What!!!! Even golf memberships are priced according to race??

A photograph of a membership price list for one of the country’s most prestigious golf clubs that apparently charged by race triggered an outcry on Facebook, with many condemning the different rates for the different races.

This comes after a race controversy erupted over the ownership of bread companies Gardenia and Massimo, reflecting the dire state of affairs in Malaysia where race remains a smouldering issue that permeates many facets of life.

A picture purportedly of Subang National Golf Club (Kelab Golf Negara Subang — KGNS) membership prices surfaced on Facebook yesterday, showing rates of RM35,000-RM65,000 for Malays, RM45,000-RM80,000 for Chinese, RM60,000-RM80,000 for Indians and RM40,000-RM50,000 for “Others”.

Reactions to the photo, which was posted on Facebook community page “Malaysia”, ranged from disgust to defensive.

“Apa nie??? Racist nye! (What is this? How racist!),” said Wan Hairina Ayin.

“In Singapore, I am a Malaysian. In US, I am a Malaysian. In Australia, I am in Malaysian. But in Malaysia, I am belong to the group OTHERS...” said one Frisca Freddy.

“Malaysia and Spore is the only country that allow companies to advertise ....preferably chinese, or malay or indian...so am not surprised of this la...,” said Julian Maria Intachat.

Some respondents, who appeared possibly to be foreigners, chose to respond with humour.

“So many forms in Malaysia ask ‘Race?’ I simply write ‘human’ no one has ever questioned this” said Chris Frankland.

When contacted, KGNS president Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas said the notice in the picture was put out by a finance company and had nothing to do with the club.

He said that while KGNS had long practised racial quotas to ensure a good mix of races in its membership, it had never mandated the prices at which memberships could be sold.

Megat Najmuddin said that due to the race quotas, a member can only sell his or her membership to a person of the same race but at any price they wished and the rates in the notice could be reflective of supply and demand among the different racial groups.

He stressed however that the prices that appeared in the notice were just “indicative” and that the club’s philosophy of imposing race quotas was a noble one and not sinister.

“We are the most multi-racial club in Malaysia,” he told The Malaysian Insider. “If you go to other clubs you see it dominated by one race or the other.”

Megat Najmuddin, who also sits on the Umno disciplinary committee, said it was sad that in Malaysia it was getting rare to find the different races mixing together.

“In KGNS, you have all the races mixing together,” he said.

Megat Najmuddin said KGNS is ‘the most multi-racial club in Malaysia.’

The KGNS president said there have been no cases of members being unable to find a buyer for membership from his or her own race.

“This race quota policy has been a cornerstone of the club and no member has ever asked for it to be removed,” he said.

KGNS, the only club in Malaysia incorporated by an Act of Parliament, limits Malays to 45 per cent of its membership, Chinese to 35 per cent and Indians and others to 20 per cent.

When contacted, “Zainah”, one of the names listed on the notice, immediately started denying having anything to do with the notice.

Calls to the rest of the numbers listed on the notice were not picked up or returned.

Megat Najmuddin said he did not know the finance company behind the notice but criticised the photo as “mischievous” for making it look like it was the club that had issued it.

Race often remains a source of tension when it comes to official matters, although Malaysians of various ethnicities get along well in their daily interactions with much visible racial harmony.

Thanks to affirmative action policies, Malays and other Bumiputeras are given privileges such as easier access to government contracts, funding, licences, scholarships, educational institutions and housing in an effort to narrow economic disparities between the racial groups.

Proponents of this approach, such as former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, maintain that without such aggressive affirmative action the country would descend into chaos.

Critics of the country’s race-based policies however say that it has been hijacked and abused by an elite minority and was also damaging the country’s competitiveness, with most recently University of Malaya Vice-Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon being quoted in the Malay Mail as saying that race quotas should end for the sake of education standards.

The Najib administration has apparently begun to address some of the weakness in the race-based approach, admitting that some of the past practices were too “blunt” to be effective.

The prime minister also introduced his hallmark 1 Malaysia campaign to unite the country although many maintain that the country is united by default and political parties are the source of problems.

“The more valid question is what happened to 1 Malaysia. Looks like 4 Malaysia to me,” said Chong Kok Shyong in response to the photo which was also posted on the Facebook page “1,000,000 Chinese dont want MCA to represent the Chinese”.

[Source: The MI]


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I wonder why they have to price the fees for the Indians so high.  Common sense will tell you that this will certainly deter the Indians from joining the Club, or is there something sinister at work. The Club management must have an allergy for Indians.  Oh, I forgot.  This Club has something to do with UMNO, read Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas.

Our King and Queen at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

I wonder whether Najib has instructed his Foreign Affairs Ministry, or the Malaysian High Commission in London to inform the UK government that there should be no display of crosses or crucifixes, nor the singing of Christian hymns due to the presence of their Majesties. It is a great surprise that people like Ibrahim Ali, Yusri Mohamed of PEMBELA and the enlightened Mufti of Perak did not make an issue out of this event. Food for thought, though.

You think hip hop is only for the young? These grannies show you otherwise

Out with Tai-Chi and Qi Qung. Hip Hop is in!

This is the most sought-after man in China today

He is the most sought-fter man in China today and is gaining popularity among the Chinese netizens for his looks and fashion. Read more about him here.

Goodbye Pudu Prison

During my younger days, I often passed the Pudu Prison on my way to the city centre to shop or watch a movie or simply to lepak with my friends at snack bars like Rendezvous or Oasis. As I passed the prison, I can't help but notice that, especially in the mornings, there would be a line of prisoners or inmates, on 'patrol', walking down the path outside the prison walls, flanked by two prison guards, one in front and one at the back on their way to attend to their morning chores. The inmates could be seen carrying brooms, sickles and rattan baskets. The policemen, during those days, wore khaki colored uniforms with the pants three quarter long and the 'fez' looking hat.

The building did not mean much to me except that I was told by my dad that if I did anything 'naughty', that was where I would be spending time in order for me to repent. It was only when the news came that the building would be demolished that a sense of nostalgia sank in. The question I have been asking since then was, why the need to demolish? Now, earlier, we were told that there weren't enough rooms to house the inmates so there was a need to relocate it to Kajang. Next thing, I heard it was to make way for development. Another reason was, it would be an eyesore to have a prison block right in the city centre. So I am wondering which is which?

Anyway the die is cast and the prison is now being ripped apart from top to bottom. When the MP for Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun (DAP) asked why the building is not being retained as part of Malaysia's heritage, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussain (UMNO-BN) replied: "To our opinion, it's not something to be proud of." What a cock-eyed reply. Of course, Pudu Prison or for that matter, any prison is nothing to be proud of. But in the case of Pudu Prison, it can be treated part of our heritage and can be renovated into a touristic site. Let's take a look at some other countries:

1. The Bastille in France. Today, France celebrates Bastille Day on every July 14 to commemorate the founding of the replublic.

2. Alcatraz in the States. Founded in 1934 and is a tourist attraction today. The prison have played host to criminals like Al Capone.

3. The Tower of London. Founded by Richard the Lion Heart (1189-1199) and has undergone many changes since then.

Our Pudu Prison qualifies to be among these greats for it was built in 1895. You take away the prison, you take away our history, or is UMNO trying to portray it's so-called righteousness again?

A prominent feature of the prison is the mural painting on its outer walls done by former inmate, Khong Yen Chong, in the 1980s. Stretching out to more than 260m long, the mural used up nearly 2,000 litres of paint. The painting earned Khong the Guiness Stout Effort Award for "outstanding achievement in his world record work of art."

Now this is what I call a slap on the face for Mahathir

Recently, Mahathir made a remark that Singapore Malays "kow tow" to the Chinese in their country. The response from the Singapore Malays was fast and furious. To have a better view of the press cutting below, just click on the image to enlarge.

What the Malays said is quite true as they feel that the Malaysian Malays just don't measure up to them. They are intelligent, articulate and have the air of confidence in them. I guess the truth hurts sometimes. This is what happens when you practise mediocrity instead of meritocracy. To the UMNO leaders, please, mind your own business. Don't go around poking your nose where it doesn't belong. Surely, you will not want another embarrassing rebuttal from your cousins down under again.

Torture for beer drinkers

During the recent U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman painted a picture of Malaysia that many like to see -- a multiethnic mosaic of religions, races and beliefs. "The Malaysian government has introduced the One Malaysia concept," Aman said. "It aims at fostering appreciation and respect for all races, seeing diversity as a source of strength. It envisages unity that arises from true acceptance instead of mere tolerance."

Yet the same day that Aman extolled the virtues of one Malaysia for all, a judge's ruling back home conveyed an image of the Southeast Asian nation with a two-track justice system that unfairly punishes Muslims.

The chief Islamic law judge of the eastern state of Pahang upheld a religious court's verdict to cane a Muslim woman for drinking beer. There is debate here over whether the state law under which Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was convicted and sentenced violates provisions of federal law. The question underscores the challenge that individual state governments -- which have sole authority over Islamic issues -- pose to the federal government, and the fairness of a legal system that applies only to Muslims, whose personal offenses are tried under "sharia," or religious, law.

After Kartika, 32, pleaded guilty to drinking, the sentencing judge threatened to jail her for three years if she didn't pay a fine of $1,400. Kartika paid the fine and came close to being caned in August before an uproar in the media and among rights activists earned her a temporary reprieve. She would be the first Muslim woman to be caned in Malaysia if the sentence is carried out.

Kartika's case is just one example of the increasing harshness of Malaysia's separate justice system for Muslims, who make up about 60 percent of the population. Last month an Islamic court sentenced an unmarried couple to caning for trying to have sex in a car. An Islamic court in another state ordered an Indonesian Muslim man to be whipped six times and jailed a year for drinking liquor at a restaurant.

Ten of Malaysia's 13 states impose fines on Muslims who are caught drinking alcohol -- though the Muslim holy book, the Koran, does not stipulate a punishment for this transgression -- while three states have recently ordered caning. Such punishments apply only to Muslims; non-Muslims must abide only by civil laws, so they are free to drink or engage in other behavior forbidden under Islam.

This dual system of justice amounts to state interference in Muslims' private lives. State efforts to "protect" Muslims from sin include a government attempt to ban Muslims from a rock concert because it was sponsored by a beer company. (The government eventually backed down.)

Although Malaysia has long prided itself on being a role model of a "moderate" majority-Muslim nation, politicians have taken to brandishing their conservative and punishment-focused Islamic credentials to attract the votes of Muslims drawn to "purer" leaders. Many Muslims are afraid to challenge the Islamists for fear of being labeled as anti-Islamic or ignorant of Islamic tenets. "This is definitely not the Malaysia I grew up in, which was far more relaxed and tolerant. This has really been a political development over the last decade or so where political parties have used Islam in order to win the Muslim vote," Marina Mahathir, a writer and a blogger, told me by e-mail.

And contrary to the One Malaysia theme, the politicization of religion has even led to hostility against non-Muslims. In late August, for example, a group of Muslims paraded the severed head of a cow, the most sacred animal in Hinduism, to protest the construction of a Hindu temple. A Malaysian civil court charged 12 protesters with criminal offenses.

Hamidah Marican, executive director of the group Sisters in Islam, whose request for a review of Kartika's sentencing was recently rejected, seeks to challenge the image Malaysian officials present of a tolerant country. Harsh punishments such as caning, she says, actually violate Islamic principles.

"Islam is compassionate. There are 107 verses in the Quran that talk of forgiveness," Marican said. "Personal sins are between you and God, not for man to judge. Sharia laws are in fact often the result of juristic activity involving human beings; hence they're fallible."

Malaysia plans to again seek a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council next year, but members of the council should know that caning is a humiliating punishment that violates international conventions against torture, to which Malaysia is a signatory.

The Malaysian government must acknowledge that interfering in people's private lives and sentences such as caning are the antithesis of a "moderate" Muslim state. Malaysia must make clear what kind of country it wants to be. Is it the nation of the splendid Kuala Lumpur skyline, blending the traditions of its mosques and temples with the modernity of the dazzling Petronas Towers? Or is it a judgmental, moralistic nation that obsesses over the private lives of its citizens?

[Mona Eltahawy is an Egyptian-born writer and lecturer on Arab and Muslim issues. ]

While on the beer topic, here is a letter from a Malaysiakini reader, "Chanting Yes", rationalising the issue why it is impossible for a ban to be imposed.

I refer to the letter Hasan Ali 'a beacon of light for Islam'. Politics aside, I would like to express my concerns 'openly and uninhibitedly' - as the writer suggested, on a few points raised in his letter.

The recent charade about the sale of canned and bottled beer in Shah Alam is telling in many ways. I can still recall a series of pictures of Chinese PAS supporters drinking canned beer and posing before the press at their operations centre in Terengganu. It was the height of the 2004 general elections, and subsequent criticisms of the matter were duly reported in the New Straits Times.

I suppose there is a difference in behaviour during courtship and after.

In Malaysia, retailers are required to obtain a license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages. However, a license is not required for beer sold in bottles and cans. The liquor license in Malaysia is subjected to a myriad of laws and regulations, differing in degrees by the awarding local authorities and all kinds of considerations are made prior to its issue. However, there is an existing procedure.

If Hasan Ali is keen to regulate the sale of canned and bottled beer, he should call for the regulation of such goods under the liquor license (or motion for a new license). It is immature of our politicians to frame it as a religious and cultural tussle, when no such conflict exists.

If our argument is on the easy access to intoxicating beverages like beer near residential areas, then a restriction on sales through licensing is the answer. Why make arguments along a divisive path of religious sensitivities - thus pitting the Muslims against the non-Muslims?

Malaysia is still a civil society built on the foundations of a constitution. There wil no end to the demarcation of public spaces if we are to accommodate everyone's 'sensitivities'. It will end up with mob rule, where the majority will impose their supposed 'right' where and when they can. Already, commentators the writer saying that Hasan Ali is right to call for an alcohol ban for Muslims.

I am totally confused - aren't alcoholic beverages already off-limits to Muslims in Malaysia? I thought Muslims will only consume products with a 'halal' certification in this country. So why are non-Muslims punished for Muslims who fail to uphold their Islamic principles?

It is thus interesting for the writer to come charging about the non-Muslims' failure to understand Islamic principles. Sure, we know that alcoholic beverages are not only 'haram' for consumption, but every Muslim involved along the production and distribution of the product is committing a sin.

In that case, the writer should recommend that no Muslim should be allowed to work on such products, from advertising to sales, and any tax collected should be reinvested only for non- Muslim interests.

You see, there are people making a living from both cigarettes and liquor. Some of them also actually enjoy wine, beer and vodka. Claiming that 'alcohol-drinking is the mother of all evil and vices', and adding that 'this is a fact', would surely persuade a lot of alcohol-consuming Malaysians to change their ways.

I don't drink, my grandfather does. He enjoys the occasional rice wine, although we do worry about his liver at his age - he is in his eighties. If Muslims want non-Muslims to respect Islam, they should show some of the same. In the writer's case, insults and logical fallacies won't get you very far.

I think many right-thinking Malaysian citizens agree that we need to regulate gambling, drinking and smoking. There is a reason why they are dubbed 'sin taxes'. There is a lot of justification for the regulation of beer sales and I know many countries regulate drinking hours and venues.

But instead of making rational and logical arguments on the basis of the common good, our politicians are only quick to seize on regressive arguments, appealing to the audience by their religion and race. Rational citizens must not only resist to respond in kind and allow such individuals to dictate the basis of an argument, but we should also understand the underlying issues at stake.

Any talk of banning alcoholic beverages in our country is doomed to fail. What we can do is regulate it, just like how we should regulate gambling and smoking. If we cannot control the demand, at least we can tighten the supply. At the same time, we must be strict in our enforcement, and keep a look out for black market activities that might come in to fill the void.

I welcome proper rules and regulations that will control the sales of alcohol and tobacco (including Lotto tickets) in the form of licenses, but I forbid any decision to award such licenses by ethnic ratio alone. A

s a rule, all sales of alcohol and tobacco should be limited to licensed restaurants/pubs (limited quantity and hours of sale), convenience stores (in limited number and away from residential areas, places of worship, schools and hospitals, just to name a few) and other specialised stores.

Existing prohibition to sell alcoholic beverages to Muslims and cigarettes to underage buyers should be enforced more thoroughly instead of taking the products off the shelves of law-abiding licensed operators and cutting off their revenue stream.

The instruments of the law is there for a reason. Nobody is above the law, and unless Hasan Ali and his colleagues in office have made the necessary amendments to the rules and regulations, seizures of beer stocks from local convenience stores remains illegal.

I know some operators have voluntarily removed such products from their shelves in certain areas, but that is made out of Pakatan Rakyat politeness, if not outright intimidation. I know some policymakers are already keen to regulate the sale of condoms to curb illicit sexual activities, but I suspect we need to weigh the risks and benefits before doing something that silly.

Stop selling a cigarette and that's one less being smoked, stop selling a condom... well, let's just say mankind have a long history of sex prior to the invention of polyurethane sheath.

I would say that gambling, smoking and drinking are the concern ot all Malaysians and not just the Muslims. The sooner we can get on the same page to regulate such behaviour, all the better. On gambling and drinking, the solution seems straightforward for the Muslims, via restricted sales and prosecuted public consumption.

I wish we can just ban all three like chewing gum in Singapore, but there are arguments that one has the right to gamble, smoke and drink to your own folly in this country, just like how people actually have the right to be stupid. The only thing we can do then is damage control.

And a quick note on Hasan Ali being the 'beacon of light for Islam in a world that has succumbed to corruption and immorality' - lets' just say that I feel sorry for the man to have to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. May he be bright always.

So, can "Allah" now be used?

I was very encouraged when I read the news the McCurry won the case against McDonald's who claimed that the former had infringed on the trademark using the word "Mc". This was reported by Bernama on one of the contentions by the defendants, "During the court hearings, McCurry contended that McDonald's could not claim monopoly or exclusive rights to the use of "Mc" as that prefix was extensively used around the world as surnames, particularly by people of Scottish origin." So if this is the case, can the Catholic Church now use the word "Allah" since it is being used by Christian Arabs and Indonesians in their prayers?

We can have it now rephrased as "The Catholic Church contended that the Malaysian Government could not claim monopoly or exclusive rights to the use of "Allah" as that word was extensively used by Christian Arabs and Indonesians, particularly by people of the Catholic faith."

Any learned friends out there who can enlighten us on this?

Rocket United Cafe, Petaling Jaya

The next time you are planning to eat out, why not do lunch or dinner at this cafe?

The entrance to the cafe

A large "Jom Ubah" poster on the wall

DAP souvenir items for sale

Patrons having their meal. Must be DAP supporters.

Cover of the menu

Wonderful! For the coffee addicts, there are 10 types of coffee listed on the menu

Pictures on the last page of the menu

Mushroom soup with toast

Seafood tomyam rice

Malacca hot coffee for only RM3.90

Sago with gula melaka

The cafe is located at Jalan SS2/63 (same row as Maybank) and has WIFI facilities to boot!

So come on you guys. Let's give them our support!

Singapore down, Malaysia upped petrol prices? What the *******

AFTER returning to the pre-crisis level of $2 a litre two weeks ago, pump prices fell yesterday on the back of last week's substantial drop in crude oil prices.

The correction of six cents a litre across the board was the single biggest reduction here this year.

Caltex, Shell and SPC made the cut in the morning, while ExxonMobil - which has the biggest retail network here - did so just before 1pm.

With the adjustment, a litre of 98-, 95- and 92-octane petrol now retails at $1.92, $1.787 and $1.737 respectively. Diesel now costs $1.263 a litre.

All the rates are before discount.

After testing 10-month highs of around US$74 a barrel, the commodity slid back to end last week at around US$68 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Some analysts attributed this to worrying jobless figures in major economies. In Europe, the jobless rate rose to 9.5 per cent in July, from 9.4 per cent in June - a 10-year high for the 16 countries which use the euro.

But energy news portal EnergyAsia. com editor Ng Weng Hoong said the price movements have little to do with fundamentals. 'Funds move in, funds move out...I wouldn't put too much significance on the price movements.' Having said that, he noted that real demand for oil could go up next year.

[Straits Times
Singapore]

Najib's One Malaysia

Click on image to enlarge.

The offensive videos as deemed by the MCMC

This is the letter from the MCMC which wanted Malaysiakini to remove the two offensive videos on the news portal. I am heartened by the fact that the editor-in-chief, Steven Gan, stood his ground on the matter. Please click on the image to enlarge.

These are the two videos that the MCMC wanted removed.

A dialogue between the Selangor state government and residents of section 23 Shah Alam took place on Saturday, September 5 2009 but it turned out to be a fiasco as some of the residents decided to take matters into their own hands right from the beginning without even allowing the meeting to be properly convened. There were these two persons (one with long hair/pony tail and the other, a bald/crew cut) as can be observed from the video who shouted profanities and other abuses at the panel. From the looks of it, they just would not allow the meeting to get underway. I am glad the panel slogged on and thanks to Tan Sri Khalid and YB Khalid Samad for keeping a cool head over the proceedings. Right from the beginning, these fellows did not come with a mind to have a meaningful dialogue with the state government. The whole thing was pre-meditate with the intention to disrupt the meeting. Period.

I was even shocked to learn from Lucia's Mental Jog that one of the guys even called ADUN Rodziah a "whore" and said: "I will rape you now!" No matter what the grievances are, this has certainly crossed the line, a Muslim saying such things during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

From a Malay living with Buddhist and Hindu temples

I grew up accustomed to Chinese drums and Hindu temple bells and the experience made me a Muslim who loves the Quran more than any other book in the world.

Let me tell you why …

GROWING UP IN FETTES PARK, PENANG

I grew up at Fettes Park Penang, Evergreen Road to be exact.

From Fettes Road turning into Evergreen Road, you will need to battle a short slope uphill where we kids would need to paddle standing up while riding our bicycles and where many ladies would jump off to push theirs till the road flattens 10 meters ahead – about 100 meters later you will pass my house, house number 14.

There is an empty space almost triangular in shape where the two roads meet. At the centre of that empty land stood a large tall leafy bee infested tree with red colored nuts sprouting from the branches. On one side of the empty land was a row of shop-houses.

THE PIECE OF LAND CALLED BOB AGENCY

On its corner lot wall the words NEW BOB AGENCY in red bold capital letters greeted the Fettes Park community for many years. So we call that little corner piece of land - Bob Agency.

Across the road to Bob Agency stood two temples; one Chinese and the other a Hindu one.

Bob Agency for the better part of the year was left empty but the piece of land comes alive twice a year when the Chinese temple organize Chinese Operas ( Teng Lang Kho Tai) especially during the Hungry Ghost Festivals. Usually the first two days it would be the Chinese Opera (we use to call it Tong Tong Tong Cheng! Show)and followed by a second two days of modern bands belting the latest Chinese numbers and some popular western songs (I love it when the emcee announced something like “ Andy Gibb chang terk, Shallow Lancing!” ).

DONATING TO "TOK KONG"

Each year the temple committee, both Hindu and Chinese will go house to house to request donation either for the upkeep, repair and temple improvement or for projects like the Hungry Ghost festivals or Thaipusam.

Each time my Mom will ask me to tell them politely that as Muslims we CANNOT donate to a ‘To Kong’. (Besides, we actually did not have any extra cash anyway! Ha!ha!)

They too were polite and understanding and just moved away wishing me thank you regardless.

I did not question my mom’s reasoning as I took it as true; not until 1977 when the Penang State Government was building the Penang State Mosque. I was 13.

It was announced that Loh Boon Siew the bigTau Keh of Penang donated RM 1 Million to thebuilding of the state MOSQUE.

But wait a minute.

We cannot give but we can take? That does not sound right and downright unfair. My mom had no answers so; I had to bring it up during agama class in school.

After all, it will not be the first time I was asked to leave the class anyway- so what’s another period of wondering around the school (my eldest sister was not allowed to be in agama class at all during certain years in her school life !!!).

Honestly, I was not a bad boy. In fact I won the agama prize for being top in school twice. But I had questions that needed real solid answers. And, I do not give up easily!

GETTING ANSWERS FROM AGAMA CLASS IN SCHOOL

Poor Ustazah.

I asked her if I could donate to temples. Her answer was a firm ‘No’.

We can’t give but we can accept? I told her that my religion sounds UNFAIR and I CANNOT accept her answer as my Grand Dad told me Islam is the most just religion in the world.

I refused to accept the answer and kept on harping on the RM 1 million from Loh Boon Siew.

Finally she relented and said that if we were to give any donations to the ‘To Kong’, we must ‘niat’ that it is money we ‘ buang ke dalam sungai’. I told her ‘Ustazah dah merepet’.

She was by then in tears and it did not help that my classmates were cheering with drum beats – thumping the table top. She rushed out of the class and the rank cheered, the class went into the usual rumpus of school boys without supervision… but it did not last for long.

She returned with Ustaz Mahayudin, whom we were all scared shit of! And he was not alone; he brought his friend a handsomely meter long rotan. He banged the rotan on the teacher’s table a few times, we were dead silent. He uttered a few words of warning, and left.

(Actually Ustaz Mahayudin was a kind and nice man, in fact I have never seen him use the rotan on anyone. I had good conversations with him, and he allowed differing opinions although he was worried of my constant questioning of the status quo. He treated Non-Muslims kindly too, and, always with respect).

GETTING ANSWERS FROM THE QURAN

I did not get my answer until my university days when I took to reading the Quran and Muslim history for myself.

I discovered that the Quran suggested:

"WOE UNTO THOSE who give short measure: those who, when they are to receive their due from [other] people, demand that it be given in full, but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less than what is due! Do they not know that they are bound to be raised from the dead? [and called to account] on an awesome Day."
(Quran 83: 1-5)

I also discovered that early Muslim leaders created a peaceful environment so that people from the various faiths can practice their way of life.

In fact STATE money was used to build, repair and support the building of not just the mosque but also Non- Muslim places of worship. The Muslim army has a duty to defend all places of worship as the Quran commands:

" (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is God.. Did not God check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled downmonasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated in abundant measure. God will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily God is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will)."
(Quran 22:40)

LIVING IN SUNWAY SELANGOR

Back in the mid 90s I decided to buy a condo unit at Sunway area.

Beside the wonderful square swimming pool, the other attractions were a Hindu and Chinese temple right in front of the guard house and a mosque just behind the corner.

In the morning you can hear the azan, the temple bells and every now and then I get to smell Chinese incense bringing me back memories of growing up in Fettes Park and Bob Agency.

The only missing link was a church.

Each morning, each evening, each nite – each day that condo where I stayed for a good many years reminds me of another Quranic announcement.

It is as though the Quran spoke to me directly:

"To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way? If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God. it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute."
(Quran 5:48)

Thank You Bob Agency, Thank You Evergreen Road, Thank You Fettes Park, Thank You Penang, Thank You Malaysia!

Thank you for helping see the world the way God wanted me to see it.

Thank You God.

[The above article was written by Anas Zubedy]

Read more about this cow-head issue from Malay/Muslim blogger such as:

• Marina Mahathir [RantingsbyMM]
• Rapera
• myAsylum
• Lunch at the Lake Club