Followers

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Fight bigotry with all our might

NOV 30 -- Now, really, where is that courageous Malaysian leader who has the vision and fortitude to move this nation forward as one nation — not a nation fragmented into ethnic, religious or economic classes? Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak presented his 1Malaysia policy with a huge potential to truly unite this nation towards greatness but where is the impact and the “umpphh”?
It is dangerously comical that after 50-over years of independence achieved by the multi-racial front and celebrated by all the citizens of this blessed nation, we still hear the most bigoted and racist statements being made by supposedly educated people. I recently read that an NGO, which unfortunately is identified with Islam, allegedly made a statement: “The Chinese entered this country together with the British invaders as intruders. Who gave them citizenship and wealth until their intrusion is protected until today?”   
If this was indeed uttered, why would anyone who is a Muslim and a citizen of this country want to make a statement like this? 
I cannot see such statements helping to foster national unity nor present the compassionate and intelligent face of Islam. On the contrary, I find such a statement completely inconsistent with the principles taught by Allah in the Quran. Any Muslim who knows his Quran knows we are all descendants of Prophet Adam, the fact of diversity of ethnicity, culture and languages are signs of Allah and it is so willed by Allah as a blessing for us to learn from each other, not to hate and discriminate against each other. It is for this reason I have often said sometimes an ignorant and mala fide professed Muslim is more dangerous to the image of Islam then a professed non-Muslim. 
- See more at: ufhttp://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/fight-bigotry-with-all-our-mightjahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos

Peace.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

How do Muslims react to Islam related terrorism ?

It is sad for a Muslim who knows his Quran when he hears terrorism has been committed in the name of Islam.
We have just witnessed the brutal and meaningless shooting in Paris and the beheading of Bernard Then by groups that claim to profess the religion of Islam.
The very term “Islamic State” (IS) which for years has been on the lips of many Muslim scholars and even ordinary Muslims who have no idea what it means has today come to stand for barbaric violence against humanity.
It is ironic, certainly, that when the concept of an Islamic State has been touted as a “solution for humankind” by many Muslim quarters before, today it expresses itself in the form of masked men wielding guns and killing people mercilessly.
Even PAS had in the past championed the goal of achieving an Islamic State of sorts with their primary and most important goal being the implementation of its version of hudud passing off as Allah-sanctioned laws. But that is another story.
There are many conspiracy theories abound including the one that IS is actually a Jewish ploy to create havoc in the Muslim world.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/how-do-muslims-react-to-islam-related-terrorism-jahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos#sthash.YGOtPP42.dpuf

Link herehttp://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/how-do-muslims-react-to-islam-related-terrorism-jahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos 

Peace !

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Barack Obama: Lessons for "Islamic" Malaysia

Reminds me of many verses in the Quran where Allah "speaks" of diversity of ethnicities, culture and languages as a blessing.



Peace.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Do politicians really care?


NOVEMBER 12 — That may be a tough question to answer since politics is seen by some as a means of service to the people. As a teenager, I, too, had the highest of admiration for politicians and an awe for Parliament, respecting them for their sacrifices for the people.
Whenever someone asked me what I want to be when I grow up, I would say “politician” but deep down I wondered if I have the moral strength to sacrifice for the people.
However, as you read more, mix with politicians, and observe, your bubble of the ideal politician begins to pop. I recall one of the earliest groups of politicians to burst my bubble were from PAS. I was about 20 years old then and while in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), I witnessed the power of religion in politics and how politicised religion can lead to cracks between family members and relationships.
It was also in UKM that I witnessed the potential for political extremism and I personally experienced being almost a victim of “religious-based” violence after I had chaired our Economics Faculty’s annual general meeting.
Some of the PAS-aligned students were upset with me for disallowing questions that relate to the so-called lack of “Islamness” of the outgoing Economics Faculty student body. It was such a big matter in UKM then how “Islamic” you are if you wanted to succeed in politics, thanks to the PAS brand of politics.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/do-politicians-really-care-jahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos#sthash.u1M8mMIb.dpuf


Read more at http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/do-politicians-really-care-jahaberdeen-mohamed-yunoos

Peace !

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Because The Clergy Cannot Be Sued For Ngeligence ......

There is an argument that is often canvassed by those who insist on absolute acceptance of the views and opinions of clergy - whether they are called priests, samiyars, ulamaks, ustads, fathers, sisters or brothers, gurus and so on - that these are experts.

The argument is since they are the experts, you have to accept their views unquestioningly. They further argue that when you are sick, you see the medical expert (doctor), when you have a legal problem, you see the legal expert (lawyer), when you car breaks down, you see the mechanic and therefore, on religious issues, you see the religious expert. Sounds logical ? No, actually. Consider the following reasons why I say such an argument is without basis and full of holes.

Firstly, every religion have their experts. If you are required to absolutely follow the views of the experts...then which expert do you follow? The Christian expert, the Hindu expert, the Judaist expert, the Islamic expert ? Which expert ? Each of these experts have completely different understanding on the path to the same God.  So, the argument that you accept what a religious expert tells you unquestioningly crumbles!

Secondly, even within the same religion, their own experts have diverse views on the same topic. So, again which expert does one follow unquestioningly ?

Thirdly, the comparison with non-religious experts such as doctors and lawyers to religious experts such as ulamaks or priests is inaccurate and misleading. Doctors and lawyers have no problems at all if you seek the advice and services of other doctors and lawyers. In fact in many instances, they insist you do so. They do not pretend to be the absolute authority in their field and will not in a frenzy condemn you to eternal hell fire if you reject their views. Their attitude is simple - they share their knowledge and expertise with you and seek you to make up your own mind, even if it's on a matter of your life and death.

This is not the case with most religious experts - they hold themselves out as the absolute authority and will seek to IMPOSE on you their views and understanding. They may even condemn you to hell fire or decreed that you have lost your soul or that you are a disbeliever of God simply because you disbelieve their understanding.

Lastly, which is very important is this: you can sue the non-religious experts like doctor and lawyer for negligent advice. How in the world do you sue the priest or the ustad or the samiyar if he had given you "negligent" advice. How do you sue him if his views had been completely wrong?


So - why do most of these people have a fetish for compelling others to accept their views unquestioningly ? Think about it....that is if you want to and capable of independent thinking.

Peace. 

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Sosma, ISA, politicians and the People

When I said many times before that politicians, even the more senior ones generally lack principles and consistency many politician friends got upset with me. Many of my ordinary Rakyat friends thought I was being over dramatic . But look again at the latest.

Now you have Tun Dr Mahathir and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and a few other seniors condemning what they see as the abuse  of Sosma by the government in the recent arrest of two figures, one of whom is closely aligned with Tun Dr Mahathir. Do you know what is the irony?

The ironies are these : - 1) all of these senior guys were part and parcel of passing the ISA and I believe Tun Dr Mahathir was not in favour of abolishing ISA - correct me if I am wrong please.

2) Sosma was passed by parliament and I do not recall either Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who then was enjoying the status of DPM opposing it or making any USEFUL comments on its possible abuse. Silent as a church mouse.

3) when concerned citizens and bodies like Dato Ambiga and Bar Council were opposed to possible abuses of Sosma, these same political folks took no heed and labeled them as anti government. When I too opined about more check and balances on Sosma, I too was criticised by my umno "friends". So how lei, as the typical Malaysian would say?

4) I need not remind anyone of operasi lalang - shameful but brilliant political power play

5) even now I know of some politically misguided ones who want the return of ISA so as to safeguard " Malay rights " - Biar betul bro ? Kau baca Quran tak???

The lesson for you ordinary folks (like me) and so called supporters of politicians, remember this - politicians speak with forked tongue and are capable of contradictory behaviour  - so don't start worshipping them just because either they throw some bread crumbs your way or make you think that by being associated with them is a status symbol for you.

Though I am reasonably close to quite a few of so called "top guys" (ex and current)  in the country, I don't support them like a mule. I always go on issues - and some just don't like that but I am answerable to my Creator. The point is I have been mixing with politicians since I was in form three so I know that many of them are "scumbs". Some of them become very wealthy and very powerful but remain scumbs nevertheless. Hence, I could never be slaves to scumbs.

As to whether Sosma now has been abused, I can't say as the mater has yet to come to court. We have something called the rule of law, remember? So you, my dear citizens are stuck to the law that you have tacitly or overtly supported your member of parliaments to pass....live with it.

Selling souls has a price - just pray that he devil does not visit you or your loved ones, one day.

Salam/peace.

Note: as an addendum, the Muslim and Malay citizens better wake up and start looking at Syariah laws carefully as implemented before that too becomes your nightmare one day. Don't say you were not warned.


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

We Are All Mutli-Personality

The fact of the matter is most of us have multiple personalities. I do not mean schizophrenic - that is a mental/personality disorder.

I mean we actually take on diverse roles in life, have multiple talents and also interests which may seem to be conflicting to some.

For example, you could be very God concious, know your scripture in and out, and yet, you love to dance and listen to music. There is nothing wrong with this. However, some people in society may disapprove of this and try to "box you in a certain specific" type of behaviour. Many allow themselves to be boxed in for fear of "what others may say", as if others are actually clever in assessment !

I think it is not worth living a life of hypocrisy whether in the name of religion, culture, ethnicity or anything. You got to allow your multiple talents to be expressed so long as it does not harm you or anyone.

If others cannot accept this, do not allow their lack of creativity and understanding of nature inhibit you. There is no such thing as a leader has to be boringly looking like he is a walking dead so long as he is efficient.

There is also no such thing as a lawyer shouldn't dance, or write poetry or write/talk on religion, etc, etc. Same goes for a "religious person" - he doesn't have to be boring.

We are what we are and that is how God made us.

So why do we want to please the non-thinking world by being what we are not?

Peace.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Happy Malaysia Day !

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




Peace !

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Seriously can we get the country moving again?

OK...there is finally the cabinet reshuffle which most people were wondering before why it never happened ? Now that it has happened, many say many things including being surprised.

Many are surprised that Muhyiddin has been dropped. I find it surprising that these people find it a surprise. Nothing personal to Muhyiddin, I would have thought that Najib was a weakling if he had not dropped his deputy who had made many public statements especially on 1MDB which is not only confusing but downright offensive to the mind of anyone who can think.

Examples: “.....I don’t know what is happening..” – then resign lah as Musa HItam did.

               “......!MDB will cause BN and UMNO to fall” – and how do you intend to make BN and UMNO not fall?

              “......I don’t know what is 1MDB all about..” – and then how in the world did you chair some of the cabinet meetings?

If those above reports are true, he makes it sound like the DPM is clueless as to what is happening and that the other cabinet members are either too stupid or too concerned for their positions to speak up – which is very insulting to the cabinet and to himself.

I do not know this man, Muhyiddin personally enough, so I cannot judge him personally. Of course I have met him and sat down at the same table to chat ...I would rather not comment what I perceived of him – but then again I have never been easily impressed by our politicians.  I may be also prejudiced by thinking that like ALL politicians who have been around for more than 6 years, they think they can walk on water. They think only they have the brains and the right to express what is right for the country. Lebih kurang semua sama je. Cium tangan bos, lepas tu wajib orang-orang bawahan cium tangan dia. Malay first, Malaysian second. So funny and so twisted this last statement when I first heard him say that. What?? He is against 1Malaysia????? That’s the government policy la ooi!

Anyway, I do not want to waste time discussing UMNO politics. What I wanted to write was this -  the new cabinet has been formed..so please, please get to work on serving the Rakyat.
Ok, ok there is 1MDB but do not use that as an excuse to neglect the Rakyat on other MORE important aspects of life.

The new education Minister – please revamp the education policy and system which Muhyiddin complexly failed to do. Let’s have less of the “perjuangkan Melayu” rhetoric of his era and get on with the task of really preparing the Malays to face the new century. This is the challenge for Mahadzir Khalid – bring quality education system to the people of Malaysia. There is no need to be Malay first and Malaysian second, whatever that means. Once you are Malaysian, you are all that la!

There young ones and new ones in the cabinet – please do not get sucked into this typical “UMNO bangsawan political types” with that characteristic smiles, laughter, walk and gestures. Today we can accept you as you are so long as you speak intelligently and start performing.  Also,. No need to get into the “ demi agama dan banga” rhetoric. Demi Negara would be just fine. People today judge you by what you do and not what you say because we have already seen all the previous politicians retire very, very, very rich while many Malays and Malaysians are still very, very poor.

Peace!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Pengajaran Daripada Low Yat Oh Low Yat

Dari satu segi, kita bernasib baik sebagai Negara kerana di uji oleh Allah dengan kejadian di Low Yat. Mana tahu, kita sudah matang, sudah belajar bersyukur, sudah boleh mengenali kelemahan dan kekuatan diri daripada menyalahkan seluruh dunia kecuali diri sendiri ....maka dengan kematangan dan kesyukuran kita mungkin dapat bertindak terhadap apa-apa yang berlaku sebagai seorang Muslim yang bijaksana.

Malangnya sekali lagi, nampaknya ramai yang di pertanggungjawapkan oleh Allah dalam kedudukan tertentu telah gagal segagal-gagalnya.  Dalam kita menyorak “Allah hu Akbar” dan pelbagai lagi kata-kata yang kita sangka bersemangat kita lupa untuk beriman kepada surah Al-Israa ayat 36 dimana Allah mengajar kita supaya usul periksa sebelum mempercayai sesuatu berita.

Ketua Polis Negara telah mengesahkan bahawa insiden yang berlaku berpunca daripada dua orang pemuda yang telah mencuri talipon bimbit. (klik disini http://www.kinitv.com/video/20678O8) Berita ini telah di putar belit oleh manusia-manusia yang tidak bertanggungjawap dan lupa akan kewujudan Allah sehingga diwujudkan ketakutan dikalangan rakyat dan kerosakkan kepada harta benda.

Kerakusan untuk berpolitik didunia yang amat sementara ini telah juga melalaikan kita untuk membezakan diantara suatu perbuatan jenayah dan rusuhan kaum. Apakah kita berdoa kepada Allah untuk menurunkan musibah rusuhan kaum yang boleh merosakkan masa hadapan anak- anak di bumi bertuah Malaysia ini?  Apakah kita begitu angkuh berpolitik sehingga kita tidak lagi takut kepada azab Allah?

Apakah kerana matlamat politik, atau sentimen perkauman atau atas sebab-sebab kepentingan tertentu kita sanggup dengan sengaja kufur (enggan patuhi) kepada firman-firman Allah dalam Al-Quran yang membawa maksud berikut:-

1)      “Wahai orang-orang yang percaya, jadilah kamu orang-orang yang menegakkan keadilan, saksi-saksi untuk Allah, walaupun terhadap diri kamu sendiri, atau ibu bapa kamu, dan sanak saudara, sama ada orang itu kaya atau miskin; Allah paling dekat dengan keduanya. Kemudian janganlah mengikuti keinginan kamu supaya kamu tidak berbuat adil; kerana jika kamu memutarbelitkan, atau kamu memalingkan, maka sesungguhnya Allah menyedari apa yang kamu buat”  (Q4:135)

2)      “Wahai orang-orang yang percaya, jadilah kamu orang-orang yang menegakkan di hadapan Allah, saksi-saksi untuk keadilan. Janganlah kebencian pada kaum mendesak kamu untuk tidak berlaku adil; berlaku adillah, itu lebih dekat dengan takwa. Dan takutilah Allah; sesungguhnya Allah menyedari apa yang kamu buat” (Q5:8)

Sekadar berkongsi di bulan yang kita sendiri akui adalah mulia.


Salam.

Monday, June 22, 2015

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

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

Let me list down some of them...

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What annoys you ???





PAS -DAP Crisis is good for DAP and the Country

Maybe I am going overboard calling the PAS-DAP "quarrels" as a crisis. Whatever it is, I think it it good for the political maturing in the country, good for DAP to evolve further into a truly Malaysian political party and good for some PAS members to rethink about PAS.

Marriage of Convenience


I think every political analyst knows that PAS will not last long in Pakatan. The political ideology of PAS and DAP, two main components of Pakatan is completely at variance. PAS stands for a theological ideology using the brand of "Islam" while DAP stands for secularism and a "Malaysian Malaysia"

The so-called coalition of Pakatan is nothing more than a marriage of convenience. I knew there was something amiss when PAS came out with their "Welfare State" trying to subtly get away from their decades of cry of "Islamic State" which, no thanks to IS, has become a bad word today.

So, Pakatan was just a political marriage of convenience foisted on the voters by three political parties with completely different agendas. In this marriage of convenience, only DAP is consistent with its "Malaysian Malaysia" and secular objective despite its "Chinese only image".

PAS practices politics of exclusivity

It should be clear as daylight to any Malaysian citizen that PAS brand of politics is by its very nature is exclusive - it excludes non-Muslims (do you know of any non-Muslim party member?) and excludes many Muslims (if not, why Muslims in UMNO or elsewhere never joined it?).

Hence, PAS's politics is about politics of exclusivism with its political insistence on imposing its brand of "Islam" and its own version of "syariah". This kind of politics does not only isolate the non-Muslims, it also isolates the Muslims who may not agree with PAS's interpretation of "Islam" and what it encompasses. PAS has always mixed religion with politics freely based on manipulating the argument that "Islam is all encompassing" while ignoring other equally valid arguments.

I strongly believe that if the economic and educational levels of the Malay Muslims increase in this country and there is greater freedom to discussion Islamic ideas and concepts, the political influence of PAS will naturally wane.  PAS will survive so long as there are Malay Muslims who are ignorant of the Quran or a certain kind of conservative interpretation of Islam continues to be mainstream.

The fact that many Muslim reformists themselves have been rejected at the recent PAS Assembly is evidence of the exclusivism of the conservative mindset in PAS. If the PAS members themselves cannot accept reformist interpretations from their own leaders, do you actually expect them to appreciate other Muslim scholarly views? What more the views of non-Muslims? So, voters better wake up to this fact.

Frankly the biggest mistake ever done by the government is to allow political parties to be identified with religion, what more Islam in this case, which is the religion of the majority of the citizens of this country. 

In India you have the RSS, which is considered as a Hindu Nationalist movement and the BJP which is considered as imbued with Hindu religious fundamentalism and often anti-science. Now, the BJP has somehow formed the government and expectations are that India will regress, unless BJP adapts to the national realities instead of fundamentalism. 

The biggest question that this theological politicians from PAS have yet to answer: What have they contributed in real terms to the Kelantanese after being in power for so long other than stories of fantasy and wishful thinking?

DAP promotes secularism and a Malaysian Malaysia.

If you compare DAP with either PAS or PKR, even if you do not support DAP, you have to admit that their political struggle is quite clear. The late Mr Karpal Singh, Lim Guan Eng and even Lim Kit Siang are clear that they support secularism, for lack of a better word. They allow for freedom of religion and are concerned about sensitivities of each communities religion.

More importantly, DAP has always focused on national issues affecting all citizens regardless of ethnic or religious origins. 

Of course, DAP has a past that has given it an image that it is a "Chinese chauvinist" party but I think it has changes and is changing under Lim Guan Eng. If more Malays join the party, I will not underestimate DAP to be a more formidable party acceptable by Malaysians.

Many scorned me when I predicted that DAP will wrestle Penang easily and that many Malays will join DAP.

With this rising tide of "religionisation" taking place in the country, especially UMNO behaving clueless in this area, I will not be surprised if many more Muslims join DAP as a platform to regain their right to practice Islam as they see it.

Irony? Wait and see.

Peace and Salam Ramadan.



Sunday, June 21, 2015

Satu Ketika Dahulu Kita Lawan Komunis

Satu ketika dulu kita lawan Komunis untuk pertahankan negara

Kita lawan Jepun .....

Kita pun "lawan" dengan British...

Kini...kita lawan sesama kita.


Salam.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Apa Yang YAB Lim Guan Eng Cakap Ni ????

(image thanks to nasionalis.my)

Betul kah lapuran berita berita bahwa Lim GUan Eng suruh PAS keluar daripada Pakatan kalau masih berpegang pada "hudud ala PAS"?

Betul kah Guan Eng cakap wakil-wakil PAS harus berhenti menjadi wakil-wakil dalam kerajaan Pulau Pinang memandangkan muktamar PAS terima usul putuskan hubungan dengan DAP?

Kalau dan KALAU, lapuran itu semua betul...saya setuju dengan Guan Eng. Bukan kah kalau muktamar dah cakap tak nak berkawan....yang pemimpin dok nak berkwan buat apa? rasa macam tak ikut kehendak ahli parti.

Lagi pun, kalau betul lah DEWAN ULAMAK PAS dah cakap jangan dok berkawan dengan DAP...jangan lah dok berkawan.

Kan DEWAN ULAMAK PAS itu di anggap sebagai orang-orang yang pakar agama oleh ahli-ahli PAS...tentu sekali mereka dah belek belek apa-apa kitab-kitab yang dianggap suci oleh mereka untuk membuat keputusan itu. Jangan main-main...ni semua "ulamak" ooii..."pewaris Nabi", depa kata.

Tapi betul ke dewan ulamak PAS cakap macam tu? macam tak caya je....Tolong sesiapa cek dulu betul ke tak betul.


Hadi pun sepasai.....apa yang susah sangat nak putus hubungan dengan DAP? Dah mu nak "hudud", depa tak nak. Tak sehaluan...so belah je lah. Tak payah saya nak guna bahasa akademik atau pemikiran intelektual untuk nak hurai keadaan PAS ni...waste of Allah given valuable resources.

Sebagai seroang Muslim, saya setuju dengan Guan Eng. Islam pun mengajar kita berpegang pada prinsip dan janji. Ini kan pula PARTY yang mau rakyat percaya mereka "perjuangkan Islam"...

Problem is....PAS ni parti politik...jadi dia kena la buat kiraan politik dulu.

Saya harap sangat2lah bulan puasa ni PAS dapat buat muhasabah diri yang cukup baik dalam bahasa yang mereka faham.

But my late grandmother once said....a leopord won't change its spots. Hmmm....


Salam.

Ramadan Thoughts: Ramadan is Here Again.

I am repeating last year's post as it is still relevant.

Salam Ramadan



1. The Ramadan month is here again. This is the time where the Muslims undergo disciplinaryTRAINING of abstinence from food, drinks, lust and management of emotions for the love of Allah.

2. The month is also filled with nightly ritual prayer of terawih, aSPECIAL prayer which is much longer than the normal five times per day prayers.

3. Correctly practiced, the Ramadan month is capable of being a month that transforms the caterpillar into a butterfly, change of bad habits into good ones. It can cause the Hijrah or migration of a person from a lower state into a higher state, a poor character into an examplary one.

4. Whether Ramadan serves the purpose of transforming a person into aBETTER human being or it only serves as a mere religious ritual depends on many factors, primarily how the individual Muslim sees it.


5. On the one hand, Ramadan also witnesses many hypocritical, commercial and purely selfish behaviour.  The business entities, especially the food industry seems to ironically have a boost in sales!CORPORATE and political personalities also use this period to network for commercial and political purposes.

6. The most basic and fundamental teachings of Islam comes from the Quran.  If the Muslim takes the trouble to allocate a mere one hour a day in the month of Ramadan to study the Quran, he mayEMERGEmore knowledgeable about true Islam as contained in the Quran at the end of the Ramadan month.


7. With the knowledge gained from the Quran,he may then use it as a criterion to evaluate his life, the life in the society he lives in, the values and the events that he has witnessed in his society - and decide whether it reflects the mercy, blessings, and teachings thatBENEFIT human kind as contained in the Quran.

8. It will be sad and futile if the Ramadan month is turned into pure ritualistic exercise for the sake of a tradition or religion without the spirit. Then there will be no migration or Hijrah of the person's character and perspectives.

9. Salam Ramadan to all and may you each be blessed with what you sow.

Peace !

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

My Wish For Malaysia




Very basic really.

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

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

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

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

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

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



MALAYSIA
OUR 
HOME!

Peace !




Saturday, April 25, 2015

Penghinaan Terhadap Orang Islam harus berhenti !!!























(image thanks to http://wellcomehistory.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/anger.jpg)


Sejak kebelakangan ini terlalu banyak penghinaan terhadap umat Muslim yang berlaku. Sebenarnya, dalam negara ini, penghinaan demi penghinaan terhadap minda dan imej orang Islam berlaku sejak 9 tahun yang lalu.

Yang menyedihkan ialah penghinaan ini dilakukan oleh..........................orang-orang yang mengaku orang Islam !

Penghinaan-penghinaan ini amat dahsyat sekali sehingga sekumpulan kecil dominan yang kuat bersuara ini cuba untuk menampilkan orang Islam sebagai bodoh, percaya tahyul dan fantasi, tidak berkeyakinan diri, pak turut yang tidak tahu untuk menilai, tidak ada jati diri, pengacau keamanan, rasis, hipokit, dogmatik dan "sexist" (kalau tak faham tengok kamus), ritualistik semata-mata dan sebagainya yang negatif.

Oleh kerana kumpulan dominan ini kuat bersuara tanpa malu dan harga diri serta tanpa menilai tahap ilmu dan tahap pemikirannya, maka penghinaan bertubi-tubi diteruskan teradap umat Muslim.

Awal sekali saya ingin nyatakan bahawa "Islam" itu adalah Adeen atau "Cara HIdup" atau "The Way" yang amat rasional, yang galakkan pemikiran, penilaian dan kajiselidik, syumul dan bertepatan uttuk semua masa serta relevan kepada yang percaya dan yang tidak percaya. Ia adalah Adeen yang inklusif (kalau tak faham, tengok kamus) dan bukan agama yang eksklusif seperti kebanyakkan agama. Ini lah diantara rahmah, mukjizat dan barakah Adeen Allah yang mungkin ramai Muslim sendiri tidak sedar,

Diantara penghinaan-penghinaan ialah seperti berikut:-



(image thanks to http://www.mauroferrario.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dontThink.jpg)

1) Orang Islam begitu lemah dengan "aqidah" mereka sehingga begitu mudah terpengaruh dengan simbol-simbol agama lain seperti "salib" tokong, gereja, dan lain-lain.

2) Orang Islam begitu lemah mnda sehingga kehadiran buku-buku "suci" agama lain boleh memesongkan mereka - ini pula di Negara kita dimana setiap ceruk negara terdapat "ceramah agama" yang begitu banyak!

(image thanks to http://godspeaksilisten.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/stupid-best.jpg)

3) Orang Islam tidak pandai menilai, tidak pandai berfikir sehingga terpaksa setiap kali dalam semua hal "agama" merujuk" kepada "ustad", "tok/tuan guru", "ulamak", "Sheikh" dan sebagainya.  Pandangan-pandangan "orang agama" ini pula harus di terima bulat-bulat seolah-olah ianya firman Allah tanpa pertikaian. Seolah-olah orang-orang Islam tidak mampu bertanggungjawap terhadap ubudiyyah nya sendiri kepada Allah !


(image thanks to http://cookouteveryday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_29-Jun.-09-12.24.jpg)

4) Orang Islam tidak mampu menghadapi kepelbagaian tafsiran dan fahaman sehingga mudah menjadi ganas atau emosi jika orang lain yang berilmu mempersembahkan tafsiran berbeza. Cara paling mudah untuk membela fahaman sendiri ialah dengan menidakkan hak orang lain untuk menyuarakan fahaman dan hujahnya! "Adabal Khilafiah" yang di ajar oleh Allah dalam Al-Quran diketepikan


(image thanks to http://www.lovelifelivenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Anger_2.jpg}

5) Digambarkan Islam sebagai agama yang suka melarang, mengharamkan segala, tidak ada kerasionalan dalan tindakan, yang mengekalkan dirinya dengan kuasa dan bukan pengajaran dan hujah. Ini disebabkan orang-orang agama yang suka menunjukkan kuasa melalui melarang itu dan ini, dan sebagainya. Walhal Adden Allah adalah berdasarkan hujah, nas, pelawaan dan tiada paksaan langsung.

(image thanks to: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fGR-adEEkNg/0.jpg

6) Digambarkan Agama sebagai penuh dengan kerahiban dalan pelbagai segi dimana orang agama diangkat ketahap tuhan sehingga pendangan dan tafsiran mereka tidak boleh di cabar atau dipertikai oleh Muslim2 lain yang mungkin lebih pandai, berilmu daripada mereka walaupun tidak khusus pada agama secara formal atau rasmi.












(image thanks to https://chloeannjacobs.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/sexism2.jpg)


7) Baru-baru ini saya diberitahu oleh seorang pelajar kolej bahawa guru agama mereka mengajar bahawa "Islam tidak mengalak wanita berkerja tetapi harus duduk di rumah dan lelakilah yang harus buat segala sesuatu".  Kononnya menurut beliau "wanita adalah bunga yang harus dijaga lelaki supaya berseri di rumah untuk menyejukkan hati lelaki" ! Kalau ini bukan ajaran yang menjadikan wanita sebagai simbol seks semata-mata, saya tidak tahu apa yang nak digelarkan ajaran sedemikian!

8) Digambarkan sebagai wanita lah sumber maksiat dan lelaki Muslim amat rendah kawalan mereka terhadap nafsu sehingga mudah goncang dengan kehadiran wanita. Bentuk badan wanita dijadikan isu. Tidak kah tension bila orang-orang ini mengambarkan masalah peribadi dan kelemahan mereka sendiri sebagai ciri manusia?? Tidak kah ini penghinaan pada minda Muslim yang beretika dan boleh mengawal diri?



(image thanks to https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbH6TEGtYGhId3cQEfRlmQdGB8WtU9RQqqkb-EFExHFbzH0KG6X2nnaZHkSRYFfwEF5hm5RdfrRZtJLh3ULlPpBAW16FjB5k88d46qb_Bs3X4zDz1nnvOoIvNphRppQKcXu5OcDfck62p/s1600/Is+SWTOR+Bringing+Back+Retro+Sexism+Issues+for+Women+Gamers.gif)

9) Di satu sekolah rendah, guru agama mengajar bahawa orang Islam tidak boleh merayakan Hari raya Cina sebab "cina makan babi dan ini adalah perayaan orang kafir". Perkara ini saya telah seselaikan sendiri dimana ustazah itu ikhlas mengaku tersilap kerana tidak faham sebelum ini perkara-perkara yang saya jelaskan pada nya. Namun, amat menakutkan berapa sekolah lagi ada orang-orang agama sedemikian???



9) Keganasan di "halalkan" atas nama agama walhal amat jelas Islam mengharamkan mengambil nyawa manusia yang tidak bersalah.

Saya juga tertanya-tanya, tidak mampu ke "orang agama" berdebat dengan mufakkir dan Muslim-muslim yang jauh lebih pandai daripada mereka walaupun tidak berkelulusan formal agama secara rasional dan beradab?

Tidak malu kah kita sebagai Muslim bila ada orang-orang Islam yang bercakap bodoh dikhalayak ramai atas nama Islam?

Kadang-kadang saya rasa lucu bilamana seorang yang tidak berkemampuan untuk berhujah secara logik dan berdasarkan Al-Quran mengambil jalan keluar dengan membunyikan beberapa bahasa Arab yang ia sendiri tidak faham tetapi popular dikalangan mereka.

Masalah lah masyarakat bila ianya didominasi oleh orang-orang yang lemah daya pemikiran, bersikap burung kakak tua, tidak berani berhujah berdaarkan ilmu dan nas, dan paling sedih ialah ia begitu tidak berkeyakinan diri sehingga marah bila orang berlainan pendapat !!!


(Image thanks to: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0d/80/74/0d80746b5ae6ff2d867d002a43cef30a.jpg)

Muslim harus bangkit untuk mengembalikan maruah dan berhenti dihina oleh orang-orang "Islam" yang bodoh dan jahil atau yang tampak berpendidikan tetapi sijahil terdidik.

Salam.


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Apakah GST Sebenarnya?

oleh: YB Datuk Hj Ahmad Bin Hj Mazlan.
Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Malaysia.



Pernahkah kita terfikir mengapa 170 drpd 193 negara dlm dunia ini (88%) sudah melaksanakan GST, Goods & Services Tax atau CBP, Cukai Barang & Perkhidmatan atau VAT, Value Added Tax? Adakah mereka ingin menzalimi rakyat di negara masing2 itu?
Angka 170 itu termasuk negara mundur, berpendapatan sederhana rendah, berpendapatan sederhana tinggi (Msia termasuk kategori ini) dan juga negara2 maju.

Pernahkah kita cuba ingin mencari jawapan mengapa 43 drpd 57 negara (75%) dlm OIC, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation sudah melaksana GST/VAT? Tentu negara2 itu tahu yg GST hukumnya harus & dibolehkan drpd sudut agama Islam.

Jawapannya ialah kerana GST lebih baik drpd sistem cukai kepenggunaan yg lain spt SST Sales & Services Tax atau CJP, Cukai Jualan & Perkhidmatan yg di Msia ini sudah pun dilaksana sejak 1972 & 1975.

SST? Apa itu? Pembangkang sebut selama ini kita tak ada kena cukai tapi sekarang semua org kena. Betul ke itu? Black box kapal terbang warna hitam. Betul ke? GST cukai yg zalim. Betul ke? Kotak hitam rupa-rupanya berwarna jingga/oren. GST model Msia yg sebenar adalah cukai yg adil & tidak zalim.

Selama ini rakyat Msia sudah pun membayar cukai SST dlm banyak barang & perkhidmatan iaitu 5% atau 6% atau 10%. Malangnya SST itu kurang telus sbb ianya termasuk dlm harga barang yg rakyat tidak perasan sedangkan GST kini telus kerana ada dlm resit. Rakyat Msia tiba2 menjadi tambah celik kewangan bermula 1/4/15. Dulu tidak pernah simpan resit barang2 yg dibeli, skrng resit dibaca, disimpan & di whatsapp ke seluruh dunia !!

Berikut adalah sbhg drpd kebaikan GST utk rakyat & negara:

1) Sistem cukai yg berkesan, telus dan cekap kerana GST mempunyai aturan yg baik, penggunaan sistem komputer dgn perisian yg tepat & boleh diurus sendiri. Buku akaun jadi satu dokumen yg lengkap, bukan sentiasa rugi jika diguna waktu membayar cukai kpd Lembaga Hasil, LHDNM.

2) Mengembangkan ekonomi negara kerana GST jadikan perniagaan berkembang lebih teratur dgn rantaian jualan jadi lebih baik. GST boleh kembangkan ekonomi negara 0.3 - 0.5% dlm tahun pertama pelaksanaannya.

3) Mengurangkan ekonomi terselindung (pengelakan / penipuan cukai). Kini ekonomi gelap di Msia menurut kajian Bank Dunia berjumlah 30% drpd KDNK, Keluaran Dlm Negara Kasar / GDP Gross Domestic Product. Dan dgn GST "the shadow economy" ŵini boleh dikurang kpd 10-15%. Pembangkang yg tak sokong GST adakah mereka sedar ini bermaksud ingin lindungi penipuan cukai??

4) Membantu sektor eksport negara kerana semasa SST cukai dikenakan kpd eksport. GST tidak dikenakan terhadap eksport maka jadikan eksport lebih murah & berdaya saing di peringkat antarabangsa. Pembangkang tidak setuju kpd langkah yg baik ini?

5) Membantu sektor pelancongan kerana pelancong boleh claim GST di airport terhadap barang yg dibawa pulang. Namun khidmat & belanja dlm negara tetap pelancong bayar GST.

6) Mengurangkan kos perniagaan kerana peniaga boleh claim cukai input 6%. Rantaian kilang, pemborong & peruncit boleh claim balik yg akan turunkan kos niaga. Pengguna tidak claim balik sbb jika claim maka tiadalah sebarang cukai akan dikutip. Tapi pengilang, pemborong & peruncit adalah rakyat yg juga pengguna.

7) Menjadikan harga barang lebih patut bila kos niaga berkurang. Semasa SST, cukai dianggap sbg kos maka ianya dipindah kpd pengguna utk membayarnya. GST bukan suatu kos kpd peniaga. Pembangkang tidak suka harga barang jadi lebih patut?

8) Menambah hasil negara utk manfaat rakyat sbb cukai diguna utk pendidikan, kemahiran, kesihatan, keselamatan, kebajikan, ratusan touchpoints Bajet tahunan & pembangunan negara secara keseluruhan. Cukai adalah dari rakyat, dikutip & di bajet dgn adil oleh Kementerian Kewangan, diproses / lulus di Dewan Rakyat / Dewan Negara dan dikembalikan semula kpd rakyat.

9) GST sistem cukai yg lebih baik drpd cukai jualan & perkhidmatan SST kerana berlaku cukai atas cukai & pindahan nilai dlm SST. 5% SST jadi 8% dan 10% jadi 15%. Ini jadikan harga barang naik. Kesan 8 & 15% itu kini turun kpd hanya 6% GST. Pembangkang tidak suka cukai  diturunkan?

10) Membantu Msia jadi negara maju thn 2020 nanti kerana GST menepati standard antarabangsa. Sbb itulah maka majoriti negara di dunia ini sudah laksanakannya. 9 drpd 10 penduduk di dunia berada dlm negara yg laksanakan GST/VAT.

Namun jika GST baik mengapa harga barang naik? Hakikatnya tidak semua peniaga naikkan harga. Peniaga2 yg sokong pembangkang tidak akan jayakan inisiatif baik Kerajaan BN. Mereka suka "sabotaj" ekonomi negara ini, dgn naikkan harga barang agar rakyat marah kpd BN.

Peniaga yg beretika spt puluhan cawangan Mydin, 165 Kedai Rakyat 1Msia, lebih 300 cawangan Pasar Tani, 21 cawangan Jakel, lebih 600 cawangan KFC, Domino Pizza, sbhg besar pasar2 raya besar seluruh negara, hampir semua pengeluar kereta spt Proton dll menjual barang dgn sama harga atau lebih rendah dibanding sebelum GST. Ya GST yg sebenar boleh menurunkan harga barang. Jika barang turun maka pembangkang akan susah hati. Oleh itu adalah menjadi kegembiraan pembangkang jika GST dapat dimanipulasi dgn menaikkan harga barangan.

Penguatkuasaan sedang dilaksanakan oleh KPDNKK & Kastam. Rakyat sedang menanti ada peniaga yg akan dihadapkan ke mahkamah kerana melanggar Akta Kawalan Harga & Anti Pencatutan dll Akta yg berkaitan dgn perlindungan  rakyat & pengguna. Mahkamah baru itu kini ada di setiap buah negeri utk percepatkan perbicaraan.

Denda & penjarakan mereka yg mengambil kesempatan dgn naikkan harga spt kpd barang2 yg sebelum ini ada 10% SST maka patut turun harga kerana tolak SST 10% baru dicampur GST 6% jadi barang turun sekitar 4%. Peniaga mesti ikut SOP GST yg sebenar. Pengguna pula gunakan kuasa 3M, memilih, melapor & memboikot peniaga yg degil.

Sifar GST utk makanan asas yg dibeli dlm peratusan yg tinggi drpd belanja rakyat yg berpendapatan rendah, 4200 ubat2an, buku2, air paip, gas masak, susu bayi. Juga sifar GST utk beras, tepong, gula, garam, rempah, sayur, ulam, buah2an, semua makanan laut basah & kering, daging lembu, kambing, ayam, itik, telur dll.

Kedai kecil, warung2, pasar2 kecil yg pendapatan mereka kurang rm500 ribu setahun tiada GST. Perkhidmatan asas spt pendidikan, kesihatan, pengangkutan awam, penyewaan rumah & urusan Kjaan juga dikecualikan GST. Model GST sifar yg banyak begini hanya ada di Msia. Kadar 6% pula adalah terendah di dunia selepas 3 negara lain yg kadarnya 5%.

Kerana GST maka cukai SST turun 10% kpd 6%, cukai pendapatan individu turun 1-3%, cukai koperasi diturunkan 1-2%, cukai syarikat turun 25% kpd 24% dan cukai PKS/SME turun 20% kpd 19%. Kerana GST maka BR1M dinaikkan kpd rm950. Rakyat tentu inginkan akan ada lagi program2 kebajikan lain yg akan diumumkan dari semasa ke semasa.

GST adalah perubahan sistem cukai yg terbesar dlm sejarah Msia. Perdana Menteri sebut fakta ini dlm perjumpaan dgn Kastam pada 30/3/2015. GST akan stabil dlm masa 6 bulan drpd tarikh 1/4/15, menurut Kastam. Saya harap GST boleh stabil dlm masa 3-4 bulan, mudah-mudahan.

Ada orang minta saya berhenti bercakap ttg GST. Jika saya ikut kata mereka itu maka pembangkang akan menang dlm putar belit mereka merosakkan minda rakyat. Saya tidak akan berhenti menjelaskan yg GST lebih baik drpd SST. Anda boleh ikuti penjelasan GST saya dlm twitter @ahmadmaslan.

Atau dapatkan maklumat GST yg ada di hujung jari kita drpd telefon pintar dll di alamat:
www.gst.customs.gov.my
www.gstmalaysiainfo.com
www.gstpedia.my
www.treasury.gov.my
www.kpdnkk.gov.my

Terima Kasih.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Farewell and Rest In Peace Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Without doubt he is a great leader. He built up Singapore when Singapore had no natural resources at all.

I have read many books on him especially the book below since I love to analyse the mind of great political leaders. I must have read the book at least 5 times since I find it the best account.


He is indeed the father of Singapore's birth as a successful Nation State. I respect his intellect, knowledge of society and history which he exhibits in his speech and writings - a quality many leaders lack. He had a vision and I believe he achieved more than his vision for Singapore.

He also had the leadership and firmness to do what is necessary for Singapore rather than what is populist.

In short, I believe his life was useful to Singapore and probably to many others. I wish him rest in peace and my condolences to his family and Singapore.

Even at time of grieve, Singapore is efficient where the Prime Minister's announcement of Mr Lee's passing away is done in three languages - beginning in the Malay language. HOw not to respect Singapore?



Peace !


Saturday, March 7, 2015

Slaves of Men in the name of God

This is nothing new. All through the history of humankind, there are many who are willing to become slaves of men in the name of God.

A belief in God is supposed to give a sense of confidence in existence, a sense of being free from the tyranny of men, a sense of gratitude for life and a sense of being good. These are some of the values and aspirations of most religions. It is equally supposed to bring inner peace to humans through the special and personal relationship with their creator/God.

In the realm of faith however, logic and rational thinking often takes a back seat as opposed to the mysterious "heart". Hence, not every conduct that is carried out in the name of religion can be explained logically. Emotions tend to be stronger than rational or scientific thought and therefore the need for proof is often dispensed with. It is almost impossible to debate with emotions.

Slavery can take many forms. One of the highest level of slavery to me is when a person gives up his thinking and his right to mould his life to someone else or a group of others.  This often happens in religion.

All forms of conduct and living which in a civilised society may be considered as primarily a private matter becomes the subject of control in a religious society . Most of these restrictions on speech, dressing, diet, thought, general behaviour and socialisation are often determined exclusively by a few men in the name of God for the vast ignorant majority. 

These few elitist men, often portrayed as knowledgable due to their attendance at certain universities or mastery of certain information and language are held in high regard almost to the level of a god when it comes to the force with which thier views are expected to be complied with. 

Often any dissent against the views of these select elitist religious groups are met with a finality of punishment including the cruel method of social and legal ostracisation.  Increasingly, due to fear of being ostracised and the unpleasant repercussions that may follow, these elitist group solidify their position as controllers of human behaviour in the name of God. People relent because they want to get on with their lives not realising that they have become slaves to a few human masters.

The position of the elitist groups as the only spokesman for all things Godly often begins with the indoctrination of children - either at home or in schools. These children are taught that there are certain "knowledgable religious persons" whose views are never to be questioned.  These children also are taught that in matters of religion, many things can be imposed or forced upon them without the need for explanation or acceptance.  

Religion hence becomes a powerful tool to control humans.

It has the power to make slaves of men to other men who speak in the name of God.

Peace !reli