I was coming back to Kuala Lumpur on a flight from Europe. There was this Caucasian whosat beside me. Seeing that I was so engrossed in the newspaper page on Malaysian Politics, he started to ask if I was from Malaysia.
I answered him in affirmative and before I could get started, he exclaimed, "What the Hell is happening to your country! I read about the Sodomy II trial, the DNA issue and now the video clip featuring purportedly the former DPM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Is the BN government so afraid of this Anwar that she is trying to get him back behind bars before the next General Election."
What can I say except to tell my companion that it was all a conspiracy. Somehow, the ruling party is quite afraid of the campaigning capability of Anwar. Just see the dent that he and the leaders of Pakatan Rakyat did to Sarawak during the State's Election on Saturday 16 April 2011? The results show their disgust they harboured against the BN Governement by voting for the Opposition. So what better way could they have shown?
My flight mate was stunned at my response which he regarded as too forthright and outright. I just could not hide my frustration and disappointment at the turpitude to which my country's leaders had degenerated by having to resort to such underhand and evil actions. And here you are, a foreigner whom I hardly know was posing that question to me!
What the hell was going on or had gone on or would be going on in the near future? What has my country turned to? Firstly, we had the Mongolian lady C-4ed, politician and detainees died while under the detention of the MACC or police, now we have this video-production done with a view to incriminate another human being. Have our UMNOputras drifted back to the dark ages of barbarity and savagery?
Malaysia by certain standards may be considered a reasonably developed country - a land of milk and honey. But the politics have gone very ugly and the craze for power must have driven the political bigots to a great degree of insanity. How can we ever become an indusstrialised economy by 2020?
A civilisation is judged not by the modern buildings and infra-structures prevailing in a country. It is judged by the civility of its citizens. A country where the people are civic-minded, honest, diligent, industrious and conscientious and objective and scientific in resolving problems
Unless we start to change our attitude and conduct, we will continue to live like over-sheltered frogs.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Unfair State's Electioon
The dust has settled after the Sarawak State Election on Sat 16 April 2011. The Opposition party - Pakatan Rakyat - a coalition of PAS, PKR and DAP - certainly created a stir by securing 45% of the popular votes.
Accordingly, PR succeeded in winning 15 constituencies while one won by an Independent. The BN won 55 State seats which represented a mere securement of 55% of the voters support - which statistics show the following:
1) Many of the seats won by the BN have less than five thousand voters - as compared to those won by the PR.
2) The voters per State constituency does not fall into any particular pattern or fomula. The boundaries were delineated to the advantage of the BN.
3) Postal votes have been reported to have been used to ensure victory for certain BN candidates.
In my opinion, I must say that the BN won by default, by deception and by foul means of the 50s - 80s. I think the PR should take the EC to task. What they did was certainly despicable. Money was being seen to be distributed out to voters in certain constituencies and this was done blatantly. In the name of justice, was not EC empowered to disqualify the condidacy of the incumbent?
Racial and religious politics do not work anymore. The BN government antagonised the Christians by suspending their bibles importation, imposed absurb regulations by defacing and descerating the bibles. Of course, what the BN did was most short-sighted and they seemed to have a very short memory - each ministry does not seem to know what the other is doing. How could you try to split Malaysia by having 2 Language policies for one country. What an administrative f/u!
I think the results in BN have spoken volumes what is to come in the coming GE. The results merely show that if they continue with the divisive and highly discriminatory politics, they are going to lose more votes. The people have matured and they want a change - a change as fast as that demand we saw in the middle east countries.
If UMNO/BN is to survive the next round of GE, it has to change within and get rid of those empty vessels who have mere cow dung in their heads. They merely care for their pockets to the negligence of the poor and needy outside.
At the rate the UMNO/BN scum-dogs are performing, the country will go bankrupt in no time. I still wonder by the time this generation comes to retirement age, the EPF will not have sufficient money to pay them off. They are using public funds indiscriminately - buying properties overseas whose annual returns are unattractive, investing in losing concerns, and squandering the Petrol Ringgits in unnecessary infrastructure projects etc. This wanton and haphazard spending has caused general deprivation - deserving non-bumis not getting scholarships/loans, bailing out illing GLCs in the name of NEP, inflated projects etc.
Over the past 30 years or so, most if not all the industrial and public sectors including the civil service have been "UMNO-nised" so much so that only its cronies, their children, families and associates benefit from the NEP. They only know how to take and plunder the national resources but they fight shy of sharing the crumbs with the marginalised and the needy of the country. They must be in-humans!
So my friends, come next round, vote wisely.
Accordingly, PR succeeded in winning 15 constituencies while one won by an Independent. The BN won 55 State seats which represented a mere securement of 55% of the voters support - which statistics show the following:
1) Many of the seats won by the BN have less than five thousand voters - as compared to those won by the PR.
2) The voters per State constituency does not fall into any particular pattern or fomula. The boundaries were delineated to the advantage of the BN.
3) Postal votes have been reported to have been used to ensure victory for certain BN candidates.
In my opinion, I must say that the BN won by default, by deception and by foul means of the 50s - 80s. I think the PR should take the EC to task. What they did was certainly despicable. Money was being seen to be distributed out to voters in certain constituencies and this was done blatantly. In the name of justice, was not EC empowered to disqualify the condidacy of the incumbent?
Racial and religious politics do not work anymore. The BN government antagonised the Christians by suspending their bibles importation, imposed absurb regulations by defacing and descerating the bibles. Of course, what the BN did was most short-sighted and they seemed to have a very short memory - each ministry does not seem to know what the other is doing. How could you try to split Malaysia by having 2 Language policies for one country. What an administrative f/u!
I think the results in BN have spoken volumes what is to come in the coming GE. The results merely show that if they continue with the divisive and highly discriminatory politics, they are going to lose more votes. The people have matured and they want a change - a change as fast as that demand we saw in the middle east countries.
If UMNO/BN is to survive the next round of GE, it has to change within and get rid of those empty vessels who have mere cow dung in their heads. They merely care for their pockets to the negligence of the poor and needy outside.
At the rate the UMNO/BN scum-dogs are performing, the country will go bankrupt in no time. I still wonder by the time this generation comes to retirement age, the EPF will not have sufficient money to pay them off. They are using public funds indiscriminately - buying properties overseas whose annual returns are unattractive, investing in losing concerns, and squandering the Petrol Ringgits in unnecessary infrastructure projects etc. This wanton and haphazard spending has caused general deprivation - deserving non-bumis not getting scholarships/loans, bailing out illing GLCs in the name of NEP, inflated projects etc.
Over the past 30 years or so, most if not all the industrial and public sectors including the civil service have been "UMNO-nised" so much so that only its cronies, their children, families and associates benefit from the NEP. They only know how to take and plunder the national resources but they fight shy of sharing the crumbs with the marginalised and the needy of the country. They must be in-humans!
So my friends, come next round, vote wisely.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Flawed 10-Point Solution
I refer to the article under the caption “Solutions to address Bible Issue” appearing on Page N8 of your Sunday Star of 3 April 2011.
The ten-point solution announced by The Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, would be well-received and welcomed by adherents of all religions in the country if not for Point No. 5.
As a staunched Christian, Point 5 should be taken out from the solution. It tends to contradict and vitiate, in my humble view, the true spirit of 1 Malaysia Policy. Besides, it was an expedient attempt to provide a short term solution to the current impasse; but, unfortunately in the course of seeking a solution , it inadvertently created an insidiously divisive double standard policy of religious practice among Christian Malaysians in East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.
It is timely and opportune that we standardise the BM Bible publication and circulation policy for all states in the country and avoid creating further the geographical divide in a sincere effort by all concerned to create a better, united and harmonious Malaysia.
The Minister had admirably cited Matthew 18:21-22 in connection with the season of Lent exhorting Christians and people at large on the need for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness. While appreciating the Minister’s effort, any future workable or sustainable religio-policy, should be free from any impediment, prohibition and restriction . In this regard, I would go so far as to suggest that we and all when proposing or intending to propose any religio- policy should be guided by Matthew 22:21 which states “Render back to Caesar what that belongs to Caesar and to God what that belongs to God”.
The BM Bible issue in my view is a non-issue if only those in authority really under stand fully the purport and import of Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Government leaders and civil servants in various ministries and Islamic organizations should be encouraged to freely participate and engage in interreligious dialogue with leaders of other religions in the country so that they might better understand their respective teachings and practices; and, so that they could conceive and formulate sounder policies on religions that are fair, just and congruent to the tenets of Rukunegara and prevailing laws of the land.
The Christian community and others were dismayed and disappointed at the unwarranted hasty impoundment of the 35,000 copies of the BM Alkitab two years ago and the subsequent unilateral imposition of the release conditions and desecration of the said bibles.
This had antagonized the Christian community, who felt that they had been denied or seemingly denied of their freedom and right to religious freedom. The resultant tension, frustration and disharmony so caused was rather if not most unfortunate.
The Government should not be worried about people reading any holy books because all of them have the common message of teaching or encouraging to teach the readers to become better individuals– more understanding, loving, charitable, helpful, merciful, kind, patient, reasonable and thoughtful. For sure, they do not teach nor encourage anyone to be belligerent, kill, cheat, be sinful or immoral or harbouring any evil intent to hurt or injure another human being.
From my personal experience, I have read and will continue to read available holy books of any religion whether the Holy Bible, the Koran, Bagavad Gita, books and literature on or relating to Taoism, Sikhism, the Bahai faith etc. My faith is or has never been shaken. In fact, by exposing myself to the knowledge of other religions, my faith and spirituality have over the years been greatly edified and strengthened. By knowing more about my neighbours’ religions , I have become more aware of how little I know of my own religion. This in a great way provides me the impetus to read, learn more about and fortify my own faith.
I do not see nor understand the rationale or the necessity of having the cross and the cautionary phrase “Christian Publication” etched on the covers of the BM Alkitab printed or imported for West Malaysians.
Anyone who opens a holy book will automatically realise that it belongs to or is meant for either Christians, or Muslims, or Hindus, or Sikhs, or Bahais , or Taoists etc.
My point is: why have them etched on the cover of BM Bibles for particular circulation in West Malaysia and exempt this ruling from application to the BM Alkitab for Sarawak and Sabah. All religious adherents should read or be encouraged to read their respective or other holy books written in or translated into the language in which they are proficient or that they can best understand. Would this ruling not be contrary to the Bahasa Malaysia policy of the country?
In a similar vein, if one were to proffer me a Koran written in the Arabic language, I would not be able to read it. But, I will read the English translated version (By Abdullah Yusuf Ali) to find out about the Islamic teachings and exhortations by Prophet Mohamad (PBUH) governing among other things the relationship between the Christians and Muslims pursuant to Surah 29:46 which reads and I quote:
“And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better than mere disputations, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury: but say, “We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is one; and it is to Him we bow”.
By understanding teachings of other religions and/or faiths, I have learned to be more respectful, understanding and better fellowship with adherents of all faiths.
As exhorted, in this season of Lent, let us remove Point 5, bury the hatchet, forgive what had happened in the recent past regarding the impoundment and desecration issue.
Let us work together with magnanimity and in greater harmony for a better Malaysia tomorrow. To which, my congregation and I shall pray.
Dr William Lau
The ten-point solution announced by The Honorable Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, would be well-received and welcomed by adherents of all religions in the country if not for Point No. 5.
As a staunched Christian, Point 5 should be taken out from the solution. It tends to contradict and vitiate, in my humble view, the true spirit of 1 Malaysia Policy. Besides, it was an expedient attempt to provide a short term solution to the current impasse; but, unfortunately in the course of seeking a solution , it inadvertently created an insidiously divisive double standard policy of religious practice among Christian Malaysians in East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia.
It is timely and opportune that we standardise the BM Bible publication and circulation policy for all states in the country and avoid creating further the geographical divide in a sincere effort by all concerned to create a better, united and harmonious Malaysia.
The Minister had admirably cited Matthew 18:21-22 in connection with the season of Lent exhorting Christians and people at large on the need for sacrifice, reconciliation and forgiveness. While appreciating the Minister’s effort, any future workable or sustainable religio-policy, should be free from any impediment, prohibition and restriction . In this regard, I would go so far as to suggest that we and all when proposing or intending to propose any religio- policy should be guided by Matthew 22:21 which states “Render back to Caesar what that belongs to Caesar and to God what that belongs to God”.
The BM Bible issue in my view is a non-issue if only those in authority really under stand fully the purport and import of Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Government leaders and civil servants in various ministries and Islamic organizations should be encouraged to freely participate and engage in interreligious dialogue with leaders of other religions in the country so that they might better understand their respective teachings and practices; and, so that they could conceive and formulate sounder policies on religions that are fair, just and congruent to the tenets of Rukunegara and prevailing laws of the land.
The Christian community and others were dismayed and disappointed at the unwarranted hasty impoundment of the 35,000 copies of the BM Alkitab two years ago and the subsequent unilateral imposition of the release conditions and desecration of the said bibles.
This had antagonized the Christian community, who felt that they had been denied or seemingly denied of their freedom and right to religious freedom. The resultant tension, frustration and disharmony so caused was rather if not most unfortunate.
The Government should not be worried about people reading any holy books because all of them have the common message of teaching or encouraging to teach the readers to become better individuals– more understanding, loving, charitable, helpful, merciful, kind, patient, reasonable and thoughtful. For sure, they do not teach nor encourage anyone to be belligerent, kill, cheat, be sinful or immoral or harbouring any evil intent to hurt or injure another human being.
From my personal experience, I have read and will continue to read available holy books of any religion whether the Holy Bible, the Koran, Bagavad Gita, books and literature on or relating to Taoism, Sikhism, the Bahai faith etc. My faith is or has never been shaken. In fact, by exposing myself to the knowledge of other religions, my faith and spirituality have over the years been greatly edified and strengthened. By knowing more about my neighbours’ religions , I have become more aware of how little I know of my own religion. This in a great way provides me the impetus to read, learn more about and fortify my own faith.
I do not see nor understand the rationale or the necessity of having the cross and the cautionary phrase “Christian Publication” etched on the covers of the BM Alkitab printed or imported for West Malaysians.
Anyone who opens a holy book will automatically realise that it belongs to or is meant for either Christians, or Muslims, or Hindus, or Sikhs, or Bahais , or Taoists etc.
My point is: why have them etched on the cover of BM Bibles for particular circulation in West Malaysia and exempt this ruling from application to the BM Alkitab for Sarawak and Sabah. All religious adherents should read or be encouraged to read their respective or other holy books written in or translated into the language in which they are proficient or that they can best understand. Would this ruling not be contrary to the Bahasa Malaysia policy of the country?
In a similar vein, if one were to proffer me a Koran written in the Arabic language, I would not be able to read it. But, I will read the English translated version (By Abdullah Yusuf Ali) to find out about the Islamic teachings and exhortations by Prophet Mohamad (PBUH) governing among other things the relationship between the Christians and Muslims pursuant to Surah 29:46 which reads and I quote:
“And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better than mere disputations, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury: but say, “We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is one; and it is to Him we bow”.
By understanding teachings of other religions and/or faiths, I have learned to be more respectful, understanding and better fellowship with adherents of all faiths.
As exhorted, in this season of Lent, let us remove Point 5, bury the hatchet, forgive what had happened in the recent past regarding the impoundment and desecration issue.
Let us work together with magnanimity and in greater harmony for a better Malaysia tomorrow. To which, my congregation and I shall pray.
Dr William Lau
Saturday, April 2, 2011
JAKIM's Wings Ought to Be Clipped
All religions of the world teach and encourage their adherents to seek the truths which have the tendency to set them free.
Free in the sense that they have found and established a personal relationship with the Almighty God, Allah or the Nirvana. The Christianity opines that the Almight God is a personal God and He resides in the heart of men whose bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Islam interpretes Allah as the Almighty God who is so transcendent that He is inapproahable by His creatures on earth. Buddhism views that Nirvana is a state of peace, tranquillity and bliss that represents the ultimate goal that humans on earth strive to attain through meditation, fasting and self-abnegation of the worldly life.
Freedom in the ordinary parlance means that a human being is given or endowed with the gift of freedom; that is, he has inherent rights to free speech, expression and choice of his religion and creed and that he is free to ownership of land and property.
For any earthly organisation styling itself to be the supervisior of human behaviour and conduct is blasphemous. On what basis does it derive its power and authority to enchroach on the freedom of any human being particularly his attire, food and beverage and his social activities.
Such constraints would definitely be contrary to the fundamental human rights guaranteed to men by the UN Human Rights Charter.
Look at what JAKIM have done in recent years detaining foreign couple on holiday for questioning whether they were married or not; promulgating edicts that restrict the right of women in their dresses, whether dances, food and beverages were halal or haram or whether human conduct was moral or immoral according to individual perceptions of States' muftis.
The turmoil and protests in middle east and northern Africa if one cares to do research into the causes would come to a common conclusion that they were caused by tyrannical leaders who oppressed, suppressed and impoverised the masses for afar too long. Besides, the leaders were known to be corrupt, want of integrity and lacking concern for the welfare of the people at large.
Majority of those against their regimes were dissatisfied in one way or another. The common denominator could be attraibuted to suppression of their human rights and oppression of the people.
In Malaysia, many of the features could be found. If not checked, Malaysia would explode one day into national conflagation due to curtailment of human freedom and their rights for a decent living and survival.
The trium-evil-ate who did the video shooting of a high ranking politician involving in having liaision with a foreigh prostitute ought to be charged for intentionally attempting to desstroy the right of a fellow human being to participate in politics and right to choose a carreer and occupation. This trio shjould never be let free. They are just evil elements who do not deserve to be let loose in the society.
Now one of the demons had recently threatened to shut people up with legal suits for linking him to the alleged statutory rape when he could involve in insiduous activity like framing the shooting the video production with the demonic intent to kill his fellowman.
I feel sorry of the rakyat. We must now speak up and express our opinions to the highest degree and let the whole world know about the dastard engagement to injure an innocent person.
I would like to see what the authority is going to do with the evil trio. The ultimate will show whether the UMNO/BN is just or seen to be just in the administration of justice.
Free in the sense that they have found and established a personal relationship with the Almighty God, Allah or the Nirvana. The Christianity opines that the Almight God is a personal God and He resides in the heart of men whose bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Islam interpretes Allah as the Almighty God who is so transcendent that He is inapproahable by His creatures on earth. Buddhism views that Nirvana is a state of peace, tranquillity and bliss that represents the ultimate goal that humans on earth strive to attain through meditation, fasting and self-abnegation of the worldly life.
Freedom in the ordinary parlance means that a human being is given or endowed with the gift of freedom; that is, he has inherent rights to free speech, expression and choice of his religion and creed and that he is free to ownership of land and property.
For any earthly organisation styling itself to be the supervisior of human behaviour and conduct is blasphemous. On what basis does it derive its power and authority to enchroach on the freedom of any human being particularly his attire, food and beverage and his social activities.
Such constraints would definitely be contrary to the fundamental human rights guaranteed to men by the UN Human Rights Charter.
Look at what JAKIM have done in recent years detaining foreign couple on holiday for questioning whether they were married or not; promulgating edicts that restrict the right of women in their dresses, whether dances, food and beverages were halal or haram or whether human conduct was moral or immoral according to individual perceptions of States' muftis.
The turmoil and protests in middle east and northern Africa if one cares to do research into the causes would come to a common conclusion that they were caused by tyrannical leaders who oppressed, suppressed and impoverised the masses for afar too long. Besides, the leaders were known to be corrupt, want of integrity and lacking concern for the welfare of the people at large.
Majority of those against their regimes were dissatisfied in one way or another. The common denominator could be attraibuted to suppression of their human rights and oppression of the people.
In Malaysia, many of the features could be found. If not checked, Malaysia would explode one day into national conflagation due to curtailment of human freedom and their rights for a decent living and survival.
The trium-evil-ate who did the video shooting of a high ranking politician involving in having liaision with a foreigh prostitute ought to be charged for intentionally attempting to desstroy the right of a fellow human being to participate in politics and right to choose a carreer and occupation. This trio shjould never be let free. They are just evil elements who do not deserve to be let loose in the society.
Now one of the demons had recently threatened to shut people up with legal suits for linking him to the alleged statutory rape when he could involve in insiduous activity like framing the shooting the video production with the demonic intent to kill his fellowman.
I feel sorry of the rakyat. We must now speak up and express our opinions to the highest degree and let the whole world know about the dastard engagement to injure an innocent person.
I would like to see what the authority is going to do with the evil trio. The ultimate will show whether the UMNO/BN is just or seen to be just in the administration of justice.
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