How to solve a problem, Melayu-UMNO style (and one copycat)
August 13th, 2008 gier Posted in Mentera Moden | 3 Comments »
So, those crazy lawyers, eh? What can you do. So many people had objected to them holding the open forum, which was held in their own private property with the doors closed. But they went ahead and did it.
That’s why there were 100 300 500 1000 ? protesters outside the building, shouting slogans warning the crazy lawyers against challenging Islam. Somewhere along there was also a warning against challenging “Ketuanan Melayu” and “Hak-hak Istimewa Melayu”. That the forum wasn’t titled “Conversion to Islam and Melayu[1]” was something that must have escaped the protesters completely.
The multi-party gathering was quite unique, apparently, with a report on the online comic saying that the UMNO-backed guys had colour banners and the PAS/PKR guys had photostated text only. Dunno if the UMNO-backed flers had their banners supplied by Elegant Advisory. Hah hah! Cheap shot, sorry.
Anyway, the protesters managed to get the forum stopped, in the end. Though it must be said that the UMNO-backed guy, Jais his name was apparently, managed to insult the Chinese, the Indians … and – this is unverified, may well be hearsay – the Jews … which was certainly odd since there weren’t any Jews at the forum.
In the aftermath, there were calls for the application of the ultimate solution to shutting people’s mouth in Malaysia … the Internal Security Act. The UMNO flers were asking for the head of the crazy lawyers to be sent to Kamunting. Which UMNO flers? Well, according to this report, there’s Ali Rustam, CM of Malacca; Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin, Information Chief for Puteri UMNO and Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim who is described as the “Pengerusi Sekretariat Pembelaan Rakyat” though don’t let that fool you. Azeez is that Putera UMNO dude who used to hang around the Mat Rempits, trying to reform them from “nutjobs racing around the streets in the middle of the night” to “nutjobs racing around the streets in the middle of the night who support UMNO“. Yes, that’s the one. Yes, yes, the one who went to that “health centre” in Subang to help out a mate who got caught with his pants down and arms around some Chinese tourist who overstayed.
The PKR fler, Zulkifli Nordin didn’t call for the ISA to be applied. Actually, after the forum, he didn’t call for anything at all, since he seems to have disappeared. Never mind having Zulkifli calling for anything, he himself doesn’t seem to be callable. Even the police say they’ve no idea where he is, and that he’s not ISA-ed himself.
The PAS fler, Salahuddin Ayub has also clarified that he doesn’t support the use of ISA on the head of the crazy lawyers. He also said that he was at the protest simply to “monitor” the PAS flers who were there. Sure dude, I believe you. I mean, that’s why you were talking on the microphone to the assembled crowd, eh? And standing next to that dude with the loud hailer, screaming his head orf? Yeah … sure.
So, who’s the other guy who called for the ISA to be used, then? Well, it’s a DAP guy, believe it or not. Senawang asemblyman P. Gunasekaren said that the protesters should all be sent to Kamunting. I can only assume he did it in jest, though.
The Internal Security Act … the weapon of a bully, that’s what it is.
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[1] Some wit once told me that converting to Melayu is actually quite possible and fairly easy. The Constitution says nothing about looking like a Malay, after all.
August 15th, 2008 at 10:17
Dear Mentera
It is indeed sad that many people are willing to be carried away by emotions stirred up by politicians without even taking a little time to delve into the matter and have an insight what is is all about. It is the same with the Kasim Ahmad’s hadith case. People get angry without even bothering to read what actually he had written. Or do you become a hero if you appear “defending” your religion? First of all we must realised what is it that need to be defended, if indeed there is any. We live in a multiracial society and definitely there will be intermarriages and conversion from one religion to another. How can we encouraged non-muslims to understand Islam better if we can’t even talk to them about religion? How else can we resolve issues (especially pertaining to religion) if we can’t even sit down and discuss it rationally? I completely agree with Karim Raslan (The Star Aug. 12th ‘08)
August 20th, 2008 at 15:26
Dear Mentera
Please do not stop writing! It is indeed sad that Dr. Farish won’t be writing in “the other malaysia” anymore. In my opinion there are actually not many blogs or news portal that are fair and responsible where matters of faith are concerned. There are indeed very few outlets for people to really express their feelings about religion, I mean being very frank about it There are just too many heroes with their fiery empty rhetoric and uncivilised behaviour seemingly bent on “defending” the religion, when actually they are damaging it.
Why did Farish crash anyway? Is he OK? I pray you will continue keeping mentera on!
September 4th, 2008 at 5:32
We live in a multiracial country, yet we have segregation from the very beginning of our lives.
We need to burn down all SRJK (sekolah rendah JENIS kebangsaan), SMJK, and the likes, and let our children be raised together to really achieve a true Malaysian society.
Of course, if this happens, I’d be freer to be frolicking with the Ah Mois. I havent developed taste yet for the Indian gals. But, perhaps if I have a weird craving for curry in the night, I’d know where to go.
In any case, Malaysia is still a joke, and that’s with no end in sight.
Thanks!