Gloomy prospect for Ambiga's olive branch

 

NegaraKu patron Ambiga Sreenevasan's renewed urging for the ruling coalition, opposition and NGOs to make peace may have received a positive response but it appears unlikely to be translated into action.

Political observers cited the absence of political will in both the ruling coalition and opposition as well as the lack of incentive to cooperate with each other.

Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan pointed out that even within the respective coalitions, political will was lacking to get things done.

"In Pakatan Rakyat, there is disunity as they fight among each other, while in BN, there is also no political will to even reprimand a minister for attacking Chinese businesses," he told Malayskini when contacted.

Echoing this, Wong Chin Huat, a fellow at the Penang Institute, said the ruling coalition and opposition are occupied about their own survival.

"For cooperation to happen there has to be assurance of mutual co-existence, this is not the case.

"If they were to work together, the side that becomes the loser (in the election) is worried they will be wiped out.

"So for them, survival is the most important thing and I will not blame the politicians because this is how the system in this country is like," he said.

Another hurdle to such cooperation, Wan Saiful said, is that political leaders sometimes deviate from hard issues when it comes to the topic of cooperation.

For example, he said cooperation is sometimes painted as a unity government  which can take on a racial tone like an Umno-PAS coalition at the expense of other allies.

PAS' central committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who backed Ambiga's proposal, had expressed similar frustration.

"Every time when we talk about cooperation (with the other side), we are asked if we want to join them, that is very low-class (politics).

"It is not about cooperating politically but to discuss about the nation," he said.

Simmering partisanship

Wong said politicians are not the only one to be blamed for their lack of interest in cooperating as voters in general are also partisan and do not advocate such cooperation.

He added that the way the ruling coalition and opposition behave is in some part a reflection of the people's stance.

"Political actors can learn to cooperate if voters punish them for not cooperating, but that is not happening," he said.

While acknowledging that the country was on a "wrong trajectory" and supporting Ambiga's urging, Wan Saiful, too, acknowledged it is a difficult task.

Wan Saiful said NGOs can try to play the intermediary between the two political coalitions.

"If civil society focuses more on issues rather than partisan politics, I think civil society will have the potential to bring people together," he said.

Echoing this, Wong said while civil society is often non-partisan, their supporters may be partisan, which may make it difficult to reach out to the other side.

"It is a question of whether we can rise above partisan interests for the national interest," he said.

For rakyat’s sake, Ambiga pleads for truce

 

For the sake of the people, NegaraKu patron Ambiga Sreenavasan has made a plea for a ceasefire, calling on all stakeholders to rise above politics.

She said leaders from the government, opposition and civil society should set aside their differences and come together to immediately deal with four urgent issues confronting the country.

They are:

• The devastation floods, indiscriminate deforestation and the reconstruction efforts.
   
• Weakening economy and the search for realistic solutions.
   
• Racial and religious tensions.
   
• The unprecedented dengue menace.

“I will call these our ‘immediate concerns’. There are more but we should start with these,” she said in a speech at a function to honour Tunku Abdul Rahman and national laureate A Samad Said in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Moratorium on Sedition Act

The former Bar Council president also proposed that several compromises be undertaken by the government as an act of good faith, which included a moratorium on strengthening the Sedition Act.

She said the moratorium should also include all charges brought and pending under the same legislation.

Ambiga also suggested that a moratorium be imposed on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is to take effect on April 1.

The other compromises put forth are to ensure freedom of the press, a moratorium on logging and deforestation, independent inquiry panels be established in one form or the other to determine how the environmental crises have arisen.

“These compromises will immediately inspire the confidence of the rakyat in the proposed solution and will enable parties to work more effectively with each other.

“It will remove the atmosphere of doom and gloom that prevails because people are afraid to speak their mind. We cannot make the people live under this fear anymore. They have enough on their plate as it is. They have a right to live with peace of mind,” Ambiga said.

Stressing that it is a “plea” and not a “demand”, she implored all who are in a position to do so, to consider this suggestion and to implement the proposal by agreement.

“This means setting up four joint task forces to address each of the immediate concerns. I will call this Projek Rakyat,” she added.

Give people hope

Ambiga said if those in the government, opposition and NGOs open their minds to this, they would be demonstrating not leadership, but statesmanship.

“You will be giving people hope. You will lift people out of the melancholy that pervades all conversations about our future.

“This is the moment to act. Let this moment turn into a momentum to rebuild and recapture the soul of this nation. The government cannot be expected to do this alone.

“Let the rakyat help. Let them be empowered by allowing them to participate. Let us work together.  For now, let us give our political differences a rest until the elections. Let us be happy and let our future be secure,” she added.

Ambiga said the country is now facing many challenges, which are a direct result of allowing financial success to override everything else of real value, including basic constitutional rights and the nation’s institutions.

“Once these became vulnerable, whether to abuse of power or corruption, the destructive path was set.

“The economy is cause for concern. Our ringgit continues to slide, oil prices are falling, 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is looking fragile, GST is coming, household debt is rising and people are really worried.

“We additionally have the problem of the fabric of society being ripped apart by the few who seek to divide us.

“The recent floods were the latest in a line of disasters. Look at Cameron Highlands as well.  All this has been caused by the disrespect we have shown to our environment and by uncontrolled corruption,” she added.

Unity forged in calamity

However, Ambiga pointed out that the calamity in the east coast saw Malaysians of all walks of life rushing to help the victims.

She said the race or religion of the victims and volunteers alike did not matter one bit.

“We had transcended all our differences in a humanitarian crisis. I am reminded of a saying ‘It is the hour of trial that makes men great, not the hour of triumph’.

“This was an hour of trial and it brought out the best in Malaysians. We saw the same goodness come forth with the crisis of MH370, and MH17,” she added.

Ambiga also recalled photographs during the recent floods which showed a minister carrying an old lady who was a flood victim, army, police, volunteers and NGOs helping with packing, washing and cleaning, a Sikh squad who dropped supplies in remote areas, especially for the Orang Asli who were neglected and a menteri besar helping to clean the streets.

“These pictures tell us something. They tell us that in a crisis we can rise to the occasion,” she said.

“That we can put aside our differences for the greater good. That in our hour of trial, we can be great.”

Bagaimana Melayu terancam jika mereka sedang berkuasa?

‘Melayu benar-benar Islam akan lawan ketidak-adilan’

Negara-ku says Sabah ban on Ambiga uncalled for, mulls other options

Disappointed over Sabah’s entry ban imposed on Negara-ku patron Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, the non-governmental organisation said it is looking at other ways, such as Skype webcam, to enable her to speak at its forum in the state later this month.

“We are disappointed and feel that the ban is inappropriate. After all, she has been given a datukship, as a recognition for her contributions to the country," said Negara-ku co-founder Zaid Kamaruddin.

He said the people’s movement might consider using other options to enable Ambiga to participate in the November 25 forum.

"For now, we have no plans yet but we will consider the practicality of using Skype as an option," he added.

Ambiga, who formerly headed the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), was informed yesterday via a letter from the Sabah Immigration Department that she was not allowed to enter the state.

She had earlier written to the department to enquire if she would be restricted from entering the state to speak at a forum on national unity, which will also feature Tan Sri Simon Sipaun and Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Zaid said that as far as he knew, no other Negara-ku member has been barred from entering the East Malaysian state for the forum.

The visit to Sabah is part of Negara-Ku's nationwide road show to "reclaim Malaysia" and return rationality, open and civil discussion, moderation and harmony to the country.

The roadshow began on Wednesday night in Malacca, and will cover six other states: Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur.

Endorsed by over 60 civil society groups, the movement's patrons are Ambiga, national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said and former vice-chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Tan Sri Simon Sipaun.

The ban on Ambiga has been criticised by politicians, including Penampang MP Darell Leiking, who said the Sabah government should not abuse its power to deter people who do not pose any security problems to enter the state.

"I must emphasise that I fully support the autonomy of Sabah on being able to decide who can enter Sabah. But it must be used in the right manner," he said.

"It should be used against real criminal elements who pose security concerns such as Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Perkasa president), who had threatened to burn Bibles."

He said the state was using its right as a "political tool" against Ambiga, who was bringing "constitutional enlightenment" to the people of Sabah.

"I don't know what they are so afraid of. What about the vast number of illegals entering Sabah, which is a huge problem. That is more of a concern than people who want to educate and help," he added.

Earlier, Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the ban on Ambiga showed that the Barisan Nasional government have lost their power of reason and their sense of what is right and wrong, pointing at their "siege mentality".

"Laws are meant to ensure the interests and security of Sabah, and she is only going to be speaking about the rule of law. She is a lawyer.

"How can the rule of law and upholding what is right and wrong be a threat to Sabah's security?

"Obviously this is a travesty of justice and we hope they will respect the rule of law and democracy by reversing the ban," Lim said. – November 15, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/negara-ku-says-sabah-ban-on-ambiga-uncalled-for-mulls-other-options#sthash.ufwRfgjK.dpuf

Negara-Ku starts roadshow to reclaim Malaysia from extremism

New people's movement Negara-Ku is set to carry out its "reclaim Malaysia" agenda nationwide with a roadshow beginning in Malacca tonight to return rationality, open and civil discussion, moderation and harmony to Malaysia.

"Kembalikan Negaraku" or "Return My Country" aims to take back Malaysia from racism and extremism, and provide a platform for safe debates, even on controversial issues such as the court's recent decision on Negri Sembilan's Islamic enactments on transgenders.

More than just focusing on issues themselves, the movement's founder and chairperson Zaid Kamaruddin said they wanted to promote a climate where Malaysians could discuss matters without getting emotional.

Their aim was to also put forward the fact that all differences could be discussed with the Federal Constitution as a reference.

Zaid also said the roadshow was not just about promoting the movement but to draw all other civil society groups that wanted to promote healthy relationships among communities. Years before Negara-Ku, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched his 1Malaysia concept when he took office in 2009 but the slogan has since petered out.

"We support all other efforts that promote the coming together of Malaysians, to be able to express what they want," he added.

Zaid said this was "absolutely necessary" because of continued extremist rhetoric over race, religion and social issues, which Negara-Ku felt it had to counter by advocating moderation, peace and harmony.

Using the recent court decision on the Negri Sembilan transgender case as an example, Zaid said that there was concern over the way people perceived the decision.

"When discussing an issue like this, we should look at what the constitution says and be able to take the differences in opinion in a civilised manner without getting overly emotional," he added.

The Court of Appeal had on November 7 declared unconstitutional a provision in the Negri Sembilan Islamic religious enactment which made it an offence for Muslim males to dress and behave as women.

The three appellants in the case are transgender women who have experience humiliating treatment and arrest several times for violating Section 66 of the state's Shariah Criminal Enactment.

Reactions to the court case have bordered on instigation to violence, the group Lawyers for Liberty had warned in a statement yesterday.

Some of these reactions included calling transgenders "a cancer" to society, as persons who had "challenged God's law", as well as calling for "jihad" to be waged against them. Some of those who made such statements included prominent and influential religious figures, groups and the Ulama Council of political party, PAS.

Negara-Ku's roadshow will cover seven states, and will kick off in Malacca tonight at the Heng Ann Association.

Speakers include PAS politician Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa, who is also the chair of Gerakan Anti-Perkauman; Al-Mustaqeem M. Radui, coordinator of Lingkaran Islam Tradisional; and also Zaid.

Mujahid has been a prominent figure in interfaith dialogues, participating in forums with speakers representing other religions, visiting churches and speaking up for other faiths.

After Malacca, the roadshow will make stops in Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah and Kuala Lumpur.

Zaid also said that the roadshow was aimed at bringing back the essence of Malaysia as a country formed on equality, secularism, guaranteed fundamental rights and a prosperous state where everyone feels at home.

These attributes appear to be under threat these days, he said, adding that if nothing is done, Malaysians may no longer be able to recognise their country in time to come.

"If we keep idle while insensitive quarters continue propagating racism and intolerance amongst us, it is an indication that hate speech and extremism are acceptable.

"It is certainly not and that message must be clearly sent," Zaid said.

Next year, there are plans for the roadshow to head for east coast states.

Negara-Ku was launched four months ago, with the aim of bringing Malaysians from all backgrounds together to counter negative developments threatening the social fabric of the country.

Negara-Ku aims to bring Malaysians back to the country's basics in the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and the Rukunegara.

Endorsed by over 60 civil society groups, the movement's patrons are former Bersih co-chair and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, national laureate Datuk A.Samad Said and former vice-chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Tan Sri Simon Sipaun.

Ambiga had said that Negara-Ku was an initiative by concerned citizens unable to remain on the sidelines while leaders did nothing to stop certain quarters from destroying the nation’s harmony.

She had also previously said the movement sought to provide information and education for people to face challenges in Malaysian society.

This would be done through videos, social media and forums and talks “to get people to listen, to question and to think," she had said. – November 12, 2014.

Negara-Ku tidak perlu didaftarkan, kata Ambiga

Negara-Ku merupakan gabungan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang tidak perlu didaftarkan di bawah Akta Pertubuhan, kata penaungnya, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan hari ini.

"Kami percaya tiada keperluan untuk membuat pendaftaran kerana kami ikatan kemasyarakatan," katanya kepada The Malaysian Insider.

Beliau mengulas kenyataan Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) hari ini Negara-Ku adalah pertubuhan haram kerana Pendaftar Pertubuhan (RoS) tidak menerima sebarang permohonan untuk mendaftarkan kumpulan itu.

"Atas sebab itu, Negara-Ku organisasi haram," kata kementerian itu.

KDN turut memberi peringatan bahawa NGO berkenaan melanggar undang-undang jika terus mengadakan aktiviti tanpa membuat pendaftaran dengan RoS.

Selain KDN menggesa NGO berkenaan untuk membuat pendaftaran, KDN berkata nama Negara-Ku juga tidak sesuai kerana ia milik Malaysia dan akan mengundang kekeliruan.

"Ini kerana Negara-Ku merujuk kepada lagu kebangsaan seperti disebut dalam Seksyen 2 Akta Lagu Kebangsaan 1968," kata KDN.

Bagaimanapun, Ambiga menolak dakwaan itu kerana pemimpin NGO berkenaan sudah meneliti akta yang dimaksudkan dan tidak melihat sebarang masalah dengan nama itu.

"Kami percaya ia tidak mengelirukan mahupun melanggar undang-undang. Kami tidak menggunakan nama lagu kebangsaan," katanya yang menolak nama NGO itu milik Malaysia.

Arahan KDN itu dikeluarkan selepas akhbar milik Umno, Utusan Malaysia menyelar Negara-Ku bertujuan mecapai cita-cita politik Ambiga.

Awang Selamat, nama pojokan yang mewakili pengarang akhbar berkenaan mendesak RoS menolak permohonan Negara-Ku kerana mengelirukan orang ramai.

"Biarkannya kekal sebagai pertubuhan haram sehingga namanya ditukar kepada AgendaKu. Ia lebih sesuai dengan rekod dan reputasi Ambiga," katanya.

Ambiga berasa kesal dengan pengumuman KDN dan mempersoalkan mengapa kementerian berkenaan tunduk kepada "suara ekstremis minoriti".

"Ia sangat menghampakan apabila setiap kali kumpulan ekstremis menyuarakan pendapat mereka, KDN mengambil tindakan tehadap apa yang mereka rasakan. Sepatutnya, mereka melihat kami secara objektif.

"Bagaimana ia menjadi masalah apabila semua yang kami lakukan mempunyai agenda perpaduan? Mereka patut melihat sokongan yang diterima NGO terlibat.

"Adakah mereka melihat secara objektif atau sekadar memberi arahan kepada KDN," katanya.

Gerakan Negara-Ku dilancarkan dua minggu lalu dan diketuai aktivis Zaid Kamaruddin dalam memberi harapan baru kepada Malaysia.

68 NGO menyertai Negara-Ku yang mensasarkan mengukuhkan Perlembagaan Persekutuan, Perjanjian Malaysia dan Rukunegara.

Zahid will not allow Negara-Ku to register

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today declared that his ministry will not allow anti-racism NGO Negara-Ku to register as an organisation under its current name.

Ahmad Zahid said the movement led by former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan and national laureate A Samad Said has yet to apply for registration with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

"Even if it were to apply for registration with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), the name Negara-Ku is not suitable because it belongs to Malaysia.

"Negara-Ku refers to the song Negaraku which is recognised as the national anthem under Section 2 of the National Anthem Act 1968.

"It can cause confusion among the public, and in line with Section 7(3)(d)(i) and (iii) of the Societies Act 1966, it should not be registered," he said in a statement posted on the Home Ministry's official Facebook page today.

Section 7(3)(d)(i) of the Act allows the ROS to refuse registration of any organisation whose name appears to mislead or deceive the public to the true character and purpose of a society, while Section 7(3)(d)(iii) allows for the same  to apply if the ROS finds the name to be "undesirable".

Ahmad Zahid maintained that any organisation intending to conduct its activities legally in the country must be registered under the Socieities Act 1966.

"The government would like to stress that an organisation that conducts its activities without being registered under the Societies Act 1966 is an illegal organisation," he said.

Earlier this month national laureate A Samad Said and former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan formed a new NGO to battle racism and extremism in the nation, called Negara-Ku (my country).

Previously,  both led the Bersih movement for clean and fair elections, which like Negara-Ku, comprised a coalition of NGOs.

In the case of Bersih, even though it was not registered, its member organisations were.

Despite this, the government in 2011 declared Bersih an illegal organisation.

However, the Kuala Lumpur High Court overturned the declaration the following year, stating that the government decision was "tainted with irrationality".

‘Level-headed people won’t oppose Negara-Ku’

No reason why the NGO Negara-Ku should be opposed by any level-headed and right-thinking Malaysian, says former Sabah state secretary.

KOTA KINABALU:Former Sabah state secretary Simon Sipaun, 76, said he decided to be a patron of the newly-launched NGO Negara-Ku because the objectives are worth supporting to make the country a better place for every citizen irrespective of race to live in.

Simon said he became patron after Negara-Ku steering committee member Jerald Joseph contacted him just before its launch recently.

“They were looking for a person from Sabah to be one of the patrons. My role is essentially ceremonial,” he said.

Negara-Ku chairman Zaid Kamaruddin confirmed last Thursday that Simon would be a patron of the NGO.

The former Suhakam vice-chairman, who is now a MACC adviser, sees no reason why Negara-Ku should be opposed by any level-headed and right-thinking Malaysian.

“National unity and integration which is so important and essential in a plural society continues to be an elusive dream and vision in Malaysia.

“This is despite having a minister in charge of national unity, a department of national unity and national integration and a national unity consultative council,” he said.

He added that there was a lack of political will and strong national leadership for integration to take place.

“We need national Malaysian and not racial leaders,” said Simon.

He said the country needed a Mandela-type of leadership which did not condone discrimination based on race and religion.

“Mandela, despite the temptation, never advocated black supremacy or one community claiming superiority over others,” he added.

Simon said he was confident that the country would have a better and brighter future if it turned away from an overdose of politics based on race and religion.

“It must embrace good governance and the citizens must be made to feel that the government truly cares for them,” he said.

The two other patrons of Negara-Ku are novelist A. Samad Said and former Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Yes, Negara-Ku has an agenda, Ambiga tells Utusan

Newly formed Negara-Ku’s agenda is to promote unity, peace and harmony, and those who criticise it are trying to deflect Malaysians from issues of racism and extremism, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said today.

“Of course, Negara-Ku has an agenda. It is an agenda for unity, peace and harmony,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider in a text message.

“Everyone who loves this country should support this agenda. Those who criticise it are merely trying to deflect from the pressing issues of racism and extremism that threaten the fabric of our nation. What is their agenda, I wonder?”

The former Bersih co-chairperson was responding to Awang Selamat’s column in Utusan Malaysia today slamming the newly formed non-governmental organisation (NGO) as a smokescreen to further Ambiga’s political ambition.

Awang, a pseudonym for Utusan’s collective editors, had demanded that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) reject any formal application from Negara-Ku unless its name was changed to “AgendaKu”.

"Let it remain an illegal body, unless the name is changed to AgendaKu. That is more befitting Ambiga's record and reputation," said Awang today in Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia.

Ambiga said she and national laureate Datuk A Samad Said were only patrons of the movement, and that she had never claimed it was her own personal initiative.

“It is a movement of the people set up by concerned citizens and NGOs and chaired by the respected Zaid Kamaruddin.

“We accepted the honour of being patrons because the cause is timely and most worthy.”

The former Bar Council president said any action taken by RoS must be within the boundaries of the law.

She said checks by Negara-Ku’s members found there was nothing unlawful in adopting such a name.

“We have examined it ourselves and can see no legal impediment to our use of the name Negara-Ku (not Negaraku).

“Nevertheless, we continue to be inspired by our beautiful national anthem that unites all Malaysians.”

She said Negara-Ku was an initiative by concerned citizens unable to remain on the sidelines while leaders did nothing to stop certain quarters from destroying the nation’s harmony.

The new movement was launched on Thursday to heal Malaysia and restore hope, given the recent challenges that continue to threaten the peace and harmony of its multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Touted as the "people's movement to reclaim our nation", it is chaired by Zaid, the secretary-general of Ikram, and its patrons are Ambiga and Samad.

Some 68 civil society groups and NGOs have endorsed Negara-Ku, which is aimed at mobilising and empowering people to return to the basics of the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and Rukunegara.

Ambiga had previously said the movement sought to provide the correct information to meet the challenges facing Malaysian society.

This would be done through videos, social media and forums and talks “to get people to listen, to question and to think," she said recently.

Awang Selamat today said Negara-Ku was a desperate platform to restore the image of the opposition pact, namely PKR and DAP.

It said that after failing many times to garner the support of the rakyat, including through the Bersih rallies, Ambiga was now hiding behind the name Negara-Ku, which was similar to the national anthem.

"The excuse that this NGO supposedly wants to encourage harmony, tackle extremism and racism is just a smokescreen. It is disgusting.

"In Malaysia, anybody can form an NGO but do not use the name Negaraku, especially for political purposes. Do not think you are so honourable, for I worry that this will attract extremism.

"Many know who Ambiga is. The anger of Malaysians, particularly Muslims, over numerous issues has yet to die down," he said in the column titled "Agenda Ambiga?"

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/yes-negara-ku-has-an-agenda-ambiga-tells-utusan#sthash.0Uq8w4Nh.dpuf

ISMA: 'Negaraku' wajah baru liberalisme, pluralisme agama

UTM lecturer flays Muslims in Negara-Ku

 

A Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) lecturer has hit out at Muslim members of the newly-formed NGO Negara-Ku.

Khalif Muammar A Harris said that the Muslim members have joined the "liberal fight of the non-Muslims".

"I am saddened to see a group of Muslims who have joined the secular and liberal fight of the non-Muslims," he said of the NGO in a Facebook post.

"They think they are fighting for justice, equality, freedom and also believe that Islam, according to their superficial understanding, allows for their efforts," he said.

Negara-Ku, whose full name is "A people's movement to reclaim our nation", was formed by former Bersih co-chairpersons Ambiga Sreenevasan and A Samad Said.

The NGO is chaired by Ikram vice-president Zaid Kamaruddin.

The coalition, made up of 60 other NGOs, was formed to battle racism and extremism in the nation.

'Doing harm instead of good'

Khalif, meanwhile, added that Muslim members of the NGO did not realise that the justice and freedom concepts they were fighting for were not in accordance with Islam

"Rather, it is in accordance with the West's worldview.

"This is why it is important for Muslim activists to master the Islamic worldview because if not, it would be so easy for them to be confused," he said.

The academician added that they were only blindsided from thinking that they were doing something good when in fact, they were creating damage.

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) had also condemned Negara-Ku as a new front to champion "humanism, liberalism and religious pluralism".

"Name it whatever you want, we still know who you are and for whom you work for," Isma's president Abdullah Zaik Rahman said yesterday.

Negara – Ku : The work that awaits us all

What are the stated objectives and aspirations of this newly minted people’s movement?
To mobilize and empower the People: -

• ·         to resist all forms of intolerance, bigotry, hatred, extremism, and violence;
• ·         to oppose all forms of discrimination, oppression, persecution and injustice;
  • to strive for a socially inclusive society
  • to exhort the State and its Institutions to respect, adhere and uphold the Rule of Law; and
  • to demand adherence to the principles of stewardship, integrity, accountability and transparency in all aspects of governance.

To read the full text of the Negara – Ku Charter, go HERE.
To this, Isma’s Zaik contends that Negara – Ku is a direct threat to its cause to uphold Islamic and Malay rights, so reports Malaysiakini.
This criticism, by Zaik, without more, serves as a most damning testimony of his ‘Islam’, but let’s leave that discussion for another day.
Ambiga has responded to these allegations, and responded well.
Ambiga has called on Zaik to  produce facts to back up his allegations.
“He will have to explain how that is so. Why is he so nervous about the movement? The movement is based on the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and the Rukunegara. What is his problem with that?”, the Malay Mail reports Ambiga asking.
My sense, though, is that no explanation from Zaik or anyone in Isma will be forthcoming, because the very reason for which those allegations were made have been, or will be, in the near future, served.
What might that reason be?
To give fodder to the mainstream media to print and broadcast these lies about this new people’s movement, and to have those lies fed to those in the Malay heartlands who may well have little or no access whatsoever to the alternative news and the real truth about what this initiative is about.
If Negara – Ku is to have the impact we hope it will, our immediate task, then, is to get this truth out to those who most need to know it.
Our first, and foremost, task, is to overcome the untruths that certain segments of the media will convey to our brothers and sisters in the Malay heartlands.
Negara – Ku has put together an introductory video that was screened at the press conference on 10th July.


Here’s what you can do for  starters.
Download and burn this video on DVDs.
As many as you can.
The Hari Raya holidays will soon be upon us, and many of us will balik kampong.
Distribute the video to as many people as possible.
Explain to them why this movement is so vital to the survival of our nation.
You and I must be the agents of truth that Negara – Ku so desperately needs.