MONKEY IS AN EMPLOYEE OF BACHOK DISTRICT COUNCIL

May I introduce you “Hitam” (pic). He is an employee of Bachok District Council in Kelantan.

According to today’s NST Hitam is actually a two year old short tailed macaque and its handler bought him for RM230-00 some 18 months ago.

According to the council, besides being trained to pluck coconuts, Hitam has now been trained to pick-up litter and put them in a waste basket. Further, Hitam is also adept at picking up bottles, slippers and coconuts and putting the items into a basket.

So what’s left next for Bachok District Council is to teach Hitam some clerical duties. Alternatively, the government can make him a candidate for the next Malaysian spaceman.

Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim wins with BIGGER majority!

Final official EC tally - Anwar got 31,195 votes, Arif Shah, 15,524, Hanafi, 92. Anwar won with a majority of 15,671.
Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, won the seat with a 13,388 majority at the March 8 general elections.

DO WE HAVE A PLACE UNDER THE MALAYSIAN SUN ?

This Sunday, Malaysia celebrates Merdeka Day. It is Malaysia’s 51st Independence Day. In contrast to previous years, the run up to this year’s Merdeka Day is devoid of any enthusiasm. There are hardly any cars seen flying the miniature Malaysian flag and the Johor Bahru City Council is upset that traders are not flying the Malaysian flag, so much so the Council has issued a warning to traders that failure to fly the Malaysian flag is an offence under Seksyen 7(3) Undang-Undang Kecil Penjaja which carries a RM250 fine. Talk about forced patriotism!.

Nevertheless, some things would not change. Petronas advertisements which pull at our heartstrings and patriotic songs will permeate the air in the days leading to Merdeka Day. On the day itself, there will be the usual oath taking, march-past, fly-past and all the pomp and pageantry. All choreographed to showcase a multi-cultural and united Malaysia. Oh yes, not to forget the annual address to the nation by the Prime Minister the night before Merdeka.

But Merdeka is not about waving flags, raising hands or shouting “merdeka”. Merdeka should be the coming together of Malaysians. Merdeka should be the celebration of multi-racialism, multi-culturalism and multi-religionism and above all to celebrate unity. However, after 50 years are we not anywhere nearer being Malaysians. Legally we are a nation after attaining statehood in 1957, but the question is whether we are living as Malaysians?

Contrary to the myopic view held by some that the independence of this country was won by the efforts of a single man or race, the truth is that it was the Malays, Chinese and Indians who collectively fought for an independent Malaysia (Malaya). It was Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T Sambanthan our founding fathers who returned from colonial Britain with a dream where Malays, Chinese and Indians will hold themselves as Malaysians and call Malaysia home.

Thus this country was built not by the efforts of a single race but the blood, sweat and tears of Malays, Chinese and Indians. The Chinese and Indians swore their loyalty to the flag and the King. Fifty years on, the Chinese are reduced to second class citizens and the Indians fourth class citizens behind recent arrivals from Indonesia. It is race first and Malaysian second. Fifty years after independence, the clarion call of UMNO the backbone of Barisan Nasional is Ketuanan Melayu and not Ketuanan Rakyat, nevermind Barisan Nasional itself is a coalition of Malay, Chinese and Indian parties.

Suddenly, the Chinese and the Indians are constantly reminded to be eternally grateful for being granted residency in this land, conveniently ignoring the contribution and sacrifices of the Chinese and Indians. Sadly, Chinese and Indians are made to realise by UMNO politicians that they are bukan Melayu, bukan Bumiputera, bukan Islam and kaum Pendatang. In short the Chinese and Indians however long they have lived here are simply “Non”.

The Chinese have been here for more than 400 years and as admitted by Dr Mahathir Mohamed, incidentally are the biggest tax-payers but it is the recent Indonesian migrant who seemed to be more welcomed. In fact one son of a migrant has even gone further to become the Menteri Besar until he was ousted after incurring the divine’s wrath.

When Lee Chong Wei scored the winning point defeating Lee Hyun Duk in the badminton semi-final at the recent Beijing Olympic, his first act was to kiss the Malaysian flag on his t-shirt. It was an impromptu show of naked patriotism but he remain in reality a “Cina”, “bukan Melayu”, “bukan Bumiputra”, bukan Islam and kaum Pendatang despite his RM300,000, RM3,000 life pension and a Datukship.

So when, politicians and racist bigots screams abuse asking Chinese and Indians to get out of Malaysia, making inflammatory speeches, waving kris, baying for blood and disrupt lawful meetings held discuss issues effecting them and are uncompromising to discussion or reason, then clearly the Malaysian dream has started to wither, at least for the Chinese and Indian. The uncomfortable truth is that we have become a fractuous and divided nation.

In 1976 during the Budget Speech, Dato Hussein Onn said “ we still have not yet achieved national unity, we are divided along racial lines in our outlook, attitude and action”. Thirty years later nothing has changed. That is the reason for the necessity to have National Service. Nurturing unity in a three months crash course.

Lim Kit Siang in his speech on the Royal address in 1972 said “ National unity will not be achieved by shouting it a thousand or million times. It can only be achieved if the whole gamut of the government’s political, economic, social, cultural and educational policies are designed to unite, rather than to divide, the diverse peoples in this country”.

Today, the consciousness of race is being driven home on a child right from the primary school. In Ontario, Canada there is a pilot project where pre-scholars are being taught to celebrate multiculturalism and to reject racism. In Australia, a predominantly white, Christian country try making a racist slur against the Muslim or the Chinese, the authorities will come down hard on you under the Race Relations Act. But in Malaysia, no punishment is meted out against a teacher who subjects Indian students to racial abuse and taunts. Instead, the authorities rewards the teacher with a transfer her to a premier school. Little wonder that the Chinese have completely lost faith in the national schools and instead see it fit to educate their children in Chinese schools.

Previously it was Barisan Nasional’s skewed policies on education, employment and economic policies which caused wide spread fear and discontentment among non Malays about their and their children’s future. Many having lost faith and made the difficult decision to migrate. Some parents sent their children abroad to study but only never to return. Thousands of professionals and experts have never returned home.

But now an even greater concern among non Malays is at the growing Islamisation of the country. Malaysian was envisaged as a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi religious society with Islam as the official religion. Islam was to be given a special position in the Constitution and country. No Non Malay or Non Muslim has ever objected. However, no where in the social contract was it agreed that Malaysia was to be an Islamic state or the founding fathers who represented the Chinese and Indians agreed to acknowledge and accept Malaysian as an Islamic state.

In 2001, Dr Mahathir Mohamad unitarily and arbitrarily and without ever consulting Barisan Nasional’s main coalition partners, MCA and M.I.C shocked the nation by declaring that Malaysia is an Islamic state. So much for Barisan Nasional’s much talked “consensus politics” Instead of opposing and condemning the constitutional sacrilege, MCA’s then president Ling Liong Sik sought to allay the fears of the non Malays and play down the issue by saying that Malaysia was a secular Islamic state. The dope could not realize one cannot be secular and Islamic at the same time. Last year, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak reaffirmed that Malaysia was an Islamic state. The response from MCA, M.I.C and GERAKAN was the usual elegant silence. Well to be fair GERAKAN’s Lim Keng Yek did splutter some objection. Only now after being mauled in the March 2008 General Election does MCA and GERAKAN concerned of their own survival suddenly finds its voice and meekly tries to reassert the supremacy of the Constitution. It is a case of being a little too late or trying to slam the barn door after the horses have bolted.

Apprehension of non Muslim Malaysians to Islamisation process do not stem from any antipathy or enmity towards Islam as a religion but because of their fear that the basis foundation of Malaysia as a secular nation where there is freedom of religion beliefs and practice, with Islam as the official religion is being insidiously but effectively undermined.

Many government policies are causing great concern, unease and foreboding among non Muslim Malaysians. Emboldened by the unilateral declaration and with tacit approval and encouragement, a vocal minority is trying to impose its will on others and change the course of this country. The silent majority particularly from the Muslim community seems afraid to speak out lest they be labeled “liberals” or even worst “apostates”.

There is a sense of creeping intolerance unheard of at Merdeka. Speak to Malays, Chinese and Indians of older generation and hear them reminisce of Malaysia of yesteryear where there was acceptance and tolerance. Unity among the various races was at its best. How things have changed. Take April Lavigne concert for an example. Non Muslim have no problem watching a wholesome concert by April Lavigne. But some Muslim NGO’s and political parties sought to ban the concert because they believed the concert was unsuitable for Muslims. Because it was unsuitable for Muslims, it is decreed that the concert was also not suitable for non-Muslims. The objection that the concert is being staged on the Merdeka month was simply an excuse. Clearly attempts are being made to dictate the life and lifestyle of Non Malays.

Witness how, the Bar Council recently had to abort prematurely its recent forum after protestors who seemed to have been sanctioned by political leaders from both sides of the divide barged into the auditorium demanding an end to the discussion. Had, they attended and listened, this mob would have realized that almost half the Speakers were Muslims. Perhaps, a solution for issues which have been festering for too long could have been found during the discourse. But the mob which descended the Bar Council was not prepared to discuss let alone discuss. Brute and not brains won.

This is not the first time non Muslims have witnessed such menacing bigotry. Remember the near violent demonstration against the Forum organized by Article 11 and the issue of Interfaith Commission. What these protestors do is a disservice to the image of Islam, a religion that preaches the impotence of gaining knowledge. There is a concerted and deliberate campaign to create alarm and anxiety among non Muslims.

Zarinah Anwar writing in the New Strait Times (Nov 3, 2006) remarked “ The Islamic state ideologues know that they cannot win power through the ballot box as most Malaysians including Muslims, will not support the kind of intolerant, punitive, bigoted, misogynistic and joyless Islam they stand for.

The strategy then has been to penetrate the academic institution, the bureaucracy, the Islamic institution and take over the instruments of governance through the back door. Cloak yourself in the mantle of God, intimidate your opponents by declaring them kafir or anti Islam, eliminate anyone with a differing view by declaring war on pluralism and liberalism, take over the drafting of laws, create further institutions to expand your influence and jurisdiction, pronounce one fatwa after another to further limit the scope of difference and diversity so that in the end only the Islamist ideological conception of Islam prevails. And you do all of this within the government apparatus.”

Lim Kit Siang some thirty years ago said “what Malaysia needs are moderates of ends and not moderates of means who are eventually committed to the extremism of ends”. Sadly there are in our country powerful centrifugal forces which are threating to destroy this country asunder.

Thus, unless we make a concerted effort to regain the Merdeka spirit of 1957 and embrace once again multiracialism, multiculturalism, and multi religionism and accept each other Malays, Chinese and Indians as Malaysians first, Malaysia may be on the road to perdition.

Last year, Raja Muda Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, in a keynote speech at a forum organized by the Bar Council said that ‘Malaysians of all races, religions, and geographic locations need to believe that they have a place under the Malaysian sun”.

The question this Merdeka is whether there is a place under the Malaysian sun for you and your family.

SELAMAT HARI MERDEKA.

VOTE FOR ARIF SHAH? THINK AGAIN.

In order to endear and garner Chinese votes, Barisan Nasional and the main stream newspapers keep highlighting Arif Shah’s prowess of not only being able to speak Mandarin and Hokkien but also his ability to read and write Chinese.

Barisan Nasional believes that the Chinese will fall hook and sinker and deliver the votes for this man because of his language prowess.

NOW, this is the man :-

who claimed to be pursuing a PHD degree and only stopped after questions were raised over the credibility of his university – International Distance Learning Centre of Edison University of Technology at Mailbox 145 – 147, St John’s Street London ECI 4PY, U.K, Tel : 0845 – 8790040.

Had he not been selected as a candidate for Permatang Pauh, most likely this oxymoron would have gone to complete his doctorate.

Now the Chinese voters who Barisan Nasional and Arif Shah seems trying hard to endear and seek the votes would like to ask Arif Shah :-

(i) Did you or did you not participate in the illegal protest against YAB Lim Guan Eng and the newly installed Pakatan Rakyat government in support for Ketuanan Melayu?

(ii) Did you or did you not as the Seberang Jaya state Assemblyman made the call to rename George Town to Bandar Datuk Abdullah Fahim?

(iii) Did you or did you not participate in the illegal march to Komtar trying to stoke racial tension against the Chinese?

(iv) Do you support Ketuanan Rakyat or Ketuanan Melayu?

History has a strange way of reminding one’s past and in Arif Shah’s case it has returned to haunt him.

Carrots for Permatang Pauh Folks (Update)

We're counting RM 3,150,000.00 so far but Aliran says more than RM6 million of allocation was made during the campaign period of the Permatang Pauh by-election

Carrots from Barisan Nasional so far;


For the Chinese

• RM 1.2 million for 6 chinese schools in the Permatang Pauh constituency.
• RM 500,000 allocation to build an indoor basketball court.

For the Indians

• A meagre RM50,000 each for two Tamil schools.


• Government has agreed to approve scrap metal collector's licence for them, says DPM Najib. Possibly depends on outcome of election so Indians shouldn't really hold their breath. Blogger G.Krishnan says 'Scrap Metal? Show Me the Real Stuff, Honey!'

For the Malays

• RM1.4 million for eight mosques in the Permatang Pauh area.

For the General Public

• Petrol price reduced by 15 cents. According to Pak Lah though this had nothing to do with the by-election.

More is to come says BN candidate Arif Shah. Saying if he wins he'll be able to pour more money into Permatang Pauh because of his cordial relationship with Abdullah Badawi. He also says that he can keep on doing it like the mythical Sun Wukong.

Religious ignorance: The great divider - Steve Oh

Source : Steve Oh - Malaysiakini

The Malaysiakini report on Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's swearing on the Quran elicited a response from PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang that it was an act of kebodohan (stupidity). Few would disagree because it is naive to think that the mere act of swearing absolves one's guilt. It is only the gullible who are fooled.But I was disappointed to read the PAS leader's comments that “We don't have this practice in Islam. It is the Christians who swear on the Bible.”

Anyone who knows the Bible will tell you that this is not true if the implication is that swearing on the Bible is part and parcel of Christianity,In fact the opposite is true.

There are several Biblical injunctions for Christians to refrain from all types of swearing best summarised in this verse: "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."Another verse: "Above all, my brothers, do not swear — not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned."Therefore, no one should accuse Christians of swearing on the Bible.

That some Western countries still adopt this practice is more of a quirk of history than a true Christian practice and I reiterate, swearing on the Bible is not an acceptable Christian practice. Thus, non-Christians who accept public office often take their oaths upon their preferred religious text or none depending on their choice. It is not unknown for elected Muslim politicians to use the Quran for this purpose in the West.

Sadly, there is much ignorance about Christianity and false perceptions have been passed down and along in Malaysia in a climate of religious chauvinism and fear. I often meet people who are ignorant of other people's religions and often I have had to correct their false understanding, for example of Islam, though I am not a Muslim. It is because I believe in talking to learned Muslims and reading up on the subject. There is nothing more tragic than those who believe in truth to believe in lies or fallacies about others.

The religious leaders in Malaysia have much to answer for the lack of trust among the different religions and should not take it upon themselves to play God. Often it is those who have the least understanding of their own religion who resort to angry outbursts in false perceptions of offence from others. Their volatile responses betray a lack of security in their own faith, thus their resort to intimidation and even violence.

Political parties such as PAS that want to play a pivotal role in mainstream national politics must prove it is able to govern for all and have a vision that is broad and progressive. Those who have strong religious convictions must learn to respect the beliefs of others, and not be arrogant and presumptuous that their faith gives them the divine right to suppress others.

If God does not do that, why should those who claim to follow Him do the opposite? Let us hope Pakatan Rakyat politicians will help cut a swathe through the jungle of religious ignorance and persecution in the country and that we will all know more accurately about our religion and that of others so that we don't make false and presumptuous statements. I hope ths elucidation on the Christian position on swearing whether on the Bible or some other thing will dispel the fallacy and remedy the inaccuracy in Hadi Awang's statement.

Carrots for Permatang Pauh folks

Carrots from Barisan Nasional so far;


For the Chinese

• RM 1.2 million for 6 chinese schools in the Permatang Pauh constituency. Why the BN Govt only provides aid during election shall forever remain a mystery.

For the Indians

• A meagre RM50,000 each for two Tamil schools.


• Government has agreed to approve scrap metal collector's licence for them, says DPM Najib. Possibly depends on outcome of election so Indians shouldn't really hold their breath. Blogger G.Krishnan says 'Scrap Metal? Show Me the Real Stuff, Honey!'

More is to come says BN candidate Arif Shah. Saying if he wins he'll be able to pour more money into Permatang Pauh because of his cordial relationship with Abdullah Badawi.

IF YOU ARE IGNORANT OF THE BIBLE, STOP COMMENTING!

Whether Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s act of swearing on the Quran to substantiate his sodomy allegations is in accordance with Islam or not is not for me as a non-muslim to comment. That is the purview of the Islamic scholars.

However, I am peeved of when Pas President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Pas’s spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat claim that the act of placing the hand on the Quran while taking the oath to declare that one was telling the truth was imitating what the Christians did when they placed their hand on the Bible. That’s far from the truth and displays sheer ignorance.

Let me tell all ignorant what the Holy Bible says on swearing :-

THE OLD TESTAMENT.
LEVITICUS 19:12
“Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it; that brings disgrace on my name. I am the Lord your God”.

THE NEW TESTAMENT
MATHEW 5:34-37
“But now I tell you; do not use any vow when you make a promise. Do not swear by heavens, for it is God’s throne, nor by earth, for it is the resting place for his feet; nor by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King. Do not even swear by your head, because you cannot make single hair white or black. Just say yes or No-everything else comes from the Evil One”.

So, it is high time those ignorant of the Bible or the Christian teachings stop making comments or cast aspersions on the Holy Bible.

Despite the protests, democracy wins the day

Aniza Damis : NST

OVER the past week, many illustrious people and journalists have condemned the demonstrations against the Bar Council forum on Aug 9.

But I think it was a sterling example of how wonderfully democratic we have become.Nearly a year ago, I wrote about the Bar Council's Walk for Justice, when the Malaysian Bar walked from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Office. Seeing the peaceful protest, I commented that the public and Royal Malaysia Police seemed well on the way to learning how to be democratic.Last week's demonstration, this time against the Bar Council, showed that Malaysia has been on a sharp learning curve: we have advanced so far that even a less-than-peaceful protest is acceptable.

Consider this. The Bar Council forum was not declared illegal; the content of the forum was not declared illegal; the forum was held at the Bar Council building, which is private premises.

About 500 people stood outside the building, blocking the street, shouting, protesting, and condemning. They also threatened to storm the building. Not one was arrested.Even as little as a year ago, any demonstrating group without a police permit hurling abuses at a legally-convened meeting, would have been ordered to disperse, then water-cannoned, tear-gassed and, if they remained adamant, arrested and escorted to police vehicles.

Instead, what happened was that the police functioned only as a buffer between the demonstrators and the forum organisers and participants. In fact, as the riot police shuffled in to control the swelling crowd, it seemed as if they were reluctant to even be there.This, to me, is proof that the authorities have come to accept demonstrations -- peaceful or otherwise -- as a right in our democratic society.

Demonstrators have also become more sophisticated. While protesters of early days used to spray-paint slogans on old bedsheets, this time, one group, the Muslim Consumer Organisation, came with a dozen large, high-quality, professionally manufactured banners that must have cost about RM500 each.

Even though inflation is driving some poor Malay families to consuming just instant noodles and fried eggs several days a week, the Muslim Consumer Organisation obviously understood that, if you want to protest, you can't do it in half-measures.

Meanwhile, inside the Bar Council's auditorium, the forum to discuss the problems faced by non-Muslim families when a family member converts to Islam was under way.A young Chinese woman spoke about how her father had converted to Islam to marry an Iranian. A few years after this, he died. And the Muslim faraid inheritance system did not recognise the non-Muslim wife as his wife, nor the non-Muslim children as his children. "Can you imagine, the house you've been living in for 30 years is declared not your house," the young woman sobbed.

Listening to all this, I thought it was quite right for government leaders and de facto opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to have called for the forum to be closed-door.Because then the discussion would only involve religious leaders, and we wouldn't have to listen to the sad stories of these sad families, and feel sad.

About an hour into the forum, the police came in, followed by a handful of protesters who wanted to enforce an early shutdown of the forum.

I don't know how it is with other cultures, but I was taught that when you want to enter someone's home, you have to first give the salam (greeting of good wishes) to the host, then wait to be invited in before stepping over the threshold.If you give the salam three times and no one answers, then you should go away peacefully.

Naturally, the gate-crashing came as a shock. But then, I remembered the virtue for which Malaysia is famous: tolerance of other cultures. Obviously, the culture I had been brought up in is but one of the many different cultures that co-exist harmoniously in Ma-laysia.

When Professor Mehrun Siraj, a law professor who has taught at least an entire generation of lawyers in several Malaysian universities (and is probably now teaching the children of her first students), stood in front of the hall and started to speak, a couple of protesters, including Peninsular Malay Students Federation vice-president Jais Abdul Kari, yelled at her at the top of their lungs, trying to shout her down.

I was upset by this. I was as angry as I would have been if they had been shouting at my own mother. But then, I realised that this must be this culture's way of showing respect to elders. So, I calmed down.

After the forum was declared officially ended, Jais shouted, "Everyone get out! Take only the stairs, so that we can see that all of you vacate this building. "We will not leave until you all get out!" and stood by the auditorium's main door, like a host who's trying to kick out rowdy party guests.

Some people might find this disturbing. But the beauty is it brought together people of different ideologies.For instance, two protesters, one from Pas, the other from Umno rather happily and proudly said, "See! Who said Pas and Umno can't work together!"Meanwhile, at the front of the auditorium, PKR member of parliament Zulkifli Nordin was telling Bar Council officers off: "Don't touch (on) Islam. Don't touch (on) Muslims."The fact that members from the Islamist Pas, ultra-Malay Umno and secularist multiracial PKR can come together, focused on a shared belief, instead of bickering over political differences, shows how mature and fluid politics has become in this country.

The greatest proof of democracy at work that day was this: Might is right.Unlike in other countries where Muslims are the minority and have to patiently engage with the non-Muslims and convince them Islam is a peaceful religion and our God is merciful and just, over here, the Muslim majority can just tell people to shut up.

Many people might be opposed to this, but I sincerely hope democracy will be allowed to flourish.Then I can quit my day job and go into the banner-making business.

NOW YOU KNOW WHY NATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE NO MORE SCHOOL OF FIRST CHOICE.

It can only happen in Malaysia. A history teacher from SMK Telok Panglima Garang repeatedly utters racial, derogatory and unprintable slurs against Indian students. Instead of immediately sacking the teacher, the Education Department and Ministry Of Education condones her disgraceful behaviour and rewards her with a transfers to a smart school located near her house. The reason stated in her letter of transfer was that she was being transferred due to concerns for her security. So teachers (and other government servants) there you have it, fancy a transfer? Just spew racial profanities at a minority race and preferably Indians and you are assured of a transfer to premier (smart) school or another department others can only dream off.

Rightfully, the racist teacher should not only have been sacked but the police should have simultaneously proceeded to charge her. Her so called apology ought not to absolve her from her action, instead her apology should only mitigate her punishment. In this case her apology has turned into an unexpected reward.

In condoning her action and even worst adding insult to injury by rewarding her, perhaps the government must now understand why Chinese and Indians have deserted national schools. Now even the Malays are clamoring for places in Chinese schools.

While it may be wrong to tar all the teachers with the same brush and think all Malay teachers are racist, but teachers such as her and incidents such as these are no more isolated cases. What parents expect of a teacher is to teach. Nothing more and nothing less. Some teachers like the one from SMK Telok Panglima Garang however find that a difficult task. Non Malay parents simply do not wish to send their children to be taught by racist minded, ideologically deranged and intellectually bankrupt teachers.

It is no secret that national schools are no more the first choice for Chinese and Tamils. That is sad. National schools were established after merdeka with the objective and hope that children of all races could integrate freely, Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction and a common syllabus to promote national unity. Unfortunately, over the years, national schools have evolved, changed and acquired an image of Malay school with Islamic orientation and emphasis.

For the Chinese, Chinese schools have long being the school of choice to educate their children. It is estimated that just 1 out of 20 Chinese parents send their children to national schools and there is a tremendous demand for a place in Chinese schools. Add to that statistics is that more than 60,000 non Chinese are now studying in Chinese schools.

Chinese parents are convinced beyond belief that Chinese schools provide quality education, not to mention that they are assured that no teacher is going to call their children “babi” or “balik Cina”. Many parents have said the reason why they did not choose national schools is because in national schools there is a greater emphasis and priority on frivolous matters like ensuring students wear long trousers for physical activities or making students address the headmistress “Bonda” (there is actually a premier girls school in Johor Bahru where the headmistress require the students to address her as “Bonda”). Then there is an over emphasis on Islam over other religion and instilling moral values which are not universal values but often values of a single community. Classes are often segregated with the excuse that they are done for convenience sake and activities and celebrations are usually of one race. There have been instances where some school even prevented non Muslim children from bringing cooked food from home or even discouraged non Muslim pupils from wearing crucifix or putting holy ash on the forehead. Children who enter national schools innocent, unhurried by pretensions and untainted by prejudices, leave school imbedded with racist bigotry, religious supremacy and closed mind. It is safe to say polarization starts from school and that sadly does not augur well for the future of this country.

There is also a perception that many of the teachers in national schools are unmotivated and teaching was actually their last choice. The real attraction is actually the short hours and the long holidays. A retired senior lecturer from a Teachers Training College in Johor Bahru once lamented that education has not gone to the dogs but dogs have come to education.

How times have changed. When I went to school almost all my teachers were Malays and they had a tremendous passion for teaching. They had only one desire- teach and teach they did with zeal and passion. In their eyes we were not a Malay, Chinese or an Indian. We were simply pupils. One teacher I remember with great fondness, Cikgu Maimunah, although was suffering from cancer hardly took leave even in her final days of her life. Her 35 Non Malays and 2 Malays pupils mattered more than her health. More importantly, never once did any teacher utter any racial slurs against any student. Sadly these are teachers of a bygone era.

Teachers in Chinese schools are extremely dedicated and motivated to teach. There is a real zeal to ensure that the students study and perform well in their examination. I know of teachers from Chinese schools who sacrifice their weekends particularly when exams near by giving free tuition to their students. Would a teacher from a national type school be prepared to sacrifice their weekends giving extra tuition and even worst to give free tuition? Now you can understand why former students of Chinese schools donate generously to their alma matter.

While Chinese schools have long been a choice of education for Chinese parents, in recent years, there has been a growing trend for even Indians to send their children to Tamil schools. Tamil schools have made good and steady progress in national examination such as the UPSR. A recent survey by the Ministry of Education reveals that only 4% of Indian parents are sending their children to national schools compared to 53% who send their children to Tamil schools. The only problem faced by Indian parents is that unlike the Chinese whose children can later proceed to Chinese Secondary schools, there are no Tamil secondary school, thus inevitably Indian students will have to return to national schools for their secondary education. In national schools some teachers just like the one from SMK Telok Panglima Garang prey on Indian students spewing filth and profanities

Incidents such as the one which befell on the Indian students of SMK Telok Panglima Garang can only fortify non Malay resolute to give national schools a miss. So unless the the government and Ministry of Education can send the right message that they do not condone or support behaviour and antics of racist teachers and prove it by not only sacking such teachers but also ensuring that they are also charged in court, Chinese and Tamil schools will become school of first choice. Parents would not want children coming home crying that the teacher called them “keling or ”babi”.

Muslim scholars must engage intelectually with non muslims

Article by Blogger Mohamed Hanipa Maidin ( Peguampas.Blogspot)

Frankly speaking I am a bit puzzled by the anger expressed by some muslims in this country over the Bar Council’s forum on "Conversion to Islam: Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini & Shamala Revisited". After all it was only a forum where the chosen speakers were supposed to air their views in respect of the chosen topic.
May be , the angered muslims are right . The topic of the forum was quite sensitive and provocative. It should have been changed to make is less provocative. But it does not change the fact that it was still a forum – an avenue for the respective speakers to market their ideas which would be followed by fruitful discussions by the members of the floor.
A forum is closely connected with a freedom of speech and expression which is guaranteed by Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Needless to say Islam values such right and jealously protects it. Be that as it may, when the muslims vehemently protested such forum, I have , with the greatest respect, a difficulty to understand the reasons of such protest. While we ,the muslims, are entitled to protect and defend our religion , we must also at the same time be just and tolerant in our stand. Whatever stand we opted it must be based on the principle of fairness.

Just because we may have unsettled prejudice against certain group does not mean we have to oppose whatever program organized by such group.The forum , I am of the view, was not on a conversion of Islam per se as understood by certain quarters. In other words , the organizer, I believe, did not intend to question the right of non muslim to convert to Islam. On the other hand what the forum sought to achieve was the repercussion of the non muslim ‘s ancillary rights such as on the issue of custody of children and the maintainance over such conversion as reflected in the Federal Court’s judgment in Subashini a/p Rajasingam v Saravanan a/l Thangatoray.I sincerely believe many muslims ( and non muslims alike ) are not aware of and don’t have the full knowledge of the said case i.e Subashini a/p Rajasingam v Saravanan a/l Thangatoray. Unfortunately even without such knowledge , some have protested for the sake of protest .

The statement by certain irresponsible UMNO Ministers aggravated the situation. It is rather puzzling the protesters did not condemn a mediocre leader of UMNO ,Mohd Ali Rustam, when he suggested to use ISA to detain the organizer of the forum. I dare to say ISA is more dangerous and wicked than the said forum. Reading the judgment of the Federal Court in Subashini shows that the issue of the clash of jurisdictions ( civil and shariah ) has not been satisfactorily resolved. Thus it is fit and proper to organize a forum to discuss the said case and all the issues raised in the said case.

Do our muslim brothers and sisters know that until now the muslim has not not been allowed to file a divorce petition in the civil court when he or she converted to Islam. This is because under section 51 of the Law Reform ( Marriage & Divorce ) Act, only the non muslim spouse is entitled to file a divorce petition in the civil court if the other spouse embraced Islam. This has caused a lot of problems to the muslim spouse. He or she has no other option but to go to the Shariah Court to get his earlier marriage dissolved . But the decision of the Shariah court does not bind the other spouse who refused to embrace Islam.

Thus as far as the non muslim spouse is concerned , he or she is still legally considered a lawful husband or wife of the muslim convert. With this kind of forum , the muslim speakers may inter alia be able to highlight to the non muslim that even the muslims are discriminated against when they chose to embrace Islam. The main reason why such forum should be allowed to be held is that it did not only invite the non muslims as speakers. There were muslim speakers who were invited to air their views in the said forum. These three speakers, I believe , were competent to defend the muslims’ interest in that forum. When two out of the said three speakers pulled out from the forum at the eleventh hour , the inescapable conclusion was that the muslim scholars were not ready to engage intellectually with other non muslim speakers in that forum.

The pulling out, with respect, was not the good option. I believe that the topic of the forum was not detrimental to Islam unless it was unduly sensationalized and blown out of proportion. . The forum was the right avenue for the muslim scholars to defend Islam and its legal system. It was also the best opportunity for the muslim to engage intellectually with the non muslims. The muslim don’t have to be apologetic in such forum. This forum, is not akin to Article 11’s campaign. For me , the group of Article 11 was a kind of movement. It had launched a roadshow all over the country in order to attain certain hidden agenda. As such Article 11 was rightly protested by the muslims as it sought to drive home a message that the muslim in this country has the right to “murtad” and such right is protected by Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

Many muslims rightly believed that Article 11 was created to pursue the IFC’s unsuccessful agenda. It is high time for the muslims to engage intellectually with the non muslims. We must show to our non muslims brothers and sisters that Islam promotes dialogue and intellectual discourse. Islam is the religion of truth and because of this truth the muslim are always ready and willing to engage with anybodies or any parties whatever their backgrounds.

It is relevant to quote this valuable advice by Allamah Yusuf Alqardhawi in this kind of issue
“ Lasna fi hajah liman yahmilu as-saifa liyuballigha hadzihi al-risalat bil ‘aksi nahnu fi hajah liman yahmilu al fikra wa yahmilu al’ilma wal qalama liyuballigha hadzihi al-risalat ila al-syarki wa ila al-gharbi”
( Translation : At present , we ( the muslims ) are not in need those who can bring the sword on the contrary we are in greater need those who can bring knowledge and pen in order to propagate the message of Islam to the East and to the West )

They are calling us Babi

Pic taken from Malaysia Today

Racist teacher gets a better deal.

Apparently, the teacher has been transferred to a school closer to her home, no disciplinary action taken. Best of all, the letter of transfer stated that she was being transferred due to concerns for her security and not because she had committed an offence. State Education Dept say they had wanted to transfer the person out of the state but had acceded to a request from the teacher to remain in the district


Meanwhile, the victimised students are being blamed by some teachers of the school for the lack of history teacher.

The teacher "had some explaining to do" is the statement given by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Read more on the NST here

psycho history teacher at SMK Telok Panglima, Selangor

Recently, about 500 angry parents and other members of the Indian community gathered outside the school to stage a protest over racial slurs and abuse allegedly uttered by a teacher against Indian students recently.

The slurs by the teacher was apparently included in the police report and it somehow managed to appear on the The Star's online version, although it appears to have been taken down afterwards. Blogger Poobalan managed to post the original Star report.

Caution - The words mentioned might put off some. Read it here.


In the aftermath,

“She also said that she did not expect things to become so serious and has agreed to be transferred to another school,” said Senator T. Murugiah, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department , who visited SMK Telok Panglima Garang.


Truly 'Cemerlang - Gemilang - Terbilang'

HINDUS AND MUSLIM’S PRAYING TOGETHER.

Came across this picture which appeared in the STAR of Hindus and Muslims in India PRAYING TOGETHER. Had such a ceremony taken place in Malaysia there would have been a chorus of disapproval.

How I wish something like this can happen in Malaysia. No point in wishful thinking, I guess!

MAN SERVING PRISON SENTENCE MADE GUARANTOR FOR LOAN BY BANK.

DAP TIDAK PERNAH TIPU PAS - Pengakuan Tuan Guru Nik Aziz.

DAP tidak pernah tipu PAS. Begitulah pengakuan Tuan Guru Nik Aziz semasa ditemubual akhbar Siasah. Apabila ditanya Siasah bagaimana Pas boleh berbaik dengan DAP sedangkan dengan UMNO tidak, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz menyatakan :-

"DAP tidak pernah tipu kami, semasa dia hendak keluar dalam pakatan Gagasan Rakyat sebelum ini mereka memberitahu dengan terbuka. Biar pun DAP keluar dari gagasan tetapi tidak macam PAS keluar dari BN sehingga pecah tiga parti itu.

Umno bawa PAS masuk dalam Barisan Nasional maka kami setuju, kemudian apabila sudah tidak perlukan lagi dia tendang kami keluar."

(Sila baca Siasah edisi 20 - 26 Julai).

Semoga PAS mengambil iktibar daripada kenyataan Tuan Guru.

Semalam suratkhabar-suratkhabar tempatan memaparkan pendedahan Perdana Mentari Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang mengaku bahawa yang UMNO dan PAS telah bertemu sebanyak tiga kali untuk berbincang berkenaan dengan hal kepentingan bersama.

PAS perlu sedar sejarah persefahaman mereka dengan UMNO-Barisan Nasional sebelum ini.

Kini UMNO-Barisan Nasional bergoyah dan bagi UMNO, PAS adalah talian hayat.

Harapan baru untuk Malaysia ialah P.R - PAS, DAP & PKR bukannya Barisan Nasional.

BEGINIKAH KITA MEMBALAS BUDI JASA SEORANG PARAJURIT?

Apakah ini cara negara membalas budi jasa seorang parajurit yang telah berkhidmat untuk negara dan yang telah sedia berkorban nyawa mempertahankan ibu pertiwi?

Bacalah cerita malang Othman Naim yang tersiar dalam NST 18, July. Apa komen saudara?

Men in balaclavas

In another part of the world.

Somewhere nearby...

Anwar arrested!

Anwar arrested for sodomy

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 - Police have arrested opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy under Section 377 of the Penal Code, lawyer Sivarasa Rasiah said.