Finding middle earth path in this trying times

Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi in his STAR weekly column (Wed 13 Jan 2010) put a very bold perspective on the recent dispute between Catholic Christians and their Malay Muslim brothers. A law scholar he is, excerpt from his quote should be published and established by all relevant parties as a truce to refrain more mindless action by irresponsible culprits.

With due respect to the Emeritus Professor and all credit to him, I wish to share some of his quote which I thought spot on and timely and should be understood by affected parties who needed Law reflections in the eyes of a Law Scholar.

The Visiting Professor word are in orange

"We have to put this national shame behind us and to move on to resolve "Allah issue" in a spirit of compassion, moderation and accomodation.

Looking through glass as Christians, although the word Allah has obvious reverence for Muslims, no one can deny that Allah is also a term of language. Article 11(1) - Freedom of Religion and Article 10(1)(a)- Right to free speech permit anyone to invoke whatever language or sentiment he wishes to invoke in order to open his heart and soul to God.

Looking through Muslim lenses, many issues tug at my conscience. FIRST, it is not always right to use our rights. Freedom per se has no VALUE. It is what freedom is for. It is the use to which it is put. Take hundred million Muslims in India for instance. Despite their rights in secular India's Constitution, they refrain from butchering the cow because cow is regarded as sacred by the majority Hindus.

The constitutional right to freedom of religion is subjected to Article 11(4) to restrictions on proselytisation (try to convert somebody).  While Article 11(5) subordinates religion to public order, public health or morality. A relevant law on public order is section 298 Penal Code which punishes the offence of wounding religious feelings. The feelings are likely to be wounded if there is a claim that Allah was born in the manger; that Allah was born of Mary; that Allah was crucified on the cross

To argue that word Allah is central to the Christian faith and that any restriction on its usage would hinder freedom of conscience of the Christians requires a willing suspension of disbelief. Other than the Arab Peninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak, the word Allah has never been part of Christian discourse or sermons. 

The plaintiffs in the Herald case must also take note that there is suspicion, unjustified though it may be, that the use of the word Allah is an indirect attempt to proselytize Muslims contrary to Article 11(4). The argument  that the Church will be using the word Allah only privately is credible but we all know that it does not take much to put a private publication in the public domain.

The Herald arguments rely on cold logic, history and rationality but there is total DISREGARD of local context and of religious sensitivities. It is submitted that in matters of religion; history, logic and reason must not apply exclusively. Emotions must be regarded. 

Sometimes rights must give way to the need for social harmony. Hence, we need to find middle path.

To further read his thought on the issue which i am recommending all my viewers to pursue please follow this link

I hope there will be a compromising effort from all relevant parties to rest this case and there shall be greater religious understanding amongst the believers beyond one self interest, reluctance and sheer ignorance.

Peace be upon us

Something to ponder about...

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

To the politicians on both end. This should be a good case for not having another by election

To all fast food lovers, the next time you eat, please remind ourselves that not all are as fortunate as we do

To all human being...
the suffering of another soul is for us to learn and reflect our inner self.

Hope this short story really taught us to cherish life and be grateful.

Konflik di GAZA seperti tiada kesudahan

Israel telah melakukan genjatan senjata bersyarat - mungkin ada muslihat kerana menghormati perisytiharan presiden Amerika yang baru?

Hamas memberi masa 1 minggu kepada askar rejim penceroboh untuk meninggalkan GAZA dan memohon kedua dua pintu sempadan dibuka bagi bantuan kemanusiaan dibawa masuk.

Fatah terus mengadu domba cuba menjadi agen perdamaian dengan Israel tatkala GAZA terus hebat dibedil

AS masih tidak mahu bersuara apakah dasar luar mereka terhadap konflik baru di Asia Barat

UN tiada langsung taring dalam konflik kejam ini walaupun pelbagai resolusi telah dibawa, samada dikuasa veto oleh sekutu Israel, Amerika ataupun resolusi itu dipandang enteng oleh Israel.

Masyarakat Dunia hanya mampu melihat, memboikot, berdemo dan bersedih apabila tiada langsung nilai ketamadunan dan peradapan yang terkesan dari peperangan ini.

Sesungguhnya manusia masih lagi mempunyai sifat kebinatangan apabila kuasa, harta dan takhta menjadi taruhan.

Dimanakah kesudahannya? 

31 Januari 2009

Perhimpunan Aman memboikot barangan US terpilih dan Mengutuk Kekejaman Israel akan berterusan.

Masjid Jamek Pokok Machang

On YoGA issue

Picture taken from sarah brumgart

This is something i said to Mr Rockybru on his recent posting.

"Sdr Rocky,

I do agree that hindu sangam has no rights to interfere with any muslim rulings but i believe it was done in context that the muslim authority i.e Majlis Fatwa has talked on the edict that related to other beliefs and religion.

Had the Majlis Fatwa come with a more 'hikmah' approach rather than a direct explanations particularly involved hindu practices, things might be at a better position but act has been done on Majlis Fatwa's so now it's up to the respective parties involved to try and solve the issue in a more amiccable manner.

IMHO, the Majlis Fatwa should have acted years ago on YOGA if they find it not suitable for majority Malay Muslim not only now after YOGA has become "cultured" and part of Malaysian way of healthy life.

The general perception of YOGA is it brings the best out of one's healthy life and i do hope Majlis Fatwa could come with a better perception and explanation to educate Muslims about what YOGA COULD DO WRONG to us; not only give ruling and dictate us (read: muslim) to follow.

It is time for all party to play a more proactive role and give a more sensible approach to all the issues involved.

Thank you,

Yours Truly. "

picture taken from here

now let's pilates. :)

Hope! it's all about.

pictures courtesy of Times

Barrack Obama became the 44th American president in a glittering fashion. He is a son of a Kenyan father who married a Kansas white mother and always addressing himself as a black (not half white). Obama will be succeeding Mr Bush in Oval office as the first african american President after winning in a convincing manner against the republican John Mccain without having to wait until the electoral votes later in the month. Mr Obama will swear in as the president come 20th Jan 2009. The people of America is in dire of change, and now they hope change they can!

picture courtesy dhielection.com

While in Maldives, after 30 years of regime ruling, the first democratic election showed the people wanted a sea of change by voting out the regime president, Mr Gayoom with a political prisoner, Mohamed Nasheed as the leader of their destiny. A country with per capita income less than USD1 are hoping the newly elected president could bring them out of the suffering and give them a new meaning of life. Mr Nasheed has to stay true to the fundamentals of his fights in order to survive another day in power and the Maldivians have put high hope that he will deliver.

picture courtesy daylife.com

Back home in Malaysia, DS Najib has won the presidency of UMNO uncostested after securing 134 nominations that put the other contestants cannot fulfill any more nominations of the balance 30% quota. The tremendous support by the UMNO division shows that in Najib they put their hope and trust! that UMNO and BN would recapture back the heart of million Malaysian. Najib is always seen as a successor but with his play-safe approach, sometimes it's kind of worried for the majority UMNO Malays whether this largest Malays Party (UMNO) could hold another day in power. By convention, the Umno president also becomes Malaysia’s Prime Minister and the hope of 3 millions of UMNO members and all Malaysians lies on DS Najib's hand.

Ironically, do we see a resemblance of all the story above?! YES

Each leader is not only offering themselves but ratherly asking the commoner to give hope that they will lead them out of the misery. Forget about progress, forget about new development, start talking about reform, start putting effort for everyone survival because in the end it is only hope, nothing else matters...

Transformasi UMNO - Satu Renungan

Wahai ahli-ahli perwakilan UMNO keseluruhannya (terutama yang masih belum bersidang!)

Dalam keseronokan kita mengumpul 'dana' dan ketaksuban kita untuk memilih pemimpin baru UMNO yang bakal menjadi pendokong wadah perjuangan bangsa samada di peringkat bahagian dan pusat, harus kita pelajari dan fahami bahawa setiap undi yang kita beri itu adalah amanah dan tanggungjawab bukan sekadar atas kepentingan kita tetapi adalah mewakili suara 50 ahli UMNO di cawangan masing-masing. Perkara ini antara sedar atau tidak sangat-sangat tidak dititikberatkan oleh perwakilan cawangan ke bahagian kerana merasakan bahawa apa jua keputusan yang dilakukan dalam persidangan bahagian nanti adalah mewakili hanya dirinya sendiri.

Kasihan sungguh UMNO! kerana dalam ketika dan waktu UMNO berada pada tahap paling 'lemah' perkara sedemikian penting itupun tidak dapat diperjelaskan sebaik-baiknya kepada perwakilan cawangan. Maka gejala-gejala buruk seperti rasuah politik dan political assasination yang memungkinkan setiap perwakilan cawangan ini mengkhianati harapan akar umbi (setiap 50 ahli UMNO peringkat cawangan) akan terus berleluasa.

Maka saya ingin mencadangkan sekiranya satu usaha untuk mereformasikan UMNO dijalankan, sekiranya undi setiap perwakilan cawangan masih diguna pakai sebagai pendekatan memilih pemimpin UMNO tidak kira diperingkat bahagian mahupun pusat -setiap perwakilan cawangan yang mewakili 50 ahli UMNO cawangan itu haruslah mengenalpasti, atau diberi tanggungjawab yang lebih besar mendapatkan maklum balas dari setiap seorang 50 ahli cawangan tersebut yang diwakilinya dalam membawa setiap 1 undi bagi pemilihan pimpinan di peringkat bahagian mahupun pusat.

Dengan pendekatan itu, kita mengharapkan dan berdoa setiap perwakilan cawangan akan lebih bertanggungjawab, akan lebih berusaha sebagai wakil cawangan, akan lebih faham apa itu demokrasi dan akhirnya akan lebih arif dalam memilih pemimpin yang sebenar-benarnya membawa aspirasi ahli UMNO akar umbi.

Bukan hanya sekadar mengambil peluang di sepanjang pemilihan UMNO ini, bersuka-suka untuk menagih keuntungan singkat tidak kira melalui janji-janji politik ataupun lebih teruk lagi meminta sogokan habuan wang ringgit demi setiap undi yang akan diberi. Dimanakah harga diri kita sebagai seorang Melayu yang ingin melihat kelangsungan parti UMNO?

Hanya kerana sudah wujud persepsi bahawa setiap perwakilan itu adalah penentu hala tuju politik setiap calon yang bertanding, maka usaha dan perjuangan yang lebih besar iaitu survival parti UMNO diketepikan kerana akhirnya yang rugi adalah kita, ya kita anak-anak Melayu yang masih mendokong perjuangan UMNO.

Suka untuk saya mengakhiri renungan ini dengan kata-kata seorang pejuang bangsa Scotland, William Wallace dalam salah satu daripada episod peperangan bangsa Scotland berperang mendapatkan kemerdekaan mereka dari Raja England;

antara lain berbunyi..

*
"Ya berjuang, dan kamu mungkin akan mati! Lari (dari medan perang ini), kamu akan hidup tetapi itupun mungkin hanya seketika...

Tetapi ingatlah, ingatlah wahai rakan2 bangsaku!
Beberapa tahun nanti ketika nafasku semakin sempit dan sesak dan kamu telah menghampiri matimu, sanggupkah kamu gadai ganti hari-hari yang telah kamu lalui itu dengan HARI INI apabila kamu diberi peluang, hanya satu peluang untuk katakan kepada musuh musuh itu bahawa mereka mungkin akan mengambil nyawa kita tetapi tidak sekali kali mereka dapat mengambil kebebasan kita!"

...dan pada hari ini aku akan bangkit melakukan perubahan dan memilih kebenaran!"

renung renungkan.. selamat beramal.

*ungkapan itu diambil dari cerita "braveheart"

trailer braveheart ihsan 20th century fox

Lembaran Baru Kemerdekaan Negara ke-51

Detik 12 malam malam 30 Ogos sentiasa ditunggu saban tahun bagi menunggu ketibaan tarikh keramat kemerdekaan negara. Apabila jam mula berdenting 12 kali maka keriuhan, sorak gembira mula mengisi ruang malam sebagai simbol kemeriahan sambutan. Tahun ini genap 51 tahun negara Malaysia merdeka, pengisian acara mungkin tidak sehebat perayaan jubli emas, besar kemungkinan menghormati bulan Ramadhan yang bakal datang dalam sedikit masa.

Kehebatan perayaan bukanlah menjadi ukuran kejayaan sesebuah negara. Perarakan dan perbarisan menjadi sebahagian dari aturcara kemuncak setiap kali datangnya 31 ogos. Namun pengisian yang paling penting adalah sejauh mana kita telah benar mengecap rasa merdeka. Adakah kita perlu merobah untuk rasa merdeka ataupun kita perlu fahami sejarah kemerdekaan untuk kita benar2 rasa merdeka? Sememangnya amat payah untuk generasi pasca merdeka menilai apakah itu kemerdekaan dan lebih susah apabila generasi ini ditagih untuk mengisi kemerdekaan itu.

Merdeka bukan hanya semata laungan 'merdeka'. Merdeka akan lebih bermakna apabila setiap anak Malaysia tahu bersyukur bahawa dengan pengorbanan, keazaman, keikhlasan dan kesepakatan semua bangsa akan dapat terus mempusakakan anak cucu kita dengan sebuah negara bangsa.

Selamat Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia ke 51

Penangan seorang insan bernama Anwar!

Semalam satu KL 'terhenti' gara-gara pihak polisi begitu taksub menghalang sebarang perhimpunan yang dijangka akan dianjur oleh seorang insan bernama Anwar! Atas ketaksuban polisi itu, bukan sahaja seorang insan yang di'anaktiri'kan malah beribu penduduk warga KL juga terpalit dan terjerumus dalam permasalahan. Tidak cukup  dengan bahana bebanan harga minyak dan inflasi dan kali ini rakyat KL diajak pula tidak produktif dan hilang konsentrasi?! Adoi sudahlah wahai pak menteri oi

Seluruh laluan ke Parlimen ditutup polisi untuk mencegah sebarang ketidaktentuan. Tambahan di Parlimen pihak pembangkang cuba mengusul satu perbincangan tidak percaya terhadap kepimpinan. Sayang, perbincangan tanpa undi tersebut tidak diterima tuan Speaker kerana tidak termaktub dalam ketetapan. Pembangkang seperti biasa bertindak keluar dewan tanda tidak sehaluan. 

Apa juga yang berlaku di dewan yang mulia, di dalam suasana pendingin hawa tidak akan sama dengan kisah kami-kami di jalanraya. Tengik dan hangat,  merangkak dan lambat. Tak mustahil ada yang memaki hamun menyumpah seranah atas ke'gejoloh'an sikap pemerintah yang aku kira membuat kesilapan!

Betul kata Tun Mahathir, berjuta juta gelen minyak dibakar tidak ketahuan di jalanraya hatta memenuhi tuntutan keselamatan. Harap YAB PM melihat perkara  ini secara serius kerana ini bukan cara terbaik mencegah permasalahan.

Apapun yang berlaku, penangan insan bernama Anwar sungguh hebat dan terkesan! 

Datukship Award to Nicol - A non issue

Datuk Nicol Ann David is a deserving recipient of Darjah Setia Pahlawan Negeri. It was never an issue if she is still young and energetic to be bestowed which such honour when she has made the country proud becoming a world champion year after year. I believe the state government has made a rightful review on this matter, considering every aspect of sport achievements by the 'young Datuk' rather than making this another point of political mileage. If it so, shame on you, YAB Ketua Menteri!

I hope the award will motivate Nicol futher in her field. Not only by excelling in her true passion - squash but also as a good ambassador to young Malaysians in achieving their dreams. It's all must come with hardwork, passion, family support and humility. These are the attributes we would love been passing on to the younger generation whom have been lacking of. The young turks especially Malays youth prefer shortcut in gaining success rather than go through hard work and tough determination. This is a good example for us (read: Malay) to begin with and hopefully it will encourage us (read: Melayu muda) to strive further for success and not allowing ourselves to just only keep dreaming of becoming another "reality tv star"! hiyer.

To digress a lil bit,

Not all sportman get their award during their peak time and i can only name a few

Datuk Abdul Malik Mydin for his maiden swim across English Channel.

Datuk Azhar Mansur for his around the world sailing effort

and what they have it common?! A Malaysia Boleh!

Datuk Azeez Abdul Rahim for parachuting down at North Pole - I think he got his datuk earlier!

Datuk Shahrin Abdul Wahab - a datuk also at a tender age of 26 and what has he contribute to the society? Time will tell. *wink wink*

p/s:Rizal Hashim (a prominent sportswriter) made his point about the award. He has all the valid reason which i cant agree more. That his perspective on sports view while i am sticking with mine.

Kepimpinan Melalui Teladan; yikes!!

It's official! The fuel price for Malaysian consumers has been increased by government, tremendously. From the early beginning of YAB Pak Lah govt in 2004 until he was given another mandate for second term this year, fuel price has increased up every now and then. The latest hike was RM2.70 per litre up of 40.6%. phew.

It's sad when a government have to decide that they could not longer afford to subsidise the rakyat due to pressure on the world oil trade even though Malaysia is one of the petro-producer.

It's about time the government overlook the situation very seriously with a more efficient approach not just burdening the rakyat to accept the problem which is very much should be the concern of the elected govt. Those comparisons about our fuel price is still one of the cheapest in ASEAN region is lame and unacceptable anymore as we are comparing ourselves to non petro-producer nations. We should compare ourselves with a petro-producer country. Let's compare apple to apple as shown in this diagram.

You bet!!!

The most important aspect that will occur from this drastic price hike is the rise in inflation. The government should identify their approach to tackle this pertinent issue. As Malaysia most likely to become a nett importer of oil in 2011, why is the profit earning from petroleum not being given solely to the rakyat? After all, the black gold is harta negara = harta rakyat. I hope someone will raise this in upcoming parliament session.

It's about time the leaders to walk the talk. Dont just ask the rakyat to change lifestyle. The leader should change themselves too. No more mega project, no more money wasting events. Keep yourself straight to battle this war together. Otherwise, this would be the end of Kerajaan BN (Barang Naik?!).

Isu bekalan beras - satu peluang atau konflik?

Kekurangan bekalan beras yang drastik di Asia telah menimbulkan pelbagai telahan buruk yang akhirnya membawa keadaan konflik seperti yang berlaku di India dan Filipina. Ironinya, India sebagai sebuah negara pengeksport utama beras menghadapi saat genting dalam negara manakala Filipina, antara negara pengimport utama beras dunia menghadapi situasi yang rumit tatkala rakyat menagih bekalan untuk mengisi perut.

Keadaan yang sama juga melanda Malaysia. Yang jelas, kerajaan telah berusaha mengawal keadaan dengan memberi jaminan bahawa bekalan beras di Malaysia akan mencukupi sehingga sekitar 6- 7 bulan. Ini pasti akan memberi kelegaan kepada masyarakat bahawa bekalan adalah mencukupi. Namun yang pasti, bekalan yang cukup tidak mampu menahan harga beras naik dengan begitu mendadak. Beras ibarat komoditi minyak yang berubah harga saban hari. Tiada jaminan harga beras hari ini akan bertahan sehingga hari esok. Keadaan ini amat merungsingkan kerana rata2 rakyat Malaysia bergantung hidup kepada bekalan beras. Rakyat Malaysia masih tidak dapat menerima makanan alternatif lain semudah menerima media baru di internet!

Walaupun kerajaan menegaskan bahawa harga beras gred super tempatan masih dalam kawalan tetapi masyarakat malaysia kebanyakannya tidak bergantung kepada beras gred ini. Masyarakat Malaysia lebih menggemari beras bergred super spesial tempatan yang mempunyai peratus hancur lebih rendah (5%). Hakikat bahawa gred SST ini tidak dibawah harga kawalan tidak membantu pengguna yang membeli beras jenis ini.

Malaysia masih lagi bergantung kepada hasil import beras kurang lebih 40% bagi menampung 60% pengeluaran beras negara. Sudah tiba masanya kerajaan mengembleng tenaga meningkatkan kadar pengeluaran padi negara untuk menampung permintaan pengguna dari bergantung harap kepada beras import. Tambahan, selama ini BERNAS sebagai pemegang AP beras negara telah memonopoli beras import dan mengaut keuntungan darinya sehinggakan terlupa bahawa peranan mereka sebenarnya lebih kepada membantu meningkatkan pengeluaran beras dalam negara yang secara langsung membantu pesawah2 padi.

Krisis ini sebenarnya membuka lebaran baru untuk melihat potensi yang besar dalam peningkatan pengeluaran makanan negara. Seharusnya peluang ini diterokai dan diguna sebaik mungkin dengan pengenalan varieti padi/beras yang lebih berkualiti yang mampu memberi pulangan yang baik kepada petani dan menampung keperluan beras masyarakat.

Dan apabila Kerajaan India telah mengenakan larangan kepada semua beras India selain basmathi dari dieksport keluar negara, ia telah membuka lebaran baru dalam kemajuan teknologi pertanian yang dipelopori oleh MARDI. Kini telah tiba masanya untuk merealisasikan teknologi itu. Tunggu.