Sad day for the Malays

Yes this is a sad day for the Malays! I have to question their faith! How Come the so call Muslims adherents could let a 3 year old die of abuse?, not by the parents but by the Mom's boyfriend. The father is currently incarcerated in Kajang Prison. Where is Dr Ma'mor! Where is Perkasa? Where is Mubarak? Where did the Association of Malays Professional Thinkers went? Where are the so call 50 Malays NGOs who met and form an Association about economy but neglect the social responsibility of every Malays for her own brethren?

Where is the infamous Ibrahim Katak Ali? Where are you? I am Mad, Nay furious! How do we let a girl die in pain! Being kick around, My God! in full view! Who is wrong here? We, all of us are guilty! We let these things happen. We neglect them thus they die! We keep talking about economic rights but we never take responsibility for helping those in needs! We never establish a safety net for these people. They too us are non existence! Where are the Tok Gurus, Datuk Harun Din who fought and took arms against non believers for using Allah but left a child to die!
Where are all these mullahs? Where did they go?

All these people are guilty! I hold them so! They incite others to riot! To take up arms for what? To serve their own agenda? I hate them! i hate with all the fibers in my body! Why do the Malays need to politicize everything? Why can't they do good to do good. Why can't they be charitable not for name not for glory for you, for each one of us! Why can't we be unselfish for once. Why is it them against us? Why make life so difficult? Why invoke hate when there is none! Why preach of differences but not accentuate our similarities. Why talk about people but refuse to sacrifice oneself for the greater good. Nobody could answer me? Nobody? Please help me! I am sad, for me the heroes are the couple who open a day care center in Chow Kit for the kids. The ones quietly who establish help programme in red light districts. They are Malaysian heroes! To those who are curious the couple is Malay and for me they are the unsung Malays heroes which the Malays must emulate.

Yes I am angry for if one Malaysia is too work we must embrace diversity in every shape and size! We must welcome good people and look at the greater good. We must be compassionate but never vengeful. These are the values the Malays must have! In Batu Arang, there is a place for HIV sufferers. It was run by the catholic church. It was run as a non profit center. At the home a surau was prepared for the Muslims to pray. It was not about proselytizing the inmates but more a hospice center. The Muslims inmate now has to move, it seems we have to divide them even though all of them are just waiting for their time up. Why? Is faith that important that you have to divide them because you are afraid they die after renouncing their faith? Do you believe the malays are that shallow? Why can't they be together? Why can't you (the Muslims caregiver) work from there. Is it not better to share resources? Why so much ill will? At least the Catholics even provide the Muslims inmate with a Surau, What about us? Getting a church to be approve in Shah Alam was already a hassle for them yet they persevere? The Malays do have all the luck don't they? No wonder there is so much hatred against them yet they can ask why?

In Schools my sister was boycotted for eating chinese food, although the education department has made certain that all government schools and aided one must serve halal food yet she was ostracized! Is this correct in Islam? By golly is this not more than blatant chauvinism! My foot in the name of Islam, my foot indeed!

How come an NGO lead by a Doctor could insinuate that the Ikea Restaurant was non halal and serving pork! It has to be Samak and then it was found out not true, not even an apology came out from the Doctor's mouth! What rude fellow Muslims are?, aren't they?

We saw the Natrah performance. I was not move I was disturb. Natrah or Maria Herthogh story was a tragedy. The riots that happen on 11th December 1950 was an eye opener. I won't question the law because then I have to question the Sharmala case! Thank god the Indians did not riot but if we studied the case we found similarities and if we are unfair to Sharmala then we have not right to question the judge decision in Natrah case! Yes, when we judge it must seen to be fair and thus we must take into accounts other peoples right too which the Malays Muslims have forgotten! Erma fatimah could put up a grand show, Fathini the writer in the magazine could write what she wants, but truth be told Natrah denounce the article as fabrication! And we should know the parties are all dead now Natrah because of Leukemia last year july 8 and Mansor Adabi died some time back!

I wrote this in sadness, I feel someone must knock some sense to the Malays. To strife and work hard. To do good and have an open heart. For it is you(the Malays) who will answer for your deeds not me not the leaders but you!

Here is the article in question

Duo face cohabitation charge

KUALA LUMPUR: A taxi driver who has been charged with abusing his girlfriend’s daughter to death will also be charged in the Syariah Court with cohabiting with the woman.

Police plan to refer the 28-year-old man and possibly the child’s 25-year-old mother to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council for further action.

Hulu Selangor deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Bakhtiar Rashid said initial investigations revealed that the unmarried couple had been in a relationship for six years.

Their relationship produced a child out of wedlock who is 18 months old now.

“The woman has yet to get a divorce from her husband, but they have been living like a married couple,” he told Bernama here yesterday.

Her husband has been an inmate at the Sungai Buloh Prison since 2006.

DSP Bakhtiar said the suspect had been remanded for seven days until March 4 and police would be applying for an extension.

He said the suspect had also tested positive for drug abuse.

Syafia Humairah Sahari, three, is believed to have been abused to death by the taxi driver at their home in Kampung Batu 30 in Ulu Yam Lama, Batang Kali, on Thursday.

Family members of the woman claimed the child’s body from the morgue at 1.30pm and buried the toddler at the Kuang Muslim cemetery in Sungai Buloh.

In Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as saying that welfare officers would investigate the competency of the woman and her partner as parents before deciding whether to seek temporary custody of their 18-month-old child.

Saturday February 6, 2010

Stepping back in time

By Liz Price

Need an idea for a day trip that’s easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur? How about one that incorporates forgotten chimneys, an old coal mining town, a historical church and beautiful orchids?

My friends and I did just that — we had a fun outing exploring Batu Arang in Ulu Selangor.

I’d been to that area before and was keen to revisit and see what else was on offer there.

The name Batu Arang means “coal”, and this small town, which lies between Kuala Selangor and Rawang, was the centre of a coal-mining industry in the early 20th century. The 100-year-old town only came into being after coal was discovered in 1911 and became a bustling, rich town where thousands lived and worked.

By the Second World War, it was the second largest town in Selangor after Kuala Lumpur.

St Michael church

Businessman J. A. Russell established the Malayan Collieries in Batu Arang in 1913, and this helped transform what was formerly a jungle into a thriving industrial centre.

Batu Arang had a railway line that was a side arm of the main KL-Rawang line, connecting at Kuang, and extending to Batang Berjuntai. Steam engines hauled trains laden with coal to the main line.

Production of coal increased from 1915 until it peaked in the 1940s. This meant more people moved into the area to find work. Shops and restaurants sprouted in the settlement to cater to them, and a hospital was built to cater for the sick. There was even a small airport used by small planes to drop off the salaries of the huge workforce.

As you drive around the town centre today, you’ll realise how small it is — basically just a roundabout with the police station, two rows of 1920s shophouses and several small restaurants.

The other roads are housing areas, and there is a central football field. Jalan Stesen has retained its name, but the railway line was long ago dismantled by the Japanese during World War II and never reconstructed.

During the Emergency from 1948 to 1960, Batu Arang was declared a “Black Area” because it was a base for the anti-British communist forces. The town is surrounded by undulating hills and valleys, which were ideal hiding places for the communists and from where they could launch surprise attacks. Apparently, they seized the police station in 1948 and held people hostage in the railway station.

However, the real decline of Batu Arang took place when diesel replaced coal as the main source of fuel in the late 1950s. This sounded the death knell for coal, and the mines closed down in 1958. The Chinese miners and other workers left, and the buildings fell into disrepair or were torn down after they became unsafe because the ground had become riddled with cavities and mined passages.

I was disappointed to find no visible trace from the days of mining, although there are supposed to be some ventilation tunnels still remaining.

The huge open cast pits surrounding the town are now filled with water. At one time, the area was threatened by erosion due to dropping water tables as a result of the coal mining.

However there are some historical remains. As you approach the town, it is easy to spot a tall chimney standing like a lonely sentinel above the trees. It’s not entirely alone as there is another chimney further away, and also the remains of the old buildings with smaller chimneys. These are all that are left over from a brick-making industry. Today, the tallest chimney, which not surprisingly is made of bricks, has a small tree growing out of the top.

The orchid farm on the way to Rawang at Bt 23 sells cut orchids at a resonable price. — LIZ PRICE

Some of the Chinese miners still live here, and the town has become quite multi-ethnic. And new factories are opening up so people are coming back to the area. One such industry is SME Ordnance Sdn Bhd, which produces ammunition and bombs. Another is Kilang Tenaga Kimia Bhd which also manufactures explosive products.

I had read on the Internet about an old church in Batu Arang so we drove around the small town looking for it.

We stopped at Gereja St Michael but this was relatively modern (1971) and wasn’t the one I was looking for. We talked to the caretaker, and she told us about the old Catholic church up on the hill, and I realised this was the building we had passed on the way down to the town.

So we retraced our steps up the hill. At first sight, the building looks more like a simple colonial building. One only realises it is a church because of the statue of the Virgin Mary and the huge cross on top of the building.

However, we were still a bit confused as there was a guard house at the start of the driveway, ambulances parked under a shelter, and several Malays going in and out.

We were later introduced to the administrator, Anthony Gomez, and he offered to give us a tour of the place — now called Welcome Community. The Welcome Community is now an after-care home for HIV patients run by a Catholic group, the Catholic Welfare Services.

The history of the building is interesting. It was built around 80 years ago (1920s) by the British for use as an army mess for the garrison. That explains why it doesn’t look like a church. Then it was occupied by the Japanese. After the Japanese left, it went back to the Brits until they left. It was then run by missionaries, hence the statue and cross outside. In recent years, it was converted to a home for drug addicts and HIV patients.

The place was taken over by the Welcome Community in April 2008. Nowadays, it’s a bright, clean and airy building where doctors attend to the residents, and foreign volunteers come from overseas to work for short periods.

The beds were donated from the Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya. There is room for more than 40 inmates, although currently there are only around 37, aged between 20 and 60. They have been referred to the home from the Sungai Buloh Hospital or the local prisons.

It seems we had chosen quite an unusual day for our visit, as the Muslim residents were being transferred to a new home specially set up for them. Until now the residents all lived as one community whatever their religion, hence the Catholic pictures on the walls, a large crucifix on the top of the building, and one room which has been converted into a surau (prayer room).

The people are well cared for, and many are better physically than when they arrived, due to good food and caring community. The surrounding land is used for gardening and for growing vegetables. It was certainly a nice feeling to see people of different races looking quite content despite the hardships they had been through.

Soon it was time to say goodbye to Gomez and his staff and set off for home. But we made one more unscheduled stop when we saw an orchid farm on the way to Rawang, at Batu 23. We wandered in and the colours of the orchids were really stunning, almost every shade you could imagine. I couldn’t resist taking photos, and before leaving, I bought a large bunch of beautiful blooms for just RM5.

It was a good memento of a nice day out.

Getting there

Batu Arang is located between Rawang and Kuala Selangor. There are various ways to get there from Kuala Lumpur. One option is to go towards Rawang, then turn left onto Jalan Batu Arang which is the B27. After some miles turn left onto the B111 which leads straight to Batu Arang.

Or, from Sungai Buloh, head for Kundang and keep going until you reach the B27. As you approach Batu Arang, the road is winding and hilly and surrounded by green forest and has a nice rural feel.

The Batu Arang Welcome Community is located on the hill on the B111 that leads down to the town.

For more information on Welcome Community Home, call (03) 6035 1463, fax (03) 6035 1009 or e-mail: welcomehospice@gmail.com

The orchid farm, United Malaysian Orchids Sdn Bhd, is located at Batu 23, Jalan Batu Arang, Rawang. You can buy whole plants or cut flowers at very reasonable prices.

Malays Unity?

I am now talking about Malay support in UMNO. I am sad that UMNO is becoming irrelevant as days gone by. UMNO strength in leading the country was the Middle Class /ruling elite Malay. These Malay Upper Middle Class were well educated and well informed. They were the strength that help UMNO and Malays in particular to achieve independence for this country. The Malays ultra lost her way by not able to galvanize the support of the masses and the Sultans. KMM and PKMM were a failure although during their time they came out with brilliant proposal but it was this gang of Malays upper middle class and ruling elite under tunku which mange to galvanise the Malays into a coherent unit.

These Malays which were the backbone of UMNO policies has now deserted the parties. That is why UMNO is in a dilemma. This is the poison which if continue unabated will result in UMNO doom. Here is an email send to me by a my Chinese friend which is attach with my awnser. I am also attaching Ku Li statement to strengthen my argument although my email was written much earlier than Ku Li's exasperation!

wan zaharizan	Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 1:09 PM
To: chong sun yit
Chong The trouble with UMNO is that it is a dinosaur. It's pendekatan or ways has not change but the audience has change. It is still playing the old records. Chong in the 70's if you went to Gerakan lectures it was very racist. DAP was and to me, is still is very racist, their speeches are racist(not all). Not too long ago Rhina Bhar lost the Gerakan woman seat partly because of racism. She never stand for election, never appointed a senator do that she can be given a political post in the government because he is not Chinese and that was a fact! UMNO way of talking to the students, her overtly chauvinist stand is becoming an embarrassment to the Malays and if this persist UMNO would loose them. There is a generation gap. Students now days are different. In your time we are taught filial duty and we take our responsibility to our parents judiciously but now Youngsters think it is our responsibility to give them monies to educate them and not theirs to owe us for our duty. Same thing with UMNO it will suffer the same like many black organization in the states. In the 60's majority of blacks would belong to groups such as the ultra Black Muslims but now the blacks wat to avoid to be associate with this type of chauvinistic stand. So too will be the Malays student. So I am not worried, I am more worried for UMNO still rutting in the old way which will not work anymore! Wan On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 1:23 AM, chong sun yit sychong78@hotmail.com> wrote: hi WHY WHY SUCH VEHEMENCE to 'future leaders of 1 MALAYSIA Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:04:58 +0800 Subject: UMNO brings 1Malaysia too UK Ahmad Naim Mazlan From: mengkim.lee@gmail.com To: weng0407@gmail.com Do Malaysians have hope for a better tomorrow with these racist UMNO members around? Najib's 1Malaysia to me is just an empty slogan. It appears that he has yet to garner all the support of His UMNO colleagues. Datuk Nasir Safar, his special officer is only one of his special officer who in his eagerness to please his master, has shownn his true racist colour. No doubt about it, thhere are still tens and even hundreds of UMNO politicians who do not subsctibe to Najib's idea of 1Malaysia like the UMNO Youth delegates mentioned in the article below. Umno brings 1 Malaysia to the UK — Ahmad Naim Mazlan FEB 11— A student in the United Kingdom is exposed to many experiences. The apolitical learn to be political, the apathetic become aware, the previously anti-social join student-run clubs and harness talents they never knew they had. And beyond these positive developments, I learnt a few days ago that a first-year student such as myself can also find that the Malaysian dream can be stomped even in the land that teaches us the values of democracy, freedom and equality. I learnt of the impending arrival in London of a large delegation consisting Umno leaders from a few friends in Kelab Umno London. There was to be a private session between the delegation and Kelab Umno leaders/members. For the record, I had contemplated joining the club which swore to be run solely for the purposes of the welfare of Malay(sian) students in the British capital. But ever the student I am, procrastination is my middle name. In any case, I was not overly keen to meet with the Umno delegation, which included the Umno Secretary Datuk Rauf (something) and around six or seven Umno Youth Exco members (some look like post-graduate students, so I cannot tell the difference) and ladies, but because food was on my mind I decided to accompany my friends headed down to Malaysian Students Department, or MSD (located next to Malaysia Hall) anyway. Respecting the private nature of the discussion, I sat outside the modest room housed by MSD gobbling away (self-paid) where the session was being held. Unknown to those inside the room, much said in there was audible from those sitting near the back partition. The window overlooking Queensborough Terrace where MSD is located also makes it quite easy to look into the hall. Armed with a book, I tried reading while sipping teh tarik, but I can't seem to bring my mind to concentrate on reading. Disturbing words of racist politics could be heard from the cracks of the partition. The only person to take the stage was the quite sizeable Umno Secretary, Rauf whilst the Umno Youth exco members also fielded questions from the floor. I wasn’t eavesdropping, but the booming voices — especially those of Rauf and one Umno Youth member by the name of Megat — made it quite easy to make out the racist remarks which were spilling out of their primary orifice. In his rant, Rauf called non-Malays “bangsa asing” who were trampling on the Malays in “Tanah Melayu”. I remember a direct quote, “Jangan biarkan bangsa asing pijak kepala kita”, as though the non Malays were interested in little else than seeing Malays fail for their sinister, selfish goals. There was also a vigorous defence of Datuk Nasir Safar’s recent comments against non Malays which branded non Malays as beggars and prostitutes. According to one Umno Youth exco member present, those comments were not racist but quite contrarily, “just facts”. My oh my, I saw a Chinese couple next to me, trying to tune out the words and focus on their meals. Throughout the session, non-Malays were treated as the enemy, and whilst they did praise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, there was no mention of 1 Malaysia, unity or multiracial nation-building. During some moments in the session, they sounded nothing less than Vikings on the path to war — an Umno Youth exco said something to the effect of Umno willing to fight to the death the threats made by non-Malays. These threats were, strangely enough, never detailed. Regardless, what I found most disturbing is the fact that these individuals, by all accounts, are (I think) high ranking Umno leaders. Rauf, for all intents and purposes, as I googled, is the COO of Umno. Whatever one thinks of Umno’s sloganeering via 1 Malaysia, the fact is that if even these individuals cannot help but promote the diametric opposite to what 1Malaysia is supposed to entail, then what hope is there for Umno and BN? As much as what Najib says and does count above all else, it is most shameful that his generals are doing their best to derail the Malaysian dream. Najib’s decision to fire his aide only last week was commendable, but he was just an aide. Will he take similar measures against people with positions in the party who speak out against 1 Malaysia? I may be just a kid yet, but if Najib is to succeed as a reformist, then he must make sure the entire — or at least much of the party — follows suit. Otherwise, even the son of a lifelong Umno member will think twice about voting BN. Sigh. Shaken I was despite not sitting for the meeting. Umno propaganda is indeed powerful. *Ahmad Naim Mazlan is a first year accounting and finance student in the UK * This article is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified BN bound for defeat, says Ku Li By Neville Spykerman Umno will lose if it fails to reform, charges the Kelantan prince. — file pic KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has predicted that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) will be voted out of power if concrete reforms are not introduced. “Mark my words. If they don’t change in the next three years they are going to lose the next general elections,” the Kelantan prince and Umno veteran told The Malaysian Insider in an interview earlier this week. The Gua Musang MP, whose views seem increasingly at odds with his own party, pointed out that following Election 2008, BN remained in power only because of support from politicians in Sabah and Sarawak. In Election 2008, the Umno-led coalition suffered its worse result since Merdeka. It managed 140 parliamentary seats, with Sabah and Sarawak accounting for 55, while the opposition Pakatan Rakyat took 81 seats. However, the parliamentarian said BN may not always have the support of MPs from East Malaysia. “They can sway either way, and will support the winner,” said Tengku Razaleigh, who added that Umno was established in Sabah only between 1988 and 1989 while Umno did not exist in Sarawak. He was also of the view that politicians from East Malaysia joined BN because it was strong and could assure them of their rights. “Why should they continue to back us? We’re dependent on them,” he said, before adding that they would “watch and see”. According to him, BN was also facing an uphill battle to regain the support from Malays who were divided, as well as the Chinese. Right-wing Malay Nationalist group Perkasa’s association with Umno was not helping BN, Tengku Razaleigh pointed out. “There’s no place for rabid racism,” he said, and claiming that even young Malays were rejecting it. “The more hard line you are, the more frightened people are.” As for the opposition, Razaleigh said it “appears to be in disarray” but he has been told that such impressions were because of the way Pakatan was being portrayed in the media. While on the opposition, Razaleigh also voiced his respect for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “It’s admirable that he has done so well,” he said, adding that the opposition leader had fired up the imagination of voters, particularly with the young. Despite the bleak outlook for his own party, Tengku Razaleigh said all was not lost for Umno, provided they listened to the people and introduced reforms. “It’s not too late. The people are crying for change, not just housekeeping.” Tengku Razaleigh has been described as the conscience of Umno but when asked about this, he responded “I don’t know if I am.” The maverick politician said he was only doing what was right and reminisced about previous Umno leaders, such as Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, who were respected even by non-Malays. As for the first prime minister, he said “Tunku (Abdul Rahman) was not only respected but revered.” He said these past leaders gained the respect of the people, and even of opposition politicians like Lim Kit Siang, by being fair and upholding the Constitution. “So it’s nothing new, I am just emulating them.” Ku Li: Even Malays leaving Tanah Melayu Umno veteran and Gua Musang MP, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah laments the state of affairs in the country. - Picture by Choo Choy May By Neville Spykerman KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is concerned that even Malays are getting disillusioned with the state of the nation and leaving the country. “Something must be wrong in this so-called Malay Land (Tanah Melayu) when they (Malays) are leaving.” said the Kelantan prince during an interview with The Malaysian Insider. The Umno veteran and Gua Musang MP said people, especially the young, are feeling uneasy over developments in the country and didn’t mince his words when he pointed out that there are signs of decline everywhere. “There are many Malays in London who are professionals, making good money, who will not return because the environment is not right in Malaysia.” He added that the negative publicity generated by the caning of three Muslim women and controversy surrounding the use of the word “Allah” is not helping the country. While the caning may have been in accordance to Syariah laws, Razaleigh said it still negatively impacts the country when it makes headlines around the world for the wrong reasons. “Investors and tourists are wondering what’s happening in Malaysia, at a time when we need investments, capital and jobs for our young who are also increasingly finding it difficult...” He said even the non-Muslims are being hauled up for holding hands and cited a case where Islamic authorities barged into a room where a foreign couple was staying. Razaleigh also decried that race relations are getting increasingly strained because of divisive policies. He said the government can stage as many open houses as they like but there’s no warmth. “Of course people will come if there’s free food but it’s not genuine.” He pointed out that despite the recent assurances on the crime rate coming down, people are still insecure about their safety. “Even my wife is afraid to go out. Why should we be afraid in our own country?” He lamented the corruption in the country and how Air Force jet engines that weigh a ton can go “missing” or how the nation’s first submarine, which cost billions, could not initially dive. “Now that it can dive, we’re not sure if it can come up again.” he said, adding that it may sound comical but it is alarming. On the streets, he said, corruption have allowed drugs to flow in. “Malaysia is only a small market compared to New York, but because people are corrupt they allow drugs to flow in.” he said, adding that young minds and lives are lost because of it. “These are signs of decline which were never here before,” he concluded. And now look at the ULTRA MALAYS stand! IT makes me sick! Groups form consultative body to defend Malay rights, Islam By G. Manimaran KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — About 50 groups today launched the Malay NGO Consultative Council (MPM) to defend Malay rights and Islam at the historic Sultan Sulaiman Club here, where a similar gathering nearly 60 years ago led to the formation of Umno. Among the prime movers are Perkasa, ex-Umno lawmakers council Mubarak, Peninsula Malay Students Confederation (GPMS), Malay Professional Thinkers Association and Cuepacs. The Malaysian Insider was barred from reporting the event but a media release said among those who spoke were Perkasa president and Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali (picture), Mubarak chief Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and Malay Professional Thinkers president Professor Datuk Dr Kamaruddin Kachar who is a former director-general of the National Civics Bureau (BTN) which the opposition claims spreads hate ideology. The MPM was launched by GPMS president Jais Abd Karim followed by a dialogue and a signing ceremony to form the body. The MPM press release said “following several discussions by several Malay NGO leaders, there was a desire for a consultative council to bring together as many Malay NGOs concerned about current developments faced by the Malays”. “It is apparent that there is pressure on Malay rights and privileges in their own country, towards the position of Islam as the official religion, the position and sovereignty of the Malay Rulers that is always being questioned, the New Economic Policy that is being sidelined despite the lack of achievement by the Malays and also national security,” it said. These are among several “sensitive” issues for the Malays which have become provocative matters by those who want to destroy the security and prosperity of the country, the statement added. The statement said the consultative council is not a platform for confrontation unless they are forced by parties described as those “inciting” racial tension. “The main function of this council is to act as a medium to gather Malay NGOs that share the same stand to handle pressures faced by the Malays, Islam, Malay Rulers, national security, public order and other related issues,” the statement said, adding the idea to form the body was made early last month. The MPM will form a task force that will be chaired by council members in rotation. The statement also said the MPM had resolved each member should jointly study issues important to the Malays, Islam, Malay Rulers, national security and public order that is brought up or questioned by others, or to be championed by the community. Others include the preparation and implementation of action plans to handle or oppose provocations against issues that relate to Malays and Islam, or issues seen as inciting or hateful. The resolutions decided by MPM are: Resolutions must be based on facts and documents tabled at lawful MPM meetings; MPM members who disagree with the resolutions must accept the decision of the majority and be prepared to sign the agreed resolutions; MPM members who refuse or abstain from resolutions or decisions can choose not to sign off without affecting their membership; and If any MPM member opposes any of its resolutions or decisions, they will automatically cease to be members.

Canning in Malaysia

I have not written for so long not because there is no issue to write but far from it! To me if i keep on writing on issues about Malaysia it would never end so i have to pick and choose carefully! i too have to write intelligently and must take cognizance that what i say should not be misconstrued. Recently there was a furor on the caning punishment that was meted out to 3 ladies caught for drinking alcohol. I will not question the law because it is provided by the Syariah. i would just tighten the evidence law of Syariah.

Like all laws whether Roman,Secular or Theology i.e. Islam we are govern by sets of procedures or codes. Evidence or promulgation of it can be tighten so that justice is seen to be serve but not done! It is not denying justice but being prudent so that when we enforce the law it must be seen to be fair and firm. Basic evidence law in Islam is very high! I am sorry, but I need to mention Anwar's claim on Saiful on Qazaf or Slander (Malice). Anwar is seeking the Syariah to punish Saiful for Slander. The basis was Saiful can't produce 4 witnesses to the event. (Even if there is witnesses- one could also argue the witness credibility which in Islam is very high).

So if I could get a good Shariah lawyer who is willing to fight in the courts there is a chance the girls can be found not guilty. Nobody drinks in front of the parties raiding us. Most probably a Breathalyzer test were done but is it allowed in Islam? These are some question that could be raise. What if the perpetrators confess? Could you accept that? Might not it be done under duress? To me you should learn the tricks from Anwar but you must be a learned Lawyer who is well verse in Islamic Law, sadly many were not willing to fight this on technicality. As I said I cannot argue the law but I can argue the way it is conducted.

I have always maintain Malaysia must stick to being secular and I am bloody well right when I say all this happen because of Tun Mahathir. He changes the constitution by making and adding article 11(b) which many intellectuals has decry on. I laugh at Marina's Mahathir outburst but if your dad tinkle with the law this would happen! When the Malays could reason the Islamic laws reasonably and without emotions then it is hightime the Shariah be introduce till then it would always be a divisive factor for the Malays and this bane blame it on Tun!

In Mohammad's time very few were caught under the shariah offenses, partly due because the high evidence threshold that Muhammad insist to have. In fact when he carries out punishment he always seek compassions which is missing in our syariah court judges! I always remember about the woman who came to Muhammad and ask to be punish for adultery. I remember it by heart! (please see my previous posting).

For me Caning should be the last resort, having said that i would never question the punishment but how it is being implemented. If there is a way out we have to seek it and i agreed with Dr Asri we have to distinguish it between private and public place! I am adding Dr Asri writing below for further reading.

Ulasan Dr Mohd Asri Tentang Hukuman Sebat Wanita Di Penjara Kajang

Disiarkan pada Feb 22, 2010 dalam kategori Kenyataan & Penjelasan |

Beberapa pihak telah mengulas tentang hukuman sebat yang dikenakan oleh pihak berkuasa agama ke atas beberapa orang wanita muslimah. Saya ditanya berulang kali tentang hal ini. Berikut adalah beberapa perkara penting yang ingin saya sentuh;

1. Sebatan hukuman syariah dalam kes-kes maksiat peribadi (zina dan meminum arak) adalah sebatan yang tidak mencederakan. Ini hendaklah dibuat dalam keadaan yang tidak bertujuan memberikan kesakitan yang melampau, sebaliknya sekadar pengajaran. Bahkan dalam hadis, ada yang hanya dipukul dengan kain atau tangan sahaja.

Ini amat berbeza dengan sebatan yang biasa diamalkan bawah mahkamah sivil. Jika sebatan yang dilaksanakan itu –inilah juga yang dimaklumkan oleh pihak berkenaan- tidak mencederakan, atau menimbulkan kesakitan yang melampau, maka ia sesuatu yang mempunyai unsur-unsur islamik, dan itu lebih baik dari memenjarakan mereka berbulan atau bertahun yang lebih memberikan penderitaan kepada mereka. Membantah perlaksanaan hukuman tersebut adalah tidak wajar.

2. Persoalan yang patut juga diambil berat; bagaimanakah proses yang membawa mereka didakwa dan seterusnya dihukum? Jika kesalahan itu mereka lakukan di tempat terbuka, atau didedahkan kepada orang lain seperti di pusat-pusat hiburan, aktiviti pelacuran yang mencari pelanggan dan seumpamanya, maka mereka layak untuk dihukum. Namun, jika mereka itu ditangkap setelah pihak berkuasa agama mengintip dan menceroboh masuk ke kawasan persendirian yang tertutup, maka proses situ bercanggah dengan nas-nas Islam.

Hal ini telah disebut oleh ramai sarjana sejak dahulu seperti al-Imam al-Ghazali (meninggal 505H), begitu juga Sayyid Qutb, Dr al-Qaradawi dan ramai yang lain. Para sarjana menyebut bahawa antara syarat Amar Makruf dan Nahy Munkar: An yakuna al-Munkar Zahiran min ghair tajassus (Hendaklah munkar itu zahir kelihatan tanpa intipan).

Bagi yang memahami bahasa Arab mereka boleh membaca bagaimana hampir semua tulisan berkaitan Amar Makruf dan Nahy Munkar yang ditulis oleh berbagai penulis meletakkan syarat tersebut. Sila lihat dalam internet begitu banyak artikel berbagai sarjana di peringkat antarabangsa yang mengingatkan tentang syarat ini. Hanya mereka yang primitive sahaja yang mengintip maksiat peribadi orang lain.

Saya telah tulis beberapa artikel tentang hal ini. antaranya artikel Bila Yang Nyata Dibiar, Yang Tersembunyi Dicari. Maka jika wanita-wanita tersebut dicemari hak mereka secara intipan lalu dihukum, maka itu menyanggahi ruh islami. Namun, jika mereka melibatkan diri dalam maksiat terbuka seperti di pusat-pusat hiburan, pentas-pentas lakunan dan seumpamanya, mereka layak dihukum.

3. Hukuman bukan sahaja perlu adil, tetapi juga perlu kelihatan adil (not only be fair but seen to be fair). Masyarakat akan memandang serong kepada setiap hukuman yang hanya menghukum anak bilis dan membiarkan jerung. Maka, bukan sahaja peminum arak patut dihukum, tetapi taukeh-taukeh atau mereka yang terlibat dalam pengedaran arak dalam kalangan umat Islam patut di bawa ke pengadilan.

Ini termasuk mana-mana individu muslim yang memegang saham-saham arak dalam negara ini. Empunya pusat-pusat hiburan yang menggalakkan aktiviti tidak bermoral ini mestilah dibawa ke pengadilan. Maka pihak berkuasa agama hendaklah jujur dengan rakyat, dan berani membawa empunya, atau pemegang-pemegang saham arak dan judi yang membabit individu muslim sekalipun ‘kelompok yang dianggap kebal’ dalam negara ini.

4. Kecenderungan Islam bukanlah menghukum, tetapi mendidik. Jika terdapat jalan keluar agar mereka tidak dihukum disebabkan maksiat peribadi (zina dan arak), maka itulah yang paling utama. Nabi s.a.w dalam berbagai riwayat menunjuk cuba mengelak dari mengambil kes-kes zina dan memberikan berbagai alasan agar pelakunya tidak dihukum. Kes Maiz bin Malik dan berbagai yang lain menunjukkan baginda Nabi s.a.w tidak mahu kes-kes ini diteruskan ke peringkat hukuman, sebaliknya baginda mementing taubat individu berkenaan.

5. Banyak rakaman-rakaman yang tersiar dalam internet yang menunjukkan bagaimana operasi ‘tangkap khalwat’ begitu kejam dan sengaja mendedahkan keaiban mangsa. Ini seperti diambil gambar mangsa dalam keadaan bogel, disuruh mangsa mempamirkan pakaian dalamnya kepada kamera dan seumpamanya. Pegawai-pegawai yang terbabit dalam operasi yang seperti ini hendaklah diambil tindakan kerana mencemarkan maruah agama yang mulia ini dan maruah orang lain.

6. Hendaklah dielakkan gambaran bahawa negara ini kerap menghukum wanita. Apakah mereka melakukan kesalahan bersendirian? Amat membimbangkan, imej Islam yang sering dikaitkan media Barat dengan Malaysia akan menyebabkan mereka menyangka ini merupakan cara Islam yang selalu menghukum wanita, dan tidak pula menonjolkan hukuman terhadap lelaki yang terbabit. Maka, hukuman terhadap lelaki-lelaki yang terbabit juga hendaklah diumumkan dengan jelas dan media diminta menyiarkannya bersama.

7. Beberapa NGOs yang cuba mengkritik perlaksanaan hukuman ini hendaklah berhati-hati. Jika mereka muslim, mereka hendaklah memastikan dalam diri mereka; apakah mereka membantah hukuman Islam yang asal, atau perlaksanaan semasa? Jika mereka membantah hukuman asal, maka itu memberi implikasi akidah mereka. Jika mereka membantah perlaksanaan semasa, mereka hendaklah tumpukan kepada proses perlaksanaan semasa sahaja, jangan dipertikaikan hukuman Islam asal yang adil yang ada dalam al-Quran dan al-Sunnah. Begitu juga bukan muslim, jangan mereka mempertikaikan al-Quran dan Nabi orang Islam, itu boleh menimbulkan ketegangan dan huru-hara dalam negara yang harmoni ini.

8. Usaha menerapkan unsur-unsur Islam dalam negara ini merupakan satu usaha baik dan disanjung. Namun, dalam konteks negara moden, proses ini hendaklah dibuat dengan teliti dan berhati-hati. Negara beragama adalah tuntutan, tetapi negara autocratic agama amat menakutkan. Beberapa pengalaman Pakistan dan Afghanistan yang lepas patut diteliti. Maka, badan pemantau kepada perkembangan ini yang terdiri dari cendiakawan-cendiakawan muslim yang terbuka dan tidak sifat orthodoxy perlu diwujudkan untuk memberi pandangan balas kepada kerajaan.

Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin,
Penang, 22 Feb 2010

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR 2010
MAY THIS YER OF THE GOLDEN TIGER
BRING YOU GOOD CHEER!
GOOD HEALTH !
LONG LIFE!
BOUNTIFUL WEALTH!
AND NOT TO FORGET HAPPY SEX!
(WHETHER YOU PREFER BOYS OR GIRLS)
YAM SENG!

AND TO THOSE WHO ARE HOPELESS ROMANTIC
HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!