Malaysian Muslims need to travel more, even within the Muslim world just to see its diversity. Muslims all over the world have just as many different cultures and traditions as they do similarities.
I was really hoping to end the year on a happier note. But in a very fractious year, there is simply no let-up. The long list of intolerance and human rights abuse continues unabated.
We live in a country of a great diversity. Our people are of many different ethnicities and religions. That is our great wealth and strength and undoubtedly we have managed to live better with that diversity for more than 50 years.
Now, however, diversity is a fact that can’t even be acknowledged.
What does plurality mean? It just means that we are not homogenous, that we have many different streams among our people, whether it’s ethnic makeup, beliefs or opinions.
Being plural is just a statement of fact, not a judgement call on which of these streams are better than the other.
Yet, there are people warning us about the dangers of pluralism, because apparently pluralism makes equal what they believe is not. Where they got this is not stated.
All of us believe that our religion is the best one. But the fact that other religions exist is something we have to accept.
In parts of the world, our religion is not accepted and indeed discriminated against. If we complain about that, is it not hypocritical for us to do the same at home?
In the Quran, God talks about believers and defines them this way: “Believers are only they whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and whose faith is strengthened whenever His messages are conveyed unto them, and who in their Sustainer place their trust.” (Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 2).
Can we seriously go around and decide who are believers and who are not? And even if we could, can we do anything about it? As God says, “Behold, God lets go. Astray him who will (to go astray), just as He guides unto Himself all who turn unto Him” (Surah Al-R’ad, Verse 27).
Nor does pluralism refer only to us and the other but also within our own communities. How is it we can be so intolerant even of those within our own fold, unless we don’t know our own religion?
“All believers are but brethren. Hence, (whenever they are at odds) make peace between your two brethren, and remain conscious of God, so that you might be graced with His mercy.” (Surah Al-Hujarat, Verse 10).
And yet, our leaders are calling us to hound people whose beliefs differ from ours, even when their roots go back to the same source as ours.
Sometimes, I think Malaysian Muslims need to travel more, even within the Muslim world, just to see its diversity.
Muslims all over the world have just as many different cultures and traditions as they do similarities.
Not everybody does things exactly the way we do it. Yet their core beliefs, what makes them Muslims, are all the same.
So who are we to decide whether they are wrong or not?
More practically speaking, if we insist that Shiites are deviants, then how do we explain the Islamic Republic of Iran and its membership in the OIC? Or is inconsistency simply part of politics?
Not only are we a plural society in terms of race, religion and within religion itself, we are also plural in other ways, including sexuality.
Here again we go against our own core beliefs in order to act out our own prejudices.
If we believe that God determines everything, then surely our sexuality is not a matter of choice either.
Therefore, if we did not choose to be heterosexual, it stands to reason that nobody chose to be homosexual either. In this way, we are equal before the Divine.
How then does this justify the type of savage discrimination that some of us insist must be inflicted against those of minority sexualities?
If we persecute every single gay man, woman and child in this country, would God guarantee that no disaster will ever befall us henceforth?
If I sound frustrated, it is because I am completely tired of the abhorrently arrogant way that those in authority have conducted themselves in the past year.
Somehow supremacist beliefs about just about everything is gaining ground, not just about race and religion but also about gender, sexuality, age, disability and everything else not considered the “norm”.
Those of us who complain about discrimination and abuse become the ones who are branded irreligious.
Did we forget this verse? “O men! Behold, We have created you all out of males and females, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another”. (Surah Al-Hujarat, Verse 13).
Could there be nothing clearer about a pluralistic world?
Try and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone!
For enlightenment, do read this http://www.ammanmessage.com/.
Diversity is our great wealth
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Love does not hurt nor hate
When we discriminate against any member of a group or community, we act against the Constitution, against the Government’s latest calling: 1Malaysia.
“If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
TRY this. Take the person next to you right now. Now, try to imagine that you are him or her. Perhaps, you do not know enough about that person? OK, even if you did, would he or she actually act or feel like that?
Slowly, you may just realise this: he or she is not you. But, what if that person were you?
Think about this: the words “transsexual, transgender, homosexual, intersex (person born with female and male genitals)” are just names. Like your name is James or Sarah. However, these words specify the identity of a particular group or community in our society.
Let’s have a look at our Federal Constitution (“the Constitution”); see the design created that appears to include and binds every group and community of Malaysian people. Simply put, the Constitution serves everyone.
For example:
> All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law. – Article 8.
> No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law. – Article 5
> This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. – Article 4.
Clearly, the words “all persons”, “no person” alone shows that the Constitution does not discriminate against transgenders, transsexuals, non-heterosexuals, intersex and such people. Because if that were the case, why imprint these words onto the Constitution?
Meaning, Ah Boon with his noodles in the hawker stall is just as protected by the Constitution as Nanie, a mak nyah having her teh tarik at the mamak shop.
Ironically, when we discriminate against any member in these groups or communities, we act against the Constitution. Similarly, we act against the Government’s latest calling: 1Malaysia.
There has never been “1Malaysia, but ...”
But if you saw a mak pondan next to you right now, would you see her as a non-Malaysian?
Strangely, it would not be the first thing on your mind, would it? How would you feel if someone hurt you for being who you are? In fact, have you ever been hurt like that in your life?
Research also shows that in Malaysia, the transgendered community faces a daily living of rejection, marginalisation, hate, abuse, discrimination and brutality because they are what they are.
In addition, out of 16 countries around the East and Asia Pacific, only five, including Malaysia, deem male-to-male sex as illegal. One of the biggest nations in the world, China, does not decree male-to-male sex as illegal. Even Timor Leste considers it legal.
Are they actually dirty ... evil … wrong, or is it just what people have been telling you to think about them? Do you actually know of one, properly and personally? What if that very person they spoke so cruelly of … were you?
If one tries to analyse the words of 1Malaysia and the Constitution, this common thread may be seen: Malaysia is about peace, unity and equality.
Which makes a lot of sense, since it ties in with our Malaysian nature: “relak … chill la”. As a matter of fact, such spirit guide the law and the people therein, every day, to ensure that justice is served.
For example, the High Court, in the case of Re JG v Pengarah Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara, permitted a male-to-female to have her registration and identity card altered to suit her new gender.
James Foong J held: “She felt like a woman, lived like one, behaved as one, had her physical body attuned to one and, most important of all, her psychological thinking was that of a woman.
“In this case, the first prayer was for a declaration which the court had power under the Specific Relief Act 1950 to grant. As for the second prayer, it concerned only an administrative exercise and the defendant was empowered by law under S 6(2)(o) of the National Registration Act 1959 to make correction and alteration in the register and identity card.
“All these would give full effect to art 5(1) of the Federal Constitution which states that ‘no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law’.”
Change happens and we almost always move with change. One man’s meat may be another man’s poison. Interestingly, not everything right makes another thing right: Would you protect your best friend in trouble despite knowing that she or he was wrong?
Why? Because the best thing within us is not a matter that is black or white. And we try our best to strike that balance.
In whole, our humanity lies in love. Just looking at the concept of 1Malaysia and the Constitution, it appears that we, the Malaysian people want to be guided by love.
Love does not discriminate, condemn, hurt or hate. It does not divide nor speak the worst of another. Love is real and fair.
The law looks like a scary piece of paper. However, it is real and, where outdated, change should occur to suit the ever-changing times and our ever-changing needs. After all, the laws were made for all of us.
Transgenders, transsexuals, non-heterosexuals and intersex are a part of us: can we put our sticks down?
> The writer is a young lawyer. Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column – a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, please visit www.malaysianbar.org.my
Love does not hurt nor hate
“If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
TRY this. Take the person next to you right now. Now, try to imagine that you are him or her. Perhaps, you do not know enough about that person? OK, even if you did, would he or she actually act or feel like that?
Slowly, you may just realise this: he or she is not you. But, what if that person were you?
Think about this: the words “transsexual, transgender, homosexual, intersex (person born with female and male genitals)” are just names. Like your name is James or Sarah. However, these words specify the identity of a particular group or community in our society.
Let’s have a look at our Federal Constitution (“the Constitution”); see the design created that appears to include and binds every group and community of Malaysian people. Simply put, the Constitution serves everyone.
For example:
> All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law. – Article 8.
> No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law. – Article 5
> This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. – Article 4.
Clearly, the words “all persons”, “no person” alone shows that the Constitution does not discriminate against transgenders, transsexuals, non-heterosexuals, intersex and such people. Because if that were the case, why imprint these words onto the Constitution?
Meaning, Ah Boon with his noodles in the hawker stall is just as protected by the Constitution as Nanie, a mak nyah having her teh tarik at the mamak shop.
Ironically, when we discriminate against any member in these groups or communities, we act against the Constitution. Similarly, we act against the Government’s latest calling: 1Malaysia.
There has never been “1Malaysia, but ...”
But if you saw a mak pondan next to you right now, would you see her as a non-Malaysian?
Strangely, it would not be the first thing on your mind, would it? How would you feel if someone hurt you for being who you are? In fact, have you ever been hurt like that in your life?
Research also shows that in Malaysia, the transgendered community faces a daily living of rejection, marginalisation, hate, abuse, discrimination and brutality because they are what they are.
In addition, out of 16 countries around the East and Asia Pacific, only five, including Malaysia, deem male-to-male sex as illegal. One of the biggest nations in the world, China, does not decree male-to-male sex as illegal. Even Timor Leste considers it legal.
Are they actually dirty ... evil … wrong, or is it just what people have been telling you to think about them? Do you actually know of one, properly and personally? What if that very person they spoke so cruelly of … were you?
If one tries to analyse the words of 1Malaysia and the Constitution, this common thread may be seen: Malaysia is about peace, unity and equality.
Which makes a lot of sense, since it ties in with our Malaysian nature: “relak … chill la”. As a matter of fact, such spirit guide the law and the people therein, every day, to ensure that justice is served.
For example, the High Court, in the case of Re JG v Pengarah Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara, permitted a male-to-female to have her registration and identity card altered to suit her new gender.
James Foong J held: “She felt like a woman, lived like one, behaved as one, had her physical body attuned to one and, most important of all, her psychological thinking was that of a woman.
“In this case, the first prayer was for a declaration which the court had power under the Specific Relief Act 1950 to grant. As for the second prayer, it concerned only an administrative exercise and the defendant was empowered by law under S 6(2)(o) of the National Registration Act 1959 to make correction and alteration in the register and identity card.
“All these would give full effect to art 5(1) of the Federal Constitution which states that ‘no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law’.”
Change happens and we almost always move with change. One man’s meat may be another man’s poison. Interestingly, not everything right makes another thing right: Would you protect your best friend in trouble despite knowing that she or he was wrong?
Why? Because the best thing within us is not a matter that is black or white. And we try our best to strike that balance.
In whole, our humanity lies in love. Just looking at the concept of 1Malaysia and the Constitution, it appears that we, the Malaysian people want to be guided by love.
Love does not discriminate, condemn, hurt or hate. It does not divide nor speak the worst of another. Love is real and fair.
The law looks like a scary piece of paper. However, it is real and, where outdated, change should occur to suit the ever-changing times and our ever-changing needs. After all, the laws were made for all of us.
Transgenders, transsexuals, non-heterosexuals and intersex are a part of us: can we put our sticks down?
> The writer is a young lawyer. Putik Lada, or pepper buds in Malay, captures the spirit and intention of this column – a platform for young lawyers to articulate their views and aspirations about the law, justice and a civil society. For more information about the young lawyers, please visit www.malaysianbar.org.my
Love does not hurt nor hate
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Autogate system for foreigners
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department is planning to create an autogate system for foreigners by the middle of next year, said director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad.
He said that at the moment, the autogate facility was being used by departing local passport holders only.
“By introducing the autogate system for foreigners, we will improve the efficiency of operations at the country’s entry and exit points like KLIA and other international airports.
“It will also strengthen the integrity of immigration officers by preventing bribery,” he said.
Alias added that the system would also be able to detect if foreigners were using fake visas or someone else’s passport. He said that only genuine visitors would be able to pass through the autogate.
“The system will be able to detect passports verified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation which were being used in more than 60 countries.
On the detection of fake passports or the misuse of genuine documents, Alias said that every visa had a serial number which could be detected by the autogate system.
“If the visa is fake and cannot be read by the system, the gates will not open,’’ he said.
Based on statistics from the enforcement unit, 267 arrests involving foreigners were made under the 1966 Passport Act from January until October.
Another 22 offenders were arrested during operations with other authorities.
Alias said that his department was already working with other countries to share information and expertise.
“We are working with Australia and the Netherlands and will be partnering with the United States and Britain.
“We are currently preparing the framework for a memorandum of understanding with both countries,” Alias told mStar in an exclusive interview.
Autogate system for foreigners
He said that at the moment, the autogate facility was being used by departing local passport holders only.
“By introducing the autogate system for foreigners, we will improve the efficiency of operations at the country’s entry and exit points like KLIA and other international airports.
“It will also strengthen the integrity of immigration officers by preventing bribery,” he said.
Alias added that the system would also be able to detect if foreigners were using fake visas or someone else’s passport. He said that only genuine visitors would be able to pass through the autogate.
“The system will be able to detect passports verified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation which were being used in more than 60 countries.
On the detection of fake passports or the misuse of genuine documents, Alias said that every visa had a serial number which could be detected by the autogate system.
“If the visa is fake and cannot be read by the system, the gates will not open,’’ he said.
Based on statistics from the enforcement unit, 267 arrests involving foreigners were made under the 1966 Passport Act from January until October.
Another 22 offenders were arrested during operations with other authorities.
Alias said that his department was already working with other countries to share information and expertise.
“We are working with Australia and the Netherlands and will be partnering with the United States and Britain.
“We are currently preparing the framework for a memorandum of understanding with both countries,” Alias told mStar in an exclusive interview.
Autogate system for foreigners
Monday, November 15, 2010
1,000 retired English teachers to be hired
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry plans to recruit 1,000 retired English language teachers on a contractual basis, deputy minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.
The move would complement the recruitment of native English-speaking teachers from countries such as Britain and Australia.
“These retired teachers will be employed part-time on a contractual basis to teach English in schools.
“We are also looking at extending current teachers’ contracts and increasing the intake of English language teachers,” he told reporters after attending the 2010 International Competitions and Assessments For Schools awards ceremony here yesterday.
In the Budget tabled in Parliament last month, it was announced that 375 native English-speaking teachers would be employed to train local teachers.
Dr Wee added that recruitment of foreign teachers was just one method to strengthen the teaching of English in schools.
“There is a perception that we are not engaging local talent, but this is not true. We are trying to get as many qualified teachers as possible and this will involve a multi-faceted approach,” he said.
On sex education, Dr Wee said the subject was not a new one but an “improved and updated” version of the existing curriculum.
“There is the social and reproductive health component, which is already taught.
“As the primary and secondary school syllabi will be revamped next year, this subject has undergone an update as well,” he said.
Earlier in Subang Jaya, Dr Wee said the construction of a new Chinese primary school – SJKC Tun Tan Siew Sin – in Putra Heights would commence once the local council approved the building plans.
Announcing the approval of a piece of land worth RM11mil by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the school, he said the ministry had also approved RM6mil to build it.
He said the residents in Putra Heights were pleased with the news and thanked Muhyiddin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for it.
“The school can accommodate 1,400 pupils per session. It will also cater to the needs of the community in the surrounding areas,” Dr Wee said after visiting the site.
Also present were chairmen or representatives from the five residents’ committees in Putra Heights and the school’s building committee chairman Lim Kim Hui.
1,000 retired English teachers to be hired
The move would complement the recruitment of native English-speaking teachers from countries such as Britain and Australia.
“These retired teachers will be employed part-time on a contractual basis to teach English in schools.
“We are also looking at extending current teachers’ contracts and increasing the intake of English language teachers,” he told reporters after attending the 2010 International Competitions and Assessments For Schools awards ceremony here yesterday.
In the Budget tabled in Parliament last month, it was announced that 375 native English-speaking teachers would be employed to train local teachers.
Dr Wee added that recruitment of foreign teachers was just one method to strengthen the teaching of English in schools.
“There is a perception that we are not engaging local talent, but this is not true. We are trying to get as many qualified teachers as possible and this will involve a multi-faceted approach,” he said.
On sex education, Dr Wee said the subject was not a new one but an “improved and updated” version of the existing curriculum.
“There is the social and reproductive health component, which is already taught.
“As the primary and secondary school syllabi will be revamped next year, this subject has undergone an update as well,” he said.
Earlier in Subang Jaya, Dr Wee said the construction of a new Chinese primary school – SJKC Tun Tan Siew Sin – in Putra Heights would commence once the local council approved the building plans.
Announcing the approval of a piece of land worth RM11mil by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the school, he said the ministry had also approved RM6mil to build it.
He said the residents in Putra Heights were pleased with the news and thanked Muhyiddin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for it.
“The school can accommodate 1,400 pupils per session. It will also cater to the needs of the community in the surrounding areas,” Dr Wee said after visiting the site.
Also present were chairmen or representatives from the five residents’ committees in Putra Heights and the school’s building committee chairman Lim Kim Hui.
1,000 retired English teachers to be hired
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sektor Perbankan Seharusnya Perkenalkan Lebih Banyak Produk Inovatif
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Okt (Bernama) -- Sektor perbankan seharusnya meningkatkan usaha dalam memperkenalkan lebih banyak produk kreatif dan inovatif untuk merangsangkan perniagaan dan perdagangan, kata Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Beliau berkata ini adalah seiring dengan inisiatif kerajaan untuk memberikan penekanan kepada pertumbuhan yang diterajui sektor swasta dan pada masa yang sama memastikan Malaysia terus menjadi negara yang mesra pelabur.
"Pastinya, kita telah berada di landasan yang betul sekarang memandangkan pelbagai inisiatif seperti Model Baru Ekonomi dan Program Transformasi Ekonomi telahpun diperkenalkan untuk merancakkan lagi pertumbuhan ekonomi.
"Yang demikian, adalah penting untuk sektor perbankan untuk kekal berdaya saing dalam bergerak ke hadapan.
"Dengan lebih banyak produk inovatif dan kreatif dalam sektor perbankan, ia akan meletakkan Malaysia di barisan hadapan dalam menarik lebih banyak pelaburan di dalam dan luar negara," kata beliau kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan kerjasama antara RHB Bank Bhd dan PayPal dalam memperkenalkan dua perkhidmatan pembayaran inovatif yang baharu.
PayPal ialah peneraju global rumusan dalam talian dengan lebih 87 juta akaun di 190 pasaran dan 24 mata wang seluruh dunia.
RHB dan PayPal telah memeterai perjanjian eksklusif untuk menyediakan para pengguna bank dengan dua perkhidmatan pembayaran inovatif baharu di Malaysia.
Kedua-dua perkhidmatan itu ialah "Top-Up" online ke akaun PayPal dan pemindahan wang dalam talian menerusi platform pembayaran global PayPal.
Mustapa berharap kerjasama ini adalah permulaan kepada banyak lagi inisiatif yang akan muncul dalam sektor perbankan.
"Kami berharap ia akan menyaksikan perdagangan yang lebih hebat antara Malaysia dan rakan niaganya," tambah beliau.
-- BERNAMA
Beliau berkata ini adalah seiring dengan inisiatif kerajaan untuk memberikan penekanan kepada pertumbuhan yang diterajui sektor swasta dan pada masa yang sama memastikan Malaysia terus menjadi negara yang mesra pelabur.
"Pastinya, kita telah berada di landasan yang betul sekarang memandangkan pelbagai inisiatif seperti Model Baru Ekonomi dan Program Transformasi Ekonomi telahpun diperkenalkan untuk merancakkan lagi pertumbuhan ekonomi.
"Yang demikian, adalah penting untuk sektor perbankan untuk kekal berdaya saing dalam bergerak ke hadapan.
"Dengan lebih banyak produk inovatif dan kreatif dalam sektor perbankan, ia akan meletakkan Malaysia di barisan hadapan dalam menarik lebih banyak pelaburan di dalam dan luar negara," kata beliau kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan kerjasama antara RHB Bank Bhd dan PayPal dalam memperkenalkan dua perkhidmatan pembayaran inovatif yang baharu.
PayPal ialah peneraju global rumusan dalam talian dengan lebih 87 juta akaun di 190 pasaran dan 24 mata wang seluruh dunia.
RHB dan PayPal telah memeterai perjanjian eksklusif untuk menyediakan para pengguna bank dengan dua perkhidmatan pembayaran inovatif baharu di Malaysia.
Kedua-dua perkhidmatan itu ialah "Top-Up" online ke akaun PayPal dan pemindahan wang dalam talian menerusi platform pembayaran global PayPal.
Mustapa berharap kerjasama ini adalah permulaan kepada banyak lagi inisiatif yang akan muncul dalam sektor perbankan.
"Kami berharap ia akan menyaksikan perdagangan yang lebih hebat antara Malaysia dan rakan niaganya," tambah beliau.
-- BERNAMA
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