Merdeka Dialogue: Whither Bangsa Malaysia?

50 years ago, we were promised democracy. We were promised justice. We were promised equality. We were promised to be treated with human dignity. We were promised freedom.

In 1963, we became Malaysians and the notion of a Bangsa Malaysia was born. This was given form and substance by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his Vision 2020 that set out 9 challenges for Malaysians to achieve a developed country.

No mention is made of Bangsa Malaysia by the Abdullah administraton. Is the concept of Bangsa Malaysia still important or relevant in the light of failed promises in our original social contract?

The DAP is holding a Dialogue in conjuction with the 50th Merdeka Anniversary celebrations this coming weekend.

Date: 19 August 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Crystal Crown Hotel, Petaling Jaya

The panel of distinguished speakers include:

• Y Bhg Tunku Abdul Aziz, former President, Transparency International Malaysia
  
• Datuk Param Cumuraswamy, former Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, United Nations
  
• Mr Yeo Yang Poh, former Malaysian Bar Council Chairman
  
• YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
  

Following the session, a dialogue will be conducted with the participants hosted by another distinguished panel (subject to change):

• M Manogaran, President, Malaysian Tamil Education & Research Foundation
  
• Haris Ibrahim, Human Rights Lawyer
  
• Jeff Ooi, Prominent Malaysian Blogger
  
• Dr Oh Ei-Sun, East Malaysian Socio-Political Analyst
  

To ensure sufficient seats allocation, please register in advance with Lim Swee Kuan (03) 79578022 or via email at limsweekuan(at)gmail.com.

At the same time, the Party will take note of the views and opinions of the participants in formulating our vision for Malaysia, more pertinently, in preparation for the upcoming general elections. ;)

In the Land of Aisyalam

I have a short fairy-tale to tell this morning for us to tell all our children.

Once upon a time, there was a country Aisyalam not too far away was ruled by a Government voted by the majority and for the majority. Over time, the ruling party of the land got increasing autocratic, and in that process ironically, became increasingly nervous about losing that autocracy.

The deputy dictator of the land, decided one day to shore up his popularity by appealing to the influential flat earth society. He decided to declare "the world is flat, and that it was never, never round" despite the fact that he has personally travelled around the world and never fallen off the edge of the earth.

In the face of mounting unhappiness amongs the oppressed minorities who raised their arms in incredulity for they believed that the world, was incontrovertibly round! To prevent further embarrassment to the autocracy, for the outcry by minorities was backed by indisputable scientific and documentary evidence, another decree was issued.

This time round, the Ministry of Unfree Expression declared that there can be no further discussion on the issue of whether the earth was flat or round, with the exception of the almighty dictator and his deputy, who can continue to proclaim that the earth is flat.

Despite the decree, and sensing persistent simmering discontent and restlessness amongst the commoners, the almighty and all-benevolent dictator decided to accomodate the interest of all by decreeing that "the world is neither round or flat".

The populace of the land of Aisyalam rejoiced at the wisdom of the almighty dictator, and everyone lived happily ever after in the comfort that a world they live in is neither round or flat.

The above story was inspired by renown scholar, Farish A. Noor, who spoke this morning at the Parliamentary Roundtable hosted by the Parliament Opposition leader, Sdr Lim Kit Siang.

The Roundtable was to reaffirm Merdeka social contract and Malaysia Agreement on the occasion of 50th Merdeka anniversary that Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as official religion and not an Islamic state.

The speakers at the Roundtable, includes Honey Tan from AWAM, Malik Imtiaz of HAKAM, Dr Hacharan Singh of MCCBHCST, Dr Nasir of Parti Socialis Malaysia and Andrew Khoo of the Human Rights Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council.

What was disappointing was the fact that despite it being a parliamentary roundtable open to all Members of Parliament, none from Barisan Nasional, particularly, none from MCA, Gerakan, MIC and other parties turned up to defend the principle of a secular state irrespective of political affiliations.

Just as the MPs from MCA, Gerakan and MIC failed to defend the rights and dignity of women when UMNO MPs insulted Malaysian women, similarly, they are now failing to defend the rights of minority and the secular state.

Merdeka Social Contract

To political parties, professional bodies, civic / religious / human rights organizations, non-governmental organisations, Members of Parliament and fellow Malaysians:

Below is a letter from Sdr Lim Kit Siang, our Parliament Opposition leader to invite you to a Parliamentary Roundtable to reaffirm Merdeka social contract and Malaysia Agreement on the occasion of 50th Merdeka anniversary that Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as official religion and not an Islamic state.

Venue: Parliament (Bilik Taklimat)
Date: Friday, 10th August 2007
Time: 10 am

Many NGOs and NGIs have confirmed their attendance, so we hope to see you there as well ;).

Dear Malaysian,

When Malaya achieved independence in 1957 and Malaysia was formed six years later in 1963, a national social compact was reached that the nation shall be a secular state with Islam as the official religion and not an Islamic State.

The Merdeka social contract and Malaysia Agreement that Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as the official religion and not an Islamic state was given expression in the Federal Constitution, articulated by the founding fathers of the nation including the first three Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein and given full recognition by the highest court in the land.

For over four decades, there was national consensus of the secular character of Malaysian nation-building which was only disrupted in the past six years, raising questions about the national commitment to protect and sustain this fundamental cornerstone of Malaysian nation-building.

A Parliamentary Roundtable to reaffirm that the Merdeka social contract and the Malaysia Agreement that the nation is a secular state with Islam as the official religion and not an Islamic state is being convened in Parliament on Friday, 10th August 2007 at 10 am. (Bilik Taklimat)

This is to send out a clear and unequivocal message on the occasion of the 50th Merdeka anniversary of the nation in 2007 that the Merdeka social contract and the Malaysia Agreement that Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as the official religion and not an Islamic state must continue to be the bedrock of the Malaysian nation-building process.

You are invited to the Parliamentary Roundtable to endorse the reaffirmation of the Merdeka social contract and Malaysia Agreement that Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as the official religion and not an Islamic state.

I apologise for the shortness of time. Kindly inform my office of your ability to accept this invitation or your representative to the Parliamentary Roundtable by Wednesday, 8th August 2007. (Contact person Lau Weng San 03-79578022).

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,


Lim Kit Siang
Opposition Leader,
Parliament

Please pass the word around, we hope to see you there!

Bridging the Malaysian Divide

The "controversy" over my simple statement, and as reported in Malaysiakini, which suggested to the Government that the civil service needs to lose some weight has taught me a little thing or two about the extent of the divide, or for that matter "chasm" which we face as a nation today. While I'm thankful for all the support shown here from readers in little altercation with the UMNO Youth Deputy Chief, it paints only half the picture of Malaysians out there.

On Sunday, those who reads Utusan Malaysia will understand the size of the chasm which needs bridging to bring about a one-and-united Malaysia. Figuratively, you could say that I'm bruised blue-black in Utusan, not once, not twice, but three times(!) that day. ;)

First there was a published letter "Orang Melayu Terlalu Lembut" by Azizah Rahmad of Shah Alam:

BARU-baru ini orang Melayu dikejutkan dengan kenyataan menghina oleh Tony Pua di Malaysiakini bahawa penjawat awam hanya terdiri daripada orang Melayu mengalami masalah pengangguran.

[...]

Tetapi beliau mesti akur bahawa jika kerajaan sendiri tidak mengambil graduan bumiputera mahukah sektor swasta mengambil graduan bumiputera dengan ikhlas dan memberi peluang yang sama rata? Ini termasuk dari segala aspek antaranya kenaikan gaji dan pangkat dalam jangka masa yang panjang.

...hikmah tersirat dari kenyataan Tony Pua ini adalah satu wake up call bagi semua orang Melayu betapa pentingnya kita semua bersatu demi masa depan masyarakat Melayu... Orang Melayu dan Islam walau apa pun pegangan politik mereka mesti dengan serius mementingkan dan memikirkan nasib bangsa untuk tempoh akan datang dan bertindak dengan bijak sekarang ini.

[...]

Kita telah terlalu banyak berlembut dan bertolak ansur demi keharmonian sebagai rakyat dalam masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama tetapi ini tidak bermakna mereka boleh ‘memijak’ kepala kita.

Once again, I have to repeat I did not say nor imply that "penjawat awam hanya terdiri daripada orang Melayu mengalami masalah pengangguran".

Then Irmohizam Ibrahim, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi of Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), wrote in his opinion piece "Hentikan agenda gugat perpaduan kaum"

Kedegilan Tony Pua yang enggan meminta maaf kepada anggota perkhidmatan awam negara dan langkahnya mencabar Khairy untuk berdebat tajuk “Kecemerlangan Perkhidmatan Awam: Kualiti vs Kuantiti” mencerminkan hakikat bahawa kenyataan menghina yang dibuat oleh beliau sememangnya disengajakan dan ia memaparkan pandangannya terhadap standard perkhidmatan awam negara khasnya dan kualiti graduan Melayu amnya.

[...]

Sebenarnya kenyataan Tony Pua ini sebahagian daripada siri tindakan memprovokasi orang Melayu oleh parti DAP. Manakan tidak graduan Melayu yang menganggur dan gagal mendapat pekerjaan di sektor swasta terus dicap dan ditanggap sebagai mempunyai kualiti rendah. Beliau langsung tidak mengambil kira pelbagai sebab lain yang menyebabkan mereka gagal memperoleh pekerjaan di sektor swasta...

Kenapa kebelakangan ini kerap sangat parti DAP, pemimpin atau bekas pemimpinnya mengeluarkan kenyataan yang boleh merosakkan perhubungan kaum di negara tercinta ini?

Sebenarnya Tony Pua dan rakan-rakannya adalah simptom kepada apa yang menjadi masalah utama kepada parti DAP. Mereka adalah wajah sebenar kepada DAP iaitu sebuah parti yang sebenarnya tidak berminat untuk mewujudkan Malaysia untuk semua orang Malaysia seperti slogan muluk yang dilaung- laungkan...

Apa yang lebih menggerunkan bahawa DAP tidak sedar atau sengaja tidak mahu sedar bahawa jalan yang diambilnya adalah jalan yang boleh merosakkan negara untuk jangka masa panjang.

So now constructive criticisms of the civil service is now a racial issue which affects ethnic relations in the country...

Finally, the editor(s) of Utusan Malaysia, commented in their regular column "Bisik-Bisik Awang Selamat" that:

...Awang tertanya mengapa DAP enggan membetulkan sikap banyak syarikat swasta yang mengehadkan peluang pekerjaan kepada orang Melayu, dengan cara menetapkan syarat fasih bahasa Mandarin.

Awang percaya jika kepentingan Melayu terus diasak, akan tercetus gelombang suara mempersoalkan semula tolak ansur kepada golongan minoriti.

Tiada negara lain di dunia yang menyaksikan kaum minoriti menerima nasib yang sebegitu baik sebagaimana di Malaysia.

We really must be living in 2 separate worlds...

This post isn't to debate on the merits of the above arguments. I've already done that in my previous posts here and here.

The reason why I put the above quotes here is to demonstrate the size of the chasm or divide we face in this country, and the near-impossibly humongous task we have towards nation-building, despite 50 years of independence.

Pasir Salak

Dato’ Haji Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, this is a dangerous man. He's a first time Member of Parliament for Pasir Salak, Perak.

If you think that KINABATANGAN, PARIT SULONG or some of the other (in)famous personalities were disruptive to the previous parliament, I would rate them nearly-harmless rabble-rousers in parliament who doesn't treat the Parliament seriously enough.

However, this Yang Berhormat from Pasir Salak, is an MP who preaches race supremacy, and he's certainly not apologetic about it. Let me quote from the Hansard, when he was interrupting a speech by BATU PAHAT on Monday, with reference to the outrage expressed over the controversial Tengku Mahkota Kelantan's speech on Malay rights:

Satu perkara yang saya tunggu-tunggu untuk mengambil kesempatan ini dan ingin bertanya kepada Yang Berhormat Batu Pahat, sama ada bersetuju dengan saya di atas apa yang telah dilakukan oleh wakil rakyat daripada Bukit Gelugor yang sanggup membuat aduan polis terhadap Tengku Mahkota Kelantan.

Atas apa? Kesalahan apa? Tuanku hanya mempersoalkan untuk mempertahankan hakhak orang Melayu, ketuanan Melayu (emphasis mine), apakah Pakatan tidak memperjuangkan hak-hak orang Melayu? Ini ada di dalam perlembagaan, saya mendesak pihak Yang Berhormat daripada Batu Pahat supaya kita sama-sama bersetuju, bolehkah kita bersetuju meminta kerajaan untuk mengambil tindakan setegas-tegasnya kepada mereka yang membuat kenyataan atau mengambil tindakan yang mempertikaikan ketuanan Melayu dan hak-hak orang Melayu.

Saya ingin mencabar parti pembangkang, sama ada tuan-tuan menyokong atau tidak perjuangan kita daripada Barisan Nasional untuk mempertahankan hak dan keistimewaan orang-orang Melayu sebagaimana yang termaktub di dalam perlembagaan.

Thankfully, BATU PAHAT (BN) didn't fall for his bait by hinting (that's my understanding anyway) that those are some of that kind of thinking which requires "changing":

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, saya ingin beralih ke tajuk lain. Cuma saya ingin menyatakan di sini bahawa dalam sebuah negara demokrasi, masyarakat yang berbilang kaum saya rasa wajar kita sensitif dengan isu-isu yang kita perkatakan supaya tidak berulang apa yang dikatakan sebagai peristiwa 13 Mei itu.

Saya harap bahawa kita sebagai anggota Dewan pada zaman yang sebegini mencabar untuk mewujudkan sebuah negara yang bersatu padu dan maju, apa pun sama ada pembangkang ataupun kerajaan, kita harus lebih sensitif supaya tidak timbul perkara-perkara yang akan menyebabkan sebenarnya kita merosakkan perpaduan di negara kita dan membangkitkan perkara-perkara yang boleh menimbulkan ketegangan kaum.

Oleh sebab itulah saya berharap kita sendiri sebenarnya sebagai ahli-ahli politik yang dikatakan berwibawa ini harus berperanan.

But it wasn't about to end. PASIR SALAK continually disrupted the Dewan over the next few sessions with similar type remarks.

And just a couple of minutes ago, he was at it again. IPOH BARAT was raising his concern for the 150,000 stateless in Malaysia, of whom a large proportion are Indians and suggesting that the Government should quickly resolve this matter for the sake of these children and their future.

PASIR SALAK stood up and ask, shockingly, "Where are Indians from?" and continued to make disparaging comments which implied that since the non-Malay races are not from Malaysia, they do not deserve rights in this country. He even challenged IPOH BARAT, asking him why he refused to answer, when the latter ignored him.

My only comment is that PASIR SALAK, should count himself fortunate that he wasn't a victim of the political tsunami, but if he continues as he does, he may not be so lucky the next time round. Certainly, you can expect PASIR SALAK to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in the weeks or months to come.

RPGT, Oxbridge, Economy and National Unity

The busy speaking engagements continue, and for those interested, here are the list of upcoming talks where I would be showing up in the next couple of days ;). Venues include Seremban, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. ;)

• Abolishing Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT): Its Impact on Malaysia's Economy
  
  I've been invited to speak by the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall to share my views on the above. Sharing the stage with me will be Dr Ho Kee Peng, a prominent entrepreneur and academic who will be speaking on other related developments in the Malaysian economy.
  

Date: 30 March 2007 (Fri)
Time: 8.00 pm
Venue: NS Chinese Assembly Hall, Seremban
Language: Chinese (Mandarin)

• Life & Experiences @ Oxford University
  
  This is the 2nd of the series of higher education talks organised by not-for-profit Descartes Education Counselling Centre. I'll be sharing my personal experience at the university, as well as updating the audience on the latest entry requirements and application process. I'll be sharing the stage with Allen Ng, a Bank Negara scholar who did time at Cambridge University. ;) For more information, see here.
  

Date: 31st March (Sat)
Time: 4.00 pm
Venue: DECC, 55-1 Jalan SS21/1A, Damasara Utama (Uptown), 47400 Petaling Jaya

• Dinner: Issues with the Malaysian Economy
  
  This is a 50 Years of Nation-Building Dinner event, organised by the DAP Kampung Kolam branch, Penang. I'll be speaking along side many other leaders, including YB Chow Kon Yeow, DAP Penang Chairman, YB Phee Boon Poh, Penang State Assemblyman for Sungai Puyu, YB Teng Chang Khim, Selangor State Assemblyman for Sungai Pinang, YB Violet Yong Wui Wui, Sarawak State Assemblywoman for Pending, YB Nga Kor Ming, Perak State Assemblyman for Pantai Remis as well as Ng Wei Aik, Political Secretary to DAP Secretary-General.
  

• Date: 1 April 2007 (Sunday)
  Time: 7.30 pm
  Venue: Wonderland Restaurant, Komtar, Penang.
  Language: Chinese (Mandarin)
  

For those interested in attending, you can buy dinner tickets from Wei Aik @ RM30 each. You can reach him at nweiaik(at)gmail.com. Your contributions and attendance are much welcome. ;)

• Government’s Education Policies: Are they Successful Instruments of National Development?
  
  This Young Malaysians National Unity & Development in Malaysia forum is organised by the Centre for Public Policy Studies and the Bar Council (through its National Young Lawyers' Committee). It is a full-day event, where my session will commence around 10.45 am. The other speakers in my panel include Dr Oh Ei Sun, a lecturer at Help University College and Universiti Malaysia Sabah and my favourite UM academic, Dr Azmi Sharom.
  

Other topics discussed include:

• Ethno-Religious Politics in Malaysia: Impact and Implications on Nation Building
  
  
• Forging a Young Malaysian Identity towards National Unity

Roundtable details:

Date: 3rd April 2007
Time: 8.30am - 4.00pm
Venue: Bar Council, Kuala Lumpur

So, that looks like a major round the country tour within a short 2 weeks ;). After that, I'll be busy with the by-elections campaigning in Machap, probably my maiden rally speech there, plus plenty of practice for my Mandarin as well as Malay ;). I'll also be making a trip to Kuching, Sarawak on the 21st April share views and ideas with our DAP leaders and comrades there.

Also, as I've mentioned previously, I'll do my best to start recording these talks so that I can share them here on this site.

So, if you are at any of these places, rememer to say hi! ;)

Lion Dance in Baju Melayu

Hey, I love the baju Melayu and I certainly enjoyed putting them on especially as part of dikir barat performances. But baju Melayu for Lion Dance performance? Now, that might be taking our multi-cultural identity a little too far.

However, that is exactly what our Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage have requested the lion dance performers for the National 2007 Chinese Open House to do. Understandably, the performers rejected any such suggestions, and the organisers backed down only after a "heated discussion".

What is worrying is that there appears to be a concerted effort to play down the Chinese culture during National Chinese New Year celebrations. In an open letter to Datuk Dr Rais Yatim, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, DAP's Secretary-General, Lim Guan Eng who is based in Melaka claimed that the "celebration is weird as this is definitely not how Chinese New Year is celebrated in Malaysia."

There are for example, "neither Chinese characters nor Chinese cultural performances such as lion dance listed as part of the official programme," as it such characters or performances are a taboo amongst the Malaysian community.

The only performance listed in the official programme were Tarian Joget Malaysia, a parade, the singing of ‘Budi Bahasa Budaya Kita’ song and a fireworks display.

"Are Chinese cultural performances not appropriate enough to be watched by our King? The Chinese community can see no reason why lion dances cannot be performed before the King as part of the official programme when this is Chinese New Year.

If Chinese cultural performances are deemed as unfit to be part of the official programme, then the government should stop such pretence of respecting the diverse cultures and races by correcting our tourism advertisements."

If the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage's official position is to remove the Chinese characteristics from the Malaysian Chinese culture, then clearly it is not a multi-cultural Malaysian identity which the Government is pursuing. Instead, we are looking towards an assimilated rojak culture.

Cheongsam for joget anyone?

Racial Integration Starts In Schools

I was asked to give a talk by the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall women's wing in conjunction with Oriental Daily last Monday on the state of racial integration in our country with a title "若即若離", roughly translated as "So near, yet so far (apart)" (View the reports in the Chinese media here)

It was both a sensitive subject and at the same time a very broad subject - basically not a very fun subject to talk about at a forum ;-) Hence, I limited my talk pretty much to the fact that for racial integration to work in this country, it has to start with our education system.

(Warning: Long post ;-))

Before I spoke, I asked the audience of about 100 on whether there were any others in the hall who had his primary education at a national school. As expected, I was pretty much the only person.

I spoke of the fact that I often reminiscence on my primary school days where there was a great deal of mixing of students of all races. Til today, I can meet one of my Malay or Sikh classmates back from Batu Pahat whom I've not met for years, and we can have an "intimate" coffee session talking about all things under the sky. I took part in Malay debates, quizzes, played football, badminton without having to worry to much about being discriminated against.

And for those who had followed my Education blog long enough, I've written on the dilemma of where I should send my 3 year old daughter to school when the time comes. For many Malaysian Chinese today, whether they are Chinese educated or otherwise, Chinese primary schools have become the default choice. Possibly, the stubborn, idealistic side within me continues to hope (tiny though it may be) that there may be salvation for our national schools.

I then listed down some of the recent outrageous examples of national school excesses in the last 1-2 years. Unfortunately, despite not having anywhere near a comprehensive list, I didn't have sufficient time to cite all of the following, most of which I've blogged about at Education in Malaysia.

• Parents of Indian students of SK Sri Baki in Senawang are upset that their children, who are in Year One, were forced to take Arabic in school. Many of the pupils were forced to sit for the examinations even though there were no classes for the first six months, reported Malaysia Nanban.
  
  The officer in-charge of languages, Ustaz Hafizi of the State Education Department was queried, he argued that "headmasters were compelled to introduce Tamil, Chinese or Arabic to children of other communities."
  
  
• An old boy of Kajang High School expressed his concerns in relation to the current situation at the school. He noticed seven new signboards with religious verses put up at some expense. The image conveyed to anyone driving up to Kajang High School is that one was entering a religious school.
  
  
• The Star has reported a story in Batu Pahat, of a Punjabi student being asked to shave his beard, moustache and sideburns.
  
  
• The administrators of SK Bukit Jelutong have told non-Muslim pupils that they can't bring "wet food" to the Children's Day celebrations, only snacks like murukku or chips are allowed.
  
  The school's senior assistant for curriculum, Ishak Mohd Zazuly, confirmed the directive and said the decision was made "to respect each other's religions. We are just worried that there may be non-halal ingredients in the food.
  
  Ishak said if non-Muslim children, for instance Hindu pupils, could not eat beef and had problems with the food brought by Muslim pupils, they should not eat it.
  
  
• YB Loh Seng Kok said the syllabus of history textbooks ignored the contribution of non-bumiputeras and only emphasised on the Islamic civilisation. Terming it as "incomplete and imbalanced", he said the syllabus does not encourage critical thinking among the students.
  
  And as if on cue, the party that seems to attract plenty of members with way too much hot air, sent a team from Sdr Loh's own parliamentary constituency to present a show cause letter to their MP. 50 Umno Youth members, led by Kelana Jaya division chief Abdul Halim Samad, paid Sdr Loh a visit with an ultimatum.
  
  
• Two netball teams from SMK Abdullah Munshi were forced to quit the Jelutong district inter-school competition in Penang. The principal of the school, Pn Fazillah Shaharim made the decision after being told that some players in the under-15 and under-18 teams had removed their tudung while playing. Apparently, the school rules prohibit students from removing the tudung during school hours or in activities where they represent the school, as reported by the New Straits Times. On top of that, they are required to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants during sporting activities.
  
  
• When there was outrage over an ustaz selling "holy water" to the students, the Perak Mufti, Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria, one who is not a stranger to controversy, said that "there was nothing wrong with selling the holy water".
  
  "It's a form of prayer to enhance memory, just like gingko biloba is a memory booster... It is not wrong to sell it unless the ustaz is dishonest about how he produced the water."
  
  
• Recently, in the beginning of this year, there was an instruction in English College, Johor Bahru which I believe came from the teacher advisor to the Prefectorial Board, that Prefects have to start wearing the Songkok as part of the official uniform. At first, the instruction was that it would only be required during "official functions" like school assemblies and during interschool events or major events like sports day and speech day. However, this has now been revised to include daily prefectorial duties.
  
  There are reasons to believe that the practice of getting Prefects to wear the Songkok, is a prelude to getting ALL the students of the school to eventually follow suit.
  
  
• SMK Bandar Utama 4 Damansara recently appointed a new Malay lady as a headmaster. All this while, the school has a proud tradition of good old days where students can wear shorts for PE lesson, celebration of major Chinese festival like Chinese New Year, cheerleading team and secular school type of school assembly.
  
  Unfortunately, all these good times are gone with the coming of a new Malay headmistress who is a religious bigot. With 10% Muslim students, she is now imposing "bacaan doa" during assembly, banning of the cheerleading team, not more wearing of shorts for PE and the worse of all is that for the coming CNY, the school can have a lion dance performance by WITHOUT the DRUM.
  
  
• Last year also saw Universiti Utara Malaysia attempting to implement a ridiculous dress code on all students, before deciding to withdraw the regulation following an uproar in the Chinese press.
  
  
• Apparently according to Wong Chun Wai, in one of his editorials for The Star, a dean from the business faculty of a top Malaysian public university "makes alleged spot checks during lectures to check on the dressing of female students."
  
  Students who he perceives are wearing tight T-shirts or blouses are singled out. At least on one occasion, they were asked to bend down to see whether parts of their bodies would be exposed.
  

As we can see, these discriminating events happen at both the primary and secondary schools of our education system.And it happens all throughout the country from Penang to Perak to Selangor to N Sembilan to Johor.

Why is it that when I was studying in national schools before, I don't seem to have faced such issues? What is the government doing to prevent such irresponsible actions which affects Malaysian unity from happening?

Are these school teachers and administrators taught in teachers training school that the above actions are prohibited and they will be punished accordingly? Are they even punished for their actions?

And what are our nation's eminent legislators doing about it?

No, what you get is more of the same amongst the Barisan Nasional members of parliament. Most recently for example, 2 UMNO MPs called for religious symbols in all former missionary schools in Malaysia to be demolished.

Tuan Syed Hood bin Syed Edros of Parit Sulong said:

Saya rasa kecewa di dalam negara Islam, Malaysia ini, kalau saya pergi ke sekolah convent, ada terpampang patung St. Mary di depandepan sekolah convent...

...tengoklah salib Kristian diletakkan di depan-depan sekolah. Saya tidak faham Kementerian Pelajaran, adakah pegawai-pegawai tidak nampak atau memang dasar kita membenarkan perkara ini. Walau bagaimanapun, saya sebagai orang yang bertanggungjawab kepada diri saya, agama, bangsa dan tanah air ini, saya menyatakan pendirian saya bahawa patung-patung ini hendaklah dirobohkan, salib-salib ini hendaklah dimusnahkan dan pengaruhpengaruh gereja di sekolah-sekolah ini hendaklah dihentikan.

The above can only be construed that Barisan Nasional (BN) which comprises of 14 component parties are not interested in achieving national unity, but instead is only interested in further racially divide and Islamising our schools.

Why has it come to this state of affairs?

Very simply, the BN government has no political will nor intent to take action and make the necessary corrections. UMNO acts as the big brother in the coalition, while the others such as MCA, Gerakan and MIC serves as UMNO's apologists.

Take for example, the first instinctive reaction by MCA Youth Chief, YB Liow Tiong Lai was to attempt to defend the Deputy Prime Minister's statement (that it was misunderstood), when the latter proclaimed that Malaysia was "an Islamic state" and that it was "never, never a secular state". Or the fact that MCA President waxing lyrical about his beautiful relationship with UMNO, at the MCA General Assembly, no less.

In Chinese, the appropriate phrase will be "為虎作倀" - transliterated as "striking/groping rashly on behalf of the tiger". That's why, it is our fervent contention that a vote for MCA or Gerakan, is equivalent to a vote for UMNO.

In the meantime, Malaysians live peacefully but separately...

More Mandarin Forums

This is probably the record week in terms of the number of speaking engagements for me. Six nights out of eight, it can't get much more than this. Phew! Well, I have 2 more Mandarin forums to go, one in Alor Star (!). Details are as follows:

1. Oriental Daily Forum: The Budget & The Stock Market
(東方日報+隆雪華堂社會經濟委員會﹕預算案興大馬股市)

Date: 13 Sept 2007 (Thu)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

(The last two times when I spoke on the Asian Financial Crisis as well as the recent Stock Market turmoil, it was a packed hall, so do come early to book your seat ;))

2. Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall (Youth Wing)：
After 50 Years - Where Do We Go From Here? (吉打州华人大会堂青年团: 建国50年，马来西亚路在何方？)

Date: 14 Sept 2007 (Fri)
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall

See you guys there! ;)

Ahmad "I'll Not Apologise" Ismail

Barisan Nasional component parties were probably thanking their lucky stars for Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's apology on behalf of UMNO over Datuk Ahmad Ismail's statement that Chinese minorities in the country were penumpang. While, it didn't fully resolve the issue, it certainly dissipated a fair bit of the minority communities anger over the racist remarks.

But no, this UMNO Bukit Bendera division warlord had other plans for MCA and Gerakan. Despite being pressed to apologise for his views and remarks, even after Datuk Seri Najib's face-saving apology, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, after "disappearing" for a few days, has stressed that he'll "not apologise".

"As far as I am concerned, I did not say or do anything wrong. So why should I apologise?"

He went on to reject claims that he was a racist and even cited many Chinese and Indians as his childhood friends.

Ahmad, in refuting claims that he was a “racist”, said he had been friends with many Chinese and Indian Malaysians since his childhood.

“I have never been racist and will never be. It is rubbish to suggest that I am a racist,” blasted Ahmad...

I really wonder, in his to-be-scheduled press conference on Saturday in Penang, whether these Chinese and Indian friends of his would dare to step up and stand behind this Datuk and provide personal testimonies to the effect that he isn't a racist?

In fact, I'd like to know which leader from Barisan Nasional will appear and stand behind him at the conference.

As a scriptwriter, I can envision 3 possible endings:

1. Pak Lah gets woken up from his slumber by MCA, Gerakan, DAP etc., and decides to give this Datuk Ahmad Ismail a figurative tight slap and banish him from UMNO.
   
   
2. Pak Lah continues his self-induced slumber to avoid antagonising a crucial warlord support in the coming party elections, leaving MCA and Gerakan red-faced with tails between their legs.
   
   
3. Or would we instead get a apology but no apology type statement which we usually hear from Barisan Nasional leaders who shoot from their hip, "my statement was not intended to hurt anybody, but I'll apologise if you feel hurt by it." And of course, BN leaders, including MCA and Gerakan will claim moral victory and matters "resolved".
   

Where would you put your money? I know where to put mine. ;-)

Ahmad "Penumpang" Ismail

UMNO Bukit Bendera Division Chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail has once again demonstrated the party's true colours and they obviously will never learn or change their bigoted ways.

This time round, even their badly discredited political partners, MCA and Gerakan came out strongly to denounce his statements made during the recent Permatang Pauh elections that the Malaysian Chinese were "penumpang" (squatters) and cannot be trusted to whip up racial support for UMNO. And he did it in front of Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, without any reprimand from the latter.

Will it however be a complete show, signature campaigns and all, and Datuk Ahmad Ismail gets away scot free? Well, it certainly looks like it.

There is no other term to describe the Prime Minister and UMNO president, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's response to the controversy except to call him totally spineless. His only comment to the press to date:

"I will tell him not to do it again. You know in a campaign all sorts of things can come up. I don’t think he meant it. I’ll make sure to tell him not to use it again."

The response is almost laughable. I believe it isn't necessary for DAP to do much to ensure the continued political demise of MCA, MIC and Gerakan. UMNO, including the Prime Minister himself, will do it for us. All these controversies are happening as Malaysia celebrate its 51st Merdeka anniversary, packed with the rhetoric of national unity and harmony.

DAP has filed police reports throughout the country in every state today to symbolically voice our utmost disgust and disappointment with Datuk Ahmad Ismail for his racist remarks. It is our solemn protest to ask UMNO to uphold the spirit of Merdeka.

Many have pointed out the fact that Datuk Ahmad Ismail's remarks have created feelings of discontent and hurt among the various races in the country, which is deemed illegal under the Sedition Act Clause 3(1)(e) which states that it is seditious:

to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of population of Malaysia

While, the criticism of Sedition Act is its lack of clarity and subjectivity of what is deemed to promote "feelings of ill-will", Datuk Ahmad Ismail has clearly and conclusively breached another clause under Sedition Act, 3(1)(f) which deems seditious any act:

to question any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative established or protect by the provisions of Part III of the Federal Constitution...

Now, Part III of the Federal Constitution is on Citizenship where it guarantees citizenship under Article 14

1. Subject to the provisions of this Part, the following persons are citizens by operation of law, that is to say:

(a) every person born before Malaysia Day who is a citizen of the Federation by virtue of the provisions contained in Part 1 of the Second Schedule; and

(b) every person born on or after Malaysia Day, and having any of the qualifications specified in Part 11 of the Second Schedule.

Hence, under Malaysian laws, one cannot question the citizenship of Malaysians regardless of race or religion.

I've read the relevant clauses a few times, and I can see it no other way than to say that Datuk Ahmad Ismail is in breach of Malaysia's laws and the Attorney-General must initiate actions against him. The offence is punishable by being sentenced to 3 years jail or RM5,000 fine or both.

Will Pak Lah act to uphold Malaysian constitution and laws? Or will he finally pick up political courage to do the necessary? Will MCA and Gerakan accept no punitive or concrete actions against Datuk Ahmad Ismail? Or will UMNO and Barisan Nasional component parties continue with its rhetoric of national unity, which can no longer mask its "cakap tak serupa bikin" culture.