Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- NFC scandal: MACC blind to corruptions
- ‘It won’t be Anwar at Istana gates’
- Oh! Woe to the book lover
- Apa lagi PAS nak perjuangkan!
- Non-halal books? What’s next?
| NFC scandal: MACC blind to corruptions Posted: 14 Dec 2011 02:45 PM PST Can you imagine Abu Kassim telling Sin Chew reporters that the problem with the people is that they don't understand the law and cannot distinguish white from black and they simply tango with the opposition to condemn MACC? Kim Quek Many people may be wondering why the MACC washed its hands over the investigation of the National Feedlot Center (NFC) scandal and passed the buck to the police. And now, chairman of MACC Abu Kassim Mohamed gives us his answer. Speaking to Sin Chew Daily reporters after an international conference on Dec 14, Abu Kassim explained that the complaint that MACC received pertained to abuse of a public loan, not abuse of authority; and hence, it is a case under the Criminal Procedure Act to be investigated by police, and not a corruption case that falls under the jurisdiction of MACC. I presume Abu Kassim was referring to the complaint about the use of part of a RM250 million government soft loan to purchase luxurious condos and other personal properties by the family of Wanita Umno Chief and Minister of Women, Welfare and Community Development, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. But hasn't Abu Kassim been acting rather amateurish as the nation's top corruption buster, akin to the blind man touching the proverbial elephant? Like an elephant, which is made up of many features, this NFC scandal is a multi-faceted monster that gobbles up large quantities of public funds. PROJECT RIDDLED WITH CORRRUPTIONS A major government project was dubiously awarded to an incompetent and unqualified minister's family, for which a huge government soft loan was granted and disbursed under highly questionable circumstances that enable the project recipient to squander on improper purposes, resulting in a project failure that not only thwarted an important food production scheme, but also imperiled the recovery of such public funds. Needless to say, in such a scandalous project failure, more than one minister, and more than one ministry's officials could be incriminated in offences that encompass corruption, collusion, breach of trust and criminal negligence – in the award of project and subsequent disbursement of funds. In this entire chain of criminal acts, the purchase of condos is only one link - not the most important one. The bigger question is: Why was the project awarded to Shahrizat's family? Who decided it? The next question is: Who should be responsible for failing to control the proper disbursement of loans, and for failing to monitor the proper utilization of the funds? On the first question, the culprits at the fore-front are present and past ministers of agriculture and agro Industries (Noh, Mustapa Mohamed, Muhyiddin), and present and past ministers of finance (Najib, Abdullah Badawi), for having been involved in the award of project and subsequent disbursement of funds. POLITICAL HANDSHAKE? Apart from these apparent culprits at the protocol level, what about possible behind-the-scene political machinations linked to the project? Readers will recall that Shahrizat was engaged in a heated contest against her predecessor Rafida Aziz as Wanita Umno Chief in the last Umno party election and succeeded in ousting the latter that many observers believed as fulfilling the wishes of the top party leadership. Under the circumstances, it may not be entirely far-fetched to ask whether there was any link between this RM250 million project and Shahrizat's successful mission to oust Rafida. This is an aspect that no conscientious investigator should overlook in his probe on the scandal. On the second question of disbursement of loan that resulted in splurging of funds for improper purposes, both the agro ministry and finance ministry cannot possibly shirk their responsibility, as it is under their joint scrutiny and approval that every disbursement was made. For that reason, the two ministers, as well as officials concerned from the two ministries have to be probed. With such abundance of corrupt activities going on at the political leadership as well as the administrative level, can you imagine our MACC telling us that there is nothing it can do regarding the scandal? Can you imagine Abu Kassim telling Sin Chew reporters that the problem with the people is that they don't understand the law and cannot distinguish white from black and they simply tango with the opposition to condemn MACC? Abu Kassim further said: "Our biggest problem is how to change people's mindset and how to convince them that MACC is independent. Under the present political atmosphere, corruption is politicized and MACC's alleged lack of independence is used to topple the government". TREATING PEOPLE LIKE FOOLS Hearing such comments, one can't help feeling that Abu Kassim has taken the people as ignorant fools. If MACC is independent, can Abu Kassim tell us why there has been no response whatsoever over the mountains of evidence and numerous reports lodged with the Commission over the now world famous timber baron of Sarawak, Taib Mahmud the Chief Minister? A Sarawak NGO called Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS) submitted a 2-inch thick report in March, documenting Taib Mahmud's corruption – no response to date. Sarawakian Willie Kajan submitted his second report by travelling all the way to Putrajaya in January – no response. Sarawakians James Wong and John Brian submitted their reports in June and August 2010 at Shah Alam and Putrajaya respectively – no response. Many others including political party leaders have also submitted their reports to MACC and met with the same fate. As for the current NFC scandal, why is Abu Kassim acting like a blind man, oblivious to the swirling controversy that has exposed voluminous evidence of corruption and abuse of power through numerous press conferences and Internet postings over the last two months? Why is it that Abu Kassim can't see the word "corruption" when it is staring at him from all directions? We understand why Abu Kassim (and the MACC under him) is acting the way he does, but at least spare the people the insult of treating them like fools.
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| ‘It won’t be Anwar at Istana gates’ Posted: 14 Dec 2011 01:10 PM PST Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim may have underestimated the technicalities of forming a new government post 13th GE. When push comes to shove, everyone must be realist. Can a person who will probably be in jail become a PM? Can a person with an image problem be PM? We will be defending a person who is stung by accusations of all sorts of moral depravities all of which suggests moral weaknesses. Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, Free Malaysia Today In about two months' time Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim may perhaps be a special guest to the government. So post 13th general election, he may not be there jumping up and down outside the Istana Negara gates. It won't be him, but another trusted person who waves the paper that contains the list of MPs who back him (Anwar) as their prime minister. Anwar will insist, the choice of PM can be done this way, since precedence has been created in Perak. The MPs whose names are in the list waved are also at the gates. They would have all travelled in buses provided free by businessmen eager to ingratiate themselves to the new rulers of Malaysia. But that person who probably has no stature and standing at the Palace gates is refused entry. Because inside in audience with the King is the Attorney-General. The AG, in the presence of the Chief Secretary of the government informs the King that the test of support of the majority of MPs must be done in a parliamentary sitting. So, Anwar's paper with the list of MPs is useless unless parliament sits. The Agong for the first time will be truly tested. The country cannot afford to not have a constitutionally established government. Humbling reality The Agong will need to use his discretion to decide, who he and his brother rulers regard as the person who has the credibility and support to form the next government. The interest of the country now overrides anything else. He will only see the person whom he thinks command all round respect. Anwar may have underestimated the technicalities of forming a new government. He can't bulldoze his way around and do an Arab Spring or a series of street demonstrations. He must now realize, his earthly salvation lies in the hands of other people. The big 3 – PKR, PAS and DAP – must direct themselves to this possibly. They must collectively address the issue who is their collective leader, the person with the stature, the experience and who possesses sufficient credibility to become Pakatan's leader. Anwar and PKR must acknowledge the bigger picture. His salvation may indeed depend on this humbling reality.
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| Posted: 14 Dec 2011 09:46 AM PST One becomes more empathic to social issues and will contribute to the worthiness of a cause when one has a learned viewpoint of the world, as opposed to having shallow knowledge. A reading and intellectual society begets learned critics; when one has a learned viewpoint of the world, as opposed to having shallow knowledge, one becomes more empathic to social issues and will contribute to the worthiness of the cause. By Dina Zaman, The Star THE recent literary kerfuffle over the weekend was news of Jakim finding Lee Kuan Yew's book (and other books) haram for not meeting its guidelines. To date, Putrajaya and Jakim's director-general are "… still studying the book." However, Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going is not banned yet and is still on Malaysian bookshelves. A blogger, The Malaysian Reader (http://themalaysianreader.com/2011/12/08/jakims-list-of-banned-islamic-themed-books-2011/), had posted a list of books banned by Jakim; and a literary figure, Feisal Tehrani, is also one of the authors scrutinised, and whose book Batu di Kuala Berang is banned. First, what is the difference between a ban and the term "haram"? A ban means a prohibition, censure, condemnation by public opinion. Haram means forbidden, especially those actions and deeds deemed so by Allah. According to lawyer Art Harun, "… assuming Jakim has the power to declare books (actually to declare anything) as haram, its declaration that the book is haram only operates as a declaration per se and nothing more. "It brings about no legal repercussions to any Muslim who defies that declaration by proceeding to be in possession of the book, touching it passionately or even using it as an object of pleasure. "As for banning a book, that is the purview of the Home Ministry. Banning a book has legal connotations. People in possession of or selling the book can be charged in court; and if found guilty, punished." Now what is the role of Jakim in multicultural Malaysia? "In 1968, the Malaysian Council of Rulers decided that there was a need for a body that could mobilise the development and progress of Muslims in Malaysia in line with the country's status as an Islamic country which was growing in strength as well as fast gaining worldwide recognition," its website states. "In realising the fact, a secretariat for the National Council of Islamic Affairs of Malaysia was formed to protect the purity of faith and the teachings of Islam." The question every discerning Malaysian reader wants to know is: What are Jakim's guidelines towards books? Are these men of the cloth also literature graduates? Do learned and pious men make good literary critics? I do not know the content of Hard Truths. I am a fan of history, not of biography, though Keith Richards' Life is a rocking read. (Now will that book be banned for its celebration of a life of decadence?) I am also a believer that when you have your religious/humanist basics right, you will be able to perform an intelligent comparative analysis when you come across a text which may offend or cause discomfort. It will not be based on emotions, but facts. I can say this confidently: Muslims, in general, are an intelligent lot. At least my friends are. Even the most pious of my friends enjoy a good read and are able to discern what is right and wrong. I have a friend, Mr Greenbottle, who is a proud supporter of PAS and crazy about books. He once gave me a book about the lives of pigs. Yes, you read and saw that right: PIGS. "Hey, the religion never said anything about not being allowed to READ about pigs, right? We just can't consume it," he clucked as I stared incredulously at the book. The book was a really interesting read about the animal and I stopped halfway when I came to the chapter which discussed the dismemberment of pigs. For that matter, I stopped reading Mary Roach's Stiff halfway: learning about corpse farms in America turned my stomach. What is this fear that Malaysians and Muslim-Malaysians may be influenced negatively by the books they read? Are we so incapable of independent thought, and our faiths so shallow that we cannot navigate the terrain? Countless articles have been written, expounding the benefits of reading to society. A reading and intellectual society begets learned critics; when one has a learned viewpoint of the world, as opposed to having shallow knowledge, one becomes more empathic to social issues and will contribute to the worthiness of the cause. A reading and educated society takes itself out of poverty and empowers its children. Every industry's work is documented on paper and in a digital format – you cannot escape literature! On a personal note, reading helps stave off dementia and makes me a more interesting person! Reading also brings different worlds together. I am now researching for my new book and I am reading about Catholic women saints and Japan's hidden Christians. At the same time, I am comparing the saints to Sufi women saints and reading about the persecution of Muslims during Prophet Muhammad's time. I am struck by the passion and grit of these people, who had only one thing in common: to serve God. However, by reading books that are not Islamic in content, am I committing a crime? I read these books for research and also out of sheer curiosity. Will the latter be censured? Dr Asri Zainal Abidin in his book, Islam in Malaysia: Perceptions & Facts also commented on the lack of intellectual and critical thinking in the country. "The practice of blind taklid was never taught by any imam (of the Sunni community as a whole). "On the contrary, imams have demanded that each person must strive to build his or her own intellectual ability," he wrote in Facts and Evidence in Islam. If "… the academic world has acknowledged the competence of non-Shafi'i (but Muslim) scholars… (why) should we reject them on the basis of their school...?" (The Need for an Open Mind). Obviously, in this context, Asri is talking about mazhabs, but it is also clear that Islam does not hinder critical thinking. It encourages it. I fear having an authority decide which books can be read and which are disallowed. I have said that wearing the hijab is not an issue to me, but veiling my thinking and the books I choose to read will be a threat to my freedom and happiness. Dina Zaman is a writer based in KL. She is interested in Malaysian religious histories and its people.
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| Posted: 14 Dec 2011 09:20 AM PST Hakikatnya undi orang Melayu tidaklah banyak — sekitar 6.3 juta manakala bukan Melayu lebih 4 juta. Namun jika diambil perhatian, pengundi Melayu memang tersangatlah liat untuk keluar mengundi lebih-lebih lagi jika hujan lebat di sebelah pagi hari pengundian. Zulkifli Jalil, The Malaysian Insider Negara berkebajikanlah, Buku Jinggalah. Sesiapa pun kalau "membacanya" pasti mengerti semua yang terkandung di dalam dua agenda pembangkang ini sudah pun terangkum dalam pelan pembangunan negara sejak merdeka lagi. Berkehendakkan sekolah, klinik dan hospital, nah! semuanya beribu-ribu terpampang di muka bumi Malaysia ini. Itu belum lagi soal yang lain-lain sehinggakan rakyat asing pun "tercengang-cengang" sebaik sahaja tiba di tanah air ini termasuklah kira-kira dua juta pekerja mereka. Tambah manis lagi apabila aspek pembangunan negara ini digarap dengan pelan transformasi yang digerakkan Datuk Seri Najib Razak sejak menyandang jawatan Perdana Menteri. Manfaat pelan ini mula menebar rezekinya di kalangan rakyat. Kerana itu, kalau secara kasar kita boleh ungkapkan: "apa nak lagi"? Tapi biarlah secara tertib "bukankah semuanya sudah ada". Buat apa ibarat "tikus membaiki labu". Sewajarnyalah PAS yang diketuai Presidennya, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang membuktikan dahulu parti itu boleh membangunkan ummah dalam bidang ekonomi dan ilmu. Ini khususnya di sebuah negeri Pantai Timur yang diperintahnya hampir lebih 20 tahun itu. PAS perlu berfikiran besar. Jangan terlalu jumud dan kecil. Janganlah gunakan diri sendiri untuk mengukur alam yang luas ini. Cuba renung-renungkan cerita orang buta dan gajah. Bila yang seorang terpegang ekor gajah, maka disangkanya gajah itu panjang dan tirus. Yang seorang lagi terpegang telinga gajah, lalu disangkanya gajah itu nipis. Seorang lagi memegang badan gajah dan disangkanya gajah itu keras macam tembok. Islam itu hakikatnya lebih besar dari gajah yang ditafsir oleh tiga orang buta tadi. Malah Islam itu lebih besar dari tafsiran sempit sebilangan pengikut yang berpartikan PAS yang menganggap mereka lebih Islam daripada orang lain. Dalam Islam, kenalah keutamaan yang betul dalam soal agama ini. Kalau kita asyik kejar yang sunat dan yang kecil, kita akan abaikan yang besar atau yang penting. Masalahnya, sebilangan dalam PAS ini lebih utamakan yang kecil dan cabang dari itu yang besar dan yang penting. Kelak, lama-kelamaan kita pentingkan apa yang sebenarnya perkara luaran sahaja. Bukan isi atau semangatnya. Kita hanya pentingkan cara menangkap daripada mengajar atau membetulkan. Ini penting untuk kita fahami sedalam-dalamnya supaya kita dapat melahirkan umat Islam yang berhati besar, yang kuat, yang kaya dan yang berilmu. Itu sahaja caranya kita nak lawan orang lain. Kalau kita lawan dengan air liur dan cakap sahaja seperti mana Abdul Hadi dalam memperkatakan Negara Berkebajikan PAS sedangkan di negeri Pantai Timur itu pun sampaikan pembangunan pesat di Jeli termasuk projek Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) pun diusahakan oleh Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed dari parti kerajaan, tak akan ke mana kita. Cuba sekali lagi kita renung-renungkan kisah PAS semasa pilihan raya. Antara yang paling menarik ialah tentang kedudukan wanita sebagai calon pilihan rayanya. Ya, memanglah calon wanita pertamanya yang diturunkan ialah Khadijah Sidek ketika pilihan raya (umum) pada 1955 yang ketika itu negara ini dikenali nama Tanah Melayu. Tetapi sejak itu, calon-calon wanita dari parti itu lenyap terus kelibatnya. Tiba-tiba pada Januari tahun ini, PAS mengakui parti itu membuat tafsiran semula ayat al-Quran berhubung keputusan meletakkan calon wanita bertanding pilihan raya apabila menurunkan Normala Sudirman pada pilihan raya kecil Tenang di Johor. Isu calon wanita menjadi bukti betapa PAS sebenarnya membuat sesuatu dasar bukanlah kerana mereka benar-benar ingin mengikut ajaran Islam sebenar. Tetapi lebih kepada soal kepentingan politik.
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| Posted: 14 Dec 2011 09:17 AM PST We do not want this action by Jakim to be a precedent which, if left unchecked, will lead us to follow in the footsteps of the Chinese during the Qin Dynasty where they burned books and buried their scholars, or the Nazis when they burned Jewish literature, or the Spanish conquistadors when they destroyed the Aztec codices. Dr Kamal Amzan, Free Malaysia Today Muslims can now can look forward (or backward) to bookstores having halal and non-halal sections nationwide. Publishers get ready. Books about yoga, the poco-poco dance and even Lee Kuan Yew's "Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going" will be placed in the non-halal section. If you haven't heard, Jakim has declared Lee's book haram. But do not worry, no rush, you still have ample time. It took Jakim nine months before they realised Lee Kuan Yew's book was not suitable for Malaysian Muslims. According to The Malaysian Insider, 15 books/magazines were declared haram by Jakim. Upon going to their site, I found out that one of them is "Majalah Tora Aman Doraemon — Kisah Penciptaan Dunia". Though Doraemon made the cut, romance books by Mills and Boons, books like "Poem of the Man God", "The Da Vinci Code", "The Anarchist Cookbook", "Misteri Nusantara", "Koleksi Cerita Hantu Asia" did not make it to the list. And if I may add, anyone reading and believing in Doraemon needs a trip to Tanjung Rambutan. Lee Kuan Yew's book may be offensive to some but then again it is not compulsory reading. I know I am pushing the fantasy further but even IF it is made compulsory reading, Jakim should not have banned it but instead pursued legal and civil way to deal with the matter. They must realise that we are not a country of mullahs and ayatollahs, but a constitutional democracy that protects the civil rights of everyone, and yes that includes Muslims. Muslims are therefore free to choose what to read and insinuating we will become less of a Muslim just from reading certain books, or doing yoga, is very, very insulting; demeaning and superficial to say the least. Books, works of art, public debates are essential to critical thinking, problem solving and the maturing of a society. It creates a nation of critical thinkers who look for and find answers outside the box. Banning books no matter how controversial they are cannot be the answer, what more in the name of protecting Malaysian Muslims. The country needs thinkers, at this juncture now more than ever.
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