As September 16 Grows Near, COINCIDENCE occurences increase

September 16 is very near. Just one week away from the Big Day. Malaysia will probably witness its most significant event in 51 years, the change of government. As the date draws near, many strange incidents begin to unfold.

Study Trip ( Lawatan Sambil Belajar )
Barisan Nasional (BN) suddenly sends its own Members of Parliament for a study trip, "Lawatan Sambil Belajar" to Taiwan. The congregation is not exactly small, as it was reported in the papers, 50 of them. BN has a total number of 140 members in the Parliament, 50 would account for slightly more than one-third (1/3) of BN MPs.

Now, wouldn't that be a big waste of taxpayers money? BN was smart enough to reply the trip is "self-funded". Hearing that, I am still unhappy. Now, why would it be the case since it is not stated as taxpayers money? Perhaps, I am confused with the term "self-funded". Maybe, I am curious as to where the "self-funded" money would come from if it is not from the taxpayers fund. Perhaps, the money of the individual or party. Now, where did the money of the party come from?

The cost aspect would be the least of the concerns. Reporters were smart enough to question the timing of the massive study trip tour. Was it because of potential party hoppers to Pakatan come September 16? "No, no and no" was the answer.

It is just a COINCIDENCE.

What can I say?

DNA Bill
Not to mention there is a DNA Bill being tabled. Some people regarded the way it is being tabled as quite rushed. Suddenly, the MPs are concerned about solving crime using DNA. I am sure it is not about Anwar although there is a Sodomy charge against him ten years after a different charge back then in 1998. Yes, I am working very hard to convince myself.

Maybe, it is just a COINCIDENCE again.

What can I say?

Ahmad Ismail and "Squatters"
Finally, there is this "classic hero" who purportedly said Chinese are "squatters" during the Permatang Pauh by-election. Perhaps, with other attached statements, I am starting to entertain the idea that this is his way of getting support from the non-Malays for his party candidate. How ironic.

Ahmad is not willing to back off from his statement. Najib apologised and said UMNO is not involved in the matter and it was made of personal capacity. Abdullah keeps on asking Ahmad Ismail to explain the issue although the party has yet to decide to take any harsh action on that person.

Suddenly, the Armed Forces chief said "Racial issues can create chaos" and made some suggestions. It is not common for the Armed Forces Chief to utter such public statements on civilian issues.

Perhaps it is by COINCIDENCE that he wanted to say something on this. Oh, what can I say?

Gerakan, MCA and "Squatters"
Gerakan, which is a Barisan Nasional component party, has become quite vocal on this "squatters" statement. Readers and Malaysians should consider this : Did anyone compare Koh Tsu Koon's reaction on the Hishamuddin keris waving issue pre-12th General Election (pre-PRU12) and the "squatters" statement issue post-12th General Election (post PRU-12)?

Which reaction is bigger? The former or the latter? In my opinion it is the latter. It should be noted that Koh is a Member of Parliament pre-PRU 12 and no longer one post-PRU 12.

Wanita Gerakan issued a statement urging the sacking of Ahmad Ismail. There are recommendations to use the Internal Security Act (ISA). Malaysiakini and The Star has the story.

Malaysians should be reminded that Internal Security Act is a draconian act. Suspects can be imprisoned indefinitely. It is mind-boggling that Wanita Gerakan would make such a proposal. As a Malaysian, I will not support Wanita Gerakan's call to impose ISA although I disagree with Ahmad's words. Why did Gerakan propose the draconian ISA?

As Mind-boggling as it is, perhaps, it is by COINCIDENCE again that somehow they get that idea.

I doubt Gerakan Penang breaking out of Barisan Nasional will have any significant impact on Barisan Nasional. If we are viewing from the Federal Government perspective (after all, September 16 is all about that), the impact is even lesser. Gerakan is completely "wiped out" in Penang during PRU-12. It's other Federal MPs come from other states, therefore severing ties from the Penang state level is not entirely fruitful to wake UMNO up.

Furthermore, since Gerakan Penang has no significant number of MPs, it has nothing much to lose. Is it by COINCIDENCE that this move will probably restore some lost credibility on Gerakan Penang among Penangites? If Gerakan is sincere in making its points known, perhaps it should consider to entirely move out of Barisan Nasional from all areas. After all, severed ties in any state can be easily mended.

As for the party called MCA, which has the representative term "chinese" affixed in the middle of its name, its response to this issue is quite unconvincing. Gathering signatures, press conferences and issuing "warnings of severing ties with Bukit Bendera UMNO" are totally ineffective to improve the party's image, which may be perceived in my opinion, as lack of courage.

Comparatively, although as an overall both are not effectively convincing, the least of all, Gerakan Penang took the drastic move. Gerakan executed from the state level whereas MCA only warns of cutting ties with a tiny constituent, Bukit Bendera. Deeds are better than words and indeed, Gerakan Penang performed as spoken.

Conclusion
September 16 is very near and it seems that COINCIDENCES are abundant. I did not believe Anwar when he initially uttered the potential of getting a new government by September 16. My skepticism prevailed until recently. I mean, with so many COINCIDENCES happening, it must really mean something, right?

Could those be the signs?

Note: If the words "Warganegara Malaysia"appear on your authentic National Registration Identification Card and you are born in Malaysia, then that shows that you are a "Malaysian citizen" and not a "Malaysian squatter / immigrant".

I would like to call for all Malaysians : Malays, Chinese, Indians etc. to respect and refrain from using sensitive labels on each other although we may dislike what others have said.

Anwar in Permatang Pauh, PAS Will Not Join BN, Ex-MCA People Leave BN

PAS and BN
Previously I had blogged with a question as the title : Will PAS Embrace Islam Hadhari or Join BN?

Thankfully, the answer from PAS is a "NO". It was said that PAS is greatful to both the Malay and non-Malay communities and if there is any future discussions, the party would try to include other components of Pakatan Rakyat. Maybe, common sense had finally caught on with the PAS faction that spoke with UMNO regarding the issue of "Malay Unity". PAS should realise that Malaysians voted for it to speak about "Malaysian Unity" which logically includes the interests of Malays under its theme.

I hope PAS will be cautious in making future decisions on discussions as such.

Ex-MCA People and BN
In the meantime, Malaysiakini had just posted a report titled Ex-MCA leader defects to PKR.

Accordingly ... (from Malaysiakini) ...

Former MCA Wanita deputy chief Dr Tan Yee Kew today crossed over with 1,700 others to PKR in Klang - the constituency which she once represented for 13 years. She was three-term Klang MP.

Now, this exodus should be a cause for concern within Barisan Nasional : A popular leader with a big crowd crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat.

Remember, remember, the "Crossover", 16th of September? Can anyone recall what Anwar Ibrahim had said about that date? It is only 6 weeks away. The clock is ticking.

Anwar and Permatang Pauh
Meanwhile, Wan Azizah had announced her resignation from the Permatang Pauh constituency to allow her husband Anwar Ibrahim to contest in a by-election.

Permatang Pauh is the stronghold for PKR and of course, Anwar, even he was in UMNO. The campaigning had started. YB Lim Kit Siang of DAP said, "Permatang Pauh by-election - turn it into a mini political tsunami".

Winning for Anwar should not be difficult under 'normal conditions' , looking at history. His party and himself is concerned that he would be arrested, and that could make things quite complex.

Carol Chew's Sexist Billboards : NGOs and Seputeh Reacted

Previously I posted the entry Woman Sexist Against Another Woman in Seputeh . Carol Chew of MCA enacted several billboards around Seputeh in a campaign against Teresa Kok of DAP.

Oh Carol, what have you done? Now, you are in trouble. The major Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has started condemning your actions. People of Seputeh are already alert on this. It is only 5 days away from the Big Day 080308.

CIJ's Stand (got this in my mailbox)
CIJ condemns BN sexist approach to attack opponent

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemns the tactics used by MCA candidate for Seputeh Carol Chew in launching extremely sexist billboards against her opponent from DAP and incumbent Teresa Kok.

Chew was said to have launched the billboards which depict Kok as a "loose woman" who would two time her constituents.

"It is very disappointing that Chew, herself a woman, has stooped so low to attack her political opponent. Chew is like her colleagues in the Barisan Nasional who show disrespect to women and thrive in a patriarchal and sexist environment.

"We urge Chew to remove the billboards and apologise to Kok and all women in Malaysia as we take offence to the kind of politics the BN chooses to promote," said CIJ executive director Gayathry Venkiteswaran.

She said there is no meaning to the BN's decision of fielding more women candidates if it does not promote gender sensitive candidates, be they men or women. It is doubtful that the BN will be able to advance gender equality as their agenda if their candidates do not make an attempt to challenge gender stereotypes and discrimination.

Gayathry also expressed regret to the aggressive treatment shown to representatives of the Women's Candidacy Initiative 2 (WCI2) who were attempting to meet Sungai Siput incumbent and MIC president S. Samy Vellu on Sunday.

According to reports in Malaysiakini, the women were shoved and had their placards damaged as they tried to ask Samy Vellu his stand on gender equality.

"The agenda by WCI and the experiences faced by women show that there is an urgent need to demand for greater gender equality. If candidates like MCA's Chew cannot prove that they are different from their peers, then they must be rejected," she said.

JAG's Stand
From Sassy MP and Malaysiakini : Kok raps rival over ’sexist’ posters

Conduct ethical campaigns

In a related development, the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) today expressed its disappointment with the two cartoon-styled billboards in the Seputeh constituency.

JAG said that the billboards depicted Kok in a manner that degraded her as a woman and trivialized her work as an MP.

“The sexualized cartoons of her (in a tight, bright red dress, red high heels and flitting from one “lover” to the next) sets women up as sex objects,” said the group in a statement.

“Sexist comments demean women and when made in relation to their work, violate their right to a safe working environment.

“This incident highlights again the need for mandatory gender sensitisation programmes for all members of political parties and MPs,” it added.

JAG urged all political parties to conduct their election campaigns on a more ethical basis.

People of Seputeh's Stand
Protest Against Sexist Caricature Bill Board


Teresa Kok's statements : This morning I called a press conference together with a group of residents and supporters at Happy Garden adjacent to the two offending sexist caricature on bill boards erected by MCA Seputeh. In reply, we have put up a banner with Chinese and English wordings stating: “MCA uses women to discriminate women”

Some women folks who came to the press conference were most enraged over the offending caricatures which appeared in the China Press today and took the MCA to task in the presence of many journalists.

Quite a number of reporters and photographers showed up, including main stream media like the Utusan Malaysia, The Star, NST, RTM2 Mandarin News and etc.

I told the press that I was quite surprised that Carol Chew has launched these sexist carricatures on bill boards. I said I was disappointed shocked that Carol told the China press yesterday that she did not find the caricatures as sexist or humiliating to women when it was explicitly offensive to women and more so defamatory.

Conclusion
Carol, I believe the females and residents of Seputeh area are waiting for your apology.

Updated 4th March 2008, 11.16 a.m.
The sexist billboards have been removed. The public is still waiting for an apology.

Woman Sexist Against Another Woman in Seputeh

... and I thought only men are sexist against women.


Picture from Jed Yoong's Seputeh Seat Sizzles .

I would like to plead to Carol Chew Chee Lin, age 27 of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) which is a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) to use a more gracious way of campaigning. As a person of the opposing party in Seputeh, you can attempt to question Teresa's capabilities but please respect an individual from the same sex.

Carol should bear in mind that Seputeh people are educated enough to know sexism is unacceptable. I recalled there was one particular year someone actually made a highly sexist remark on a lady. Seputeh people were deeply shocked. That guy lost in the election terribly. I hope that is not Carol's aspiration for her first ever election but one would never know what is on another's mind.

I wonder whether Carol would like it if Seputeh people were to discriminate her on the basis that she is young and new therefore stereotype her as incapable? That wouldn't be fair to her, right? I urge the Seputeh people not to judge Carol based on that.

I respect and trust that capable ladies can manage two seats with the help of her assistants. I am willing to give it a try. Besides, Gobind Singh Deo is contesting in Puchong.

Please read Teresa Kok's recent post : Carol Chew Made Sexist Cartoon Billboard Against Me . Please check out whether Malaysiakini is featuring this piece of news .....

PJ Utara : Chew Mei Fun's "Blurt" and Tony Pua's "Flyer"

Chew Mei Fun's "Blurt"
I had previously written two blog entries about a recent incident of "Lesson 1969":
1) Najib's "Kg. Baru" After Chew Mei Fun's "Lesson 1969"
2) Lesson 1969, Voting and Chew Mei Fun ?

In the entries above, I have quoted Lulu , the mainstream blogger regarding her translations on Chew Mei Fun, the current Wanita MCA member and Member of Parliament of PJ Utara 's infamous "blurt" :

"If we do not have enough representation in the Barisan Nasional, then to the Chinese community, the lesson of 1969 is sufficient. I think we cannot afford another such scenario.”

It seems that it was mentioned by Lulu and another Wanita MCA member through a mail addressed to me, China Press misquoted Chew Mei Fun by originally publishing her "lesson in 1969" as "May 13". In fact, China Press had apologised for the blunder.

Which brings us all to one question : What is the most significant event in 1969 if it is not May 13? I would like to direct this question towards our PJ Utara lady, Miss Chew : If you were not referring to the May 13 lesson, then which "lesson" were you talking about? Otherwise, can I, in my personal opinion conclude that you have problems communicating with the public?

"Misunderstanding" seems to be a favourite word used by many politicians on the public when similar incidents occur. Luckily, Miss Chew had yet to say that. In order to avoid such issues, Miss Chew must clarify exactly what she meant on "Lesson 1969". That is the job of a Member of Parliament, functioning as a citizens' representative. Explanation is necessary especially when the "misunderstanding" causes a big resentment from the people who voted for you to speak for them. I believe when people resent, that would mean you are not exactly speaking for them. Miss Chew, please do your job. It is not good to lose votes for the "lesson 1969" remarks. Everybody is waiting and the votes are counting, please do not hesitate. It's been days.

Tony Pua's "Flyer"
Today, I found a new comment in my previous entry by someone nicknamed "PJ Utara Resident".

PJ Utara Resident said...
Muhibbah is a personal side but politics is a different animal. So it is best to keep it apart.

Many attacked Chew Mei Fun, why is there no one attacking Tony Pua. He was found to distribute materials only to non Malay houses.

The material is intended to raise racial disharmony in the community. The issues he raised are those that are going through and have gone through the court process. He is challenging the court decision and disrupting it;s process. That is a contempt of court.

Sagadoola, Mob1900 and Zorro, how? Whats your answer?

As I see, right and wrong must have its basis and rationale. Just coz you'll favour him, you are not blinded by the danger his act could cause and the offensive nature of his act.
Friday, February 08, 2008 5:12:00 PM

The blogger Big Dog, who is a pro-UMNO supporter had published the flyer and the article in his post Police report made against Tony Pua .

In order to highlight the NEUTRALITY of this blog, I would like to bring to attention two paragraphs from the flyer" :

1) We have been following the silent creeping in of Islamisation which are affecting the lives of non-Muslims.

2) The Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion. The DAP hopes that we will join hands to defend the Federal Constitution. We strongly believe that a secular state is the best form of government to protect the interests of all religions, including Islam in a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia.

I would like to state that I do not quite prefer the tone used in sentence 1 although there is nothing logically wrong in it. It is indeed true that the Islamisation process is somehow affecting the lives of Non-Muslims. Islam is the religion of Muslims and should only affect the lives of Muslims. It should not affect the lives of non-Muslims as our Federal Constitution promises the freedom of religion in a secular state of which Islam is the official religion as highlighted in sentence 2. Nothing seditious or inappropriate with that.

I find that it would best that Tony had provided an additional paragraph to clarify that "Islamisation should only affect Muslims and non-Muslims, therefore 'so on and so forth' incidents should be avoided. "

" 'so on and so forth' party would ensure the interests of all would be protected" (already mentioned in sentence 2).

The combination would be perfect. It would be good if Tony can make extra clarification in his blog. I would recommend that such flyers to be distributed to people of all races and religions. Therefore, I would like to pose a challenge to this "PJ Utara resident", which part or sentence in Tony Pua's flyer is causing racial disharmony. Tell me point by point and I may publish them because I can't find any.

Whether Tony Pua is in contempt of court or not, I would like to say that I do not find that he has done any of that. Just because the cases are in court, that does not mean one cannot speak, opine or comment about them. Besides, I leave it for the court to decide as I am not a judge.

So, "PJ Utara resident" , I am now giving you a chance to provide your opinion. I would like to write something not in favour of Tony Pua but one cannot criticise another person of something that the person hasn't done. As you said earlier, right and wrong must have its basis and rationale. I need your help. Time for you to prove it.

The Difference Between the Flyer and the Blurt
The least of all, one can understand the meaning Tony Pua was trying to relate. I take it that this Chew Mei Fun is not talking about "May 13" because China Press was told to readjust the phrase to "lesson 1969".

Again, I would like to remind that May 13 1969 is a significant date in Malaysia of racial clashes. The Malaysian chinese and malay casualties were many. Is that because, at that pont of time, the people did not vote for this so-called "chinese representation" party? What is this "lesson 1969" that Chew Mei Fun was talking about that is not significant for everyone to recall? Miss Chew, please tell us if it is not "May 13", then what is it? Please answer all the questions posted.

It would be great if Miss Chew Mei Fun can write a letter of explanation and get it published in Malaysiakini .

Lesson 1969, Voting and Chew Mei Fun ?

Sometimes I feel so bored about writing socio-political blogs. Reading Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today makes me feel that everything seems to be repeating. The same set of blunders, and inefficiency of the Hadhari government.

For example, Lulu mentioned something familiar in her post " OOOOOO Chew Mei Fun.... Lulu Says Its Time For You To Go ". It seems Lulu said certain politician gave this comment in Chinese:

"If we do not have enough representation in the Barisan Nasional, then to the Chinese community, the lesson of 1969 is sufficient. I think we cannot afford another such scenario.”

I am not sure how the brain of this Miss Chew works, but if a lack of Chinese in Barisan Nasional would trigger lesson of 1969, I would like to ask this lady whether totally (100%) voting away Barisan Nasional and all its racial representation of Malay, Chinese and Indian, be it UMNO, MCA or MIC would solve the problem at hand?

Wouldn't that be a good solution? After all there is so much dissatisfaction in all racial communities. Furthermore, there are parties like PKR, PAS and DAP. There is never a lack of alternatives. So, is that what Miss Chew wants?

Otherwise I would like to ask Miss Chew the reason she choose to mention such a fearful phrase. If Lulu had given the right translation and information, I would recommend Chew Mei Fun to leave her post. The society needs Members of Parliament who can perform efficiently and not those that use such words for suspectful motives.

In the meantime, there is an interesting read in Hiroblog2007's blog titled: Glossary of BN terms .

Ferry Incident: Can We Be Even Dumber Than This?

Goodness gracious.... I have just read a letter from Malaysiakini titled Dumb and dumber over ferry inferno from Norman Fernandez.

It seems that Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said there is an urgent need for a new jetty which could prevent untoward incidents.

How profound that is Jamaluddin ... I was dumb struck for a while.

Now let's read Norman Fernandez on this "brilliant" ideas only certain people can think of:
" Perhaps the minister would like to be informed that people had died from a ferry tragedy and not from a collapsed jetty. As of yesterday, the death count from the Tioman Island ferry tragedy is six and one passenger is still listed as missing. "


Simple isn' it? We do not require Einstein to solve this equation. No rocket science. Recent Ferry Tragedy = Caused by Ferry. Notice that the word "Ferry" is at both sides of the formula?

As if matters are not clear enough, A Tioman disaster waiting to happen letter from Alicia Au was published in Malaysiakini on 12th June 2006. She described the dangerous experiences she had to go through in the ferry service that she had taken. Now, it was found out that Disaster is waiting to happen in Redang too , according to a letter by Humble Teacher in Malaysiakini .

Point 1: Police Report Lodged Few Months Before Incident
The most important point is that a police report was actually lodged. Prominent socio-political blogger, KTemoc wrote a piece of article on the letter above : Tioman ferry disaster - Ministerial criminal negligence .

No one is sure if the related authorities had taken any action on Alicia Au's report. However, everyone can be sure that a big ferry accident happened currently ( as reported by Malaysiakini ). It is completely logic that survivors want answers from the authorities. One may ask why? The answer is simple as I quote from KTemoc's second writing on the tragedy:

Point 2: Alleged Unethical Operators
" However, there is another maritime tradition which requires the captain of the ship and his crew to leave the vessel in distress ONLY AFTER every passenger had been taken care of.It

Survivors accused the crew of abandoning them when the passenger cabin filled with thick, black smoke, and giving no help to the elderly and children on board. "

Point 3: Regulator or Transport Ministry Not Doing Their Job
" You may be shocked, but wait because there’s more. A Marine Department official said the ferry's permit to transport passengers had expired in December last year and not been renewed. That's almost one year of unlicensed sailing!

So? What's our regulator doing? Look, it's a Marine Department official who said that, so was there any close-one-eye thingy at the top? "
_____________________________________

It is no doubt that a new jetty may help in preventing untoward incident but shouldn't we prioritize according to the points stated above? Jamaluddin's suggestions are not even close to eliminate the symptoms. He is suggesting something that is totally unrelated to the ferry incident.

In order to permanently stop a problem, just like a disease from recurring, the government should weed out the problem from the ROOT, not from the SYMPTOMS. Point 3 (from above) would be used to illustrate this.

A common step taken by most authorities in the Third World would be to penalise the operator involved in this incident. It is possible that the company will be banned and the owners be blacklisted. Other operators in Tioman Island would be investigated. If the authorities are hardworking (which I normally doubt), ferry operators all over Malaysia would be inspected as well.

One question remains: Would such a move prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future?

My answer: Definitely not. Perhaps few years later some operators may repeat what was being done. After all profit is the main ingredient for any business. The lesser maintenance on ferries, the lesser money being spent. The more people being packed in a ferry, the greater the profit ! The operators would most probably think: "Why should I care? The authorities are not going to check everytime".

Therefore this makes the approach a temporary solution. The issues are sorted from the "symptoms" level. The "disease" persists.

Sorting out issues from the Root perspective, the government should create a system to periodically, preferably quarterly, bi-annually or yearly run through of a database of all ferries. A list of those expired should be produced and checks should be performed. Operators should be demerited or penalised immediately. A rule stating upon a repeat of such offense on three counts would equal to revocation of license.

From time to time, the regulator bodies @ the government should randomly check on several ferries or operators to ensure the "health" is maintained. Slap them with penalty if the job is not
done properly.

An effective and efficient complaints line with proper contact information disseminated should be created. Bear in mind that a police report was lodged previously. That is an example of poor public service. The new complaints line should not work in that terrible manner.

With regular inspection and avenue for the public to become as watchdogs, the operators would be forced to maintain quality for business sustainance. This is the permanent solution that should be adopted. The "disease" can only be eliminated when the "root" of it is removed.

If Transport Ministry Chan Kong Choy can't perform or think of a "root" solution, wouldn't it be appropriate if a fellow citizen in Malaysiakini to ask : Isn’t it time for the transport minister to quit?

Malaysia cannot afford deaths of many for the non-performance of an individual. After all, democracy calls for Utilitarian Approach, Transparency, Accountability

MCA Bangsar Open Letter to UMNO Youth

Sagaladoola's note: This blog is not a Pro-MCA (pro-government) or Pro-Keadilan site (as evident in the case of Nathaniel Tan). Sagaladoola supports free discussion and all Malaysians (regardless of race and parties) to speak up. I received the e-mail on 22nd July 2007 5:45 pm and decided to publish it.

Associated news related to the e-mail:
1) Hisham's warning: Hey MCA! Shut up! Jul 21, 07 5:45pm ( Malaysiakini )
Umno Youth has asked its Barisan Nasional partner MCA to cease its public campaign to declare Malaysia as a secular state.
-> Hisham: Saya beri amaran (Hisham: I am warning)
-> MCA ministers gagged?

2) Hisham: Stop making statements on secular state
3) MCA, jangan komen isu negara sekular



The e-mail:

"A.L. HO" to me received (22nd July 2007 5:45 pm)

Hi,

For your blog and help to please forward below to as many people as possible.

What MCA doing is right, our conscience and action must support MCA to do what is right for the country.

Thanks

Best,
Aoi Ling, Ho
CEO

http://mylivingwall.com/
____________________________________

To: 'editor@malaysiakini.com'
Subject: Surat terbuka kepada Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO

22 Julai 2007

Kami, ahli-ahli muda MCA, menyokong penuh pendirian dan usaha murni MCA menyumbang kepada pembangunan negara dan rakyat Malaysia.

Kami membidas tindakan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO yang memberi “Amaran kepada MCA” melalui akhbar Berita Harian (tajuk utama, Sabtu 21 Julai 2007) yang meneruskan politik polemik mengintepretasikan semula perlembagaan persekutuan Malaysia. Ini berlaku walaupun pada hari Khamis 19 Julai, 2007, Kementerian Dalam Negeri telah mengarahkan media arus perdana supaya jangan menyiarkan sebarang berita mengenai Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam. Perbuatan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO langsung tidak menghormati larangan yang telah dikeluarkan oleh KDN yang mewakili kerajaan negara.

Kenyataan Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO terhadap pemimpin MCA yang merupakan rakan kongsi utama BN, tidak membawa manfaat kepada sesiapa kerana ia tidak membawa kebaikan kepada mana-mana pihak.

Kami memberi nasihat ikhlas kepada Ketua Pemuda UMNO supaya mengingati semangat BN yang telah menjadi teras kerjasama dan muafakat selama 49 tahun Malaysia merdeka. Perbuatan mengeluarkan amaran terhadap sesebuah rakankongsi seperjuangan BN juga memperlekehkan semangat toleransi, hormat-menghormati dan bermuafakat.

Kami menyarankan pihak yang berkenaan seupaya melihat Perlembagaan Persekutuan Malaysia secara menyeluruh, bukannya mengambil sesuatu fasal atau fakta secara terasing kerana ini tindakan pihak yang jahil mengenai latar belakang, semangat dan kesefahaman yang telah dipersetujui di antara semua rakyat Malaysia yang menjadi teras membawa kepada pembentukan negara Malaysia yang merdeka.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT BUREAU
MCA Bangsar
____________________________________

Previous related articles of http://sagaladoola.blogspot.com/
1) MCA Stressed: Malaysia Is Not What Najib Claimed
2) Weeping for a Merdeka State or Islamic State?
3) Hisham, Ultraman and Scared Kitty

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MCA Stressed: Malaysia Is Not What Najib Claimed

I happen to chance upon this BM article in Malaysiakini:

Malaysia sebuah negara sekular, kata MCA
Jul 18, 07 7:40pm
MCA menegaskan bahawa semua dokumen sejarah berhubung pembentukan perlembagaan persekutuan dan penubuhan sebuah negara yang merdeka menunjukkan bahawa Malaysia adalah sebuah negara sekular.....

Translation:
MCA stressed that all historic documents regarding the formation of the Malaysian Constitution and the creation of this independent country has proved that Malaysia is a secular state.

There was an issue with this a few years back with some leaders who spoke like Najib. All of a sudden, he claimed Malaysia is an Islamic State in public. His intention of such unexpected utterance is unclear. Malaysian readers can pass their own judgment on our current Deputy Prime Minister. After all, politics in Malaysia mainly runs on the concept of race and religion.

MCA was responding to these statements in a Malaysiakini report entitled ‘This is an Islamic state : Najib’ :
‘Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular one’
‘Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state’
‘We have never been secular…’

Jeff Ooi and Haris Ibrahim produced important points and old newspaper cuttings with statements from Malaysia previous statesmen, Tunku Abdul Rahman (who created the Constitution with other members of the independence committee) and Tun Hussein Onn.

The ex-Prime Ministers statements prove that Malaysia is an Islamic country (with Islam as an official religion) but not an Islamic State. In fact, Tunku was so concerned that he made a direct plead to the government to refrain from making Malaysia an Islamic state !

This is his exact statements:
‘The country has a multi-racial population with various beliefs. Malaysia must continue as a secular State with Islam as the official religion’.

Tunku was seconded by Tun Hussein Onn. It is definitely ironic that Najib's father, the late Tun Abdul Razak, who is also an ex-Prime Minister, participated in the 1956 delegation to London for independence of Malaysia. The British colonialists only allowed Malaysia to be free after the Constitution has been agreed by representatives from all races and both countries.

The message by Tunku was very clear. The words used are free from any ambiguity.

An important point that should be highlighted; Finally, MCA has taken the initiative to speak up. Somehow or rather, this action can be considered good. As the proverb goes, "It is better late than never". Currently, the general perception on MCA is not very positive. In the past, MCA had tolerated brandishing of keris with calls of "bathing in blood" in UMNO meetings even though the chinese community was obviously upset. It was a blunder to the credibility of MCA as a representative of Malaysian Chinese.

MCA should opt for persistency in speaking up against injustice and correcting wrong statements from BN component parties if there is an intention for the association to garner support from the grassroots.

I am comfortable with Malaysia being an Islamic country with certain Islamic family laws with the nature of a secular state. After all, Islam is a good religion if practitioners choose to practise the peaceful verses of Qur'an.

Islamic state equals to countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia. For the very least, that is what people all over the world and the mentioned countries thought of as Islamic states. In my opinion, Saudi Arabia looks more like a Medieval Arab State (pre-Islam). Perhaps they should not use the name of the religion as a label for their ultra-suppressive governance. Saudi Arabia does not allow any religion other than Islam to be practised.

Saudi Arabians come from the Wahhabi sect of Islam. Iranians are Shiah / Syiah Muslims (or Shiites).

Malaysian Muslims practise the Sunni version of Islam.

One of the "Prinsip Rukunegara" in Malaysia is "Keluhuran Perlembagaan". Translated, it means "Uphold and respect the Constitution". The same line can be seen at the back of a Sekolah Kebangsaan exercise book. Both primary and secondary school students are being taught to recite this at least once a week in general assemblies.


(Picture taken from Jeff Ooi )

Perhaps, Malaysians of various race and religion should just do that and everyone can live in peace and prosperity.