IRAN: THE PRICE OF RESISTANCE

By Dr Chandra Muzzafar             

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to a full-fledged embargo on all imports of Iranian crude oil. Towards this end, various measures will be adopted gradually from 23^rd  January to 1^st July 2012.  In December 2011, the US Congress (with a 100 to 0 vote in the Senate)   presented a mandatory sanctions package to President Obama  which starting June 2012 will prohibit  any third-country banks and companies from dealing with Iran’s Central Bank.  Both the EU and US moves, it is alleged, are aimed at pressurising Iran to stop its so-called ‘nuclear weapons’ programme through the emasculation of its oil exports which account for more than 80% of its national revenue.   

Nuclear Weapons Programme

The first question we should ask is: Does Iran have a nuclear weapons programme? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) --- its mischievous attempt to raise doubts about Iran’s nuclear energy programme notwithstanding--- admits in its November 2011 Report that there is no evidence of a nuclear weapons programme.  Incidentally, every nuclear installation in Iran has been inspected hundreds of times by the IAEA making them the most thoroughly inspected nuclear facilities on earth!  Even the US’s own classified National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) 2011--- which the well-known investigative journalist, Seymour  Hersh, had exposed in May 2011--- states quite clearly that Iran is not producing nuclear weapons and had in fact halted such a programme way back in 2003.  NIE 2011 in a sense reiterates what is contained in NIE 2007.

Of course, Iran continues to enrich uranium up to the 20% level required for the production of medical isotopes. This is far below the 85% plus necessary to manufacture a nuclear bomb.  Every major leader in Iran has emphasised over and over again that they have no intention of making a bomb. They regard it --- rightly--- as haram (or prohibited in Islam).

Because its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes--- medical research and electricity---- the Iranian government agreed to a nuclear fuel swap deal initiated by Brazil and Turkey in May 2010 which would have seen Iran shipping low-enriched uranium to Turkey in return for fuel for a research reactor.  The Western powers and Israel rejected the deal.

Their rejection underscores the stark hypocrisy that surrounds the entire issue of Iran’s nuclear programme.  If it is nuclear weapons that they are concerned about why didn’t they accept a deal that would have, to a large extent, curbed any clandestine move by Iran to produce such weapons?  Or, are certain Western powers and Israel against Iran producing nuclear energy even for peaceful purposes --- a right that Iran possesses as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?  

It is important to raise these questions for two other reasons.  One, the countries that are most vocal in demanding that Iran terminate its uranium enrichment programme are all nuclear weapon states.  The US has an arsenal of more than 5000 nuclear warheads while Israel, an undeclared nuclear state---- the only nuclear weapon state in West Asia and North Africa (WANA) --- has perhaps between 200 and 400 warheads.  Two, countries such as the US, Britain, France and even Israel had no qualms about assisting Iran to launch its nuclear programme in the fifties when it was under the Shah, Reza Pahlavi.  US President, Dwight Eisenhower, saw it as an “atoms for peace” enterprise.  One does not have to second guess why they were all so enthusiastic about the Shah’s nuclear energy programme---- because the dictator was their gendarme in that corner of WANA, protecting their strategic, political and oil interests with all his brutal might.

Why did the West and Israel change their attitude towards Iran’s nuclear programme?  Was it because an Islamic Revolution had occurred in Iran in 1979?  Was Islam the decisive factor?  Islam per se was not the major reason for the change in attitude. After all, the West counts as its allies a number of countries that view themselves as ‘Islamic States’ and   subscribe to a somewhat narrow, exclusive idea of Islam and Muslim identity.  Saudi Arabia, Qatar and most of the Gulf Sheikhdoms would be outstanding examples.  Colluding and collaborating with these states and other Islamic movements has never been a problem for the centres of power in the West.

Independence

The real reason why the Islamic Republic of Iran and its nuclear programme became anathema for the West and Israel was because of Iran’s defence of its independence and integrity in the face of US and Western hegemony.  The Islamic Republic under the guidance of its charismatic leader Ayatollah Khomeini was not prepared to submit to US dominance or acquiesce with Israeli arrogance. From the outset --- from 1979 itself--- Iran was determined to manage its own destiny which is why it nationalised oil and strengthened its self-reliance.

In an earlier period--- in 1953 to be exact--- another Iranian leader, this time a highly principled secular democrat, Mohammad Mosaddegh, had also sought to assert Iranian independence and sovereignty by nationalising oil.  This incurred the wrath of the British and American elites whose companies dominated the local oil industry.  With the help of their intelligence services, they managed to oust Mosaddegh from his Prime Ministership and restore full authority to the Shah.

Others in WANA, at different times and in different circumstances, have also paid the price for resisting dominance.   Gamal Nasser in Egypt, Houri Boumediene in Algeria, Hafiz Assad in Syria, Yasser Arafat in Palestine (and other Palestinian freedom fighters), Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, had all at some point or other in their lives refused to yield to hegemonic power.  Today, there are leaders like Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, Khalil Meshal in Palestine, and Bashar Assad in Syria who continue to resist Israeli power and US hegemony and are therefore targeted by Tel Aviv and Washington.

It is appropriate to observe at this juncture that resistance to US hegemony has had a longer and perhaps more tragic history in parts of Latin America.  From Simon Bolivar and Jose Marti to  Salvador Allende, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, and Rafael Correa these and other illustrious leaders have unflinchingly opposed attempts by the US elite to subjugate the people of Latin America and subordinate the continent to the whims and fancies of its northern neighbour.  Indeed, today there is a new determination in Latin America to strengthen the independence of individual states and of the region as a whole through cooperation and collective action that is both innovative and dynamic.

There is no doubt at all that it is Iran’s refusal to be subservient to the US, Israel and their allies, its readiness to resist, that has incensed the powers-that-be.  It explains why they are going all out to emasculate the Iranian economy, manufacture mass disaffection with the government and, at the right moment, engineer a regime change.  The excuse they are using for this manipulation is of course Iran’s unproven nuclear weapons programme.  In the scenario that is unfolding before our eyes, there are shades of the build-up that led to the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein 2003.

Targeting Iran 

While Iran’s desire to remain independent has been a prominent feature of the nation’s personality since the Revolution 33 years ago, there must be situations and circumstances that are more current and contemporary which have given rise to this obsession in Tel Aviv and in certain Western capitals with the targeting and taming of Iran. What are these situations and circumstances?  There are many.  We shall highlight some of them.

1)      In the wake of the Arab uprising, the Israeli elite has become extremely apprehensive about the state’s security and its future.  It is afraid that popular movements sweeping through WANA would eventually challenge the legitimacy of the Israeli regime.  Though Israel’s protector, the US, has sought assurances from some of the Islamic parties that have come to power that they will not question the Israeli presence, the Israeli elite regards the increasing influence of states and movements in WANA that are firmly opposed to Israeli suppression of Palestinian rights--- the most powerful of which is of course Iran--- as a huge threat to Israel’s very existence.  This is why it wants its protector, buttressed by its European allies, to castrate Iran immediately.

2)      This fear has increased dramatically in recent months with the economic decline of its protector and the economic crisis embroiling various European states. Israel knows that the US’s decline is part of a general decline which in a sense is irreversible and would therefore want its protector to act decisively against Israel’s foes like Iran now when the US still has the military muscle rather than wait until it is too late.   For the US elite itself, the most serious implication of its decline is its loss of control over WANA, the world’s major oil exporting region which is, at the same time, of tremendous geostrategic significance.  When hegemonic powers are losing their dominance, do they not become more bellicose in attempting to perpetuate their power and privilege?  Should we be surprised when they turn against other actors on the ascendancy who are perceived as the cause of their decline?

3)      For both the US and Israeli elites and European leaders allied to them, it is Iran which is the lynchpin of the challenge to their hegemony over WANA.  Iran maintains a tried and tested link to the Syrian leadership and to the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hamas is also to a certain degree part of this link which in broad terms constitutes the resistance to US-Israel hegemony.  As the fulcrum of this resistance, Iran has displayed remarkable tenacity--- a tenacity which is now expressing itself in its ability to take on US drones and US spies and to openly challenge US military power. Similarly, the Syrian crisis, orchestrated to a large extent by external forces, has revealed the resilience of the Bashar Assad government.  Likewise, in defending Lebanon against the Israeli assault in 2006, the Hezbollah showed that it possesses both strategic depth and immense courage which in the end thwarted the Israeli agenda. Both Israel and the US are determined to not only break the link of resistance but also to crush each of the component elements of the link.

4)      What has strengthened their determination to act against Iran in particular is the situation in Iraq.  The Israeli and US elites had hoped that the conquest of Iraq would help to create a new environment in WANA which would reinforce their grip over oil and strengthen their geostrategic position in the region through a subservient leadership in Baghdad eager to do their bidding.  Given Iraq’s importance, the Baghdad leadership, they reckoned, would succeed in shaping an atmosphere in the region conducive to Israel even if it were at the cost of Palestinian self-determination.  However, things have not worked according to plan.  While US and British companies have managed to secure lucrative oil deals, Israeli and US elites have failed to gain political control over Iraq.  A nation that is politically unstable, socially chaotic and deeply divided along sectarian lines, there is endless jockeying for power among contending groups.  In the midst of this maelstrom, most of the groups within the majority Shia community seem to have gravitated towards Shia Iran.  Shia affinity has undoubtedly smoothened the forging of political ties across the Iraq-Iran border. Recent political developments in Iraq indicate that the influence that emanates from these ties is considerable.  It is this that annoys and angers the Israeli, US and British elites.   Their political defeat in Iraq which is a major setback for them in WANA and beyond is one of the primary reasons why they are now training their guns on Iran.

5)      Iran’s influence over Iraq has also riled some regional actors.  The monarchical elite in Saudi Arabia, with its Wahabi orientation, often manifests an almost visceral hatred towards the Shia sect.  Some Saudi leaders regard it as their duty to defend the Sunni majority against the rising Shia tide. They are not alone in perceiving growing Shia influence and power --- in Iraq, in Syria through the Alawite  elite, in Lebanon via Hezbollah, and in Bahrain--- as a mortal threat to the Sunnis.  The Qatari leadership and even some Turkish politicians and intellectuals have begun to ring the alarm bells.  The latter, it is said, are backing some hard-line Sunnis in Iraq.  These anti-Shia sentiments which are spreading quite rapidly in WANA have heightened the antagonism towards Iran.  They have strengthened the hand of the US and Israel and their European allies as they prepare to move against the Iranian Republic.

6)      For the US curbing Iran’s influence goes beyond WANA.  Iran has become close to Russia in the last couple of years. The relationship is strategic and economic especially since they have overlapping interests in Central Asia and the Caspian region.  Russia itself is re-asserting its power in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, West Asia and South Asia, much to the chagrin of the US.  That is why it is uneasy about a Russian-Iranian nexus developing in the future.

7)      Of even greater significance to the US’s hegemonic agenda is the relationship between Iran and China.  Largely economic in nature, China imports 9% of its oil and 15% of its gas from Iran.   China has massive investments in the oil and gas industry in Iran, and is helping to upgrade its infrastructure in general.   Since access to energy is critical for China’s development, the US which is determined to contain China, is keen on exercising control over China’s sources of energy supply. What this means is that curtailing Iran’s oil and gas exports may in fact be part of a larger agenda whose principal goal is the containment of China, the nation that the US and the West view as the most formidable challenge ever to their centuries old dominance.

8)      Iran’s expanding ties with various Latin American countries also irks the US. Countries such as Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil, among others have become good friends of Iran in recent years. Most of these states are opposed to US dominance over Latin America.  A couple of them have become very critical of Israeli occupation of Palestine.  Since Venezuela and Ecuador are also major oil exporters, the US is worried that the ties that Iran, also an important oil exporter, is forging with them could enhance their collective clout in the global economy to the detriment of the US.  This is yet another reason why the US sees Iran as a challenge to its hegemonic power.

9)      It is not just because of Iran’s ties with oil exporting states in Latin America or its export of oil to China that oil is also a factor that explains the targeting of Iran.  As one of the top five oil exporters in the world, Iran is an attractive destination for a lot of oil companies especially from the US --- a country which has been excluded from Iran’s petroleum sector for more than three decades. According to petroleum experts there are oil and gas fields that have yet to be explored fully.  There is also money to be made from infrastructure investments.  US and other Western oil firms are hungering to go in--- just as they moved into Iraq after the invasion in 2003.

10)  A final factor that is responsible for this fixation with Iran is perhaps the position of the US dollar. The dollar, needless to say, is one of the most crucial pillars of US global hegemony. This is the reason why any attempt to redefine its role as the world’s principal reserve currency elicits an immediate response from US financial and political circles.   In the last few years Iran has been steadily distancing itself from the US dollar in its trade transactions. At the end of December 2011, it signed an agreement with China that states that the Iranian rial and the Chinese yuan would be used in bilateral trade.  In early January 2012, Iran made a similar arrangement with Russia, the rial and the rouble replacing the US dollar. Iran and India are holding discussions on moving out of dollar settlements.  Trading in gold is an option they are considering. These moves by Iran have assumed great significance because others, including US allies, are abandoning the dollar in some of their bilateral trade arrangements.   Japan and China, for instance, have announced that they will trade in yen and yuan.  Because Iran is perceived as one of those nations pushing hard for the abandonment of the dollar, the US has her in its sights.  It has been suggested that one of the reasons why the US decided to invade Iraq in 2003 was because Saddam Hussein had switched from the dollar to the euro for the sale of his country’s oil.

Suffering; Mistakes

The ten points elaborated here prove that the US and its allies have zero tolerance for any challenge, however minor, to US hegemonic power or to the position of Israel.  Those who resist their power and position will pay the price. In the last 30 odd years, Iran has paid the price of resistance in hundreds of ways.  Less than a year after the Islamic Revolution, a war was imposed upon Iran --- a war led by the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, on behalf of all the Gulf Sheikhdoms, a number of other Arab states, the US, Britain, certain other Western governments, and even the Soviet Union.  Though Iran’s adversaries had different motives, their common objective was to crush the Revolution which they saw as a challenge to their interests.  A million lives were lost on both sides of the divide in the eight year war which emasculated the Iranian economy and sapped the nation’s energy.   In June 1981, a vicious bomb explosion wiped out some top political leaders, a huge number of parliamentarians, and leading figures in the Judiciary.  This, and other subsequent terrorist attacks, it is alleged, were master-minded by a militant group operating from Iraq called the Mujahideen-e-Khalq.   In recent years the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme has been subjected to a cyber- attack and four of its scientists have been assassinated. And for decades, Iran has been under US economic sanctions which have had a negative impact upon its development programme.

Indeed, very few countries have been subjected to the pain and suffering that Iran has gone through in the last 33 years. The perseverance and fortitude of the Iranian people, as we have alluded to, is awe-inspiring.  And yet, an objective analysis of Iran’s response to hegemony would suggest that Iranian leaders and activists have also made serious mistakes. From the perspective of international law and diplomacy, it was clearly wrong of Iranian students to seize the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and hold its occupants hostage for 444 days.   Storming the British Embassy in the nation’s capital on 29 November 2011 was also a foolish act for which Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has apologised. Likewise, allegations of foul-play in the June 2009 Presidential Election could have been better handled. The Iranian authorities should have countered those allegations by demonstrating their commitment to total electoral transparency and accountability. The language that the current Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sometimes employs on matters of grave international significance is intemperate and injudicious.  However difficult the situation maybe, there is no need to deliberately provoke or irritate one’s enemies.  As a case in point, though Ahmadinejad’s oft-quoted remarks about Israel were distorted and twisted by the Western media and politicians, the Iranian President could have adopted a more mature yet principled stance vis-à-vis the Jewish state.

Hegemonic Agenda

Ahmadinejad’s predecessor, Muhammad Khatami, proved that it was possible to defend Iran’s independence and dignity without being unduly confrontational.  He sought to meet the challenge of hegemony by insisting upon dialogue among civilisations and the politics of inclusiveness.  Khatami was prepared to talk to the US leadership.   But instead of welcoming the offer of dialogue, US President, George Bush Junior, chose to castigate Iran as part of an “axis of evil.”

The demonization of Iran proves yet again that regardless of whether the target adopts a confrontational or conciliatory approach, the hegemon will continue to pursue its agenda. It is an agenda that has a power and potency of its own.  In the context of WANA, Israel, it is so apparent, is the driving force behind US hegemonic power.

Making people everywhere aware of this and what its consequences are is one of the most urgent tasks at hand.  This task is perhaps a little less difficult today compared to the past for two reasons.  One, as we have stated a number of times before, US helmed hegemonic power is declining. People are becoming much more critical of US’s global role now.  Two, the citizens of WANA in particular are acutely conscious of what hegemonic intervention can lead to after witnessing the chaos and catastrophe that have befallen Iraq and Afghanistan. They are also beginning to sense--- after the initial euphoria---- that Libya may also be heading towards calamity.  Foreign intervention they know is not the solution.  It is the problem.

Immediate  Measures

While mass consciousness building about the danger of hegemony as the ultimate repudiation of human dignity will take time, we could propose some immediate measures that should be taken to avert military strikes against Iran and to prevent a war in WANA.  The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping could through the UN Security Council suggest a new nuclear deal which would allow Iran limited uranium enrichment under strict supervision within a larger treaty signed by all the states in WANA and other leading powers that pledges to create a nuclear weapon free zone in the region within a certain time-frame. The manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of other weapons of mass destruction should also be prohibited.   As the formulation of such a treaty begins in earnest, all sanctions against Iran should also be lifted.  There are other challenges notably the Israeli occupation of Arab lands, the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state and the status of Israel, which should also be resolved at the same time.

Is there still time to persuade the powers-that-be to consider proposals like this?  Or is it already too late in the day?  Is the hegemon--- or is Israel--- about to strike?     

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

Dr. Chandra Muzaffar is President of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) and Professor of Global Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Malaysia

27 January 2012               

"Malay Traitors" Join DAP ???

The latest on the road to PRU13 is the (non) issue of some Malays turning “traitors” by joining DAP.  Quite a number of bloggers have taken up this (non) issue, some UMNO politicians have asked DAP to “reveal” how many Malays there are in DAP.

One fact is not disputed – that DAP is a legally registered political party and is in fact the government of Pulau Pinang.

Let me try to understand this carefully. 

Why would any Malay joining DAP become a “traitor” or even become a shocking fact? Surely, a Malay like anyone else has the mental ability and decision making skills to decide through which political party he chooses to serve his country. In a democracy, which our political system is, any citizen has the right to join any political party that he wishes.

Are we now saying that one more channel is to be closed to the Malays ie the right to choose the political channel through which he wished to serve his or her country? Surely, the Malays too should be left free to live like thinking adult.

But I am still trying to understand the spin that joining DAP is being a traitor. The question is: traitor to whom?

If the reply is that “being a traitor to the Malay community”, then this gives rise to further enquiries that needs to be addressed. The most obvious question being – since Merdeka until today, has the DAP been responsible for any acts or omission that has caused great damage to the Malay community? For example, has it been responsible for the poverty that still exists among the Malays or has it been responsible for the Malays not been able to cope effectively in businesses, especially at the cottage industry levels? The thinking person can ask many more such legitimate questions.

On another point, if a Malay joining DAP means being a traitor to the Malay community, what about a Malay joining PAS or PKR or even UMNO? After all, we have all heard speeches from political leaders how the Malays are ”split and disunited” by the three parties is PAS, PKR and UMNO.  For more than 20 years we have heard that the Malays are split by the “kafir mengakfir” issue between UMNO and PAS. 

One may successfully argue that the “split” among the Malays is more real because of UMNO and PAS because of the religious factor involved which has been severely politicised to the detriment of Muslims in the country.  Would it then not be “tenable” to argue that joining UMNO or PAS will mean being a traitor to the Malay community? If this logic is to be followed, then to be “loyal” to the Malay community, all Malays should not join any political party! Surely, this cannot be the case.

Let’s get out of the “Malay box” for a while and look at the Indians and the Chinese.

You have only Indians in MIC, only Chinese in MCA, and largely Malays in UMNO (due to bumiputras included who are not Malays).  Are we going to argue that the Indian or the Chinese is also being a traitor to their respective communities because they have joined a political party which is not of our preference? It clearly appears that it is a non-issue with the Non-Malay politician which political party they choose to join.

Why is it then an issue with some Malay politicians? What is the real agenda or fear? Surely these Malay politicians are not saying that the Malay polity is gullible or unable to think for themselves?

MCA, MIC and UMNO come together with some other political parties and form a multi-racial political component called the Barisan Nasional.  They have recognised that in Malaysia, only a multi-racial, multi religious political grouping will work. You have to be really One Malaysia in Malaysian politics. Let us contrast this with Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat is mainly made up of PAS, PKR and DAP. Other than PAS which is largely Malay (like UMNO), PKR and DAP is already multi-racial or at least, there is no racial qualification to be a member such as UMNO, MIC, MCA and even PAS (yes I know, you will say Muslim. I will take up that point some other time!).  Pakatan Rakyat therefore is not a coalition that comes together because of the “race or religious” factor but for political expediency ie to provide an alternative to the voters in this country.

While DAP may be largely Chinese in terms of its members, the Lion of DAP is a Punjabi – Mr Karpal Singh. The point is that a capable non-Chinese can “rise” up the political ladder in DAP. Such points alone will successfully dismiss the allegation that DAP is a Chinese chauvinistic party in the light of the race qualifications for membership that MIC, MCA and UMNO is saddled with.

As I said in the beginning of this article, the fact of any Malays joining the DAP or any political party is a non-issue as far as national political maturity, service to the Nation or democracy is concerned. In the larger picture, it should not matter which political party a citizen wants to be a member of as long as he serves the Nation well without selfish and parochial ends.

I really, really pray that the politicians will move onwards to issues of substance that is facing the Nation instead of playing child-like games like this. Evan a political spin should be sophisticated and not insulting to the intelligence.

Peace !

(Note: This article merely addresses the issue of citizens’ freedom (in this instance the Malay’s)  to be a member of any political party he wishes and should NOT be viewed as a personal endorsement or otherwise of DAP by this blog.)

What Does "Pro-Rakyat" Mean?

Over the Chinese New Year holidays, I had the opportunity to meet several interesting groups of people, including a group of young people who called themselves "rapera youths" - which obviously touched me! It is humbling and encouraging to see young people embrace the idea of self leadership and self responsibility in shaping the future of the Nation.

Incidentally, the discussions over the holidays centred around what is meant by the word "pro-rakyat" that I often use in my discussions and talks. Other than the concept of "Rapera", I also try to promote the concept of "pro-rakyat" in politics and Nation building. 

Admittedly, it is difficult to encompass the concept in a simple sentence but if I was to try, it would probably mean this: doing things and matters that would benefit the Rakyat in real terms and in the long run. Let me illustrate this idea by the following explanation:

Politics as we know is about influencing voters to place power in the hands of the politicians. To get the power and to influence the voters, the politicians will employ many strategies, most of which may be unethical,  immoral and damaging to Nation building in the long run. 

One of the key sources of power for the politician is information. Every single politician will try to manage and manipulate information that the Rakyat is able to get with the view that his power is not affected or can be enhanced further. In other words, he will control and curb the nature and quantity of information that is available for the Rakyat, that is media control and media biasness. The Machiavellian politician will even unashamedly resort to creating disinformation or in plain language creating lies to mislead the Rakyat. This kind of behaviour is certainly not "pro-Rakyat". I am certain that every politician detests the internet because it allows free flow of diverse information to the ordinary people.

All the resources of the country belongs to the Rakyat. Any policy that is designed to distribute the resources fairly to the Rakyat is a "pro-rakyat" policy. A "pro-rakyat" policy should include the creation of equal opportunities of accessing the resources of the Nation. Poverty eradication, free education, free health care and such should be among the priorities of a "pro-rakyat" policy. 

On the other hand, sporadic hand-outs or "goodies" with the sole view of influencing voters may benefit the Rakyat in the very short term. However, in its true analysis, it may tantamount to insulting the dignity of the Rakyat because you are actually trying to delude the Rakyat with the Rakyat's own funds. We must never forget that every government is the custodian and not the owner of the Rakyat's funds or the Nation's wealth. Such a behaviour is certainly not pro-Rakyat.

It would have been "pro-rakyat" if policies are designed to increase the standard of living of the Rakyat while keeping the cost of living down. Hence, it will be trickery and deceit of the highest order if the salaries or wages of the Rakyat are increased while allowing prices to inflate. 

Pro-rakyat policies will only come about if and only if the Rakyat remains constantly vigilant of the politicians.

I support pro-rakyat policies and programmes. 

Peace !

Is the Registrar of Societies Anti - Rakyat ???

Every Rakyat has the duty to serve the country in the best way they know how.

There are many ways by which the Rakyat can contribute to the Nation instead of being indifferent bystanders. They can get together to achieve certain social or national objectives through non-political forums and associations by forming an NGO. However, the registration of the NGO has to be approved by a very powerful person called the Registrar of Societies.

This one person, the Registrar can determine whether the Rakyat is allowed to participate actively in the development of his own country or not. The impression is that it is almost difficult to get certain NGOs to be registered.

Likewise, it is the right of every Rakyat to be active in the political activity of the Nation. They have the right to form political parties. Once again, whether or not the Rakyat can form political parties and shape the politics of the Nation will depend on the discretion of this one powerful person called the Registrar of Societies.

The question is: is the Registrar exercising his powers pro-Rakyat or anti-Rakyat?

Tidak Perlu Lah Keluar Untuk Berkumpul Bagi 901 !!!

Amat menyedihkan bahawa politik begitu berleluasa dalam Negara kita sehingga dirancang untuk sampai keserambi Mahkamah.

Pada 9.1.2012, Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, setelah berjalannya suatu perbicaraan yang panjang akan memutuskan samada seorang tertuduh yang terkemuka dalam Negara ini salah atau tidak salah berkaitan dengan satu pertuduhan jenayah iaitu meliwat sipengadu dalam kes tersebut. Bagi mereka yang sering ke Mahkamah, ini adalah satu proses yang amat lazim dimana proses keadilan berjalan setiap hari bagi menegakkan kedaulatan undang-undang seperti yang termaktub didalam Rukun Negara.

Tidak pernah kita dengar dimana orang-orang yang dituduh diMahkamah disertai dengan perhimpunan oleh penyokong-penyokong mereka pada hari keputusan diberikan.

Malangnya, dirancang supaya penyokong-penyokong orang yang tuduh berkumpul beramai-ramai dikawsan diluar Mahakamah. Akibat daripada pengemuman ini, hari Isnin menjadi satu hari yang menyusahkan orang ramai. Tenaga polis terpaksa dikerahkan untuk mengambil pelbagai tindakan awalan bagi memastikan tidak berlaku sebarang kekecohan. Ini merupakan pembaziran wang rakyat. 

Sebenarnya, "kekecohan" telah pun berlaku kerana mereka yang lazim nya pergi ke Mahkamah terpaksa pergi seawal-awal 6 pagi. Itu pun, mereka tidak akan dibenarkan untuk meletak kereta dalam perkarangan Mahkamah - maka terpaksa lah peguam-peguam berjalan jauh dan membawa bag-bag mereka yang berat dengan hujah-hujah dan otoriti. Orang awam yang mempunyai kes-kes mereka juga akan disusahkan dengan kehadiran perhimpunan ini. Semua ini menggangu perjalanan proses keadilan dalam Negara dan juga menyusahkan orang ramai.

Saya menyeru supaya mereka yang pentingkan keamanan serta menghormati perjalanan proses undang-undang dalam Negara ini supaya tidak berserta sama dalam perhimpunan ini.

Jangan biarkan proses politik menganggu proses keadilan!

Salam.

Hassan Ali, Raid on Pubs and UPSI Demo

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Peace !

Happy New Year 2012 ???

GoAnimate.com: Happy New Year 2012 by calebforever

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Peace !

People are enslaved?

GoAnimate.com: Politicians+Dream%3A+People+are+slaves+of+the+System by calebforever


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Owning Earth, By Whose Authority?

Raperas, watch this video and deeply reflect on it.




Peace !

Khairy Jamaludin: Transformation by the Transitional Generation

I must confess that I am moved to analyse some parts of YB Khairy Jamaludin’s speech this time because, for a change, it is not rhetoric and more importantly, it contains various messages and analysis which I think we should think about.

On Rapera, since 2008, I have been advocating radical changes in the political landscape that will leave behind the old, inefficient and almost intelligence insulting ways of doing things. I have actually been advocating transformation in political thought since early 2000. I have spoken about these ideals to many politicians on both sides of the political divide. I do not think many understood nor were interested. They exhibited greater concern for political pragmatism.

Hence, it is refreshing when the UMNO Youth Chief said this in his speech at the UMNO Assembly recently: 

“In the history of human civilisation, there have been moments depicting transformation grounded in generational transitions. I believe a generational transition happens when change or transformation is not limited to new policies or new faces. More significantly, it ushers in an era of visionary leaders ahead of their time, who strive for profound transformations that lay to rest old norms and practices”.

Rightly, it is profound transformations that Malaysia needs today in the political arena. After more than 50 years of independence, the Rakyat is rightly fed up with feudalistic political behaviours. Khairy correctly analysed what he calls the “generational transition” has taken place and that “President, YAB Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak is the first to have been brought up in the post-Independence era. It thus comes as little surprise that he understands that an epochal change is now occurring.” Some ideas do not come into fruition until such a transitional change takes place and it has in the person of Najib Tun Razak.

It is no secret that I am an ardent supporter of 1Malaysia. I was even concerned that Najib may not have the political courage to announce the policy, as admittedly, it has political risks for him within UMNO. Events have proven that Najib not only announced it but he is serious in developing it as the policy foundation of the Nation. Further, there has been much liberalization of democratic space under Najib’s government in line with the changes in the current generation. As Khairy, again, rightly pointed out:

“On the question of politics, the old worldview contained a simple logic: might is right. Force and might underpinned our actions in the past. When faced with problems, our immediate response was to arrest and jail people. When confronted with challenges, we literally “banned” them. This Cold War mentality might have served as well in decades gone by but the realities of the present demand a more measured and transparent approach. As a reflection of this approach, the Government will amend Section 15 of the UUCA to open the space for students to participate in politics. In my view, this is a bold step born out of a strong leadership committed to the change agenda”.

Any politician who is more concerned with preservation of power will not be bold enough to do away with draconian laws thinking that such legal powers can be used to quash political dissent. However, world view today has changed and this requires leaders who are able to cope and emphatise with this new world view. I agree with Khairy when he says “It would be fair to say that the Government Transformation Program and the New Political Model underlined by YAB President would not be possible without this new worldview. It is a new perspective requiring us to be bolder, more mature and more confident in facing the challenges that come with this new reality”.  Times have indeed changed and this is the opportunity to embark on true radical political reforms that will benefit the Rakyat and encourage transparent, efficient, intelligent  and ethical political behaviours.

Notwithstanding the reforms that Najib is bringing to the country, I share the same reservations about UMNO members that Khairy seems to have eloquently elucidated:

“In this context, I want to stress the importance of fully appreciating the meaning and implication of these concepts of generational transition and new worldview, as well as the philosophy that underpin them. It is utterly pointless to merely clap and cheer at the Prime Minister’s every announcement without understanding its rationale and purpose. Our support for progressive measures like the abolishment of ISA must be based on a deep appreciation of the demands of the new worldview, and not for the sake of sucking up to leaders”.

I have known, for a long time, that there are many capable, efficient and idealistic “1Malaysia” leaders in UMNO way before 1Malaysia came into the picture. However, these leaders who are truly Malaysian in spirit and in conduct have been suppressed from rising by the older generation “cold war” leaders who are caught up with the feudalistic political thoughts and conduct. It is therefore important that UMNO members understand the rationale and the purpose of the PM’s transformation programmes because it actually requires a major paradigm shift in one’s political outlook. 

It is actually irritating that some UMNO “has-been” leaders are being stumbling blocks to the radical changes that the PM is advocating. These old ways of thinking and the culture that “WAS”, stifles mental development in UMNO converting any creative young leader back into old age. Khairy echoed my thoughts when he said it thus; “Otherwise, we will be young in age, but ancient in mentality. This is no time to be cheerleaders who express enthusiatic support without knowing why we do so”.  I must however add that there are some young people in UMNO today who really behave old thinking that is the correct political behavior in UMNO!!! This has to change.

The other interesting parts of his speech concerns the systematic attempts by various parties to destroy key institutions of the Nation. I was actually wondering when some political leader was going to speak on this.  There is a big difference between being critical of our institutions and undermining them. For example.  you may be critical of the  judiciary but you do not encourage the culture of breaking the prison walls. 

I find it pleasing that the UMNO Youth Chief’s speech, though delivered at the UMNO and hence Malay forum, it is Malaysian in nature. This should be the way as UMNO had always been the backbone of the Barisan Nasional Government which had served Malaysians irrespective of race or religion.  There is none of racial overtones or rhetoric which dominated the 2008 assembly. 

Looks like the UMNO delagtes have taken the “que” from the party President – be 1Malaysian ! Racial and religious politics is outdated for now and highly repugnant. 

Well done Khairy. I hope you will be consistent with your views.

Peace!

"Negara Islam" atau Negara membudayakan nilai2 Islam

Saya memang tidak sempat untuk menulis mengenai tajuk ini walaupun tajuk ini sentiasa diapung-apungkan, malangnya, di medan politik. Pelbagai tafsiran yang telah diberikan mengenai apa itu "Negara Islam" sepertimana yang dinyatakan oleh Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, seorang ilmuan dan sarjana Muslim yang dihormati ramai kerana kejujuran nya kepada ilmu, terutama yang berasaskan nas Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah.

Poin yang penting dan tepat yang telah diperhatikan oleh beliau didalam artikel beliau berjudul "ANTARA ISLAM DAN ‘NEGARA ISLAM’" adalah fakta bahawa Muslim yang menentang "Negara Islam yang diperjuangkan oleh beberapa pihak tidak bererti bahawa Muslim itu menentang Islam".

Seharusnya mereka yang berminat mengenai topik ini harus membaca artikel Prof Madya Dr Asri di sini.

Artikel-artikel sebegini menunjukkan betapa pentingnya kewujudan suasana pemikiran bebas yang membolehkan perbincangan ilmiah mengenai Islam supaya pelbagai pandangan dapat dipertimbangkan bagi memanfaatkan umat Muslim. Sekaligus, Muslim menjadi hamba yang proaktif dan bukannya pak turut yang tidak memahami apa yang dianuti.

Salam.

Agama membantut pembangunan minda manusia dan melambatkan kelahiran tamadun yang mengguntungkan makhluk ??? Bahagian Satu: Agama, Ketua Agama dan Penganut Agama

(Amaran: Mereka yang merasakan diri mereka lemah minda atau malas berfikir atau mudah sensitif dengan pandangan alternatif disarankan supaya tidak meneruskan membaca perbincangan ini. Perbincangan ini sekadar perbincangan dan tidak bertujuan untuk mempengaruhi sesiapa dan sesiapa juga tidak dikehendaki untuk bersetuju dengan analisis berikut. Pandangan membina digalakkan dalam suasana sama-sama belajar dan berfikir kerana cinta kepada Maha Pencipta).

 

Ramai sarjana Muslim menafsir Islam sebagai cara hidup lengkap bagi manusia kerana ajaran-ajarannya konsisten dengan sifat semula jadi manusia dan alam. Ini lah yang mereka maksudkan apabila mereka mengatakan “Islam itu agama fitrah”. Dengan hormatnya, saya kurang setuju dengan pemanggilan Islam dengan istilah “agama” kerana ia mempunyai pelbagai maksud dan kebanyakkan nya tidak langsung menjelaskan “cara hidup Islam seperti yang diperjelaskan dalam Al-Quran”.  Saya lebih berminat merujuk kepada “Islam” sebagai Addeen Allah atau “cara hidup menyeluruh yang disarankan oleh Maha Pencipta untuk yang dicipta”.

Namun, istilah “agama” yang digunakan sekian lama akan terus digunakan dan lantas itu, timbul lah kekeliruan seperti mana yang wujud hari ini.

Sebelum saya menyentuh mengenai fahaman saya terhadap Islam sebagai “cara hidup yang praktikal”, biar saya bincang mengenai “agama” dahulu.

Mereka yang berminat boleh membaca selanjutnya dengan klik disini

Baca Lah Bible apa yang hendak ditakuti ???

Amat merunsingkan beberapa perkembangan serta respon beberapa pemimpin agama dan politik terhadap dakwaan terdapatnya usaha untuk mengkristiankan orang-orang Melayu di Negara ini. Saya dapati respon-respon yang diberikan ini malangnya merendahkan-rendahkan kebolehan orang-orang Melayu untuk berfikir dan menilai. Saya percaya orang-orang Melayu ini lebih bijak daripada apa yang disangka oleh pemimpin-pemimpin ini. Kemungkinan besar pemimpin-pemimpin ini masih berada diabad ke14 manakala kita telah pun melangkah keabad ke21 yang dicirikan dengan pelbagai teknoloji yang canggih dan efisien.

Disamping itu, respon-respon ini juga menampakkkan bahawa pemimpin-pemimpin ini kurang yakin dengan kekuatan mesej yang terkandung didalam Al-Quran serta peranan Allah sendiri didalam menentukan keimanan seseorang.

“Dan Kami tidak mengutuskan seseorang Rasul melainkan dengan bahasa kaumnya supaya ia menjelaskan (hukum-hukum Allah) kepada mereka. Maka Allah menyesatkan sesiapa yang dikehendakiNya, juga memberi hidayah petunjuk kepada sesiapa yang dikehendakiNya; dan Dia lah jua Yang Maha Kuasa, lagi Maha Bijaksana. (Quran: 14:4)

Amat jelas sekali maksud surah diatas dimana kuasa memberi petunjuk adalah pada Allah. Seorang manusia yang inginkan petunjuk Allah hendaklah berusaha sedaya upayanya untuk mencari, dan menggunakan akalnya. Mudah-mudahan ia mendapat petunjuk. Seorang Muslim seharusnya berusaha untuk mendampingi Al-Quran dan berusaha untuk memahami isi kandungannya dengan sendiri daripada hanya mendeligasikan tanggungjawap tersebut kepada orang lain. 

Sekiranya ia membaca Al-Quran, maka ia tidak akan hairan sama sekali usaha pihak kristian untuk mengkritiankan orang lain. Mereka berbuat demikian kerana mereka yakin benar dengan fahaman Krisitian mereka. Allah telah pun memberitahu kita perkara berikut didalam surah Al-Baqarah ayat 120 seperti berikut:-

“Orang-orang Yahudi dan Nasrani tidak sekali-kali akan bersetuju atau suka kepadamu (wahai Muhammad) sehingga engkau menurut ugama mereka . Katakanlah (kepada mereka): “Sesungguhnya petunjuk Allah, itulah petunjuk yang benar”. Dan demi sesungguhnya jika engkau menurut kehendak hawa nafsu mereka sesudah datangnya (wahyu yang memberi) pengetahuan kepadamu (tentang kebenaran), maka tiadalah engkau akan peroleh dari Allah (sesuatupun) yang dapat mengawal dan memberi pertolongan kepada mu”. (Quran 2:120)

Maka, bagi mereka yang memahami ayat diatas, dia tidak akan hairan atau menggelupur apabila mendengar berita bahawa adanya usaha untuk mengkristiankan orang lain. Apakah akal kita memberitahu kita bahawa orang Kristian akan menghindukan kita atau orang Islam akan mengyahudikan orang lain? Tentu sekali akan ada beberapa penganut-penganut agama yang akan cuba untuk meyakinkan orang lain berkaitan dengan agama mereka. Jadi apa yang kita khuatir atau hairan sangat?

Perkara lebih penting ialah: fahamkah orang Muslim itu sendiri mengenai Islam itu sendiri? Adakah dia berusaha untuk membaca isi kandungan Al-Quran untuk memastikan samada apa yang dia percaya sebagai Islam itu konsisten dengan Al-Quran? 

Lagipun apabila surah Al-Baqarah mengatakan bahawa orang-orang Nasrani (Kristian) akan berusaha untuk menjadikan orang lain pun percaya seperti mereka – adakah kita tahu apa yang orang Kristian percaya? Pernahkan kita kaji atau fikir samada orang-orang Krisitian hari ini pun mungkin lebih kurang sama dengan beberapa orang-orang Muslim dari segi ini – mereka pun tidak pernah baca Bible mereka sepertimana kita pun tidak pernah membaca Al_Quran kita? Masing-masing berasaskan kepercayaan mereka berdasarkan apa yang diberitakan kepada mereka oleh ketua agama masing-masing!

Didalam Al-Quran, banyak disebut mengenai kisah-kisah yang disentuh didalam Bible terutamanya mengenai Nabi Isa. Kita ketahui bahawa orang-orang Kristian mengangkat Nabi Isa sebagai “anak tuhan”. Adakah perkara ini terdapat didalam Bible dengan jelas? Mana kita nak tahu kalau kita tidak membaca Bible mahupun Al-Quran? Al-Quran ada menyebut perkara berikut:-

“Dan juga (disebabkan) dakwaan mereka dengan mengatakan: “Sesungguhnya kami telah membunuh Al-Masih Isa Ibni Maryam, Rasul Allah”. Padahal mereka tidak membunuhnya dan tidak memalangnya (di kayu palang – salib), tetapi diserupakan bagi mereka (orang yang mereka bunuh itu seperti Nabi Isa). Dan Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang telah berselisih faham, mengenai Nabi Isa, sebenarnya mereka berada dalam keadaan syak (ragu-ragu) tentang menentukan (pembunuhannya). Tiada sesuatu pengetahuan pun bagi mereka mengenainya selain daripada mengikut sangkaan semata-mata; dan mereka tidak membunuhnya dengan yakin” (Quran 4:157)

Jelas sekali bahawa ayat diatas mengatakan bahawa Nabi Isa tidak dibunuh dengan cara disalib. Apakah Bible mengatakan bahawa Nabi Isa disalib? Mana kita nak tahu kalau tidak baca Bible?

Saya telah membaca hampir lebih daripada tujuh versi Bible sejak saya berumur 16 tahun. Pada fahaman saya, membaca John, Matthew, Mark dan Luke (“Gospels”) meyakinkan saya bahawa fakta-fakta yang dinyatakan disitu dengan sendiri menafikan bahawa Nabi Isa telah dibunuh dengan cara disalib. Sebaliknya, fakta-fakta disitu menunjukkan dengan jelas bahawa selepas peristiwa Nabi Isa (mengikut Bible) diletak diatas salib, beliau masih hidup, makan bersama pengikutnya serta berjalan. 

Kajian sedikit yang saya buat berkaitan dengan Bible telah saya serahkan kepada Dr Ahmed Deedat semasa yang bertemu dengan beliau diBirmingham pada awal 1990an. Beliau telah membaca Bible dan telah menulis banyak buku mengenainya. Saya amat kagum dengan kebolehan dan usaha ikhlas yang dilakukan oleh Ahmed Deedat seperti mana juga Dr Zakir Naik diIndia yang mahir dalam bhagawad Geeta dan sebagainya. Pemikir-pemikir Muslim ini tidak takut membaca kitab-kitab agama lain. Kenapa pulak pemimpin-pemimpin agama dan politik Negara kita begitu takut?

Macam-macam perkara dan fakta yang boleh saya tulis disini mengenai Bible dan Al-Quran tetapi memadailah jika saya mengatakan bahawa jika seorang Muslim membaca Bible, ia akan lebih faham kebenaran Al-Quran apabila membacanya. Masalahnya ialah, didalam Negara kita ini pemikiran dan budaya ilmiah digam sebagai satu “dosa besar” yang harus dihindari. Kadangkala saya terasa seolah-olah mereka yang lemah minda menganggap orang lain pun sama-sama lemah minda.

Sebenarnya, saya berpendapat bahawa sekiranya Bible versi Bahasa Malaysia dibenarkan, ia mungkin akan melahirkan satu perbincangan yang sihat diantara Muslim dan Kristian. Ia akan berguna bagi mereka yang benar-benar dengan ikhlas mahu mencari kebenaran Allah dan bukanlah semata-mata untuk mempertahankan kedudukan masing-masing. Pengalaman saya menunjukkan bahawa Al-Quran sentiasa berjaya mempertahankan dirinya sebagai kitab yang benar.

Salam.

(Nota: Saya tidak bincang tajuk diatas dari aspek undang-undang. Harap masing-masing rujuk kepada Al-Quran masing-masing untuk menggesahkan terjemahan yang disebut didalam artikel diatas)

How much more insults will the Malays tolerate from PAS?

There has been so much nonsense from the theological based political party PAS from the time I can remember that if I was to write about their nonsense, it will be volumes! First on the list is of course their unilateral claim to represent Islam. But that is a matter I have covered many times over for the past 10 years or so.

Today, I intend to cover snippets of their latest nonsense and insults to the Malay and Muslim intelligence.

You may continue reading the rest of the article here

Peace !.

ERASE RACISM !!!

The Quran says:

“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)

Kool G Rap & Polo-Erase Racism Lyrics:

(feat. Bizmarkie, Big Daddy Kane)

[Intro: Bizmarkie]

Yo V, bring that beat in
Yeah that's aight
Ahhh man!
Yo G, yo Kool G, yo
I'm doin this right here
We got Big Daddy Kane over there
We all gonna do just one part
Because you know, we came a long way
You know, from back in Martin Luther King days, Malcolm X
[Ain't hard to tell] You know, now now that we see
Nelson N-Nelson Mandela's free
We gonna talk about this, is e gonna talk about this racism
Stop that, you know what I'm sayin, we gonna stop that
So G, why don't you just do your rhymin part, and then I'll come on after you
(Aight, check it out, here we go, yo)

[Verse One: Kool G Rap]

I'm tryin hard to explore, I'm not sure
What all the racial war for
It's makin me more sore
I walk through a color blind corridor
Seekin, for peace in the people I'm meetin
Black white and puerto-rican men are greetin each other
Just like brothers, there's plenty and many of others
You can discover, kids fathers and mothers
A meltin pot, no one felt they got prejudice
Listen I could never assist someone diss this
A landscape, with a dark and a light handshake
Havin fun, without one bein a fake snake
So let's form a rainbow over the mountain
And let's drink from the same water fountain
Let's make our Earth Day a story of
people that walk through the same territories
Color or creed, is no need for a man to bleed
I beleive, we all breathe the same seed
Unless it's diluted, for somethin to intrude it
Then I see your family tree was uprooted
So don't be foolish if you're Jewish or Hindu
The racial manual is the evil that men do
I was raised in a nation of Asian
Hate shouldn't seperate Jamaican from Haitian
So if you're givin in your ears I hope your hear me and
Siberian's no better than Nigerian
I bring a rattle to a battle that you see me in
I'm no villian so why would I be killin indians
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
My nationality's reality
And yo a prejudiced man is of a devil mentality
These are words of a wise man, wisdom
Take a taste and erase the racism

[Chorus: Bizmarkie]

The ink is black, the page is white
Together we learn how to read and write
People are black, got people that's white
Let's stop racism, and, let's unite

Verse Two: Big Daddy Kane

(Yo yo Kane, why don't you do your part
and then let me do mine and then we get outta here
go ahead, bet)

In the days of slavery
Some got to run away and many got done away
Inferiority is what some men say
But that shit played out with Kunta Kinte
Then again in the streets of New York
I think of Yusef Hawkins, and I see you'e still stalkin
And when I think of barriers like Bensonhurst
Huh, notice how I mentioned hearse
We got to better this world of prejudice
People, make peace, and learn to live equal
Cause I don't look at myself as a
Coon or a mooley that would have to say massa
You better believe that I'm an asiatic descendant
And I know what's been amended and intended
So let's fulfill and get real, and try to build
a united nation, eliminate segregation
I know there's different strokes for different folks
but I've also acknowledged what hatred provokes
So don't hate me or try to underrate me
Cause I collect ends drive a Benz and live greatly
And we can all live together in harmony
Without thinkin what color is harmin me
If I'm a slave I'm a slave to the rhythm
To E-R-A-S-E the racism

[Chrous]

[Outro: Bizmarkie]

To the black and the white
The red and the yellow
To all the nationalities
I'd like to say hello
And I hope they stop racism and it's comin from our hearts
Me, Kool G Rap, Polo, Big Daddy Kane, Cool V, and of course
The Diabolical Bizmarkie I hope ya stop racism
Peace 

 

Ruang Befikir Semakin Menyimpit ???

Memang kebanyakkan manusia malas berfikir. Kalau kebanyakkan manusia mmembenarkan diri mereka untuk berfikir, maka tidak wujudlah penindasan dari segi fizikal dan rohani. Hakikat bahawa begitu ramai manusia tidak sedar tentang penindasan ini membuktikkan bahawa sememangnya mereka telah selesa dalam zon kejahilan mereka. Begitu juga jika manusia memang rajin berfikir, tidak lah Al-Quran itu mengandungi berpuluh-puluh ayat yang mengajak, mengajar dan memujuk mansusia untuk berfikir. Malangnya dalam bidang agama pun mereka telah menggadaikan minda mereka kepada segelintir manusia lain yang kononnya mempunyai monopoli hidayah Allah. Namun itu persoalan yang lain.

Walaupun manusia amnya malas berfikir, malangnya diNegara tercinta ini kemalasan berfikir bukan sahaja luimrah tetapi telah diinstitusikan sebagai satu budaya yang harus dipertahankan. Kelesuan dan kengganan untuk berfikir telah menular kesegenap lapisan kehidupan kita.

Kita bangga dengan pemimpin-pemimpin yang boleh mengeluarkan kenyataan yang bukan sahaja tidak masuk akal tetapi menghina pemikiran manusia waras. Kenyataan-kenyataan mereka itu dengan bangga disiarkan dalam TV dan media arus perdana seolah-olah kita mahu mensejarahkan kebodohan kepimpinan kita. Begitu kerap sekali saya lihat kebodohan kempimpinan politik diraikan seperti pesta diringi oleh tepuk sorak badan-badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan blogger-blogger upahan yang semestinya "allergic" kepada kebolehan berfikir. Seperti ayat dalam Al-Quran, masing-masing gembira dengan kenerakaan masing-masing dengan memikirkan bahawa itulah syurga!

Lebih teruk daripada dahulu, hari ini kita dapati begitu ramai "cendikiawan-cendikiawan" yang tumbuh sebagai cendawan tanpa sebarang kebolehan berifkir secara berilmiah atau pun mempunyai kebolehan intelektualisme walaupun masing-masing tanpa segan silu memakai gelaran "Dr" dihadapan nama mereka. Saya tidak harian perkembangan ini kerana saya sudah pun menjangkanya berlaku sewaktu saya masih belajar diUKM bertahun-tahun dahulu. Saya sudah  melihat dahulu bahawa satu budaya baru yang menghormati kelulusan daripada ilmu semakain berkembang didalam negara tercinta ini. Kelulusan formal atau rasmi disamakan dengan keupayaan intelektualisme. Malangya juga ramai "cendikiawan" yang tidak faham maksud "intellectualism". Ini lah antara sebabnya yang telah menahan saya daripada belajar sehingga keperingkat PhD kerana saya tidak dapat bayangkan diri saya dinilai oleh puak-puak "superficial" ini walaupun saya begitu cinta dengan ilmu dan proses pemikiran.

Hari ini ramai bangga dengan adanya berpuluh-puluh universiti yang tumbuh bagai lalang yang tidak terjaga dan kehadiran hampir 2000 professor-professor dalam negara tercinta ini. Memandangkan kita mengagungkan dan memartabatkan kejahilan, maka tidak pernahlah kita tanya apakah sumbangan professor-professor ini kepada perkembangan ilmu dan masyarakat? Berapa banyakkah buku-buku ilmiah yang telah diterbitkan oleh cendawan-cendawan ini? Apakah teori atau falsafah yang telah mereka "profess" dalam kerjaya mereka sehingga layak digelar professor? Hari ini, professor adalah jawatan bukanya melambangkan keupayaan pemikiran. Perkara yang sama ini telah saya bincang dengan Allahyarham Professor Syed Hussein Al-Atas, bekas VC Universiti Malay dimana beliau mengelar golongan seperti ini sebagai "educated barbarians".

Apabila kita memartabatkan guru-guru dan pensyarah-pensyarah jahil, adakah kita harapkan penuntut-penuntut keluaran universiti tempatan akan berkembang sebagai pemikir, reformis dan berguna?

JIka kita membuat satu kajian rambang, kita akan dapati bahawa kebanyakkan kita seolah-olah menganggap berfikir itu satu dosa besar yang harus dihindari. Kita katakan "boring". Buku-buku yang memerlukan seseorang itu untuk berifkir dipandang sebagai satu virus yang tidak harus didekati. Kalau ada rakan yang membuahkan satu topik yang memerlukan perbincangan menggunakan akal, kita anggap dia sebagai gila atau ganjil. Mereka lebih minat untuk bercakap-cakap kosong mengenai kejadian didalam kehidupan mereka yang juga sama-sama kosong - hal ofis mereka, gelagat orang lain, wayang yang dilihat, masalah-masalah kecil-kecilan dalam kehidupan mereka yang dilihat besar oleh minda mereka yang kecut, dan lain-lain "mundane topics". 

Sebenarnya bagi orang yang boleh berfikir, topik-topik ini lah amat membosankan kerana ianya dapat dijangka.  Sememangnya boleh jadi "stressful" bagi seorang yang boleh berfikir hidup dalam masyarakat yang menganggungkan kebodohan dan kejahilan.

Paling ketara sekali penyakit tidak mahu berfikir ini adalah dalam hal yang bersangkutan dengan ketuhanan. Amat anih sekali bahawa mereka yang kononnya menganggap agama itu penting tidak mahu meluangkan masa untuk mengkaji atau memikirkan tentang apa yang mereka anuti. Kemalasan mereka itu cuba ditutup dengan alasan bahawa mereka tidak mahir dalam hal-hal agama dan oleh itu membiarkan orang yang leibih "berilmu" itu mengupas bagi pihak mereka. Apakah asas-asas pun tidak tahu? Begitu yakin sekali mereka ini dengan golongan yang dikatakan "berilmu"?  Saya yakin ramai yang tidak akan faham maksud saya disini kerana kita sudah pun di indoktrinasikan  dengan tanggapan bahawa mereka yang berkelulusan daripada universiti semestinya pakar dalam bidang tertentu. Maka, kita tidak pernah mahu berfikir atau menilai mengenai "kelulusan" pakar yang kita idolakan itu. Memang susah ke mendapat kelayakan formal universiti hari in?

Pada saya, masyarakat yang membudayakan kebodohan dan kejahilan mengundang musibah keatas dirinya sendiri. Padahnya akan tiba walaupun mengambil masa yang lama.

Namun mereka yang sudah lazim dengan candu tidak mahu berfikir akan ketagihkan kebodohan dan kejahilan. Seperti semua ketagihan yang merosakkan, kesudahannya amat jelas.

Salam.

Najib's call for Unity - What Unity?

I fully support the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's call for unity recently. Everyone knows the outcome of disunity and enmity among humankind. It results in chaos and misery.

The "Islamic world" is known from almost time immemorial to be characterised by disunity and enmity. There are several reasons, among which are vested interest, sectarian differences, and intolerance of differing views.

The Middle East is a hotbed of conflicts, oppression of human and individual rights, dictatorial regimes and corruption. The Middle East is a living example that common language and religion alone cannot unite the people. A sense of humanitarian values and the willingness to adhere to basic universal values of Islam is equally necessary.

One cannot be faulted to say that the Middle East may be full of religion but largely lacking in spiritualism. So much form but little substance. Too much emphasis on form breeds hypocrisy and Allah condemns hypocrisy as a most evil trait. Let us come closer to our own home - Malaysia.

Malaysian Muslim political leaders often deliver speeches calling for unity of the ummah especially during so-called religious festivals. Any Muslim will welcome such calls. However, a call for unity which is not accompanied by consistent programs and deeds towards the call is useless. It portrays the leader as a man of form and not of substance. The leader becomes an insult to the people.

Even worse is when a leader calls for unity and yet he condones or does every act that further perpetuates disunity. This is hypocritical and despicable in the eyes of Allah.

I believe that calls for unity in Malaysia among the Muslims is not totally genuine. It is merely a political call. If it was genuine, Muslims will accept Muslim wholeheartedly in all spheres of their lives. Only recently, a christian Indian converted to Islam and the registration department found it completely important that his race column be written as "keturunan India" - is this necessary? Where is the implementation of the principle that Islam supersedes race? where is the implementation of article 160 of the Federal Constitution that this Indian Muslim is now a constitutional Malay? Why are civil servants allowed to override the clear provisions of the Constitution?

I have many experiences with converts (Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli) into Islam from other races. The convert still is treated as a non-Malay despite the constitutional guarantee that he is a Malay upon conversion and fulfillment of the article 160 of the Constitution. Further, over the years, I have come across cases where quite a number of Penang Malays who have their name changed from "bin" to "a/l" in their nric without their knowledge by the civil servants. Why is this done? Has "bin" become the domain of the Malay and where is this "ukuwaah Islamiah" that many political and religious leaders are so fond of talking about?

There are so many real life examples that I can show to prove that we are still far away from this "Islamic unity" in the country. Political leaders make speeches without serious follow ups and the ignorant civil servants do what they wish. Thereafter, everyone goes to the Friday prayers pretending that all are united.

Let us not play with God for His wrath is unimaginable.

Peace!

2011 UNITED NATIONS 66th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

I am glad I went to the 66th Anniversary celebrations of the United Nations today at the Renaissance Hotel in my capacity as an executive member of the International Movement for  just World (JUST).

Mr Kamal Malhotra, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Malaysia delivered a good and comprehensive speech. I was touched by the piano performances by  autistic children, one as young as 7 years old who played "We are the world'. These children were trained by a very talented young man, Mr Brian John Yim, who himself delivered an excellent piano piece at the event. These performances by autistic children tends to educate people on autism. I was explaining autism to a few people  who did not know  what it is later because I have some experience dealing with such children.

In the speech by Mr Kamal Malhorta,  he congratulated the Prime Minister of Malaysia for doing away with the emergency proclamations so that "Malaysia can return to the normal operation of the constitutional system". He noted that "Democracr is clearly linked with a set of essential rights, liberties and opportunities must necessarily exist. For democratic proceses to gain ground and be sustained, such rights, freedoms and opportunities must necessarily exist".

 Without a doubt, the United Nations, though it had always suffered various criticisms from diverse groups, continues to give hope to the world that it can unite countries with a common purpose.

The whole world is facing diverse challenges from economics to weather and as the United Nations Secretary General has said, "in these turbulent times, there is only one answer: unity of purpose".

All the UN member countries have to have that sense of unity and the will to face the challenges ahead to make this world a better place.

Peace !

Peace !

Why Drag Lim Guan Eng's Son into Politics?

I really do not know whether it is true or not personally. YAB Lim Guan Eng has denied it. The school apparently has denied it too.

I am not really concerned with the truth or otherwise of the allegation here. If it is false, then the allegations are defamatory, evil and highly immoral.

Assuming it it true,  it gives rise to several important issues and reflects upon the political ethics and culture that our country has.

What is the relevance of a 16 year old boy's misadventure with the leader's standing or lack of it? Does it mean that if your children are "bad", you are bad too and that you must have failed as a father or a leader? Admittedly, there are cases where the children's misadventure may reflect on the parent's negligence. However, it is not always the case.
 
Every reasonable person should know this particularly a Muslim.

The Quran relates histories and events that show that the misadventure of a sibling or a child does not reflect on the parent.

Prophet Abraham was a believer while his father was an idolator (Quran 19:46 to 47). The stark difference in faith did not lead Prophet Abraham to curse or hate his father. Muslims do not judge Abraham by the faith of his father. In fact, Abraham is held up as a good example of a man of faith (Quran 16:120)

Prophet Noah embarked on to the Ark but his son did not believe him and had refused to heed his command. (Quran: surah 11 verses 42 to 43). Do we judge Noah as a weak prophet because he was unable to convince his own son? Therein is a lesson for those who have total faith in Allah and serve Allah only (not political interests).

Prophet Lut is held up in high esteem by the Muslims and Allah relates of what happened to his wife who was among the disbelievers. Allah did not save her from the calamity that befell Lut's people (Quran  11:81). No Muslim will ever judge Lut by his wife's disbelief.

The Quran liberates the human mind from such evil traps of judging one individual by the act of another.  However, when we serve gods like politics other than Allah, we fall into such traps too. The Satan whispers and fitnah (defamation) becomes alluring.

Let us leave the 16 year old boy alone.

Lets salvage politics from the sewerage it has gone into.

Peace.