Monday, August 11, 2008

I Would Rather Keep The Devil I Know

Hantu Laut

When I first read Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Strange Case of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde" I was still in my early teens.The book characterised a man with split personality or "multiple personality disorder". The leading character Dr Jackall from being the nicest person could transformed into the worse case of misanthropy with murderous tendencies.Knowing it was a work of fiction and being young and ignorant then I didn't believe that human beings could have such multiple personality.Later in my adult life I learned it is a mental disorder called psychopathology.In the worst case scenario they become serial killers.

The recent disruption of the Bar Council's public forum on 'Conversion to Islam" by protesters openly participated by some PKR and PAS leaders was a shocking revelation of human behaviour, how one can hide one true character.

Many Malaysians were euphoric and dreamt of utopia when Pakatan Rakyat , a loose coalition of PKR,PAS and DAP grabbed considerable number of seats from the BN (Barisan National) and brought the biggest upset in the nation elections history.The de facto leader of the oppositions Anwar Ibrahim was seen as a hero and a saviour to form an alternative government, one that promised to be fair to all Malaysians irrespective of race, colour and creed.

Is Islam really in danger if there were open discussions on inter-faith problems that have affected certain community in this multi-religious society or would the government rather allow it to be swept under the carpet and let it become the Indian disease, the intolerance of Hindu extremists toward other religions? Why weren't the protesters arrested for illegal assembly? Why did our leaders openly show support to the protesters and condemned the Bar Council?

The statements made by the Deputy Prime Minister and other ministers lending support instead of condemning the aggressive actions and uncalled for behaviour of the protesters storming the forum are most regrettable.Even more regrettable were the actions of the police by allowing the protesters to carry out their action, abhorrent to any civilised society.The use of racial slurs by some of the protesters shouldn't have been tolerated by the police. They should have been arrested for causing public nuisance.


This disgusting display of intolerance could have turned ugly if not for the sensibility of the organisers to cut short the forum. Even worse some Molotov cocktails were found in the vicinity of the Bar Council building and one was thrown at the former house of the Bar Council President which is now occupied by ex-UMNO Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil.

Can you blame non-Muslims that labelled Islam as a violent religion? It is not the religion to be blamed, it is those idiotic Muslims who are ignorant of their own religion and try to impose their will on others.

The active participation of YB Zulkifli Nordin of PKR and YB Salehudin Ayob of PAS shows they are no different from the government that many Malaysians wanted to change.We may be jumping from the frying pan into the fire if the same mental conditions prevail in Pakatan Rakyat.

The hypocrites in PAS have shown their true colour by protesting against the show by Indonesian artiste Inul Daratiste and cited eroticism as the reason.The authorities eventually gave in and cancelled the show.They have made many similar protests in the past on both foreign and some local artistes.Lately, they protested against allowing Avril Lavigne to perform in the country and cited that it would be an insult to our Merdeka freedom fighters, whatever that meant.Didn't know we have freedom fighters to fight for our merdeka.I thought we gained independence through negotiation.

This bunch of hypocrites would continue to hassle the government and sad to say the government, to please them, would succumb to their demands and the country would eventually go to the dogs. What do you think would happen if they were part of the government?

In their discussions with UMNO to strengten Malay unity Nik Aziz was against it but insisted that should there be corporation than both UMNO and PAS be dissolved and a new party to be formed based on Islamic sharia and hudud laws.While that may be an ideal situation for Malay unity it also shows the insincerity of PAS leaders who find it quite alright to sleep in the same bed as DAP and PKR without asking for dissolution of those parties.On which Islamic principles they stand on?

DAP will not be able to control the hypocrites and extremists in PAS and PKR.Anwar Ibrahim will submit to their whim and fancy to keep the coalition together and himself as prime minister. Without PAS his government will collapse.

I would rather keep the devil I know than the one that would become my worst nightmare.

Also read:
Farish Nor's This 'Babi' Will Not 'Balik Cina'
Bernard Khoo's You OK Bernard

The ugly face of racism needs to be knocked out of their heads
to racism and bigotry.

Below is Anwar Ibrahim's pledge:

08 AUGUST 2008, PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA

[read online] [watch video]

I promise that under a Pakatan Rakyat government Malaysians will never again be subjected to such gross abuse of executive power as we are again witnessing today. Arbitrary arrest and detention, frivolous investigation and malicious prosecutions shall be a thing of the past. Police officers and prosecutors who launch conspiracies to defame and humiliate the innocent will be severely punished. The use of police powers as well the office of the Attorney General to persecute political opponents will be criminalized so as to ensure a healthy and vibrant democracy where dissent is not only tolerated but nurtured.

In this regard every Malaysian’s fundamental liberties will be treated as sacrosanct and safeguarded by a truly independent judiciary guided by principles of utmost integrity and an adherence to the spirit of the federal constitution.

The politically motivated trial launched against me will, Insha’Allah, be the last of its kind. No Malaysian will suffer from this cruel injustice ever again.

Yesterday’s events confirm my innocence from the charges that recently surfaced. The medical report and statutory declaration by Dr. Osman Abdul Hamid of the Pusrawi Hospital that surfaced on Thursday shatter lingering doubts as to whether the alleged act ever took place. Dr. Osman’s statement also confirms what we have already stated regarding deplorable actions by the police to fabricate evidence in a manner identical to the manipulation of my case in 1998. Anything short of a thorough investigation into the mishandling of this investigation would further tarnish the credibility of the police.

The doctor’s personal safety is a matter of deep concern to us. Material witnesses in high-profile cases in Malaysia have gone missing in the past such as the PI Balasubramanian. I applaud those brave individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to freedom and justice by coming forward with important evidence, and call upon the authorities to ensure their protection.

Yesterday in court we learned that the prosecution’s case has, in a manner similar to the botched trials of 1998, shape-shifted from a charge of assault to one of a consensual act. The conspiracy launched against me in the final week of June 2008 is falling apart. There is a hasty attempt by some to patch up glaring holes in the complainant’s testimony. This will certainly fail given the preponderance of evidence confirming my innocence.

The Prime Minister has actively involved himself in this matter in an attempt to derail the process of transformational change in Malaysia and stave off his own political demise. But in soiling his hands with this sordid matter he has deepened the crisis within his own administration. His most ardent supporters among the Malays have also expressed their disgust with the matter. Furthermore Prime Minister Badawi now faces investigation by the Anti Corruption Agency for his involvement in corruption and money politics.

The shadow of corruption and mismanagement of the economy darkens the legacy of his Premiership. Prime Minister Badawi has still offered no convincing explanation over the huge profits reaped by his family in the Oil For Food scandal at the expense of dying Iraqis.

I advise those around him to leave the sinking ship of his leadership while there is still a chance to do so.

Pakatan Rakyat’s reform agenda is firmly back on track and the New Dawn for Malaysia is well within reach. We will mount a unified campaign to win in Permatang Pauh with a solid majority encompassing that constituency’s diverse population. I look forward to entering Parliament on August 27th with the support of my friends in the coalition.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pessimistic...

But good point

Anonymous said...

You asked for it, u will get it.

Molongkolong

Anonymous said...

HL,

Bro...hahahaha...very good argument for keeping the BN in power...but unfortunately I don't think many Malaysians (especially the Non-Malays...who are really just Second-Class Citizens) will agree. Why would I want to support a regime who still calls me "Pendatang"?!
My honest opinion is that yes, there are still some PKR & PAS MPs who are basically downright Racist, Bigoted & Stupid. However, we are talking about the Minority. In UMNO (as usual MIC, MCA & Gerakan are just Lap Dogs of UMNO & are totally irrelevant!) the Majority are Racist, Bigoted & CORRUPTED!
Yup, I too have said many a time that "I would rather keep the Devil I know"...unfortunately in this case...NO.
However, again I must say...I was impressed with the way you argued your point. Well done!

zorro said...

Hantu...seeking permission to put up your piece as a posting on my blog. Good wishes to Aisha.

gram.kong said...

Zorro,
With pleasure.Nice to hear from you again.I can understand PAS but that PKR guy is a shocker.

Probably be in KL next month.Will call you.

gram.kong said...

SM,
All three, UMNO,PAS and PKR are competing to endear the Malays to them.That's their power base.The one that can get the most support will rule.The non-Malays parties are just ancillary to supplement and create an impression of power sharing among the races.Major decisions would still be with the majority - the Malays.These are facts of life here that we can't escape from.

Anwar,provided everything above the belt,would win Permatang Pauh but I just couldn't figure out how he is going to form the government in September.He may have to wait for the next elections but than the political landscape could change again.

My biggest worry now is not who would be the government but the state of the economy.Our cabinet and the civil service seemed to lack talented people as economic advisers.They should have forseen the economic downturn and took precautionary measures and apply new strategies to lessen the impact some 12 months ago.They didn't.They were busy politiking and trying to save themselves from losing power.Only now the PM appoint an economic council.

The worst thing is some smart fella in his government ill-advised him earlier this year that the economy is doing well and we will not suffer the fall out of the US economy because we have decoupled from them.

In January 2008 I wrote an article in Asia Sentinel and disagreed with that theory. I am now proven right if you read some of the new economic reports.

You can read the article.It's on my side bar"Badawi's State Of Euphoria"

Anonymous said...

Could it be that the devil-you-think-you-know is no longer known to you? And the devil on the other side is now actually more known to you than the devil-you-once-knew?

Mat Salo said...

GK Sir,

I humbly beg to disagree. I think the 'Devil-We-All-Know-Too-Well' has passed its shelf-life, and it's time to let another devil (lesser one, hopefully) manage the affairs of this country.

Granted, I too was horrified when I heard of PAS', and especially PKR's -albeit just this one miserly Rep. of theirs - involvement in the shameful episode. That guy ought to be censured, Sir.

I think Malays in general are not ready for this kind inter-faith dialogue. Most are confused about the Malay/Muslim dichothomy and lack confidence in engaging non-Muslims on such subjects. But engage we must because it affects the non-Muslims too... Perhaps until all else stabilizes then it can be put forth on the table again. There's too much going on in the meantime, (PP By-election, Anwar's trial) so let the dust settle down first. I think the time just isn't right yet because the Rakyat on all fronts is feeling a a little edgy.

Sir, I hope to be able to sit down with you one day, together with Mr. Khoo. I believe I owe him any you a few.

zorro said...

Yes GK and Swampman....waiting with open arms for both of you.

Suriya said...

BN is a decadent dead party. GIve PR a chance . They may not be perfect but they have redeeming points

Anonymous said...

Yeah, keep the devil you know. At least with the devil you know, you know this country is going downhill, and fast. So what? At least we know the devil, right?

Why hope? Why try the unknown, right? Why change?

Go on. Continue to support UMNO-BN.

Donplaypuks® said...

Since march 2008, M'sian politics has entered a new phase, the beginnings of a 2-party system.

So, what we are seeing, the DJMH split-personalities of not only PKR vs BN, but Ketuanan Melayu vs Ketuanan rakyat, is a tableau that has to be played out for our political maturity to develope.

There is no way the (few)beneficiaries of 30 years of skewed NEP are going to surrender without a major stand or battle.

http://donplaypuks.blogspot.com

fie the elf said...

hey im gonna be in kl next month too lol

gram.kong said...

Mat Salo,

Nice to hear from you again.Aru you still in the Kalimantan swamp or back in KL?

I see the prices of crude are falling but our PM has not come up with his formula of price adjustment at the pump yet, as promised.

I agree the present government popularity is at its lowest and getting worse each day and worst still after the poor showing at the polls they have not re-invented themselves, still in their old-fashioned way, and as usual threatening to use the ISA again, this time on the Bar Council.

Agreed, they have probably exhausted their shelf-life.

I have no problem with PKR and DAP but am more worried about PAS getting an upper hand in the coalition.

Malaysia can't afford to have Islamic laws, it would kill our economy and turn the clock back.

If PAS get the full backing of the Malays and get as many MP seats as UMNO has today,I bet they would implement Islamic laws.

We are not a rich Arab oil-producing country where the rest of the world and world opinion are not important because they need to buy our oil and nothing else.

We need the rest of the world and our survival depended on it.

Anonymous said...

We're doomed, everything is falling apart!

Anonymous said...

This is indeed a sad case of people using religion for their personal agenda & gain. the leaders are the bigest culprit.insteed of calming the people they are adding fire to it. It is sad to hear silly comments from the PM & DPM. shame on them! This is a forum, a platform for discussion on issues which is real. there was nothing against islam.they were not attacking Islam. But when muslim attack other religion or races the these same people who make so much noise are dumb! why cant they be fair and look at the bigger picture.

gram.kong said...

fie the elf,
Sure,most welcome,give us a call.

Anonymous said...

One swallow does not make a summer. Noordin or Ayub do nto represent all of PKR and PAS respectively.
The "devil" that we know is better? I like to disagree afterall the "devil" is the one that has led the nation to this road of racism and religious bigotry.
Sure, the "devil that we do not" has demonstrated weaknesses btu then why are imposing such perfection on them while we let the "devil that we know" getting away with "murder".

Anonymous said...

congratulation, since u know its a devil and yet you decide to keep it knowing that it eventually will suffocate all that it come across.
why not give another entity a chance, who knows what it might turn out to be!
a bad apple doesn't mean the whole orchard apple is bad