MUHYIDDIN- WITHDRAW INTERLOK, NOW!!

Interlok: Time to Make a Stand

LETTERS/SURAT

Friday, 18 March 2011 admin-s

It is in the educational sector where proponents of the Ketuanan Melayu dogma have sought to impose their will and polarize our communities.

By Dr. Lim Teck Ghee

As the drama over the Interlok textbook issue continues to unfold, it is important for Malaysians to understand the context and the stakes involved, and to make a stand.

There are some defenders of the book who have argued that withdrawing or even just editing it will rob Malaysian writers of their artistic freedom and integrity. To these people, I would like to say “Hello, where have you been” – Interlok has already been edited twice, in 2005 for Edisi Pelajar and in 2010 for Edisi Murid.

Its literary integrity was already compromised by the shedding of some 85 pages even before this latest controversy.

In fact, copyright for the edition distributed free to schools no longer belongs to Abdullah Hussain but to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Hence Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that his ministry “will ensure that any amendments made will not affect the storyline of the novel and the noble message that the author wants to convey” is nothing short of whitewash.

According to reports, Muhyiddin is not permitting anything beyond deletion of the word ‘pariah’.

This concession is like slicing off one tentacle from a hundred-headed hydra – a totally pointless exercise.

Make no mistake; Interlok is a work that must not be permitted into the nation’s class rooms as a compulsory literature text. Anything less is a vital failure to grasp the gravity of the threat it poses.

The quarrel is not merely with vocabulary or spelling (for example, of ‘tali’ vs ‘thali’) but the overall suitability of the novel with its overt and covert racial messages as a school text.

Starting ‘em young and younger

Concern by many Malaysians that Interlok has been intentionally selected by the authorities to fulfill the Umno/Biro Tata Negara objective of indoctrinating young minds with a warped worldview and national view is hardly misplaced.

Before these concerns are dismissed as imaginary or overwrought, let us not forget that education has long been and continues to be the most politicized sector of the country.

Far from being neutral institutions, many of our public sector colleges and universities consciously and consistently promote a narrow nationalism.

It is in the educational sector where proponents of the Ketuanan Melayu dogma have sought to impose their will and polarize our communities.

Their missionary zeal focuses on use of race-based criteria at all levels and in all aspects. It is no surprise therefore that the propagation of the ideology of super-ordination and subordination has now been extended to the schools, and to the curriculum and text books.

As has been pointed out by those who have analysed the Interlok content, why are all the villains and nasty characters Chinese and Indians?

One of the key plots turns on the rapacious Chinese merchant swindling the easily duped Malay of his inheritance.

Touted as a ‘historical novel’, Interlok is constructing a version of BTN history and racial stereotypes to influence young minds.

Drawing line in the sand

Its government-mandated and authorities-supported dissemination and circulation appears to further a carefully thought-out agenda to fan racial animosity.

Because Interlok is the first round battle (in tandem with the History curriculum revamp), it is important for conscientious objectors to send a strong signal to the Education Minister and his bureaucratic and academic cronies that Malaysians will not be cowed into acquiescence.

We must exercise our right to openly discuss, criticize and protest on this crucial matter.

To remain mute will only embolden the apologist wolves wrapped in their sheep clothing of educational good intention and defence of literary freedom.

"Manufactroversy" & The Dumbing Down of Malaysia

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

““Bible Society of Malaysia is alarmed
by the defacement of the Christian bible
by non-Christians chopping it with words
that the Christians have not accepted or agreed to,” it added.
-The Malaysian Insider.

"Having said that, I must say that I am extremely disappointed with the reaction of a Catholic bishop of Melaka-Johor diocese. Mr. Paul Tan Chee Ing has denounced the two conditions imposed by the Home Ministry for the release of detained consignments of 'Al-Kitab' as "crass forms of censorship redolent of the communist era" .
If there were lack of wisdom on the part of our political masters earlier than I would say that it appears that it had infected Mr. Paul himself."
-Raffick, rights2write (R2W)

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Before I go on about what I wish to write on, I'd like to express my heartfelt sorrow on the calamities suffered by our Japanese brothers & sisters who face the aftermath of the earthquake/ tsunami. Our prayers are with you (even if KDN wishes to deface and give serial numbers to our Bibles, while racist/hate propaganda is justified & fed to the masses like it was chicken-soup for the soul) .....
As for our FLOM's comment on the cause of the tsunami .... I'm sure Najib is "green" with envy with such intellectual prowess which was even captured by CNN iReport.
Bravo, Najib- you ought to be proud of your better half who is now an international "celebrity" of sorts!!

Getting to the point- what we see above is a certain level of ignorance on part of some who do not understand the humiliation which the Government wishes to impose upon the Christian community. They do not seem to understand that "two wrongs, don't make a right". Instead, what do they do? they choose to get disappointed with the victim, while they "undertand how difficult it was for the government" to sort out this mess which happened to come about through their own stupidity!

How compassionate of Raffick ... in all his "wisdom" he says, "Personally I don't see the need to do so but then if it gives the government the comfort to have such insignificant paragraph stamped in the bible, then so be it." ...
I'm pretty sure many Germans said the same when Jews were tattooed with serial numbers, and certainly the same with Zionists today who say it when a wall was made to prevent Palestinians from making a living - to "give comfort to the government" which oppresses!!
How nice ....

Bravo, Raffick- now you have come up with a new line of thinking in "democracy" ... that the dumbed-down people have to "give comfort" to the stupid ruling elite!!! (I'm sure the Japs thought so too, when they were screwing all those "comfort women" to death).

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"A manufactured controversy, sometimes shortened into ... manufactroversy,
is a contrived controversy, typically motivated by profit or ideology,
designed to create public confusion concerning an issue
about which there is no substantial academic dispute."
-Wikipedia

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

In an article published by The Malaysian Insider, (Ulama chief: Alkitab yes, ‘Allah’ no), it was mentioned that- "PUM president Datuk Sheikh Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir said that Muslims here were already fighting a “tough” battle to keep the term “Allah” exclusive to them because non-Muslims in other countries had already used “Allah” with little or no controversy. “The issue is that in most countries non-Muslims have used the word ‘Allah’... but we want to defend ‘Allah’ because we feel that it should be for Muslims. The reason being is that ‘Allah’ cannot be equated with any [other] version or concept of God. It is not an issue of translation."

So "Crever wan, this guy!!" ..... what he means to say is that- the merits to any argument is irrelevant, even if proven worldwide- what matters is what he believes!!
He doesn't even care if he is sounding very silly .... all that matters is that he can rile up the people using a non-issue, by virtue of his position as a de-facto "wise guy" who decides that he has to defend an almighty God, and take preventive measures to "save sinful souls" ... just in case it becomes an issue!!
Effectively, he does admit that this is a "manufactured controversy"- to get unthinking people (or those who don't think right) frothing in their mouth!!

This is how Umno has been ruling Malaysia, and this is how the dumbing down of Malaysians is executed - while many Malaysians think up excuses to "intellectualize" stupidity, and justify oppression & bigotry.
They manufacture controversies where none exist, justify it in the name of stupidity- then make laws to control the damage done, because "the people need to be held on a short leash like dogs" with their numerous silly laws which deprive men of their liberty!!
That is what many in Malaysia have become- unthinking, rabid dogs- which just run wild when the leash comes off .......

But of course, Raffick doesn't see that and appreciates the difficulty in holding a "leash"- "The Bishop should appreciate the difficulty in getting this bible out to their owners", says he ..... maybe he needs appreciate how difficult it is to educate those who prefer stupidity, without making excuses for them!!
Next he'll be justifying violence to "comfort the government" or maybe even to knock some sense into people ....

Yeah ....... some people are shameless in their ignorance and justify anything!!

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

"Stupid being what stupid does, they do it "to avoid conflict",
then cause a conflict which has to be controlled
with laws which can get you arrested
- even as you are thinking of responding to the conflict!!
(very crever, eh?)"
-Because "WE" ARE STUPID- and Proud Of It, dammmit!!

Sing Chye's Blog: Papan-Bukit Merah Radioactive Controversy Video

Sing Chye's Blog: Papan-Bukit Merah Radioactive Controversy Video

Bibles' Release: Do I hear an "encore" happening soon?

"Stupid being what stupid does, they do it "to avoid conflict",
then cause a conflict which has to be controlled with laws which can get you arrested
- even as you are thinking of responding to the conflict!! (very crever, eh?)"
-Because "WE" ARE STUPID- and Proud Of It, dammmit!!

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

Government orders release of Malay bibles

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — The Najib administration ordered the release of 35,000 Malay-language Bibles which were seized at the ports of Kuching and Klang, bowing to pressure from Christian churches and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) politicians.

“This is a reasonable compromise in managing the polarities of views between Christians and Muslims in the country,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala in a statement this evening.

The Cabinet was set to discuss the issue on Friday with one eye on the Sarawak polls set to take place next month.

But with the seizure of the bibles drawing protests from Christians nationwide, a majority of whom live in Sabah and Sarawak, the federal government was forced to act today.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia, which represents 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia, has said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made a decision to release the Alkitabs but so far, the home ministry, which controls customs, has refused to hand over the bibles.

Christians, who make up close to 10 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population, use Bahasa Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak churches to preach to the multi-ethnic congregation who each have a distinctive tribal language.

But evangelist churches there, such as Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB), have crossed the South China Sea to preach to the growing number of Sarawakians and Sabahans who are settling down in the peninsula after furthering their studies or finding work here.

Jala, who is a Sarawakian Christian, said that the government had decided on the release of the Alkitab in line with a 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act which allows its limited and controlled importation and circulation on condition that the books are stamped: “For Christians Only.”

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

Abim demands Najib clarify stand on Bibles

By Shannon Teoh

March 11, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 — Citing fears of apostasy among Muslims, the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has called for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to verify the claim by Christian groups that the prime minister has said that there is no ban on Malay-language Bibles.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said yesterday that Najib had confirmed that there was an order to release 5,000 Bibles being held in Port Klang.

“As the chief executive of this country, any statement reflects the stand and policy of the government.

“In this context, the claim by CFM appears to say that the government has agreed to the distribution of Malay-language Bibles despite no official public notice,” said Abim secretary-general Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim.

He added that any enactment governing the spread of other religions to Muslims must be adhered to and respected.

Mohamad Raimi asked the prime minister to clarify the matter to avoid any misunderstanding that can disrupt racial harmony.

The Home Ministry’s move to hold 35,000 Bibles worth at least RM78,000 in the ports of Klang and Kuching has angered Christians in Malaysia.

They have lashed out at the federal government for what they see as a systematic move to deny their religious rights enshrined in the country’s highest law.(emphasis, mine)

The CFM, which represents 90 per cent of churches here, demanded yesterday that the government immediately release all Bibles detained.

In a statement today, Abim said it viewed seriously CFM’s claim that Najib had agreed to the unrestricted distribution of the Bibles in Sabah and Sarawak.

“Abim takes the view that freedom of religion should not overstep the provisions of the federal constitution where Islam is the official religion of the federation.”

The influential Muslim group also called for the dispute to be resolved through closed-door discussions between religious leaders and for parties involved not to apply undue pressure on the authorities due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

Muslim-majority Malaysia has a Christian community that makes up nearly 10 per cent of the 28 million population, with the biggest numbers based in Sarawak and Sabah, where the main language used by the Bumiputeras in churches is Bahasa Malaysia.

Because "WE" ARE STUPID- and Proud Of It, dammmit!!

Ya, Rabbi - what's wrong with these Arabs?
The Arabs are wondering what is wrong with the Malaysians- they have used "Allah" for 2000 years, and it caused no confusion. They're wondering why they cannot bring their scriptures into Malaysia, if it contains the word- "Allah".

Don't they see that these "Ketuanan" fellas are stupid and are definitely proud of it?
The Malaysian Home Ministry has "wisely" taken upon itself to guide Malaysians in a matter of "national security"- lest some "faithful" are stupid enough to think that the Bible in Malay might be the Quran (and vice versa)!!
The Home Ministry knows that Malaysians are stupid, and hence, need to be "protected" after all these years. The Home Ministry also believes that they hold the patent/copyright to the Arabic word "Allah".

Stupid being what stupid does, they do it "to avoid conflict", then cause a conflict which has to be controlled with laws which can get you arrested- even as you are thinking of responding to the conflict!! (very crever, eh?)

The "Ketuanan guys" are plain STUPID, and they are Bloody Proud of it, dammit!!
(And the rest of the Malaysians are stupider still, for voting them in repeatedly!!)
.... dat oso donno ah?

**Mark my words- very soon they make it a crime for anyone else to be stupid, as they'll make a law that prohibits the "non-tuans" (BN-putras excluded) from being stupid!
...... yeah- they'll get a patent for it.

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

“Something we cannot understand in the Arab world and the whole world is when Malaysia prohibits Malaysian Christians from using the name of Allah because we have used it for 2,000 years and until this moment, no one has stopped us.
“If we, the Arab Christians are using it in the heart of the Muslim and Arab world, then why can’t the Malaysian Christians use it?”

Arab Christians express concern about Malaysian Bible row

The Malaysian Insider
By Clara Chooi

March 14, 2011

PETALING JAYA, March 14 — The lengthy row over Bahasa Malaysia Bibles and the “Allah” controversy has sparked off international concern among the Arab Christian community, triggering them to urge the Najib administraton for a quick resolution to the issues.

Religious leaders from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), led by its president, Bishop Munib A. Younan, met with unity affairs minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon last Thursday, where both issues were discussed extensively.

Younan also urged Koh to initiate the release of the 35,000 Malay-language Bibles currently held by the government in two separate ports in the country.

In the discussion, Younan had also told Koh that the tussle over the word “Allah” between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities here has baffled the Christians of the Arab world who have been using the word for over 2,000 years.

“Something we cannot understand in the Arab world and the whole world is when Malaysia prohibits Malaysian Christians from using the name of Allah because we have used it for 2,000 years and until this moment, no one has stopped us.

“If we, the Arab Christians are using it in the heart of the Muslim and Arab world, then why can’t the Malaysian Christians use it?” Younan told reporters in Armada Hotel here yesterday.

Younan, who is also the bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), added that it would be good for Malaysia to show a pluralistic nature by allowing non-Muslims to use “Allah” in their prayers as the country’s constitution provided for religious freedom.

“It is not a challenge to others or a cause for confusion... on the contrary, every religion has the right to use the name of God in any way that they want,” he stressed.

In rejecting the government’s move to detain 35,000 Malay-language Bibles, Younan pointed out that the holy books merely promoted love and moral deeds.

“I said (to Koh) that it does not give a good indication to this whole issue. I think it is very important that people have their own Bibles and to read them because it is better to have the Bible than to have something else because the Bible teaches you love of God and your neighbour,” he reasoned.

Younan added that he had also expressed hope to Koh that the Malaysian government emulated the move by the Jordanian King in allocating 5,000 square metres of free land to churches to allow them to build their respective houses of worship.

“The King gave every church 5,000 square metres of land free on the baptism site along the River Jordan. My Lutheran Church received this precious land, we got a permit and duty-free and tax-free materials to build it.

“We hope Malaysia can follow in these footsteps because it is important to help complete this freedom of religion in Malaysia,” he said.

Younan claimed that upon hearing the views during the over two hour meet, Koh promised that he would raise the issues up with the administration.

“I spoke to him in my capacity as the LWF president and he promised to do something. He has received our message and we will continue to write each other on this,” he said.

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition founded in Sweden in 1947. It presently has 145 member churches in 79 countries across the globe, including four in Malaysia, and represents some 70 million Christians worldwide.

The Home Ministry has come under fire for its move to impound the Malay-language Bibles and is presently facing extreme pressure from the local Christian community and numerous political parties, including those in the Barisan Nasional (BN), to release the holy books.

Despite this, the ministry announced that it had passed the buck to the Attorney-General to decide, reasoning that the detention of the books had been due to the pending appeal over Catholic newspaper The Herald’s use of the word “Allah” in its publications.

............. MORE

Seizure of 35,000 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia – another example that Najib is not master in his own house and the hollowness of 1Malaysia? « Lim Kit Siang

Is the continued seizure of 35,000 copies of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia – 30,000 copies in Kuching Port and 5,000 copies in Port Klang – another example that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is not master of his own house and the hollowness of his 1Malaysia policy?

It is three days since the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has come out with a statement expressing that it is “greatly disillusioned, fed-up and angered by the repeated detention of Bibles written in our national language, Bahasa Malaysia”.

The CFM Chairman Bishop Ng Boon Hing and its executive committee in a joint statement on Thursday revealed the power of the “Little Napoleons” in the bureaucracy which could even thwart and veto the Prime Minister’s order for the release of the Christian scriptures in Bahasa Malaysia.

Why has there been no action by Najib to ensure that his order to release the 5,000 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia held in Port Klang since March 2009 are complied with without any more delay or hassle?

Instead, we have a Home Ministry official justifying the seizure of the Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia on the ground that it was based on a Cabinet decision made a quarter of a century ago in 1986.

-Seizure of 35,000 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia – another example that Najib is not master in his own house and the hollowness of 1Malaysia? « Lim Kit Siang

EPF- "Ini bukan duit bapak hang!"

"You EPF, you who take in our money —
you go and find people to build homes which are affordable.
You have the moral duty to so. It’s our bloody money.
Ini bukan duit bapak hang!"
- Datuk Sak

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

EPF should build affordable homes in Sungai Buloh

— Sakmongkol AK47

March 12, 2011

MARCH 12 — Here is the problem we have with EPF. Sometime ago, EPF who was given rights to develop the RRIM land in Sungai Buloh, handed it over to MRCB to manage. Or places it under custody of MRCB. It’s the left pocket transferring to the right pocket. This is a 3000 acre prime land located just outside Kuala Lumpur but will later form a portion within the Greater Kuala Lumpur.

What was MRCB’s Plans? The plan was for MRCB to either sell off the land or enters a JV with IJM. The CEO to be appointed was Mohd Lotfy Mohd Noh who was a director of MRCB. He is now, the CEO of Kwasa Land, a fully owned subsidiary of EPF.

The deal didn’t go through. Perhaps the terms of the JV or form of cooperation were not acceptable by IJM. Maybe some people were asking too much.

But MRCB can’t do it on its own? Whereas it boasts itself a “property development and investment company. The Group is one of the largest developers of residential, commercial and industrial properties in Malaysia. Our long-standing policy is to elevate quality and innovations in lieu with market needs, as well as bringing quality living to all customers.

It cannot develop the RRIM land that will yield new investments of RM 5 billion, yet it’s teaming up with Ekovest to become PDP for the River of Life Project. That’s RM 17 billion and you bet, it will be more. But it can’t do a project that will bring in RM 5 billion.

The development is expected to feature breathtaking landscape parks, green lungs, open spaces, walkways and water bodies,” one party familiar with the plans said. “The township will also incorporate full information technology and data infrastructure (MSC City Status) and complete urban transportation integration.”

You see these people up there — they are just paper tigers. They can’t do on their own. They talk big about building up Iskandar, and other land portfolio. In reality they are just doing things like any other RM 2 paid up capital Bumiputera developers are doing. Parner with a PDP. You have the resource given by the government. All you need to do is market it. Make deals. Then we don’t need people with degrees from Oxford and Cambridge. We need Gordon Gekko characters. Hell — the CEO at PASDEC Corp in Kuantan can do that.

So if MRCB which gloats itself as a first class property developer subcontracts the development of their property to contractors, what’s the difference between them and the ordinary Bumiputera resource owner? You are just a rent seeker as they who you despised.

I would like the PM to give assurance to whistle blowers out there, in pursuit of their civic duty and moved by public spirited values to be protected by law. In this way, whistle blowers will come out to bare all the shenanigans and corporate legerdemains carried out by corporate chieftains in our GLCs. The MACC should go investigate all deals done by heads of our GLCs. Start with Khazanah, TNB, PETRONAS, Maybank, MRCB, etc etc. investigate the whole lot!

Back to MRCB. When the deal didn’t go through, what to do with the land? EPF and MRCB do not have any Project Delivery Partner. If not, IJM Corporation would have been proudly announced as the PDP of the Sungai Buloh RRIM Land. Wow.

Ok, the bosses at EPF say — bring back the land to EPF portfolio. IJM doesn’t want we can find other ways. You Lotfy, come and head our Kwasa Land. You parcel the land into smaller sizes and partner up with selected PDPs. Damn — maybe we can milk more babe! So you have it — EPF forms a wholly owned subsidiary to manage the development of the RRIM land. Its CEO is Moh Lotfy MOhd Noh the underling assigned and receiving instructions from Shahril Redzuan of EPF who wants to become chairman of EPF — if Nor Mohamad Yakob is in time to appoint.

But here is a bigger issue. EPF takes in deposits from workers and employees. There are presently around 11 million depositors or pencarum. 10 million or so earn salaries below or up to RM 3000 pcm. These are the ones targeted by the PM to own their first homes though 100 per cent financing. I have written this as a step to relieve pressure in the property loan industry. It’s a measure to prevent a subprime crisis by using loans to first house owners as a cushion when the big loan defaulters come crushing down. Yes those who financed purchases of 2nd, 3rd or even their Nth homes. These are the potential subprime borrowers.

So why doesn’t EPF come out in full support of the PM? It gets its money from employees most of whom fall under the category of RM 3000 and below income earners. Why doesn’t it go into home construction? Make homes that are affordable to the majority of the depositors. Leave the building of super homes whose ‘super’ element is the astronomical price to private developers. The private developers, if they want to build castles in the air, who cares.

You EPF, you who take in our money — you go and find people to build homes which are affordable. You have the moral duty to so. It’s our bloody money. Ini bukan duit bapak hang!

You ask your people to go learn how the Singapore government carries out housing scheme under the HDB. Or if you are paranoid and xenophobic about learning anything from that little red dot, go learn from Greater London Council on how they go about doing their council homes. You like it don’t you- eating fish and chips from that Times newspaper. Or is it Page 3 of the Sun?

* Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz.

He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).