Tuesday 10 December 2013
Secularism and Indian Constitution !
1. Definition of the word ‘secularism’
Meaning of the word ‘Dharmanirapekshata (secularism)’ as per dictionary is something related to incidents happening in this world that is materialistic, not auspicious, non-religious, contemporary, anti-Dharma, ordinary, doubtful towards religious truths or against education related to religion. Under the concept of ‘Dharmanirapekshata’, there is no connection with religion; it is only related to materialistic world.2. Characteristics of Dharma
The following characteristics are generally included in the definition of Dharmaa. Anthropomorphic (with physical body) existence of God
b. Existence of soul after death
c. Existence of world different from Gross world
d. Concept of liberation
e. Moral or spiritual rules or methods indicated to attain liberation
f. Group of loyal followers
g. Acceptance of truth which is beyond intellect
h. Faith in whatever own people / relatives say
i. Related rituals
It is not that these characteristics are all encompassing and exhaustive.
3. Success of secular regime depends upon inter-related relations of different religious groups with each other and especially their perspective on other religions
4. Islam and secularism
4.A. Maulana Azad, who wrote commentary on Quran, felt that only Muslims can attain liberation and other persons have no such right‘Tarjuman-Al-Quran’, a book written by Maulana Azad is considered as commentary on Quran; but Maulana did not believe in other religions as form of one religious truth. He had stated in a letter written to his friend that faith only in one God and abidance by Quran would help in attaining liberation. Farukhi has written an analytic essay on the commentary of Maulana Azad wherein he has deduced that according to Maulana, only Muslims can attain liberation and others have no right to attain liberation. It shows the kind of internal faith Maulana had.
4.B. Carrying out changes in personal laws under Islamic jurisprudence as per the time, is considered as against Islam
The same views are expressed in Islamic jurisprudence. Shri. M. H. Baig has accepted that under Islamic jurisprudence, the laws in Quran cannot be changed and it is not possible to carry out improvements in personal laws i.e. they consider it as anti-Islam to carry out improvement in personal laws. (It shows intolerance of Muslims towards other religions which is against the principles of secularism and national integrity. – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
5. Christianity and secularism
5.A. Jesus Christ says that liberation can be attained only by following him : Christians believe that only Christianity knows the path of liberation. Jesus Christ has clearly said that liberation can be attained only by following him. Such God is envious.6. Intolerance towards other religions is against secularism
If there is internal faith that ‘my religion is only true and superior’ and if there is intolerance towards other religions, it becomes difficult to examine opinions of others leading to creation of unavoidable conflicts which is not in favour of secularism.7. Religion and Indian Constitution
7.A. Under 42nd amendment of Indian Constitution, secularism has been added and under 25th article, every citizen has freedom to follow any religion : In the objectives of Indian Constitution, secularism was included through 42nd amendment. There is no definition of the word secularism given under Constitution and under article 25, every citizen has freedom to follow any religion; but it is controlled freedom.7.B. Extension of freedom to follow religion : Social order, morality, health and fundamental rights put restrictions on freedom to follow any Dharma. Barring which, every citizens has rights to use his diligence, abide by his Dharma, propagate his Dharma etc.
7.C. Under the definition of Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist religions have been included.
8. Verdicts passed by Supreme Court contrary to principles of secularism !
8.A. Few verdicts given by the Supreme Court and action or inaction of the State/ Central Govt. is contrary to the principles of secularismFew decisions of Supreme Court and action/ inaction of State/ Central Government in few cases seem contrary to the principles of secularism and which are encouraging generation of sentiments against national integrity. It has also been observed that when a decision taken by Court is based on secularism, the Government makes it ineffective owing to political opportunism. Same thing has happened in case of Shahabano.
8.B. Supreme Court justifies students from Kerala refusing to sing national song
8.B.1. ‘If there is no faith or order regarding national song or he is against it, he cannot be forced to sing national song’, was the opinion given by Supreme Court by misconstruing meaning of article 25 (1) without thinking in objective manner : By justifying action of few students from Kerala of not singing national song, Supreme Court has passed a judgment which is against national integrity. Those students had refused to sing national song on religious background; therefore, they were asked to leave the school. Kerala High Court supported sending away such students as it is in accordance with the Constitution. Supreme Court, however, passed a verdict that if someone has no faith or order against having faith in national song, he cannot be forced to do so. It appears that the above decision was not taken objectively by inferring the meaning of article 25 (1) of the Constitution.
8.B. 2. Not singing national song is religious right of Muslims and this freedom has been conferred on them through Indian Constitution
If freedom to follow any religion is going to be construed in this manner, it will be difficult to have secularism and national integrity together: If religious faith against national integrity or order is considered to be as per the Constitution, it can destroy both secularism and power. Supreme Court has pleaded that the students did not sing national song as they were not permitted to sing it as per their religion which means singing national song is a part of their religious rights and it is conferred by Indian Constitution. If such meaning is going to be interpreted of religious freedom, there will be no secularism and national integrity.
With the same logic, insulting national flag or killing of General Arun Vaidya and Smt. Indira Gandhi would be justified under law.
8.C. Materialistic and religious fields were not taken into consideration while passing the above verdict; therefore, it can help fanaticism and powers against national integrity
In the above decision, materialistic and religious fields were not taken into consideration, therefore, it seems that fanaticism and powers against national integrity will be encouraged. It also creates a doubt whether Indian Constitution is against majority population.
9. Government’s decisions found to be contrary to treat all religions equally; therefore, in the name of religion, many fanatic political powers are continuously encouraged to carry out their activities
Government’s decisions are also found to be contrary to the standpoint of Government of treating all religions equally; therefore, many fanatic political powers are continuously encouraged to carry out their activities; e.g. although it is not against Quran to take out procession with playing music by a mosque and even if there is opposition, it cannot be upheld as per the freedom conferred by the Constitution. There is no such restriction in other Muslim countries; but owing to Government’s inaction and selfish political interests, Hindus have to always face insult and restrictions are imposed on their freedom to follow religion conferred by the Constitution or they are deprived of their right to follow their Dharma; however, no action is taken against trouble-makers which is very unfortunate. The way such incident is against Hindus’ right to follow their Dharma as conferred by the Constitution, it is also contrary to the principles of secularism.-Dr. L. G. Chincholkar (Ref.: ‘Pradnyalok’, February 1999)
(The above article was published in ‘Pradnyalok’ magazine 12 years back; but it is still very apt even today ! - Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
(Supreme Court took a decision in support of not singing national song without studying the incident objectively; whereas in Shahabano case, owing to political opportunism, Supreme Court’s decision was discarded by the Government. In both the cases, decisions were taken contrary to the principles of secularism and so much freedom has been given to Muslims to follow their religion with political support that the freedom has got converted into fanaticism. Restrictions imposed upon Hindus during their festivals, brutal attacks on Hindus by fanatics and police machinery that does not take cognizance of the same; besides oppressive laws against Hindus not only narrow down their freedom to follow Dharma but also put curb on Hindus’ fundamental rights. Secularism, that is demoralising Hindus and Hinduttva, should be removed and laws need to be made for treating all religions equally and strengthening national integrity by establishing Hindu Rashtra. Hindus need to unite and fight against this so also join the mission of establishment of Hindu Rashtra ! – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
Kazakh 'Bridenapping' Caught On Video
These are the memories of a Kazakh "bridenapping" that can be shared with everyone now that a video of a one-sided courtship has made it to Facebook.
Shot in the dark of night, the video sheds light on a nomadic tradition that is rarely seen in the open.
At first, the shaky camera reveals only the occasional blurry image, providing no reasons for the piercing cries of a woman, the barking dogs, and the giggles and harried conversations taking place in the background.
But then, an unseen male gives a clear directive: "Make sure she puts her right foot forward when she is stepping into the home for the first time." Doing so, superstition holds, ensures a happy and prosperous family life.
Once under the light, a young woman in a red dress gets her first look at her abductors, and future family members. "Don't hold me! Why are you holding me? Why are you talking to me like this? I want to leave," she says. "What are you talking about? I will leave. Why? Why?"
Her efforts to flee futile, she is ushered kicking and screaming out of the kitchen, through a dark hallway, past a prepared dinner table, and into a back room.
There a group of men and women of various ages take turns trying to force upon her a white scarf -- the traditional symbol of an accepted marriage proposal.
When the offer is demonstratively refused, the group employs various methods to change her mind. She is pushed and pulled, slapped, screamed at, and gets in a hair-pulling wrestling match with one of the younger women in the group.
"That is it! This [marriage] is going to happen!" shouts one woman. "We are going to make you wear this white scarf anyway."
"Why are placing obstacles in the way of your own bright future?" a male voice asks. "You should be ashamed of yourself!" scolds another, while a woman warns: "Don't make us upset."
"No, no, no!" the young woman insists. "I'm not going to sit, I won't stay in this house. I'll leave. Let me go!"
But her pleas fall on deaf ears: "No one is letting you out from this house."
'Abducted In Broad Daylight'
This video was posted on the Facebook page of Kairat Kozhabekov, who wrote that he recorded the scene on his mobile phone in the Maktaaralsk district of Southern Kazakhstan Oblast.
The post provided only a vague clue as to when it was recorded, announcing that the girl eventually agreed to the marriage and has since given birth to a son.
Kozhabekov wrote on Facebook that bride kidnapping is a widespread phenomenon in his native southern Kazakhstan, but as the video was shared, outrage followed.
"Disgrace! This is a violation of human rights," wrote Kazakh Facebook user Bakhytzhan Duysenov. "You can't play with someone's life like this," commented Kazakh blogger Ansa Mustafa.
The blogger recalled that two of her female friends were kidnapped and forced to marry, but both marriages ended in divorce. "One of the girls was 19 years old when three men abducted her in broad daylight, forced her into a car, and took her to the prospective groom's house," Mustafa wrote.
"Like the scene depicted in the video, my friend also resisted and cried for help. But the mother of the 'groom' put bread and a white scarf before the girl and laid down on the floor to obstruct the girl's way. 'You will be very unhappy all your life if you walk over these three sacred things,'" the woman told her.
The girl relented, and her spouse turned out to be an alcoholic who had no chance of finding a mate otherwise, Mustafa concluded.
Illegal But Unpunished
In the wake of the video's posting, some have called for all the men and women involved in the kidnapping to be brought to justice. But it is highly unusual in Kazakhstan for victims to turn to the authorities for help.
That helps keep bridenapping in the dark, with little known about it other than that it takes place.
The tradition dates back centuries, although it customarily took place with the bride's consent. Today's nonconsensual bridenappings often involve single men who could not otherwise find a wife.
In many cases, complete strangers are targeted, and the groom gains the benefit of avoiding the costly wedding parties and expensive gifts associated with conventional weddings.
Like any other kidnapping, bridenapping is a criminal offense in Kazakhstan and is punishable by up to seven years in prison, says Almaty-based lawyer Nura Tynyskyzy. While local tradition may recognize unions forged by kidnapping, the lawyer says, they are not valid in the eyes of the law.
"Kazakhstan's family and marriage law stipulates that marriage is a voluntary union," Tynyskyzy says. "If one of the parties don't want to make such union, the marriage is considered illegal."
For Video : Click here
Written by Farangis Najibullah, based on reporting by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service correspondent Maqpal Mukanqyzy
Lembah Bujang must be listed as Unesco world heritage site, DAP tells Putrajaya
 | ||||||
| Candi No. 11 in Lembah Bujang was destroyed recently |
Its secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng, said the "sheer negligence" and "failure of heritage management" by the Kedah government had caused the loss of a candi in the valley.
"It is a black mark for Malaysia when it fails to safeguard historical treasures for future generations.
"Saving ancient monuments like those in Lembah Bujang is a solemn duty imposed on federal and state governments," he said in a statement today.
The Penang chief minister also expressed bafflement over Kedah's proposal to relocate scattered structures from the site, which spans an area of 200 square kilometres, to a single site.
"This is out of character as most archaeological excavations are done in situ, except when certain items, such as vases or clay figurines, are taken away and displayed in a museum.”
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir had previously said that it would be more practical to assemble the structures in one location because the ruins and remnants from one of Southeast Asia's oldest civilisations were scattered “too far and wide”.
“I want Kedahans to be rest assured that our heritage as the oldest civilisation in the whole of Malaysia will be celebrated,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.
Lim, however, today criticised the proposal, pointing out that the relocation would destroy the value of the artefacts.
"To move or remove them from the original site would risk the danger of detracting, diminishing and even devaluing the historical significance of the site which is 2,000 years old.”
He also urged Mukhriz to give a full account of what had happened to the 1200-year-old Sri Vijayan Hindu temple, also known as Candi No. 11, in the Sungai Batu area of Lembah Bujang.
Archaeologist Datuk V Nadarajan recently revealed that Candi No. 11 was recently cleared to make way for a housing project, sparking a public outrcy.
Lim said the Merbok Land Office should have monitored and notified the developer of the existence of the historical structure and spared it from destruction.
"Not only was this not done, the developer was also given the green-light to proceed with clearing works at the site," added Lim. – December 9, 2013.
Suaram questions gov't claim on preventive detention
"(Yet,
the government’s) Universal Periodical Review Report (in August, to the
UN Human Rights Council had) claimed that the practice of preventive
detention (has) effectively ended,” Suaram executive director Nalini
Elumalai (right) said today.“In practice, preventive detention continues ..."
The six detainees are said to be linked to Islamist group Darul Islam. They comprise Malaysians Muhammad Adnan Umar, Adzmi Pindatun, Mohd Nazri Dollah and Bakar Baba; and foreigners Muadz Hakim (Philippines) and Darto Bandu (Indonesia).
Suaram cited Human Right Commission sources as saying that they may be freed when their two-year detention order expires on Jan 6 next year.
However, Suaram said there is no guarantee that the government will not pursue action against them under other laws that provide for preventive detention.
These include the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) which was passed in June last year; the amended Prevention of Crime Act passed in October this year; and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
Nalini noted that Sosma had been used in February this year against Yazid Sufaat (left), Halimah Hussein and Hilmi Hafim. They were arrested on Feb 8 for alleged links to terrorists in Syria, but were released on May 20. "I think the most challenging part for civil society ... is the problem of accountability by the police," Nalini said at a press conference to launch the 2013 Suaram overview and report on the status of human rights in Malaysia.
The report outlined three key challenges related to the police:
1. Many regulations with regard to the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the police have been placed under the Official Secrets Act.
2. The internal disciplinary system to deal with police misconduct lacks transparency and impartiality; there is also lack of clarity as to how complaints are investigated and acted upon.
3. Criminal offences tantamount to human rights violations are not addressed in a transparent and systematic manner to hold the authorities accountable.
Gov’t gets ‘F’ for human rights
Based on detention without trial and human rights violations by the police, Suaram has given the government an ‘F’ for its human rights record this year.
Its joint monitoring efforts with the Abolish ISA Movement showed that there were 23 ISA detainees at the Kamunting detention camp last year - of whom 17 were freed earlier this year.
Suaram
recorded 12 cases of death in police custody (up to June), while it
cited a Home Ministry parliamentary reply that the police had shot dead
124 people from 2009 up to August.Also highlighted were irregularities during the 13th general election, including the inability of Suhakam to monitor the polls process on May 5.
This was because, similar to 2010, there was 39-day gap between the end of tenure and appointment of new commissioners, with the period falling between nomination and election day.
"For the first 22 of the 39 days without commissioners, a total of 79 cases were lodged. The commission could not act on these, as the enabling law clearly stipulates that only commssioners can decide if an inquiry is necessary," Suaram said.
Suaram's
chairperson K Arumugam said that it is becoming more difficult to point
out the government's faults because of its growing intolerance
especially after GE13.Resorting to the analogy of a football match to illustrate his point, he said: “Despite our monitoring, we are not in a position to show a red card and say 'Get out of the field!'
“Actually, we get the red card and are told ‘Please get out of the system... you are too much for us, we can't handle you’."
Apart from releasing its report , Suaram singled out three activist groups for mention in "saying no to corporations and businesses which are taking away their rights".
They are the action groups working against the Kaiduan Dam in Sabah; the Pengerang petrochemicals project in Johor; and the Taman Permata Dengkil Residents Committee who were relocated to unsafe low-cost flats in Dengkil 14 years ago to make way for the construction of Putrajaya.
'Without Umno, Malays would be more civilised'
Former Umno member Zaid Ibrahim delivered this view in a stinging riposte to party president Najib Abdul Razak’s remarks during the annual assembly over the weekend.
Najib had told Malays to reflect on where they would be without the party.
In his blog-post today, Zaid (left) said that, without the party, "Malays would accept the plurality and the diversity of the country"."The short answer is that the Malays will still be Malays without Umno. There may not be as many instant Malay millionaires and billionaires but under any party in power that practises good and fair policies, the Malays would be all right," he said.
He said that Malays have lost the art of being "hospitable and accommodating" to foreigners and immigrants.
"They (Malays) accepted diversity long before our nationhood came to being. They were able to absorb the best in the qualities of others and that’s why Malay kingdoms were built with success. But these progressive Malay values have now been wiped out," he noted.
Zaid also trained his guns on the Umno assembly in general, calling it an assembly of "demagogues".
"The Umno president can protest and say Umno is not a racist party, but it is. It’s no different from other parties with fascist ideas," he said.
Speeches
by delegates over the four-day assembly were "no different" than the
tune of extremist parties in France, Greece and Holland."Umno delegates, however, are one up from their counterparts in Europe since they are able to demand goodies from the government," he said.
Zaid said that, while the issue of religion had been ramped up, pertinent national issues such as economy and education were not discussed by leaders and delegates.
"Very little was heard about the economy ... There was no discussion of the education issues that have plagued this country for many years now," he said.
"It was the same old Umno, playing cheap and dangerous politics to seed fear amongst the people.”
'Significance devalued if Bujang Valley ruins moved'
This is out of character as most archaeological excavations of an entire civilisation are done ‘in-situ', except when certain items such as vases or clay figurines are taken away for display in a museum.
Kedah Mentri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir (right)
said it would be more practical to assemble the structures in one
location, as the ruins and remnants from the oldest civilisation in the
region were scattered "too far and wide".But to move or remove them from the original site would risk the danger of detracting, diminishing and even devaluing the unique historical significance of the site chosen by the original inhabitants 2,000 years ago, that is known internationally as the Bujang Valley civilisation.
Let the experts decide whether this approach is sound and proper.
Mukhriz said that he wanted Kedahans to rest assured that Kedah's heritage as the oldest civilisation in the whole of Malaysia will be celebrated.
However there should be full accountability from Mukhriz for the tragic end of a pre-historic 1200 years-old Sri Vijayan Hindu temple (known as Candi No. 11) in the Sungei Batu area of Bujang Valley.
Richest archaeological site
Boasting a sprawling area of hundreds of acres, Bujang Valley is arguably Malaysia's richest archaeological site and world-renowned for the preserved cultural remains of ancient Buddhism and Hinduism as well as representing the beginning of early Malay civilisation.
What is now left of the Candi's immense historical value and significance, given its birth between the 11th and 13th century, is a piece of cleared land for a housing project.
The
temple's disappearance was discovered and brought to public attention
by Bujang Valley Study Circle chairman V Nadarajan and recently
confirmed by Penang's Deputy Chief Minister II, P Ramasamy (centre in photo), who had earlier researched on the Chola presence in Bujang Valley.Such destruction could have been avoided if the Merbok Land Office had monitored and notified the developer of the existence of this historical structure.
Not only was this not done, the developer was also given the greenlight to proceed with clearance of the site.
The sheer negligence and failure of heritage management by the Kedah state government has resulted in a senseless loss of heritage.
It
is a black mark for Malaysia that fails to safeguard historical
treasures for future generations when saving ancient historical
monuments like those in Bujang Valley is a solemn duty imposed on the
federal and state government.The federal government must stop operating by remote control from air-conditioned offices in Putrajaya.
Instead funds should be given to set up heritage offices in states with rich archaeological sites such as Penang, Kedah and Malacca.
The Kedah state government should use this unfortunate episode to galvanise its efforts to draft out an archaeological heritage management plan to preserve their remaining historical structures and artefacts in the Bujang Valley.
I would suggest that the federal government take immediate steps to list Bujang Valley as a Unesco heritage site.
LIM GUAN ENG is the Penang chief minister, secretary-general of DAP and Bagan MP. The views expressed in this article are his own.
'Najib wrong, Umno more like Mandela's foe'
The world is mourning the demise of an iconic figure who had risked his
life and spent more than two decades in prison for struggling against a
racist regime.
In Malaysia, a grieving Umno president Najib Abdul Razak has equated his party's struggle to the battle Mandela had fought to end apartheid in South Africa.
Commenting
on this, a bewildered PKR vice-president N Surendran said it was
nothing short of "shameless" for the Umno president to make such a
comparison.
He pointed out that Najib has his facts mixed up since Umno's struggle more accurately mirrors that of the white National Party that had enforced racial segregation in South Africa.
"Where do I even begin?" asked Surendran, struggling to contain his laughter.
"I am actually surprised that Najib made the comparison. It does not do him or Umno any favours. On the contrary, it exposes the massive weaknesses in Umno's position.
"We all know about Mandela's struggles. In fact, Mandela himself said that his greatest work had been the fight against racism," he told Malaysiakini yesterday.
'Najib's most ridiculous statement'
In contrast to that, Surendran (below, centre) said Umno, especially since the era of its former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, "has been all about racism, pure and simple."
According
to the PKR leader, Umno practices a form of "calculated racism", which
is intended to be used as a front to enrich party leaders, their cronies
and selected businessmen.
"Comparing this to Mandela's struggle is the most ridiculous statement Najib has ever made.
"And the mockery of it is you have delegate after delegate (at the Umno assembly) talking about Malay supremacy... how does this accord with what Mandela stood for?
"I would call this a complete insult and desecration of Mandela's beliefs. This is not what Mandela risked his life and liberty for," he said.
The
irony, Surendran said, is Najib has opened up a clear parallel between
Umno and the white supremacist National Party that governed during the
apartheid era.
"The crux of it is... Umno's struggle is the same as the apartheid party... Najib got it upside down.. Umno is more like the opponent of Mandela," he added.
Surendran also noted that the last two general elections showed that Malaysians are no longer interested in Umno and BN's racial struggle.
"They want a united Malaysia and that is why multiracial parties are so successful," he added.
'Anwar more like Mandela'
Responding to a question, Surendran agreed that if a Mandela parallel is to be drawn with Malaysian political figures, then the best candidate is opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"Anwar
was the first major political Malay leader who broke down the racial
barrier and created a political coming together of all races.
"For the first time, in Anwar, we had a Malay politician of national standing, who repeatedly said "do not look at the colour of people's skins, but look at their needs".
"This has been the essence of Anwar's message over the years," he said.
Surendran said this message has been successful on the political front, with regard to breaking down the racial stranglehold of Umno and BN.
"In that context, Anwar's struggle parallels Nelson Mandela's (right) fight to end racial politics.
"Another parallel is that Anwar has also repeatedly said there will be no witch-hunt should Pakatan Rakyat form the federal government.
"There will be a truth and reconciliation commission similar to South Africa. This struggle is not about exacting revenge or vendettas, but to rescue the nation," he said.
Like Mandela, Anwar too was incarcerated for what the latter claimed were trumped up charges in a political conspiracy to end his political career.
However, the government has denied this.
In Malaysia, a grieving Umno president Najib Abdul Razak has equated his party's struggle to the battle Mandela had fought to end apartheid in South Africa.
Commenting
on this, a bewildered PKR vice-president N Surendran said it was
nothing short of "shameless" for the Umno president to make such a
comparison.He pointed out that Najib has his facts mixed up since Umno's struggle more accurately mirrors that of the white National Party that had enforced racial segregation in South Africa.
"Where do I even begin?" asked Surendran, struggling to contain his laughter.
"I am actually surprised that Najib made the comparison. It does not do him or Umno any favours. On the contrary, it exposes the massive weaknesses in Umno's position.
"We all know about Mandela's struggles. In fact, Mandela himself said that his greatest work had been the fight against racism," he told Malaysiakini yesterday.
'Najib's most ridiculous statement'
In contrast to that, Surendran (below, centre) said Umno, especially since the era of its former president Dr Mahathir Mohamad, "has been all about racism, pure and simple."
According
to the PKR leader, Umno practices a form of "calculated racism", which
is intended to be used as a front to enrich party leaders, their cronies
and selected businessmen."Comparing this to Mandela's struggle is the most ridiculous statement Najib has ever made.
"And the mockery of it is you have delegate after delegate (at the Umno assembly) talking about Malay supremacy... how does this accord with what Mandela stood for?
"I would call this a complete insult and desecration of Mandela's beliefs. This is not what Mandela risked his life and liberty for," he said.
The
irony, Surendran said, is Najib has opened up a clear parallel between
Umno and the white supremacist National Party that governed during the
apartheid era."The crux of it is... Umno's struggle is the same as the apartheid party... Najib got it upside down.. Umno is more like the opponent of Mandela," he added.
Surendran also noted that the last two general elections showed that Malaysians are no longer interested in Umno and BN's racial struggle.
"They want a united Malaysia and that is why multiracial parties are so successful," he added.
'Anwar more like Mandela'
Responding to a question, Surendran agreed that if a Mandela parallel is to be drawn with Malaysian political figures, then the best candidate is opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"Anwar
was the first major political Malay leader who broke down the racial
barrier and created a political coming together of all races."For the first time, in Anwar, we had a Malay politician of national standing, who repeatedly said "do not look at the colour of people's skins, but look at their needs".
"This has been the essence of Anwar's message over the years," he said.
Surendran said this message has been successful on the political front, with regard to breaking down the racial stranglehold of Umno and BN.
"In that context, Anwar's struggle parallels Nelson Mandela's (right) fight to end racial politics."Another parallel is that Anwar has also repeatedly said there will be no witch-hunt should Pakatan Rakyat form the federal government.
"There will be a truth and reconciliation commission similar to South Africa. This struggle is not about exacting revenge or vendettas, but to rescue the nation," he said.
Like Mandela, Anwar too was incarcerated for what the latter claimed were trumped up charges in a political conspiracy to end his political career.
However, the government has denied this.
‘Umno must get serious on human rights’
Umno leaders should stop playing the racial card and take a serious approach in addressing human rights issues, says Suaram.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders should discard racial issues as showcased in their general assembly last week and focus on resolving human rights issues, says Suaram director Kua Kia Soong.
Speaking to the media after the Suaram Human Rights Awards 2013 presentation, he added that some Umno leaders have praised the late Nelson Mandela as a great freedom fighter and anti-apartheid movement activist, but in Malaysia for instance when it comes to enrollment of non-Malay students into University Institute Technology MARA (UiTM), they (non-Malays) are not allowed to do so, this shows apartheid ideology is practised by Umno.
“This shows a contradiction in the praises and double-standard being practised by the Umno leaders,” said Kia Soong
On another subject, former Suaram executive director Cynthia Gabriel in reference to the Scorpene case, said that it (the case) is not dead yet and French lawmakers are still investigating.
“We took a stand back, to be quiet in respecting the French law and not exposing (details) openly to the public.
“But I can assure you that the investigation is still on-going and even the investigators have found a trail to Hong Kong.
“We hope in couple of months, the investigation will be concluded,” said Cynthia.
Before the start of the presentation event, K Arumugam, Suaram co-chairperson in his welcome speech, urged the government to look into reports and recommendations highlighted by the human rights group.
He added that from last year, the human rights group have urged the government to seriously look into the dire state of human rights issues, but the government is not concerned with the situation and Suaram’s recommendations have ‘fallen on deaf ears’.
New areas of concern
In today’s event, Suaram unveiled the 2013 Overview Report on the Civil and Political situation in Malaysia.
Among notable human rights issues highlighted are detention without trial which states that Malaysia’s August 2013 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report which claims that with the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2011, the government continues to use a different Security Offences and Special Measures (SOSMA) and Prevention of Crime Act 2012.
Suaram recorded 12 cases of deaths while in police custody and a total of 124 persons shot dead by the police from 2009 to August this year.
In the report, they stated that press freedom continues to decline in world rankings with Malaysia placed at an all time low position of 145 out of 179 countries, the country’s worst showing since 2002.
At least 26 people were charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 during the post election rallies and 33 others were charged under the Penal Code for unlawful assembly and rioting.
Another key human rights issue highlighted is the 103 United Nation member states at Malaysia’s second UPR that highlighted the fact that previous recommendations made during the 2009 UPR were still not met.
New areas of concern are emerging such as Malaysia’s poor ratification record on core international human rights treaties; restrictions of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the preventive detention of criminal suspects for long periods of time without charge or access to a judge.
The Human Rights Award 2013 were won by joint winners Kaiduan dam task force from Sabah and the Taman Permata Dengkil activist group.
The Kaiduan Taskforce that was formed in 2009 to protest the construction of a dam in Kaiduan that is slowly edging past proposal stage.
The other co-winners, a group who fought for their housing woes, became a highlight when some of the flat dwellers ended up living in tents, camped outside their flats for 72 days.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders should discard racial issues as showcased in their general assembly last week and focus on resolving human rights issues, says Suaram director Kua Kia Soong.Speaking to the media after the Suaram Human Rights Awards 2013 presentation, he added that some Umno leaders have praised the late Nelson Mandela as a great freedom fighter and anti-apartheid movement activist, but in Malaysia for instance when it comes to enrollment of non-Malay students into University Institute Technology MARA (UiTM), they (non-Malays) are not allowed to do so, this shows apartheid ideology is practised by Umno.
“This shows a contradiction in the praises and double-standard being practised by the Umno leaders,” said Kia Soong
On another subject, former Suaram executive director Cynthia Gabriel in reference to the Scorpene case, said that it (the case) is not dead yet and French lawmakers are still investigating.
“We took a stand back, to be quiet in respecting the French law and not exposing (details) openly to the public.
“But I can assure you that the investigation is still on-going and even the investigators have found a trail to Hong Kong.
“We hope in couple of months, the investigation will be concluded,” said Cynthia.
Before the start of the presentation event, K Arumugam, Suaram co-chairperson in his welcome speech, urged the government to look into reports and recommendations highlighted by the human rights group.
He added that from last year, the human rights group have urged the government to seriously look into the dire state of human rights issues, but the government is not concerned with the situation and Suaram’s recommendations have ‘fallen on deaf ears’.
New areas of concern
In today’s event, Suaram unveiled the 2013 Overview Report on the Civil and Political situation in Malaysia.
Among notable human rights issues highlighted are detention without trial which states that Malaysia’s August 2013 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report which claims that with the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2011, the government continues to use a different Security Offences and Special Measures (SOSMA) and Prevention of Crime Act 2012.
Suaram recorded 12 cases of deaths while in police custody and a total of 124 persons shot dead by the police from 2009 to August this year.
In the report, they stated that press freedom continues to decline in world rankings with Malaysia placed at an all time low position of 145 out of 179 countries, the country’s worst showing since 2002.
At least 26 people were charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 during the post election rallies and 33 others were charged under the Penal Code for unlawful assembly and rioting.
Another key human rights issue highlighted is the 103 United Nation member states at Malaysia’s second UPR that highlighted the fact that previous recommendations made during the 2009 UPR were still not met.
New areas of concern are emerging such as Malaysia’s poor ratification record on core international human rights treaties; restrictions of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the preventive detention of criminal suspects for long periods of time without charge or access to a judge.
The Human Rights Award 2013 were won by joint winners Kaiduan dam task force from Sabah and the Taman Permata Dengkil activist group.
The Kaiduan Taskforce that was formed in 2009 to protest the construction of a dam in Kaiduan that is slowly edging past proposal stage.
The other co-winners, a group who fought for their housing woes, became a highlight when some of the flat dwellers ended up living in tents, camped outside their flats for 72 days.
Beyond Candi 11, what is Malaysia?
Suitable elements from the other cultures must be accepted as part of the national culture.
COMMENT
By K Arumugam
Bujang Valley is home to Malaysia’s richest archaeological area. Our National Heritage Department considers some of these archaeological discoveries, termed as “unexpected find”, the most important in the region having an impact on our history.
The researchers have identified 127 sites so far with 90 candi in the Bujang Valley. This ancient civilisation with elements of Hinduism and Buddhism has existed since the 5th century, even before the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
The remains of one of the candi, Candi 11, were destroyed in November by a developer for a property project.
Parties responsible for protecting the sites under the National Heritage Act 2005, i.e. the Kedah state government, the local council and the Culture and Tourism Ministry, claimed innocence that none of them were aware of the demolition until highlighted by a local historian V Nadarajan through the media.
What happen to our National Commission for Unesco formed in 1966? Our Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is a current member of the Unesco executive board, a post previously held by former education ministers Hishammuddin Hussein and Najib Tun Razak since 1999.
Does Malaysia still subscribe to Unesco’s ideals that peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity? And to build inter-cultural understanding we need to protect heritage and support cultural diversity.
Is there anything new in this? The story could be historically old. We have read history and understood them as being barbaric when conquerors destroyed the cultural and religious monuments to obliterate the traces of the conquered.
The new invaders always imposed theirs over the earlier by such destruction. The reason is simple. Destroy when they are culturally and religiously connected and pose a threat to the new dominance.
Be it during the reign of Caesar, Hitler or the dynasties in Egypt and China or even the invasions in India – the human race has been doing it all the time.
The most dramatic event of the recent time is the dynamiting of a pair of titanic-sized Bamiyan Buddha sculptures of the Afghan people in 2001 by the Taliban.
As we can see, such conduct is not just intolerance but a subject of domination and at expense of destroying physical structures that are of cultural and religious significance to minority groups.
Such crimes committed against culture, challenges the whole of humanity and its fabric of cultural diversity.
Malaysia, a multi-ethnic with multi-lingual country, boasts to protect its rich national heritage. The National Department for Culture and Arts accepts that culture is mankind’s way of life.
The cultural policy
The rational for the National Cultural Policy of 1971 is based on Malaysia’s position as a meeting point being the centre of trade and civilisation some two thousand years ago.
It adds that Malaysia’s role as a meeting point has resulted in interaction, introduction, assimilation and acceptance of various elements suitable to be adopted as basic culture of this region.
However, there are issues as to the cultural policy. The three principles of the policy are not inclusive in nature.
Firstly, the national culture must be based on the indigenous culture of this region and narrows its contents to the Malay culture.
Secondly, suitable elements from the other cultures may be accepted as part of the national culture and lastly, Islam is an important component in the formulation of the national culture.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when he became the prime minister, dismissed such nation-state concept and called for an inclusive national identity of Bangsa Malaysia – people to identify with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the constitution. Sadly, we are still stuck with the 1971 policy.
The policy-makers politically believe, culture a tool to inculcate the spirit of nationalism and nationhood that will guarantee the stability, harmony and unity in Malaysia.
This centres the dominant culture and religion above all and machinates discriminatory policy against other cultures and religions. Thus all intention of harmony and unity is put to risk, propelling not inclusiveness but strategies to make cultures and religions of the non-Malays less significant.
The call for unity in diversity cannot be practically achieved with intent to homogenise Malaysians. This is not inclusive.
An inclusive model acknowledges diversity, promotes participation, creates condition for equal opportunities and equal access and creates a mutually beneficial community and becomes a system for all.
But we are stuck with a model that wants to fix as if something is wrong, calls for adaptation, seeks political consensus for accommodation and works within the system in which predator dominates for assimilation.
Can we rewrite history for such political belief? We do, the history subject is made compulsory in schools with tailor-made contents to build Malay hegemony.
All is not bad, the current calls of various parties to undo the damage and preserve the Bujang Valley archeological site as a national heritage with commitment to reconstruct the Candi 11 is reassuring.
It would be timely for the policy-makers to define their statement in an inclusive manner categorically stating that the destruction of Candi 11 is un-Islamic and that Islam is inclusive in building Bangsa Malaysia.
The writer is the chairperson of human rights organisation Suaram.
COMMENT
By K ArumugamBujang Valley is home to Malaysia’s richest archaeological area. Our National Heritage Department considers some of these archaeological discoveries, termed as “unexpected find”, the most important in the region having an impact on our history.
The researchers have identified 127 sites so far with 90 candi in the Bujang Valley. This ancient civilisation with elements of Hinduism and Buddhism has existed since the 5th century, even before the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
The remains of one of the candi, Candi 11, were destroyed in November by a developer for a property project.
Parties responsible for protecting the sites under the National Heritage Act 2005, i.e. the Kedah state government, the local council and the Culture and Tourism Ministry, claimed innocence that none of them were aware of the demolition until highlighted by a local historian V Nadarajan through the media.
What happen to our National Commission for Unesco formed in 1966? Our Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is a current member of the Unesco executive board, a post previously held by former education ministers Hishammuddin Hussein and Najib Tun Razak since 1999.
Does Malaysia still subscribe to Unesco’s ideals that peace must be established on the basis of humanity’s moral and intellectual solidarity? And to build inter-cultural understanding we need to protect heritage and support cultural diversity.
Is there anything new in this? The story could be historically old. We have read history and understood them as being barbaric when conquerors destroyed the cultural and religious monuments to obliterate the traces of the conquered.
The new invaders always imposed theirs over the earlier by such destruction. The reason is simple. Destroy when they are culturally and religiously connected and pose a threat to the new dominance.
Be it during the reign of Caesar, Hitler or the dynasties in Egypt and China or even the invasions in India – the human race has been doing it all the time.
The most dramatic event of the recent time is the dynamiting of a pair of titanic-sized Bamiyan Buddha sculptures of the Afghan people in 2001 by the Taliban.
As we can see, such conduct is not just intolerance but a subject of domination and at expense of destroying physical structures that are of cultural and religious significance to minority groups.
Such crimes committed against culture, challenges the whole of humanity and its fabric of cultural diversity.
Malaysia, a multi-ethnic with multi-lingual country, boasts to protect its rich national heritage. The National Department for Culture and Arts accepts that culture is mankind’s way of life.
The cultural policy
The rational for the National Cultural Policy of 1971 is based on Malaysia’s position as a meeting point being the centre of trade and civilisation some two thousand years ago.
It adds that Malaysia’s role as a meeting point has resulted in interaction, introduction, assimilation and acceptance of various elements suitable to be adopted as basic culture of this region.
However, there are issues as to the cultural policy. The three principles of the policy are not inclusive in nature.
Firstly, the national culture must be based on the indigenous culture of this region and narrows its contents to the Malay culture.
Secondly, suitable elements from the other cultures may be accepted as part of the national culture and lastly, Islam is an important component in the formulation of the national culture.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when he became the prime minister, dismissed such nation-state concept and called for an inclusive national identity of Bangsa Malaysia – people to identify with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the constitution. Sadly, we are still stuck with the 1971 policy.
The policy-makers politically believe, culture a tool to inculcate the spirit of nationalism and nationhood that will guarantee the stability, harmony and unity in Malaysia.
This centres the dominant culture and religion above all and machinates discriminatory policy against other cultures and religions. Thus all intention of harmony and unity is put to risk, propelling not inclusiveness but strategies to make cultures and religions of the non-Malays less significant.
The call for unity in diversity cannot be practically achieved with intent to homogenise Malaysians. This is not inclusive.
An inclusive model acknowledges diversity, promotes participation, creates condition for equal opportunities and equal access and creates a mutually beneficial community and becomes a system for all.
But we are stuck with a model that wants to fix as if something is wrong, calls for adaptation, seeks political consensus for accommodation and works within the system in which predator dominates for assimilation.
Can we rewrite history for such political belief? We do, the history subject is made compulsory in schools with tailor-made contents to build Malay hegemony.
All is not bad, the current calls of various parties to undo the damage and preserve the Bujang Valley archeological site as a national heritage with commitment to reconstruct the Candi 11 is reassuring.
It would be timely for the policy-makers to define their statement in an inclusive manner categorically stating that the destruction of Candi 11 is un-Islamic and that Islam is inclusive in building Bangsa Malaysia.
The writer is the chairperson of human rights organisation Suaram.
Pak nyah tidak terlepas gangguan
Walaupun ‘ghaib’ daripada pandangan, golongan ‘transmale’ turut menjadi mangsa penindasan.
COMMENT
Sementara golongan “mak nyah” menjadi sasaran penindasan dan kezaliman kuasawan, golongan “pak nyah” mungkin bernasib lebih baik kerana ‘tidak kelihatan’ pada mata pihak berkuasa.
Walau bagaimanapun golongan pak nyah juga tidak terlepas daripada berdepan pelbagai cabaran berbentuk gangguan seksual dan gangguan mental.
Saya berpeluang bertemu dan berbual-bual bersama-sama seorang pak nyah bernama Dorian Wilde di Bandar Puteri, Puchong pada 30 November 2013.
Pengalaman peribadi yang dikongsikan oleh pemuda berumur 26 tahun itu sesuai juga disampaikan kepada orang ramai. Seperti biasa, segala maklumat ini tentu tidak akan dapat diperolehi di media arus perdana.
Uthaya: Orang selalu mengatakan bahawa gejala lesbian, gay, biseksual dan transgender (LGBT) adalah disebabkan pengaruh persekitaran. …
Dorian: Biar saya tegaskan bahawa maklumat seperti itu adalah palsu dan khabar angin semata-mata. Dalam kes saya misalnya, sejak kanak-kanak berumur sekitar tiga tahun, saya sudah merasakan dan menyedari bahawa saya sebenarnya seorang budak lelaki walaupun memiliki tubuh seorang perempuan.
Malah, sehingga berumur 18 tahun, saya beranggapan bahawa sayalah satu-satunya individu seumpama ini. Hanya apabila pergi ke Singapura untuk bekerja di sana, saya mula tahu bahawa individu LGBT memang wujud dalam kalangan masyarakat.
Di Singapura juga saya berpeluang bertemu seorang individu transmale iaitu individu yang dilahirkan dengan “identiti seks” (alat kelamin) perempuan tetapi memiliki “identiti gender” lelaki sejak dalam kandungan.
Dia memberikan semangat dan keyakinan secara tidak langsung kepada saya bahawa saya berhak membuat keputusan berhubung siapa diri saya. Dia jugalah yang memberikan panduan dan tunjuk-ajar tentang doktor pakar mana yang perlu ditemui dan apakah perkara-perkara yang perlu dilakukan untuk melalui transisi dalam usaha mengiktiraf diri sebagai seorang lelaki.
Kemudian, apabila berpindah ke Kuala Lumpur, saya berpeluang bertemu lebih ramai LGBT iaitu golongan minoriti yang sering menjadi mangsa penindasan dan kezaliman. Saya memutuskan untuk menjadi aktivis LGBT bagi menuntut hak serta memberikan kesedaran kepada orang ramai mengenai realiti kewujudan LGBT.
Gambaran negatif yang selalu diberikan adalah kononnya golongan LGBT mengamalkan seks bebas, seks luar tabii dan pesta seks berkumpulan. Segala-galanya dikaitkan dengan seks; seolah-olah LGBT hanyalah pengamal seks atau alat pemuas seks.
Apakah golongan LGBT sendiri berusaha mengubah tanggapan negatif seumpama itu?
Sebaik berpindah ke Kuala Lumpur, saya berpeluang menghadiri sebuah kursus khas yang diadakan bagi golongan “mak nyah” (transwomen) di Seremban. Saya kagum melihat bagaimana mereka diajarkan tentang hak dan peruntukan undang-undang jika ditahan pihak berkuasa. Maklumat itu penting supaya “mak nyah” tidak menjadi mangsa kezaliman dan penindasan.
Semasa meninjau kursus itu juga saya sedar betapa kelompok mak nyah di Malaysia sangat bersatu dan berpersatuan. Mereka saling bantu-membantu dan memberikan tunjur ajar tentang hak sebagai anggota masyarakat dan hak kemanusiaan (human rights) yang dimiliki tanpa mengira identiti seks.
Saya menyedari bahawa keadaan sama kurang terdapat dalam kalangan “pak nyah” (transmale). Puncanya juga amat nyata. Bagi golongan mak nyah, kehadiran mereka dalam masyarakat adalah amat nyata. Kita mungkin terpandang seorang mak nyah di tempat awam dan terus tahu bahawa dia seorang mak nyah.
Hal sama tidak berlaku dalam kalangan pak nyah. Kalau seorang pak nyah berada di tempat awam, belum tentu orang ramai dapat mengecamnya. Lihatlah pada diri saya sendiri yang berjanggut dan bermisai, serta tangan saya berbulu lebat. Selalunya orang tidak akan dapat meneka bahawa saya seorang pak nyah.
Saya menganggap keadaan ini sebagai suatu kelebihan dan juga suatu kekurangan yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh golongan pak nyah. Kelebihannya adalah bahawa orang ramai tidak tahu bahawa individu itu seorang pak nyah. Maka dia terselamat daripada menjadi mangsa buli, penindasan dan kezaliman oleh orang awam dan pihak berkuasa.
Jadi mengapa pula dianggap sebagai suatu kekurangan?
Kekurangan yang saya maksudkan adalah bahawa seorang pak nyah tidak akan mampu mengenali seorang pak nyah lain kerana masing-masing kelihatan sama seperti golongan lelaki normal dari segi penampilan.
Akibatnya, mereka sukar untuk bertemu dan berkongsi kisah atau saling memberikan sokongan moral kepada pak nyah lain seperti yang berlaku dalam kalangan mak nyah. Mereka mungkin duduk semeja di sebuah restoran atau duduk bersebelahan di dalam sebuah bas tetapi masing-masing tidak tahu bahawa individu yang seorang lagi adalah pak nyah seperti dirinya.
Menyedari perkara itu, saya bersama-sama beberapa rakan mak nyah dan pak nyah menerbitkan siri klip video ringkas yang dimuatkan di YouTube. Ia antara lain memuatkan pengalaman, keluhan, suara hati, harapan dan keinginan kami untuk mengekalkan identiti gender yang tertanam dalam minda kami sejak dalam kandungan.
Selepas menonton klip video berkenaan, ramai pak nyah mula menghubungi saya melalui e-mel dan Facebook. Saya gembira kerana mereka kini ada saluran untuk berkongsi kisah, pengalaman dan suka-duka. Ternyata ramai pak nyah yang memendamkan perasaan kerana menghadapi masalah untuk mengenali pak nyah lain dalam masyarakat.
Saya mengambil inisiatif memulakan laman khas tertutup (closed community) bagi pak nyah di Facebook. Ahli mula menambah rakan-rakan pak nyah yang mereka kenali. Maka komuniti itu membesar dan masing-masing terasa gembira kerana sedar bahawa mereka tidak sendirian dalam mendepani realiti kehidupan sebagai pak nyah.
Kami memutuskan untuk menggunakan istilah “pak nyah” bagi merujuk kepada golongan transmale kerana transgender turut merujuk kepada “mak nyah” iaitu transwomen. Sebagaimana istilah “mak nyah”, istilah “pak nyah” juga tidak berciri menghina. Istilah yang menghina adalah bapok, pondan, pengkid dan tomboy.
Berbalik kepada laman komuniti tertutup di Facebook, kami kini berpeluang untuk berbincang, bersoal-jawab dan bertukar pelbagai maklumat berkaitan isu pak nyah. Sehingga sekarang terdapat sekitar 115 ahli dalam komuniti itu. Saya percaya bahawa sedikit demi sedikit, jumlah ahli akan bertambah apabila maklumat sampai kepada lebih ramai pak nyah.
Pernahkah saudara menghadapi masalah berikutan identiti pak nyah yang dimiliki?
Sepanjang saya berada di Singapura, saya tidak menghadapi apa-apa masalah dengan pihak berkuasa di sana. Walaupun saya mengambil hormon semasa berada di sana dan sedang melalui proses transisi (seperti pertumbuhan misai dan janggut), pihak berkuasa di Singapura tidak menimbulkan apa-apa masalah. Tiada sebarang penindasan atau kezaliman.
Walau bagaimanapun, saya menghadapi masalah di tempat kerja. Saya berdepan gangguan seksual semasa sedang melalui proses transisi fizikal. Pada masa sama, perkara-perkara yang merupakan kelaziman bagi orang lain mula menjadi masalah besar bagi saya.
Misalnya untuk pergi ke tandas dan bilik air. Saya hanya boleh pergi ke tandas (tandas lelaki) apabila tidak ada orang. Kalau tidak, pekerja lelaki akan berasa tidak selesa dan marah-marah. Kalau saya pergi ke tandas perempuan, pekerja wanita pula memberikan reaksi sama.
Semasa berada di Singapura, saya juga bekerja sambilan di sebuah bengkel kereta. Gangguan seksual yang saya hadapi di sana adalah jauh lebih mencabar. Misalnya, apabila saya memasuki tandas, pekerja lelaki menghentak pintu dan dinding tandas secara bertubi-tubi.
Selalu juga mereka sengaja menyimbah air ke dalam tandas atau memanjat dinding untuk melihat semasa saya membuang air. Saya terpaksa menghadapi segala gangguan seksual dan gangguan mental itu setiap hari. Fikiran saya sangat terganggu.
Tidak setakat itu, pekerja lelaki di bengkel kereta itu juga akan sentiasa menanggalkan baju dan mencabar saya. Kata mereka, kalau saya seorang “jantan” (lelaki) maka saya juga perlu menanggalkan baju.
Pada waktu itu, saya masih dalam proses transisi. Saya masih ada payu dara. Maka, tentulah tidak sopan, tidak manis dan tidak adil untuk membuli saya sedemikian rupa. Mereka langsung tidak cuba memahami perasaan orang lain.
Gangguan lain yang terpaksa dihadapi adalah apabila pekerja lelaki memberitahu saya bahawa mereka sedia menawarkan khidmat seks kepada saya. Kononnya, jika saya sudah “merasa” zakar mereka, maka pasti saya akan mahu kekal sebagai wanita.
Gangguan seksual dan mental seperti itu terpaksa saya hadapi setiap hari daripada golongan yang tidak tahu realiti sebenar mengenai mak nyah dan pak nyah. Mereka tidak tahu membezakan antara pak nyah (transmale) dan pengkid/tomboy.
Berdasarkan segala pengalaman buruk inilah juga saya merasakan betapa perlu bagi golongan pak nyah untuk bersatu dan saling memberikan sokongan moral antara satu sama lain.
Lebih penting daripada itu adalah usaha mendidik dan memberikan maklumat sebenar kepada orang ramai mengenai realiti kewujudan golongan mak nyah dan pak nyah. Maklumat palsu yang disebarkan media arus perdana membuatkan masyarakat memandang serong kepada kami.
Harapan saya adalah agar orang ramai mendapatkan maklumat sebenar daripada sumber yang sahih. Janganlah menjatuhkan hukuman terhadap golongan mak nyah dan pak nyah berdasarkan maklumat palsu yang disebarkan oleh golongan penzalim dan penindas yang ada agenda politik.
Uthaya Sankar SB mahu bersuara mewakili golongan minoriti yang tertindas, dipinggirkan atau dizalimi.
COMMENT
Sementara golongan “mak nyah” menjadi sasaran penindasan dan kezaliman kuasawan, golongan “pak nyah” mungkin bernasib lebih baik kerana ‘tidak kelihatan’ pada mata pihak berkuasa.Walau bagaimanapun golongan pak nyah juga tidak terlepas daripada berdepan pelbagai cabaran berbentuk gangguan seksual dan gangguan mental.
Saya berpeluang bertemu dan berbual-bual bersama-sama seorang pak nyah bernama Dorian Wilde di Bandar Puteri, Puchong pada 30 November 2013.
Pengalaman peribadi yang dikongsikan oleh pemuda berumur 26 tahun itu sesuai juga disampaikan kepada orang ramai. Seperti biasa, segala maklumat ini tentu tidak akan dapat diperolehi di media arus perdana.
Uthaya: Orang selalu mengatakan bahawa gejala lesbian, gay, biseksual dan transgender (LGBT) adalah disebabkan pengaruh persekitaran. …
Dorian: Biar saya tegaskan bahawa maklumat seperti itu adalah palsu dan khabar angin semata-mata. Dalam kes saya misalnya, sejak kanak-kanak berumur sekitar tiga tahun, saya sudah merasakan dan menyedari bahawa saya sebenarnya seorang budak lelaki walaupun memiliki tubuh seorang perempuan.
Malah, sehingga berumur 18 tahun, saya beranggapan bahawa sayalah satu-satunya individu seumpama ini. Hanya apabila pergi ke Singapura untuk bekerja di sana, saya mula tahu bahawa individu LGBT memang wujud dalam kalangan masyarakat.
Di Singapura juga saya berpeluang bertemu seorang individu transmale iaitu individu yang dilahirkan dengan “identiti seks” (alat kelamin) perempuan tetapi memiliki “identiti gender” lelaki sejak dalam kandungan.
Dia memberikan semangat dan keyakinan secara tidak langsung kepada saya bahawa saya berhak membuat keputusan berhubung siapa diri saya. Dia jugalah yang memberikan panduan dan tunjuk-ajar tentang doktor pakar mana yang perlu ditemui dan apakah perkara-perkara yang perlu dilakukan untuk melalui transisi dalam usaha mengiktiraf diri sebagai seorang lelaki.
Kemudian, apabila berpindah ke Kuala Lumpur, saya berpeluang bertemu lebih ramai LGBT iaitu golongan minoriti yang sering menjadi mangsa penindasan dan kezaliman. Saya memutuskan untuk menjadi aktivis LGBT bagi menuntut hak serta memberikan kesedaran kepada orang ramai mengenai realiti kewujudan LGBT.
Gambaran negatif yang selalu diberikan adalah kononnya golongan LGBT mengamalkan seks bebas, seks luar tabii dan pesta seks berkumpulan. Segala-galanya dikaitkan dengan seks; seolah-olah LGBT hanyalah pengamal seks atau alat pemuas seks.
Apakah golongan LGBT sendiri berusaha mengubah tanggapan negatif seumpama itu?
Sebaik berpindah ke Kuala Lumpur, saya berpeluang menghadiri sebuah kursus khas yang diadakan bagi golongan “mak nyah” (transwomen) di Seremban. Saya kagum melihat bagaimana mereka diajarkan tentang hak dan peruntukan undang-undang jika ditahan pihak berkuasa. Maklumat itu penting supaya “mak nyah” tidak menjadi mangsa kezaliman dan penindasan.
Semasa meninjau kursus itu juga saya sedar betapa kelompok mak nyah di Malaysia sangat bersatu dan berpersatuan. Mereka saling bantu-membantu dan memberikan tunjur ajar tentang hak sebagai anggota masyarakat dan hak kemanusiaan (human rights) yang dimiliki tanpa mengira identiti seks.
Saya menyedari bahawa keadaan sama kurang terdapat dalam kalangan “pak nyah” (transmale). Puncanya juga amat nyata. Bagi golongan mak nyah, kehadiran mereka dalam masyarakat adalah amat nyata. Kita mungkin terpandang seorang mak nyah di tempat awam dan terus tahu bahawa dia seorang mak nyah.
Hal sama tidak berlaku dalam kalangan pak nyah. Kalau seorang pak nyah berada di tempat awam, belum tentu orang ramai dapat mengecamnya. Lihatlah pada diri saya sendiri yang berjanggut dan bermisai, serta tangan saya berbulu lebat. Selalunya orang tidak akan dapat meneka bahawa saya seorang pak nyah.
Saya menganggap keadaan ini sebagai suatu kelebihan dan juga suatu kekurangan yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh golongan pak nyah. Kelebihannya adalah bahawa orang ramai tidak tahu bahawa individu itu seorang pak nyah. Maka dia terselamat daripada menjadi mangsa buli, penindasan dan kezaliman oleh orang awam dan pihak berkuasa.
Jadi mengapa pula dianggap sebagai suatu kekurangan?
Kekurangan yang saya maksudkan adalah bahawa seorang pak nyah tidak akan mampu mengenali seorang pak nyah lain kerana masing-masing kelihatan sama seperti golongan lelaki normal dari segi penampilan.
Akibatnya, mereka sukar untuk bertemu dan berkongsi kisah atau saling memberikan sokongan moral kepada pak nyah lain seperti yang berlaku dalam kalangan mak nyah. Mereka mungkin duduk semeja di sebuah restoran atau duduk bersebelahan di dalam sebuah bas tetapi masing-masing tidak tahu bahawa individu yang seorang lagi adalah pak nyah seperti dirinya.
Menyedari perkara itu, saya bersama-sama beberapa rakan mak nyah dan pak nyah menerbitkan siri klip video ringkas yang dimuatkan di YouTube. Ia antara lain memuatkan pengalaman, keluhan, suara hati, harapan dan keinginan kami untuk mengekalkan identiti gender yang tertanam dalam minda kami sejak dalam kandungan.
Selepas menonton klip video berkenaan, ramai pak nyah mula menghubungi saya melalui e-mel dan Facebook. Saya gembira kerana mereka kini ada saluran untuk berkongsi kisah, pengalaman dan suka-duka. Ternyata ramai pak nyah yang memendamkan perasaan kerana menghadapi masalah untuk mengenali pak nyah lain dalam masyarakat.
Saya mengambil inisiatif memulakan laman khas tertutup (closed community) bagi pak nyah di Facebook. Ahli mula menambah rakan-rakan pak nyah yang mereka kenali. Maka komuniti itu membesar dan masing-masing terasa gembira kerana sedar bahawa mereka tidak sendirian dalam mendepani realiti kehidupan sebagai pak nyah.
Kami memutuskan untuk menggunakan istilah “pak nyah” bagi merujuk kepada golongan transmale kerana transgender turut merujuk kepada “mak nyah” iaitu transwomen. Sebagaimana istilah “mak nyah”, istilah “pak nyah” juga tidak berciri menghina. Istilah yang menghina adalah bapok, pondan, pengkid dan tomboy.
Berbalik kepada laman komuniti tertutup di Facebook, kami kini berpeluang untuk berbincang, bersoal-jawab dan bertukar pelbagai maklumat berkaitan isu pak nyah. Sehingga sekarang terdapat sekitar 115 ahli dalam komuniti itu. Saya percaya bahawa sedikit demi sedikit, jumlah ahli akan bertambah apabila maklumat sampai kepada lebih ramai pak nyah.
Pernahkah saudara menghadapi masalah berikutan identiti pak nyah yang dimiliki?
Sepanjang saya berada di Singapura, saya tidak menghadapi apa-apa masalah dengan pihak berkuasa di sana. Walaupun saya mengambil hormon semasa berada di sana dan sedang melalui proses transisi (seperti pertumbuhan misai dan janggut), pihak berkuasa di Singapura tidak menimbulkan apa-apa masalah. Tiada sebarang penindasan atau kezaliman.
Walau bagaimanapun, saya menghadapi masalah di tempat kerja. Saya berdepan gangguan seksual semasa sedang melalui proses transisi fizikal. Pada masa sama, perkara-perkara yang merupakan kelaziman bagi orang lain mula menjadi masalah besar bagi saya.
Misalnya untuk pergi ke tandas dan bilik air. Saya hanya boleh pergi ke tandas (tandas lelaki) apabila tidak ada orang. Kalau tidak, pekerja lelaki akan berasa tidak selesa dan marah-marah. Kalau saya pergi ke tandas perempuan, pekerja wanita pula memberikan reaksi sama.
Semasa berada di Singapura, saya juga bekerja sambilan di sebuah bengkel kereta. Gangguan seksual yang saya hadapi di sana adalah jauh lebih mencabar. Misalnya, apabila saya memasuki tandas, pekerja lelaki menghentak pintu dan dinding tandas secara bertubi-tubi.
Selalu juga mereka sengaja menyimbah air ke dalam tandas atau memanjat dinding untuk melihat semasa saya membuang air. Saya terpaksa menghadapi segala gangguan seksual dan gangguan mental itu setiap hari. Fikiran saya sangat terganggu.
Tidak setakat itu, pekerja lelaki di bengkel kereta itu juga akan sentiasa menanggalkan baju dan mencabar saya. Kata mereka, kalau saya seorang “jantan” (lelaki) maka saya juga perlu menanggalkan baju.
Pada waktu itu, saya masih dalam proses transisi. Saya masih ada payu dara. Maka, tentulah tidak sopan, tidak manis dan tidak adil untuk membuli saya sedemikian rupa. Mereka langsung tidak cuba memahami perasaan orang lain.
Gangguan lain yang terpaksa dihadapi adalah apabila pekerja lelaki memberitahu saya bahawa mereka sedia menawarkan khidmat seks kepada saya. Kononnya, jika saya sudah “merasa” zakar mereka, maka pasti saya akan mahu kekal sebagai wanita.
Gangguan seksual dan mental seperti itu terpaksa saya hadapi setiap hari daripada golongan yang tidak tahu realiti sebenar mengenai mak nyah dan pak nyah. Mereka tidak tahu membezakan antara pak nyah (transmale) dan pengkid/tomboy.
Berdasarkan segala pengalaman buruk inilah juga saya merasakan betapa perlu bagi golongan pak nyah untuk bersatu dan saling memberikan sokongan moral antara satu sama lain.
Lebih penting daripada itu adalah usaha mendidik dan memberikan maklumat sebenar kepada orang ramai mengenai realiti kewujudan golongan mak nyah dan pak nyah. Maklumat palsu yang disebarkan media arus perdana membuatkan masyarakat memandang serong kepada kami.
Harapan saya adalah agar orang ramai mendapatkan maklumat sebenar daripada sumber yang sahih. Janganlah menjatuhkan hukuman terhadap golongan mak nyah dan pak nyah berdasarkan maklumat palsu yang disebarkan oleh golongan penzalim dan penindas yang ada agenda politik.
Uthaya Sankar SB mahu bersuara mewakili golongan minoriti yang tertindas, dipinggirkan atau dizalimi.
Sultan of Selangor firm in defending rights of the Malays, Bumiputeras and Islam
(MM) - Firm action by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in defending the rights of the Malays, bumiputeras and the sanctity of Islam is eagerly awaited by the people.Former inspector-general of police Tun Mohammed Haniff Omar said this is evident in his speeches and shows the royal institutions is still strong in defending the rights of the Malays, position of the Malay rulers and Islam.
The three matters enshrined in the federal constitution should not be raised as the Malays had contributed so much to the development of this country.
“During the formation of Malaysia, the Chinese and the Indians accepted that the Malay rulers and the Malays had given invaluable contribution.
“However, there are leaders and a handful of people who mock and challenge them and don’t care about the feelings of the Malays.
“Its like a grand design that if left uncontrolled, can destroy this country.
“The Sultan’s firm action in dealing with this issue is eagerly awaited by the people,” he said at the royal tea reception with government retirees to mark the 68th birthday celebration of the Sultan of Selangor at Istana Alam Shah, here today.
Sultan Sharafuddin was pleased to attend the function with government retireees for the third consecutive year.
PAS: Ambil tindakan jika betul Mat Sabu ikut Syiah, kata AJK PAS Pusat
Read more at: http://www.astroawani.com/news/show/pas-ambil-tindakan-jika-betul-mat-sabu-ikut-syiah-kata-ajk-pas-pusat-26724?cp
KUALA LUMPUR: AJK PAS Pusat, Dr Riduan Mohd Nor hari ini mengalu-alukan supaya tindakan dikenakan terhadap Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu sekiranya benar beliau adalah seorang penganut fahaman Syiah."Saya mengalu-alukan tindakan JAKIM, PDRM dan lain-lain agensi terhadap ‘Mat Sabu’ sekiranya benar beliau adalah penganut Syiah.
"Syiah adalah ajaran yang diharamkan untuk dikembangkan di negara ini. Secara rasmi, ajaran di Malaysia adalah Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah dan majoriti umat Islam di negara ini adalah penganut mazhab Syafie," katanya dalam kenyataan pada Isnin.
Bagaimanapun beliau menyifatkan langkah Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi untuk 'menuduh' Mat Sabu sebagai Syiah adalah suatu langkah politik yang terdesak untuk memerangkap PAS.
"Disebut pula dalam Perhimpunan Agung UMNO, platform buat pemimpin UMNO melepaskan kemarahan terhadap musuh politik mereka. Ia jugalah pentas mereka menunjukkan jagoan mereka di hadapan ahli dan perwakilan mereka, seolah-olah merekalah wira umat yang layak disanjung sepanjang zaman," kata Riduan.
Selain itu, beliau turut menyokong tindak balas Mat Sabu untuk menyaman Ahmad Zahid kerana baginya tuduhan seperti itu amat keterlaluan dan memalukan PAS.
Katanya tuduhan tersebut telah melukakan hati berjuta ahli serta penyokong PAS di seluruh negara.
"Jika niat beliau untuk menjatuhkan reputasi dan maruah PAS di hadapan umat Islam, beliau tersilap langkah dan salah percaturan. Mungkin juga tuduhan beliau bakal memakan diri beliau sendiri," katanya lagi.
Menurut Riduan, sudah tiba masanya untuk Mat Sabu tampil membersihkan dirinya dari dilabel sebagai penganut serta membuktikan bahawa beliau adalah seorang Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah yang berpegang kepada mazhab Shafie.
"Mahkamah adalah penentunya dan selepas ini, tiada lagi tohmahan liar menuduh tanpa fakta dan bukti yang sahih berlegar di kalangan masyarakat," jelasnya.
Dalam pada itu beliau mempertahankan partinya yang disifatkannya sering menjadi sasaran fitnah dan tohmahan oleh parti-parti lawan, termasuk tindakan keras terhadap para pemimpinnya.
Beliau juga menegaskan bahawa PAS sentiasa berpaksikan pegangan mereka kepada ajaran Sunnah Wal Jamaah dan menjadikan mazhab Shafie sebagai sandaran mereka.
Menurutnya, perkara itu merupakan asas perjuangan Islam yang didokong oleh PAS serta menegakkan ajaran Islam berpandukan Al Quran dan Sunnah sebagai dasar perjuangan yang tidak pernah berubah.
"Justeru tidak ada yang pelik dalam perjuangan PAS. PAS tidak sesekali membenarkan mazhab Syiah menular dalam diri pendokongnya apatah lagi ia dianuti oleh pemimpin tertingginya.
"PAS memiliki barisan kepimpinan Majlis Syura Ulama yang memandu PAS berdasarkan hukum Islam seperti yang termaktub dalam Al Quran, Sunnah, Ijma’ dan Qias serta melalui perlembagaan PAS. PAS juga memiliki Dewan Ulama sebagai sayap kanan yang bertanggungjawab menjaga PAS agar sentiasa berada dalam orbitnya," tambahnya lagi.
Ahmad Zahid pada Sabtu lalu, meminta Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) mengambil tindakan ke atas Mat Sabu yang didakwanya pengikut ajaran Syiah.
Dalam ucapannya sebagai Naib Presiden UMNO semasa menggulung perbahasan pada perhimpunan parti itu, beliau mendedahkan bahawa Mat Sabu adalah seorang pengikut ajaran Syiah.
Tuduhan yang dibuat Ahmad Zahid itu telah mengundang beberapa reaksi dari kepimpinan PAS Pusat.
Setiausaha Agung PAS, Datuk Mustafa Ali menyifatkan dakwaan tersebut sebagai serangan terbuka dan peribadi, dan tidak ada kena mengena dengan parti tersebut.
Beliau juga berkata Mat Sabu wajar mengambil tindakan terhadap Ahmad Zahid berhubung tuduhan itu.
Selain itu, Naib Presiden PAS, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man berkata, tuduhan yang dibuat oleh Ahmad Zahid itu hanya bertujuan untuk menarik sokongan perwakilan UMNO bagi mengukuhkan kedudukan dirinya.
Katanya, kecenderungan seseorang itu menyokong perjuangan Islam di Iran tidak semestinya seseorang itu mengamalkan ajaran Syiah.
PAS juga menafikan ada pemimpinnya yang mengamalkan ajaran Syiah serta menafikan pernah menerima sebarang laporan mengenai ajaran tersebut yang diamalkan oleh pemimpin parti itu termasuk Mat Sabu.
Zahid hari ini berkata beberapa bukti bahawa pemimpin PAS terlibat fahaman Syiah akan diterangkan secara terperinci dalam satu sidang akhbar khas dalam masa terdekat.
Dr Khir Appointed As New Education Director-General
PUTRAJAYA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin
Yassin on Monday night announced the appointment of Datuk Dr Khir Mohd
Yusof as the new Director-General of Education, succeeding Tan Sri Abdul
Ghaffar Mahmud.
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the 57-year-old Dr Khir, who is formerly Deputy Director-General of Education (Teaching Profession Development Sector), came to his office earlier today to report for duty and pledged to discharge his responsibilities to the best of his ability in a bid to make transformation on national education.
"We have discussed various issues, including for him to follow the good path of Abdul Ghaffar because I think there shouldn't be any major changes following the latter's retirement.
"What's good, we will continue to make it better, and what's already better will be further improved to make it best," he said at the retirement dinner Monday to honour Abdul Ghaffar's 36 years of service.
Abd Ghafar served as the director-general of Education from Nov 8, 2010 until Dec 6, 2013.
Muhyiddin said the government would always appreciate the deeds and contributions made by Abdul Ghaffar in implementing the national education policy.
"His credibility was proved by his success in leading and putting the ministry among the ministries which succeeded in achieving the objectives of the national key result areas," the deputy prime minister said.
As an appreciation of his contribution, Muhyiddin said the government had also agreed to nominate Abd Ghafar as a board member of the International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP) under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
At the dinner, Muhyiddin also witnessed the symbolic handing-over of duties ceremony between Abdul Ghaffar and Dr Khir.
Also present were Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, deputy ministers Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching and P. Kamalanathan, secretary-general Datuk Dr Madinah Mohamad.
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the 57-year-old Dr Khir, who is formerly Deputy Director-General of Education (Teaching Profession Development Sector), came to his office earlier today to report for duty and pledged to discharge his responsibilities to the best of his ability in a bid to make transformation on national education.
"We have discussed various issues, including for him to follow the good path of Abdul Ghaffar because I think there shouldn't be any major changes following the latter's retirement.
"What's good, we will continue to make it better, and what's already better will be further improved to make it best," he said at the retirement dinner Monday to honour Abdul Ghaffar's 36 years of service.
Abd Ghafar served as the director-general of Education from Nov 8, 2010 until Dec 6, 2013.
Muhyiddin said the government would always appreciate the deeds and contributions made by Abdul Ghaffar in implementing the national education policy.
"His credibility was proved by his success in leading and putting the ministry among the ministries which succeeded in achieving the objectives of the national key result areas," the deputy prime minister said.
As an appreciation of his contribution, Muhyiddin said the government had also agreed to nominate Abd Ghafar as a board member of the International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP) under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
At the dinner, Muhyiddin also witnessed the symbolic handing-over of duties ceremony between Abdul Ghaffar and Dr Khir.
Also present were Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, deputy ministers Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching and P. Kamalanathan, secretary-general Datuk Dr Madinah Mohamad.
Sultan: No reason to change weekend
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor will not make Friday and Saturday its rest days, said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.The Sultan said that Selangor had been a centre of nationwide and international commerce even before Independence and switching to a Friday-Saturday weekend might discourage investments and affect business dealings in the state.
“There are many international businesses in Selangor and I do not think that the banking community would like it (a change).
“If Friday is a public holiday, it will be hard to coordinate with other countries, including Singapore.
“It will be hard for the business community to carry out their transactions and it could affect the stock markets,” he said in an interview with The Star.
Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar announced the change to Friday and Saturday as rest days from the present Saturday and Sunday effective Jan 1.
The Johor Ruler said the change would make it more convenient for Muslims to perform their Friday prayers.
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are the states which now have Friday and Saturday as their off days.
Sultan Sharafuddin said in Selangor that there have been no complaints from the Muslim community on any problems in performing the Friday prayers.
“Every time I go to a mosque in Selangor on Friday, it is always full. The employers have always been accommodating and allowed their staff to perform their religious duties.
“There is no reason for us to change it (the weekend) to Friday (and Saturday),” he said.
On the raising of racial and religious issues in the country after theGE13, Sultan Sharafuddin urged the rakyat of the various races and religions to continue to respect one another.
“I think the rakyat of different races get along well with one another, but certain issues are created by politicians. We must always remember that the country cannot progress without teamwork and without the help of all the races. Malays, Indians, Chinese and the others must learn to work together as no single race can move forward alone,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin, who is the head of Islam in the state, reminded Malaysians not to touch on the religious sensitivities of other groups.
“For many years, each group never touched on the religious and cultural sensitivities of others. We never criticised or questioned what the other groups were doing.
Referring to the issue on the use of the term Allah, he said: ”I hope that the non Muslims will not get involved in all things Islam.”
He expressed regret that there were still cases of people using mosques for political ceramah in the state.
“The reason I disallowed this practice was because it could divide the ummah (community). We should go to the mosque to perform our duties to God,” he said.
The interview with the Sultan was held in conjunction with his 12th year on the throne and his 68th birthday on Dec 11.
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