Arabic is not tied to a particular religion

Arabic is not tied to a particular religion

Kevin Chin

I am really appalled by the politicisation of our schools and all public institutions and the various applications of Islamisation in Malaysia. I am absolutely against compulsory religious indoctrination of children in our schools.

However, I would like to share this; I worked in Egypt for two years as an engineer.

Being a Christian, I attended mass in Egyptian churches on Sundays.

As mass was celebrated in English only in a very few churches and only at certain times, I had to attend mass in various other languages that were used in the Churches there; French, German and Arabic.

I was taken aback the first time I attended mass in Arabic, because the priest started by saying:"Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim".

Remembering this was mass in a Catholic church, I asked my Egyptian friends what it meant. They informed me that it meant "In the name of the Almighty, God".

I also found out that the word "madrasah" meant religious school, Christian or Muslim.

The word "Allah" was used in Christian churches all the time. In fact there were many Christians in Arabia, speaking Arabic and praying in Arabic; Copts, Orthodox Greek, Armenian, Syrian, all Christians, speaking Arabic.

Learning Arabic is not necessarily a bad thing, in fact I found the Arabic people so genuine, honest and caring, I eagerly tried to learn as much Arabic as possible.

The only thing wrong with the picture in Malaysia is that the Malays are trying to hijack Arabic and make it a Muslim language, which it is not, it is just a language.

Paul Anka was an Arab and he is Christian and there are many Arab Christians.

I still am devastated by the things, Malays are forcing upon our children; however, if we fail to prevent this practice, I think we should inform our children that Arabic is not Islamic - they should visit the many beautiful churches in Egypt and attend mass in Arabic.

 

Open season on Lim Guan Eng

Open season on Lim Guan Eng




April 06, 2012



APRIL 6 — Umno has apparently declared “open season” on Lim Guan Eng.

That they have been stalking their favourite target for years, even

well before he came into prominence, is an open secret.



If they had not maligned, abused and subjected him to unremitting

muck-raking and mudslinging, these Umno stormtroopers would have felt

totally inadequate and that something was missing from their miserable

existence.



They would, like their brown-shirted, fair-haired and blue-eyed Aryan

cousins of the Third Reich, have felt that they were not fulfilling

their historic destiny which is to cause as much mayhem as the police,

in their accustomed manner and wisdom, would allow. It is all in the

name of upholding “ketuanan Melayu”, and nothing should be allowed to

stand in their way, not even the rule of law. Years of blatant abuse

with impunity by Mahathir Mohamad who, in cahoots with his Umno

henchmen, succeeded by means fair and foul, mainly foul, in distorting

the systems of orderly governance as provided for under our

constitutional arrangements.



Imputations of improper motives such as in the case of “the

disappearing mosque land” and innuendos that any fair-minded Malaysian

would regard as completely beyond the pale are standard fare to be

dished out to the likes of Lim Guan Eng as and when it takes their

fancy. What is grotesquely ironic in all of this is that the driving

force behind the campaign to “put the non-Malays in their place” is a

bunch of bloody-minded, misguided “constitutional” Malays who have

been manipulating the Malays for ages.



For all their professed Malayness I am told the majority speak Tamil

at home. We are free to speak any language. However, those claiming to

be Malays must not only practise Malay customs and traditions but also

habitually speak the Malay language. That is what the Constitution

says. But you have to give it to them: they know Malay weaknesses

instinctively and are quick to exploit them.



But then, the Malay is an open book. I do not always see eye to eye

with Mahathir, but reluctantly I agree with him when he says Malays

have a short memory and this has worked to his advantage. Racist I am

not; I am just against any form of hypocrisy, barefaced or otherwise.



I suppose it would be totally unrealistic to expect a party that is

morally deficient in respect of civilised conduct to conform even to

minimum universal ethical standards. Where then is Umno’s legitimacy

to govern? They bleat or, more in keeping with the time in which we

live, moo, “But we have the people’s mandate.” Buying the so-called

people’s mandate with state funds certainly does not confer on Umno

the right to lead this nation.



In a more open and democratic society, the rule of law would ensure

that those lording over us and robbing us blind in the process would

by now be repenting at leisure (and that is being charitable in

assuming they have a conscience) in the blissful peace of a secure

prison at Sungai Buloh. Under the current regime where corruption has

been allowed to develop into a fine art form, a prison term for the

corrupt is a contradiction of Umno’s sacrosanct political philosophy

of no growth without bribery. Naturally all this is being sanctified

in the name of Hidup Melayu with the right connections.



In the present political climate and mood of desperation, much in

evidence in Umno circles, they will give a damn for public opinion.

This is nothing new to them as they have always treated public opinion

with disdain. How else do we account for the unbridled excesses we see

unfolding before our eyes with regular monotony? Guan Eng can always

hope for the best but he knows deep inside as long as he continues to

make a success of his stewardship of Penang, and as long as he has no

truck with unethical practices, he will continue to be harassed and

even physically threatened by Umno thugs.



Some of his detractors are saying that if he cannot stand the heat, he

should get out of the kitchen. It is not the kitchen fire as we

understand it that bothers Guan Eng. It is hell fire and brimstone

that he is being forced to live through each day all because he is

playing by a different, more open and accountable set of rules. Others

are saying “The man doth protest too much.” When William Shakespeare

wrote these words, he had not the faintest idea that there would be a

time when protesting too much against political thuggery in

undemocratic and corrupt Umno-led Malaysia would be completely

justifiable.



It has become a matter of life and death. It is, in my view, more

correct to say that Lim Guan Eng is agonising as the rest of us over

the sorry state of affairs in our once fair land. Unlike most of us,

Guan Eng is sticking his neck out to help bring about a better

Malaysia for all. If he “doth protest too much”, it is his life and

limb he is talking about and given what we saw on Padang Kota Lama

during an anti-Lynas rally recently, wouldn’t you, if you were in his

place, demand police protection? I know I would.



* Tunku Abdul Aziz is a former Special Adviser to the UN

Secretary-General on the Establishment of the UN Ethics Office and was

recently conferred by the University of Tasmania an honorary Doctor of

Laws for his fight against corruption and promoting ethics in business

and government.



* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

Don’t refer to individuals by race in the courts

Don’t refer to individuals by race in the courts


THERE has been much said about the 1Malaysia concept. Indeed, it assures a more harmonious nation, and for this to materialise 1Malaysia has to be instilled in the “vital organs” of the country.

In my regular visits to the courts, I hear statements being made during trial in which individuals are referred to by their race. This is especially so when witnesses are called.

Be it in the Sessions court or the High Court, there are police officers, experts and prosecutors from the Attorney-General’s chambers who refer to individuals by their race.

For example, terms like “dua lelaki India (two Indian men)” or “budak Cina (Chinese child)” or “wanita Melayu(Malay lady)” are often uttered by the groups mentioned.
I am sure the racial identity of the individual can be omitted and reference can instead be through their physical description, job, etc.

The mere recognition of one’s racial identity is the initial spark to racial discrimination leading to a divided nation.

When such is the habit in court, it is difficult to expect laymen to embody the 1Malaysia concept.

Members of the executive and judiciary are highly respected people who are the heroes of many children, thus it would make a great difference if these groups can be colour-blind.

All men are to be regarded as equal in the courts of the realm and this equality can only be truly achieved if reference by race is not made.
A word to witnesses not to mention anyone by their race and a circular issued to policemen and lawyers advising against such references can go a long way towards moulding the attitudes of these respected members of society in regard to 1Malaysia.
This may seem a trivial issue but it is the small details that form the bigger picture.

Happy 52nd National Day to all Malaysians!

Koon's RM30mil offer: MCA protecting rental income of cronies?

Koon's RM30mil offer: MCA protecting rental income of cronies?
Saturday, September 25, 2010

Report by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

The ongoing saga about the MCA and Utar shocking decision to reject a RM30 million donation to build hostels that provide students with affordable accommodation took a fresh twist with revelations of a real estate scam by investors alleged to have links to MCA leaders including Kampar MP Lee Chee Leong and his predecessor Hew See Tong.

It is an open secret that almost all the terrace houses, the semi-Ds, bungalows and shop-houses around the Utar campus were developed by towkays with connections to MCA strongmen. Apparently, MCA wants to brand Kampar as an MCA township,former mentri besar Nizar Jamaluddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

No-entry

Malaysia Chronicle was not able to contact either Lee or Hew for their comments. But a check with people familiar with the area revealed that rentals are going for between RM2,000 and RM4,000 per month, which are exorbitant given that Kampar is a small town and the consumers are students, and whose parents are mostly from the middle to lower income groups.

Amid such roaring business, it is unsurprisingly that MCA – which controls Utar – has hung up a no-entry sign to investors such as philanthropist Koon Yew Yin. In August 2009, Koon had offered a RM30 million donation to build proper hostels with recreational facilities.

In December that same year, Utar rejected his offer. Shocked at the way the university had failed to take into consideration the advantages of such an offer to the students and their parents, Koon gave it another go in March 2010.

Not only was it rejected again, Ipoh MCA politician Thong Fah Chong earlier this month alleged that Koon wanted a seat on the Utar council for his philantrophy. On September 13, Utar followed up with a press statement that Koon had imposed “many conditions such as the setting-up of a foundation where he will be the Chairman and be in full control†.

Koon has denied the allegations from both Thong and Utar. He has also provided copies of letters detailing his proposal dated November 18, 2009 and March 1, 2010 for public scrutiny.

Utar's refusal to accept my RM30 million donation for building hostels within the University campus is ridiculous. As a result, thousands of students and parents will suffer and they will not forget that the MCA controls Utar, Koon told a press conference last week.

The Perak Government gave 1,300 acres of land to develop Utar in Kampar and up till now only about 200 acres have been used. The public must ask for Utar development plan and ask to know when they will begin their hostel construction.

Betrayal

There is also speculation that Utar staff had suggested that instead of spending the RM30 million on building new hostels, the money should go towards paying student's rentals over the next 10 to 15 years. This would protect the rental income of the owners of the real estate surrounding Utar that the students currently have no choice but to rent.

This is a sheer betrayal by the MCA of the students and their parents who are already stretching their ringgit to the maximum to get their children the best education they can afford. The MCA has turned down a very generous offer to build conducive and cheap accommodation. And for no apparent reason other than to protect their cronies it appears,said Nizar.

We urge the BN government and the Education ministry to do a though investigation and come down hard on wrongdoers. For the sake of selfish, vested interests MCA is not only betraying the Chinese community, it is betraying our national agenda to give the best educational opportunities and facilities that we can to our young.

PETRONAS Petrol Stations

PETRONAS Petrol Stations

GUNALAH PETRONAS DEMI UTK KEBAIKAN KITA BERSAMA .

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Cuba anda baca email dibawah ini.Ini adalah email yg disebarkan oleh non-malay untuk memboikot malay or Islam ,actually email ni cuba disebarkan senyap2 tanpa pengetahuan kita,tapi ntah macamana seorg non-malay ni terfwdkan email ni kat seorg kwn kita. So after read this, tolong fwdkan kpd MALAY sahaja utk kebaikan kita.

Kawan-kawan semua, Ada sorang member saya terforward mail utk bangsa depa ni kat saya. So,sapa-sapa yang ada member kat petronas tu tolong la forwardkan email ni.

Tengokla,...'diaorang' tu tak puas lagi nak ambik hak kita di bumi kita ni....

Regards: hartini
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Most of us are aware of the unofficial quota system employed by Petronas in awarding contracts, jobs and tenders..(for those who don't know a ridiculous 90% for bumi's and 10% percent to be shared by all other races!!!). However, it has come to our knowledge that from now on 100% of dealings with petronas must be by a bumi company (unless there are no bumi co's in specialized fields).All non-bumi contractors have been politely told not to waste their time.

Petronas fuel stations will from now on only be given to bumi's and for the existing non - bumi run petrol stations, their contracts will be nullified and given to bumis.. This from our national petroleum company.

Many non-bumis in the Klang Valley are now boycotting all petronas stations and all petronas products, and suggest the rest of you do the same as a silent protest.

please forward this mail to as many non bumis as possible.
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UNTUK RENUNGAN KITA SEBAGAI ORANG ISLAM DAN BERBANGSA MELAYU

Jangan forwardkan email ini kepada bangsa lain selain kepada orang Melayu yang beragama Islam Memang sejak dulu lagi bangsa lain iaitu bangsa cina dan india telah memboikot barangan buatan orang Islam dan Melayu cuma kita yang tidak sedar atau pura-pura tidak mengetahui.

Sebab itu Allah kur nia kan mata untuk melihat, telinga untuk mendengar, hati dan akal untuk menilai sesuatu.

Oleh itu janganlah anda berharap bangsa lain akan menolong orang2 Melayu dan Islam. Siapa lagi kalau tidak kita sebagai orang Melayu dan Islam yang sepatutnya membantu bangsa sendiri dan agama Islam kita. Cuba perhatikan di pejabat kita sendiri. Kalau orang Melayu yang memohon sebarang jawatan, kita kena ada cukup kelayakan i.e Diploma, Ijazah dan sebagainya untuk melayakkan kita dengan jawatan yang sesuai dengan kelulusan.

Pengalaman tu tolak tepi. Kalau bangsa cina tu tak payah ada Diploma, Ijazah atau lain2, senang2 je dapat jawatan yang tak setimpal dengan kelulusan. Ada ke dengan SPM boleh jadi Manager.Contoh kat industri perbankan. Seseorang tu cuma Officer II kat Bank A. Dengan SPM, pengalaman dan title Officer II, bila seseorang orang cina tu nak joint lain bank dan ada pulak kenalan, senang2 je dapat position Manager.Kenapa tak jadi Executive.Sedangkan ramai lagi orang Melayu yang ada kelayakan Dip. & Ijazah dan juga pengalaman kat tempat tu tak dinaikkan ke position yang sewajarnya. Malah ada juga yang sanggup 'bunuh' bangsa sendiri sebab nak 'menyebelahi' orang cina.

Itulah yang berlaku disekeliling kita, cuma orang Melayu suka ambil mudah. Dengan senang menyatakan " Dah rezeki dia ".. Itulah namanya manipulasi yang pemimpin kita tak dapat nak buat apa2 sedangkan kuasa pemerintahan dah ditangan orang Melayu. Tapi disebabkan mereka telah terikat atas (correction:sebab kuasa ditangan kitalah pemimpin kita suruh petronas kasi projek kat bumiputra dan station minyak kat bumiputra) sebab2 yang mereka sendiri tahu. Jadi sebagai orang Melayu dan Islam bangkitlah dari lamunan disiang hari.Jangan jadi pak kaduk, ayam menang kampung tergadai. Cukuplah Singapura yang asalnya milik orang Melayu dan mempunyai Sultan berjaya dirampas dengan cukup mudah.

Takkan anda ingin melihat Malaysia ini menjadi negara milik orang cina dan boleh diperlakukan oleh mereka dengan sewenang-wenangnya. Jadi mulai sekarang janganlah anda mengeluarkan wang anda untuk berbelanja ditempat-tempat milik bukan Melayu dan Islam.
Secara tidak langsung bila anda berbelanja ditempat-tempat milik orang Melayu dan Islam, anda telah menolong dan membantu meningkatkan ekonomi orang Melayu dan Islam itu sendiri yang mana ianya dikira sebagai Ibadah" dan setiap ibadah yang dilakukan,anda dijanjikan oleh Allah dengan balasan pahala.

MOTIF SEBENAR - BANTULAH MENAIKKAN EKONOMI ORANG ISLAM DAN BANGSA MELAYU ITU SENDIRI. KALAU TDK KITA SIAPA LAGI YG AKAN MELAKUKANNYA

Suka atau tidak inilah kehidupan, penuh dengan cabaran dan ujian.

Sekali lagi, telah diperingatkan oleh-Nya: ``Boleh jadi kamu benci kepada sesuatu padahal ia baik bagi kamu dan boleh jadi kamu suka kepada sesuatu padahal ia buruk bagi kamu. Dan ingatlah, Allah jualah yang mengetahui (semuanya itu), sedang kamu tidak mengetahuinya.'' (Al-Baqarah: 216)

Dari Abdullah bin 'Amr R.A, Rasulullah S.A.W bersabda: " Sampaikanlah pesanku biarpun satu ayat...."

Zurita Hj Khidzir
Compliance Department
ECM Libra Securities Sdn Bhd
3rd Floor Wisma Genting
alan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2178 1951 Fax: 603 2031 9819