Fix the past, design the future

In politics, if you don’t do the right things for the people, unless you are a devious schizophrenic Machiavelli, events will come back to haunt and hurt you.

Even if you are a devious Machiavelli, events will still haunt you but the fact that you are a sick schizophrenic will shield you from the pain of knowing you are a failed leader. It is important for politicians to understand this and more important for the citizens because they will bear the brunt of failed policies.

Some of our politicians do not seem to show any signs of reducing the play of political games. It is clearly calculated to cause political instability so as to achieve a certain political objective. On the other hand, people-oriented issues such as education, freedom of faith, employment, corruption, cost of living and so on, are not, and have never been championed as passionately by the political leaders. It should open up the eyes of the citizen that nothing excites politicians more than pure political issues, especially ones that directly concern power.

Hence, it falls back on the current government and the national leadership to decide what it wants to do under such turbulent political times. To me, the principle approach is easy but it requires honesty, courage and willingness to follow through to fix the past and progress to the future. There needs to be not only leadership, but visible leadership with a clear direction.

It is impossible to progress if we keep maintaining some of the failed national mindset and systems that have clearly brought us to this national inefficient state of existence.

We have to be courageous and not vindictive to identify the policies and thinking of the past that are preventing us from leaping forward as a successful united nation.

The sliding of Malaysia’s reputation on the world stage began a long time ago when we were accused of practising cronyism, nepotism and indulging in patronising politics in the mid-1980s.

Criticisms were already levelled then at how we have been misusing our newfound oil money on mega projects at the exclusion of building human capital. Home-grown and cottage industries, which are always the fundamental shock absorbers of any nation, were never given the necessary and due attention. Small and medium-sized enterprises were ignored or given lukewarm political attention, never mind the fact that we have an SME Bank. Political handouts to those who were close to the political circle and not to the talented were an open secret.

The judiciary suffered total disrespect locally and abroad and only recovered its image somewhat partly thanks to Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s initiative, when Tun Abdullah Badawi became the prime minister. Racial polarisation, religious egoism and extremism of the worst kind are allowed to rear their ugly head. Political leaders have been blind to the fact these divisive mindsets took decades to grow due to past policies or lack of visionary policies. Understandably, the people were excited when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak introduced the “1Malaysia” vision only to be thwarted by Umno’s powerful old guards who do not want the “old status quo” disturbed. A chance for a powerful reform vehicle to unite the people forward as one nation was watered down by these old guards who still wanted to wield power.

I can go on with many of the past policies that had failed and are still hurting the nation. Abdullah had somewhat tried to implement a reformist government but due to internal Umno politics, his administration was short-lived. He had largely refused to follow the old “Umno way” of doing things. Again, powerful old guards in the party will not allow change and hence, despite everyone saying what a nice man Abdullah is, the disinformation machinery was unleashed to retire him early.

The writer says people want leaders who can fix parts of the past and the future to be planned and identified. — Bernama picThe unfortunate fact of the matter is this: the health of the country is tied very much to the health of Umno. There are many trappings that have been put in place in Umno and there are many powerful old guards who will try to chain the president down. Therefore, even as a president, you either toe the line or risk forced retirement. Only a firm and strong willed president can survive with his way of doing things in Umno. 

There are many things from the past that still persist today that have to be fixed by the present leadership. I repeat, the current leadership has to be courageous to fix the past so that we can move ahead as one nation. For years, Malaysians, especially the Malays, have been programmed not to think about many things. Allow the citizens in general and the Malays in particular the space and liberty to think and debate without having it always turned into a sensitive, political or taboo issue.

The integrity of the institutions that have been undermined over the years have to be restored so the citizens can have a sense of stability, safety and respect. Humanistic and nationalistic narratives ought to be accompanied by humanistic and nationalistic policies and actions. 

Real and holistic economic solutions ought to be designed, implemented and communicated to the people so uncertainty does not result in misinformed rebellion. An efficient leader is one who completely understands uncertainty among the masses is dangerous for the country’s stability. No one likes anxiety resulting from thinking the country has no direction.

The people are resilient but they need to understand and believe they have a leader who can help them pull through difficult times. That’s how people are.

People generally are sick and tired of political games. They now better understand the hypocrisy of the games and they want leaders who can fix parts of the past and the future to be planned and identified.

Floating along without a direction is bad, especially for a nation.

*Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos is a senior lawyer and founder of Rapera, a movement that encourages thinking and compassionate citizens. He can be reached at rapera.jay@gmail.com.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/fix-the-past-design-the-future-jahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos#sthash.LjomfqYN.dpuf

Bagaimanakah nanti Di Perhimpunan Agung UMNO? Fahamkah UMNO apa cabarannya?

Harus Memahami Persepsi2

Sudah lama kita dengar bahawa sudah lama Perhimpunan Agung Umno (PAU) tidak lagi di hiraukan oleh rakyat Malaysia, termasuk orang-orang UMNO sendiri – kecuali orang UMNO yang berkepentingan peribadi. Ada yang berkata ini berlaku kerana dibandingkan dengan zaman Tun Dr Mahathir (TDM), hari ini, pengumuman penting2 sudah pun di maklumkan sebelum PAU dan juga oleh beberapa Menteri2 dan bukan PM sahaja.

Kalau dahulu pengumuman2 penting Negara di buat di PAU, sejak zaman Tun Abdullah (Pak Lah), sudah terdapat perpisahan lebih jelas diantara kerajaan dan parti politik iaitu UMNO.  Maka, pengumuman dibuat juga oleh para Menteri diluar PAU. Samada benar atau tidak, ini adalah satu persepsi yang kuat di pegang oleh ramai orang. Pada saya, setiap PAU masih diperhatikan rakyat bagi mengetahui halatuju UMNO dan polisi UMNO sebagai parti tunggak BN.

Scenario Politik kini tidak sama dengan zaman TDM

Pandangan lain juga mengatakan bahawa UMNO masih tidak dapat “adjust” atau sesuaikan diri dengan iklim dan suasana politik yang amat berbeza berbanding dengan zaman TDM.  UMNO sudah seolah-olah biasa dengan retorika “perjuangan kaum Melayu” dan “agama” terutamanya yang di juruskan untuk menunjukkan bahawa UMNO lebih Islam daripada PAS. Ini sebabnya mungkin beberapa pemimpin yang cuba memainkan “isu Melayu” pada zaman Pak Lah sudah bertukar skrip ucapan mereka kearah yang berlainan sekali.

TDM tidak berhadapan dengan begitu banyak pemuda-pemudi Melayu yang tidak berminat dengan retorik perkauman.  Masa beliau media sosial tidak begitu berkembang maka rakyat terpaksa bergantung sebahagian besar kepada media rasmi yang kebanyakkan dikuasai oleh kerajaan. Pemikiran, pola politik dunia, tahap ekonomi dan pendidikan juga amat berbeza. Maka kaedah2, perbincangan dan pemikiran politik zaman TDM memang tidak boleh di aplikasi pada zaman ini. Pergerakkan civil society di zaman Tun juga tidak sehebat kini.

Disamping itu, sejak 1998, ramai Melayu sudah mula berani mempersoalkan polisi kerajaan dan mengkritik pemimpin Melayu secara terbuka. Semakin ramai pemuda Melayu (dan juga ayah2 mereka yang di pengaruhi pemuda pemudi ini) sudah mula mendesak sikap keterbukaan atau transparensi dalam banyak hal. Golongan ini yang semakin meningkat gagal dipujuk untuk menutup mata kepada sebarang “irregularity” atas alasan ianya adalah untuk membantu Melayu.

Maka pemimpin atas UMNO yang mewarisi pemimpin-pemimpin zaman TDM “meraba-raba” mencari kaedah dan pendekatan yang sesuai dengan zaman ini.

Retorika Perkauman serta Melayu yang mana?

Namun dalam UMNO, tarikan untuk menengahkan bicara dalam bahasa perkauman masih menjadi tarikan yang kuat - walaupun isu yang sama boleh diketengahkan dengan lebih efisien dalam bahasa bukan perkauman. Mungkin ini lah antara sebabnya polisi 1Malaysia yang di bawa oleh Dato Seri Najib menjadi sesuatu yang ditentang kerana ia seolah-olah mencabar politik dan retorika perkauman yang beberapa pemimpin UMNO sudah biasa.

Ia menjadi satu kehairanan kenapa masih ada dinasor tua atau dinasor muda yang telah dilatih masih tidak faham bahawa isu “kemelayuan” yang di balut dalam retorika perkauman akan gagal kerana satu sebab yang utama – iaitu Melayu sudah ada dimana2 dan bukan sahaja di pangkuan UMNO. Sememangnya landasan politik dan civil society dipimpin dan disokong oleh Melayu dalam Negara ink.

Dalam UMNO, kebanyakkannya Melayu. DI PAS, semuanya Melayu. DI PKR, DAP dan lain-lain parti politik sudah ada banyak Melayu. Di dalam NGO2 yang bukan pro UMNO, pemimpin yang ke hadapan biasanya Melayu. Orang yang memperjuangkan “Asalkan Bukan UMNO”  adalah Melayu. Di pihak civil society atau gerakkan sibil, banyak yang Melayu. Pendekata, pemimpin2 Melayu daripada pelbagai parti politik, NGO dan individu yang berdebat, berlawan hujah dan mengutarakan pandangan yang berlawanan adalah Melayu.

Musuh ketat politik UMNO adalah PAS dan sejak kebelakangan adalah PKR yang juga dipimpin oleh Melayu. Ketiga-tiga parti ini berlumba pengaruhi undi Melayu. Jelas sekali UMNO sekali lagi terjerat dalam bicara politiknya – jika UMNO mahu memperjuangkan Melayu, maka secara logiknya ia juga memperjuangkan kebajikan ahli-ahli Melayu PAS, PKR, dan DAP yang jelas menolaknya!

PAS secara terbuka bukan sahaja menolak UMNO tetapi pernah mengisytiharkan UMNO sebagai parti sesat , parti asobiyah, serta jahil agama. PAS pernah beberapa kali mengatakan bahawa ia lebih rela berkerjasama dengan DAP yang UMNO capkan sebagai parti chauvinis Cina.

UMNO menghadapi kepayahan untuk menghadapi PAS yang juga keahliannya terdiri daripada Melayu. Ini adalah kerana UMNO tidak tahu atau tidak berani menghadapi alat politik mujarab yang digunakan oleh PAS iaitu agama. UMNO masih tidak dapat membezakan diantara Islam dan agama, diantara politik dan Islam.  Maka, ia selalu masuk kedalam perangkap PAS (dibincang lebih mendalam dibawah).

PKR pula dilihat sebagai parti yang tidak berasaskan perkauman serta parti yang memperjuangkan isu-isu Negara seperti korupsi, transparensi, dan lain-lain. Persepsi politik juga adalah bahawa PKR lah yang telah membawa masuk “kewujudan” masyarakat peribumi didalam perbicangan politik di semenanjung Malaysia. Sebelum 1998, jelas bahawa hampir kesemua ucapan politik hanya merujuk kepada “Melayu, Cina dan India” dan jarang atau tiada kita dengar “Iban, Kadazan, Murut” dan sebagai nya. UMNO lah yang sepatutnya memulakannya dahulu kerana UMNO lah dahulunya mengiktiraf mereka ini sebagai ahli UMNO.  Saya percaya perkara ini juga tidak difikirkan oleh “pemikir-pemikir” politik UMNO yang sudah ada one track mind over the years.

Dalam konteks perbincangan diatas, maka jelas monopoli UMNO terhadap minda Melayu semakin dicabar - samada dari segi politik mahupun dari segi agama.

Saya kira common sense akan menginsafkan UMNO bahawa dalam suasana sedemikian, retorika berasaskan kaum Melayu sahaja yang dibalut dalam bahasa perkauman tidak akan berjaya dalam jangka panjang. Maka mengapa masih ada dinasor-dinasor yang masih mahu berhujah sedemikian sehingga 1Malaysia Najib dilihat sudah tersasar daripada membina satu gagasan yang berpotensi?

Saya antara yang terdahulu yang menyokong polisi 1Malaysia PM Najib yang saya kira dapat dijadikan satu wawasan bagi Rakyat Malaysia. Sememangnya amat radikal wawasan ini dicetuskan oleh Presiden UMNO. Ianya dapat dijadikan dan diusahakan sebagai polisi rasmi kerajaan dengan segala kesungguhan. Kalau inilah scenarionya, maka tidak akan menjadi sesuatu yang janggal bagi Najib sebagai Presiden UMNO untuk memperjuangkan yang hak bagi Melayu yang memerlukan. Malangnya, 1Malaysia dilihat sebagai terpaksa mengambil “backseat” dan label itu telah mutate menjadi sesuatu yang lain.

Kesimpulan nya ialah: dalam suasana dimana Melayu akan berhadapan dengan Melayu dalam membicarakan suatu isu daripada fahaman dan pandangan yang berbeza, Melayu manakah yang UMNO dikatakan mewakili? Ini lah persoalan yang semakin timbul dan yang masih belum di jawab oleh UMNO.

Retorika “Islam” dalam politik UMNO?

Dalam aspek memperjuangkan Islam melalui politik, UMNO juga dilihat  tidak begitu berkesan dari segi kacamata politik. Didalam minda Melayu, persepsinya ialah PAS adalah pejuang Islam. Bukan kah namanya itu sendiri “Parti SeIslam Malaysia”? UMNO tidak ada Islam atau Muslim pada namanya. Nama UMNO berasaskan kepada kaum iaitu “Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu”. Maka, UMNO dilihat sebagai parti perkauman dan PAS sebagai parti agama. Perkara ini pun sering diceramahkan oleh pemimpin2 parti PAS iaitu Melayu PAS mengatakan Melayu UMNO amalkan “asobiyah” atau perkauman ! Bukan kaum lain yang cakap. Ini pun satu cabaran yang saya percaya UMNO tidak tahu bagaimana hendak hadapi.

Selanjutnya, Melayu berpendidikan hari ini sedar bahawa undang2 syariah diluluskan di Dewan Undangan Negeri dimana sekian lama ianya di monopoli oleh pemimpin2 UMNO. Baik atau buruknya undang2 yang digubal dan diluluskan sebagai "syariah" akan memberi kesan kepada kewibawaan, kebolehan dan kebertanggungjawaban adun2 UMNO.  Rakyat Muslim akan menilai. Saya percaya adun2 UMNO tidak bersedia untuk menghadapi pelbagai cabaran baru yang saya lihat akan timbul dimasa hadapan didalam hal ini. Ini adalah kerana sehingga kini pun selain daripada menyanyikan lagi konservatif yang dipinjam daripada penasihat agama mereka, pemimpin UMNO tidak fokus langsung akan hal ini.

Didalam isu berkaitan dengan “Islam”, UMNO sudah tidak dilihat sebagai satu parti politik yang memberikan fahaman atau bentuk Islam yang berbeza dengan fahaman PAS. Sejak bersaranya TDM, tidak ada perbincangan segar mengenai Islam dalam arena politik. Dalam konteks ini, masa zaman TDM, kita dapat juga kelainan fahaman dan hujah berkaitan dengan Islam oleh TDM – lain daripada PAS sehingga ada kalanya PAS diletakkan dalam keadaan defensif.

Sejak zaman Pak Lah pula, saya lihat UMNO diletakkan dalam keadaan defensif apabila PAS timbulkan isu2 agama walaupun isu2 yang amat remeh.  Sejak itu, strategi UMNO berkaitan dengan Islam, tanpa disedari oleh UMNO lebih menguntungkan PAS.  Bukan itu sahaja, UMNO seolah-olah buta atau tidak sedar bahawa permainan politik agama ini akan merosakkan perpaduan Melayu dan menggugat keselamatan Negara dijangka panjang. Di samping itu, UMNO juga tidak sedar bahawa ia akan terima “backlash” daripada penggundi nanti.

Mengapa perkara ini boleh berlaku? Pandangan peribadi saya ialah berbanding dengan TDM yang berani dan merendah diri mahu membaca dan memahami Al-Quran dan memikirkan mengenai hal2 agama, pemimpin sesudahnya sudah tidak lagi berbuat demikian. Saya mengatakan perkara ini kerana dalam kesibukan TDM sebagai PM, beliau sanggup meluangkan masa untuk berbincang mengenai isi kandungan Al-Quran. TDM juga amat rajin dalam membaca dan mengkaji buku2 yang diberikan kepada beliau dan kemudian berbincang pula mengenainya! Pengalaman peribadi saya ialah TDM mempunyai minda intellectual yang kuat dan kerendahan diri untuk mengkaji dan belajar walaupun ketika itu beliau adalah seorang PM.

 Pemimpin UMNO hari ini bergantung sepenuhnya kepada penasihat2 agama tanpa sedar bahawa penasihat2 ini keluar daripada Universiti yang sama dengan penasihat2 agama PAS! Dalam situasi seperti ini, sudah tentu PAS lah yang akan untung dari segi politik. Akhrnya, penasihat2 agama menjadi boss kepada pemimpin politik dalam hal agama !

Maka, dalam hal2 agama, pemimpin politik UMNO kini bergantung seratus peratus kepada fahaman dan tafsiran apa itu Islam daripada penasihat2 mereka tanpa berfikir secara mendalam atau mengambil kira fahaman dan tafsiran yang berlainan. Pemimpin UMNO kurang faham bahawa tafsiran penasihat mereka sendiri lebih kurang sama dengan PAS. Saya harian mengapa pemimpin-pemimpin politik ini tidak sedar bahawa mereka diperalatkan oleh beberapa penasihat2 agama mereka untuk agenda peribadi? Walaupun nasihat pemimpin agama ini kadangkala boleh merosakkan Negara atau memberi gambaran negatif kepada Islam, pemimpin politik membenarkannya kerana mereka sendiri jahil dan takut.

Satu perkara yang sering terlepas pandang oleh pemimpin UMNO ialah ini: - perbuatan, ucapan dan polisi ajensi-ajensi agama akan dianggap sebagai direstui oleh pucuk pimpinan UMNO. Jika tidak pun, apabila pucuk pimpinan UMNO berdiam diri, ianya dianggap direstui oleh mereka. Walaupun faktanya ialah ianya dibawah Negeri, namun Rakyat tahu siapa yang menguasai pentadbiran iaitu kerajaan. Oleh sebab pemimpin politik UMNO terlepas pandang, maka tidak ada sebarang pemantaun atau strategi digubal untuk menilai kesan politiknya.

Banyak isu2 agama atau isu2 yang diagamakan yang tercetus kebelakagan ini memberi kesan kepada UMNO sebagai parti utama dalam kerajaan BN. Ini adalah perkara2 yang akan diingati oleh pengundi menjelang pilihanraya. Kegagalan kerajaan membendung fahaman dan tindakan eksremis sehingga ada anak muda yang memasuki dalam ISIS juga menimbulkan tanda tanya berkaitan dengan kurikulum agama disekolah2 dan siaran agama dalam media yang rakyat anggap sebagai dibawah kawalan kerajaan.

Perkara yang anih ialah ini – UMNO sejak selepas TDM dilihat telah menjadi PAS zaman dulu dengan fahaman konservatif agamanya ! Sebaliknya dalam beberapa ketika, PAS pula dilihat sebagai semakin kembali kepada AL-Quran dan sunnah sahih. Ini adalah persepsi yang perlu dihadapi dan fahami.

Maka berlaku lah kecelaruan dikalangan Melayu dari aspek apa itu “Islam” yang semakin lama dimonopoli oleh fahaman satu kelompok dengan izin pemimpin politik yang dilihat sebagai jahil agama.  Dalam aspek ini, UMNO dilihat sebagai gagal selepas TDM. Dari segi politik pula, pengaruh PAS semakin meluas walaupun ada pelbagai spinning di laman maya yang semakin hari semakin tidak dipercayai oleh pembaca.

Semua ini akan mengurangkan kerelevanan UMNO dijangka panjang dan akan menjauhkan UMNO daripada orang Melayu dijangka pendek dari segi undi JIKA UMNO masih lagi berada dalam “comfort zone” dan kotak pemikiran kini. Adakah UMNO berani menghadapi isu-isu agama secara berilmiah dan terbuka? Saya kira tidak setakat ini.

Yang paling dikhuatiri ialah jika Melayu hanya di sogokkan dengan bicara “kemelayuan” dan fahaman “agama” sempit sahaja dalam hidup mereka, seluruh dunia akan maju dan kita akan tinggal dalam dunia syok sendiri kita yang lambat laun akan di telan oleh masa menurut Sunnah Allah.

“Tetapi jika kamu berpaling, aku telah menyampaikan kepada kamu apa yang aku diutus dengannya kepada kamu, dan Pemeliharaku akan mengantikan kamu dengan satu kaum yang selain daripada kamu, dan kamu pula tidak akan memudaratkan-Nya sedikit pun. Pemeliharaku Penjaga atas segala sesuatu." (Quran 11:57)

Salam.

Apa keturunan kamu Adik ? - Racial Profiling in Government Schools ???

Setiap kali kita dengar pemimpin politik mengatakan bahawa mereka mahukan rakyat Malaysia bersatu.

Tanpa segan silu pemimpin politik akan berceramah mengenai kepentingan patrotisme di kalangan Rakyat.

Apa yang pemimpin politik tidak sedar atau tidak mahu sedar ialah : Rakyat umumnya memang mahu bersatu dan memang menjalani kehidupan mereka sebagai satu keluarga Malaysia.

tetapi...yang gagal dan yang "jahat" ialah pemimpin politik yang sengaja mahu memisahkan dan memecahbelahkan Rakyat kepada suku-suku, kaum-kaum, agama-agama dan sebagainya.

Malaysia telah merdeka lebih daripada 50 tahun, namun apabila anak-anak Malaysia masuk sekolah rendah, dengan serta merta mereka di ingatkan dan diingatkan dan dingatkan bahawa mereka adalah daripada keturunan yang berbeza.

Setiap borang yang perlu di isi disekolah-sekolah perlu dinyatakan keturunan anak, ibunya, bapanya.

KENAPA?

kenapa nak tahu murid itu keturunan jawa ke, bugis ke, boyan ke, minangkabau ke, cina ke, india ke, dayak ke, kadazan ke, murut ke, dan lain-lain ke ?

Saya tahu, bugis, jawa, boyan di lungguk dalam kelompok "Melayu" dan kadang kala India Muslim dan Cina Muslim di lungguk dalam kelompok "Melayu" mengikut kefahaman terhadap Perlembagaan Malaysia oleh pegawai yang berkenaan.

KENAPA PERLU DI CATAT KETURUNAN?

Apakah kaedah mengajar akan diubah mengikut perbezaan keturunan?

Cina atau Melayu atau India atau Murut akan mempunyai cara penerimaan yang berbeza kerana keturunan mereka yang berbeza?

Bagaimana kalau kita tulis sahaja begini:

Keturunan : Adam. Boleh??? 

Bukan kah Negara kita banyak "islamik" itu dan ini dan masing2 nak jadi tuhan di muka bumi untuk "memperjuangkan" islam, so apa kata kita bagi jawapan "Islamik" iaitu dari segi keturunan kita adalah keturunan Adam!

Kenapa lah borang2 kuno dan rasis sedemikian masih digunakan disekolah2????  Adakah sengaja kita ingin besarkan perbezaan kita dari segi keturunan dan tidak mahu menegaskan persamaan kita sebagai rakyat Malaysia???

lain lah kalau doktor yang tanya - mungkin dia nak kaji asal usul sejarah pemakanan dan genetik. Ini sekolah pulak !

Sedih. Amat Sedih. Kerajaan Barisan nasional tidak dapat menangani perkara semudah ini sejak merdeka sehingga kini dan mahu rakyat percaya bahawa mereka mahu pupuk perpaduan dikalangan murid-murid di sekolah..

Susah sangat nak kata kita ini Bangsa Malaysia????

Patutlah Allah tanya samada kita boleh dikatakan sebagai orang beriman sebelum di uji (Quran 29:2)

Dalam konteks borang-borang rasis ini yang dikekalkan oleh Kerajaan BN ujian ini, BN gagal - gagal dalam berusaha mengwjudkan bangsa Malaysia dan gagal dalam hayati prinsip Islam berdasarkan Al-Quran.

Satu Cabaran mudah untuk BN - hentikan raical profling di sekolah-sekolah kerajaan !

Salam.

Rapera Reviews 2013 on various issues with Dr Azmi Sharom

You can click on the link here :

http://www.mobtv.my/talkshow-4557.html

Peace !

Is Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becoming a radical reformer ???

I almost could not believe my eyes when I read that PM Najib had announced that ISA and three other emergency laws will be repealed. These laws have been opposed to by civil society for years and many citizens find these laws repressive and unnecessary.

I was shocked, pleasantly though, for several reasons. The act of repealing these acts is a courageous act for any president of UMNO, the largest and the ruling dominant party. It is simple political logic that any ruling party will want to retain any laws that would give it greater power to control the people, especially those that oppose the party. Hence, for Najib to announce that these laws will be repealed makes it a radical move.

I can expect that there will be resistance from UMNO rightwingers itself and some right wing NGOs. I am sure that quite a few of former UMNO leaders may be in opposition to the move, though not directly. These are to be expected and I am sure, if Najib is serious, he expects this as well. Therefore, in this sense, he is taking a big political risk for his position and support within the party.

I have often argued for fundamental reforms (as opposed to cosmetic changes) in the democratic space and the political arena on this blog and in my talks. Removing these laws is another fundamental step forward towards restoring our country as a constitutional democracy. We should applaud and support Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak in this reformist step.

If Najib is serious about the repeal of these oppressive and archaic laws, he stands as a reformist who has gone beyond partisan thinking and has the people's mental and democratic development at heart. I find it extremely tiring that politicians simply refuse to think beyond partisan lines. Najib's act here is an example for politicians to think about national interests instead of purely party interests.

Surely, the removal of these laws will liberalize further civil society and hence greater criticism of any government wrongdoing or policies will surely ensue. This is not necessary a bad thing as this is how society can mature in a democracy - healthy factual debates rather than squashing rational dissent with the law. This is  a risk that Najib is willing to take politically in the interest of democratic reforms. The ability and willingness to take this political risk also shows Najib's confidence in his efforts and policies in winning over the hearts of the people. He is prepared to be judged on his merits rather than rhetoric.

For me this is not the first time that Najib has acted radically in announcing reform orientated policies. It is no secret that I am among the earliest supporter of his 1Malaysia policy. I thought that was radical and absolutely necessary for the country. 1Malaysia policy has the potential to be a long-term all-encompassing policy for the Nation which all citizens can identify with and participate. However, I also foresaw opposition and confusion within UMNO and opposition from certain NGOs and I was right. Many may not understand but his announcement of 1Malaysia was indeed a major political risk for him within UMNO and among some Malay NGOs.

However, the majority of UMNO members have accepted this policy now. Many UMNO members are reminded that though UMNO is a Malay based party, it had since since independence worked for Malaysia irrespective of religion or race. Sure, there had been deviations somewhere along the line with UMNOputras and some UMNO warlords becoming arrogant and 'lupakan diri dan Tuhan' but things are changing back to the original position. 1Malaysia in this sense is a good tool to realign and remind members that UMNO's struggle is not just for the Malays but for all Malaysians as the UMNO song itself testifies.

1Malaysia also serves to remind UMNO members that they are largely Muslims and hence racist tendencies are unIslamic. This, hopefully will weed out some UMNO leaders who are bent on pretending to be champions of the 'Malay race' simply for self glory and enrichment. I have been sick and tired for years with the approach of these primitive UMNO leaders trying to scare the Malays that they are not hard-working, not clever and that they are a social grouping that is going extinct and hence have to be protected in all spheres of their lives ! What a cruel thing to do !!!

So, 1Malaysia policy did shake UMNO out of its comfort zone and true reforms should do just that. The president of UMNO, Najib Tun Razak was brave enough to do that. Of course 1Malaysia policy can still be 'tweaked' to make it work better but all reforms come with one brave step. Najib took that step.

Due to that one step, it was well received by most Malaysians, if not all. Of course everyone, including me, wants greater translation of 1Malaysia into reality and practice. It will take time. I have always written on this blog that though 1Malaysia is Najib's 'baby', to me, it is bigger than him. It represents the hope for the future for Malaysians and people do not easily allow their hopes to be dashed. Nor do they easily forgive those who dash their hopes.

Najib is also going to do the sane thing by reviewing the annual publishing permits under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA). Too much discretionary powers in hands of enforcers without check and balance by the courts is a bad thing.


I do hope that these are but steps taken to further reform Malaysia so that we can become a great Nation someday.


Peace!

"Are we ready for 1 Malaysia: Does Race Still Play a Part?"- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

1. I would like to apologise to the students and others for failing to turn up to give the talk I had agreed to.

2. I would also like to thank those who sent get well messages, fruits and flowers while I was in hospital in Melbourne.

3. Honestly I feel I have lost an opportunity to meet and talk to what may be the future leaders of Malaysia. For this reason I am writing down here what would have been the contents of my talk.

4. The suggested topic for my talk was, "Are we ready for 1 Malaysia: Does Race Still Play a Part?"

5. I will be frank but factual. My only interest is the country we all love. I am past self-interest.

You can continue reading the rest here. 


Peace!

Is 1Malaysia in line with Quranic principles?

By Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos

Though I was very happy when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the 1Malaysia policy, I did expect diverse reactions to it, particularly from within UMNO.  In fact, I believe I was probably the earliest blogger to “expand” and try to give meaning to the policy with the first posting on April 8, 2009 (I believe too that even then, Najib did not yet outline his concept!).  Since then, there has been more than 10 postings on the subject.

I truly believe that 1Malaysia concept is relevant, and the way forward. It is a good start and a bold one by an UMNO President considering that it could easily turn out to be a major political risk for him. I knew then that it will be misunderstood by some people in UMNO as abandoning the main objective of UMNO – ie protecting Malay rights.  While UMNO’s stated objective of “protecting Malay rights” is exclusive, 1Malaysia policy promotes inclusiveness – every citizen’s rights.  Such a shift will certainly require time for UMNO leaders in general to understand and to subsequently embrace it.

1Malaysia calls for a paradigm shift - away from the used way of doing things to looking at the same things with fresh eyes and new approaches. Changing habits is never easy but 1Malaysia motivates the need to change for the better – for the general good. The Nation itself is still on the learning curve and we are learning that the way we are used to is not necessarily the best way to achieve positive results. Admission of past failures and our collective weaknesses is the first step towards realigning the Nation towards greater things. 1Malaysia, I believe provides us the channel to do this. In this regard, the Quran itself challenges us to reevaluate ourselves:

“Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But God knows, and you know not” (Quran: 2.216)

Confused apprehension of 1Malaysia coupled with engineered ignorance

As I expected, there were sections of the Malay community that were anxious that 1Malaysia will erode their special position that are enshrined in the Constitution. Not surprisingly, NGOs like Perkasa came into being to act as some sort of a pressure group to “remind” the Government not to “sideline the Malays”.  While I respect the democratic rights of these NGOs to freely express their concerns, I must state that their “fears” are actually unfounded.  I presume that their unfounded fears arose because of several factors, including confusion, ignorance of the Constitution and ignorance of the demographic facts.  I shall explain below:

It is a fact that many UMNO members are also part of Perkasa. There has been an unhappy feeling among UMNO members since Tun Abdullah Badawi was UMNO President. There seems to be a perception that he has weakened UMNO and the unprecedented loss by BN in the 2008 general elections seems to have lent credence to that perception.  Further, the unhappiness of UMNO with Abdullah Badawi resulted in him relinquishing both the offices of the Prime Minster and UMNO President. To be fair to Abdullah, he did introduce several liberal reforms or at least did give space for various “sensitive issues” to be publicly discussed. However, this liberalism was seen as his weakness rather than  a result of his policy.  This public discussion of “sensitive issues” were also seen by many UMNO leaders as UMNO becoming weak. This is a scenario which they have never seen before especially since some of the participants airing the issues were educated and young Malays! It was becoming a Malay-Malay dialogue on the reality of the multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Malaysia. You now have Malays championing not only Malay rights but also non-Malay rights – very Malaysian in perspective.

Further, the loss of 5 states to the opposition also seemed to have ‘embarrassed’ UMNO leaders/members. Malays, who are not UMNO members but UMNO sympathizers, also seemed to lose confidence in UMNO’s ability to look after Malay interest.  Barisan Nasional’s (seen as UMNO’s) erosion of political power is confused with “erosion of Malay rights”.

All the above factors I believe caused confusion in the mind of some Malays. The confusion being between rapid phase of political changes, weak leadership, a bigger than usual opposition, and legitimate Malay interests.  It is this confusion that led some people to wrongly saying that Malay political power has eroded when in actual fact, we have the biggest Malay representation in Parliament since merdeka!

It is also this confusion that led to some people wrongly saying that “Malay rights” in the Constitution are being challenged when in actual fact (a) the Constitution has always spoken about “Malay and natives special positions” and (b) there has never been any legal or Parliamentary challenge to Article 153. I have written about this in three parts here. http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/2010/02/hak-melayu-terhakis-bhg-satu.html)

It is noteworthy that these self-styled “champions of the Malays” have conveniently never taken the initiative to educate their Malay audience on the entrenched provisions in the Constitution. It is as if they want to perpetuate the ignorance of their audience on the said provisions so that they can “pump up the emotions” without putting the “brain in gear”.

Of course, as in any political community, there will always be vested interests who will take advantage of the existing confusion to promote their selfish interests at the expense of the majority.  These are people who will pretend to care for the community but in actual fact, they do not care beyond the perpetuation of their own wealth, power and influence. Such a hypocritical behaviour has been pointed out in principle in the Quran:

“Ah! you are those who love them, but they love you not,- though you believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, "We believe": But when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say: "Perish in you rage; God knows well all the secrets of the heart." (Quran 3:119) 

Inclusive or exclusive vision for the Nation?

Race based politics may have been relevant pre-Merdeka when possibly the diverse ethnic groups were unable to communicate with each other and lived in their own respective villages with very little inter-mingling. Race-based politics is certainly exclusive. It only promotes the well-being of one race to the exclusion of others. Such a political approach is bound to create conflicts and tension in the long run.

Today, the situation in Malaysia is completely different. People from diverse ethnic backgrounds inter-mingle freely on a daily basis – schools, places of work, neighbourhood, festivals, businesses, etc. Inter marriages are common. Bahasa Malaysia and English has enabled them to communicate with each other and allowed them to understand that they have common fears and hopes. Malaysia is the only home that most common Malaysians have though the elitists may have alternative homes in other countries.

There is a real bond between common Malaysians with the “soil of Malaysia”. In this sense, all Malaysians are “sons of the soil” or “bumiputra”.  The term actually is unimportant compared to what it entails to be a Malaysian in reality.  In the final analysis, it is they who have to collectively defend Malaysia if it is under attack from external or internal enemies of the Nation. It is they who have to collectively develop this Nation. Malaysians know and realize that if any Malaysian in suffering it will subsequently affect the well being of the others.

You cannot have what you want for yourselves and yet deny the very same for others. Such an approach is primitive, unjust and is a recipe for long term social conflict, strife and disaster. Denying others the equal and legitimate right to available resources is oppressive. I believe the right to God’s resources cannot legitimately be denied by man made laws.

“We have honored (karamna) the children of Adam;  provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our creation.” (Quran: Al-Israa 17:70)

We are all children of Adam and as siblings we are required to share the resources that God has given us. We are required to care for each other regardless of ethnic, cultural or religious differences. By now, we should have evolved into thinking beings who know that one of the biggest myth is that tribalism is security for the members of the tribe. Good and bad people are sprinkled into every tribe. Our diversity is not a weakness but a strength that we should collectively draw upon. The Quran lucidly refers to the strength of diversity as such:

“O humanity!  We have created you from a single male and female and have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you have pride over one another).  Verily, the most honorable (أَكْرَمَكُمْ ) of you in the God’s Sight is the one most righteous. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Quran: Al-Hujraat”, 49:13)

The mark of a civilized society is that which takes an inclusive attitude towards each other.  I believe 1Malaysia contains this very important ingredient of inclusiveness. As Najib himself has frequently pointed out, 1Malaysia is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia. We have been living peacefully developing this Nation together.  1Malaysia policy however puts into motion a vision for us to focus and to work out tangible reforms that will entrench this idea into the system.

Incidentally, last week I met Bassam Abu Ali, a Palestinian who is residing in Athens. He is here on a short trip and we exchanged notes. He strongly expressed his view that he is proud of the 1Malaysia concept being put forward by a Muslim majority country.  He felt that Malaysia is an outstanding example of a Muslim majority country that lives peacefully with others. He also felt that this concept should be brought to other Muslim countries so that they can learn.

Anyway, back to us, I believe each of us should give meaning to this 1Malaysia concept and make it the foundation of our Nation. Any attempts by vested groups to thwart this vision should be opposed.

Peace !

NAJIB: Do not question anyone's citizenship.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the Nasir episode should be a lesson to everyone to be racially sensitive. He and the government has distanced themselves from any of the statements made by Nasir. This is a welcomed response.

The NewStraitsTimes reports the Prime Minister saying:

“The citizenship of a Malaysian is clearly defended in the Federal Constitution and it cannot be questioned by anyone.

“I have issued a statement on this but I would like to say it again that what was said is not my view nor is it the stand of the government".

So, 1Malaysia is on track!

Peace !

1Malaysia and Saboteurs - Will it happen again and again????

Such nonsense WITHIN the government must stop. I purposely use the word “within the government” because if you are part of the government, then you have to toe the government policy. If you are not within the government, then you can have a dissenting view. You can say the opposite of what the government says. This is democracy. Of course, if you are within the government and you dissent very strongly on an important government policy, then you should simply resign. Unfortunately, such a principled stance has never really been part of our general political culture. Largely because, politics in this country is a periuk nasi issue rather than service to the Nation and the Rakyat.

If you say things that are contrary to the government policy, then the credibility of the government is affected.  Rakyat gets confused. The Rakyat will think your policy is only lip service. The more discerning Rakyat will note that the government is confused. It does not know that the left hand and the right hand are not synchronized.  Or maybe the head cannot control what the rest of the body does. Biologically, that may be acceptable. You have to go to the toilet when you have to go to the toilet. But in politics and governance, the head must be in control or at least appear to be in control. This translates to mean that when someone significant in the government makes a statement or does something contrary to government policy, the head must deal with him severely. The head cannot afford another and another such incident. Nip in the bud. Make an example.

UP to date, I believe that Najib is serious with his 1Malaysia policy, though I get the feeling that the policy is not being articulated well. I am now not even sure that the policy has been explained properly to the civil servants, who unfortunately are in charge of the “delivery system”. It boggles my mind that these civil servants who went through so many slogans all their life, including Islam Hadhari (what happened to it?) are actually expected to embrace and PROMOTE something new like this. Can they understand it in the first place? I forgot – Malaysians can set aside prejudices, baggages and embrace logic and reason in a jiffy! (I have been lambasted by a friend I came to know within the past one year just  for insisting that one must use reason all the time!)

So, back to 1Malaysia. As I have written before, it is a powerful policy if properly executed and defined. And I say it again: it is a double-edged sword that cut both ways. It can destroy trust in the government if it is not implemented judiciously. You have raised so much hope and trust and such things hurt if you renegade on them.

But I have digressed. I was going to write about the nonsense that must be stopped. The latest being the controversy surrounding the statement by the special assistant in the Prime Minister’s office. When I first heard about it – I did not believe. It is simply too preposterous and plain stupid politically for someone from the PM’s office to say that..and at a 1Malaysia function!  Morally, it is cruel and wrong. Any Muslim who truly believes in Allah should know that. Constitutionally, it is moronic and exposes the level of grey matter the speaker has.  Legally, there are so many penal code offences that may be preferred in the light of such statements.

Personally, I have got no problems. You simply cannot stop the horse from being a horse, a donkey from being a donkey, a lembu from being a lembu or a monkey from being a monkey. It is a choice each makes. If you worry too much about it, you will die of grief as Allah says in the Quran. In the Quran, Allah says that in some occasions, some human beings are at a level lower than the animals. While both animals and human beings have ears, eyes, brains, these certain human beings do not want to use their ears, eyes and brains. Many actually have been trained to think that Allah created brains simply for decoration and not for use!

Back to the nonsense. This guy is in the PRIME MINISTER”S department! How many more are there??? And he goes public with sick views completely contrary to the 1Malaysia spirit. Why? Is he a saboteur? I want to know because I think 1malaysia should be the way forward.

Even Tun Mahthir felt this was important to comment. The StarOnline reports:

”The citizenship of non-Malays in the country should never be questioned, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said there was a provision in the Federal Constitution stating that while Malays were the indigenous people, non-Malays had their right to citizenship.
“That should not be questioned. We cannot banish our citizens now. The Constitution provides that you cannot take away citizenships,” he told reporters after opening the Malaysian Liver Foundation building at Ara Damansara here on Wednesday”.

Really, really Sir Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak…you must never allow such things to ever happen again in your government, your party and most of all in your department. 1Malaysia must be allowed to evolve (?).

With this guy……how are you going to deal with him? Surely 1Malaysia is too sacred for it to be derailed by irresponsible quarters?

Peace !

 

1Malaysia – Where is it heading to?.

When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak first announced “1Malaysia”, I felt that it excited a large segment of the Rakyat. I was certainly excited as the slogan, if carried to its most logical conclusion could be a practical, far-reaching guide to the achievement of a true 1Nation. It can actually be vision for the government and the Rakyat to achieve.

1Malaysia is something that all the Rakyat can identify with. Most of the Rakyat had been living in peace since independence and before. Malaysia had the ugly experience of May 13, 1969 but then again, it was the result of politics rather than real hatred and enmity between the different ethnic origins. Even then, I recall that while a few of the participants in May 13 were going amuck, the bigger majority were shielding and helping each other out despite ethnic differences.

Today, however, the ghost of May 13 is unknown to the younger generation even though some irresponsible and uncreative older generation politicians keep trying to play it up. While the citizenry landscape has changed, many of the politicians’ mindset has not. There has been so many inter-marriages that it becomes almost ludicrous and cruel to differentiate Malaysians based on ethnic origins. To take the example of the former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who married a non-Malay (biologically as constitutionally, she may be a Malay)

In mixed marriages, while all are cousins at home, the moment they step into society, they are separated into Malay, Chinese, Indian, etc category by the adults who insist on laws and unwritten policies to this effect. It may take a while for these adults in power to realize that they will have to answer to God on the day of Judgement for infusing division from childhood purely for political ends.

The younger generation is generally embarrassed by the older generations’ insistence on ethnic segregation and ethnic based policies and speeches. Further, 50 years of Merdeka has also shown that it is untrue that solidarity based on ethnic similarity per se guarantees well-being. Even religious similarity is not a guarantee that the person who belongs to the same religious grouping with you will not oppress you. Many leaders have betrayed their own ethnic groupings many times over while others have assisted people from different ethnic groupings. Greed and treachery is not the monopoly of any one ethnic group. Good people and bad people are found everywhere.

The dramatic change in the political landscape has also educated the people that ethnicity is a wrong premise to proceed in the quest of justice for all. Today, you have almost equal number of participants from different ethnic origins on both sides of the political divide. The “Malay, Chinese or Indian political card” is now frowned upon as racist and an affront to human dignity (“perjuangan yang tidak bermaruah”).

In the above backdrop, 1Malaysia appears to give hope to the common folk that finally we can take the necessary real and bold steps to truly live as Malaysians under the Malaysian sun. This is a real hope and because I think a large segment of the Rakyat truly believes in this, it is for now a double edged sword for the Barisan Nasional Government. If Najib understands what this slogan means for the people (it does not matter what it means to him), and he can deliver it, then he will be remembered as the “Bapa Malaysia” and his BN government may get more votes at PRU13. However, if he does not live up to the Rakyat’s expectation of 1Malaysia, then, the Rakyat will find it hard to ever trust the BN again. I will so go so far to say that 1Malaysia is, in a sense an extremely powerful slogan.

I like the slogan. To me, it is the right guiding principle of governance in multi-ethnic and multi religious Malaysia. I think it can be utilized to bring forth radical and fundamental changes that will benefit the Rakyat in the long-run. It is due to this that the moment Najib announced the slogan, I began to write about what 1Malaysia should be about. I think I started writing it on my blog even before Najib could complete his eight principles of 1Malaysia on his blog!

I sincerely wish Najib all the strength and courage to actualize 1Malaysia into a reality that could make us feel truly Malaysian. To do this, the disbelievers should be removed and he must put in place people who will support him in making 1Malaysia a reality and not just a passing political slogan like “Islam Hadhari”.

Peace.

PIETY AND PLACES OF WORSHIP

by Dr Chandra Muzaffar

The recent cow head incident has brought to the fore certain important prerequisites for the maintenance of peace and harmony in a multi-religious society like ours.

One, an appreciation of the sensitivities of each and every religious community is fundamental. These sensitivities may be at variance with one’s own beliefs but recognizing them for what they are, is a pre-condition for ensuring inter-ethnic peace in a multi-religious society.

Two, when these sensitivities are ignored, or worse, transgressed, it is individuals and groups from the offending community who should be more vocal in condemning the behaviour of their fellow religionists. This will have a more positive impact upon interreligious ties than the denunciations of people from the aggrieved community. It is commendable that in the cow head incident a number of Muslim groups took a firm stand against the despicable action of a misguided few from their own community who had clearly violated Islamic teachings.

I have no doubt at all that if police investigations reveal that those responsible for the pig head incidents in Malacca and Kuala Lumpur are from some non-Muslim community, there will be individuals and groups from the community who will condemn such debased conduct.

Three, while Malaysians are generally conscious of the red lines that should not be crossed on certain matters pertaining to religion, the level of understanding and empathy among the different communities is still appallingly low. On a variety of issues ranging from education to economics, misconception and distrust continue to impact negatively upon ethnic relations. This is why public policies that seek to redress ethnic grievances, buttressed by effective public education, are so critical at this point in time in enhancing inter-community understanding.

If there was empathy among the communities, the question of relocating a Hindu
temple in Shah Alam would have been less controversial. No one would have argued
that a minority religious community cannot have its own place of worship in a locality where the majority professes a different religion. Right through history, Muslim Rulers --- with a few exceptions—saw it as their duty to protect the temples, churches and synagogues of minority faiths, in accordance with Quranic principles.

By the same token, in a number of societies where Hindus or Buddhists or Christians are in the majority, Muslim minorities have been able build their mosques and practise their faith in peace. Malaysia itself is an outstanding example of a country where the majority dichotomy has had no effect upon the construction of places of worship. If we were influenced by such myopic thinking, there would be no gurdwaras in Malaysia since Sikhs are a tiny minority everywhere in the country!

Of course, in any multi-religious society there will have to be unambiguous rules governing the construction, maintenance and expansion of places of worship. These rules should be just and fair to all religious communities. Equally important, they should be enforced effectively. The lack of effective enforcement has in some instances contributed to inter-religious friction and tension.

From a broader perspective, while it is important to acknowledge the significance of a place of worship to the religious life of a people, it would be wrong to assume that a place of worship is proof of the piety of a people. We have to get rid of the idea that there is a direct equation between the two. True piety is reflected in faith in God and in good deeds. In the ultimate analysis, it is deeds that mirror values such as justice and compassion and kindness that really count.

It is not just kindness and compassion to our fellow human beings that is indicative of piety. Showing kindness and compassion to animals is also regarded as a noble virtue in all our religions. This virtue was one of the edicts of that illustrious Buddhist Ruler of antiquity, Asoka. . The Qur’an even recognizes the rights of animals as illustrated in the story of the Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud. It explains why early Muslim jurists not only formulated rules and regulations aimed at protecting the welfare of animals but also prohibited animal torture. This is why stomping and spitting upon the
slaughtered head of a cow with venom is an unconscionable act.

The time has come for more individuals and groups of conscience to speak out against those attitudes and actions within their own religious community that violate the humane values and principles embodied in their respective faiths.
Professor Chandra Muzaffar is President of International Movement for a Just World, and also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yayasan 1Malaysia.

17 September 2009.

NAJIB: WE CAN BRING DOWN RACIAL WALLS

We have heard of speeches and exhortations by political leaders on unity and the dangers of racism and religious extremism for so long.

Probably we must have done some things right to be able to live together for so long, some of us even fall in love with each other and get married transcending racial, religious and cultural barriers, and so on.

But more needs to be done at the STREET LEVEL - meaning at the level that affects REAL PEOPLE, not just at elitist discussions and forums or at political rallies or on events such as Merdeka Day, Festival Days, New Year and so on.

Najib spoke right about the BN's approach to taking that step - each component party while looking at the interests of its members, must rise up that higher ground of championing the rights of "others", though not from their own party.

Eg: would it not be a breath of fresh air if MCA "protests" against violation of any "Malay rights?"

eg UMNO　steps in to protect the legitimate rights of the person who has CONVERTED OUT OF ISLAM (what a sensitive issue!). Actually, people's lives cannot be swept under the carpet on grounds of sensitivity for at the bottom line - we each only have ONE life. There is no reason why yours should be less important than mine.

BN as a party itself is in a position to address the concerns of all ALL MALAYSIANS irrespective of differences in social construct, be ther racial, religious, cultural, etc. It has a good formula and what is needed is the courage, COMPASSION, and persistence to push through the LIFESTYLE of Malaysians.

I fear that good exhortations without concrete steps to remove things that divide Malaysians will not be helpful. On the contrary, hypocritical statements by political leaders will not only invite negative backlash, it will be counter productive to national acceptance of each other( one of the values of Najib's 1Malaysia concept).

As Wong Chun Wai of the Star pointed out, self restraint is a virtue in moving towards honest acceptance of each other.

"For 1Malaysia to work, our politicians, including ministers, need to exercise plenty of self-restraint. They cannot spew racist remarks to become champions of their races, and then talk about national unity. The days of talking to different audiences and expecting such double talk not to reach the ears of other communities are over".

Yes, we can bring down racial barriers and we must if we want to stand before God and say that we are all His Creations/ "His Children".

PEACE !

NOTE: CIVIL SERVANTS WHO PRACTICE RACISM SHOULD BE SEVERELY DEALT WITH BY THE LAW.

1MALAYSIA VISION – PART 5: HOUSING POLICY

One of the fundamental duty of a responsible Government is to provide adequate, comfortable and affordable homes to its citizens. When one speaks of housing policies, many factors come into play, inter alia:

1. Size of the house
2. Environment (many “taman perumahan” are not only not tamans but not even reseidential in nature.
3. Price of the house – affordable and fair.
4. Availability of Financing and the cost of financing
5. “racial makeup” of the residents,
6. placement and role of places of worship in residential areas (unique to Malaysia)
7. Availability of the local, friendly grocery store (as opposed to mega malls!)
8. Exit and entry routes including infrastructural support.

I must confess that I have never been happy with the housing policy (if there is one) thus far. I say this from my observation of the manner in which houses are built in this country with complete or no regard for future developments around the area. One gets the feeling that somewhere along the way, the main criteria was profits and “under table” for all those who are linked to the housing industry. There are many, many low-cost houses that are abandoned (terbengkalai) where the literally poor house buyers are still stuck with servicing the loans of houses that will never be built! What has this got to do with 1Malaysia you may ask?

Well, 1Malaysia will never be achieved if the government is not sensitive to the broadening income disparities among the Rakyat. I really feel that the low and the lower middle income group are not taken care of adequately or at least there is no proper planning done to address the problems that they face. Beginning from the inhumane size of the so-called low cost houses and apartments and to the social problems that such housing sizes must create, they appear to be caught in a spiral and a vicious circle. I have seen such potential time bombs of low income areas covering almost all the major ethnic community of Malaysia. Very soon, these low income groups, if left unaddressed will be a cause of class division. Lets us not forget that they from the broadest section of the society.

While on this subject, I feel that the price of houses are artificially high because houses that are meant to be for shelter have become assets for business by those in the real estate business. Shouldn’t there be control over these, since housing is an essential need of the People？

The Minister in charge has an excellent opportunity to come up with creative policies and ideas to make residential areas as enclaves or examples of 1Malaysia lifestyle.

PEACE !

1Malaysia Vision – Part 4 – RETURN EDUCATION TO ITS OBJECTIVES

I realize that there has been no in depth thinking done on our “education policies”. The fact that our education policy has failed to create a general Malaysian awareness and sense of unity among the Rakyat is evident from the various complaints of polarization that has occurred in our schools and especially in our universities. After 50 years of Merdeka, today people are saying that there is greater “divisiveness” among the people, though we are able to live peacefully among us.

I do believe that a few of us, no matter what, choose to be racists and bigoted religionists (Some comments on this blog testify to this). These people cannot think beyond their noses and can never see the goodness of other people who belong in another social construct. There are such FEW people in our midst and they will be here forever as a challenge to the majority who want to evolve into human beings. Hence, you hear some people still saying “Malays” are lazy and greedy as though ALL Malays are such Same thing about “Chinese” being wealthy and materialistic as though ALL Chinese are.

And in these discussions, I seldom hear this particular Chinese or Malay or Indian or etc talking about Orang Asli rights, Iban rights, Kadazan rights, etc. Why, these people do not even think about the “rights” of the millions of immigrant workers who are in our midst. I suppose to these people, because the Bangladeshi, the Indonesians, the Filipinos, Chinese, etc workers are not Malaysians, they therefore cease to be humans! If you understand what I am saying, I am asking you to look into yourself before you even condemn people, who in their own small way, try very hard to create an awareness that we can all evolve into human beings.

But of course, what I am hoping for is a tall order. People never want to blame themselves for the condition or the mindset that they chose to have. Have we ever thought that in the same condition, two people will behave very differently? Since asking people to look into themselves is a “tall order” let me now return to the more tolerable external topic of “education policy”.

I really do not know if there is a comprehensive education policy in our country. My feeling is that it has all been ad hoc to achieve ad hoc objectives, mostly influenced by politics. For example, at one time there was a mad rush to push students into the science stream even if the student is not interested in it. Pushing students into the science stream may not bad in itself but the further thought of where these students are going to absorbed in their working life has never been thought out. Courses are introduced without a thought for the future. Syllabuses are weak and inappropriate and one wonders why.

Today, we have vernacular schools, National schools, religious schools (sekolah agama), sekolah pondok, private schools, international schools, etc. All these are attended by children from ages 7 to 17, the formative years. Do you not then expect diversity? Diversity in itself is fine but what if the diversity leads to isolation of those from these schools from each other? Is that good? Is that not what is happening today? Is it not about time that we came up with a solution to prevent the breeding of isolation from so early an age among our children? Where is the cohesive, comprehensive education policy?

(How dare we even dare to talk about unity when we deliberately segregate them at so young an age? Do we not have any sense of shame? Or maybe what we are really concerned about is our “rights” - when what we actually mean is our share of the cake, our own culture, our own religion, our own language, our, our, our, our, our. Shame!)

Next, we will want to know what the objective of the education policy is. Does anyone know? Looking at the nature of material (I will not call it knowledge), taught in our schools and the manner of examinations that are conducted, I think it is fair to say that we are at least, creating parrots, unthinking citizens. Do you realize that today there are so many students getting so many As? It looks like this country is mass-producing geniuses and yet we encounter poor quality graduates. The education “planners” seem to have forgotten that “academic brilliance is no substitute for poverty of character”. I wish those who should will sit down and try thinking for a change – think about what our education policy objective should be. We do not want a repeat of the maths-science in English or Malay or Punjabi type of debate anymore. It is embarrassing and demeaning to a thinking person.

Thirdly, the politicization of education MUST stop. The first step to do this is to remove people on the “board of education” policy those who have hidden agendas. The only agenda permissible in education is to “educate” and to teach skills. Such politicization of education has led to lies in the textbooks, “doctored”, dishonest “theses”, propaganda at its worst and so on. There must be a total reform of the education system, syllabuses, materials, etc. Educational opportunities should be available to all Malaysians.

There are of course many “purposes” of an education policy. Quite apart from the obvious one of “educating”, it must also be geared towards the creation of a sense of true humanity, and Malaysian-ness. We have to move away from the emphasis on superficiality and zero in into substance.

People today are quite tired of meaningless symbols and superficialities. In the field of education, we need courageous leaders who will move into the “substance of education”. If the current Government does not even want to address this point, they can forget about achieving 1Malaysia. It may be a case of taking one step forward and three steps back.

PEACE !

1Malaysia Vision – Part 3 – Mutual Respect, Mutual Responsibility and Mutual Rewards – THE 3R MUTUALS

1Malaysia vision must be able to create an awareness and sense of belonging in the People that this is their HOME. People must be able to feel that they and their siblings can depend on this country for their sustenance and survival. They must be able to feel that they can invest all their energy, creativity, emotions and effort in this country so that they and their siblings can receive due benefit from their investments. This is their SOIL.

All the Rakyat are the children of the soil and they have a RESPONSIBILTY to the protect the land, to cultivate it, and to share it. There must be awareness that the more prosperous Rakyat have a duty and responsibility to uplift the lot of the less fortunate Rakyat, irrespective of religious or any social construct. The Government must have policies that will bring forth true mutual responsibility among the Rakyat irrespective of any social differences. Any conduct that emphasizes differences among the Rakyat will only erode the idea of mutual responsibility.

History is a lesson to be learned to know the background of what is today. It cannot be a statement written in stone to be unchangeable today. Everyday as we live, history is being written. If mutual responsibility never existed before due to circumstances then, it does not mean that we have to perpetuate the historical circumstances that never gave birth to mutual responsibility. We have to create the history of mutual responsibility and for this be done we must have the ability and wisdom to understand the children of today.

Human beings, regardless of which social grouping the Creator has chosen to put them into have one thing in common – human dignity and the need to be respected as a fellow human being. 1Malaysia Vision will fail if it cannot bring forth policies that will give birth to mutual respect between the Rakyat. The creation of MUTUAL RESPECT among the Rakyat requires many things to be done. A few examples will be – equality as a human being in the diverse spheres of life, ascension to positions of wealth and responsibility due to skill, and effort and not through unfair handouts (this does not mean the less fortunate ones should not enjoy a “handicap”). Where respect is lacking, tension and hypocrisy is the result. It cannot foster true unity. There are so many things that can be written on this point.

From the soils of this common land, the Rakyat should be able to expect MUTUAL REWARDS since they share mutual responsibility. This is a basic human trait. If you are supposed to be an equal partner in a company, you will expect to take equal risks and receive equal rewards. Risks and rewards are mutual to the partners. If you take equal risks and you do not receive equal rewards, you will not be inclined to undertake mutual risks in the future. This erodes the partnership relationship. The same for a country.

Mere rhetoric and slogans will not help to achieve 1Malaysia without serious and concerted efforts to bring about the 3R MUTUALS.

The challenge is to translate the above ideas into workable policies.

PEACE !

1Malaysia Vision - Part 2: Inter-Faith and Intra Faith Challenges

Let me tackle the difficult, “sensitive” issue first – “God says….”. It is a truism to say that “religious issues if not handled prudently may turn into an ugly, ironic situation” in the country. The events that occur all over the world testify to this.

Religion is sensitive to most people for many reasons but primarily because much emotion is invested into it. Generally, one cannot be faulted for thinking that logic and rationality appear to play very little role in religious discussions though this is not necessarily true. I have attended inter and intra religious discussions which were conducted intellectually and in the most friendly of atmosphere even though the arguments were intense.

Most politicians like to side-step the task of handling “religious issues” fundamentally and honestly looking at the “problems” that arise. Of course, many of them manipulate and use religion of political purposes and thus worsen the situation. Many politicians fear popular reprisals from their own supporters and thus take the populist stand. But it is a matter which a statesman must address.

It is impossible to create 1Malaysia if prejudices and biasness towards any one religion exists. This is not at all to question what is lawful and enshrined in the Constitution. I am talking of reforms within the law and what is permissible under the law. However, we must remember that unjust leaders make unjust laws. Hence, a righteous leader may want to undo any just laws that may exist, example, the ISA.

There is a need for inter religious dialogue and understanding. This means that all Malaysians must be able to sensibly discuss each others religion without fear or favour with the purpose of identifying COMMONALITIES and universal principles that can bind us together as human beings. Every party must be educated to learn to accept differences and not be defensive about each other’s religion if sincere comments are made. It is the fear of proselytizing that hampers inter faith understanding. Understanding of each other’s religion is essential.

How can two Malaysians be 1 if they harbour ignorance and prejudice against each other on the basis of religion? (On this score, even the Pakatan has failed to address this issue of “religious harmony” in the widest sense of the word).

Quite apart from dialogues, there must be serious efforts by the relevant Ministries like Education and Information to do their part, and this includes the active role of the Minster in charge of Islamic Affairs too. There must be continuing education among the children at schools on this score. We cannot allow religion to divide us from being pure Malaysians irrespective of our religion or ethnic construct.

Secondly, is the issue of intra religious dialogues. Dialogues within the same faith but with differing views. I believe that this matter also should be addressed before we walk the way of the other countries where shites and sunnis are unfriendly to each other. There needs to be greater liberalization of space to discuss Islamic perspectives. This is better than to allow differing views to ferment underground. The age old autocratic method of immediately branding another fellow Muslim of deviationism simply because of his differing understanding must stop. Views on Islam cannot be allowed to be the monopoly of an elite few and discussions cannot be hijacked on the basis of accusations of “liberal”, “western educated”, “deviant”, etc. The idea should be to allow the proper understanding of Islam to evolve among the Muslims themselves. Again, we must learn to be united by commonalities and not be divided by differences of opinions and ideas.

Muslim leaders who speak on Islam must be consistent with their public behaviours and pronouncements. For example, how can you, on one hand speak on the brotherhood of Islam and in the same breath have a policy that disqualify Chinese Muslims, Indian Muslims from certain institutions of learning which is exclusively for Malays? This certainly counters the notion of ukhuwah Islamiah. When such intra discrimination occurs, how can non-Muslims even believe that they will be just policies for them?

Likewise, Islam will be misunderstood when Muslim leaders speak in a language that is couched with racism, arrogant responses or public behaviours and such. Further, it is sad that misconceptions such as “Quran only for Muslims” is gaining ground because of vested interests and politics. It is not true. The Quran is for all mankind.

Thirdly, is the problem that crops up because of conversion between faiths. This problem exists and must be addressed by using common sense, practically, and on a non-emotional basis. We have to understand that these issues has a tremendous impact on the lives of the people involved. It may even be cruel to turn a blind eye.

Lastly, politicization of religions must stop.

I know, this is a tall order. I also know that politicians will not take up such challenges. But suggest I still must for the sake of the country and the future generations.

If the Government is serious towards 1Malaysia, a lot of Ministries will be involved with the issues that I have briefly outlined above. They have to work together.

The challenge is: what do you do to keep “religion” and so-called “religious issues” from derailing the 1Malaysia Vision?

The simple answer is: create the atmosphere that will allow “religion and religious issues” to achieve the 1Malaysia Vision.


PEACE !