February 2013 – SeaDemon Says

February 25, 2013February 25, 2013

Apology? Not Accepted

At the Shah Alam Convention Centre today, the Pakatan Rakyat announced its manifesto for the upcoming General Elections that covers the socio-economic as well as political plans should it succeed in wrestling power from the Barisan Nasional. Among the points included inside this manifesto is that “the Federal Government to release and apologize to all ISA (Internal Security Act) detainees from the past to the present.”

This seems to be the thing Lim Guan Eng has been pushing for all this while. First, we need to understand that the ISA was an Act that served its purpose for the time it was appropriate for. It gave the authorities the time needed, or to curb clear and present dangers that threatened the public morale, security and the economy of the country. In short, the ISA was without which would not have allowed us to prosper the way we do now, draconian or not.

Among those detained under the ISA included communist terrorists and their agents, potential terrorists who are only potential terrorists by virtue that they had not managed to blow something up yet when they were nabbed; foreign agents, counterfeiters who would have sabotaged our economy. And most importantly, it was used during the “Ops Lalang” of 1987 in order to diffuse a potentially explosive racial riot where a fair share of people from both the Barisan Nasional and the Opposition got held under that Act, and the nation was once more saved from disaster.

Apologising to former detainees is a form of exoneration from all wrong-doings for the former detainees. Maybe this fits the agenda of allowing communists abroad home, like what the elements in DAP and their stooges inside PKR and PAS have been championing. There must be more than meets the eye here as Chin Peng’s origin is Setiawan, Perak. Anyhow, this is probably the reason some quarters from the Opposition have ben seen frequenting the Peace Villages of Yala. Freeing potential terrorists with known connections would also be detrimental not only to our security, but also to our neighbours’ security. Perhaps, there is a camaraderie between them that terrorist acts will only be conducted abroad. Hey, I’m on a roll here, but I know I am warmer than warm! But face the fact, releasing these people would do more harm than good.

The irony is, the Prime Minister, whoever that would be, will also have to apologise to Tun Dr Mahathir, arch-nemesis of the Prime Minister-designate, or so the latter thinks he would be. Tun Dr Mahathir was once held in detention under the same Act for criticising the government of Tunku Abdul Rahman in his book. Mind you, the Tun was the last person to be held under that Act for political conflict with the government. Lest we forget that the same Prime Minister-designate also had both Ummi Hafilda Ali and Azizan Abu Bakar nabbed under that Act to try get them change their statement concerning an act of sodomy by the Prime Minister-designate. Would the latter apologise to them as well having abused the ISA to serve his political interest?

To sum it all up, this latest manifesto by the Pakatan Rakyat is not a feasible one. In its point on releasing and apologising to ISA detainees and former detainees will do more harm to everyone than good. Having a manifesto is good, but I see a lot of missing points in this new manifesto. For example, the 15 percent oil royalty for Kelantan and Terengganu have not been included, so we know how important the welfare of these two states is to the Pakatan Rakyat, taken or a ride. Or whatever happened to the RM500 assistance to teachers as promised in the infamous Buku Jingga?

In the end, a Pakatan Rakyat manifesto, in my opinion, will remain just another unrealistic and unachievable manifesto like the one issued before the previous general election. Of course, the Pakatan Rakyat already has a script ready for that in case anyone asks…

February 22, 2013February 22, 2013

Take Sabah Away, Mr Sulu

When the late Gene Roddenderry wanted an Asian character to be part of the crew of the Federation Starship USS Enterprise, he wanted a surname that does not represent any particular nation. George Takei, an actor in the world-renowned TV show recalled how Roddenderry opened up a map, looked at Asia and saw the Sulu Sea and exclaimed:

“Ah! The waters of that sea touch all shores!”

That was how the character Hikaru Sulu got his name.

And how true it is that the Sulu Sea has now touched on the raw and sensitive parts of the shores of both Malaysia and the Philippines.

I wrote some days back on the current stand-off in Lahad Datu and it is today Day 11th since a group of armed men claiming to represent the Sultan of Sulu landed in Lahad Datu, Sabah in Malaysia, asking for the return of Sabah to the Sultanate of Sulu. When the Philippines government worked a peace deal with the Muslims in the country’s deep south via the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, the Muslims and their Filipino brethren embraced it as finally a way forward after decades of impasse. The framework allows for the creation of a single and autonomous entity called Bangsamoro replacing the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

The framework agreement was signed at the Malacanang Palace on 15th October 2012 in the presence of President Beningno Aquino III of the Philippines; Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, the Chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia; and Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries.

Absent was Nur Misuari, leader of the Moro National Liberation Front. Nur Misuari had called the BFA irrelevant claiming it was cloned by President Aquino and Najib Razak. The MILF is a breakaway group that was part of the MNLF back in the 1970s. Disagreement in the way Nur Misuari handled issues led to the group breaking away.

Also absent was the Sultan of Sulu. The alienation of the Sultan probably led to the Lahad Datu stand-off. The Sultan admitted to have been prompted by the alienation to send some 400 men across the sea to Sabah, as the BFA had seen not only improvements in the lives of the Bangsamoro that he played no role in, but also in the intimacy between the Philippines and Malaysia as neighbours. And as mentioned in my previous posting on this issue, Nur Misuari’s MNLF supports the Sultan. And this recent posture is to display its relevance again to the Moro people.

But why was the Sultan alienated in the peace process? Simple – there are now ten people who claim the throne. The Philippines government cannot be dealing with ten different Sultans with ten different basic ideas on how to bring peace and development to the Bangsamoro. Nur Misuari himself did not attend the signing as he fears that there is an ongoing warrant issued for his arrest for waging war against the Philippines government.

As the militants are bogged down into their second week in Lahad Datu surrounded by the Malaysian security forces, Nur Misuari was quick to threaten Malaysia saying “if one drop of blood is spilled then we will be forced to come to their aid.” Nur Misuari also said the following:

This should be handled by cooler heads…that it would also be good to await the Malaysian general election to see who will be the new Prime Minister…

And who has Nur Misuari implied by that? None other than his old friend, Anwar Ibrahim. It was reported by Reuters and confirmed by Philippine military sources that Anwar had traveled and met Nur Misuari to discuss land claims in Sabah, a few months before the Lahad Datu incident happened. Anwar has vehemently denied this, but the photo below shows otherwise:

Now, Anwar Ibrahim seems a dubious character himself. In a recent open letter, his former legal counsel member, Yuktes Vijay, asked about the former’s links to Islamic fundamentalists as well as known terrorists. Therefore, it is not impossible for him to have met Nur Misuari to discuss the matter, and then deny it like he denied ever being conferred the title of Huguan Siou although people from his own political party had announced that on Facebook, complemented by photos of him.

The Philippines government has sent six naval vessels to stop people from the Moro region from entering Malaysian waters as this stand-off continues. And although the Malaysian government has an upperhand and the firepower to end this stand-off, it is probably of best interest to the Bangsamoro, the government of the Philippines as well as Malaysia, to not allow anything to jeopardise the BFA that is still in its infancy. Perhaps, the MILF and supporters of the BFA in the Moro region should lend their support to both governments to try end this madness.

In the meantime, while treading gently on this issue, both governments should get to the root of this and probe Anwar Ibrahim’s role in facilitating or prompting this incident. For it would not have happened had it not been for someone from the Malaysian side advocating and encouraging it to happen. It is something close to Sabah, and we know Sabah is being wooed by Anwar’s party. Get the support of the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut community by being recognised as their Paramount Leader (Huguan Siou), you will get support from the Christians in the west side of Sabah. Get a deal with the Tausugs in Sulu, you will get support from the Muslims especially in the eastern part of Sabah.

But at what cost? That remains unanswered. But maybe Gene Roddenderry would frown had he known the Sulu Sea is one of the volatile areas of the region.

February 16, 2013

Xenophonbia Justified

Within the hour of writing this posting, the Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, will be issuing a statement on the denial of entry of Independent Senator Nicholas Xenophon into Malaysia. According to some friends in Australia, “they have made it into such a big thing over here.”

Perhaps, news agencies in Australia, in particular Sky News Australia, should stop being superficial as their superficial reporting shows their inability to engage in journalistic rigor, comprehend complexity or maintain impartiality. Else their journos could come and join me write for this blog pro bono perhaps in the classifieds section. Well, I have no classifieds section.

Now, please understand the following:

Xenophon is being denied entry for being a “security threat” to Malaysia. Let us not forget that Xenophon, as an Australian diplomat, broke local law for being directly involved in the BERSIH 3.0 demonstration. The Malaysian Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 specifically mentions in Section 4(2)(a) that a person commits an offence if being a non-citizen, he organizes or participates in an assembly and should be liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand Ringgit. Of course, being Malaysian and hospitable even to foreign lawbreakers, he was allowed to go home without receiving much hassle, let alone a 10 sen fine.

Isn’t Xenophon then a diplomat, and are diplomats not immune from prosecution?

Firstly, Article 41 para 1 of the Geneva Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 clearly states that it is the duty of all persons enjoying the privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State and have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State. Xenophon went against that by getting involved in the BERSIH 3.0 rally.

Xenophon has always maintained that his interest in free and fair elections in Malaysia started with the prosecution and subsequent acquittal of Anwar Ibrahim of the sodomy charge in Sodomy 2.0 (yes, we Malaysians have a release number for everything). It does not mean that he did not do it. As in Sodomy 1.0, Anwar was acquitted due to technical reasons and not because he did not participate in acts of sodomy. Read the last four paragraphs of this report.

Perhaps, Sky News Australia should ask itself if there is no thriving democracy in Malaysia, how is it that demonstrations are allowed, and if elections aren’t free and fair, how was it possible that Anwar’s loose coalition won five of Malaysia’s states including two of Malaysia’s cash cow states (Penang and Selangor)?

Judging from Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s statement on the issue as well as reports by other Australian news agencies, Australia values its good relation with Malaysia, but it is the minority and people who get little backing from the Australian government such as Nick Xenophon, and Foxtel-owned Sky News Australia that continue to believe in the lies dished out by Anwar Ibrahim. I hope they make time to interview all the founding members of Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat where even Anwar’s membership is a suspect. All his comrades who joined him in 1998 have left save for his wife, daughter and his trusted lieutenant whose wife is reported to have had an affair with Anwar when the latter was still a Federal Minister. And Xenophon’s constant meddling in the affairs of another State not only contravenes the Geneva Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, but also displays his standard of being a diplomat against that of seasoned diplomats who would shy away from giving comments about their host State knowing the line that has been drawn by Article 41 of that Convention.

As such, Malaysia has the right to declare Nick Xenophon a persona non grata under Article 9 of the same Convention, and list him as an undesired person. Australia as the sending State has no choice but to recall the person. We, including Australian journalists, must remember that Article 9 of the Convention allows Malaysia to even declare Xenophon a non grata without explanation, and even before he arrives in Malaysian territory.

You have your laws, we have ours. if you want others to respect your laws, learn to respect the laws of others. You did not respect ours, Xenophon, now off you go.

February 15, 2013February 15, 2013

FELDA Sulu

Sometime in the evening on Tuesday, 12th February, around 100 members of the Moro National Liberation Front under the command of Nur Misuari, infiltrated Sabah’s maritime border and landed at Kampung Tanduao, Tanjung Labian in Lahad Datu. Led by Haji Musa, an aide of Prince Mohammad Ismail A Kiram, fourth son of Sultan Muhammad Fuad A Kiram, Sultan of Sulu & Sabah.

This group converged upon the house belonging to a Ahmad Malandi, a.k.a Mat Bom, who earned the nickname for attacking a FELDA office using fish bomb. The initial group consisted of around five men wearing robes while 27 others wearing incomplete camouflage uniforms. All are armed with M-14 and M-15. Some 70 others joined later. Our security forces, acting on intelligence report, swiftly reacted by sending two companies of men from the General Operations Force and Malaysian Army’s 5th Brigade, while naval units supported by the marine police and the maritime agency gave offshore support.

To date, there is not a single hostage taken but this group of militants have spread themselves all over the island. Government negotiators, backed by officials from the Government of the Philippines are now continuously engaging the infiltrators. The demands include recognition of the group as the Royal Army of the Sultanate of Sulu, and for Sulu immigrants not to be deported back to the Philippines.

That is the gist of the events. However, I don’t believe those are, or would be the only demands. In 2008, Nur Misuari had pledged loyalty and support for the Sultan’s claim on Sabah. The funny thing is, in 1962, the Sultan’s father, Sultan Esmail E Kiram, ceded his rights to claim Sabah (North Borneo then) to President Diodado Macapagal. Manila is no longer interested in claiming Sabah although it has never dropped its claim for political reasons. And Malaysia’s victory at The Hague in the Sipadan and Ligitan claims weakens further Manila’s position re Sabah.

Ahmad Malandi, or Mat Bom, once attacked the FELDA office in Lahad Datu in the 1990s after failing to settle a dispute with FELDA over an ancestral land that became part of FELDA Sahabat 20 scheme where some 1,000 immigrants of Sulu descent have settled. He was never charged. Mat Bom is now reported to be in an ICU ward at a local hospital. His son was reported to have travelled to Bongoa in Tawi-Tawi province in Mindanao to seek help from the armed men.

Blogger Outsyed The Box wrote in The Mole that the incursion by MNLF could have been prompted by the Opposition. This is NOT far-fetched. In fact, when the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement was signed at Malacanang Palace on the 15th October 2012, it did not go down well with Nur Misuari. And guess who tried to play Big Brother to Nur Misuari and broker a different peace deal?

Having read both links and seeing the events that are unfolding in Lahad Datu, one cannot dismiss the unseen agenda in the appointment of a new Huguan Siou last week. It could be coincidental. It could be a dangerous conincidence. Being a Huguan Siou allows one to have the support of the masses in the implementation of one’s agenda. Furthermore, my source informed me that these armed men want Sabah to be an autonomous state under the influence of the Sultanate of Sulu before GE13. Which is why they have also demanded to be allowed to remain in Sabah. Maybe an agreement was made with Nur Misuari back in October.

Anyway, I will let you come to your own conclusion.

February 13, 2013February 13, 2013

The Huguan Siou Denies

And here comes the denial:

Anwar Ibrahim has denied that he was installed as the Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) during a visit to Ranau, Sabah, and Lim Kit Siang has called the former up to confirm that such an event never took place.

But what do we all make out of this?

As pointed out in my previous posting, this was posted by Jonathan Yasin, Deputy PKR Chief of Sabah a few days ago. Now, let us see the pictures below:

The above pictures posted on the Internet have effectively proven that both Anwar, and Lim Kit Siang, are trying to hoodwink the Sabahans for their support in the forthcoming general elections. In short, they have lied about the event.

And I can bet you, that’s not the missing Omega watch on his wrist.

Probably Anwar is going through his usual looks like me, but it’s not me routine. Nevertheless, this event has not gone down well with most Sabahans. The title of Huguan Siou is not something that is easily given out, and never to anyone outside the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut (KDM) community.

For those from the Peninsula who may not understand the significance, some may describe Anwar being bestowed the title akin to Justin Bieber being made a Knight of the Realm. But in actual fact, it is more like replacing the retiring Pope with Nik Aziz, a Muslim. Anwar may have denied the event took place, but Jonathan Yasin has not issued any denial. In fact, he was reported to have blamed it on an ex-tribal chief whom had performed the ceremony – the blame game commences.

There is no question that the event did take place, and it is perhaps the ultimate insult by a Peninsula-based party in its attempt to subjugate the people of Sabah.

And no other way best to depict the gravity of this issue than a cartoon that was posted on Twitter:

Ini kali kah? Choose wisely, Sabahans!

February 11, 2013

Congratulations To The Kadazans, Dusuns and Muruts

This is probably the Chinese New Year gift from Pakatan Rakyat to the people of Sabah; especially the Kadazans, Dusuns and Muruts. According to Jonathan Yasin of PKR Sabah, PKR Supremo, Anwar Ibrahim is the new Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) as of 10th February 2013. This appointment, according to Jonathan’s Facebook, took place at Kampung Paginatan in Ranau district.

So, where does Pakatan Rakyat or PKR plan to throw Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the incumbent Huguan Siou? Does PKR now want to replace the Kadazandusun Cultural Association by usurping the latter’s power and appoint a Huguan Siou who is not from the KDM community?

Let us have a look at the bigger picture:

I guess this is how Pakatan Rakyat treat the people of Sabah. Whatever goes as long as Pakatan Rakyat forms a government, gains power, and Anwar achieves his life-long ambition of becoming the Prime Minister of Malaysia. I won’t be surprised Sarawak would receive the same treatment. Who cares about local sensitivities or what the locals want?

Oh, wait! If you look at the second picture, the caption also says that Anwar has been appointed the Huguan Siou of MALAYSIA! That, in effect, replaces His Majesty Yang DiPertuan Agong (Paramount Ruler of Malaysia).

Little wonder Pakatan Rakyat is so confident of taking over Putrajaya and calling it their year, come what may. After all, IT IS the Year of the SNAKE.

February 9, 2013

When Islamists Worship Money

“This is the Book; In it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear God” (Qur’an, 2:2)

For Muslims who are not familiar with this verse, this is the second verse from al-Baqarah. This verse talks about the Quran as a guidance for those who fear God, and serves as part of the epistemological parameters for the Quran. In other words, if you say you live on the path of Allah, you should heed to this verse. If you say you uphold Islam, this is the verse you should not veer from this. Furthermore, God said:

“…Nothing have We omitted from the Book…” Qur’an, 6:38

For 20 years, the so-called Islamist government in Kelantan have been raping the jungles of Lojing, and most recently the land given to DAP duo, Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming. (read here for more.)

The so-called Islamist government of Kedah managed to outdo Kelantan in a short five years. Pedu Lake where I used to go back in the 1990s is now hardly recognisable. Blatant uncontrolled logging have stripped the virgin jungle bare! And this is definitely unIslamic.

As the unquestionable guidance for mankind, the Quran mentions about the role of man as the guardian of God’s Earth:

“It is He who has made you (His) vicegerents, inheritors of the earth: He has raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He has given you: for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” Qur’an, 6:165

But this does not mean that man’s vicegerency does not come unobserved:

“Then We made you heirs in the land after them, to see how you would behave!” Qur’an, 10:14

Obviously, the government of the states of Kedah and Kelantan have misbehaved. The two state governments, led by members of an Islamist party, seem to prefer selling their soul for filthy lucre than to uphold the Words of God Himself as they portray themselves to the masses.

Looking at the pictures of Lojing and Pedu above, what justification do you think the two states’ government have to cause such damage? Pedu is so far away from civilisation, and so is Lojing, that it would be incomprehensible that such a magnitude of destruction was done in the name of development. As believing God’s Messengers and His Prophets is part of the six Pillars of Islamic Faith, Muhammad (pbuh) saying below should serve as a reminder not just to the two states’ government, but also to ALL Muslims who support them without question:

“He who cuts a lote-tree [without justification], God will send him to Hellfire.” (At-Tirmidhi #5239

On the eve of the Chinese New Year, Mukhriz Mahathir led a group of people to protest the destruction of the Pedu ecology and the mismanagement of natural resources by the Kedah state government.

Mukhriz reminded the 10,000 who congregated at the water catchment site that the Kedah state government had plundered the area for personal economic gains with little regard for the environment and how it would affect the people of the state. He then led them in a tree-planting effort to help revive the plundered land. Even legendary singer, Zainal Abidin, known for his support for the environment, was there to lend his support.

This is the kind of effort that Muslims should support, one that preserves God’s Earth as required in the Quran. Islam encourages the planting of trees. When done intentionally for the sake of God, they are considered and rewarded as acts of worshipping. Jaber reported that the Prophet [S.A.A.S] said:

“No Muslim, who plants a shoot, except that whatever is eaten or stolen from it, or anyone obtains the least thing from it, is considered [like paying] almsgiving on his behalf until the Day of Judgment.”(Muslim)

Remember Allah’s warning:

“But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down …” Qur’an, 20:124

The million-dollar question now emerges for the Muslims who have been supporting PAS:

Should you support the one upholding acts favoured by Allah and Muhammad, or will you continue to support the ones who use Allah and Muhammad for their own interests?

February 4, 2013February 4, 2013

The Kuantan Criminal

Back in the early 20th Century, we had a menace by the name of Loi Tack (also spelt as Loi Teck). Come the 21st Century, we have Wong Tack. The times may differ but both were and are advocates of criminal force.

Rocky Bru picked up an article of Wong Tack’s criminal threat in a recent Guang Ming Daily’s Sunday Night Edition. Wong Tack was reported to have uttered the following in the event that the Lynas Rare Earth Plant is not closed after the next general election:

“I will personally burn down the rare earth plant!”

If this is not criminal intimidation as stipulated in Section 503 of the Malaysian Penal Code, then I do not know what is.

Such a huge sentence for someone so small. I doubt Wong Tack would utter such threat if he knows he does not have the backing. He has personally stated that his Himpunan Hijau group would support Anwar Ibrahim in the upcoming general election because “…Anwar Ibrahim has promised the rakyat that when they come into power, the rare earth plant and Bukit Koman cyanide gold mine project will be closed.”

Wong Tack reminded that Himpunan Hijau had gotten as far as the Lynas plant’s gates on 31st December 2012, therefore the next step would be “to gate-crash and burn the plant.” Although Himpunan Hijau does not plan for anymore demonstration, Wong Tack stressed tat the group would be helping the Pakatan Rakyat to topple the Barisan Nasional government.

It does not take an engineer to know that when you destroy a plant, you are more likely also to damage or destroy the controls that are already in place to protect the surrounding community as well as environment. To this, Wong Tack said:

“…the action of burning down the plant will not harm anyone because the objective is to stop the rare earth plant from causing harm on people’s health and life.”

When a UN body had reported that Lynas meets all prerequisites to commence safe operations, you get this whiner going around telling people that it is not safe. I hope he knows that half of the daily radiation dosage he receives is from his own home. In fact, after the Three-Mile Island nuclear accident, radioactive iodine was detected at 20 picocuries per liter.

And what is that in layman terms? 355 mL of the slightly radioactive milk above would give you only 1/75 BED….or BANANA EQUIVALENT DOSE. Yes, bananas are more radioactive.

So, for Wong Tack to create unnecessary public alarm and for him to make criminal intimidation shows the desperate nature of politics in Kuantan. Perhaps, someone who backs him up is asking him to do all this. Or even perhaps Wong Tack sees this as a personal economic raison d’être. By any way and means, his logic of burning down the plant yet not harm the surrounding community and environment is childish, but very malicious.

I hope, by his logic, he burns his house down with his children inside to kill the mosquitoes that bug him in his sleep.

Otherwise, please someone, just lock this imbecile up.

Sieg Heil!

February 2, 2013February 2, 2013

The Case For God – Jesus Must Win

When I started writing this (The Case For God) series, I had in mind the difference between the Peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak in the acceptance of the use of “Allah” in the Malay Bible, or in any other material of Christian origin. To refresh, whilst the peoples of Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak were British subjects as they were under direct British rule and were therefore subjugated, the people of the Peninsula (Malaya), save for the Strait Settlements, were not. Therefore, the British dared not influence especially the Malays of Malaya to convert to Christianity.

Today, I read with alarm Helen Ang’s posting. There clearly is a call by Reverend Datuk Ng Moon Hing, Datuk Rev. chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia and the Bishop for Anglicans of West Malaysia, for Christians to “rise during the next general election, and vote in a government that will allow Christianity to flourish”,and in his own words:

…to…propagate one’s religion is allowed, without undue curtailment from the law, restrictions or even prohibition…

No, I did not make this up. In fact, you can view it yourself in Helen Ang’s posting above, or see it for yourself below:

What Bishop Ng is seeking is for the amendment to Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, and in a blatant challenge to Article 11(4), the sanctity of Islam as the nation’s religion as specifically guaranteed by Article 3(1).

And among the reasons for the call to Malaysian Christians to rise is to prevent “a government which plays God or a government which exclude God“. According to him, “It is very dangerous and bad for the nation.” The former is a veiled reference to PAS, while the latter is the Barisan Nasional that they are eager to kick out.

Evangelism, my friends, cuts across the board and knows no boundaries. Traditions die and families get broken up. I have a family friend, an octogenarian Taoist, almost paralysed by a stroke, and whose daughters have all converted to Christianity. Two out of three daughters have migrated with their husband. His concern as life ebbs away is: which daughter would burn joss sticks and incense for him when he dies? It may seem a small thing for some, but a last grasp at salvation for others.

Maybe the people of this nation was not ready for the immediate openness introduced by the Abdullah government , which Abdullah later backtracked on with dire results for Barisan Nasional. The consequence of that is gutter politics and a more polarised Malaysia. And that has nurtured disrespect, even for the very law that has held this nation together.

The Barisan Nasional may not be the best legally-registered coalition around, but in the slightly over 55 years of existence, this nation has come to be a hero from zero. Of course, there is still a lot of room for improvements. And I mean A LOT!

But to vote in the alternative, in my strong opinion, is even worse.