Friday, February 25, 2011
The Two Evilest Twins
The two evilest twins twins that plague Malaysia are corruption and money-laudering. Over the past two decades or so, many politicians in high positions and those who closely associated with them have overnight amassed so much wealth that they became instant millionaires and billionaires. And, yet, the twins continue to impoverish the country through unconcionable plundering and laundering of the country resources in kind and cash.
Of late it has been reported in the blogs that during the past ten years no less than RM800 billions had been siphoned out illegally out of the country. These mammoth sum of money was obtained through corruption and blatant abuse of the country's revenue through over-priced purchases of arms, infrastructural projects, NEP and bail-out of GLCs.
Although we have in place the MACC in recent years, only 'ikan billis' had been booked and charged in the courts. The sharks have been spared. This state of affairs has certainly fueled public grouses and dissatisfaction. Added to the discriminatory socio-economic policies that tend to favour the 'Sons of the Soil' or bumiputras, the cry for justice, transparency and equality has never been more strident.
Recently the BMF reported that the CM of Sarawak has been abused his position by criminally enriching himself and inveseting in properties in various part of the four continents - Asia, United States/Canada, Europe and Australia. BMF have appealed to the various Governments of the World concerned to institute investigate the allegations and advise the banks in their respective countries to conduct enhanced dliligence on the deposited wealth of the CM of Sarawak, noted for his lavish spending and expensive life-style. How did he amass such richness basing on his annual salary income. Where and how did that unexplained wealth come about?
The unexplained wealth must be confiscated and returned to the country wherefrom the money emanated. It should be used for improving social welfare of the masses and developing local literacy and skills to compete with the global markets.
Ever since the first NEP was mooted, the non-Malays had and have been deprived of many of the social services. They could not do the courses they desired in the local universities, deprived of scholarships, discriminated in areas of employment in the civil service, the armed, police and para-military services. Many Malays who obtained educational loans for tertiary courses but failed to service the loans upon their completion of their programmes. Meanwhile, the Government attempted to create a class of entrepreneurs among the Malays through setting up GLCs headed by croniesand unqualified and inexperienced Malays.
Year after year, these companies failed to perform, they sustained huge losses but regrettably they were bailed out by the BN Government or had fresh funds injected thereinto to keep them afloat.
Trying business is not as easy as one thinks. In fact it is more trying than one can imagine. To succeed in business, the 'runners' must have the necessary motivation. The only way to derive motivation is to do business with one's capital, without which, very few businesses can really succeed. Besides, one needs not only money but also industry, necesary business experience, perserverence and a degree of frustration tolerance.
As the situation goes, many companies have been formed or incorporated but they had been utilised as money conduits; through which, million of ringgits had been channeled out 'illicitly' to tax haven countries.
Crimes such as the evil twins do not pay. Countries that are corrupt tend to attract criminals into the country which in turn create a bad name and reputation to that country. When this happens, foreign investors tend to lose confidence to invest therein.
It is timely that the Government of the day be serious about enforcing anti-money laundering policies with those of the FATF and 9 guidelines in combating money and terrorist financing.
The people at large have to be helped to get jobs and a reasonal survival. If these social conditions persist, there is a likelihood that the masses may revolt one daytunisia, to overturn the Government through peoples' power like what is happening in Egypt,
Of late it has been reported in the blogs that during the past ten years no less than RM800 billions had been siphoned out illegally out of the country. These mammoth sum of money was obtained through corruption and blatant abuse of the country's revenue through over-priced purchases of arms, infrastructural projects, NEP and bail-out of GLCs.
Although we have in place the MACC in recent years, only 'ikan billis' had been booked and charged in the courts. The sharks have been spared. This state of affairs has certainly fueled public grouses and dissatisfaction. Added to the discriminatory socio-economic policies that tend to favour the 'Sons of the Soil' or bumiputras, the cry for justice, transparency and equality has never been more strident.
Recently the BMF reported that the CM of Sarawak has been abused his position by criminally enriching himself and inveseting in properties in various part of the four continents - Asia, United States/Canada, Europe and Australia. BMF have appealed to the various Governments of the World concerned to institute investigate the allegations and advise the banks in their respective countries to conduct enhanced dliligence on the deposited wealth of the CM of Sarawak, noted for his lavish spending and expensive life-style. How did he amass such richness basing on his annual salary income. Where and how did that unexplained wealth come about?
The unexplained wealth must be confiscated and returned to the country wherefrom the money emanated. It should be used for improving social welfare of the masses and developing local literacy and skills to compete with the global markets.
Ever since the first NEP was mooted, the non-Malays had and have been deprived of many of the social services. They could not do the courses they desired in the local universities, deprived of scholarships, discriminated in areas of employment in the civil service, the armed, police and para-military services. Many Malays who obtained educational loans for tertiary courses but failed to service the loans upon their completion of their programmes. Meanwhile, the Government attempted to create a class of entrepreneurs among the Malays through setting up GLCs headed by croniesand unqualified and inexperienced Malays.
Year after year, these companies failed to perform, they sustained huge losses but regrettably they were bailed out by the BN Government or had fresh funds injected thereinto to keep them afloat.
Trying business is not as easy as one thinks. In fact it is more trying than one can imagine. To succeed in business, the 'runners' must have the necessary motivation. The only way to derive motivation is to do business with one's capital, without which, very few businesses can really succeed. Besides, one needs not only money but also industry, necesary business experience, perserverence and a degree of frustration tolerance.
As the situation goes, many companies have been formed or incorporated but they had been utilised as money conduits; through which, million of ringgits had been channeled out 'illicitly' to tax haven countries.
Crimes such as the evil twins do not pay. Countries that are corrupt tend to attract criminals into the country which in turn create a bad name and reputation to that country. When this happens, foreign investors tend to lose confidence to invest therein.
It is timely that the Government of the day be serious about enforcing anti-money laundering policies with those of the FATF and 9 guidelines in combating money and terrorist financing.
The people at large have to be helped to get jobs and a reasonal survival. If these social conditions persist, there is a likelihood that the masses may revolt one daytunisia, to overturn the Government through peoples' power like what is happening in Egypt,
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Squandering the Natural Resources
Speculations are rife that by the time PR takes over the government of the country, the oil wells will have dried up and all the reserved cash of all the GLCs will be siphoned out until the treasury is on the brink of bankruptcy.
The masses will then undergo another phase of economy called the straitened economy in which foreign investors wll have lost completely their confidence in Malaysia, prices of essential food would have sky-rocketed, mass unemployment, the Ringgit would have depreciated significantly, infrastructural development and progress ground to a halt and there might be widespread dissatisfaction and protest.
It has been reported that during the past ten years, Petronas have cotributed no less than RM290 Billion to the Prime MInister. As Petronas is not responsible to the Parliament nor any Minister, no one knows how much money is still left behind within the country or it has simply just disappeared from the counry.
During the corresponding period, close to RM800 Billion had been siphoned out by way of corruption
How one wishes that these money were ploughed back for development for the betterment of the country.
The masses will then undergo another phase of economy called the straitened economy in which foreign investors wll have lost completely their confidence in Malaysia, prices of essential food would have sky-rocketed, mass unemployment, the Ringgit would have depreciated significantly, infrastructural development and progress ground to a halt and there might be widespread dissatisfaction and protest.
It has been reported that during the past ten years, Petronas have cotributed no less than RM290 Billion to the Prime MInister. As Petronas is not responsible to the Parliament nor any Minister, no one knows how much money is still left behind within the country or it has simply just disappeared from the counry.
During the corresponding period, close to RM800 Billion had been siphoned out by way of corruption
How one wishes that these money were ploughed back for development for the betterment of the country.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Gone Are The Days of the Pendatang
According to history, the Indians and the Chinese visited and/or landed in Malaya long before Parameswara set foot on the soil of Malacca in the 1400. Parameswara was never a Malay. Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekiu were thought as one stage to be Malays; but, unfortunately they were found to be of Chinese origin.
And, I am told that this part of history of Malaya had been absolutely expunged from the history text of recent production. I am sure if Sir Winstedt were still alive today, he would have been quite surprised and disappointed at how history could have been so blatantly and unabashedly distorted by the politically-oriented and nationalistic educationists in the country.
The British Administration which governed Malaya then had to import or allow the Indians and Chinese from southern India and China to work and or settle in Malaya. The Indians were purposefully brought into the country through the Kangani system as indentured labourers. They were never ignominiously designated as pariahs, if my memory can still recall. They were brought in to open up roads, work in the estates, the railways and the coal mines. The Chinese somehow were attracted to the towns where they started small businesses such as sundry shops, laundry centres, bicycle and repair shops, schools and tuition centres. While a great number entered the construction trade, others pioneered into the tin-mining activities while many pioneered into agricultural development.
The Malays were involved in padi-planting and farming. Many of them excelled in fishing and animal husbandry. One can find thousands of them residing near coastal towns and working as fishermen. Others went into batik production, handicrafts, arts etc.
In retrospect, we can say that all the three principal races, the Malays, Chinese and Indians, play a part in shaping Malaya. No one single party can claim absolute credit for suceessfully contributing towards the development of Malaya.
Our fore-fathers had also brought and contributed greatness to Malaya. Greatness was not thrust upon Malaya by the British who were then more keen on exploiting and sending back the natural resouces from Malaya to keep the factories and economy afloat in the United Kingdom.
The first and second generations of pendatang should be aged between 60 and 90. And, it is disheartening to learn that citizenship has not been granted them desipte the years they have been domiciled in Malaya and now Malaysia. Their applications have been processed at tortoise speed. Efficiency of the civil service!
The last 30 years saw the great influx of illegals into Sabah and Sarawak from Kalimantan to fill up the thousand of vacancies in the estates and plantations. Most of them had been granted citizenship by the BN Government as an attempt to rapidly increase the population of the 'Malays' to overshadow and overwhelm the natives of East Malaysia. At this, the BN social engineering policy and process succeeded far too well. But, a great price for the Kadazans, Dusuns, Dayaks etc have to pay.
So who are more pendatang than the other? Most if not majority of the BN/UMNO leaders could trace their respective countdries of origin to neighbouring countries such as Philippines, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos,Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Middle East countries. Most of them left their respective countries to seek their livelihood in Malaya - a land of milk and honey. Yes, we were lucky to converge into this minute tip of the S..E Asian peninsula called Malaya. All the pendatangs found in one way or other their fortune here, thank the good Lord.
Majority are happy at our newly-found land and fortune. But some are now trying to be like the leaders popularised by the book, Animal Farm. They are trying to be more equal than others although all are presumed equal at the beginning. Now they are seiged by greed so much that they want the whole farm to themselves by 'driving' the pendatangs originated from certain countries through deliberate formulation and implementation of highly discrimatory social economic policies.
As irresponsible leaders, they have one other thing to teach their comrades - that is religion. They can do whatever deemed illicit but have the bloody cheek to prohibit others from doing what they do. They are likened to the proverbial scribes, pharisees and hypocrites of the ancient time.
Don't these BN/UMNOputras realise that all human beings belong to the Almighty God. In fact we are all His children. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He exhorted all of us to love one another as neighbours in as much as He loves all of us.
We are all judged by the devine law of love. Whether one is sincere, loathsome, unkind, vicious, wicked, evil and compassionate can all be measured against the four letter word, "LOVE". No matter what one does, the karmic law dictates one's futurity in the world-after which depends on what one does while in life on earth.
The Almighty God cares about internalities and not externalities or ostensities of human beings. Goodness begets goodness and evil begets eternal punishment.
And, I am told that this part of history of Malaya had been absolutely expunged from the history text of recent production. I am sure if Sir Winstedt were still alive today, he would have been quite surprised and disappointed at how history could have been so blatantly and unabashedly distorted by the politically-oriented and nationalistic educationists in the country.
The British Administration which governed Malaya then had to import or allow the Indians and Chinese from southern India and China to work and or settle in Malaya. The Indians were purposefully brought into the country through the Kangani system as indentured labourers. They were never ignominiously designated as pariahs, if my memory can still recall. They were brought in to open up roads, work in the estates, the railways and the coal mines. The Chinese somehow were attracted to the towns where they started small businesses such as sundry shops, laundry centres, bicycle and repair shops, schools and tuition centres. While a great number entered the construction trade, others pioneered into the tin-mining activities while many pioneered into agricultural development.
The Malays were involved in padi-planting and farming. Many of them excelled in fishing and animal husbandry. One can find thousands of them residing near coastal towns and working as fishermen. Others went into batik production, handicrafts, arts etc.
In retrospect, we can say that all the three principal races, the Malays, Chinese and Indians, play a part in shaping Malaya. No one single party can claim absolute credit for suceessfully contributing towards the development of Malaya.
Our fore-fathers had also brought and contributed greatness to Malaya. Greatness was not thrust upon Malaya by the British who were then more keen on exploiting and sending back the natural resouces from Malaya to keep the factories and economy afloat in the United Kingdom.
The first and second generations of pendatang should be aged between 60 and 90. And, it is disheartening to learn that citizenship has not been granted them desipte the years they have been domiciled in Malaya and now Malaysia. Their applications have been processed at tortoise speed. Efficiency of the civil service!
The last 30 years saw the great influx of illegals into Sabah and Sarawak from Kalimantan to fill up the thousand of vacancies in the estates and plantations. Most of them had been granted citizenship by the BN Government as an attempt to rapidly increase the population of the 'Malays' to overshadow and overwhelm the natives of East Malaysia. At this, the BN social engineering policy and process succeeded far too well. But, a great price for the Kadazans, Dusuns, Dayaks etc have to pay.
So who are more pendatang than the other? Most if not majority of the BN/UMNO leaders could trace their respective countdries of origin to neighbouring countries such as Philippines, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos,Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Middle East countries. Most of them left their respective countries to seek their livelihood in Malaya - a land of milk and honey. Yes, we were lucky to converge into this minute tip of the S..E Asian peninsula called Malaya. All the pendatangs found in one way or other their fortune here, thank the good Lord.
Majority are happy at our newly-found land and fortune. But some are now trying to be like the leaders popularised by the book, Animal Farm. They are trying to be more equal than others although all are presumed equal at the beginning. Now they are seiged by greed so much that they want the whole farm to themselves by 'driving' the pendatangs originated from certain countries through deliberate formulation and implementation of highly discrimatory social economic policies.
As irresponsible leaders, they have one other thing to teach their comrades - that is religion. They can do whatever deemed illicit but have the bloody cheek to prohibit others from doing what they do. They are likened to the proverbial scribes, pharisees and hypocrites of the ancient time.
Don't these BN/UMNOputras realise that all human beings belong to the Almighty God. In fact we are all His children. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He exhorted all of us to love one another as neighbours in as much as He loves all of us.
We are all judged by the devine law of love. Whether one is sincere, loathsome, unkind, vicious, wicked, evil and compassionate can all be measured against the four letter word, "LOVE". No matter what one does, the karmic law dictates one's futurity in the world-after which depends on what one does while in life on earth.
The Almighty God cares about internalities and not externalities or ostensities of human beings. Goodness begets goodness and evil begets eternal punishment.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Human Development the Wrong Way
Most Malaysians may not really realise that our BN Government have sent 11,000 students to the famous Al Azhar University to study either the Arabic Language and or Islamic Studies.
The primary objective of the Government is to produce as many uztazs or imams as possible so as to cater to the increasing muslim population. With so many thousands returning to Malaysia each year, I just wonder there will be enough mosques or religious schools to absorb them.
One salient point that I would like to mention in this blog is that can we not send our bright students to our local UIA. I am sure the standard will be just as good if not better. In so doing, our Government would have saved millions of tax payers' hard earned money.
The general public is questioning how these religious graduates are going to contribute back to the national economy since they have not acquired nor learned any useful skills that will put them in stead to fan the unknown and dark future. The manpower wastage is blatant and glaring.
What can these 11,000 students learn while in Egypt? It is not very developed or industrialised. They cannot come back with the skill to build a pyramid. Socially it is backward and I cannot imagine how educated or forward looking will our graduates from Egypt be when they graduate.
Coupled with the local graduates being churned out by the thousands each year, many if not majority of these religious graduates are likely to join the rank of the unemployed. There will be unrest, disappointment and frustration if they stay unemployed for a year or two.
The BN Government is not doing fulfilling the aspirations of the nation. We need technocrats to propel the country foward towards attainment of an industrialised economy by 2020.
The BN Government must buck up. It is not doing the country a good and effective service to our muslim brethren and sisters who will be left behind.
The recent announcement of the ETP was impressive on the surface of it. To spend RM67 Bil on infrastructural development and the 100-storeyed building to create 35,000 jobs is just crazy. How many local workers can the BN source to meet this project manpower requirement? From the rule of the thumb, more than 30,000 aliens may have to be brought in to meet the skilled manpower shortfall. The bulk of the money will flow out of the country benefit countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Southern Thailand and Philippines.
It has been estimated by some economists that to spend RM2.0 Mil to create a job is really crazy but to spend RM20.0 Mil for a job is madness of the highest order. In the end only about 10% of the projected manpower requirements will be taken up by Malaysians.
The non-Malays would like to see better, more effective and affirmative actions being taken by our BN Governmment or whichever Government that comes into power to train our muslim brethren and sisters in fields that will help the country to progress and at the same time to fortify their careers in the name of future prosperity of the nation.
While religion is important to instill appropriate social and moral values in the growing youths, we need to emphasise more on technical educations. Hence, science and mathematics will continue to have an important place in the education system.
Religious bodies should avoid coming out with ridiculous stiffling regulations or 'strangulations' to restrict and limit their conduct as if they were school children. The society is already very polarised and divided according to race, religion, politics, business and employment. We have had sufficient bigots around.
Let us not enhance and aggravate the apatheidic divide any wider.
The primary objective of the Government is to produce as many uztazs or imams as possible so as to cater to the increasing muslim population. With so many thousands returning to Malaysia each year, I just wonder there will be enough mosques or religious schools to absorb them.
One salient point that I would like to mention in this blog is that can we not send our bright students to our local UIA. I am sure the standard will be just as good if not better. In so doing, our Government would have saved millions of tax payers' hard earned money.
The general public is questioning how these religious graduates are going to contribute back to the national economy since they have not acquired nor learned any useful skills that will put them in stead to fan the unknown and dark future. The manpower wastage is blatant and glaring.
What can these 11,000 students learn while in Egypt? It is not very developed or industrialised. They cannot come back with the skill to build a pyramid. Socially it is backward and I cannot imagine how educated or forward looking will our graduates from Egypt be when they graduate.
Coupled with the local graduates being churned out by the thousands each year, many if not majority of these religious graduates are likely to join the rank of the unemployed. There will be unrest, disappointment and frustration if they stay unemployed for a year or two.
The BN Government is not doing fulfilling the aspirations of the nation. We need technocrats to propel the country foward towards attainment of an industrialised economy by 2020.
The BN Government must buck up. It is not doing the country a good and effective service to our muslim brethren and sisters who will be left behind.
The recent announcement of the ETP was impressive on the surface of it. To spend RM67 Bil on infrastructural development and the 100-storeyed building to create 35,000 jobs is just crazy. How many local workers can the BN source to meet this project manpower requirement? From the rule of the thumb, more than 30,000 aliens may have to be brought in to meet the skilled manpower shortfall. The bulk of the money will flow out of the country benefit countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Southern Thailand and Philippines.
It has been estimated by some economists that to spend RM2.0 Mil to create a job is really crazy but to spend RM20.0 Mil for a job is madness of the highest order. In the end only about 10% of the projected manpower requirements will be taken up by Malaysians.
The non-Malays would like to see better, more effective and affirmative actions being taken by our BN Governmment or whichever Government that comes into power to train our muslim brethren and sisters in fields that will help the country to progress and at the same time to fortify their careers in the name of future prosperity of the nation.
While religion is important to instill appropriate social and moral values in the growing youths, we need to emphasise more on technical educations. Hence, science and mathematics will continue to have an important place in the education system.
Religious bodies should avoid coming out with ridiculous stiffling regulations or 'strangulations' to restrict and limit their conduct as if they were school children. The society is already very polarised and divided according to race, religion, politics, business and employment. We have had sufficient bigots around.
Let us not enhance and aggravate the apatheidic divide any wider.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Dirty Politics Are Anachronistic
Former Ambassador of US to Malaysia Mr Malott criticised in the AWSJ at the beginning of last week the BN government for its highly discriminatory socio-economic and religio-racists policies that have divided the people of Malaysia into Malays and Non-Malays.
In my considered opinion, the article was mild compared to the blog of Mariam Mokhtar whose incisive and searing truth would have resurrected our Bapa Malaysia, Allahyaham Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Our politicians have in general never been schooled to accept criticisms from the public. No matter how much they deny, the realities and truth of what is prevailing in the country speak volumes. This also shows the arrogance of some of the UMNO leaders.
As responsible leaders, we do not need an outsider to tell us about our local problems. They should however be open enough to accept the good, the bad and the ugly critiques and amend or change or if necessary replace their unpopular policies if they are deemed no longer serving or remaining relevant to the people.
Condemnation of Malott by way of using unpalatable superlatives would not have any positive effect on the country’s socio-economic situation nor helping the country mitigate the religious and racialistic dilemma currently facing the confused and disunited populace today. Rebuttal or responses should be done with facts and figures.
Mariam’s reasoning should be taken serious cognisance by the leadership. They must wake up in realisation of the fact that that their dirty, divisive and anachronis-tic social engineering tactics are no longer relevant to the masses. By continuing to lead them by the garden path and to instil fears into the minds of the Malays that they would lose their land, control, socio-economic status and wealth to the non-Malays if they stop or do not support UMNO is highly irresponsible.
Malaysia have attained its independence for the past 53 years and yet the masses are not really that “enriched”.
Let it be exposed that UMNO is controlling the minds and freedom of the Malays by way of fear politics. Besides, it attempts unabashedly to restrict and stymie the freedom and rights of the Malays through religion and NEP.
By reducing the education standards in general and discouraging the masses from learning the international language, that is, the English Language, it has the long term effect on subjugating the Malays’ versatility to venture into the global playing field.
Majority of the people of Malaysia do not need the NEP clutches anymore. We just want the Government of the day to be fair and just in its administration in all respects for the people of Malaysia regardless of racial origin, political affiliation, religion and creed.
By striving to stay in power at the expense of the natural resources and the people at large through dirty politics and corrupt practices is a sheer disgrace.
MM should stop his polemics and highly confounding views about how the country should be run. He has done great damage to the country politically, socially and economically. Besides, he has done great structural damages to the education of the country. He has disgraced the royalty and brought great humiliation to the judiciary. Through and during his tenure, he has squandered the country’s fortune by the billions. Recent blog reports show that during the past decade, no less than RM800 billions had been siphoned out of the country through abuse of power, embezzlement and corrupt practices. He had dichotomised the country.
The country is rich enough in terms of natural resources and human capacities. We can help one another to build a truly Malaysian society founded on equality, justice and harmony. There is no need to continue to hoodwink the masses. The youthful educated adults can think for themselves and act accordingly as what was shown in the last GE on 8 March 2008.
Let us work together in the true spirit of 1 Malaysia.
In my considered opinion, the article was mild compared to the blog of Mariam Mokhtar whose incisive and searing truth would have resurrected our Bapa Malaysia, Allahyaham Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Our politicians have in general never been schooled to accept criticisms from the public. No matter how much they deny, the realities and truth of what is prevailing in the country speak volumes. This also shows the arrogance of some of the UMNO leaders.
As responsible leaders, we do not need an outsider to tell us about our local problems. They should however be open enough to accept the good, the bad and the ugly critiques and amend or change or if necessary replace their unpopular policies if they are deemed no longer serving or remaining relevant to the people.
Condemnation of Malott by way of using unpalatable superlatives would not have any positive effect on the country’s socio-economic situation nor helping the country mitigate the religious and racialistic dilemma currently facing the confused and disunited populace today. Rebuttal or responses should be done with facts and figures.
Mariam’s reasoning should be taken serious cognisance by the leadership. They must wake up in realisation of the fact that that their dirty, divisive and anachronis-tic social engineering tactics are no longer relevant to the masses. By continuing to lead them by the garden path and to instil fears into the minds of the Malays that they would lose their land, control, socio-economic status and wealth to the non-Malays if they stop or do not support UMNO is highly irresponsible.
Malaysia have attained its independence for the past 53 years and yet the masses are not really that “enriched”.
Let it be exposed that UMNO is controlling the minds and freedom of the Malays by way of fear politics. Besides, it attempts unabashedly to restrict and stymie the freedom and rights of the Malays through religion and NEP.
By reducing the education standards in general and discouraging the masses from learning the international language, that is, the English Language, it has the long term effect on subjugating the Malays’ versatility to venture into the global playing field.
Majority of the people of Malaysia do not need the NEP clutches anymore. We just want the Government of the day to be fair and just in its administration in all respects for the people of Malaysia regardless of racial origin, political affiliation, religion and creed.
By striving to stay in power at the expense of the natural resources and the people at large through dirty politics and corrupt practices is a sheer disgrace.
MM should stop his polemics and highly confounding views about how the country should be run. He has done great damage to the country politically, socially and economically. Besides, he has done great structural damages to the education of the country. He has disgraced the royalty and brought great humiliation to the judiciary. Through and during his tenure, he has squandered the country’s fortune by the billions. Recent blog reports show that during the past decade, no less than RM800 billions had been siphoned out of the country through abuse of power, embezzlement and corrupt practices. He had dichotomised the country.
The country is rich enough in terms of natural resources and human capacities. We can help one another to build a truly Malaysian society founded on equality, justice and harmony. There is no need to continue to hoodwink the masses. The youthful educated adults can think for themselves and act accordingly as what was shown in the last GE on 8 March 2008.
Let us work together in the true spirit of 1 Malaysia.
Valentine Day Celebration
It is most disconcerting that top leaders of the BN Government, including our DPM, were so parochial as to be so easily influenced by the recent ridiculous and unfounded utterances made by JAWI, JAIS, JAKIM including personalities like Siti Nor Bahyah Mahamood (Siti), a well-known TV Islamic motivator in connection with the subject of Valentine.
Some of the remarks made were most disgraceful and embarrassing. Last week Siti displayed her abject ignorance when she in an RTM programme linked Valentine's Day to a day when celebrants engaged in "immoral activities, partying and unmarried couples associating in private are traditions of the Christian community".
And, the absurdity was that she attributed the origin of Valentine Day to Christianity. I suggest that she went back to the research desk before humiliating herself before the informed Malaysian public and 'jatuh' her standard as a religious motivator.
The other baseles utterances were from JAWI and JAIS who claimed that the celebration of Valentine was conceived by the Christians and Jews with a view to corrupting the Muslims' morality. What utter bull-shit is this!
What these pseudo-religious leaders did and are doing are attempting to tighten the screws on their adherents' freedom, causing religious disharmony and discord in the process among the people of Malaysia and showing to the world how holier that were than others. You scribes and pharisees - guard your own goal-posts; we do not need your turpitudinous pontifications.
JAIS further caused a stir when it pointed out that 257,411 bastards were ushered into the world between 2000 and 2008 and ascribed this phenomenon to Valentine's Day celebrations as one of the causes.
The religious authority was trying to tell us that within a matter of nine Valentine Days 257,411 babies were sired illicitly? What about on other days?
I cannot understand what JAKIM, JAIS and JAWI are doing. They are coming out with ridiculous rules and regulations that infringe on the rights of human beings. In my view, I just liken them to doing against what our PM is trying to do. They cause interreligious misunderstanding, disharmony and disunity among the people of Malaysia. If they continue to do what they do, they should be pulled behind bars under the ISA.
These three agencies are rending and tearing the country apart not only religiously but also racially. Instead of promoting racial harmony and understanding, as they should, they are forcing the people to the walls.
I just shudder at the thought that one day the people of Malaysia, the people of all adherents - will show their power to down the corrupt and despotic regime like in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan and Bahrain.
Some of the remarks made were most disgraceful and embarrassing. Last week Siti displayed her abject ignorance when she in an RTM programme linked Valentine's Day to a day when celebrants engaged in "immoral activities, partying and unmarried couples associating in private are traditions of the Christian community".
And, the absurdity was that she attributed the origin of Valentine Day to Christianity. I suggest that she went back to the research desk before humiliating herself before the informed Malaysian public and 'jatuh' her standard as a religious motivator.
The other baseles utterances were from JAWI and JAIS who claimed that the celebration of Valentine was conceived by the Christians and Jews with a view to corrupting the Muslims' morality. What utter bull-shit is this!
What these pseudo-religious leaders did and are doing are attempting to tighten the screws on their adherents' freedom, causing religious disharmony and discord in the process among the people of Malaysia and showing to the world how holier that were than others. You scribes and pharisees - guard your own goal-posts; we do not need your turpitudinous pontifications.
JAIS further caused a stir when it pointed out that 257,411 bastards were ushered into the world between 2000 and 2008 and ascribed this phenomenon to Valentine's Day celebrations as one of the causes.
The religious authority was trying to tell us that within a matter of nine Valentine Days 257,411 babies were sired illicitly? What about on other days?
I cannot understand what JAKIM, JAIS and JAWI are doing. They are coming out with ridiculous rules and regulations that infringe on the rights of human beings. In my view, I just liken them to doing against what our PM is trying to do. They cause interreligious misunderstanding, disharmony and disunity among the people of Malaysia. If they continue to do what they do, they should be pulled behind bars under the ISA.
These three agencies are rending and tearing the country apart not only religiously but also racially. Instead of promoting racial harmony and understanding, as they should, they are forcing the people to the walls.
I just shudder at the thought that one day the people of Malaysia, the people of all adherents - will show their power to down the corrupt and despotic regime like in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan and Bahrain.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Ketuanan Melayu
The question that was recently raised by our former PM's daughter Marina Mahathir was whether the mass protests which are now taking place in Tunisia, Sanna and Cairo might one day take place in Malaysia given the situation prevailing in Malaysia.
As a loyal citizen of Malaysia having witnessed and survived the past 53 years since independence, I am surprised that the present leadership is trying its evil best to wrest control of the country through its various racialistic policies.
I never dream and have never dreamt that a day like now would ever take place in my country and my fellow citizens.
I am most certain that when our Papa Merdeka raised his voice and shouted, "Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka", when the clock struck 12 midnight on 31 August 1957, none of our leaders ever thought that a half a century later, the Malays would want to usurp the absolute control from the other races.
Since May 13, 1969, the social economic policies are becoming more and more racialistic and discrimatory which benefit in the main the Malays. The Chinese and the Indians have been sidelined ever since.
Most if not all the industrial sectors are already in the hands of the Malays. They are not satisfied and have also failed to realise that the NEP must cease to apply after 40 years. The primary objectives of the NEP were to eradicate poverty and to correct the enomomic imbalances among the races. Despite the fact that so much have been done for the Malays, the UMNO controlled BN failed to achieve the objectives of the NEP. How could they now blame the Non-Malays for their failure?
Now some extreme leaders are raising the questions of Malay supremacy and that Non-Malays must recognise the Malays as the natives of the country. Through the discrimatory social economic policies, the non-Malays have been deprived practically in all fields of the economy.
The worst things that ever happen before our eyes is gerrymandering - election rigging and unlawful usurpation of state's government through sheer barbaric and underhand tactics like what happened in Perak and Selangor. The purpose is due to the UMNO greed for power which has been stymied during the 12th General Election.
There is a Chinese adage which says that "If one is forced to the wall, the tiger will jump over the wall". This adage is being fulfilled in MENA. If the social economic situation persists in Malaysia whereby the educated adults are jobless, the prices of food are escalating, business opportunities are limited and the resources are being squandered to the detriment of the people, I am not surprised that one day what Marina proposed might happen in Malaysia.
What happen and are happening in MENA are not pleasant and should never take place in Malaysia which is so endowed with rich resources which are enough for everyone.
It is only hoped that our UMNO leaders learn a lesson from the situation in MENA and desist from squandering the country resources for their own aggrandisement.
As a loyal citizen of Malaysia having witnessed and survived the past 53 years since independence, I am surprised that the present leadership is trying its evil best to wrest control of the country through its various racialistic policies.
I never dream and have never dreamt that a day like now would ever take place in my country and my fellow citizens.
I am most certain that when our Papa Merdeka raised his voice and shouted, "Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka", when the clock struck 12 midnight on 31 August 1957, none of our leaders ever thought that a half a century later, the Malays would want to usurp the absolute control from the other races.
Since May 13, 1969, the social economic policies are becoming more and more racialistic and discrimatory which benefit in the main the Malays. The Chinese and the Indians have been sidelined ever since.
Most if not all the industrial sectors are already in the hands of the Malays. They are not satisfied and have also failed to realise that the NEP must cease to apply after 40 years. The primary objectives of the NEP were to eradicate poverty and to correct the enomomic imbalances among the races. Despite the fact that so much have been done for the Malays, the UMNO controlled BN failed to achieve the objectives of the NEP. How could they now blame the Non-Malays for their failure?
Now some extreme leaders are raising the questions of Malay supremacy and that Non-Malays must recognise the Malays as the natives of the country. Through the discrimatory social economic policies, the non-Malays have been deprived practically in all fields of the economy.
The worst things that ever happen before our eyes is gerrymandering - election rigging and unlawful usurpation of state's government through sheer barbaric and underhand tactics like what happened in Perak and Selangor. The purpose is due to the UMNO greed for power which has been stymied during the 12th General Election.
There is a Chinese adage which says that "If one is forced to the wall, the tiger will jump over the wall". This adage is being fulfilled in MENA. If the social economic situation persists in Malaysia whereby the educated adults are jobless, the prices of food are escalating, business opportunities are limited and the resources are being squandered to the detriment of the people, I am not surprised that one day what Marina proposed might happen in Malaysia.
What happen and are happening in MENA are not pleasant and should never take place in Malaysia which is so endowed with rich resources which are enough for everyone.
It is only hoped that our UMNO leaders learn a lesson from the situation in MENA and desist from squandering the country resources for their own aggrandisement.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Interreligious Dialogue
Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. Yet the citizens and people at large do not often engage in or fight shy of engaging in interreligious dialogue.
There are many reasons for this state of affairs. Some of which include the following:
1) Inadequate knowledge of one's religion and teaching;
2) Afraid of being influenced and converted into embracing another faith;
3) Lack of confidence in partaking in interreligious dialogue;
4) Discouragement from religious teachers.
From my own observations and experience, many people tend to forget that they are firstly human beings and secondly their religions. For examples, Christians and Christianity; Hindus and Hinduism; Buddhists and Buddism; Muslims and Islam; Jews and Judaism etc. Here we can see the difference - Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims are all human beings but they are unfortunately divided by their respective religions.
As human beings, we must remember that God made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth. He has determined their preappointed times and boundaries of their dwellings so that they might find Him one day. He is near and is in each and everyone of us since we are all His creatures.
As fellow human beings, we must recognise the love and purposes of God for humankind; in so doing, it has the effect of shaping our attitudes towards adherents of other religions and faiths.
Faiths are not mere systems. Majority of us however tend to see and assume that our faiths and religions are one and the same.
One thing we fail to realise is the important aspect of relationships that are associated with people of faiths.
In order to live in harmony, peace and harmony, we need to relate and share with one another our faiths and religious teachings so that we can appreciate that we are in the first instance children of the Almighty God.
We need to appreciate this basic fact of life. With this attitude of mind, it will help many to engage in dialoguing with one another. Interreligious diaolgue helps strengthen the faiths of our fellowmen.
There was one famous poet from Persia named Saadi who wrote:
All men are members of the same body
Created from one essence.
If fate brings suffering to one member
The others cannot stay at rest
You who remain indifferent to the burden of pain of others
Do not deserve to be called humans
Interrreligious dialogue helps strengthen our own faiths and it has the positive effect of edifying our spirituality and relationship with our fellowmen.
There are many reasons for this state of affairs. Some of which include the following:
1) Inadequate knowledge of one's religion and teaching;
2) Afraid of being influenced and converted into embracing another faith;
3) Lack of confidence in partaking in interreligious dialogue;
4) Discouragement from religious teachers.
From my own observations and experience, many people tend to forget that they are firstly human beings and secondly their religions. For examples, Christians and Christianity; Hindus and Hinduism; Buddhists and Buddism; Muslims and Islam; Jews and Judaism etc. Here we can see the difference - Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims are all human beings but they are unfortunately divided by their respective religions.
As human beings, we must remember that God made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth. He has determined their preappointed times and boundaries of their dwellings so that they might find Him one day. He is near and is in each and everyone of us since we are all His creatures.
As fellow human beings, we must recognise the love and purposes of God for humankind; in so doing, it has the effect of shaping our attitudes towards adherents of other religions and faiths.
Faiths are not mere systems. Majority of us however tend to see and assume that our faiths and religions are one and the same.
One thing we fail to realise is the important aspect of relationships that are associated with people of faiths.
In order to live in harmony, peace and harmony, we need to relate and share with one another our faiths and religious teachings so that we can appreciate that we are in the first instance children of the Almighty God.
We need to appreciate this basic fact of life. With this attitude of mind, it will help many to engage in dialoguing with one another. Interreligious diaolgue helps strengthen the faiths of our fellowmen.
There was one famous poet from Persia named Saadi who wrote:
All men are members of the same body
Created from one essence.
If fate brings suffering to one member
The others cannot stay at rest
You who remain indifferent to the burden of pain of others
Do not deserve to be called humans
Interrreligious dialogue helps strengthen our own faiths and it has the positive effect of edifying our spirituality and relationship with our fellowmen.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Lesson From Interlok
The dust has settled. The Indian leadership and the UMNO politicians had met and came to an agreement that the offensive section of the book, 'Interlok' will be edited and if necessary removed so as to mitigate the unpleasantness and ill-feeling among the people of the country.
In my opinion, I am not too sure it is the best of wisdom to change the opinions of the book's author who through his conviction at the time of writing 40 years ago might have strong belief that what he wrote actually represented the 'right and real' situation as he saw fit.
I am not too sure it is the right thing to do to seek the consent of the author to review and edit his book. By so doing, it will have a psychological impact of the morality of the author. Any amendment implies that what he wrote was morally wrong and that he had to change so as to suit the school children.
The matter is settled. But perhaps the educationists should learn a lesson from this exercise and to ensure that such a situation should not happen in the future.
If I may suggest, there should be a multi-racial committee within the education ministry comprising experts, academicians and communal leaders to go through any proposed school texts and submit their opinion and recommendations to the Education Ministry for his decision. In this way, there is less likelihood and an assurance that a situation like Interlok might not recur in the future.
A solution to the Interlok dilemma is to withdraw the book and choose a more appropriate book for usage by school children. Any book for its suitability must satisfy certain basic criteria such as: comprehensiveness, updatedness, free from ambiguities, racialistic overtures, religious biasedness and social prejudice etc.
Those in the committee must be people who should be aware their important role that whatever they recommend will have a profound effect on the minds of the young school children.
Let us ensure that we do not make a boo-boo in the near future.
In my opinion, I am not too sure it is the best of wisdom to change the opinions of the book's author who through his conviction at the time of writing 40 years ago might have strong belief that what he wrote actually represented the 'right and real' situation as he saw fit.
I am not too sure it is the right thing to do to seek the consent of the author to review and edit his book. By so doing, it will have a psychological impact of the morality of the author. Any amendment implies that what he wrote was morally wrong and that he had to change so as to suit the school children.
The matter is settled. But perhaps the educationists should learn a lesson from this exercise and to ensure that such a situation should not happen in the future.
If I may suggest, there should be a multi-racial committee within the education ministry comprising experts, academicians and communal leaders to go through any proposed school texts and submit their opinion and recommendations to the Education Ministry for his decision. In this way, there is less likelihood and an assurance that a situation like Interlok might not recur in the future.
A solution to the Interlok dilemma is to withdraw the book and choose a more appropriate book for usage by school children. Any book for its suitability must satisfy certain basic criteria such as: comprehensiveness, updatedness, free from ambiguities, racialistic overtures, religious biasedness and social prejudice etc.
Those in the committee must be people who should be aware their important role that whatever they recommend will have a profound effect on the minds of the young school children.
Let us ensure that we do not make a boo-boo in the near future.
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