Benar kah Perkara 153 Perlembagaan tercabar? (Hak Melayu terhakis? – Bab Dua)

Seperkara yang perlu diingat ialah: Perbincangan mengenai Perkara 153 telah dipersembahkan sebagai satu isu yang “sensitif” dan oleh itu tidak harus dibincang seolah-olah rakyat jelata tidak matang dan tidak mampu berfikir. Di satu pihak ada yang melaungkan perkara 153 sebagai “hak Melayu” yang “tidak boleh dicabar” tanpa memahami maksud undang-undang nya. Di pihak yang lain pula ada yang menuduh perkara 153 sebagai “tongkat Melayu” seolah-olah ia sesuatu yang harus di malukan. Kedua-dua pendirian sedemikian tidak membantu kearah memahami perkara 153 mahupun kearah melaksanakan dengan cara yang menguntungkan Negara.

Satu lagi perkara: - Di laman web “Pusat Maklumat Rakyat” Kerajaan, di tulis sedemikian: 

“Kedudukan Istimewa Orang Melayu

Perkara 153 Perlembagaan telah memaktubkan Hak Istemewa Orang Melayu dan bumiputera Sabah dan Sarawak meliputi : -  

- perkhidmatan awam :Perkara 153 (2,3 dan 4)

-  ekonomi : Perkara 153 (6)

-  pelajaran: Perkara 153 (2,3 dan 4)

-  Kedudukan Istimewa orang Melayu yang lain termasuklah peruntukan Perkara 89 dan 90 – berhubung dengan tanah rizab Melayu.

-  Hak-hak ini tidak boleh dipertikaikan dan ia dilindungi di bawah Akta Hasutan 1948 (Pindaan 1971)”.

Saya berpendapat ada beberapa kecacatan dan kesilapan fakta di dalam penerangan diatas.

1)      Perkara 153 menyebut mengenai “kedudukan istimewa” dan bukan “hak istemewa”. Ini adalah dua perkara yang amat berlainan dari segi undang-undang Perlembagaan.

2)       Saya rasa kurang senang dengan keperluan untuk menyatakan bahawa “hak-hak ini tidak boleh dipertikaikan dan ia  dilindungi oleh Akta Hasutan 1948” atas beberapa sebab. Pertamanya, ia berbunyi ugutan daripada penerangan. Keduanya, pertikaian mengenai tafsiran sesuatu perundangan senstiasa berlaku di dalam Mahkamah serta di dalam penulisan undang-undang.

3)      Dalam sistem demokrasi, Rakyat juga mempunyai hak untuk menyuarakan pendapat mereka sekiranya suatu peruntukan perundangan itu disalah tafsir atau di salah guna. Tidak masuk akal sekiranya tafsiran sesuatu undang-undang itu menjadi hak mutlak penjawat awam yang bergaji sahaja – terutama apabila kualiti kebolehan pemikiran mereka sendiri di pertikai. Tindakan sedemikian tidak termasuk sebagai kesalahan di bawah Akta Hasutan. Perkara yang menjadi kesalahan ialah niat serta perbuatan untuk “menghasut”.

4)      Perkara 153 pernah dipinda oleh Parlimen beberapa kali untuk memperjelaskan maksud peruntukan itu.

Sekarang kita akan cuba untuk meneliti peruntukan-peruntukan didalam Perkara 153 satu demi satu. Adalah penting untuk kita memahami peruntukan Perkara 153 supaya kita tidak diperalatkan oleh politikus-politikus yang mahu mempersembahkan diri mereka sebagai “jaguh Melayu” berdasarkan pembohongan dan penyelewengan fakta. Begitu juga, pemahaman perkara 153 juga membolehkan kita berhadapan dengan rasis yang membantah terhadap perkara 153.

1)      Perkara 153(1) memperuntukan bahawa YDPA bertanggung jawap untuk melindungi kedudukan istimewa orang Melayu, anak-anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak DAN kaum-kaum lain mengikut peruntukan disitu.

2)      Perkara 153 memberi “kedudukan istimewa” dan bukannya “hak” kepada orang Melayu dan anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak. “Hak” adalah sesuatu yang dimiliki oleh pemegang hak dan tidak ada orang lain yang boleh mengambil dan mengurangkan hak tersebut kecuali jika dibenarkan oleh Perlembagaan. Hanya sipemegang hak sahaja yang mempunyai budibicara samada ia hendak gunakan hak tersebut atau tidak. Orang lain tidak mempunyai budibicara.terhadap penggunaan hak nya (kecuali ada undang-undang yang mungkin menggekang penggunaan hak nya. Sebagai contoh, Akta Fitnah terhadap kebebasan bersuara). Kedudukan istimewa, sebaliknya bergantung kepada budibicara munasabah pihak lain. Dalam konteks Perkara 153, budibicara munasabah ini di jalankan oleh YDPA (tertakluk kepada perkara 40 iaitu nasihat kabinet).

3)      Perkara 153 (2), (3), (4) dan (8A) memberikuasa kepada YDPA untuk merizabkan perkadaran yang difikirkan munasabah oleh baginda daripada biasiswa, danasiswa dan keistimewaan pendidikan atau latihan yang seumpamanya atau kemudahan khas lain untuk orang Melayu dan anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.

4)      Perkara 153 (2) dan (6) memberikuasa kepada YDPA untuk merizabkan perkadaran yang difikirkan munasabah oleh baginda sebahagian permit-permit dan lesen-lesen perniagaan untuk orang Melayu dan anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.

5)      Perkara 153 (2), (3) dan (4) memberikuasa kepada YDPA untuk merizabkan perkadaran yang difikirkan munasabah oleh baginda sebahagian daripada jawatan dalam perkhidmatan awam (selain perkhidmatan awam sesuatu Negeri) untuk orang Melayu dan anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.

6)      Perkara 153 (5) memperuntukan bahawa segala peruntukan dalam Perkara 153 tidak boleh  mengurangkan peruntukan Perkara 136 yang memperuntukan bahawa

“Tertakluk kepada terma-terma dan syarat-syarat pekerjaan mereka, semua orang, walau apa pun rasnya, dalam gred yang sama dalam perkhidmatan Persekutuan hendaklah diberi layanan yang saksama”.

Ini bermakna didalam soal kenaikan pangkat dalam gred yang sama ia nya adalah berdasarkan kebolehan/meritokrasi dan bukannya ras.

7)      Perkara 153 (9) pula memperuntukan bahawa “Tiada apa-apa jua dalam Perkara ini boleh memberi Parlimen kuasa untuk menyekat perniagaan atau pertukangan semata-mata bagi maksud perizaban bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak”.  Ini boleh ditafsir bahawa keutamaan Parlimen untuk memastikan perkembangan ekonomi Negara lebih tinggi daripada keperluan untuk merizaban lesen-lesen atau permit-permit bagi orang Melayu dan anak Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak. Walau apa pun, perizaban tidak boleh menghasilkan penyekatan perniagaan atau pertukangan untuk Rakyat Malaysia yang lain (termasuk Melayu dan anak Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak yang tidak menikmati perizaban tersebut).

8)      Perkara 153 (2) memperuntukan bahawa kuasa yang di jalankan oleh YDPA di bawah Perkara 153 adalah tertakluk kepada Perkara 40. Perkara 40 (1A) memperuntukan bahawa di mana YDPA di kehendaki bertindak mengikut nasihat atau selepas menimbangkan nasihat Jemaah Menteri atau seseorang Menteri yang di berikuasa oleh Jemaah Menteri, baginda WAJIB menerima nasihat tersebut dan WAJIB bertindak menurut nasihat tersebut. Di dalam erti kata yang lain, Jemaah Menteri lah yang membuat keputusan dari segi fakta walaupun dari segi undang-undang Perlembagaan, ia nya di buat oleh YDPA.

9)      Perkara 153 mengunakan ungkapan “suatu kadar perizaban yang difikirkan munasabah oleh YDPA”. Ini bermaksud, keputusan kadar perizaban di buat oleh YDPA (iaitu atas nasihat Jemaah Menteri) dan keputusan ini tidak boleh di cabar. (Kalau pun di bawa ke Mahkamah, saya percaya usaha itu akan gagal). Lain lah sekira nya ungkapan yang di guna adalah “suatu kadar perizaban yang munasabah oleh YDPA”. Jika ungkapan kedua ini di guna, maka besar kemungkinan keputusan kadar perizaban boleh di cabar dalam Mahkamah berkaitan dengan apa itu “munasabah”

Kesimpulan:

(a)    Pada saya amat jelas bahawa Perkara 153 memperuntukan kedudukan istimewa kepada orang Melayu (seperti yang tertakrif dalam Perkara 160) dan anak Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak (seperti yang tertakrif dalam Perkara 161A).

(b)    Kedudukan istimewa ini adalah berkaitan kadar perizaban daripada

(i)                  jawatan dalam perkhidmatan awam;

(ii)                biasiswa, danasiswa dan keistimewaan pendidikan atau latihan yang seumpamanya atau kemudahan khas lain yang diberikan atau diadakan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan;

(iii)               apa-apa permit atau lesen yang dikehendaki oleh undang-undang persekutuan bagi mengendalikan apa-apa pertukangan atau perniagaan.

(c)    Perkara 153 tidak memberi “hak” tetapi “kedudukan istimewa”. Implikasi nya ialah Melayu atau anak Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak yang tidak menikmati perizaban tersebut tidak boleh menuntutnya. Sebaliknya, jika ia nya “hak”, semua Melayu dan anak Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak berhak dari segi undang-undang untuk menikmati nya dan mereka yang tidak menikmati nya boleh menuntut nya di dalam Mahkamah.

(d)    Sepanjang pengetahuan saya, Perkara 153 tidak pernah di cabar di dalam Mahkamah, ia nya jelas termaktub dalam Perlembagaan dan ekoran ini, adalah tidak benar jika sesiapa berkata bahawa Perkara 153 di cabar.

(e)    Jika ada pihak yang tidak berpuas hati terhadap implementasi Perkara 153, rungutan, cadangan atau bantahan harus di kemukakan kepada Jemaah Menteri dan bukan nya berucap berapi-api di medan politik dengan dakyah bahawa Perkara 153 di cabar. Itu adalah perbuatan yang sia-sia yang tidak menguntungkan Rakyat langsung, apatah lagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.

Demikian lah tafsiran undang-undang saya terhadap Perkara 153 dan saya mengalu-alukan sebarang tafsiran yang berbeza supaya isu ini dapat di bincang dengan sopan dan secara intelek.

Salam.

NEXT: Kualiti Kepimpinan Melayu versus konsep “ketuanan Melayu”.

Hak Melayu terhakis? – Bab Dua.

Perkara 153 Perlembagaan Persekutuan

Sebelum saya mulakan perbincangan mengenai Perkara 153 yang kita sering dengar hari ini, elok jika saya turunkan keseluruhan peruntukkan itu untuk tatapan dan fikiran pembaca dahulu. Melalui cara ini, mudah untuk pembaca ikuti perbicangan saya nanti.

Berikut adalah penyataan penuh Artikel 153 Perlembagaan Malaysia.

Perkara 153. Perizaban kuota berkenaan dengan perkhidmatan, permit, dsb. bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.
(1) Menjadi tanggungjawab Yang di-Pertuan Agong untuk melindungi kedudukan istimewa orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak dan kepentingan sah kaum-kaum lain mengikut peruntukan Perkara ini.

(2) Walau apa pun apa-apa jua dalam Perlembagaan ini, tetapi tertakluk kepada peruntukan Perkara 40 dan peruntukan Perkara ini, Yang di-Pertuan Agong hendaklah menjalankan fungsinya di bawah Perlembagaan ini dan undang-undang persekutuan mengikut apa-apa cara yang perlu untuk melindungi kedudukan istimewa orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak dan untuk memastikan perizaban bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak apa-apa perkadaran yang difikirkan munasabah oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong daripada jawatan dalam perkhidmatan awam (selain perkhidmatan awam sesuatu Negeri) dan daripada biasiswa, danasiswa dan keistimewaan pendidikan atau latihan yang seumpamanya atau kemudahan khas lain yang diberikan atau diadakan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan dan, apabila apa-apa permit atau lesen dikehendaki oleh undang-undang persekutuan bagi mengendalikan apa-apa pertukangan atau perniagaan, maka, tertakluk kepada peruntukan undang-undang itu dan Perkara ini, daripada permit dan lesen itu.
(3) Yang di-Pertuan Agong boleh, bagi memastikan, mengikut Fasal (2), perizaban bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak jawatan-jawatan dalam perkhidmatan awam dan biasiswa, danasiswa dan keistimewaan pendidikan atau latihan atau kemudahan khas lain, memberikan apa-apa arahan am yang dikehendaki bagi maksud itu kepada mana-mana Suruhanjaya yang baginya Bahagian X terpakai atau kepada mana-mana pihak berkuasa yang dipertanggungkan dengan tanggungjawab bagi pemberian biasiswa, danasiswa atau keistimewaan pendidikan atau latihan atau kemudahan khas lain itu; dan Suruhanjaya atau pihak berkuasa itu hendaklah mematuhi arahan itu dengan sewajarnya.

(4) Pada menjalankan fungsinya di bawah Perlembagaan ini dan undang-undang persekutuan mengikut Fasal (1) hingga (3) Yang di-Pertuan Agong tidak boleh melucutkan mana-mana orang daripada apa-apa jawatan awam yang dipegang olehnya atau daripada terus mendapat biasiswa, danasiswa atau keistimewaan pendidikan atau latihan atau kemudahan khas lain yang dinikmati olehnya.

(5) Perkara ini tidaklah mengurangkan peruntukan Perkara 136.

(6) Jika menurut undang-undang persekutuan yang sedia ada suatu permit atau lesen dikehendaki bagi mengendalikan apa-apa pertukangan atau perniagaan, maka Yang di-Pertuan Agong boleh menjalankan fungsinya di bawah undang-undang itu mengikut apa-apa cara, atau memberikan apa-apa arahan am kepada mana-mana pihak berkuasa yang dipertanggungkan di bawah undang-undang itu dengan pemberian permit atau lesen itu, sebagaimana yang dikehendaki untuk memastikan perizaban apa-apa perkadaran daripada permit atau lesen itu bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak sebagaimana yang difikirkan munasabah oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong; dan pihak berkuasa itu hendaklaah mematuhi arahan itu dengan sewajarnya.

(7) Tiada apa-apa jua dalam Perkara ini boleh berkuat kuasa untuk melucutkan atau memberi kuasa supaya dilucutkan apa-apa hak, keistimewaan, permit atau lesen mana-mana orang, yang terakru kepada orang itu atau yang dinikmati atau dipegang oleh orang itu atau untuk memberi kuasa untuk menolak pembaharuan mana-mana permit atau lesen mana-mana orang atau untuk menolak pemberian apa-apa permit atau lesen kepada waris, pengganti atau penerima serah hak seseorang jika pembaharuan atau pemberian itu mungkin semunasabahnya dijangkakan mengikut perjalanan biasa keadaan.

(8) Walau apa pun apa-apa jua dalam Perlembagaan ini, jika menurut mana-mana undang-undang persekutuan apa-apa permit atau lesen dikehendaki bagi mengendalikan apa-apa pertukangan atau perniagaan, maka undang-undang itu boleh membuat peruntukan bagi perizaban apa-apa perkadaran daripada permit atau lesen itu bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak; tetapi tiada undang-undang sedemikian boleh, bagi maksud memastikan perizaban itu-

(a) melucutkan atau memberi kuasa supaya dilucutkan apa-apa hak, keistimewaan, permit atau lesen mana-mana orang, yang terakru kepada orang itu atau yang dinikmati atau dipegang oleh orang itu; atau
(b) memberi kuasa untuk menolak pembaharuan mana-mana permit atau lesen mana-manaa orang atau untuk menolak pemberian apa-apa permit atau lesen kepada waris, pengganti atau penerima serah hak mana-mana orang jika pembaharuan atau pemberian itu mengikut peruntukan yang lain dalam undang-undang itu mungkin semunasabahnya dijangkakan mengikut perjalanan biasa keadaan, atau menghalang mana-mana orang daripada memindahkan hakmilik bersama dengan perniagaannya apa-apa lesen yang boleh dipindahkan hakmiliknya untuk mengendalikan perniagaan itu; atau
(c) jika tiada permit atau lesen dahuluya dikehendaki bagi mengendalikan pertukangan atau perniagaan itu, memberi kuasa untuk menolak pemberian permit atau lesen kepada mana-mana orang bagi mengendalikan apa-apa pertukangan atau perniagaan yang telah dijalankan olehnya secara bona fide sebaik sebelum undang-undang itu mula berkuat kuasa, atau memberi kuasa untuk menolak pembaharuan kemudiannya mana-mana permit atau lesen mana-mana orang, atau untuk menolak pemberian mana-mana permit atau lesen sedemikian kepada waris, pengganti atau penerima serah hak mana-mana orang itu jika, mengikut peruntukan yang lain dalam undang-undang itu, pembaharuan atau pemberian itu mungkin semunasabahnya dijangkakan mengikut perjalanan biasa keadaan.

(8A) Walau apa pun apa-apa jua dalam Perlembagaan ini, jika di dalam mana-mana Universiti, Kolej dan institusi pendidikan lain yang memberikan pendidikan selepas Malaysian Certificate of Education atau yang setaraf dengannya, bilangan tempat yang ditawarkan oleh pihak berkuasa yang bertanggungjawab bagi pengurusan Universiti, Kolej atau institusi pendidikan itu kepada calon-calon bagi apa-apa kursus pengajian adalah kurang daripada bilangan calon yang layak mendapat tempat-tempat itu, maka adalah sah bagi Yang di-Pertuan Agong menurut kuasa Perkara ini memberikan apa-apa arahan yang perlu kepada pihak berkuasa itu untuk memastikan perizaban apa-apa perkadaran daripada tempat-tempat itu bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak sebagaimana yang difikirkan munasabah oleh Yang di-Pertuan Agong; dan pihak berkuasa itu hendaklah mematuhi arahan itu dengan sewajarnya.

(9) Tiada apa-apa jua dalam Perkara ini boleh memberi Parlimen kuasa untuk menyekat perniagaan atau pertukangan semata-mata bagi maksud perizaban bagi orang Melayu dan anak negeri mana-mana antara Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak.

(9A) Dalam Perkara ini ungkapan “anak negeri” berhubung dengan Negeri Sabah atau Sarawak hendaklah mempunyai erti yang diberikan kepadanya dalam Perkara 161A.

(10) Perlembagaan Negeri yang ber-Raja boleh membuat peruntukan yang bersamaan (dengan ubah suaian yang perlu) dengan peruntukan Perkara ini.

Salam

GONG XI FA CAI !

Chinese New Year graphics comment

Hak Melayu terhakis? – Bhg Satu

Isu yang sering diperkatakan, terutama, sejak March 2008 adalah hakisan dan cabaran terhadap “hak Melayu”.  Cabaran serta hakisan terhadap “hak melayu” in ditonjolkan sebagai datang daripada kumpulan bukan Melayu dan yang seangkatannya iaitu “Melayu liberal”.  Benar kah hak Melayu dicabar dan terhakis? Hak yang mana? Oleh siapa dan bagaimana ia berlaku, jika ia nya berlaku?

Atau adakah semua ini dongeng orang politik yang mahu memperalatkan orang Melayu untuk melanjutkan karier politik mereka?

Ketuanan Melayu

Konsep “ketuanan Melayu” hari ini sudah menjadi celaru dengan pelbagai takrif dan fahaman oleh pelbagai pihak. Pada amnya, yang dimaksudkan ialah dominasi orang Melayu di dalam medan politik.

Kalau dominasi orang Melayu dalam politik yang dimaksudkan sebagai “ketuanan Melayu”, ia bukan sahaja TIDAK terhakis, tetapi menjadi lebih kuat.  Dalam tahun 2009, jumlah penduduk di Malaysia dianggarkan seramai 28.3 juta.

Hakikatnya ialah orang Melayu menjadi majority Negara ini dan dianggarkan akan menjadi hampir 66% dalam 10 tahun nanti. Kalau di masukkan sekali bumiputra, kemungkinan angka nya ialah hampir 70%. Melayu campur bumiputra memang majoriti. Apa implikasi nya?

Pertamanya ialah, mereka lah yang akan menjadi penentu utama dalam menentukan budaya politik serta halatuju politik dlam Negara ini. Perkara ini jelas sejak merdeka di mana didalam Alliance dan kemudiannya Barisan Nasional, parti politik dominan ialah UMNO iaitu parti Melayu.  Parti politik yang kedua terbesar yang menjadi Pembangkang juga didominasi oleh Melayu iaitu PAS. Pemain utama didalam politik nasional sentiasa orang Melayu dan dari perspektif ini, ungkapan ketuanan Melayu ialah satu slogan kosong orang politik untuk memperalatkan orang Melayu. The main players in national politics have always been Malays and hence, from this perspective, the issue of ketuanan Melayu is a mere slogan, a tool for the politicians to manipulate the Malays.

Begitu juga kalau kita lihat sejak penubuhan UMNO baru dan Semangat 46, politik orang Melayu semakin matang dimana mereka sudah berani untuk mengasingkan diri daripada UMNO. Saya katakan matang kerana didalam arena politik, orang Melayu sudah berani untuk mencuba pendekatan selain daripada pendekatan UMNO (pertamanya ialah dengan  dengan penubuhan PAS).

Hari ini, kita lihat orang-orang Melayu berada di dalam hampir semua parti-parti politik – UMNO, PAS, DAP, PKR dan lain-lain. Orang Melayu seolah-olah “tuan” atau pemimpin di dalam arena politik. Zaman di mana orang Melayu hanya bergantung kepada UMNO sudah berlalu. Di dalam politik, orang-orang Melayu mempunyai kepelbagaian pandangan dan kaedah untuk berkhidmat kepada Negara atau memperjuangkan suatu isu. Saya percaya trend ini akan meningkat. Maka isu “ketuanan Melayu” dalam konteks ini tidak berasas dan sudah tidak lagi relevan kerana sememangya orang Melayu lah yang mendominasi arena politik dan akan terus mendominansi arena politik.

Saya percaya orang bukan Melayu juga telah menerima hakikat ini (realiti terpaksa diakur) dan kita akan sampai pada satu keadaan dimana mereka akan melihat kepada parti-parti politik yang boleh bersikap adil dan saksama kepada semua rakyat Malaysia tanpa melihat kepada keturunan atau darjat.

Begitu juga dengan orang Melayu sendiri. Mereka telah lihat apa yang berlaku didalam Negara ini sejak merdeka -52 tahun!. Siapa yang telah kaya-raya, siapa yang masih miskin, kawasan mana yang dibangun, kawasan mana yang masih mundur, siapa yang rasuah, siapa yang menindas dan sebagainya. 

Saya juga percaya ramai orang-orang Melayu yang miskin  tidak percaya bahawa kemiskinan mereka adalah akibat “perampasan” kedudukan “tuan” mereka oleh orang bukan Melayu. Mereka masih miskin kerana kegagalan polisi untuk menangani kemisikinan. Begitu juga dengan Melayu yang berada didalam tahap pendapatan rendah mahupun kelas menengah yang mengempas pulas mencari rezeki. Mereka sedar bahawa peluang mencari rezeki yang semakin sempit bukan ekoran orang bukan Melayu yang merancang untuk merampas hak pekerjaan mereka. Ia adalah ekoran polisi ekonomi yang tidak mantap, tidak menyeluruh serta tidak bersifat jangka panjang.

Saya tertarik dengan Kota Baru dimana terdapat banyak kedai-kedai rakyat tempatan yang berniaga. Ekonomi tempatan masih tidak dirogol oleh “multi-nasional corporations” seperti Tesco, Jusco, Ikea dan sebagainya. Oleh yang demikian, rakyat tempatan Kelantan masih boleh mencari rezeki secara terhormat, serta industri tempatan boleh berkembang. Kebajikan rakyat tempatan didahulukan dan bukannya "keuntugan tersembunyi" oleh pihak memberi kelulusan, yang juga terdiri daripada orang Melayu elitis.

Didalam perhimpunan mengenai “ketuanan Melayu” yang pernah dan akan dianjurkan oleh pihak politik (ada yang berselindung disebalik NGO), berapa ramai di antara lebih kurang 14,000,000 Melayu di Malaysia ini yang hadir dan mengambil bahagian? 20,000? 10,000? 5,000? Kalau 30,000 pun itu baru merupakan 0.2% jumlah penduduk Melayu!  Kalau 100,000 pun, itu baru 0.7% daripada jumlah penduduk Melayu di Negara ini. Ini lah permainan politik licik dimana “orang Melayu” diperalatkan oleh politkus Melayu untuk melanjutkan karieir politik mereka atau mengalihkan perhatian daripada isu-isu sebenar yang di hadapi oleh semua Rakyat, termasuk orang Melayu.

Ini lah keadaan sebenarnya dan beberapa kerat di dalam arena politik dan beberapa kerat orang di Bandar terperangkap dengan politik permainan ini. Tujuan nya hanya lah politik dan tidak berkaitan dengan kebajikan orang Melayu amnya.

Salam.

NEXT: Benar kah Perkara 153 Perlembagaan tercabar?

NAJIB: Do not question anyone's citizenship.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the Nasir episode should be a lesson to everyone to be racially sensitive. He and the government has distanced themselves from any of the statements made by Nasir. This is a welcomed response.

The NewStraitsTimes reports the Prime Minister saying:

“The citizenship of a Malaysian is clearly defended in the Federal Constitution and it cannot be questioned by anyone.

“I have issued a statement on this but I would like to say it again that what was said is not my view nor is it the stand of the government".

So, 1Malaysia is on track!

Peace !

1Malaysia and Saboteurs - Will it happen again and again????

Such nonsense WITHIN the government must stop. I purposely use the word “within the government” because if you are part of the government, then you have to toe the government policy. If you are not within the government, then you can have a dissenting view. You can say the opposite of what the government says. This is democracy. Of course, if you are within the government and you dissent very strongly on an important government policy, then you should simply resign. Unfortunately, such a principled stance has never really been part of our general political culture. Largely because, politics in this country is a periuk nasi issue rather than service to the Nation and the Rakyat.

If you say things that are contrary to the government policy, then the credibility of the government is affected.  Rakyat gets confused. The Rakyat will think your policy is only lip service. The more discerning Rakyat will note that the government is confused. It does not know that the left hand and the right hand are not synchronized.  Or maybe the head cannot control what the rest of the body does. Biologically, that may be acceptable. You have to go to the toilet when you have to go to the toilet. But in politics and governance, the head must be in control or at least appear to be in control. This translates to mean that when someone significant in the government makes a statement or does something contrary to government policy, the head must deal with him severely. The head cannot afford another and another such incident. Nip in the bud. Make an example.

UP to date, I believe that Najib is serious with his 1Malaysia policy, though I get the feeling that the policy is not being articulated well. I am now not even sure that the policy has been explained properly to the civil servants, who unfortunately are in charge of the “delivery system”. It boggles my mind that these civil servants who went through so many slogans all their life, including Islam Hadhari (what happened to it?) are actually expected to embrace and PROMOTE something new like this. Can they understand it in the first place? I forgot – Malaysians can set aside prejudices, baggages and embrace logic and reason in a jiffy! (I have been lambasted by a friend I came to know within the past one year just  for insisting that one must use reason all the time!)

So, back to 1Malaysia. As I have written before, it is a powerful policy if properly executed and defined. And I say it again: it is a double-edged sword that cut both ways. It can destroy trust in the government if it is not implemented judiciously. You have raised so much hope and trust and such things hurt if you renegade on them.

But I have digressed. I was going to write about the nonsense that must be stopped. The latest being the controversy surrounding the statement by the special assistant in the Prime Minister’s office. When I first heard about it – I did not believe. It is simply too preposterous and plain stupid politically for someone from the PM’s office to say that..and at a 1Malaysia function!  Morally, it is cruel and wrong. Any Muslim who truly believes in Allah should know that. Constitutionally, it is moronic and exposes the level of grey matter the speaker has.  Legally, there are so many penal code offences that may be preferred in the light of such statements.

Personally, I have got no problems. You simply cannot stop the horse from being a horse, a donkey from being a donkey, a lembu from being a lembu or a monkey from being a monkey. It is a choice each makes. If you worry too much about it, you will die of grief as Allah says in the Quran. In the Quran, Allah says that in some occasions, some human beings are at a level lower than the animals. While both animals and human beings have ears, eyes, brains, these certain human beings do not want to use their ears, eyes and brains. Many actually have been trained to think that Allah created brains simply for decoration and not for use!

Back to the nonsense. This guy is in the PRIME MINISTER”S department! How many more are there??? And he goes public with sick views completely contrary to the 1Malaysia spirit. Why? Is he a saboteur? I want to know because I think 1malaysia should be the way forward.

Even Tun Mahthir felt this was important to comment. The StarOnline reports:

”The citizenship of non-Malays in the country should never be questioned, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said there was a provision in the Federal Constitution stating that while Malays were the indigenous people, non-Malays had their right to citizenship.
“That should not be questioned. We cannot banish our citizens now. The Constitution provides that you cannot take away citizenships,” he told reporters after opening the Malaysian Liver Foundation building at Ara Damansara here on Wednesday”.

Really, really Sir Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak…you must never allow such things to ever happen again in your government, your party and most of all in your department. 1Malaysia must be allowed to evolve (?).

With this guy……how are you going to deal with him? Surely 1Malaysia is too sacred for it to be derailed by irresponsible quarters?

Peace !

 

Pakatan Rakyat in shambles?

Anyone following the political events in the Pakatan Rakyat for the past one year cannot be faulted from concluding that PR is in a state of total crisis. Even Lim Kit Siang in July 2009, wrote on his blog that : “Pakatan Rakyat is facing a second crisis of confidence and efforts must be made to resolve it".

This was the Kedah PR crisis. The Kedah DAP State Committee then had decided to pull out of the Pakatan Rakyat Kedah state government, subject to the final decision of the DAP Central Executive Committee.

It appears that what held back the pullout was the fear of the repercussions nationwide on the Pakatan Rakyat. 

Then there was the unfulfilled September 16, 2008 promise of PR forming the Federal Government. This event has left PR and certain leaders in the PR with a major credibility and ethical issues.  Ethical issue because the idea of political frogs jumping into PR was hailed as the “democratic and victorious”. Someone caught on to this idea spurned first from the PR leader and some frogged out of the Perak PR becoming independents with the Perak State now in the hands of BN.

Recently with the advent of 2010, the Pulau Pinang saw political fireworks between DAP and PKR involving the Chief Minister of Pulau Pinang, YB Lim Guan Eng which started when PKR’s Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim called Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng a “dictator” and “communist-minded.” To understand the extent of the crisis, it must be noted that Zahrain is none other that the (former?) Chairman of Penang PKR.  Even the Ni­­bong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng has thrown his support behind fellow PKR member Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Has­­him in his spat with Penang Chief Minis­ter Lim Guan Eng.

Then you have the YB Khalid Samad and the other PKR MP fiasco which led to the other PKR MP making a police report against YB Khalid for his alleged statements relating to certain reforms of the Selangor State Syariah laws . Now, both been have asked to appear before the disciplinary committee.

Turning to PAS, TheStarOnline also reports that:

“Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad has been suspended for six months as Shah Alam PAS chief and member of the party’s political bureau by the PAS discipline committee. The committee also decided to issue a written warning to Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali”.

Then you have the feud within PKR between Zaid Ibrahim and the other MP with Zaid criticizing PKR leadership for inaction against the other MP.  Now, both MPs apparently have been hauled before the PKR disciplinary committee! And Zahrain too.

Not along ago in October last year, you have PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who urged for the holding of a special muktamar because he feels that:

“This time, I strongly believe that there is a need to replace the main players occupying the national PAS leadership posts,” said the Kelantan Mentri Besar.

 And until today, Pakatan Rakyat is not a registered entity.

These events make voters wonder how PR is ever going to position itself as the alternative government with one crisis after another within and between themselves.

Maybe all these will spring political surprises by the middle of next month???

Peace!

Human Beings, Born Free and Equal –My Quranic Perspective (Part 1)

by: Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos

[Image thanks to here]

"When we say that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity we mean that every human being has to have the same opportunity in life, example: in getting a job, education, or attaining resources necessary for life.

The honor and appointment of human beings as trustees by God

Surah At-Tin verse 4 of the Quran says:

“Verily, We created humans (insanaa) in the best stature (taqwim) (mould)” (Quran: 95: 4)

The word “insanaa” refers to all human beings and not to any one specific individual or groups of individuals".

You may continue reading it here.

Peace !

Is Tun Mahathir off his rockers with his 911 disbelief??

Image thanks to J.McMicheal

Obviously, we all feel for the victims of the World Trade Center and what happened should not have happened. Innocent lives should not be taken. Whoever is responsible must be punished and it is important to find out WHO is responsible. At the very least, we will know how to deal with them in the future to avoid such horrible calamities.

Before you are with or against Tun Mahathir on the issue, you may find the following informative reading:

MUSLIMS SUSPEND THE LAW OF PHYSICS!

There are many more alternative views on what actually happened at the World Trade Center. But considering them may be a waste of time as surely, George W Bush  cannot be a lair!

Bush aside, you may want to watch this too (look at the way it collapses):


Peace !

ALLAH – TRUTH, HONESTY AND MOTIVES

By Ceylonese Lawyer

I view the current impasse with the eyes of men and not angles or Prophets of which I am not one and will never be one.

Where is the eye of the storm?

Charles Santiago has expressed the learned view that “On Friday, Malaysia sent a strong message to the world”. I wonder on what basis he concluded that this was a signal from “Malaysia” to “the World”. It may be that media groups, especially those from abroad and liberal blogs may wish to convey such a perception, but that is certainly not a signal that I or many, many Malaysians have sent to anyone. Yet from one partly burnt Church and a number of other paint and other such attacks he concludes that 52 years of , “nation building and national unity is in tatters” and to my surprise he went on to conclude that “Malaysians are now living in fear of a racial clash following the church attacks and rising orthodox Islamic tones in the country”.

Would he not have felt that when Anwar filed an application in the Syariah Court to require his accuser to produce 4 eye witnesses for an offence of sodomy, that Malaysia and a man holding himself out as its future leader was now requiring every other victim of rape and incest to produce 4 witnesses to confirm the commission of an offence against the victim? Would he not consider that this may well result in victims of rape etc being subject to such “orthodox” means of prosecution.

What signal did America send the world when a multi-billion dollar corporation waged a legal battle against a humble curry house over the use of two alphabets – “Mc”?

The manner in which the truth has been slanted in the interests of political expedience is both shocking and offensive and the fact that Members of Parliament like Charles Santiago have chosen to associate the actions of a few within the country as a whole, without an honest and credible attempt to draw attention to the overwhelming tolerance that prevails up and down this Nation which saw the unprecedented scenes of Muslim Youth taking to the streets to patrol the Churches of their Christian brethren – is an omission that cries for answers . The conduct of these members of the opposition is in stark contrast with that of the late Robert Kennedy who on the night of Martin Luther King’s murder was quick to sooth the tempers that were flaring in America but swiftly acknowledging that while the murderer was a white American his motivations did not represent America. Such was a leader who was prepared to sacrifice short term political mileage for long term national unity.

This storm did not arise from a debate on the broad based acceptance of the term "Allah" as the accepted alternative for God in a Bahasa Malaysia text, where one group left the debate hall and started a street protest. The flames of anger that have been unleashed seem to have engulfed a large number of people, many of whom may not be bestowed with theological depth or acumen. Many are simple men and women who have practiced the faith of the fathers in between leading harsh and challenging lives month to month in growing adversity that life has come to offer us.

Yet, the point that cannot be missed is the disproportionate reaction on the part of the Catholic Church from day one, which many seem to have forgotten. Let us put this matter into context. In recent years, all branches of the Government both Federal and State have taken concerted steps to reach out to the faiths of this Nation. The Archbishop was honoured with a Tan Sri ship, dignitaries openly visited Churches and questioned the past taboos over the construction of places of worship for Christians.

Against this back ground a single decision over the use of a single word emerged. It was about using "Tuhan" in a Bahasa Malaysia publication instead of the Arabic world "Allah".

What was the implication of this?

Its implication was that some cosmetic change was required in the printed publication. There is no indication of any step being taken to interfere with daily speech or sermons. There was no stoppage of the right to worship or any other such restriction. Yet the entire Christian movement reacted as if their entire faith was under siege or that their very freedom to worship rested upon their ability to pray in the name of Allah. Thus what came to be, was not just the Court case. It had gained momentum through all the steps that were being taken outside Court, at conferences and in the Blogs which turned this into a battle that was greater than the mere regulation of printed publications.

I personally could not help but feel that that this case had became a vengence for those who were disgruntled over the losses in Lina Joy and other such cases.

Therefore one extreme reaction has regrettably provoked another. The counter reaction allegedly by angry Muslims is likewise not rooted in any logical threat that they face towards their faith or proportion thereto. But rather a sense of siege or a feeling that one's faith is about to be diluted by what could now be a liberal and undignified use of the name "Allah".

It is important to bring this issue back into its original focus and that is to say - what is the prejudice that the Catholic Church will suffer from the substitution of this one word? Will it truly offend their freedom to practice their faith? How honest is that contention when the term "Allah" has never been used by any of the Princes of St Peter to describe their Lord?

A measure of honesty is necessary in order to come to terms with this. Today we suddenly see the liberal pockets of the non-Malay community and Malay community defending what they regard as the innocent translation of God to "Allah". We are told that the logic of its liberal use lies in the use of the phrase "Allah Lanjutkan Usia Tuanku" on arches and advertisements. We are told that the term has been in use even before. Could that be the answer? How honest is it? Let us test it. Would Christians accept the demolition of their places of worship on the premise that those committing those acts were acting in consonance with the one of the 10 Commandments which decries the making of "graven images". These are some of the complexities one may encounter when one tries to take unilateral steps in apparent reconciliation with some isolated aspects of another's faith.

With all the water that has passed under the bridge let us search our souls and our conscience. If not for this issue, had the use of the term "Allah" originated elsewhere, for example - had school textbooks used the term "Allah" instead of God on the same pretext as what is being urged by the Church in this case, would the response have been as accommodating as what we now encounter ? Would this not have led to a national outcry of alleged insensitivity and such like.

There is blame to be shared all around in this incident. The Government should perhaps have acted in a more consultative manner. Well, it is better late than never. Nazri has proposed a solution which preserves the status quo. It permits Church Publications in East Malaysia to use the term ”Allah” as they have previously but for those in Peninsular Malaysia to observe the status quo where Allah will remaining the exclusive domain of the Muslim community. Yet we are told by a Malaysiakini reporter Joe Fernandez that – “Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak appear to be generally shell-shocked by the federal government conceding last Thursday on the use of the term Allah for God by Christians in Malay print but only in the two states.”

“Those who have ventured forth with their responses in the other Malaysia generally appear upset with the "half solution" put forward on the Allah row now in court.”

Has Joe been to east Malaysia. What kind of survey would he have conducted barely two days after Nazri’s announcement ?

His comments confirm that the East Malaysian states have been used as no more than Trojan Horses in the real and ulterior quest to liberalize the use of Allah’s name for reasons that are unrelated to past practice, language accuracy and much less – translation. It is evident that the fight is not really over the right of East Malaysians to worship their Lord in the name he has been called for the past 300 years. It is a different fight the reasons for which are best left to imagination.

What is clear is that the issue is being used in order to discredit the Government and to drive fear into the hearts of Malaysians, that somehow their very right to practice their faith is now under threat. Such a threat does not exist and hence the valiant efforts by every other member of the Opposition to stroke fear and insecurity into the minds of people. 

It is a matter of regret that few have stood up to the defence of UMNO and Utusan for that matter, in the face of how they have been blamed for this incident without evidence, proof or conviction. Should they not be allowed the decency of the presumption of innocence? Or is this a signal that PKR is sending to the world, that in their government, people may be held guilty and convicted based on populist sentiment. Had the situation been in the reserve, if the Government had placed similar blame on the opposition, the Bar or Raja Petra- would there not be faced with an out cry?

It is interesting to see that there are today suddenly quarters of the population who now cry for respect to be given to the judgment of the Court until the hearing of the appeal. But where was that respect before? Did the opposition respect the rulings of the Court when they did not favor Anwar, Nizar etc. Did they not take matters into their own hands through protests, head bands, suspension of assemblymen etc? Of course they would say that these were spontaneous and unrelated acts which they knew nothing about. After all Nizar claims not to know anything about the cross over of Assemblymen or the loss of his majority when he sought the audience of the Sultan. Did not the most dignified members of society, the Bar etc stand silent or lend their support to this. Have not the blogs continued to cheer pro-opposition High Court decisions and to denounce the Court of Appeal even before the appeals therefrom were heard? 

Therefore while the episode indicates to me that all sides need to have more faith in their faith, the honesty with which much of this debate is being peddled must be examined.

Where do we go from here? Firm leadership is required. The Government must make its position clear and it must reconcile that position with the fact that it does not in any way affect one’s right of free worship. A time frame must be set for reconciliation and if quarters continue to stroke the flames of hatred, then it becomes the role of this Government to exercise the powers available to it to restore peace and stability. I appreciate that the solution to issues such as this may not be readily apparent to those in the Prime Minister’s inner circle who are mostly Merchant Bankers and others from the professional elite. But it must be clear to all that if an issue of a racial or religious nature is stroked beyond a permissible boundary – the law will take its course. 

   

Ceylonese Lawyer

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This article is the personal opinion of the writer. RAPERA does not endorse the view unless specified.

Concept of Race a Myth forged on Humans!!!

Race is an arbitrary label that has no legitimacy. Therefore anything based on race, including racism and racial discrimination is unsound at best and immoral and inhumane at worst.

An interesting educational video to watch.



Quran: 49:13 "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)".

So, in God's eyes, the most honourable one is not the Malay, Chinese, Indian, German, French, etc, but the one who is most righteous.

Belief in the supremacy of a "race" and the "sanctity" of a particular "race" clearly goes against the teachings of the Quran. Racists, therefore are evil people who perpetuate a myth based on ignorance and/or selfish desires. Will God ever help the evil ones?

Peace !

LET THERE BE NO DOUBT THAT MALAYSIANS WANT PEACE!!!

Let there be doubt in the minds of irresponsible politicians and opportunists that Malaysians want peace and tranquility to prevail. There has simply been too many coincidental “sensitive issues” that appear to be stage – managed by some irresponsible quarters over the past years. This, whether true or not is the general perception. Malaysians, in general, have not fallen into this trap. Thank God.

Many ordinary Malaysians are already having a tough time trying to make ends meet in this slow and dampened economy. Many are worried about bank loans (who doesn’t have them?!) and monthly commitments that they have to service every month. All they want is for the Government to ensure a suitable, conducive social and economic environment where they can earn and bring back bread for their families.  This certainly is not too much for the voters/citizens to ask.

Politics and struggle for political power MUST take back stage. Peace is paramount.

I have reason to believe that our IGP, Tan Sri Musa Hassan has his hands full and is trying his best to police the country’s security so that Malaysians can peacefully sleep and wake up the next day for work. I pray that the politicians leave him alone to do his work.

Again, politics MUST take backstage.

Is it very difficult to understand? – the Rakyat is actually fed up of hearing politicians’ braying. They want action, responsible action in the form of good deeds.

Please less theatrics, polemics and political gymnastics. Don’t you fear the wrath of God on you or your family????

Then start serving the Rakyat that has placed trust and hope on you. Please!

Peace !

THE LEARNING ZONE

By Osman Hj. Kamaluddin


When you are learning, always make sure that you are in the Learning Zone and this is very important. The Learning Zone usually means that the difficulties that you encounter during learning ‘matches’ your abilities and/or knowledge. If this happens, then you are safe and you will keep on learning. However, do beware of the 2 Danger Zones in learning. There are namely, the ‘Drowning’ Zone and the ‘Slumber’ Zone!

The ‘Drowning’ Zone

This is when the difficulties you encounter during learning are greater than that of your abilities and/or knowledge. When this happen, you would be completely stuck and do not know what to do next! You might feel anxious or helpless! If you are in this zone and do not do anything, then your learning would stop there. So what to do? WELL, GET HELP!

Ask yourself, what other resources do you need? Maybe, you need to get more information! Ask someone to assist you! BOTTOM LINE, PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO ‘IMPROVE’ YOUR ABILITIES AND/OR KNOWLEDGE SO THAT YOU ‘OVERCOME’ THE DIFFICULTIES THAT YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED! ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THIS, THEN YOU ARE BACK TO THE LEARNING ZONE!


The ‘Slumber’ Zone

When your abilities and/or knowledge are greater than the difficulties encountered during learning, when all seems too easy and you can do it with one arm tied behind your back, then you will enter into this zone. You are not ‘stretched’ enough and might feel bored or uninvolved. Your learning would stop again here. So, what to do? IT MAY BE (MAY BE ONLY!), THAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO LEARN THAT SKILL AFTER ALL! ON THE OTHER HAND, GO FOR MORE DIFFICULT/CHALLENGING SKILLS/TASKS OR SET YOURSELF FURTHER ACHIEVEMENT TARGETS. IF THIS IS DONE, THEN YOU ARE ON THE LEARNING ZONE TRACKS!

When you have the abilities/knowledge and when you always feel alert or curious, when you can manage to stay in the Learning Zone and avoid the Danger Zones, then LEARNING WOULD BE REWARDING AND ENJOYABLE!

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Osman Hj. Kamaluddin is a marine surveyor who has for the past many years researched and observed on accelerated learning techniques. He is also a Certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) & NLP Coaching.

Ya Allah, I am so pained!

Ya Allah,

I apologize that I have to ‘pray’now to You though I should know that You already know what is in my heart. Maybe because I was born strong but I grew up weaker within the system that I have grown up in. Maybe I just need to write this to myself so that I can remember and repent too.

I know Allah that You have created us all out of love and to serve You in this temporary life before we are called back to You to live eternally. I do believe that You have “spoken” to us all through time through diverse languages. I do know also that You have not stopped giving us the signs and the brains to read them. But are we willing?

You have explained in great detail in the Quran about human nature and how we should live it.  But many, Oh God have forsaken Your Quran and Your scriptures.  Many.

You have been sending messages all though time through so many Messengers. Everyone wants to OWN the names of the Messengers for themselves while leaving behind their teachings. In the Messengers’ names, many lies have been created to further the liars’ selfish needs. Hence misery, division and enmity are evident when actually in the hearts of the believers it is LOVE that should prevail.

Many too, God, have erected idols besides you and worship these idols more than serve You. These idols come in the form of priests, scholars, politicians, wealth, families, self ego, glory, power, race, religion, fear, etc, etc..

Ya Allah, it is these idols that many worship today and think them real.  Even though often, these idols have failed them miserably yet they scream, shout, plunder and even kill to protect them but alas, in Your name.  The system, O Allah, is so perverted that evil is considered good and good is considered evil. Most are confused.

Do we not deserve a saviour or are we doomed? Have we strayed so far off Your Path?

But isn’t LOVE and JUSTICE the core of your teaching?

I cannot understand Ya Allah, why do they not use LOVE as the basis of inviting people to Your Path?  Do they not claim to Love You?

What can this one helpless slave of Yours do? I know it may even be arrogance to ask this. But forgive me My Lord, O Allah, O God, O Creator, in my eyes, I am the weakest and most sinful mortal that I can think of.  Being so weak and so sinful, I have no where else to turn but You. Please continue to guide me to be useful or just take me back as You will. The world is, after all, Yours as it has always been. It truly pains my heart to see so much vested interest floating around spurning more misery for the children of today who will have to inherit this earth soon.

I cannot even stop my tears from flowing as I write this. Forgive me My Lord, My Allah, My Creator.

Peace !

Are we Giving Up our Nation to Our Enemies?

I have been asked by many friends to write something on the current issue that seems to have engulfed the nation.

What can I write that sane, knowledgeable, rational people do not know already?

What can I write that I have not already forewarned my friends who are in power (on both sides of the political fence) today many years back? They did not understand then, will they understand now? I doubt it.

Those who do not want to understand will not want to understand.

Such nonsense is precisely what is symbolized by the  theme of this blog - "politicians are really irrelevant to peaceful living, etc".

The greater fear is this (and I believe it so): that the nonsense among us will be used and abused by our real enemies to further cause turmoil in the country.

I actually refuse to write on the so-called topic as I had earlier refused to wish anyone a "Happy New year". See, what has happened and what more will happen so long as those in power refuse to confront fundamentals. Everyone of them I speak to are only parroting old models of handling problems at the peripherals...and thinking it is outside the box simply because of change in terms and form! So, how?

I am even more convinced now than ever that Raperas are urgently needed. 

We truly need the Third Force because looking at the current flock, one wonders - how far does the apple fall from the tree????

May God keep the good people at peace  and give the evil people their due rewards.

Peace !