Friday, September 30, 2016

Ku Li - racist only as and when required!

Malaysiakini - Ku Li: Will Malay divide let DAP dominate next election? (extracts):


Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has questioned whether it would be easier for DAP to dominate the political landscape as a result of the Malays being politically divided.

This, Tengku Razaleigh said, is because there are now five Malay parties in the arena.

"Won't this give DAP a chance to 'bermaharajalela' (do as they please) when the Malays are divided and the Chinese are united under DAP's banners?

"Won't it be easy for DAP to dominate us all, conquer us in the next general election?

"I don't think it's that easy. But I think it's logical that some people think that way," Tengku Razaleigh said in an interview with Sinar Harian, which was published today.

The Kelantan prince and Umno veteran said this in response to a question on whether efforts should be made to unite Umno and PAS for the betterment of the Malays.

In the past, the contest for Malay political support had been among Umno, PAS and Malay majority-PKR.

However, there are now two new parties in the fray - Umno splinter group Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and PAS offshoot Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

Alamak, Ku Li has now been accused of racism but I believe he has been wronged in this instant, because if we read very carefully, this was what what he said:

  • when asked about UMNO-PAS unity, Ku Li pontificated on perception that DAP has the advantage to do as it pleases (bermaharajaela) in the midst of 5 Malay parties fighting among themselves - the five being UMNO, PAS, Amanah, Pribumi and presumably (wakakaka) PKR - got that, Tian Chua and Nathaniel Tan
  • such a thought of DAP's default advantage would logically be prevalent among Malays.
  • but Ku Li reckoned that (the perception of DAP doing as it pleases), would NOT be that easy. 

In other words, Ku Li was voicing his thoughts on what Malays might be perceiving but he reckoned they are mistaken because that line of thought, about DAP having its own way, was not as easy as believed.

He was giving his considered and reasonable assessment. Just how would that be racist? C'mon, people, let's be fair and not over-sensitive and start accusing UMNO people.

But fair is fair, so we need to ask whether Ku Li is a racist? OK, let's go back to December 2005 (wakakaka, some 11 years ago) when I posted Ku Li no longer Kool & Kalm! in which I wrote (extracts):

One would have thought Ku Li would fade away by now but he wanted to give it one old jolly last go – he decided to assume a double pronged ‘attack’ for a role in UMNO.

For a start, he adopted a controversial but old winner by publicly voicing strong criticism of the government in permitting non-Malay language educational institutions such as the Chinese-owned Tengku Abdul Rahman University to exist, a move that would prove undoubtedly a sure favourite with UMNO hardcore ‘warriors’.

Sure enough the Malay NGOs supported him. Then, he bemoaned regrets that the government hasn’t helped the Malays solve their problems despite its power and authority to do so.

Many who had sympathised with him now feel sad that a man like Ku Li, once urbane, charming, cosmopolitan and so open-minded, has to resort to parochial language and tactics. Every Malaysian knows his accusation of the government not helping the Malays is sheer nonsense. Ku Li must be desperate because that kind of comment is totally out of character for him.

Now, the President of Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), has come out in damage control for Ku Li in the face of the Gerakan Party's accusation of Ku Li playing ethnic politics.


He claimed that Ku Li had been misinterpreted. According to him, Ku Li had actually said if the government could entertain the Chinese needs for mother tongue educational institutions from primary schools right up to TAR University, surely it can entertain the Malays' educational requirements as well, and that shouldn't be misconstrued as ethnic politics directed against the Chinese.

They say old soldiers don’t die but fade away. Maybe Ku Li might want to consider that process instead of stirring up dangerous emotions.

I have to say Ku Li's so-called 'racism' has to be viewed within a certain context. Then (Dec 2005) he wanted to enter UMNO's mainstream politics, and much as I disagree with his then undeniably 'racist' tactic, I shall be kind and say that in December 2005 he was desperate in marshalling support for his virtually last-chance ambition to get to the top in UMNO - thus those were words for his Malay constituency in his party.


I would NOT support such a tactic (much as I understand his dilemma) but if it's any consolation for Ku Li's supporters, yes, everyone in UMNO had done that in some way or other, Mahathir, Anwar, Najib, etc, to ensure the old party faithfuls group around their respective banner. 

But 2 years after that, that was, in 2007, Malaysiakini informed us Ku Li was back again with his tribal spill again.

Then Ku Li said at a forum on Merdeka held in Kuala Lumpur by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and National Writers Association (Gapena) that Malaysia will descend into chaos if the social contract agreed upon 50 years ago was unravelled.


Nice touch, Tengku, to invoke the May 13 threat at the 50th Merdeka forum!

But if you read my Featured Post (top of right hand column in my blog), Ungku Aziz informed us that the so-called (fabricated) 'Social contract' was a politically created fantasy.

Yes, in 2007 he urged the government to manage the increasing communal polarisation wisely, such as anyone questioning aspects of that social contract (that old convenient bullshit UMNO contrived ammo) whatever he meant by ‘manage wisely’.

Though at that time I was aware the then general election was just around the corner, and Ku Li was fretting about his Gua Musang seat, he should be ashamed of himself for buying into ethnic polemics, again.

In conclusion I have to say Ku Li is not a racist, but his party politics requires him to be one from time to time, at least in his statements to his hope-for UMNO supporters (public as these might have been).

Regrettably Ku Li became a victim of his own party politics. But that is the nature of our Malaysian beast (politics), unless you aim to retire as Ku Li said he will. Thus I say with confidence he did NOT make any racist comments in his recent interview, apart from reading his words very carefully.

Guan Eng's trial

From the Malay Mail Online:


GEORGE TOWN, Sept 30 ― The Penang High Court has set December 6 for the case management of Lim Guan Eng's two corruption charges after improper documents prevented the start today, said his lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo.

He told reporters in a brief press conference that the High Court judge Hadhariah Syed Ismail also decided that Lim and businesswoman Phang Li Khoon need not appear in court then.

“The A-G (Attorney-General) was supposed to serve us documents that are used for the charges, and they gave us a CD that contains 13,000 pages without index,” he said.

He explained that the lack of indexing made it difficult for them to collate the facts, and they have since requested that the AG submit the index for the documents.

“The judge has stressed on the importance of getting all the documents in order for the case,” he said.



Pathetic of the AG's office for poor documentation.

But maybe GE-14 will be held in Jan 2017 or even Dec 2016?

English?

Not everyone can speak English like the late Lee Kuan Yew who spoke far better English than most Aussies or worse, Kiwis, wakakaka. He had a very pukka accent.

By the by, pukka means either '1st class' or 'absolutely genuine'.


There are well-known Malaysians who speak beautiful pukka English like blogger and RTM DJ Patrick Teoh of NIAMAH blog fame (visualize him saying NIAMAH in pukka English, wakakaka) and the late Robert Lam of RTM news. BTW, Robert was a former RMAF pilot in the service's early days but who had bad luck with his aeroplanes and decided to leave the air force - he was a pukka gentleman of distinction.


Patrick Teoh
 

Tunku Abdul Rahman and his successor Razak were okay with their spoken English though they were not flash (articulate).

Some years back I attended an ICAO conference where spoken English between aviators and air traffickers were discussed as this issue was a perennial safety problem leading at times to dangerous air encounters.


One of the important issues raised was what accent would constitute proper well-spoken English. I also noticed some hot headed Western pilots incessantly blaming the East Asians for poor badly accented English.

However, ICAO announced that there is no one proper English accent as globally there are many accents of well-spoken English, not just the BBC-type English version. 

In such a situation some American or Australian accents versions sounded just as alien to the Asians (Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, etc) as the Pommie accents from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cockney-land sounded weird and incomprehensible to Yanks from the deep south like Alabama and Louisiana. At that moment I recalled Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren singing 'Goodness Gracious Me', wakakaka.


The Indians were delighted with the verdict whilst the Aussies continued to grumble at Asian aviators and air traffickers, but the Kiwis kept very quiet as their unique lingo, for example the pronunciation of 'Eefreekaa' sounds like the name of a Klingon Princess but actually means 'Africa', wakakaka.

So what is this about Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's poor English at the UN? Wakakaka.



Also read KTemoc Kongsamkok's:


(b) What's in a name!

A word means a lot

In the Malay Mail Online today, I read with much interest and delight Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin's No monopoly in interpreting past.


and in my interpretation, f**k 'sensitivity', so to speak 

For a royalty, Tunku has been a prolific writer of wonderful illuminating articles. I am definitely one of his many avid fans.

The title of his article could led us to many interpretations of what would be meant by 'interpreting past', such as 'social contract' (which Ungku Aziz said did/does not exist, to the chagrin of some Malays - see my blog's 'Featured Post' on top right hand column titled 'Social contract' a politically created fantasy), 'pendatang' which definition could well apply to all if us except the Malayan Aborigines and Sarawak and Sabahan natives, though not those 'new' Sabahans with specially issued blue IC, courtesy of The Emperor), etc.

But in this post I intend to confine my writing to only Malayan/Malaysian words on food, to prevent you from exploding die to anger, wakakaka, even though words by themselves such as 'batik', the song 'Rasa Sayang' and the names of some cultural dances could politically drive our Indon neighbours to threats of war with us, wakakaka.

Anyway, a revealing example of Tunku's current article is the heritage of words from our past colonisers, for example the Portuguese, with words such as mentega, bendera, keju, sabun and almari.

But just so, almost every country throughout the world benefitted/benefits from such lexicographic wealth through language diversity. I won't in this post (maybe the next) refer to words recently included by the Oxford Dictionary such as 'mamak' etc.

I like to explore how Malaya (and Malaysia) has endowed its Bahasa etc words to the world, though as mentioned our Indonesian friends may argue with me I am stealing their Indon words, wakakaka. Let's write out just a few, as follows:

(a) Laksa - today this word is of international usage, where the wonderful dish has become very popular in Australia and the USA, as well as Europe.


the 'pretender' 


the 'original' dethroned Penang dish 

But of course much to my chagrin, it refers to what Penangites call curry mee, the pretender to Penang's famous tamarind-fish-based soup concoction including its thicker rice noodles, re-named Penang laksa. The annoying thing for us Penangites is that the said pretender, the curry mee, has usurped that word until it's now considered as the real laksa. Podah.

Anyway, the laksa dish is of Peranakan origin, meaning it had been originally a combination of Straits Chinese and Malay recipes that brought into being the wonderful dish, whether it is tamarind & fish-based soup or curry 'what-not'. 

Nowadays the 'what-not' could well be chicken, seafood, or as my reader Hasan suggested, Super-haram-ish barbequed thingy, or even vegetarian for some of the younger orang putih.

had experienced the temerity of a Viet restaurateur telling me laksa came from Vietnam, what a cheeky ill-informed sod.

There are suggestion as that the word 'laksa' stems from the Hindi word Lakhsha or the Sanskrit word Laksh which each means 'a hundred thousand', referring to the 'numerous noodles' in the soup, but I have my doubts on this suggestion as noodles is not an Indian originated food.

Because of its Peranakan origin, similar to its claimed origin in Indon (essentially a mixture of Chinese migrants and local pribumi food recipes) I am more attracted to another suggestion that the word stems from (Wikipedia) the Chinese word (Cantonese: [làːt.sáː]), meaning "spicy sand" due to the ground dried prawns which gives a sandy or gritty texture to the sauce.

(b) Nasi goreng - Of Chinese origin the dish was concocted to preserve leftover rice from going stale, so there is a stigma among elder Chinese with eating fried rice (nasi goreng). But abroad it's a delicious and popular Chinese dish, now virtually a 'must' in Aussie Chinese restaurants.



Super-Haram fried rice with laap-cheong


Sedately-Halal nasi goreng 

I came across the Malayan word abroad first in the UK when I studied there. It so happened that on the same menu I saw both 'nasi goreng' and 'friend rice' and wonder what was the difference, if any.

So I asked the waiter who kindly explained that 'nasi goreng' had prawns but no ham, whilst it's the other way around for the ingredients of 'fried rice'. Wow, it seemed the restaurant was aware of halal foodstuff for Muslims and Jews.

That's enough for this post - more next time, wakakaka.


Thursday, September 29, 2016

Halal certification - the more the merrier?

Malaysian government has JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) for years on ends since Mahathir's days as PM. Today, many including HRH Johor have questioned its annual budget of a staggering RM1 Billion.


What in the world does JAKIM do? Well, among other stuff, it looks after halal certification so that Muslims can be assured of the kosher-ness of a product, especially food stuff such as to avoid haram ingredients like porcine DNA.


RM1 Billion a year budget!

But now a Muslim NGO is getting into the act of halal certification. No one knows its process, procedures and QA other than it's a Muslim organization known as IKIAM (Malaysia International Institute of Islamic Cooperation).

But IKIAM is just going about its new-found intention despite JAKIM saying IKIAM's intention to issue halal certification is illegal.

As it's a Muslim NGO, it would appear no one, not even JAKIM, dare to touch it.

Isn't it marvellous that, so long as you profess to be a Muslim NGO, you can't be touched.

But it brings us to the query, if IKIAM is okay, then why should we have JAKIM? Let's get rid of it and save RM1 Billion a year.

And are we going to have double certification on an issue of halal-ness?


From Malay Mail Online (extracts only): 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 ― Consumers will not be confused by the new halal logo only for Muslim-made products, the Malaysia International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) claimed when saying it will give them more choice.

Ikiam secretary Mohd Shamsuddin Damin also said the non-governmental organisation plans to issue the new logo to Muslim companies for free.

“Nobody will be confused, it's a straightforward co-existing branding exercise,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted this week, adding that Ikiam will explain the new logo to the public that may be launched as early as next January.

Currently, the halal logo and certification are under the purview of the the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). The department has said Ikiam’s plan is illegal without its endorsement.

Despite this, Mohd Shamsuddin said Ikiam will introduce two different logos: one to denote that a product is Muslim-made and another to certify a product as a Muslim-made and halal.

The first category of “Muslim product” is aimed at giving a boost to small Muslim businesses that have yet to obtain Jakim's halal certification, especially cottage industries that would not be able to meet the latter's requirements yet, he said.

Applying for Jakim's halal certification may also take a long time and be too costly for these small-time Muslim operators, Mohd Shamsuddin asserted.

“For example, a small company that produces sambal tumis, so they bottle it, the production is minimal, maybe 50 bottles a day, family operation, for the beginning they need some process, some support before they can go for halal certification, because turnover of the financial year may not even be enough to pay for Jakim certification cost,” he explained, adding that it may cost thousands to engage consultants.

For Muslim businesses operating out of their own houses, they would be unable to get Jakim's halal certification since it bars homemade products and requires production to be done at an independent premise, he said.

“We will have our people to assist them in business development so they have the capability to apply for Jakim's halal certification,” he said when describing Ikiam's ultimate aim to assist in the obtaining of official recognition of Muslim-made products' halal status.

Snap Elections? Maybe after all.

Star Online - PMO clarifies newswire report on snap polls


Dei Tambee, what did you say?

I was not talking reporting to you, Podah!

wakakaka 

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said that the holding of elections is not due to any single factor, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

It was clarifying news reports that Najib opposed calling early elections before the 2018 deadline.

The Prime Minister, who is on a visit to Berlin, had responded to a question on whether there will be an early election in Malaysia due to issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

“It must be predicated on the basis that we have good policies in Malaysia.

“We are delivering (results) for the benefit of the people and we are the best government to lead Malaysia into the future.

“We have a strong record and we will continue to tell the Malaysian people that our government is still the best choice,” Najib had said, according to the PMO.


Bear in mind the query by reporters was in response to whether there will be a snap poll due to issues about 1MDB.

The PM answered in a manner skirting that hot potato (1MDB), basically whispering 'sweet nothing', thus it was all bullshit talk.

Yessir, his response to the as to whether 1MDB may prompt him into calling for a snap elections was to tap-dance around the taboo. He didn't say 'yes' or 'no'.

Then, can we assume that there may be such a possibility in 2017, that is, a snap election for Malaysia?

Wakakaka.

UPDATE on 30 September 2016:

MM Online published PM says German translator misinterpreted remarks on early polls in which it's reported that PM Najib said:

“The translator didn't understand what I was saying. I was speaking in English but the translator translated it into German."

“I said the elections are not due until 2018, that does not mean elections will be on 2018. Elections are not due, it was mistranslated.”
“I have already made a clarification yesterday that I didn't say that elections will be on 2018 or did I say that it will be held much earlier. That’s all.”

Wakakaka.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Azmin abandons Anwar?

In yesterday's post Decided and confirmed, Moody as 7th PM of Malaysia we discussed how Mahathir as The Chairman of Pribumi has decided on the person the opposition will appoint as PM and also how he The Chairman Mahathir must be briefed by the extant PM (Moody, Mukhriz or Azmin) on proposed government policies before those may be allowed to be launched.


PM under training, PM and disposal nappy

what do you think of the party flag? 

This step was what, alas, the current PM neglected to do so for months on ends until The Chairman Mahathir was exasperatedly compelled to voice out publicly that Najib did not even brief him, at one stage, for a staggering six long months (how dare Najib? wakakaka).

Additionally The Chairman Mahathir has 'royally' proclaimed Muhyiddin Yassin as PM-anointed, as he once anointed Anwar, AAB and indeed even Ah Jib Gor, wakakaka.

Many have questioned Mahathir's unilateral (could Mahathir be other than 'unilateral'? wakakaka) decision on Muhyiddin when others weren't consulted or had agreed.

But the only thing going for Muhyiddin in Mahathir's eyes is that he is not only compliant (as AAB and Najib were supposed to be. wakakaka) but has always been "I am a Malay first" person, as Mahathir himself has been. And that would have please Mahathir lots. Come to think of it, both Mahathir and Muhyiddin are like peas in a pod, the ultra Malay pod.

Indeed, Mahathir had chewed Najib once for giving way to Chinese by far too much, unlike Muhyiddin who only gives way to delicious Chinese 'meat'.

Except possibly for only nyanyuk-ish LKS, the DAP does not agree with Mahathir's choice of "I'm a Malay first" Moody for PM, preferring an old favourite, Anwar Ibrahim.

Unfortunately for Mr Manmanlai, other than his family and faithful DAP, no other opposition or so-called opposition leader supports his PM-ship.

PAS has rejected him (completely if not openly). Now, I am not sure whether Pak Haji Hadi Awang is wary of him because the ulama chief believes, like Mahathir does, that Anwar is immoral(?), or is still personally jealous of him because years back the late PAS President Fadzil Noor wanted pandai-cakap Anwar rather than dull boring Hadi Awang to be his successor as PAS president, or is just plain ambitious to become PM himself thus considers Anwar as an annoying competitor.

Then Mahathir does not want Anwar to be PM though he wants Pakatan's support for his Pribumi, hence his appearance in court pretending he was there to support Anwar.

I think Mahathir still hates Anwar for 2 reasons, to wit, (1) Anwar as Finance Minister refused to help Mahathir's son and his shipping line during the Asian economic meltdown, and (2) Anwar attempted to treacherously oust him by using a stalking horse by the name of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who now has the last laugh over the two. And it's real deep, very very deep hatred.

I reckon Mahathir's hate for Anwar has nothing to do with sodomy lah, wakakaka. Mahathir has been a man who didn't and still doesn't give a shit about such human weaknesses - weaknesses I suspect he welcomes in Anwar as something to use against that man, wakakaka, as he had.

Just (IMPORTANT: No 1 Reminder) don't f**k around with or jeopardize his son(s)' future, which Anwar, AAB (or rather someone else, wakakaka) and Ah Jib Gor have been perceived by The Chairman to have done.

But we arrive at what I want to blog as a point of potential interest to discuss with you, that in reading the latest news across the board, what with Mukhriz calling for a united opposition under the moniker of Barisan Rakyat and The Chairman Mahathir announcing unilaterally that Moody will be its anointed PM and Azmin Ali stumbling forward to support that, but with the DAP cold-shouldering Mahathir's pre-emptory announcement because they want Anwar rather than low-brow Moody, it would be reasonable to believe that Azmin Ali might have abandoned Anwar Ibrahim for Mahathir.


To the lifeboats everyone in PKR, Women and Children after me, the numero uno. Wakakaka.


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

New tale of 'tails' at Kongsamkok

Just published a new tale titled Village memories 8 - Overkilling of snakes at KTemoc Kongsamkok, which includes another Penang story on how (this time) a Chinese deity coopted an orang putih into doing 'something', wakakaka.



Decided and confirmed, Moody as 7th PM of Malaysia

Malay Mail Online - Dr M tips Muhyiddin to be PM if opposition wins


Dei Tambee, ayam His Imperial Majesty Emperor Asoka Mahathir of fundamentalist Islamic Malaysia 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has named Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the opposition's most likely candidate to be prime minister.

The former prime minister said this was contingent, however, on Muhyiddin being confirmed as the president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

“At the moment we are not saying anything except that if the opposition wins, the most likely prime minister will be Muhyiddin,” he was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

Dr Mahathir also added that the chairman of PPBM must be consulted on policy matters to ensure that the prime minister does not act unilaterally.

He claimed that the Cabinet was not sufficient safeguard against this as ministers were beholden to the prime minister.

The former PM is the chairman of PPBM.

“The future prime minister will not have a free hand because in the new party (Pribumi), we have not only the president but also a chairman,” he was further quoted as saying.



Hear that, Ambiga Sreenevasan, Maria Chin Abdullah, Lim Kit Siang, Azmin Ali, Tian Chua?

The chairman of Pribumi has spoken, and not only that, he has re-affirmed his status as the man who decides who becomes the PM of Malaysia and as Chairman of Pribumi, the man who must always be consulted by the new PM and all future PMs on government policy matters.

BTW, a word of advice. Mahathir's family possesses longevity genes, wakakaka, thus he could be around until 150 years old (just another 60 years, wakakaka), like a 142-year old Indonesia Bapak who was interviewed recently. Dirgahayu Bapak! Wakakaka.

In other words, Mahathir as the Chairman of Pribumi is even superior to the PM of Malaysia.

But we shouldn't be surprised. After all, once he lamented he picked two wrong successors.

Have you got that again? Two successors, not just one. Two successors meant that after the 1st successor was kicked out, he Mahathir was effectively and automatically the 'real PM' (de jure or de facto, it didn't matter and he didn't/doesn't care) who decided on the 2nd successor.

In real terms, after he sacked the 1st PM, AAB, he was the 'real PM' who selected Najib to be the 2nd PM, as his (Mahathir's) successor.

Wow!

Which retired PM in the world can or could have the distinction of two consecutive successors?

Only Mahathir, because he and he alone can decide who will be his successor as PM, again and again, as he's now doing with Muhyiddin.

In doing so with Moody, Mahathir is indicating indirectly he is the Perpetual PM of Malaysia, only taking a back seat from time to time as he desides who should be his puppet.

Oh, BTW, Malay Mail also reported "The former prime minister said this was contingent, however, on Muhyiddin being confirmed as the president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia", meaning that if Mukhriz is eventually selected as deputy president of Pribumi, and Moody is not confirmed as Prez of Pribumi, then Mukhriz will be kicked upstairs to become the 7th PM of Malaysia, and oh, also the President of Pribumi. Correct?

Hear that, dumbos?

And as Ramkarpal Singh Deo said: “The question of working with Dr Mahathir is an unimaginable disaster waiting to happen."

Heard that, Lim Kit Siang?



Exploiting fears of Malays

You have heard of Shell gasoline and Super-Shell. In Oz we have fuel of RON 91 and RON 95 as well as RON 98, and  a couple more.


Well, have you heard of Halal and Super-Halal? What is the difference?

Does one go to heaven under Halal record and receive 72 virgins, or does it have to be one with Super-Halal?

Y
esterday, FMT reported in its Additional halal logo just a ‘gimmick’ (extracts):

Prominent lawyer-activist, Azhar Harun has questioned the need for a separate halal logo for Muslim-made products, dismissing it as a gimmick that preys upon unsuspecting Malay Muslims in the country.

Speaking to FMT, Azhar, popularly known as Art Harun, asked whether the idea for a separate halal logo was another way of helping small Malay cottage industries or another way of jumping onto the bandwagon of Islamist trade.

“After all we are already milking the religion for business profit to the hilt. Just look at the shariah-compliant chickens, health products, dresses and even water!”

“We also had a shariah-compliant airline and our train services are now shariah-compliant, so halal stuff made by Muslims is a natural extension,” he said.

He lamented that now, there would be a halal certificate for non-Muslims businesses and a halal certificate for Muslim businesses.

He questioned whether halal products made by Muslims were of a higher grade of “halal” than products made by non-Muslims.

“The halal certs were established to help Muslim consumers to ensure the products that they used were halal. It was well intentioned.”

However, over the years, he said the issue of halal certs had become commercialised to the point of being divisive.

It feeds on the fear of the Malays. So much so we now have halal lifts, halal hotels, halal buffets and the likes,” he said, adding that as an example, this year, hotels were not allowed to have Ramadan buffets without first obtaining halal certification.

Art also cautioned that this move, if followed through, would eventually result in all Malay or Muslim entrepreneurs being forced or compelled to obtain this halal certification for fear that if they did not, their products would be perceived as not halal.

Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim also tweeted on the issue, saying: “Yes some Muslims are more Muslim than others; some Malays are more Malay than others; so some halal are more halal than others.”


Monday, September 26, 2016

Working with Mahathir will be like jumping from the pan into the fire



misusing Islam to cause social havoc and division in Malaysia - reformasi my foot

PETALING JAYA: Anwar Ibrahim is responsible for bringing Islamisation into Malaysia. This was the opinion of controversial lawyer-cum-activist Siti Kasim.

Speaking to Malay Mail Online, Siti blamed jailed Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for bringing Islamisation into Malaysia and said she was “the happiest person” when Anwar was “caught”.

“I’m not joking because I think Malaysia was safe at that time. But then, unfortunately, of course, the people had already been brainwashed by then.

“He already set in place this brainwashing in school.

“I blame it on him; he’s the one who brought in Islamisation to Malaysia. It’s nothing wrong to bring in good things, but he’s bringing in Wahhabism kind of Islam.

“Why would you want to bring the Wahhabism interpretation of Islam?

“They mix the Arab culture into Islam”.



Wow, no longer Hari Raya Puasa, or what the greeting was called eons ago, is today called Eid al Fitr. And there are numerous other examples of Arab-izations, which include bonking one's wife on the back of a camel instead of a kerbau.

But it has to be admitted Anwar worked well with Mahathir because it was in 2002 (alas, after Anwar had been sacked by Mahathir) that Mahathir declared that Malaysia is a not just an Islamic State but a fundamentalist Islamic State.

When he did that, Lim Kit Siang railed and ranted and raved in his 929 and 617 Declarations in which Uncle Lim wrote (extracts):

When did the Cabinet make this radical policy shift to declare Malaysia as a fundamentalist Islamic State, going against the 1957 Merdeka Constitution, the “social contract” of the major communities and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement that Malaysia is a democratic, secular and multi-religious nation with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic State?

It is both sad and most shocking that the Prime Minister and all the Cabinet Ministers are not setting the good example of respecting and upholding the historical, political, legal and constitutional principles of the Malaysian nation by unilaterally, arbitrarily and unconstitutionally declaring Malaysia as an Islamic fundamentalist state.

The Reid Constitution Commission Report 1957, which recommended the form of constitution we should have, stated that there was “universal agreement” that “any statement in the Constitution to the effect that Islam should be the State religion … would not in any way affect the civil rights of non-Muslims”.

It stated:
“In the memorandum submitted by the Alliance it was stated the religion of Malaya shall be Islam. The observance of this principle shall not impose any disability on non-Muslim nationals professing and practising their own religions and shall not imply that the State is not a secular state.”

Bapa Malaysia and the nation’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman confirmed this and declared in the Legislative Council in 1958:

“I would like to make it clear that this country is not an Islamic State as it is generally understood; we merely provide that Islam shall be the official religion of the State.”

The position of the constitutional cornerstone that Malaysia is a secular and not a Islamic state was further reinforced in the negotiations for the formation of Malaysia in 1963, as Sabahans and Sarawakians were assured that Article 3 of the Constitution "does not imply that Malaysia is not a secular state." (Cobbold Commission Report).

The fundamental constitutional principle that Malaysia is a secular nation has been upheld by the highest court in the land in Che Omar bin Che Soh vs Public Prosecutor (1988).

Delivering the judgment of a five-man Federal Court panel, the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas held that the Constitution and the legal system are “secular” and held that the meaning of the expression “Islam” or “Islamic religion” in Article 3 “means only such acts as relate to rituals and ceremonies”.

He said that “There can be no doubt that Islam is not just a mere collection of dogmas and rituals but it is a complete way of life covering all fields of human activities, may they be private or public, legal, political, economic, social, cultural, moral or judicial” but rejected the contention that the terms “Islam” or “Islamic religion” in Article 3 is “an all-embracing concept, as is normally understood, which consists not only the ritualistic aspect but also a comprehensive system of life, including its jurisprudence and moral standard” as this was not the meaning intended by the framers of the Constitution.

Salleh Abas’ judgment that Malaysia was a secular nation was in keeping with the interpretation of his predecessor, the late Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim who in 1962 defined the scope of Islam in the constitution as being primarily for ceremonial purposes, such as the permission for prayers to be offered in the Islamic way on official public occasions such as the installation of the Yang di Pertuan Agong, his birthday, Merdeka Day and other occasions.

The DAP Central Executive Committee will meet in Petaling Jaya tonight over Mahathir’s “929 Declaration” and his “617 Announcement” that Malaysia is a fundamentalist Islamic state, and will consider among other things the proposal that Mahathir be taken to court for these two pronouncements.

I am personally not in favour of a legal move as I believe that this is more a political than a legal issue at this stage – and what is most important is a nation-wide people’s consciousness campaign for all Malaysians to be fully aware of the far-reaching political, economic, social, legal, nation-building and citizenship implications of such unilateral, arbitrary and unconstitutional misinterpretations of the 1957 Merdeka Constitution, the “social contract” and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement and the need for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation to exercise their democratic and constitutional right to defend and preserve the true meaning and spirit of the 1957 Merdeka Constitution, the “social contract” and the 1963 Agreement.

It has been suggested that unless Mahathir withdraws his “929 Declaration” and his “617 Announcement” that Malaysia is an Islamic fundamentalist state, the PAS state government in Terengganu is entitled to proceed with its Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment Bill.

I do not agree with this proposition, as both UMNO’s Islamic State and PAS’ Islamic State are contrary to the true meaning and spirit of the 1957 Merdeka Constitution, the “social contract” and the 1963 Malaysia Agreement.

I find it most shocking that a Pas leader was quoted in the New Straits Times yesterday as saying that the PAS Terengganu state government will not entertain views and suggestions based on human logic when reviewing the draft of the Syariah Criminal Enactment Bill, as only views and suggestions based on hukum Allah would be considered.

This would automatically exclude the views of non-Muslims, reflecting a serious implication of an Islamic state where non-Muslims would not be able to enjoy a full and untrammeled role in the nation’s decision-making process – and explained why the DAP decided to pull out of the Barisan Alternative in September last year.

Whoa! Hadn't Mahathir caused enormous damage, conflict and irreparable division in our society, yet Lim Kit Siang, the very man who condemned Mahathir's nonsensical policies, is now willing to work with that very trouble-maker, Mahathir.

I remind Lim Kit Siang of his own words above, pasted on his own blog, and the words of Ramkarpal Singh Deo (son of DAP's spiritual leader, Karpal Singh), as follows (published by the now defunct The Malaysian Insider in April 2015):

The question of working with Dr Mahathir is an unimaginable disaster waiting to happen.

“There can be no doubt that Malaysia needs to be saved. While I agree that Najib ought to go, I cannot agree with the means by which Dr Mahathir proposes to do so,” Ramkarpal said in a statement here.

“Asserting pressure on a democratically elected prime minister to step down cannot be democratic and it is high time that Pakatan Rakyat come together at this very critical time against Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN),” the DAP MP added.

Ramkarpal said that working with Dr Mahathir would mean that PR would just be maintaining the status quo and allow “corruption to continue”.

“I am firmly of the view that saving Malaysia can only mean a new clean, accountable and transparent government."

“Pakatan Rakyat must live up to its promise to Malaysians of being that alternative and democratically oust Najib and the BN through the ballot box.”

Amin!.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Letter to Sara Petra




Dear Sara Petra,

You have just urged MIC members to join Gerakan Party if they find the MIC doesn't help them.

Just as a matter of curiosity, is there any non-Chinese Gerakan Party members, say Indians, in federal parliament or any state DUN to effectively represent the MIC members who want to leave? Senate backdoor appointees by the PM don't count, wakakaka.

But I have to admit I haven't check. Perhaps you can humour me.

Have you ever considered the truly multi-racial DAP as an alternative party for those poor over-looked MIC members?

If Gerakan Party is as multi-racial as you suggested, please look at the DAP's federal non-Chinese MPs and state ADUNs which follow below.

For your kind perusal, and alas, to Gerakan and MIC mucho embarrassment, sorry lah guys, wakakaka.


Members of Federal Parliament (MP)

Penang

1. Kasthuriraani Patto - Batu Kawan
2. Zairil Khir Johari - Bukit Bendera
3. Ramkarpal Singh - Bukit Gelugor

Perak

4. M. Kulasegaran V. Murugeso - Ipoh Barat
5. Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu - Batu Gajah

Pahang

6. Mohamad Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz - Raub

Selangor

7. Gobind Singh Deo - Puchong
8. Charles Anthony Santiago - Klang


Senate (not appointed by PM, but by party through states won)

9. Dr Ariffin Omar
10. Chandra Mohan S. T.


State Assemblies


Negeri Ssembilan

11. Arul Kumar a/l Jambunathan - Nilai
12. Mary Josephine Prittam Singh - Rahang
13. Gunasekaren a/l Palanisamy - SEnawang
14. Veerapan a/l Superamaniam - Repah

Pahang

15. Tengku Zulpuri Shah b. Raja Puji - Mentakab
16. Kamache Doray Rajoo - Sabai

Penang

17. Tanasekharan a/l Autherapady - Bagan Dalam
18. Ramasamy a/l Palanisamy (1st ever Indian deputy Chief Minister in Malaysia) - Perai
19. Jagdeep Singh Deo a/l Karpal Singh - Datok Keramat
20. Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji - Seri Delima

Perak

21. Sivasubramaniam a/l AthiNarayanan - Buntong
22. Terence Naidu a/l V Raja @ Raja Naidu - Pasir Bedamar
23. Sivanesan a/l Achalingam - Sungkai

Sabah

24. Edwin @ Jack Bosi - Kapayang

Selangor

25. Rajiv a/l Rishyakaran - Bukit Gasing
26. Ganabatirau a/l Veraman - Kota Alam Shah


Goodness, that's more than two dozen. I know it's embarrassing to MIC that we have far more Indian representatives than the so-called Indian Party.

As for your recommended Gerakan Party I suppose you'll have to re-check with them to see their multi-racial credentials.

I'm aware that the DAP is not perfect but given all its human errors the party still shines and out-classes the Gerakan by a zillion light years.

Your sincerely,

kaytee

p/s Mah Siew Keong, the president of Gerakan Party, in a by-election in his home town of Teluk Intan, with all his hairy experience and home town advantages, could only overcome young 1st-timer sweetie Dyana Sofya of DAP, by only a mere 238 votes.

The BN secret skunkworks with fabricated photos of Dyana in bad light to conservative Muslims voters (using photo of a bikini-ed Filipino actress who looks like her) helped Mah scrapped through.


right photo was of Filipino actress passed by BN skunk works falsely as Dyana in bikini during by-election campaign - sangat kotor lah

when shown the false represented photo, Dyana responded with great humour, saying (words to the effect): "I wish I have her body"

DAP's Dyana Sofya - what a great gal, our future

Sweetie Dyana is anxiously waiting for GE-14 to rip Uncle Mah to shreds, wakakaka.


she doesn't have nor need a so-called 'reformasi' dad to make her glow