Happy New Year?

In less than 20 minutes 2008 will be gone. What a year! Suffice to say events that happened both in Malaysia and abroad would have left lasting marks in our history books.

Very few people are looking forward to 2009 as everybody is bracing themselves for a difficult year ahead. It may even be disastrous year. If I were to look at the present circumstances, it doesn't give me much hope.

Just few hours ago before we left our office one of my colleagues told me how she is living in fear everyday. She stays in Section 14 Petaling Jaya. She just witnessed a crime committed right in front of her house a few days ago. Two men were trying to rob a man in broad daylight. The victim put up a fight and was badly slashed. She told me nearly every week there is someone will getting robbed in broad daylight in her area so much so that now when she reached her home, she will look around first and quickly dash into her house.

I feel so angry listening to her. Why are we being subject to such fear? The country is descending into lawlessness and yet the very people who are supposed to enforce the law and protect us chose to harass and abuse us. Arresting people who assembled in a peaceful manner, harassing and arresting young people who cycled in their campaign to bring about a more just society, wasting time manning roadblocks to prevent people from gathering in a peaceful manner to express themselves.

As I type I can hear the sound of fireworks ushering in 2009. What is in store for our nation? Fireworks means celebration but is there really anything to celebrate? Despite the heroic effort of the rakyat in pushing for change through the general election in March, we are still stuck with a government who doesn't listen to the rakyat and in 3 months time we are going to have a Prime Minister who doesn't inspire any confidence. Leaving aside his personal baggages, he is as intellectually deficient as Pak Lah based on his pronouncements on certain issues. It may be OK if he comes in during times of economic prosperity but he is coming in at a time where some experts tell us the current economic situation may be as bad or even worse than the Great Depression. We don't need someone who only can tell us to change our lifestyle or if something is not right all we have to do is just change our perception.

I'm in no mood to celebrate and don't feel like wishing people a Happy New Year. Instead I would like to wish all the people I know, stay safe in 2009 and may God protect them and watch over them.

(The fireworks didn't last very long. I guess not many are in the mood to celebrate or is it they just got the royal decree from RPK)

PPP - Salvage whatever dignity you still have.

As someone who is born and brought up in Ipoh, I'm much acquainted with places like Taman DR Seenivasagam and Jln SP Seenivasagam (that's where my beloved school St. Michael's Institution is situated) from young. I know too the influence the Seenivasagam brothers and PPP had on Ipoh. Since the death of the Seenivasagam brothers, the political fortune of PPP has been going downhill and it's an understatement to say that it is a pale shadow of its heydays.

In recent years it has been humiliated again and again by big brother UMNO. The latest is the call by the PM for PPP to quit BN if it insists on the ISA being amended/reviewed. There is not going to be any amendment or review. Period. Sadly some of its leaders like its Youth Chief are still in denial mode. Though shocked, T Murugiah thinks Pak Lah didn't mean what he said because he is a nice guy.

Well, PPP, do the right thing and quit. Salvage whatever dignity you still have. Otherwise, in another generation the only memory left of PPP is a park and a street. (That is also provided the politicians do not change their names). Gerakan should do the same too.

I didn't speak out

When they ban lipstick and high heels, I also didn’t speak up because I’m a man

When they ban yoga, I didn’t speak up because I'm not a Muslim and I don't do yoga

When they ban alcohol, I didn’t speak up because I don’t drink

When they ban gambling, I didn't speak up because I don't gamble

Then they started to ban things that affected my way of life. I tried to speak up but it was too late. They are now all powerful and they even ban me from speaking up.

Rethinking Candlelight Vigils

So far I’ve participated in 5 out of the 7 candlelight vigils held in PJ including the one that were forcefully dispersed by the police. The following day I received an email from a friend sharing his thoughts on this.

You know I have been debating with myself for some time now about whether I should do more or less action, heavy or light, loud or quiet, alone or with others.

When I was young and idealistic, fresh out from that school of light called LaSalle, I would have donned protest gear and distributed pamphlets at every door or some such action.

Now I am not so sure that is a good payload.

I have seen from close quarters how this regime brooks no dissent, 'nipping in the bud' subtly and not-so-subtly.

Not that I have not done my share of protesting and I suppose I am a coward but I can't help thinking that the only effective way to prevail is through cunning. Not dissipating energy through protest after protest, petition after petition and vigil after vigil. Sometimes, I see what is done now is not impactful at all. Futile even. Mostly activity by a few hard core activists, perhaps a few hundred, joined by many just paying lip service. A far cry from the Nov 10 2007 big one. Not concerted at all. Not even noisy with each striking out on its own. Like Lilliputians shooting at Gulliver.

We become sitting ducks, watched and tagged. We can be picked off at any time should our activism heat up. Of what use then are good fighters if wiped out by the Orcs before the war starts?
Look at the sympathisers of the Bali bombers. 50 to 100 of them visit the bombers’ village and swear revenge etc. Stupid to show emotions and write on the forehead for everyone to see. If you were on the opposite side, what do you think you would do? Of course, mark them and pick them off.
The fight should be done covertly, focused and organised as one, with well-timed moves that pre-empt pre-emption. Quiet engagements within government, by-election work, fact-finding, evidence collecting, corrupt people watch, dissemination of information in a concerted way, fund raising, subterfuge that will bring a bigwig down more effectively than banging drums on the street corner.

AI could have been the Obama to lead this. Will he? While I still have hope of change to come, I feel a bit let down at this stage.

I replied

Agree with you. That was why I stayed clear last night as it became obvious they were going to make arrests. You know it when the Black Maria came in. No use being a fallen hero. Live to fight another day.

I heard news that the Abolish ISA movement is planning a big protest next March (maybe to coincide with 08/03 anniversary). It’s going to be something along the line of Bersih. PAS which played a significant role in Bersih has agreed to be involved. Hope 100k will be mobilized.

Even then, I’m not hopeful that ISA will be abolished. If they refused to listen to 50K what makes you think they will listen to 100k or even 500k. Millions have spoken on 08/03. Did they listen? As I see it the only way ISA is going to be abolished is through the change of Govt.

Yes, we need cunning and creative ways to bring down this evil regime.
Having said that I participated in the vigils not so much as to make an impact (I know it doesn’t) but to stand in solidarity with like-minded citizens. What happened on Sunday will make me rethink about this.


After skipping one Sunday because of fatique, I was there last Sunday probably because my OT lecturer the Reb was going there also. He stood up and spoke about his passion in seeing ISA abolished as it is an unjust law based on his understanding of Scriptures.

Recently I spoke to one of the Selangor ADUNs from DAP and he shares similar view with my friend. Though he agrees that the law relating to police permits is unjust, it is the law nonetheless and by disobeying it, it puts people into jeopardy. If we want to protest, then do it in a big and proper way. He said he will be the first one to lend his support as in the Bersih rally.

Well, I think I’ll still go. I want to stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters who share the same passion in seeing the end of this heinous piece of legislation. But I’ll not stick around and get arrested if the police want us to disperse. Of course, if the police want to arrest without giving warning like what happened on the 9th Nov., then so be it. I take the view that unjust laws are still laws. If I am ready to face the consequences, then I have the choice to disobey them.

No unjust laws were ever repealed without someone willing to face the consequences and paying the price for disobeying them or working for their abolition.

They can take our candles away but they can never take away the light in our hearts. It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May the light in each of our heart light another and soon roll back the darkness that is engulfing our beloved nation. Amen

Opposed Palm Oil as Cooking Oil - Threat to National Security

Do you know that you can be arrested under the ISA for opposing palm oil as cooking oil in favour of oil derived from soy beans? This was what an ex-ISA detainee arrested under the infamous Operasi Lallang said;

One charge was that I was alleged to be pro-Iran and against Saudi Arabia. The second charge was that I opposed cooking oil from oil palm as preferring cooking oil derived from soy beans of the US. All the other charges were even more ridiculous and had nothing to do with the security of the country.

Perhaps the Government thought by so doing our oil palm industry will collapse which ultimately may lead to the collapse of our economy and therefore threaten our national security.

Read his letter to Malaysiakini for the account of his arrest and what he thinks was the real reason for his arrest.

One may be tempted to laugh at such a ludicrous charge, but to lose your liberty for eight months is laughing matter.

I hope more ex-detainees or their family members will come out and speak and write about their experiences and the gross injustice that they were being subjected to.

Ya Allah, segeralah hancurkan makhluk yang zalim itu ....

This was the prayer of the wife of a ISA detainee against the Home Minister after yesterday incident where the police & FRU charged without warning at peaceful citizens who were trying to finish singing our national anthem.

To read more on her blog you can go here.

Repay them sevenfold O Lord

I attended a course on the History and Theology of the Exile from Wednesday to Saturday. Among other things we considered the place of imprecatory psalms and prayers in our prayer life. Some of us were uncomfortable with praying such prayers after being told for many years to love our enemies.

I think is completely legitimate for Christians to pray such prayers in the face of injustice and oppression. Maybe not to the extent of wishing for Syed Hamid Albar's children to be dashed against the rocks and bless the one who carried out such action. But it's certainly legitimate to ask God to pour forth His wrath on this scum. Our lecturer pointed out that the psalmist never took revenge himself but left it to God. The psalmist merely prayed. After all God said 'Vengance is mine'.

We must be careful not to use it as a personal vendetta. We only pray such prayer against those who misuse their power to oppress and commit unjust acts. As a result, the people suffered. I would hesitate to pray such prayers against those who have wronged me personally.

I just returned from what supposed to be a peaceful candlelight vigil against the ISA and to remember the 1st anniversary of the Bersih rally. Unfortunately very early on all the roads leading to Amcorp Mall were sealed by the police. We parked our cars at a distance and walked in. To cut the story short the FRU and police charged at the crowd while they were singing 'Negaraku' and arrested some people, among them MP for PJ Utara Tony Pua.

Those cowardly bastards came with batons, shields and tear gas cannisters against citizens who were armed only with candles and the sense of justice in their hearts. Yes, LORD repay them sevenfold for the evil that they have done tonight. They include those who carried out tonight operation, the one who ordered it, the IGP, the Home Minister and the whole evil BN Govt. May your righteous wrath, O LORD consume all of them. Amen.

Update: I should include that blatant liar, CPO of Selangor Khalid Abu Bakar. May his lying tongue be cut off and his lips be sealed forever.

The fight goes on ...

Today we have won a battle with the release of RPK by the order of the Shah Alam High Court. The war is still on going. We will only rest when the ISA is abolished. The weapons of our warfare will be hope and perseverance.

Lest we forget ....

Today marked the 21st anniversary of Operasi Lallang where 106 people from various political parties, NGOs and even Christian pastors were arrested under the ISA. I'm sure many who were present at the Amcorp Mall candlelight vigil last night were not even born then. Ever since the nation has been carrying this scar and it will still remain and I believe should remain. A scar remind us that something painful has happened. Before a scar, there was a wound.

The wound that has been inflicted on this nation 21 years ago has not been entirely healed. Whenever someone is arrested under the ISA, a fresh wound would appear. The people of this nation has been living under the woundedness of fear. The fear of the midnight knock on the door. The fear that I may be the next one.

Thanks to the events that happened within a year, the Bersih rally, the Hindraf rally and the 8 March political tsunami, many have overcome their fear. Thanks also to many individuals who have been the trailblazers, among them Raja Petra Kamarudin who has now fallen victim to this evil law.

I have resigned to the fact that the ISA will forever remain as law if there is no change of government. As long as BN remains in power, ISA will not even be reviewed let alone be abolished. Look what happened to MCA and Gerakan. None of their MPs signed the memo to the PM to call for a debate on the ISA in Parliament.

Last night at the candlelight vigil people talked about the middle class overcoming their fear. Yes, to a certain extent I surely agree with that. But I'm not sure how long this vigil thing can carry on before the middle class revert back to their comfort zone especially with the global financial crisis worsening each day. The middle class will be more concerned about their money than the issues of justice. Am I being pessimistic? Maybe.

What if there is a round of crackdown, Operasi Lallang II? Will the middle class take to the streets? These are the questions that I'm asking myself as I'm part of the middle class. I believe we will only take to the streets when we are angry enough. Are we angry enough with evil?

21 years. I hope it doesn't have to take another 21 years to abolish the ISA. Malaysia cannot afford that. It's either cosigning the ISA to the rubbish bin of history soon or cosigning Malaysia to the rubbish bin of history as a failed nation. A nation that silence its people without just cause will not last long.

ISA Candlelight Vigil Opp. Amcorp Mall

This was second candlelight vigil I attended. The first one was after Teresa Kok was arrested under the ISA. The crowd was over 200. I went with 2 other church members, John Chung and Han Meng. When we arrived slightly before 8pm there was already a crowd about 100 and many candles were already lighted. But there was quite a number of people crowding round on the pavement. Free RPK T-shirts were snapped up like hot cakes. After about 15 minutes Marina Lee gave a short speech. Couldn't hear what she said as I was too far away. This was followed by one of RPK's counsels, Gobind Singh, the Panther of Puchong. Next were Bernard a.ka. Zorro and Haris Ibrahim. Upon someone's suggestion, Haris asked us to be there every Sunday until ISA is abolished and all detainees are freed. He encouraged us to bring a friend the next time and to bring another, another time until one day the whole field will be filled.

Kit Siang also made a brief appearance and gave a short speech. Again I couldn't hear what was said but it's about bringing something up in Parliament next week. I forgot whether it was Haris or Bernard that said he was encouraged to see so many new faces. Yes, those were the faces of middle class Chinese who before 8/03 don't give a damn about politics much less the ISA. All we care for is to make money. How things have changed. What about the middle class church, I wonder? Tonight, there were only 3 of us from the same church. I hope by next month there would be at least 30. Is it asking too much to light a candle?

Make a stand against evil.

At the PJ Sessions Court (Day 4 of RPK’s trial)

I reached the court at about a quarter past 8. I was there on Monday but didn’t manage to get a seat inside. Few minutes later a van with RPK inside arrived. The crowd about 30 plus clapped when he stepped out from the van. I managed to get a seat in court next to a lady who is RPK’s neighbor. She fetched Marina and the daughters to court and has been there every day without fail. Good neighbor. (Update: I didn't even know she is blind. But I thought she told me she fetched RPK's family to court. Must have heard wrongly) Before the trial started, I managed to shake RPK’s hand and wished him well. Nurul Izzah and Ronnie Liu were among the Pakatan leaders who were there this morning

The trial started punctually at 9am with the prosecution calling its 5th witness, one Chinese police officer. I think the prosecution was totally inept and was ticked off by the judge a couple of times. The DPP actually wanted to tender a document as an exhibit when it was clearly marked on the document that it was not supposed to be used in the court proceedings. A few times the DPP tried to show the witness the police reports he has made without even questioning the witness first on the reports. The judge asked why are they (the prosecution) in such a hurry. She remarked that there is no shortcut to justice.

When the DPP finished with his examination-in-chief, the judge asked for a 15 minutes break before continuing with the cross-examination. I came out to go back to office. There were plenty of people outside to take my place. No wonder RPK is in high spirits. He has not been forgotten.

Update:

11:20am, October 9, 2008: The prosecution just admitted that the exhibit which forms the foundation of the charge against RPK was not originally taken from Malaysia-Today but was a police cut-&-paste job.They also did not deny that a large part of the original article is true.

11:30am: The prosecution is seeking to stand down the trial, and decide what to do as the charge may be defective. The judge is alarmed that the exhibit to the charge is not the original but a police's cut-and-paste article.

11:35am: Prosecution is in a quandary as the trial appears to be scuttled since charge may be held to be defective midway through the trial.

Court is adjourned to Monday, 13/10/2008.

The above was taken from MT.

Ha ha ha .... How I wish I had not taken leave earlier.

A financial nuclear winter?

While George Bush was looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq as a pretext to invade the country in 2003, Warren Buffet issued a warning on what he termed as the 'Financial Weapons of Mass Destruction' i.e. derivatives.

5 years later as predicted by the sage from Omaha, these weapons exploded taking down financial giants which have more than 100 years of history.

In came the white knight (vulture to some) from Omaha with USD 5 billion to the rescue of Goldman Sachs. Well, in return this white knight will get preference shares giving 10% interest and warrants to buy up to $5 billion of new Goldman Sach's shares at $115 per share at any time the next 5 years. Goldman shares rose to $133 per share following the announcement earning the white knight a notional profit of of $783 million

'Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster; they tell you nothing about the future.' (Warren Buffet)

Yes indeed when the forecaster is none other than Warren Buffet himself. You may profit greatly from reading the recently released authorized biography of Warren Buffet. Authorized in the sense, he actually opened himself and given complete access to the author unlike previous biographies where he neither encouraged or discouraged. So grab hold of a copy 'Snowball - Warren Buffet and The Business of Life'

What, where and how to invest at such a time as this?

Yesterday a subsidiary of my company organized an Elementary Investing seminar where I was one of the speakers. Besides my Chairman who was an ex-banker, there were 3 other speakers, two are Head of Private Banking, one from a local bank and the other from a bank in Singapore. The other guest speaker is a MD of an asset management company. So I was the odd one out. I'm a lawyer by training. But since my Chairman knows I'm passionate about value investing and has achieved some decent results, he asked me to speak on value investing. Personally, I dread public presentation but can't say no when the boss told you to do it.

I guess the seminar was timely in wake of the financial turmoil in the world following the collapse of Lehman Bros. Financial giants would have fallen like a house of cards if not for the bailouts by the Fed and rescue from investor like Warren Buffet. During lunch with the 2 private bankers, I realized that the impact of the collapse of Lehman Bros. is huge. They told me and those attending the seminar that they have almost nothing to sell to their clients now. I guess everyone now is paralysed by fear.

My topic was Value Investing - The investing philosophy adopted by the richest man (for a while) in the world. The words in the brackets were added in last week because when I started preparing for the talk, Warren Buffet was the richest man in the world. Last week, the ranking was revised and he has dropped to 3rd place.

I told my audience that what I was about to present is nothing original. My approach was to let Warren Buffet speaks for himself. My presentation will be peppered with quotations from him. Some of those are real gems. Where appropriate I will give my comments and illustrations. But sometimes there will be nothing to be added to wisdom.

From the feedback, I guess I did not do too bad though I felt I've rushed through the whole presentation because of time constraint. Some things were left unsaid.

We had a panel discussion after everyone has spoken. The speakers were asked for their opinions on certain issues and there were some questions from the floor. One of the questions for discussion was 'What is your outlook and what trends do you see? E.g. market, currency, interest, commodity, prices, inflation etc.'

I was the last to respond and I said it was a wrong question to ask me as unlike the other speakers I'm no expert of the financial markets. Secondly as a value investor I really don't care about the outlook and trends because I follow what my sifu, Warren Buffet's approach. I quoted him

'If we find the company we like, the level of the market will not really impact our decisions. We decide company by company. We spend essentially no time thinking about macroeconomic factors. In other words, if somebody handed us a prediction by the most revered intellectual on the subject, with figures for unemployment or interest rate or whatever it may be for the next two years, we would not pay any attention to it. We simply focus on the business that we think we understand and where we like the price and management. If we see anything that relates to what's going to happen in Congress, we don't even read it. We just don't think it's helpful to have view on these matters.'

If you ask me where to put my money in these turbulent times? I would say stocks because they are one of the asset class of investments I understand well. Invest in things that you understand. Don't invest in products that you don't understand even if they are capital guaranteed. After all, the guarantee is only as good as the guarantor. After what we witnessed in the financial markets in the past weeks, can anyone really guarantee someone's capital?

I end with 2 quotes from Warren Buffet

1.Investment must be rational. If you can't understand it, don't do it.

2.Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing

ISA - A Muslim's perspective

Last night at a forum 'Abolish the ISA' organized by the DAP, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, the chairperson of the working committee of the Abolish ISA Movement or GMI (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA) said this at the conclusion of his speech. (I'm quoting from my recollection so it's not word for word but I think it's 95% accurate)

'Sebagai seorang Muslim saya berdosa jika saya biarkan ISA terus bermaharajalela.' (Trans: As a Muslim I sinned if I allow the ISA to continue its tyranny)

That is the public stand made by a Muslim on the ISA.

(Syed Ibrahim is also the vice-president of the Muslim NGO Jamaah Islah Malaysia which has issued a condemnation on the use of ISA on Teresa Kok, RPK and the Sin Chew reporter)

Where is the Christian voice against this immoral and evil piece legislation? I wonder how many Christian leaders in this country think they have sinned if the remain silent on injustices perpetuated by the ruling party. No, they only think it's immoral to topple an evil government (to be fair this is probably not their view of the present government) through the backdoor.

Please talk to Kak Laila whose husband now is at his 7th year of detention under the ISA. She is one strong lady but I cried when I first heard her testimony on how the ISA has destroyed her family life. She has set up her own blog recently. Please go and read. Yes, talk to and listen to many more testimonies by ex-detainees or family members. ISA does not only impact the detainees but thousands of others who are related to them. Each of us in way is also impacted as no man is an island.

Yes, after you have been 'informed', only then shall we discuss again the morality of crossing over.

For another Muslim's perspective read here

A Time for Politics and a Time for Tea

I've just read the blog of a local theologian whom I respect arguing that it's unethical for Pakatan Rakyat to try to get BN MPs to cross-overs. It is not difficult for me to rebut him point by point as there is nothing new that I've not read about the whole issue of cross-overs. But what's the point? I'm getting tired. I just need to accept that people even people whom I respect have different views. Anyway, whether Pakatan Rakyat succeeds in forming the Federal Government, there is no turning back. I wrote about the new wine that cannot be kept anymore in old wineskin. This was confirmed on 916 as I stood with 20,000 other Malaysians of different races and religions in Kelana Jaya Stadium singing our national anthem 'Negaraku'. I've never felt so emotional singing our national anthem. The journey for me started with the Bersih rally in November last year. As I walked shoulder to shoulder with my Malay countrymen and women I was overcame with a great sense love and respect for them. Whatever former prejudices I had towards the Malays because of the injustice and unfairness I felt due to the NEP was immediately melted away. At that moment I felt one with them.

The days ahead may be chaotic and full of troubles, but then, who say giving birth is easy. OK, I should stop writing about politics for now. It's time for tea.

Recently I think I got some very good bargains. The Puer market has undergone a severe correction last year. The older and more vintage teas are still able to maintain their prices but the newer teas have taken a severe beating. I bought 2 tongs (7 pieces in one tong) of Menghai 7352 (2008) raw puer tea for RM140 or RM20 a piece. New Menghai raw tea were sellling for more than RM100 per piece last year



I've not actually tasted it. But I guess RM20 is not too much to pay for a good brand. The other 2 that I bought was even more value for money. Xiaguan 100g raw tuocha (2006) and a 250g ripe Puer brick (2008) for just RM8 each. I've tasted them and they are not bad especially the brick tea. According to the vendor though the tea was produced this year, the raw material (mao cha) is much older

The Morality of Crossovers

Whilst it is accepted by most that Pakatan Rakyat's effort in getting BN MPs to crossover is legal and very much within our constitutional framework, people are generally divided over whether it is moral to do so. Many have given their views including yours truly (one of the best arguments I've read for the crossovers is William Leong's piece found in Malaysiakini despite his political affliations) and the latest to jump on the bandwagon is Rev. Wong Kim Kong, the executive adviser of NECF a body which supposedly represents one million evangelical Christians in this country. He made the following statement in the Star today

“Using the back door to form the government is not credible and is an undignified way of creating a governing authority.

“No doubt the personality and individual’s track record are important but voters are also choosing you based on what your party represents, its principles and manifesto,” said Rev Wong.

Should an MP no longer have faith in the party he represented, Rev Wong said the honourable thing to do would be to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the voters.

Incidentally the other person who agrees with Rev. Wong in the same report is the Muslim Consumers’ Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman. That is the same guy who lodged a police report against my MP, Teresa Kok after she was detained under the ISA. He supported the Government's decision to arrest Teresa. Now he talks about morality.

I'm sick and tired of people telling the MPs to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the voters. Don't they know our present law doesn't allow that. Any MP who resigns will be barred from contesting for a period of 5 years (if I'm not mistaken).

Rev. Wong, we have enough of MPs and State Assemblypersons who fear their own Party Whip more than they fear God. We have enough of those who dare not vote according to their conscience and to do what is right and just. But they tell us they do agonised over their decision and cry on their knees in the comfort of their own home. Thank God some of these Christian MPs and ADUNs got booted out on 8/03.

I think it has come to a point where it is untenable for a Christian MP to remain in the BN so as to perpetuate the UMNO led Government. Is perpetuating a morally bankrupt government a Christian virtue, Rev. Wong?

Rev Wong, did you or NECF protest and say it was immoral when BN engineered the crossovers of ADUNs in Sabah in 1994 leading to the collapse of the PBS government?

Lastly Rev. Wong, didn't I hear something about the 'using the back door' recently. Ah yes, now I remember. Chandra Muzaffar has also slammed Anwar for using the back door way. Seems like you are in good company.

A Prayer for a new Malaysia

O Mighty and Sovereign Lord
We come before Thee to pray for our beloved nation
A nation which is currently experiencing birth pangs

Deliver to us O Lord a new Malaysia
A new Malaysia that is free from racial politics
A new Malaysia that is free from evil laws such as the ISA
A new Malaysia that is free from evil people who uses evil law such as the ISA
A new Malaysia where the poor and needy irrespective of race or religion is taken care of
A new Malaysia where justice and righteousness is established
A new Malaysia where the interest of the rakyat is always paramount

Hasten O Lord the delivery
Remove anyone who plots to impede the delivery of this new Malaysia
May Your righteous anger burn against them and reduce them to dust

Grant to us O Lord the joy of a mother caressing her newborn
Finally O Lord as your people, the church, may we be faithful in bringing to maturity this newborn, this gift whom Thou will bestow on us

In the Name of the One who is before all things and by whom all things hold together, Amen.

What is your stand?

Someone emailed me today an article by Goh Keat Peng - What it takes to turn the national agenda around. Very well written. But I'm actually going to blog about his previous article, My Stand written the day after 3 people were arrested under the ISA.

I don't have the privilege to know Keat Peng personally (only heard him speak once at a FES function) but from the little I know he was a respectable and well known Christian leader until he decided to join the Reformasi movement in 1998 and became one of the founding members of KeADILan. He came under severe criticisms by other Christian leaders for taking part in partisan politics. After he left KeADILan, I haven't heard much about him until now.

What struck me about the article was its stark contrast to the response of the current Christian leadership in Malaysia to injustices and evil governance as illustrated by the press statement from NECF and a lack of one from CCM which I wrote about yesterday.

Here we find a man who has drawn a line in the sand. A line dividing good and evil. A man who is willing to make his stand on the side of justice irregardless of the consequences. A man who calls his fellow Christians to come down from the fence and make a similar stand because he knows our decision at this point in the history of our nation will affect the coming generations.

Please read another article 'Moving on Neutral' written last month. The following is an excerpt from the article.

In fact, the Christian leadership in the country has been so pronounced and prolonged in their silence that the signal is sent out LOUD & CLEAR to Malaysians of the various faiths and communities that the Christian Church is uninterested in the affairs of state, in lending its voice to issues of good governance.

In fact, other Malaysians have noted that the Christian churches are only interested in looking after themselves: their places of worship, building renovations, their rights, their bibles, what words they can use, and their burial grounds.

In fact, in pleading its understandable non-partisanship in politics, Christian churches have seemingly also held its peace and would not care to speak on critical matters concerning the equitable distribution of the nation’s resources, the status of state institutions, the state of the judiciary.

Bro Keat Peng, you are no small fry. To me you are a giant in times such as this. I pray you will continue to play your prophetic role within the Christian community in this country. I know. Prophets are often not welcomed in their own community.

A Pathetic Evangelical Response to ISA

NECF the organization which supposedly represents 1 million evangelicals in Malaysia issued a press statement yesterday which I'm reproducing below

As a national body that represents some one million evangelical Christians in Malaysia, NECF Malaysia is deeply concerned over the use of the ISA and printing laws against newspapers and individuals who are performing the vital duty of bringing critical issues to the attention of the Malaysian public for constructive debate.

While the release of journalist Tan Hoon Cheng is welcomed, NECF believes that the ISA should not have been used in the first place to arrest and detain Tan, Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Seputeh MP YB Teresa Kok. The denial of due process occasioned by preventive detention under ISA is unfair and a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens.

If there are grounds to suspect that any of the three citizens detained under ISA on 12 September 2008 had committed any wrongdoing, they should be charged in court and be afforded the opportunity to defend themselves. If they are found guilty of any wrongdoing after the due process of a trial, there can be no complaint to the appropriate punishment being meted out against them.

NECF therefore calls upon the government to guarantee the safety and well-being of Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Seputeh MP YB Teresa Kok by immediately releasing them unconditionally.

NECF is also concerned that the show cause letters issued to Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan for reporting on matters, which rightfully belong to the public domain, has the undesired effect of stifling press freedom and journalistic integrity. NECF believes that the results of the March 8 elections have demonstrated the maturity of the Malaysian populace and their desire to interact on various issues confronting the nation. Freedom of information is vital to this process. The eagerness to use the penal sanctions of the printing laws will undermine the process of constructive debate and the maturing of the citizenry in participating in nation-building.

NECF therefore calls upon the government to confirm their recent public commitment to greater press freedom by withdrawing the show-cause letters issued to the three newspapers and the Catholic’s newspaper, Herald. (emphasis mine)

To say that I disappointed would be an understatement. Hey, I'm not deeply concerned. I'm outraged! The ISA is only unfair and violation of constitutional rights of citizens?? ISA is immoral, evil, unjust and has no place in a civil society! It's not only violation of human rights, but gross violation of human rights. Unfair? Are we playing some games here?

Where are words of condemnation? Is NECF afraid to offend the Government?

I feel more ashamed when I read ABIM's response which I'm also reproducing below

The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) strongly affirms that Malaysia is a country of laws not of men. We are a country which respects the rule of law and its equal application to all citizens under our Constitution and our guiding Islamic principles. At no time should a person be detained without undergoing due process of law, in which the right to fair hearing is of utmost importance, and criminal prosecution initiated for unreasonable purposes. Such an action, regardless of the initiating party, goes against the principles of natural justice and the Syari’ah which mandates impartiality, justice and fairness.
We strongly condemn the detentions of blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok under the draconian law of the Internal Security Act (ISA). ISA is a draconian instrument that goes against all tenets of fairness, justice and demoting the rule of law. It promotes cruelty and injustice by denying its detainees the right to be heard and a fair trial. In addition, the ISA is also prone to political abuse and there have been instances where the detainees have been mistreated. (emphasis mine)

Muslim Youth strongly condemns whereas evangelicals are only deeply concerned. I'm afraid words like 'justice' or 'injustice' is no longer a part of evangelical vocabulary. Whereas people now know the Syariah mandates impartiality, justice and fairness, we got no clue as to what the Christian Scriptures has to say about this issue.

Another Muslim NGO JMI has also released a statement saying ISA is un-Islamic. We are not sure whether this ISA is un-Christian. NECF was silent on this. JMI also said that the arrest of Teresa Kok was an injustice based on the facts that she has denied the allegations made against her and her denial was affirmed by the supposedly wronged party. Finally JMI is against detention without trial as it goes against the principles of justice. I wonder what is NECF's position on the ISA?

The mainline churches didn't fare any better. In fact it's worse.A check at CCM (Council of Churches of Malaysia's website) didn't mention anything at all about this issue. What was immediately noticeable was the fund raising for their building fund. RM8.2 million is needed. Gosh that 's a lot of money.

At least our Roman Catholic brethren are more vocal. 'Penang Cathedral denounces ISA before 800'. I don't think I'm going to read this kind of headline in the media, MSM or blogs, 'Calvary Church condemns the use of ISA before 2000'

Whither the Old Testament prophets?

NECF, I don't think you represent me anymore.

Praying the Imprecatory Psalms

May his (Badawi's) days be few;
may another take his (Badawi's) office
(Psalm 109:8)

And to all those who are involved in this ISA operation, I pray

Pour out your indignation upon them,
and let your burning anger overtake them (Psalm 69:24)

It is darkest before dawn

That's what we are told. I hope it's true too for Malaysia. Within less than 12 hours 3 people have been detained under the ISA including my MP, YB Teresa Kok. I wonder how many more will be arrested before dawn tomorrow.

So are we still going to argue about the morality of BN's MPs crossing over to PR. Please do not give me the 'two wrongs do not make a right' kind of shit. It is not wrong to topple an evil and immoral government through peaceful and legal means.

Words just fail to described the outrage I feel at this moment particular in the case of YB Teresa Kok. A victim of malicious falsehood is now arrested while nothing has been done to the perpetrators.

916 - A New Dawn or A Descent into Chaos?

It's only 10 days away from the date Anwar Ibrahim set to takeover the Government through the defections of BN MPs. I'm sure we all have been asked whether that is possible. I too have been asked many times though I'm neither a political analyst or a political pundit. My answer has been, I've scoffed at Anwar before the last GE during one of his interviews where he claimed that the Opposition would win 5 states (not the 5 that were actually won) and denying the BN 2/3 majority was not a problem and they were even close to winning with a simple majority. That to me was the view of a politicain and not a realist. Well, I can never be sure now about 916.

Many including those from civil society (Kua Kia Soong) and those have been critical of BN's governance (e.g. ex executive editor of the Edge, P Gunasegaram) have questioned the morality and ethics of pursuading the BN MPs to cross-over to PR. Some fear that the country will be torn apart given the high stakes that are involved. For some (like one of my CG member), they wish Dr. M is back to give us another 22 years of 'peace and prosperity'

For me the events of last year starting from the lawyers march in Putrajaya, the Bersih and Hindraf rally which culminated in the March GE are very much like new wine. They can never be kept again in the old wineskin of race based politics of BN. Let me deal with some of the objections raised against defections.

1) It betrayed the mandate given by the voters. The voters voted for the party and not the individual. I will use another argument i.e. 'why is PR in a hurry to takeover the Federal Govt. They have 5 states in hand and if they govern well, surely they will be voted in the next GE' to counter this objection. Well, if the MP really betrays the voters, can't they wait for the next GE to kick him/her out. (Our election laws disallow an MP who resigns to recontest the seat again. So going back to the voters is not possible)

2) Why can't PR concentrate on governing the 5 states well? The Federal Govt doesn't allow them to. Fundings are being cut off. Not every one is like the Kelantanese who doesn't mind non development. Trengganu was denied its oil royalty when PAS took over. The next GE it was defeated. People especially in Penang and Selangor will be impatient when there is little or no development. Without Federal funding, it's difficulet for a state to continue to develop.

3) The same corrupt politician will be brought into Pakatan and we will have the same problem all over again. This may be true but the corrupt politicians need to know that whether they are in BN or PR, their end will be near as the people will kick them out at the first opportunity. The March GE and the Permatang Pauh by-election are not the victory of the PR and Anwar respectively. It's the victory for the rakyat. We are no longer fooled and henceforth will make politicians our servants and not our masters.

4) BN will not sit down and let Anwar take over. They will create chaos and this political instability will be bad for the economy of the country. I'm sure they will do whatever they can to prevent Anwar from taking over. Anyway, another few more years of Badawi's/BN's management of the economy, the damage done will be irreversible. And about chaos and violence. Here is where as Christians we need to discharge our duty to pray for the nation. Pray to our Sovereign God that He will restrain evil and evil people will be removed.

Why I have no moral or ethical issues over the defections?

1) BN in particular UNMO has shown it is unable to reform itself after the last GE. In fact it has become worse
2) A few years under a racist party like UNMO and racist machineries like the BTN, national unity will forever remain an illusion
3) Another few more years of flip-flop policies, Malaysia will become a basket case to foreign investors
4) We have an immoral Government that refuses to abolish an immoral law
4) We have a PM in waiting who have repeated that all children irrespective of race are his children and has given us hope by ushering a new dawn and make Malaysia into a great nation. Dare he fail us?

Let us pray .....

On the eve of the polling day for what now has become the dirtiest of all electoral contests, the only thing left for us who love this country to do is to pray.

Pray for a new dawn to break forth

Pray for the curse of racial politics to be broken

Pray for righteousness and justice to be established in this nation

Amen Amen Amen

At last, the silence has been broken

Our PM in waiting has at last broken his silence over the disruption of the Bar Council forum on Saturday. I particularly like the following statement made by him as reported in Malaysiakini.

"I have tried to get Muslim leaders to appreciate the fact that we must allow a discussion (on religious issues). If you're not confident (to discuss the matter), then there's something wrong with our belief and faith. You must be confident to express, counter and argue."

If only all Muslims in this country heed his advice there wouldn't be such ugly episode in the future. That applies to us non Muslims as well. If I tell you your religion is a fraud, are you going to bash me up or engage me intellectually to persuade me it isn't. Even if I can't be persuaded you can just leave me alone and let your God or gods deal with me.

Yes, express, counter and argue. And not asking some species to go back to China or other races to go to hell.

ISA and Pakatan Rakyat (Updated)

It was my belief and hope that if PR were to come into power, they will abolish the ISA. There is always the lingering doubt that they may not do so or just drag their feet. Now a DAP state assemblyman from Senawang and state deputy chief P Gunasekaran has come out with a statement that those demonstrators at last Saturday Bar Council forum should be arrested under the ISA.

So now we have a DAP leader who thinks using the ISA is OK. I'm sure there may be more who have the same opinions especially if the ISA can be used against their political opponents from UMNO & MCA. ISA is always a convenient tool for the ruling party to stay in power. Would you deprived yourself of such a powerful tool?

Unless the DAP leadership condemns and take disciplinary action against their assemblyman, I'm not convinced that PR will have the political will to abolish the ISA once they come into power. Whilst what was said by that assemblyman may not reflect the position of DAP, it's certainly saddens me to see more and more leaders of the PR behaving like the other side.

Update
Gunasekaran has denied that he made such statement as reported by The Star. Can you trust what you read in the papers anymore?

Deafening Silence and Political Expediency

It has now been more than 60 hours since the forum organized by the Bar Council was disrupted by a bunch of extremists. One of the leaders happened to be a PKR MP, Zulkifli Nordin who threatened to storm the Bar Council building if the forum continue to carry on.

60 hours and not a single reaction from our PM in-waiting other than a statement by PKR's deputy president that he agreed with de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s view that the dialogue session should have been organised behind closed doors “in view of the sensitive reactions and wrong perception among a section of the Malay-Muslim population”.

I thought only Pak Lah knows how to remain silent.

For the sake of political expediency, courage fails our PM in-waiting.

It's also reported in Malaysiakini that Penang CM Lim Guan Eng said;

"We should understand the pain and suffering of a Malay Muslim family if their child whom they had so lovingly brought up as a Muslim, suddenly converts out of Islam and becomes a non-Muslim, as they say, "like cutting out one's own flesh".

Mr. CM, will you also understand the pain and suffering of families whose bodies of loved ones were forcibly snatched away by Islamic authorities? Will you also understand the grief of a mother whose right over her own child were taken away from her?

Well, I guess I understand Mr. CM. It's has to do with the coming by-election in Permatang Pauh, right? You just want to be politically correct. If the by-election were to be held in PJ Utara, I guess you will ask us to understand the pain and suffering of non Muslims families.

Hymns, Hymns & More Hymns

This post is inspired by the sermon by Peter Rowan last Sunday. Though I was not in church I heard it over the church’s website. He has been doing a series on worship for the last 4 weeks. Last week was the finale.

Of course one of the things he said which inspired me to write is we should not neglect the great hymns. Singing those hymns written centuries ago from various traditions will indeed help us to understand the meaning of the communion of saints. I always feel that this neglect (the singing of hymns) in contemporary worship service has greatly impoverishes us spiritually. We are neglecting such a rich heritage bequeathed to us from the saints of the past.

Some hymns not only help us to worship God but provide us with theological truths that are rarely taught in church nowadays. No hymn manages to capture the wonder of Chirst’s redemptive work than Charles Wesley’s ‘And Can It Be’. Wesley may be an Arminian but some of his hymns are more 'reformed' than he realized.

And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? ’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more. He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace— Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me! Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray— I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Who can surpass the 2 hymns by Issac Watts in displaying God’s glorious, marvellous, wondrous grace through the suffering and death of Christ

Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature’s sin. But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give my self away ’Tis all that I can do.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

O how much we need to agree with Luther that our God is A Mighty Fortress in times of much turmoil in our nation.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

I could go on and on. Starting a worship service with a hymn like O Worship the King as compared to some mushy contemporary praise and worship song from Down Under does makes a lot of difference I believe. Or how about Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise. At least it makes us quickly realize who is the center/focus of our worship service.

O worship the King, all glorious above,
O gratefully sing His power and His love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.

Sunday worship should be a celebration of the Triune God’s redemptive work by His redeemed community. The Father is praised, Chirst is preached and the Spirit strengthens/revives the believers and to those who are yet to believe He applies and accomplishes the work of redemption. Sunday worship is never meant to be a privatized hour of 'shiok sendiri' (enjoying oneself).

Finally this is what William Temple the famous Archbishop of Canterbury has to say about worship:

“Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.
It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness,
Nourishment of mind by His truth,
Purifying of imagination by His beauty,
Opening of the heart to His love,
And submission of will to his purpose.
And all this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of human expressions of which we are capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self centredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.”

Descending into anarchy?

No not really. According to Oxford English Dictionary, this is what anarchy means.

• "Absence of government; a state of lawlessness due to the absence or inefficiency of the supreme power; political disorder."
• "A theoretical social state in which there is no governing person or body of persons, but each individual has absolute liberty (without the implication of disorder)."
• "Absence or non-recognition of authority and order in any given sphere."

In the Bible, the last verse of the Book of Judges has this to say, 'In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.' (Judges 21:25)

Well, we still have a Government. Laws are still being enforced. However, how many people still have faith in our Government and law enforcement institutions namely the judiciary and the police. How many of us still have faith in our criminal justice system where the Attorney-General is supposed to play a major role? Events of 10 years ago and recently must have certainly eroded any faith we have in those institutions and the people who are involved. I'm not sure there is a word to describe this kind of situation. Not quite anarchy but close. People do not have respect for authority anymore.

A friend over lunch told me that he heard from sources that Anwar did commit sodomy. Now this friend of mine is no diehard supporter of UMNO or our 4th PM. In fact he contributed financially to the Opposition campaign during the last election. I still remember one of my reactions upon reading Anwar's sodomy case few Sundays ago was, 'If he really did it, nobody would believe it.' Not after what they have done to him 10 years ago. Not after how the prosecution screwed up its case and yet got the conviction.

The events of the last few days only convinced more and more people that Anwar was also set up this time. Unless he confesses, not many will believe no matter what evidence is produced against him. As mentioned earlier, people have lost confidence in the system which is supposed to administer justice but is now viewed by most as a merely a tool to perpetrate injustice.

So do I believe Anwar did it? No, not at this point of time. Hopefully I still can be objective if there are new evidences that surface. But I admit it's going to be difficult when I have absolute no confidence at all with the present criminal justice system. It's also going to be difficult when I think Anwar is the only leader that can lead us out of our present mess.

I guess at this moment, we can only humble ourselves, pray and seek God, turn from our wicked ways with the hope that God will heal this nation. (2 Chron 7:14). Above all, pray for truth to be revealed.

When even the 'F' word fails...

I just got admonished by one reader that it is completely unChristian to use the 'F' word. Read the his comment and my response here.

I'm not going to use the 'F' word against the 'botak' as he is now known in blogsphere for the event of the past few days especially yesterday. I was one of the lucky ones to work a few km away from home. But for those who were affected, I'm sure the 'F' word will be considered mild to use against him. Some were late for their CLP exams and failed to sit for the very first paper. We are talking about someone's future here. (Please read update here. At least this has been resolved)

Can you believe the blockade was ordered due to postings on 2 blogs and sms and a supposedly meeting between Pakatan top leadership to discuss the holding of demo on Monday. This has been denied and challenged by DAP leaders.

We have been told to be wary of the lies spewed by bloggers. Now it seems the Govt is taking the postings on blogs so seriously that warranted it to take such a drastic action.

Responding to the call to apologize to the named DAP leaders who were supposedly at the meeting, Botak said that he will only apologize if they talk nicely to him. What bullshit is this. You apologize if what was said was untrue and not whether people are nice to you.

I'm not sure how much was lost in economic terms the last few days. Surely the fuel increase would have compounded it. This is the BN Govt for you. I used to question the ethics of MPs jumping ship. But the way we are being governed, it may be immoral for BN MPs not to jump ship. The whole country is sinking in deep shit.

F**K You Syed Hamid Albar!

It may be uncharacteristic for a Christian to use the 'F' word. But sometimes only the 'F' word can convey the utter disgust and indignation over someone or issue. I may be using ** here but rest assured that in my mind there are no asterisks.

Please read Rocky Bru here and you''ll know why I'm so angry.

An ISA detainee who has been detained for 7 years failed make it on time to see his dying daughter. He was told that his daughter was dying after one day and it took 26 hours to release him from the time the daughter was admitted to the hospital. Another 4 hours and 45 minutes before he reached the hospital in Kajang from Kamunting. He was 3 hours 25 minutes too late. The authorities couldn't release him earlier because they need the f**king Home Minister's f**king signature.

As I mentioned before the ISA is an immoral law used by an immoral Government.

May the Lord forgive me for using the 'F' word. I'm only trying to follow the Micah Mandate.

"He has told you, O man what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)



pics (A father's heartbreak & Aina, right)

A Failing Nation or A Failed Nation?

I was talking to a old friend who is now residing in Singapore yesterday. He called me last week and asked excitedly about what is now known as the '1st SD' by Balasubramaniam, the PI. As I was attending a seminar, I didn't know what has happened and referred him to Malaysiakini or Malaysia Today. I called him yesterday and he asked me what is happening in Malaysia. From the way things seem to be heading, he was thinking of giving up his citizenship. I told him, go ahead. It was said out of utter frustration of what is happening to our beloved country after the euphoria of 08/03/08.

We are facing a crisis of confidence and credibility on a tsunamistic proportion. Very few have confidence in our leaders and institutions anymore. For the simple reason, they ain't credible. The PM has the cheek to warn bloggers about spreading lies in cyberspace. If we, bloggers are liars, then he must be the primus inter pares. There is not even a single iota of credibility left in him after Parliament was dissolved less than 24 hours after he said there will be no dissolution. And whatever happened to the IPCMC and the formation of a Commission for Judicial Appointments? So, Mr. PM, please do not preach to us about truth.

In the very first Leaders from the latest issue (July 5th -11th) of the Economist on how outdated are some global institutions, I read the following:

Supporters of Mr. McCain's League of Democracies suggest it could be like NATO - a useful democratic subcommittee in the global club. But Mr. McCain needs to define his democracies. (Will Malaysia count? How about Russia or Iran?) ....

Well, talk about perception.

I guess our journey to make this nation a great nation which was started on 10/11/07 will have to go on until we reach our destination. Along the way, we will enjoy the peaks of 08/03/08 and endure the valleys of gutter politics, racism & religious extremism.

Haris Ibrahim is spot on. We cannot afford to look away.

May God have mercy on 'tanah tumpahnya darahku.' God forbid that it should become a failed nation.

Though God may be sovereign, each of us, Anak Bangsa Malaysia has the responsibility to make Malaysia a great nation.

ISA - Abolish or Amend

Last night I attended a forum on ISA, ‘Diantara Mansuh & Pinda’(Between Abolish or Amend). The panelists were Ambiga, the Bar Council Chairlady, Tian Chua, MP for Batu, Syed Ibrahim, the chairperson of GMI (Gerakan Mansuh ISA – Abolish ISA Movement) and Norlaila Othman, wife of an ISA detainee for 6 years whose detention was extended for another 2 years a few days ago.

The program started off with the simple launching of a book written by Norlaila with 2 other ladies, ‘Dunia Tanpa Suami’ (World Without Husband).

Basically, the question posed last night was should the ISA be repealed or should it just be amended to make it more humane as advocated by some parties within the Government.

Ambiga started off with the legal background of the ISA and concluded that the ISA should be abolished as it goes against the rule of law. The very basis of ISA i.e. detention without trial is incompatible with the rule of law which requires that a person should only be deprived of his freedom after being convicted for a crime following the due process of the law. The due process of the law will require the prosecution to furnish evidence for convicting the accused and for accused to defend himself in open court. She gave the example of the Hindraf 5 where they were accused of terrorism even though not a single shred of evidence was produced. There were sufficient provisions in the Penal Code to convict a person up to 30 years for terrorist activities. Why then were they not charged?

Tian Chua gave an interesting argument for the ISA to be abolished, one that I’ve not heard before. He said the ISA and other preventive detention legislations will only perpetuate the inefficiency of our police force and hence increase the crime rate. This is because they don’t have to do any investigations before they arrest people under these preventive detention laws and from the experiences of many former ISA detainees, the purpose of their interrogation is not to elicit evidence but to break them down or turn them over. So our police will continue to have poor investigation skills. That is why sometime ago, some judges ticked the police off for their shoddy investigative work and they have no choice by to acquit some of the accuseds.

Tian Chua added that everyone knows that even though the Government has used the ISA against its political opponents, it was futile as people would continue to oppose. He being an ex-ISA detainee is a good example. So are many of the Opposition leaders today. So the ISA is also ineffective when used mala fide.

Syed Ibrahim said that basically there are 3 responses to the ISA. Abolish it. Retain it or Amend it. He showed us some of the statements made by some politicians. It was most interesting to note that Rais Yatim criticised the ISA in his doctoral thesis during his time in the Opposition but defended it when he joined back UMNO and became a Cabinet Minister. So much for academic integrity. We were also told that people were arrested under the ISA for various reasons e.g. cloning of handphones to counterfeiting moneys. Whatever the reasons, there are always sufficient provisions in our criminal legislation to convict these people if there were evidence. Evidently, the police or the Government has none.

Norlaila shared her heart rending experience as a wife of a ISA detainee. She was one tough lady and was able to control her emotions until the end despite the fact that her husband was told that his detention was extended for another two years a few days ago. There was no reason given for the extension. All her hopes of reuniting with her husband just a week ago was completed dashed. She shared how the Special Branch threatened her to stop her from her anti-ISA campaign telling her that if she persist, her husband will never be free. She said that she will continue her struggle after receiving blessings from her husband and reasoned that those wives who choose to remain silent, their husbands also were not free. So the decision to extend her husband detention cannot be due to her anti-ISA activities. The hardest part for a wife of an ISA detainee is when the children asked, ‘Where is daddy?’ or ‘When is daddy coming back?’.

All the panelist and I think everyone in the conference room agreed that the ISA has to be abolished. It can never be amended to make it more humane. As Lim Guan Eng pointed out, that is like trying to make Satan good.

Someone asked during the short Q & A time whether if Pakatan Rakyat were to come into power, they will be committed in abolishing the ISA. Tian Chua, as a representative of the PR gave the assurance that, there is no doubt that the ISA will be abolished together with other laws which are incompatible with a civil society.

Not long ago a colleague spotted me wearing the anti-ISA badge and scornfully said that he believe Anwar will never abolish the ISA if he comes into power. Well, maybe given a choice he may not want to. But after 8 March 2008, he has no choice. He wouldn’t last very long if he refuses to listen to the voice of the rakyat.

Come let us make our voice heard on 28th March 2008. Come to the anti-ISA Rally at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam. For more info, click here

An Immoral Law and An Immoral Government

Years ago I learned in jurisprudence that you can't equate law with morality. E.g. some may consider abortion and prostitution to be immoral but there are countries which have legalized them. On the other hand jaywalking may be amoral but you may be fined for so doing. Well, for someone who nearly flunked jurisprudence, I'm going to argue here that there are such laws which are immoral. Those laws are the ones which violate our basic human rights. And the consequence is not limited to the individual whose rights are violated but very often it extend to that individual's family.

Today is Father's day. Yet in our midst there are children whose fathers cannot be with them today because their rights were violated and are currently incarcerated in Kamunting. The psychological and emotional damage done to these children may be irreparable. Read the account of the wife of T Vasanthakumar, one of the Hindraf 5.

Who is responsible? The immoral Government that is keeping the immoral law in our statute book and does not intend to review it let alone abolish it. The same immoral Government which feel threatened by a group of children intending to give teddy bears to our fountain of justice, our king.

In the case of YB Manoharan, this immoral Government does not only deprives the YB's children of fatherly love, but also deprive the thousands of citizens in Kota Alam Shah of their representative. What kind of democracy is this?

As long as the ISA remains the law in this land, freedom is illusory. Freedom from fear. This immoral law not only deprives us of our right to defend ourself in an open court, but its more sinister nature is to strike fear in us. Fear in being fully human. A law that dehumanizes is not merely immoral but evil.

There is a forum this Tuesday on the ISA organized by GMI (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA) & the Bar Council's Human Rights Committee. For more info click here. I understand there is going to be rally later this month in Shah Alam also.

Many many years ago a trade that dehumanized, slavery was made illegal through the effort of one man and small group of like-minded individuals. Now I'm sure based on the turnout last week at the candlelight vigil at Kamunting, we have thousands who think the ISA should be cosigned to history. Well, I think not only the ISA but the present Government too must go.

We shall overcome!

The first thing we do, let's kill all the economists!

If you have been reading what people say about the recent fuel hike, you'll notice that most economists are in favour of the Govt's move. They feel that the eventual removal of subsidies is beneficial to us in the long term and subsidies are no longer sustainable. Though some feel the increase has been too drastic, others applauded the PM for doing a brave thing.

I wonder how many of these economists are struggling just to make ends meet even before the fuel hike. I'm sure they are affected like everybody else but I doubt they will really feel the pain. Honestly, I won't too because I hardly spend more than RM200 on petrol every month. Even then, that is being paid by my company. I may have to do away with a few luxuries if I want to maintain my current rate of saving and be financially free when I retire. But to really suffer, no. But I know a large segment of the rakyat will. A large segment which doesn't even own a car and hence will not benefit from the RM625 rebate. This is because everything else will go up.

Economic theories are only as good as the Government we get. For nearly 3 decades we have an irresponsible Govt. One that is corrupted. One that has treated the wealth of our nation as though it belongs to their grandfathers. One that is truly incompetent. Only trying to think of measures after the event. (I have very little confidence over whatever measure this incompetent Govt is going to take.) One that lied to its people. We were promised a better transportation system with the RM4 billion saved on the last fuel hike. Nothing materialized.

It's has been a while since I've been so angry. As I said earlier, not that I'm going to be adversely affected. I'm angry because I know many are going to be in dire straits whilst some who caused it will continue with their opulent lifestyle.

No wonder economics is a dismal science.

The only bright spot this dismal week was I sold my Tenaga shares after holding it for just over a month. The realized profit should be enough to cover my electricity bill for the next 6 months based on the new tariff.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering

The above is the title of today's sermon in response to the catastrophes that had happened in Myanmar and China recently. Pastor admitted that he cannot deal with it exhaustively in an hour sermon especially in relation to the theological and philosophical aspects of theodicy. However, what is more important is to elucidate the pastoral aspect of this problem. You can listen to the sermon here. Basically, how can we as a community respond to suffering faced by those within and outside the Christian community. We may never be able to provide an answer and any answer will not be adequate for those who suffered. What we have is hope. What we can give is hope. Hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (...that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures ...1 Cor 15:3,4).

The problem of evil and suffering raises the question of God's love and omnipotence. If there is a God, he is either not a loving God or not a powerful God. Otherwise, how can he allow such natural disasters to happen and bring about so much human suffering.

I've not read all those arguments on theodicy. All I know is I believe in a God who has chosen to suffer, to be humiliated and to be condemned to the most cruel death by those whom he created and by those who have been questioning his love or omnipotence. Even though, 'for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together' (Col 1:16-17), yet he willingly took upon the cup of suffering. At the cross, the One who hold all things together cried out 'My God, my God. Why has Thou forsaken me?'.

At the cross, our right to question God on evil and suffering no longer exist. Our right to question God on evil and suffering is extinguished 'when Christ the Mighty Maker died, For man the creature's sin'. (Issac Watts)

The response then in face of evil and suffering whether on a national or personal level, is for the redeemed community to walk alongside those who are suffering, offering practical assistance and the hope of the Gospel.

Edward Shillito wrote a poem called 'Jesus of the Scars' after witnessing the carnage of World War I.

Jesus of the Scars

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow;
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars we claim Thy grace.

If when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know today what wounds are; have no fear;
Show us Thy Scars; we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong, but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

May the wounds of the One who hold all things together speak to our own woundedness.