Watch the MONEY!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As you appropriately observed, the crux of our separation is due to
race-based parties that needs race-based agendas to perpetuate their survival.
Having multiracial political parties is the first step forward to move beyond
the baggages of our past and embrace the future.
~ Nik Nazmi, The Race Dilemma in Malaysia: An FB message from a local university student and my reply

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

Dear Ahmad,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I believe the concerns you express reflect the sentiments of many Malaysians including my own. I actually address it in my book called ‘Moving Forward: Malays for the 21st Century’. You can get it at Popular, Kinokuniya, MPH or my own website www.niknazmi.com

Essentially, I believe that Malays were lagging behind in the economy and that the New Economic Policy was justified in uplifting the economic condition of the Malays. At the same time the NEP aimed at eradicating poverty regardless of race.

But I think we need a policy that addresses the challenges of the 21st century. The success of the NEP means that there is a Malay middle class that is capable at competing not just in Malaysia but in the world. At the same time, many non-Malays want to feel included in their country. There are also many Malays and non-Malays who are left behind.

Hence, a policy that is relevant for today would provide for both meritocracy – allowing the best Malaysians to compete, and affirmative action – lending all Malaysians that deserve help a helping hand.

The issue of vernacular education is also addressed in my book. Essentially, I believe that vernacular schools provide a challenge to national integration but Malaysians do not have the confidence that national schools can be inclusive and provide high-quality education.

Rather than abolishing vernacular schools, I believe a workable way forward is to create a voluntary unitary stream to combine all the different streams and providing time for the schools to teach civic and multiracial education, to teach students about our constitution and history, as well as the different stories of the different races.

As you appropriately observed, the crux of our separation is due to race-based parties that needs race-based agendas to perpetuate their survival. Having multiracial political parties is the first step forward to move beyond the baggages of our past and embrace the future.

Regards,
Nik Nazmi

The following were my comments :-

At the end of the day, without getting rid of the Race/Religion paradigm in our socio-political environment, this country (I wouldn't call it "nation" as yet) is doomed 15-25 yrs down the line (if not sooner).

You wanna know when that will happen?
Watch the money -
where there is no virtue, where men live by "entitlement" and not industry,
where laws are meant to protect pirates rather than the vulnerable,
where the might of the gun-barrel supersedes that of the law -
money will never stay.

When is that?
It has been happening since the nineties.
It's happening right here, right now - there has been an unprecedented flight of capital since the advent of the Najib regime - RM350 Billion!! Malaysians have invested RM8 billion in foreign real estate alone over the same period. This is not taking into account the "black money" (which is believed to exceed the "white-economy"). This cuts across all racial/religious lines. Meanwhile, Perak boasts about its 11 billion investment .....

Who suffers?
It is the vulnerable - the people on the street, regardless of the God they worship, the color of their skin, or their political affiliation.
It is those who live on debts they cannot pay. They who depend on "govt contracts" to pay their debts. They who depend on pointless mega projects to fund their lavish lifestyles.
And the majority are "Malay/Bumiputera" - for they have lived a life of delusion under the pretext of "entitlement". The industrious cannot be stopped in surviving - except through death - and with racists seeking scapegoats when they fail, it may very well come to that if they don't leave.

I do not suggest that they should leave now - on the contrary, they should stay to fight the destruction of this beautiful land in the hands of Umno.
For that to happen, the "Malays" need to open their eyes, and realize that they have much to thank the non-Malays for. For it was their industry that has helped propel this country to what it is today. For it was from their taxes that the "entitled" got their freebies.

I do not begrudge those who were deserving of affirmative actions - in fact I believe that they should be given that benefit in any caring society. However, most of these entitlements are simply a front for pirates to squander the country's resources - yes, that of bumiputeras' too. This affirmative action cannot be used to deprive those who hold different convictions or cultures. All have to be given due recognition.

The future will depend on the knowledge the Malay community is willing to embrace. It will depend on a truly bold Malay leadership which understand the meaning of "leadership", and does not capitulate and pander to sectarian/subversive "sensitivities".

You've know "Yo Mama" - Heard of #YoRais?

#yorais - is a recent Malaysian made "trending" topic on twitter..... last trending at No.5!!!!
Which means that it is among the most popular worldwide!!!
The jokes on it are absolutely hilarious, I was actually laughing my guts off .....

It is all directed at Rais Yatim - our beloved, infamous foot-in-mouth 3-in-1 Minister. He had recently alleged that Facebook or Twitter and the sorts can lead to a "culture shock" and advised people to avoid it.
It is currently trending at No. 3!!!!
Here's an earlier screencapture:-

It definitely gives new meaning to "Malaysia Boleh"!!!

This is what Perpetual Tockism had to say:-

#yorais – A Malaysian-made Twitter Trending Topic Story
So it all started when Dr Rais Yatim, Information Communication and Culture Minister of Malaysia made a statement (quoted via a Bernama piece), saying ‘Muslims must avoid being totally immersed in Facebook, Twitter’ thus exhorting Malaysians to be wary of the popular Internet services.
Now what Rais did NOT know is how he’d become a mini-celebrity in Twitter, touted as the most viral social media tool ever to be created, within a span of 4 hours from when the hastag, “#yorais”, got formed.

This is what KJ (yes- Rembau KhairyJamaluddin) had to say at his twitter account :-
"Will constantly remind myself to never, ever diss social media & its users. These guys are merciless. #yo.... "

All credit to Bongkerz!!

Whacking BN: Is it about Partisan Politics?

*****************************************
"The poverty rate among the bumiputera may be
around three times the poverty rate among the Chinese,
but the poverty rate in Sabah is more than 30 times
the poverty rate in Kuala Lumpur."

-G. Lim, Debating an equitable Malaysia
***************************************

The other day on Facebook, Anas Zubedy - whom many of us look on as a "bridge-builder" had posted a short note. In it, he has asked readers to read a few articles with an "open heart, critical mind". The articles were:

1. Early signs of a civil war amongst the Malays? - M. Bakri Musa here
2. Guan Eng's call to Middle Malaysia and his own report card - here
3. Anwar's stand on the "Allah " issue here and when he was still in UMNO here
4. Wong Chun Wai's article suggesting to look at the other side here

The comments however were quite interesting. Though he may not have intended it that way, it appeared to me that he was deflecting accusations away from Umno, and putting in on the people (which "to a certain extent", is true) - while advertising the "1-Malaysia" slogan.
Among his comments were these:-
"Bro, we need to rise above putting almost all blame in UMNO...... But do not forget, we middle class Malaysians do not deserve the patrol subsidies too, but most of us seem to be quiet about it. If those UMNO blocks are undeserving , so are we when we support the petrol subsidy. check here and see if the idea is good or bad before we even comment about it...http://www.1malaysia.com.my/ and here to see if the petrol subsidy is justified for the majority of us middle class - making us just as bad as those UMNO blocks so many seems to hate ... I suggest without waiting for others to change, you and I must "Do, dont talk, take action, dont complain, practise dont preach".
(I'm not sure if it is available for all to read, but you can try clicking here to see the full discussion.)

While I would like to assert that I truly appreciate Anas Zubedy's diplomacy and earnest attempt at seeking the "middle path" (which is so very cliché, these days)- it seemed like there was a hint of denial in his reasoning. It was this "hint of denial" which wish to address here - not his attempt to "seek the middle ground".

He appeared to avoid mentioning that BN is at fault, and that their policies have failed the people - claims that we should stop playing the blame game. Maybe he's right - but in problem-solving, how do we seek a remedy, if we cannot pin-point the cause of the problem?
So has it all been about politicking and playing partisan politics? Definitely not (!!) - I believe that it is essential that we know who and what is to blame before we can even think of finding a remedy.

As opposed to what many in Umno and their minions would choose to believe, it isn't about "hating Umno" - it is indeed "bigger than Umno" (as Anas puts it). It is about knowing the cause of all the ills in society today. It's about knowing why we have so much social injustice, income disparity, abuse of power, corruption, excessive deforestation, exorbitant cost of living, urban squalor, no check and balance in government, deaths in police custody, racism, religious bigotry etc etc etc.
Without knowing and understanding the history of the mismanagement, as the saying goes - we are "doomed to repeat it".

-

Images from :- Debating an equitable Malaysia Towards an alternative New National Agenda by G Lim Aliran Monthly Vol 25 (2005): Issue 8

The following was my reply to Anas in the thread I had mentioned above:-

"There appears to be a "disconnect" in your assessment of the reality on the ground, Anas. You think it is all about "partisan politics". No it isn't, Anas - as you said, it is bigger than that, but you fail to articulate it. It's also about social justice - rule of law, the economy and nationhood.

Yes - it's true that we are part of the problem when we keep quiet about the subsidies. However, the reason for it is simple - our purchasing power is pathetic - mainly due to the corruption of those in power (secondary to the racist policies). These people have kept it that way, so that the people will be enslaved by the freebies they dish out. This is no better than having a colonial govt, for gottsakes!!

The people are suffering (although we may not see it while we we frequent the swanky joints) and cannot afford a decent education. Cost of living has skyrocketed, while the elite are unaffected. The income disparity is as wide as can be. Malaysia has the highest income disparity between the rich and poor in Southeast Asia, greater than that of Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia - when we were once on par or ahead of many nations who are today the envy of the world.

It isn't about "hatred towards Umno/BN or PR" as you try to paint it, Anas - it's about social justice through a reasonable economic model and rule of law. If either party provides an avenue to make that possibly a reality, they should be supported. Accordingly, whichever party impedes justice should be opposed - it's as simple as that!

It'll tell you one thing, Anas - many PR supporters today will have no problems in voting for UMNO/BN should they be reasonable and provide the platform for justice. The problem is listening and watching them is like watching "Dumb & Dumber" - they make absolute fools of themselves 90% of the time. Their actions ... better left unsaid. Res Ipsa Loquitur ....

1-Malaysia sloganeering and marketing is all fine & dandy - but what is it's purpose (if not to hoodwink), if there are different Malaysias in practice?

Marketing 1-Malaysia to keep spirits high is no better than "political masturbation" for the those who don't feel the pain on the streets.

I know you're a reasonable, polite and very diplomatic person, Anas - So let's cut the one "1-Malaysia" hogwash please ..."

UNLESS OF COURSE YOU'RE "PEKEMBAR".....

*****************************
The majority of the Christians and
the rest of the world is wrong in using "Allah"
-Yusri from ABIM on 101 East
*************************

"Ignorantia juris non excusat" :- ignorance of the law does not excuse

"nemo censetur ignorare legem":- nobody is taught to ignore the law

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

One of the first things I learned from primary school was that I didn't have to know that I did wrong, for me to be reprimanded. When I had once shared stolen food unknowingly, I was punished by Mr. Foo (my Std 1 teacher) - even though, I was unaware of the "crime" of my classmate who wanted to be my friend. It was something which stayed with me ever since - to be careful of those bearing gifts.
In high school "literature", there was a story of a thief who stole bolts from the railroad for weights and he was prosecuted - he was guilty despite his ignorance of the law. I didn't need to go to law school or have Shad Faruqi lecture me for me to know that.

The law in any state would like us to believe that, as would any government that is worth its salt.
Politicians, Law enforcers, the Judiciary and Intellectuals too wouldn't make excuses for ignorance. Where the clergy is concerned - it becomes all the more imperative that they abide by this dictum in arriving at opinions/convictions.

In Malaysia though, all it takes is a word to fuddle and muddle the minds of these so-called "pillars of society" (at least most of the time) - and it isn't "Allah", mind you .....
That's how "good" they are. This much dreaded word (an English acronym, actually) is non other than "UMNO" - the Pertubuhan Melayu Bersatu Kebangsaan [Pertubuhan Melayu Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu atau PEKEMBAR (UMNO)].

It is a malady that seems to affect most quarters who dance to the tune of Pekembar (aka UMNO). Let's forget Nazri or his racist nemesis Mahathir for now.
Let's take that Sabahan (Malakun) JP guy who asked Christians to give up their constitutional right or even Shad Faruqi the "constitutional expert" (Shad Saleem Faruqi is Emeritus Professor of Law at UiTM and Visiting Professor at USM)- they both ask Christians (and Muslims too, actually)to pander to Ignorance and cowardice, so the the federal constitution may yet again be undermined by thugs in "holy" garbs - who claim to "defend Islam".
All these, when Islam itself doesn't condone such behaviour!!

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

The Herald’s new found love for Arabic words is indeed very touching
but one cannot fail to note that the import of Arabic words is rather selective.....
All in all it can be said that in relation to the Herald case,
the general Muslim reaction is too emotional and is based on lack of knowledge....
Emotions must be regarded. Sometimes rights must give way .......
-Shad Faruqi, Finding The Middle Path
*********************************

Shad takes it a step further as he asks us to abandon "reason", and cater to emotions of madmen!
He even unapologetically displays his ignorance of "The Herald’s new found love for Arabic words"! Here we have a "man of law", abandoning The Law in favour of thuggery! Yes - Shad calls subscribing irrational emotions and conduct of madmen who see no reason (drum roll please ...) - "Finding The Middle Path"!!!

While appearing to be neutral and reasonable in asking for Bibles to be allowed to be printed locally, he demolishes all the reason he speaks of with one sentence - "Emotions must be regarded. Sometimes rights must give way .......", which many may unwittingly ignore. As an academic and intellectual, instead of condemning terrorists without prejudice, he seems to defend the thuggery promoted by these mindless men!!

What Shad subscribes to despite his lengthy article under the guise of an intellectual essay on "finding the middle path" is simply one word - Ignorance. His "middle path" is the Umno path - and that cannot be denied. Maybe you can add hypocrisy, double standards and bigotry to that.
He even seems to know a lot about the Malay language - by quoting a graduate of pharmaceutical sciences (Prof Dzulkifli of USM)!! The reason why this foreigner (Pakistani, I think) now becomes apologist for irrational conduct of thugs, and has become an expert in matters "of local context and of religious sensitivities" - as he puts it - is UMNO, and nothing else.

What "Professor" Shad Faruqi does is no different from the conduct of thugs who have no regard for the Federal Constitution or even the scripture, and wish to hold the country at ransom through their ignorance and threats of violence.

"Very Impressive" conduct for a Professor of Law and a Constitutional expert!! As impressive as your earlier assertions (aka spin) that the Mentri Besar can be "fired", and that the social contract (as defined by Umno) is IN the Federal Constitution (and not that the Federal Constitution IS THE Social Contract).

Says a lot about the standards of education when mixed with Umno's politics .....
With academics & men of law advocating barbarism, is it any wonder why the country is sliding down the slippery slope of anarchy & chaos?

--------------------------------------

"It will not do to cling to the cause and wish the result away.
Reality does not play mind games.
What is more, to anesthetize the mind in order to abort what comes to birth
when wrong ideas are conceived and borne in the womb of culture,
will only kill the very life-giving force of the nation that nurtures the idea."
- Ravi Zacharias
---------------------------------

Related:

• When "Reason" is Abandoned .....

101 East- Al-Jazeera

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

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

When "Reason" is Abandoned .....

"Having failed in its shortcut to an economic miracle, ....
(clamouring for issues and a new agenda to perpetuate their greed and envy)
they now choose to preach intolerance, “arabisation”,
and religiosity in the name of God,
to further isolate, and “drug into a stupor”
a beautiful people that was once open to change."
~"Where is the Spirit of Merdeka?"

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

Article 11
1.Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it.
2. No person shall be compelled to pay any tax the proceeds of which are specially allocated in whole or in part for the purposes of a religion other than his own.
3. Every religious group has the right -
(a) to manage its own religious affairs;
(b) to establish and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes; and
(c) to acquire and own property and hold and administer it in accordance with law.
4. State law and in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, federal law may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.
5. This Article does not authorize any act contrary to any general law relating to public order, public health or morality.

Article 153
1. It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
~ The Federal Constitution of Malaysia

"the word 'Allah' has been used continuously in the printed edition of Matthew's Gospel in Malay in 1629, in the first complete Malay Bible in 1733 and in the second complete Malay Bible in 1879 until today in Perjanjian Baru and Alkitab"

~Pastor Jerry W.A Dusing @ Jerry W.Patel

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

Today, Malaysian Insider reports that a Johor church ninth hit. The office of the lawyers representing The Catholic Herald has been broken into and vandalized.

The way I see it, the source of today's conflict is :- Mahathir. Recent events have "MAHATHIR" written all over it.
He was well-known for his ability to impose his "violent" will through violent and unconstitutional laws- apparently for national security & stability- so as to create a docile and mindless citizenry. Of course - it was also a way to generate a generation of incompetents and sycophants at his disposal, through his politics of fear and patronage.
It was during his time (in his efforts to emasculate the media) that the draconian Printing Presses and Publications Act 1986 was formulated- In the Gazette PU (A) 15/82 and the circular KKDN. S.59/3/6/A dated Dec 5, 1986, the use of the words “Allah”, “Baitullah”, “Solat” and “Kaabah” was exclusive to Islam.
His methods and laws had set a precedent for violence among the peaceful people of Malaysia. But of course - "The state calls its own violence- law, but that of the individual- crime"- so said Max Stirner.

We know that, "Violence is the last resort of the Incompetent" - and so it came to pass that houses of worship became targets of these incompetents - a church scorched and others (including a Gurdwara) vandalized. Any attempt at reasoning with the government was simply futile - as All Jazeera says "Malaysia still dodging the issue". Even though the government banned the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims in 1986, the churches refrained from court action for more than 20 years because of assurances from two prime ministers. But of course they claim that they would rather talk, than take it to court (after having appealed the High Court decision, that is).

After the High Court decision (which has since been stupidly appealed by the Govt - possibly to destabilize the Selangor PR govt- instead of bringing it to the negotiating table) recently, the Sultan of Selangor had joined in the fray, by saying that "Allah" is for Muslims only. It appears to be questionable that the Sultan does have such an authority- as Aziz Bari said (MalaysiaKini). He said, "the sultan can use his discretion to safeguard and protect Islam, but it is also linked to Islamic law as defined in the Quran and by the edicts of Ulamas. .... it is pretty clear that the use of Allah by Christians has some basis in the Quran."

Then of course we had a self proclaimed Christian from Sabah (who is actually an Umno lackey), who requested that the church and Christians at large to give up their rights to thugs - in the name of "harmony". This he shamelessly does, when PAS - an Islamic Party - supports the legitimate use of "Allah" in the Bible and in worship, and asks that Christians keep up the fight!! Meanwhile, Najib has gone around dishing out RM500k to the scorched church to buy their goodwill (after giving tacit support to rile up sentiments?) and express sympathy!

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

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason
is like administering medicine to the dead.
- Thomas Paine

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

The voice of reason is stifled while the Federal Constitution is trampled upon, so that the mindless may rule based on "sentiments and sensitivities" - whatever that means (probably "whims and fancies", actually). Reason or Rule of Law means little to those in Umno who pretend to "defend Race & Religion" (in this case) - while probably knowing little about either.
For better or worse - since "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable", what can we expect the end result to be?

Such is the result of Mahathirism.
Today in Malaysia, we're actually talking about a revolution - a peaceful psychological revolution against the dictates of Mahathirism which has brought us to the brink of anarchy under the Umno regime. It has been a fermenting for some time now, and today, it has blown its lid.
Considering the events that have transpired over the last 30 yrs in the corridors of power, it appears that that is what certain quarters are working for - unwittingly or otherwise- in the interest of holding on to power through sectarian hegemony.

Y0u don't don't need to be a historian or a political scientist to know the direction we're headed under the Umno regime. With foreign investments faltering (we're second from bottom in Asia since Najib's administration) and the coffers drying up, they'll be looking for more "manufactured" crises and scapegoats to divert the attention of the people from the real factors that impoverish the country.
With the executive being almighty, the judiciary emasculated and the law-enforcement agencies in their pockets - nothing is going to stop them from picking on the next vulnerable target.

The shameless hypocrisy shown by the Najib administration in recent days, reminded me of the opening words to Bob Dylan's Positively 4th Street .... - some nerve he has!!

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

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

P.S.

• Watch how the pathetic ABIM representative (Khairul Faiz Morat) mumbled his so-called "reasonings" for the events that have transpired on Al-Jazeera's Inside Story - Religious violence in Malaysia
  

How (once again) Mahathir Fits in the "root cause" .....

PMs assured Christians of use of "Allah"

13 Jan 10 : 8.00AM

By Ding Jo-Ann
dingjoann@thenutgraph.com

PETALING JAYA, 13 Jan 2010: Even though the government banned the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims in 1986, the churches refrained from court action for more than 20 years because of assurances from two prime ministers.

Shastri

Council of Churches of Malaysia general secretary Rev Dr Hermen Shastri told The Nut Graph that Christian leaders were assured that "Allah" could be used, as long as it was limited to within the Christian community. This was in spite of a 1986 government gazette and 1988 state enactments that declared the words "Allah", "solat", "ka'abah" and "Baitullah" as exclusive to Islam.

"(Former Prime Minister Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad's) position was if Christians use the word 'Allah' among ourselves, sell our bibles in Christian bookshops, and indicate it's a Christian publication, then that was fine," said Shastri.

"Mahathir and [Tun Abdullah Ahmad] Badawi both assured the Christian community that it would not be an issue [using 'Allah'] within our community."

Shastri said although they did not agree with the government gazette and state enactments, the church refrained from legal action in the interest of national harmony because Mahathir had said the issue was sensitive.

Shastri stressed that Christians did not use "Allah" to slight Muslims. Rather, "it's part and parcel of our spiritual and devotional life," he said.

Issue not new

Shastri also said it was unfair to describe the issue of Christians using "Allah" as new, as some have claimed.

He explained that Christians have been encountering intermittent problems for the past two decades, such as Bahasa Indonesia bibles being held at customs, or the occasional compact disc being confiscated.

The items however, were usually released on a case-by-case basis after the prime minister's intervention, he said.

Shastri said this understanding with the government broke down when Catholic paper Herald was banned from using "Allah" by the Home Ministry in their Bahasa Malaysia publication in 2007.

"The Herald had no other choice. The only way open was to take the matter to court," he said.

Challenging the state

Andrew Khoo, lawyer and legal adviser to the Anglican Bishop of West Malaysia, said the 1986 gazette should have been challenged when it was first issued.

Khoo

But Khoo noted that it was usual for such issues to have been discussed privately and resolved quietly, which could also explain the delay in legal action being taken.

"Perhaps we were satisfied with the then prime minister's assurances," Khoo said.

Khoo added that in 1988, there was no desire to confront the issue by suing the government in court.

This reluctance was in the wake of Operasi Lalang in 1987, where more than 100 people from civil society, including church members, and opposition leaders were detained without trial under the Internal Security Act. The crackdown was followed by the removal of Lord President Tun Salleh Abas in 1988.

With regard to the 1988 state enactments on the use of "Allah", Khoo said no one had been prosecuted thus far.

"The enactments can't be challenged unless there's a prosecution," Khoo said.

He noted that the preamble of the Selangor enactment states that the law intended to "control and restrict the propagation of non-Islamic religious doctrines and beliefs among persons professing the religion of Islam."

"Although the section [on the use of 'Allah'] is very wide, the preamble sets the context," said Khoo, adding that the imposed condition, while not ideal, was workable.