If you have articles, information, thoughts you want to share just send it to me at ali.syedakbar@gmail.com. Please keep your articles brief, not more than 1000 words or just use bullet points. If you have pictures to go with the articles, that is even better. Towards an excellent Malaysia.
For the first time in the history of our nation since Independence (and maybe since Majapahit and before) we had a Mufti with a PhD qualification. That is Dr Mohamed Asri bin Zainal Abidin, 34 years old, or Dr MAZA as he is popularly known. Dr Maza holds a PhD in Hadith from the International Islamic University.
In his very short tenure as Mufti of Perlis, Dr MAZA has seriously rocked the boat on religious discourse in the country. The established orthodoxy simply detests his learned and confident pronouncements which have frequently gone completely against their thinking. For example he did not agree with the Yoga Fatwa.
He put the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan in a spot when he asked them to introduce their own version of Yoga. My friend Jahamy has written a short comment on Dr Maza at his Blogspot.
Please do read it.
Some of the religious orthodoxy in the country has been waging a campaign against Dr MAZA for sometime. The name calling against him started more than two years ago. Also about that time, friends in Ipoh told me that there were 'surat layang' going around criticising Dr MAZA. As we all know Ipoh is in Perak.
For the Muslims in this country, with Dr Maza's exit, the score is again back to - Status Quo : 99 Chance To Progres : 0
Maybe we can watch Flinstones. Even they sound so intelligent.
Please take some time to watch these two videos. I got them from Hansac's Blog.
We have our National Service too. My son did his NS three years ago and was based in Sarawak. In Singapore the NS is for two years. Ours is for three months.
From what I notice Singaporean parents and the Servicemen actually look forward to the National Service. Listen to the parents of all races in the Video. Parents see the NS as valuable training to instill discipline, responsibility and maturity in their sons. It is also a time when young men bond as Singaporeans.
One parent says that he feels that his son is in very good and safe hands while in National Service.
The Servicemen are watched carefully. They are given stringent healthchecks. (The stringency is in the simple follow up checking, monitoring and counseling - not in expensive medical equipment). Recruits who are below fitness levels are put into relevant fitness training programs. There is a special program for obese Recruits.
Unwell recruits are NOT allowed to march long in the endurance marches. We rarely hear of NS recruits dying in Singapore. If 1 out 10,000 Recruits is unfit to march, it does not stop the Singapore Army. But if 1 out of 10,000 recruits drops dead in NS, that would be a disaster.
One trainer sums it up well : A happy soldier can adapt smoothly. If he is happy then he can focus his attention on his duties.
They repeat the old saying that an Army fights on its stomach. Their food is palatable.
When my son was in our NS in Sarawak he said palatable food was only served to our NS inspectors when they came for inspection. My son learnt to volunteer help to serve the Inspectors and was then invited to eat with them. Otherwise the food was the same stuff you find in our University canteens. (Check out who is the caterer).
The people are the same. The weather, the water and the grass are all the same. The only difference between us and Singapore is the attitude.
Also note the complete absence of religion throughout the National Service video.
Just a couple of days ago, I met my good friend who is a very strong Christian, at Devi's Corner in Bangsar. He had just come from the gym where he whispered he had practised 'yoga'.
We talked about the Yoga fatwa and he whispered again 'Yes Christians are not supposed to get involved in Yoga too'. Then he said that no one in his family except one brother knew that he was attending Yoga classes. (My friend has grown up children).
'Why not?' I asked. Apparently Yoga asks you to focus inside, on your Self (or into your Self) to motivate your body's own inner strengths. He said this was against Christian teachings where you are supposed to draw strength from God (and not from your Inner Self etc). Oh well.
Well I am practical and I cherish useful and good things. And my very long friendship (23 years), fondness, trust and care for my friend (and vice versa) are more important than some discussion over Yoga.
But to my surprise The Star had this report today about a Church leader in Sabah also having the same views about Yoga.
"Meanwhile, a Christian religious leader said Christians should avoid yoga as it was a form of exercise grounded in religious beliefs. “Why must you get involved in a practice that has an intimate connection with a religion or religious belief?” said Rev James Wong of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia in Sandakan."
KLANG: A gang of six went on a rampage in Taman Sentosa on Wednesday night, killing two and leaving five seriously injured in separate attacks. Their night of madness began when they slashed (killed) a woman, who tried to protect her 13-year-old daughter, outside a furniture shop in Jalan Raja Nong about 9pm.
Not satisfied with the way the first robbery turned out, the robbers struck next at a kongsi in front of a fast-food outlet in the same housing estate. They slashed a security guard on the head and hands, and slashed an Indonesian worker on the leg.
Their next targets were three men taking shelter from the rain in front of an empty shoplot in Jalan Hulubalang 10. Neighbours rushed them to hospital but Devindran died of his injuries several hours later. Doctors managed to reattach the tip of Shahrul's nose.
Police also believed that the gang was involved in the sodomy and murder of a Thai man in Sungai Buloh on Tuesday. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Mat Yusop said police had carried out several operations in Kampung Jawa and Taman Sentosa but no suspects were arrested.
In the early 90s when I was a Banker, we used to finance massive housing and Bandar Baru developments throughout the country, especially around Kuala Lumpur. I remember Sunway Lagoon when it was a disused mining pool. We financed the earliest phases of Sunway Holdings development of the area.
Everytime there was a redevelopment along the Old Klang Road, Petaling Jaya areas I would notice the poor squatters being cleared. Usually the Malay squatters moved on to the DBKL or SEDC apartments which were always being built. But not all of them got the flats. Many Indians too were moved into the DBKL and SEDC flats but again not all of them got to move into the new apartments.
Ultimately many of them, particularly the Indians got left out. I recall getting angry looks from young Indians hanging around and watching us Bankers in shirts and ties stomping all over the land where they probably grew up on. They knew our presence meant they had to leave.
Even at that time (about 15 years ago) I knew it was a ticking bomb which would explode. The people in the squatter areas (and now the low cost flats) particularly the Indians and the Malays do not have many options. Of course everyone has the chance to go to school, get high grades and become someone great in society but for the majority it does not work that way – especially not for the poor in the squatter areas and the low cost flats.
When they are in their teens, the gangs are already recruiting the youngsters. The drug pushers are also waiting to recruit the youngsters. As soon as a teenager joins a drug gang, he is given a motorbike and a handphone and maybe a four figure income – selling drugs.
Turf wars, money wars, gang wars, violence and death are next. Only in this case the violence and death was visited upon innocent members of the public.
This problem is only going to get worse. Our squatter areas and low cost flats are breeding grounds for extremely dysfunctional behaviour.
Let me make a prediction : the Pantai Dalam and Kampong Pasir areas in Kuala Lumpur have the potential to give birth to homegrown Malay gangs. I know the area quite well and every evening we can see young kids hanging out - with nothing better to do. They live in tiny low cost apartments, they don’t have reading habits (other than boring school books, cerita hantu and maybe silly religious books) which may elevate them to a better position in society.
They don’t have access to cultural or traditional activities (because we do not pay attention to them – joget cannot, wayang kulit cannot, yoga cannot, this cannot, tha cannot etc). They don’t have much. Of course they may have both parents – often times not - but we cannot expect living in the squatter areas and low cost flats to be sources of any great nurturing for their kids. Their lives are already fully taxed. So their kids do not have many options.
And their language is changing. Young children speak in a rude and rough manner with disrespect for everything. This disrespect will soon change to hatred. They may become the future problem kids. As for the Indians the same or worse applies to them.
Prevention is better than cure. If we do not want our public to be innocent victims of misguided and lost youngsters then we must make serious attempts at helping the young people in the low cost flats and squatters. We have more than enough money to do everything that is necessary to make our country a safe and comfortable place to live in. We only need some focus and some clear thinking.
The Police say they have not yet arrested any suspects. The Police too can prevent crime by undertaking constant screening of ‘profile probable’ youngsters.
What this means is the Police have vast knowledge and experience of profiling gang members, drug pushers, street criminals etc. It is unlikely that a 50+ year old man can fit the profile of a snatch thief. Knowing this the Police can screen (another word is harass) youngsters who fit these profiles. It will not deprive anyone of their human rights other than bruising their egos a little. Checking ICs, recording down names, addresses, known associates, parents names and locations etc may just thwart some youngsters from taking that one further step.
We all talked about it. Has anyone read the Yoga Fatwa? Here it is from the JAKIM website. Both the Malay and English versions are provided. They are short:
FATWA YOGA
"Antara perkara yang telah dibincangkan oleh Ahli Majlis Muzakarah Fatwa Kebangsaan yang bersidang pada 22 – 24 Oktober 2008 di Kota Bharu, Kelantan ialah senaman Yoga.
Setelah meneliti dan mengkaji hujah-hujah serta pandangan-pandangan yang berkaitan dengan Yoga maka, Ahli Muzakarah berpandangan dan berpendapat bahawa senaman Yoga yang berasal dari masyarakat Hindu sejak sebelum Masihi lagi yang menggabungkan amalan fizikal, unsur-unsur keagamaan, mentera dan pemujaan bagi tujuan tertentu seperti mendapatkan ketenangan dan kemuncaknya, penyatuan diri dengan tuhan atau tujuan-tujuan lain adalah tidak sesuai dan boleh merosakkan akidah seorang muslim.
Oleh itu, Ahli Muzakarah juga bersetuju dan memutuskan apa jua jenis atau bentuk amalan yang mengandungi unsur-unsur tersebut di atas adalah dilarang dan bertentangan dengan syariat Islam.
Sementara pergerakan amalan fizikal tanpa unsur-unsur di atas yang dilakukan pada zahirnya tidaklah menjadi kesalahan.
Namun demikian, masyarakat Islam dingatkan wajib berhati-hati dam berwaspada dari perkara-perkara yang boleh menghakis akidah seseorang muslim.
Seperti yang kita sedia maklum, perkara-perkara yang boleh menghakis akidah boleh berlaku dengan sebab-sebab berikut:
(1) kepercayaan atau keyakinan di hati. (2) menerusi perkataan atau pengakuan dengan lidah. (3) perbuatan.
Memandangkan terdapat dua elemen tersebut dalam amalan yoga, maka umat Islam wajib memelihara akidah mereka dari terhakis
The red bold is mine. Here is JAKIM's English version:
MUSLIM’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOGA
The Fatwas of Religious Council in Islamic affairs which took place on 22-24, 2008 in Kota Bharu Kelantan included Yoga cases in their agenda. After carefully studied various reports and factual data, the Council unanimously agreed that this ancient India religious teachings, which involves physical and mental exercises, are Hinduism in nature known as wahdat al-wujud philosophy (oneness of existence; the realization of identity between the Self in man, Atman; and the Divine, BRAHMAN: ‘Brahman is all, and Atman is Brahman). It is prohibited (haram) for Muslims to practice it.
The Council unanimously agreed that whatever actions or conceptions imitate the Yoga’s teachings such as to practice the asana yoga or self annihilation (nirvana) is against the Islamic faith. Any physical activities which apparently not Hinduism in nature, are not included in these Fatwas. Anyway, Muslims have to be fully aware in order their religious faith and practices not to be jeopardized. One has to be conscious that one of these three elements can effect Muslim’s faith:
Believe in heart;
Verbal confessions; and
Actions
In view these elements contained in the teachings of yoga, Muslims are advised not to be involved into them so as their faith is not eroded.
Last night there were simultaneous attacks by terrorists across the city of Mumbai (Bombay) in India. Here is the news:
At least 82 killed as gunmen rampage in India city
MUMBAI, India – Teams of gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded train station in coordinated attacks across India's financial capital, killing at least 82 people, taking Westerners hostage and leaving parts of the city under siege Thursday, police said. A group of suspected Muslim militants claimed responsibility.
A raging fire and explosions struck the landmark Taj Mahal hotel shortly after midnight. Screams could be heard and black smoke billowed from the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront. Firefighters sprayed water at the blaze and plucked people from windows and balconies with extension ladders. By dawn, the fire was still burning, but had calmed considerably.
Two terrorists carrying guns take 15 people, half of them foreigners, hostage on the roof of the luxury Taj Hotel in Mumbai, said one of the hostages who managed to escape.
As of right now the situation is still critical. Indian commandos have entered the Taj hotel. The commandos have also reached Trident (formerly Oberoi) Hotel in South Mumbai to flush out terrorists holed up there. There is no further news yet of hostages being released or the fate of the terrorists.The picture shows just two of the gunmen.
Although no positive identification has been made about who the terrorists are, a group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility.
There is more violence in India. In a place called Orissa, Hindus and Christians are fighting with churches being burnt down. Here is a news extract:
Unfazed by the criticism his group has faced over the violence in Orissa, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia has said that violence against Hindus will be met with violence. Even as he denied the involvement of the VHP, the radical Hindu group, in the attacks on the Christian community and churches in the state, he insisted that Hindus had the right to retaliate.
"If a violent religion is targeting a section of Hindu society, there would be a violent reaction," Togadia, a surgeon by profession, told IANS in a telephonic interview.
The trouble in Orissa started Aug 23 when gunmen shot dead VHP Orissa leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others at his ashram in the district of Kandhamal, 340 km from Bhubaneswar.VHP supporters and tribals went on the offensive against the killings, attacking and torching Christian homes and churches in remote rural areas, leaving at least 16 people dead and many injured.
Thousands of poor Christians fled their homes and villages. As the bloodshed raged for days, the community frantically urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene to end the mayhem.
The VHP maintains that Christian missionaries are luring poor tribals to embrace Christianity. Asked if re-conversions of Christians being carried out in Orissa was right, Togadia said: "We use the word conversion. We are against all conversions."
What about foreign nationals who become Hindus? Togadia had a ready answer, "ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) is not targeting Christians while Christians target people with socio-economic problems for conversion. It is a planned activity. If somebody wants to convert, then Hindus don't have a problem."
To me these are all religious misfitswho cannot get along with their neighbours and the rest of the world. My only concern is that we must make sure this type of fanaticism does not take root in our country.
But do we have a chance? Looking at the comments about the recent Yoga issue (from all sides) I can see that there are a lot of confused people in our country too. It starts with little things like Yoga. And then it progresses (or regresses) from there onward (or downward).
You cannot be half pregnant or one quarter pregnant. When you are pregnant it means you are pregnant. And eventually the result of the pregnancy will present itself to the world. You cannot hide the pregnancy anymore.
There is a similar corollary in upholding illogical beliefs. You cannot be half illogical, one quarter illogical or just a little bit illogical. When you are illogical you are illogical. And eventually the illogic will manifest itself to the world. You cannot hide it anymore.
Mumbai and Orissa are manifestations of being illogical.
Hi folks. There is something freaky going on with my Blog which I cannot explain. I posted this earlier today from my office. Everything looked fine. Six hours later the contents of this Blog has changed. The title 'Dr Mahathir's Views' was ok but the story was about the 'Fatwas And Bulls' which I posted yesterday. The first line of this story had also disappeared. Well I have to do some repair I guess.
I hope UMNO members and others will read Dr Mahathir's Blog chedet.com today. I am referring his post titled Rasuah Dan Keazaman Politik
I hope the Bloggers like Rocky, Voice, Kuda Kepang, Jebat Must Die, Pahit Manis, Dato Kadir Jasin, Sakmongkol AK47 and others will comment further on Dr Mahathir’s latest posting. I reproduce just a few paragraphs here. The chosen paragraphs are mine:
RASUAH DAN KEAZAMAN POLITIK Posted by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on November 25, 2008 22.
22. Kerana tidak suka pada kepimpinan Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, BN sudah ditolak di lima buah negeri dan sebuah Wilayah Persekutuan. Hari ini bukan Presiden sahaja yang dianggap tidak layak, tetapi seluruh kepimpinan UMNO tidak disukai dan tidak dianggap layak memimpin negara kerana pencalonan mereka adalah hasil sogokan oleh mereka. Memilih mereka bermakna memilih perasuah untuk mendirikan Kerajaan. Masyarakat yang mana yang mahu terima Kerajaan perasuah?
23. Ramalan saya ialah UMNO akan kalah teruk pada pilihanraya umum ke-13. Mendapat sokongan daripada parti (melalui rasuah) tidak akan menjamin kemenangan dalam pilihanraya umum.
25. Dalam pilihanraya umum ke-12 ramai ahli UMNO-pun tidak undi calon BN. Dan amat ramai daripada penyokong-penyokong (bukan ahli) UMNO yang undi parti lawan. Itulah yang memberi keputusan yang buruk bagi BN dalam pilihanraya umum ke-12.
28. Jika BN kalah, Presiden UMNO tidak akan jadi Perdana Menteri, Timbalan Presiden tidak akan jadi Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan lain-lain pemimpin UMNO jika menang pun tidak akan jadi Menteri, Timbalan Menteri, Setiausaha Parlimen atau pengerusi-pengerusi syarikat berkaitan Kerajaan (GLC) dan lain-lain dan ketua-ketua bahagian tidak akan dapat kontrak dan lain-lain.
29. Lebih buruk lagi UMNO akan hancur. Pengasas-pengasas UMNO akan kutuk mereka yang kerana tamak telah musnahkan UMNO.
30. Orang yang terkenal menyogok wang untuk jadi pemimpin UMNO, jika mereka dipilih akan menyebabkan UMNO ditolak dalam pilihanraya umum.
31. Rakyat tahu siapa mereka walaupun sukar bagi mendapat bukti yang mereka ini adalah perasuah.
Dr Mahathir is predicting the end of UMNO and the BN as we know it. This will happen in 2012. So everyone just get ready.
In the light of these comments by Dr Mahathir I see a total irrelevance in the ongoing catfight between Dato Rafidah Aziz and Dato Shahrizat over the Wanita UMNO position. As of now, who among them becomes the Ketua Wanita is of totally no relevance at all to this country.
The fact is Shahrizat lost by about a billion votes to first timer Nurul Izzah in Lembah Pantai. Whether Shahrizat becomes Ketua Wanita or not, she is not likely to ever win back the Lembah Pantai seat – if the voters dislike for the BN persists.
And nine months after the General Elections I think the anger and dislike against the BN is more than ever. And I don’t think this anger has peaked yet. If at all it is only getting worse.
If the General Election were to be held tomorrow, the BN will probably lose even more seats. Sabah, Perlis, Terengganu and even Negeri Sembilan are likely to go to the Opposition.
When she campaigned in the Kampong Pasir and Bukit Angkasa areas in Pantai Dalam, Shahrizat told some very, very poor people that they could stay in some recently completed DBKL low cost flats if BN won Pantai Dalam. This was stooping really low. The voters kicked her out. Today, nine months after the elections, those completed low cost flats still remain empty in Pantai Dalam. Why ? Are the voters being punished?
Here is a picture of the Pantai Dalam flats. (By the way siapa dapat kontrak buat bangunan tu?) To the people in Pantai Dalam as well as those who did not get the chance to live in these low cost pigeon holes, it really does not matter who is the Ketua Wanita.
If Dato Shahrizat wants to be an MP again, she will need a new safe seat. Maybe Tasek Gelugor, Balik Pulau or Bukit Bendera in her home state of Penang may have openings.
At one time I really thought that Rafidah could be our first woman PM. But that was way before 2003. Now I don’t see how Rafidah is going to win over the peoples’ confidence. So perhaps they can tone down the catfight.
The crucial point the two ladies must bear in mind is that other than certain parasitic hangers on no one really cares who becomes Ketua Wanita.
In the past such positions were crucial because it came with influence over the award of contracts, jobs and positions. You vote me in, I dish out the contracts, then you vote me in, then I dish out the contracts, then you vote me in etc etc.
But now one crucial element in this cosy relationship has left the scene – the voters at the General Elections. They have gone over to the Opposition. Someone said the whole Majlis Tertinggi UMNO should have just resigned after March 8th. They have failed – big time.
No doubt 72 UMNO candidates won their Parliamentary seats but many of them are liabilities to the BN at large. Of the 72 UMNO MPs, 13 are from Sabah including Bung Moktar Radin from Kinabatangan. 9 more non-UMNO BN MPs are also from Sabah.
If Premier-in-Waiting Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak wants to see a real turnaround in the fortunes of UMNO and BN he really needs to shake everything up completely. The first thing that must go is the Cabinet. It has to be replaced almost entirely.
Listen again to what Dr Mahathir said about some of the UMNO leaders who are vying for positions : Rakyat tahu siapa mereka walaupun sukar bagi mendapat bukti yang mereka ini adalah perasuah This is exactly the point.
The voters know who is a good guy and who is a rotten apple. The rotten apples may win in their own Constituencies but other voters in other Constituencies may not vote for the BN because they do not want to see these faces reappear in Cabinet, in Parliament etc.
"Rakyat tahu siapa mereka.." Jangan pula kita tak tahu.
As for money politics it CANNOT be stamped out in UMNO. I repeat CANNOT.
The reason was well articulated to me by an UMNO veteran. It has nothing to do with UMNO per se but instead it has got everything to do with the fact that the average party member, especially in the kampomgs, small towns, States and rural areas is financially poor.
They have little means of generating cash income. They have little by way of businesses which generate income, they may not have full time jobs and so on. Even those who depend on Government contracts are facing dry spells. So on average the party member at the Bahagian level is a poor man.
The politics of patronage also prefers it that way. Only then can votes be bought. So when the party elections come along once every three years, it is musim tuai or harvest time. Time to make a few bucks.
We really need to permanently fix this problem. The people must have the capacity and ability to compete and succeed in life on their own.
If they cannot, money politics stays. If money politics stays then UMNO will get kicked out.
p.s. Picture above is me with Tun Dr Mahathir, taken about two weeks ago in his office. I am always thrilled to meet Tun.
Following up on the flap over the fatwa, I searched the Net and got this : A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a pope. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end to authenticate it.
The most distinctive characteristic of a bull was the metal seal, which was usually made of lead, but on very solemn occasions was made of gold (as Byzantine imperial deeds often were). It depicted the founders of the Church of Rome, the apostlesPeter and Paul, identified by the letters Sanctus PAulus and Sanctus PEtrus. The name of the issuing pope is on the reverse side.
This was then attached to the document either by cords of hemp (in the case of letters of justice, and executory) or by red and yellow silk (in the case of letters of grace) that was looped through slits in the vellum of the document. Bulla is the name of this seal, which to ancient observers looked like a bubble floating on water: Latin bullire, "to boil". In terms of content, the bull is simply the format in which a decree of the Pope appears.
Well the fatwa over Yoga has now become another embarrassing controversy for Muslims. My friends in Australia have sent me emails forwarding news reports in Australia about the fatwa banning Yoga. And today’s headlines will not make things any better.
Before I go any further, a fatwa is very similar to what is known as a Papal Bull which is issued by the Catholic Pope. Hence the title above ‘Fatwas and Bulls’. There is no other bovine connotation to today's topic heading. Do read on.
PETALING JAYA: The implementation of the fatwa (edict) banning the practice of yoga by Muslims has been put on hold in two states.
> The Sultan of Selangor said the fatwa could not be implemented in the state yet as it had not been presented to the state Fatwa Committee,
> Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury withdrew his earlier statement that Perak would adopt the fatwa, saying that several procedures including seeking the consent of the Sultan, had to be carried out first,
> Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin spoke out against the edict, saying yoga with the non-Muslim elements removed should be allowed,
> Most other states said they would take the necessary steps to enable the edict to be implemented,
> However, Sisters in Islam said the fact that the states had differing views on the matter seemed to suggest that there was no consensus on the ban.
The Sultan of Selangor was more blunt than that. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said in a press statement issued through his private secretary Datuk Lela Bakti that the Selangor Fatwa Committee would meet to deliberate the matter “in greater detail so that a decision is not made hastily.”
In other words the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan has been hasty in making decisions. Then the Sultan said that once the state committee had made a decision, it would then be forwarded to him for approval in line with state laws regarding the administration of Islamic affairs.
But the real clincher is the following from the Sultan :
‘The Sultan said he hoped that in future any fatwa that touched on an issue which affected the general public would be referred to the Rulers Conference prior to being announced. “This is to ensure that the method of channelling a fatwa is implemented in a wise manner to avoid any confusion or controversy,” he said.
Effectively the Sultan is telling the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan to consult the Rulers Conference before issuing any fatwa which affects the general public. Since every fatwa made by the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan does touch on the general public it means that before the Majlis Fatwa kebangsaan deliberates on any fatwa, it must get clearance from the Rulers Conference.
I really salute His Royal Highness The Sultan of Selangor for saying this. Daulat Tuanku.
This fatwa thing is really causing confusion. Now here is something even more confusing from Perak:
In Perak, an earlier statement that yoga was banned in the state had to be revoked as the matter had not gone through several procedures including obtaining the consent of the Sultan. Perak Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) director Datuk Jamry Sury withdrew his statement that Perak would adopt the fatwa. He said that as Jaip director, it was beyond his jurisdiction and discretion to make a stand on a religious matter which was the prerogative of the Sultan of Perak.“The fatwa cannot be adopted in Perak yet because it has not been discussed by the State Fatwa Committee and brought to the attention of the State Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council before being presented to the Perak Sultan for consent,” he told Bernama yesterday.Jamry had on Sunday said that Perak would abide by the fatwa by the National Fatwa Council.
But didn’t the Jaip already know that before? Doesn’t the Jaip know that every fatwa must be approved by the State Legislature (Dewan Perundangan Negeri) and then signed by the Sultan AND then published in the Government Gazette BEFORE the fatwa carries the force of law?
Then my friend Dr Mohamed Asri Zainal Abidin or Dr MAZA, the Mufti of Perlis has given his dissenting fatwa. Dr Maza has asked the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan to deliver something too. Here it is:
Star, Tuesday November 25, 2008
Give alternative version of yoga, says Perlis Mufti
KUALA LUMPUR: Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainul Abidin said the National Fatwa Council should have offered an alternative version of yoga instead of banning Muslims from practising the ancient form of exercise. He pointed out that many other sports activities like tai chi, judo and taekwondo were picked up from other cultures.
“These sports did not have anything to do with Islam but have been practised because of its known health benefits,” he said in a telephone interview with Mstar yesterday. “Yoga practitioners who are Muslims should be given an alternative by practising a version of yoga that does not resemble the version practised by other religions,” he said, adding that chanting while practising the exercise should also be stripped.
He maintained that yoga was a good exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle if done minus the extra bits that are against Islamic teachings. Dr Asri is believed to have not attended the National Fatwa Council’s meeting on the edict on yoga because he felt uncomfortable with the discrimination by Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and its director against his views on an alternative solution.
“The fatwa (edict) announced in this day and age should not be too rigid. The human movement does not necessarily have a connection with religion,” he said.
I cannot imagine the non-pot bellied, slim, lithe and handsome members of the National Fatwa Council spending time devising an alternative form of exercise to Yoga for the benefit of the Muslims. Yoga has evolved over thousands of years. The first draft of a new Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan compliant yoga may not see the light of day for another thousand years. By that time the squids (yes sotong) could be swinging from the trees. (Discovery Channel postulates that in the future squids –sotong- will evolve from the sea onto land and become the dominant species).
Over in Malacca which does not have a Sultan, Chief Minister Ali Rustam has said,
Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said that the Malacca Islamic Religious Council (Maim) would gazette the edict by early next month. I hope no Muslims will dispute the National Fatwa Council’s decision,” he told reporters after visiting the Malacca Islamic Tithe Centre at Kompleks Islam Masjid Al Azim yesterday.
And in Penang Muslims ‘caught’ performing Yoga can soon be arrested, fined and maybe even jailed.
The Penang state religious department said it would abide by the edict. Its director, Sazali Hussein, said that as long as it was declared by the council, the state fatwa committee would have to abide by it. “Muslims caught practising it will be charged under the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Penang) 1996 once the edict is gazetted by the state council,” he said.
Over in Kelantan, Kelantan does not anticipate any problem in implementing the fatwa banning yoga.
Here is one more news headline from The Star aout the Sisters In Islam:
Group: No consensus on edict
PETALING JAYA: The fact that different states have differing opinions on the fatwa (edict) banning Muslims from practising yoga shows there is no consensus on it.
She(Masjaliza of Sisters In Islam) also questioned Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz’s statement, as reported in an English daily, where he said: “Can we appeal to God to change the rules according to our whims and desires?”
“It is fallible for a religious leader like him to say that fatwa cannot be appealed. It’s not a divine decision,’’ she said. “A national fatwa in Malaysia is not legally binding unless the states adopt and gazette it. Only then does it become law,” she said.
Masjaliza also said SIS would like to meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the National Fatwa Council “with regards to fatwa in general”. “We would also like to know whose opinions they seek before deciding on a fatwa.”
I think the time has come for us to discuss frankly on the need and the proper role for the Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan? What do they contribute to the well being of the Muslims and society at large?
The word fatwa is derived from the Arabic fatawa which means opinion. This is what it is really – an opinion. Anyone can make a fatwa. If you search the Internet there are numerous individuals who maintain websites where they make fatwa or give opinions on whatever topic is in front of them. Yusuf Al Qardawi makes fatwa out of somewhere in the Middle East. So does a fellow by the name of Mufti Ibrahim Desai from South Africa. His site called ‘Ask Mufti’ is quite popular.
The concept of a fatwa as an opinion given by human beings in relation to human conduct or religion is non existent in the Quran. But this concept has much precedent among the Christians.
The Catholic Pope used to give his fatwa or opinion which was called a Bulla. It has come to be known as a Papal Bull.
The name is derived from the bulla, a double sided lead seal appended to a document by two strings with the heads of the Apostles Peter and Paul on one side and the Pope’s name on the other. It first appeared under Pope Paschal II (1099-1118). The document would have the Pope’s opinion or view on a matter.
The Papal Bull is the only written communication from the Pope where the Pope would refer to himself as episcopus servus servorum Dei, meaning "Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God.” This actually means that what the Pope says has God’s authority behind it.
Refer what the JAKIM DG said about the fatwa :(Jakim) director-general Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz’s statement, as reported in an English daily, where he said: “Can we appeal to God to change the rules according to our whims and desires?”
Can anyone spot the difference?
Papal Bulls achieved three things i. they allowed certain things. For example it was ok to donate money for this cause because it was to serve the Lord. Ii. They disallowed certain things. For example it was not allowed to read books that questioned the idea that the earth was at the centre of the universe. Iii. they excommunicated people or declared people heretics and apostates.
Hi Folks. I received this picture above in my e mail. I read that this picture has been posted as a comment on another site recently - so it is already in the public domain. This picture is not exclusive to my Blog. But I think this picture has been doctored. This means this 'demonstration' or picket never really happened.
But I read the thinking behind this picture as very dangerous. No matter what our problems or political disagreements, we should never request any foreigners to intervene in our country. That is a very dangerous suggestion. Sometimes you can really get what you wish for. So be very careful what you wish for.
Just some observations about this picture. The girl who is holding up the placard is definitely not Malaysian. Quite obviously she is an Arab. You can also just see the black and white Yasser Arafat scarf that is wrapped around her neck. I know because I have one too. Many Arab students usually have one and often wear it. It is to show solidarity with Palestine. This Arab girl may not even know where is Malaysia.
The placard she is holding up is in English. The building behind her, with Roman columns looks like any other University building block in the United States, not Malaysia. (Unless this was at the Court Complex at Jalan Duta - most unlikely)
But to me the words at the very bottom of the placard "I'm not paying any more taxes" is a give away. This is American style protest - bukan Malaysian. Americans are always aware that they are taxpayers. When they protest something, the 'I am a suffering taxpayer', 'I am not paying any more taxes' angle is often used.
I think someone took the original picture of an Arab girl holding some other placard and altered it with these words and also added the picture of the Prime Minister - to make it look like a protest about politics in Malaysia.
We are not that desperate. If we want to change something, we go to the polls. This has been our solid tradition for 54 years and is not about to change. The politics of this country has changed quite drastically since March 8th. We can solve our own problems. We most certainly do not need any foreign intervention. Shame on whoever did this.
It reminds me of the placards in 1998 which said 'Al Gore Selamatkan Kami'. That was quite pathetic. Somehow I feel that people with the same sympathies did this one too. Where is the patriotism?
[32] Dan berikanlah kepada mereka sebuah perumpamaan dua orang laki-laki, Kami jadikan bagi seorang di antara keduanya dua buah kebun anggur dan Kami kelilingi kedua kebun itu dengan pohon-pohon kurma dan di antara kedua kebun itu Kami buatkan ladang.
[33] Kedua buah kebun itu menghasilkan buahnya, dan kebun itu tiada kurang buahnya sedikit pun dan Kami alirkan sungai di celah-celah kedua kebun itu,
[34] dan dia mempunyai kekayaan besar, maka ia berkata kepada kawannya ketika ia bercakap-cakap dengan dia: "Hartaku lebih banyak dari pada hartamu dan pengikut-pengikutku lebih kuat".
[35] Dan dia memasuki kebunnya sedang dia zalim terhadap dirinya sendiri; ia berkata: "Aku kira kebun ini tidak akan binasa selama-lamanya,
[36] dan aku tidak mengira kiamat itu akan datang, dan jika sekiranya aku di kembalikan kepada Tuhanku, pasti aku akan mendapat tempat kembali yang lebih baik daripada kebun-kebun itu".
[37] Kawannya berkata kepadanya sedang dia bercakap-cakap dengannya: "Apakah kamu engkar kepada yang menciptakan kamu dari tanah, kemudian dari setetes air mani, lalu Dia menjadikan kamu seorang laki-laki yang sempurna?
[38] Tetapi bagi aku: Dialah Allah, Tuhanku, dan aku tidak mempersekutukan seorang pun dengan Tuhanku.
[39] Dan mengapa kamu tidak mengakui tatkala kamu memasuki kebunmu bahawa sungguh atas kehendak Allah semua ini terwujud, tiada kekuatan kecuali dengan pertolongan Allah. Sekiranya kamu anggap aku lebih sedikit darimu dalam hal harta dan keturunan,
[40] maka mudah-mudahan Tuhanku, akan memberi kepadaku yang lebih baik daripada kebunmu; dan mudah-mudahan Dia mengirimkan ketentuan dari langit kepada kebunmu, hingga menjadi tanah yang licin.
[41] atau airnya menjadi surut ke dalam tanah, maka sekali-kali kamu tidak dapat menemukannya lagi.
[42] Dan harta kekayaannya dibinasakan, lalu ia membulak-balikkan kedua tangannya (tanda menyesal) terhadap apa yang ia telah belanjakan untuk itu, sedang pohon anggur itu roboh bersama para-paranya dan dia berkata: "Aduhai kiranya dulu aku tidak mempersekutukan seorang pun dengan Tuhanku".
[43] Dan tidak ada bagi dia segolongan pun yang akan menolongnya selain Allah; dan sekali-kali ia tidak dapat membela dirinya.
Demikianlah kisah orang yang tidak bersyukur atas rezeki karunia Tuhan. Orang yang membazir atas rezeki karunia Tuhan. Orang yang berlagak seolah rezeki itu tiada penghabisan atau penamatnya. Dan inilah yang sedang berlaku dalam Negara kita juga pada waktu ini. Dengan secara tiba-tiba, tanpa sebarang amaran atau petanda, apakah bala dan murka yang sedang menimpa kita?
Baru ini saya berjumpa dengan seorang YB dan sempat berbincang beberapa perkara dengan beliau.YB amat resah dan kecewa bahawa makin susah bagi beliau menjalankan tugas atau menjayakan dasar dan program pembangunan. Beliau berkata bahawa dulu orang yang datang berjumpanya sering minta kontrak dan projek. Apabila mereka dating merayu kontrak, harga diletak begitu tinggi, berkali ganda harga yang sepatutnya. Bila siap pula, projek sering tidak menepati perjanjian, kekadang sampai 50% sahaja ‘complete’.
Ada juga terbengkalai, bangunan runtuh, bangunan dibina pada lokasi yang salah (bot nelayan tidak dapat mendekatinya) dsbnya.
Tetapi mereka masih mendesak dibayar duit. YB amat kecewa kerana sudah begitu lama ‘usahawan kontrak kerajaan’ disuap dengan ‘easy money’ seperti ini.
YB berkata sekarang pula ‘usahawan suap’ itu sudah ‘maju’ satu lagi langkah yang akan kekalkan bumiputra di tempat terkebelakang. Sekarang ini mereka malas usahakan ‘kontrak suap’ pun.
Yang mereka mahu adalah ‘Government grant’ ataupun wang tunai sahaja. Maksudnya duit percuma. Kalaulah syarat kontrak Kerajaan sudah mereka longgarkan, syarat ‘Government grant’ pula lagi longlai. Masukkan duit ke dalam kampit saja. Dan yang diminta itu bukan duit kecil. RM1 Juta sudah menjadi sebutan biasa. RM10 Juta pun makin meningkat.
Maka berpuluh dan beratus juta Ringgit wang rakyat dibazirkan. YB berkata Negara kita tidak mampu mendokong pembaziran seperti ini untuk selamanya. Kerajaan bukannya mempunyai sumber kewangan yang tiada terhingga. Semuanya finite atau terhad. Mengikut YB, inilah akibat politik UMNO, ia itu menggunakan kontrak dan projek untuk ‘membeli’ sokongan ahli parti dan meraih undi orang. Kontrak dan projek sekarang sudah menjadi senjata yang sedang makan tuannya. UMNO sedang ditelan oleh ular sawa kontrak. Masa depan bumiputra sedang ditelan ular sawa kontrak.
Apa pula yang akan berlaku jika kita kehabisan pendapatan lumayan daripada sumber minyak negara? Jika kita tidak kehabisan sumber minyak pun, harga minyak dunia sudah jatuh merudum menjadi USD55.00 sahaja satu tong. Untuk tahun ini Petronas akan membayar dividen dan cukai menghampiri RM60.0 Billion ke dalam tabung Kerajaan. Inilah duit yang digunakan untuk membiayai semua ‘kontrak suap’.
Tanpa kontrak suap ini Negara kita akan menjadi kecoh kerana kaum bumiputra begitu ketagih dan bergantung kepada oksijen duit minyak.
Dividend dan cukai minyak sebanyak RM60.0 Billion yang dibayar oleh Petronas itu berasaskan harga minyak sedunia USD125 se tong. Memandangkan harga minyak semasa sudah jatuh lebih 50%, maksudnya sumbangan Petronas juga akan kurang lebih 50%, mungkin kurang daripada RM30.0 Billion sahaja bermula 2010 – ia itu dua tahun sahaja sebelum pilihanraya 2012.
Perancangan RMK-9 pun berasaskan hasil pendapatan daripada harga minyak USD125 se tong. Apakah sasaran dan perancangan pembangunan RMK-9 akan terpaksa dikurangkan 50% juga? Secara lojiknya memang perlu begitu, sebab dari mana akan datangnya duit untuk perancangan asal RMK-9 itu ?
Dan satu lagi sumber pendapatan Negara ia itu hasil daripada jualan minyak kelapa sawit juga amat terancam sekarang. Hanya enam bulan sudah minyak kelapa sawit CPO telah mencapai harga RM4000 se tan di pasaran dunia. Harga CPO hari ini mendekati RM1390 sahaja untuk satu tan, penurunan sebanyak 65%. Mengikut berita terkini pengusaha kecil kelapa sawit di Sabah tidak lagi mengutip buah kelapa sawit kerana kilang minyak sawit hanya rela membayar RM190 untuk se tan buah kelapa sawit (FFB). Berikut berita dalam akhbar Star:
The Star Monday - November 17, 2008, Kota Kinabalu : Thousands of Sabah rural families involved in oil palm cultivation are in dire straits as mills are refusing to buy their oil palm fruits because of palm oil’s plunging price. In the Kinabatangan district, as many as 7,000 families are facing financial hardship as they watch fruits rot on trees.
“These families have been suffering for the past two months. The federal or state government has to do something,” said Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin.
He said most oil palm smallholders were cultivating between 5ha and 15ha and were paid about RM500 to RM600 per tonne. This translated into profits of between RM500 and RM700 per hectare in good times. “The last I heard, processing mills were willing to pay RM190 per tonne, that is if they are buying any fruit at all. For the smallholders, this is a money-losing proposition,” Bung Mokhtar added.
Among those affected is farmer Asrah Adari of Bukit Garam in Kinabatangan, who said mills were limiting their daily purchase of oil palm fruits to just 50 tonnes.
“There are 2,000 smallholders in this area. All of us are incurring heavy losses because we can’t find buyers for our fruits. “At the same time, we have to pay for the maintenance of our smallholdings,” said Asrah.
Enam bulan sudah harga minyak melambung naik, harga minyak kelapa sawit melompat ke langit. Hasil kita begitu lumayan. Dan lagi banyak kita belanja. Billion di sini, berbillion di sana – membuat pembiayaan yang kabur dan pelik lojiknya. Kita tidak berjimat dan kita tidak cermat. Hari ini pula dengan tiba-tiba kita ditimpa ayat Surah Al Kahfi.
[42] Dan harta kekayaannya dibinasakan, lalu ia membulak-balikkan kedua tangannya (tanda menyesal) terhadap apa yang ia telah belanjakan untuk itu, sedang pohon anggur itu roboh bersama para-paranya dan dia berkata: "Aduhai kiranya dulu aku tidak mempersekutukan seorang pun dengan Tuhanku".
Kewangan Kerajaan akan menjadi semakin gawat mulai 2009 ini dan akan memuncak pada 2010. Kita mesti membelanjakan duit rakyat dengan baik dan cermat supaya pulangannya berbaloi dan boleh menampung masa depan Negara.
Dan mengikut TPM Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, mulai 2015 Negara kita akan bertukar menjadi pengimpot minyak pula. Lebih rumit lagi kewangan Kerajaan pada masa itu.
Dalam keadaan ekonomi dunia meleset, kita mesti mengambil tindakan yang drastic untuk menggerakkan semula ekonomi Negara. Tiga buah rakan niaga utama Malaysia ia itu Amerika Syarikat, Jepun dan Singapura telah mengisytiharkan ekonomi mereka mengalami kemerosotan teruk. Oleh yang demikian mustahil pula jika kita berkata kegawatan ekonomi rakan niaga utama kita tidak memberi kesan buruk terhadap ekonomi Negara.
Ekonomi Negara mesti di beri ruang dan kelonggaran untuk maju dengan sendiri. Tan Sri Muhyuddin Yassin, Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa atau MITI telah mengambil beberapa tindakan bijak yang membawa kesan positif terhadap ekonomi. Impot ekspot besi keluli di longgarkan yang mengakibatkan harga besi keluli turun dengan banyak juga. Akibatnya kos pembinaan dan perumahan dapat dikawal. Kereta impot juga diberi kelonggaran AP dan sebagainya yang mengakibatkan harga kereta turun (walaupun masih jauh daripada harga pasaran dunia). Membuka pasaran boleh menurunkan kos sara hidup bagi semua orang.
Dan yang terkini dari MITI pula - kilang pembuatan telah dikecualikan daripada lesen MIDA. Maksudnya kilang pembuatan boleh didaftar dan di ‘lesenkan’ dalam tempoh beberapa hari sahaja, berbanding dengan tujuh atau sembilan bulan yang menjadi kelaziman sebelum ini. Sudah tentu ini akan memberi rangsangan baik kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi.
Apa yang perlu ditambahkan ialah supaya permohonan Permit Kerja (Work Permit) daripada Jabatan Imigresen untuk pekerja asing yang berkelayakkan tinggi, pemprosesan kontena oleh Jabatan Kastam dansebagainyadipercepatkan supaya tidak membazirkan masa juga. Tidak guna pelabur boleh cepat membuka kilang tetapi tidak mempunyai pekerja mahir yang cukup atau barang impot mereka ditahan Jabatan Kastam kerana proses ‘isi borang’ mengambil masa seminggu atau lebih.
Bagaimana pula kedudukan kaum bumiputra dalam scenario yang pesat berubah ini? Kereta murah, lebih banyak lagi kilang dan pertumbuhan ekonomi semuanya adalah baik. Tetapi apakah kaum bumiputra dapat bersaing dalam keadaan lebih terbuka ini?
Di sinilah perbualan saya dengan YB tadi amat membimbangkan.Tanpa ‘kontrak suap’ tidak akan ada langsung BCIC (bumiputra industrial & commercial community). Yang lebih menakutkan ialah tanpa kontrak dan sabsidi kerajaan, kaum bumiputra berpotensi ‘memberontak’. Sehingga sekarang ekonomi bumiputra masih bergantung kepada Kerajaan – dalam bentuk kontrak dan sabsidi. Pilihan kita masih terhad.
Yang hakikatnya sesudah 38 tahun ber-DEB kita masih jauh daripada sasaran mewujudkan BCIC atau Bumiputra Commercial & Industrial Community. Sepertimana Dato Mukhriz Mahathir telah sebut, Negara kita sepatutnya akan menjadi Negara perindustrian pada 2020, tetapi masih tidak ada seorangpun tokoh perindustrian bumiputera. Menurut GABEM hanya 3% kilang dalam Negara kita dipunyai oleh bumiputra.
Oleh kerana kontrak kerajaan adalah oksijen penyelamat bagi ekonomi bumiputra (dan ketenteraman Negara) kita perlu memberi perhatian yang lebih mendalam supaya ‘kontrak kerajaan’ akan menjayakan ekonomi bumiputra, mengurangkan kos sara hidup bagi rakyat Malaysia dan menguntungkan Negara. Bagi saya tidak mustahil mencapai ketiga matlamat ini – three birds with one stone – dan lebih lagi.
Bagi saya, pertama sekali, tidak harus semua kontrak Class F dikhaskan untuk bumiputera sahaja. Saya rasa 60% sahaja sudah cukup. Yang baki 40% patut diberi kepada sesiapa pun yang layak (termasuk bumiputera) mengikut tender terbuka atau harga pasaran.
Kontrak bumiputera pula TIDAK BOLEH mengikut harga pasaran. Oleh kerana 60% kontrak Class F dikhaskan untuk bumiputera, maka kontrak itu harus diletak harga yang murah sedikit daripada harga pasaran (10% - 15%). Pendekatan in serupa dengan i. volume discount atau ii. long term supply contract.
Dalam perniagaan, apabila pembeli atau penjual membeli produk dengan banyak (bulk quantity), sudah tentu harganya akan murah – harga borong. Begitu juga kerana kaum bumiputera dijamin mendapat 60% daripada semua kontrak Class F (bulk quantity) maka harganya pun mesti berpatutan. Mesti ada volume diskaun.
Juga kaum bumiputera diberi jaminan ini untuk masa yang lama – long term supply contract. 60% daripada kontrak Class F akan senantiasa diberi kepada bumiputera – security ofjobs and contracts. Uncertainty of supply atau ketidaktentuan mendapat kontrak dikurangkan. Apabila ‘uncertainty’ pun kurang, maka harganya pun patut dikurangkan. Apabila risiko mendapat kontrak kurang, maka harganya pun patut kurang.
Akhir sekali risiko ‘bad debts’ atau ‘uncertainty of receiving payment’ adalah tipis kerana Paymaster adalah Kerajaan.
Bila semua ini diambil kira, jelas bahawa kontrak Kerajaan mempunyai business risk yang agak rendah. Oleh itu harga kontrak Kerajaan yang dikhaskan untuk bumiputera juga mesti rendah daripada harga pasaran.
Dengan cara ini juga, kontraktor bumiputera tidak boleh menjual kontrak kepada bukan bumiputera. Siapa nak beli kontrak yang ‘murah’?
Juga bukan bumiputera tidak akan rasa terpinggir kerana dengan cara ini kontraktor bumiputra akan menanggung kos sabsidi mereka sendiri.Dan sabsidi ini adalah negative sabsidi di mana kontraktor bumiputera terpaksa hilang 10% - 15% keuntungan untuk membayar duit ‘learning curve’ untuk menceburi ekonomi kontrak Kerajaan.
Bumiputera akan menanggung sabsidi sendiri. Duit Kerajaan (duit rakyat) akan dijimatkan. Konsep ini boleh dipanjangkan ke semua kontrak yang dikhaskan untuk bumiputera.
20 tahun dulu pada 1988, ketika berusia 28 tahun, saya telah berhenti bekerja daripada Bank dan Management Consultant dan menceburi perniagaan untuk menjual baju, kain dsbnya termasuk membekal pakaian secara tender. Saya telah membuka sebuah kedai kecil di Ampang. Waktu itu (dan juga sekarang) perniagaan kain, kilang menjahit dan juga pembeli semuanya dikuasai bukan bumiputera.
Pada waktu itu saya telah berjumpa seorang China yang ingin mulakan syarikat ‘Cleaning Services’. Dia memberi saya peluang membekal jaket untuk pekerjanya – sebanyak 40 helai sahaja. Pada waktu itu saya tidak tahu apa pun berkenaan menjahit jaket, kilang jahit dan sebagainya. Saya minta tempoh dua hari untuk ‘pergi cari barang’. Selama dua hari itu saya telah menjelajah ke Pudu, Cheras, Jalan Alor (masa itu ada pemborong kain di kawasan itu) dan kawasan lain sehingga saya jumpa sebuah kilang jahitan di Pudu yang rela siapkan jaket itu dengan harga RM24.50 sehelai.
Kerjanya bukan susah, modal pun tak banyak, cuma mengambil sedikit masa, jadi saya berjumpa peniaga China itu dan letakkan harga RM30.00 sehelai (untung RM5.50 sehelai). Malangnya bagi saya peniaga itu tidak rela membayar lebih daripada RM24 bagi sehelai jaket. Sehingga itu saya belum rugi apa pun kecuali duit minyak, parking kereta dan sedikit masa.Jika saya tak mahu, saya boleh cancel saja tempahan dia itu, shake hands dan balik ke kedai saya. Tetapi saya telah terima tawaran dia untuk membekalkan jaket dengan harga RM24.00. Maksudnya bagi setiap jaket saya akan rugi RM0.50 atau rugi RM20.00 keseluruhannya.
Tetapi saya cukup excited mendapat peluang mengenali kilang jahitan, pembekal butang untuk jaket, penjual kain dan sebagainya untuk menyiapkan kontrak yang kecil itu.Maksudnya saya bayar “sabsidi” RM20.00 kepada peniaga China itu untuk ‘learning curve’ menceburi kontrak membekal baju. Lepas itu saya lebih confident dan mampu mencuba kontrak yang lebih besar. (Saya masih berniaga sehingga hari ini tetapi dalam produk dan bidang lain)
Cara ini juga akan mendorong kontraktor bumiputera untuk ‘graduate’ dan lepaskan diri daripada bergantung kepada kontrak Kerajaan yang murah.
Kontraktor bumiputera yang ingin mendapat pulangan yang lebih akan terpaksa memilih untuk bersaing di pasaran terbuka dalam bidang pengkhususannya. Jika dia tidak mahu, dia boleh memilih untuk kekal dalam ‘ekonomi kontrak Kerajaan’ (Class F dsbnya) tetapi pulangannya tidak sehebat mengambil risiko di pasaran bebas.
Satu lagi cara untuk menjayakan ekonomi bumiputra melalui ‘kontrak Kerajaan’ ialah supaya Kerajaanjangan bayar duit tunai (No Cash Payment).
Masalahnya sekarang ialah kontrak Kerajaan yang lumayan itu dibayar wang tunai daripada awal lagi. Sering kali kita dengar cerita duit kontrak disonglap atau disedut keluar daripada projek. Projek jadi terbengkalai. Projek terpaksa di tender semula dan sebagainya. Orang yang songlap duit pula membeli kereta baru, kahwin bini muda, naik haji secara beramai dengan ahli keluarga dan sebagainya. Projek dan kontrak pun tak siap.
Cara yang efektif untuk mengatasi masalah ini dan juga menjayakan usaha bumiputra dalam ‘ekonomi kontrak kerajaan’ ialah dengan menggunakan Bank Guarantee atau Government Guarantee sahaja. Kerajaan hanya bayar duit muka atau ‘mobilisation advance’ sebanyak 10% atau 15% daripada harga kontrak. Yang bakinya diberi jaminan oleh Kerajaan menerusi Bank Guarantee atau Government Guarantee yang hanya boleh di ‘cash out’ bila project dan kontrak siap.
Contohnya jika seseorang itu diberi kontrak bernilai RM10.0 Juta. Hanya RM1.0 Juta dibayar secara tunai, menerusi pengesahan engineer, arkitek, akauntan dsbnya. Dan duit RM1.0 Juta itu pun boleh diikat dengan cagaran Performance Bond dsbnya untuk menjaga kepentingan Kerajaan.
Duit baki sebanyak RM9.0 Juta itu hanya boleh dibayar selepas projek sudah siap dan CF (Certificate of Fitness), Engineer’s Certficate dsbnya telah diluluskan.Maksudnya kalau projek tak siap, Kerajaan tak perlu bayar duit. Duit rakyat juga tidak rugi.
Usahawan bumiputra yang mendapat kontrak kerajaan seperti ini boleh menggunakan Bank Guarantee atau Government Guarantee tadi sebagai cagaran mendapat pinjaman daripada Bank (Contract Financing) untuk menyiapkan projek.
Cara ini juga akan sangat berkesan membanteras politik wang yang menjadi kanser dalam politik negara. Politik wang menjadi-jadi kerana Kerajaan bayar cash untuk projek yang diletak harga yang begitu tinggi dan yang boleh dijual kepada orang.
Jika kontrak Bumiputra diletak harga di bawah harga pasaran, projek tidak boleh dijual. Jika kontrak Kerajaan tidak membayar duit tunai (cash), kecuali pada penghujung kontrak atau projek, maka politik wang pun akan amat berkurangan.
Kontrak dan projek juga sepatutnya tidak boleh dijual atau dipindahkan. Misalnya jika Syarikat Bukit Harta Rumah Tanah Sdn Bhd diberi kontrak di mana Haji Manan bersama isterinya Hajjah Yon adalah pemegang saham, makasaham syarikat tidak boleh dijual sehingga projek, kontrak atau konsesi berakhir.
[35] Dan dia memasuki kebunnya sedang dia zalim terhadap dirinya sendiri; ia berkata: "Aku kira kebun ini tidak akan binasa selama-lamanya,
[36] dan aku tidak mengira kiamat itu akan datang, dan jika sekiranya aku di kembalikan kepada Tuhanku, pasti aku akan mendapat tempat kembali yang lebih baik daripada kebun-kebun itu".
