02/09/2009 by drrafick
1. From morning, I wanted to update my blog with an article which is half prepared under the title “Selangor under siege” but somehow could not finished the write up due to mental block and lack of mood. At home about 500pm today when I saw an article on Malaysiakini titled Hisham defends cow-head protestors which makes me wants to puke.
2. In my previous write up I had labelled the demonstrators as “Orang Ulu” but due to the poor knowledge on the part on some readers, they were upset with me as they had assumed that I had belittled the Sarawakian Orang Ulu. In this article, I have decided to relabel the Section 23 residents who was directly involved with the demonstrations as orang tak bertamadun(OTB) and hope there will be no one trying to split hair with me on whom OTB actually represents. Should I define it? I guess not necessary as everyone knows by now.
3. When the Home Minister defended the OTB for their actions, it only shows the ugly side of politics. Hishamuddin has sent a very strong signal that right and wrong is not important. UMNO political agenda is so supreme that it overrides the need to do the right thing. He has indirectly supported the group.
4. Few things attracted my attention when I read the article in Malaysiakini. Among others the Home Minister defended OTB on their actions as if they have no outlet to address their issue. The minister even said that the police did not act because the group was small. I have read on many occasions when the PR supporters and leaders held candlelight vigil in smaller number and was arrested. Why the double standard? This group of 50 had no permit and had acted in the most despicable manner and the police did not act at all. They were merely spectators or they were giving protection to the group of OTBs?
5. The second thing is that Hishamuddin claims the organizers do not know who brought the cow head and claims that a third party had sabotaged their program. This is the most childish excuse that I have ever heard. There are ample pictures on the internet in the form of static images and videos that showed the resident leaders carried the cow head.
6. They even stomped their feet on the cow head individually as well as a group and shouted, “ Xavier, this cow head is for you!” There is so much evidence to show that it was a pre planned event. There were enough witnesses to help the police if they wanted help. I feel the Minister has proven that his intelligence is very questionable which is probably not better than OTB. There is a saying that “Great people things alike”. In this case “ The dumb people also think alike”
7. He also commented that there were histories that pig head was wrapped in UMNO flag and given to the Malays. In my view that is also wrong and those people should have been punished. Is he indicating that since there was no action taken on those who had wrapped pigs head with UMNO flag, then similar treatment must be given to the OTB. In the first place why there were no action taken against them? Why comparing the two event? I do not recall of hearing such an event took place if it ever did.
8. I have expected civilized people who lives in the great city of Shah Alam to handle this matter in a mature and professional manner. They did not go to City Hall. They did not raise this issue with their MP or State Reps. They did not even write a letter. Instead they took action in the most despicable manner.
9. The Home Minister is sending the wrong signal to the public by condoning the action of the residents. I foresee that this matter will be dropped by AG on the basis that the Hindu Sangam Association has accepted the explanation by the group and had apologized to them. The AG would probably come to the conclusion that there is not enough evidence to link the cows head with the group leaders. They will get away from being charged under the Seditious Act. I hope the AG proves me wrong as it has become too boring of late when legal outcome in cases involving the PR government is so expectable.
10. An apology is definitely good and should have come out by now but unfortunately the OTB have not done so. The group must apologize publicly for their actions. Public apology and the law is two different matters all together. The law must take its course. If the law is not exercised in a just manner it will create greater havoc in the country. The actions by this group will be use as precedent for other groups and this is dangerous for the masses and definitely not in the best interests of Malaysia.
11. All things said and done, I find Hishamuddin statement is totally unjust. It does not do any justice to the good Muslims whose imaged has been blackened by the group of 50. It has created an impression as if all Muslims in this country support the actions by the OTB. It certainly does not do any justice to the Hindu’s. I have only two questions at this stage, how come it is so easy for this group to meet Dato Noh Omar and Hishamuddin and why is Samy Vellu and the MIC is still silent over this matter?
======================================================
on 03/09/2009 at 23:01 | Reply anon
Logically speaking, why should the temple move? It has been there for 150 years then came these Malays and since it is now a ‘malay majority’ area, there is no place for a temple as it will ‘disprupt’ the daily prayers of the malays ( not Muslims ).
A true Muslim will never be 'disrupted' by any kind of distraction when he prays.
In any case, the authorities have agreed to relocate the temple because it is now ‘haram’. Nothing was done. So whose fault is it?
Are Malaysians practising tolerance?
Are the people respecting the religious beliefs of the others?
Is this what Najib calls 1Malaysia?
What is 1Malaysia? One race? What race is that?
This unfortunate incident has every True Malaysian fuming – true Malay Muslims, Chinese and Indians and across the sea, the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
But as the home minister, is this clown doing the right thing? He is, as we all know, defending the uneducated morons who exibited an act that that only a racist bigot will indulge in.
So what does that make him? Condoning this despicable act makes him part of that moronic crowd. In fact, he is seen as the protector of racial bigotry. After all, a person who can unsheath his keris in Parliament can also do it in the streets – or ask others to do it for him, like cowards do.
UMNO knows who the right man for the ‘right’ job is. This airhead is an extension of that uncouth racist, uneducated 50.
So this is 1Malaysia?
It is not just a huge setback to 1Malaysia but makes 1Malaysia look like a farce.
50Malaysia would be more appropriate. Perhaps it is the teething troubles of 1Malaysia?
If Najib was more forceful - dauntless and dogged as any leader of a country should be he would have taken the matter into his own hands and dealt with these people severely to give him a little bit more credibility as the founder of 1Malaysia.
He did nothing, the police were bizzarely reduced to being spectators and now Kerismuddin has gone to meet his fellow-morons.
Barbarians seem to rule in Parliament and on the streets and there is nothing being done to control such detestable barbaric acts.
Nope, an apology is not good enough. Now is the time to use the ISA on these bigots. So why is the ISA silent?
Do you really expect the sly and surrepticious sambo ( President of the MIC ) and his cohorts the MIC to condemn this beastly act? They are paramilitaries of BN/UMNO.
Singapore a third-world metality? That is a joke coming from uneducated bestial, malicious, merciless mercenaries.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
INDEPENDENCE 2009
In the 40s and 50s, we were all mingling freely and never thought of race or religion before we mixed with other. We played together. We ate together. We quarreled. We were friends the following day.
The Malays were a simple people, some working hard in the paddy fields and educating their children. Some worked in the towns.
After 52 years of Merdeka/Independence – what have we achieved?
The Indians worked in the plantations and estates and lived a happy life. Some worked in the towns.
The Chinese worked in mines and others in urban areas and enjoyed the fruits of their labour.
Malaya was blessed. These three major races blended in very comfortably as 1Malaya.
There was genuine harmony among the races…. until poison was injected into the simple Malay minds.
If some time machine took us all to the 40s and 50s we would go back to the future and amend everything and live together as one.
It was after being poisoned that the races were ‘aware’ of how different they were!
The Malays felt and soon believed they were taken for a ride! That was after Tengku Abdul Rahman the first Prime Minister of Malaya.
From then on with the ousting of the liberal father of Malaya came the nefarious PMs with one thing on their minds, to make use of the Malays as a means to their ends.
Only twelve years later these races were killing each other.
So what factor/s divided these races? And which person/s stealthily orchestrated the end of racial harmony among Malaysians?
For what reason did he/they do all this?
For their own gains my friends. So today, after 52 years of Independence some Malays have distanced themselves from the Indians and Chinese and the Chinese and Indians are apprehensive of the Malays because of many man-made factors, namely:
- landlord and tenants
- end of the thether
- malay majority
- predominantly malay-muslim neighborhood
- predominatly malay muslim community
- allow racist malay demos
- police standing by watching racist malay demos
- threat of bloodbath
- arrive much later - make it your place and remove temples (150) years old
- malay area
- wave keris
- do not push the Masters
- ketuanan melayu
- NEP
- back to BM (math & Science)
- pass all malays (English Language)at tertiary level
- kelings & china kwais
- god's chosen people
- religous tolerance (only applicable to non-muslims)
- tolerate the bang (azan)
- temple bells too loud
- cannot concentrate on prayers
- demolish temples
- no place for temples
- accept the quota system
- accept those below par
- pass them all
- ISA still effective
- malay reserve land
- bumiputra status
- 15% discount for bumis (houses)
- loans to start a business (ends up in failure)
- scholarships (for the wealthy)
- race stated on ID
- rempits
- bohsias
- our country
- balik India
- balik China
- second class citizens
- non-muslims are all immigrants
- non-muslims demand too much
- malays are natives
- right of passage
- islamization
- arabization
- halal
- haram
- munafiq
- kafir
The list goes on - and all this and many more to be accepted by non-malays because it's 1Malaysia
Take this kind of 1Malaysia and ....shove it up - where the sun don't shine
There will never be a united Malaysia as long as there is UMNO,MCA & MIC.
anon
The Malays were a simple people, some working hard in the paddy fields and educating their children. Some worked in the towns.
After 52 years of Merdeka/Independence – what have we achieved?
The Indians worked in the plantations and estates and lived a happy life. Some worked in the towns.
The Chinese worked in mines and others in urban areas and enjoyed the fruits of their labour.
Malaya was blessed. These three major races blended in very comfortably as 1Malaya.
There was genuine harmony among the races…. until poison was injected into the simple Malay minds.
If some time machine took us all to the 40s and 50s we would go back to the future and amend everything and live together as one.
It was after being poisoned that the races were ‘aware’ of how different they were!
The Malays felt and soon believed they were taken for a ride! That was after Tengku Abdul Rahman the first Prime Minister of Malaya.
From then on with the ousting of the liberal father of Malaya came the nefarious PMs with one thing on their minds, to make use of the Malays as a means to their ends.
Only twelve years later these races were killing each other.
So what factor/s divided these races? And which person/s stealthily orchestrated the end of racial harmony among Malaysians?
For what reason did he/they do all this?
For their own gains my friends. So today, after 52 years of Independence some Malays have distanced themselves from the Indians and Chinese and the Chinese and Indians are apprehensive of the Malays because of many man-made factors, namely:
- landlord and tenants
- end of the thether
- malay majority
- predominantly malay-muslim neighborhood
- predominatly malay muslim community
- allow racist malay demos
- police standing by watching racist malay demos
- threat of bloodbath
- arrive much later - make it your place and remove temples (150) years old
- malay area
- wave keris
- do not push the Masters
- ketuanan melayu
- NEP
- back to BM (math & Science)
- pass all malays (English Language)at tertiary level
- kelings & china kwais
- god's chosen people
- religous tolerance (only applicable to non-muslims)
- tolerate the bang (azan)
- temple bells too loud
- cannot concentrate on prayers
- demolish temples
- no place for temples
- accept the quota system
- accept those below par
- pass them all
- ISA still effective
- malay reserve land
- bumiputra status
- 15% discount for bumis (houses)
- loans to start a business (ends up in failure)
- scholarships (for the wealthy)
- race stated on ID
- rempits
- bohsias
- our country
- balik India
- balik China
- second class citizens
- non-muslims are all immigrants
- non-muslims demand too much
- malays are natives
- right of passage
- islamization
- arabization
- halal
- haram
- munafiq
- kafir
The list goes on - and all this and many more to be accepted by non-malays because it's 1Malaysia
Take this kind of 1Malaysia and ....shove it up - where the sun don't shine
There will never be a united Malaysia as long as there is UMNO,MCA & MIC.
anon
THE COW HEAD MERDEKA MESSAGE
Posted by admin
Monday, 31 August 2009 17:07
MESSAGE TO THE NATION
We, the undersigned civil society organizations are shocked, angered and saddened by the “Cow-Head protest” in Shah Alam last Friday (28 August) against a proposed Hindu temple in Section 23 of the city.
The carrying of the head of a freshly slaughtered cow, a sacred animal to the Hindus, and the unveiled threat of bloodshed on the eve of Merdeka celebration suggest that all Malaysians need to reflect deeply about our 52 years of nationhood, and the clarion call of 1Malaysia
From the outset, these heinous acts of crime perpetrated by the irresponsible few must NEVER be seen as a conflict between the two faiths or the two faith communities. All major spiritual traditions, Islam and Hinduism included, uphold peace and human dignity as their common and core values. Our spirituality and love for humanity mandates us for the perpetual quest for peace and abhorrence of all forms of hatred and civil disorder.
The Shah Alam incident sadly reveals that violence and hatred are still inadequately delegitimized in our society. We exhort all Malaysians to unite in our joint efforts to decry and delegitimize violence and hatred to prevent any individual or grouping from resorting to intimidation or provocation when faced with any town-planning disputes or rows of similar nature.
We the undersigned, taking cognizance of the above, do hereby :
1. URGE that all disputes in civil society must be resolved through peaceful means such as peaceful demonstrations, rational dialogues, extensive consultations and legal suits. The Selangor State Government’s plan to hold a town hall meeting to facilitate communication and engagement with all stakeholders is highly commendable.
2. CONDEMN in the strongest possible language any act to humiliate and intimidate any ethno-religious community, in this case the irreligious and irresponsible display of a cow head. In the Shah Alam incident, not only the Hindus are humiliated and hurt but also all thinking Malaysians – Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, those of other spiritual traditions and atheist. We particularly share the pain and anguish of the Shah Alam Hindu community.
3. URGE all religious authorities, community leaders and political parties to unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of the reprehensible “Cow-Head” act. Every racial and religious bigot should be shamed and distanced by the general public especially by their ethno-religious community which they seek to represent. Political parties must also take disciplinary action against members involved in inciting hatred. This would deprive them the pleasure and gratification of self-righteousness and heroism. Legal punishment alone may prove inadequate because it may instead grant the offenders the self-perceived honour of martyrdom.
4. SUPPORT a thorough investigation of those responsible for theCow-Head” protest for threatening violence (not sedition) on both the local Hindu community and the elected State Government of Selangor.
Threats of violence, for whatever reason, has no place in a civilised society. Violence must be condemned and can only be completely delegitimised when society has zero tolerance for it and every offender is appropriately punished.
5. EXPRESS shock and dismay at the failure of the police force to stop the protestors from issuing their threats of bloodshed. An independent investigation on professional negligence should be immediately initiated to examine these policing failures of a potentially fulminating racial and religious crisis. This incident among others further highlights the dire importance and urgent need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
The IPCMC is a must if the Najib Administration is genuinely committed to peace in Malaysia.
6. CALL on all Malaysians to heed our plea to completely delegitimise violence and hatred and to strive towards its elimination from our public life. Let this be our joint resolution for our nation’s forthcoming Merdeka anniversary. Let us usher in a Malaysia which cherishes the values of peace, reason, justice, freedom, equity and inclusion for all Malaysians.
The undersigned groups:
1. All Women’s Action Society Malaysia (AWAM)
2. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
3. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
4. Civil Society Committee, LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLGCSC)
5. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
6. Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestinians (COMPLETE)
7. Coalition of Selangor Indian NGOs
8. Consumer Association of Klang
9. Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth
10. Council of Malaysia Indian Trustee
11. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
12. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
13. Hindu Youth Organization, Port Klang
14. Human Development and Research Centre
15. Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM)
16. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
17. Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
18. Justice for Beng Hock Facebook Group
19. Kelab Sukan Depot Port Klang
20. Klang Vellarun Kalai Pannai
21. Letchumi Pooja Dhana Manbran Klang
22. Majlis Kelab Bell Tamil Selangor
23. Malaysia Belia Hindu Negeri Selangor
24. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Klang Council
25. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Selangor state council
26. Malaysia Indian Youth Council Selangor
27. Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mamandram Selangor
28. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
29. Nadaraikia Sangam Selangor
30. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
31. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM (Lihua) Selangor and Kuala Lumpur
32. Persatuan Kebajikan Bharathana Selangor
33. Persatuan Kebajikan cahaya wawasan Selangor
34. Persatuan Kebajikan Nammakkal
35. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar
36. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
37. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
38. Persatuan Peniaga little India Klang
39. Persatuan Penyelidikan Astronomi Selangor
40. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
41. Persatuan Thiruvallavar
42. Persatuan Wawasan India Selangor
43. Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian India Selangor
44. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hara Krishna Klang
45. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
46. Selangor Indian Video graphers Association
47. Sri Vadivelu Culture and Welfare Association Selangor
48. Sri Vaishnava Paribalana Saba
49. Suara Raykat Malaysia (SUARAM)
50. The Divine Life Society Port Klang
51. The Micah Mandate
52. Vishnu Periyaval Sabai
53. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
54. 1BLACKMalaysia Facebook Group
=================================================
As you can see, these amoral, degenerate, low-life Malays DO NOT REPRESENT ALL MALAYS.
Monday, 31 August 2009 17:07
MESSAGE TO THE NATION
We, the undersigned civil society organizations are shocked, angered and saddened by the “Cow-Head protest” in Shah Alam last Friday (28 August) against a proposed Hindu temple in Section 23 of the city.
The carrying of the head of a freshly slaughtered cow, a sacred animal to the Hindus, and the unveiled threat of bloodshed on the eve of Merdeka celebration suggest that all Malaysians need to reflect deeply about our 52 years of nationhood, and the clarion call of 1Malaysia
From the outset, these heinous acts of crime perpetrated by the irresponsible few must NEVER be seen as a conflict between the two faiths or the two faith communities. All major spiritual traditions, Islam and Hinduism included, uphold peace and human dignity as their common and core values. Our spirituality and love for humanity mandates us for the perpetual quest for peace and abhorrence of all forms of hatred and civil disorder.
The Shah Alam incident sadly reveals that violence and hatred are still inadequately delegitimized in our society. We exhort all Malaysians to unite in our joint efforts to decry and delegitimize violence and hatred to prevent any individual or grouping from resorting to intimidation or provocation when faced with any town-planning disputes or rows of similar nature.
We the undersigned, taking cognizance of the above, do hereby :
1. URGE that all disputes in civil society must be resolved through peaceful means such as peaceful demonstrations, rational dialogues, extensive consultations and legal suits. The Selangor State Government’s plan to hold a town hall meeting to facilitate communication and engagement with all stakeholders is highly commendable.
2. CONDEMN in the strongest possible language any act to humiliate and intimidate any ethno-religious community, in this case the irreligious and irresponsible display of a cow head. In the Shah Alam incident, not only the Hindus are humiliated and hurt but also all thinking Malaysians – Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, those of other spiritual traditions and atheist. We particularly share the pain and anguish of the Shah Alam Hindu community.
3. URGE all religious authorities, community leaders and political parties to unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of the reprehensible “Cow-Head” act. Every racial and religious bigot should be shamed and distanced by the general public especially by their ethno-religious community which they seek to represent. Political parties must also take disciplinary action against members involved in inciting hatred. This would deprive them the pleasure and gratification of self-righteousness and heroism. Legal punishment alone may prove inadequate because it may instead grant the offenders the self-perceived honour of martyrdom.
4. SUPPORT a thorough investigation of those responsible for theCow-Head” protest for threatening violence (not sedition) on both the local Hindu community and the elected State Government of Selangor.
Threats of violence, for whatever reason, has no place in a civilised society. Violence must be condemned and can only be completely delegitimised when society has zero tolerance for it and every offender is appropriately punished.
5. EXPRESS shock and dismay at the failure of the police force to stop the protestors from issuing their threats of bloodshed. An independent investigation on professional negligence should be immediately initiated to examine these policing failures of a potentially fulminating racial and religious crisis. This incident among others further highlights the dire importance and urgent need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
The IPCMC is a must if the Najib Administration is genuinely committed to peace in Malaysia.
6. CALL on all Malaysians to heed our plea to completely delegitimise violence and hatred and to strive towards its elimination from our public life. Let this be our joint resolution for our nation’s forthcoming Merdeka anniversary. Let us usher in a Malaysia which cherishes the values of peace, reason, justice, freedom, equity and inclusion for all Malaysians.
The undersigned groups:
1. All Women’s Action Society Malaysia (AWAM)
2. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
3. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
4. Civil Society Committee, LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLGCSC)
5. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
6. Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestinians (COMPLETE)
7. Coalition of Selangor Indian NGOs
8. Consumer Association of Klang
9. Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth
10. Council of Malaysia Indian Trustee
11. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
12. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
13. Hindu Youth Organization, Port Klang
14. Human Development and Research Centre
15. Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM)
16. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
17. Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
18. Justice for Beng Hock Facebook Group
19. Kelab Sukan Depot Port Klang
20. Klang Vellarun Kalai Pannai
21. Letchumi Pooja Dhana Manbran Klang
22. Majlis Kelab Bell Tamil Selangor
23. Malaysia Belia Hindu Negeri Selangor
24. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Klang Council
25. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Selangor state council
26. Malaysia Indian Youth Council Selangor
27. Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mamandram Selangor
28. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
29. Nadaraikia Sangam Selangor
30. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
31. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM (Lihua) Selangor and Kuala Lumpur
32. Persatuan Kebajikan Bharathana Selangor
33. Persatuan Kebajikan cahaya wawasan Selangor
34. Persatuan Kebajikan Nammakkal
35. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar
36. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
37. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
38. Persatuan Peniaga little India Klang
39. Persatuan Penyelidikan Astronomi Selangor
40. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
41. Persatuan Thiruvallavar
42. Persatuan Wawasan India Selangor
43. Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian India Selangor
44. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hara Krishna Klang
45. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
46. Selangor Indian Video graphers Association
47. Sri Vadivelu Culture and Welfare Association Selangor
48. Sri Vaishnava Paribalana Saba
49. Suara Raykat Malaysia (SUARAM)
50. The Divine Life Society Port Klang
51. The Micah Mandate
52. Vishnu Periyaval Sabai
53. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
54. 1BLACKMalaysia Facebook Group
=================================================
As you can see, these amoral, degenerate, low-life Malays DO NOT REPRESENT ALL MALAYS.
THE MYTH OF A MODERATE MALAYSIA
Posted by admin
Monday, 31 August 2009 12:31
Canings, cows' heads and ethnoreligious apartheid.
Taken together, these cases illustrate two issues--both central to the debate about Islam and modernity--that Malaysia is struggling to come to terms with. Can a Muslim majority live with a non-Muslim minority as equals, or must the former be explicitly dominant--in law as well as in day-to-day life? And can Muslims reconcile piety with a culture where the rights of the individual (say, to order a beer) are given precedence over communal beliefs?
By Sadanand Dhume, Forbes
If you're looking for an image that captures the conflict between fervent Islam and basic human decency, look no further than the Malaysian city of Shah Alam, about 15 miles west of Kuala Lumpur.
On Friday, a group of about 50 men, agitated by plans to relocate a 150-year-old Hindu temple to their neighborhood, made their feelings clear by staging a protest march from a mosque to a government building. Amidst the usual cries of "Allahu Akbar" and "takbeer," the protesters deposited the freshly severed head of a cow--an animal sacred to Hindus--before the building's gate.
The group's leaders made threatening speeches and, perhaps caught up in the spirit of the moment, hammed it up for the cameras, stepping and spitting on the cow's head. The police--who have been known to arrest people for such crimes as attending a candle light vigil or wearing black in support of the opposition--stood by and watched.
Ironically, those scanning the globe for a Muslim-majority country that inspires neither dread nor despair often alight upon Malaysia. Until a few years ago, the Southeast Asian nation boasted the world's tallest building, the iconic 88-story Petronas Towers. Powered by electronics, palm oil and petroleum, Malaysia is the world's 20th-largest exporter, ahead of Sweden, Australia and India. Per capita income, about $14,000 in purchasing parity terms, is about the same as in Argentina.
Apart from the obvious prosperity of downtown Kuala Lumpur, the casual visitor notices the comforting trappings of a British colonial past--a parliament, a judiciary, a professional police force.
But most strikingly, Malaysia (along with next-door Indonesia) can claim something increasingly rare in the Muslim world: a large non-Muslim population. About four in 10 Malaysians are Buddhist, Christian, Hindu , Sikh or Confucian. (By contrast, Turkey, the poster-child for an Islam at peace with the 21st century, is 99.8% Muslim.) Recognizing the power of this statistic in our multicultural age, Tourism Malaysia promotes the country's allegedly harmonious blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian communities with an odd but nonetheless catchy slogan: Malaysia, Truly Asia.
The reality, of course, is a lot less sunny. Unlike neighboring Singapore, which shares the same colonial past and ethnic mix--albeit with a Chinese rather than a Malay majority--Malaysia has rejected secularism in favor of a kind of ethnoreligious apartheid that belongs more in a medieval kingdom than in a modern democratic republic.
In Malaysia, Islam is the state religion. Higher education, the bureaucracy and vast swathes of the economy are operated as a kind of spoils system almost exclusively for Malays, whom the state defines as Muslim. Race and religion determine everything from your odds of getting into medical school to the amount you're expected to put down for an apartment. The conversion laws, based on sharia, bring to mind the Eagles' classic "Hotel California": You can check in (to Islam) any time you like, but you can never leave.
Over the past 30 years, encouraged by the government and influenced by the Middle East, Malaysia's growing prosperity has gone hand-in-hand with a heightened piety. But instead of making the country more humane, this has had the opposite effect.
Friday's protest was part of a larger pattern. A 32-year-old Malaysian Muslim model, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, faces a sharia-prescribed caning, suspended at the moment on account of Ramadan, for the crime of drinking a beer.
Muslims have been barred from a Black Eyed Peas concert next month sponsored by Guinness.
Two years ago, a Muslim-born woman, Lina Joy, failed in her famous eight-year quest to convert to Christianity to marry the man that she loved. (Interfaith marriages are forbidden.)
In another high-profile case, Revathi Masoosai, a practicing Hindu, was forcibly separated from her husband and infant daughter and sent to a religious re-education camp after it was discovered that technically she had been born a Muslim.
Taken together, these cases illustrate two issues--both central to the debate about Islam and modernity--that Malaysia is struggling to come to terms with. Can a Muslim majority live with a non-Muslim minority as equals, or must the former be explicitly dominant--in law as well as in day-to-day life? And can Muslims reconcile piety with a culture where the rights of the individual (say, to order a beer) are given precedence over communal beliefs?
To be sure, not all Malays, perhaps not even a majority of the sharia-minded, approve of the acts of boorishness committed in the name of their faith. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has ordered police to take action against the Shah Alam protesters, and members of parliament have cut across racial and party lines to condemn the incident.
The English-language Malaysian blogosphere is alight with outrage, much of it Muslim. Nor are questions about secularism and individual rights absent in non-Muslim societies. In recent years, thuggish Hindu groups have developed a penchant for roughing up women in bars and castigating young couples for the high crime of celebrating Valentine's Day. America has yet to come to terms with a woman's right to an abortion.
Nonetheless, only in Muslim-majority lands are religious bigots given such broad leeway by their secular co-religionists. An Indian feminist is apt to laugh in the face of a pious Hindu who tells her that gender relations need to be ordered by the ancient laws of Manu.
In America, the so-called new atheists--most prominently Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins--don't need to think twice about ridiculing religious beliefs or savaging the most powerful priest or pastor. But in Malaysia, as elsewhere, secular liberals tend to tip-toe around Muslim religious sensibilities. They wield the word "un-Islamic" as an insult rather than as a compliment.
Unless this changes, unless Malaysians can find a way to treat Islam like any other set of ideas, scenes like those in Shah Alam on Friday aren't about to disappear.
Sadanand Dhume is a Washington-based writer and the author of My Friend the Fanatic: Travels with a Radical Islamist (Skyhorse Publishing, 2009).
============================================================
written by anon, August 31, 2009 15:16:20
Good article.
The world is being educated about whether Malaysia is truly Asia. Is it .... Malaysia Truly Asia or should it read .... Malaysia Truly Toxic (nope, doesn't rhyme). Perhaps .... Malaysia Truly Malay ( yes, it does rhyme, with Malay ), meaning of course only such kind of moronic Malays ) and the nefarious acts such Malays carry out, knowing they will be allowed ( or told and paid? ) to do so because they have BIG back-up.
The world also knows that these are just Malays - not Muslims. It does not take a genius to know that Islam will never tolerate such heinous actions.
These are diabolical acts of such Malays - there is a lot of unsavoury, uncouth Malays running around, some walking - through tenements, back alleys, corridors, the streets and on stage and some in Parliament. Some are even members of UMNO, MCA and MIC.
The despicable cow-head protest is just another sacrilegious incident of how these toxic Malays are. Their minds are mangled.
A Muslim woman drinking beer is, by the Syariah Law subject to caning and demoralization ( to deter other Muslims from drinking beer ) while other atrocities against innocent citizens by other 'muslims' are totally ignored.
Which is actually an act that deserves caning and heavy punishment? The Muslims in the cow-head protest or the Muslim woman who drank beer?
One is inciting hatred and stirring up the wrath of another race and religion and the other is a person having a beer, not hurting anyone else.
The JAIS, JAIM and other religious departments conveniently ignore other 'Muslims' who also consume beer and alcohol - simply because there are too many of them. Like the police who were watching (like bystanders) the cow-head protest, they too do not wish to add fuel to the already HIGHly agitated fiery people.
Heck, it's up to them to follow or ignore the teachings of Islam. Why do you need to force it upon them?
The answer is simple and quite transparent. You dread losing your chokehold grip on the Malays, fearing unity among the races. I call it .... UNITOphobia. Fear of all races being UNITED.
Why do you have to impose Islamic values on Muslims. You show your weakness by doing so - not the weakness of Islam. They know, and if they choose to do what pleases them, so be it. If they wish to go to heaven or hell, it's their choice.
That is democracy Aniza (NST) so put a lid on your sanctimonious sermons.
Monday, 31 August 2009 12:31
Canings, cows' heads and ethnoreligious apartheid.
Taken together, these cases illustrate two issues--both central to the debate about Islam and modernity--that Malaysia is struggling to come to terms with. Can a Muslim majority live with a non-Muslim minority as equals, or must the former be explicitly dominant--in law as well as in day-to-day life? And can Muslims reconcile piety with a culture where the rights of the individual (say, to order a beer) are given precedence over communal beliefs?
By Sadanand Dhume, Forbes
If you're looking for an image that captures the conflict between fervent Islam and basic human decency, look no further than the Malaysian city of Shah Alam, about 15 miles west of Kuala Lumpur.
On Friday, a group of about 50 men, agitated by plans to relocate a 150-year-old Hindu temple to their neighborhood, made their feelings clear by staging a protest march from a mosque to a government building. Amidst the usual cries of "Allahu Akbar" and "takbeer," the protesters deposited the freshly severed head of a cow--an animal sacred to Hindus--before the building's gate.
The group's leaders made threatening speeches and, perhaps caught up in the spirit of the moment, hammed it up for the cameras, stepping and spitting on the cow's head. The police--who have been known to arrest people for such crimes as attending a candle light vigil or wearing black in support of the opposition--stood by and watched.
Ironically, those scanning the globe for a Muslim-majority country that inspires neither dread nor despair often alight upon Malaysia. Until a few years ago, the Southeast Asian nation boasted the world's tallest building, the iconic 88-story Petronas Towers. Powered by electronics, palm oil and petroleum, Malaysia is the world's 20th-largest exporter, ahead of Sweden, Australia and India. Per capita income, about $14,000 in purchasing parity terms, is about the same as in Argentina.
Apart from the obvious prosperity of downtown Kuala Lumpur, the casual visitor notices the comforting trappings of a British colonial past--a parliament, a judiciary, a professional police force.
But most strikingly, Malaysia (along with next-door Indonesia) can claim something increasingly rare in the Muslim world: a large non-Muslim population. About four in 10 Malaysians are Buddhist, Christian, Hindu , Sikh or Confucian. (By contrast, Turkey, the poster-child for an Islam at peace with the 21st century, is 99.8% Muslim.) Recognizing the power of this statistic in our multicultural age, Tourism Malaysia promotes the country's allegedly harmonious blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian communities with an odd but nonetheless catchy slogan: Malaysia, Truly Asia.
The reality, of course, is a lot less sunny. Unlike neighboring Singapore, which shares the same colonial past and ethnic mix--albeit with a Chinese rather than a Malay majority--Malaysia has rejected secularism in favor of a kind of ethnoreligious apartheid that belongs more in a medieval kingdom than in a modern democratic republic.
In Malaysia, Islam is the state religion. Higher education, the bureaucracy and vast swathes of the economy are operated as a kind of spoils system almost exclusively for Malays, whom the state defines as Muslim. Race and religion determine everything from your odds of getting into medical school to the amount you're expected to put down for an apartment. The conversion laws, based on sharia, bring to mind the Eagles' classic "Hotel California": You can check in (to Islam) any time you like, but you can never leave.
Over the past 30 years, encouraged by the government and influenced by the Middle East, Malaysia's growing prosperity has gone hand-in-hand with a heightened piety. But instead of making the country more humane, this has had the opposite effect.
Friday's protest was part of a larger pattern. A 32-year-old Malaysian Muslim model, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, faces a sharia-prescribed caning, suspended at the moment on account of Ramadan, for the crime of drinking a beer.
Muslims have been barred from a Black Eyed Peas concert next month sponsored by Guinness.
Two years ago, a Muslim-born woman, Lina Joy, failed in her famous eight-year quest to convert to Christianity to marry the man that she loved. (Interfaith marriages are forbidden.)
In another high-profile case, Revathi Masoosai, a practicing Hindu, was forcibly separated from her husband and infant daughter and sent to a religious re-education camp after it was discovered that technically she had been born a Muslim.
Taken together, these cases illustrate two issues--both central to the debate about Islam and modernity--that Malaysia is struggling to come to terms with. Can a Muslim majority live with a non-Muslim minority as equals, or must the former be explicitly dominant--in law as well as in day-to-day life? And can Muslims reconcile piety with a culture where the rights of the individual (say, to order a beer) are given precedence over communal beliefs?
To be sure, not all Malays, perhaps not even a majority of the sharia-minded, approve of the acts of boorishness committed in the name of their faith. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has ordered police to take action against the Shah Alam protesters, and members of parliament have cut across racial and party lines to condemn the incident.
The English-language Malaysian blogosphere is alight with outrage, much of it Muslim. Nor are questions about secularism and individual rights absent in non-Muslim societies. In recent years, thuggish Hindu groups have developed a penchant for roughing up women in bars and castigating young couples for the high crime of celebrating Valentine's Day. America has yet to come to terms with a woman's right to an abortion.
Nonetheless, only in Muslim-majority lands are religious bigots given such broad leeway by their secular co-religionists. An Indian feminist is apt to laugh in the face of a pious Hindu who tells her that gender relations need to be ordered by the ancient laws of Manu.
In America, the so-called new atheists--most prominently Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins--don't need to think twice about ridiculing religious beliefs or savaging the most powerful priest or pastor. But in Malaysia, as elsewhere, secular liberals tend to tip-toe around Muslim religious sensibilities. They wield the word "un-Islamic" as an insult rather than as a compliment.
Unless this changes, unless Malaysians can find a way to treat Islam like any other set of ideas, scenes like those in Shah Alam on Friday aren't about to disappear.
Sadanand Dhume is a Washington-based writer and the author of My Friend the Fanatic: Travels with a Radical Islamist (Skyhorse Publishing, 2009).
============================================================
written by anon, August 31, 2009 15:16:20
Good article.
The world is being educated about whether Malaysia is truly Asia. Is it .... Malaysia Truly Asia or should it read .... Malaysia Truly Toxic (nope, doesn't rhyme). Perhaps .... Malaysia Truly Malay ( yes, it does rhyme, with Malay ), meaning of course only such kind of moronic Malays ) and the nefarious acts such Malays carry out, knowing they will be allowed ( or told and paid? ) to do so because they have BIG back-up.
The world also knows that these are just Malays - not Muslims. It does not take a genius to know that Islam will never tolerate such heinous actions.
These are diabolical acts of such Malays - there is a lot of unsavoury, uncouth Malays running around, some walking - through tenements, back alleys, corridors, the streets and on stage and some in Parliament. Some are even members of UMNO, MCA and MIC.
The despicable cow-head protest is just another sacrilegious incident of how these toxic Malays are. Their minds are mangled.
A Muslim woman drinking beer is, by the Syariah Law subject to caning and demoralization ( to deter other Muslims from drinking beer ) while other atrocities against innocent citizens by other 'muslims' are totally ignored.
Which is actually an act that deserves caning and heavy punishment? The Muslims in the cow-head protest or the Muslim woman who drank beer?
One is inciting hatred and stirring up the wrath of another race and religion and the other is a person having a beer, not hurting anyone else.
The JAIS, JAIM and other religious departments conveniently ignore other 'Muslims' who also consume beer and alcohol - simply because there are too many of them. Like the police who were watching (like bystanders) the cow-head protest, they too do not wish to add fuel to the already HIGHly agitated fiery people.
Heck, it's up to them to follow or ignore the teachings of Islam. Why do you need to force it upon them?
The answer is simple and quite transparent. You dread losing your chokehold grip on the Malays, fearing unity among the races. I call it .... UNITOphobia. Fear of all races being UNITED.
Why do you have to impose Islamic values on Muslims. You show your weakness by doing so - not the weakness of Islam. They know, and if they choose to do what pleases them, so be it. If they wish to go to heaven or hell, it's their choice.
That is democracy Aniza (NST) so put a lid on your sanctimonious sermons.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Cow-head protest was end of tether for Sect 23 folk
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
Sect 23 resident Sukhani has resorted to flying Umno flags to show his anger. —
Picture By Choo Choy May
SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 — For the residents of the middle class Taman Ixora neighbourhood in Section 23 here, the cow-head protest after Friday prayers underlined their anger and frustration against a government unwilling to heed their views.
While they have mixed feelings about brandishing a cow-head during the protest, they are adamant in not wanting the Section 19 Sri Mahamariamman Temple relocated to their predominantly Malay-Muslim neighbourhood, more so near the Surau Al-Jannah.
The faded graffiti on the zinc fence surrounding the disputed site reflected their feelings.
“We object to this temple”, “Pakatan Rakyat cannot be trusted” and “Rodziah babi” were written on the fence. Rodziah Ismail is the Batu Tiga state assemblywoman, which covers the area, and an executive councillor in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government.
Having the temple so close to their playground will stop children from playing there, parents claim. — Picture By Choo Choy May
Graffiti near the proposed site of the temple makes it clear how residents here feel. — Picture By Choo Choy May
On Friday, they went a step further to show that they were at the end of their tether by holding a noisy demonstration outside the Selangor state secretariat, dragging a severed cow-head which they stomped and spat on. The act is offensive to Hindus, who regard cows as sacred.
Although riot police stood by at the state secretariat, they are in full force at the neighbourhood multi-purpose hall beside the proposed temple site, which is now a lush green field.
Shah Alam OCPD ACP Noor Azam Jamaludin said they had been stationed there before the protest and will remain until Sept 3.
On a visit to the neighbourhood, the Malay residents expressed anger and felt it was unsuitable for the temple to be built in a predominantly Muslim community.
They also argued the location was not strategic because there is only one major exit from the neighbourhood to the main highway and the temple would likely create congestion in the area.
Others also felt that they have been cheated and abandoned by their Muslim PR leaders.
“I attended yesterday’s demonstration because this is my neighbourhood and I must show support. That is what I want. I hung this Umno flag, but I voted one for Khalid Samad and Rodziah. I voted for PKR but I felt cheated. I have this Umno flag to show my anger,” Sukhani Mohd Jamil stressed, venting his anger at the state lawmakers.
Khalid Samad is the Shah Alam MP, which encompasses this neighbourhood in the predominantly Malay constituency.
The 30 year old father explained that neighbourhood had objected when they learned the temple was planned to built near their homes but they did not receive any response.
Sukhani felt cheated when he learned that the state government had not consulted the residents and approved the building of the temple.
“I’ve never felt this spirit. This is not about race hatred. Take whatever land but not near our housing areas. I am really disappointed,” he said.
The Section 23 action committee against the temple construction had sent a protest memorandum to Rodziah explaining that the temple was just 160 metres from the houses, 50 metres from a playground and 150 metres from Surau Al-Jannah. They demanded a public hearing but the Batu Tiga state assemblyman said it was unnecessary as the area was industrial land.
There was also fear in some of the residents as they are afraid that this issue might explode into a racial backlash.
“Of course, nobody wants the temple. It is too near to the playground. This has become an issue. I am scared that this will lead to fighting. They are too sensitive on this issue. Can you ask Rodziah why she wants to build it there?” Mainora Muir Hassan explained.
Some residents, like Mainora, fear the issue could turn into a powder keg. — Picture By Choo Choy May
The mother of four stressed that the temple was not in the plans when they bought the house and questioned if the state government can do this.
“If there is not any temple, then we won’t buy. The price of our houses will also fall. Khalid wants tolerance but how can there be tolerance when it is near to the surau?” she added.
Pakatan Rakyat politicians claimed that most of the protesters were not from Section 23 and the demonstration was orchestrated by Umno.
However, local residents refuted this claim and said it was unfair because they are fighting for their neighbourhood and not for any political party.
“It is not a question of Umno or not, we are all Muslims. I am disappointed that a Muslim leader has neglected the Muslim community. Our religion has been sidetracked,” Latiff Roslan said.
The businessman was confused why the state government had decided to build the temple near their homes when there was no objection to build the temple in Section 22 as originally planned.
“Playground is for our children, children won’t go there to play and parents won’t allow them to play. Why is this temple made into an issue? People have objected to this temple so the government should stop the project.
“I read in the papers, that they want to move the temple by 300 metres. There is no land for the temple to be relocated by 300 metres. They want to put in the temple in the factory? So they are trying to lie to us and we cannot accept it,” he said.
The predominantly Malay-Muslim residents feel a sense of betrayal by their elected representatives. — Picture By Choo Choy May
The residents feel that they are being neglected by their leaders and are fed-up with Khalid’s call for religious tolerance.
“Khalid Samad is a liar, he likes to tell lies. He is scared to face the people. If the temple can be relocated by 300 metres, why not five kilometres? They asked us to tolerant. We can be tolerant but they must find a suitable location,” Azman Abdul Majid said.
The Telekom Malaysia employee added that politicians are abandoning religion for votes.
There were mixed emotions on the severed cow-head being used in the demonstration but they agree that the protestors just wanted to show their anger.
The residents are planning to seek a court injunction if the state government continues its plans to build the temple there.
P.S. This temple was built 150 years ago when the area was a plantation and Indians were working there..... long before the arrival of these protesters.
=====================================================
written by anon, August 30, 2009 16:06:51
So this is 1Malaysia -
- end of the tether
- malay majority
- predominantly malay-muslim neighborhood
- predominatly malay muslim community
- allow racist malay demos
- police standing by watching racist malay demos
- threat of bloodbath
- arrive much later - make it your place and remove temples (150) years old
- malay area
- wave keris
- do not push the masters
- ketuanan melayu
- NEP
- back to BM (math & Science)
- pass all malays (English Language)at tertiary level
- kelings & china kwais
- god's chosen people
- religous tolerance (only applicable to non-muslims)
- tolerate the bang (azan)
- demolish temples
- no place for temples
- accept the quota system
- ISA still effective
- malay reserve land
- bumiputra status
- 15% discount for bumis (houses)
- loans to start a business (ends up in failure)
- scholarships (for the wealthy)
- race stated on ID
- balik India
- balik China
- second class citizens
- non-muslims are all immigrants
- malays are natives
- halal
- haram
list goes on - and all this and many more to be accepted by non-malays because it's 1Malaysia
Take this kind of 1Malaysia and ....shove it up - where the sun don't shine
There will never be a united Malaysia as long as there is UMNO,MCA & MIC.
Sect 23 resident Sukhani has resorted to flying Umno flags to show his anger. —
Picture By Choo Choy May
SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 — For the residents of the middle class Taman Ixora neighbourhood in Section 23 here, the cow-head protest after Friday prayers underlined their anger and frustration against a government unwilling to heed their views.
While they have mixed feelings about brandishing a cow-head during the protest, they are adamant in not wanting the Section 19 Sri Mahamariamman Temple relocated to their predominantly Malay-Muslim neighbourhood, more so near the Surau Al-Jannah.
The faded graffiti on the zinc fence surrounding the disputed site reflected their feelings.
“We object to this temple”, “Pakatan Rakyat cannot be trusted” and “Rodziah babi” were written on the fence. Rodziah Ismail is the Batu Tiga state assemblywoman, which covers the area, and an executive councillor in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government.
Having the temple so close to their playground will stop children from playing there, parents claim. — Picture By Choo Choy May
Graffiti near the proposed site of the temple makes it clear how residents here feel. — Picture By Choo Choy May
On Friday, they went a step further to show that they were at the end of their tether by holding a noisy demonstration outside the Selangor state secretariat, dragging a severed cow-head which they stomped and spat on. The act is offensive to Hindus, who regard cows as sacred.
Although riot police stood by at the state secretariat, they are in full force at the neighbourhood multi-purpose hall beside the proposed temple site, which is now a lush green field.
Shah Alam OCPD ACP Noor Azam Jamaludin said they had been stationed there before the protest and will remain until Sept 3.
On a visit to the neighbourhood, the Malay residents expressed anger and felt it was unsuitable for the temple to be built in a predominantly Muslim community.
They also argued the location was not strategic because there is only one major exit from the neighbourhood to the main highway and the temple would likely create congestion in the area.
Others also felt that they have been cheated and abandoned by their Muslim PR leaders.
“I attended yesterday’s demonstration because this is my neighbourhood and I must show support. That is what I want. I hung this Umno flag, but I voted one for Khalid Samad and Rodziah. I voted for PKR but I felt cheated. I have this Umno flag to show my anger,” Sukhani Mohd Jamil stressed, venting his anger at the state lawmakers.
Khalid Samad is the Shah Alam MP, which encompasses this neighbourhood in the predominantly Malay constituency.
The 30 year old father explained that neighbourhood had objected when they learned the temple was planned to built near their homes but they did not receive any response.
Sukhani felt cheated when he learned that the state government had not consulted the residents and approved the building of the temple.
“I’ve never felt this spirit. This is not about race hatred. Take whatever land but not near our housing areas. I am really disappointed,” he said.
The Section 23 action committee against the temple construction had sent a protest memorandum to Rodziah explaining that the temple was just 160 metres from the houses, 50 metres from a playground and 150 metres from Surau Al-Jannah. They demanded a public hearing but the Batu Tiga state assemblyman said it was unnecessary as the area was industrial land.
There was also fear in some of the residents as they are afraid that this issue might explode into a racial backlash.
“Of course, nobody wants the temple. It is too near to the playground. This has become an issue. I am scared that this will lead to fighting. They are too sensitive on this issue. Can you ask Rodziah why she wants to build it there?” Mainora Muir Hassan explained.
Some residents, like Mainora, fear the issue could turn into a powder keg. — Picture By Choo Choy May
The mother of four stressed that the temple was not in the plans when they bought the house and questioned if the state government can do this.
“If there is not any temple, then we won’t buy. The price of our houses will also fall. Khalid wants tolerance but how can there be tolerance when it is near to the surau?” she added.
Pakatan Rakyat politicians claimed that most of the protesters were not from Section 23 and the demonstration was orchestrated by Umno.
However, local residents refuted this claim and said it was unfair because they are fighting for their neighbourhood and not for any political party.
“It is not a question of Umno or not, we are all Muslims. I am disappointed that a Muslim leader has neglected the Muslim community. Our religion has been sidetracked,” Latiff Roslan said.
The businessman was confused why the state government had decided to build the temple near their homes when there was no objection to build the temple in Section 22 as originally planned.
“Playground is for our children, children won’t go there to play and parents won’t allow them to play. Why is this temple made into an issue? People have objected to this temple so the government should stop the project.
“I read in the papers, that they want to move the temple by 300 metres. There is no land for the temple to be relocated by 300 metres. They want to put in the temple in the factory? So they are trying to lie to us and we cannot accept it,” he said.
The predominantly Malay-Muslim residents feel a sense of betrayal by their elected representatives. — Picture By Choo Choy May
The residents feel that they are being neglected by their leaders and are fed-up with Khalid’s call for religious tolerance.
“Khalid Samad is a liar, he likes to tell lies. He is scared to face the people. If the temple can be relocated by 300 metres, why not five kilometres? They asked us to tolerant. We can be tolerant but they must find a suitable location,” Azman Abdul Majid said.
The Telekom Malaysia employee added that politicians are abandoning religion for votes.
There were mixed emotions on the severed cow-head being used in the demonstration but they agree that the protestors just wanted to show their anger.
The residents are planning to seek a court injunction if the state government continues its plans to build the temple there.
P.S. This temple was built 150 years ago when the area was a plantation and Indians were working there..... long before the arrival of these protesters.
=====================================================
written by anon, August 30, 2009 16:06:51
So this is 1Malaysia -
- end of the tether
- malay majority
- predominantly malay-muslim neighborhood
- predominatly malay muslim community
- allow racist malay demos
- police standing by watching racist malay demos
- threat of bloodbath
- arrive much later - make it your place and remove temples (150) years old
- malay area
- wave keris
- do not push the masters
- ketuanan melayu
- NEP
- back to BM (math & Science)
- pass all malays (English Language)at tertiary level
- kelings & china kwais
- god's chosen people
- religous tolerance (only applicable to non-muslims)
- tolerate the bang (azan)
- demolish temples
- no place for temples
- accept the quota system
- ISA still effective
- malay reserve land
- bumiputra status
- 15% discount for bumis (houses)
- loans to start a business (ends up in failure)
- scholarships (for the wealthy)
- race stated on ID
- balik India
- balik China
- second class citizens
- non-muslims are all immigrants
- malays are natives
- halal
- haram
list goes on - and all this and many more to be accepted by non-malays because it's 1Malaysia
Take this kind of 1Malaysia and ....shove it up - where the sun don't shine
There will never be a united Malaysia as long as there is UMNO,MCA & MIC.
OF JUSTICE, MERCY AND FORGIVENESS
Posted by admin
Sunday, 30 August 2009 10:58
By Aniza Damis (NST)
ON Aug 20, there occurred an act of profound humanity.
That day, the Scottish government decided to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber.
Responsible for bringing down Pan Am Flight 103 and killing all 259 passengers and crew, plus 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground where the plane crashed, al-Megrahi was sentenced to life imprisonment and was to serve a minimum of 27 years.
But, having only served eight years in a Scottish prison, al-Megrahi was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer with a life expectancy of not more than three months.
On compassionate grounds, the Scottish government decided to send him home to Libya to see out his last days in the embrace of his family.
Many political issues dog why, in the 21 years since the bombing on Dec 21, 1988, al-Megrahi has been the only person convicted of the crime, the strength of the evidence that convicted him and other reasons for his release.
For Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, the reason was purely and solely compassion: "Al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion. They were not allowed to return to the bosom of their families to see out their lives, let alone their dying days. No compassion was shown by him to them.
"But, that alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days.
"Our justice system demands that judgment be imposed but compassion be available. Our beliefs dictate that justice be served, but mercy be shown.
"Compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs that we seek to live by, remaining true to our values as a people. No matter the severity of the provocation or the atrocity perpetrated."
In Islamic jurisprudence, there are several ways of dealing with a murderer: he can be made to pay blood money to the victim's family; he can be drawn into service to that family for the rest of his days; or he can be executed by the state. Or, if the victim's family forgive the killer, he can be set free.
The option most loved by God is forgiveness.
Of the 99 known names and attributes of Allah, six directly relate to compassion and mercy: Ar-Rahman (the most compassionate, the beneficient and the gracious), Ar-Rahim (the merciful), Al-Gaffar (the forgiver), Al-Gafur (the forgiving), Ar-Ra'uf (the most kind and the clement) and Al-'Afuww (the pardoner).
Another, At-Tawwab (the granter and accepter of repentance), indirectly denotes the element of mercy.
Closer to home this month, we've seen Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, receive much national and international press coverage on account of her conviction by the Pahang Syariah Court.
Kartika's crime is consuming alcohol in public, an offence under syariah. For this, she was sentenced to a fine of RM5,000 and the maximum number of six strokes of the rotan.
She is the first woman to be convicted of such a crime under syariah and is potentially the first woman to be caned in Malaysia.
Civil law prohibits the caning of women, probably because criminal caning is considerably harsher than syariah caning.
Kartika was to have been caned this week, but it has been postponed until after the fasting month.
Some argue that the syariah law, which allows for a woman to be caned, runs counter to the federal law that does not allow a woman to be caned.
Some also argue that the caning cannot be executed because prison regulations only allow the caning of prisoners, and Kartika was not given a jail sentence.
And Section 125 (4) of the Pahang Syariah Criminal Procedure Act 2002, which gives the court the right to detain her for caning, cannot be applied since it refers to offenders who have been sentenced to caning only.
Kartika was given a fine in addition to the caning. And she has paid the fine.
Many argue that, being a first-time offender, Kartika should not have received the maximum sentence.
Yet others argue that a woman should be spared the cane.
The last argument is weak. The amended Article 8 of the Federal Constitution says no one should be discriminated against on the basis of gender.
To date, six Muslim men have been caned for consuming alcohol in public. So, if the court honestly believes she deserves to be caned, then the woman should be caned.
But here's the question: does Kartika deserve to be caned?
This is her first offence. By right, on the scale of penalties, she should have got the lowest punishment - a fine. Yet, why was she also given the maximum number of strokes of the rotan? Is the situation of Muslims publicly imbibing in alcohol at such a dire level that it warrants Kartika being made an example?
At the eleventh hour, the Pahang syariah appellate court is wading into the issue and might revise the sentence.
If they are set on caning her, they will either have to drop the fine (which has been paid) or add a jail sentence.
Adding a jail sentence will make Kartika ineligible to work in the public sector as well as make it difficult for her to travel overseas.
But, there is another option: they could just drop the caning altogether and make her punishment just a fine.
Some people would say if this happens, then justice would not be served and Kartika would not have learned her lesson.
But consider this: in the one month since she was convicted, the whole world has seen Kartika's face.
We know her name, her father's name and her two children's names and their ages. We know how they all look like. We've had a good look at her father's sitting room in Sungai Siput, Perak.
We've even glimpsed several of his neighbours, who gathered around last Monday to see her off and wish her well on what turned out to be an abortive trip to jail.
Even if she doesn't get caned, Kartika will forever be etched in our minds as the woman who drank beer at a nightclub in Cherating and was caught and convicted by the syariah court. From now on, any canned drink she holds - no matter how innocuous - will be scrutinised by the public.
By her actions and words of late, Kartika seems to have repented.
It's time to forgive.
Forgiveness allows us to shut the door on the past and concentrate on the future. It allows us to reclaim our lives and get on with living.
And that is Merdeka.
====================
Comment: Aniza, wake up to the REAL world.
Do not equate Kartika's case with a killer's case. It's obvious that you brought this case as an example to forgive and forget. Good for you. I agree that Kartika should be freed.
Kartika consumed beer - she did not kill anyone before or after consuming beer.
But do not equate her to killing machines - terrorists.
--------------------
Comment: A cold-blooded killer is let loose on compassionate grounds? The Scottish government is plain stupid. Playing safe so less terrorism in Scotland perhaps.
But this murderer has killed hundreds of innocent passengers, then there is no room for compassion. Let him rot in his cell.
This is the most stupid move made by the Scottish court.
So in essence, the court has now, given the go-ahead to all terminally ill killers or would be killers, to blow up more planes and get involved in genocide - after all, they know that they will be released in the name of humanity and compassion and get a hero's welcome and be united with their families.
We seem to have morons all over the world. So when our local terrorist - responsible for so many innocent lives lost - noordin is caught, release him if he is terminally ill. Same with all terminally-ill terrorists.
Hitler was also 'terminally-ill', so were his counterparts and other murderers including rapists, child molesters - all terminally sick in their heads - so let them go, catch them, give them a medical check and set them free. Why waste the tax-payer's money and the killers'/rapists' time - he could have more time to spend with his family.
So stop catching killers for their 'war crimes'. They were all 'terminally-ill'. That's the only reason for the genocide. They did not mean to do it. They just could not help themselves. They are all good people basically.
They will also have time to spare - one last killing spree and rape every child and women they can.
Cruel aren't I? I have always been like that - inconsiderate and without compassion for shitheads like these.
==========================
Comment: So, according to you, all criminals who kill and murder innocent people, rape and molest children and women should be set free - if the victims of their families forgive them?
So if you and members of your families are raped and/or massacred .... you will forgive and forget?
Why don't you go to Scotland and ask if all the families forgave that killer.
Compassion, forgiveness and mercy is for people who have hurt you verbally or physically. That I can understand and even agree.
If we go by your reasoning, then there will be no need for justice - catch the perpetrators, hold them then ask the families if they forgive ( before that give a sermon to them about all three attributes - compassion, mercy and forgiveness ) and set these killers free to roam around the streets and if they do it again, go through the same process.
That is compassion, mercy and forgiveness.
And that is Merdeka too - the true meaning of Merdeka - Freedom/Independence
Sunday, 30 August 2009 10:58
By Aniza Damis (NST)
ON Aug 20, there occurred an act of profound humanity.
That day, the Scottish government decided to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber.
Responsible for bringing down Pan Am Flight 103 and killing all 259 passengers and crew, plus 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground where the plane crashed, al-Megrahi was sentenced to life imprisonment and was to serve a minimum of 27 years.
But, having only served eight years in a Scottish prison, al-Megrahi was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer with a life expectancy of not more than three months.
On compassionate grounds, the Scottish government decided to send him home to Libya to see out his last days in the embrace of his family.
Many political issues dog why, in the 21 years since the bombing on Dec 21, 1988, al-Megrahi has been the only person convicted of the crime, the strength of the evidence that convicted him and other reasons for his release.
For Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, the reason was purely and solely compassion: "Al-Megrahi did not show his victims any comfort or compassion. They were not allowed to return to the bosom of their families to see out their lives, let alone their dying days. No compassion was shown by him to them.
"But, that alone is not a reason for us to deny compassion to him and his family in his final days.
"Our justice system demands that judgment be imposed but compassion be available. Our beliefs dictate that justice be served, but mercy be shown.
"Compassion and mercy are about upholding the beliefs that we seek to live by, remaining true to our values as a people. No matter the severity of the provocation or the atrocity perpetrated."
In Islamic jurisprudence, there are several ways of dealing with a murderer: he can be made to pay blood money to the victim's family; he can be drawn into service to that family for the rest of his days; or he can be executed by the state. Or, if the victim's family forgive the killer, he can be set free.
The option most loved by God is forgiveness.
Of the 99 known names and attributes of Allah, six directly relate to compassion and mercy: Ar-Rahman (the most compassionate, the beneficient and the gracious), Ar-Rahim (the merciful), Al-Gaffar (the forgiver), Al-Gafur (the forgiving), Ar-Ra'uf (the most kind and the clement) and Al-'Afuww (the pardoner).
Another, At-Tawwab (the granter and accepter of repentance), indirectly denotes the element of mercy.
Closer to home this month, we've seen Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, receive much national and international press coverage on account of her conviction by the Pahang Syariah Court.
Kartika's crime is consuming alcohol in public, an offence under syariah. For this, she was sentenced to a fine of RM5,000 and the maximum number of six strokes of the rotan.
She is the first woman to be convicted of such a crime under syariah and is potentially the first woman to be caned in Malaysia.
Civil law prohibits the caning of women, probably because criminal caning is considerably harsher than syariah caning.
Kartika was to have been caned this week, but it has been postponed until after the fasting month.
Some argue that the syariah law, which allows for a woman to be caned, runs counter to the federal law that does not allow a woman to be caned.
Some also argue that the caning cannot be executed because prison regulations only allow the caning of prisoners, and Kartika was not given a jail sentence.
And Section 125 (4) of the Pahang Syariah Criminal Procedure Act 2002, which gives the court the right to detain her for caning, cannot be applied since it refers to offenders who have been sentenced to caning only.
Kartika was given a fine in addition to the caning. And she has paid the fine.
Many argue that, being a first-time offender, Kartika should not have received the maximum sentence.
Yet others argue that a woman should be spared the cane.
The last argument is weak. The amended Article 8 of the Federal Constitution says no one should be discriminated against on the basis of gender.
To date, six Muslim men have been caned for consuming alcohol in public. So, if the court honestly believes she deserves to be caned, then the woman should be caned.
But here's the question: does Kartika deserve to be caned?
This is her first offence. By right, on the scale of penalties, she should have got the lowest punishment - a fine. Yet, why was she also given the maximum number of strokes of the rotan? Is the situation of Muslims publicly imbibing in alcohol at such a dire level that it warrants Kartika being made an example?
At the eleventh hour, the Pahang syariah appellate court is wading into the issue and might revise the sentence.
If they are set on caning her, they will either have to drop the fine (which has been paid) or add a jail sentence.
Adding a jail sentence will make Kartika ineligible to work in the public sector as well as make it difficult for her to travel overseas.
But, there is another option: they could just drop the caning altogether and make her punishment just a fine.
Some people would say if this happens, then justice would not be served and Kartika would not have learned her lesson.
But consider this: in the one month since she was convicted, the whole world has seen Kartika's face.
We know her name, her father's name and her two children's names and their ages. We know how they all look like. We've had a good look at her father's sitting room in Sungai Siput, Perak.
We've even glimpsed several of his neighbours, who gathered around last Monday to see her off and wish her well on what turned out to be an abortive trip to jail.
Even if she doesn't get caned, Kartika will forever be etched in our minds as the woman who drank beer at a nightclub in Cherating and was caught and convicted by the syariah court. From now on, any canned drink she holds - no matter how innocuous - will be scrutinised by the public.
By her actions and words of late, Kartika seems to have repented.
It's time to forgive.
Forgiveness allows us to shut the door on the past and concentrate on the future. It allows us to reclaim our lives and get on with living.
And that is Merdeka.
====================
Comment: Aniza, wake up to the REAL world.
Do not equate Kartika's case with a killer's case. It's obvious that you brought this case as an example to forgive and forget. Good for you. I agree that Kartika should be freed.
Kartika consumed beer - she did not kill anyone before or after consuming beer.
But do not equate her to killing machines - terrorists.
--------------------
Comment: A cold-blooded killer is let loose on compassionate grounds? The Scottish government is plain stupid. Playing safe so less terrorism in Scotland perhaps.
But this murderer has killed hundreds of innocent passengers, then there is no room for compassion. Let him rot in his cell.
This is the most stupid move made by the Scottish court.
So in essence, the court has now, given the go-ahead to all terminally ill killers or would be killers, to blow up more planes and get involved in genocide - after all, they know that they will be released in the name of humanity and compassion and get a hero's welcome and be united with their families.
We seem to have morons all over the world. So when our local terrorist - responsible for so many innocent lives lost - noordin is caught, release him if he is terminally ill. Same with all terminally-ill terrorists.
Hitler was also 'terminally-ill', so were his counterparts and other murderers including rapists, child molesters - all terminally sick in their heads - so let them go, catch them, give them a medical check and set them free. Why waste the tax-payer's money and the killers'/rapists' time - he could have more time to spend with his family.
So stop catching killers for their 'war crimes'. They were all 'terminally-ill'. That's the only reason for the genocide. They did not mean to do it. They just could not help themselves. They are all good people basically.
They will also have time to spare - one last killing spree and rape every child and women they can.
Cruel aren't I? I have always been like that - inconsiderate and without compassion for shitheads like these.
==========================
Comment: So, according to you, all criminals who kill and murder innocent people, rape and molest children and women should be set free - if the victims of their families forgive them?
So if you and members of your families are raped and/or massacred .... you will forgive and forget?
Why don't you go to Scotland and ask if all the families forgave that killer.
Compassion, forgiveness and mercy is for people who have hurt you verbally or physically. That I can understand and even agree.
If we go by your reasoning, then there will be no need for justice - catch the perpetrators, hold them then ask the families if they forgive ( before that give a sermon to them about all three attributes - compassion, mercy and forgiveness ) and set these killers free to roam around the streets and if they do it again, go through the same process.
That is compassion, mercy and forgiveness.
And that is Merdeka too - the true meaning of Merdeka - Freedom/Independence
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