An Outraged Girl

The following angry retort excerpt was by a Malay girl who's presently studying in a mission school who was visibly upset with the outrageous insensitive remarks by two government Barisan Members of Parliament demanding the removal of Christian crosses in schools and the baseless accusation that the Roman Catholic Vatican controlled the mission schools in Malaysia.

To read more, go to "Dramatic Musings"

This is going to be a semi-political post that might or might not get me thrown into ISA but I am willing to take the risk because I am pissed off. Indeed, I am.

I have long given up in reading the newspapers and watching the news because in Malaysia, democracy is just a charade and the media is a political propaganda tool. There's nothing more to elaborate there. To keep myself updated what I do is I peruse through these political blogs and read about the news written by bloggers with credibility. Today I stumbled across this over at Malaysians says the darnest things! and it pissed the hell out of me.

Apparently in the Parliament, some exceedingly brilliant gentleman, the representative of Parit Sulong (where?) have nothing to do with his time and nothing to do in his community that he had to point out that mission schools in Malaysia, such as Convent, La Salle and Methodist have crosses and statues representing the Christian faith in them. These crosses and statues must be demolished.

Well no shit Sherlock.
Its called mission schools. Built by the British back when they invaded Malaya.

Also he pointed out that these schools have strong Christian influences and apparently sing "church songs" during school assembly.(FYI: Those are hymns, not songs). And shock and horror!!- apparently Malay-Muslim parents send their children to these school as well!! What is the world coming to?!!

Then his sidekick, an even more incredible genius of a man, the representative from Sri Gading (bitch, again - from where?) have to butt in and mentioned that apparently "a father have alerted him that these missionary schools are not close during Raya". Raya is Eid Mubarak; as in the main festival celebrated by Muslims. Bear in mind, Malaysia is an Islamic nation.

Not close during Raya? Right....

Ok listen up geniuses, I am a Malay woman. A Muslim-Malay woman and my parents sent me to be educated in SRK. Convent Klang and then, oh nooo they didn't stop there. They then sent me to my high school: SMK. Convent Klang. That's right bitch, I'm a Convent girl. A Muslim-Malay woman educated the Convent way.

When I went there, there was never a moment where we were made to sing...what did you called it again...right "church songs" during assembly. We did read prayers but it was the Islamic prayer that we read weekly at the assembly while the other students who weren't Muslims stood in silence of respect to it. Did they other students have parents alerting the Parliament members about how the have to stand in silence when the Muslims were saying their prayers? No. Perhaps its a little thing called religious sensitivity or maybe because they were shit scared of idiots like you who are in the Parliament talking about Islamic supremacy.

Also calling into the demolishing of the crosses and Christianity artifacts. Where I went to school, we no longer have a church in it. The church have been converted into the hall and where the altar where the people used to pray, a stage have built over it. There were no crosses at all though on the walls where they used to hang, one can see the outline of Jesus Christ. When the school was repainted, all that gone missing. So what is there to demolish? We do have a giant cross in front of the school but it never bothered us. It is a part of the British/Malaya heritage, it is a part of Malaysian history. Demolish that? Demolish a part of our country's history just because you are an uneducated prick that have no religious tolerance?

F**k you.

You are not above history.

And then about the 'Raya' comment....Dude, that shit is not just stupid. It is BEYOND stupid, I don't even have a word to comment on that because seriously, you have created a whole new level of stupidity here. What kind of BS is that, that the school is not closed during Raya? You think that there would be no heavy media coverage of that if that ever happened? Stop talking mindless shit. It is embarrassing. If anything at all, Convent gave more holidays. We get day off during Good Friday while the other kids go to their non-mission school. You don't hear no one complaining because who would say no to a day off?

Oh look ma! Christian architecture! Tear down the school now!

These mission schools, Convent, La Salle and so on and so forth are not just schools. They are historical landmarks that have been around before Malaysia achieved her independence, back when she was Malaya instead of Malaysia. The fact that they have Christian identity is undeniable because the title itself is 'mission schools'. Demolishing them or trying to hide their identity is stupid because the very act itself is telling us to turn our back on history. The fact that so-called Parliament members have to make up stories to make these schools as if it is out there to convert students are false and unfounded. Further more it is also offensive and hurtful for those who have been in those walls and know such accusations are false.

The Constantly Dramatic One is all about school pride after all.

Religion is a set of beliefs. You choose what to believe. Just because you think your religion is better than other peoples' does not give you the right to condemn and push your religion onto them.

Last time I checked, we promote this country to the outside world as a country where people of different races live harmoniously and without conflict. Last time I checked, we are a country that is proud of our religious diversity and sensitivity. Last time I checked, this country wasn't run by a bunch of idiots with the Taliban-mentality.

But we all know that's all bullshit right?

The Worst Bigot Award

Yes, I'm renaming it The Worst Bigot Award and the reward is a crate of books on humanities with the stipulated agreement to be signed by the recipient that he or she would read and study them to my satisfaction. (well, my semester study of Islam has taught me it isn't necessarily a religion for bigots).

Apparently, someone deserves it today. As reluctant as I am to drag in a religious figure, I'm a fair guy who'll give it to whoever he or she is, regardless of race, color and creed. This award goes to the state mufti, Datuk Haji Ahmad Alawi Haji Adnanof of non-Islamic Sabah in a non-Islamic Malaysia for issuing a Taliban-styled fatwa (religious edict) against the erection of religious statutes in Sabah state.

Remember the Taliban? In Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban regime blew up the historical ancient huge Buddhist statutes, using dynamite. The world and people of all faiths widely condemned them and eventually they were toppled when Uncle Sam got rid of these vermin following 9/11.

Well, you see, if I ignore this mischief-maker now without exposing him to all and sundry, he might attempt to pull another fast one that will change the socio-political and economic development of Sabah.

Without elaborating, the implications are obvious if this fatwa remains against the Malaysian Constitution.

Make no mistake-I'll closely monitor this case because of my many relatives in Sabah. Here is the news in Sabah's popular English Daily Express News.

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
Police report over Fatwa

09 December, 2007

Kota Kinabalu: A police report has been lodged against Sabah Mufti, Datuk Haji Ahmad Alawi Haji Adnan for issuing a "fatwa" (religious decree) that forbids religious statues or replicas of human and animals in public places close to the road.

Kanul Gindol, political secretary to the Parti Keadilan Rakyat Vice-President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said in a statement the fatwa issued in July last year could incite hatred and animosity in a plural society like Malaysia. He said a copy of the Mufti's Fatwa letter together with other related letters were now being circulated in websites, including on the Malaysia Today website.

Kanul said he lodged the report with the Karamunsing district police headquarters. Keadilan said the Mufti's action went against the Federal Constitution which guaranteed the freedom of religion. He also urged the police and ACA to look into whether an abuse of power or corruption had occurred, believing that it was issued in relation to the stopped Mazu project that may have prompted Tan Sri Chong's resignation from the State Cabinet as Deputy Chief Minister-cum-State Tourism and Environment Minister.

Friends-Enemies-Friends Again

I had some time to spare recently so I decided to navigate through the many amazing blogs in this mighty Blogosphere. .. and one of the results is the discovery of how politicians, for better or worse, can easily be swayed to change in their opinions under certain circumstances.

It is to be remembered, when you look at these pics is that Rafidah Aziz, Malaysia's outspoken Trade and Industry Department, was at that time embroiled in the AP trade license hanky-panky scandal.

She, as seen shedding tears in the pics, was accused of being responsible for how the awarding of the lucrative contracts were handed to certain individuals.

One of her chief critics was the outspoken former premier, Dr. Mahathir.

In any case, no one no one fell from grace in the hot Bollywood episode in Malaysian history.


So what's the next bit of juicy news of the happenings in Miri these days?

An Explanation for Bigotry

Here's the latest on the issue, courtesy of Malaysiakini-the online news portal with all the good, bad and ugly facts.

'Remove crucifixes' MP explains himself
Yoges Palaniappan
Dec 4, 07 4:33pm

The Barisan Nasional MP who suggested that crucifixes be removed from mission schools today explained that he was merely raising public concern.

Syed Hood Syed Edros (BN-Parit Sulong) told reporters in Parliament that he raised the issue in the Dewan Rakyat in order to get clarification from the Education Ministry.

On Oct 29, Syed Hood and Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) suggested that crucifixes in mission schools be removed and church influence over these schools be stopped.

Syed Hood told the Dewan Rakyat that he believes that the school board in mission schools are partially administered by foreign churches, for example the Vatican City in Italy.

He said he was "ashamed and disappointed" that schools in an Islamic country like Malaysia are still under the control of churches and that they display icons like crosses and statues.

However, he told reporters today that he did not raise the issue in bad faith but had merely raised the “grouses of the public”.

"As the people's representative, I hear complaints and laments from the public. And every complaint must be given a proper explanation," he said, adding that PAS would play up the issue if no proper explanation was given.

Thanking mission schools for providing education to Malaysians in the early years, Syed Hood said: "Then, Malay parents didn't send their children to mission schools. But now that the country has developed, we have many of them doing so and we need to explain to them when they have doubts."

Explaining that Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar's reply in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday had clarified the matter, Syed Hood said: "The clarification would provide much relief to the people of all races."

Respect for religion

Syed Hood said the issue was played up in emails and blog-posts by those "who did not understand his intention".

"What I said in the Dewan does not reflect Syed Hood the MP. I, as an individual and politician, always respect other races and religions.

"I personally don't have any issue with crosses being displayed in mission schools. We have to respect the religion of others to gain their respect for our religion."

He said his eldest child had attended SMK Convent Batu Pahat when his family lived in the town.

Asked to comment on Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz's statement that action would be taken against him if a police report is lodged regarding his remarks, Syed Hood said: "We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

He also said that, in life, one has to make mistakes and learn from these, and if he has made one, then it can still be rectified.

'Hisham must explain'

However, Nazri reiterated today that no action would be taken against Syed Hood unless there is a complaint from other MPs.

"I am the (BN) deputy whip. I have to wait for other members to complain," he told reporters today.

Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, at a press conference, urged Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to explain if it is true that crucifixes in mission school emblems have been removed and replaced.

"I call on Hishammuddin to explain how many mission schools in the country have replaced the cross in the school emblem, together with a full list of the schools concerned and the relevant particulars on the year of removal and why," he said.

He also explained that he had received complaints in his blog about several mission schools where the crucifixes on their emblems have been replaced.

"Among the schools are St David High School, Malacca (crucifix replaced with a crown), Convent Girls School, Muar (crucifix replaced with a crescent moon), and Methodist Boys Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur," he said.

The Best Bigot Awards

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I was just preparing The Best Bigot Awards for the two Members of Parliament Syed Hood Syed Edros, M.P. for Parit Sulong (left) and Mohammad Aziz, M.P. for Sri Gading (right)who raised the sensitive religious issue in parliament recently of the placement of crucifixes in mission schools and the influence of the Church. However, it seems that sometimes the evil that men do will have a positive outcome.

The defacto law minister Nazri has denounced the matter of touching the issue following, justifiably, the public outcry over the cheap remarks by the two ignorant parliamentarians.

This brings up the question as to who is responsible for what is happening in the mission schools these days.

It has now come to Malaysians' attention that there are some fishy things going on quietly in the mission schools in West Malaysia such as the enforced decision to get them to remove these symbols.

Interestingly, there is a growing placement of Malay students in mission schools, even in East Malaysia. Many other non-Malays attempt to unsuccessfully enroll to study in these schools as well. Yet, despite this complimentary-perhaps- fact, Malaysian mission schools with the grace of Christ still produce outstanding results, despite the attractions or as some see it, enticements to other special institutions of some of the brightest students by the government...

So after years of Merdeka (Independence) and tolerance of many people and many things... today, the world will see that there are bigots in Malaysian society who are increasingly stripping the values of the Rukun Negara (Constitutional Beliefs) away.

If the Ministry of Education is implicated it must explain itself. If the Minister himself is implicated, as a gentleman, do something truly honorable for once. Maybe he ought to apologise or even resign.

If the ministry doesn't explain itself satisfactorily, it will prove to many that there is a sinister conspiratorial clandestine motive in whatever the government is doing these days in advancing an Islamic agenda in Malaysian society. It will only be seen as undermining the peaceful religions of others.

In fact, it can be so obviously blatantly seen and heard over the airwaves with breaking round the clock religious messages to everyone, particularly youngsters who listen to the radio for modern music and news . It has never been like this in the past since Independence, and yet slowly but surely, there are attempts to brainwash other Malaysians by questionable subtle means.

It is therefore possible that a positive outcome will be the result of the opening of the mini Malaysian Pandora's box by some UMNO bigots.

I hopefully pray so.

Come to think of it, I won't award them the awards of bigotry because they have galvanised Malaysians to speak out. Indeed, it has gotten many Malaysians to speak out, more than some of the elected representatives who lack guts. Just read the comments in the hugely popular Zorro Unmasked blog. It's increasingly more of a reason for me to cast my vote for the Opposition in the coming election.