Justice Be Served

Dear Allah, the Most Merciful, bestow upon us excellent leaders to guide to your Blessings

Newly-appointed Chief Justice Zaki Azmi has pledged to act against a “small” number of judges who have failed to perform their duties. - Malaysiakini

I wonder how will the new CJ fulfill his tasks and vows when it comes to his beloved party? Will he be able to be non partisan and transparent in dealing with matters concerning his party and his fellow members? Has he resigned from the party after he's elevated as the Court of Appeal President? All these things are only the tip of the huge iceberg surrounding his Lordship elevation to the highest hierarchy of the nation's judiciary system.

How and what is his criteria of failed judges? Are they those who fail to tow the line according to the pleasure and whims of the government of which the backbone is his 'former' party? What will happen to for instance Datuk Ian Chin? I am not saying that he's unable to deliver or function effectively as a Chief Justice but the circumstances surrounding and leading to his elevation raises some unavoidable and important questions which are necessary to be dealt with immediately as what PAS Youth Chief tried to raise in the Parliament weeks ago.

Justice and especially transparency must not only be done but it must be seen and feel by the public at large. The government's decision to suggest and gradually elevate him initially as the CA President should be done carefully though nobody including the Opposition question his acumen, ability and qualification as a legal hawk (if he deserves it) but his close ties with the ruling coalition particularly UMNO is something many cannot accept since there are many inside the legal fraternity who are better or at least at par with him. Why the controversy while at the same time UMNO leaders are bent at revitalising and rebuilding their party? Why don't they elect someone who is non partisan but effective CJ?

How can they even imagine to rebuild and clean the Judiciary image with such irresponsible act? Are they paying mere lip service to the integrity of the judiciary which is seen as the last bastion against injustice? Nobody will argue that our judiciary has been on the decline after Tun Salleh is sacked unceremoniously as the Lord President in 1988, even the current leadership admit it so therefore it is mind boggling when they opt to elect a person like him.

There sayings that other personnel and figures from the Opposition have been elected as judges, though sincerely I do not know or aware of such instances but for sure nobody I repeat nobody who even remotely related to the Opposition has been elevated to the highest post in our Judiciary system. In fact many of those who are involved in DSAI Saga Episode 1 have been promoted to higher jobs. Again I am not saying that they are not qualified legally but based on circumstances their promotions are questionable.

In criminal law, circumstantial evidences are as important as facts therefore I humbly think that my repetition of circumstances in the election of those figures to higher posts are justified. The current Prime Minister's wish to rid the judiciary from controversies is contradicted with his choice of Chief Justice. Our current judiciary hierarchy does not lack of qualified members to shoulder the burden of being the head of the judiciary like The Honourable Dato' Mohd. Hishamudin bin Haji Mohd. Yunus and The Honourable Dato' Gopal Sri Ram. They may be juniors in rank but there's no argument that they are at par or even better than the new CJ.

Now, his Lordship is put in a bewildering and confusing state by the government vis a vis his ties with the biggest Malay-based party. If he decides in favour of the party not withstanding the facts and the law he'll be accused as being bias whereas when he decides against them, loyalists will hurl accusation that he's being ungrateful. What? There's a way out you say? Recuse and excuse himself whenever his former employee is involved, well, that the easy way but what kind of CJ and Head of Judiciary is that? Indeed, he's in a very unenviable position right now up until his retirement.

I wonder what his subordinates will feel and see of him for sure some may not have the level of respect and admiration a Head of an organisation should and rightfully enjoy. He'll be seen as the favoured son and he's there because of his cordial relation and good ties with the government. In the end, he cannot effectively disperse his duties even though he's actually striving at it. I am afraid then history will repeat itself and he'll go not as one who has improve the Judiciary but among the statistics that are responsible of tarnishing the already tarnished image of the Judiciary.

The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society depend so much upon an upright and skillful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, and both should be checks upon that.

John Adams: 1776

UMNO: Revisit Your Existence in Sabah

UMNO is a party for the Malays!

UMNO is really for the Malays and I mean the Malay race from the Peninsular and not the Malays according to the Constitution which encapsulates all those who profess Islam and adhere or practise Malay lifestyle. I am comfortable with this and I think UMNO needs to rethink its position here in Sabah since they have fail each and everyone in Sabah.

By failure I mean they only enhance their status and position leaving those they claim to represent. Only those who subscribe to their idelogy. Again I am allright by that as I understand that first and foremost they'll look after their own and secondly those who subscribe or adhere to their way of thinking like our so-called poloticians and leaders here. Issues like citizenship, Immigration and the like which to them are remote thus not deserving their attention and help.

I am a Muslim and I am no different from those in UMNO but sincerely I do subscribe to their thinking and I don't feel like a Malay racially though again I am a Muslim. I do not see myself as a Malay and I always and will always see and feel like I belong to the Dusun people. Oftentimes, when I'm required to state my race I tick the box which states 'lain - lain' rather than Malay though legally I can tick the Malay box since the Constitution says so!

We need to understand that in reality not all Malays are Muslims as we have many who are no longer Muslims since they have converted to other faiths. I am not saying I am against other faiths in fact I respect their decision who are born , live and finally died as a non Muslim rather than a Muslim who along the way become a non Muslim like Lina Joy and Joshua Jamaluddin.

I am thoroughly sadden by the fact that our Muslim leaders in Sabah are not serious about the severity of illegals in Sabah. Maybe because of the power they have. Since they belong to UMNO then they feel duty bound to adhere 100% behind their superiors in K.L. They are insecure about their position and they tend to forget that the Malaysians in Sabah are the ones who elected them to their posts. They forget that the people have the power to oust them from their posts as they mistakenly feel and believe that what they have come from their superiors.

Malaysia today is unlike Malaysia in its infancy whereby Malaysians irrespective of their race, religion and status are elected to high posts because of merit. Once, we have an Indian Navy Chief among others but today it is no longer the case. Top posts are filled by those who belong to certain race and creed and sadly PBS in their heydays too fall for this narrow and shallow political ploy when only our brothers from one race and faith are appointed and elected to higher posts like the State Secretary but nowadays they can only dream of such accolade.

Once again I would like to say that I prefer UMNO to look after the Malays and let the other parties look after the welfare and well-being of us here Muslims and non Muslims since they know our situation and needs more provided that they are sincere enough. I don't think UMNO is sincere to look after us though we may be Muslims since we come from Sabah.

Again this entry may sound racist but we have many which are racist too without thinking about other sensitivity. Although many of our leaders keep on harping on unity but they seldom meant by what they utter. Supposedly as a Muslim I feel secure and happy with UMNO since I by virtue of my religion as enshrined in the Constitution, is one of them but I never feel and see that way. I am a Dusun Muslim and my heart is and will always be with my sisters and brothers in Sabah.

My last hope is that those leaders will realise their mistakes and return to the people whom they are supposed to appease. For SAPP, continue to struggle for the well-being of Malaysians in Sabah.

P/s: I am inspired by an entry in a blog which says among others that UMNO needs to look after and champion the welfare of the Malays.

Leaders are answerable first and foremost to the people and not their superiors

THE BEST

There's none greater Being than Allah SWT

It all start when the oil prices begin to escalate few months back causing a domino effects on other areas. Now, the dust begins to settle but the effects are not flexible and prompt to react towards the declining trend of the oil prices.

While many think that American economy is robust enough to withstand the barrage of those attacks but since everything is decided by the market therefore the so-called mighty American too fall prey to the market force which they idolised all these while. The policy of letting the private sector including the financial institutions to do as they please with little or no involvement of the government finally backfire.

I am not an economist but from these debacles I can see a bright potential for Islamic regulated economy to take over the driving seat from the laissez faire which up until today is too vulnerable and thus pose threats our, the consumers and public well-being. While we have seen how communist or socialist economy fails miserably to protect those whom it claims to protect when one by one communist controlled governments crumble to earth.

As Believers, we need to see all these as opportunity to strongly back up a Shariah regulated economic system which allows all participation from the market and the government harmoniously for the well-being of the public. After all, any economic system will be useless if the public as part and parcel of the economy is unable to participate actively.

Islamic economic system should now be the leader in today's economic turmoil since it provides not only the alternative but the best way out of this chaotic and uncertain situations. We need to realise now that Islam is not only a faith but it is a way of life , a perfect way of life to guide us Muslims and non Muslims alike out of our misery caused by the laissez faire. If we believe in rule of law than I'm confident that by now many will realise that the market should not be left alone mending, defending and enjoying itself out there unobserved and unchecked. In fact the Americans, the defenders and propagators of free market have done something unthinkable when they agree to bail out those troubled financial institutions. Such intervention by the government for me can be construed as their tacit admittance that laissez faire nowadays is no longer feasible.

The best and perfect faith which encapsulates EVERYTHING is none other than ISLAM"

When History Fails to Tell the Truth

This is not Malaysia as we are not segregated by lines and boxes

Now the government through the Education Ministry is heavily thinking of introducing History into primary school's curriculum. Their main reason for introducing the subject as according to them the level of patriotism among is on the decline. The observation is true in most part of this nation but not so serious in Sabah and Sarawak though admittedly is beginning to appear its hideous head.

What concerns me most is the version of truth or history they intend to educate those young minds. Today the government's actions are no longer immune as it used to be in the old days. Previously, many of us including myself used to believe everything the government told the mass but it is no longer the case today since we are more analytical. The government should not be selective as to the truth but the syllabus intended for the primary school students need to accurately reflect the truth and not the truth according to them.

For instance, we need to acknowledge the leftists' contributions of educating the mass of the need to be free from the colonialist. Their struggle needed to be acknowledged since to certain extent it opened the eyes of the colonial power of the people's desire to free themselves from colonial's iron grip. I am not saying that our soldiers died in vain, their deaths need to be remembered and appreciated. Communist ideology is still and will forever alien to us but those of the rest who did not raise arms against the government and thus killed their brethren are the ones we need to acknowledge first and foremost.

The idea of Malaysia by the late Tunku needs clarification particularly the participation of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners of those from the Peninsular. We are equal partners and subordinates to none. Mere declaration of Malaysia Day's significance is not enough but they must be sincere by showing that we are what we are and not just rhetorically speaking.

"Before the Almighty we are all equals, none more none the less"

Morally Upright Leaders

Few will disagree that TGNA is an example of a morally upright leader

The recently concluded MCA general assembly, the second largest party in the governing coalition is worth discussing by virtue of them being the second largest party claiming to represent yet another second largest if not at par with the Malays and their suggestion to have a second DPM from the Chinese community.

But perhaps the most controversial thing about MCA is about their decision to pair Mr Clean with Mr. Scandal as President and Deputy President. Some even nicknamed their highly unorthodox partnership as 'Team Kangkung'. Nonetheless, its besides the point and what is more serious is the elevation of someone who has openly admitted to have been involved in a highly explicit carnal relationship outside the marriage. Maybe such relation is not something abnormal and deserves condemnation among their community but I believe some particularly those who still regard themselves as belonging and practising eastern values which among others frown upon such immoral conduct.

Him being there among the top echelon is a stigma and something many will feel unease about since leadership comes together with high morality as the new President has frequently declares. Indeed, in Islam it is incumbent among the faithfuls to appoint among themselves those morally upright as leaders so as to welcome blessings from the Almighty and also to avoid wrath and misfortune to the whole community. A leader is supposed to be clean and leads a clean and untarnished way of life and what their Deputy President is way from what we see and perceive as normal.

Maybe it is alright if he is just a Deputy President of a party without holding any official duties with or within the government but if he is to be appointed as a senator and thus eligible for government post as many have suggested than it is utterly unacceptable not only by all faiths but also by Malaysian standard where we still believe and practise universal values of leaders with impeccable morality. What will become of this nation if he becomes a minister and even worse if he's appointed as a DPM and one day he has to shoulder the duties of the PM? I can only see chaos, discontent and of course misfortunes.

Since he;s openly admitted to the scandal and has duly resigned from his government's posts therefore by right he shouldn't be there anymore as anyone who is the Prime Minister has the burden to decide about his appointment if many ask him to be included in the cabinet. I am not saying that those within and without the government are clean but at least they do not openly admit that they are involved in such immoral acts. All we have are hearsay and accusations hurled at those leaders. Therefore, we cannot prevent them from continuing as leaders as what they do behind doors are between them and God.

Maybe the coalition leaders need to re examine their stance towards PAS leaders who are seen and in reality are clean and have impeccable lives. Apart from politics, I am sure nobody dares to say something negative or even insinuate Tuan Guru Nik Aziz as he leads a simple, humble and strictly follows the teachings and tenets of Islam. Being leaders come not only with attractive perks but also heavy responsibilities.

Now, another burden for the next Pm from the governing coalition to settle....if they are still in control ;)

Fresh fruits of jujube - a relative of Ziziphus lotus

For years I yearn to listen to and see our elected representatives perform in the Parliament and I remember being excited when RTM decided to air an hour of the whole Parliamentary session. I have the opportunity to watch the session twice but it is a very disappointing as it is too short and more time is spent interviewing the governing coalition's MP rather than enabling the mass to evaluate every MP's performance and not flooding our mind with the government's propaganda which are not all the time correct - just like phantasmagoria!

I remember my first experience with those elected representatives back in 2ooo when my Master during my pupillage. It is a very exciting moment for me since it'll be my first seeing those politicians in flesh. I start to wonder if I were an MP or at least an ADUN but that's beside the point.

Now, finally I can see and listen to them online live and not a recorded or short session just like in TV. Thanks to the Internet age and globalisation as now I especially do not RTM, TV3 or Astro to enjoy my favourite debate. It is just a dream twenty or even ten years ago in rural areas. Then again, I am wary that this luxury may not be there forever when certain unsatisfied and narrow minded people start to complain and the government in all its artificial wisdom block such session through the MMC just like what happened to Malaysia Today before the ban is lifted later. Hopefully, this will not happened in my lifetime.

The session enables me to assess both the government and opposition. Admittedly, not everything that the government is saying or doing is unacceptable but after so many years of being spoon feeding by government-filtered information such freedom is just like a blessing. Once I am firm believer in the government and BN and consider myself allergic to the Opposition. I even become an admirer of TDM, for me that time he's a true Malaysian hero, a true Statesman. Perhaps, during that time it is true but time has change and now we have the opportunity to listen to the other side. Since then, the other side has re engineered and reinvent themselves to become more presentable with novel ideas to help the mass.

Everything is not there or here forever sooner or later and gradually it will crumble just like what happened to the Ottoman Empire, the Roman civilisation and our own Malacca Sultanate. If we fail to reinvent and re energised ourselves to the present and current situation then we are doomed to extinction and decline. Being in power for too long is intoxicating like the effects of the Lotus Plant in the Lotus Eaters in Odyssey by Homer. I see that the present coalition is now still groggy with the waning and disappearing effect of power. Perhaps, that is the case in Malaysia today.

"I like the story ' The Lotus Eater' by William Somerset Maugham"

Parliament in Malaysia

It is an exhilarating experience to watch live session of the Parliament through the Internet since it is not readily available from other media. It is such an eye and mind opener listening to both sides. Unfortunately, not all Malaysians have this golden opportunity to assess the performance of our MP and how sincere they are to look after the welfare of the people they claim to represent.

Maybe the reason why the authority does not allow extended and unfiltered coverage is because they don't want the people to bother listening and analysing what the Opposition is saying since they prefer to brainwash and spoon feed the public of what they need to listen to and believe. This is different from listening to the truth since what they present to the public is their version of the whole story.

Listening to LKS is very enlightening and educational though his Malay is not as polished as DPZ of Batu Pahat or even BMR of Kinabatangan. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge as he comes to the Session prepared unlike BMR especially who talks without bringing his brain! Surprisingly, the governing coalition still prefer him over other more qualified and compassionate individual. Why? Is it because he is important as a front to insult others without no blame attached to the ruling coalition? Every time he opens his mouth, all that come out is rubbish and not just ordinary rubbish but stinking rubbish to the extent his own brethren take offence of his empty comment.

Being a Malaysian from Sabah (fortunately I'm not from Kinabatangan) I feel ashamed to admit that he comes from Sabah. Though he possesses a Master from UKM but an ordinary person without such qualification is able to express far more logical and knowledgeable insights. Being an MP, they particularly BMR should do some extensive not just any homework before opening their mouths in the august House.

The solidarity among the Opposition is something that is never heard of before which is heart warming and of course a welcome development. At the same time, members from the governing coalition instead of closing their ranks but start to hurl accusation to each other, criticising each other not sparing even the PM particularly.

"POWER IS A RESPONSIBILITY NOT A LUXURY"

Rights of the People

The statement Syed Hamid Albar, the Home Affairs Minister quoted in the Daily Express that citizenship is a privilege and not a right is really offensive particularly for those who are born in this country with parents born in this country and who never know other country except Malaysia.

There are many and countless occasions and cases where such people are denied of the rights of being a full fledged Malaysians since they do not possess any identifications that prove they are rightfully Malaysians although they possess the characteristics of the locals. They speak fluent Murut, Dusun and other dialects and are physically similar to the locals. Unlike those good for nothing foreigners who claimed to belong to certain indigenous group but they don't even look similar to the people to whom they claimed to come from. They don't even able to communicate in proper local dialect!

There are many instances where those scums said they belong to 'Kadajang' in which they meant the Kadazan! I never come across a full fledged Kadazan who can't even pronounce his own race except for those scums. There is a joke about these scums though funny but serves as a bitter reminder of our dire situation. One of those scums was told that the authority would conduct a simple test to determine whether they are locals or otherwise. They were simply asked to say certain words which the locals could easily pronounce. After practising for some time, the fellow finally got his pronunciation right and coincidentally he was apprehended by the police and duly asked to say the word. Unfortunately and luckily for Sabah, the police personnel had changed the word and not the one which that scum had practised. Knowing that he could not pronounce the word he said "Alui naa.....tukal tukal". The actual word was telur but he had been practising the word sayur.

This entry sounds racist and I admit it is but I won't apologise since this is my country and only those who respect the rights and privileges of the citizens of this land deserve to be respected and not those unpatriotic scums who don't even recognised their country of origin.

That the sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions it is usurpation and oppression.

My Unfulfilled DReam

Lately, I have been very busy and next week I might be able to breathe a little since PMR will commence starting on Monday. Now, I eagerly wait for my Supervisor's responses but my guts tells me that it'll be heart breaking but as I always said ...expect the worst so that we'll prepare even better and in my case, I hope I'll be prepared mentally to be crushed by his comments.

While surfing the net, I came across a name very familiar, a former school mate of mine whom I last saw in 2004 and now she's pursuing her doctorate. Wow and double wow....many of many colleagues are Master holders at least while some are now with Dr. added at the beginning of their name. They haven't reached 35 and they are much older with Dr. added to their names. How I envy them ...Some may have their own firms like the infamous Hamid Ismail (jangan ko kambang Mid!)and Adnan Seman, while others are employed by some of the prestigious law firms but those I envy most are those who have added Dr. to their names though they are mostly females . By the way, come to think of it, I don't think any of my male friends have yet to reach such accolade.

Anyway, I fully believe in Allah as He know what is the best for every single one of His Creation. He'll award only the best to those who fully deserve it and by that I mean those who work hard for those awards and not for those whose efforts is limited to dreaming. Hence, help me Allah to fulfill my wish!

"Nothing great will ever be achieved without great mean, and men are great only if they are determined to be so."

Charles De Gaulle

PPSMI - A Revisit

This afternoon just before I went home, while discussing of the fate of Etems or PPSMI a friend said there were teachers who didn't agree with the continuation of teaching both Science and Maths in English but were afraid to voice out their disappointment and disagreement as they fear their stance to be construed as against the government. I tend to agree with his as well as their view since any disagreement or opposing ideas is seen as going against the government. In fact, we are still living in the Dark Ages as we are not free to voice anything although we mean well - to improve any weaknesses the government may have overlooked.

Just like the PPSMI issue, many have voiced out their opinion but those who are directly involved with its implementation and enforcement are rarely sought after as government servants including teachers are expected to tow the line - following orders though it may not be feasible as the higher ups think it to be. The motto "Saya yang menurut perintah" speaks for itself, the government servants need to follow everything without asking any questions as questions tantamount to 'treachery'.

Mathematics and Science have been killer subjects since time immemorial as many perceived both to be very difficult and hard to master, only those with high intelligence and not for those ordinary brains. Indeed, many of us face some kind of hardship dealing and coping with the subjects. Therefore, what need to be done immediately is to improve the pedagogy and teaching strategies not the medium of instruction though undeniably English is the main instruction for both at higher levels. The move by the Education Ministry to improve the learning process by introducing ICT is commendable but having English to deliver the lessons is anti climax to say the least. It defeats the purpose i.e making learning of S &T interesting and exciting for the students. The Ministry in its countless papers, policies and strategies has stressed that students are one of the Ministry stake holders but the move to teach S &T in English is never discussed with their main stake holders.

For students at least in Malaysia there are three most feared subjects as mentioned above plus the language now being the medium of instruction for the other two subjects. Such move by TDM back in 2001 is really mind boggling and confusing and unheard of particularly by one who is considered as an icon!

What is need to be done actually is to improve the quality of teachers, pedagogy , approaches and strategies of educating the young minds in English - to discard their fear and apprehension and gradually make them attracted to English. Now, English teachers not only have to teach and educate the 'real' students but also those 'matured' students who are not proficient in English. They may be excel in their field but English has become such hindrance and weakening their interest to teach Science and Mathematics. Ultimately the students will severely suffer. Once they like Science and Maths but now they have bad dreams involving three (previously none?) subjects.

Being a responsible and alert, as they claim to be, the government need to quickly ameliorate such problem before it is too late and students who are supposed to enjoy their learning experience may feel the opposite.

"English is supposed to be the door to the world not a window to the world"