deputy president of SAPP and current Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah Raymond Tan, claimed on Saturday that he had been instrumental in preventing the arrest of party president Yong Teck Lee in June in relation to allegations of corruption." - MSM reports.
We now have the right people to advise Malaysians on ethics
- one is AS Cheek and the other, MMT.
We then have a currently retained Deputy CM - Raymond Tan - confessing to the media of what could have been regarded as abuse of power or obstruction of justice/investigation. (He may have just signed his political death warrant, though).
With people like these to lead us, who needs educationists, ulamaks/priests/ philosophers or thinkers?
What we see is a bunch of incompetent and corrupt "leaders" who seek to grab at anything to protect their interests. Ethics is the furthest from their mind despite the diarrhoea of rhetoric.
But then again how different are we the rakyat from them?
Just take a look at the number of signitories to the petition appealing for the release of barbaric ISA - HERE.
A paltry 21,000 ......
That's coming from the MILLIONS of hits (per day, mind you ...) at Malaysia Today and Peoples Parliament.
We know of the many "reasons" Malaysians give for not signing - all these despite sucking up to Malaysia Today and reading it "for information only" - like it is a freakshow. Almost all the people I know are quite unanimous in their approval of RPKs gung ho style, bravery and expose.
Those who may have signed, do not presume to be "holier than thou" here - no, not for a minute. They simply express their disgust at the disease mentioned below, and have taken the first step to dispel it. After all, the standards and willingness to commit oneself is quite relative to the "circumstances" - emotions, family, job, finances, contracts, politics, faith, the "fear factor", etc etc etc.
To "us" guys who refuse to sign, remember these "reasons" the day your children are deprived of the "material luxuries" you now enjoy despite being deprived of the dignity that you silently crave for.
It won't be too long if we choose to infect/reinfect others with this same diseases we carry - Fear, Apathy, Selfishness.
However, I do not believe that they are entirely to blame for this phenomenon - they have been brought up to believe in these things by the likes of the people mentioned above. We have been brought up to live in fear of the politicians' retribution - more so under the doctrine/creed of "Mahathirism", wherein we willingly sell our souls, humanity and rights for material gains to varying degrees (as I've said before- me too, to a certain extent).
Even more intimidating is the inbridled power of the ISA, which can be used "as deemed necessary" by "leaders" - even if it is simply for the sake of silencing the truth, and spreading the idea of fear. In fact, so pervasive is its influence, that many actually believe in the necessity of ISA to "keep the peace" in a "multi-racial" society, which proudly portrays the benefits of racism and apartheid, described/spun in the media as "racialism" and the "NEP".
It is what many a businessman wants - just make the money, have a PR status in Australia/ US/ UK and what not. That's why TDM implied that those of chinese descent "don't mind 'racialism'", as long as the economy/ their bread & butter isn't disturbed. Actually, it isn't a "chinese" sentiment - it is a Malaysian sentiment that cuts across all ethnic communities, although it is more pronounced among certain sectors. There is a lack of will/ hope among Malaysians to achieve true nationhood.
In other words, we are supposed to just make money and 'mind our own business', don't speak of anything that might be deemed "unethical" or "ungrateful to the authorities" - or your dreams to migrate may be shot. What we breed is nothing but resentment towards a system that systematically convinces us that we deserve to be deprived of rights. We shouldn't discuss or speak of what we may perceive as "injustice", as they are "sensitive" -to do so would render you an enemy of the state, and a "trouble maker".
This is especially important if we are in the civil service which is to day subservient to the government, and not the supposedly the apolitical "in His Majesty's Service" - hence Mr. A.S. Cheek's call to resign, if you're deemed not agreeable with government policies through an impartial discussion/debate.
In other words, what we who support the idea of 'detention without trial' do, is to permit and encourage the propagation of ignorance, fear and distrust among the various communities, as a means of working with the system- thus leading to a fractured state which is far from the desired "nationhood" that is preached.
If this is what Malaysians want, so be it ......
Here's a message by a reader of Malaysia Today, which would describe things very well:-
written by batsman, September 23, 2008 10:07:33 Sorry to be wet blanket, but it is a fact of life that most big social movements or even revolutions consume their own leaders. Even Harun Idris was consumed by May 13. I believe RPK knows this very well. He fights because he wants to not 100% because of us. He fights behind bars as well as when he is free. Of course, it is much better if he is free. But he is not. And he is not free to say what he thinks either, so commentators - no need to be "holier than thou". RPK himself is clearly for the ISA to be abolished. He said as much in his article on the detained Hindraf leaders. Often followers tweak the beliefs of their leaders. Even the Prophet himself suffered this fate with countless "followers and faithful" tweaking his teachings. Generations of "tweaking" have created the mess we now have. The latest "tweaking" being Hadhari. So ... no need to be "holier than thou". We love RPK. We want him out, but there is no need to be "holier than thou". I can't speak for RPK, but I find such "holier than thou" attitude quite nauseating.
written by batsman, September 23, 2008 11:19:13 Cruzeiro - who is the coward? The guy who refuses to sign or the guy who seeks to hide among millions of signatures and dumps shit on those who do not sign because there are too few signatures and he cannot hide so well? RPK has his causes and he fights these causes. Those who dump shit on people who did not sign the petition have only one cause - to get people to sign the petition. For this they distort the values and teachings of the teacher and place themselves on a high pedastal. For this one single fight in the armoury of fights that we should have, these people are willing to forego good taste and good principles. Too big egos, I say.
To those who wish to sign - do so please. But do not dump shit on those who do not and adopt "holier than thou" attitudes. .....................................
To 'batsman' and his ilk, I have only one thing to say - nobody dumped it on them.
It's just that they don't see that they are in it.
Addendum:
Since "batsman" was curious to know what people think of those who did not sign the petition are (and I didn't have the heart to say it), here's what the govt MSM - the NST Editorial calls them today - "opportunistic malcontents and anonymous cowardswho constitute much of his constituency turn whistling elsewhere for their entertainment."-HERE.
"Batsman" and all you cheering/saddened guys who have a million reasons not to sign,
I hope you read this, and now know how you're regarded by the Govt
and know thyselves better before coming up with a "defense".....
The Act will not focus on punishment, but on helping to build and strengthen race relations...... 'Under this Act, action can be taken against those who disrupt harmony by causing racial tension and conflicts that can also destabilise the country,' he said. - NST, on Hamid Albar's statement with regard to "Race Relations Act".
What right does Congress have to go around making laws just because they deem it necessary? - Marion Barry zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Raja Petra - purportedly, for insulting Islam, is languishing in the slammer, just as many more are for various other 'reasons'! Is our Constitution so useless that we cannot even point out what was so wrong about what these victims did? Or is it that those who weild power are simply mindless fools? Considering the nature of The Constitution, I'm inclined to believe that the latter holds true.
They have released Tan and Teresa Kok (after wrongful detention under the colonial ISA) - but with no apologies. (She wishes to sue - but how can she win, when the law says that all it takes is that the powers that be, "deem" you to be potentially dangerous - and it's legal! That law needs no basis for an arrest - you can be arrested for being alive, and deemed dangerous after "someone" has a bad night out!) Abraham Lincoln once said, "Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure." I guess the same would apply in this case .... that is the power of ISA invoked at whims and fancies. Nothing happened to abusive MPs in parliament. Nothing happened when apparently, there were calls for chinese blood (at TPCA was it?). Nothing happened when calls to use the Kris were made on national television. Nothing happened after Kg. Medan. Nothing happened after a racist teacher was rewarded for abusing children. But now, we suddenly have our brainiacs being so consciencious - all Hail Mr. Hamid! All we have from these mindlessly orchestrated evils, is the proposal for a new law, sold to the public as "Race Relation Act", when they don't even believe in a code of conduct for their minions in power!
Meanwhile, the the perpetrators of the apparently "strained ethnic relations" wayang kulit - those who incite, are running loose wanting to go on a roadshow. In fact, they even have the audacity to appeal against the slap on the wrist meted out grudgingly by an "enlightened leadership". One other plastic faced clown has even announced his candidacy for a party post, when he has police reports lodged against him!!
Such is the sincerity of those in the corridors of power, when they announced their intentions on "the act". Yes- it is just "act ii, scene 51" in the grand scheme of things, with airheads in starring roles (Toyol, Amat, Ali Ketam, Semi Value and Ah Tiong are cheap extras) in this spicy, thrilling, epic soap opera running for the last 51 yrs. While Mr. Chris and a Madey (he's trying to introduce a JR character in the picture) have come up as the latest intellectual critics to this drama, some others are a little left out. One M&M actor lost out on the casting couch, I guess and we all know the pretty face that got blown to bits in the supporting role..... Some people didn't cash in ..... they are waiting to see if the next drama would be more lucrative - after all, there are new hands in the kitty now!
All we need is another Act that would be enforced selectively, and all will be fine and dandy all over again - that's the rationale of the geniuses at work in Putrajaya. Some choose to believe that everything was so cool before this, and everybody was so happy - and only now there is a "deterioration of inter-ethnic relations" as a result of the actions of the people who are now in Kamunting.
Apparently, all of a sudden, there was a very real threat of open conflict! Well friends, take a look at who "holds the power to guns" (not to mention waving the Kris or calling for blood) - and you'll know who are the ones who wish to rob the disarmed citizens on the pretext of "ethnic strife", as on 513!
Let's see what the next "act" brings ....
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Right discipline consists, not in external compulsion, but in the habits of mind which lead spontaneously to desirable rather than undesirable activities..... A hallucination is a fact, not an error; what is erroneous is a judgment based upon it. -Bertrand Russell xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx All 13 Umno divisions in Penang backed embattled Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail in not apologising over his alleged racist remarks. -Malaysia kini
Penang opposition leader: Reporter should be shot Penang opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, who was at the press conference to show support for Bukit Bendera Umno head Datuk Ahmad Ismail, criticised the reporter from the Chinese newspaper who allegedly twisted Ahmad's words during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign. However, the state Umno secretary did not name the reporter but claimed that only one Chinese publication reported Ahmad's statement. "What was written may lead to a racial riot. If such a thing happens, he is the first person that should be shot," he said to loud cheers from Umno supporters who packed the meeting room at Menara Umno here. - The Malaysian Insider Sebenarnya orang Melayu sekarang amat takut jika mereka diberi label "racist". Mereka menulis dalam akhbar yang orang Melayu bukan racist. Demikianlah ketakutan mereka sehingga apabila hak mereka di buruk-burukan dan diserang, mereka tidak berani mempertahankan diri mereka. - Mahathir, CheDet.com xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You cannot reason with thugs. Especially thugs who believe that it is their right to "live by force, yet count on those who live by trade to create the value of their looted money". That it is their right to "get richer by graft and by pull than by work", to have "money flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors" and your "laws don't protect you against them", but "protect them against you".
This is the true color of some thugs who smile sweetly when they dish out chicken feed to the people, while they get drunk on luxuries at the expense of the hard working citizens. It is indeed shameful that there are people within the fold of the very organisation that questions their citizenship of Malaysia, who are blind to this fact. It is probably time for all allies of Umno to pull out of the coalition and support the Government of PR, and leave Umno out in the cold by themselves, should they not have the guts and decency to censure the hate & war mongers! That is if they have an iota of self respect and honour left in them!
Notice how Mahathir has subtly supported this thug, despite having said a fortnight ago, that what is perceived as rights aren't actually so? He justified racism and hate mongering, and only stopped short of saying that Racism is right! He probably saw the "opportunity" in this conflict and wishes to stoke the fire! He actually shamelessly equated a kid's Negarakuku, which was just a parody for which he apologized, to this questioning of the citizenship by a leader at a public rally! It's probably what all gutter politicians do - I have no way to confirm that. Mahathir even uses Hindraf as an excuse to justify this. In his typical style, he then makes a U-turn within 24hrs, and says: "I am not defending nor do I like what Ahmad Ismail of Bukit Bendera said. It does not contribute to lessening the tension between the races. But I feel disgust at the inability of the present Malay leadership to manage racialism. "It took a long time for me to live down the label as a Malay ultra. I had gained such strong support from the Chinese community in the 1999 general election when the Malays deserted me that I felt I was no longer regarded as a Malay ultra by the Chinese generally (the Opposition Chinese excepted). "I was grateful for the Chinese support and I had many times publicly acknowledged that much of Malaysia's development was due to the dynamic Malaysian Chinese entrepreneurs and businessmen. " For more on Mahathir's mind, click here & here.
He seems intent on "shaming" the Malays into anger, should they speak the truth out of their conscience. He even berates the Malay leadership for being afraid of being labeled as racist! He appears to advocate arrogance and retribution upon the men of goodwill for this "shame" ..... This time, he doesn't condemn racism unequivocally, or even apologize for the racism that he preached but counters it with an accusation. Just like the Kinabatangan Bung, Mr. Chris, Zulkifli and Ahmad Ismail, he claims to be "misunderstood"!! Maybe it is a new pathological disease spread by a "denial virus" among certain mentally handicapped politicians - but for heaven's sakes ...... Someone, anyone ..... please tell me Mahathir isn't a Racist and a Fascist!
I wonder if anyone remembers RPK's "It's the Arithmetic, Stupid!" and an earlier one along the same lines, which advocated cutting deals with "some blackmailing elements", to "keep the peace". They wish to blackmail the people, and creating discord among the people under the guise of "racial conflict" is the easiest way.
With the dawn of 916, there is a nervous/desperate attempt among "certain quarters" at recreating 5.13, so as to keep their grubby pirate's hands on the pie. That's why I said that "it's about the money, stupid" - and not race, religion or "Malay rights", which they want you to believe. Some excerpts of what I had written on my blog was posted (with links) in the comments section of the "Arithmetic" article in No Holds Barred.
Before we decide to to cave in to hate politics and 'subtle threats', let us consider the facts, and the corruption/decadence that would be inflicted upon everybody in future, should we do so.
This is a turning point in History, and it is in the hands of our good Malay & Muslim brethren this Ramadhan. Search your hearts, brothers - These guys wish to hold the country at ransom, and rule with impunity in a climate of fear. These guys will rip your hearts out, so that you will live as an empty shell of a person, devoid of a conscience, ignorant of ethics, and without a sense of right & wrong - all these while making you recite scriptures for consolation. This is what I meant when I wrote a year ago, "Even if we aren't too accurate in our assessment, much of what has passed off for Islamisation by the govt was nothing more than frothy God-talk, mindless, thoughtless, and in its exploitation of people, heartless."
The question is, do the people of Malaysia, regardless of race or religion, wish to live as slaves to these thugs, or do we wish for a brighter future without the lodestone of 513 hanging around our necks.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx *********************************************** "The 35-year-old history teacher had on two occasions last month called Indian students in a Form Four and Form Five class ‘black monkeys’, ‘Negroes’ and ‘keling pariah’.She had also said that Indians came from dogs and prostitutes and that the community's youths did not have testicles and that its women constantly menstruated. - MalaysiaKini ------------------------------------
About 1,000 demonstrators, including activistsfrom UMNO and PAS, gathered outside the Bar Council building holding placards that read "Don't challenge Islam," "Long live Islam" and "Bar Council, don't play with fire”; racial slurs like "pig", "traitor" and "go back to China" were also thrown about. -Jed Yoong
***********************************************
Is it any wonder that we had unthinking "defenders of God" hurling obscenities? These mindless masses thought nothing of the insults that a "teacher" hurled at children who don't even know what hate is.
After all, when the Ministers of education can make hate speeches, call for blood and scream out fascistic ideas - and be applauded by unthinking masses who consider them "patriotic", why should these "small fry" be persecuted for calling people names? Maybe it's their way of encouraging the other racist partners in the "holy alliance of pirates" to shout out, "Melayu kayu! Melayu Layu! Melayu Kampung! ...." or whatever else. Had this happened, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if a couple of C4 military-grade plastic eplosives go off at venues related to the "Nons". But of course these things cannot and will not happen, because the "Nons" have more "civilised & grateful" leaders - political pirates or not. The "Nons" who are their partners also tend to keep silent and smile despite the humiliation - and this has been interpreted as "gratefulness" by an "illustious intellectual Muslim" who's clueless about the Law, and does not helm the nation anymore.
Yes - that's what they call it - "Gratefulness", for the abuse & intimidation. Here are a whole lot of "grateful faces" - at least Mahathir and all BN members think so ... They believe that the "partner Nons" are grateful for being spat on their faces!! That is also why you will see these very "Nons" who have no sense of honor or shame, campaigning for their venom spitting "coalition members" at Permatang Pauh despite being treated like scum and spat at by their political masters.
Hence the pindrop silence of our education ministers (past and present) when these perversion of sensitivities are perpetrated towards innocent children in schools. In their book, it probably wasn't unIslamic and "acceptable" - simply the agenda of the day, so as to make them feel "superior" under their "coconut shells".
Take a good look at our politics, education system and civil service, wherein shameless bigotry is practiced - anything said to humiliate a Non-Muslim or a Non-Malay is "kosher".
Neither side (BN, Keadilan or PAS) would do much to condemn these bigots, because "it isn't politically wise" to do so - especially when nearing any elections where the votebank is with the Malays. Of course there will be whispers of objection made with such hesitance, that one is disgusted with the statement itself!!
Yessir - for the Malay votes, you need to preach (even if you don't practice) Racism, Aparthied, Hatred, Supremacy and/or religious bigotry. Accountability, good governance, justice, ethics, morality and what not cannot be used as political currency ... it buys nothing!
You need to reinforce the idea that Islam and the Malay race is under siege - that the cannibalistic Jews/Chinese/Indians/Kafirs will barbeque them for dinner if they don't vote for their "God or Race".
To be the Malay Leader, you need to give tacid approval to hate speeches or humiliation of the "Nons", despite the "coughing" disapprovals made in press statements, for fear of losing out on the "extremist/seige mentality" vote bank!
The blood-thirsty ones who scream for Chinese blood, and Kris loving education Ministers will meanwhile just "transfer the delinquents" as a "punishment" for such "misdemeanors".
The true blue Malay "leaders" will meanwhile stand their ground in silence while calls for discrimination is made, and be the "Malay Heroes"! That's the definition of the words "patriotiosm" & "nationhood" in Bolehsia for you ..... if you don't like it, tough luck buddy! "Reversion" may help, though ..... try it out!
That would probably explain a whole lot about PAS and their recent surge in "Islamist rhetoric" and the ulamas' suggestion that Hadi be the next PM should PR come to power - or the stale rhetoric about banning alcohol/gambling (while they drink out of cups full of haram taxes), or that maybe one day suggest that Inul/Avril Lavigne should wear burqas during their performances to make it "kosher".
I'm quite certain that the architects of our education system will laughing their guts out seeing all these while they burn in hell and our education minister (and the Malay/Muslim "intelligentsia") remain silent. The education and political system definitely did well in training many Malay leaders who are devoid of the alien characteristic of 'conscience', to develop forked tongues .... Here's something "new" from our MSM about a very "honest" leader, which would be very "convincing" (and he wants to talk to the Lawyers!!!):- IPOH: PAS Youth head Salahuddin Ayub plans to invite the Bar Council for a dialogue with the party. Saying that hisduty at the “embracing Islam” forum was just to keep the peace, he blamed the Bar Council for not explaining ahead the objective of its meeting which came to a halt when demonstrators stormed the venue in Kuala Lumpur.If the Council had explained fully, distributed pamphlets or conducted a publicity campaign, it would not have led to protests, he said.“I felt it was my duty to be present to defuse a quarrel should it have erupted. The Council should give ample notice instead of giving an impression that it was an open forum organised under a cloud of secrecy,” he said. - The Star
Where's the smoke coming from.... Is somebody's Pants ... no- it's "jubbah" - on fire? And knowing the notions upon which the country was built, soon it will be dear old Bolehsia's turn to burst into flames ..... PR, Anwar, Hadi, Islam or not! Maybe that will give us a express ticket to heaven and hell. Well PAS & Gang, Go to your Heaven - I'm sure your hell will be quite heavenly for me!!
Anyone else interested in PAS's Hell out there? See you there, guys!
