Proud, shameful and a disgrace

Today Malaysians should be proud of themselves and shameful at the same time.

History has been created in the modern era where elected representatives were forced to have their sitting under a tree and open Malaysian sky. Maybe we are back to the ancient time where Socrates and Confucious were lecturing about good governance in ancient Greek and the Middle Kingdom.

We can be proud that there are still people who will defend the sanctity of the constitution and the doctrine of separation of power between the three branches of parliamentary democracy.

At the same time we should be very ashamed that there are people who claimed to be peace loving and law abiding citizens of Malaysian whom had put Malaysia in a state of shame and disgraced in the eyes of the global community.

By now the whole world would have known about the biggest joke of the day that originated from a place named Perak in Malaysia. All internet searches would have by now zoom on some of the more "popular" words, which are "Perak ", assembly, tree, illegitimate, power grab, frog, traitor, court, state secretariat, MB residence, exco Camry and of course Nizar and Zambry!

Cut off all these crap and nonsense. Return the power to the people now! - Loka

State of anarchy

Is Perak heading into a state of anarchy where a legitimate government is not in existence while politicians and pseudo-politicians are interpreting laws at their whims and fancies?

The doctrine of separation of powers between the three branches in parliamentary democracy, namely the executive (Cabinet), legislative ( state assembly) and judiciary are the basis to ensure a country are governed based on the rule of law. The rule of law of course refers to the constitution of the land which was drafted and adopted by the legislative for the executive branch to implement it. It is the judiciary role's to interpret the laws whenever the need arises.

In the case of Perak, it seems there is already a breakdown to the system. State laws are interpreted for the convenience and interest of specific groups while civil servants who had taken the vow to serve and protect the nation and people are perceived to be taking sides based on their political agenda.

It looks like what is happening in Perak is moving towards a level of absurdity when those who claimed they do what they are doing now are for the sake of the people are actually creating more uncertainties, anxieties and losses to the people. As the Malay proverb says, "Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi".

As a Perakian, I am totally fed-up with the antics of these protagonists and antagonists. Can we just have a by-election for the state assembly and move on? - Loka

Non-Muslims officers sacked

The Star reported today on the sacking of officers in the "Unit Hal-Ehwal Bukan Islam Negeri Perak' ( Non-Muslims Affairs Unit) by the Umno-led Perak state government. This news was also verified with a reliable source this morning. It seems the termination letter dated Feb 12, 2009 informed the four staff of their termination effective Feb 6, 2009.

What is shocking is that the affected staff just reported for work at the Unit only in early Jan 2009. That's slightly more than one month on the job! Is that part of a political witch hunt since these officers were appointed by the PR government and the Umno government may not want any part of that. It must be an octane high job hazard if you are employed by the Perak state government. You can be sacked anytime without any reasons thereof, or maybe one - your appointment was endorsed by political rivals! Just curious who else was or will be sacked by the state government since Zambry's assumption of the MB post? The true colours will be sharper soon.

The Unit for non-Muslims Affairs in Perak established by the Pakatan Rakyat state government was one of it's kind in Malaysia which employs full-time paid staff to handle issues related to non-Muslims like the construction of places of worship for non-Muslims. The Unit was based at a state government office outside the State Secretariat in Ipoh. The staff has been reporting for work until last Friday.

Even states with large non-Muslims citizens like in Penang, Selangor and Johore do not have similar set up. Although states like Selangor and Penang have some sort non-Muslims affairs committee, it is just a special committee which do not have similar authority and financial support like the one in Perak.

Earlier report on Umno-led Perak state government retaining the non-Muslims Affairs Committee in charge by MCA's Exco Dr Mah Hang Soon confirmed suspicion that this arrangement may just to placate the increasing concerns of the non-Muslims on the unbalanced exco line-up in Perak.

The next question is whether the Unit will be disbanded totally or new officers will be appointed by the Umno-led government? If the Unit is disbanded, will that send a message to the people that MCA's Dr Mah Hang Soon role in the state government is just to fill his party's political quota. Nothing else. Period.

If that's the scenario, the recent appointments of Gerakan's deputy president Chang Ko Youn and MIC's vice president S Veerasingam as the Menteri Besar's Adviser for Chinese Affairs and Indian Affairs respectively can be assumed just to fulfill Gerakan's and MIC's quota.

If new officers (maybe deemed friendly to Umno) are appointed to the Unit, will they too be sacked if Umno lose the state government to PR in the next two or three months? Maybe the four sacked staff can bring the Umno government to court? The more the merrier since everybody is either making police reports or bringing their grouses to courts in relation to the political crisis in Perak. - Loka

Sunday February 15, 2009
State stand on sackings, Mah told
IPOH: The Perak Pakatan Rakyat has challenged state executive council member Dr Mah Hang Soon to declare his stand on the sacking of four civil servants from the non-Islamic affairs unit on Feb 6.
“As the chairman holding the portfolio of non-Islamic affairs, Dr Mah should resign in protest over their dismissals.
“Unless it was Dr Mah’s decision to terminate their contracts,” former senior exco member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham told a press conference yesterday.
Ngeh, who is also state DAP chairman, claimed the four civil servants were relieved of their jobs without reason on Feb 6 after Barisan Nasional took over the state government.
“They should be given back their jobs as they have experience in running the unit,” said Ngeh, adding that politicians would come and go but civil servants should stay on.
He added that the unit was formed when Pakatan Rakyat came into power last year after the general election.
“I also challenge Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir’s advisers, Datuk Chang Ko Youn (Chinese affairs) and Datuk S. Veerasingam (Indian affairs), to show their displeasure by stepping down from their posts over this,” said Ngeh.
On the suit filed against Dr Zambry, he said Pakatan would drop the suit if the latter agreed to seek consent from the Perak Sultan to dissolve the state assembly.

Higher expectation from BN

The Umno led Perak state government took the oath of duty today with a reduced number of Exco members. Only six were appointed today and the other "vacancies" are expected to be filled from amongst the three "independents" assemblymen once the tide is settle and two of them are cleared of corruption charges. These three froggie assemblymen are widely expected to officially join BN later.

As expected, the only Chinese assemblyman from MCA, Dr Mah Hang Soon was appointed as an Exco member but not as a senior Exco as DAP's Ngeh Koo Ham in the Pakatan Rakyat's state government.

The consolation is that Mah was assigned to be in charge of the non-Muslims affairs committee which was initially created by PR's state government. Previous BN Perak state government do not have this sort of committee to handle the non-Muslims affairs until the PR took over the state last year.

This may be an effort by the BN state government to win the hearts of the people who are against the taking over of the state government by BN without the mandate of the people. One of the bigger issue which BN need to face will be the conversion of land in new villages to perpertuity ownership as promised by PR.

BN will need to offer more than a committee if they intended to stay on course to win the next general election. Perakians expects the BN state government not only to maintain whatever promises and plans by the PR government but to deliver more goodies to the people to prove that they are better than PR. If it fails to do that, BN be better prepared to experience a greater nightmare in the next election if they do less than that.-Loka

Politics and Buddhism

Two months ago I received an invitation to speak to a group of university students on "Politics and Buddhism". I was delighted to accept the invitation because it is unusual for the Buddhist community in Malaysia to initiate talks or discussion focusing on politics vis-a-vis Buddhism.

It just happens that on the day I was to deliver the lecture, Malaysians were following excitedly and with great concern on the high political drama that was unfolding in Perak.

In Buddhist tradition, religion and politics are on separate platform. Religion are based on morality and ethics while politics are the struggle to obtain power. But then it does not mean Buddhists do not care or cannot be concerned or even involved in politics. The Buddhist approach in the political realm and struggle for power is on how an individual or group can achieve their objective without sacrificing their morality and act responsibly in using the power in their hands.

There are some instances when the Lord Buddha preaches about the roles of the people and responsibilties of the king (government) in maintaining a peaceful and develop country/state/district.


In the Agganna Sutta, which discourse centred on the knowlegde of beginnings, one part of it traces the beginnings of the process of governance involving people's participation in electing an official to manage the community affairs.

Buddha told Vasettha of Savatthi:
"Then, Vasettha, one greedy-natured being, while watching over his own plot, took
another plot that was not given to him, and enjoyed the fruits of it. So they seized hold of
him and said, "You’ve done a wicked thing, taking another’s plot like that! Don’t ever do
such a thing again!" "I won’t," he said, but he did the same thing a second and a third
time. Again, he was seized and rebuked, and some hit him with their fists, some with
stones, and some with sticks. And in this way, Vasettha, taking what was not given, and
censuring, and lying, and punishment took their origin.

"Then those beings came together and lamented the arising of these evil things among
them: taking what was not given, censuring, lying, and punishment. And they thought:
"Suppose we were to appoint a certain being who would show anger where anger was
due, censure those who deserved it, and banish those who deserved banishment! And in
return we would grant him a share of the rice." So they went to the one among them who
was the handsomest, the best-looking, most pleasant and capable, and asked him to do
this for them in return for a share of the rice, and he agreed.


The person elected to lead must be based on the Rule fo Law and quality of their moral conduct.


"The People’s Choice" is the meaning of Maha-Sammata, which is the first regular
title to be introduced. "Lord of the Fields" is the meaning of Khattiya, the second such
title. And "He Gladdens Others With Dhamma" is the meaning of Raja, the third title to
be introduced. This, then, Vasettha, is the origin of the class of Khattiyas, in accordance
with the ancient titles that were introduced for them. They originated among the very
same beings, like ourselves, no different and in accordance with Dhamma, not otherwise.

Dhamma is the best thing for people
In this life and the next as well. "


In the Buddhist perspective, what are the expected roles of the ruler or king? This was clearly stated in the Dasa Raja Dhamma or Ten Duties of the King as provided in the Jataka text. The term "king" can also be applied to all levels of government as well as all ministers and officers of the government.

The ‘Ten Duties" are as follows:
1. Dana: liberality, generosity or charity. The giving away of alms to the needy. It is the duty of the king to look after the welfare of his needy subjects. The ruler should give away wealth and property wisely without giving in-to craving and attachment.

2. Sila: morality - a high moral character. He should never destroy life, cheat, steal and exploit others, commit adultery, utter falsehood, and take intoxicating drinks. He must observe at least the Five Precepts of the layman, and conduct himself both in private and in public life as to be a shining example to his subjects.

3. Pariccaga: Sacrificing everything for the good of the people.He must be prepared to give up all personal comfort, name and fame, and even his life in the interest of the people.

4. Ajjava: Honesty and integrity. He must be free from fear or favour in the discharge of his duties, must be sincere in his intentions, and must not deceive the public.

5. Maddava: Kindness or gentleness. A ruler’s uprightness may sometimes require firmness. But this should be tempered with kindness and gentleness. In other words a ruler should not be over - harsh or cruel.

6. Tapa: Austerity in habits. He must live a simple life, and should not indulge in a life of luxury. He must have self-control.

7. Akkodha: Non-hatred. The ruler should bear no grudge against anybody. Without harbouring grievances he must act with forbearance and love.

8. Avihimsa: non-violence. Not only should he refrain from harming anybody but he should also try to promote peace and prevent war, and everything which involves violence and destruction of life.

9. Khanti: Patience, tolerance, understanding. He must be able to bear hardships, difficulties and insults without losing his temper.

10. Avirodha: Non - opposition and non-obstruction. The ruler should not oppose the will of the people, should not obstruct any measures that are conducive to the welfare of the people. In other words he should rule in harmony with his people.

Adapted from: What The Buddha Taught, Walpola Rahula, The Gordon Fraser Gallery Ltd., london, 1978, pp 85

In the Cakkavatti Sihanada Sutta, Buddha further advised:

1. A good ruler should act impartially and should not be biased and discriminate between one particular group of subjects against another.

2. A good ruler should not harbour any form of hatred against any of his subjects.

3. A good ruler should show no fear whatsoever in the enforcement of the law, if it is justifiable.

4. A good ruler must possess a clear understanding of the law to be enforced. It should not be enforced just because the ruler has the authority to enforce the law. It must be done in a reasonable manner and with common sense.

Extracted from: What Buddhists Believe, K. Sri Dhammananda, Buddhist Missonary Society Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2002, pp 300

Hope the above will a reference to all for the good of the people and the country.- Loka

Let the people decides

The Perak political situation is in shambles due to the defection of four assemblymen from the Pakatan Rakyat. One already rejoined Umno and the other three announced they are now "independents". The equation in Perak's 59 seats State Assembly after all the crossovers - PR 28 seats, BN/Umno 28 seats and three "independents" that supports BN. No one will be surprised if these "independents" will later joins BN component parties and given plump positions in the government and government link companies.

While PR Menteri Besar Nizar already announced assembly dissolved pending the royal consent of the Perak Sultan, the BN led by Najib declared they have enough seats to form the next state government.

Some questions and comparison will arises even if Najib obtained the green light from the Sultan for BN to form the new government.

1. Can the BN really represents the people of Perak when BN actually do not have the electoral mandate of the people?

2. Since nearly all of BN assemblymen are from Umno except one from MCA, can it really claim as a BN government? It is much more like Umno + 1 (MCA) government.

3. With a large populace of non-Malays in Perak, if granted by Sultan, the Umno led state government will now be seen as a Malay government against majority non-Malays assemblymen in opposition.

4. Will horse trading continues to enticed more defection, especially from Indian assemblymen in DAP to Gerakan/MIC?

5. Can BN/Umno fulfill the expectation of the electorates which already get a feel on the people friendly approach of PR? How is Umno going to deal with PR State's promised to convert new villages leasehold land to freehold which Umno originally plan to derail it?

6. Will the new BN/Umno state government be stable? If the new state government was established via the back door and with crossovers of unprincipled elected official, will it not always be clouded by the threat of similar situation?

The bottomline is that the formation of any new government through crossovers and defection is a betrayal of trust of the people that voted for the elected official and the theft of the people's right to seek and vote for their choice of representatives. The proper and decent choice is to give back the right to the people to determine who they want to lead and run the government.

This is part of the democratic process and good governance. Let the people decides. - Loka