Can PKR Make a Difference?

Since the 8th March '08 general election, Malaysian has put so much hope that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will bring the change they would like to see, especially the non-Malays. As a different Malaysian, I would definitely want PR to fight for the equality of all races in Malaysia, the abolition of New Economic Policy and outlaw "Ketuanan Melayu" , and praying hard that their struggle will prevail.

Although being hopeful is always the right thing to do, however I can't help being doubtful. In fact, I don't even think PR can make a stunning difference in Malaysia. The problem does not lie with DAP but with the other two Malay majority parties (PKR and PAS), . The DAP has been voicing out loud against discriminating policies consistently since 40 years ago. PKR and PAS however are still adapting to the new idea. After all, these two parties are still worrying about the backlash from the Malays if they are seen to be too staunch on the equality of races. Or maybe they themselves are not ready to make all Malaysians equal in order to continue with their own vested interest.

PKR has now appeared to be championing "Ketuanan Rakyat" which means people supremacy, however without forgetting the "Ketuanan Melayu" for the Malays. Melayu is part of the Rakyat, therefore to hail "Ketuanan Melayu" does not actually infringe the spirit of "Ketuanan Rakyat", if only it is spelled in the same and right context. Unfortunately, "Ketuanan Melayu" is never meant to be a subset of "Ketuanan Rakyat" from the beginning until now.

'The idea of Malay supremacy gained attention in the 1940s, when the Malays organized themselves to protest the Malayan Union's establishment, and later fought for independence. During the 1960s, there was a substantial effort challenging ketuanan Melayu led by the People Action Party(PAP) of Singapore — which was a state in Malaysia from 1963 to 1965 — and the DAP after Singapore's secession. However, the portions of the Constitution related to ketuanan Melayu were "entrenched" after the racial riots of 13 May 1969, which followed an election campaign focused on the issue of non-Malay rights and ketuanan Melayu. This period also saw the rise of "ultras" who advocated a one-party government led by UMNO, and an increased emphasis on the Malays being the "definitive people" of Malaysia — i.e. only a Malay could be a true Malaysian.' ¹

Lee Kuan Yew is definitely a very capable and far-sighted leader. He opposed to the idea of "Ketuanan Melayu" and propagated Malaysian Malaysia instead. His ideology has make Singapore as one of the most successful country in the world. The country (i.e. Malaysia) which still hover over "Ketuanan Melayu" and believes in the overboard affirmative action for the Malays is falling off the rank as a developing country.

Ironically, affirmative action is not a unique feature of Malaysia. Many successful countries such as the United States and Australia also have their own affirmative action. In the United States, if a Negro and a White with the same qualifications are looking for the same job, the company are bounded to give the job to the Negro. The same goes to Australia for their Aborigines. So what makes Malaysia sounds so despicable with their version of affirmative action? Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia will tell you the reason behind it. Because of Article 153, New Economic Policy (NEP) was born. Every rightful minded soul should scorn at the NEP.

While there are countries which use affirmative action, and still able to maintain the happiness level of their citizens and make progress economically, Malaysia has struggled to convince their minorities of their affirmative action. Simply because, and it's widely perceived, that the ruling party UMNO has abused the policy to enrich their own cronies, when ordinary poor Malays are still sidelined as if there is no NEP. Not only that, today there are a lot of Chinese and Indians who are struggling for a meal, and not within the loop of government's assistance. Why should we keep enriching those who are already rich but treat the poor as if they are not Malaysian? The point is, affirmative action should be used on those who need it, not those who want to be richer.

There are many educated Malays now, and many are holding the highest office, not to mention some have become renowned doctors, lawyers, bankers, businessman, etc. Although not all, I would say many of them are the products of NEP. I don't mean to show contempt to the Malays but I dare to say that if it's not for NEP, most of them will not be there at all. Now, this group of NEP products are doing well, and they would like to continue to do well for the generations to come. They are pretty sure that the next generation will do well if NEP is still there to help them. Therefore, this group would definitely not agree to abolish the affirmative action, and they will go against any parties which tries to change the status quo. I know some would argue that many from this group have voted for Pakatan instead of UMNO. If these groups are so obsessed with NEP, why wouldn't they vote for UMNO? It's because UMNO is extremely corrupted, not because they supported NEP to be abolished. PKR (well, in their eyes PKR is the daigo, DAP & PAS are just the subordinates) has never said NEP will be abolished if they come into power.

As for the poor and the uneducated Malays, it doesn't make a difference whether NEP exists or not. NEP maybe useful to them when it first started off, however after almost half a century, the benefits of NEP hardly arrive at their doorstep. This group of people are looking forward to a party that can help them, preferably with another type of affirmative action. But they know UMNO will not help them because they are still living in a poor condition after so many years. Furthermore, they have come to senses that UMNO is corrupted to its core, and are grieved that their money has gone into UMNO's pocket. Therefore they hope PKR would be able to help them.

One way or another, although Malays may not think they are more supreme than the others, they would love to be the first to get benefit from the government. After Najib Razak announced that 30% quota be lifted for 27 service sectors, and if it's implemented well, my guess is many Malays would abandon UMNO for their action. As a result, PKR would not dare to touch NEP in the bid to win Malays' vote and will continue to featherbed the Malays using NEP if they come into power.

For a conclusion, "Ketuanan Melayu" or NEP will stay as long as the Malays want it to stay, and the non-Malay will continue to be discriminated against. Changing of government will not change anything unless a miracle happened and out of sudden DAP takes over the government. PKR will not able to make a vast difference from its archrival UMNO, otherwise we would have seen the difference already in the state of Selangor. Same argument goes to PAS.

Trust Najib and Dr. M?

KUALA LUMPUR: Two names have been on the mind of US peace advocate Rev Jesse Jackson Sr since his arrival here on Monday.

For civil rights activist Jackson, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will take Malaysia to its rightful place under the sun.

He said Najib had everything going for him to take the nation to a leadership position in the global arena, using the foundation laid by the elder statesman.

He saw Najib as priming himself to work on the solid foundation laid by Dr Mahathir to take Malaysia to new frontiers in the domestic and international arenas. Read more here.

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After reading the news above, my guess it's either Rev Jesse Jackson knew nothing about Malaysia, New Straits Times has lied from bottom up in this report or he was held at knife point to say those flattery words. It's unbelievable we have such a capable Prime Minister, errr... and ex-Prime Minister to lead Malaysia, and we didn't realize it. We are so stupid.

We are Malaysian

I called home twice yesterday, the first time for my mom, the second for my father. In the middle of both conversation, my parent suddenly reprehended me for being critical to the Malaysian government in my blog. I was surprised how did they get to know my mischievousness in the blog sphere.

As my parent, they worried about me . They worried that Malaysian government will arrest me under the draconian law ISA, the most fearsome law in the world. They didn't want me to become another RPK. My mom scolded me for being a busybody, it is the Malays who are in power, therefore we Chinese must be silent, not to interfere with their affair. She continued to indicate that a person who knows how to sweet talk will be loved, and those who slanders will be hated. As for my father, he chided me off for being irresponsible, and reminding me if I'm being arrested, my family will shatter. Hey, that's scary.

I recently met with a Chinese national and she asked whether I am a Chinese (中國人). I told her that I am a Malaysian, not Chinese. She then concurred that I am a Chinese Malaysian (馬來西亞中國人). Again, she got it wrong. When I'm a Malaysian, I cannot be a Chinese, or vice versa. Sometimes we Chinese are really obdurate. We are so proud of our race that regardless of our nationality, we still called ourselves Chinese, as if we are the only race in the world. Don't we understand that it is a disrespect to a country when we kept calling ourselves Chinese when we are holding another country's passport? Are we moron? Chinese are nationals of China, NOT Malaysia or any other countries! Like Australian, they don't call themselves British just because their ancestors are British.

Yes, therefore I'm a Malaysian. I'm not a busybody as my mom told me. Even foreigners have the rights to criticize Malaysia, what's more when I'm a Malaysian? I have the biggest power in Malaysia because I have a vote in my hand. Voicing out against the government is just an accessory to the power I've got. As a Malaysian, I'll continue to voice out and show my dissatisfaction against many policies of the UMNO government. Sweet talk are surely warming to the government, but after all those soft soap, reality is still reality, we have to face it when we are awake from our sleep.

As for whether I'll be arrested under ISA, I think that's overanxious. There are many many Malaysian out there who are thousand times more vocal than me and they are not afraid being arrested. If they are not, why must I? Even if they are, I'm still not. I'm not a backside licker, and curse those who are. I pray that more Malaysian will stand up against the wrong and unethical deed of the government.

The Shameless Immigration

I went to the Run for Relief marathon last Saturday. It was a run for Burma - a run to remind all of us that when we are free to run in our country, run is not a choice for some of the community in Burma. Especially the ethnic Chin in Burma, they are being hunted down by junta government of Burma for supporting the opposition and mostly for being a Christian.

After the run, I met Kor, the ethnic Chin Burmese who is now residing in Australia. He is in Australia for about 2 years now. Before this, he was a refugee in Malaysia.

It was disheartening to listen to his story about the persecution of ethnic Chin in Burma. Although he has not seen with his own eyes family members or relatives being killed in front of him, but he has been at the service of carrying his relatives corpses to be buried. I deeply felt for him but surely I would not understand the misery he had gone through. However that was not the end of his misery.

In 2005, he was deceived into believing Malaysia a safe haven and he illegally arrived in KL. He found a job and leading a better life than in Burma until he was rounded up by the immigration of Malaysia. He was sent to a refugee camp somewhere around KL specially for the Chin community. Kor said: "Living in the refugee camp was not much different from our living in Burma. In Burma, we were threatened by the military. In Malaysia, we were threatened by the Rela." The Chin community in the refugee camp is under constant harassment from the Rela, especially extortion of money by them.

The Rela is like a king in Malaysia, even more powerful than the immigration itself. You can read it some of their barbarous act here. Money does not fall from the sky, it will deplete by the constant extortion from the Rela. Now, Malaysia is no noble country. It is country driven by greedy and inhuman people. Most at the top are like that, what more for those at the bottom? Yes, when Kor was out of money, why must the immigration support his living? Wouldn't the money allocated is better to be in the officer's own pocket rather than feeding the refugees?

Finally the day came, Kor was sold for RM300 to be a slave for a fisherman in Klang. It was heard that most refugees will die at the sea and became the food for fishes when their duty is over. Kor would not submit to this kind of fate. He gave a call to his friend to come for his rescue. Fortunately, the friend came and bought him back for RM500.

He didn't go back to the refugee camp. With the help from his friend, he arrived in Australia to seek asylum. The Australian government welcomed him with warm arm. Kor is now a permanent resident and will become an Australian citizen soon. Australian government is supporting his living and education.

What a big contrast between an Islamic and a country with Christianity background. Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd said last week, "human trafficker should be allowed to rot in jail, and in my own opinion, rot in hell!" That was surely a biblical view of people who lives on others misery and grief. For those wicked in the corridor of power in Malaysia, enjoy your life while you still can. The LORD will surely repay them for their wickedness.

Lastly, pray for the many refugees around the world who are under constant threat from those in authority. Pray also for those who being persecuted for their faith.

Has ISA Make the Country More Peaceful?

ISA has made the country more peaceful. A letter by Mansor Puteh and published by The Star.

Who is Mansor Puteh? I don't know. I've never seen him. But when I searched the web, he was everywhere. It seems like he is a famous academic in Malaysia, and also an alumni from University of Columbia. He wrote a lengthy good letter and was published in Rocky's Bru's blogsite.

But, has ISA made the country more peaceful? Well, in a certain extent, I would say yes. But that depends on how, who and when to use it. Peacefulness is not just about not having people to walk the street, it's more than that. It's defined in a broader spectrum involving calmness, tranquility, absence of mental stress and absence of war.

Mansor said: "The Government may be heavy-handed with the Act, but only on those who wish to harm the well-being of the people." Who are you referring to? Tan Cheng Hoon? Teresa Kok? Raja Petra Kamaruddin? Lim Guan Eng? Who have they harmed? UMNO, the only righteous? I don't feel peaceful at all because the UMNO government is arresting law abiding citizen at will for telling the truth and criticism targeting at them. By the way, the Gestapo of Nazi were also doing the same in the name of "protective custody", will you support the Nazi?

Mansor said: "Taking matters to the streets can only give unknown individuals national recognition, and this is what most of them want. And many just beg to be detained under the very law they oppose." First of all, I don't understanding what is wrong with taking matters to the street peacefully. Is that a threat to the well-being of the people that ISA should be used on these people? Personally I don't find it a disturb to peace of mind. On the contrary, it's a demonstration of democracy! We should be happy that democracy has take its course. Many countries which allow demonstration are much more peaceful than Malaysia.

While taking matters to the street may give unknown individuals national recognition, and perhaps that is what most of them want (if that's what Mansor believed), but what's the point of begging to be detained under ISA? Hey, no joke here, it's the Polis Di-Raja Malaysia that we are talking about here. Detainees have higher risk to be killed by the police than a snake. It's safe to say if you see a snake and a police, kill the police first. Because the police are much more vicious and dangerous than a snake. Mansor must be kidding when he suggested people are begging to be arrested under ISA. Is there any discerning soul who would put their life at risk for an uncertain fame? It's unthinkable. For each life lost under the custody of police, I don't feel peaceful at all!

Mansor said: "The irony is that once the ISA is repealed or reviewed to make it less harmful to these people, many will immediately become useless because they will not have anything to prove to the public." No, there are still plenty to be done. It's not done until all the restrictive laws like the Official Secrets Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act, The Sedition Act, etc are repealed, revised or abolished. Not just that, the group of unthinkable must fight to demand for a clean judiciary and most of all, until UMNO changes or be changed! Then I would feel the peacefulness.

Islam - A Total Disregard of Women

Women protesting at "pro-rape" law attacked by Afghan men. Read more here.

Muslim must be damn pissed to read the title of this article. They will argue that Islam is a peaceful religion and have total respect for the women. Alright, granted. A lot of my Malaysian Muslim friends are gentlemen and have respect for women, unlike those Afghan men mentioned in the article. However, it is worth to mention that the bunch of Malaysian Muslim friends of mine are "moderate" Muslims and don't really know much of their own religion. We drank liquor, smoked cigarettes and talked about dirty things together, simply because they were not following the teaching of Islam closely or not following at all. They are not religious.

Let's go back to the article. The women of Afghanistan walked the street because of a new legislation introduced, "restricting a woman's right to leave home and demands she submit to her husband's sexual desire." A group of Afghan men, threatened by the move, lead a mob in direct violent confrontation with the women, chanting "long live Islam".

In the Islam world, the action of the Afghan men should not be seen as unusual or peculiar. To me, they are in the right position and the women are in the left! Quoting Sima Ghani, one of the women's organizers, she said, "This is against Islam and it's against women..." For me, it is definitely against women, but it's surely not against Islam. This is what Islam all about. The Quranic verses below sums up the status of women in Islam.

004.034
YUSUFALI: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Therefore, women claiming themselves as Muslim should not be surprised that Muslim men are treating them as an animal. If women are opposing to the new law, it's therefore true that they are " un-Islamic dog", "not Muslim", "troublemaker", etc... because they are not submitting themselves to the teaching of Quran - the Word of God. If Muslim women are not adhering to the teaching of Quran, but called themselves a Muslim, that's apostasy! They deserved death! They should be pelted with stones! They should be beaten until they return to obedience like a dog!

The truth is hurting, but that's what a woman should accept and endure by putting their faith in Islam. I'm not saying Islam is not good, but when someone decided to put their faith in something, there is always a good side about that faith. The point is, you must be ready to accept the negative side as well, and not to revolt against it!

Although hardcore Islamic countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, etc. are under constant criticism from the so called democratic countries for stifling women's right, however there's no doubt that those hardcore Islamic countries are the real Islamic countries which adhere totally to the teaching of Islamic faith. On the contrary, Islamic countries with the "moderate" status like Malaysia and Indonesia are not the real Islamic country. The "Islamic" status is just an appeasement to the small group of hardcore Muslims in the country for their vote. And that's hypocrisy again.

As a conclusion, it's true that there is a total disregard for women in Islam. However, any opposition to the teaching of Islam from the Muslim is inappropriate because oppression in women is part of the faith. If there's no way someone can accept the oppression, leave Islam.

No to Malay Supremacy!

Read here for the distasteful article by Utusan Malaysia asking Malays to rise and defend against the many demands from the non-Malay. Raja Petra Kamaruddin had reacted to the article here.

After I read the article, besides than angry, feeling of fear has engulfed my whole body. As Utusan Malaysia is the main source of news for the Malays, and ten of thousands must have read the article, it just need one Malay to dare transform anger to action, and there it goes the repetition of the most fearsome event in Malaysia's history. Yes, 13th May or notoriously referred as 513. UMNO will be the only political party laughing for successfully aggravating the already bad racial relations into a racial riot.

As the government was fast to apprehend non-racial stoker such as reporter Tan Cheng Hoon, MP Teresa Kok and famous blogger RPK for nothing under ISA, I wonder why Utusan Malaysia is allow to stoke racial flame again and again without any repercussion from our beloved Malaysian police. Oh ya, please forgive my weak memory, I shouldn't wonder, because that's what Ketuanan Melayu is all about! The Malays can stoke racial discomfort because they are the king of this Bolehland, but not the non-Malay, as they are the slaves.

But I beg to differ. Discrimination of all sorts have no place in this modern and globalized world. As long as Malaysia needs the outside world to support her economy, the Malays will not have the luxury to claim supremacy even in their own land. Unless UMNO decided to cut Malaysia from the outside world and survives on its own, otherwise stop talking about Malay supremacy.

UMNO is such a coward that they only know how to bully their own minorities. Why must Ketuanan Melayu be confined to a small place like Malaysia? I dare UMNO to declare Malay supremacy to the world and make them bow to you, otherwise there is really no meaning just to be "supreme" in Malaysia but stoop low in front of the world like a cur. Mind you, it is a symptom of psychological disorder that requires immediate medical attention. Failure to do so will result in Malaysia turning into another Zimbabwe.

Although it is fearful to think of another bloodshed as threaten by UMNO goons, I'm not ready to submit to the scare tactics. For the future of my country, family and friends, I have to say NO to Malay supremacy!

We Need Politicians Who Can Take Blames

Rais warns of legal action against errant private groups and bloggers. Read more here.

Again, warning by the authority of Malaysia against bloggers. Mr. Rais was saying "those who have broken the laws have to face legal action." This is very true indeed. Those who have broken the laws must face legal action, flog and kill them if necessary during detention, just like how the police killed the poor car thief suspect (read my lips, suspect only) Mr. Kugan. Talking about legal action, I wonder why no legal action was taken against the murderer (i.e. policemen) who killed Mr. Kugan. Enough, that's not my point of writing this article.

I supposed, Malaysia is the only developing country in the world that persecute someone who is telling the truth. Forgive me if I've exaggerated, but I have done my responsibility to put Malaysia in the 1st place ahead of all the developing nation. Yes, Malaysia Boleh!

Maybe it's just a kind of perception that the blogs out there are more a reliable news than the mainstreams. I mean, well, the blogs can't be always right, can they? But why are we believing in those blogs more than we believe in the mainstreams? I don't know about you guys, but my reason is simply because the mainstreams never publish the another side of a story and sometimes faked a story for their credit. They are out to protect the interest of political parties who own them. And that makes me really pissed. Although blogs are not always accurate and more often government-bashing, I chose them because they represent the true feeling of the people, whether rich or poor, tall or short, fat or slim, etc...

That is why we don't see many anti-government websites in the developed countries compared to Malaysia because their newspapers often practice in a more neutral way. The role of government-bashing, and policy-bashing already taken up by the newspapers. Therefore there is really nothing much to write about in the blogs about their government. Furthermore, most of the news are published online for people to comment, therefore providing a platform for criticism. Are Malaysian mainstream newspapers ready to do that? I doubt it because there is really no freedom of speech for the mainstreams.

The Malaysian government (especially The Information, Com­munications, Culture and Arts Ministry) should ask why there are more anti-government bloggers cropping up everyday, rather than trying to control the large number of them. Please put more time on reforming your news agent before lashing out at bloggers for disseminating untold stories. That's the problem with Malaysian Ministers, they consistently blame others for undermining the government, but failed to see the plank in their own eyes, and that's hypocrisy.

Yes, we need a Minister who is willing to take blame and be ready to make correction before it gets out of hand. They have to learn that by admitting mistake, doesn't mean they will be condemned forever. Instead, they will come out stronger and therefore earn the respect of the people.

Freedom of Speech - A Civil Right

FIJI'S coup leader Frank Bainimarama believes freedom of speech causes trouble and must be curbed to allow the military government to do its work. Read more here.

These were the most arrogant words that I had ever heard from a 'leader'. As these words were uttered, it can only meant one thing - Mr. Bainimarama is a brainless bloke.

Freedom of speech is one of the most basic attribute that God has given us. As human can choose to ignore and not to acknowledge God, and make slandering expression against God, we should be allowed to freely express our dissatisfaction against mere human like Mr. Bainimarama.

There was something Frank did not really quite got it, that it was really our mind which has spoken with every word coming out from our mouth. For example, what I am writing here may not necessarily comes out from my mouth, but mind you, my mind has spoken and there is no way you can read or change it. You can use your stupid army to suppress the people physically but you can't conquer a strong mind.

I don't deny that freedom of speech have its weaknesses. Every stupid or flammable words come out from our mouth may make someone unhappy. Yeah, someone is unhappy, but so what? There are plenty of people out there who are happy and dancing with what I have uttered. We can't please everyone, can we? If what I have uttered really put your country into a difficult situation, don't you have law and order in your country to keep my mouth shut? If after going through a fair court and ruled that I have flouted the law so severely that I must be put into the jail, therefore just do it, I have no qualms. Because I believe that everyone should take responsibility for their own misbehavior. Just don't let the army to suppress its own people! That is treachery!

Frank, are you sure that you have did the right thing for Fiji? Or are you doing this for yourself? Ok, ok, maybe you would say, as the Chinese goes, "if man is not for himself, he'll stand condemned by heaven and earth." (人不為己, 天誅地滅) Fair enough, almost everyone in this world will think this way, maybe not even one is righteous. I won't judge you. Let God does His job.

But one thing I must tell you Frank, with every coup staged, it will have severe economy impact on Fiji. When the people of Fiji can't live comfortably, don't hope you can. Curbing on freedom of speech won't bring Fiji anywhere, because basically you can't stop how people think. When you are thinking by curbing freedom of speech would lift Fiji out from the current political turmoil, ironically the opposite does. Many countries in the world which uphold the freedom of speech excel much better than Fiji does. Freedom of speech means freedom of mind and can be translated to a lot of goodness for Fiji.