Pahlawan Volunteers

By Gabrielle Chong

50 Sampah Masyarakat volunteers performed the ultimate miracle last Monday – they cleaned up all the rubbish Batu Caves one day after Thaipusam – all approximately 2400 cubic meters of it. – www.malaysiakini.com/news/97562

Anyone who has ever visited Batu Caves during the annual Thaipusam celebration will have witnessed the gargantuan amount of rubbish left behind by 1.3 million devotees every year. And yet, despite the mountainous odds, the volunteers left the place without a trace of filth.

Armed with only gloves, rakes and shovels provided by Alam Flora, the volunteers had to clear, under the scorching sun, towering heaps of putrid baby diapers, Styrofoam boxes spilling with rice, piles of coconut husks, discarded shoes and containers filled with fermented milk.

‘Sampah Masyarakat’, the brainchild of Shyam Priah, 35, was formed as an organization to tackle the Malaysian malady of littering through voluntary cleaning efforts.

At the beginning, a total of 100 persons had pledged to volunteer for the Thaipusam clean-up for 12 hours but when only 50 turned up, the clean-up time had to be cut to 6 hours.

The volunteers were then dispatched to nine different zones in and around Batu Caves to clean up different places. The rubbish was disposed at nine huge ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) bins strategically placed around the place.

“I would say that we were insufficient but efficient.

20 minutes after the clean-up began, I could hear volunteers cheering loudly after succeeding in cleaning up a rubbish pile. The cheers continued throughout the entire clean-up, and I think that mutual encouragement kept our spirit going whenever we felt overwhelmed by the intimidating amount of rubbish.
Some of the vendors were also very thankful for our help and wished us well”, recalled Shyam.

The volunteers include doctors, managers, system analysts, engineers and a CEO. One of the volunteers had travelled all the way from Seremban just to participate in the clean-up, and another two elderly Chinese tourists were so impressed with the group’s efforts that they joined in on the spot.

“Despite the fact that this clean-up was concentrated on a place of worship for mainly Hindus, only 6 of the 50 volunteers were Indians; the rest were Chinese and Malay. And this is exactly what I wanted – a multiracial effort.

If you think that Malaysians are generally uncaring and apathetic, this is the sort of event that will totally change your perception.

It requires dedicated, committed people to wake up at 6am in the morning just to volunteer for something as humbling as cleaning up tremendous piles of other people’s rubbish. And here we have just that – strangers coming together and sacrificing for a cause they believe in.

It was not just the enormous amounts of rubbish that made our work difficult. Some of us were not tall enough to throw the rubbish sacks into the huge ro-ro bins and we had rubbish spilling onto our faces.

By the time the clean-up finished, we had grim and dirt in our hair. I suffered sunburn for days after the clean-up and I dirtied my car too.

Nevertheless, the feeling of satisfaction more than made up for the effort we gave. It was only while driving home (in a dirtied, stinking car) that the feeling of ‘Wow! I actually cleaned up Batu Caves!’ hit me.’

As for the volunteers, they felt so empowered, motivated and inspired that they immediately discussed about plans for future projects right after the clean-up”, added Shyam.

The next Sampah Masyarakat clean-up will be held on Wesak Day. Again, members of the public will be invited to participate in the event. Contact Shyam at shyam@malaysiakini.com for updates on the next clean-up.

By Vineeth Menon

Politicians cynically use the race or religion in order to further their political agendas and to validate the separation of people along ethnic and religious lines. Political and religious con artists are able to get people to associate their religious faith with particular individuals, thus transferring that faith to the individual political or religious leader.

This allows that person to achieve a greater control over others than would otherwise be possible

Through the advent of globalisation and the Internet, various cultures all around the world, including Malaysia, are starting to assimilate each other’s values. Malaysians are beginning to consider themselves as citizens of the world, and no longer view themselves as a particular ethnic race.

For that reason, the government is turning its sight to religion as the next powerful tool to control its people. In a land where most of its population is obsessed with symbolism and idolism, religion is a very powerful tool to ignite a crisis between the various groups of people in the country. Thus we see our self-righteous leaders in various states scrambling for the honour to become holier than the leader of the next state.

What should be done about it?

The solution is obvious. Preserving the best of state and religion requires that the two be separated.

Religion and morality should remain as the personal responsibility of an individual. The government should not dictate how a person prays, or practice his or her religion. A government’s duty is just to administer the country to ensure a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere throughout. Only the well-learned religious leaders should handle religious matters.

However, it is sad nowadays to note that there are some dubious religious leaders who also double up as politicians and conversely, there are politicians who also put on religious apparel. These two figures will not allow the rest of us to privately discover the beauty of our own religion. These are the two characters who will always highlight the differences between the various religions but diligently attempt to hide their similarities.

READ MORE HERE | Herald and “Allah” News Archive
PETITION: Appeal To Reconsider The Use Of The Word “Allah”

There is a little light in the pitch dark tunnel after all. On behalf of Pahlawan Volunteers and all Anak Bangsa Malaysia, I thank the Registry of Federal Court for their assistance in fixing the RPK application on an urgent basis. Counsel Malik Imtiaz and team filed their application last Friday afternoon and they were immediately given a date for the hearing i.e. yesterday morning.

We are also grateful to the bench for a fair hearing yesterday and for giving ample time and latitude for both parties to make their arguments.

Watch Video: Counsel Malik Imtiaz on RPK’s Court Review Hearing

To the members of the bench, please take your time to make the judgment. We will continue to pray that God gives you the wisdom and the clarity to make the right judgment for the sake of our homeland and generations to come.

Frankly, we pray you acquit RPK of all charges hurled at him as soon as possible so that we can all focus and work together to build a better Malaysia at a much faster pace (instead of wasting time attending court hearings). We really have no time to lose.

Deep down in all our hearts we know Raja Petra is no “threat to national security” as perceived by the Home Ministry. We pray that our political leaders, wannabes and authorities emulate RPK instead.

Here is a song dedication to the judges, lawyers and Anak Bangsa Malaysia:
Be Strong and Take Courage.

And to our beloved mentor Raja Petra Kamarudin, this picture says it all…

Continue to pray for Divine Intervention. It Aint Over ‘Til It’s Over.

More Stories and Photos Here:
– Shanghai Fish: Pete’s habeas corpus hearing-(23-2-2009)
– DelCapo: RPK ISA Trial Putrajaya – Positives
– Art Harun: A Question of Etiquette
– Malik Imtiaz: Serving Justice, Straight Up

20 February 2009 – Thank God It’s Friday. It was a night to remember. A night of love expressed and demonstrated for Raja Petra Kamarudin and our nation by Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

Friends and fans of RPK gathered together in solidarity initially felt like being in the scene at the “Last Supper”. Background, read RPK suffers setbacks as court postpones hearing to Monday; and watch videos: Raja Petra’s lead counsel Malik Imtiaz Sarwar on RPK Habeas Corpus Appeal.

As the night proceeded, together with the rest of fellow Malaysians around the country committed to pray at 10pm Friday night, Anak-Anak Bangsa Malaysia from all faiths at the gathering prayed collectively together for RPK and our beloved nation.

We prayed for God Almighty, the King of Kings, to intervene in our nation’s political affairs and justice for all. We prayed for God to bless, to guide and to give RPK (including leaders and authorities), the wisdom, the clarity, the strength and the courage to do the right thing to rebuild our nation selflessly together.

After the prayers, everyone’s mood and spirit lifted considerably and boy, we had a blast partying the rest of the night away! View more photos here.

The future looks bleak and we don’t know what lies ahead for RPK and the nation. The whole country is mired in a misguided democracy. In truth, the political game in Malaysia has reached the level where intrigues and hidden tactics are the order of the day, where the mass media, the police and the judiciary are no longer expected to act professionally, objectively, and with integrity. Read: Bewildered in Malaysia, perplexed in Perak, stupefied in Selangor.

Watching our country spiral out of control day by day, who can we now turn to for help to put our house in order? We have come to a stage where I feel our only recourse is to seek divine intervention. As people of faith we know with God all things are possible and good will ultimately overcome evil (As Seen on TV).

As such, let us completely surrender ourselves and our limitations to God and ask Him to take control. God works in mysterious ways. Let us have faith and seek God to turn around all the human ways into His ways.

May God continue to empower us as we continue in this journey of faith to make a better Malaysia for generations to come. Fill our hearts and minds with love, faith, peace and hope for the future. Let all that we think and do be done in love for all His creation.

Come, sing along as we continue to pray together: God Will Make A Way. Amen.

Lyrics:
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.

More Stories and Photos Here:
– It Turned Out TO Be A Bon Voyage Party To ISA
– Of Family, Friends and Foes
– Party Time With Anak Bangsa Malaysia
– A Nite of Anak Bangsa Malaysia…

Have a blessed Sunday.

Strong title “Fuck ISA” but not my own. View picture below…

Erm, with this graffiti on the clock tower 24/7, does it mean we don’t have to be physically present at Anti-ISA vigils every Sunday? Just joking. Follow Haris Ibrahim’s blog for updates on future Anti-ISA Vigils.

As usual, PDRM came to disperse the crowd at the 18th Anti-ISA Vigil PJ held on Sunday, 8 February 2009 at MBPJ. Watch video here and read story here.

At the 19th Anti-ISA Vigil last Sunday, 15 February, I heard from vigilers that PDRM blocked the entrance to MBPJ to prevent people gathering at the tarmac. Vigilers adjourned to Lotus Restaurant for coffee and fellowship.

As reported in the mainstream media:

“An individual is not detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) due to his ideology but because he is perceived to be a threat to national security, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar Syed Jaafar Albar said.

He said the government invoked the ISA on those whose actions could cause chaos or undermine racial harmony, adding that the authorities would always monitor activities that might be a threat to peace and security.”

I couldn’t agree more with Syed Hamid. Really. Let us all fast and pray nationwide in our own way, as citizens and people of faith, for God Almighty’s Divine Intervention for this great nation and all Anak Bangsa Malaysia against the “United Malaysian National Oppressors”, the REAL THREAT to national security.

Some quotes by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr…

”We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

”The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

”We must accept finite disappointment, but must never lose infinite hope.”

”True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

A Prayer for Our Nation

Let us proclaim the name of the Lord;
And ascribe greatness to our God!

Lord your work is perfect.
And all Your ways are just.
Let Your voice be heard today by all the nations!

O God, Judge of the nations,
Put fear into our hearts
So that we may know that we are only human.

Father, the whole of creations groans and labours
to be delivered from the bondage of corruption,
into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Lord Jesus, send forth Your Spirit of Truth
and let this Spirit prove to ‘the powers that be’
how wrong they are about sin,
righteousness and judgement.

O Lord, declare the power of Your works
to Your peoples and let us be filled with
the knowledge of Your glory
as the waters cover the sea.

Grant us O Lord in Your Name
and may all worship the One True God.
Amen.

(A prayer composed from various Scripture verses of the Bible, published in the Herald, The Catholic Weekly)

Everyone, from all religions, feel free to share your Holy Scriptures and prayers here. Lets use this space will help us grow together as fellow citizens and as people of faith – to build bridges instead of walls, to build a better world starting with ourselves.

We are all One.
When one is harmed, all are harmed. When one is helped, all are healed. – Anon

We are all One.
Ours is not a better way. Ours is merely another way. – Neale Donald Walsch.

STAND WITH RPK ON 23rd FEBRUARY @ PALACE OF JUSTICE, PUTRAJAYA, PRECINCT 3, @ 9.00 AM.

Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia!

SMS: “Nationwide Call 2 Fast and Pray 4 God’s Intervention till Mon (23/2). Our country in turmoil and judiciary tainted. We need divine intervention. Fast and pray for RPK 2 b acquitted on 23/2, justice for all n every1 do right thing rebuild nation selflessly. Fwd on”

As you may be aware, next Monday (23/2) is the D-Day for Raja Petra Kamarudin. Read his latest articles,
– Probably my last message to Malaysians
– It’s not over ’til it’s over

I firmly believe in the Power of Prayer and especially in the Power of COMMUNITY PRAYERS with ONE heart and spirit for Divine Intervention. Everything happens for a reason and only on hindsight can we see the blessings. Let’s not give up HOPE.

“What is impossible for man is possible for God.”
“When God is for us, who can be against us?”

Let’s all storm heavens, fast and pray TOGETHER for RPK and our nation. Please send this SMS and participate in this call for community prayers at the appointed time 10.00PM TONIGHT till Sunday night…

“It’s NOT over til it’s over. CALL 2 PRAY 2GETHER Fri 20/2 10PM wherever u r 4 God’s intervention 2 acquit RPK Mon 23/2 9.30am trial. Say Psalm 35. Nothing is impossible w God. Pls fwd on.”

Lets all say this powerful prayer for Pete and our nation…

Psalm 35

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.
Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, O LORD ?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
attackers gathered against me when I was unaware.
They slandered me without ceasing.
Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.

O Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue my life from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among throngs of people I will praise you.

Let not those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
They gape at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”

O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent.
Do not be far from me, O Lord.
Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.

May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.
Amen.

Please help to spread this call for prayers at the appointed time by email too to everyone on your mailing list.

May God bless, guide and protect this great nation, its remaining assets and its Anak Bangsa Malaysia forthwith. Amen.

RPK suffers setbacks as court postpones hearing to Monday
17 Feb 2009, Federal Court, Putrajaya: Raja Petras lead counsel Malik Imtiaz Sarwar informed the court that sitting as two judges was possibly unconstitutional and reserved the right to challenge the constitutionality of the decision to sit as two judges.

Part 1:

Part 2:

UPDATED 8 Feb 2009:
Sultan Azlan Shah’s website has been deactivated and guestbook vandalized.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE. Read Chinese Translation here. NOTE: Use real names and no flames please. This s a platform for you to state what you want, appeal to his heart and not to let off steam or to bash His Royal Highness. Updates on this petition, follow topic “Perak Under Siege. What Can We Do?” at Pahlawan Volunteers discussion board.

Please help to spread the word. Copy paste and forward on. Thanks.

(Thanks to Nathaniel Tan, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.)
______________________________________________________

To:  DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Shah, Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan

A Plea to Defend the Voice of The People

Your Royal Highness,

Please forgive me if this letter is not written in the proper protocol or using the right terms; I apologise sincerely for any impropriety.

Your Royal Highness,

I am writing with regards to the current political situation. I cannot help but feel that the crisis faced affects every Malaysian at a deeply profound level, including myself in Kuala Lumpur.

I cannot claim to be purely non-partisan in this matter, but hope to engage Your Royal Highness from a perspective that is not politically partisan. I am willing to let my objectivity be judged via the words that follow.

At the very heart of the decision facing Your Royal Highness regarding the Menteri Besar’s request for dissolution of the state assembly are questions of the health of democracy in Malaysia, an opportunity to better Malaysia’s political culture, and a defining moment for the institution of the royalty.

Your Royal Highness,

Uncertainty appears to dominate politics today. In the last election, eighteen seats were decided with a majority of less than 1,000 votes.

The sudden change in allegiances – in one case in both directions within the space of a week – speaks of an unhealthy and confusing culture of expediency. The nature and circumstances under which these defections and redefections appear to be occurring speak not of ideological shifts, but leave space for the man on the street to suspect more sinister and foreboding motives, as well as prevailing suspicions of inducements.

One may be hard pressed to consider a government built amidst such suspicions and aspersions stable and possessed of a convincing mandate to rule.

The Constitution defended for generations by our forebears wisely does not ask Your Royal Highness to choose sides or to decide for the people. Rather, it entrusts rulers such as Your Royal Highness with the task of arbitrating fairly between contending parties, and to safeguard above all the people’s sacrosanct right to choose their own government.

While elections are no small affair and involve considerable expenditure of resources, they also are the determinant of how the resources of the state will be spent for the next five years. Elections and politics, whatever our personal feelings, speak to and affect every aspect of our lives. Without a democratically elected government that convincingly commands the confidence of the rakyat, the sea of aspersions casts, doubts and second guessing can render a government inoperable and cripple its ability to serve the people responsibly.

Should a precedent be set wherein political confusion and murkiness of such unnerving degrees do not necessitate the dissolution of an elected assembly and consultation of the people via fresh elections, state governments throughout the Federation, as well as the Federation itself, will be under constant threat of being hijacked by parties that may attempt to rule without ever justly procuring a proper electoral mandate from the people.

Any party that intends to rule should in every conceivable circumstance demonstrate its ability to win the confidence of the electorate as a single political unit, not as a small collection of individuals who are able to persuade and engineer crossovers using absolutely non-transparent means. While it may be justifiable to demonstrate a loss of confidence in a government via crossovers, achieving the higher mandate to form a new government should always and in all circumstances require the approval, via votes, of the electorate.

If we do not defend this principle, I fear we will fail to defend the very meaning of democracy and its practice on our shores.

Your Royal Highness,

For fifty years, Malaysia has suffered as a non-mature democracy, where political choice was painfully limited and a spectrum of choice reflecting the large ideological variety that forms the Malaysian electorate painfully absent.

In the last few years, Malaysia has taken small but bold steps to maturing into a two-party system – the most rudimentary requirement for a competitive and non-monopolised political system.

The recent emergence of a viable political alternative that has demonstrated a clear ability to provide credible political choices may have been one of the most important milestones in our aspirations to become a developed nation.

As the law does not allow elected representatives to resign their seat and re-contest under a different banner, a complete dissolution is one of the few ways to determine whether a representative’s realignment of political affiliation truly reflects the will of his or her constituents.

We owe at least that much to said constituents – an opportunity to let their voice be heard, no matter how small, poor or suppressed.

The results of a free, fair, transparent and properly conducted election should never be questioned or challenged. Refusing citizens to the ability to make or clarify their choices under such controversial circumstances may send any number of wrong signals.

Without casting any specific aspersions on the cases at hand yet, the precedent that a refusal to dissolve the assembly may amount to encouragement of parties on both sides of the divide to pursue defections at any fiscal or moral cost; it may even be taken by some as reason enough to threaten and otherwise compel in unsavoury manners elected representatives to switch allegiances.

Malaysia’s political culture stands at a defining moment, and Your Royal Highness is in a unique position to determine its course.

Your Royal Highness,

The institution of the royalty has long been highly regarded and played a pivotal, positive role in our nation’s development.

Your Royal Highness and the royal family have built particularly impressive reputations for being fair, just and enlightened.

We would want nothing more than to see the reputation of Your Royal Highness and Your Royal Highness’ family be kept intact and further lauded for being as people-centric as can possibly be imagined.

While being of limited faculty, I have yet to imagine a scenario where giving citizens the ability to once again state exactly what their political preferences are could possibly reflect negatively on Your Royal Highness.

A change of government without such formal consultation with the people may on the other hand beg the question of why such a path was chosen when the other was available and requested for.

The institution of the royalty is entrusted to protect one of the most sacred rights bestowed upon free men and women – the ability to choose their leaders. The concept of a constitutional monarchy was centered on situations precisely akin to the one currently facing us: a situation wherein the ruler can be relied upon to safeguard the tenets of democracy by choosing the path most likely to ensure that the resulting government accurately reflects the choice of the majority.

The citizens of your great state will indubitably be looking to Your Royal Highness’ reputation as a paragon of integrity and as a learned judge to make a decision that is not only legally consistent, but morally sound and compassionately considered. To act wisely at this juncture is to once again prove the worth of the constitutional monarch system and set an example that will be its honour for generations to come.

Your Royal Highness,

I love Malaysia deeply, and want nothing more than to see her prosper and mature into a democracy where the people’s welfare and will continue to be unquestionably paramount; where the most important decisions of the land are made via open consultations and votes, rather than in closed backrooms and under extremely questionable circumstances.

Moving deeper into the 21st century, we can only hope that Malaysia’s political development will grow to be free from money politics and shady deals, so that we do not find ourselves in the now proverbial ‘wrong side of history.’

I thank Your Royal Highness profusely for the kind consideration you have shown, and the wisdom you will undoubtedly display in this crucial decision that lies in your hands. All of Malaysia is watching, and hoping that in the face of attempts to sabotage the http://pahlawanvolunteers.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?preview=truedemocratic process and create power from a source other than that of the people, principle and integrity will prevail.

“Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita” – From conviction to action.

Nathaniel Tan, Pahlawan Volunteers and The Undersigned.

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

UPDATE: Heard that Sultan Azlan Shah’s guestbook may only accommodate the most recent 50 entries. As a precaution, also SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

The people has spoken yet Perak government is under siege. Read:
BN set to form Perak govt as Sultan defers decision on dissolution

The next 48 hours is very crucial. Would DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah hand over power to BN because of the defections or call for a State Election? The decision to be made in Istana Iskandariah will be one not for Perak alone, but for the entire country. We must strive for the optimum level of political and economic stability. Read Snap poll best bet.

WHAT CAN WE DO? Here are some ideas.
People, especially Perakians,

1. Send this SMS: “Gathering in front of Perak MB’s residence in Ipoh 7pm tonight Thu 5/2. Fwd on now n be there.”

2. Please tell DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah you want a State Election at his guestbook. Recommend that you use your real name to be taken seriously.
UPDATE: Heard that Sultan Azlan Shah’s guestbook may only accommodate the most recent 50 entries. As a precaution, also SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

3. Hold peaceful all night candlelight vigils in front of Istana Iskandariah till DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah decides.

4. At your Facebook, post this at your status bar: “: Perakians, tell DYMM Sultan Azlan you want a State Election at his guestbook http://books.dreambook.com/duli/duli.html and hold vigil at his palace. Fwd on” (Repeat every 3 hours so your friends get notified.)

No time to lose. Please forward this message to all your friends to do the same. Post at newsgroups and discussion forums too.

YES WE CAN Make a Difference. “People Are The Boss.”

With love from Pahlawan Volunteers
“Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita”
– From Conviction to Action

Pahlawan Volunteers @ Facebook

All your leaders are preoccupied, hence this open letter to you, the UMNO members who voted your leaders to power.

The constitution of Malaysia and the law fully supports the right of every Malaysian to exercise freedom of religion. The government of Malaysia has done a great job with this delicate balance of cultures and faiths in our multicultural society in the past. Let’s not let a couple of misguided people destroy it.

I’d like to bring to your attention the vile threats that were recently expressed by self-serving UMNO politicians in their capacity as cabinet ministers and their supporters in the following sequence of articles:

► Home Ministry to probe Catholic paper’s action
►Differences over ‘Allah’ reach a new level
►Jangan persenda guna nama Allah

Their actions and threats caused further misunderstanding and misperception of Islam which in fact promotes love, compassion and mutual respect.

They offended and unsettled the Malaysian followers of the Christian faith nationwide. You can read the public outcry and comments nationwide under each article and follow the links within the news archive listed at the end of this letter.

These are self-serving politicians and supporters who:

1. PLAY GOD. Grasping at straws to stay in power by whatever means. In the process, exposed Who They Really Are (definitely not God’s messengers of love and compassion for all mankind).

Linguistic technicalities and theologies aside, by whatever name, Allah, Tuhan, Yahweh, Jehovah among many others names, refer to the same God of Abraham, the father of monotheism and the shared ancestor of three faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

2. PLAY HERO. The obvious conclusion drawn on a simple Q&A below:

Q: Why bring up this Allah matter now and not at General Elections or any other time in the past 50 years?

A: UMNO elections round the corner. To distract UMNO members from focusing and addressing the real issues plaguing the party and; to unite the fragmented party at one stroke at the expense of others. How convenient and insensitive.

Being a race-based party whose members are all Muslims, your leaders need to think of other ways to win the hearts and minds of the members that would translate to winning seats ethically and professionally. Rational and thinking rakyat can see through the façade of defending Islam.

Your leaders and their supporters practically went against every tenet of the Rukun Negara, the de facto Malaysian pledge of allegiance:

• KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN
Belief in God – only one God exists for all descendants of Abraham, irrespective of linguistic technicalities and theology differences.

• KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA
Loyalty to King and Country – the nation comes first, not partisan politics as demonstrated by your leaders.

• KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN
The Supremacy of the Constitution – Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s decision to bar the Malay edition inside the weekly paper contravened Article 3(1), 10(1)(a), 11(1) and (3) of the constitution which “grants the right to freely practise one’s religion, the general freedom of speech and expression and the right of every person and religious group to propagate and manage its own religious affairs.” View Home Ministry’s letter.

• KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG
The Rule of Law – The ISA has been abused all too often for political persecution under the guise of National Security.

• KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN
Courtesy and Morality – the vile threat made by Ahmad Zahidi “Don’t play with fire and challenge the Muslims. We are willing to do anything to protect our religion.”

These politicians acted against the spirit of Barisan Nasional; thus eroded the people’s confidence in BN, including all component parties’ credibility being a part of the coalition.

In view of possible By-Election(s) or State Election, I recommend that disciplinary action is taken on the two UMNO politicians and their supporters immediately:
1. To restore public confidence
2. To ensure Members of Parliament are in line with the spirit of Barisan Nasional

REMEMBER THE CALL TO NATION BUILDING
by His Royal Highness the Regent of Perak, Raja Nazrin:

1. Malaysians of all races and religions need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun.
2. Take personal ownership over the well-being of the country.
3. Do not succumb to indifference and apathy. Hold on to your ideals. Do not give way to cynicism and opportunism. Believe that you can make a difference.
4. Choose leaders who were earnest in building unity and did not resort to religious or ethnic posturing to further their careers.

On behalf of the rakyat, we trust that UMNO members will take appropriate steps and action as soon as possible.

With love for God, King and Country.

Pat Lu
On behalf of Pahlawan Volunteers and Malaysian Catholics at Facebook.com
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News archive on the “Allah” Ban:
► ‘Herald’ gets new permit with strings attached
► Herald Continues To Use Allah Word
► And Meanwhile .. Bumiputera Christians Fret