In Defence of Raja Petra Kamarudin and Malaysia-Today

"YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE"
A Dedication to Raja Petra Kamarudin ("The Lion Prince") et. al
From Haris Ibrahim ('People's Parliament'): Read HERE

"This post is dedicated to Raja Petra Kamarudin and every Malaysian who will step forward and be counted in the struggle for justice and equality for all. This is my pledge to you." - Haris Ibrahim

The road is long, with many a winding turn
That lead us to who knows where, who knows where?
But I’m strong, strong enough to carry you
You ain’t heavy - you’re my brother

So on we go, your welfare is my concern
no burden are you to bear, we’ll get there
For I know you would not encumber me
You ain’t heavy - you’re my brother

If I’m leaving at all, I’m leaving with sadness
that everyone’s heart isn’t filled with the gladness
of love for one another.

It’s a long, long road, from which there is no return
While we’re on the way to there, why not share?
And the load doesn’t way me down at all
You ain’t heavy - you’re my brother
(from "Long and Winding Road " by Lennon-McCartney)

UPDATE: 25th July : Read here

Raja Petra 'Thanked' UMNO: Read here for more on Malaysiakini

Raja Petra Kamarudin has expressed his ‘thanks’ to Umno for the millions of hits that his website Malaysia Today has received over the past two days.

“Thanks should also be given to Umno the ruling party [...] my meagre 2.2 to 2.4 million hits are now 5 million because of the police report.If it’s not the most popular website then, it certainly is now today by virtue of Umno’s contribution.” he told the BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur.

The webmaster made this cheeky comment this morning outside the Dang Wangi district police station, when he reported for questioning over the police report.

Raja Petra also said he would be giving the police officers “a hell of a tough time” in responding to questions at the police station, where he has been since 11am today.
“I don’t know how much experience this ASP has in interrogating people, but I assure you that he’s gonna get a whole new experience with me today,” he asserted.

Asked what he might have done to make the government angry, he said he has been revealing abuses by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and corruption involving cabinet ministers.

“I’ve produced hard evidence by way of documents, agreements and letters and so on and all this [...] has never been rebutted, never been denied. They’ve never made a police report on the documents on any of those reports I’ve made or any of the documents I’ve revealed. And the only thing they want to do now is spin me on some flimsy allegation that I’ve insulted the King,” he remarked.

He stressed that as much as the documents are under the Official Secrets Act, these ministers do not dare to “take him to task thereby proving (the documents) correct”.
(Raja Petra) pointed out the irony of going to the police station that is located opposite Stadium Merdeka, purpose-built for the ceremony to declare the nation's independence in 1957.

“I am going to walk across the road from here to probably to lose my independence in a few minutes from now,” he quipped.

Raja Petra Summoned by the Police

Raja Petra Kamarudin has been summoned to the Dang Wangi Police Station, Jalan Staduim, at 11.00am today (25 July 2007) for his statement to be recorded with regards to the police report made by the Umno Information Chief.

It is believed a second police report has also been made with regards to the article Raja Petra wrote called ‘See you in hell Muhamad son of Muhamad’.

UMNO Minister Threatens Bloggers in Parliament (Read here for more)

"..Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the government would not hesitate to use the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 121b of the Penal Code against these bloggers.

He said the government had exercised restraint in the matter for a long time and the time had come for it to act according to those laws.

"I want to issue a warning that the time has come for us to take action against them (bloggers who make disparaging statements). We have the right and we will do it. We have been very patient," he said when winding up debate on the Electronic Government Activities Bill 2007 in the Dewan Negara here.

Ahirudin Attan says (Read here for more):

"...Najib should tell (Muhammad Muhammad Taib) Mike Tyson to withdraw the police report against RPK and tell Nazri to shut up.

These kucing kuraps (Bakri Musa's words, not mine) - not this lion of a prince, RPK (again, the surgeon's words) - are giving all of us a bad name. [here].

--end of update -

From Bakri Musa's Blog: Read Here and Here and Here from Malaysiakini

From Dr. M. Bakri Musa

I join Dr. Lim Teck Ghee and others in condemning this police report lodged by UMNO.

Just as I thought we had breached the depth of stupidity with Najib Razak’s utterance of Malaysia being an Islamic state, out comes this news of (former) UMNO Vice-President lodging the police report.

Without being unduly Pollyannaish, I see some good coming out of this bizarre police report. I always knew this double Muhammad to be utterly corrupted but I did not know that he breached his scholarship bonds or that his divorce settlement to his wife, the Sultan of Selangor’s daughter, was a cool $12 million ringgit. Thanks to Raja Petra, now we know.

This is the Muhammad who was acquitted on a criminal charge of trying to smuggle a couple of millions in cold cash on the technical grounds that he could not understand the customs declaration forms! This begs the question, if this graduate of a local university could not understand English (no surprise there), how could he follow Raja Petra’s exposes that are written in English?

That soiled characters like this double Muhammad could rise so high in UMNO reflects more on the nature of UMNO. UMNO in turn reflects more on our Malay culture and norms. That is the tragic part.

I am glad and not at all surprised that Raja Petra, far from being cowered by this latest challenge, is being emboldened. The kucing kurap of UMNO cannot rustle this lion of a prince.

Thank Allah that Malaysia is blessed with such individuals as Raja Petra.

From Dr. Lim Teck Ghee

I am writing in defense of Raja Petra (Kamarudin) and his commentaries in his website, Malaysia-Today.net.

This website contains some of the finest and most incisive political analyses and commentaries on the problems and ills that beset our nation. Malaysia-Today.net is simply without peer – whether as a whistle blowing or expose revealing resource or as a barometer of the pessimism and cynicism that many Malaysians feel when given freedom to express their views.

Whilst some of the comments that are contributed by the website’s considerable following – especially on racial and religious issues – may appear over-exuberant, they are no more than the honest - if sometimes – passionate views and sentiments of our own citizens who write in precisely because they love the country and want it to be a better place.

Raja Petra’s own writings have not only been consistently factual, balanced and temperate. In his investigation of the many follies in our nation, he is providing that model of fearless, patriotic and ethical journalism that can help bring about higher standards of governance and behavior, especially from our leaders.

A fair-minded government should not for one moment entertain - let alone pursue - the false charges that have been leveled against him by UMNO.

I hope good sense will prevail - and Raja Petra and Malaysia Today can be allowed to continue unhindered in their good work aimed at achieving a better Malaysia.

From Dr. Helmy Haja Mydin: Read here on Malaysiakini

Although the man himself saw it coming, I was flabbergasted to read the report about the police report filed against Raja Petra, for the alleged crime of insulting Islam and the King.

The only insulting comments that I've come across were left by bloggers commenting on the site, not the editor himself.

Is this another case of the powers-that-be being unaware of the mechanisms of a blog (ala Nat Tan's case) or are they just being indifferent to the fact in order to haul a thorn in their sides into court?

Articles on the website were by and large written in a logical, matter-of-fact manner.

I fail to see how one man's opinion online is deemed an offence under Malaysian laws. Is the PDRM bent on policing the Internet now, when there are so many unresolved criminal cases lying about?

Are we taking China's route now; tearing apart the deals of the MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor) so that the minds of the citizens are subjected to official viewpoints as it happens with government-controlled newspapers?

As a supporter of the original principles of Umno, I would hope that Umno Youth be more concerned about the lies that are being spread; perhaps it would be more appropriate for them to bring up the various issues of corruption that have been highlighted by Raja Petra.

I am sure Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who led the lodging of the report, would want to publicise the issue and clear his name as Raja Petra can't possibly have evidence to back up his rhetoric, can he?

If the issues were brought to an open, impartial court and the man be given the opportunity to present his evidence (or lack thereof) then we would have justice.

To deny justice, after all, is the ultimate insult to Islam.

At the end of the day, this just appears to me to be yet another attempt of shouting 'bodoh' at individuals who bring up issues of national importance rather than addressing those issues.

One can only sweep so much under the carpet before the bulge is noticeable.

And one can only hold off the nausea for so long.

From "Urban Malay": Read here in Malaysiakini

Since the general election is around the corner, the ruling parties - which practically control all of the media in the country - must make sure that articles written in cyberspace which expose the misdeeds of the ruling elite do not reach the masses.

‘Malaysia Today’ editor, Raja Petra Kamarudin, who pulls no punches when writing his articles, must have seen it coming and time will tell whether he will face the music for being outspoken about his views about what is going wrong in this country.

As they say, the truth hurts and the ruling BN, which is not able to respond intelligently to all the ‘dirty linen’ about them has to use government apparatus (the police) to silence their critics.

With all the media which are beholden to the government to renew their annual printing licences, it baffles the minds of the thinking public why a top gun of Umno who was full of controversies during his reign as the MB of Selangor had to make a police report against ‘Malaysia Today’ for alleged seditious articles disparaging the King and Islam.

Rest assured folks, BN with all their big talk of winning big in the next general elections are actually scared stiff that in the age of Internet, all their scandals and misuse of power cannot be hidden anymore.

As the Malay saying goes ‘bangkai gajah mana boleh disembunyi dengan daun’ (the carcass of an elephant can’t be hidden with a leaf).

The younger generations with a better education level than their forefathers and the growing middle class which are made up of various races can think for themselves about what is wrong in this country.

The BN parties cannot bulldoze their way through like before and if they think by shutting down a news blog which is critical of the government policies they can shut up the opposition, they must be dreaming.

Using the law or the ISA to silence your critics will not do in this modern times. Instead of using brute force to stop the people from talking and writing about governmental misdeeds, it is better for the government to engage them in a helpful public discourse on how to improve our nation as we celebrate our coming 50th anniversary.

Only weak governments like Zimbabwe or North Korea and other Third World nations will use brute force to silence their critics but look at them now. Endemic corruption is rife and their economies are in shambles causing the poor and downtrodden to go hungry while the small elite live like there is no tomorrow.

A lot of silent Malaysians are praying for your safety, Raja Petra.

May your voice not be muzzled by the authorities in the coming days. You represent the unsung hero who speaks for the ordinary man and woman on the streets who have a hard time eking out a living in these trying times.

May Allah bless you in your time of need.

From "Angry Citizen": Read here for more in Malaysiakini

"...I am a Chinese Malaysian almost as old as the country. I have voted for BN all my life though I am not happy with some of its concepts.

Having said that, I am thinking I may NOT vote for BN if certain things occur because it will be the last straw.

I can accept that the national religion is not of mine. But if the government CANNOT prove itself to be transparent and fair and be willing to accept criticism and attempts to bring justice, then it should NOT be running this country.

I have followed the case of Umno making a police report against Raja Petra and his website, ‘Malaysia Today’. It is a clear sign that those in power are getting increasingly worried about the way so much of the 'behind the scenes' affairs are being revealed.

I never bothered about ‘Malaysia Today’ at all but in recent weeks, I have read through many of the articles and I would say they are written in a balanced fashion.

They are fascinating and I commend those who have had the courage to share information with Raja Petra. These are people who must be totally frustrated with the way things are going in the government and in political parties. These are true citizens who simply want the Malaysian government to be run ethically and cleanly, and they are seeing that it is actually becoming worse.

The charges that articles in the website ‘incite hate between the various races and could affect unity and national security’ and that ‘the reports contain criminal elements which could incite anyone and cause fear’ are rubbish!

The only thing that is causing me fear is to read about the police going after the 'messenger' or the 'whistleblower' rather than using the time and money to investigate and give a full explanation to the public. It only makes me more suspicious. If allegations are false, prove it rather than just arresting the person who brought it up in the first place. This is the nasty culture in this country, even in the corporate world.

If Raja Petra is really thrown into jail, then the government will have to be prepared for the fact that a lot of people will lose respect for it (the government).

It is not to say that ‘Malaysia Today’ is so influential that it can make enough people change their minds about supporting BN.

But, if it is interfered with, it will make people think more seriously when they go to vote..."

Raja Petra's Blow-Back on UMNO's Lodging of Police Report Against Him and Malaysia-Today

Read Here on Malaysiakini: UMNO Lodges Report Against Malaysia-Today

Read here Bahasa translation of Raja Petra's article, "See You in Hell, Muhamad son of Muhamad"

Quote:

".. Muhamad the son of Muhamad, see you in hell.

You eloped with the late Agong’s and Sultan of Selangor’s daughter and secretly married her in Thailand. Then you denied it when the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor asked you about it.

I know that when the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, found out that you had in fact married his daughter, my cousin, and that you had lied about it, you arranged for UMNO YOUTH to organise an anti-Sultan demonstration. You committed treason.

This ex-Menteri Besar is corrupt, a liar who married the late Agong’s and Sultan of Selangor’s daughter and denied it, and who insulted the Malays and Islam by secretly marrying someone’s daughter in another country without the permission of her father.

And YOU accuse ME of insulting the Agong ?

Ini Anak Raja Bugis bercakap yang mati dengan keris di dalam tangan...."
-Raja Petra Kamarudin

MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD TAIB
UMNO Information Chief

On 23rd July, 2007, Umno filed a police report at the Dan Wangi Police Station against political website Malaysia Today for allegedly publishing disparaging remarks against the King and Islam.

The report was filed by Umno information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib, (ex-Menteri Besar of Selangor) accompanied by some 30 people. Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Mohamad Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman confirmed that a report was lodged.

[Read HERE Newsweek article (April 25, 1997) "The Fall of Selangor Chief" ie on Muhammad Muhammad Taib's resignation as Chief Minister of Selangor]

Read BELOW Raja Petra Kamarudin's Article in response to UMNO's Muhammad Muhammad Taib filing of the police report against him and Malaysia-Today .

See You In Hell, Muhamad son of Muhamad

by

Raja Petra Kamarudin

(Image Courtesy of Mob's Crib)
Excerpts: Read here full article on Malaysia-Today

"The Ex-Menteri Besar With Two Muhamads In His Name"
It seems there is a certain ex-Menteri Besar who made a police report against Malaysia Today and me. This ex-Menteri Besar has two Muhamads is his name.

He was of course acting on behalf of Umno and represented Umno as its Information Chief.

This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name has made a police report against Malaysia Today and me saying that:

I insulted the Agong and Islam and

I raised racial sentiments which could probably result in racial conflicts in Malaysia.

The Agong is My Buddy
It is mind-boggling that this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name would accuse me of insulting the Agong who is also the Sultan of Terengganu when the Agong is my buddy.

When the Agong, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu, was merely the Raja Muda of Terengganu, I used to ride horses with him along the beach in Kuala Terengganu. I also made trips to London to meet the Agong who is also the Sultan of Terengganu when he was still just the Raja Muda of Terengganu and a student in London.

The then Raja Muda of Terengganu who is now the Agong and I would drive around London in his Ferrari and together with my sisters and wife would visit the famous London night-spots such as Longfellows where all the action is. When he was back in Kuala Lumpur I would take him to the then famous Tin Mine where we would just sit and talk as he was not a disco-dancer but preferred to just enjoy the music and talk.

Would I insult my long-time friend who is now the Agong when I sembah and kiss his hand and he would withdraw it and refuse to allow me to kiss his hand as he considered me a buddy rather than a subject?

This, the ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name did NOT realise when he made that police report against Malaysia Today and me.

I will offer to make an audience (mengadap) with the Agong who was my buddy since the days he was merely the Raja Muda of Terengganu.

Anak Raja Bugis' Loyalty to Agong
If His Royal Highness is of the opinion that I have insulted him then I will subject myself to any form of punishment befitting a subject who has insulted his Agong.

Such a punishment befitting the crime of insulting the Agong can include the death sentence.

I will walk to the gallows to have my head separated from my body with the dignity of a true subject of the Agong.

An Anak Raja Bugis is loyal to his Agong and a true Anak Raja Bugis looks death in the face with the dignity expected of an Anak Raja Bugis.

I am not a descendant of Upu Tenribong Daeng Rilaka in vain. I shall not smear the name of my ancestors by avoiding the punishment of insulting his Agong.

The Agong is one of the Raja-Raja Melayu and I am MORE than just an Anak Raja Melayu; I am an Anak Raja Bugis.

You Were Caught in Brisbane Airport, Australia
This is the Muhamad who started life as a schoolteacher but does not speak a word of English. When caught carrying millions of dirty money into Australia, he pleaded ignorance of the English language and was acquitted by the Australian court the crime of smuggling money. [Read here for more on Asiaweek (10th January 1997) "Muhammad is caught with a suitcase of cash"]

What boggles the mind is how this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name could suddenly have millions in his pocket and which he was arrested for as he entered Australia.

You Failed to Pay Back Govt, RM 80,000 Scholarship Bond
Just barely a few years before that, he could NOT even pay back the government the RM80,000 that he owed and needed Anwar Ibrahim to exempt him from the rule of paying back the money.

When he resigned as a schoolteacher to contest the general election, the government made a claim of RM80,000 against him because he was on contract and was bound by this contract to serve the government to pay off what he owed.

Malaysia (gives) underprivileged Malays, government loans to further their studies. They must, however, serve the government for a certain period of time once they graduate and if they refuse to do so or resign before the expiry of their contract then they have to pay back the government the amount of their loan.

This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name therefore owed the government RM80,000, If he did not pay back the amount then he would be denying other Malays the benefit of this money and therefore would in that same process be denying other Malays the benefit of a tertiary education.

This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name then appealed to the then Minister of Education, Anwar Ibrahim, for exemption from paying back the government the RM80,000 that he owed.

Anwar waived the rule so that this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name need not pay back the nation the RM80,000 that he owed which could have gone to other less-fortunate Malays who needed government assistance to further their studies.

You Insulted the Late Agong, My Uncle
This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads insulted the late Agong who was the Sultan of Selangor and my uncle. This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name eloped with the Sultan’s daughter,who is my cousin, and secretly married her in Thailand.

When the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, asked this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name whether he (the ex-Menteri Besar with the two Muhamads in his name) had married his (the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor) daughter, this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name denied it.

Marrying secretly in Thailand is a crime and one can be punished for it. Marrying a woman without the consent of her father goes against Islam and Malay culture and, being a Menteri Besar, this is even more of a no-no.

But this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name denied he had married the Sultan’s daughter secretly in Thailand and swore in the name of Allah that the allegation is a lie.

Eventually, this ex-Menteri Besar with the two Muhamads in his name divorced the Sultan of Selangor’s daughter, my cousin, and paid her RM12 million as a divorce settlement.

This upset the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, who made a photocopy of the RM12 million cheque.

The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor was upset that his Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name had paid his daughter RM12 million as a divorce settlement.

The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor then made a photocopy of the cheque and showed it to the Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (The late Agong) demanded to know how a mere Menteri Besar could afford to pay RM12 million as a divorce settlement to his daughter. This proves that Selangor has a corrupt Menteri Besar, said the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle.

You Are Corrupt And A Liar
This ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name is corrupt, a liar who married the late Agong’s and Sultan of Selangor’s daughter and denied it, and who insulted the Malays and Islam by secretly marrying someone’s daughter in another country without the permission of her father.

This man was then a Menteri Besar (and) had two Muhamads in his name. And the woman is the daughter of the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor.

So this crime of the ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name is ten times worse. And any other man would have been arrested and convicted of the crime of marrying a woman secretly in Thailand.

But this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name was NOT arrested and put on trial. He was also NOT arrested and put on trial when he paid RM12 million as a divorce settlement.

(He) could NOT explain where he got the money from and how he could afford to pay such an amount on his meagre Menteri Besar’s salary.

Can You Read In English?
I understand that this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name can’t speak English. This means he also can’t read English.

How this ex-Menteri Besar with two Muhamads in his name managed to figure out that I insulted the Agong in my article is beyond me when I write in English and not in Malay.

Umno should have chosen another man who can speak English to make that police report against Malaysia Today and me.

You Go To Hell
This is my response to that police report against Malaysia Today and me.

I would just like to say:

Go to hell Muhamad the son of Muhamad. You are a disgrace to the Muhamad name.

And let me tell you Muhamad the son of Muhamad:

You should thank your lucky stars that this is 2007 and not 1907. If this was 1907 instead of 2007 I would challenge you to a duel.

It would be a man-to-man, one-to-one duel. It would be a duel to the death with kerises.

You eloped with the late Agong’s and Sultan of Selangor’s daughter and secretly married her in Thailand. Then you denied it when the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor asked you about it.

Only someone with NO balls would do this. A man WITH BALLS would NOT deny it.

Your Treasonous Act
I know that when the late Agong and Sultan of Selangor, my uncle, found out that you had in fact married his daughter, my cousin, and that you had lied about it, you arranged for UMNO YOUTH to organise an anti-Sultan demonstration.

The late Agong and Sultan of Selangor was very hurt and he cancelled his birthday celebration that year.

So that year no datukships were awarded and you had to return the money to all those who had paid you for their datukships.

This act of yours, Muhamad the son of Muhamad, is treasonous.

If this was 1907 instead of 2007 you would have been put to death. You committed treason. You would have been put to death if this was 1907 instead of 2007.

You Want A Political Comeback After the Fall of Najib Razak
But I know why you made that police report against Malaysia Today and me, Muhamad the son of Muhamad. You want to make a political comeback. You want to contest a parliament seat in the next general election.

And you want to be made a federal minister when you win that parliament seat. You hope that the present Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, will fall and that you can take his job. That is why you made that police report against Malaysia Today and me, Muhamad the son of Muhamad.

Muhamad the son of Muhamad, see you in hell.

And if I go there first I will wait at the gates of hell to greet you on your arrival, Muhamad the son of Muhamad.

Ini Anak Raja Bugis bercakap yang mati dengan keris di dalam tangan.
-Raja Petra Kamarudin

UMNO Youth THREATENS MCA Leadership ! What has MCA as the Senior Partner of BN and MCA President Ong Ka Ting Got to Say?

UPDATE: 24th July 2007.

Read HERE, MCA Youth's wimpish, gutless and spineless response to UMNO Youth's arrogant and irresponsible threat to MCA leadership.

Malaysian Unplug says:

Such weak response coming from the youth wing of MCA only confirms MCA's weakness in the face of UMNO Youth's unbecoming behaviour towards BN's Partners in Government, especially to the status of MCA as a respected Senior Partner in Government.

This public display of weakness by MCA Youth only strengthens UMNO Youth leaders to exhibit further arrogance and encourages their "I-dare-you" attitude.

MCA Youth must now learn and fully understand that based on recent public behaviour of UMNO Youth towards others, 'being nice and diplomatically correct' has been taken as 'being weak and spineless'."

MCA Youth BUNGSAR has come out with a statement in Bahasa and couched in stronger language, to confront UMNO Youth's threatening remarks, calling Hishamuddin, " pihak yang jalil" READ HERE and HERE

-- end of update -

Read here related article in Malaysiakini and HERE and HERE and HERE

Quote:

" UMNO Youth has NEVER shown any decent respect for MCA or MCA leadership.

The silence of UMNO is deafening. MCA as a SENIOR partner of UMNO in BN is a sham. It is becoming a joke.

Under the present political arrangement, a vote for MCA is a vote for UMNO to lead this Government.

In the coming General Election, should the CHINESE give the vote to Barisan Nasional and, by default, to UMNO to rule this country, via MCA, under present circumstances?

We say NO."

Berita Harian reported:(read here for more)

Pergerakan Pemuda Umno meminta pemimpin MCA berhenti daripada mengeluarkan kenyataan yang mendakwa Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara sekular kerana tindakan itu tidak membawa manfaat kepada sesiapa.

Ketuanya, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein menegaskan polemik sedemikian tidak harus cuba diperbesar-besarkan oleh MCA kerana ia tidak membawa kebaikan kepada mana-mana pihak sebaliknya boleh memberi kesan negatif.

“Saya beri amaran kepada pemimpin MCA supaya berhenti membuat kenyataan sedemikian. Ingin saya tegaskan, saya bukan pemimpin naif yang akan membenarkan perkara ini berterusan. Amaran saya ialah berhenti membuat kenyataan,” katanya selepas merasmikan mesyuarat Umno Bahagian Ranau, di sini semalam.

(Image reprinted courtesy of limkitsiang blog)

Translated:

' UMNO Youth demanded MCA leadership to stop issuing comments saying Malaysia is a secular state because such action does not bring any benefit to anybody.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, the UMNO Youth Chief, emphasised that polemics such as this should not be highlighted by MCA because it does not bring any good except to result in negative consequences.

He threatened, "I am giving THIS WARNING to MCA leadership to stop issuing such comments. I am NOT a leader who is naive that will allow this type of action to continue. My warning (to MCA leadership) is to stop making comments."

He said this after officiating the UMNO Bahagaina Ranau meeting last night.'

Commentary:

MCA is a SENIOR PARTNER of UMNO in the Barisan Nasional Government.

Ong Ka Ting, as President of MCA, sits NEXT to the Prime Minister in the Cabinet.

UMNO Youth is only a youth wing of UMNO. UMNO Youth is not a separate component member party of this coalition government.

Chinese voters who had been voting for MCA would want to know:

1. Should MCA leaders like Ong Ka Ting and Ng Yen Yen remain quiet after this threat by UMNO Youth? A threat made by no less than a fellow Cabinet Minister?
   
   
2. Should MCA leaders be allowed to be bullied by the youths of UMNO into silence on an issue as important as to express their views on whether Malaysia is an Islamic state or not?
   
   
3. How could a youth wing of UMNO, a fellow component partner in Government, have the audacity to "give warnings to leaders of MCA" on issues of national and public interest?

The President of MCA and the Wanita MCA Chief MUST come out to defend the integrity of MCA as a senior partner in THIS Government.

The days of MCA being pushed around and being castigated in public by UMNO Youth MUST stop.

UMNO leaders such as the President of UMNO should have the guts to come forth to defend the integrity of its senior partner in Government, if, for any reason, it is for MCA to remain tenable in the Barisan Nasional Government.

UMNO Youth has NEVER shown any decent respect for MCA or MCA leadership. The silence of UMNO is deafening.

MCA as a SENIOR partner of UMNO in BN is a sham. It is becoming a joke.

It is time for MCA to make its stand to UMNO to stop UMNO Youth from making such divisive and threatening statements to component members of this Government.

UMNO Youth's thuggery and "samseng mentality" have to stop at some point.

If UMNO leadership does NOT rein in UMNO Youth, MCA should SERIOUSLY consider the option of LEAVING the Barisan Nasional coalition. Because in situations like this, MCA's role and perception as the most Senior Partner of UMNO in the Barisan Nasional Government are simply UNTENABLE.

To Chinese voters, they need to seriously RETHINK when they go to put in their votes at the ballot box in the next general election, given the arrogance and the public disgust shown by UMNO Youth ( with the apparent acquiescence of UMNO) towards MCA and the MCA leadership.

Under the present political arrangement:

A Vote for MCA is a Vote for UMNO to lead this Government.

In the coming General Election, should the Chinese give the vote to Barisan Nasional and, by default, to UMNO to rule this country, via MCA, under present circumstances?

We say NO.

Open Letter to DPM Najib on Islamic State: "Bring Forth YOUR Proof ? "

by

Haris Ibrahim
(Haris Ibrahim is a trained lawyer)

Read Here: Reposted from "People's Parliament" Blog

Dear Najib,

Salamunalaika.

A Malaysiakini report entitled ‘This is an Islamic state : Najib’ reports that YOU made the following statements:

"Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular one. Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state. We have NEVER been secular…"

Like you, I too believe in Islam.

And like me, I am sure that YOU know full well that God commands the truth and nothing but the truth.

I am therefore first obliged to ask IF YOU DID INDEED make these claims?

If so, let me state categorically that YOUR claims are UNTRUE.

THIS IS THE TRUTH as I discern from the materials that abound.

YOUR late father, according to history, was part of the 1956 delegation that went to London to secure our independence.

Truly, this nation is indebted to YOUR late father, the late Tunku and every freedom fighter of the era for securing independence for our nation. And a SECULAR Federal Constitution.

Yes, SECULAR.

Have YOU not read the Reid Commission report, that document that bears testimony to the selfless work of our leaders of days gone by?

Tun Salleh Abas (former Lord President of the Supreme Court) did, in extenso, in the case of Che Omar Che Soh. I have referred to this in an earlier post entitled ‘Historical and Constitutional Position of Islam Judicially Examined’

Let me reproduce for YOU here the relevant excerpt from Tun Salleh’s judgment.

"…we have to set aside our personal feelings because the law in this country is still what it is today, SECULAR law, where morality NOT accepted by the law is NOT enjoying the status of LAW.

Perhaps that argument should be addressed at other forums or at seminars and, perhaps, to politicians and Parliament.

Until the law and the system is changed, we have NO choice but to proceed as we are doing TODAY. "

Do YOU know what Tunku’s view was on this secular / Islamic state issue?

See what Tunku said on the occasion of his 80th birthday as reported by the Star in February, 1983.


Tunku said :

" The country has a multi-racial population with various beliefs.

Malaysia MUST continue as a secular State with Islam as the official religion ".

Tunku was NOT alone.



This how the report in the Star reads :

"Former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn has supported Tunku Abdul Rahman’s view that Malaysia should NOT be turned into an Islamic state… 'The nation can still be functional as a SECULAR state with Islam as the offical religion,' he said."

What were YOU thinking of when YOU made what appear to me to be unfounded claims?

Aside from being untrue, they also amount to a slur on Tunku and Tun Hussein.

These two great statesmen got it wrong?

As one who, like you, professes a belief in Islam, I must ask that you DESIST in these UNFOUNDED contentions.

As you also well know, God in the Holy Qur’an commands that when there is a dispute on an issue, it is proper to call in the evidence of the respective parties.

You say Islamic state. I say secular.

I have produced my proof.

" Have you any knowledge with you? If so, bring it forth" - Surah 6 verse 148 of the Holy Qur’an.

Please note that I have refrained from invoking the last part of the verse above.

At this juncture, I shall assume you were merely mistaken.

I am obliged to say here that IF YOU insist on continuing to make these assertions without bringing forth your proof, I shall invoke the curse of God as commanded in Surah 3 verse 61 of the Holy Qur’an.

Wassalam.

Haris Ibrahim

COMMENTARY:

From Jeff Ooi: Read here for more on Screenshots

"... Can history be re-written by the politicians and power-that-be this recklessly?

Thus far, we have seen Haris (Ibrahim), no less a courageous Malaysian Muslim, quote the holy book to challenge Najib -- and by extension should include Abdullah as Najib was reading the speech on the PM's behalf -- to show proof that this country is de jure and de facto an Islamic State.

We will see if the non-Muslims in the Barisan Nasional leadership dare to share their views in the open.

Or more importantly, to strike up courage to right the wrongs, first mooted by Dr Mahathir on September 29, 2001 and now rehashed by his successors, in no uncertain terms..."

From Anwar Ibrahim: Read here for more on Malaysiakini

....Anwar Ibrahim today described the statement by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as "exposing his dismal ignorance" of what an Islamic state was all about.

Anwar Ibrahim told Malaysiakini:

" His statement is a blatant attempt to pander to communal and religious passions.

It is a statement that aims to continue the battle of labels while ignoring the fundamental freedoms enshrined not only in our Federal Constitution but also in the higher objectives of the syariah.

It is shocking that as the nation approaches its 50th anniversary of Merdeka we have leaders who have no compunctions about fanning tensions rather than assuaging them.

It is aimed at exploiting the tensions that recent controversies over cases of apostasy have spawned.

When these irresponsible statements are viewed against the backdrop of a rising crime rate, rampant corruption, arbitrary misuse of police power and continued deterioration in the judiciary, one is staggered by the spectacle of leaders fiddling and pandering while the country writhes in pain."

CONFIRMED: UMNO's Crutch for Survival is to Continue the NEP Indefinitely

It is now fully confirmed by Selangor Chief Minister, Mohamed Khir Toyo that UMNO's political survival depends on the continued existence of the NEP (New Economic Policy). (see Star report)

In the words of Khir Toyo, "... Umno will continue to struggle and discuss the need to keep the New Economic Policy (NEP) to ensure the interests of the Malays are protected."

He further said UMNO could only remain relevant in the future IF this ( ie the NEP) was among its priorities.

According to Khir Toyo, WITHOUT NEP, the Malays could switch their support to religion-based parties such as PAS or other opposition parties including Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Read here in Star for more .


Read BELOW RELATED ARTICLES :

• by Dr. Dzulkifli Ahmad in Malaysiakini



• by Dr. Azly Rahman in Malaysia-Today

QUOTES:

"It doesn’t need a political pundit to tell the nation that the New Economic Policy (NEP) is the legitimating ideology for Umno’s hegemony and legitimacy.

The party now has trouble weaning beneficiaries off it.

The already capable Malays, after five decades of independence, must NO LONGER be beholden to an ‘affirmative mindset’ that entraps them into an unrelenting ’crutch mentality’ and which prevents them from be truly competent, competitive and enterprising.

We must not repeat our mistakes. Otherwise, it will be ‘the Great March Backward’ for the nation."
- Dr. Dzulkifli Ahmad

"..The NEP is NO longer serving the needs of Malaysia. The policy is hopelessly one-dimensional and short-sighted.

It may be not be weeded out overnight, but its form can certainly be altered over time.

EDUCATION is probably the best starting point. Children of poor Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity must be given equal opportunity funding for higher education.

Children of wealthy Malaysians and members of the Malaysian royalty should not receive preferential treatment, for obvious reasons.

Until and unless a NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT is written, one that is seen not to align disproportionate wealth to a minority, or unevenly among the races - real change for Malaysia, is a figment of imagination.

Equal opportunity would mean nothing if a new socio-economic philosophy replaces purported Malay economic preponderance with that of any other race."
-Dr. Azly Rahman

Why UMNO Needs NEP

Being a race-based political party, without the NEP, in the form being practised by this Government since its inception in 1970, UMNO is irrelevant to the Malays. For UMNO to survive as dominant race-based party in Government, it has to rely solely on the Malay vote.

And for NEP to be of any use to UMNO, the policy contents of NEP must focus on giving only preferences to Malays in all spheres of economic, social and educational activity.

Otherwise NEP is worthless to UMNO. Any change in the policy direction of NEP, other than that serving only the interest of the Malays, will be rejected.

The Non-Malay Voters and NEP

But what does all this mean in this coming General Election to the Chinese and Indian voters, who generally see the implementation of NEP by this UMNO-led Government as racially discriminatory against them ?

What it means in the coming General Election, is this:

1. A Chinese vote to MCA (as a member of BN), is a vote for UMNO, and therefore it is a Chinese vote for the continuation of NEP in its present racially discriminatory form.
   
   
2. An Indian vote for MIC (as a member of BN), is a vote for UMNO and therefore it is an Indian vote for the continuation of NEP in its present racially discriminatory form.

Fortunately for the Malay voters, they now have at least two credible choices in the ballot box: the secular Parti KeAdilan and the religiously-inclined PAS.

For the rural poor Malays, UMNO is becoming less and less the "saviour" of the Malays, with the history of UMNO leaders in recent times being associated more with corruption, nepotism, cronyism and blatant abuse of political power for personal gains.

Without NEP, UMNO as a race-based political party has NOTHING to sell to the Malay masses.

The Selangor Chief Minister's public admission confirms what is generally known among the chattering class in th Klang Valley and among liberal and educated Malays, that continuation of the NEP today is NOT about achieving the noble goals of improving the livelihood of the marginalised and the poor Malays.

NEP is all about the political survival of UMNO. It is about making rich UMNO-Malays richer. It is about creating and enriching a creamy class of rich and influential UMNOputras.

To suggest that the continuation of NEP in its present form is towards helping all the poor Malays, is political hogwash.
-"Malaysian Unplug"

Related Article

Slaying an Immortal Tiger: Malaysia's New Economic Policy
by
Dr. Azly Rahman
(Dr. Azly Rahman has doctorate in International Education Development, Masters in International Education, Masters in Communication, Masters in International Affairs, and Bachelors of Science in Education and a member of Kappa Delta Phi International Honor Society in Education Columbia University Chapter, International Understanding Honor Society Ohio University Chapter, Member of Spring 2007 Oxford Round Table on Diversity in Society. Dr Azly has published morethan 150 papers on Malaysia and has taught more than 40 courses in a variety of fields. )

Excerpts: Read here for more

The New Economic Policy (NEP) owes it genesis to a vision that sought to redistribute wealth among Malaysia's races and create a Malay middle class.

Today, there are a significant number who believe that most of the benefits have gone to upper and upper-middle class Malays.

The NEP has also overseen the growth of a larger class of poor across all ethnic groups too, with Malaysia witnessing the rapid growth of an urban poor who live below the poverty line.

The NEP was quite ill conceived to begin with, although in fairness, it was NOT meant to continue indefinitely unlike what one observes today.

It was premised upon the principles of ethnic segregation and a leg-up for the most disenfranchised community - the majority Malay-Muslim population. A noble policy then, affirmative action was also the dominant philosophy of human development in the 1960s and 70s. Today, the NEP can hardly be appended to noble intentions.

The only Indian and Chinese individuals that continue to support it are either found in political parties that are aligned to the ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional or to those Chinese and Indians who rely on government patronage for contracts and tenders.

The state of Malaysian politics continues to worry. Even the Malay middle class - products of the Mahathir development philosophy are now in a state of confusion and contradiction. On the one hand, they have benefited from the policy of affirmative action.

On the other hand, they are concerned about the depth of corruption in Malaysian politics and the number of incompetent public servants running the bureaucracy.

The nature of Malay nationalism is reaching a frightening apex with Malay leaders resorting to Malay nationalism as the panacea of choice when faced against anti-NEP sentiments.

New Paradigm

A new philosophy is needed, a new paradigm needs articulation, underpinned by a New Economic ethos that will benefit ALL ethnic groups and communities.

All this, in response to a new Malaysian reality that should acknowledge the "non-bumiputras" as the "new bumiputra".

Malaysians should NOT continue living with the sins of their fathers and continue the archaic legacy of colonialist ideology - divide and rule.

It is the technological imperatives that will probably force a review of the NEP, if it has not already. Globalisation and the interface of new mass-reach technologies have redefined the boundaries of social justice.

The international community is interested in the story of Malaysia's NEP, just as Malaysians are interested in the story of the Palestinian question.

More than at any other time in this generation, we are in an age where "the center cannot hold", especially when the spine of its raison d'etre was hosted on the back of information dominance by the state and a social contract that cannot last beyond one generation.

If NEP Continued in Present Form

One might ask: what are the implications for Malaysian politics and business should the NEP continue in its current form?

1. The perception of mass dissatisfaction will continue to grow,
   
   
2. Those marginalised by the system will continue to heckle and the middle class, especially the Malays will continue to protest.
   
   
3. Politically, mass mobilisation in support of progressive political groups will increase.
   
   
4. Citizen journalism will continue to challenge government-controlled media outlets and online platforms like Malaysiakini, Malaysia-Today and jeffooi.com, will probably end up as the first port of call for the news-hungry Malaysian.

The post-Mahathir regime thinks that it can still use the Mahathirist formula of maintaining power and wealth. It does not realise that Malaysians no longer wish to see a 5, or 6 or 7 term Prime Minister in power, as such as how the 22-year Mahathir rule.

• They want to see a government that serves the people and not one that makes the people modern slaves.
  
  
• They want to see corrupt politicians brought to justice.
  
  
• They do not want a government that is run by arrogant politicians who see politics as a dynasty-building vehicle and a conduit to build up a personal fortune.

While the political system perpetuated by the NEP does not necessarily make the latter scenario a given, it has by default, sowed the seeds for it.

The NEP is no longer serving the needs of Malaysia. The policy is hopelessly one-dimensional and short-sighted. It may be not be weeded out overnight, but its form can certainly be altered over time. Education is probably the best starting point.

Children of poor Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity must be given equal opportunity funding for higher education. Children of wealthy Malaysians and members of the Malaysian royalty should not receive preferential treatment, for obvious reasons.

The government-driven Iskandar Development Region project may well be more important for Malaysia than ordinary Malaysians envisage. As the laboratory of a "no-affirmative action" special economic zone, its success may well be critical for a thorough review of the NEP, especially if Malay Malaysians do well there.

At heart ultimately in the fight to banish the NEP to the annals of history is a culture of insecurity that Chinese and Indian Malaysians need to appreciate too. As argued by Malay nationalists, the real reason the NEP was implemented in the first place was the economic under-representation of the Malays in Malaysia.

Until and unless a new social contract is written, one that is seen not to align disproportionate wealth to a minority, or unevenly among the races - real change for Malaysia, is a figment of imagination.

Equal opportunity would mean nothing if a new socio-economic philosophy replaces purported Malay economic preponderance with that of any other race.
-Dr. Azly Rahman

Must Read Article !! Why Malays (and Non-Malays) Should NOT Trust UMNO YOUTH

by

Hizami Iskandar

Quote:

"... to imply that Malaysia is the NATION of the Malays ALONE is breathtakingly arrogant, profoundly mistaken, narrow-minded in the extreme and overwhelmingly stupid.

Clinging to the dream of a LOST 'ketuanan', uninterested in the realities of building a tomorrow today.

(We need) to overthrow this limited orthodoxy, and replace it with the reality that we know and cherish, based on a few simple propositions:

- That all Malaysians are Malaysians, regardless of race and religion;

- That our loyalties to race and religion and nation can co-exist, can complement each other;

- That to be Malaysian is also to be a human being, and a citizen of the world, and to exercise our global responsibilities accordingly.
-Hizami Iskandar

Background:(Read here for more)

The Star reported that Tambun Umno Youth division chief Nasir Ismail said the phrase “The Birth of a Nation” is misleading and gives the impression that Malaysia was only born 50 years ago.

He said this was an insult to the country as it portrayed the Malays as a race without a nation of their own.

Read here full article by Hizami " Of Foolish Youth" on Locus Standi Blog

" .. This is why I DON'T trust UMNO Youth.

"Birth of a nation" is an incorrect term because it implies that the Malays did not have a nation before 1957.....

....well, of course , the Malays had a nation BEFORE 1957!

There was the Malacca Sultanate, the Johor Sultanate, the Kedah Sultanate...

But that's NOT the point.

31st August 1957 witnessed the birth of a new nation, a nation of not just Malays, but Chinese, Indians, Serani, Punjabi, proto-Malays, Negrito, Senoi, Malayalee - millions of people, declared to be Malayans by a sovereign constitution;

16th September 1963 would bring more to our family - Bidayuh, Iban, Melanau, Kadazandusun, Penan, Murut, Bajau, Lotud, Sungai, Orang Laut, Kedayan, and all the other indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, plus the Malays, Chinese, Indians etc living there.

And for a while, we had the Singaporeans too, but that went pear-shaped, of course.

But THIS is what WE talk about when WE TALK of the 'Birth of a Nation' :

The TRANSFORMATION of all these different peoples, all these different races, from disparate peoples all subjects of a British imperialism, to an independent, self-determining people, free under the banner of one nation - Malaya, and then Malaysia.

I've written about this before - the passing of sovereignty, at the moment the flag was first raised, to each and every Malaysian (I use this term for convenience), regardless of race and religion.

This is what WE celebrate THIS year.

For our dear UMNO Youth Chief from Tambun to imply that Malaysia is the nation of the Malays alone is breathtakingly arrogant, profoundly mistaken , narrow-minded in the extreme and overwhelmingly stupid.

Clinging to the dream of a lost 'ketuanan', uninterested in the realities of building a tomorrow today.

Obsessed with tribal notions of loyalty and identity, refusing to look beyond the narrow confines of 'Malay-ness' he has designed for himself.

Ill-equipped to lead us into the future, he is an anachronism, all the more dangerous for being in a position of power.

It is up to us to challenge this rhetoric - to chart a path that is not new, not new at all - for many in the generations before us have seen the same way.

(And) to overthrow this limited orthodoxy, and replace it with the reality that we know and cherish, based on a few simple propositions:

• that all Malaysians are Malaysians, regardless of race and religion;
  
  
• that our loyalties to race and religion and nation can co-exist, can complement each other;
  
  
• that to be Malaysian is also to be a human being, and a citizen of the world, and to exercise our global responsibilities accordingly.

A nation whose policies were based on such propositions would be a GREAT ONE indeed.

But it is WE who must make Malaysia so.

For if we leave the nation to our dear UMNO Youth chief and his ilk, our dreams would NEVER be realised, NOT for a thousand years. "
-Hazimi Iskandar

Commentary

From Imran Idris : Read here for more

"This guy is on a roll: another brilliant post by Hizami Iskandar in which he puts forward a better alternative to the race-based paradigm that has dominated the mindset of our society for too long.

When read side by side with this letter from ‘A Father’s Yoke’ ( read here )that was posted on Malaysiakini yesterday, one gets the feeling that all is NOT lost for Malaysia.

MUST READ TWO ARTICLES ! Overseas Education: A Father's Sadness and Pride and Malaysia's Great Loss

From Letters to Editor, Malaysiakini : Read HERE and HERE

Quote:

"My son, Ryan, who is 18, left to further his studies in Australia today.

I have pondered many a time as to why....we have many universities here, yet we have to sacrifice so much to send (our children) abroad.

Why? Thanks to the politicised education system.

My advice to others like me is that you cherish and value the limited time you have with your children because unlike others, you are not guaranteed the opportunity to be at their side - or even a short distance behind - to see that they don’t tumble along life's walkway.

When they are packed off at 18, the chances of them returning is so much less.

The plus side is that as parents, we know that we have given them the opportunity to make their best shot for the years to come.

Farewell son, the grass may not be greener on the other side, but the skies are more blue. And even if the grass is not greener, it is grass you can stand on with your head held high. God Bless !
-by "A Father's Yoke"

"....My parents and I made that important decision of migrating to Australia 20 years ago.

At that time, as a teenager, I was most unhappy, reluctant to leave and had the deepest reservations of leaving my friends and way of life in Malaysia.

Of course, how very naive I was then!

Through the help of God and hard work, I was able to enter medical school, graduate and progress to become a specialist doctor. Again with hard work and a level-playing field, I am able to do diagnostic and important research work in Australia, more recently in the United States and Singapore.

I seriously doubt such opportunities will have been available to me had I remained in Malaysia. Very likely never.

Looking back, I thank my parents for taking the risk of leaving their secure jobs and comfortable life.

It was a very, very good far-sighted decision and I have never regretted leaving Malaysia.

It is truly a pity because Malaysia has so much potential in her very capable citizens, but this advantage is practically gone with such a retrogressive system in place; an obvious point made by an astute and very honest European Commission ambassador recently..."
-by V. Lee

Malaysian Unplug says:

YES ! BUT THIS UMNO-LED GOVERNMENT DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN AT ALL !!

UMNO IS TOO HELL-BENT TO CREATE A MALAY-MALAYSIA, INSTEAD OF A NATION FOR ALL MALAYSIANS.

Excerpts: Read here for more.

From "A Father's Yoke"

My son, Ryan, who is 18, left to further his studies in Australia today. He goes to embark on his tertiary studies at a reputed university - ordinarily, something to be proud of.

However, it was more sadness than pride that ruled the day.

I have pondered many a time as to why we come to a point where it is like tossing your child out of a flaming or sinking ship. We have many universities here, yet we have to sacrifice so much to send them abroad. Why? Thanks to the politicised education system, it is not in his interest to study here - even when we are now a global village.

Had he gone through the local universities, his mobility in terms of employability worldwide would be seriously curtailed. The major corporations in Malaysia generally prefer the foreign graduates - especially those from ranked universities.

The polarisation that is systemic ensures that his circle of friends more likely would be non-Malay or non-Muslim. This would be a major disadvantage in a multi-cultural society - increasingly the trend in many progressive countries.

When I was a student in the 70s, our friendships were not determined by our race or religion. In fact, in many cases, we got to know our friends' ethnic origins many years later when they got married and we attended their wedding ceremonies.

I am reminded repeatedly that I am a third generation 'pendatang'. My son therefore will be the fourth - one who like me, speaks only English and Malay. ‘Pendatang’ nonetheless.

Scholarships by and large are a mirage for folk like us. Just like crumbs and morsels that fall off a dining table.

Our land of blue skies could and should have been a land of milk, honey and plenty.

Instead, we have increasingly unfettered corruption, polarisation, degeneration of our education system right from Standard 1 to full blown chaos at the tertiary level.

The perception of fair play as played out in the judiciary gives one little to look forward to in seeking justice.

When my son is ready to join the job market, the civil service would not even be a considered option. Turn back the clock about 50 years and one sees the stark difference - when the best brains competed to join the service.

So, as a 'pendatang', my advice to others like me is that you cherish and value the limited time you have with your children because unlike others, you are not guaranteed the opportunity to be at their side - or even a short distance behind - to see that they don’t tumble along life's walkway.

When they are packed off at 18, the chances of them returning is so much less. The plus side is that as parents, we know that we have given them the opportunity to make their best shot for the years to come.

Farewell son, the grass may not be greener on the other side, but the skies are more blue. And even if the grass is not greener, it is grass you can stand on with your head held high. God Bless.

Excerpts: Read Here for more

From "V. Lee"

".. ..My parents and I made that important decision of migrating to Australia 20 years ago.

At that time, as a teenager, I was most unhappy, reluctant to leave and had the deepest reservations of leaving my friends and way of life in Malaysia.

Of course, how very naive I was then!

In Australia, given the opportunity in a system that promotes meritocracy, fair play and competitive spirit, and through the help of God and hard work, I was able to enter medical school, graduate and progress to become a specialist doctor.

Again with hard work and a level-playing field, I am able to do diagnostic and important research work in Australia, more recently in the United States and Singapore. I seriously doubt such opportunities will have been available to me had I remained in Malaysia.

Very likely never.

Looking back, I thank my parents for taking the risk of leaving their secure jobs and comfortable life.

It was a very, very good far-sighted decision and I have never regretted leaving Malaysia. Many of my (non-bumiputera) friends whom I have schooled with in Malaysia are also progressing well with their careers and businesses in other countries such as Australia, US, UK and Singapore.

It is truly a pity because Malaysia has so much potential in her very capable citizens, but this advantage is practically gone with such a retrogressive system in place; an obvious point made by an astute and very honest European Commission ambassador recently.

Personally, I don't think this situation will ever change and the brain drain will continue. We are witnessing the hollowing out of human resources and talents.

Of course, I wonder whether this is even seen as a loss by the government."

Related Article

From Bernama (10 July 2007):

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho said yesterday Malays accounted for 70 per cent of Malaysians who surrendered their citizenship in favour of life overseas.

Between 1996 and April this year, 106,000 Malaysians have given up their citizenship. Of these, 79,199 are Malays; 25,107 Chinese, 1,347 Indians and 350 other races.

Tan said more women than men were emigrating, with marriage being cited as the most common reason by the women.

****************************

The Reasons Why Some Malay Muslims Emigrate .
(Read here for more )

by

Noor Yahaya Hamzah
(from Canterbury, New Zealand)

".... When I applied for residence in this place at the end of the world, I had no intention to stay that long, just a couple of years at most, for the benefit of free education for the children.

I had the intention of going back to Malaysia to work and live once I finished that piece of paper called qualification.

I do understand why people emigrate. Things are difficult to start with, then silly bureaucratic rules and barriers make it worse. I guess most of those who gave up Malaysian citizenship are people with foreign spouse.

Malaysian bureaucratic rules makes it difficult for foreigners to apply for residence in the country. PR status takes years to be approved, and applying for PR is a run around job.

Let me tell you a short story:

Back in 93, foreign spouse of Malaysian can apply for annual social pass at a bond cost of about airplane ticket to fly home (depending on the country), which is not cheap at RM1500 then. I was told by the Immigration officer then that after a few years then we can apply for PR.

After a few years? To gauge your commitment to the country I suppose.

We couldnt afford it, not on the wage that we live on. So we took the cheaper choice, just come back every 2 monthS to the office to renew the visa.

In the intervening years, we sometimes think that maybe getting the yearly pass wouldn't be a bad idea. So we try to fill the application form and furnish the necessary documents, like marriage certificate. For a Muslim, without marriage certificate from Jabatan Agama, we can't apply for yearly social visit pass.

Our marriage certificate from overseas is as good as useless, 'tidak diiktiraf'.

Jabatan Agama is as good as useless in doing work of stamping forms and signing things.

After months of 'belum siap' and 'belum sain', we simply give up and move on.

A friend did another method, he got married in Malaysia. Oh! it was so difficult and traumatising for them. First, the foreign-would-be spouse will have to declare that she is of age and free will in Shariah court, in Bahasa Malaysia no less. For that, if she doesnt speak Malay, you would have to hire an interpreter, even though the judge is fluent in English.

Once the Sharia judge has certify that, only then you can get married.

Things is worse if the foreign spouse is MALE , ie Malaysian woman marrying foreigner husband. There isn't much of a chance for the husband to get PR in Malaysia, so hubby usually renew social visit pass every 2 months or go out to Singapore or Thailand to automatically get a visa. Its there in the rule of immigration dept.

After 7 years of commuting to Pusat Bandar Damansara and later Jalan Dang Wangi, with the ocassional visit to Singapore, we simply gave up.

So we enquire about getting New Zealand residency for me at NZ High Commission at Orchard Rd, filled up the forms and furnish them with the necessary documents then waited 2 months while they check with Malaysian police for security clearance.

It was easy.

If you take into account of diffulty of earning a living in Malaysia, with low pay and long hours, expensive food, housing and transport, the degree of difficulty and unhappiness just magnify many folds.

Why are we afraid of being swamped by foreigners if they assimilate to local culture and marry locals? Isn't Malaysia about melting pot of culture 'Malaysia Truly Asia' in the first place?

Dont get me wrong, I am still a Malaysian, even though I have been residing at the edge of the world for these past few years.

I have tried my damnedest, but in the end I just got tired of trying my best.

-Noor Yahaya Hamzah