Collaborative Empowerment: How Citizens Can Safeguard Against Exploitation by Political and Economic Elites for Collective Well-being

by Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos. 

In a world where political and economic elites often wield significant power and influence, citizens must recognize the importance of working together to protect their interests and enhance their collective well-being. This article explores the idea that collaboration among citizens is fundamental to prevent exploitation and ensure that the benefits of society are shared equitably.

Political and economic elites typically possess substantial resources and control over key institutions. This concentration of power can lead to policies and practices that favor their interests, potentially leaving the rest of society at a disadvantage.  Economic elites include wealthy individuals, major corporations, and influential financiers who often shape economic policies, taxation, and resource allocation in their favor. Political elites include elected officials, bureaucrats, and lobbyists who can exert significant influence over government decisions and regulations, sometimes prioritizing elite interests over those of the broader citizenry.

Power and wealth are like inseparable twins who help each other to grow. Due to the fact that power and wealth brings forth extraordinary privileges and status in life, it becomes addictive to the wealthy and the powerful.  The concern arises when the political and economic elites exclude the broader citizenry from opportunities in life and indulge in greedy acquisition of wealth to the detriment of the Nation.

To counterbalance the influence of elites, citizens must come together and take collective action to safeguard their well-being and ensure a fair distribution of resources and opportunities. Here are several key reasons why such collaboration is necessary.

Firstly, collective action enables citizens to hold political leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. Through voting, advocacy, and grassroots movements, citizens can demand transparency and fairness in government policies.  Secondly, by working together, citizens can advocate for economic policies that promote income equality, workers' rights, and access to essential services for all, reducing the disparities created by economic elites. It also enable citizens to scrutinize the annual budget and to ensure that the correct priorities are set instead of budgetary policies that only benefit the elities.

Thirdly, collaborative efforts among citizens can lead to the development and protection of social safety nets, healthcare, education, and other vital services that benefit the entire community. It is very important to ensure that ordinary citizens and their families are able to live dignified lives without being compromised by poverty or deprivation of essentials. 

Fourthly, collective bargaining, labor unions, and advocacy groups help ensure that workers' rights are protected, preventing exploitation by powerful economic interests. At the same time, various non-governmental organisations can demand for compassionate workplace ethics to be implemented.

Fifthly, collaborative efforts foster a sense of community and solidarity, strengthening bonds among citizens and promoting a shared vision for collective well-being. This is particularly critical in a multi-cultural, multi religious, multi ethnic society like Malaysia where the diveristy can either be projected as a boon or a bane. Political and economic elites often practice the politics of division as a distraction to amass power and wealth. They also exploit religion and ethnicity for political and economic reasons. 

Lastly, collaborative efforts in the form of specialized groupings to ensure and demand the just practice and implementation of the rule of law is fundamental. This is a major matter that would require a separate discussion. Briefly, we need to ensure the existence of just and fair laws and not draconian and oppressive laws. The law ought to be exercised wisely and compassionately without fear or favour.

Throughout history, collective action by citizens has yielded remarkable results in the fight against the influence of political and economic elites.  It is a fact of human history that the elites would want to maintain the status quo that benefits them. Hence, it is up to the citizens to cooperate with each other. 

The civil rights movement in the United States, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., showcased the power of collective action in challenging racial discrimination and achieving legal and social reforms.  Grassroots advocacy, cooperative enterprises, growth of small and medium industries, and political mobilization are some of the ways in which the power of the political and economic elites can be balanced.  

In an age marked by increasing influence from political and economic elites, collaboration among citizens is not just a valuable tool but an essential one. By working together, citizens can hold leaders accountable, advocate for policies that promote equity, protect essential services, and prevent exploitation.

Education and awareness are the foundations of effective collaboration, enabling citizens to make informed decisions and engage in purposeful collective action. Ultimately, the power to improve collective well-being and safeguard against exploitation lies within the hands of citizens who recognize the strength of their collective efforts in shaping a fair and just society. It becomes even more urgent in Malaysia because it appears that many of us are still stuck in a feudal mindset such that we seem to welcome shades of oppression and indignity willingly. 

END.

Tegak Maruah Rakyat #Rakyat #Maruah #Rapera

Who does Malaysia belong to?

TO whom does Malaysia belong to may sound like a hilarious question, but do not overestimate the capacity to which the human mind is used.

Experience and observation will tell you that many of us (sometimes me included), often make a choice of not thinking about things based on facts. Instead, we form conclusions based on conjectures and other people’s uninformed opinions.

So who does Malaysia belong to?

There are many ways of approaching this question. As I often tell the audience in my talks about “thinking”, we have to understand the question first before we can even attempt to seek an answer.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/through-many-windows/2019/04/28/who-does-malaysia-belong-to/#jy0kGLLpmxOFc5XH.99

Manusia Merancang, Allah menentukan !!! - PRU14 Malaysia

Perdana Menteri Ke7

YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke 7, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dilihat sebagai begitu cepat sekali dalam melaksanakan tugas nya. Pada hari pertama sahaja beliau sudah awal dipejabat mengalahkan orang yang lebih muda. Ini berlaku bukan kerana beliau Perdana Menteri tetapi kerana beliau adalah Mahathir. 

Kini menjadi tugas pahit saya sebagai Rakyat biasa untuk memperingati YAB Perdana Menteri bahawa Rakyat jelata mempunyai harapan yang besar terhadap Kerajaan Pakatan Harapan untuk membawa reform-reform yang amat di perlukan untuk menuju kearah Negara yang bertamadun tinggi. Saya juga berharap Kerajaan ini menjadi satu era dimana Rakyat di galak menjadi rakyat yang bukan sahaja mampu berfikir tetapi mempunyai sifat keihsanan yang tinggi.

Tanggungjawap Rakyat

Kepada Rakyat jelata, Kita wajib memperingati diri Kita semua bahawa kempen pilihanraya sudah habis dan kini mula lah tempoh kempen untuk berkerjasama bagi membangunkan kesejahteraan Negara dan maruah Negara Bangsa.  

Apa-apa keterlaluan dalam tindakan satu pihak politik terhadap pihak politik seterunya oleh penyokong masing-masing harus di maafkan. Ini adalah konsekuen proses pilihanraya dalam sistem demokrasi yang tidak pernah tekankan nilai keihsanan (compassion). Maka, kita semua bersalah kerana berlaku nya kelakuan sedemikian dan semoga Allah maafkan Kita semua. Perkara ini juga Allah telah memperingati kita bahawa Ia akan menanamkan cinta sesama Kita jika Kita rela. 

“Dan ingatlah akan kenikmatan Allah kepadamu ketika kamu dahulu bermusuh-musuhan, maka Allah mempersatukan hatimu, lalu menjadikan kamu karena nikmat Allah orang-orang yang bersaudara." (Ali Imran: 103)

Kita tidak boleh lagi terlalu gembira kerana menang atau terlalu sedih kerana kalah jika kita beriman bahawa sebenarnya manusia hanya lah merancang tetapi Allah jua lah yang menentukan.  Kita kena sentiasa insaf bahawa Allah lebih mengetahui apa yang baik untuk kita serta apa yang buruk untuk kita. 

“Kamu diwajibkan berperang (untuk menentang pencerobohan) sedang peperangan itu ialah perkara yang kamu benci; dan boleh jadi kamu benci kepada sesuatu padahal ia baik bagi kamu, dan boleh jadi kamu suka kepada sesuatu padahal ia buruk bagi kamu. Dan (ingatlah), Allah jualah Yang mengetahui (semuanya itu), sedang kamu tidak mengetahuinya”. (Surah Al Baqarah ayat 216)

Oleh yang demikian, kewajipan kita hanya lah untuk bersama-sama menuju kearah melakukan kebajikan serta amalan2 yang menguntugkan Rakyat bersama. 

Pakatan Harapan

Kini PH telah menjadi kerajaan untuk semua rakyat termasuk bagi mereka yang tidak mengundi mereka. Saya percaya Kerajaan PH yang terhasil daripada gabungan parti2 politik yang mempunyai individu2 yang bermusuhan sesama sendiri berdekad dekad akan mudah memaafkan mereka yang menentang mereka dalam proses kempen pilihanraya. Kerajaan wajib mempertahankan hak2 sistem demokrasi. 

Saya percaya mereka sedar bahawa tugas mereka kini sebagai kerajaan tidak sama seperti tugas mereka dahulu sebagai pembangkang. 

Sudah muncul secara realiti konsep sistem dua parti di Malaysia seperti yang di perjuangkan berdekad-dekad. 

Barisan Nasional

Barisan Nasional yang di anggotai oleh manusia sudah tentu tertakluk kepada perasan sedih kerana kalah dalam PRU14.  Saya dengan merendah diri menasihati supaya cepat2 keluar daripada zon kesedihan dan lihat lah ia sebagai rahmah Allah di mana mereka di beri peluang untuk mengawasi tindakan Kerajaan sebagai pembangkan bagi pihak Rakyat.  

Kekalahan ini juga akan memberi peluang pada mereka untuk melakukan post mortem, muhasabah diri, penilaian semula struktur dan kelemahan parti mereka kearah pembaikan dan keadaan yang lebih efektif pada rakyat. BN wajib jujur pada diri kerana kebenaran nya adalah seperti mana yang difirman oleh Allah:

“Apa saja nikmat yang engkau peroleh adalah dari sisi Allah. Dan apa saja bencana yang menimpamu, maka dari kesalahan dirimu sendiri," (Surah  Al-Nisâ’ [4]:  ayat 79).

Salam.

Malaysian General Elections 2018 - What can I write?

My thoughts on the Malaysian General Elections 2018

Many of my friends have been prodding me for weeks to write my predictions and views on this election. I ask them back - what difference does it make ? There are already so many experts, non-experts, great former and current leaders who are already saying a lot.  What possibly useful thing can I add to the cart load of noise out there.

The spin doctors on both sides are having a field day - it’s their moment and they only have a few more days to serve their purpose in life. 

Most people would expect me to write either pro Pakatan or pro Barisan narratives. I cannot. Even if write a criticism of Tun Mahathir, I may be accused as being pro Barisan. If I write a criticism of Federal government polices, then I may be accused of being Mahathir man.

It appears that the mentality of elections is that an ordinary Rakyat like me must either be a Mahathir man or a Najib man or an Anwar man. If so, then where is my own self esteem, my maruah as a human being and a thinking citizen?  I cannot bring myself to criticize human beings - only their actions and policies. Knowing that I am not perfect, I know therefore they are not.

And assuming that I do condemn Najib today and then tomorrow Najib and Mahathir kiss and make up just like what Mahathir and Lim Kit Siang are doing now, I am supposed to follow this action too?  I am supposed to forget all the pain that Anwar and his family for example has undergone simply because Mahathir says all is fine now? 

Hence, as a rakyat I am supposed to be the lalang of the politicians ? When they blow left, I have to go left. When they blow right, I have to blow right? Where then is my dignity ?

So what useful thing can I possibly say?

Hence, the only thing I can say is: I hope God gives the wisdom to the Rakyat to judge on the facts, past policies and behaviors of the respective candidates and come to a wise decision not based on anger, hatred, lies or pure sentiments.

Otherwise, the law of nature says: as we sow, so shall we reap.

Happy voting.

Peace !

Be kind to parents, enjoins the Quran

How many of us Malaysians, both Muslim and non-Muslim, can say that we have heard about what the Quran and the Prophet say about our responsibility to our parents in most of the national discourse concerning Islam? 

In the past few decades, the national discourse about Islam by “Islamic” political parties and some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has been about so-called criminal laws in Islam which the scholars choose to call as “hudud”. Granted there are a few criminal penalties that have been mentioned in the Quran. Sadly however, many other injunctions and commandments in the Quran that not only have a universal appeal but actually improve the quality of life of all human beings, both Muslim and non-Muslim, are hardly highlighted. 

With respect, the public may misperceive that only the enactment and implementation of these “hudud” punishments is what makes up an “Islamic” society. This cannot be so as the concept of Islamic justice is much more than that and goes beyond secular understanding of “criminal justice”. There are greater noble ideas of social, natural, economic and “human” justice in the Quran.

How much of justice have we done for the aged, the senior citizens, single mothers and the neglected parents in our society? Would it not be refreshing for Malaysians if some Islamist NGOs or political parties canvass these issues in the name of “Islamic mercy”?

Malaysia has long left being a dominant agricultural country. We have moved into modernised living and the functioning of the family unit as we knew many decades ago has considerably altered. The nature of economic activities that citizens indulge in has changed, cost of living has gone up and in turn family values too have changed. In fact, the occupational circumstances of our capitalist economy bring forth realistic challenges to take care of parents especially those who require constant care and attention.

If we were to honestly appraise the development of our towns, cities, buildings and roads, can we say that we have made it user-friendly to the older folks? I humbly state that much of our town planning and construction efforts, whether residential or commercial, does not express the compassion factor the Quran repeatedly emphasises. Even in China you can find parks and places specially built for senior citizens to mingle and exercise. 

Our economy is very much biased towards the youth and in the process, the value of senior citizens has diminished. I am afraid that our national policymakers have not given proper attention to the maintenance of the family unit, especially the care and respect for senior citizens and parents. 

We have simply left it to the individuals and communities to sort it out according to their own values. However, this overlooks the fact that drastic transformation of the economy has changed our values. The State has a duty to balance this anomaly because much of the economic and social changes are brought about by the State’s approval and many times, by its designs.

The Quran explicitly places great importance of being good to parents. In fact in surah Al Baqarah verse 83 (Quran 2:83), the Quran says, among other things, “worship none save Allah and be good to parents”. 

There are many other verses in the Quran with the same theme of being kind and caring of one’s parents. Furthermore, the Quran in many instances also appeals to logic as to why we have to be kind to them. One reason being that it was our parents that have taken care of us and dedicated parts of their life to raise us. 

While the Quran speaks of kindness to both parents, it gives special attention to mothers. Every time I read these verses, I ask myself: What have we done for the single mothers who are fated to live the life they never chose? Why are the Islamist political parties and contemporary Muslim scholars not championing their plight? 

When parents reach old age, this presents the greatest opportunity to the Muslim to care for his parents to earn the pleasure of Allah (Quran 17: 23-24). 

Muslims are reminded that parents have a right over their children for care and love as they have been showered with when they were children. The love, care and respect for parents specifically and aged citizens generally ought to be evolved into a natural, national value until it becomes a norm. 

It is with shame that I see many parts of England are more senior citizen-friendly than Malaysian economic development! And yet, political Islamists unashamedly keep giving sermons on the “mercy of Allah” while not choosing to champion the same injunctions in the Quran.

I do hope that Islamists will be in the forefront to champion the cause of senior citizens’ care and push for legislation and State assistance for children who are unable to provide for their parents. These are the good things that I want political parties that claim to represent Islam to do. 

I can understand the challenges, financial, psychological and physical, faced by children who have to care for their aged parents. I have a sister who has been caring for my very old mother for years and I simply am moved by her love, patience and dedication. 

However, I also know some children who are unable to do so or cannot provide the quality care due to various constraints. I urge the contemporary Islamic scholars to debate on how best the individual citizen together with the State can provide for quality care for old folks and parents. 

If there is a need for legislation and policies to be made, then it needs to be done if we call ourselves a caring society, what more some claim that we are an “Islamic State”.  

I believe such a move, even in the name of Islam will be supported by the non-Muslims as it will provide benefit to all, irrespective of religious differences.

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

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/be-kind-to-parents-enjoins-the-quranjahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos#sthash.ZnyeXAGN.dpuf

Happy Malaysia Day !

I can do no better than reproduce the creative picture made by our beloved Sargent Zulkifli Mohamad Noor of Bandar Utama Police Station.

Peace !

You know what has annoyed and saddened me all my life???

Actually many things and I think many of these things are not my doing....

Let me list down some of them...

1) When I was a kid, I looked up to adults because they seemed confident, knowledgeable and always spoke with authority. Whenever I asked questions or disagreed with them, I would be considered either as "rude" or 'speaking back".

But as I grow up, I realised that many of them are ignorant and pretending to know life when actually they too are trying to figure out what life is all about. Of course later I knew that most people do not think nor have the willingness to think....but certainly there is no reason to be dishonest with kids and worse to impose your unchecked, unverified beliefs on to them.

2) When I lost a class mate of mine in Form 5 in an accident, it really dawned upon me that we will for a certainty die one day. Life on earth will be meaningless if we do not make full use of it for the betterment of ourselves, our families, our friends, our society and our world.

Since we are all going to die, it makes sense to make this life as liveable as possible for all of us. Meaning - do not  make life too complicated. But it annoys me that we have made life so unnecessarily complicated due to various labels - culture, religion, protocol, ethnicity, economics, politics and so and so on.


3) It annoys me that some people make it their purpose in life to divide people according to religion and race. In fact they make money from this ignoble puropose. What is even more annoying is that they do this division of human beings by anointing themselves with fanciful and honourable titles and honorifics. .

It annoys me that some people have seminars, forums and even write so called "academic papers" to further dvide human beings. The heights of annoyance is when they speak in the name of God to divide people and make other people's lives as miserable as possible.

4) It annoys me that the masses allow their lives to be determined by the elitist few and keep honouring the masters who treat them and their children as slaves and tools for their own glory and power. It annoys me that masses live an automated life defined by the system which they did not create.

5) It annoys me that the masses do not want to support true reformers in society and recognise true thinkers.

6) It annoys me that powerful evil will get more powerful because they have all the resources to perpetuate their power.

7) It annoys me that the ordinary citizen in position of authority do not want to cooperate with another ordinary citizen and make the system pro ordinary citizen instead of being slavish enforcers for the elitists...and they grow old, retire and their children suffer from the corrupt system they created.

8) It annoys me that some men have the audacity to speak in the name of God and are brave to impose on you when they either have the power of authority or the power of violence.

9) It annoys me that the thinking ordinary masses do not translate their annoyance into something collectively useful to make our system better so that we can live better and happier.

What annoys you ???

Satu Ketika Dahulu Kita Lawan Komunis

Satu ketika dulu kita lawan Komunis untuk pertahankan negara

Kita lawan Jepun .....

Kita pun "lawan" dengan British...

Kini...kita lawan sesama kita.


Salam.

My Wish For Malaysia

Very basic really.

That we all become and behave as human beings with compassion and love first.

That we stop making life difficult for each other in the name of politics, religion, ethnicity and so on.

That we realise that none of us - however learned we claim to be - has the right or authority to play God.

That we allow the diligent to be diligent, the talented to be talented.

That the powerful and rich do not oppress the weak and poor - know that we are mortals who will disintegrate one day.

Let's share a dream together - to make Malaysia our home and us, a Malaysian family.

MALAYSIA

OUR 

HOME!

Peace !

Only the People can bring about real reform

I am sure quite a number of thinkers, real reformers, prophets and ordinary people must have said this before.  But we forget easily. Life and its demands make us forget it. Our sense of helplessness, and the threats, bullying by the powerful and the institutions make us think we are weak and make us adapt.

Only the People can bring about true reform – if we are united and help each other.

We are not united in our sense of helplessness and our hopes because we have been forced by the system to become slaves of the masters that have been created. Due to our disunity of purpose and hope, we continue to be misled by the politicians and the institutions that continue to take our away our dignity as human beings.

We continue to be oppressed by those who abuse democracy for their selfish ends.  We fail or simply think we have to accept a system that does not throw us the best choice of candidates as leaders.  

Hence we do not have leaders who really understand the aspirations, needs and hopes of the common man. These leaders do not understand that we want a safe home for our kids, that we want affordable homes, food decent employment to live, and basic necessities like free education,, free medical services, child and old age care and so on.  All these can be done but they do not and will not do it as efficiently as can be done.

The reason is simple: they do not and will not face these challenges because they,  their children and their cronies live a luxurious life of aplenty.  They cannot emphatise with the needs that they themselves do not have.  They themselves are stuck in the position to sustain their status and lifestyles.

Do you not recognize them and see their game?

Do you not see the conspiracy between the politicians, the capitalist and their religious elites to keep the People politically, economically and spiritually enslaved? So they can perpetuate their position of influence and give the people an illusion of reforms, and illusion of service?

They have managed to divide us, not only along racial and religious lines but occupationally as well.  We have been tricked into thinking we are just civil servants, workers in the government sector, private sector and so on letting us forget that we are at the end of the day – common, ordinary folks who need each other.

It is sad that occupationally be have been divided until we often become enemies of each other instead of cooperating to enhance our quality of life. Thus, we become even weaker to confront the oppression by the politicians, capitalists and the religious elites. We continue to be humiliated slaves on God’s earth – struggling only to survive.

The People have to be united – doesn't matter who we are occupationally, we have to help each other, help each other to make our lives a little easier.  

Our only defence against the oppression of the politicians, capitalists and the religious elites is our unity and cooperation.  Only we can bring about real reforms. We are our only hope.

We have to make the 21^st century the era of the common People.  

We and our children have a God given-right to live in dignity.

Peace !

Kau in bagaimana Atau Aku harus bagaimana?

Rintihan-rintihan Rakyat di perkatakan
Harapan Rakyat di suarakan
berkurun kurun lamanya
berdekad dekad lamanya
sepanjang sejarah kehidupan manusia
sepanjang sejarah pemerintah dan diperintah

Namun
tidak berubah-ubah sikap pemerintah
kecanduan kuasa dan harta lebih mengcekam pemeirntah
daripada kesengsaraan serta kepercayaan Rakyat jelata.

Gus Mus seorang Rapera
beliau tahu untuk pemerintah berubah
Rakyat perlu berubah dahulu !

-jahamy
180114




Salam.

Tengku Razaleigh 2010 - "It's Time To Wake Up"

One of the best speeches I have heard from a political leader in this country !

 It is like a Rapera mindset !



Peace !

Sidang Media: Pilihanraya Bebas Keganasan

Hari ini pada pukul 3 petang team Rapera bersama dengan lebih kurang 30 NGO-NGO, peguam-peguam, dan individu-individu berkumpul untuk menyatakan hasrat mereka supaya PRU 13 ini bebas daripada keganasan.

Berikut adalah antara saranan-saranan yang dipersembahkan pada sidang media tersebut:

Disebabkan kesedaran ini serta kecintaan kita pada Negara, kami menyarankan perkara-perkara berikut:-

·        agar calon-calon lebih bertanggungjawab dan menapis ucapan mereka supaya tidak menyentuh perkara-perkara yang berbaur perkauman, agama, peribadi yang tiada kaitan untuk menjatuhkan pihak lain. Ia adalah untuk mengelakkan perselisihan dan politik keganasan berlaku akibat sikap tidak berpuas hati sesetengah pihak lain.

·        Calon-calon harus menampakkan etika dan bertanding dalam suasana sihat tanpa mewujudkan kebencian dalam diri penyokong mereka terhadap calon lain yang bertanding,  sekali gus mengelakkan unsur keganasan.

·        Calon-calon juga harus bertanggung jawab dalam memimpin dan menasihati penyokong-penyokong mereka supaya beradab dan tidak sesekali mencetuskan sebarang provokasi.

·        Kami juga menyarankan supaya dalam pilihan raya ini Islam tidak dipolitikkan sehingga boleh mencetuskan perpecahan diantara rakyat Muslim. Perpecahan dan pergaduhan diantara masyarakat Melayu adalah merbahaya untuk kestabilan negera kerana mereka merupakan populasi yang tertinggi di Negara ini. Sebarang keretakan serius dalam masyarakat Melayu akan memberi kesan buruk kepada Negara amnya.

·        Calon-calon juga diingatkan supaya tidak menghina atau membuat sesuatu yang boleh ditafsir sebagai percubaan untuk meruntuhkan institusi Rakyat yang bertanggunjawab terhadap keamanan Negara seperti Agensi Penguatkuasaan PDRM, SPR, Barisan pertahanan Negara dan lain-lain. Ini adalah penting untuk mengelak sebarang keganasan selepas keputusan pilihanraya diumumkan.

·        Kami menyeru supaya calon-calon fokus kepada isu-isu dan perkara-perkara yang dapat mendatangkan manfaat kepada Rakyat dan Negara daripada membangkitkan isu-isu yang bertujuan untuk menanam perasaan kebencian.

·        Kami difahamkan bahawa agensi penguatkuasa keselamatan negara sudah bersiap sedia untuk memantau dan melakukan segala sesuatu yang dibenarkan oleh undang-undang Negara untuk menjaga keselamatan Rakyat amnya. Kami menyokong penuh usaha pasukan keselamatan untuk menjalankan tanggungjawab mereka.

·        Kami juga menyarankan pihak penguatkuasa keselamatan mengambil langkah-langkah awal untuk menepis sebarang rancangan untuk mencetuskan kekecohan jika terdapat intelligence reports dan bertindak dengan tegas dalam lingkungan undang-undang Negara.

·        Pihak SPR juga telah mengeluarkan panduan mengenai etika berkempen dan tatacara kelakuan penyokong. Harap calon-calon baca dan amalkannya.

·        Kami menyeru supaya semua calon-calon membuat kenyataan rasmi mengutuk sebarang keganasan politik serta sebarang tingkah laku intimidasi terhadap sesiapa.

Akhir sekali, kita yang hadir disini yakin bahawa kesemua Rakyat Malaysia mahukan satu proses pilihanraya yang bebas daripada keganasan. Terima kasih juga kepada semua rapera-rapera yang telah berkerja keras dalam masa yang begitu suntuk untuk menjayakan sidang media ini.

Salam

When do you stop being immigrant?

Listen Listen Listen !

THE ORIGINAL:

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN NAMAWEE STYLE

THE PARODY SONG

THE DANCE  REMIX !!!!

MY VOTE GOES TO.....LISTEN BY BEYONCE !!!!

My comments : res ipsa loquitor. Dont understand? Well, as Sharifah says...I have a degree and you have O Levels! (reminded me of a Muslim Convert Academic who keeps reminding people that his ideas has to be accepted because he has a PH.D even when his arguments are all flawed !!!)  he he he

Salam @ Peace

Boleh Kah Pemimpin Bangsawan Faham Nadi Rakyat Biasa?

Mengapa orang nak masuk politik - untuk kuasa dan kekayaan atau untuk berkhidmat kepada Rakyat?

Boleh kah mereka yang tidak pernah alami kehidupan Rakyat kebanyakan menginsafi keperitan dan cabaran kehidupan mereka?

Boleh kah mereka yang tidak pernah bergelut serta menangis semata-mata untuk mendapatkan kerja bagi membiayai keluarga mereka faham betapa pentingnya peluang pekerjaan diwujudkan?

Mampukah mereka yang tidak pernah mengambil pengangkutan awam atau menunggang motosikal bersama tiga orang anak memahami betapa pentingnya pengangkutan awam yang efisien dan mampu untuk rakyat marhain?

Bolehkah pemimpin bangsawan menyelamai keperluan Rakyat kebanyakkan untuk memimpin mereka?

Tanyalah diri secara jujur.

Salam!

What values are our political leaders bringing to their job?

Values are very important. Values will affect the vision and the decision of our leaders. We must be careful to know what values the leaders we want to lead us have.

In our country, under the generally out-dated and archaic political culture that the majority of our politicians still cling onto, public expression of personal values are not allowed. For this reason, the voters and the public cannot know for sure what values each of them have. For this reason also, the kind of values that are being presented by political parties seem very superficial and artificial, some of which sound like they have been created by some political strategists or image consultants.

We have heard many times, some of our political leaders utter the term"Asian values" and then only to forget about it completely until another political occasion requires it. There had also been situations where "Asian values" had been manipulated by shameful politicians to sneakily justify oppression, especially denial of basic human rights. 

Likewise, the term "Islam" and "Islamic values" have been subjected to tremendous abuse, manipulation and trickery by politicians purely for political purposes with total disregard to the sanctity and right to personal faith. In this regard, quite a number of paid clerics and religious "gurus" shamefully abet their political masters in the manipulation and abuse.  This manipulation and abuse of the term "Islam" and "Islamic values" becomes easy for the politicians because they are either backed by mass supporters or by the very culture in our country that has allowed the politicisation of Islam. 

Terms like "Islam" and "Islamic values" have often been abused to condone denial of basic human rights, oppression and denial of women's rights. The voice that pleads that Islam upholds human rights, women's rights and abhors oppression of any sort is drowned by the smooth operation of the politicians and the shouts of their abettors - the paid clerics and the paid mobs.

Islam has become so politicised in the country such that the right and duty of the individual Muslim to practice his faith as he understands it has been taken away by the politicians in this country. Any cleric or scholar or thinker that denounces this control of faith is either pushed into oblivion or equally oppressed in ways that are possible. Alternative views are not only not allowed but often shout down by supporters organised and approved by hidden hands from above.

So, in the scenario of artificiality, superficiality and hypocrisy that has become part of our political culture, what are the values that these politicians hold? Don't you or the voters want to know or has the time not come yet in Malaysia to understand the impact of this question?

I look at both the Pakatan and the BN political parties and when I critically assess them, I am unable to determine with certainty what positive and encouraging values they represent. Often times, they all seem to say one thing today and another the next. Often times, their general behaviour is not consistent with the rare fine speeches they make. More often, their speeches frighten me to think that those are the values they represent.

DO they respect basic human rights? 

Do they even respect the dignity of a human being? Do they understand what "dignity" is? 

I do not know because I do not really know what values they actually hold.

Peace!

Citizens - Protect your Right To Express on the Internet !!!!

The ordinary citizen's voices never mattered for many, many decades in this country. Globally, the ordinary people's voices never mattered for centuries. The world was controlled and shaped by the elitists - whether political, corporate or religious.

Now that has changed. The INTERNET has given a platform to the ordinary citizen to voice his opinions, his views, his findings and his criticisms. He or she can express herself freely and present her ideas for others to share and benefit.

The Internet has also become a source of alternative news and alternative information. We are able to get the other picture and other perspectives. If once, the elitist and the politicians had the power to shape opinions and present "truths", now the "real" truth may be found on the internet. This is a big blow to the politicians and the religious elites because their power to influence has been reduced. Trust me, the politicians and the religious gurus do not take this lightly. 

They do not like this. They will find ways to restrict the common folks access to and use of the internet.

You have to guard this freedom for those in power will want to enslave you, your mind and your soul.

Peace !

Aftermath of Bersih 3.0 and The Mirror

How could I not follow Bersih 3.0 when my guys and gals from MobTV.My have so bravely gone to get live coverage for the people of Malaysia? It is after all a group of NGOs – all non-partisan – trying to exercise their right of free speech and freedom of assembly as enshrined in the constitution. Dato’ Ambiga, the co-Chairperson of Bersih and the steering committee, promised a peaceful rally. 

Rapera is all for peaceful expressions of views or even dissent by thinking and responsible citizens. However, Rapera is unambiguously against violence among its citizens. 

Around about 1pm, when I had to go off from the Bersih event, I was happy to note that the event was peaceful and almost carnival like. I was pleased, at that moment that my worst fears of confrontation had been proven wrong. I was confident that the Bersih crowd will not go beyond the barricades that was erected around Dataran Merdeka (DM). 

However, as events unfolded subsequently, my fears were unfortunately proven correct – political parties and several irresponsible quarters hijacked the Bersih event and turned it into of Malaysia’s most violent and shameful exercise of freedom of assembly.  This is why I had always held  that it is not politicians that can save the Nation but savior citizens or Raperas.

You can just youtube to see the shameful behaviours by some of our citizens, whom, I would say should be prosecuted under the law for their irresponsible and violent behaviours. At the same time, the behaviours of any police officers who had been over zealous in exercising their power should also be investigated. If this does not happen, there will be these accusations: Firstly, that politicians are exempted from the law. Secondly, that there are agent provocateurs arranged by Barisan Nasional and hence they are not prosecuted. Thirdly, that there is selective cover-up.  

Many I met seem to believe that PKR has simply hijacked the event in the most irresponsible way and are contributory to the violence and rioting that ensued. This has to be verified by PKR itself. Many people I 

know already perceive PKR as a party that would do anything to wrestle political power.

 Politicians and political parties should have just stayed out and let it be an NGO event.

In retrospect I wonder if all these unwanted events would have occurred if the Datuk Bandar had simply not interfered with Bersih’s intention to sit-in at the Dataran. I had voiced the view before that Bersih 3.0 is unstoppable and so the most logical thing for the authorities to do would be to simply provide police protection for the sit-in and for them to facilitate the event. The moment I heard that DBKL took the position that DM was off limits for Bersih 3.0, I was concerned that this may be a catalyst for disaster.  In fact, I was of the view that even the “occupydataran” by the students should have police or DBKL protection instead of the opposition they had experienced. These are after all college kids learning to exercise their right of expression, even though they may not be correct on the issue.  Such “training” if properly “guided” may make them mature Raperas in the future.  However, old methods of exercising authority seem to die hard. My views too seem to have fallen on deaf ears or “dinosaurous” ears!

On another perspective, one must also ask why was there such a huge turnout? How and why did so many people turn up for the event? On one hand, it is heart warming to note that more and more Rakyats are beginning to learn that they cannot depend on ANY politician but on themselves.

Hence, if I am the ruling party, I would not be automatically defensive. I will embrace the Rakyat’s interest in the well being of their Nation. On the other hand, if I am the Opposition, I will not automatically gloat and think that I have the support of the people. I will be wary of the way I serve in politics. This and other such events could very well be a sign that the Rakyat seriously do not trust politicians anymore, which is a good thing. This is, in my view, taking back control of the destiny of our home, our Nation.

Freedom of expression and assembly aside, the sanctity of the law must also be protected. There is simply no excuse for any irresponsible persons to destroy or to cause to destroy or incite anyone to destroy public property which, we must remember, belongs to the Rakyat. I believe that the genuine Bersih folks are peaceful. Hence, the urgency of prosecuting the culprits who have marred the exercise of a fundamental constitutional right.

May peace always prevail among us.

NEXT: Bersih 3.0 and A Cleric (God Willing)