Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Forging Unity through a Benevolent State
- Beggar-Malaysians queue for rice, oil and flour, thanks to BN
- Hadi: Beware of the 'money hurricane'
- Anak Nik Aziz dicadang cabar Muhyiddin di Pagoh
- Road to hell
- Is Malaysia an Islamic or secular state?
- PAS – making the right choice
- Is Islam under threat?
- Irene Fernandez insists constitutional provisions inspire racial discrimination
- PAS members firm on hudud
- Anwar comes to daughter Nurul Izzah’s defence
- PAS leaders grilled for turning blind eye on audit report
- PAS Youth shoots down Bersih 4.0 before GE13
- PAS Youth slams party organs
- High stakes general election
- Perkasa calls Irene Fernandez a traitor after study says Constitution promotes discrimination
- Sending mixed signals
- Theologian: It’s a call to return to God
- Jeffrey’s STAR blows hot and cold
- Mat Sabu mahu ketuai pengisytiharan harta
- PAS says will field more women in coming election
- Ex-MIDA chief snubs Selangor invite to head Batu Caves taskforce
- MCA distances itself from Hee, says she will lose without BN blessing
- Ahli PAS undi calon bukan Islam Pakatan
- 'Pas wrong to support DAP's views'
- Who raped and plundered Templer’s Park?
- Selayang Municipal Council chief transferred
- Umno and the narrow path of racial politics
- Health DG fined RM3,000 for committing khalwat
- How information and knowledge changed the world
- Another Selangor top civil servant to be transferred
- Govt unjust to Muslims too, says report
- The Ignorant Muslims In Ruins
- A monkey like Fernandez
- Sparks to fly at PAS muktamar
- Speak up on Nurul Izzah’s statement, PAS leaders urged
- PAS walking a narrow path
- Long After the Nurul Izzah Furore, PAS Could Still Pay a High Price
- His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition
- Some States Allow For The Renunciation Of Islam
- Makkal Sakti!
- Malays should wisen up
- Muktamar lebih panas dari yang dijangka
- Sabah opposition ‘magic’ number is 10
- PAS semakin hilang taring?
- PAS to re-visit Malay ground
- The devil’s advocate: just for the heck of it
- Stop manipulating religious text: PUM
- PPP submits names for four parliament, 12 state seats
- Keeping the faith
| Forging Unity through a Benevolent State Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:07 PM PST (Harakah Daily) -- The following is translation of the full text of the presidential address at the 58th PAS Muktamar held in Kota Bharu, November 16, 2012. 1. The Honourable Permanent Chairman, Mursyidul Am, Deputy Mursyidul Am, members of the Shura Council, the Deputy President, Vice Presidents, Chairpersons of the Ulama, Youth and Muslimat wings, the Secretary-General and Daily and Central Committee members, PAS State and Federal Territories Commissioners, executive councils of the wings, PAS Supporters Congress chairman and members, leaders and friends from Pakatan Rakyat, NGOs, print and electronic media personnel, all party representatives, observers, ladies and gentlemen. 2. Welcome to all the delegates and guests from across the country and afar. Welcome to those attending this muktamar for the first time as PAS members, ordinary people, artistes, laureates, sportspeople, academicians, former high-ranking public officials, corporate and society figures and all who wish to be with PAS in carrying the message of Islam in our country. Your attendance will surely enliven our muktamar and inject spirit into and promote closer bonds between us to uphold Islam as Allah's gift to all when the world is asking to be rescued amid waves of humanitarian crisis in every field. 8. We must realise that politics is just a test for humankind, to see whether they will establish a government which pleases Allah by upholding Islam, which is fair to all, or whether they will anger him by choosing others. In this regard, PAS is extremely committed to drive change towards seeking Allah's grace by holding Islam as its principle, with the elasticity of an Islamic system suitable for all times and places, by referring to the Quran, the Sunnah, the consensus of the ulama and analogical reasoning, based on the tenets of the Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and the guidance of political law (fiqhus-siyasah) in its actions.
9. This is the core struggle of PAS after witnessing UMNO, the core party of Barisan Nasional, fail to uphold Islam and, as maggots with thousands of millions of dollars in bribes, display a bad example to people, not to mention the latest RM40 million political corruption in Sabah, power abuses, social injustices and so on. UMNO has also failed to empower the Malays with Islam and to show an example of true Islam to the people, leaving Muslims in this country to be challenged and belittled by rude statements by MCA leaders, who are close allies of UMNO in BN.
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| Beggar-Malaysians queue for rice, oil and flour, thanks to BN Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:04 PM PST
How can a nation be of a developed-status when its citizens are given 'candies' in exchange for support? Truly if after five over decades of political supremacy, a party has to peddle freebies to garner support, it speaks volumes of Malaysia's political maturity. Beggar-Malaysian The popular trend these days is to announce through the grapevine that residents should rush to a nearby field or public centre as free rations of rice, oil and flour are being distributed. But before you can collect your bundle of aid on producing your NRIC, you have to sweat it out listening to some rhetoric on the microphone on why you should support a politician or his/her party, come GE-13. Many households now already will tell you they are having excess bags of rice, oil and flour. Some are wondering what to do with these more than ample supplies cramping their kitchen cupboards. Maybe, if there was a buy-back syndicate in operation, the beggar-Malaysians would be happy to trade-off the groceries for cash – never mind even if it is below market rates. At the rate the politicians are going around handing out rice, oil and flour and in some cases T-shirts and CDs, one certainly cannot be faulted for thinking that Malaysians have been hit so badly by some massive natural disaster that they now need help in the form of emergency food aid. Or has the economy being so rock-bottom that the government needs to give handouts to help relief starving Malaysians? What kind of political campaign is this? Sounds very much like a tribal tyranny does it not? When you take inventory of the numerous occasions all across the country where politicians are giving handouts in the form of groceries, you wonder if Malaysia really is a fully developing nation that is just a doorstep away from becoming a developed nation. How can a nation be of a developed-status when its citizens are given 'candies' in exchange for support? Truly if after five over decades of political supremacy, a party has to peddle freebies to garner support, it speaks volumes of Malaysia's political maturity. Firstly, it implies that we are a corrupt society with no qualms in having to bribe our way through, taking advantage of the hard-pressed working class. Secondly, it could also hint that Malaysians are so poor that they do not mind stooping so low to beg for a living. Third, it certainly does not translate to or provide that reputation of a caring leadership. If you still adamantly claim that it is caring for the welfare of the rakyat in these hard times, then the question is how come the citizens have been reduced to begging for essential goods when we had so much of resources and wealth generated from the oil-rich nation of which the BN was solely in-charge of all these five over decades. While the thinking rakyat munch over these thoughts, the gullible rakyat continue to await in eagerness of when someone else will come calling with more bags of rice, oil, flour and T-shirts.
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| Hadi: Beware of the 'money hurricane' Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:52 PM PST
(Harakah Daily) -- PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang has warned members of what he termed "hurricane of money" to be unleashed by Barisan Nasional in the run-up to the much-awaited general election, and said the party must be prepared to face such a challenge. "In the run-up to the 13th general election, the nation will see a hurricane of money going into houses and into every human soul in our country. PAS will be faced with this challenge, to face people being persuaded with money, development projects and so on, apart from the various scams that have become the main weapon of our opponents," Hadi said in his presidential address to open the 58th PAS Muktamar. The muktamar, the final general assembly before the next polls due in March 2013, is being held at the Kelantan Islamic Training Centre (Putik) conference hall in Pengkalan Chepa.
'Different type of Malays' Hadi said the continued delay by prime minister Najib Razak in calling for the elections was part of a strategy to not only weaken the opposition morally and financially, but also to create issues and tensions. "During this period, too, we will be confronted by attempts to create racial discord and tension by the mainstream media, the very tools to defend the voracious UMNO-BN government. Be firm with the congregation and surely we will be safe and able to cope with this challenge," said Hadi. He also thanked party workers, including Harakah and the online daily Harakahdaily who "are faced with the BN media", saying they had been dedicated in their struggle despite being paid lower than their counterparts in the same profession. 'Clogs' Ulama | ||||||||
| Anak Nik Aziz dicadang cabar Muhyiddin di Pagoh Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:42 PM PST
(Sinar Harian) - Timbalan Ketua Pemuda Pas Pusat, Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz dicadang bertanding di kawasan Parlimen Pagoh yang kini disandang oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin juga merupakan Timbalan Presiden Umno."Sekarang ini bukan sekadar Kelantan, tetapi agenda untuk menuju ke Putrajaya, mana mungkin kita tidak mampu bertanding di mana-mana kerusi dicalonkan kalau sekiranya kita mengatakan kita hendak ke Putrajaya. "Memandangkan sekarang ini, yang sebaiknya kita letak Timbalan Ketua Pemuda kita, kita calonkan bertanding di Pagoh, di Johor," kata perwakilan dari Kelantan, Ahmad Marzuk Shaary yang disambut dengan laungan takbir para perwakilan. Ahmad Marzuk ketika membahaskan ucapan dasar Ketua Pemuda Pas berkata, Pemuda harus menyahut cabaran bertanding di mana-mana kerusi dan bukannya hanya di negeri-negeri yang ada jaminan menang seperti di Kelantan. Nik Abduh, anak Menteri Besar Kelantan, yang berada di pentas menganggukkan kepalanya mendengar cadangan itu. Kerusi Parlimen Pagoh merupakan satu lagi kubu kuat Umno-Barisan Nasional di Johor, yang disandang Muhyiddin sejak 1978. Sebelum ini, Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang mengejutkan negara apabila menyatakan beliau sedia bertanding di kerusi Parlimen Pekan jika diputuskan demikian oleh parti. Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak merupakan Ahli Parlimen Pekan sejak 1976. Nik Abduh sebelum ini disebut akan bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke- 13 (PRU13) bersedia sekiranya parti menamakan beliau sebagai calon. Nik Abduh, yang dipilih sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pemuda Pas Pusat berkata, bapanya mengambil masa 40 tahun untuk mendidik beliau dalam dunia politik khususnya untuk menentang Umno. "Saya sudah sedia jadi calon sejak 10 tahun dulu, saya juga sedia tunggu 20 tahun lagi untuk dicalonkan, sebelum ini ayah sudah siapkan 40 tahun untuk lawan Umno," katanya. Dalam wawancara bersama Sinar Harian sebelum ini, Timbalan Ketua Pesuruhjaya Pas Kelantan, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah membayangkan Nik Abduh dicalonkan dalam PRU13 atas kapasiti sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pemuda Pas Pusat. Bagaimanapun, Nik Amar berkata, keputusan itu bergantung kepada Nik Abdul Aziz yang juga Pesuruhjaya Pas negeri dan Pas Pusat yang akan menentukan kedudukan akhir senarai calon terbabit. Antara kerusi dikaitkan dengan Nik Abduh adalah kerusi Parlimen Kubang Kerian setelah penyandangnya yang juga Naib Presiden Pas, Salahuddin Ayub disahkan berpindah ke Johor.
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:19 PM PST
It may well be that Nurul has quoted from the Quran, but that freedom had long been removed, especially and particularly in Malaysia, yes, our dear sweet Malaysia - please read on to understand what I mean. KTemoc Konsiders Recently, there was much ado about a letter to Malaysiakini by Steven Oh, where our world famous (but domestically infamous) Police wanted from the online news portal, details about that letter and its writer … or else. Malaysiakini held on courageously to its policy of confidentiality on the identity of letter writers, which lamentably for our policed state ... with that 'or else' Damocles' Sword hanging over MKINI's head … would have resulted in the seizure of its computer equipment, because our men in blue just love forensic IT and would go to any lengths to dabble in that discipline (the forensic science, not 'police discipline', wakakaka).
Fortunately, Steve Oh agreed to MKINI releasing his details.
The whole brouhaha was of course related to Nurul Izzah's statement about 'freedom of religion, even for Malays' (or 'no compulsion in religion') utterance. I believe she has since regretted making that impetuous statement ('impetuous' for a Malaysian Muslim, especially one from Pakatan), which in mitigation, was uttered in the adrenalin-flowing exuberance during a campaign forum. We know that subsequently, a no-doubt  Anyway, Siti Kasim, a member of the Bar Council human rights committee and Orang Asli rights advocate, the very person who asked Nurul that fatal question, had expressed her disappointment with Nurul for backing away from her statement, that of freedom of religion, even for Malays' (or 'no compulsion in religion'), and opined the young politician had wanted to 'impress' her audience. Siti Kasim had been right in saying that statement effectively translated - in the past tense of course as Nurul has since denied such a meaning - into Malay-Muslims having the right to leave the religion, or that dreaded word in Islam, commit apostasy. Siti Kasim, having experienced the tap-dancing antics of Mr Manmanlai, lamented that Nurul has failed to stand firm on her remark. But as I stated in an earlier post in mitigation of Nurul's hypersonic back-pedalling: ... maybe Nurul indeed wanted to impress her audience but alamak, Siti, cut her some slack lah as Nurul is still young and really, a babe in the political woods. Besides, to a Muslim, apostasy is an extremely serious issue, in which the punishment could well be death, though of course the authorities in Malaysia won't go to that extent. Okay, that brings us back to Steve Oh's letter to MKINI titled Nurul's watershed idea for the nation where he referred to Nurul's "original" (wakakaka) statement with unrestrained glee, going on to was eloquence over Nurul's courage and brilliant perception, etc etc ad nauseum. Alamak, this man didn't care that there was NOT even one teeny weeny itsy bitsy swallow for a summer make, wakakaka.  All this means that Steve Oh's extravagant effusive ebullient praises for Nurul was a bit premature, because as we know, Nurul has backed away from that pro-apostasy statement pronto, and given Malaysia's draconian boleh-ness, we most certainly don't blame her. But Nurul's statement provided a wonderful springboard (titik tolak) for Steve-Oh's agenda-driven train, so how to stop it ler, wakakaka. Thus, as if that religious freedom thingy was not bad enough, he used Nurul's faux pas to commandeer a larger landscape than mere 'freedom of religion'. Whether his points reflect his own sentiments or that of non-Malays are irrelevant because in his discourse he has screwed up Nurul's positionkau kau, and only succeeded in lending fuel to those out to get the poor girl. Each time I read arguments by people like Steve Oh or some Church leaders or non-Muslims coming out to defend Nurul, I cringed even before she did, because I believe without any doubt that their secular or Western-Christian based arguments would rile many Muslims. No matter how brilliant and sincere their unwitting (perhaps even deliberate and opportunistic) arguments might be, they won't move nor convince most Muslims. Read more at: http://ktemoc.blogspot.com/2012/11/road-to-hell.html
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| Is Malaysia an Islamic or secular state? Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:55 AM PST Malik Munip, NST WRITING'S IN THE LAW: Several provisions in the Constitution disqualify Malaysia from being a secular state, writes Malik Munip The debate on the nature of Malaysia's identity—whether it is a secular or an Islamic state—is mired in confusion. The confusion firstly is of a semantic nature—a lack of clarity on what defines a secular or an Islamic state. The second confusion is about the extent of any entity's authority—be it former Premiers, The Alliance Memorandum or the Reid Commission--in deciding the debate. This article will discuss the second confusion first. Secular or Islamic State: Premier vs. Premier Though Malaysian Prime Ministers are vested with a whole battery of executive authority, nonetheless, they do not have the power to determine the identity of a country merely by making an announcement either way. Indeed, if we think about it, even an individual's identity cannot be determined by a pronouncement—a person doesn't become a Muslim, a Christian, an apostate or any identity along the 'faith- atheist' spectrum simply due to a declaration. To have meaning and force, the declaration must correspond with the individual's belief and practice. So if by itself a declaration cannot determine the religious identity of an individual, can it determine the identity of a state? Nonetheless, many people attribute Malaysia identity as either Islamic or Secular, by citing the positions of previous Prime Ministers on the subject. Hence to shore up their claim, the proponents of a secular state will often draw on the statements of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussien Onn. In this regard an often cited statement (but not the only example) used to represent the position of the former Premiers would be from a February 1983 Star report where the Tunku said "The country has a multi-racial population with various beliefs. Malaysia must continue as a secular State with Islam as the official religion". Another issue also reported Tun Hussien's support for the Bapa Kemerdekaan, "The nation can still be functional as a secular state with Islam as the official religion." Unsurprisingly those that argue that Malaysia is already an Islamic State wouldn't cite the first and third Premiers. Instead they would quote Tun Mahathir's following statement in September 2001 to support their position: "Umno wishes to state clearly that Malaysia is an Islamic nation. This is based on the opinion of ulamaks who had clarified what constituted as Islamic country.... " . But with all due respect, there are limits in determining the nature of a country's identity by simple reference to a Prime Ministerial declaration. After all, if Malaysia already possesses many of the features that define a secular state, then her secular nature doesn't change just because a Prime Minister says otherwise. And vice versa—if Malaysia has many attributes of an Islamic state, or a feature that disqualifies her from being a secular state, then it won't be a secular State regardless of how many previous and future Prime Ministers states to the contrary. So although they are Prime Ministers, nonetheless, their statements, in and by themselves do not automatically determine the nature of Malaysia's identity. At best their statements would be a description of Malaysia's pre-existing identity. And like most descriptions, it would be valid only in so far it is accurate. The Alliance Memoranda vs. The Reid Commission Of course, in articulating their positions, participants in the debate don't limit themselves to Prime Ministerial declarations—references to legal authorities and legal documents will also be part of the argumentative arsenal. In this regard none comes with higher prestige than the Federal Constitution and its drafters, the Reid Commission. So with respect to whether Malaysia is an Islamic or a secular state, let's sink our teeth into what the Federal Constitution and the Reid Commission have to say on the matter. In the Federal Constitution, both terms, Islamic State or Secular State does not appear. Nonetheless, Article 3 of the Federal Constitution states that Islam is the religion of the Federation. This provision has often been cited to support the claim that Malaysia is an Islamic State or at least not a secular one. Yet, many who claim to have read the Reid Report find this argument unconvincing; they maintain that the Commission stated that any provision in the proposed Constitution providing for Islam as the state religion will not invalidate the position of the Federation as a secular state. Strictly speaking, this portrayal of the Reid Commission's position is incorrect. In respect to Islam being made a state religion, the Commission did not commit itself to that position. As historian Joseph Fernando wrote in his book 'The Making of the Malayan Constitution': "In respect of religion, the Commission decided not to make any provision relating to an official religion for the Federation although the Alliance had proposed that Islam should be made the official religion". In fact it was the Alliance and not the Reid Commission that wanted a declaration for Islam to be made the State Religion. And similarly, it was the Alliance that made the claim that such a declaration would not negate the position of the federation as a secular state. What the Reid Commission did was to acknowledge (see paragraph 169 of its report) that the Alliance wanted to insert such a provision; they themselves were reluctant to commit to it (with the exception of one member, Justice Hamid). Be that as it may, even if was the Alliance and not the Reid Commission that made the claim that having a state religion would not negate Malaya's status as a secular state, nonetheless, shouldn't such a claim prove beyond doubt, that Malaysia is a secular State? After all, the Alliance played a crucial role in the constitution-making process—before, during and after the Reid Commission's drafting. Additionally, they were the primary characters involved in securing Independence; hence, if the Founding Fathers claim that the country is a secular State, then it must be binding right? Uhm, not quite. Firstly, none of them were recognized authorities on the inter-related issue of secular states and secularism, or its relationship to religion and Islamic States. It should be noted that the issue of an Islamic State has theological dimensions, yet none of them were theologians. And on the issue of a secular State, the problem was that they never defined properly what a secular state is; they just claimed that having Islam as the religion of the Federation doesn't annul its status as a secular state. Within the context of such statements, their conception of a secular state seems to be a conception by negation—conceiving it by what it is not, rather than what it is. Such a conception is not convincing. In short, since the Alliance were not experts on the issue of Secular States, secularism or its relationship to Islam and not exact in conveying what they meant, does it make sense for us to elevate their claim (that having a state religion doesn't negate Malaya as a Secular State) as being the final authority on the matter? Indeed according to the Joseph Fernando, there is evidence that in private, even the Reid Commission were not convince by the Alliance claim—to them, it was a contradiction. And for those who have some exposure to the literature on secular states and secularism, this shouldn't be surprising. Why? Because the Alliance's position just doesn't correspond with the accepted understanding of what constitutes a secular state. And that is the point: if a statement or description doesn't match up with the reality then regardless of the social standing of the entity making the statement, it cannot be authoritative. So in determining whether Malaysia is a secular state or otherwise, instead of citing what former Premiers or the Reid Commission or the Alliance Memoranda says on the matter, it would be more pertinent to ask: What defines a secular state? And does the statement of the Alliance Memoranda and those that echo it, tally with such a definition? What is a Secular State? The acid test The literature on the subject of secular states and secularism is vast; as such there exist various interpretations. Nonetheless, there is a general consensus that the foundation of a secular state is the principle that state and religion must be separate. Consequently, a secular state will have, among others, the following characteristics: the state must be neutral towards religion; the state cannot give religion a privilege position in the public arena; the state's coercive powers and resources cannot be utilised in the service of any religion; the State should not privilege a religion or its adherents over another; the state should not privilege religion over irreligion; the state should not permit religion to be a requirement of public office; and the state should not interfere with the affairs of religion and vice- versa. Now by having Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, obviously Malaysia is not neutral towards religion. It gives Islam a privileged status over other religions. Nonetheless, if Article 3 was the only Islamic feature in the Constitution, perhaps the claim by the Alliance that having a State Religion doesn't imply a non-secular state can still be defended. But let's have a peek at other Articles of the Federal Constitution. Through Article 11(4), missionary work amongst Muslims can be controlled and restricted. Yet there are no laws restricting missionary work to adherents of other faiths. Then there's Article 12(2). This article has far reaching consequences; it empowers the Federation and the states to establish or maintain Islamic institutions or provide assistance in that process. It also sanctions them to do same with regards to providing instruction in the religion of Islam. In pursuant of those purposes, it also authorises the use of public funds. Both the above Articles violate the principles of a secular state on multiple scores. And these two Articles are not the only one; there exist other Articles that do the same. For instance, Malays are entitled to wear the cloak of Article 153, but professing Islam is a requirement of being Malay under the Federal Constitution. But let's cast our view beyond the Federal Constitution to the State Constitutions whereby the Islamic features are even more pronounced. Many State Constitutions require the State Secretary to be a person who professes Islam. In those States the default legal requirement for the position of the Menteri Besar is also a person who professes Islam. And the state religion of most of the States that make up the Federation is Islam. In these States, not only is neutrality towards Islam not practice, but unlike the federal position of Prime Minister, religion is made a requirement of the public offices of the Menteri Besar and State Secretary. And beyond the formal structure of the constitution, there are other characteristics that these states have which are at odds with the essence of a secular state. With a name like Terengganu Darul Iman for example, is it realistic to expect otherwise? And does Kelantan under Nik Aziz seem like a secular state to you? But it is not the scope of this article to elaborate. Conclusion So to recapitulate the question: Is Malaysia a secular state? Well, by the characteristics that define a secular state then Malaysia by definition is not a secular state; it violates the principle attributes of a secular state on multiple fronts. Breaches to the tenants of a secular state are not the exception; it is almost the rule. In Malaysia, religion is not separated from the state but entrenched, empowered, enforced, expressed and elevated. Hence, does this mean Malaysia is an Islamic State? My answer is: I don't know; I have no idea what a universally accepted Islamic state in the contemporary world looks like. But it does mean Malaysia disqualifies from being a secular state. Dr Malik Munip taught history at University of Malaya for two decades, and was also a former Member of Parliament for Muar
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:53 AM PST
Will there be 'an arrangement of sorts' between PAS and Umno after the general election at the expense of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition? CT Ali, Free Malaysia Today There are many in PAS who will not have Anwar Ibrahim as their prime minister. Many also see PAS' alliance with DAP and PKR as a necessary evil if they are to be relevant in politics at the national level. There are many still within PAS who have begun to vocally question the need of these "arrangements" when there is a willing and able ally in Umno which can deliver far more than what DAP and PKR can deliver to PAS. An ally racially and religiously in sync with PAS – an ally that will allow them to keep Kelantan, Kedah and give them Terengganu. So why, they ask, are they in Pakatan Rakyat and not with Umno? Of course, the state of PAS politics and the politics in the states under PAS is really the business of PAS and nobody else, except when it concerns the state of Pakatan and the state of our nation. And what is happening in PAS today concerns all of us. PAS with its overtones of Islam, slightly masked by its overtones of political expediency, is now increasingly unable to internally contain the ever-widening divide of these factions within PAS that see this 13th general election as the definitive moment for each of their varying ideology to be tested and proven in order to achieve what they are all agreed upon: to establish Malaysia as a country based on Islamic legal theory derived from the primary sources of Islam, the Quran, Sunnah as well as Hadiths. So wither goes PAS ulamas and its technocrats? Wither goes this Islamist political party that has a loyal membership of over one million, strong organisational structure and an ability to source for funding that is the envy of its coalition partners within Pakatan? Wanting a win-win situation As I have said previously, politics demand much more than what the aged can give and PAS has an abundance of this in Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Hadi Awang and Azizan Abdul Razak. For the moment, their absence from PAS' first-tier leadership is unthinkable only because its second echelon of leaders are still sorting out their allegiance to the ranks of the ulamas or the technocrats within PAS. Do not be distracted by the claims of either factions that the other has compromised too much or too little in the name of political or religious expediency – these are but the nuances of individuals promoting their individual agendas. What is reality is the existence of opposing factions within PAS that now have real choices to make in the run-up to and after the 13th general election. What choices PAS will make will depend on the numbers it has allied to or against what Pakatan has to offer PAS and what Umno has to offer PAS. How will PAS ensure that heads they win and tails they win too? This they can only do when they have sorted out among themselves which factions have the numbers to make the "right" choice for PAS. Until then the bickering and the arguments will be contained within PAS with the intermittent leakages by those who seek to have their voices heard by the "masses" – something even PAS cannot prevent from happening despite the Islamic vows and oath-taking it requires of those who are its members Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/11/16/pas-%E2%80%93-making-the-right-choice/ | ||||||||
| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:49 AM PST
The writer takes a cynical and satirical look on the Islamic threat that will backfire on the political and religious hypocrites. Iskandar Dzulkarnain, Free Malaysia TodayYes, leave the Muslims alone and let us sort out our differences. Whether the Muslims choose PAS or Umno will be decided in the next election. And most people believe that race and religious issues will disappear naturally after the election, so be patient. Yes, Islam is under threat. It is not only from Christians who purportedly try to convert weak Muslims or from MCA which keeps on insulting the hudud penal code but also from within our very own borders. Wahabbism is purportedly on the rise and Shi'itism, too, among the Sunni followers of Islam in this country. The Al Arqam sect which was supposedly neutralised by the government is rearing its head again. There are also other deviant Muslim sects operating quietly in the country, and their low-key activities are yet to attract any attention. Recently, 20 of Al Arqam followers were arrested for celebrating the 75th birthday of the late Ashaari, the founder of the deviant Al Arqam sect. It has even been reported that Rawang, a back water town, has registered phenomenal economic growth due to its activities The late founder's wife, Khatijah Am, is operating from an expensive mansion (RSA Palace) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. She is purportedly overseeing a "government" already in place in the country. Although no one really knows how big the movement is, there is fear that it is large enough for them to form a "shadow cabinet" with 41 different ministries. Even the Malaysian government doesn't have that many ministries. Some of the ministries include the ministry of the netherworld (kementerian alam ghaib), the ministries of true souls and sects (roh suci dan tariqat), death and the hereafter (kematian dan akhirat) and family and holy sex (keluarga dan seks suci). Intelligence agencies have reported that it is part of a plot to overthrow the government and to form an Islamic state. It also said that Khatijah had since been holding a total of 54 monthly meetings with "top leaders" of the sect in Malaysia via video conferencing, where she holds the post of prime minister. It is also reported that nearly RM800,000 is collected each month through various sources to fund the movement. A clairvoyant of sorts, Khatijah claims she receive direct orders from her late husband. Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement on the freedom of religion for the Malays seems to have confused everyone in the country. Now she is facing investigation by JAIS and legal action may be taken against her. Even the news media and Barisan Nasional politicians were totally confused, judging by the vehement reaction towards her seemingly innocent statement. How can we expect the ordinary Muslims not to be confused? A pondok cleric with far-sighted vision has declared that it is forbidden for Muslims to vote for opposition party DAP. A Pahang mufti has also backed a growing campaign among Umno-aligned religious leaders to echo the same after several Islamic scholars called the secular party "belligerent infidels". Apparently, DAP is not such an innocent political party, after all. Threats to our way of life Even the Jews are known to be a security threat to the country and to Islam. That is why the government refuses to have anything to do with the Jews and Israel. Communism is another credible threat that needs to be constantly monitored. Some non-Muslims pose a threat as they continue to ridicule the government about "sin taxes" collected from alcohol, gambling and cigarettes, even though the government has made it clear that such taxes go into a separate account. Some have even gone to the extent of questioning income taxes paid by non-Muslims in this country. Now isn't that going a little too far? Not only that, "it is also very unnecessary of non-Muslims to comment on Islam by using far- fetched examples of "political hypocrisy". They should put a full stop to it or comment on their own religion. The actions of a few renegade Muslims cannot be used to judge the majority of law- abiding Muslims. As we speak, action is being taken on an outrageous letter to Malaysiakini written by one "Steve Oh." How can Steve humiliate the country and its people by espousing such liberal views? Doesn't he have a heart? Yes, leave the Muslims alone and let us sort out our differences. Whether the Muslims choose PAS or Umno will be decided in the next election. And most people believe that race and religious issues will disappear naturally after the election, so be patient. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/11/16/is-islam-under-threat/ | ||||||||
| Irene Fernandez insists constitutional provisions inspire racial discrimination Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:45 AM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Human rights activist Irene Fernandez has stood by the findings of a report citing the Constitution's protection of Malay rights for racial discrimination in Malaysia, insisting that certain provisions in the country's supreme law should be amended or entirely removed. The outspoken executive director of rights group Tenaganita said that the form of affirmative action in government policies that were inspired by Articles 89 and 153 of the Federal Constitution had only succeeded in benefiting an elite few among the Malay upper class. "This form of affirmative action, these provisions, they are no longer relevant as they have failed and only benefited the top few. "And this is clear even among the Malays and the Muslims themselves," she pointed out when contacted by The Malaysian Insider yesterday. On that note, Fernandez (picture) insisted that the joint study by Tenaganita and international charity organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) had been spot-on in suggesting the total repeal or amendment to certain provisions in the Federal Constitution. She acknowledged that the study had ruffled the feathers of a few Malay right-wingers, including Malay rights group Perkasa, but said she would stand by the findings. Perkasa Youth has labelled the veteran activist a "traitor" for the ERT-Tenaganita study titled "Washing the Tigers: Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Malaysia", and lodged a police report against her for allegedly questioning the special position of the country's dominant ethnic group. But Fernandez pointed out that the study, published on the ERT's website on Monday, had been thorough in its research, even including case studies and interviews with numerous individuals before drawing up a conclusion and issuing recommendations. "You can pull the yarn as far as you want," she said, when pointed out that Perkasa members had even linked apostasy to the study's recommendation to review constitutional provisions on Malay rights. "But the issue in front of us is this — we as a nation, do we want to achieve equality and non-discrimination? If we do, we have to be bold enough to ensure that everyone has equal treatment that is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution," she said.
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:41 AM PST (The Star) - The pent-up frustration of the PAS grassroots over its testy relationship with Pakatan Rakyat partners has come out in the open. The Dewan Ulama reaffirmed its hudud agenda while hitting out at leaders who "confuse" members. Dewan chief Datuk Harun Taib declared that PAS would be steadfast on its plans to implement hudud law despite the barrage of contrary views from outside the party. He said the dewan had the role of addressing the confusion among new members who were made to believe that hudud was not a matter to be discussed because of the pact with Pakatan partners. "Some are confused, thinking that the time is not right to implement hudud because Malaysia is a multi-racial country. "This is happening because members fail to understand the party'starbiyah (nurturing and strengthening) effort," Harun said when opening the Dewan Ulama general assembly here yesterday. His speech was read out by dewan vice-chief Dr Mahfudz Mohamad. Harun said the championing of hudud was part of the party's Islamic agenda to make it the law of the land. "Major crimes like theft, robbery, illicit sex and apotasy are serious problems affecting the people. hudud must be implemented to solve them," he added. Later, at a press conference, Harun reiterated that PAS would push for hudud to be implemented if it was given the mandate to rule the country. According to him, Pakatan had agreed that not only hudud but also Syariah law would be implemented if PAS had the majority in Parliament. Harun said DAP chairman Karpal Singh was against hudud because of his failure to attend dialogues organised by PAS. On press reports that Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria had asked PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar to repent for her freedom of religion remarks, Harun said that Harussani himself should repent for not supporting the Islamic struggle. The Youth wing also pushed for hudud while pledging support for the ulama leadership and asking PAS to take the lead in Pakatan. Negri Sembilan delegate Mohd Zulkarnain Mohd Zaki rapped the Youth leadership for not setting policies on entertainment, sports, jobs and the economy for PKR and DAP to follow. Johor delegate Mohd Faizal Khalid criticised the Youth leadership for failing to speak up against Pakatan leaders "who have erred". "The wing is supposed to be a pressure group pushing for change but we do not hear any criticism from them against Pakatan governments," he said when debating the keynote address of Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan at the 53rd Youth Muktamar yesterday. Penang delegate Hasbul Wizar said PAS should be the dominant party in Pakatan. Selangor delegate Sharhan Humaizi Halim said that Pakatan-controlled states should be administered according to the Islamic model. Pahang delegate Fadli Ibrahim said the ulama leadership should be maintained because "they were instrumental in ensuring great victory in the last general election". He said that "germs, snakes and poisons" should be eliminated from the party.
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| Anwar comes to daughter Nurul Izzah’s defence Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:37 AM PST
(The Star) - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended his daughter Nurul Izzah over her alleged remarks about freedom of choice in religion for Muslims. Saying that Nurul Izzah had not been given a fair chance to defend herself, Anwar said that even former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said in 2007 that there was no compulsion in religion and that there was nothing that can stop Muslims leaving Islam. "Nurul Izzah's statement didn't even come close to that. She just said that there is a verse in the Quran that says that there is no compulsion in religion, but we are bound by the constitution," Anwar told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of a Maal Hijrah seminar at the Tabung Haji Complex here yesterday. Abdullah, speaking after opening the 18th Conference of International Islamic FIQH Academy in Putrajaya on July 9, 2007, had said that religious authorities should find out the grouses of Muslim converts who wanted to return to their former religion. The then Prime Minister had said this in response to a question about the spate of court cases at the time involving people seeking to leave the faith. News reports of the 2007 event by The Star, New Straits Times, The Sunas well as wire service Reuters showed that Abdullah had made no mention that there was no compulsion in religion or that nothing can stop Muslims from leaving Islam as Anwar has alleged. [And the spin goes on ... - MTadmin] Asked to comment on Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's statement that faith should not be politicised or used to gain political mileage, Anwar said: "I think what Tuanku meant is that you shouldn't use religion to demonise people in the media, (or to) to attack your political opponents." Nurul Izzah had allegedly made the remarks at a public forum on Nov 3, titled Islamic State: Which vision? Whose responsibility?, where she had purportedly implied that religious freedom should be accorded to all races including Malays. The Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president has since drawn flak from many quarters for her alleged remarks but has said that her words during the function had been misquoted.
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| PAS leaders grilled for turning blind eye on audit report Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:29 AM PST (Malaysiakini) - Delegates at the 55th PAS Youth Muktamar today grilled their top leadership in the wing, for failing to voice out against PAS-led states which had been criticised in the Auditor-General's Report 2011, as well as on other issues.
Criticism part of wing's culture Several other delegates were also critical of the leadership, ticking them off for not making enough effort to lend their voices in ceramah at the state level, as well as inconsistencies in foreign policies.
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| PAS Youth shoots down Bersih 4.0 before GE13 Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:27 AM PST (Malaysiakini) - In a near unanimous decision, delegates at the PAS Youth Muktamar in Kota Bharu today rejected a motion for a Bersih 4.0 protest before the next general election. Delegates who spoke against the mooted protest when debating the motion, argued that party resources should be channeled towards facing looming polls rather than organising a mega protest. Pas Youth chief declares assets In another development, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan surprised delegates by publicly declaring his asset before them during the closing of the Muktamar.
Income: RM2,500 per month allowance from PAS Youth Rental income: RM300 per month Housing loan: RM530 per month Car loan: RM1,400 per month Spouse's income: RM4,000 per month Spouse's housing loan: RM1,200 per month Assets: A house worth RM130,000 (2004); Pajero Sports (2011); and Hyundai Trajet (2007); RM9,000 in savings. "And those are my assets. I hope the PAS Youth exco can follow suit in declaring their assets," he said. Nasrudin said all exco members in PAS Youth must fill a form to declare their assets and this would be for party consumption. However, he added that if any of them were to contest in the next general election, this information would be made public online.
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:16 AM PST (The Sun Daily) - PAS Youth slammed party organs Harakah and Harakah Daily today, claiming they had strayed from the original intent for which they were created. Federal Territory Youth chairman Kamaruzaman Mohamad, who tabled the motion in the annual muktamar (general assembly), said the standard of reporting of the newspaper and news portal has deteriorated and their credibility as party organs is diminishing. He said the PAS central committee should re-structure the editorial line-up for both the two media outfits. "For example, when the crises involving our ex-leaders such as Nasharuddin Mat Isa and (Datuk) Hassan Ali surfaced, Harakah front-paged it. "It should not have happened. Harakah as the party organ should hide this kind of stories and not publicised our leadership problems," he said. Kamaruzaman said Harakah has also carried several articles that promoted allegedly "deviant teachings". Delegates from Kedah and Selangor defended Harakah but the motion was strongly supported by almost all of the 800-strong representatives and will be brought to the the party's muktamar that will start tomorrow. On the other hand, the delegates rejected a motion for the wing to mobilise another rally calling for clean and fair elections, as a follow up to the July 9 Bersih 3.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur. Tabling the motion, Malacca delegate Aminuddin Abdul Jalil argued that the rally must be held as the Election Commission had failed to address concerns raised over the integrity of the electoral roll. "The Bersih (rally) is our (only) avenue ... It is a people uprising and I am confident PAS Youth can play a leading role in this movement," said Aminuddin. His motion was supported by Pahang delegate Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim but objected by Kedah delegate Mohd Azan Awang and Johor delegate Sheikh Omar Ali. Other motions accepted during the muktamar were to slam MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek on his anti-hudud statements; to postpone the implementation of the Automated Enforcement System; and to demonstrate against the Israeli offensive on Gaza after Friday prayers tomorrow.
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| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 07:54 PM PST
Penangites flocked to listen to Bersih 2.0 co-chair Ambiga Sreenevasan speak on the crucial issues that surround the coming general election. Anil Netto has the story. ALIRAN More than 500 Penangites packed the first floor hall at the Caring Society Complex in Penang to listen to Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan's thoughts on 'Elections and Democracy'. In a stirring address at the forum organised by Aliran on 7 October 2012, Ambiga thanked the audience in Penang for their impressive turnout at the Bersih 3.0 solidarity gathering at the Esplanade on 28 April. She highlighted the harassment experienced by Suaram after it had exposed the Scorpene submarine scandal and noted that the brouhaha about the human rights group's sources of funding mirrored Bersih's own experience not long ago. But after the Bersih 2.0 rally last year, she said Bersih had been funded entirely by Malaysians, she noted. "In fact, I even get SMSes from ordinary Malaysians asking, where can I send money to Bersih; I want to help." Ambiga noted the irony of politicians complaining about sources of funding: "Who are they to question these groups about their sources of funding when they have practised dirty money politics for the longest time?" The former two-term Bar Council chairperson complained that postal votes are easily manipulated and lamented the lack of integrity of the electoral rolls, which now cannot even be challenged in court. Even the media are not free and during election campaigns they fail to display party manifestos over television, keeping the public in the dark. "It's a disgrace!" she said. High stakes involved Meanwhile, the government is ignoring 'the elephant in the room': corruption. "All of you are here because you are concerned about the level of integrity in public life." At the same time, she pointed to selective prosecution, the most glaring of which was the one that eventually resulted in the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock over an investigation into just RM2000. Meanwhile, she said it is ridiculous that our politicians are not saying anything about political aggression or violence. "It shows me there is tacit support for it." On the other hand, the young woman who stepped on the Prime Minister's image was handcuffed and publicly condemned. Free and fair elections are important because they bolster democracy and they encourage a respect for fundamental rights, she said. People are now more engaged and interested in what is happening as they realise that the rot has to stop now. "Vote for people who will uphold the Federal Constitution, for those who will do something to curb corruption, for goodness sake," Ambiga urged the participants. Undemocratic governments will not be able to survive for long, as people have more access to information. But although three million have registered as voters since 2008, another three million have not yet voted. "We need to reach out and draw these people in." The next general elections are going to be very contentious, and people are getting more interested and engaged because they realise that the rot has to stop now. "Dictatorships have elections too but it doesn't mean they are democracies; but if you have clean and fair elections, you will be working your way to a vibrant democracy. If you have clean and fair elections, it makes your MPs more accountable and reduces corruption." Studies have found that the poor will also be better represented, she said. A game-changer Is there hope at the end of the day? Yes, there's a lot of hope, she said, "because there are a lot of good right-thinking Malaysians who want to put things right. They are not going to accept second best or people talking rubbish." Ambiga referred to an International Crisis Group report, which noted the strengthening of civil society and pointed to the Bersih movement as a "game-changer". Also present was Bersih Steering Committee member Dr Wong Chin Huat, who highlighted discrepancies in the electoral rolls. He said Bersih had moved beyond an electoral reform movement to a movement to renew the nation. He stressed the importance of a high voter turnout to send a clear cut message that this country wants to move forward, not backwards. Chin Huat then described how ordinary Malaysians cast aside their old fears and came out in their tens of thousands for the Bersih 3.0 rally. "You have more and more Malaysians coming out. You know you are not alone." "We need to renew our independence and reclaim our country." Focus on clean and fair elections, added Ambiga. "Everything we do from now will help, I promise you." Change is needed Earlier, Aliran president Francis Loh welcomed the crowd and then Aliran secretary Mustafa K Anuar took over as emcee. He promised the participants that images of the audience would not be photo-edited to show a much larger crowd squeezed like sardines! The crowd roared knowingly. A heavy downpour outside the hall did not dampen the crowd's enthusiasm for the forum as they hung on to every word. Before Ambiga took the floor, the immediate past president of Aliran, P Ramakrishnan, in his welcome address mentioned that the only way electoral reforms could be achieved would be via a change of government in the upcoming general election. Rama pointed out that civil servants once had to retire at the age of 55. Now the ruling parties have ruled for 55 years. It is time for them to retire at the general election! The voters are the masters and the politicians are the servants, he said. Malaysians are the torch-bearers of freedom and it is our duty to bring about change.
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| Perkasa calls Irene Fernandez a traitor after study says Constitution promotes discrimination Posted: 14 Nov 2012 07:48 PM PST
Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider Perkasa Youth today urged prominent activist Irene Fernandez to return her citizenship, claiming that she is a "traitor" to the country, over her involvement in a study on discrimination that questioned constitutional provisions surrounding the position of Malays. "If she cannot obey (akur) this country's laws, please return the citizenship voluntarily, she can go any country that she likes, to any countries where she finds the laws suitable, so please return the citizenship, since she's also not Malay," Irwan Fahmi Ideris, the Perkasa youth chief, told reporters at the Dang Wangi police station today. "So here we ask the authorities to investigate and take the necessary action against the traitor," he said after lodging a police report against Fernandez over the study that was carried in The Malaysian Insider yesterday. Irwan also said they feared for Fernandez's safety, saying that such statements would incur the wrath of ignorant villagers and fellow Malaysians. "We ask that her safety be guaranteed," he said, saying that he was "sympathetic" to her. When asked if Perkasa Youth would seek an apology from Fernandez, he said that he thinks this matter "cannot be forgiven", again insisting that she returns her citizenship. "This is already overstepping the limits, when our religion, our kings are disputed. But we practise a system that is the same as Britain's," he added, pointing out that UK also has a monarch. Perkasa is a Malay right-wing group that is known to champion Islam, the rights of Malays and the royal institution. Yesterday, The Malaysian Insider reported that a UK-based study on discrimination and equality in Malaysia showed that the country should repeal or amend two constitutional provisions protecting the special rights and land of the Malays to avoid discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity. The study was jointly conducted by international charity organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) and Malaysian rights group Tenaganita. Fernandez is the executive director of Tenaganita. The four-part study said the existence of Articles 89 and 153 of the Federal Constitution were among the strongest causes behind racial discrimination in Malaysia as both had purportedly failed to meet the original intention for positive action. Instead, the provisions had "violated international law standards", it was said in the executive summary of the "Washing the Tigers: Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Malaysia" study published on the ERT's website late Monday.
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| Posted: 14 Nov 2012 06:50 PM PST
In Islam you cannot separate the church from the state like they do in Christianity. Islam is closer to Judaism than to Christianity. The Jews consider themselves a race and they aspired to set up their own nation, Israel. The Muslims, too, consider themselves a nation -- an ummah (community) -- and they too aspire to set up an Islamic nation (or Islamic State). How many times have we heard Muslim scholars and religious people say 'Ummah Islam'? This means the Community of Islam or the Nation of Islam. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
Don't mix Islam with politics: Selangor Sultan (Bernama, 14 Nov 2012) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has warned against an inclination of mixing Islam with politics for it could confuse and divide the Malays. He said confusion arose when people who were not qualified to interpret Qur'anic verses began elucidating them based on their own understanding and desire or it could go against the actual meaning. "Qur'anic verses are not like poetry verses that can be interpreted according to one own taste and belief." "I want the Malays to defend the sanctity of Islam through their might and wisdom as had been done by Prophet Muhammad, his companions, mujahid (warriors), and Islamic leaders." "The Malay leaders of yesteryears had used their wisdom to define the characteristics of the Malays in Article 160 (2) of the Federal Constitution that they should adopt the Malay culture, speak Bahasa Melayu and being Muslims," he said at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque here, tonight. *************************************************** That was what His Highness the Sultan said last night, as reported by Bernama. As what His Highness has titah (royal decree), I will not quote and interpret any verses from the Qur'an. After all, I am not taking Qur'anic studies in Oxford. I am just taking history, plus philosophy of religion thrown in. Hence I shall restrict my comments to only the historical aspects of the subject. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are what we call the Abrahamic faiths. And note the word 'faiths', which means you need to believe in the absence of evidence. Now, they are called 'Abrahamic' faiths because all three have their roots in the Prophet Abraham (or Ibrahim, to the Muslims). In fact, the Muslims believe that Abraham and his son Ismail (Ishmael) built the Ka'bah in Mekah, the direction Muslims face when they pray. The Jews are a race. You need to be born a Jew. You cannot 'become' a Jew like you can become a Christian or a Muslim -- although some people have converted to Judaism. Followers of Christianity and Islam, however, are not a race. Christians regard Christianity as a faith (of the Christian faith) while Muslims regard Islam as an adeen (a way of life). And that was why the Jews wanted a 'homeland', which they now have. So the Jews went on to create a nation called Israel. The Christians went on to separate the church from the state. And the Muslims went on to form governments and conquered new territories to extend their system of government to these territories. If you were ask a Muslim as to why Islam 'interferes' in the lives of the people, why they 'police' behaviour/morality, why they want to impose an Islamic system of administration and laws, etc., they will reply that this is because Islam is not a religion but a system of governance -- meaning a complete way of life (adeen, as mentioned in the Qur'an). Using the Muslims' own arguments, Islam is a total/complete political system that determines the administration and laws of the country. And that is why Muslims talk about an 'Islamic State' -- or, as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, Malaysia is a Muslim country. Hence, Islam is not merely a religion where you pray, fast, pay tithes, etc., and then go on and lead your own life without any interference from the government. Islam is a form of government -- it governs what you can and cannot do very strictly, even in the privacy of your bedroom. So how can His Highness the Sultan of Selangor decree that Islam and politics should not mix, or that you should separate politics from religion? Islam is politics! In Islam you cannot separate the church from the state like they do in Christianity. Islam is closer to Judaism than to Christianity. The Jews consider themselves a race and they aspired to set up their own nation, Israel. The Muslims, too, consider themselves a nation -- an ummah (community) -- and they too aspire to set up an Islamic nation (or Islamic State). How many times have we heard Muslim scholars and religious people say 'Ummah Islam'? This means the Community of Islam or the Nation of Islam. Now, 'nation' does not necessarily mean 'country'. For example, the 'Indian Nation' is a collection of various Native American tribes within the United States of America. So it can, in a way, be called a nation within a nation. If you were to trace the history of the three Abrahamic faiths, you can see that the Jews started, from the very beginning, as a race or tribe -- for example, Moses led his people out of Egypt to cross the Red Sea. The 'religion' came later. (If Moses had been smart enough to lead his people a bit farther east they would have ended up in Saudi Arabia and today they would own all the oil). Christianity and Islam, however, started as cults. It was much later that Christianity became a religion (with a doctrine or dogma) and Islam became a political system (or way of life, adeen, government, etc.). Hence the Jews emerged immediately as a Nation the day Moses led his people out of Egypt and settled in the 'Promised Land'. The Christians and Muslims, however, evolved over time and transformed into what Christianity and Islam is today by 'reinventing' itself through a clearly defined doctrine. Christianity began to lose its cult status after the time of Jesus and during the time of Paul (see the timeline below). However, it was not until more than 300 years later that Christianity was 'defined' with a clear doctrine and almost 800 years before Catholicism took root. As for Islam, as early as during the time of Prophet Muhammad it established itself as a system of government and the Battle of Badr in 624 defined what Islam was going to become -- a political force. Now, since His Highness the Sultan is Malay, and hence will be from the Shafi'i school of Islam, let us talk about Mazhab Shafi'i or the Shafi'i school of Islam. The Shafi'i school of Islam was established around 200 years or so after the time of Prophet Muhammad during the reign of Hārūn al-Rashīd (the Caliph of the One Thousand and One Nights fame). Hence Malays are following a branch of Islam that was established long after the death of the Prophet and during the time of 'liberalisation'. This can be said to be the beginning of the 'separation of church and state', when power over religion was transferred into the hands of the scholars (ulama') who were not too happy with the 'liberal' lifestyle of the Caliph. Let me conclude this piece as follows. Islam says it is not a religion but a way of life. Prophet Muhammad embarked upon setting up a system of government based on an Islamic system of administration. Malays follow the Shafi'i school of Islam, which was established 180-200 years after the death of Prophet Muhammad and when the Hadith began to emerge (and that is why Malay Muslims talk more about the Hadith than the Qur'an). In short, just like what happened in Christianity, Islam was defined (or redefined) later and what Malays practice today is the 'reinvented' version of Islam, just like what the Christians are doing. Hence His Highness the Sultan's Royal Decree is not in line with the Medina version of Islam but follows a later form of Islam where religion and state are separated. If you follow Prophet Muhammad's Medina version of Islam then Islam is the state. Of course, I am analysing things from the historical point of view and not from the theological point of view -- so certainly theologians will disagree with my hypothesis. But then that is their view (based on theology) while I have my own view (based on history). *************************************************** TIMELINE Paul the Apostle's (c. AD 5 – c. AD 67) leadership, influence and legacy led to the formation of communities dominated by Gentile groups that worshiped the God of Israel, adhered to the "Judaic moral code", but relaxed or abandoned the ritual and dietary teachings of the Law of Moses, that these laws and rituals had either been fulfilled in the life of Christ or were symbolic precursors of Christ, all on the basis of Paul's teachings of the life and works of Jesus Christ and his teaching of a New Covenant (or "new testament") established through Jesus' death and resurrection. The First Council of Nicaea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day İznik in Turkey) by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325. This first ecumenical council was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom. The Battle of Badr was fought on Saturday, 13 March (AD) 624. The Second Council of Nicaea met in AD 787 in Nicaea (site of the First Council of Nicaea) to restore the use and veneration of icons (or holy images), which had been suppressed by imperial edict inside the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Leo III (717–741). His son, Constantine V (741–775), had held the Council of Hieria to make the suppression official. Caliph Hārūn al-Rashīd (17 March 763 or February 766 – 24 March 809) was the fifth Arab Abbasid Caliph that encompassed modern Iraq. Imam Shafi'i a.k.a. Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i (AD 767-820) or 150-204 years after Prophet Muhammad's hijrah/migration from Mekah to Medina.
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| Theologian: It’s a call to return to God Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:20 PM PST
(The Star) - Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary are usually associated with calls to return to God, said a Catholic theologian. Malacca-Johor Diocesan Pastoral Institute director Rev Deacon Dr Sherman Kuek said while some people believed that Jesus Christ's mother's appearance heralded tribulations times, this was not always the case. "Whenever our Lady appears," Kuek said, "it is usually because people need to be assured, need hope or to be uplifted." He cited the 1858 apparitions in Lourdes as an example, saying he believed Virgin Mary had appeared there to give hope in a time of social turmoil. He reminded Catholics to always be focused on Jesus. "An apparition is never an end in itself. Our Lady never points towards herself. It is always Her Son she points to." Kuek reaffirmed, however, that the veracity of the image on the Sime Darby Medical Centre's window would only be confirmed following tests by the Church.
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| Jeffrey’s STAR blows hot and cold Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:08 PM PST Leaders of local opposition, STAR, who recently returned from the party's recent SWOT analysis meeting are pessimistic about the party's direction. STAR has a few Muslim leaders within its fold but their influence is limited. Despite the drawback, the party is not giving up its bid to contest in mainly Muslim areas for a bigger share of power in the 60-seat state assembly. Calvin Kabaron, FMT KOTA KINABALU: Has the State Reform Party (STAR) peaked too soon in Sabah? The party is seeing a slowdown in membership applications, it has failed to attract high profile former Barisan Nasional leaders who have quit the ruling coalition and its campaign is disjointed. Tongues are wagging and party leader, maverick local politician Jeffrey Kitingan, is taking most of the flak. He is being blamed for being indecisive in the face manifold problems confronting the local opposition party that was formed 10 months ago. Hints of despair in the party are surfacing and Kitingan who is no stranger to controversy may fall into a political abyss yet again by "refusing to listen to good and alert colleagues", according to people with knowledge of the situation in the party. Insiders say party leaders are worried local politicians such as independent MPs Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing who resigned from the ruling coalition three months ago, do not see STAR as a viable option. While it is widely known that BN component parties like Umno, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut organisation (Upko) are experiencing a leak in their membership, the former BN parties' supporters are shunning the local opposition parties for PKR. The latest example is former Lahad Datu PBS strongman, Mohamadin Ketapi, who like Bumburing and Lajim, is known to have met Kitingan a few times but did not join the party. STAR has a few Muslim leaders within its fold but their influence is limited. Despite the drawback, the party is not giving up its bid to contest in mainly Muslim areas for a bigger share of power in the 60-seat state assembly. But the party may also have other organisational and management problems. While its financial status is unknown, PKR and even fellow local opposition party, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) are deemed to be in a better position in this area. STAR's two separate wings – youth and women – on the other hand are said to lack cohesion. SAPP may get a free ride from Pakatan Rakyat in three Chinese dominated state seats – Likas which was once held by SAPP president Yong Teck Lee, Api-Api where Yong's nemesis PBS Yee Moh Chai is incumbent and Luyang, where the party's incumbent Melanie Chia remains popular. STAR, on the other hand, remains unsettled as the 13th general election gets closer. It is sending out conflicting signals and giving "false hope" according to some within the party. STAR's leaders pessimistic Such is Ghani's popularity in the constituency that he is reportedly being pursued by Sabah Umno. STAR's search for credible leaders who can pose a challenge is bogged down. Of its four deputy state chairmen, only Nicholas Guntobon, a young medical practitioner is certain to contest in Liawan, Keningau. Another, Paul Voon is said to be hesitant, while outspoken Daniel John Jambun is said to be struggling to get his party's endorsement for contesting in Inanam which is also being eyed by SAPP's Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun. Jambun could also be good for the Sepanggar parliamentary seat but since Kitingan has agreed to the status quo with SAPP, his deputy chairman is in a fix. He may still go up against the SAPP candidate in Inanam but this would split the opposition vote.
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| Mat Sabu mahu ketuai pengisytiharan harta Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:00 PM PST
Nomy Nozwir, The Malaysian Insider Mohamad Sabu berkata beliau dan pemimpin tertinggi PAS komited untuk mengisytiharkan harta menjelang pilihan raya umum akan datang. Dipetik dari Harakahdaily, timbalan presiden PAS itu berkata, beliau harus menunjukkan contoh kepada ahli-ahli PAS dan usaha tersebut harus dimulakan oleh beliau sendiri. "Saya beriltizam untuk mengisytiharkan harta saya sebagai contoh perubahan yang harus dilakukan sebagai timbalan presiden," kata beliau ketika merasmikan muktamar Dewan Pemuda PAS yang berlangsung di Dewan Jubli Perak, di Kota Bharu malam semalam. Dalam ucapan di hadapan 1,000 orang delegasi, Mohamad mengambil pendirian agar agenda PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ke Putrajaya harus dimulakan dengan satu perubahan berani. Mohamad yang mesra dengan panggilan Mat Sabu berkata, perubahan bermula oleh PAS termasuk mereka yang akan menjadi wakil rakyat dan ahli majlis. Dewan Pemuda PAS sebelum ini telah mengumumkan akan membuat pengisytiharan harta menjelang PRU akan datang. Keputusan rasmi dan mekanisme akan ditentukan dalam muktamar nanti. Cadangan Pemuda itu turut disokong oleh Setiausaha Agung PAS, Datuk Mustafa Ali, Ketua Penerangan, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man dan Pesuruhjaya PAS Selangor, Dr Rani Osman. Baru-baru ini Setiausaha Pemuda PAS, Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil mengumumkan kesemua exconya bakal melakukan pengisytiharan harta semasa muktamar dewan tersebut di Kelantan esok. "Kemungkinan besar akan ada majlis pengisytiharan harta itu pada muktamar kali ini. Dengan harapan ia akan merintis kepada semua pimpinan PAS," katanya dipetik dari Harakahdaily. Khairul Faizi juga dilaporkan berkata langkah tersebut bagi menunjukkan ketelusan barisan kepimpinan Pemuda PAS Pusat, biarpun mungkin tidak semua dicalonkan pada pilihan raya umum (PRU) ke 13 akan datang. Langkah pengisytiharan harta itu turut disokong oleh Pengerusi Umno Pahang, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob. Kata menteri besar Pahang itu, ia adalah wajar supaya anggota Umno bersih dari elemen prasangka sebelum layak dipilih mewakili parti dan mengelakkan seseorang itu hidup diluar kemampuan yang tidak seimbang dengan pendapatan.
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| PAS says will field more women in coming election Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:52 PM PST
(Bernama) - PAS is looking at increasing the number of women candidates for the upcoming 13th general election, said its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. He said the move was made considering the encouraging performance of its women leaders at the parliamentary and state levels. Hadi was speaking to reporters after opening the 52nd annual assembly of the party's Dewan Muslimat (women's wing) at the Kelantan Trade Centre, here, yesterday. Earlier, in his speech, Hadi said PAS recognised women's role including its women wing's since 59 years ago. PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof, in her address, urged all the party's women members to be prepared in facing the coming general election.
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| Ex-MIDA chief snubs Selangor invite to head Batu Caves taskforce Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:46 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Former Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief Datuk N. Sadasivan has rejected the Selangor government's offer for him to lead the state's taskforce on a controversial Batu Caves condominium project. Sadasivan, who received the offer yesterday, confirmed with The Malaysian Insider this morning that he had declined the appointment but did not state a reason. "Yes, I did receive the Selangor government's offer but I rejected it. At this juncture, I cannot comment," he said when contacted. Yesterday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim announced the state executive council's decision to appoint Sadasivan to the taskforce, two weeks after the state issued a temporary stop-work order on the Dolomite condominium pending the committee's findings. Khalid had cited Sadasivan's vast experience, noting that the latter had previously served as a director in private companies and two government-owned financial institutions ― Bank Negara and Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad ― as well as on state oil firm Petronas's board of directors. Khalid said he would meet with the committee this week to inform them of the state's purpose and added that the committee would also be tasked with studying other construction projects within the Batu Caves area. "Among the committee's scope are to re-evaluate all the development projects that have been done and planned in Batu Caves, and take into account each aspect – including the people's welfare, the Hindu community's interest, environmental safety and existing legislation." "The state government is of the opinion that this committee's scrutiny will benefit and add value to efforts to make Batu Caves a UNESCO World Heritage site," he said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his speech at MIC's Deepavali open house at Batu Caves, promised that Barisan National (BN) would stop the project were it to recapture Selangor in the next polls. He had also said the BN government would apply to make Batu Caves a UNESCO World Heritage site after Malaysia's term as a member of the World Heritage Commission ends in 2015. The 29-storey Dolomite Park Avenue condominium project has turned into a political crisis as Batu Caves is the religious focal point of Hindu Indians who form the majority of the 1.7 million Indians and are a key voting group in many urban seats in Selangor. About 300 Hindu and non-governmental activists joined a "Save Batu Caves" rally in the Batu Caves temple complex to protest against the condominium construction on October 26, saying it was an environmental risk that would jeopardise the temple grounds but did not furnish proof to substantiate their allegations. The project was given the nod by state authorities in 2007, but MIC and Barisan Nasional (BN) have in recent weeks pressured the current Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administration into calling a halt to the project amid a battle for Indian votes.
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| MCA distances itself from Hee, says she will lose without BN blessing Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:43 PM PST
Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider Datuk Hee Yit Foong will likely lose her Jelapang seat if she insists on contesting in the polls without Barisan Nasional's (BN) blessing, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today, distancing his party from the former DAP leader who was instrumental in Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) fall in Perak. Dr Chua clarified that despite Hee's claim to the media on Tuesday, MCA had neither discussed giving up contesting the Jelapang seat in Perak to an outsider nor agreed to field Hee as its candidate for the coming 13th general election. He reminded Hee, who was once described as the "most hated woman in Perak", that any decision on seat distribution in BN was made collectively as it is crucial for the candidate to receive support from both the voters and component parties. "While Hee can announce that she is the candidate for Jelapang in the coming general election, without the support from the MCA division and especially the grassroots members, it is unlikely that she will win in the election," he warned her.  Hee reportedly said she will be contesting as a BN candidate. — File pic At the time, the former Perak assembly deputy was said to have left the DAP in a huff, after repeatedly complaining to have been sidelined in the state administration and left out of positions of power. She turned into a BN-friendly independent following her defection, a decision that earned her harsh criticism from Jelapang voters, most of whom are said to be hardcore DAP supporters. Media reports in the months after she left DAP said Hee turned into an outcast in her own constituency, having to move around in a delegation complete with bodyguards to keep her safe from angry voters. But in an interview with Oriental Daily published on Tuesday, Hee said she will recontest Jelapang "under the BN flag", even adding that she would let Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announce the details later. She boasted that anger against her had dissipated over the years following the Perak crisis, even adding that those who once took out newspaper advertisements to declare they no longer supported her have now returned to apologise. According to Malaysiakini's report on the Oriental Daily interview, Hee also claimed that some voters have even told her, "Datuk, your service is no worse than theirs (DAP). If you contest again, they might not win!"
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| Ahli PAS undi calon bukan Islam Pakatan Posted: 14 Nov 2012 02:40 PM PST Gesaan itu dibuat Ketua Dewan Ulama PAS, Datun Harun Taib semasa menyampaikan ucap utama dalam muktamar Dewan Ulamak PAS di Kota Baru. Muda Mohd Noor, FMT Ali PAS diminta mengundi calon bukan Islam dalam Pakatan Rakyat dalam pilihanraya umum akan datang. Gesaan itu dibuat Ketua Dewan Ulama PAS, Datun Harun Taib semasa menyampaikan ucap utama dalam muktamar Dewan Ulamak PAS di Kota Baru.Teks ucapannya dibaca Naib Ketua Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat, Dato' Dr Mahfudz Mohamad. Naib Ketua Dewan Ulamak PAS Pusat, Datuk Dr Mahfudz Mohamad yang juga Pesuruhjaya PAS Johor membacakan teks tersebut. PAS katanya membenarkan ahli-ahlinya mengundi parti lain sebagai satu wasilah mencapai kemenangan dalam pilihanraya. Beliau juga menekan kepentingan media baru kepada PAS terutama untuk tujuan dakwah. "Youtube, blog, laman web dan media alternatif lain perlu digunakan untuk tujuan tersebut," katanya. Ulamak tambahnya boleh memainkan peranan memenuhi media baru dengan pemikiran dakwah, tarbiyah dan jihad menentang kezaliman. "Tidak hanya dengan lisan tetapi juga menggunaka mata pena penulisan." tambah beliau lagi.
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| 'Pas wrong to support DAP's views' Posted: 14 Nov 2012 11:51 AM PST
(NST) - MUSLIMS in the country are aware that Pas' struggle is no longer about upholding the religion, after it decided to collaborate with DAP. This was the opinion of Gerakan Anti-Penyelewengan Kedah chairman Khairul Anuar Ramli, who said the statement on Monday by Pas life member and national laureate Datuk Dr Shahnon Ahmad reflected the reality that the party was subservient to the DAP. "What DAP wants is clearly against Islam, but Pas is still in partnership with them. "Pas should be fighting for Islam and its principles, not supporting DAP's struggle," he said yesterday. Shahnon was reported to have said that Pas had deviated from its original Islamic struggle after it chose to conform to views from opposing parties such as the DAP. He had also said that Pas' stand was in contradiction with Islam as the party was supposed to spearhead the religion. Khairul Anuar said Pas' deviation began last year when opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's supporters within the party won support in the muktamar (conference) after they were backed by the DAP. "Pas' stance on hudud law and its Islamic state aspirations have faded now that the idea has been struck down by DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Karpal Singh." He alleged that Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was afraid of his DAP counterparts. "They had probably warned him privately that Pas would be ejected from the Pakatan Rakyat coalition if its leaders continued to champion hudud." Following Shahnon's statement, Pas assistant secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan came out in defence of the party, claiming the national laureate's views were merely personal opinion. "He (Shahnon) is just an ordinary member and his comments on party matters do not reflect Pas' stand," he had said. Takiyuddin also said no action would be taken against Shahnon as it was normal for party members to have differing views. | ||||||||
| Who raped and plundered Templer’s Park? Posted: 14 Nov 2012 11:36 AM PST
A file picture showing the 80m stretch of a hillslope at Taman Sierra which collapsed in 2009 causing a massive landslide along the old trunk road near Templer's Park. Because meetings where the alienation and de-forestation were approved are classified and fall under the Official Secrets Act, we will never know the truth. R. Nadeswaran (The Sun) IN late 1963, the headmaster of the Rawang English Primary School was driving home after a game of bridge at what was then the Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur. Four miles from the town, C. Maheswaran had to slam his brakes. In front of him was a tiger crossing the road. It was reported in the only English newspaper then, the Straits Times, which relegated it to a single-column story because sightings of wildlife, especially tigers were common in and around Templer's Park, saddled between Batu Caves and Rawang. About a week later, I remember sitting and listening in awe as Maheswaran related his encounter to my late father. The headmaster's routine took him from his Rawang home twice a week for his bridge sessions at the club. He spoke about his incredible luck anxiety, not his fright. I remember him saying "the tiger could do nothing to me as I was in the car" but my father tickled by asking if he would have dared step out of the car. To which, he replied: "Yen vambukku pohanam?" (Why ask for trouble?). That conversation almost 50 years ago came flooding back as the prime minister announced plans for Batu Caves and the surrounding areas. But even as he was speaking, trees were being felled and land is being cleared in the name of "development". While the PM's efforts for it to be granted heritage status must be applauded, he should also pull up those who have been responsible for the current state of affairs. It is not just the caves per se, but destruction of Templer's Park. Some background: In 1954, the Sultan of Selangor, the late Sultan Hishamuddin Alam Shah, declared that Templer's Park was "dedicated by Selangor to serve as a refuge and a sanctuary for wildlife and a meeting place for all who love and respect the beauty of nature". Since then, it had been a favourite picnic and holiday spot for locals. The natural forests and the many waterfalls drew people from Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas by the hordes on weekends. Long before the North-South Highway was built, the trunk road linking the capital to Ipoh and the north was via Templer's Park. A drive would take you through canopied roads with greenery on both sides of the road with directional signs pointing to waterfalls, picnic spots and other places of interest. Then someone discovered that there's plenty of money to be made in land, especially land close to the main road with the forest as a background. That was the beginning of the end. In the '90s, things began to change. Parts of Templer's Park were de-gazetted, the trees cut down for timber and what used to be a serene environment saw the invasion of tractors and bulldozers. Over the years, more and more land was alienated and fell into private hands and today, two 18-hole golf courses and scores of bungalows around it are standing monuments attesting to the rape and plunder that had been carried on with the blessings of the state government. The biggest beneficiaries were state-owned companies like Perangsang and SAP, who were alienated large tracts of land running into hundreds of hectares. Drawn by the lure of infrastructure put up by the state and local governments, others began to take the route to fortune. Land was sub-divided and small housing estates began to appear. But the sight to behold is a six-storey bungalow on the edge of the forest with limestone hills in the background. That mansion, it is learnt, belongs to a former Yang Berhormat. The alarms and warnings raised by environmental groups like the Selangor Nature Society over the past years have gone unheeded. Successive mentris besar and exco members just approved the de-gazetting without even considering the views of the stakeholders, in this case, the people for whom the park was bequeathed. The lure of profits for developers and a possible benefit for some of those who approved are some of the plus factors which prompted wholesale detraction from established principles and philosophies. What other acceptable explanation can the lawmakers provide to placate the anger of the people? Tomorrow, the finger-pointing will start as to who and how the whole fiasco began or unfolded. Because meetings where the alienation and de-forestation were approved are classified and fall under the Official Secrets Act, we will never know the truth. The middlemen, the cronies, the beneficiaries would be running to enlist spin doctors to "tell their side of the story." They would want to sell you stories and story ideas of "the measures taken to protect the environment" or "the money spent on preserving certain sensitive features in the jungle." There's no other side. There's only one side – greed prompted the state to sell the interests of the people. So, will it now be wrong for the public to demand that all documents pertaining to the clearing of Templer's Park be declassified and made available for public scrutiny? R. Nadeswaran is editor (special and investigative reporting) at theSun.
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| Selayang Municipal Council chief transferred Posted: 14 Nov 2012 11:34 AM PST
(The Sun) - Don't misunderstand me when I say that this is an unusual move and it has elements of victimisation. Zainal executes his duties with dedication but is now transferred at the time when the state needs him most. Another head of a local council has rolled. The president of the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) Datuk Zainal Abidin Aala (pix)has been transferred, less than 18 months after occupying the hot seat. The transfer, the second in as many months after the transfer of Petaling Jaya City Council head Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, has caused yet another round of acrimony between the state and federal authorities, especially the Public Services Department (PSD). In an immediate response to Zainal's transfer to the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan), Selangor executive council member in charge of local government Ronnie Liu said it "was an unusual move" and there are "elements of victimisation". A letter from the PSD, dated Nov 9 and signed by its deputy director-general, ordered Zainal to report to Intan tomorrow. MPS councillor Lee Khai Loon said the announcement came as a shock to the council and it does not agree with the decision. "I personally feel this sudden notice from the JPA is related to the Batu Caves condominium controversy. "We don't agree with this decision, as it was unilaterally made without any proper discussion with the council or the state government," he said yesterday. Lee said that the transfer will also have negative implications on the Special Task Force set up by the state to investigate the Dolomite Park Avenue controversy. "He is one of those in the know on the course of events which led to the approval of the project. Our aim is to retain Zainal as the head of the council," he said. Liu added: "Don't misunderstand me when I say that this is an unusual move and it has elements of victimisation. Zainal executes his duties with dedication but is now transferred at the time when the state needs him most." The announcement comes in the wake of the controversial 29-storey condominium project near the limestone cliffs at Batu Caves by Dolomite Industries Company Sdn Bhd. The controversy erupted after the MIC, which has been at the helm of protests against the two tower blocks two weeks ago, claimed the project was approved by the current Pakatan Rakyat state government. However, Zainal on Oct 30 said that approval for the condominium project given in November 2007 – when Selangor was still under the Barisan Nasional administration. Documents have since surfaced which show that three MIC representatives – Rajakupal Sinnathamby, Jayakumaran Govindasamy and Rajandran Muniandy – and Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay endorsed the decision of the One-Stop Centre committee to approve the project.
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| Umno and the narrow path of racial politics Posted: 14 Nov 2012 04:31 AM PST
In recent years, however, the Umno factor in BN has become so dominant that it has eclipsed its strength of being able to effectively lead a multi-racial party. Umno's policy of accommodation has been somewhat lost in the political equation, with many Chinese and Indians no longer seeing the MCA and MIC as equal partners. The BN has become a coalition in which Umno leads and MCA and MIC simply follow. Azam Aris, Yahoo News IS Umno becoming like the Grand Old Party of US politics — the Republican Party? By moving inwards and to the far right to impress first and foremost its hardcore supporters, the party seems to become less appealing to the multi-racial and multi-religious middle ground. There are many plausible reasons that Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney lost the battle to Barack Obama, notably in the nine battleground states, but one which stood out was the level of support among the various voter categories. More minorities — blacks, Asians and, notably, the fast-expanding Hispanic population — voted for Obama, and by a wide margin. The Financial Times' conclusion that demographics is electoral destiny has never seemed more true: The Democratic party can now win less than 50% of the white votes and still capture the White House. Throw in the growing support from youths, educated whites and suburban women alienated by the Republicans' conservative stance — and it will be a long time before a GOP candidate can wrest the presidency, predicts one political pundit. Another observer, Ethan Case, who considers himself a socially liberal, moderate Republican and supported Romney, notes in his blog that in a changing American society, an astonishing high percentage of Obama voters were members of the minorities, while many others were women and young people. "That's the future of America and if the Republican Party remains a purist cohort built around grumpy old white men, it is committing suicide. That's bad not just for the conservatives but our entire country," Case writes. The Financial Times further added that Romney's decisive defeat will unleash another bout of soul-searching in the Republican Party, which is torn between conservative purists and a moderate rump that is aware the GOP must broaden its appeal to have any chance of regaining the White House. So is Umno in the same position? To some political observers, it looks like it is heading that way. But, then again, this is a Malay party that has never lost a general election before and has, for the last 55 years, led a multi-racial coalition in governing the nation. It is the force that binds the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and its partners, notably the Chinese-based MCA and Indian-based MIC. In recent years, however, the Umno factor in BN has become so dominant that it has eclipsed its strength of being able to effectively lead a multi-racial party. Umno's policy of accommodation has been somewhat lost in the political equation, with many Chinese and Indians no longer seeing the MCA and MIC as equal partners. The BN has become a coalition in which Umno leads and MCA and MIC simply follow. The true picture of this unhealthy balance of power within the coalition was revealed in the 2008 general election, when the BN's Chinese- and Indian-based parties lost badly. Instead of trying to help the MCA, MIC and Gerakan woo back the lost Chinese and Indians voters, Umno seems to have distanced itself from the old politics of accommodation. Within Umno is an ultra element that is taking the party to the far right of Malay dominance and does not want to embrace prime minister and party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's more reconciliatory approach, as embodied in the 1Malaysia concept. Najib's more multi-racial approach, which is based on the principle of "people first, performance now" and seeks to strengthen the relationship and cooperation among the different races and religions, is somewhat lost within Umno's own propaganda machine and its mainstream media voice, Utusan Malaysia. And as the general election draws nearer — it must be held within the second quarter of next year — the voices of reason within the party get further drowned out in any multi-racial and multi-religious discussions. Basically, the party and its soldiers have given up hope of gaining the non-Malay vote and believe that the way to go is to entrench its support in the Malay heartland. Discussions on economics, education, scholarships, business opportunities, corporate equities, wealth, development, poverty eradication, quotas, language and Islam are skewed towards the "Malay-ness" of these issues. Rather than arguing and putting these matters in a better perspective in the context of a Malaysia that aims to be a developed nation by 2020, arguments have been moulded around the theme of "the rights of the Malays that must be protected at all cost" — even if some of these privileges are already guaranteed in the Constitution. Malays who do not subscribe to these strong and sometimes provocative views are deemed an ungrateful lot or labelled "compromised" bumiputeras They are continuously reminded by top Umno leaders, from past and present administrations, of the consequences of the Malays losing power. They are warned they could end up as "beggars" in their own country. One advantage that Umno has over the Republican Party is that the Malay/Muslim population — unlike the whites in the US — is growing at a faster rate than the non-Malays. According to some estimates, the Malay/Muslim population will form 70% of the population by 2030, up from the current 60%. So, to some within Umno, it is worthwhile pursuing the politics of radicalisation. But that might not work, as not all Malays support Umno and those who are politically inclined can opt for PAS and PKR. Those who strongly believe in a multi-racial platform might even consider the DAP if it chooses to become less of a Chinese-based party. As for voters in general, notably the youths, many are ready to leave the politics of race behind. Political, racial and religious scaremongering is something that will not easily sway their views. What matters more to them are a level playing field, more economic opportunities, greater freedom of speech, respecting their rights and fundamental liberties as enshrined in the Constitution, reducing corruption and crony capitalism, and voting hard-working representatives into Parliament and state assemblies. Unlike the Republican party, Umno has yet to taste defeat in a general election, but it is a party that is beginning to lose its appeal to many non-Malays and Malays — and will continue to do so if it chooses the narrow path of racial politics. Azam Aris is managing editor at The Edge. This story first appeared in The Edge weekly edition of Nov 12-18, 2012.
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| Health DG fined RM3,000 for committing khalwat Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:47 PM PST
(Bernama) - Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman was fined RM3,000 or three months jail in default by the Syariah High Court here after pleading guilty to committing "khalwat" (close proximity) early today. Dr Hasan, 56, admitted to committing khalwat with Wan Syarifah Nooraazmanita Wan Hassan, 36, also an officer with the Health Ministry, at the Pullman Putrajaya hotel here at 2.18 am. Wan Syarifah Nooraazmanita also admitted guilt and was fined RM2,900 or 30 days jail in default. Syarie judge Mohd Amran Mat Zain in handing down the punishment, said he took into consideration that it was their first offence and they had shown remorse, besides the fact that they planned to tie the knot. The duo could were liable to be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed not more than two years for the offence. According to the facts, it took Dr Hasan five minutes to open the door of their hotel room after an enforcement team from the Federal Territory Islamic Department went to check on them following complaints from the public. On entry, the team found both of them fully dressed and investigations showed Dr Hasan was a widower while Wan Syarifah Nooraazmanita was in the process of getting a divorce. They paid the fine.
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| How information and knowledge changed the world Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:03 PM PST
So the government must make sure that Malaysians do not think too much. And, to do that, they must ban thinking. And that is why Malaysians are not allowed to have independent thoughts when it comes to religion. They stop you from thinking and will take action against you when you think. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin William Caxton (ca. 1415~1422 – ca. March 1492) was an English merchant, diplomat, writer and printer. He is considered the first Englishman to work as a printer and the first to introduce a printing press into England. He was also the first English retailer of printed books. Martin Luther (10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German monk, priest, professor of theology, and a prime mover of the Protestant Reformation. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, at the Diet of Worms in 1521, resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the Emperor. In 1534, King Henry VIII separated the English Church from Rome and the Church of England became the established church by an Act of Parliament in the Act of Supremacy, which triggered a series of events known as the English Reformation. **************************************************** No, this is not an article about religion or Christianity. This article is about Reformasi (reformation), which started in Malaysia in 1998 and in Europe 500 years or so earlier. Back in the old days, when we talk about political domination this also means religious domination. And that is why Umno cannot allow Malays to be too independent-minded when it comes to religion, and for sure Umno cannot allow Malays to leave Islam. If the Malays cannot be enslaved religiously then they cannot be enslaved politically as well. This was proven in Europe 500 years ago. When the Europeans removed the shackles of religion they invariably also removed the shackles of politics. In the old days, the Bible was written in Latin. But very few people were proficient in that 'dead language'. Only the learned priests spoke Latin. Hence the priests interpreted what the 'Holy Books' said and the ignorant people had to accept the word of these priests, many who were corrupt and exploited their position to manipulate the people. People like Martin Luther challenged this and soon Bibles were translated into various 'mother tongues'. People now began to understand what they read and they no longer needed 'intermediaries' to interpret the word of God. Nevertheless, Bibles were still handwritten and it could take up to one year for the scribes to complete one copy of the Bible. And that would mean there would not be too many copies to go around so only the privileged could get their hands on one. Then people like William Caxton introduced the printing press and what used to take one year could now be completed in a mere days, with many copies produced at the same time. Furthermore, they were not printed in Latin but in English. So the priests and the church structure suddenly became irrelevant. Then King Henry VIII challenged the authority of the Pope and broke away from the Roman Catholic Church. Now no longer was the Pope considered God's representative on earth. England basically reformed thereafter while Europe remained in the 'Dark Ages' until another 300 years or so when Napoleon Bonaparte conquered and occupied almost the whole of Europe. But England's reformation came with a heavy price, which we shall talk about in a while. Napoleon then separated the church from the state (which the English had done 300 years earlier). Before that, education was provided by the church and even then reserved only for the elite. Napoleon built public schools and opened up education for anyone who wanted an education. In short, religion was sidelined and the people were educated outside the influence of the church. Within 30 years, Europe suffered a series of revolutions, which eventually saw the end of the monarchies and empires and the emergence of independent republics. (France also saw its second revolution then). Now, what happened 500 years ago in England and in Europe around 300 years later? Well, basically what happened at that time in England and Europe was what is happening in Malaysia today. The only difference is, in England and Europe, it was education (knowledge) and the availability of books (information) that triggered these changes. Today, in Malaysia, it is the Internet and the Information Revolution that the Internet spawned. Malaysia is walking down the same path that Britain and Europe once did. Information is easily available to Malaysians and the Internet is that catalyst for the spread of this information. So change is going to come to Malaysia. Now, back to that 'heavy price' that England paid for its reformation, which I mentioned earlier. Two generations later, in the early 1600s, England 'exploded' when the people challenged Charles I. Civil War soon broke out and that totally changed England forever. 250 years later, this 'disease' spread to Europe when the Europeans too challenged their absolute monarchies and its 'running dogs', the church. Education and information are dangerous things. It changed England and, later, Europe. And it was the printing press and books that achieved this. It made the people literate. And once the people become literate they no longer accept the system and will challenge the system. The only way Umno can extend its shelf-life is to ensure that Malaysians remain illiterate. But it is too late for that. Malaysians are now educated and can think for themselves. So the government must instead make sure that Malaysians do not think too much. And, to do that, they must ban thinking. And that is why Malaysians are not allowed to have independent thoughts when it comes to religion. They stop you from thinking and will take action against you when you think. England and Europe made a huge mistake. They educated their people. They provided information to their people. They allowed their people to think. And this resulted in the people throwing off the shackles of slavery by removing the dictators and autocratic leaders. Malaysia must not make that same mistake. And the only way to avoid that mistake is to keep the people ignorant. And one way to keep the people ignorant is to shackle their minds and use religion as that tool. So now do you know what this whole issue of freedom of religion is all about? It is about perpetuating power and to not lose power. It is about not allowing what happened in England and Europe to also happen in Malaysia. And that is what Malaysia Today is all about. It is about making you think. It is about making you challenge the system. It is about rejecting bullshit. And even if that bullshit is religion we must also reject it because there are no borders, boundaries or sacred cows here. Oh, and part of this education process is provocation. So trust Malaysia Today to provoke you. Only through provocation can your brain work overtime. If not most of you will just go to sleep and continue slumbering right into 2020. | ||||||||
| Another Selangor top civil servant to be transferred Posted: 13 Nov 2012 05:21 PM PST
(The Star) - Another top civil servant in Selangor is set to be transferred effective Thursday, according to Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu. He said the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) president Datuk Zainal Abidin A'ala transfer takes effect Thursday, and expressed regret at how the transfer was handled by the Public Service Department (PSD). Liu said he had yet to receive a letter from PSD informing him of the transfer, and did not know when Zainal Abidin received his transfer letter. "We are upset and shocked, as MPS will lose a hardworking and efficient leader. He handled the rubbish collection issue and the Batu Caves issue well," he said This is the second sudden transfer of a top civil servant in the state this year. In September, Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman received a transfer letter on Sept 27 to inform him of the transfer effective Oct 1. The state government objected to the move and the transfer has since been frozen.
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| Govt unjust to Muslims too, says report Posted: 13 Nov 2012 04:51 PM PST A study says there's a culture of taboos at the expense of the right to religious freedom. Anisah Shukry, FMT Both Muslims and non-Muslims face discrimination from Malaysian authorities in the practice and propagation of their beliefs, according to a UK-based study. The study, conducted by international human rights organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) and local rights group Tenaganita, found that Muslims who express beliefs not approved by "official interpreters of Islam" face discrimination from the state and federal government due to provisions in the constitution. "In the Malaysian context, the belief that only the religiously learned (the ulama) are entitled to opine on religious matters in Islam has created a culture of taboos at the expense of the right to freedom of religion without discrimination," said a report from the study. "Today, those Muslims who do not follow the officially sanctioned religion can face persecution. "As Sunni Islam is the officially accepted branch of Islam in Malaysia, any other forms, practices or schools of Islamic thoughts are vulnerable to being classified deviant." The government maintains an official list of 56 sects of Islam it considers deviant and a threat to national security. The list includes Shi'a Islam. "The government, upon approval by a Syariah court, may detain Muslims who deviate from accepted Sunni principles and subject them to mandatory 'rehabilitation' in centres that teach and enforce government approved Islamic practices," said the report. In the case of non-Muslims, it said, Article 11 (4) of the Federal Constitution had been used to place discriminatory restrictions on the religious freedoms of Christians, including the freedom to propagate their beliefs. Article 11(4) states that "state law and, in respect of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, federal law may control or restrict the propagation of religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam." This article was used against Christians to ostensibly prevent them from proselytising to Muslims and threatening the supremacy of Islam in Malaysia, the report said. Arrests "In 2009, nine Christians were arrested by Malaysian police at Universiti Putra Malaysia … for allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity." Article 11 (4) is also the basis upon which state laws have prohibited the use of words and phrases by non-Muslims, the report revealed. "The Malaysian government has banned the use of the word 'Allah' by other religions, on the basis that Muslims would be confused by the use of 'Allah' in other religious publications."
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 04:26 PM PST
OUTSYED THE BOX I received the following comment from a reader in my last post 'Pyramids to be destroyed'. Why didn't the Rasul destroy or break these ancient ruins that are found not just in Egypt but also in many other places in Jordan, Arabia, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere? You must ask yourself this question. Why didn't the Rasul break these ancient ruins? The answer lies in the following verses in the Quran :
After the people of Lot were destroyed, some of the ruins or signs (ayat) of their existence were left standing as a profound lesson for people who understand. So we should visit and study the ruins of the past generations to understand what happened to the previous generations. This is called archeology, history, social anthropology and such. Also known as using your brains. Unfortunately the Muslims like you are very short in this area. Brains are a rare commodity. If you go and destroy the pyramids, then how are you going to study what happened in the past? Also you do not know your own Quran. Hence you talk stupid. When you dont know the Quran and you dont believe in the Quran you have no choice - you will become stupid. Here are a few more verses from the Quran : [29:38] Similarly, 'Aad and Thamoud (were annihilated). This is made clear to you through their ruins. The devil had adorned their works in their eyes, and had diverted them from the path, even though they had eyes. Again the ruins of the Aad and the Thamood people were made clear to the Rasul. The devil had adorned their works in their eyes - and consequently the Aad and the Thamood met with disaster. So we have to travel and see the ruins of the past like that of the Aad and the Thamodd to see what happens to people who do not use their brains. Here is another verse in the Quran that talks about observing ancient ruins : [28:58] Many a community we annihilated for turning unappreciative of their lives (wealth). Consequently, here are their homes, nothing but uninhabited ruins after them, except a few. We were the inheritors. So again we must visit and study the dwellings and the ruins of the past societies and see what happened to them when they turned unappreciative of their own lives, their wealth and comforts. We must study them. You can only study them if you preserve them. 20:128 Does it ever occur to them how many previous generations we have annihilated? They are now walking in the homes of those before them. These are signs for those who possess intelligence. 32:26 Does it ever occur to them how many generations we have annihilated before them? They now live and walk in their ancestors' homes. This should provide sufficient proofs. Do they not hear? Some people still live and walk in the dwellings of their previous generations who were destroyed - because of their ignorance and their arrogance. So you may even live in the ruins of your grandfathers. Easier for you to realise the mistake made by your grandparents.
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 04:13 PM PST ROCKY'S BRU "... let's see who the candidates are. If they are going to nominate some monkeys, we will reject." - Derek Fernandez, MBPJ councillor, on the next Mayor of Petaling Jaya I don't know who Derek Fernandez is trying to attack with his remarks - the Federal government run by his political foes or the Malaysian Civil Service - but I know it's uncalled for. I also know there are just too many monkeys like him around. Orang Melayu panggil perangai macam ni kurang ajar. PJ mayor 'promoted', says Ali Hamsa MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012 - 17:42 by Terence Fernandez THE transfer of Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman to the State Secretariat is a promotion. Chief Secretary to the government Datuk Seri Ali Hamsa attempted to clear the air over the controversial transfer saying that it was not a lateral transfer as suggested by certain parties. "We are promoting him to a higher position. He will head the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN)," Ali told The Malay Mail. "We had spoken to the mayor and he feels the move to the State will be good for him as it is a promotion with more benefits," Ali said, adding that several candidates had been identified to take over from Mohamad Roslan, who is scheduled to be appointed deputy state secretary (development) on Dec 1. Councillor Derek Fernandez said while MBPJ was against a lateral move by the Public Services Department (PSD), it would have no objection if it was a promotion that would benefit Mohamad Roslan. However, he insisted that the choice of mayor, including Mohamad Roslan's transfer must be on the endorsement of the state. "If what the chief secretary said is true, then it is good for Mohamad Roslan. "If he is moving up to a Superscale B (from the present Superscale C) then it is good for him," he said. However, he said with regards to the federal authorities' list of successors, "let's see who the candidates are. If they are going to nominate some monkeys, we will reject."
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:55 PM PST (The Star) - Sparks are expected to fly at the 58th PAS muktamar from tomorrow if hardliners, unhappy with several developments within the party, go on a no-holds-barred spree to highlight the actual grouses on the ground. Temperature is said to be getting more heated as PAS' top leadership continues to ignore several contentious issues, including the recent controversial statement made by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar on freedom of religion. It remains to be seen if the hardliners succeed in making their voices heard against those who wish to keep the issue under wraps so as not to rock the Pakatan Rakyat boat. Observers said the hardliners' patience were being tested to the brim following failure of the party to take Nurul Izzah to task for allegedly implying that religious freedom should also be accorded to the Malays. Sensing possible fireworks, PAS central committee member Khalid Samad called on the delegates not to create friction within the party and among friends in Pakatan. "We must defend Nurul Izzah because her statement was misinterpreted," he said. Describing the next general election as crucial for Pakatan, Khalid said PAS should not over-react to some issues, allegedly fanned by the Barisan Nasional. Another party leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said defending Nurul Izzah would be disastrous for PAS. "Yes, grassroots are upset, but the top leaders appear to be living in a parallel universe where they think whatever they say will be accepted by members and supporters," said the leader. An observer noted the parallel of Nurul Izzah's issue with that of her father Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's alleged sex video tape. PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had come out in defence of the Opposition Leader last year. "Hadi used the muktamar as a platform to defend Anwar, who is a PKR leader, by saying that video evidence was not acceptable as videos are nothing but "iron with no eyes". "But he would be pushing it too far if this year he is to use the muktamar to defend Nurul Izzah," he said. This year's muktamar with the theme "Welfare State Core of Unity" would be held at the Pusat Tarbiyah Islamiyah Kelantan at Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, until Nov 18. Muktamar deputy director Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said among the highlights would be the planned "resurgence of rakyat" gathering at Stadium Sultan Mohamad IV in Kota Baru on Friday. He said 1,100 delegates from 186 PAS areas would attend the event. PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu will open the 53rd Youth muktamar, while Hadi would open the 52nd meeting of the party's Woman's wing. The Youth, Muslimat and Ulama wing will hold their respective assemblies in separate locations tomorrow. Hadi would deliver his presidential speech during the muktamar proper on Friday. Media and publicity committee chairman Aiman Athirah Al Jundi said the Muslimat might push for an emergency motion if they got the green light from the resolution filtering committee.
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| Speak up on Nurul Izzah’s statement, PAS leaders urged Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:42 PM PST
(The Star) - The PAS top leadership has been urged to take PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar to task if she had implied that religious freedom should be accorded to the Malays, too. PAS Syura Council member Nasharudin Mat Isa said party members and supporters were anxious over what the top leadership had to say of the issue."They are waiting for a stern statement," he said, responding to the outcry over the Lembah Pantai MP's controversial comment at a recent forum on the Islamic state. He said Nurul Izzah should retract her statement if she had not meant to say that religious freedom should also be accorded to the Malays. "She must justify her argument, now that she denies saying something to the effect," he said. PAS Ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib agrees. He said Nurul Izzah should reflect on what she had said and retract her statement if she felt what she expressed earlier was wrong. "If she feels she is not in the wrong, she has every right to refuse to retract her statement," he said. Former Terengganu PKR Youth chief Fakrul Azman called on PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to "stop playing politics" in defending Nurul Izzah. "Otherwise, people will assume PAS is willing to sacrifice its principles for the sake of political expediency," he said. In IPOH, Perak PAS has reiterated the leadership's stand to wait first for a clarification from the MP before commenting on the issue. "We want to hear it from her first," said state PAS commissioner Abu Bakar Hussain. Meanwhile, state DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham has also drawn flak over his tweets over the issue. A posting from one aktivis pendang jr warned: "YB jangan selalu bercakap tentang agama orang lain, hormati setiap agama (YB don't always talk about other people's religion, respect all religion)." He said this in response to a Nov 6 tweet from Ngeh, which said, among others: "Nurul as MP is defending the Fed Const. Art 11(1). Every person has the right to profess & practise his religion."
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:40 PM PST The party is caught between a rock and a hard place and at a crucial time with the muktamar only days away. PAS' original source of strength had been its diehard promotion of Islamic causes, which had won for it the conservative vote in the rural Malay hinterland, but since the victories of 2008 when it added Kedah to its stable, it has changed course, taking a more liberal stance. Baradan Kuppusamy, The Star PKR vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar's controversial comment on "religious freedom" not only puts the Pakatan Rakyat coalition in a bind but it is causing partner PAS to lose sleep and fighting to keep its Muslim vote bank from serious erosion. Her "religious freedom for all" comment, made at an unguarded moment at a recent forum in Subang Jaya, although supported by non-Malays, is nevertheless a serious faux pas when it comes to conservative Muslims, who make up the bulk of PAS supporters. However, her comments are also in keeping with her father's (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) support for religious pluralism (the acceptance of all religious paths as equally valid) which had sparked furious opposition from Islamic scholars who are opposed to pluralism as un-Islamic and deviant. Her comments have put PAS at a distinct disadvantage and come at a crucial time when the party is preparing for its 58th Muktamar (general assembly) in Kelantan over the weekend. This muktamar is the last before the general election and PAS wants to put its best foot forward. It wants to show its grassroots that it always remains committed to Islam and members want to see the party regain its foothold as the sole promoter and defender of the religion, as PAS had always claimed it is. Nurul's comments have opened the party to serious attacks from Umno and Islamic scholars who all have lambasted her for implying that, with religious freedom for all, Muslims too can switch faith as they please. One of her most stringent critics is former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, who is still a PAS member, and who said that her comments is tantamount to giving Malays the freedom to change their religion. "When Allah has decided in matter of faith, Syariah and morals, we (Muslims) do not have a right to choose. "Our right is only to listen and obey as is clearly stated in the Quran," he told Utusan Malaysia in an interview. As the storm escalated, Nurul quickly met Jais (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) officials to explain and complain that her comments had been "twisted" and that she never supported apostasy. The Islamic vote is PAS' mainstay but that vote has been sliding, not only because of PAS' continued support for the secular DAP, but also because of its steady concessions on many Islamic matters largely due to pressure from DAP too. The evidence is the party's defeat in by-elections since 2009 during which the party found it hard to even enter Malay villages which all had raised Umno flags and refused PAS entry. In Felda schemes too, the party faced the same kind of reception. PAS' original source of strength had been its diehard promotion of Islamic causes, which had won for it the conservative vote in the rural Malay hinterland, but since the victories of 2008 when it added Kedah to its stable, it has changed course, taking a more liberal stance. This is because it hopes to rule the country one day and realises that it needs the support of non-Muslims to do so. But it has been steadily losing the Malay fence-sitters with this "playing both ends of the stick" strategy. PAS has also avoided thorny issues that could cause dissension with its Pakatan Rakyat partners, especially DAP, fearing loss of Chinese votes and preferring to take up Islamic issues once it wins power and enters Putrajaya. The Anwarinas, the liberal elements in the party, have the powerful support of PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who has refused to comment on Nurul's statement at the forum. Nik Aziz, although pushing 82, is very influential and a pillar of strength for the party and no one is yet ready to question him over his strong support for the liberals, many of whom won in party elections last year. Although Nurul has denied supporting apostasy, she and PAS have been under constant attacks from Islamic scholars and Umno leaders for doing just that. And the audience in this "raging battle" is the Malay hinterland whose support is crucial for victory of both contending sides in the upcoming general election. As PAS comes under escalating attacks, it is under tremendous pressure to repudiate Nurul's "religious freedom" comments or risk further haemorrhaging conservative Muslim votes. PAS is caught between a rock and a hard place and at a crucial time with the muktamar only days away. On one side is the powerful presence of Anwar and his supporters in PAS and the non-Muslim votes and on the other is PAS' own grassroots and the Malay heartland, who want Nurul censured and her comments repudiated. PAS is walking a narrow path. It wants to support religious pluralism and win non-Muslim voters over but fears a Malay backlash, not only from its traditional ulamas but also from its conservative vote bank. It does not want to hurt its chances further in the conservative heartland which is already unsettled by PAS' cooperation with the secular DAP and its alliance with PKR, whose de facto leader is openly supportive of religious pluralism and all that it entails for Muslims. Nurul has complicated matters further for PAS and at a crucial time with her "freedom for all" comment, which according to her critics, imply that Muslims can switch religion when Syariah forbids it.
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| Long After the Nurul Izzah Furore, PAS Could Still Pay a High Price Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:39 PM PST (The Choice) - Put simply, PAS had no choice. If it doesn't stand shoulder to shoulder with the other members of Pakatan Rakyat on key issues, then the entire edifice falls to the ground. PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar must feel good now that she can pick up the newspapers each day and see that she is no longer front page news. She endured a storm of protest over her alleged "freedom of religion" comments, but after a long and testing week, the story seems to have run its course. But that might not be the case for everyone. Because while Nurul Izzah might rightly think the affair has blown over, PAS has paid a high price for backing her and could continue to do so up to GE13. Put simply, PAS had no choice. If it doesn't stand shoulder to shoulder with the other members of Pakatan Rakyat on key issues, then the entire edifice falls to the ground. That said, this one must have been particularly galling for them. Not only do her alleged comments about whether Muslims can choose their faith strike right at their religious core, but the person charged with speaking up for her was none other than PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who described the issue as "unfortunate". "Unfortunate" - was that really the best he could do? Others were also wheeled out to defend her, including PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad PAS National Unity Bureau chairman Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa. Both adopted the line that she was a victim, cruelly misquoted by the media. The intervention by PAS worked in the short term in that the party's conservatives didn't break ranks and the Pakatan coalition was still in one piece – last time we looked. But it isn't over yet. As predicted by The Choice, the issue is now playing into the hands of Barisan Nasional much to the discomfort of the PAS leadership. Religious adviser to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Abdullah Md Zin picked up the matter this week and he made sure Nurul Izzah wasn't the main focus of his comments. "It is regrettable that PAS leaders, like PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, do not want to correct the statement made by Nurul Izzah on religious freedom," he said, a reference to the fact that by offering some wishy-washy words to keep Pakatan happy, they had turned down the chance to take a stand on behalf of Islam. So the story has indeed moved on – but PAS is still paying the price. And this creates problems that won't go away before GE13, because PAS's pitch to the rakyat has always been clear. PAS is the party that is true to Islam – more so than Umno and a lot more so than those chattering urbanites at PKR. Read more at: http://www.thechoice.my/top-stories/63090-long-after-the-nurul-izzah-furore-pas-could-still-pay-a-high-price
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| His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:26 PM PST
KTEMOC KONSIDERS Plato was against Athenian democracy because he believed democracy's proponents were a bunch of, to use a synthesized Malaysian-Aussie word, syiok sendiri wankers, who were self centred anarchists, irrational and impulsive, and thus incapable of seeking out the common good for society. According to him, that situation worsened with an increasing population as it would render the individual's voice even more insignificant. It was a prognosis that called for a 'papa knows best' remedy, wakakaka. Until recent times, national strongmen (to borrow Josh Hong's term in his criticisms of Dr Mahathir Mohamad), especially though not exclusively those in Asia's SE Asian and Far East regions (with the possible exception of a US controlled and democracy-indoctrinated Japan) took on the role of 'papa' who knew best. We are more familiar with the strongmen of our own SE Asian region, blokes and blokesses like Dr Mahathir, Lee Kuan Yew, Suharto, Sihanouk, and the oligarchy in the Philippines - am leaving out the communist and military dictatorships in Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and until recently Thailand (and f* Brunei, wakakaka).
Probably the Malaysian votes for 'Top Papa' would go down to the wire between (Tun) Dr Mahathir and (Knight of The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, wakakaka) Lee Kuan Yew or Sir Harry*. * The British knighthood system is weird in that by convention the knighted person is addressed by his personal name rather than his surname, eg. Sir Cliff for Cliff Richard, Sir Sean for Sean Connery, thus Sir Harry (Lee Kuan Yew's western name) or if you like, Sir Kuan Yew. I personally feel that the title of 'Top Papa' should go to Sir Harry (Lee Kuan Yew) because he was more "innovative" than our own Dr Mahathir, in his Singapore variant of Westminster democracy, as follows:
In 1984 Singapore had a constitutional amendment which allocated the opposition with a minimum of 3 seats in Parliamentary regardless of whether it won those seats or not. However,the member occupying those (awarded) seats were not allowed to vote in the new Parliament. It was a fortunate constitutional amendment because after the results of the Singapore 1988 elections were announced, there was only one opposition MP, namely Chiam See Tong of the Democratic Party. The embarrassment for Sir Kuan Yew's majority ruling PAP was that it won 80 out of 81 seats with just 61.8% of the votes. Alamak, just one opposition MP to show for 40% of the Island State's votes? Thank goodness, the 1984 constitutional amendment allowed Parliament to top up the opposition numbers to a more though superficially respectful 3, but in real terms, only one had voting rights in Parliament. But those face saving (for Singapore's democracy) seats didn't provide legal immunity for their occupants. Indeed after that election, Lee Siew Choh (Workers' Party) and Francis Seow respectively faced legal damages for comments (Lee) made about PAP during the 1984 election and trial for (Seow's) alleged tax evasion.
Anyway, my post is more about what Westminster democracy termed His/Her Majesty's "Most Loyal Opposition". John Cam Hobhouse, 1st Baron Broughton, was credited with this term in 1826 when he attacked George Canning, the Foreign Secretary, in the House of Commons, stating: "It is said to be hard on His Majesty's Ministers to raise objections of this character but it is more hard on His Majesty's Opposition to compel them to take this course." In mature Westminster democracies such as in Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Opposition Leader of Her Majesty's "Most Loyal Opposition" is picked from the political party (after the ruling party) with the largest number of seats and who, traditionally, comes from the Lower House (Dewan Rakyat).
Our current federal Opposition Leader was originally an unelected person but who is now a MP though not from a political party (after the ruling party) with the largest number of seats in Dewan Rakyat, wakakaka. But I must admit his selection has been by consensus among the Pakatan allies. The Opposition Leader in mature western democracies is treated as the PM-in-waiting and accordingly, provided with all the privileges/perks such as salary/allowance/staff and status, meeting foreign dignities (together with or separately from the PM) and being briefed on intelligence and national security issues. The Canadian Leader of the Opposition even has an official residence in the capital, known as Stornoway.
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| Some States Allow For The Renunciation Of Islam Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:18 PM PST
State Islamic laws of Perlis, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Johore expressly provide that the relevant State authorities may declare individuals as having renounced the religion and therefore no longer Muslims. Loyarburok One should distinguish between what the Islamic law in some States is from what it ought to be. This post is about the former, not the latter. In Perlis, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan, the relevant State laws provide that the Syariah High Court shall in its civil jurisdiction, hear and determine actions and proceedings that relate to, among others, a declaration that a person is no longer a Muslim and/or a declaration that a deceased person was a Muslim or otherwise at the time of his death. See:
In Johore, section 141(2), Enactment No. 14/1978 (wef 16.2.1979) is a mandatory provision wider in scope than those of the aforesaid States and reads as follows: Read more at: http://www.loyarburok.com/2012/11/13/states-renunciation-islam/
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:13 PM PST Nicole Tan Lee Koon I would like to comment on Aspan Alias latest article Kalau terasa akan kalah, biarkan sahaja Parlimen terbubar dengan sendirinya (READ HERE). In his article, he commented on how desperate BN are that they have to make use of the army and NGOs to organise their political functions in order to make the crowd. BN ended up spending the taxpayer's money to fund these programmes. Compare this to PR's recently held Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat. There were no free food and lucky draws. 30,000 people came and supported us despite the rain! I attended a Pakatan rally in Gemas for the launching of the NS manifesto in January this year. There were 6,000 people in the field with no free food or lucky draws. Most of them were sitting on the ground as there were no chairs provided. http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/01/16/anwar-a-hit-in-umno-stronghold/ For e.g., Madey said, "The Government is forced to take a firm stand to protect the people from being oppressed by the Rajas. Certainly, this stand was not made because of just these two incidents alone. There have previously been many incidents where the Rajas oppressed the people, the Rajas broke civil and criminal laws, the Rajas misused Government and national funds and assets, the Rajas pressuring and oppressing government officials. The incident in Johor is only, with your permission, 'the straw that broke the camel's back'. The people's reaction to these incidents clearly shows that they no longer accept and 'tolerate' these kind of acts".
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 03:01 PM PST After being ruled by Barisan Nasional for 55 years, the Malays must now realise that they do have a choice not to continue to live in poverty, says PKR veep Chua Jui Meng. Malaysians, including Malays, are at a critical political crossroad. We must start asking ourselves intelligently and come up with honest answers and decisions. By Chua Jui Meng, FMT Malaysians, especially the Malays, cannot and must not continue to live in poverty. After 55 years, you must surely say that is enough. You have a choice and you can show that through your ballots in the next general election. Use your ballots to make change so that another government can try to make life better for everyone. Umno's battle cries for 55 years have been – Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy), Menyelamatkan Melayu (Save Malays), Bela Melayu (Defend Malays), Jangan Hilang Kuasa Melayu (Don't lose Malay Powers). What Malay Supremacy? More like Umno Supremacy. Save Malays? From what? Defend Malays, from whom? Don't lose Malay power? More like don't lose Umno powers. Malaysians, including Malays, are at a critical political crossroad. We must start asking ourselves intelligently and come up with honest answers and decisions. It is clear for all to see that the corrupt BN government has only been plundering and enriching their cronies, family members and themselves. It all started with the 22-year Dr Mahathir Mohamad's rule, followed by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and now Najib Tun Razak. Their plundering has saddled us with a more than RM502.4 billion federal debts, as revealed by Budget 2013, which we and our children and generations will have to bear. Before the Mahathir regime, the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was used to acquire land for infrastructure and public development projects, like roads, schools, hospitals etc. In 1991, Mahathir amended the Act to enable state governments to acquire such land, and then to alienate such land to their cronies and crony Umno companies for development. The agriculture village land, mostly Malay customary-owned, are acquired cheaply by the state government and then converted to property development to enrich their cronies and themselves. Such land grabs have been carried out by Mahathir, then Abdullah, Najib and in Johor, we are seeing Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman at work in Pengerang. Did you not see this happened in Gelang Patah, Pasir Gudang, Denga Bay, etc? We are seeing thousands of Malays driven out of their kampungs (villages) when such land grabs are initiated by Umno leaders. Are these stories made up by us? Umno manipulation The BN-Umno brainwashing Biro Tata Negara (BTN) has for years, and is still doing so, telling their civil servants to go into the interiors and Malay villages and promise the villagers everything they want. After the general election, no need to deliver the promises.
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| Muktamar lebih panas dari yang dijangka Posted: 13 Nov 2012 02:57 PM PST Rakyat terutama penyokong PAS mahu melihat pendirian terbaru pimpinan parti dalam isu negara Islam yang masih menjadi buah mulut. Muda Mohd. Noor, FMT Muktamar PAS di Kota Baru ini diduga lebih panas daripada yang dijangka. Ia juga menjadi tumpuan baik dari Pakatan Rakyat mahupun BN. Meskipun tidak ada pemilihan jawatan, muktamar kali ini dijangka hangat dengan perbahasan terbuka terhadap isu-isu semasa seperti hubungan PAS-DAP. Pada muktamar kali ini rakyat terutama penyokong PAS mahu melihat pendirian terbaru pimpinan parti dalam isu negara Islam yang masih menjadi buah mulut. Isu ini menjadi buah mulut berikutan pendirian tidak jelas dan sentiasa berubah-ubah di kalangan pemimpin PAS. Meskipun, pimpinan mengatakan ia telah selesai tetapi sesetengah rakyat melihat PAS telah tunduk kepada DAP dan PKR regunya dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Kedudukan dan masa depan bekas Timbalan Presiden, Nasharuddin Mat Isa dijangka dibahaskan secara panjang lebar terutama dari perwakilan yang melihat ahli Parlimen sudah menjadi `musuh' PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat. Apatah lagi sejak-sejak akhir ini Nasharuddin tidak henti-henti menyerang PAS terutama dalam pendirian negara Islam dan hudud. Seorang perwakilan dari Terengganu – Wahab Mohamad – menduga perwakilan dari kumpulan penyokong Timbalan Presiden sekarang Mohamad Sabu akan membuat gesaan supaya Nasharuddin dipecat dari PAS. "Saya dapat merasakan begini…seolah-olah Nasharuddin menjadi musuh besar kepada PAS. Sebahagian orang PAS di sini (Terengganu) sudah bercakap mengenai hal ini. "Masa depan Nasharuddin akan ditentukan di sini. Perwakilan akan menekan pimpinan supaya memecat Nasharudin," kata perwakilan veteran itu. Rakannya Abas Ali, pula mencelah sejak kebelakangan ini PAS semakin ghairah untuk menghukum orang yang tidak sebulu dengan pimpinan tertentu. Katanya, sebelum ini PAS memecat Naib Presiden, Datuk Hasan Ali kerana mengecam pendirian parti dalam isu negara Islam. `Kita mesti bersatu' "Jika PAS memecat Nasharudin bermakna dua orang profesional hilang dari perjuangan kita. Saya bimbang selepas ini golongan profesional akan takut untuk menyertai PAS," tambah beliau. Hasan sebelum menyertai PAS pada 1999 merupakan pakar motivasi dan memegang jawatan kanan dalam pelbagai jabatan kerajaan.
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| Sabah opposition ‘magic’ number is 10 Posted: 13 Nov 2012 02:50 PM PST According to PAS, although 60% of the electorate 'favour us', only a one-to-one fight with BN could ensure a win for the opposition. Luke Rintod, FMT Voters in Sabah will have to deliver at least 10 parliamentary seats to the opposition to end the over 50-year reign of the Umno-led federal coalition government. PAS deputy president, Mohamad Sabu, more popularly known as Mat Sabu, reckons that voters in the east Malaysian state will have to make a complete turnaround compared to the last election to allow the opposition to march into Putrajaya. While confident that Pakatan Rakyat would do even better in Peninsular Malaysia compared to the 2008 general election, the popular and down-to-earth PAS leader said Sabah voters would either swing it the opposition's way or help maintain the status quo. He said, "We have very good prospects of winning more seats in Sarawak and can reach the magic number of 112 in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat provided voters in neighbouring Sabah respond to the loud calls for change. "We must win 10 to 12 seats in Sabah for Pakatan to take over at federal level," he said at a luncheon with friends at Chessington on Sunday. Together with the lone parliamentary seat of Labuan, Sabah has 26 seats up for grabs in the coming 13th general election. In the last election, the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition won 25 seats, losing only the state capital Kota Kinabalu to DAP. However, BN lost two more seats when one of its components, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), left soon after the 2008 general election and took with it the Tawau and Sepanggar seats. Another two Sabah parliamentary seats, Beaufort and Tuaran, were recently handed over to the opposition when incumbents Lajim Ukin and Wilfred Bumburing left the BN to become Pakatan supporters. Mat Sabu, who was in London from Nov 7-11 to meet friends and supporters including Malaysians residing around UK, also expressed confidence that the opposition front could win sufficient seats to form the next government if the opposition is united. "We must have a one-to-one fight with BN, otherwise, though 60% of the electorate favour us, we will not win because of the split vote," he said of the threat posed to a consolidated vote by opposition parties outside the coalition. Not worried But the unflappable opposition politician is not worried by the occasional flare-ups between Pakatan and go-it-alone Sabah opposition parties like SAPP and the State Reform Party (STAR) which have yet to thrash out their differences and agree to a one-on-one contests against the BN. "Biarlah kita 'bertumbuk' bincang sesama kita daripada nanti kalah," he said in Malay which loosely means "it is better for all the opposition parties to fight with each other now and arrive at a compromise than wait for a certain defeat".
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 02:46 PM PST Namun persoalan utama di sini, apakah PAS menjadi parti dominan dalam Pakatan Rakyat? Jamilah Kamarudin, FMT Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang bulan lalu mengeluarkan kenyataan mengenai 'tahaluf siyasi', satu konsep kerjasama politik antara orang Islam dan bukan Islam. Dalam perjuangan PAS, Hadi merujuk kepada kerjasama dengan parti lain dalam Pakatan Rakyat, iaitu DAP dan PKR dalam agenda menawan Putrajaya. Bagaimanapun hukum kerjasama politik dalam Islam ini diharuskan dengan beberapa syarat, antaranya pihak bukan Islam itu boleh dipercayai, tidak menggadaikan prinsip Islam atau dasarnya, serta tiada unsur hipokrasi tentang motif sebenar kerjasama itu dijalankan. Tahaluf itu turut melarang wujudnya penindasan ke atas Islam atau menyebabkan Islam redha dengan penindasan itu sehingga membenarkan berlakunya syirik. Sebab itulah wujudnya sesetengah pendapat ulamak yang mengatakan pihak Islam perlu mendominasi sekiranya sesuatu tahaluf siyasi dibina. Namun persoalan utama di sini, apakah PAS menjadi parti dominan dalam Pakatan Rakyat? Adakah tahaluf itu dijamin 'halal' sepanjang PAS bekerjasama dengan PKR dan DAP? Pejuang hal ehwal Islam PAS pada awal penubuhannya sejak tahun 1951 adalah parti yang memperjuangkan hal ehwal Islam. Dipimpin golongan ulamak, PAS menjadi parti pilihan bagi orang Melayu yang mengagumi gaya pemimpinnya memperjuangkan dakwah Islam dari sudut politik. PAS pernah menerima cadangan Umno supaya bersatu membentuk Parti Perikatan (Barisan Nasional) selepas berlakunya tragedi hitam 13 Mei 1969. Bagi mengekalkan kuota kerusi Melayu di Parlimen, buat pertama kalinya kerjasama politik dijalinkan PAS dengan menjadi salah satu parti komponen BN. Bagaimanapun 'tahaluf' itu tidak kekal lama apabila PAS tersingkir daripada BN selepas berlakunya krisis dalaman sehingga Kelantan diisytihar darurat pada tahun 1978. Pengalaman pahit itu menjadi pengajaran buat PAS yang sehingga kini kekal dengan pendirian idea gabungan PAS dan Umno selama-lamanya wajar ditolak sama sekali. Berjuang bersendirian Selepas sekian lama berjuang bersendirian, PAS kemudiannya mula menerima gabungan Pakatan Rakyat selepas berjaya mempertahankan kubu kuatnya di Kelantan serta peningkatan beberapa kerusi di negeri lain semasa PRU12. Kejayaan itu juga dijadikan motivasi buat PAS untuk terus mengekalkan tahaluf bersama Pakatan sehingga impian menawan Putrajaya tercapai.
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2012 07:37 AM PST During the muktamar which starts on Friday in Kelantan, PAS leadership will likely seek to quash perceptions that the party had become subservient to the liberals in PKR and DAP. For the first time, this Islamist party will be more worried about the Malay electoral ground than the non-Muslim ones. Since 2008, PAS has been accused by its opponents of abandoning its principles and religious credentials. Hawkeye, FMT PAS finds itself in a unique situation when the annual muktamar (party gathering) gets underway beginning this Friday in Kelantan. For the first time, this Islamist party will be more worried about the Malay electoral ground than the non-Muslim ones. Since 2008, PAS has been accused by its opponents of abandoning its principles and religious credentials. The party has also faced questions over how it had managed issues confronting Muslims in Selangor, Penang and Perak (where Pakatan Rakyat was briefly in control). This has resulted in a belief that PAS has suffered an erosion of support among the Malay/Muslim ground in the peninsula. Some by-election results also indicated that the Malay ground has either reversed into a stagnant position as a sign of protest towards both PAS and Umno, or shifted back to Barisan Nasional. A perception was sowed that PAS has become subservient to the liberals in PKR and DAP when handling Islamic issues and that it was inclined to take a muted stance when faced with the congregation's concerns. One of its harshest critics is its own member – the former Penang PAS Youth head Mohammed Hafiz Nordin, who said that he remains loyal to PAS as it is the closest organisation towards advocating Islam. However, he is also critical over how PAS reacted to issues, saying its lack of leadership in Penang and Selangor as well as its unwillingness to speak up on the proposal by non-believers to use the "Allah" (God) word, has cast a shadow of doubt over PAS' ability to uphold Islam's non-compromising principles. The lingering faultline in the party between the ulama (clerics) and technocrats (professionals and academicians) is also a source of friction in the party. The highlights in the past year were the controversial sacking of its former Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Hasan Ali as well as the emergence of critical voices such as its ex-deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who had openly expressed unhappiness over how PAS responded to issues of faith and Islamic policies. Such issues will likely reverberate on the sidelines when some 3,000 delegates converge in Kelantan for the respective ulama, women, youth and supporters' club assemblies with the highlight being the main body's gathering from Nov 16 to 18. Ageing leadership Established in 1951 with over one million card-carrying members, PAS is now considered the senior party in its strategic election link-up with PKR and DAP, in what is now called Pakatan Rakyat. One grouse likely to be on the whispering rounds among the delegates, is the party's ageing leadership as well as its seemingly unwillingness to engage issues confronting the Muslims. Its revered spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is 82 and ailing while its president Abdul Hadi Awang is 65. Below the rung are a group of leaders aged in their 50s, who have yet to strike a similar chord with the electorate as Hadi and Abdul Aziz have done for the past three decades. Deputy president Mohamed Sabu's credential is questioned as he is not a traditional ulama while vice-presidents Mahfuz Omar, Husam Musa and Sallehuddin Ayub are said to be too cautious to the liking of the grassroots, who are growing anxious by the day to see the future course of the party. Here, two PAS activists provide their input and expressed their hopes on what the party can achieve in the muktamar. Former Perak PAS commissioner Awang Ahmad agrees that PAS needs to revive its momentum for the Malay ground to complement the fact that non-Muslims remains solidly behind Pakatan. Awang said this coming general election is the most important one in the Malaysian electoral history. "It is a do or die for the ruling BN coalition. As for Pakatan, there is no better time to take over the country than now. If we lose, it would take a long while to regain support for another serious attempt at winning Putrajaya." This must be emphasised at the muktamar. He said PAS must also build on the support among non-Muslims by embarking on preaching programmes to enlighten them about Islam. On the polemical issues of ulama versus professionals in the party, Awang said the definition of ulama cannot be restrictive in PAS.
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| The devil’s advocate: just for the heck of it Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:46 AM PST
Hence the argument that Biblical records are evidence is a fallacy. The so-called records are 'modern' and were created centuries after the event. How, therefore, can we claim that they are accurate or authentic records when there exists a gap of so many centuries. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin The physical evidence in the real world shows that the earth is young, probably a few thousand years old as Biblical chronology shows. The so-called 'scientific' evidence that the earth is several billions of earth old is based on assumptions and has no hard physical evidence. -- upsidedown119 ******************************************** 'upsidedown119' has been flooding Malaysia Today with comments, in particular in his or her debates with 'Lord Jim'. I thought I would join the fray just for the heck of it and play the devil's advocate. 'upsidedown119' posted the comment above in response to my article Keeping the faith. Maybe I can respond to that response. Religionists always use the argument that science cannot prove this or prove that. Hence claims by scientists cannot be accepted as fact or evidence. Religion, however, can prove all its claims because it has Biblical records to support these claims. Most times science is based on observations, sometimes with experiments thrown in. From these observations, scientists make assumptions and come to conclusions. At the end of the day it is all just that -- observations and assumptions, and conclusions based on these observations and assumptions. Hence science is still not really conclusive. It is what at that point of time they think it means. There have been occasions later on, it could even be centuries later, when scientists come out with new findings based on new observations and they deduce that earlier observations and assumptions, and the conclusions resulting from them, were wrong. In other words, nothing is permanently conclusive. It is only conclusive at that point of time. That could change later when new findings emerge. Science is always searching and researching for new evidence to either prove earlier findings correct or to prove them wrong. In the old days, say 2,000 years ago, there was no technology called carbon dating. Hence the only source of reference as to how old the earth is was Biblical records. Today there are many ways to date archaeological discoveries. And, through modern technology, archaeological discoveries of what appear to be human remains have shown that they are hundreds of millions or even billions of years old. Let us assume that science and technology is wrong and wherever science is in conflict with Biblical records we reject science in favour of Biblical records. This is well and fine. But then we would have to question the accuracy and authenticity of Biblical records. Biblical records of, say, 3,500 years ago, must be authenticated through the same process that science proves other things. In other words, can we carbon date these Biblical records and prove that they are 3,500 years old? The oldest Hebrew manuscript (not complete text) is about 200 BCE -- that is 200 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. That means there is a 'gap' of roughly 1,000 years or more from the time of the event till the time of the records. The oldest complete Greek text is dated more than 300 years after Christ. And Greek was not the language that Christ spoke. Hence there is no Aramaic record from the time of Christ. In other words, this is a 'translation', but a translation of what? There is no original text in Aramaic. This means we must take everything at 'face value' based on accepting the word of the creator of the document, as the legal fraternity would say. And this would also mean at least 300 years have passed from the time of the event till the record of the event. What happened in those 'missing' 300 years? Between 1946 and 1956, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea Scrolls are written in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Nabataean, mostly on parchment, but some written on papyrus and bronze. These manuscripts have been dated between 408 BCE to 318 AD. Around 40% of the Scrolls comprise of Biblical records but then they are in Hebrew, not Aramaic. Hence the evidence is still not conclusive. There are no Aramaic Biblical records from the time of Christ amongst the Dead Sea Scrolls. And there are certainly no Biblical records from 1,000-1,500 BCE, what we refer to as The Old Testament. Hence the argument that Biblical records are evidence is a fallacy. The so-called records are 'modern' and were created centuries after the event. How, therefore, can we claim that they are accurate or authentic records when there exists a gap of so many centuries. Human memory is fallible. What happened hundreds of years ago when all those people involved in the event have already died and when stories of the event were passed down by word of mouth over centuries will invariably be distorted and exaggerated. Even stories regarding Robin Hood are questionable even though that was supposed to have been less than 1,000 years ago. The earliest official written records in England were created about 1,000 years ago during the reign of King William the Conqueror. Before that there were no official records other than those created by the church and even then mostly regarding the palace and the royal family. King Arthur was supposed to have lived around the late 5th and early 6th centuries. However, till today, they still do not know the location of Camelot and whether Camelot and Arthur really did exist or is a mere myth. We can trace the history of England to about 55 BCE. And this is only because the Romans came to England at that time and they maintained records. Before 55 BCE England more or less did not exist, so to speak, from the records point of view. Around 410 AD the Romans left England but by then Christianity had come to England -- around 100 years before that. So the church 'took over' when the Romans left. So England's historical records can be accurately traced back to about the time of Christ. Nevertheless, while there are records from this era, there are no records of an Aramaic Bible. Many records from the time of Christ are available except records of an Aramaic Bible. The earliest Bible is in Greek and dated about 300 years after Christ. Hence, in short, nothing is conclusive. Hence, also, we cannot argue that one type of evidence outweighs another. If we want to accept Christianity based on evidence then there are none. Christianity must be accepted based on faith, not based on evidence. And faith is the word to describe lack of evidence. | ||||||||
| Stop manipulating religious text: PUM Posted: 12 Nov 2012 11:48 PM PST (Bernama) - The Ulama Association of Malaysia (PUM) has urged Sisters In Islam (SIS) and secularist groups to stop manipulating religious texts to suit their secular perspective, including the issue of religious freedom. PUM secretary-general Dr Mohd Roslan Mohd Noor described their action as defamation of religions and part of the manifestation of 'religionfobia'. "It has been considered a crime at national and international level. PUM supports action in terms of legislation, education, media and the like to ensure that the religion is not denied its right in the name of human rights," he said in a statement tonight. A pro-opposition news portal report recently quoted SIS as saying that religious freedom must include the freedom to change religion. "How can Muslims demand this notion of religious freedom for those wishing to convert to Islam and at the same time argue the denial of this freedom to leave Islam for those who no longer believe," SIS said in the statement. A pro-opposition news portal, in a report on Nov 3, quoted Nurul Izzah Anwar as saying that people should not be compelled to adopt a particular religion, and that this should also apply to the Malays. "When you ask me, there is no compulsion in religion ... how can anyone say sorry, this (religious freedom) only applies to non-Malays, it has to apply equally," she was quoted as saying when speaking at a forum on "Islamic State: Which version; Who's responsibility?" in Subang Jaya.
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| PPP submits names for four parliament, 12 state seats Posted: 12 Nov 2012 10:11 PM PST
(Bernama) - The People's Progressive Party (PPP) has submitted the names of candidates for four parliamentary and 12 state seats in the upcoming general election. PPP senior vice-president Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz said the candidates comprised mostly of new faces, except for PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas, and this reflected the transformation made by the party. He said it would be up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to decide on the candidates. "We have submitted our list. We believe our candidates are highly qualified and have the credibility to ensure victory for BN (Barisan Nasional) in the general election," he told reporters after attending the Deepavali open house organised by the Federal Territories PPP here. Asked whether his name was included, Maglin said he would not be contesting to make way for new faces. He said if the party's candidates were not selected, it would not stop PPP from working closely with BN for their mutual benefit. In the 2008 general election, PPP was allocated only two seats, namely Taiping parliamentary seat and Pasir Bedamar state seat. In Taiping, Kayveas lost to DAP's Nga Kor Ming by 11,298-vote majority, while in Pasir Bedamar, PPP's Lee Heng lost to DAP's Seah Leong Peng by 7,914-vote majority.
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| Posted: 12 Nov 2012 08:11 PM PST
Yes, religionists need miracles. They need a sign from God. And these miracles and signs help strengthen our faith. And faith is what religion is all about. We see signs and miracles everywhere. We can even see them when they are not there. That is how strong faith can be. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin Malaysia church gets window with Virgin Mary image (AP) - A Malaysian church is taking possession of a hospital window that has attracted hundreds of people who believe it bears an image of the Virgin Mary. Prayerful crowds of Roman Catholics have gathered outside the Sime Darby Medical Center in a suburb near Kuala Lumpur since last weekend after an image believed to resemble the Virgin Mary was spotted on the hospital's seventh-floor window. Rev. Simon Labrooy of the suburb's Church of St Thomas More says he met with hospital officials and agreed the crowd situation could affect medical emergency services. He said in a statement late Monday that the hospital glass panel would be moved to a church and tested by theologians and religious authorities. Christians comprise nearly 10 percent of Muslim-majority Malaysia's population. ***************************************** First Map Produced of Universe 11 Billion Years Ago (Reuter) - An international team of astronomers has produced the first map of the universe as it was 11 billion years ago, filling a gap between the Big Bang and the rapid expansion that followed. The study, published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, shows the universe went through a phase roughly three billion years after the Big Bang when expansion actually started to slow, before the force of so-called 'dark energy' kicked in and sent galaxies accelerating away from each other. Much is known about the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang from studies of its afterglow in the cosmic background radiation, and its accelerating expansion over several billion years can be seen with a look at the way distant galaxies are moving. "Only now are we finally seeing its adolescence... just before it underwent a growth spurt," said Mat Pieri at the University of Portsmouth in Britain, one of the authors of the study. Little is known about dark energy, and its counterpart dark matter, but astronomers argue the force must exist to account for the speed at which the universe is expanding. Together, dark energy and dark matter are believed to make up about 96 percent of the universe. The new study supports the theory that dark energy was somehow created as the universe expanded, by detailing a period when gravity was winning the tussle and slowing the expansion. "If we think of the universe as a roller coaster, then today we are rushing downhill, gaining speed as we go," said Pieri. "Our new measurement tells us about the time when the universe was climbing the hill – still being slowed by gravity." The map, the work of 63 scientists from nine countries, was compiled using a novel technique for studying the intense light from 50,000 distant quasars as it passes through clouds of hydrogen in space on its way to Earth. They produce a picture of the ancient universe in same way thousands of flashlight beams would light up a bank of fog. "The quasars are back-lights," Pieri told Reuters, and the way the gas in front of them absorbs some of the light allows astronomers to get a detailed picture of these distant clouds of gas known as the intergalactic medium. The study is the first fruit from a five-year project started in 2009. The team, from the third Sloan Digital Sky Survey, expect to expand the survey with light from about 160,000 quasars by the end of the project. "We're essentially measuring the shadows cast by gas along a series of lines, each billions of light-years long," said Will Percival, a cosmology professor the University of Portsmouth. "The tricky part is combining all those one-dimensional maps. The problem is like trying to recognize an object from a picture that's been painted on the quills of a porcupine," he said. ***************************************** Religion works on the basis of faith. That is why religions are called 'faiths'. And, to keep the faith, we need miracles. Every prophet had his miracle(s). And the Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad's miracle was/is the Qur'an. To those not schooled in Islam, Prophet Muhammad was said to be illiterate. He could neither read nor write. Hence he could not have written the Qur'an himself. Hence, also, the Qur'an must have come from God, through, the Muslims believe, the Angel Gabriel. That is the Muslim belief. And the faith that the Qur'an came from God, and hence Prophet Muhammad is a true Prophet of God (proven by the existence of the Qur'an), makes a Muslim a Muslim and keeps a Muslim a Muslim. Without this miracle of Muhammad, meaning the Qur'an, Islam would not exist and in that same spirit Muslims would not exist. The miracle of Muhammad ended with the revelation of the last verse of the Qur'an. However, from time to time, new miracles need to emerge to strengthen the Muslim faith. For example, in the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, the entire Aceh disappeared except for just the mosque (see picture below). Muslims hail that as a miracle. This, said the Muslims, is a sign from God. The fact that all other buildings were built from timber while only the mosque was built from concrete (and hence could resist the Tsunami) was not a consideration. The fact that only the mosque remained standing is what is considered the miracle and the sign from God. Some Malaysian Muslims also said that the 2004 Tsunami that hit the island of Phuket in Thailand is also a sign from God. Phuket is a 'sin city', they say. Hence God punished Phuket because of the sins perpetuated in that town/island. (You must visit the Banana disco in Phuket where all the delicious lady boys hang out). But then only 8,000 or so people were killed in Thailand for their 'sins'. And almost 170,000 people were killed in Indonesia, 31,000 in Bandar Aceh alone. If God was punishing Phuket for its sins, why take 31,000 devout Muslims from Aceh and more than 100,000 others from other parts of Indonesia, many who were devout Muslims? So what is God's message here when He punishes 8,000 'sinners' and then kills another quarter of a million non-sinners in the process, many of them innocent women and children? Yes, religionists need miracles. They need a sign from God. And these miracles and signs help strengthen our faith. And faith is what religion is all about. We see signs and miracles everywhere. We can even see them when they are not there. That is how strong faith can be. The Holy Books guide us in our faith. The Holy Books say that humankind has existed for 6,500 years ever since earth was first created and Adam and Eve walked the face of this earth. Now the stupid and ignorant scientists say that earth has existed for billions of years. They are wrong. Satan is deceiving them. They are trying to mislead us. How can they say something contrary to what the Holy Books say? |
In his speech, themed "Forging Unity through a Benevolent State", Hadi pointed out that since the phrase 'Negara Berkebajikan' (Benevolent State) was introduced as PAS's vision at the last muktamar, many have been accusing PAS of deviating from its Islamic struggle.
Debating on the motion on PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan's (left) speech which was presented last night, Johor PAS representative Mohd Faizul Mohd Salleh pointed out it did not contain a single criticism of Pakatan Rakyat states.
Speaking to reporters later, PAS deputy youth chief Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (left) said criticism of leaders was part of the wing's culture.
"But it is not our intent to frighten anyone but to continue our struggle for a clean general election," he said.
His income and assets are as follow:
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