Umat Islam di M'sia belum bersedia untuk hudud, kata Dr M

Women can’t have sexual relations unless married, says defiant Abu Azmi

Mumbai: Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi today defended his remarks that a woman and a man entering into sexual relations outside marriage should be punished, drawing sharp criticism from activists.

"Our religion does not allow women to have sexual relations with anyone, except her husband. If a man and a woman decide to have sexual relations with consent, then both of them should be punished," he told PTI.

Azmi has made these remarks in his reply submitted to the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW), which had asked him to explain his earlier statement that women who have sex outside their marriage must be punished too.

Invoking Islam, the MLA, who appeared before the Commission today, said a woman in illicit relation should be punished along with the man involved.

Azmi said at times, law is misused by women. "If a woman voluntarily enters into a relationship with a man and later complains against him, it can have disastrous consequences."

Reacting to Azmi's reply, MSCW Chairperson Sushiben Shah said it is not right on part of the SP leader to cite religion and deprive women of their rights.

"The Constitution of India, the Supreme Court and Protection Against Domestic Violence Act have given acceptanceto live-in relationships and provided protection to women, including Muslim women," Shah said.

"The law of the land should be applicable to all women irrespective of their religion, caste or creed," Shah added.

Shah said since Azmi has raised a religious matter, she would examine and act accordingly. "We would like to see that regressive remarks are not made by people sitting on high positions in society." PTI

Jail For Four Men Who Sexually Attacked Girl 20 Times

Four Buckinghamshire men have been found guilty of twenty sex offences against one girl.

The 14-year-old was forced to take part in sexual acts and have sex a number of times between December 2011 and July 2012.

During their three week trial, Nazakat Mahmood, Ghulfaraz Nawaz, Omar Sharif and Haroon Rauf told Reading Crown Court that they thought she was 17.

But after Mahmood, Nawaz and Rauf were arrested, Sharif contacted the girl and said he'd undermine her statement.

He then blackmailed her into having sex with him.
Investigating officer Det Con Natalie Golding from Aylesbury Major Crime said:

“This was abuse of a young vulnerable girl in the most horrific way.
“All four men used this girl and then, when she had the courage to come to police, they denied the offences and continued to deny them.
“I want to thank the victim here for her bravery in coming forward and helping us to put these men behind bars.
“Hopefully this will go some way to showing other victims of sexual offences that we will listen to you and we will take you seriously.”

The full convictions are:

• Nazakat Mahmood, aged 28, of Batchelors Way, Chesham was convicted of seven counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
• Ghulfaraz Nawaz, aged 27, of Benham Close, Chesham, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child.
• Haroon Rauf, aged 30, of Drakes Close, Amersham, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of assault by beating,
• Omar Sharif, aged 25, of Brockhurst Road, Chesham, was convicted of six counts of sexual activity with a child.

They'll all be sentenced on May 16.

Bar praises judges for individual judgments in constitutional case

The Malaysian Bar has commended the three Court of Appeal judges for writing separate judgments in declaring a provision under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) as unconstitutional yesterday.

Its president Christopher Leong (pic) said it was always important, particularly in constitutional issues, that each member of the Bench fully addressed his own minds to the issue and have his own articulation as to the reasoning for his decision.

"We look forward to reading the full text of their written judgments," Leong said in a statement.

The landmark ruling of Judges Datuk Mohd Arif Mohd Yusof, Datuk Mah Weng Kwai and Datuk Hamid Sultan Abu Backer will be made available on Monday.

All three were practising lawyers before they were elevated to the bench.

Members of the legal fraternity also praised the move by the three appellate court judges to deliver separate judgments.

Robert Lazar said separate judgments promoted the development of the law which is of public importance.

"In this case, they have come to the same conclusion but appear to have taken different approaches. The legal fraternity is eager to know what were the legal principles established," he said.

Lazar noted that it was common in matured judiciaries like in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia for judges to write individual judgments.

Meanwhile, Andrew Khoo Chin Hock, who is also chairman of the Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee, said knowing how the judges arrived at a decision was as important as the decision itself.

"Such good practice should be encouraged as we will know what was in the mind of the judges," he added.

It is common practice for federal and appellate judges to deliver one written judgment if their decision is unanimous. Only if there is a dissenting judge in a case, would there be a separate judgment written by the dissenting judge.

One notable exception to the norm was the 1988 case in which Lim Kit Siang, who was then Parliamentary opposition leader, had challenged the government's plan to award the RM3.4 billion North-South highway to UEM, a company linked to Umno.

The then Supreme Court judges wrote separate grounds in a decisive 3-2 verdict in favour of the government. The bench dissolved Lim's earlier interim injunction obtained from the High Court on grounds he was a mere busybody and had no locus standi in the matter.

Yesterday, in acquitting the Selangor legislative assembly deputy speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of a charge of not giving 10 days’ notice of a rally, the appellate court judges affirmed the fundamental right of citizens to assemble peacefully.

Nik Nazmi, who is also Seri Setia state assemblyman, was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act for not giving notice to hold the Blackout Rally at the Stadium Kelana Jaya last year, in the aftermath of the general election.

He failed last November to get the Shah Alam High Court to strike out the charge against him on grounds that sections 9 (1) and 9 (5) of the PAA were unconstitutional.

High Court judge Noor Azian Shaari said the two clauses of the PAA, which were the basis of the charge against Nik Nazmi, were reasonable and did not go against Article 10 of the Constitution on grounds of national security.

Nik Nazmi ran the risk of being fined up to RM10,000 and if convicted, faced the prospect of being disqualified from public office.

The appellate court judges yesterday said it was ironic to declare a peaceful assembly illegal as this was not stated in the PAA.

Leong said the Bar agreed that section 9(5) of the PAA is unconstitutional as it made it an offence for failing to give a 10-day notice to the police before holding a meeting.

“We also agree that Section 9(1) of the PAA is constitutional as it required a rally organiser to give 10 days notice to the police.

Leong said the Bar had always maintained the position that Article 10 of the Federal Constitution guaranteed the rights of peaceful assembly and of expression.

"These rights must necessarily include the right to protest, whether at a fixed or designated place or by way of a procession.

“The proviso in Article 10(2)(b) cannot be construed or applied to defeat these fundamental rights," he added.

Leong said the proviso only allowed the authorities to impose such restrictions as necessary or expedient in the interests of national security.

He said the authorities would take measures to facilitate all peaceful assemblies and in doing so, may impose only such restrictions as are necessary to address a particular public order issue.

Leong said it was to be noted that an assembly which was violent or intended to be violent did not in the first place qualify as a right guaranteed under Article 10(1) as a peaceful assembly.

"Section 9(1) of the PAA on the 10-day notice period ought to be read in light of the above constitutional provisions to provide the police with sufficient time to consider, plan and implement measures to facilitate a peaceful assembly," he said.

He also said the constitution, the PAA and the Court of Appeal did not recognise non-peaceful assembly as a right and action may be taken under the Penal Code. – April 26, 2014.

Obama given red carpet welcome

Malaysia wished "Selamat Datang" or "Welcome" in Malay to United States President Barack Obama as it rolled out the red carpet at an official welcoming ceremony for the American leader.

 

Obama had earlier flown into Kuala Lumpur to begin a three-day state visit to this Southeast Asian nation of 30 million people.

 

He was joined at the event at the hill-top Parliament Building in the Malaysian capital by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

 

Also present were Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

 

After the national anthems of both countries were played, Obama inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 107 officers and men from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Amriza Mohd Asshari.

 

The visit to Malaysia, part of Obama's four-nation tour of Asia, is a first by a sitting US president in 48 years since President Lyndon B Johnson's trip in 1966.

 

Obama had visited Japan and South Korea. The final leg of his Asian trip is the Philippines.

 

The ceremony at the Parliament Square was also marked by a 21-gun salute.

 

Cabinet ministers were later introduced to the visiting president during the occasion which was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps.

 

Obama will head to Malaysia's federal administrative capital Putrajaya on Sunday for talks with Najib before going to nearby Cyberjaya for the launch of the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creative Centre (MaGIC) which will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to expand their wings.

 

Other highlights of Obama's visit is his town hall session with youth leaders from across Southeast Asia and a visit to the National Mosque.

Prison going against court order, says Uthayakumar’s wife

The Kajang Prisons Department is not complying with the High Court order by placing the Hindraf leader with other hardcore criminals.

PETALING JAYA: A committal proceeding has been filed against the Kajang Prisons Department for not complying with the High Court order that jailed Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar should be placed with other political prisoners.

Uthayakumar’s wife S Indra Devi told FMT that the proceeding was filed by lawyers M Manoharan and M Manogaran at the High Court yesterday.

Kajang prison director Abdul Wahab Abdul Kassim and prison officers Sajideh Samin and McKenzie were named as respondents. The date to hear the notice of the motion is not yet known.

Uthayakumar’s counsels also requested for High Court Judge Mohd Azman Husin to preside over the matter and to give judgment as to why his directives were not followed.

“The saddest part is that although he is a politician, he is placed together with hardcore criminals.

“He’s not a murderer, drug dealer or even an armed robber. Why are they treating him like a hardcore criminal?” Indra Devi told FMT today.

She added that Judge Mohd Azman’s orders to allow Uthayakumar to meet with his family members for an hour every week has also not been obeyed.

“Despite the court order, sometimes the police chase me off, telling me I cannot meet him.

“If the judge did not allow me to meet him, then that’s fine. But the judge did allow me. It seems like everything is in the police’s hands and not the judge’s.”

She added that it has been two weeks since she last spoke to her husband.

“Usually he will call me every Wednesday. But he has not been done so for the past two weeks. The privileges for him to call once a week should also continue,” she stressed.

She claimed that the police has currently placed her husband in a “dark room”, she believes this is due to her husband having angered the prison department officials.

“Because he has made a lot of complaints on behalf of the other prisoners, that’s the reason why he was placed in a dark room.

“He does not deserve to be in a dark room. I was told that those with heart problems should not be in such a room.

“He has complained of chest pains. And sleeping on the floor has not helped his prolapsed disc,” she said.

Indra Devi also expressed hope for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to make time and “see for himself the condition of Uthayakumar”.

“I believe the letters that have been sent to the Prime Minister will make him realise that Uthayakumar does not deserve to be in prison,” she said.

Uthayakumar was jailed for two years and six months after he was found guilty under the Sedition Act on June 6, 2013.

He found himself in trouble with the authorities for having written a letter to former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2007 claiming that Malaysia was indulging in the ethnic cleansing of minority Indians.

IGP told to stop being arrogant

PKR vice president N Surendran urges the Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to respect court ruling that renders the need to inform police on public gatherings as unconstitutional.

PETALING JAYA: Stop being arrogant and respect the court’s ruling, said PKR vice president N Surendran to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar today.

The PKR leader said this after English daily New Straits Times reported Khalid as saying that the public were still obligated to inform the police if they want to hold public assemblies and to comply with Section 9 (5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).

“Section 9 (5) states it is an offence when one does not give a minimum 10 days notification to the police when holding a gathering. With the section being struck down by the court, there is no legal obligation for the public to notify the police.

“In short, it is no longer an offence if the gathering group fails to do so. Khalid should stop being arrogant and irresponsible on the matter,” said Surendran.

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal judges unanimously ruled that Section 9 (5) of the PAA, which criminalises anyone who fails to give a minimum 10 day’s notice before holding public gatherings, as unconstitutional.

Justice Mohammad Ariff Md Yusof, in presiding over Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) former strategic director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s appeal to strike out a charge under the PAA, said that the legislation was fundamentally flawed.

Surendran, who is also Padang Serai MP, said that the public could still notify the police on the holding of public gatherings, on a voluntary basis, to get police assistance in traffic control and other issues.

“Indeed, it is expected that most organisers of large gatherings will continue to notify the police of the date and venue of their gatherings.

“But the right to peaceful assembly cannot be subjected to a criminal sanction. I urge Khalid to abide by the ruling made by the Court of Appeal,” he said.

‘You have no right to block hudud’

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang tells ally to steer clear of Kelantan's move to implement hudud law, adding that he is willing to discuss the issue with anyone, including Umno.

PETALING JAYA: Firing a warning at his allies, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said that PKR has no right to block the implementation of hudud law in Kelantan.

According to Bernama, the PAS supremo was reported to have said this during a fund raising event held at the Pusat Tarbiyah Islamiah Kelantan (Putik) last night.

Hadi also said that he was willing to hold discussions with anyone so that people could understand how the Islamic law would be applied in the state.

“We are willing to hold discussions with anyone, including Umno,” said the Marang MP.

It is not clear on why Hadi had targeted his criticism against PKR, as the party has yet to make an official stand on the matter.

Yesterday, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke launched a scathing attack against PAS, calling for the Islamist party to quit Pakatan Rakyat if it was bent on implementing hudud in Kelantan.

Loke said that the implementation of hudud was not part of Pakatan’s Common Policy Framework.

“As a principled and responsible political party, PAS should respect and abide by the framework it agreed to when it joined Pakatan.

“If PAS is determined to go ahead with its plans (hudud), then it should do the honorable thing and withdraw (from Pakatan),” the Rasah MP was reported saying.

The Kelantan state government is planning to submit two private member bills to the Parliament in June to implement hudud law in the state.

Minister in the Prime Minister Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, had voiced his support and said that the government would not block the bill.

Several other Umno leaders, including veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, had also voiced his support for hudud to be implemented in the state.

However, the move received disapproval from several quarters, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who said that such a move would not help dispense justice to Muslims.

Tengku Razaleigh bimbang hudud PAS Kelantan wujud konflik agama

(Bernama) - Anggota Parlimen Gua Musang Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah bimbang hukum hudud yang dirancang dilaksanakan PAS di Kelantan boleh menimbulkan konflik agama bagi rakyat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

Beliau berkata sejak PAS menimbulkan semula isu itu, sudah nampak bantahan daripada kalangan bukan Islam, dan PAS juga jelas menolak segala pandangan mana-mana parti gabungannya dalam pakatan rakyat.

Katanya keadaan itu sesuatu yang mungkin berdepan dengan kerumitan dan sudah tentu perlu merujuk kepada Perlembagaan negara yang menjadi asas kekuatan kehidupan rakyat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

“Bagi kita orang Melayu dan parti Umno tidak menjadi masalah dalam perkara tersebut (hukum hudud),” katanya ketika berucap pada majlis Perjumpaan Profesional Muda Tempatan di sini, hari ini.

Tengku Razaleigh yang juga Ketua Umno bahagian Gua Musang berkata masalah yang bakal dihadapi itu perlu difikirkan bersama, sama ada mereka yang berjawatan tinggi atau penduduk biasa, yang berpegang kepada ajaran Islam.

Katanya Perkara 8 Perlembagaan negara adalah rujukan yang jelas kepada rakyat berbilang kaum di negara ini supaya tidak menimbulkan perpecahan yang boleh menjejaskan keamanan negara.

Sebelum ini, PAS Kelantan melalui anggota Parlimennya akan membawa usul rang undang-undang persendirian (hukum hudud) di Dewan Rakyat bagi mendapatkan kebenaran melaksanakan Enakmen Kanun Jenayah Syariah (2) 1993 selewat-lewatnya Disember ini.

President Obama Must Address Malaysia’s Human Rights Record

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – On the eve of President Obama’s visit to Malaysia, Amnesty International USA urges him to publicly address the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

The President must send a clear message to the Malaysian authorities that increasing restrictions on free speech and ongoing human rights violations by the police are unacceptable and incompatible with the country’s human rights obligations.

“President Obama’s visit to Malaysia – the first of a U.S. President in almost 50 years – offers a crucial opportunity to push the authorities on much needed human rights reforms,” said T. Kumar, Director of International Advocacy, Amnesty International USA.

A series of recent developments demonstrate the increasingly restrictive space in which civil society, human rights defenders and opposition politicians can operate in Malaysia.

In March this year, a court in Malaysia overturned the acquittal of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on politically motivated “sodomy” charges. The authorities have consistently harassed him for years, in a blatant attempt to silence one of the opposition’s most important voices.

In another case, human rights defender Lena Hendry is facing politically motivated charges as a result of her legitimate work. She was arrested on July 3, 2013 and subsequently charged under the Film Censorship Act 2002 for screening a documentary about alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.

In January 2014, the government declared illegal the civil society grouping COMANGO – a coalition of Malaysian non-governmental organizations formed to raise human rights concerns at the United Nations.

“Human rights in Malaysia are increasingly coming under attack, and President Obama must speak out on behalf of all those whose voices are being silenced by the Malaysian authorities,” continued Kumar.

President Obama should demand the repeal or else amendment of the range of laws used by the Malaysian authorities to arrest and imprison activists and human rights defenders and to curtail free speech. These include the notorious Sedition Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Printing Press and Publications Act and the Peaceful Assembly Act.

Amnesty International USA also urges President Obama to highlight continuing human rights violations committed by the Malaysian police. There are ongoing reports of torture, other ill-treatment and deaths in police custody, fatal shootings and excessive use of force and firearms. Many such allegations are not adequately investigated and suspected perpetrators are rarely held to account, creating a climate of impunity which perpetuates further violations.

“President Obama should tell Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak that enough is enough – Malaysia’s human rights record must improve,” said Kumar.

Amnesty International

Obama should rap Putrajaya’s human rights record, says lawyer in Wall Street Journal

 By EILEEN NG - TMI

With Kuala Lumpur keen to present its best image as a moderate country during Barack Obama's visit this weekend, a prominent lawyer has called on the US president not to be hoodwinked and instead, to rap Putrajaya's human rights record and be aware of rising extremism.

In an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Bar Council Human Rights Committee co-chair Andrew Khoo (pic) said Obama should not buy into the fiction that Putrajaya is trying to showcase; that Malaysia is a moderate Muslim-majority democracy, a model of interracial and interreligious diversity heading for developed nation status by 2020.

The Barisan Nasional-led federal government will also try to present itself as an ally in combating arms proliferation and transnational crime, and friend of the United States in Asia, Khoo wrote.

"President Obama should not accept this fiction or defer to the Malaysian government because of regional security concerns. Instead, he would do well to note the sorry state of its human rights and call for greater respect for civil liberties.

"President Obama needs to deftly use his public appearances and statements to demonstrate concern about what is happening in Malaysia – and to say what many Malaysians fearfully cannot.

"The usual mantra of moderation can no longer conceal the escalation of extremism and repression," Khoo wrote in the international news and business daily.

Obama arrives today from South Korea on a three-day visit as part of his Asia trip that also took him to Japan. He leaves on Monday for the Philippines.

In his opinion piece titled The Myth of Malaysia's Moderation, the lawyer shone the spotlight on the rising racial and religious extremism since the 13th general election last year.

In citing examples, Khoo made references to the persecution of Muslim Shia and Ahmaddiya Islamic sect, the ban on Christians using the Arabic word "Allah" to describe God, Putrajaya's declaration of human rights coalition Comango as unlawful and the use of a colonial-era law Sedition Act against the government's detractors.

He said recent legislative changes introduced by Najib are the "opposite of needed reform", citing laws that outlaw street demonstrations and allow for indefinite detention without trial against those involved in serious criminal offences.

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has promoted Malaysia internationally as a leader in a global movement of moderation. But these actions show the government is anything but moderate.

"Mainstream newspapers, many of which are owned by political parties within the government, brazenly promote such double-speak. Those who dare to criticise put themselves at risk of vituperative attacks from extremist groups, police investigation and politically motivated prosecution," he wrote. – April 26, 2014.

Draw Strength From Ethnic, Religious Diversity For Brighter Future - Obama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- United States President Barack Obama said the US and Malaysia can draw strength from their ethnic and religious diversity and hope from history to carve a brighter future for the next generation.

In his remarks at a state banquet hosted at Istana Negara in conjunction with his three-day state visit to Malaysia, Obama noted that while the US and Malaysia may be different as nations, their people shared similar hopes and aspirations.

"I believe that whether we come from a remote village or a big city, whether we live in the United States or in Malaysia, we all share basic human aspirations - to live in dignity and peace.

"(We want) to shape our own destiny, to be able to make a living and to work hard and support a family.

And most of all, to leave the next generation something better than what was left to us," he said.

At the banquet graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah, Obama said these were the aspirations that can illuminate a new era of partnership between the US and Malaysia.

The American president sprinkled his remarks with a few Malay words, a gesture that was well received by the audience, as shown by their appreciative applause.

At the start of the speech, he wished those present "selamat petang" (good evening) and ended it with "terima kasih banyak" (thank you very much).

In between, he used the word "bekerjasama" when touching on the partnership between the US and Malaysia, as well as "boleh spirit" in reference to the "Malaysia Boleh" mantra which loosely translates as "Malaysia Can Do It".

Obama flew into the Malaysian capital at about 5pm Saturday for the visit to Malaysia as part of his four-nation tour of Asia that started in Japan followed by South Korea while his final stop is the Philippines.

His trip here was the first by a sitting US president in 48 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson's trip back in 1966.

Recalling Johnson's trip here nearly 50 years ago, Obama said the former president had written in his memoirs "of how impressed he was by the extraordinary vitality and eagerness he saw in the faces of people here and throughout Southeast Asia".

"And I m eager to see that same 'boleh' spirit tomorrow when I have the opportunity to speak with young people from across Southeast Asia at Universiti Malaya," Obama said at the event which was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Turning to Najib, he said: "Mr Prime Minister, I look forward to our work together, and I pledge to infuse our efforts with that same spirit.

"Tonight, I simply want to express my gratitude for the generosity that you ve shown us today -- a generosity the people of Malaysia have extended to my family since I was elected (as president)."

Obama also shared with his audience an episode in his life, relating to his mother's love for batik, a material that is common to Malaysians.

The president alluded to a batik exhibition showcasing some of his mother s batik collection organised at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia two years ago.

"My mother loved batik. I remember when I was a boy growing up in Jakarta, she d come home from village markets with her arms full of batik and she d lay them around the house and look at them, and make dresses out of them," he said.

"And I was a young boy so I wasn t as excited as she was," he quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Obama pointed out that for his mother, batik was not about fashion but was representative of the work and the livelihood of mothers and young women who had painstakingly crafted them.

"It was a window into the lives of others -- their culture, and their tradition, and their hopes. And it meant so much to her and it was part of her spirit.

"And so I m deeply grateful to the people of Malaysia for celebrating that part of my mother s life. It was very kind of you," Obama said.

He took the opportunity to say thank you for the "extraordinary hospitality" shown towards him and his delegation.

"And on behalf of my country, I want to thank the Malaysian people for the wonderful welcome that you extended to us today," he said, expressing his delight at being able to make the historic visit to Malaysia.

Hudud: Doktor akan dikenakan tindakan jika terlibat, kata MMA

We will fight till the end to clear Karpal's name, says Gobind

Violence against Pakistan minorities rising alarmingly: rights group

Islamabad: Sectarian killings rose by more than a fifth in Pakistan last year, a leading rights group said Thursday, warning of an alarming increase in violence against religious minorities.

The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said 687 people were killed in more than 200 sectarian attacks last year, a rise of 22 percent on 2012.

Indian Mujahideen planned fidayeen attack on gathering of Bollywood stars

The outfit under the leadership of Yasin Bhatkal had planned suicide mission to 

target  Bollywood stars as they believed that the film industry was corrupting the youth.

NEW DELHI: Indian Mujahideen leader Tehsin Akhtar alias Monu, who was allegedly handling its affairs since Yasin Bhatkal's arrest last year, has made a startling revelation during interrogation that the terror outfit had planned to launch a fidayeen attack on a gathering of Bollywood stars.


The outfit under the leadership of Yasin Bhatkal had planned suicide mission to target a huge gathering of Bollywood stars as they believed that the film industry was corrupting the youth by showing nudity and other things, sources said. The idea was to cause maximum damage to the entertainment industry by attacking a host of stars in one strike.

While Bollywood stars have in the past received individual threats from the underworld mafia and gangsters, it is for the first time that a terror outfit is said to have been planning a full-fledged attack. The revelation has shocked the investigators as IM's targets so far have been foreigners, tourist places, religious places, government establishments and crowded places like markets.

Without giving the exact dates, Tehsin told his interrogators, "One day, Yasin, Haddi (Assadullah Akhtar), Waqas (Zia-Ur-Rehman) and I discussed about the possibility of conducting fidayeen attacks. Yasin was interested in carrying out fidayeen attacks on film stars."

Tehsin said, "The logic given by Yasin was that the film industry was misguiding people by showing nudity and other things which was corrupting the youth. The idea was to target a possible gathering of stars so that maximum casualty could be inflicted."

"While Yasin very much wanted this kind of attack, he was also aware that it was premature for the outfit to carry out a fidayeen strike since it was yet equipped to do so. Yasin felt that idea of fidayeen attack was premature as IM's membership was too meagre (sic) to create any meaningful impact," Tehsin told his interrogators, as quoted by an intelligence officer.

Sources said Tehsin didn't remember the date of planning, but told the sleuths that it was sometime in 2011 around the time a crackdown was launched on IM members in Delhi and Bihar.

Tehsin, who was arrested near Indo-Nepal border last month, is presently in the custody of Delhi Police's Special Cell alongwith Waqas and other members of Rajasthan module. Cops plan to confront him with Yasin and Assadullah Akhtar alias Haddi in a few days. Both Haddi and Yasin, arrested on August 27 last year from Nepal, are lodged in Tihar jail.

A security expert said although all the important IM members have been arrested in the last few months including, including Haddi, Tehsin and Waqas, there are chances that Yasin may have discussed his plans with Riyaz Bhatkal and other absconding members. "Yasin was very secretive about his plans and actions with every module. During interrogation, Tehsin said he didn't know if anybody else also knew about these deadly plans," said the officer.

Tehsin is suspected to have revived IM's relations with SIMI and also helped the suspects in Patna serial blasts and Bodh Gaya blasts last year. He was said to be in regular touch with Riyaz Bhatkal through chats and planned a major strike in Delhi, Jodhpur, Agra and other places along with Waqas and Rajasthan module. He was arrested on March 24 from Indo-Nepal border.

Obama to meet Putrajaya’s critics during weekend visit, say activists

US President Barack Obama will meet representatives of a range of civil-society groups – including
US President Barack Obama will meet representatives of a range of civil-society groups – including some which have harshly criticised Malaysia's government – when he visits the country this weekend, activists told AFP today. – Reuters pic, April 25, 2014.some which have harshly criticised Malaysia's government – when he visits the country this weekend, activists said.

Obama aims to strengthen ties with Muslim-majority Malaysia when he arrives tomorrow for a two-night stay, the first visit by a serving US president since 1966.

But he also will meet briefly on Sunday with nine leading activists and a Christian leader, said Farouk Musa, head of a moderate Muslim group and one of the invitees.

The activists will include representatives of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, or Bersih , an election reform movement whose supporters have clashed with authorities in huge recent protests.

The US has offered praise for Malaysia as a moderate Muslim, multi-faith country. But Human Rights Watch today urged Obama to "speak loudly" on rights in Malaysia, whose 57-year-old Muslim-dominated ruling coalition is accused by critics of clamping down on opponents and presiding over worsening religious intolerance.

"President Obama needs to take up concerns that basic rights are under threat, and that civil society is squeezed between restrictive laws and abusive government implementation," said John Sifton, the group's Asia advocacy director.

Bersih has brought tens of thousands to the streets, most recently in April 2012, in a series of demonstrations in recent years to protest an electoral system which it says is rigged to keep the coalition in power.

Each of the three Bersih demonstrations resulted in violent clashes with police.

In elections last year, the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim won the majority of the popular vote for the first time ever but still failed to secure a parliamentary majority.

The US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the meeting.

Activists said Obama will also meet representatives of organisations including the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, the Council of Churches and a leading moderate Muslim group, among others.

Sifton called on Obama to meet Anwar, who faces five years in jail for a March sodomy conviction widely considered politically motivated.

US officials have said Obama will not meet Anwar, who is free on appeal, but that National Security Advisor Susan Rice would do so. – AFP, April 25, 2014.

Himpunan 1 Mei diteruskan walau polis halang

‘Why dilly-dally on temple issue?’

Any delay will only open doors for more people to discriminate against the disabled, says wheelchair-bound activist Anthony Thanasayan.

PETALING JAYA: Former PJ councillor Anthony Thanasayan lashed out at Bukit Gasing state assemblyman, Rajiv Rishyakaran, for his inaction against a temple that victimised the disabled.

The Hindu temple, located on Bukit Gasing, had barred wheelchair-bound devotees from entering the temple proper to offer their prayers.

Anthony said he was disappointed with the DAP state assemblyman for skirting the issue.

He said was important for the state assemblyman to take action as the delay will only “open doors for people to discriminate against the disabled”.

“I voted for him in the last general election. Rest assured I would not be voting for him again,” he said.

Rajiv, on his Facebook page today, said he did not intend to wash his hands off the matter, adding that he had spoken to the temple chairman and has scheduled a meeting with the temple committee.

“I fully understand and feel for the disabled community. They have already been dealt a tough hand, and should not be penalised or excluded for their disabilities. It is beyond horrible,” he said.

Wheelchairs a necessity to some

Anthony, however, said that Rajiv or the authorities did not have to wait for the committee to decide on the matter.

“Why wait to take action on this issue when he can make statements on other issues? He should just come out and say that he will not tolerate such discrimination.

“If he goes to the church and people discriminate him based on his looks, how would he feel?” asked Anthony, and lamented that Rajiv could never ‘fully understand’ unless he himself used a wheelchair.

“Rajiv says that it is beyond horrible, so why isn’t he condemning and naming the temple?”

Rajiv said the incident had made him realise how organised religions have practised discrimination but Anthony was quick to add it was not a religious issue as other temples allow the use of wheelchairs.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Animal Welfare Society president, Shenaaz Khan, said the temple committee should severely be dealt with and reminded that wheelchairs are not a luxury but a necessity to some.

She added that for the temple to cite space and cleanliness as justification for denying the disabled entry was blatant discrimination and “reflects the indifference borne by the committee members”.

“While we celebrate the late Karpal Singh, those in a similar are being discriminated against by this temple. I cannot imagine a gurdwara refusing him entry or any wheelchair-bound individual,” she said.

The temple in question had put up a signboard detailing the rules devotees need to adhere to during visits there.

One of the rules of on temple’s notice board explicitly says: “Wheelchairs are not permitted within temple premises as with the general rule of shoes and slippers.”

DAP cabar PAS: Keluar Pakatan kalau mahu hudud

Tindakan persendirian PAS untuk melaksanakan hudud mencabul perjanjian dasar bersama Pakatan Rakyat, Buku Jingga.

PETALING JAYA: Ahli Parlimen Seremban Anthony Loke mahu PAS berundur dari Pakatan Rakyat sekiranya ia tetap berdegil untuk melaksanakan hukuman hudud di Kelantan.

“Sekiranya PAS bertegas untuk membuat sebarang keputusan dan tindakan tanpa mencapai keputusan bersama dalam Pakatan Rakyat, maka langkah paling terhormat dan sewajarnya untuk PAS ialah berundur dari Pakatan,” kata Loke dalam satu nota yang ditulis beliau menerusi laman sesawang Facebook.

“PAS tidak boleh terus bertindak bertentangan dengan dasar bersama Pakatan Rakyat tetapi pada masa yang sama tetap bersandar kepada Pakatan Rakyat,” tambahnya.

Menurut Loke yang juga adalah setiausaha organisasi kebangsaan DAP, penegasan persendirian pimpinan kerajaan Kelantan tanpa mencapai kata sepakat bersamaan dengan mencabul permuafakatan Pakatan Rakyat.

Beliau berkata demikian sambil merujuk kepada usaha PAS untuk mengemukakan rang undang-undang persendirian menerusi ahli parlimen PAS Kelantan di Dewan Rakyat dalam bulan Jun.

Beliau turut menjelaskan bahawa penentangan DAP terhadap hukum hudud bukan kerana parti beliau bersifat anti-Islam.

“DAP tidak pernah mempersendakan hukum Islam untuk menimbulkan ketakutan dalam kalangan masyarakat bukan Islam terhadap agama Islam sebagaimana yang dilakukan oleh para pemimpin MCA,” jelasnya.

Beliau turut menyatakan kesediaan DAP untuk mengikis ketakutan masyarakat bukan Islam terhadap PAS dan Islam agar parti Islam tersebut diterima oleh seluruh masyarakat Malaysia.

Di samping itu Loke turut mengingatkan PAS mengenai dasar bersama Pakatan Rakyat iaitu Buku Jingga yang dipersetujui oleh DAP, PAS dan PKR semasa konvensyen Pakatan Rakyat pertama dalam tahun 2009.

Kelantan telahpun meluluskan enakmen Kanun Jenayah Syariah (Hudud dan Qisas) pada tahun 1993 dan di Terengganu pada tahun 2002.

Loke menambah penentangan DAP terhadap hudud adalah berasaskan perlembagaan. Perlembagaan persekutuan menytakan bahawa pelaksanaan undang-undang jenayah terletak di bawah bidang kuasa kerajaan persekutuan.

‘Even without hudud, non-Muslims are affected’

Only a simple majority is needed to amend the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code to include Islamic criminal laws.

GEORGE TOWN: Syariah family laws are already affecting non-Muslims as can been seen in several court cases now, and the Kelantan Hudud Bill, if passed, will affect all Malaysians, said Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau chairman Baljit Singh.

Baljit said only a simple majority was needed to amend the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) to include Islamic criminal laws and this could also affect other states not just Kelantan.

“It can be implemented across the country by simple majority amendments to the country’s existing criminal laws such as Penal Code and CPC.

“Non-Muslims should not think that hudud will not affect them because we Malaysians live side by side,” he said.

He said Muslims MPs from Umno, PKR, Sabah and Sarawak would be put in a spot to vote for the Hudud Bill or in support of any amendment to federal statutes – Penal Code and CPC to implement Islamic criminal laws.

He called on all BN MPs to put aside party interests and vote against the Hudud Bill to safeguard national interests.

“Voting against hudud is not an un-Islamic act,” said Baljit told a press conference at Penang Club today.

He said the country would be further polarised along racial and religious lines if PAS had its way to pass its Private Member’s Bill to implement hudud law.

He agreed with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak that the country was not ready for hudud.

He said DAP had even convinced non-Muslims to vote for PAS by claiming only corrupted politicians, thieves and rapists should be worried about hudud.

Since DAP convinced non-Muslims to vote for PAS in the last general election, Baljit said the party owed a public duty to stop the bill from being tabled and avoid an imminent political crisis.

Suhakam seeks PSC on human rights

It'll be a first step towards full parliamentary debate, says chief commissioner Hasmy Agam.

KUALA LUMPUR: Suhakam has proposed that Parliament set up a select committee (PSC) on human rights as an interim measure towards full parliamentary debate on the issue.

Chief commissioner Hasmy Agam said today that he hoped one of the ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department would push the Cabinet to agree to the tabling of the proposal in Parliament.

He said some ministers in the PM’s Department had been supportive of the notion so far.

“Paul Low is in full support, Nancy Shukri accepts in principle,” he said. “But it’s not a foregone conclusion.”

The minister in charge of parliamentary affairs is Shahidan Kassim.

Hasmy said that the formation of a permanent PSC is a first step towards a full debate session.

“I have attended a PSC on another matter and the members are very non-partisan and are able to speak on sensitive issues,” he said.

He also said that debating national human rights institutions’ reports in parliament is a norm.

“We are one of the few who do not debate them,” said Hasmy.

Orang Asli land rights

Meanwhile on another issue, he hoped that the government’s special task force on Orang Asli land rights would support implementing Suhakam’s national inquiry report on the matter.

“The deadline is coming to an end soon. We are expecting the report to be out end of this month.

“If they accept a small number of our recommendations, we’ll start a campaign…I don’t think all the recommendations are accepted,” he said.

The government formed a national task force in August last year to study Suhakam’s 18 recommendations on Orang Asli land rights. Suhakam wanted to table its report in parliament but subsequently agreed to submit it to the government.

The task force is led by Integrity Institute of Malaysia chairman Mohd Tap Salleh and made up of government and NGO representatives from East and West Malaysia.

Ratify human rights conventions

Hasmy also reminded the government to ratify the four international human rights conventions for which the government had committed to look into.

The four are International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Convention against Torture

“In a few years’ time we will attain a developed nation status. How would the rest of the world perceive us if we do not even ratify them?

“We are members of the United Nations. It is a norm though not legally binding to accept the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the conventions.

He added that the failure to accept the conventions would lead to pressure from the international community.

Hasmy added that Malaysia received a total of 232 recommendations during the Universal Periodic Review session in Geneva last month.

“We only accepted 113 fully without reservations, 37 partially and 22 in principle.”

Other recommendations were rejected totally.

Umat Islam tidak digalak ucap ‘Rest in Peace’

Ucapan tersebut mempunyai implikasi dari sudut akidah sekiranya tidak difahami secara jelas.

KUALA LUMPUR: Individu beragama Islam amat tidak digalakkan untuk mengucapkan ‘Rest in Peace’ (RIP) kepada seorang yang bukan Islam apabila berlaku kematian.

Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) Datuk Othman Mustapha berkata ucapan tersebut mempunyai implikasi dari sudut akidah sekiranya tidak difahami secara jelas kerana ia merupakan amalan keagamaan orang bukan Islam yang sepatutnya tidak diikuti oleh orang Islam.

“Dalam konteks ucapan Rest in Peace, ia adalah bentuk ucapan doa yang biasa diucapkan dalam agama Kristian terutama dalam mazhab Katolik sejak abad ke-18.

Ia juga biasanya diukir di batu nisan mereka yang telah meninggal dunia dalam kalangan masyarakat Kristian.

“Versi penuh ucapan tersebut yang berasal daripada bahasa Latin adalah ‘May his soul and the souls of all the departed faithful by God’s mercy rest in peace’. Ia juga mengandaikan orang bukan Islam tersebut akan mendapat rahmat daripada Tuhan sebagaimana doa asal yang disebut dalam bahasa Latin,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian bagi menjelaskan Fatwa Malaysia dalam laman Facebooknya 17 April lalu berkenaan isu ucapan tersebut yang menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati sesetengah pihak.

Hukum dan nasihat

Othman berkata penjelasan Fatwa Malaysia dalam laman sosial itu merupakan penjelasan hukum dan nasihat yang diberikan oleh Felo Fatwa berdasarkan kemusykilan dan persoalan yang dikemukakan masyarakat umum, dan ia bukan fatwa yang dikeluarkan Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa Kebangsaan.

Katanya, Islam melarang umatnya mendoakan untuk keampunan bagi orang bukan Islam seperti yang dijelaskan dalam al-Quran, Surah Taubah, ayat 113 dan dinyatakan juga oleh Imam an-Nawawi dalam Kitab al-Majmu.

Bagaimanapun, dalam masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama seperti Malaysia, Islam tidak melarang umatnya mengucapkan rasa simpati terhadap keluarga orang bukan Islam yng meninggal dunia dengan ucapan yang tidak memberi implikasi keagamaan seperti ‘saya bersimpati dengan apa yang berlaku kepada anda’, katanya.

“Panduan hukum yang diberikan mengenai ‘Rest in Peace’ ini bukan merupakan fatwa, tetapi ia perlu dijadikan panduan oleh umat Islam kerana panduan ini berdasarkan nas-nas yang jelas selaras dengan hukum syarak,” katanya.

Othman juga menasihatkan semua pihak agar tidak mempolemikkan isu itu kerana pandangan hukum yang dikeluarkan adalah sebagai panduan dan nasihat khusus kepada umat Islam dan sama sekali tiada kaitan dengan unsur-unsur penghinaan atau menidakkan hak kehormatan dan kemanusiaan mana-mana pihak atau individu.

Bibles now, non-Muslim weddings next?

MAIP raiding hotel rooms of non-Muslim guests to search for non-Muslim holy books and paraphernalia is scary.

PETALING JAYA: Non-Muslims book hotels in Pahang for weddings and prayer sessions and it is wrong to ban the bible or other holy scriptures at such premises, which is also against civil law, the MCA said today.

Kuantan MCA division chairman and central committee member Ti Lian Ker said the Pahang Islamic and Malay Customs Council’s (MAIP) directive to ban non-Muslim scriptures in hotels was another attempt by the Islamic authorities to infringe on the rights of others.

Ti said the thought of MAIP raiding the rooms of non-Muslim guests to search the luggage or handbags for non-Muslim holy books and paraphernalia was scary.

“We are concerned that MAIP may become overzealous and target non-Muslim hotel guests or staff who may don pendants with religious symbols on bangles or bracelets,” said Ti, who is also MCA’s Religious Harmony Bureau chairman.

On March 6, MAIP issued letters to 147 hotels in the state prohibiting hotel operators from placing holy books of any religion other than Islam.

The letters were issued under the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Among Muslims Enactment 1989.

MAIP deputy president Wan Abdul Wahid Wan Hassan was reported saying that placing non-Muslim scriptures in hotel rooms could be regarded as an act of spreading other religious beliefs to Muslims.

Ti said hotels were registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia and MAIP’s order could be perceived as encroaching into civil law.

“We are also worried that the directive may trigger a backlash from the business community, which may affect tourism and foreign direct investment to the state,” said Ti.

MCA publicity bureau deputy chairman Marco Yap said Muslims and non-Muslims would sometimes use hotel convention centres to conduct prayer sessions or weddings.

“Is MAIP going to ban priests and monks from blessing newly-married couples holding their wedding reception at the hotel banquet hall?” he asked.

Stop unilateral decisions

Council of Churches general secretary Hermen Shastri said such matters should be tabled in the Pahang state assembly instead of being decided by one department.

“Our elected representatives are there in the state assembly. We cannot have one department making a unilateral decision,” he said.

Herald editor Andrew Lawrence said the concern of one’s religion should be the orphans and the poor, not where holy books were being placed.

“The light of all religions should shine from that reality,” he said.

Reject hudud before it destroys our lives

In Malaysia religious and controversial topics like the Islamic penal code elicit six responses, all of them imperfect.
COMMENT

How often have Muslim clerics, the National Fatwa Council or the Islamic institutions spoken against corrupt and immoral leaders? How often have they highlighted the injustices, in particular the deaths in custody or the murders of people who are linked to the echelons of power? When did they last criticise people who openly abuse power?

Those of us who oppose hudud do so not because we are anti-Islam but because we do not trust the people who will implement hudud. In Malaysia religious and controversial topics like hudud elicit six responses, all of them unsatisfactory.

First: Those who hate Umno Baru will say, “Bring it on! We want to see hudud being used on Umno Baru ministers and politicians. Let us see how they will cope without limbs!”

This is just wishful thinking. Thinking without any rationality does not help the debate on hudud. No-one in the Umno-Baru elite has been punished for the thousands of injustices perpetrated today, from rapes of maids to “rasuah”, or theft of taxpayers’ money to the taking of lives by powerful people.

Criminals escape punishment not because we have insufficient laws, but because the laws are not enforced and our judiciary is corrupt to the core. Umno-Baru ministers have always escaped punishment. Who honestly thinks that hudud will escape manipulation?

Second: Those who propose the implementation of hudud claim that hudud will result in a crime-free (or relatively low crime) state. Wrong! Which nation under hudud has a low crime rate, negligible rape and no corruption? PAS Kelantan cannot perform miracles.

Corrupt leaders and institutions thrive because the systems to check them, have failed. They fail because the people who should be enforcing them are not trustworthy or have a secret agenda. Once we start to administer laws without fear or favour, crime rates may drop.

Third: If you are a Muslim and you oppose hudud, it means that you are going against Islam. Nothing could be more insulting to any decent God-fearing Muslim. Islam encourages the acquisition of knowledge and encourages debate, but Malay Muslims appear reluctant to engage in intelligent discourse. Why?

In Malaysia, Malay Muslims accept archaic laws or traditional thinking and beliefs without question. Last month a retired judge criticised the presence of large statues at the entrance to the Batu Caves and in Penang. In Egypt, the land of 95% Muslims, few worry about the presence of the Sphinxes.

Kartika Dewi Sukarno was charged with drinking beer in a public place. She was treated like someone who had committed a heinous crime, like murder. The Muslim clergy wanted to make a showcase of her, by punishing her with whipping even though civil laws prevent women from being whipped, in Malaysia.

Soon after, three women were whipped in secret, for having extramarital sex. No details are known of the men. The government was afraid of a backlash like the Kartika case. The three women and Kartika were punished, whereas well-connected people who drink freely, and fornicate in five-star hotels and exclusive clubs in Kuala Lumpur escape scot free.

Selfish agendas

Fourth: If you are a non-Muslim and you made your views known about hudud as any responsible Malaysian would, some Muslims will attack you and say, “You have no right to comment. You are not even Muslim.”

Another response might be, “You have nothing to fear as you are not Muslim. Hudud will not affect you.” Wrong again! A woman was charged in Penang under syariah law even though she was not a Muslim.

In a recent child conversion case, the father kidnapped his son, even though his former wife, a Hindu, had been given custody of their child. There have been other miscarriages of justice when bodies have been snatched and taken for “Muslim” burial.

Who says that non-Muslims will not be affected by Muslim laws? Hudud will creep into your lives, sooner or later.

Fifth: Some Muslims will say that it is God’s law and Muslims must abide by it. As we have seen, civil or syariah laws have been manipulated by evil, unscrupulous and corrupt men, to suit their own selfish agendas.

One girl I know, was forced into marriage because her neighbour, whose advances she had rejected, accused her of having sex with her boyfriend. She is now a sad divorcee with children, and she freely admits, “We were forced into marriage to avoid humiliation for both our families. We married to avoid a prison sentence, but still had to pay a fine.

“The neighbour was wrong to accuse us and call the moral police. He wrecked our lives. Eventually, we had children and I had to stay at home to look after them. I regret ending my studies and I think my boyfriend resented me. We were both young, but we were wronged.”

Another woman was set up by her husband. He wrongly accused his first wife of infidelity so that he could marry a younger woman. He beat his first wife and she left him. He refused to grant her a divorce, and he will not help with the upkeep of the children. He married in southern Thailand and simply paid a nominal fine, when he returned to Malaysia, for failing to register the marriage and for not seeking the permission of his first wife.

Syariah failed both these women and one doubts if hudud would reduce the discrimination against women, the poor and the marginalised. Several homosexual Muslim men and women lead secret lives in Malaysia or have emigrated. What would happen to them under hudud? Aren’t they God’s creatures, too?

The sixth response is apathy. Yours! The Allah case has divided this nation, because a few men held their tongues. They were afraid to go against one man who had a personal agenda against another party. Speak out now, before hudud destroys our lives.

Mariam Mokhtar is a FMT columnist

Agenda Melayu

Di kala dunia pesat berkembang, isu Melayu masih sama – kemiskinan. Biarpun sudah hampir 60 tahun merdeka, orang Melayu tetap ketinggalan. Dahulu, boleh disalahkan penjajah yang sengaja melemahkan kuasa politik dan ekonomi Melayu bagi mengaut kekayaan negara. Sekarang, alasan yang sama tidak boleh diterima.
Kemiskinan Melayu kini bertambah parah disebabkan kegawatan ekonomi yang melanda negara. Hidup orang Melayu yang sudah sememangnya susah, disusahkan lagi dengan kenaikkan kos sara hidup dan inflasi. Hendak bekerja di negara sendiri pun sukar. Sektor buruh telah didominasi warga asing. Kini, bidang profesional seperti teknologi maklumat, kejeruteraan dan perubatan, mula ditembusi mereka.
Orang Melayu harus kembali sedar akan hakikat kemunduran bangsanya. Pernah satu ketika, iaitu menjelang dan beberapa dekat selepas merdeka, orang Melayu amat peka dengan agenda memajukan bangsa. Tumpuan kepimpinan Melayu ketika itu, di segenap lapisan – politik, perniagaan, ekonomi, pendidikan dan sebagainya – adalah survival dan masa depan bangsa. Kepimpinan Melayu sekarang sudah tidak seperti itu. Mereka mementingkan kesenangan peribadi dan populariti.

Agenda Melayu rasis?

Agenda Melayu bukanlah agenda yang rasis. Aspirasi memajukan bangsa sendiri adalah sifat semulajadi manusia. Setiap bangsa mempunyai agenda masing-masing. Orang Cina ada agenda Cina, orang India ada agenda India, orang kulit hitam di Amerika ada agenda kulit hitam, dan orang Yahudi mempunyai agenda Yahudinya.  Agenda kebangsaan sesuatu kaum bertukar rasis hanya apabila ia menzalimi bangsa lain.
Malangnya, agenda Melayu dikaitkan dengan rasisme. Orang Melayu yang membicarakan tentang nasib dan masa depan bangsanya akan dilabel rasis. Ianya taboo, terlarang, seakan haram. Ini adalah persepsi yang salah.
Punca utama persepsi negatif tersebut adalah organisasi Melayu sendiri, terutamanya UMNO dan sekutunya seperti Perkasa.  Daripada merancang dan berusaha memajukan orang Melayu, mereka menyerang dan menyalahkan bangsa lain. Gelaran seperti ‘pendatang’ dan saranan supaya kaum lain balik ke negara asal – amat biadap. Tingkah laku rasis beginilah yang mencemarkan imej Melayu.

Pencemar imej Melayu

Kaum yang banyak menentang usaha meningkatkan kedudukan sosio-ekonomi bumiputera adalah kaum Cina. Ketidakpuasan hati mereka berpunca dari mentaliti ‘zero-sum’ -  iaitu ‘jika orang Melayu untung, kami rugi’ -  hasil hasutan pemimpin-pemimpin Cina yang chauvinis. Korupsi pemikiran ini menghalang orang Cina bersikap terbuka kepada usaha-usaha menyama-ratakan kedudukan sosio-ekonomi masyarakat.
Hubungan sosio-ekonomi antara kaum dalam masyarakat berbilang bangsa seperti Malaysia, amatlah berkait. Apabila kedudukan sosio-ekonomi masyarakat tidak seimbang, akan timbul ketegangan. Ketakseimbangan sosio-ekonomi antara kaum (tinggalan penjajah) cuba diperbetulkan oleh pentadbiran Tun Razak melalui Dasar Ekonomi Baru – dengan tujuan membasmi kemiskinan dan menyusun semula masyarakat Malaysia. Malangnya, masyarakat kita gagal melihat kebijaksanaan Tun Razak. Pemimpin Melayu selepas beliau menyalah-guna peluang ekonomi yang disediakan sebagai lubuk mengayakan diri, bukannya untuk memajukan bangsa. Orang cina pula, biar pun mengawal sebahagian besar ekonomi negara, tidak mahu berkompromi disebabkan mentaliti ‘zero sum’ yang tebal. Akhirnya, iklim sosio-ekonomi masyarakat kita kekal tidak seimbang, hingga ke hari ini.

Agenda Melayu bertentangan dengan Islam?

Banyak pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa agenda Melayu bertentangan dengan syariah dan haram. ‘Fatwa-fatwa’ sebegini dikeluarkan oleh mereka yang ingin dilihat sebagai ‘Islamis’. Walaupun berpengetahuan agama, golongan ‘Islamis’ sangat ketat dengan pendapat masig-masing. Hujah yang lain selain dari hujah mereka adalah sesat. Pendekatan begitu sebenarnya bertujuan untuk mengukuhkan pengaruh mazhab dan aliran fahaman mereka supaya kelihatan lebih suci dan mulia dari aliran lain.

Hujah yang lain selain dari hujah mereka adalah sesat

Seterusnya, dakyah agenda Melayu tidak Islamik juga terhasil daripada politiking parti PAS. Dalam usaha mempengaruhi orang Melayu, PAS mengambil pendekatan menonjolkan diri sebagai lebih Islamik dari UMNO. Tindakan-tindakan kerajaan BN, terutamanya yang terpesong dari tuntutan syariah akan dikritik habis-habisan. Untuk melemahkan kredibiliti UMNO, agenda Melayu yang menjadi ‘cogan’ UMNO, digembar-gemburkan sebagai tidak Islamik. Propaganda tersebut disokong pula dengan ayat-ayat Al-Quran dan Hadis (tertentu). Pemikiran superfisial meng’haram’kan bulat-bulat agenda kebangsaan menakutkan orang Melayu, lebih-lebih lagi kepada yang beragama. Secara langsung, golongan Islamis termasuk PAS-lah yang menjauhkan orang Melayu daripada usaha memajukan bangsanya.
Pemikiran dogmatik begini membuatkan umat Islam di Malaysia cepat melenting, hilang punca dan mudah diperkotak katikkan. Lihat bagaimana kerajaan BN, (melalui proksi-proksinya) membangkitkan isu-isu agama, seperti isu kafir-mengkafir, kalimah Allah, isu anjing, Syiah, Kassim Ahmad, dan baru-baru ini isu Hudud. Orang Melayu kebanyakkan, hingga ke Mufti menjadi reaktif dan hilang pertimbangan. Semua bertegas dengan ‘fatwa’ masing-masing. Tidak kurang yang menyokong hujah dengan kata-kata kesat. Ini adalah strategi mudah dan pasti berjaya bagi mengaburi perhatian rakyat terhadap kelemahan pentadbiran negara. Maka, tiada siapa yang menyoal mengapa ekonomi negara kian meleset, mengapa rasuah dan salah guna kuasa pemimpin negara tiada akauntibiliti dan mengapa kes jenayah berat menjadi-jadi? Tidak hairanlah bila MH370 hilang, Kassim Ahmad dan isu hudud yang telah lama dilupakan, diketengahkan semula.

Agenda Melayu selari dengan prinsip kebajikan yang disokong Agama

Bagi penulis, agenda Melayu tidak bertentangan dengan syariah. Malah, ia adalah tuntutan syariah. Islam menekankan soal muamalat, iaitu urusan sesama manusia. Selagi agenda Melayu itu adil dan tidak menzalimi kaum lain, konsepnya selari dengan prinsip kebajikan yang disokong oleh agama. Cuma, pelan dan perlaksanaannya perlu reformasi. Dari sudut bantuan kerajaan, peluang-peluang pendidikan dan perniagaan hendaklah diberi dengan saksama – iaitu kepada mereka yang berhak (golongan susah yang berpotensi), bukan kepada kroni-kroni yang sudah pun kaya raya. Kaum-kaum lain juga wajib dibantu. Peluang-peluang ekonomi hendaklah disalurkan kepada mereka yang susah, bukannya kepada tauke-tauke yang bersekongkol menggondol kekayaan negara.

Kegagalan UMNO

Tidak perlu dibicarakan tentang kegagalan UMNO membela Melayu – kerana ianya sahih – ‘terang lagi bersuluh’. Setelah hampir 60 tahun memikul mandat, bangsa Melayu masih ketinggalan. Petunjuk kepada kepincangan UMNO teserlah melalui harta dan gaya hidup pemimpinnya. Di kala orang Melayu kesempitan, pemimpin UMNO bermewah-mewah, membina mahligai di tengah kampung, makan berlebihan dan melancong sana sini.
Polisi dan pelan jangka panjang Tun Razak dikotak-katikkan. Objektif penubuhan syarikat-syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC) – yang berorientasikan kepentingan rakyat – kini, sudah tersasar. Petronas sebagai contoh. Sumber perniagaan Petronas adalah minyak – hasil bumi, hak seluruh rakyat Malaysia. Tetapi, keuntungan yang diperoleh (hasil jualan minyak – hak rakyat) dilaburkan kepada projek-projek yang tiada kaitan dengan kebajikan rakyat. Litar lumba Sepang, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, Universiti swasta Petronas, hospital swasta Prince-Court dan lain-lain. Kontrak-kontrak pula diberikan saban kali kepada para parasit, yakni ahli keluarga pemimpin UMNO yang sudah pun kaya raya. Bonus untuk eksekutif Petronas berbulan-bulan gaji, sedangkan pemegang kepentingan (stakeholders) sebenar iaitu rakyat, hidup kesusahan.

Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

Keuntungan Petronas sepatutnya dilaburkan bagi memperkasa modal insan dan kebajikan rakyat (yang majoritinya Melayu) – pemberian biasiswa, pembinaan institusi pengajian tinggi awam, pusat-pusat perubatan awam, lebuhraya, pengangkutan awam dan lain-lain projek penambahbaikan kualiti hidup rakyat. Sumbangan kecil Petronas akan dihebohkan berlebih-lebihan. Corporate Social Responsility (CSR) kata mereka. Bagi penulis, tiada terma CSR buat Petronas, atau mana-mana GLC. Ia sememangnya tanggungjawab mereka – noktah.
Keperluan asas rakyat dijadikan sumber mengaut untung para kroni melalui projek penswastaan. Lebuhraya ber-tol, penjanaan elektrik melalui IPP, pengangkutan awam, kolej swasta yang didokong oleh PTPTN, air, sistem kumbahan, penternakan lembu hingga saman jalan raya pun hendak dijadikan lubuk mengaut untung. Senarai penipuan dan hipokrasi pentadbiran kerajaan UMNO/ Barisan Nasional seperti tiada kesudahan.

Air mata buaya

Apabila tektik-tektik penipuan UMNO terbongkar, mereka jadi sayu dan sentimental. Berderai air mata buaya apabila lagu-lagu kemunduran Melayu didendangkan. Dalam kesayuan, masih sempat menyalahkan orang Melayu, ‘Melayu malas’, ‘Melayu mudah lupa’ dan sebagainya. Walhal, merekalah yang mensabotaj pelan-pelan Tun Razak. Mereka jugalah yang menipu dan merompak orang Melayu.

Pakatan Rakyat dan Ketuanan Rakyat

Walaupun kepimpinan tertinggi PAS dan PKR adalah orang Melayu, mereka tidak membawa agenda Melayu dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Ini kerana PAS memperjuangkan Islam, manakala PKR memperjuangkan prinsip-prinsip demokrasi seperti keadilan (justice), kebebasan (liberty), kesamarataan (equality) dan sebagainya. Malah, ketiga-tiga parti komponen Pakatan Rakyat tidak berasaskan bangsa. Maka, tidak cocoklah bagi mereka untuk mengangkat agenda mana-mana bangsa.
Sebenarnya, parti yang benar-benar berbilang bangsa adalah PKR – dari sudut keahlian dan prinsip perjuangan. Memandangkan majoriti umat Islam di Malaysia berbangsa Melayu, PAS secara tidak lansung adalah sebuah parti Melayu. Pendiriannya memantulkan aspirasi orang Melayu. DAP pula, secara efektifnya adalah sebuah parti Cina. Pendirian dan tingkah laku DAP berpaksikan kepentingan kaum Cina. Majoriti ahlinya juga berbangsa Cina. Walaupun DAP secara luaran cuba menonjolkan imej berbilang bangsa, namun ianya gagal kerana imejnya sinonim dengan agenda perkauman Cina. Kemasukkan seorang-dua pemimpin Melayu, tidak membuatkan ia multiracial.
Walau bagaimanapun, sebagai sebuah gagasan, Pakatan Rakyat menawarkan agenda rakyat berbilang bangsa. Pakatan Rakyat mengenengahkan konsep Ketuanan Rakyat yang merentasi sempadan perkauman. Kriteria penerimaan bantuan dan peluang-peluang ekonomi adalah – rakyat termiskin tanpa mengira bangsa. Memandangkan segmen masyarakat miskin majoritinya berbangsa Melayu dan bumiputera, merekalah yang akan mendapat bantuan terbesar. Konsep ini mudah dan straightforward.

Ketuanan Rakyat

Walaupun konsep Ketuanan Rakyat itu jelas, namun perlaksanaannya bakal menghadapi rintangan. Cabaran terbesar adalah kesepakatan parti-parti komponen. Ini berdasarkan kesulitan mencapai kata sepakat pada rundingan-rundingan parti komponen Pakatan Rakyat yang lepas. Contohnya isu Hudud dan Kalimah Allah. Ingatlah, retorik dan perlaksanaan adalah dua unsur yang berbeza.
Kepayahan mencapai persetujuan dalam Pakatan Rakyat berpunca dari sikap tidak mahu berkompromi, terutamanya dari parti DAP dan PAS. Selama ini, PKR banyak berkompromi dalam rundingan. Sebaliknya, DAP dan PAS selalu berkeras kepala, kadang-kalanya kebudak-budakkan. Dasar Ketuanan Rakyat yang bakal menguntungkan orang Melayu (miskin), mungkin sukar diterima DAP. Dengan kelicikan UMNO membakar isu perkauman – ke peringkat perselisihan nasional – ia mampu menjadi punca perbalahan parti komponen Pakatan Rakyat – yang tidak berkesudahan. Justeru, kemampuan perlaksanaan Ketuanan Rakyat itu wajar dicurigai.
Biarpun begitu, penulis berharap satu hari nanti dapat menyaksikan perlaksanaan dasar Ketuanan Rakyat tersebut.

Mentaliti Subsidi

Setelah sekian lama menerima bantuan kerajaan, orang Melayu merasakan bahawa bantuan-bantuan tersebut adalah hak mereka. Biasiswa, geran, skim usahawan, kuota, kontrak, BR1M, dan segala jenis pertolongan kerajaan, tidak mungkin, dan tidak boleh berkekalan selama-lamanya.

BR1M

Pendapatan negara yang statik dan kos penyelenggaraan yang meningkat (tidak termasuk ketirisan dan pembaziran) membuatkan pemberian bantuan kepada orang Melayu sesuatu yang tidak ekonomi. Malah, kerajaan sudah mula menghapuskan dana bantuan kepada orang Melayu dan rakyat umumnya, sedikit demi sedikit. Kini, biasiswa jarang sekali ditawarkan. Sebaliknya, kos pendidikan ditanggung oleh pelajar sendiri melalui pinjaman PTPTN. Subsidi, termasuklah subsidi minyak dan gula ditarik balik. Petunjuk betapa terdesaknya kerajaan dalam meningkatkan pendapatan teserlah melalui keputusan perlaksanaan GST secara terburu- buru, baru-baru ini.
Bukan sahaja ia tidak ekonomik, pemberian bantuan kepada kaum tertentu menyalahi prinsip demokrasi (majoriti memerintah, minoriti mempunyai hak) sesebuah kerajaan. Kerajaan wajib berlaku adil kepada semua kumpulan etnik dalam menunaikan tanggungjawab sosialnya. Dasar Ekonomi Baru turut mengakui soal ini – dengan itu, menetapkan target dan tempoh masa yang spesifik (sudah pun tamat). Namum, target equiti bumiputera masih tidak tercapai, lalu, diteruskan dasar afirmatif tersebut oleh pentadbiran berikutnya. Persoalannya, sampai bila, dan mengapa target ekuiti masih tidak tercapai?
Dasar Ekonomi Baru turut meninggalkan kesan negatif kepada bangsa Melayu. Daripada berusaha memajukan diri, orang Melayu bergantung kepada bantuan kerajaan. Daripada bersaing dalam bidang perniagaan, usahawan Melayu terus menagih kontrak dan tender. Biarpun sudah kaya dan mempunyai kapital yang besar, ahli perniagaan Melayu masih berebut kontrak kerajaan. Sudahlah menuntut kontrak, bantuan lain turut ditagih. Biaya pendidikan anak pun mahu ditanggung kerajaan (melalui biasiswa). Mentaliti subsidi ini, iaitu kebergantungan terhadap kerajaan, sudah membarahi minda dan jati diri orang Melayu keseluruhannya. Beza antara Melayu kebanyakkan dan kroni hanyalah pada jumlah subsidi yang ditagih. Melayu biasa, dana-nya kecil. Kroni, dana-nya berbillion-billion.

Mengembalikan agenda Melayu sebenar

Agenda Melayu sebenar tidak terletak pada bantuan kerajaan, tetapi ianya perihal mental (mental state), iaitu kesedaran dan aspirasi setiap minda Melayu untuk membantu bangsanya maju kehadapan. Dari perihal mental itulah lahir initiatif-initiatif bersama bagi memperkasakan tahap pemikiran, sosial dan ekonomi bangsa.

Pokok kepada agenda Melayu adalah kesedaran

Peredaran masa, perubahan sosio-politik negara, serta pengaruh globalisasi – menuntut transformasi pemikiran Melayu. Nasib dan masa depan Melayu tidak boleh disandarkan lagi kepada kerajaan. Orang Melayu hendaklah (kembali) peka dan berusaha menyesuaikan diri dengan peredaran zaman, perubahan sosio-politik dan perkembangan global, untuk survive.
Pada masa ini, cabaran utama adalah mengembalikan kesedaran orang Melayu. Target utama adalah Melayu kelas atasan, golongan pertengahan dan agamawan. Merekalah yang seharusnya membela nasib saudara sebangsa yang miskin.
Kelebihan Melayu kelas atasan, yakni pemimpin dan ahli-ahli perniagaan, adalah kuasa dan kewangan. Malangnya, golongan ini dilihat lalai dan ‘hilang sentuhan realiti’. Kemewahan mengasyikkan mereka dengan aktiviti-aktiviti yang tidak mendatangkan faedah kepada bangsa, seperti berfoya-foya, membeli-belah, bermain golf dan melancong. Disebabkan corak pergaulan eksklusif, lingkaran sosial mereka kecil. Mereka tidak berinteraksi dan merasai kesusahan orang Melayu. Pendekatan yang halus harus diguna-pakai dalam menghampiri golongan elit. Bukan sahaja sukar ditemui, mereka mempunyai ego yang besar. Kaedahnya adalah dengan mendekati personaliti-personaliti yang terbuka dan bermasyarakat. Cara lain adalah dengan mendampingi orang-orang kanan mereka. Kesedaran sejumlah kecil sudah memadai kerana kuasa dan pengaruh dimiliki mampu memberi impak yang besar.

Aspirasi agenda Melayu adalah membantu bangsanya maju

Biarpun kuasa dan pengaruh tidak sebesar golongan atasan, golongan pertengahan berpotensi menjadi penggerak agenda Melayu yang berkesan. Malangnya, golongan pertengahan Melayu kini sibuk menambah perolehan, dengan cita-cita untuk menyertai kelas elit. Mereka kerja siang-malam dan terpaksa puas dengan kenderaan dan tempat tinggal sederhana, serta percutian sekali-sekala. Aspirasi untuk memajukan bangsa tidak ada dalam pemikiran mereka.
Golongan pertengahan berpotensi menjadi penggerak utama agenda Melayu kerana mereka muda, bertenaga, terpelajar, kreatif dan memiliki kebolehan untuk bergerak secara teratur (organised). Lihat sahaja pergerakkan pemuda parti politik, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan, persatuan dan kelab yang digerakkan mereka – semuanya aktif dan progresif. Penulis percaya, jika golongan pertengahan Melayu sedar dan komited kepada agenda Melayu, idea dan konsep yang tidak pernah terfikir oleh generasi terdahulu mampu dilaksanakan dengan efektif.
Kedudukan golongan agamawan adalah tinggi dimata orang Melayu. Kata-kata dan nasihat mereka ditagih dan dipatuhi. Ini menempatkan mereka pada kedudukan yang ideal untuk merubah pemikiran orang Melayu. Disamping mengajar ilmu agama, para uztaz boleh membuka minda Melayu (yang juga umat Islam) tentang kedudukan dan cabaran masa depan. Seperti yang diperkatakan di awal penulisan, agenda Melayu selari dengan tuntutan agama yang menekankan soal muamalat, iaitu hubungan sesama manusia. Ya, kerendahan akhlak belia Islam disebabkan kurangnya ilmu agama. Tetapi, faktor kesempitan sosio-ekonomi juga memberi impak kepada keruntuhan moral, rempit, pergaulan bebas, perzinaan, buang bayi dan sebagainya. Bukankah kemiskinan (isu sosio-ekonomi) membawa kepada kekufuran? Maka, bagi penulis, golongan agamawan juga bertanggungjawab dalam menyedarkan orang Melayu tetang kewajipan memajukan bangsanya.
Jerih kesusahan mempengaruhi psikologi dan pemikiran golongan miskin. Bagi mereka, fokus utama ialah mengisi perut ahli keluarga yang kelaparan. Tiada apa yang lebih penting dari asas kehidupan itu. Masa depan bangsa, kedudukan politik dan persaingan global bukanlah keutamaan bagi mereka. Sebab itulah kerajaan mengekalkan Melayu dalam kemiskinan, kerana menjelang pilihan raya, undi Melayu mudah diraih melalui pemberian-pemberian picisan. Sekampit beras, payung, topi, t-shirt adalah kemewahan bagi mereka. Inikan pula wang tunai seperti BR1M.  Daripada memberi wang tunai (atau topi dan tshirt), initiatif-initiatif seperti pembiayaan kos pendidikan anak-anak, modal perniagaan, latihan kemahiran, bantuan baja, jaring dan seumpamanya, dapat menjana pendapatan dan lebih bermakna.

Agenda Melayu terhasil dari kesepakatan dan usaha kolektif orang Melayu

Sebagai kesimpulan, agenda Melayu adalah perihal mental yang bertunjangkan kesedaran dan aspirasi setiap minda Melayu untuk memajukan bangsanya. Buat masa ini, cabaran utama adalah menyedarkan orang Melayu yang sedang leka.
Adalah menjadi harapan penulis agar orang Melayu kembali bersatu – membela nasib dan masa depan bangsa – secara berdikari – tanpa bergantung kepada kerajaan – ataupun berlaku zalim kepada kaum-kaum lain.
Wallahu a’lam

Understand aspirations of M’sians, Mr Barack Obama!

An open letter from Dennis Ignatius

Dear Mr President,

It has been widely reported that you won’t be meeting Malaysia’s Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim during your visit to Malaysia that begins tomorrow.

If this is indeed true, it would be an astonishing betrayal by a country that has often portrayed itself as a world champion of democracy and human rights.

It also sends an unmistakable signal to corrupt and abusive governments everywhere that disrespect human rights. The curtailing of democratic governance will be overlooked in exchange for pro-American policies.

Mr President, you should re-read the US Declaration of Independence and remind yourself of American’s guiding principles, particularly the part about being endowed “with certain unalienable Rights… [including] Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The inalienable rights of Malaysians are under threat today, as never before. All democratic nations should therefore be rightly be concerned.

If such rights are only for Americans, America has no right to claim moral leadership in the world, but if they be for all men, as America’s founding fathers clearly intended, you, Mr President, have a moral obligation to passionately affirm and defend them, both in word and deed, wherever you go.

It cannot be that you are unaware of what is going on in Malaysia – the corruption and abuse of power, the tainted elections, the harassment and jailing of opposition leaders, the racial and religious incitement, the intolerance of dissent and the narrowing of our democratic space.

No, one has to reach the unhappy conclusion that you have chosen to remain silent, to close your eyes, to shut your ears to what’s going on in order to maintain good relations with the Najib Abdul Razak Administration, for political and economic gains and strategic advantages.

Moderate Islamic democracy?

To provide yourself with political cover, your administration has taken to referring to Malaysia as a “moderate Islamic democracy”. That is nothing more than a chimera built on Malaysian government propaganda.

In the first place, there is no such thing as an “Islamic” democracy or a “Christian” democracy for that matter; a nation is either democratic or it is not. And increasingly, we, Malaysia, are not.

Of course, the majority of our people are Muslim and proud of it. However, that does not make us an Islamic state. If you care to study our constitution, you will find that we are, constitutionally, a secular state.

Listen to what our founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, had to say when he read Malaysia’s proclamation of independence in 1957 in our name: “We will be forever a sovereign democratic and independent state founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people…”

Foreign leaders who refer to Malaysia as an Islamic state or an Islamic democracy, therefore, do enormous damage to our secular constitutional foundations.

As for moderation, Thomas Paine once remarked that “moderation in principle is always a vice”.

We don’t need moderation in the pursuit of justice or moderation in the number of people tortured and killed in our prisons ,or moderation in the fight against corruption or moderation in the harassment of racial and religious minorities.

These are not moderation, but vice. They are suffocating our democracy, destroying our freedom, undermining our institutions and looting our national wealth.

A government that exploits everything

All this to say, Mr President, is that the so-called moderate Islamic democracy that you speak of is simply non-existent. What we have is a government that cynically and opportunistically exploits both religion and the trappings of our democracy, which remain, to stay in power.

As for Anwar Ibrahim, whether it is convenient for you or not, he is the leader of the opposition. The multiracial and multi-religious coalition he leads (Pakatan Rakyat) won the majority of the popular votes cast in our last general election.

As your own State Department would no doubt have briefed you, only fraud and gerrymandering kept him from taking his rightful place as prime minister of our nation.

Anwar Ibrahim, therefore, has a greater claim to speak for Malaysia than anyone else. If you want to understand our hopes and aspirations, speak to him. Ignore him and you trample upon our long struggle to build a better and more just nation.

Whatever it is, you cannot come to our country and treat the parliamentary opposition leader in such a callous and contemptuous manner. It is like spitting on our democracy! It is like going to Myanmar and refusing to meet Aung Sang Suu Kyi.

Furthermore, given the persecution, harassment and recent sentencing of Anwar Ibrahim on trumped-up charges of sodomy in a trial that has almost universally been condemned, your refusal to meet him will be seen as an endorsement of the Najib Administration’s manipulation of the justice system to incarcerate a political opponent and stymie hopes for democratic change.

Remember what you once said, Mr President

You might as well be on hand to turn the key to Anwar’s cell and lock him up for what might be the last years of his life.

If you keep silent at this time, if you decline to meet him, you are as guilty of this travesty of justice as Malaysia’s government is.

Martin Luther King Jr., one of your own heroes, said, “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

And, Mr President, you yourself once said: “When the United States stands up for human rights, by example at home and by effort abroad, we align ourselves with men and women around the world who struggle for the right to speak their minds, to choose their leaders, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

“We also strengthen our security and well being, because the abuse of human rights can feed many of the global dangers that we confront – from armed conflict and humanitarian crises, to corruption and the spread of ideologies that promote hatred and violence.”

During your visit, Mr President Barack Obama, you will have a historic opportunity to align yourself with the struggle for justice and democracy in Malaysia. I hope you will seize this opportunity, and walk your talk.

DENNIS IGNATIUS is a former Malaysian ambassador.