Killer Industry: Gambling - Allowed or Not? WHAT IS THE REAL SECRET???

There are so many cobwebs in the mind that many are not aware of the inconsistent thinking prevalent in society. Take the issue of gambling for example.

No one will deny that gambling is addictive. It can destroy homes , create enemies, and cause good people to become thieves and cheats due to the addiction. For example, In July 2008, a Bank worker was accused of taking nearly RM550,000 from the Bank to pay off gambling debts.


Equally, we know that gambling businesses do not add anything in real terms to the economy. They only bloat the economy by the monetary demand they generate and hence inflationary. It is a business where people are prepared to feed their families by destroying others. Like drugs.

PAS has always presented itself as the puritanical party defending “Islamic principles”. Before the 8th March 2008 elections, most know that PAS adopted an anti-gambling image. Now PAS has come into power in 5 states, assuming of course that the “Pakatan” is indeed a coalition government and not an electoral pact. Logically therefore, PAS now has the opportunity to review the gambling industry in these five states. PAS members have a right to expect that.

Since it claims to be an “Islamic party”, PAS must walk its talk as Allah says in the Quran (61.03): “Grievously odious is it in the sight of God that you say that which you do not do”. Hence, the consistent thing to do is to actively review the gambling “businesses” in the 5 states. Does it? Unsurprisingly, it not only does not, it has come up with an incredulous reason that can possibly be accepted only in BolehLand.

Apparently, in the 54th PAS Muktamar, PAS has shelved a proposal to ban gambling in the four states it rules with its political allies on the grounds that “their religion allows it”. What? The Bible, The Confucius teachings, The Bhagavad-Gita, The Granth Sahib, The Sudras and other religious scriptures permit gambling? Can PAS show us one verse from any of these scriptures? Is it true that Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Bahaism and other religions permit their followers to indulge in activities that destroy themselves and their families? I do not think so and I find PAS’s reasoning absolutely insulting of other culture’s moral teachings!

If PAS is scared to wage war against gambling, just say so. Go for the easy ones like “persuading” non-Muslims to cover their head with scarves – at least you are seen as doing something ‘Islamic” by the feeble minded in society! After all, non-covering of hair does more damage to society than gambling does, according to PAS logic.

It is reported that “The MCA has slammed PAS for wanting to ban gambling and limiting the sale of alcohol in Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states”. “It does not mean we condone abuse of alcohol and gambling but why go and impose your sort of thinking on others?” said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan when asked to comment on PAS Dewan Ulama head Datuk Mohamed Daud's call on Thursday to ban gambling joints and limit alcohol-selling outlets to non-Muslim areas in the Pakatan states. What exactly is Ong Ka Chuan saying? It sounds like the logic of “we are not condoning drugs, but why go and impose your kind of thinking that drug abuse destroys the society’s fabric!

Doesn’t Ong Ka Chuan know that Datuk Michael Chong, Public Services and Complaints Department head had said : “Why are the loan sharks acting unprofessionally by granting loans to someone who has had difficulties paying them back? And now the family are the real victims and not the debtor,” said Chong.
“Most debtors are Chinese, with 80% using the money to gamble while the other 20% use it for business,” he said.
“Last year about 500 cases were recorded but this year to date, we have received 364 cases already and it is fast increasing,” said Chong

I am trying to understand: Ong Ka Chuan does not mind members of the Chinese community being destroyed by accessibility to gambling? Don’t you and Michael talk to each other? Ong, if you read this, please clarify.

What is the official position of the Government? Are they for or against gambling businesses? I assure you it gets confusing until you unravel the real secrets. Lets us consider some of the reports on police taking action against gambling syndicates.
Police on 28th July 2008 in Johor Baru busted an illegal horse racing betting syndicated dealing with RM120mil worth of bets monthly from local and foreign clients.
On 22nd July 2005, City Police Chief, ACP Azizan Abu Taat, said acting on a tip-off a police team went to an entertainment centre in Sadong Jaya, Kota Kinabalu here, about 1am and found the suspects there.
He said police seized several pieces of illegal 4-D lottery tickets and "Wah Hui" papers and RM4,400 in cash from the men, aged 25 and 28. Several men arrested in Johor Baru for illegal online gambling on 23rd January 2007

Judging by the reports, one may wrongly conclude that the Government is against gambling. But why all these police actions? After all, PAS said that it is not “against their religion” and Ong Ka Chuan says that “do not impose their kind of thinking”. So why not let the gamblers gamble? The reason is simple – it is not gambling that the Government is against. It is the running of gambling operations WITHOUT a permit/licence and therefore it becomes “illegal”.

The logic is simple, you are allowed to destroy people’s lives through a gambling business as long as it is legal ie you pay TAXES to the government! And we call ourself a caring society?

Have you ever really wondered why this topic is never covered at all by the main stream papers? Why even PAS is afraid to venture? Think, dig and you may uncover dangerous stuff. It has nothing to do with “other religions allow it” or “don’t impose this kind of thinking”.

SALAM AIDIL FITRI

I WISH YOU ALL "SELAMAT AIDIL FITRI" and "HAPPY HOLIDAYS".

Mukhriz: UMNO Should Be Returned To The Grassroots.

KL Tower, 28th September 2008

Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, at a buka puasa session with the media hosted by him today, said that UMNO should be returned to the grassroots. He felt that the top UMNO leaders should heed the lesson of ignoring grassroots’ sentiments as witnessed by the major losses suffered in the recent general election. Mukhriz in his usual honest, humble and down to earth approach took questions on several topics fielded to him by reporters and bloggers present.

On the “power transfer plan”: He feels that there is no reason to further delay the transition of power from Abdullah Badawi to Najib as the grassroot sentiment is clear. The position of the UMNO Supreme Council too is clear. It ought to be done soonest so that Najib will be able to solidify the party. UMNO, he says should not continue making the same mistakes of the past four years. He also expressed concern that in the event Pak Lah decides to contest and he loses, that will be embarrassing as it has never happened to the party president before. He says that contrary to his father’s position (Tun Mahathir), he supports Najib for the UMNO presidency.
On the competition for the UMNO Youth post: He feels that the candidates have their strength and it is democratic that the members are given the opportunity to choose. Responding to a reporter’s query that Khairy Jamaludin had complained that UMNO youth members have been blocked from meeting him (Khairy), Mukhriz said that he too had similar personal experiences. He said that he had also received reports of money politics being more rampant that the last election. He felt that this practice should stop as it would present a negative image to the Malaysian public. Leaders who practice money politics would be rejected.

Mukhriz’s slogan in his bid for the UMNO Youth post is “Berani Berubah” that is “dare to change”. This appears consistent with the mood of UMNO members who are crying out for change within the party. Whether this will avail him well in the contest is yet to be seen.

This was the first time I had been to the KL Towers. I must say I was impressed (though heights make me nervous!)

Alternative to BN: PAS-DAP Government?

Since March 8th 2008 (“838”), almost everyone has been using the BN as a punching bag to vent their frustrations. Some of the criticisms against the BN, I suppose are valid, in particular the weakness of the delivery system. The best of policies do not seem to trickle down to the Rakyat due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, apathy, and plain corruption. The “little Napoleons” with their misguided notion of “Ini hak kerajaan” have on many occasions put aside even constitutional provisions in their tasks.

Unchallenged by the Rakyat and not monitored by their ever busy politicking political bosses, the civil servants reign supreme in this country as the decider of the ordinary Rakyat’s fate. But the civil servants is not what I intend to discuss here. It is BN as the convenient punching bag. In the history of Malaysia, never before has BN been so badly bruised.

Is the BN a total failure? Is UMNO, MIC, MCA, PPP, Sarawak component parties, etc of the BN completely devoid of leadership capabilities? All the other weaknesses, including alleged arrogance on the part of BN not withstanding, has the BN not delivered anything at all since the birth of Malaysia? No development, peace, stability, employment, good laws, at all? None whatsoever? So, we are positively different from most of our neighboring countries due to total coincidence? For the sake of this article, let us assume that is so.

Why did we become like that? Obviously of course, we cannot lump all the blame on the BN politicians. What about the apathy of the Rakyat? More importantly, in the context of this article, what about the opposition – DAP and PAS? What were they doing? Yes, lets take a look at DAP and PA and see if the tables can also be “unfairly” (?) turned against them as it has been done to BN.

Now, with the advent of a “savior politician”, the Pakatan Rakyat, a loose coalition, presents itself as the alternative to BN. Ironically, the savior is a product and trainee of the BN politics! This goes to show that since merdeka, neither DAP nor PAS has been able to cultivate from itself an “acceptable and capable” savior of the People. What have they been doing all this while then?

As a party, what does DAP and PAS stand for in practical terms? PAS is all Malay and DAP is mostly Chinese. Touchy. Description of realities surely does not wander into the realms of racial politics? Suddenly since 838, many in urban areas seem to believe that racial politics is dead. Why? Because some “revolutionary blogs” have declared it so and others have made up their minds to believe it. I am all for non- racist poltics but lets look at the realpolitik that is existent today.

Back to PAS. It is made up of all Malay. It will be so forever unless it changes its party constitution. Since it is a theological based party and the chosen theology is “Islam”, only those who profess Islam will be accepted members and leaders of the party. I am not talking of so-called non-Muslim supporter clubs of PAS. I am also not distracted by decent personalities like Nik Aziz. Personally, I admire and have the greatest of love and respect for the man. I am talking of the party, the party machinery, its objectives, its general acts and omissions.

Let me ask you. Over the past 30 years, give me an example of programs for the non-Muslims conducted by PAS. Ah yes, they fought for the Chinese caught up in the along problem due to gambling. No, wait. That was Ustad Micheal Chong of MCA. Come to think of it, can you quote me a study, or a project or a demonstration or anything organized or conducted by PAS ALL these years for the Non-Muslims? Quote me one, please. This is where the problem starts. I as a Muslim believe that Islam is for everyone and by that I do not mean I want everyone to be Muslims.

You want PAS to unite all Malaysians? They can? How many non-muslim excos in Kelantan? UMNO and PAS are both Malays and they are divided politically. There are even allegations that among PAS and UMNO members, they cannot even work together outside of politics. Is this so? And let us come to the subject of PAS and Islam. Do all Malays accept PAS’s brand of Islam?

BY the way, what is PAS’s brand of “Islam”? They have been speaking of “Negara Islam” for years. In concrete terms, do you know what they mean? Is the current state of the Nation “unIslamic” as a whole? Or are they referring to merely the imposition of “shariah laws”, to mean “Negara Islam”? If this is so, then all our civil laws today are not “shariah” because……..?? These are questions that Raperas need to address objectively.

To be the Government, you need, at the very least, the experience of governance with diverse groups of different ethnic and religious background, even differing understanding of the religion….does PAS have this experience? This same question can be posed to DAP. Does DAP have this experience? In fact other than electoral pacts, can DAP and PAS produce evidence to show that the have worked together for the benefit of Malaysians? Malaysian Malaysia as a rallying cry alone is inadequate.

Again, when I speak of DAP, I am not singling out personalities like Lim Guan Eng whom I respect. We want to look at it as a whole. For me, I think DAP has done more as an opposition over the years than PAS ever has. Having said that, has DAP succeeded in shedding itself of the image of a Chinese based party? Do people accept DAP as multi-racial? Is that why it won in Penang? A majority Chinese constituency is considered multi-racial?

People must ask: why has DAP and PAS, two big and established opposition parties in Malaysia, has never worked together all these years. Maybe even form a shadow cabinet. Since 838, do the people even know who among them will be what if they form the Government?

So sure and yet not plan???? People, I have always maintained, politicians are completely delusional and they want to take us along.

So, between the bad boy BN and the “hopeful” PAS-DAP, what’s your verdict? Which is the lesser evil?

HOW WALL STREET WORKS

This was emailed to me by friend. It is just too good and so accurate in so-called "financial strategies" that I should share it:

Once upon a time in a village in India, a man announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10.

The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them.


The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man further announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.

Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act as buyer, on his behalf.

In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can sell them back to him for $50.'

The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the monkeys.

Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys everywhere! Welcome to WALL STREET.

Federal Reserve of America - Con Job?

It is the Central Bank of America? So it is government owned? You really think so? SO do Americans! Read:

On December 23, 1913, the Federal Reserve Act, also known as the Glass-Owen Bill, was passed. The Republican controlled Senate rammed the bill through when many members of the US Congress were home for the holiday. The President, Dr. Thomas Woodrow Wilson, signed it into law one hour after being passed by the Congress! Somebody very powerful really wanted this law passed. The Federal Reserve System is an independent central bank. Although the President of the United States appoints the chairman of the Fed, and this appointment is approved by the United States Senate, the decisions of the Fed do not have to be ratified by the President, or anyone else in the executive branch of the United States government. Buried in the legislation was the granting of total power over the monetary policies of all US banks. A very curious statement is found in the original 1913 law. SEC. 30. The right to amend, alter, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved. Reserved expressly to whom, or what? No definition is provided. This is the entire Section 30 statement! "Curiouser and curiouser, cried Alice".

Stock not held by member banks shall not be entitled to voting power. This clause guarantees
that no outsider can justify buying shares in the Federal Reserve. "But wait! There's more!"

Sec. 341 Second. To have succession for a period of twenty years from its organization unless it is sooner dissolved by an Act of Congress, or unless its franchise becomes forfeited by some violation of law. The Federal Reserve was only given a corporate life of 20 years! Their time was up in 1933 Who was President at that time? Franklin. D. Roosevelt, of course. Somehow, the Federal Reserve's termination did not occur. Reader, do I have your attention yet? My research failed to find any reauthorization of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, other than the tacit approval given by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

No Senator or Representative in Congress shall be a member of the Federal Reserve Board or an officer or a director of a Federal reserve bank. No member of Congress is have access to the inner sanctum! Hello, what is this? Are they afraid that an American might come upon something untoward?

And who owns it? British monarchy? Zionists? Who???

By:Wayne N. Krautkramer
Read more at: http://news.goldseek.com/GoldSeek/1095269452.php

Are you a typical Malaysian?

Res Ipsa Loquitor!

If you do not understand the picture, you are qualified as a typical Malaysian !

Personality1: The Late George Carlin

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite comedian over the past 10 years - George Carlin. He passed away last June at age 71 and being typically him, worked to the last door. I consider him very bright, knowledgeable, forever thinking and very funny because the joke is always on us. You will enjoy him very much if you can get pass the words he uses and get to the message instead! For those who can think only "unilaterally" on the meanings of words, you may find him "vulgar" and not in accordance with "Asian values" (whatever it may mean).

Book Intro4: Translation of the QURAN

Translations from one language to another are by nature a challenging task. Nevertheless, such tasks need to be undertaken if knowledge is to be shared.

One such task was undertaken by a Penangite, the Mufti of Penang, Mr Ghulam Sarwar. He concluded the translation of the Quran while he was in London and published it in 1928. This month, Yayasan Restu launched the reprint of this translation for the first time in Malaysia. It comes in a handy, beautifully designed book form.

Thus far I have gone through about more than 30 translations – both English and Malay – and I will easily vote for this translation as the best. The English is simple, without losing the true meaning, and the sentences are well phrased. For anyone interested in understanding the Quran, I would recommend this piece of translation.

It is available at Selangor Islamic Arts Garden Complex, No. 2A, Persiaran Damai, Seksyen 16, Shah Alam (telephone no: 03-55119001/2/3). This complex, as I understand it welcomes both Muslims and Non-Muslims as it is also a research center.

With so much talk about “the process of Islamisation” going on, reading this translation is the first step to evaluate the process.

TWO DANGEROUS POWERS

Raperas should think about the dangers posed by two powers all through out human history – political and religious powers.

There is a major similarity between the two – it requires the unthinking support of the masses. This support may be obtained either through compulsion or through propaganda or indoctrination or usually by both.

In the case of politics, depending on the maturity level of the citizens and the nature of the political system, compulsion is done though the legal system. All kinds of laws are enacted to ensure that power concentrates in the hands of the select few controlling elites. Any conduct which undermines this power base is translated as “illegal” or against “national interest”. History shows that citizens are easily culled into submission for long periods of time until events naturally overtake.

In a “democracy” opinions are shaped through controlled media and deliberate perpetuation of the people’s ignorance on important issues affecting them. Distractions from the real issues are achieved by providing “sweeteners” and a sense of well-being. Dogs of media are bred to do the spinning for the power elites for crumbs thrown in their direction. And of course for the sense of being in the corridors of power. Media are accessories to the politician’s solidification of power.

“Enemies of the people” are created either aboard or locally to enable the people to rally behind the political elites. Where this is not possible, politicians will stoop very low to maintain power by using the age-old tested strategy of divide and rule. This works when humanity values are low in the society itself.

By divide and rule they will use issues to divide and rule the society. When people are busy fighting among themselves, the powerful elites are left to plunder the nation’s wealth and solidify their power. Hence, income differentials are created and then made into an issue. Race, religion, different political parties, etc. etc are created and spun.

But can the people really complain? After all, the leaders they get are a reflection of them, as a collective.

Religious leaders by the various names – ulama, rabbi, priests, sami, samiyar, guru, etc, etc and the various fancy dresses they adorn are equally dangerous. Their main objective is not God but the maintenance of their “sacred” position and the power that they hold over the lives and minds of their followers. Human history has shown the bloodshed, cruelty, division, and misery perpetrated by these religious leaders. Looking at all these events, it is hard to conclude that they are divine or spiritual.

They will make religion so complex that you would then require their services to explain it back to you. Thereafter they will become "experts" and you the lay sheep. ONCE you accept this position, they will pervade you life except where you need real, tangible help.

Religion sells and the priests are the best marketing agents. Look. It has become an industry. They use (and perpetuate) ignorance, fear, doubtful concepts of “sacredness’ to solidify their power. It is not possible to discuss rationally with them because they have devised the most effective strategy – to disagree with them is to disagree with God. Hence you are blasphemous. The power of these priests come largely from the unthinking followers that they have managed to build up.

Many do not realize that they have given up God-given liberties in the name of religion. Many are willing to dispense with logic and common sense in the name of religion. In other words, all you got to do is believe and the priests or the religious experts will tell you what to do next. This is what I call total power.

I will never underestimate the power of the religious priests because they can unleash frenzied followers to do all sorts of thing “in the name of God and religion”.

But as always, they are a reflection of us, as a collective.

Raperas should be forever mindful of these groups – politicians and religious leaders. Both will do anything to stay in power, including sacrificing the people. They are dangerous. Do not enter into their trickery with your minds closed.

Think about this.

Book Intro3: THE WEB OF DEBT

Our money system is not what we have been led to believe. The creation of money has been "privatized" or taken over by a private money cartel. Except for coins, all of our money is nw created as loans advanced by private banking institutions. To find the interest, new loans must continually be taken out, expanding the money supply, inflating prices and robbing you of the value of your money.

This is among the books that will shock you and make you rethink of the ability of expedient, loud and sensational politicians amongst us to "lead the way.

Web of Debt unravels the deception and presents the financial abyss towards which we are heading. The author, Ellen Brown draws upon her experience as a litigating attorney, researcher and writer in the monetary field in writing this book. The book largely analyzes the deceptive "money system of US". Many do not know that the US Federal Reserve is a private company! Malaysians who are concerned about the money system and its effects on daily life will be interested to read this book.


My rating: Must read book for Raperas. (Politicians are exempted because it may be too much for their grey matter!)

BY the way, the KLCI index drop reported in the papers today will be no surprise to those who have read Matthias Chiang's books. He has predicted this long time ago and to use his phrase "the shit has not hit the ceiling yet!".

PM RESIGNS?

A friend asked me last night if PMs in other countries resign.

Four months after forming a government, Belgium Prime Minister Yves Leterme has resigned in July 2008 , recognising his failure to reach a compromise over requests from Flanders to transfer more powers to the regions. (http://www.euractiv.com/en/elections/belgium-pm-resigns-throwing-country-crisis/article-174245)

Japan's unpopular prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda, announced his resignation Monday 15, September, 2008 after less than a year in office. Fukuda, in a hastily arranged news conference Monday evening, said he was stepping down to avoid a "political vacuum" at the head of the world's second-largest economy. "My decision is based on what I thought the future political situation ought to be," Fukuda said. The 72-year-old has suffered from chronically low support ratings as he presided over a parliament split between the ruling party and the opposition.

Togo's prime minister has resigned in September 2008 after less than one year in office. A statement from the president's office gives no reason for Prime Minister Komla Mally's unexpected departure late Friday. The statement was read on national television Saturday. It says President Faure Gnassingbe has accepted Mally's resignation. Independent newspapers in Togo have accused the premier of lacking initiative and of being ineffective.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to hand his resignation letter to President Shimon Peres the day after the September 17 Kadima primary and ask him to entrust the new party leader with forming a new government, Olmert's associates said Wednesday night. They spoke soon after the prime minister had made a somber speech at his official residence in Jerusalem in which he announced that he would not seek to retain the leadership.

Righteous Laws? - ISA

The Internal Security Act or fondly referred to as the ISA was a piece of legislation primarily put into place to face communist threats. The late Sir Hugh Hickling was a parliamentary draughtsman and legal advisor to authorities in 1960 in what was then Malaya when the ISA came into effect. He had previously noted that the law is draconian and had been abused to quell political dissent, social activism and legitimate democratic expression by concerned citizens. We have heard this being echoed for years. (Visit http://nightsoveregypt.wordpress.com/2007/02/28/remembering-reginald-hugh-hickling-1920-2007/)

What is the ISA? The preamble to the Act says: “An Act to provide for the internal security of Malaysia, preventive detention, the prevention of subversion, the suppression of organized violence against persons and property in specified areas of Malaysia, and for matters incidental thereto”. You can see that the net is open to wide interpretation.

What is more worrisome is that according to section 8B of the Act, the Judge cannot review the substantive decisions of the Minister in making the order. The courts can only look at whether the procedural requirements have been followed.

One of the major worry with preventive detention laws is the welfare of the detainee while under detention. You cannot ascertain their welfare but for the assurances given by the detaining authority. I always am concerned when I have depend on assurances as I would rather have the relevant law in place which will allow me to ascertain it for my self.

What about visitation rights? Ordinarily, you cannot be certain if you can visit the detainee within 14 days of arrest or even within 60 days of arrest.

Further, the detainee could be detained for 2 years at a time. And hence, indefinitely.

To say that a preventive detention law is completely unnecessary may not be accurate in the light of terrorist activities around the world. However, safeguards to prevent abuse by the politicians or the police is necessary. There must be safeguards to ensure personal justice.

Hence, amendments to the law is over due.

Malaysia: The Last US Frontier?

Have Raperas considered this?

Thailand is in political turmoil. Dig deeper and you may see causes of the turmoil completely unrelated to Thailand. Singapore is considered largely stable and a good friend of Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam, it is said has made inroads into Indonesia. Philippines, we know is a friend of Uncle Sam. It appears that in this region, only Malaysia is yet to play ball with Uncle Sam.

We try to read the unprecedented politicking that is happening in Malaysia. Possibly, we may even have experienced “resources” moving so rapidly that the eye cannot follow.

There must be some way to make sense of what is now possible which was not before.

Are we missing something in this whole game? Is Uncle Sam staying aloof somewhere far and not interested to see “democracy” in our beloved country?

Read between the lines.

Is Malaysia, the last US frontier in this region?

Cross-overs: Are they legal?

Press Statement: The Bar is apolitical

The Bar Council refers to the statement by UMNO Youth's Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan reported at page 4 of the Star dated 8 September 2008 in relation to the issue of "cross-overs".
The Bar never participates in party politics nor in partisan politics. Thus, the Bar has deliberately declined to comment on the political issues facing the nation. Nonetheless, the public goading by the Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and queries by the Press have necessitated a response. Hence, this comment is strictly limited to the legal issues raised by the subject of political cross-overs.

Cross-overs are not new in Malaysia. The law of the land in relation to "cross-overs" has long been settled in the case of Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan & Anor v Nordin Salleh & Anor decided in 1992 by a 5-member panel of the Supreme Court, our highest Court. The Court struck down provisions of the Constitution of the State of Kelantan that sought to prevent such cross-overs on the basis that it offended the fundamental right to freedom of association enshrined in Artcle 10 (1) (c) of the Federal Constitution.

In the case of Nordin Salleh, the plaintiffs were elected to the Kelantan State Assembly during the 1990 General Elections on the PAS ticket. The plaintiffs subsequently resigned their memberships in PAS, and joined the Barisan Nasional. The Supreme Court decision upheld the constitutional right of the Plaintiffs to "cross-over" to Barisan National and held that the right to freedom of association under the Federal Constitution includes the right to disassociate. Similar situations have arisen in the State of Sabah in 1994 when members of the Sabah State Assembly from the PBS crossed over to Barisan Nasional thereby reversing the original majority in favour of the PBS to the Barisan Nasional.

As it stands therefore there is no legal impediment to "cross-overs" by members of political parties.

Dato' Ambiga Sreenevasan
President
Malaysian Bar
9 September 2008

Malaysians: MOVE FORWARD IN PEACE

Someone wrote this in the comments section, which I thought deserved our attention:

"Our citizenship was borne out of an agreement, we have reaped the benefits of it and we must carry the responsibilities and burden that comes with it as well. Is it wise to now revisit these foundations or is it more prudent to chart a way forward while respecting the foundations upon which the races found their place at the table".

Book Intro2: THE COLLAPSE OF GLOBALISM and the reinvention of the World

This is a must read book for those who want to understand the real BASICS of what the much touted "globalisation" crusade that the West has been preaching and imposing on the rest of the world. John Ralston Saul is a novelist, historian and philosopher and received his PhD from King's College.

The book provides a vital analysis of why globalisation was never unavoidable and always destined to fail, and what will come in its place. It is completely shocking that we have for years tolerated politicians and bureaucrats who condone globalism without even understanding what it is.

Interestingly, John Ralston Saul has praise for Malaysia' policies in the late 1990s in particular how we challenged traditional economic understanding to combat and mitigate the effects of the currency speculators. He writes " Malaysia remained a pariah for about twelve months. Sometime in 1999, its pegged currency, tariffs and capital controls metamorphosed into normalcy for most bankers and bureaucrats. How? Why? Because regulations had worked. The country's foreign reserves had begun to grow. By 2002, Mahathir was lecturing the world on the need for a proper international financial system and describing the seven steps of global financial decline, which led to the crisis, ending with the rampage of the 'currency traders. By 2003, he was received as a hero at Davos..At last even the IMF leadership put thier seal of approval on his policies. The principle of reregulation has been demonstrated (by Mahathir)."

Of course I was pleasantly pleased to read that Malaysia challenged accepted economic principles and come out with its own model that saved the country from the aftermath of the currency pirates. This aside, it is a must read book.

I only wish the bureaucrats will stop hitting small balls with a big stick (golf) and learn to read and think before shooting their mouth and leaping. This goes for politicians too!

OnThe ROLL2: King Of Spades

Have you seen a deck of cards? There are 4 Kings in it - the spade, the heart, the diamonds and the club. King means supreme. There can only be one King. If there are 4 Kings, there will be a struggle among them to be THE King. Alternatively, the spade, the diamond, the club and the hearts must agree among them who shall be THE King.

But a deck of cards have 4 Kings. And we know none have agreed who should rule supreme. If it is a game of poker, the one who wins is the one who calls the best bluff.

But what if it is not a bluff and the cards are all on the table? You can see it but your mind insists it is a bluff.

Hence the phrase....fall like a deck of cards.

Is it too late to put the cards back into the box?

Only if you are willing.

Ramadan Thoughts7: The Power of One

Tribute to a man who raised consciousness without raising his voice.



The Power of One by Donna Summers.

Make some time to view the whole video.

Historical Facts are taboo? - Ahmad Ismail Dilemma

Datuk Ahmad Ismail's description of the pre-independence non-Malays as "penumpang" and "pendatang" in a speech that apparently was largely directed to a Malay crowd became somewhat the centre of a political controversy. Is ti possible to discuss this objectively? After all, it is touted by various quarters that March 8Th saw the Rakyat's awareness and maturity. So, lets see the degree of maturity of any comments on this posting which will be left unmoderated.

THE TALE OF THE SENSITIVE “CITIZEN”
by a Ceylonese Lawyer

It is an elementary principle in the law of contract, that a contract represents the meeting of minds. It entails the mutuality of obligations and of commitment. It is the law’s means of enforcing a traditional value of “keeping your promise”.

It followed that when one side breached or repudiated his obligations under the contract, it was open to the innocent party to either press for performance or to itself decide to abort the agreement. For those unfamiliar with the law of contract these realities are ingrained in every culture on the premise that one “should do unto others as you would like others to do unto you”.

It is perhaps necessary that the recent statements by Ahmad Ismail be viewed under these spectacles.

In the land of Malaya, there existed a hierarchy of Malay Rulers who governed their citizenry. Across a period of time, colonization rose. With it came new opportunities and new burdens. It opened the gates of immigration and the beginnings of a modern state. The land of Malaya was handed an opportunity and a new challenge, the challenge of dealing with the unknown and the indeterminate. In this time the Rulers came to accept British Advisors in a framework that the Rulers still ruled albeit within limits.

After the war, a reassured Britain sought to exercise its colonial power through the Malayan Union instrument. The Rulers stood in a weak position to oppose it. If they did so, they ran the risk of being labeled Japanese collaborators. While the British were swift to get the Rulers to sign up in time the British government would to learn an important lesson in the art of Malay Statecraft, this took place through the subtle and sustained rise of dissent, clever diplomacy and footwork, ranging from the ulama, teachers, to the common people and ultimately to the birth of UMNO.

There were many facets to the Malayan Union plan, but few will disagree that a key component concerned the grant of citizenship to the migrant races and the curtailment of the powers of the Malay Rulers. In essence, these initiatives would have resulted in Tanah Melayu not being Tanah Melayu. It would have resulted in a situation where the Malays would have been a bare majority in their own nation or even a minority. They would stand with no guarantees in regard to the status, the migrant races who filled the commercial sector and the civil service would stand to rule what was in essence Tanah Melayu.

These experiments are not new South Africa tried to maintain such a status quo of white ruling minority. The colonial masters across history also tried to achieve like ends with a ruling minority reaping the wealth of a nation of the majority. These efforts failed. Thus it became evident that the Malayan Union was likewise doomed to fail. The British acknowledged it. The criticism of the Malayan Union plan rang strongly in England as well, with senior members of the British Civil Service taking a strong position against it.

Learning from this lesson the British moved towards the Federation of Malaya Agreement of 1948. Let us be clear that this was an agreement. While it retained some of the essence of the Malayan Union Plan, it did impose stricter citizenship requirements and it confirmed the special status of the Malays. It was a case of the Malays agreeing to a dilution of their sovereignty in the land of the forefathers in exchange for these guarantees. There can be little doubt that the right to citizenship of the migrant non-malays draws its origin from this very same agreement which confirms the status of the Malays, the status of the Malay language and of Islam. Prior to this the non-malays did not enjoy any political status whatever, they were not the subjects of the Malay Rulers nor were they the subjects of the British Crown. The 1948 Agreement gave them the legal right to citizenship.

It is interesting that even with the 1948 Agreement the practical effect upon Malay political power remained the same. Their hold on political influence had been diluted so had their share upon the national wealth. Let us be under no doubt, the tycoons that hailed from the migrant races did not rise to riches by inventing and patenting new products for the world market. They wealth came from the domestic economy of this nation and the wealth of this land. Yet the Malays seem to have placed such great trust in these safeguards that they were prepared to give away citizenship to these alien races for nothing more than a written assurance in an agreement and with this assurance they were prepared to sign away what would otherwise have been a complete political dominion of their lands.

When the country reached Independence these safeguards found itself into the constitution which was itself a complex balance of competing interests. When Malaysia was formed the indigenous races of Sabah and Sarawak were accorded the same safeguards and more.

Today we are presented with a vogue euphoria of seeking to have “transparent dialogue” or “a debate” or “a round table” or a desire to “get it all out there in the open”. This is understandably fashionable in this new age of the Coffee Bean Court and the Boardroom of the enlightened ones who seem to place a premium on this vast beauty of openness in the comfort of their ethnically creased linen shirts and leather sandals. This carried us on course to a robust debate on the rights of Malays and Islam in the context of the Sharyiah Court’s jurisdiction. It led to a debate on whether there was such a thing as a social contract between the races. It led to a debate on how Muslims may renounce their faith apparently through a declaration by word of mouth. Placed in this background and in the spirit of openness, in all its beauty, one must appreciate where Ahmad Ismail is coming from. To him if his privileges as a Malay are called into question, then he too wishes to call into question the otherside of the agreement – the privilege of citizenship. Yes it has hurt the Chinese, it has scared other non Malays. But in moments like this we should realize a few factors:

i. we should realize how a Malay feels, when after having made the major concessions of citizenry and the consequent dilution of their political sovereignty in 1948, that they are now faced with these debates as to the standing of the only safeguards they had sought for these concessions;

ii. non Malays must now ask themselves how they feel when another race starts a debate upon a noble aspiration of free speech to question something that they hold sacred.

Much has been said of the arrogance of UMNO. Arrogance is relative, as is opportunism. In 1986 and in the elections that followed, most of the Barisan component parties survived on the wave of UMNO. Gerakan was humbled in Penang by the DAP in 1986, it retained its position then and in a number of succeeding elections with the support of UMNO. The MIC and MCA were no exception. But UMNO kept the faith. Penang remained with Gerakan despite Karpal Singh’s view that the CM’s post should devolve to UMNO. So did the distribution of Ministries. Yet I seem to remember that after one election where, non-Malay votes carried Barisan through, there was a popular rise of “requests” by trade guilds etc as a price for continued support. Yet again this time, in 2008 when Umno’s support slid, we see the rise of opportunism in some component parties. Some of these parties clung to UMNO for survival yet today they open debate disengagement.

If I was a Malay I would see myself in a position of increasing isolation. I would think that unless I was able to anchor sustained Malay support, I would remain at the mercy of fair weather friends. These sentiments exist in the minds of many. But some speak their minds others wait to see where the wind blows.

It is not about an apology and who apologises for whom. We need to make a choice. Either we accept the parameters of nationhood which form the nation’s foundations and build a sustainable future on them. Or we try to reinvest these foundations. If the past is to be an indicator, our country was at its lowest every time we did this. In 1948 – during the emergency, in 1969 – during the racial crisis, in 1987 when Lee Kim Sai of MCA openly questioned the Bumiputera status, in 1998 on the pretext of Refomasi and for the past few years when everything was up for graps, we now ask why is Singapore and Thailand forging ahead and why we are left behind ? The answers should be obvious. Our moments of greatest prosperity lay in those periods when we accepted our positions in society, counted our blessings, accepted the foundations of our nation, respected our differences and made the government work for us and made the government’s policies work for us, this spirit marked the booming 1990s and our rise from the 1997 recession.

Ramadan Thoughts6: Be Kind and charitable

“Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and what your right hands possess: For God does not love the arrogant, the vainglorious” ( Quran 004.036)

Ramadan Thoughts5: Don’t make mischief on earth!

The Quran, surah 2 verses 11 to 12:

“When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "Why,
we only want to make peace!" [002.011]

Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realise (it) not”. [002.012]

Surely, our life on earth is transient. We should try to leave as little harm as we possibly can before we return to the Maker, if to contribute positively is not possible?
How often have we heard that war is necessary to maintain world peace? Does that make sense?

How often do we experience misery from the mischief caused by the “noble actions” of others?

Images from http://www.chris-floyd.com/war/. (Thank you for the sad education).

Visit http://mindprod.com/politics/iraqwarpix.html to know more about the great American Government’s contribution to world peace. Americans have killed over 100,000 civilians, mostly children in Iraq. You must have a very strong stomach to see the photos of “collateral damage” there. Yup, Politicians Again!

Ramadan Thoughts4: Investigate, Verify, Use your brains.

Quran surah 17 verse 36 :

“And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; for every act of
hearing, or of seeing or of the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of
Reckoning)”.

For you and you alone will be accountable for your actions on earth:

"And behold! you come to us bare and alone as We created you for the first time: you have left behind you all (the favours) which We bestowed on you: We see not with you your intercessors whom you thought to be partners in your affairs: so now all relations between you have been cut off, and your (pet) fancies have left you in the lurch!" [006.094]

ON THE ROLL1 - Role-Playing.

Friends, dont start anything. If you do then, your friends will get YOU to do things which THEY will not do because ONLY they have commitments like jobs, families, etc. But I should not complain,. This is the Malaysian culture.

So, I have taken up the suggestion to start a "column" called "on the Roll" (dont know how long it can be sustained!) Those who know me think I am most suited for this. So, please endure the "different style" and if you really find it intolerable, chastise me in the columns section! Or just go to other columns that suits your personality.

After all Raperas need to be multi-dimensional. We are truly multi-personality but most of us have allowed "role-playing" determined by God knows who to inhibit the way we want to live.

Haven't you noticed that if you want to be "holy" you have to spot a beard, or be bare-chested, or wear along robe or wear a cap or shave your head?...depending on which club you belong to. And you do not dance. No. No. People of God cannot dance. It is role-playing. Symbols. Makes thinking irrelevant. Uniformity. Like the soldier in the army, it is easy for the club president to say: March! and you march. And if you do not...you are blasphemous.

On the other hand, if you an activist, you wear dirty jeans, smoke, have long hair, and walk like a cowboy, be anti-establishment even if the establishment is talking about free food. You can say that is a waste of resources!.

If you an intellectual activist, you will have to drown your voice, beard again helps. And this is important, keep mentioning as many names as possible about other "intellectuals". This will give you an appearance of being well read, even if you had only read in the quotation of a quotation book and not really know what the initial author meant. People will love it a great deal if you have DR in front of your name. Jabar and Dr Jabar or Prof Dr Jabar. Sometimes Prof Dr Sheikh Al-Jabar al-Karuti is even better. See what a big difference it makes? Role playing.

Politicians. Can you how those in power and those out of power are so different? Those in power are all the same. Those out of power are all the same. Next time, notice the way they walk, the way they talk, the way they gesture .....clones.Best of all look at the flies, I mean the people who follow those in power. This is free entertainment friends. Role playing.

Civil servants. How can I not mention them. They are my all time favorite role players. Especially the ones with "datuks" or "tan sris" attached to the names that their parents gave them. Please, please observe their body language. Man...oscar! Role playing.

I can go on and on. You should get my drift by now. Observe. Make your own list. What role-playing have you limited yourself to? Whose role playing are you fooled by? You may want to try thinking for a change..it could be fun.

Role-playing is such an innocent concept. But think brothers and sisters how you have been fooled all your life by this apparent innocent role playing. Think deeper and you will see the danger.

We do it too! why? Contrary to what people may insist, I think they inherently like to be fooled. Otherwise, how do you explain this behaviour that is going on and on. Or maybe it is the Malaysian culture...lets money and do not waste time thinking.

NOTE: No offence meant to anyone..:)

Ramadan Thoughts3: Ethics of Discussion

Quran, surah 16 verses 125 to 127:
“Invite (all) to the Way of the Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. [016.125]

And if you do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if you show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient. [016.126]

And do you be patient, for your patience is but from God; nor grieve over them: and distress not yourself because of their plots”. [016.127]

Will I therefore be right in saying that there is no room for mad, irrational screaming and mobs demonstrating to the streets in Islam where avenues of discussion are available? Muslims must learn to engage in discourse with wisdom and grace, the Quran says.

Correct me if I my understanding is wrong

People’ s Awareness

I heard a voice in my head telling me this:
“People Power”, Makkal Sakti”, “Suara rakyat, Suara Keramat”. These are strong words. Power-packed with emotions, and hopes for the ordinary people. For the not so ordinary, it means different things to different people with different agenda. It also depends on where you are sitting or standing.

If you are standing in the lime light, it means a lot because it CAN give meaning to where your personal life will be going. You could be projected and projections of all sorts are wonderful for the ego. Call it whatever Sigmund Freudian symbol you like. And for the narcissist, there is nothing musical like the sound of repetitious applause from the mindless crowd whose very purpose in life is to applaud what they don’t understand.

One the other hand, if you are standing by the side, well, you better just sit down and watch as the processions passes you by. For there will be a procession as things of this nature always require. If you are made of brittle grey matter, you would probably succumb to be part of the procession or you may just be content to do the cheering. In either case, you generally will not have much of a choice in what you do – being social animals, we will do what is socially acceptable at the precise moment in time.

And now is the precise moment of PEOPLE’s AWARENESS. This makes me so excited, I cannot imagine I am part of history in Making in Malaysia. The people of Malaysia have become aware. Did you hear me correct? – they have all become aware. Timbul kesedaran. Found the Tao. The Siratal mustakim.

Praise the Lord for sending us messengers on 8th march 2008. And such brave warriors they are. Just to think that all this while, we were living unaware makes me totally cross with myself. What an unthinking, imbecilic moron I was all this while.

And all this happened from the Tsunami of 8th March 2008. Now who says you need to go through years and years of soul searching to become aware? Now, we all are no longer Malays, Chinese and Indians. No longer Muslims and non-muslims. We are Malaysians.

No, we are higher than that, we are souls. We are Athman. Yes. We have become truly borderless!!!

PEOPLE POWER! LONG LIVE THE SELFLESS 'CIVIL SOCIETY'!

Or have I missed the entire point of whatever is going on in our country now? Surely it is not purely political?

Come on …….. cant be! But….but…isn’t it a move towards us becoming humans? I don’t care. If others can, so will I live in my own world of self-denial – IT IS ABOUT US BECOMING HUMANS…oops I mean being aware we are merely souls walking on earth.

Ramadan Thoughts2: Justice is next to piety

Surah 5 verse 8 of the Quran:

“O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do”

Hatred of others, if any, should not make Muslims swerve to wrong doing and be unjust to them.

Book Intro! - 1

A friend recently emailed me and introduced me to a book written by Syed Akbar Ali titled "Malaysia and the Club of Doom" (MCD). He said that it is interesting and that I should read it. He also suggested that we start a book review on this Rapera blog. Good idea!

Actually, I love books and I have read Akbar's MCD last year.It is a good read and gives a fresh perspective of various issues from a Muslim's viewpoint. I think anyone interested in understanding the "phenomenon of Islamisation" in our country and other parts of the world should read the book to obtain an alternative view.

He has also published a book earlier called "To digress a little" in 2005.

Note: If you have any books to intro, please share.

Khairy against internet censorship.

SUNDAY STAR, 31 AUGUST 2008

Khairy Jamaludin, the MP for Rembau considers the move to block access to the website, Malaysia-today by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as "violating the principle of openness and transparency" and "inconsistent with the widening of democratic space".

Ironically, Khairy had to use the example of the very website which he alleges had "deliberately destroyed my character" to defend the principle of freedom of internet expression.

Should freedom of expression on the internet be absolute or restricted?

Ramadan Thoughts1: Show me the straight Way

Quran surah 1 verses 3 to 7:

“Most Gracious, Most Merciful; 001.003

Master of the Day of Judgment. 001.004

You do we serve, and Your aid we seek. 001.005

Show us the straight way, 001.006

The way of those on whom have bestowed your Grace, those whose
(portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray”. 001.007


The above is part of the surah called “Fathiha” which every Muslim recites every time he prays five times a day

He says that he serves God and asks God to show him the straight Way.

Does he serve any other than God – for example, his ego, vested interests, leaders, clergy, etc?

Does he try to find out what is the straight way? If he prays 5 times a day for a year, he would have asked God to show him the straight way 17 x 365 = 6,205 times!!!

Having asked 6,205 times in a year, does he make an effort to find the Way? If he does not, is he not taking God in jest?

Learning.

Selamat Berpuasa

Ah yes. The holy month has arrived. For those who do not know, today is the first day of the fasting month.

The hotels in Kuala Lumpur will have increased business for “fast breaking” because there will be many people organizing “buka puasa” sessions. Since I like kuihs very much, I can get a steady supply from the pasar petang that invariably mushrooms during this month.

This is a good month for networking and of course politicking under disguise. After all, who would dare to accuse anyone of politicking if you get invited to their buka puasa and by the by, he speaks about perjuangan.

I like the fasting month. Everyone suddenly looks very solemn. They are more patient, less in a hurry, time to reflect on the afterlife. So, one should not complain if the events of herelife is put on hold until two more months.

I suppose since the fasting month is a holy month and most of the civil service are those who fast, we will be able to expect greater productivity from them. Work is ibadat is it not? What better month to increase ibadat, ie productivity than the holy month? So, Rakyat, this is the best month to go and sort out your matters with the Government department which has been pending since last fasting month.

If they do not cooperate, remind them that this is the holy month. They will be grateful to you. “Kita hendaklah saling ingat mengingati”, they often say. You may also want to remind those who fast in the civil service that they can collect more pahala by being diligent and productive.

I like the fasting month. You can expect corruption to be at zero level. I mean would you dare to be corrupt in the holy month? In any case, I was often told that during this month all the devils are in prison. Chained away.

For those who cannot fast for “legitimate” reasons, please eat at home. If you eat in public, it is a state offence and you can be hauled up by the vigilant religious agencies who will be faithfully doing their duty for God. Their salary is merely a by-product.

Also, if you eat in public, you are not respecting those who fast. Those who fast must be respected, so you have to respect that need for respect unless you are inherently disrespectful.

Eating in public is worse than corruption and for that you will be immediately and severely dealt with. It is disrespectful. So if you cannot fast, eat at home and in public pretend you are fasting. In this way, those who fast will be respected.

I know that you know God knows you are not fasting but that’s a different matter. The authorities must not know. They have a duty to safe guard the religion and uphold the law.

So, friends, selamat berpuasa!

May God give us the wisdom to differentiate between form and substance.

Enjoy Raihan: