More Malay Than The Malays

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I read what this PHD holder and a Muslim Chinese convert wrote in a Malay newspaper.

• As the majority Malay-Muslims, they (MALAYS) have the rights, (and) it had been agreed upon through the SOCIAL CONTRACT.

(Nobody is disputing the privileges spelled out in the constitution, but help should be extended to ALL who require it. Why is it that whenever a call is made for more equitable distribution of the nation's wealth, it is always viewed as questioning the the special position of the Malays?)

• The number of NON-MUSLIM places of worship EXCEEDED overwhelmingly, their (CHINESE and INDIANS) festival celebrations actually drowned the Muslims celebrations even though they (CHINESE and INDIANS) are less in numbers.

(Where did he get the figure from? Is he saying that the Chinese and Indian festival celebrations make such a din that they offend Muslim sensitivity? Did I note a hint of contempt for cultures different from the Muslims?)

• Just look at the shopping malls, although CHRISTIANS are only nine (9)per cent, the Christmas and New Year 2010 celebrations are incomparable to the Hari Raya and the Islamic New Year.

(Christmas has become so commercialized that shopping malls are out to make a profit. I remember very clearly that Islamic officials have reminded Muslims to celebrate Hari Raya in prayer. So do not criticize others who want to celebrate with a big bang).

• If you do not believe, visit the states ruled by the ultra kiasu (CHINESE) and its allies (PAS and PKR) , and the shopping malls of their allies throughout the country.”

(Has he forgotten that during Barisan National's rule it was the same? In fact, it was even more apparent as the economy was doing well).

• I think the MUSLIMS in this country are very tolerant and soft. Their religious festivals and funerals are well mannered and simple. Roads are NOT congested. Their graves are very small.

(In other words, the non-Malays' religious festivals and funerals, are loud, rude and ritual ridden. Hasn't he heard of cultural diversity?)

• Compared to OTHER religions , which the number is already smaller, at times the roads are congested the whole day on certain festivals. Their (NON MUSLIMS) graves are so wide and large.

(Has he not noticed that every Friday, roads leading to the mosques are doubled or triple parked with cars, causing inconvenience to motorists, but non-Malays have never complained? What about the morning call to prayers? Non-Malays have never dared to raise the issue for fear of offending Muslim sensitivity?).
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• So far, the MUSLIMS are NOT that noisy compared to others (NON MUSLIMS) , although their graves are narrowing and protests from the NON-MUSLIMS are increasingly bolder when there is an increase in Islamic cemeteries.
  
  
• Is it FAIR if the NUMBERS of NON-MUSLIMS are NOT many, but their (NON MUSLIMS) graves actually sink the Muslims graves? Have we asked the views of the Muslims and their sensitivity?
  
  
• Those with money build their (NON MUSLIMS) tombs so high and so wide and beautify them with statues as far as the eyes can see.
  
  
• Meanwhile, the Muslims graves, irrespective of their positions, are simple because Islam does not believe in the designing of the tomb. Having no graves is also not a problem.

(But the Chinese believe that even in death, a Chinese must be buried in a manner reflective of his social or economic status. As he said, Islam does not believe in such wasteful practice; again did I detect a note of contemptuous superiority here or am I reading too much into that statement? You do not believe in it, but others do; so to each his own).

• Have the Muslims ever claimed equal rights and equal opportunities? No, because they (MALAYS) are NOT ultra kiasu (CHINESE).
  
  
• Are the number of CHURCHES and the pile of houses of worship sinking the number mosques and suraus not considered as RIGHT?
  
  
• Have we ever prevented THEM (CHINESE and INDIANS) from going to church every Sunday? Do not compare with the Muslims because WE (MALAYS) worship differently. We (MALAYS) have different needs. Similarly goes the requirements for jamaah prayers.

(So do we, so like you said don't compare).

• All this while THEY (CHRISTIANS) have never use the word Allah in our (MALAY) country, so why the sudden need for the word of Allah to be used?
  

(Let the highest court decide on this issue. Are the Muslims so weak in their faith that they cannot tell the difference? Many scholars have pointed out that the HOLY WORD is not only used by Malay Muslims but by peoples of other faith as well).

• It is definitely their (CHRISTIANS) strategy to CONFUSE the MUSLIMS into following THEIR religion.
  
  
• My advice to all (MUSLIM) parents is to take care of your children and NOT to be deceived by their (CHINESE and INDIANS) EVIL strategies and EVIL intentions.
  

(So the Chinese and Indians are evil; they want to convert the Muslims to other religions).

• Unfortunately, these will and has occurred in Selangor and Penang, if WE (MALAYS) continue to allow this ultra kiasu (CHINESE ) to rule and to be mighty.
  
  
• Look at PENANG today, as if it is NO longer a MALAY island. It is full of Santa Claus and New Year greetings, while THEY (CHINESE and INDIANS/CHRISTIANS) consist of only nine per cent
  
  
• Therefore, let us (MALAYS) make the changes before it is too late. Do not end later with OUR religion (ISLAM) going nowhere in OUR (MALAY) own land. By then, it will be too late. You cannot allow the creepers to grow higher. When they have gone up, they will remain there, and it will be difficult for them to come down.
  

(This clarion call reminds me of the Ku Klux Kan whose avowed purpose is to protect the rights of the white Americans by violence and spreading fear. I think I have had enough reading his diatribe. It gets really tiresome. To think that someone who holds a Masters as well a PHD degree, and a senior lecturer to boot could submit such infantile arguments is beyond my comprehension. You can continue to read further if you wish to).

• The extremist (ie Pakatan Rakyat supporters) labelled the newspaper (UTUSAN MALAYSIA) as criminals. If the newspaper is considered as criminal then it also meant that the journalist, newspaper columnist and author are also criminals.
  
  
• My question is, whether the ultra kiasu party (CHINESE party, DAP) news tabloid and the other racist political parties and those concocted with them, are THEY (CHINESE) also not evil?
  
  
• The ultra kiasu (CHINESE) party and its group are not only EVIL , but it is already clearly a fact that THEY (CHINESE) have an EVIL intention by NOT accepting the SOCIAL CONTRACT and REJECTING the Federal Constitution and also challenging sensitive matters that have long been agreed upon.
  
  
• If we (MALAYS) spy their (CHINESE) movement, I am confident WE (MALAYS) will see their (CHINESE) true colours, including the one exco (CHRISTIAN) that brought Santa Claus to meet their state leader.
  
  
• To this leader, if you enjoy celebrating with Santa Claus (ie CHRISTIANS) , please do not over do it. As Muslims, we (MALAYS) are taught to respect other religions, but do not go overboard.
  
  
• They (ie CHINESE and NON-Muslims) are very cunning at planning.
  
  
• Many MALAYS have sidetracked because of being too close to Santa Claus(CHRISTIANS).
  
  
• The sensitive issues were raised to demand equal rights and opportunities for the ultra kiasu (CHINESE) group. They (CHINESE) know these things cannot be raised openly as they (CHINESE) can be held under the Sedition Act.
  
  
• They (CHINESE) deliberately want to test UMNO, which currently is at its most crucial situation because of not getting two-thirds majority [in Parliament] and [is] also facing the painful disunity of the Malay-Muslims.
  
  
• My question is that, if UMNO can sacrifice the Grik parliamentary seat, why can’t Gerakan? Who is more tolerant and having the nature of giving?
  
  
• The Malay majority had to vote the non-Malay (Gerakan) even with resentment. This is the noble nature of the Malay-Muslims. Is this tolerance being appreciated? It is like a dog biting its own master.
  
  
• ALL(CHINESE and INDIANS) are putting the race interests ahead rather than the national interests. If this is how it is done, I think, WE (MALAYS) are far from achieving the 1 Malaysia concept.
  
  
• To them (CHINESE and INDIANS) , THEIR race strength must be defended even with whatever reasons and challenges given. Who are the real criminals and more evil?"

Those interested in reading a reply to Dr. Redhuan Tee's article should find this interesting:

Country Living (8)

Well, Mr Lim's 'resort' is finally taking shape although I could see that his grand plan, his vision as he originally saw it seemed to have gone into a random metamorphosis. But I guess financial constraints have forced him to make many changes to his grand plan. Starting his kitchen and serving up food seems to be the most viable option at the moment.

English Speaking weidos

I found this video really funny. Recently, a deputy minister of Education said that he found Malaysians speaking English in the work place weird. So those of us who speak English most of the time are weirdos. Also, recently the Foreign Minister castigated a reporter for asking him a question in English. The tone of his voice showed utter contempt for the reporter, but he later went on blithely to speak in English.

What is the connection between the two? Well, it's up to you to figure out.

Dim Sum

This is a dim sum restaurant not to be missed. It is at Damansara Jaya. I will not attempt to identify the dim sum dishes because the variety is bewildering. Suffice to say that those who happen to be in Damansara Jaya should try it. It has two other outlets, one of which is at Damansara UPTown (I think).

Fishy Outing

My brother recently went out to sea in Melbourne and came back with tuna shashimi on the table. As a kid he had always been fascinated with fishing; this fascination has continued to this day. He has even bought a boat to do just that. The tuna he caught would have turned tuna shashimi lovers green with envy around the gills.

The Alternate Batu Pahat Big Orange

Now we have two Big Orange Stations, the former bosses of the original Big Orange Station have vacated the premises in the former Cheng Siu Primary School to move opposite to Dragon Hotel. The ground level of Dragon Hotel used to be a food court cum horse racing bookies and punters. It has since been shut down by the Police. Now, the brothers of the iconic developer, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew of the Mines Resorts and Country Height fame have moved in to convert the place into a mini-food court cum karaoke entertainment outlet.

While they still continue to deploy the same strategy of getting ageing amateurs to sing, his direct competitor at the original Big Orange has unleashed a bevy of relatively young and professional singers to entice customers.

We were there to celebrate the birthday of one of our friends although we didn't know it until he announced it with a crate of beer and a simple dinner.

The simple stage with that hideous lighted coconut tree

One of the resident singers

Another singer who is popularly known as "headmistress' although I have never found out why she was given that honorific

There you have them; all four regular entertainers

This is new; it employs an organist who used to play at Disco 2000

The stage. Food courts with karaoke have become popular entertainment outlets with families and middle-aged and senior citizens

The food we had that night was ordered from a shop opposite the eating market. Not bad as far as a simple meal goes.

Curry red snapper head

Assam pedas stingray, although it wasn't that spicy

Fried sambal squids and shrimps

The common fried eggs with onion

Sesame deep fried chicken meat

The revelers tucking in the food

Ah Ping, in his seventies, proudly displaying his drinking prowess

The man we called "monkey', a farmer. At his age, he is still climbing trees

The birthday boy on the left

The simple birthday cake

One of the owners, the brother of Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew

Bottled Water: Do we need it?

I have fallen into a state of complete mental lethargy. The last posting was on 14 April, and that to me is a long time ago. Any way just to get my ass moving, I have posted this from an email urging us to cut down plastic waste and clean up the earth. I don't know who the originator of of this paperless message is, but obviously he/she is an environmentalist.

A Hindu Wedding

It was a Hindu wedding dinner held in a rather unorthodox manner: a Chinese dinner in the Grand Sea View banquet hall. But the rituals that preceded the dinner were anything but unorthodox. Having Indian friends for a large part of my life, I found it a humbling experience to witness a ceremony steeped in tradition and solemnity. The significance of some of the rituals escaped me, a manifestation of a lack of curiosity or interest in cultures other than your own. It was definitely a humbling thought.

The downside of the night was that my camera battery died on me although I made sure that I had it fully charged the day before. The photos were badly taken and I had to do considerable retouching to save most of them. I could not take further pictures of the sumptuous dinner that followed.

I would conservatively estimate each table to cost around RM 650 and there were 44 tables.

The elaborate wedding card

The lobby entrance to the banquet hall

Waiting for the guests to arrive

Entrance to the banquet hall

Haridas, the proud father of the bride

Ganesha, the elephant deity at the lobby


The kolam next to Lord Ganesha. Story has it that in the old days kolams were drawn in coarse rice flour to invite ants, birds and other small creatures to share in the food. No doubt a testimony to the harmonious co-existence of humankind and creatures

I was attracted to this trellis with tiny bells that was placed on both sides of the entrance to the banquet hall

Musicians

On the right is my former teacher, Mr Indran

The elaborately decorated stage for the fire ceremony

A somewhat unusual main table set up in a semi circle

Bridesmaids? Waiting for the arrival of the bride and bridegroom

Mark Stephen Denye, the bridegroom and beside him the best man (?)

The bridegroom anxiously waiting for the bride to arrive

The ceremony:

A picture of the couple and some of the members of both families