Female Circumcision

I was listening to my favorite radio station (Hint: Easy listening!) today, and there was some talk about an upcoming movie about a Somali girl who becomes a successful model and edured female circumcision in her young life.
This made me recall that I had an official Malaysian gov't news agency pic of that religious Islamic procedure in modern day Malaysia. Is it propaganda or was it like any other minor surgery? Could that girl be so relaxed? Personally, I think it is not hard to imagine the excruciating pain of it all after the surgery.

Am I against the procedure for females? I would unhesistantly say "Yes", having read up on it.
My understanding of female circumcision is that the girl's most sensitive pleasurable organ, the clitoris is snipped off. Man, that sounds painful! Anyone who knows a woman will see the horror of having that off ... Of course, she's still capable of vaginal orgasms but tragically, the circumcised woman will never exerience clitoral orgasms ... I also doubt she will be capable of being turned on in any way! It is barbaric to mutilate and unjust for anyone to deprive the human rights of another person and in particular, her own body.

Surely You Remember ...

Could we remember the countless moments we sang and sang this beautiful meaningful song? We even had a play in our annual concert with this song as the theme ... May we recall all those times and more!

An Insightful A(H1N1) Commentary

The following commentary was recently made by an astute journalist.
I'm impressed and would love to join in the fray and share constructive opinions about the state of current affairs in Malaysia as well.

I hope Malaysians will kick the "tidak apa" attitude and act fast at all times before everything shuts down with a pandemic that goes "amok".

Whose fault is it that leads to the high mortality?

(By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily)
2009-08-13 14:13

The influenza A (H1N1) mortality rate in Malaysia is close to 2% instead of the 0.1% to 0.4% as estimated by the Health Ministry. It reflects an unusual phenomenon. Without finding out the crux of the problem, assuming that 5 million of people are infected, probably 100,000 of them will die, instead of 5,000 to 28,000 as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If we compare to other countries, we can see the inadequacy of prevention and control in Malaysia. Vietnam reported 1211 confirmed cases with one death and the mortality rate of 0.08%. While Hong Kong reported 5991 confirmed cases with four deaths and the mortality rate
of 0.067%. Australia reported 27,663 confirmed cases with 95 deaths and the mortality rate of 0.34%. Even Singapore that found death cases earlier than Malaysia, reported only nine deaths.

The Health Ministry believed that the domestic confirmed cases are far lesser than the announced amount, and said it should be multiply by 20 to get the correct data. But if we compare it to other countries calculated based on the announced confirmed cases, their rates are
still lower than ours.

"Many people complaint that government hospitals have been reacting too slow to the influenza..."

Why was our death toll increased to 44 people within three weeks after the first death case reported on 22 July? And why are we having over 200 new cases each day, causing the epidemic to fall out of control?

Such a high mortality rate might be caused by a variation of the virus, weak immune system of Malaysians, poor public health system and ability to deal with an emergency. The former two causes have very low probability. If there is a variation or a new virus, the Health Ministry would have recognized it through the autopsy reports. And no matter how weak is the Malaysians immune system, it would not have killed six to eight people every day. The key should be the public health system and the mobility of medical personnel.

Hong Kong, Japan and Australia no longer take the quarantine measures, but they are still having a low mortality rate because of their sound public health systems in which their medical personnel treat the high-risk patients first.

Many people complaint that government hospitals have been reacting too slow to the influenza, including spending a lot of time waiting for tests and long testing time. Many patients might have missed the golden time for treatment during the waiting period and died.

In addition, during the early stage, the government treated the epidemic with neglect, low efficiency and it did not see it as a serious infectious disease. If the government has held a large-scale awareness and hygiene campaign, including stopping assemblies, the
epidemic would not have lost control.

The people lost the sense of crisis because the government did not propagate it through the media at that time as they took into account the impact of it on the national economy, especially on tourism.

Such a serious epidemic has tested Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's governing philosophy of "people first, performance now". The government must take urgent measures and emergency means, including having early school holiday and a general mobilisation of medical
resources, to prevent the spread of the influenza. Any hesitation will further push up the death toll.

Mr. DPM, I'm Impressed

Mr. DPM, I'm impressed with what you said about the importance of English.

That is the gospel truth.

He sees the light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

It was a tunnel of hopelessness when the day some political smart alec got Malaysians into a hellhole. English was removed as an important subject. Books were used which were hastily written for students and the propaganda machinery went into overdrive with the emphasis on just one language, Malay.

There were lost Malaysian souls . Graduates who lived and could survive in a coconut shell. They were the future workers who could hardly read, write or speak basic English leaving educational institutions to seek work. These were engineers, IT specialists and others who would not be employable till they had undergone more studies-at tuition schools!

They were marching into hell as it was and still is a rapidly growing globalized world. The demand for those who could communicate in English, the international language was and still is high. Most materials and bosses were and are speaking English. Unlike their smart all-rounded language experts, these condemned lot could not seek greener pastures elseway.

Having said all that, it is now hoped that a new policy be implemented making a pass in English be compulsory in SPM. Obviously a compulsory subject will definitely mean a keener study of the subject. Perhaps proper professional and objective research also needs to be carried out as quickly as possible to ensure its smooth implementation throughout the nation and a solution to ensure the policy considers the plight of rural regions in Malaysia which are less developed in infrastructure and lack qualified English specialist educators.

Yessir! I will raise my hat to you if you do the right thing!

In fact as an English specialist myself, if there is a call for paid voluntary educators, I will sign up, not for a chestful of patriotic awards but to seek the betterment of my fellow persons, even in the wild rural countryside for such a sensible worthwhile cause.

On a lighter note here are samples of bad English in public. One can only guess what iron straighten is and although clean ears may be clear in the hair dressing saloon advert, ear cleaning would sound better and in the other one, the legal money lending company is advertising on the smaller white piece of paper for a female employee with the words Vacancy on Female instead of for female !!!

A Multi-racial Nation

Its' a nation with many diverse races.

How can it stay united in the face of growing extremism on many sides?

Just look around us today and compare everything with the past we knew. There's a certain polarity from dress to religion.

While I was in school in the '70s no Malay girls wore a scarf or tudung. Today, everyone of them wears one and it's even made compulsory. There are no exceptions to the rule.

We even exchanged photos with each other in those times. The girls' hair flowed freely and some of them had hair that went way below their shoulders. Was that sexy? Was it so sinful? Was it such a turn-on?

No, it wasn't. The rape statistics would also prove that there were fewer sexual abuse cases in those days compared to these days, I'm sure.

I'm a social animal and there were many days in my youth when we had Malays, Dayaks, Indians and Chinese friends coming together to work and play. We ate, drank and made merry.

Religion was never an issue.

Today I look at the kids and what do I find? They hang around those of their race; drink their own 'brew' and there are even questions and issues on the halal nature of food and for Pete's sake, the cooking pots and pans and so forth.

How's there going to be a simple get-together or pot-luck party when there's a quarrel over the 'clean' state of the utensils?

Another case in point: a Neighborhood Watch or 'Rukun Tetangga' party was held for my neighborhood. I went there for fun and games expecting a party like in the old days. We'll have lucky draws, games and even dancing.

Man, what do I get? It started with a solemn prayer, even though there were more persons of other faiths. With that, my interest to mingle with the opposite sex or others dissipated. When religion comes in, who wants to gossip or talk about exciting things like sex, movies, fashion and so forth? One might as well dress in black as in a funeral wake.

Of course my high expectations of fun included dancing as in old times. Right. No dance, no games-just some spicy food supplied by certain people who were 'clean' enough to prepare it and paid for by RT money.

I never went to another RT party after that.

So I say that people have to be more considerate. In fact, Malaysia should go the liberal way, not attempt to Islamise everything and let people see the importance of sharing and not just one race taking from others only. The Lina Joy court decision was a national tragedy.

The defeatist uncompromising atitudes towards other converts and converts' cases in emotional traumatic matters related to death were and are grievious hari-kiri for bigots who selfishly and stubbornly hold them.

Perhaps too the Singapore model of getting everyone to learn more languages instead of concentrating on one should be encouraged or decreed to buckle the dangerous extremist trend this country is heading for.

Short of making changes now will surely see more widespread polarization and a resulting failed state.

By the way, to my good stern U of A Islamic professor, Dr. Earl Waugh, a graduate of the world famous Islamic University, Al Azhar University of Egypt, I have to withdraw my opinion in my first thesis that Malaysia will be the shiny beacon of perfection amongst multi-national nations.

Congrats, Mr. P.M.-to-be!

As much as I try to be a fair-minded blogger and not subjective, I'm taking this opportunity to offer my congratulations to the next incoming Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Sri Najib Razak.

As an ethnic Chinese, I do share some trepidation (Man, gotta check this spelling-I sense it's not right... will correct it later!) as to what policies he would follow and as a history lover, a sense of deja vu can almost be felt when it is recorded in the annals of Malaysian history as to how his father abruptly became the Prime Minister, taking the reins of power from (yes!)a liberal Prime Minister- cum- founding father of Malaysia, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Here now is an intriguing insightful article by Khoo Kay Peng that I found in the Malaysian Insider-another 'Think out of the box' blog. It somewhat sums up all my thoughts about the change of guard in our Malaysian political scene.

By the way, I'm still trying to say I'm been objective as a Barisan man by having this article here.

Speaking or writing, that is, of objectivity, I may offer my good honorable buddy Nicholas Bawin of Party Keadilan, in the name of fair-play, some useful test-proven FREE 666 tips in playing the political game in a more fairer way (on a more level field? Haha) and yes, a ghost of a chance for the PKR candidate to win Batang Ai, however unlikely as it is, considering the awesome war chest (including brilliant and shrewd minds) that Sarawak's ruling Barisan has.

How about a friendly get-together sometime in Kuching, bud?

The prospect of Umno under Najib - Khoo Kay Peng
MARCH 26 - Najib Razak, Sharizat Jalil and Khairy Jamaluddin are going to form the leadership backbone for Umno. Can their leadership provide a new impetus for the party's revival? Can Umno help to rejuvenate other BN component parties?

There are several issues which the new leadership must address quickly:

1. The party is suffering from a serious perception deficit. It is known for being a bully, a rule bender, rowdy, autocratic and feudalistic. The party does not mind manipulating religion, race and recently the monarchy to satisfy its political agenda.

One of the biggest challenges for the party under the new leadership is to prove to us that it is ready and capable of governing a multiracial society. An Umno which caters for only the Malay community may help to extend the lifeline of the party but not the coalition's. Can Najib convincingly rebrand his leadership to appeal to all Malaysians? Can his leadership be current and flexible enough to win over the waning support of young Malaysians?

2. Umno new leadership is the most controversial in the party's history. Najib is entangled with several allegations. Two veteran leaders, Dr Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh, had urged the new president to come clean on the matter.

Ku Li told The Malaysian Insider, "(He) should take the witness stand to clear his name or take legal action against the growing number of foreign publications linking him with the murder of Altantuya Shariibuu and the purchase of submarines.

He "should finally face these suspicions and implied charges, submit himself to legal scrutiny, and come clean on them.'' Meanwhile, Khairy was implicated in the last general election as one of the main causes of BN's stunning defeats.

A number of BN leaders had quietly singled him out for arousing the anger of non-Malays. The two leaders have a lot of work to do to repair their public image.

3. Under Najib leadership, will his reforms plan suffer the same fate like Abdullah's?

Several actions taken by the Umno led government do not augur well for his leadership e.g. arbitrary use of ISA against civilians, Perak power grab, dubious decisions taken by public institutions against the opposition, action taken against bloggers, police interference in politics and others.

His leadership has given us a perception that Umno is not committed to promote and defend the rule of law, the federal constitution and the democracy system.

What is Najib's focus and priority?

The interest of this nation or his own political dominance? Malaysians do not like to be kicked around anymore. My sense is that many Malaysians despise unfairness and arrogance.

4. Is Umno willing to share more power with other component parties? These political parties can no longer hide that they are not consulted in policy formulation and decision making within the government. Most of these parties are reduced to making statements in the media.

If the trend continues, expect very little to change in BN. The progress of this country must involve more than just Umno leaders. The party does not have the capacity to single handedly pull this nation out of the current economic dilemma.

The talent pool needs to be enlarged. Is the party willing to consider meritocracy over ethnicity?

5. The current perception today is the party is outdated and does not understand the needs and
wants of a multi-racial nation. Does the party understand what are the key success factors of a society increasing threatened by complex global challenges?

The plate is full for the new Umno leadership. It takes a superhuman performance of the leaders to rebuild and regain the confidence of Malaysians towards the party.

We are at the twilight of a race-based political model.

Please Wake Up, Bernama!

I'm confused here... did or did not Brunei agree to drop its claim over Limbang while Prime Minister Badawi was in Brunei to sign some agreements?

Who got it all wrong? Was it Bernama, the Malaysian delegation or just the printer's ghost?

To further add to the confusion, parliament's Deputy Speaker was reported in 'The Borneo Post' as praising Sarawak's Chief Minister for playing a major crucial role in the outstanding Limbang settlement in Brunei...

I can imagine all the many red faces around when Brunei categorically denied dropping its claim or ever mentioning the subject in the discussions with Malaysia. In fact, the country's widest selling daily, 'The Borneo Bulletin' claimed that its reporters were denied entry into the press briefing by the Malaysians!

Here's 'The Borneo Bulletin' dated 16/3/09 story:
Brunei denies Limbang story

By Azlan Othman

Pehin Lim
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, yesterday said claims on Limbang were never discussed during Monday's deliberations between Brunei and Malaysia.
He was responding to YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa bin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin's query on the contents of the "Letter of Exchange" signed between Brunei and Malaysia, which also touched on Brunei's claims over Limbang at the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.

Pehin Lim said there were certain press reports yesterday claiming that Brunei has dropped claims over Limbang.

"In actual fact, the claim on Limbang was never discussed. What was discussed was the demarcation of land boundaries on the whole," he said.

"The joint press statement issued yesterday mentioned that the demarcation of the land boundaries between the two countries will be resolved on the basis of five existing historical agreements between the Government of Brunei and the State of Sarawak, and, as appropriate, the watershed principle.

"After that a working group comprising general surveyors of the two countries will follow with the technical aspect to solve the land border issue," Pehin Lim added.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi held a four-eye meeting at the Istana Nurul Iman on Monday and signed the Exchange of Letters to mark the successful conclusion of negotiations.

The negotiations have been ongoing for many years on outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries with regard to historical, legal and other relevant criteria involving both sides.

Both noted the agreement of their respective governments on the key elements contained in the Exchange of Letters, which included the final delimitation of maritime boundaries between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, the establishment of Commercial Agreement Area (CAA) on oil and gas, the modalities for the final demarcation of the land boundary between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia and unsuspendable rights of maritime access for nationals and residents of Malaysia across Brunei's maritime zones en route to and from their destination in Sarawak, Malaysia provided that Brunei's laws and regulations are observed.

Meanwhile, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan, the Minister of Home Affairs, said an allocation has been made in the budget to upgrade the Kuala Lurah Control Post.

After the border issue between Brunei and Malaysia is resolved, work will be carried out to identify the site.

He was responding to a query by YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa on the long queues that border hoppers normally experience during school holidays, Hari Raya and other public holidays and the need to upgrade Pandaruan ferry services and Puni Control Post in Temburong.

YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa added that the opening of a new bridge soon in Trusan, Lawas will further aggravate the situation should these control post projects are not carried out.

Okay...okay by popular demand... here's the boozo report by Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency:

Brunei Drops Territorial Claim Over Limbang
From Hafizah Kamaruddin BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 16 (Bernama) — Brunei has officially dropped its long-standing territorial claim over Limbang, a northern division in Sarawak, marking a new era in the bilateral relations between both countries, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The prime minister said the matter was part of the historic Letters of Exchange (LoE) inked between him and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, which formalised the solution to the long-standing Malaysia-Brunei boundary issues, at the Istana Nurul Iman here Monday.
“It has been stated in the LoE that Brunei has dropped the issue and this means that Limbang is part of Malaysia,” he told a news conference with Malaysian journalists before heading home at the end of his two-day visit to the sultanate.

Poor Siti!

Life can be so unpredicable at times... Here's Siti Suleiha Abdullah in those happy days when she could happily make some bucks in teaching Yoga...but today she would definitely be out of business following the increasingly extremist views of some Islamists in Malaysia who interpret the Koran differently from their peers. Just click over it to enlarge & read!

At this time of sharing this Asiaweek news item which is dated 18/12/92, the Malaysian government has already obtained a fatwa-a religious decree from the Islamic authorities-to ban the practice of Yoga by Muslims and the ratification of this decree by a number of state Islamic authorities has been carried out.

One never ceases to be amazed with this changing eastern world.

A Silver Lining Appears

If we recall there was this shocking outrageous sad story of Yong Sok Lan, the baby girl who lost her arm due to the negligience of the medical staff (no one gave her medical treatment for many hours) of a government hospital in West Malaysia...Here's her pic a year ago:





Recently, as shown in The Star:




According to its reporter, she was cheerful at first but then noticed her amputated arm and turned sad.

Every story has a silver lining with the girl up and about... I guess... but the future is grim for the disabled like her in Asia and many parts of the world...

What a Surprise!

Someone naughty sent me an unexpected pic of controversial Kairy Jamaluddin, son-in-law of Malaysia's Prime Minister and Khairy's charming wife.

So I might as well add in my two-cent worth of thoughts about him here.

The Oxford-educated Khairy is outspoken and has troubling ideas which boggles the minds of many educated Malaysians who believe in universal values such as democracy. Many in civil society would brand him as an extremist for the many past utterances and actions he has made.

This ambitious politician, according to many sources, who is a member of the chauvinistic UMNO, that controls the government ruling the country today, is a rising star who will climb high up the slippery ladder in the political arena.

Meaning of the Subashini Judgment

The following clear interpretation of the outcome of the Subashini is provided by Malaysiakini-the news portal that exposes everything.

Of the three Muslim Malay judges, one of them dissented.

The landmark judgment in a nutshell
Soon Li Tsin | Dec 27, 07 8:36pm

It took more than an hour for the judgment to be read in court. The majority decision was delivered by Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman - who headed the Federal Court three-member bench - while Abdul Aziz Mohamad delivered the minority decision.

Majority decision - Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman and Azmel Ma'amor

• Subashini’s divorce petition under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act is deem null and void because it was filed before the requisite three months period.

• Saravanan and Subashini’s civil marriage can only be dissolved using civil law. The husband can still dissolve it under syariah law but it will have no effect in the civil courts.

• Saravanan can seek relief in the syariah courts but it cannot compel Subashini to do the same because she is a non-Muslim.

• Saravanan did not abuse the process by converting his child because the consent from one parent is sufficient according to Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution .

Dissenting ruling - Abdul Aziz Mohamad

• The evidence of Saravanan’s conversion must be tried in order to determine whether the conversion date was based on his certificate or on facts made available to Subashini.

• Saravanan had abused the process in seeking the custody of the children in the Syariah Court because the religious court has no jurisdiction over a non-Muslim marriage.

• Saravanan’s conversion of the children is not unilateral and the wife has a right to object to the conversion as well as seek an injunction to stop the procedure.

• The High Court has exclusive jurisdiction in matters of dissolution of marriage, maintenance, custody and other ancillary reliefs because the marriage was solemnised under civil law.

Francis' Open Christian Letter

Here's an interesting letter that has been published by Malaysiakini. It's a well-reasoned letter but the jury is out whether the Church will "give an inch" and later a "foot"... Personally, I like the term "Yakweh" better.

Francis sounds like someone I once knew-not personally though- who was once a well-known journalist in this region...

The ‘Allah’ issue in Herald

Much has been written and debated about the ‘Allah’ issue this week. I think this is a ‘non issue’ right from the beginning.

Unlike the ‘crucifix’ which is the supreme symbol of Christianity that all Christians should protect and uphold, using the word ‘Allah’ is something Christians can do without and easily give way if certain quarters feel offended by it.

Let me attempt a suggestion to resolve the matter as a Catholic in total loyalty and obedience to the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, to whom the Herald permit is issued to.

My fellow Catholics and some of the more vocal members of the clergy can debate and argue with the Internal Security Ministry till kingdom come over the usage of ‘Allah’. But that is not going to resolve the matter.

If everything happen for a reason, then there must be a reason why the ‘Allah’ issue came up over this Christmas season of peace, compassion and forgiveness.

Lim Kit Siang (peace to our ever vocal Mr Opposition) has urged Pak Lah to overrule Deputy Minister Johari Baharom and rescind his ministry’s order to Herald to discontinue its Bahasa Malaysia section “so that Christmas Day this year will not be celebrated under a cloud of burgeoning religious intolerance.”

But the issue does not call for a political solution. Rather than stating that Catholics are unhappy and Christmas this year is “celebrated under a cloud of burgeoning religious intolerance”, we should instead prove to others that Catholics are indeed a very tolerant people.

Here, let me exhort my fellow Catholics in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur to heed the request of the Internal Security Ministry and refrain from using the word ‘Allah’ henceforth in its publication. Just continue with the old fashion ‘God’ and ‘Lord’ which is perfectly understood by all. Then, there is the alternative of using the Hebrew/Jewish ‘Yahweh’ or the Latin ‘Deus’.

At times, it’s better to show and prove just how tolerant Christians in this country are. It’s not an act of cowardice or fear of speaking the truth. It’s all about the true Christian spirit - “when you are slapped on the left cheek, turn to the right one if you know that you’ve done nothing wrong”.

Working as a journalist for a good part of my adult life, allow me also to advise the editors at the Herald to practise ‘sensible journalism’. I’ve come to accept long ago that ‘responsible journalism’ in this country means that editors also have to be politically correct at all times.

‘Sensible journalism’ is about toeing the line of those who think they are powerful and almighty - allow them to think so as long as we know deep in our hearts that the Herald is about serving the Heavenly Lord and continuing to bring the Good News to all who believe.

If the permit is still there and Catholics can continue to have access to news and views about the local church via the Herald, what is the point in prolonging a non issue as the usage of ‘Allah’.

Remember, 'responsible journalism' in this country means being politically correct at all times and if we cannot agree on political correctness, then the option is 'sensible journalism' which allows others to think they are powerful and almighty as long as we can continue with our religious duties which is paramount.

It’s okay to let a few holier-than-thou guys in the Internal Security Ministry win. Our greater service is to our Lord, Master and Saviour.

So Pak Lah, this is the truth from a Christian as far as these recent controversies go. You are noted as a deeply religious person - so make me, a Christian, believe in your fairness and justice, Pak Lah just as a Muslim would believe in those virtues of Allah.

FRANCIS SIAH is a RC (Roman(tic) Catholic) who finds much joy in romancing with his God, Lord, Yahweh and Deus (no Allah, never mind). He can be reached at francis@malaysiakini.com

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.

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.

An Old Favorite Hit

Here's one that human mummies and daddies grew up with ... I loved The Seekers' songs so much that I eventually found and purchased their original cassette (No cds then) overseas in the 1980s.

It's a song that's just as meaningful as ever to all citizens of the world who cherish humanity. Personally, my favorite is The Carnival is Over amongst many others such as Georgy Girl, Morning Town Ride and Turn! Turn! Turn!. Listen to them-you'll love this Aussie folk group.

This song is also dedicated to ex-Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as he arrives at his next station in his political life at High Noon on Thursday. What he will do on that day is anyone's guess.... Whatever we may think of him and his past political errors while in the government (Such as cordoning ISA, etc.), here is obviously a guy with guts, balls or whatever. Though I am not in his party, I have full empathy for the guy in his quest for justice. What he decides to do when the hour arrives will nevertheless reinforce our respect for this repented statesman of epic proportions.

A Big Malaysian Debate

I own a rather worn out glossy color comic with the title "Judge Colt". It's about a judge who's known as "The Hanging Judge" dispensing merciless justice in the Wild, Wild West but unfortunately, he does it with a zeal in his hunt for the murderers of his family.

I've had the comic for over 30 years and today the words that were used in his delivery of his judgment fills my head "You shall be taken out and hung till you're are dead, dead, dead".

So you can see it can be rather dramatic to play the role of a just judge.

Well here's a debate by mail to Malaysiakini that allows you and I to be the judge as to who's right or wrong ...

Do bear in mind though, that this "Uncle Yap" seems to be a "Malaysian republican" as he takes the stand that East Malaysians are not accepted as partners in the formation of Malaysia.

Sabah, Sarawak could have ended up Indonesian
Uncle Yap
Sep 18, 07 3:38pm

I refer to the Malaysiakini article 916 – A personal testimony. I am indeed honoured that an eminent person like Sim Kwang Yang (whose writings in Malaysiakini I have long admired) has taken note of my slightly different perception of the formation of Malaysia.

I have always been an adherent of the concept of ‘substance over form’ and whichever way you look at it, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak joined the other 11 states of the Federation of Malaya and this enlarged nation was renamed ‘Malaysia’. Each of the three added one more point to the star and one more stripe to the erstwhile flag of the Federation of Malaya.

The then Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (the Raja of Perlis) became the head of Islamic affairs of these three states that did not have a Malay ruler, just like Malacca and Penang and later, Wilayah Persekutuan. The constitution of Malaysia was essentially identical to that of the Federation of Malaya.

People who argue for the form would have you believe that the local leaders of Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak negotiated with the independent Federation of Malaya as equals. Yet none have addressed the issue that the sovereignty of these three states- pre-Aug 31, 1963 - rested with Queen Elizabeth II. All three were British possessions whereas the Federation of Malaya was an independent country and a member of the United Nations.

May I ask Sim what would happen if Brunei one day were to join Malaysia, say on Jan 1, 2009? Would Brunei be celebrating Malaysia's centenary on Aug 31, 2057 or would it be the 48th anniversary? No one has yet to cast a dent on my drawing of a parallel of the formation of Malaysia with that of the United States of America.

Many East Malaysians often forget that in the early 1960s, the effete Britain (after the debilitating WWII) was anxious to get out of the Far East and of other far-flung colonial possessions and was desperate to offload its Borneo burden. If Tunku had not been pressured to take on this burden, it was an accepted hypothesis that if North Borneo, Sarawak and Brunei were to be somehow allowed to become independent, they would not last six months with rapacious and avaricious Sukarno's Indonesia next door.

We have traveled the same road for nearly five decades and our destinies are somewhat, for better or for worse, entwined. Problems we have many but surely we do not need to add another by this annual parade of denial and whining about the date of independence and nationhood.

The name ‘Malaysia’ was coined to be a better, fitting name for an entity enlarged to include the Borneo states. Prior to Aug 31,1957, the term ‘Malaya’ included the nine Malay states and the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. (Even the term, ‘University of Malaya’ was first used for the union of the Raffles College and King Edward School of Medicine, both of which were located on the island of Singapore.)

That slight name change is now being quoted to support this erroneous perception that North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore ‘formed’ Malaysia as equal partners with the Federation of Malaya in 1963. To any thinking person who look not merely at the form but at the substance, this cannot be further from the truth.

All three joined the federation as three additional new states to the existing 11 and that is the substance.

Here's the rebuttal by "Tanak Wagu":
Sabah, S'wak would not have fallen to Indonesia
Tanak Wagu
Sep 28, 07 2:10pm

Uncle Yap in his letter ‘Sabah and Sarawak could have ended up Indonesian’ tries to suggest that if Sabah and Sarawak were allowed to be independent, they would have ended up being invaded by Indonesia.

This is simplistic thinking, and also the type of propaganda churned out in Malaysian school textbooks. If Sabah and Sarawak were allowed to go independent, the British would have taken appropriate measures to ensure that these states would not be easily colonised by Indonesia. A case in point would be Brunei, which despite its small size still exists independently. But please bear in mind, there is still British military presence in Brunei up to this day.

In his arguments, Uncle Yap also fails to look at the importance of the Malaysia Agreement. If Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore were to be merely added as the 12th, 13th and 14th states of Malaya, then there would be no need to draw up the Malaysia Agreement. Please also note that the creation of Malaysia necessitated the United Nations to send a fact finding mission
to this country.

When Singapore joined Malaysia, it already had an internal self-government with Lee Kuan Yew as the prime minister. Two weeks before Malaysia was formed, Sabah had become an independent state.

Uncle Yap asks what if Brunei was to join Malaysia now. Should we celebrate Malaysia day on another date he asks if that happens? Do remember that if Brunei is to join Malaysia, we do not need to celebrate Malaysia day as beginning from any new date. This is because Malaysia was already formed 44 years ago. Unless of course Malaysia intends to change its name to Malaysianei. Then yes we should celebrate Malaysianei as beginning from the date Brunei joins us.

Flashback into an event that could but did not occur following the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

Click to enlarge!

High-5s to West Malaysian Lawyers!

I am impressed with the West Malaysian lawyers under the Bar Council with its female president and ordinary Malaysians today. It is heartening to see over 2,000 of them on a busy working day (Yeah, one can imagine if it had been a week-end and hard-working Malaysians could rest their hoes and participate in the walk) voice out their concern and care for law and order in Malaysia and to eventually hand in a petition to the Prime Minister's official office demanding for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the notorious Lingam tape controversy and to fix the problems with the judiciary since the successful 1988 attack on it by the executive branch of the government. They have the guts, without doubt and the wisdom to stand up and be counted when justice is apparently going to the dogs with corruption stealthily creeping into the justice system which used to be so much respected by not only Malaysians but also by the Commonwealth and by the world on the whole before Lord President Tun Abas' engineered fall.

Here is a pic montage, courtesy of news portal Malaysiakini of the united show of legal eagles by our West Malaysian brothers and sisters, despite the heavy thunderstorm at one stage:

(Photographs by Malaysiakini and readers YS Low and Fahri Azzat)

The "Malaysian Conspiracy" Video

Left: Malaysiakini info on Who's Who discussed in the conversation (Click to enlarge).
The video below is from YouTube, courtesy of Malaysiakini and the Bar Council. It shows controversial Malaysian lawyer Lingam talking with the aid of a handphone to allegedly Chief Justice Ahmad....

Once again, Malaysia, you are in the eyes of the world for the wrong reasons. Malaysians, show what honesty, courage and pure justice is without perversion to the world.

Catholic Merdeka Message

This is a message from the Catholic Church:

Message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia on the Golden Jubilee of Merdeka

The Catholic Bishops of Malaysia rejoice with all Malaysians as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Merdeka, 50 years of independence, freedom and nationhood. There is much for us to celebrate as we have made outstanding progress and achieved great development to stand out as one of the most developed countries in South East Asia.

However, as we celebrate our success, we should also be aware of areas of concern which have surfaced in recent years, namely religious and racial tensions, corruption and a rising crime rate.

Racial and religious tensions have been heightened by increasing infringements on the fundamental right to freedom of religion which is enshrined in the Constitution, and a growing perception that non-Muslims’ religions and concerns are diminished or neglected. To move ahead and for Malaysians to continue to be united, we must adhere to the social contract arrived at by our founding fathers, the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara, our national ideology.

We urge the government and elected Representatives of Parliament and State legislatures as custodians of the rights of all Malaysians to address these issues directly. They should not let the growing number of individuals of a predominant group in the civil and armed services and the executive branches of governance to act in ways which are prejudicial or hurtful to the sensibilities of non-Muslims and those of other faiths.

In addition, the government should hold dialogues between followers of various religions in the country, not only to foster greater understanding and harmony among our people of different faiths, but also to resolve by consensus, the various problems and obstacles to the peace and prosperity of our beloved nation.

We are concerned about continued reports of corruption and lack of transparency and accountability, and urge the Government to be more proactive in the eradication of corruption and more transparent in its administration of public funds and projects.

We are concerned with the rising crime rate and fear that our country may be heading towards a breakdown of enforcement of law and order if the situation is allowed to continue. It is timely for the Government to reform the Royal Malaysia Police Force for effective implementation of a better policing system.

In our role as Malaysian citizens and as leaders in the Catholic Church, we work towards and pray for the very best that our nation deserves.

As such, urge you not to be dispirited by such recurring problems and to become catalysis of nation-building especially by promoting inter-racial and inter-religious harmony, “For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law” (Ep 2:14-16) and integrity in your civic duties.

May Almighty God continue to bless Malaysia with continued peace and prosperity.

Sincerely in Christ,
Archbishop Murphy Pakiam
President
21 August 2007.

Happy Independence Day, Sarawak!

DAULAT TUANKU!



Happy 44th Independence Day, Fair Land Sarawak!

"Tens of thousands yet unborn
Will bless the name of Brooke."
-From Old Sarawak State Anthem

On the 16th September, 1963, resource-rich Sarawak, together with the resource-rich lands of Sabah, Malaya and Singapore came together to give birth to a new nation called MALAYSIA following the Cobbold Commission which indicated 1/3 of Sarawakians fully supported the idea of a federation. It would be like the United States of America in some ways with almost a similar-looking Malaysian flag and an anthem which had the beautiful tune of a popular Hawaiian song, 'Mamula Moon'. It would be Canadian in another way with special rights such as those in French-speaking Quebec. These special rights were agreed upon by all the signatories to the agreements that had been agreed upon, one of which was complete autonomy and control in immigration matters by Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore.