The Enigma that is MH370

AsSalamu alaikum and Good Day to my readers

There have been many issues that have cropped up for the past year but none as mystifying as the case of the missing MAS flight MH370.

 

It has been 10 weeks since its fateful flight on 8 March 2014 and as yet there appears to be no development in the progress of its search.  Its whereabouts remains a mystery.

 

I am taking this opportunity to extend my prayers to the families of the missing passengers onboard, and I share the regret that closure is nowhere near.  I am not interested in talking about conspiracies or lapses; the truth is that fate falls upon the society it reflects.

May Allah swt bless us always.


Kind regards and WasSalam
AAAA

What now for UMNO

Assalamu alaikum and good day dear readers

The recently concluded GE13 have shown the continued resilience of UMNO as the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional which was again successful in returning to power albeit with a reduced majority of 133 seats in the Parliament.  Standing as a marriage of convenience for the second election running, the Pakatan Rakyat managed to wrest 89 seats with DAP leading the final tally of 38 seats followed by PKR with 30 seats and PAS with 21.  Anything can happen in politics, they say, but for BN, the future seems to be written on the wall as far as its political relevance and longevity is concerned.

The achievement of the ruling coalition at the federal level underlines the downtrend of support for the Barisan Nasional which was unable to improve on its achievement in 2008 where they won 140 parliamentary seats.  This is the first time that the coalition was unable to garner a minimum of 60% of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat. This is also the lowest tally of popular votes for BN as its 47% beats the previous 49.3% it garnered as the then Alliance Party in 1969.

A more disturbing trend is the absence of UMNO major coalition partners from the Malaysian peninsula as GE13 has left UMNO's allies such as MCA, Gerakan and PPP devastated.  Whilst MIC has somewhat improved on its showing from 2008 (perhaps galvanised by its new president Datuk Seri G Palanivel and its new stalwarts such as P Kamalanathan), MCA which won 7 seats altogether lost all of its seats in Chinese-majority electorates.  This also marks its worst achievement ever in the general election. 

Gerakan which held the Penang Chief Ministership for almost four decades was wiped out altogether from Penang and has only P151 Simpang Renggam to show as its sole Parliamentary representative.  PPP, the smallest component in the Barisan Nasional fold, lost all the seats it contested.  

The seemingly hollow victory for BN now begs the question which many Malaysians will want to know, be it the electorates, the BN component parties, opposition pact, or the regular Malaysian Malay Muslim.  With the result of the PRU13 now all but done and dusted they will want to know what now for UMNO?

A reading from the general election shows what the BN Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak ('DSMNTR') termed as the 'Chinese Tsunami'.  The near complete rejection of Chinese BN representatives now leaves the Prime Minister with a lingering question on how his cabinet will look sans Chinese ministers via MCA.  More importantly, the issue on the future of the support of the Chinese electorate must be addressed even if the solution transcends race (which the tried and tested power-sharing formula of the BN is derived from).

Another reading from the election is the emerging pattern of the rural-urban divide which puts BN in a precarious position moving forward.  As it stands the power base of UMNO has consistently been the rural areas which are predominantly low-income Bumiputera electorates.  The challenge now is to expand the BN support into the territory of DAP and PKR of the Pakatan Rakyat in the mostly urban-mixed electorate in the states of Perak, Penang, Selangor and Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur.

Another important reading of the GE13 is in the continued debate of the 'Bumiputera Agenda' which has always been at the forefront of UMNO's struggles.  In order to push for its powerbase in the urban-mixed areas, UMNO will need to interpret its principles in a bigger, inclusive spectrum.  This fight for the rights of Malays and Bumiputeras should not be done whilst negating the rights of the Malays in Kelantan, or at the expense of its focus in the promise to assist MIC with its Indian social-reform agenda.

In order to lead his call for reform and reconciliation, DSMNTR will need to get assistance from strong characters as well as to entice new blood into the party.  The new addition will in turn need to be able to change the negative perceptions of the party as well as the existing habits that have been entrenched within the mammoth structure of UMNO and BN.

Just who are these 'change agents', how they are wooed into the BN and whether they are enough to aid the party at his time of need is anyone's guess.  One thing for sure is that the change agents must be throwbacks to the UMNO that was successful in its struggle for independence many, many years ago in that they are high in integrity as well as sincerity in helping UMNO and BN with its cause.

A long shot it may seem, but as they say again, anything can happen in politics.

Best regards and wasSalam

AAAA

Undilah Malaysia yang Berdaulat

Keadaan siasah di Malaysia kini menzahirkan sudut pandangan yang kurang manis dilihat.  ‘Pengkutuban kaum’ yang meminggirkan semangat muhibbah yang selama ini terjalin kini semakin jelas dan melambangkan wujud perasaan tidak yakin dan syak wasangka di antara kaum yang rata2 masih memberikan undi mereka berdasarkan bangsa dan agama. Dengan pengecualian di beberapa kawasan seperti di negeri Johor Darul Takzim serta di sekitar bandar2 besar, pembahagian undi yang ketara mengikut kaum ini mencerminkan tahap kematangan masyarakat kita.  Saya melahirkan kekhuatiran sekiranya kedaulatan negara bakal menjadi mangsa kepada jenama siasah ini yang kini diamalkan dengan rakus.

Kenyataan ini didasarkan kepada kecenderungan berkempen dengan ‘isu2 longkang’ dan menyentuh peribadi seseorang dan bukan kepada dasar2 yang diamalkan oleh kerajaan pemerintah. Masyarakat disajikan dengan tayangan2 dan paparan2 yang mengaibkan calon2 yang bertanding dan serangan ‘bawah tali pinggang’ yang mempersoalkan kewibawaan mereka.

Lebih buruk ialah kewujudan binatang siasah yang sentiasa bersedia menyalakan perasaan kebencian perkauman di kalangan kita. Golongan yang ‘menangguk di air yang keruh’ ini dilihat cuba memecah-belahkan rakyat dengan mengetengahkan hal2 ‘keadilan’ yang sebenarnya sudah sedia maklum terangkum di dalam fasal2 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Natijahnya, pertubuhan siasah yang bertanding turut mencongak pemilihan calon berasaskan kebolehmenangan calon di kawasan2 yang dikuasai oleh satu2 kaum dan bukan kepada empat ciri pemilihan pemimpin yang digariskan mengikut agama – kebenaran, amanah, kebolehpenyampaian dan kebijaksanaan.

Selain daripada itu, pemilihan mengikut kandungan kaum di sesuatu kawasan juga bermakna akan wujudlah ketidakadilan kepada kaum dengan jumlah kecil yang tidak menjadi tonggak di mana2 kawasan sekalipun!

Di DUN N59 Behrang sebagai contoh, perhitungan penyandang YB Jamaluddin Radzi (JR) untuk kekal sebagai ADUN dilihat sebagai satu risiko kepada Barisan Nasional yang pada PRU12 2008 sebelum ini meletakkan calon berbangsa India di situ. YB Dr Rosnah Kassim (RK), Ketua Wanita UMNO Perak dan ADUN N24 Hulu Kinta kini diletakkan sebagai calon bagi menentang JR yang dahulunya menang di atas bendera PKR.  Melihat percaturan ini YB Jamaluddin telahpun mengundur diri bagi memastikan tiada perpecahan undi berlaku.

Dengan perasaan wasangka yang ditanam sendiri oleh pertubuhan2 siasah ini, rakyat dilihat bertambah runsing di dalam membuat perhitungan. Wakil2 yang disuapkan ada di antaranya dibelenggu dengan awan tanda tanya daripada segi akhlak dan nilai. Perasaan tidak yakin dengan calon akan menjadikan rakyat itu tidak yakin secara mutlak dengan amalan pilihan raya dan mungkin sekaligus menyebabkan pengundi2 tidak keluar menjalankan hak mereka.

Kesan daripada ini yang turut dilihat ialah kepada kewujudan ‘kuasa ketiga’ yang menawarkan pilihan selain daripada Barisan Nasional dan Pakatan Rakyat. Walaupun kecil daripada segi sumber dan penglibatan mereka, kuasa ketiga ini berpeluang menjadi ‘pentabal kerajaan’ sekiranya pengundi memilih untuk memberi kuasa yang sama banyak kepada dua kuasa yang sedia ada. Bacaan ini berdasarkan kepada keputusan2 pilihan raya kecil sejak PRU12 2008 yang memberi keputusan seri kepada kedua2 pertubuhan ini.

Di DUN N25 Kajang misalnya, corak alir penduduk yang sebahagian besarnya berbangsa Cina tidak menghalang Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (BERJASA) untuk turut berkempen di kawasan tersebut. Ini bagi memberi pilihan kepada pengundi Islam yang jelak dengan percakaran di antara kedua2 pertubuhan utama iaitu DAP – PKR  dan MCA – Gerakan.

Apapun perasaan jelak ini dikongsi bersama oleh marhain berbilang bangsa.  Keadaan yang kita lihat ini mirip kepada apa yang berlaku di Itali di mana kejelakan pengundi negara itu diutarakan melalui pembuangan undi yang memihak kepada ‘Gerakan Lima Bintang’ pimpinan Giuseppe Piero Grillo yang bersifat mengumpan dengan hal2 yang menjadi tarikan besar pengundi.

Kedua2 pertubuhan utama iaitu BN dan PR turut mengambil kesempatan dengan menjadikan sumber ketiga ini sebagai calon. Di P108 Shah Alam misalnya, BN membawa masuk YB Datuk Zulkifli Nordin (DZN) sementara PR pula membawa hero 'Himpunan Hijau' Wong Tack (DAP) masuk bertanding di P89 Bentong.

Harapan saya sebagai seorang Muslim Melayu Malaysia yang matang dan dibekalkan akal serta panduan daripada Al Qur’an serta hadith dan amalan para pemikir Islam yang lampau ialah agar kita melihat dengan kaca mata yang jelas dan dengan pemikiran yang waras lagi bernas di dalam mengambil kira soal memilih calon yang bakal mewakili kita dan menjalankan amanah mentadbir negeri dan negara.  Inilah amanah kita bagi menjamin Malaysia sebagai negara yang kekal berdaulat!

Sekian dan WasSalam.

AAAA

GE2013: Let the Games Begin

AsSalamu alaikum and Good Day to all my loyal readers

The much-anticipated announcement has now been made - the dissolution of Parliament was televised and thus puts an end to a colourful chapter in the young history of the Malaysian democracy which saw the change of PM, the loss of five states by the ruling government, and the eventual recapture of one, and of course a twelve-round blow-for-blow by-election with interestingly a level outcome.  Therefore, it seems that no one can be faulted for making the assumption that the coming General Election will be the most if not one of the most anticipated of all.

Names of new faces are being circulated but currently the most enticing probable battles of them all involve heavyweights.  Already the talk on the prospect of one-on-one showdowns in parliamentay seats of Gelang Patah, Bagan Datoh, Gua Musang, Lembah Pantai and Kulim - Bandar Baru to name a few, are hotting up with LKS vs DAGO slated at the site of Iskandar Malaysia and DSAZH entertains the visit of former fellow UM-Alumni DSAI to his hometown.  At the time of writing DSAI had instead made up his mind to stick to his own hometown at Permatang Pauh.

More twists and turns are expected in this edition run-up to the polls but as a proud Malaysian Malay Muslim I hope that above all the GE2013 will be remembered for the good things instead of the bad.

Let the games begin!

Kind regards and WasSalam

AAAA

Percaturan Laknat Terlindung Di Bumi Lahad Datu

AsSalamu alaikum para pembaca yang saya muliakan

Sudah lebih sebulan insiden pencerobohan Lahad Datu, Sabah berlalu dan sehingga kini korban langsung anggota Polis Di Raja Malaysia dan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia dalam Ops Daulat yang bertujuan mematahkan ancaman pengganas upahan ini berjumlah sembilan orang.

Banyak keluarga di kawasan terlibat terutamanya di Kampung Tanduo, Kampung Tanjung Labian dan Kampung Sungai Nyamuk terpaksa berpindah dan tentunya mereka tidak dapat menjalankan kehidupan dan mencari rezeki seperti lazim.

Di samping itu, banyak pihak juga telah mengutarakan 'teori konspirasi' masing2, terutamanya ahli2 politik yang cuba mempolitikkan isu ini secara jijik bagi mendapat tempat di hati rakyat menjelang Pilihanraya Umum ke-13 (PRU13) yang dijangka akan diumumkan pada bila-bila masa sahaja oleh Pengerusi Barisan Nasional selaku ketua kerajaan yang memerintah.

Terdapat juga 'perang siber' yang berlaku di antara rakyat Malaysia dan Filipina yang terganggu dengan isu panas ini.

Apa yang saya cuba timbulkan di sini ialah kesan buruk daripada anasir luar yang boleh menjahanamkan kesejahteraan dan seterusnya mensabotaj kemakmuran negara.  Sebagai seorang Muslim Melayu Malaysia, saya melahirkan rasa kesal atas peristiwa ini yang telah meragut nyawa bapa kepada anak dan suami kepada isteri.  Lebih dikesalkan apabila ada pihak yang cuba mengambil kesempatan melalui tragedi ini, sama ada terbabit di dalam perancangannya ataupun tidak.  Perlakuan ini saya sifatkan sebagai percaturan laknat di bumi Lahad Datu oleh jemari Iblis yang terlindung.

Saya memohon ke hadrat AlLah swt agar kita semua dilindungi di bawah lembayung ar Rahman dan ar RahimNya dan semoga dugaan ini dapat segera berlalu.  Amat sedih apabila melihat imej perajurit kita yang gugur melalui laman2 sesawang sehingga membuak2 perasaan tekad ingin melihat keadilan ditegakkan di bumi Lahad Datu.

Kepada sang celupar yang cuba mengecil2kan insiden di Sabah serta peranan perajurit dan wira polis kita di sana, ingin saya beri amaran bahawa perlakuan ini hatta dengan apa niat sekalipun, tidak sekali2 boleh diterima dan bakal membawa padah kepada pelaku tersebut, bak kata pepatah, "terlajak perahu boleh diundur, terlajak kata buruk padahnya".

Akhir kalam, marilah sekalian Muslimin Melayu Malaysia kita mensedekahkan Al Fatihah kepada roh2 wira kita yang terkorban, semoga ditempatkan AlLah swt mereka ini di kalangan orang Syahidin.

Terima kasih dan WasSalam

Tahun Baru, Azam Baru?

AsSalamu alaikum para pembaca yang saya hormati

Sambutan tahun Masihi yang baru tampak lebih meriah daripada sambutan tahun Hijriyah yang lalu.  Apakan tidak, tahun Masihi ini diguna pakai di seluruh dunia dan oleh sebab itu sambutan tahun baru Masihi lebih komersil sifatnya dan dijadikan sebab untuk mengilhamkan azam yang baru.  Tahun Hijriyah dengan nilai Islamiknya pula dikatakan tidak meriah, tidak seronok kerana semakin berumur seseorang itu, semakin teringat ia akan mati!

Islam menganjurkan umatnya mengingat selalu kepada mati supaya kita tidak mensia-siakan peluang beramal semasa kita hidup.  Islam juga mengharuskan sambutan mengikut lunas yang ditetapkan.  Baru2 ini satu garis panduan telah dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) dalam penganjuran majlis sambutan tahun baru.  Oleh yang demikian, Melayu Muslim Malaysia akan diharap lebih maklum mengenai adab yang sesuai bagi menyambut perayaan seperti ini.

Saya terpanggil juga untuk memberi ulasan peribadi mengenai 'azam tahun baru'.  Bagi saya, nikmat masa yang diberi AlLah swt kepada kita hanya Dia sahaja yang menentukan.  Jadi untuk kita menunggu 'tahun baru' bagi menanam azam baru bunyinya seperti tidak masuk akal kerana kita sendiri tidak mampu tahu sama ada kita dapat melihat tahun baru!  Bukankah lebih elok kita tidak menunggu2, lantas pantas menyentap peluang masa yang sudah terhidang di depan mata.  Inilah waktunya yang sesuai untuk kita berpaling kepada isteri dan suami kita, ibu dan ayah kita, mertua kita dan anak-anak kita dan mengucapkan kalimah "maaf" ataupun "saya sayang kamu" atau "terima kasih" kerana kita tidak tahu bila masanya Izrail as akan menunggu di pintu.

Inilah juga masanya untuk kita penuhi senarai yang selama ini kita kumpulkan tetapi tidak kita penuhi.  Bersolat subuh berjemaah, berkhatam Al Qur'an dua kali setahun, mengurangkan berat badan 5kg, menghabiskan novel 'Muhammad Akhir', mendaki puncak Kinabalu, belajar bahasa Arab.. semua azam ini akan kita peroleh pahala sekiranya niat kita adalah kerana AlLah swt.

Oleh itu saya dengan rendah hati ingin menyeru kepada diri saya dan juga para pembaca yang dikasihi agar tidak terpengaruh dengan persepsi masa yang mengelirukan.  Takwim hidup kita adalah lain daripada orang yang lain jadi janganlah kita menunggu orang ataupun menunggu kononnya 'masa yang sesuai'.

Saya pernah ditanya orang soalan ini: Bilakah masanya yang sesuai untuk sesorang itu berhenti kerja?  Jawapan saya pendek: "Semalam!"  Seperti pepatah Arab yang mengumpamakan masa itu seperti pedang; sekiranya kita tidak memotongnya maka masa akan memotong kita!

WalLahu A'lam
AAAA

It Does Not Take a Rocket Scientist to Figure It Out

As Salamu alaikum and good morning dear readers

It was a case of deja vu once the results of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) election was announced on the back of the 16th DAP National Congress held last week.

There were many familiar faces with the incumbents holding to the Chairman and Secretary General's post.  Curiously, none of the Malay Muslim DAP members were elected which in turn necessited some of their selection under the 'closed-door' office bearer selection meeting.

The selected 'some' were only 'few', ie two, namely Dr Ariffin Omar (Vice Chairman, one of five with the other four all elected) and Zairil Khir Johari (Assistant National Publicity Secretary, the other being the elected Teo Nie Ching with 903 votes) with Ahmad Ton (with 347 votes, only 1 vote less compared to Dr Ariffin and 42 more than Zairil) completely overlooked. 

I am in the opinion that the decision of the DAP of appointing Dr Ariffin and Zairil into the CEC, whilst provided in their constitution, should have not been done in the first place.  Apart from giving the perception to its members as well as the public that the 'back-door' selection is an unethical way to put certain individuals onto key posts by sacrificing other members who had garnered higher votes, it does to a certain extent pour fuel to the argument that DAP is run just as any race-based party with the need of allocation of quotas based on race.

I can imagine the appointed members having 'inferiority complex' as all others are there in the CEC on merit whilst them benefitting from a decision based on some clandestine strategic wheeling-dealing.  Pressing forward, if one wishes to do away with the Bumiputra privileges than what better time to prove it than now.

My suggestion to Dr Ariffin and to Zairil is to politely decline the selection and instead work on strengthening their positions within the grassroots.    What is certain for the rejected Malay Muslim candidates is the fact that they will need to find out the reason why they were rejected in the first place.  If they are deemed not good enough for their party then what would the voting public make of them come the General Election 2013?

Of course, a worse outcome would be the staging of a massive walkout by all Malay Muslim members out of the DAP into other political parties while at the same time accusing DAP of being racist (and nepotistic, a claim DAP hurls to its rivals in the ruling government). 

That to DAP is a scary thought, but a thought neither a rocket scientist, nor a 'Rocket' reader would have difficulty figuring out.

Best regards and Wassalam

Adakah Ia Ditanggung Halal?

As Salamu alaikum para pembaca yang budiman

Sejak akhir2 ini kita selalu dijamukan dengan isu kehalalan premis makanan terutamanya premis2 yang diusahakan oleh golongan bukan Islam.

Hakikatnya mencari yang Halal itu wajib, dan menjauhkan diri daripada perkara yang Syak itu juga disuruh di dalam agama.

Namun dalam pencarian ini, kita perlulah beringat untuk tidak menanam syak yang sebarangan, apatah lagi jika premis itu menggajikan pekerja Islam.  Ini kerana kita ada juga mendapat maklum melalui e-mel berantai yang menggesa kita memboikot sesuatu barangan ataupun menjauhi sesebuah premis hanya melalui 'cakap2' dan andaian2 semata2.

Pokoknya kita perlu mendapatkan jawapan yang sahih (contohnya melalui melalui pihak berwajib) bagi isu2 sebegini.

Lebih menarik lagi apabila perakuan 'tidak mempunyai Sijil Halal' ditakrifkan sebagai 'Tidak Halal' oleh sebilangan kita yang berfikiran dangkal sama ada secara sengaja ataupun tidak, sekaligus menzalimi saudara Muslimin kita yang mencari rezeki yang halal di mat'am2 berkenaan.

Sekiranya sesuatu premis makanan itu memerlukan sehelai sijil dan logo untuk menyedapkan hati kita, maka ia adalah sesuatu yang pelik jika tidakpun menggelikan hati, kerana selama ini masakan ibu kita juga tidak pernah ada cop Halal!  Pada pendapat saya, Allah swt telah meminjamkan nikmat panca indera yang boleh kita gunakan untuk menilai baik dan buruk sesuatu perkara termasuklah dalam menilai sama ada sesuatu tempat makan itu sesuai atau tidak.  Premis yang kotor, contohnya, menimbulkan risiko kepada kesihatan dan oleh kerana ia boleh memudaratkan maka tergolonglah ia di dalam kategori premis makanan yang Syak.

Semoga kita tidak turut terperangkap di dalam membuat keputusan berkenaan soal ini.

Selamat menjamu selera!


Wallahu A'lam.
AAAA

Recognizing Our Strengths

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all readers

I just like to say that I agree with the statement by the VC of USM in his suggestion for an alternative model for appraising the strength of local universities.


Regards and Wassalam

Apabila Peluang Dibuka

Assalamu alaikum para pembaca yang saya hormati

Pada hari Khamis yang lalu saya sempat meluangkan masa menghadiri jemputan berbuka puasa YAB Dato' Sri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak (DSNTR), Perdana Menteri Malaysia di Kompleks Seri Perdana, Putrajaya. Majlis berbuka puasa itu diadakan bagi memberi peluang kepada para pentadbir dan pelajar IPTA / IPTS mengenali lebih dekat YAB Perdana Menteri, di samping mendengar amanat beliau di dalam merencanakan masa depan negara daripada aspek pengajian tinggi.

Saya sempat bertemu dengan DSNTR namun tidak berpeluang untuk berbicara lanjut. Apakan daya, keterujaan kebanyakan pemimpin mahasiswa menyebabkan masing2 begitu mahukan masa bersama DSNTR sehingga terlupa protokol bagi majlis seumpama itu.

Saya juga sempat bertemu beberapa pemimpin mahasiswa untuk memberikan sedikit nasihat, terutamanya di dalam adab berkomunikasi sebagai seorang pemimpin / pejuang mahasiswa.

Sesungguhnya, majlis seperti ini sepatutnya dijadikan ruang untuk membina jalinan dan rangkaian kerjasama yang bakal memberi manfaat kepada para bakal pemimpin pelajar pada masa hadapan. Rugilah kiranya ia sebaliknya dijadikan tempat bermegah untuk bergambar foto secara berlebih2an sambil melopong mengiyakan setiap kata orang!

Sekian dan Wassalam

Ignorance of a Leader

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all readers

I do not intend to blow up an issue which recently happened at Surau Al Huda in Kajang Sentral. All that I want to say is that the lesson learnt by the Serdang MP YB Teo Nie Ching has been an expensive one - due to ignorance on her part rather than anything else.

An ignorant leader is a bad leader. I sincerely hope that this episode serves a lesson to us all.


Regards

Ramadhan Karim

Assalamu alaikum kepada semua pembaca dan selamat beribadah sempena bulan Ramadhan yang penuh barakah.

Pada kesempatan ini saya ingin memohon maaf kepada semua yang mengenali saya sekiranya ada yang terguris hati sepanjang saya menulis di laman ini atau di dalam apa2 percakapan atau tingkah laku saya. Semoga Allah swt memberkati amalan kita semua.

Wassalam

THE ABOMINABLE ACT OF THE ISRAEL ZIONISTS

Assalamu alaikum to all readers, but a very sad day this is for me.

I have learned today that ships carrying aid on their way to the Gaza Strip have been attacked and plundered by Israeli commandoes who raided the civilian ships at around 4.30am local time, 65km off the Gaza coast.

The ships, dubbed as the 'Freedom Flotilla' were carrying aid cargoes including building material, food and medical supplies, as well as multinational representatives from humanitarian organizations including Malaysian Malay Muslims. Irregardless of the composition of the convoy, the despicable acts of pillage and murder had left 19 civilians dead and the whole watching world aghast.

The very fact that this heinous crime was done in international waters made it all more unbelievable. To set off a media spin, Israel had claimed that their commandoes were set upon by knives and clubs when they descended upon the vessels and had no option but to shoot.

However, their claims did not answer earlier questions on why the raid was executed before dawn, or why did the Israeli military jammed all communications during the operation.

As news began filtering out, it seemed that the commandoes had instead started their move by opening fire at the unarmed civillians aboard the Freedom Flotilla.

My prayers go to all my brothers who are being held captive as we speak, and may Allah swt provide them the strength to overcome this test.


Amin, and Wassalam.

E-Mel Kepada PM Mengenai Ancaman Penyalahgunaan Pasport

Kepada yang dikasihi, YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak,

Perdana Menteri Malaysia

Assalamu alaikum dan Selamat Sejahtera, dan Salam 1Malaysia

YAB Dato' Sri

Pertama2nya, saya ingin mengucapkan syabas di atas usaha YAB Dato' Sri merapatkan hubungan Malaysia dengan jiran serantau di Asia Tenggara. Sememangnya keamanan dan sikap muhibbah di antara negara2 ASEAN merupakan kunci emas kepada kemakmuran ekonomi di rantau ini, suatu matlamat yang saya yakin dapat dikecapi menerusi dasar luar yang dipimpin oleh YAB Dato' Sri dan YB Dato' Sri Anifah bin Haji Aman sebagai Menteri Luar Negeri Malaysia.

YAB Dato' Sri

Pada 18 Februari 2010 yang lalu, dunia telah dikejutkan oleh pengumuman daripada Leftenan Jeneral Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Ketua Polis Dubai, Emiriyah Arab Bersatu yang telah melaporkan penglibatan ejen2 Mossad Israel di dalam pembunuhan seorang warga kelahiran Palestin bernama Mahmoud Abdel Rauf al-Mabhouh, di sebuah bilik hotel lima bintang di Dubai pada 19 Januari 2010. Apa yang lebih memeranjatkan adalah laporan bahawa berlakunya penyalahgunaan pasport oleh ejen2 Mossad yang melibatkan beberapa negara termasuklah daripada Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Jerman dan Perancis.

Sehubungan dengan itu, beberapa negara yang terlibat di dalam isu penyalahgunaan pasport ini telah mengambil langkah perlu melalui penyiasatan yang berasingan. Pada hari ini 24 Mei 2010, Menteri Luar Australia Stephen Smith telah membuat pendedahan hasil penyiasatan Polis Australia dan agensi perisikan negara berkenaan dan seterusnya mengisytiharkan keputusan mengusir diplomat Tel Aviv daripada Kedutaan Israel di Canberra, mirip kepada keputusan yang dicapai oleh London pada bulan Mac lalu.

YAB Dato' Sri

YAB Dato' Sri mungkin sudahpun turut maklum akan sejarah jijik penyalahgunaan pasport oleh ejen2 Mossad ini. Pada Julai 2004, kerajaan New Zealand telah mengenakan sekatan diplomatik terhadap Israel dan telah menjatuhkan hukuman penjara kepada 2 orang warga Israel yang terbabit di dalam penipuan pasport milik kerajaan New Zealand. Pada September 1997, pasport kerajaan Kanada telah turut disalahgunakan oleh ejen2 Mossad ini bagi cubaan membunuh warga Jordan, Khaled Meshal di Amman.

Walaupun kerajaan Malaysia mempunyai dasar yang jelas terhadap Israel, selaku seorang Muslim Melayu Malaysia yang prihatin terhadap kesejahteraan dan keselamatan tanah air, saya ingin melahirkan kekhuatiran saya mengenai isu ini. Negara Malaysia yang sedikit sebanyak bergantung kepada industri pelancongan dan mengalu-alukan kedatangan pengunjung daripada ruang lingkup Komanwel kini berhadapan dengan ancaman ejen2 Mossad yang bertopeng di sebalik kerakyatan jiran Komanwel kita seperti United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia dan New Zealand di samping negara maju Eropah seperti Jerman dan Perancis.

Oleh yang demikian, besarlah harapan agar YAB Dato' Sri dapat mempertimbangkan cadangan saya agar pemeriksaan yang lebih terperinci dibuat terhadap pengunjung yang tiba menggunakan pasport oleh negara2 yang terbabit. Sekurang2nya, saya memohon agar YAB Dato' Sri dapat menimbang tara cadangan agar Kementerian Luar Negeri mengeluarkan kenyataan bimbang di atas isu penyalahgunaan pasport negara2 oleh ejen2 luar (seperti Mossad) ataupun warga Malaysia (seperti blogger pengecut) yang ditunjangi anasir2 kotor yang boleh mengancam keselamatan negara.

Cadangan ini bukanlah berhasrat untuk menolak kemasukan pelancong daripada negara2 terlibat, malahan bertujuan untuk menjaga hubungan baik sekian lama yang dijalin di antara Malaysia dengan negara2 ini, khasnya daripada kumpulan negara-negara Komanwel. Saya ikhlas berharap agar YAB Dato' Sri dapat melahirkan pendirian Kuala Lumpur di dalam isu ini agar kita boleh terus konsisten terhadap isu2 yang membabitkan Israel.

Terima kasih YAB Dato' Sri.


Ikhlas saya

Tak Kenal Maka Tak Cinta

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all Readers

Just this morning I had the privilege to attend the launching of the Productivity Report 2009 and the Productivity Award 2009 Presentation Ceremony held at Subang Jaya and officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed (TokPa), Minister of MITI. I also had the opportunity to bring along several students to this event which would have given them a good experience as well as networking opportunities. I strongly believe in enriching our youths, as I feel that they are the anchor runners of our nation.

The second session of the event included a 'Highlight Session' with a paper presentation entitled “Achieving Growth Through Productivity” by YBhg Dato’ Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, Council Member, National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). The paper above all underlined the concept of the New Economic Model (NEM) which was revealed by the Prime Minister a while ago and highlighted the importance of the NEM as a model to achieve a better standard of living for the 'rakyat'.


During the question and answer question (which was started off by YBhg Tan Sri Dato` Ir Wan Abdul Rahman bin Hj Wan Yaacob, MPC director, on the insistence of the uncouth emcee), I posted the question on the willingness of ISIS, MPC and other governmental departments to go on the ground to explain the objectives as well as the framework of the NEM to university students as they are the ones who are integral to the working of this new model.

To that, Dato' Dr Mahani confessed that whilst there is a need to explain this policy, the NEAC with its limited number of members (with some overseas) are not able to carry out this task. Later, another MPC director, YBhg Tan Sri Mustafa Mansur suggested that Members of Parliament should take the responsibility to explain the NEM to their respective constituencies as it is "...bigger than sending out an astronaut", as it deals with the livelihood of the rakyat.

I see this spectacle of having the right tools but never the right timing never ending. Somehow, commonsense should just prevail. There should be a strong emphasis to explain the NEM to the masses as it affects each and every citizen of this country, including your Malaysian Malay Muslim.

There is a Malay saying: "Tak kenal maka tak cinta" which basically means "to love is to know". A good analogy is a job description (JD) of an employee. How can an employee work effectively if he is not told the specifics of his duties? Similarly, the rakyat in general, and the voting young especially, would want to learn how do they fit in the jigzaw of NEM. As they learn of their roles and the expectations placed upon them, surely their effectiveness in driving the country forward should also develop further.

As I mentioned earlier, I came with a strong and eager contingent of a good mix of students, both local and international, but ended up explaining the NEM myself to them. Surely there are people more ready, willing and able to do this? I thus urge the respective parties to put the agenda of explaining the NEM to the youth of Malaysia as their utmost priority. These young people are after all, the ones who would be carrying the baton at the next lap.


Regards

Weeding out Bad Hats of the Malaysian Higher Education Industry

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day to all

The Star recently highlighted a couple of news on the issue of colleges running programs without valid regulatory requirements. This is an ongoing issue as Malaysia is moving towards the mission of becoming renowned for its institutions of higher learning.

The natural attraction of Malaysia is understandable; being the melting pot of Asian cultures, the country is also blessed with good weather as well as the friendly people who are mostly conversant in English. However, the fertile ambience has also made the country a front for companies intending to make the quick buck, so much so the government of Malaysia is considerably finding it a challenge to nab these institutions in the bud.

There are basic pre-requisites for a college to run a programme; firstly the college must be approved of a license to operate by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) as stipulated in the Private Higher Education Institution Act 1996 (Act 555). An institution should have the license certificate, which is usually valid for a period of five years, publicly displayed. Secondly, the program offered must also be approved. The approval letter should include the details of the program including the duration, the location of conduct, the courses in the program as well as other important information. Sadly though, there still exist colleges who flout these rulings and plead oversight as their escape clause from punishment.

As a Malaysian Malay Muslim, I am thankful that MOHE, especially the Department of Private Education, is continuously taking a pro-active stance in this issue. I urge them to continue acting strongly against these irresponsible institutions which are putting the national agenda of establishing Malaysia as a regional higher education hub in jeopardy. All it takes is a few bad hats to turn cases such as the ones above into bad publicity.

In moving towards a nation supported by the service based industry under the New Economic Model (NEM), the focus on quality and innovation in tertiary education must not be compromised. Thus, we as the public could work hand in hand with the regulatory bodies such as MOHE and the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) to weed out these unscrupulous owners of higher institutions whose only thoughts are centred around making quick profits above anything else. By highlighting higher education-related cases, we are safeholding not only the national interest, but the survival of our children.
 

Regards and WasSalam

The Gambit at Hulu Selangor

Assalamu alaikum and Good Day dear readers.

I nearly fell off my seat when I first heard of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's (DZI) selection by the PKR bigwigs for the Hulu Selangor by-election which was announced in Serendah on Tuesday night. More surprisingly, the announcement was made in advance of Barisan Nasional's planned announcement on 15 April, which earlier declared their intention to field a candidate from the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).

Being an old goat in politics, DSAI could have taken the cerebral option and a safer bet in Dr Halili Rahmat, a neurosurgeon by practice and a local respected figure. However, the glutton that had defined his character all these years reared its head again and BN's bait in the possibility of pitting PKR against an MIC candidate got the PKR supremo hasting an early decision. What a pity, I must say.

On one hand, the liberal DZI appeals to likeminded voters who are cognisant to his views on many issues including his comments on the legitimacy of the steps taken by HRH the Sultan of Perak in resolving the impasse of the Perak State Government.

On another hand, the make-up of the majority rural community would mean that his persona may not be entirely appealing, especially in defending the track record of PKR in dealing with bread and butter issues ever since the party successfully wrested P94 from Datuk G Palanivel (DGP) in 2008.

It is obvious that from the beginning, the BN coalition had already made their calculations prior to the death of the late Hulu Selangor incumbent, Allahyarham Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad. Subsequently, the MIC red herring was thrown intentionally to get PKR all woozy and overconfident. Apparently the gambit tactic is working so far and PKR might regret the naivety of their chief in taking in the bait.

The only block for me to point out on a comfortable BN win at Hulu Selangor is in the stubborness of MIC in sticking to none other than DGP. Although intended to show unity and undivided support for the candidate, this gesture nonetheless gives rise to accusations of putting the BN leadership in a spot. Secondly, by risking the outcome of BN choosing an alternative candidate to DGP, the MIC stands to be ridiculed for having a disillusioned view of the whole scenario in Hulu Selangor and not listening to the sentiments of the voters, who irregardless of ethnicity, are yet to absolve the MIC leadership from the bad handling of issues related to the Indian community. Thirdly, members overlooked for this candidature may decide to field themselves as independents, indirectly challenging the currently weak MIC leadership.

All in all, I see this by-election going into a tight race of sorts. My recent findings through last week's trip to Hulu Selangor showed the level of support for either side is still unclear. Come Saturday however, this would surely change. And perhaps, DZI is DSAI's red herring after all!

Regards and Wassalam.

A Bosnian Pleasantry

It has been about fifteen years since Bosnia-Herzegovina emerged from the rubbles of war devastation which resulted from inter-ethnical atrocities among its three major ethnic components with the true aftermath of this deep socio-political gash still subject to debate. However, an undisputed fact is that Malaysia (having derived from its own experience), had always been acommodating and vocal in its support for a peaceful and just nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

To this effect, Bosnians hold dear YABhg Tun Mahathir Mohamad (TMM) as head of an international friend and contributor to the rebuilding and subsequent progress of the Balkan country. How fitting then, to coincide with the commemorating of its independence, the community of Bosnia-Herzegovina through University Of Sarajevo (UNSA), has conferred TMM with its distinguished 'Honorary Doctorate of the University of Sarajevo'.

The Dean of the UNSA Faculty of Machine Engineering, Professor Dr Ejub Dzaferovic, had this to say in his proposal submission of TMM's candidacy:

Mr Mahathir proved, in his international activities, his sympathies for Bosnia and Herzegovina and peoples living there, by taking an active role as the 'Ambassador of Peace' in settling down war conflicts, and later, by helping reconstruction and development of our country. He was trying to transpose his positive experience that correct inter-ethnic relations can be achieved only by justice, consistency and economic prosperity, even to the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order with that, his role has been very active in connecting economy and universities of both countries via international projects. The University of Sarajevo has a very considerable cooperation with universities in Malaysia and with Malaysian companies as well. The cooperation reflects in mutual realization of teaching and scientific projects.

Congratulations to TMM for the award which further enhances the image of Malaysia in the international arena. As a discerning Malaysian Malay Muslim, I am both proud and thankful, and hope that the cooperation between Malaysia and Bosnia and Herzegovina be further deepened, especially in the field of higher education.


Regards and Wassalam

Menabur Budi Pada Yang Pasti

Assalamu alaikum dan Salam Sejahtera para pembaca yang budiman

Sejak kecil saya meminati tanaman dan berkecimpung di dalam hobi berkebun. AlhamdulilLah, setelah usia ini semakin lanjut, saya menjadikan hobi ini sebagai riadah untuk mengeluarkan peluh. Selalunya saya akan ke rumah orang tua saya pada setiap hujung minggu untuk berziarah dan di sana saya akan mencuri masa bagi melakukan hobi ini. Antara yang saya usahakan adalah tanaman cili, terung, mangga, pisang, ubi kayu dan ubi keladi.

Jelas hobi ini ada kelebihannya yang tersendiri. Sepertimana tajuk artikel ini, berkebun merupakan aktiviti menabur budi kepada tanah, yang pasti memberikan pulangan. Bukan hasil tuaian yang saya maksudkan, tetapi pengeluaran oksigen kepada alam yang menjadi bekal kepada semua hidupan. Hasil tuaian adalah bonus kepada usaha ini yang apabila tanaman mengeluarkan hasil, merupakan sesuatu pengalaman yang mengujakan.

Antara hasil yang diambil

Mangga yang dibungkus dengan surat khabar dan akar pokok jalar

Pisang Raja digoreng buat hidangan minum petang yang lazat

Saya mengesyorkan hobi ini kepada semua pembaca tidak kira usia ataupun di mana lokasi anda. Semoga usaha ini memberikan kita jasmani yang sihat, rezeki yang berkat, dan udara alam yang selamat.

Sekian dan Wassalam.

Epitaph of a Brother

Assalamu alaikum, Happy Holidays and Good Day dear readers

I have been privileged to know a man which I consider my brother. His passing was a shock to me, and I am still at pains to accept his demise. Hopefully my sharing with you will make this easier to take.

He was one of the rare kind. The Bobby Mercer character in 'Four Brothers'. It was once said that Horatius needed two to defend Rome at the Sublician. Well, in 'Abang Onn', he would have probably needed only one.



Inna lilLahi wa inna ilaihi rajiuun. Ila hadratin Nabiyy ahmadim Musytaba Muhammadim Mustafa RasulilLahi sallalLahi alaihi wa sallam. Khususun ilahi ruhi Mohamed Onn bin Sulaiman, kiramin al Fatihah..


Kind regards and Wassalam