RANDAU PAK-KOPI : WAHHABISM

Some members of AOG (“A-One-Group”) met again as usual during yesterday’s mid-Saturday morning for “randau pak-kopi” (or coffee-shop talk) down town in BDC shopping complex. The “randau pak-kopi” was typical socializing time to keep in touch and abreast with some recent news and events which seemed and might generate adverse effects on national security, politics and economy of the country.

Alberto (not his real name) said he read about Khary Jamaluddin's comment in ‘The Malaysian Insider’ about Wahhabism in Malaysia. In making particular reference to ‘The Malaysian Insider’ (dated 30^th July 2011), Alberto read (from the print out) and said:

(i)      “...that Putrajaya had ruled out Wahhabism as a national security threat, and that Saudi Arabia did not propagate any violence in Malaysia through the teaching.”

(ii)    “...that the NSC (National Security Council) has decided that while the practice of Wahhabism does exist in the country, but it does not pose any immediate security threat.”

(iii)  “...that Malaysia’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has been affected following the threat of Wahhabism being linked to the Arab country.”

Julio (not his real name) commented:

“With its admission about the existence and practice of Wahhabism, the National Secuurity Council  had been very watchful in ensuring that the movement would not pose threat to the national security. The assurance came with relief under the current situation. Nonetheless, chains of current and future events in Saudi Arabia might have some influences since Wahhabism in Malaysia had its origin from Saudi Arabia..... the connection is undeniably natural.......Although the subject matter of Wahhabism is very Islamic in nature, Malaysian authority need to consider and make efforts to explain the matter to the non-Muslim-Malaysians who are ignorant......It is because  security threats are conceren of all peace-loving Malaysians.............


For example in the old days, the authority went all out to fight communism as the enemy of democracy-loving citizens by telling and educating the public (irrespective of religions, races, and political affiliations) about the menace of subversive and militant communism in propagating communist ideologies using “The Red Book” (or “The Thoughts of Mao Tze-Tung”) through CUF (Communist United Front) organizations and activities, AND supported by militancy through tactical-war-ideology termed as: “Power Grows From Barrels of Guns."

Antonio cautioned the group that Wahhabism cannot and should not be equated with Communism.....The first one being religious in nature while the second one was being political in nature... But the use of militancy knows no bound between religions and politics.

Earnesto (not his real name) said:

“We must not say anything about religion of others that we do not know ....... Friends! Remember the saying: Do not trouble trouble until trouble troubles you! ...Do not ask for trouble , lah!”

Antonio butted in:

“What..Earnseto? Are you saying that you should not be bothered about something that may and will trouble UNTIL the trouble comes and affects you? When it does happen it is too late ......... Do not be negative and passive, lah! .... I do agree with Julio..... We need to be well informed ... But who is going to tell or explain to us and .... I strongly supported the proposal made by Julio to request the Government and/or YBs to take the initiative.....especially so in creating awareness among the unassuming and ignorant rural folks ... in longhouses. ”

Alberto said:

“We’re educated people. Do we’ve to wait for the Government or YBs to explain such matter openly as they normally do so on matters against their political opponents in TV and their-controlled newspapers and media.........


There are other sources of information such as alternative internet news and media....... to deepen and balance what we already know........  There are some people out there who preferred that we know less than them so that we become victims of ignorance by our own inactiivity or passivity...... .”

 Sharing my thought on the above

Seen in the context of “people first” in tandem with 1Malaysia Concept, it is appropriate for the people-caring government to take corrective steps toward educating people on the subject matter as it may become menace and poses security threats.

The Illegalized Street-Walks......

The Illegalized Street-Walks......

The initial effect and/or impact of Bersih's illegalized street walks toward the Indoor Stadium (09.07.2011) had already began which can be seen from (pro-UMNO) NST first-page headline (12.07.2011) entitled: "Election Commission to improve voting system". 

Another profound impact of Bersih's street-walks was evidenced by the positive statement made by Zaki Zahid  (member of  UMNO's Youth executive council) who was interviewed by ABC Radio recently.  He said he was considering sitting down with representatives from Pakatan to talk about Bersih's-eight-demands for electoral reform.  Zaki Zahid opined that dialogue and debate were ways forward for younger generations. Whether the plan take effect or otherwise in the near future remain to be seen.

Albeit sketchy in nature, 'the thing (news and responses) speak for itself ' on the 'need' or 'demands', and 'warnings' for political reforms to facilitate 'greater transparency and fairer democratic election process' were already in the streets.  

Report  (on neutral) responses or messages from Malaysian Bar President Lim Chee Wee, and Human Rights Committee of Malaysia (Suhakam) Commissioner Muhammad Sha'aoni Abdullah were expressions of public support for  the EC over its willingness to improve the voting system. Tacitly the responses also pointed out to the need for electoral reforms per 'demands' already made by Bersih.

 Although the 'demand or request for electoral reforms' came sectional-ly from the opposing camp called Bersih, the 'demand' or 'request' (which transformed into recent street-request)  was still "peoples' request" by and large.

 

As "peoples' request", it is in the public interest that the request (for electoral reforms by the people for the people) be considered in the context of "people first, performance now" - a core principle in Najib-1Malaysia's national performance philosophy. It follows that it is the expectation of many concerned Malaysians that the EC pursue its tasks dutifully and independently without any fear or favour from anyone wearing whatever colour of his/her shirts may be.

When and in what forms the electoral reforms to be pursued by the EC higly depended on the nature of the eight-points reform proposed by Bersih group viz-a-viz acceptance or rejection by the ruling group.

In so far as Sarawak and Sabah are concerned, such electoral reforms must not be confined exclusively on improving postal voting system. Electoral reforms  must also include reviews and  improvements on electoral system affecting sub-urban areas and in particular rural constituencies. 

As I see it, such electoral reforms must also focus on three main areas described below.

1. The 'relatively new' or current system devised by the Election Commission (EC) in lumping names of registered voters in the electoral rolls by polling stations which cancelled  the previous system in listing registered voters according to their longhouses or kampongs facilitated registration of phantom voters (i.e imported-voters who were not actual residents of the longhouses or kampongs and who had no connection  with the constituencies except as "fixed-deposit" for candidates who sponsored  them during election for money-sake).  

In all fairness, the EC must revert back to the pervious listing of registered  voters by longhouses, kampong or villages to ensure that registered voters were  genunine residents or non-residents with birth, marriage and home-village  connections. Through the previous system, local residents/voters were in position to identify the presence of registered phantom voters in the electoral rolls and lodge written complaint to the EC about registration of phantom voters.

2. The current practice of vote-counting by polling stations on the spot  after the closing of voting time (in rural areas) is convenient as well as money-and-time saving. However, the practice defiles secrecy ethics and making a mockery of the principle of fairness in demcratic election.

By such system of vote-counting, it is almost 100% certain to to find out "who-voted-who" under vote-buying-winning strategy termed as "Pre-paid", "C.O.D", and "Post-paid" method reinforce by "veiled threats" on defaulters.

The system breeds money politics and corrupt practices. The system also encourage the use of political and criminal intimadation on voters in rural areas during election period, and political victimization or supression post election time.

To safeguard or reduce occurances of such malpractices is to go back to the old or previous centralized-counting system (however inconvenient and time taking the process may be) whereby tallying of votes were conducted according to boxes, and then mixed-up well before the process of  vote-verification (i.e putting ballot papers accordingly into baskets alllocated to respective candidates) after which the  votes were conunted and tallied as the last two stages.

3. Vote-counting ought to done during day time  from early mornig to avoid  technically questionable incident of "padam api" or "power failure" at night. Occurrence of darkness in counting center tends to undermine transparency in vote-counting process.

THE PARADOXES OF CHOICE

THE PARADOXES OF CHOICE

EXCEPT for the CHOICE to be born as a particular gender and into a particular family, race and/or religion, ALL of us who are born into this world are endowed with multiple FREEDOM OF (personal) CHOICE in life including an ungodly CHOICE of dying by suicide.

From the statement above, reader(s) may ask why I choose to mention and write something about CHOICE herein and what is the relevance?

I choose or my CHOICE to mention something briefly below about CHOICE is because a CHOICE is about achieving ones’ objective(s). CHOICE also makes the chooser its servant to live by the CHOICE he/she already made.  On the other hand, CHOICE may and can also ‘enslave’ a chooser to become abusive and destructive.

In leadership position for example, leadership’s CHOICE to stay and sustain its ruling and/or dominating position (in government) is always crucial. Good intentions and the CHOICE of sound policies and good governance can and may slip-off or side-track toward nepotisms and cronyisms by which power-greed and self-enrichment breed corruptions and political oppressions.

Since an established ruling group has the democratic legitimacy of control over the state machineries and instruments, their natural CHOICE is to maximize and expand the use those machineries and instruments to formulate and implement policies or programmes toward positional entrenchment.

It is a natural CHOICE for people to group together to oppose nepotisms, cronyisms, corruptions, and political oppressions when they feel the effects and impacts on their livelihood and the nation.

It is the CHOICE of Bersih Group (in NGO’s style) to proceed OR not to proceed with its plan to hold peaceful demonstration (as scheduled on 09.07.2011) nation-wide. Either one, the CHOICE will have the immediate intended as well as far reaching impacts on the nation’s future. For the Bersih Group,it seemed that the CHOICE of peaceful demonstration is about achieving its ‘legitimate’ objective in “shaking” the authority in power from the allaged “deep denial-syndrme-slumber ” - "To have clean and fair election".

It is also the freedom of CHOICE of individual members of Bersih Group to stick OR back-out from participating in the planned demonstration.

It is also the most important CHOICE of BN leadership within its means to warn, discourage and contain the demonstration if and when it does take place. The leadership position of Najib-led BN is being challenged seriously outside the election process publicly by the CHOICE of a group of the country’s well-known professionals to lead and participate in the intended demonstration who seemed to be well prepared in facing the consequences of their CHOICE.

It is also the CHOICE of the Police to act reasonably and humanly in handling the demonstrators  within the laws with professionalism in accordance with the Police Act and Regulations.

It is also a wise CHOICE of the Patriot Group to take heed of the kingly advice from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to refrain from proceeding with ‘counter-Bersih-demonstration’  or adding insult to injury to worsen the situation.

WE (all) are either MASTERS or SLAVES (or victims) of OUR OWN CHOICE(s) in achieving our objective(s). Hence our respective attitudes are also being shaped and guided by the respective CHOICE(s) we do make.

THE CHOICE AND CHOICE OF METHODS TO FORGE CHANGES IN THE ELECTION SYSTEM IS OURS WITHIN, AND NOT COERCION BY OTHERS FROM OUTSIDE MALAYSIA.

THE PARADOXES OF CHOICE(s) ARE EITHER BLESSINGS OR CURSES TO OUR SELVES AND OUR COUNTRY.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

ADDENDUM #1

After reading today’s Borneo Post this morning (6^th July 2011), it is my CHOICE to include new information below. The objective of the CHOICE is to update readers on the latest development regarding the issue of such national importance.

It was a wise CHOICE of Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (the chairperson of the demonstration)  in seeking audience with the Yang Di-Peretuan Agong in order to resolve the matter. It was kingly CHOICE of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong for consenting to meet with the chairperson.

The CHOICE by the organizer to call-off the street demonstration was in response to the offer made by the government to have the rally held in the indoor Stadium.




It was the government’s CHOICE to response affirmatively and transferred the burden of ensuring peaceful assembly to the organizer. The CHOICE was for the organizers (on behalf of themselves and participants) to keep their words in keeping peace throughout the period of the rally.

The outcomes of the CHOICE to compromise for both parties (the ‘demonstrators’ and the ‘government’) are crucial.

For the ‘demonstrators’, the new CHOICE of holding the demonstration indoor is about satisfying the effort and objectives in organizing the demonstration.

For the government, the CHOICE of allowing the rally to proceed indoor was a strategic response to control law and order as a matter of priority while promoting and maintaining democratic freedom.

The CHOICE seemed to be a ‘WIN-WIN’ situation in so far as the plan to hold and control the rally in-door is concerned.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

ADDENDUM #2  ( Thursday 07-07-2011)

Late last night, I watched televised discussion on Bresih-intended rally. One of the three speakers was Dato’  Sharil Samad. It was suggested that the rally be shifted from the Federal Capital to Shah Alam in Selangor.

The CHOICE is facing three main problems.

(1) Getting Police permit to assemble. The application for an assembly requires a minimum period of seven (7) days
       of submission before the event. However, under special circumstances, the period may be lessened.

(2) Bersih is said to be ‘unregistered NGO”. If that is so,  Bersh has no locus standi to make an application to hold
      the assembly.

(3) What is the alternative CHOICE ? 

A CHOICE or DECISION is indeed critical

It follows that every individual CHOICE or decision we made and will make for ourselves (our families ...government, organizations...) shape and guide our actions AFFECTING our own lives and that of others (consciously/unconsciously) beneficially otherwise detrimentally.

Life is full of CHOICES A CHOICE IS NEITHER ABSOLUTE NOR PERFECT But one has to make many CHOICES in one's life time.

FROM HORSES' MOUTHS

 FROM HORSES' MOUTHS  

June 19^th 2011 - The Sunday Post (pg1 & 4)

Ex- YB Datuk David Teng (SUPP Treasurer) asserted that the Chinese community will embrace Barisan Nasional (BN) again if the ruling government adapts to changes and reviews certain policies  “.... SUPP’s massive defeats during the recent state general election was caused by dissatisfaction because of (unsettled) issues arose from policies of BN  affecting the Chinese communities ... Chinese are agile, elastic and realists ... The spring-cleaning must be launched... every Barisan Nasional component is obliged ....The largest component in particular should not shun the obligation ... the largest party (=PBB) essentially influences the whole Barisan Nasional .... BN had been in power for a long time ... in dire need of spring-cleaning .......wise and courageous  leader must take up the challenge to see through a spring-cleaning ...”

June 20^th 2011 (Monday) The Borneo Post (Pg 5)


Re-elected YB Abdul Karim answered  “Look at yourself in the mirror.... David Teng is still in ‘sleeping mode’ ... not able to see that the whole problem rest within SUPP which need total overhaul ...  (Their loses have) nothing to do with certain policies of BN. SUPP is in dire need of ‘total overhaul’ because ... If their rejection of SUPP is purely due to the policies of BN, then how come PBB and the other BN component parties managed to deliver all or most of their seats?... that no government was free of weaknesses, the public were matured enough to see through such weaknesses”.

Comments

The assertion made by Datuk David Teng [quoted above] and the answer given by YB Abdul Karin [also quoted above] are points worth considering. Facts stated above  make good ‘food-for-thoughts’.

The facts: "Chinese are agile, elastic and realists” implied that the Chinese communities were more than generally better and capable (education-wise, thinking-wise, business-wise .... wise .....wise.... wisely guided by Sun Tzu’s Arts of War) than other communities in Sarawak (patricularly so the Dayak- communities at large)  in seeing, analyzing, seizing, exploiting and maximizing socio-economic benefits and business opportunities from within and outside BN policies (past and future).  

Where SUPP had ‘failed [because of ‘political taboos’] in rectifying’ BN’s policies affecting the bulk of Chinese communities, DAP did its convincing job successfully in ‘saying’ and ‘exposing’ the ‘flaws’ in BN’s policies.

Being mainly Chinese-based and Chinese-supported party (until now), it follows that DAP is also “agile, elastic and realists” typifying the characters of the Chinese communities as described (above) by Datuk David Teng.  In its political agility, DAP had formulated strategic plan(s) to expand outside their urban-controlled seats to “litmus-test” its brand of politics  in [selected] native-dominated rural constituencies. For DAP to turn ‘red’ to ‘blue’ (or vice-versa)  in the test, it must [through its own-designed rural-support-winning programme] conduct intensive, massive and progressive ‘mind-turning-cum-tuning’ aimed at de-conditioning and/or  de-freezing the ‘well-established BN-infused values’ which are already rooted deeply in mind-sets of majority of the rural voters. Toward that objective, DAP already spoke openly of its intention and took  one strategic step forward by proposing ‘merger between DAP and SNAP. 

If SUPP trully felt that its defeat was largely because of certain BN’s policies which undermined SUPP's credibility, it was rightly pointed by YB Abdul Karim that  the problem “rest within SUPP”.  It appeared that it was  SUPP's  leadership falure in exerting its influences within BN and allowed itself to be weakened when the democratic choice of its leadership was controlled externally.

SPDP- PRS/BN losses

Why SPDP lost Krian and Ba’kelalan?  According to Tan Sri William Mawan : “Krian and Ba’kelalan  lost because we don’t know how to tell lie” [Quoted from: The Star, Sarawak Thursday 16^th June 2011]. The statement and argument seemed to imply that “those who won the election told better lies than who lost the election”.

As for PRS, the party reportedly filed an election petition to justify its loss aimed at nullifying the result of the election in Pelagus. It will be of public  interest to watch what would happen to the election petition especially so in the event that YB George Lagong applied and accepted to become a member of PRS.


Cheers !

Politicians susceptible to public perception ....

“Politicians susceptible to public perception  ... not rule by fine points of the laws” said Tan Sri Dr. James Masing. (BP 17.06.2011), I cannot disagree any less with the statement. The remark (I assumed) also applies to politicians on both sides of the political divide (BN as well as Oppositions).

QUESTIONS:

(a)  Would it make any difference in the manner by which MACC handle the investigation if
      the politician (under investigation) is just an ordinary ADUN or MP? I believe that political
      positions and political divide are factors which determine the nature of “duty of care
      owed” in doing (by act) and/or in not doing (by omission).

(b) Do the teeth of the laws have choices of bite? Perhaps the historical case of the late
     Dato’ Harun Idris,  the current case of Dato’ Khir Toyo (both politicians were former MB
     of Selangor), and the previous case of corruption against Dato’ Seri Annuar Ibrahim
     (former DPM) may tell similar or different stories. Had Dato’ Seri Annuar Ibrahim not
     “revolted” against Tun Mahathir bin Mohammad, he might have escaped or not even being
     investigated. In the case of Watergate Scandal, President Nixon escaped while his aide
     became the scapegoat.

Politicians are public political trustees. 

But being politicians, they “rule” by political conveniences (saying what they like to get support), and (as said rightly) they are “not rule by fine points of the laws” because accusation in law  is subject to evidences. Thus there is always difficulty to distinguish between reality and perception. Perception may not reflect the reality (of any case), while reality (of any case) may not be reflected in the perception.


Therefore, perception can be deceiving (hence misleading). Perception can be shaped through media campaigns to bend and change what is (are) actual true in reality. Creating good image (out of bad performance for example) is about strategic damage control and pursuing "creative accounting" (so to speak in accounting term). Crerating good perception is like in sales and marketing of one-own brands of consumers’ products. Sometimes it is necessaey  to hold seasonal cheap and  sales to beat competetators' products, and clearance sale to get rid of old stocks.

MAJORITY MUST NOT TYRANNISE MINORITY

 “Majority must not tyrannise minority” was mind-blogging news headline in Borneo Post dated 24.11.10. The main gist of the statement made by Tan Sri Alfred Jabu seemed to refer to the “smoke and heats” from “outsiders” blowing  into Sarawak. Figuratively, the situation was akin an Iban’s simile: “Nyau enda tan ditepok asap, pansut landak mantai ka baga” which literally means : “unable to stand the smoke, a porcupine has to come out from its (hideout) hole and speaks”.

It is not wrong to say that his statement [quote: ... it’s always better to discuss issues that help rather than dwell on matters that hinders society.” unquote] showed real concern on his part which I assumed also representing the concerns of many Sarawakians in silence over tendency of religious and political extremism being uttered openly which would be counter-productive in promoting 1Malaysia.

While there is much to be admired, Tan Sri’s  open-ended remarks left one to wonder and ask further “who were the majority?”; “who were the minority?”, and “how would the majority tyrannise the minority?”. Was it then prelude to the current spates of state-federal relationship over the ‘rightful’ choice of successor to Pehin Ser Taib who has been the Chief Minister for more than thirty years? Let there be smooth transition of power without any need for majority to tyrannise minority.

“MACC investigation will clear CM, says Rundi”- was Borneo Post news headline dated 11.06.11. The Assistant Minister also said wisely “We cannot prejudice whatever it is”.

POWER

It is interesting to note the creation and multiplication of wealth as the prime source of creating, welding, sustaining and perpetuating political dominance. That explains the great tendency and reasons (or temptations) for any one in abusing of power in going about wealth creation in the name of economic and country development. So it is said:  power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. According to John Kenneth Galbraith [in his book entitled: “The Anatomy of Power”],   there are two types of power. (a) “Condign Power” wins submission by inflicting or threatening adverse consequences, and (b) “Compensatory power” wins submission by offer of affirmative rewards - giving of something of value to the individuals so submitting.


[NOTE: For interested reader(s), the nature of the operating mechanisms connected with the two types of power are explained in the book purchaseable from Amazon.com]