What Price Freedom?

Hantu Laut,

First, it was Lim Guan Eng who banned what he called government-sponsored newspapers from covering his press conferences.

Now, the wise old man, the highly revered Nik Aziz is breathing fire against bloggers whom he says only interested in vilifying others and baneful to the soul.

Better a lie that soothes than truth that hurts.

See, sooner or later the same ghost will come to haunt you.

The very same thing they accused UMNO of intolerance is now causing them much distress.

Do you see any difference between what the present government is doing and what this government in waiting would be doing when they sit in Putrajaya?

Everybody loves freedom.

Without freedom there would be a palpable sense of loss of personal liberty.

In this country the Muslims are in worse position when it comes to personal liberty.We are subjected to two sets of law,the Sharia and Civil Law.The non-Muslims have only one to worry about. Muslims also have to be beware of two law enforcements, the snoop police and the real one (which is least worrying unless you breaking the law).

Muslims can't go to nightlubs,discos,pubs,can't consume alcohol, can't have sex before marriage,can't be homesexual,can't show their love and effection in public even to their loved ones and I can tell you hundred and one things Muslims can't do that many non-Muslims can do in their daily existence.

Actually, I am not all that correct.Some Muslims can.If you are in the elite class you can.Have you ever heard of any elitists or any of their children being dragged to the Sharia court.Kartika Sari Dewi Sukarno did not carry the VIP badge except for namesake of the famous former Indonesian president.Not good enough to get her out of trouble.

Unfortunately, freedom always come with a price.A price some have to pay heavily for.Ask Nelson Mandela, he knows best what freedom means.He is probably the longest incarcerated prisoner of conscience in modern history.

As in Paul McCartney song 'Freedom' he says is God given right and no one should take it away from you.

Here's the lyric.

This is my right, a right given by god
To live a free life, to live in freedom

We talkin’ about freedom
Talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in freedom

Anyone, who wants to take it away
Will have to answer, cause this is my right

We talkin’ about freedom
Talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in freedom, ah yeah, comon now...

You talkin’ about freedom
Were talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in freedom

Everybody talkin’ bout freedom
Talkin’ bout freedom
I will fight, for the right
To live in free----------dom

Here's the song.



That's MacCartney's simple mind on freedom.

In Philosophy, freedom means one can act according to ones will without constraint, servitude or held by the power of others.Quite close to MacCartney's simple version.

So, how many Malaysians think they have lost political freedom?

At least most of those in the left wing, accusing the government of infringement of basic human rights.Of not being able to express themselves freely (except on the blogs) and indulge in their new found delicious dish of nasi lemak and of going to the streets to eat their hearts out.

Most grouses, according to the political anarchists (not analyst), were against the absence of freedom of the press, freedom of expression, freedom to assemble and demonstrate on the streets (their favourite dish).However, when the MSM lashed out at some of the wrongdoings in Pakatan states they say it's unfair, they only want the goose not the gander, accusing the newspapers as running dogs of the government.

Malaysia, to them is a totalitarian regime.An illusion born out of frustration and the insatiable wanting of political power.Would Malaysia be better under a new regime? Those in the opposite camp that I have met say, for better or for worse, we must give it a try as the present one is rotten to the core.

As they say "Revenge is a dish best served cold."Is this want of political power comes with an irresistible menu of witch hunting?

One should not judge a book by its cover? There are always the good, the bad and the ugly. It happened in Sabah when Berjaya took over from USNO. The painful and costly lesson was paid by the state government recently, after over 30 years of legal tussle, paid RM120 million to an individual whose land was acquired by the then Berjaya government.Musa Aman's government is now poorer by RM120 million.

When you can't get what you want it easier to blame others for your own inadequacy.The political anarchists differ in what they see as true 'political' freedom.

Is there such thing as absolute freedom?

Absolute freedom is anarchism.

If PAS can sell the freedom of the use of 'Allah' which I am not against at all but have my suspicion of the real motive.Political or religious? A show of liberalism? Or a process of endearing to the non-Muslims?

Is that the real PAS?

Surely, there is price to pay for freedom and Nik Aziz is feeling the pain from the same blogger who, before falling out, did his best to castrate UMNO for him and his party.