2011 UNITED NATIONS 66th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

I am glad I went to the 66th Anniversary celebrations of the United Nations today at the Renaissance Hotel in my capacity as an executive member of the International Movement for  just World (JUST).

Mr Kamal Malhotra, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Malaysia delivered a good and comprehensive speech. I was touched by the piano performances by  autistic children, one as young as 7 years old who played "We are the world'. These children were trained by a very talented young man, Mr Brian John Yim, who himself delivered an excellent piano piece at the event. These performances by autistic children tends to educate people on autism. I was explaining autism to a few people  who did not know  what it is later because I have some experience dealing with such children.

In the speech by Mr Kamal Malhorta,  he congratulated the Prime Minister of Malaysia for doing away with the emergency proclamations so that "Malaysia can return to the normal operation of the constitutional system". He noted that "Democracr is clearly linked with a set of essential rights, liberties and opportunities must necessarily exist. For democratic proceses to gain ground and be sustained, such rights, freedoms and opportunities must necessarily exist".

 Without a doubt, the United Nations, though it had always suffered various criticisms from diverse groups, continues to give hope to the world that it can unite countries with a common purpose.

The whole world is facing diverse challenges from economics to weather and as the United Nations Secretary General has said, "in these turbulent times, there is only one answer: unity of purpose".

All the UN member countries have to have that sense of unity and the will to face the challenges ahead to make this world a better place.

Peace !

Peace !

Why Drag Lim Guan Eng's Son into Politics?

I really do not know whether it is true or not personally. YAB Lim Guan Eng has denied it. The school apparently has denied it too.

I am not really concerned with the truth or otherwise of the allegation here. If it is false, then the allegations are defamatory, evil and highly immoral.

Assuming it it true,  it gives rise to several important issues and reflects upon the political ethics and culture that our country has.

What is the relevance of a 16 year old boy's misadventure with the leader's standing or lack of it? Does it mean that if your children are "bad", you are bad too and that you must have failed as a father or a leader? Admittedly, there are cases where the children's misadventure may reflect on the parent's negligence. However, it is not always the case.
 
Every reasonable person should know this particularly a Muslim.

The Quran relates histories and events that show that the misadventure of a sibling or a child does not reflect on the parent.

Prophet Abraham was a believer while his father was an idolator (Quran 19:46 to 47). The stark difference in faith did not lead Prophet Abraham to curse or hate his father. Muslims do not judge Abraham by the faith of his father. In fact, Abraham is held up as a good example of a man of faith (Quran 16:120)

Prophet Noah embarked on to the Ark but his son did not believe him and had refused to heed his command. (Quran: surah 11 verses 42 to 43). Do we judge Noah as a weak prophet because he was unable to convince his own son? Therein is a lesson for those who have total faith in Allah and serve Allah only (not political interests).

Prophet Lut is held up in high esteem by the Muslims and Allah relates of what happened to his wife who was among the disbelievers. Allah did not save her from the calamity that befell Lut's people (Quran  11:81). No Muslim will ever judge Lut by his wife's disbelief.

The Quran liberates the human mind from such evil traps of judging one individual by the act of another.  However, when we serve gods like politics other than Allah, we fall into such traps too. The Satan whispers and fitnah (defamation) becomes alluring.

Let us leave the 16 year old boy alone.

Lets salvage politics from the sewerage it has gone into.

Peace.

End Of Gaddafi, Victory for US, Britian and French Businesses

Now that we are told that Muamar Gadaffi, who was famous for his third theory "The Green Book" has been "successfully" killed by the NATO forces, one has to ponder again - this is whose victory?

Unlike Egypt which saw a popular uprising, were there any signs of these in Libya? The manner in which "stability was restored" in Libya is starkly reminiscent of how "stability" was restored in Iraq - by destruction of building and killing of thousands of lives by the military might of three powerful nations.

Very soon we are going to hear "efforts at restoring" Libya and its economy. The very State that was destroyed by the conquerors will be "redeveloped" by them. Good business.

What about the Libyans?

When will this game of conquering countries that are rich in natural resources ever end?

Peace !

Murtad Dan Bandar Oxford

Oleh Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

"Saya menganggap Bandar Oxford ini jauh lebih indah dari kebanyakan bandar lain di UK dan Eropah, termasuk London. Bahkan tiada bandar yang seumpamanya di dunia muslim kita. Ia sebuah bandar ilmu. Kebanyakan mereka yang sibuk berjalan pantas di jalan-jalan Oxford ini ialah pelajar, pengajar dan pengkaji.

Lebih empat puluh kolej ilmu bersejarah lagi berprestij di bandar ini. Penuh sejarah, penuh sumbangan melahirkan tokoh-tokoh besar. Bandar ini penuh dengan aktiviti ilmu di sana-sini setiap hari; seminar, diskusi, forum dan pelbagai. Dalam pelbagai perkara dan bidang, yang mungkin sebahagiannya terlarang dalam negara kita disebabkan unsur ke’jais’an kita. Amat rugi jika ada sesiapa yang datang ke sini tetapi tidak mengambil peduli tentang aktiviti ilmu yang pesat."

Anda harus membaca artikel sepenuhnya dengan klik disini.

Salam.

Pawns on the Chessboard

Those who wrote about these things never really “succeeded” in the normal worldly sense. They never made the pot of gold which they could, judging by their intelligence and perceptive ability. They were either written of as mad people by the majority or made to be seen as insane by the powerful institution. Either way, it is business as usual for those who fear to b exposed.

Who are these people? Other than “mad” or “insane”, they have been labeled as “poets”, “conspiracy theorists”, “philosophers” or just plain trouble makers.

For example, if I was to tell you that in the capitalistic democratic society, your choices have actually been well pre-planned for you, you will certainly call me a nut case. You will point to many of your own personal experiences where you actually find that you actively make choices. You just went to the supermarket and bought the groceries that you choose. You bought the car that you wanted with the loan from the bank that you chose.  

You even chose the type of house that you wanted win the location that you chose. 

And you will tell me many more of your experiences just to shut me up and prove me wrong – that you actually have choices and that you actively make those choices.

Well, let me ask you this – if you create a maze with only five exits, and then you place two white mice into it.  One of the mice comes out of exit A and the other exit D, would it make any sense for the mice to argue that the each made their own choices which exit to come out from? Possibly, we could grant the mice that. They did make a choice. However, did they have the choice of being in the maze or having to chose only from 5 exits or even the structure of the nature?

NO. I am not talking about divine determination. That is completely another thing. I am talking about the act of determining how you live by a select powerful and very wealthy few.  That your lives are purely accidental and consequential to theirs.  

Let me ask you this and please put the so called market forces argument aside. Did you actually have a say in the supermarket, the roads, the houses, etc, etc that is affecting your lives and your families?

Did you vote that the houses that are being build and at those prices are exactly what you wanted?

I suppose you cannot really confidently say that you thought out or agree to the bank loan system of house ownership and the kind of health care that we have? And the list goes on.

I have not even talked about whether you have a choice over your beliefs.

Sit back and honestly think to your self – how much choice did you exert in shaping the environment that we live in?

Can you even dream of doing that? 

Madness !!!

Peace.

I just want to meet the PM - says Namewee

Namewee and his brilliance.

Friends Forever

This is a touching clip with accompanying song done by students.




Peace !

Is Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becoming a radical reformer ???

I almost could not believe my eyes when I read that PM Najib had announced that ISA and three other emergency laws will be repealed. These laws have been opposed to by civil society for years and many citizens find these laws repressive and unnecessary.

I was shocked, pleasantly though, for several reasons. The act of repealing these acts is a courageous act for any president of UMNO, the largest and the ruling dominant party. It is simple political logic that any ruling party will want to retain any laws that would give it greater power to control the people, especially those that oppose the party. Hence, for Najib to announce that these laws will be repealed makes it a radical move.

I can expect that there will be resistance from UMNO rightwingers itself and some right wing NGOs. I am sure that quite a few of former UMNO leaders may be in opposition to the move, though not directly. These are to be expected and I am sure, if Najib is serious, he expects this as well. Therefore, in this sense, he is taking a big political risk for his position and support within the party.

I have often argued for fundamental reforms (as opposed to cosmetic changes) in the democratic space and the political arena on this blog and in my talks. Removing these laws is another fundamental step forward towards restoring our country as a constitutional democracy. We should applaud and support Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak in this reformist step.

If Najib is serious about the repeal of these oppressive and archaic laws, he stands as a reformist who has gone beyond partisan thinking and has the people's mental and democratic development at heart. I find it extremely tiring that politicians simply refuse to think beyond partisan lines. Najib's act here is an example for politicians to think about national interests instead of purely party interests.

Surely, the removal of these laws will liberalize further civil society and hence greater criticism of any government wrongdoing or policies will surely ensue. This is not necessary a bad thing as this is how society can mature in a democracy - healthy factual debates rather than squashing rational dissent with the law. This is  a risk that Najib is willing to take politically in the interest of democratic reforms. The ability and willingness to take this political risk also shows Najib's confidence in his efforts and policies in winning over the hearts of the people. He is prepared to be judged on his merits rather than rhetoric.

For me this is not the first time that Najib has acted radically in announcing reform orientated policies. It is no secret that I am among the earliest supporter of his 1Malaysia policy. I thought that was radical and absolutely necessary for the country. 1Malaysia policy has the potential to be a long-term all-encompassing policy for the Nation which all citizens can identify with and participate. However, I also foresaw opposition and confusion within UMNO and opposition from certain NGOs and I was right. Many may not understand but his announcement of 1Malaysia was indeed a major political risk for him within UMNO and among some Malay NGOs.

However, the majority of UMNO members have accepted this policy now. Many UMNO members are reminded that though UMNO is a Malay based party, it had since since independence worked for Malaysia irrespective of religion or race. Sure, there had been deviations somewhere along the line with UMNOputras and some UMNO warlords becoming arrogant and 'lupakan diri dan Tuhan' but things are changing back to the original position. 1Malaysia in this sense is a good tool to realign and remind members that UMNO's struggle is not just for the Malays but for all Malaysians as the UMNO song itself testifies.

1Malaysia also serves to remind UMNO members that they are largely Muslims and hence racist tendencies are unIslamic. This, hopefully will weed out some UMNO leaders who are bent on pretending to be champions of the 'Malay race' simply for self glory and enrichment. I have been sick and tired for years with the approach of these primitive UMNO leaders trying to scare the Malays that they are not hard-working, not clever and that they are a social grouping that is going extinct and hence have to be protected in all spheres of their lives ! What a cruel thing to do !!!

So, 1Malaysia policy did shake UMNO out of its comfort zone and true reforms should do just that. The president of UMNO, Najib Tun Razak was brave enough to do that. Of course 1Malaysia policy can still be 'tweaked' to make it work better but all reforms come with one brave step. Najib took that step.

Due to that one step, it was well received by most Malaysians, if not all. Of course everyone, including me, wants greater translation of 1Malaysia into reality and practice. It will take time. I have always written on this blog that though 1Malaysia is Najib's 'baby', to me, it is bigger than him. It represents the hope for the future for Malaysians and people do not easily allow their hopes to be dashed. Nor do they easily forgive those who dash their hopes.

Najib is also going to do the sane thing by reviewing the annual publishing permits under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA). Too much discretionary powers in hands of enforcers without check and balance by the courts is a bad thing.


I do hope that these are but steps taken to further reform Malaysia so that we can become a great Nation someday.


Peace!

MAIS, Khalid Samad and the right to speak on Islam

The recent spate of events concerning MAIS and YB Khalid Samad raises interesting and important issues. It is reported that MAIS is acting against Khalid Samad for "talking" on Islam in the mosque without permission from MAIS. 

The MalaysianInsider reports that "Khalid was charge under Section 119 of the Selangor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment for giving a sermon in a surau at Taman Seri Sementa, Kapar in Klang on August 16 without prior permission". Apparently Khalid Samad is going to challenge this on the basis that it is unconstitutional.

I can understand and support the fact that allowing politics to dominate "places of worship" can be dangerous and even develop into a security threat. In fact I strongly hold the view that there should not be any politicisation of any religion. In our conutry, I feel that there has been too much politicisation of Islam to the point that "true Islam" has been given a backseat. I have written on the politico-Islamisation process in Malaysia in my book "Rapera: Urgently wanted" .You only need to look around the world to see and appreciate the poisonous mix of religion and politics on society.

Having said the above, the right of a Muslim citizen to speak his views on his faith is another matter altogether. I have written on this quite comprehensively here when Datuk Dr Asri was faced with a similar predicament.

The issues will go back to the Federal Constitution, the State Laws on Syariah and the Quran. 

Article 11 (1) is often quoted by many Muslims to defend their right to practice and profess their religion as this article clearly gives them that freedom subject to artcile 11(4) of the Federal Constitution. 

Art 11 (4) provides that state and federal laws may control or restrict the propagation of any religious beliefs or doctrines among persons professing the religion of Islam. As I have written before, this could very well be interpreted to mean even a Muslim may be restricted to propagate Islamic doctrines and beliefs to another Muslim or group of Muslims? Possibly the “correct” interpretation is that only authorized persons can propagate “Islamic beliefs and doctrines” to Muslims citizens.

If this is the interpretation that the courts adopt, then, the State Laws that require anyone to obtain permission from them before "propagating" Islam to Muslims may very well be in line with the Constitution!

Think about it.

Peace.

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Adakah ia semata-mata luangan kata-kata

Atau jeritan jiwa yang benar-benar merdeka?

Merdeka yang membuat kita angkuh bangga

Atau mengajak kita bersyukur rasa?

Pembesar Negara dimana-mana

Menggunakannya untuk menaikkan nama

Lupa diri, lupa Illahi

Langsung tidak muhasabah diri.

 Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Pekikan mengusik telinga atau keinsafan rahmat Allah?

NikmatNya yang mana lagi kah hendak kita ingkari

Tidak mahu kah kita menyedari diri?

Apa gunanya bebas dari penjajah?

Jika masih dijajahi nafsu amarah?

Pembesar politik dan ulamak agama bermaharaja lela

Membohongi rakyat jelata dimana-mana

Memecahbelahkan umat disegi siasah dan fahaman

Menjadikan Negara tidak makmur dan aman.

Orang merdeka yang mempertuhankan manusia

Menjalani hidupnya sekadar sia-sia

Apa tidaknya jika  menukar tuan untuk memperkosa Negara?

Mengejar kepentingan peribadi walaupun Rakyat  sengsara.

Negara merdeka, Negara berdaulat

Daulat yang sebenar bersumberkan Maha suci

Munafikun dan fasikuun membuat kita ralat

Menjadikan kita hambaNya yang keji.

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

Salam merdeka kepada yang benar-benar merdeka.

Najib Razak: Being Malaysian

I like this article by our PM, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak very much. He seems to have captured the meaning of being a Rapera in this article. If you read the message with an open mind, you will agree with the values he is trying to convey therein.

Being Malaysian

by Dato Seri Najib Razak

"while we celebrate Merdeka this year in a less celebratory mood as it falls during Aidilfitri, let us take this opportunity to observe the 54^th anniversary with a slightly different approach. This year, let us focus the day’s significance to ourselves, observe how each of us play a role in the development of our country".

You may continue reading further here.


Peace!

Government Agencies is one of BN's problems to win the election

1. Barisan Nasional has a major problem and challenge in facing the general elections which Pakatan generally does not have.

2. In Malaysia, people have yet to be mature enough to distinguish the difference between administration of the country and the politicians who form the "Government".

3. As far as the people are concerned the Government is Barisan Nasional.

4. The Government to the people means the civil servants, the enforcement agencies whether the police, the customs, the councils, Bank Negara, the courts, etc which affect their daily lives.

5. Whenever these agencies and instituions visit injustice on the people or enforce the law in a cruel manner (when the law allows for kinder approaches), it is Barisan Nasional and especially UMNO that will get the blame.

6. Hence, having so called winnable candidates on one hand and the people being upset and feel that they are being oppressed by the agencies on the other hand just take away the votes from Barisan Nasional.

7. Why would decent, ordinary citizens want to vote for Barisan Nasional, if they feel that they have been indecently treated by the relevant agencies?

8. If Barisan Nasional is serious about winning the peoples' vote, they have to take a  WHOLESOME approach.

9. Barisan Nasional which is in power will be held responsible for the actions of the government servants. This is just how it is in these difficult times.

10. If the enforcement agencies, for example put people out of business for the slightest of error with the law, the people will think that Barisan Nasional Government does not care for their family. Why then should they vote?

11. In short, the politicians in Barisan Nasional better wake up and address this problem that is occuring all over the country lest the unshakeable government servants shake the seat of their political masters.

12. It is still not too late, but there is not much time either !

Peace !

‘Serangan JAIS’ Ke Atas Gereja: Tanya Diri Kita Dulu!

oleh Dr MAZA

"Saya belum ingin mengulas tentang ‘serangan’ atau serbuan JAIS ke atas sebuah gereja di Petaling Jaya seperti yang disiarkan oleh berita beberapa hari ini di sudut tindakan ‘serangan’ itu. Cumanya, seperti mana yang kita ketahui bahawa tiada manusia yang bertamadun yang boleh menerima tindakan provokasi yang boleh mencetuskan permusuhan antara penganut agama tanpa alasan yang sah. Saya ingin menyentuh tentang orang-orang Islam yang hadir ke majlis tersebut yang dikatakan oleh pihak media hadir mereka terpengaruh dengan agama Kristian disebabkan sikap baik penganut agama berkenaan membantu mereka. Difahamkan bahawa orang-orang Islam yang hadir, terutama ibu-ibu tunggal terdiri dari kalangan mereka yang amat daif dan miskin. "

Teruskan baca disini! - Minda Tajdid

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Menunding jari tanpa muhasabah diri
oleh Jahamy

"Oh umatku,
mengapa asyik menunding jari,
tiada erti kah muhasabah diri?

tiada melekat kah dihati
firmah Maha Ilahi
tiada ditukarnya apa yang pada suatu kaum
sehingga mereka menukar apa yang dalam diri sendiri?

Masih kah tidak difahami
firman Maha Suci
Tidak diubah rahmah yang diberi
sehingga diubah apa yang dalam diri?

Tengok cermin, tanya sendiri,
tak kan asyik menunding jari?

Salam.

The Polarised World of Politics

Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir writes on the polarised mentality of politics in The Star:

"Politicians of every stripe have two bad habits. Firstly, they think that those who don’t belong to any political party are incapable of having a single political thought. Secondly, when non-politicians think of a good populist idea, politicians of all stripes rush to hijack it.

George W. Bush, that giant of intellectuals, famously said after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks that “Either you’re with us, or you’re against us.”

Those words unleashed a world polarised by politics with no hope for peace, which necessarily requires a coming to the table of all sides to discuss common issues".

My comments below:

I echo her thoughts and add that such polarisation of politics mentality is a hindarance to true maturing and development of citizen empowerment. What should be the objective of every citizen irregardless of political affiliation, race, religion or social status should be the betterment of the Nation and the general welfare of the people.

Selfish partisan interests should never override National interests.

Partisan membership should not disunite citizens in the common objective of acheiveing National goals that benefit the people.

Citizens who are not a member of any political party should not be considered as disqualified to comment or evaluate on matters of national interest or even political thoughts in this country. They are entitled to do so because they are citizens.

As long as we are not able to rise above party mentality and embrace "national mentality" or better still a complete sense of humanity, we will never really be free to put forward true and useful long term reforms.

Peace !

PAS, Entertainment Outlets and Ramadan

1. Every sunni Muslim knows that fasting is required during the month of Ramadan - it is one of the five pillars of his faith. He knows how to fast, when to break fast and what to do during the fasting month so that his fast fulfills the requirements of the fast.

2. I know that it has been customary (not sure if it is the law) that restaurants owned by Muslims are usually shut from morning and only start operations sometime in the evening. I really do not know whether it is because of some religious reason or because it is not economical to open for breakfast and lunch. I really can never understand why a person who is fasting cannot open his food business. I have been overseas where the operators observe thier fast while serving food. Their faith is unshaken and so is thier business.

3. If it is true that PAS in Kedah wants to close certain entertainment outlets during Ramadan, I also cannot understand thier rationale. Is it to prevent Malays from patronising these places duirng Ramadan?

4. Does that mean that during other months it is okey for the Malays to patronise these places?

5. If the entertainment is intrinsically bad in some way, why not just ban it forever under the law? If it is not intrinsically bad, then what is this double standard all about? Something that is good or bad according to the month is something that I cannot understand.

6. I know that it is a criminal offence under the syariah laws in most, if not all States for Malays to eat in public restaurants during the day in the month of Ramadan. I do not think it will help if the person who is not fasting for whatever reason hides at the back of the restaurant and eats away from the public eye.

7. I personally have never understood the need to compel people to fast or to deny the non-faster from eating if he wants to. I hold that faith is a personal matter.

8. Nevertheless,  the law is the law and it is reflective of the society that upholds it.

9. Anyway, for those who are going to fast because they want to fast, I wish them all happy fasting and may God bless you all.

 Salam.

THE SHAME IS ON YOUR SHOULDERS !!!

1. When it comes to being a human, a person, a father,a  mother, brother, a sister, friend or a Citizen, it does not really matter whether you are UMNO, PAS, DAP, GERAKAN, PKR, SUPP or any political party.

2. It matters if you let your political affiliations or preferences overcome your sense of humanity, decency and principles.

Then you become a shameless human being. Then you are no different from the vultures that feed on dying bodies.

3. It matters if you spin lies, condemn fellow human beings and insult them as if they do not matter and you, and you alone are entitled to breathe the air that God has given all. Is not telling lies to the people akin to telling lies against God? No true believer will spin the truth to mislead others.

(Quran 39:60)  On the Day of Judgment wilt thou see those who told lies against God;- their

faces will be turned black; Is there not in Hell an abode for the Haughty?

(Quran 39:61)  But God will deliver the righteous to their place of salvation: no evil shall

touch them, nor shall they grieve.

Whatever that you want to take for yourself to the exclusion of others will be taken away from you in the most painful way possible - be it wealth, power, influence or health. Whenever you think you are high and mighty and your worldly cohorts conspire with you to falsify and spread msichief knowlingly, you will not be spared by God. He may let you enoy your illusionary happiness for a while. This is what God promises.
 

014.003  Those who love the life of this world more than the Hereafter, who hinder

(men) from the Path of God and seek therein something crooked: they are astray by a

long distance.

016.106  Any one who, after accepting faith in God, utters Unbelief,- except under

compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to

Unbelief, on them is Wrath from God, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.

016.107  This because they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter: and

God will not guide those who reject Faith.

016.108  Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes God has sealed up, and they take

no heed.

Is there a true believer of God who can insult, oppress, and condemn someone whom he does not know? is not such a person a true defamer, a pemfitnah, a munafik?

The day you visit oppression and a feeling of helpness on another fellow human being, that is the day you free many souls. Free souls can move mountains, so to speak.

A person who has betrayed his own soul can never understand the power of the soul that cannot be bridled.

And no one , but God alone who has dominion over a person's soul.

Watch and you shall see.

Peace !