01/01: When good is bad and bad is good

Raja Petra Kamarudin

It is not that Islam is violent or that Islam teaches violence. It is that all religions are violent and all religions teach violence. The only difference is, Muslims are good Muslims and they follow their religious teachings whereas those of other religions are bad Jews, Christians, etc., in that they do not follow what their religion teaches them.

"Subversives should not be allowed to voice out ideas, says Syed Ali,” screamed the headlines of this Bernama news items yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Subversives and radicals should not be given opportunities to voice out their ideas and views because they pose a threat to the country's peace and stability, said Cheras Umno chief, Senator Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee.

"We want the government to take stern action, if there is a need to use the ISA (Internal Security Act), then so be it," he told Bernama.

He was commenting on the remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Keningau, Sabah, yesterday that the government would take stern action against any group bent on creating chaos in the country to gain power.

Earlier, Syed Ali had presented clothes and schooling materials to 50 orphans from Al-Qadim Organisation donated by the Jalan Peel Umno branch and local people's associations.

That was what Bernama reported Syed Ali Alhabshee as saying. In case many of you don't know, 'Syed' means his forefathers (not 'four fathers') came from the land of the Prophet Muhammad. 'Alhabshee', in turn, means his ancestors originally came from Ethiopia. This probably happened in the days when Islam was expanding and the Muslim army was conquering the areas surrounding the Arabian Peninsular. Those who resisted the Muslim army and lost the war would either be killed or captured and taken as slaves (while the beautiful women would become your plaything). So Syed Ali's ancestors were probably Ethiopian prisoners brought back to the Arabian Peninsular as slaves to look after the camels and clean out their shit every morning until the day either they or the camels died.

But Malays, being the simple-minded people that they are and a race that is always awed by anything and everything that allegedly comes from the land of the Prophet, would certainly treat what this descendant of a slave from Ethiopia has to say with great importance (hell, they even made him a Senator). After all, he does carry a 'Syed' in front of his name and all those with a 'Syed' or 'Sharifah' in front of their names are 'special' people because they are supposed to be descendants of the Prophet (or at least descendants of those who cleaned the shit from the Prophet's camels).

Yes, I remember 20 or 30 years ago when parents would offer their anak dara (virgin daughters) to a 'Tok Syed' for the night so that their daughter can 'terima berkat' (receive blessings). This would involve the 'Tok Syed' impregnating the virgin daughter who would then be blessed with the sperm of a descendant of the Prophet. Hey, this is true, no bullshit, and I almost changed my name from 'Raja' to 'Syed' but then I did not see many beauties on offer so it would have been a total waste of time as far as I was concerned (I suppose 'Tok Syeds' are not too fussy and have set lower standards for themselves).

But that is really not what I want to talk about today. What I want to talk about is the recent tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto. I was shocked when I first received that SMS informing me about the assassination. I just couldn't understand why they would want to do something like that. My immediate and unthinking response was I hope it was not a Muslim who did this. On second thoughts, maybe it is better after all if a Muslim did carry out the assassination because if a Hindu had done it I just can't imagine the ethnic cleansing that would follow. As it is, the India-Pakistan conflict has already claimed more than one million lives.

Actually, calling it an Indian-Pakistani conflict is not quite right. It was actually a Hindu-Muslim conflict that resulted in India being partitioned into separate regions for Hindus and Muslims to keep them from each other's throats. The conflict of course continued even after the partitioning of India and it thereafter became known as the India-Pakistan conflict when it should really have been called the Hindu-Islam conflict.

Anyway, the brouhaha of the Benazir assassination made us forget the first anniversary of Saddam Hussein's hanging on 30 December last year. I was also very upset when I saw the manner in how they killed Saddam. I of course do not condone what Saddam did but if you have to kill a man as punishment for his crimes then the condemned person should at least be allowed to die with dignity. A man should not huff and puff his last breathe at the end of a swinging rope to the sounds of taunting and cursing. You are sending him to his Maker. Is it so wrong to allow him to leave this world in peace and with his dignity intact?

The last 50 years or so have seen the most violent side of Islam. Actually this has not been happening over only the last 50 years. It is just that with radio and television, and now the internet, the world has better access to information -- so it is more visible now than it was in, say, the 1800s and the period before that. Today it is in real-time so you get to see it as it happens. But the violence has always been there from the period soon after the Prophet's death. It is just that we did not see it from the comfort of our living rooms. Many of the Muslim leaders down to the Caliphs of the Medina period suffered violent deaths, as did the children and grandchildren of the Prophet. Yes, that's right, even the immediate family and descendants of the Prophet were not spared this violence.

Are Muslims violent by nature? Is this in their genes? Or is Islam a violent religion and that is why the followers and believers of Islam are so violent?

No, it is not that Muslims are violent by nature. Many are actually very nice people (me included -- unless you say something stupid, then I whack you to kingdom come). And it is also not Islam that is at fault. Sure, I know what the Islam-phobics are now going to say. Islam is a violent religion. Islam teaches violence. The Quran teaches Muslims to become violent. And so on and so forth.

You are actually only partly correct. It is not that Islam is violent or that Islam teaches violence. It is that all religions are violent and all religions teach violence. The only difference is, Muslims are good Muslims and they follow their religious teachings whereas those of other religions are bad Jews, Christians, etc., in that they do not follow what their religion teaches them.

The problem, in a nutshell, is that Muslims are good Muslims whereas Jews and Christians are bad Jews and Christians. Now, if the Jews and Christians are good Jews and Christians, then they will be just like Muslims because Judaism and Christianity, just like Islam, all teach the same thing. But while Muslims follow to the letter, and to the spirit, what they are taught, the Jews and Christians are deviants who do not comply to what their religion teaches them. In short, Muslims are bad because they are good whereas Jews and Christians are good because they are bad. Confused? You should be!

Okay, let us look at what Prophet Muhammad and the Quran say. Muhammad said he did not introduce a new religion. The Quran confirms this and talks about the religion of Abraham, the same religion for the followers of Moses and Jesus. Now see what Mathew says:

"I come not to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. Till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5.17,18)

Mathew, just like the Quran, confirms that the teachings and laws of the Prophets before that are to be upheld. None have been abolished or abrogated. Okay, what about the punishment of stoning to death for adulteresses and apostates? This is the so-called barbaric 'Taliban' laws of the Muslims, so say the Islam-phobics. Actually it is not. It is a Jewish-Christian law that Islam 'borrowed'. Remember, Islam is not a new religion but the religion of Abraham, which is also the religion of Moses and Jesus. See what Deuteronomy, chapter 13, has to say about apostasy.

13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

13:7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;

13:8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:

13:9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

13:10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

That's right, apostates must be killed, and you must strike the first blow. Then the entire community is to join in and keep stoning the apostate until he or she stops breathing. That is what Moses and Jesus taught us if you go by the correct teachings of Judaism and Christianity. And Judaism, Christianity and Islam are not new religions but the religion of Abraham. And while Muslims are good Muslims, Jews and Christians are bad Jews and Christians. That is the real problem here.

Okay, Muslims go to war and those 'enemies of God' can be killed or, if they admit defeat and surrender, can be captured and taken as slaves. The women of those killed can also be captured even if they did not carry arms. And if the women are beautiful then it is lawful for you to keep them as your concubines and you can have sex with them. Of course, this was practiced many generations ago during the time of the Islamic conquest and is not quite the practice today. But what many do not know is that this is not an Islamic thing but is what the religions before Islam stipulated and this has never been abrogated from the Holy Books of the Jews, Christians or Muslims. In other words, it is still lawful to this very day if you want to do it.

This is what Deuteronomy, chapter 21, has to say:

21:10 When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,

21:11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;

21:12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

21:13 And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

21:14 And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

Another controversy is with regards to the cutting off the hands of thieves. Islam has been whacked as being very barbaric when some Muslim countries implement this law. Is that so? Well, see how the religions before Islam punished wayward sons:

21:18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

21:19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

21:20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

21:21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

No, Islam is not violent. All religions are violent. The problem is, only Muslims still follow what the Holy Books stipulate. People of the other religions deviate from their religious teachings and refuse to follow what their religions stipulate. This makes them bad people. People who have no respect for their own religion and refuse to follow their religion's teachings are bad people, they can't be good people.

The only crime that Muslims have committed is that they are good Muslims. Just because Jews and Christians refuse to follow what their religion teaches them does not make them good people. They are bad Jews and Christians. If they can't even follow their own religion's teachings how can they be good? How can we trust anyone who does not respect their own religion? And, worse of all, they accuse Muslims of being bad people because, according to them, the Quran is bad and it teaches Muslims to be bad. But the Quran is only a continuation of Abraham's teachings which is the same teachings for the Jews and Christians. Unfortunately, because the west controls the media, they make it appear like good Muslims are bad for following their religion's teachings whereas bad Jews and Christians are good for not following their religion's teachings.

Confused? You should be!

01/01: Malaysia cannot afford another May 13, says DPM

(Daily Express) - MALAYSIA cannot afford another bloody May 13 because it will only hurt the country and the people.

Deputy PM Datuk Seri Najib said this is why the Government is doing all it can to avoid the recurrence of the nation's most painful episode.

May 13, 1969, was a black mark in the history of Malaysia when race riots mainly between the Chinese and Malays occurred at the nation's capital.

They were generally dissatisfied about certain socio-political issue and it resulted in the deaths of 196 people and subsequently a major reform on the country's economic policy.

Najib said street demonstrations can easily turn racial and that if the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) insists on its agenda and the people at Kampung Baru in KL came out, it would be disastrous.

"We cannot afford another May 13 and the Government will ensure there is no more May 13."

The government is willing to offer any stadium in KL for unsatisfied groups to carry out their gathering but does not want to see any protests on the streets since it would only inconvenience the people.

However, he said the groups refused the Government offer and insisted on carrying out their demonstrations on the streets that later turned violent.

The Government, he said, also had to take action for the sake of public interest. Najib said that if the group concerned had connection with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), it certainly has impact on national security.

"That is why we took action, including the ISA, if they have an agenda to see racial dispute happening," he said, adding the ISA could be used as a pre-emptive legislation to prevent something from happening.

"If bad things happen, it has impact on national interest and also the image of the country."

01/01: Christians don't call Allah in everyday life

The issue concerning the use of the word Allah by Catholics and Christians in Malaysia has somewhat been settled. I personally have no worries about it since the non-Muslims hardly use the word in their everyday life anyway and they also do not use it with the same conviction as the Muslims.

All my Catholic and Christians 'Thank God' for everything and none has said 'Thank Allah'. They, themselves would find it odd if they have to say Allah, while Muslims do it often.

I also find it baffling when I realize that the Malay word 'Syurga' and 'Neraka' are actually referring to the Hindu Heaven and Hell. So how come the Muslim leaders in Malaysia, especially, do not discourage Muslims from using the words by replacing it with Arab words for them instead such as Jannah for Heaven and Jahanam for Hell.

Malays who are angry will say 'Pergi Jahanam!' or 'Go to Hell!

So I hope by continuing to use Syurga and Neraka, the Muslims might be confused to mean that all their deads and misdeeds in life will result in them being sent to the Hindu Heaven and Hell.

How come the Hindus did not complain against the use of such words by Malays who are Muslims in Malaysia and in the region especially, since the words are not used by Muslims in the Middle East.

So there's no need for Muslims need not worry about it.

Even amongst Muslims, many would use the word Tuhan and Ilahi over Allah because it is not easy to prononce it correctly. And if the sound is not perfect, the person who pronounced it is telling everybody that he is not a religious person because he lacks practise in pronouncing the word.

Anyone who tries to pronounce the word for the first time will make the word sound flat and lifeless.

I would like to hear the church elders in Sabah and elsewhere in Malaysia to pronounce the word and say that they are praying to Allah to find out how it sounds.

But for me, it doesn't matter if the Christians and Catholics are allowed to use the word in their publication, whose usage may be related to history that some of their elders I Malaysia wanted to refer to Biblical times when it was so.

What I am more interested is if it is true that Christians and Catholics use the word Allah in everyday life. I have many friends who profess this religions, since I had studied in a Catholic missionary school in Melaka and mixed around fairly well with many of them.

But I have yet to hear even one of them spouted the word Allah in front of me.
It is true that the word has also the same meaning as the word God. But in America they are now preferring to call or spell it as G_d as opposed to God for some strange reason while the agnostics spell it as Gawd.

No one in America calls God, Allah.

In my travels in few countries in the Middle East I have heard the Jews saying Allah and also 'Insyallah' in front of the Arab Muslims. I did not think the staff at the Israeli Embassy in Amman, Jordan was using it to make the Arabs comfortable but because they also use it often in their everyday life.

Here and in other countries the Christians and Catholics hardly use the word Allah in their everyday conversation.

So I hope the Catholic groups in Sabah did not try to be sinister in insisting to use the word in their publication.

The truth is that the Catholics and Christians in Malaysia and elsewhere outside of the Middle East has not been using the word in a very long time that it has become the 'property' of the Muslims.

And it seems to me that the Catholics and Christians in Malaysia and Singapore had already changed the way Jesus Christ and his Apostle wear from the Arab robes to a skirt with the Arab-style headdress looking like a shawl because they did not wish to confuse the flock, especially the younger ones.

And the nuns and priests, too, are redesigning their habit so that they do not look like what Muslim women and men wear. And if the nuns have to drive they make sure they open up their scarves so that they are not confused with other Muslim women wearing headscarves, while the prists are now wearing a red belt around their waist instead of the flowing white robes which look like many robes worn by pious Muslims.

If they insist on being allowed to use the word Allah, then they should also insist on wearing their habits properly like what I had noticed in the past.

So by wanting to use the word Allah instead of God, the Catholics and Christians are indirectly saying that they are praying to Allah.

Sincerely,

Mansor Puteh

29/12: A Christian 'anointed' Muhammad as Prophet

Posted By: Raja Petra Kamarudin

The hypocrisy of Muslims is so mind-boggling that sometimes I am ashamed to admit I am a Muslim. Stupid Muslims do and say stupid things while those who know better keep quiet and pretend what is being said and done by these stupid people is correct. Their silence and inaction in opposing and correcting transgressions and violations to Islam make these people guilty of complicity. Those who remain quiet are as guilty as those who commit these crimes against Islam.

According to Islamic history, Muhammad was a 'restless soul' who used to withdraw from society to contemplate all alone in a deserted cave for days on end. In this isolation or 'solitary confinement', Muhammad would ponder in search of the Creator. One day, the Angel Gabriel descended to earth to command Muhammad to read. Muhammad replied that he was unlearned and could not read whereby Gabriel repeated the command to Muhammad who continued protesting that he was not capable of reading. Gabriel finally grabbed Muhammad and shook him with such great force that he was compelled to obey the command lest his very life get shaken out of him.

Muhammad was greatly disturbed and in utter shock. He ran back to his wife, Khatijah, and jumped under the blanket while relating to her what he had just experienced. Khatijah, who was older than him and probably quite intelligent considering she already owned a successful business enterprise before she married Muhammad, decided to go see her cousin. Some accounts say she brought Muhammad to meet her cousin. Suffice to say, whether Muhammad did or did not go along, Khatijah did go see her cousin and there appears to be no dispute on this point.

Khatijah's cousin had much earlier converted to Christianity and was an ulama or learned person. When he heard what Khatijah had to relate he said that Muhammad was destined to become a Prophet and he prayed he would still be alive to see this happen. He also predicted that Muhammad would face much trials and tribulations in his God-given mission to spread the word and to bring the Arabs out of the darkness of paganism in the period that Muslims call the era of ignorance or jahil.

Yes, it was a Christian who in a way 'anointed' Muhammad as the Prophet of Islam when Muhammad himself thought he was going mad and told his wife so. But Khatijah's cousin, the learned Christian, convinced Khatijah that Muhammad was not going mad but had been chosen by God as the next Prophet and that she should go home and inform Muhammad of this. Muhammad would probably never have returned to that cave and would instead have asked Khatijah to commit him into a mental asylum if not for her learned Christian cousin.

That, in a nutshell, was the relationship between Muhammad and Christianity in the days when Muhammad had not yet 'seen the light'. And it took a Christian to convince Muhammad that he was not going mad but was in fact a Prophet. And, yes, the Christian cousin of Muhammad's wife was an Arab, as was Muhammad, and the Arab Bible was in Arabic, the language of Islam, and the Arab Christian God was called Allah, as was the God of the pagan Arabs who also had 360 other Gods alongside Allah -- which about 21 years later were all 'sacked' in favour of just the one God, Allah, the same God of the Jews and Christians of the Arabian Peninsular of that era.

This controversy about banning the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible and banning the use of the word Allah in the Bible is not new. Of course, more than 1,500 years ago in Arabia, the Arabic version of the Bible was not banned, nor was the use of the word Allah in the Bible. In fact, there was already an Arabic Bible long before there was an Arabic Quran and the Arab Christians already called God Allah long before Gabriel commanded Muhammad to read.

Malaysian Ministers are expected to be learned in matters of religion and Islamic history. And if they are not then it is expected that those from Pusat Islam and the Religious Department who are would be able to guide the Ministers on what is right and what is not. But ignorant Ministers make stupid statements and come out with stupid policies while learned Muslims from Pusat Islam and the Religious Department, who are there only for the salary and not because of Islam, shut their mouths and do not dare make a squeak.

The hypocrisy of Muslims is so mind-boggling that sometimes I am ashamed to admit I am a Muslim. Stupid Muslims do and say stupid things while those who know better keep quiet and pretend what is being said and done by these stupid people is correct. Their silence and inaction in opposing and correcting transgressions and violations to Islam make these people guilty of complicity. Those who remain quiet are as guilty as those who commit these crimes against Islam.

I give up on Muslims who are all bloody hypocrites. These people are more concerned about young people who hold hands in a park or about whether the clothes they wear are too 'sexy'. These people do not care whether there are injustices to Islam perpetuated in the name of Islam. Islam is being put to ridicule. And our government and Prime Minister say one thing but do the opposite.

Badawi asks Malaysians to adopt moderate path

Kuala Lumpur, Dec 26, 2007 : Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has again criticised the narrow-mindedness and intolerance propounded by a small group of people and has urged his countrymen to adopt a moderate path.

"Over the last few months, narrow-mindedness and intolerance, propounded by a small group, have served to test our faith in each other," he said in his Christmas message.

Malaysians should move forward and put the country's interest before any narrowly defined demands," he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper Wednesday.

Malaysia has been in the news following a protest rally staged by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which claims to speak for the Indian ethnic community, who form eight percent of the country's 27 million people.

Hindraf organised a rally Nov 25 that attracted an estimated 10,000 people. Although it was peaceful, police dispersed it using water cannons and tear gas.

Thirty-one protestors were prosecuted, while five of the Hindraf leaders are in jail for two years under the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA).

Malaysia rejected concerns raised by India and the US, terming it 'interference in its domestic affairs'.

Noting that there was a lot in common between Islam and Christianity, he said: "Despite all the rhetoric, the great religions of the world practised across Malaysia share many universal beliefs.

"If moderation does not take centre stage, extremism will take the place and we will all be dragged into it, whether it comes from the basis of religion, race or groups," he warned.

"This is what we should watch out for, this is what it give us problems," said Badawi in his speech at a Christmas tea party organised by the Christian Federation of Malaysia and hosted by Kuala Lumpur's Archbishop Murphy Pakiam.

He also called on the people to uphold the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect that they had been practising in a multi-racial community. --- IANS

Sabah church sues PM over book ban

Soon Li Tsin, Malaysiakini Dec 24, 07 4:46pm

A Sabah church has sued the government and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his capacity as internal security minister for not allowing the import of Christian literature from Indonesia containing the word ‘Allah’.

Sabah Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Church president Pastor Jerry Dusing filed the suit on behalf of the church at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 10 after six titles for their Sunday school education for children were banned from being imported.

The church is also asking the court to compel the minister to return the consignment of materials that were ‘unlawfully detained’ by customs officers at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal on Aug 15.

According to letters from the ministry, the books were banned because the Bahasa Indonesia publications contained various words that are exclusive only to Islam.

The words in contention are ‘Allah’ (God), ‘Baitullah’ (House of God), ‘Solat’ (prayer) and ‘Kaabah’ (The Sacred House).

The letters state that the ministry is allowed to stop any propagation of religious doctrine or belief to Muslims in accordance with Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution allowing certain words to be restricted and prohibited from use.

The ministry explained that the prohibition was due to the uneasiness felt in the community during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the issue has become sensitive and been classified as a security issue.

It also stated further that the publications can raise confusion and controversy in the Malaysian society.

Dursing’s affidavit rebuts several of these points including the use of Alkitab - the Bahasa Indonesia translation of the Holy Bible - where the word ‘Allah’ appears.

“The Christian usage of ‘Allah’ predates Islam. ‘Allah’ is the name of God in the old and the modern Arabic Bible.

“The Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia translations of the Holy Bible have been used by Christian native peoples in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak for generations,” it stated.

Educational purpose

He also noted that the publications was for educational purposes within the church and was not for sale or distribution outside the church.

“The publications will not be made available to members of the public and in particular to a person professing the religion of Islam.

“The publications contain nothing which is likely to cause public alarm or which touches on the sensitivities of Islam,” the affidavit read.

A range of constitutional provision were also raised by the applicants. The hearing for the application for leave in the Kuala Lumpur High Court is scheduled to take place on Dec 27.

The controversy over the use of ‘Allah’ in non-Islam publications recently surfaced when Herald - the largest Catholic newspaper - was facing problems when renewing its annual publishing permit because of the word ‘Allah’ was used in referring to ‘God’ in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

The ministry has told the publisher to remove the entire Bahasa Malaysia section or the permit will not be renewed when it expires next week.

Asked for an explanation on the matter, Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum said the word ‘Allah’ can only be used in the context of Islam and not any other religion.

The Herald, which is published in four languages - English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil - has a circulation of 12,000.

Bible Ban Shock in Southeast Asian Democracy

By Patrick Goodenough

CNSNews.com Pacific Rim Bureau Chief

April 17, 2003

As Christians around the world prepare to mark their most important holiday, hundreds of thousands of believers in southeast Asia face the prospect of celebrating Easter without free access to the Bible.

In a decision indigenous Christians in eastern Malaysia have found incomprehensible, their government in Kuala Lumpur - which considers itself one of Asia's more successful democracies - has banned the Bible in their native tongue.

The Iban, the largest of 27 indigenous ethnic groups in Sarawak province on Borneo island, have since 1988 had access to the entire Bible in their own language, published by the Bible Society of Malaysia.

But now the mainly Muslim government's Home Ministry has named the Iban-language Bible as one of 35 publications it is banning because they are considered "detrimental to public peace."

Among the other books listed are Christian books in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, the national languages of those two countries.

They include translations of books in English by well-known Western evangelical authors J.I. Packer and John Stott. Others are books on Islamic subjects.

The books were listed in a ministry statement that cited various publication laws and said the "printing, import, production, reproduction, sale, circulation, distribution and possession of books listed under the schedule are banned in the country."

Anyone found guilty of breaching the ban faces up to three years in jail, fines of up to $5,200 or both.

About 9 percent of Malaysia's 23 million people are Christians, and most live in the east of the country. Iban is spoken by more than 400,000 people, members of a Borneo tribe that was once feared for its head-hunting.

Many have converted to Christianity, while some still practice traditional religious rituals.

Islam is Malaysia's official religion, although the federal constitution guarantees the right of all citizens to profess, practice and propagate their religion.

That freedom is subject to another clause saying that laws "may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam."

Critics say this provision provides the authorities with a loophole, for example by identifying publications they can claim cause confusion among Muslims.

With the approach of Easter, an umbrella group called the Association of Churches in Sarawak issued a statement saying Christians in the province could not understand why their Bible has been banned.

"To find Bup Kudus [the Iban-language Bible] banned now has caused confusion, fear, anxiety and alarm among the Christian community in Sarawak," said the group, which comprises Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and others churches.

"Without the Iban Bible, we cannot conduct the church services," said the association's chairman, Pastor Lawrence Banyie.

'Muslims may be confused'

A local paper quoted a senior official in the ministry's "publications control" division, Elias Mat Rabi, as saying the banned books breached guidelines for religious books.

They used several terms that were also used in Islam, which could confuse people, he said.

Reached by phone in the Sarawak capital, Kuching, on Thursday, Elias declined to comment, or to explain how the Bible and other books were considered dangerous.

The secretary-general of the Malaysia National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, the Rev. Wong Kim Kong, said from Kuala Lumpur there had for some time been difficulties over the fact that some words used in Islam were also used in Christian publications.

Some Muslim leaders thought this could perplex Muslims who picked up such books.

Among the words that cause concern is "Allah." It's the word Muslims use for the deity they worship, but the Arabic word pre-dated Islam and is also used by Christian Arabs when referring to God - despite the considerable differences in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic conceptions of God.

The Iban translation of the Bible uses the term "Allah Taala" for God, while the other banned Christian books, in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, also use "Allah" for God.

This is thought likely to be one of the problem areas for the Home Ministry.

Kong said it was wrong for a specific religion to claim monopoly over certain words. "Terminology or language doesn't belong to any particular religion. It is universal property."

If the government was worried some Muslims may be confused, it was the government's responsibility to tackle the problem through educational programs aimed at Muslims - not by banning Christian books, he said.

"In a multi-cultural, multi-religious society like ours, it is important for the government to go through a process of what we call 'natural justice' - it should consult or discuss with the organizations concerned before making a decision affecting them."

Kong and other Christian leaders have scheduled a meeting with a government deputy minister later this month to discuss the ban, he said.

A representative of the Bible Society of Malaysia, Dr. Victor Wong, said Thursday the publishers were flabbergasted at why the government had chosen to ban the Iban translation 15 years after the first edition came out.

The Iban version was now in its eighth edition, and a run of around 5,000 were printed about every five years, he said.

Wong declined to comment further, saying the Society was "watching to see what happens" before taking further action. He noted that a number of Christian bodies had protested the government action.

The Christian community has also won support from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a secular opposition party, which said the ban should be lifted.

DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok called the ban arbitrary and unjustifiable, and asked the government to "explain why it considers the books to be detrimental to public health."

Stung By Outcry, Malaysia Gov't Reverses Bible Ban

By Patrick Goodenough

CNSNews.com Pacific Rim Bureau Chief

May 01, 2003

An outcry from Malaysian Christians has prompted the government of the predominantly Muslim country to reverse its ban on Bibles published in the language of an indigenous ethnic group.

The decision was announced by acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who said banning the Iban-language Bible would spark anger in the Christian community.

The edition was banned last month, 15 years after it was first published to serve the needs of a community of erstwhile headhunters on Borneo island, many of whom have converted from animism to Christianity.

The decision to ban the Iban Bible, plus 34 other religious books considered "detrimental to public peace," was attributed to officials at the Home Ministry, acting on the advice of the Department of Islamic Development.

The department's main gripe was that the Iban translation of the Bible uses the term "Allah" for God.

The contention was that this could confuse any Muslim picking up the Iban Bible.

Among the other banned books were several Christian books by well-known Western evangelical authors, translated into the Malaysian and Indonesian national languages, and also using the word "Allah" for God.

Other books were on Islamic subjects, but not deemed orthodox.

Announcing the reversal of the ban, Abdullah said the Department of Islamic Development had felt use of the word "Allah" was inappropriate and that the Iban Bible therefore breached official guidelines for non-Islamic religious books.

He said his subsequent consultation with church leaders revealed that "the word had been used by the community as a reference to God for a very long time."

It was therefore not necessary to ban the Bible, Abdullah said, but added that it was important to ensure that religious books available in Malaysia did "not touch on the sensitivity of other religions, especially Islam."

About 60 percent of Malaysia's 23 million people are Muslims, and less than 10 percent are Christians.

About half of the 400,000 Iban, who live in Malaysia's Sarawak province on Borneo island, are Christians.

The Bible Society of Malaysia has since 1988 published the entire Bible in the Iban tongue. It also prints Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese, and two other minor languages.

The decision to ban the Iban edition drew widespread condemnation, lead to heated debate on Malaysian online news portals, and prompted the launch of a petition that was signed by 1,400 people within a week.

Judging from comments on online forums, some Malaysians clearly felt the issue had less to do with semantics than with politicians pandering to their ethnic constituents ahead of elections later this year.

Church leaders, both Iban and others, appealed for it to be lifted.

'Violated constitution'

Ong Kian Ming, the Malaysian who organized the petition and conveyed it to the authorities via "informal channels," is a Christian and senior policy analyst with an independent think tank called the Socio-Economic Development and Research (Sedar) Institute.

He said Thursday he had taken the action because the Bible ban clearly violated the article in the federal constitution guaranteeing religious freedom for all Malaysians.

Ong attributed the ban to overzealous bureaucrats who wanted to monopolize the word "Allah" for Malaysian Muslims, "without realizing that Arab speaking Christians use the word Allah to address their God."

Theologians say Christians in the Arab world used the word "Allah" for God before the founding of Islam in the seventh century, and still do today, even though Muslims and Christians have substantially different conceptions of "God."

Ong welcomed the announcement that the ban was to be lifted, saying it was a positive sign that religious freedom would be upheld when Abdullah becomes premier. Veteran Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is retiring in October.

"It assuages some of the fears many Christians here in Malaysia here have in regards to the increase of religious intolerance," Ong said.

To prevent a recurrence, Ong said the Sedar Institute recommended the establishment of an inter-religious council under the prime minister's department, comprising representatives of all religions and designed to discuss government decisions affecting all religions.

He also questioned the decision to leave the ban on the other books in place.

'Exact science'

According to Dr. Victor Wong of the Bible Society, there are no plans at present to change any words in future editions of the Iban Bible.

The matter may be discussed in some future forum, he said from Kuala Lumpur Thursday, but there could be "theological implications" to changing words.

"Bible translation is quite an exact science," he said.

Asked whether the Iban language had another word that could be used for "God," Wong explained that as a formerly animist tribe, the Iban had "all sorts of gods" and care had to be taken not to cause confusion through bad translation.

Wong said there had been an upside to the controversy, as it focused attention on the Iban Christians and an edition of the Bible that many Malaysians had not known existed before now.

It had also resulted in "a very good show of solidarity" among Christians in Malaysia.

"The important thing, though, is that the Iban come to know God, through having the Bible in their own language."

Wong described the Iban as a tribe renowned in the past for fierceness in battle, but which at the same time was also fearful because of the many gods it acknowledged.

He knew of cases where an Iban would refuse to leave the house after hearing the cry of a bird, which was interpreted as a bad omen.

Christianity had helped the Iban to leave behind this fearful existence, Wong said.

"Their lives were changed because of the word of God."

29/12: Malaysia frees four suspected militants

(Reuters) - Malaysia has freed four suspected Islamic militants held without trial under a tough security law for five years, a rights group said on Friday.

Malaysia can detain people for consecutive two-year terms without trial under internal security laws used mostly against suspected members of militant groups such as Jemaah Islamiah (JI), which is fighting for an Islamic state in Southeast Asia.

This month, five ethnic Indian activists from a group that had staged a mass anti-government protest were detained under such laws.

The GMI group, which opposes detention without trial, said the four suspected militants had been freed on Dec. 19 from a detention centre in northwestern Malaysia.

It said three of the four men -- Bakkery Mahhamud, Mohd Zamri Sukirman and Sabri Jaafar -- had been detained in December 2002 and the fourth, Zamzuri Sukirman, in January 2003.

Internal Security Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.

The government has said in the past it would release detainees if they no longer posed a threat.

Malaysia has used the Internal Security Act, a legacy of its counter-insurgency campaign against the communists during British colonial times, to lock up dozens of suspected Islamic militants since Sept. 11, 2001.

The GMI rights group welcomed the release of the four, but said it was concerned by the residency curbs imposed on them and said many others were still in detention without trial.

"There are scores of detainees who are still being detained in the Kamunting Detention Camp, for the same allegations as those who were released," the group said in a statement.

Under Malaysia's Restricted Residence Act, the government can order people to remain within restricted zones around their homes and to report regularly to police.

The GMI called for all detainees at Kamunting to be either freed or charged and tried in court.

29/12: Resorts World to sell stake in Genting

MALAYSIAN casino operator Resorts World announced yesterday a plan to sell its entire stake in Singapore-listed Genting International to Resorts World shareholders.

Resorts World, which owns about a 6.2 per cent stake in Genting International, could raise about RM527 million (S$229.2 million) from the sale, assuming a full take-up of the offer, it said.

'The divestment is intended to allow the Resorts World group to streamline its investments as part of a continuous review of its strategic positioning and interests worldwide.'

The proceeds will be used for investments and acquisitions, Resorts World added.

Genting International has said it expects to spend as much as $6 billion to build a casino resort on Sentosa Island.

Resorts World is 48 per cent-owned by Malaysian gaming giant Genting, Reuters data shows.

The planned sale involves a non-renounceable offer for the sale of the stake to Resorts World shareholders at a price to be later determined, on a pro-rated basis of one offer share for every 10 Resorts World shares owned, the firm said.

REUTERS

29/12: Malaysia faces Christian outcry over word "Allah"

(Reuters) - A Malaysian Catholic newspaper and church groups cried foul on Friday over a government move to forbid non-Muslims from using the word Allah.

The row could further strain race and religious relations in the country, where many non-Muslims believe their rights are being trampled by the Muslim majority.

The dispute came out in the open after Malaysia's internal security ministry ruled recently the term Allah -- long used by Christians in Malaysia to refer to God -- could no longer be used by non-Muslims.

"Malaysia is probably the only nation where the term Allah by Christians to refer to God is prohibited," parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said in a statement, adding that the term was never banned even in the Middle East.

"The term Allah was used to refer to God by Arabic-speaking Christians before Arabic-speaking Muslims existed," he said.

The government clampdown could force Kuala Lumpur-based "Herald - the Catholic Weekly" newspaper to lose its publishing permit if it failed to drop the word Allah in its publication, the publisher said.

The publisher, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, said on Thursday it had filed a lawsuit challenging the state order.

"We are of the view that we have the right to use the word Allah which right is now sought to be curtailed," his office said in a statement. "We have decided to have our legal position to use the word to be determined by the courts."

Politically dominant ethnic Malay Muslims form about 60 percent of the population of roughly 26 million, while the ethnic Indian and Chinese minorities include Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

Political analysts say the ruling is an extension of the Malay Muslim supremacy taking firmer root in Malaysia.

"The Malays want to make Islam exclusive to Muslims," said one analyst.

Separately, another church group, the Evangelical Church of Borneo in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah, has filed a suit against the ministry's move to stop it from importing Christian books which contain the word Allah.

"From the earliest days of the church, the Malay-speaking congregation of the Church have been freely using the Alkitab, the Bahasa Indonesia translation of the Holy Bible wherein the word Allah appears," it said in the suit.

"The Christian usage of the word Allah predates Islam," it added.

A spokesman for Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum said he could not comment because the cases were before the courts.

27/12: ISA 5 apply to be present in court

The five men detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for their links with the unregistered Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) sought to be present in court during the hearing of their habeas corpus writ applications.

The application was made through their lawyers in the High Court here today.

The five, M.Manoharan, V.Ganabatirau, K.Vasanta Kumar, P.Uthaya Kumar and R.Kengadharan had filed a suit against the Internal Security Minister and the commandant of the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping challenging that the detention is illegal.

Judicial Commissioner Zainal Azman Abd Aziz set Jan 24, 25 and 28 to hear the case again and allow time for the Attorney-General to look into the application for the five men to be produced in court during the hearing.

Lawyers Karpal Singh who together with Gobind Singh Deo and seven others represented the five men, said the case was fixed for mention today to fix a date for the hearing.
He then made an oral application for the five men to be produced in court during the hearing.
Karpal argued despite it not being a constitutional right for a person detained under the ISA to appear before the court, the discretion whether to allow or disallow the application still lays in the court’s hands.

Karpal urged the court to consider the application and determine if there was necessity for the five detained to be present in court.

He added the Internal Security Minister had issued the detention order under Section 8 of the ISA, thereby denying the detained men from putting up their defence in connection with the arrest.
He said the detention was also carried out without an indepth investigation, as per under Section 73 of the Act.

Karpal said it would cause inconvenience if the men are not produced in court during the hearing as the defence would have to travel to Kamunting to obtain further instructions from their clients.
“The court should give consideration because this is a very substantial case and of significant public interest,” added Karpal.

Moreover, the respondents (Internal Security Minister and Kamunting Camp commandant) have indicated they will be filing about 45 affidavits, said Karpal.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Kamaludin Mohd Said, who was assisted by Abdul Wahab Mohamad, said they received the applications late last Friday and Monday evening.
“Therefore, we seek for time to file about 40 to 45 affidavits and require between two to three weeks to tender the completed affidavits in court,” said Kamaludin.

He then sought for a postponement to the third week of January to file the affidavits.
Kamaludin also said they would have to consult Abdul Gani for further instructions on the application for the five men to be produced in court.

“Its not an easy process as the Attorney-General (A-G) has to obtain the consent of the Internal Security Minister, which also involves the question of national security risk, before the detainees can be allowed to be produced in court,” said Kamaludin.

Zainal Azman said since the applications to produce the five men in court was made in the last hour, the A-G has to be given time to consider the applications.

Gobind meanwhile said the five men have been denied their rights, for their detention to be reviewed in 60 days, as the whole process has been circumvented by the imposition of the two-year detention order under Section 8 of the ISA.

The five were detained on Dec 13 for allegedly taking part in a Nov 25 Hindraf illegal assembly and also for alleged seditious remarks made against the government.

On Dec 19, the Ipoh High court summarily struck out the application for writ of habeas corpus filed for the release of Hindraf lawyer M. Manoharan who is detained under theISA.

Justice Muhamad Ideres Muhamad Rapee struck out the application on grounds that the copy of the detention order had not been certified.

27/12: DAP-PKR tussle for seats in Penang far from over

Both the DAP and PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) have continuously declared that they are "cooperating" and "working together" here to ensure straight fights between the Opposition adn the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election.

However, the tussle for seats to contest in the state is far from over.

Last week, Penang PKR state chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hassim was quoted in vernacular newspapers as saying that DAP had agreed to make way for PKR to contest the Bukit Tambun state and Batu Kawan parliamentary seats.

Today, DAP state secretary Danny Law Heng Kiang called for a press conference and labelled Zahrain's statements as "false claims".

"We have not given PKR any decision on seat allocations for the next general election so his statement is definitely not true," he said, adding that Zahrain's statements have caused unhappiness and anger amongst DAP members.

"Two months ago, all DAP division leaders were instructed not to divulge any information on seat allocations to avoid confusion," he explained.

However, due to Zahrain's recent statements to the vernacular media, "we cannot remain silent anymore".

Law called on Zahrain and other PKR leaders to let the top leaders of both parties decide on the seat allocations instead of jumping the gun themselves.

"There should be mutual understanding between both parties while we wait for the final decision by our leaders," he said.

In September, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced that DAP planned to contest seven parliamentary and 22 state seats in Penang subject to negotiations with PKR.

Immediately after that, Zahrain announced that PKR and PAS intend to contest seven parliamentary seats and 20 state seats while DAP will have to contest for six parliamentary seats and 20 state seats.

PKR and PAS are eyeing Kepala Batas, Tasik Gelugor, Permatang Pauh, Nibong Tebal, Batu Kawan, Balik Pulau and Bayan Baru parliamentary seats.

The state seats they want are Batu Uban, Pantai Jerejak, Batu Maung, Teluk Bahang, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Betong, Bertam, Penaga, Pinang Tunggal, Sungai Dua, Permatang Berangan, Teluk Air Tawar, Seberang Jaya, Penanti, Permatang Pasir, Machang Bubuk, Bukit Tambun, Bukit Tengah, Sungai Bakap and Sungai Acheh.

In previous general elections in 2004, PKR contested five parliamentary and 16 state seats, PAS contested two parliamentary and seven state seats and DAP contested eight parliamentary and 20 state seats which resulted in three corner fights for one parliamentary and three state seats.

26/12: MIC chief reveals plan to protect Hindu temples

It covers Hindu temples built illegally, in govt bid to pacify Indians

MALAYSIA'S government unveiled a major initiative yesterday to protect Hindu temples in an apparent bid to pacify ethnic Indians who complained that hundreds have been demolished in this Muslim-majority country.

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), said that the Prime Minister had asked him to 'continuously monitor' all the temples in the country and submit reports on their status periodically.

'As temples are a sensitive matter, a new approach is necessary to resolve the issue and the MIC will take over completely this task,' he said in a statement here yesterday.

'I will scrutinise all matters pertaining to temples with a view to ensuring that none are demolished in the future. And if they have to be demolished, suitable alternative sites must be found so that Hindus can continue to worship,' he said.

Datuk Seri Samy is Malaysia's sole Indian Cabinet minister and his party is the biggest Indian political party in the country and the community's main voice.

The destruction of Hindu temples deemed to have been illegally built was one of the main grievances of impoverished ethnic Indians who poured onto the streets on Nov 25 in an unprecedented anti-government rally.

The violent street protest stunned Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's administration, unused to such public displays of anger, and raised fears of ethnic and racial tensions in this normally peaceful country.
Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said in the statement that he would be travelling nationwide soon to report on the number of temples in the country and their problems.

'We will identify the illegally-built temples first and check on their status. We want to know if there have been any moves or notices to demolish or relocate them,' he said.

The Prime Minister 'specifically wanted' a list of all temples that are to be demolished for whatever reason, said the chief of the MIC.

The government maintains that it demolishes only temples built illegally on state or private land.

But Indian community leaders have said that many of the temples were built on plantations during British colonial rule, with permission from the then-owners.

They say that after independence in 1957, the government failed to legalise the temples or list them as national property even though mosques were given that privilege.

'No temple, either legal or illegally built, will be demolished without a thorough check and discussion with the MIC,' Datuk Seri Samy said.

He also said that two MIC leaders had been appointed to organise meetings involving temple chiefs in their respective states, and that he would chair these meetings.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, BERNAMA

26/12: Anti-corruption body questions top officials

JUDGE-FIXING VIDEO

(THE STRATITS TIMES) - MALAYSIA'S Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has questioned the recently-retired chief justice and at least 20 other people over a video clip showing a lawyer talking about how he can fix high-level judicial appointments.

The clip, which came to light two months ago, had shaken further the Malaysian judiciary which was already struggling with a crisis of confidence after persistent allegations of political interference in the last two decades.

The Star daily said yesterday that the ACA had also questioned former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former chief secretary to the government Samsuddin Osman, prominent lawyer V.K. Lingam, Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, and tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

The video clip showed someone resembling Datuk Lingam talking on the phone about how he was working to secure high-level judicial posts for certain judges with the help of a politician and businessman.

He had identified the person on the other end of the line as former chief justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, although the former judge has denied it.

The government has ordered an investigation into the scandalous clip which surfaced just as Tun Ahmad was due for retirement last month.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry is to start its hearing on Jan 14.

There are high expectations that it will look into the wider problems besetting the judiciary for more than a decade.

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission chairman, Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, recently said the royal commission's specific terms of reference relating to the video clip should not stop it from going beyond this scope.

26/12: All that is haram

Posted BY: Raja Petra Kamarudin

People of the other Abrahamic religions also call their God Allah, which is the same God for the Muslims. There is only one God for all. There are no three Gods. There are no separate Gods for Jews, Christians and Muslims. And all the three -- the Jews, Christians and Muslims -- believe in the God of Abraham. So how can only Muslims be allowed use of the word 'Allah' while all others are banned from using this word?

The mainstream newspapers keep talking about the perhimpunan haram that the Anti-ISA Movement (AIM, or GMI in Malay), BERSIH and HINDRAF are organising or have organised. Now, we must understand that the mainstream newspapers are either government-owned or ruling party-owned. Those that may be privately-owned or are not affiliated to the ruling party still have to exercise some form of self-censorship to ensure that their annual licences get renewed when it is up for review.

Many independent-minded newspapers have found their licences not renewed come year-end because they did not understand the difference between the term 'independent' and 'independent-minded'. You may be independent as long as you are not independent-minded, just like Malaysia allows freedom of speech although it does not allow freedom AFTER speech. You are free to speak. You are not free after you speak. So you can be independent as long as you are not independent-minded and as long as you follow to the letter and to the spirit what the government wants you to do. If you understand this then life will be a bowl of cherries. If not.....well, you know what if not.

The word 'haram' (meaning 'forbidden') is always used after the word 'perhimpunan' (meaning 'gathering' or 'assembly'). This is to psych you into believing that you are doing something wrong by gathering or assembling. Under Malaysia's Police Act, you are required to apply for a police permit at least 14 days before any gathering/assembly. Normally, the police will reject your application on grounds of 'national security'. You can of course appeal to the Minister, but if the police has ruled your planned gathering/assembly as a threat to the peace, stability and security of this nation, then very seldom would the Minister overrule this police decision.

There are times, and this is quite often, when the police would reject your application on the eleventh hour, say on the day of the gathering/assembly itself. So this gives you very little time to appeal to the Minister who is also the Prime Minister -- and who is out of the country almost every two weeks so you can hardly catch him in the office to be able to appeal the police decision. Then there are times when the police will approve your application and then withdraw the approval on the day of the gathering/assembly even as you begin to assemble and the crowd begins to build up. This was what happened in Batu Burok, Kuala Terengganu, recently and that was why the crowd did not disperse. They had been told that the police had granted the permit for the assembly and they were not aware that the police had withdrawn the permit barely a few hours before the event.

The word 'haram' is very effective because Malays are constantly bombarded with the words 'haram' (forbidden) and 'halal' (kosher) from the day they are born. Malays grow up questioning everything 'haram' and 'halal' because they have been indoctrinated and conditioned to do so. This is within the Malay psyche and culture.

Interest is haram, so you must borrow money from an 'Islamic' bank, not from a 'kafir' (infidel) bank. Okay, the Islamic bank charges you a fixed 'profit' rate of, say, 10% per annum. Interest may actually be lower than that, so your borrowing cost from a 'kafir' bank can actually be lower than that from an 'Islamic' bank. But the 'kafir' bank charges you interest, which is haram, while an 'Islamic' bank charges you 'profit'. So this is not haram even though it may be higher.

Can you see how the choice of a word determines whether you get to go to heaven or hell even though the act may be the same? Killing for the sake of profit ensures you hell while killing for the sake of religion ensures you heaven. Committing suicide because of desperation ensures you hell while committing suicide because of religion ensures you heaven. You need to play with words to ensure that you get rewarded with heaven and to ensure you avoid getting sent to hell. Unfortunately, swine that is slaughtered the proper Islamic way is still haram in spite of the method used in killing the animal complies to the Islamic shariah.

So, the choice of a word is extremely important and therefore using the word 'haram' after the word 'perhimpunan' gives Malays the feeling that anyone who indulges in any gathering or assembly of more than four people, and in the same process does not have a police permit, is committing a very serious crime. Okay, you may say that the government is pulling the wool over the eyes of the Malays and are taking them for suckers by calling gatherings or rallies 'perhimpunan haram'. Well, if the government can also pull the wool over God's eyes and take Him for a sucker by replacing the word 'interest' with the word 'profit' and then call the entire usury system 'Bank Islam', then I suppose bluffing the Malays is small potatoes by comparison.

Another word that has been declared haram is the word 'Allah'. It is of course not made haram for Muslims. Only non-Muslims may not use that word. But this is only in Malaysia. It makes one wonder whether Malaysia has filed a copyright for the exclusive use of the word just like how Harley Davidson has patented the sound of their exhaust. That's right, Harley Davidson has sole use of the sound that is emitted from the exhaust pipes of its motorcycles and the Japanese, Germans, Italians, etc., may not build motorcycles that produce the same sound as the Harley Davidson motorcycle. That is like Britney Spears patenting the sound of her fart. Can you imagine no one being allowed to release a fart that sounds like hers?

Allah is in fact the Arabic word for 'God'. It is said that the term is most likely derived from a condensation of the Arabic article 'al' (the) and 'ilah' (deity or god). So Allah would mean 'the (or 'sole') God' (the one and only God, so to speak). There is another theory that traces the etymology of the word to the Aramaic Alaha, and Aramaic was the language that Jesus Christ used.

No doubt, while the term is commonly used by Muslims as a reference to God, it is also used by Arabic-speakers of all Abrahamic faiths, including Christians and Jews, in reference to 'God'. Therefore, Arabs of the Jewish and Christian faiths also refer to God as 'Allah'.

During pre-Islamic times, the pagan Arabs also referred to their creator-god or their supreme deity (number one God) as Allah. So the word 'Allah' is not quite an Islamic word for God. It was also a pre-Islamic word for God, although the Arabs then believed in 360 different Gods. Allah, in pre-Islamic times, was not the sole divinity. He had associates and companions plus sons and daughters. There was also a kind of kinship between Allah and the jinn. But Allah was the boss of all Gods to the Arabs then.

So, gatherings and rallies are haram. Now, the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims is also haram. Gatherings and rallies are of course not haram according to Prophet Muhammad's Islam. It is only haram according to Hadhari's Islam. And the use of the word 'Allah' is not haram according to the Prophet's Islam. It is only haram according to Hadhari's Islam.

Islam, in fact, requires that you congregate and do things in a group or as a community. You are encouraged to pray in a group or community, better than doing it alone. You are encouraged to eat in a group or community, better than doing it alone. You are encouraged to travel in a group or community, better than doing it alone. And you are encouraged to gather in a group or community; you certainly cannot gather alone or else it will not be called gathering. In fact, mosques are places where you gather to discuss matters that concern the community. You of course also pray in these mosques, but that is done for only a few minutes, five times a day. In between that, the balance 23 hours of the 24 hours, you gather at the mosques to discuss important matters.

It is mandatory for Muslims to become involved in matters that concern the community. You cannot just suddenly appear at the mosque to pray and then disappear immediately after that until the next prayer time. That would make you a very bad Muslim. You must participate in whatever discussions and meetings that are held and which seek to improve the lot of the community and society. Islam is a religion of the community. The community comes first. And you do things as a community, for the sake of the entire community, so that the community progresses and improves.

Gatherings or rallies, therefore, is very much an Islamic thing. And mosques were designed to enable these gatherings or rallies to take place. The lunchtime Friday prayers, which Muslims believe to be compulsory, are gatherings. The annual pilgrimage to Mekah are also gatherings, which Muslims believe you must perform at least once in your lifetime. Gatherings are not haram. Gatherings are wajib (mandatory). And you gather not only to pray but to discuss, debate, brainstorm, deliberate, analyse, propose, reflect, dissect, argue, reconcile, table, and to do whatever it takes to sort out the ills of the community and find solutions for its betterment.

So, perhimpunan haram, as what the Malaysian government declares them to be, are not haram. They are very much Islamic and required by Islam. And I challenge any 'member of the cloth', those bearded people in robes and white skull caps, to prove me wrong. Tell me that the Arabs during the days of Prophet Muhammad did not gather to discuss matters concerning their community. Tell me that the Arabs during the time of Prophet Muhammad did not discuss, debate, brainstorm, deliberate, analyse, propose, reflect, dissect, argue, reconcile, table, etc., in these gatherings so that they could find solutions to problems affecting their community. Tell me that the Arabs during the time of Prophet Muhammad did not find solutions and come out with resolutions when they discuss, debate, brainstorm, deliberate, analyse, propose, reflect, dissect, argue, reconcile, table, etc., at these gatherings, which they then confronted their leaders with. If gatherings (perhimpunan) are haram (forbidden), then the Arabs during the time of the Prophet Muhammad were a very immoral community and why the hell are we being told to follow the ummah (community) of Prophet Muhammad?

And the same goes for the use of the word 'Allah'. Was not 'Allah' the word that pre-Islamic, pagan Arabs used in reference to God? And is not that same word used today by Jew and Christian Arabs in reference to God? Furthermore, does not Islam teach us that Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all followers of Abraham and that we all believe in the same God, the one and only God called Allah? And is that not why Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all referred to as the Abrahamic faiths?

Yes, we all share the same God. So why can't we all share the same name for this God? In fact, Abraham, Moses and Jesus are all mentioned in the Quran. And the Quran tells us that Islam is not a new religion but the religion of Abraham. And people of the other Abrahamic religions also call their God Allah, which is the same God for the Muslims. There is only one God for all. There are no three Gods. There are no separate Gods for Jews, Christians and Muslims. And all the three -- the Jews, Christians and Muslims -- believe in the God of Abraham. So how can only Muslims be allowed use of the word 'Allah' while all others are banned from using this word?

24/12: What in God's name ...

Virtually everyone knows that UMNO and PAS are perpetually locked in holier-than-thou battles, a combative struggle for the hearts, minds, souls and most important of all, the votes of the faithful.

That had been the one of the principal reasons why Malaysia has jumped the divide from Tengku Abdul Rahman’s secular Malaya/Malaysia across to what it is now, an Islamic Malaysia with the national ideology of Islam Hadhari (plus ‘somnambulant’ governance).

The struggle for Allah and/or* God is never ending.

* use ’and’ if you believe your Almighty is different from the others

Therefore it was hardly surprising when we learnt from Malaysiakini that Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum declared that only Muslims can use 'Allah' to refer to their Almighty.

He claimed the word ‘Allah’ can only be used in the context of Islam and not any other religion, because it’s an Arabic word and therefore by default a Muslim word – ‘copyright reserve’ so to speak!

He said that its use by other religions will confuse people. But he didn’t say which people?

For example, kaytee is not in the least confused.

The organ of the Catholic Church in Malaysia, Herald, is published in four languages - English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil - and has a circulation of only 12,000, for Al...God's sake.

Because the Herald had used the ‘Allah’ word in referring to God in its Bahasa Malaysia section, it has been facing problems renewing its publishing permit.

The publishing permit known locally as the PPPA is a government tool to punish newspapers who haven’t or won’t toe the line. I've heard of one blogger who actually supports the PPPA - can you imagine that?

OK, so the ministry has instructed the publisher of the Herald to remove the entire Bahasa Malaysia section or the publishing permit will not be renewed when it expires in two weeks.

Malaysians have been educated in Bahasa Malaysia for eons, and the minister wants that BM section of the Herald excluded. How in the world will the BM-educated Catholics read the Church’s publication then? Why not just instruct the publisher not to use the exclusive word again instead of such a heavy handed punishment?

Indeed, when Johari was asked why the Herald has been being told to remove its Bahasa Malaysia section - rather than not to use the word ‘Allah’ – he couldn’t comment, saying he wasn’t sure. Hardly surprising – the entire cabinet doesn’t know sh*t.

Johari actually confessed: “I’m not sure about it, I have to check again.”

And who do you think he’s going to check with? His boss, the Swami of Somnambulation, or his subordinates, the Swarm of Sciolism?

All Johari could mutter was that, as far as he knows (he 'knows'? hahaha) the Herald had naughtily used the word ‘Allah’, and sure as hell (excuse the blasphemy) he won’t allow that.

Look, kaytee wants to be fair so I must ask the publishers and editors of the Herald why they had to use the ‘Allah’ word when an alternative and more commonly used word ‘Tuhan’ exists?

Yes, yes, we can go into semantics and argue that Allah is used by Christian Arabs ... yadda yadda yadda ... but my point is why use the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God when we can easily anticipate the claim staking of the Almighty's name?

Some religious names are not unlike protest rallies – some people think they have a monopolistic propriety right to them (names as well as protest rallies).

Then Johari regaled us with his sad knowledge. He said that other publications, such as Buddhist magazines, do not use the word ‘Allah’ when referring to God.

Minister, puhleeeze lah, it would be better for you not to say anything and let people think you are ignorant rather than open your mouth and let them know it!

Buddhists don’t have a ‘God’ which has been why they don’t need to refer to monikers like Allah, God, Tuhan, Krishnan, Siva, Brahman, Thean Kong, Zeus, Manitou, Odin, Jupiter, etc.

But one would have imagine that it wouldn’t matter by what name the Almighty is called, because what is more important should be the piety of the believers.

For example, Minister Johari, have you shown goodwill towards your fellow men? Have you been charitable? That sort of stuff would be what the Almighty is interested in.

In closing I offer you my little piece on Magic of the 100th name of God:

Once
I had a hundred names
with only 99 known.
Trust Isis and her wiles,
yes, a woman
and a lovely one too,
to pry the 100th out of me.
Devious!

Amazed!
I now have a new one but
minus an 'L' as if that
would mean someone else,
like Odin, Manitou, Zeus,
rather than ole me, you
know who, don't you?
Moi

Hey
I call out to them, they
in the red and blue corners.
The names' the same, it's all mine
of course, whose did you think?
Butt out, sneered one;
Yes, the other concurred;
Scat!

Huh?
But they're all mine, those
names you're fighting over.
So what, did you patent them
like mapped gerome of langsat
and petai for exclusive use?
No? Then, buzz off!
Goodbye

But
Why fight over my names
when I am the same Bloke
for all of you guys and gals?
Hellooooo, didn't we say
to butt out of our turf wars,
on exclusive use of THE name.
Understand?

Isis!
Only she knew my 100th name
that bestows the most powerful
magic on those who know.
She was privy to my secret (100th)
name called Compassion, sometimes
known as, would you believe,
Love!

24/12: Malaysia: One Country, Two Systems

[Exclusive] Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim comments

Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob

Malaysia's Strategic Importance

Two months into Malaysia's 50th anniversary from British colonial rule the celebrations seem subdued. At a time when Malaysians are expected to rejoice in their successes of a modern nation, especially with the nation's first entry into outer space via its Angkasawan (Astronaut) programme intended to foster national integration and unity , expectations of the majority ethnic Malays and minority Chinese and Indians seem dashed along religious and racial divides. A nation that has for so long prided itself on its multi-racial and multi-religious comity is now questioning the very essence of what it means to be a Malaysian citizen.

An examination into the Malaysian experience is crucial in understanding the confluence of Islam, modernisation and multi-racial as well as multi-religious development and advancement in a post-colonial nation with a firm resolute to achieving developed nation status by the year 2020. Islam is the official religion as stated in the Federal Constitution. The latest official figures put the number of Muslims devotees at approximately 60.4 percent of the total population while 19.2 percent practise Buddhism, 9.1 percent practise Christianity and approximately 6.3 percent are Hindus. The figures are by no means accurate as a number of conversions into and out of Islam in particular are not registered. The renunciation of faiths among the other stated religions are also speculative at best as many citizens consider their faith a matter of private concern and out of the purview of the government. Hence many chose not to effect any adoption or renunciation of their faiths with the relevant government agencies.

Malaysia's case is also of importance as it is widely described as an exemplary Islamic nation in the modern world today. Last year, on a visit to Malaysia, Australian Prime Minister John Howard told the press that Malaysia was "a great example of a moderate, constructive and competitive Islamic country" and "had a very important role to play in promoting better understanding on Islam and its values". (Bernama 03 Nov, 2006).

Therefore, the international community cannot afford to isolate Malaysia either economically or politically. Competition from China and Vietnam as well as from the already prosperous Asian Tiger economies of Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea are impeding Malaysia's economic development. In a post Mahathir-era, Malaysia is falling off from the world's radar as its foreign direct investment drops and the country loses its competitive edge. Dr. Mahathir, the former political strongman of Malaysia who ruled for 22 years had been successful in holding back Islamic extremism in all its shapes and forms while fostering stronger racial and religious integration that now seems to be unravelling with the slowing of the economy and lower rates of growth.

Despite Malaysia's economic thrust, there were practically insurmountable challenges for Dr. Mahathir when he had admitted in a recent interview that "Ethnic Malays had frittered away opportunities" and that the greatest failure of Malaysia, is the total lack of success in correcting the economic disparity. In recounting his achievements at his last address to the ruling party of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) members just before retiring he lamented that his foremost failure was to change the mindset and attitude of the Muslim-Malay majority. Opposition leaders also charge that civil society and the Malaysian judiciary had also suffered during Dr. Mahathir's administration.

Malaysia's continued progress is so very important to the region and the rest of the world for a number of reasons.

Firstly, Malaysia's stewardship in the global war on terror will have long lasting effects and ramifications in what Washington calls as the second front on the war on terror. The rebellion by separatists in the south of Thailand which has as the basis of the struggle against the Thai Kingdom its ethnic Muslim-Malay identity that rests on historical, social and religious roots tied in with the northern states of Malaysia namely, Kelantan, Perak, Perlis and Kedah. The annexation of what are the modern day provinces of the South of Thailand as a consequence of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 has had long lasting irreversibly destructive effects heretofore.

Malaysia is the key to resolving this conflict that is mired in criminal elements and rogue elements. In this conflict zone, the separatist rebellion is obfuscated by the lucrative drug trade as well as human trafficking operations linked to organized crime that spans from Asia to the rest of the world. Furthermore, revenge killings are executed daily by disgruntled locals in the hot zones of Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, Satun and Pattani over issues quite unrelated to the separatist struggle. Countless allegations of atrocities and heavy-handed tactics committed by rogue elements of the Thai security forces have also factored into the psyche of the affected people and the overall scenario of the problem.

Dr. Mahathir himself had initially played a key role as an honest broker in getting the ball rolling that eventually brought together the cautious Thai authorities as well as certain older separatist groups to the negotiating table. The official stance of the Thai Kingdom is that while it maintains that this is purely a Thai problem whose solution lies with the Thai people especially of the burning south, Malaysia has been officially referred to as an important partner and an inextricable piece to the solution of the bloody conflict. The common border patrols along the demarcated border of Thailand with Malaysia are crucial in ensuring stability for both countries. Many Thai-Muslims in the south of Thailand have kin group in the northern states of Malaysia. Therefore, Malaysia is in a position to mediate on a long-term basis until an agreement in its best form and essence between the separatists and the Thai Kingdom is achieved.

Then the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist organization believed to be responsible for the 2003 JW Marriot hotel bombing in Kuningan, Jakarta as well as the 2005 Bali bombing also has its roots in Malaysia in one form or another although whether active terrorist cells are operating in Malaysia is the subject of heated debate. In any event, South East Asia's most wanted fugitive Noordin Mohd Top aka the 'Money Man' a former accountant who is still at large and Dr. Azahari Hussein aka 'The Demolition Man' who was killed in a shootout with Indonesian Elite Terrorist Police (Detachmen 88) in 2005, were both Malaysians. Together they planned and executed a string of attacks in the region.

Furthermore, the Islamic insurgency in the South of the Philippines, focussed around Mindanao and the Sulu Sea which is being waged by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf against the Philippine government again has its historical, social and religious roots in Malaysia. Malaysia can well play the role of an honest broker under the right circumstances to diffuse the conflict in the South of the Philippines.

Current events are indeed encouraging despite the allegations and counter- allegations of breach of agreement by either side. The very fact that negotiations have even reached this stage is a small step forward to attempt to resolve the conflict. Two months ago in October, the Malaysian government had again brokered negotiations as a pre-cursor to full-blown peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government. The Philippine presidential adviser for the peace process and chief negotiator Jesus Dureza was reported to have stated that Malaysia "was not only a facilitator of the peace talk but also a proactive intervener".

This turn of events brought about at a two day special meeting held in Kuala Lumpur that had managed to break a deadlock over the future of the Moro homeland. Advanced talks on the finer details of the peace plan are expected to aggressively continue despite hitting another impasse at present. The influence of Malaysia in bringing both parties back to the parley table is pivotal with the hope of a signed peace agreement in the future.

Despite there being similarities among the Islamic conflicts in the region as stated above, each conflict has its own dimension, cause and effect which are unique to the specific struggle. What these conflicts do have in common is its ties to Malaysia and its Muslim-Malay citizenry. Furthermore, on June 9, 2007, the Singapore government announced the arrests of five suspected Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists. The Singapore authorities charged that one of the suspected jihadist Mohamad Yassin Mohamed Nooh received his training in Malaysia.

Thus, Events in Malaysia and the political stances of its leaders will no doubt have great impact on the fight against terrorism, Islamic radicalization, religious extremism and the fostering of racial harmony in this predominantly Muslim-Malay archipelago. Foreign governments and the international business community cannot afford to exclude Malaysia from the wider global community and should instead strive to include this nation into the international process at every level.

Race and Religion Divides --The Present Scenario

The complex racial dynamics interwoven with economic imperatives of the affirmative action policy that favours ethnic Malays in areas of economic, political and social development coupled with rising tensions over the apparent Islamisation of Malaysia seen in a host of recent issues and heated dissonances are causes of increased inharmoniousness. Former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim told OhmyNews International in an e-mail interview that :


"The dynamics of Islamisation in Malaysia should not be confused with the more hard-line positions that have been expressed in other parts of the Muslim world. Islam in Southeast Asia has always reflected an appreciation for pluralism and diversity as a result of the heterogeneous mix of populations in the region and a commitment to mutual coexistence.

What is being described as hard-line Islamisation in Malaysia today is more accurately explained by partisan politics rather than the encroachment of ideology or dogmatism as some have suggested. The trend has been exacerbated by the natural inclination of Muslims in Malaysia and elsewhere to express solidarity with Muslims adversely affected by the perceived injustices of the foreign policies of western governments, particularly in Iraq and Palestine."


Recently, Malaysia's now retired Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz raised alarm bells when at a seminar in the satellite district of Petaling Jaya he remarked that even after fifty years of independence, Malaysia had yet to be truly free from the yoke of colonialism because the country's justice system was still based and at times referred to the English common law. Ahmad Fairuz asserted that there was no need to refer to the English common law anymore as there were many local legal experts that could provide home-grown legal solutions. This prompted Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Dr. Abdullah Zin to suggest that a switch to Syariah or Islamic law to replace common law maybe feasible if implemented in gradual stages.

The reaction to this development has further irked the non-Muslim community already jittery over recent high profile cases of apostasy (Renouncing one's faith in Islam) such as the case of Azlina Jailani or better known by her Christian name of Lina Joy. Conversion out of Islam is still very much frowned upon by the Muslim-Malay community with the stigma of an apostate carrying certain legal repercussions. Perceptions on the ground are that a creeping Islamisation is slowly taking place with religious conservatives striking at a supposed opportune time when Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is facing intense pressure and criticisms from Dr. Mahathir Mohamad over the former's alleged mismanagement of the economy and overall ineffectiveness in governing the country.

The latest polls done by the Merdeka Centre an independent research organization found that Abdullah Badawi while still commanding popular support, there had been a significant shift in confidence among the Chinese community of the Premier's leadership. The lacklustre economy, a failure to eradicate corruption and rising crime are primarily the concerns of the industrious Chinese electorate. Observers argue that Abdullah Badawi's failure to deliver on his election promises will certainly deny the Premier of repeating another election tsunami as when he first took office in 2004.

Urban voters in particular the Chinese electorate may show a significant swing for the opposition party such as the Chinese dominated, Democratic Action Party (DAP). Other opposition parties active in Malaysia are Anwar Ibrahim's party, People's Justice Party (Keadilan) or the Islamic Party, (PAS). Thus, Abdullah Badawi seems to be increasingly losing his grip on an absolute mandate from the electorate as the next general elections draws near. It is however unlikely at this stage that the ruling coalition or Barisan Nasional (BN) will be voted out completely during the impending elections that are anticipated to take place at the later part of this year or early next year. BN is still predicted to win the elections and form the next government.

It is against this backdrop of triangulate dissension of economic sluggishness, racial chauvinism and religious intolerance that Malaysia will go to the next polls. Marina Mahathir daughter of former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad told Oh My News International exclusively that "there has been a gradual politicisation of Islam which is coming out as 'Islamisation'. It began with government wanting to fight the opposition Pan-Malayan Islamic Party (PAS) on their own ground, which is the religious one. As a result, there have been many policies that have had a distinct Islamic feel. But still for much of that time, very radical Islam had been held in check. Now however Islam Hadhari (Theory of Civilisational Islam Promoted by The Abdullah Badawi Administration), which is not understood by many because of its vagueness, the more traditional elements have been asserting themselves, really for political power. Couple that with leadership that seems reluctant to rein in the more conservative elements among the establishment, and we find it has led to a moving towards the right. There is still a reluctance to take on the conservatives and challenge them on issues which are obviously unjust. As a result, they become emboldened".

This is the state of affairs in which the dominant political party UMNO (United Malay National Organisation) consisting of largely Muslim-Malays, which forms the dominant block of the ruling coalition competes with the opposition Islamic party (PAS) for the hearts and minds of the Muslim-Malay majority had inadvertently stoked further tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims when the Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, declared during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur that Malaysia is in fact an Islamic State. Najib's statement sent reverberations throughout the nation as non-governmental organizations and non-Muslim groups sought to challenge this assertion of the Deputy Premier.

Comments from interested parties opposed to the idea that Malaysia is an Islamic nation were met with stern warnings by UMNO for non-Muslims to stay clear of the issue. Anwar Ibrahim thinks that "The ruling political party, which derives its legitimacy as the guarantor of Malay-Muslim rights, is losing popularity on account of its failed economic and social policies. As public opinion of its stewardship declines, the government waves the banner of Islam to incite emotional responses in hopes of consolidating political power and distracting attention from more pressing domestic problems".

Many non-Muslims feel that the issue of whether Malaysia is an Islamic state is a non-starter. The Chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, Bishop Paul Tan was reported to have vehemently rejected the use of term 'Islamic state'. In his view it is an unacceptable notion. Furthermore, Ms. Ambiga Sreenevasan, President of Malaysia's Bar Council (A Body of Malaysian Legal Practitioners) has categorically cast-off any aspersions that Malaysia is fundamentally, Islamic in nature. The constitution of Malaysia as envisioned by the nation's founding fathers intended Malaysia to be secular.

This tug of war between Malaysia's Muslims and non-Muslims which have been largely confined to vitriolic debates in the public sphere however has been relatively peaceful so far with the exception of isolated skirmishes between the riot police and the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) as well as the public rallies organized by BERSIH, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections participated by at least 30,000 discontented demonstrators in the streets of KL according to one eyewitness account.

In this context, the authorities are ever mindful of the bloody race riots sparked in 1969 as well as isolated incidences of Islamic extremism such as the militant Islamic group 'Al-Maunah' that waged a short lived insurgency in the year 2000 to overthrow the Malaysian government and institute a so-called Islamic government. The majority of Muslim-Malays did not offer any support to the militant group. The rebellion was swiftly put down by the authorities. The Malaysian government has also in many instances in the past invoked the dreaded Internal Security Act that provides for detention without trial under specific circumstances of threat to national security or the Sedition Act to rein in elements in society that are deemed to be inciting racial or religious conflict.

Slide Into Oblivion or Leap Into Modernity?

Hitherto, an uneasy calm permeates over the socio-religious consciousness of Malaysians. The complicated mix of ethnic races and religion that personifies Malaysians is being put to the extreme test. With the country already recording huge reductions in foreign direct investment in 2006 against more investor friendly countries such as Vietnam and China, the economic miracle that kept the fabric of Malaysian society together is dissipating. The fact that Malaysia has two sets of laws for Muslims and non-Muslims (Muslim-Malays are subjected to two sets of laws, Civil law and Syariah law), as well as entrenched race-based political and economic systems of quota's and differentiation in effect means that Malaysia is heading further and further away into disunity and religious polarisation.

Malaysia's religious and racial harmony must be preserved at all costs. As this saga in Malaysian history unfolds the fall of Malaysia to Islamic extremism or radicalism as a result of the present circumstances that if are allowed to continue and entrench itself, should be viewed in the context of when -- and not if -- Malaysia falls? Malaysia's phenomenal rise under the Mahathir era which has been taken for granted by Malaysians may quickly fade into oblivion. From here on, particular attention must be given to this blessed nation in ensuring that Malaysia stays the course to modernity and advancement. The United States, China and the European Union would find it no less beneficial in every sense of the word and so in their best interest to continue investing in Malaysia.

Anwar Ibrahim gives his take on the future:

"The way forward is to pursue the democratic agenda, root out corruption and cronyism, and reform the economic policies that are so clearly the cause of Malaysia's domestic and foreign economic downturn.

I am quite hopeful. As I travel around the country and meet with thousands of people from all ethnic groups and all classes of society I have witnessed firsthand a willingness to consider alternatives to the status quo. Whereas the some would argue that a revision or repeal of the NEP (Affirmative Action Policy for Ethnic Malays) is strictly taboo, on the contrary my experience indicates the Malaysian people are ready to discuss a new policy that is rooted in fairness and equality and promotes competitiveness while ensuring that the marginalized people of all ethnic groups receive the assistance that they need.

We are celebrating Malaysia's 50th year of independence this year. Fifty years after gaining freedom, our people are still denied basic rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution that was adopted at the end of the British mandate. This in my mind is unacceptable. The future of Malaysia most certainly lies in a landscape which celebrates the dignity of the individual and protects his rights to freedom of speech and of conscience and freedom from arbitrary government encroachments on his rights."