The newly appointed deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently said that the Chinese voters are being so ungrateful in voting for the Pakatan Rakyat and continue deceiving Umno and Barisan Nasional in the recently concluded by-elections.
Looks like Muhyiddin and his Umno colleagues are still in denial mode. They still do not believe in the spirit of democracy and choose instead to blame the entire Chinese community for their continuous election failures and defeats.
They cannot realize what went wrong in their party and their beliefs. They had forgotten what they had did to Perak recently and what they had done to the other innocent people by harassing and arresting them, then put them in prisons and detentions without trial.
Muhyiddin and his Umno colleagues had forgotten that they talked about racism, political hatreds, revenge, violence and incite provocations. They thought by showing off their threats and warnings, our people would be afraid and vote for them in fear.
The Umno mindsets are totally outdated and cannot be changed anymore. Umno did not want to see a full, free and fair system of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia and denied that Malaysians had made their choice but put the entire blame instead onto the Chinese community.
As we had already knew, Umno had blatantly rejected Gerakan’s Malaysian Malaysia, DAP’s Malaysian First and even the Vision 2020’s Bangsa Malaysia. So, what does Najib’s OneMalaysia actually mean?
OneMalaysia will definitely fail just like Bangsa Malaysia had, because as long as Umno continues its reign over our nation, ketuanan Melayu (actually ketuanan Umnoputras) will always be there. Their arrogance and supremacist ideas will remain. How is OneMalaysia going to be materialized anyway?
Muhyddin’s statement also gives a very, very clear impression that the Umno leadership had refused to accept the facts and verdict that happened in the “8 March political tsunami” last year.
Besides, Najib’s OneMalaysia slogan and concept had also made some Umno leaders uneasy as if this concept is materialized, it may jeopardize their ketuanan and supremacist position in the party and our nation.
So, is OneMalaysia really going to be translated into a firm directive, policies and programs? On one condition, Umno must be disbanded at all cost and will Najib able to accept that?
Showing posts with label Bangsa Malaysia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bangsa Malaysia. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Penang sets up Religious Goodwill Council
Penang has set up a Religious Goodwill Council to foster and develop inter-faith understanding and harmony among the various communities in the state.
The council, the first government-level body of its kind in the country, will have 21 members from various religious organisations, 11 of whom are Muslims.
Chaired by Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng, it will also comprise three leaders from PAS including state PAS commissioner Salleh Man.
“This is our latest effort to explore and build common universal values between religious communities,” Lim said in a press conference at his office yesterday.
“It will help improve religious co-existence and understanding in our society.” Lim had announced an idea to form such a council soon after Pakatan Rakyat’s victory in the state in the March 8 general election - Agencies.
The council, the first government-level body of its kind in the country, will have 21 members from various religious organisations, 11 of whom are Muslims.
Chaired by Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng, it will also comprise three leaders from PAS including state PAS commissioner Salleh Man.
“This is our latest effort to explore and build common universal values between religious communities,” Lim said in a press conference at his office yesterday.
“It will help improve religious co-existence and understanding in our society.” Lim had announced an idea to form such a council soon after Pakatan Rakyat’s victory in the state in the March 8 general election - Agencies.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
DAP reaffirms support for Pakatan Rakyat to establish an alternative government that is democratic, people-centric and with an ethical leadership base
DAP's commitment towards a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia is not only an article of faith but a deep conviction in Bangsa Malaysia. DAP is inclusive of all races and religions. We represent the interests and fight for the rights every Malaysian.In the effort of being representative of all Malaysians, including both Malays and non-Malays, the party is willing to undertake a transformational process that may be painful but necessary.
We have no alternative but to grow without compromising our basic principles.
DAP reaffirms support for Pakatan Rakyat(PR) to establish an alternative government that is democratic, people-centric and with an ethical leadership based on the 5 principles of freedom, justice, truth, social welfare and universal moral values. In this regard the DAP supports PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the Parliamentary Opposition Leader and will remain so as no single leader has ever questioned this during internal meetings whether at the highest levels or otherwise.
The Pakatan Rakyat leadership has clearly endorsed a position that no individual party policy can be PR policy unless it is fully approved unanimously by all three parties. DAP's position on hudud and Islamic state is crystal clear and regardless of whatever support for both hudud and the establishment of an Islamic State, whether from PAS or PKR, this will not be PR policy as long as DAP does not agree to it.
Similarly DAP's leadership has been consistently urging the government to enact an anti-hopping law even before the Perak crisis, and we have expressed support of our 28 MPs. As BN does not have a 2/3 parliamentary majority, the support of DAP's 28 MPs will be required to effect any constitutional amendment for such an anti-hopping laws.
As a democratic party, DAP policies can be changed in accordance with the wishes of its members. However until today there has been no requests to question or disturb the basic framework of co-operation between the 3 parties of DAP, PAS and PKR that makes up PR.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Mukhriz urged closure of vernacular schools
Umno youth chief aspirant, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir had recently urged vernacular schools in the nation to be closed in order to achieve national unity reasoning that the current vernacular school system are too divisive.
Well, we knew that Mukhriz was making this statement in order to gain support for his Umno youth chief candidacy in the coming Umno elections on March next year. With his statement which was deemed to be racist and one-sided had resulted to criticism from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional parties. Certain quarters had also called on Mukhriz to apologize, retract his statement or action to be taken against him under Sedition Act.
Mukhriz, you should know who started all these first of all. During the independence era, it was Umno who had started all these divide and rule in order to preserve some sort of special privilege currently enjoyed. If Umno were had to really think of national unity from the beginning, then there would be no such thing of “ketuanan Melayu”, “pendatang” or “penghuni sementara” today.
Let us put it this way, if Mukhriz still insist that the vernacular schools should be closed in order to achieve national unity, then Umno and the rest of the race based parties like MCA, MIC or IPF should be disband first to form a united political party which consist of all ethnics with racial equality as a must. Can Mukhriz or Umno do that, first of all? We don’t think so.
Therefore, Mukhriz should use his common sense first before lashing out such statement. Umno had already split the nation racially 50 years ago and you cannot just call for a so-called national unity by first closing down all the Chinese and Tamil schools in this country.
What about the national-type schools or “sekolah kebangsaan”? Based on our observation, these schools has been too Islamic or overly Malayed, and this is what drove the Chinese and Indian parents away from enrolling their children in these schools.
So, will Mukhriz or Umno be able to neutralize and secularize the “sekolah kebangsaan” schools to make them more attractive to the Chinese and Indian parents and children? We are doubtful they could do it.
Well, we knew that Mukhriz was making this statement in order to gain support for his Umno youth chief candidacy in the coming Umno elections on March next year. With his statement which was deemed to be racist and one-sided had resulted to criticism from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional parties. Certain quarters had also called on Mukhriz to apologize, retract his statement or action to be taken against him under Sedition Act.
Mukhriz, you should know who started all these first of all. During the independence era, it was Umno who had started all these divide and rule in order to preserve some sort of special privilege currently enjoyed. If Umno were had to really think of national unity from the beginning, then there would be no such thing of “ketuanan Melayu”, “pendatang” or “penghuni sementara” today.
Let us put it this way, if Mukhriz still insist that the vernacular schools should be closed in order to achieve national unity, then Umno and the rest of the race based parties like MCA, MIC or IPF should be disband first to form a united political party which consist of all ethnics with racial equality as a must. Can Mukhriz or Umno do that, first of all? We don’t think so.
Therefore, Mukhriz should use his common sense first before lashing out such statement. Umno had already split the nation racially 50 years ago and you cannot just call for a so-called national unity by first closing down all the Chinese and Tamil schools in this country.
What about the national-type schools or “sekolah kebangsaan”? Based on our observation, these schools has been too Islamic or overly Malayed, and this is what drove the Chinese and Indian parents away from enrolling their children in these schools.
So, will Mukhriz or Umno be able to neutralize and secularize the “sekolah kebangsaan” schools to make them more attractive to the Chinese and Indian parents and children? We are doubtful they could do it.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Race and Islam
By : Farish Noor, Aliran Member
A row was sparked off by the nomination of a Chinese woman – Low Siew Moi – as the head of a state institution linked to the economic management and development of the state of Selangor, the PKNS. Despite the fact that Low was selected on merit, some quarters chose to publicly disagree with her appointment on the grounds that the Malay-Muslims of the state would object to the appointment. But objection on what grounds, asks Aliran member Farish Noor.
It is odd, to say the least, that after more than 14 centuries there remain some people who claim to be Muslims but who still have not internalised the universal values of Islam. Odder still that there remain those who on the one hand can embrace Islam’s universal claim of brotherhood (and sisterhood), but still cannot get around to understanding the simple idea that Islam and racism do not mix.
Evidence of such discrepancies can be found pretty much everywhere these days: It has, sadly, become the normative cultural norm in so many Muslim societies today that those who are fair are better off and given the privileges that they feel is the natural right of all light-skinned people. It is also interesting to note that Muslims tend to rejoice whenever a white American or European converts to Islam, but seem less enthusiastic in their recognition of the fact that thousands of Africans and Asians are converting to Islam every year.Furthermore when it comes to governance and politics, it remains painfully clear that some Muslims still place blood and race above competency and merit till today; and that despite their profession of faith they remain embedded in the stagnant mode of racialised thinking that operates on the basis that some races are better than others.
One such case has popped up recently in multi-culti Malaysia , where a row was sparked off by the nomination of a Chinese woman – Low Siew Moi – as the head of a state institution linked to the economic management and development of the state of Selangor, the PKNS. Despite the fact that Low Siew Moi was selected by the Chief Minister of the state, Tan Sri Khalid, on the basis of merit; some quarters chose to publicly disagree with her appointment on the grounds that the Malay-Muslims of the state would object to the appointment. But objection on what grounds? On the basis that she is a Chinese woman?
Here the already convoluted waters of Malaysia’s racialised politics turns a shade murkier; for among those who objected to the appointment of Low Siew Moi were some members of the Malaysian Islamic party, Pas.Malaysia’s politics has been defined by racial concerns and the communitarian demands of the various religious and ethnic groups of the country since its independence in 1957. Over the past three decades, however, the tone and tenor of the country’s conservative, right-wing ethno-nationalist politics was further coloured by the Islamisation race in the country with the Malaysian government attempting to further inculcate Islamic values into the norms of governance in Malaysia as well.
Ironically however, Malaysia’s Islamisation programme seems to be more concerned with book-banning, fatwas on social behaviour (including the recent revelation that there may be a fatwa on Yoga soon, wait for it), and moral policing instead. Where, the Islamic scholar may ask, were the universal values of Islam in the midst of all this social engineering? Did the leaders of Malaysia not realise, or forget, the simple idea that Islam is an egalitarian faith that is colour-blind; and that the concept of ‘race’ is an alien idea in Islam?
The dilemma that Malaysia is facing now is the same dilemma faced by many other Muslim societies where the defence and promotion of Islam often goes hand-in-hand with the defence and promotion of the communitarian interests of Muslims. In Malaysia ’s case, where Muslims are overwhelmingly Malay, then this also translates as the defence of Malay interests – to the extent of propagating the ethno-nationalist idea of Malay cultural dominance as well. Now what on earth is Islamic about this?
Here is where orthodox Muslim scholarship has to come in and make its timely intervention: For it has to be remembered that the success of Islam and the success of Muslims are two entirely different things, that may also clash and negate each other at times. The victory of Islam, so to speak, has to be understood as the victory of universal values such as egalitarianism and equality before God. The victory of Muslims, on the other hand, may at times be understood as political victories that may or may not conform to the standards of Islamic ethics. The defeat of the Kuwaitis at the hands of Saddam Hussein, for instance, was a case of one Muslim state defeating another: but was this a victory for Islam? Likewise, when Muslims openly and abrasively demand special rights and privileges for themselves at the cost of equality and meritocracy, is this really a victory for Islam?
Those who have criticised and opposed the appointment of Low Siew Moi as the head of PKNS on the grounds that the job should have been given to a Malay-Muslim instead should therefore look closely at themselves and ask: What is it that you are fighting for? Malay-Muslim dominance or a better form of governance that is based on merit and equality? The Islamic scholar will remind you that the latter is Islamic, while the former is not.
In any case, for Muslims to even think in racialised communitarian terms is a misnomer of sorts as such modes of communitarian, sectarian thinking has no real place in Islamic orthodoxy and ethics. To quote Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, spiritual leader of the Malaysian Islamic Party Pas: ‘tell me, what race was Adam?’. ‘Nuff said I think.
A row was sparked off by the nomination of a Chinese woman – Low Siew Moi – as the head of a state institution linked to the economic management and development of the state of Selangor, the PKNS. Despite the fact that Low was selected on merit, some quarters chose to publicly disagree with her appointment on the grounds that the Malay-Muslims of the state would object to the appointment. But objection on what grounds, asks Aliran member Farish Noor.
It is odd, to say the least, that after more than 14 centuries there remain some people who claim to be Muslims but who still have not internalised the universal values of Islam. Odder still that there remain those who on the one hand can embrace Islam’s universal claim of brotherhood (and sisterhood), but still cannot get around to understanding the simple idea that Islam and racism do not mix.
Evidence of such discrepancies can be found pretty much everywhere these days: It has, sadly, become the normative cultural norm in so many Muslim societies today that those who are fair are better off and given the privileges that they feel is the natural right of all light-skinned people. It is also interesting to note that Muslims tend to rejoice whenever a white American or European converts to Islam, but seem less enthusiastic in their recognition of the fact that thousands of Africans and Asians are converting to Islam every year.Furthermore when it comes to governance and politics, it remains painfully clear that some Muslims still place blood and race above competency and merit till today; and that despite their profession of faith they remain embedded in the stagnant mode of racialised thinking that operates on the basis that some races are better than others.
One such case has popped up recently in multi-culti Malaysia , where a row was sparked off by the nomination of a Chinese woman – Low Siew Moi – as the head of a state institution linked to the economic management and development of the state of Selangor, the PKNS. Despite the fact that Low Siew Moi was selected by the Chief Minister of the state, Tan Sri Khalid, on the basis of merit; some quarters chose to publicly disagree with her appointment on the grounds that the Malay-Muslims of the state would object to the appointment. But objection on what grounds? On the basis that she is a Chinese woman?
Here the already convoluted waters of Malaysia’s racialised politics turns a shade murkier; for among those who objected to the appointment of Low Siew Moi were some members of the Malaysian Islamic party, Pas.Malaysia’s politics has been defined by racial concerns and the communitarian demands of the various religious and ethnic groups of the country since its independence in 1957. Over the past three decades, however, the tone and tenor of the country’s conservative, right-wing ethno-nationalist politics was further coloured by the Islamisation race in the country with the Malaysian government attempting to further inculcate Islamic values into the norms of governance in Malaysia as well.
Ironically however, Malaysia’s Islamisation programme seems to be more concerned with book-banning, fatwas on social behaviour (including the recent revelation that there may be a fatwa on Yoga soon, wait for it), and moral policing instead. Where, the Islamic scholar may ask, were the universal values of Islam in the midst of all this social engineering? Did the leaders of Malaysia not realise, or forget, the simple idea that Islam is an egalitarian faith that is colour-blind; and that the concept of ‘race’ is an alien idea in Islam?
The dilemma that Malaysia is facing now is the same dilemma faced by many other Muslim societies where the defence and promotion of Islam often goes hand-in-hand with the defence and promotion of the communitarian interests of Muslims. In Malaysia ’s case, where Muslims are overwhelmingly Malay, then this also translates as the defence of Malay interests – to the extent of propagating the ethno-nationalist idea of Malay cultural dominance as well. Now what on earth is Islamic about this?
Here is where orthodox Muslim scholarship has to come in and make its timely intervention: For it has to be remembered that the success of Islam and the success of Muslims are two entirely different things, that may also clash and negate each other at times. The victory of Islam, so to speak, has to be understood as the victory of universal values such as egalitarianism and equality before God. The victory of Muslims, on the other hand, may at times be understood as political victories that may or may not conform to the standards of Islamic ethics. The defeat of the Kuwaitis at the hands of Saddam Hussein, for instance, was a case of one Muslim state defeating another: but was this a victory for Islam? Likewise, when Muslims openly and abrasively demand special rights and privileges for themselves at the cost of equality and meritocracy, is this really a victory for Islam?
Those who have criticised and opposed the appointment of Low Siew Moi as the head of PKNS on the grounds that the job should have been given to a Malay-Muslim instead should therefore look closely at themselves and ask: What is it that you are fighting for? Malay-Muslim dominance or a better form of governance that is based on merit and equality? The Islamic scholar will remind you that the latter is Islamic, while the former is not.
In any case, for Muslims to even think in racialised communitarian terms is a misnomer of sorts as such modes of communitarian, sectarian thinking has no real place in Islamic orthodoxy and ethics. To quote Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, spiritual leader of the Malaysian Islamic Party Pas: ‘tell me, what race was Adam?’. ‘Nuff said I think.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Racist sabotaging the nation’s unity
Recently, Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng had called for local talents working abroad to return to support the development of our nation.
And yet, there is a disgusting call by some people to deny job opportunities to a Malaysian Chinese who is very capable and experienced in her field, tested with her track record proven just because of her racial background.
Why can’t these racist uncivilized people realize that when the country prospers so do its citizens, including those racist themselves. Let’s take a look of some hardcore poor residing in Selangor for the past decades. Why are these people remain poor and illiterate?
All these years during the Barisan Nasional’s reign in the state, did those Umno appointed PKNS general managers (all were Malays) help alleviate the conditions of these poor people?
We cannot deny that race issues and racist policies still plague the nation. Until these racist issues can be put to stop and act as One Malaysian, more and more of our talents will leave the country and even a lot are considering leaving now.
These damages was in fact caused by the Barisan Nasional and Umno governance which yet again uses its racial card and neo-Nazi style of politicking for their own political mileage. Even with our vast resources and economic opportunities, today we are lack behind Singapore. Who knows Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos may overtake us one day! It can happen, because Barisan Nasional and Umno are continuing their “ketuanan” onto others.
And yet, there is a disgusting call by some people to deny job opportunities to a Malaysian Chinese who is very capable and experienced in her field, tested with her track record proven just because of her racial background.
Why can’t these racist uncivilized people realize that when the country prospers so do its citizens, including those racist themselves. Let’s take a look of some hardcore poor residing in Selangor for the past decades. Why are these people remain poor and illiterate?
All these years during the Barisan Nasional’s reign in the state, did those Umno appointed PKNS general managers (all were Malays) help alleviate the conditions of these poor people?
We cannot deny that race issues and racist policies still plague the nation. Until these racist issues can be put to stop and act as One Malaysian, more and more of our talents will leave the country and even a lot are considering leaving now.
These damages was in fact caused by the Barisan Nasional and Umno governance which yet again uses its racial card and neo-Nazi style of politicking for their own political mileage. Even with our vast resources and economic opportunities, today we are lack behind Singapore. Who knows Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos may overtake us one day! It can happen, because Barisan Nasional and Umno are continuing their “ketuanan” onto others.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Happy Deepavali to all Hindus
We would like to wish our fellow Indian members of the DAP and the Indian community a very Happy Deepavali and may the spirits of this gracious celebration further enhance the Malaysian First concept of promoting national unity in this very unique multi-racial and multi-religious society of ours
Let us all come together to show that we are in one nation and we are called Malaysians and reject all racist extremism and dominancy. We do not need a Race Relations Act to supervise our initiatives of unity.
Happy Deepavali to all.
Let us all come together to show that we are in one nation and we are called Malaysians and reject all racist extremism and dominancy. We do not need a Race Relations Act to supervise our initiatives of unity.
Happy Deepavali to all.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Zaid: Malaysian Chinese Have Made Big Sacrifices
Former minister in the prime minister’s department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said true Malays need not be afraid, or feel lack of a sense of security.
“Take myself as an example. I’m a pure Malay, but I have a sense of security. I feel proud of my own race and culture.”
However he said, the problem is that many people refused to understand or respect history. Indians, Chinese and Malays have been participating in the nation-building process since a few centuries ago. The Indians used to work in the estates, while the Chinese and Indonesians have all made valuable contributions and sacrifices for the nation too. But all of us had forgotten this.
Zaid Ibrahim quit his Cabinet post because he disagree with the government’s decision of detaining innocent civilians under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
He said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that the Chinese used to work here as miners, and they made a lots of sacrifices during the confrontation with the communists, adding that we must understand history and what they have done for our country.
“We are only talking about Malaysia as the 19th largest export country in the world, and that we have the twin towers and are a developed country… Do you think we have done all this ourselves? You’re wrong. This achievement has been made after so many people from different ethnic groups have sacrificed for our nation.
“We are not talking about the positive things, but instead discussing how we should get worried because the Chinese have opened how many more new stores here.
“As a matter of fact, the first feeling we should have is not about worry. We should work even harder to keep up with them instead.
“I’ve never been worried about the Chinese. In my legal firm, my partner is a Chinese, and we fully trust each other. Do you think I have built up my success all on my own?
“I’m not scared that the Chinese are smart, for I’m also very smart. I’m not scared that the Chinese are hard working, for I’m also very hard working. We have bad guys in every ethnic group, and you’re cheated simply because you’re not smart enough. We must educate young Malaysians to look at things from a positive perspective.”
Zaid said certain (selfish) people (in Umno) have kept on mentioning May 13 to blackmail (and threatened) the people. However he felt that given our current situation, this thing would not and will never happen again.
“I am thinking, for a better future, all Malaysians should stand up and speak out bravely. The Chinese must defend the rights of their fellow Malays, and at the same time the Malays must also defend the rights of their fellow Chinese. Everyone must be properly taken care of here.”
He felt that we should not rely on a single political party to take care of a particular community. It should be that the rights of every individual must be respected and taken care of by everyone else.
“Take myself as an example. I’m a pure Malay, but I have a sense of security. I feel proud of my own race and culture.”
However he said, the problem is that many people refused to understand or respect history. Indians, Chinese and Malays have been participating in the nation-building process since a few centuries ago. The Indians used to work in the estates, while the Chinese and Indonesians have all made valuable contributions and sacrifices for the nation too. But all of us had forgotten this.
Zaid Ibrahim quit his Cabinet post because he disagree with the government’s decision of detaining innocent civilians under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
He said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that the Chinese used to work here as miners, and they made a lots of sacrifices during the confrontation with the communists, adding that we must understand history and what they have done for our country.
“We are only talking about Malaysia as the 19th largest export country in the world, and that we have the twin towers and are a developed country… Do you think we have done all this ourselves? You’re wrong. This achievement has been made after so many people from different ethnic groups have sacrificed for our nation.
“We are not talking about the positive things, but instead discussing how we should get worried because the Chinese have opened how many more new stores here.
“As a matter of fact, the first feeling we should have is not about worry. We should work even harder to keep up with them instead.
“I’ve never been worried about the Chinese. In my legal firm, my partner is a Chinese, and we fully trust each other. Do you think I have built up my success all on my own?
“I’m not scared that the Chinese are smart, for I’m also very smart. I’m not scared that the Chinese are hard working, for I’m also very hard working. We have bad guys in every ethnic group, and you’re cheated simply because you’re not smart enough. We must educate young Malaysians to look at things from a positive perspective.”
Zaid said certain (selfish) people (in Umno) have kept on mentioning May 13 to blackmail (and threatened) the people. However he felt that given our current situation, this thing would not and will never happen again.
“I am thinking, for a better future, all Malaysians should stand up and speak out bravely. The Chinese must defend the rights of their fellow Malays, and at the same time the Malays must also defend the rights of their fellow Chinese. Everyone must be properly taken care of here.”
He felt that we should not rely on a single political party to take care of a particular community. It should be that the rights of every individual must be respected and taken care of by everyone else.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Join MCCBCHST for unity, JAKIM urged
The federal level Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) and their state counterparts are strongly urged to participate and join the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and to transform it to Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islamic, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHIST) instead in order to promote tolerance and a more effective religious harmony.
The purpose of this suggestion is not to scrap the Islam's role in the federal constitution but to promote mutual understanding amongst religion and belief. JAKIM and its state counterparts therefore should not isolate themselves within their authorities and be forceful on other communities by not entertaining nor accepting their views and discussions other than Islam.
JAKIM and their state counterparts should also understand that they cannot reign supreme towards others as all religions stands equally side by side as stated effectively in the federal constitution. Everyone who are borned and grown up here, be it Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikh, Kadazan, Muruts, Ibans or Penans are Malaysians First.
Therefore, whenever any issues or challenges brought up by various religious and communites should be seen as constructive discussions and consultation based and should be handled in a Malaysian manner professionally rather than reigning supreme towards others.
Whatever solutions and proposals for religious implementations should be of truly Malaysian concept and religious harmony should be preserved at all times.The present MCCBCHST or the future MCCBCHIST should also play their guardian role in preventing political radicals like the Umno Youth or any other religious elements from taking advantage on religious conflicts. Such conflicts should be settle amicibly in a harmonious level rather than being political motivated.
The purpose of this suggestion is not to scrap the Islam's role in the federal constitution but to promote mutual understanding amongst religion and belief. JAKIM and its state counterparts therefore should not isolate themselves within their authorities and be forceful on other communities by not entertaining nor accepting their views and discussions other than Islam.
JAKIM and their state counterparts should also understand that they cannot reign supreme towards others as all religions stands equally side by side as stated effectively in the federal constitution. Everyone who are borned and grown up here, be it Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikh, Kadazan, Muruts, Ibans or Penans are Malaysians First.
Therefore, whenever any issues or challenges brought up by various religious and communites should be seen as constructive discussions and consultation based and should be handled in a Malaysian manner professionally rather than reigning supreme towards others.
Whatever solutions and proposals for religious implementations should be of truly Malaysian concept and religious harmony should be preserved at all times.The present MCCBCHST or the future MCCBCHIST should also play their guardian role in preventing political radicals like the Umno Youth or any other religious elements from taking advantage on religious conflicts. Such conflicts should be settle amicibly in a harmonious level rather than being political motivated.
MCCBCHST must act effectively
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) must act effective and stand by their rights and equality when dealing with with various authorities related to Islamic affairs.
The MCCBCHST must also state their stand as a defender of the rights and equality of other religions and belief in this nation. Voicing their concerns in the press or media on some unjust movements and conversions activities were not enough, the MCCBCHST leadership should act without fear and worry to confront matters and issues of their communities which has been unjustly treated and avoid their moves of being politicised by especially by Umno who is well-known for its radical and threatening measures when issues related to Islam were brought up for consultation and discussion.
In fact all religions and beliefs should be open to constructive criticisms, consultations and review as no one is above the law and therefore, no one religion should reign supreme on other beliefs. Mutual understand and harmonious society with multi-religious practice in line our Malaysian concept should therefore be observed and maintained.
The MCCBCHST must also state their stand as a defender of the rights and equality of other religions and belief in this nation. Voicing their concerns in the press or media on some unjust movements and conversions activities were not enough, the MCCBCHST leadership should act without fear and worry to confront matters and issues of their communities which has been unjustly treated and avoid their moves of being politicised by especially by Umno who is well-known for its radical and threatening measures when issues related to Islam were brought up for consultation and discussion.
In fact all religions and beliefs should be open to constructive criticisms, consultations and review as no one is above the law and therefore, no one religion should reign supreme on other beliefs. Mutual understand and harmonious society with multi-religious practice in line our Malaysian concept should therefore be observed and maintained.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Racial Harmony, with Equality as well.
The cabinet had recently approved the proposed Race Relations Act in order to strengthen ties among different races in our nation.
After a very long 51 years of independence and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) governance, a law being finally proposed to strengthen our racial ties. This clearly shows that the BN government had evidently failed to enhance and preserve racial harmony and national unity all these years, despite having a cabinet level ministry of doing so.
What had the BN government been doing all these while? Not only they had failed in their governance to promote good harmonious and a united racial ties amongst Malaysians, but they also failed to ensure our very education system promotes and do the same. This shows that our education policy of today also failed to unite the entire nation. Even racist teachers still exist in some schools today, policies or rules that segregates between muslims and non-muslims in their daily school activities and so on. Some of these teachers even went to an extend of sending out hate messages to the students and pupils. That means, these poor children were racially split from small and had in fact no understanding on national unity at all. Even government agencies are sometimes seen as racist oriented, like the most recent reported outrage in Biro Tata Negara (BTN) which is under the Prime Minister’s Department itself!
Each of everyone of us, be it old or young, a professional or laborer, or a manager, executive, clerk or even dispatcher or general worker must also play our part as normal peace loving civilized humans to ensure and enhance racial and religious harmony among ourselves, in our neighborhood, community, schools, universities, workplaces, offices, our families and our generations to come.
By getting a so-called Race Relations Act into force clearly proves that the education system and the national policy outlined by the BN government had failed totally, and taking facts into this picture again, even the BN’s inter-racial power sharing coalition itself also failed, with its component parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, LDP, PBS. PDS, Upko or PBB failed to prevent their dominant partner Umno from raising its racist jargons and supremacy over them.
Situation proven, most of Umno’s coalition partners fell apart when the election results were announced, thanks to Umno and for their arrogance. The non-Umno parties were proved powerless at that time in preventing Umno from unleashing its radical racist stand onto the people.
Just because of Umno’s dominance and unjust attitude, one-sided policies and cronyism continue to play their role actively in ensuring the entire nation’s riches and wealth flow into their hands without interference in the name of protecting one’s race as they claimed.
Therefore, in drafting the Race Relation Act, the BN politicians should excuse themselves completely from the role and take total responsibility for their failure in promoting and upholding the national unity.
The other thing is getting only Race Relations Act into force itself isn’t sufficient, as in order to seek a harmonious inter-ethnic relations workable in our community, the subject of equality must also put into force in order to demonstrate an effective pull on the actual string. Everyone of us, be it Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, Murut, Sikh must be seen, treated and managed in an equal manner in terms of law, policies, development, infrastructures, economy and so on. A very clear example will do like, a rich bumiputra who wanted to purchase a bungalow or property automatically gets a 5% or perhaps even 10% discount, whereas a poor non-bumiputra man who wanted buy only a low-cost house does not even entitle to have any discount at all. Another example demonstrates, a rich bumiputra enjoys rights to purchase shares from newly public listed companies at a discounted value and eventually became even wealthier after his “discounted” investments. While a non-bumiputra man who wanted to purchase shares was asked to go to the share market instead to purchase at market value.
So, are all this equal? That is why in getting Race Relation Act into the picture itself isn’t enough, as the government also need to re-look into other areas, policies or even some legislations that had eventually hurt the relationship of this subject. A lot more has to be done, in order to neutralized the entire situation. If not, an Act specifically for Race and its Relations would not do any betterment in long term, as some of the implementation may come into conflict with our laws or may have some impact on certain establishments.
After a very long 51 years of independence and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) governance, a law being finally proposed to strengthen our racial ties. This clearly shows that the BN government had evidently failed to enhance and preserve racial harmony and national unity all these years, despite having a cabinet level ministry of doing so.
What had the BN government been doing all these while? Not only they had failed in their governance to promote good harmonious and a united racial ties amongst Malaysians, but they also failed to ensure our very education system promotes and do the same. This shows that our education policy of today also failed to unite the entire nation. Even racist teachers still exist in some schools today, policies or rules that segregates between muslims and non-muslims in their daily school activities and so on. Some of these teachers even went to an extend of sending out hate messages to the students and pupils. That means, these poor children were racially split from small and had in fact no understanding on national unity at all. Even government agencies are sometimes seen as racist oriented, like the most recent reported outrage in Biro Tata Negara (BTN) which is under the Prime Minister’s Department itself!
Each of everyone of us, be it old or young, a professional or laborer, or a manager, executive, clerk or even dispatcher or general worker must also play our part as normal peace loving civilized humans to ensure and enhance racial and religious harmony among ourselves, in our neighborhood, community, schools, universities, workplaces, offices, our families and our generations to come.
By getting a so-called Race Relations Act into force clearly proves that the education system and the national policy outlined by the BN government had failed totally, and taking facts into this picture again, even the BN’s inter-racial power sharing coalition itself also failed, with its component parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, LDP, PBS. PDS, Upko or PBB failed to prevent their dominant partner Umno from raising its racist jargons and supremacy over them.
Situation proven, most of Umno’s coalition partners fell apart when the election results were announced, thanks to Umno and for their arrogance. The non-Umno parties were proved powerless at that time in preventing Umno from unleashing its radical racist stand onto the people.
Just because of Umno’s dominance and unjust attitude, one-sided policies and cronyism continue to play their role actively in ensuring the entire nation’s riches and wealth flow into their hands without interference in the name of protecting one’s race as they claimed.
Therefore, in drafting the Race Relation Act, the BN politicians should excuse themselves completely from the role and take total responsibility for their failure in promoting and upholding the national unity.
The other thing is getting only Race Relations Act into force itself isn’t sufficient, as in order to seek a harmonious inter-ethnic relations workable in our community, the subject of equality must also put into force in order to demonstrate an effective pull on the actual string. Everyone of us, be it Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, Murut, Sikh must be seen, treated and managed in an equal manner in terms of law, policies, development, infrastructures, economy and so on. A very clear example will do like, a rich bumiputra who wanted to purchase a bungalow or property automatically gets a 5% or perhaps even 10% discount, whereas a poor non-bumiputra man who wanted buy only a low-cost house does not even entitle to have any discount at all. Another example demonstrates, a rich bumiputra enjoys rights to purchase shares from newly public listed companies at a discounted value and eventually became even wealthier after his “discounted” investments. While a non-bumiputra man who wanted to purchase shares was asked to go to the share market instead to purchase at market value.
So, are all this equal? That is why in getting Race Relation Act into the picture itself isn’t enough, as the government also need to re-look into other areas, policies or even some legislations that had eventually hurt the relationship of this subject. A lot more has to be done, in order to neutralized the entire situation. If not, an Act specifically for Race and its Relations would not do any betterment in long term, as some of the implementation may come into conflict with our laws or may have some impact on certain establishments.
Friday, September 19, 2008
“We know who to vote out in next GE”
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
A survey made on the vast majority of our Chinese community particularly in the Penang state had overall confirmed that most of us are disappointed with the racist remarks and statements made by the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad “Nazi” Ismail and such act had clearly reflected that the maturity in upholding the national unity would be impossible if Umno continue to stay in power.
Hence, according to the majority of the respondents, they would like to keep this issue in view and carry on with their daily lives as they had already know who should be “voted out” in the next 13th general elections to ensure a “no return” for that particular racist and violence based political party. Thus, in general, chances of that political party to regain Penang would definitely be a “zero percent”. Well, these responses are merely a survey and we will not any concrete results till the next 13th general elections.
Therefore, we would like to advise our voters to vote wisely in the next general election to ensure the continuity of our Malaysian Malaysia Unity spirit.You should defend your rights and dignity with just two votes, i.e. 1 state and 1 parliamentary seat each. Vote as a True Malaysian.
A survey made on the vast majority of our Chinese community particularly in the Penang state had overall confirmed that most of us are disappointed with the racist remarks and statements made by the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad “Nazi” Ismail and such act had clearly reflected that the maturity in upholding the national unity would be impossible if Umno continue to stay in power.
Hence, according to the majority of the respondents, they would like to keep this issue in view and carry on with their daily lives as they had already know who should be “voted out” in the next 13th general elections to ensure a “no return” for that particular racist and violence based political party. Thus, in general, chances of that political party to regain Penang would definitely be a “zero percent”. Well, these responses are merely a survey and we will not any concrete results till the next 13th general elections.
Therefore, we would like to advise our voters to vote wisely in the next general election to ensure the continuity of our Malaysian Malaysia Unity spirit.You should defend your rights and dignity with just two votes, i.e. 1 state and 1 parliamentary seat each. Vote as a True Malaysian.
Umno's rule going for a dive, Malaysians are winning
Monday, 1 September 2008
Malaysiakini reports Umno president and prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's repeated calls for unity in face of the current economic situation and Pakatan Rakyat's mounting pressure to take over the federal government.
This shows the popularity of the Pak Lah's administration had deteriorated since after the 8 March general elections, couple with an intended challenge to his leadership and some sensitive racial sentiments were again raised which made the entire multi racial communities in this nation to stay away from BN's machinery and some prominent backers in the business and financial circles are also believed to have begin to withdraw their support for the coalition.Malaysians of various ethnicities today had came up strongly to reject the Umno's Nazi-inspired political and racist style of rule and dominance which resulted the entire institution of the once much admired Umno had became irrelevant in today's political scenario.
A reform Umno or a rejuvenate Umno, will it come through ? Its a clear no as long as the conservatives still run the show. Please be reminded, we are all Malaysians. Why can't you all be Malaysians like us?
Malaysiakini reports Umno president and prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's repeated calls for unity in face of the current economic situation and Pakatan Rakyat's mounting pressure to take over the federal government.
This shows the popularity of the Pak Lah's administration had deteriorated since after the 8 March general elections, couple with an intended challenge to his leadership and some sensitive racial sentiments were again raised which made the entire multi racial communities in this nation to stay away from BN's machinery and some prominent backers in the business and financial circles are also believed to have begin to withdraw their support for the coalition.Malaysians of various ethnicities today had came up strongly to reject the Umno's Nazi-inspired political and racist style of rule and dominance which resulted the entire institution of the once much admired Umno had became irrelevant in today's political scenario.
A reform Umno or a rejuvenate Umno, will it come through ? Its a clear no as long as the conservatives still run the show. Please be reminded, we are all Malaysians. Why can't you all be Malaysians like us?
Unseen Frustrations in the BN Fold
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Well, today is our Merdeka Day celebration and our prime minister had indeed spread his message around the nation calling for the preservation of stability and harmony. At one occasion Pak Lah called for more interfaith activities to boost unity among our Malaysian communities.
Then the deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak joined in by making the similar statement across the nation, followed by unity, culture and heritage minister Datuk Shafie Apdal stating that Malaysia has citizens of different races and faiths, co-existing harmoniously in tolerance and unity.
MCA president Datuk Ong Ka Ting later joined the scene by calling on various parties to respect each other’s existence, stop bad mouthing each other and rally together for the nation.With all the strings of calls and urges to uphold the spirit of national unity, tolerance and harmony among ethnicities of this nation, what really Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, etc also known as Barisan Nasional when we bundle them up, had ever done so far to preserve the entire episode?
When Umno delegates came up with a lot of slanderous, racist and seditious statements and remarks in the live telecast of the Umno general assembly few years ago calling to “wage war” against other ethnics with “bloodshed” to create and promote fear among those innocent people out there who were trying to gain their rights, have their voice heard, have their grievance heard, promoting unity and interfaith activities.
And there goes another few racist and seditious statements again made by leaders of a major BN component party itself, called none other than Umno, Umno and Umno !!!Then come a most recent attack by another Umno leader who came from their Bukit Bendera division, when its division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail said that the Chinese community here were mere temporary citizens of this nation.
What had MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, etc had done so far to teach and remind their so-called “taiko” how to behave? So far, we could only see junior level leaders in Gerakan and MCA making their stand heard and wanted Umno’s Datuk Ahmad Ismail to apologize to their fellow BN coalition partners.
Then the Gerakan Tanjung division came forward to make a police report against the Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman. Will the police take action against him, will Datuk Ahmad be charged in the court, or will the authorities detain him under the ISA? Well, the whole stack of situation is still uncertain as no action has been initiated against Datuk Ahmad so far, simply because he is a key Umno divisional leader who has unlimited access to the Umno president and the prime minister’s department.
And there goes a proposal made by Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon saying that he will bring up to the BN supreme council meeting soon a proposed code of ethics for all BN component party leaders to adhere with and how to behave.Will Tan Sri Dr Koh’s proposal be accepted by the Umno supremos or just simply being swung out of the window or more decently end up in Pak Lah’s waste paper basket instead?Of course so, because Umno as a “taiko” would not want to be treated like a child in the eyes of their coalition partners in the BN.
Sooner or later the Gerakan acting president would end up with a bash from the top Umno leaders and big guns instead, before the BN supreme council meeting adjourns.A recent call in the Kedah and Perak Gerakan’s state delegates conferences urging the party’s national leadership to withdraw from the BN and stay in the middle path.
Another statement by MCA presidential candidate Datuk Ong Tee Keat saying MCA may withdraw from BN if Umno continues with its racial supremacy agenda against other communities. Lastly, SAPP rebelled the BN, citing unfair treatment in Sabah, its community and the party as well.The rest of the BN component parties are still keeping mum and raising their discontent only in their hearts and among their grassroots level with too little impact to influence their national leaders respectively.
Some of these component parties may turn their blind eyes and close their ears on these discontents in order to secure their positions and financial allocations for the purpose of “development”.So what is Barisan Nasional actually? A mere dictatorship within a democratic entity. Sounds like being part of a Nazi or Fascist institution.
Well, today is our Merdeka Day celebration and our prime minister had indeed spread his message around the nation calling for the preservation of stability and harmony. At one occasion Pak Lah called for more interfaith activities to boost unity among our Malaysian communities.
Then the deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak joined in by making the similar statement across the nation, followed by unity, culture and heritage minister Datuk Shafie Apdal stating that Malaysia has citizens of different races and faiths, co-existing harmoniously in tolerance and unity.
MCA president Datuk Ong Ka Ting later joined the scene by calling on various parties to respect each other’s existence, stop bad mouthing each other and rally together for the nation.With all the strings of calls and urges to uphold the spirit of national unity, tolerance and harmony among ethnicities of this nation, what really Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, etc also known as Barisan Nasional when we bundle them up, had ever done so far to preserve the entire episode?
When Umno delegates came up with a lot of slanderous, racist and seditious statements and remarks in the live telecast of the Umno general assembly few years ago calling to “wage war” against other ethnics with “bloodshed” to create and promote fear among those innocent people out there who were trying to gain their rights, have their voice heard, have their grievance heard, promoting unity and interfaith activities.
And there goes another few racist and seditious statements again made by leaders of a major BN component party itself, called none other than Umno, Umno and Umno !!!Then come a most recent attack by another Umno leader who came from their Bukit Bendera division, when its division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail said that the Chinese community here were mere temporary citizens of this nation.
What had MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, etc had done so far to teach and remind their so-called “taiko” how to behave? So far, we could only see junior level leaders in Gerakan and MCA making their stand heard and wanted Umno’s Datuk Ahmad Ismail to apologize to their fellow BN coalition partners.
Then the Gerakan Tanjung division came forward to make a police report against the Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman. Will the police take action against him, will Datuk Ahmad be charged in the court, or will the authorities detain him under the ISA? Well, the whole stack of situation is still uncertain as no action has been initiated against Datuk Ahmad so far, simply because he is a key Umno divisional leader who has unlimited access to the Umno president and the prime minister’s department.
And there goes a proposal made by Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon saying that he will bring up to the BN supreme council meeting soon a proposed code of ethics for all BN component party leaders to adhere with and how to behave.Will Tan Sri Dr Koh’s proposal be accepted by the Umno supremos or just simply being swung out of the window or more decently end up in Pak Lah’s waste paper basket instead?Of course so, because Umno as a “taiko” would not want to be treated like a child in the eyes of their coalition partners in the BN.
Sooner or later the Gerakan acting president would end up with a bash from the top Umno leaders and big guns instead, before the BN supreme council meeting adjourns.A recent call in the Kedah and Perak Gerakan’s state delegates conferences urging the party’s national leadership to withdraw from the BN and stay in the middle path.
Another statement by MCA presidential candidate Datuk Ong Tee Keat saying MCA may withdraw from BN if Umno continues with its racial supremacy agenda against other communities. Lastly, SAPP rebelled the BN, citing unfair treatment in Sabah, its community and the party as well.The rest of the BN component parties are still keeping mum and raising their discontent only in their hearts and among their grassroots level with too little impact to influence their national leaders respectively.
Some of these component parties may turn their blind eyes and close their ears on these discontents in order to secure their positions and financial allocations for the purpose of “development”.So what is Barisan Nasional actually? A mere dictatorship within a democratic entity. Sounds like being part of a Nazi or Fascist institution.
Happy 51st Merdeka
Friday, 29 August 2008
DAP Bagan would like to wish all our fellow Malaysian citizens a Happy 51st Merdeka Anniversary.May the spirit of Bangsa Malaysia, with Malaysian First Malaysia flourish in our nation. Let us all stand up high together in one, as a Malaysian for our nation called Malaysia.
Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka !
DAP Bagan would like to wish all our fellow Malaysian citizens a Happy 51st Merdeka Anniversary.May the spirit of Bangsa Malaysia, with Malaysian First Malaysia flourish in our nation. Let us all stand up high together in one, as a Malaysian for our nation called Malaysia.
Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka !
Why can't Bar Council organise the forum?
Saturday, 9 August 2008
The Bar Council intends to hold the forum entitled "Conversion to Islam: Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini and Shamala Revisited" within its own premises on Aug 9.However, its plans has been met with immediate protests from UMNO Youth, PAS and even the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself. UMNO Youth exco member, Datuk Pirdaus Ismail was reported to have issued the warning "Don't play with fire! Don't ever touch religious and racial (matters)!" He even asserted that "It is pointless to organise forums based on intellectualism, professionalism or controversial issues when the safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country were being compromised."
PAS party president, Abdul Hadi Awang argued that "although, PAS accepts the freedom of expression of various parties to dialogue and discuss issues of public interest, nevertheless, issues concerning Islam is something already guaranteed in the Federal Constitution." According to Hadi, any discussion pertaining Islam, said Hadi, should involve those who had sufficient knowledge and are authorities in the subject as it will otherwise "only confuse the real understanding of Islam and cause undue tension."
At the same time, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak chipped in that the Bar Council Malaysia's proposed forum entitled Conversion to Islam is unsuitable to held in an open manner. Firstly, the entire basis of such a forum being held is due to the controversies and parties victimised as a result of difference in interpretations of Article 121 (1A). Hence a forum held to discuss these differences is certainly constructive towards setting a foundation for "safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country", as opposed to the threats issued by UMNO Youth.
Secondly, the question that is discussed is a question of law and not a question of religion. This means that the status of Islam as the official religion of the Federation is unquestioned. The forum does not seek to interpret Islam which is the role of the theologians, but to understand, interpret and make constructive suggestions on the law in the interest of all Malaysians.
Thirdly, by demanding that the forum be "closed" in nature, the Deputy Prime Minister is in fact denying the rights of Malaysians to better understand the laws of the land. If ignorance of the law is not a justifiable excuse in the courts of law, then surely, law-abiding citizens must not be denied opportunities seek a better understanding of the law and its implications.
The DAP stands firm that there are probably no better party to organise and lead discussions on the Constitution and the laws of Malaysia than the Bar Council. It will make a complete mockery of our legal and judicial system if its very practitioners are denied opportunities to discuss or explain our laws.
The Bar Council intends to hold the forum entitled "Conversion to Islam: Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini and Shamala Revisited" within its own premises on Aug 9.However, its plans has been met with immediate protests from UMNO Youth, PAS and even the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself. UMNO Youth exco member, Datuk Pirdaus Ismail was reported to have issued the warning "Don't play with fire! Don't ever touch religious and racial (matters)!" He even asserted that "It is pointless to organise forums based on intellectualism, professionalism or controversial issues when the safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country were being compromised."
PAS party president, Abdul Hadi Awang argued that "although, PAS accepts the freedom of expression of various parties to dialogue and discuss issues of public interest, nevertheless, issues concerning Islam is something already guaranteed in the Federal Constitution." According to Hadi, any discussion pertaining Islam, said Hadi, should involve those who had sufficient knowledge and are authorities in the subject as it will otherwise "only confuse the real understanding of Islam and cause undue tension."
At the same time, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak chipped in that the Bar Council Malaysia's proposed forum entitled Conversion to Islam is unsuitable to held in an open manner. Firstly, the entire basis of such a forum being held is due to the controversies and parties victimised as a result of difference in interpretations of Article 121 (1A). Hence a forum held to discuss these differences is certainly constructive towards setting a foundation for "safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country", as opposed to the threats issued by UMNO Youth.
Secondly, the question that is discussed is a question of law and not a question of religion. This means that the status of Islam as the official religion of the Federation is unquestioned. The forum does not seek to interpret Islam which is the role of the theologians, but to understand, interpret and make constructive suggestions on the law in the interest of all Malaysians.
Thirdly, by demanding that the forum be "closed" in nature, the Deputy Prime Minister is in fact denying the rights of Malaysians to better understand the laws of the land. If ignorance of the law is not a justifiable excuse in the courts of law, then surely, law-abiding citizens must not be denied opportunities seek a better understanding of the law and its implications.
The DAP stands firm that there are probably no better party to organise and lead discussions on the Constitution and the laws of Malaysia than the Bar Council. It will make a complete mockery of our legal and judicial system if its very practitioners are denied opportunities to discuss or explain our laws.
Strive for Malaysian Unity
Friday, 8 August 2008
Politically or ethically, we all should strive for Malaysian unity amongst us instead of racial unity which emphasize only on Malay unity, Chinese unity or Indian unity and let suspicions onto each other continue like what is Umno always doing?Why is Umno always strive for unity for only one race? Why other races were always sidelined in the course of unity? Umno is always voicing its racist stance without regard or respect to the populations of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society in our nation.
It is important for all of us being Malaysians to strive and enhance our national identity instead of talking about only one race, this race or that race. We are all born and breed in this soil and we must use our rights as Malaysians to protect the national entity of ours by not upholding only one’s race rights and so on.Being a true Malaysian does not mean we have to be less Malay, less Chinese or less Indian and so on.
Being a true Malaysian is to uphold our nation’s unity without disregard of any races in our policies and implementations. Being a true Malaysian will consist of a harmonious multi-cultural society which will enhance our respect, understand and tolerance of each other’s multi-ethnic backgrounds and by being a true Malaysian will make us unite in the name of our nation which is called Malaysia because Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians and not to any particular race.
So, let us start calling ourselves Bangsa Malaysia in this upcoming Merdeka event and do not let those racist take this away from us.
Politically or ethically, we all should strive for Malaysian unity amongst us instead of racial unity which emphasize only on Malay unity, Chinese unity or Indian unity and let suspicions onto each other continue like what is Umno always doing?Why is Umno always strive for unity for only one race? Why other races were always sidelined in the course of unity? Umno is always voicing its racist stance without regard or respect to the populations of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society in our nation.
It is important for all of us being Malaysians to strive and enhance our national identity instead of talking about only one race, this race or that race. We are all born and breed in this soil and we must use our rights as Malaysians to protect the national entity of ours by not upholding only one’s race rights and so on.Being a true Malaysian does not mean we have to be less Malay, less Chinese or less Indian and so on.
Being a true Malaysian is to uphold our nation’s unity without disregard of any races in our policies and implementations. Being a true Malaysian will consist of a harmonious multi-cultural society which will enhance our respect, understand and tolerance of each other’s multi-ethnic backgrounds and by being a true Malaysian will make us unite in the name of our nation which is called Malaysia because Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians and not to any particular race.
So, let us start calling ourselves Bangsa Malaysia in this upcoming Merdeka event and do not let those racist take this away from us.
Guan Eng : Fulfil Merdeka Promises
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Our nationhood was based on the 1957 Merdeka social contract that promised us much, but delivered little. Fifty years ago, we were promised democracy. We were promised justice, equality, rule of law and integrity. We were promised that we’d be treated with human dignity.
We were promised freedom.We are still awaiting these promises.Why are these promises unfulfilled?First, our fundamental human rights, civil and political liberties embodied in the Federal Constitution as the highest law of the land, were slowly emasculated, diluted and rendered meaningless by repeated amendments. Second, those constitutional provisions that could not be amended were shoved aside by a unilateral declaration by then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Sept 29, 2001 that Malaysia is an Islamic state.
No heed was paid to the pronouncements made by our first three prime ministers prior to the 1980s nor to the ruling of the highest court in our land in 1988 that the Constitution defines Malaysia as a secular state.Third, the promulgation of state interventionist economic policies, led by the New Economic Policy (NEP), which was set up to eradicate poverty regardless of race but had promoted racial preferential quotas under the pretext of equitable wealth redistribution, and sanctioned political patronage and self-aggrandisement under the guise of wealth creation.This gave the NEP a bad name.
What many Malaysians, regardless of race, are furious with is that the NEP has been used to enrich the wealthy.Finally, the insidious erosion of our national psyche by systematically dividing Malaysians by race and religion - bumis and non-bumis, Muslims and non-Muslims.Whilst we can blame the British for introducing this divide-and-rule policy, the fault lines created have sheared our souls and haunt future generations by creating many nations of different races within a nation-state. Ethnicity and religious beliefs, not universal values of justice, end up shaping out outcomes. What is so difficult about accepting Bangsa Malaysia, which was described by Mahathir “as people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the Federal Constitution”?These are among the many challenges we face in realising the promises of Merdeka 50 years ago.
What’s stopped us from overcoming them is the failure of leadership, the absence of moral courage and outrage as well as, yes, the small-ness of our politics.We should look at the big picture.Globalisation is upon us and yet we are so unprepared. Looking at the big picture entails an international mindset that empowers every Malaysian with equal opportunity and does not entrap us with mediocrity and mindless slogans.
To lead Malaysia forward, we need intelligent, rational and unprejudiced Malaysians who respect diversity. At a time when we are celebrating our 50th Merdeka anniversary, we should be looking forward to one national ideal grounded on principles of justice, respect for human rights, freedom, integrity and human dignity. Let us transform Malaysia by being Malaysian first, based on democracy, equality and social justice for all.Let us transform Malaysia into a crime-free neighbourhood.Malaysians should enjoy the four basic rights of security – to live, work, study and play in a safe environment.
Let us transform Malaysia into an environment-friendly place, where fishes swim in clean rivers and orang utans, hornbills, pygmy elephants, tigers and rhinos roam freely in protected forests.Let us transform Malaysia from what it is now into what it should have been as envisaged by our founding fathers, by restoring the Merdeka Constitution. The original Merdeka Constitution did not allow for repressive laws such as the Internal Security Act and the Printing Presses & Publications Act. Not only was there independence of the judiciary, but there was also independence of the Elections Commission.
To ensure every Malaysian is allowed to participate in the democratic process, some of the elements of civil society must be evident: free association and expression; regulated but open and market-oriented economies; aid to the poor, orphaned, elderly, sick, or disabled; and finally, civic cultures that cherish diversity and individual freedoms but also respect human needs for community and shared visions for the common good.Our youths should be allowed freedom of expression, in the words of the French philosopher Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
We may disapprove of their views but we should not eat our young for their courage in expressing them. Repressing their courage will result in a creativity deficit.Can we discard our different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs for Bangsa Malaysia?
I have faith in the common decency, respect for diversity and proper sense of justice in our fellow citizenry to believe that Bangsa Malaysia Boleh!
Our nationhood was based on the 1957 Merdeka social contract that promised us much, but delivered little. Fifty years ago, we were promised democracy. We were promised justice, equality, rule of law and integrity. We were promised that we’d be treated with human dignity.
We were promised freedom.We are still awaiting these promises.Why are these promises unfulfilled?First, our fundamental human rights, civil and political liberties embodied in the Federal Constitution as the highest law of the land, were slowly emasculated, diluted and rendered meaningless by repeated amendments. Second, those constitutional provisions that could not be amended were shoved aside by a unilateral declaration by then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Sept 29, 2001 that Malaysia is an Islamic state.
No heed was paid to the pronouncements made by our first three prime ministers prior to the 1980s nor to the ruling of the highest court in our land in 1988 that the Constitution defines Malaysia as a secular state.Third, the promulgation of state interventionist economic policies, led by the New Economic Policy (NEP), which was set up to eradicate poverty regardless of race but had promoted racial preferential quotas under the pretext of equitable wealth redistribution, and sanctioned political patronage and self-aggrandisement under the guise of wealth creation.This gave the NEP a bad name.
What many Malaysians, regardless of race, are furious with is that the NEP has been used to enrich the wealthy.Finally, the insidious erosion of our national psyche by systematically dividing Malaysians by race and religion - bumis and non-bumis, Muslims and non-Muslims.Whilst we can blame the British for introducing this divide-and-rule policy, the fault lines created have sheared our souls and haunt future generations by creating many nations of different races within a nation-state. Ethnicity and religious beliefs, not universal values of justice, end up shaping out outcomes. What is so difficult about accepting Bangsa Malaysia, which was described by Mahathir “as people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the Federal Constitution”?These are among the many challenges we face in realising the promises of Merdeka 50 years ago.
What’s stopped us from overcoming them is the failure of leadership, the absence of moral courage and outrage as well as, yes, the small-ness of our politics.We should look at the big picture.Globalisation is upon us and yet we are so unprepared. Looking at the big picture entails an international mindset that empowers every Malaysian with equal opportunity and does not entrap us with mediocrity and mindless slogans.
To lead Malaysia forward, we need intelligent, rational and unprejudiced Malaysians who respect diversity. At a time when we are celebrating our 50th Merdeka anniversary, we should be looking forward to one national ideal grounded on principles of justice, respect for human rights, freedom, integrity and human dignity. Let us transform Malaysia by being Malaysian first, based on democracy, equality and social justice for all.Let us transform Malaysia into a crime-free neighbourhood.Malaysians should enjoy the four basic rights of security – to live, work, study and play in a safe environment.
Let us transform Malaysia into an environment-friendly place, where fishes swim in clean rivers and orang utans, hornbills, pygmy elephants, tigers and rhinos roam freely in protected forests.Let us transform Malaysia from what it is now into what it should have been as envisaged by our founding fathers, by restoring the Merdeka Constitution. The original Merdeka Constitution did not allow for repressive laws such as the Internal Security Act and the Printing Presses & Publications Act. Not only was there independence of the judiciary, but there was also independence of the Elections Commission.
To ensure every Malaysian is allowed to participate in the democratic process, some of the elements of civil society must be evident: free association and expression; regulated but open and market-oriented economies; aid to the poor, orphaned, elderly, sick, or disabled; and finally, civic cultures that cherish diversity and individual freedoms but also respect human needs for community and shared visions for the common good.Our youths should be allowed freedom of expression, in the words of the French philosopher Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
We may disapprove of their views but we should not eat our young for their courage in expressing them. Repressing their courage will result in a creativity deficit.Can we discard our different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs for Bangsa Malaysia?
I have faith in the common decency, respect for diversity and proper sense of justice in our fellow citizenry to believe that Bangsa Malaysia Boleh!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Is Malaysia A Multi Racial Nation ?
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Malaysia, a Multi racial country? Racial & Religion issue has always been a barrier of having complete peace and unity. For the past 50 years,the ruling Government under BN has successfully kept the peace of the country by power sharing with others, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other enthic groups,but to many this agreement is of the past, as the nation develops, population increases and the demands of the rakyat for rights of being one , MALAYSIAN!
Leaders of the component parties in BN has been criticised for not standing up for their respective race, as seen in the last general Election, the BN suffered a humiliating defeat to the opposition.Measures should be taken to curb further racial remarks and sentiments by the BN leaders particularly UMNO.Many has in fact criticised the Malay race,but then again, the leaders are responsible for the state of the Malays today.
As law abiding citizens, we should not further aggravate the situation than it is now. We can only change this through our rights to vote, and that time will come,until then we should still maintain and respect each other.
Malaysia, a Multi racial country? Racial & Religion issue has always been a barrier of having complete peace and unity. For the past 50 years,the ruling Government under BN has successfully kept the peace of the country by power sharing with others, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other enthic groups,but to many this agreement is of the past, as the nation develops, population increases and the demands of the rakyat for rights of being one , MALAYSIAN!
Leaders of the component parties in BN has been criticised for not standing up for their respective race, as seen in the last general Election, the BN suffered a humiliating defeat to the opposition.Measures should be taken to curb further racial remarks and sentiments by the BN leaders particularly UMNO.Many has in fact criticised the Malay race,but then again, the leaders are responsible for the state of the Malays today.
As law abiding citizens, we should not further aggravate the situation than it is now. We can only change this through our rights to vote, and that time will come,until then we should still maintain and respect each other.
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