The debates on the usage of the word “Allah” have intensified following the High Court ruling on 31st December 09 which reversed the Home Ministry’s ban on The Herald and permitted the latter its Constitutional right to use the terminology “Allah” in its weekly publication. Predictably, the Home Ministry has filed an appeal as well as a stay of execution pending the appeal.

The Catholics (and Christians) have argued that they have referred to God as “Allah” in their worship service and communication where Bahasa Melayu / Malaysia is used. I know I have. And in those instances when I referred to God as “Allah”, it was within the confines of my church or in the midst of fellow believers. And we all know we were referring to our God. Uttering the word “Allah” in the company of fellow believers cannot be seen to be a work to confuse or threaten the belief of those in the Muslim faith. For the simple reason that Muslims are not, according to local laws, supposed to have anything to do with non-Muslim religious worship and the like. To refuse a licensing permit to the publishers of The Herald for the reason that the word “Allah” was used in the Bahasa Malaysia section is most confusing indeed. More so when the The Herald is a private publication and especially for non-Muslims only.

Anyway, if it were true that on this land called Malaysia, nobody can call their God as “Allah” unless they were Muslims, then can somebody please tell the hundreds, if not thousands of Indonesians who profess the Catholic / Christian faith currently working and / or living in Malaysia that they are also to stop doing so with immediate effect? My ex-maid was an Indonesian Christian. She reads her Bahasa Indonesia bible and refers to God as “Allah”. Jesus is “Yesus” and Lord is “Tuhan”. Holy Spirit is “Roh Kadus”. Are we also to tell them that in Malaysia, they may not utter “Allah” if they were not referring to the God whom the Muslims worship? What would they say in response?

The most watched news in Malaysia today is not whether the government is coming up with further strategies or actions to keep the country in good stead in the midst of the current economic crisis which is slowly paralysing the world. Rather, most eyes are tuned to whether the current Pakatan Rakyat state government in Perak is staying put or changing or to be refreshed.

I don’t know whether to be thankful to find that in Malaysia, or Perak at least, we have so many leaders who are so passionate to lead and govern the state for the welfare of the people. Some, having been sponsored by their party to contest at the General Election, decided to quit their party and become an “independent” giving the reason that they cannot see eye to eye with the leadership. “Thank you sir for your support and funding! Now I go my own way, you go your own way.” If frog-jumping is deemed immoral, maintaining the position as a State Assemblyman as an independant is no less immoral.

Assuming some of these new “independent” State Assemblymen suddenly, overnight, found that Barisan Nasional is a nice party after all, and decides to apply for membership in Barisan Nasional’s component parties resulting in Barisan Nasional having a slight edge in number of seats and thus, becoming the new government of the state of Perak, such an action or “victory” is nothing to shout about. In fact, becoming the government of the day is nothing to shout about because as elected leaders, your duty is to serve the people. After all, you claim that you are in that position because you want to serve the people.

Unfortunately, our leaders do not see that they are continuing to do a disservice to the people in their political powerplay. Instead of finding ways to improve the living standards of the people, they are busy manoeuvring to make frogs, catch frogs and cook frogs out of one another. They probably forget that the rakyat is watching and assessing their actions in this powerplay. They also probably forget that the rakyat is far smarter now to evaluate who is playing dirty and who is trying to be clean.

With the state government in a disarray, the only right thing to do is to dissolve the state assembly and call for fresh state elections. Then the rakyat will give their assessment of who has been playing dirty and who is trying to be clean. Even if a couple of frogs do land over to the coalition of scales, it is hard to imagine Perakians having their utmost confidence in the Barisan state government unless this is demonstrated through a State election. Would Barisan have the guts to invite Pakatan to call for State Elections? If Barisan feels that they are ready to take over the state government, why aren’t they calling out for State elections to show that the public is supporting their taking over? Their silence is deafening indeed.

Addendum:

When you have a State Assemblyman (woman) Hee Yit Fong, who was also the Deputy Speaker, giving a press conference on Sunday (that’s 3 days ago) saying “I have never had any intention of leaving the party (DAP) and would feel very heavy-hearted if I did“, and in an about turn, quit the party and was spotted at the office of the DPM this afternoon, that speaks volumes of her integrity as a leader of the people. Malaysia can do less with leaders like these.

I don’t know about you but I never felt that Raja Petra, Tan Hoon Cheng or Teresa Kok were a threat to security, peace and public order. Instead, news such as a maid being bundled into a car whilst walking along the road and gang-raped by 5 men and how 2 armed robbers staged a hostage drama in a new housing area resulting in the murder of the hostage evokes feelings of not being safe living in this country. As crime rate does not seem to reduce and as people choose to stay in gated and guarded communities for extra security if they could afford to do so, I do sense that the real threat to the nation’s security, peace and public order is not Raja Petra, Tan Hoon Cheng or Teresa Kok.

And now, it appears that signs of a crackdown by those with political powers have started – and warnings made that the crackdown is imminent, and has already started. It is not the time to retaliate and retaliation should not be considered in any way. It is time to stay cool and not be sucked into dangerous political games which some are trying to play. Rather, it is time to pray. A time to pray for God’s intervention for the sake of this country’s future.

Update (13.09.2008 @ 1231hours) :

I just popped into Teresa Kok’s blog and I saw this on the sidebar:-

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1)

Indeed, it is no sheer coincidence that this verse appeared on the very night Teresa was arrested. God knows what is happening and by our prayers, He will shield all those who stand for justice and truth.

Stating the Obvious!

Latest news on Malaysiakini states that Ahmad Ismail’s supporters are shouting ‘Hidup Melayu‘ (Long Live the Malays) as Umno leaders arrived at the tower block which housed the party HQ. I don’t know about you but is it just me who notices only the Malays (or selected few Malays) shout “Hidup Melayu” during protests? I can’t seem to remember the Chinese shouting “Hua Ren Wan Sui” (love live the Chinese) or the Indians shouting likewise.

Somehow, I can’t help but be amused (rather than alarmed or feel threatened) by these expressions of longetivity being shouted by these small groups of people whenever they perceive that their race is being threatened. To me, such shouts are made when the demonstrators feel that there is a need to prove that their race is still strong and can withstand any onslaught. It’s my personal opinion anyway. But are they just stating the obvious?

The rights of the every citizen of Malaysia are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the special privileges accorded to the Malays are also indicated there. So, I can’t keep wondering why there is a perception that a whole race is being threatened and there is a need to shout the obvious “Hidup Melayu”. The Melayus will always live and they will live long enough like everyone else. And unless there is ethnic cleansing, shouting “Hidup Melayu” is only stating the obvious and does nothing else.

It is quite obvious that these small band of people still could not shake their racial way of thinking – that the Malays are the superior race in this multi-racial country and that being superior gives them the right to trample and ridicule on others. Somehow, they fail to realise that their actions reflect back on themselves as so-called “defenders of Malays”. They fail to realise that by unashamedly declaring that they are voicing out on behalf of all Malays in this country, they are representing to the world how Malays act and react. Of course, to those who are more familiar with these actions and reactions, we will dismiss their theatrics as nothing but plain politics. To the outside world, however, such actions and reactions would be attributed as a characteristic of the Malay race. And really, is that the real character of a Malay or a person, for that matter? Is the Malay one who tears down the photo of someone he dislikes or one who barges into a peaceful meeting demanding an end to the meeting failing which there will be a storming in?

No. I don’t think the Malays are like what these small bands of demonstrators and I refuse to think that they are like these small bands of demonstrators who get heated up into a primal character whenever they are unable to have a civil discourse. I refuse to think that the Malays, who are Muslims – the people of the religion of peace, are unable to exercise restrain whenever they perceive that their rights are under threat.

It is quite obvious that there is a strong display of political power play as demonstrated in recent events and this is nothing more than a prelude to the UMNO General Elections which is looming near. It’s not really about “Hidup Melayu” for that is stating the obvious. It is about “Hidup Kuasa” and showing who is more powerful politically.

and especially to the Honourable Mr. Lim Kit Siang…I know many Pakatan Rakyat supporters, Pakatan Rakyat members and Pakatan Rakyat leaders were elated with the March 8th General Elections result. It was truly unexpected and the winning of so many seats by Pakatan Rakyat and thus denying Barisan Nasional a 2/3 majority was labelled a “Political Tsunami“.

Over the past 5 months, the word “Political Tsunami” was used almost regularly to remind the Barisan Nasional leaders of the rakyat’s displeasure with the Barisan Nasional government. Now, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has won the Permatang Pauh by-election by a greater majority and suddenly, some are saying a “2nd Political Tsunami” is on the horizon.

Frankly, I have grown tired of hearing the words “Political Tsunami” or anything to that effect. Today, Mr. Lim has again quoted “With the success of the second political tsunami in Permatang Pauh and the coming of the ‘Titanic’ next time …,” (source) in reference to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s winning. Don’t you get tired repeating the same phrase?

Please-lah! I think it is about time you guys move on and use some other words rather than repeating the tiresome “Political Tsunami”. And even “Titanic” itself, though a grand looking cruise liner, met with disaster. I am sure you guys are matured enough to use better choice of words to express yourself rather than keep repeating Tsunami which is always associated with disasters, destruction and death. At the very least, spare a thought for those who actually suffered or lost their loved ones in a real Tsunami (the one where the waves hit the shores!).

Anyway, let us take a trip down memory lane to see what the Big Mouth losers had proclaimed and claimed during the by-election campaign…

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on the 12th August said:

“The wing views the by-election as a critical election not just for Barisan Nasional but also for the whole country and its people.

“It is a jihad because this individual should not be given the chance to destroy the country’s political stability and prosperity.

“If we allow him to lead the country, he would lead us to destruction,” she said after launching the Barisan Nasional Wanita Permatang Pauh by-election machinery here yesterday.

Now, it appears that the majority of voters prefer the country to go to destruction via Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim than the path of destruction via UMNO-led Barisan Nasional. Isn’t it telling enough how much the majority despises you UMNO-led Barisan Nasional lot?

Najib on the 17th August said:

“God willing, we will emerge the winner this time as Barisan has a proven track record of looking after the people,” he told reporters at the Tuanku Bainun Teachers Training College here.

It looks like God was not willing. Could it be that God felt that Barisan has no proven track record of looking after the people?

Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted on 20th August as saying:

“For all its talk of a new Malaysia and a real alternative against Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat remains a politically expedient arrangement among strange bedfellows bound not by a shared ideology but by a common lust for power.

“The rupture has begun.”

No mate. The rapture for Pakatan Rakyat and their supporters have just begun!

The next day in a ceramah, arrogant Khairy cockily said:

During a fiery 30-minute speech, Khairy said BN candidate Arif Shah Omar Shah’s true challenge was to end the career of the ‘power crazy’ opposition leader.

“We are here to bury Anwar’s political career. We are here to make history to ensure our nation’s future is free and safe from him!” he thundered to loud cheers from those present.

Now, it would seem that the majority of voters did not think that Anwar was as power crazy as Khairy claimed. On the contrary, the barrage of public opinion over his uncouth “bury” statement shows their displeasure over this power-wannabe young politician. Khairy could have quit Rembau and stood to challenge Anwar if he felt so important that the nation must be rid of Anwar’s politics and influence. If Anwar becomes the PM, I wonder who’s political career is gonna be buried…

Arif Shah on 21st August was quoted to have said:

Speaking Thursday at a press conference at his house in Persiaran Tenggiri here, Arif Shah said he is confident of winning the Permatang Pauh by-election with a slim majority.

He said his target of 28,000 votes is possible due to his track record in the previous election. In the March 8 election, Barisan managed to garner nearly 20,000 votes from Seberang Jaya, Penanti and Permatang Pauh.

“If I manage to maintain this and pull in another 8,000 votes, I should be able to win a slim majority. I am looking at a slim majority of between 500 to 5,000 votes,” he said.

This time around, the majority is greater than the one secured back in March the 8th. Being over confident and arrogant does not bode you well.

Abdullah Badawi was quoted on 22nd August to have said:

“We are confident of victory because Arif Shah is a candidate with a proven track record. He is a hardworking assemblyman.”

We all know that when Badawi says one thing, he means the other. So, what he truly meant to say was “We are not confident of victory because Arif Shah is not a candidate with a proven track record. He is not a hardworking assemblyman”.

Meanwhile, Arif Shah on 22nd August showed his interest in superstitions :

Precisely at 8am on polling day, Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah will be stepping into SK Seberang Jaya 2 to cast his vote.

The jolly candidate said he would like to keep the ‘triple eight’ effect on that day.

“Polling is on the 26th, and the year is 2008,” he pointed out to newsmen at his house in Persiaran Tenggiri yesterday.

“If you add two and six, it equals eight. The ‘two’ in the beginning of 2008 is perceived as going ‘towards’ the number eight, which is at the end. So there are two eights derived from the two dates and I’ll enter the polling station at 8am, the third eight.”

The number ‘8’ is a homonym for prosperity in Cantonese. Arif’s voting slip also has a number ‘8’ in it. His slip is numbered 978.

Arif is printing 58,000 post cards to be sent to the electorate to urge them to vote for him.

I thought your religion teaches you not to believe in such things? Anyway, just to amuse you further, Arif garnered 15,524 votes. Add the numbers together and you will get 17. Add 1 and 7 and you will have 8.

Najib confidently said on the eve of the polls 25th August:

“After nearly two weeks of hard work and prayers, the situation is tilting towards BN,” the Deputy Prime Minister said at a briefing at the BN’s Kampung Kolam operations room here today.

Najib said although political observers had initially forecast a slim chance for the BN, hard work had changed all that and that the coalition could emerge victorious.”

I wonder where he got information that the situation was tilting towards BN and could be smelling victory. Not only did Anwar win, he won bigger. Spend more work dealing with public complaints and I am sure Barisan will stand a better chance next time.

Updated:

News just got in. The Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek had this to say this afternoon post-election results:

Ahmad Shabery claimed that Umno had actually expected for Anwar to win in the by-election with an even bigger majority than the one recorded on Tuesday night.

So, did you mean to say that it was all bravo talk by Najib on the eve of the election? Why didn’t you say this earlier? Well, of course you won’t because you guys were busy with your propagandas.