One down, two to go — Selangor and Kedah next

By Khalid Samad

FEB 19 — The above summarises the psy-war which the BN through its various channels is trying to put forward to the public. However, as can be confirmed through a cursory glance in the media, the Perak issue is far from settled. What may have originally been considered a simple issue by the BN has developed into something far more complicated than what it bargained for.

The statement by the “pretender MB of Perak” that he will refer the issue of being called up by the Special Privileges Committee to his lawyer is a sign that what is currently happening was not expected by the BN. It seemingly forgot that the position of the speaker and all the committees formed during the earlier sessions are still technically intact. They can only be disbanded and reappointed, if that is what the BN wishes to do, through a sitting of the state assembly.

It is quite clear that should the “pretender MB” and his exco refuse to attend, the speaker through the Special Privileges Committee can take disciplinary action against them. This may include being suspended from the assembly. Should this happen, BN will find itself in the minority and a “vote of confidence” for Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin be passed in the assembly. Should they decide to attend, they will find themselves at the mercy of the SP Committee and again be suspended from the assembly due to their accepting their appointments without first referring the process of change to the assembly in the first place. This would appear to be a classic case of "damned if I do and damned if I don't".

As we now know, the SP Committee has suspended the “pretender MB” for 18 months and his six excos for 12 months each from the state assembly. The decision was made in their absence. It will be interesting to see how they get out of this sticky situation. My guess would be, again, by a total disregard of any law, written or otherwise, by invoking the name of Sultan of Perak and by chanting the age-old Umno mantra of “Hidup Melayu!”

The proper way out of this mess, as has always been stressed by the PR, is for new state elections be held. As we are aware, even if the force their way out of this mess which they created for themselves, the stability of the state government hinges on the three independent state assemblymen whose eligibility to attend the assembly is itself in question. Based on their previous behaviour, they are far from dependable.

Similarly, in both Selangor and Kedah, for all the hype, the facts on the ground are that the BN has made little if any headway. If the strength of a political party is measured by the support it has from the public, it may even be surmised that the BN is continuing to lose ground in all three states. The current developments pertaining to Elizabeth Wong in Selangor has only galvanised support for her and the PR. There is even talk of ensuring that the BN candidate, whoever he or she will be should there be a by-election in Bukit Lanjan constituency, will lose his/her deposit! Such is the anger and frustration over the BN tactics and no amount of denial will convince the public that the BN was not in any way involved in the smear campaign. Such is the reputation of the BN.

For the two upcoming by-elections, the PR machinery is already moving. Umno however is bogged down with its upcoming party elections. There will be little time for them to do anything after that, given that the by-elections will be held a day after their general assembly. We hope to see a battle-weary, torn and tattered BN machinery emerging from the general assembly, weary from the backstabbing, money-grubbing campaigning which has emerged as their trade mark over the years.

Without wanting to sound over-confident, as I never believe in under-estimating my opponent, I feel that the Malay proverb "sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga" is very apt in this situation. All that the BN has managed to do is convince the public that it has not yet learnt its lesson and is therefore in dire need of another trouncing. In this matter, I believe we Malaysians will be very happy to oblige.

Khalid Samad is MP for Shah Alam. He is also head of the Shah Alam Pas division and also a member of the Pas political bureau which is the most powerful bureau in the party. His website is www.khalidsamad.com

One down, two to go — Selangor and Kedah next

By Khalid Samad

FEB 19 — The above summarises the psy-war which the BN through its various channels is trying to put forward to the public. However, as can be confirmed through a cursory glance in the media, the Perak issue is far from settled. What may have originally been considered a simple issue by the BN has developed into something far more complicated than what it bargained for.

The statement by the “pretender MB of Perak” that he will refer the issue of being called up by the Special Privileges Committee to his lawyer is a sign that what is currently happening was not expected by the BN. It seemingly forgot that the position of the speaker and all the committees formed during the earlier sessions are still technically intact. They can only be disbanded and reappointed, if that is what the BN wishes to do, through a sitting of the state assembly.

It is quite clear that should the “pretender MB” and his exco refuse to attend, the speaker through the Special Privileges Committee can take disciplinary action against them. This may include being suspended from the assembly. Should this happen, BN will find itself in the minority and a “vote of confidence” for Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin be passed in the assembly. Should they decide to attend, they will find themselves at the mercy of the SP Committee and again be suspended from the assembly due to their accepting their appointments without first referring the process of change to the assembly in the first place. This would appear to be a classic case of "damned if I do and damned if I don't".

As we now know, the SP Committee has suspended the “pretender MB” for 18 months and his six excos for 12 months each from the state assembly. The decision was made in their absence. It will be interesting to see how they get out of this sticky situation. My guess would be, again, by a total disregard of any law, written or otherwise, by invoking the name of Sultan of Perak and by chanting the age-old Umno mantra of “Hidup Melayu!”

The proper way out of this mess, as has always been stressed by the PR, is for new state elections be held. As we are aware, even if the force their way out of this mess which they created for themselves, the stability of the state government hinges on the three independent state assemblymen whose eligibility to attend the assembly is itself in question. Based on their previous behaviour, they are far from dependable.

Similarly, in both Selangor and Kedah, for all the hype, the facts on the ground are that the BN has made little if any headway. If the strength of a political party is measured by the support it has from the public, it may even be surmised that the BN is continuing to lose ground in all three states. The current developments pertaining to Elizabeth Wong in Selangor has only galvanised support for her and the PR. There is even talk of ensuring that the BN candidate, whoever he or she will be should there be a by-election in Bukit Lanjan constituency, will lose his/her deposit! Such is the anger and frustration over the BN tactics and no amount of denial will convince the public that the BN was not in any way involved in the smear campaign. Such is the reputation of the BN.

For the two upcoming by-elections, the PR machinery is already moving. Umno however is bogged down with its upcoming party elections. There will be little time for them to do anything after that, given that the by-elections will be held a day after their general assembly. We hope to see a battle-weary, torn and tattered BN machinery emerging from the general assembly, weary from the backstabbing, money-grubbing campaigning which has emerged as their trade mark over the years.

Without wanting to sound over-confident, as I never believe in under-estimating my opponent, I feel that the Malay proverb "sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga" is very apt in this situation. All that the BN has managed to do is convince the public that it has not yet learnt its lesson and is therefore in dire need of another trouncing. In this matter, I believe we Malaysians will be very happy to oblige.

Khalid Samad is MP for Shah Alam. He is also head of the Shah Alam Pas division and also a member of the Pas political bureau which is the most powerful bureau in the party. His website is www.khalidsamad.com

Elizabeth Wong and partisan politics

FEB 18 — Elizabeth Wong has been asked to go on leave and PKR will only make a decision whether to accept her resignation when she returns.

The fact that she has not done anything wrong and yet offered to resign her positions in order not to bring problems to her own party is most honourable.

The support shown to her has been tremendous, as can be seen from the 400-odd comments (and still counting) in her blog supporting her and urging her not to resign.

I regret that certain politicians from BN have prejudged her based on the photographs alone (fortunately, there are others who have stood up for her) and have compared this to CSL video, which is totally unfair. That video shows someone “caught” in the act of cheating his wife and family whereas the Eli Wong pictures do not show any wrongdoing.

Just because she is from another party does not mean that she should be attacked and put down.

In life, and in politics, there must be certain sense of decency and conscience.

Sometimes we must not be too caught up in partisanship. You can be a member of a certain political party, but please note that not everything from another party is wrong and must be criticised. Not everything from your own party is right and beyond criticism.

Political parties are just tools to achieve certain aims. Just because we are members of Party A do not mean that we must go all out to put down members of Party B. If certain policies of Party B are good for the people, support those policies. If certain policies of Party A are not good, criticise them as hard as you can.

If our children are in the wrong, we must let them know that what they did was wrong; only then can they grow up to be good people.

Why must politics be dragged to such low levels?

As in boxing,one must not hit below the belt. In life, there are certain acts that are taboo, such as adultery, murder and rape, character assassination, etc. In politics, we are supposed to support what is right and good, and reject what is bad and wrong; it does not matter whether these come from your own party or from the other side.

The great Deng Xiao Peng was a communist, but when he realised that not everything about capitalism is bad, he started to adopt certain free market policies and the result is rapid boom in the economy of China, and a rise in the standard of living of millions of people.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the people. Politics must be about people’s interest, and not self or even party interest.

In this case, if we do some soul searching (and based on the photographs alone), has Eli Wong done anything wrong? Most people will say no. I believe that anyone can do a random survey in his community and the answer will still be no.

So if she has done nothing wrong, then the logical thing for all of us, who claim to have a conscience, is to rise and stand behind her or any other person caught in a similar situation.

I appeal to leaders who are on the opposing side of Eli Wong: before you condemn her, search your own conscience first.

The writer is a central committee member of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.

POLITICAL WEAPONS- IT'S HUDUD FOR BN AND PR WILL GO FOR PERSONAL ATTACK

Come 6th. January, Nomination Day for Kuala Trengganu’s By-Election (BE), there will only be just 11 days for campaigning. However, the contesting political parties would already be busy in the midst of their own (unofficial) campaigns, having started to fish for candidates since early December.

Kuala Terengganu BE is being held following the demise of the then incumbent Datuk Razali Ismail (BN) last November. In the last General Election (GE), the late Razali defeated PAS Vice President Mohamad Sabu by just a thin majority vote of 628. Even Independent candidate, Maimon Yusof had managed to garner 685 votes! (There were 1,050 damaged votes: 931 damaged and 119 ballot papers unreturned).

According to Election Commission, Kuala Terengganu (P36) has 80,229 registered voters, including 1,035 postal voters. P36 has four (4) State Constituencies, i.e. Wakaf Mempelam, Bandar, Ladang, and Batu Buruk. In the previous GE, PAS won three State Constituencies but P36 Parliament was won by BN.

Deputy Home Minister Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh is Barisan Nasional's standard bearer for the Jan 17 Kuala Terengganu BE, whilst Abdul Wahid Endut, the state assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam, was named as the Pakatan Rakyat candidate.

Wan Farid, 46, a former lawyer who graduated from Thames Valley University, London, has held the Kuala Terengganu UMNO division head's post for two terms, was the most appropriate candidate who was believed to be capable of retaining the parliamentary seat for the BN.

Mohd Abdul Wahid, 52, Kuala Terengganu PAS chief and state PAS treasurer is a Fisheries and Marine Science graduate from the Universiti Putra Malaysia and has never been defeated in the four elections he has contested. Wahid is now into his fifth term, having scored a 2,193-vote majority over his Umno rival in the March 2008 general election.

In the last GE, the defeat of Mat Sabu to Razali was initially said to be due to him (Mat Sabu) being a non-local resident. Being represented by an ‘outsider’ is something quite unacceptable to the people of Terengganu. In addition, voters were also said to be more attracted to Razali’s personality.

In view of the fact that it would be quite difficult for Wan Ahmad Farid to compete against the dynamic personality of Razali, BN may have to pick an issue to topple its challengers. And the hottest issue now is the suggestion by PAS to implement Hudud laws. Other than that, the best weapon yet for BN is to lead PKR to be at loggerheads with each other.

For PAS and PKR however, since neither at the moment has any issue on which to attack BN, the partnership is expected to launch personal attacks on Wan Ahmad Farid and his family.

PR will use the fact that Wan Ahmad Farid is the brother of former state Exco Wan Hisham who was said to have been involved with Idris Jusoh in several wasteful, extravagant projects - among which are the Monsoon Cup, Crystal Mosque, and Islamic Civilisation Centre – all in Terengganu.

Other than that, Wan Ahmad Farid is also seen to be a choice made by Pak Lah, not the choice of Terengganu MB Datuk Ahmad Said. In fact, Wan Ahmad Farid had also once been the political secretary to the PM. Furthermore, Ahmad Said is also seen to be not among the ‘flock of feathers’ of Wan Ahmad Farid and Pak Lah. And to top it up, photos of Wan Ahmad Farid’s karaoke session circulating on the internet could provide PR the ‘icing’ to round up their character assassination campaign.

Ahmad Said will not be spared by PR either. Negative episodes during his former Kijal ADUN era will be dug out. His suggestion to build Pulau Duyong marina and apartments, and not forgetting the issue of poverty in Terengganu will also be exaggerated to the hilt.

The Kuala Terengganu BE is expected to be more heatedly contested in than what had been witnessed in the last GE. Therefore both parties should take greater, serious efforts to reduce the number of damaged votes. Not only that, they should also focus on preventing any possibility of postal vote manipulation.

BN, which had realised the significance of damaged votes, has already taken early steps by campaigning house-to-house to educate voters on the correct way of marking the ballot paper and casting the vote.

Postal voters will vote earlier, therefore both parties must ensure there are no ‘masterminds’ who may sabotage these postal votes.

Other than that, both parties should also take into account the indepedent “spoiler” candidate (calon pengacau). Although the charismatic Angkatan Parti Keadilan Insan Malaysia (AKIM)’s Harun @ Abdul Rahman Muhamad isn’t that fascinating, his influence over a small % of his members or followers – could easily upset votes for PAS or UMNO candidates. Take note that this organisation has 3,000 members, so do your maths for a ‘mere’ 10%. These members are in 20 branches of the state assembly (DUN). To illustrate the effect, just look at Makcik Maimon who has not failed to return with empty hands!

The effect of voters from outsiders – students or those who reside or have moved to Terengganu – should also not be ignored totally. Today’s students are unlike what they were before to be easily led by the nose. This ‘small’ group who usually sit on the fence can potentially decide who wins, who loses. So take it to heart that one miserable vote can make a difference!

The outcome of the Kuala Trengganu BE is extremely important for both parties.

For BN, the election means securing the trust back from the people after the loss of its Permatang Pauh seat last August to PKR. If the outcome is negative, a worse scenario could start to brew.

For PAS and PR, on the other hand, the results would be the yardstick of their chance to wrench back the state to them in the next GE.

POLITICAL TSUNAMIS,SCANDALS, MARRIGES...AND THE DIVORCES OF 2008

Oleh: Noor Hasilah Ismail

The curtains of 2008 have started to close in, marking the end of a most colourful year for Malaysians.

Not only have our celebrities filled us up with tales of marital joys and sorrows, but so have our political leaders - whom if I may say so – kept us up even more, with some unbelievably sensational events of the year.

The whole spectrum of relationships seem to have been laid out in the vast political landscape for us all to witness – 'marriages', 'divorces', even "reconciliations", in addition to scandals and incidences of "infidelity".

To top it all – a political tsunami which left many shocked, but many more delighted.

January – the first shock of the year for Malaysians – news of the involvement of a senior political figure in a sex video hit the headlines. Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had to offer his hand of 'divorce' to MCA.

February – VK Lingam's scandalous hearing became the main news when his former secretary Jayanthi, 45, claimed she was locked in all night in 1994 with two other secretaries to type the judgement of a civil suit involving Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

March – The infamous political tsunami – when the "threesome" or "madu tiga" PR of DAP-PKR-PAS coalition rolled over five states in a single Malaysian-style tidal wave. In this 12th. General Election (PRU-12), BN's loss of Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, and Kelantan, also resulted in the loss of their two-third majority in Dewan Rakyat. The former corporate figure, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (PKR) was elected Menteri Besar Selangor, while DAP's Head Secretary Lim Guan Eng replaced Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon in Penang. As for Perak – the new Menteri Besar is now Datuk Mohamad Nizar of PAS.

April – First "divorce" of the year? Director of JAIP, Datuk Jamry Sury, was told to leave house by the new Perak Menteri Besar for allegedly not giving the necessary co-operation with the state government. Within 24 hours Datuk Jamry was asked to provide his leadership services in another 'house', among other state departments. April also saw the PM announcing the factors leading to BN's failure to maintain its two-thirds majority, and losing in Kedah and Perak. Acts of sabotage by UMNO members against candidates in 14 Parliamentary and 22 state constituencies led to the major losses.

May – PM again made the headlines – accepting former PKR Youth Head – Mohamad Ezam Mohd. Nor – into UMNO (which he left in 1999.) May also witnessed heated arguments on "Ketuanan Melayu" (Malay rights issue) between the opposition and BN MPs in Dewan Rakyat. This escalated during the wrapping up of the debate by the Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts, and Heritage, Datuk Mohd Shafie. The Deputy Speaker, Datuk Ronald Kiandee, finally was forced to postpone sitting until the following day.

June – Malaysians were again in for another shock when the former assistant to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Mohd. Saiful Bukhari bin Azlan made a police report that he had been sodomised by Anwar, under force, several times. Anwar then issued a media statement denying the allegation.

July – Agendadaily created history when it successfully organised the Debate between the Minister of Information Datuk Shabery Cheek and Anwar Ibrahim on the petrol increase issue. This was aired live on RTM. Although he was seen to have been halted several times in this battle of professional arguments, Shabery was praised for his courage to debate against Anwar. In comparison to other BN politicians who had proven to be much braver arguing behind the scenes, Shabery had been quite "promising."

August – The June main story continued with Anwar's former Assistant Mohd. Saiful Bukhari swearing in a mosque to support his claim of having been sodomised unwillingly by Anwar. However this did not stop Anwar from winning the by-election in Permatang Pauh with 31,195 votes.

September – UMNO Supreme Council "divorced" Bukit Bendera's UMNO Division Head, Datuk Ahmad Ismail for three years for inciting controversial racial issues through a statement he had made earlier.

October – The arrest under ISA of Teresa Kok and Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoong Cheng fuelled another bomb of anger from the opposition and created a media frenzy.

November – Another political tsunami - this time among the female political leaders of UMNO. Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim announced she would be contesting for the Wanita's Head post. This led to Datuk Shahrizat Jalil deciding to contest against Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. In the same month, a Seremban division UMNO meeting held at Tuanku Jaafar Golf Club turned violent when members started punching each other immediately after the Division Head, Datuk Ishak Ismail ended his speech. Two women were injured.

December – Another "divorce" happened in UMNO. Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, former Minister in the PM Department was sacked after several of his actions were found to have gone against party ethics. One of them was attending an opposition party gathering. UMNO Supreme Council also suspended the membership of Head of Petaling division, Datuk Zahar Hashim for three years, for making a statement criticising the party. Another UMNO Division Head, Datuk Ahmad Lebai Sudin of Pokok Sena, also had his membership suspended - for two years - by the UMNO Disciplinary Board. He was found to have sabotaged the party in the last GE in March. Another member of that same division, Halimah Hanafi also had her membership suspended for two years for having made a false report. Just last week, Datuk Zahar, who had not been satisfied with the action taken against him, took the decision to "seek the hand" of the opposition party, PKR.

In UMNO Batu Division, the crisis that had been dragging on for almost two months was finally resolved on December 29 when its new division head was appointed. A former committee member, Yahya Mat Ghani won in the selection crisis, against the then incumbent Datuk Mohd. Yusoff Hamid by a majority of 136 votes. The latter only obtained two miserable votes. What an end to a year of much political tidal waves!

OF BULLSHITTERS, GUNDUS AND DUNGUS

On the eve of 15th September 2008, 15th of Ramadan 1429, I sat alone watching the flowing stream under the feet of my house in Wadi Hussien Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang. While observing the water glide trough the pebbles finding its own way, as it produces a soothing natural melody, suddenly I felt a surge in my thoughts, almost like the river that needs to flow. I feel very thankful to God who described heaven as a garden with a river flowing under it, and a good home in that garden. A home sweet home.

I am also reminded of a hadeeth where someone who performs the prayers 5 times a day is like a man who bathes in a river 5 times in a day, where all the dirt and impurities will be wiped off.

I also remembered Kitaro, who looks for inspiration on the sides of the streams, and Leonardo Da Vinci who also draw on the river as a source of inspiration. Well if you don’t believe me, then observe the portrait of Mona Lisa on the net, and you will notice that behind her is a bridge that cuts across a river.

The 17th of Ramadan has been reported as the night that Allah sent down the Al-Quran to prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) as he was contemplating and pondering in the cave of hira. This book was sent to people who ponder, who reflect and who thinks. Li qaumin yatafakkarun. They say it is better to be unborn than untaught, for we are thinking beings after all.

Al-quran isn’t an empty slogan, instrument for rethorics, it is not something one toys with. La yamassuhu illal mutahharun (nobody touches it save those who are pure). Al-quran is a source of energy, a power-house for spiritual strength, it is a phenomenological cure for the sickness of hearts and minds. So powerful is the spiritual source of energy that the prophet Yunus who was in the belly of a whale could survive. Yunus was a prophet who at one point gave up on his people, and as a punishment he was swallowed by the whale(nun as they would call it) . His cry ‘la illa ha ila anta subhanaka inni kun tu minaz zalimin’(there is no God but you, Glory be to you, indeed I was among the people who were unjust) rejuvenated his spirit and upon release he kept on delivering the messages of truth.

Why doesn’t the so called ulema adopt a similar attitude and realize that their task is in delivering and not forcing people to believe in them? Why not ask for forgiveness and ponder upon the miracles in the Quran? Miracles happen to those who believe in them.

As I continued to gaze on the river, looking at the swimming fish, I thought, why don’t I share the significance of the night of the revealation of the quran(Nuzul Quran) with my readers who are close to me at heart?

Revealation(Wahy) from Allah is light that causes darkness to disappear, but before-hand the frozen brain must be de-frosted, and one must not be arrogant, or remain stubborn in one’s ignorance and stupidity(Gundu’s and dungus)A reader who only memorizes the quran without pondering upon its wisdom and meaning.

It is not an easy task, but if you do it for Allah, Allah will help you when you sincerly practice ‘amar makruf nahi mungkar’. I belief it is my duty to try and change the mindset of fellow Muslims, my brother and sister, who are willing to emulate the Godly characters of Loving,Caring, Sharing, giving and forgiving.

Perhaps this change is not possible in a single writing, but I will be satisfied if this could serve as an eye-opener, for History is rich with writings that has changed millions of people all over the world. It is ideas that drive the world and improve the human condition.

In the end of times, it was said in a hadeeth that Knowledge would be lifted from the world. Today we are faced with a dire shortage of scholars who not only espouse their ideas but also live by them. I pray for the appearance of Scholars like Tok Kenali from kelantan and Sheikh said Linggi from Negri sembilan. I also pray that we will have among our young generation Students who aspire to be the 10TH Wali of the Wali Songo, Ameen.

Al-Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad trough the angel Gibreel for hearts that were guided, those who submit to the power and grace of Allah the almighty, who have a deep conviction in ‘Ilmullah’. The miracle that God endowed Musa for example, when he took a branch from a tree and made to be his walking stick, that Allah made it turn into a snake that devoured all the snakes of firaun’s sorcerers, until the court believed in his prophethood. Of course Firaun executed all his sorcerers. a king who plays god when he should be godly.

When reading a good book, one does not just read it for its presentation, but look for a moral of the story, be it in fiction or non-fiction. Applied in this scenario, are leaders today free of sorcerers? One can take it literally and look at the practices of some politicians who make use of mystics, witch doctors and practices of the paranormal craft. But beyond that, the media is today the sorcerer for the leaders, it is like magic, used to propagate their interests, and like black magic when it serve evil intentions. Writers and bloggers could either choose to be instruments of Satan and propound Half-truths and Fitna(slandering) or they could call a spade when they see one.

This phenomenon is so powerful that it can conjure up an illusion so believable that the undiscerning will take their words as Divine. The art of Political spinning is also included in this category where Instead of genuinely thinking about the fate of the people, politicians present a likeable image but behind it is a fascade to promote one’s private interests.

But because this phenomenon happens in the universe of Allah the creator, than it obeys His law, and just as Musa’s snake has eaten all the other fake snakes, than the truth will cause falsehoods to disappear. This is the era where the Internet will be the new medium for the Snake of musa to be eating up all the other snakes, its time that we produce musas’ as they would say, its sometimes not the writer, but the book he writes, but i will say that in this day and age, its sometimes not the book, but the writer,just like how A-list actors is a sure-bet for movie makers, although Time magazine predicts differently for the 21st century with the proliferation of personal media. But irregardless, when it is the voice of truth, it is the voice of God.


The Quran, trough Surah Al-ikhlas guides us on the truth of our creator.

1. Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
2. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
3. He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
4. And there is none like unto Him.

–Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

Now, if we strongly believe in the power of prayer, as William james has demonstrated in his book ‘varieties of religious experience’, and if we strongly believe in God’s promise,

When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.-Baqarah 186.

Why then do we ask from sources other than God? Why do we depend our lives on mortals? We fear the laws of men more then we fear the laws of god. It seems as if we have ‘killed’ god from our daily practices.

God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it? –The madman, by Friedrich Nietzsche.

Of course, Allah is AL hay, He is Al-Awwal wal Akhir, HE cannot die, dying is impossible for Him. But what we can learn from this sentence is that, people has shut God out of their daily lives, they play god insted of being godly, they read the Quran as they would read the newspaper(Koran in the Indonesian language), but even worse since they don’t even try to understand it, and dont take it as a surviving miracle.

It is He that causes life, and it Is He that is powerful over death. " one does not die before the appointed time"-malay proverb

Just look at the prophets for lessons in life, yunus as we said earlier who was stuck in a whale’s belly, or Ibrahim surviving arson. All that helped them survive was their strong faith, a true beliver in god, and their living out their teachings, much different from people today who potray a religious outlook, venturing to sell words of God who are privately neither believers nor doers of what they preach.

As far as I can recall, it has been 51 years since Malaysia my country has been independent. Which means, we have celebrated the Nuzul quran for 51 times, if not more. But I have not seen a paradigm shift, at least not towards a more holistic paradigm. It is as if we are stuck in a capsule in history. One needs to ask what role has the so-called ulema and the paid intellectuals played in this ‘Nation-building’? Why is there this void in mentality and attitude?

There has been enormous progress in economy, education, and technology,we have produced sky-scrapers,a world class airport, not to mention other infrastructures worthy of awe, but where ideas are concerned are we not dwarves? We should work on producing human capital that is capable of adding value to whatever they are tasked with, where our mentalities are in tune with our facilities.

We are still at the level of the masses that Al-Ghazali has described in his Munqidh minal-dalal (deliverance from error). Rather then facing ideas and in turn improve our own conception of truth, we prefer to reject them head on, without learning valuable lessons from it. May God bless the dungus and the gundus.

Man is a special creature, blessed with the senses and a faculty of reason, with various intelligences, including the intellect, spiritual, physical emotional and socio-cultural capital. How many then actually believe that the Quran is God’s medium of communication with us?

Read the Quran as If it’s Revealed to you-Arabic proverb.

When you are unaware that the Quran is God’s way of communicating with His creation, and if you never utilise your salat to be your means of establishing this communication, you suffer a communication break-down, it is like trying to surf the net without the modem installed properly.

To read, is to learn, the religious must know the Godly knowledge, spirituality, especially concerning his identity. What is the Human heart? Who am I? What is this ‘I’? Who’s our God? Reading the Quran, without Tauhid( knowledge of His oneness) without affirming the articles of faith, just like knowing the ‘syariat’ is a wasteful act without knowing the Haqiqah and the Ma’rifah. What good is reading the Yaasin but not knowing its wealth of teachings? Among which is that Muhammad was not a sorcerer or an inventor of scripture. The Quran was a revealation, a continuation from the other holy books, the Zabur, the Torah, Injil and the Suhuf of Musa and Ibraheem. Islam is not an invented ‘new’ religion brought by Muhammad, but it follows a continuum of previous messages.

Do we know Muhammad? Muhammad(saw) whom God sent as the living Quran? Muhammad was not the son of God or His partner. His excellence lies in his conduct, which was described as Ma’sum, free from all sins. A clarifier here is that he was capable of doing wrong, but he never chose to do it. To change the mindset of the present generation, we must look at pages from history, especially the successful, and where better to begin then reading the History of our prophet?

The quran is rich with historical episodes. Take for example the lesson we can learn from surah Al-kahfi, when musa met the wise man(we refer him as Khidir), who was capable of seeing with his heart’s eye. To the masses He killed an innocent child, wrecked the ship of the poor, and labored extensively for people who wouldn’t reward them both but for those who know, then Khidir only acted trough his basirah, going beyond Good and evil, he was a superman, who lived with basirah.

Episodes like this should cause readers to think of the Miracles of the Quran, causing people to ponder principal of ethics, metaphysics and the deeper meaning of life.

The prophet Sulaiman was narrated as having the ability to detect the sounds of ants, and able to communicate with them. Perhaps one can ask questions, as per the medium of communication. Is it trough a certain wave-length or frequency, or the light of God perhaps? These questions can be very scientific. Are these not knowledge worthy of study for those interested in building a government based on the Quran as it’s principals?

In a quality prayer, we talk to god with no intermediaries, just like during the Dhikr(his remembrance) and the doa. God is not deaf, even if our earth can be thought of as ageing and sick. God knows what’s in our hearts. Does He have any need for us to use the loudspeaker with radiuses of more than miles? Don’t you know that your heart can be His throne?

If you recall, Tarzan was the one who shouts for animals to come. He calls elephants, the rhinos the monkeys and other inhabitants of the jungle with his bare voice,and even he was more successful.. Let us try and learn from the Kampong people how they manage to get their flock to get back to the coop by their own.

It would be such a waste of the tax-payers money spending millions of dollars building Gigantic mosques, if only contractors stand to profit from it. Does it fit its utility if it’s filled twice in a year for the eid prayers, or at most once a week for Friday prayers?

Be reminded that the hen that has been used to live on a tree, lay eggs and have chicks in the wild do not know the chicken hut. Who’s fault is it if the authorities fail to attract the youth to the Mosques? A river that is contaminated in the roots cannot be clear at the ends, not unless you install a filtering system anyways.

Perhaps some of my readers would think that I have gone crazy, picking on the inhabitants of the mosques. It is strange, but true, that throughout the Holy month of Ramadan, while performing the tarawikh prayer, the loudspeaker is used to annoy adherents of other faiths in almost all the mosques. I suppose this is what happens when Bidaah is introduced in ibadah(innovations in worship of god) One man started to collect everyone together behind the imam so that people pray united, and that was fine, but when these people added ‘lets’ use the loud speaker so that the neighbors who don’t go will feel guilty when they don’t. Or perhaps they want the neighbors to follow the imam in their private vicinities? Have they not heard of the hadeeth that says, in the end of times, voices will be raised in the mosques?

Wouldn’t it be nice, if people who intends on rejuvenating the mosques use a spiritual kind of attraction, and figures who are attractive in their conducts? A person with a quality of a Murshid, a daie and a murabbi. The people became attracted to the prophet because of his character, his honesty and good nature. The messenger written by Tariq ramadan is a good book on the prophets character and life. Or perhaps one should look for writers like Mutahhari and Ali-shariati as muslim intellectuals who are able to answer to the calls of our times.

The prophet Muhammad was the last prophet, but Allah still bestows karamah upon his wali, granting Ilmu laduni or foresight to whom He likes or a kind of Psychic power. Islam is not an empty religion of rituals. Some of the prophets are given the Mu’jizah, whilst the some of the aulia are given the karamah.

Adherents of Christianity, Hinduism and budhists believe in sainthood miracles that gives normal human beings supernormal powers. To the prophet Muhammad, his greatest miracle is the Quran, of which one can gain emotional and spiritual strength, among others.

It also teaches the importance of social capital, putting importance on habluminannas aside from habluminallah. Hence they must start introspecting themselves, and ask if what they are doing is supporting the Islamic principles, causing trouble and dissension among the people. Islam was sent to make life easier for people, not a religion of burden and burdensome on other people. It is a mercy to all mankind.

Those who intend to inherit and run the house of Allah, who intend to do da’wah must first begin by destroying bad traits in themselves, the mazmumah character shouldn’t be left to thicken in their hearts. This is the dilemma of muslims, when islam is such a perfect product, but the packaging and the salesmen are really not up to the job.

There are many miracles, as recounted in the Quran. Isa(Jesus) was able to bring the dead to life, to heal sicknesses, and we hear the same of Qadir jailani and Sayyid Ahmad Al-Badawi or Sidi Ahmad of egypt who are included in a study of Sainthood and it’s manifestations in world religions by University of California press.

The prophet musa parted the sea which engulfed the whole of pharaoh’s army. The spiritual aura of these spiritual masters are like the magnetic forces, the likes of the Wali songo in Indonesia, until their tombs are visited by the hundreds on a daily basis,whilst sidi Ahmad Al-badawi has millions visiting his tomb during the autumn moolid in Egypt.

Where else does this knowledge come from, if not from Allah? The knowledge of Allah is ever present in front our eyes. The tongue yells ‘Allahu akbar’, but still they fear the ‘authorities’, fear they lose their elevated position in society, they even fear if their contracts wont be renewed, but are not afraid to be liars, when the khalifah should be the master of the universe, and not satans that we should allow to be the superpowers.

To Allah belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing - Al-quran, surah Baqarah.

Observe the gecko on your ceiling, no wings, but yet able to eat flying insects, not eating carcass. But if you shut you’re hearts eye, of course you’ll be blinded of this. It is indeed a fruitless life if you dont elect to discover your third eye, the eye of the Basirah, or letting God use you as His instrument.

If it is true, that after the prophet’s death, Gibreel will come down a few times, and in one of His visits, he will lift the Quran, then try and learn from it. How many read the Quran today, and yet possess not the understanding and its spiritual significance. The heart needs to be muslim, not just the outward pretences, nor just the gear.

Have you lost your belief in the unseen? You’re soul, You’re mind, you’re sight, you’re hearing are all in the domain of the unseen. You can talk about the physical brain, the physical eye, or ears, but the experience, the phenomena that your mind reads are all in the domain of the unseen. Seek Guidance from Allah, that He may grant you insights on the world of the Psyche and metaphysics.

What a waste to read the quran as a cassette player would. How unfoturnate to read it with arrogance, the orientalists benefit worldly knowledge when they found the treasures of islam in between the lines.Shouldnt it be embarassing to the muslims that rather than leading the way in scientific discoveries only claim that this theory or that theory was already written in the Quran but become lazy thinkers by themselves?

Seek and you shall find, ask and you will be given. Use your powers of thinking and imaginative faculties and the truth shall appear in your mind.

Imagination is more powerful than knowledge-Albert einstein

One must read it as a universal message. Do not start with an exclusivist attitude, causing divisions within your own religion. Because when you do, as per the doctrine of ibn taymiyah or Ibn Abdul wahhab, then you’ll start charging people with a different school of thought as following heresy.

The likes of Muhyiddin ibn Arabi, or Hamzah fansuri, who because of the ‘fundemantalists’ of their time were charged with heresy. It is not different in the Christian world, where if one reads the history of Philosophy, Baruch de Spinoza was branded a heretic by the people of his time,but today scholars in the western tradition has adopted his thinking in their understanding of the world, and spinoza is hailed as one of the most important thinkers in the modern age alongside Descartes and Leibniz.

Should Islam be limited to the rituals without knowledge of the spiritual? When one gives the seat of power to the undeserving, then one can await destruction. It is like allowing an incompetent driver with a crooked chasis for his car drive in a Formula one Grand prix. Do not choose the ulema as you would choose politicians who could buy supporters.

It should be very confusing, if the authorities in the mosques show that they no longer fear Allah, prefer to follow their own desire that is influenced by satan, always wanting to convict people and send them to hell. If that is how you behave, how can you curb the malay youth who are involved in drug addiction, the ‘mat rempit’ phenomena, or the malay youth who fall prey to social problems?

Who would dare to admit that they are pleasing Shaytan more than they worship God? Look around us, the craze for position in the house of Allah, not to mention the craze for positions within a political party and between political parties when they all call themselves muslims. Just ponder, is the Islamic spirit still present?

Minds need to be jolted if we are to escape the era of ignorance.

The beginning of knowledge is the realization that we know nothing-Socrates..

We must learn to extend our minds and not remain encapsulated in the past, following the tradition of the dungus and gundus. We must not fear to admit that we might be wrong. Learn to stare at the mirror, and realize that you normally project on your enemies what you fear and detest in yourselves.

I pity those who take pride on their outward islam, but don’t even apply basic common sense. Who don’t have a criterion to distinguish HAQ(the truth) and BATIL(falsehood), and what is permissible and forbidden. It is strange this holier than thou attitude, where the inhabitants of the mosque, fortunate enough to have an Islamic education automatically feel that they are to be the inhabitants of heaven, and people different from them are doomed to oblivion.

Are we not taught the character of the prophet who teaches us to always have good opinions of other people? Those who fear the wrath Allah will not be controlled by ria’(pride) that could virtually destroy his faith. If we take ‘wudhu’ ablution in order to cleanse ourselves before the salat, why not cleanse your heart of the Mazmumah traits? Allah’s religion is polluted with conducts that arise out of ignorance. Do not forget that Allah is angered by His servant who is Arrogant, Unjust and stingy. Godly knowledge is a prerequisite for the servant who intends to get closer to His lord.

Isn’t the lack of spiritual insight that caused the failure of Islam Hadhari that was introduced by Datuk seri Abdullah Badawi? I suppose this is a problem of giving medicine to the unwilling. Or rather as how one might say in the world of the blind the one eyed jack is king.

Unwilling to take medicine when one is sick, to seek repentance when one has sinned, refusing to learn when ignorant, refusing to educate when educated, coupled with stubbornness, and lack of civic-mindedness, driving slow on a fast lane, not giving way to people who need to get to a place on time. The picture of the driver on the Highway Street who causes a bad experience for all serves as a good example.

Remember, we are judged on our actions, our speech and not appointments or status. Today people no longer care, much less venerate titles like Dato, Tansri, Tun, Ustaz, Tuan guru or Shaykh, whose fault would this be? Who cares about you when you could not careless about the rights of others in your capacity and position?

In a time of IT, the open skies, people don’t care anymore about people who put on the Garb of Sunnah, wearing as Saudi Arabians or the yemenis would, the Kurta from Pakistan, or the songkok melayu, even if you are to wear t.shirt and jeans to the mosque, nobody cares. The best of Garb is the Garb of taqwa says the quran. Allah does not look at faces, ancestry or how you dress, Allah looks at your heart. The most noble among men are those who fear Allah.

It’s mind-boggling, do they obey god, or do they tell Him to obey them? Do they follow the deen al-islam, or do they want islam to follow their style and desires? Do they actually think that Islam is something they inherit from their fore fathers? Since when did they get the franchise? Did they sign an m.o.u with God? Do not follow islam just because your fore-fathers believed in it, it was why Quran was sent to the age of jahilliyya, a people whom, alongside Allah also worship other idols like Manna Latta and Uzza.

The ignorant of today may be smarter in the sense that they no longer pray to this physical idol, but the new idols of the day is power, money and sex who they put alongside Allah in their daily practices.

We live in a nation with different races and religions. We are not in Makkah or madina with 100% muslim citizenry. Can this injustice done by the malays in the name of religion not be brought to the conference of the rulers? Why are the advisors to the kings and the Muftis silent on this? Isnt the king the leader of traditions and religion, and guardian of the people, which should include the non muslims? Are they not tax payers and citizens of the country as well?

I hope for the day when a person like Abu nawas would emerge, and reject the seat of power and not fear his contract be terminated when he speaks on behalf of truth. Or perhaps a sultan like Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz, whom during his reign it was so peaceful that the wolves and the sheep could drink from the same watering hole. Or perhaps like Harun ar-rashid who roams his city at night to ensure justice without a need of sirens and outriders to see for themselves this phenomena of the shouting Imams.

Islam demands justice and the prophet(saw) tells us to help those who are done injustice to and the ones committing injustice. The companions asked how are we to help the unjust? And the prophet replied by stopping them from their acts.

Let us live moderately, let us not overstep our privileges. If we constantly cause anger because of our arrogance just because of the special status of Islam in this country, then don’t forget, the only thing left of the malay race is the fragmented political power that is on the verge of dissolution. The malay race is so disunited like the bubbles in a vast ocean, whereas Umno is in a very critical condition,like the sinking titanic.

If we disagree on a point we have a right to disagree, but let us not transgress the etiquettes and act as Gods. When any effort intended to bring about change and to bring about the muslims towards a more enlightened existence is accused of heresy, will there be any progress then? If we persist in doing things the same way even if we know it does not work, do you think our problems will automatically resolve themselves? History will keep on repeating until the anomaly is corrected, that is why the human kind is endowed with the intellect.

There is no compulsion in religion,

1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!

2. I worship not that which ye worship,

3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.

4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,

5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.

6. To you be your Way, and to me mine. -Quran, the disbelievers.

Harshness was never the path chosen by the prophet when propagating Islam. Moral policing, enforcing your own intrepretaion of islam on people gives the religion of islam a bad name. Why should we use the ISA (Internal Security Act) if we don’t first look to ourselves? Have we practiced enjoining the good and forbidding evil? Will people than not lose respect to the Domestic Affairs Minister, Dato Syed Hamid Albar?

I am not trying to parade myself as a hero to the non-Muslims, the Chinese or the Indians, but as a Malaysian I have a right to speak out because they contribute as much as we do if not more in the building of our nation, and lets not forget that we are trying to become a democratic country, with concerns for toleration and peace..

I’m not trying to be a doctor for all the mental diseases of the society today either, I’m just trying to point out that our people are suffering a heart sickness because we are now being run by materialistic concerns a society where money take the place of god, it is high time someone should do something about it if we want to help those who have lost their soul. May God guide those who have sold their soul to the devil

Although I have charged some of the so called Ulama as not possessing even the slightest common sense, Im not trying to point fingers or blaming any individual. "Who’s eaten the hot soup is bound to suffer from the burns, so read the Bismillah, this writing is meant to be a spiritual dish".

Whatever we do, we must do it with the spirit of caring for other, islam and humanity, islam and justice , islam and love are all compatible, and one must not try and divorce islam from all these qualities.

Leaders and Ulama cannot be Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at the same time. One cannot be Both angel and demon at the same time, of course the human soul struggles between the two, but inshallah, while Islam still resides in the heart, then we are Under God’s protection. When one attains godliness, then trough his character will emanate the spirit of loving, giving, caring, sharing, and forgiving.

Today we hear the labeling of some groups of people as Quranists. Quranists are seen as the people who seek to deviate the people because the hold strongly to the quran and it’s adaptability for all times, while simultaneously rejecting any hadith that does not conform with the spirit of the Quran.

The emphasis on reason with Quran as guidance maybe dangerous to the masses, but again, why else would be endowed with the mind? Do we know what the mind is? Is it something that is existent in all graduates with Higher degrees?

1. Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing - (not even) mentioned?

2. Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.

3. We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will). -surah Al-insan(the human), Alquran.

The endowment of the senses, and the Aql(the mind) to discern the truth and evil, and the duty to be grateful is part of being Human. How are we to be his Khalifah, if we don’t exercise this faculty of reason? Are we capable of being the master of the universe if our minds are still encapsulated in the pre-medieval age?

How are we to explain the supremacy and leadership of the malays if we are incapable of being Allah’s vicegerents?

According to Imam Ja’far as-sadiq, the mind is a makhluq, a creature that befriends the human, a creature that obeys the rule of Allah (for example you may deceive others but you cant deceive yourself, and that there are certain rules, like you cannot make 2+2 equals 5), and that it can come and go, (here for example one can occupy space in the universe whilst the mind wonders of unrealisingly).

18. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?- Surah Arrahman.

This life is fleeting, soon we will all die, and rot and be part of the earth, so this short life must be filled with the meaningful, with contemplating our existence

Knowledge must come from teachers, from reading, but that is potential knowledge, knowledge will be realized when we digest it with our own minds. But who else can be our best teacher if not our creator? If we study geology, cosmology, and our moral constitution, then you’ll find signs of His greatness, that we as Humans can utilize in our purpose to serve Him. We need all rejuvenate our spirits, in order that we may save the fate of Humanity.

The Quran does not just serve as a moral and spiritual guide, but at the same time its actually useful even in real-time world problems. Today for example we are at the onset of the world’s financial crisis, the financial melt-down as the media would say it, the magnitude of this crises not just rivals but even supercedes the great Depression of the 1930’s. As the story of the 7 fat cows has told us in the story of yusuf, economic cycles are natural in the world. Ups and downs are inevitable, but human behaviour is something that could effect our survival. The islamic principal of sharing profits and a concern for all in the world, focusing spending on projects for the betterment of humanity as a whole should be applied here. We need to learn to use our resources responsibly, so that we could survive this crisis.

The quran is like a manual to our life, but we ourselves must be the mechanics, but to be a competent mechanic, one must find teachers capable of Helping us obtain mastery of this craft, we must therefore find a teacher that could ensure the cars can run well, and not find teachers who does not do what they say. We are in dire need and in shortage of teachers who are Muallim, Muaddib and Murabbi, but what we have to offer currently and we posess an excess of even, are the Mura’bal, the Bulshitters, the Gundus and the Dungus. May god bless us, everyone.



1. Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah. for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

2. O ye who believe! Why say ye that which ye do not?

3. Grievously odious is it in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not. –Surah Saff.

http://www.shalattas.com

PAS Arrogance and Selfishness.

“[Do not] expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!” (74:6)

“Exult not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches).” (28:76)

“Swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster.” (31:18)

“Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy.” (2:168)

“[God] loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” (2:222)

“[Do not follow] the lust (of thy heart), for it will mislead thee from the Path of God.” (38:26)

These are some of the versus from the Holy Book of Quran.

However, recent statements made by PAS leaders, i.e. the Mentris Besar of Perak and Kedah on the proposed purchase of Toyota Camry cars for official use by the Perak state exco members did not speak well for an Islamic party (PAS) that preaches good Islamic values and prudent management.

What more when it involves public funds.

For a party and someone who claimed to defend and protect the sanctity of Islam, the statements by the two Mentris Besar certainly spoke volume of their arrogance and selfishness.

“[Do not] expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!” (74:6)

“Exult not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches).” (28:76)

Despite mounting critisms from the public not to waste the people’s money, the Perak Mentri Besar Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin, who was formerly the GM of Komtar Management, spoke arrogantly that he would not withdraw his decision to buy the 2.4 Toyota Camrys priced at RM167,000 each for his exco.

His statement was even echoed by his Kedah counterpart Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak who said that the Kedah Government would also follow Perak in buying the models for similar use.

For someone who never forgets to wear a skullcap and jubah (robe) like Wan Azizan or Mohamed Nizar, their actions certainly do not fit the Islamic outfit they are wearing. That's PAS.
Cakap tak serupa bikin...

MINDA INTELEK MELAYU

Hue and cry but reforms will fly

DEC 15 - All said and done, and battle lines drawn, both benches of the Dewan Rakyat are expected to approve the two reform Bills to strengthen the fight against corruption and structure judicial appointments as both laws are improvements to the current situation.

Opposition and government lawmakers still have reservations about the two bills - the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) - saying it is less than ideal and concentrates powers in the hands of the executive.

But Parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given conditional support to the MACC Bill while DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has said the party agreed in principle but wanted some amendments. Pakatan Rakyat leaders also said they will propose amendments in the committee stage of the debate.

It is not hard to see why they are in agreement or want to push the bills through.

"Anything is better than the status quo and the opposition knows that," a government lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider in Parliament today.

Another one chipped in, "Its either these laws or another four years of the same," in an allusion to the current lethargic Anti-Corruption Agency and a suspect judiciary that is seen to be biased towards the executive.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had also met Barisan Nasional lawmakers in Parliament this morning and told them to back the two reform Bills introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last week in a move to fulfill his long-standing reform promises.

As it is, the ruling Barisan Nasional has 137 lawmakers, more than a simple majority, to approve both bills but had wanted Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers to support it if some lawmakers abstained for various reasons.

Anwar, who made his parliamentary comeback in late August, said he welcomed the initiative to fight corruption but expressed some reservations as the MACC does not hold any prosecution power and wanted clearer provisions to protect whistleblowers.

The MACC is modelled on Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption, a highly-respected watchdog and role model for the region, and is expected to replace the ACA once the bill is passed into law early next year.

Anwar told Parliament that the issue at stake is the integrity, authority, and qualification of the Attorney General (AG) and the judiciary, claiming the AG held too much power, to the point that he could decide if a case would be taken to court or simply closed.

DAP's Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang chief minister, also said last week, "We have reservations about the MACC Bill, but we also recognise that there are important steps forward... but it doesn't go all the way, only halfway."

His father, veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, has tabled five amendments for the MACC Bill that will be discussed at the committee stage of the debate.

The Ipoh Timur MP had also asked for the debate for the JAC Bill o be postponed for further study and greater consensus, noting that the legal fraternity and both the Sabah and Sarawak governments have not weighed in on the matter particularly the constituonality of a panel recommending judicial appointments.

And while calling both bills watered-down, the DAP strongman did not say he will oppose the bills but wanted more parliamentary oversight for the MACC and less executive power for judicial appointments.

All in all, Abdullah's promised reforms have left the opposition dissatisfied and the backbenchers upset. Despite the hue and cry, the reforms will fly even if at a snail's pace.

BETWEEN A HADHRAL-MAWTI AND MALAY SUPREMACY

At 4pm on the 29th of October, upon my return from an Open House hosted by Dato Azim of Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), I chanced upon meeting with Nadzru, an old friend. I have been told that we have similar facial structures, perhaps because we both share Yemeni Origins in lineage. We greeted and hugged the Arabian style. Alhamdulillah, I am very fortunate as to have met this chartered engineer who is a friend of the late Haroun Peranchis.

Aside from a successful corporate figure, Nadzru is also a very able linguist, translating with ease and precision from English or Bahasa to Arabic, not to mention his ability to speak well in French. He writes with The Editorial, The Nation and Bangkok post, among others. Although successful, Nadzru maintains a humble personality. This is our first meeting which includes an exchange of business cards, a serious attempt at establishing or rather reconnecting the Silaturrahim, whereas previously we’ve only came across each other whilst transitting at KlIA or Soekarno Hatta airport in Indonesia.

I have few friends who are traders of oil and gas, one other person is YB Senator Dato Syed Ali- Habshi, head of Umno Cheras division.

This man (Nadzru) has offices in Jakarta , Bangkok , the Middle east and North Africa , his trade being oil and gas. Nadzru is a director of a few public listed companies, of which Ranhill berhad is one of them. He invited me to his office at the 40th floor of the Empire tower in Jalan Tun Razak, located next to the Crown princess. If one intends on a big catch, one must go to the oceans, similarly if the intention is for a good story, a man of wisdom is a good bet.

In life there needs to be balance between effort and surrender, good fortune or divine guidance can serve as a very useful tool in our daily undertakings. While I’m looking for the therapy for the ‘sickness’ or pathology of my people, especially it’s leaders, regardless of race, I am fortunate to have met this man, making it easier for me to better understand the concept of Ketuanan Melayu, Supremacy of the Malays, or rather leadership of the Malays. This man is useful as a role model, of which the significance I will explain if you read on.

Whilst the urbanites are filled sicknesses of the heart, the citizenry as a whole are suffering from heartaches, angered at ‘supremacy of the Malays’, a concept thought of as an empty slogan used by politicians to justify nepotism and cronyism.

It is an exhilarating feeling to have an office in a high-rise sky scraper, where you can see how beautiful Kuala Lumpur has become as a city. Perhaps it is even more exhilarating to sit as a ‘Boss’ without expanding any effort. Mind you, it isn’t easy being a boss/employer to Europeans, Arabs and Africans, it definitely isn’t easy as compared to a person who expects to live luxuriously just because he hangs around the powerful. It is this kind of Leadership of the Malays that is hated by not only the none-Malays but among Malays themselves. These individuals are hated by Malays who have lived 50 years under independence, but treated differently because they don’t belong to a group of ‘elites’ holding on to the political power today.

No sane individual would be angered at a Malay being a C.E.O of a company selling expertise in technology for example, but what causes this anger and discomfort is the ignoramus, the imbecile who know nothing but yet demand the 30% of the share of equity. The 30% is a target that should be shared equally among all the bumiputra’s, but the ones who benefits most are the sons and daughters, the in-laws and the cronies. Only those with connections become indescribably rich, becoming Hudsucker proxies, using names of some bumiputra’s who only serve as instruments.

My thought was interrupted when a coffee boy (Not Anuar’s International Coffee boy Saiful) brought us two cups of tea. Nadzru than begins the discussion with his gratitude to the late Tun Razak who replaced the Premiership of Tunku Abdul Rahman after the bloody incident of may 13th 1969. Due to Tun Razak’s effort, many Malays benefited with an opportunity to pursue degrees not limited to literature alone, an effort that must be repaid with Gratitude.

The words that come from his mouth shows me that he is a Malay that is proud to be a Malay even when Malays today are ashamed of calling themselves Malays. Malays as a civilization is a great civilization when one reminisces on a Quote by the late Soekarno. “Dari Sabang hingga ke Marouke di mana ada daun niur melambai-lambai, kerbau berkubang, di situlah tanah air ku.” – Which asserts that geographically the Malay civilization is a rich civilization. Malays number more than 500 million world-wide, and the country that hosts the most Muslims in the world is Indonesia. Samuel Huntington for example recognizes the Malay civilization to be one of the 6 major civilizations. Whilst Kassim Ahmad in his memoirs from socialism to Islam retorts that if we are to progress as a civilization, than we must not forget our Malay roots. I should add why not? The Malay civilization contains a wealth of culture, be It in literature, a rich oral tradition, or the possibility of substantial thought progression. Forgetting this root and identity will push us to the realm of oblivion. The myth of Tanggang for example reminds us that a boy who forgets his parents in preference of more Suave ones was condemned to being a stone. This is but a metaphor to say that if we forget our culture in our craze to uncritically adopt new ones will be dealt by the hands of nature.

Those who study the Malay History will come across people like Tokku Paloh who defeated a British Armada in Terengganu. The supremacy of the Malays, I assert is in the hands of the Ulama, Scholars who are the inheritors of the Prophets.

Nadzru, recollecting his past retorts, if it weren’t for ITM introducing Engineering as an option for the Malay students, if he had not mastered the Islamic sciences in his madrasah, he might not be able to be in the position to do business with Arabs in Sudan and the middle east who require Arabic as the language of commerce.

Is the one who knows, the same as the one who know not? (Quran)

Ask those who know, if you know not. (Quran)

He started his foreign business packed with expertise in the field of engineering when Pak Lah took over the premiership in 2004. At a time when Tun Mahathir let go of his seat after 22 years, Pak Lah told that the nation’s resources were draining-out. Nadzru believed that God is the all-rich and enriching, started his Hijrah, migrating, so that he didn’t have to compete for projects in which it is difficult unless one knows the powerful. Nadzru the linguist is a son of an Islamic School teacher in Kelantan, not a son of a prime minister, a chief minister, or any minister. He gained his wealth abroad from his efforts, but still elects to make Kuala Lumpur as his home-base. How fortunate the Malays could be if only there were more corporate figures who are as patriotic as he is. Love of one nation is part of iman, different from asobiah, a systematic form of racism to promote discrimination on other races.

As he was narrating the importance of the knowledge of science and technology, and how to use precise Arabic terminologies for technological terms, a European man knocked on the door. Nadzru invited the engineer in, and apologized as he had something to settle. Than another one came in requesting his signature. This gesture made me say, cemerlang, gemilang dan terbilang.

Whereas figures like Nadzru can be said to be cemerlang gemilang dan terbilang (successful, prosperous and selected), some Umno members are Temberang, Terbuang, nak diterajang (liars, the worst among the people, and deserves to be kicked out of the leadership). But why? Unethical misappropriation of the people’s money, becoming directors in numerous companies entrusted by the people, ensuring that his own race remains slaves, bereft of human skills like business skills and services, not to mention covering up secrets and misconducts of ministers/politicians waiting to be fired.

Suddenly an email from Dato Haji Ikram Bin Ibrahim, Dato_ikram@rahmanbrothers.com.my came across my mind. I have produced his email in www.shalattas.com, and now I shall comment on some of his criticisms, as I believe my short period with Nadzru is useful, in good hopes that the closed mindedness of some of the Malays could be addressed. This phenomenon is a common one in Malaysia , where one prefers to narrate stories than to read.

“God does not change the fate of a nation unless the people correct themselves"-Al-Quran.

Why must those who do not get a cut from the 30% of the new economic policy continue to envy and attack the ‘leadership of the malays?”. Nadzru’s grand parents migrated to the Malaya then, he is a malay who’s heart and soul clings to the malay identity even if his genes are not even 50% malay.

How many percent of those who claim to be malay actually have a lineage of 30 generations of malays who have lived on this land? Perhaps not more than 10%. You yourself is more of an arab then a malay. Your malay blood is probably 10%. And so is the case with Tun Mahathir, Ahmad Ismail, Pak lah, Reezal merican, MD Nor Yakop, Mohd maidin and others. All have not exceeded 2 or generations of malays who have lived in Malaysia . (direct translation)

"Berapa peratus orang-orang yang mendakwa mereka Melayu ada pertalian dengan 30 generasi orang Melayu yang pernah wujud di bumi ini? Mungkin 10% sahaja. Anda sendiri lebih rupa Arab dari Melayu.Darah Melayu anda mungkin 10% sahaja. Begitu juga Tun Mahathir, Ahmad Ismail, Pak Lah, Reezal Merican, Md Nor Yakop, Mohd Maidin, dan lain-lain semuanya adalah 2 atau 3 generasi sahaja berada di Malaysia."

That was the words from Ikhram who does not understand the definition of a malay as per the constitution, perhaps that is why he is envious of malays who are proud of the “leadership of the malays”, now, I’m not one to say that I am not a Malaysian race, but my stress here is upon the Islamic bond of relationship, that allows us to be of the malays trough integration from marriage. The openness of the constitutional definition of being Malay allows for virtually any race to be a malay. In fact, being a malay now is not being racist, rather being a malay is upholding a certain way of life reflective of a long held cultural heritage.

Wherever we may go, we are citizens of Malaysia , but strength and identity, or the malayness, if I may, makes one wants to fight for what being a malay is. Of course again, this does not mean that we by anyway should condone intolerance of other races and religions in this country.

He further continues his argument incoherently

"So, do not talk about Malay issues. forget about being proud of being a Malay because you and people like you are not really Malays, but Malay celop, I should say - Celop Arab, celop Mat Salleh, celop Siam, celop India dll. Let us talk as Malaysians."

I should think that Ikhram suffers from a psychological sickness, what is he ranting on about? I mean behind this message of let us talk as Malaysians, isn’t it merely a mask of the Asobiah? Malaysia for Malaysians is mainly a masquarade. In truth, no races want to vanquish their identity in favor of being a Malaysian. Malaysia is not America, Malaysia thrives on multi-culturalism, multi racial and multy religions, but the underlying unity is respect, not being new tanggangs.

Should one reject the leadership of a group of malays who are reportedly not ‘pure breeds’? Has he not heard of genetic vigour? Or perhaps he has not heard of aristotle’s definition of being under a nation state, where it all depends on a shared way of life?

Or maybe I should remind him of the malay proverb, "bumi ini yang dipijak, langit ini yang mesti dijunjung".

Let us not work on extremes. I am not an advocate of sending back none-malays to their countries of origins, like how Idi amin did in Uganda . I believe myself that the idea of a Malaysian identity is still forming. But at the same time, this crazy drive of diminishing the leadership of the malays, as laid down in the constitution disturbs structure, and without structure, nothing can work. It maybe imperfect yes, but the process needs time.

As for the origins of those malays, you may be right on Melayu celups(dyed malays (where one’s true race is masked by adopting a malay lifestyle, follows islam as a religion, speaks the malay language). But my arab roots are not one that is ‘dyed’. Like the Chinese who have family surnames, arabs puts an importance on Zuriyat (lineage). A genealogy ensures that not any one can claim to be from a certain Kabilah. But being malay is different. The malay race does not have last names, so much so that one may not know the parent of his grand father. This makes it so much easier to blend in a malay community. Everyone is addressed as individuals. Malays are different from the turks, whom after Kamal Ataturk started adopting last names the concept of which they never had. Even in the naming system, one can identify that being a malay is a very egalitarian form of living.

But just because you come from a different system of naming, this does not give you the right to brand me a half-cast arab or half-cast malay or people like me as half-cast (celop).

Your accusation sir, that I am a half-cast Arab shows how shallow your knowledge of genealogy is. Your allegation is like that which Raja Petra leveled on Syed Ali Al-habshi when he irresponsibly said that Ali’s ancestors were from the Habashi tribes in North Africa, when in truth Ali is a hadharami like myself, with our ancestry going back to the prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). My great grand father Almarhum Habib Omar Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Attas Shahibbul Ratib Kutubulanfas. Traces of my ancestry go back to Imam Hussein who was the son of Ali and Fatimah, the daughter of the prophet Muhammad Sallahualaihiwasalam.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Verily Allah choose Isma'il from the progeny of Ibrahim, and chose Banu Kinanah from the progeny of Isma'il, and chose Quraish from the Banu Kinanah, and chose Banu Hashim from Quraish, and chose me from Banu Hashim." At-Tirmidhi has narrated this tradition from Wathilah ibn al-Asqa' and has said that this tradition is sahih (correct).

Kunta Kinte, as written by Alex haley knows of his roots, similarly Barack obama is not ashamed to admit of his Kenyan ancestry. Today he is the first African-american to live in the White House.

As for being a half cast malay, again I must say you clearly don’t understand what being malay is according to the constitution. This challenging some’ones malayness is simply madness.

The arabs are the ones who brought islam to this land. By virtue of marriage, some of them managed to become sultans of this land. Would you call Sultan Syed sirajuddin Al-jamalullail a half-cast as well when he is the protector of our religion and cultural heritage?

Not only did you level a personal accusation against my heritage, you further try to humiliate other figures who have served the country over the course of generations. You accused Tun Mahathir Muhammad who have advanced the cause for the country and the malays, you listed other prominent figures who are clearly sinless against you.

Me being proud of my ancestry does not compromise my sense of duty towards my nation and my people. I am not a fascist who believes my superiority rests on me being this or that person’s progeny.

It does not matter who our ancestors are, so long as we are human beings, we are all descendants of Adam and Eve. The most noble amongst us in the sight of Allah is the righteous. There’s a hadith that narrates of how Allah does not look at our appearances but looks at our hearts

Nobility is in ones knowledge and ones character, not in one’s lineage-ali

It does not matter where we come from, as the slogan says Malaysia boleh, then let us all be committed to a cease-fire as have been done by the bloggers.

"A man is noble, not because he comes from a noble family but because he has done noble deeds."

Say: "O Allah. Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power-Quran" (Trans Abdullah Yusuf Ali)

Now, 12 years after independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman who led umno then didn’t subscribe to what you claim as TOTOK system. He was more of an apologist, in the end UMNO and the malays drifted until Tun Razak had to propose the New Economic Policy.

But don’t go on blaming the N.E.P if the malays are cheated. The ones deserving of blame are the irresponsible. To many has become robbers upon obtaining power. The myth of the ring of gyges has been proven true by these leaders.

Your claim that today, almost all the present malay generation are ‘highly educated, with more exposure to new social ties, an exponential growth of information, and a way of thinking which is more strategic and pragmatic’ is an extremely optimistic picture of the current general population. But lets take it on face value that this is true. Then can you deny that this success is not a product of the backwardness (ketotokan) of the UMNO leaders that was started by Tun Razak trough his N.E.P, and the spirit of “leadership for the malays” that is inculcated in to the hearts of the malays by the backward UMNO leaders?. Today his son Dato’ Seri Najib has won the seat for the presidency of UMNO uncontested, final-countdowns to replace Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi.

But irregardless, had it not been for the backward practices of UMNO, do you think the malays could even survive today? But because of the “tolerance” of the late tunku abdul rahman, in embracing the tak apa attitude, malays lagged to far. Are there no apologetic leaders the likes of Tunku today?

What is destroying Umno, what is killing this institution is the irresponsible Politicians, not the “backwardness” that you claim. These backward-minded leaders love their race more than themselves. These leaders wants the field to be leveled. Progress is shared, the pie wants to be shared. Humans are given reason for a reason, and I believe this reason is enough to prevent the rule of the jungle that seeks to weed the weak out of existence, different from the Islamic principal that invites the weak to improve themselves. What will eventually cause the collapse of Umno are the politicians who blame others as guilty of bribery when they cant win votes. Umno will be destroyed by the malay tycoons whom upon not being granted million ringgit projects by Umno start defaming and accusing umno of heinous crimes, whereas those who get their hands on millions of the people money hide and does not repay nor help the institution of the party.

As a result, it is definite, that the Malay population loses its trust in this institution to the arms of the opposition. But if only they would realize, they are like the malay proverb "upon being safe of the teeth of the tiger, they jump into the mouth of the alligator”.

Be reminded of the advice of the elders, if one is sick, than find a cure, if one is filled with sins, don’t continue on sinning, but start repenting. This is the only formulation that may save the fate of the malay race.

Remember, there’s only about 50% of malays in this blessed country, if we are not careful, how many students actually posess credibility, integrity and critical intelligence? Some may even graduate from foreign universities, but yet posess an extremely weak command of English, with knowledge limited to the scrolls they carry. Malay Students who prove this assertion wrong is in the minority, and the none-bumi companies will not employ them unless they posess the necessary skills.

Does the malay leader selling his Malaysia for Malaysians know how many malay students actually have leadership quality and socio-cultural capital? What is going to happen to the brunt of malays who still live in their comfort zones who still depend on the B.N government for their futures? The malays are like the eon proton industry, living under protectionism. It maybe harmful for the economy in the short run, even the long run perhaps. But this does not make room that efficiency shouldn’t be our only goal for the country. But if the country is pushed, proton could eventually be scrapped of the country. But eon is a motor industry, the malays are a group of people, must we deal with them the same as how we are going to treat our motor industry? Scrap the malay race out because it is no longer efficient to have malays in Malaysia ? Or outsource them perhaps?

Umno today is a sick giant, perhaps like Gulliver in Swift’s gulliver’s travel, to give you a clear picture. The lilliputs, or the individuals are bringing it down by constantly attacking this giant. This giant may not be able to survive such colossal attacks, and one may find Gulliver one day to be no more.


Yesterday is History,
Tomorrow is mystery,
Today is a gift,
That’s why it’s called the present.

Unknown


Rendered and interpreted into the English language by S.H Al-Attas Jr. Visit www.shalattas.com

I am not unhappy and I am not upset…

BY: NOOR HASILAH ISMAIL

After the infamous sex video scandal, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, the former health minister has again risen from the ashes of his political quagmire. In an exclusive interview with him, Agendadaily explores his new role as MCA’s number two and his plans for the party.

Q: You are now back in the driver’s seat of MCA, but with no ministerial post. There are rumours that you are unhappy and upset?

A: I am not unhappy and I am not upset.

Q: But you sound unhappy?

A: I did not say that. You assume that. A lot of people assume that. Of course I am happy to know that I still get strong support from MCA members.

Q: What do you have to say on your appointment as Head of Government Policy Monitoring Bureau, instead of being the MCA state Liaison Chairman or a ministerial post?

A: The appointment of party positions is the hand of the president. Whether I am happy or not is not important, what is important is whether the members of MCA are happy or not. I regard the appointment as my job, nothing to be happy, and nothing to be upset.

Q: Were you surprised when you won the number two post, despite your past scandal is still the talk of town?

A: The people understand, what is wrong is wrong, but at least I had the courage to admit my mistakes, apologize and resigned. Unlike most people who likes to deny and avoid the issue. Our people are smart enough to know that success does not mean that you don’t make mistakes. We learn from mistakes. I am only human.

After making a mistake, I handled my mistake and move forward. It was not easy to contest against a minister who is the secretary of the party, and also the brother of the president. My win showed that the delegates have their own choice who they want to support, even though when it became a four-man contest.

Q: Were you confident of winning before the elections?

A: Yes, because I do my work and I deliver what I promised. I believe the MCA delegates vote with wisdom, not with emotions.

Q: Without a prominent post in MCA, how do you think you could help shape-up MCA, and what can you promise the members?

A: I was not promised any post when I contested. The real reason I came back was because I felt after I resigned, I went through a period of soul-searching, weighing the possibilities of whether I should retire for good or continue. Then, I have been doing it (active in politics) for 23 years and it has become part of my life.

Q: You were reported as saying in a Chinese daily that there are a lot of members in MCA who are unhappy with the new line-up of MCA. Who are these unhappy people?

A: Those who are unhappy are people who voted for me. They felt that the party should be united and in order to do that, they believe the party need to accommodate different people with different voices. They also feel that the president should be accountable to the members’ right.

Q: As Deputy President with no ministerial post, do you feel you are being “confined” to exert your capabilities?

A: I can do whatever I can with all the limitations. The first thing I did when I was appointed was to apologize to the party if I could not perform well due to limited “space”.

Q: What is actually happening in MCA?

A: Like all other parties, we have internal problems too, the biggest being fractions in the party. Even in UMNO, there are members who support certain people not because of “perjuangan parti” but because of relationship. When there is disunity in its component parties, if will definitely affect the performance of BN in the next election.

We know our weaknesses and we also know the weaknesses of the BN government. Hopefully all the component parties will rectify all issues within their parties, close rank and stay united before the next general elections.

Q: Can you elaborate your role as the Head of Government Policy Monitoring Bureau?

A: I monitor government policies, see whether it is fair and reflect the wishes of the rakyat, or whether there are deviations, outdated, or not adequate to meet the challenges of the 20th century.

Q: What do you think of claims that suggested establishments of SRJK could enhance racial tension and it should be scrapped?

A: Under the constitution, all the races have the freedom to choose the medium of education. I don’t believe the SRJK can cause racial tension. There is no basis to scrap SRJK Chinese or Tamil as long as all of us accept Bahasa Malaysia as the national language. If these people claim the SRJK can create racial tension, how about SK which is the foundation of education to Malays who practice Malay and Islamic cultures but “ berpecah-belah dan mempunyai pandangan berbeza-beza ”. Malaysia cannot have her rakyat to be mono-lngual. Malaysians should be multi-lingual. I would like to encourage Malaysians, including Malays and Indians to learn Mandarin.

Learning Mandarin or other language does not mean “ kita tak cintai atau hormati Bahasa Malaysia”. Kalau orang Melayu mahu bersaing dengan orang Cina, terutama dalam perniagaan, adalah satu kelebihan kalau mereka pandai berbahasa Mandarin. Ramai orang Cina menguasai perniagaan di negara ini kerana kebolehan berbahasa Malaysia, walaupun mereka menggunakan bahasa pasar .”

You cannot deny that Mandarin is one of the fastest growing languages in the world. Moreover China is one of our biggest trading partners and it will be a great advantage is Malaysians can speak Mandarin.

Q: Your comment on certain quarters in MCA who labeled Umno as a bully?

A: This perception comes about because some UMNO leaders are so arrogant. Sometimes in the UMNO MT meetings, they will discuss certain issue and it became a government policy, when it should actually be brought to the cabinet.

Q: Your opinion on the contest for Umno top posts?

A: I think it is healthy. It gives UMNO members to chance to elect. It has been so many years since the number two post is being contested. The leaders should be decided by the members. As an MCA leader, I have no intention to get involved. I am sure UMNO members have the wisdom to choose who they want.

Q: Your opinion on money politics?

A: Money politics is bad. It only goes to demonstrate that money can buy positions. In this case, a good leader with caliber, but with no money, has no chance to win and it breeds corruption.