Over 4,700 workers to be retrenched, says Subra

By Royce Cheah, The Star

At least 4,749 workers, mostly from the electronics sector, will be retrenched by 137 employers in the next three months, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said.

He said the figures, including some 1,500 Western Digital workers in Kuching, were updated as of yesterday.

“My ministry will ensure that the workers get the compensation due to them.” he said after a dialogue with Malaysian Training Providers Berhad.

He said under the Employment (Termination And Lay-off Benefits) Regulations, workers would be compensated a part of their salary for each year of service.

For workers who have been with a company for two years or less, compensation would be 10 days of salary per year of work.

For those who clocked in between two and five years, it would be 15 days of salary per year and for those above five years, 20 days.

Dr Subramaniam said the Govern- ment would look into getting alternative employment for the workers or retrain them.

“So far, we have not held dialogues with these workers but we will be contacting them soon and setting up counselling sessions,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam said he was not sure whether the number of retrenched workers would increase but added that some things were beyond the Government’s control.

“However, we will ensure the retrenchment is done fairly,” he said.

He said any employer intending to retrench, lay off, offer voluntary separation schemes or reduce salaries would have to inform the ministry 30 days before such action is taken.

On foreign workers, Dr Subra- maniam said the employment contract agreed between the employer and the worker had to be honoured and that the foreign worker would have to go back home if he or she was retrenched.

Mahkamah buktikan ISA disalahguna

Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, HARAKAH

Apabila Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) disokong oleh Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Islam, Dato Dr Ma'mor Osman (Harakah, 8/12/2008), saya hanya boleh mengucapkan tahniah kepada BN. Ia menunjukkan betapa berjayanya BN merosakkan pemikiran rakyat termasuklah para cendekiawan Islam untuk memuji dan menyokong Akta drakonian ini.

Atas semangat kebebasan bersuara saya boleh menghormati pendapat Dr Ma'mor. Bagaimanapun perlu saya jelaskan di sini betapa rapuhnya hujah beliau ketika menyokong Akta tersebut.

Secara jujur, tiada sebarang hujah baru yang Dr Ma'mor berikan dalam menyokong ISA tersebut. Tidak keterlaluan jika saya katakan beliau hanya melaungkan semula hujah-hujah lapuk pemimpin Umno dan pihak polis.

Apabila beliau berhujah bahawa ISA adalah perlu untuk melindungi keselamatan negara, beliau secara tersirat mengakui bahawa adalah tidak menjadi masalah untuk seseorang itu ditahan tanpa bicara. Dengan lain perkataan bahawa hak orang yang ditahan untuk dibicarakan adalah tidak penting sama sekali.

Beliau juga secara tersirat mengakui bahawa tidak menjadi masalah untuk seseorang itu dinafikan hak untuk dianggap tidak bersalah kecuali dibuktikan bersalah, seperti mana ajaran Islam yang menyatakan "al-aslu bara'atun zimmah" kerana ISA menganggap seseorang yang ditahan itu adalah bersalah sehingga bila-bila (dulu, kini dan selama-lamanya).

Beliau juga secara tersirat mengakui tidak menjadi masalah seseorang diletakkan di bilik yang kecil dengan lampu yang malap dan tidak boleh tahu sama siang atau malam dan disoal siasat berjam-jam (hatta ada yang dinafikan untuk tidur) oleh beberapa orang pegawai polis.

Segala tindakan zalim dan tidak berperikemanusiaan tersebut semuanya dibenarkan demi keselamatan negara.

Secara tersirat Ma'mor mengakui bahawa kemulian insan adalah tidak relevan dan tidak penting sama sekali apabila ia bertembung dengan keselamatan negara. Jika Islam amat memuliakan insan sepertimana yang dinyatakan di dalam al-Quran, ISA pula berkata persetan dengan kemuliaan insan. Keselamatan negara adalah segala-galanya.

Saya tidak pasti sama ada Ma'mor pernah membaca buku-buku yang ditulis oleh mereka yang pernah ditahan ISA. Saya juga tidak pasti sama ada beliau pernah membaca penghakiman Mahkamah berkaitan dengan kes ISA. Jika beliau berkesempatan membaca sama ada buku-buku tersebut atau penghakiman Mahkamah, beliau sudah pasti mempunyai pengetahuan bahawa dalam banyak keadaan alasan keselamatan negara yang sering dimainkan oleh pihak berkuasa sebenarnya hanyalah alasan yang meleset dan sengaja diada-adakan.

Apa yang berlaku adalah keselamatan (atau lebih tepat ketidakselamatan) BN sering ditukar ganti dengan keselamatan negara.

Bagi menyokong hujah ini, saya ingin berkongsi dengan Dr Ma'mor keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan yang diberikan pada 6 Ogos 2002 semasa mendengar permohonan habeas corpus yang melibatkan empat orang reformis yang ditahan di bawah ISA iaitu Ezam Mohd Nor, Tian Chua, Saari Sungib dan Hishamuddin Rais.

Keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan di dalam kes tersebut secara jelas mengesahkan bahawa isu keselamatan negara adalah hanya rekaan palsu pihak berkuasa. Di dalam keputusan sebulat suara tersebut, Mahkamah Persekutuan menyatakan bahawa keempat-empat reformis telah ditahan bukan kerana keselamatan negara seperti mana yang dikehendaki di bawah seksyen 73(1) ISA, sebaliknya mereka ditahan kerana kepercayaan atau pegangan politik mereka. Oleh yang demikian Mahkamah telah membebaskan mereka.

Mengenai hujah Dr Ma'mor bahawa ISA telah berjaya menyelesaikan masalah komunis dan gejala subversif, ia sebenarnya hujah untuk menghapuskan ISA bukan mengekalkannya. Bukankah tujuan ISA digubal di Parlimen untuk tujuan tersebut iaitu menyelesaikan masalah komunis dan gejala subversif. Memandangkan negara ini tidak lagi berhadapan dengan ancaman komunis atau gelaja subversif maka tujuan ISA tersebut telah luput sama sekali.

Jadi ISA wajar dihapuskan. Jika Dr Ma'mor berhujah bahawa kedua-dua ancaman tersebut masih lagi wujud, ia juga menjadi hujah kepada penghapusan ISA kerana secara jelas ISA telah gagal menyelesaikan kedua-dua ancaman tersebut.

Dr Ma'mor juga tidak bersetuju ISA adalah zalim. Mungkin kita patut dengar dari beliau apakah kefahaman beliau tentang kezaliman tersebut. Adalah menafikan hak seseorang untuk dibicarakan di Mahkamah dan hak untuk membela diri di hadapan seorang hakim bukan satu kezaliman?

Adakah menafikan hak seseorang yang ditahan untuk mencabar versi unilateral "keselamatan negara" pihak polis di Mahkamah bukan satu kezaliman?

Saya tidak pasti sama ada Dr Ma'mor sedar atau tidak di bawah ISA budibicara pihak Menteri tidak boleh dicabar sama sekali. Ini bermakna walaupun Menteri mungkin melakukan kesilapan tiada sebarang kuasa, termasuk Mahkamah, boleh mencabar keputusan Menteri kerana keputusan ISA mengkebalkan keputusan Menteri meskipun ianya keputusan yang bebal!

Dr Ma'mor percaya ISA tidak dsalahgunakan atau digunakan sewenang-wenangnya. Masya' Allah! Adakah beliau sedar apa yang berlaku? Tahukah beliau apabila Timbalan Presiden MCA, Lee Kim Sai dan Ketua Pemuda Umno, Najib Tun Razak memainkan api perkauman pada 1987 yang mewujudkan Operasi Lalang; mereka yang ditangkap adalah pemimpin PAS dan DAP.

Apabila wartawan sebuah akhbar Cina memberitakan ucapan berbau perkauman yang dikeluarkan oleh Ketua Bahagia Umno Bukit Bendera, yang ditahan ISA adalah wartawan berkenaan dan bukan pemimpin Umno terbabit.

Dr Ma'mor juga berhujah bahawa hanya mereka yang bersalah sahaja ditahan di bawah ISA. Ini hujah yang paling lemah. Ia menunjukkan kecelaruan berfikir. Hujah ini menganggap bahawa mereka yang ditahan terlebih dahulu dibicarakan di Mahkamah kerana di dalam sistem perundangan negara hanya Mahkamah yang boleh menentukan seseorang itu bersalah atau tidak.

Atau yang lebih teruk lagi hujah ini juga menganggap bahawa apa sahaja alasan yang polis berikan untuk menahan seseorang di bawah ISA adalah benar dan tidak dipertikaikan sehinggakan polis diberi kuasa untuk menjadi pendakwa dan hakim atau juri dalam masa yang sama. Dengan menafikan seseorang itu dibicarakan di Mahkamah bagaimanakah kita boleh mengetahui ia bersalah atau tidak?

Beliau seterusnya berhujah bahawa mereka yang ditahan ISA diberi tempoh 60 hari untuk menunjukkan alibi. Beliau percaya jika mereka yang ditahan dapat menunjukkan kepada polis bahawa maklumat yang diterima adalah tidak betul, polis tidak akan menahan mereka di bawah ISA.

Hujah ini dengan kata yang mudah adalah hujah terbalik kong! Hujah ini menukar beban pembuktian. Maknanya bukan polis yang kena buktikan mereka yang ditahan tersebut bersalah sebaliknya mereka yang ditahan pula kena buktikan mereka tidak bersalah. Dalam bahasa yang mudah, jika polis mengatakan si A adalah pengganas, maka bukan Polis yang kena buktikan bahawa A adalah pengganas sebaliknya A kena buktikan yang dia bukan pengganas. Lebih teruk lagi, si A tidak boleh berbuat demikian kerana dia tidak dibicarakan di Mahkamah!

Akhirnya Dr Ma'mor juga meminta Harakah membuktikan mana-mana orang yang menyeru kepada kebaikan tetapi di tahan di bawah ISA. Hujah atau cabaran Dr Ma'mor ini secara tersirat menanggap mereka yang ditahan di bawah ISA adalah golongan yang tidak berguna kepada masyarakat atau penjahat.

Sebenarnya hujah Dr Ma'mor tersebut tidak perlu dijawab. Kelemahan hujah tersebut amat nyata. Ia juga menunjukkan betapa berjayanya ISA menjahanamkan pemikiran seseorang.

Pas MP Mahfuz wins defamation suit against Utusan

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 —Pas MP for Pokok Sena Mahfuz Omar won his defamation suit against Utusan Melayu Berhad and was granted RM120,000 by the High Court today as damages for libellous words published against him.

Judicial Commissioner Mohd Yazid Mustafa, in his decision, held that the words published in the article in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper, headlined "Demonstrasi-Mahfuz isytihar bersama Keadilan" on March 4, 2001 are libellous with the intention to lower Mahfuz's reputation.

"The words do not fulfil the elements of fair comment, the words published are not facts, not a fair comment because there is no truthful basis to it. The said words also do not serve any public interest as contended by the defendants," he said in his written judgment.

He said that the words portrayed Mahfuz as a person with a political agenda to forcefully remove the present government, "who advocates violence and force, who disbelieves in the democratic process to create change in the ruling government and who intends to cause chaos and instability to the country's harmony."

"The fact that the plaintiff is a volatile and vocal political figure is not relevant because the issue for determination is whether the impugned words were uttered by the plaintiff. The defendant, I find, has not only failed to establish justification for the words but has failed to show that the words were even said by the plaintiff," he added.

In granting the RM120,000 damages, Mohd Yazid said he took into consideration Mahfuz's standing as a political figure, an MP and a well-known figure among his peers.

He also said the impugned words affecting Mahfuz's political and social standing and reputation were widely published as the newspaper had a daily circulation of 200,000 copies, and 800,000 visitors and 7.8 million page-viewers per month for its online publication.

"To compound the matter further, the defendants have not tendered any apology to mitigate the harm to the plaintiff's reputation," he said.

Mahfuz, represented by counsel Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, filed the suit in 2001, naming the then group editor-in-chief of Utusan Malaysia and Mingguan Malaysia, Datuk Khalid Mohd, and the publisher of the daily, Utusan Melayu Berhad, as defendants.

In his statement of claim, he said that Khalid had deliberately and maliciously allowed the publication and printing of words which defamed him in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper on March 4, 2001.

He claimed that the words had embarrassed him and affected his credibility in society.

The defendants, in their statement of defence, claimed that the article was true in terms of content and fact and denied that it was defamatory.

Outside the court, Mahfuz told the reporters that he was satisfied with the decision.

"It's not about the amount. I want to clear my image which has been damaged and smeared by the media," he said.

Counsel M. Reza Hassan, for the defendants, said he would study the grounds of judgment before making any decision to appeal. — Bernama

As economy bites, Johor MB promises Iskandar will deliver

By Shannon Teoh(Themalaysianinsider)

JOHOR BARU, Dec 23 — Acknowledging that retrenchments and shrinking order books are beginning to blight Johor's economy, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman stated that 2009 will see Iskandar Malaysia finally deliver on its promise.

In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider, Abdul Ghani explained that from the first quarter of next year, a substantial portion of the RM40.25 billion investment committed to Iskandar Malaysia will begin to materialise.

He said the reason that it has taken over two years since Iskandar Malaysia, the economic hub proposed for South Johor in 2006, was launched was because it took about 18 months for the federal government to work out the details of a support policy/incentive package for the hub.

"You have to remember, we are talking about an area three times the size of Singapore," he said, referring to the complexity involved.

"We are just done with all the planning and the groundwork will start to manifest now," he added.

Abdul Ghani, who is also Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) co-chairman, cited the example of the federal allocation of RM6.83 billion for Iskandar Malaysia under the 9th Malaysia Plan of which IRDA has only been allocated RM452.79 million so far.

As such, there is more to come for local entrepreneurs, with the imminent construction of the RM5 billion plant by Spanish steel giant Acerinox in Q1 2009.

This statement comes on the back of a report by The Malaysian Insider that small and medium enterprises in Johor were suffering from a drop in sales by 20 to 70 per cent and were getting frustrated at not having much direct involvement with Iskandar projects.

It has resulted in massive cuts to wage bills.

The Johor Baru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirmed this, with its president Datuk Soh Poh Sheng describing to The Malaysian Insider the constant investor announcements by Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) as "thunder without rain."

But Abdul Ghani has called for patience on two counts — that the economy has seen over seven good years and that the impact from two to three lean years would be softened as the Iskandar billions come into play.

Aides to the menteri besar acknowledge that the public-relations strategy behind Iskandar was not well-conceived.

"All this talk of billions gets people excited and they expect to see it happen immediately," an official said.

In the interview, Abdul Ghani also admitted that unemployment would be a key issue once retrenchments begin in earnest next year.

With the rate of new entrants to the labour force growing and the added burden of retrenched workers, including those returning from Singapore, there is no guarantee that the jobs generated from Iskandar developments would keep the labour market on an even keel.

While there are still thousands of vacancies in Johor, Abdul Ghani acknowledged that it was sometimes a case of square pegs for round holes.

The fact that it was recently reported that Malaysia has 60,000 unemployed fresh graduates is a key indicator of this.

"Yes, this may result in social problems as well as a dip in consumer spending," Abdul Ghani conceded, but said that it would depend on how drastic the depression would be versus the drive from Iskandar.

Local business associations are already predicting dire multiplier effects from a shrinking job market.

The fear is that a chain reaction will occur from tighter consumer spending as well as the setback to investor confidence due to a possible rise in crime.

Another issue brought up by Soh was the drastic drop in the price of commodities. Smallholders are seeing a drastic cut in margins as raw rubber now trades for RM1.05 per kg as opposed to a recent high of RM4.50 per kg.

The price of fresh fruit bunches of oil palm has also dropped from RM820 per ton to RM300. Soh estimates the average cost of production is RM250 per ton.

But the state government is confident that the materialising of Iskandar developments will stimulate local demand for raw materials even if export markets soften.

IRDA officials are confident that over the next two years, Johor will see more public works than any other state in Malaysia.

Islam and the Malay Mindset: What Went Wrong?

by M. Bakri Musa

This was the topic for a small group discussion at a recent seminar organized by Kelab UMNO New York/New Jersey. I was a passive participant at this dialogue, at least initially.

In the ensuing discussions, the students duly reaffirmed the greatness of Islam, citing many ready examples. Islam emancipated the ancient Bedouins out of their Age of Jahilliyah (Ignorance), and did it all within a generation. Islam then spread as far westward as Andalusia and eastward right up to China. In the process Islam inspired and created great civilizations and empires that lasted till at least the early part of the last century.

After over 1400 years however, Islam (at least the physical empire, though not the faith) was done in by European colonialism. With colonialism’s ending, there was a quick resurgence of Islam. Today it is the faith of a quarter of the world’s population, and fast growing.

Islam has been part of the Malay world for well over half a millennium. It is very much an integral part of our “Malayness” such that the statutory definition of a Malay is tied to the faith. Our embrace of Islam remains firm if not enhanced, despite being under complete Western (specifically British) colonial domination for a good portion of the time.

With the resurgence of Islam, Malays like Muslims everywhere yearn for the return of those earlier glorious days. Thus far that is all there is to it – just a yearning; much of the Muslim world remains tragically mired in poverty, with its citizens deprived of their basic human dignity and rights.

In Malaysia, the achievement gaps between Malays and non-Malays continue to widen despite the political leadership and public institutions being dominated by Malays. This glaring disparity remains a continuous source of communal angst, triggering more than just a few occasions of mass “acting out” behaviors as keris wielding and shrill calls for Ketuanan Melayu.

Why is Islam unable to emancipate Malays as it did the ancient Bedouins? What went wrong? Being true believers, the students rightly asserted that there is nothing wrong with this great faith, rather with our understanding – and thus practice – of it.

We are obsessed with rituals at the expense of appreciating the essence of Islam, the students observed. The universal message of Islam is lost with the associated Arabism, they continued. We are consumed in being Arabs, or at least aping them in the belief that it is the same thing as being Islamic or pious.

In teaching our young we are too preoccupied with being punitive and not enough with being positive. When they are naughty or grab a toy from another child, we would admonish them by saying that God would punish them by burning them in hell. Such concepts are beyond the comprehension of young minds, except to imprint on them horror-filled images of suffering and torture.

A more understandable and thus effective way would be to teach those children to imagine how they would feel if someone were to steal their toys. Such an approach would also be an excellent way to impart upon them the Golden Rule, to do unto others what you want done to you, a basic precept in all faiths.

We make our young recite and even memorize the Quran at a very early age without expending commensurate time and effort in teaching them the meaning or significance of those verses in our every day lives. We have reduced this great religion to a series of rituals instead of being a guide to a “total way of life” that is righteous, pleases Allah, and leads to a harmonious society. We pray, fast, pay our tithe, and undertake the pilgrimage but then go right ahead and accept bribes, neglect our jobs, and ignore our families and society.

We go to great lengths avoiding pork and improperly slaughtered chicken and cows, rightly considering them haram, but we have no compulsion in accepting bribes or neglecting our duties.

The students did a credible job of societal self-introspection. As they were summarizing their conclusions to present to the larger group, I enquired how we as a society have strayed from the central message of Islam. More relevantly, how could we rediscover the essence of Islam so that it too would do for us what it did for the ancient Arabs?

Taqlid, Bidaa, and Tajdid

Taqlid and bidaa are two central concepts in the learning and transmission of Islam. Taqlid refers to following the teachings of those more learned and pious than and before us. Specifically, it refers to adhering to the practices of one of the established schools of jurisprudence or mahdhab.

The Arabic root of the word means to place a collar around the neck, as we would to guide an animal. The operative word there is “guide,” to lead us along the straight path.

Malay villagers however, do not put a collar around our kerbau (buffalo) rather a ring through its nose. It serves the same purpose, and more. For in addition to leading the animal we also effectively control it.

Therein lies the problem. Does taqlid mean letting us be guided or be controlled? Is taqlid a collar slung loosely around our neck to nudge us to the left or right as a rein to a horse, or a ring pierced through our nose as with our kerbau? There is a vast difference between paying deference to precedents (as lawyers and judges do) versus being held captive by them. If it were the latter, slavery would still be legal in America.

Likewise with bidaa; with every khutba the Imam would duly warn the flock of the awesome Hellfire that awaits those who would dare engage in bidaa. Invariably the word is translated as “innovation.” “Innovation” means more than just change; it implies change for the better, and thus something commendable and to strive for. Bidaa obviously does not mean innovation; it is closer to corruption or adulteration, hence the dire warning against partaking in it!

My point here was to sensitize the students to the potential treacherous trap in interpreting the meaning of words especially where translations were involved. Such dangers exist even without translations, as words can change their meanings and connotations over time. During the prophet’s time for example, poets were held in low regard, as clearly stated in some Quranic verses, as they used their talent to mock the prophet.

Thus when a religious scholar quotes a verse from the Quran or hadith and then confidently assert with such certitude, “And the verse means … ,” that belies an arrogant mindset, impervious to reasons and intolerant of differing interpretations. A more humble and also accurate way would be to add the proviso, “When approximately translated.” Translations are at best approximate and provisional.

Our Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w., anticipated this erosion and corruption of the faith, as had happened to earlier revelations to other prophets before him. Hence the Quranic references to the appearance of a “prophet amongst us every hundred years” to renew the faith by getting rid of the inevitable accretions of extraneous practices and beliefs that would inevitably develop over time. “Prophet” here of course means “leader,” as to Muslims Muhammad, s.a.w, was the Last Prophet.

This concept of renewal or tajdid is a long established tradition in Islam. However, we cannot have renewal if we remain a slave to precedents, or if we consider every change a bidaa or an affront to taqlid. Islam has never been short of reformers, right from the first rightly-guided caliphs to the rationalists Mutazilites and many modern-day reformers. Like reformers in other faith, some have paid dearly for their attempts.

America with its freedom provides fertile ground for the renewal of Islam. America is also fortunate in having many brilliant Islamic scholars who have been driven away from their native land for their innovative ideas. To their folks back home, these reformers are engaging in bidaa, a mortal sin.

We are also fortunate in America to have the freedom to explore the rich and varied traditions of our faith. In Malaysia you could be detained under the ISA for reading Shiite literature! To put that in perspective, that is the same punishment if you were to engage in subversive or communist activities. Add to that the favorite past time of our leaders: banning books and restricting speakers! That ring through our noses can be very restricting!

What went Right

To end the students’ discussion on a positive note, I asked them to consider the flip side of their query, to ponder what went right. I nudged them to imagine what would have happened had Islam not landed on our shores.

One student reacted with horror at that prospect as we would then still have our animist ways and Hindu beliefs. At which point I enquired whether the Balinese (who are racially Malays) are somehow inferior to us because they are not Muslims. Or for that matter the Protestant Bataks in Sumatra.

As that seemed to dampen the discussion, I volunteered that there are many things that went right with Islam and Malays. Seeing it strictly from my professional perspective, I am glad that Malays are Muslims. When I was a surgeon in Malaysia, I never saw a single case of alcohol-related injuries among Malays. Before America had its strict drunk driving laws, a large part of my work as a surgeon was to repair the horrible damages wrecked by drunks. In the Philippines, alcohol-related crimes and injuries are rampant.

I wish our Quran would have similar explicit prohibitions against drugs and corruption as it does against alcohol!

On a higher level, Islam introduced the written word to our world. Once a society adopted a written culture, there is a quantum lap in its intellectual development. Yes, before the arrival of Arabic Malays had Sanskrit, but that was a dead language. Many of the ancient Malay literature are adaptations of stories from the Middle East, and our language borrows heavily from Arabic.

On that positive note we ended the discussion. What went wrong is not with Islam rather how we have missed the essence of this great faith in our obsession with its peripherals.

Who is the real man - Rambo or RPK?

Malaysia’s polar opposite non-violent answer to Rambo

Photo by Rakyat@work

The Man With D Video Cam tells us why he thinks we have “the real deal” in our midst:

Rambo is a film character, a man with bulging muscles brandishing a serrated knife and creating havoc among his enemies. In the world of make believe, Rambo has drawn quite a following.

Men who walk around, exhibiting a bulky load of muscles with women clinging to either arm are the real men in this fanciful, make-believe world. Driving fast cars with branded sunglasses, they saunter around as if the world is their playground.

In contrast, what I have is a comfortable car that can still provide me with an uninterrupted journey to my destination and a woman who will stand by me - come what may. This is my world and I love it!

But there are still many things missing in my life. I want to live in the real world, which is more interesting and exciting than any imaginary world, which can be so deceiving.

One of my desires is to learn how to be a real man. To be a real man who is not easily swayed by superficial things but someone who has deep inner conviction, someone who is able to translate values into actions.

My search has not been in vain because along the journey, I have found a teacher.

That special day was 8 September 2007. After listening to him, I felt a wonderful surge of chi (energy) and it began to harness my belief that he is the man to help me make the needed change. From that day on, I literally stalked him. I observed intently and tried to sneak into his thought faculty. I saw a man who is steadfast in his beliefs and stubborn as he could be to do what he thinks is right.

One thing that has put me to shame is that I am of his age but in no way can I stand shoulder to shoulder with him. But I can write from my heart unreservedly.

Who is this man who has the strength to say what he believes in and what his heart feels, who can draw others to feel within themselves?

Who is this man who has such a strong force of compassion within him that he can make people see what they should see?

And who is this man who can feel for the lowest segments of society and stretch out his hand in solidarity to give them hope for another day?

People, I am talking about Raja Petra Kamaruddin or RPK who has become a household name.

He may not win the most votes on American Idol but make no mistake, RPK is a bona fide Malaysian icon. He is one of the most important Malaysian thinkers today because his anxieties reflect the anxieties of the intelligentsia.

His thoughts have struck a chord in my heart; what amazes me is his ability to take it to the ground and connect with people beyond barriers of colour and creed.

To be afraid is reason enough to do what we are afraid of, and to hide one’s fear is to fall out from one’s real self. By facing fear, a genuine person experiences peace within.

So no one should feel weak, depressed or lonely.

Looking at him sneering at absurdity is enough to tell you that the system stinks to high heaven!

He is solid inside and is therefore not afraid to be vulnerable on the outside. A real man knows when to be tough. And when his rights or that of others are being violated, he acts courageously, as a matter of principle, and not just of false pride. A thousand words are painted on his face.

Like my brothers and sisters at the candlelight vigils, we want to be the real people who do not need adopt a Rambo-like combative stance. What we have instead is loyalty to the cause and a determination not to be afraid. A real person is therefore one who has the inner strength and wisdom to distinguish between what is right and wrong even in the most difficult situations.

Our common bond of commitment shields us from our external vulnerability. We are the people who can appreciate RPK without feeling less of a man or woman. This is what the great feeling is all about!

My only regret is that, I came to know this man a little too late but the consolation is that, it is not too little, too late. To describe how he has been subjected to intimidation and his solitude behind the walls of Kamunting, I have carefully chosen words to describe the whole scenario.

In the midst of the clouded mind, the men in power see not themselves but deception and foolery. Those in power often resort to intimidation while desperadoes can become deranged. No matter how excruciating and painful the situation is, real men and women will take it in their stride. One such real man is the one everyone know as RPK!

“A man cannot die well unless he lives well, and I want to die well!”

Kenyataan Media Presiden PKR

—KENYATAAN MEDIA UNTUK EDARAN SEGERA—

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 19 DISEMBER 2008

Parti Keadilan Rakyat semalam telah memutuskan untuk merombak serta melantik barisan pimpinan Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri yang baru . Keputusan tersebut dicapai oleh Ahli Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi selepas bermesyuarat di Ibu Pejabat Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Rombakan serta lantikan ini bertujuan memacu serta memperhebatkan jentera parti bagi memastikan agenda perubahan dapat dilaksanakan.

Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi juga secara sebulat suara memutuskan untuk melantik Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim sebagai Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri bagi negeri Sabah dan Sarawak. Keputusan tersebut dicapai setelah mempertimbangkan sokongan yang kini semakin nyata terhadap PKR, terutamanya selepas keputusan Pilihanraya Umum ke-12 dan pembentukan gagasan Pakatan Rakyat. Menyedari bahawa kebajikan rakyat negeri Sabah dan Sarawak telah lama diabaikan oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional, pemilihan Dato’ Seri Anwar sebagai Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri adalah tepat bagi memastikan berlakunya perubahan mendasar serta menunjukkan komitmen tuntas PKR di dalam memperjuangkan agenda rakyat keseluruhannya; dari Perlis hingga ke Sabah dan Sarawak.

Agenda untuk melakukan perubahan di Sabah dan Sarawak memerlukan dokongan dan sokongan dari segenap lapisan masyarakat. Manakala Sarawak dijangka akan mengadakan pilihanraya negerinya dalam masa terdekat, perlantikan Dato Seri Anwar sebagai Pengerusi Perhubungan kedua-dua negeri tersebut menjustifikasikan keprihatianan kami terhadap permasalahan di sana serta amat signifikan dalam transisi peralihan kuasa Pakatan Rakyat ke Putrajaya.

Kami percaya mereka yang terpilih untuk menjawat jawatan-jawatan tersebut akan memikul amanah sedaya mungkin dan seterusnya menjalankan tugas dengan rasa penuh tanggungjawab. Tahniah kami ucapkan di atas perlantikan saudara/i sekalian.

Saya selaku Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada mantan Pengerusi-Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri yang telah pun menjalankan tugas dengan penuh dedikasi. Jasa mereka pasti dikenang dan tidak akan dilupakan.

Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat

Bersama ini adalah nama-nama Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri yang diputuskan oleh Mesyuarat Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi yang diadakan pada 18hb Disember 2008:

1. Pahang - Dato’ Fauzi Abd Rahman
2. Pulau Pinang - YB Dato’ Zahrain Mohamed Hashim
3. Negeri Sembilan - YB Dato’ Kamarul Baharin Abbas
4. Selangor/Wilayah Persekutuan- YB Tan Sri Dato’ Abd Khalid bin Ibrahim
5. Sabah/Sarawak - YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
6. Kedah - YB Tuan Haji Ahmad bin Kassim
7. Kelantan - YB Ab Aziz Ab Kadir
8. Perlis - Johari bin Shafie
9. Melaka - Khalid Jaafar
10. Johor - Dr. Zaliha Mustaffa
11. Perak - Osman Abdul Rahman
12. Terengganu - Wan Rahim bin Wan Hamzah

Through The Looking Glass

Living in Malaysia, one gets used to the farcical and ludicrous. Daily encounters in the media with those who claim to lead us have made many of us resign ourselves to the fact that life here in Bolehland (to borrow the delightful moniker from Martin Jalleh) is very much an acid-trip down a rabbit hole. So much so that one cannot help but wonder whether Lewis Carroll would have been bestowed a title had he wandered onto our shores; “Tan Sri” perhaps, considering how keenly he was able to visualize the Malaysia that would be.

This year, the award for most so would have to go to the Royal Malaysian Police. It outgunned all other candidates with its “Save The Children” themed efforts this past month. That and the “we detained her under the ISA to protect her” gambit in September, formulated with some assistance from the Home Minister, sealed it for me.

One has to acknowledge the sheer gumption of those who made the decisions to go with those justifications despite the obvious disparagement they would result in. Or could it be that we have misunderstood what was really a display of compassion, laughter being the best medicine for the many aches and pains we suffer from. Whatever the case, hats off to the men in blue for having out-farced all others, not an easy task looking at the range of candidates in this year of “Zero Opposition”.

Lest it be said that I am being cruel and cynical, allow me to say that I am not. I am in truth at a total loss as to how to comprehend why the force continues to position itself in the way it does when there is no need to. How the scenarios that have presented themselves this year - from journalistic expression to candle-light vigils of solidarity to road-shows aimed at promoting a fair, just and compassionate society, to name a few – could be perceived as being threatening of public order is mystifying.

I wrote an open letter in this column some time ago. In it I expressed the view that the force is not intended to police thought, the point being made in light of the way public assemblies were being regulated. It seemed to me then that senior police officers were taking the view that assemblies were not threats to public order if they were supportive of governmental positions. They however were seemingly such if they expressed viewpoints that could be perceived as being critical of the government.

Events since the letter was published, in particular the posturing over the blatant intimidation of those involved in the commendable JERIT campaign for transformation, have gone far to convince me that my surmise was in fact true. There is no other way to explain the inconsistency on the part of the force.

Which brings me to my point; the force needs to remind itself that we are allowed to think in Malaysia. The Constitution guarantees this, just as it allows us to express our thoughts and does not in any way limit us to saying things that are supportive of the government of the day. In fact, Malaysians can say what they want; if they however breach a law in saying what they do, they can be punished. That is why there is no law that prohibits speech; those laws only criminalize certain types of statements. There is as such clearly no basis for preempting expression.

This however begs the question of why the force is taking it upon itself to police thought in the way it does. Allowing access only to viewpoints that are supportive of leadership, and the half-truths this allows for, is propaganda. Is the system so far gone that the force has become a moving part in the propaganda machine of the State?

I would like to think not. The Royal Malaysian Police plays an invaluable role in the protection and promotion of democracy, in part through the fair and impartial enforcing of public order and security where this is necessary. For it to be able to fulfill its role, public confidence in the institution is essential. Sadly, justifications like those that we have been offered for unjustifiable and repressive action does not assist in this cause.

The truth is that police officers have more important things to concern themselves with than advancing petty political interests. Their jobs are difficult as it is and chasing activists, whether on bicycles or not, seems to be an unnecessary diversion of resources that are already stretched as taut as a drum skin.

Public assemblies really need little or no regulation. Malaysians have shown themselves to be capable of gathering and expressing their views peacefully and without rioting. The ceramah-ceramah that took place in the run up to March 8th and the various peaceful assemblies that have taken place since then, whether supportive of the government or pro-transformation, prove this.

And if the concern is not so much about those participating in the assemblies but rather instigators or agitators that might turn a situation ugly, then the force should be looking out for those disrupters of democracy rather than clamping down on democracy itself.

That is after all how it is supposed to be on this side of the looking glass.

(Malay Mail; 23rd December 2008)

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar

Poster of Pak Lah as Highest Human Right abuses during his term

PAK LAH THE PRIME MINISTER WITH HIGHEST NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARRESTS AND ABUSES IN THE SHORTEST TERM IN OFFICE.

YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL AND INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE WHO LIVE IN FANTASY ISLAND & ARE IN CONTINOUS DELUSION.

WELL DONE - HUMAN RIGHTS HAVE BEEN "SERVED" UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP.

MALAYSIANS WILL REMEMBER YOU FOREVER.

Kelantan Umno backs hudud

By Leslie Lau(Themalaysianinsider)

Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 - Kelantan Umno will lobby the federal government to allow the Islamist party Pas to introduce hudud law, which prescribes stoning, whipping and amputation as punishment for criminal offences, in what will certainly spark intense debate and rouse opposition from non-Muslims.

The Malaysian Insider understands the Kelantan state Umno leadership is planning to declare their support, which comes on the heels of Pas vice president Datuk Husam Musa's admission on Saturday that his party would introduce hudud if it wins federal power.

The support appears designed to place pressure on Pas, which has successfully gained support among more moderate Malaysians by appearing to place its stated aim of forming a theocratic Islamic state on the back-burner.

Pas has tried to project a more moderate and progressive image in recent years, but this has resulted in some restlessness from among its more conservative members, and a clear split in the party.

Last Saturday, Husam made his statement on hudud in an open debate in Kelantan with Umno Youth chief contender Khairy Jamaluddin.

Pas has tried unsuccessfully in the past to introduce hudud and other strict Islamic law.

But these attempts have all failed because of the federal government's refusal to sanction any vote on changes to the federal constitution.

Kelantan Umno's move now suggests they want Umno to call Pas's bluff.

If Pas is allowed to try to introduce hudud, it will certainly cause difficulties in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ranks.

The Chinese-dominated DAP could be forced to leave the PR alliance, while PKR would feel duty bound, as a Muslim-majority party, to back Pas.

Recently, more conservative groups in Pas have begun calling for more say in PR governments and for these administrations to inject Islamic values into the respective states.

These conservative groups have called for the sale of alcohol to Muslims in the urban state of Selangor to be banned, while in Penang, they are objecting to Muslim participation in a street dancing contest organised by the DAP-led government.

Umno's move could also help Barisan Nasional (BN) regain some of the non-Malay support, especially in the crucial upcoming Kuala Terengganu vote, as Chinese voters may be uneasy with all the talk of hudud.

After Husam’s hudud remarks, a small opening for BN in KT vote

By Debra Chong (Themalaysianinsider)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — By declaring that his party would introduce the hudud if it wins federal power, Pas vice president Datuk Husam Musa may have unwittingly placed the Islamic state issue on the Kuala Terengganu by-election agenda.

Today, the DAP, the Chinese-dominated secular partner of Pas in the Pakatan Rakyat alliance, quickly disassociated itself from the remarks, which will certainly cause concern among many non-Muslims because such strict Islamic law would introduce whipping, stoning and amputation as punishment for criminal offences.

"Hukum hudud is not Pakatan Rakyat policy and it is for Husam to clarify what he actually said," veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang wrote in his blog today.

"DAP's stand on the secular character of Malaysian nation and state as agreed in the social contract by our forefathers when Merdeka was achieved 51 years ago remains consistent and unchanged," he added.

Husam's hudud remark will give the MCA, a party which had been abandoned by Chinese voters in the March elections, an opening to regain some support from the opposition and possibly win over the small but significant number of Chinese voters in the crucial Kuala Terengganu vote.

MCA Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun told The Malaysian Insider that her party was against hudud, saying that the entire non-Muslim community would "definitely go against it".

She noted that Husam had effectively shot PR's chances in the by-election with his statement and that nothing the DAP said now could lessen the damage.

"The most important thing is what exactly is the policy when they run the government," Chew said, drawing attention to Pas's act in passing hudud law in Terengganu when it ruled the east coast state previously.

"I think people will look for that," she said.

Husam was challenged by Umno Youth chief hopeful Khairy Jamaluddin to disclose Pas's stand in a public debate on "Malaysian Political Reformation" in Kota Baru last Saturday.

The other Umno Youth chief hopeful, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, was equally dismissive of Husam.

"That is only political rhetoric, trying to be a champion for the Malays without thinking of the nation's multiracial structure," the former Selangor Menteri Besar told The Malaysian Insider.

"Hudud is only a small claim in Islam. Not implementing hudud does not mean we fail to become good Muslims," said Khir.

"For me, it is more important that the effort to become a good Muslim should be done by Umno Youth, by having youths who are responsible, ready to face challenges, willing to uphold justice and who are free from all the bad points of life," he added.

Husam confirms - hukum hudud is not Pakatan Rakyat policy

PAS Admits Difficulty Getting Consensus On Hudud From Opposition Partners

KOTA BAHARU, Dec 22 (Bernama) — PAS has admitted that the implementation of Hudud and Qisas laws would have to be postponed even if Pakatan Rakyat is able to take over the government in future.

This is because it will require the agreement of its two other Pakatan Rakyat partners, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP, which has already objected to the plan.

The admission was made by PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa at a press conference, here, today as the three opposition components had signed an agreement in August, stating that any policy change should have a multilateral agreement among them.

Husam said PAS would not act unilaterally in coming up with the Hudud law if the party ruled the country but would instead work together with DAP and PKR on the matter.

“However, PAS will continue with its struggle to implement Hudud law, which is God’s law, by explaining to all quarters, including the Pakatan Rakyat component parties, until they are ready to accept the law.

“We will discuss the Hudud law and if they cannot accept its implementation when the time comes, we will postpone it,” he said.

In Islamic law, Hudud usually refers to the punishments that are fixed for certain offences including theft, robbery, illicit sex, alcohol consumption and apostasy. Punishment for these offences are corporal in nature, involving whipping, stoning to death and amputation of limbs.

Qisas (law of retaliation) refers to offences that involve bodily injury or loss of life. The punishment is death or imprisonment, but compensation in the form of money or property is accepted if the victim’s guardian forgives the offender.

Husam said many things had be done before the Hudud and Qisas laws could be brought to Parliament, including holding a referendum or discussions with the legal bodies.

He said at the same time, several national issues such as racial unity, the New Economic Policy (NEP), corruption and the economy, would also have to be addressed fast.

“The Hudud law is still hypothetical. There are other issues that have to take precedence,” he said.

He cited the NEP which focused on the advancement of the Malays in the field without taking into consideraton the poor among the Indians and Chinese who also needed assistance, hence PAS regarded the NEP as unIslamic.

He said PAS would continue to explain to the people Hudud and Qisas laws to discourage them from committing crime.

Asked how long would the people have to wait for the implementation of the laws, Husam said: “What’s wrong with waiting longer? Umno has not done it after more than 50 years in power.”

If a UN Special Rapporteur can be humiliated…

(Anilnetto) If a United Nations Special Rapporteur from the United States can be humiliated this way, what hope do the suffering citizens of Gaza, which now resembles a vast open-air prison camp, have?

This report from The Guardian:

My expulsion from Israel

When I arrived in Israel as a UN representative I knew there might be problems at the airport. And there were

by Richard Falk

On December 14, I arrived at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, Israel to carry out my UN role as special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories.

I was leading a mission that had intended to visit the West Bank and Gaza to prepare a report on Israel’s compliance with human rights standards and international humanitarian law. Meetings had been scheduled on an hourly basis during the six days, starting with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, the following day.

I knew that there might be problems at the airport. Israel had strongly opposed my appointment a few months earlier and its foreign ministry had issued a statement that it would bar my entry if I came to Israel in my capacity as a UN representative. Full article here.

Belum apa-apa lagi dah 'melompat'…

Seperti yang diduga rakan politik PAS dalam Pakatan Rakyat, DAP awal-awal sudah ‘ melompat’ sebagai reaksi kepada kenyataan Datuk Husam Musa PAS akan tetap laksanakan undang-undang Hudud dan Qisas sebaik saja Pakatan Rakyat berjaya mengambil alih tampuk pimpinan negara melalui pilihan raya umum.

Ia sekaligus memperlihatkan dengan jelas bagaimana rapuhnya ikatan rakan kongsi kuasa dalam pakatan itu dimana PAS seolah berada dalam keadaan tangan terikat.

Tiga orang kuat DAP Lim Guan Eng,bapanya Lim Kit Siang dan Karpal Singh yang amat tidak senang dengan kenyataan Naib Presiden PAS itu menuntut beliau memberi penjelasan.

Guan Eng, Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang yang juga Setiausaha Agung DAP menegaskan pelaksanaan hukum hudud tidak termasuk dalam manifesto Pakatan Rakyat pada pilihan raya umum Mac lepas.

"DAP tidak bersetuju dan membantah cadangan itu,’kata di Pulau Pinang Isnin.

Kit Siang ,Ahli Parlimen Ipoh yang mahu Husam beri penjelasan bimbang ia akan mencetuskan kegelisahan serta menejjaskan sokongan pengundi Cina semasa pilihanraya kecil Kuala Terengganu 17 Januari ini.

Beliau menegaskan pendirian DAP tidak berubah bahawa Malaysia harus kekal sebagai negara secular.

Pengerusi DAP yang juga Ahli Parlimen Jelutong membidas Husam kerana membuat kenyataan berkenaan.

Sementara itu Husam yang ditemui para wartawan di Kota Bharu Isnin sudah terus tukar nada mengenai pelaksanaan undang-undang hudud dan qisas.

Beliau mengakui pelaksanaan undang-undang hudud dan qisas mungkin terpaksa ditangguhkan walaupun jika Pakatan Rakyat memerintah negara ini kerana ia memerlukan persetujuan dua rakannya dalam pakatan itu, Parti Keadilan Rakyat dan DAP.

Katanya parti-parti komponen dalam pakatan itu telah menandatangani perjanjian pada Ogos lalu bahawa sebarang perubahan dasar perlu dibuat dengan persetujuan semua parti komponen.

"PAS tidak akan mengambil langkah unilateral. Semua perkara akan diambil secara multilateral," katanya..

Dalam satu forum di Kota Bharu pada Sabtu lalu, beliau berkata PAS akan tetap melaksanakan hukum hudud itu tetapi pendirian itu dibantah oleh DAP.

"Pasal hudud kita bincang, kalau tidak boleh terima lagi, kita tangguhkan lagi," kata Husam.

Beliau berkata banyak perkara perlu dilakukan untuk menggubal undang-undang hudud itu seperti mengadakan rundingan dengan badan-badan peguam dan mungkin perlu diadakan pungutan suara.

Sebaliknya Mursyidul Am PAS Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yang ditemui para wartawan pula berkata tiada masalah untuk PAS melaksanakan undang-undang Hudud dan Qisas kerana halangannya hanya terletak pada pemikiran mereka yang kurang memahami undang-undang itu.

Jika hukuman gantung boleh dilaksanakan kepada pengedar dadah maka tidak jadi masalah untuk rakyat menerima hudud yang antara lain menguatkuasakan hukuman bunuh kepada pembunuh dan hukuman potong tangan kepada pencuri, katanya.

"Hudud ini bukan dibawa PAS tetapi dibawa oleh Islam sejak dari zaman Nabi Muhammad lagi, jadi bagi orang Islam yang mentadbir negara adalah wajib bagi mereka melaksanakan hudud," katanya.

Nik Abdul Aziz yang juga Menteri Besar Kelantan berkata pemimpin PAS seperti beliau hanya mampu menggubal undang-undang Hudud dan Qisas itu tetapi pelaksanaannya akan diadili oleh mahkamah dan hakim berdasarkan bukti dan fakta.

"Jika tidak cukup bukti, hakim tidak akan jatuhkan hukum hudud ke atas pesalah itu. Sama seperti undang-undang yang ada sekarang," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai penerimaan parti komponen Pakatan Rakyat seperti DAP dan PKR, Nik Abdul Aziz berkata PAS sedia berbincang dengan mereka mengenai hukum hudud.

"Jika mereka tidak mahu menerima, mereka perlu ada alasan kenapa tidak boleh menerimanya...Islam memberikan peluang kepada semua untuk berbincang," katanya.- 22/12/2008

-----------------------------


Janji manis mu…

Cakap memang mudah.Namun realitinya dihati kecil Naib Presiden PAS Datuk Husam Musa tentu tersemat keraguan tentang bagaimana parti itu hendak kotakannya.

Ini merujuk kepada cakap Husam PAS akan tetap laksanakan undang-undang Hudud dan Qisas sebaik saja Pakatan Rakyat berjaya mengambil alih tampuk pimpinan negara melalui pilihan raya umum semasa wacana perdana bertajuk "Transformasi Politik Malaysia" di Balai Islam di Kota Bharu Sabtu malam.

Ramai orang yang berpijak dibumi nyata tertarik mendengar pemimpin kanan PAS itu mengulangi janji parti itu setelah dicabar oleh Naib Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Khairy Jamaluddin mengenai pelaksanaan hudud berikutan isu itu dilihat tenggelam dan tidak lagi dilaungkan oleh pemimpin PAS selepas pilihan raya umum Mac lalu.

"Kita akan buat," katanya.

Tiada siapa yang dapat pertikaikan Husam cakap Husam bahawa tugas untuk melaksanakan undang-undang hudud tidak seharusnya dipikul oleh parti PAS sahaja kerana tanggungjawab itu harus dipikul oleh semua orang Islam terutamanya pemimpin.

Namun dalam soal ini tandatanya terbesar yang perlu dijawab oleh Husam sendiri mampukah PAS menyakinkan rakan-rakan parti itu dalam Pakatan Rakyat dulu untuk melaksanakan undang-undang itu.

Siapa boleh lupa tentang tentang cakap orang kuat DAP Karpal Singh langkah mayatnya dulu jika PAS nak laksanakan pemerintahan Islam di negara ini jika ia berkuasa.

Itulah menjadi punca krisis yang panas antara PAS-DAP tidak lama dulu.

Karpal Singh sehingga sekarang tidak pernah tarik balik kenyataannya itu.

PAS kini berkuasa penuh di negeri Kelantan dan Kedah.Di Perak pula ia ada ‘ Menteri Besar proksi’ manakala dalam pentabiran di Pulau Pinang dan Selangor ia menjadi rakan kongsi.

Bibit-bibit pergerseran dilihat berbangkit di negeri-negeri itu bila saja PAS nak cuba ketengahkan pendiriannya yang dilihat ekstrem dari pandangan kaum-kaum lain.

Sebenarnya banyak yang boleh dijadikan contoh bagaimana sebahagian dari kalangan ahli PAS sendiri berada dalam dilema melihat bagaimana tangan mereka parti itu terikat bila sudah berkuasa.

Ada kalangan para pemimpin PAS yang cuba meleraikan dilema itu dengan kenyataan –kenyataan nak nampakan parti itu sesuai untuk semua.

Sedangkan pinsip asas perjuangan PAS sendiri bertentangan dengan senario yang wujud di negeri-negeri berkenaan.

Di Perak misalnya Menteri Besarnya ialah orang PAS.Namun masih ada rumah urut yang beroperasi dan begitu juga hal-hal lain yang ditarifkan sebagai ‘ mungkar’ oleh parti itu selama ini.

Usaha PAS untuk mempertikaikan isu penjualan minuman keras di kedai-kedai di Selangor tidak sampai ke mana.

Ahli-ahli parti itu tentu ingat bagaimana mereka melabel orang-orang UMNO kafir kerana berkawan dengan rakan-rakan parti komponen Barisan Nasional MCA,MIC ,Gerakan dan lain-lain.

Atas nama politik sekarang PAS terpaksa menelan cakapnya yang menjadi bahan kempen utama terhadap UMNO di zaman kehangatan kafir mengkafir dulu.

Disebalik semua ini kongsi kuasa PAS dengan rakan-rakan parti dalam Pakatan Rakyat di negeri-negeri dimana mereka berkuasa sekarang menjadi ujian besar bagaimana parti itu nak buktikan ia boleh ‘ cakap serupa bikin’.