Just for show at UNGA

After the news of PM Najib's meeting with local religious leaders in his office in Putrajaya was splashed on front pages of the local newspapers, I was asked for my two cent worth on the matter.

Knowing similiar meetings being held in the past, I commented that the people especially the non-muslims should not take too seriously of what transpired. This type of meetings are held with the purpose far from what the religious leaders expected. The officers will diligently take notes of whatever grumblings from the attendees and the PM will nod his head to acknowledged those words uttered. But did he absorb and understands the issues raised? Most of the time meetings  of these sort do not have much follow-up and results. It is just for show.

Fast forward one week later, Najib was speaking to international leaders at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and he shared Malaysia's experience of religious inclusiveness. As reported in a local mainstream media, "Najib also shared with other heads of government at the United Nations that “although Islam is the official religion (in Malaysia), we honour other religions – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism – by making their religious and cultural celebrations national holidays and celebrate them as national events.” “It is this equilibrium that leads to moderation or wasatiyyah in the Islamic tradition of mutual peace.” Malaysia, he added, was well poised to play its part in promoting understanding, given its geographical position. "

For those uninitiated, the meeting with the local religious leaders was held merely as a public relation exercise before he flies to New York for the UNGA so that he can speak with full authority and legitimacy as a open-minded and receptive leader of a multi religious nation. The pre-UNGA meeting with local religious leaders are just part of a facade to inject authority into his speech  at the UN.

Being compassionate and experience people, these local religious leaders just play along with the PM's Office on this public relations exercise. How much and how far this sort of high media coverage meeting can really promote moderation and respect amongst the readers and observers especially those hard core bigots are yet to be seen. Whether the meeting gave him extra brownie points to put up a good show in UN yet to be known too. Maybe those who attended the said meeting knows better since most of them are expected to be wise men. If PM Najib is really taking into consideration the feelings of the non-muslims seriously, he should first weed out those extremists in his own backyard and not preach to the international audience on what others need to do.

Anyway, speaking out at UNGA is not difficult as that's what the purpose of the UNGA all about. No one can stop any country leader from speaking out or condemning whoever or whatever he or she wants, even if it sounds hypocritical just like an US president asking for the banning of nuclear weapons when US has the most nuclear warheads in the world.

Sadly, at the end of the UNGA session, the only speeches that the delegates might remembers will be those by Barack Obama or Wen Jia Bao, not just another leader from the Third World unless Kim Jong-Il decided to drop by in New York. - Loka

Tin Lanterns

Tin lanterns enhance celebration, says carpenter

By CHRISTINA LOW
christinalow@thestar.com.my

THESE days, lanterns come in various shapes and designs. Most often they are made out of colourful papers which may only last a night, while the lucky ones are privileged enough to own the battery-operated ones bought at department stores.                                                                                                                                                                   



However, for Ling Hai Chong, his first lantern was not a paper lantern but instead one that was made out of a tin can which is no longer seen by anyone these days.


The 50-year-old carpenter said he first saw the tin-can lantern during the days when he lived in Behrang, Perak.

“My neighbour was busy making it for the Mid-Autumn Festival and I was curious how he can turn a normal tin into something so nice for the children to play with,” said Ling.

Variety of use: After the Mid-Autumn Festival, these lanterns can be used as a decorative ornament and can be placed anywhere around the house. ( Source: The Star )

After paying close attention to how it was made, Ling said he went out to search for used tin cans to try his hand at making the lanterns himself.“It was just trial and error, after trying a few times, I finally got it right just by watching,” said Ling who now lives in Rasah.

During a recent interview in Subang Jaya, Ling said the lantern he made usually had rollers made out of smaller cans, just so when the lantern was played by pushing it on the ground, it would make sounds.

 

“We want to have the sound because it signifies that everyone is enjoying the feasting and having a wonderful time,” said Ling who also demonstrated how the lanterns were made.

 

Armed with a used large round tin in hand, it took the carpenter just 30 minutes to complete the task with minimal tools such as a hammer, measuring tape, scraper, wire cuter, pliers, ruler and a small-sized piece of wood.

 

Although making lanterns is just a hobby, Ling said it had kept him busy.

He said for this year, he only started making lanterns for his young nieces and nephews some three months back and could only manage to make the lanterns during his free time.

Those who are interested to learn the art of making lanterns out of tin-cans can visit Ling at the Laman Sukan USJ 1, Subang Jaya at 7pm for its Lantern Festival Celebration.

More photos on the making of a tin lantern at
 http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?id=1204188083&aid=213707

Malaysian first and foremost

Today is Malaysia Day. It ought to be a celebration for all who declares themselves as Malaysians. For those who are unable to declare themselves as Malaysian first, we can't fault them if they can't comprehend the special meaning of this day because their heart is so much deluded and blinded with parochialism. Today in history was the beginning of a new era where free nations from both side of the South China Sea embraced each other as one nation.

After 47 years, today is the first time in the nation's history that this historical date has been declared and celebrated as a public holiday throughout the nation even though Sarawak and Sabah has been celebrating this day with much vigour and pomp before. Why is it there exists this sense of guilt that those from Peninsula Malaysia has not been placing the level of importance and weightage on this date in comparison to our brothers in Sarawak and Sabah?

Maybe for some this date is also a taboo date which shall not be ever mentioned or celebrated due to the embarassing failed event that happens in 2008 when a political leader declares that the federal government will change hand when a bunch of froggie lawmakers switches camp. At last the federal government did not change hand, only leaving red faces in many and a blacklisted date.

In the absence of political agendas it is with great hope that this special day shall not be treated as a political gambit but as the day when each and everyone will standup and declares that all of us are Malaysian first and foremost, no more no less where all across the South China Sea are brothers and shall be treated and respected as one. - Loka

From activist to policymaker

In early 2008 a group of leaders from Buddhist centres in Serdang, Seri Kembangan, Kinrara and Subang Jaya/USJ responded positively to my call to work together to look into the MPSJ Draft Local Plan 2020. After studying and analysing the MPSJ Draft Local Plan we managed to come out with the necessary counter proposals in respect  to the Plan. The most critical issue for the Buddhist community and other non-muslims religion was the lack of land allocated to build their respective places of worship.

In June 2009, we participated in the public hearing called by the authorities to present our views and suggestions on the MPSJ Draft Local Plan. Taking a leaf from our experience on responding to the MPSJ Draft Local Plan, we also widen our study on other draft local plans in other local authorities. So far we had also attended and given our views on behalf of  Buddhist centres all over Selangor during Draft Local Plan public hearings held by Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor, Majlis Perbandaran Selayang and Majlis Perbandaran Kajang. We are still waiting to be invited to attend public hearing of another two local councils.

In March 2008, the PKR-DAP-PAS alliance was elected by the people during the general election to set up the new government for the State of Selangor. The new state government subsequently decided to allocate some councillor seats in the local councils to non governmental organisations (NGO) and professionals. The Buddhist community took the initiative to submit some names to the state government for consideration to be appointed as local councillors. But then, as far as we know none of the Buddhist leaders was appointed but it did not stop us from continuing working closely with the state government on issues related to the non-muslims particularly the Buddhist community.

As an pro-active gesture to involved the people in the policy making process on issues related to the non-muslims community, the Pakatan Rakyat state government then re-structured and changed the name of the "Jawatankuasa Rumah Ibadat bukan Islam Negeri Selangor" to become the Jawatankuasa Hal Ehwal Selain Islam Negeri Selangor. Some policies changes were implemented in regards to the working and structure of this committee. Firstly the committee is now co-chaired by three State Excos while non-Muslims NGO leaders were invited to sit in the committee. Previously the State Secretary chairs the committee and no non-Muslims NGO representatives were involved in the meeting. Meetings were conducted more regularly, ie every two months in comparison to irregular meetings previously which sometimes only held once a year.

As I has been invited to the meeting since its inception, I can notice the change and seriousness of the State Excos in ensuring issues related to non-muslims community are addressed promptly and justly.We speak our mind out during these meetings but always with decorum and respect to all.  

The recent called of duty in the apppointment as councillor of the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya is an honour and also a surprise to me. I am not sure if this is a signal from the state government's to recognize the Buddhist community's role towards developing a better Selangor for all. But for all who called this sunshine state our home, more than ever, we hoped the state government will do better in time to come.

The Buddhist community usually do not seek the attention of the state or federal governments either through the open forum or confrontational approaches. This community just prefers the consultative approach but it is sad and disappointing when the powers-that-be mistakenly read this soft approach as a sign that this community does not need the ears and support of the government.

Change is part and parcel for every living and non-living beings. For more than 20 years, religious and youth activism has been part of my learning process since my days as a undergraduate in Universiti Kebangsaan Malasyia. In all these years of community service, many issues related to the Buddhist community, youth development, international networking, HIV/AIDS and some other local community issues were addressed, especially when I was the then vice president of the Malaysian Youth Council and secretary general of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia. My involvement with the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY) as deputy president and now advisor to the Bangkok-based international  youth organisation provided me the opportunity to enhanced international youth networking and promote friendship amongst the young people and world Buddhist leaders.

And now by virtue being appointed as a local councillor, I am now shouldering the responsiblities as a policy maker in a local authority. Although I had been involved in government level policy making process during my stint as a national youth leader, but being a councillor will be a different ball game altogether. The years spend involving in organising and attending programs, meetings, workshops and conferences in government related bodies such as the National Youth Consultative Council, Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (National Service) and Ministry of Youth and Sports are experiences that I hoped will come in handy when playing my role as a local councillor.

Although I has been advised by someone that being a councillor is similiar to what I has been doing all these years as a community leader; ie planning, advocating, assisting and serving the people, I will still continue to pray that the Triple Gem will be my guide always so that my role as a local councillor will bring positive change to those who seek for it. Namo Buddhaya. Nama Dhammaya. Namo Sanghaya. - Loka

 

Julie Tan of Loka Mitta Buddhist Fellowship; David Tan and Chua Teck Seong of Putra Heights Buddhist Society. My Dhamma friends who came to support me during the oath taking ceremony. Bro. Seow CH(not in pic) advisor of FoKuang Malaysia was also there.

The new faces in the MPSJ Council having a chit-chat with the council president Dato' Adnan.

L-R:  Loka, Edward, Dato' Adnan, Noor, Azizan, Jaberi

Photo courtesy of SJ Echo.