Sunday, 19 October 2008

Now Does Our World Descend...

..................................

..................................
by E. E. Cummings

Now does our world descend
The path to nothingness
(cruel now cancels kind;
friends turn to enemies)
Therefore lament,my dream
and don a doer's doom

Create is now contrive;
Imagined,merely know
(freedom:what makes a slave)
Therefore,my life,lie down
And more by most endure
All that you never were

Hide,poor dishonoured mind
Who thought yourself so wise;
And much could understand
Concerning no and yes:
If they've become the same
It's time you unbecame

Where climbing was and bright
Is darkness and to fall
(now wrong's the only right
since brave are cowards all)
Therefore despair,my heart
And die into the dirt

But from this endless end
Of briefer each our bliss--
Where seeing eyes go blind
(where lips forget to kiss)
There everything's nothing
-- Arise,my soul;and sing

Thursday, 16 October 2008

Do Not Question "The Social Contract of The Federal Constitution"!! Do Question That of the "Pirates"!

A press statement released by the Conference of Rulers stated that:-
"It has to be emphasised that
each provision in the
Federal Constitution

has undergone the process of discussion, consideration, consultancy, sacrifice and compromise of the highest degree for what has been championed, discussed, considered, benefited from as well as agreed to by all quarters concerned, until the realisation of the
provisions in the Federal Constitution

which are "known as" the Social Contract.
"

Some may have been disappointed with the above.
Obviously, the racists and pirates would twist the words and
use it to propagate their fascist and pirate ideas,
so as to legitimize their actions.

"Known as" is the catch phrase here
- known to whom?
To those who drafted the Constitution pre-1957 or post 1963?
To the political parties who participated in the drafting?
To the post May 13, 1969 "unity Govt"/ "shotgun marriage" under Tun Razak?
Mahathir? Umno? MIC? MCA? BN?
Pakatan Rakyat? Bumiputras? All Malaysians?
Or Constitutional Experts?

If all parties agree with each other today on the "interpretation" of the Federal Constitution as a whole, with no dispute,
then "what is known as the Social Contract" is definitely acceptable.

What we have though, is a government that insists that
it is the only party that has the right to define
and amend the constitution as it sees fit
- and that is what the "Social Contract" is!
Look at what they have done - The judiciary is a mess.
And now, we have Zaki from UMNO - a JUNIOR judge,
fasttracked to become the the CJM!

The way I see it, this statement
REAFFIRMS that
The FEDERAL CONSTITUTION AS A WHOLE IS THE SOCIAL CONTRACT!
You UPHOLD THE SOCIAL CONTRACT,
If you ABIDE by the FEDERAL CONSTITUTION!

As a patriotic Malaysian, I'm all for that statement - Daulat Tuanku!

Nowhere in the statement,
does it state that the ISA, UUCA, PPPA, NEP,
"legalised subversion", twisted racists' interpretations/
manipulation, calling others "pendatang", creating ethnic divide, race politics,
subtle religious persecutions, religious bigotry, hate politics,
Kris waving, "Chinese" bloodlust, threats of May 13,
subtle death threats in Malay MSM in the form of "cerpen",
socio-economic apartheid, economic sabotage of opposition ruled states,
gerrymandering in elections
or the 600+ amendments to the constitution
is part of what is known as the
"Social Contract of the Federal Constitution".

Who's "questioning" and subverting
the Social Contract of the Federal Constitution, now?

So far, the Pakatan Rakyat has never sought to subvert,
but only to UPHOLD the Constitution.
They have only questioned the racists'/ bigots' interpretation
and subversion of the Spirit of the Social Contract
enshrined in the Federal Constitution!!

You do not have the luxury to pick and choose parts of it,
so as to twist its meaning and subvert the spirit in which it was drafted.

We the people call upon our Federal Goverment to
Uphold The Supremacy of
The Federal Constitution!
It is what the Rulers
and the people demand!!!

THAT IS NOT
"Questioning the Social Contract"!!!!
................................................................

The Following Is the press statement published in TheMalaysianInsider under the Heading -

Rulers: Do not question social contract

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 16 - The 215th meeting of the Conference of Rulers, held at the Istana Maziah here, today issued a special press statement on several matters enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Following is the press statement in full issued by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Engku Tan Sri Ibrahim Engku Ngah. :

"Press Statement issued by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal on the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers regarding the special privileges, position, eminence or greatness of the Malay Rulers, Islam, Malay as the national language, the special position of the Malays, and genuine interests of the other communities in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

"The Malay Rulers who attended the meeting of the Conference of Rulers conferred on the issuing of this special joint press statement today.

"The Malay Rulers hold the constitutional role to safeguard the special privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay Rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the National Language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia.

"The actions of certain quarters in disputing and questioning these matters, which formed the primary basis for the formation of Malaysia and are enshrined in the Federal Constitution, had caused provocation and uneasiness among the people.

In retaliation, several quarters particularly Malay leaders whether in the government or non-governmental organisations as well as individuals had expressed their dissatisfaction and anger against those who had made the statements and reports and organised the forums.

"Among the reasons identified for these to have occurred is the cursory knowledge of those concerned regarding the historical background as to why these provisions were enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the influence of their attempts to implicate the principles of impartiality and justice without regard for the historical background and social condition of this country.

Narrow political interests are also a cause.

"Unless this phenomenon is arrested immediately, it can lead to disunity and racial strife that can undermine the peace and harmony which has all this while brought progress, development and success to the nation.

"As such, it is necessary for the Conference of Rulers to emphasise and remind all quarters of these constitutional provisions besides giving emphasis to the assurance of safeguarding the genuine rights of other communities.

It has to be emphasised that each provision in the Federal Constitution has undergone the process of discussion, consideration, consultancy, sacrifice and compromise of the highest degree for what has been championed, discussed, considered, benefited from as well as agreed to by all quarters concerned, until the realisation of the provisions in the Federal Constitution which are known as the Social Contract.

It is not proper to dispute and question this Social Contract and more so to subject it to a review or change because it is the primary basis of the formation of Malaysia.

Therefore, it is appropriate for the Malay Rulers to remind that there should never be any attempt ever to test and challenge issues related to the Social Contract.

"Truly, the leaders of the pre-independence era were insightful - far-sighted. They brought along with them the Malay Rulers for the negotiations to claim independence.

The Institution of the Rulers was retained and legally enshrined in the constitution of an independent Malaysia.

The Institution of the Rulers was accorded eminence, was positioned at the apex of Government, as the head of the country and the states, as a protective umbrella, ensuring impartiality among the citizens.

The Institution of Rulers takes on the role of being a check-and-balance factor to untangle complications, if any.

"The Conference of Rulers also calls on the Malays to be united to safeguard the privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay Rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the national language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

It has to be emphasised that this agenda is more important and foremost than political or factional interests.

"Non-Malays should not harbour any apprehension or worry over their genuine rights because these rights are guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and provisions of the state constitutions of Malaysia contained in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

"It is hoped that with this emphasis, all confusion among the people regarding these matters can be contained and an atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual respect can continue to exist among the people for the maintenance of order in the country."

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, attended the meeting today.

His Majesty was accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The two-day meeting, which ended today, was chaired by the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

All the Rulers and Yang Dipertuas Negeri attended the meeting except the Rulers of Pahang, Johor, Terengganu, Perlis and Negeri Sembilan.

The Sultan of Pahang was represented by the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Mahkota Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah; the Sultan of Johor by the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Sultan Iskandar; the Sultan of Terengganu by the President of the Regency Advisory Council Raja Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman Sultan Mahmud.

The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan by the Regent of Negeri Sembilan, Tunku Naquiyuddin Ibni Tuanku Ja'afar; and the Raja of Perlis by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

Also present were the menteris besar and chief ministers except the Sarawak chief minister who was represented by State Planning and Resource Management Minister II Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Engku Tan Sri Ibrahim Engku Ngah, said matters related to defence, security, the national economy, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong scholarships, and proposals on the appointment of the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judge of Malaya were discussed at the meeting. - Bernama

Define "screwed" ......

Ex-Umno lawyer is new CJ

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 – Tan Sri Zaki Azmi will be elevated to the post of Chief Justice of the Federal Court in what will certainly be a controversial appointment because of his former ties with Umno.

Zaki was for many years the legal counsel for Umno and had also served on the party's Disciplinary Committee.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the Rulers Conference meeting in Kuala Terengganu has consented to the appointment.

Zaki replaces Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamed who retires tomorrow. His elevation comes just one year after his controversial appointment as a Federal Court judge.

He has the distinction of being the first ever person elevated directly from the Bar to the Federal Court. Soon after his appointment to the Federal Court, he was made President of the Court of Appeal.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang was among those who urged the government against considering Zaki for the Chief Justice position, pointing out that it would herald another judicial crisis because of his close association with Umno.

The appointment of the Chief Justice is made through the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice to the Prime Minister. The PM in turn advises the Conference of Rulers on the appointment.

Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff and Federal Court judge Datuk Ariffin Zakaria were reportedly among those being considered for the job.

- TheMalaysianInsider

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Chief Justice of Malaysia will be Federal Court Justice Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi.

Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi

According to sources, the Conference of Rulers, which met this week, had agreed to Zaki’s appointment as head of the judiciary.

Current Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamed, who was given a six-month extension in April, retires Friday.

Sources also said that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff would move up the judicial ladder to the No 2 position of Court of Appeal President, replacing Zaki.

It is understood that Federal Court Justice Arifin Zakaria would be elevated to Chief Judge of Malaya, the third highest postion, but it could not be confirmed.

Arifin is currently the most senior of the remaining Federal Court judges (www.kehakiman.gov.my).

Under Article 122B (1) of the Federal Constitution, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judges “shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, after consulting the Conference of Rulers.”

Zaki, 63, who is currently the President of the Court of Appeal, made history on Sept 5 last year when he was appointed directly to the Federal Court from the legal profession.

The son of former Lord President Tun Azmi Mohamed (1966-1974), Zaki was promoted in December to President, the No 2 post in the judiciary.

Born on Sept 12, 1945, in Alor Star, Zaki studied at Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid in Alor Setar, Anderson School in Ipoh and the English College in Johor Baru.

Called to the English Bar in 1969 and a member of the Lincoln’s Inn, Zaki served in various capacities in the Legal and Judicial Services before being called to the Malaysian Bar in December 1983.

As senior federal counsel from 1976 to 1984, the father of four boys was in charge of all legal matters relating to the Home Affairs Ministry, matters affecting the National Security Council and the Refugee Unit.

Married to Puan Sri Nik Sazlina Mohd Zain, he also served on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the police force in 2004.

In his time in private practice, Zaki served among others as the Abandoned Housing Project Scheme and National Sports Council adviser.

He also served as Umno disciplinary (technical) committee chairman, Umno selection committee secretary, and was a member of Umno’s disciplinary board appeal panel.

Before his appointment to the Federal Court last year, Zaki had resigned from all his corporate directorships and memberships but his former connection to Umno has been raised numerous times by some groups who worry about his possible impartiality.

A petition was submitted to the King on Sept 15 requesting Zaki not be elevated as Chief Justice.

By convention, the President of the Court of the Court of Appeal is generally elevated to head the judiciary.

The new Court of Appeal President, Alauddin, was born in Kulim, Kedah, on Aug 7, 1946. He left for Britain in 1967 to read law at the Inner Temple in London.

He worked his way to the second highest position in the judiciary by starting at the “bottom.”

He spent 18 years (1971-1989) in the Judicial and Legal Services, of which the first six were as a magistrate or Sessions Court judge in five states. The remaining years were largely in the legal service until his appointment as Judicial Commissioner in 1992.

He served three years as a High Court judge before his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2001 and then to the Federal Court in 2001.

Alauddin, 62, and his wife Datin Munirah Abdul Rahman have two daughters and a son.

The new Chief Judge of Malaya, Arifin, who turned 58 on Oct 1, was born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

He attended primary school in Repek and Gual Periok and later the Sekolah Sultan Ibrahim, followed by the Sultan Ismail College, in Kota Baru.

In 1971, he left to study law at Sheffield University in Britain where he obtained an LLB (Hons) in 1974. In 1978, he obtained a master’s degree at University College, London, and was admitted to Lincoln’s Inn in 1979.

Arifin joined the judicial and legal service on his return to Malaysia in 1974. Among the posts he has held were Federal Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers, assistant and deputy parliamentary draftsman and state legal adviser of Malacca and Perak.

Arifin, who is married to Datin Robiah Abd Kadir and has five children with her, was appointed to the High Court in 1994 and elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2002 and the Federal Court in 2005.

- TheStarOnline

Is this "Incitement"?

The following is a fiction (taken from YB Lim Kit Siang's blog) which depicts an assasination on a lady YB that has been accused of being anti-Malay/Islam despite evidence to the contrary.To me, despite it being a fiction, it is very suggestive in nature (almost incitement) - and as such calls one to question the intention of the Editor of the mentioned tabloid/weekly, in publishing it.
One commenter (on YB Lim's blog) definitely thought so .... but in a true blue Malaysian mindset urged the use of ISA (probably just sarcasm, though).

abunsui
Says: Yesterday at 23: 33.52
Penulisan begini tidak sepatunya keluar di dalam akhbar. Ianya merupakan HASUTAN secara sangat halus. Apa pun bentuk hasutan : hasutan halus, hasutan keras, hasutan tersirat sama sahaja = HASUTAN. Watak dan jalan cerita pun ada kena mengena dengan seseorang yang masih YB masa kini. Hasutan di sini menggalakan ORANG Melayu (”anak muda”) jadi pembunuh seperti dan “membunuh YB J”. Umpama : “IT LOOK LIKE ME BUT I CANNOT CONFIRM THAT IS ME”
Correct , correct, Correct. Cerpen begini SANGAT BAHAYA. Fikir-fikirkanlah. The Police should investigate and arrest the WRITER and the NEWS PAPER EDITOR and may be PUT under ISA.

Mingguan Malaysia
12.10.08
Politik baru YB J
Sastera
CERPEN
Oleh Chamil Wariya

PAGI itu resah YB Josephine, yang lebih mesra dengan panggilan YB J sukar dikawal. Sepanjang perjalanan menuju ke Dewan Perhimpunan Warga Cha di ibu kota, fikirannya terganggu. Tuduhan bahawa dia anti-Islam dan anti-Melayu sungguh-sungguh menghantui perasaannya sejak malam tadi lagi. Entah mengapa baru sekarang dia begitu, dia sendiri tidak tahu. Dia juga tidak pasti sama ada pemandunya, Ahmad, menyedari gelora jiwanya ketika itu. Kalau dia tahu pun, peduli apa, YB Josephine berbisik sendirian.

Pemandu itu memang sedia maklum pendirian politiknya tentang kepentingan kaumnya vis a vis orang Melayu. Dan dia tahu Ahmad menghormati pendiriannya, walaupun dilihat anti- Melayu, anti-Islam sebagai hak asasi tinggal dalam sebuah negara demokrasi. Bukankah kebebasan asasi itu dijamin oleh Perkara 5 hingga Perkara 13 Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Tetapi YB J akui demokrasi ada yang tidak sempurna dan kerap disalahgunakan oleh pihak yang berkuasa. Tetapi hakikat itu tidak menghalang rakyat menempatkan pembangkang di Dewan Rakyat. YB Josephine adalah salah seorang daripadanya.

Ah, tudahan dia anti-Islam, anti-Melayu tuduhan yang melulu bentak YB J seolah-olah mahu menyedapkan dirinya.. Ia juga tuduhan yang tidak berasas, hati kecilnya bersuara lagi. Dia meyakinkan dirinya bahawa kenyataankenyataan yang dibuatnya atas nama pelbagai kaum untuk memperjuangkan kepentingan kaumnya, bukan sesuatu yang rasis. Amensty International, organisasi hak asasi antarabangsa akan menyetujuinya. Begitu juga dengan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu. Ketua Pembangkang, di Parlimen pun tidak pernah menganggapnya rasis. Yang menganggapnya rasis hanya orang Melayu di dalam Parti Orang Melayu (POM).

“Aku juga bukan anti-Islam. Aku bukan anti Melayu,” pujuk hati YB J yang sudah dua penggal bergelar YB itu, mewakili Parti Bertindak Rakyat. Parti itu dianggotainya sejak berada di kampus lagi, walaupun Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti melarang para siswa membabitkan diri secara langsung dalam mana-mana organisasi siasah. Lagi pun penguatkuasaan undang-undang itu sekadar melepas batuk di tangga. Lebih dari itu, ia adalah satu lagi undang-undang lapuk, kata YB J.

Kata hatinya lagi: “Aku sekadar memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum aku, sama seperti pemimpin Melayu dalam POM memperjuangkan kepentingan bangsanya, sama seperti pemimpin Parti Orang Islam (POI) berjuang untuk bangsa menggunakan wajah Islamnya.”

Malah YB J berasakan kelantangannya memperjuangkan kepentingan kaumnya itulah yang telah membantunya menang kali kedua kerusi Parlimennya. Kali ini dengan majoriti yang lebih besar lagi. Apa yang membanggakan dia adalah perjuangan yang dianggap anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam itu kini turut disokong pengundi-pengundi Melayu di kawasan pilihan rayanya itu. Pada mulanya dia sendiri terkejut apabila dimaklumkan sebahagian besar pengundi Melayu yang merupakan 20 peratus keseluruhan pemilihan berdaftar dalam kawasan Parlimen Alam Maya telah memangkahnya.

Ini satu perkembangan luar biasa. Tidak mungkin mereka menyokong aku, bisik hatinya. Tetapi apabila dimaklumkan oleh para pekerja parti bahawa pengundi Melayu di semua peti undi telah beralih arah mendokongnya, dia menerimanya dengan fikiran terbuka. Baguslah kalau orang Melayu menerima perjuangan Malaysia Barunya.

Tidak puas hati bermonolog dengan perasaannya, YB J secara spontan berpaling kepada Ahmad, pemandunya yang sejak tadi tekun dengan tugasnya.

“Kamu fakir saya anti-Islam, anti-Melayu?”

Pertanyaan

Ahmad yang sudah menghampiri usia bersara itu tidak menjawab, seolah-olah dia tidak mendengar pertanyaan itu. Matanya tertumpu ke jalan raya. Tugasnya adalah untuk mempastikan YB J selamat ke majlis yang ingin dihadirinya. Dan tiba tepat pada waktunya. Majlis itu penting kerana YB J akan mengadakan dialog dengan generasi muda seketurunan dengannya yang belajar di luar negara tetapi kebetulan berada di tanah air kerana bercuti. Ahmad sendiri tidak pasti sama ada pelajar yang pernah mempersendakan lagu Negara Ku sewaktu menuntut di sebuah universiti di Seberang Laut turut berada dalam kelompok itu. Kalau pun ada, pemandu YB J tidak ambil pusing. Budak itu memang kurang ajar. Ada ke patut Malaysia dianggap sebagai Negara Kuku (ejaan Inggerisnya cuckoo) yang bermaksud gila. Dan kreativiti digunakan untuk menghalalkan perbuatan biadapnya itu. Cuma Ahmad berfikir kalau semua orang dibiarkan menghina lagu Kebangsaan dengan lirik yang memperlekehkan kehidupan orang Islam, dan atas nama kreativiti, maka kesannya terhadap perhubungan kaum adalah negatif.

Ahmad tidak tahu apakah yang sebenarnya mengganggu bosnya itu sejak dari tadi lagi. Dia jarang begitu. Ahmad dapat mengesan YB J lain macam sahaja pagi itu. Dia dapat membaca keresahan dan kegelisahan YB J. Seolah-olah ada sesuatu yang tidak kena walaupun apa yang sebenarnya berkocak di dalam diri YB J dia tidak pasti. Sepanjang ingatan Ahmad, YB J juga tidak pernah berbual dengannya tentang politik, apa lagi tentang isu-isu semasa - kecuali memberi arahan yang ada kaitan dengan perjalanan atau jadual kerja. YB J juga tidak bertanya sama ada dia mengundi pom atau parti apa pada pilihan raya yang lalu.

Lazimnya, sepanjang perjalanan, baik ke pejabat atau majlis-majlis rasmi dan tidak rasmi yang lain, YB J akan menghabiskan masa membaca akhbar atau membelek-belek fail. Tetapi pagi itu YB J lain macam sahaja. Dia kelihatan resah. Gelisah. Fikirannya juga seolah-olah tidak menentu. Apa yang dibuat serba tak kena. Sekejap dia membelek ucapan utama yang akan disampaikan sebentar lagi menghuraikan gagasan Politik Baru Malaysia Baru yang dipeloporinya. Sekejap dia membelek akhbar-akhbar yang memang menemani YB J ke mana juga dia pergi.

Ahmad cuba mencongak mungkin keresahan YB J ada kaitan dengan suhu politik negara sedang panas ketika itu. Bahangnya terasa di mana-mana. POM sendiri sedang menghadapi pergolakan yang hebat berkait dengan kepimpinannya. Pertarungan kepentingan puak-puak di dalam parti sedang mengambil tempatnya. Kalaulah tidak kerana kedudukan politik kerajaan agak lemah selepas kehilangan majoriti dua pertiga, sudah lama Operasi Lalang, seperti yang pernah dibuat pada 1987, dilaksanakan, agaknya. Mungkin juga tidak kerana di bawah kepimpinan sekarang, kerajaan mengambil sikap yang lebih liberal terhadap para pengkritiknya.

Ahmad juga terfikir mungkin perasaan YB J terganggu dengan tindakan kalangan yang tidak diketahui siapa mereka melempar bom petrol ke rumah keluarga ahli Parlimen Sepohon Beringin, Su Lan. Barangkali, fikir Ahmad, YB J, bimbang kejadian yang sama boleh menimpa diri atau keluarganya.

Mana tahu selepas keluarga Su Lan, bosnya YB J pula yang menjadi mangsa. Dan yang dilempar itu bom betul-betul. Meletup pula. Tidakkah nahas YB J. Sekonyong-konyong Ahmad terbayang kejadian letupan bom berani mati yang berlaku di Damsyik, Syria yang ditonton menerusi Buletin Utama di TV3 beberapa hari lalu. Kalau kejadian yang sudah menghiasi kehidupan harian di Iraq, Israel, Tebing Barat, Gaza atau Afghanistan itu menular di negara ini, alangkah malangnya bumi bertuah ini. Minta disimpang malaikat 44, Ahmad berkata sendirian di dalam hatinya.

Tetapi fikir Ahmad, amaran kalau tidak diendahkan berbahaya. Dia teringat apa yang diceritakan berlaku pada 13 Mei 1969. Bapanya menceritakan dalam tragedi selepas pilihan raya umum pada 10 Mei itu, orang Cina dan Melayu berbunuh-bunuhan. Perjuangan yang mahu menafikan hak-hak istimewa orang Melayu dan kaum bumiputera lain yang dijamin oleh Perlembagaan Persekutuan, tidak dapat diterima oleh mereka. Kata-kata kesat dan menghina orang Melayu oleh para penyokong parti-parti pembangkang sewaktu berarak meraikan kemenangan besar di Kuala Lumpur dan bandar-bandar utama lain pada pilihan raya 1969 itu tidak dapat ditelan oleh orang Melayu. Parang yang terbiar tumpul selama ini diasah tajam. Dalam keadaan itu tercetuslah pergaduhan yang dahsyat menyebabkan Parlimen digantung dan pemerintahan darurat diisytiharkan. Negara diletakkan di bawah perintah berkurung. Ahmad sendiri belum lahir ketika itu. Tidak lama selepas itu, peralihan kuasa berlaku daripada Tunku Abdul Rahman kepada timbalannya, Tun Abdul Razak.

“Mat, saya ni anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam ke?,” YB J secara mendadak mengulang semula pertanyaannya apabila tiada jawapan daripada pemandunya.

Ahmad, yang sejak tadi membisu seribu bahasa selamba menjawab: “Mungkin tidak YB.” Dia memberi jawapan berlapik. Maksudnya: Mungkin tidak, mungkin ya bergantung pada mata yang menilai.

“Apa maksud kamu mungkin tidak.”

” Ini soal persepsi YB. Persepsinya begitulah. Hakikatnya YB tidak membenci Melayu tidak juga membenci Islam. YB sekadar memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum YB. Tidak salah YB berbuat demikian. Kalau YB tidak memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum YB sendiri, siapa lagi. Tetapi cara YB itu barangkali disalahertikannya.”

“Maksud kamu?” Tanya YB J yang masih belum jelas lagi.

Bergantung

“Yalah, ia bergantung pada mata yang memandang. Bukan sahaja di kalangan orang Melayu, tetapi di kalangan bukan Melayu. YB kena ingat di kalangan bukan Melayu pun bukan semuanya menerima politik baru Malaysia baru YB. Kalau tidak masakan parti satu kaum seperti Parti Orang Cina (POC) masih boleh bertahan.”

“Apa maksud kamu. Saya tidak begitu jelas?”

“Yalah bagi YB perjuangan YB adalah pelbagai kaum. Tetapi dalam tindak tanduk, perjuangan pelbagai kaum YB itu tidak tertonjol. YB mahu menghapuskan tulisan jawi dan ganti dengan tulisan Cina . Bagi mereka itu bukan perjuangan pelbagai kaum. Ia perjuangan satu kaum. Kalau benar pelbagai kaum, YB patut mempertahankan tulisan jawi.” Ahmad memberanikan diri untuk memberikan pandangannya.

Mengesan bosnya ingin mendengar pandangannya lagi, Ahmad berkata: “Patutnya kalau YB benar-benar ingin menjadi pejuang pelbagai kaum, kepentingan orang Melayu jangan diketepikan sewaktu mengetengahkan kepentingan kaum Cina. YB perjuangkan kepentingan kedua-duanya sekali. Penerimaannya saya pasti berbeza. YB akan dilihat sebagai mahu menjaga kepentingan kaum YB, tetapi pada waktu yang sama tidak menafikan hak orang Melayu.”

Itu perjuangan POM dan POC, dengus YB J di dalam hatinya. Bosan aku dengan Si Ahmad ini, dia berkata sendirian. Aku penganjur politik baru dan tidak mahu terikat dengan kerangka politik lama, katanya lagi kepada dirinya.

Perbualan YB J dengan pemandunya habis di situ sahaja. Dia tidak mahu lagi mendengar pandangan karut pemandunya. Dia mahu terus melayan perasaan: Aku percaya pada Politik Baru Malaysia Baru, tegas YB J pada dirinya. Setiap warganegara, tanpa mengira apa keturunan mereka patut diberi hak yang sama mengikut undang-undang. Tidak ada bangsa yang patut diberi layanan istimewa. Tidak ada warga yang patut diberi darjat atau kelas kedua. Kita semua orang Malaysia.

YB J enggan melayan Ahmad lagi. Sebaliknya, dia membelek akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang secara rasmi diboikot oleh partinya. Perhatiannya tertumpu pada artikel berjudul Jangan Padam Rekod Negara yang ditulis oleh seorang generasi muda Cina yang menolak tesis politik baru Malaysia baru.

Ah, satu lagi propaganda yang memperlekehkan kaum aku, dengus hati YB J. Jangan-

jangan yang menulis artikel ini orang Melayu. Mereka masih menganggap kaum aku sebagai berketurunan pendatang. Tidak guna punya generasi baru. Dengus YB J. Bisik hatinya lagi: Betullah dulu nenek moyang aku berhijrah ke bumi bertuah ini untuk mencari kekayaan, membebaskan diri mereka daripada kemiskinan dan keperitan hidup di China. Itu dulu. Generasi Cina sekarang sudah menjadi warganegara Malaysia dan mereka hendaklah dilayan seperti warganegara Malaysia..

Dikejutkan

Sedang YB J asyik dengan lamunannya, dia dikejutkan dengan suara pemandunya yang memaklumkan, “Kita sudah sampai YB.”

Menunggu dia di luar ialah para penganjur dialog yang bakal berlangsung. Salah seorang daripada mereka membuka pintu kereta YB J, bersalaman dengannya dan memperkenalkannya dengan ahli jawatankuasa penganjur yang lain. Diiringi oleh mereka, YB J dibawa ke pentas. Menurut kiraannya ada 500 orang di dalam dewan pagi itu. Dia bangga dengan kehadiran begitu ramai anak bangsanya yang ingin bertemu dengannya. Apa yang lebih membanggakan YB J ialah mereka belajar luar negara dengan biayai sendiri, bukannya bantuan kerajaan.

Selepas ucapan-ucapan aluan oleh pengerusi penganjur selesai, YB J dijemput untuk memberi ucapannya. Inilah detik-detik yang ditunggu-tunggu oleh YB J. Gagasan politik baru Malaysia barunya akan dihebahkan kepada dunia bebas. Dia teringat buku Kee Thuan Chye yang berjudul 8 Mac The Day Malaysian Woke Up. Momentum rakyat Malaysia atau lebih tepat lagi warga bukan Melayu Malaysia yang sudah jaga dari lena itu mesti ditingkatkan. Pagi itu dia berazam untuk berbuat demikian.

Tetapi tanpa diketahui oleh YB J, di kalangan 500 orang generasi muda yang hadir pada pagi itu ada yang tidak setuju dengan pandangan politiknya itu. Salah seorang daripada mereka berazam untuk membetulkan penyimpangan politik YB J dengan caranya yang tersendiri.

Apabila YB J bangun untuk menuju ke rostrum ucapan, seorang anak muda dari belakang pentas berjalan tenang menuju ke arahnya. YB J tersenyum kepadanya. Dia menyangka anak muda seketurunan dengannya ingin mengiringinya ke rostrum atau bersalaman dengannya.

YB J menghulurkan tangan. Tiba-tiba YB J tergaman dan berdiri kaku. Dia tidak percaya dengan apa yang dilihatnya. Tergenggam erat pada tangan anak muda yang seolah-olah mahu membalas salam tangan yang dihulur itu ialah sepucuk pistol jenis Revolver yang betul-betul diajukan ke arah dada YB J.

Tanpa berkata apa-apa, anak muda itu melepaskan beberapa das tembakan. Salah satu daripadanya tepat mengenai jantung YB J. Dia rebah ke lantai.

Para hadirin menjadi panik. Mereka yang berada di atas pentas turut tergamam melihat apa yang berlaku. Kejadian menjadi hiruk-pikuk dan tidak terkawal. Pihak penganjur yang tidak menduga kejadian malang itu berlaku, tidak tahu berbuat apa-apa. Beberapa orang anggota polis berpakaian preman yang menjadi tetamu yang tidak diundang dalam majlis itu, meluru ke arah pentas. Rakan-rakan mereka yang berpakaian seragam yang berkawal di luar juga bergegas masuk ke dewan.

Tetapi belum sempat mereka berbuat apa-apa, kedengaran beberapa das tembakan lagi. Kali ini yang rebah adalah anak muda itu sendiri.

Apabila pihak polis tiba di tempat kejadian, kedua-dua mereka - YB J dan anak muda yang berpakaian kemas itu, sudah tidak lagi bernyawa.

Sewaktu pemeriksaan dibuat ke atas mayat anak muda yang tidak dikenali itu, terselit sehelai nota yang ditaip rapi, ditulis dalam bahasa Kebangsaan.

Ia berbunyi: YB Josephine adalah ancaman terhadap keharmonian. Lebih baik riwayatnya ditamatkan supaya masyarakat berbilang kaum boleh tinggal aman damai di negara bertuah ini. Saya berkorban untuk masa depan.


YB Lim Kit Siang Said:

(I lambasted Mingguan Malaysia and Datuk Chamil Wariya for this irresponsible piece of literary licence for inciting the killing of Teresa Kok during my budget speech in Parliament today.

(I asked what would be the reaction of UMNO and BN MPs if the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister had been similarly targetted like Teresa in a cerpen like in Chamil’s irresponsible short story.)

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Strong Government, or Good Governance?

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"A weak Government would not be able to deal with the quarrelling between the races, which is the natural tendency of most multiracial societies. Indeed in some multiracial countries violence and fighting are common. Witness the countries around us."
- Dr. Mahathir, CheDet.com

"You definitely wouldn't desire a harmonious state, where the government is controlled by the people who are confident of themselves.
In fact, you would prefer "strong government" that requires repressive laws to control an irrational and emotional people prone to "perceived insecurities", as a result of "fear mongering"."

- Reply to TDM's Criticism on CheDet.com

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

Dear Tun,
Once again you speak of a “strong Government”, which you believe in.
Accordingly, I would like to comment on it, just as I did previously (even if you don't read it).

As you can see, from the comments on MT, there aren't many who would oppose the idea of a strong Govt for the sake of stability. (The comments on CheDet.com however, would of course would shower you with accolades even if you said that the tooth fairy exists)
While everybody in his right mind would love a “strong government” that provides proper leadership with sound judgment, not many will agree with your definition of a strong government.
There is a flaw in your argument, dear sir..... as flawed as the “strong opposition” in your previous entry on this matter.

You claim that “In a single ethnic country it does not matter if the Government is weak because...” does not hold water – would you say that of the many third world/ 'Islamic' despotic regimes or countries like Italy?
Probably not.
How about India?
It is a sub-continent, with in actual fact, many races/ “nationalities”/ religions to begin with.
It embraces pluralism and practices a secular constitution. Governance is complicated, but is a challenge which politicians have risen to.
Its successive governments have been “weak” (as per your definition), but have had sterling economic performance since they opted for it, as opposed to the “strong governments” of semi-fascist, isolationist Indira Gandhi's Congress rule which was impoverished, had a government controlled economy, an enslaved media & civil service, suffered economic malaise, endemic corruption and frequent unreported conflicts.
With this “weak government” with and a liberalized economy though, private enterprise is healthy, the economy is resilient, the country is in relative peace and the living standards have dramatically improved.

From the article you wrote, it appeared to me that what you advocate is a “powerful government” with "strong arm leadership", and not exactly a “strong government”.
A "powerful government" is able to keep the peace with “strong arm tactics” like barbaric laws and subservients instruments of state, while a truly “strong government” is able to convince the electorate of their credibility despite not having a majority.
A strong government is one that would dare to transcend partisan politics in order to safeguard the rule of law - whereas, a government that that demands power to rule, would seek to rule by intimidation.
While they can be both (powerful & strong or vice versa), they are rarely so, dear Tun.
You cannot always equate the two.
Likewise a strong leadership does not necessarily translate into good governance.

If you were to look at our politics (your politics, actually), the definition of a strong govt is "strong arm Govt" as a result of the state sanctioned corruption that's required, in order to perpetuate the agenda of greed. It means unquestioning obedience - right or wrong.
The 58% majority would be considered a "landslide", in a healthy democracy with strong institutions of state that provide adequate checks & balances. This however, is not be in a state run under the ideology of "Ketuanan Melayu" using NEP as a pretext for robbing the nation's wealth, where the subversion of the rule of law is a prerequisite for being a strong Govt (as under your rule). It is for this very reason that “powerful governments" have high stakes in the economy/ “private enterprise”.

This government (you propose and we had) has been inextricably linked to, and controls all sectors of the economy and institutions. As such, it is vulnerable when the economy suffers due to external influences. The economy/people would also suffer when the government has poor leadership, when the pie shrinks or there is a prospect of change in government. This is far from what one might call a “strong government” - the evidence can be seen from the economy of the Suharto regime or even Zimbabwe, for that matter.
Such a govt can never withstand the ideological onslaught of any right thinking people - and hence would resort to strong arm tactics to bully them into submission (read RPK/Hindraf/ISA). The other option would be to warn the people not to speak of "sensitive issues" and stifle the media.

It is what we have seen successive governments under BN do to opposition controlled states, civil rights leaders, academics or political dissenters. In the Umno leadership, due to lack of ideas & principles, it is imperative that they propagate a racist siege mentality, so as to shore up 'credibility' that rides on fascistic ideas of a "strong government".

That, dear Tun, is your idea of a strong govt - a govt that has the ability to hold the state at ransom - subvert the economy, the institutions of state, the constitution, disregard human rights and destroy the rule of law. A govt that dictates to an economically enslaved citizenry under the guise of democracy. The reason for this is simple - the Umno/ BN regime is philosophically/ideologically bankrupt, and would resort to anything (from religion to subversion) to maintain its grip on power and its "right to rule".
Umno doesn't see the need to be accountable or articulate in the actions or ideas. It therefore is unable to communicate coherently enough to convince its "opponents" of its ideas of nationhood. The objective & incentive here is only one thing - the freedom to squander the wealth of the nation (legally) created by the people, and not the well-being of a nation.

What you speak of Tun isn't exactly democracy - you speak of a "benevolent dictatorship" that dictates terms to the subservient people it professes to serve.
What you don't seem to advocate is a govt that is strong on principles of justice and rule of law. Nor do you advocate strong institutions of state that provide alternatives to the politicians who rape the land.
Even pirates can set up strong governments, so as to impose their will upon others with scant regard for intellect, truth and justice. For this, all you need are unreasoning automatons who'd would shudder at the thought of questioning the decision of the “leadership”.
That I presume, might characterise what you advocate in a “strong government”.

A strong government does not stifle voices of democracy.
True strength, dear Tun, comes from intellectual prowess and excellence- not the barrel of a gun. A strong government is one that's secure in its national ideology/ agenda, and is able to tolerate dissent, debate ideas and open to change and progress. It wouldn't propagate a siege mindset nor resort to threats - open or subtle.
It would not resort to punishing voters who exercise their democratic rights, does not “steal” elections, or punish “opposition” ruled states. It doesn't resort to gerrymandering either. It would graciously relinquish power should it lose in elections and is confident that the nation as a whole wouldn't suffer.

A strong and ethical government dissociates itself from excessive involvement in business interests, lest it breeds corruption and greed. It is paramount that it has a pool of intellectuals who can guide a state through challenges of the future, as opposed to the current crop of Umno leadership. While you admit that “a powerful Government, if it is incompetent and badly led would not manage to govern a multiracial country well”, you deny the fact that it is the bigotry, religious chauvinism and racism which the Umno/ BN regime practices, is what creates the need for a “strong government” you seek. Nothing else.

Dear Tun,
Your line of reasoning is deeply flawed, dear Sir.
What we need isn't a "strong government", but "Good Governance" - and it isn't about race or religion.
It's about an electorate having options to governments.

It's about good education in humanities. It's about building trust, and not suspicion, fear of dispossession or a siege mentality among an insecure electorate.

It's about confidence building, dear Sir - not fear mongering, or stifling dissent.

Monday, 13 October 2008

What "cogito" - it's Consumo Ergo Sum!

The following are just thots that run through my mind upon reading the following paper by a couple of Malaysian academics, published in CSSE journal in May.
Pretty good stuff by these guys, actually .....


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"I have showed thee new things
even hidden things
and thou didst not know them."

-ISAIAH 48:6
...........
A hallucination is a fact, not an error;
what is erroneous is a judgment based upon it.

-Bertrand Russell
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We are told that consuming is the way to go - we consume till we drop dead.
It is always about consuming and consuming anything and everything without stopping to think.
Money/ loans, food, drink, clothes, gadgets,
machines, plastics, toys, gadgets/ gizmos, credit cards, fashion, movies,
television, comforts, holidays, travel, degrees ..... everything - the more the better!
In order to achieve it one has to work, work, work, and work
- everything else is secondary to being able to keep up with the Joneses on all fronts.
That's the "modern lifestyle".

We are drowned in a world of consumption, where we don't have time to stop and think about our humanity
despite all this talk about "thinking out of the box" being trumpeted, to think is wrong.
To consume and fulfil the desires is noble.
To "not want" is weird.
To refuse consumption is , is rude and to question "offensive".

Our culture caters to consumerism.
Our education caters to consumerism.
We are told to consume knowledge, without knowing how to use it, or even know if it will be of use or abuse.
As such, every so often we are faced with graduate automatons, who are simply "educated into imbecility". Lately Mukhriz said, "I can't say I know what Form 6 students are thinking..."
Well Mukhriz - I've got news for you. You may be in for a pleasant surprise - many of the don't!

In colleges it is a competition of "A"s and passing rates as a measure of excellence - not quality. It's about reproducing - regurgitating what is flushed down your brains, into exams. With express instructions to the academia, they'll have to be fit into the percentage of required passes (unlike in the old days).
The capitalist market & politics control the academia, and no longer the academics.
It is not a wholly Malaysian phenomenon - the world has been convinced to believe that it is warranted and the right way to go about "making a living" (and not making a life).

In Malaysia it has been used to transform what was supposedly to uplift the economically downtrodden to the enrichment of the elite - in the form of none other than the NEP.
Due to the increasingly devalued currency and the escalating costs as a result of "legalized robbery", we work hard.

Yes we Asians are reputedly hard workers (especially those who perceive themselves as being forced to put up with economic hurdles). We end up becoming more and more creative on how to overcome these hurdles, and work harder & harder to achieve it. We also shudder at the thought of losing a little bit of our opportunities and we have little time for the "little things in life" that make up our humanity.

In Colleges/ Universities, the students are told to write what the teachers want to hear, and not to illustrate their own thinking faculties or challenge conventional wisdom. To challenge the established school of thought is to invite retribution of some sort. Our universities and colleges advertise their "wares" like they sell cars - education is to day merely a commodity to be marketed to the employers.
Degrees and titles which were once much revered, are today simply status symbols as a means to trumpet "successes of the system".
Our civil service is supposed to think up ways to agree with their "political masters" regardless of his/her duties which the taxpayer pays him for. The politician believes that employees are there to polish apples, and not to do a job! Is it any wonder that a politician (yes - Umno's) told off a broadcaster, "... if you do not agree with government policies, don't be a government employee. Resign."
The government prefers unthinking automatons to fill up the civil service, rather than have proud, dynamic and intelligent people who might question them or have integrity.

They are supposed to be that way, as many a job/qualification is bestowed upon them, due to political patronage/advantage.
Many a graduate or "professional" today, don't seem to have enough respect for the very qualification that they have, simply because they didn't really earn them - it was thrust upon them by a system that doesn't want to appear to be making losses.
It about appearances - it's about "public perception", whether "Ketuanan Melayu", or the NEP.

The public is made to believe that it is their right to consume, till they become slaves of their own obsession and thus becomes willing slaves to the system.
Forget values.
Forget truth.
Forget ideals.
Forget ethics.
Forget Philosophy.
Forget your Humanity.

You are here because it is your right to consume - production be damned.
I'm born to consume - the "National Agenda" states that!!
It is beneath me to to produce. My job is to allow the produce to produce, and I have to be paid accordingly for my "kindness & goodwill".
Let the producers produce, while I feed my desires and exercise my right to consume ....

It is my right to demand 30% for being born with a chip on my shoulder, and go gallivanting to Monte Carlo, Harrods, Paris, New York, Switzerland, Horse riding in the Pampas or Mongolia.
But of course every once in a while we can take money from the durian trees to pay for a flight to space or even dump a Proton in the Antarctic, so that "we" highlight how "gagah perkasa" we are and look good to the imbeciles who set the national agenda .....

Sad really ....

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"Where is the life we have lost in the living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information ?

The cycles of heaven in twenty centuries

bring us farther from God and nearer to dust."

- T.S. Elliot
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Sunday, 12 October 2008

Clericalism versus religion

By Aloysious Mowe
editor@thenutgraph.com


I GAVE a presentation a couple of weeksago on some of the problems associated with so-called Islamic finance and its roots in the shariah. After the session, a professor of political science said to me: "It's such an insoluble problem. I don't know how Islam can resolve the issues and difficulties in its law and practice. At least the Catholic church has a clear structure of authority so that decisions can be made that are binding on everyone."

He clearly regarded the hierarchical structure in the Catholic church, with its pope, bishops, and priests ruling the church from above, as a positive element in its governance and decision-making.

The problem with hierarchical structures is that the people at the top begin to see themselves as superior in some way to those below. We have this phenomenon in civil society. The people we elect to Parliament to serve us in government are mysteriously transformed into Datuks and Tuns, who go about in Mercedes Benzes and always seem to end up wealthier than the rakyat. The convention of calling the workers in government offices "civil servants" seems to many of us, given the usual state of the "service", to be an abuse of language.

The Catholic clergy are prone to fall into the sin of clericalism, that is, regarding themselves as special and superior members of a class within the church.

Emblem of the Papacy (Public domain)

(© sxc.hu)

Servants and masters

One of the traditional titles of the Pope is servus servorum dei, the servant of the servants of God. This should be a title that all Catholic priests embrace as a reminder of our true calling, to be of service to God's people. One would be forgiven, however, for thinking that the servants have in fact become the masters. Priests become members of a class within the church with access to certain powers and knowledge not given to other members of the church.

Like the ministers in government we get special titles: "Father", "Monsignor", "Your Lordship", "Your Eminence" (and sometimes in Malaysia even "Datuk" and "Tan Sri"). We have special garments that we wear at ceremonies, and there is even a daily "uniform", often called "clerical dress", that sets us apart from others.

Clericalism is not a phenomenon purely promoted by priests themselves. There is a culture within the church of automatically deferring to priests and putting us on a pedestal. The maxim that people should have to earn respect never seems to apply to members of the clergy (or, for that matter, to government ministers, judges, and royalty). We get told over and over again by people in our parishes: "Oh Father, you have given up so much for God."

Once this is repeated to us often enough, we can develop a sense of entitlement. Catholics spoil their priests. Parishioners in the airline industry upgrade us on aircraft to business or first-class seats. We are taken to dinner in the best restaurants. We soon expect to have the best of everything.

Abuse

That sense of entitlement leads us to believe that we can behave in any way we like. I have heard bishops blaming the phenomenon of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy on the greater degree of sexual permissiveness in the world today. This is errant nonsense. The majority of the cases that have come to light seem to have happened 30 to 40 years ago, or even further back in time, as can be seen from the ages of the perpetrators who have been brought to book.

I believe that clericalism, coupled with the kind of arrested sexual development that can occur when you deny your basic sexual identity, can be found to be at the root of much of the terrible abuse that has occurred. The automatic trust and respect given to priests by their people also meant that parents unquestioningly and recklessly trusted them with their children.

Clericalism, like any caste system, also seeks to protect its own, and to preserve its privileged position. Bishops regularly moved priests who were sexual abusers from one place to another, and kept their crimes secret, on the grounds that they were protecting the reputation of the church and the image of the priesthood. Those priests went on to abuse children over and over again in each new location.

Gender bias

The male clergy jealously guards its caste privileges against inroads by women, denying that they can be priests on the grounds that a priest must be in persona Christi, mirroring Jesus Christ and standing in his place. Since Jesus was a man, only men are deemed capable of fulfilling this office.

How far are we supposed to push this? Must all priests then be circumcised, as Jesus was, and from Palestine, as he was? What about length of hair? Height? It is a ludicrous piece of reasoning that has resulted in men having all the key positions of authority, and women being relegated to the role of workers and worshippers, but never decision-makers.

I once was told by a priest who had previously worked in a bank that, just as bank employees who take a pay cheque from the bank should never publicly criticise its management, priests should never criticise any aspect of the church and its teachings. It is an unfortunate and dangerous analogy (especially given the state of the world's banking system today).

The church is not a perfect institution: it is always on a journey towards the truth, finite humanity struggling to discover the ways of an infinite God. And it is, like all human institutions, semper reformanda, always reforming itself.


(© The Walt Disney Company)

Of mice and men

It is perhaps then not such a bad thing that Sunni Islam, at least, does not have the kind of hierarchical structure of authority that has bred the sin of clericalism in the Catholic church. Otherwise the opinions of the ulama would have a weight that would bring Islam into disrepute.

It must be a relief to all Muslims that someone like the Saudi Sheikh Muhammad al-Munajid has no authority to speak for Muslims everywhere. Last month, in a religious affairs programme on al-Majd TV, the sheikh said that mice were instruments of Satan, and he condemned the positive depiction of mice in popular culture as seen in the Tom and Jerry cartoons and the character of Mickey Mouse. He proceeded to declare that Mickey Mouse should be killed.

It may be problematic for even the most ardent of Sheikh Muhammad's followers to kill a fictional and animated character. However, no such difficulties lie in the way of those who would wish to accord authority to the opinions of the chief justice of Saudi Arabia's highest court, who recently declared that the owners of television stations that broadcast "immoral" programmes should be killed.

When Sheikh Saleh al-Luhaidan's remarks were condemned by other Saudi clerics, he went on television to say that he had not meant to encourage murder. The station owners, he clarified, should be brought to trial and sentenced to death, after which they could be legally killed. So that's all right then.


Aloysious Mowe, SJ, was born after Merdeka and considers himself Malaysian by birthright and not by anyone's concession. The last time he checked his passport, it says he was born in Malaysia, not Tanah Melayu.