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 !

Rapera on MobTV.My ! - Chat With Haris Ibrahim

Rapera on mobTV hopes to have chats with various people  who have impacted Malaysian society in some way on various issues. We do not have to agree with the views as we believe that diversity of views is good for the development of Malaysia

If you know of anyone, please email to rapera.jay@gmail.com

http://www.mobtv.my/VOD-RAPERA.html

Peace !

Civil Servants Do Not Engage, Hence The Political Government gets into trouble?

The "government administration" which is made up of the civil servants, the various agencies such as Police, Bank Negara, Elections Commissions, etc, etc goes on automatic mode irregardless of who the "political government" is. For example, even if Pakatan Rakyat was to take over the country, the same civil service wil be serving the Nation.

I cannot but help notice that the Barisan Nasional political government is increasingly being put on the defensive by various events in the country. Some of this defensive position, in my view, is a choice that BN seems to make! There are many occasions where the BN government does no have to be defensive in my view. Anyway, I digress from the point I want to make in this article.

The point i want to make here is this: that the actions of the secure civil servants affects the image and the tenure of the insecure politicians in power. Let me explain.

Firstly, most of the Rakyat deal largely with civil servants and agencies and not with the political masters. The manner in which these civil servants deal and engage with the Rakyat is what really matters to the Rakyat. If these agencies exercise their powers unreasonably or do not address the Rakyat's complaints in a reasonable manner, the Rakyat gets very frustrated. If these agencies do not respond positively by having discussions with the Rakyat on specific complaints and refuse to interpret the law in a just and helpful manner, the Rakyat gets agitated. 

Frustrations and agitations lead to feelings of helplessness. Ultimate feelings of helplessness leads to collective actions against the agencies and often, these feelings are directed against the political masters. It is this fact that the political masters must understand clearly.

Hence, in my view, when the Rakyat has a legitamate complaint against a certain law or an agency, the ruling political masters must side with the Rakyat. They cannot adopt this automatic defensive position and be pro-agency because, the political masters are expected to side with the Rakyat. It is very plain and simple. This has got to be the new thinking among the politicians if they want to remain relevant at these times where the Rakyat is increasingly becoming aware of their rights. 

However, I find it almost ridiculous and self defeating that quite often, the political ruling class goes on the defensive whenever the actions or omissions of a government agency is challenged or brought into question. When this happens, the political opposition sides with the complaining Rakyat and projects itself as the champion of the oppressed Rakyat. It is almost as if the fact of continued incumbency has infected upon them the disease of defensiveness and ousted the attitude of embracing the Rakyat's complaint.  

In this regard, I have often mentioned to my friends in the ruling class that their "takut bayang2" attitude and the incapacity to embrace new political responses creates more problems for them even in situations where they are right.

It is about time that the ruling class pay serious attention to the exercise of discretion by the civil servants and the various agencies (including the state agencies, especially that which relates to religion). Whatever they do or do not do will impact on the support the ruling class gets.

The ruling political class must learn to stop being defensive. Get new advise on the new ways to respond. The whole world is changing, you should change too if you want to remain relevant.

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)

Future Kedah Fatwa Cannot Be Challenged.

The Star (17.4.2012) reports as such:

“Future fatwa by Kedah mufti or fatwa committee cannot be challenged in court

ALOR SETAR: Future fatwa issued by the Kedah mufti or Fatwa Committee cannot be challenged in court under an amendment to the Mufti and Fatwa (Kedah Darul Aman) Enactment 2008 passed by the Kedah State Assembly on Tuesday.

A new section - Section 22A - inserted in the enactment states that a fatwa decided by the mufti or Fatwa Committee, whether gazetted or not, cannot be challenged, appealed, reviewed, denied or questioned in any civil court or syariah court.

The insertion was among the amendments passed unanimously by the House on Tuesday.

In tabling the bill for the amendments, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said it was to clarify the membership of the Fatwa Committee and to give conclusiveness to any fatwa decided by either the mufti or Fatwa Committee”.

(see http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/17/nation/20120417194848&sec=nation )

If the above report is accurate, with one stroke of the pen, the PAS Government of Kedah has made the future fatwas of the Mufti or the Majlis Fatwa absolute.  

A few men, namely the Assemblymen of Kedah has decided for all the Muslims in Kedah that the fatwas (or legal opinions) of the Mufti or a group of people in the Majlis Fatwa is absolute and cannot be challenged by anyone.

There is no questioning the opinions or the legal reasoning of those paid to be in the religious authority in Kedah.  It cannot even be reviewed.

Fatwas in this sense carries a religious connotation and hence, it now becomes part of the Syariah Law of Kedah.  Please note how the Syariah Laws expands as a result of human handiwork.

Now let me ask if the Prime Minister, the most powerful man in the country can be questioned on his actions? Every constitutional and criminal law student will tell you that in certain occasions, he can not only be questioned but be charged in court if he had acted, for example, unconstitutionally or criminally in office.

Under administrative laws, you can challenge, appeal and review the decision of any civil servant in the Courts of Law in Malaysia. This is through a process called judicial review. This process is allowed because the law recognises that civil servants, even with the best of intentions may make mistakes or err in their judgement. Some may be influenced by irrelevant factors in making a decision or arriving at an opinion (fatwa!).

But obviously, the Kedah Assemblymen are confident that neither the Mufti nor the members of the Fatwa Committee can err in their judgement or make mistakes. They are held to be infallible.

The Muslim in Kedah, therefore has no choice in the matter. He has to dispense with his conscience and his reasoning and simply follow the fatwa which now has the power of “Syariah” Law.

A Muslim who knows the Quran, may want to ask where the following verse figures in this episode:

068.036  What is the matter with you? How judge you?

068.037  Or have you a book through which you learn-

068.038  That you shall have, through it whatever ye choose?

068.039  Or have you Covenants with Us to oath, reaching to the Day of Judgment,

(providing) that you shall have whatever you shall demand?

068.040  Ask you of them, which of them will stand surety (guarantee) for that!

068.041  Or have they some "Partners" (in Godhead)? Then let them produce their

"partners", if they are truthful!

Since no Malays in Kedah have protested against the Bill, it must mean that they are happy with it.

Peace.

Elections Around the Corner?

There is a big guessing game going on when the elections will be held. This has become almost a predominant "game" with the politicians and political game. What is the Rakyat's take on this?

It goes without saying that the general political awareness among the Rakyat today is far different as it was, say 10 to 15 years ago. The access to information and facts, despite the nozzle around the mainstream media, today is available due to the availability of the new media.

Not only the urban voters but the rural voters have greater access to differing information.

Undoubtedly, the Rakyat wants to see an honest, transparent and efficient government that will put the Rakyat's interest first. Political gimmicks may not work as well as it used to work before. People want to see real reforms and real plans or programmes for the future.

Of course the incumbent parties will face greater challenges because their ability to transform thier pronouncements on reforms into realities will be judged. The Rakyat is truly fed up with being treated like fools.

The politicians' mindset does not, unfortunately change rapidly with the changes that has taken place because they are surrounded incestuously by the same advisers with the same way of perceiving and analysing information.

In short, the politicians can go on with their political games. The Rakyat knows what they want and how they will vote.

Peace.

Bahagian 3: Agama mengkhayalkan manusia dalam kehidupan manakala Islam atau “The Way” mengajak manusia hidup dalam realiti sebenar dunia.

Memang motivasi atau niat masing-masing untuk melakukan sesuatu berbeza. Namun apabila motivasi atau niat ini ditafsirkan sebagai perbuatan, kesannya juga berbeza dari segi rohani dan jasmani. Kita ambil sebagai contoh 4 jenis pekerja iaitu Encik A, B, C dan D.

Keempat-empat pekerja ini dibayar gaji setiap bulan serta diberikan kemudahan-kemudahan tertentu oleh majikan mereka. Keempat-empat mereka itu menandatangani atau telah memasuki dalam satu perjanjian pekerjaan dengan majikan mereka dimana mereka berjanji untuk melaksanakan tugas-tugas mereka.  Katakan juga keempat-empat mereka ini menerima gaji yang sama dan diberikan tugasan yang sama.

Bersambung baca disini.

Salam.

Bahagian Kedua: Agama tidak menggalakkan penganutnya berfikir atau menggunakan minda

Agama memerlukan penganut yang taat pada agamanya.  Hampir semua agama menggalakkan penganutnya menerima segala sesuatu yang ditetapkan oleh ketua-ketua agama mereka atau diterima oleh masyarakat mereka sebagai kebenaran hakiki. Mereka yang menyoal dikatakan sebagai lemah keimanan atau kepercayaan. Apa yang perlu hanya lah “beriman” atau sering dikatakan dalam Bahasa Inggeris sebagai “All you need is faith”. Hakikat bahawa “keimanan” semata-mata mengenepikan peranan pengetahuan dan nas tidak dipedulikan. The fact that pure faith displaces the role of reason and knowledge is of no concern.

Boleh sambung selanjutnya disini.

Salam

A Scientist is an Ulama too !

I came across this interesting article that I wish to share with you:


"Let me start by saying that this is in no way intended to disrespect anyone. Whilst I am a scientist by profession, this is not meant to insinuate that i am an ulama.. However i do feel that there is a lot of confusion in the word ulama and how it is currently being perceived. A scientist, by definition, is also an ulama...but then again, this is an academic excercise which has no bearing on anything! So here goes nonetheless....

1) In Arabic the word Ulama is the plural form of the word Alim, which has been derived from the word Ilmu. An Arabic dictionary will show you that the meaning of Ulama and Alim are as follows:"

You can continue to read the rest of this interesting article here at To Think About It.

I am happy to note that more and more young people are referring to the Quran and making an effort to understand its contents.

Peace !

Mempertahankan Apa untuk Melayu Yang Mana? “Islam” pun perlu dipertahankan oleh manusia kerdil?

Kekadang saya tidak tahu samada saya harus  rasa kesian kepada kaum Melayu atau kepada pemimpin mereka kerana Melayu ini terlalu banyak pemimpin dalam terlalu banyak bidang. Mereka ada pemimpin politik, pemimpin perniagaan, pemimpin agama, pemimpin moral dan sebagainya. Kaum Melayu ini telah dijadikan sebagai satu kaum yang perlu dipimpin dalam segala hal dalam kehidupan mereka dari lahir sehinggalah meninggalkan dunia.

Kekadang juga saya tidak tahu samada saya harus berasa malu bagi pihak kaum Melayu atau bagi pihak pemimpin mereka.  Perasaan malu ini timbul kerana penyuaraan perjuangan konon oleh pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu yang melantik diri mereka sendiri sebagai “penyelamat kaum Melayu”  amat lapuk, namun mereka sendiri tidak sedar.  Tidak kah kita merasa malu melihat orang-orang dewasa melonjak-lonjak berbuih-buih membuat ucapan demi ucapan mengenai topik-topik yang sudah usang serta tidak lagi dipercayai oleh jenerasi Melayu yang terkemudian ini?

Walaubagaimanapun, marilah kita cuba memahami pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu ini yang tidak mahu sedar diri bahawa kaedah dan pemikiran mereka sudah dimakan masa.

Persoalan-persoalan Yang Harus diTanya

Ketua-ketua Melayu yang sering melaungkan kononnya mereka mahu mempertahankan Melayu tidak pernah bertanya beberapa persoalan berikut:-

a) Melayu mana yang mereka nak pertahankan?

b) Apa yang mereka nak mempertahankan?

c)  Adakah apa yang pemimpin-pemimpin ini hendak mempertahankan itu sesuatu yang kaum Melayu amnya mahu dipertahankan?

d) Adakah apa yang mahu dipertahankan demi kaum Melayu itu sesuatu yang baik bagi kaum Melayu itu sendiri.

Melayu yang Mana?

Ketua-ketua Melayu lantikan sendiri bercakap mengenai Melayu seolah-olah ada hanya satu “jenis” Melayu walhal hakikatnya ialah terdapat perlbagai “jenis” Melayu.

Fakta yang paling jelas ialah Melayu amnya pada hari ini jauh berbeza dari beberapa aspek dengan Melayu pra-Merdeka. 

Pertamanya, Melayu amnya tidaklah  miskin seperti keadaanya pra-Merdeka. Perlaksanaan DEB telah berjaya melahirkan kumpulan kelas pendapatan menengah yang besar dikalangan Melayu.   Dengan pembaikan serta peningkatan didalam tahap pendapatan, Melayu kelas menengah ini  menikmati satu tahap kebebasan kewangan dimana mereka tidak lah begitu tersepit seperti Melayu pra-Merdeka. Ekoran kebebasan kewangan ini, mereka lebih terdedah kepada pelbagai ide-ide serta pandangan hidup yang beraneka yang boleh mereka pilih. 

Disamping itu, Melayu kelas menengah ini juga mempunyai prioritas atau keutamaan yang berbeza dengan Melayu pra-Merdeka. Dimana dasar kelas Melayu menengah ini  telah menjadi besar, mereka mendapati bahawa persaingan sesama sendiri untuk memperolehi  sumber-sumber Negara serta peluang-peluang yang terhad telah menjadi lebih sengit. Jika satu ketika dahulu, mereka mungkin bersaing dengan kaum-kaum lain, hari ini hakikat membuat mereka bersaing sesama sendiri.  Maka, perjuangan untuk Melayu kelas menengah hari ini mungkin lebih cenderung kearah peningkatan tahap ekonomi, keselesaan kehidupan, pendidikan dan sebagainya dalam konteks ekonomi Negara yang berkembang. Saya percaya Melayu kelas menengah ini tidak lagi melihat perkara ini dalam konteks persaingan dengan kaum bukan Melayu sahaja. Maka, adakah ketua-ketua Melayu yang mahu memperjuangkan peluang-peluang ekonomi serta perkembangan ekonomi Negara supaya pendapatan dan tahap kehidupan Melayu boleh meningkat?

Keduanya, ekoran daripada beberapa fakta, termasuk pendedahan kepada ledakan maklumat yang dihasilkan daripada perkembangan teknoloji maklumat, Melayu hari ini telah menjadi lebih kritis terhadap ketua-ketua mereka.  Melayu tidak lagi begitu mudah untuk menerima laungan ketua-ketua mereka tanpa berfikir atau menilai. Melayu dapat melihat pembangunan ekonomi hebat yang berlaku dinegara-negara lain yang dicetuskan tanpa beroperasi dalam kerangka perkauman.  Pendedahan kepada lebih banyak maklumat dan fakta juga menyedarkan Melayu hari ini mengenai perkara-perkara berikut:-

a) Laungan slogan “memperjuangan Melayu” tidak semestinya memperbaiki kedudukan orang Melayu tetapi sering menjadi alat yang digunakan oleh ketua-ketua lantikan sendiri untuk menonjolkan diri mereka sendiri bagi tujuan kepentingan sendiri;

b) Sejak merdeka sehingga kehari ini, orang Melayu kebanyakkan melihat kelahiran Melayu-Melayu korporat yang amat kaya yang diragui asas atau sumber kekayaan mereka – yaitu, samaada kekayaan ini diperolehi daripada kebolehan berniaga atau melalui kronisme, nepotisme serta hubungan politik baik dengan pihak yang berkuasa dan berpengaruh. Keadaan ini melahirkan perasaan bahawa Melayu kebanyakkan dikhianati oleh segolongan Melayu elitis dengan memperalatkan sentimen Melayu. Melayu kebanyakkan melihat bahawa dimana anak-anak mereka sendiri terpaksa bertungkus lumus berjuang untuk hidup, anak-anak Melayu elitis mendapat segala sesuatu dengan begitu  mudah sekali.  Ini juga melahirkan rasa ketidakadilan didalam pengagihan peluang-peluang ekonomi.

c) Imej ketua-ketua Melayu yang menonjolkan diri mereka sebagai “pejuang Islam” serta  pemonopoli tafsiran Islam juga semakin terjejas. Banyak faktor yang menghasilkan keadaan ini termasuk faktor-faktor seperti pendedahan Melayu kebanyakkan kepada Al-Quran, internet, perkembangan sejak merdeka, gelagat ketua-ketua agama ini sendiri yang sering bertelingkah sesama sendiri, sikap ketua-ketua agama yang bersikap sebagai penentu mutlak hal-hal agama dengan mengenepikan hak serta tanggungjawap peribadi Muslim  terhadap Penciptanya, serta peribadi beberapa ketua-ketua agama yang bukan sahaja mempolitikkan agama namun bersikap sombong dan merendahkan kebolehan berfikir Melayu kebanyakkan. 

Faktor-faktor yang diketengahkan diatas menjadikan Melayu hari lebih kritis terhadap ketua-ketua yang  melaungkan agama sebagai perjuangan jika dibandingkan dengan Melayu pra-Merdeka.  Maklumat mengenai ganjaran serta bayaran yang diterima oleh ketua-ketua agama juga menjadi pengetahuan umum dan ini dirasakan mencairkan keikhlasan ketua-ketua agama ini terhadap perjuangan agama. 

Ketiganya, Melayu hari ini yang lebih terdedah kepada maklumat dan pengetahuan serta mempunyai keyakinan diri yang lebih tinggi tidak lagi mudah diheret kehulu kehilir oleh ketua-ketua agama. Kalau satu ketika dahulu ketua-ketua agama dilihat dan diperlakukan hampir sebagai “dewa-dewa” dibumi ini, keadaan sekarang telah berubah.  Melayu hari ini sedar bahawa kebebasan untuk mencorak kehidupan mereka itu boleh dicabar serta diganggu gugat oleh ketua-ketua agama yang memperalatkan agama untuk menguasai kehidupan mereka.

Hari ini terdapat lebih banyak graduan-graduan Melayu dalam pelbagai bidang seperti kedoktoran, undang-undang, kejuruteraan, sains, pendidikan dan sebagainya . Graduan-graduan ini acap kali merasakan maruah mereka tercabar atau minda mereka dihina apabila graduan-graduan kelulusan agama seolah-olah memaksa orang lain menerima pandangan dan tafisran agama mereka tanpa penilaiaan. Mereka yang telah belajar diUniversiti mengetahui bahawa kelulusan daripada universiti tidak semestinya  bermakna graduan tersebut itu mahir dalam bidang yang dipelajarinya apatah lagi ikhlas dalam memahami serta memaplikasikan ilmu yang dibelajar. Mereka melihat bahawa ada doktor-doktor, peguam-peguam, jurutera-jurutera yang pandai dan berdedikasi manakala ada juga yang sebaliknya. Begitu juga dengan mereka yang berkelulusan daripada pengajian agama.

Semakin ramai Melayu hari yang mahu kebebasan serta hak untuk menentukan pemahaman mereka sendiri terhadap agama yang dianuti oleh mereka.  Melayu ini semakin sedar bahawa diri mereka sendirilah yang akan dipertanggungjawapkan oleh Allah dan bukannya ketua-ketua agama ini. Saya melihat pertembungan diantara Melayu yang mahu pertanggungjawapan diri dengan ketua-ketua agama yang bernekad untuk memaksa fahaman mereka semakin meningkat.  Ini dapat difahamai kerana graduan-graduan agama mahu mencari ruang dan peranan untuk diri mereka sendiri seperti juga graduan-graduan daripada jurusan lain.

Keempatnya, ketua-ketua Melayu sendiri telah melahirkan kekeliruan dan ketidakkonsistensi didalam melaungkan “perpaduan Melayu” serta “perpaduan umat”. Kita melihat bahawa apabila dilaungkan “perpaduan Melayu”, ketua-ketua ini tidak menerangkan beberapa perkara seperti berikut (sehingga kita terasa bahawa mungkin ketua-ketua itu sendiri didalam kekeliruan);-

a) perpaduan apakah yang dimaksudkan – perpaduan ekonomi, politik, sosial, dan sebagainya?

b) bagaimanakah ketua-ketua ini bercadang untuk mencapai perpaduan tersebut?

c) Mengapakah ketua-ketua yang melaungkan perpaduan itu sendiri tidak dapat bersatu sesama sendiri? Sebagai contoh kita dapati  Melayu-melayu dalam pertubuhan-pertubuhan politik, sosial, agama dan perniagaan yang mempunyai objektif yang bersifat bersaing, kekadang bertentangan, kaedah-kaedah yang berlainan dan sebagainya. Keadaan seperti ini menjadikan laungan ketua-ketua Melayu supaya Melayu “bersatu” sebagai sesuatu yang ironis dan mengelirukan.

d) Kewujudan kekeliruan diantara kepelbagaian pendekatan politik dan agama dengan perpecahan.  Perkara ini amat jelas apabila dibandingkan dengan budaya lain dimana kepelbagaiaan tidak dianggap sebagai petanda perpecahan tetapi sebagai kekayaan pemikiran.

e) laungan “perpaduan umat” juga sering diperlekehkan dengan tindakan-tindakan susulan oleh ketua-ketua agama dan politik ini yang tidak konsisten dengan apa yang dilaungkan.  Melayu hari ini tidak jelas samada “perpaduan umat” ini bermakna semua orang Melayu terpaksa menurut fahaman dan tafsiran segolongan elitis agama dan politik? Jika inilah yang diperjuangkan, maka ia bermakna penghapusan hak orang Melayu untuk menjalankan tanggunjawapnya sebagai seorang Muslim yang meng-kaji serta memahami Al-Quran untuk berkhidmat kepada Allah. Penghapusan hak sedemikian tidak akan disokong oleh beberapa Muslim dimana kuasa mutlak untuk menentukan nasih mereka diakhirat diletakkan bulat-bulat pada tangan graduan-graduan kelulusan pengajian “Islam”.

Maka, berdasarkan analisa diatas, terdapat ramai Melayu yang tidak lagi rela dengan percubaan beberapa ketua-ketua untuk mempermainkan isu perpaduan Melayu hanya semata-mata kerana ada Melayu yang tidak setuju dengan kaedah, pandangan atau cara hidup mereka. Disamping itu, semakin ramai Melayu yang tidak rela isu perpaduan umat diapi-apikan hanya semata-mata untuk menidakkan hak Muslim itu sendiri untuk menjalani kehidupan berdasarkan fahaman ikhlasnya sendiri terhadap Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah. Adakah ketua-ketua Melayu kini akan mempertahankan hak ini?

Kelimanya, walaupun masih terdapat budaya baru mencium tangan orang-orang kenamaan dan berpengaruh yang tidak rapat, namun, sikap feudal dikalangan Melayu hari ini semakin hilang.  Ini juga adalah ekoran pendidikan dikalangan orang Melayu serta kefahaman mengenai nilai-nilai Islam yang semakin meningkat. Melayu yang terdidik semakin memahami bahawa sikap feudal ini melahirkan perhubungan Tuan-hamba yang sebenarnya menjatuhkan martabat manusia.  Maka, Melayu hari ini tidak mudah untuk memperhambakan diri kepada mana-mana ketua lantikan sendiri kerana peningkatan yakin diri. Maka, Melayu sedemikian mahu maruah mereka sebagai seorang dewasa yang bebas mencorakkan kehidupan mereka menurut kebolehan dan kemahiran mereka dipertahankan. Adakah ketua-ketua Melayu yang mampu memperjuangkan perkara ini tanpa mengkehendaki perhubungan feudal?

Keenamnya, terdapat juga Melayu yang berpendidikan jurusan pengajian barat (yang mana sekolah-sekolah kebangsaaan kita pada amnya adalah berbentuk sedemikian) serta mereka yang belajar dipusat-pusat pengajian tinggi diNegara-Negara barat yang tidak sehaluan dengan pemikiran dan halatuju beberapa ketua-ketua Melayu. Golongan ini merasakan bahawa kaedah pemikiran ketua-ketua ini agak primitif disamping bersifat “condescending”  sehingga menghina maruah seorang dewasa yang boleh berfikir. Melayu sedemikian tidak merasakan keperluan seorang ketua sebagai jurucakap bagi mereka.  Mereka mahukan seorang ketua Melayu yang kurang berretorik atau berceramah ala debat sekolah. Mereka juga mahukan seorang ketua yang pandai, efisien serta berkebolehan didalam mengwujudkan suatu sistem atau suasana yang membolehkan Melayu ini untuk berkembang dan mencapai cita-cita peribadi mereka. Adakah ketua-ketua Melayu yang boleh mempertahankan kemahuan ini?

Pendekata, Melayu hari ini semakin matang sejak merdeka dan mereka telah memerhatikan perkembangan dari pelbagai segi yang berlaku didalam Negara. Mereka telah melihat permainan politik dan ekonomi dikalangan ketua-ketua Melayu yang melaungkan slogan “mempertahankan Melayu” dan “mempertahankan Islam” yang akhirnya tidak memberi sebarang kesan positif pada kehidupan peribadi mereka.

Oleh yang demikian, apabila ada ketua-ketua Melayu yang melaungkan mahu mempertahankan “Melayu” dan “Islam”, timbul pelbagi persoalan yang antaranya telah diketengahkan diatas.

Salam.

Begitu Banyak Yang Nak "Pertahankan" Islam dan Melayu di Negara ini !!!

Satu lagi NGO bernama Jati baru dilancarkan pertubuhannya. Jati bertujuan, katanya, untuk mempertahankan "Islam, Melayu dan Raja".

Pertahankan Islam.

Jelas sekali dinegara kita ini ada banyak pertubuhan-pertubuhan, kerajaan dan bukan kerajaan, yang hendak "mempertahankan" Islam. Kalau saya hendak catitkan kesemua badan-badan ini disini, ia akan berjelar-jelar panjangnya! dalam senarai ini belum lagi termasuk kesemua jabatan-jabatan Islam disetiap Negeri.

"Cita-cita" untuk mempertahankan Islam ini mungkin boleh menimbulkan pelbagai persoalan, termasuk "mengapa Islam perlu dipertahankan, adakah ianya dicabar?", "dicabar oleh siapa?", "nak pertahankan dengan kaedah macam mana dan untuk siapa?", "Islam fahaman mana yang nak dipertahankan dan kenapa fahaman tersebut", "siapa yang memberi otoriti kepada pihak-pihak berkenaan untuk 'pertahankan Islam?' dan sebagainya.

Dengan begitu banyaknya pihak-pihak yang "mempertahankan Islam", adakah pengetahuan dikalangan Muslim berkaitan dengan isi kandungan Al-Quran itu telah meningkat sekian lama? Jika jawapannya tidak, apakah ada sebarang usaha dibuat untuk menkaji mengapa perkara ini berlaku? Apakah individu Muslim itu tidak terpanggil dengan sendiri nya untuk berusaha memahami isi kandungan Al-Quran tanpa pertubuhan-pertubuhan ini atau sering kali memerlukan dimotivasikan oleh orang-orang lain?

Mempertahankan Melayu

Ini menjadi lagi bermasalah bagi sau pertubuhan yang mengatakan mahu mempertahankan Islam tetapi juga kaitkan perjuangannya dengan "Melayu". Adakah ini bermakna bahawa pertubuhan ini tidsak akan "mempertahankan" hak-hak dan kepentingan Muslim yang bukan Melayu? Bagaimana pula dengan hak-hak bukan Melayu bukan Muslim yang ditindas? Islam dari segi ajaran Al-Quran amat jelas bahawa ia menjanjikan keadilan kepada semua makhluk (bukan sahaja manusia) tanpa mengira agama dan bangsa.. 

Satu lagi persoalan yang timbul ialah: adakah penubuhan Jati ini menampakkan ketidakyakinnya sebahagian orang Melayu kepada UMNO untuk membela nasib mereka? Perkasa juga ditubuh bagi menjaga kepentingan Melayu amnya. Apakah Perkasa juga dikira tidak efektif? Megapa tidak bergabung sahaja dengan UMNO jika UMNO dirasakan sebagai efektif dalam mempertahankan kepentingan orang Melayu?

Persoalan lagi ialah: adakah penubuhan Jati ini akan mengelirukan serta mencairkan "perpaduan sosio-politik" orang Melayu kerana terdapatnya begitu banyak pertubuhan yang bermotifkan mahu "menjaga kepentingan orang Melayu?"

Saya cuma berharap ini bukan lah satu lagi kaedah untuk memperalatkan label "Islam" dan "Melayu" untuk mencapai kepentingan peribadi.


salam.


 

The EW Cycle Will Impoverish the Average Citizens Further !!!

I know that I am going to sound very childish in this post but my lungs may just burst out if I do not get it off my chest.

It has been disturbing me for years. I thought it will go away as I grow older and therefore more mature to understand realism but it just disturbs me even more. It disturbs me that the elite few have too much, the majority almost never have enough and the rest have nothing.  

The majority have to go on working and slogging away in the system that clearly supports the elite few and will go on enriching them if the system continues to work the way it does now.   Wish that it does not have to be this way. 

I wish that no one will be deprived the right to life in the wholesome and true sense of the word.  But I know that this is a childish wish because the reality is that the rich and the powerful will not want their status to change at all. The rich and powerful can no longer be that rich and powerful if the available resources are more equitably distributed among the people.  

So to maintain the richness and the power, they will ensure that the resources are not fairly distributed.  They will also have to consider that as their family expands, they will have to increase the base of their power and their wealth. In order for this to happen, they know that they have to have greater wealth to spend to ensure that their wealth increases further. At the same time, they know that they must also increase their power so that with this power they can influence the ability to further increase their wealth and the power.

Most people have heard about the poverty cycle but almost none have discussed what I call the elitist-wealth cycle (“EW cycle”). The EW cycle keeps on perpetuating itself incrementally.  In simple language, wealth and power is used to create more wealth and power.  The downside of this EW cycle on the majority of the populace is that it displaces resources which are rightfully theirs into the hands of the elitist.  Let me illustrate this with a simple example – education.

While the elitist rich and powerful will not have to worry at all about the education of their children (nor even their children’s financial future), the majority of the populace will find themselves enslaved further to the system that supports the elitist.  Today for example, a young graduate of 23 years old will find themselves burdened with a study loan of RM25,000 to RM30,000.

 Imagine, you are 23 and you are already starting off life with a loan even before you earn.  To this, you have not even included the cost of living for “startup” and the car loan that you will eventually take. And also the housing loan. So, today, you will find that the young person will most probably start working for the bank all his life!

I believe that the study loan problem will not have arisen if the big bulk of the resources have not been taken away by the elitist few in the form of “projects”, leakages, corruption, economic rent (“duit buta”) etc which actually takes away the resources from providing free education and so on.  This is just one example to show how the income and “power” gap between the elitist few and the average majority will get wider through time.  In the process, we will end up having modern day landlord and peasants relationship, albeit that modern day peasants rents houses, flats and apartments! This is not even considering the many more who never even dream of owning a decent home. 

It is sad that as long as the system continues the way it works today and the mindset of the majority is still in the “hopeful state” it is in today, the condition of the majority will only get worse and worse. The majority is still being fooled by "clever sounding solutions' that do not address the root of the problem - equitable and transparent distribution of resources. By the time they realize it, they may be too weak or too weary to even think of reforming the system.

The majority think that they are helpless to reform the system not realizing that their apathy now will render them truly hopeless in the future.

I know, this is just my childish idealism.

Peace!

Doesn't Take Much To Be Happy !

I saw this kid playing at 1U, Bandar Utama while the parent was just sitting on the stairs watching him!

Nothing is Business, It is All Personal !!!!

Some people like to do all the evil and wrong things and then say that "its just business" or "I am just doing my job". Sometimes, that do not work if you meet the wrong person !!!

Peace !

What does it take to change a Bully?

Rapera is on Googlegroups !!!!

We are pleased to inform you that Rapera is on google groups. This is a private forum that will allow members with common interests to discuss various issues.

If you are interested to join the Rapera movement, please send an invite to: rapera@googlegroups.com.


Lets rock and roll !!!


Peace !

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?     

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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