Melting All Races In A Pot

A response to Dr. Azly Rahman's posting ' From perkasa to pekasam -- with bonus Bob Dylan song and Mongolian music ' ,

http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-perkasa-to-pekasam.html



Why 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia? Because all races in this country can identify with it. Therefore a common identity.


What does this phrase ' melting pot ' mean? A pot where all ingredients can be put in, like beef, potato, carrot, chilly tomato, pepper, salt etc..

The purpose is to mix and cook all these. And what would come out from this mixing is a pleasant and tasty dish.

From this analogy, the creation of this nation should be done along the same line. The mixing process is the uniting of all races to create a national identity 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia.

This country is a melting pot of all races, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan/Dusun/Murut, Bajau, Brunei, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh etc. and why should not these races be combined to produce a common nationality.

Is it wrong to do so? Why must the unity of races be politicised? Shouldn't it be considered a civil development. And to be out of bounds for both the Ruling and Opposition Political Parties.Let it be a people and citizen oriented movement Therefore no race should be afraid of being overwhelmed by another. Afterall, it is only an exercise in human relations.

That is so. But it is the basis of how unity is created in a nation.

A high mountain can slide down and crash if its base is faulty.

In the same manner when organisations like Perkasa create a sense of fear in Malays that the other races would bully and financially take advantage over them. It is like saying that Malays are weak people and can be easily influenced

This line of argument is wrong and insulting to Malays especially their dignity, ' maruah '. After forty seven years of independence, a big Malay intelligentsia has been created whose intellectual capacity are as good as the Chinese or Indians.

Or even better. And can easily compete in a level playing field. So what is Perkasa talking about, protecting the rights of Malays and so forth !

The educated Malays know their rights. If Perkasa have to teach them these. Then Perkasa is telling them that their qualifications as educated people are questionable.

It is tantamount to Perkasa questioning their dignity, ' maruah ' as Malays who are knowledgeable. Usually,intelligent persons do not need an organisation to potect what are rightfully theirs. They know what they are?

Perkasa is therefore irrelevant to modern Malays who are more outgoing and global. While Perkasa wants to teach the ' katak dalam tempurung dan sentiasa terancham ' philosophy.

No Races Want To Stay In The House, Malaysia Built

A response to Dr. Azly Rahman's posting  ' From perkasa to pekasam -- with bonus Bob Dylan song and Mongolian music ' ,
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-perkasa-to-pekasam.html


Where have all the Malaysians gone?


If everybody wants to be Malay first, Chinese first, Indian first, Kadazan/Dusun/Murut first, Bajau first, Brunei first, Iban first, Melanau first and Bidayuh first.



Who will stay in the House that Malaysia built?

As every race wants to create their own homes,

nobody is interested in this edifice.



Even though this house is equipped with modern amenities for comfortable living.



And there are many and enough rooms for every race to live comfortably in this beautiful Palace called Malaysia.



But the strange thing is, no one wants to stay in that building because they are afraid of being labelled Malaysians.



They are scared that living in the same house, they will get on each other's nerve, quarrel and fight.



So eventually the structures of the House of Malaysia weakens. It becomes dilapidated and stand solitary.



The people of different races just pass her by and go their separate ways.



Just because, no races want to stay in that beautiful home called Malaysia. They don't care, even if it falls into pieces!

Perkasa - Do Not Create Disunity Among Malaysians

Comment made in response to Dr. Azly Rahman's posting entitled  ' From Perkasa to Pekasam? '
appearing on 31 March 2010 in his blog AZLY RAHMAN -  Between Cybernetics and Existentialism,  
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/03/from-perkasa-to-pekasam.html



Dr. Azly is doing the right thing. Though, he is far away, he is still concerned with what is happening to Malays and Malaysians.


He loves Malaysia and want her to be strong economically and a respected country among the nations of the world.

Perkasa, it seems doesn't care one bit about having a united Malaysia made of various races living peacefully. Working together to improve the economic position of the people and the country.

What has Perkasa done to teach the Malays to stand on their own feet? To motivate them on how to fish rather than depend on handouts.

The wealth of the country, oil, oil palm etc. will one day be finished because of depletion or because of new technologies and discoveries. Malays will suffer because there will be no monies to be given out.

Perkasa should have a programme to encourage Malays to be financially resilient through teaching them in seminars, forums, dialogue, articles and books.

Otherwise, Perkasa is like a father who does not want his children to grow up. He wants them to depend on him for all their necessities.

Perkasa is underestimating the Malays and insulting their intelligence by assuming that Malays are not smart people and need to be defended and protected.

If this is so, it is Perkasa who is the villain who do not want the Malays to be independent. Perkasa wants them to be enslaved by the taboo of affirmative action - forever crippled and dependent on the government for all their needs.

The fault would be Ibrahim Ali's and Perkasa if the Malays are caught in a time frame that never
move. Forever living in the past - Bangsa Dan Adat Lebih Penting Dari Negara Malaysia.

And the saddest thing is that Tun Datuk Mahathir is involved with Perkasa. Being an exPrime Minister and Elder Statesman, he should not. Because, when he was Prime Minister of Malaysia, he was the Prime Minister of all Malaysians irrespective of race. How is it, he is no more the former Prime Minister of all Malaysians but now of only one race.

Malaysians expected Tun to play an important role in bringing 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Vision 2020 into reality. He should have therefore deter the formation of such an organisation as Perkasa in the first place.

And instead be in the vanguard in the setting up of Gerakan Untuk Menjayakan 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Visi 2020 Yang Tidak Mengira, Kaum,Keturunan Atau Agama ( Movement To Achieve 1Malaysia/One Malaysian Race/Vision 2020 Irrespective Of Race Or Religion ).

Tun Datuk Mahathir, a man with a stature and credentials bigger than life should be the chief promoter of the above movement. And people from all walks of life will only be too happy to join such a group whose objective is to unite all Malaysians.


And in this regard, Datuk Najib being the Prime Minister of Malaysia and UMNO's head must stop Perkasa at all costs by taking strong measures to neutralise it. Otherwise the objectives of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Vision 2020 will not be achieved. It will only remain a slogan.

There maybe factions in UMNO against the concept of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Vision 2020, Datuk Najib must dealt with them too, sternly and come up on top. A purge might also be necessary. If, this is not done, it will weaken his Prime Ministership. His policies will always be under attack and he will always be under pressure. And which is bad for a person sitting in that position - making him a lame duck.

Perkasa - Think Also Of Other Malaysians

Comment below was made in response to a posting by Kee Thuan Chye in Free MalaysiaToday,
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmtenglish/opinion/comment/3929-now-showing-in-bolehland

Datuk Ibrahim Ali

Indeed sad, for former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir to be involved with such a group as Perkasa whose objective is not to help create 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia but instead to impede it.

What is wrong with all races being united under the Malaysian sun? Why is Ibrahim Ali so much against the Unity of All Races in this country? As if he is taking vengeance on the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans/Dusuns/Muruts, Bajaus, Bruneis, Ibans, Melanaus and Bidayuhs whose only desire as right thinking citizens are to be united as a nation with equal opportunities for all.

Is this wrong? If so, then what is Malaysia all about? Is it about, after forty seven years of independence, to be still divided by race and religion?

This organization will create a negative impact in the country. It is undermining the philosophy of our founding fathers, Tunku Abdul Rahman and the other leaders whose original concept of Malaysia was that of a nation made up of various races, united and existing as a democratic country.

By its action, Perkasa is saying, it is not interested in Malaysia as a united nation. And therefore, it is against the notion of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia.

Meaning, it does not support the move by the Prime Minister to bring all the races together under the banner of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia. In brief, it is hindering Dato’ Najib’s plan to do so as mentioned above.

Not only that, Ibrahim Ali’s action is not supportive of making Malaysia a succes. Instead he wants to create a detriment. And using Perkasa as the vehicle to do so.

Such acts are very damaging and UMNO should take serious measures to stop it before it adversely affect both UMNO and the government.

Second Hand Generators Installed In Sabah ! !

                            

YB Datuk Ghapur Salleh                                                         

Member of Parliament For 

          Tawau

                                

                                         

A second hand power generator,
       a simulated picture


Sabahans were angry when they read that the SESB generators installed in Tawau were second hand. And prone to breakdowns. Ghapur Salleh stated in parliament, it was not fair for the people of Sabah especially those in Tawau to get such machines. And this indirectly hurt the people - it appears as if they are being treated as second class citizens.

Datuk Ghapur has a point there. Secondhand  generators  are susceptible to regular maintenance. And are therefore financially not viable. It would be much better for the generators to be brand new. Thus saving the board from extra expenses due to zero upkeep of the machineries concerned. After waiting for so long and in the end getting a second hand - is truly insulting to the  intelligence.

The authority must remember that the 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia concept means giving the best to its citizens. Sometimes, the foreigners and non-citizens get a better deal. While Malaysians have to make a lot of noise and anger before they are heard. Have been mentioned elsewhere in this blog, it is easy to make Malaysians happy. Give brand new, give the best.

Giving the best, carries a message of deep concerned and understanding for the situations people are in - more so to Malaysians who are citizens of this country. Every political party including the government should make it their top priority to give the best to the people of the nation. And the political profit made from it
would be invaluable.

Man Has No Nature, What He Has Is History - Ortega Gasset, Spanish Philosopher

A quotation taken from Azly Rahman's article of 8 March 2010 which appeared in his blog, http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/03/malay-construction-of-illusion.html

I am in total agreement with you  'Man has no nature, what he has is history' as quoted by Ortega Gasset, the Spanish Philosoper. Specifically referring to race. Race can be whatever is appropriate as seen in the eye of a leader. It could be used as a political instrument to preserve power. And this has been proven in the past and also in the present.

Man is an adaptable being. He can change to suit his position in order to survive. This is a primeval instinct. In the modern context, it should not be encouraged especially in  countries whose population are multi-racial. So by nature, human can plan his action to benefit himself or his group. And it is something flexible, determined by the environments.

Nature in all individuals is an attribute which is personal and intangible. So much so, only when such action is recorded, it becomes history. History is therefore the act of man. And it will be the indicator of where a nation has failed. Past events has shown that certain political philosophy is contradictory to human nature. Thus Democracy came into being because it answers the basic need of man for freedom and equality in all fields of human endeavour.

A country should not be afraid of multiracialism. It should consider it as a melting pot  to obtain the best from every race, its culture and heritage. Americans has proved that this is possible and Barack Obama, the first Black President is the living example.

So a nation should consider that it is fortunate in having so many different races as her citizens as this will enable it to draw the various intellectual resources required in building a strong and stable country - Malaysia.

UMNO's Greatest Challenge

The comment below is in response to Art Harun's posting, "The symptoms and the disease"  on his blog Articulation at  http://art-harun.blogspot.com/

Picture of UMNO's Leadership

Right on. This is a negative and destructive culture. In the end it would retard Malays from excelling in all fields of human endeavour and instead becoming an insular race.


Like China and the Chinese before Deng Xiaopeng introduced the concept of an 'Open Society', China was inward looking. Everything must be done the Chinese way, culture, commerce, industry etc..

At what price! China's development was way behind Malaysia's. Then China changed, it became a cosmopolitan nation and within a decade its economy is second only to the U.S.A..

Malaysia can also do the same, our country need revamping. And we have already got the instrument, 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia to help us. UMNO must understand that the other races also have aspiration in wanting to improve theirs' and their families' position
financially or otherwise.

UMNO must therefore ensure that more opportunities are given to non-Malays in education, senior and top posts in government agencies as well as in the police and armed forces.

Their skills, experiences, knowledge etc. must be tapped and utilised to help the country move further up in the status of a developed country. These resources should not be ignored. As there are reports stating that non-Malay Malaysians are playing a crucial role in the economic, industrial and commercial life of their adopted countries.

UMNO must realised as pillars of the government, it plays a very important part in determining the survival of Malaysia as an economy and as a nation.

In the same manner,the best brains of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Bajaus, Ibans, Melanaus etc. should be heads of both governmental and private enterprise. Smartness and capability are not the monopoly of any particular race.

UMNO must be realistic that Singapore has benefitted from recruiting qualified Malaysians into their society. Giving them privileges and citizenship. It is a fact that Malaysians has contributed greatly to Singapore's position as a regional power house.

During the British era, the non-Malays also contributed to the economic boom of Malaya.

What is being said here is that UMNO must acknowledged the role of the non-Malays in contributing to the robust financial health of the country both pre and post independent period up to the present time.


If there are elements within UMNO that are against this pragmatic policy, then the UMNO leadership must take a firm stand. And ensure that practicality and reality must win.

Because Malaysia is a plural society, it cannot afford to create a discord among the different races.

UMNO's foremost responsibility is to make certain that the brightest, the cream of all the different races, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Bajau, Iban, Melanau etc. are given prominent function to ensure that Malaysia's financial position remains strong and viable.

This is UMNO's Leadership greatest challenge and if this is achieved UMNO would have redeemed itself. It will not only become the champion of the Malays but also the non-Malays. And the key to such success is UMNO's multiracial concept of making sure, every Malaysian has the opportunity to better themselves in whatever area of industry.

Don't Underestimate The Cleverness Of Old People

Appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for this article

The IRS decides to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office.

The IRS auditor is not surprised when Grandpa shows up with his attorney.

The auditor says, 'Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable.'

'I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it,' says Grandpa. 'How about a demonstration?'

The auditor thinks for a moment and says, 'Okay. Go ahead.'

Grandpa says, 'I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye.'

The auditor thinks for a moment and says, 'It's a bet.'

Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops.

Grandpa says, 'Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye...'

Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.

Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Grandpa's attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.

'Want to go double or nothing?' Grandpa asks. 'I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into that wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between.'

The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibly manage that stunt, so he agrees again.

Grandpa stands beside the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightily, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.

The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win.

But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.

'Are you okay?' the auditor asks.

'Not really,' says the attorney. 'This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!'



Don't Mess with Old People!!

Attack On Churches - Condemned By Muslim Professionals Forum

Appreciation to my friend, John B. for this article

This condemnation made by the Muslim Professionals Forum regarding the attacks on churches and also the protection provided by Muslim NGOs to such buildings have touched the hearts of, not only Christians but all Malaysians. The same deep appreciation to Marina Mahathir, Khoo Kay Peng, Art Harun and other Muslim Brothers and Sisters. It shows that the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood is alive in our society. We, whatever our race or religion are concerned and care for each other whenever tragic and unfortunate event happened to anyone of us.

May God Almighty bless you for your understanding and good deeds. And may God Almighty also bless, all Malayians of goodwill.


Below is  the message from the Muslim Professionals Forum:

By Muslim Professionals Forum
editor@thenutgraph.com
THE cowardly and utterly senseless act of a group of misguided, chauvinistic bigots in torching at least three churches in the Klang Valley this morning must be condemned in no uncertain terms by all peace-loving Malaysians.

This act of arson, committed presumably in the name of Islam, desecrates the very religion it purports to protect. The Holy Quran unequivocally prohibits destroying the houses of worship of all religions, as warned in Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 40:

"... Had not Allah checked the excesses and aggression of one set of people by means of another, surely would be destroyed monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated..."

During the reign of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second righteous caliph, the religious freedom of the citizens of Ilya (Jerusalem) and the sanctity of their synagogues and places of worship were confirmed:

"This is the protection which the slave-servant of Allah, Umar, the Commander of the Believers, extends to the people of Ilya: The safeguarding of their lives, properties, churches, crosses, and of their entire community. Their churches cannot be occupied, demolished, or damaged, nor are their crosses or anything belonging to them to be touched. They will never be forced to abandon their religion, nor will they be oppressed ..." (At-Tabari, Tarikh, Vol III, p. 609, ed. Dar Al-Ma'arif, Egypt.)

In the light of these tragic turn of events, the Muslim Professionals Forum:

1 Demand the authorities immediately conduct an impartial and thorough investigation to identify, apprehend and punish the perpetrators of this despicable violence lest the country spirals into a vicious cycle of retaliatory acts which would fracture the very fabric of Malaysian civil society.

2 Urge the authorities to either refuse or revoke the permit for the planned demonstration in order to contain the heightened emotions and sensitivities among Muslim quarters, angered by the recent High Court decision on the usage of the word "Allah".

3 Urge individuals, organisations and political parties to refrain from further issuing provocative and inflammatory statements related to the High Court verdict.

4 Urge all Malaysians to emphatise and stand in solidarity with our Christian community in their hour of grief and need.

5 Urge all peace-loving Malaysians to maintain composure and let cool heads prevail.

May Allah guide us all in these most troubling times.

Dr Mazeni Alwi
Dr Shaikh Johari Bux
Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
(Board of Directors)
Muslim Professionals Forum

8 Jan 2010