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.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Bankruptiing the Nation
I was having a cup of coffee one evening at the Megamall Starbuck. That place is always packed with yuppies who would discuss anything and everything under the sun.
Seated next table to me was a group of four deeply engaged in serious discussion on when Malaysia was going to be bankrupted at the rate the UMNO/BN putras were squandering the national resources.
What alerted my attention was when one of them posited whether one day Malaysia would end up like what was happening in MIddle-East and North Africa (MENA).
According to his views, there was a possibility if the UMNO/BN imbeciles did not change their attitudes, policies and ways of governing the country. The coalition comprised after ll a host of venomous vipers, crocodiles and asses. Nothing good was going to come out from them. Day in and day out, they delved on unproductive work like picking on quarrels, fomenting inter-racial and inter-religious disharmony and conceiving how to make money for themselves.
Look what happened recently - EPF invested the Malaysian workers' hard earned savings of more than 400 million pounds to purchase a building in London. The public hardly knew about this. What use and to what extent can this concrete mass benefit the rakyat of Malaysia? Who will ever see or use the building? Would ths acquisition help enrich the contributors? I think the MACC should look into this dubious transaction.
Now, the scums expressed intent to spend another RM700 million on purchase of the lastest arms. Do we need these arms? Why not spend it on education and awarding scholarships to all Malaysians to pursue their higher education?
"I felt extremely uncomfortable over the richest GLC -, that is, Petronas where only the PM has had access to its vault and expenditure. The crude that is being extracted belongs to the country and the people and therefore, no one commoner can claim exclusive proprietary right over the natural resources of the country."
In silence, I could not agree more. The veil must be removed and there must be absolute transparency and accountability of the PM in using the Petronas money. The PDA must be revoked so that the rakyat can benefit from the operating profits of Petronas. The only way is to vote the UMNO/BN out in the coming GE.
Seated next table to me was a group of four deeply engaged in serious discussion on when Malaysia was going to be bankrupted at the rate the UMNO/BN putras were squandering the national resources.
What alerted my attention was when one of them posited whether one day Malaysia would end up like what was happening in MIddle-East and North Africa (MENA).
According to his views, there was a possibility if the UMNO/BN imbeciles did not change their attitudes, policies and ways of governing the country. The coalition comprised after ll a host of venomous vipers, crocodiles and asses. Nothing good was going to come out from them. Day in and day out, they delved on unproductive work like picking on quarrels, fomenting inter-racial and inter-religious disharmony and conceiving how to make money for themselves.
Look what happened recently - EPF invested the Malaysian workers' hard earned savings of more than 400 million pounds to purchase a building in London. The public hardly knew about this. What use and to what extent can this concrete mass benefit the rakyat of Malaysia? Who will ever see or use the building? Would ths acquisition help enrich the contributors? I think the MACC should look into this dubious transaction.
Now, the scums expressed intent to spend another RM700 million on purchase of the lastest arms. Do we need these arms? Why not spend it on education and awarding scholarships to all Malaysians to pursue their higher education?
"I felt extremely uncomfortable over the richest GLC -, that is, Petronas where only the PM has had access to its vault and expenditure. The crude that is being extracted belongs to the country and the people and therefore, no one commoner can claim exclusive proprietary right over the natural resources of the country."
In silence, I could not agree more. The veil must be removed and there must be absolute transparency and accountability of the PM in using the Petronas money. The PDA must be revoked so that the rakyat can benefit from the operating profits of Petronas. The only way is to vote the UMNO/BN out in the coming GE.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Kuching SMF Rally for Religious Freedom
It is just befitting that CFM finally decided to refuse acceptance of the 35000 copies of the desecrated Al Kitab that were detained by the Home Ministry two years ago. What CFM did is both honorable and the rightful thing to do - to send a signal to the power-that-be and to knock some sense into the Home Minister in particular that what he did was unconstitutional, sacrilegious and disrespectful. He has failed to realise that Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country.
Despite the High court had decided that it was unlawful to detain the imported BM Bibles, the Home Minister persisted in being ridiculously defiant in not complying with the Court's verdict to release the detained BM bibles unconditionally. Through pressures from the Sarawakian publicians and the rakyat at large particularly the Christians there, Hissam decided to release the holy books but with conditions that the detained holy books had to be stamped with the phrase, "For Christianity" with the official stamp of the Home Ministry and the endorsement "Dengan Perintah, Menteri Dalam Menteri, 16 March 2011..
The lame excuse for the deliberate delay in releasing the BM Bibles was attributed to the pending appeal against the "Allah" High Court judgement. The appeal case should not have been initiated by the Home Ministry which should have moved on and allowed the various religions to continue to use the word Allah. If this is not religious persecution, what is?
The SFM rally held two nights ago in Kuching showed to the power-that-be the great frustsration, grievance and dissatifaction of the Christians in the amateurish handing of the BM Bibles case by the Home Ministry and therefore the UMNO/BN Government.
The ludicrous decision of the Home MInistry was also an indirect attempt of telling the people of Sarawak when coming to practising their religions and reading their Bible, they should not use the Bahasa Malaysia. What a conflict of language policy we have for the country! Double standard?
The UMNOputras do not want the Sarawakians and Sabahans to read and know more about their religious teaching contained in their holy bibles. By reading them in BM, that is tantamount to being prejudicial to the security of the country! What bloody bull-shit are the UMNOputras uttering!
As Christians, we are always encouraged to read the Bibles in the language in which we are proficient. The people in Sarawak, Sabah and even to a great measure in Peninsular Malaysia are adept in the BM and they should be encouraged to read their Bibles in BM. If this cannot be done, then we have another latent ridiculous policy; that is, linguistic persecution of the people from reading or using the national language.
Muslims regardless of their national origins should similarly be encouraged to read the Al Koran written in the language in which they can read and understand and not to read one that they cannot understand.
I am told and learn that the Al Koran exists in the Arabic Language. Translations are not allowed and muslims are forbidden to read them. From my observations there are millions of Chinese in PRC who have embraced the Islamic religion and Al Koran have been translated into Chinese. The muslims in PRC read and understand quite well as to the contents in the Al Koran because they are proficient in the Chinese Language. Besides, they also learn Arabics so that they can recite the various Koranic verses.
We must be sensible in the pursuit of our faith and religion. Dogmatism, irrationality and hippocracy tend to kill the spirituality of one's faith. The Almighty God has given us His wisdom, intelligence and talents to know and serve Him. Hence, His Revelations have been translated and disseminated worldwide so that His subjects can understand who He is, His teachings and requirements for salvation and entry to His Kingdom.
From my two decades involvement in iterreligious dialogue activities, I notice that many of my muslims brethren and sisters recite their Al Koran very well but they confide in me that they really do not know what they recite because they do not profiicent in Arablics. That being the case, I gather many muslims in the country and other countries do not really know the Al Koranic teaching and the God's commands. Could this be one of the reasons why there there is so much of turbulence in Islamic countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Yumen, Bahrain, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan where there is so much of unlove, hatred and animosity; where suppression and oppression of human rights are so prominently prevalent; and, where tyrants and despots rule their respective countries with iron fists. Besides, the leaders are corrupt and avaricious and have amassed so much of wealth during their reigns.
I just hope that Malaysia does not degenerate into any of the above-named countries where the people are so impoverished, marginalised and destined to the ghettos of modernity. The masses are unemployed, socially displaced and ecnomically discriminated. Besides, the education they receive or have received do not seem to meet the employment requirements or training needs of the private sector. Most of them accordingly are unemployable - this is a serious social time bomb.
UMNO would wish to perpetuate its rule by suppressing the masses, and making them dependent on them so much that without them, they will suffer or lose their status. privilege and opportunity to wealth acquisition and survival. This consciousness has been fostered and set a very dangerous culture of enriching oneself without having to work hard for it through embarking on the despicable path of corruption, perdition and avarice.
UMNO/BN must go and give way to the professionals to run the country for a change if not a transformation towards meritocracy, transparency and accountability.
The 13th GE is around the corner. It is going to be lucky for some and unlucky for others. But the tilting to our desired futurity depends on how you vote. If you so decide for transformation, then vote wisely for justice, professionalism and progress in the coming GE.
Let the Sarawkian brethren and sisters show to the UMNO/BN cronies and imbeciles that you can make a difference of not being labelled as a "fixed deposit" for BN. May you deposit them into the limbo on this coming State Election on 16 April 2011.
Despite the High court had decided that it was unlawful to detain the imported BM Bibles, the Home Minister persisted in being ridiculously defiant in not complying with the Court's verdict to release the detained BM bibles unconditionally. Through pressures from the Sarawakian publicians and the rakyat at large particularly the Christians there, Hissam decided to release the holy books but with conditions that the detained holy books had to be stamped with the phrase, "For Christianity" with the official stamp of the Home Ministry and the endorsement "Dengan Perintah, Menteri Dalam Menteri, 16 March 2011..
The lame excuse for the deliberate delay in releasing the BM Bibles was attributed to the pending appeal against the "Allah" High Court judgement. The appeal case should not have been initiated by the Home Ministry which should have moved on and allowed the various religions to continue to use the word Allah. If this is not religious persecution, what is?
The SFM rally held two nights ago in Kuching showed to the power-that-be the great frustsration, grievance and dissatifaction of the Christians in the amateurish handing of the BM Bibles case by the Home Ministry and therefore the UMNO/BN Government.
The ludicrous decision of the Home MInistry was also an indirect attempt of telling the people of Sarawak when coming to practising their religions and reading their Bible, they should not use the Bahasa Malaysia. What a conflict of language policy we have for the country! Double standard?
The UMNOputras do not want the Sarawakians and Sabahans to read and know more about their religious teaching contained in their holy bibles. By reading them in BM, that is tantamount to being prejudicial to the security of the country! What bloody bull-shit are the UMNOputras uttering!
As Christians, we are always encouraged to read the Bibles in the language in which we are proficient. The people in Sarawak, Sabah and even to a great measure in Peninsular Malaysia are adept in the BM and they should be encouraged to read their Bibles in BM. If this cannot be done, then we have another latent ridiculous policy; that is, linguistic persecution of the people from reading or using the national language.
Muslims regardless of their national origins should similarly be encouraged to read the Al Koran written in the language in which they can read and understand and not to read one that they cannot understand.
I am told and learn that the Al Koran exists in the Arabic Language. Translations are not allowed and muslims are forbidden to read them. From my observations there are millions of Chinese in PRC who have embraced the Islamic religion and Al Koran have been translated into Chinese. The muslims in PRC read and understand quite well as to the contents in the Al Koran because they are proficient in the Chinese Language. Besides, they also learn Arabics so that they can recite the various Koranic verses.
We must be sensible in the pursuit of our faith and religion. Dogmatism, irrationality and hippocracy tend to kill the spirituality of one's faith. The Almighty God has given us His wisdom, intelligence and talents to know and serve Him. Hence, His Revelations have been translated and disseminated worldwide so that His subjects can understand who He is, His teachings and requirements for salvation and entry to His Kingdom.
From my two decades involvement in iterreligious dialogue activities, I notice that many of my muslims brethren and sisters recite their Al Koran very well but they confide in me that they really do not know what they recite because they do not profiicent in Arablics. That being the case, I gather many muslims in the country and other countries do not really know the Al Koranic teaching and the God's commands. Could this be one of the reasons why there there is so much of turbulence in Islamic countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Yumen, Bahrain, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan where there is so much of unlove, hatred and animosity; where suppression and oppression of human rights are so prominently prevalent; and, where tyrants and despots rule their respective countries with iron fists. Besides, the leaders are corrupt and avaricious and have amassed so much of wealth during their reigns.
I just hope that Malaysia does not degenerate into any of the above-named countries where the people are so impoverished, marginalised and destined to the ghettos of modernity. The masses are unemployed, socially displaced and ecnomically discriminated. Besides, the education they receive or have received do not seem to meet the employment requirements or training needs of the private sector. Most of them accordingly are unemployable - this is a serious social time bomb.
UMNO would wish to perpetuate its rule by suppressing the masses, and making them dependent on them so much that without them, they will suffer or lose their status. privilege and opportunity to wealth acquisition and survival. This consciousness has been fostered and set a very dangerous culture of enriching oneself without having to work hard for it through embarking on the despicable path of corruption, perdition and avarice.
UMNO/BN must go and give way to the professionals to run the country for a change if not a transformation towards meritocracy, transparency and accountability.
The 13th GE is around the corner. It is going to be lucky for some and unlucky for others. But the tilting to our desired futurity depends on how you vote. If you so decide for transformation, then vote wisely for justice, professionalism and progress in the coming GE.
Let the Sarawkian brethren and sisters show to the UMNO/BN cronies and imbeciles that you can make a difference of not being labelled as a "fixed deposit" for BN. May you deposit them into the limbo on this coming State Election on 16 April 2011.
Abide by the Golden Rule
The whole conspiracy stinks. This merely reveals and shows the hollowness and bankruptcy of the UMNO/BN leadership for all these years. For power sake, I am of the belief just now that they would go all out at whatever cost to bring down DSAI politically.
The first time before 2008, Mahathir succeeded in putting DSAI away for quite a few years in prison. He suffered the black eye. The IGP ignominiously resigned from the top post from the RMP and eventually his conscience must have pricked him so much that he had to seek forgiveness from his wife. Meanwhile, the trumped up first sodomy charge was dropped for want of substantive evidence.
DSAI patiently served his term out and was released earlier for good behaviour while in prison. He came out, reorganised and fortified PKR's strength and caused the 2008 electoral tsunami which left the BN devastated by losing the 2/3 majority.
DSAI is indeed a force to be reckoned with and he poses a great threat to the future survival of the unholy and lop-sided alliance of the BN Government. Hence, the latter, particularly, UMNO wants to rid him from local politics at all costs by charging him the second time on the sodomy charge. And now the despicable video clippings trying to implicate DSAI in having illicit sex with a foreign prostitute at the prestigious Carcosa Hotel, patronised by the three Datuk T. What a shame! The nation is sick and tired of all these evil doings that are perpetrated to harm or injure another person from doing an honest and just service to the nation.
The Najib-Muyiddin partnership is no longer secure, if I may surmise. The foundation of the UMNO/ BN Government is feeling the tremour underneath. They are feeling shaky and uneasy at the prediction of the tsunamic outcome of the Sarawak State's election. The PM and his deputy would want to see CM Taib step down in advance of the electoral annihilation.
The detention of the 35,000 copies of the imported Alkitab was unconstitutional. The defacing and desecrating endorsements of the said Holy Bibles for the locals did not make any sense to the declared "Rule of Law" philosophy pursuant to the Rukun Negara.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala, a confessed Christian, thought that what he did represented a great favour to the people of Sarawak. By stamping the phrase "For Christianity", which he compromised with the Home Minister, Idris revealed that his Christian teaching and Biblical knowledge left much to be desired.
Jesus Christ, our Saviour, before he was crucified, commanded his disciples and followers to disseminate His teaching and God's Word, to the four corners of the earth.
What and where did he derive his authority to defy the command of his Lord. Does he want to play god?
Under no circumstances shall God's Word and His teaching contained in Al Kitab or the Holy Bible be tempered with. Nothing shall be added to it or removed therefrom to create doubts and controversies to the readers and users of His Word.
Christians worldwide are not happy with the action of the UMNO/BN Government. A true and worthy disciple of any faith cannot serve two masters. Please do not mix politics with religion. Render to Caesar what that belongs to Caesar and to God what that belongs to God.
In the same token, muslims will never be happy if the similar phrase "For Muslims Only" is stamped on every Al Koran brought into the country.
Let our actions be guided by the time-tested golden rule, "Do not do unto others as you would not want others to do unto you".
The first time before 2008, Mahathir succeeded in putting DSAI away for quite a few years in prison. He suffered the black eye. The IGP ignominiously resigned from the top post from the RMP and eventually his conscience must have pricked him so much that he had to seek forgiveness from his wife. Meanwhile, the trumped up first sodomy charge was dropped for want of substantive evidence.
DSAI patiently served his term out and was released earlier for good behaviour while in prison. He came out, reorganised and fortified PKR's strength and caused the 2008 electoral tsunami which left the BN devastated by losing the 2/3 majority.
DSAI is indeed a force to be reckoned with and he poses a great threat to the future survival of the unholy and lop-sided alliance of the BN Government. Hence, the latter, particularly, UMNO wants to rid him from local politics at all costs by charging him the second time on the sodomy charge. And now the despicable video clippings trying to implicate DSAI in having illicit sex with a foreign prostitute at the prestigious Carcosa Hotel, patronised by the three Datuk T. What a shame! The nation is sick and tired of all these evil doings that are perpetrated to harm or injure another person from doing an honest and just service to the nation.
The Najib-Muyiddin partnership is no longer secure, if I may surmise. The foundation of the UMNO/ BN Government is feeling the tremour underneath. They are feeling shaky and uneasy at the prediction of the tsunamic outcome of the Sarawak State's election. The PM and his deputy would want to see CM Taib step down in advance of the electoral annihilation.
The detention of the 35,000 copies of the imported Alkitab was unconstitutional. The defacing and desecrating endorsements of the said Holy Bibles for the locals did not make any sense to the declared "Rule of Law" philosophy pursuant to the Rukun Negara.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala, a confessed Christian, thought that what he did represented a great favour to the people of Sarawak. By stamping the phrase "For Christianity", which he compromised with the Home Minister, Idris revealed that his Christian teaching and Biblical knowledge left much to be desired.
Jesus Christ, our Saviour, before he was crucified, commanded his disciples and followers to disseminate His teaching and God's Word, to the four corners of the earth.
What and where did he derive his authority to defy the command of his Lord. Does he want to play god?
Under no circumstances shall God's Word and His teaching contained in Al Kitab or the Holy Bible be tempered with. Nothing shall be added to it or removed therefrom to create doubts and controversies to the readers and users of His Word.
Christians worldwide are not happy with the action of the UMNO/BN Government. A true and worthy disciple of any faith cannot serve two masters. Please do not mix politics with religion. Render to Caesar what that belongs to Caesar and to God what that belongs to God.
In the same token, muslims will never be happy if the similar phrase "For Muslims Only" is stamped on every Al Koran brought into the country.
Let our actions be guided by the time-tested golden rule, "Do not do unto others as you would not want others to do unto you".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)