The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 14 Dec 2011 04:22 PM PST DEC 15 — Muslims can now can look forward (or backward) to bookstores having halal and non-halal sections nationwide. Publishers get ready. Books about yoga, the poco-poco dance and even Lee Kuan Yew's "Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going" will be placed in the non-halal section. If you haven't heard, Jakim has declared Lee's book haram. But do not worry, no rush, you still have ample time. It took Jakim nine months before they realised Lee Kuan Yew's book was not suitable for Malaysian Muslims. According to The Malaysian Insider, 15 books/magazines were declared haram by Jakim. Upon going to their site, I found out that one of them is "Majalah Tora Aman Doraemon — Kisah Penciptaan Dunia". Though Doraemon made the cut, romance books by Mills and Boons, books like "Poem of the Man God", "The Da Vinci Code", "The Anarchist Cookbook", "Misteri Nusantara", "Koleksi Cerita Hantu Asia" did not make it to the list. And if I may add, anyone reading and believing in Doraemon needs a trip to Tanjung Rambutan. Lee Kuan Yew's book may be offensive to some but then again it is not compulsory reading. I know I am pushing the fantasy further but even IF it is made compulsory reading, Jakim should not have banned it but instead pursued legal and civil way to deal with the matter. They must realise that we are not a country of mullahs and ayatollahs, but a constitutional democracy that protects the civil rights of everyone, and yes that includes Muslims. Muslims are therefore free to choose what to read and insinuating we will become less of a Muslim just from reading certain books, or doing yoga, is very, very insulting; demeaning and superficial to say the least. Books, works of art, public debates are essential to critical thinking, problem solving and the maturing of a society. It creates a nation of critical thinkers who look for and find answers outside the box. Banning books no matter how controversial they are cannot be the answer, what more in the name of protecting Malaysian Muslims. The country needs thinkers, at this juncture now more than ever. Controversial works usually define an era, and are remembered many years later. Remember "Ulysses" by James Joyce, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, or even our own "The Malay Dilemma"? Each is significant in their own way, marking the evolution of mind and the progress of society it represents. Such books are thought provoking, and require a certain level of intelligence to comprehend. We do not want this action by Jakim to be a precedent which, if left unchecked, will lead us to follow in the footsteps of the Chinese during the Qin Dynasty where they burned books and buried their scholars, or the Nazis when they burned Jewish literature, or the Spanish conquistadors when they destroyed the Aztec codices. Muslims nowadays are preoccupied with issues that do not bring benefit to them. The Star, on December 8, 2011, wrote that the Saudis refuse to let their women drive because that would result in them losing their virginity paralleled with a definite surge in prostitution, pornography and divorce. I wonder what kind of cars they drive in Saudi Arabia. We in Malaysia must stand up and say NO to these moral police, and make our voices heard by those attempting to trample our civil rights. Religion should be between man and God, and no good can come from "holier than thou" people trying to facilitate this sacred bond. If Jakim is serious about dealing with social ills, then please start with the smokers, Mat Rempits, drug addicts and the rampant corruption in the country. Hold seminars, talks, counselling sessions to stamp out these ills instead of sitting in a group discussing about banning Doraemon. Get the Muslim kids to do well in school, teach them extra languages and equip them to go the extra mile for the nation. Educate them beyond skin colour, and the superficial dogma that stigmatises the Muslim world today. Besides, we should be sensitised from all the insensitive comments made by our own politicians by now, to bother about what an old politician down south has to say about us. Move on Jakim, or move out. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 14 Dec 2011 04:08 PM PST DEC 15 — He put his hand on my shoulder and smiled. I was in turmoil, though I can't remember anymore over what. I remember I was quite upset. It was not a mocking smile, it was a knowing smile. A kind, gentle and understanding one. He was a graduate school classmate, and also a parish priest in the city. He was much older and part of our lively Saturday philosophy circle, but he rarely spoke. This time he did, in a corner of the university library where he found me visibly distraught. He said that the moment will pass, and things will get better. With that he left. I don't know how so instantaneously I did feel better. No, this is not some pseudo-religious revelation or even a mangled-up rehash of a self-improvement book — rather a reminder that as humans it's good to be reassured. With the year ending, with ominous signs hanging over us in regards to the impending new year, I want to reassure my countrymen. Things will be fine. I say this not as some person with unique knowledge or power to determine the future, but as someone who believes in his country, and his people. I have above all, a confidence in my country. I welcome any of my countrymen reassuring me in return. I'd really appreciate it. Since this is an open confession, I'll confide a few things. Fear The rapid rate of social change in the country does strike fear in me. The whole situation is tinged with volatility and indecision. Would I not like most persons, naturally inclined to personal safety, opt for obedience in exchange for safety? The spectre of all social order collapsing is always played out, and there are times I sit at home and wonder, what would I do if a mob came knocking down my door to get me? How do you keep everyone in your family safe, so perhaps obedience will end these fear episodes. A children's fisticuff from my yesteryear comes in handy. In my taman (residential area) we had a bully, he was also in my football team. He was a year older and grew up physically bigger than most of us. He also had many older brothers. A friend and I decided to fight back. The next time he pressed, we'd retaliate together and overwhelm him. The day arrived, with my friend going into paralysis and just looking on as I wrestled with the bully on the ground. The 11-year-old me had his ass kicked quite quickly. However, the bully never had a go at me after that. I never asked my friend why he backed off from our pact. We are genial to each other today, when we meet, but I often think about the roles assumed in that fight. Of the oppressor, challenger and invested observer. While it seems overextended to bring down the sense of fear pervading Malaysians to a single playground fight, I will admit these role decisions are hard to make and it is easier to judge, especially my friend who lacked the courage in that instance. Courage is hard to come by, and I am guilty of letting my fears get the better of me more often than I care to admit. I take heart from the line from the movie "The Blind Side" when orphaned Michael Oher says that one can only "hope for courage and try for honour." Anger I concede then that my anger does build at times. The last three years have been a parade of misdeeds and blatant denials. Most argue the abuse of process and the funds denied to those deserving of them. The underfunded, and at times underfed students from the depressed regions of Malaysia's Borneo. The single mothers eking out without qualifications and little support, relying on the sporadic token handout sessions — which double up as photo op sessions for politicians. Millions of citizens not guaranteed minimum wage. Instead 80 per cent of households are asked to hold their breath for a one-off RM500 pay-offs next year just before a speculated general election. Does vote-buying get more naked than this? But the mega projects and inflated defence procurements continue. It is not just on principle people are upset, it is the sense they are being had that gives them heartburns. Yet, we need to avoid being blinded by our anger, it tends to reduce our objectivity. It shows in our speeches and writings. When it is only scathing, then those not convinced yet of the situation lose interest, and the only ones left listening are just other angry people. Then it will be only a roomful of spiteful people contesting on vitriol. Surely, our sense of justice is not a rant, nor just the execution of revenge. Certainly we will let go of vengeance in order to be vindicated. Love I say it in a roundabout way all the time. This time I'll just say it out, I love my countrymen. Even those I oppose. I can't help but poke fun at them though. And it, apropos to underscore that love, is not a monopoly, especially in a massively diverse and multicultural Malaysia. There was the time I had "maggi mi kari" (instant noodles) for breakfast at my friend's flat in Oxford. I was visiting and his generosity to let me have one of the items parcelled in from home, I've never forgotten. It was like teleportation. Whenever away from home, seeing a Malaysian is a blessing. Perhaps when being abroad you don't feel the weight of needing to prove you are Malaysian enough. And the Malaysians you meet never measure your citizenship. There is no Malaysian enough or showing enough Malaysia — you are, no more no less, a Malaysian. Still, I rather be home hated than away loved. I love my countrymen referring to me as abang (big brother) or adik (small brother) than sir, mister or boss. I've always been fascinated by the speech of Benigno Aquino Jr on whether the Filipino is worth dying for. He said he is "because he is the nation's greatest untapped resource." It sounds no less hollow if it were referring to the Malaysian, in my mind. Perhaps somewhere in that emotion lies my own thoughts about my country and its people. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan