There are so many cobwebs in the mind that many are not aware of the inconsistent thinking prevalent in society. Take the issue of gambling for example.
No one will deny that gambling is addictive. It can destroy homes , create enemies, and cause good people to become thieves and cheats due to the addiction. For example, In July 2008, a Bank worker was accused of taking nearly RM550,000 from the Bank to pay off gambling debts.
Equally, we know that gambling businesses do not add anything in real terms to the economy. They only bloat the economy by the monetary demand they generate and hence inflationary. It is a business where people are prepared to feed their families by destroying others. Like drugs.
PAS has always presented itself as the puritanical party defending “Islamic principles”. Before the 8th March 2008 elections, most know that PAS adopted an anti-gambling image. Now PAS has come into power in 5 states, assuming of course that the “Pakatan” is indeed a coalition government and not an electoral pact. Logically therefore, PAS now has the opportunity to review the gambling industry in these five states. PAS members have a right to expect that.
Since it claims to be an “Islamic party”, PAS must walk its talk as Allah says in the Quran (61.03): “Grievously odious is it in the sight of God that you say that which you do not do”. Hence, the consistent thing to do is to actively review the gambling “businesses” in the 5 states. Does it? Unsurprisingly, it not only does not, it has come up with an incredulous reason that can possibly be accepted only in BolehLand.
Apparently, in the 54th PAS Muktamar, PAS has shelved a proposal to ban gambling in the four states it rules with its political allies on the grounds that “their religion allows it”. What? The Bible, The Confucius teachings, The Bhagavad-Gita, The Granth Sahib, The Sudras and other religious scriptures permit gambling? Can PAS show us one verse from any of these scriptures? Is it true that Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Bahaism and other religions permit their followers to indulge in activities that destroy themselves and their families? I do not think so and I find PAS’s reasoning absolutely insulting of other culture’s moral teachings!
If PAS is scared to wage war against gambling, just say so. Go for the easy ones like “persuading” non-Muslims to cover their head with scarves – at least you are seen as doing something ‘Islamic” by the feeble minded in society! After all, non-covering of hair does more damage to society than gambling does, according to PAS logic.
It is reported that “The MCA has slammed PAS for wanting to ban gambling and limiting the sale of alcohol in Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states”. “It does not mean we condone abuse of alcohol and gambling but why go and impose your sort of thinking on others?” said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan when asked to comment on PAS Dewan Ulama head Datuk Mohamed Daud's call on Thursday to ban gambling joints and limit alcohol-selling outlets to non-Muslim areas in the Pakatan states. What exactly is Ong Ka Chuan saying? It sounds like the logic of “we are not condoning drugs, but why go and impose your kind of thinking that drug abuse destroys the society’s fabric!
Doesn’t Ong Ka Chuan know that Datuk Michael Chong, Public Services and Complaints Department head had said : “Why are the loan sharks acting unprofessionally by granting loans to someone who has had difficulties paying them back? And now the family are the real victims and not the debtor,” said Chong.
“Most debtors are Chinese, with 80% using the money to gamble while the other 20% use it for business,” he said.
“Last year about 500 cases were recorded but this year to date, we have received 364 cases already and it is fast increasing,” said Chong
I am trying to understand: Ong Ka Chuan does not mind members of the Chinese community being destroyed by accessibility to gambling? Don’t you and Michael talk to each other? Ong, if you read this, please clarify.
What is the official position of the Government? Are they for or against gambling businesses? I assure you it gets confusing until you unravel the real secrets. Lets us consider some of the reports on police taking action against gambling syndicates.
Police on 28th July 2008 in Johor Baru busted an illegal horse racing betting syndicated dealing with RM120mil worth of bets monthly from local and foreign clients.
On 22nd July 2005, City Police Chief, ACP Azizan Abu Taat, said acting on a tip-off a police team went to an entertainment centre in Sadong Jaya, Kota Kinabalu here, about 1am and found the suspects there.
He said police seized several pieces of illegal 4-D lottery tickets and "Wah Hui" papers and RM4,400 in cash from the men, aged 25 and 28. Several men arrested in Johor Baru for illegal online gambling on 23rd January 2007
Judging by the reports, one may wrongly conclude that the Government is against gambling. But why all these police actions? After all, PAS said that it is not “against their religion” and Ong Ka Chuan says that “do not impose their kind of thinking”. So why not let the gamblers gamble? The reason is simple – it is not gambling that the Government is against. It is the running of gambling operations WITHOUT a permit/licence and therefore it becomes “illegal”.
The logic is simple, you are allowed to destroy people’s lives through a gambling business as long as it is legal ie you pay TAXES to the government! And we call ourself a caring society?
Have you ever really wondered why this topic is never covered at all by the main stream papers? Why even PAS is afraid to venture? Think, dig and you may uncover dangerous stuff. It has nothing to do with “other religions allow it” or “don’t impose this kind of thinking”.
J,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that all cultures condemn gambling. I suppose politicians do not ban it because it is a good source of unaccounted for money. If you do a check with the Ministry of Finance, you will find that the same person signs the 3 month (but renewable)permit for the slot machines for the past many years!
mr jabar,
ReplyDeletedid you watch the film star trek where spock rescued the starship enterprise when he released the hatch for the nuclear power plant into space hence saving all the occupants of the enterprise, but by doing so he killed himself?
his thinking was very simple, "the need of the many outweight the need of the one" thus he sacrificed his life by saving all the people on board.
so when it comes to gambling, are we saving the "many" or the "one" or "few" who cant control their habits? what about the 95% of social gamblers who like the fun of gambling but still can control themselves?
well anyway, while we are at it why dont we also ban:
1. smoking? hey man this is a slow form of suicide, as we definately know what harm it can bring to our body. does even islam condone suicide?
2. what about alcohol? that is also another no no. the people who get drunk and run down people with their cars, or go back and beat their children, or do things that are undesirable.
3. while we are it why dont we ban red meat as well. if red meat is taken in enough quantity it will build up cholesterol in your body and cause heart desease and other undesirable things.
but all these are just examples. of who outweighs who.
why should we ban anything? let demand and supply come to its own equilibrium. let the people make their own choice. something good to you may be harmful to me and vice versa.
like pork is not suppose to consumed by you guys, but it is not banned since we love to consume it and since you guys can control your selves by not consuming it then its ok.
things to consider before we banned things and make this country into a communist state.
bulans
Bulan,
ReplyDeleteYou have a point -let demand and supply determine. But the fact is free market is never the answer all the time. We dont allow drugs on the free market do we? There are always restraints. (Will write on this another day).
On alcohol sale, I think there should be a time limit as in most countries - 10.30pm, no more sale. If India and UK and other parts of the world can, why cant we. Why are we bent on making dangerous, addictive, bad habits easily, readily, available to the young impressionable generation?
The point is not so much is on "bad stuff that should be banned. Almost all things are "bad" in excessive quantities including "innocent" food like rice. On pork, it is not addictive, just like beef unconsumed by Hindus.
The point is why are we allowing people to make money on addictive, dangerous products. I have done an informal 15 years research on addictive gambling in UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and India...the effects on families scare me. It is cruel.
The ones who gamble are usually gamblers, the "social gamblers" you speak of, hardly gamble. It is a myth that the majority are social gamblers. Like all myths, it is perpetuated by the vested interest groups.
DO you know that there are about 75 licensed slot machine clubs in the Klang valley alone raking in about RM200,000.00 per day per club on a bad day? I assure you most of these patrons are not "social gamblers". Go and pay them a visit to verify my claim.
I merely against people making money from the addictive , degenerating qualities of humans.
Merely because we prohibit the sale of cigarettes to minors does not turn us into a communist state. Complete, unbridled freedom need not be democracy but anarchy.
SO. are you with me on the campaign against gambling?..:)
mr jabar,
ReplyDeleteit is a wonder whereby your site promotes thinking and awareness but you are still slipping into banning things as an avenue to solve problems. which brings me to the point on what is the real problem here?
the point i am making here is, is banning gambling (or any other vice) the solution? where you promote your blog of "rapera" (which i still dont know the meaning of) as thinkers that are thinking outside the box.
i am surprised that the route of educating the people on the ills of any particular vice is not sought first and banning a second choice.
my reference to the scenario of demand and supply is: if there is no demand for gambling there wont be any gambling outlets? is that a fair comment?
let me give you an example. pirated dvds and vcds. is:
arresting the peddlars the answer?
arresting the kingpin the answer?
arresting the dvd importers the answer?
arresting the consumers of these dvds the answer?
will this solve the problem? but then what is the real problem here?
to me the real problem here is the purchasing power of a dvd, pirated RM 10, original RM 100. you do the maths.
the real problem here is either the original dvd is overpriced in this country or our real income sucks. you can arrest everybody in the supply chain and the next day another supplier will start like a mushroom growing after a heavy rain. its all demand and supply.
why do other the developed western countries do not have pirated dvds? because the original in the US is only USD 9.99 or 12.99. why bother buying a fake when the original is the same price?
when it comes to gambling, you can banned everything, and they will still gamble illegally.
why ban anything when you can educate? why give the freedom of choice and then ban? i do not understand the concept.
yes we do not allow drugs in the free market. we even hang the mother fuckers if they get caught. but hey man there are still people in the market willing to take the risk of losing their lives if they get caught. and why? because there is a demand for it.
so mr jabar, we can ban everything that is no good, but if there is a demand or if there is a will, there is a way to circumvent every policy. anyway malaysians are the best in the world for ingenuity in breaking the law, this fact is from interpol.
we are first in credit card cloning.
we are first in dvd copies
we are first in fixing football matches for gambling purposes, globally.
so you can say malaysia is truly in international in the crime scene, but ask them to do anything straight, they are too damn lazy. i think we have a culture of wanting everything fast without having to work for it.
at the end of the day mr jabar, creating awareness in society of the repurcussions of each individuals actions will prevail better than banning any vice or substance.
ofcourse this is entirely my sole view and children shouldnt try this at home without adult supervision....as it might be hazardous to their health.
bulans of moon
Bulan,
ReplyDeleteI will agree with you that education is vital. Or more importantly, as you put it, creating awareness.Certainly no right thinking individual will argue against the creation of awareness. IN fact, awareness is more significant then the accumulation of knowledge. There is no argument here. I agree with you fully.
It is not a choice between banning vs education. No. It is not even education taking a back seat. No.
I am discussing specifically the gambling industry and in particular the slot machines club. It is fun for those who patron, sure.
The point is: why make such addictive industries so accessible for vultures to make money off people's wrecked lives? What benefit does the industry bring?
And you made a point well when you wrote:
"at the end of the day mr jabar, creating awareness in society of the repercussions of each individuals actions will prevail better than banning any vice or substance".
I agree totally. That is the ideal. When I examine "awareness" later on this blog, you will see that even awareness alone is insufficient.
People may be aware of the consequences of a certain act and yet continue doing the same act for a variety of complex reasons which they themselves are unaware of. That is the reason why we have modes of restraint in all most all areas in life. We only hope that we implement those restraints with wisdom and not with tyranny.
There was a young couple, very much in love, who the night before they were to be married, were both tragically killed in an automobile accident. They found themselves at the pearly gates of heaven being escorted in by St. Peter. After a couple of weeks in heaven, the prospective groom took St. Peter aside and said, "St.Peter, my fiancee and I are very happy to be in heaven but we miss very much the opportunity to have celebrated our wedding vows. Is it possible for people in heaven to get married?"
ReplyDeleteSt. Peter looked at him and said, "I'm sorry, I've never heard of anyone in heaven wanting to get married. I'm afraid you'll have to talk to the Lord God Almighty about that. I can get you an appointment for two weeks from Wednesday."
Come the appointed day, the couple were escorted by the guardian angels into the presence of the Lord God Almighty, where they repeat the request. The Lord looked at them solemnly and said, "I tell you what, wait five years and if you still want to get married, come back and we will talk about it again."
Well five years went by, and the couple still very much wanting to get married, came back. Again the Lord God Almighty said, "Please you must wait another five years and then I will consider your request."
Finally, they come before the Lord God Almighty the third time, ten years after their first request, and ask the Lord again. This time the Lord answered, "Yes, you may marry. This Saturday at 2:00 p.m., we will have a beautiful ceremony in the main chapel. The reception will be on me!"
The wedding went beautifully, all the guests thought the bride was beautiful. Moses brought some flowers from the Nile River Delta and Ghandi came wearing his finest hand-woven sari. But, you guessed it, the couple was married but a few weeks when they realized they had made a horrible mistake, they just couldn't stay married to one another.
So they made another appointment to see the Lord God Almighty, this time to ask if they could get a divorce in heaven. When the Lord heard their request, he looked at them and said, "Look, it took us ten years to find a priest up here in heaven; do you have any idea how long it'll take to find a lawyer?"
bulans
mr jabar,
ReplyDeletequote: People may be aware of the consequences of a certain act and yet continue doing the same act for a variety of complex reasons which they themselves are unaware of. That is the reason why we have modes of restraint in all most all areas in life. We only hope that we implement those restraints with wisdom and not with tyranny.
i do fully agree about the ills of gambling and the whys of the gambling industry profiting by it.
there is no social gain i guess derived from the gambling industry apart from some economic consideration such as employment etc.
leaving gambling aside and to the discussion of banning per se. in my personal opinion banning of anything will not tantamount to the eradication of a particular practise, it will merely go under grown or appear in the black market.
what i do not see fair in banning, for example in gambling is that my freedom of choice to decide whether i want to or not want to gamble is taken away from me. why should this privilage of choice making be revoked due to some bad apples that cannot contain there desire of losing everything they possess?
in my perception, it is similar to banning islam because we have a few muslim terrorists going around the globe creating havoc. if that is the case we are associating muslims with terrorism. is that a accurate assessment by the global commnunity?
when we start removing the freedom of individual choices in deciding which practise is deemed appropriate to them or not, we are not curing the problem, we are reacting to the inability of addressing the real issue.
should we try to heal the leg that is infected by desease or should we chop of the leg? what if it spread to other parts, should we continue chopping till we have nothing left?
that my friend, is my humble opinion on banning per se.....
cheers
bulans