rozaimi

You Sue Me, I Sue You

2009-08-10T22:02:00.003+08:00

I must say that I read with disgust the report in Mingguan Malaysia entitled "Tengoklah berapa ratus juta pula Anwar mahu saman" ("Let's see how many hundred million Anwar wants to sue").

In the news report, the Johor UMNO was reported to have said that they will be organising a realy big gathering in the near future of which they believe that tons of thousand of UMNO members will take part in the gathering. The gathering is to be held solely for the purpose of shouting the word "traitor" to Anwar Ibrahim and they want to see how many hundres of millions Anwar wants to sue them.

I believe this stupid idea of UMNO Johor was in response to Anwar's legal cation against Muhyiddin Yassin whereby the former threatened to sue the latter of RM100 million for saying that Anwar is a traitor.

This is a further evidence of the level of mentality of mentally retarded politicians that we are having at the moment. While the government does not encourage gathering of large scale at the moment in an attempt to curb the spread of A(H1N1), the UMNO Johor on the other hand was planning to have this gathering, which I do not see its benefit to any party in any manner whatsoever. Not only that, it will be a total waste of money and time. I believe that a lot of money will be spent unnecessarily during this useless gathering oragnised by a bunch of brainless people. The money that thes bunch of idiots are willing to spentcan be channeled for a much better purpose. The time they are going to spent for the gathering can be used for a much beter purpose.

As for myself, I do not disagree with Muhyiddin but seriously this stupid idea by a bunch of idiot people is totally not a need at all..

More Mature Politicians please!!!

2009-08-05T11:39:00.002+08:00

I read the news report this morning at The Star online about assemblmen in Melaka shouting at each other during the debate in the Dewan Undangan Negeri. It all started when DAP assemblyman was asking a BN rep about whether the government would cancel all big gathering to avoid the spreading of A(H1N1) among the people. Before the BN rep could answer the question, another BN rep stood up and tchided the opposition for the recent sreet rally. Thereater, both parties started to shout at each other and some were calling names like "YB pendek" and "YB gemok"

I wonder if these idiot politicians thought that the people voted for them and paid for their salary for them to behave as an idiot and like small kids?

Children at the kindergarten behave better than them. Why can't they just simply let the BN rep to answer the question and take it from there. By interrupting in the Q&A sessions, there were just wasting their time and our money.

People said that Malaysia has first class infrustructure but third class mentality. It is simply because we have politicians who are mentally retarded.

Now, those idiot politicians, please get back to work!!!

Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu

2009-07-22T21:52:00.004+08:00

Prior to 17th April 2008

The issuance of halal certification was entrusted upon JAKIM.

17th April 2008

Cabinet under the leadership of Dolah Badawi (ooops, he is a Tun?) shifted the task of issuing the halal certification from JAKIM to Halal Industry Development Corporation.

JAKIM's website in commenting about the move to transfer the issuance of halal certification from JAKIM to HDC stated as follows: -

Pada 17 April 2008 yang lalu, satu lagi kemajuan dicapai ke arah memartabatkan lagi pembangunan industri halal di Malaysia. Perkembangan ini adalah sejajar dengan aspirasi kerajaan...Transisi pengurusan pensijilan halal di Malaysia daripada Bahagian Hub Halal JAKIM kepada Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) adalah sesuatu yang kena dan tepat pada masanya...

That was last year when Dolah Badawi was still the PM.

9th July 2009

Barely 1 year after Malaysia reached another milestone in upholding the development of halal industry in Malaysia (as quoted above), the Cabinet (of course under Najib as the PM) reversed the previous Cabinet's decision (under Dolah Badawi) decided that the management and issuance of halal certificates has been transferred back to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) from the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and the same was to take effect immediately.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said “The Government felt that it was better to separate the role of the issuance of halal certificates and the development of the regional and global halal market between the two agencies".

Can someone explain to me what is happening here? If the move from JAKIM to HDC (as far as the issuance of halal certification is concerned) 1 year ago was described as "kemajuan", am I right to assume that the recent Cabinet's decision to give back the task to JAKIM from HDC as "kemunduran"?

I thought Najib is a great believer of Islam Hadhari? At least that was what he said before he became the PM. Read here.

Is the issue of halal certification in Malaysia now can be regarded as purely religous matter? I do not think so. To me, it is purely political matter.

Nothing

2009-07-22T21:46:00.002+08:00

It has been more than 2 months I have not been posting anything in this blog. My sincere apology for not updating this blog for that long. It is not that I want to give up writing blog but it is just that time is not on my side. There were a lot of issues that I want to share with you guys but could not find the suitable time to pen it down (or perhaps that ws just an excuse).

After more than 2 months leaving this blog without any new issues, I have been thinking of what should I do with this blog. I love this blog and it means a lot of things to me. After so much of thinking, I have decided no matter what, I need to keep this blog breathing at least once a week with new posting.

Wish me luck please. I need istiqama.

Surau Al-Ansar - Satu Amal Jariah

2009-05-04T22:53:00.005+08:00

Nabi Muhammad s.a.w bersabda, maksudnya, "apabila matinya seseorang anak Adam itu, maka terputuslah segala amalannya kecuali 3 perkara, amal jariah, ilmu yang dimanfaatkan oleh orang lain dan doa anak yang soleh".

Pada ketika ini, surau di kawasan kediaman saya masih dalam pembinaan. Surau yang sepatutnya dapat digunakan untuk solat tarawih dan solat sunat eidul fitri tahun lepas masih dalam pembinaan dan belum dapat disiapkan.

Kelewatan menyiapkan projek pembinaan surau ini ada hubung kaitnya dengan kekurangan dana. Pelbagai usaha telah dilakukan di antaranya ialah kutipan bulanan, kutipan rumah ke rumah, pengkreditan terus ke dalam akau bank dan majlis makan malam namun dana yang dikumpulkan masih belum mencukupi. Ini jelas melambatkan proses pembinaan surau tersebut.

Sehubungan dengan itu, saya menyeru rakan-rakan pembaca yang budiman agar dapat sama-sama menghulurkan sumbangan wang ringgit ke dalam tabung dana pembinaan surau ini dengan mengkreditkan wang sumbangan ke dalam akaun bank seperti berikut: -

Bank Mualamat 1207 0003737 71 8; atau

Maybank 5 64856 10769 7

Sasaran terbaru ialah untuk menyiapkan surau ini sebelum bulan Ramadhan tahun ini. Anda mungkin tidak akan menggunakan surau ini untuk tujuan beribadah tetapi ingatlah bahawa selagi mana surau ini masih wujud dan digunakan untuk tujuan beribadah, pahala anda akan terus berjalan walau anda sudah tiada di dunia ini lagi. Inilah yang dikatakan sebagai "amal jariah" yang disebut dalam hadis Nabi.

PAPAN TANDA PEMBINAAN SURAU

SURAU SEMENTARA

KERJA-KERJA PEMBINAAN SURAU BARU

Najib v Mahathir???

2009-04-20T06:47:00.003+08:00

There has been talked about another by-election at Penanti, Penang, the seat currently held by Fairus, the Penang Deputy CM 1 who went on early retirement recently.

If the by-election is happening, it means that Malaysians are having 6 by-elections since March 2008. While 3 by-elections were inevitable (Kuala Terengganu, Batang Ai and Bukit Gantang) due to the death of its MPs and Assemblyman, the other 3 was not necessary. Millions of our money were wasted to hl this unnecessary by-elections. We are lucky that Elizabeth Wong did not made to vacant her seat.

Now, after 5 by-elections of which BN had managed to only retain 1 seat while losing the Kuala Terengganu seat and failed to repossess the other 3 seats from the opposition it really suggests that BN's position at the moment is very fragile. Out of 5, BN lost 4 and won only 1.

I do not think that Najib as the new PM and UMNO President can afford to lose another by-election. He needs to feel good about having the support of the grassroots. Losing the Penanti by-election is a signal that Najib may not want to receive. And for that, Najib said that BN may not contesting the Penanti by-election as it is a waste of fund. I can understand where Najib came from. As I said earlier, holding unnecesary by-election is a real waste of fund. That millions of ringgit can be used to benefit the rakyat as a whole. Every single sen that we have needs to be spent wisely. However, I do not really buy Najib's excuse for not contesting the Penanti by-election. If BN is in a very strong position and the likelihood is that BN ay be able to repossess Penanti from PKR, do you think that Najib will let this golden opportunity go just like that? I do not think so because he needs to contest to win and with the win he can show to the people that he has got the suport from the grassroots. So, to me, the reason Najib does not want BN to contest in Penanti is not because of money but more on his popularity.

While Najib is thinking of not contesting in Penanti by-election, his Mentor Tun Mahathir has different idea. Tun was quoted by The Star as saying that "Barisan Nasional should not throw in the towel and withdraw from contesting the Penanti by-election as it would give the impression that the party is weak".

So now we have Najib vs Mahathir. I am very sure if Pak Lah is still the PM and he decided not to contest the by-election, he will get whacked from Mahathir. Now, will Najib listens to Tun's advice? Will Mahathir whack and criticise Najib if Najib confirmed that BN is not contesting in Penanti? Let us wait and see what happen.

Najib in Pekan

2009-04-19T12:45:00.002+08:00

The Star reported Najib's return to Pekan was welcomed and chereed by around 40,000 people yesterday. In the article titled "40,000 give rousing reception at Najib’s homecoming", Naib was quoted as saying that: -

“I have come to Pahang countless times but this time around, the feeling is so different."

“I am so touched and choked with emotion because with Allah’s will and your prayers, I have returned to Pahang as the sixth Prime Minister,”

However, the sms that I received from my sister who is living in Pekan tells me different story. Her sms was as follows: -

"PM Balik Pekan. KC (my niece) bratur tpi jalan. Walk fr sek, 1.5km at 9am. Around 12, bry PM lalu. Komen KC: *lama tunggu, panas, muka KC burn, itam. PM lalu dgn kete, lmbai mcm org x btulang. KC ingt dato najib jln kaki, salam2 kita*. Jln 1.5km blk k sek smula"

Corruption

2009-03-19T13:20:00.001+08:00

Nowadays, issue on corruption becomes one of the hottest topics of discussion. From the Khalid Ibrahim’s cows and car issues to the money politics in UMNO that led to Ali Rustam being barred from contesting the UMNO’s No. 2 post (which by convention will make the incumbent the Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister).

In my discussion here, I am going to talk about the corruption in general perspective without pointing to any particular individual.

In Islam, corruption is illegal (haram) as the Prophet Muhammad pbuh said in his hadith, “arraasyi walmurtasyi finnar” which means “the person who gave bribe and the person who received it, both will be in the hell”.

In Malaysia, though we do not apply Islamic law, corruption is also an offence and punishable under the relevant laws. In fact, I believe that corruption is an offence everywhere. I also believe that corruption is very dangerous in the sense that it can cause a nation’s fall down.

We may have the relevant laws to counter corruption but it may not solve the problem because we do not find its root cause. The law is there to punish the offenders but it does not necessarily stop others from committing the same offence. I do not need to prove my point, as this fact is a judicial notice (known to the public without the need to prove it in court). We do hear people say “prevention is better than cure” but what do we need to do to prevent corruption instead of curing it though punishment? The answer is simple as we need to recognize the root cause of the problem.

What is/are then the root cause of corruption? Musa Hassan (the IGP) felt that low salary was the cause of corruption in police force as it was reported that Musa Hassan has called on the government to pay his officers properly saying it would help tackle the problem of corruption in theforce.

With due respect I do not agree with him. I’ll discuss at the later part of this posting.

We also do hear that education starts at home. I do agree that education starts at home but there are good education and bad education. Corruption starts at home. Just to give a quick understanding of what I meant by “corruption starts at home”, corruption, in my own understanding is a practice of giving unnecessary reward or unnecessary additional reward to someone for doing something, which is his/her responsibility to do it. When I have the responsibility to do something, no matter what, I have to do it because it is my responsibility. However, when someone starts to pay me to do what is already my responsibility, there is a strong tendency that I will be asking for money before I perform my responsibility and that is corruption. So, corruption is a bad education.

Parents nowadays give money to their children to fast, to pray, to study and a lot more things that has become the duty of the children. Some parents said that the money is to encourage and to instill interest in their children to pray, fast, etc and it is sort of incentive. It may sound logic and workable but then again, “the end does not justify the means”. At the end of the day, we will have children who pray, fast, etc for material reward and not because they feel that it is their duty to do so. The same thing goes to helping parents with the house chores. Parents should not pay their children to do the house chores. Make it upon them (the children) that it is their responsibility to help their parents with the house chores. The same thing goes to academic achievements. It has become a trend nowadays for parents to promise this and that to their children if they achieve the target set by their parents in the examination. In the end, they study because of the promise made by the parent and not because they feel that it is their responsibility to study and excel in their examination. It has come to the stage whereby a friend of mine told me that his eldest son asked him beginning of the year of what would he (the father) give to him (the son) as a present if he manage to be the top student in his class?

So, if children have been taught at home that it is nothing wrong for them to demand for reward to do something that is obliged upon them to do, what make you think that they will feel that it is wrong for them to ask for money before they do their job when they enter working era?

Now, the reason why I do not agree with Musa Hassan on his view how to fight corruption in the police force is because it is the nature of human being that what they get will never be enough (in general) for them. Low salary is not the factor to corruption. You may have someone earning 5 figures salary but still practice corruption because what they get is never enough for them. You may earn low salary but if you can live within your means, then your salary should be enough. So, salary is not the factor here. It depends very much on the person’s upbringing at home.

And we always hear parents said that “children nowadays…” when in actual fact, the phrase should be “parents nowadays…” Can we say, “parents nowadays teach their children to be materialistic” than “children nowadays are materialistic”?

A Note of Thanks

2009-03-07T12:51:00.002+08:00

This blog was first created on 16th February 2008 with the first posting was Election Was Just Around the Corner. Which means, my blog is already 1 year old.

I started my blog without any proper plan. I was reading my niece's blog when suddenly I felt like I wanted to have my own blog. So, I simply created my blog and decided to write on any topic that interests me.

At first, I was wondering whether there would be readers to my blog. I mean what is the point of having a blog if nobody reads it except the owner. Whether what i write is enough to invite people to leave their comment? A lot of thing were in my mind. But I decided to give myself a year period and thereafter to decide whether or not this blog should be continued.

And after slightly more than a year now, my blog has been visited at least 4021 times (because I started the hit counter on 7th April 2008), which means in average, my blog was visited 12 times a day. I take that as an unexpected achievement and for that I am grateful to Allah. I just want to convey and share what I have in mind with others. And I sincerely hope that some of my readers (if not all) have benefited from reading my blog.

And for that, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all visitors to my blog for all the support that I received this far. I hope to receive continous support from you guys. So, do continue to drop by at my blog and your comment/suggestion is most welcomed.

Thank you very very much.

Perak Power Struggle - The Datuk Amir Kahar's Case Revisited

2009-03-04T12:15:00.004+08:00

In a turning of event in Perak, the Speaker has called for an emergency sitting, which 3 motions were passed: -

(a) motion of confidence on Nizar as the legal Perak MB;

(b) agreement to seek Royal consent for dissolution of state assembly; and

(c) the adoption of the suspension of MB Zambry Abdul Kadir and his Excos by the Rights and Privileges Committee.

Before we discuss further and to get a better overview of the matter, let us have a look at the media statement issued the office of the Sultan of Perak, which is reproduced below:

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was granted an audience by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan on Feb 4, to ask for his Royal Highness’s consent to dissolve the Perak State Assembly.

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, also requested for an audience with his Royal Highness in his capacity as the Perak Barisan Nasional chairman and consent was granted to be present before his Royal Highness on Feb 5.

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Mohd Najib informed that the Barisan Nasional and its supporters, now comprising 31 state assemblymen, had the majority in the State Assembly.

On the order of the Duli Yang Maha Mulia to ascertain that the information given was accurate, all the 31 state assemblyman were to present themselves before Paduka Seri Sultan.

After meeting all the 31 assemblymen, DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak was convinced that YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had ceased to command the confidence of the majority of the State Assembly members.

DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak had also considered thoroughly YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s application on Feb 4, 2009 for his Royal Highness’s consent to dissolve the Perak State Assembly.

His Royal Highness had used his discretion under Article XVIII (2)(b) of the Perak Darul Ridzuan State Constitution and did not consent to the dissolution of the Perak State Assembly.

YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was summoned to an audience with the Sultan to be informed of his Royal Highness’s decision not to dissolve the State Assembly, and in accordance with the provisions of Article XVI(6) of the Perak Darul Ridzuan State Constitution, DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak ordered YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to resign from his post as Perak Mentri Besar together with the members of the state executive council with immediate effect.

If YAB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin does not resign from his post as Perak Mentri Besar together with the state executive council members, then the posts of Mentri Besar and state executive councillors are regarded as vacant.

This statement is issued with the consent of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan.

From the above statement issued by the Palace, it is crystally clear to us of what happened that led to the Barisan Nasional (BN) to take over the Perak State Government from Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Despite the above statement, many people especially the PR supporters cannot accept the Sultan of Perak’s decision to use his discretion confereed upon him under the Perak Darul Ridzuan State Constitution (Perak Constitution). It is a judicial notice as to how those unhappy with the Sultan’s decision expressed their unhappiness. I am not going to discuss on that issue here.

Consequent to the Sultan of Perak’s decision to pass the state administration to BN, there have been legal tussle between BN and PR with the issue on the legality of the appointment of the BN Menteri Besar is pending in Court, the suspension order issued by Perak Speaker is under investigation and the legality of the emergency sitting called by the Perak speaker is being challenged. I shall leave those issues out of my discussion here and let the relevant authorities deal with it.

What is the legal status of the discretionary power exercised by the Sultan of Perak, as mentioned above, as conferred by Article 18 (2) (b) of the Perak Constitution? Before I answer the question, I would like to draw your attention to the provisions of Article 16 (6) and Article 18 (2) (b) of the Perak Constitution.

Artcile 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution states as follows: -

If the Menteri Besar ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly, then, unless at his request, His Royal Highness dissolves the Legislative Assembly, he shall tender the resignation of the Executive Council

Article 18 (2) of the Perak Constitution states as follows: -

His Royal Highness may act in his discretion in the performance of the following functions…

(a) the appointment of the Menteri Besar; and

(b) the withholding of consent to a request for the dissolution of Legislative Assembly

Now, to answer the question I posed above, I would like to revisit the case of Datuk (Datu) Amir Kahar Tun Datu Mustapha –v- Tun Mohd Said Keruak & Ors [1195] 1 CLJ 184. The fact of the case is briefly as follows: -

In February 1994, there was a state election in Sabah offering 48 seats. At the end of the election, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), led by Joseph Pairin Kitingan defeated Barisan Nasional (BN), led by Sakaran Dandai by 25 to 23 seats. Accordingly, Pairin Kitingan was appointed as the Chief Minister of Sabah. However, in March the same year, 3 of PBS Assemblymen defected to BN, thus causing BN to have better majority to that of PBS. As a result of the defection, Pairin Kitingan decided to tender his resignation as the Chief Minister. Immediately after Pairin Kitingan tendered his resignation, the Governor of Sabah appointed Sakaran Dandai as the Chief Minister. Subsequent to Sakaran’s appointment as the Chief Minister, 7 new Ministers were duly appointed to be in Sakaran’s cabinet. The issue in this case was pertaining to the legal status of the Ministers under the leadership of Pairin Kitingan as well as the validity of the appointment of 7 cabinet members under Sakaran Dandai.

What happened was, upon the defection of his 3 Assemblymen to BN, Pairin had sought the consent of the Governor to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly. This was made in line with Article 7(1) of the Sabah State Constitution, which has the same effect as in Article 16 (6) of Perak Constitution. The Governor however, withheld the request made by Pairin Kitingan pursuant to Article 10(2) which is nonjusticiable (can’t be challenged in Court), which has similar effect to Article 18 (2) (b) of the Perak Constitution.

Subsequent to that, the Governor received a petition signed by 30 people said to be the member of the State Legislative Assembly to show support for the BN and no confidence in Piairin Kitingan. Based on what happened, the Governor decided to appoint Sakaran Dandai as the new Chief Minister. As to what happened in Perak, as we can see from the media statement above, 31 State Assemblymen had an audience with the Sultan of Perak to show their support in BN, which automatically means that Nizar had ceased to have confidence of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly. Accordingly, a new MB from BN (Zambry) was appointed by the Sultan upon the power conferred to him pursuant to Article 18 (2) (a) of the Perak Constitution.

The point raised by the Plaintiff was that the resignation of Pairin Kitingan was personal to him and it does not affect the legality of the appointment made on the cabinet members of Pairin Kitingan. This is because there has been no concrete evidence that Pairin Kitingan has ceased to have confidence of the majority of the members of the State Legislative Assembly (as the Plaintiff deemed the petition signed by 30 Assemblymen is not acceptable in law to show the non-confidence in Pairin). The only distinguishing factor between the case in Perak and Sabah is that in Sabah, upon realizing that he has ceased to have the confidence of the majority and that his request for the dissolution was withheld by the Governor, Pairin tendered his resignation while in Perak, though Nizar realized that he has lost the confidence of the majority and that his request for dissolution was withheld by the Sultan, Nizar did not tender his resignation.

However, the Court, after considering the relevant facts and authorities presented before it by counsels of both parties, concluded as follows: -

On the issue of whether the petition signed by 30 Assemblymen is a sufficient proof to show that Pairin Kitingan has lost confidence of the majority, the Court held that the evidence to establish that a Chief Minister ceases to command the confidence of a majority of the members of the Assembly…need not necessarily be dependent upon the actual motion to be tabled in the State Legislative Assembly. It may be available from sources outside the Legislative Assembly depending on circumstances of each case. In other words, the Judge was of the opinion that the petition signed by 30 Assemblymen is a sufficient proof that Pairin Kitingan had no longer has majority confidence and that it did not necessarily to have proper vote of no-confidence through a proper sitting.

On the issue of whether Pairin Kitingan’s resignation affect the position of his cabinet members, the Court was of the view that the resignation of Pairin Kitingan as the Chief Minister was a resignation pursuant to him ceasing to command a confidence. As a result, upon his resignation being accepted, the his Cabinet was dissolved and with it goes the appointments of the other members of that Cabinet. Consequently, the appointments of Pairin Kitingan’s cabinet members made on 21 February 1994 would not any longer subsist in law.

So, based on the case of Datuk Amir Kahar, it is crystal clear upon us that the Sultan of Perak was right in withholding Nizar’s request to dissolve the Legislative Assembly. However, the issue of whether the Sultan has the power to ask Nizar to resign was not decided in Datuk Amir Kahar’s case, as it was not an issue in that case.

In my opinion, Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution is very clear that if the MB ceases to command the confidence of the majority, he will need to tender his resignation (in view that his request for dissolution was not granted by the Sultan).

It is my opinion also that since Article 18 (2) (a) of the Perak Constitution empower the Sultan to appoint the Menteri Besar, he should have the power to retract his appointment, though it is not clearly stated under the same Article.

So, when the MB (Nizar) refused to tender his resignation, in my opinion, the Sultan of Perak was right is asking Nizar to tender his resignation and to appoint the new Menteri Besar, as provided under Article 18 (2) (a) of the Perak Constitution read together with Article 16 (6) of the same Constitution. In that sense, the Sultan of Perak did not have to wait for Nizar to tender his resignation. By the Sultan requesting Nizar to resign and by him appointing Zambry as the new MB, indirectly, it can be said that the Sultan has revoked the appointment of Nizar as the MB.

What then happened to the Executive Councils under Nizar’s administration? As clearly pointed out in Datuk Amir Kahar’s case, with the revocation of the appointment of Nizar as the MB, those Executive Councils under Nizar’s administration have to leave the office simultaneously.

In a nutshell, with the appointment of Zambry as the new MB, Nizar has ceased to become the MB of Perak and the same goes to his Exco members.

Notwithstanding the above, the Perak Legislative Assembly has passed 3 resolutions during their “under the tree emergency sitting” yesterday. The first 2 motions were on the show of confidence of majority towards Nizar and the second was the agreement of the majority to have the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly to give way for fresh election.

With my discussion above, the show of confidence by the majority towards Nizar does not hold water. However, assuming that Nizar is still the legal MB of Perak (and assuming that the appointment of Zambry was illegal), Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution clearly stated the pre-condition that must be fulfilled by Nizar as the MB before he can request to the Sultan of Perak for the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly and the pre-condition is THE MB CEASES TO COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE MAJORITY. Now, during the said emergency sitting, the first motion that was passed was a MOTION OF CONFIDENCE towards Nizar and NOT THE MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE AGAINST NIZAR. So, when the majority still have confidence in Nizar as the MB of Perak, Nizar has not fulfilled the precondition set out in Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution and as such, any request by Nizar for the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly pursuant to the motions passed during the emergency sitting does not hold water. With that, the second motion passed yesterday does not hold water as well.

The case of Datuk Amir Kahar was decided by the High Court and till today, there is no case that overruled that case. However, the position may change if the Federal Court differs its opinion from Datuk Amir Kahar's case, as it has the power to do so. But for now, Datuk Amir Kahar's case stands.

Enough with the above, I would like now to reproduce the press statement made by Pairin Kitingan on 17th March 1994 (and how I wish that Nizar would follow Pairin's footstep in stepping down gracefully) (the bold is mine): -

Events in the last few days have forced a situation where we must tread carefully to avoid a further deterioration of the political situation. The turn of events have brought about a situation much different from that of 21 February 1994 when I was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sabah after the Parti Bersatu Sabah had won 25 seats. With the appointment of the six nominated Assemblymen the total was brought to 31 seats. The situation is now reversed with the Barisan Nasional having the majority of 33 seats to PBS's 21 thus paving the way for it to form the next government.

By convention, the Chief Minister will have to resign if the ruling party no longer has the majority support of the Assemblymen. Under the present circumstances, where the PBS majority is greatly reduced with the mass exodus of its Assemblymen to the BN, my position as Chief Minister is no longer tenable. Having taken all matters into consideration, I have, therefore, decided to resign from the post of Chief Minister.

It is a sad decision for me but nonetheless I truly feel this is the most honourable thing to do under the present circumstances. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your full support to ensure Parti Bersatu Sabah's victory in the just concluded state elections.

We truly appreciated your mandate to give us another chance to govern the state.

In the context of what has transpired over the last few days, it is clear that some changes have occurred that tipped the balance of support in favour of the BN. I am now acknowledging the need to respond honourably to the situation. I made this decision to resign with a clear conscience and in the knowledge that I had tried to do my best for the people and the state in the past nine years.

As I offer my thanks and appreciation to the people of Sabah for giving us their trust and confidence, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new Chief Minister and his government which will be formed today.

It is my hope too that the new government will continue to look after the interests of the people and the state and world to ensure a developed, progressive and just society.

I would also like to assure the new Chief Minister and his government that I will cooperate and do my part to serve the people and the state. I sincerely wish him all the best.

Big Blunder by Syed Hamid

2009-03-02T10:33:00.002+08:00

Well, I must say with great relief that the gazette on the Internal Security (Prohibition on use of specific words on Document and Publication) Order 2009 has been revoked, effective today.

The Home Minister, Syed Hamid Albar admitted that there were mistakes made in the drafting of the Feb 16 gazette which stated that Christian publications could use the word “Allah” provided the words “For Christians” were clearly printed on the front cover.

Ok, Syed Hamid admitted that it was a mistake. However, it is still mind boggling how such a mistake could happen? It is a shame. A big blunder on the part of the Home Ministry in particular and the government in general. I wonder if Syed Hamid Albar will be reprimanded by his boss? Hmmm...even his boss made blunder...flip flopping.

Take a look at the exact wording of the Feb 16th gazette here:

Prohibition on use of specific words on document and publication 2. (1) The printing, publication, sale, issue, circulation and possession of any document and publication relating to Christianity containing the words “Allah”, “Kaabah”, “Baitullah” and “Solat” are prohibited unless on the front cover of the document and publication are written with the words “for christianity”.

(2) The words “for christianity ” referred to in subparagraph (1) shall be written clearly in font type Arial of size 16 in bold.

1. Well, looking at the exact wording of the gazette made me really wonder whether Syed Hamid read carefully the gazette before signing it or he just blindly signed it?

2. While Syed Hamid admitted his blunder, I wonder what was the purpose of having such a gazette at the first place?

3. If there were mistakes in the drafting of the gazette, what is the correct version?

To Syed Hamid, whatever excuse you may want to offer to the people, the damage has been done. The mistake is not in the drafting, but in having the stupid idea to issue the gazette at the first place.

In my previous posting, the title was "First Ban, Then Uplift with Condition, Next What? The answer to the question is Next Ban Again...

First Ban, Then Uplift with Condition, Next is What???

2009-02-28T10:34:00.003+08:00

First, the Home Ministry banned The Herald from using the word “Allah” in their Malay publication.

Next, The Herald brought the issue to Court and was granted to leave to apply for Judicial Review.

Then, The Herald filed application for a judicial review against the decision by the Home Ministry to ban the use of the word “Allah” in their Malay publication.

The Decision on the judicial review heard by before High Court Judge, Justice Lau Bee Lan will be delivered on 5/5/2009 .

In the meantime, The Herald ignored the ban from the Home Ministry and continued to use the word “Allah” in their Malay publication pending the disposal of the judicial review.

In response to the above, the Home Ministry issued a stern warning.

The Home Ministry ban The Herald from publishing its Malay publication pending the disposal of the judicial review.

Then, there were a lot of discussion on the issue from various parties. Mine is here and here.

Suddenly it was reported that through the newly gazetted Internal Security Act, The Herald was allowed to use the word “Allah” in their Malay Publication with strict condition to have “For Christians Only” printed on the publication. Sad to say that the gazette was signed by none others than the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, the person who used to talk very firmly against the use of the word “Allah” in The Herald Malay publication. This was confirmed by the Home Ministry’s Qur’an Publication Control and Text Division Secretary, Che Din Yusoh.

Then the government was urged to remove the condition.

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I thought the Home Ministry through its Minister Syed Hamid Albar was very firm in their decision to ban the use of the word “Allah” in The Herald Malay publication.

I thought the Home Ministry through its Minister Syed Hamid Albar’s firm stance in the issue will last long, if not perpetual.

I thought the Government would wait for the Court to decide on the outcome of the judicial review.

I WAS WRONG.

I thought for once, I could trust this Syed Hamid Albar.

I WAS WRONG.

I wonder why did the Home Ministry suddenly granted permission for The Herald to use the word “Allah” in its Malay publication. With or without condition, that doesn’t matter.

I wonder if the Home Ministry and especially its Minister Syed Hamid Albar knows the phrase – the more you give the more they ask.

During a training that I attended on Effective Collective Bargaining (it is a negotiation process between employer and the employees union for the purpose to conclude the Collective Agreement), the trainer told the participants to be extra careful in granting the Union what the Union asks for. He told us to know the trick. So during a mock collective bargaining, I was the lead negotiator for the company. One of the items requested by the Union rep was car loan. This car loan has not been in the previous Collective Agreement. So, my team and I had a discussion and finally we agreed to grant them the car loan but we make it almost impossible for them to apply for the car loan. We offered them very low margin and very short repayment term. The reason for doing that was because we wanted to get the buy in for other items. Yes we managed to get their buy in. we were happy and thought that we were smart. After we finished our mock collective bargaining, the trainer told my team that granting the car loan is a big mistake and may cause the company to close business in the future. We asked him, why? He said since the Collective Bargaining is done every three years, granting the Union the car loan (though impossible to get) was just a starting point. In the next round of Collective Bargaining, the union will be asking for an increase in the margin and the repayment period. If the employer refuse, the union can make life difficult for the employer. So, may be the union may not be able to take car loan for the first few years, but once they get what they want, it is the company that is going to suffer. So, he said, when you give the union the car loan, you have just opened the flood gate.

So, does the case here. When Syed Hamid signed the gazette (in allowing The Herald to use the word “Allah”) he has just opened the flood gate and he doesn’t have to wait long, as the next day, many quarters have called for the removal of such condition.

Brainless you, Syed Hamid Albar!!!

Reduced but Increased. Not Reduced and Increased

2009-02-26T14:24:00.002+08:00

They reduce but they increase.

They retract but they give back.

Worst still, they do not reduce but they increase.

Click here, here and here

The Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohammed said the increase was minimal and hoped the public understood that the increase was stipulated in the concession agreements that the government had signed.

“The increase was actually due in January last year but we had postponed it until now. This means the government has been paying compensation for 14 months.”

Really? Is it inevitable?

1. I wonder if the concession agreement signed between the toll operators and the government allows the government to abolish the two (2) tolls collection at PJS 2 and Salak Jaya recently.

2. If the agreements do not contain such provision, I wonder on what basis the government made the decision to abolish the toll collection at PJS 2 and Salak Jaya

3. And I wonder if the government’s action in increasing the toll collection at five (5) highways is in compliance with the concession agreements.

4. And I wonder if the concession agreements do not contain provision for abolishment and yet the government went ahead and abolish it, I wonder if the government could avoid the toll collection from increasing despite having such clause to increase it in January 2008.

5. And I wonder if the increase is to absorb the “losses” suffered by the toll operators as a result of the abolishment of toll collection at two (2) toll plazas (this is purely out of my curiosity).

6. And I wonder if the government was sincere in abolishing the toll collection at PJS 2 and Salak Jaya

7. And I wonder if the increase between RM0.10 and RM0.50 is not a burden to the people.

8. And I wonder from which college/university our Works Minister graduated from for making statement No. 7 above.

9. And I will keep on wondering.

Funeral

2009-02-25T14:34:00.000+08:00

I went to pay my last respect to someone who passed away. I went straight to the mosque where the body was bathed and clothed before it was prayed.

When I reached the mosque, I extended my condolence to the husband of the deceased and I was told by the husband that his wife body was being clothed, which means it has been bathed. I saw a lot or people in the mosque’s compound as well as in the mosque itself. I went with my non-Muslim friend. So, I thought it would just be appropriate for me to accompany him for a while outside the mosque before I took my ablution and proceeded to the main prayer hall. So, while I was with my friend, he asked me lots of questions about Muslims funeral. So, I explained to him a little bit here and there like the process between the moment the person passed away and until the body is buried. While I was explaining to my friend about the process, I saw people in small groups were talking to each other, some smiled while talking and some even laughed. I did not nee to be next to them to hear them laughing. Frankly I do not know what they were talking about but the fact that they had good laugh, I do not think they were talking about death. People do not laugh about death.

After I finished explaining to my friend, I went to take my ablution and proceeded to the main prayer hall to recite Surah Yaasin for the deceased. While walking to the main prayer hall, I passed by few small groups of people. I could here what they were talking about. They were talking about their business, they were talking about their common issues, which has got nothing to do with death.

That made me wondering…what was the purpose of them being present at the mosque? I thought we go and visit the deceased’s family to “sedekah” Al-Faathihah and recite Surah Yaasin. The least if we do not want to recite Al-Faatihah and Yaasin, in my opinion is to show sympathy and respect by remain silent. Talking to each other and laughing certainly does not show any sympathy to the deceased’s family, what more respect. In fact, that was rude. People should not discuss their common issues, their business or their golf activity while attending a funeral. They have more than ample time to talk about it but certainly not during funeral time.

After all, laughing and talking about worldly affairs in the mosque certainly shows that those people do not respect the mosque.

Between BN and PR? Who is More Trustworthy?

2009-02-14T12:11:00.003+08:00

Much has been said about the political crisis in Perak. BN claims that the takeover was legal, as they have got the royal consent from the Sultan of Perak, thus calling the people to respect the choice and decision made by the Sultan of Perak. PR on the other hand, dissatisfied with the decision made by the Sultan of Perak, thus decided to have demonstration on the street last Friday, which many people view it as disrespectful to the Sultan. The act by one guy who lied down on the road to stop the convoy of Raja Nazrin Shah was uncalled for. Then there was Karpal Singh who made a statement that a suit will be filed against Sultan of Perak and the new MB of Perak, which has caused unhappiness to many especially the Malays and in particular the UMNO people (note that UMNO is very selective in this issue as they did not condemn their President, Si Bedol when he insisted to have Idris Jusoh as the MB instead of Ahmad Said).

Let us take a look at the issue rationally and impartially without being clouded by emotion and feelings. Let’s compare apple with apple, then we will be able to see who is more reliable, trustworthy and with integrity.

Treason

Nizar was said to commit treason towards the Sultan of Perak when he refused to give up his MB post. His act in still going to his office and staying in the MB official residence (Nizar has later agreed to vacate the official residence) serve as proof.

Now, when the Terengganu Palace wanted Ahmad Said as the new MB, the untouchable President of UMNO wanted his own candidate, the then incumbent Idris Jusoh. As much as the Palace insisted in having Ahmad Said as the new MB, the UMNO President was hesitated to accept him and adamant to have Idris Jusoh instead. Ahmad Said was threatened with possibility of facing disciplinary action within UMNO for going against the wish of UMNO President. Only after much hesitation the UMNO President agreed with the Palace’s choice of Mohd Said as the new MB.

So, if Nizar is said to have committed treason, what about Abdullah, the untouchable UMNO President? Do you see any difference in the case of Nizar as compared to Abdullah? They are alike.

Frogging Activities

I am totally and without any hesitation condemning any act of party hopping regardless of the political party involve. It is just unethical though legal. I am supporting to have the law of party hopping but I wonder why our politician especially the government refused to have such a law.

Our politicians must understand that majority of the voters vote the party instead of the candidate. Like in my case. I do not know the background of the candidates contesting in my area but I have to vote anyway. So, if I can’t judge the candidate, I will have to judge the party. So, my vote goes to the party and not the candidate.

Now, when the candidate jump ship and hopping to another party, do not you think that he/she has betrayed the trust majority of voters put in him/her? Do not you think that if he/she had contested under the banner of his/her new party that he/she hopped into during the election, he/she may have lost the election?

From another aspect, when candidates contest in any election, they are being supported morally and financially by their party. Now, is it fair to the party if after investing so much resources to their candidates only to have their candidates hop to another party?

So, party hopping, no matter from any angle you look at it, is not ethical and not acceptable. Even Abdullah said that party hoppers have no integrity (wonder why now he accepted the 3 independent friendly assemblymen and accepting back the Bota Assemblyman).

Anwar Ibrahim made a big huha about taking over the federal government from BN through MPs crossover (the nicer word for party hopping). It did not materialize. BN leaders condemn like hell the initiative made by Anwar. I disagree with Anwar. The it happened in Perak when the shameless and the “no-pride” BN assemblyman from Bota hopped to PKR citing loss of confidence in BN leadership as his cause. About 10 days later, that very same guy switched back to UMNO and at the same time, 2 PKR and 1 DAP assemblymen chose to become a “friendly independent” assemblymen to BN. So, while BN leaders condemned Anwar for resorting to party hopping vis-à-vis the 16th September date, they do the same. The fact that Anwar initiated the party hopping does not justify the BN to follow suit. The 3 “independent friendly” assemblymen to BN, in my opinion are now taking a break at R&R before proceeding with their journey to their destination (BN). It is just a matter of time for them to join BN. Don’t believe me? Then are you going to believe those politicians?

Majority Support

While BN now has the majority support after taking into consideration of the 3 “friendly independent” assemblymen, the issue that is still not clearly answered is whether the BN has the majority support of the people in Perak? The fact that they have got enough support to be able to topple the PR government in Perak, does not in any way whatsoever indicates that they too have the majority support of the Perakians. So, if we were to look back at the principle of democracy that BN has been barking all these while, is this democracy?

PR Government

They have Nizar as the MB and another Pas assemblyman as an EXCO being in charge of Islamic affairs. Apart from these 2, they also have the 2 PKR assemblymen who has chosen to become “independent friendly” to BN (note that 1 of them was a postman). Other than these 4 assemblymen, the rest in the team were non-Malays and the majority was actually from the DAP. So, do you think Nizar has control over his line of EXCO? Please remember that the DAP wanted their own MB, as they have the most seat among the PR component party. They even, at one time wanted to boycott the swearing in of Nizar as the new MB. So, though Perak had Nizar as the MB, I strongly believe that the government was being controlled by the DAP. Remember about the new village in Grik? Does not that tell you of anything?

So, now, the wisdom behind the decision made by the Sultan of Perak not to dissolve the State Assembly to give way for fresh election should be viewed by the Malays, regardless of their political party in a more broad way for the benefit of the Malays. Look here. If the State Assembly was being dissolved. A fresh election were to be called. Considering the current political situation, who do you think will win the election? Obviously the PR. So, it will go back to status quo where the Perak people will have a government that is being controlled by DAP though they may have a Malay MB from either PAS or PKR. As such, if we look from this angle (benefit of the Malays), we should now start to appreciate what Sultan Azlan Shah has done. After all, he is a brilliant Sultan and was out former Lord President. Do you still think that he made decision without thinking the consequences? I don’t think so.

Disrespect the Sultan

So many police reports were lodged against Karpal for making a statement that the Sultan of Perak can be sued in his official capacity. Karpal is said to have shown his disrespect towards the Sultan. There was also called by several parties for Karpal to be banned from entering Perak.

Now, let us take a look what happened shortly after the 12th General Election. As I said earlier, Abdullah couldn’t accept the fact that the Terengganu Palace had its own candidate for MB post as opposed to Abdullah’s own choice. And as I said earlier, to certain extent, Abdullah had shown his disagreement with the Terengganu Palace over the latter’s choice of MB. There were also police reports lodged against Abdullah for treason. Now, why was it no one requested the Terengganu Palace to ban Abdullah from entering Terengganu? What difference was it between Karpal’s case and Abdullah’s case. To me, none. So, so much so that people think that Karpal has disrespected the Sultan of Perak, so did Abdullah towards the Sultan of Terengganu.

As I said in my previous posting, if we do not know how to respect our parents, do not expect others to respect them.

Protest against the Sultan

There was really massive street demonstration in Kuala Kangsar in front of the Palace opposing the Sultan’s decision to hand over the state government to BN. The protesters were said to be the opposition supporters from PR. However, if you watched the news in TV on the protest (where 1 guy lied down on the road to block the convoy of Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah), can you see any Chinese or DAP supporters. I do not recall seeing any. What I remember seeing was PAS and PKR supporters marching and said “lailahaillallah” and “Allahu Akbar”. So, who is the stupidest among the PR component party and who is the most brilliant one? DAP was smart enough not to be involved in the street demonstration and left it to PAS and PKR (the specialists in street demo). At least, for that, it was PAS and PKR (I mean the Malays) who were being rude to the Sultan and not DAP (non-Malays).

So, now who is more reliable? BN or PR? To me both are not reliable. Both have made politics dirty and both are dirty people. Sometimes we hear people said, “if you can’t choose the better one, choose the one that is less evil”. However, in this case, both parties are equally evil. So, which party are we supposed to choose. Easy question but hard to answer.

Frogging Activities in Perak

2009-02-05T14:38:00.001+08:00

What is happening in Perak at the moment is very embarrassing. The whole world is watching and laughing at us. While most countries are fighting and planning to revive their economic, our leaders are busy fighting to form government through legal but immoral way. Thanks to all the “frogs” that are jumping from one side and stop at the R&R before reaching their destination and many thanks to the “King of Frogs” who has been actively frogging lately jumping from UMNO to PKR and back to UMNO. Thick skin!!! Any “stimulus package” involved? Of course the parties involved will deny the existence of the “stimulus package” but do the people in majority believe that these party hoppers do the jumping for the sake of the people and not for the RM? Come on!!!

By now, we know that it is now up to the Sultan of Perak to decide whether to dissolve the State Assembly, thus fresh election or to let the BN takes over from PR as the new government. The fate of the Perak government lies in the hand of the Sultan. Let us not touch about what the Sultan is supposed or not supposed to do. It can be very sensitive.

However, let us look from ordinary people’s point of view of whether or not BN should just take over the government from PR or should a fresh election be called. To answer this issue, we need to answer the following question first i.e. under the democracy system, who should decide who should become the government? The answer is THE PEOPLE, THE VOTERS. If majority of the people voted for Party A, then Party A will become the government. It is as simple as that. Now that BN wanted to form the new government in Perak, has they got the majority support from the people of Perak, the voters? The fact that they have got the required number of the Assemblymen/women to form the new government DOES NOT AT ALL show that they have got the support of the majority of the people/voters of Perak.

Many people blame Anwar Ibrahim for the frogging trend but to me, he may have started it but that does not justify the BN to follow suit. 2 wrongs do not make 1 right. The end does not justify the means.

Anwar was condemned like hell by many BN leaders when he wanted to form the new Malaysian government by the infamous date of 16/9/2008 through frogging exercise. I just do not see why the BN leaders should keep quiet this time around when Najib do the same like what Anwar planned to do. Wonder why? Let me tell you…the BN leaders have got no “ball” (or in Malay, we call it “tak dak telur) to speak up against Najib, who is going to be the PM of Malaysia is less than 2 months time.

So, in conclusion, if BN really follow the spirit of democracy as what they have been yelling and barking all these while, they should have the courage to opt for a fresh election in Perak and let the voters decide who will be the next government of Perak.

2 reasons that I can think of, why BN wanted to avoid fresh election: -

They have lost the Permatang Pauh (expected) and Kuala Terengganu (not expected) by election recently; and

UMNO leaders will be busy with their own internal party election in March, which is more important as compared to the election in Perak. If a fresh election is to be called, it must be held within 60 days from the dissolution of the Perak State Assembly, which should be held latest in April 2009. Too close to the UMNO election right? Bearing in mind, the UMNO election is about themselves and the Perak election is about the people. So, which election do you think they will give priority? LU PIKIRLAH SENDIRI (think for yourselves).

Rukun Wilayah Anyone???

2009-02-03T13:27:00.002+08:00

“Maka kami rakyat Wilayah…” or should we say it, “Maka kami rakyat Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Labuan dan Putrajaya…”? You don’t get it? Read here.
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The outgoing Prime Minister, Si Bedol has proposed that the Federal Territories should have its own tenets similar to Rukun Negara and it will be known as Rukun Wilayah. I wonder what other craps this old man is going to do before he leaves office. Can't he just leave without making all these craps?!!
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The old man called on the Federal Territories Ministry to work on the tenets as soon as possible. How soon? Before March 2009?
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This is why the old man thinks that the FT should have it own Rukun Wilayah - is envisaged as a set of principles for the people in the three Federal Territories to hold on to and remember their city, be proud of it, and to make it a better place for everyone.
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“The successful development of the Federal Territories lies in the efforts of the people who live in the cities, and they should carry out tasks and services with a concern for high quality delivery,”.
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That is for the FTs and what about other states?
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Does not that old man thinks that people in Melaka, Kelantan, Selangor, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, Sarawak, Perlis, Perak, Pulau Pinang, Johor, Terengganu and Pahang also need a set of principles for the people to hold on to and remember their states, be proud of it, and to make it a better place for everyone just like the people in the FT?
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Does not the old man think that the successful development of each state lies in the efforts of the people who live in the state just like the people in the FT?
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Does not the old man think that the people at each state should carry out tasks and services with a concern for high quality delivery just like the people in the FT?
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We already have Rukun Negara. Why do we need Rukun Wilayah? If we need Rukun Wilayah, we also need Rukun Negeri.
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Crap!!!

To Si Bedol,

if you want people to remember you after your retirement, then you will get it. People will remember you but not for the reason that you wanted but for some other reasons.

Can the Word "Allah" be Translated? - Part 2

2009-02-03T12:18:00.002+08:00

I thought of writing this as a reply to the comments that I received on my posting entitled “Can the Word Allah be translated?”. However, I think it is better for me to post it as a new article as a continuation of the earlier posting as mentioned above.
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Readers may go to the earlier posting to read the comments from other readers.
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I have written an email to the editor of the Herald, Lawrence Andrew SJ asking him few questions and he had responded accordingly, which is appended below.
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It is obvious that the Herald only use the word “Allah” to denote “God” in their Malay publication. They do not use the word “Allah” in their English, Tamil or Chinese publication.
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So, it is obvious and safe to say that in this case, the Herald uses the word “Allah” in their Malay publication not on the basis that they believe in the story of Prophet Adam, Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Musa and all other Prophets but they do so just because they claimed that the translation for the word “God” in Malay is Allah. If they really do believe in Allah and all those Prophets, they should also use the word “Allah” in their English, Tamil and Chinese publication.
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I do not have the dictionary as mentioned by the Herald Editor, so I am not really in a position to comment on that. However, since my primary 1, I was taught that the word “God” in Malay in “Tuhan” and never that I was taught that the word God” in Malay is “Allah”.
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Arah,

I do not really understand the co-relation between the Qur’anic verses (Al-ankabuut:46 and Ali-imran:64) and the ban by the Malaysian Government on the Herald from using the word “Allah” in their Malay publication.
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In both verses, Allah mentioned ahlul kitab and not the non-Muslims. Who is ahlul kitab? Ahlul kitab is those Jews and Nasrani that lived during the Prophet Muhammad pbuh time and hold firmly on the teaching of the original Injil and Taurat and their descendants who also hold firmly on the teaching of the original Injil and Taurat. So, I do not see the relevance of the 2 verses that you mentioned with the current issue unless you consider the Christians as ahlul kitab, which should not be the case.
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Here are the Qur'anic verses mentioned by Arah: -

وَلاَ تُجَادِلُوۤاْ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَابِ إِلاَّ بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِلاَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنْهُمْ وَقُولُوۤاْ آمَنَّا بِٱلَّذِيۤ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَـٰهُنَا وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ وَاحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ -Al-ankabuut:46

قُلْ يٰأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَآءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ -Ali-Imran:64

All the Prophets and the Messengers of Allah including Prophet Muhammad were sent by Allah to the people to teach them about Islam and the oneness of Allah. So, I can safely say that the word “Allah” belongs only to Muslims and non-others. The fact that there are Christians and Jews who believe in other Prophets than Prophet Muhammad does not make them a Muslim, hence using the word "Allah".
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The fact that the Christians or non-Muslims in Arab countries use the word “Allah” does not tell anything. It does not make a wrong to become right. “Allah” does not belong to the Arabs. It belongs to Islam.

This is the email from the editor of the Herald to me. The red denotes my questions and the green denotes the answers from the Editor. The contents of the email shall only be used as a reference in this discussion and shall not be used by any party for any of the purpose other than as mentioned herein: -
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From: Lawrence Andrew SJ editor@herald.com.my

Date: Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 3:01 PM

Subject: Herald - resendingTo: Rozaimi Mohd Said msrozaimi@gmail.com
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Dear Mr Rozaimi,
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Thank you for your e-mail. I will quickly respond to your questions. I noticed some words were repeated. So I am resending this. Thanks and sorry for the untidiness, LA
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When the publication uses the word "Allah" as a translation to "God", who are you referring to? Are you referring to Jesus?
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We are not translating. We are writing in Malay. The word for God in Malay has been for centuries ALLAH. In our prayers in Malay we use the word ALLAH to refer to God and this has been so for centuries. Look at the Malay dictionaries of the past and you will easily notice that the word for God in Malay is ALLAH.
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We normally say TUHAN Yesus Kristus.
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Apart from the fact that Munshi Abdullah, in translating the Bible into Malay language more than 100 years ago using the word Allah for God, do you have any other reasons for not using the word "TUHAN", which is the most accurate and direct translation for the word "God" in Malay instead of "Allah"?
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Even before Munshi Abdullah we have been using the word ALLAH to refer to God. We have a MALAY-LATIN Dictionary, even before Malaysia had a dictionary and the word ALLAH is Deus (in Latin and its English meaning is GOD). This Dictionary was printed in 1631.
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In our Holy Book Al-Kitab the word Tuhan denotes LORD. So when we say Lord God, we use the words TUHAN ALLAH.
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The current problem is politically motivated. Check the earlier Malay Dictionaries. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka began to shift the meaning unilaterally some time in the early 1980's. Check for the meaning of ALLAH in Kamus Umum (Indonesia).
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I have lived in Indonesia for four years. The citizens of Indonesia, both Muslims and Christians, use the word ALLAH for God.
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Do you use the word "Allah" in your English or Chinese or Tamil publication?
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We do not use the word ALLAH in English, Chinese or Tamil sections of HERALD. For your information the Al Koran in English uses the word GOD for Allah.
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I hope this has answered your questions.
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With every good wish and God's blessings,
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Yours sincerely,
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Lawrence Andrew, SJ

Can the Word "Allah" be Translated?

2009-01-21T16:56:00.003+08:00

Much has been debated on the issue of the Catholic newspaper, Herald using the word “Allah” as a translation for the word “God” in their weekly publication (Malay version). The government had banned the newspaper from using the word “Allah” in their weekly publication but the newspaper had filed a civil suit against the government.
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Among the arguments by the newspaper/its Editor to support their usage of the word “Allah” in their weekly publication is: -
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(a) the newspaper has been using the word “Allah” as a translation for God for centuries in Malaysia;
(b) Munshi Abdullah, the father of modern Malay literature translated the bible into Malay in 1852 and he also translated “God” as “Allah”.
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There a lot of people who gave their opinion with mostly find it nothing wrong for the newspaper to use the word “Allah” as a translation for the word “God”. This is because they claimed that the word “Allah” is an Arabic translation for the word “God”. I feel sorry for these people for their ignorance in this subject matter.
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The fact that Islam was revealed through Prophet Muhammad, who was an Arab and Al-Qur’an was revealed in Arabic transcript does not at all mean that Islam is only for the Arab people. As such, there are terms in Islam which does not belong to Arab people but it belongs to Islam such as “Allah” and “Al-Qur’an”. There is no translation for these 2 words in any other language. That is why when you see the translation for azan (calling for prayer) in television, “Allahu Akbar” is translated as “Allah Maha Besar” (Allah the Greatest) and not “Tuhan Maha Besar” (God is the Greatest).
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As a simple comparison, the Prime Minister of Malaysia is Abdullah. While the phrase “Prime Minister” may be translated into any other language, the name “Abdullah” should remain as it is. It should not be translated as “Hamba Allah” (the servant of Allah). So, the same thing goes to the word “God” and “Allah”. “Allah” is the God for Muslims. While you can translate the word “God”, you can’t translate the word “Allah”.
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“Allah” is a PROPER NOUN and PROPER NOUN should not be translated into any other language. It is special. Do we call “George Bush” as “George Semak” in Malaysia? Would you understand if I say that I watched a film entitled “Pelabuhan Mutiara”? People will ask me, what movie is that? I will say, it is “Pearl Harbour”. So, a PROPER NOUN should remain as it is and should not be translated into any other language.
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By the way, for the benefit of those who are ignorance of the Arabic word for “God” (since I said earlier, it is not “Allah”), the correct word is “Rabb”.
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My question to the publisher of Herald and its Editor, Lawrence Andrew – Since the publication is in Malay, why do not you use the word “Tuhan” which is the direct translation for the word “God”? Unless you have other hidden motive, you will agree with me that you should use the word “Tuhan” and not “Allah”.
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Read also a posting by Calvin Ngan entitled “God, Allah, Tuhan and The Catholic Weekly’s Herald Print”. He presented good points except on the translation of the word God” in Arabic. Click here http://www.misterhobbes.net/god-allah-tuhan-and-the-catholic-weeklys-the-herald-print/
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And after reading Calvin Ngan, you will be ashamed to read Marina Mahathir who, despite her ignorance, has confidently and ignorantly said that “Allah” is the Arabic translation for the word “God”. She said this in response to the following comment by Buyung Adil in her blog http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-i-grew-up-reading-quran.html : -
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Hi Kak Marina, what is your opinion on whether we should allow our east malaysian christian friends to use their bible in the malay language? Do you think it's dangerous that they continue using words that are also found in the Quran?
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And this is her reply: -
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Buyung Adil, two separate things there. I agree that Allah is the Arab word for God and that it is mostly Muslims who use it. In Malay, the word is Tuhan, just as in French, the word is 'Dieu'.

However, I don't think it is dangerous to have similar words given that firstly, both Holy Books came from the same cultural origin. And secondly and most importantly, I believe Muslims do know which is which and should not get confused based on a few familiar words. If Muslims do not know that the first Surah is Al-Fatihah, then I don't know really....
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What!!! It is not dangerous to have similar words? What does she mean by "mostly Muslims who use it???!!! What!!! The Bible and Al-Qur’an came from the same cultural origin? What does she mean by that “same cultural origin”? We all know that (perhaps Marina does not know) Bible is not the divine revelation from Allah. Allah revealed Injil and not Bible. Unfortunately, there many people out there who believe in what Marina has to say or what she has said.

The Question Has Matured

2009-01-19T10:31:00.002+08:00

During the KT by-election campaign period, the BN candidate, Wan Ahmad Farid was interviewed by The Nut Graph. Click here for full interview http://www.thenutgraph.com/surviving-perception.
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After answering the first question of the interview and refused to answer the final question of the interview, which he described as “premature”. I guess, now he should be able to answer the question is now matured.
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The first question and answer: -
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TNG: If you become MP, how do you propose to eradicate poverty and improve living conditions for the poor in Kuala Terengganu?
Wan Farid: I have discovered while on the campaign trail that people want more opportunities. They do not know that we have so many facilities and so many things they can participate in. My concern is to make sure they are well informed of these opportunities.
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The last question: -
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TNG: If you lose, what are your plans?
Wan Farid: I'm not going to talk about that. It's premature.

Read the Qur'an Campaign

2009-01-15T12:25:00.004+08:00

There is a campaign in the blogsphere, initiated by Marina Mahathir and 3 of her friends called “Let’s read the Qur’an”. I have read the campaign and though it sounds like a good effort, it is not the right campaign and it must be stopped. I urge the readers in my blog to spread it over to all your friends, colleagues, family members, etc not to participate and support such a campaign. You can also link this posting to your blog of forward this posting in email form.
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Among others, the campaign is about encouraging the people, regardless of their religion status to start reading Al-Qur’an in whatever language that they are familiar with. Meaning to say, if you can’t read the Arabic transcript, then you read in Malay language and the same goes to Chinese, Indians and others. You can read the Qur’an in your own language. That is what the campaign is all about and more and more bloggers have participated in such a campaign, and come to think about it, it is very scary in deed. Marina has also, to certain extend, associated the campaign vis-à-vis the Qur’an and the celebration of Valentine’s Day, as the campaign period started from 15/1/09-14/2/09 and she even wish “Happy Valentine’s Day”. It is indeed an insult to Islam and Al-Qur’an in particular and the Muslims community as a whole for Marina Mahathir to associate Islam and Al-Qur’an with Valentine’s Day, which is totally unIslamic.
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Below is my explanation as to why such a campaign should be called off immediately. The same has also been posted as my reply at Marian Mahathir’s blog. You may also go to www.rantingsbymm.blogspot.com to see for yourself such a campaign but please, please and please do not fall for it.
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Dear Marina,
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It is good to have such a campaign to encourage the people to read the Qur’an. However, some of your suggestions need to be revisited because to understand the Qur’an better, you need to have an in depth study on Al-Qur’an (‘ulumul Qur’an). By mere reading of the Qur’anic translation and try to understand what it means may lead to deviation from the true meaning of the Qur’anic verse.
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In Qur’anic studies, to interpret and get the true meaning of the verse, we need to know few things such as the reason of revelation (asbabun nuzul), the type of verse (makkiah or madaniah), the repealed verse and the verse that repealing (nasikh mansukh) as well as good linguistic (arabic) knowledge (to determine whether the verse is an instruction or a mere statement, etc).
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Another thing is that there is only one (1) language for us to read the Qur’an i.e. the Arabic language. Other than the Arabic language, we call it translation. As such, it is wrong for you to encourage people to read the Qur’an in any language that they understand most because there is no such thing in Islam.
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To give you a simple example is the Qur’anic verse where Allah said, “la ikraha fiddin” which means “there is no compulsion in religion (Islam)”. If we are to translate it literally (and that is what most people have been doing), the verse would mean that in Islam, we are given the freedom and choice whether or not to do what is obligated upon us to do such as praying, fasting, paying zakat etc and no one can force us to do those obligations. However, there is a reason for revelation of the said verse as reported by an acceptable Qur’anic verses translator (al-mu’tabar) by the name of Imam Mujahid whereby he reported that the reason for the revelation was that there was a man from the Ansar tribe
Who owned a slave by the name of Subaih. The man (Ansar) has forced the slave (Subaih) to convert to Islam, thus the verse was revealed. So, based on the reason the verse was revealed as explained above, the true meaning of the verse is that in Islam, we can’t compel the non-Muslim to convert to Islam. This is also in line with another Qur’anic verse i.e. “lakum diinukum waliyadiin” which means, “for you your religion and for me is mine”.
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There are also various verses in the Qur’an which have been repealed by other verses and the repealed verses are no longer has any effect. However, they still remain part of the Qur’an. As such, it is wrong for us to rely on the Qur’anic verses that have been repealed. It is like a provision of the law which has been repealed. Once the said provision has been repealed, it is no longer has any effect.
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So, whether one is Muslim or non-Muslim, you can’t get the true meaning of the Qur’anic verse by just reading the translation and try to understand its meaning.
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As such, I strongly suggest that you and your friends, as the initiators of the campaign to call off the campaign in the name of Allah and for the sake of the Muslims community. I also suggest that you request those bloggers who have put in the campaign in their blogs to remove such a campaign.
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As an alternative, if you really want to learn about Al-Qur’an, go and learn it from the Ulama’ and not to learn it all by yourself.
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Below, is one of the reasons why such a campaign should not exist and should not be opened to the non-Muslims.
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Michelle said: I decided sometimes last year that I’d read the Qur’an too. Good to know about this campaign. Looking forward to many interesting posts from you guys.
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CKGord said: I’m joining this campaign. Already posted the ICON. What’s the limit of our discussion??? Can I tell joke accompanying it?
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These two comments can be found at the blog below: -
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http://asylum60.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-campaign-let-read-quran.html#comments
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I wonder if what Michelle means by her starting to read Al-Qur’an sometimes last year is that she was just reading the translation part of the Qur’an. That is not reading the Qur’an, that is reading the translation of the Qur’an. As for CKGord, realize it or not, it is just not ethical and insensitive for him/her to think that he/she can make joke out of Al-Qur’an.
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There was also another respond by Michelle (perhaps different Michelle) in Marina Mahathir’s blog which says, “Those who are bent on splitting hairs and those who are unable to counter an argument would insist that the mortals should always use the correct interpretation in the original Arab script as if Islam is only for those literate in Arabic.”
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My reply is, Al-Qur’an was revelead in Arabic transcript and as such, we need to understand it from Arabic transcript perspective. As such, it is not a matter of people’s inability to counter argue any argument, it is about Al-Qur’an. That’s it and full stop.
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So, Marina, it is you and me, as Muslims to stop this misunderstanding and confusion among Muslims as well as non-Muslims on the contents of the Qur’an. If you think that you know nothing about Qur’an, it is better for you to remain silent than proposing something that could cause misunderstanding, confusion, deviation and whatever you call it. As the Prophet said in his hadith, “man kaana yu’ minu billahi wal yaumil aakhir, fal yaqul khairan au liyasmut” which means, “whoever among you believe in Allah and the day of hereafter, say good things or keep quiet”.

Boycott US Products? Part II

2009-01-13T09:55:00.003+08:00

This is what was reported in the Star today. Statement made by Najib serves as an answer to my questions in the previous posting i.e. “Boycott US Products?” In my “Boycott US Products?” article, I have asked the following questions to determine whether or not we, the government and the Malaysians at large are ready to punish the US and should the answers are in negative, it means that we are not ready or perhaps the people are ready but not the government: -

1. Is our government prepared to revoke the licence to sell their products?
2. Is our government prepared to severe ties with the US?
3. Is our government prepared to act without fear and favour in “punishing” the US and helping the innocent Palestinian?

Najib has answered all the questions above in negative.

In the report, Najib was also quoted as saying that “we can have demonstrations, make statements but it may not necessarily have any impact”.

So, Najib is fully aware that even the resolution passed by Parliament yesterday will not have any impact, so, I wonder whether the government is really serious in tackling this issue or is it just a formality to show that we are a “caring and concern” citizens.

I reproduce the report by The Star below: -

KUALA LUMPUR: It is up to the individual whether or not to boycott Israeli and US goods, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“As a consumer, you have to make the decision,” he said after opening the Third Islamic Economic Congress here yesterday.

Some people, he said, would feel strongly about supporting the call to boycott Israeli and US goods because of Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip but others would view the matter as a grey area.

“Some of the American products are in the franchise system. Some of the franchisees here are Malaysian companies and even bumiputra companies,” he said.

He said the economy existed in a “very complex and very intertwined” world.

“For a small nation, what do you do? We can have demonstrations, make statements but it may not necessarily have any impact.

“As consumers, they want to show unhappiness (over the Gaza situation). But let that be an individual choice,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/13/nation/3000808&sec=nation

Boycott US Products?

2009-01-12T10:30:00.001+08:00

Since Israeli’s inhuman attack and illegal invasion on Palestine recently, many parties from all over the world have urged some kind of actions to be taken on Israeli’s government. While NGOs and individuals have started campaigning to boycott the US’ and Israeli’s products, the governments have to go through, what is perceived as proper channel, the United Nations. I have very little idea on how things work in the UN but what I can say for sure is that the UN is nothing but the puppet for the US Government. Sometimes, I do wonder whether we need the UN, which is powerless and inferior to the United States. From my understanding, UN should be the most powerful agency in the world but it seems that all the times, it is the US government who dictated the UN of what need to be done and when. When George Bush alleged that Saddam Hussein’s government possessed weapons of mass destruction, despite the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) proving otherwise, they (the US) still proceeded to attack Iraq, only to find nothing (on weapon of mass destruction) and yet, no action was taken by the UN on the US government. In fact, the US was allowed to cause more damage to Iraq, even till now. What was the function of the UN in Iraq’s issue? They are functionless. I do not have to talk on the US/UN one sided policy in openly supporting Israel in their inhuman attack and illegal invasion on Palestine because it is a judicial notice. Everybody knows that. When the US is attacked, they called the attackers as “terrorists”. But when the Israeli’s government illegally attacked and invaded Palestine, that they (the US) called it “fight against terrorism”. Do I need to say more?

As such, I strongly feel that it is a total waste of time and effort for any government to table any motion or session or whatever they call it to the UN because at the end of the day, it is up to the US to decide and there is no way for the US to make any sanction on the Israeli’s government. People may have high hope on Barrack Obama to bring the change of policy on the Israel-Palestine issue but I doubt he will. Whoever the US President is, whether he/she is republican or democrat, the fact remains that he/she is an American.

So, what is the best way to teach the US and Israel a very good lesson? I strongly believe boycotting their products is the best way because this is the only action (at least that I can think of) that we can take without the US being able to retaliate. And this is what has been urged and promoted by many quarters. But the question remains on how far we will go to boycott their products and how effective/successful it will be.

It must be understood that (taking Malaysia for example) the US products like KFC, Starbucks, Mc Donald etc have been in Malaysia for a very long time and the people in Malaysia are, to certain extent used to it and depended on it. So, when the supply is made available, what will be the success rate for the campaign to boycott the US and Israel’s products? I strongly believe that if at all there are people who boycott the US and Israeli’s products, the success rate will be very low, as there will be more people who do not boycott than those who boycott, which in the end it bring no impact on the US and Israel. It is like serving lobsters to a group of people, say 10 of them. It is very tempting for them to eat the lobsters and they are told that they can eat the lobsters but at the same time they are advised not to but if they do eat, there will be no action taken against them. So, out of 10 people, how many do you think will resist the temptation to eat the lobsters? I can safely say, if not all, majority will eat the lobsters.

So, in order to ensure that the campaign to boycott the US and Israel’s products to be a real success, I strongly believe that we need a very strong government support by either revoking the business license of the US products outlets or by not renewing their licence. Well, some may argue that there are thousand of Malaysians who work in Coca Cola, KFC, Mc Donalds, etc in Malaysia and these innocent individuals may lose their job and is it fair for us to punish this group of individuals for the sake of achieving our objective in punishing the US and Israel? But let me ask this question – what is the objective of boycotting the US and Israel’s products? By boycotting their products, it means that we do not buy their products and when we stop buying their products, it means no sale and no business for them. When there is no sale and no business, it means no profit. When there is no profit, it means they have to close shop. When they close shop, it means that there are thousands of innocent Malaysians who may lose their job. So, obviously, there is no difference.

Now, the question is, how prepared is our government in assisting the Malaysians to boycott the US and Israel’s products? Is our government prepared to revoke the licence to sell their products? Is our government prepared to severe ties with the US? Is our government prepared to act without fear and favour in “punishing” the US and helping the innocent Palestinian?

If the answers to all the questions above are in the negative, then I think we can forget to expect the high success rate in the campaign to boycott the US products. We are not yet ready to seriously helping the Palestinian.

On the same note, the boycott should go on continuously whether or not there is illegal invasion and attack by Israel on Palestine. Boycotting on seasonal basis is useless and a waste of effort because if Israel moves out from Palestine and cease fire for 10 years for example, we will also stop boycotting the US products and for 10 years they will really make business and profits. The profits for 10 years is enough for the US to continue their undivided support to Israel and for Israel to again, attack Palestine. So, next time when Israel attacks Palestine, we will again boycott their products. It just doesn’t work that way.

Reply to "The Muharram Dilemma" by Marina Mahathir

2009-01-09T15:58:00.002+08:00

This posting is in deed my reply to an article by Marina Mahathir entitled "The Muharram Dilemma". "The Muharram Dilemma" can be read by clicking on the address below.

http://www.thenutgraph.com/the-muharram-dilemma

This is my reply to Marina...

Assalamualaikum Marina,

First of all, allow me to clarify that there is no such thing as Arabic Calendar as mentioned by you in your article. However, if in deed there exist Arabic Calendar (perhaps I am not aware of), the Arabic Calendar referred to in your article is actually Islamic Calendar or also known as Hijrah Calendar. That is why Awwal Muharram (which means “the first day in the month of Muharram”) is alsk knows as “Ma’al Hijrah”. Ma’al Hijrah means “moving together”, which is in conjunction with the historic journey of the great Prophet Muhammad pbuh with his followers from the city of Mecca to the city of Medina 1430 years ago.

It is too much for you to say that Hijrah Calendar is “not very useful” especially when it comes from a Muslim because Hijrah Calendar is very important in our life as a Muslim. Our life is based on the circle of Hijrah Calendar. As Muslims, we fast, pray perform pilgrimage, etc and all these are based on Hijrah Calendar. So, the fact that Gregorian Calendar is being used in the world does not make the Hijrah Calendar less important and “not very useful”.

It does happen where Eidul Fitri is celebrated on different days in different countries in the world. However, please bear in mind that among the factors that cause such thing to happen are the earth movement and that the Hijrah Calendar is based on the movement of the moon and by falak. So, if the crescent (for Syawal) is not seen in Malaysia but can be seen in other countries, then other countries will celebrate Eidul Fitri one day earlier than Malaysia and vice versa. It is as simple as that.

You also mentioned that until it is actually upon us, you can’t tell when Awwal Muharram is. The same goes for the Prophet’s birthday and because of that, you deem the Hijrah Calendar as impractical, which makes these events less important. Once again, I would like to mention here that it is too much for you to make such an unwarranted statement, more so it comes from a Muslim. Have not you thought what will happen to the Gregorian Calendar new year and Christmas if the people in the world are using the Hijrah Calendar instead of Gregorian Calendar? Do not you think that the Christmas and the new year are moving every year and not static? Are you then going to say that the Gregorian Calendar is not relevant?

In Islam, there are only 2 festivals i.e. Eidul Fitri and Eidul Adha. The other celebrations such as Ma’al Hijrah, Maulud Nabi (birthday of the Prophet) etc are just a celebration in remembrance of the event that took place on that particular days many years ago and it is not stated in the Qur’an. As such, it is only the Muslims own initiative to celebrate the events as a symbol of respect for the events. Thus, the fact that the celebnration for these occasions are not as merrier as the 2 festivals have got nothing to do with Hijrah Calendar.

Your statement at the end of your article is uncalled for, embarrassing and very mush regretted when you are happily said that we as Mulims should not feel too bad not knowing when is Awwal Muharram, as the Orthodox Church are in disagreement on the Christ birthday. Why and why we as Muslims need to use other religion as a benchmark and compare it with our religion? The movement of the Hijrah Calendar and the indecisiveness of the birthday of Christ are not interrelated in any manner whatsoever and it is indeed an insult to Islam. Are you then suggesting that we, as Muslim should feel bad about Hijrah Calendar if the Cristians are in agreement on Christ birthday? I feel sorry for you.

By the way, I wonder what do you mean when you said that “we shouldn't feel too bad about not knowing when Awal Muharram is”? Because I believe the majority of Muslims in the world know that Awwal Muhraam falls on every first day of the month of Muharram.

Please remember this, the Prophet pbuh said in his hadith, “Al-Islammu ya’lu wala yu’la ‘alaihi” which means, “Islam is high and nothing is higher than it (Islam)”.

Silent is the Better Option

2008-12-26T17:58:00.001+08:00

The Prophet pbuh said in his hadith: “Man kaana yu’minu billahi wal yaumil aakhir falyaqul khairan au liyasmut: which means, “those among you who believe in Allah and the day of hereafter, they need to say good things or they just need to keep quiet”.

Nowadays, there are a lot of people who like to talk and discuss openly on the subject matter that they are not really familiar with and I am referring herein to Islam.

It is very scary to read articles or postings by those who are not familiar with Islamic subject matter as these people tend to liberalise Islam according to their own understanding. Sometimes they talk nonsense when they talk about Islam. This is simply because they do not have in depth knowledge on the subject matter. The subject matter here refers to the method a fatwa is reached at and not the yoga.

All these happen because they fail to see yoga from Islamic point of view and what they did was to see the fatwa from yoga point of view. What I mean here is if they look at yoga from Islamic point of view, they will find elements in yoga that may cause syirik and pluralism i.e. to associate Allah with something. However, when they look at the fatwa from yoga point of view, they will find that yoga is a just a form of exercise which may be good to our body and boost our spirit and Islam does promote healthy life style. So, there is nothing wrong with yoga and everything is wrong with the fatwa. But one thing they may forget or tend to forget is that the end does not justify the means.

So, my advice is if you do not familiar with Islamic subject matter, it is best for you to keep quiet and keep your mouth shut.

Is UMNO Supreme than Islam?

2008-12-04T21:00:00.002+08:00

2 days ago, the UMNO Supreme Council decided to sack Zaid Ibrahim from UMNO after the latter was found to have attended various oppositions' functions held recently. It was reported that: -

“Umno Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the supreme council’s decision was unanimous as every member agreed Zaid’s transgression was too serious to be forgiven.”

Muhammad Taib was also quoted as saying “Furthermore, it was obvious that he had wanted us to act against him. Otherwise, why would he have kept attending opposition parties’ functions while at the same time claiming to be an Umno member?” And he further stated that “By being seen with opposition leaders not just once, but many times in the course of a very short time, he was daring us to take action. It also looks like he was supporting their cause and that is unforgivable”.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/4/nation/2719228&sec=nation

I don’t care with what is happening in UMNO, as to me, the way our politicians are playing politic makes it dirty. I don’t care who get sacked from UMNO but I find the reason for UMNO’s Supreme Council’s decision in sacking Zaid Ibrahim to be contradicting with their stance about inter-religious relationship vis-a-vis "kongsi raya".

Zaid Ibrahim was sacked for attending the oppositions’ functions and by physically being present, the UMNO Supreme Council was of the opinion that Zaid was supporting the oppositions’ cause. So, to UMNO Supreme Council, what matter was Zaid’s presence at the functions and not his reason for being presence.

However, if we take a look at the issue of “Kongsi Raya” where we have joint celebration between Aidilfitri and Deepavali, the Mufti of Perak, SS Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria requested the government to review the “kongsi raya” concept as it is said to be against the Islamic teaching, However, the government especially the UMNO flers did not agree as they said that the celebration of “kongsi raya” was just a matter of social gathering without any worshipping elements.

http://www.agendadaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_cf43139d-3132372e-fe30af00-6c0f1de3

So, when the Muslims celebrate other religions’ festivals, the UMNO flers said it is ok because it is done in the name of social gathering and multi racial harmony and that does not affect the Muslims' faith, but when their members were seen to be at the oppositions’ functions, why can’t they just take it as a social gathering? Why must they look at it seriously and from different angle as having supporting their cause”? Why can’t they look at the issue of Muslims celebrating Aidilfitri with other festivals such as Deepavali as supporting Hindu?

So, in a nutshell and indirectly, the UMNO flers are saying that in one sense UMNO is supreme than Islam. While UMNO can tolerate in putting the holy Aidilfitri at the same level with other religions’ festival, they can’t just do the same when it comes to their own party.

Now, why do I support the stance taken by the Mufti of Perak regarding the “kongsi raya” concept? Allow me to explain.

In Islam, Muslims are taught that there is no God but Allah and the Propohet Muhammad is his Messenger. As such, whoever worships anything but Allah will go to hell in the hereafter. As Muslims, we are also thought that Islam is a divine religion whose teaching came through divine revelation from Allah through His angle, Jibril. As such, in that sense, Islam should be put at the highest level as compared to other religion. This is what we as Muslims should do. Put Islam in the highest and noble place in our life. As the Prophet said in his hadith, “Islam ya’lu wa la yu’la ‘alaihi” which means “Islam is high and there is nothing (religion) higher than it (Islam).

Now, let me talk about festival. Each religion has its own festival. The Hindus celebrate Deepavali, the Christians celebrate Christmas and the Muslims celebrate Aidilfitri and Aidiladha, so do other religions. Why do we need festival? What is its significance in the eyes of the respective religion? Religious festival is the time the people of each religion celebrate their victory.

While Aidilfitri marks the victory of the Muslims for fasting during the whole month of Ramadhan and Aidiladha marks the event where Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim to slaughter his son but later replaced with an animal called “qibas”, Christmas is celebrated to mark the birthday of Jesus and Deepavali is celebrated to mark the homecoming of Lord Ram after a 14-year exile in the forest and his victory over the evil demon-king Ravana. So, when we celebrate (in the true meaning of celebration) other religions’ festivals, we as Muslims are in deed celebrating their victory moment and by doing so, we are supporting their cause. So, when we have joint celebration or “kongsi raya” between Aidilfitri and festivals of other religions, we are actually putting Islam in the same level as the other religion. As an analogy, will we joint the birthday of the King or the PM for that matter with that of the poor or the commoner? The answer is strictly no (though it is not wrong for doing so) because the King or the PM is higher in ranking as compared to the commoner. So, the same treatment should be given to Islam. Celebration of religious festivals is not a mere celebration. It involve the ritual ceremony and more importantly we are said to be supporting their cause vis-à-vis their victory moment.

What is the danger of having this “kongsi raya concept”?

To me, we just need to open the floodgate and expect the disaster to happen later. It will happen and it is just a matter of time. First, we started with the concept of “kongsi raya”, which according to the UMNO flers is a mere social gathering, so nothing wrong. The Muslims’ faith will not erode by merely “celebrating” Aidilfitri with other religions’ festival. However, once we started to have the joint celebration, people tend to go further and do more. That is the human nature. The more you give, the more they ask. As the Malay proverb says, “Bagi betis nak peha”. I have seen a lot of Muslims who wore the Santa Claus outfit during Christmas and the Muslims who have a “nandek” on their forehead during Deepavali. To them there is nothing wrong because it was done in the name of racial harmony. Like it or not, all those are factors that may later erode our faith conciously or unconciously because by doing so, the Muslims are actually and really celebrating other religion’s/races’ festival and supporting their cause.

While Islam does not allow Muslims to celebrate (the real celebration with ritual ceremony or a sign to support their cause) the festivals of other religions, it is permissible for Muslims to visit their non-Muslim neighbours during their religious festivals in the name of neighbourhood spirit provided that they do not engage in any ritual ceremony or any act that support their cause.

The bottom line is, it is very important to draw the line very clearly between the do’s and the don’ts for Muslims as far as the inter-religious relationship is concerned but sad to say that our leaders do not bother about all these, not even the Imam Hadhari, and yet they allow it to happen all in the name of social harmony and social gathering. If nothing is done now, do not be surprise if in the future or perhaps in the near future, there are Muslims who do the hand movement on their chest to indicate the crusade as the Christians always do and put on the chain with crusade object without any guilt feeling. They may take it as a fashion or something like that.

Allah said in the Qur’an, “Wa lan tardha ankal yaudu wa lan nasara hatta tattabi’a millatahum” which means “the Jews and Nasara will not give up until you (Muslims) follow their path”.

Ya Allah…please save the Muslims and Islam.

Blog @ RTM1

2008-11-30T21:13:00.003+08:00

I have just finished watching Blog at RTM1. It is aired every Sunday at 8.40pm for 2o minutes. I have watched the programme twice (including tonite). Basically the programme focusses on issues surrounding the blogging world with the main focus is on the type of issues normally discussed in the respective blogs.
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The first time I watched Blog was when RTM1 called the blogger by the name of Ahiruddin Atan @ Rockybru. I have been following his blog ever since I started blogging to get the latest news on mostly political issues, which is sometimes not highlighted in the newspaper. Almost everyday, I make it a habit to visit his popular blog at http://www.rockybru.com. That was a couple of months ago since Rocky apeared in the programme.
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As for tonite, the guest blogger appeared in the programme was my university friend i.e. Budiey or his real name Baharuddin Che Wil. So, it goes without saying as to why I watched the programme tonite. Budiey or also known by his long commercial name as Budiey Isma Alifi is a full time blogger who blog about local entertainment and local artists. So, the issues discussed during the programme was on local entertainment. You can visit his blog at http://www.budiey.com.
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Frankly speaking, I do not follow the programme at all. I watched it twice not because of the programme but because of the guest bloggers that appeared in the programme. So, I do not know for sure what is the main motive RTM1 is having this programme. But whatever it is, I wonder if RTM1 will call the most popular blogger in Malaysia that is none others than the great Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad who is blogging at www.chedet.com. It is interesting to watch Tun throwing out his idea again in TV.

Aqiqah

2008-11-30T09:40:00.003+08:00

Berikut adalah soal jawab agama yang saya petik secara keseluruhan daripada Utusan Malaysia online bertarikh 30 November 2008 di http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=1128&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Bicara_Agama&pg=ba_03.htm. Ini juga sedikit sebanyak sesuai untuk dijadikan bahan bacaan lanjutan dari posting saya yang sebelum ini bertajuk "cukur Jambul". Klik di sini http://rozaimims.blogspot.com/2008/11/cukur-jambul.html.
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SOALAN: . Baru-baru ini saya mengadakan majlis akikah untuk anak lelaki saya yang baru saja dilahirkan. Mengikut hukum anak lelaki harus korbankan dua ekor kambing, jadi saya telah pun menunaikannya.
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Ketika majlis ini berlangsung ada juga tetamu bangsa Cina yang hadir. . Adakah sah akikah saya yang dimakan oleh tetamu bangsa Cina itu? .
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JAWAPAN: . Tiada tegahan dalam mana-mana nas secara qatie (muktamad) sama ada di dalam al-Quran mahupun hadis-hadis Rasulullah SAW yang sahih yang boleh difahami bahawa orang bukan Islam tidak boleh memakan daging akikah. .
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Selagi mana tiada nas yang secara sorih (terang) yang menegah maka selagi itulah perkara itu dilihat suatu yang tidak mutlak dari hukumnya. Apa yang perlu difahami di sini ialah hukum melaksanakan akikah itu sendiri. .
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Di samping itu daging akikah yang dimasak dengan sedikit rasa manis itu diharapkan agar perangai dan budi pekerti anak tersebut akan menjadi elok dan baik. (Al-Majmu’: 8/322). .
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Pengertian akikah menurut syarak .
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Akikah dalam pengertian syarak ialah binatang ternakan yang berkaki empat (binatang an’am) yang disembelih ketika hendak mencukur rambut kepala anak yang baru dilahirkan, sama ada disembelih pada hari ketujuh atau selepasnya. .
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Falsafah tuntutan menunaikan akikah adalah sebagai tanda kesyukuran seseorang setelah mendapat anugerah cahaya mata yang dikurniakan oleh Allah SWT. .
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Justeru ia lebih baik di kongsi sesama Islam. Ini kerana ia juga seumpama satu peringatan kepada yang lain untuk berakikah juga untuk anak mereka (jika belum). Bagi bukan Islam, tiada peruntukan akikah. .
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Hukum melakukan akikah itu adalah sunat muakkad, iaitu sunat yang sangat digalakkan dalam syarak. Perkara ini bukan sekadar nas semata-mata malahan boleh dilihat sebagaimana perbuatan Rasulullah SAW ketika baginda mengakikahkan cucundanya Hasan dan Husain r.a. .
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Ia bukanlah perkara yang wajib dilakukan kerana hal ini pernah ditanyakan kepada Rasulullah, lalu baginda bersabda yang maksudnya: “Allah tidak menyukai kedurhakaan, seolah-olah Baginda tidak suka menyebut nama itu (akikah). Baginda bersabda: “Barang siapa yang dikurniakan baginya anak, lalu dia ingin menyembelihkan untuk anaknya maka sembelihlah untuk anak lelaki dua ekor kambing yang sama keadaannya dan bagi anak perempuan seekor kambing”. (riwayat Abu Daud).
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Maksud hadis daripada perkataan (suka atau ingin menyembelihkan untuk anaknya) itu menunjukkan tidak wajib melakukan akikah, melainkan jika akikah itu dinazarkan baharulah ia dipanggil akikah wajib. .
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Dalam hadis yang lain, sabda Rasulullah SAW: “Anak-anak tergadai (terikat) dengan akikahnya, disembelih (akikah) untuknya pada hari ketujuh (kelahirannya) dan diberi namanya serta dicukur rambutnya”. (riwayat at-Tirmidzi) .
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Terdapat dua pendapat dalam menghuraikan maksud hadis “anak tergadai dengan akikahnya” di sini. .
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Pendapat pertama mengatakan bahawa jika tidak diakikahkan, anak itu akan terbantut atau terhalang pertumbuhannya, tidak seperti anak-anak lain yang diakikahkan. .
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Pendapat kedua .
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Pendapat kedua mengatakan bahawa maksudnya ialah anak itu tidak akan memberi syafaat kepada kedua ibu bapanya pada hari kiamat kelak jika dia tidak diakikahkan. Pendapat kedua ini adalah pendapat Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, dan pendapat ini dilihat pendapat yang lebih utama. (Mughni al-Muhtaj: 4/369) .
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Akikah disebut dalam hadis yang bermaksud: Bersama bayi yang lahir itu akikah, maka kerana itu mengalirkanlah darah (sembelihan) untuknya, dan jauhkan baginya segala kesakitan (godaan syaitan). (riwayat Bukhari). .
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Ini bermakna: “Setiap anak perlu dipajakkan (terhutang) dengan akikah, disembelih untuknya pada hari ketujuh umurnya, dan diberi nama dan dicukur rambut kepalanya”. (riwayat Ashabus Sunan) .
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Akikah itu pula dari sudut bahasanya adalah tolakan iaitu tolakan dari gangguan dan godaan syaitan. .
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Adapun persoalan mengenai memberi makan atau dimakan daging akikah oleh bukan Islam tidak mencacatkan amalan akikah. Biarpun daging akikah itu dimakan oleh bukan Islam, akikah itu tetap sah dan tidak perlu diulangi. .
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Sebenarnya perbuatan kita melabelkan hidangan dengan ayat hidangan untuk orang Islam sahaja adalah tidak wajar. Seolah-olah kita memperkecilkan tetamu yang datang ke majlis keraian kita dengan tidak mengizin mereka menjamah apa yang dihidangkan oleh tuan rumah. Sedangkan bukan Islam muslim boleh memakan daging akikah. .
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Setiap ibu bapa atau ahli keluarga apabila mengadakan majlis tersebut mereka mengharapkan doa yang ikhlas daripada sanak saudara dan sahabat andai atau jiran tetangga yang datang bertandang ke majlis itu. .
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Jika yang diundang itu bukan Islam sekurang-kurang kita dapat menghampiri mereka dan memahamkan bahawa Islam tidak menghalang pergaulan dan penglibatan bukan Islam dalam majlis yang diadakan oleh orang Islam. .
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Ini sekurang-kurangnya memberi peluang kepada kenalan kita yang bukan Islam mengenal amalan yang terkandung dalam agama yang suci ini.
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Catatan: Bahagian yang diterangkan (bold) adalah oleh saya.

Fatwa on Yoga

2008-11-29T00:35:00.003+08:00

The latest fatwa issued by Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan on the banning of yoga among Muslims had attracted mixed reaction with majority of it condemning and criticizing the fatwa. I have read postings in various blogs and the comments therein. It is scary in deed to get to know how people think about Islam nowadays. The fatwa issued by Majlis Fatwa can be debated openly and criticized by even those who are not well verse in the subject matter. More so, the Indian community was so upset with the fatwa. Nowadays, people are very sensitive but they are being sensitive unnecessarily or should I say over sensitive. The fatwa only concerns the Muslims and the banning is only for Muslims, nothing to do with the Hindus or those who profess other religions. It is still ok for the non-Muslims to do yoga. Islam does not prohibit them from doing so. So, I do not understand why the Hindus were upset with the fatwa to the extent that Samy Vellu wanted to meet the PM (this one must be politically motivated) and that Hindu Sangam said that the Majlis Fatwa should consult them before issuing the fatwa. http://www.hindusangam.org.my/news/index.php?id=105. Who are they at the first place to talk about the do’s and the don’t’s in Islam? To certain extent, the non-Muslims should refrain themselves from getting involve with any fatwa issued by Muslim scholars unless they become a Muslim. Otherwise, it is insensitive of Islam to make it haram for the Muslims to eat pork and to slaughter cows especially during Hari Raya Haji/Qurban. The fatwa here is not about not respecting other religion but about the do's and the don'ts in Islam.
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Not only the non-Muslims criticizing the fatwa, there are also some quarters of liberal thinking Muslims condemning the fatwa. It is a major problem when we fail to look everything and anything from Islamic point of view. If we were to look at everything with liberal mind set, don’t be surprise if one day the Islamic teaching will become “irrelevant” and “obsolete” to the people. That is why there are Muslims who are, not only that they do not appreciate the fatwa issued, they even condemn the said fatwa and in doing so, they did it worst that the non-Muslims did.
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In Islam, there are things that we can’t think of its rationale but we are obliged to follow. That is why Allah said in the Qur’an, “la tas’alu ‘an ash yaa’I in tubdalakum tasu’kum” which means “do not question something that if explained to you will add to your confusion (lead to many other questions)”. For example, why do Muslims have to fast during Ramadhan and not on other months? That alone is difficult for us to understand the rationale behind it and yet we have to do it because it is a divine revelation. So, in this yoga issue, while I am not saying that it is not something that we can’t debate, the issue has been deliberated by Muslims Scholars in the country. If at all we want to debate, we need to have in depth knowledge as to why we need a fatwa, how does fatwa arrived at, things and factors that need to be considered in issuing a fatwa. If we do not understand all these, it is not for us to debate. We may ask questions for clarification but not to debate it. Giving an example here, fatwa is issued only on issues that have no clear ruling in the Qur’an and Sunnah. But there are liberal thinking Muslims, in condemning the fatwa on yoga, said the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan should issue fatwa on issues that are more important such as corruption. That alone shows their lack of understanding or ignorance about Islamic teaching as corruption is obviously prohibited (haram) in Islam. As the Prophet pbuh said, “ar raasyi wal murtasyi finnar” which means “the person who give bribe and the person who receive it, both will be in the hell”. As such, you don’t need fatwa on that!!!
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There are also a lot of Muslims who asked this question i.e. is our faith is too fragile that can be easily swayed by just doing yoga? My answer is simple. It may not directly swayed our faith and aqidah but slowly and indirectly it may. At first we just do yoga for the purpose of exercise. Yes, nothing wrong. But later when we feel that yoga can do this and can do that for us and started to believe in yoga, that may erode our faith and aqidah because in Islam it is Allah who determine the good and the bad for us. It is not yoga or any other things. And when we started to believe in yoga, we may tend to learn further about yoga and in doing so, we may end up doing the mantra and without us realizing it, we may have be “one with god (their god and not our God [Allah])”. So, why do not we prevent it from happen? After all, prevention is better than cure.

Another point is that why do we bother to compare our fatwa with that of other countries’? Does it mean that since other countries do not issue any fatwa banning yoga, we are prevented from doing so? It must be understood that in Islam, differences of opinion is allowed. So, it is ok for the Muslims scholars in Malaysia to think that yoga is haram in Malaysia though the scholars in other countries disagree with such opinion. The fact that other countries do not make such a ruling, it does not negate the effect of the fatwa issued in Malaysia. In Islam, we have four schools of thoughts i.e. Hambali, Maliki, Shafi’e and Hanafi. In Malaysia, we follow Shafi’e and does it mean that those who follow other school of thoughts are not Muslim? The answer is obviously “NO”. The Prophet pbuh said in his hadith, “khilaafu ummati rahmah” which means “the differences of opinion among my followers is a blessing”.
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For those who want to know more about fatwa, please click here http://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/

Cukur Jambul

2008-11-15T11:15:00.002+08:00

Selepas kelahiran bayi, kebanyakan masyarakat Melayu di Malaysia akan mengadakan satu majlis yang dipanggil “cukur jambul”. Majlis “cukur jambul” ini kebiasaannya dimulakan dengan majlis berzanji/marhaban oleh kaum lelaki sebelum diikuti dengan majlis tahlil dan doa selamat. Semasa majlis berzanji/marhaban dijalankan, bayi tersebut kebiasaannya akan dibawa mengelilingi kaum lelaki yang sedang berzanji/bermarhaban tadi sambil rambutnya (bayi) dipotong sedikit demi sedikit sebagai simbolik “bercukur jambul”. Namun ada juga jemaah yang tidak memotong rambut bayi tersebut tetapi sekadar mengusap kepala bayi tersebut seolah-olah memberi restu kehadirannya di muka bumi ini. Walaupun “cukur jambul” menjadi amalan masyarakat Melayu di Malaysia, dimanakah pula kedudukannya (amalan cukur jambul) di dalam ajaran Islam? Adakah “cukur jambul” ini merupakan tuntutan agama ataupun ia hanyalah adat semata-mata?
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Menjadi amalan Nabi Muhammad (saw) memberikan nama kepada cucu-cucu baginda dan membotakkan kepala mereka pada hari ke-7 kelahiran. Terdapat juga hadis-hadis yang mengesahkan amalan Rasullullah tersebut. Oleh yang demikian, hukum bagi membotakkan kepala bayi dan memberikan bayi tersebut nama pada hari ke-7 adalah sunat kerana ia selari dengan sunnah Rasulullah (saw). Selain daripada itu, ibubapa juga diwajibkan mengadakan aqiqah sebagai tanda kesyukuran kita kepada Allah di atas kurniaan bayi yang baru lahir. Aqiqah diadakan dengan menyembelih binatang peliharaan seperti lembu, kerbau dan kambing. Walaubagaimanapun, binatang peliharaan seperti ayam, itik dan burung tidak boleh dijadikan sembelihan bagi tujuan aqiqah.
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Maka amat jelas bahawa amalan “cukur jambul” yang dilakukan oleh kebanyakan masyarakat Melayu di negara ini bukan merupakan satu ajaran Islam dan tidak pernah diamalkan oleh Rasulullah. Apatah lagi memberi restu kepada bayi tersebut kerana bayi tersebut dicipta oleh Allah untuk hidup di muka bumi ini. Jadi siapakah kita untuk memberi restu atas apa yang diciptakan oleh Allah? Walaupun saya amat tidak bersetuju dengan “pemberian restu”, saya berpendapat bahawa amalan “cukur jambul” ini diadaptasikan dari amalan Rasulullah (saw) yang membotakkan kepala cucu-cucu Baginda pada hari ke-7 kelahiran.
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Walaubagaimanapun, terdapat segelintir masyarakat Melayu yang kurang faham atau tidak faham dengan apa yang dimaksudkan dengan “cukur jambul”. Bagi mereka ini, “cukur jambul” memadai dengan mengadakan majlis berzanji/marhaban sambil “jambul” bayi tersebut dipotong sedikit sahaja tanpa membotakkan kepala bayi tersebut. Mereka juga berfahaman bahawa majlis “cukur jambul” “wajib” diadakan bagi menyambut kelahiran bayi.
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Melalui pengalaman saya sendiri, saya pernah dijemput oleh seorang rakan untuk menghadiri majlis “cukur jambul” anak beliau yang baru dilahirkan. Walaubagaimanapun, atas sebab-sebab yang tak dapat dielakkan, saya terpaksa menolak jemputan tersebut tetapi saya berjanji akan pergi melawat anak beliau yang baru dilahirkan. Jadi, seminggu selepas majlis “cukur jambul” tersebut, saya telah pergi melawat bayi tersebut dan saya mendapati bahawa rambutnya masih lebat. Apabila saya mengajukan soalan kepada rakan saya tentang mengapa rambut bayi beliau masih lebat sedangkan “cukur jambul” telah diadakan seminggu yang lalu, beliau mengatakan kepada saya yang beliau rasa “sayang” untuk membotakkan kepala bayi beliau itu.
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Bagi saya inilah akibatnya jika kita membuat sesuatu dengan hanya mengikut orang lain tanpa mengetahui tujuan asal apa yang hendak kita lakukan itu.
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Jadi apakah pula hukumnya “cukur jambul” ini? Jika kita mengadakan majlis “cukur jambul” dan seterusnya membotakkan kepala bayi tersebut sambil menjamu selera para tetamu yang hadir, bukan sahaja kita mendapat pahala sunat membotakkan kepala bayi, malahan kita juga mendapat pahala menjamu para tetamu. Namun, sekiranya kita benar-benar sekadar “cukur jambul” dan tidak membotakkan kepala bayi kita, maka apa yang kita lakukan tidak selari dengan sunnah Rasulullah (saw) dan seterusnya kita tidak mendapat apa-apa ganjaran daripada Allah (swt) kecuali pahala menjamu makan para tetamu.
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Jadi nasihat saya kepada semua para pembaca agar istilah “cukur jambul” ini tidak lagi digunakan kerana ia telah menyebabkan kekeliruan dikalangan masyarakat Melayu di Malaysia sehingga ada yang mengadakan majlis “cukur jambul” tetapi tidak membotakkan kepala bayi tersebut. Malahan ada yang lebih teruk lagi apabila mereka tidak mengadakan aqiqah iaitu satu tuntutan dalam Islam. Maka akhirnya, kita hanya melakukan tuntutan adat tetapi meninggalkan tuntutan agama. Walaupun mengadakan "cukur jambul" sekadar membawa maksud kita tidak mendapat sebarang ganjaran, apa yang saya khuatirkan sebenarnya ialah pemahaman masyarakat Melayu pada masa akan datang di antara tuntutan adat dan tuntutan agama. Tidak menjadi sebarang masalah untuk mengadatkan tuntutan agama tetapi akan menjadi masalah besar jika kita mengagamakan tuntutan adat.
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Beberapa hari lepas, saya mendapat jemputan dari jiran saya melalui sms yang berbunyi seperti ini, “Salam Hormat…Dijemput hadir ke majlis kesyukuran & cukur jambul puteri saya pada 15 Nov 2008 pukul 1.00tgh…”. InsyaAllah, saya akan menghadiri majlis tersebut petang ini. Cuma saya terfikir apakah majlis ini sekadar “cukur jambul” atau benar-benar melakukan amalan Rasulullah membotakkan kepala bayi? Atau apakah perlu saya memberikan “restu” saya ke atas ciptaan Allah (swt) semata-mata bagi menjaga hati jiran saya itu?

Home Minister Acted Beyond His Jurisdiction in Issuing Detention Order

2008-11-07T11:46:00.002+08:00

The High Court has freed Raja Petra or better know as RPK from ISA detention. In making the ruling, the Judge has said that the Home Minister i.e. Hamid Albar (emphasise is mine) had acted outside his jurisdiction when he issued the two-year detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/7/nation/20081107094618&sec=nation
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Based on the news report, the basis for the Judge’s ruling really attracted my attention simply because he said the Home Minister acted beyond his jurisdiction. Come to think about it again, why did the Judge made such reasoning when Section 8 (1) of the ISA clearly gives power to the Minister to detain a person for a period of maximum two (2) years? So, based on the provision of Section 8 (1), Hamid Albar, in issuing the detention order should have been said to have had acted within his jurisdiction. The only thing that I can think of as to what does the Judge meant in his reasoning is the second part of Section 8 (1) which says that the detention order may only be made if the Home Minister is satisfied that the person may be prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or to the maintenance of essential services or to the economic life thereof.
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I 100% agree with the Judge, not because I admire RPK, but because to me RPK is not a threat to the nation but perhaps he is a threat to certain individual (it goes without saying who the individual is). As such, the Judge is correct in saying that Hamid Albar acted beyond his jurisdiction because he cannot detain a person under the ISA if such person is just a threat to an individual, no matter how powerful that individual is.
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Now, in doing so, don’t you think that Hamid Albar had abused his power conferred under the ISA? I believe he did. So, in such a situation, what remedy does RPK or any detainees of rthat matter (which was wrongfully detained under the ISA) have for the time they spent in the detention centre? I would say none unless they take the trouble to sue the Home Minister and the government of Malaysia, which to me, will not help them in any way because of time consuming. But can the authority take action against the Home Minister for abusing his power under the ISA? As far as I know, there is no provision for that. So, the Home Minister and the government can still make wrongful detention order in the future and let the court decides if the order is being challenged. Legally, it may be a right process but to me it is a broad daylight abuse of process of law and power.
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I have posted an article on ISA. Click here http://rozaimims.blogspot.com/2008/09/internal-security-act.html

RM10.5 Million Paid to 5 Former Judges

2008-11-06T16:30:00.003+08:00

As reported in the Malaysian Bar website today: -

The government had paid out RM10.5 million in ex-gratia payment to the five former judges who were tribunalised for alleged judicial misconduct. Former Lord Presiident Tun Salleh Abas alone received RM5 million, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat.

Read here

http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/bar_news/berita_badan_peguam/gov_t_paid_out_rm10.5_million_in_ex_gratia_to_five_former_judges.html

I am not here disputing the fact that payment had been made to the judges, if at all the government thought that was the best thing to do. But I was puzzled when there was such an understanding between the government and the judges/their families not to disclose the amount paid to the public. They must remember that whatever payment that were made was using the public's fund, i.e. your money and my money and why on earth we should not know the figure?

And now it has been made public that the 5 former judges were paid in total of RM10.5 million with Tun Salleh Abas alone received RM5 million, which means the other 4 judges received a total of RM5.5 million. It is not sufficed for the government to just telling us the final figure. We have every right to know how did the government arrived at that figure? Bearing in mind that those judges were all paid their pension by the government.

I am hoping that the government will come clear on this or at least for some MPs, opposition or the ruling party to urge the government to disclose the formula.

Guess...

2008-11-05T17:16:00.000+08:00

What is an act which is a crime and punishable if attempted but not a crime and not punishable if committed? I am not talking about the Islamic law here.

Is Money Everything?

2008-11-02T03:13:00.003+08:00

Most of us say that money is not everything. In other words, there are things that money can't buy especially when we talk about happiness. But sad to say, there are people who thought that money is everything. Money can buy happiness and money can solve problem.
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More often than not, we see the life of the rich people are not as good and as happy as we thought it should be. Why not? They have money. They can do whatever they want because they have money. But they do get divorce. They do have family problems. They do have social problems. They do have all sorts of problems. And all that happen while they have money. So, money, while it is essential to have it in our daily life, wrong way of using it may cause disaster. So, there are things that money can't buy such as happiness and problem solving.
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As such, I am puzzled when the Melaka government announced a new incentive of RM1,000 to be given to men who take a poor single mother as their second wife provided that they do not divorce their first wife. And not only that, the same amount will also be given to those who get married before they reach the age of 30. The reason behind this? According to Ali Rustam, it is an effort to curb social ills such as illicit sex and Mat Rempit.
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Read here
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/11/1/nation/2429033&sec=nation
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To me, whatever the reason is, it does not and will not solve the problem. In fact, it will create more problems such as people get married for the sake of money and once the get the money, they will get divorce. It is like an income. Further, it will cause the young generation to hve the wrong understanding on the reason behind marriage. Once they get married for the wrong reason, there will be more divorces, thus causing injustice to the parties involved especially the female and it will also lead to more social problems. People should get married when they are ready to bear the responsibility and not because they want the incentive. Ali Rustam may think what I write is crap but from my own personal experience, there are people who are willing to do anything, I repeat anything to get the money even to the extent of divorcing their wife of more than 20 years of marriage. I had a case whereby a client of mine wanted a divorce because he wanted to bring China doll into the country. According to him, he could only do so if he is single. And of course, he was paid for it. I can't remember the figure but I can assure you, it was a handsome figure. And to my surprise, his wife agreed. In fact he brought his wife and daughter to my office to sign the divorce paper. That was a proof that people are willing to do anything for the sake of money, even to get married before the age of 30 or marry to a poor single mother.
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People should get married in the most sincere manner and not for monetary purposes. As such, I do really hope for Ali Rustam to have a better faculty of understanding in proposing any policy for the state. He should use his sense and brain and not be blinded by money. I thought awarding a Datukship to Shah Rukh Khan was the worst that Ali Rustam could do but I am wrong. But I do hope that Ali Rustam to stop from making stupid proposal at this juncture.

Razak Baginda a Free Man...

2008-10-31T11:47:00.003+08:00

The Shah Alam High Court here this morning acquitted Razak Baginda from the murder abetment charge in the infamous murder case of Altantuya Shaariibu. This decision was arrived at after the High Court found that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against Razak Baginda at the end of the prosecution's case.

However, C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, members of the Special Action Squad (UTK), were not as lucky as Razak Baginda when they were ordered to enter their defence against the murder charge.

Read here

http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/altantuya_case_razak_acquitted.html

So, as at now, Razak Baginda is a free man unless the prosecution decides to appeal against the acquittal.

The big question mark (should both Azilah and Sirul be found guilty at the end of the day for murdering Altantuya) that need to be answered remains as "who instructed Azilah and Sirul to kill Altantuya by using explosive C4 bomb? If not Razak Baginda, then who?" You guys can keep on speculating. To me it does not make sense if at the end of the day the Court found both Azilah and Sirul guilty of murder with the person who abet the murder is still at large.

The police needs to reopen the investigation file to find out who instructed the murder. If at all Azilah and Sirul are guilty for murder, the motive for the murder lies with the person who instructed the murder.

Bandung Photos

2008-10-30T10:15:00.009+08:00

In the plane already but we were informed by the Pilot that we had to wait for another 20 minutes before we could take off. But to make it worst, for reason best known to Airasia or at least, its Pilot, the aircond was not on. The passengers already making noise and have to use the menu as a fan. Even their stewardesses were seen fanning using newspaper. To certain extent, it had spoilt my son's excitement to be on the plane. Wll, that is Airasia, I believe. They need to cut costs wherever and whenever they can even to the discomfort of their passengers

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This is my second son...hot! hot! hot! air cond anyone?
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The millionaires in the photo. Announcing the arrival of...yes, after suffering at the early stage, we finally safely landed at the Bandara Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung. Alhamdulillah...
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First place we went was this place called Rumah Ibor. Nice place to stay if you are in Bandung. Located in Jalan Dago, which is one of the shopping heaven in Bandung.
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Our first meal in Bandung. It was sunda food in a nice restaurant called "Bumbu Desa". It was here that I had my nasi liwet (pronounce as "liwat" ["sodomy" in Malay])
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Varieties of Sunda foods
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Burp...I was full already...time to leave Bumbu Desa and do shopping
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A mosque in Cipaganti
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Bandung version of Coffee Bean. In fact better taste than Coffee Bean. I tried and it was really nice and cheap. It costs me only Rp10,000 which was equivalent to RM3.70 per glass.
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In front of Rumah Mode, one of the famous factory outlets in Bandung. Shopping time had just started...
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One of the factory outlet in Jalan Setiabudi (not in Damansara Heights, ok)
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One of their transportations, which I find it unique (forgot to ask what they call it)
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Our first dinner in Bandung. A very nice cozy restaurant located on top of a hill called Lisung. Our seat was facing Bandung. From the restaurant we can see Bandung. It was a really nice view. And the food was good. I ate Sup Buntut Bakar Pedas. Don't get me wrong. Buntut means ekor. In the photo are my family, our friends (first met them at the airport upon arrival and immediately became friends) Jan and Josa and our Tourist Guide, Amir.
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Another photo in the restaurant

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.Another photo in the restaurant
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View outside my hotal lobby. One thing that caught my attention was the Bandung folks determination in doing their business. Those in the red shirts were students from Maktab Perguruan Besut in Terengganu (was on their study trip to Bandung) while the rest was the Bandung folks selling their products/souvenirs like key chain, pen, telekung, etc, etc. They won't simply give up if you say "no" to their products. They will keep on pursuading you to buy until you get into your car. Even when I was at the lobby, they waived at me to come out of the lobby to look at their products.

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Tired waiting for mama to do the shopping. Take a short break.

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My wife was busy doing the shopping at Pasar Baru while my two kids were busy with their own activity. Well, vacation to Bandung is all about shopping. So, kids need to find their own activities within the little space they might have.
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Pasar Baru Trade Center, which consists of 7 floors with really a lot of shops in it selling shoes, clothes, etc, etc,...at a very cheap price. We spent our time from 9.30am to 4.30pm only in this place and we did not even visit all the shops. Friends of mine, Jan and Josa managed to shop only at Level 1 from 9.30am to 4.30pm. It tells you how crazy you can be when you are at Pasar Baru.
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Masjid Uswatun Hassanah located on the roof top of the Pasar Baru Trade Centre
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Bandung from the roof top of Pasar Baru
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In front of our hotel, Mutiara Hotal Bandung
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Scenery on the way to Tangkuban Perahu
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My kids with our second Tourist Guide, Mahatirta Adikusumah at our hotel
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My family and our first Tourist Guide, Amir Budi Prasetyo. Photo taken at Jalan Dago.
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Look at the 5th menu from the top.
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Upon arrival at Tangkuban Perahu. This is a "mandatory" place to snap a photo as a proof that we have been there. Tangkuban Perahu is a volcano which is still active and explode every 20 years. According to my tourist guide, Maha, the Dutch made a tunnel to channel the lava to the sea, so as to lessen the explosion risks.
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Another view on top of Tangkuban Perahu
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The transport provided for tourist to go to the peak of Tangkuban Perahu. It costs Rp10,000 per person but we paid only Rp10,000 per pick up because my tourist guide knows the driver
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Tangkuban Perahu. The peak resembles a "perahu" (small boat with paddles) in an upside down position but because the fog was so thick, we were not able to see it.
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A view from the top of Tangkuban Perahu
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In front of the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia mosque where we stop for Zuhur prayer
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At the entrance to the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Photo taken on the way back to Bandung from Tangkuban Perahu

Petrol oh Petrol!!! The Never Ending Issue

2008-10-28T11:25:00.001+08:00

As reported: -
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The drop in the local retail oil price expected at the end of this month will not exceed 15 sen. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad who disclosed this, said a drop of that amount was made to avoid sudden losses, especially for the petrol station operators nationwide.
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http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20081025/tts-shahrir-oil-bm-993ba14.html

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Frankly speaking, I do not know how exactly the petrol station operators doing their business. But from what I know, they only earn a small percentage of the petrol sold to the consumers. the petrol station rental is based on their petrol and diesel’s sales volume.
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But what really puzzled me with the above news report is that is it real that a sudden drop of oil prices can cause sudden losses to the petrol station operators nationwide? If it is true as reported, then logically speaking, these petrol station operators must have recorded a huge profits when the price of the petrol was increased from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70 per litre. So, if they have recorded such a huge profits, why can’t they suffer losses? I wonder why???

Bandung

2008-10-28T11:19:00.002+08:00

I was in Bandung, Indonesia with my family from 20-23 October 2008. I bought airaisa goholiday package, which was very cheap. I spent only RM1,300++ to cover for my hotel accommodation and return flight for me, my wife and my two little kids. Bandung is a shopping heaven. I brought around Rp4,600,000.00 (which was equivalent to RM1.500.00) and that was not enough because there were so many things to buy at a cheap price. I have a lot to share from shopping, the people, the road, the food, the interesting place and the traffic but not at the moment. I will do that later.

Nurul Huda Abdul Gani's Rape and Murder Case - Accused Acquitted of Murder

2008-10-18T11:05:00.004+08:00

My posting herein may draw unhappiness and unsatisfactory feeling but I do hope that you read my posting with open mind and do not cloud yourself with emotion feelings.
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On 16/10/2008, the Federal Court acquitted Mohd Abbas Danus Baksan of murdering a 10-year old girl, Nurul Huda Abdul Gani. The Federal Court’s decision draw mixed feelings and reactions among the people with many quarters are not happy with the decision. To better understand what happened, let me take you to revisit the case.
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http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/nurul_huda_murder_case_acquitted_on_grounds_of_insufficient_evidence.html
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On 17/1/2004, the whole nation was shocked to learn that a cute 10-year old girl by the name of Hurul Huda Binti Abdul Gani of Gelang Patah Johor was brutally gang raped, sodomised and strangled to death. Police's investigation brought to the arrest of a Security Guard by the name of Mohd Abbas Danus Baksan who, at the time of the alleged crime was manning the security booth of Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s main substation in Kampung Pekajang, Tanjung Kupang, Johor Baru. The heinous crime was said to have been committed by Mohd Abbas on 17/1/2004 between 9.20am and 1.00pm. Police’s investigation also revealed the presence of two (2) other persons who were unnamed. In fact, when Mohd Abbas was first charged in court (for murder), he was charged of committing the offence with two (2) other persons who were unnamed.
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In this case, Mohd Abbas was charged for rape and murder. In his trial for rape in the Sessions Court, he admitted to committing the offence, thus was sentenced accordingly. However, during his trial for murder at the High Court, he did not admit to committing the offence but putting the blame on two (2) other persons namely Suyaimi and Jojo. While Suyaimi was made a prosecution's witness, Jojo's whereabout could not be established. After hearing 26 witnesses and producing 29 items as evidence during the 21-days trial, the High Court found him guilty for murder, hence he was sentenced to death.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/8/28/nation/8775746&sec=nation
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He filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal against his conviction (on murder). In the Court of Appeal, the appellant’s (Mohd Abbas) main argument was that the Judicial Commissioner at the High Court had failed to sufficiently appreciate the prosecution’s evidence and the appellant unsworn statement when arriving at his findings. In particular, there was insufficient appreciation of the circumstantial evidence relied on by the prosecution. The Court of Appeal, in dealing with the issue raised by the Appellant said that the circumstantial evidence relied on by the prosecution was sufficiently corroborated and inference was made against the Appellant. As such, the Court of Appeal dismissed the Appellant’s appeal and upheld the punishment meted out by the High Court i.e. death sentence. Mohd Abbas lodged an appeal with the Federal Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal.
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http://www.kehakiman.gov.my/judgment/coa/latest/Crpp%2042%20Mohd%20Abbas%20bin%20Danus%20Baksan%20v%20PP%20%20(J-05-71-04).htm
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Now, after the High Court and the Court of Appeal found Mohd Abbas guilty for murder, what made the Federal Court in a unanimous decision differed from the two (2) previous Courts?
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In criminal case, there are two (2) elements that must be proven by the prosecution during the trial i.e. the mens rea and the actus reas. Mens rea means the intention to commit the crime and actus reas means the action, which causes the crime to be committed. If the prosecution is only able to prove only one (1) of the two (2) elements mentioned above, the Court may acquit the accused or punish him/her with a lower punishment. On top of that, the prosecution's burden of proof is "beyond reasonable doubt". "Beyond reasonable doubt" means there shall be no single doubt in the prosecution's case and what the accused need to do is to raise at least one doubt (which is reasonable) to throw out the prosecution's case. There was a joke to illustrate what is “beyond reasonable doubt”?. An accused was charged for murder and knowing very well that he is going to lose his case, after the Court resume the proceedings and before the Judge delivering his decision and sentence, the accused stood up and told the Judge that the victim (that had been murdered) is on the way to the Court room and should arrive shortly. The Judge took the trouble and interestedly waited for the victim to walk in. After waiting for a couple of minutes (and the victim was still not walking into the Court room), the Judge told the accused that he (the accused) was bluffing and the Court was going to deliver its decision. The accused stood up and told the Judge that he had managed to raise a reasonable doubt and therefore, he should be acquitted. The Judge was stunned and the accused explained that if the Judge believed that the prosecution had proven the case "beyond reasonable doubt", the Judge should not believe in what the accused said about the victim coming in to the Court room.
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Now, in this case, Mohd Abbas was jointly charged for murder with two (2) others who were unnamed. There appeared to be the presence of a third person (which was believed to have been Jojo) in the crime scene when the crime took place. This was further supported by the fact that there was a semen stain on a straw mat at the crime scene which does not belong to Mohd Abbas and Suyaimi. The said semen stain belongs to an unidentified male individual. So, in this case, it is not disputed that there was a third person other than Mohd Abbas and Nurul Huda at the crime scene when the crime took place. The prosecution in proving the case against Mohd Abbas at the High Court was relying on the circumstantial evidence in that: -
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(a) Mohd Abbas was alone at the guardhouse when the victim’s body was found;
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(b) The victim’s path to the shop from her house and return journey would have led her past the guardhouse;
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(c) Mohd Abbas’ demenour when approached by the victim’s family members whereby he claimed that he did not see the victim (when the fact that the victim’s body was lying motionless in the guardhouse’ toilet);
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(d) Mohd Abbas’ demenour in not allowing the police to enter the TNB main station area; and
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(e) Though Mohd Abbas claimed that it was Suyaimi and Jojo who murdered the victim, Mohd Abbas was said to have supposedly to help the girl and informed the police of the crime committed by Suyaimi and Jojo as alleged by him, which he failed to do. It only serves to suggest that he killed the victim and was trying to conceal the evidence.
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Now, to me personally, the circumstantial evidence mentioned above does not form conclusive evidence that Mohd Abbas did murder the victim. All it suggested was that Mohd Abbas was present at the crime scene when the crime took place. Though it was said Mohd Abbas should help the girl and inform the police if at all it was true that it was Suyaimi and Jojo and not him who killed the victim, to me Mohd Abbas would have his own reason for doing so. In this case, he admitted to have raped the victim. As such, it makes sense for him not to cooperate with the police and the victim’s family members (even to the extent that he might try to conceal the evidence) because he had raped the victim. The fact that he was alone at that point of time would added to his fear, as he could be charged for murder too, a crime he claimed that he did not do. So, with due respect, I beg to differ with the argument that Mohd Abbas’ uncooperative demanour can only suggest that he killed the victim, a crime he denied of committing, as it can also suggest that he raped the victim, a crime which he admitted at the Sessions Court.
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So, in this case, the Federal Court was of the opinion that the presence of a third person, which have been proven but that third person’s whereabout could not be established only serves as a doubt in the prosecution’s case. This is because, there was no direct evidence to prove that Mohd Abbas killed the victim (as what the prosecution had was only circumstantial evidence) and that the presence of the third person could also suggest that there was always a possibility that the victim was murdered by that third person. So, while Mohd Abbas admitted to have raped the victim, there was just no conclusive evidence to suggest that he killed the victim. So, in that sense, the Federal Court found doubt in the prosecution’s case and as I mentioned above, the defence (Mohd Abbas) just need to create one reasonable doubt to throw out the prosecution’s case and he did.
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And as I mentioned earlier, the decision by the Federal Court invited mixed reaction from the people. They just could not believe that the criminal involved in heinous crime against a helpless 10-year old girl escaped the gallows. Even the family members of Nurul Huda was shocked to learn that Mohd Abbas is still alive, as they thought that he (Mohd Abbas) had been hanged already.
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However, I have to tell you this. Law is not about common sense. Law is not about emotion feelings and law is not about logic. Law is governed by the rule of law. What I mean is that when we deal with law, we should not use our emotion while common sense and logic is not all. A simple example, a man who had consensual sexual intercourse with a girl aged 15 years 364 days has committed a statutory rape but a man who had consensual sexual intercourse with a girl aged 16 years 1 day is not committing any offence. Reason being because under the law, girls under 16 years of age are minor, hence under the law, they do not have the capability to give their consent but girls of 16 years of age and above are said to be able to give their consent. If we think about it, does that really make sense? In this instance, the two (2) girls’ age was different by three (3) days only but does that really make a different with their capability to give their consent? No right? But the law says it is. To me it does not make sense and is not logic but that is the law. So, in Nurul Huda’s case, while we, the people believe and thought that Mohd Abbas should have been found guilty of murder, the law takes different view and it is because the law does not based on emotion, logic and common sense as we thought it should be. The law looks at the rule of law vis-à-vis evidence surrounding the case.
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While I agree with the finding of the Federal Court, I am not too sure who killed Nurul Huda. It could have been Mohd Abbas who killed her but the evidence tendered in Court does not suggest so.
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In the end, it is better to acquit ten (10) guilty persons (as they shall receive their punishment in the hereafter) than to punish an innocent person (as this may cause great injustice).

Illiegailsed the Illegal

2008-10-17T10:07:00.003+08:00

I am 100% against Hindraf but I find the action made by the government to declare Hindraf as an illegal society is redundant because the government was actually illegalized what was already illegal. There is no need for the home minister to make such a declaration because Hindraf is already an illegal society.

Hamid Albar = Joker

Get Your Facts Right Before Comment

2008-10-11T12:34:00.002+08:00

As reported in The Star on 9/10/2008, Tun Mahathir said “Until March Pak Lah must keep quiet and let Najib run the show. He should not interfere because if Najib appears to be following him or taking his advice, I think the latter will lose support,” he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/9/nation/2231113&sec=nation

And this was what reported in the NST - Umno leaders have come out to strongly criticise Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for telling Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to keep quiet after handing over power to his successor.

Thereafter, came comments from ministers who doesn't know head and tail about what Tun Mahathir meant: -

Nazri Aziz

Dr Mahathir should have followed his own advice. "He is the right person to say this because that is exactly what he did." He said Dr Mahathir did not keep quiet or allow Abdullah to run the country freely after handing over the premiership to him. "He should have followed his own advice instead of creating all the trouble for us."
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Azalina Othman

Dr Mahathir should have followed his own words. Azalina said Dr Mahathir's statement was like adding salt to an open wound. "Tun should not feel that he is always right by giving advice. It is going to weaken the party further," she said, adding that he should instead set a good example to the younger leaders.

Ahmad Shaberry

Questioned what Dr Mahathir meant by asking Abdullah to keep quiet. He said Dr Mahathir should set an example for Umno leaders.

Khaled Nordin

Dr Mahathir's statement was unbecoming. He said there was no need for anyone to say anything as both Abdullah and his successor Datuk Seri Najib Razak knew how to conduct themselves after the handover.

Hamid Albar

He (Hamid Albar) did not see much risk of interference from Abdullah once he stepped down. "The fact is all former prime ministers have got the tendency to comment, so this is a normal thing. What is most important is to make sure there is no interference. "Maybe Dr Mahathir is reminding Pak Lah based on his own personal experience," he said, perhaps alluding to the vocal criticisms by the former prime minister against Abdullah. "His (Abdullah's) decision was made not in a personal interest but in the interest of the nation and party, so I do not think he would interfere (in the government)," Syed Hamid added.

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http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2371188/Article/index_html

In The Star report, what Tun meant was until March Najib should be given freedom to run the country while Si Bedol remains as the PM without interference from Si Bedol, so as to give Najib the feel as a PM and for him to get the right momentum to lead the government. Even before Tun steps down, he went on holiday so as to give Si Bedol the opportunity to run the country while Tun was still a PM. I believe that is a normal way of power transition, not only in politics but everywhere. When Tun said until March, it means the handing over process is till ongoing but when the ministers said after handing over, they meant after March, which was exactly not what Tun meant.

It is either the ministers who gave the comments did not understand plain and simple English as reported in The Star or they did not do their homework or they are just lazy fat dog who do not really bother to check on the statement by Tun or they only read NST or is it the work of the spin doctor? Read here http://test.chedet.com/che_det/2008/09/snippets-10.html

Datukship Anyone?

2008-10-11T10:51:00.003+08:00

It is going to be Dato' Shah Rukh Khan after this...

I wonder what sort of contribution that SRK gave to Malaysia, or at least my home state Melaka that deserves him a Datukship? From what I read in the newspaper, these bunch of so-called Bollywood filmstar (including SRK) are arrogant people everytime they come to Malaysia and yet SRK get the title. I do not think SRK give it a damn for the title and if he has to come to Melaka to receive the title, I wonder whether he self-finance his travelling and accommodation costs?

Ooops, i am sorry...nowadays, Datukship does not mean anything and has no worth...more and more people get the title with doubtful contribution they made to the state/country. Tell you, it is not difficult to get the Datukship. I have the tips. If anyone of you who is hunger for the title, you can do either one of the followings: -

(a) get an Olympic medal..no matter what colour it is

(b) if (a) is too difficult, you can try non-stop sailing solo around the world (perhaps you can get Tan Sri because Azhar Mansor did stop during his sailing and yet he still got Datukship)

(d) climb mount Tahan (in Pahang) seven times non stop...it is rather more difficult to conquer mount Tahan than mount Kinabalu)

(e) walk around the Peninsular non stop within 100 days

(f) stay in the north or south pole for 10 days without wearing winter clothing

(g) act or sing for 20 years and have 20 albums throughout your career

and the list can go on and on...there is no ending for it...

If you ask me why I think the above can land you a datukship, I must say that because nowadays people get Datukship for doing funny funny things or worst still, for doing nothing, which I still have doubts on the benefit they bring to the country.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/11/nation/2247333&sec=nation

Quote

2008-10-10T16:18:00.002+08:00

A news report that can give 1001 interpretations: -

Khairy, who is aspiring for the Youth chief post in the March party elections, said he hoped his father-in-law’s leaving office would not affect his chances in the contest.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/10/nation/2242677&sec=nation

Basis for Taking Legal Action

2008-10-10T11:26:00.001+08:00

Do we take action because there is a basis for doing so or we take action because other people ask us to do so? If we choose the first option, we are doing the job that is required of us but if we choose the second option, then we are doing the job to satisfy certain quarters of people.
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Hindraf is an unregistered society under the Societies Act 1966. Everybody knows that and the government is fully aware of that. Ever since they came into existence until now, they remain unregistered and ever since then until now, no action has been taken on them for being an unregistered society, which is obviously an offence under the Societies Act 1966.
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Section 41 of the Act stipulates that any society that is not registered pursuant to Section 7 is an unlawful society while Section 42 and 43 of the Act stipulates the punishment for the office bearers and members of the unlawful society. Thus, the government, knowing that Hindraf is an unlawful society all these while had never ever intended to take action against the office bearers and the members of Hindraf but the moment the Hindraf supporters barged into the Cabinet’s Aidilfitri open house in PWTC recently demanding the abolishment of the ISA and the release of the ISA detainees and after the pressure and request by many quarters for the government to take action against Hindraf supporters, the government finally decided to take action against the Hindraf supporters under the Societies Act.
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If I may just recap what was verbatimly reported in The Star on 9/10/2008: -
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Deputy Home Minister Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said Thursday the Government will take action against the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) under the Societies Act 1966 for causing a disturbance during the Hari Raya function hosted by the Prime Minister and Muslim Cabinet ministers at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur last Wednesday. He said action would be taken soon on Hindraf, its committee, and members, even though the organisation was not registered...Wan Ahmad Farid said this when asked to comment on calls by several quarters that action be taken against Hindraf for their ‘rudeness’ at the function on the first day of Hari Raya. Wan Ahmad Farid said the Government through the Home Ministry would not hesitate to take action against an illegal organisation as it had to follow the law. "When it comes to the law, there must be no delay. Whatever action taken has to follow procedure and legal channels. What is clear in this matter is that whoever breaks the law must face action,” he said.

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So my questions are: -
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(1) Since I could not find any provision under the Societies Act 1966 on an offence for causing disturbance in private or public place, I wonder under what Section of the Societies Act 1966 the government is going to charge the Hindraf supporters?

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(2) Even if I may overlook on the relevant provision, why is it charging them for causing disturbance and not on the basis of them as an unlawful society?

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(3) Is the government suggesting that it is ok to remain as an unlawful society so long as you do not cause disturbance in private or public places especially so during the Prime Minister’s open house?

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(4) Why is it the government wants to take action after receiving pressure form others and not on the basis that Hindraf is an unlawful society?

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(5) Since the deputy Minister said that “when it comes to the law, there must be no delay”, why is it the government delays in taking action against Hindraf office bearers and supporters since they have been moving as an unlawful society since long time ago?

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(6) Is the government suggesting that an offence is not an offence until and unless it affects the government especially the Prime Minister?

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(7) If I get my facts right, the Deputy Home Minister is a lawyer by profession and I wonder from which university did he graduate from?
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For The Star full report, click here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/9/nation/20081009133820&sec=nation

Police Should Assist and Protect Teresa

2008-10-09T09:48:00.000+08:00

I found this article disgusting - http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/9/focus/2222048&sec=focus.
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No doubt that it is the police’s duty to protect everybody in this country without having regard to their race, religion, citizenship, sex, etc. But at the same time, people need to be fair to the police.
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Teresa Kok had condemned the police over the foods that were served to her while under ISA detention recently, which she likened it to the food of dogs. That was an insult, not only to the police but also to those eggs lovers. And now that she is in trouble (of being threatened on her safety), this writer said that the police should assist and protect Teresa instead of asking her to take precautionary measures. How can that be? At one instance, she condemned the police unreasonably and falsely and in another instance, she expects the police to protect her. That does not make any sense at all.
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It is not fair to simply condemn and insult the police whenever we do not need them and expect them to give us protection whenever we are in trouble.

Hari Kalendar dan Hari Ibadat

2008-10-08T14:14:00.003+08:00

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh...

Selamat kembali ke alam "realiti" setelah seminggu kita beraya. Pada posting kali ini, saya ingin berkongsi maklumat dengan semua tentang perbezaan hari kalendar dan hari ibadat dalam Islam.

Semasa bulan Ramadhan baru-baru ini, terlintas di fikiran saya setiap kali saya memasang niat untuk berpuasa, mengapa kita berniat “sahaja aku berpuasa esok hari…” sedangkan mengikut taqwim hijriah iaitu kalendar Islam, hari baru bermula apabila terbenamnya matahari iaitu masuknya waktu maghrib. Ini bermakna waktu untuk kita memasang niat puasa dan hari kita berpuasa jatuh pada hari yang sama tetapi mengapa kita berniat “esok hari” dan tidak “hari ini”?. Persoalan yang bermain di fikiran, saya ajukan kepada sahabat karib saya, iaitu Ustaz Suhaimi Bin Rebu dan menurut beliau, di dalam Islam, hari kalendar dan hari ibadat adalah dua perkiraan yang berbeza. Maksudnya, tatkala hari kalendar bermula dari terbenamnya matahari sehingga terbenamnya matahari pada hari yang berikutnya, hari ibadat dikira bermula dari terbitnya fajar sadiq ataupun, masuknya waktu subuh sehingga terbitnya fajar sadiq hari yang berikutnya. Itulah sebabnya apabila kita memasang niat untuk puasa di bulan Ramadhan, niat hendaklah dipasang sebelum masuknya waktu subuh dan dari sudut ibadat, waktu kita memasang niat dan waktu kita berpuasa adalah 2 hari yang berbeza.
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Terang beliau lagi, apabila kita bermusafir di jalan Allah melebihi 2 marhalah, kita diberikan rukhsah (kesenangan) untuk kita menjama’kan dan mengqasarkan sembahyang kita selagi mana kita dalam hari perjalanan dan selagimana kita belum selesaikan urusan kita. Oleh yang demikian, sekiranya kita bermusafir dan sampai ke destinasi kita pada waktu zohor atau asar, kita masih boleh menjama’ dan mengqasarkan solat maghrib dan isyak kita kerana dari sudut perkiaraan hari ibadat, kita dikatakan masih dalam hari perjalanan.

Selamat Menyambut Eidul Fitri

2008-09-27T12:33:00.003+08:00

To all my Muslim friends, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all

Selamat Menyambut Eidul Fitri

If at any point of time, my writings have hurt you in one way or another, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for my mistakes, which I have not the slightest intention in my heart to hurt you.

Have a safe journey home.

And to all my non-Muslim friends, I wish you happy holiday.

See you after raya...

Sex Anyone? Ooops Sorry, Its a Donation

2008-09-27T11:59:00.003+08:00

“What is important is we did not ask for the women. He supplied them to us. If people sedekah (donate), don’t you want to accept it?”
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Whatever!!!
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Sick of all these people!!! Why is it that most, if not all of our politicians have got no brain or perhaps they left their brain at home whenever they go out so that they can talk without using their brain?

That statement above is to me, made by a person who is sex maniac. I mean if you have faith in Allah, whatever it takes, you would not be seduced to have sex with any women of any race other than your legally married wife.

Oh yes, he did not ask for the women, so he should not be guilty of any offence in the world and in the hereafter. Is that what he is trying to say? I feel sorry for him for being so stupid.

Refer to the following: -

(a) A hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) - "Ar Raasyi Walmurtasyi Finnar" which means the giver and the receiver (of bribe) are both in the hell.

(b) A Qur'anic verse that says - "Azzaniyatu wazzaani fajliduu kulla waahidimminhuma miata jaldah" which means the adulterer (woman and man) to be given each of them 100 strokes.

So, whatever ways this bugger look at it, both authorities above apply to him.

Internal Security Act

2008-09-24T13:19:00.002+08:00

A lot have been said about the Internal Security Act 1960 or better known as ISA. While a few quarters are in favour of using the Act to ensure the country’s security, some others do not mind the authority invoking the ISA so long as there is no abuse of the said Act but most of the people are against the using of the Act against any individual for any reason whatsoever. Some even labeled the Act as a draconian law, which means rigorous, unusually severe or cruel law.
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Let me take you through the brief background of ISA and the salient sections of the Act to better understand what ISA is all about.
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The reason the ISA was drafted and enacted has been discussed by Yang Pei Keng in his Article entitled “Preventive Detention Under ISA – Unlawful for Non-Violent Peaceful Activities – The Effect of the Recent Federal Court Decision in Chor Phaik Har –v- Farlim Properties Sdn. Bhd. on Statutory Interpretation [1995] 1 CLJ cxcv (Mar)..
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The following is the excerpts from his Article above which I quoted in verbatim: -
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Professor R.H. Hickling, the former Professor of Law, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, was the first Parliamentary Draftsman and Commissioner of Law Revision of Malaya in the early years of Independence. He was "involved in much federal legislation, up to 1962. Included in that legislation was the Internal Security Act (ISA) of 1960".

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When he was assigned the task of drafting the ISA, he explained to the then Deputy Prime Minister Tun Razak in 1959, that "the preventive detention under the ISA was justified only in emergency conditions".

In the preface to Essays in Malaysian Law, written by him in 1989 when he was the Professor of Law in the University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Professor Hickling had this to say when commenting on the frequent use of the ISA by the Executive:

I could not imagine then that the time would come when the power of detention, carefully and deliberately interlocked with Art. 149 of the Constitution, would be used against political opponents, welfare workers and others dedicated to non-violent, peaceful activities. It was with some considerable surprise that I discovered in 1987 that the Supreme Court (Teresa Lim Chin Chin and Ors. v. Inspector General of Police [1988] 1 MLJ 293 at 296) took the view that "from the wording of the provision(s) of the Act there is nothing to show that it is restricted to communist activities." It seems extraordinary that a Court, faced with two interpretations of a law, should adopt the one more restrictive of freedom, and indifferent to the Constitution." (see Preface to R.H. Hickling: Essays in Malaysian Law)

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So, now it is evidently clear that the reason and the intention ISA was drafted and enacted in 1960 was to curb communism and the same to be used only in emergency situations. So now the issue is whether ISA can be used for any other purpose including nation’s security, which is not in line with the intention of the law makers?
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Initially, in 1988, in the case of Teresa Lim Chin Chin and Ors. v. Inspector General of Police [1988] 1 MLJ 293, the then Supreme Court held that the intention of the Parliament in enacting any Act should not be used as the factor for interpreting the Act. It is for the Court to interpret in its own way. In other words, the using of the ISA is not restricted to the law maker’s intention when the same was enacted.
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However, in Chor Phaik Har v. Farlim Properties Sdn Bhd [1994] 3 MLJ 345, the Federal Court held that the statement of a Minister or the promoter of a Bill (the intention of the Parliament) can be referred to as an aid to interpretation. It means that the intention of the Parliament in drafting and enacting an Act may be used as an aid to interpret the Act but shall not be the sole or main factor to determine whether or not the Act should be used in a case.
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Based on the above two (2) cases, it is crystal clear that ISA may be used for any reason other than its’ original intention and I think that is why the government is using it so widely to safeguard the country’s security.
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Now, let us take a look at some salient points of the ISA.
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Section 8 (1) of ISA gives the Home Minister the power to order the detention of any person for up to two (2) years if the Minister is satisfied that such a person may be prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or to the maintenance of essential services or to the economic life thereof.
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However, Section 8 (1) does not really set the maximum period for the detention. By virtue of Section 8 (7), the Minister may extend the detention period for another two (2) years and thereafter for another two (2) years, so on and so forth, so long as the Minister is satisfied that the person is still a threat to the national security. In other words, Section 8 (7) gives the power to the Minister to determine the detention period and there shall be no limit to it until the Minister is satisfied that the detainee shall not be a threat to the country’s security.
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Section 8B provides that there shall be no judicial review on the detention order made by the Minister or the Yang Di Pertuan Agong unless on the ground of procedural compliance, which means the person who is detained under the ISA cannot have their detention reviewed by the Court based on merit unless they are able to prove that the detention does not follow the proper procedure. This provision makes it almost impossible for a detainee to challenge the Minister’s decision for the detention and they have to hope for any breach of procedures to be committed by the detaining authority, which is highly unlikely to happen because the detaining authority has been doing this over time.
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However, as oppose to the provision of Section 8 (7), Section 10 allows the Minister to suspend the detention order.
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Apart from the above Sections that gives the Minister the power to issue the detention order, Section 73 gives the power to police to detain a person, without a need for warrant, of up to sixty (60) days without a need of a detention order from the Minster as required under Section 8 if the police has the reason to believe: -
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(a) that there are grounds, which would justify his detention under Section 8; and
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(b) that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or to the maintenance of the essential services or to the economic life.
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As such, based on the Sections mentioned above, in a nutshell the detention under the ISA works this way: -
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(a) Police may detain the person for up to sixty (60) days without a detention order from the Minister in pursuant to Section 73;

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(b) At the end of the sixty (60) days, the Police may either release the person or obtain the detention order from the Minister, who may order the detention up to two (2) years.

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(c) At the end of the two (2) years detention period, the Minister may wither release the detainee or extend the detention period up to another two (2) years and so on and so forth.
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If we look at the provisions of the ISA, it talks about “if the Minister satisfied” and “if the police have reason to believe”. It indicates that all the arrests and detentions made under the ISA are made at the sole discretion of the police and the Minister. In this case, in my opinion, the discretionary power given to the Minister is very wide because the detention order issued by the Minister or any extension thereof is almost impossible for it to be challenged in Court.
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Going back to the provision of Section 8B above, while it is not allowed to challenge the Minister’s order of detention made pursuant to Section 8, it is silent on whether the detainee is allowed to challenge the arrest and detention made by the police in pursuant to Section 73. This means that detainees are allowed to file a judicial review with the High Court to challenge the arrest made by the police in pursuant to Section 73 both on merit and procedural.
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Based on the provisions stated above, ISA is actually a law that allows “detention without trial”. This is definitely against the principle of law where “a person is innocent until proven guilty”. And how do we prove a person is guilty or innocent? We definitely need to have a proper and fair Hearing so that all the relevant evidences can be tendered in an open Court before a Judge, witnesses are called to testified, their testimony can be challenged, and the evidences tendered can be challenged by the opposing party. All it means is that both parties i.e. the accused and the authority should play at the same ground level. So, when the authority is having the upper hand over the detainee, it is what common people called “unfair”.
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Well, as the Minister said recently that ISA is a preventive law, to me whatever it is, you have no right to detain a person without putting him in a proper trial. That is wrong and there is no two (2) ways about it.
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All I want to say is that, while the authority may have the information to form the grounds for them to believe that the person is a threat to the national security, thus arresting him under the ISA, the wide discretionary power granted to the Minister may still lead to an abuse of the process of law because no one can challenge the Minister’s discretionary power. Not even the court of law in the country. A person may be a threat in the eyes of the Minister but not in the eyes of the majority but the Minister’s belief shall prevail. So, in detaining a person under the ISA, whether or not the person is a real threat to the country, only the Minister knows.
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I am against the ISA.

Najib's Own Website

2008-09-17T13:28:00.002+08:00

Malaysians can go to www.1malaysia.com.my if they want to connect "personally" with Najib. There is nothing much in the website at the moment except, his biography, column for comment, photo galleries and the welcoming speech.

Frankly speaking I am not too sure on the reason for him to have this website. As reported in The Star online, Najib is to try and reach to an increasingly Internet-savvy electorate. Well, I believe that it is too soon to judge whether that is truly the motive for having the website or is it just a political gimmick, given for the fact that he needs support from the Malaysians as well as the current political scenario. I am not trying to be skeptical about it but I can't help myself from talking about Si Bedol's own website, launched just before the election in March this year, which to me it serves no purpose other than the election gimmick.

Whatever it is, Najib's own website, in my opinion is not that people friendly as oppose to blogs. In blogs, the readers are able to read other readers' comments but in Najib's case, you send your comment and that it. Other people will not be able to read your comment. So, at the end of the day, people will not know whether Najib really give it a damn about people's comment or just sit on it.

But the only better feature in Najib's website as opposed to Si Bedol is that you do not have to state your house address and emploer's name to post a comment, which is a mandatory field to fill up in Si Bedol's website. I wonder why Si Bedol wants to know all those?

Compare Najib's website with Si Bedol's at http://www.warkahuntukpm.com.my/

Speak With Full of Confidence

2008-09-17T11:52:00.003+08:00

There is a big difference between the word “think” and “sure/believe”. While the word “think” indicates uncertainty, doubtful and less confidence, the word “sure/believe”, on the other hand indicates the strong believe and full of confidence.
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If someone says, “I think I can make it”, it really shows that the person who utter the sentence is not confidence with him/herself. He/she still has some doubt on his/her ability to do it. However, when someone says “I am sure that I can do it” or “I believe I can do it”, that person has full confidence in himself/herself that he/she can do it.
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Hence, one must use the correct word to describe their feeling. People will have more confidence when we use the word “sure/believe” and less confidence when we use the word “think”. Further, the word “sure/believe” carries more weight that the word “think”.
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The following are two (2) very classic examples of someone who talks with confidence (Najib) and someone who has doubt of what he says (SI Bedol)
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“I don’t think he has the names. If he does, I don’t think he would wait to inform the people (Si Bedol when commenting on the cross over MPs from BN to PR)

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/17/nation/2050063&sec=nation
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He (Najib) told reporters he “did not have any doubts” and he had always been confident that the Barisan Nasional government would still be in office on Sept 16 (Najib when commenting on the rumours on the take over of government by PR)
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/17/nation/2050109&sec=nation

The above two (2) statements shows the different feeling the PM and DPM have over the issue of Pakatan Rakyat takes over the goverment from BN. While Najib shows confidence that the take over will not take place, Si Bedol on the other hand was 50-50 about it. It is further strengthened by the fact that Si Bedol had asked Anwar to make public the list of MPs who are said to crossover to PR. Si Bedol's request, to me, does not serve as a challenge to Anwar but rather showing his no confidence on his own MPs.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/17/nation/2050063&sec=nation

The Bluffer is Bluffing and Flip-Flopper is Flip-Flopping

2008-09-15T15:05:00.004+08:00

What about this???

As reported in The Star online...

Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) because police received information that her life had been threatened, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar...“Police wanted to get to the bottom of it,” he said...However, the minister vehemently denied that he had anything to do with the arrests and detention of Tan and two others — Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Selangor senior executive councillor Teresa Kok — under the ISA on Friday...Asked if he thought the police action was justified, Syed Hamid said: “If I start to interfere with the administration of enforcement then it’s difficult.”...“I am a minister. I am a politician. If I start to interfere, then people will say I have a political motive. It will send the wrong signals. I cannot interfere,” he said...“The police need not refer to me. It’s their discretion and their assessment of what happened. There has been no malice on their part,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/14/nation/2026578&sec=nation

As reported by Utusan Online (you know right? Utusan can't be wrong in reporting news especially involving government)

Penahanan tiga orang di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) kelmarin adalah keputusan kerajaan dan ia tidak sepatutnya dipersoalkan oleh mana-mana menteri termasuk Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim...Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar memberi peringatan itu sebagai reaksinya kepada kenyataan Zaid di Kota Bharu hari ini bahawa kerajaan tidak sewajarnya menggunakan ISA untuk menahan mereka sebaliknya perlu diadili mengikut sistem perundangan negara...menurut beliau, tindakannya meluluskan penahanan di bawah ISA itu adalah bagi pihak kerajaan yang memerintah, selaras dengan kedudukannya sebagai menteri Kabinet, bukannya ‘orang di luar kerajaan’. (Translation: The detention of the three people under the ISA was a government's decision and it should not be questioned by any Minister including the Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim...The Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar sent the reminder as a reaction to the statement made by Zaid at Kota Bharu today that the government was not supposed to use ISA to detain them but instead they have to be dealt with in accordance with the country's legal system...according to him, his action in approving the arrest under the ISA is on behalf of the ruling government, in line with his position as a Minister, and not as someone who is outside the government.
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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0915&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm

The discrepancies: -

(a) He said it was the police's decision on the ISA arrest but later said that it was the government'd decision

(b) He said that he had nothing to do with the arrest but later admitted that he approved the arrest.

But for once, Albar was right when he said that “If I start to interfere with the administration of enforcement then it’s difficult.” Yes, it is now difficult for Albar to justify.

Malaysian a Laughing Stock - The World Are Watching and Laugh at Us

2008-09-15T13:16:00.003+08:00

It has come to a point that it is embarrassing to be a Malaysian. Don't get me wrong. The nation has done nothing wrong to cause the embarrassment. It is our politicians from both the government and the opposition that cause the embarrassment. Where do we put our face if foreigners ask us about the cat-and-mouse chasing game between PKR and BN Beckbenchers, about Anwar's greed to become a PM in an immoral way, the real reason behind the so-called study trip to Taiwan, the use of the ISA against a journalist and of course many more to come? It is ok for the politicians to act in such a manner because politicians were born with thick skin, so that they won't feel ashamed of the silly thing that that have caused or may cause. It is the normal innocent citizen, like you and me who feel ashamed and embarrass with the immature act of our politicians.

(1) The announcement for the so-called study trip to Taiwan to learn about the latest technology in agriculture was made few days before the trip. I believe (if at all it was a study trip), it was not planned earlier. This is because the BBC said that they would either go to China or Taiwan but because of the long visa process for China, they might go to Taiwan. Further, few days before the departure date, there were still MPs who were not aware of the trip!!! Hei!!! Even for school trip to the zoo needs proper planning! I wonder how our BBC could plan such an important trip in such a short time? Amazing right. I mean their counter part in Taiwan definitely need to make some arrangement because this is study trip and not a normal holiday. I must salute the Taiwanese people who could attend to the BBC's request for the study trip and make the schdule very tight, as what Fuad Zarkahi said they woke up at 3am for sahur and left the hotel room at 8am and came back at 10pm. Wonderful...very tight schedule and all these was planned in few days time??? Amazing!!! And the BBC wanted the intelligent people like you and me to believe to all these nonsense? It was outrightly not making any sense from the beginning till the end and yet the BBC wanted to make it looks real. Originally the BBC would come back on 17/9/2008. But after the PKR flers went to join the said "study trip", all of a sudden, the study trip had to be ended earlier. And for that, the BBC said that it was as per their schedule i.e. the study trip to end earlier than 17/9/2008. They also bluffed by saying that the date 17/9/2008 was meant if the BBC members wanted to stay back or go somewhere else after they ended the study. My goodness!!! What a crap!!! Our politicians are all adult. It is up to them where they want to go and what they want to do? Why do the BBC needs to set the 17/9/2008 deadline for them to come back? What happen if some choose to celebrate their raya overseas? Any punishment? No right? So, why fixed the 17/9/2008 deadline when it has no importance.

And to make it worst, the PKR sent five (5) stooges to Taiwan. Reason? Very obviously to meet the 16/9/2008 deadline for them to topple the government. I thought PKR was smatter than BN but they are all the same.

See? The whole world are looking at our politicians who play cat-and-mouse chasing game. All because someone is greedy to become the prime minister. If Anwar becomes the PM, people and the whole world will remember him as someone who gets to be a PM by playing a cat-and-mouse chasing game before getting the ruling party's MPs to cross over, hence, toppling to present government. Every person of sound mind will think what the BN MP's must be given something or a lot of things to crossover to the opposition, so that the opposition can rule the nation while the ruling party will become the opposition. So, are we proud of having MPs who can easily be bought? Who are materialistic? Who put their interest on top and above the interest of the people? That is something for us to be ashamed of and not to proud of. I wonder if the MPs can be bought at any price, one day, sooner or later, our beloved country may be sold to other country simply because our politicians can be bought at any price. When I said our country may be sold, it does not necessarily means that the outsiders are physically here to administer the country. They can in fact doing it by using remote control. Our leader then is only a puppet. So, is that something for us to be proud of?

If at all we need our people to learn about the latest technology in agricultre, I think it is better and wiser to send those from the agriculture ministry for the study trip because they need the knowledge and not our MPs. Unfortunately only wise people can thin wisely and silly people think sillyly.

(2) The government has recently used the ISA to detain Raja Petra (a blogger), Teresa Kok (opposition MP) and Tan Hoong Cheng (a reporter). While I am not interested to talk about the detention of thefirst two (2) individuals named earlier, I believe that Albar has made the country a laughing stock when he tried to justify the arrest of the reporter. The ISA was enacted to curd communism and in the present context, it may be used (though I am not in favour of ISA for any reason whatsoever) to fight terrorism though the government is using it as way to fight racial disharmony. But whatever it is, ISA has never ever intended to serve as a protection for any individual of any political party, religion or race. But this Albar said that the reported was detained because the police intelligence believe that her life was has been threatened. My question is very simple. Who threatened her life? Why don't the police go ask arrest the culprit rather than the arresting the victim? In this case, I consider Tan as a victim because her life was threatened. And further, Albar said that it is good that the police hear the first hand information from Tan herself. Wait a minute? What information? First of all, it was wrong to detain Tan under ISA. Second, Albar said the reason behind the arrest was because of her life was in danger. Thirdly, it was just a police allegation that her life was in danger when Tan did not say so. So, what did the police want to know direct from Tan when she did not know anything about her life threatening situation? Funny right? No, it is not funny but it is stupid of Albar to say that. If at all the police want the first hand information about the life threatening situation concerning Tan, they should hear it from their own intelligence and not Tan.

So, what was the reason behind the arrest of Tan under the ISA? Albar had tried it very hard to justify but as a citizen of Malaysia, I am not impressed at all. Albar looks stupid with that statement. After all, the police was so confident that after barely 18 hours, Tan's safety was no longer an issue.

And to tell it all, read here an article by Tan Hoon Cheng entitled "My 18 hours under the ISA". It really does not reflect the "intention" of the police to give protection to Tan.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/15/nation/20080915132832&sec=nation

Singapore introduces ‘unfriendly’ restrictions

2008-09-12T12:33:00.001+08:00

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/12/nation/2007727&sec=nation
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Again, Singapore government made life difficult for us. No more special treatment for VIP, VVIP including the Johor royal family and our own High Commissioner in Singapore.
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See??? Singapore will not think about our feeling every time they want to impose new ruling that affect us. They don’t care. But we Malaysian, I mean our government will have to think ten times before making any new ruling that may affect the Singaporean and in the end they will not impose the new ruling on the basis of neighboring country spirit. What the heck!!!
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A couple of years ago, the government wanted to impose entrance fee on the Singaporean cars that enter Malaysia. I can’t really remember the amount but for Singaporean, it was not much. I think it was in the region of RM20 per entry. There was quite a big huha in the government. First about the need to implement and second on the amount. In the end, they abort their plan to impose the ruling and till now Singaporean cars enter Malaysia free of charge. They do not pay road tax and yet they are on our road. They enjoy same price of petrol like we do.
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So, why are we complaining when Singapore impose this new ruling?
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The report says that:

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“Wisma Putra sources said the recent ruling would “ruffle some feathers” as Malaysia has been “very accommodating” to requests made by Singapore in the past”
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My question is, did Singapore ask us to be very accommodating in the first place? I don’t think so. Our government is to be blamed.

Rela Member Ordered to Pay Former GRO RM100,000

2008-09-12T10:07:00.002+08:00

Serves him right. I must say that. There is no other right word to describe the punishment imposed on the Rela member who had taken the photo of a GRO while relieving herself when she was arrested with few others by Jawi during a raid at a night club in 2003. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/12/nation/2010534&sec=nation
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I actually have had bad experience with this Rela people, not directly but indirectly. Last year our nation celebrated its 50th independence day and if you all still remember, during the parade, there was a group of UMNO veterans who took part in the parade. My father was nominated to be one of the UMNO veterans to take part in the parade. Arrangement was made by Melaka Rela. My father was very happy. He started to tell all his children and grandchildren about that. He even updated us about the progress. He was given the itinerary for the events such as the hotel my father would be staying, the rehearsal, the departure date, so on and so forth. In fact, he was told that he could bring my mother along and my father had been persuading my mother to go. A Melaka Rela member dealt directly and was in contact with my father. He even asked my father to go to a designated tailor to make a Baju Melayu for the parade. Of course it was all paid for and my father cooperated.
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Two or three days before they were supposed to fetch my father to go to KL for the parade, the guy who was in contact with my father did not contact my father. Curious of what was going on, my father went to Rela office in Melaka to find out the status only to be told that my father’s name had been dropped from the parade to give way to another veteran who was a Tan Sri. When asked about the guy in contact with my father, they told him that the guy was in KL already.
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My father was very frustrated. Really frustrated. He was so excited about everything and suddenly his dream went into the drain. All because of politics and to give way to a Tan Sri and to make it worse, a young Rela fler who does not know anything about courtesy on how to inform my father that his name was dropped.
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Before my father left Rela office, my father made a request. Since it was not possible for him to be in the parade, all he wanted was the Baju Melayu as a souvenir and those Rela flers in the office said, ok. And until now, nothing forthcoming.
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As a son, I was so angry when informed about what had happened. I don’t really bother about the Tan Sri. I don’t give it a damn. What I was angry at was the way they handled my father. They have no respect at all and it all because my father’s name is just Mohd Said bin Abdul Wahab without Datuk’ Dato’, Tan Sri, Tun or anything for that matter. My father may not have fought for the country’s independence but he is an UMNO veteran. He was the Head of UMNO branch for about 20 years and during his tenure, he contributed a lot to the people in my area, bring development and whatever a community leader was supposed to give to the people. He put the people’s interest first. Himself and family came later. 20 years as the branch Head, my father could only afford a bicycle to move around. I regard him as a true politician and he is so different with most of our politicians who are corrupted especially the current UMNO branch head in my area, who is so happen to be my cousin, who after few years took over from my father has increased the number of his car from 1 to 5. But sad to say that people does not really look at leaders like my father.
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So, I called the Melaka Rela Colonel (by the way, it is just a title and in no way in the same level as Army Colonel) to find out what happened and to express my unhappiness about everything. In short I was complaining to him about his people. To my surprise, his response was for me to write a letter to the Minister and he was rushing to end our conversation. When I refused to end the conversation, he was angry at me and started to scream at me. Of course I did scream at him back but after that I realized that no point talking to this man who could not think properly, maturely and sanely. I drafted a letter of complaint against the Rela fler and the Colonel (although originally, it was supposed to be against the Rela fler alone) to the Minister but then I told myself, this is not going anywhere because I don’t think the Minster would have entertained my complaint because my father is not a Datuk, Dato’, Tan Sri, Tun or anything for that matter.
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So, when I read the punishment meted out on this Rela officer, I said serves him right. It may be unfair for me to blame the whole Rela team because of one or two idiots but as the Malay proverb says, disebabkan nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga. But I think I am not wrong to have this bad perception on Rela members that some of them are just having very low mentality or in harsher words, they are mentally retarded.

So guys, do not be surprise if after this you hear more bad stories about Rela beause i don't thin that our Rela is that reliable.

No Need To Be Surprised, Si Bedol told

2008-09-12T09:59:00.002+08:00

I laughed when I read The Star report that Si Bedol was surprised that Muhyiddin asked him to reconsider the transition plan in 2010 after Muhyiddin had agreed to the same when it was announced.
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What goes around comes around. When you cheat the people, someday you will be cheated. If you go against your own words (and hurt the people), someday people will also go against their own words (and hurt you). As the arabic proverb says, kama tadinu tudani (what you give you get back)...sounds like scorpion song right???
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Examples of a person who go against their own words (and hurt the people in one way or another): -
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(a) Si Bedol said he was not getting married and the next thing that we knew was that he got married.
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(b) Si Bedol said that he was not going to dissolve the Parliament tomorrow and tomorrow, he dissolved the Parliamnet.
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(c) Si Bedol said that petrol price would be increased in August 2008 and the next thing that we knew was that the price was increased in June 2008. Not only that, the increase was too high.
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(d) Si Bedol said that there was no reason to reduce the price of the petrol before 1/9/2008 and the next thing that we knew was that the petrol price was reduced in August 2008.
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Oh! What a coincidence!!! It is all about Si Bedol.
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So, what’s wrong with Muhyiddin going against his own words (if at all he did because if I am not mistaken, Muhyiddin was among those who said that 2010 was too long period when Si Bedol announced his transition plan). After all, he must have learned it from his Boss, Si Bedol. People lead by example and if you set bad example to your subordinate, you have no right to be surprised if one day, your subordinate follow your bad example.
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There are two (2) possibilities here (again, if at all, Muhyiddin went against his earlier agreement): -
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(1) That Muhyiddin had learned it very well from his Boss, Si Bedol; or
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(2) That Muhyiddin does not trust Si Bedol’s transition plan in 2010 and that the transition of power in 2010 may not materialised, as Si Bedol may (again) go against his own words, as he is fond of doing that as evidenced above.
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My brother in law told me that how we react and behave is all depends on who our Boss is. He said, during P. Ramlee’s era, any actor or actress could act so well and lively and they could carry any role whenever P. Ramlee directed the movie. That was because P. Ramlee was a great Film Director. The current cabinet line up is not much different with those under Dr. Mahathir’s administration. But most of the Ministers nowadays are talking nonsense with no common sense. They were not like this when Dr. Mahathir was their Boss but they turn to be one when Si Bedol became their Boss. So, I do agree with my brother in law that it is all about who our Boss is?
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/12/nation/2012375&sec=nation

Khalid Ibrahim - Lack of Common Sense of Simply Dumb?

2008-09-08T15:16:00.001+08:00

It was very disgusting to read yesterday’s Mingguan Malaysia report that about Selangor Menteri Besar, Khalid Ibrahim who stood by his earlier statement that it is a waste of money and time for him to go down to earth to visit the typhoon victims in Klang.
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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0907&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=muka%5Fhadapan&pg=mh_02.htm&arc=hive
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He tried to justify his statement by then saying that "Saya ada wakil rakyat dan Exco yang mengendalikan bantuan untuk mangsa dan saya sentiasa berhubung dengan mereka. Jadi, tidak perlu saya turun padang kerana ia membazirkan masa saya” (translation – I have people representatives and Exco to provide the assistance to the victims and I will always be in contact with them. So, I do not need to go down because it is a waste of my time).
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How hard he try to justify his earlier statement, nothing can heal the wound felt by the typhoon victims. I can understand if he is too busy to go down and visit and to get his representatives to update him. But to say that it was a waste of money and his time, I must say that this Khalid Ibrahim is a plain stupid fler who does not know how to use common sense and proper language. He does not know how to appreciate people. Perhaps he still thinking himself as a CEO who can hire and fire and shout at people like nobody business. But in this case, he forgot that the people are not his subject but his boss who will determine his political career in the next general election. And I must also said that this Khalid Ibrahim is worst than Nazri Aziz. Wait!!! I am not saying that Nazri Aziz is clever. I will never say that.
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Let me tell this ungrateful, idiot Khalid Ibrahim. My suggestion to him is that next general election, he does not have to go and meet the voters, as it will just waste his time and money. What about that? Plain stupid you Khalid Ibrahim!!!

Education System

2008-09-08T14:56:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow, all Standard 6 students all over Malaysia will sit for UPSR examination, which will determine whether they will get to go to border or daily school. Nothing more than that. This examination does not really going to determine their future. I mean they may score 5As but that does not really determine their future direction. It is the PMR and SPM that determine their direction.
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Talking about UPSR that reminds me of my good old days, way back in the year of 1988, exactly 20 years ago, I was the first batch to sit for the exam. Before that, it was known as Penilaian Darjah 5. However, I am not going to flash back those memories, instead, I want to talk about our education system.
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Ever since I enrolled in my standard one in 1983, or perhaps years before that until now, we have had the same education system, which was and is examination oriented. The achievement of the students and the schools was and is measured on the number of student who scored straight A’s in major examination. But the question is whether it is good to have education system which is examination oriented?
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Frankly speaking, I do not 100% agree with this examination oriented system. The system made the students to study just for their examination and then, they sit for the examination just because they want to pass and move on with their studies. That’s all. I am not talking about all, but I believe majority of our students think that way.
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When they study solely for their examination, they can hardly apply what they have learned in their life or at least after the examination. This is because they study by memorizing and not understanding. Not all of us have a good memory. Memory does not last long unless we keep on repeating on what we have memorized. It is like when someone memorise Al-Qur’an. He/she needs to do a lot of revisions I mean everyday to ensure that they do not forget what they have memorized. But that is ok because apart from understanding, Al-Qur’an is also meant for memorisation. Unfortunately, that is not the case with our academic subjects. It should be understood than a mere memorisation. This is because, what we learned in school should be applicable in our daily life. But when the students blindly memorise what is written in the text book without really understand the contents, how are they going to apply them in their life? Worst still, soon after the examination, they will forget about it because they have reached their objective i.e. to sit for the examination.
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Talking about this, I was told by my sister that my niece who is going to sit for UPSR examination tomorrow had to attend extra classes last weekend. I mean that was just 2 days prior to the big day, and yet the teacher still wanted to hold the extra classes. As if that is not bad enough, my niece and her friends has to attend more extra classes during examination day after they have completed all the papers for the day. Meaning to say, they sit for the examination in the morning and in the afternoon, they have to attend for their extra classes for tomorrow’s subject.
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If I were the parents, I would not really appreciate the efforts made by the teachers in trying to help the students. The question is by having extra classes over the weekend before the examination day and on the day itself, are they (the teachers) doing any good to the students? I do not think so. They are in fact putting a lot of pressure on the students. Students should be given their own space and time to study because they know better the area that they need to cover last minute. Having last minute extra classes cause more harm than good.
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But some may think why can’t I appreciate what the teachers are trying to do i.e. to help the students? As I said earlier, they are not helping the students by giving extra classes during the examination days. This made me wonder, because nowadays, school’s achievement does matter too. So, is it really for the students or the schools?
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Whatever it is, all the best to all the Standard Six students especially to my niece Nur Afiqah Binti Mohd Sakri and my nephew Ahmad Anwar Bin Rostani.

Public Interest Does Not Prevail

2008-08-29T12:16:00.001+08:00

Starting from Wednesday (27/8/2008) until today (29/8/2008), there have been rehearsals for the Merdeka Parade at Dataran Merdeka. The rehearsal takes place in the morning during peak hours when people are rushing to office. Every time there is a rehearsal (I mean every year), there will be road closure at Jalan Raja thus it will cause massive traffic jam no matter whether or not announcement has been made on the road closure.
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I wonder what is the logic for having the rehearsal during peak hours when people are rushing to work? What is wrong for having the rehearsal during weekends or if they want to do it on weekdays, at least, they can start a little bit late, say 10.00am when fewer cars are on the road and people have reached their office? I do not see anything wrong with that and I think that is the best time for them to carry out their rehearsal. But it has been the trend long, long time ago. And not only for Merdeka Parade, they also do the rehearsal during peak hours on weekdays for other celebrations like Agung’s birthday and Police Force Anniversary. I am not against the spirit of celebrating all these events and what I do not understand is the logic to have the rehearsals during peak hours on weekdays, thus causing massive jam. Will it be because it is not comfortable for them to do it on weekends because that is supposed to be their rest day? Or will it be because it is too hot to have it started at 10.00am and finish at noon?
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Well, whatever the reason is, the organizing committee is putting the interest of the minority (those take part in the parade) over and on top of the majority (those people who are rushing to office). This is the exception, it seems to be, for the principle that public interest shall prevail over the interest of others.
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By the way, on another note, this morning while I was listening FlyFM in my car, one (1) caller told us that she took part in the Merdeka Parade at Dataran Merdeka when she was in secondary school in 1986. Guess what?!!! She said that they were paid RM600.00 per person for taking part in the parade. My goodness!!! RM600.00 for a student way back in 1986 was a lot!!! I wonder why those participated in the parade need to be paid for marching? They should do that for the country and voluntarily without expecting anything in return. Anyway, that was just a waste of public fund. What about this year marching? Do they get paid? I do not know but if you know, do share with me.

First Class Mind Elected Representative...When Are We Able to Achieve That?

2008-08-27T16:14:00.002+08:00

When the opposition is not happy with the Speaker, they would stage a walkout. More often than not, they (the opposition) claim that the Speaker has been unfair to them. But how fair can the Speaker be when the Speaker is normally from the ruling party? There is, of course, no possibility of the Speaker to be fair to both parties. And our people representative, be it the Members of Parliament or the State Assemblymen, they should be fully aware of this.
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I remember at one (1) time the opposition Assemblymen in Kelantan (BN) staged a walkout during the sitting as they were not happy with the Speaker. Later, the opposition Members of Parliament (if I remember correctly during the 2000-2004 term) stages a walkout from Parliament. Even recently they did the same as a sign of protest when their motion to debate on the vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister was not allowed on technical ground.
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Then, on 28/6/2008, the opposition State Assemblymen in Perak (BN) stage a walkout from the sitting as what Tajol Rosli described as “they (the Pakatan Rakyat) played us (BN Assemblymen) out” when Raja Ahmad Zainuddin was allegedly denied the chance to debate.
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The latest one is from Negeri Sembilan when today, 27/8/2008, the opposition State Assemblymen (the Pakatan Rakyat) stage a walkout from the State Assembly as a sign of protest on the House’s decision to delay their queries during the question and answer session.
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The Perak Assembly Speaker, referring to the walkout by BN State Assemblymen said that they (the BN State Assemblymen) were childish and that they were here (the House) to bring forth the problems of the people, not to carry out their own agenda in order to get publicity. On the other hand, the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar described the action taken by the Pakatan Rakyat State Assemblymen as “irresponsible”. He went on to say that “they (Pakatan Rakyat) are treating this August house like a circus. We do not need cowboys here ... you have been elected by the people and you are duty bound to be in the House during proceedings”.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/26/nation/20080626170332&sec=nation
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/27/nation/20080827144654&sec=nation
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Well, I do agree with both statement by the Perak Speaker and the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar. To me, whether they are from BN or PR, our elected representatives, be it in Parliament or State Assembly are, to certain extent, immature and childish. They act like children. If they are children (like those days in the early 80’s where we had this TV program called “Mini Parliament” on every 31st August and the so-called “MPs” were indeed children), then I can understand but the problem is they are all adult who are supposedly able to think maturely and properly but they are trapped in children’s level of thinking. Even those children in Mini Parliament acted and behaved much better than our elected representative.
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As I said earlier, they should be fully aware that there is no way that the Speaker can be fair to both parties, as the Speaker is from the ruling party. Whether the Speaker is from BN or PR, they tend to be bias to their own political side. There is no doubt about it. So, I just can’t understand why do our elected representative need to stage a walkout from the House when upfront, they know that they will not be able to get a fair treatment? Don’t they know that they are being elected to debate issues that are being raised professionally and rationally? They are paid for that. So, when they stage a walkout, it is like an employee taking time-off from his office or worst still, missing-in-action (MIA). I mean, when you take a time-off, you will need approval from your boss. Without approval, it is called MIA. In this case, we are the boss of our elected representative because they work for us. So, when they stage a walkout from the House (definitely without the approval from the people), they are actually “MIA” and that is an offence because they are being elected and paid to be in the House in every sitting and to debate and fight for the people they represent. So, by staging a walkout from the House, they are not able to debate and fight for the people, hence, they fail in their duty as an elected representative.
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In a nutshell, our elected representatives are yet to have first class mind, as they are not able to act professionally and think rationally. By staging a walkout, they are putting their own interest on top and above the people’s interest. What advantage do they have by staging a walkout? There is none because without them in the House, the sitting can still go on and at the end of the day, who will be the loser? It is the people and not them because a lot of people’s issue could not be debated because our representatives are not in the House to do their work. Our elected representatives who stage a walkout does not lose anything because they still get their salary/allowance at the end of the day and on top of that, they get the free “leisure” time for being outside the house.
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Forget about a first class mentality among the people when our elected representatives are mentally retarded.

Are We Patriotic, Less Patriotic or Not Patriotic?

2008-08-27T10:24:00.003+08:00

Patriotic is defined as "inspired by love for your country ".

With the Merdeka day is just around the corner, many have yet to fly the Jalur Gemilang. Hardly can we see Jalur Gemilang on the streets, let alone at houses and buildings. From my office at 40th floor in the heart of KL City Centre, where I can see almost all the buildings in KL like those in Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Pudu even as far as Kampung Attap, sad to say that I see only one (1) Jalur Gemilang at Bukit Aman. Even, last weekend, I drove at Jalan Kuching and passed by UMNO building near PWTC, I did not see any Jalur Gemilang on the building except a big banner on UMNO's 62nd Anniversary (perhps they are too busy at Permatang Pauh). There are Jalur Gemilang pasted in some blogs but it is pasted upside down as a sign of distress. I am not sure what went wrong? This has never happened before. This has led the City Hall Director General to lash out at city folk for not showing their patriotism by flying the Malaysian flag in this Merdeka month. I read his statement in today’s News Straits Times and this has made me wondering, what makes one patriotic or not patriotic or less patriotic?
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http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/Streets/Wednesday/Stories/2332605/Article/index_html
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If we are to look at the definition above, there are a lot of ways to show our patriotism and that makes Jalur Gemilang flying is not the only way to show it. So, the City Hall DG's statement in the NST is definitely not accurate. How can we become not patriotic just because we do not fly the Jalur Gemilang during the Merdeka (Independence) month? I mean he could have said that the KL folks are less patriotic.
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Every year, without fail we celebrate our Independence Day. Apart from the prayers held at each religion’s worship place on the eve of 31st August, which I consider as a ritual ceremony held for a formality purposes, there are not much program that can be seen to cultivate the spirit of togetherness and love for the country. Most of our programs during Independence Day celebration reflect what we have post-independence when I think we should have more programs to remember, acknowledge and more importantly to appreciate the difficulties and the hard time our forefathers went through to bring independence to our nation. I mean program that reflects the pre-independence. We should have more programs that remind us of the pre-independence day and to show our gratefulness on the independence that our nation achieved on 31st August 1957, which is more spiritual in nature rather than having concerts, parties and a mere countdown moment, which to me serves no purpose other than to enjoy, which in the end brings more harm than good. We are not able to inculcate the good value in our younger generation through concerts, parties, or anything in that nature. If we want concerts, we can have it some other times. If we want parties, we can also have it some other times. In fact we have more than enough night clubs for the people to enjoy themselves, even every night for that matter. So, why can’t we spare the month of August each year for programs that really brings good to the nation building?
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Let us ask ourselves this question. What do we learnt on every 31st August? I am not sure about others but hardly have I learned anything. Day in day out we talk about nationhood, preparing the younger generation for the future etc, etc but how can we have a better future if our younger generation is pampered too much and not made to understand what our forefathers went through those days? It is like someone who was born rich. If the father is rich, I mean filthy rich and he decided to pamper the children by giving whatever the children want because he thought that he can afford, the father is actually causes more harm than good to his children. This is because the children will never ever learn how difficult it is to earn money or more importantly they will never ever appreciate the money that they have because they get it so easily. They are not able to be independent and if we ask these children to go out and earn money themselves, I bet they just can’t find way to do it or if they manage to do it, it won’t last long. So, it is the same thing in building our younger generation for the future. That is why it is utmost important to make our younger generations to appreciate what our forefather went through, so that they will appreciate our independence more and more and if we are able to instill that spirit in our younger generations, we should not worry about our nation’s future.
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So, to me the type of program that we organize is much more important than flying the Jalur Gemilang to show our patriotism towards our beloved country, Malaysia. It serves no purpose to have everybody and every house and building to fly Jalur Gemilang if at then end of the day, it does not help us in anyway in building our younger generation. What is more important when we talk about patriotism is the internal factor (what we have in ourselves) rather than the external factor (flying the Jalur Gemilang and have the Merdeka countdown).

While we are physically independent, mentally we are not.
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In conclusion patriotism is not measured and should not be measured by just flying Jalur Gemilang. While it can make the celebration merrier and more happening, what is more important is our spirit. We need the spirit that appreciate the independence rather than a mere spirit to celebrate the independence.

How to Identify a Liar?

2008-08-26T14:43:00.003+08:00

It is reported on 26th Aug 2008 that: -

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister said that development is a continuous process and has called on the people to not get confused between reality and political play. Instead they should see that any actions taken by the government are meant for the good of the people. Citing the example of the reduction of fuel prices as being a political ploy in the by-election of Permatang Pauh, he said "There is no connection... it's as though whenever there is a by-election, the government cannot do anything. Everything must stop. Reduce fuel prices is also not permissible. Just because the Permatang Pauh by-election is taking place, must we wait until it is over to announce a fuel price reduction? Must the people wait a few days, a week to enjoy the lower prices?"
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http://www.malaysiatoday.com/Latest-News/dont-confuse-reality-with-politics-pm.html

Now, let us revisit his earlier statements: -

On 21st Aug 2008, it was reported that: -
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Government would stick to its decision to announce the new prices on Aug 31, to be enforced on Sept 1..."If I give any figure now and the price goes up, what I say now will no longer hold and people will say I am lying".
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/21/nation/22138409&sec=nation

On 22nd Aug 2008, it was reported that: -

"Petrol and diesel price will drop by between eight sen and 22 sen a litre from Saturday...Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the new prices in a statement after Friday's Cabinet meeting"
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/22/nation/20080822182712&sec=nation

Just on Aug 20 Si Bedol said he will not lying (at least for this time) and that there was just no reason for the Government to reduce the fuel price, on Aug 21, to be exact one (1) day later, he announced the new fuel price. Funny right? On Aug 25, to be exact, five (days) after he said the government will stick to Sept 1 and four (4) days after he announced the new fuel price, this bl**dy idiot Prime Minister got the cheek to tell us, the brilliant people not to get confuse between reality and politic. How can there be no connection between the decision to reduce the fuel price and the Permatang Pauh by-election? It is damn obvious. It goes without saying. Everybody can see that except our idiot Prime Minister. OMG!!! How can Malaysia have a Prime Minster who is sooooooo stupid??? I just can’t believe this. And I wonder there are still people support him? Well the PM and whoever support him are in the same boat. A boat the is full of idiot.

I tell you what, a liar is always a liar and he can't lead a normal life if he does not lie. So, he just can't resist from lying the people even one (1) day after he said he will not lying.
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And the most annoying, idiotic and brainless statement from the Prime Minister was when he asked this question - Just because the Permatang Pauh by-election is taking place, must we wait until it is over to announce a fuel price reduction? Must the people wait a few days, a week to enjoy the lower prices?

Well, for that question, my answer is, “sir, it was you who wanted to announce the new price after the by-election and it was also you who wanted to make the people wait a few more days or a week to enjoy the lower price”. So, when the answer is “you”, what the hell are you talking about? Perhaps this is what happen when his super duper advisers do not advise him properly.

Please!!! Please!!! Do something to get this old senile man out of our daily life. Once and for all, please!!!

Najib to Anwar-Answer the Allegations

2008-08-25T14:31:00.002+08:00

Najib asked Anwar to answer all the allegations made by Anwar’s former aides. Saiful said he was sodomised by Anwar. Ezam said Anwar gave RM15billion of projects to 15 cronies and Nalla said Anwar took RM60million from his (Nalla) hand.
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Wait!!! I thought the burden to prove is on the person who makes the accusation??? So, Najib, when Raja Petra accused you of your involvement in Altantuya’s murder, what did you say other than a mere denial? So, what the hell is it now that you ask Anwar to answer all the allegations? What if Anwar deny all the allegations as you did? Instead of asking Anwar to answer, I would rather advise you to get these three idiots to substantiate their claims and as if you do not know Ezam.
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You idiot are damn desperate!!!

http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20080824/tts-p-pauh-najib-challenge-bm-with-pix-993ba14.html

It Was Not an Offence Then But Now It Is

2008-08-25T12:39:00.000+08:00

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim handed out projects worth RM1bil each to 15 bumiputra companies when he was deputy prime minister and finance minister, says former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/20/nation/22126091&sec=nation

It used to be ok but not anymore. It seems that our politicians are the one who determine whether it is an offence or not. The benchmark is whether they benefit (directly or indirectly) from it or not? If they too benefit from it, then it is not an offence. It becomes an offence when they do or did not benefit from it.
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Get what I meant? When Ezam was in the government with Anwar, the giving out of RM15bil projects to supposedly Anwar’s cronies was ok. It was still ok when Ezam was with Anwar in PKR. But it is now not ok because Ezam is in UMNO and Anwar is in PKR. What the ****?

Petrol Now is RM2.20 (and Not RM2.55). It was RM2.35 (and Never RM2.70)

2008-08-25T12:26:00.002+08:00

Who said our petrol price was RM2.70 per litre? It has never been that way!!! I was made to understand from Najib that the RM625 rebate that the government “generously” gave to owners of vehicles of 2000 cc and below after they made the sudden increase in June this year is equivalent to between 35 sen and 40 sen per litre. Meaning to say, what this idiot Najib is suggesting is that when the price of petrol was increased in June this year, it was actually RM2.35 per litre and not RM2.70 as it seems to be. And now with the price has been reduced by 15 sen per litre, the new price is actually RM2.20 sen per litre and not RM2.55 per litre as appeared on the pump.
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He said that when he was responding to a question about people’s unhappiness about the small reduce of the petrol price. This is exactly what was reported in The Star: -
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“The rebate, if translated, will be equivalent to a subsidy of between 35 sen and 40 sen a litre. If the people do not appreciate the rebates, it is better for us not to give rebates in the future,” he said.
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This idiot Najib also said this: -
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“the Government could channel the rebates into subsidies to reduce pump prices but this would not be fair to lower income groups”

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And this: -

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“We do not want to resort to such measures because people driving big cars such as Bentley, Jaguar and BMW 7 series will also enjoy the subsidies,”

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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/24/nation/22160467&sec=nation

Thank you Najib for telling us this. Yes, I know that the people should be grateful for the lower petrol price. Thank you very much. The government has been damn kind and generous and concern about the people. Thank you once again for understanding our problem. But I think while we, the people should be grateful with the lower petrol price, I think you, idiot Najib and your gang(sters) in the government should be ten (10) times (if not more) grateful, as it was the people who put you idiot up there. So, please, please and please, do not ever threaten the people. You just made a big mistake in your life. How can you ask the people to be grateful when the reduction in the petrol price was politically motivated? When your boss, Si Bedol said that he will not reduce the petrol price until Sept, 1, why suddenly he changed his mind and have it earlier before the Permatang Pauh by-election? The reduce by a mere 15 sen is a very clear evidence that it was not done to lighten the burden of the people but rather it was a political strategy to win the heart of the people especially the voters in Permatang Pauh. So, my question to you, Najib the idiot, why do people need to be grateful when you are not sincere?
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Now, to prove your idiotness Najib, let me tell you this. You said that the government could channel the rebate to reduce the petrol price but that will be unfair to the lower income group as those who are driving Jagusr, Bentley and BMW 7 series will also enjoy the subsidy. Hei! Whatever car they are driving, they are still Malaysian you know? So, why do you need to differentiate people??? And is it fair for us, the Malaysian when the Singaporean are enjoying petrol at the same price as what we pay? Is that fair???
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On the RM625 rebate equivalent to RM0.35 to RM0.40 per litre. Let me calculate for you (if you are too dumb to calculate). If we take RM0.35 per litre, the rebate of RM625 is equivalent to 1785 litre. Take me as an example. I am driving a 35 litre car. In a month, I fuel in average 210 litres of petrol into my car tank (provided there is no long distance travelling). So, if in one (1) month I fuel in 210 litres, in nine (9) months my car will consume a total of 1890 litres of petrol, an excess of 105 litres. So, meaning to say, while for the first nine (9) months after the rebate, I pay RM2.35 per litre, for the final three (3) months, I have to pay RM2.70 a litre (or RM2.55 as it is now). And how can that be fair to lower and middle income people when after few months, we have to pay exactly the same price as those people driving Jaguar, Bentley and BMW 7 series, as you named it? And to make it worst, we are paying exactly the same price as the foreigners do.
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By the way, Najib the idiot, let me be frank to you. You are actually a moron who does not know how to appreciate people who voted you in. Why can’t you be frank to the people that the government had no intention at all to extend the RM625 fuel rebate for subsequent years? You threaten people now so that later the government can justify its decision not to give more rebates because the people were ungrateful. You thought you are brilliant when in fact you are just an idiot moron.
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While you think that way, we the people (who have power to decide who should run the country) this way. The people gave you another opportunity (just like you gave them rebate) to lead them and you screw it up, Big times. You are not grateful for that (as what you thought that people are not grateful for the rebate). And next the people will vote you out (as what you threatened that there is no more rebate).

Our Athletes in Beijing Olympic

2008-08-18T11:00:00.001+08:00

What do we lack to earn the first gold medal for Malaysia in Olympic? Technique? Spirit? Strategy? Motivation? I am not sure which one. After Azizulhasni Awang failed to make it to the final Keirin and Lee Chong Wei crashed quite easily to Lin Dan, I wonder what we lack to earn us the first ever gold medal? Yes, we still have Azizulhasni today in Sprint event against Chris Hoy of Great Britain who won gold medal in Keirin event. Let us pray for our final hope for a gold medal (though Azizulhasni had a better chance in Keirin than Sprint event).
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That day, I watched Michael Phelps competing in 200m butterfly. This guy is simply amazing. 15m to the finishing, he was second. As he reached the wall, he was equal with the Serbian swimmer and it really looks like that the Serbian Swimmer won the race. Even when a replay was shown, it looks like the Serbian swimmer was the winner. But, as the result came out, it was Michael Phelps who touched the wall first. He won the race by 0.01 second. Amazing!!! And as the commentator said “this guy (Phelps) knows how to win”.
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Yes. I think our athletes need to have that. I mean they should know how to win. That is the keywords. Our athletes are equal with their competitors in terms of training, facilities, so on and so forth. But I think they lack the “know-how-to-win” strategy.
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It was reported in the newspaper that in the Keirin event when both Azizul and Josiah Ng failed to make it to the final, Azizul misjudged his timing and Josiah was trapped between two cyclists. As for Chong Wei, he went down to Lin Dan quite tamely. Look at our archers. They should not have any problem to qualify to the semi final for team event. But something went wrong somewhere, they lost to Italy by small margin. They failed to live up to the expectation.
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Overall, I would say that this Olympic, our athletes did quite ok.

Between By-Election and Court Case

2008-08-08T11:35:00.003+08:00

The Information Minister, Ahmad Shaberry said: -
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The media have been asked to be cautious in their reporting and not to link the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election with the sodomy charge against Parti Keadilan Rakayat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as they are different matters.
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http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20080807/tts-ahmad-shabery-media-bm-pix-993ba14.html
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Dear Mr. Ahmad Shaberry,
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I know that you are a Minister of Information and I just thought that you should watch tv news and read newspaper more than others do simply because you are a Minister of Information.
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Mr. Ahmad Shabery,
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If you do bother to watch tv news and read newspaper, then you won’t end up making such a statement to the press. Let me just refresh your memory. After Dr. Wan Azizah tendered her resignation to give way to Anwar to contest in Permatang Pauh by-election, it was the BN especially UMNO leaders who link the by-election and the sodomy allegation. Among others,
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Muhyiddin Yassin said: -
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We hope voters will not be influenced by Anwar who may use the campaign to garner sympathy over the sodomy allegation.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/2/nation/21986206&sec=nation
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Hishammudin Hussein said: -
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Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengumumkan untuk bertanding pada pilihan raya kecil Permatang Pauh sebagai satu lagi helah untuk mengalihkan perhatian orang ramai ke atas kes liwatnya. (Translation: PKR Adviser, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim annuoced to contest in a by-election in Permatang Pauh as an attempt to deviate people’s attention on his sodomy case)
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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0801&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=muka%5Fhadapan&pg=mh_07.htm&arc=hive
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Si Bedol aka Abdullah Badawi said: -
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Anwar tidak boleh menggunakan hasratnya untuk bertanding dalam pilihan raya kecil itu bagi melindungi dirinya daripada proses undang-undang yang sedang berjalan sekarang. (Translation: Anwar can’t use his wish to contest in the by-election as a protection for him from the legal process which is currently going on)
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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0802&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=muka%5Fhadapan&pg=mh_04.htm&arc=hive
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This is the best of all…
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Worst still, this one is none other than Ahmad Shabery: -
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Jadi, yang bahaya ialah jika perundangan dipolitikkan dan yang politik dicampuraduk dengan undang-undang. Saya rasa biarlah dua saluran pertarungan yang terpaksa dihadapi Anwar itu berjalan mengikut saluran masing-masing (Translation: So, what is alarming here is if legal issue is being politicized and politic is mixed with legal issue. I think let the two fights that Anwar has to go through are done in its own channel)
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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0804&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=politik&pg=po_02.htm&arc=hive
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So now Mr. Information Minister, my question is who is the one that link between Permatang Pauh by-election and the sodomy charge? The press or the government?

Why Saiful Is Not Being Charged???

2008-08-08T10:43:00.004+08:00

I quote what Hamid Albar said as reported in Utusan online: -

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"Contohnya, dalam kes rasuah, orang yang didakwa menerima sogokan kebiasaannya akan dituduh dan bukannya orang yang memberi serta membuat laporan" (translation: For e.g. in corruption case, the person who is alleged to have received bribe is normally charged and not the person who give bribe and lodge a report)

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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0808&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=muka%5Fhadapan&pg=mh_02.htm&arc=hive

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Sounds logic right? But when people are not telling the truth, it is not easy to lie. They look fool when they try to but do not know how to fool others. That is how best to describe Hamid Albar.

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Section 10 of the Anti Corruption Act 1997 provides among others that; -

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Any person who by himself…
(a) corruptly solicits or receives…;or
(b) corruptly gives…to any person,
any gratification as an inducement to or a reward for…shall be guilty of an offence.

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So, the “brilliant” and yet dumb Syed Hamid, where is it stated that the giver should not or cannot be charged for corruption?

The original posting

It looks like our government is almost full of idiots. The latest to join the group is Hamid Albar. Why I said he is an idiot is simply because of his answer when asked as to why Saiful was not charged together with Anwar. I watched the Buletin Utama last night when Hamid Albar was trying his best to impress the press as to why Saiful is not being charged. He had to think of the best words to use but in the end he really looks like a fool. Even my 1 year old son can speak better than him.
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In fact, in one way or another, I think Hamid Albar has just confirmed the theory that allegation of sodomy against Anwar is a political conspiracy.
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Here is the excerpts from The Star online: -
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Saiful Bukhari Azlan is not being charged because he is the key witness in the sodomy case against PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

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He said that in a criminal justice system, when a person comes forward to report on a matter, the person would be protected.

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“Usually, the victim is given protection,” Syed Hamid said after the MoU signing ceremony between Malaysian and Australian Governments on immigration cooperation here yesterday.

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His answer shows his immaturity in dealing with such questions. What Hamid Albar is suggesting is that if for example “A” and “B” commit armed robbery and the distribution of their “profits” is not fair in the sense that “A” gets more than “B”, if “B” lodge a police report against “A”, the police will give protection to “B” and charge “A” simply because “B” is the complainant in this case and “B” will be the key prosecution witness against “A”. Sounds stupid isn’t it?

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So, in Anwar’s case, the question was why Saiful was not charged together with Anwar? The answer should be (if Hamid Albar has a little bit of brain) police investigation shows Saiful was not a willing partner and therefore, he is a victim and there is no need for the police to go after the victim or something like that. End of the story.
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However, when this idiot by the name of Hamid Albar said that Saiful is not being charged because he is the key witness in the case against Anwar, in one way or another, it simply shows that there is a conspiracy against Anwar because Saiful does not seems to be the victim but just a key witness. Why he is the key witness? Because he was Anwar’s partner in the sodomy act (as alleged by him). And it goes back to my example above between “A” and “B” who commit armed robbery.
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Perhaps Anwar should also lodge a police report against Saiful for engaging in sodomy, so that Anwar will be given a protection as he will be the key witness against Saiful and in the end, there will be no case against both of them because they are key witness against one another. Solve the problem.
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So, if the authority takes what this idiot by the name of Hamid Albar said as good, then I believe the case involving all policemen in Gemas police station (read here http://rozaimims.blogspot.com/2008/07/corruption-is-everywhere.html) should be closed because both parties lodged police reports against one another and in future, all the criminals can just lodge a police report because by doing so, they have turned their status from a “criminal” to a “key witness”.
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Well done Hamid Albar. Now go back to school and study law. Oooops, I think this guy is a lawyer by profession. No comment!!!

But do not be surprise if later Hamid Albar say that his statement was misinterpreted because our politicians especially those from BN are very famous with this type of excuse. Hey! THere is no way they can say the wriong thing, ok...they are perfect!!!

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/8/nation/22033038&sec=nation

i-dola and jeanne-i

2008-08-01T23:30:00.004+08:00

I think Mimos has done a good job in doing their research and finally coming out with the cheap and very affordable laptop and PC which costs us only RM1000 and RM500 respectively. But it was an anti climax when both the laptop and and the PC was codenamed as jeanne-i and i-dola. Both were named after Si Bedol and his wife. The names really turned me off and I am very sure a lot of Malaysians share the same feeling as me.

Do not tell me that Mimos is running out of idea to give the codename of the PC and the laptop until they have to name them after Si Bedol and his wife. What are their credentials until the first made-in-Malaysia PC and laptop were named after them? I just could not figure out the justification. Fortunately, Proton was the brainchild of Tun Mahathir. If it was Si Bedol's, I am pretty sure that our first Proton model iwould be known as Proton Dolah.

I will not hesitate to buy the PC or the laptop (given its cheap price) if not for its name. Mimos is to be blamed if they can't really sell the PC and the laptop.

JOKE OF THE YEAR - Practice Safe Sex, says Chua (Soi Lek)

2008-08-01T11:04:00.004+08:00

I found this. This is very interesting. Dr. Chua Soi Lek, the former Health Minister who was video recorded of having sex with a lady (definitely not his wife) told us to BE FAITHFUL TO OUR PARTNER. This must be the joke of the year la.

The news report goes like this (bolds are mine): -

KUALA LUMPUR: Practise safe sex and be faithful to your partner.

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Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek gave this advice in view of the rising number of HIV infections in the country due to unsafe sexual practices.
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“Abstinence is still the best way. And be faithful to your partner,” he told reporters after opening the First National AIDS Conference and launching the national-level World AIDS Day here yesterday.
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“It also boils down to both partners being responsible. Do not blame anybody,” added Dr Chua, who was representing Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

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He said recent statistics showed that the number of infections due to sexual intercourse had increased from 18.2% in 2002 to 31.9% last year, although the number of daily infections had been reduced from 19 five years ago to 13 currently.

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“Anyone can be a source. We still need to be careful,” he warned, adding that the increasing number of women being infected with the virus was worrying, saying it had increased from 4% to 15% in the last 10 years and normally affecting those aged between 20 and 35.

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Dr Chua said among the reasons for the increase was the lack of understanding Malaysians had about HIV.

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“They may not understand that you can get infected because of a one-night stand,” he said.

The report continues...

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/2/nation/19642144&sec=nation
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Tell you what, I think Dr. Chua Soi Lek must tell us his secret on how he stay away from HIV while being unfaithful (once upon a time) to his partner...He must seriously considering writing a book on this. He must let us know his secret so that many people can remain HIV negative while being faithful or unfaithful to their partners.

The best part is that this statement was made in early December 2007 and barely one month before his sex scandal was made public!!!

Ezam, the Opportunist

2008-08-01T10:59:00.002+08:00

This guy named Ezam, is an opportunist and have thick skin. In Malay, he can be described as tak tahu malu (shameless) and hidung tak mancung, pipi tersorong-sorong. Soon after he rejoined UMNO, the party that he condemned like hell while he was outside UMNO, he had made a lot of statements, which to me is none other than to prove that he is an opportunist as well as his desperate attempts to gain the support from UMNO members, especially the leaders, so that the UMNO members will perceive him as a Malay hero when he said that he would not hesitate to disclose the true Anwar, if he thinks he needs to. If he is so sincere to fight for the people, he should disclose the true Anwar for the sake of the people like you and me and not for his own political career.
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Why I said that he is an opportunist? When he was in PKR, he claimed to have six boxes of “evidence” of the wrongdoing of several BN Ministers but he had shown us none. Now that he is back in UMNO, he claimed to have evidence against Anwar, his former boss but he will only disclose those “evidence” if he thinks that his political career is at stake. In other words, he will not disclose those “evidences” even if the people’s and nation’s interest are at stake.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/12/nation/20080712143727&sec=nation
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And now that he “offered” himself to contest against Anwar in the by-election, I am waiting to see how clever or stupid the BN leaders in general and UMNO leaders in particular in deciding who will stand against Anwar. To me, they are damn stupid if they choose Ezam and a bit clever if they choose someone else. Ezam said that he is prepared to take on Anwar but leave it to the leadership to decide on the candidate. As reported in Utusan Malaysia, Ezam was quoted as saying that (translation)‘‘Firstly, I am just an ordinary member of UMNO. So, the issue of me being the candidate in the by-election especially when it involves Anwar, I think is best left to the party’s leadership. However, I want to stress here that I am prepared. I am not afraid to face Anwar if I am asked to represent BN in the by-election”. It is either Ezam thinks that we are stupid or he is just damn stupid. What he said is like “I do not want to take but if you insist of giving it to me, I’ll not hesitate to take”.
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http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0729&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=dalam%5Fnegeri&pg=dn_01.htm&arc=hive
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/28/nation/20080728164759&sec=nation
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But why Ezam really and desperately wants to contest against Anwar. Is it for his own political mileage? I guess so. To me, in any election, be it general or by-election, the candidate must be someone who really can take care and fight for the voters in that constituency. It is not just a matter whether he/she can take on the opponent. It is more than that. In any election, the priority should be given to the people’s welfare and not party’s or someone’s personal’s interest. And normally, it is preferred to have a local to stand as a candidate and not by importing the outsider who knows nothing or knows very little about the constituency.
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At the end of the day, it is all about the people and not about a person.

Anwar at Permatang Pauh

2008-08-01T10:23:00.003+08:00

The announcement was made yesterday that Dr. Wan Azizah, the opposition leader has tendered her resignation as a Member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh Parliamentary seat, her husband, Anwar’s stronghold. With her resignation, the seat is now considered “vacant”. It is for the Dewan Rakyat speaker to declare that the seat is vacant and until and unless the Speaker makes the declaration and inform the Election Commission of the vacancy, no by-election will be held. It has to be understood that when a seat is vacant, a by-election is not a must. It all depends on the situation and circumstances at that time. For example when Dr. Chua Soi Lek announced his decision to quit all party’s and government’s posts as well as his Parliamentary seat early this year following the DVD sex scandal involving him, there was no by-election held (though the seat was declared vacant) because there was no more Parliament sitting at that point of time. Further, the general election was just around the corner. But in Permatang Pauh’s case, I truly believe that a by-election will and should be called.
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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/2/nation/20080102155121&sec=nation
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Having said that, though the announcement was made yesterday, much have been said about it. As expected, while positive remarks came from Pakatan Rakyat leaders, the Barisan Nasional leaders made fun of it with Noh Omar said that Anwar tidak jantan (not gentleman) for contesting in his stronghold area, Permatang Pauh.
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People had started talking about a by-election to give way for Anwar to return to Parliament even before the recent general election. At first, I was of the opinion that it is not proper, though legal, for Anwar to make a come back to Parliament through the “back door”. I mean, during election, the voters had made their choice and they have put their trust to their elected representative to fight and care for them. So, if any of the PKR MP resigns to give way to Anwar, I felt like they betrayed the trust that the voters had in them. In other words, they do not respect the voters’ decision.
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However, close to five months after the general election, I do not see much change in the way Barisan Nasional leads the country. Even their elected representatives are still arrogant. I do not think that Barisan Nasional learnt their lesson after the general election, though they claimed they did (I don’t believe that). Despite si Bedol’s many blunders and flip flopping decisions and policies, the Barisan Nasional and only the Barisan Nasional leaders still have confidence in si Bedol. The Barisan Nasional leaders’ move to continue to give the undivided support to si Bedol is actually does not help us in any way. I think they make things from bad to worst. They failed to listen to the wish of the rakyat. They chose to turn deaf their ears and blind their eyes. As much as it is the people’s power to decide on which party should run the administration of the country, the people can’t do much in term of who should be the Prime Minister. It is the Barisan Nasional leaders who can decide but they dare not to make such a move as I think they care about themselves more than they care for us, the rakyat.
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Having said that, I am now thinking that if a by-election in Permatang Pauh can bring a change for betterment, why not? Though as I said earlier that while it is legally right, it is morally wrong for Anwar to do so, with what has happened for the past five months in the country, I am now for a by-election to be held if this is the only way we can have change for betterment.

p/s: now that the authorities have found out that there was no eveidence of sabotage on the use of the indelible ink, I think the EC should seriously consider using the indelible ink for the first time.

Isra' dan Mikraj

2008-07-30T16:32:00.002+08:00

To all my non-Malay language readers, I will translate the article below at a later time.

Hari ini 30hb Julai 2008 bersamaan 27 Rejab 1429, semua umat Islam di seluruh dunia menyambut ulang tahun Isra' dan Mikraj. Saya ada terbaca artikel berhubung Isra' dan Mikraj ini dan di sini saya sertakan artikel tersebut untuk tatapan semua. Pasti banyak yang dapat kita pelajari dari peristiwa Isra' dan Mikraj ini namun ia terpulang kepada kita sendiri samada kita hendak mengambil iktibar daripadanya atau sebaliknya. Tepuk dada, tanyalah iman.

Kejadian yang berlaku pada malam Isra' dan Mikraj adalah tanda kebesaran Allah yang tiada tolok bandingnya. Oleh itu, janganlah kita cuba menilaikan apa yang berlaku pada malam tersebut dengan logik kerana ia hanya akan menimbulkan lebih banyak persoalan daripada jawapan. Allah berfirman: "La tas'alu 'an ashyaain in tubdalakum tasu'kum" yang bermaksud "janganlah kamu bertanya tentang sesuatu itu yang sekiranya diterangkan kepada kamu akan lebih menyusahkan kamu".

Selamat membaca: -

HARI ini, 27 Rejab mencatatkan peristiwa penting dalam kerasulan Nabi Muhammad SAW iaitu perjalanan Israk Mikraj. Perjalanan Baginda dari Masjidil Haram di Makkah ke Masjidil Aqsa di Baitulmaqdis di Palestin serta dari Masjidil Aqsa ke Sidratil Muntaha di langit ketujuh. Firman Allah bermaksud:
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"Maha suci Allah yang telah memperjalankan hamba-Nya pada suatu malam dari Masjidil-Haram ke Masjidil Aqsa yang telah Kami berkati sekelilingnya (dengan diturunkan nabi-nabi di negeri itu dan kesuburan tanahnya), agar Kami perlihatkan kepadanya sebahagian dari tanda-tanda kebesaran Kami. Sesungguhnya Dia adalah Maha Mendengar lagi Maha Mengetahui." (Surah al-Isra', ayat 1)
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Peristiwa ini berlaku setahun sebelum hijrahnya Nabi SAW ke Madinah bersamaan tahun 721 Masihi. Ia berlaku di tengah-tengah tekanan dan hinaan yang kuat yang dialami oleh Rasulullah dan sahabat daripada kelompok Musyrikin Makkah seperti Abu Jahal dan Abu Lahab. Israk Mikraj adalah satu perjalanan kilat Nabi Muhammad pada malam hari atas kudrat dan iradat Allah dari Masjidil Haram ke Masjidil Aqsa. Baginda kemudian naik ke langit sampai ke Sidratil Muntaha, bahkan ke Mustawa dan sampai di bawah Arasy Allah (suatu tempat di mana alam ini diatur) dengan menembusi tujuh lapis langit, lalu kembali semula ke Makkah pada malam yang sama.
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Kisah-kisah dalam peristiwa Israk dan Mikraj mengandungi sesuatu yang amat menakjubkan kerana ia tidak sama dengan cara perjalanan ditempuh oleh manusia biasa. Perjalanan ini adalah perjalanan istimewa menggunakan kenderaan Allah yang kelajuannya tidak boleh ditandingi dengan apa saja kenderaan yang direka oleh manusia.
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Dalam peristiwa itu Rasulullah SAW diperlihatkan kekuasaan Allah serta balasan yang bakal diterima umatnya di akhirat nanti. Firman Allah bermaksud:
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“Dan demi sesungguhnya! (Nabi Muhammad SAW) telah melihat (Jibril dalam bentuk rupanya yang asal) pada waktu yang lain iaitu di Sidratil Muntaha. "Dekatnya ada syurga tempat tinggal, (Muhammad melihat Jibril) ketika Sidratil Muntaha diliputi oleh sesuatu yang meliputinya. "Penglihatan (Muhammad SAW) tidak berkisar daripada menyaksikan dengan tepat (akan pemandangan yang indah di situ yang diizinkan melihatnya), dan tidak pula melampaui batas. "Demi sesungguhnya Baginda telah melihat sebahagian daripada sebesar-besar tanda-tanda (yang membuktikan luasnya pemerintahan dan kekuasaan) Tuhan-Nya." - (Surah an-Najm, ayat 13-18).
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Antara pengajaran dalam peristiwa itu ialah mengenai wanita. Dalam perjalanan Israk dan Mikraj, Rasulullah SAW turut melewati satu kawasan berbau sungguh harum dengan bau-bauan kasturi. Lalu Baginda bertanya kepada Jibril kawasan apakah yang sedang mereka lalui. Jibril menjawab: "Itulah makam Masyitah, seorang wanita penghulu syurga." Beliau ialah adalah pengasuh anak Firaun, pemerintah kejam di Mesir yang mengaku dirinya Tuhan. Masyitah berfizikal lemah, mempunyai semangat kuat dan jiwa keIslaman sehingga mampu menafikan keangkuhan Firaun. Masyitah ialah pelayan raja. Beliau adalah seorang rakyat yang masih sedar dan beriman kepada Allah tetapi disebabkan kekejaman Firaun, beliau dan ramai lagi terpaksa menyembunyikan keimanan mereka.
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Pada suatu hari, ketika Masyitah menyikat rambut puteri Firaun, tiba-tiba sikat itu terjatuh. Dengan tidak sengaja, beliau menyebut nama Allah. Apabila puteri itu mendengar perkataan Allah dia bertanya kepada Masyitah, siapakah Allah itu. Masyitah pada mulanya enggan menjawab tetapi selepas didesak berkali-kali, beliau akhirnya memberitahu bahawa Allah adalah Tuhan Yang Esa dan Tuhan Sekalian Alam.
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Puteri itu mengadu kepada Firaun mengenai perkara itu menyebabkan Firaun terlalu marah apabila mengetahui Masyitah menyembah tuhan selainnya. Masyitah dipaksa Firaun memperakui dirinya (Firaun) sebagai Tuhan, tetapi dengan penuh keberanian beliau berkata: "Tuhan aku dan Tuhan kamu adalah Allah."
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Perkataan itu menimbulkan kemarahan Firaun, lalu memerintahkan dibuat patung lembu daripada tembaga untuk diisi minyak bagi merebus Masyitah. Menteri Firaun, iaitu Hamman, salah seorang penghuni neraka, diperintahkan Firaun untuk membunuh Masyita. Firaun memerintahkan patung lembu itu diletakkan di atas api sehingga panas menggelegak dan mengarahkan Masyitah dan ahli keluarganya dilontar seorang demi seorang. Pada waktu giliran bayinya hendak dimasukkan ke dalam lembu itu untuk direbus, Masyitah hampir mengaku kalah dan menyerah kepada kemahuan Firaun kerana terlalu sayangkan anaknya. Tetapi dengan kehendak Allah, berlaku kejadian luar biasa apabila bayi itu dengan fasih berkata: "Wahai ibuku! Teruskanlah dan jangan menyerah kalah, sesungguhnya engkau di atas (jalan) kebenaran."
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Masyitah dan keluarganya mempertahankan keimanan mereka dengan mengatakan Allah Tuhan Yang Esa dan Firaun hanya manusia biasa. Lalu semuanya syahid dibunuh Firaun. Keberanian seorang wanita memperjuangkan kebenaran dan keimanan ini dirakam dan diingati setiap tahun oleh seluruh manusia melalui peristiwa Israk Mikraj. Semua ahli keluarga Masyitah mendapat balasan syuhada daripada Allah kerana mempertahankan akidah sehingga mati.
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Dalam perjalanan itu, Baginda turut diperlihatkan 10 jenis seksaan yang menimpa wanita yang membuatkan Rasulullah SAW menangis setiap kali mengenangkannya.
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Dalam perjalanan itu, antaranya Baginda diperlihatkan perempuan yang digantung dengan rambut dan otak di kepalanya mendidih. Mereka adalah perempuan yang tidak mahu melindungi rambutnya daripada dilihat lelaki lain.
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Seksaan lain yang diperlihatkan Baginda ialah perempuan yang digantung dengan lidahnya dan tangannya dikeluarkan daripada punggung dan minyak panas dituangkan ke dalam kerongkongnya. Mereka adalah perempuan yang suka menyakiti hati suami dengan kata-katanya.
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Baginda juga melihat bagaimana perempuan digantung buah dadanya dari arah punggung dan air pokok zakum dituang ke dalam kerongkongnya. Mereka adalah perempuan yang menyusui anak orang lain tanpa keizinan suaminya.
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Ada pula perempuan diikat dua kakinya serta dua tangannya sampai ke ubun dan dibelit beberapa ular dan kala jengking. Mereka adalah perempuan yang boleh solat dan berpuasa tetapi tidak mahu mengerjakannya, tidak berwuduk dan tidak mahu mandi junub. Mereka sering keluar rumah tanpa mendapat izin suaminya terlebih dulu dan tidak mandi iaitu tidak bersuci selepas habis haid dan nifas.
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Selain itu, Baginda melihat perempuan yang makan daging tubuhnya sendiri manakala di bawahnya ada api yang menyala. Mereka adalah perempuan yang berhias untuk dilihat lelaki lain dan suka menceritakan aib orang lain.
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Baginda juga melihat perempuan yang memotong badannya sendiri dengan gunting dari neraka. Mereka adalah perempuan yang suka memasyhurkan diri sendiri supaya orang melihat akan perhiasannya.
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Seksaan lain yang dilihat Baginda ialah perempuan yang kepalanya seperti kepala babi dan badannya pula seperti keldai. Mereka adalah perempuan yang suka mengadu domba dan sangat suka berdusta.
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Ada pula perempuan yang Baginda nampak rupanya berbentuk anjing dan beberapa ular serta kala jengking masuk ke dalam mulutnya dan keluar melalui duburnya. Mereka adalah perempuan yang suka marah kepada suaminya dan
memfitnah orang lain.

http://web.utm.my/hep/index2.php?option=content&do_pdf=1&id=189

Sodomy or No Sodomy???

2008-07-29T15:23:00.003+08:00

I believe that is what the public want to know i.e. whether Saiful Bukhary was indeed sodomised by Anwar Ibrahim. We are not interested in the hanky panky on the matter. Push here, push there, accuse here, accuse there, deny here, deny there, statement here, statement there. We just want to know whether the AG is going to charge Anwar. That's all.

I mean the police have recorded statement from the "victim" and the "accused". The police have got the DNA of the "victim" as well as the DNA of the "accused" (in 1998). They have got the medical report. So, what are they waiting for? Don't tell me that our police is no longer efficient (after their efficiency in arresting Anwar Ibrahim a couple of weeks ago).

Allegation against Anwar should not be dealt with as if it is just another criminal case in Malaysia. There is element of "public interest" in this case. But I wonder what make the police take a "long" time to conclude their investigation or for the AG chambers to decide whether or not to charge Anwar.

On another note, I also wonder what happened to police's investigation against Karpal on his statement allegedly insulted the Sultan of Perak. After so long, there is no news on it. All the so-called Malay leaders who has lodged their police reports are now quiet. If at all they care about the Malays and our Sultans, I think the least they should do now is to ask the AG what happened to the case? It seems that the case that was at one time "urgent" are no longer "urgent".

Malaysia -v- Chelsea

2008-07-29T15:22:00.001+08:00

Tonite, Malaysia will go all out against Chelsea. On paper and on pitch, off paper and off pitch, everything is working against us. Our football team is nowhere if we were to compare them with Chelsea. The value of anyone Chelsea player is worth more than our national team. Taking Frank Lampard for example, his new monthly salary (reportedly to be at £150,000.00 per week) alone is more than our players (jointly) annual salary (including the salary that is still outstanding).
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Once in every few years, we have world class football team came to Malaysia and played against our national team. We have had the teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, England and even Brazil played against our national side. To the team like Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea, they are here more on promotion and marketing side as well as to warm up after taking a short break. But what do we get from all the matches that we have had against there great teams? Exposure? The word “exposure” is too synonym with our football team. After finishing all the matches in any tournament, without any convincing results, the management was fast to say that it was a good exposure. I think our football team has had too much exposure and yet, they are still unable to produce the result. Something is wrong somewhere and the local football fans (if any) realized what went wrong but not the FAM. FAM only knows to point finger to the players and especially the coach every time the team fails to produce the desired results.
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How serious is our players for the match against Chelsea? I remember when Malaysia played against Man U, the Malaysian skipper, Ahmad Shahrul Azhar was seen running towards David Bekham, as soon as the referee blown the final whistle, to exchange jersey with him and the then team Manager, Ibrahim Saad was seen laughing while looking at the skipper. Perhaps, towards the final minutes, all Malaysian players were thinking of getting the jersey of certain players. During the match, our players were seen to be very humble as opposed to their opponents. Of course they (the opponent) are great players but once they (our player) are on the pitch, there is no more room to respect the opponent. When they gave too much respect to the opponents, they can’t play well (ooops, after all they do not play well even if they do not show respect to the opponents). I remember watching one Malaysian player who brought David Beckham down and instead of chasing the ball, he helped Beckham to stand up.
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Tonite, according to Malaysia coach, Sathianathan (he was the national youth coach before being appointed to be the national coach by the President of FAM in the dressing room after the youth team recorded a good result, if I am not mistaken in the Merdeka Cup…now you know how FAM appoint their coach), the Malaysian team will use the format of 4-1-4-1, which means there will be only one striker with another four to assist him and one midfielder and four defenders. This is a new format for the Malaysian team who has been using the format of 4-4-2 and 4-2-4. The coach must have his own reason for using the new format. Looks interesting if the players can translate the formation into reality. But if the players play as they normally do, there is no need for the coach to have this formatting whether it is 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 or 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1 because after 20 minutes, the Malaysian team will play 10-0-0.
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Something needs to be done to revive our football team. I know what need to be done. You know what need to be done. Only the FAM does not know what need to be done because what need to be done is to get rid of the FAM management and replace them with the new professional management who is free from other commitment.

Who and What?

2008-07-28T13:49:00.003+08:00

There is this arabic proverb that says: -

unzur ma qaala wala tanzur man qaala

which means "listen to what is being said and do not look at who said it".

I first came across this proverb in my early days in the secondary school and I find it very interesting. Such a short proverb but with a very powerful meaning. From then on, I am holding to this proverb and it really makes me feel good.

Whatever is being said to me, regardless of who say it, be it my bosses (non-work related), my colleagues, my siblings or my friends, I do not really take them for good without analyzing of what they said. If it is good to me, I will apply, otherwise I just leave it. That way, I am always being myself and do something that I really want to do and most importantly, I am not doing something for the sake of others. In another aspects, I can always improve myself in a lot of areas because I am sure that people do not mind telling what they think about me. If I were to look down at certain people, I am sure that this group of people will be reluctant to give me their advice or opinion. Who knows that their advice or opinion is the best!!!

Courtesy

2008-07-28T13:48:00.000+08:00

Courtesy is defined as excellence of manners or social conduct, polite behaviour, a courteous, respectful or considerate act or expression.
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I find it not too difficult to have courtesy in ourselves but there are just people out there who do not have courtesy or tend not to have courtesy in them. We do not have to fork out our money to show our courtesy. We do not even lose anything for our courtesy. So, why is it hard for some people to at least have the courtesy?
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Last Saturday night, I went to Alamanda Putrajaya to have a dinner with my newly-wed friend (whose wedding I could not attend). If you ever went to Alamanda especially during weekends, you would know that it is difficult to get parking space at the lower level (of course if you go to the roof top level, there are a lot of empty spaces). So, while I drove around slowly to find the parking space to park my car, I saw this couple who had just walkout from their car. The driver forgot to switch-off the car light. So, I used my courtesy to just honk the driver (who, with his couple, was on the way to the entrance) to let him know about the lights on. Noticing my honk, he turned around and went back to his car to have the light switched-off without even looking at me. I would expect people with courtesy to at least look at me (for informing them) if not waiving at me as a sign of saying “thank you”. Unfortunately, this guy had no courtesy to do that when I had the courtesy to inform him. After that incident, I wonder if I should just drive away and let his car running out of battery.
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There are a lot of other incidences where our drivers do not have courtesy such as driver does not acknowledge you when you give way to them (normally in kampung), driver does not give their signal to turn left when you are waiting at the junction to get into the main road.
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So, do have courtesy in yourselves. Not only while you are on the road but anywhere and anytime. People are happy when you have the courtesy. What’s wrong with making people happy? Further, when you show your courtesy, it is also a sign that you respect others. People who do not have courtesy are RUDE!!!