Hantu Laut
It's clear that there is a concerted move within UMNO that Najib gets a weak government after the 13th General Elections but may turn out otherwise.He may lose the government because of some UMNO leaders.His popularity alone can't save his government.
First and foremost,the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister seemed not in sync with Najib's 1 Malaysia. A polarity clash not seen during Mahathir's time.Even Abdullah did not have that problem then because Najib stayed true as his deputy and did not make any unsettling statements.Demolishing Pak Lah was Tun Mahathir's precipitous intervention.
Sabah and Sarawak hold the keys to BN retaining the Federal government but recent events may prove otherwise if Najib continue to drag his feet on the Bible and Allah issues.The threatening statement here by the Mufti of Perak is uncalled for and needling for trouble.
I wonder how many Muslims were actually against it to justify such drastic action.I am sure Malaysian Muslims are peace loving and reasonable people and would not want to turn this country into another Afghanistan or Pakistan over an issue that is more political than religious in nature.
The Malay language is not the Malaysian government monopoly.Over 200 million Indonesians spoke the language, much more than in Malaysia. The Kadazans of Sabah and Dayaks of Sarawak have always had, for yonks, their Bibles in the Indonesian Malay language.
Even the mad and more extremist Pakistanis did not stop the Bible in Urdu and so did the Afghans, allowing it to be written in Pashto and Dari.The Christians are very small minority in these two countries and are persecuted by the larger Muslim population but would still allow the Bibles to be printed in the local language.
For decades this country was free of such dilemma until some jackass in the Home Ministry woke up one fine morning with a bad dream.Even the most hated (untrue,only politicians hate him) Prime Minister Mahathir did not touch on this religiously sensitive subject during his time.We heard of no such trouble then, the devil he may be, but he had everything under control, particularly issues of ethnic and religious sensitivities.
Hishmuddin, the Home Minister should wake up and ponder whether what he has done would help him garner votes or he just could not care less or what he did was with Najib's blessing.
If what he did was with Najib's blessing,which I doubted, than Najib should kill his 1 Malaysia and bury it in the deep blue sea.
Whatever the oppositions say about taking over the two states, BN have very good prospect of retaining Sabah and Sarawak, so don't kill it out of emotional stupidity of some of your ministers.
In Sabah and Sarawak, we have family members who are Christians, Buddhists and other faiths and we have no problem living alongside them.
Please leave Sabah and Sarawak out of this controversy.We have never complained about the Bible being printed in Malay.On the other hand, I am not sure whether Christians really need to use the word 'Allah' when they have other choices.
Why don't you learn to co-exist without imposing the will of each other's religion on the other.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Japanese - Coolest People On Earth
Hantu Laut
Watching live over TV the tragic aftermath of the earthquake and tsunamis that hit Japan recently smitten me to see how impassive and dignified the Japanese people are in times of tragedy and tribulations.There was no chaos, no unruliness, no looting and hardly anyone showing state of despair even in the face of such forlorn landscape of brutal destruction.
It's heart-rending and my heart goes out to them.
Even in such great devastation and desperation the Japanese people have been very cool, calm and collected and accepted their fates with quiet dignity.A cultural trait not seen in many other Asian societies.
I remember seeing a footage of the great flood in Pakistan last year and saw how unruly and indiscipline the Pakistanis were when foods were distributed to victims of the flood and the same can be said of Africa and other parts of Asia.
It brought me back to the eighties when I visited Japan quite frequently on business and had good taste of the unique Japanese culture some what different from other parts of Asia.A contemporary hybrid culture that mixes the influences of Asia,Europe and North America.The traditional and the contemporary.
The Japanese are known for perfecting what they copied not only in technology but in social etiquette as well.A fusion culture that have made the Japanese probably the most discipline people on this planet.
Punctuality, which is more peculiar to the West and not your garden-variety in most of Asia is the exception in Japan.The Japanese are now better timekeeper than even the Westerners and frown upon those who are late.Of the many appointments I had with my Japanese clients not in any instance as far as I can remember any of them have been late.They usually called my room at least 15 minutes before the appointed time announcing their presence in the hotel lobby.
For those who have visited Japan they would also have noticed most Japanese would not cross the road if the light is red even if there were no cars, which baffled me on my first visit to Japan, wondering what was wrong with them.
What was wrong?....... it's not with them, it was me, a typical Malaysian alien to a culture of discipline.I soon learn to be like them but only in Japan and reverted to the Malaysian bad habits as soon as I got home.
Tokyo, or any of the big city have little or no street crimes then.I can walk the streets late at night without worrying about being mugged.
In Japan if you forgetfully left your thing any place there is hundred percent chance you'll get it back. I remember once I left my overcoat on a train from Tokyo to Niigata and only remembered hours later.I could not believe that I would ever get it back.Surprisingly, I did, from the Niigata train station.How they knew I disembarked at Niigata is still a mystery to me.
Throughout history Japan has been isolated in one way or another.For hundred of years under the Tokugawa shogunate it kept its doors close to foreigners until abolished by the Meiji restoration period.
The tragic earthquake, tsunamis and a potential radiation fallout from broken reactors will have far-reaching economic repercussions for Japan but with the diligent and positive attitude of the Japanese people it will not be a bridge too far to cross.
Let us hope and pray for the well being of Japan and its people.
Watching live over TV the tragic aftermath of the earthquake and tsunamis that hit Japan recently smitten me to see how impassive and dignified the Japanese people are in times of tragedy and tribulations.There was no chaos, no unruliness, no looting and hardly anyone showing state of despair even in the face of such forlorn landscape of brutal destruction.
It's heart-rending and my heart goes out to them.
Even in such great devastation and desperation the Japanese people have been very cool, calm and collected and accepted their fates with quiet dignity.A cultural trait not seen in many other Asian societies.
I remember seeing a footage of the great flood in Pakistan last year and saw how unruly and indiscipline the Pakistanis were when foods were distributed to victims of the flood and the same can be said of Africa and other parts of Asia.
It brought me back to the eighties when I visited Japan quite frequently on business and had good taste of the unique Japanese culture some what different from other parts of Asia.A contemporary hybrid culture that mixes the influences of Asia,Europe and North America.The traditional and the contemporary.
The Japanese are known for perfecting what they copied not only in technology but in social etiquette as well.A fusion culture that have made the Japanese probably the most discipline people on this planet.
Punctuality, which is more peculiar to the West and not your garden-variety in most of Asia is the exception in Japan.The Japanese are now better timekeeper than even the Westerners and frown upon those who are late.Of the many appointments I had with my Japanese clients not in any instance as far as I can remember any of them have been late.They usually called my room at least 15 minutes before the appointed time announcing their presence in the hotel lobby.
For those who have visited Japan they would also have noticed most Japanese would not cross the road if the light is red even if there were no cars, which baffled me on my first visit to Japan, wondering what was wrong with them.
What was wrong?....... it's not with them, it was me, a typical Malaysian alien to a culture of discipline.I soon learn to be like them but only in Japan and reverted to the Malaysian bad habits as soon as I got home.
Tokyo, or any of the big city have little or no street crimes then.I can walk the streets late at night without worrying about being mugged.
In Japan if you forgetfully left your thing any place there is hundred percent chance you'll get it back. I remember once I left my overcoat on a train from Tokyo to Niigata and only remembered hours later.I could not believe that I would ever get it back.Surprisingly, I did, from the Niigata train station.How they knew I disembarked at Niigata is still a mystery to me.
Throughout history Japan has been isolated in one way or another.For hundred of years under the Tokugawa shogunate it kept its doors close to foreigners until abolished by the Meiji restoration period.
The tragic earthquake, tsunamis and a potential radiation fallout from broken reactors will have far-reaching economic repercussions for Japan but with the diligent and positive attitude of the Japanese people it will not be a bridge too far to cross.
Let us hope and pray for the well being of Japan and its people.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Untameable Ferocities Of Mother Nature
Hantu Laut
The recent earthquake that hit Japan and the subsequent tsunamis that unleashed its destructive power showed how powerless humans are when confronted with this most furious of natural disasters.
Unlike the power of wind we have yet to find ways how to predict where and when it will occur.
These are heart-wrenching scenes of the destructive power of nature that human have yet to learn to tame.
A reminder that we are still defenceless against the ferocities of Mother Nature.
Please pray for Japan.
The recent earthquake that hit Japan and the subsequent tsunamis that unleashed its destructive power showed how powerless humans are when confronted with this most furious of natural disasters.
Unlike the power of wind we have yet to find ways how to predict where and when it will occur.
These are heart-wrenching scenes of the destructive power of nature that human have yet to learn to tame.
A reminder that we are still defenceless against the ferocities of Mother Nature.
Please pray for Japan.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Bible - No thank you
Hantu Laut
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Malaysian oppositions have refined the art of ingratitude. Read Kit Siang's growl.
Even if the government do the right thing they would still demonise the action.
It's like a spoiled child brought up by equally spoiled parents who have never uttered the word 'thank you' and think the world owe them a living.
"Thank you" an expression of gratitude exists in every human language.Tough absent in the animal kingdom certain animals can still be taught to express gratitude as in "dog is a man best friend" where human kindness is reciprocated by the animal protecting its master.
So what if Najib allow release of the Bible based on political consideration, isn't all, including religions are about politics.
The stoppage by the government which should not have taken place in the first instance is most regrettable.As Minister in the PM's Department Bernard Dompok lamented that no such action was taken during the tenure of former Prime Minister Mahathir in spite of the fact that there was a standing order issued by the cabinet.
Mahathir was in control and his successor the so called "Mr Clean" was not.He was also "Mr Nice" and "Mr Yes" trying to please everyone including giving huge project to the now Sultan of Sulu and in the process screwed himself and his government pretty well.He has given to the world that the Malays have deep-rooted sense of insecurity
The government is insulting the intelligence of the Malays that we can't think for ourselves even in matters such as religion.
Take a notable look at the history of religions where people are willing to die for their beliefs.Wars have been fought in the name of religion.Even today and sadly, all for greed, Muslims killing fellow Muslims.What's happening in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan right now is the obsoletism that religion unites people.
It is obvious nothing the government can do if a Malay, in body and mind, want to convert to another religion, openly or covertly.It only achieve one objective .....making the government looking stupid.
We are no more in the age of camels and horses, we are in the space age where the far reaches of our solar system would soon be within our reach.
Stop the Bible in Malay and ban Christians the use of the word Allah?
What about this.Can the government obliterate it, or ban the Internet completely, or ban Muslims from using the Internet? The whole Bible from "Genesis" to "Revelation" in "Bahasa Indonesia Seharihari" is available on the Internet.
I support the government of the day but I don't support stupidity.It's time Najib put his foot down and get rid of all that little napoleans before they get rid of him.
It is absurd to think that the Malays would convert to Christianity en masse because of the "Al Kitab" or would the government also like to ban the use of the word "Al Kitab" because it is in Arabic as some religious bigots would think is synonymous with Islam and has monopoly over it.
There must be something good in Islam that have made one-fifth of mankind walking the face of this planet.Roughly, 1.4 billion of the world population are Muslims and still growing.
I was a child of the colonial era where Christian missionaries abound in Sabah.I went to a government school where religion was not a factor and my girl friend who is my wife now also a Muslim went to a convent school, a Christian mission school where study of the Christian's scripture was compulsory.She got distinction in scripture.
Did she convert? No !
We keep the Bible,the Koran in Arabic and Koran with English translation in our home.
Have we converted. No!
My daughter finished her 'A' level in England with a chapel attached to the school which she attended once in a while.
Did she convert? No! She did even better than me, she and her husband donated many Korans to the poor Champ people of Cambodia and donated a cow as korban every Raya Haji.After studying for many years in England she came back with greater faith in her religion.
I go to church to attend funeral services every time my close Christian friends died.
Have I converted? No!
I still love my religion and fear of Allah.
So, please stop insulting us Muslims.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Malaysian oppositions have refined the art of ingratitude. Read Kit Siang's growl.
Even if the government do the right thing they would still demonise the action.
It's like a spoiled child brought up by equally spoiled parents who have never uttered the word 'thank you' and think the world owe them a living.
"Thank you" an expression of gratitude exists in every human language.Tough absent in the animal kingdom certain animals can still be taught to express gratitude as in "dog is a man best friend" where human kindness is reciprocated by the animal protecting its master.
So what if Najib allow release of the Bible based on political consideration, isn't all, including religions are about politics.
The stoppage by the government which should not have taken place in the first instance is most regrettable.As Minister in the PM's Department Bernard Dompok lamented that no such action was taken during the tenure of former Prime Minister Mahathir in spite of the fact that there was a standing order issued by the cabinet.
Mahathir was in control and his successor the so called "Mr Clean" was not.He was also "Mr Nice" and "Mr Yes" trying to please everyone including giving huge project to the now Sultan of Sulu and in the process screwed himself and his government pretty well.He has given to the world that the Malays have deep-rooted sense of insecurity
The government is insulting the intelligence of the Malays that we can't think for ourselves even in matters such as religion.
Take a notable look at the history of religions where people are willing to die for their beliefs.Wars have been fought in the name of religion.Even today and sadly, all for greed, Muslims killing fellow Muslims.What's happening in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan right now is the obsoletism that religion unites people.
It is obvious nothing the government can do if a Malay, in body and mind, want to convert to another religion, openly or covertly.It only achieve one objective .....making the government looking stupid.
We are no more in the age of camels and horses, we are in the space age where the far reaches of our solar system would soon be within our reach.
Stop the Bible in Malay and ban Christians the use of the word Allah?
What about this.Can the government obliterate it, or ban the Internet completely, or ban Muslims from using the Internet? The whole Bible from "Genesis" to "Revelation" in "Bahasa Indonesia Seharihari" is available on the Internet.
I support the government of the day but I don't support stupidity.It's time Najib put his foot down and get rid of all that little napoleans before they get rid of him.
It is absurd to think that the Malays would convert to Christianity en masse because of the "Al Kitab" or would the government also like to ban the use of the word "Al Kitab" because it is in Arabic as some religious bigots would think is synonymous with Islam and has monopoly over it.
There must be something good in Islam that have made one-fifth of mankind walking the face of this planet.Roughly, 1.4 billion of the world population are Muslims and still growing.
I was a child of the colonial era where Christian missionaries abound in Sabah.I went to a government school where religion was not a factor and my girl friend who is my wife now also a Muslim went to a convent school, a Christian mission school where study of the Christian's scripture was compulsory.She got distinction in scripture.
Did she convert? No !
We keep the Bible,the Koran in Arabic and Koran with English translation in our home.
Have we converted. No!
My daughter finished her 'A' level in England with a chapel attached to the school which she attended once in a while.
Did she convert? No! She did even better than me, she and her husband donated many Korans to the poor Champ people of Cambodia and donated a cow as korban every Raya Haji.After studying for many years in England she came back with greater faith in her religion.
I go to church to attend funeral services every time my close Christian friends died.
Have I converted? No!
I still love my religion and fear of Allah.
So, please stop insulting us Muslims.
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