Awal Muharram and Chinese New Year
Awal Muharram and Chinese New Year
M. Bakri Musa
To my Chinese readers, Happy New Year! May the new year bring you and yours peace, prosperity and good health. To my Muslim readers, let us pause and reflect on the meaning of Awal Muharram so we may learn from that seminal event of our faith – the Hijrah. To my Chinese Muslim readers in Malaysia, America, China and elsewhere, may the Blessings and Benevolence of Allah upon you and yours be doubled!
I have one other wish, but I will leave that to the end.
Yes, I do have readers in China! I was privileged to meet a special Chinese Muslim from there, the famous calligrapher Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang when he was exhibiting his artistic works in America. His unique combination of Chinese and Islamic calligraphy was truly inspiring. I am filled with joy and wonderment every time I view his works. (You may view some of them on his website: www.hajinoordeen.com)
Physics of the New Moon
Both the Muslim and Chinese New Year begin with the new moon; theoretically they both should be on the same day this year. Yet, Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Sunday, January 29th, while Awal Muharram will be observed on Tuesday, January 31st. This difference in time is apparent, not real.
By calculation, the new moon will be on January 29th at 14 hours and 15 minutes Universal (Greenwich) Time. This is the new moon of the Chinese; thus they celebrate New Year on that day. This “new moon” needs clarification. It is the precise moment when the moon is directly aligned between the earth and sun (conjunction). At that brief instant, the moon’s shining part will completely face the sun, its dark side, the earth. The moon is completely dark and nothing is visible from the earth; hence the term “Dark Moon.” No telescope or other instrumentation can alter this physical reality.
To Muslims, the new moon is when the crescent (hillal) is visible. This can vary from 17 to 23 hours from the moment of conjunction. This variation is due to the variability of the velocity of rotation of the moon around the earth, as the moon’s trajectory is elliptical, not circular; hence it also changes with the seasons. Local weather conditions together with observer’s visual acuity also contribute to the variation.
Because of the physics of light in the atmosphere and the limits of human visual acuity, this hillal can only be seen when the angle of the earth-moon-sun is at least 9 degrees; hence the delay between conjunction and visualization.
By sunset on January 30, the crescent should be nearly 20 hours old in many parts of the world, and be readily visible. To Muslims, Awal (First of) Muharram has begun that very evening. In the Gregorian scheme, the Muslim new month (and year) begins the next day.
Acknowledging the New Year
The Chinese celebrate their New Year much like Muslims do Eid, in particular, Eid-ul Fitrah. Both festivities are joyous occasions for the renewal of familial and community bonds, together with tributes to God (or Gods), and remembrance of those family members who have departed before us.
The Chinese celebration goes on for ten days, with each day having its own special meaning. For Muslims, the tenth day of Muharram holds great significance. It is the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Shiite Muslims reenact that sad and tragic moment in Islamic history. This particular tragedy is heightened by the fact that Muharam is traditionally a time of peace, when fighting and wars are prohibited. To the Shiites, the first ten days of Muharram are a period of mourning.
Hijjrah of the Heart and Mind
The Prophet’s Hijrah (migration) from Mecca to Medinah on 622 CE was such a pivotal moment in Islamic history that Caliph Omar decided that the Muslim calendar, and hence Awal Muharram, should begin on that day. Historically, the migration actually took place during the third month.
Awal Muharram is not so much celebrated as observed. On this day, Muslims pause and reflect on that signal event in our history, and ponder its meaning and significance.
Hijrah means to move away from oppression, a bad place or situation. The symbolism of the new moon is particularly apt, the emergence from total darkness to ever increasing brightness under the soft luminescence of the moonlight.
Allah commands us not to accept the evil around or perpetrated upon us. In Surah Al Nisaa (4:97 – Women) (approximate translation), “When the Angels take the souls of those who die in sin, they [Angels] say, ‘In what plight were ye?’ They [sinners] replied, ‘Weak and oppressed we were on earth.’ They [Angels] say, ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourself away from evil?’ Such persons will find their abode in Hell – What an evil refuge!”
The Prophet’s physical Hijrah is well known. Less well appreciated is his non-physical hijrah, when he moved his people away from the Age of Jahilliyah (Ignorance) with his divine messages. His physical Hijrah was a matter of days; his other hijrah consumed his total life after he received that first revelation.
The prophet’s physical Hijrah saw the Anzars (the Medinah natives) warmly welcoming and adopting the Muhajirins (the migrants following the prophet from Mecca). Through their unity and shared identity in that first Muslim community, the faith spread beyond. There is a particular lesson in this for Malaysia.
The early Muslims’ other hijrah saw servants paired with masters, and the rich with the poor. It emancipated the Arabs from a culture where female infanticide was the norm to one where women like Khatijah and Fatimah (the prophet’s wife and daughter respectively – May Allah bless them) have a special place in Islam.
I too have undertaken my own physical hijrah by coming to America. As wrenching an emotional decision as that was, it was the easy part. Now I must continue with the hijrah of my heart and mind.
Living in the heart of capitalism, it is easy to be caught up with the unbridled consumerism. I must constantly remind myself that in giving I am indeed receiving, and that zakat (charity) means purification. It is a continuous hijrah for me to live up to those ideals.
As a society, we too must undertake our own collective hijrah. Through the blessings of Allah, Malaysians are spared the horrors of having to undertake any mass migration, as the Afghans now have to in avoiding anarchy and tyranny of their homeland. However, the evils of corruption, dependency, drug abuse, dysfunctional families, and breaches of faith among officials are still with us. We have to undertake a hijrah of our collective hearts and minds to rid and keep us away from all such ills.
Thus, my third wish upon myself and others, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, is to undertake this mental and social hijrah to move ourselves away from these evils.
January 29th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
People born in the Year of the Dog are said to be intelligent, friendly and loyal but also stubborn and outspoken. Famous dogs include former President Bill Clinton, tennis star Andre Agassi, President George W. Bush and humanitarian Mother Teresa.
Yessssssssssssss……. !
January 29th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Dear Bakri,
Thank for sharing your wishes with us.
Let your third wish become the wish of all Malaysian.
Let each of us doing our parts in whatever ways we can in keeping the evils away.
Beware of the temptations from Satan that evil become non-evil !
Don’t we see there are people who do not even regard corruption as evil !
We can’t expect the blessings of Allah ( or God ) will always be on us if we allow evils keep growing and spreading in our country.
January 29th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
Thanks, Bakri.
Let our politicians across the divide take heed and stop fanning the flames of racial discord and religious exclusivity. They must moderate their debate on politicised Islam, lower their vocies, and focus on the sagging economy.
2006 is not going to be a great year. We are going to be left behind in a competitive economy at the rate we are dealing with the economy. Catching up is not an easy thing to do.
Let also us never forget that Malaysia is pluralistic society, where the Malays can no longer have a monopoly on our national agenda. Let us get real. May the best ideas and well thought out programmes prevail. For this, officialdom (those in the box) is not the only place. Thinking has to come from outside the box.
Gong Xi Fai Cai and Selamat Awal Muharram.
January 29th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Spelling: “Vocies” should read “Voices”. Sorry for the typo.
January 29th, 2006 at 10:09 pm
Dr.Bakri,
CNY goes on for 15days with the 15th day is Chap Goh Mei.
Happy CNY and Selamat Awal Muharram to all.
January 29th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
Dear Rocky:
Thank you for the correction. Happy New Year!
M. Bakri Musa
January 30th, 2006 at 4:38 am
Now how could anyone say Malaysia has to be careful not to lose it all - and having to play catch up??? Malaysia was never anywhere near leading any country.
So far, it is like watching abdullah running with his pants which keep coming down as he runs. First he had this, ” Management by Inspiration”. Now he goes beserk with his latest book, “Sclerotic Mismanagemnt”.
January 30th, 2006 at 7:12 am
i like it doggie style
January 30th, 2006 at 7:13 am
i.e. management “doggie style”
January 30th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
Doggone Year,
I agree with you. Only he has the ability to run with his pants loose.
In addition, Abdullah Badawi is going to be a political goner pretty soon. UMNO will find a way to boot out an ineffective leader. The man was in Penang for Gong Xi Fa Cai to explain his pathetic philosophy of managing our country. I doubt they are impressed, only very polite.
Abdullah appears not to be in the best of health. He is exhausted and demoralised. Maybe he should a break abroad, this time for a long, long time. What do you think?
Kamsia.
January 30th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Correction: “should take a break abroad”.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
AlDogDog and other Doggies,
How can you all be so unkind to Abdullah Badawi!!
He is the most enlightened of Malay leaders ever to have emerged in the annals of the Malays. He is even ahead of Hang Tuah. To his generation, he is the first among equals, their torch bearer, and their tower of Malay sovereignty.
During the last General Elections in 2004, we are gave him 90% of the seats in Parliament, as a result of which we forced Partai Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) leaders to wear lounge suits and flashy ties and to be in tune with the 21st century, and demolished Anwar Ibrahim’s KeADILan.
We were excited by Badawi’s rhetoric, and endorsed his clean and transparent Government manifesto. We said that he did it right by grinding our economy to halt. After all, this is what “cemerlang, gemilang dan terbilang” is all about–slow growth, reduced national debt, strong reserves, lacklustre stock market, corrupt free police force, liberal Islam as defined by conservative ulamaks, third rate universities, a sandiwara anti-corruption campaign, and a comatose public administration.
We told ourselves that we had worked too hard for the last 22 years under slave driver Tun Dr. Mahathir and needed a break. We thought the Tun was dictatorial or “mahazalim” and extravangant, and we wanted a change. So here comes Abdullah Badawi, the servant-leader (according to his spinners). Now, why are we bitching and complaining?
Let us accept the fact that we got exactly what we all deserved…a humane leader imbibed with strong ethical and Islamic values. Let us, therefore, give him a chance to see what he can do with the 9th Malaysian Plan, which promises to be a “Ilham” document to save the Malays and revive our moribund economy.
Musa Hitam has already said at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Regional Outlook Luncheon Address in Singapore recently that our Prime Minister will be proactive and dynamic. We should trust this noble senior UMNO politician, who seems to know what drives the Imam of Islam Hadhari.
The above are my thoughts. I appeal to you in cyberland to give our leader, Badawi, a chance. Let him prove that the prevailing or conventional view of his administration is wrong. After he knows that if he continues with his present style, he will only self-destruct. He may not be a brilliant administrator, but I can say that he is a very good politician.
Have a great doggie day.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Maaf silap:”After all he knows…..”
January 30th, 2006 at 10:55 pm
I thought the Chinese celebrate CNY for fifteen days?? With the Chap Goh Meh thingy following up close???
January 31st, 2006 at 1:55 am
I have been following the many comments made after several of Dr. Bakri’s Blog and found that invariably some of the commentators are very careless about what they say on matters which touch on racial sensitivity.
It is obvious from what they say that they may have had bad personal experience which made them feel that they have been discriminated or deprived of opportunities which they feel ought to be theirs. But if we all examine our lives and ask ourselves, how many of us have not been dissapointed or feel deprived by the actions of others. If we keep this bitterness all our lives and spit it out at the first opportunity we can. it is not going to help our emotional make up one little iota but instead can hurt the feelings of our listeners or readers.
In the spirit of the CNY and Awal Muharram, let us think many time before we say things that can hurt the feelings of our fellow Malaysians irrespective of their racial origins.
January 31st, 2006 at 5:19 am
MSDollah, “In the spirit of the CNY and Awal Muharram, let us think many time before we say things that can hurt the feelings of our fellow Malaysians irrespective of their racial origins.”
Now we have two dollahs instead of just one!
If we are afraid of offending others then we should not be in the business of posting our views on the internet.
What do you think freedom of expression is all about?? It is about voicing one’s opinions without having to worry about how our opinion would be received. The freedom to express our opinion is far too important for that.
If someone exceeds the bounds of civility and intrude on the rights of another, there is the remedy through the courts, through legal redress for the wrongdoings when someone chooses to take advantage of his right to freedom of speech to abuse.
Too often those who favour muzzling public opinion in the interest of security have resorted to this sort of reasoning to justify limitations placed on our freedom of expression. It is the problem of the slippery slope all over again - a path once taken, it is difficult to stop or put brakes on.
January 31st, 2006 at 5:26 am
As for Abdullah Badawi, he has been PM long enough to develop his new management style i.e. running with his pants down his ankles. So far he has not stumbled with his ass exposed for all to see - however awkward it may be for someone of his age.
At least in the case of Najib, should he stumble out of his pants, there is Rosmah to take hold and protect his masculinity.
January 31st, 2006 at 6:04 am
i hear dollah has embarked on his latest i.e. sclerotic (mis)management.
i bet the guy is so listless, directlioness, mindless, focusless, screwless he doesnt know which way the wind blows. i saw him the other day standing in the middle of the road with his finger in the winds - trying to find out which way the wind blows (within his own party UMNO).
you cannot blame him - he hates blowing or be blown.
January 31st, 2006 at 6:44 am
Doggone Years you are one of those people I mean in my earlier comment. You ought to be in Taiping rather than to be let loose with access to a computer. There is no harm in expressing a divergent opinion but it should be done in a way that is not abusive, crude and arrogant.
Your concept of “freedom of expression” and the the right “to air your views on the internet” is, to say the least, misguided. I value dissenting opinions but abhore arrogance and abusive language.
Doggone Years, can I suggest that you show some respect to our PM and DPM, even if you disagree with their style of management because it is only because of their believe in individual freedom and forebearance, that people like you are still enjoying your kind of “freedom of expression”.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:54 am
“… because it is only because of their believe in individual freedom and forebearance, that people like you are still enjoying your kind of “freedom of expression”.
- MSAbdullah
Nothing for or against Doggone, but MSAbdullah’s statement above is not acceptable - at all.
Regardless of what the PM or DPM beliefs regarding “individual freedom and forebearance”, every citizen is entitled to his/her opinion and choice of expression, provided it is within the letters of the law. If the question is whether the legal line has been crossed, we will leave that matter to the court of justice. The court of public opinion, of course, is another matter altogether.
I respect MSAbdullah’s value for dissenting opinions, but many of us suffer from the disease of favouring form over substance, style over content, authority over common sense.
January 31st, 2006 at 3:12 pm
To the other Dollah:
The other Dollah says, “Doggone Years, you are one of those people …… ought to be in Taiping rather than to be let loose with access to a computer. There is no harm in expressing a divergent opinion but it should be done in a way that is not abusive, crude and arrogant.
Tell me which part of my statements you found “abusive, crude and arrogant”, and I’ll show you the dumbest of the dumb – and I am not referring to our less fortunate speech-impaired brothers and sisters.
“Your concept of “freedom of expression” and the right “to air your views on the internet” is, to say the least, misguided.”
Yes, this too. Freedom of expression, by your definition, is the right to express one’s views only if it meets with your lordship’s opinion of what is “responsible freedom of speech.”
Rest assured that you have lived under authoritarian rule for far too long and is now unable to recognize concepts for what they really are – you dish out your version of freedom to lesser mortals and reserve the best and true meaning of freedom to yourself and those of your ilk i.e. the so-called privileged members of the Establishment who alone know what is good for the masses.
“Doggone Years, can I suggest that you show some respect to our PM and DPM, even if you disagree with their style of management because…
(and get this)… it is only because of their believe in individual freedom and forebearance, that people like you are still enjoying your kind of “freedom of expression”.
Apart from the inability to appreciate the difference between a noun and a verb, this statement is but a mirror image of the personality exhibited by those who feel that they are God’s gift to mankind. When reminded that they are not infallible they respond with threats with the greatest of severity reminding others that they owe their freedom to them – that they should be forever grateful to them.
Little do they realize that “people like you” only seek to be able to express our opinions – right or wrong, fair or unfair, frank or condescending, abusive or otherwise, but unfettered and free from the constraints of self-censorship. These are but choices we make on a daily basis - as free individuals. Choices carry with them consequences but of course, it is too much to expect you and your ilk to understand that “people like you” would also want to be free to choose the consequences of those actions.
January 31st, 2006 at 7:27 pm
To All
Selamat Awal Muharram & Happy Lunar New Year.
Best Wishes To All.
Best Regards
Felix Wang
January 31st, 2006 at 10:49 pm
MSAbdullah,
If we understand that both Badawi and Najib are politicians, then we will learn not to be too carried away by their rhetoric. We have to focus on results. Based on that, MS Abdullah, we must admit that Badawi has so far not delivered. For this reason we should be critical as that is our right as voters. Obviously, you think otherwise since you advocate that Big Brother should define for us what is “freedom of speech”.
We did not write Badawi’s election manifesto. Surely he knows and understands what he promised us in that public document. We merely endorsed it and gave him the mandate to do what he said he would do. To me, he squandered his political capital by only talking. Now, like Bush (Did you listen to his State of the Union Address today? Do you think the American people trust him?), Badawi has a credibility problem. He could be a lame duck Prime Minister for the remainder of his term, unless he starts making critical decisions on the economy, his Cabinet, and his anti-corruption drive. He urgently needs to rein in the enthusiasm of his Ugama officials.
As citizens,managers and workers, we also have a very important role to play in national development. National productivity is not determined by politicians, although their policies and politics do have an impact. To tell you the truth, politicians do not matter in this respect; they should get off our backs and not tell us what to do.
We have to create opportunities for ourselves and work hard for decent meals for ourselves and our families. If we cannot find it at home, then we have to look elsewhere. Doing nothing is not an option. Who do you, MSAbdullah, think is still making our economy tick, if not for hard working and honest Malaysians?
You are suggesting that we should keep our mouth shut by mentioning Taiping/Kamunting. Let me tell you that if 25 million Malaysians minus those who refuse to say their piece for reasons best known to themselves, there will not be enough space in Taiping to put and feed them.
Yes, Chez1978, the court of public opinion matters in a democracy. I like to think we are still a democracy. Thanks
February 1st, 2006 at 12:56 am
Din Merican: If you read carefully what I wrote above, you will note that my comment was more to urge bloggers to avoid saying things that “touch on racial sensitivity” because this can lead to retaliatary responses from the aggreived party. Instead of having a healthy discussion, the exchanges can leave many angry and bitter people. Both you and I have seen what happened when too many people were aggreived and bitter by the “victory parades” of 1969.
You can disagree and yet be civil. I have no problem if you criticise the political leadership with a view to excerting pressure or to recommend changes for the better but to put them down as if they are clowns. Such condescending and haughty attitudes are not acceptable to my way of thinking. I object to the vulgarity of imagery used by Doggone years as well. By the way, people like him even took the opportunity to redicule me even for a typo. Is this the spirit of Awal Muharram and Gong Ci Fa Cai?
I think Dr. Bakri’s Blog is a very learned study of the importance of the Lunar Years in the culture of the Chinese and the Malays/Muslims. The concept of Hijrah in amply explained. I am tempted to suggest that for those who are very unhappy with this country because of the policies and leadership, may be the best way for them is to HIJRAH. It is bad for health to be angry and unhappy all your life. Before doing that, however, please read the “The Chinese Dilemma” by Ye Lin-Sheng.
February 1st, 2006 at 1:01 am
Correctio: para 2 -but NOT to put them down
February 1st, 2006 at 5:08 am
Dear MSAbdullah,
The whole truth about the tragic 1969 episode has yet to be known, and perhaps you and I will never know it during our life time. All official documents are still classified. In 1969, I was a graduate student in the US and did not return to our country until June, 1970. I was spared the trauma. But I was shocked by what I saw on NBC TV (there was no CNN then!), 12 hours after it happened.
The implosion, I believe, is the result of politicians on both sides of the divide fanning the ambers of racial discord and mistrust. “Malaysian Malaysia” was threatening to the Malays. If you read Cheah Boon Keng’s “Red Star Over Malaya”, you have would known that during the 2 weeks after the Japanese surrender and before the return of the British, the Malays were brutally slaughtered by the Chinese. This was never forgotten by the Malay community. To make matters worse, the Chinese community support for the Malayan Communist Party further agitated the Malays. So the seeds of racial discord still exist today, despite serious efforts by our Government over the last 30 years to restructure our economy and eradicate poverty.
Today, our politicians are playing with religion. A cocktail of embedded hostility, aggravated by an apparent lack of success of the NEP, and exuberant Islamisation can be explosive. Let us not forget that Malaysia is a pluralistic and democratic nation with a written Constitution.
Our economy is not doing well. Unemployment is rising while inflationary pressures are being felt. There are other signs like bag snatching, pick pocketing and household robberies, repossessed cars, drug addiction, and credit card debts. How can we talk about further economic restructuring when growth has slowed down?
The NEP was premised on an expanding economic cake so that we do not have to “rob Paul to pay Peter”. The cake is going to get small. That is why I am concerned about the economy. That is also why in my contributions to this website I kept stressing the need to tackle our economic and social problems head on.
We may not agree with Ye Lin-Sheng, but to some extent he does represent the feelings and frustrations of most Chinese in our country.There is also resentment by the other non-Malays. Of course, we can choose to ignore that because we the Malays through UMNO have political control. But can we really afford the luxury of burying our heads in the sand, and assume that all is rosy?
When you talk about hijrah, you should appreciate that migration can also mean capital flight out of Malaysia to places like booming China, an emerging India, Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of ASEAN. It is already bad enough that foreign direct investments (FDIs) into our country slowed down in 2005.
Asking people to hijrah is not the solution. You sound like Deputy Minister Abdullah Omar (?) when you say that “I am tempted to suggest that for those who are very unhappy with this country because of the policies and leadership, may be the best way for them is to HIJRAH”. The non-Malays are citizens and have stakes here. I am not happy too. Should I leave? No way. I don’t quit. I have never given up on our country.
What we need is proactive economic management, religious tolerance, and serious and constructive dialogue. For that, we need strong leadership and a clear sense of direction. We can no longer continue to sweep problems under carpet, or pretend that they do not exist.
But I agree with you that we can be civil and polite towards with each other. Like you, I believe that we must resolve our differences through rational discourse. We cannot afford another May 13. 1969.
Thanks.
February 1st, 2006 at 8:52 am
MSAbdullah saw it fit to threaten Doggone with detention without trial for speaking his mind.
MSAbdullah said, “Doggone Years you are one of those people I mean in my earlier comment. You ought to be in Taiping …”
He also more than hinted that Malaysians owe it to UMNO(?) for their freedom of expression. Doesn’t he know that our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression?
And for that he feels we should be forever grateful to people like him!
I cannot believe I am reading this in this blog.
February 1st, 2006 at 8:56 am
Mmmmm…Mmmm…Mmmmm
It seems that so many people are hung up by racial issues. What a pity… the X amount of energy spent on racial issues could instead be spent on other undertakings…. What a pity.
Anyway… the roots of racial issues in Malaysia are embedded in the society, so much embedded that I think no one can do anything about it… unless that person(s) are prepared to be altruistic… something very difficult… just look at the some of the provocative comments…
Just to share something I read a couple of years ago…. written by Collin Abraham: The Naked Social Order: The Roots of Racial Polarisation in Malaysia. Well…. The main theme in his book was that racial polarisation took its roots during the colonial rule…. But it is more complex than that… too long to explain here… so perhaps people should read that book carefully.
Well, I would like to think that people with “provocative” comments are reactionaries… playing with fire…. Sometimes their arguments and complaints may be right… but unfortunately they inflame others in such a dangerous way….
To be civil, what people have to do is to discuss this issue within a neutral framework. Perhaps we should begin by economics. Then move on to other frameworks i.e. by using other disciplines in the social sciences. The key thing here is to avoid personalisation of issues. Use the frameworks to make judgements, not what we think is right or wrong; as what we think is very subjective and inflammatory…. if we are not careful in articulating our ideas and thoughts.
In this regard, I think Din Merican, being the person who can articulate his thoughts the best can play a role here.
Din Merican… you say you are a conservative economist. Perhaps you can teach people the economic costs of racial discrimination…. Perhaps by using Gary Becker’s: The Economics of Discrimination (1957)…. Maybe M Bakri should give space in his blog to allow Din Merican to apply Becker’s framework to discuss the racial issues in Malaysia.
I like that edition of Becker’s book…. It was published in 1957, the year Malaya was given independence. I wonder if universities in Malaysia use that book as a reference in their economic courses….
February 1st, 2006 at 9:21 am
I agree with Chez, when he says
“Regardless of what the PM or DPM beliefs regarding “individual freedom and forebearance”, every citizen is entitled to his/her opinion and choice of expression…”
However, I disagree with the qualification he then made -
“…provided it is within the letters of the law.”
But I am glad Chez quickly corrected this when he added -
“ If the question is whether the legal line has been crossed, we will leave that matter to the court of justice.”
Simply put this is what it means. You can speak and shout all you want – even slander and defame another. But nobody can take your right to do so. That is freedom of speech for lesser mortals like us - but not for MSAbdullah apparently, who decides for us on what is freedom.
MSAbdullah - obviously a member of the ruling party or its sympathizer, a believer in the status quo - sees “freedom of expression” as freedom only when it serves the interests of the ruling party. He cannot grasp the real meaning of “freedom of expression” – which is what it says i.e. free to express your opinion, even if it appears to slander and to defame another.
For him and “his ilk” (to borrow an expression used by Doggone), the concept of “hijrah” may not be an inconvenient way to solve our problems. It is precisely this kind of mindset that we need to get rid off – and get rid off quickly.
February 1st, 2006 at 9:30 am
P.S>
In case MSAbdullah does not already know, defammation and slander are torts and the victims of such torts can always resort to the courts to address the issues and ask for damages. Do what you want but you cannot deny the tortfeasor of his right to commit torts should he choose to.
February 1st, 2006 at 9:50 am
MSAbdullah saw it fit to threaten Doggone with detention without trial for speaking his mind.
MSAbdullah said, “Doggone Years you are one of those people I mean in my earlier comment. You ought to be in Taiping …”
He also more than hinted that Malaysians owe it to UMNO(?) for their freedom of expression. Doesn’t he know that our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression?
And for that he feels we should be forever grateful to people like him!
February 1st, 2006 at 12:15 pm
I am going to be 28 this year.
Let me say something in response to what Din Merican wrote.
Resentment, imho, is not the exclusive domain of the non-malays. I feel that we are falling back to the same race-tinted lense that has coloured our collective perspective. You can say that the non-malays are frustrated, but that means that the problem is one-sided, which actually could mean that the malays have no problem whatsoever with ketuanan Melayu, rent economy, cronyism and nepotism.
We are still paying for the first May 13. On that score, socially speaking, we have not cleared our debts of truth, transparency and accountability to that very memory.
The problem here is due to the common perception of the government as a dominantly Malay-led organization, the blame game becomes a thin euphemism for racist bashing. What we are trying to do is to move beyond that, to help every Malaysian realize that money politics is a crime, whether it is practised by UMNO or MCA, for example.
If we use history as a justification for our treatment of others, can anyone please explain why are we welcoming the white colonial masters with open arms today? I am not asking the communities to forget history. Nobody should deny the past, but all should embrace and learn from it. Yesterday, I saw a movie shown on ASTRO Prima Ca Bau Kan, an adaptation of a novel on Indonesian Chinese by Remy Sylado. I didn’t finish it, mainly because the Indonesian film failed to hold my fickle channel surfing habits. It was a decent enough movie, but what will burn in the minds of some is the portrayal of a minor character by Moelyono - Tan Peng Liang Tamim, essentially the evil tauke who is greedy, a womaniser and kills those who can’t repay their loans. Sounds like along to me.
Anyway, the reason why I brought it up is because it was considered a first in Indonesia where a movie about the Chinese immigrant community in Batavia was actually made. Well, over here, we make different kind of films. The labor migrants to Malaya in the 1900s form the majority of the Chinese today. Their story, like the story of the Malays, are packed with hardship and oppression. Sure, Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan is also fiction, but most of us are here because our ancestors lived through it all and survived. Din Merican said that the Chinese community supported the communists. Is that why the rural Chinese in Malaya have legacies in the form of Kampung Barus to remind us how they have to be resettled (or herded and penned) so that they will be stopped from helping the communists or ending the blackmail, harrassment and extortion by the communists? Before we even start demonizing the communists, let us acknowledge that the only mass structured form of armed resistance during Japanese rule came from MPAJA, PKM’s predecessor. Many people died during World War Two in Malaya, but there is no doubt that the Chinese was being singled out for some choice treatment.
Oh no, are we playing the “sufferage is the badge of my tribe” today?
We live in a mobile, global community. Like Dr. Bakri, many other Malaysians have spread their wings to other parts of the world. The question is, what are we going to do to help ourselves as a people, the ones who calls Malaysia our home, regardless whether we are on her soil atm or otherwise.
Malays and non-Malays have their resentments. Nay, it would be more accurate to say that we all have our own resentments, but collectively, it becomes a convenient sentiment to be milked by the politicians. Amit points to the need for discourse based on neutral frameworks, i.e. disciplines or fields of study. Well, there is only one thing that comes to my mind when the phrase “mother-tongue education” is used. Similarly, when we talk about “poverty eradication”, another picture comes to mind. Civil servants, the army, the police - seems to be permanently plastered with a Malay collective. How did we let the politicians dictate the construction of social reality?
The solution doesn’t lie with more stereotypes and ethnic identification. We need to see beyond the individuals and go to the principles of the matter. The problem with a good and strong economy is that everyone feels that things are going fine because they get to party. When the engine of growth slows down, more will realize what kind of gaps and ommissions we have left unaddressed when it comes to sustainable development.
February 1st, 2006 at 6:56 pm
remember this is the year of the dog.
we must be grateful for the freedom allowed us by those leading the country. we must be grateful that we are not spending our days in taiping.
we must be forever grateful to people like MSAbdullah.
February 1st, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Amit,
I read Gary Becker’s book in the 1960s at MU. I should look for it in my collection of “old” books, and re-read it. I believe in the power of incentives, and the need to change the way we think about development issues.
If you have the time, please read Douglass North’s latest book (2005) about the process of economic change, in which he seeks to integrate politics, economics and sociology with evolutionary biology, belief systems and non-rational elements in a framework for understanding development as a dynamic process in a rapidly changing human and physical world.
Chez1978,
You can’t eliminate “more stereotypes and ethnic identification”. Our political parties are organised along communal lines. Professor Emeritus KJ Ratnam of Uinversiti Science Malaysia wrote an excellent book about this. Our discourse too is conducted in that manner. We all recognise that this is unhealthy, but beyond that we have done nothing to change our politics. In stead, we have allowed Islam to be a political tool with the existence of PAS. As a result, we now have a contest between UMNO and PAS for the Malay soul.
It is a fact that the Chinese killed the Malays during the two week period before the return of the British to Malaya after the Japanese surrender in 1945. Try asking the Malay families who lost their grandparents, parents and their relatives to forget that it really happened. Or that the Chinese community in general supported the MCP. Having said that, I know, for example, that parents of my close childhood Chinese friends and school mates did not support the Communist cause. At the same time, try asking Chinese and Malay families who lost their loved ones during the 1969 racial riots. They too cannot forget.
As for the new Villages, you have to point your finger at Sir Edward Gent, Sir Henry Gurney, Lt-General Harold Briggs and General Sir Gerald Templer because the British were in charge from 1945 until 1957. The New Villages were a British legacy for the Alliance/BN Government led by UMNO.
With regard to the MPAJA, the Malays too fought with them against the Japanese when Churchill abandoned British colonies in South East Asia. BTW, Chin Peng could have abandoned his cause and renounced the use of force when he was given a chance by Tunku Abdul Rahman when they met in Baling in 1955, but he did not.
The important thing to do is to recognise that these embedded resentments exist, and hence are real. My intention was to draw lessons from Malaysian history to remind us that playing politics with race and religion is dangerous, and national unity must be preserved at all cost. It was not my purpose to apportion blame to any single communal group.
We all have stakes in the future of this country. As stakeholders, we must seek solutions based on compromise. Let us hope all leaders in Barisan Nasional are discussing these divisive issues as they prepare the 9th Malaysian Plan.
Thanks.
February 2nd, 2006 at 9:08 pm
“In stead, we have allowed Islam to be a political tool with the existence of PAS. As a result, we now have a contest between UMNO and PAS for the Malay soul.”
The politicism of Islam in other words. SO what do we do about it? Having surfed the tide of Islamic fundamentalism which began in the 80s, can they now drain the water and replace it with snow - and swap surfboard for skis?
February 3rd, 2006 at 7:23 am
correction
Politicization of Islam
February 3rd, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Doggone,
There is huge difference between fundamentalism and political Islam.The teachings of Islam as contained in the Koran and Sunnah are fundamentalist in nature. In contrast, political Islam is a power concept which is used to subject Muslims to social and political control, and to achieve domination in the political sphere in the same way as the Christain Right in America today is doing, or the Popes of bygone eras did. The Taliban in Afghanistan tried but failed in the end.
Fundamentalism is, on the other hand, seeks to unify Muslims on basic principles of the religion itself. When this distinction is blurred, the unity of the Muslim Ummah/community is threatened. Islamic Fundamentalism, as you use it, is orientalist in concept.
It is possible to end the race to outIslam each other. Both UMNO and PAS are using Islam as a tool for political control of the Malays. So, UMNO and PAS and their members can decide whether or not they should put at an end to this fruitless debate, and concentrate on preparing their members and the Malays to face the challenges of globalisation.
By all means, uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions(Sunnah) of the Holy Prophet (pubh). But de-politicise Islam in Malaysia which is a pluralist society, and lower and moderate the rhetoric. To me, we need paradigmatic shift, and this is a matter of political, social and personal will.
The individual Malay too must decide for himself. For me, as a Muslim and a member of the global community, it has always been about seeking the appropriate balance between the spiritual and the secular. Extremes on either side, in my humble opinion, is not the way to go.
As I am no expert on Islamic theology, I welcome comments from those who have made it their life’s to study this subject. Living a life of moderation and balance is a challenge. But it is worth one’s effort to pursue it.
Thanks.
February 3rd, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Correction” ” have made it their life’s mission to study…”. Sorry.
April 25th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Thank You
January 9th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
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