Horizons of freedom

Horizons of freedom

May 2, 2014

FMT LETTER: From Dr Dominic Damian, via e-mail

The electronic and print media are paralysed with fear. We are not immune to fear of death, losing friends, family, property, earning, poverty isolation, ill health or failure. The security blanket of progress, advancement, harmony has lulled us and made us complacent. The media becomes a voice and mouthpiece for our politicians and the subsequent result is to plant in us so called common sense of conventional wisdom – do not rock the boat and all will be well. This is the most insidious form of fear masquerading and cloaked in the picturesque harmony. It is akin to being dogs on a leash, the length of the leash is how far one can run. this is the reality.

Small daily acts of courage by unsung heroes and heroines from the late Irene Fernandez, the late Karpal Singh, bloggers Raja Petra Kammaruddin, Mariam Mokhtar, Stephen Ng, lawyer S Ambiga, National Laureate Pak Samad, Bishop Paul Tan, Catholic priest Lawrence Andrew, social activists Marina Marthir and countless others sacrificing their lives are condemned as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile.

Insults and abuses are hurled at these individuals. Their crime is that preserving one’s self-respect and inherent human dignity are very real threats. Why do we have a person with impartial knife edge opinions of critical sensibility in the calibre of Raja Petra Kamaruddin who for better or worse to his detractors or supporters is hounded out of this country?

Our country has successfully developed a specialisation in a specific area of talent, it is able to use every conceivable method and apparatus to massacre the voice of freedom and sensibility. Our bloggers especially the ones who are impartial and independent of affiliation to political parties have rendered a great service are viewed with contempt as traitors to either race, religion or country or if they point out opposition faults they are categorised and accused of being government lackeys.

It is most difficult for a population conditioned by a combination of fear and handouts to ignore the crushing might of the state and free themselves from the enervating miasma of fear. Yet we find under the darkest circumstances women and men of raw courage rise up from the ranks to fight for simple truths and freedom which is a far better option than fear.

In one of my songs, I have written ‘There is a greatness in the unknown’. This unknown can only be known when we find the courage to better lives of our fellow citizens whom we ought to call brothers and sisters, this also means engaging the worst opponents of our ideals in a constructive and respectful manner.

I feel that we will suffer irretrievable intellectual backwardness and become unsophisticated and unthinking when we allow that a disposition of unquestionable, unchallengeable and unaccountable governance is allowed to exist. A strong government will never be afraid of challenges. A clear example is the recent tragedy of MH 370 that placed our government in the limelight.

I do not doubt that our government tried to handle it with all the efficiency and sensitivity it could muster, yet it was a spectacular but sad failure which highlighted the glaring weakness in our government structure. The threats against citizens, the foreign media and general handling unfortunately exposed the incompetence under real life situations. Some of the key reasons that I would attribute are as follows:

• The propensity not to listen and arrogantly think one knows best.

• The insecurity of never accepting challenge and resolving it decisively to the benefit and advantage of two parties.

• When dialogue or communication is either a shut up or locked up scenario, one never grows or matures.

• The lack of transparency.

• The quality of personnel in strategic positions.

•  The siege mentality and tunnel vision approach

It is a fact that every challenge is an experience and opportunity to grow and hone one’s skills. In failing to accept challenges the government has fallen and failed very badly. This incident also revealed the immaturity of some opposition members. Instead of presenting a united front, we were compromised when they simply attacked the government in an opportunistic manner. The government should have also recognised that a responsible opposition should be accorded due respect and invited to work together in times of national or international tragedies.

Much our heartache, insecurities, discord and aggression seem to gravitate towards God, faith and religion which is an indispensable structure of our lives. We can safely absolve God of hatching a diabolic plot of such complexity that the best intellectual minds and spiritual souls are unable to solve. Have our lives improved through the belligerent, bickering, aggressive and disrespectful arguments. It is important enough an issue to address and must be acknowledged as contentious and divisive.

We are all trapped and caged by an impoverishment of goodwill that has crippled us, and the irony is that it is just a three letter word called God. And these arguments are perpetrated on behalf of a God who is acknowledged to have created all of us. It is ludicrous but we have engineered all kinds of complexities, probabilities through the pitfalls of conversions, the prohibition of the Allah word and others elements creeping in quietly.

This has ensured that we will have an endless possibility of eternal arguments which will use our valuable time and it is also a proliferation on the shocking degrees of insanity between so called rational educated individuals which exist in all strata of society.

As a nation our politicians are quick to bring God into the picture of existence for whatever reasons that best suit us. We claim to love God and use our religious people, organisation and related NGOs to express our love of God. It is really pathetic and shameful when one’s soul search reveals.

Our love for God is of such intensity that in our obsession we claim exclusive right to Him and forsake our brothers and sisters. We injure our citizens in the name of God.

We are the only nation in the world that offers God protection, how offensive is this? It shows God as a weak pawn incapable of taking care of Himself.

If we really love and honour God we would try our utmost to stamp out corruption, we would promote equality, we would reach the marginalised and down trodden, we would care for each child, we will look at women’s rights, we will accord dignity to the weak and the prisoners as well. We will accord the highest care to the special needs and socially marginalised, we will treat the foreign workers with respect, we will ensure that refugees are well sheltered. We will respect the laws and the constitution and change what is disadvantageous to our citizens. We will not abuse our power in any manner whatsoever.

We will not insult the minorities of the various races or religion. We will accord the deepest reverence and respect to all without exception.

Will we by the grace of God respect our opposition in politics and acknowledge that they are a necessary check and balance and that is a fundamental vital requirement of challenge for betterment?

Will we have the courage to accept the unconventional approach and simple wisdom of the many Ambigas, Pak Samads and Karpal Singhs in our midst?

Will we ensure if our lives are ordained and guided by God we will use the wealth of the nation in an equitable and responsible manner?

Are we the kind of nation that in acknowledgment of God’s greatness not flaunt or display our religious believes or race as superior to our brother and sister?

In our belief of a compassionate God, will we agree to disagree and still hold the deepest respect for each other?

I believe that if we examine our conscience, where our spirit resides and search in a meaningful manner on our root position, of our personal relationship to God, we may find that differences are as thin as a paper. If we are subservient to the natural dictates of that water of goodness which flow from our respective faiths we will find appreciable qualities. If we represent our faith with the calibre of sacrifice, to break our hearts and tear our souls, for the brothers and sisters of various faiths, or the atheist, we will undoubtedly touch and shape lives in an eloquent and powerful manner.

But if we choose to fight over religion or God, we are simply a nation of persons who do not understand faith in the manner or spirit it was conceived and I am sure our hearts and souls will be darkened beyond recall.Is it better not to have faith at all? The concern is not exacerbated nor exaggerated when we have national politicians and well known religious figures spewing excrement of production line public statements, championing racial and religious bigotry like swaggering drunks. It just makes one wonder how low is low?

I believe that a good faith can never be destroyed or decimated. If it can be destroyed then it is lies, if it is not strong enough to protect the dignity of other faiths it simply is not worth the following, due to its insecurity, if it tramples on the rights of other faiths – it is no more evil than the creed of the devil. A faith that injures, divides or separates is a gross violation on the concept of what constitutes God.

We must recognise that only lies are afraid of being broken and only lies need legal or political protection. God, faith or religion have been hijacked in our beloved country. We ordinary citizens of various faiths must link hands and reclaim the noble virtues of our respective faiths and see each other with purity and innocence which emanates from real faith.

Sometimes the best and most unconditional manner to challenge, evaluate and seek the best in us and establish the credentials of our character is to serve and do good on the presumption that God does not exist, that we will all die to nothingness. Will we courageous and strong enough to be good to each other without the motivation of heaven, renewal or the hereafter?

What if the personal benefit of being a hero is absent, the benefit of physiological betterment of ourselves in helping another is absent, assuming we have to die to save another’s life, even if that person has only day left to live and we have 50 years left, will we give our lives for another, on the premise that it is good for the other person.

Is there a love and giving stronger than our personal desire and politics? If there is I have yet to see this in the current politics or politicians of this nation. Our ills are also the responsibility of the citizens, on so many issues our silence has been taken for acquiescence or fear and our passivity and calm taken for acceptance. We ought to be more vociferous and demanding of our government, politicians and political parties that each person’s faith is a personal matter and it should never be dictated to the citizens.

We must question our nation when the leader who essentially wants to be known as a Father and loved as one, will dictate to one child how to address God and give another child the propriety rights to address God in the manner that he feels. I am a father and within my family I have my children and there are some who are stronger in an intellectual manner than their sibling and I will not allow their intellectual ability to beat their sibling, likewise if one child is stronger in a physical manner, he should protect the ones that are not as strong.

Is not our nobility and grace determined in how a majority would dignify and protect the minority, or is the majority of such a squalid and weak disposition that they would suppress, trample and undermine the minority. Where are we? Who are we? What are we? Racism and racial stereotyping are always have an extension and new life. Some of what I have heard is as follows:

• Drunks and wife beaters are bound to be Indian.

•  Sexual abuse and incest would be Malay

•  Lazy or stupid people would be Malay or Indian

•  Having mistress is the realm of the Chinese

•  Money lender and ah longs are Chinese

•  Good business acumen, Chinese

•  Gangsters would be Indians

•  Drug takers and amphetamines users are Malays

The list is endless and there is always some imbecile who will come up with some new concoctions of racism. No one it seems is immune, from the highest ranks of governance, religious bodies, lawyers, doctors, teachers, intellectuals, rank and file professional to the ordinary citizen, who will in some way somewhere find some justification or rationale to pass statements.

Despite our advancements and progress in all spheres that ought to make us complete, we have this inexcusable, repulsive and repugnant conduct of shame. It has no place in this day, age or time – we must resolve to eradicate this in its entirety. We must acknowledge it is widespread and we must institute laws against racism in every possible environment and situation.

It is something that I foresee is going to be exceptionally difficult as it is institutionalised and woven into the fabric of our governance and society, and has been legitimised by laws. The hope here lies in the fact that the DNA of our respective conscience, and various faiths do not allow for justification of superiority under any pretext. We must have zero tolerance and acceptance of this plague.

We propagate, catalogue and stereotype the monopoly of weakness or negative habits and categorise, designate or assign them to specific ethnicities to monopolise. This is so very sickening and self-destructive. Without the slightest modicum of evidence or substantive evidence, we in such a flippant manner, desecrate and defame our nationhood by attaching to the rich cultural diversities unfair negatives. The consequences and repercussions are that we will taint our innocent population – the children who will inherit this good country.

HUDUD- SHAME IN SALVATION

HUDUD-  SHAME IN SALVATION

I have been following the attempts to introduce the private bill on Hudud that politicians of PAS would like to tender for acceptance. I have some opinion that is formulated and based on my conscience, life experiences and the people I meet. I do not profess to have in-depth knowledge of my own Christian faith or any other faith for that matter. I am not going to quote any of the Holy Books or scriptures to support my opinion as this would be a never ending road to intellectual and ineffectual debate of persons trying to prove each other wrong on behalf of God.

There is a backdrop against what I am presenting.

·                   So many wars and conquest of a religious nature and unspeakable atrocities were committed by the various followers of religion in the name of God.

·                   We find clerics and religious authority citing some religious law or other as evidence to justify their actions.

I am inspired by persons whose life actions are in excess of my thoughts.  They are good individuals whose lives are lived in quite dignity. I am just expressing some of them.

·                   I have two violin student’s  a Muslim doctor and his daughter who are person’s of great compassion and love and utterly dedicated to his profession. The daughter comes with the father for the lessons and she is such a beautiful soul.

·                   Another violin student is Muslim Lawyer and a grandson from the distinguished Onn family. His position accords him the comforts to live a good life. The natural propensity to inconvenience himself and help other individuals is food for thought.

·                   Prof Adeeba Kamarulzaman who has reached out to persons who are HIV positive and serves to dignify lives that are rejected by society.

·                   My previous staff who is a Muslim who has his fair share of disadvantages, weakness and challenges is also one whom I draw inspiration from. I will never forget the Wednesday afternoon when my schedule was full of lessons he came in and requested my assistance to take a dog that was obviously abused and lying helpless in a deep drain, where both its hind legs and ribs were broken. The drain was filled with a combination of revolting odours- excrement, decayed food , rotting flesh, and all kinds of garbage inclusive of water that was putrid and dark. The dog nearly bit both of us quite a few times and we were overcome by nausea and vomiting. We managed to place the unfortunate animal in my car and drove back all the way to my home grasping our breath for obvious reason. The dog died within the day. The compassion to try and save the life of an animal despite the overwhelming odds and not abandon it to its fate is a compelling lesson that the dictates of religion alone do not characterize our response. I believe these are moments that the light of God inspires and touches a person across the boundaries of faith and ethnicity to have the grace of an angel.

Dr.Muzamil ,  Ms. Aida Muzamil, Prof Adeeba  Mr.Rizal Onn and Mohammad Ruzi are among the exceptional Muslims and Malays who are placed in my life by providence or God for a reason beyond my comprehension. Their exemplary lives are sufficient evidence of the good that  resides in the Muslim faith.  Such lives also compel us to address concerns with regard to faith in a manner of sensitive discernment and discourse to find a better path or a kinder way.

                

I believe that most faiths profess the message of equality, justice and mercy. This is precisely one among the various compelling reasons why silence is not an available option on laws that affect every person. Unjust applications based on the principal foundation of religious references or what is passed off as a Divine teaching is susceptible to abuse. I contend that laws that impact life or limb without the possibility of rehabilitation and restoration of life must be subject to the highest discourse and debate on its application. How does one prevent the coterie of undesired results that may emanate from such implementation? Do we fully understand the ramifications and repercussions of laws which may infringe on the rights that have been won by struggle of lives lost, sculptured, nurtured and reshaped over the years to secure the highest possible human standard for all?

A faith born or conceived from God will unconditionally offer salvation to all He creates, irrespective of who they are and what they are. I wonder when we reach Heaven’s gates, the pure soul who opens the gates may be armless, the God who comes to greet us will be without limbs or head and may express that each limb or head we removed was akin to removing God’s own. We may sadly find deep shame in salvation. 

HUDUD – SINLESS SOCIETY

Each human soul I believe is sent to the world coated with layers of conscience either through nature or nurture or a combination of both. We acquire the wisdom in the adventure and dance of life through varied multifaceted experiences and challenges of victories, defeats, failures, giving sharing’s, illness, sufferings and deaths.  We are not immune to the grief that perpetuates any part of the world. We are all tied and woven in an inescapable garment of destiny. When one’s safety is threatened by dark ideals, we may fight gut wrenching and  heartbreaking wars to secure and protect life as evidenced by the 2^nd world war. There is an inspirational true story of two young sibling who were founder and members of a group known as Weisse Rose( White Rose). These young medical students spoke out against Adolf Hitler and the impregnable fortress of the Nazi regime- they lost their lives in the most brutal and cruel of circumstances, yet their courage is a reminder that in the face of what may seem to be overwhelming odds, must never prevent us from dignified defence. We cannot on the premise of faith express that since one is not of a specific faith one has no right to discuss a law that will affect everyone. The immense, immeasurable and inspirational greatness of a faith that attracts is one that will not impose but will live on the conceivable principal that equal protection is accorded to each and every person. If a faith is offered as nothing more than a poisoned chalice  of fear and faithfulness  towards attaining salvation, one is sadly  forced and dictated by laws to behave or lose life and limb. The imposition on others who are non believers is also degradation and misrepresentation of the noble intention of what is deemed as a good faith.       

The motive to liberate each and every soul and our awakening conscience is our moral compass that allows us to soul search on what is the best that we ought to offer.

The weight of considerations that ought to prevent laws even the Divine ones from being tendered must be allowed a conscientious premise of objection as follows:

·                   Silence, refusal, posturing, threats, innuendos, accusations, defamations or convoluted responses to concerns or challenges are a very ominous  sign and dark manifestation  not of the laws per se but of the persons who want to implement such laws. Any cleric, politician or party from whichever side of the divide who will not engage the citizens in a respectful manner cannot and should not be trusted- period! 

·                   Laws that would affect and impact the most disadvantaged, marginalised and innocent  in our society pre-empts  any attempt to even offers such laws as viable alternative.

·                   Circumspections disposition and extreme caution should be the order of the day, taking into account that a disproportionate or small number of clerics and politicians always constitute a strong vocal minority. Groups or individuals always project causes without creditable, realistic  data or established facts and impose it on citizens across the board. The deception and propaganda here is that we are led to believe that a majority want and desire such laws. The mainstream media highlighting laws that may essentially be supported by a fringe minority gives them a platform to advance their causes and it is shameful sensationalism which sells that wins the day.

·                   What about the citizens who are differently educated the ones who may only speak and understand their ethnic language ? What about the ones who were never exposed to a formal education that liberate one’s minds to options and alternatives. The  representation to suggest or apply such laws is arrogant, insensitive and disrespectful.

     

One aspect that is a grievous and growing concern is the nature of the top layers of political leadership on both sides of the divide. We may have perfect laws constructed in good faith and on the other end of the  spectrum we have a conveyor belt of less than ordinary unscrupulous and unprincipled politicians who have this uncanny receptivity to grade human rights according to ethnicity or religion. They come coated  with diverse agendas from a rarefied stratosphere devoid of thought, and are anything but exceptional.

Some have the audacity to insult, incite intolerance and insensitivity. A display of insolence against public displeasure or opinion shows how they can spit with the salvia of arrogance  in defiance at the electorate knowing they have immunity. This eventually contaminates other individuals who are given a clear signal that they can do just about anything and get off with an ineffective slap on the wrist.

Some in the religious parties and NGO’s rely on fanaticism, fanning fears, fantasising of enemies who are far superior and supreme and can confuse, convince and convert on a simple word. This divisiveness and polarization need not exist, we are always getting piecemeal solutions to what are simple succinct problems. What is it that such problems keep reoccurring? We have elected enunciated individuals who are spineless with a cosmic dark hole of ventilation with appalling ignorance and insensitivity to represent us. Either it is impoverishment of understanding, sheer stupidity, lack of education, vested interest or a combination of all that does not allow them to solve an issue that lacks the depth complexity of other issues that afflict certain parts of the world.

There are also the religious parties or NGO’s that would support actions and laws which reflect primordial instinct towards violence, which in turn perpetuates a vicious cycle of never ending brutality. They pontificate sanctimoniously on the virtues of their faith and yet with conceit and indecent haste are willing on fallacious arguments to enslave us on laws that obviously are detrimental to a wide segment of the population. I have no doubt that the guardians of law and morality who have been entrusted such position by our votes are compromised and will equivocate in the face of fingerprint feather pressure. The Jekyll and Hyde syndrome surfaces when they are presented with sophisticated multi-billion dollar contracts that have  to go through parliament or state legislatures and it is done with such ease, that is virtually unnoticed. But here we have a simple issue and procrastinations across the board are registered at the highest levels. Does this not inform us with great clarity that we are  intentionally expedient and as such subject to an unnecessary debate of division through a cocktail of negligence, incompetence, fear and an alarming lack of integrity.             

In our desperation, when we find one politician from the whole lot who has some semblance of average  common sense we lose our composure and equate it to finding a treasure-this is how bad it has become. 

Can we create a sinless society? I don’t know, I do not possess enough wisdom to adjudicate such matter. I have a dictionary of weakness catalogued from A to Z. I believe eradication of a sinful society is impossible. But I fear if we implement laws to remove limb and life, each of us who were silent or imposed such travesty would have our limbs intact but we may not enjoy the sauna in hell. And perhaps Paradise would enjoy the benefit and privelege of the discarded sinners of earth.   

HUDUD – MAJESTIC OR MADNESS

What are the immeasurable, irrespirable ideals, ingredients and components that gives faith its backbone to attract and inspires us to acts in excess of our human limitations? Is it a faith:

·                   With an invitation of love as a principal foundation?

·                   That accords equality and respect to those considered non-believers?

·                   That dignifies human life to share with one’s neighbours

·                   That prompts one to give or sacrifice his/her life for the advancement of a justifiable cause or protection of all life.

A moot point that ought to receive due consideration is that despite the obvious manifestations of God or a religious afflictions we have atheists who live very principled, altruistic and dignified lives and also contribute to the advancement of society? Is this not deemed an incompatibility when individuals who have no professed faith, calibrate their lives towards good are able to resonate with deep harmony and peace towards others and more often than not in excess of persons who profess a religious faith?

Can we justify and deem our lives to far superior and valuable on the premise that we have faith. It is inexcusable and sheer arrogance when we claim superiority by virtue of faith or any other concoctions that we invent to advance our claims. A few days ago a mother who brings her young son  over for violin lessons expressed, quote ‘ No matter how foolish, irrational or illogical laws may be, one will always use their intellect and find means to apply such laws, if unsuccessful – they will use sheer brute force to apply it ‘ unquote.

Now I am respectfully articulating and offering opinions that they may lend dignity to all without exception. I hope that critical yet fruitful thinking will materialize from opinions tendered, though it may seem provocative in nature, it is hoped that a non-Muslim is not prohibited the freedom of expression on laws that may directly impact his/her life.  Though I have voiced disagreement towards any form of capital punishment which deprives a person of life, I want to believe that the proponents who want to implement Hudud must be acting in good faith on the premise that they are undertaking divine mission as such I would not view such challenges as an abomination or anomaly.

Now there are some prominent concerns which I propose should be negotiated in a  very rational and spiritual manner. A multifaceted approach where  the variables on the current needs of society, the prescriptions in the Holy Books , the relevance to apply laws in this day and age, and liberal usage of compassion and wisdom should perhaps be the backbone of considerations.

It is my understanding that laws with such severity would be promoted and based on the concept of creating an ideal society that has specific components ingrained and implemented which provides a narrow window or opportunity for transgressions against what is termed as divine law.  Would an ideal society be one where :

·                   Wealth is distributed with equality.

·                   Education is accessible to all

·                   Equal employment opportunity

·                   No discrimination against race, religion or gender

·                   Affordable and subsidized medical treatment

·                   No restriction is placed on minority religions

·                   There will be no disadvantaged or marginalised persons.

·                   That all are equal before the law

·                   That each and every family or individual has affordable housing

·                   Eradication of corruption and poverty

·                   Accountability and transparency by those in power.

  

I am not expressing about a basic perimeter of acceptance in securing the above. There must be an effort that provides not the ordinary but a perfect and exceptional structure of  life. This prevent the thought of committing any offence and the only motive or defence one can offer is insanity. Can the proponents who want to apply such laws guarantee the ideal quality of life will be assured as a preventative measure?

The statue of laws defines a real human civilization that is advanced, progressive and in line with human aspersions and as such it will always be open to discuss, debate, formulate, interpret and enforce laws that would naturally gravitate towards the majority with sensitive exceptions and considerations for the minority. A law as I understand it; is not an antiquated instrument, as such it must be obviously realized that life is larger than laws. Consistent reform according to social, economic, technical realities would necessitate that laws are renovated, changed or discarded according to times.       

On a personal level I cannot and will not accept any law :

·                   That requires blind obedience and fear of God.

·                   Which proclaims itself superior to other laws

·                   Cannot substantiate its strength,  greatness or advantages

·                   That has not consideration or sensitivity to human weakness.

·                   That will divide people.

 

On the simple presumption that Hudud laws are accepted and applicable.  Some direct concerns in no particular order

·                   Will we immediately by law apply punishment for all who cannot substantiate their wealth as having wealth in excess of one’s capacity means that it is an ill gotten wealth.

·                   That all who have promoted and implemented unjust policies will be prosecuted and promoted.

·                   It must be recognised that the proposed laws were compatible for situations that existed at that period in History, there are new situations and new types of crimes that are evolving – the laws are simply not calibrated for such allowances or developments.

·                   We also have everyday happenings of our young children who are developing in families who would lie and steal and are we going to apply laws to have tongues and hands of children removed.

·                   We also have in our midst a wide basket of persons with mental issues who may steal or take another person’s life or commit other misdemeanours- How would the law be applied against them?   

·                   Are there persons among us of such innocence, purity, build and constitution, that they are in an exalted position to lord over us with such laws.

·                   Do we have blanket assurance that one would be protected from repressive and unjust treatment?

·                   We have Judges, prosecutors and persons in high positions within the Syriah system who are supposed to implement laws being caught and prosecuted for the very laws they are supposed to uphold. Would all the cases of this particular judge be reviewed and expunged, and what would happen if a person was executed under His watch.  Would it not imply that the persons who selected an immoral Judge be punished for their lack of  auditing a suitable the candidate, which by definition would be murder. The severity of the punishment for murder therefore should be all involved should forfeit their lives. 

There cannot be any ambiguity the terminal finality of punishments as advocated by Hudud with its dire consequences, encompasses and makes the shifting of evidence a matter of the inescapable responsibility.

Our quest for unattainable perfection may be a folly of sheer madness, which may utterly defeat and destroys us, none of us can equate our conduct to God as such we cannot cast a stone on another individual. The majestic and powerful eloquence in human life is filled with compelling and beautiful stories of ordinary persons whose lives filled with numerous disadvantages of being sown with hate, despair, destruction, loneliness from birth and yet they can struggle and overcome the disadvantages and become the finest among us. Isn’t this glory of the highest nature? This is triumph over tragedy and is woven in the fabric of our society. Will we deprive and rob ourselves of such stories?  Is it the sword of Laws preferred over the majestic touch of forgiveness, rehabilitation and restoration that faith based laws can offer?        

Kajang

We are mired in discussion, opinions and accusations with regard to the Kajang episode. We have individuals from both side of the divide who are the cream of the political intelligence, NGO’s, lawyers, judges, analyst, bloggers and the ordinary citizen who has anything to express about this matter.

In my humble opinion the voice of reason, justice and morality have been compromised at large by so many parties that one expressing what may be the simple truth is viewed as exceptional and extraordinary. Opinions that emanates from the cross section has been varied and legitimate, perhaps it is time to hear what a simple citizen has to offer.

The cream of the political strategist and intelligence from both opposition and government of the day  have shown themselves to be devoid of either of the substances or foundation which allows for greatness to take root in our quest for nationhood. We have persons from the main opposition party who are the calibre, yardstick and measurement of no less than Rafizi Ramili, N.Surendran, and Selena Tay coming up with what they deem as conceivable and acceptable excuses as reasons for a bi-election is a stated requirement to save a state. The Pakatan coalition already enjoys an overwhelming majority in Selangor and we are being spoon-fed with the infant formula of rational that Pakatan have reasons in excess of the citizen’s intelligence to force the Kajang by-election. The maturity of any party resides on a platform of equality granted for all. Here we see a leader of the coalition elevated to God like status of worship. The only person who can save the country so it seems is Anwar Ibrahim. This is not arrogance that belongs to Anwar but to his supporters who have lost all semblance or reality on the ground. We have 29 million people and it is defamation to each person’s vote and intelligence that we only have one person from such a wide pool of people who can manage the country? What sort of nonsense are we espousing and advocating.  

I personally have and will always have a soft spot for Anwar Ibrahim on account of the trauma inflicted upon him and his family by the unjust and merciless incarceration that he had suffered under the Government of the day. This is empathy is not just for Anwar Ibrahim but for all who are or who have been detained under dubious circumstances.    I am of the opinion that Anwar and his family at large still suffer various forms of injustice and this essentially makes this a difficult article to write. The opposition personalities also have my empathy due to the difficulties that we have in the system but this should never be used as a passport or licence to do as one pleases.

Our opposition party is showing a lack of maturity and is in grave danger of being a mirror image of the party/s they are trying to replace.

·                   If one were to elevate a person with a combination of God-like, hero worship and cult like status  and project the person as the only one who can save a country it is unfortunately detrimental as it means that the partners and stake holders in the country – the ‘you’ and ‘I’s’ are persons who are expandable and lack the intelligence to understand the going on’s. We must realize that the cult like worship status of a certain Doctor has placed us in this detrimental and unenviable position

·                   It is a recognised, understood and accepted fact that there are existing laws and provisions in the law that allow for by-elections. Though one may have legitimate excuses which are supported by law it does not mean that we become squalid and spineless individuals who will use the analogical  excuses of strategy, advantage, and the so called big picture to have a bi-election. Again the credibility and respect of politicians towards the citizen  is found wanting, our taxes can be squandered and dispensed in any manner deemed fit by either opposition or Government. If one were to quantify and qualify the amounts spent either on party or state and federal bi-elections,  one should not be surprised that stupendous amounts that could have been used would have been expanded. I am not a financial analyst but I am sure that we would by now have enough money to dignify the lives of persons at large if we did not engage in

·                   Clean elections and cheap democracy is what Surendran expresses, How good is your democracy when the actions taken seem to defy the simplest logic? Or another statement by Rafizi expresses that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is good statesman but a lousy politician.  If this is strategy that is of such security in its brilliance and bold  in excess by its content and execution,  or is this a strategy of the highest intellectual order? If it is then we can safely assume that Malaysia is a lost cause. On the presumption we the citizens are dimwits can we assume we the dimwits are allowing ourselves to be led by the smartest of dimwits. The imbecileian nature of our politics leaves me hanging my head in despair.        

·                   We also have the question of personal moral values. It is pathetic and unacceptable when we allow varied forms of intellectual justification to express the need of a bi-election. What is the preeminent rational which motivates and gives precedence to politics over the honour that we ought to have for each person’s  life and that persons dignity ? Laws or personal morality? Can the morality of our daily life speaks to the internal compass of conscience in our souls and  affirm that our constructive actions  secure

-         Equality for all.

-         Justice and mercy

-         Eradication of  hunger and poverty.

-         Care for the varied marginalised in our midst

-         Quality of healthcare

-         Life term education

-         Security

If our opposition is of a calibre or quality they will not just write some fancy documented manifestos but apply a practical living manifesto in the way they conduct themselves with respect for their own is a real insight. This forced, targeted or strategic Kajang bi-election reveals glaring inadequacies.  

·                   If the opposition is uncertain and uncomfortable with the overwhelming majority they enjoy, it means that they are simply incompetent and insecure about how to manage a state. How are we to trust the opposition to manage a country when fear is prevalent in their governance?

·                   Nobility and dignity ought to be the common shared thread that epitomises our character. No matter how different or opposite our views we are entrusted to guard and protect the individual dignity of each and every person- friend and foe alike. This  is and must  be a requirement for a politician who in effect is supposed to be a statesman par excellence. Here we have persons from the same political party who are supposed to be allies expressing negative, malignant and depreciative comments about the Selangor Mentri Besar. Though I feel and agree that the Mentri Besar may have his flaws and faults, or may not be politically savvy, is this just cause and justification for this type of degrading vilification? What does this say about our future leaders? What chance does the ordinary citizen have when the future guardians cannot extend simple protection of dignity to their own? Could this not have been handled in a discreet manner. I would like to ask the young ‘ Yang Berhomats’ , would you conceive something like this against your Father or grandfather ? If you would not then please show Tan Sri Kahlid Ibrahim the respect that is due, he is of an age to be your father.  Please do not come with that tried and tested adage that states ‘ I love Ceaser, but I love Rome even more’.  Betrayal and treasonous conduct will find all kinds of flippant and flimsy reasons with concoctions and palatable examples cited of it being acceptable reasons.

It is always good to have various parties rather than two main parties, it seems in Malaysia a strong government is a dictatorship with rights totally compromised and a weak government is one that is totally chaotic, paralysed and ineffective that they are unable to control the small elements that are totally amok in our country.  A strong opposition seems like a mirror image of the existing Government; with a small difference- when they are small they work with the common citizen. It is better to have a few small parties and individuals with common sense and integrity than to have a strong government or opposition- the citizens, the common person on the street is the impacted by strength in a negative manner.  

I am also expressing some points that I feel about our bloggers who by far and large have been far more constructive than the political elite in awakening the conscience of the citizen must emphasise their concerns and points with a greater eloquence. It is distasteful when one finds a generous spread four letter words. Now with regard to language I have challenged persons in this manner if one feels that if the language  one uses in print  or verbal dialogues is of an acceptable standard. Then one should have the sterling courage without the fear reprisals in using such language in the presence of one’s respective place of worship, a Monarch, a Judge, a Court, on TV interviews, in the presence of one’s family, elders and little children. If one will not use it in any of the stated environments mentioned, one should not use it.

Though I disagree with RPK on his language and his comments on Malay’s, Muslims  and other ethnic or religious groups. I have respect and esteem for his views and cringe at the language or the brutality of the response, though a bit crass they are unpretentious and filled with integrity. It is RPK’s articles mainly that enable me state opinions about bloggers. In some ways I do feel like a rotten heel writing in relation to him, as he is one of those rare individuals who with his family has suffered for a cause in excess of his life and is deprived of his homeland as a consequence.

Nevertheless  I feel that we should always find a better or a kinder way to articulate our views without placing offense on the party that is challenging us. One should never attach a race or religion just because of some dysfunctional government policies. There will always be the individuals who chose to be antagonistic provocateurs when they place  comments that demean simple intelligence on a blog site- I sincerely appeal and hope that bloggers would never use the power of their well honed skills in language, writing and knowledge to embarrass or insult the persons who disagree with their writings.

YB Karpal Singh

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — Both the Vice President of Perkasa  Zulkilfi Noordin and Umno MP Dato Dr.Nawawi Ahmad have to be condemned and castigated for their remarks on their statements regarding the demise YB Karpal Singh.

These individuals do not fall into the category of imbeciles, stupid or demented, idiots. If they were categorised as such we would be legitimising, qualifying and excusing their appalling conduct. 

I am quite certain of another fact in some other country these gentlemen would not be nominated by baboons for the position of cleaning its excrement from the enclosures they are held in a Zoo.  I am amazed and appalled that we have such derange, salivating, delusional individuals masquerading as leaders.

The inescapable and conclusive facts reveal that neither gentleman should be termed or recognised as Muslims, representative of their respective parties, Malays or at the very least be considered Malaysians.

They have displayed arrogant conduct and think their comments and actions will receive support from their respective parties. I would propose to the parties and the leadership to immediately expel them.  Whatever cause Perkasa and Umno represents and espouses, one should know how when to differentiate as to what constitutes such unedifying conduct which is beyond expression to encapsulate the rabid, venomous conduct of these individuals.  If either party keeps them it means that their respective parties and leadership support such Neanderthals. 

The Dato should have his honorific title stripped or revoked as his reprehensible actions taints the honour of the one who has bestowed on him an entitlement of dignified trust on the title he holds. It is rather unfortunate that one cannot remove from both ignoramuses their birthright as Malay or Muslims, both of which contain character and traits of the highest order. They have inadvertently defamed and desecrated their race and religion. 

Across the bridge of race and religion I believe that we the ‘silent majority’ should convey our utter contempt and disgust by verbal expressions of jeers, singing National Anthem in their face which is the best response, or giving them a clear non-verbal silent treatment.  Treat them as persons non gratia.  As for Malaysian citizenships it is a clear constitutional right where it cannot be revoked- how I wish this were not the case for such vermin.

The arrogance to debase sad occasions exist as we have allowed in the name of peace and goodwill that arrogant individuals such as Zulkifi Noordin and Dato Dr. Nawawi Ahmad tender opinions and views with impunity on the premise of immunity.  The contamination or morally regressive conduct is an occurrence that is common enough as we have persons who are either in the religious or governing authority being squalid and spineless in dealing with such situations in an even handed manner.

I appeal to Malaysian’s as a parent of children from various diverse ethnic backgrounds to unite in times of grief , national issues or tragedies and be as kin and kith to each other through our appreciable differences and give any person in whatever position a telling off, we don’t need such individuals in our society.

If this happened to any Malaysian YB Karpal Singh if he were alive would have ferociously instantly without hesitation, be it Govt or opposition torn such uncouth behaviour to pieces.  He possessed that special quality of altruistic impulse to just do what is good and right at a price many of us could ill afford. He is not around to express or articulate his views. It is my simple honour and privilege, unworthy as I am to carry the torch and be an heir and inheritor of this great man’s conscience.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/yb-karpal-singh-dominic-damian#sthash.o1FfOuY5.dpuf