Accused as criminals better than being evil

(Mingguan Malaysia, 27 December)
Dr. Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, Senior Lecturer, National Defence University Malaysia cum Secretary General of Islamic Chamber of Commerce Malaysia.


Recently Utusan Malaysia was criticized and condemned from inside and outside the party, especially by the ultra kiasu party. Utusan was accused as a newspaper promoting racism sentiments disturbing the harmony among the races. The extremist labeled the newspaper as criminals. If the newspaper is considered as criminal then it also meant that the journalist, newspaper columnist and author are also criminals. My question is whether the ultra kiasu party news tabloid and the other racist political parties and those concocted with them are they also not evil? The ultra kiasu party and its group are not only evil, but it is already clearly a fact that they have an evil intention by not accepting the social contract and rejecting the federal constitution and also challenging sensitive matters that have long been agreed upon. The partners of the ultra kiasu party do not dare to speak directly for fear of loss of support. This is the cunning strategy of the ultra kiasu party and its allies hiding behind the 1Malaysia concept for its benefits and political mileage.


If they do not get their wish, then the 1Malaysia concept will be put forward for argument to obtain sympathy. Their racist partners in the Barisan Nasional (BN) components actually have the same stance. They are smart in strategizing. The ultra kiasu bark outside while the partners inside do the work. Actually they compliment each other. It is only that we overlooked.


I am not saying that Utusan Malaysia is all good. Nothing is perfect in this world, except Allah SWT and His Prophets. As humans, there are still things that need to be rectified from time to time. My reminder to the ultra kiasu is that do not act as though elephants in front of your eyes cannot see but the germs across can be seen clearly. Do not go overboard with your views. Do not always pinpoint others mistakes without reflecting own selves. Is staying together without marriage considered good moral? Retaining executive council (exco) known for their evil deeds is not actually evil? At least Utusan Malaysia is frank, meaning not too bad instead of camouflage doing evil, like being sweet in front of people but when behind actually are not. Those are their actions to obscure the eyes of the public. If we spy their movement, I am confident we will see their true colors, including the one exco that brought the santa claus to meet the leader of their country recently. To this leader, if you enjoy celebrating with Santa Claus, please do not over do it. As Muslims, we are taught to respect other religions, but do not go overboard. They are very cunning at planning. Many Malays have side tracked because of being too close to santa claus.


It cannot be denied from history that all newspapers in this country are racist from the beginning. Similarly, in the fields of political, economic and social, all are racists. To me, love of race or nation is not wrong, instead is permissible in Islam as stated by Ibn Khaldun. What is not only allowed is when it reached the level of ultra such as the ultra kiasu party. They often raised sensitive issues that create tensions. This situation is more dangerous, because it can cause chaos as happened in the incident May 13, 1969.


In understanding the Malaysian politics, racial issues were raised for political supports and to make the respective races to realize who they are and what should be obtained. Meanwhile, the sensitive issues were raised to demand equal rights and opportunities for the ultra kiasu group. They know these things can not be raised openly as they can be held under the sedition act. They deliberately want to test UMNO which currently is at its most crucial situation because of not getting two-thirds majority and also facing the painful disunity of the Malay Muslims.


For example, the ultra kiasu wanted Islam being the federal religion to be at the same level with other religions. As Malaysians, we must know that the concept of equal rights and equal opportunity do not fulfill the requirements of the federal constitution, although the concept of Malaysian Malaysia which is always being shouted and demanded by the ultra kiasu party. Remember, Islam is the religion of the majority community of this country. Islam has a very special position in the constitution. If there is any 'advantage' in Islam, it is not discrimination because as the majority Malay Muslims, they have the rights, let alone it had been agreed upon through the social contract. There should not be anymore questions or being accused of unfairness. These also included using government funds to develop the growth of Islam. Unfortunately, these things were never formulated. Finally, each race or party interpreted according to their interests respectively basing on the race and religious background. Not forgetting also their evil plans.


In order to prevent the ultra kiasu party continues to become evil, we must at least outline the formula to solve this. My formula is based on the statistical breakdown of races and religions in this country. According to the year 2000 census, the percentages of Malaysians by religions were as follows: 60% Islam, 40% non-Malay (22% Buddhist-Taoism-Confucius, 9% Christian, 6% Hindu, 3% others). This formula can be applied in the context of the nationalization, including justification on the rights of religious festivals and celebrations of all races. This formula fulfills part of the meaning to justification in Islam which means to put things in its place although not completely.


On the basis of tolerance, this formula was not applied completely, either in politic, economic or even social. For example, the number of non-Muslim places of worship exceeded overwhelmingly, their festival celebrations actually drowned the Muslims celebrations even though they are less in numbers. Just look at the shopping malls, although Christians are only 9%, the Christmas and New Year 2010 celebrations are incomparable to the Hari Raya and the Islamic New Year. If you do not believe, visit the states ruled by the ultra kiasu and its allies and the shopping malls of their allies throughout the country.


I think the Muslims in this country are very tolerant and soft. Their religious festivals and funerals are well mannered and simple. Roads are not congested. Their graves are very small. Compared to other religions, which the number is already smaller, at times the roads are congested the whole day on certain festivals. The graves are so wide and large. How long will this practice be continued, whereas the population is growing but land is limited? So far, the Muslims are not that noisy compared to others, although their graves are narrowing and protests from the non-Muslims are increasingly bolder when there is an increase in Islamic cemetery.


My formula should be used as a guideline. Is it fair if the numbers of non-Muslims are not many, but their graves actually sink the Muslims graves? Have we asked the views of the Muslims and their sensitivity? Those with money build the tombs so high and so wide and beautify them with statues as far as the eyes can see. Meanwhile the Muslims graves, irrespectively of their positions, are simple because Islam does not believe in the designing the tomb. Having no graves is also not a problem. What is important is faith and piety which are brought into the intermediate state or barzakh. Have the Muslims ever claimed equal rights and equal opportunities? No, because they are not ultra kiasu.


Another example, a professor of Christian faith at work argued with me recently. He said the religious rights must be based on the formula of equal rights and equal opportunities. Among the examples highlighted were those if there is a class on yasin recitation and Friday prayers to the Muslim students, then Christian students must be given the same rights to learn their religion and to bring in their own priests. I told him that the students should read their bible during that time, after all the Friday prayers and the yasin recitations are not 'religion classes' but are the responsibility of each Muslim individual. Even there is religious class for the Muslims; it is not necessarily for the non-Muslims to have a similar situation. In addition, the number of Christians or non-Muslim students are very few, with the facilities provided for is already enough. The ultra kiasu professor with an emotional tone claimed it is their rights that must be fulfilled. I replied that have their rights not been fulfilled all this while? Did the number of churches and the pile of houses of worship to the extent of sinking the number mosques and suraus were not considered as rights? Have we ever prevented them to church every Sunday? Do not compare with the Muslims because we worship differently. We have different needs. Similarly goes with the requirements for jamaah prayers. Hence, the concept of equal rights and the equal opportunities should be based on the formula that has been outlined in the constitution and by fraction of races (religions).


All this while they have never use the word Allah in our country, so why the sudden need for the word of Allah has to be used? It is definitely their strategy to confuse the Muslims into following their religion. My advice to all parents is to take care of your children and not to be deceived by their evil strategies and evil intentions. Unfortunately these will and had occurred in Selangor and Penang, if we continue to allow this ultra kiasu to rule and to be mighty. Look at Penang today as if it is no longer a Malay island. It is full of Santa Claus and New Year greetings, while they consist of only 9 percent.


Therefore let us make the changes before it is too late. Do not end later with our religion going no where in our own land. By then, it will be too late. You cannot allow the creepers to grow higher. When they have gone up, they will remain there, and it will be difficult for them to come down.


Look at the political tolerance. Lately, Gerakan was so angry with the UMNO proposal that the BN chairman seat to be rotated in Penang because UMNO had the majority of seats. Before anything else, the ultra kiasu alliances also jumped. Appropriately, the issue supposed to be discussed first. The chairman for Gerakan and Penang BN contended that the BN chairman seat was held by them for 35 years. Why should it be given to others?


My question is that if UMNO can sacrificed the Grik parliamentary seat, why can't Gerakan? Who is more tolerant and having the nature of giving? The political parties on this island are so ultra kiasu. Because of that, they do not care who ruled the island, as long it is their own people. There are not many strategies made to win back the island. That's why I can feel that UMNO is not comfortable with this situation.


I still remembered that after so long UMNO competing in the Grik parliamentary constituency seat, a Malay majority, they suddenly handed it over to Gerakan. The former Chief Minister of Perak cried to release this seat. But due to the brotherhood spirit and the cooperation in the BN, UMNO had to comply and obeyed by surrendering the Grik seat to Gerakan. The Malay majority had to vote the non-Malay (Gerakan) even with resentment. This is the noble nature of the Malay Muslims. Is this tolerance being appreciated? It is like a dog biting its own master. Can we still remember that this Member of Parliament of Grik from Gerakan issued a statement stating that the Malays were also immigrants? This Member of Parliament was also appointed as a deputy minister. Have we ever heard UMNO contended that since the Grik parliamentary seat had been held by them for a long time, why should they give it to Gerakan, as what spoken by the Penang BN chairman?


Why was Gerakan so strong in opposing? They fear that the Chief Minister seat will fell to UMNO if it is destined for BN to rule again. The root to all of these is power, power, power and the ultra kiasu attitude. All is putting the race interests ahead rather than the national interests. If this is how it is done, I think, the 1Malaysia concept is far from achieving. It will be taken advantaged by those with the attitudes of foxes in sheep skins and scissors in the fold. To them their race strength must be defended even with whatever reasons and challenges given. Who are the real criminals and more evil?