Friday, February 15, 2008

Can an Employee Refuse a Meeting with the Boss?

Just like an en employee cannot refuse when his/her boss calls for a meeting, then the same logic applies to the Prime Minister when the Rakyat wants to have a meeting with him.

In the Hindraf peaceful walk of roses to meet him tomorrow, it is indeed shocking to hear that he replied, ““What for? Why should I attend any Hindraf event?” after being asked by a journalist as reported in Malaysiakini today.

Isn’t this akin to “harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi”?

Mr. Prime Minister, In case you have forgotten. We, the rakyat, elected (and paid) you to run this country FOR US. And therefore, you ARE answerable to us.

Please read this with care. The more you meet the Rakyat to look into their needs, the more you will be loved and accepted. It is that simple. How come, it does not seem to sink in you?

At present, we are considering firing you. Please give us a show cause letter why you shouldn’t be.

Written by yours truly

Posted by Bunga Raya at 12:57:32 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Excellent Piece from Azly Rahman Again

extracted from Malaysiakini. click below for the web news proper and the news organisation. Happy reading!


http://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/77754

 
A Malay view of ‘Ketuanan Melayu’
Azly Rahman | Feb 4, 08 2:51pm
‘O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety. Indeed the noblest among you is the one who is deeply conscious of God.’ - a saying of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)
 ‘ Malaysia - to whom does it belong? To Malaysians. But who are Malaysians? I hope I am, Mr Speaker, Sir. But sometimes, sitting in this chamber, I doubt whether I am allowed to be a Malaysian. This is the doubt that hangs over many minds, and … [once] emotions are set in motion, and men pitted against men along these unspoken lines, you will have the kind of warfare that will split the nation from top to bottom and undo Malaysia.’ - Lee Kuan Yew, now Senior Minister, Republic of Singapore
 Instead of defining Ketuanan Melayu as ‘Malay superiority’ which is quite meaningless, philologically inaccurate, and philosophically arrogant, I think the word ‘dictatorship’ is closer in meaning. As you read this piece, please refrain from value judgment and from bring trapped in the prison-house of language pertaining to the word ‘dictatorship’.
 To dictate connotes to tell, which connotes to narrate. To narrate means to weave a story based on an ideology. To ideologise means to encapsulate. To encapsulate means to be trap. Dictatorship, here might also mean an entrapment. Instead of acknowledging one’s freedom to rule, one is acknowledging being in an entrapment - and to rule out of that condition. This is a form of false consciousness.
 Words, as a literary theorist Raymond Williams might say, must also be contextualised/situated within the economic condition they emerge in. Marx’s famous dictum that human beings’ existence is defined by the economic condition they are in and that this condition is already predetermined. This is a deterministic view of human history.
 I first read heard the phrase Ketuanan Melayu in the mid-1980s from a book by one Malik Munip. I was reading his work, at the same time reading Lim Kit Siang’s ‘ Malaysia in the dangerous 80s’, to get a sense of the argument. I was an undergraduate reading Literature, Education and International Politics.
 I also heard that Malay students were discouraged from reading Kit Siang’s work and encouraged to read ‘Ketuanan Melayu’. I love banned books and books that others tell me not to read. There is a sense of intellectual challenge to be able to read banned books.
 I read Mahathir Mohamad’s ‘The Malay Dilemma’ and Syed Husin Ali’s ‘Malays: Their Problems and their Future’ and Syed Hussein Alatas’ ‘The Myth of the Lazy Native’ at the same time. Again, to get a sense of balance.
 I read Malaysian official publications on economic outlook, juxtaposing them with a close reading of analyses on the political-economy of the Malaysian capitalist state.
 I read the work of Freud and Marx to see where some of the major authors of the Frankfurt School of Social Research are going with their arguments on totalitarianism. I read the Quran and the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata to see where the arguments on race superiority lie and what the fate of humankind will be.
 The idea of social dominance and racial superiority might all be primarily about economics, if we are to read the history of the development of ideologies of superiority. But my question is - who has the right to claim that this or that land belongs to this or that group of people. At what point does culture and citizenship meet and negotiate the issue of egalitarianism? When does ‘the truth of one’s culture’ reach its limit and the question of ‘the truth of citizenship’ dominate?
 This is a very complex question Malaysians must answer after 50 years of Independence . We must open up the dialogue on this issue.
 Lyrical propaganda
 Let us look at how the idea of ketuanan Melayu is disseminated to the young. One way is through indoctrination camps in which songs are used.
 Over the decades, perhaps millions of Malay students like me were taught the dangerous propaganda song, ‘Anak Kecil Main Api’(A Child Plays with Fire). One verse concerns the power of the Malays::
 … kini kita cuma tinggal kuasa
 yang akan menentukan bangsa
 hasil mengalir, ke tangan yang lain
 pribumi merintih sendiri…
 My loose translation of this 1980s propaganda song by the Biro Tata Negara reads:
 … political power is what we are only left with
 one that will determine the fate of our nation
 wealth of this nation flows into the hands of others
 sons and daughters of the soil suffer in solace…
 I do not think we have a clear understanding of what the lyrics mean. I doubt if the songwriter even understand what a ‘people’s history of Malaya ‘ means. It is a song based on racist intents; its lyrics penned by one who does not have a good grasp of the political-economy of Malaysian history, let alone the latest advances in the field of psychology of consciousness.
 The training programes that encapsulate the theme of this song are meant to instill fear of the Malays, not of others but of themselves, and to project hatred onto other ethnic groups without realising who the enemy of the Malays really are.
 Using relaxation techniques to bring the brain waves in the alpha and state (conducive for suggestive and subliminal messages), trainees were put under ‘half-asleep’ conditions to get the ketuanan Melayu message to colonise the consciousness. The technique pioneered by Russian brain scientists Barzakov and Lozanov in the1970s, called ‘suggestopedia’, is used to instill the deep sense of fear for oneself and hatred of others.
 History is a complex syntagmatic pattern of interplay between technology, ideology, culture, inscription and institutionalisation not easily reduced to simplistic lyrics as such sung to the tune of pre-war German-nationalistic-sounding compositions.
 History is about the complex evolution of the ruling class which owns the technologies of control. As Marx would say, at every epoch it is the history of those who own the means of production that will be written and rewritten. The winners write history, the losers write poetry or study anthropology, some would lament.
 Back to the lyrics. After 50 years of independence, who is suffering in Malaysia ? Who has become wealthy? Who has evolved into robber barons? What has become of our judiciary system, our universities, our city streets, our sense of public safety and security, our schools, our youth, and our entire socio-economic arrangements at the eve of the 12th general election. How has the idea of ketuanan Melayu contributed to this state of affairs?
 Language of power and ideology is at play in those lyrics. The definition of ‘bumiputera’ is at play. It has become a problematic word in this age of deconstructionism; an age wherein as the poet WB Yeats said, “the centre cannot hold”.
 Rock musicians will recall the Scorpions’ famous song ‘Winds of Change’ to serenade the fall of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of the breakdown of the Soviet Empire. We have to face the ‘wrath’ of the word.
 Put an end to Ketuanan Melayu
 For Muslims in Malaysia , this saying by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is familiar: ‘Your descent is nothing to be proud of. Nor does it bring you superiority. O people! All of you are the children of Adam. You are like equal wheat grains in a bowl … No one has any superiority over anyone else, except in religion and heedfulness. In order to consider someone a wicked person, it suffices that he humiliates other people, is mean with money, bad-tempered and exceeds the limits…’
 I would say that ketuanan Melayu is a dangerous concept that is threatening race relations. It is an arrogant interpretation of selective history; of a history that is largely benefiting those who profits from the ideology.
 Those promoting this concept are not well-versed in the matters of philosophy of history. I do not think thinking Malays these days subscribe to the idea of ‘Malay dominance and dictatorship’. If there is a ketuanan of one race, then the rest are ‘slaves’ and ‘serfs’ and ‘sub-citizens’, if we are to analyse it from the point of view of ‘Master-Slave’ narrative?
 As a Malay wishing to see the withering of and an end to the concept of ketuanan Melayu and the birth of a new consciousness that will respect the dignity of all races and the humility of all ethnic groups, I call upon Malaysians to continue to be critical of any attempt by any race to project their own sense of false superiority that would only breed dangerous ethnocentrism bordering on xenophobia.
 We should work together to deconstruct all forms of race-based political arrangement and work towards establishing a new order based on a more egalitarian economic design that takes into consideration the basic needs and dignity of all races.
 We should teach our schoolchildren how to deconstruct such sense of racial superiority, through the teaching of not only tolerance but social egalitarianism - via peace education strategies. We will have a lot to gain for generations to come.
  
  

 

Posted by Bunga Raya at 09:52:50 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

A Future for Malaysia

In regards to Baradan’s article in Malaysiakini of Hinduism upsurge and the fear it might create fear among the other races as stated in his article headlined “Hindu Activism May Upset Poll Calculations”, I would like to offer my two sen’s worth.
Firstly, the 18-point memorandum had earlier sparked fear even among Indians to the peace (or rather strained peace) of this country. In fact, I too have been taken aback and could not digest another religious group.
But after much analysis, this force has come to the fore of Malaysian politics due to the very divide and rule policy in Malaysia.
Hindraf to me is a reactive response to an oppression and denial of rights to the Rakyat, and one of the affected communities is the Indians.
Going under a religious banner is also another reactive response due to the serious issues of denial of religious freedom and rights as a Hindu in the face of strict and partisan Shariah rules as well as the breaking of temples which was in effect, the catalyst for Indians to simply march.
Being in a grassroots movement for many years, I have had great difficulty to gather large number of people while this effort had spurred such numbers like a domino effect much to my surprise.
Perhaps the time has come for the people to conclude amidst all that has been denied to them, blatantly ignored and to dawn upon them that life would have been so much better for them if only they had been united as a force long ago.
If only the Indians had been strong and understood their rights long ago, Samy Vellu would not have been so thuggish in his rule of the peace loving Indians while all his attempts to silence the Indians would not have been successful.
However, to claim that the Chinese and Malays have not been emphatic to this situation and may affect their votes is beyond me.  Since Hindraf became a household name in November last year, there were so many outpours in the spirit of brotherhood from many Malaysians who, many of them, are Malays and Chinese.
In fact the Malays and Chinese understand that the oppressed Indians are finally speaking up through a channel mooted by a group of concerned individuals. The march came after many years of speaking up but of not being heard. A march is always a last resort for many group where many groosroots movements will testify; and therefore it is only to be understood that the Indians (with many being Hindus) have resorted to this attempt. 
However, it is indeed ideal to have movements based on need rather than ethnic or religion. I will support a leader, be him/her a Hindu, Muslim or Christian if he can represent my rights in my motherland, Malaysia without prejudice, ethical governance and treating everyone fairly.
It will be ideal for all political parties to be secular in nature and represent its Rakyat without compromising their cultural and religious beliefs and economic growth.
Perhaps this could have been suggested by the writer rather than putting added fear (where there could be none) in his article. Columnists can be opinion leaders and their opinions serve the nation best when added with good suggestions especially to a nation now riding on so many issues with disbelieve, amazement, worry and fatigue over the many things deprived of them.
To the best interest of the writer, there is a wave of change in this country. This is the way of the future generation based on the aspiration for a nation of abundance for all, a nation of ethics, transparency, just judicial system and strong sense of brotherhood among all Malaysian citizens.
This longing is already blossoming in the hearts of many Malaysians who want to put an end to the divide and rule based on ethnic and religion. But at the same time protection to the rights of each individual to practise his or her faith and culture is not disrupted.
May the move by movements like Hindraf pave way for a governance rejoiced by every Malaysian. In that bright future one day, I strongly believe Hindraf will no longer exist.
Posted by Bunga Raya at 10:28:25 | Permalink | Comments (1) »

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

AN OPEN LETTER TO  HINDRAF SUPPORTERS & ALL MALAYSIANS


I invite you to join my only 5 year daughter on Feb 16th who would brave the might of Police with their tear gas and chemical laced water cannons to prevent her and thousands against reaching Parliament House to deliver their messages of Peace and Justice.
Many may wonder why Roses to a PM who doesn’t understand or pretend not to understand the plight of Malaysian Indians. Many emailed me seeking answers whether we have softened our demands.
No. Under no circumstances would we soften our demand and approach. We have remained silent for far too long and if we don’t insist on our demands now then we never would in the future.
Pre and post 25/11 has seen various baseless accusations against HINDRAF and its leaders. Prior to that hundreds of our letters, appeals, memorandums ect to the PM had gone to deaf ears. When we “moved” the Indian community, suddenly the Government woke up not knowing how to tackle the problem of the new “Peaceful Indian uprising” against their might. They had all the while taken the Indian community for granted. That the Indian community are a bunch that can be pleased with “sweeteners” especially during elections. They had taken for granted that there wouldn’t be credible and capable leaders who would genuinely fight for them and their cause. I can only thank the Indian community for having the confidence on HINDRAF.
The Government had to cover up their bungle for the mess they created on 25/11. Hence the accusations of racists, fundamentalists and terrorists. They wanted to create a situation where the Malays would hate HINDRAF and rally behind them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Government’s strategy to use HINDRAF and 25/11 to unite the already divided Malay community between them, Keadilan and PAS so that the Malays would rally their support behind UMNO.  Fear of HINDU fundamentalism was created amongst Malays. It is sad that after 50 years the Government and UMNO still relies on race politics for their survival.
So on Feb 16th we proceed with our Roses. Valentine is associated with the Western Christian culture but accepted universally as a day to express LOVE. It is a time when the whole world seeks for ROSES to reach out their loved ones and send messages of Love.
I don’t ask you to love the PM personally but I ask you to love the highest position entrusted upon him by the Yang Dipertuan Agong to lead the country. Most of us hated Mahathir for his 22 years “regime” but we hold no grudges against him today. Likewise would be no reason holding grudges against the PM.
Let us give him the RED & YELLOW ROSES to symbolize/ remind him and assert that we are a peace loving community who come to him in all sincerity with our 18 demands that were submitted in July 2007 (Red Roses) and that we demand Justice for the 5 detained leaders (Yellow Roses). There are many ways of expressing quest and thirst for our basic fundamental rights and ROSES are a special way to convey those messages from a community who have been oppressed suppressed and marginalized for 50 years.
The whole world saw what happened on 25/11. Let the world again see and appreciate the peaceful struggle of these permanently colonized community. Believe me many in the western country are waiting anxiously to observe the Governments’ reaction on 16/02.
I have known and read many regimes brought down by Power of Roses. But of course it was a failure at Tianaman Square China. I remember how the soldiers shot down innocent people with ROSES who championed and peacefully sought their rights. And so I can never promise you that all will be well on 16/02. Let us all Pray that our leaders would have the wisdom and courage to accept that after 50 years the Indian Community are prepared to “rise” for their rights because MALAYSIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR MOTHERLAND.  By accepting those Roses the PM would prove to the entire country that he is a listening “father” of the nation.
I seek forgiveness of the Almighty for placing my only 5-year daughter on the forefront to face the possibility of the first round of tear gas and chemical laced water. Like any other child Vwaishhnnavi is a symbol of LOVE & AFFECTION. She is my only worldly treasure. I neither posses not property nor wealth. And I dedicate my only “treasure” for the cause of this suppressed community. I embrace the brave mother of this child for her determination, courage and commitment shown towards the struggle.  
Vwaishhnnavi and many others of her age would brave the message of purity, truth, sincerity, and unselfishness for the sake of the future Indian generation.
May I invite all Malaysians irrespective of colour and creed to join us in this symbolic gesture to seek Justice for a marginalized community neglected, unattended forgotten for 50 years. Let us all declare Friday the 15th Feb a National Prayer Day for the Almighty to grand wisdom to leaders of our country to allow our future generation to express their message of Peace & Justice.
Let us all pray that the Prime Minister who claims that he has big ears to listen to grouses of all communities allow this child any many others including us to whisper the message of LOVE AND JUSTICE through the ROSES.
P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London
 
Posted by Bunga Raya at 08:55:17 | Permalink | Comments (1) »