PAS playing moral cops

Nut Graph: PAS tunjuk belang

By Shanon Shah:

"MENURUT Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi, Ketua Pemuda PAS, konsert Michael Learns to Rock pada 5 Sept 2009 kelak "akan membawa umat leka dan lalai malah merosakkan moral dan akhlak mereka". Daripada ayat ini saja, saya sudah boleh agak yang tidak ada sesiapa pun dalam Pemuda PAS yang pernah mendengar lagu Michael Learns to Rock.

Bagi saya, Michael Learns to Rock adalah kumpulan muzik yang paling membosankan di dunia. Bila saya terdengar lagu mereka berkumandang di pasar raya atau restoran, saya akan keluar dari tempat-tempat sedih ini. Bila lagu mereka diputarkan di radio atau televisyen, saya akan matikan bunyi dengan serta-merta. Ya, kalau saya ditahan dalam lokap, satu kaedah yang paling berkesan untuk mendera saya ialah dengan memaksa saya mendengar lagu Michael Learns to Rock. The Actor? Sleeping Child? 25 Minutes? Bunuhlah saya, bunuh saya sekarang".

Banning Concerts Again

Here we go again, another Youth Chief, same old story. PAS is condemning Cabinet's approval to allow performance by international rock band Michael Learns To Rock.

Syed Akbar Ali clearly opines that PAS has clearly lost the plot. The move was said to be "insulting to all Muslims in the country", according to newly elected PAS Youth Chief Nasruddin Hassan.

It's good that Nasruddin made that statement to give him some cheap publicity. I was not updated in the new hierarchy of the organization. Nasruddin's predecessor and his band of young turks were champions of boycotting concerts (have yet to see them boycott Dato' Siti's concerts). Let's see the young turks march in the cold winds of Genting Highlands.

Hadi Wants Unity Government

PAS President is adamant for a unity government but shows disunity in Pakatan Rakyat. Hadi confidently stated that the idea of a unity government has been somewhat approved by DAP and PKR. LKS's input here.

Politik Wang Dipanggil Hadiah Atau Sedekah

MACHANG 13 Mei - Perebutan kuasa dalam Pas semakin ketara sehingga ada individu sanggup memberikan 'hadiah' kepada perwakilan untuk mendapat sokongan.

Perkara ini diakui oleh Ketua Dewan Ulama Pas, Datuk Mohamed Daud Iraqi yang menganggap situasi tidak sihat itu mula menular di kalangan pemimpin Pas yang inginkan kuasa.

DAP for the Chinese and PAS for Ulama's only

KOTA BHARU 2 Mei - Sekarang bukan masa untuk Pas menukar kepimpinannya daripada ulama kepada golongan profesional.

Timbalan Pesuruhjaya III Pas Kelantan, Datuk Mohd. Amar Nik Abdullah berkata, dua jawatan tertinggi parti, Presiden dan Timbalan mesti disandang oleh ulama kerana mereka adalah pemimpin dalam menguruskan urusan harian 'kehidupan' Pas.

>> So what happened to the so-called democratic values that Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat have been preaching when PAS has declared that they are not ready for professionals to take over? Is PAS conveying the message that professionals do not have in-depth knowledge of the religion thus rendering them less capable of being leaders? What does religion have to do with running political parties? The tempo is similar with DAP's pseudo twin, which declared that Singapore is not ready for a non-Chinese Prime Minister.

Apa komen PAS?

Nyata bahawa PAS mempunyai perkongsian yang kecil dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Bukan sahaja konsep negara Islam dan Hudud ditentang oleh rakan-rakan seperjuangan, sekarang PAS berdiam diri apabila Nga Kor Ming memetik ayat al-Quran dalam ceramah beliau. Komen Karpal mengenai hudud "Over my dead body". Apa komen orang-orang kuat PAS? Apa pendirian PAS apabila YB Zul Nordin mengetuai demonstrasi membantah tindakan Majlis Peguam mengadakan forum mengenai memeluk agama Islam?

Apa pula komen PAS mengenai ketua umumnya, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, yang kononnya telah membuat pengumuman penting mengenai satu pengumuman yang penting (announcing an announcement) jika menang di tiga-tiga pilihanraya kecil? Adakah ianya pengumuman sama pengambilalihan kuasa dari kerajaan seperti yang diumumkan tahun lepas? Mungkin tarikhnya telah bertukar ke April 16 2009. Komen Karpal mengenai Anwar "Anwar unfit to become PR leader".

Kenapa PAS bertukar sentimen mengatakan TDM akan ditelan kemarahan orang, tetapi sebelum ini mempelawa TDM masuk PAS apabila Tun keluar dari UMNO?

Here we go again

Another protest in on the horizon to show dissent for another concert by a Western artist. This boycott is organized by the young turks in PAS calling the concert indirectly a tool to fund further Israeli aggression through foreign aids paid by the US government.

There are numerous inconsistencies in their stands. The young turks are protesting because of Rihanna's outfits. The artist has vowed to dress up decently to show her respect for our values and beliefs. The FT Youth Chief was cited by Star that the performance by Rihanna is an insult to Eastern artists. Perhaps the young Youth Chief could cite a few sources and convictions, unless he is an artist himself. PAS also mentioned that Rihanna's fashion is against "Asian values". They might want to elaborate further and enlighten the Malaysian public what it means by "Asian values".

PAS may think they have popularity right now after wrestling the KT seat (reminding ourselves that it was only a 2,000 some majority in a Malay-centric population, but a win is a win) from BN. Nevertheless, the federal territory is a different beast all together. PAS leadership needs to put a leash on these young puppies and acknowledge that if these are the best arguments they could craft to justify a cause, they need more artillery fire and erudition to convince people that they're not trying to manifest themselves as extremists. If they are, they should start with boycotting Astro and RTM and asking the newscasters to "tutup aurat".

A modicum of common sense might not hurt the young turks. Try to remember who organizes concerts better than anyone.

Short Clips 2: Pakatan & KT By-Election

• Anwar Ibrahim is out of bargaining chips after changing his 'take over' date several times. Sept 16 went and nothing happened. Hari Raya Qorban went and nothing exciting occurred. Instead of focusing on administrating the 4 newly acquired states (which sees nothing different besides free water in Selangor, more lands given out in Perak and Penang and 1 temple demolition) and keeping the coalition together (with all the internal conflicts, no surprise there since it is a young coalition), he is still adamant to get 30 MPs to jump ship. The question that is begged to be asked and answered is whether people still want this? Is PAS still in line with the coalition's objectives after getting assaulted day in and day out by partner DAP from enforcing Islamic laws in Kedah to logging activities and inconsistent views on sales of alcohol and many other provoking issues.
• The Kuala Terengganu by-election will witness a modicum of interesting challenges. With 3 DUN seats under PAS' control (DUN Wakaf Mempelam, Ladang, Batu Buruk), BN will have a tough time retaining the seat, especially after the issue of the MB selection, the use of Mercedes as official cars, the wrestling of oil royalty funds, Monsoon Cup and the construction of the crystal mosque. BN won the seat by a mere 628 votes (Arwah Datuk Razali garnered 32562 votes vs Mat Sabu's 31934 & Maimun's 685).
• However, because of PAS' alignment with recalcitrant DAP which seeks to fight to the death to protect vernacular schools from being Malaysianized into one synchronized public school system, there might be some reservations from voters. Might. PAS might also face public pressure for its inability to continue fighting for their predetermined campaign causes before the formation of Pakatan Rakyat. Might. What is their stand on education? It has to be made clear lest they are comfortable being labeled as small time partner in the coalition. Perhaps we should just suggest to Kadazans and Ibans to have their own vernacular schools!

Malaysian Digest

YB J

I have yet to read the article about YB J in Utusan, but DAP is taking a fictional short story too seriously. After filing a lawsuit for RM30M against Utusan for the article about YB Teresa's demand to lower down the Azan volume, now she's suing the author of the infamous YB J article for RM100M. She is set to become the best fund raiser in the history of DAP politics.

PKR and PAS are in a bind because the actions make them appear to look lightweight. Their silence or lack of support indicate their reluctance to close in ranks with their partner. It is only a matter of time before their coalition collapses (yet again). My guess is that PAS will refocus their effort to enhance Kelantan's revenue after being advised by DYM Tuanku Ismail Petra. Kelantan's deficit grew from RM155 to RM 326M last year.

Meanwhile back in UMNO and Barisan Nasional, delegates are urged to rejuvenate the party by giving way to young blood. Seniors especially those with exposed skeletons from the big closet should just retire and support the new leadership from the back office. Tun Musa Hitam agrees with this.

DSAI is still adamant to sway 30 odd members of parliament to Pakatan Rakyat's side. However, by getting monumental support from Sabah, the composition of Muslim MPs would be less than 60%, which makes partner PAS uncomfortable and willing to withdraw from the coalition if such a scenario happens. So the defection date should not be on Deepavali or Hari Raya Qorban, he should just wait for the next general election. A lot of voters I know voted against Barisan Nasional not to cast them out but to reduce the majority, hence the results of Parliamentary seats compared to State. Voters didn't vote for Pakatan to stage a defection.

What's next...

ISA dan Pakatan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Sept (Hrkh) - Tindakan kerajaan menahan tiga individu di bawah ISA, baru-baru ini dilihat sebagai langkah terdesak BN apabila parti itu menghadapi masalah dalaman, mahupun perselisihan sesama mereka.

"Kami berharap tindakan kerajaan ini bukan merupakan percubaan awal untuk menangkap lebih ramai ahli politik pembangkang dengan tujuan menggagalkan usaha Pakatan Rakyat membentuk kerajaan dalam masa terdekat," kata kenyataan itu.

> Saya pasti dengan penahanan Teresa Kok yang dituduh menghina Islam tidak akan menggagalkan usaha PR membentuk kerajaan dua hari lagi. Bukankah 30 orang MP nak melompat dua hari lagi? PAS juga tak konsisten. Mula2 menggunakan orang bukan Islam untuk bertanding atas tiket PAS. Sekarang membangkang penahanan ISA ini atas sebab BN ingin menakutkan parti pembangkang tetapi tidak menyebut pula bahawa apa yang Teresa Kok buat itu wajar atau tidak (atau pun Tan Seng Giaw di dalam blognya, kononnya azan terlalu bising di Kepong). Selepas itu membuat mesyuarat secara senyap dengan UMNO demi perpaduan orang Melayu. Tambahan lagi dikelar oleh rakan DAP kerana ingin menubuhkan negeri Islam di Kedah! Yang hairannya juga, sejak ahli2 Parlimen PR di Parlimen untuk beberapa bulan lamanya, tidak ada yang membentangkan usul untuk menghapuskan ISA kerana nak tak nak, ianya satu akta yang diluluskan di Parlimen. Mungkin saya ketinggalan atau mungkin mereka nak pakai ISA untuk menangkap orang2 BN pula setelah membentuk kerajaan baru dua hari lagi!

Dulu, YB Salahudin dan Dewan Pemuda PAS menggesa agar konsert Avril dibatalkan. Sebelum ini konsert Inul juga didesak dari pelbagai pihak untuk dibatalkan. YB Salahudin, yang telah berjaya mengumpulkan kononnya satu juta orang ramai untuk demonstrasi memang pakar berdemonstrasi dan berkonsert. Jika ini dianggap elemen2 yang merosakkan, maka YB perlu memboikot saluran MTV dan sebagainya. YB juga perlu mendesak semua hotel2 membatalkan pertunjukan 'live band' yang menampilkan artis2 yang memakan pakaian yang terdedah dan sebagainya.

Senator Dato' Zaid pula menggesa Tan Sri Muhyiddin supaya meletakkan jawatan sekiranya beliau tidak setuju dengan tarikh peralihan kuasa. Kenapa beliau tidak memberi ulasan mengenai kenyataan Timbalan Perdana Menteri? Beliau pula nak letak jawatan kerana tidak setuju dengan penggunaan ISA. Bila nak letak jawatan? Katanya, beliau juga 'bosan' kerana di Bahagian pun tak dapat pencalonan.

Tentang azan ini, dah lama dipertikaikan. Orang2 di Kepong, Kg Tunku dan tempat2 lain telah membuat petisyen untuk menghapuskan azan di kawasan mereka. Petikan dari blog Tan Seng Giaw:

"As with all Muslim suraus, the prayer room at Taman Aman Putra, has five muezzin's calls for prayers a day, 365 days a year. In our multireligious society, all people must accept religious practices and traditions of various religions, including the calls for prayers. Those who do night shifts and young children would appreciate if the volume of the early morning calls can be turned down".

"DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Malaysian Department for the Advancement of Islam (Jakim), Prime Minister's Department, to interpret the meaning of azan (a Muslim call for prayer by a muezzin) in the Koran.

A religious issue is often very sensitive, more so in a multi-religious society such as Malaysia. Hence, we have to handle it with extreme care.

On 27 September, 2005, I spoke in the House on the complaints by non-Muslims of azan being too loud especially the call at dawn. Then, some newspapers carried the news with titles such as 'People should not raise the azan issue' (Bertita Harian)."


> Yang hairannya orang Islam sekarang takut bersuara. Mana taknya, sehinggakan di persatuan2 alumni pun tak pertikaikan apabila membuat bar untuk minuman keras di bangunan alumni. Mungkin sebab orang2 Islam sekarang lebih liberal. YB Zulkifli yang menegakkan agamanya dikeji oleh rakan2 seperjuangan apabila Majlis Peguam mengadakan forum terbuka mengenai memeluk agama Islam. Ramai sangatkah orang2 di Malaysia yang bermasalah tentang penganutan Islam?

Kalau berlaku lagi insiden May 13, bukan kerana kerajaan yang menghasut, tetapi sememangnya masyarakat Malaysia sudak tidak bertoleransi.

Coalition cracking again? (Update 1)

28/7: Gelugor MP Karpal Singh condemns PAS for discussing issues with UMNO in the name of Malay unity. He said that Pakatan Rakyat should re-evaluate its partners involvement in the coalition (senior partner mind you with 2 states under their belt).

After the resignation of Sr SO to Menteri Besar Selangor, now there's dispute on money transferred to PKR accounts, Penang's resentment on Kedah's intention to pursue logging activities, DAP's disapproval of PAS' islamic state concept. Don't people discuss things before making press statements or is it just plain acting for PR (public relations, not Pakatan Rakyat)?....Is the coalition disintegrating again?

On the same note, Ezam left and joined UMNO. Dato' Nalla left and formed his own party. What would be the driving force for these decisions? Obviously both are gatekeepers of key tactical and strategic information. Is this a trojan horse play? Is this all planned? Who knows.

What I do know is that it will be another exciting term in UMNO and Malaysian politics come December. Reporters and political analysts alike are making predictions and betting on their 'horses', anticipating the big guns' maneuvering judging from recent events and press statements. People have started lobbying for positions in the party, which is norm in election year. This is when you get phone calls from people you haven't heard from since the last party election. I hope UMNO in all levels will make the right choices and not revert to the old ways of thinking (always difficult to choose between making the right decision and making the popular decision) or simply put "SOS" (same old shit). If not, it will be another tough battle come 13th GE.

Coffee shops all over the country are talking about who's contesting what post. We must not forget that the party rebuilding process has precedence and is a monumental initiative. As such, please put your votes to good use.

Recent events in coalition parties suggest that change is inevitable. Like Barack Obama's campaign; let's have a 'change we can believe in'.

Then again, I suspect it will be SOS. What do you think? Or do you think it's no longer relevant?

UMNO Election (Update 4) and PR's choice for DPM (update 1)

Update 4 (28/7): Tok Pa pulled out from the race.

Update 3 (27/7): Datuk Seri Utama Mohamad Hassan pulled out from the VP race.

Update 2 (25/7): List of UMNO Vice Presidency candidates:

1. DS Hishamuddin Tun Hussein
   
2. DS Syed Hamid Albar (being challenged at Division)
   
3. TS Rahim Tamby Chik
4. DS Khaled Nordin
5. DS Ali Rustam
6. TS Muhammad Muhammad Taib
7. DS Shafie Afdal
8. DS Adnan Yaakob
9. DS Musa Aman
10. TS Mohd Isa Abdul Samad
11. DS Rais Yatim (being challenged at Division by his deputy Datuk Yunus Rahmat, Klawang State Assemblyman)
12. DS Shahidan Kassim
13. Datuk Zahid Hamidi

20/7:

• One branch attempted to open the flood gates by nominating Datuk Seri Najib as UMNO president. One division in Johor might follow suit. Other contests:
• Sembrong, Kubang Pasu (TDM's former division), Balakaban (enjoying pension money after declining deputy minister post), Beaufort, Sipitang have nominated AAB as President and DSNR as Deputy President.
• Gua Musang nominated their chief as candidate for presidency
• Putrajaya plans to also nominate AAB and DSNR this Saturday
  
• D Mukhriz supports DS Hisham's notion that the top two posts should be contested
• PR has officially announced DSAI as their choice for the top seat should PR takes over from BN government. The question is, who is their choice for DPM? PAS will be furious if the composition of the newly formed government does not have at least 60% of Malay YBs after the planned hop in September (now DSAI says the plan has been delayed because of the sodomy case). PAS has already met with their UMNO counterparts to discuss issues regards the Malays and Islam. Will this widen the crack in Pakatan Rakyat?
  

The Strength of the Malays, PAS co-operating with UMNO & of Biotech competition in the south

Had an intellectual chat with a senior OP whom I highly respect. When I was 17, he was actually the first person lecturing my peers and I about the history of the Malacca sultanate, the special rights of the Malays and that we should not be ashamed of having that constitutional provision. He also instilled a sense of nationalism in our head and continuously reminded us that we have the responsibility to the nation to serve to lead.

Fast forward to 11 years later, I still see the same spirit in him when talking about the present political landscape. We both agreed that the provision in Article 153 of the Constitution has been opened to abuse by people driven by greed and lust of power. He agreed that race-based politics was by design not intention, that the colonial masters had established the system in such a way that the basis of politics is racial background. I personally think that we would see this trend diminish in the urban areas.

On the sensitivities among the non-Malays about Article 153, he argued that the non-Malays should not feel threatened as long as the policy is administered well. The Malays should be the ones protecting not only their interests but also ensuring that the entitlement for others is not compromised (with power comes great responsibility).

Malays who have been offered scholarships and have completed their studies must fulfill their contractual obligations. Those who were offered loans and defaulted should be punished severely for abusing the privilege. Same goes with leaders who flaunt openly with their wealth and mansions. The decline of moral in leaders and the Malaysian citizens is apparent. The respect of law and order has also diminished extensively. Mat rempits should be taken off the streets and forced to conduct community service or be sent to jail for rehab or labor work (this would reduce the need for foreign workers by 5% in the construction industry).

We also talked about our alma mater and the merits of relocation. He did convince me that relocation made some sense. First of all, the buildings that we have were not meant to last long. The walls of the dormitories are made of asbestos and the whole structure is slowly falling apart. The relocation would enable us to build something more resilient and relevant to current times. This should be a permanent feature and we must ensure that the construction is solid to avoid another relocation in 50 years. It should reflect the greatness of RMC but not too much that it pampers the boys too much. I'm just worried about the close proximity of the power lines. The old buildings should remain in the hands of RMC, not NDU. Allocation should also be put aside for the International Baccalaureate program. MCKK and TKC are the other 2 schools intending to implement the same system within the next few years.

On the poor participation among the young ones to give back, he agreed that youths are typically highly-driven and energetic. They should focus their energies and ideas into actions and also listen to wise old men for advice.

Other news:

• PAS cannot be taken lightly. With 83 seats compared to DAP's 73 and PKR's 40, it is the actual backbone of PR with 2 states under its belt. Why is it consulting with UMNO? Another crack in the coalition? Even Selangor PAS youths are giving the subtle hints.
• Meanwhile, is Malaysia Biotech Corp ready to take on Singapore? "One ground-breaking proposal is to let promising biotech firms list even if they do not have a financial track record. The move could make Singapore the first stop for such firms in Asia". That is a very bold and competitive move. How will we counter this and continue to attract investors?
• On food price increase: Even religious ceremonies were not spared.