How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Friday, March 08, 2013

This is what we get when we split hairs

The reality of Malaysia is such that though it has always been described as a harmonious nation, it is hardly so. Physically, we have West Malaysia (or Peninsular Malaysia) and East Malaysia (part of Borneo island). Citizens from West Malaysia need to use their passports when travelling to East Malaysia (Sarawak or Sabah). Recently, some activists like Bersih leaders, Ambiga and Chin Huat, were refused entry into Sarawak.

Racially, we are multi-racial, mainly Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Bidayuhs, and so on. Religiously, we have Islam as official religion, and other religions are allowed, like Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and so on.

Recently, we have problems over the use of 'Allah' by Christians. The word is jealously reserved for use by Muslims in Malaysia, though freely used in the Middle East by Christians.

To appease both Muslims and Christians, the result was a compromise on the use of the word, 'Allah'. Someone noted the following reality of the situation:


Nazri now says "Allah" OK for East  Malaysia ! 

Here are  some funny bloggers' comments. We can laugh to keep our sanity in this crazy country !   

Blogger  A: Let me try to understand  what Nazri means: 

If you are an East  Malaysian Christian residing in East Malaysia,  you can use the word 'Allah'. 

But if you are a West Malaysian Christian residing in West Malaysia, you cannot use the word 'Allah'. 

If you are an East Malaysian Christian working in West Malaysia, you cannot use the  word 'Allah'. 

However, if you  are a West Malaysian Christian working in East Malaysia, it is alright to use the  word  'Allah'. 

But if you are either East Malaysian or  West Malaysian Christian on a plane that has just taken off from East Malaysia to West  Malaysia , you cannot use the word 'Allah'.

Similarly if you  are either East Malaysian or West Malaysian Christian on a plane that has just taken off from West Malaysia towards East Malaysian, you now can start using the word  'Allah'...!!!   

In-flight announcement  before take-off in East Malaysia: 

"Ladies & gentlemen, please fasten your seat belt; put your seat upright and leave your "Allah" behind..... we're going to West Malaysia yeah!"   

Can the Christian  Sabahans and Sarawakians in the Peninsular, of whom there are many, not use the word Allah here? 

Whenever someone in the  Peninsular uses the word "Allah", do we have to check his IC to confirm if he is an authorised user? 

Update on March 12:

So soon after the halal lifts in Crystal Crown Hotel in PJ where deliveries of non-halal goods have to use the staircase, non-halal car park in a Shamelin Mall?


Link

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Honestly all this "Allah" stuff is going nowhere except more dirty politic play by both the ruling party and the opposition. If the faith of the Christians are strong, what name is use for their "GOD" doesn't really matter. For all what I say, I am a Christian from West Malaysia.