Chinese Educationist Exemplary

Sim Mow Yu ( 1913 - 2009)

The late Sim Mow Yu, an authoritative and influential Chinese educationist, passed away recently on Feb 5, 2009 at the age of 96. Thousands of people from all walks of life send him off during his funeral in Melaka.

His contributions and legacies for Chinese education in Malaysia will be forever remembered by the people. He stood tall among all who believes in providing Chinese education for all. In 1987, he was even thrown into the Kamunting detention centre under the draconian ISA for his beliefs.

I am not a Chinese educationist but as a Buddhist, I am always grateful for his efforts that enabled the most important and holiest day in the Buddhist calendar, Wesak Day, to be declared a national public holiday in this country. - Loka

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

Another bump for Bodhi Park

It looks like the development of Bodhi Park in Shah Alam is going through another bumpy road again.

The building committee chairman Goh Seng Chai had submitted his resignation to the Penang-based Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia (YBBM) headquarters two weeks ago. It seems the resignation was triggered by a proposed plan to hand over the Bodhi Park to the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia(YBAM) once the long delayed centre was completed.

The plan was announced by the vice chairman of the YBBM, Tan Gin Soon during a board of directors meeting recently. This intention came as a shock to Goh and those who has been involved in the building development process because YBBM members and donors were never aware that the building will be handed over to YBAM upon completion. The understanding was to provide facilities in the building for the usage of YBAM and other Buddhist groups.

The long standing problems besetting Bodhi Park has been well known especially amongst the Buddhist community. Approvals to build the centre has been delayed for close to 20 years due to government bureaucracies and policies. The original site for the centre was even asked to be shifted to the current location. The project which was stalled for many years starts to have encouraging results when Goh took over the building committee few years ago. He persistence and close follow-up managed to overcome the various obstacles in obtaining the various approvals from the state government and local authority to build the centre. He even succeeded in getting the state government not to imposed the 36 feet heights limit on the temple.

The proposed hand over plan was even more puzzling when considering the level of interest and involvement of YBAM in the project. Even though half of the directors in YBBM were nominated by YBAM, YBAM has not been involving actively not only in the development of Bodhi Park but also the YBBM itself in recent years. YBAM was busy trying to revived the Puzhao Buddhist Vihara training centre in Kluang, Johore since the 1990s. YBAM only obtained the green light from the Johore state government recently to proceed with re-construction of the Puzhao Vihara after being told to stop construction work since 1989.

It is just a pity that after struggling for about 20 years to obtain the necessary approvals to built the temple, it has to go through another internal bump due to fickle mindedness decision making process and losing touch with reality on the ground. - 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