Sunday, December 6, 2009

No more Swiss minarets

Switzerland are more well-known for its Rolex watches, Swiss knives and the Alps, not counting stories of corrupt political leaders and dishonest industry captains stashing their ill-gotten wealth in Swiss banks. The Swiss people are very much involved in the decision making process on many matters which affects their daily lives. Referendum are conducted before any decision is made concerning any public issues. The recent issue that went to the ballot box was on the iniative to ban the building of Islamic minarets on mosques.

The referendum was passed with a clear majority of 57.5 percent of the voters and in 22 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons. The vote against was 42.5 percent. Because the ban gained a majority of votes and passed in a majority of the cantons, it will be added to the Constitution.

The Swiss Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but the rightist Swiss People’s Party and a small religious party had proposed inserting a single sentence banning the construction of minarets, leading to the referendum.

The Nov 29 decision by majority of the Swiss people shocked many in the world including political leaders, religious figures and non-governmental organisations.

Closer to home, the Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman expressed "dismay" over the recent referendum to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland. Anifah said Malaysia believes the Swiss move is a serious blow to religious freedom and will infringe on the rights of a minority to practise its religion in Switzerland.

In light of the Malaysian government's stand on the Swiss minarets issue, hopefully the powers-that-be will take cognizance of policies which affects the building and location of places of worship and placement and usage of religious symbols of the minority religions in the country. For the defender of the law, surely this can be easily honoured and followed as Malaysia also guarantees religious freedom as per Article 11 of the country's constitution. But then there will always be some square pegs who will insists on behaving otherwise with the justification that they represents the majority.

One should not only uphold the principle of majority rules but respect the minority rights, that is majority rules should not lead to the tyranny of the minority.. - Loka



Extract from the U.S. Department of State publication, Principles of Democracy.


On the surface, the principles of majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights would seem contradictory. In fact, however, these principles are twin pillars holding up the very foundation of what we mean by democratic government.

• Majority rule is a means for organizing government and deciding public issues; it is not another road to oppression. Just as no self-appointed group has the right to oppress others, so no majority, even in a democracy, should take away the basic rights and freedoms of a minority group or individual.

• Minorities – whether as a result of ethnic background, religious belief, geographic location, income level, or simply as the losers in elections or political debate – enjoy guaranteed basic human rights that no government, and no majority, elected or not, should remove.

• Minorities need to trust that the government will protect their rights and self-identity. Once this is accomplished, such groups can participate in, and contribute to their country's democratic institutions.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

National Service, another BTN?

So much has been said and commented on the nature of the Biro Tatanegara (BTN) courses which said to promote hate among the races in this country. Some are demanding BTN courses to be scrapped while the Cabinet agreed to revamp it. On the other side there are also those who supported and defended these courses.

While the heat is still on the BTN, another type of course run by the government risks moving towards the direction of the BTN.  The National Service Training Program (NS) was started in 2003 when current Prime Minister Najib Razak was the minister in charge as the Defence Minister then. The NS is attended dutifully by hundreds of thousands of 17 and 18 year olds annually since 2004. The trainees for NS are selected through a computer generated system based on racial breakdown and geographical distribution.

One of the modules of the NS, Nation Building module ( Kenegaraan ) was managed by the people from BTN. The director-general of BTN then, Dr. Nordin Kardi was the chairman of the Sub-committee for the drafting of the module. The training program for NS trainers for the nation-building was facilitated by BTN officers.

Even if the contents of the nation building module for the NS trainees might be the usual stuff that can be found in local history books and civic courses, the intepretation and comments during the lectures can be subjected to the discretion of the trainers. If a trainer is an individual with bigoted and racial leaning, it will not be surprising if those stories about the BTN will also be heard soon regarding the NS.

If the government do not monitor closely the teaching methods and contents intepretation of the thousands of NS trainers, the furore over the BTN related courses will be repeated itself in the NS. - Loka

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Terror from Malaysia

Malaysians should be proud when one of their own was mentioned in the script of the investigative thriller series "Criminal Minds" which is currently shown on TV8 Monday evening. That is of course if the reference was on someone with a great achievement which Malaysians can shout "Malaysia Boleh"! But too bad it was not to be.

While watching the same series yesterday night, which was about some terrorists planning to kill one of the members of the US First Family who was undergoing surgery in a hospital, a familiar name from Malaysia was mentioned. At the middle of the show one of the characters, while discussing the personalities of terrorist bombers made a reference to one of Asia's most wanted man in recent times.

He was talking about Azahari bin Husin, the Malaysian lecturer turned terrorist who mastermind the killing of hundreds of innocent tourists and locals and caused mayhem in the idyllic Bali by bombing various targets in the touristic island including the 2002 Kuta bombing, 2003 JW Marriot Hotel bombing and 2005 Jimbaran and Kuta bombing. Azahari was also the master mind in the 2004 Australian Embassy bombing in Jakarta. The terrorist also know as the "Demolition Man" was gunned down by the Indonesian special forces on November 9, 2005 in East Java.

Azahari Husin and another fellow terrorist Noordin bin Mohammed Top who was killed on 17 September 2009,  created a name for themselves while shaming their home country and fellow peace loving Malaysians when they were hunted after the 2002 Bali bombings and many other terrorist acts since then.

Even though these two terrorists did not caused any structural damage and deaths on Malaysian soil, their barbaric actions in Indonesia brought immense embarrassment and shame to the country. It put a black mark in the history of Malaysia as foreigners and other countries will always remembers Malaysia as the country of origin of these two terrorists that killed hundreds and caused millions of dollars of damages and losses of income to those who depends on tourism for survival in Bali.

Will the victims of their vicious bombings from multiple nationalities will ever forgive them for inflicting the pain, losses and sufferings on them and their love ones? Maybe time will heal the pain and forgiveness is divine but it will be difficult for some victims to forget the incidents and losses at the same.

The heart will still hurts when one remembers the sufferings, but why not strive to let go and move on? Feeling angry and vengeful about these terrorists will not bring back the dead or heal the wounds.- Loka

Friday, November 20, 2009

Sin Chew and free paper

Suddenly a copy of newspaper was pushed over to my hand and I heard a voice saying, "it's free". Before I can even say anything, a copy of the  Sin Chew Daily which is the highest circulated Chinese vernacular newspaper in the country was already in my hands. Initially I thought it was the free Chinese language paper launched recently.

I took a quick turn and saw a man wearing a  T- shirt with Sin Chew emblazoned on it giving out today's paper to everyone in sight - free of charge. Within less than five minutes all the lunch patrons in the coffeeshop was either holding a copy of the paper or laid on the table.

After I took my seat at the only unoccupied table, I have a quick browse of the said "free" paper. Not that I read it, but just to look through on some statistics and photographs related to the UPSR results announced yesterday.

Thinking about it later, I have a hunch that the reason the Sin Chew paper was distributed free today was related to the spat between the paper and the MCA central committee member Ti Lian Ker. Ti had claimed the paper are used to promote the hidden agenda to discredit MCA's president Ong Tee Keat.

Is Sin Chew feeling the heat that the public are upset with its recent purported agenda against Ong Tee Keat and their circulation are dropping by the day. By giving out free papers, Sin Chew hopes its agenda will continue to be read by the public and keep its leading circulation status intact.

Maybe I will visit the coffeeshop again to tomorrow to see if I will be given another free copy of the Sin Chew Daily News.

New Chinese-based Party

Are we looking at the birth of another political party to look after the Chinese interest?

Since majority of the Chinese are already disillusioned with the MCA, the Chinese community will be looking for an alternative new party to look after their interest. Is that what Umno telling MCA's president Ong Tee Keat that MCA is dispensable and can be replaced and forsaken anytime if Tee Keat do not toe the BN, err.....Umno line.

Even though Umno leaders are emphasizing the importance of MCA's unity and stability in the interest of Barisan Nasional, the reality is more on the hidden but well known agenda of Umno's ability to shadow MCA's leadership than anything else. Have we ever heard of any comments from other BN component leaders on the current MCA leadership struggle. None actually. Or maybe just from the chap who is embroiled in the PKFZ fiasco.

It will not be surprising to all if a new Chinese based party is established and given an instant birth certificate of registration after this November 28. Nov 28 is the day when the Liow Tiong Lai's faction called for the 2nd EGM. If the 2nd EGM fails to materialised due to lack of support from the delegates, it spells doomed for Liow and his supporters. Unless of course if Ong Tee Keat is forced to eat humble pie during the meeting called by Najib before Nov 28 and given the ultimatum to give up or get out.

The newly set up Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party was launched by Najib in October this year which clearly gave signal to Samy Vellu's MIC that his party is not indispensable from BN.

But Umno is barking at the wrong tree when it says the Chinese will not support the BN due to MCA's infighting. The reality is that the Chinese voters rejected BN not because of MCA's weaknesses as the main cause but more to the unfair policies, bullying and arrogant attitude of Umno. This was clearly the message in last year's general election when the DAP called upon the Chinese community to teach Umno a lesson by voting out MCA's candidates whom mostly stood in Chinese majority seats or seats with substantial Chinese votes. It is near impossible for the Chinese to vote out any Umno candidates as their candidates always stood in Malay majority seats.

In last year's election, Umno loses in some of their traditional strong hold seats due to the swing of the Malay electorates to PAS or PKR candidates. If Umno thinks that it can represents the Chinese community directly by sidelining the MCA, will Najib takes the challenge to stand in Seputeh against Teresa Kok and Umno deputy president Muhyddin Yassin challenges Lim Kit Siang in Ipoh Timur. If they wins, that will surely proves their support and worth amongst the Chinese community. - Loka

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Jalan Dr Seet Kim Beng

Even though Buddhists comprised the second largest religious community in Malaysia, its presence and contribution to the nation's well being and development are seldom recognised and officially endorsed by the government. It is partly due to the Buddhists practice of not seeking glory and also the government's (BN and PR alike) "not aware" of the Buddhists existence because Buddhists did not make any noise or demand.

The Malacca state government recently announced the name change of an existing road to Jalan Dr Seet Kim Beng in honour of the late Venerable Seet Kim Beng for his contributions towards Buddhism and education in this country. This is the first time a public road is name after a Mahayana Buddhist monk. Venerable Kim Beng was the former president of the Malaysian Buddhist Association and founder of the Siang Lin Primary School in Malacca. Hopefully the second road to be named after a Buddhist monk will be a reality soon in Kuala Lumpur.

And now I am waiting for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to officially declares Jalan Pangkor in Penang to be renamed Jalan Datuk Chuk Mor. The late Ven. Chuk Mor was the founder president of MBA and established the Triple Wisdom Hall where it is situated along Jalan Pangkor. If Koh Tsu Koon can recommend a datukship for the late Ven. Chuk Mor, don't tell me Lim Guan Eng cannot perform this simple gesture of gratitude to remember the Father of Malaysian Buddhism!

Historically Buddhism has been in place in Malaysia since the 2nd century. Historical artifacts unearthed by archaelogists in different parts of the country are clear evidence of Buddhist influence since the early days before the arrival of Islam and Christianity. Until today there are still traces of Buddhist and Hindu influence in lost kingdoms which have not been seriously explored like the Lost City of Kota Gelanggi. Why further efforts to search and explore the possible great civilization in our doorsteps was not taken up by the authorities has raised many questions which left unanswered.

The government had spent millions to excavate, develop and promote many historical sites to attract locals and tourists alike on the rich history of this land. Historical sites like Kota Lukut near Port Dickson and Fort Cornwallis in Penang are places which can teach our younger generations the traces of this nation. Ancient Buddhist-Hindu sites like Lembah Bujang in Kedah and possibly Kota Gelanggi are important civilizational assets that cannot be replaced or replicate.

Genuine efforts must be taken to tell the story behind these ancient sites as the early Buddhist-Hindu influences are still noticeable in our society today via the customs and practices in the royal households and some words in the Malay language. - Loka

Monday, November 9, 2009

Stepping into a mosque

Are places of worship out of bounds to those who are not followers of the respective religion of the place of worship?

News coming from the Islamic religious authorities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia decreed that non-Muslims are not allowed to step into a mosque. What happens to those non-Muslims visitors who visited the Putrajaya Mosque regularly out of curiousity?

In multi religious country like Malaysia, places of worship has been part of the tourist attractions promoted by the government. These holy places attracted people from all over the world who are keen to experience the different culture of each religion.

Visiting a place of worship other than one's own religion was never an issue. Few months ago I even made the necessary arrangement for an academician from Taiwan to visit the famous Perumal Hindu Temple in Klang. The academician who is a Buddhist was doing a research on the management of different places of worship.

I had attended weddings in churches and walked into Hindu temples without any anxiety that I will be reprimanded by the temple authorities. I think they will be happy to have me meditating within their compound.

As for mosques, I had been there too but the most interesting experience that I had in a mosque is not in Malaysia. It was in 2006 when I was invited to participate in a Buddhists-Muslims dialogue held  in Bangkok.

The dialogue was held amidst the religious tension happening in Southern Thailand. As the participants were cracking their head to look into ways to help to solve the long standing problem, a phone called to one of the participants from South Thailand causes us to cry in our heart. The participant was told one of his relatives was just injured by a bomb blast in the morning. All of us can feel the severity of the problem there and then.

As part of the program we were invited to the mosque to meet up with the Imam, who co-incidentally have relatives in Malaysia too. We walked and sat in the prayers area below the pulpit where the Imam usually gave his weekly Friday sermon. We were later served simple drink and food in the adjoining building.

The mosque has a long history in Bangkok and when we were guided to the graves within the mosque compound, one the mosque committee told us some of the graves belongs to members of the Thai royalty. That's interesting I said to myself.

Our few hours visit was to enable us to have a better understanding on the lifestyles of Muslims and I departed from the mosque with a good feeling that these adherents of Islam who follows the Islamic teachings piously and respect for others will surely make the community they live in a peaceful and better place for all. - Loka

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

The MCA turncoat turncoats

Rising, rising, rising. Falling, falling, falling. Rising. Falling. Rising. Falling.

When Liow Tiong Lai wakes up this morning after a long night with his supporters he would realised that he is no more the deputy president but just one of MCA's six vice presidents.

Liow Tiong Lai must be so far the shortest serving deputy president of MCA. Nineteen days to be exact.The day he was elected by the MCA Central Committee on Oct 15 to Nov 3, 2009 when he was unceremoniously unseated by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) through a letter delivered to MCA headquarters which decided that Dr. Chua Soi Lek is still the deputy president.

Liow who has been hoping Ong Tee Keat will quit as MCA president after the 10 Oct EGM did not expect this sudden "demotion" in less than three weeks. If Tee Keat had quitted, Liow would have secured the presidency on a silver platter without going through a proper election by delegates in an AGM.

Even though Liow reserves his right to challenge the ROS decision, it is doubtful he will succeed as ROS based its decision to re-instate Chua Soi Lek on the MCA constitution. The only chance for Liow to get back the deputy president position, which never his anyway, is to contest for it in the next party election. That will be two years from now if his groups fails to call for an EGM to adopt a resolution to re-elect a new central committee.

It will not be surprising if Liow himself  will be tasting the same medicine he prescribed to Ong Tee Keat recently when his so-called comrades within his own group will be turning against him soon.  Who will be the turncoat turncoats? It is all man for himself. Those expected to abandon ship will be those with government positions who are at great risk of being dropped in the next Cabinet reshuffle if they are not in Tee Keat-Soi Lek's team.

Those at risks includes Deputy Minister of Finance Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Hou Kok Chung and Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Wee Jeck Seng. If these three are sacked, their replacements will be selected from amongst CC members from Tee Keat-Soi Lek's team which includes just appointed CC member Labis MP Chua Tee Yong, former deputy finance minister Loke Yuen Yow, former deputy information minister Donald Lim, former Kelana Jaya MP Loh Seng Kok and former Indera Mahkota assemblyman Ti Lian Ker. This will reflect on the greater unity plan which give priorities to accommodate Chua Soi Leks's supporters. Those who are not MPs' will be appointed as a senator which quota for MCA is still available.

Those in Liow's team like Liow himself, Youth Chief Wee Ka Siong and Wanita Chief Chew Mei Fun are expected to keep their cabinet positions due to their senior party positions. But Liow is expected to be relieved of his duty as Penang state committee chief and Wee dropped as Malacca's state chief. Ong Tee Keat himself is expected to resumed his control over Selangor which current chairman Wong Foon Meng who is also MCA Secretary General has not been able to lord over the big players in Selangor. As widely speculated, Chua Soi Lek is expected to be returned his crown  in the Johore State Committee.

MCA Wanita's Secretary General and deputy Information and Culture Minister Heng Saik Kie was rewarded for her unwavering support for Ong Tee Keat throughout the crisis. Heng was appointed as the Information Bureau Chief replacing Liow's man Lee Wei Kiat. Heng's sudden ascendency to a senior post in the CC will be a challenge to Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun. Will a desperate Chew try to clip Heng's wings by removing her as Wanita's secretary general and turn the women wing topsy-turvy?

Ong Tee Keat's sword is already drawn and some heads are already on the ground and many more are expected to be on the chopping board in a couple of days. Once the new list of cabinet members are unveiled in the expected cabinet reshuffle after the  review of each minister's KPI this month, Ong Tee Keat will know by then how far is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak going to back him up for a stronger and united MCA.- Loka

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Power of Tee Keat's prayers

Three months ago I wrote about Ong Tee Keat's prayer beads which he wore on his wrist that provides him with the protection from evil forces. Basing on the development in MCA for the last two weeks, it is obvious his beads is still working well for him.

Some may dismiss this as mere superstitious belief and credit his greater unity plan with Chua Soi Lek to his remarkable political acumens which left his latest political enemies and traitors high and dry. Before anyone declares that it was just another political conflict and manoeuvring, it it necessary to reflect on the statement by MCA Central Committee member Ti Lian Ker who reportedly said there was evilness during the CC meeting on Oct 15. Ong Tee Keat not only managed to protect himself from these evil forces but turn the tables on these evil forces by declaring he will be calling another EGM via his presidential powers.

After getting to see wolves hastily removing their sheep's skin in front of his own eyes, Tee Keat's mind was still in a state calmness to give these pack of wolves a good lesson which earlier were ready to jump onto their biggest prey and devour it. At this stage his positive energy is still enveloping and protecting him from the evil forces but he will need to be more cautious and wiser in determining those who are the real sheeps and those who are actually wolves in sheep's skin.

With more prayers, right thoughts, compassion and faith, may he find solitude and peace in his endeavours. - Loka

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Tee Keat-Tiong Lai-Seng Kok's conundrum

The sudden turn of events in MCA after the Oct 10 EGM re-inforced the truth in the old sayings that there are no permanent friends or foes in politics and your greatest enemy is your closest friend.

During the Central Committee(CC) meeting held after the EGM, a group of CC members lead by the newly appointed deputy president Liow Tiong Lai reportedly told Ong Tee Keat to honour his word to resign as president of MCA. Their action was to enable Tiong Lai to take over as president immediately after Tee Keat resigns. The other vice president Kong Cho Ha  is then expected to be appointed to the "vacant" deputy president position. Tee Keat had asked the CC to resign to be collectively responsible for the CC decision to suspend Chua Soi Lek's membership which was rejected by the central delegates in the EGM. The CC declined to resign.


Ong Tee Keat - Liow Tiong Lai - Loh Seng Kok's conundrum

Ong Tee Keat felt betrayed and bitter by the actions of his CC friends and close supporters who turned against him. Even though he did not mentioned any name, it was very clear that he was very sad with the sudden turn around of his strong supporters and friends especially Liow Tiong Lai. Until the the last minute before the EGM, everyone can see that Tiong Lai has been supporting Tee Keat and following him around the country to drummed up support from the central delegates. In an unexpected manoeuvre, Tee Keat uses his presidential constitutional power to call for another EGM to determine whether fresh election should be called for the central committee.


The close relationship between Tee Keat and Tiong Lai can be traced to their MCA Youth days. During the frictions between Team A and Team B, both of them were in the same team, Team B. Tee Keat was then the Youth chief and Tiong Lai, just like Seng Kok, has been in the Youth committee since 1990. As an interim measures to address the contending factions in MCA Youth, Team B's Tiong Lai was appointed MCA Youth Joint Secretary General with Team A's Loh Seng Kok in 2002. During this period, due to Team A and Team B political baggage, it was obvious Tee Keat had a better working relationship with Tiong Lai.

In the 2005 MCA AGM, Tee Keat did not defend his Youth Chief position but stood for the vice presidency instead. He won in a stiff fight and was "promoted" and transferred to the Higher Education Ministry as its deputy Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle in Feb 2006.

During the Oct 2008 MCA election, the then president Ong Ka Ting steps down to take responsibilities for MCA's worst electoral performance in the March 2008 12th General Election when it only managed to win 15 parliamentary seats. Ong Tee Keat was the only MCA candidate to win a parliamentary seat in the state of Selangor which was conquered by the opposition parties. Tee Keat was appointed Transport Minister after the 12th General Election. Tee Keat later stood for the MCA presidential post and beaten former vice president Chua Jui Meng to claim the presidency.


In the 2005 AGM, Tiong Lai offers himself to replace Tee Keat as the Youth Chief while Seng Kok stood for the deputy chairman position. It was during this party election that Tee Keat had endorsed Tiong Lai as his successor and Tiong Lai easily trounced political minnow Song Kee Chai. Tiong Lai subsequently took over the deputy minister position in  the Youth and Sports Ministry vacated by Tee Keat. While Tiong Lai had a smooth ride to be elected Youth chief, Seng Kok faces a tough fight. His political career was jolted when he was beaten to the deputy youth chairman position by Ling Hee Liong, the eldest son of Ling Liong Sik in a four corner fight. It seems that votes from Liow Tiong Lai's supporters was not delivered to Seng Kok as expected but went to his rivals instead. If Seng Kok had won the Youth deputy head position, situation might have been different today.

During the 2008 AGM, Tiong Lai was elected as one of the vice presidents with the second highest number of votes received after Kong Cho Ha. Seng Kok managed to get himself elected as a member of the CC which was dominated by Tee Keat's supporters. While Tiong Lai ascendency to higher political office proceed smoothly after 2005 when he was appointed as a Youth and Sports deputy minister and gained a fast tracked promotion as Health Minister in March 2008, Seng Kok's political career was shaky after his loss in the 2005 party election.

Even though Loh Seng Kok was one of the most hard working and promising Member of Parliament he was dropped as a candidate for the Kelana Jaya constituency which he was first elected in 2004 since he did not hold any senior position in either division, state or national level. After he won a seat in the CC during the 2008 party election he was not given any portfolio in the party structure. To add salt to injury non of the other party bureaus invited him to be a member. At last the head of the Government Policy Monitoring Bureau Chua Soi Lek, also MCA deputy president inducted Seng Kok as a member of his bureau. The involvement in this bureau at least allows him a platform to speak up on governmental issues and kept himself within the media radar. Due to this and other historical Team A factor, it is not surprising for Seng Kok to give his support and place his political future in Chua Soi Lek's camp.


MCA and UKM connection

Liow Tiong Lai and Loh Seng Kok were close friends during their universities days in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in the mid 1980's. Their relationship was fostered through their active participation and leadership in the Chinese Community Committee (CCC) of UKM, a special committee within the UKM Students Union which take care the interest of the Chinese students. The CCC is the main player in the popular "Pesta Tanglung" which was organised annually by the students. The CCC was later "dissolved" by the then UKM Students Union in 1986 but continued to be active via their established networking until today.

It is through the CCC that enables many of the Chinese students in UKM to have close contact with MCA, especially its youth wing. The CCC-MCA relationship was further enhanced when Dr. Ting Chew Peh, an Anthropologist lecturer in UKM was asked to be the MCA candidate in the Gopeng by-election in 1987. The seat was vacated by the then MCA president Tan Koon Swan who was jailed due to criminal breach of trust in relation to the Pan Electric Industries debacle. Tiong Lai who graduated from UKM  in 1986 assisted MCA in the by-election and some of the CCC leaders went to Gopeng to provide moral support to their lecturer.

Some of the CCC leaders from the mid-80s were later recruited as staffs of MCA after their graduation. These leaders includes Liow Tiong Lai, Yu Kee Su and Loh Seng Kok who were later appointed  political secretaries to MCA top guns namely, Lim Ah Lek (Minister of Human Resources), Ting Chew Peh (Minister of Housing and Local Government) and Ling Liong Sik (Minister of Transport) respectively. Yu Kee Su left the political arena  for the private sector after his boss Ting Chew Peh was dropped from the Cabinet in 1999.

The surged of UKM graduates involving in MCA began to evolved and grows in strength beginning in the 1980s through the CCC connection. These graduates even established a MCA branch (Bukit Mewah, Cheras) specifically to enrol graduates from UKM as members. After this early batch of Liow Tiong Lai's group, more and more UKM Chinese graduates began to be directly involved in MCA politics.

The Curse of Health Ministry

It is yet to be seen whether Liow Tiong Lai will be successful in his quest to become the first UKM graduate to assume the presidency of the largest Chinese-based political party in Malaysia. With so much politiking and struggle for power within MCA, no one knows what will happens tomorrow? If Liow Tiong Lai misses his steps while striving towards higher political office, will he succumbed to the curse of the Health Ministership. His immediate predecessors Chua Soi Lek, Chua Jui Meng and even Ong Ka Ting who was one time Acting Minister after Chua Soi Lek resigns, all of them faces their Waterloo when assigned to the ministerial portfolio in the Ministry of Health. Or is it Ministry of Hell?

With events unfolding by the day, will it come to a stage where Ong Tee Keat and Loh Seng Kok from Chua Soi Lek's camp join forces to face the challenges from Liow Tiong Lai's camp? It is only the protagonists and antagonists that will be able to provide answers to this conundrum. We are only spectators in unfolding this chapter of history. - Loka

p/s - When Liow Tiong Lai was first appointed as Health Minister in March 2008, I suggested to his secretary to ask his boss to invite a monk to conduct blessings in his office. I am not sure whether the suggestion was taken up but the signs available so far shows it has not been taken seriously. At this stage of political upheavals in MCA, maybe it's not too late for Tiong Lai to have his blessings before it's too late.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Malaysia Day is national holiday

Finally, the Federal government decided to declare September 16 as a national holiday in recognition of its importance in our nation's history. This announcement is special not only for our brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak but for all who declares themselves as citizens of Malaysia.

The people has been asking the government to acknowledge the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963 as an important historical national event.

Now lets get on with the task of ensuring both Sarawak and Sabah have the fair share of equitable development in years to come. - Loka

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Friendly neighbour taken for granted

In 2005 when the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Presidential Istana in Jakarta, the then MYC president Dr. Mohd Khir Toyo said to the Indonesian president, "We can select our friends but we cannot select our neighbours".

During that time it was at the height of the Ambalat maritime block claim dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Ambalat sea block has been a point of contesting claims between these two countries due to the existence of oil and natural gas under the sea bed.

The love hate relationship  between these "sebangsa and serumpun" (same race and same roots) countries has been going on for many years. The climax of all was when the then Indonesian president Sukarno launched the Confrontation against Malaysia in early 1960s when the idea to set up Malaysia was being finalised. Sukarno battle cry "Ganyang Malaysian" (Crush Malaysia) was translated into the attack of the Tebedu police station in Sarawak on 12 April 1963 and the landing of Indonesian paratroopers in 1964 in Labis, Johore which were captured or killed the Malaysian and Commonwealth armed forces. The Confrontation with skirmishes and fire power battle between Malaysian and Commonwealth join forces against Indonesian troops and supporters especially in Sarawak lasts until mid 1966 after Sukarno was swept from power in a coup led by General Suharto in March 1966.

The Indonesian just could not leave any opportunity to pick on Malaysia based on the slightest issue - real,  perceived or self hallucination. The claims on unfair treatment of Indonesian maids, stealing of their songs and dances, export of terrorists, Malaysian companies causing the annual haze in Indonesia and the Sipidan, Ligitan and Ambalat territorial claims are some of the list of issues raised by Indonesia in their continuous and extended  "Confrontation" with Malaysia.

The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta must be one of the most defensive embassy amongst all the Malaysia's embassies all over the world. Sited in one of the busiest area in Jakarta, the embassy will be the focus of the Indonesian students and demonstrators whenever they have any bones to pick with Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia must have lost count the number of Jalur Gemilangs already burnt in front of the embassy gate by the Indonesian demonstrators. So far there is no report mentioning any burning of Indonesian flag Sang Saka Merah Putih in front of the Indonesian embassy at Jalan Tun Razak either by any political party youth wing or any other Malaysian protestors.

Malaysians especially those in the political arena are known to protest against any other government on the slightest provocation or perceived interference in Malaysian affairs or showing disrespect to Malaysian leaders. These protesters will even demonstrate against injustice of one country on another country. At one time Umno Youth leaders even protested and gate crashed into a meeting discussing the situation of the then East Timor which was seeking separation from Indonesia. The  protestors were actually supporting the Indonesian government and the then Indonesian Ambassador openly shown his appreciation to these protestors who are said to be his serumpun and sebangsa.

When the annual haze from Indonesia began to become a regular visitor to Malaysia and causing extreme discomfort and increasing risks of sickness due to the haze, the Malaysian government spends millions in sending fire fighters and other support to put out the hazardous fire in Indonesia. What Malaysia got in return was not a big thank you but the claims that the haze were caused by Malaysian-owned plantation company in Indonesia. Indirectly Indonesia are saying they are unable to run their country well as they can't even take matters in their hands in ensuring these companies follows the law of the land. Maybe the rule of law is not so persuasive in comparison to the rule of man and money. In the end Malaysia got more than what she can bargain for when these sebangsa and serumpun firemen came back firefighting with respiratory problems and skin diseases due to over exposure to the toxic haze.

When the Indian Ocean Tsunami happens on 26 December 2004, the disaster caused hundreds of thousands of lives to perished and loss of billions of dollars. Acheh in Indonesia was greatly hit by this natural disaster and more than 130,000 lives were lost in Indonesia alone with about half a million people displaced. Even though Malaysia was also hit by the tsunami, Malaysians and the government took the necessary actions to provide assistance to the Indonesian people suffering from the disaster. Millions of dollars worth of food, drinking water, medical supplies, tents, body bags and body cloth (kain kapan) for Muslim deads, machineries, building materials and contruction of houses and schools for the displaced victims. These are the things that those from the Malaysian side of the sebangsa and serumpun did for their counterparts in Indonesia after the tsunami.

Now after the Padang earthquake recently, Malaysian reacted instantly by raising funds to help the Indonesian victims. The Malaysia government sent in their C-130 plane loaded with foodstuffs for the victims. What Malaysia got in return? Instead of open hands in praise and appreciation of their serumpun and sebangsa for helping out in times of need, the plane was pelted with stones and Indonesian immigration officers still wants to charge exit tax on Malaysia medical students in Padang who lost everything during the earthquake. On top of that, there are this so called Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat (Bendera) people who wants to "Ganyang Malaysia" with sharpen bamboo and sticks! What else can be said of these sort of ungrateful flag burning people of the so called same rumpun! What are the actions taken by the governments of both countries against these enemy of the state that create tensions and promote violence and terrorism? Just half hearted and a slap on the hand warning.

If this is the type of neighbour that we are forced to have because we have no other choice, we will be much better if they just leave us alone.

Why didn't the government review diplomatic ties with Indonesia and build perimeters all along the Kalimantan borders and provide heavy sentences on any illegal Indonesian immigrants who dares to cross the Straits of Malacca and set foot in Malaysia. Maybe placing them in a Pulau Bidong liked island just like how the Malaysian government treated the Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s can be a deterrence since other methods failed to stop these illegals from becoming a threat to national security by snooping into the country again and again. To protect the nation's security, stop the recruitment of maids and foreign workers from Indonesia whom are specially targetted by "Bendera" as their frontline in their planned "invasion" of Malaysia . There are still many foreign countries who are neither serumpun nor sebangsa who will be more than happy to sent their people to work in this country peacefully.

But then the powers-that-be in the government will never ever thought of that as these people's mentality is just like a little brother with inferiority complex who is always subservient to the big brother, even if the big brother is obnoxious, arrogant and having self pity.

We can have friends everywhere and friendly to everyone but we don't have to submit to a ridiculous and big brother attitude neighbour. - Loka

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tee Keat- fight one last round

In the event of any war, there will be those that will suffer the agony of defeat and those who basked in the glory of success. In between them there will be those who will reap the spoils of war. In the history of mankind, war always affects those who are part of it and those innocents who are sacrificed as collateral damage. Some experienced the worst of all and lost everything they had while some will grabbed the opportunity to secure the benefits that would have eluded them if there is no war.

With the widely expected resignation of Ong Tee Keat as MCA's president and the already vacant deputy president position, a floodgate is now opened for all ambitious members of MCA to grab the spoils of the recent EGM.

How wide the floodgate of opportunities will depends on the following scenario.

1. The Central Committee resigns en masse and calls for new election.

This may be the most remote of all possibilities as the risks are too high to be taken especially for those that are alligned or friendly to Ong Tee Keat. This move will be most welcome by Chua Soi Lek and his cohorts as it will be an opportunity to pave the way for him and his people to take a shot to control the party leadership. If it happens, expects an all out fight between the two feuding factions and participation of the third force which so far have not shown the hidden hand behind it. Some old faces and old horses are expected to jump into the band wagon and fight another round for political supremacy.
Who knows Chua Soi Lek might just try his luck and give a shot for the presidency since he knows very well he had at least half of the delegates firmly in his hand who don't mind his sexual indiscretion. With a little bit of manouvering, he might just convinced another 50 third force fence sitters to vote for him. If that happens, his sexual indiscretion will be Najib's problem,  not MCA's nor the Chinese community since only Najib can decide whether to accept an adulterous component leader sitting with him in the Cabinet.

2. Ong Tee Keat resigns and his appointees follow suits.

The president has the right to appoint a number of members in the central committee includes the Secretary General, Treasurer General, Organising Secretary and eight committee members. When he resigns, those appointed by him are obliged to follow suit which will create a long list of vacancies. Assuming two vice presidents, namely Kong Cho Ha and Liow Tiong Lai took over the top two posts, two vacancies will be available in the vice president position.

This situation is similiar to the situation in 2003 when Ling Liong Sik of Team A and Lim Ah Lek of Team B resigns simultaneously as president and deputy president in a peace plan between Team A and Team B. Their vacated positions were filled by then vice presidents Ong Ka Ting and Chan Kong Choy who is from Team A and Team B respectively. The two vacated vice president positions were given to Tan Chai Ho (Team A) and Fu Ah Kiow (Team B). The then Secretary General Ting Chew Peh (Team A) was retained by Ong Ka Ting as goodwill gesture until 2005 when he was replaced by Ka Ting's brother Ong Kah Chuan (Team A) after the party election.

Will Tan Chai Ho and Loh Seng Kok who were the main EGM coordinators for Chua Soi Lek's camp given any senior positions representing the reborn Team A? If the horse trading is based on the 2003 formula, Chai Ho most probably will be rewarded with a VP position while Seng Kok might be in the run for the Organising Secretary or even the Secretary General position if Kong Cho Ha is appointed president for their service to Soi Lek's block. Seng Kok was formerly the MCA Youth Joint Secretary General with Tiong Lai under Youth Chief Ong Tee Keat after the peace plan in 2003.

If Tiong Lai is appointed president, there is no way Seng Kok will be appointed Sec-Gen as trust is wanting in between them even though they were the best of pals during their early days in MCA and as student leaders in UKM. They went separate ways when battle starts between Team A and Team B which was lead by their political mentors Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek. Both were former political secretaries to their mentors.

Another Chua is expected to be appointed to the Central Committee if those appointed by Tee Keat resigns. He is non other than the son of Chua Soi Lek and MP for Labis Chua Tee Yong.

3. Only Ong Tee Keat resigns

The changes of guard will only affect any two of the four vice presidents but no one should expect the changes to be anything but smooth. Basing on the top two votes secured by Kong Cho Ha and Liow Tiong Lai, it is logical for both of them to climb the party hierachy but the political ambition of Ng Yen Yen should not be discounted. It can be observed that in the run up to the EGM, Ng Yen Yen was clearly non-committal on her support for Ong Tee Keat and also avoids from commenting on Chua Soi Lek's sex acandal even though she was one time the Minister for Family Development and MCA Wanita Chief. It won't be a surprise if efforts is under ways to appoints her as the deputy president. This is the best return from the spoils of the EGM for a politician who has been distancing herself from the decisions of the Presidential Council and also the Central Committee.

4. Ong Tee Keat stays as President

First of all, the MCA Constitution does not requires Ong Tee Keat to resign. In politics everything is possible and the unthinkable can happen. The Central Committee might be successful in convincing Ong Tee Keat to stay on at least until the end of his term and go on leave from his party duty but retain his Transport Minister position. Tee Keat still have unfinished business in sorting out the PKFZ debacle which the public have high expectation for all perpetrators to be hauled up and charged in the court of law. If this happens, either Kong Cho Ha or Liow Tiong Lai will be appointed to fill the vacant deputy president position.

Tee Keat may be a lame duck president but as a minister that starts the ball rolling in cleaning up PKFZ, he must honour his duty to the 27 million Malaysians by leaving no stones unturn in search of the truth behind the fiasco. If he can provide justice and truth to the people, not just MCA members, he will be remembered as a statesman who dares to walk the talk and the courage to face challenges from all corners for the sake of the people. As a man of principle, he may want to be responsible for his leadership in MCA by taking the no confidence vote on  the presidency personally but then he has a bigger responsibility to the people of Malaysia.

He must at least fight for the last one round. Not for him. Not for his central committee. Not for MCA and surely not for BN. But for all Malaysians who uphold the principle of good governance in their beloved nation.

Even if he is down, he can give us a favor to fight this final round as a fellow Malaysian. - Loka

Monday, October 12, 2009

Good and bad followers

After the stalemate results from the Oct 10 EGM, can MCA still able to consolidate and re-invent itself and climb back to its former self before the 308 general election last year?

With the expected departure of Ong Tee Keat from the presidency, can MCA stand up to  the continuous bullying by big brother Umno and or ends up playing just an "extra" in the BN government?

Can green horn cabinet ministers like Liow Tiong Lai and Kong Cho Ha has the capability and courage to lead MCA in the face-offs with Umno.

Not that I don't have confidence in some of the people I know in MCA but the challenge is just too great for any of them to shoulder. They may be very comfortable and capable within their own domain but when it comes to dealing with Umno, many politicians in Umno are just too good and experience for any of the current MCA leaders. Umno politicians from the top leadership to the branch level are known to be able to eat, talk and sleep over politics all the time. There will be politics in everything they do or don't do. Most of the time the observant public wonders what these Umno politicians do for a living other than seeing and breathing politics in everything they do.

But then, all the blame cannot be pushed to Umno alone if MCA leaders can't deliver. It is MCA's delegates themselves which created or to be precise, wants to continue whatever the practice for the last 52 years. Umno fellas gets the contracts from the government, MCA leaders will obtain the sub-contracts and finish the job for their Umno comrades. Both sides will be happy and laughing all the way to the bank. Once, a former political secretary of a disgraced MCA minister gladly acknowledged the need for this "cooperation". From the results of the EGM, it can be deduced that at least half of the MCA delegates is still thinking along the same line which is totally do not synched with the feelings of the people especially the Chinese community they claimed to represents.

When MCA disintegrates, it is not because of their internal squabbles but due to the failure of the MCA delegates to read and win the mind and heart of the Chinese populace in this country. Some of MCA's delegates already forgotten the psychological warfare against the communist in the yesteryears when winning the heart and mind of the people was on the top of the agenda that won the war against the communists during the Emergency years.

The direction of the MCA is not set by the elected leader alone but by the guidance and wisdom of the delegates whom elected the leader. You deserves what you asked for. In any organisation, leaders will come and go, no one is indispensable. The problem is not with Ong Tee Keat or Chua Soi Lek but the people who decides who they want to lead them. If you elect a leader expecting favours, position and awards in return for your support, what is left  of you to take care of the needs of the people that you claimed to represent.

In a democracy, there is no good or lousy leader but there are good and bad followers. A leader, whether good or bad, is elected by the followers. If the leader performs badly, it is because the followers elect him and allows it to happens. If the leader done a great job, it is due to the followers wisdom in giving the person the opportunity to lead. In this aspect, the real leader is actually the followers or delegates who makes the decision to appoints someone to represents them in fulfilling their needs.

Can the MCA delegates/central committee members sees these when they select the next leader to represent and lead them? I am doubtful. - Loka

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Fighting for Political Supremacy

There are some characteristics which can be derives from the current battle of political supremacy in the MCA.

A politician worth his or her salt will strive in whatever possible ways to reach the pinnacle of political power. To reach the pinnacle of power, he need to do or undo whatever deems necessary to stay afloat in the political system. Even to the extent of making a choice against one's principle to select between two feuding groups which he does not fully subcribe to their agenda. There is no other way about it.

Firstly, when they is a feud between two conflicting groups, it does not pay if one decided to stay in the middle. Even if one decided to be independent in a feud, the aspiring independent politician will need to create a perception that he is acceptable by either one or both side of the feuding parties. A totally independent individual will be left out of the party political process when all dust settle after a long drawn battle for political supremacy.

Secondly, even if deep inside his heart he wanted to be the party supremo one day, the politician must not tell the whole world that he or she is keen and ready to take over the leadership. An open declaration of one's readiness and eagerness to assume the top political position will attract unnecessary attention and also attacks from other political rivals.

Thirdly, if a politician has the necessary clout and political influence, he or she  uses them as bargaining tools in negotiation with both feuding parties to further his ambition. If he succeeded in playing the horse trading games well, he may ends up getting the top political seat of power in a silver platter, at the expense of both the feuding parties.

Fourthly, a shrewd politician knows that in every crisis there is an opportunity. Whenever another politician more senior than him and other colleagues tumbles, there is a chance for him to climb the political ladder. Another vacancy due to the departure of a senior politician creates a domino vacancies effect all the way down the political command.

Finally, a politician who already does not knows how to do anything else but playing politics will go all the way and with all the means to ensure he or she come out triumphant in the political battle even if he or she has to sell out and betray his friends and comrades. The Machiavellian saying "the means justify the ends" will be the core principle belief of the said politician.

Basing on the current MCA battle for political supremacy, the characters and the players are unveiled before, during and after the emergency general meeting this Saturday. Some of them already shown their true face, the others just waiting for the opportune time. - Loka

Monday, October 5, 2009

Survival within the Christian-Muslim domain

Many of my home town friends studied in a La Sallian school and participated in Christian based activities during our school days but we kept our faith.


The Young Christian Societies were active in many of these schools. In my former school, the Saint Anthony School, I attended their weekly meetings held in the Convent School across the road from my school in Teluk Intan. I sang Christian hymns and listen to a Catholic nun by the name of Sister Winnie's telling stories about Jesus. Even in my school band, we used to play the tune "Amazing Grace" during the many funerals that the school band were invited to attend as lead marchers.

After all these influences, affiliation and motivation, it never managed to convince me to embrace Christianity. On the contrary, the Christian-based environment in my school and mingling around with Christian friends, singing their hymns and attending  their meetings makes me more curious to search for answers and to understand the meaning of the faith written on my birth certificate - Buddhism.

I search and managed to get hold and read the first Buddhist book after my fifth form public examination. In that sense, the Christian environment during my school days actually provokes me to search and try to understand the meaning of the Teachings of the Buddha.


Few years later I was involved actively as a Buddhist advocate in the university and the community. Some of my school-days friends too were surprised on my strong commitment towards Buddhism after we left school.

During the many years that I was involved in the national level youth movement, I was in contact with many youth leaders and government officers from the Muslim community. I attended many functions and meetings where Islamic prayers and rituals were conducted. Not forgetting those lectures or speeches by Muslim based leaders and politicians who are so used to quoting verses from the Quran when giving their speeches. I listen and learn from them but it ends there as for me it is just an opportunity to know and understand other people's religious better.

By understanding other peoples faith and practices, we learn to respect them as what they are even though we may not agree and follow what their religion teaches them. Whatever practices and teachings in their religion stays with them. We respect their right to their religion that teaches their followers to be at peace with oneself and those in their surrounding.

On the other hand, I will seek any opportunity and persevere to explain the true meaning of my religion to those who might have mis-conception regarding my religion. I let them know the religious path that I follows. The intention is never to convert but to open their eyes and heart so that they will be able to know me and my religion better. That should be the way - mutual understanding and mutual respect amongst people of different faith by learning about each other. - Loka

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Toll discount increases road accidents?

Taking advantage of the long weekend holidays due to the Eidil Fitri celebration, my family and I drove all the way to the Cherating beaches to enjoy the sea, sun and sand last weekend. Food was also on the agenda as we tasted some local delicacies like the keropok lekor and "Satar otak-otak" which were sold along the Cherating road to Kemaman. We even joined the big tourist crowd that swamped the famous stuffed crab in Kemaman. All the restaurants selling the stuffed crab were fully patronized.

The thought of enjoying a free use of the tolled road from Gombak in Kuala Lumpur to Jabor in Terengganu remained a wishful thought. Even though the highway concessionaire MTD Prime Sdn Berhad declared the "free gift" for the road users using the highway on 18 and 24 of September between 12 midnight to 5am, the drive toll free period are nothing more than a free publicity stunt. The operator of the North-South highway, PLUS Expressway Berhad announced a discount up to 20%  for road users during the festivities for time of travel from 12 midnight to 7am.

How many people will actually take the RISK to drive from 12 midnight to 5am? Most drivers would have prefered to hit the road when they are in the best frame of mind and alertness. The timing contradicts with the information given by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research ( MIROS) which warned that road collisions involving express buses increases during hours between 12 midnight to 6am! MIROS which was set up in January 2007 is a government body involved in research and dissemination of information on road safety. A road safety campaign advisory in the local The Star newspaper published before the start of the mass exodus from the city to the kampongs highlighted the similiar fact that the risk of road accidents increases up to 4 times from 12 midnight to 6am.

With Malaysia having one of the highest rate of road accidents in the world, is the relevant highway operators doing the public a favour to reduce roads accidents as claimed or enticing more people to be part of the increasing accident statistics for the sake of saving a couple of bucks?


The highway operators need to have a rethinking on their purported "social responsibility" if they are really sincere and serious about the welfare of the road users.The Road Safety Department should have advised the toll highway operators accordingly before more accidents happens due to the discounts.- Loka

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Aidil Fitri

To all followers of the Islamic faith, wishing you all a peaceful and memorable Aidil Fitri.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Jalan K Sri Dhammananda

The Most Venerable Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera is a great spiritual master in the eyes of Buddhists all over the world. To the non-Buddhists and other co-religionists, he is a man who believes and promotes peace, mutual respect and understanding amongst all mankind.

In the international arena, the late Ven Dhammananda stands tall amongst other great Buddhist Dhamma masters like the His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Plum Village's Most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and  Fo Guang Shan's founder Venerable Master Hsin Yun.

In Malaysia he is accorded the highest level of respect befitting a great monk by the Buddhist community and widely recognised as the Father of Malaysian Buddhism amongst the Buddhists. By far he is the only Buddhist monk in Malaysia to be conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Malaysian Buddhist community for his service and contribution towards the propagation and development of Buddhism in his adopted country.

 
For more than 50 years since his arrival in 1952 on the shore of the then colonial Malaya, the late venerable travelled all over the country to propagate the Buddha Sasana to all levels of society. No one is too young or too old to learn from him. He has his ways in disseminating the Teachings of the Buddha to all who came to see him for guidance and spiritual teachings.

 
His capabilities as a charismatic speaker and prolific writer enable him to propogate the Buddha Sasana to many people. To reach out to a wider scale of people who are interested to learn about Buddhism, he founded the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia which publishes articles and books on Buddhism for distribution all over the country and the world. His religious work had touches and changed the lives of millions when he was alive and after his passing his books are still being read by millions all over the world in different languages.

 
As a man who stand firms on the importance of inter religious understanding and mutual respect amongst people of different religion, he reaches out to people of other religions with loving hands and compassionate heart. Religious leaders of Christians, Hindus, Muslims and others have deep respect for this man of peace and religion.

 
World Buddhist leaders and scholars from different schools and denominations sees him as a great Buddhist teacher and leader. His international and national stature as a religious teacher can be observed from the presence and messages from Buddhist leaders from all over the world during his funeral three years ago.

 
Residing at the same temple for more than 50 years by no means a great feat for one who came from Sri Lanka to share the sublime Teachings of the Buddha to the people of this country. The Brickfields Buddhist Temple, now known as Buddhist Maha Vihara at Jalan Berhala was his base for his Dhammaduta work for more than half a century. The temple became synonymous with Venerable K Sri Dhammanada.

 
Many who passes through the temple arch at Jalan Berhala for the first time became long term devotees of the temple because there is one person that managed to provide answers to the many questions that arises in their mind. That person that able to provide the meaning of life and answers on Buddhism is non other than the late Most Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera.

 
While many had the highest level of respect for the late venerable when he is alive, it is critically important to have gratitude and remembers all the good deeds that he had selflessly contributed to this country and her people. In this respect efforts must be taken to petition the Malaysian government and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to proclaim the name of Jalan Berhala to be changed to Jalan K Sri Dhammananda. This will be apt and respectful to honour a person who contributed so much to the spiritual development and peaceful living of Malaysians while based at that particular road for more than 50 years.

 
Buddhist organisations particularly Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia and temple custodian Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society must take the necessary actions to engaged the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to ensure name change for Jalan Berhala, should be changed to Jalan K Sri Dhammananda and not the name of another politician. The spirituality of the road must be maintain and defended. - Loka

Malaysia Day

Today is Malaysia Day. The day when all the free people of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore comes together to established what is known now as Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Even though Singapore decided to withdraw from the federation in August 1965, Malaysia as one country stays intact until today 46 years later.
Malaysia Day used to be known as Hari Perpaduan or Unity Day but it seems nowadays it has not been promoted and emphasised as one though. When Malaysia celebrates its independence day on 31st of last month, there are people who felt that this country should celebrate as one nation on 16 September.
Sabah and Sarawak will be putting more efforts in celebrating Malaysia Day compared to those states in Peninsula Malaya. In some states, the day will just pass by without any significant commemoration but people in Sabah and Sarawak will be celebrating their nationhood as Malaysians.
Even though the government had declared that there will be only one Independence day celebration which is on 31 August, more efforts and political will need to be taken to place significant importance on Malaysia Day. This is not only about Sabah or Sarawak but the people of Malaysia as a whole where those who called this land their home will feel, think and live as one under the big Malaysian umbrella. - Loka

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

MCA fires BN?

Ong Tee Keat is keeping his agenda for the upcoming MCA's EGM close to his heart even as supporters of Dr. Chua Soi Lek is trying to prise open the closely guarded resolutions.

Two of the agendas already expected to be tabled concerns the endorsement on the sacking of deputy president Chua Soi Lek and the Port Klang Free Trade Zone debacle. Another possible resolution on the drafting board will be a vote of confidence on Ong Tee Keat's leadership in relation to the alleged donation of RM10 million by Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd CEO Tiong King Sing.

Basing on Tee Keat's political acumens and straight forward courage for change,  is there a possibility another resolution that will create waves throughout the nation will also be put to the 2400 delegates to vote? The resolution will be similiar to the controversial opinion poll which was conducted in Tee Keat's blog after the 308 Political Tsunami. The opinion poll was taken out from his blog after it became an issue especially amongst Umno's supporters. The poll result shows about 76% of 2,525 respondents are in favour of MCA withdrawing from BN.

It will not be surprising if Tee Keat decides to throw the question on whether MCA should quit Barisan Nasional to the delegates during the EGM. By having the earlier "MCA quits BN" opinion poll in his blog even before his ascendency to the presidency, it reflects his inner feelings to seek direction on the matter.

The obvious lacked of support from his BN Cabinet colleagues on the PKFZ fiasco and the existence of under current which is stacking against him amongst BN members especially those linked to the fiasco will be a point of consideration for him to put the quit BN agenda for debate. With the rumour mills circulating that MCA representation in the Cabinet will be reduced and he himself will be dropped from Najib's Cabinet surely will put more fire in his belly to unleash the first strike before being shown the door.

After fighting and winning his political wars against various opponents in recent years, some of them single handedly, those who expect Ong Tee Keat to throw down his towel and surrender meekly like some of his predecessors will be in for a surprise. - Loka

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Religious land saga

Incidents of Malay-Muslims residents protesting against the building of places of worship other than their own in their backyard would not stop re-occurring even if the Hindu temple issue in Section 23 Shah Alam is solved in the next few days.

Protests against the building of places of worship for adherents other than Islam as in the Section 23 incident will not be an isolated case. These incidents happens not because of anyone's God instruction but are human created  due  to intolerance towards others religionists and weak understanding of one's own religion.

When the country's population increases every year, more and more housing facilities are required to accommodate the expanding population especially those in the urban areas. More land are required to build houses, public infrastructures and transportation, commercial and industrial lots and recreation and community facilities. When this happens, existing places of worship located in estates and sub-urban areas which has been in existence years before the arrival of development faces the threat of eviction and relocation.

Basing the on the demographic growth of different religions and races in this country, the time will come when only a few residential areas which majority of the residents are not non-Muslims. By then where can the non-Muslims have their place of worships and practice their devotion in a peaceful atmosphere but at the midst of Muslim majority areas. Muslim majority states like those in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis are already having many non-Muslims place of worships in their areas where non-Muslims are less than Muslims. If Muslims in these states can live with the Buddhist temples and Thai Wats built nearby their villages for so many centuries, why Muslims in a premier state like Selangor are having issue with it?

The human factor in creating this problem to the people and the government happens when the town planners and developers did not take into serious considerations the need of allocating ample lands for the building of places of worship other than Islam. Civil servants in state planning agencies and land offices who are mostly Muslims may not be motivated and enlightenment enough to look into the religious needs of the other communities.

To enable them to obtain the necesssary development approvals, developers will adhered to the official requirement to designate a piece of land for the building of a surau or a mosque but will be not be driven to set aside a piece of land for those other than Islam as it may not be in the development order requirements.
Even if the developers do take this need into consideration, they will most probably be allocating just one piece of land for religion other than Islam, which means the Buddhist, Christians, Catholics, Hindus, Taoists and Sikh would have to scramble for the miserable piece of land.

The Federal and State governments need to develop a policy which will ensure lands are to be made available for the building of places of worships not only for Muslims but also people of other faiths to practice and manage their respective religion as per guaranteed in the Federal Constituition. It will not help if fire fighting methods are activated whenever a similiar issue arises from time to time.

The writing is already on the wall. There is no other choice but to acknowleged and accept that this country comprises a multi-religious society. Everybody have to live with each other, respect one another and accept the differences in each religious beliefs and learn to live peacefully- within and without disregarding one's personal belief and political affiliation.

The government have to come out with a long-term concrete plan to safeguard and ensure the religious needs of all faiths are well taken of. A law must be drawn to ensure town planners allocate land for all religions in specific area of new development in their town planning and developers must be compelled to fulfill their obligations. If it fails it will not be surprising if similiar incidences like the one in Shah Alam will be replicated elsewhere by bigots copycats. - Loka

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Candle in the heart

The cow head protesters marches to the State secretariat
Hishammuddin (left pic) the Umno Home Minister did not give any surprises when he met with the cow head protesters yesterday. He further enhanced his image as a cow's brain politician when he became the protesters apologist and defends their action of stomping and spitting on a severed cow head which the protesters brought to the entrance of the Selangor State Secretariat front gate last Friday.


Being the minister previously in charge of the education and youth and sports ministries before his assumption as home minister, he should know very well that cows are sacred in Hinduism and the intention of the protesters bringing the severed cow head during their demonstration is clearly an attempt to provoke and incite hatred and ill feelings amongst peace loving Malaysians. But then, what more can be expected from someone with a big mouth. ( I just replicate this words used by a former Umno Selangor State Exco who co-incidentally was seated beside Hishammudin during another meeting with a Malay-centric NGO the day before the cow head protesters met Hishammudin)


The so-called protesters who claimed to be residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam had protested against the relocation of a Hindu temple from Section 19 to to Section 23. They objected to the temple being built in their vicinity which they argued is a Muslim majority area.


In the name of democratic process and respecting the freedom of movement and assembly, it is the right of the cow head protesters to assemble and march to highlight their concerns and objection to the temple but please do it with utmost decency and self respect as a fellow human being. The moment any group starts to ridicule and blasphemed other religion, it says all and sundry to the whole world how shallow and narrow minded these people are. By claiming to represent a certain religion which proclaimed to be a religion of peace, it really brings disrepute and shame to their own religion.


If a person of any religion claims that the building of a place of worship other than his own, in close proximity to his place of residence will challenge his commitment to his own religion, it is time for him to have self reflection on his personal cultivation. If by virtue of taking the argument that close proximity to a place of worship other than his own will affect one's faith, many in this country include many past and present Cabinet ministers would have left their original faith or converted to Christianity because many had studied in schools runs by the La Sallian Brothers and Catholic nuns.
A La Sallian school - Saint Anthony School in Teluk Intan
Churches and chapels were usually situated nearby these schools and some are even within the school compound. Those in the older generations would have studied or interacted with the La Sallian Brothers priests whom were famous with their strict discipline and academic acumens. What's more can be said of those that studied in western countries where the populations are predominantly Christians. Hishammudin himself was western educated but did he renounced the religion of his forefathers after many years surrounded by churches and Christians symbolism? No. He still declares himself as a Muslim.

By defending the cow head protesters, is he trying to tell everybody that he is having doubts on the protesters resilience towards external influences? One's faith and commitment towards any religion are just like a lighted candle in the heart, no outsiders will ever be able to snuff it out or reduces its illumination unless the person concern allows it to happen. - Loka


Mind is the forerunner of all states,
Mind is chief, mind-made are they.
If one speaks or acts with pure mind, because of that,
happiness follows one, even as one's shadow that never leaves.

- Dhammapada verse 2