Hidup Suara Rakyat

As Shawal comes to an end, I sit here at the Café reflecting on the past two months beginning with Ramadhan.

No, Im not muslim: Im a Christian of Chinese cultural heritage, a Malaysian citizen and a proud Anak Bangsa Malaysia.



As our Muslim brothers exercised their Islamic duty to fast, I joined them at numerous breaking fast events, joining together the celebration. In the 30days, I had visited 6 mosques and around 15 suraus and at every location my presence was most appreciated; including breaking fast with His Highness, the Sultan of Selangor. I took the effort to dress in traditional Malay baju at each occasion and that was also very much appreciated.



Thus, I was most disappointed when the MP Serdang was chastised for entering and speaking at a Surau. Adding salt to the wound was the fact that she was also called for her statement to be taken by the police, supposedly to assist with investigations. Due to no fault of her own making, she had also to make an apology to the Sultan.

During this period also, there was the issue of the school principal tearing apart our fabric of unity. Race has always been a sensitive issue in our community and played up for political interests. Many have been disturbed by it but I still see unity and strength in our diverse culture.

Instead of continually harping and commenting on race issues and the problems within the political parties, we as Anak Bangsa Malaysia should be looking at highlighting our society’s strength and progress .

Let the papers and politicians shout and scream at each other over race and politics and whatever else, but let us continue to Unite as One Voice.

In the spirit of Shawal, to forgive and forget – we must as concerned citizens, encourage our politicians from both sides, and remind them of their duty to serve. It is also our duty as citizens to play our role of being the watch-dog to monitor the elected representatives.

Each political party would have their internal fights and struggle but ultimately, at the ballot box, it is our vote that matters most. So, let us use that vote wisely, let us be responsible in exercising our duty on polling day.

Meanwhile, like a parent, when their kids quarrel, the parent takes no sides. Good or bad, right or wrong, the children are still their own flesh and blood. Likewise, when both the government and opposition side quarrel, we take no sides. Both are a part and parcel of our democratic system; and both must respect us, the voters, the rakyat – “the parent”

However, as citizens we look and evaluate the strength of each party – we hear the arguments of each side, we see the action of each side. Like the parent, we silently ad quietly decide in secret, who to leave our property in the will (our vote)
We should not lower ourselves and start joining in the fray and arguing with the politicians in public. However, it is our duty to engage each side and discuss and perhaps clarify issues and understand their thinking. Engaging with the party does not mean we support their stand.

When citizens start being positive and encouraging when engaging with the politicians and civil servants, we can definitely see positive changes. Similarly, as a parent, we encourage our children; when they fall, we are there to pick them up, and guide them.

Thus the change that the citizens demanded in March 08 will only bear fruit when citizens also become agents for change; and not let politicians bring about the changes. We must not be complacent and sit back – we must keep them on their toes.
The current direct elections being introduced by PKR is yet another example where we should see the goodness in it, rather than the negative parts. Yes, there are teething problems, there are in-house quarrels, so be it. Let PKR solve it – if they do and come out stronger, we vote for them come next elections, if not; we punish them by putting our X somewhere else.

We want to see us being able to put enough food on our tables, to have a solid roof over our heads with our hard earned ringgit. We want to be able to put aside a little something every month for the rainy day ahead. How can PR or BN assure us of that?

My X will go to the one who can tell me, assure me and convince me.
Honestly, am I really concerned if the Deputy Party President is “nyanyuk” or a Trojan horse or an ultra or whatever other terms is being used. I am not convinced just by seeing you wear the 1-Malaysia logo everyday but I see how you behave, the things you actually do – not just the sweet words you whisper?

My X goes to the one who does and speaks the same thing, not to the one who speak one thing and does another.

Bread and butter issues are of utmost importance. However, to ensure security for my son, true sustainable UNITY is important too. I feel and I know, there is real UNITY on the ground. However, for their political advantage and/or survival, some politicians keep telling us that there is no UNITY and that we must give them our X to ensure there is UNITY.

These same politicians are in fact tearing apart our fabric of unity.
All we need to do is look around us and see the multi racial celebrations during the open house this past Syawal.

In the many programmes that I have attended, little children seeing me in my Baju Melayu would take my hands and bring it to their forehead as a sign of respect. On other previous occasions when I am not wearing my Baju Melayu, they would shake my hands and no more. This is not their fault but simply the way they were brought up.
I am not offended when they just shake my hands but I am proud and delighted when they bring my hand to their forehead. I see it as progress and there will come a day soon, when our children will see others as Malaysians and not as Malay or Indian or Chinese.

Hidup Suara Rakyat – Hidup Anak Bangsa Malaysia

Malaysia's religious problems: The way forward

"You are my brother and I love you. I love you worshipping in your church, kneeling in your temple, and praying in your mosque. You and I and all are children of one religion, for the varied paths of religion are but the fingers of the loving hand of the Supreme Being, extended to all, offering completeness of spirit to all, anxious to receive all.

I love you for your Truth, derived from your knowledge; that Truth which I cannot see because of my ignorance. But I respect it as a divine thing, for it is the deed of the spirit. Your Truth shall meet my Truth in the coming world and blend together like the fragrance of flowers and becoming one whole and eternal Truth, perpetuating and living in the eternity of Love and Beauty."

— Kahlil Gibran, A Tear And A Smile (1914)

Religious pluralism is a cornerstone for achieving harmony in societies with people of varied faiths. Yet in multi-religious Malaysia politicians shy away from discussing religious pluralism. It is difficult to get straight answers about their stand on or commitment to it.

Take for example the recently concluded panel discussion on 'National Unity through Religion, Law and Shared Values' at UCSI University in KL. It is unclear whether religious pluralism or religious bigotry were fruitfully discussed. The contents of the discussion are not made public enough. It can be gleaned from news reports that there were barely satisfactory answers to barely satisfactory questions.

What is conspicuous is that there is an excruciating lack of focus on the heart of the issue.

Here I refocus attention on what really matters.

Good values and spirituality should be the essence, not religion per se

If a religious position is to be taken by any political party or any citizen that is founded on respect for religious beliefs and support for the freedom to practice any religion (or none at all), then this position should encourage living a life guided by a universal set of shared moral values and one containing aspects of the spiritual, whatever the religious or non-religious route taken. It follows that religion is a means towards these larger goals. This awareness is cardinal. Unity is achieved as a result of these common goals, not by having or propagating any particular religion.

What we should first abandon is the ambition to create a state of “one mankind under one religion”. We should not harbour false and childish hopes that only through one religion for all can we get people to step onto the expressway of righteousness and practice moral values, or that only thus can we lead everyone to the promised land of God-realisation, as if it is our duty and right. Such an aspiration is but a certain road to perdition.

Instead, we should be enlightened and courageous enough to consider accepting that people can take many valid paths towards goals of spirituality and right living.

We should be enlightened and courageous enough to consider admitting that no religion or belief system has a monopoly of or is exclusively privy to these moral values or “steps to the ultimate blessings of God or heaven”.

We should awaken to the fact that moral values and spiritual teachings are not exhaustively found in any one religion. The teachings of one religion can be instructive to adherents of another religion and vice versa.

We should be able to say that the choice of religion is a personal one; that in line with the right to freely practice one's religion as one shall practice it, religion and religious practices should not be imposed upon any individual such as by the authorities or the state, or by a society that has been so conditioned by state policy that it passively imposes religion upon its own members.

Should there be a public demand for religious guidance or for places of worship, then this shall be provided. In no uncertain terms should this be seen to imply consent for the imposition of religion or its practices by a righteous authority.

These are among the things that the so-called religious democrats should be forthright about, but are not.

This is what we should be striving for if we believe in a Malaysia that is just, free and harmoniously multi-religious, but are not.

There are serious obstacles to these that we are reluctant to come to terms with, but must.

Religious chauvinism as a disease to eradicate

These specific obstacles are almost never clearly enunciated. Here they are:

The desire amongst members of society to preach their religions as better or superior alternatives to the religions or belief systems of others and thereby to seek to convert others to their own religion
The related belief that non-believers are lowly, of unequal standing or blessing and their religions inadequate and contemptible
The refusal or inability to approve the values or truths contained in other religions or belief systems regardless of their merit
The related fear that this might shake one's faith in one's religion, or render one's religion comparatively less glorious, or disadvantage one's religion in the competition for religious propagation
The myopia of "only one brotherhood through one way of God" that prevents the acceptance of all religious adherents under an umbrella of one humanity in which other belief systems are acknowledged as valid.
This condition and process, which can for brevity be termed religious chauvinism, is the eye of the storm in all the religious tensions and misunderstandings we have witnessed in Malaysia.

The mentality described is widespread and fairly entrenched. The psychology of insecurity and the politics shaping it are interesting and worthy of separate examination.

But the implication is unequivocal. It clashes with the hopes of building a Malaysian society that is genuinely accepting (not merely “tolerant”) of a diversity of religions and cultures.

It means that lasting peace and unity amongst our people is to remain out of our reach so long as this is left to get out of control.

What remains to be done and a challenge to the politicians

It is for the preceding reasons that this matter must be urgently addressed. If a united Malaysia is in our interest, then an honest, open and peaceable national dialogue on this must commence. It should involve the issues mentioned here and others, such as religious propagation, its targets and the ethics of its methods.

Relegating religious talks of understanding to practically useless and toothless inter-faith panels behind closed doors is a cowardly act of evasion. Understanding and consensus must emerge from the majority — the entirety of Malaysians.

We should also cease deceiving ourselves with superficial multi-cultural and multi-religious images and slogans that are purpose-crafted for international consumption or national celebrations. This lulls us into inaction.

To dodge discussion by offering excuses (e.g., "Malaysians are not ready for this") is an unacceptable denial of reality and maturity. To delay further is to permit more, avoidable conflicts. It is to shirk from the shared responsibility of nation-building.

We need to stop the factors that perpetuate religious chauvinism, remedy existing attitudes and inculcate multi-culturalism and multi-religiousness as the definite Malaysian way.

In view of this, to the politicians and policymakers of Umno, MCA, PAS, PKR and DAP, I put the following question:

Do you have the guts, will and conviction (i) to discuss the issue of religious pluralism and bigotry clearly and openly; (ii) to establish multi-culturalism and religious pluralism as a prime policy and encourage it amongst your supporters and colleagues within your political parties; and (iii) to act decisively to correct the problem of religious chauvinism and prejudice such as those highlighted here?

By Pak Sako

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

Wishing All Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri - Maaf Zahir dan Batin



Ketika kau menjelajahi lingkaran sejarah mu itu,
Ketika kau disambar lintasan ilham yang menyentuhi kalbu,
Tanyalah tentang intisari cinta kasih yang mertabat dan
memperkasakan rakyat
Sebagai pedoman abadi, pada hari yang mulia ini.

Events Over Ramadhan

From Andrew to Benjamin - and all Anak Bangsa Malaysia

FIRST of all, Benjamin, let me say, “Congratulations!” I know you have worked hard over these last three years, endured many challenges and faced many tests. Learning lots of new stuff may be exciting, but I know it is not always easy. So I am proud of you, son, for having graduated today. It may only have been kindergarten, but I know it was a big and meaningful step for you.


Benjamin and big sister Samantha on graduation day
As I watched you and your classmates today, and the kids from all the other kindergartens walk up on stage to receive their certificates, I was reminded that this country of ours, Malaysia, is as much yours as it is mine. God has allowed me and all the other adults in this country a time to take care of it for you. But the day will come when we will have to turn it over to you and your friends.

I hope we won’t have messed up. I pray that we will have the strength and the courage to do the right things, so that we will be able to pass on to you, son, and those of your generation, a country that is successful. Not just rich in the things that we have — the tall buildings, the big houses, the fancy shops. But rich also in our hearts. To share love with one and all, to be kind and decent to others, to be fair and just to everyone, to let anyone who wants to come and live here and do an honest day’s work the right to call this country home.

I looked at you and your friends, boys and girls of different races and religions. You have all played together, learnt together, held hands, scraped knees, cried and laughed together. It is my solemn hope that it will always be this way for you all.

Don’t let anyone force you to believe differently. Watch out for people who will steal your innocence. Yes, you will grow up and find out for yourself one day that things aren’t exactly perfect. But that is no reason to prolong that imperfection.

Learn to work together to make things right, if not perfect. The things that you learnt in kindergarten — to share, to think of other people as well, not to take the best toys or yummiest food just for yourself — remember those lessons.

Maybe one day someone will come along and tell you that this country does not belong to you, and that we should go back to “somewhere else”. I can tell you someone in primary school told me that many years ago. Tell them they are wrong.

Great-great grandpa Khoo came from a village in southern China and eventually found work with Chartered Bank in Penang. When Chartered Bank opened a branch in Taiping in the early years of the 1900s, he moved there and that is where great-grandpa Khoo and grandpa Khoo were born. They grew up in this country, and worked all their lives as teachers to educate successive generations of Malayans and Malaysians.

The Sees and the Lims and Changs they married have probably been here much longer. Some of grandma Khoo’s aunties who dressed in sarungs and spoke Malay all the time and lived in a place called Malacca were killed by Japanese soldiers during what is known as World War II. That was when the Japanese ruled Malaya for a while.

All of these people who lived before you contributed in their own way to make this land a better place for their children, and their children’s children, and so on and so forth. When you learnt Negaraku in school, you sang, “Tanah tumpahnya darahku”. Through their blood, sweat and tears, all of these people who lived before you eked out a life and a future, and now that life and that future belongs to you, my son.

You are as Malaysian as any other boy or girl in this country, as are your classmates Iman, Danial, Harith and the rest. Don’t let anybody tell you all differently.


(© Theresa Thompson | Flickr)
In 15 years, you will get what is known as the right to vote, the right to choose the kind of people you want to lead this country. Claim that right and when the time comes, choose wisely.

Think of the kind of future you and your friends want for this country. Would you want a country where there is equal opportunity for all, where no one is intentionally left behind, where those who are less fortunate are helped to their feet, where there is fair play? It will be in your hands. If you want these things, you and your friends will have to work hard to achieve them. It will not be easy, but I know you will not give up easily.

Between then and now, I wish and pray that you will have a wonderful life. There will be lots more tests and exams to study for, lots more homework and lots more graduations. There will be more things to learn, more people to meet, more experiences, more places to visit.

I will always be your father, and I will always love you, in good times and bad. But I know I make mistakes sometimes, so I can be wrong sometimes. I hope you will be understanding when I make mistakes. But strive to be the best that God grants you the grace to be, and honour God always in your life.

Happy graduation, again, my son. And to our country, yours and mine, Happy Merdeka.

Thank you Andrew for sharing..

When our shadows are taller than our soul…

My conscience infected by this non governmental organism called Art Harun. Thanks bro. :-)



August 02, 2010AUG 2 — “And as we wind on down the road, Our shadows taller than our soul”

Robert Plant: Stairway to Heaven

When our shadows are taller than our soul, at the end of it, we would be consumed with fear. Just as we are nearing death, and we realise that our sins have far outdone our good deeds, we would be consumed with nothing but fear of Judgement Day.

That is only to be expected. That is just a part of being a mortal human being.

When I learned about the arrest of about 30 people who attended an anti-ISA candlelight vigil at Amcorp Mall last night, the first thought which came through my mind was, why is this government so afraid of the people it wishes to govern?

It is like this government is bereft of any moral standing to govern. Like it fears any kind of expression of feelings by the people. Like it fears any show or display of whatever which teeny wee bit resembles an opposing opinion or stand.

No wonder even cartoon books lampooning the administration have been banned. Not long ago, even T-shirts bearing some depictions of funny cartoons and logos were seized at Central Market just because they “offend” the powers that be.

I asked on Twitter, when will this government ever respect the people’s Constitutional right to assemble peacefully and to express their opinion and themselves peacefully? When?

Why must the peaceful people of Malaysia, who just wish to express their stand against a totally archaic law, which has been abused again and again and again, in a totally peaceful manner be met with riot police, swarming and bearing down on them with batons and riot gear?

Just take a look at this video.

This was supposed to be a peaceful candlelight vigil to mark the 50th anniversary of the Internal Security Act 1960. In addition, of course the attendees wanted to make a statement that the ISA ought to be abolished. That was all.

What was so threatening about that that they had to be greeted by riot police in full riot regalia? And why must they be stormed at, swarmed on and dragged out like some armed bank robbers?

Has this government lost any kind of ability to treat the people with some common decency? Has this government no ability to acknowledge the existence of human dignity, some very basic form of rights which the people, as human beings, naturally possess?

Most importantly, has this government lost the plot?

The most sickening thing about this episode is the fact that all of us, members of civil society and the peace loving people of Malaysia, are made to swallow the blatant and nauseating hypocrisy of this government day in and day out.

All of us remember when some rabid mentalities from Shah Alam marched from the mosque while carrying a bloodied and severed cow head, stomped and spat on it in front of the State Secretariat, no less than our Home Minister said that those people felt “victimised” and that “they had only wanted their voices to be heard.”

He then met and sat with them and even had a press conference with them. This government actually cavorted with pure utter racists who were hell-bent on creating racial disharmony.

The few policemen who were around that day did not even lift a finger to prevent that shameful act which threw the whole country into a state of international infamy!

Oh, they had only wanted their voices heard.

Well, well Mr Home Minister, how about the attendees of the vigils last night? They wanted to overthrow the government, did they?

ALL THEY WANTED TO DO WAS TO EXPRESS THEIR STAND AGAINST THE ISA IN A PEACEFUL MANNER? (sorry, I had to shout!)

Why must they be treated like some criminals? Who was more threatening? Those people carrying the kepala lembu or the candles?

One should also remember when some Muslims threatened to have a big demonstration after Friday prayers over the “Allah” issue, it was no less than the Honourable Prime Minister who said that the government will not prevent such demonstrations. That statement was made knowing full well how the Allah issue was being used to fan racial hatred and how big such demonstrations can get, as it was planned to take place after Friday prayers. (Notice how these people just love to turn Friday prayers into a hotbed for demonstrations).

I remember clearly the Honourable Prime Minister saying that the planned demonstrations could not be stopped because “if people want to demonstrate, there is nothing the government could do”!

And what was the result of that statement? Yes, churches were burnt nationwide. Are we happy?

Why the double standard? Why the talam dua muka?

Why can’t some peaceful Malaysians be allowed to have a peaceful assembly to pursue a cause which they thought was worthy of their attention?

What is there to fear?

Some people really have to go back home tonight, stand in front of the mirror and ask him or herself, “What has become of me?”

Some activities I attended this past few weeks..

Attended the Temple Celebration at Bandar Baru Sungei Buloh;

Also attended the Lembah Subang Low Cost Flats Community Sports Activity: presented prizes for the various events held over the week.

Towards Unity

Sunday 4th July, my birthday weekend. It’s a gloomy day outside. As I sit now relaxing and reflecting on my day, my mood is as gloomy as the weather outside.
I feel gloomy despite that fact that by 2pm this afternoon, I had already attended two church services, one cultural event and two weddings. I should be happy as all these events are indeed happy occasions. However, I am sad because of these very same programmes.
The cultural programme was an Indian Youth Cultural Carnival. It was organized by an Indian Youth NGO and rightfully so, it showcased Indian culture such as traditional dances, kolam drawings etc. What’s sad about this event is that the audience and people who attended this event was almost 100% Indians.
Our society has been brought up to segregate ourselves based on race and religion. Right from our beginning, at the birth of our nation, the political parties were already race based; UMNO, MCA, MIC. Our founding fathers each stood for and “protected” the rights of the own race. It was from this beginning that our society than evolved.
After over 50 years, even our NGOs are race based; each protecting its own race. Even economically, we are race based with each race having their own Chamber of Commerce.
Back to the wedding reception that I attended; again it was very much a race based occasion. Both receptions were Malay weddings and thus the family obviously were Malays. It was the same with the relatives but friends, colleagues, neighbours? At the first reception, 100% Malays except for myself and my MP and my two colleagues were non Malays. The second wedding had a non Malay couple that I spotted.
I commented on this matter and my MP agreed that it is indeed a big problem that we have in our society today. This is a result of over 50 years of going in the wrong direction. Can we change this – what does it take to tear down this barrier?
My MP agrees that this is a difficult task and reckons that we may not be able to undo this race based mentality that easily. That remark brought and instant gloom to my mind; because I agree it is not an easy task.
Where do we go from here – what lies ahead?
I see a silver lining behind those dark clouds – where is that silver lining for ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA?

I Spoke to NST

Spotlight: African alienation
2010/05/23

Share | Scary, intimidating and rude are only some of the words used to describe Africans in Malaysia. Are we allowing a few bad apples to spoil the bunch? AUDREY VIJAINDREN and SONIA RAMACHANDRAN take a look at the issue.
MOST Malaysians are guilty of clutching their handbags a little tighter and avoiding eye contact when they spot an African.

They have, after all, been accused of committing various crimes in the country, especially black money scams.


Some have also described them as raucous and loud, and labelled them as troublemakers.


Are we allowing our prejudices to get the better of us?

Condominium, Apartment and Highrise Committee adviser Peter Chong said the general perception among Malaysians was that Africans caused trouble.


"We immediately have a negative thought when we mention them.

"In actual fact, it's our perception that is the problem. We are intimidated by their size and the way they look.

"They do cause trouble to a certain extent, but there are many other cultural differences that contribute to this.


"For example, for them, it is normal to say, 'Hello darling, how are you?', when they see a girl. But in Malaysia, that is rude and unacceptable."

Chong said the many black money scams had also contributed to this negative stigma.

"We assume that they are all bad, but that is not necessarily true. You see many of them actively involved in church music ministries.

"But this happens everywhere -- the good ones suffer because of the bad apples. Even our cab drivers suffer from this."

He said in many cases, the Africans, especially those who came here to study, were the victims.

"When African students arrive here, they need a place to stay. Because landed property is expensive, most of them end up renting apartments.

"Unfortunately, some colleges have taken advantage of this. They advertise pictures of apartments on their websites, claiming it's part of their campus.

"When the students arrive, many colleges put more than ten people in one unit, charging RM250 per person.

"But the actual rental for the unit may only be RM1,200. They are maximising the space because of greed," he said.

Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) president Dr Parmjit Singh said it was wrong to stereotype people.

"We must also recognise that not all the Africans in this country are students."

He said the Malaysian public had not matured enough to the level of living in a cosmopolitan environment.

"A large number of students from Africa are sponsored by their respective governments. That means, they are bound to be students who are bright and qualified for such scholarships.

"As much as we would like them to change and adjust to our culture, we should be equally ready to accept everyone from all parts of the world, in order to become an international hub for higher education."

Responsible colleges and universities, he said, had induction processes for their foreign students.

"Besides the higher learning institutions, the embassies and high commissions also play an active role in inducting students from their countries and educating them on the social norms of this country."

On renting residential units for students, he said the institutions had a major role to play.

"When we rent private residences to place our students, we play an active part in the meetings of the residential associations.

"We are willing to listen to any problems they might have with our students."

He said the number of African students in this country was not on the rise.

"It is a mature market and the population growth is from countries that are not mature."

Property management firm, VPC Alliance (PJ) senior general manager Daniel Kat, however, said there had been complaints about African students from other apartment and condominium owners.

Most complaints were over the students making noise after stipulated hours.

"I won't say all are misbehaving, but generally most of the complaints are related to breaking house rules and making noise at night.

"Some also get drunk and start misbehaving."

The problem with most of the students, he said, was that they brought their friends home to party.

"In some condominiums, more than 70 per cent of the units are occupied by students. It does not help that many of them bring their friends back."

What's the solution?

"Unit owners, colleges and universities must be more responsible.

"If the local government enforces a limit on the number of people in one apartment, there won't be many problems," said Chong.

The Higher Education Ministry, he said, should make it a licence condition for colleges and universities to have induction courses for all foreign students.

"It must also make sure these foreign students are actually here to study and not for other activities," he said.

Kat said a lot of local residents want the management of condominiums and apartments to reduce the number of foreign students in their units.

"We've talked to the agents and asked that they find local tenants instead.

"Another strategy is to try to increase rentals in order to deter foreign students from renting apartments."


'We are not monsters'

ABDULRAHMAN Muazu loves Malaysia but is thinking of leaving the country.

"I'm thinking of studying somewhere else as I don't have any local friends here. Malaysians don't talk to us and I think they are generally afraid of us. I feel really, really bad. People treat you as if you are a monster. We are not monsters.

"I think Malaysians are shy and they don't like socialising with foreigners. I don't blame them as some foreigners have been behaving badly and giving the rest of us a bad reputation," said the 19-year-old business information systems student from Nigeria.

That the locals were not talking with him, said Abdulrahman, had affected him psychologically.

"How would you feel if people don't talk to you? I love this country but I don't really enjoy it because I don't have any friends. Even our classmates just mix with us for group discussions and studies but there is no exchanging of phone numbers or socialising after class," he said.

When asked what he would wish for from the locals, Abdulrahman said: "I think they should judge each person individually. Please don't be prejudiced. People could be good and people could be bad. Try giving us a chance."

Ibrahim Muhammad Sakanau, 23, and his brother Shafie Sakanau, 20, said Malaysians were not at all friendly to them.

"Only my brothers are my friends. It bothers me. Maybe they don't talk to us because some Nigerians are behaving arrogantly in Malaysia. Maybe they think we are all like that. I've never been invited to the homes of any Malaysian during festive seasons and my classmates only mix with me during assignments.

"It hurts me a lot. Not all of us are bad," said Ibrahim.

Their house owner, Rachael Philip, has got no problems with renting her apartment out to African students.

"They are really nice. They always ask about my children when I go and collect the rental and there's always chocolates for the children. They are also very prompt with payments and always pay two months' rent in advance.

"The apartment is also in good condition. I am lucky I have good tenants. I had a local tenant previously and I had to beg him for rental every month. I feel we must not be so quick to judge," said Rachael.

Universiti Malaya education faculty department of mathematics and science visiting lecturer, Dr Kunle Oke Oloruntegbe, said Malaysians were generally accommodating and friendly.

However, Oloruntegbe, who is from Nigeria, said it did bother him that Malaysians rarely mingled with Africans.

"Many here seem to generalise all Africans as being the same and they stay away from us."

The father of six, who arrived here in October last year, said: "I am here alone so sometimes it does get lonely for me. Even the locals at the apartment I live in do not mix with me. They are friendly and they would greet me but it ends there.

"I would like to ask Malaysians to please look at us as individuals. Judge a person based on his character, integrity and honesty, not his face."

Abdul Aziz Abba Goni said there are many Africans who come to Malaysia with good intentions.

"Do not let colour or nationality stand in the way of one's perception of a human being. I have worked hard to obtain my degree and am looking forward to a brighter future because of what Malaysian education has offered me. I believe studying here was a wise choice and I am grateful for this experience.

"I wish no harm onto my hosts. I hope more Malaysians will meet positive ambassadors in the near future," said the 25-year-old postgraduate student.


'Too many ugly incidents'

AFTER living comfortably in the same apartment in Sunway for more than 10 years, Sylvia (not real name) is now afraid to step out of her home.

"When my husband and I first moved here, it was a really decent place.

"Our neighbours were nice and friendly, and we thought it was a great place to bring up children.

"We saw ourselves swimming with our kids in the pool and pushing them on the swings in the playground."

However, all that changed.

"In August last year, I noticed an influx of African residents. I believe most of them are students from Nigeria, but it's difficult to tell.

"It's extremely intimidating, because they go about in large groups, talking loudly and drinking alcohol.

"The way they speak and stand can be very intimidating. Even the way they look at you.

"You can see that some are serious in their studies. But many others leave their apartments everyday wearing 'bling-bling'.

"The girls are no different -- you can't help but wonder whether they are here to study or party."

She said there had also been many "ugly" incidents.

"More than once, these students parked their cars in my lot. When I asked them to move, they claimed to have diplomatic immunity."

She said in the past six months, she had taken extra precautions.

"I'm more aware of my surroundings. It can get very scary being alone in the lift with a bunch of foreign students, so I wait for the next lift.

"I've even stopped my daughter from going to the swimming pool and playing on the slides.

"It's unfortunate that we are so afraid to go out of our own apartment. I own a unit but can't even enjoy the rest of the facilities."

Sylvia said the situation had got so bad that she and her family were moving out.

"It may be unfair to judge them because they could actually be really nice people."



Read more: Spotlight: African alienation http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/28avafrican-2/Article#ixzz0oqPM4bxQ

Please Support this Youth Empowement Initiative

I am embarking on this Youth Empowerment Initiative to promote Performing Arts amongst the community whilst also raising funds towards an Ambulance for St Johns.

Please come support this event and pass on to your family and friends. Come share and spread the message of Love and Hope and encourage our youth to make positive contributions to our community.

Sitting capacity is limited. Please reserve your Free Invitation as soon as possible.



Sadako - ToWish Upon a Crane is based on the Japanese legend of paper cranes and tells the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12-year-old girl who lived in Hiroshima, Japan. Born on 7 January 1943, Sadako was only two when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

The bomb took away many lives, including that of Sadako’s grandmother. Sadako survived the bombing unscathed and grew up as a normal, healthy girl… or so we thought. For 10 years after the bombing, Sadako was diagnosed with leukemia. A gifted athlete, Sadako wished for nothing more than to get well and be able to run again. Yet, her illness rendered her permanently hospitalized.

One day, Kenji, her best friend, visited her in the hospital. He presented her with a gift of paper cranes and reminded her of the legend, that if a thousand cranes were folded, your wish would be granted.

An inspired Sadako immediately took on the task of folding a thousand paper cranes, praying with every crane she folded that she would get well soon. It was a race against time, as Sadako’s health was deteriorating rapidly.

Will Sadako be able to fold a thousand cranes in time?

Demi Masa Hadapan Negara mu

It is the optimism and the seemingly boundless energy of the beautiful youth of this nation that is going to make the difference.

As the Election Commission drags its feet in making any reaL effort to get to and register the as yet unregistered 5 million unregistered voters most of whom are aged 30 and below, some extraordinary young people intent on impacting the community have committed themselves to go to the ground and register 2 million voters over the next twelve months.

Herculean task?

Not for those who ask in faith, and then match that faith with selfless work.

The Voice For Choice initiative launches on the 3rd & 4th of April, 2010 at the following three venues :

Subang Parade
Amcorp Mall
Cineleisure, Kota Damansara.
The organisers inform me that whilst the launch, like the initiative as a whole, is intended to be fun-filled, the business of the day is still getting people registered so that they can do their civic duty of voiceing their choice of government through the ballot come the next General Election.

Voter registration booths will be open at all three venues abovementioned on both dates, from 10 am – 10 pm.

For more details, click on the badge below.


Reproduced below is an explanatory note of the organisers of this awesome initiative.

______________________________________________

First things first, to clear all doubts and suspicion, neither EPIC for UNITY or Voice your Choice are tools of any political party. We are strictly non-partisan and not affiliated with any political parties. We have found out that many people cannot comprehend this but YES, we are SINCERELY doing this because we realize as youths we need to take up our responsibility to make our nation something we can all be proud of. Nation development is rather tricky and even though we youths are anxious to make a difference we dare not say we can do it without the wiser more experienced generation. Therefore, all who have asked if there is an age limit or if you are TOO OLD? The answer is NO there is no age limit to dreams.

Voice you Choice is created by youths for ALL Malaysians


This is what it is all about…
This is not about PR or BN or any political parties
This is not about overthrowing the government
This is where corporate and political rivals can work together to meet a common need
This is where our faiths unite regardless of religion
This is about uniting all Malaysians for Malaysia
This is where we obtain the peace that comes from within and is not driven by our environment or circumstance. Peace is with those who can wake up every morning knowing they have done everything to the best of their abilities in making this country a better place.
This is about conquering ourselves, finding our voice and believing that it counts, only then can we know that this government, nation and world will be cured of the diseases that plague it.
This is about using a new yard stick to measure another fellow human, not by his race, status, and profession or academic achievement, but by the same believe that we want a better future and Equality for all.


The marker of success will be met when we successfully organize ourselves as one people, as organizations, and individuals. When we hit the 2 million mark, only then do we know that we have conquered our past and became one Rakyat.

We learn from our past but are never haunted by it. We are dedicated and committed to using our present to shape our future. Join us!

Read more about EPIC at:
www.dosomethingepictoday.blogspot.com

The 3rd Vote and Radical Reform

Both Penang and Selangor have written to the EC for Local Government Elections. The EC appears to have discussed this in length and will make an announcement soon.

“We have completed our in-depth discussions into the matter. Wait for our decision that we will announce tomorrow,” EC deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told The Malaysian Insider last night.

Whilst an elected local government is what Pakatan has promised in their manifesto; on hindsight and having seen first hand how the Local Government function, it believe that an elected local governemnt may not be the solution that rate-payers want.

Even as it is now, with a fully PR friendly elected council, things are not moving as fast and as efficiently as it should. So imagine if there is an elected council, there will definitely be a larger mix of ideologies in the council. The councillors will be spending more time politicking instead of getting things done.

At the Local Council level, all the rate-payer wants is transparency and accounctability, that rate payer's money is not wasted. More importantly, rate-payers want to see street lights that work, drains that flow and roads that are free of pot-holes, enough parking spaces, recreational spaces and free flow of traffic in commercial areas and most of all, a safe community.

Politics with all its good intent, cannot provide this because it is the nature of politicians to object to their opponents views and suggestions even if it is a good suggestion.

Therefore, i am of the opinion that the 3rd vote may not be the solution. I fully agree with the views of PAS:

“We are considering many possibilities, perhaps 60 per cent are elected and 40 per cent get nominated. If that is the case, then the groups that are under-represented after the election can get representation,” he added.

read more:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/57170-third-vote-must-represent-all-races-say-pas

The state governemnt reserves the right to appoint members to the council to maintain executive control and ensure a fair balance of representation.

Of the present 24 councillors, I propose 8 to be elected, 8 appointed from amongst political parties with the balance made up of NGOs and professional bodies. I further propose that all 8 elected councillors be made FULL TIME councillors, being paid a salary equivalent to their scope of responsibilities (as compared to the public sector)

Pictures from the Open House at BU3

When the Going gets Tough, the tough gets going

PKR has the burden of history, it’s Umno’s true nemesis and suffers for that reputation.

Despite all the desertions and dissertations, PKR is the only party due to its ideology and membership make-up — in look and feel — which has the value proposition to compete with Umno.

The other Pakatan Rakyat parties?

DAP wants to shed its Chinese-only perception, and PAS is actively on the way to becoming a fully-integrated Islamic-principled party.

They need time to force some paradigm shifts and stay intact through that process to become what they desire.

But for now, it is PKR which fills that void, due to its history and development.

You have to move back in time to retrace this story, the story of PKR and to know what it was and is, what it always promises to become — and come short — and the common malaises which haunts it.

Somewhere in the vaults of the major media companies — from a time before Internet portals — various pictures of Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders celebrating their 1995 general election landslide victory sit. They are filed and stored, but not for reproduction in the present.

You will see a nervous but relieved Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The substantial losses of 1990 to the trio of Semangat 46-PAS-DAP and rebelling Parti Bersatu Sabah had died down. The economy was purring.

Nothing advertised the ‘times-are–a-changing’ better than having a Malay language graduate and Islamist firebrand rebranding himself as finance minister.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be found in that picture holding up Dr M’s hands and they would be smiling from ear to ear. Not far would be Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and all the usual characters from the Umno family.

Umno was in its zenith, it was impregnable. The landslide victory vindicating the thinking that a race party is the answer for Malaysia. Everyone was content.

It was postulated that only Umno could end its own dream. And the script went exactly that way.

The Anwar dismissal in 1998 and subsequent protests and trials were monumental but not decisive. It was the diaspora of Umno grassroot leaders and members into what was not an Umno-clone which was.

The creation of Parti Keadilan with the intention of seeking justice for all and political change was unprecedented. A large number of Umno members rejected Umno. Their reasons, their allegiance to Anwar and even naïve think that the move would result in immediate change did not affect the cumulative effect of it.

A sea was crossed, for a population afraid of drowning in a water bucket.

The colossal loss of Malay votes in Election 1999 meant PAS was the biggest parliamentary winner after BN. It was important for the Umno strategists that Parti Keadilan ended up third behind the religionists and DAP.

Let’s get this out of the way. Keadilan as a party is not the fear for Umno. Keadilan as a concept is. There was never a practically multiracial party with a Malay spine since the days of Datuk Onn Jaafar. And that was enough to scare the pants off Umno.

Which is why Election 2004 — despite the landslide win — remained somewhat unsatisfying to Umno for it did not bury Keadilan — which was now PKR following its marriage with Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

Everywhere PKR — especially the ex-PRM candidates — was falling like bowling pins and the defeated crew quickly licked their wounds and turned their eyes to events in Permatang Pauh.

Party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was being run very close for what was to be their single parliamentary seat.

After several recounts, Azizah kept her seat in Dewan Rakyat.

PKR was to have a heart-beat until the next election.

In the 10 years of existence leading to Election 2008 PKR was plagued by problems. Of its Malayness isolating non-Malay issues.

Of leaders — who left the lap of luxury inside Umno and expecting a short spell in the desert — growing disappointed with a leadership which was struggling with its own teething problems.

Of its inspiration — Anwar — imprisoned for most of that time.

However, the ex-Umno faction gave the party reach to places like Dengkil and Bukit Semanggol and not just in Petaling Jaya and Johor Baharu. They were more than just the sentimental choice of unionists and NGOs — which PRM was unfortunately and unfairly stereotyped before merging with the less chic Keadilan dudes.

The party despite its lack of political wins was operating nationwide.

But the active political observer has to recollect that leading up to Election 2008 PKR had only one closely-won parliamentary seat to show, and lost the assembly contest in the Ijok by-election to a newbie candidate.

That is why the critique that PKR should have recruited better candidates for Election 2008 is hubristic if you have been rooting for change in Malaysia prior to 2008.

The idea of contesting with little financial support from a party with six wins in two general elections was not enticing enough to capable candidates.

Names had to be put on the ballot for all the parliamentary and assembly seats PKR negotiated with PAS and DAP, keeping to the promise of one on one contests against BN nationwide.

And in the future there will be other surprises in the party. PKR suffers more than DAP and PAS, because the two latter parties have been in the game longer as opposition parties, lived without political pork-barrel which comes with winning and are not inundated with those previously with the enemy.

That is why it is tough for PKR, but I feel they escaped the bigger body blow in 2004.

The concept of a multiracial party with substantial Malay presence will grow as fewer and fewer leaders in it would be ex-Umno men with living memories of a better life; joined by a generation of local graduates with less caution than their parents seeking a party to back their multicultural aspirations.

The challenge for PKR is to keep its general momentum through that transition.

They can’t counter the mainstream media attacks, costly branding exercises and the financial incentives BN relies on, but they have to sustain the broad belief in a multicultural Malaysia built on effective leadership not race leadership.

If PKR passes the present low-point then all roads will lead to Putrajaya eventually as mixed race-seats in the country hits past the critical mass line.

But politics is all year round even if elections are not. And as PKR deals with adolescence, trying to balance between better candidates and realpolitik maybe a few more people have to step forward.

They say in politics, half of it is in showing up.


Above article by Praba Ganesa;
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/praba-ganesan/55180-pkr-will-go-on

Praba Ganesan is a Hulu Langat boy with a penchant for durians and debate. He is part of balairakyat, an NGO promoting ideas exchange

Bkt Lanjan's 2nd Service Center

Pasukan Bukit Lanjan Opened their second service center at Bandar Sri Damansara......was in attendance to lend support :-)

ALL PRAISE BE TO ALLAH

So we are now one month into 2010.
The ALLAH issue has overshadowed everything else – now everyone is talking about UNITY etc etc
However, I congratulate Bandar Utama Residents’ Association (BURA) for actually doing something instead of just talking about it. They organised the Ribbons for Peace, Unity and Love. I am proud to have been a part of that programme.
Subsequent to that, the The MP of Subang, YB SIvarasa had also organised a Unity High Tea session between leaders of the mosque community with the Parish Leaders of the Church of Divine Mercy, Shah Alam.
This was indeed a wonderful initiative welcomed by both the mosque and church sides. The informal dialogue is a prelude to an Inter Faith Round Table Dialogue to be organised at a later date. During this High Tea Session, it was also agreed that the mosque officials will host the next High Tea Session at the mosque compound for the church leaders.
Now all these are indeed a major step; real positive initiative by the people who are concerned about the burning of churches, mosques etc etc. Instead of just talking, there are doing something positive. It may be a small step but every journey begins with that one step!
Let the politicians and academicians ponder and take whatever advantage they want out of the whole issue. It is the Rakyat who will have to move and get things done…..and I am truly proud to be a part of both of the above initiatives.
I am sure many other communities are doing similar programmes elsewhere and it is all these small groups of people that will eventually bring about the big change!
May ALLAH the GOD of ALL, continue to bless this nation and guide us on the path of peace and progress………….All Praise to ALLAH!