08.20.08
Hindu Sangam Press Statement
Aug 20 2008
Is there a plan to erase Hindu temples and crematoriums in Kuala Lumpur by 2020?
More than 120 temple representatives present at a meeting organised by Malaysia Hindu Sangam at the Dewan Tan Sri K R Soma, KL yesterday were shocked that their temples and 2 existing Hindu crematoriums were not identified at the master Plan of City of Kuala Lumpur by 2020.
The leaders were wondering whether there is a plan to erase off hundreds of Hindu temples and 2 crematoriums at Jalan Loke Yew and Sentul by the year 2020.
There was a feeling of disappointment and disgust when they were briefed on the Master Plan. They were informed that they have to send their note of protest using the appropriate DBKL Form by 30th August 2008. About 100 forms were distributed at the meeting.
Briefings were made by MHS president Datuk A. Vaithilingam, IT Consultant Chin Meng Sun, MHS Temples advisor Ariathavaratnam, MHS temples affairs committee chairman G. Gunaraj and Bukit Jalil social worker Thiagarajan. All those who are not able to obtain the DBKL Master Plan Books are requested to go online and visit <klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my> and try and identify the location of their temple. It does not matter whether the temple is registered with ROS or with our MHS or is said to be illegal and if the temple is not identified in the plan please get the forms from DBKL or ring 012-392 5995 (Gunaraj), 012-328 7823 (Chin), 016-3674304 (Thiagaraj) or 016-277 1495 (Ariathavaratnam) for advice or on how to obtain the forms.
All temples are advised to immediately submit their protests to DBKL and send a copy of the protest form to Malaysian Hindu Sangam at No. 67, Jalan PJS 1/48, Taman Petaling Utama 7, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, fax 03-77847304
All protests must reach DBKL by 30th August 2008
Thank you.
Datuk A. Vaithilingam
President
Malaysia Hindu Sangam
Possible Outcomes Post-Permatang Pauh
What are several possible outcomes of the Permatang Pauh by-election coming up on 26th August 2008 (the mother of all by elections)? Political pundits have been at it the whole week, at coffee shop tables and whatnot else.
- Anwar wins. Crossovers from BN to PR in sufficient numbers to take over Federal Government by the anticipated date of September 16th, also Malaysia Day. PR becomes the Federal Government in 25 days from now.
- Anwar wins. Crossovers from BN to PR in sufficient numbers to take over Federal Government by Sep 16th, but PR chooses to delay it till later, mainly for strategic reasons. Taking over so soon after Anwar re-enters Parliament may not be psychologically appropriate since people would be warming up to his presence and his potential leadership in the country. These things take time. PR states continue to govern and takeover will not be talked about until later, here there are two options: (a) PR will make a bid before 2010 (possibly next year) or (b) PR will make a bid in 2010 itself, if General Elections are called then. (GE may be called because even if Pak Lah hands over the reigns peaceably to Najib, he still may need to validate his Prime Ministership)
- Anwar wins. No crossovers are done yet. UMNO Assembly meets in December, Pak Lah is challenged and loses; UMNO changes leadership and Malaysia gets a new PM. It is still a BN-PR fight.
- Anwar loses. UMNO negotiates with PKR/PAS/PR to form an alternative coalition or bloc. But I doubt anything would emerge from this.
- Anwar loses. Public outcry. Some speculation as to clampdown again?
- Anwar wins. The sodomy charge goes into full swing. Anwar is convicted. Public outcry.
- Anwar wins. Sodomy charge goes full swing. Insufficient evidence to convict. Or PKR produces good counter evidence, as Raja Petra seems to claim exists. PR soars.
There are multiple outcomes and more, beyond the above. Actually I would ideally like to draw one of those branch charts that I used to love when doing probability trees. Remember those? And then we could assign probability numbers and ratios to each branch, and calculate a probability model for possible outcomes. Investors would then use this to calculate political risk in Malaysia - something they really could afford right now.
Maybe I will very well do it….
Micah Mandate & Citizenship
If I haven’t already blogged about it, the Micah Mandate is a new Christian website aimed at collating stories and commentaries about Malaysia. It will be on a whole range of issues, but this month the focus will be on Citizenship. I will *try* to write for the site, but if not other articles are also usually posted up there from other sources.
Check it out!
Sufism
I spent two days learning about Sufism at a conference last week at the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies - jointly organised with the Department of Malay Studies, NUS. It was truly fascinating, from someone who knew little to nothing of its teachings. A mystical spirituality is taught, that transcends systematic or regulated religion. The Wahabiyah movement would be typically opposed to Sufi teachings, since the former preaches more regulated practice of Islam. In fact, some even argue that Sufism is not Islam.
Neverthless, there also exists tarekah, which means a more organised version of Sufism. This comes in the form of groups that meet regularly. The tasawuf is a movement in reaction to the tarekah. Indonesia has little mushroomings of Sufi groups, although they may not necessarily be called Sufistic in nature. (Since it was a Western term to begin with..)
What was interesting to me was the political dimension of Sufism. The West has been looking to Sufism as an alternative to radical extremist Islam, which is both good and bad. Good, because it is true that Sufism does not preach violence nor hatred. In fact at the heart of it lies love. But it is bad because the only way to counter terrorism through Sufism is to have a systematic response - when Sufism is predicated on non-systematic faith. As a result, you may get a secret society-type movement that is overly reliant upon one leader alone. You know, like how Christian types can get all crazy over a charismatic leader (just because he can speak well and repeats himself five times over).
Prior to this, I’d only read about Maimun and Layla’s story - and the beauty of longing and desire after something so intensely felt - this is the longing of a human after God, it was argued.
I still know very little, but people have been messaging me with little bytes of knowledge. The conference was good since it exposed me to the philosophical ideas of Islam, and finally some good solid Arab music (from Yemen) finished it off nicely.
Although Sufism is not debated widely in Malaysia, I think it would be an interesting idea to discuss it vis-a-vis the Wahabi standards that we currently practice today. Just a thought to simmer in the mind.
CPPS Policy Factsheets
Will do a bit of advertising here. During the March Elections, we prepared a daily policy factsheet on a whole range of issues. It was very well received (thanks everyone!). We are resuming it for a total of 6 working days (the entire campaigning period) on a series of other issues again.
You can access them here… and the first two were on National Unity, and the Judiciary. Look out for more!
Flocking North to Permatang Pauh
The whole world will be flocking north to Permatang Pauh this week. Penang’s economy will flourish. I say, take advantage of the situation and sell kuih-muih to maximise profits. Schools will prosper. Families whose relatives die will benefit within this specific period (do it now to optimise!).
The money is also flocking north. Who is keeping check of the loose promises of money that keep spewing out of mouths on either side? Any monitoring of campaign financing? Coincidental representation of an NGO when one is a candidate is not even a valid excuse - in fact when one if campaigning as a candidate one’s affiliations should be cut off so as to remove confusion and overlapping of roles.
Politics will be the death of Malaysia I tell you. But let the year of reckoning come to pass before we can flourish again - yes I still believe the day will come.
Style Magazine
So I apparently came out in this month’s edition of Style Magazine. Yes, fancy picture and all. It was featured under “Freedom Fighters: The Nation’s Best Minds” or something to that effect. I was more interested in the answers that were given by all. It was good to have a mixture of individuals chosen - all working colleagues.
Here were the answers I provided to them in full…
What do you believe in?
I have always seen the direct link between seeking social justice in the public sphere, and the ultimate will God intends for the nation, being a Christian myself. I believe in a mature Malaysia that recognises the rights of all its inhabitants – bestowing human dignity and honour upon the marginalised and oppressed in society, the poor and those needing to be spoken out for. I believe in a shared nation, one that all Malaysians must affirm their ownership to; I look forward to the day Malaysia can rid itself of fears to speak publicly about “sensitive issues”, so that open and rational discourse can clear society from old historical cobwebs that still haunt us today.
What issues/passions drive you when it comes to Malaysia?
A multitude of issues drives me. I believe in a society in which no citizen is made to feel unequal relative to the other. I am driven by the ideals of social justice, equality, and non-discrimination on account of race, religion, gender, region and class. Only a utopian society can achieve these in totality, but to have baby-steps in that direction means supporting the principles of mutual respect and inclusivity. I believe that transparency and accountability are the benchmarks necessary in achieving a society that practices good governance. Ultimately of course, I am driven by the desire for national unity – creating an environment every Malaysian feels he or she belongs to and is treated likewise.
Stickler for British Spelling
I often cringe whenever I read the CPPS being quoted in newswires and papers, as “The Center for Public Policy Studies”.
The correctly spelt word should be “Centre”!
Yes I am a stickler for British spelling, and that’s how I was brought up.
08.15.08
Protect and Save the Children
My church BLC is doing one of the more creative things this Saturday. I can’t make it myself, but I hope others will be able to. It’s an awareness talk on protecting children from sexual abuse…
International Conference: Religion in the Quest for Global Justice and Peace
Sometime last month I was given the honour of moderating a lecture by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar at this International Conference: Religion in the Quest for Global Justice and Peace. His political faux-pas aside, I truly resonate with his views on religion.
I am pasting his paper in full here (I hope that is okay!) - with a full citation and attributed to him of course.
TOWARDS A UNIVERSAL SPIRITUAL-MORAL VISION OF GLOBAL JUSTICE AND PEACE.
by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Humankind is at a critical juncture. Our very survival as a species is in balance. Our present ideologies and religions do not seem to offer a solution. Because the challenges that confront us are global in nature, it is imperative that the philosophy that guides us in facing them is also truly universal. A universal spiritual-moral vision which seeks global justice and peace for the entire human family is what this imperilled moment in history demands.
