Malaysia is a Muslim country, where already most forms of betting/ gambling are allowed. In non-Muslim countries like Thailand, Vietnam, India and even China, a much stricter and restrictive approach is taken in legitimising gambling, in any form.
A quick and pertinent snapshot to what gambling are already given licence in Malaysia:-
Type
Predominant Players/ Patrons
(Income Group)
1.Casino
Upper Middle & Middle
2.Jackpots
Middle
3.Horse Racing
All
4.Numbers & Lotto betting
Middle-Low & Low
5.Sports betting (if allowed)
All, including Youths
For the numbers and lotto betting (i.e. magnum 4-D, 1+3D, Toto), it is estimated that, at least 50% - 60% are patronized by the non-Chinese. So, the argument by an ex-PM, that it is OK to legitimise sports betting (for the Chinese, as claimed), does not hold water. And it is precarious, if one extends the argument that, since sports gambling is happening anyway (i.e. illegally) we might as well legitimise it, to other misdeeds in society (like snatch thefts, robbery, rape, etc.).
It does appear (over the last two weeks) that concerted and ‘orchestrated’ efforts were made (by Police, political leaders and parties) to bring to the fore on activities of illegal sports (especially football) bookies. But we all know these activities have been going on for years. Suddenly now (in the midst of a company attempting to get a licence to operate sports betting), there is a frenzy to show the dark side of illegal gambling. Off course, suspicions are abound that monetary considerations must have taken place to spur and shift public opinion to support the move to legitimise sports gambling.
It is perhaps alright for Singapore to legitimise sports betting, as it is, by and large, a middle class nation. One can argue that their populace can afford it. Already our country’s financial and competitive position does not appear strong and in need of dire turnaround. Now, the Government is making an initiative that will further impoverish our populace (mostly the middle-low and low income group), and enriching only a set of already highly-privileged tycoons. Not that the Government is contemplating to increase its taxes on gambling, so that a more sizeable chunk can be channelled back to the citizenry (assuming there is genuineness to do this).
Seriously, Government should make efforts to check and verify, on who patronizes all the various gambling outfits and joints in Malaysia, and see whether it is actually predominantly the Chinese who are gambling or the entire spectrum of Malaysians.
One also wonders, how come the Malaysian ‘ulamaks’ are very tight-lipped over this whole issue of legitimising sports gambling.
It is high-time that the ruling parties running this beloved country of ours, start pondering about new models/ paradigms of getting political funding. If we want to achieve a First Nation status (as envisioned in the NEM), lets start legitimising political funding first. The Westerners and other developed countries have done this. This would be a crucial step in turning-around Malaysia, in particular to avoid and stop repeating our wastages of the past.
As a Muslim country, Malaysia should not be overzealously legitimising gambling. Those existing are already superfluous and bad enough. We all know gambling is one of the root causes of social ills. Government cannot be seen to be supporting this kind of eventual outcome. There are other ways for countries to earn more. For us, address the leakages out of unnecessary expenditures, mismanagement of income sources from GLCs, Inland Revenue and Customs. These ought to be the focus and priority.
“Malaysia will be bankrupt by 2019 if it does not cut subsidies and rein in borrowings, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala on Thursday”.
It appears that at target to prevent the “bankruptcy of the Nation” would be to rationalize the subsidies. It is basic that subsidies are costs to the Nation and like every cost, it has to be evaluated and brought down where possible to reduce the deficit and debts faced by our country.
However, there are a few points that the Government experts should look into and bear in mind:
a)Subsidies cannot be looked upon as costs in the same manner as we do in the private sector.
Sure, it is equally basic that subsidies distort market mechanisms. In fact, it is precisely due to the fact that market mechanisms do not allow the goods and services to be allocated to target groups that subsidies are introduced in the first place. Hence, free market arguments or so-called efficient allocations of resources cannot be the sole argument for or against subsidies.
Subsidies are costs but unlike the private sector it is not a cost incurred in the process of profit maximization. Private sectors primary motive is to maximize profits and hence they will be geared towards keeping costs at its minimum – even to the extent of retrenching workers (destroying homes) or ‘maximising productivity” of its existing workers (capitalistic oppression).
The purpose of Government is not the maximization of profits but the maximization of the citizen’s general welfare. This is something I pray that the clever advisers of the Government with their corporate background keep uppermost in their minds. It is not a mere question of statistics and economic theories. Corporate thinking and Government thinking should in many instances be different. Let us not get carried away with this new slogan of “corporate values” in the Government while we acknowledge it has its relevance!
While in the private sector, we try to minimize “unproductive costs”, the same costs may actually be social costs that are necessary for the maximization of the citizens’ general welfare. For example, if Government schools are left to market mechanism, the majority of the people will be priced out of education.We will become a Nation of illiterates. Hence, we recognize that subsidization of education is something we have to bear and we have to find the funds needed. This is one sector I think any responsible government should not compromise.
While subsidies increase Government expenditure, it also increases the standard of living of the people. Therefore, any reduction is subsidy will have an impact on the living standard. This is a tradeoff which we must carefully consider before getting carried away with numbers and statistics.
b)Which subsidies to reduce or do away?
I am actually ashamed that despite the blessings that God has given this Nation, we are still unable to provide completely free education to all Malaysians, irrespective of race or religion. Obviously this is so because of the leakages (corrupt monies hoarded by…) and misallocation of resources towards projects that do not directly affect the people’s general standard of living.
It is critically important that the Government does not cut on subsidies that will further burden the general populace in order to free the resources towards other grand but wasteful projects. This is my real fear having seen the way we have developed Malaysia since Merdeka. I am not denying we have not developed. Yes, we have. But we could have developed in better ways and at less inflated costs. I have never been for the module of giving the people RM10 and the project owner making RM100. Such things are, in my Muslim mind, riba or usury. Government projects, due to its guaranteed payments should be costing much less, actually.
Briefly, it is important to carefully determine which subsidies that will be the target of ratinalisation.
c)Existence of subsidies may actually encourage economic activity
The existence of subsidies actually keeps the general costs of doing business low in the sense that it keeps the costs of living low. On the contrary, the removal of subsidies will raise costs of production and will make Malaysia unattractive towards investments. This is primarily because, the removal of subsidies will eventually cause a rise in the general price levels, even causing inflationary tendencies in the economy. Imagine if petrol prices are raised, it will certain cause almost all other prices to increase. This in turn will increase the cost of living leading to people seeking higher wages.
Hence, the existence of subsidies actually keep the costs of production low, making investments attractive and thereby providing the opportunity for higher increase in the national income.
Therefore it is misplaced to view subsidies in isolation as if there is no increase in GDP and then conclude that it will bankrupt the Nation.
d)Have we explored other ways to reduce costs and/or raise funds?
Basically, the idea of removing subsidies is to free resources/funds to other sectors. I believe a lot of resources can be positively channeled and funds “saved” if the Government was to seriously focus on the following:
(a)Reduce the size of the civil service by 50%. There is too much duplication and wastage of tax payer’s monies in this sector. After the reduction, it may even be worthwhile to increase the remuneration of some of the civil servants.
(b)Wage an all out war against leakages (corruption, etc)
(c)The Government should seriously consider passing a law that enables the Government to recoup ill-gotten money by the culprits over the past 30 years or so. This will not be difficult to ascertain. I believe by this exercise alone, we should be able to recoup billions. Maybe a Recovery of People’s Assets Act is in order. However, this will require political will as it will largely involve politicians and their cronies.
(d)Focus on economic activities that will uplift the living standards of the middle class and raise incomes all around. For the lower middle income, loosen up on licensing requirements to encourage the growth of small businesses or cottage industries.
(e)I am absolutely certain that the Rakyat is fully aware of certain “sectors” that unnecessarily and unproductively taxing on the Government funds, whether at the Federal or State level. The Government must have the courage to address these sectors and pull away the funds.
When I got hold of this book, I thought it will be a heavy reading book that will delve deeply into the Quran. I was wrong. It is an easy reading book into the journey of Anas Zubedy, the author. He recollects his childhood, the people and the things that have influenced him, including the Quran as he grew up.
He writes in such a way that you end up feeling that you are with him as he recounts those moments. It is like a live broadcast. It is a very personal book and a good insight into the life a Malaysian Muslim. Reading the book, you can feel Anas’s honesty in the relating his past events. Some of his experiences are touching and the more sensitive reader may shed a tear or two when reading one of his chapters. The book is also a reminder that youths can be sensitive though adults may take them for granted.
I was impressed with the quality of the paper and the effort made to make the book “light and easy” spiced with expressive photographs.
This book was launched last week and I believe it is available in all major bookshops.
The majority of us are ordinary citizens. Ordinary in the sense that we go about our own lives without much influence on the system that surrounds us. However, with every turn, our lives are affected by the system we live in. Let me make myself clear by giving an example.
It can be a very simple thing like: - you want to start a small business because you want to support your family and earn an income. Having registered your business, you now may want to apply for the relevant permits or licences. This application process should be a simple and routine process. The relevant authorizing officer should simply ascertain whether your application complies with the law. If all requirements under the law are complied, then, the application should be expeditiously approved. If there are any shortcomings, he should advise you to rectify the same. After all, civil servants are supposed to be civil and “servants” of the Rakyat.
However, do things always go according to what I have described above?
You may meet an officer who wants to be taken “care of” before he can “speed up” or even approve your application. You are in a dilemma. You are starting a business because you need income to live but you have to pay toll first. You also know that the request is immoral and illegal because it is corruption. You get frustrated, maybe angry but you realize you need the licence.
You have bills to pay. You have a family to support. You have to find money to live because God has given you a life. So, you need the licence or permit. All you want is to do a business and earn honestly. But the system seems to oppress you and prevent you from doing so.
So, you weigh your options. You can report the officer to his superiors. But will the superior protect his officer and put you into trouble instead, your mind worries. All you want is just the licence or permit. Maybe you should report the officer to the MACC, you wonder. But all you want is just the licence, your mind insists. Further, you are concerned about “how to prove”. It is just your word. You are also concerned that your application for the licence may be further jeopardized. In this country, we still do not have an Act to protect whistle blowers adequately.
You may also consider the last option of doing your business without the licence – illegally and run the risk of “greasing” enforcement officers instead. Or finally, you may decide to forget about the licence application and tell your family that they just have to starve.
Someone comes along and suggests that you get a letter of recommendation from some MP or Adun or better still from a political secretary to a Minister. They tell you that the “surat sokongan” will help. You do it and go back to the officer. Two things may happen: 1) he asks you how much you paid the political secretary for the letter (you didn’t pay but he does not believe you anyway!) and/or 2) he still insists on his toll payment which you refuse and/or 3) Your application is “considered” and rejected though you comply with all the requirements of the law.
You go back home and tell your kids that papa cannot afford to support them since the government does not give him the licence to start a business. They and your relatives begin to hate the government whom you now see as wanting your family to suffer. Your kids ask what wrong have they done. You have no answer. It is the system that YOU have allowed to evolve.
I am not exaggerating here. Over the years, I have heard these complaints so many times from low and lower middle income people who want to start a small business honestly. I have offered to pursue the matter but most of them are afraid. It also does not help that some of the complainants are Malays because the oppressive officer is also a Malay.
It is such stories that have convinced me that corrupt and evil people come in all skin colors and labels. They eat the flesh of the weaker ones from any tribe including their own to satisfy their evil and selfish desires. This is why I have always maintained that tribalistic mentality is not good for the majority weaker ones in the tribe. Racism is a cover to exploit one’s own race and spread hatred.
You can apply the above story to every aspect of your life – every single government department, agency, the so called Courts of justice, etc, etc. There are rotten people everywhere. However, not all become unjust due to money. There are other motivations or reasons – friendships, pure laziness, indifference, arrogance, etc, etc. The effect is: you are inflicted with injustice and you feel powerless to do anything about it. You feel alone in the fight.
The system should work. It should work for the People. We have to study the system and rectify its weakness so that ordinary people are not being pushed around, bullied and oppressed. People must insist that they too have a dignity that must be respected and recognized.
If you have a high sense of dignity and refuse to be cowed by people in seeming power lording over you unjustly, what do you do? You know there will be risks in opposing these people because even other citizens may not support you. Citizens tend to be selfish. “Not my problem”, may be their mindset.
I am sure many times, you may have wanted to take the law into your own hands and “get justice”. Inflict a pain on the oppressors. Make them suffer as they make you and your family suffer. However, such an approach will not solve the problem in the long run. It may also get you into problems with the law.
So, if you are a Rapera – what would you do??? What would you do????
What I know is that a single voice is never loud enough to be heard.
Please give me your comments on issues dear to you. I will be publishing a book soon and will like to include your ideas, comments and thoughts in them. In this case, it will be difficult to include comments posted under "anonymous" as I want to credit you.
Sorry for not blogging for some time...been extremely busy!
Santim recalls the evening whence he was not sure if he had been sleeping or awake and heard these voices :
Give me Life, Lord.
[and what will you do if you are given one?]
I want to breathe, experience humanity. I want to taste its joys, sorrows, pain, happiness and all that temporal experiences that is called “life on earth”.
I recall the good old days where you can sit down with the DPP (deputy public prosecutor) and discuss with him the case he is handling. As a lawyer, you can open up the evidence that you have with him and then write a letter of representation to him. A letter of representation is where you advance you client’s case and put forward proposals like – to withdraw the charge against your client on various cogent reasons, or to plead to a lesser offence, etc. Such a representation saves everybody’s time and tax payers’ money. Justice is also done. Those days, the DPP who handles the matter decides. Today, it appears the situation is different.
Today it appears that some DPPs are merely prosecuting officers in Court. They do not seem to have the powers to decide how to conduct the case with which they are entrusted. Or maybe they fear writing a report or recommendation to the Public Prosecutor that the charge should be withdrawn.
For example, in those days, if in the middle of a trial, the evidence clearly shows that the case is completely unsustainable, it not uncommon for the charge to be withdrawn. This is a power clearly given to the Public Prosecutor pursuant to section 254 of the CPC (see also section 354 CPC and Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution.
It is very simple. If the evidence for the prosecution is weak or cannot support the charge, then withdraw the case. These provisions are in the law books for the purpose of ensuring justice and not there for mere decoration.
However, I have personally known some of my clients to experience injustice because the DPP does not seem to understand the purpose of these provisions. Today too, you have too many new, inexperienced and young DPPs who actually say: “My boss wants me to continue”!
It really troubles me when I have an innocent client being charged in court for offences that he did not commit. It makes me wonder whether the DPPs concerned have actually verified the evidence given to them by the police before they recommend for the person to be charged. I wonder if the same lackadaisical attitude will prevail if their own family member is the one being charged.
I have a particular case where my client went through 5 years of hell, broken home and devastated business because he had to undergo a trial in which he was clearly innocent. Of course, he was finally acquitted and discharged – meaning he was found innocent by the Court. Though found innocent, can the courts or the police or the prosecution give my client back parts of his life that they took away? To them, it is just another file closed. In fact in this case, the Court found that the prosecution had indeed suppressed evidence that was favorable to the defence! This case should never have gone to court at all.
This, to my mind is clearly persecution and not prosecution.
I cannot understand the mentality of some of these new DPPs who think of prosecution as a job that must be done under the direction of their seniors. It is more than a job – it is a duty and responsibility to ensure justice. You are dealing with real lives. You only prosecute on behalf of the People to ensure justice. If it is the seniors that are directing, then the senior should come to court. Be transparent. Make it official so that there is a face to the instructions being given. AT least the defence lawyer will know which senior to hold accountable for the decisions being made.
I can understand that inexperienced DPPs need to learn. However, this learning should not be at the expense of the innocent public or the tax payer’s money. I even tell my own staff that whatever “learning” they want to do, do it on their own time and expense!
To me it is important that the quality of the prosecution be raised. Prosecution often results in the deprivation of someone’s liberty and thus it must be done carefully and judiciously. It is also important that the prosecution maintains an open communication line with the relevant practicing lawyers.
Prosecution is an important part of the justice system and hence Raperas must be sensitive to their level of standards.
[Note: This article is intended to highlight specific problems addressed in the article and not a scathing criticism of ALL DPPs. I personally know some exemplary ones.]
I tried very hard not to write about this. I have more important things to do and trials are really taking up my time. But, I find it so annoying that I have pen down my thoughts. I am talking about a statement apparently made by “Wira” Datuk Ibrahim Ali, the Perkasa President.
“Amat wajar kerajaan tangguh dulu apa jua peruntukan dan kelulusan kepada masyarakat kaum Cina, terutama desakan-desakan MCA dan Gerakan kerana jelas masyarakat Cina di Hulu Selangor serta India tidak menyokong BN.
“Mereka langsung tidak hargai apa yang diberi oleh kerajaan BN walaupun kerajaan BN terpaksa mengguris hati orang Melayu dan Bumiputera,” kata Ibrahim yang juga Ahli Parlimen Bebas Pasir Mas mengulas keputusan malam tadi yang memihak BN tetapi majoriti cuma 1,725 undi.
In fact the Perkasa website proudly publishes his statement:
“It is necessary for the government to delay any allocation andapproval of projects for the Chinese community,” said Ibrahim in a statement responding to the by-election result”.
If you know Ibrahim Ali personally, it is not mind boggling that he may say something like that. However, since he is the President of Perkasa and Perkasa markets itself as representing the “interests” of Malays, such a comment cannot go uncommented. Malays are Muslims or at least they are supposed to be constitutionally.
So, here you have a Malay Muslim leader of an NGO which is largely made up of Malay Muslims asking the Government to delay allocations and approvals to the Chinese community of Hulu Selangor. When Ibrahim Ali made this statement, was he thinking of the following (maybe he can clarify if he is reading this blog):
1)The withholding of projects to the Chinese community – does that include the Chinese Muslim too, if any? Or does that not matter?
“O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do”. (Quran: 5:8)
2)Does he not know that the Honourable Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib is working hard at his 1Malaysia policy, which this blog supports? Was he trying to throw a spanner into the policy which in principle is consistent with the Quran???
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude God's favour on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brothers; and you were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth God make His Signs clear to you: That you may be guided”. (Quran:3.103)
3)Where in the Quran does it teach to discriminate against people based on race and political affiliations?
“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). (Quran: 49:13)
4)Does he not know that the Government’s money is the Rakyat’s money? It is not any political party’s money? And if it is approved, that means there is a promise made. Promises must be upheld right?
“God does command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when you judge between man and man, that you judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! For God is He Who hears and sees all things. (Quran: 4:58)
5)I wonder, if the Chinese community are considered “ungrateful” because according to him, they did not support the Government…he left UMNO to contest as an independent ! SO…that makes him….???
“So eat of the sustenance which God has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favours of God, if it is He Whom you serve”. (Quran: 16.114)
6)Is it not possible to fight for “Malay rights” without being unjust to non-Malays? I am sure it is very possible.
I am sure the majority of the Perkasa members, being Muslims will not support his strategy of denying Chinese families and their children, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, etc what is due to them. I know many of my friends in Perkasa did not like this statement. As expected our Prime Minister did not find Ibrahim Ali’s statement persuasive at all !
The International Movement for a Just World (JUST) welcomes the probe by four bodies into the allegations made by Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, about Israeli agents infiltrating Bukit Aman.
Infiltration by any foreign agent or element into the sanctum sanctorum of a nation’s internal security system --- the nation’s police force--- is a grave violation of its national sovereignty and integrity. When that infiltration has been allegedly carried out by agents of a state with whom Malaysia has no diplomatic relations, the matter assumes even greater seriousness.
This is why one hopes that the probe being conducted by the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the National Security Council and a parliamentary select committee, will be thorough and detailed. The whole truth should be made known to the public. Once the probe is completed, the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, should make a comprehensive Ministerial Statement in parliament.
Total transparency and accountability is particularly critical in this instance because the allegations have come from an individual who has close and extensive ties with leading champions of Israeli and Zionist interests in politics, in finance, in the media, and in tertiary education. No other Malaysian politician has forged such a relationship with individuals of the likes of Paul Wolfowitz, the former US Secretary of Defence and ex- President of the World Bank, who fervently believes that Israeli military dominance and power in the Middle East serves US interests. One of the principal advocates of the invasion and occupation of Iraq in furtherance of Israeli goals in the region, Wolfowitz was described by Anwar as his “great friend,” a person in whom he has “faith,” in a speech in the US on 19 June 2006.
Why should a man with such links want to expose so-called Israeli infiltration into our police force? Is it because he is trying to regain support from his Malay-Muslim constituency--- a constituency that has become increasingly disillusioned with his politics? Is it an attempt to divert attention from his sodomy trial which may raise questions about his moral conduct? Or, is it because Anwar is incensed that a Washington lobbyist and public relations corporation by the name of Apco--- with quite a few former Israeli diplomats and retired military chieftains on its advisory panel--- has managed to turn the tables on him, and has succeeded in projecting a positive image of Prime Minister Mohd Najib and the Malaysian government in the US and elsewhere?
Whatever the motive, the four party probe should be able to provide us with some answers.
“Let me tell you this. And listen carefully. Forget your idealism if you want to be counted. Forget your ideals and your quest for a just society. All this is mere talk and waste of time. You are being irresponsible to yourself and your family. They need you. They are the ones that care for you. Not the masses called “the People”.
Do you really think people care that you are fighting for their well beings and rights? Who are you? What can you do alone or with your friends? All you people can do is just hold seminars, give talks, maybe demonstrate once in a while and the what? The world does not change at all. You and your friends will still be where you all are - forever struggling in life. Look at me. I just have to be master.
Look at me. I am a capitalist. I am in politics. I have a party behind me. I have power and wealth. I have the whole system behind me. I have the networks. I can do more good than you can ever dream of.
Come on. Give up your childish dreams and join me. Support me. I can make you rich and make you respectable. The people only know only thing – their own selfish need to survive. They too want to feel useful and important. I will teach you the secret to make yourself a lord over them. Do not be a foolish candle and burn your self. They will simply replace you with another candle. They will never be a candle themselves. So, why should you?
Do you know that to be the lord, you must have subjects? They must forever need you and know that only you can make a difference in their miserable lives. You must forever be above them and they, forever beneath you.
Enrich them, but make sure that they are never too rich such that they no longer need you. Help them enough such that it is just enough. They will have to come to you for help. That is important. That’s where you have power. You become indispensable and respectable to them.
Give them fishes but never teach them to fish. If you teach them to fish, that will raise their dignity to live independently. Do not do that. Dignity is only for you, the master. Not for the people, the masses, the subjects. Every time they need a fish, they have to come to you. They will be willing to trade their human dignity for the fish. They will bestow upon you titles, give you more access to wealth that they do not understand and they will kiss your hands.
But make sure they are not too poor. Poor people have nothing to lose. They are so used to suffering and indignity, they may rise against you. That is not good. If you have to, make sure only a few are poor and make a show of helping them. It is excellent marketing for the image to make a show of helping the poor. It is simple actually…if you do not want to spend too much money, just visit them. Yes. Just a visit for 10 minutes will do much for your image as a leader. The people will hail you as a sensitive leader. Trust me. After 3 days, the poor folks will be forgotten and everyone will assume that you actually have helped them to live better.
So, why are you being such a fool? Why do you insist on doing what you are doing? Don’t you see that all your activities are a waste of your life? Think and be counted. Be like me. Be rich. Be powerful and be king in life.
What? You want people to think? Still being a fool aren’t you? The only thing they know is to admire others greater them in wealth and power. They like to be mesmerized. They enjoy being servants of the lord. I have made sure that they have no time to think. I have made them busy trying to live. I have engineered what information they should get.
People will not think. They will not want to sacrifice their precious time to think about what I am really doing. They have their daily living to struggle with.
People should just follow me. Not think. How many normal people get invited to give their views on important things? They are irrelevant. They have been trained to receive and listen. To be the obedient dog that wags its tail everytime the master comes. Do you want to be the dog or the master?
You cannot change the system. You do not have the power nor the wealth. I am the power. I am the wealth. I am the system. I count. You don’t.
People are fools and are meant to be so. You are one of them. So grovel at my feet for your own good so that I can give you a fish”.
Someone called Ranjin, I met from India told me this last year. Do not know how far it is true.. I’ll share with you the conversation I had with him anyway (as much as I can remember).
Ranjin: Brother, do you know that there is a unique village in India called Injapuram? It has a population of about 500,000 people. It is a very stable village and everything is organised. They believe in a religion called Marasmas. They have a holy book which they believe is divine originated called Marashgi and worship a god called Devadassi. They have a religious head called the MaraGuru whose word is law. Even the village committee which is elected every 3 years by the village has to get his approval on important things.
Me: Wow…never heard of Marasmas before. Where can I get a copy of the Marashgi? I am into inter-religious studies.
Ranjin: Well…I’ll try to get a copy of it when I get back to India. It is difficult to find a translation of it in English as the religion is limited to the village. The original Marasghi is written in a language called Sanurdu .. a mixture of Sanskrit and Urdu. In fact this language is no longer spoken anymore.
Me: Then how do the followers understand their holy book?
Ranjin: Well, the Marasmis, followers of the Marasmas religion, depend on their priests for the understanding of their book. You see, the MaraGuru is the head of a religious order made up of priests. These priests are experts in the religion of Marasmas and are in charge of all religious affairs from rituals to daily living rules. All the Maramis must follow everything that the priests say and whatever decrees that the MaraGuru may pronounce from time to time.
Me: You say must…what happens if a Maramis does not follow the decree? Ostracised..or pay a penalty or do penance?
Ranjin: No..no. In Injapuram, all the village laws are derived from the Marashgi. They are religious laws. If you stay and live in the village, you are subjected to it. If you do not like it, you have to migrate somewhere else. You can be punished if you break the religious law.
Me: Wow…a very religious village who takes Devadassi seriously. Can you give me an example of a punishment?
Ranjin: Well, blue and green is a holy color for the Marasmis as it represents heaven and earth. Every Thursday is their holy day where every Marasmis is obligated by law to wear only blue and green colours and drink only water until 9pm. If anyone wears any other colour, that is not only a sin but an offence as well. It is considered an insult to Devadassi.
Me: Really?? And what happens?
Ranjin: The offender may be flogged in public between 5 to 25 strokes depending on the frequency of the offence.
Me: For wearing the wrong colour???
Ranjin: No my friend…. for going against the religious teaching.
Me; You mean..all these years..no one has ever questioned that practice?
Ranjin: Uh uh. These are village idiots. Further more, it will be suicidal to do so.
Me: Name calling is not nice! But yes…I suppose…religion is a sensitive issue.
Ranjin: Yes my friend…sensitive to the position of the Marasmas priests and the politicians. The status quo has worked for years, so why rock it?
Me: But tell me….doesn’t the village committee and the religious group run into problems with each other?
Ranjin: Well..it has happened several times..but confined to small issues only. You cannot make it in the village politics if you do not agree with the MaraGuru. So, because of this, the village politicians who make it are those who say that they will protect the religion of Marasmas.
Me; Oh…I see..so the politicians know how to read the holy book..the Marashgi?
Ranjin: I just told you…no one but only the MaraGuru and holy priests know how to read the holy book.
Me: But..but how can they protect something when they do not know the contents of the holy book???
Ranjin: Well, the MaraGuru educates them. You see, the MaraGuru can read by inspiration. The messages from the book can keep expanding when he reads it. That’s the divine power that he has.
Me: Wait a minute….how thick is the holy book?
Ranjin: Well….it is about 500 pages.
Me: That’s all??? That’s not a thick book to read to understand the religion of Marasmas!
Ranjin: That’s where you are wrong. To be a Marasmis, you not only believe in the Marashgi but also all the holy inspirations of all the MaraGurus. This religion is claimed to be 850 years old. There has been many MaraGurus….and by now, there is a huge library full of their holy writings.
Me: Wow! Will take a lifetime to read.
Ranjin: Exactly! So, they just follow the experts. Furthermore, these are village idiots who cannot think beyond their own basic survival.
I hope this is just fiction!!!
Thank God, I am not in Injapuram but in wonderful thinking Malaysia!
A: But..but...I do want to eat Loh Shee Fun. You can eat whatever you all want ok?
B: Ahh..but you mentioned Loh Shee Fun didn’t you? That reflects your mindset!
A: Wow o..ok..ok…lets have pizza then.
B: Cheezh! Now you are worse..penjajah mentality!
A: Hello..pizza is Italian, not British!
B: doesn’t matter..they aare orang putih food.
C tried to mediate between his friends.
C: Guys. Guys relax. Its just food. Can we just see that Loh Shee Fun is food first and Chinese origin second? Pizza is food first and Italian origin second?
B; Ok A..tell me. To you..is Loh Shee Fun Food first or Chinese First?
A: Er…well…it is Chinese food?
B: See you are a bigoted racist! Why cannot you say it is food of Chinese origin? Why do you say Chinese first, then food - Chinese Food??
C: Guys..can I suggest….
Both A and B snapped at him and said together:
A & B: C, you stay out of this. You are a liberalist with no Asian values!
Though I was very happy when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the 1Malaysia policy, I did expect diverse reactions to it, particularly from within UMNO. In fact, I believe I was probably the earliest blogger to “expand” and try to give meaning to the policy with the first posting on April 8, 2009 (I believe too that even then, Najib did not yet outline his concept!). Since then, there has been more than 10 postings on the subject.
I truly believe that 1Malaysia concept is relevant, and the way forward. It is a good start and a bold one by an UMNO President considering that it could easily turn out to be a major political risk for him. I knew then that it will be misunderstood by some people in UMNO as abandoning the main objective of UMNO – ie protecting Malay rights. While UMNO’s stated objective of “protecting Malay rights” is exclusive, 1Malaysia policy promotes inclusiveness – every citizen’s rights. Such a shift will certainly require time for UMNO leaders in general to understand and to subsequently embrace it.
1Malaysia calls for a paradigm shift - away from the used way of doing things to looking at the same things with fresh eyes and new approaches. Changing habits is never easy but 1Malaysia motivates the need to change for the better – for the general good. The Nation itself is still on the learning curve and we are learning that the way we are used to is not necessarily the best way to achieve positive results. Admission of past failures and our collective weaknesses is the first step towards realigning the Nation towards greater things. 1Malaysia, I believe provides us the channel to do this. In this regard, the Quran itself challenges us to reevaluate ourselves:
“Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But God knows, and you know not” (Quran: 2.216)
Confused apprehension of 1Malaysia coupled with engineered ignorance
As I expected, there were sections of the Malay community that were anxious that 1Malaysia will erode their special position that are enshrined in the Constitution. Not surprisingly, NGOs like Perkasa came into being to act as some sort of a pressure group to “remind” the Government not to “sideline the Malays”. While I respect the democratic rights of these NGOs to freely express their concerns, I must state that their “fears” are actually unfounded. I presume that their unfounded fears arose because of several factors, including confusion, ignorance of the Constitution and ignorance of the demographic facts. I shall explain below:
It is a fact that many UMNO members are also part of Perkasa. There has been an unhappy feeling among UMNO members since Tun Abdullah Badawi was UMNO President. There seems to be a perception that he has weakened UMNO and the unprecedented loss by BN in the 2008 general elections seems to have lent credence to that perception. Further, the unhappiness of UMNO with Abdullah Badawi resulted in him relinquishing both the offices of the Prime Minster and UMNO President. To be fair to Abdullah, he did introduce several liberal reforms or at least did give space for various “sensitive issues” to be publicly discussed. However, this liberalism was seen as his weakness rather than a result of his policy. This public discussion of “sensitive issues” were also seen by many UMNO leaders as UMNO becoming weak. This is a scenario which they have never seen before especially since some of the participants airing the issues were educated and young Malays! It was becoming a Malay-Malay dialogue on the reality of the multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic Malaysia. You now have Malays championing not only Malay rights but also non-Malay rights – very Malaysian in perspective.
Further, the loss of 5 states to the opposition also seemed to have ‘embarrassed’ UMNO leaders/members. Malays, who are not UMNO members but UMNO sympathizers, also seemed to lose confidence in UMNO’s ability to look after Malay interest. Barisan Nasional’s (seen as UMNO’s) erosion of political power is confused with “erosion of Malay rights”.
All the above factors I believe caused confusion in the mind of some Malays. The confusion being between rapid phase of political changes, weak leadership, a bigger than usual opposition, and legitimate Malay interests. It is this confusion that led some people to wrongly saying that Malay political power has eroded when in actual fact, we have the biggest Malay representation in Parliament since merdeka!
It is also this confusion that led to some people wrongly saying that “Malay rights” in the Constitution are being challenged when in actual fact (a) the Constitution has always spoken about “Malay and natives special positions” and (b) there has never been any legal or Parliamentary challenge to Article 153. I have written about this in three parts here. http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/2010/02/hak-melayu-terhakis-bhg-satu.html)
It is noteworthy that these self-styled “champions of the Malays” have conveniently never taken the initiative to educate their Malay audience on the entrenched provisions in the Constitution. It is as if they want to perpetuate the ignorance of their audience on the said provisions so that they can “pump up the emotions” without putting the “brain in gear”.
Of course, as in any political community, there will always be vested interests who will take advantage of the existing confusion to promote their selfish interests at the expense of the majority. These are people who will pretend to care for the community but in actual fact, they do not care beyond the perpetuation of their own wealth, power and influence. Such a hypocritical behaviour has been pointed out in principle in the Quran:
“Ah! you are those who love them, but they love you not,- though you believe in the whole of the Book. When they meet you, they say, "We believe": But when they are alone, they bite off the very tips of their fingers at you in their rage. Say: "Perish in you rage; God knows well all the secrets of the heart." (Quran 3:119)
Inclusive or exclusive vision for the Nation?
Race based politics may have been relevant pre-Merdeka when possibly the diverse ethnic groups were unable to communicate with each other and lived in their own respective villages with very little inter-mingling. Race-based politics is certainly exclusive. It only promotes the well-being of one race to the exclusion of others. Such a political approach is bound to create conflicts and tension in the long run.
Today, the situation in Malaysia is completely different. People from diverse ethnic backgrounds inter-mingle freely on a daily basis – schools, places of work, neighbourhood, festivals, businesses, etc. Inter marriages are common. Bahasa Malaysia and English has enabled them to communicate with each other and allowed them to understand that they have common fears and hopes. Malaysia is the only home that most common Malaysians have though the elitists may have alternative homes in other countries.
There is a real bond between common Malaysians with the “soil of Malaysia”. In this sense, all Malaysians are “sons of the soil” or “bumiputra”. The term actually is unimportant compared to what it entails to be a Malaysian in reality. In the final analysis, it is they who have to collectively defend Malaysia if it is under attack from external or internal enemies of the Nation. It is they who have to collectively develop this Nation. Malaysians know and realize that if any Malaysian in suffering it will subsequently affect the well being of the others.
You cannot have what you want for yourselves and yet deny the very same for others. Such an approach is primitive, unjust and is a recipe for long term social conflict, strife and disaster. Denying others the equal and legitimate right to available resources is oppressive. I believe the right to God’s resources cannot legitimately be denied by man made laws.
“We have honored (karamna) the children of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of Our creation.” (Quran: Al-Israa 17:70)
We are all children of Adam and as siblings we are required to share the resources that God has given us. We are required to care for each other regardless of ethnic, cultural or religious differences. By now, we should have evolved into thinking beings who know that one of the biggest myth is that tribalism is security for the members of the tribe. Good and bad people are sprinkled into every tribe.Our diversity is not a weakness but a strength that we should collectively draw upon. The Quran lucidly refers to the strength of diversity as such:
“O humanity! We have created you from a single male and female and have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you have pride over one another). Verily, the most honorable (أَكْرَمَكُمْ ) of you in the God’s Sight is the one most righteous. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Quran: Al-Hujraat”, 49:13)
The mark of a civilized society is that which takes an inclusive attitude towards each other. I believe 1Malaysia contains this very important ingredient of inclusiveness. As Najib himself has frequently pointed out, 1Malaysia is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia. We have been living peacefully developing this Nation together. 1Malaysia policy however puts into motion a vision for us to focus and to work out tangible reforms that will entrench this idea into the system.
Incidentally, last week I met Bassam Abu Ali, a Palestinian who is residing in Athens. He is here on a short trip and we exchanged notes. He strongly expressed his view that he is proud of the 1Malaysia concept being put forward by a Muslim majority country. He felt that Malaysia is an outstanding example of a Muslim majority country that lives peacefully with others. He also felt that this concept should be brought to other Muslim countries so that they can learn.
Anyway, back to us, I believe each of us should give meaning to this 1Malaysia concept and make it the foundation of our Nation. Any attempts by vested groups to thwart this vision should be opposed.
This book seems to destroy the myth that it is the morally corrupt western sex tourists that led to the development of the sex trade in Asia. While they certainly have played a vital part in the growth of the sex industry, Louise Brown puts forward evidence to show that the primary customers of sex workers are essentially Asian men. She also persuasively argues that the "Asian hypocrisy" towards moral values, the fact of a male dominated Asian society, repressive attitudes towards women by Asian men and such have actually encouraged and developed the sex trade in Asian countries.
She records many of the real instances of young girls and women who have been cheated into prostitution or worse sold off by their parents to brothels or "sex agents" who traffic "sex products" across borders. These are disturbing and heart wrenching accounts to read.
Her research covers, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore,Vietnam, Philippines, etc.
This is a good book to read by almost everyone who is concerned about girls and women who are caught up in sexual slavery. I would particularly recommend this book to be read by all social workers, activists, and the religious clergy whether they are called priests, rabbis, fathers or ulamak. As they say, with knowledge of the facts, remedial actions may be taken.
Be prepared to cry or to be angry or to be sad when you read the book...but be prepared also to something or anything you can.
[Book is published by Virago Press, London]
Peace.
Matthias Chang, the former political secretary to the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad jailed for contempt of Court. You may read further in the Malay Mail, the Star and ANotherBrickInTheWall.
