Hantu Laut
Indonesia has almost 240 million people and majority are Muslims.It is the largest Muslim country in the world but probably the only one that separates state and religion.Although, it has the largest Muslim population, Indonesians had never used Islam as tool to gain political power.
While in other part of the world such as Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt and some other Muslim countries where militant Islam are gaining virulent ground, the situation in Indonesia is changing, militant Islam seems to be retreating.
In parliamentary election this months voters have shied away from Islamic political parties.Indonesians are alienating themselves from Islamic parties including moderate ones.The full result of the elections will only be known next month but all indications are showing that the people do not wish to integrate religion and politics.
In 2004, after the tragic 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Centre when militant Islam was at its highest level of violence and terrorist attacks, Islamist parties in Indonesia surged in popularity, made impressive gains and joined the coalition government of President Yudhoyono.
The parties gained support of the urban middle-class voters on the premise and promise of a clean government, anti-corruption policies and humanitarian activities. Once they were in office, the story was different, their clean image were tarnished after several of their elected representatives were caught and prosecuted for corruptions.
Back to Malaysia.Are we going through the same political journey as Indonesia. The March 2008 Elections was the culmination of the people's disillusionment after few decades of BN high-handed rule and a government perceived to be riddled with corruptions.
Pakatan Rakyat, a coalition of opposition parties promised a clean government, one that is free of corruptions once they take over the federal government.Would they end up like the Islamist parties of Indonesia, eventually rejected by the people when the people realized they have been had...... taken for a ride !
Can Pakatan ensure a clean government?
Looking at what have transpired so far in states under their control it is highly unlikely they can exercise control over their lawmakers. The ousting of Fairus Khairuddin was staged by Anwar Ibrahim to show that Pakatan will not tolerate corruptions. A carrot and stick ploy to convince the people that Pakatan would bring about radical change, a thoroughly clean government.
Can they?
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Hypocrisy Of It All
Hantu Laut
I am all for racial harmony and religious tolerance and desirably it should not be politics that bridge the divide. Malaysians should have a greater sense of togetherness irrespective of race, colour and creed.Politics should not be a barrier to the proverbial melting-pot and politics should not be used as a vehicle to disguise political expediency as racial and religious tolerance.In Pakatan it is all for politicial expediency unless they believe in their own lies.
Quoting verses from the Quran by non-Muslims I think is not wrong if done sincerely nor is reading the Koran.Using it as political expediency may not be wrong but it shows the kind of hypocrisy those in Pakatan capable of just to gain political mileage.
When DAP leader Nga Kor Ming repeated reciting verses from the Quran in front of Tok Guru and many PAS leaders it was purely a fervid show, a wayang and a sandiwara of hypocrisy. In another word he was showing off.What's the point of citing verses from a Quran if you are not giving religious sermon. Is he trying to impress the Muslims and the Malays. Of course, those in UMNO who lodged police reports against him is as ignorant as he is.How well-versed is he with the Quran I have no idea but he certainly explained the meaning well and his Bahasa Melayu is excellent.
Below is another of Pakatan's great religious exercise.
KUALA LUMPUR - MR B. Balendran is just like any other devout Hindu who celebrates Deepavali and does not eat beef.
I am all for racial harmony and religious tolerance and desirably it should not be politics that bridge the divide. Malaysians should have a greater sense of togetherness irrespective of race, colour and creed.Politics should not be a barrier to the proverbial melting-pot and politics should not be used as a vehicle to disguise political expediency as racial and religious tolerance.In Pakatan it is all for politicial expediency unless they believe in their own lies.
Quoting verses from the Quran by non-Muslims I think is not wrong if done sincerely nor is reading the Koran.Using it as political expediency may not be wrong but it shows the kind of hypocrisy those in Pakatan capable of just to gain political mileage.
When DAP leader Nga Kor Ming repeated reciting verses from the Quran in front of Tok Guru and many PAS leaders it was purely a fervid show, a wayang and a sandiwara of hypocrisy. In another word he was showing off.What's the point of citing verses from a Quran if you are not giving religious sermon. Is he trying to impress the Muslims and the Malays. Of course, those in UMNO who lodged police reports against him is as ignorant as he is.How well-versed is he with the Quran I have no idea but he certainly explained the meaning well and his Bahasa Melayu is excellent.
Below is another of Pakatan's great religious exercise.
In PAS they trust
Malaysia's Islamic political party is winning over non-Muslims who find it principled and sincere | By Hazlin Hassan, Malaysia Correspondent |
But in his free time, he attends political rallies by Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) and helps to recruit new members for its Supporters' Club.Read more.............
Friday, April 24, 2009
Where Is Raja Petra ?
Hantu Laut
Where is RPK? Shouldn't he stays back and fight for the truth? Is this another one of his demur and grandstanding?
He has written hateful invectives against those he doesn't like or political leaders he perceived of unsavoury characters.Reviled and dragged them through the muck without an ounce of guilty conscience. Sometimes, the truth is inconsequential. Sometimes, the truth will never be found.Sometimes, the truth prevails.Sometimes, we all failed to see the truth.
To be fair to him, he has brought openness and exposed abuses in government that many men in the streets wouldn't know of.He has thrown down the gauntlet at those he deems unsavoury.His fearless and insufferable ways have brought the law against him.
Shouldn't he stays back and prove to the people that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" instead of running away from the law.
"You have made your bed, now lie in it" says an old adage.
Some people think he has left the country.It's unlike him. Once a fighter, always a fighter. He has come all this way, giving up is not a choice he would like to have.
You are a hero of the people, stay back and fight the injustice ?
Where is RPK? Shouldn't he stays back and fight for the truth? Is this another one of his demur and grandstanding?
He has written hateful invectives against those he doesn't like or political leaders he perceived of unsavoury characters.Reviled and dragged them through the muck without an ounce of guilty conscience. Sometimes, the truth is inconsequential. Sometimes, the truth will never be found.Sometimes, the truth prevails.Sometimes, we all failed to see the truth.
To be fair to him, he has brought openness and exposed abuses in government that many men in the streets wouldn't know of.He has thrown down the gauntlet at those he deems unsavoury.His fearless and insufferable ways have brought the law against him.
Shouldn't he stays back and prove to the people that "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" instead of running away from the law.
"You have made your bed, now lie in it" says an old adage.
Some people think he has left the country.It's unlike him. Once a fighter, always a fighter. He has come all this way, giving up is not a choice he would like to have.
You are a hero of the people, stay back and fight the injustice ?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Is Najib Ready To Dance With Wolves ?
Hantu Laut
Former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohammad must have the crooked bridge very close to his heart. Even before Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak could warm the seat the issue of its resurrection from the ashes of former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's bonfire rises faster than the birth of the mythical Phoenix from the ashes of its maternity.
Former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and many uninitiated Malaysians and including many too smart for their own good foreign correspondents like this one who wrote for the Telegraph do not understand the benefits such bridge could bring to Malaysia.To them this is just another grandiose project of this crazy old man.
Singapore certainly wouldn't like the idea of such bridge purely to protect its economy particularly its shipping and maritime activities.Singapore is the second busiest port in the world after Shanghai which displaced Rotterdam in 2005.Singapore is also the world's busiest transhipment and bunkering port. Those were the reasons why Singapore is not keen on the crooked bridge because it may steal some of its maritime business if Malaysia could offer more competitive and efficient service. The crooked bridge has its merit, I don't think Mahathir wanted the bridge built for glory.
Mahathir might have forgotten it is now difficult times and a crooked bridge may not be a priority in such economic downturn.Although, he has contributed vastly to the economic growth of the nation, maybe, it's time he tones down a little and leave Najib to conduct his own affairs.
Najib has said that the government has not made any decision to restore the construction of the crooked bridge.
To constantly admonish Najib as he did with Abdullah would have dire effect on UMNO. The situation could be worse with Najib because of the excess baggage he carries.Najib has to do the right things in order to dispel the people negative perception of him.He has to bring about an ethos of good governance.
On the Penanti by-election Najib should not oblige or be obligated to agree with Mahathir.He must show he is a man of his own mind and not succumbs to pressure from anyone, more so, Mahathir.
By-election is Anwar's ball game to keep his shaky coalition alive. There are rumblings in Pakatan because Anwar is not the most democratic politician around and does not believe in consultation as can be seen from his poor handling of the forced resignation of Fairuz Khairuddin as deputy chief minister of Penang and assemblyman for Penanti that left Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a huff.
Fairuz claims the MACC has cleared him of any wrongdoing. What is Anwar going to do ? Should an innocent man be punished because of Anwar's political manoeuverings?
Dismantling some of the old regime wilful placards should be Najib's priority if he wishes to regain the trust of the people and to stamp out the three evils ---- corruptions,cronyism and nepotism which have been the reasons of Pak Lah's denigration and eventual loss of office.
Is Najib ready to dance with wolves ?
He has to decide between obligation and obliteration, between Mahathir and the deep blue sea.
Former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohammad must have the crooked bridge very close to his heart. Even before Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak could warm the seat the issue of its resurrection from the ashes of former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's bonfire rises faster than the birth of the mythical Phoenix from the ashes of its maternity.
Former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and many uninitiated Malaysians and including many too smart for their own good foreign correspondents like this one who wrote for the Telegraph do not understand the benefits such bridge could bring to Malaysia.To them this is just another grandiose project of this crazy old man.
Singapore certainly wouldn't like the idea of such bridge purely to protect its economy particularly its shipping and maritime activities.Singapore is the second busiest port in the world after Shanghai which displaced Rotterdam in 2005.Singapore is also the world's busiest transhipment and bunkering port. Those were the reasons why Singapore is not keen on the crooked bridge because it may steal some of its maritime business if Malaysia could offer more competitive and efficient service. The crooked bridge has its merit, I don't think Mahathir wanted the bridge built for glory.
Mahathir might have forgotten it is now difficult times and a crooked bridge may not be a priority in such economic downturn.Although, he has contributed vastly to the economic growth of the nation, maybe, it's time he tones down a little and leave Najib to conduct his own affairs.
Najib has said that the government has not made any decision to restore the construction of the crooked bridge.
To constantly admonish Najib as he did with Abdullah would have dire effect on UMNO. The situation could be worse with Najib because of the excess baggage he carries.Najib has to do the right things in order to dispel the people negative perception of him.He has to bring about an ethos of good governance.
On the Penanti by-election Najib should not oblige or be obligated to agree with Mahathir.He must show he is a man of his own mind and not succumbs to pressure from anyone, more so, Mahathir.
By-election is Anwar's ball game to keep his shaky coalition alive. There are rumblings in Pakatan because Anwar is not the most democratic politician around and does not believe in consultation as can be seen from his poor handling of the forced resignation of Fairuz Khairuddin as deputy chief minister of Penang and assemblyman for Penanti that left Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a huff.
Fairuz claims the MACC has cleared him of any wrongdoing. What is Anwar going to do ? Should an innocent man be punished because of Anwar's political manoeuverings?
Dismantling some of the old regime wilful placards should be Najib's priority if he wishes to regain the trust of the people and to stamp out the three evils ---- corruptions,cronyism and nepotism which have been the reasons of Pak Lah's denigration and eventual loss of office.
Is Najib ready to dance with wolves ?
He has to decide between obligation and obliteration, between Mahathir and the deep blue sea.
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