CONTROVERSIAL ACT: Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein brandishing the keris, a Malay ceremonial dagger, before addressing the Youth wing yesterday. -- PHOTO: AFPRACE ISSUES SPARK CONTROVERSY
Hishammuddin again brandishes keris and says it's a multiracial symbol
By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief and Chow Kum Hor, Malaysia Correspondent
The Straits Times
UMNO Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein brandished the keris for the third year running at the party's annual youth assembly yesterday and told non-Malays to get used to his controversial act.
They should not see the Malay ceremonial dagger as a symbol of aggression but as one of unity and protection for all races, he argued.
'Take shelter under the protection offered by the royal Malay keris,' he said, addressing Malaysia's minority groups, saying they should not be afraid of shadows.
The 60-cm-long keris was carried into the hall with much fanfare at the start of the youth assembly and presented to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin on stage.
He unsheathed it and kissed it before raising it high to shouts of 'Hidup Umno' (Long Live Umno).
It was then sheathed and placed on a stand at the stage.
This is the third time in as many years that the keris was wielded in this fashion, although this year, the event was not televised live because of racial sensitivities.
Last year, the keris episode set the tone for the Umno assembly which sparked controversy after a few harsh speeches made the entire proceedings seem extreme.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin yesterday insisted that the dagger was a Malay symbol of dignity and honour and was also used by the Malaysian King at his coronation.
He went on to warn non-Malays not to get carried away with racial rhetoric and risk hurting the mutual respect among races in a country which was built with the sacrifices of the Malays.
'We have nodded in respect and agreement, and avoided strife. Do not misinterpret our silence as a weakness,' he said to loud cheers.
But for all his rhetorical flourishes, he also seemed keen to heed the call by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Najib Tun Razak. They had urged delegates to tone down the Malay rhetoric, as race relations have become increasingly strained, especially after last year's assembly.
The bulk of the Umno Youth chief's speech was thus focused on multiracialism. He told delegates that they could choose to be confrontational, but at times, a wiser approach would be better.
'The honour of the Malays will still be preserved, harmony maintained and understanding reached,' he said.
The effort to tread the middle path was welcomed by Malaysian Chinese Association vice-president Chua Soi Lek, who was happy with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's lengthy explanation about the keris.
'Most non-Malays know that the keris is not targeted at them,' he told The Straits Times, but added that the Malays should also know the Chinese are very sensitive about the display of an unsheathed keris.
But opposition Democratic Action Party leader Lim Guan Eng questioned the need to use a weapon of war. 'It seems that the leopard has not changed its spots,' he said.
Umno women's wing chief Rafidah Aziz, who is the Minister of International Trade and Industry, also opened her meeting on a note of conciliation.
'All Malaysians, regardless of descent, race or religion, have rights and a place in Malaysia,' she said.
Political analyst Karim Raslan said the messages coming from the top are clear.
'We have to let it trickle to the political mainstream and civil servants,' he said.
Most delegates, save for one or two, played it safe, although the handful who skirted close to the edge received the loudest applause.
Selangor delegate Ismail Ahmad was applauded for asking opposition party supporters to leave the country if they were not happy.
'These people, they come to a Malay area and they tell me that our country is not doing well and people are still suffering. Well, I will tell you - you can apply for citizenship in Singapore,' he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They should not see the Malay ceremonial dagger as a symbol of aggression but as one of unity and protection for all races, he argued.
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Comment:
But you have made it clear and have shown proof for all to see that the dagger is indeed a symbol of aggression. You have abused the dagger.
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'Take shelter under the protection offered by the royal Malay keris,' he said, addressing
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How dare you say ‘royal’ Malay keris. You have totally desecrated the symbol of the keris. You have insulted the Agong and the Conference of Rulers.
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He unsheathed it and kissed it before raising it high to shouts of 'Hidup Umno' (Long Live Umno).
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Comment:
Ahh, so it’s an UMNO keris! Now I see the symbol you were talking about.
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Datuk Seri Hishammuddin yesterday insisted that the dagger was a Malay symbol of dignity and honour and was also used by the Malaysian King at his coronation.
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Comment:
Kerismuddin, you are in a state of confusion. You do not know the meaning of dignity and honor.
At the coronation the Agong does not brandish it like you and threaten a bloodbath.
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He went on to warn non-Malays not to get carried away with racial rhetoric and risk hurting the mutual respect among races in a country which was built with the sacrifices of the Malays.
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Comment:
There you go – yet another threat. Warn warn , threat threat, that’s all you know. A country built with the sacrifices of the Malays? So the Chinese and the Indians had nothing to do with helping gain
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'The honour of the Malays will still be preserved, harmony maintained and understanding reached,' he said.
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Comment:
What about the honor of the Chinese and the Indians? They have no honor or they do not derserve any honor?
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The effort to tread the middle path was welcomed by Malaysian Chinese Association vice-president Chua Soi Lek, who was happy with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's lengthy explanation about the keris.
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Comment:
What’s the middle path?
Of course morons like Chua and semi value will be thoroughly happy with kerismuddin’s lengthy explanation about the keris.
Kerismuddin clearly brought shame to the symbol of the keris and abused it. Perhaps he is living in Hang Tuah’s shadow.
Btw, read about the “Middle Path” as explained by Buddha.
The Buddha incorporated the theories of rebirth and of liberation into his teachings. But the Buddha denied the Brahmana’s imaginative theistic theory, and set his own foundations upon an intelligent analysis of reality. He made a thorough change in both theory and practice from the old religions. Although the cycle of life and death, and the attainment of liberation in Nirvana were theories that were accepted by Indian society at that time, the problems lay in the questions of why was there rebirth and how could one be liberated. The Buddha gave wise answers to these questions. This was the teaching of the "Middle Path". The "Middle Path" distinguished the Buddha’s Teachings from other religions.
"Middle Path" may be misunderstood as equivocal. In fact Buddhism is not as such. "Middle" means neutral, upright, and centered. It means to investigate and penetrate the core of life and all things with an upright, unbiased attitude. In order to solve a problem, we should position ourselves on neutral, upright and unbiased ground. We investigate the problem from various angles, analyze the findings, understand the truth thoroughly, and find a reasonable conclusion.
The Middle Path in Buddhism does not mean having a biased view or superficial understanding only. The "Middle Path" represents a distinct theory and way of Buddhist practice that is not common to other religions. Buddhism is a religion with high moral values. It lays great emphasis on human thought and action in dealing with the natural environment, society or individual problems. It is concerned with the relationship between thoughts and behavior, and the relationship between behavior and its consequences. Read more: http://www.buddhanet.net/cb...
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'Most non-Malays know that the keris is not targeted at them,' he told The Straits Times, but added that the Malays should also know the Chinese are very sensitive about the display of an unsheathed keris.
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Comment:
Most non-Malays? So if you know the Chinese are sensitive about the arrogant display of an unsheathed keris, why did you do it? To show the might of the UMNOputras?
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Umno women's wing chief Rafidah Aziz, who is the Minister of International Trade and Industry, also opened her meeting on a note of conciliation.
'All Malaysians, regardless of descent, race or religion, have rights and a place in
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Comment:
LOL. What a joke. According to your last sentence, can I have an AP? After all, I am a Malaysian and have a right and a place in
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Political analyst Karim Raslan said the messages coming from the top are clear.
'We have to let it trickle to the political mainstream and civil servants,' he said.
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Comment:
The messages coming from the top are certainly very clear. No need to have it ‘trickled’ or tickled to the political mainstream. The people of
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Selangor delegate Ismail Ahmad was applauded for asking opposition party supporters to leave the country if they were not happy.
'These people, they come to a Malay area and they tell me that our country is not doing well and people are still suffering. Well, I will tell you - you can apply for citizenship in
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Comment:
A Malay area??? If you go to a Malay kampong then I can understand it being a Malay area. Are you suggesting that this COUNTRY -
Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface.
So, which physical quantity are you talking about and which surface?
Where do you think YOU came from?
What a pack of juvenile ignoramuses.
You have totally disrespected the Royals and the symbol of the keris as it is stands for today. The Royals are using the keris wisely. Unlike kerismuddin who unsheathed it and threatened a bloodbath if we question the ‘rights’ of the Malays. Or was that said by two other UMNOputras.
Then again what can one expect from UMNOputra morons.
sigh.
My respect for DYMM YDP Agong and the Conference of Rulers.
DAULAT TUANKU. DAULAT TUANKU. DAULAT TUANKU.
anon
