Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
There have been a lot of articles and posts regarding postal vote. This is not to summarise them but just to let you know the experience of one of friends who tried to exercise her right to vote outside Malaysia.
The nomination day is on 24th February 2008. The postal votes must reach the polling station by 5.00pm of 8th March 2008. This leaves the voters 13 days to post your votes or less because you need to wait until the nominations are confirmed and then SPR will print the postal ballots to be sent to the High Commission or wherever that they can reach the eligible postal voters, and then you got your postal ballots, cast your votes and then post it back home to Malaysia and not just to KL but to the polling station where your votes belong to. All these in 13 days or less! Say the nominations (with or without stamps!) got confirmed on 24th February 2008, late evening and send to printing. 25th February 2008 (we are talking about high efficiency here, hello Malaysians!) the postal ballots are printed and posted. Let's say an express postage to countries out of Malaysia will take 2 days, ordinary postage takes 1-2 weeks. So, you can start vote out of Malaysia on 28th February 2008. Say you really are a good citizen, you voted on 28th February 2008 and ask the person in-charged to post it, or you want to post it yourself. Let's make another express post since you want to post it yourself, don't mind spending more money for that. So, it will definitely reach the polling station before 8th March 2008.
Come back to the reality. Are we that efficient? My friend who is eligible to cast a postal vote went to vote about a week before the polling day. She was refused her right not because they think that she will vote for 'dodgy' candidates but their reason is because the vote will only reach the polling station 3 weeks later! They said there is no use of making a postal vote from UK. So, they really are not using express postage service. That means that the postal ballots are also not going to reach the embassy outside Malaysia in time to be filled in. Hmm... So, how come there are thousands of postal votes? Did the postal votes arrive by 5pm on 8th March 2008? or after midnight?
In addition, before you are eligible to make a postal vote, you need to fill in Form A at the High Commission on your arrival in any country out of Malaysia where you know that you will not be in Malaysia on the polling day (proven by your visa). How many of the eligible voters of Malaysians really fill in this form? Or do they know that such a form exists?
Can someone from SPR publish the statistics of postal votes?
I doubt they will.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
Monday, 31 March 2008
No need to apologise
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
One day when the companions were sitting with the Prophet Muhammad (saw), came a man entering the mosque. The Prophet (saw) said that this man will be a member of the Paradise. One of the companions was curious and decided to stay with him for a few days to see what extra worships was he doing that guaranteed him such a high status in the life after death. For those days, he did not pray extra night prayers, he did not make voluntary fast and other special kind of worship, except those which are obligatory. He was puzzled. Later he realised that his secret was before he slept.
Every night, before the man went to sleep, he pardoned everyone. By his kindness in forgiving everyone that interacted with him, he is guaranteed a place in the Paradise.
If ALLAH is the Most Forgiving, how can we as HIS servant not even try to be forgiving to our fellow brothers and sisters? Even in the case of qisas, we are given 3 options in the Qur'an if someone killed a member of our family - kill the murderer only, demand blood money or forgive the murderer. And of course, forgiving is better than the rest as ALLAH is the Most Forgiving and will be the ultimate Judge on the Day of Judgement.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
One day when the companions were sitting with the Prophet Muhammad (saw), came a man entering the mosque. The Prophet (saw) said that this man will be a member of the Paradise. One of the companions was curious and decided to stay with him for a few days to see what extra worships was he doing that guaranteed him such a high status in the life after death. For those days, he did not pray extra night prayers, he did not make voluntary fast and other special kind of worship, except those which are obligatory. He was puzzled. Later he realised that his secret was before he slept.
Every night, before the man went to sleep, he pardoned everyone. By his kindness in forgiving everyone that interacted with him, he is guaranteed a place in the Paradise.
If ALLAH is the Most Forgiving, how can we as HIS servant not even try to be forgiving to our fellow brothers and sisters? Even in the case of qisas, we are given 3 options in the Qur'an if someone killed a member of our family - kill the murderer only, demand blood money or forgive the murderer. And of course, forgiving is better than the rest as ALLAH is the Most Forgiving and will be the ultimate Judge on the Day of Judgement.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
Shirk
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
I am not a scholar to discuss this super-heavy weight topic but since someone has asked about it, I think there is a need to explain my position. I thank the person for pointing it out in my previous post and this is just a response, no intention to
First of all, if there is any doubt about someone's intention, it is better to ask directly than make a guess, which the commentor did. So, my answer is, I don't have the intention to make the theory preceding ALLAH's destiny. It is just a joke and guesses as I stated at the end of the post.
Second, what is shirk? Interestingly wikipedia has an answer. Is making a guess of the future a shirk? Is predicting what will happen next a shirk? If so, then all the research that trying to predict or extrapolate the result to forecast the future is a form of shirk. Don't do weather forecast. Most of the research generates theories. RAHMAN is just a very weak theory which of course has not been properly researched and tested. I have never claimed that I believe in it or to say it scientifically, accept the 'theory'.
Third, shirk is associating ALLAH with other beings. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that he doesn't worry about his ummah in committing shirk because the teaching of tawhid is clear from shirk, rather he has more worry on the temptation of wealth. It is really difficult for a person who has come to know about the existance of only one God and no other to come to believe that there can be other being that is more powerful to predict the future and destiny. If the person in the first place has not had this kind of understanding of tawhid, it is easy to slip into shirk. The Prophet (saw) also said that the shirk that he worried the most is the minor shirk or Ar-Riya' (proud of oneself) and then is the secret shirk (showing off). I can see how this can easily happen to muslims who have tawhid. You worship the One God but you show off and proud of yourself for doing that. No doubt that is a form of shirk.
So, there are two sets of different curricula for different groups of muslims. One group who know they are muslims but don't really understand tawhid, let them know what is tawhid first before accusing them committing shirk. The other group is those who know about tawhid, don't worry about major shirk because it is difficult to turn back, the Prophet (saw) doesn't even worry about that, so teach them what are minor shirk and secret shirk. That would be more useful to them.
So, let's stop accusing people committing major shirk, in most cases either they don't really understand tawhid yet or they have no such intention to commit the biggest sin in Islam. In the case of accusing people committing minor or secret shirk, how can we judge a person's intention? So let's just only look at ourselves in this matter.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
I am not a scholar to discuss this super-heavy weight topic but since someone has asked about it, I think there is a need to explain my position. I thank the person for pointing it out in my previous post and this is just a response, no intention to
First of all, if there is any doubt about someone's intention, it is better to ask directly than make a guess, which the commentor did. So, my answer is, I don't have the intention to make the theory preceding ALLAH's destiny. It is just a joke and guesses as I stated at the end of the post.
Second, what is shirk? Interestingly wikipedia has an answer. Is making a guess of the future a shirk? Is predicting what will happen next a shirk? If so, then all the research that trying to predict or extrapolate the result to forecast the future is a form of shirk. Don't do weather forecast. Most of the research generates theories. RAHMAN is just a very weak theory which of course has not been properly researched and tested. I have never claimed that I believe in it or to say it scientifically, accept the 'theory'.
Third, shirk is associating ALLAH with other beings. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that he doesn't worry about his ummah in committing shirk because the teaching of tawhid is clear from shirk, rather he has more worry on the temptation of wealth. It is really difficult for a person who has come to know about the existance of only one God and no other to come to believe that there can be other being that is more powerful to predict the future and destiny. If the person in the first place has not had this kind of understanding of tawhid, it is easy to slip into shirk. The Prophet (saw) also said that the shirk that he worried the most is the minor shirk or Ar-Riya' (proud of oneself) and then is the secret shirk (showing off). I can see how this can easily happen to muslims who have tawhid. You worship the One God but you show off and proud of yourself for doing that. No doubt that is a form of shirk.
So, there are two sets of different curricula for different groups of muslims. One group who know they are muslims but don't really understand tawhid, let them know what is tawhid first before accusing them committing shirk. The other group is those who know about tawhid, don't worry about major shirk because it is difficult to turn back, the Prophet (saw) doesn't even worry about that, so teach them what are minor shirk and secret shirk. That would be more useful to them.
So, let's stop accusing people committing major shirk, in most cases either they don't really understand tawhid yet or they have no such intention to commit the biggest sin in Islam. In the case of accusing people committing minor or secret shirk, how can we judge a person's intention? So let's just only look at ourselves in this matter.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
Sunday, 30 March 2008
R.A.H.M.A.N.
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
Somehow some Malaysians do believe in the RAHMAN theory as the initials for the order of the Malaysian Prime Ministers. Some might believe it's just nonesense. Let's see how it works:
R.ahman - Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj
A.bdul Razak (R?) - Tun Abdul Razak Hussein
H.ussein - Tun Hussein Onn
M.ahathir - Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed
A.bdullah - Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
N.? - Najib? Nazri? Nik Aziz? or Nazrin (Raja Muda Perak)? or not going to follow this theory? Cause the now Deputy PM might have no chance to be PM as there are two competitors who are up for this juicy post - Tengku Razaleigh (Ku Li) and Anwar Ibrahim.
See Malaysia Today and MSO.
They might get it because one is R and one is A if we do the cycle again. Let's say Najib got it, so we retain the N. The next cycle would probably, maybe, perhaps,...:
R - Razaleigh? So he get there first? or Rafidah Aziz who has been kicked out by PM from his cabinet this round. Can't be Rosol cause he just got into trouble with the Agong. Roslan SMS Pas? Probably too early.
A - Anwar? So he came second place in the race with Ku Li, probably when his plan to get into the Parliament this round didn't work, he has to wait for the next election. Azalina Othman? Is that too early for her? Probably if Rafidah has broken the record as the first female PM, then Azalina followed suit, no? Ok, probably too young still and she is not even a Wanita member, let's put her in the next round. Anifah Aman? He is going to jump to the opposition soon. Nik Aziz? Let's take A for this round. Probably by then many Malaysians can accept Islam as the way forward, so they want the Tok Guru. Wan Azizah? Abdul Hadi Awang? Ahmad Awang?
H - Hishamuddin Hussein if he is still there and if people still like him. (Abdul) Hadi Awang? If the opposition got the parliament. Or Husam Musa? If Hadi Awang has retired. Syed Husin Ali? Haron Din?
M - many posibilities. Mukhriz most probably if BN is still in power. Muhammad Muhd. Taib? If corruption is Malaysia got worse than ever. Muhyiddin Yassin? Mahfuz Omar Pas? Mohd Sabu Pas? Probably they are the minors now, who knows in the future?
A - again so many posibilities.
N - Nurul Izzah? Starts from very young political career. Nasaruddin Mat Isa? Nizar, Nazifuddin, Norashman (Najib's sons)? Noraini Ahmad? Noh Omar?
So, if the BN choices for the second round of R.A.H.M.A.N., that would be -
R - Razaleigh or Rafidah
A - Azalina Othman or Anifah Aman (if he is still in BN), no great choice of BN for 'A'
H - Hishamuddin Hussein
M - Mukhriz most probably unless seniors like Muhammad Muhd. Taib & Muhyiddin Yassin still are clinging there
A - same as A above
N - Noraini Ahmad if Wanita/Puteri power is stronger. Or one of Najib's sons if Nepotism is still strong. Probably not Noh Omar.
The BA/BR choices might be -
R - Can't be Roslan SMS, not sure
A - Anwar most likely. Wan Azizah maybe if Anwar got detained again. Nik Aziz or Abdul Hadi Awang if people want Islam. If not, take Ahmad Awang.
H - Husam Musa, Hadi Awang, Haron Din or Syed Husin Ali.
M - Mahfuz Omar or Mohd Sabu
A - same as 'A' above
N - Nurul Izzah or Nasaruddin Mat Isa
So, Khairy Jamaluddin is not here, neither is Lim Guan Eng, Ling Hee Leong and the rest of the 'L' (from both BN and BA) if RAHMAN is the theory.
Do you believe in this theory?
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
p/s: of course all these are just guesses, who knows what's going to happen because at this stage of political wave in Malaysia, anything is possible!
Somehow some Malaysians do believe in the RAHMAN theory as the initials for the order of the Malaysian Prime Ministers. Some might believe it's just nonesense. Let's see how it works:
R.ahman - Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj
A.bdul Razak (R?) - Tun Abdul Razak Hussein
H.ussein - Tun Hussein Onn
M.ahathir - Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed
A.bdullah - Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
N.? - Najib? Nazri? Nik Aziz? or Nazrin (Raja Muda Perak)? or not going to follow this theory? Cause the now Deputy PM might have no chance to be PM as there are two competitors who are up for this juicy post - Tengku Razaleigh (Ku Li) and Anwar Ibrahim.
See Malaysia Today and MSO.
They might get it because one is R and one is A if we do the cycle again. Let's say Najib got it, so we retain the N. The next cycle would probably, maybe, perhaps,...:
R - Razaleigh? So he get there first? or Rafidah Aziz who has been kicked out by PM from his cabinet this round. Can't be Rosol cause he just got into trouble with the Agong. Roslan SMS Pas? Probably too early.
A - Anwar? So he came second place in the race with Ku Li, probably when his plan to get into the Parliament this round didn't work, he has to wait for the next election. Azalina Othman? Is that too early for her? Probably if Rafidah has broken the record as the first female PM, then Azalina followed suit, no? Ok, probably too young still and she is not even a Wanita member, let's put her in the next round. Anifah Aman? He is going to jump to the opposition soon. Nik Aziz? Let's take A for this round. Probably by then many Malaysians can accept Islam as the way forward, so they want the Tok Guru. Wan Azizah? Abdul Hadi Awang? Ahmad Awang?
H - Hishamuddin Hussein if he is still there and if people still like him. (Abdul) Hadi Awang? If the opposition got the parliament. Or Husam Musa? If Hadi Awang has retired. Syed Husin Ali? Haron Din?
M - many posibilities. Mukhriz most probably if BN is still in power. Muhammad Muhd. Taib? If corruption is Malaysia got worse than ever. Muhyiddin Yassin? Mahfuz Omar Pas? Mohd Sabu Pas? Probably they are the minors now, who knows in the future?
A - again so many posibilities.
N - Nurul Izzah? Starts from very young political career. Nasaruddin Mat Isa? Nizar, Nazifuddin, Norashman (Najib's sons)? Noraini Ahmad? Noh Omar?
So, if the BN choices for the second round of R.A.H.M.A.N., that would be -
R - Razaleigh or Rafidah
A - Azalina Othman or Anifah Aman (if he is still in BN), no great choice of BN for 'A'
H - Hishamuddin Hussein
M - Mukhriz most probably unless seniors like Muhammad Muhd. Taib & Muhyiddin Yassin still are clinging there
A - same as A above
N - Noraini Ahmad if Wanita/Puteri power is stronger. Or one of Najib's sons if Nepotism is still strong. Probably not Noh Omar.
The BA/BR choices might be -
R - Can't be Roslan SMS, not sure
A - Anwar most likely. Wan Azizah maybe if Anwar got detained again. Nik Aziz or Abdul Hadi Awang if people want Islam. If not, take Ahmad Awang.
H - Husam Musa, Hadi Awang, Haron Din or Syed Husin Ali.
M - Mahfuz Omar or Mohd Sabu
A - same as 'A' above
N - Nurul Izzah or Nasaruddin Mat Isa
So, Khairy Jamaluddin is not here, neither is Lim Guan Eng, Ling Hee Leong and the rest of the 'L' (from both BN and BA) if RAHMAN is the theory.
Do you believe in this theory?
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
p/s: of course all these are just guesses, who knows what's going to happen because at this stage of political wave in Malaysia, anything is possible!
Friday, 28 March 2008
Can we stop corruption?
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
Following my previous post on corruption, it is clear that ALLAH has made this worldly stuff as test, wealth is for sharing with the poor not just family members, whatever that we have earned from corruption or any activities related to corrupted ways will only be fuel in the Hell to burn us. We only feel the pleasure in this World from what we have gained using corrupted means but it will be the worst consequence in the Life after death. Read ALLAH's words in my previous post.
Interestingly, no matter how much ALLAH has warned us to stay away from haram income and corruption, some people just can't live without it, seriously. It is as if that corruption has been a part of their life, their culture.
I remember when I was in school, I was the secretary of a society and we decided to organised a motivation camping for the students who were not doing well in their studies. It was fully funded by the school and Jabatan Pendidikan Daerah. When I was doing the budget, my teacher told me that I have to use all the money provided, no matter how. I was puzzled, why we need to use all the money cause I have been taught at home that we should save as much money as we can.
When I went to university, I was very active in my college and organised a lot of programmes. I was told that it is very usual for people to fake the receipts and wrote in the budget report more than what we have spent so that we can get extra money for the society we were in. I was not quite understand why we need to do it through this way, but I learned 'the way'.
Later, I realised that it is a form of corruption and it's completely wrong but people still don't really take it as something serious. I can understand if the corruption involved no more than hundreds of Ringgit Malaysia (even 1 cent of corruption is wrong actually) but what about billions & trillions? You can actually sell the whole country by doing that! PM said he promotes transparency in his government but the more he said so the more corrupted his people are. How? This is for total-beginners.
You are an MP or State Exco or PM or MB or whoever that is in-charged of making policy. You push forward a developmental project and obviously it will get passed cause they are all your friends or you are in power. So then you open the project for contractors to bid for the tender. If you are a DEB supporter, you said only those contractors that fulfill the policy of DEB can compete for the tender. Then you choose the 'best' tender who you think is giving 'the best deal' (to you!). The contractor writes you a budget and during the transaction you earn some commission which is very common in many business around the world, it's a form of courtesy. If you are honest, you either not accepting the commission or you put the money into the government. The commission is around 5%-10% (or more) of the sale price. If the budget is RM 1 billion, you know how much will go to your pocket, right? No need a rocket scientist to tell you. If you submit the bills and receipts of the whole project, tell me who is going to check every piece of them if there are a few fake ones (as I have experienced myself)? The contractor is so happy for you giving them the tender, of course they want a second round, so they will buy your heart by promising more commission, they are very happy to write you whatever number you want on the invoice.
I know about commission in business cause my father is a businessman. I was so involved in helping him with his business before I went to university. I can see all the invoices have a little remark at the bottom showing how much commission and stuff like that. And later when I became a tutor in one of the universities, a colleague (very senior) of mine decided to buy some laboratory equipment and without any sense of shamefulness he admitted that he got some commission in the transaction, like a lot! How disgraceful! Urgh! There is no end in this whole circle. Corruption once started, it's like fire on dry grass, it can only spread but not easy to put off.
I am not denying that there are honest and uncorrupted politicians out there. If there are, I truly wish them well and will pray hard so that ALLAH will make them stand firm on their position to serve the people. But all I can see is corruption. In Perak, because it is not your political friend who used to 'spoon-fed' you become the MB, you started to boycott him. I am not supporting the new Perak MB but I am disgusted with this stupid attitude of the people. At least 2 different organisations have tried to sabotage the new MB - PROWARIS (young Malay Professionals) and the JKKK (Heads of Village Committee) who I know for sure depend much of their income through politics. Why? Because I have lived in Perak with some Malay Ketua Kampungs!
It was in my university time that I got an opportunity to join an Anak Angkat programme. You basically become the foster child of one of the families in a village. I have involved in this kind of programme in Perak & Pahang. My foster father in Perak was very pro-UMNO, same to the village in Pahang. Why? Because my foster father is a Class F Contractor. I remember once, while staying with them (not during the programme anymore but just regular friendly visit to the family which I do once a year) my foster father brought me and other siblings to Ipoh and to the JKR there. He said he is going to ask them to give him a tender near the village, to build road. He said that he will get it cause he is very good with the then MB. If you are not the supporter, this is what you will get.
So, that's how you get a tender. Be the supporters of UMNO and then you know that you sure can soar in your business. This is just one example. And later my foster father is appointed as the Ketua Kampung because he is so good with the then MB. Now you see there is no surprise that all the Ketua Kampung decided to go against the new MB cause they don't know him and they are afraid that he is not the kind of MB that can be easily 'bought'. The new MB said he will have to try his best to cater the need of 41% of Chinese, 50% of Malay and the rest of the people in Perak. There are only 2 Malay Excos in the State Assembly, who will the Malays go to to ask for tenders like how my foster father did if there are only 2 options? And both the options are PAS member who are actually seen as UMNO's traditional rival. If you have been the strongest supporter of UMNO and then you make a U-turn to PAS, erm... don't think that is really going to work. ALLAHU'alam.
So you see, this is one of the problems. MONEY! If the leaders are corrupted, so as the followers. It is so difficult for them to accept the new leaders because they don't 'click' with them. Same to the issue in Terengganu and Perlis. You want the old MBs because they are your 'friends' who you know they will look after you if they are in power. That's why you dare to die to protect them so that if they secure their authority, you secure your pocket. No?
Then came the groups that support the new MBs because they basically are gambling their future on this. It's like making a bet. If you got the right number, you got the money. Behind the support is the power and behind the power is the money. If only people can realise that truly the wealth that they gather here will not be useful even one cent in the life after death, surely they will stop acting like this. If only...
Can we stop the corruption? I hope we will but I am not that very optimistic. Mahathir did try when he said let's take away the stick (tongkat) but people started to boo at him. Corruption has been a part of Malaysian culture, I don't know who can put it to an end but I pray that ALLAH will, if HE willed.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
Following my previous post on corruption, it is clear that ALLAH has made this worldly stuff as test, wealth is for sharing with the poor not just family members, whatever that we have earned from corruption or any activities related to corrupted ways will only be fuel in the Hell to burn us. We only feel the pleasure in this World from what we have gained using corrupted means but it will be the worst consequence in the Life after death. Read ALLAH's words in my previous post.
Interestingly, no matter how much ALLAH has warned us to stay away from haram income and corruption, some people just can't live without it, seriously. It is as if that corruption has been a part of their life, their culture.
I remember when I was in school, I was the secretary of a society and we decided to organised a motivation camping for the students who were not doing well in their studies. It was fully funded by the school and Jabatan Pendidikan Daerah. When I was doing the budget, my teacher told me that I have to use all the money provided, no matter how. I was puzzled, why we need to use all the money cause I have been taught at home that we should save as much money as we can.
When I went to university, I was very active in my college and organised a lot of programmes. I was told that it is very usual for people to fake the receipts and wrote in the budget report more than what we have spent so that we can get extra money for the society we were in. I was not quite understand why we need to do it through this way, but I learned 'the way'.
Later, I realised that it is a form of corruption and it's completely wrong but people still don't really take it as something serious. I can understand if the corruption involved no more than hundreds of Ringgit Malaysia (even 1 cent of corruption is wrong actually) but what about billions & trillions? You can actually sell the whole country by doing that! PM said he promotes transparency in his government but the more he said so the more corrupted his people are. How? This is for total-beginners.
You are an MP or State Exco or PM or MB or whoever that is in-charged of making policy. You push forward a developmental project and obviously it will get passed cause they are all your friends or you are in power. So then you open the project for contractors to bid for the tender. If you are a DEB supporter, you said only those contractors that fulfill the policy of DEB can compete for the tender. Then you choose the 'best' tender who you think is giving 'the best deal' (to you!). The contractor writes you a budget and during the transaction you earn some commission which is very common in many business around the world, it's a form of courtesy. If you are honest, you either not accepting the commission or you put the money into the government. The commission is around 5%-10% (or more) of the sale price. If the budget is RM 1 billion, you know how much will go to your pocket, right? No need a rocket scientist to tell you. If you submit the bills and receipts of the whole project, tell me who is going to check every piece of them if there are a few fake ones (as I have experienced myself)? The contractor is so happy for you giving them the tender, of course they want a second round, so they will buy your heart by promising more commission, they are very happy to write you whatever number you want on the invoice.
I know about commission in business cause my father is a businessman. I was so involved in helping him with his business before I went to university. I can see all the invoices have a little remark at the bottom showing how much commission and stuff like that. And later when I became a tutor in one of the universities, a colleague (very senior) of mine decided to buy some laboratory equipment and without any sense of shamefulness he admitted that he got some commission in the transaction, like a lot! How disgraceful! Urgh! There is no end in this whole circle. Corruption once started, it's like fire on dry grass, it can only spread but not easy to put off.
I am not denying that there are honest and uncorrupted politicians out there. If there are, I truly wish them well and will pray hard so that ALLAH will make them stand firm on their position to serve the people. But all I can see is corruption. In Perak, because it is not your political friend who used to 'spoon-fed' you become the MB, you started to boycott him. I am not supporting the new Perak MB but I am disgusted with this stupid attitude of the people. At least 2 different organisations have tried to sabotage the new MB - PROWARIS (young Malay Professionals) and the JKKK (Heads of Village Committee) who I know for sure depend much of their income through politics. Why? Because I have lived in Perak with some Malay Ketua Kampungs!
It was in my university time that I got an opportunity to join an Anak Angkat programme. You basically become the foster child of one of the families in a village. I have involved in this kind of programme in Perak & Pahang. My foster father in Perak was very pro-UMNO, same to the village in Pahang. Why? Because my foster father is a Class F Contractor. I remember once, while staying with them (not during the programme anymore but just regular friendly visit to the family which I do once a year) my foster father brought me and other siblings to Ipoh and to the JKR there. He said he is going to ask them to give him a tender near the village, to build road. He said that he will get it cause he is very good with the then MB. If you are not the supporter, this is what you will get.
So, that's how you get a tender. Be the supporters of UMNO and then you know that you sure can soar in your business. This is just one example. And later my foster father is appointed as the Ketua Kampung because he is so good with the then MB. Now you see there is no surprise that all the Ketua Kampung decided to go against the new MB cause they don't know him and they are afraid that he is not the kind of MB that can be easily 'bought'. The new MB said he will have to try his best to cater the need of 41% of Chinese, 50% of Malay and the rest of the people in Perak. There are only 2 Malay Excos in the State Assembly, who will the Malays go to to ask for tenders like how my foster father did if there are only 2 options? And both the options are PAS member who are actually seen as UMNO's traditional rival. If you have been the strongest supporter of UMNO and then you make a U-turn to PAS, erm... don't think that is really going to work. ALLAHU'alam.
So you see, this is one of the problems. MONEY! If the leaders are corrupted, so as the followers. It is so difficult for them to accept the new leaders because they don't 'click' with them. Same to the issue in Terengganu and Perlis. You want the old MBs because they are your 'friends' who you know they will look after you if they are in power. That's why you dare to die to protect them so that if they secure their authority, you secure your pocket. No?
Then came the groups that support the new MBs because they basically are gambling their future on this. It's like making a bet. If you got the right number, you got the money. Behind the support is the power and behind the power is the money. If only people can realise that truly the wealth that they gather here will not be useful even one cent in the life after death, surely they will stop acting like this. If only...
Can we stop the corruption? I hope we will but I am not that very optimistic. Mahathir did try when he said let's take away the stick (tongkat) but people started to boo at him. Corruption has been a part of Malaysian culture, I don't know who can put it to an end but I pray that ALLAH will, if HE willed.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Reminders for some of our corrupted leaders
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
Some reminders for foremostly myself and my dear leaders. Please leave corruptions and come back to your sense and faith in giving your service to the people for the sake of ALLAH and your akhirah. Clearly the competition in this World that aims solely at the cumulation of wealth in unlawful means and the refusal to share it with the poor, increasing power and authority to oppress the weak, giving special priority to own families and friends by acting unjustly to the others, doing corruptions both physically and morally, we know that ALLAH through HIS Holy Book of Qur'an has sent warnings, reminders and advice to those who are corrupted. If you want to do just to your ownselves on the Day of Judgement, please repent and feed the poor and hungry with your power and wealth that ALLAH has granted you in this World.
Indeed in ALLAH's words are the greatest truth. May ALLAH protect us and our country leaders from any form of corruption, and restore the light of justice and peace in this country. Amin.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
Some reminders for foremostly myself and my dear leaders. Please leave corruptions and come back to your sense and faith in giving your service to the people for the sake of ALLAH and your akhirah. Clearly the competition in this World that aims solely at the cumulation of wealth in unlawful means and the refusal to share it with the poor, increasing power and authority to oppress the weak, giving special priority to own families and friends by acting unjustly to the others, doing corruptions both physically and morally, we know that ALLAH through HIS Holy Book of Qur'an has sent warnings, reminders and advice to those who are corrupted. If you want to do just to your ownselves on the Day of Judgement, please repent and feed the poor and hungry with your power and wealth that ALLAH has granted you in this World.
And seek by means of what ALLAH has given you the future abode, and do not neglect your portion of this world, and do good (to others) as ALLAH has done good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land, surely ALLAH does not love the mischief-makers.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Qisas (Chapter 28, The Stories) verse 77
The love of desires, of women and sons and hoarded treasures of gold and silver and well bred horses and cattle and tilth, is made to seem fair to men; this is the provision of the life of this world; and ALLAH is HE with Whom is the good goal (of life).~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Ali Imran (Chapter 3, The Family of Imran) verse 14And not your wealth nor your children, are the things which bring you near Us in station, but whoever believes and does good, these it is for whom is a double reward for what they do, and they shall be secure in the highest places.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Saba (Chapter 34, The Saba) verse 37
Wealth and children are an adornment of the life of this world; and the ever-abiding, the good works, are better with your Lord in reward and better in expectation.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Kahfi (Chapter 18, The Cave) verse 46
Neither their wealth nor their children shall avail them aught against ALLAH; they are the inmates of the fire, therein they shall abide.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Mujadilah (Chapter 58, The Pleading Woman) verse 17
O you who believe! let not your wealth, or your children, divert you from the remembrance of ALLAH; and whoever does that, these are the losers.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Munafiqun (Chapter 63, The Hypocrites) verse 9
Let not then their property and their children excite your admiration; ALLAH only wishes to chastise them with these in this world's life and (that) their souls may depart while they are unbelievers.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9, The Repentance) verse 55
And let not their property and their children excite your admiration; ALLAH only wishes to chastise them with these in this world and (that) their souls may depart while they are unbelievers.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9, The Repentance) verse 85
Know that this world's life is only sport and play and gaiety and boasting among yourselves, and a vying in the multiplication of wealth and children, like the rain, whose causing the vegetation to grow, pleases the husbandmen, then it withers away so that you will see it become yellow, then it becomes dried up and broken down; and in the hereafter is a severe chastisement and (also) forgiveness from ALLAH and (HIS) pleasure; and this world's life is naught but means of deception.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Hadid (Chapter 57, The Steel) verse 20
O you who believe! surely from among your wives and your children there is an enemy to you; therefore beware of them; and if you pardon and forbear and forgive, then surely ALLAH is Forgiving, Merciful. Your possessions and your children are only a trial, and Allah it is with Whom is a great reward. Therefore be careful of (your duty to) ALLAH as much as you can, and hear and obey and spend, it is better for your souls; and whoever is saved from the greediness of his soul, these it is that are the successful.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah At-Taghabun (Chapter 64, The Mutual Disillusion) verses 14-16
And as for him who is given his book in his left hand he shall say: O would that my book had never been given me: And I had not known what my account was: O would that it had made an end (of me): My wealth has availed me nothing: My authority is gone away from me. Lay hold on him, then put a chain on him, Then cast him into the burning fire, Then thrust him into a chain the length of which is seventy cubits. Surely he did not believe in ALLAH, the Great, Nor did he urge the feeding of the poor.~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Haq (Chapter 69, The Truth) verses 25-34
But when HE tries him (differently), then straitens to him his means of subsistence, he says: My Lord has disgraced me. Nay! but you do not honor the orphan, Nor do you urge one another to feed the poor, And you eat away the heritage, devouring (everything) indiscriminately, And you love wealth with exceeding love. Nay! when the earth is made to crumble to pieces, And your Lord comes and (also) the angels in ranks, And hell is made to appear on that day. On that day shall man be mindful, and what shall being mindful (then) avail him?~ The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Fajr (Chapter 89, The Dawn) verses 16-23
Indeed in ALLAH's words are the greatest truth. May ALLAH protect us and our country leaders from any form of corruption, and restore the light of justice and peace in this country. Amin.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
How blogging changes the country (Part II) - Cyber War
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,
As I have written right after the election regarding how blogging changes the country, today it amplifies louder as the PM finally admitted that he has taken the bloggers' writings for granted in his election campaign. Now, following the success of many opposition politician bloggers, the BN politicians who used to condemn bloggers and threaten them to be imprisoned under the Internal Security Act (ISA) start to think of starting their own blogs, mashaALLAH! Now, as I said I dislike spreading rumours and if the politicians decided to start a cyber war here, the situation can be very ugly because at the end, again when the big guys are fighting up there, the victims are always the civilians, and in this context, it is those citizens who don't really want to educate themselves properly.
We either be very honest in what we are writing & saying or we educate people to differentiate what is right and what is wrong, i.e., teach them how to think! If the later is preferable, who cares who is controlling the main stream media or the alternative media? Now I am wondering if the government is regretting for giving big fat juicy tenders to their families to supply ICT facilities to all the schools & kampung so that they can surf these alternative media?
Cyber war can be a form of Neuro-Psychological war. What we want to win are the minds and the hearts of the people, and we can control the rest. Call it discussions, debates, arguments, persuasions, brainwashings, pressures, humiliations, etc., if the war started, I think we can think of a new career and earn some money from this new job opportunity.
To all the bloggers, whether it's a money-earning or non-profit blogging, please write with truthfulness and be accountable for what you have written/said on your blogs.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
As I have written right after the election regarding how blogging changes the country, today it amplifies louder as the PM finally admitted that he has taken the bloggers' writings for granted in his election campaign. Now, following the success of many opposition politician bloggers, the BN politicians who used to condemn bloggers and threaten them to be imprisoned under the Internal Security Act (ISA) start to think of starting their own blogs, mashaALLAH! Now, as I said I dislike spreading rumours and if the politicians decided to start a cyber war here, the situation can be very ugly because at the end, again when the big guys are fighting up there, the victims are always the civilians, and in this context, it is those citizens who don't really want to educate themselves properly.
We either be very honest in what we are writing & saying or we educate people to differentiate what is right and what is wrong, i.e., teach them how to think! If the later is preferable, who cares who is controlling the main stream media or the alternative media? Now I am wondering if the government is regretting for giving big fat juicy tenders to their families to supply ICT facilities to all the schools & kampung so that they can surf these alternative media?
Cyber war can be a form of Neuro-Psychological war. What we want to win are the minds and the hearts of the people, and we can control the rest. Call it discussions, debates, arguments, persuasions, brainwashings, pressures, humiliations, etc., if the war started, I think we can think of a new career and earn some money from this new job opportunity.
To all the bloggers, whether it's a money-earning or non-profit blogging, please write with truthfulness and be accountable for what you have written/said on your blogs.
ALLAHU'alam.
Wassalam.
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