Posted by Super Admin
Wednesday, 24 September 2008 05:00
Last week with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim threatening to bring down the administration through coaxing its members to cross over, Abdullah threw a veiled threat of resorting to the ISA to silence Anwar. Local and international pressures made Abdullah back off.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
M. Bakri Musa
When President Nixon ordered the bombing of Hanoi during Christmas of 1972, I knew then that his fate was sealed. I am not a Christian, but living in the West I am very much aware of the spiritual significance of Christmas. As such I found Nixon's action, coming from a self-professed Christian who regularly had Billy Graham pray with him in the White House, abominable beyond comprehension.
A Just God would not let such a barbaric action go unpunished. Sure enough, a few months later the Watergate scandal broke out that would ultimately lead to his resigning under threat of impeachment. This was less than two years after he won a landslide re-election victory.
As a Muslim I feel profoundly the spirituality of Ramadan. It was the month that Allah first revealed the Quran to His Last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w. That was a measure of His generosity upon us. It is said that the gates to Heaven are wide open, and to Hell closed shut, during this season, again reflecting His mercifulness during this blessed month.
We are expected to reciprocate this divine gift by being generous to our fellow beings. Ramadan is thus a season to be charitable, to be forgiving of each other and the seeking of forgiveness from others. All faiths have such a special period in their calendar when their followers are expected to be extra kind to and tolerant of their fellow human beings.
Imagine my horror, shared by many, when Prime Minister Abdullah, the self-declared Imam of Islam Hadhari, chose this particular month to incarcerate Raja Petra Kamaruddin and others under the draconian Internal Security Act that allows for detention without trial, or even the filing of charges.
I would have expected the reverse. That is, during Ramadan the Prime Minister would grant amnesty to deserving prisoners as a gesture of the government's generosity and charity of spirit.
I have yet to see this happen in Malaysia, or any other Muslim country for that matter. Instead we have the odious act of the police bundling up Raja Petra and others into prison, right in front of their families. Where in the Quran or the sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w., did Imam Abdullah find the justification for such a cruel act? Where is the spirit of generosity or sense of forgiveness demanded from each of us by our faith during this holy month?
As a Muslim Abdullah will be paying his zakat fitr (tithe) this Ramadan, and come Hari Raya he will be generous with his duit raya to the children calling upon the gates of Sri Perdana. That is the extent of his understanding of the concept of charity and generosity called for in our faith: simplistic, ritualistic, and materialistic. Those he jailed under the ISA or the millions made miserable through escalating living costs as a consequence of his economic policies never enter his heart.
ISA Unjust
Like Nixon before, I also expect Abdullah's latest inhuman act would also seal his fate. I do not know or care what or when his comeuppance would be but I do know that whenever I see an injustice being perpetrated, I am duty bound by my faith to respond.
I do not wish to sermonize and outdo our Imam of Islam Hadhari (he is already good at that and does it all too frequently), but I do know this. As per the teachings of our Prophet, s.a.w., when we see an injustice, we are to do whatever in our capacity to stop it. If we are unable to do so with our hands (that is, physically), then we are to use our tongue (voice our disapproval). Failing that, then at least acknowledge in our heart that we disapprove of it, though that would be the path least pleasing to Allah.
Incarcerating Raja Petra and others without affording them their due process is the height of injustice; and to do it during Ramadan is both cruel and vindictive. It is also an affront to our religious sensibility; the very act desecrates our holy month.
I do not recommend anyone attempting to physically stop the police as that would risk your being arrested too, or worse. We have to caution ourselves that where injustice or lawlessness is institutionalized, then the just and the lawful become victims.
There is something well within our ability to do, that is, voice our disapproval of the brutal ways of our government. Many have already done so last March and again last month at the ballot box. Unfortunately our leaders are slow learners, or refuse to learn the lesson. We have to keep teaching them.
There is now a petition circulating in cyberspace seeking the release of all those detained under the ISA. I urge all to sign it, as my family and I did. Writing this commentary is also my way of condemning Abdullah's brutish ways.
Last week with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim threatening to bring down the administration through coaxing its members to cross over, Abdullah threw a veiled threat of resorting to the ISA to silence Anwar. Local and international pressures made Abdullah back off.
If we can believe him, Home Minister Syed Hamid was not at all involved in the process. He proudly asserted that he did not "interfere" with the "professional" work of the police. To think that the precious freedom of our citizens could hinge on the judgment if not fancy of some functionary in the police department is truly shocking. For a minister to admit that he does not know what is going on in his department goes beyond incredulity; it is utter incompetence and gross dereliction of duty.
No man is perfect enough to be entrusted with the liberty and dignity of others, so asserted the Sudanese reformist Mahmoud Mohamad Taha. I certainly would not entrust my freedom to others, least of all characters like Abdullah and Syed Hamid. We need due process.
Raja Petra was held for supposedly "insulting Islam." Those police officers either have not read his articles, or if they did, could not understand them.
As Mufti of Perlis Datuk Asri Zainal Abidin so wisely noted, even Allah on the Day of Judgment would have us answer for our deeds before rendering judgment. Here we have a mere mortal in the person of the Imam of Islam Hadhari passing judgment on fellow citizens without first hearing their side.
Law professor Azmi Sharom said it best. "The arrest of Raja Petra, Kok and Tan shows that the law is so open to abuse that we have no other choice but to get rid of it. …. There can be no room for amendments. The ISA must go." Amen!
God works in mysterious ways, so says our Quran. Nixon had his Watergate; Abdullah too will have his comeuppance. Whenever that comes, I pray that Allah would be merciful. There is no anger in me, only sadness.
Comments (17)
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written by Kathy, September 24, 2008 05:38:18
It appears now that we are rapidly losing our one and only hope of reversing all the evil deeds of the govt., PR forming the new government. What hope is there left for Malaysia? We can't afford to wait till the next election. I was so full of hope after the March elections, but right now I am filled with despondence. Anwar and the Opposition have tried their best but it was not to be. What next for Malaysia?
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written by YMA_kuantan, September 24, 2008 05:48:10
May ALLAH bless you doc. GOD is with all of us, we are very sure of this. It's just a matter of time.
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written by Motherchell, September 24, 2008 06:00:21
Absolutely ! you are so right Bakri!
The only True and righteous Muslim is incarcerated, while the demented surrogates who claim they are the "guiding lights" with all the plunder walk free .
Its very sad our Rulers who are not only the Head of Islam, but Protectors for all Justice to his subjects, silent. It is now!!1----to counter the misguided few in Power to discipline and take back the Country to where it belongs!
The Imans , and all the Heads of religious Govt Depts, have never engaged in the reasoning with erudition of all that they said was wrong . Why ?? because they rather satisfy the Devil than God! Not one would have read all that Pete wrote . The shocking grand finale is a Minister who did not have proper intelligent nourishment the reactionary forces in check . This is treason!!!!
I'm very sure of the ANSWER from God soon!
God Bless you Bakri!
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written by Navigator, September 24, 2008 06:03:47
UMNO is destroying itself by making more unpopular moves. RPK is a symbol of justice and fairness. He is a rallying point for most Malaysians. Malaysians respect him for his fearlessness in the fight for truth and justice. UMNO is losing more votes and if it choses to hold another election now, it will lose its pants. More and more will switch to PKR. Let's hope the change of government is soon so that RPK is released.
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written by mimi76, September 24, 2008 06:08:13
"Si vis pacem, para bellum = If you want peace, first you must prepare for war" - The Punisher
As the quote above, I am declaring war on Barisan Nasional.The first thing I did in relation to this was, joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat. I dont't care how long DSAI takes. One year or maybe until PRU 13. Whatever it is, BN is going down. My support for him will never fade. RPK is also at war. He is a mighty general. The general of the people's army and I know he will never give up. I am sad to hear RPK is detained for two years. Bastard Shit Hamid, How can you can be so cruel.
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written by JUST, September 24, 2008 06:15:58
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/69797
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written by JUST, September 24, 2008 06:17:21
"It may be long before the law of love will be recognized in
this beautiful country. The machinery of evil administration
stands in-between and hides the loving hearts of the Nation!"
Quote - Mahatma Gandhi
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written by A MI, September 24, 2008 06:29:12
I suspect this recent ISA insurgence was engineered by people "who claim to have a clear conscience" Abdullah has to shoulder the blame cos he did nothing in his power to stop this injustice!
BTW how do you slept nights Syed Botak?
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written by teohchye, September 24, 2008 06:53:39
I was unable to express my feeling of complete disgust and sadness over the recent ISA arrests. You must surely express the sentiments of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of our citizenry, regardless of religious leanings; and so beautifully and eloquently. I salute you, Dr. M. Bakri Musa!
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written by JUST, September 24, 2008 06:57:57
http://www.123greetings.com/ev...ion10.html
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written by alberttan, September 24, 2008 07:01:44
HELP FREE YM RPK BEFORE AIDIL FITRI
Fellow Malaysians;
Please visit Haris Ibrahim's site and indicate for him to send you a FREE YM RPK chain mail
http://harismibrahim.wordpress...ment-28304
The chain mail is addressed to PM, United Nations and Amnesty International where the GLOBAL email campaign will generate a million emails, your help will be greatly appreciated.
PLEASE DO IT NOW FOR YM RPK TO BE HOME AIDIL FITRI WITH HIS FAMILY
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written by A MI, September 24, 2008 07:21:18
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi telah berjanji untuk menimbang rayuan MIC bagi membebaskan lima pemimpin Hindraf yang ditahan mengikut Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) sejak 13 Disember tahun lalu, kata Presiden MIC, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu.
"Perdana Menteri berjanji untuk berbincang perkara itu dengan Menteri Dalam Negeri (Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar) sebelum membuat keputusan," katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Anyone seen this?
PM jani menimbang? Does that mean he wont consider, going by all his lies till date?
BTW MIC I don't think HINDARF or any other Malaysian of Indian origin is banking on you. It is best you crawl into some hole in the ground and become a fossil.
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written by ROBERTNGTG, September 24, 2008 07:45:31
Imagine my horror, shared by many, when Prime Minister Abdullah, the self-declared Imam of Islam Hadhari, chose this particular month to incarcerate Raja Petra Kamaruddin and others under the draconian Internal Security Act that allows for detention without trial, or even the filing of charges.
THE REAL REASON FOR RPK'S ISA DETENTION IS BECAUSE OF HIS MANY EXPOSES` OF THE CORRUPTED AMENO LEADERS. RELIGION IS ONLY A TOOL AND MEANS TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL.
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written by johanssm, September 24, 2008 07:49:27
Really do not know how to write this , as i might offend some genuine Muslims friends in here.
You see , it took years for Raja Petra to teaches us here both the Muslims and the non Muslims to appreciate Islam. What Islam is all about .
We are all here in MT glued to what RPK have to say.
We or rather me as a non Muslim started to be very tolerant and understanding when it comes to Islamic issues , especially when RPK explained it clearly.
RPK successfully convinces me to appreciate this religion named as Islam.
Years before stumbling into MT , i am very extremely anti Islam.
I am one of those who really gets piss off easily when people starts to Islam this and Islam that.
Hell , i even supports Bush bombing the entire Arab world back then.
RPK is one person who labours year after year explaining stuffs that i was so anti of.
I think some of you ( non muslims ) also did.
So , in one single swoop by the bn gov. manages to make me angry again.
I am really piss off this time.
So , islam is all about caging another fellow human in a cage and fed with cat food or dog food during their holy month of ramadan.
So , islam is all about denying another fellow human justice without a single trial.
So , islam is all about using a Haram ISA act in order to rehabilitate their fellow muslim. Let me think a bit deeper on this one, if something which is Haram can be made as Halal. I think umno wants me to believe that we can also make pork chops as Halal , am i right? As technically it is the same .
Thank you to umno , jais ,utusan meloya , bodohwi ,those ma maks from penang , datuk shit Al blur, i am now a happy anti muslim again.
What took RPK years of labouring in front of his keyboard all gone to the bin.
There are other things i wanna say too, but i dont want my muslim friends to be piss off. RPK told us to respect friends.
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written by ahmadneil, September 24, 2008 08:21:26
I think there is a attempt to sabotage the PM.Who on earth with the right mind will order this arrest at this time,during Ramadan.Someone must be conspiring behind AAB's back to maximize the damage so as to God speed AAB departure.
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written by magen, September 24, 2008 08:21:43
No need to begg this dogs
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written by ibabonma, September 24, 2008 08:29:24
That Botak. He is a swine. He is a pig.
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