Kenyataan Anwar

Kemenangan Di Permatang Pauh, Kemenangan Rakyat

KEMENANGAN ini merupakan saat penentu dan bakal menentukan hala tuju negara ini. Saya berkongsi kegembiraan yang dirasai oleh semua rakyat Malaysia pada hari bersejarah ini. Ianya merupakan kemenangan buat rakyat.

Pada 8 Mac rakyat Malaysia memilih Harapan Baru. Hari ini di saat kita bakal menyambut hari kemerdekaan, rakyat menyahut seruan tersebut. Dengan ini kita merayakan hari kemerdekaan sepertimana pendiri-pendiri negara kita inginkan-sebuah negara dan rakyat yang bersatu.

Berhadapan dengan cabaran yang getir, kita memilih untuk menumpukan perhatian kepada isu yang berkaitan dengan negara ini. Seruan kita agar negara ini bersatu, mulai mengamalkan urus tadbir yang baik dan memperkasakan ekonomi telah menguburkan kempen yang berbaur perkauman, cita-cita individu yang sering mendapat habuan hasil dari penyalahgunaan kuasa dan eksploitasi politik yang berasaskan ketakutan serta penipuan.

Kami telah menjanjikan satu lembaran baru untuk Malaysia dan kami pasti akan melaksanakan janji kami. Kami akan melaksanakan Agenda Ekonomi Malaysia untuk memulihkan keadaan eknomi kita, membasmi kemiskinan dan membantu sesiapa sahaja yang terpinggir tanpa berasaskan kaum.

Kami akan memulihkan intergriti badan kehakiman, memerangi rasuah dan membina sebuah negara yang bersatu. Dan kami akan menjadi sebuah kerajaan yang komited untuk merealisasikan aspirasi rakyat.

Dengan kejayaan 8 Mac dan juga kemenangan malam ini saya berani untuk menegaskan kita mampu bersama-sama menghadapi segala rintangan di masa hadapan. Kami tidak akan menang tanpa dokongan kukuh dari rakan-rakan kami dalam Pakatan Rakyat dan juga sokongan ribuan rakyat Malaysia tidak kira samada Melayu, Cina, India, Iban, Kadazan, yang datang ke Permatang Pauh, bekerja keras, memerah keringat serta mengirim doa demi memastikan kemenangan ini.

Saya sangat menghargai keberanian, tekad dan kesungguhan kamu semua; saya mengucapkan tahniah terhadap komitmen saudara semua terhadap prinsip bersama sebuah kemerdekaan, keadilan dan demokrasi. Langkah kecil buat Permatang Pauh hari ini akan memastikan perubahan besar buat Malaysia.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

PERMATANG PAUH,
MALAYSIA,
26 Ogos 2008

SEPULUH TAHUN REFORMASI – UNTUK MEREKA YANG MASIH MUDA

Detik-detik itu datang kembali : 1998 – 2008 .

Sepuluh tahun dahulu kami turun ke jalan raya. Jalan raya adalah pilihan kami. Jalan raya adalah parlimen rakyat yang paling demokratik. Di parlimen ini tidak ada YB yang berjaket dan berDatuk. Tidak ada Tan Sri dan Mak Datin.Tidak ada ucapan berjela-jela yang membosankan.

Hanya satu tuntutan parlimen jalan raya - Mahathir Undur dan United Malays National Oganisation dihapuskan.

Gerakan REFORMASI cuba dipatahkan oleh jentera daulah. Tembakan gas pemedih mata. Tembakan cecair kimia. Dipukul. Dibelasah. Ditangkap. Semuanya untuk mematahkan dan menakutkan suara dan jiwa anak-anak muda yang mula berani menentang kezaliman dan penindasan.

Anak-anak muda – semuda yang di bangku sekolah - mula turun ke jalan raya. Anak-anak muda dari kampus berbondong-bondong ke jalan raya. Setiap minggu dari Penang, Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan – kami berdemo di sekitar Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur kita punya. Dari Bukit Bintang ke Batu Road, dari Bangi ke Bandar Tun Razak, dari Chow Kit ke Chu Badak, dari Pandan ke Petaling Jaya, dari Kg. Baru ke Kg. Abdullah Hukum – warga kota turun berdemo menuntut MAHAFIRAUN meletak jawatan.

Kampus kembali menjadi arena tempur. Kampus kembali menjadi gelanggang idea. Kampus adalah tempat melahirkan pejuang muda.

Mak Cik, Kakak, Abang dan Adik adalah penyokong setia yang turut sama berani turun ke jalan raya – parlimen rakyat .Kitalah – rakyat – dan bukan YB atau menteri yang membuat sejarah. Sejarah dibuat oleh mereka yang berani. Mereka yang takut telah mati seribu kali.

Sepuluh tahun kemudian detik-detik itu datang kembali. Gerakan Reformasi dahulunya dibantai. Ramai ke penjara. Reformasi merundum. Ramai yang belot. Ramai yang tidak faham apa makna dan tanda tuntutan Reformasi.Kini suara dan gelombang Reformasi bangun kembali.

Reformasi bukan demonstrasi. Demonstrasi hanyalah salah satu manifestasi reformasi.

Jangan salah hitung. Jangan salah congak. Reformasi bukan untuk Anwar Ibrahim. Reformasi ialah tuntutan rakyat untuk mengubah sistem negara Malaysia yang tidak adil, tidak telus dan bersifat perkauman.

Anwar Ibrahim ialah manifestasi yang mewakili pengkristalan idea-idea untuk membawa sebuah Negara Malaysia yang baru yang lebih adil, saksama, tanpa hitung kaum, gender seksualiti, bangsa dan agama. Reformasi menolak Ketuanan Melayu dan Menobatkan Ketuanan Rakyat.

Sepuluh tahun bukan satu masa yang lama dalam tamadun manusia. Tetapi sepuluh tahun adalah lama dalam hayat susuk manusia. Tetapi perjuangan untuk membawa keadilan dan kesejahteran bukan tugas perseorangan. Ia bukan tugas saya. Bukan tugas awak. Bukan tugas kamu. Bukan tugas dia dan bukan tugas mereka.

Membawa dan menegakkan keadilan adalah tugas dan tanggung jawab KITA bersama. Meneruskan REFORMASI adalah tugas kita bersama. Kita meneruskan tugas sambung menyambung. Kita meneruskan sejarah perjuangan orang-orang yang terdahulu dari kita.

Despatches from Permatang Pauh Nr.7: Negara ini Rakyat punya, bukan Ahmad Albab punya…

August 25, 2008

oleh Din Merican, Din Ahmad dan Shogun Shah
@Urusetia, InfoMedia Parti KeADILan Rakyat,
Bangunan Yayasan Aman, Permatang Pauh

Negara Rakyat, bukan Negara UMNO

Negara ini rakyat punya, bukan Ahmad Albab punya, bukan Dollah Badawi punya, bukan Najib punya dan bukan UMNO punya.

Oleh yang demikian, adalah tanggungjawab kita semua untuk membela nasib bangsa dan negara. Kalau pimpinan yang sedia ada korup dan tidak cekap, kita semua tidak boleh menyalahkan orang lain. Alhamdullilah, pengundi-pengundi kawasan parliamen Permatang Pauh bernasib baik kerana mereka diberi peluang untuk memilih pada 26hb. Ogos 2008 wakil mereka di Parlimen Malaysia dan juga mengasaskan perlantikan Anwar Ibrahim, InsyaAllah, sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang baru.

Lima Janji Anwar

Sebab itu lah, Anwar Ibrahim menjanjikan 5 perkara yang akan menjadi teras perjuangannya sebagai Perdana Menteri.

PERTAMA, beliau berjanji akan mendirikan Malaysia sebagai NEGARA MADANI yang menjamin keadilan untuk semua rakyat, menjunjung prinsip-prinsip perlembagaan, mengukuhkan institusi kehakiman dan mengankat darjat kemuliaan insan, kebebasan dan haknya.

KEDUA, beliau akan melaksanakan AGENDA EKONOMI MALAYSIA agar ekonomi Malaysia kembali setaraf dengan Singapura, Korea Selatan dan Taiwan. Ini adalah penting bagi menjamin keadilan sosial untuk semua agar tiada lagi bumiputera atau kaum yang terpinggir dan mundur. Hak orang Melayu tetap dipertahankan dan kepentingan orang bukan Melayu juga tidak diabaikan. Disamping itu, martabat Islam tetap dipelihara.

KETIGA, adalah langkah penyusunan semula pasukan polis untuk menjadikannya badan PENCEGAHAN JENAYAH yang berkesan bersama agensi penguatkuasaan yang lain dan memastikannya bebas dari pengaruh politik dan rasuah.

KEEMPAT, beliau berjanji untuk MENGURANGKAN BEBAN HIDUP RAKYAT dengan menurunkan harga minyak, tol serta pelbagai tarif lain disamping membekalkan barang keperluan yang mencukupi dan memperjuangkan gaji minimum sebanyak RM 1,500.

KELIMA, beliau berikrar akan mencipta HARAPAN BARU untuk masa depan Malaysia dengan menjamin pendidikan percuma dan memastikan mutu pembelajaran di sekolah, kolej dan universiti di Malaysia adalah yang terbaik di rantau Asia Tenggara.

Kesemua janji diatas adalah selari dengan konsep “Ketuanan Rakyat”. Ketuanan rakyat bermaksud setiap langkah serta usaha yang diambil oleh kerajaan ialah untuk memperkasakan hak rakyat, untuk mensejahterakan hidup rakyat serta untuk meningkatkan ekonomi rakyat. Rakyat yang perkasa, rakyat yang hidup sejahtera dan rakyat yang kaya akan menjaminkan sebuah negara Malaysia yang gemilang dan dihormati oleh masyarakat Antarabangsa.

Kita semua perlu sedar yang kerajaan UMNO sekarang ini sudah ketandusan semangat untuk membawa kebahagiaan kepada rakyat. Mereka sebok memperkayakan diri sendiri, kaum keluarga serta kroni mereka dengan mengambil kesempatan keatas rakyat Malaysia terutamanya orang Melayu yang penuh dengan sifat kesabaran dan kemaafan. Sikap ini telah dianggap oleh pemimpin UMNO sebagai memberi mandat kepada mereka untuk memperbodohkan dan memperkudakan kita.

Sikap UMNO yang jelas menganggap orang Melayu di Permatang Pauh sebagai bodoh terbukti apabila mereka hanya mengunakan isu liwat yang menjatuhkan maruah serta mertabat orang Melayu sebagai senjata mereka untuk menjatuhkan Anwar, tanpa memperdulikan pandangan masyarakat antarabangsa terhadap kita.

Ini bukan zaman filem P.Ramlee dimana kekayaan orang miskin seperti Ahmad Albab boleh diselesaikan oleh jin dari alam khayalan. Hari ini kita perlu bekerja keras untuk bersaing dengan negara lain. Disamping itu kita memerlukan sebuah kerajaan yang cekap, bertanggungjawap serta telus untuk menentukan kekayaan negara kita tidak dilenyapkan melalui rasuah serta kepincangan pentadbiran.

Politik amalan UMNO yang suka mengadu-domba masyarakat berbilang kaum negara ini hanya akan menyebabkan ketegangan serta pertelingkahan kaum yang tidak akan menguntungkan sesiapa selain dari musuh-musuh negara. Politik mereka ini hanya akan menjunamkan negara ke dasar lautan kehancuran.

Pakatan Rakyat pimpinan Anwar Ibrahim percaya setiap keupayaan, kecekapan dan kebolehan seorang rakyat negara ini perlu dimanfaatkan demi masa depan kita bersama. Lima janji beliau diatas akan merupakan titik permulaan pembangunan semula negara untuk memgambil tempat kita yang sewajarnya di persada dunia. Masa depan negara berada di tangan kita, maka kita yang wajib mengubahnya.

Salam Perpisahan, bukan Selamat Tinggal

Akhir kata kami semua yang datang dari jauh ingin mengucapkan selamat mengundi dan jaga ketentaraman bersama ketika keluar mengundi. Kami terhutang budi diatas layanan serta kerjasama yang diberikan semasa kami berada di Permatang Pauh.

Ribuan suara mencorak perubahan

Pengorbanan Umat berpandangan jauh

Undian Rakyat penentu perjuangan

Terima kasih Permatang Pauh

Parlimen dalam tangan

Putrajaya dalam jangkauan

UNDI LAH ANWAR

SATU ANALISA - Tukar Tiub

Hari hari maut United Malays National Organisation semakin dekat. Parti yang didirikan atas sokongan penjajah British pada tahun 1946 dahulu ini semakin malap cahaya sokongan dari orang ramai. Nafasnya semakin terdesak.

United Malays National Oganisation ditubuh, dilonjak dan dijaga oleh British. Parti ini diperlukan untuk dijadikan barua oleh British kerana pada ketika itu (1948), penjajah British sedang menghadapi Perang Rakyat.

Perang Rakyat adalah perjuangan angkat senjata yang di terajui oleh pakatan Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (PKMM), Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM), Hisbul Muslimin, Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS) dan berbelas-belas lagi kumpulan patriotik yang anti-British.

Para patriot tanahair dari semua bangsa telah bangun bermandi darah dalam usaha untuk memerdekakan Tanah Melayu. Ini sejarah gilang gemilang rakyat negara kita yang terus dibohongi oleh United Malays National Organisation. Kita diberi tahu bahawa negara kita merdeka tanpa pertumpahan darah.

Ini bohong. Pergi ke hadapan Dewan Bahasa Pustaka dan lihat berapa luas kubur British di situ. Pergi ke Taiping dan lihat berapa luas kubur British di situ. Pergi ke Lubuk Kawah dan tanya berapa ratus anak muda Melayu yang masuk hutan. Pergi ke Behrang Selangor dan tanya berapa banyak anak muda Melayu yang ke hutan mengangkat senjata.

Nama nama seperti Musa Ahmad, Shamsiah Fakeh, Ahmad Boestaman, Chin Peng, Ishak Haji Muhamad, Wahi Anwar, Abdullah Sidi, Rashid Maidin, Abu Samah adalah para nasionalis dan para patiotik yang telah bangun menentang penjajah British.

KMM ada parti politik Melayu yang tertua di Tanah Melayu dengan garis politik nasionalis yang menolak semua bentuk sifat perkauman dan sifat rasis keMelayuan. KMM adalah parti politik awal yang melaungkan slogan Ketuanan Rakyat. KMM juga adalah parti politik yang pertama melaungkan MERDEKA. Ini sebelum United Malays National Organisation berani menuntut merdeka dari tuannya – penajah British.

Apabila penjajah British kalah maka British telah memunculkan apa yang kita ketahui sebagai United Malays National Organisation. Nama parti ini higga ke hari ini masih lagi dalam bahasa Inggeris – United Malays National Organisation – ini kerana parti ini adalah parti yang telah dijadikan barua oleh British.

Selama 50 tahun orang Melayu telah dibodohkan oleh United Malays National Organisation. Peranan dan proses pembodohan ini telah dilakukan melalui akhbar, media dan sekolah. Lihatlah betapa bodohnya penyokong-penyokong United Malays National Oganisation.

Mereka menjerit-jerit sebagai berjuang untuk Melayu. Tanya pada mereka kenapa nama parti mereka dipanggil United Malays national Organisation. Kenapa TIDAK pakai nama Melayu?

Tanya ini dahulu.

by hishamuddin rais

Permatang Pauh: Desperate people do the most idiotic of things - www.malaysianpolitics.wordpress.com

This is what I read on the Malaysian Insider just 5 minutes ago:

PERMATANG PAUH, Aug 25 With defeat staring them in the face in Permatang Pauh, Barisan Nasional politicians have been pulling out all the stops to damage Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim”s image.

Over the past 24 hours, several politicians on house-to-house visits in the by-election campaign have been talking about details of the sodomy charge against the Opposition icon, even pointing out that the stains on accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan”s undergarments and body matched Anwar”s DNA.

And when faced with scepticism, some ruling coalition politicians have gone a step further providing details of DNA tests conducted by the Chemistry Department.

Read more HERE. Ah well, I’m just going to put the entire article here.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the tests were conducted on several samples from the underwear and body parts a few days after Saiful lodged a police report on June 28. The tests allegedly confirm that the DNA on the samples belonged to Saiful and Anwar.

In his police report, the former aide alleged that he was sodomised by Anwar in a condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26. Anwar was charged with having carnal knowledge against the order of nature but he has asserted that this fresh sodomy allegation was part of a political conspiracy to stop him from becoming the prime minister of Malaysia.

Before nomination day on Aug 16, Barisan Nasional officials reached a consensus not to highlight the sodomy charge against Anwar, knowing that as many as six in 10 Malaysians did not believe the allegations and many Malays were uncomfortable discussing sexual issues in public.

Instead, the plan was to focus on the strengths of the local candidate, Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, a rotund politician with a common touch.

That plan was scratched a day before nomination day when Saiful swore on the Quran at the Federal Territory mosque that he was sodomised by Anwar.

From then on, the sodomy charge provided the backdrop of the by-election campaign with Umno politicians questioning Anwar”s reluctance to take an oath of innocence.

This strategy found some traction among Malay voters in the early days of the campaign but Pakatan Rakyat has since countered it effectively by getting spiritual heavyweights from Pas including Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Datuk Haron Din to speak at ceramahs in the constituency and question the validity of Saiful”s oath.

To make believers out of the unbelievers, some BN party officials have been contemplating giving voters nuggets of evidence and information about the sodomy case against Anwar, including results of laboratory tests.

But other senior officials have disagreed with this approach, saying that now that Anwar had been charged in court, evidence and witness accounts should only be presented during the trial and not during the by-election campaign.

But the hardliners won the day, arguing that the Opposition has been employing all kinds of tactics including releasing statutory declarations to damage BN leaders and cast aspersions on the government”s case against Anwar.

So for the last 24 hours, BN officials on house-to-house visits have been going into some detail on the sodomy charge against Anwar, fishing out a laboratory report where necessary to make the case that the samples taken from Saiful”s underpants and his body matched that of Anwar”s.

Is it going to be enough to turn defeat into victory? Unlikely. Is it going to turn droves of Malays against Anwar?

Unlikely. But these are desperate times for the BN.

The truest statement I’ve heard so far. These are indeed desperate times for the BN. So desperate, that they have gone into self-destruct mode.

Fishing lab results to get people to vote for them? DNA results?

How low can they go?

I’ve come across statements from other blogs, especially from those who are on the ground, that this is the dirtiest election campaign in Malaysian history. I don’t know the truth of that statement, but what I know is that the BN camp is very obviously under a lot of pressure, and are desperate for even that one extra vote.

What lab results are they fishing out of their bags? What DNA results are we talking about? I thought the government and the police were pressuring Anwar to give his DNA sample to them before this, with Anwar stoutly declining to do so every time? I thought they were exasperated because they needed that “last bit of evidence” to either prove that they had a case, or if they had none at all.

Where in the world did they get Anwar’s DNA to test and match? Wherever they got it from, it most certainly wasn’t legitimate. Because as far as I know, Anwar has not given them any new sample.

Or did they suddenly decide that whatever sample or DNA profile that they had from 1998 is now suddenly usable again? I thought it was “too old” and couldn’t be used? Did they compare the profile they got from Saiful’s underpants, and compare it to Anwar’s 10-year-old DNA profile?

This is nuts. I have to say this. This is about as low as they can ever go. There is simply not even an ounce of decency left in what they are doing, and the “material” that they are campaigning on.

I repeat. There are statements and comments on blogosphere that this is the dirtiest election campaign ever. And they are saying that from being on the ground. What I’m seeing and blogging about is only what I can get, through blogs and news portals, 8500km away.

If what I’m getting is only the tip of the iceberg, and already I can’t see past the murky water (It’s actually so murky that it’s now mud), then what is going on in Permatang Pauh itself is beyond even my wildest imagination.

*****

Good people of Permatang Pauh, this is my plea to you. Please go out and vote for Anwar Ibrahim. No matter what suspicions you have for Anwar, no matter how uneasy you feel about his past in UMNO, I plead for you to vote for him.

What the BN is showing now is that they are desperate. They are so desperate that they are willing to sink this low. This is not the future we want.

Our future is worth more than DNA samples on a guy’s underpants, and God knows how those “DNA samples” got there.

Our future is worth more than swearing on the Quran.

Our future is worth more than the need to feel “thankful” for being able to retain our non-Malay names.

Our future is worth more, much more than all that we have now.

We don’t have a lot that we can truly say is ours. But that one cross, on that one piece of ballot paper, is truly yours. Use that one right that we still have left. Cross wisely.

You are not only voting for a Member of Parliament. You are voting for the future of Malaysia.

Dear Pete

Is there something troubling you? Do you have problem you would like to discuss? Are you undecided about a certain matter and would like an opinion on what to do? Or do you just want to pour out your problems and share it with us. Then write to ‘Dear Pete’ and let us help you.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Dear Pete,

I am engaged to this young man and we will be getting married next year. However, I am unsure of him and suspect he may be unfaithful to me. You see, I think he is gay as I have caught him ‘making eyes’ with other men many times and I read somewhere that gay man are promiscuous. Furthermore, homosexuality is prohibited in my religion, Islam, so this may create problems with my parents, who are very staunch Muslims. What should I do?

Yati

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Dear Yati,

First of all, you must not think that all gay men are promiscuous. Some are actually very faithful and have remained with the same partner for many years. But then you only suspect that your fiancé may be gay because, as you said, you caught him ‘making eyes’ with other men. It could be that he is just a friendly sort of person, that’s all.

Anyway, why not lay the matter to rest by getting him to swear on the Quran in a mosque that he is not gay. This is now the trend adopted by the government to dispel any accusations that one is gay.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am an Indian by birth and have tried for so long to pass myself off as Malay. But my friends still call me ‘Mamak’ and this really upsets me. I am half-Muslim and half-Hindu and I have made this clear many times. Mamaks are pure Muslims so this label certainly does not apply to me, who am half-Muslim and half-Hindu. What should I do? Do you think suing all those who call me ‘Mamak’ will help? I am filthy rich and possess the right connections and can choose the judge who will hear my case; so I will surely win all my cases.

Son of Abdullah

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Dear Son of Abdullah,

First of all, you can’t go around suing all your friends who call you ‘Mamak’ or else you will have no friends left. You can, however, sue all your enemies who call you ‘Mamak’. But then, if your enemies run into millions, you may end up being ‘locked up’ in court for the rest of your life.

One option would be to change your name, in particular the ‘Son of Abdullah’ part. You can legally do this by obtaining a change-of-name certificate from the National Registration Department.

In fact, you can even add a Tunku, Raja or Tengku to your name. And your name should be changed to something very Malay sounding, such as Embong, Jusoh, etc. How does Tengku Embong Bin Tengku Jusoh sound like? This is not only very Malay but will also give you a ‘royal’ touch as well.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am a Hindu who is about to marry a Malay girl. My future parents-in-law insist that I must first convert to Islam but I am worried that, when I die, there may be a tug-of-war between my family and my wife’s family as to where I should be buried. What should I do? Should I convert to Islam or forget about marrying this Malay girl?

Rajadurai a/l Rajalingam

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Dear Rajadurai,

If you really love this Malay girl then carry on and marry her, even if you are forced to convert to Islam. You must remember; love is blind; which, therefore, can help you overcome any trial and tribulation. So you must be prepared to face whatever comes for the sake of love.

Anyway, what do you care what happens to your body after you have died? It is not like you will know where you are buried since you are already dead. And look at it on the bright side. Once you convert you will no longer be known as Rajadurai a/l Rajalingam. You can request that your new Muslim name be changed to ‘Raja Durai Bin Raja Lingam’ and then everyone will have to address you as ‘Tengku’. You will then be entitled to buy Amanah Saham shares and Malay Reservation land -- plus you can also become an Umno member and do a post-graduate course in UiTM, amongst some of the other benefits.

Who knows, you might even become the next Prime Minister, as Indians of the Islamic faith appear to have the best chance of becoming Prime Minister. And, no, you don’t need to change your name to ‘Bin Abdullah’. This is not what Islam stipulates and you can insist that they retain your original name, but with some modifications as I suggested above.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I started my business about ten years ago but can’t seem to make it in the business world. My financial problems have strained my marriage and my wife has asked for a divorce. I am contemplating closing down my business and instead go work for a Chinese towkay who has indicated he is prepared to give me a job. But I do not want to be remembered as a failure and my Malay pride forces me to plod on against all hope even though I know it is futile to continue along this dead end road. Furthermore, why should I go work for a Chinese towkay when it is these Chinese who are robbing us Malays of our rights? What should I do?

Melayu Baru

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Dear Melayu Baru,

You should bury your Malay pride and do what is right for your family, even if it means closing down your business and going to work for a Chinese towkay. Your family should come first. I know it is demeaning to work for the same Chinese who are robbing us Malays of our rights. But let’s face it, 90% of the economy is controlled by the Chinese and, as the previous Prime Minister said, they also pay 90% of the taxes. So we Malays have really no choice but to tompang with the Chinese. That is the reality of the situation.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am about to enter university and am undecided whether to take Business Administration or Political Science. My friends advice me to take Business Administration because, they say, I can make more money in the business world. What do you advice?

UiTM New Intake

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Dear UiTM New Intake,

I would advice you take Political Science as you certainly can make more money in politics than in business. The business world is very competitive and there are more failures than success stories. Once you make it politics, you can enjoy 30% shares in Chinese companies plus Chairmanships thrown in. And these shares are all free. You need not pay for them. And, later, when you sell these shares, you get to keep the money.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am a 56-year old Malay businessman who is about to marry a 26-year old singer. I am considering going for Botox treatment to make my face look younger but was told that it is haram for Muslims. What is your advice?

Sugar Daddy

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Dear Sugar Daddy,

You can consider eating plenty of tempe because an ex-Chief Minister did just that and he now looks much younger. But I don’t know how much tempe you need to eat and for how long before you get to see the positive affects. One setback with eating too much tempe is that it will give you plenty of wind, so you will have to be very careful with crowded lifts.

Anyway, you should not worry too much whether Botox is haram or not considering that you are a businessman. Surely you indulge in haram activities everyday and Botox would be way at the bottom of the long list of harams.

Pete

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Dear Pete

I am running a bar-disco and have installed 20 slot machines, which is the main money-spinner for my bar-disco. The slot machines can bring me about RM1 million a month. However, while I have a licence to operate my bar-disco, I do not have a licence for the 20 slot machines and now the police want me to pay them RM50,000 a month as protection money or else they will confiscate my slot machines and probably also close down my bar-disco. Bribery is haram in Islam and I am not sure whether I should pay the police the RM50,000 a month they are asking for or should I instead remove the 20 slot machines? I want to avoid doing something that Islam forbids. What is your advice?

Islam Jati

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Dear Islam Jati,

Bribery is prohibited in Islam so I urge you to not pay the RM50,000 a month to the police even though your slot machines are bringing in RM1 million a month. Remove the slot machines and just operate your bar-disco, which has a licence. That would be the proper Islamic thing to do.

Pete

Our date with destiny (source: BATU 9)

I had a good lunch.

A sort of epiphany occurred. Someone asked me, why Anwar? Why indeed.
I believe the people in PWTC have got things quite wrong. They believe Anwar is the movement. He is not, he is the symbol of the movement - the movement remains above the scrutiny of those in power, since it is the culmination of 60 years of suppression. Of those trade union workers whose names have been blurred by a skewed history books. Of fathers, mothers and children who fought a war against British imperialists, while those who eventually inherited their toil were the civil servants serving their White Rajahs. Of writers, teachers and labourers who were deemed too blue collar for a place with the feudal class.

It is no miracle their descendants have decided to stand up finally. The only miracle is that it took so long for them to make that march. And for that you must credit the genius of Umno - they do know how to divide a society to its core and make a master-servant relationship the most natural thing.

The waves

In the 1930s, as the world was both in an economic slump, and the errors of poor wealth distribution was plaintively there for everyone to see, trade unions and other groups worked for the rights of the oppressed.

Your Kesatuan Melayu Muda or your Malaysian Communist Party (MCP). The British Empire beat them down. Post-war Malaya, of the 40s. The trade unionists, MCP and Malay leftist were on their way to force the freedom issues. It is important to note, the Malay leftists opposed Malayan Union, but they did not oppose the idea of those loyal to the nation being Malayans - or Malaysians now.

The British only wanted to deal with their vessels - the senior civil servants, the Umno boys. Ignored the submission for the Federation of Malaysia 1948 constitution, by the multiracial AMCJA-PUTERA - who went on with their Hartal as a response.
A nation shut down for a whole day - all businesses and activities ceased for the Hartal, October 1947

A panicky British regime decided to shut the people’s resistance yet again. Darurat followed.
The people of Malaya had to pick Umno and its posse ( read: Alliance) since all other viable groups have been systematically removed from the equation. The nation was ready for independence, and was one of the last British colonies in Asia getting it. So Brits wanted to give it, and made sure only Umno were there on racing track to win it.

First two waves over.

The third wave, in some senses crippled the nation, and gave way to the anti-Alliance movements of the late 1960s. The script is known to all. But it is amazing Umno are exempted from their gross inability to gracefully allows others to win. The fires of the limited riots in KL and other parts of the west coast, let Umno pursue a more rigorous policy of divisive politics.

The tricky part is to extricate the benefits disadvantaged Malays gained from the programmes - FELDA, university entrance etc. As a fair number of poor non-Malays have benefited from the moves - which is the right thing. The upper middle class and professional Malay class then should not have gained free rides at the behest of the farmers and fishermen - who did deserve their hand up. This is when the benevolence to the poor was used by the viciously connected to pick their own fortunes to the skies.

The fourth wave was the reformasi movement in 1998, after Anwar’s sacking. There was broad support and appeal, and the economy was in a slump, but we lacked the organisation, and line did not hold strong without Anwar.

The media attack and Mahathir’s belligerence coupled with a relentless police force put paid to that effort. Always the movement was associated with violence, hate and danger - which is eerily similar to what is happening now in the country. The undecided bought the government version of the truth, the movement thinned down.

The wave today

This fifth avatar- is the one that will topple this government. This wave is stronger than just the general elections of March. This is the culmination of the courage lost over the years facing a British government and now an Umno government. There are three parties - PKR, DAP and Pas. There are various interested parties - the bar council, human rights NGOs, Makkal Sakti etc.

However the power comes from the people. The parties and groups are just conduits, just as Anwar is. Umno has shut up so many people for so long, and their pain and hopes are finally coming through - no number of FRU personnel can counter that. The tipping point was dual. The Bersih and Hindraf rally. Bersih because there was a build-up, groups were galvanised and the people showed up. And leveraging on the King - in that they were presenting the memorandum to the Agong - leaving the BN unsure on how to react. There were only sporadic incidences of police brutality.

The idea that people cannot express themselves was broken. As Baroness Margaret Thatcher put it, “ You cannot go back to the time of not knowing.” Malaysians know they are powerful, and they can hurt Umno - that reality is here to stay. Two weeks later, in the KLCC zone, when the Hindraf supporters showed up, the police do as they have been oriented to - violate the human rights of Indians indiscriminantly. A psychological barrier was broken. Indians realised no matter how nicely they asked the Umno government, they are just going to be beaten down until they submit to the ruling class. You may have left the estate or the municipal council housing projects, but Umno wants you to remain subservient. BN just lost the Indian voter base. The sense of purpose the Makkal Sakti blokes feel today is not easy to breakdown - because it comes from deep inside.

Anwar the symbol

But all I have said, are concepts and lengthy progressions. People understand it, because they feel it. They may not understand the historical origin of this angst, or the divisive strategy employed in its spirit or the challenge remaining - but they feel the need to act.
In this Malaysia is no more unique than those people in Romania or Zimbabwe or anywhere the population’s dignity has been reduced by systemic control policies. Our lesson - our example is close by, in the Republic of the Philippines. Knowing the fractured nature of Philippine politics even at the height of Marcos’ regime ( 1965 - 86), it was only hard to turn the collective angst and need for change through complex dogma. All movements need a face, not text.

Benigno Aquino represented that. And at his death, they turned to his politically disinclined wife, because without a picture, a human story, the move to end a corrupt regime is near impossible.
The 1986 EDSA revolution was exactly that. Many players, with their own contributions, but ultimately all revolutions are like movies - they need a main actor. Our actor is Anwar Ibrahim. His human frailties do not erode his commitment to the change. And there lies the relationship between Anwar and the millions. They support Anwar, because he has said what we all want to be said, and he has walked the walk. More so, we have a symbol, a rallying cry.
And we never had one. Thanks to the internet - the alternative media and bloggers who act as the cavalry no breach is likely. The general troops can march unfettered.
That was my epiphany over lunch, that is why Anwar will win.

When Anwar wins, we all win, even those in Umno who want a better Malaysia. As V puts it in V for Vendetta: “ You cannot kill ideas, because ideas are bulletproof.”

A voice for UiTM’s minority

August 19, 2008

A Worried Student

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The standard of public universities in Malaysia have been going down in recent time and many reasons have been given on why the standards are dropping yet some still refuse to acknowledge that this is the case and claim that it is perfect as it is and students should be thankful and stop complaining. But this piece is not about public universities in Malaysia as a whole but rather a certain one named UiTM. This university has been appearing a lot in the news lately especially concerning the proposal made by Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on opening the gates of the institution to 10% of non-bumiputra students and it has caused a great deal of furore.

About 5,000 students marched to protest against the proposal under Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) and the UiTM Student Council with the direct backing of the Vice Chancellor. Posters were distributed all over the main campus to promote the protest with headlines such as, “Anda sayang UiTM?”, “ MRSM sudah, SBP sudah, Matrikulasi sudah, JPA sudah, UiTM seterusnya?”, “Ini bukan mengenai kesama rataan bangsa, ini mengenai hak”, “UiTM telah membantu kita, apa sumbangan kita kepada UiTM? Sedarlah wahai bangsaku”.

If one is able to read between the lines, we can see the wordplay here expressing that if a student is to not support this protest, they are one of the ignorant unenlightened ones who do not care for UiTM. Now as a student of the University, I feel disappointed that opinions that differ from the norm are usually labelled as traitors. I have always felt that most of these things are usually politically motivated. I cannot fight the feeling that a NGO such as the GPMS which is headed by someone working right under the Prime Minister, is not exactly a non-partisan group. For this is also one of the organizations that went for the protest at the recent Bar Council forum and went a little, overboard.

The UiTM Student Council which unanimously supported this protest must not be looked upon as the voice of UiTM for they only speak for themselves when they come out with protests such as these and label those who do not support it as traitors to the race. How many students from the institution have spoken out supporting the idea of liberalizing the university? Almost none. But how many students who agreed with the proposal by Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in silence? A number in the minority, albeit a very significant one. And the sad thing is, there is little avenue for any of them to express themselves in the University or externally. With the little avenue available, those that attempt to express themselves are usually met with threats and childish arguments.

One particular UiTM student was asked to wear black coloured clothing by a senior when he refused to as the colour black on that day meant supporting the protest and he did not support it. The senior could only respond in ways such as asking him whether he was a jew or a homosexual. And this brilliant friend of mine then just answered, “No, I’m a muslim and remember when the Prophet Muhammad SAW ruled Medinah? He had all kinds of races that were hostile towards each other to live peacefully under the open sky. Why would you be afraid of opening this institution to others if you claim to take the prophet as your example?” And the senior who was lost for words just left and slammed the door on him. Although stories like these do not happen everyday in UiTM as many students who share similar views to my friend here are usually fearful of the consequences of speaking openly.

Any sign of disobedience towards policies or so-called UiTM values and ideals are usually not tolerated. Even in class, when certain students question the lecturers, they are usually viewed as “tak sedar diri”. Questioning has never been the culture in Malaysia’s education system but is never really encouraged in the Universities either, where it is supposed to give birth to new ideas and paradigms of thinking. How can we do this when our students keep still and silent? Oscar Wilde once said, “It is through disobedience that progress is made”, and it is no wonder why there has been little groundbreaking research or achievements that could make a difference in society. I remember that in a certain lecture relating to Islamic Law, a student questioned the validity of a certain hadith (Prophet’s sayings) the lecturer mentioned and she was booed by the whole class and the lecturer just said, “Balik baca buku dulu baru cakap!” when in fact I thought that she was the one who read more than the lecturer did. Among the other things that were aimed at her were , “Ni bukan Islam ni! Rejam dia je!” and “Yahudi!” And of course, later on, she was ostracized by many.

Many have blamed the draconian University and Colleges Act for restricting views and practically killed freedom of thought and speech but I argue that it goes beyond that, it has to do with the mindset. You do not need to threaten someone with harm to control a person, you just need his or her mind to be one of yours. And this is exactly what certain parties are trying to do through certain programmes such as the now infamous Biro Tatanegara which tries to inculcate fear into the Bumiputra students that they are under serious threat and then turns that fear into hate. Classes that were in the midst of being held were recently stopped and the students of a certain batch were told to join a GPMS talk on how the Malays are being threatened by Dato Seri Khalid Ibrahim.

It is easy for an institution as UiTM to change these naïve minds which are still open to reception of new ideas, to minds that are closed especially when the “others” such as the non-bumiputra’s are nowhere to be seen around campus. As many still do not have close friends other than the Malays, they fear what they do not know and begin to stereotype and hate. And those who know there is something wrong with all of this but dare not speak out or do anything about it usually end up conforming with the rest for regrettably, it is easier to live that way. But then again, this does not apply to all the students in UiTM although it is enough to be deeply worried about.

All this has also created a backlash which I am very concerned about. I have read and heard that many employers of corporations, companies and firms are planning to boycott UiTM graduates and many of them quickly label the students as all being idiotic ethno-supremacists. I truly believe that this will only worsen the situation. How could it be fair that you reject the applications of thousands of students on the basis that they come from a certain University? Many brilliant students have also joined UiTM and been deceived to think that it is a brilliant institution of higher learning and some have no other choice due to financial constraints. Many of them do not subscribe to racist principles. It is also sad to see that many Malaysians have begun to neglect the UiTM issue by not giving any thought to it as they believe only incompetent graduates are churned out and they themselves would not care that if it is open or not as they would not send their own children there. This should not be the case at all. A victory for justice is a victory for all and it is our responsibility as the rakyat to bring about change, not the politicians. As to the issue of no non-Malays would want to enter the institution anyway, that is false. I have an Indian friend living with a single mother and who is a bit unlucky in the financial side. He tried to apply for UiTM to achieve his dream to do law once, although he was innocently ignorant of the institution’s policies on race. I did not have the heart to tell him that he could not do so. This is only one story from many others that could not afford the cost of the various private institutions available. As they say, the poor is a part of all races and exclusive to none.

Though I believe there is still hope. The light comes soon after the darkest part of the night. In an incident in a Constitutional Law lecture, a student went up to class defending the recent student protest as on the principle of defending natives’ rights with, in her own words, “First come, first serve”. Ironic that a business principle has been adopted to an issue affecting all of Malaysia, I thought to myself. I then proceeded to ask her why then are there cases of stripping the rights of land from the Orang Asli, which are the real natives, to give way to capitalist ventures and these natives are then only compensated with how much their houses were worth, which probably costs less than my pair of shoes? Is it not a practice of double standards when you talk about “First come, first serve”? Are we really protecting the natives’ rights or Malays in particular? She then proceeded to open the Federal Constitution to find an answer but predictably, it was in vain. She ended her presentation right there with a dumbfounded look. But what happened soon after was even more interesting. Students from the class started to flock and ask me questions, wanting to know more about the issue. With interested faces all around, I could only smile.

Maybe rational arguments, debate, and different ideas and thoughts could give birth to a student culture that hungers for knowledge rather than merely passing the exams. Maybe student activism could breathe again as it did a while ago. Maybe liberalizing the University would be in the best interest for all and it could be a step towards turning things around. Maybe dissent could be encouraged. Maybe people could throw hate away and begin to understand. Maybe everything happens for a reason. Maybe another Malaysia is breathing silently, waiting for the right time to awaken.

Mahathir dan Ibrahim Jangan Masuk Ke Permatang Pauh!

ORANG politik sememangnya pantang melihat microphone, air liuh mereka akan meleleh. Dan kalau diberikan microphone mereka akan bercakap tanpa hiraukan makan dan minum. Bercakap adalah habit bagi orang politik. Mereka boleh bercakap sampai pagi dan kadang-kadang sehingga luput waktu solat.

Jadi kita tidak marah kalau orang politik, baik yang masih ada kuasa dan pengaruh atau pun yang sudah tersudut kesepian dan macam kera sumbang, kalau mereka akan terus dan bernafsu untuk bercakap. Tidak mengapa mereka boleh bercakap selagi lidah mereka lembut tidak bertulang dan selagi ada sisa-sisa saraf akal yang masih berfungsi.

Tetapi kalau cakap-cakap mereka merapu, tidak ada nilai dan boleh menyebabkan orang hilang penghormatan kepada kita untuk apa? Ia tidak memberi sedikit guna pun. Kerana itu daripada merapu lebih baik diamkan diri.

Saya suka merujuk perkara ini kepada dua orang ahli politik yang kini kian dilupai oleh dunia dan khalayak ketika ini. Mereka ialah bekas PM, Mahathir Mohamad dan ahli Parlimen Bebas Pasir Mas, Ibrahim Ali. Kebetulan mereka ini pula terlalu rapat.

Ibrahim adalah seorang pentaksub nombor satu kepada Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Bagi Ibrahim Mahathir adalah bagaikan tunggul keramat bagi penganut ananisme. Jangan cakap sesuatu yang buruk mengenai Mahathir di depannya, dia akan bela habis-habisan. Bagi Ibrahim Mahathir adalah Mathama Ghandi bagi masyarakat India.

Mahathir dalam ulasannya mengenai sumpah bekas pembacuh kopi Anwar, Saiful Bukhari mencadangkan supaya Anwar membalas sumpah itu sambil menjunjung Quran. Cadangan Mahathir itu jelas menunjukkan beliau seorang jahil murakab.

Kata Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat dalam Islam tidak ada perbuatan junjung Quran dan cukup setakat bersumpah menyebut Walahi, Wabilahi dan Watalahi saja. Dan tempat juga tidak semestinya di masjid, di mana-mana pun boleh. Tegas Nik Aziz kalau buat di masjid macamlah dengan Krsitian buat di gereja. Apakah taraf masjid dan gereja itu sama, tanya Tok Guru?

Mahathir tidak perlu masuk campur. Lagipu beliau kini tidak menjadi ahli parti mana-mana sama seperti Ibrahim Ali. Beliau tidak payah suruh Anwar bersumpah. Sudah cukup apa yang Mahathir lakukan kepada Anwar sebelum ini. Negara ini jadi jahanam ialah gara-gara tindak tanduk politik binatang Mahathir. Tidak baik kalau berdendam sampai mati, duhai Che Det!

Nampaknya Mahathir suka dengan isu liwat kedua yang menimpa Anwar ini yang dirasakan sebagai berpihak kepadanya. Isu itu sebagai mengiyakan tindakannya dalam menganiaya Anwar 10 tahun lalu.

Suka dijelaskan di sini, bagi saya bukan soal liwat kalau kita simpati dan mendokong Anwar, tetapi kerana kezaliman melampau Mahathir terhadap Penasihat Umum PKR itu. Kerana kerakusan dan sadisme politik binatang kepadanya.

Kita sokong Anwar bukan soal peribadi, rupa, wajah atau penampilannya, tetapi perjuangan, idealisme dan keazamannya untuk membela rakyat. Beliau harus diberikan peluang untuk membuktikan gagasan dan wawasannya. Tuhan tidak mensia-siakan Anwar lahir ke dunia kalau bukan untuk dijadi dan menjadi khalifah.

Saya masih ingat kata Sanusi Junid ketika beliau jadi MB Kedah dulu, katanya; bila bercakap fasal Islam, Anwar lebih baik daripada Najib Razak, setidak-tidaknya Anwar bercakap hendakkan Islam.

Mahathir harus malu kepada diri sendiri kalau beliau ingin komen hal Anwar lagi. Kalau beliau seorang yang ikhlas dan benar untuk menasihat Anwar, sebelum beliau berbuat begitu beliau harus junjung najisnya sendiri terlebih dahulu.

Orang kedua yang gatal mulut untuk bercakap ialah Ibrahim Ali. Kenapa Ibrahim harus bercakap hal yang tidak ada kena mengena dan relevan dengannya? Beliau tidak berhak untuk memberi komen ke atas Anwar. Ibrahim harus merenung ke dalam dirinya terlebih dahulu. Kena ukur setiap penjuru dan sudut dalam dirinya. Beliau kena ukur seadilnya siapakah lebih baik antara beliau berbanding Anwar? Mungkin tidak sampai kena kencing dalam tempurung!

Kalau tubuh kita ada panau dan kurap harap Ibrhaim tidak usahlah cuba-cuba hendak menjual ubat panau dan kurap dalam konteks pilihan raya di Permatang Pauh ini.

Saya hormat perjuangan Ibrahim Ali untuk membela Melayu dan Raja. Beliau konsisten dan vokal dalam isu ini. Dan sebilangan rakyat yang patriotik juga sukakannya. Namun kehebatan Ibrahim dalam memperjuangkan bangsa dan raja ini dirosakkan oleh moral politiknya sendiri yang sukar untuk difahami. Beliau bukan seorang ahli politik yang mapan.

Eloklah kalau Ibrahim juga jangan bercakap soal Anwar. Beliau akan dilihat lebih matang dan seorang ahli politik profesional kalau hanya menyentuh isu-isu di luar bingkai politik Anwar. Tidak usah beliau mengulas mengenai taktik dan stail politik Anwar. Apa lagi kalau hendak menuduh Anwar ada agenda peribadi. Sebab politik Ibrahim sejak dari bayi hingga sudah setengah abad usia juga sarat dengan soal peribadi.

Ibrahim kata 16 September ini adalah sebagai gimik politik Anwar sahaja untuk mengawal orangnya (ahli Parlimen PKR) agar tidak tinggalkan PKR. Beliau juga tidak yakin kerajaan akan ditumbangkan pada tarikh itu. Manakala mengenai Melayu pula Ibrahim kata beliau sanggup mengadaikan nyawanya kalau Anwar menjualkan bangsa. Apakah sebahagian daripada kata-kata Ibrahim itu tidak berunsur gimik dan retorik politik?

Sebagai ahli politik Ibrahim seharusnya memahami apa yang ada dalam diri Anwar. Beliau patut arif mengenai semangat juang dan iltizam Anwar kepada agama, bangsa dan negara.

Soal mempertahankan Melayu rasanya Anwar lebih baik daripada Mahathir. Bukankah kemusnahan Melayu kini disebabkan oleh Mahathir? Siapakah memusnahkah bahasa Melayu, kalau bukan Mahathir. Siapakah meletakkan Islam di kaki kalau bukan Mahathir?

Anehnya Ibrahim tidak pernah mengecam Mahathir secara bertubi-tubi dan berterusan. Beliau kehilangan perbendaharaan kata bila melihat kekhilafan Mahathir dalam aspek ini. Apakah kerana orang memberikan kita setitik air dan sebiji beras, maka kita terus buta pada dosa seseorang itu pada bangsa, agama dan negara?

Harapan selepas ini baik Mahathir dan Ibrahim jangan cakap mengenai Anwar lagi. Biarlah Anwar berlawan dan menaburkan janjinya untuk bangsa di Permatang Pauh. Ibrahim dan Mahathir baiklah jadi pemerhati dari jauh saja. Biarkan Anwar berlawan dengan Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Najib Razak secara bersendirian. Jangan masuk campur. Sesungguhnya masa anda sudah pun berlalu.

Dan saya berharap jangan sesekali kedua mereka; Mahathir dan Ibrahim memasuki Permatang Pauh kerana bimbang mereka akan diboo dan dilontar kayu ataupun botol air mineral. Kalau ini terjadi, malunya bukan saja Ibrahim tetapi saya juga kerana saya dilihat rapat dengannya! [wm.kl 8:00 am 17/08/08].

http://msomelayu.blogspot.com/2008/08/rencana-khas.html

Dear Pete

Is there something troubling you? Do you have problem you would like to discuss? Are you undecided about a certain matter and would like an opinion on what to do? Or do you just want to pour out your problems and share it with us. Then write to ‘Dear Pete’ and let us help you.


by Raja Petra Kamarudin

Dear Pete,

I am engaged to this young man and we will be getting married next year. However, I am unsure of him and suspect he may be unfaithful to me. You see, I think he is gay as I have caught him ‘making eyes’ with other men many times and I read somewhere that gay man are promiscuous. Furthermore, homosexuality is prohibited in my religion, Islam, so this may create problems with my parents, who are very staunch Muslims. What should I do?

Yati

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Dear Yati,

First of all, you must not think that all gay men are promiscuous. Some are actually very faithful and have remained with the same partner for many years. But then you only suspect that your fiancé may be gay because, as you said, you caught him ‘making eyes’ with other men. It could be that he is just a friendly sort of person, that’s all.

Anyway, why not lay the matter to rest by getting him to swear on the Quran in a mosque that he is not gay. This is now the trend adopted by the government to dispel any accusations that one is gay.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am an Indian by birth and have tried for so long to pass myself off as Malay. But my friends still call me ‘Mamak’ and this really upsets me. I am half-Muslim and half-Hindu and I have made this clear many times. Mamaks are pure Muslims so this label certainly does not apply to me, who am half-Muslim and half-Hindu. What should I do? Do you think suing all those who call me ‘Mamak’ will help? I am filthy rich and possess the right connections and can choose the judge who will hear my case; so I will surely win all my cases.

Son of Abdullah

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Dear Son of Abdullah,

First of all, you can’t go around suing all your friends who call you ‘Mamak’ or else you will have no friends left. You can, however, sue all your enemies who call you ‘Mamak’. But then, if your enemies run into millions, you may end up being ‘locked up’ in court for the rest of your life.

One option would be to change your name, in particular the ‘Son of Abdullah’ part. You can legally do this by obtaining a change-of-name certificate from the National Registration Department.

In fact, you can even add a Tunku, Raja or Tengku to your name. And your name should be changed to something very Malay sounding, such as Embong, Jusoh, etc. How does Tengku Embong Bin Tengku Jusoh sound like? This is not only very Malay but will also give you a ‘royal’ touch as well.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am a Hindu who is about to marry a Malay girl. My future parents-in-law insist that I must first convert to Islam but I am worried that, when I die, there may be a tug-of-war between my family and my wife’s family as to where I should be buried. What should I do? Should I convert to Islam or forget about marrying this Malay girl?

Rajadurai a/l Rajalingam

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Dear Rajadurai,

If you really love this Malay girl then carry on and marry her, even if you are forced to convert to Islam. You must remember; love is blind; which, therefore, can help you overcome any trial and tribulation. So you must be prepared to face whatever comes for the sake of love.

Anyway, what do you care what happens to your body after you have died? It is not like you will know where you are buried since you are already dead. And look at it on the bright side. Once you convert you will no longer be known as Rajadurai a/l Rajalingam. You can request that your new Muslim name be changed to ‘Raja Durai Bin Raja Lingam’ and then everyone will have to address you as ‘Tengku’. You will then be entitled to buy Amanah Saham shares and Malay Reservation land -- plus you can also become an Umno member and do a post-graduate course in UiTM, amongst some of the other benefits.

Who knows, you might even become the next Prime Minister, as Indians of the Islamic faith appear to have the best chance of becoming Prime Minister. And, no, you don’t need to change your name to ‘Bin Abdullah’. This is not what Islam stipulates and you can insist that they retain your original name, but with some modifications as I suggested above.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I started my business about ten years ago but can’t seem to make it in the business world. My financial problems have strained my marriage and my wife has asked for a divorce. I am contemplating closing down my business and instead go work for a Chinese towkay who has indicated he is prepared to give me a job. But I do not want to be remembered as a failure and my Malay pride forces me to plod on against all hope even though I know it is futile to continue along this dead end road. Furthermore, why should I go work for a Chinese towkay when it is these Chinese who are robbing us Malays of our rights? What should I do?

Melayu Baru

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Dear Melayu Baru,

You should bury your Malay pride and do what is right for your family, even if it means closing down your business and going to work for a Chinese towkay. Your family should come first. I know it is demeaning to work for the same Chinese who are robbing us Malays of our rights. But let’s face it, 90% of the economy is controlled by the Chinese and, as the previous Prime Minister said, they also pay 90% of the taxes. So we Malays have really no choice but to tompang with the Chinese. That is the reality of the situation.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am about to enter university and am undecided whether to take Business Administration or Political Science. My friends advice me to take Business Administration because, they say, I can make more money in the business world. What do you advice?

UiTM New Intake

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Dear UiTM New Intake,

I would advice you take Political Science as you certainly can make more money in politics than in business. The business world is very competitive and there are more failures than success stories. Once you make it politics, you can enjoy 30% shares in Chinese companies plus Chairmanships thrown in. And these shares are all free. You need not pay for them. And, later, when you sell these shares, you get to keep the money.

Pete

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Dear Pete,

I am a 56-year old Malay businessman who is about to marry a 26-year old singer. I am considering going for Botox treatment to make my face look younger but was told that it is haram for Muslims. What is your advice?

Sugar Daddy

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Dear Sugar Daddy,

You can consider eating plenty of tempe because an ex-Chief Minister did just that and he now looks much younger. But I don’t know how much tempe you need to eat and for how long before you get to see the positive affects. One setback with eating too much tempe is that it will give you plenty of wind, so you will have to be very careful with crowded lifts.

Anyway, you should not worry too much whether Botox is haram or not considering that you are a businessman. Surely you indulge in haram activities everyday and Botox would be way at the bottom of the long list of harams.

Pete

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Dear Pete

I am running a bar-disco and have installed 20 slot machines, which is the main money-spinner for my bar-disco. The slot machines can bring me about RM1 million a month. However, while I have a licence to operate my bar-disco, I do not have a licence for the 20 slot machines and now the police want me to pay them RM50,000 a month as protection money or else they will confiscate my slot machines and probably also close down my bar-disco. Bribery is haram in Islam and I am not sure whether I should pay the police the RM50,000 a month they are asking for or should I instead remove the 20 slot machines? I want to avoid doing something that Islam forbids. What is your advice?

Islam Jati

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Dear Islam Jati,

Bribery is prohibited in Islam so I urge you to not pay the RM50,000 a month to the police even though your slot machines are bringing in RM1 million a month. Remove the slot machines and just operate your bar-disco, which has a licence. That would be the proper Islamic thing to do.

Pete

Dear Anwar

August 18, 2008

I write to you as one anak Bangsa Malaysia to another.

My friends and I were pleased to read in the Malaysiakini report of 14th August that you have forgiven your enemies for what they have done to you over the last ten years, but that you will never forget what they have done to you.

It is good that you have found it in your heart to forgive them, for otherwise you will end up bitter and vindictive like a certain ‘past the shelf-life’ politician who just simply refuses to fade away.

No, you don’t want to carry bitterness within you.

And indeed you must never forget, for it is the remembrance of what you have gone through that will serve you well in two ways.

One, to never do to others or allow to be done by others what has been inflicted upon you.

Two, so that you will not allow those who have wronged you the opportunity to do again what they have done to you before.

My sister, I like Chopin, has asked me to tell you that she has forgiven you your 16 years of involvement, at least by association and failure to dissociate, with the autocratic, dictatorial, corrupt Mahathir administration.

Yes, most of my friends and I, like my sister, have long forgiven you for your involvement in the atrocities committed by Mahathir during his reign of destruction and pillage, even if only by association and your failure to dissociate with his regime.

But like you, we, too, have not forgotten.

Just as remembrance will serve you well, so too us.

Will we ever forget?

I cannot speak for the others, but for me, I think that is really up to you.

Before I proceed further, so as to lessen the hurt, if any, of what I am about to say, let me first say that whilst I have the highest regard for YB Lim Kit Siang and YB Lim Guan Eng, yet in the matter of the politics and governance of this nation, I do not trust them implicitly and without question, because they are politicians and 50 years of BN politics has delivered a hard and painful lesson to many of us.

Don’t trust politicians completely.

Many times last year, I wrote in this blog that I wished you would give me a reason to trust you.

Whilst I have to be frank and tell you that I still do not trust you, three things have persuaded me to ‘take a chance’.

First, and this is the only rational factor of the three, this nation needs to be rid of the racist, divide and rule politics of BN. UMNO will not change, and the other component parties have shown themselves to be helplessly subservient to UMNO.

You and your party leaders, together with the leaders of DAP, have been taking policy positions or making policy statements that, by far and large, seem to be in line with the aspirations of the people.

I say ’seem’ because much still remains to be seen.

I had actually wanted to say all the Pakatan leaders but, truly, PAS has been giving us some serious concerns of late.

The second and the third factors are, in truth, ‘gut’ reactions.

Raja Petra wrote a series to remind us of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into your ‘black eye’ beating at the hands of the former IGP.

My eyes teared when I read your testimony about the beating you received and the day after, the condition you were in, and the refusal by the police to afford you treatment.

Yes, I still think you owe the nation an apology for your 16 years in the Mahathir administration.

We, too, as a nation, though, owe you and your family an apology, for all that you and your family have been through these last 10 years.

I am sorry.

Then, on 5th August, I heard you deliver your ceramah in Bentong, Pahang.

I have attended many of your ceramah but, quite frankly, this was the first time that I heard you speak with humility, particularly your appeal to any who might feel inclined to go to Permatang Pauh to help in your election campaign.

What particularly touched me and my family who were present, something that has also got the mention of G. Krishnan in his blog today, was when you said :

‘Anak Melayu, anak kita, anak Cina anak kita, anak India, pun anak kita. Mengapa harus kita bezakan?”

Succinctly, you had articulated that which I have felt for such a long, long time and which, without more, sums up the spirit of anak Bangsa Malaysia that I hope one day will be definitive of us as a people of this nation.

It is this last matter that I have mentioned, irrational as it may seem to many, that has most moved me to ‘take a chance’.

A word of advice.

Don’t make the mistakes of Pak Lah.

You have made us many pledges and promises.

I quote you from the Malaysiakini report mentioned above :

“But how do you run a government and affect changes, move forward - we need a new Malaysian awareness, we need unity of all races, we need a new vibrant economy, we need to reform the judiciary and bring back confidence in a more professional police force - if you get yourself engrossed with the past?…If it (involves) 2,000 acres and two billion ringgit - it’s just not my right to forgive, they have to return the money. But otherwise, we cannot afford to drag the entire country back to the past.”

Keep your promises to us.

Where we can recover the nation’s wealth that has been stolen, we must.

You must not do favours for anyone from the past by interfering with our law enforcement authorities.

Restore what is rightfully due to the rakyat.

On Black 14, I heard you use the phrase ‘Ketuanan Rakyat’ for the first time.

Do not waver from this.

End race politics.

End the politicisation of Islam.

You must be brave enough to tell the Malays that this country belongs to all the anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia, to remind the Malays again and again that UMNO’s ketuanan Melayu is unIslamic and has been their evil tool to enrich themselves and divide this nation.

Do this, and be assured of the strongest support from the majority of anak-anak Bangsa Malaysia who, by far and large, are decent people.

In the run-up to the 12th GE, the rakyat launched an aspirational document called the ‘People’s Declaration’.

All the Pakatan parties, including yours, indorsed this document.

We took your indorsement seriously and for that reason went all out to work to get the votes for the Barisan Rakyat parties at the last general election.

We will hold you to that indorsement.

A final reminder.

The rakyat today are not like that of 16 years ago.

We understand national issues better, we are better informed, and we have a greater sense of commitment to the ideals of justice and equality.

And we have a newly found self-belief to pursue these ideals and to pursue change.

Understand and remember that we are no longer afraid.

We fully understand today that governance of this nation was intended to be in the hands of the people, and that when you and your party leaders offer to govern, it is with a view to serve us.

Therefore, understand and remember that it is we, the rakyat, who govern through those who have taken oath to serve us.

It is only by abiding by that oath that you might honourably be called a leader of men.

Any less and you would have proven yourself to be no better than those whom you now endeavour to displace.

In the run-up to polling day on the 26th, my friends and I will be in Permatang Pauh to help you in any way we can.

By God’s Grace, you will soon be returned to Parliament. May He also continue to bestow you with wisdom and courage to discharge you duties faithfully.

Posted by Haris Ibrahim

Bar Council is legally right but politically wrong - a reply

By TEH TARIK

Folks, thanks for the feedback. It’s interesting how people have responded to my article - Bar Council is legally right but politically wrong.

For instance, Hakim Joe wrote how he had made comments more or less similar to mine. Yet he was voted down until MINUS 33 for it while my article had many people agreeing to it. Why the difference, he asks?

From the very fact that this can happen on Malaysia Today among us “matured and educated” readers shows that the WAY we say and do things sometimes makes all the difference. What more among the so-called "Umno goons" as some commentators call them?

Pakatan Rakyat is supposed to be about GENUINE inter-racial cooperation. Please... for those non-Malays brimming with anger, perhaps you should ask yourself, could you say the same things if you were in a real meeting with Malays from PAS and PKR, the very same people you supported and voted for in the elections?

I don't understand why some commentators jump immediately into a "them versus us" mentality.

That we must "fight" the Muslim morons, bastards, etc., etc. and that kind of language.

Would it have hurt non-Malay rights if the Bar Council had postponed the forum until after Sept 16? (after Anwar is re-elected in Permatang Pauh and after the Pakatan forms the Federal govt?) Would it have hurt non-Malay rights if the Bar Council had said, “OK, it’s too hot now, let’s reconvene three months later with more Muslim representation?”

The moment Umno applied pressure and forced the IKIM and Jabatan Islam fellas to withdraw from the forum, the Bar Council should have smelt trouble. Do you walk into a building when you smell petrol on the floor?

Also, an interesting comment by Stormquest:

The minorities of this country have been appeasing UMNO for 51 years. Where did it get us, playing to UMNO's tune? We are boxed into a corner, with no way out. As Sir Winston Churchill once said, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last”.

To that I will say, sure if you are Great Britain, and have the whole might of America behind you, then you can fight the Nazi “crocodile” oppressors instead of “appeasing” them. But what if you are a weak country like Czechoslovakia or Poland with no support from powerful allies? How do you fight?

As Umno plays it, Might is Right, including using the police for their own ends. So what does Stormquest want the non Malays to do? Use force against force in a face-to-face confrontation? Is that how Sun Tzu would do it?

Of course, we non-Malays have legitimate reasons to be angry at the unfairness of certain things. Of course, the protesters at the forum were uncivilised brutes. Of course, they were denying us our civil rights. Of course, they should have sat down at the Carcosa Seri Negara with us and discussed this issue intellectually over a cup of Earl Grey tea like proper English gentlemen.

But that’s not who they are. They are classic “agent provocateurs” sent to stir up Malay-Muslim feelings. Now please... if you see a raving madman screaming on the road, do you confront him? Or do you move away quietly and let the madman shout all he wants until he looks stupid screaming all by himself?

And also, to those who accuse my article of being a MCA-style “surrender”, please tell me, after this whole fracas, have our non-Malay rights been advanced? Can we move forward on other more important issues like the economy and education? Have we not just given Umno a golden racial-religious card that they can use to counter-attack the non-Malays?

And what better weapon to use than religion! Now that the “ground” has been set that the non-Malays are intent on “attacking Islam”, can the non-Malays demand more places in public universities? Have we not just made it harder for the Pakatan state govt to approve land for churches and temples?

Look at the way Umno has been attacking Pakatan in Perak, calling the PAS MB a “boneka” puppet controlled by the Chinese, and of signing a “second Pangkor Agreement” to sell out Perak’s Malays to the DAP (the first Pangkor Agreement of 1874 saw the British taking control of Perak).

Even worse, how much harder has the Bar Council fracas made it for genuine fair-minded Muslims like Dr Mehrun Siraj to speak up? And when they do now, will the Malays in the kampungs fed on a diet of Utusan Malaysia think of them as “Western-educated” Malays who are “too chummy” with non-Malays?

That’s what Umno has done and has been doing - splitting people up. Why do we want to dance to their tune?

Sometimes I wonder if those commentators on Malaysia Today who make such inflammatory remarks are not walking the path taken (or set up) by MCA people like Ong Ka Chuan to stir up Chinese feelings?

Why are they playing the agent provocateur role? So that Umno can use it as a weapon to rally the Malays back to their side and then the Barisan can retain power - with MCA getting their share of the spoils?

That IS the classic Barisan “divide and conquer” game isn’t it?

I mean, come on people, after all the years of “education” from Raja Petra about the crafty way Umno operates its “wayang kulit” style of Malay politics, for example in the sodomy and Altantuya sagas, we SHOULD KNOW BETTER. Or have all of Raja Petra’s revelations fallen on deaf years? Have we non-Malays not learnt anything from him?

If we believe that the Pakatan is the best hope for a better Malaysia (at least for a two party system if nothing else), then we non-Malays should be thinking strategically to achieve that objective.

As it stands, the majority of non-Malays support Pakatan cos it seems to be fairer, not corrupt (yet) and more balanced. So if we are thinking like Sun Tzu, the question is how to bring in the majority of Malays to support Pakatan.

Do we do that by walking into Umno’s trap set up around the Bar Council forum? Think about it.

Bar Council is legally RIGHT but politically WRONG - Malaysia-Today.net

by Teh Tarik

Was it within our “rights” as non-Malays to celebrate the Opposition’s victories on the night of March 8? Yes. But was it wise?
No. We all knew that it was politically “wrong” as the Barisan could use it to create a May 13 “emergency”. And so we stayed at home.Was it within the Bar Council’s “rights” to hold an intellectual legal discussion about Muslim converts? Of course.But was it wise? Knowing that Umno people were fanning the flames of Malay-Muslim insecurities? I doubt it. Was it within Karpal Singh’s “rights” to comment about the Malay’s most sensitive issues – Islam and the Sultans – when he declared that the Perak Mentri Besar was legally “correct” to transfer the state’s Muslim affairs chief despite the Sultan’s displeasure? Sure.But that was not a court case and I believe Karpal (whom I otherwise respect for his life-long political contributions) was politically “wrong” to stir the hornet’s nest then. Was it within Karpal’s “rights” to warn PAS that they might be kicked out of Pakatan for secretly talking to Umno?Well, excuse me, but since when was the Pakatan “owned” by DAP and PKR? Why are we walking into Umno’s trap? We already know that their game plan is to stimulate decades-old Malay fears about “losing out” to the non-Malays. These are deep-seated fears, played up by Umno since 1946, of how the Malays may end up like the Red Indians of North America – swamped, and “losing their land” to the “pendatang” or immigrants. These fears are not entirely amenable to “rational” debate. Even the PAS ceramah speaker, Mat Sabu, publicly asks his audiences, why oh why, despite revealing – for years - how Umno’s corruption and abuses have been cheating the ordinary Malays, do they STILL vote for Umno? It’s like a sheer habit, deeply programmed by Malay society, ingrained from youth and perpetuated by the mass media that Umno = Malay Salvation. When people have been eating rice as their staple since childhood, you can’t suddenly ask them to switch to bread, no matter how many vitamins and minerals you say are in the latter. Getting people out of their comfort zones is a very tricky business. To all the commentators of Malaysia-Today (many non-Muslims I suspect) who have been loudly cheering along to Raja Petra’s bashing of the Malay malpractice of Islam, yes we have every “right” to heap criticism, and we may even be intellectually “right” in our arguments, but we could be very politically “wrong” – especially in this sensitive transition period. It’s one thing when a Malay with royal blood says it. But – like it or not – it’s quite another when we non-Malays say the same thing with similar vehemence. In fact, I can imagine a Biro Tatanegara guy using the comments as “proof” to brain wash Malay students that the non-Malays are against them. Isn’t the Opposition about a “pakatan” of inter-racial co-operation, understanding and (dare I say it) love? Why is there so much hatred being flung about in the comments?I wish we could have more of that comradeship as displayed by the younger Pakatan Perak state leaders as opposed to the acrimony of the old guard of Hadi and Karpal. It's amazing to hear Nizar speaking in Mandarin and Nga Kor Ming speaking about Islamic concepts.And I admire the elegant, understated way Nik Aziz replied to Karpal’s blasting of PAS over the secret “Malay unity” talks. “Dia orang tua, saya pun orang tua. Kita hormat dia, dia pun kena hormat kita.” Before we get overly carried away with the political tsunami of March 8, let’s not forget that the Malay swing vote to Pakatan was only 5%. Sure, many of the more well-exposed urban Malays this time voted against Barisan but what about the mass of rural Malay voters who read the racial incitement of Utusan Malaysia every other day? And let’s never forget that whatever new Pakatan Federal govt we are hoping for can only come to power with Malay support. To alienate the crucial Malay fence-sitters now – by holding events such as the Bar Council public forum knowing full well that Umno’s agents are ready to create trouble - seems rather unwise. In fact, if we remember, Raja Petra himself had written an article sometime in March or April to point out that the Malays themselves were ambivalent about the March 8 tsunami. About how many Malays had cast protest votes against Umno without quite expecting such spectacular Opposition victories. Well, everybody was surprised by the stunning results. Suddenly, the Malays were faced with the prospect of Chinese Deputy Mentri Besar’s in Selangor and Perak. Suddenly, in a burst of newfound enthusiasm, Teresa Kok let slip in her blog that the FIRST big Selangor project was the huge pig farm. Suddenly, Lim Guan Eng’s remarks about abuses in the NEP were twisted to make it look like the Malays were under siege. Suddenly, the Malays seemed to face a shift of their staple diet from rice to bread. In these circumstances, how do we expect the fence-sitter Malays to react? We can argue that, “rationally”, they should not THINK that way. But surely politics is more about perception and FEELINGS, not hard logical facts. Similarly, smokers may intellectually KNOW that cigarettes are bad, but hell, smoking FEELS damn good. Sensing unease in the Malay ground, certain PAS leaders even saw it fit to secretly negotiate with Umno on the basis of “Malay unity” against, presumably, the non-Malays who seemed to be getting a bit too “uppity” and “kurang ajar”.
What I can’t understand is: given that many PAS members were upset about the merger with Umno, and knowing that Nik Aziz was struggling to manoeuvre within his party against it, why did Karpal choose his sledgehammer approach of literally “warning” PAS to get out of Pakatan? Was this non-Muslim “lecture” the way to convince the PAS grassroots to stay away from Umno? Or was it a grandstanding move to play “hero” to DAP supporters? I realise I am conceding that we non-Malays are second-class citizens but then again, so what’s new? Will bulldozing our way and hitting a brick wall, like in the Bar Council forum, change that? It’s the male method to confront things head on, but if we want to do that, we had better bloody well make sure we have superior strength. Given the way Malaysian society is structured, are the non-Malays stronger? The Bar Council can claim to have achieved a moral “victory” of being proved “right” against so-called Islamic “brutes”, but it is still a hollow, Pyrrhic victory which gives the converts’ families no new relief. And what if Umno decides to push through laws that are even more “unfair”?Is it not better to yield (or at least appear to yield) and walk around obstacles with quiet negotiations? Is that not how women get better treatment, through the soft way? By holding events like the Bar Council forum, we are merely pouring petrol on these underlying embers of Malay fears. With rampant inflation, crime, corruption and a global economic slow down, with all due respect to those few families caught in conversion situations, is this an issue we HAVE to push NOW? And jeopardise everything else? What are our priorties? Why can’t we at least wait till the Pakatan govt comes into power? And then, after say two or three years, when our bigger problems have been settled, when the people of Malaysia (especially the majority Malays) can FEEL the benefits of a cleaner and better govt in their guts and soul, okay-lah, we can initiate a “slow talk” on these issues. I don’t know if it’s because the lawyer types are fond of arguing court battles and having that “high” of being proved intellectually “right” (and hence superior?). Perhaps these same lawyer types, who live in upper middle-class or middle class urban comfort should also consider the needs of poorer urban squatters, factory/estate workers, Sarawakian longhouse dwellers, Sabahan schools with no electricity etc etc who urgently need the Pakatan to come in and stop the looting of this country. There is a time and place for intellectual discussions over sensitive topics, and I humbly submit now (when Umno has created a Malays-under-siege situation) is certainly the politically “wrong” moment to engage in them.Like it or not, the non-Malays are a minority in this country. And the Malays know that, hence the enduring attraction of “Malay unity”. The Bar Council forum has also pushed PAS into a corner and they had no choice but to demonstrate against it too, for how could they be seen to be “selling out” Muslim “rights”? To be fair to PAS, they had already compromised by not emphasising their goal of an “Islamic state” in the last elections. They had agreed to co-operate on the common ground of fighting Barisan’s corruption and abuses.Do we non-Muslims want to push them all the way to the wall and harp on the weakest point in the Pakatan co-operation - religion? Are we going for blood? Are we that stupid?We are all Asians and we all want face. Reading the comments in Malaysia-Today about how the Malays are “insecure” and “can’t discuss rationally” etc etc, all I can say is, OK good-la, you know alreadeee... WHY SOME MORE YOU GO AND POKE these raw nerves? All races have their strengths. I personally feel that the Malays are a more warm-hearted, easy-going, friendly and graceful sort of people – except in religion. The Chinese are hard working, great in business and disciplined - as their religion is money. The Indians are excellent with debates and they are heavily represented in speaking up for our rights as NGO/trade union activists, and yes, lawyers.
And we know the flip side of these strengths too, don’t we? When the Malays are too easy-going, when the Chinese become coldly calculating and when the Indians get overly argumentative.I am in danger of over-generalising, but then again, when we crack racial jokes, why do we laugh? Because something rings true? A Chinese friend who used to do marketing surveys told me: “If we go to a Malay housing area, they will have time to talk to us, occasionally they will even invite us for tea. But in a Chinese area, they usually can’t even be bothered to open the gate. Indians may start to debate and lecture us.” Another Chinese woman swears that, “Malays are more romantic. Chinese are more practical but colder. Indian men are fun to talk to but, aiyo, too much ego.”A Chinese press photographer says, “If we need help from strangers, Malays are usually willing to help us pose a bit to make our pictures look better. Chinese don’t want to `get involved’. Indians, even though we don’t ask them, will come running to be inside the photo.” A Malay architect once told me, “The Malays like to talk about things in a graceful roundabout way instead of coming right out to ask for it. The Chinese are more direct and business-like.”Are these racial stereotypes correct? I suspect many may agree that they are broadly true even though there will always be exceptions. And for the Malays, the BIG exception is when we touch the topic of religion. So why don’t we non-Malays build bridges with the Malays based on the strong points that they have? Instead of harping on the hot buttons? The Pakatan is fragile and we urgently need “confidence building” measures. Thus the non-Malays should reciprocate the Malay’s natural friendliness and warmth, and understand their fears/insecurities, by making concessions here and there. Just as PAS has conceded on the Islamic State issue. Let’s all give each other more face-lah... If there are any issues, “kita boleh cakap slow” later in a polite, graceful and “sopan-santun” Malay way instead of having public forums that look (or are made to look) like a confrontation. Politics is all in the perception.
We non-Malays should be aware that too much emphasis on legal “rights” may result in political “wrongs”. We should know who will be the loser then.