(Ah,... see? I knew the issue wasn't over. That's why I had part 2 planned for this topic. The idiocy of some people are just too predictable. Only this time, Md Zin is the one who needs an education. An article on him coming up.)
This issue has a bigger impact in your daily life than you think. It does not only affect the Muslims and Christians, it affects Malaysians as a whole.
We've established how ridiculous and bigoted Joe is. Now I want to talk about what I think the real problem is. Also why (I think) Johari had the audacity to say it in the first place.. with no apology to follow.
Malaysian Constitution
Joe, on Dec 21 2007, said that to prevent confusion, the word 'Allah' could only be used in the context of Islam and not other religions. "Only muslims can use 'Allah'. It's a Muslim word. It's from the Arabic (language).
Our problem is at its most basic. It's the definitions AND the level of understanding of those definitions.
Our so-called leaders, do not know the difference between culture and religion. Malay is a race which has its own culture, language and traditions.
Islam is a religion.
Arabic is a language.
Is it that so hard to understand?
The problem is actually at a higher level than the definitions of culture and religion. Way higher. It's in the Malaysian Constitution.
In the Malaysian Constitution, it states that to be a bumiputra (malay) you must fulfill 3 requirements:-
- "Malay" means a person who professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, conforms to Malay custom and -
- (a) was before Merdeka Day born in the Federation or in Singapore or born of parents one of whom was born in the Federation or in Singapore, or is on that day domiciled in the Federation or in Singapore; or
- (b) is the issue of such a person;
Firstly, the definition of Malay is wrong. Malay is a race which consists of culture, language, traditions and genetics among other things. Not religion. There is not such thing as a Malay Religion, is there?
This article by Pillai, although written in year 2005, should be read again. It applies to our issues today.
Secondly, it is wrong to assume that if you are to be Malay, you must be a Muslim.
Thirdly, does this mean, once a Chinese/Indian Malaysian converts to Islam, he will lose his culture? Does this mean he will lose his Chinese/Indian heritage? Is that fair?
You should look into our constitution, it's an interesting read.
Basically, if Ah Chong or Muthu were to:
-convert to Islam ( M'sian Const: "professes the religion of Islam"),
-wear a baju melayu once in a while (M'sian Const: "conforms to Malay custom" )
-have the ability to converse in Bahasa Malaysia (M'sian Const: "habitually speaks the Malay language")
This makes them a malay/bumiputra.
On the other hand, if Lina were to convert from Islam into Christianity, does this automatically shift her from being a bumi to a non-bumi status?
I feel that this particular section in our constitution is interesting to say the least. This particular constitution helped the 70s singer, DJ Dave (real name: Dhammi Jagjit Sukhdev ) become an active UMNO member.
Interesting ain't it?
Sad when our leaders cannot tell the difference between religion and race.
Especially when they fail to realize that you can change your religion but you cannot change your race.
The BN government is (indirectly) telling us Malaysians:
Bahasa Malaysia is only for the Malays.
It is not for the Chinese and Indians. Even if they have no intention of saying this, the fact that the ban is condoned, tells me that these are their true colors.
Extremist Tendencies?
I will digress a bit here and tell you about an incident that pissed me off...again.
Hypocrisy. Hmmm... walking on egg shells here. I do not mean to insult the PM here but I speak from my point of view and I assure you that this point of view is shared by many.
During the Christmas High Tea celebration hosted by the Christian Federation of Malaysia, he reminded Malaysians not to allow extremist tendencies to take root and undermine interracial harmony in the country.
Hogwash! My advise is, Prime Minister, look at your own jamban to see the 'extremist tendencies'. Look at the turd floating there called "Joe Baharum". Flush him down and you'll win half the battle with "extremist tendencies". Extremist tendencies does not only encompass the topic of religion. It also covers a host of other issues, like arresting bloggers for comments left on their page and even saying that the word Allah only belongs to one race/religion.. (that's extremist and narrow minded, isn't it?).
This is an example of the ruling coalition's double standards. Pathetic, really.
By bringing up this issue, are they (Joe and Zin) attempting to be more Islamic that Saudi? Well, sorry sonny but you are all the more bigoted, i say. Why are many Malaysian so obsessed about who is more religious than who? Why can't we leave that between God and ourselves?
Why do we have to proclaim or show people how religious we are? Same with other things in Malaysia, this is a case of mendabik dada sendiri ala King Kong (bragging King Kong style by hitting one's own chest).
My guess is...
My guess is (it's only my humble guess) is that elections are coming up in March (that's what many little birdies told me) and UMNO has already begun its campaigning for the majority Malay votes.
They are going to drag this issue on and on till elections. It is human nature that as time goes by people tend to forget the main issue they were fighting for/against. Memory gets diluted and fades only to be replaced by a tamer version of the truth. Passions die down only to be replaced with excuses and misplaced understanding.
Come election day, the kampung people (majority votes) will not think that UMNO were the idiots who banned the word Allah to be used by non muslims.
They will think that UMNO are fighting for Islam. Thus, winning their hearts. Why?
Because as you and I have experienced, UMNO is very talented in twisting and manipulating the truth until it becomes lost to us.
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