A brother-sister great debate – Isma vs SIS

by Azly Rahman

Malaysiakini

Nov. 1, 2014

The current debate between Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and Sisters In Islam (SIS); the former a masculinist-Islamist-para-jihadist group and the latter a feminist-Islamist study group, seems to present an interesting case-study analysis of Malaysia’s own 16th Century ‘Protestant- Lutheran Reformation’ breakthrough.

Ironically it is a debate  on the word ‘liberalism’, seemingly as confusing a concept as ‘democracy’ and also of ‘Islam’. Here is why, as I see it, the debate is interesting and Malaysians should pay attention to it:

Malaysian Muslims are yet faced with another challenging situation; one which presents an interesting extrapolation of the historical dilemma the Muslims have been facing intellectually.

Coming soon would be a public intellectual crisis that involves the grand and subaltern voices in Islam. Those of the Wahabbi, Salafi, Sunni, Shiite, Sufi, and the ‘denominations derived from traditional and indigenous practices’ (the tariqats primarily) will come out in the open to assert the ‘truth-ness’ of their perspective and practice of Islam.

Essentially now, Islam seems to have many ‘denominations’ based on cultural, geographical, political, economic, and intellectual factors – as a consequence of globalisation. Muslims are all part and products of the various authorships of these ‘denominations’ – thanks to the power/knowledge matrix of the evolution of Islam. These denominations are even mutating, depending on class and consciousness of the adherents.

On a crude psychological plane in Malaysia, here is the situation, stated in simple terms:

The subaltern voices in Islam are clashing with each other. Examples abound.

The Sufis are saying that the Wahabbis are on the wrong path, the Wahabbis claim they are preaching the one and true tauhid and that Sufism is a strange invention, the Shiites in Iran are probably building more powerful weapons against the Sunnis the Mid-East over, the Malaysian government is propagating Hadhari and the halal hub in a haram casino-capitalistic environment, the Malays have produced their own messiahs or Rasul Melayu (Malay prophets) and their variants of Ayah Pins and their Sky Kingdoms, the anti-hadiths are roaming cyberspace declaring themselves Quranic-only Muslims, the liberal Muslims are at loggerheads with the strict ones bent on moral policing, the gangsta-rapper-Busta Rhymes-type Muslims are angry with the soft-spoken Raihan-a capella-type-Muslims, the Sisters in Islam are angry with the Malaysian Brotherhood of Islam called Isma, the Death Metallists are having a field day with all these chaos amongst Muslim ideologues, the Catholics are fighting in court over the issue of the ‘Allah’ ban, the whirling dervishes are still whirling… it is a postmodern situation in the field of Islam in Malaysia.

I hope this is a useful sketch of the postmodern Muslim condition. Now we have the rose of violent Islam as in the Islamic State of the self-proclaimed Khalifah Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, Islamic conspiracy theorists said to be a child of America’s Foreign Policy and trained by the Mossad.

How to read the Quran then?

Are Muslims then better off reading the Quran hermeneutically? Is it better for them to remove themselves from the philological, historical, and most importantly cultural context, take the scripture in whatever meaningful language it has been translated into, and take only the spirit of it, and like a Prometheus unbound, soar to greater theological heights? This is a challenging question.

Or maybe religious sentimentality and critical sensibility must come from one’s own exploration using a triad of sense awareness, intellect, and intuition, drawn from purely cultural sources? – We can then be free from cultural biases and these ‘geographically and politically-bound’ schools of thoughts?

In that case then we will be going into the realm of what I consider ‘truly spiritual democracy’ and use reason and rationality to read the Quran (or any religious text) for that matter. Will the collection of hadiths be necessary any more? I think this question has been answered by the subaltern Muslims that has already begun their systematic critique of the narratives of the Great Prophet.

There is a growing number of Muslims who are beginning to assert that the highest faculty is human reason, which we must exercise in order for us to be truly human. This is the essence of the Enlightenment and of the Renaissance in that only through reason and feeling that we can arrive at an understanding the meaning of who we are.

Some say through lots of zikir, chanting, and even dancing (whirling dervishes included) that one can reach what needs to be reached mystically. The dancer danceth the dance of the dance itself (like what Michael Jackson lived for, maybe), and in his/her dance, as she whirls and twirls, he loses himself into the abyss of nothingness… profound… even looking from the outside.

But in all these and applicable to all religions, the question remains: at what point is innovation in religion allowed, acceptable, and tolerated? At what point is the ‘denominationalisation’ of Islam acceptable without the religion being demonised by those who think they have understood the Divine presence but actually clutched by the Devil’s right hand?

We are prisoners of language, trapped in a prison-house of language. We can avoid the answers but we can never run away from more questions. Like in the song Hotel California (by the California rock group Eagles) that goes “you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave”.

Perhaps, in all these lie a possible marriage between philosophy and religion – finally. In Malaysia though, is this at all possible?

Bring on the debate, O brothers and sisters! But debate wisely without raising voices.

DR AZLY RAHMAN, born in Singapore and grew up in Johor Baru, holds a Columbia University (New York City) doctorate in International Education Development and Masters degrees in four areas: Education, International Affairs, Peace Studies and Communication. He has taught more than 40 courses in six different departments and has written more than 350 analyses on Malaysia. His teaching experience in Malaysia and the United States spans over a wide range of subjects, from elementary to graduate education. He has edited and authored six books; Multiethnic Malaysia: Past, Present, Future (2009), Thesis on Cyberjaya: Hegemony and Utopianism in a Southeast Asian State (2012), The Allah Controversy and Other Essays on Malaysian Hypermodernity (2013), Dark Spring: Essays on the Ideological Roots of Malaysi’s GE-13 (2014),  a first Malay publication Kalimah Allah Milik Siapa?: Renungan dan Nukilan Tentang Malaysia di Era Pancaroba (2014), and Controlled Chaos: Essays on Malaysia’ ‘New Politics’ Beyond Mahathirism and the  Multimedia Super Corridor (forthcoming 2014). He currently resides in the United States where he teaches courses in Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Political Science, and American Studies.

                This entry was posted on Monday, 3 November 2014, 11:27 pm and is filed under
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Muhyiddin not proud that  UM is ranked No. 423 in latest US News 500 Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 although it is only Malaysian university ranked, because it confirms lowly international position of UM and Malaysian universities

The Education Minister,  Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is not proud that University of Malaya is ranked No. 423 in the latest US News 500 Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 although it is the only Malaysian university ranked, because it confirms the lowly international academic  position and repute not only of Malaysia’s premier university but also of other public universities in the country.

This is the reason for the “conspiracy of silence” in all the mainstream media in the past week  since the publication of the new ranking for universities in the world last Tuesday, as if the new world universities ranking does not exist.

This is totally unlike countries which have received recognition for producing world-class universities as to be ranked in the Top 500 in the new ranking series by U.S. News & World Report, which published its first Global Universities Rankings online after producing the Best College in United States rankings for 30 years.

The new rankings of the top 500 global universities, based on their academic research performance and their global and regional reputations, come from 49 countries with 134 from United States, 42 from Germany, 38 from United Kingdom, with 90 from Asian countries, led by China with 27 universities, 17 from Japan, 11 from South Korea, 7 from Turkey, 5  each from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Israel, 4 from India, 3 from Iran, 2 from Singapore and one each from Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan.

Considering that University of Malaya has a common beginning with National University of Singapore some half a century ago, Malaysia should be among the Top 5 Best Global Universities in Asia, which now go to:

Top 5 Best Global Universities in Asia

1. University of Tokyo (Japan) – ranked No. 24

2. Peking University (China) – ranked No. 39

3. University of Hong Kong – ranked No. 42

4. National University of Singapore – ranked No.55

5. Kyoto University (Japan) – ranked No. 60

Imagine the radio/tv headlines and the print media front-page headlines that will be blared in the  country if the University of Malaya had been ranked among the top 5 Best Universities in Asia or among the Top 100  Best Global Universities!

It is common place for Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong and even Singapore universities to dominate world university rankings, but it must have come as a surprise to many Malaysians to find Malaysian universities  trailing behind universities in Turkey, Israel,  South Africa and Iran, and the following headlines which appear in the Iranian, Israeli and South African media: “Iran among 500 Best Global Universities” with four Iranian universities featured in the Top 500 Best Global Universities; “UCT rated best university in South Africa” with University of Cape Town leading four South African universities in the Top 500 ranking and  “Five Israeli universities among best global universities ranking”.

In Malaysia, there is total silence and a sense of  shame  about only one Malaysian university  making into the new Top 500 global universities ranking and with such a lowly position, as well as being overtaken by more and more  countries in terms of academic excellence and prestige.

It is tragic that Muhyiddin, the University of Malaya, university administrators and educationists are not challenged by these global educational developments but seems to be obsessed only by how to penalize University Malaya student leader Fahmi Zainol and other university students for last Monday’s programme on Oct. 27 in connection with Anwar Ibrahim’s return to his alma mater university, when all disciplinary action against Fahmi and other university students should be dropped completely.

Instead, the university administrators should use the “awakening” of the university students as a result of the Anwar Ibrahim’s return to alma mater to restore student activism so that the country will produce a new generation of critical-minded leaders to strengthen and sharpen Malaysia’s international competitiveness in the new era of science and technology.

                This entry was posted on Monday, 3 November 2014, 12:47 pm and is filed under
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Why would anyone flee Malaysia?

Zurairi AR

The Malay Mail Online

November 2, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — When I returned home to Malaysia from a studying stint abroad in September 2008, I inevitably went into a so-called “reverse culture shock”.

Back then Malaysia had just undergone a botched attempt at a regime change by Anwar Ibrahim following the 12th general elections, leaving so many hopes dashed. (The same would repeat itself after the 13th general elections).

Everything seemed horrible to me back then: People minded other people’s faiths too much, superstitious hogwash was all over the newspapers, people could not even bother stopping at zebra crossings to let pedestrians walk… everything left me feeling slightly depressed.

Six years on, much of the feeling still lingers on. Perhaps even worse, as I get myself directly exposed to Malaysian politics with all its racial and religious madness. It takes a certain masochism for someone to read news headlines every day, what more write them.

The thought of leaving Malaysia for a less claustrophobic land has indeed crossed my mind. As surely it has some of you readers.

I can understand why blogger Alvin Tan and activist Ali Abd Jalil just packed their bags and decided to try their luck elsewhere, the US for the former and Sweden the latter.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim suggested last week that more Malays would flee the country because of the repressive atmosphere. — Picture by Saw Siow FengFormer law minister Zaid Ibrahim suggested last week that more Malays would flee the country because of the repressive atmosphere. — Picture by Saw Siow FengIt is true that both had been convicted in heavy legal cases and turned fugitive. Tan was slapped with multiple charges over his now-defunct sex blog and controversial Hari Raya greeting involving pork dish bak kut teh: For pornographic images and sedition, among others.

Ali faced multiple counts of sedition charges for allegedly insulting royalty, and had been in and out of prison as the police kept rearresting him.

But perhaps more tellingly, they were square pegs in Malaysia’s round holes.

Tan was not only open about his sexuality, but had blogged and recorded his sex life. Ali was vocal about alleged abuses of power and law by a few members of certain states’ royal families.

And Malaysia just does not like its square pegs. Malaysia abhors those who speak out of line, and dare to look the status quo in the eye and say what exactly is wrong with it.

The talk of “Malaysia, where love grows” during the recent Merdeka celebration rang empty for some Malaysians. What love were they talking about?

And how can you love a country which does not love you back?

As days go by, racial and religious tensions continue to rise. Some might argue that this is not especially true among the common people who continue living harmoniously with each other.

While it might be true that the fires are being stoked by certain personalities and certain groups, they are far from fringe voices.

What it points to however is a lack of certainty and assurance being offered by Putrajaya to counter these voices, which inadvertently gives a perception of tacit approval.

As mentioned in an article by Amrita Malhi, a research fellow with University of South Australia’s International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding, the rise of Muslim fundamentalism points to an administration unsure of majority support, especially after the divisive 2013 polls.

Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim suggested last week that more Malays will flee the country soon from this repressive atmosphere.

The reality is, there are already many Malays living their lives abroad, free from judgments which are being put on them solely for belonging to an ethnic group. They are free to live their own lives, in so many aspects.

Sure, I envy them. Hearing stories from its High Commission, Canada sure sounds like a good place to start anew.

But I have chosen to stay. Warts and all, Malaysia is my only home, and I do not wish to see it turn worse. I know the role that I have to play in sustaining the pushback against growing assault against freedom and liberty.

After all, I take solace in the efforts of my brave allies and comrades who dare to speak up.

I have said it many times: It is exciting times in Malaysia. Just on Friday, women’s rights group Sisters in Islam filed a judicial review against a Selangor fatwa declaring liberals and religious pluralists as “deviants”.

And earlier in October, publisher ZI Publications challenged a Selangor Shariah law which outlaws books authorities find “counter to Islamic teachings”. In May, a group of transgenders challenged a Negri Sembilan Shariah law prohibiting cross-dressing.

No more can religious authorities go unchallenged and continue to trample on the liberties and rights which justly belong to Malaysians, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

These brave Malaysians are not using man-made laws to challenge God’s laws. Instead, they are merely using federal laws to challenge man-made state laws — which should never override the former, regardless whether they have anything to do with Islam or not.

We are casting off our shackles link by link. And as part of the media, I have the best seats in the house to watch this thriller unfold.

Now, why would I want to leave this country when I can try to do some good here? I hope you too can find a role of your own, and just remember that we are never really alone.

                This entry was posted on Monday, 3 November 2014, 11:00 pm and is filed under
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Drown out the Isis siren song with a clarion call

 – Jamil Maidan Flores

The Malaysian Insider

3 November 2014

In that wide swath of land that straddles the border between Iraq and Syria, some 31,000 jihadists are fighting under the black banner of the so-called Islamic State (Isis).

Some 15,000 of them are foreign fighters from 80 countries, mostly European. As of early this year, they included some 200 Malaysians, 100 Indonesians and dozens of Filipinos.

These are estimates, of course, but there’s little disagreement on their accuracy, give or take a few hundreds. Give or take a few scores, in the case of the Southeast Asian fighters.

Most of them are young, some with a bright future ahead of them. In spite of air strikes by the US-led coalition that kill hundreds of them in a single sortie, they increase in number every day. In the United Kingdom alone, as many as five young Muslims leave everyday to go to Syria and fight under the black banner.

In Indonesia, authorities say they’re disrupting the travel plans of would-be Isis jihadists. They’re choking the flow of terrorist funds. Yet there’s reportage that some militant factions have sworn allegiance to the Isis.

What makes the so-called Islamic State, a blood-drenched mockery of a caliphate, such a strong magnet to idealistic young fighters? There are the usual suspects: the collective memory of the humiliation that Muslims have suffered at the hands of Western colonisers in centuries past, the sense of injustice and the discrimination that Muslims are enduring today in the Western world. The persecution of the Palestinian people, which up to this day stirs deadly resentment all over the Muslim world. The roughness of border guards, the indignities inflicted by security personnel. And the need for a sense of identity that can only be satisfied by belonging to a mighty and overwhelming movement.

But why the Islamic State particularly and not the rest of the jihadist groups? Maybe it’s because Isis has cultivated an image of itself as effective, disciplined, committed and marching inexorably toward world conquest. Through sophisticated use of social media and dramatic show of cruelty, it has created a bandwagon effect that attracts not only new recruits from around the world but also defectors from the other jihadist groups already fighting in Iraq and Syria.

The explosive violence of Isis has imbued it with the seductiveness of pornography. It offers to the would-be jihadists the ultimate worldly adventure: the licence to indulge in an orgy of carnage and, at least in the case of the male fighters, to wallow in sexual promiscuity with divine permission.

It also offers the ultimate impunity: the jihadist killed in battle goes straight to heaven to enjoy the ministrations of 72 voluptuous virgins. What’s there on social media today that can beat that promise?

Isis may never be defeated until there’s an effective counter-message to its siren song. That message can’t come from the West. It must burst from within Islam, and ride on the voices of decent Muslims everywhere. It would be a pale and futile message if it only said, “Don’t go to Syria.”

It must therefore be a recruiting message. A clarion call to an activity, a movement that requires a new kind of Muslim heroism. Perhaps community work for the poor? A Muslim Peace Corps? But the message must match the sophistication and passion of Isis propaganda.

In Indonesia and other Asian countries today, there’s talk of Meaningful Broadband, a programme that would bring the force of the Internet into the service of development. There’s nothing more meaningful that broadband can carry than one that’ll reach out to the hearts and minds of the Muslim youth.

It’ll take a great deal of resources, organisation and sophistication. And a constructive alternative to fighting in Syria. It’ll take these to drown out the siren song. – Jakarta Globe, November 3, 2014.

* Jamil Maidan Flores is a Jakarta-based literary writer whose interests include philosophy and foreign policy.

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 4 November 2014, 7:07 am and is filed under
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Greater democratic space and a just and inclusive economy are the two great challenges for democrats, whether socialist, Muslim or any other denomination

I would firstly like to thank the organisers for allowing me the opportunity to address this distinguished audience gathered here at the inaugural “World Forum of Muslim Democrats” conference.

The objective of the forum, as stated in its concept paper, is to “moderate and ameliorate the negative voices of intolerance, extremism and exclusivism with the voices of moderation, tolerance, understanding and inclusivism.” Our discussion here is most timely, given the recent rise of religious bigotry and extremism all over the world.

In war-torn Middle East, a militant force that originated as a regional branch of al-Qaeda has forcibly gained control over parts of western Iraq and north-eastern Syria, styling their unrecognised territory as the “Islamic State.”

Whilst claiming religious authority over Muslims the world over as a born-again “caliphate,” the Islamic State has in fact been carrying out a systematic campaign of sectarian brutality particularly against Muslim minorities. Just yesterday, reports have come in about the massacre of 322 members of an Iraqi tribe in the western Anbar province, including some 50 women and children whose bodies were dumped unceremoniously into a well.

Though the Islamic State has committed great crimes through its inhumane “executions” and ruthless massacres, they have committed a greater crime by misusing the name Islam in the propagation of its abhorrent ideology.

The kind of violence and cruelty being practised by the Islamic State is antithetical to the fundamental teachings of Islam, which ultimately prescribes peace, tolerance and equality amongst mankind. If there appears to be a coincidental relationship between Muslim societies and organised violence in current times, we must bear in mind the context of most Muslim countries today, most of which suffer from authoritarian rule by a ruling elite that is largely seen to be self-serving and subservient to Western hegemony. At the end of the day, the themes aggravating post-colonial Muslim societies today are more economic and socio-political in nature, rather than religious or sectarian.

Closer to home, the situation is not nearly as bad, though increasingly tense and acrimonious by Malaysian standards. The situation is made worse by the government’s inability to stem the growing extremism, and at times appearing to be tacitly supportive of them, as evident by the Executive’s stubborn defence of an right-wing extremist’s threat to burn the Malay-language Bible. Not only did the Attorney-General refuse to prosecute for this  provocative attempt to incite religious hatred, the government has gone on record to justify its stand by claiming that this extremist  had merely defended the sanctity of Islam.

To make matters worse, all this is happening against a backdrop of the unfettered use of colonial-era draconian laws such as the Sedition Act against political opponents and prominent social activists.

All democrats share the same values

This current state of intolerance is unsurprising, given that the regime in power is now embattled after losing the popular vote for the first time in history in last year’s landmark 13th General Election. Consequently, having been rejected by the majority of moderate Malaysians, they are now increasingly beholden to right-wing elements in the misguided belief that extreme ethno-religious sentiments would strengthen their electoral base. In other words, the government’s response to the people’s yearning for greater freedom and democracy is to further divide and oppress the people with a greater dosage of authoritarianism.

It is now more important than ever to fight this bigotry and oppression through championing the values of freedom, equality and solidarity. These are universal human values, not only for social democrats and those who subscribe whether  to Immanuel Kant’s ideals of the inherent goodness and dignity of human beings or Confucius and Mencius’ philosophy of man’s innate goodness, that people are by nature good, and that this goodness needs to be cultivated,  but also for Muslim democrats, whose ideological foundations are derived from Quranic values.

In fact, optimism in humanity and the ideals I mentioned earlier  are also rooted in Islam, as epitomised by the leader of the Tunisian Islamist movement, Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi’s progressive notion of an Islamic state – a civil one based on justice, equality, human rights and democracy, where the state not only protects freedom of belief but also freedom of conscience.

In other words, all democrats share the same values. Therefore, it is based on these similarities that we can hope to produce a common political agenda for the benefit of all mankind. This common political agenda would be rooted in the shared values of our different traditions, whether as social democrats or Muslim democrats, and focused on facing the challenges of modern society – good governance, rule of law, free and fair elections and socio-economic justice.

Lessons from the Middle East

I would like to take this opportunity to reflect upon events in the Middle East, beginning with the rise and fall of the Hizbun Nahdah or the Renaissance Party of Tunisia, which I feel has great relevance and lessons for all of us.

For many Islamists in the world, and certainly for those who have termed themselves as Muslim democrats, en-Nahdah was the classic example of what a moderate Islamic movement should be. Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, who had been in exile during the time of deposed dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, had triumphantly returned to lead the party into a general election that saw them winning 40 per cent of the seats in October 2011.

What followed was the promulgation of a civil constitution based on Islamic values, leading Tunisia to become a beacon of democracy in the Muslim world. Last Thursday’s parliamentary elections in Tunisia, however, saw the defeat of en-Nahdah to the secular leftist Nidaa Tounes. So what led to en-Nahdah’s downfall?

To answer this question, perhaps it is worth looking back at the Arab Spring. The genesis for revolution in the Middle East began in Tunisia on 17 December 2010, the day a young would-be petty trader, Mohammad Bouazizi, set himself alight. The weeks that followed would bring a dramatic change to the region and even the Muslim world at large. Following the Tunisian protests that led to regime change, Egyptians got into the action as well in January 2011 with a massive mobilisation at Tahrir Square, eventually resulting in the fall of dictator Hosni Mubarak on 11 February.

Having claimed the scalp of two long-time dictators, Islamists the world over began to rejoice, asserting the success of the concept called “al-Islam huwa al-hal” or “Islam is the solution.” However, as much as Islamism provided a common mobilising ideology and a useful structure for organised protests, we have to recognise that the real underlying factors that sparked both the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions are both economic deprivation and political repression.

This duality of motivation has been credited by many studies, including a report by the Arab Institute for Human Rights and the Arab NGO Network for Development, which stated that the desire to build a socio-economic system based on “dignity, liberty and equality… was the main demand of the demonstrators in the entire region and what led them to this profound change.”

Hence, it is not entirely accurate to read the Arab Spring as a phenomenon of “Islamic reawakening” or as the manifestation of the desire to be more Islamic. Instead, the uprising against Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak was neither religious nor was it secular. By and large, the call was for an end to corruption, cronyism, and political repression, as well as for an improvement in economic conditions.

As such, when the people placed their hopes in en-Nahdah in Tunisia and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the Arab Spring, they were hoping that these parties would bring a new approach to politics that centred on equitable economic distribution, good governance and social justice.

Returning to our focus on the Tunisian story, en-Nahdah had been given a mandate to rectify the many socio-economic problems beleaguering Tunisian society, such as persistent unemployment. Unfortunately, the general perception of the voters was that the party failed to deliver. Unemployment remains high and crime has grown more precarious amidst regional turmoil. It is in this context of public discontent over their handling of the economy that en-Nahdah’s recent electoral defeat occurred.

As posited by regional expert and Oxford don Michael Willis: “the economy was the main issue. Nidaa Tounes is seen as having the expertise to get the economy back on track.”

It is the same story in Egypt, where a poll conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) showed that economic grievances rated highest in people’s minds. For example, 63 per cent of the people cited “unemployment” while 30 per cent cited “poverty” as the biggest problem facing Egypt.

A Pew Research Centre study also saw economic aspirations put ahead of democratic demands with more Egyptians – 82 percent – saying that improved economic conditions and a fair judiciary – 79 per cent – are very important.

What can we learn from all this?

I believe that it is realistic to conclude that the main factors underpinning the Arab Spring and the revolutions that occurred in Tunisia and Egypt had less to do with Islamism than they did with more practical realities such as political oppression and the economy.

It’s about the ordinary people

We would do well to learn this lesson here in Malaysia, where there is now an increasing usurpation of personal affairs by the state in the name of religion. This is a dangerous trend, as the more the state attempts to monopolise the “truth” and proclaim themselves enforcers of religion, the more oppression will occur despite any good intentions.

Rather than being obsessed with the issue of amputating limbs, perhaps it is more productive for us to discuss socio-economic policies. This is particularly relevant to us here in Malaysia, where income inequality is the worst in Southeast Asia. The fact that two thirds of our population qualify for welfare assistance in the form of BR1M payments is indicative of a structural defect in the distribution of wealth in our country, especially when the Prime Minister claims that we are only five years away from high-income status based on growth projections.

Hence, in offering an alternative, we in the Democratic Action Party and Pakatan Rakyat as a whole are committed to introducing reforms that would ensure greater democratic space and an economy that is more just and inclusive.

We want to  raise the average Malaysian’s standard of living and reduce the widening income gap by addressing systemic irregularities such as corruption and state monopoly capitalism, which not only distorts the market but also concentrates wealth in the hands of the politically connected elite.

In place of the current flawed practices of patronage and opaque public procurement policies, we propose open competitive tenders. We are also against the implementation of the regressive GST at current conditions because we believe the rich should carry a larger tax burden compared to the poor. We also propose to break-up inefficient monopolies in many sectors, especially in the automobile, telecommunications, and public infrastructure sectors.

In terms of democratic reforms, we believe that there are three important aspects to concentrate on. Firstly, there is a need to ensure personal freedoms especially freedom of conscience and freedom of expression, as well as to uphold human rights and the rule of law. Secondly, we need to tackle social justice issues by increasing access to jobs, housing, public transport, medical care and education. And finally, we need to promote political and cultural pluralism, especially in respecting the rights of minorities in this country.

Here in Malaysia, whether we are socialist democrats, Muslim democrats or democrats of any other denomination, our challenge is in addressing the people’s core issues – economic deprivation and political suppression. Hence, instead of focusing on red herrings in the sphere of identity politics, it is critical for us to proffer solutions that would uphold good governance, rule of law, free and fair elections and socio-economic justice.

(Speech at the closing of First International Conference of the World Forum for Muslim Democrats held at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, November 4, 2014)

                This entry was posted on Tuesday, 4 November 2014, 10:30 am and is filed under
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Najib should also congratulate USM for being ranked No. 87 in the  100 Best Global Universities for Engineering  and direct  full inquiry why Malaysian universities could only get two out of 2,100 slots for the 21 subject areas for 100 Best Global Universities

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak should also congratulate the University Sains Malaysia (USM) for being  ranked No. 87 in the 100 Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 for Engineering, as he seems to have overlooked USM’s listing when congratulating Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for being placed in the 54th rank for agricultural science.

While congratulations to UPM and USM are in order, for being ranked in the 100 Best Global Universities in the field of agricultural science for UPM and in engineering for USM, the Prime Minister should be very worried and concerned about the overall failure and inability of Malaysian universities to compete with universities not only in Asia but also at the global level.

The Prime Minister cannot make a worse mistake or be more wrongly advised if he regards the Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 released by the US News and World Report on Oct. 27 as a cause for celebration, when it is in fact a terrible indictment of the lowly standards of public university education and excellence in the country.

Firstly, the country’s premier university, the University of Malaya is the only university listed in the 500 Best Global Universities Ranking 2015, and at a very lowly position of No. 423.

Secondly, the  Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 also feature the top 100 global universities in 21 subject areas, namely agricultural sciences, biology/biochemistry, chemistry, clinical medicine, computer science, economics/business, engineering, environment/ecology, geosciences, immunology, materials science, mathematics, microbiology, molecular biology/genetics, neurosciences and behavior, pharmacology/toxicology, physics, plant/animal sciences, psychiatry/psychology, social science/public health and space science.

With 100 Top universities ranked for each of the 21 subject areas, this will mean there are 2,100 slots available for the cream of global universities.

It is shocking that University of Malaya, the only Malaysian university listed in the 500 Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 has not been ranked as  Top 100 University for anyone of the 21 subject areas. Thanks to UPM and USM, Malaysia won two of the 2,100 slots in the Top 100 Universities for 21 subject areas.

The four top Asian universities in the 500 Best Global University Rankings 2015, namely Universities of Tokyo (No. 24), Peking (No. 39), Hong Kong (42) and Singapore (No.55) are all ranked Top 100 Universities in more than a dozen  subject areas.

University of Tokyo is Top 100 Universities for 18 subject areas, such as ranked No.5 in physics,  No. 6 in chemistry, No. 7 in Plant and Animal Science, No. 10 in biology/biochemistry, No. 13 in  microbiology, No. 17 in geosciences, No. 20 in materials science,  No. 34 in engineering, No. 36 in computer science, No. 42 in mathematics, No. 60 in clinical medicine and No. 85 in environment/ecology.

Peking University is Top 100 University for 14 subject areas, Hong Kong University in 13 subject areas and National University of Singapore in 15 subject areas.

It must trouble  Malaysians who care about higher education that each of these four universities could be ranked as the Top 100 universities in over a dozen subject areas while Malaysia could only get into two of the 2,100 slots for the 21 subject areas – UPM for agricultural science and USM for engineering; and with the premier university, University of Malaya, unable to get ranked as Top 100 in anyone of the 21 subject areas.

This is not cause for joy and celebration by the Prime Minister but who should direct a full inquiry  into the sad state of higher education in Malaysia.

                This entry was posted on Wednesday, 5 November 2014, 5:44 pm and is filed under
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University of Malaya guilty of global educational scandal of first magnitude when it is completely indifferent to its omission in the 2,100 slots for 100 Best Global Universities for 21 subjects but totally paranoid about penalizing Fahmi and UM8 for student awakening and activism

The country’s premier university, University of Malaya, is guilty of global educational scandal of the first magnitude when it is completely indifferent to its omission in the 2,100 slots for 100 Best Global Universities for 21 subjects but totally paranoid about penalizing student leader Fahmi Zainol and the UM8 for student awakening and activism.

So far, the only person in authority who had deigned to pay notice to the new world university ranking series, the Best Global Universities Ranking 2015 released by the US News and World Report, is the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself – as even the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, has kept silent on the new global university rankings in the past 10 days as he seems to  be leading a national campaign to “dumb down” Malaysians on what they should expect of  academic excellence and standards in Malaysian universities.

But the Prime Minister was badly advised, as he only congratulated the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for being placed in the 54th rank in the 100 Best Global Universities for agricultural science, but failed to congratulate the University Sains Malaysia (USM) for being ranked No. 87 in the 100 Best Global Universities for engineering.

Malaysians must be very concerned that in the 2,100 slots for 100 Best Global Universities for 21 subjects, Malaysia’s 21 public universities which have a total of over 200 schools for different disciplines, could only manage to be placed in the 100 Best Global University for two subjects – agricultural science for UPM and engineering for USM.

In failing to get ranked in any one of 100 Best Global Universities for 21 subjects, UM’s lowly listing of No. 423 in the 500 Best Global Universities Rankings 2015 is further diminished – as reflected by the Prime Minister’s congratulations to UPM  for being ranked No 58 for the 100 Best Global Universities for agricultural science but not to the UM for the lowly 423rd position for overall university ranking among the 500 Best Global Universities.

Malaysians would have expected the University of Malaya, as the premier university of the country which have 12 faculties, two academies, five institutes and five centres, to be ranked among the 100 Best Global Universities in at least half a dozen subject areas.

This is because universities which were on par with UM in terms of academic excellence and standards half a century ago, like University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore, University of Melbourne and University of Sydney are ranked in the 100 Best Global Universities in more than a dozen subject areas.

National University of Singapore is 100 Best Global Universities for 15 subjects, University of Hong Kong in 13 subjects, University of Melbourne for 16 subjects and University of Sydney in 13 subjects.

Singapore, with three universities, wins 20 of the 2,100 slot for the 100 Best Global Universities for 21 subjects, i.e. National University of Singapore (15), Nanyang Technological University (4) and Singapore Management University (1).

Even Mahidol University of Thailand, which is below University of Malaya, being ranked No. 453 in the 500 Best Global Universities Rankings 2015, is rated as the 100 Best Global Universities for two subject areas – immunology and microbiology.

Muhyiddin should stop trying to “dumb down” Malaysian expectations of international academic standards and excellence for Malaysian universities and he should table a White Paper or make a Ministerial statement in Parliament about Malaysia’s poor performance in the Best Global Universities Rankings 2015.

Malaysian  taxpayers demand the restoration of high international academic  standards and excellence for Malaysian universities, in subjects which are important for Malaysia’s competitiveness in the age of science and technology, like mathematics, biology/biochemistry, chemistry, clinical medicine, computer science, economics/business, engineering, materials science, etc.

Malaysians do not expect Malaysian universities to excel in rarefied fields like space science, but strangely, one of the 21 fields which is devoid of any Asian university in the 100 Best Global Universities is psychiatry/psychology.

May be this is an area which Malaysia should try to excel as I fully agree with the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that more and more Malaysians have gone out of hand, the latest being those who call for action against manufactuters of the “deity” mineral water bottle.

The manufacturers were wrong for being insensitive but they were acting out of good intentions for the nation to promote tourism.  Point out the error by all means, but is it necessary to inflame and incite hatred by demanding  for their heads?

There is both a need for a return to sanity to put a halt to wild outbursts of extremism and intolerance as well as a  return to rationality for all leaders of the country to focus on real issues and give priority to matters which affect the  competitiveness and greatness of the country, such as the restoration of international academic excellence and standards for our universities, instead of wasting everyone’s time and energy on non-issues.

                This entry was posted on Thursday, 6 November 2014, 3:09 pm and is filed under
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In solidarity with UM8 – UM alumni, academics and concerned individuals

The Malaysian Insider

6 November 2014

We, the undersigned individuals, call on University Malaya (UM) to drop the charges against student leader Fahmi Zainol and all other students pertaining to the forum entitled “Empat PuluhTahun Dari UM ke Penjara” which took place on campus on 27 October 2014.

We support the right of Persatuan Mahasiswa University Malaya(PMUM), as an elected bodyrepresenting UM students, to organise events on campus. Their choice of topic for the lecture is reflective of the currently debated issue within academia and society.

We laud the students’initiative in seeking knowledge and critical views in understanding this issue further. The choice of inviting a politician as a guest speaker is not extraordinary as the university regularly haspolitical leaders coming to speak on its campus.

We wish to also record our serious concern and raise objection to the series of actions taken byUM in the handling of this event. The university’s response raises serious concerns regarding the professionalism of its administrators and the institution’s commitment to academic integrity and intellectual freedom.

First, instead of respecting the elected student body’s autonomy in planning the event, theuniversity declared the programme illegal and claimed that it would tarnish the university’s image.

Second, on the day of the event, UM staff members were instructed to leave the campus early and classes were cancelled under the guise of electrical malfunction and safety concerns. Instead ofengaging in a discussion with the student organisers, the administrators used excuses of bad weather and electrical malfunction to block the students’ activity.

Third, heavy control of traffic through the gates impinged on students’ right to move freely, culminating with a lockdown at the KL gate side, unnecessarily creating a climate of tension. Wenote that while it is unfortunate there was property damage in the form of a broken lock and chain and a dent to the gate, this could easily have been avoided had the university allowed themovement of people and traffic instead of locking the gates and barricading the campus.

Fourth, after the event, instead of engaging the student leaders in a productive dialogue, theuniversity chose to slap them with up to nine disciplinary charges, as a means of punishment.

We urge the university to move away from treating its students in a punitive manner. We note theirony that in the mishandling of this event, it is the administration that is tarnishing the university’s image, not only nationally but also within the global academic community.

As a university that aspires to be a “leader in research and innovation”, the suppression of intellectual freedom and diversity of opinion is contradictory to this mission. In order to createan environment of innovation and creativity, students must be allowed space to be independent and critical thinkers. UM’s aspiration to be a world-class university can only be achieved if itstrives to produce creative thinkers, not timid followers.

Historically, UM has always been a dynamic space for campus activities and student activism.This space of academic freedom has produced some of our country’s most important leaders in many different fields and industries.

We urgently call on the UM management to respect and uphold academic freedom, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly of students and academics in this premier university.

We reiterate our call for UM to drop the charges against the eight students and begin dialogue between the university administration and staff and students, on this matter.

Thank you.

This petition is signed by 210 UM alumni, academicians and concerned individuals. The following are the signatories:

UM Alumni

1. Adibah, UM 2003

2. Amarjit Kaur FASSA, Emeritus Professor of Economic History, University of NewEngland, Australia; UM BA Hons 1971, MA 1974

3. Dr Arlene F Ngan, Endocrinologist, Academic staff University Malaya, FacultyMedicine 1973-1985

4. Carol Yong (Ooi Lin), UM 2000

5. Cecilia Ng, UM 1985

6. Chan Wei See, Faculty of Science, UM 2003

7. Chang Yii Tan, IPT, UM 1990

8. Chee Heng Leng, UM 1990 (PhD)

9. Dr. Chen Tuck Pew, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Anaesthesia, University of Otago, UM 1983.

10. Cheong Siew Chyuan, UM 1982 Civil Engineering

11. Chew Phye Keat, UM Law 1986

12. Dr Chong Yit Sean, Monash University Malaysia, UM 1999

13. Choo Wei Hoong, UM 2007

14. Choong Shaw Mei, UM 1986

15. Clarissa Lee Ai Ling, UM 2002

16. Dato’ Agatha Foo, Bachelor of Arts, UM 1984

17. Dato Dr Amar Singh HSS, Consultant Paediatrician, UM 1983

18. Dato Dr Toh Kin Woon, UM 1971, 1982

19. Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, UM 1978

20. Dr David Quek, UM 1979

21. Din Merican, Research Fellow, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, UM Classof 1963

22. Evan Ngow, B.Ed.TESL Hons, UM 1997

23. Firdaus Husni, UM 2009

24. Gan Pei Boon, UM 1998

25. Gan Pei Fern, UM 2007

26. Geraldine Sebastian, UM 2007

27. Dr Greg Lopez, Murdoch University, UM 1992 / 1996

28. Dr Helen Ting, UM 1989

29. Henry Loh Kee Wey, Penang Women Development Corporation, UM Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) 1984

30. Ivy Josiah, UM 1980

31. Jacqueline Ann Surin, UM 1994

32. Janarthani Arumugam, UM FASS 2002

33. John Chung, UM 2000

34. Joseph Paul, UM FEA 1973

35. Jullie Lim, (Econs) UM 1984

36. Karen Phang, UM 2005

37. Khoo Kay Peng, UM FEA 1997

38. Dr KJ John, UM 1972

39. Lee Kee Hoon, UM1982

40. Leonard Foo Tet Seong, UM 1973

41. Dr Leong Choong Kheong, UM 1983

42. Dr. Lim Joo Kiong, UM 1983

43. Lim Mah Hui, City Councillor of Penang Island, UM 1969

44. Lim Pao Li, UM 1972

45. Lim Swee lm, UM 1976/1981, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya

46. Dr Lim Teck Ghee, UM 1968

47. Dr Linda Teoh, Consultant ophthalmologist, Tun Hussein Eye Hospital, UM 1983

48. Dr Mary Cardosa, Consultant Anaesthesiologist, UM 1983.49. Mary Suma Cardosa, UM 1983

50. Dr Melvin Kandasamy, UM 2000

51. Dr Misbah Ismail, UM Medical Faculty (1983)

52. Mohala Santharamohana, UM 1994

53. Mohd Akhir Bin Salleh, UM 1975

54. Nur Azrine Abdul Razak, UM 2005

55. Nurul Natasha Abdullah Sani, UM Law 2013

56. Ooi Lay Geen, UM 2009

57. Pathma Letchumanan, UM 2010

58. Patrick Koo, UM Law 1983

59. Prof Madya Dr Tan Eng Lee, Universiti Malaya 1978-2000)

60. Rafidah Abdullah, UM 2000

61. Sasikala Nair, UM 1982

62. Sean Ong Seng Leong, UM 2005

63. Sharon Sundlas, UM 2002

64. Soo Jin Hui, UM 1999

65. Stephen Law Fook Choy, UM 1981

66. Tan Lee Peng, UM 1969

67. Dr Tan Ooi Hong, UM 1991

68. Dr Teh Ban Hup, Class of 78/83 Medical faculty

69. Vinesh Prabhu Naidu, UM 2001

70. Voon Phin Keong UM 1965

71. Wong Pui Yi, UM 2009

72. Dr Wong Soak Koon, UM BA (Hons) 1971, Dip Ed 1973, MA 1975

73. Wong yan kheong, UM1982

74. Wong Yuen Yee, UM 1999

75. Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, MP for Beruas, UM 1985

76. Yoong Yan Pin, retired CEO United Overseas Bank Malaysia, MU 1966

Malaysian academics

77. Ahmad Fuad Rahmat, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Nottingham University Malaysia Campus

78. Dr Andrew Aeria, University Malaysia Sarawak

79. Ang Sze Wei, PhD,  Assistant Professor, University of Hong Kong

80. Assistant Prof. Leong Kar Yen, Tamkang University, Taiwan

81. Assistant Professor Dr Fadzilah Din, International Islamic University Malaysia

82. Assoc. Prof, Dr Ng Swee Choon, University Tungku Abdul Rahman, UM 1975(Faculty of Medicine)

83. Associate Professor Dr Sharmani Patricia Gabriel, University of Malaya

84. Dr Azmi Sharom, Faculty of Law, University of Malaya

85. Boon Kia Meng, Kyoto University

86. Dr Chan Chee Khoon, Center for Poverty & Development Studies, University of Malaya

87. Dr Charis Quay Huei Li, Université Paris-Sud, France.

88. Dr Cheong Kee Cheok, Senior Research Fellow, UM & UM Class of 1967

89. Dahlia Martin, Flinders University

90. Dr Diana Wong, Former Visiting Professor, Kanita, USM

91. Evelyn Tang, MIT (USA)

92. Dr Francis Loh, President, Aliran; Professor (retired 2013), University Sains Malaysia

93. Goh Chun Fan, Carnegie Mellon University

94. Ho Seng Tat, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

95. Dr Isham Pawan Ahmad, International Islamic University

96. Jaanah, Faculty of Law, University of Malaya

97. Dr Jeff Tan, Associate Professor, Aga Khan University (International) in the United Kingdom

98. Johan Saravanamuttu, Lecturer & Professor, USM (1976-2006); Visiting SeniorResearch Fellow, ISEAS (2006-2014)

99. Kamal Solhaimi, University of Malaya

100. Keith Chin Wei Jun, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York.

101. Khoo Boo Teik, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo

102. Khoo Gaik Cheng, University of Nottingham

103. Khoo Teng Jian, University of Cambridge

104. Koh Sin Yee, City University of Hong Kong

105. Lai Suat Yan, University Malaya

106. Law Tzuo Hann, University of Pennsylvania

107. Lee Chee Horng, UM 1981

108. Dr Lee Hwok Aun, University of Malaya

109. Lee Kiong Hock, University of Malaya (retired professor)

110. Maimuna Merican, UM

111. Mustafa Kamal Anuar, Penang Institute

112. Nor Faridah Abdul Manaf,IIUM

113. Dr Ong Kian Ming, Lecturer, UCSI University & Member of Parliament for Serdang, DAP

114. Ooi Heng, Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan

115. Ooi Teik Khim, Singapore Institute of Management

116. Prof Wan Manan, Malaysian Academic Movement (MOVE)

117. Profesor Madya Dr Tan Eng Lee (Universiti Malaya 1978-2000)

118. Professor Terence Gomez, University of Malaya

119. Professor Zaharom Nain, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

120. Rachel Gong, Stanford University

121. Rosli H Mahat, Universiti Malaya

122. Rosli Omar, Associate Professor (retired 2012), Universiti Malaya

123. Dr Rusaslina Idrus, University of Malaya

124. Dr Subramaniam Pillay, Associate Professor, Taylor’s University

125. Sumit Mandal, independent scholar

126. Tan Beng Hui, PhD, Universiti Malaya

127. Dr Tan Meng Yoe, Monash University Malaysia

128. Teo Lee Ken, National University of Singapore

129. Dr Tim Mak, University of Cambridge

130. TMB Krishnan. Swinburne University of Technology

131. Dr Yeoh Seng Guan, Monash University Malaysia

132. Yuwana Podin, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

International academics

133. Dr Andrew Filmer, Universiti Putra Malaysia

134. Dr Bridget Welsh, Senior Research Fellow, Center for East Asia Democracy, National Taiwan University

135. Dr Claire Marrache-Kikuchi, Universite Paris Sud, France

136. Dr Pascal Lederer, Université Paris Sud, Campus d’Orsay, France

137. Dr Tessa Houghton, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

138. Associate Professor Meredith Weiss, State University of New York at Albany

139. Daniel Esteve, Research director at CEA Saclay, France

140. Mallisa Corbert, Monash University Melbourne

Concerned individuals

141. Dr Abdul Halim Yusof, Kelantan Coalition of NGOs

142. Al-Mustaqeem Mahmod Radhi, Lingkaran Islam Tradisional

143. Anas Alam Faizli, Author, ‘Rich Malaysia, Poor Malaysians’

144. Anil Netto, anilnetto.com

145. Anne Lasimbang, PACOS Trust

146. Bala Chelliah

147. Cheang Mun Leng @ Lynn Teo, Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

148. Cheng Eng Aun

149. Chew Yoke Kuan

150. Chow Chee Keong, MEd, MBA, BSc., principal, The Learning Garden

151. Chuah Siew Eng, USM 1992

152. Chung Sooi Chin

153. Clare Rewcastle-Brown

154. Diana Talit, Anak Malaysia

155. Fadih Nadwa Fikri

156. Faribel Maglin, Pusat Komas

157. Dr Gobinder Singh, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Past President, MalaysianOrthopaedic Association158. Honey Tan Lay Ean, lawyer

159. Jannie Lasimbang, Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)

160. Jasbir Singh

161. Jason Tan, freelance journalist

162. Jayanath Appudurai ,  University  of Singapore, 1973

163. Jean Yap

164. Kalei Joethi Sahadevan

165. Lee Hong Jin

166. Lee King Yi

167. Lee Lin Yi

168. Lee Wei San, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

169. Leong Siew Shen

170. Leong Wai Kuan

171. Liang Phing, Anak Malaysia

172. Lim Chuan Yang, alumni UNMC 2014

173. Maria Chin Abdullah, Chairperson. BERSIH 2.0

174. Mark Bujang, Executive Director, BRIMAS

175. Mary Soh, Anak Bebas Malaysia

176. Mary Tan

177. Masjaliza Hamzah, journalist/human rights activist

178. Meera Samanther

179. Molly Khoo

180. Ong Guan Sin, business owner

181. Paramjeet Singh, air transport pilot/property developer, London UK

182. Poo Kok Chong

183. Praveen Nagappan, SABM Australia

184. py wong, tindakmalaysia

185. Satish Chand Bhandari, retired education officer

186. See-See Leong

187. Seet Ping, Secretary, Himpunan Hijau

188. Shamini Flint, author, Malaysian

189. Dr Sharifah Halimah Jaafar, Consultant O&G, UKM Alumni

190. Shaun Tan Zhi Ming

191. Suri Kempe, Sisters in Islam

192. Susanna George, social activist

193. Syahredzan Johan

194. Synna Ong

195. Tan Hui Chun, Humanity Library,KL

196. Tan Pek Leng, Aliran & Women’s Centre for Change

197. Tashia Peterson

198. Tee Fung Ching

199. Tham Siew Choon, UPM 2003

200. Thomas Fann, ENGAGE

201. Thong kok wai, MPSR

202. V L Kandan

203. Wong Ee Lynn

204. Wong Sui Pin

205. Yap Swee Seng, executive director, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

206. Yeow Ai Lin, WAO

207. Yim Fen

208. Yin Shao Loong, Institut Rakyat

209. Dr. Yolanda Augustin

210. Zainah Anwar

– See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/in-solidarity-with-um8-um-alumni-academicians-and-concerned-individuals#sthash.YsfTaNCU.dpuf

                This entry was posted on Friday, 7 November 2014, 6:50 am and is filed under
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Indonesia has to raise its voice to speak out for moderate Islam

– Rizvi Shihab

The Malaysian Insider

6 November 2014

One of the many challenges facing the current government is re-establishing Indonesia’s unique geographical, cultural and ideological identities.

Presently, there is a concerted governmental effort to augment Indonesia’s power by introducing its “maritime-axis” foreign policy to fully take advantage of its strategic geographical position.

But in addition to this maritime emphasis, I believe Indonesia needs to start disseminating its ideological character globally as a world ambassador of religious moderation. Members of the international community often wonder about the silence exhibited by the majority of moderate Muslim countries. This provides opportunity for Indonesia to step up and become the leader of this quiet group.

If the United States is known as the ethnic melting pot, Indonesia should strive to be acknowledged as the religious melting pot where members of all faiths live in tranquil harmony.

Recently, the former foreign minister of Tunisia, Mouldi Kefi commended Indonesia as the only country in the world that celebrates official religious holidays for Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.

Indonesia is widely reputed as the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world, but it would carry higher meaning if it were also renowned as the centre of spiritual acceptance.

Threat of extremism

Interestingly, the recognition came from a Tunisian whose country is also attempting to institute a more accepting form of Islam.

According to a Pew Global Research study, concerns regarding religious extremism amongst Tunisians has sharply risen to 78% in 2014 from 52% in 2012. These trepidations have somewhat decided the recent elections in Tunisia where the secular Nidaa Tounes party was able to secure victory against the Ennahda party, which conceded its failings in monitoring and suppressing radicalism.

Similarly President Abdelfattah el-Sisi has been an active combatant against the religious extremism in Egypt, which was prevalent after the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Since his election he has de-activated the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing and labeled it as a terrorist organisation. Sisi’s stance on de-radicalisation remains a focal point of his administration and is supported by the majority of Egyptians, who feel his decisive actions have prevented Egypt from falling into the same trap experienced by Iraq and Syria.

During a United Nations speech on September 24, Sisi remarked that “the world has started to grasp the reality and understand why Egyptians revolted against extremism that wanted to break the unity of the nation.”

Peaceful coexistence

A similar problem is faced in Indonesia, where many feel the latest outbreaks of religious intolerance compromise the nation’s national philosophical foundation, Pancasila, which proclaims peaceful coexistence.

Domestically, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organisation in the world, has been the most active and vocal proponent of religious acceptance.

For example GP Ansor, NU’s youth wing, patrols churches on Christmas Eve to look out for any imminent terror threats.

This type of activity should not be questioned as it has been by some Indonesians, but must be promoted globally.

Last week Hasyim Muzadi, a senior NU member, along with the International Conference of Islamic Scholars, National Anti-Terrorism Agency and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, held a “Conflicts and Democratisation in the Middle East” seminar.

The intellectual gathering opened dialogues between leading religious figures, including Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and the diplomatic community.

It was attended by Indonesia’s current foreign affairs minister, Retno Marsudi, and her predecessors Hassan Wirajuda and Alwi Shihab. Ambassadors of Middle Eastern countries also attended the two-day seminar.

Active engagement

Considering the experience Egypt and Tunisia have in dealing with religious extremism, it would be advantageous if Indonesia’s foreign ministry formally collaborated with the North African nations to acquire more knowledge and techniques to contain extremism. By effectively tackling the issue of radicalism, Indonesia will then be able to fully realise its ideological character and go on to fill the absence of a significant moderate Islamic voice.

Member states of the European Union are also troubled by this disturbing matter. Germany, France and Britain have all been affected by religious extremism, creating an inaccurate and damaging image of Islam for many of the countries’ inhabitants.

The Italian ambassador to Indonesia, Federico Failla expressed his interest in arranging for renowned Indonesian Muslim scholars to visit Italy and present lectures and seminars to counteract some of the negative perceptions of Islam in that country. It is this negative perception that prompted Bill Maher, a well-known member of the Western media to label Islam as a “mafia religion”.

By re-establishing the quality of religious acceptance, Indonesia will benefit on several fronts, including through tourism, diplomacy and foreign investment.

Islam’s international standing will in a large part be decided by Indonesia, either by its apathy, or active engagement. Indonesia’s leaders must choose the latter option. – Jakarta Globe, November 6, 2014.

* Rizvi Shihab is a professional in the oil and gas sector and a researcher at the Bina Bangsa Foundation.

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Malaysia’s moderate Muslim face takes a beating

The Malaysian Insider

6 November 2014

When Malaysia’s urbane Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak travels abroad, he invariably touts his country’s widely accepted reputation for moderate Islam, but that image is taking a beating at home.

Increasingly strident Islamist pressure, often initiated by Najib’s own government, is causing deepening dismay in the traditionally tolerant multi-faith country.

The trend is rooted in the decades-old regime’s attempts to strengthen its weakening grip amid repeated electoral setbacks, as a formidable opposition taps into broad sentiment for liberal reform.

But the ruling establishment is setting the country on an uncertain path, critics warn.

“The government spends a lot of money promoting the label ‘moderate’. Of course (Malaysia is) not moderate. We are far from that,” said Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a former minister in the regime.

Malaysia has enjoyed uncommon racial and religious harmony, with a politically dominant Muslim ethnic Malay majority largely co-existing with sizeable Chinese and Indian communities.

Speech or actions that inflame religious sensitivities can result in jail.

But Islamic pressure has accelerated this year as the ruling Umno falls back on its Muslim base.

Campaign against ‘deviants’

In a deeply emotive dispute, government and religious officials have upped pressure on Malay-speaking Christians to cease using the Arabic word “Allah” for the Christian God, as they have done for generations.

Authorities have angered Christians by seizing Bibles containing “Allah”.

Official Friday sermons and religious edicts have increasingly warned of creeping liberalism and other threats to Islam, critics say, while prominent moderate-Muslim groups have been branded “deviant” by religious authorities.

An animal activist triggered a frenzy last month with a campaign encouraging his fellow Muslims to touch and being kind to dogs, which are considered unclean by Islam. The activist was sharply denounced and received death threats.

Pressured by powerful conservatives, the mild-mannered Najib, 61, is accused by moderate critics of looking the other way.

His government has charged dozens of regime critics with sedition recently and is attempting to jail opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on much-questioned sodomy charges.

But provocative threats by a range of increasingly vocal Islamic groups – believed to be aligned to the ruling regime – go unpunished.

Last month, the government essentially defended a prominent Malay nationalist who had called for Bibles to be burned.

“This is all definitely a very damaging trend because once you let this genie out of the bottle, it is very hard to get back in,” said Wan Saiful Wan Jan, head of Malaysian political think-tank IDEAS.

“We are heading towards a very disunited Malaysia.”

Following 1969 race riots, Umno has reined in religious passions as it transformed the former agrarian backwater into a successful modern economy.

Foreign ‘invasion’

But its controls have loosened, and today’s Islamic calls resonate with many.

Farida Ashari, 39, a civil servant living in an upscale part of Kuala Lumpur, said many Muslims were reacting against globalisation.

“It’s like an invasion. There is pornography on the Internet. Do I want my son to see that?” she said.

In years past, many Malaysian Muslims were less devout, she said, and her mother never wore the tudung (head scarf). But Farida, like many women today, began wearing it a decade ago and wants her children raised more strictly Islamic.

“It is a modern world, yes, but we are Muslim, and this is our country.”

Abdul Rahman Abu Bakar, deputy head of Malay supremacist group Perkasa, said conservatives were mobilising to “protect our country and our religion” from liberal forces, a term typically aimed at the multi-ethnic political opposition which promises to dismantle Umno’s strict rule and crony capitalism.

But the Muslim card is being played at a delicate time, with dozens of Malaysians men and women reportedly joining the war in Syria led by the extremist Islamic State (Isis) group. Authorities fear jihadis will return radicalised.

At least three dozen people have been arrested for jihadi links, including members of an alleged plot to carry out bombings in Malaysia, police say, and pro-jihad sentiments ripple across Malaysian social media.

“Even though I know I can die, I still want to go (to Syria). It is wise to go and wage jihad for Allah,” said Nur Syuhada Jamalludin, 19, a student at a girls-only Islamic school in Kuala Lumpur, her cherubic face tightly swaddled in a pink tudung.

“I think my parents would say: ‘Yes, you can go to defend Islam.'” Despite its own claims to moderation, Malaysia’s diverse three-party opposition bears some blame.

The opposition’s conservative PAS has appealed to its own base with stepped-up calls for harsh Islamic law in rural areas it controls, where a range of strict Muslim codes already prevail.

Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, a leading moderate Muslim and daughter of authoritarian former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Malaysians remain too tolerant for lasting damage to be caused, but said it was imperative that the government act.

“It is a question of our leadership. It can move us this way or that way. It can say ‘stop this nonsense’,” she said. – AFP, November 6, 2014.

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Malaysia’s road to perdition

COMMENTARY BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

3 November 2014

There is no delicate way to put this: Malaysia is on a downward spiral, led down the dangerous path by overzealous religious authorities, misguided or plain stupid individuals and groups.

And perhaps more alarmingly, the government of the day is either allowing this implosion of a blessed country or has become a clueless bystander to the dismantling of multiracial and multi-religious Malaysia.

Not a day seems to go by without some new group seeking to change the complexion of Malaysia.

Not a day goes by without a reminder that stray words and ignorance are far more dangerous than sticks or stones.

Just another day in Malaysia:

Brouhaha over church site in Petaling Jaya

Thank you, Ishak Maarof and your appropriately named Sahabat NGO. Thank you for pointing out the obvious: that the majority of people in Selangor are Malays, that the sultan is Malay, the state police chief is Malay, etc.

Now let us point out something obvious: why are you and your motley crew – who are part of the overwhelming majority in Selangor and Malaysia – so insecure about the construction of a place of worship for a minority group?

The NGO is upset that Praise Emmanuel Assembly’s four-storey building:

– is too visible and can be seen from the highway and LRT.

Presumably, Ishak and friends are worried that those travelling to work will feel compelled to attend some prayer service when sighting the building and may then convert to Christianity. Ye of little faith, Ishak.

– was built speedily and seemingly with fewer obstacles than the construction of a surau or mosque. The land was set aside by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in 2001 for a church and it is now 2014.

How does a 13-year interval qualify as fast?

In all probability, the church congregation had to raise funds and endure a tedious process of obtaining approvals before even a brick was purchased.

Ishak has other complaints but it all boils down to this: non-Muslims should build their places of worship in areas that are not Malay-majority. Pray tell, where exactly is this oasis in Malay-majority Selangor?

This NGO and others must be resisted because in their perverted way they are trying to usurp the Federal Constitution.

There is no more dangerous combination to peace and harmony than ignorance and a wayward tongue.

It is said that a community or a government or a country is known by how it treats its minorities. Do the likes of Ishak represent the community or majority that takes umbrage at what a minority does or seeks to guarantee their way of life?

Groups like Sahabat NGO are not really concerned about Muslims straying from their faith at the sight of a church as much as they want their version of what Malaysia should be take place.

It must be a country at their terms, where those of other faiths are sidelined and kept out of side. They want the rainbow that is Malaysia to be closer to just one colour, one race, one religion.

That is not Malaysia. The tapestry of many races, religions, cultures, beliefs and opinions is what makes Malaysia greater than the sum of its parts. Anything less makes us a poorer nation and take us down the road to perdition. – November 3, 2014.

– See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysias-road-to-perdition#sthash.269XfyNM.dpuf

                This entry was posted on Friday, 7 November 2014, 7:07 am and is filed under
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Time to rally against ‘oppressive regime’, says convicted youth activist

The Malaysian Insider

6 November 2014

Youth activist Safwan Anang, who was sentenced to 10 months in jail for sedition in September, said the recent outcry among student activists against the “oppressive regime” was no ordinary protest and could usher in a greater movement at the societal level.

“It is time for the students to unite all Malaysians from among the youths, workers, social activists, NGOs, party activists and ordinary citizens who are fighting against endless issues such as the rise in fuel price and living costs, the goods and services tax, the use of the Sedition Act and the oppression of people’s rights.

“The students should be the pioneers in mobilising a huge movement to shake the regime from its comfortable position,” said Safwan in a statement.

The Lensa Anak Muda (Lensa) executive director praised his juniors for initiating the student movement on October 27, when they invited Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into the Universiti Malaya (UM) campus despite the university’s ban on the event.

“These students are courageous defenders of the oppressed. Their action in bringing in Anwar was suicidal!

“That night they also proved that they could unite a variety of Malaysians irrespective of their background, and in fact some in attendance were university staff who wished to express their solidarity in the face of evil.”

He also said that the very next day, the students did not turn up outside the Federal Court for Anwar’s sodomy appeal but instead headed to Kampung Chubadak Tambahan to protect the villagers whose homes were being torn down that day by the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL).

“They chose to go there to defend the oppressed individuals whose homes were about to be bulldozed, while the previous night, these same activists had organised a programme in solidarity with another oppressed individual (Anwar).

“Yesterday, they succeeded in bringing Opah (Wahida Md Salleh, whose house was demolished in Kampung Chubadak Tambahan) into UM to deliver her message to the students. Again, we salute the students.”

Safwan urged the students not to be deterred by the disciplinary hearing tomorrow against the eight who had participated in Anwar’s programme, including student leader Fahmi Zainol.

“We, the youth activists, take the rise in student power seriously. Even though they will face the university’s disciplinary board tomorrow, they should not back down.”

The eight students have been instructed to attend an inquiry board meeting tomorrow for participating in the October 27 programme titled “40 years: from UM to prison”.

The programme was declared illegal by the university and the campus was locked down that night, but hundreds forced their way through the gates, allowing Anwar to enter his alma mater and address a crowd of about 2,000.

Fahmi now faces nine charges under the Universities and University Colleges Act, and faces the possibility of expulsion from UM.

Several student groups also urged the public to “occupy UM” this Friday in support of the eight students who have been charged.

They said they intended to camp near the Kompleks Perdana Siswa from morning until the results of the inquiry were announced. – November 6, 2014.

                This entry was posted on Friday, 7 November 2014, 6:31 am and is filed under
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Beat Isis on its turf, fight them online, experts tell Muslims

by Anisah Shukry

The Malaysian Insider

8 November 2014

The militant group known as Islamic State (Isis) successfully recruited hundreds of Muslims, including Malaysians, for its terror attacks by capitalising on social media and online propaganda, but experts believe that civil society can reclaim the Internet and beat the terrorist group at its own game.

“The challenge of the Isis propaganda is that it is appealing, sexy, counter-cultural, anti-establishment,” said Abdul-Rehman Malik, a London-based journalist, educator and organiser.

“The role of us in civil society is to be savvier about what Isis is, and to subvert their narrative through humour, through bold moves.”

He told The Malaysian Insider that this responsibility did not have to lie with the government alone, but any person who had access to the Internet could join the fight against Isis.

Rehman has spent nearly a decade leading a British non-governmental organisation (NGO) called Radical Middle Way, which utilises Internet forums to engage British youths to counter the jihadist message.

“We need to tell everyone the truth about how many Muslims are killed by groups like al-Qaeda and Isis. People tend to pay attention to the Western journalists or the Western aid workers that were killed.

“But thousands of Muslims are being murdered by these people, and they have made it clear that when Bashar al-Assad falls, they will turn on other Muslims,” he said.

He spoke to The Malaysian Insider after taking part in a roundtable discussion on Setting Up of Task Force to Address the Issue of Extremism and Terrorism through Social Media at the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation yesterday.

Another participant Noor Huda Ismail, an Indonesian who has helped integrate over a dozen ex-terrorists into society through his NGO, Institute for International Peace Building, said that most of them were duped into fighting for the cause of Islam.

“Most people, who travel there, do not have a comprehensive picture of what is going on. They initially travel together to fight, to defend the Muslims.

“But when they arrive in the Middle East, they are split among groups like Jabhah al-nusrah and Isis and they fight among themselves,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Rehman said that alternative narratives should exist in social media that would drown out Isis’s romanticised image of jihad.

The Internet is rife with blogs, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts of Muslims claiming to be in Iraq and Syria where they lure supporters to “make hijrah” and garner interest in their cause by detailing their daily lives in the Islamic State.

One such blog is “Diary of a Traveler” – in it, a self-professed Malaysian doctor named “Shams” chronicles her life married to an Isis fighter as well as the heartache and joy she experiences living in “the land of Khilafah”.

Rehman conceded that the narratives of humanitarian aid work may not be as appealing and sexy as that of taking up arms and waging war in a foreign country to achieve martyrdom.

“But let’s use our resources not just to make it appealing, but to tell the compelling stories of aid workers, people in camps, people who are doctors who have gone into Syria to treat others, or fighters that are not allied with Bashar al-Assad. We need to be more creative and bold.”

Ross Frenett, a terrorism analyst at the London-based think tank, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, said it was important for the public, including the private sector, not to see the fight against terrorism as just a government problem.

“The government needs to focus less on taking content down, and more on empowering people to actually fight the battle of ideas,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

“NGOs need to be a bit more braver and more willing to challenge Isis and these kind of affiliated groups online, whether it’s through direct counter-messaging or education.”

He added that the private sector could get involved and empower the “credible voices”, rather than take a back seat in the fight against Isis.

The experts also suggested that the government look into engaging with terrorists who returned from Isis and were willing to speak against their former colleagues.

“These are not evil people, and a lot of them come back saying ‘wow, it wasn’t like what we thought it would be. We had such high intentions and hope, but what we saw was horrible’,” said Rehman.

“Instead of criminalising these people, we should be engaging with them. They are the best response to Isis. When they say ‘we went to Syria and we saw everything, and Isis doesn’t say what it actually is’, isn’t that much more powerful?”

Frenett agreed that the government should capitalise on such former terrorists, but stressed that criminal action should also be taken against them.

“When people get back, there needs to be an avenue through people who become disenchanted while in Syria and Iraq to face appropriate criminal action.

“But if they’re willing to come back and speak against their former colleagues I think we need to see some of these people as a resource rather than a threat. So, law enforcement must be involved, but we need to tweak our approach a bit.”

Noor Huda said that those who took up arms in the name of religion were usually below the age of 25, and were not “criminals” but driven to fight for misguided reasons.

His own former Muslim boarding school roommate was involved in the 2005 Bali Bombing, while three other former schoolmates carried out suicide attacks in Indonesia, Syria and Iraq.

Noor Huda dedicates his time helping former combatants and after several failed attempts, he was able to open a café in 2009 that allowed the convicted terrorists to rehabilitate and integrate into society.

“Some of them who make the decision to get involved in violence are below 25 or even 20. They are still young. So the Malaysian government should only detain them as a temporary measure.

“They were driven by religious reasons, they are not criminals. So we have to help them to integrate into society and find their calling in life,” he said. – November 8, 2014.

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 8 November 2014, 10:11 pm and is filed under
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Going the Taliban way to keep grip on Malaysia

COMMENTARY BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

8 November 2014

It is no longer a question of what else will certain groups of Malay Muslims take offence to in Malaysia.

Anything from a) places of worship of other religions must not be built in Malay-majority areas and b) alcohol cannot be sold in shops in Malay-majority areas, and even pictures of idols cannot be placed alongside Halal signs – has raised hackles among Muslim groups.

For them, it is not ridiculous to say that such things can shake their faith or affect their image. No detail is too small or trivial for them to assert their dominance or flex their muscles to get their way.

But the so-called guardians are also the same guys who won’t think twice of about plundering the nation or visiting an entertainment outlet and then insisting on a halal meal.

You don’t see them protesting leakages and excesses highlighted in the annual Auditor-General’s Reports. You don’t seem them questioning projects that produce white elephants or buildings that crumble easily.

No, they only come out to make noise over houses of worships or anything that would impinge on their image as sole guardians of the Malay Muslim community.

When did this puritanical thinking start? Sometime after Election 2008 when Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) lost its traditional two-thirds super majority in the federal parliament.

In some ways, this insiduous Talibanisation of Malaysia is being pushed forward by Umno and its acolytes, who are using race and religion to overcome their loss of political power.

So, churches and temples that were once approved under BN rule in Selangor are now the subject of protests. Alcohol that was sold freely throughout the country is now questioned.

Items that require Halal signs cannot be associated with anything else even if it is just a tourism campaign of Malaysia, Truly Asia. Of course, it begs the question why water requires a Halal certification.

But one doesn’t have to wonder any more why these things are the way they are.

Just like what happened in Afghanistan after the fight to rid of Soviet occupiers, those without political power used religion and race to win over and control the population. It happened there and it appears to be an emerging tactic here.

The English essayist Samuel Johnson once declared that “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” but these days, it can cover anything from race to religion. Anything for and to keep power, really. – November 8, 2014

                This entry was posted on Saturday, 8 November 2014, 9:50 pm and is filed under
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Malays and Islam are not under attack in Malaysia. It is multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia which is under siege by intolerant and extremist forces which  are trying to turn moderation into a dirty word in Malaysia

It is the supreme irony of ironies.

While the government continues to propagate the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s initiative of a Global Movement of Moderates, this time at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit currently being held in Beijing, Najib had never been  so weak and impotent at home to check the forces of hatred, intolerance and extremism rearing their ugly heads.

On the day that Bernama reported that the Prime Minister’s Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) proposal had received praise from the APEC foreign ministers meeting in Beijing before the 22nd APEC Summit, an ex-UMNO Minister had opened fire on Najib’s GMM initiative, claiming that Christian fanatics in Malaysia had seized on Najib’s concept of moderation and exploited it for their own interests.

Former Information  Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maiddin claimed that the Malays and Islam were under pressure due to the concept of moderation, asserting that there were signs the concept was on the wrong track.

He cited with approval a recent statement by Johor Umno youth vice-chief Khairul Anwar Rahmat, who said that moderation was unsuitable for certain issues, claiming that  it reflected the thoughts and opinions of the Umno grassroots.

Khairul said the concept of moderation must be placed in the right place and used at the right time – and is not suitable to be used when it involves religious struggle and the upholding of shariah law.

Zainuddin said brave and courageous voices to defend the character and pride of the Malays were no longer coming from Umno, but from non-governmental organisations.

Zainuddin said Khairul was right in saying it was better to fight till the bitter end as being too engrossed in moderation would result in average, instead of devout, Muslims.

He blogged: “While Najib has succeeded in his efforts to promote Malaysia as a moderate Muslim country to the global community, it has had a negative impact internally.”

I do not want to get involved in a religious polemic, but the thesis of the  former UMNO Minister which he claims represents the thoughts and opinions of the Umno grassroots,  is most disturbing as he seems to suggest that Islam is not a religion of moderation.

This is a great disservice to Malaysia and to Islam, especially at a time which is seeing the rise of bigotry and extremism all over the world – like the self-styled born-again “Caliphate” , “Islamic State”, which has carried out a systematic campaign of sectarian brutalities, beheadings and massacres, recruiting between 20,000 to 30,000 foreign fighters, including from Malaysia through the social media to entice those between 14 and 30, using the well-scripted texts on why ‘jihad’ (martyrdom) is an obligation in Islam.

Let there be no mistake. Malays and Islam are not under attack in Malaysia.  It is multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia which is under siege by intolerant and extremist forces which are trying to turn moderation into a dirty word in Malaysia.

When Najib made his first speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2010, where he first set out his Global Movement of Moderates proposal, Najib publicly commended United States President Barack Obama for the latter’s “courageous public position” in dealing with Islamophobia in condemning the proposed burning of the Quran by a Florida pastor and urged Obama “to galvanise the moderates, bring in the non-governmental organizations and social movements so that more people could see the importance of taking a moderate stance”.

As for himself,  up to now, Najib is not prepared to do what he commended Obama of doing – condemning Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn the Bible.

At the United Nations General Assembly and international forums, Najib called for a coalition of moderates.

In his recent speech at the UN General Assembly,  Najib set out for the third time the world agenda for moderation when he said:

 “The fight against extremism is not about Christians versus Muslims, or Muslims versus Jews, but moderates versus extremists of all religions. We therefore need to rally a coalition of moderates; those willing to reclaim their religion, and pursue the path to peace.”

It is pathetic and shocking that after preaching the moderation agenda at world forums for the past four years, Najib has yet  mobilise  a coalition of moderates in Umno and Barisan Nasional to reclaim their religion and pursue the path to peace and moderation.

As often been rightly pointed out, if  we can see the nature of religion through the prism of moderation, we will be able to identify common values shared by all religions. The values are peace, harmony and true happiness which will materialize when the followers of every religion avoid excessiveness in religious practices and in the conduct of worldly life.

Malaysians are entitled to ask  why UMNO and Barisan Nasional leaders and MPs have refused to sign in a coalition of moderates against extremists of all religions, both nationally and internationally, to build a future based on peace, harmony and security for all, regardless of faith?

Recently, the cacophony from the intolerant and extremist strains in our society have become louder and more insistent, and new rhetorics of hatred, intolerance and extremism are becoming quite commonplace, including:

•	Opposition to building of a church in Petaling Jaya although the land was set aside by the BN government for a church 13 years ago in 2001;

•	Strident demands for the closure of Chinese primary schools on the spurious ground that they cause racial conflict;

•	Furore to incite inter-racial and inter-religious tensions over “halal”  mineral water bottles to promote tourism with the  large Lord Murugan status at the  Batu Caves temple.

•	Seizure of Christian books and CDs brought in from Indonesia and on transit to Sabah; and

•	Refusal to prosecute Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn the Malay-language Biblle on the ground he was defending the sanctity of Islam and is protected by the Malaysian Constitution while the Attorney-General launches a bitzkrieg of arrests and prosecutions under the Sedition Act.

Yesterday, the UMNO Wanita leader Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil joined forces with those opposed to the repeal of the Sedition Act and promised one million signatures in the campaign although she has nothing to say about the double standards of the Attornery-General in the selective and malicious prosecution of Pakatan Rakyat leaders, activists and intellectuals as well as total silence about the RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation scandal, involving her family members.

Malays and Islam are not under siege in Malaysia.  But UMNO is under siege and there is a desperate attempt to equate UMNO  under siege as equal to Malays and Islam under siege, which is a great fallacy.

Are we going down the path of Talibanisation just so UMNO can keep grip of power in Malaysia?

Although this question was posed by The Malaysian Insider two days ago, it must have already troubled many Malaysians.

As The Malaysian Insider commentary put it:

“Just like what happened in Afghanistan after the fight to rid of Soviet occupiers, those without political power used religion and race to win over and control the population. It happened there and it appears to be an emerging tactic here.”

This is what Najib’s Global Movement of Moderates is meant to prevent – the lurch towards Talibanisation.

During my speech on the 2015 Budget, I had asked about the outcome of the promise by the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Gani Patail, to review the sedition charges against Dr. Azmi Sharom and others but no answer has been forthcoming from Nancy Shukri, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible to Parliament on this issue.

More than two months have passed since the AG’s promise of a review of the sedition blitzkrieg and charges. Has this been done, who carried out the review – or is Nancy just totally ignorant about it?

The explanation by the Attorney-General on why Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali had not been prosecuted for his threat to burn the Malay-language Bible had added salt to the wound, as it failed not only to win over doubters but have been received with scorn and rejected outright by majority of the critics.

What is worse, it reinforced the perception that the AG’s arguments that Ibrahim Ali  should enjoy immunity and impunity from legal sanctions because he was defending the sanctity of Islam and was protected by Article 11(4) of the Constitution were not only shallow, superficial and cock-eyed but reflects a Public Prosecutor who  has failed in his duties to be a responsible and trustworthy upholder of  the rule of law and the protector of inter-racial and inter-religious unity and harmony in a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation.

The AGC  had said that  “After the context had been studied as a whole, Ibrahim Ali’s statement does not fall into the category of having seditious tendencies”.

Does this mean that there are certain “context” where it is fully permissible to threaten the burning of the Bible?

Furthermore, are  there also certain “contexts” where it is permissible to threaten the burning of  holy books of other religions, for instance,  Tripitaka for Buddhism, Vedas for Hinduism, Torah for Judaism, Guru Granth Sahib for Sikhism and Tao Te Ching for Taoism?

Are there also  “contextual” justifications to justify the threat to burn the Holy Quran?

Just as there should be zero tolerance for corruption, there should be zero tolerance for  any threat to burn the holy books of any religion in Malaysia.

Surely not, there can be no justification in any context to justify the threat to  burn  any holy book of any religion in multi-religious Malaysia if we want to maintain inter-religious  understanding, harmony and peace and to quote Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to go  beyond just “tolerate” but to “accept” and even celebrate Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural diversity.

Is  Najib prepared to announce a zero tolerance policy in Malaysia  for any threat to burn any holy books of any religion so as to be a role model of moderation for other countries?

(Speech on the Prime Minister’s Department during committee stage debate of 2015 Budget in Parliament on Monday, 10th November 2014)

                This entry was posted on Monday, 10 November 2014, 3:25 pm and is filed under
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