Sunday, August 30, 2009

DISTASEFUL INCIDENT THAT CAN FORMENT RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS DISCORD

I am ashame that some people of my race and of my faith have become so insensitive, uncultured and disrespectful of the race and faith of other Malaysians, that I see them act contrary to the teachings of the great prophet of Islam, Mohammed, peace be upon him. In short, they have disgraced and hijacked Islam, being the religion of peace and tolerance.

I am referring to the ugly and disgraceful incident of about 50 odd Malay residence of Shah Alam recently, who took upon themselves to place a severed head of a cow at the gates of the Selangor State Secretariat building in protest against the proposed construction of Hindu Temple in a reportedly predominant Malay residential area, knowing that the cow is a sacred animal of the Hindu faith, and also a creature that is the creation of Almighty Allah swt. And what is even more distasteful is that the incident was being gleefully observed by a group of FRU policemen without any sense responsibility, that the incident can cause a racial discord between Malays and Indians. Here, I observe double standards at its worse.

So much have been said and written about this incident in both the mainstream media and the new media. And I sense that there is a general consensus among peace loving Malaysian of the Malay race that what the 50 odd Shah Alam Malays did was entirely wrong, and is in total breach of our national philosophy and aspiration of a united Malaysia that practices tolerance, understanding and respect among all races and religions. And if PM Najib is serious in fulfilling the One Malaysia concept that he propagates, then it can only be achieved if Malaysians fully adhere to the aforesaid national philosophy and aspiration. Otherwise the One Malaysia will only remain a slogan, like many other slogans in the past.

If one of the many purposes of the One Malaysia concept is indeed about attaining unity among Malaysians of different races and religion, then I have no qualm about agreeing and supporting what Najib preaches. I recognise that Malaysians have no choice but to support the concept because the Malaysian society will remain in this form i.e. racially and religiously divided for many generations to come. And the key to a united Malaysia is tolerance, understanding and respect among all races and religions in this blessed country of ours. And it is for this very reason that I beg to disagree with the Ketuanan Melayu rhethoric that UMNO ardently preaches................and certainly not by the founder of UMNO Dato Onn Jaafar. Honestly, I do not know what it means and pardon me for my ignorance.

I had in my previous postings referred to my formative years and the multi-racial friends that I grew up with, that had influence me to view Malaysians of other races and religion as people that are no different from me. Being born a Malay and a Muslim, does not make me different from my Chinese and Indian friends. I abhor the talk that Malays are a preferred race, and I certainly grew up without the 'tongkat' under my armpit. I must say that I am not as fortunate as other Malays, and I am not denying that there are many Malays who by virtue of having born among distinguished families are more fortunate than most Malays. We have seen many of such Malays, and with some reaching top positions in society and have gotten rich at a very early age simply because they have distinguished parents or parent-in-laws.

Now back to the 'cow head' incident in Shah Alam. This has to be treaded well by both the Federal and State governments and to not let a similar incident occur in future. Let not have another May 13, 1969 tragedy ever happened again. And I believe most of the 50 odd Shah Alam Malay protesters were not even born or were mere kids in 1969 to fully understand the social and security impact of the May 13 tragedy. I certainly do not wish to see the country go through the racial turmoil once again and to suffer the way my parents did in kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.

PM Najib have ordered a full investigation into the incident and appropriate action taken against those who fomented racial and religious hatred and the utterance of highly seditious remarks. Such people deserve to be placed under the infamous ISA, and let us wait and see what will be the outcome of the investigations of this unfortunate incident.

Or is the incident a way of discrediting and embarrassing the PR state government as some people have reckoned?


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Bro,

Please be considerate to the people of Section 23.

They have objected to the relocation for a very long time,and no one from the authority has been kind to help.

We must be straight forward people, don't lie to oneself, if we don't like we must tell. And if we tell people we don't like the idea, don't pretend it to please the people in the authority.

I see a lot of people from the government who always pretending but never tell the truth. We must let this habit goes away from our society.

Please give support people who are unfortunate.

FMZam said...

To terasarindu,

What is the meaning of religious freedom if we don't really mean it? A simple meaning to me is that if we really really believe in religious freedom, then we must accept that any place of worship can be built anywhere on earth without any fuss. So what with a Hindu temple in a Muslim dominated area, will that makes Muslim converting to Hinduism whereas in most cases we see many non-Muslim converting to Islam.

Is this act by Section 23 residents justified as symbolic to 'disrespect' on the part of the Hindu community towards Islam? Or is it symbolic to the sensitivity of the Muslims that religious freedom is anything but by the intepretation of the Muslims only?

Where in Malaysia that the Hindus have not built their temples big or small, in caves, on hilltops, in jungles, in estates, by the roadsides, adjacent to hospital, adjacent to big shopping malls. They have been 'everywhere' to not to be in Section 23.

And if you say that we take heed of your call to be straight forward people, are you suggesting that Muslims should tell everyone that we cannot tolerate it anymore living together with other religions not only in Section 23 but anywhere else in this secular Muslim country?

And when you said you 'see a lot of people from the government who always pretending but never tell the truth', you mean they are not telling the truth about religious freedom?

When we talk about religious sensitivity, just when the muslims are not sensitive to make other religions equally sensitive about Islam?

Have we not seen Hindu temples started small and over the years grew into a big complex and people of various religions still live harmoniously in the surroundings until now. That if we want to talk about religious tolerance, we have many examples, one of them a Hindu temple next to a Brigade HQ and to the general hospital in Seremban.

Maybe the different with Section 23is that, the temple would be starting big and that made it arousing. That I can understand the sentiment of the majority muslims residents of Section 23.

But still I don't understand why we muslims should be afraid of one Hindu temple in the midst of predominantly uninfluenced muslim community. What is so threatening with that Hindu temple for the residents to sound a warning of bloodshed! What is that they are so unfortunate of to have to resort to a bloodshed?

I always think that we muslims are more noble when we live under duress than in comfort.

Anonymous said...

Hi, and hello; may I joint in.

Of course we are all discussing about tolerance in Islam between the Malays Muslim and the other followers of great religions in this country.

But then, in my view, the above incident wasn't about tolerance of any religious belief, obviously it is about some people who don't like a religion facility built near their home.

Just name any facility, say a sewerage plant, a grave, a nuclear plant, or anything.

What would be the effect on the land value of neighboring lots if such a facility is built?. If such a facility is to affect the value substantially, decreasing in value, we aren't at loss, they are, the residents.

We are affected emotionally without realizing the truth about the objection. In my view, these people are objecting for some reasons and that reasons should be understood.

It is not a point for people like us who live somewhere else to judge the sensation, the need, the hope or whatever these young society of Malay really want in that area, and perhaps our judgment is made on the basis of our own comparison of how we live in an older town, where older generation is less sensitive to issue affecting of our built environment.

Now we talk about green and sustainable natural built environment. I am sure these groups of people have better things than what we have in our ancient experience.

Let these people talk and see what they want.

Anonymous said...

Section 23 residents and occupants are a new close stratification of Malay society.
They are a younger generation of Malays, who are about to begin their life within a city. Majority is migrants from other states, or migrants from less developed areas of the state.
The values of residential buildings within the area are ranging from RM150, 000 upwards. Those who live there earn slightly more than RM2, 500 a month. With that income and home loan repayment building owners financially are a bit tight. What more if their property value drops!
If the facility is built around their area and it affects the value of their property to decrease substantially, I would we say we are the injustice protesters on their behalf. Put religion aside, let see what these people want in reality. I would agree with points made by ctangang.

komando said...

If this country want to be like SOMALIA I think we are moving in the correct direction.

Syabas to all Malaysians!

We are going towards the path of destruction and oblivion.

Carry on and go kill each other,Just like in BOSNIA....

We will see who gains and who losses!

Idiots are: people without brains and minds!

So all idiots out there who want to hate instead of peace, well done to all of you, stir the shit up real good and let it explode in your very own faces~!

Otherwise ask the ONE MALAYSIA PEE MMM TO divide this country into three sectors----.....>>>>> and see that only one race can stay in that sector designated!

This will avoid future mistrust and conflict....!

Why worry if the is a indian/chinese temple next to a church or a mosque!

If we say there is religious freedom.... let it be real!

Freedom of religious practice & believe ain't that stated in the Federal constitution?

CANNOT TOLERATE THAN I SUGGEST MOVE TO THE MOON...STAY THERE FOR GOOD!

mha28 said...

I'm a Malaysian living in Singapore. When I first arrived in this Island in 2006, I could not help but noticed that they have mosques in Orchard Road, Holland Village, Bukit Timah, Clark Quay, and Dunearn Road; These areas are favoured by expatriates and well-heeled Singaporeans. Muslim Malay communities are mostly in the east; Bedok, Pasir Ris and Tampines. I suspect the mosques in those high-end areas were built a very long time ago, yet there are being preserved and a small form of financial support is provided by the government (a Non-muslim government). Economically speaking, Singapore is far from being a role model for racial equality, but religious tolerance and the respect they have for places of worship is something we Malaysians could learn from.

Haezrikal said...

To terasarindu & ctangang,

What a lame excuses.... I just could not accept it.

tuahjebat said...

I am most disgusted to see such an ugly and disgraceful demonstration
which is unbecoming of Islamic Malays during the month of Ramadhan, living in a multi-racial country which advocates religious freedom.

I suspect there must be a hidden agenda behind this demonstration.
Is it another political game?

There must be a leader who planned and instigated this demonstartion. For the sake of peace, freedom and
security of this country, the authorities responsible must identify the leader, make him
responsible and appropriate action taken against him.

I know what will happen if the leader is from PKR. If the guy is an UMNO/BN man I see more reasons for the country to discipline him to show our seriousness in the preservation of peace.

FMZam said...

Talking about nation building since Merdeka, just what is that we have been hearing from the government and keep hearing it for 52 years? That we are building a race, not a religion, but a race of many religions, not a religion of many races! But in between we are stuck; we have gotten stuck when the government started to confuse us with building a race of many religions giving emphasis on one particular religion and that religion is the religion of many races when becoming Melayu is any race but Islam.

That is when the crack started to appear on our nation’s wall, when other races became aware that they are on the other side of the wall because of religions, not because they are Chinese or Indians but because they are Non-Malays. They see that it’s so easy to be a Melayu and live happily ever after in this fairytale land, but why do they refuse to be a Melayu if all they need is to change to Islam? Because Islam is a religion and religion is a way of life. They refused that way of life because they have their own way of life in their own religions.

And Islam is not the only religion of many races, all religions are religion of many races too and a way of life where no one can force anyone to go by one particular religion to have the right to live in this world, and they don’t have to be a Melayu to live as a Malaysian. That is their right and everybody’s right to profess a religion of their choice and they stand to fight for their right because it is augmented so in our constitution.

The Malays are forever shouting the slogan “Agama, Bangsa, Negara”. Have we ever heard a Chinese or an Indian says that out loud in any political arena? Why? Because to the Non-Malays it is the war cry of the Melayu when the Melayu means the Agama, Bangsa and Negara are all for a solitary Melayu country and nation. The word Agama alone has caused distrust for all citizen, Malays and Non-Malays, to proceed with Bangsa and Negara because while we all can say one Bangsa and we all can say one Negara, but we cannot say one Agama.

And in here we read someone said ‘put religion aside’ and we have heard many Malays said that many times before in many instances. And we have heard the DAP said it as Malaysian’s Malaysia and we have heard Najib said it One Malaysia. So what is this all about Agama, Bangsa, Negara that we stand for? And again I say that we are building “a race of many religions” in order to build Bangsa Malaysia and Negara Malaysia. Then why fight on religions when all Bangsa of all religions will make our country a one Negara? Why now we all cannot shout just “Bangsa dan Negara” so to say we “put religions aside”? Can we?

komando said...

THE MALAYS OR MELAYU MUST REMAIN AS TUAN UNTIL DUNIA INI KIAMAT! THIS IS A FACT KALAU TIDAK DIA AKAN HILANG DARI DUNIA INI!

MALAYA BELONGS TO THEM.

NOT TO THE ORANG ASLI THATS WHY THEY NOW WANT TO CHANGE THAT NAME...RICE SON OF ORPHAN SAYS THAT NAME IS INSULTING!

GUESS HE CONVENIENTLY CLAIMED THAT ON BEHALF OF THE ORANG ASLI's.

HE WANTS TO CALL THEM WHAT? ORANG ORIGINAL?

SO SELAGI ADA PERANGAI MACAM ITU MAKA NEGARA INI AKAN JADI BERPISAH ANTARA 4 DARJAT.

PENDATANG AKAN JADI PENDATANG SAMPAI BILA BILA,...SAMPAI KIAMAT!

CUBA RENUNG LAH SEMUA SAHABAT KU DAN KAWAN KU YANG BIJAKSANA

APA KAH PERASAAN SAHABAT KITA YANG BERPERANG BERSAMA SAMA DAN BERJUANG BERSAMA TETAPI TIDAK DITERIMA SEBAGAI SAMA RATA?

KITA SURUH DEPA MASUK ASKAR JADI POLIS UNTUK MEMPERTAHANKAN NEGARA, KEDAULATAN, AGAMA, BANGSA SEMUA INI KENA BUAT TETAPI TIDAK BOLEH DITERIMA SEBAGAI WARGA NEGARA SAMA STATUS!

MAKA HANCUR LAH SEBUAH NEGARA YANG TELAH MEMBANGUN SELAMA INI BERSAMA SAMA SEMUA KAUM

DISEBABKAN ORANG POLITIK YANG CETEK OTAKNYA! KITA HANCUR DAN HANYUT....>>>>>>>

komando said...

ONE MORE THING THE MINISTER NOT SO CLEVER THREATENS US WITH ISA IF WE QUESTION THE TUAN MELAYU's!

AIN'T IT FUNNY, YOU CANNOT ARGUE LIKE A TRUE GENTLEMEN AND YOU BULLY US WITH THAT STUPID LAW!

YOU CANNOT JUSTIFY ANYTHING AND YOU USE A STICK TO BEAT US UP?

JUST LIKE YOU TORTURE ALL SUSPECTS AND END UP KILLING THEM! NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE ALL INNOCENT TILL PROVEN GUILTY IN THE COURTS OF LAW!

IT MAY BE KANGAROOS COURTS AT LEAST THE PUBLIC CAN JUDGE WHAT THE PROSECUTION SAYS AND WHAT THE JUDGE SAYS!

FMZam said...

What if this country is 100% MELAYU? We still would have to fight against MELAYU. Why? Because it's Democracy.

And what if this country is 100% Islam? We still could not stop fighting because it's 100% MELAYU.

FMZam said...

Dear all,

Are we not in any way cheated with the new petrol price? Suddenly there was RON95 introduced just recently at the cost of 1.75, 5 sen cheaper than RON97 (at 1.80). Then yesterday was the launching of RON95 it cost 1.80 taking over the price of RON97 which is now cost at 2.05. There's nothing new about RON95 it's the same old RON92 and RON97 was not changed to the better RON99 to have a 20 sen increase for nothing.

Why did our government resort to this kind of bloody stupid trick? And why was that the petrol increase was not in all newspapers' front page like always?

komando said...

"MELAYU MUDA LUPA!"

DON'T FORGET WHAT THE GOD FATHER SAID: "HE DID SAID IT MANY YEARS AGO!"

SEBENARNYA, HE ONLY MEANT TO SAY THIS: "MELAYU MUDA DI TIPU"

THAT'S IT FOLKS HARD LUCK, VOTE FOR UMNO AND WE GET THIS!

FMZam said...

Any general 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars is a coward when he is involved in corruption and cowards are not fit to stay on as general let alone to lead his soldiers. A coward general is a demoralising factor to the whole army and will cause many good soldiers to die for nothing in war time and live for nothing in peace time.

A coward general is normally brave to speak only in military audience but shy to speak in public audience for fear of criticism.

One coward general will make many subordinate generals as coward as him thus prolonging the legacy of coward leaders in the army into many generations of generals. To rid it, don't just cut off the coward general but cut off all his cronies cowards too, because cowardice is cancerous.

Cut off Mael Polin, Raja Affendy, Masrani, KSU and all their cronies.

But to fight corruption, we too cannot be coward like those coward. Be brave to come forward because the best weapon against coward generals is TRUTH. All corrupt generals have one FEAR FACTOR - TRUTH.

The attributes of a corrupt general is; Strength - POWER, Weaknesses - TRUTH. The attributes of a crusader is; Strength - TRUTH, Weaknesses - BRAVE. You only need to be BRAVE to fight a POWERful corrupt and let the TRUTH prevails.

FMZam said...

Our Melayu brothers on the other land are hating us too that they pelted our embassy with rotten eggs for what they claimed we stole their song to make our National Song. Yes we did steal their song 'Terang Bulan' to make our Negara Ku, but then how come the Indonesians are not a bit ashamed of themselves when they stole the song from a Hawaiian Album - Mamula Moon and changed it to 'Terang Bulan'. Anyway both Mamula Moon and Terang Bulan were sung so beautifully by the respective singers, so nice and smooth to hear makes you forgive our sin for stealing it from others to make it ours.

But the incident of pelting our embassy by Indonesian students represents that mentality of the whole of Indonesians in believing, for ages since Soekarno's era, that we stole their song, while, for ages too, they refuse to believe that they stole the song from the Hawaiian. This is a case a thief calling another thief a thief.

And while there was no apology heard from the Indonesian Government to at least be responsible to their people's misdemeanor, Najib was quick to not to wait for that apology by saying the incident did not represent the Indonesian Government's standing.

DISTASTE! Yes distaste is our National Song for as long as the Indonesians want to keep their ego flying for we provide them with a reason to keep it flying higher and higher with our National Song/Anthem.

Why don't we kill it once and for all. Let's apologise not to the Indonesians but to the Hawaiian Government and start creating our own National Song anew now that we have plenty of talents to create a song we can call our own. Don't let the Indonesians pin us down forever and we have nothing to be shy of to apologise to the originator of the song because we have admitted it but we haven't been forgiven and that's why the world see the reason why we are being punished not by the owner, but by another thief.

At least when we have apologised to the owner we can see how we too can ridicule the Indonesians with the same embarrasment they did to us. That's to teach them a lesson as well doesn't matter if they are too ego to admit.

maurice said...

Dear FMZam and Readers,

I completely agree with your line of argument.

Let's compose our own National Anthem and get rid of the Indonesian irritaion.

Also not a bad idea to rethink on the Jalur Gemilang.I am tired of the remarks by most foreigners, "oh, it looks like the....flag."