Legitimate and capable Buddhist reps

Since the announcement by the Minister in the PM Department Koh Tsu Koon on the formation of an interfaith committee now known as Committee to Promote Inter-Religious Understanding and Harmony, as expected voices of dissent are heard from the usual group of detractors.

While preliminary meetings has been held to look into various issues and setting up of sub-committees to address them, questions still lingers on especially amongst the Buddhist community on who shall be the two persons representing the community in the said committee.

Recently the Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Senator Heng Seai Kie in her speech during the launching of the Sound of Compassions in aid of the Haiti earthquake victims had urged the Buddhist representatives in the said committee to play active and constructive roles to convey the views and needs of the Buddhist community.

Koh Tsu Koon was quoted in the media that the non-muslims representatives, which includes the Buddhists, will be represented by the MCCBCHST. Hopefully the Buddhist representatives as mentioned by Senator Heng will have the capabilities and legitimacy to shoulder the responsibities as the voice of the community.

It will be advantageous if these representatives knows and understands the issues well and has a good grasp of the national language and English so that they are able to convey the community's views eloquently and effectively as they will be having discussion with representatives from the government agencies and other religious groups. Furthermore it must be emphasised that these representatives must be committed to provide the world view of the Buddhist community as a whole, not just the need and views of their base association, temple or tradition that they originated. - Loka

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

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

Tiong Lai, please recites the Ratana Sutta

As of today the influenza A H1N1 flu pandemic already claimed 71 lives throughout the country. What is the Ministry of Health up to? The whole country is getting worried day by day and national day parades has been called off or down graded to a smaller scale. It won't be surprising if parents of school children will take the initiative to self declare an extended school holidays for their beloved children.

Did the Health Ministry authorities made a big blunder and ill advised the minister from taking a more proactive action during the initial stage of the flu attack on this country? Flip-flop decisions were made on the roles of the reference hospitals for the H1N1 to the prescription of the Tamilflu drugs. Something is not right somewhere with the top decision makers in the ministry.

Since these guys are already drained of any new measure to eradicate this flu, please paused a while and look upon alternative intervention in the form of divine power.

During the Buddha's time a city by the name of Vesali was afflicted with famine and thence causing death to many people. The huge number of death bodies from the famine causes a epidemic. The people from the city then seek help from the Buddha who was residing at Rajagaha.

The Buddha recited the Ratana Sutta to Venerable Ananda who then went around Vesali with the people of Licchavi doing the same. The city was finally cleared of the plague and all evil spirits roaming the city were excorcised.

If Health minister Liow Tiong Lai do not have anymore ideas or is not getting the right advise from his advisers and top officials to address this pandemic, I think it is time for him to visit a Buddhist temple and recite the Ratana Sutta (Jewel Discourse) together with the Buddhist community to eradicate this killer disease. - Loka

MCA at Crossroads

The real lobbying for support in the coming MCA central committee election starts the moment the list of all the central delegates were announced on Sunday 28 July 2008. These central delegates will be the target of all aspiring candidates for the various positions in the central committee. In the next two weeks, a flurry of candidates will be announcing their candidacy for positions which they assumed they are qualified and will obtain support from the delegates.

Some already place their stake on specific post while some is still analyzing the situation on the ground. Some are having serious discussion to establish alliances with other aspiring candidates.

The contest for the presidency has been thrown wide open since Ong Ka Ting declares he is not defending the position even though he is still qualified to do so under the revised rules that limits the presidency to nine years for each individual. Adding to the excitement was Chan Kong Choy's announced retirement as the deputy president.

If there is no compromise in the horse tradings and securing alliances amongst the main players, the contest for the presidency and deputy president will sees a crowded battle. Those expected to battle it out for the MCA chief are Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat who already declared his intention, two former Health Ministers Chua Soi Lek and Chua Jui Meng and possible the first female candidate Ng Yen Yen.

Those who are potentials to contest the deputy president post are Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai, Housing and Local Minister Ong Ka Chuan, former Information Minister Lim Siang Chai and former Housing and Local Government Minister Ting Chew Peh.

Once the dust of the divisions election settles, the bargaining and counter offers will produce two very clear alliances with a splinter group becoming the Independents. My hunch is that the "Incumbent Ministers Alliance" will team up Ong Tee Keat-Liow Tiong Lai-Ong Ka Chuan-Ng Yen Yen against the "Former Ministers Alliance" of Chua Soi Lek-Fong Chan Onn-Lim Siang Chai-Ting Chew Peh. Chua Jui Meng is expected to go it alone as an independent if Chua Soi Lek does not make way for him to challenge Ong Tee Keat. Former VP Yap Pian Hon is expected to try to claim back his previous position contesting as an independent although he is expected to throw his support for Ong Tee Keat as president.

In an organisation especially political party like MCA, any vacancy at the top creates a ripple all the way down to the grassroots. More people will seek the opportunity to move up the ladder and MCA's election this year will definitely sees many new faces fighting it out in the national body. The contests in the divisions level sees contest in 79 of the 191 divisions chairmen positions and those new faces who won in the divisions shows that the grassroots wants to see changes in MCA especially after the 308 voters backlash.

The question that MCA leaders and members need to ask themselves is not who will be elected as the central committee members but whether MCA can stays relevant to the Chinese community in Malaysia. The Chinese in Malaysia had sent a clear message to the party that MCA need to do more that just claiming to represent the 6 million plus Malaysian Chinese. It is not a question of either Ong Tee Keat or Chua Soi Lek as president but to ensure and convinced the people that the nation's progress and wealth accumulations benefits each and every citizens of this country. -Loka

Youth Act not in action

The Youth Organization and Youth Development Act 2007 was adopted by parliament end of last year. This Youth Act which requires all organization using the word 'youth', 'young' and any other similiar wordings need to be registered with the Registrar of Youth(ROY) of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Existing youth organizations which are currently registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) are given a one-year grace period to re-register with the ROY with a year.

The announcement by the new Youth Minister Ismail Sabri that until 21 May 2008, there were only 112 youth organisation applying for the registration with ROY and of that number 16 applications already been approved.

The figures provided by the minister in his keynote speech during the National Youth Consultative Council meeting on Saturday shocked many members of the council, myself included.

During the meeting I asked the minister why this can happened when there is an estimated existing 8,000 youth organisations registered with the ROS. Why the youth organisations are not forthcoming to register their organisations?

The Youth Act took more than 5 years to materialised and most of the youth organisations should be aware of this Act and the need to be registered with ROY. Many issues were already discussed, adjusted, changed, dropped and settled during the many meetings, discussions, consultations and drafting sessions between the ministry and all the stakeholders especially with the Malaysian Youth Council.

Are the youth organisations not taking this Act seriously or having a wait and see attitude? Some may have to adjust the structure of their organisation set up to adhere to the Act but for whatever reasons , it will not help if these youth organisations procrastinate or taking a "tidak apa" attitude on a government policy which affects all their members in the long run. It's better for them to look into this matter seriously rather than pressing the panic button when the ROS takes their organisation names off from the ROS register while they are still not registered with ROY.

The 16th Floor

The so-called MCA "snoop squad" was alleged to be based in the 16th floor of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Putrajaya. Interestingly the 16th floor is the office for the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports which current and previous occupiers were Wee Jeck Seng and Liow Tiong Lai respectively. Both were implicated as members of the snoop squad. The third member was alleged to be Tee Ann Chuan, a colorful figure who was a former president of the Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia, a chinese-based youth organisation with strong link with MCA.

The "youth" link seems very strong here. All the alleged snoop members are linked to youth organisations. Hopefully no other current or previous youth leaders names will be smudged as I knew quite a number of these chinese-based youth leaders in this country.

About the 16th floor, I has been there countless times since Ong Tee keat was the youth deputy minister. Don't get any fancy ideas, I was not there to snoop around. As a youth leader and vice president of the Malaysian Youth Council, I visited the 16th floor often to meet up with the deputy minister or his officers to discuss on youth programs. When Liow Tiong Lai replaces Ong Tee Keat as the Youth deputy minister in Feb 2006, I met Liow quite regularly to discuss with him on youth related matters especially on the drafting of the Youth Act since he was new to the portfolio. Now, after retiring from the Malaysian Youth Council, I rarely drop in the 16th floor.

All visits to the 16th floor are recorded at the Ministry lobby reception counter since visitors need to obtain the specific 16th floor security pass to enter the 16th floor office. So, if Tee An Chuan has been there often, isn't his name will shows up in the registry of the security tag? Not too difficult to check isn't it?

Chinese and Tamil primary schools exclusive?

Minister of Education Hishammuddin was reported as saying that the current 10% quota for non-bumiputras students in government fully residential schools will not be increased. He justified this by saying that it is difficult to have a formula that can please everyone. He added if this matter is raised, people will also asked about the exclusivity of the religious schools, Chinese (SJKC) and Tamil(SJKT) national type primary schools.

I am not sure what the minister meant by exclusivity but I do know that the Chinese and Tamil primary schools welcomes anyone who wants to enrol their children in these schools. The exclusivity that I know of is that parents of Chinese primary schools have the "privilege" to contribute continuously to the financial needs of these SJKCs. I wonder if parents of Mara Junior College need to provide financial support to their children's respective government fully aided residential schools to upkeep the building and facilities in the schools?

To raise an irrelevant link between fully residential schools and the SJKCs and SJKTs based on presumption that "people" will make an issue out of this exclusivity, maybe is only in the mind of the Education minister himself. So, please address the issue directly and don't dragged innocent people to your shallow arguments!

If you are serious in creating a harmonious society amongst the Malaysian childrens, do the real thing by opening the enrolment of all government residential schools to all based on merits, just like the public universities.

Political Trappings and Idealism

Attended a lecture on "New Governance" and followed by discussion last night. The lecture was delivered by a newly minted deputy minister and first term MP. About 40 participants from a broad spectrum of background were there. These includes businessmen, professionals, academicians, social activists, student leaders, government servants and politicians.

The lecture topic is not something new so I will not elaborate further but what is interesting which I need to highlighted is the initiative to have this sort of session. This deputy minister is not the usual politician that we are exposed to, meaning those that are arrogant and too engrossed with power going into their pea brain and acting as seems they are holier or brainier than we the ordinary rakyat. He is down to earth and easily approachable from the many years I knew him.

I think he is trying to ensure his newly found "power" do not morphed him into a typical politician who lost their ideals and aspirations for the society once they are comfortable in their cushy armchair in the corridors of power. And those people at the lecture who are his circle of close networking friends are expected to keep on reminding him to keep track of his idealism and agenda for society.

We, which included his supportive wife, hopes that he will not fall into the political trappings which many politicians before him already did once they detached themselves from their self conscience and the ordinary folks. All the best to you brother!

End of Lavish Functions?

The Second Finance Minister recently asked all government departments to avoid spending lavishly for functions and ceremonies. At the same time the new Youth and Sports Minister was reported to have said that he prefers not to use event organisers for his ministry programs.

Both the statements is indeed refreshing but I hoped it will be sustained for long. I had seen programs which can be easily organised by the Youth Ministry and the youth NGOs but were contracted to event organisers to the tune of millions. And some years ago I attended a HIV and AIDS prevention launching program organised by a government agency which I was told costs closed to a million ringgit.

I am not doubting the intention of the minister concerned but time will tell whether this instructions will becomes a reality. Basing on the tenure of the previous youth minister which by now are well known to be a big spender, either renovating the minister office or in over glorified promotional programs and activities and entertainment expenses, the ministry really need to re-ignite the passion of youth work by putting the trust to the youth themselves to run minor and major programs. If these major programs are contracted to the event organisers, how can the youth gain experience? It will benefit them if given the opportunity to run the show themselves?

The National Youth Day are celebrated on 15 May each year and I hoped for the coming Youth Day celebration next month, youth organisations will be given the task to run it. Good or lousy, at least the youth are given the opportunity to learn and improve themselves.

The Boomerang Effect

The law of cause and effect is not something that we should take it likely. The saying," you reap what you sow" is a familiar line to many but how many really take it seriously until it strikes at us?

It seems some politicians do not take a leaf out of the recent lesson from the rakyat and still act arrogantly and do whatever they like at their whims and fancies. Just because the Pakatan Rakyat took over the government of some of the states, some childish politicians took upon themselves to issue directives to give these new state governments a hard time.

The decision to terminate the MOU on tourism with the PR state governments was uncalled for and very short-sighted indeed. Tourists, especially those from overseas do not really bothered with who rules the states. What they want is to make sure every dollar they spent is worth it. If this emotional decision by the powers-that-be affected the number of inbound tourists to these states, which draws in a large number of visitors especially Penang and Selangor, isn't these will affect the nation as a whole? The Malay proverb says," marahkan nyamuk seekor, dibakar seluruh kelambu". Because of one mosquito, burn the whole mosquito net.

Yes, those allocations will be directed to federal agencies based in the states to implement tourism programs but will it really be effective if there is no cooperation with the state governments? Are these politicians expect the rakyat to support them by punishing the rakyat? Are they saying it is ok for the PR to do the same if PR becomes the federal government and terminate all MOUs with Johore, Pahang, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Terengganu and withdraws all allocation?

This mentality also exists in another ministry helmed by a minister who co-incidentally was also a former youth and sports minister like the current tourism minister. As someone who has been actively involved in join programs with the youth ministry for many years, I am really dissapointed with these fellas behaviour.

The enforcement of the directive to all schools that only Vips from the education ministry can officiate in schools functions smells of a rat lurking around to ensure the PR elected representatives will be barred from gaining access to the schools. This is another action which will haunt them if there is a change in the federal government in the future.

The people's interest should be upheld disregarding who is the ruling party. What the people wants is to allow normalcy in their life. Don't these politicians understand that the general election already over more than a month ago! If they have any axe to grind, for goodness sake, please don't do it at the people's expense. You don't win the heart and mind of the people by punishing them but by prooving your worth by providing outstanding services to the rakyat and out-performed your challengers!

This is like a boomerang effect. What you throws out will come back to you. If you can't grab it rightly, the boomerang will smacked you in the face!

Cabinet minister, anyone?

The opposition in the 12th general election defeated many top guns in BN including the bosses of three component parties. If based on the power-sharing concept held by BN, will the defeated BN leaders provided a back door to be appointed as ministers, deputy ministers or parliamentary secretaries by appointing them as senators? Will these losers have moral conscience and courage to reject these appointments since the voters already rejected them? Further more, will there be ample senator vacancies for so many casualties?
When the parliament was dissolved, MCA held 4 minister positions, 9 deputy ministers and 4 parliamentary secretaries. MIC has 1-3-3 ratios, Gerakan 1-3-2 and PPP only a deputy minister position.

Cabinet positions before General Election and Seats Won

MCA MIC Gerakan PPP Total
Minister 4 1 1 - 6
Deputy Minister 9 3 3 1 16
Parliamentary Secretary 4 3 2 - 9
Total 17 7 6 1 31
Parliament Seats Won 15 3 2 0 20


Assumed the BN continued to practice the power-sharing concept and allocate similar quota, there will be a problem for them to fill all the positions. MCA secured only 15 parliamentary seats, MIC won 3 seats, Gerakan retained 2 and PPP lost its only seat in Taiping. There will be two choices i.e., either their quota are reduced or their representatives are appointed as senators before taking up government positions. While the first choice seems the easier way, it will put a blot to the power-sharing concept of BN. On the other, even if non-Umno members of the BN coalition agreed to accept appointment as senators there might not be enough senatorial position to share amongst them.


The total number of senator in Dewan Negara is 70 members. Since the state assembly in Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor are controlled by PAS-PKR-DAP, there will be 10 seats lesser for BN distribution. Any senator seat vacated by those previously appointed by BN will surely be replaced by PAS, PKR or DAP candidates.

If all the leaders who lost in the election like Koh Tsu Koon, Samy Vellu, Kayveas and others do not want to be appointed as a senator, it is possible new and fresh faces will be appointed to fulfill the quota.

On ministerial positions, MCA most probably will not face problem in filling the four positions as four of their senior leaders, Ong Ka Ting (president), Fong Chan Onn (VP), Ong Tee Keat (VP) and either Ong Ka Chuan (secretary general) or Wanita head Ng Yen Yen, won the seats they contested.

MIC expected to hand over the only minister slot to their most senior elected MP, Secretary General Dr. S. Subramaniam (Segamat) since all their top leaders lost their seats. This is of course assuming Samy Vellu, G. Palanivel or S. Sothinathan are not appointed minister by taking up a senatorship.

Another looming question is are we looking at Malaysia’s first Chinese female minister in the incoming Cabinet? This is not far-fetch if the male dominated senior Gerakan leaders decided to act like gentlemen and proposed Gerik MP Tan Lian Hoe who is also Gerakan Wanita head to lead Gerakan in the Cabinet. At least this will be an appreciative gesture for Tan Lian Hoe after the merry-go-round she went through in getting a seat to stand since 2004.


MCA might also take the same route by offering ministerial position to Ng Yen Yen instead of Ong Ka Chuan. Firstly, this approach will provide a stronger platform for Wanita MCA to strengthen the woman grassroots supporters in view of the Wanita MCA weakening representation in parliament and the frontbenchers. Secondly, in view of MCA’s heavy electoral losses, by not having Ong Ka Chuan as a minister will at least placate any further rumblings amongst MCA members and the Chinese community that an “Ong dynasty” is on the cards.


But will UMNO discard the power-sharing concept and decides to throw the baby out together with the water, i.e. to punish the voters for rejecting MCA, Gerakan and MIC by reducing or not allocating any Cabinet positions to them. If this is the path UMNO is taking, then it will be a case of a father carrying out his threat to throw the kids out of the house if they do not listen to instructions.

Is this how we treat our children by severing family ties because of differing opinions? Or should an elder or parents put in extra efforts to understand the needs and aspiration of the children better and grow with them together?



Note:
Article 45 of the Malaysian Constitution stated that the composition of the Senate or Dewan Negara are drawn from the following methods:

(1) Subject to Clause (4), the Senate shall consist of elected and appointed members as follows:
(a) two members for each State shall be elected in accordance with the Seventh Schedule; and
(aa) two members for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, one member for the Federal Territory of Labuan and one member for the Federal Territory of Putrajaya shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong; and(b) forty members shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.