Recently I witnessed a seemingly acrimonious exchange of emails between 2 persons within a google group which I'm part of. None of us in the group intervened until things cooled off with the one who started it asking the other to buy him 2 glasses of teh tarik.
Whilst I think google groups or yahoo groups do facilitate communication, I doubt they can replace face to face communication over a glass of teh tarik. We are all the poorer if they do. In fact, sometimes it may lead to misunderstanding. All we can read are words. We cannot hear the tone of the voice of the sender, neither can we observe his/her body language. Often, I think because of the instantaneous nature of this mode of communication, we tend to react instantaneously too i.e. there is not much reflection when we hit the keyboard.
I still remember I used to spend almost half the day writing 5 pages letters to my friends. I've stopped doing that and I wonder how many of us still write letters to friends and family members who are away. Emails are more convenient. If that isn't enough, there is always sms. I think in time to come, biographers will find it extremely difficult to write biographies of people due to the lack or complete absence of snail mail correspondence.
Perhaps we may need to 'fast' from emails. Normally I do not check my office emails after going home and during the weekends. Maybe I should extend this to my personal emails also. The problem I foresee with an extended 'fast' will be when you break fast you will be inundated with hundreds of mails. Well, I guess that's one facet of modern living that we need to live with. Having said that, I wonder how can people live with a Blackberry? I know some people can't live without one.
Well, I think anything that we can't live without will eventually become our god, how wonderful that thing or even person may be. Pascal said, "There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus". Try filling that vacuum with something else, that's idolatry.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Should Pakatan Perak give in?
Today a friend of mine told me that he thinks Pakatan in Perak should just throw in the towel and wait for the next general election. He said this after talking to business people in Batu Gajah who feel the same way because nothing is moving due to the on going crisis. Business people are being affected as nobody dares to make any contractual commitments.
Once again, it seems the rice bowl is more important than anything else. But I'm not sure how pervasive is this view even among the business people in Perak especially among the Chinese. If it is, then it will be rather sad. Often, all the Chinese care for is to 'cari makan'. All else are secondary. From a short term perspective and especially during this trying times of global financial and economic turmoil, it would seem to be a good solution for Pakatan to give up the fight, let BN govern so that business can go on as usual.
But I think it's an illusion that business can go on as usual even Pakatan were to call it a day. This coup has opened up host of constitutional issues that cannot just be swept away and ignored. Constitutional issues do affect everyone of us. It's fallacy to think that they are only relevant to academics and lawyers. They may not have an immediate impact but they will surely impact our next generation.
Secondly, giving up will just embolden BN to continue their plans to bring down all the Pakatan state governments. I'm sure the Third Reich would have lasted much longer had not Churchill galvanised the people to fight on the beaches, to fight on landing grounds, fight on the streets and on the hills and never to surrender. No, we cannot surrender to evil.
I'm confident that Perakians will stay the course and are willing to make sacrifices to stay the course. We should read Raja Petra's article today and be encouraged that there are Malaysians who are willing to go hungry and be impoverished rather than to betray one's principles and the cause of justice
We have come a long way since March last year. There is no turning back. Let's us continue and finish the journey.
Once again, it seems the rice bowl is more important than anything else. But I'm not sure how pervasive is this view even among the business people in Perak especially among the Chinese. If it is, then it will be rather sad. Often, all the Chinese care for is to 'cari makan'. All else are secondary. From a short term perspective and especially during this trying times of global financial and economic turmoil, it would seem to be a good solution for Pakatan to give up the fight, let BN govern so that business can go on as usual.
But I think it's an illusion that business can go on as usual even Pakatan were to call it a day. This coup has opened up host of constitutional issues that cannot just be swept away and ignored. Constitutional issues do affect everyone of us. It's fallacy to think that they are only relevant to academics and lawyers. They may not have an immediate impact but they will surely impact our next generation.
Secondly, giving up will just embolden BN to continue their plans to bring down all the Pakatan state governments. I'm sure the Third Reich would have lasted much longer had not Churchill galvanised the people to fight on the beaches, to fight on landing grounds, fight on the streets and on the hills and never to surrender. No, we cannot surrender to evil.
I'm confident that Perakians will stay the course and are willing to make sacrifices to stay the course. We should read Raja Petra's article today and be encouraged that there are Malaysians who are willing to go hungry and be impoverished rather than to betray one's principles and the cause of justice
We have come a long way since March last year. There is no turning back. Let's us continue and finish the journey.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
How then shall we pray?
"First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are high in positions, that we may lead quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim 2:1-2)
"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." (1 Tim 2:8)
Do the above texts teach that we are not to get angry with our leaders but to continue to pray for them no matter how unjust and corrupt they are? That we ought to continue to pray that they will change and govern fairly and justly even when evidences suggest that they will not and cannot be changed?
I'm sure Christians in Malaysia has been praying for its leaders for many many years. We had prayer rallies every Merdeka day to pray specifically for our nation and its leaders. The standard prayer has been that God will grant our leaders the wisdom to govern. This I think is being consistent with the above text.
However, what happens when what we see and experienced is further misgovernance, corruption and oppression? Shall we continue to beg God to change the hearts of our leaders? Must we always obey the authorities since they are instituted/established by God (Romans 13)? Can we not pray for the removal of these corrupted and self-serving leaders? Can we not pray of the dismantling for institutions that oppress the common people?
I think it has been Paul's primary goal to see the spread of the gospel (1 Tim 2:4). So, I wouldn't think he will ask the Christians openly to pray for the removal of the Roman Empire despite its corruption. More so, in the early years, the Roman authorities seem to be ambivalent towards Christianity. Paul would not have wanted to invite the wrath of the Roman Empire which will cause the spread of the gospel to be impeded.
I also think 1 Tim 2:1-2 and 1 Tim 2:8 shouldn't be read together to mean that we should never be angry with those in authority, otherwise it will be difficult to pray for them. The phrase 'pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarelling' (ESV) perhaps envisage the reverse situation in Matt 5:23-24. We shouldn't be angry or have a quarrel/dispute with someone (in particular our Christian brothers/sisters) when we pray. It is something personal between me and that person. It has nothing to do with being angry with injustices that we see being perpetrated by those in authority.
Francis Schaeffer says, "God has ordained the state as a delegated authority; it is not autonomous. The state is an agent of justice, to restrain evil by punishing the wrongdoer, and protect the good of soceity. When it does the reverse, it has no proper authority. It is than a usurped authority and as such it becomes lawless and is a tyranny."(emphasis, author) (A Christian Manifesto). He went on to say that at certain point there is not a right, but the duty, to disobey the state.
If we are not angry when we see injustices, then I think we haven't fully grasped the character of God as revealed to us in the Scriptures. So I believe it is absolutely legitimate to be angry with tyranny and pray for its removal. Malaysia is descending into lawlessness and tyranny unless there is divine intervention.
After reading Zaid Ibrahim's plea to the King this afternoon, I think I know how to pray. I will pray for the King to be given the wisdom and courage in making the appointment of the next PM. This power is vested in him by our Constitution. May God guide him to exercise this power for the sake of the people in Malaysia without fear or favour.
Zaid ended his speech by saying this and I quote.
"I am fighting the temptation to give up for one simple reason: Malaysia and all it represents. This is a blessed country, a country too valuable for us to turn our backs on."
Amen. Let us pray.
(Updated/Note: This post came about after reading a comment made by someone who teaches NT in a seminary, "that we should remain calm as Paul says "We pray for kings and those in authority without anger or clamouring (1 Tim 2) (Note that prayer for the king etc and anger is separated by 6 verses, yet in his comment it's taken together) and if we are angry with our leaders then it's hard to pray for them." This was made in response to my litany of complaints against the present regime in his blog. I'm not providing a link to his blog as I've no permission to do so and so far he has not responded to my counter response)
"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." (1 Tim 2:8)
Do the above texts teach that we are not to get angry with our leaders but to continue to pray for them no matter how unjust and corrupt they are? That we ought to continue to pray that they will change and govern fairly and justly even when evidences suggest that they will not and cannot be changed?
I'm sure Christians in Malaysia has been praying for its leaders for many many years. We had prayer rallies every Merdeka day to pray specifically for our nation and its leaders. The standard prayer has been that God will grant our leaders the wisdom to govern. This I think is being consistent with the above text.
However, what happens when what we see and experienced is further misgovernance, corruption and oppression? Shall we continue to beg God to change the hearts of our leaders? Must we always obey the authorities since they are instituted/established by God (Romans 13)? Can we not pray for the removal of these corrupted and self-serving leaders? Can we not pray of the dismantling for institutions that oppress the common people?
I think it has been Paul's primary goal to see the spread of the gospel (1 Tim 2:4). So, I wouldn't think he will ask the Christians openly to pray for the removal of the Roman Empire despite its corruption. More so, in the early years, the Roman authorities seem to be ambivalent towards Christianity. Paul would not have wanted to invite the wrath of the Roman Empire which will cause the spread of the gospel to be impeded.
I also think 1 Tim 2:1-2 and 1 Tim 2:8 shouldn't be read together to mean that we should never be angry with those in authority, otherwise it will be difficult to pray for them. The phrase 'pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarelling' (ESV) perhaps envisage the reverse situation in Matt 5:23-24. We shouldn't be angry or have a quarrel/dispute with someone (in particular our Christian brothers/sisters) when we pray. It is something personal between me and that person. It has nothing to do with being angry with injustices that we see being perpetrated by those in authority.
Francis Schaeffer says, "God has ordained the state as a delegated authority; it is not autonomous. The state is an agent of justice, to restrain evil by punishing the wrongdoer, and protect the good of soceity. When it does the reverse, it has no proper authority. It is than a usurped authority and as such it becomes lawless and is a tyranny."(emphasis, author) (A Christian Manifesto). He went on to say that at certain point there is not a right, but the duty, to disobey the state.
If we are not angry when we see injustices, then I think we haven't fully grasped the character of God as revealed to us in the Scriptures. So I believe it is absolutely legitimate to be angry with tyranny and pray for its removal. Malaysia is descending into lawlessness and tyranny unless there is divine intervention.
After reading Zaid Ibrahim's plea to the King this afternoon, I think I know how to pray. I will pray for the King to be given the wisdom and courage in making the appointment of the next PM. This power is vested in him by our Constitution. May God guide him to exercise this power for the sake of the people in Malaysia without fear or favour.
Zaid ended his speech by saying this and I quote.
"I am fighting the temptation to give up for one simple reason: Malaysia and all it represents. This is a blessed country, a country too valuable for us to turn our backs on."
Amen. Let us pray.
(Updated/Note: This post came about after reading a comment made by someone who teaches NT in a seminary, "that we should remain calm as Paul says "We pray for kings and those in authority without anger or clamouring (1 Tim 2) (Note that prayer for the king etc and anger is separated by 6 verses, yet in his comment it's taken together) and if we are angry with our leaders then it's hard to pray for them." This was made in response to my litany of complaints against the present regime in his blog. I'm not providing a link to his blog as I've no permission to do so and so far he has not responded to my counter response)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
PERAK - A Democracy Smashed, Desecrated and Removed
(Source of Photo : Lim Kit Siang's blog)It's now complete. First they smashed the plaque. Then they desecrated it with black tar. Now it has been removed. Isn't this what they are trying to do to democracy in Perak. Smash it, desecrate it and remove it.
But the spirit of democracy is much alive in the hearts of every Perakian. It doesn't matter if the plaque is gone or even if the tree is gone. These symbols have forever being etched in our minds. The enemies of democracy shall bear the full extent of the wrath of the rakyat.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
PERAK - A Shattered Democracy
(Source of Photos: GoMalaysian)I hope the Pakatan fellas in Perak will leave the shattered and now defaced marble plaque in front of the Tree of Democracy alone. Replacing it with another one will be a futile effort. It will be vandalized in no time. Leave it for posterity to see how democracy in Perak like the the marble plaque has been shattered to pieces and the rights of Perakians like the same plaque are being obliterated.
We can build a monument there after Pakatan retook Perak. For the time being just let it be. I think it's a powerful symbol just like the tree.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
One Year - Come On and Celebrate
It has been a year since Malaysians went to vote and delivered the most crushing blow to BN in the General Election. The euphoria was continued in the Permatang Pauh and Kuala Trengganu by-election. But following KT, this was dampened when Pakatan lost the Perak government to BN through the defection of 3 ADUNs precipating a constituional crisis and is becoming murkier by the day. This latest episode only confirms that the BN governmnent is beyond reform.
As I wrote in my previous post, we are witnessing a failure in our institutions of governance from the police to the judiciary, from the anti corruption agency to the election commision. The doctrine of separation of powers has become a fiction. These all are happening in the face of global economic and financial meltdown. Like a tsunami, all is calm until it hits the shores. And hit the shores, it will and we will be caught wondering why the water has receded.
Though the picture doesn't look pretty, it is still important for us to celebrate. Some may yearn for the good old days of Dr. M but for the majority there is no turning back. The political tsunami one year ago has changed the political landscape. It will never be the same again. What then is there to celebrate?
Celebrate the political maturity of the rakyat.
Celebrate the unshackling of the chain of political patronage.
Celebrate the unity of the 3 major races in the country, Malay, Chinese and Indians for a common purpose in rejecting racial politics.
Celebrate our desire for justice for all.
Come on and Celebrate.
As I wrote in my previous post, we are witnessing a failure in our institutions of governance from the police to the judiciary, from the anti corruption agency to the election commision. The doctrine of separation of powers has become a fiction. These all are happening in the face of global economic and financial meltdown. Like a tsunami, all is calm until it hits the shores. And hit the shores, it will and we will be caught wondering why the water has receded.
Though the picture doesn't look pretty, it is still important for us to celebrate. Some may yearn for the good old days of Dr. M but for the majority there is no turning back. The political tsunami one year ago has changed the political landscape. It will never be the same again. What then is there to celebrate?
Celebrate the political maturity of the rakyat.
Celebrate the unshackling of the chain of political patronage.
Celebrate the unity of the 3 major races in the country, Malay, Chinese and Indians for a common purpose in rejecting racial politics.
Celebrate our desire for justice for all.
Come on and Celebrate.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Institutional Failure
When I first read about the 2nd post-mortem report on Kugan, a surge of anger just overwhelmed me. All along we suspected he was beaten to death in police custody. But when one read the details of those injuries that were inflicted on Kugan, you must be wondering whether those responsible are humans. I have to conclude that they are not. Neither are their bosses, the IGP and CPO of Selangor.
PDRM is no longer a functioning law enforcement institution. I think it ceased to become one much earlier when the ex-IGP Rahim Noor nearly whacked the life out of Anwar Ibrahim. It has now become a political tool of the UNMO led government and to some extent a legalized gangster outfit. Of course, I believe there are still God fearing and righteous policemen and women in PDRM who will now carry on their duties in shame.
PDRM is not the only institution that has failed. We are witnessing a systemic institutional failure of governance in the country. The judiciary has also failed. We had judgments that are so wrong and any lay person can even agree that it was wrong. How can you force a litigant to engage a lawyer who is acting for the other side? That is what it amounts to when the Judicial Commisioner decides that the Perak Speaker can only be represented by the State Legal Advisor who is already representing the illegal MB of Perak and who is the one suing the Speaker. It just boogles the mind. Tommy Thomas is right to ask to be excused from the judge's chambers the other day. This learned lawyer must have felt totally disgusted and can't stand another minute in such chamber of injustice.
Then, we have the MACC, the anti corruption agency which is now being used to harass politicians on the opposite side. The Election Commission, the civil service ......The army? When the crunch comes, I wonder whether they will listen to their Commander-in-Chief? I hope RPK is not wrong.
PDRM is no longer a functioning law enforcement institution. I think it ceased to become one much earlier when the ex-IGP Rahim Noor nearly whacked the life out of Anwar Ibrahim. It has now become a political tool of the UNMO led government and to some extent a legalized gangster outfit. Of course, I believe there are still God fearing and righteous policemen and women in PDRM who will now carry on their duties in shame.
PDRM is not the only institution that has failed. We are witnessing a systemic institutional failure of governance in the country. The judiciary has also failed. We had judgments that are so wrong and any lay person can even agree that it was wrong. How can you force a litigant to engage a lawyer who is acting for the other side? That is what it amounts to when the Judicial Commisioner decides that the Perak Speaker can only be represented by the State Legal Advisor who is already representing the illegal MB of Perak and who is the one suing the Speaker. It just boogles the mind. Tommy Thomas is right to ask to be excused from the judge's chambers the other day. This learned lawyer must have felt totally disgusted and can't stand another minute in such chamber of injustice.
Then, we have the MACC, the anti corruption agency which is now being used to harass politicians on the opposite side. The Election Commission, the civil service ......The army? When the crunch comes, I wonder whether they will listen to their Commander-in-Chief? I hope RPK is not wrong.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What is there to say anymore?
Under a tree, assembly votes for fresh polls
Speaker's lawyers removed
Court declares assembly illegal
The 3 above reports taken from the Malaysian Insider just show how low our country has sank. Nearly all our institutions have become the tools of the UMNO led government to use to cling on to powers.
I'm sure the 'Pokok Demokrasi' was weeping silently this morning even as our valiant assemblymen from Pakatan Rakyat stood beneath her to discharge their duties.
Yes. What is there to say anymore?
Speaker's lawyers removed
Court declares assembly illegal
The 3 above reports taken from the Malaysian Insider just show how low our country has sank. Nearly all our institutions have become the tools of the UMNO led government to use to cling on to powers.
I'm sure the 'Pokok Demokrasi' was weeping silently this morning even as our valiant assemblymen from Pakatan Rakyat stood beneath her to discharge their duties.
Yes. What is there to say anymore?
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