| M’sians should have “Nambikei” in HINDRAF Posted: 05 Feb 2013 12:44 PM PST 
Today when the election bell is ringing, is only when the Malaysian Indian issues become pertinent. Wong Mun Chee Over the last week, several articles and commentaries have emanated mainly from political writers from the opposition side and their colorful commentors in spewing negative views in light of the ruling government lifting the ban and a possible dialogue with HINDRAF. This indirect public spewing by these writers can only mean that they are concerned over the thought processes of the poorer grassroots Indian voter in Malaysia and how much influence HINDRAF has over them. As usual, all the possible distasteful innuendos are thrown at the Malaysian Indians like being pariahs, cheapskates, easily bought over, no integrity, no principles and so forth. Many fail to recognise that HINDRAF was the catalyst that invoked the 2008 tsunami who was then victimized when all the regular politicians and their eminent supporters moved on with their regular lives. Let's look at the Malaysian population demography of 28.3 Million as of the census in 2010. Malaysian Indians represent 7.3% of the population of which approximately 75%-80% are still in the rural or semi rural vicinity. Giving the benefit of doubt, let's say that 25% are in urban cities. Further, let us also look at emigration which is about 1.0 Million of the Malaysian diaspora who are able to vote. Naturally the main bulk is the Chinese Malaysian whereas the Malaysian Indians and the Malays probably make some relevant % but definitely not as significant. The majority of the Malaysian Indian population is very much in the doldrums if we start micro-analyzing the 75% of those in the rural and semi rural areas. These very people are the ones HINDRAF represents on the basis of humanity. No disrespect meant to our fellow urbanized elite Malaysian Indians, but in reality basic bread and butter has not been their issue, but what type (ie brand, class, prestige) of bread and butter. The majority in urbanized cities and the diaspora amongst the Malaysian Indians are well intended people but to a large extent gets swayed with the typical I-know-how and why-it-should-be this or that. Most of them talk about good (PR) vs evil (BN) and how these stupid Malaysian Indians voters are condemned if they don't make the right choice. Really!!!! Then where was the whole nation when this community had digressed and deteriorated to the level it is now through blatant institutionalized racism condoned by all of us? Today when the election bell is ringing, is only when the Malaysian Indian issues become pertinent. As far as I can see, HINDRAF seems to be the only one who has stood thick and thin along with this community all this while without worrying with whom it should talk or not as long as a permanent solution is attained. We shouldn't be too concerned with the political overtures of how the affected Malaysian Indians should vote but to have the ability to acknowledge what HINDRAF does and how it can eventually benefit the people in a broader sense. The pure notion of democracy is that there is no division between the government and the People, so why does this division exist? The only justification is because it has long since ceased to exist. The discord that exists in reality for the poorer segment of Malaysian Indians is a classic example to show how the current politics and policies is in a stagnant system whether it is BN/PR. What we have is not democracy. What we have is a society of politicians and the people. Once the group has your vote, and no longer has to perform, your country is in their hands, and they won't care what you want until voting time comes again. Democracy is an old antiquated notion, HINDRAF's clarion call for a Neo –Democracy, where every person has the opportunity to bring their grouses in a collective manner for a bipartisan & humane solution, ensuring that the society's progress is in a fair manner without enduring such state of disparity such as encountered by the marginalized and discriminated Malaysian Indian society in the present day should be received with an open arm. The participation in a Neo- Democracy evolution needs all segment of the community to join hand to uplift those communities that has been long neglected and side tracked like the poorer segments of the community for political and power abuses on the basis of basic human rights rather than trumpeting political & individual deviation. Politicans, political pundits, you and me are welcome but lack a raison d'état in totality if we are unable to see that only HINDRAF is able with their crystal clear version of the HINDRAF Blueprint of what needs to be done in this era of baits and temptations for the aggrieved community. Can we at least for once have a consensus on the HINDRAF Blueprint minus the politics for a segment of our own Malaysians? |
| ‘Nazri told us mainstream media govt tool’ Posted: 05 Feb 2013 12:35 PM PST 
(FMT) - According to European Muslim delegates, de facto law minister Nazri Aziz said it was normal for mainstream media to suppress the opposition's voice. De facto law minister Nazri Aziz has dismissed allegations that the opposition's voice has been suppressed in the mainstream media, saying it was something "normal". He also justified the opposition pact's limited access to the mainstream media, stating that the latter was a "government tool". Members of the European Muslim Election Assessment Committee said this when briefing reporters on their two-day fact-finding mission here. According to the delegates, who were here on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's invitation, opposition members had expressed concerns that they were unable to reach out to Malaysians through the Barisan Nasional-controlled mainstream media. But when the delegates relayed these concerns to Nazri, he allegedly pooh-poohed the suppression of the opposition's voice in mainstream media as "normal." "We told the law minister that in Europe, all parties have the possibility to express their views to the mainstream media," said Fadime Örgü (photo, right) who is former member of parliament in the Netherlands. "But Nazri told us the structure of the media is different in Malaysia. That here, the mainstream media is a government tool," Fadime said at a press conference. But she said Nazri had assured her that opposition members would be allowed access to the mainstream media during the campaign period prior to the general election. "He said this is normal in Malaysia, and if the opposition came into power, it would do the same," added Fadime. This prompted PKR member Fuziah Salleh, who was also present, to quickly interject: "That is not true. Nazri has no right to voice out what he thinks Pakatan will or will not do when it comes to power." The observers declined to comment outright on Nazri's alleged remark, but they pointed out that freedom of the media was a cornerstone of democracy. "We are not here to give our opinion, but just to relay what we noticed and observed," said Zouhair Amri (photo, left) CEO of Oumma Media, which is the largest Muslim Media Company. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/05/%E2%80%98nazri-told-us-mainstream-media-govt-tool%E2%80%99/ |
| The oil royalty conundrum Posted: 05 Feb 2013 12:18 PM PST 
Distribution of oil wealth is a contentious issue. Azam Aris looks at a possible solution. Azam Aris, fz.com A FEW weeks ago, an ex-colleague who is now working with a foreign embassy sent me several questions about Malaysia's oil royalty. The issue, she added, was of interest to them. I did not ask why that was so but I guess it is the job of an embassy to get as much information as possible on socio-economic and political matters that could have an impact on the country it represents. The oil and gas industry worldwide, including here in Malaysia, attracts a lot of investments from multinationals (MNCs). Nearly all the big petroleum players are doing business here, with super majors like Exxon-Mobil, Shell and Conoco-Phillips awarded offshore exploration and production blocks. The industry also attracts its fair share of controversy – ranging from human rights and environmental issues to the fair distribution of oil wealth by the central government in places like Nigeria, Sudan and Indonesia's Aceh province. Distribution of the oil wealth, which is related to the royalty, has been an issue in Malaysia since 2000 when the federal government directed the national oil corporation, Petronas, to stop payments to the Terengganu government, which was then controlled by opposition party PAS. On Jan 22, the Kelantan government – also controlled by PAS – filed an application for a court injunction to prevent Petronas from paying the state's "share" of the royalty to the federal government. Petronas and the federal government say Kelantan is not entitled to the royalty - which is the subject of another court case. Kelantan had in fact mooted the idea of a G5 – to include the four other oil-producing states of Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak and Pahang, all controlled by the ruling Barisan Nasional – to make a united stand when negotiating oil royalty. It may all be a bit complicated for uninitiated readers. I will try to shed some light on the issue based on the questions asked by the foreign embassy. Of course, these are my personal views. How is the royalty from Petronas to the states calculated? First and foremost, get hold of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA). It is the Act that governs the oil and gas sector and Petronas' role as custodian of the country's hydrocarbon resources. The oil companies are just contractors and Petronas is the owner of the blocks awarded. The oil companies sign a production-sharing contract (PSC) with Petronas. The PSC stipulates the sharing of the resources among the federal government, states, Petronas and the oil companies. In simple terms, this is how the royalty works for the first-generation PSCs, based on the gross production of crude oil or gas. Let's assume that gross production of crude oil is 100 barrels. Of this, 10% or 10 barrels are set aside as payment for royalty. The federal and state governments where the oil is produced get five barrels (or 5%) each. Oil companies are then allowed to claim a recovery cost up to a maximum of 20 barrels (or 20%) – considered "cost oil". The remaining 70 barrels (or 70%) – "profit oil" – are split in the ratio of 70:30 in favour of Petronas. That's the basic formula. As oil and gas extraction becomes more difficult, with exploration moving into deeper waters, the percentage of cost oil and profit oil are increased in favour of the contractors. But the royalty remains at 10% – 5% each for the federal and respective state governments. Payment is made twice a year by Petronas straight into the state's coffers. Are states eligible for royalty if the oilfields are situated more than three nautical miles from shore? Did the three-nautical-mile condition only come up after Kelantan made a claim on the Joint Development Area (JDA) in the overlapping waters of Thailand and Malaysia? Almost all offshore oil and gas fields in the country – whether in Terengannu, Sabah or Sarawak – are more than three nautical miles from shore. They all get their royalty. The PDA 1974 was crafted in the spirit of sharing revenue between the federal and state governments. There wasn't any issue until 1999, when PAS took control of the Terengganu government. The federal government, as the sole shareholder of Petronas, decided in 2000 that payment to the state government should stop. Part of the royalty – known as wang ehsan or goodwill money – was then channelled to federal-based agencies in the state. PAS then took the federal government and Petronas to court. One of the main defences was that the Terengganu government was not entitled to royalty as the oilfields were not within the state's waters as they were more than three nautical miles from shore and thus belong to the federal government. So, based on the same argument, Kelantan too is not entitled to the oil royalty. But if that were the case, Sabah and Sarawak should similarly not be entitled to the royalty. However, the federal government's counter argument was that oil was first discovered in Sarawak and Sabah during British rule and that they were governed by a different set of rules. |
| The Tangled Mess of 68 Ministers and Deputies Posted: 05 Feb 2013 12:04 PM PST 
How can our government not turn into a circus of chaos when the Prime Minister alone juggles "more than 28 Cabinet committees"? There are so many Cabinet committees that even Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong had to admit that he can't count them all. Research for Social Advancement - Relevant Facts, Sparkling Analysis The more the messier. Researchers have found that performance of national governments declines as Cabinets grow larger. Parkinson of Parkinson's Law fame noted that it is critical for Cabinets to have less than 21 ministers if decision-making is to be efficient. Our government shamelessly defies the 'law' with a whopping 30 ministers and 38 deputies. We ordinary citizens pay the price for its 'disobedience'. A recent example is the AES (Automated Enforcement System) fiasco. The Transport Ministry installed cameras to catch speedsters on the road. Quite incredibly, though, it had obviously not consulted the Home Ministry, because the traffic cops said they would continue to run their own speed-trap operations, including at locations near the AES cameras. An even bigger farce broke out when the Attorney-General ended up freezing AES summons trials due to questions on its legality. When government ministers and agencies collide, more taxpayers' funds would have to be wasted to sort out the disarray. How can our government not turn into a circus of chaos when the Prime Minister alone juggles "more than 28 Cabinet committees"? There are so many Cabinet committees that even Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong had to admit that he can't count them all. And the Cabinet mess is such that even a simple matter like traffic enforcement gets jammed. There is hope for us if the government slims down. Read Cabinet and Parliamentary Rebalancing (Part 2): The tangled mass of 68 Ministers and Deputies on how our bloated Cabinet can be trimmed to a svelte 16 ministries and 18 ministers, in order to facilitate communication and cross-disciplinary cooperation for the benefit of Malaysians. |
| 7 Things About Prophet Muhammad: A Clarification Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:59 AM PST 
Islam is a religion which forbids compulsion. Islam is not a political ideology or sovereign nation that demands absolute loyalty. What religion on Earth did not divide into sects over dogmatic disagreements after its founder's demise? Qasim Rashid (Huffington Post) In her recent piece, "7 Things That May Surprise You About Muhammad," author Lesley Hazleton offers unique insights into Prophet Muhammad's life. Giving credit where it is due, I've enjoyed Hazleton's TED talk on Prophet Muhammad, and many of her writings on Islam. In fairness, however, several of her "7 Things" are incorrect. This article mentions and clarifies these matters. 1. He was born an orphan. Hazleton accurately summarizes Prophet Muhammad's early years but perhaps it is semantically more accurate to say "he was orphaned as a young child." The foster mother who cared for him as an infant and young child was a woman named Haleema. Prophet Muhammad loved her dearly. 2. He married up -- and for love. Hazleton accurately summarizes Prophet Muhammad's marriage to Hazrat Khadija, but I offer two minor matters of clarification. First, while Hazleton is correct that the marriages were "a means of diplomatic alliance," Prophet Muhammad was in fact married 11 times, not nine times, after Khadija's death. Second, Hazleton writes that Muhammad had "[no children] with any of his later wives." Perhaps she meant to say "no children who lived to adulthood" as Prophet Muhammad in fact had at least 11 children with his later wives, each of whom died in infancy or when only a few years old. 3. His first reaction to becoming a Prophet? Doubt and despair. Hazleton accurately states Prophet Muhammad's fear upon the Angel Gabriel's appearance to him. Imam Bukhari records Prophet Muhammad's initial reaction. Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration, his neck muscles twitching with terror till he entered upon Khadija and said, 'Cover me! Cover me!' They covered him till his fear was over and then he said, 'O Khadija, what is wrong with me?' Then he told her everything that had happened and said, 'I fear that something may happen to me.' Khadija said, 'Never! But have the glad tidings, for by Allah, Allah will never disgrace you as you keep good relations with your Kith and kin, speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guest generously and assist the deserving, calamity-afflicted ones.' [1] Khadija then took Prophet Muhammad to her cousin, Waraqa ibn Nawfal, a Christian Nazarene priest and Biblical scholar. Waraqa further reassured Prophet Muhammad not to fear, but recognized that he experienced precisely what past true Prophets of God experienced. He declared to Prophet Muhammad: This is the same angel who appeared in times long past to Moses. Would that I might still be alive when you will be turned out of your native city. I could then help you to my heart's content.' Prophet Muhammad responded, 'Shall I be banished from my native city?' Waraqa replied, 'Any man who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly. [2] Sadly, Waraqa bin Nawfal died shortly thereafter, but his predictions and recognition of Muhammad's truth were fulfilled in their entirety. 4. He led an early form of Occupy Wall Street. Hazleton inaccurately compares the Occupy Movement and Prophet Muhammad's propagation of Islam. The two are substantively opposites. For example, despite facing immense social, economic, and civil injustices Prophet Muhammad wholly forbade causing any form of public disorder or interruption. He did not form any public protests, marches, or resistance movements. No "Occupy Mecca" or "Occupy Kaba" existed. Instead, he preached quietly among family and friends during the first three years of his ministry. When active persecution began, Prophet Muhammad ordered his companions to worship privately in their homes as to avoid public disorder as much as possible. When persecution intensified, he ordered his followers to migrate to Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) and seek refuge under the righteous Christian King Negus. When persecution yet further intensified, he and his companions were boycotted and exiled from Mecca for a near three year period. They lived in a barren valley on the brink of starvation. Even during this intense period of suffering he forbade any form of public protest and disruption. Finally, when persecution reached its climax, he still forbade any form of public protest, and migrated with his companions secretly and peacefully to Medina -- some 240 miles away -- all to preserve peace and avoid public disorder. Yes, Prophet Muhammad protested social and economic inequality, but not by any comparison to the Occupy Movement. Rather, it was through prayers, patience, and private preaching for peace. 5. He was a pacifist -- at first. Hazleton mischaracterizes Prophet Muhammad's decisions on when to, and when not to, fight. Dictionary.com defines a pacifist as one who "is opposed to war or violence of any kind." Though he loathed violence, Prophet Muhammad openly and repeatedly declared his willingness to take up arms to defend his Jewish allies in the Charter of Medina, defend all Christians in his letter to St. Catherine's Monastery, and to follow the Qur'anic commandment to defend all "Synagogues, Churches, Temples, and Mosques" from "being torn down." (22:41) That is, Muhammad considered fighting a last resort but would employ force if it meant defending universal religious freedom. This does not make him a pacifist "at first" or ever, but instead demonstrates his logical rationale, practicality, and recognition that at times, force is needed to ensure self-defense and universal freedom of conscience. Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/qasim-rashid/7-things-about-prophet-mu_b_2563008.html |
| Minister draws flak for spooking Christians Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:12 AM PST 
(FMT) - Bernard Dompok's bid to stoke the fears of Sabah and Sarawakian Christians over PAS' Islamic state agenda has made him look like a fool in view of the RCI testimonies, says a local politician. Are Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders' senses so warped that they can no longer discriminate between right and wrong? It seems that way listening to Upko president Bernard Dompok's reasoning for Umno-Barisan Nasional to continue its rule in Sabah, said State Reform Party (STAR) deputy chairman Daniel Jambun. Dompok, a federal minister, had two days ago called on Christians in Sabah to reject PAS and instead continue to return "evil" Umno-led BN at the coming poll as a counterbalance against Islamic party PAS. Lambasting Dompok's scare tactic, Jambun said the ongoing Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was providing substantive evidence why the Umno-BN rule must be ended. "Didn't Dompok hear the testimonies? Substantive evidence is now being exposed at the on-going investigation by the RCI. "Whose names did the witnesses mention having led and (was) involved in the Projek IC for illegal immigrants in Sabah? Were not these leaders of BN and Umno? "If Dompok believes that BN and Umno are different from Pakatan Rakyat or PAS, let me remind him that it was under BN rule (when Anwar Ibrahim was also deputy prime minister) that the Muslim transient population exploded out of proportion in Sabah under Umno's dream to Islamise the whole of Sabah," he added.
'Inside the evil system' Jambun pointed out that so far no leaders from PAS had been cited as being involved in the Projek IC. "I do not want to defend PAS or Pakatan as we too believe they tend to harbour the same twisted aspirations of Umno as far as an Islamic country is concerned. Perhaps they only differ in approach and volume or velocity," he said. He said that if Dompok, a federal minister, was trying to scare Christians into voting for Umno and BN at the coming general election, he was being selective in his fear-mongering. "Let me remind him that Umno and BN also have Perkasa as its extreme wing or affiliate that demanded for our Bibles to be defaced and burned. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/06/minister-draws-flak-for-spooking-christians/ |
| Malaysia’s GPS for General Election-13 Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:07 AM PST 
Maybe we need a radically new architecture of the Malaysian mind, of deconstructionism of politics entirely, of de-schooling society, demilitarisation of youth, diversification of public administration, redefinition of needs versus wants, destruction of the old order, rewriting of history, re-imagining of economics, reconstructing social philosophy, reinterpreting religion, etc. Azly Rahman, Illuminations Come Malaysia's general election No 13, how lucky will we be to have the entire nation bold enough to experiment with radical changes, a mega-trend, a paradigm shift, and the will to even replace the blue ocean in which sharks and piranhas battle against each other in a seemingly calm sea of change?
So – are Malaysians ready with a global positioning system that will leave behind that ancient regime calloused with the will to use religion, ethnicity, and race to cling on to power fast waning? As the Malaysian election approaches, people are talking about 'the new politics', 'sustainable capitalism', 'new economic model', 'radical multiculturalism', 'politics of moderation'.
What are these? Are they merely another set of rhetoric, or are they signifiers to a new world of Malaysian political-economic realism? After fifty years of a Rostowian and Friedmanian developmentalist agenda – that we adopt and have a difficult time understanding, and yet we imitate – we are faced with a brand new old question: where do we go from here?
The most enduring model of national development is one that returns power to the people; development of the people, by the people, for the people, that is participatory, transformative, inclusive of the alienated, marginalised, powerless, and peoples of diverse cultures, prioritises needs over greed and wants; one that will help develop the citizens into thinking, feeling, and visioning beings – as happy citizens of a just republic.
Maybe we need a radically new architecture of the Malaysian mind, of deconstructionism of politics entirely, of de-schooling society, demilitarisation of youth, diversification of public administration, redefinition of needs versus wants, destruction of the old order, rewriting of history, re-imagining of economics, reconstructing social philosophy, reinterpreting religion, etc.
What we have been seeing is a top-down developmental agenda sugar-coated with rhetoric of progress that is meaningless essentially, as development projects are created to satisfy the insatiable greed of robber barons who come in different colors and from different ethnic groups. That's what we have as a gift of Independence. We are given bread and circuses to make us happy.
Damaged on the inside
The problem with Malaysia is that the regime has been obsessed with the one-dimensionality of the ideology of development, out of the lack of critical sensibility and other perspectives in development, who profit from the developmental agenda, who has adopted the model of unsustainable capitalism throughout the decades.
A regime that designs an educational system based on a narrow understanding of the philosophies of education and the idea of schooling as social reproduction, that lets culture-industry dominate and decimate the cultures of the indigenous people, that allows hypocrisy to reign the implementation of the rule of law, that silences dissenting views that speak for the poor and the marginalised, that pay lip service to the issue of 'brain drain', and many more. We have a system damaged on the inside.
While in many advanced countries politics is public service and the rich get into politics to help the poor, in Malaysia the poor get into politics to get rich and make the poor poorer, becoming a public disservice. This is the culture of pathetic politics. Read more at: http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2013/02/malaysians-here-it-is.html |
| Failing to fail Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:03 AM PST 
Malaysia's performance in 1999, when we first participated, was decent — some 70% of the students who sat for the test achieved intermediate benchmark scores. What is really worrying is how the scores have steadily deteriorated over time. Nungsari Radhi, fz.com I WAS reading up on The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) recently. TIMSS was started in 1995 by the research arm of the US Department of Education to benchmark the performance of US students between the ages of 10 and 14 globally by measuring their understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts. There have been five TIMSS studies since 1995. The most recent, in 2011, involved students from 60 countries. Malaysian students did not participate in the inaugural study in 1995, but took part in the last four. Malaysia's performance in 1999, when we first participated, was decent — some 70% of the students who sat for the test achieved intermediate benchmark scores. What is really worrying is how the scores have steadily deteriorated over time. In the most recent study, only 36% of the students reached the intermediate benchmark scores, which means Malaysia's performance in 2011 is only half of what it was in 1999. The Malaysian scores are also below the average score of all 60 countries that participated in the study. In the mathematics portion for 14-year-olds, for example, Malaysian students averaged a score of 440 while the overall average was 500. This contrasts with the performance of students from South Korea and Singapore, whose average scores were 613 and 611 respectively. The low score of Malaysian students and the steep decline in their performance over the years should set alarm bells ringing for the authorities. All the national aspirations of productivity-driven growth, innovativeness and being knowledge-based ring hollow in the light of this rather dismal performance of our 14-year-olds in mathematics and science. There is something seriously wrong with our school system and we are running the real risk of seeing an economic decline in the near future. All this prompted me to read the recently released Education Blueprint 2013-2025, but I was reading it with the TIMSS results in my head and some preconceived ideas already forming. I was looking for some radical solutions. The blueprint does contain some interesting ideas, with a few even being radical. I agree with some of the basic principles underlying the recommendations, particularly those around decentralisation and empowerment of schools. Students come in different profiles, schools are located in different communities and there are geographical factors affecting the types of students and communities. Therefore, schools and district education offices should be empowered to customise the treatment of students in their schools. And most of all, parents and communities must be a major part of education. Apart from an overly centralised school system, the other factor that is afflicting our school system, in my view, is the failure to fail. Let me elaborate. To improve things, we have to address both failing and failures. The poor TIMSS scores are indications of failures. If the school system is such that it uses failing more effectively, we would address this failure. Failing is a big part of success. Without failing, we get more failures. Avoiding to fail at the individual level will get you more failures at the systemic level and I suspect that is what is fundamentally wrong with our education system generally. In baseball, players are largely measured by their batting average, the percentage at which they get a base hit each time they are at bat. Any player with a batting average of above 30%, or 0.300 in baseball convention, is considered a very good hitter. The highest career batting average in US Major League Baseball history is 0.366, held by Ty Cobb, who played in the first decades of the 20th century. So, the best hitter in baseball failed to hit the ball about two-thirds of the time. Striving for excellence and learning as a process are all about going through failure, repeatedly, with every step forward. Do not deprive students of this very important privilege of learning from failing. Do not be deluded into thinking that not failing is equivalent to helping; it is quite the opposite actually — it debilitates. Failing is normal and there will be failures whenever there are standards. The challenge is to get students across the standards and to have teachers who are capable of motivating students to do so. |
| Of fatwa, Valentine's Day and smoking Posted: 05 Feb 2013 11:00 AM PST 
Would Jakim use the same method to enforce - with the same fervour - a 1995 fatwa that declared smoking haram for Muslims? Sean Augustin, fz.com IT is that time of the year, as a fellow journalist rightly pointed out, when the knives are out for Valentine's Day. Political parties or religious groups brandish the morality card and sometimes statistics of children born out of wedlock to warn the Muslim community about the evils of Valentine's Day. Muslims are urged to shield their faith which could otherwise be shaken from this 'sinful', if not Christian, commercialised day. Yes, though inspired by a saint, there is no religious significance to Feb 14, compared to say, Christmas Day. In the past few years Malaysians have become accustomed to statements reminding Muslims to not partake in this celebration, citing a fatwa issued in 2005. This year, Bernama reported, more than 300 volunteers, comprising the youth, will join a programme to make the Muslim community realise the importance of not celebrating Valentine's Day. The programme, called Jerat Hari Valentine or Valentine's Day Trap, will be focussed around KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, KL Sentral, Pudu Sentral and the Putra World Trade Centre. Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said that volunteers would advise and explain Valentine's Day to the Muslim community. Jakim director of Family, Social and Community Division, Saimah Mokhtar, was quoted byBernama as saying she hopes parents take the ban on Valentine's Day celebration seriously as it has elements of Christianity and mixed with vices forbidden by Islam. Now, I'm not here to question the fatwa. If religious leaders feel they are doing their flock a service, so be it. Getting volunteers to counsel the community might be an effective way in dealing with the issue, even if one disagreed with the reasons given. I do however have one question. Would Jakim use the same method to enforce - with the same fervour - a 1995 fatwa that declared smoking haram for Muslims? The edict was issued based on the following reasons: cigarettes are poisonous, addictive and increases the risk of cancer. The National Fatwa council also cited verses from the Quran that forbid Muslims to not harm themselves. I think it would be a sight to behold, volunteers approaching and counselling smokers on the perils of lighting up.
|
| M'sians trust online information most: Edelman survey Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:55 AM PST 
(Bernama) - Malaysians in the general public trust information resulting from online search engines highest, followed by traditional and social media, according to the findings of Edelman Malaysia's, Edelman Trust Barometer 2013 survey. "What is apparent here is that the online space, encompassing both digital and social media, cannot be ignored as trusted sources of information. "The high trust scores in 'owned media' point to an urgent need for all organisations to fully update and utilise their corporate assets such as web portals, newsletters, YouTube and even Twitter to disseminate information," said Edelman Southeast Asia Managing Director, Bob Grove. While overall trust scores were generally higher in the survey, it is pertinent to note the trust gap between key institutions and leadership, pointing to a potential crisis in leadership. The findings also indicated that while the general population respondents trust business, only 26 per cent trust business leaders to tell the truth. Mirroring this, only 21 per cent trust government leaders to tell the truth. Edelman Malaysia Managing Director, Raymond Siva said the Malaysian findings of the 2013 Edelman Trust Barometer, clearly demonstrated that Malaysians are expecting organisations to deliver on societal attributes over the expected operational attributes in order to gain their trust. "It is apparent that influence and authority are moving away from Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and government leaders to experts and peers," he added. Presenting the findings of the survey at a press conference here today, he said, both business and government leaders must change their management approach to become more inclusive by seeking the input of employees, consumers, activists and experts such as academics, and adapting to their feedback. He said the dynamics of trust had evolved from the traditional Pyramid of Influence, in which information is a monologue, controlled and dictated by a few, to a more complex Diamond of Influence where information is a dialogue, co-created by many to empower. "In this environment where trust is still fragile, this is a clear opportunity for business and government to re-claim the licence to lead," he added. The survey also showed that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) continued to be the most trusted institution in Malaysia, growing from 68 per cent to 76 per cent this year. Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm, with 66 offices and more than 4,500 employees worldwide, as well as affiliates in more than 30 cities. Other findings of the survey among the informed public in Malaysia, is that the most trusted industry sectors are technology (85 per cent), banks (82 per cent) and energy industry (81 per cent). The least trusted were brewing and spirits (56 per cent) and media (66 per cent), although both industries saw double-digit growth. Globally, the survey noted that corruption and wrong incentives driving business and policy decisions were cited as key reasons for distrust in business and government. It said the poor performance and incompetence were also a leading factor in trusting government less. In terms of multinational corporations, Malaysians placed a higher trust in companies headquartered in Germany, Canada and Sweden over companies based in the emerging markets of Brazil, China and India. Following trends across the Asia Pacific, Malaysians also trust big businesses more over small businesses. The 2013 Edelman Trust Barometer in Malaysia was produced by research firm Edelman Berland and consisted of 20-minute online interviews conducted from Oct 16 to Nov 29, 2012. |
| Multi-cornered fight on the cards in Sabah Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:53 AM PST 
Uphill task: (From left) Bumburing, Lajim, Dr Jeffrey and Yong are facing tough decisions as the general election looms. (The Star) - The 13th general election is heading for a multi-cornered fight in nearly all seats with the Opposition unable to hammer out a deal in Sabah. The squabbling between national and local Opposition parties make one-on-one contests unlikely, and this is expected to give Barisan Nasional a stronger hand in retaining Sabah. Talks between local-based Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) headed byDatuk Yong Teck Lee and Sabah STAR led by Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitinganwith Pakatan Rakyat are bogged down. All indications show that SAPP and Sabah Star will likely do a deal to push the Sabah agenda while Pakatan Rakyat with its local-based allies Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Bumburing and Beaufort MP Datuk Lajim Ukinwill go it alone for the 60 state and 25 parliament seats. "Pintu sudah tutup tapi belum kunci (The door is closed, but not yet locked),'' Bumburing said yesterday, hinting that PKR, DAP and PAS under Pakatan will work with him and Lajim. Bumburing said that traditionally Sabah voters have chosen between only two parties. "The choice this round is between Barisan and Pakatan,'' he claimed, adding that he did not believe that Sabah-based parties would make a dent. When contacted, Dr Jeffrey, whose party is being approached by a Sabah DAP leader, said that a free-for-all was on the cards but there were talks to ensure "one-on-one'' fights in 12 of the 25 parliamentary seats. "We are okay with the idea of a pact for certain parliament seats,'' said Dr Jeffrey, whose party has called for the national opposition to stay out of Sabah. "We are ready (to go it alone) irrespective of any seat arrangement,'' said Dr Jeffrey, whose party has teamed up with the unregistered Usno Baru under the Borneo Alliance. Yong said that Pakatan has communicated a seat arrangement offer to the SAPP through a letter but he wants the coalition to make a public announcement before SAPP's supreme council decides on it. This, he said was to prevent things turning messy as the national opposition coalition had many entities and were also in a deadlock over seats in other states including Sarawak. Yong did not want to reveal the details of the Pakatan seat-sharing formula but it is widely speculated that the 85 state and parliamentary seats in Sabah will be shared equally between six entities PKR, DAP, PAS, SAPP, Lajim and Bumburing. The Pakatan offer is likely to be rejected by SAPP as both Lajim and Bumburing were planning to use the PKR symbol and this would give the party the largest chunk of seats in Sabah. |
| Let Sabah parties rule state, SAPP tells Pakatan Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:49 AM PST 
(The Malaysian Insider) - The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has insisted to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) that Sabah-based parties must contest the majority of seats in the state legislative assembly, saying this was in keeping with the Borneo state's right to autonomy as enshrined in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. Repeating his refrain, SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said his party was willing to relent to PR contesting a majority of the state's federal seats, allowing the federal opposition pact its dream to claim power in Putrajaya. But administrative power over the state must stay in the hands of parties with roots in Sabah, the former Sabah chief minister insisted, saying that to achieve this, the state-federal seat ratio should follow his party's formula. There are 60 state and 25 federal seats in the east Malaysian state of Sabah, often referred to as Barisan Nasional's (BN) "fixed deposit" together with neighbouring Sarawak. "We have stated that this GE13 is about restoring the autonomy of Sabah (and Sarawak) as promised in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the spirit of the formation of Malaysia. "The Kuching Declaration that says that Sabah, Sarawak have equal status as Malaya is relevant," Yong wrote in an email to The Malaysian Insider here yesterday. The outspoken politician was referring to the recent declaration announced and adopted by PR's DAP, PKR and PAS during the September 16 Malaysia Day celebrations at Chonglin Park in Kuching, Sarawak. Key among the seven-point declaration was a pledge to restore the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement and the position of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners within Malaysia, "by restoring autonomy to Sarawak and Sabah within the framework of the Federal Constitution". "Consistent with these promises and principles, local parties should contest a majority of state seats, and PR can contest a majority of MP seats," Yong pointed out. The opposition front in Sabah is a crowded one and in the months leading up to the coming 13th general election, all players have been scrambling for their share of the state's 60 state seats up for grabs. PR, the opposition pact that was formed in the peninsula after BN suffered significant losses in Election 2008, has set its sights on toppling the ruling pact from its Sabah bastion. But Sabah residents are said to have grown more communal over the years, with opposition politicians in the land below the wind often blaring the "Sabah for Sabahans" war cry, fuelling the already deep-rooted anti-Malaya sentiment felt by locals there. Like SAPP, another party ― the State Reform Party (STAR) ― led by political maverick Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, also believes that administrative power over the state must be retained with Sabahans. Both PR and SAPP have yet to make inroads in seat negotiations with Kitingan, who insists on fielding his own in the majority or all of the state's 60 seats. But with SAPP adamant on contesting the lion's share and PR unwilling to concede to this request, it appears that it will likely be a fractured opposition front that will face political giant BN for the Sabah contest in the coming polls. The Malaysian Insider reported yesterday that seat talks between PR and SAPP have come to temporary halt, according to PR ally Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing. Yong did not dispute this, only saying that his party was waiting for PR to decide on its own seat sharing formula among its three parties, Bumburing's Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) and Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin's Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS). Both Bumburing and Lajim were former strongmen in Sabah BN but left their respective parties UPKO and Umno last year to form the two PR-friendly political movements. "We are waiting for PR or PKR to make their formula official and to announce it because we are accountable not only to our parties but also to the rakyat. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/let-sabah-parties-rule-state-sapp-tells-pakatan/ |
| Our constitution is AWESOME, our forefathers COOL! Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:30 AM PST  Anas Zubedy Our Merdeka Constitution is awesome - inclusive, moderate, accommodating, compassionate, and yet pragmatic. It is our social contract. It is our promise to live together orderly, happily, and with empathy. Our Constitution is the glue that keeps us together - a society of diverse cultural, historical, geographical and religious backgrounds. It serves as our footing as well as our compass. Our Constitution was prepared and written by learned forefathers who breathed into it the spirit of inclusiveness, moderation, accommodation, and compassion. Choosing to be pragmatic - balancing idealism with realism and rejecting absolutism: focusing on what will work and how to make things happen. It does not try to be perfect but seeks to be functional. It is these foundations set by our Merdeka Constitution that we have endured the clefts of race and religious politics and challenges to many political and economic crises. The Merdeka Constitution believes that in this land there is a place for everyone and each has a stake. Everyone must get something and no one must get everything. Both the rich and the poor are safely guarded. It recognises that Malaya was historically the land of the Malays yet the Malay-Muslim features are balanced with provisions for a multi-racial and multi-religious society. Secularism and Religion co-exist preserving the best of religious, moral, and cultural traditions while staying open to everything new. It sets our nation a way to blend our past, present, and our future. Such a well-thought social contract must have demanded our forefathers to bring out the best in them; inclusiveness, courage, sacrifice, moderation, compromises, and the fearlessness to say no to the radicals within their own group. We need to do the same. Let us go back to basics. Let us go back to The Spirit of the Merdeka Constitution. |
| CORRECTION: No referendum was held in Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya on Malaysia Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:22 AM PST 
The Malayan Government opted for independence. The individual states in Malaya did not join Malaysia. So, Sabah and Sarawak cannot be referred to as the 12th and 13th states.
Joe Fernandez My comment on the video in the email below.
Sabah and Sarawak did not become independent on 16 Sept, 1963 through Malaysia, as the history books keep telling our students.
Sabah obtained independence on 31 Aug, 1963 when it opted for self-determination.
Sarawak obtained independence on 22 July, 1963 when it opted for self-determination.
No referendum was held in Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya on Malaysia. The Malayan Government opted for independence. The individual states in Malaya did not join Malaysia. So, Sabah and Sarawak cannot be referred to as the 12th and 13th states.
A vote was held in Singapore on independence through merger with Malaya via Malaysia. The people voted yes.
The Chinese in Sabah and Sarawak were against Malaysia.
The Orang Asal in Sabah and Sarawak wanted a period of independence before looking at the idea of Malaysia again.
The Sarawak Malay community leaders and the Suluk and Bajau leaders in Sabah welcomed the idea of Malaysia.
The Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak were not consulted on Malaysia.
The British and the Malayan Government brought Sabah and Sarawak into Malaysia to add the Orang Asal and Muslim population to facilitate the merger of Chinese-majority Singapore with almost Chinese-majority Malaya.
Singapore was expelled from Malaysia two years later in 1965.
The British and Malayan Governments' reasons for Sabah and Sarawak to be in Malaysia no longer existed after Singapore's departure. Security through Malaysia, against crocodiles Indonesia and Philippines, was an afterthought argument by the Malayan Government and the British.
The Orang Asal, Sabah and Sarawak are Nations in Malaya just like Malaya.
Sabah and Sarawak are not the 12th and 13th states in Malaysia.
Malaya monopolises and dominates the Federal Government of Malaysia instead of sharing it with Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaya has 165 seats in Parliament and not the 147 seats it should have -- i.e. one seat less than two third at a very maximum -- in Parliament. This means 18 seats stolen from Sabah and Sarawak.
In addition, the parti-parti Malaya have stolen more seats in Sabah and Sarawak including in the state assemblies and want to steal even more seats.
Malaya turned out to be the real crocodile in the region, as predicted by Indonesian President Sukarno. ----------------------------------------------------------- Fwd: WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SONG MA?doDgNs9PRD0 MALAYAN GIRL QUESTIONS THE MEANING OF LIFE IN THE 3 COUNTRIES IN MALAYSIA. THNIGS HAVE CHANGE SINCE THIS VIDEO. THINGS GOT WORSE! IN SABAH SARAWAK THE CONCLUSION IS "LIFE WAS BETTER BEFORE 1963" - THAT WAS 50 YEARS OF "INDEPENDENCE IN MALAYSIA" - AGO! WE WANT ALL THAT CHANGE PLUS OUR INDEPENDENCE! Or watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doDgNs9PRD0 |
| Perak Govt to lose Billions if it Fails to Control/Regulate Brazilian Iron Ore Plant Posted: 05 Feb 2013 10:01 AM PST 
When compared to Oman and China, why is Vale allowed to operate on its own? Why aren't there any state-owned companies or state subsidiary companies partnering Vale to create a win-win situation that would ultimately generate income and help enrich the state coffers? Business Oversight & Accountability Centre of Malaysia (BOACM) 
|
| Two high profile judges in case-fixing video Posted: 04 Feb 2013 09:05 PM PST 
VIDEO INSIDE 'Video MP' releases a two-minute video showing alleged case fixing within the judiciary. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne, who became an overnight sensation with the VK Lingam tapes, has released a new video clip which he claimed showed another case fixing within the judiciary. The two-minute video, recorded by his father Mui Fah, showed an alleged case fixing involving "high-profile" judges a few years ago. The video clip shows Mui Fah discussing a civil case with an accountant in which both were involved. In the video clip, Mui Fah was seen discussing about the accountant's relationship with a certain "W", purportedly a senior judge, and another named J. "W you know very well. Your good friend! So you can ask W to help you," said Mui Fah. "Yeah … but no need. J [another friend] is there! My good friend. J, my old wheeler dealer broker," said the professional. "We have provided information and evidence of continuing malpractice and fixing of cases to the highest bidder," Mui Fah told a press conference here. "Like it or not, justice in Malaysia can be bought and sold," he added. Mui Fah expressed disappointment at the lack of change in judiciary despite the VK Lingam fiasco in 2007 which saw then Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz's retirement after his tenure was not renewed due to objection from the Conference of Rulers. "Despite a lot of reports on changes and transformation, unfortunately behind the scenes, not much has changed," he said. 'Something fishy going on' Despite requests from the press to divulge more details regarding the matter, Mui Fah said he will only release further information once Chief Justice Ariffin Zakaria responds to the issue. "I am not revealing details at this moment because of legal issues surrounding it, but I have provided enough information to the chief justice and the highest authority in the government to look into the complaint," he said. "However, regardless of whether the government responds, in the not too far future we will reveal what is contained in the video," he added. Asked who recorded the video, Gwo Burne said: "I helped set it up and left it in place to record the conversation". READ MORE HERE |
| Now, Mani Ratnam’s ‘Kadal’ in trouble Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:59 PM PST 
(Agencies) - CHENNAI: After the 'Vishwaroopam' row, now Christian groups have filed a complaint against Mani Ratnam's 'Kadal', claiming that it is anti-Christian. The Indian Christian Democratic Party on Monday filed a complaint with police commissioner S George against the film. They alleged the film had objectionable scenes referring to Christianity and sought their deletion. They warned of intensified protests if police did not initiate action. Christudas, a representative of the organisation, told reporters that the filmmaker had hurt the sentiments of the people belonging to the Christian community. "We have demanded that the director remove scenes which hurt sentiments of the Christian community. They should take action against the director if the scenes are not immediately removed," he said. Such scenes will give wrong ideas about the religion, he added. 'Kadal', was released on February 1. Actors Arjun and Aravind Samy are in the lead roles besides Gautham and Thulasi, children of yesteryear stars Karthik and Radha. Another Christian group lodged a complaint with the chief secretary demanding to ban the movie 'Adhibhagavan' as it hurts Hindu sentiments. Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroopam' had faced hurdles after Muslim groups objected to it claiming the film offended their sentiments. The state government had banned it, following which Kamal moved the Madras high court. Kamal and the Muslim outfits arrived at a compromise at a government-brokered meeting on Saturday. Following this, the actor withdrew his petition on Monday against the ban and announced that the tri-lingual 100-crore movie would be released in Tamil Nadu on February 7. |
| Guilty as charged Posted: 04 Feb 2013 08:10 PM PST 
Selangor, at that time, was a territory of Perak. And it was the Sultan of Perak who crowned Raja Lumu as the Sultan of Selangor. The ceremony was conducted in Lumut. Hence Raja Lumu did not invade Selangor and illegally occupy the state, as you are trying to imply, Simon. He was legally crowned as the Sultan of Selangor by the ruling house of Perak -- that was in existence for more than 200 years and came into existence soon after the Portuguese invaded Malacca in 1511. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin Dear Simon, I thought instead of publishing your comment I would reply to it point-by-point so that we can engage in a mature and civil discourse. I know your comment was meant to insult me and probably provoke an equally insulting response from me. However, such a low-class response to a low-class comment will not get us anywhere, don't you think so? Hence bear with me as I respond to what you have said. First of all, with regards to your allegation that I am a coward who dares not return to Malaysia. Now, Simon, you posted your comment using what I can only assume is a false name. Even if 'Simon' is not a false name there must be millions of Simons all over the world. Hence why did you not use your real or full name and prove to me that you are not a coward. I mean, only someone who is brave has the moral right to call someone else a coward. It is like a prostitute calling a woman a prostitute. Calling a woman a prostitute is supposed to be an insult. But if you yourself are a prostitute how can you consider calling another woman a prostitute as an insult? I trust you understand what I mean. Furthermore, the e-mail address you used is a fake e-mail address. I tried e-mailing you this response but the e-mail bounced. Hence not only is your name false (or at the very least incomplete), even your e-mail address is false as well. This can only mean you lack the courage to reveal your true identity -- or, to put it a bit more crudely, as you have done: you are a coward. And you call me a coward? Can you now see the irony in this whole thing? Maybe you do not see it this way because I realise you need to be of a certain intellectual level to possess the ability to apply reasoning. If you were to take a course in philosophy you will appreciate how crucial the ability of reasoning is to be able to understand what you are studying. Without that ability you will never be able to grasp the fundamentals of philosophy. And that was the whole purpose why I took a course in Philosophy of Religion in Oxford back in 2010 although I was already 60 years old and really did not need to do so. I wanted to sharpen my skills in reasoning, especially with regards to religion. You then referred to my family background and said that I come from a family of pirates. Actually that is very true and I have never denied that fact. In fact, I have written about this so many times if you had been following my writings since back in the mid-1990s. I even set up a website, which you can see here: http://www.tun-uda.com/. Not only have I never denied that I am a descendant of pirates, I am in fact even proud of it, so proud of that fact that I even set up a website. Yes, my family were pirates back in the old days around 400 or 500 years ago. But then 'pirate' is the reference made only in the context of today's value system. Back in England, Spain, Portugal, Holland, France, etc., that is 400-500 years ago, piracy was a noble profession. The government, in fact, licensed 'pirates' back then and they were called 'privateers' -- such as what governments do today: privatisation of certain services. And you had to be favoured by the government to be given the licence to become a privateer. People like Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake were even knighted by the Queen because of their tremendous success in attacking and plundering enemy ships (plus, of course, for sharing the 'spoils of war' with the government). Today, many of the millionaires and nobility of Europe are descendants of privateers who, if measured by today's value system, were nothing short of pirates. But then such was the value system of those days. What was considered acceptable back in the old days may not be seen in that same light today. I mean, girls aged ten could get married even as late as 150 years ago, and even in countries like America. Do you know that America abolished slavery 150 years ago but they did not abolish the practice of ten-year-old girls getting married? Today, if you married a ten-year-old girl you will get sent to jail, as would you if you attacked and plundered ships on the high seas. I have always said that the victors, not the vanquished, write the history books. Hence Raja Haji, the son of Daeng Chelak bin Daeng Rilaka (or sometimes called Rilaga) of Riau is called a pirate. But that is only because Raja Haji fought the Dutch in Malacca (now Melaka) and lost due to treachery. Hence Raja Haji and not the Dutch is the pirate. But the Dutch also attacked the British ships in the Straits of Melaka that sailed from India to Hong Kong carrying opium. Is this not also piracy? All Raja Haji did was to attack the Dutch ships that attacked the British ships. But Raja Haji is the pirate while the Dutch are 'good Christians'. Okay that is what the western history books tell us: that Raja Haji was a pirate (and hence I am a descendant of a pirate). Now read what the Malay language history books have to say about Raja Haji: Raja Haji Fisabilillah ibni Daeng Celak (1727 - 18 Jun 1784) atau lebih dikenali sebagai Raja Haji adalah seorang pahlawan Bugis dan Yang Dipertuan Muda Kesultanan Johor-Riau-Lingga (1777 - 1784). Dilahirkan di Ulusungai, Riau, Raja Haji meninggal dunia di Teluk Ketapang, Melaka, dan dimakamkan di Pulau Penyengat Indera Sakti, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia. Now, note the following key words: Fisabilillah and pahlawan. Do you know what these two words mean? The first word means 'to fight in the way of Allah' and the second word means 'patriot'. In short, according to the Malay version of history, Raja Haji is a Mujahideen warrior and died a mujahid (martyr). There is no mention of lanun (pirate) in that version of history. I suppose this is how the Chinese would look at Chin Peng compared to how the British look at him. Does that now begin to make sense? Now, Daeng Chelak, the father of Raja Haji, also had another son called Raja Lumu. And Raja Lumu became the First Sultan of Selangor in 1742 and he took on the name of Sultan Sallehuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Daeng Chelak. Selangor, at that time, was a territory of Perak. And it was the Sultan of Perak who crowned Raja Lumu as the Sultan of Selangor. The ceremony was conducted in Lumut. Hence Raja Lumu did not invade Selangor and illegally occupy the state, as you are trying to imply, Simon. He was legally crowned as the Sultan of Selangor by the ruling house of Perak -- that was in existence for more than 200 years and came into existence soon after the Portuguese invaded Malacca in 1511. In case you have forgotten your history, Simon, the Portuguese invaded Malacca in 1511 and sacked Sultan Mahmud Shah, who then retreated to Kampar in Sumatra. One of his sons, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Shah, became the Sultan of Johor, while the other son, Sultan Muzaffar Shah I ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Shah, became the First Sultan of Perak. Hence, Raja Lumu, a.k.a Sultan Sallehuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Daeng Chelak, was crowned the First Sultan of Selangor by the legitimate heir of Sultan Mahmud Shah of Malacca -- a Sultanate which was founded in 1400, and which originated from the Srivijayan Empire of the 600s, which was around the time of the birth of Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years or so ago. So you see, Simon, I can trace my roots in great detail up to about the year 600 or so (and if I really wanted to I could even trace it to earlier times). And I know who my ancestors are. And, yes, some of them were pirates or privateers or mujahideens or pahlawan -- depending on which side of history you stand. However, can you trace your ancestry? Simon, I do not know whether you are Malay, Chinese, Indian, or one of the natives of East Malaysia, because you have not revealed your true identity. But I bet you do not know where you came from. Hence to insult my ancestors the way you have could actually backfire on you. Could you, in fact, be a descendant of one of those 'comfort women' whom Yap Ah Loy brought in from China to work in his brothels in Ampang Road back in the late 1800s? We will never know, will we? Anyway, do keep in touch and do continue to post comments. I shall be most pleased to engage you in further discourse if you feel there are more issues we need to thrash out. In the meantime, keep safe and stay healthy. Oh, and do try to lose some of that hate because hate is not too good for the state of your mental health. |
| Islamic authority imposing restrictions on non-Muslims in ‘Allah’ row, says interfaith group Posted: 04 Feb 2013 05:08 PM PST 
Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider A non-Muslim interfaith group chided today the Selangor Islamic Council (MAIS) and a former top judge for trying to control the rights of Malaysia's religious minorities in the tussle over "Allah", which they said was against the country's highest law. The Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) was weighing in on recent statements issued by MAIS and ex-Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheik Abdul Halim, barring non-Muslims from calling their gods "Allah". "This is tantamount to imposition of restrictions by an lslamic Council or body against non-Muslims. It could also be seen as an attempt to control the religious practice of a non-Muslim religion by an lslamic body or organisation," it said in a statement today. The council warned against the "unhealthy practice" of pushing the idea that non-Muslims were bound by a fatwa or ruling from Islamic bodies like MAIS, saying it could spark religious tension. "Any attempt to govern non-Muslims or interfere with non-Muslims' practise of their religion by any Muslim body must be stopped immediately. It would be against the Federal Constitution. This unhealthy practice could also lead to unwanted social repercussions and raising of tensions between communities," it added. The statement was signed by Tan Hoe Chieow who is MCCBCHST president and head of Taoism here; deputy president Jagir Singh for the Malaysian Gurdwara Council; and Sing Kan and Prematilaka KD Serisena for Buddhism; and Rev Thomas Philips for Christianity; Datuk RS Mohan Shan for Hinduism. The non-Muslim interfaith group said there are no laws, whether at federal or state level, to impose rulings or fatwa on non-Muslims. It stressed that the only law applicable to non-Muslims was laid in Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution, which restricted them from preaching their religious doctrine or belief to Muslims. MCCBCHST said no non-Muslim was disputing Islam's position as the religion of the federation. It urged Muslims who disagreed that non-Muslims had a right to call their gods "Allah" to read the Constitution carefully and holistically, pointing to Articles 3(4) and 11(4). Referring to Ahmad Fairuz, the group said it failed to understand "how the former Chief Justice could overlook the fact that all the enactments of the 10 states are made under Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution, and that Article 11(4) only provides for the control or propagation of any religious doctrine or belief amongst persons professing the religion of lslam." READ MORE HERE |
| Muhyiddin: Winning back Penang not impossible Posted: 04 Feb 2013 04:55 PM PST 
Opalyn Mok, The Malaysian Insider Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) has regained public support recently so it is not impossible for the coalition to win back the state, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. "It is not impossible to recapture the state but it will not be easy too. "I don't want to sound arrogant by saying that we can easily win back the state as it will be an uphill battle," he (picture) told reporters at a press conference at Equatorial Hotel here today. He noted that in general, the public are beginning to realise the good that BN has done for them and that they are now more receptive to the coalition. "A recent survey by our election machinery has revealed an increase in support for BN and there are a few parliamentary seats that we could win back," he said, adding that those seats were lost to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) due to internal issues and not due to a lack of support for BN. In Election 2008, Penang fell to PR when the opposition coalition consisting of DAP, PKR and PAS, won 29 out of 40 state seats, totally wiping out Gerakan and MCA while Umno only managed to retain 11 seats. PR also won 11 out of 13 parliamentary seats in Penang. "Now, we can see that we are regaining support from people in some of the constituencies, so we are sure to win back a few seats," he said. He said Penang BN would have to continue working hard to win back the support of the people just as PR is now working hard to retain it. Muhyiddin also said he has heard complaints from Penangites against the current PR state government over various issues from land disputes to housing matters. "There are now so many unresolved issues and the people have realised that and opened their eyes to really evaluate Pakatan Rakyat," he said. Earlier, he said all 345 BN election machinery were now fully prepared for Election 2013 while hinting that the polls could be called in a matter of days or weeks. A total of 13.3 million registered voters will be casting their ballots in the upcoming polls for a total of 222 federal seats and 505 state seats across 12 states and three federal territories. In Penang, about 840,000 registered voters will cast their votes in 13 parliamentary constituencies and 40 state constituencies. |
| Don’t jump to conclusions, says EC chief Posted: 04 Feb 2013 04:50 PM PST 
(Bernama) - The Election Commission (EC) is requesting all parties not to jump to conclusions to implicate the EC in the on-going Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) investigating the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah. EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (picture) said today as long as the RCI was carrying out its task, no one should comment on matters raised during the proceedings. "Don't conclude anything before the proceedings are complete. Don't simply accuse the EC of anything. The investigation is not complete yet," he said. Speaking at a press conference here, he said making a comment now was like making a premature conclusion on the outcome of a movie. "One quarter into the movie, the hero appears to be shot dead. But don't jump the gun that he's dead. Towards the end, it transpires that he was just unconscious," he said. Abdul Aziz said the EC had budgeted RM78 million for Sarawak for the 13th general election, with more than half the amount allocated for rental of vehicles for staff. He said the amount was the highest compared to other states due to Sarawak's vastness and terrain. Earlier, he presented appointment letters to eight non-governmental organisations who were made domestic observers for the 13th general election in Sarawak. Speaking at the ceremony, he said four of the associations — Dayak Bidayuh National Association, Orang Ulu National Association, National Islamic Youth Association Sarawak Branch and Sarawak Malay National Association — would be observing the election process in the Kuching area. The observers for Sibu would be the Sibu Melanau Association and Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce, while the Federation of Orang Ulu Malaysia and Miri Chinese Association would be observing in Miri, he added. |
| Pakatan can only dream about Johor, says Ghani Othman Posted: 04 Feb 2013 04:21 PM PST 
Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider Pakatan Rakyat (PR) can only dream of capturing Umno stronghold Johor in the general election, Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman has said amid rising confidence from the opposition that it can make a dent in the Barisan Nasional bastion. Sinar Harian Online reported Abdul Ghani as saying yesterday that voter support, especially among the youth, for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Umno birthplace remained strong and has never faltered. "Like the past 50 years, the youth of Johor still support BN. In fact, their support has increased lately," Abdul Ghani (picture) was quoted as saying in Muar yesterday. "That's why we will remain a fort for the party. The opposition's confidence is actually based on other people supporting their parties," he added. Abdul Ghani called on young people to uphold Johor as a BN bastion in the 13th general election that must be called by April. "We want to return the record of Johor winning 100 per cent in all 56 state seats and 26 parliamentary seats that are being contested. With the support of the youth, we are confident that we can achieve this objective in the general election this time," he said. Despite sweeping Penang, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Kelantan in Election 2008, the loose coalition of PAS, PKR and the DAP won just one federal and six state seats out of 26 and 56 seats respectively in Johor. Johor PR leaders admitted last November that they were facing difficulties in securing the Malay vote. The Malays make up close to 60 per cent of the three million-strong population of Johor, which is also home to a staggering 74 Felda settlements spread out across 21 state constituencies. The Felda Malay vote is often played by BN as its trump card during electoral battles, and has also been credited as one of the key reasons behind the ruling pact's survival in the 2008 political tsunami, particularly in Johor. But Johor PR leaders believe a slight 35 per cent vote swing among Johor's Malay electorate should suffice to topple BN in Johor in the next polls, provided PR goes all out in ensuring that Johor's non-Malays go anti-BN. PAS Youth chief Shuhaizan Kaiat has said that with an estimated 70 per cent support from the state's Chinese community, who make up over 35 per cent of Johor's population, PR could well capture the state in Election 2013. |
| Zahid backs PAS on ‘Allah’, tells Karpal to back off Posted: 04 Feb 2013 04:03 PM PST 
Nomy Nozwir and Syed Jaymal Zahiid, The Malaysian Insider
Karpal Singh should not interfere with PAS's decision on the "Allah" controversy as he has no authority to speak on Islam, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi said today, in a move seemingly aimed at driving a deeper wedge between the Islamist party and its DAP allies. The DAP national chairman had disapproved of PAS's statement that non-Muslims had received well the decision against allowing the use of the word "Allah" in translations of their religious texts, a decision he said was reached without prior discussions with other Pakatan Rakyat parties. "I do not make statements along political lines but what was said by the syura council was right," Zahid (picture) said, in reference to PAS's highest decision-making body. "And Karpal Singh should not comment on the syura council's decision. It is not within his expertise," added the defence minister. Following weeks of controversy over the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims, the party's religious council said that the Arabic word cannot be translated into or translated from other languages. The council explained that the word "Allah" is a specific and holy word used to refer to the Muslims' God. "Therefore, translating the word God or Lord from any non-Muslim kitab agama (religious texts) to the word Allah tidak dibolehkan (cannot be allowed) because it is wrong from the aspect of meaning and wrong usage, does not fulfil the actual purpose and can bring about an obvious confusion. "Therefore, it has to be prevented," said PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and his deputy Datuk Dr Haron Din. READ MORE HERE |
| Hindraf-BN talks: Decision this month Posted: 04 Feb 2013 03:31 PM PST 
Feelings at the grassroots are ambivalent, say sources. Athi Shankar, FMT Hindraf will decide this month whether to hold talks with the Barisan Nasional leadership to find permanent solutions to the socio-economic problems plaguing Malaysian Indians. The movement's central executive committee (CEC) met on Sunday to discuss the matter but could not reach a decision after hours of deliberation. Sources said the CEC members paid particular attention to the ambivalence of grassroots feelings. Apparently, while many grassroots members are in favour of an electoral tie-up with Pakatan Rakyat, they are also dissatisfied with the performance of Pakatan state governments in championing the cause of marginalised working class Indians. Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy said the 15-member committee would meet again this month to make a decision. "Personally, I feel there is no harm meeting the prime minister," he told FMT today. "But the CEC must collectively sanction any decision in the community's interest, not personal interests. We will announce our official stand." The idea for the talks with BN emerged after the government lifted its ban on Hindraf last week. This came months after Hindraf had held talks with PAS and PKR and submitted its "Indian Blueprint" to both parties for their adoption. The movement has said that it would support any political organisation that would agree in writing to adopt the blueprint, which recommends a five-year programme aimed at the betterment of the Indian community. Waythamoorthy told FMT he was upset that "certain quarters" had spread "rumours and misinformation" about Hindraf merely because the movement did not respond immediately to the lifting of the government ban. READ MORE HERE |
| Pakatan distance itself from burn-Lynas threat Posted: 04 Feb 2013 03:27 PM PST 
Pakatan Rakyat leaders say they do not condone violence and destruction of property. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT Pakatan Rakyat leaders have distanced themselves from Himpunan Hijau's threat to torch Lynas Corps' controversial rare-earth refinery. Yesterday, the environmental group's president Wong Tack publicly declared his intention to burn down the Australian miner's plant if the newly-elected government fails to close it down after the upcoming general election. He also pledged support to Pakatan and stated his resolve to topple Barisan Nasional as he believed the opposition coalition will fulfil its promise to close down the plant. However, Pakatan leaders have disagreed with Wong's resort to violence and have distanced themselves from the group. "I disagree and disassociate the opposition from his statement. We do not condone violence and destruction of property," PKR vice-president N Surendran told FMT. He said he understood Wong's frustration and unhappiness over the failure to halt the plants' operations but warned that "this is not a correct way to respond". "I hope Wong will continue using peaceful, effective and principled movement against the plant and does not speak out about using violence," Surendran said. "We welcome the support of any group or individuals as long as their contribution is peaceful and through legal political campaigning," he added. Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said he understood Wong's "passion about the environment" but disagreed with his threat to burn down the plant. "The final analysis is that we have to go by the rule of law. We have to get BN to be open about the issue and listen to the comments and arguments and make the right decision," he said, adding that noted the issue must be "completely free from all political platforms". "What we need is to be more professional in the evaluation of the project as a whole. Even if BN is elected again, it should be more responsible and engage with the public," he said. "This is not just an election issue," he added. Asked if the police should investigate Wong's threat which is akin to Pakatan's call for the authorities to charge Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali following the latter's Bible-burning threat, Khalid said that it was not necessary. "He [Wong] should be given a warning that if he tries to take the law into his own hands, he will have to face the consequences of his actions and there would be no quick, easy way out," he said. "Such fires cause damages, injuries and even death. Wong must understand the additional consequences. He should be advised and warned," he said. However, Surendran said he will leave it up to the authorities to take appropriate action against Wong. "We don't agree with his suggestion. He should not have said it," he said. READ MORE HERE |
| ‘Get out, cops are coming!’ Posted: 04 Feb 2013 03:21 PM PST 
Workers at an illegal gambling outlet are being tipped off by policemen on impending raids, claims a crime fighter. Anisah Shukry, FMT "Everyone get out, the police will be here in four minutes!" Knowing that a raid was imminent, workers at the Simpang Pertang illegal gambling centre hastily ushered their customers out and planted damaged computers for the police to seize. Within minutes, a police patrol car entered the area, made three rounds without stopping or braking, and left empty-handed. Relating this incident to FMT was MyWatch chief R Sri Sanjeevan, who, disguised as a customer at these outlets, had tipped off Bukit Aman that the outlets were still operating illegally. But his efforts were foiled as a police officer from the nearby police station allegedly alerted the outlets' workers of the raid. "I was undercover at one of the outlets and called Bukit Aman at 10.31pm to tip them off that the outlets were still operating," said Sanjeevan. Last Thursday, Negeri Sembilan police announced they had set up a team to investigate Sanjeevan's claims that an officer had threatened to shoot him for exposing illegal activities in the area. State CID chief ACP Hamdan Majid had also denied the MyWatch chief's claim that police were protecting the illegal gambling centres, pointing out that 232 raids were carried out since 2011
Nothing has changed But according to Sanjeevan, an undercover trip to the outlets the following night revealed that nothing had changed. Aside from the fact that the workers were warned in advance, he expressed disgust over the apparently half-hearted method in which the police ultimately conducted the raid. "A police car went one round around the shop lots, then a second round, then a third round – without stopping or even braking. They took a short cruise, then left," he recalled. He said that after the "raid", a uniformed policeman entered the shop and told the workers that they could resume operations. "It's very clear to me now that the police are business partners of this illegal syndicates. The whole syndicate is run by ex-policemen," he added. Sanjeevan said he immediately informed Hamdan what had transpired and demanded that the ACP take action. "I told him the culprit is inside the force and asked him why he was still protecting those guilty in the Jelebu police force. "Hamdan told reporters that they had conducted hundreds of raids on this area since 2011, but why are these outlets still operating?" said Sanjeevan. He was referring to a Bernama report in which Hamdan refuted the MyWatch chief's claims that the local police had done nothing to stop the illegal gambling syndicate in Simpang Pertang. Hamdan had said that 66 raids were carried out in 2011, 154 in 2012 and 12 in January. But according to Sanjeevan, several police officers from Negeri Sembilan had told him that those who arrested parties involved in the illegal gambling syndicates were transferred within a month. "It's an internal transfer. That means the culprit is sitting up in the IPK Negeri Sembilan," he claimed, referring to the state's police contingent headquarters. "So I am urging the Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Inspector-General of Police [DIG] to remove Hamdan if he is not doing his job," said Sanjeevan. READ MORE HERE |
| Malaysia opposition sniffs power Posted: 04 Feb 2013 12:55 PM PST 
(Oman Daily Observer) - Speculation is rife that Pakatan could win enough in the polls to lure ruling coalition defectors and form a government. After the 2008 elections, a more experienced and organised Malaysian opposition is eyeing the once-unthinkable: toppling one of the world's longest-serving governments. Malaysians vote soon with the formerly hapless opposition buoyed by a new track record of state-level government, signs of growing voter support, and what its leader Anwar Ibrahim calls a sense of history in the making. "I am convinced, that we will win government," Anwar said, evoking the winds of change that powered the "Arab Spring" elsewhere in the Muslim world. "Of course we call it a 'Malaysian Spring', but our method is elections (not uprisings)." Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to call a fresh vote in weeks, pitting his Malay-dominated Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition against Anwar's multi-ethnic opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact). The 57-year-old ruling bloc enjoys deep pockets, mainstream media control, an electoral system the opposition says is rigged, and a record of decades of economic growth under its authoritarian template. Few expect the opposition to win the 112 parliamentary seats needed to take power. The three-party alliance won 82 seats in the 2008 polls, up from 21, stunning the BN with its biggest-ever setback. But speculation is rife that Pakatan could win enough in the polls — which must be held by late June — to lure ruling coalition defectors and form a government. "Before this year, many were in denial about Pakatan's potential. Today, we see society beginning to accept that the possibility (of a BN defeat) is real," said Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who runs the independent Malaysian think tank IDEAS. The country's stock market has trembled recently over the uncertainty as opinion polls suggest the vote will be tight. One recent survey put Najib and Anwar neck-and-neck as prime ministerial candidates. Read more at: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/145949 |
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
