Merdeka?

Technorati tags: Merdeka, Malaysia, 1Black Merdeka

Merdeka (murr-day-kar) – a word in Bahasa Malaysia that can mean one of a few things: independence, freedom, liberty... it’s derived from the ancient Sanskrit, from which a good portion of Bahasa Malaysia derives.

In any case, today is the 52nd anniversary of Malaysia’s independence. Yeah, it’s kind of late in the day, but it’s still August 31st. So, what the heck – a Merdeka post.

And, for what it’s worth, to commemorate the day, Walski wore black. 
(crossing the tipping point, and more, in the full post)

Since black is one of his favorite colors to dress in anyway, wearing black today wasn’t really a big deal different from other days. And today, for Walski, wasn’t really different from any other day either. Except maybe for the fact that he didn’t have to go in to work.

And if you don’t already know why Walski decided to don black today, take a gander at this video, and you’ll understand the reason.

So, the question is this: are we really “Merdeka”? Not just from the independence-from-colonialism aspect.

Freedom and civil liberties? That space seems to be shrinking as time elapses. And if you’re a person who’s Muslim, that space is even smaller still. Even if something is legal from the aspect of civil law, you could still be deemed a criminal from the Syariah viewpoint.

And it’s not like one can really do anything about it either. Be a bit vocal and voice your disagreement and dissatisfaction, you get rebuked.

You're just expected to accept it. Any criticism is labeled an insult. Despite the fact that these laws were enacted by people who probably weren’t elected into office. And believe you Walski, if the public caning of Kartika ever happens, we’d have crossed over a tipping point of no return – after that happens the Islamists will have their justification want more and more. And more.

Give ‘em an inch, and they’ll want the whole fucking tape measure…

And to what end? To eventually turn this country into one that is governed by Syariah. The Malaysian version of it, anyway.

Not exactly what our forefathers had in mind when the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted in place of the Union Jack on August 31st, 1957.

And with UMNO and PAS still stuck in their rotten paradigm of trying to out-Islam each other, the real victim continues to be Malaysia. The signs that things are going to get a lot worse is written on the walls, folks.

The unfortunate, and uncalled-for, Cow-head Protest last Friday should raise red-alert alarm bells all over this land. On the surface, the authorities have pledged to get to the bottom of the incident. The reality is that probably not much will come out of it.

On top of that, indications are that we’re going to get more and more segregated as a society as we stumble along. The Arthurs Day celebration is only the beginning – be expecting more.

There are pretty darned good reasons why religion and public policy shouldn’t mix. Which is probably why there is not a model of government spelled out in the Quran, nor why no model of government was willed by Prophet Muhammad to be implemented after his death.

But not many people want to even acknowledge this point, and continue on their quest to out-Islam the other guy so that Malaysia may one day be a “truly Islamic” nation. Like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Sudan.

And that is probably what we have to look forward to come year 2020.

So yeah, for all it’s worth – happy Merdeka day. Cherish whatever freedom and civil liberty you have left. Because Walski has a nagging feeling that things are gonna get a lot worse before they get better.

If it ever gets better…

 

Click here for the full post......

LRTQ2: Woe to the foolish aggressors

Technorati tags: Quran, Reading, Blog campaign, Shah Alam Section 23, Protest

If it were not for the alternative online media, Malaysians would not have known about this shameful incident (via The Malaysian Insider). The mainstream press has since refused to even acknowledge that such a thing happened. They won’t bloody touch it with a ten-foot pole – not the print, nor electronic media.

And what you are about to see happened yesterday, Friday August 28. In the month of Ramadhan, no less. Walski has chosen to put the YouTube video up so that you are aware of what happened yesterday. For in it is a great lesson.

What you have seen is a great example of those who do all the wrong things while invoking God’s name to justify their bad behavior.

What they have done – marching with a severed cows head, then desecrating that torso-less animal – was a premeditated act of incitement, aimed at insulting Hindus. Hoping, in their minds, that their insulting actions would raise the anger of the Hindus.

Their intentions were crystal clear – both from their actions and harsh words – they were trying to provoke violent action. 

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. (Surah 2, Verse 190)

By no stretch of the imagination, these were the aggressors. 
(rude and insensitive actions speak for themselves, and more, in the full post)

Were they defending themselves against attack? No. Instead, they were threatening bloodshed if their demands are not met. Their demand? That a Hindu temple not be relocated to their section of Shah Alam, Section 23.

The portion of Section 23 where the temple (currently in Section 19) is to be relocated, lies in a designated industrial zone, some 200m away from the housing area of the same section. Some background information can be read here, taken from Khalid Samad’s blog (in Bahasa Malaysia). Khalid is Member of Parliament for Shah Alam.

The 50-odd protesters have vowed bloodshed if plans to relocate the temple to Section 23 go ahead as scheduled. But were all the protesters residents of Section 23?

Walski was clued in to a blog posting from Cucu Tok Selampit, in which, a letter of support from Gabungan Badan NGO Malaysia was posted, one which myAsylum has chosen to re-post here.

Letter from Badan Gabungan NGO Malaysia
(originally from here - click on image for a larger view)

Not that Walski wants to politicize this issue, but while the protesters claim in the video that their action was not politically linked, and claimed that participation came from across the political divides, looking at the list of organizations supporting the protest tells a different story.

All the organizations are known supporters of one single political party. The letter is a press release, of sorts, inviting the media to a meeting held 2 days before the protest on Friday. Clearly, it indicated the participation of the 10 organizations listed in the protest efforts. So, what is the leadership of that one single political party going to do about this affront?

It is on these grounds that Walski states the protest on Friday was a premeditated attempt at provocation. To underline that provocation, feisty rhetoric aside, a severed head of a cow was paraded and defiled, aiming to raise the ire of the Hindu community.

Fellow LRTQ2 participant, Rapera, has articulated his thoughts on the incident on Friday. In short, and Walski agrees, the actions of the protesters were far from being Islamic. They protesters have, in fact, defiled themselves, and in the process, put Islam into bad repute.

One of the verses quoted by Rapera was the following, which Walski would like to echo:

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way (Surah 16, Verse 125)

It would take a fantastic stretch of the imagination to even think that what the protesters did even resembled one iota of what the verse above recommends. In fact, the actions were 180-degrees polar opposite.

Not to mention the ludicrous statement at the end, by Mahyuddin Manaf (time counter 4:48 onwards), putting the blame of their bad behavior (which Mahyuddin himself admits) on the leaders for “showing them the example”. And this kind of idiocy is to be respected? If Mahyuddin Manaf knew (and indications are that he did) the blatant disrespect and rudeness of the protests, why go along with it, and then blame others for their sentient actions?

According to the Quran, wisdom is not a given for those who have professed “faith”. In fact, God chooses to whom true wisdom is granted, regardless of their creed.

He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding (Surah 2, Verse 269)

From the actions of the protesters, it’s quite clear that they acted without what most intelligent people would consider “wisdom”. Of any degree.

Finally, here’s one last verse for your thoughtful consideration.

Thus it is due to mercy from Allah that you deal with them gently, and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you; pardon them therefore and ask pardon for them, and take counsel with them in the affair; so when you have decided, then place your trust in Allah; surely Allah loves those who trust. (Surah 3, Verse 159)

This rather interesting thought had crossed Walski’s mind: what if the Hindu community chooses to ignore this rude affront, and brush it off as an isolated action of totally insensitive louts? And to go further, forgive these blatantly disingenuous individuals. Who would actually be acting in a way that’s more “Islamic”?

Thus far, yesterday’s protest has been condemned by a wide cross-section of Malaysians, regardless of creed. As should be the case. Such blatantly insensitive, and direct, provocation has no place whatsoever in our multi-cultural, multi-creed nation, that Walski is sure, everyone loves.

Walski’s campaign topical cross-referencial footnote: Apart from Walski, several of the other LRTQ2 campaign participants have posted their thoughts on the protest yesterday. These include:

• Rantings By MM: Barbarians at the Gate
• Rapera: Hindu Brother, Sisters, Please forgive these wayward folks
• Anas Zubedy: NEW BOB AGENCY - What the Quran says about Non-Muslim places of worship
• OutSyed The Box: Allegories, Analogies Or Similitudes In The Quran
• Lunch At The Lake Club: LRTQ2: This Cannot Be Islamic…. 

Click here for the full post......

HENN: 1Apartheid for a more manageable 1Malaysia

Technorati tags: Humor, HENN, Satire, Arthurs Day, Segregation, Apartheid

Arthurs Day Concert to mark roll-out of new unity initiative 
myAsylum reports on a new initiative to enhance the 1Malaysia concept, to be launched at an upcoming concert - reporting straight from Hell, and soon-to-be Hell-on-Earth, Malaysia. Another episode in the continuing series from the Hell-on-Earth News Network (HENN)

Following the success of the 1TearGas for National Unity campaign, authorities will continue to promote the 1Malaysia concept by unleashing a unique campaign to forge unity.

Hints of this new campaign reached the radar screen of HENN a few days ago when a group of very irate Internet users flooded our newsdesk phone lines with a complaint about not being able to access a particular website because of their age and/or religious demographic.

Fearing that somehow their religious demographic would be discovered by clicking Yes, via some mysterious link between their IP address and myKad, these irate users immediately called HENN.

myAsylum immediately dispatched its intrepid squad of Cybernetic Remote Autonomous Pararoaches (CRAP) to investigate. What HENN found out was un-shockingly expected. 
(forging 1Malaysia through 1Apartheid, and more, in the full post)

It appears that the mysteriously discriminative flash page was for an event called Arthurs Day (note: the site has since been taken down), to be held on September 25th, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Arthur Guinness signing the 9,000 year lease to St. James Gate, home of the Guinness brewery in Dublin, Ireland.

On the surface, at least.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior staff member in one of the Malaysian government agencies disclosed that the prohibition on Muslims or those aged below 18, was part of a bigger program to enhance the concept of 1Malaysia.

The anonymous source stated that the program is to be called 1Apartheid, aimed at better managing harmony among Malaysians.

“We’ve found that uncontrolled socializing between Muslims and non-Muslims has been problematic”, the source said. “Something positive had to be done.”

“So far, we have completed the general 1Apartheid master plan, the slogan, and of course the logo. No program would be complete without a logo,” the source said.

Asked if the 1Apartheid initiative would actually be contrary to 1Malaysia, or if it would, in fact, erode unity, the source adamantly denied the insinuations.

“1Malaysia will definitely remain intact. 1Apartheid, in fact, will enhance the concept. It will very much be 1Malaysia – one for us, and one for them.”

Unfortunately, the conditions of anonymity also prevents HENN from disclosing whether the source belongs to “us” or “them”.

Explaining further, the source disclosed that the 1Apartheid program was necessary, as co-mingling between Muslims and non-Muslims had only lead to a lot of polemics, dissatisfaction, and a lot of unnecessary press.

“With this new program, we can more effectively address the needs of all Malaysians. Easier to manage this way. We simply do not have the machinery to handle the dissatisfaction raised every time there is an entertainment event.”

While some Malaysians have come out to criticize the move to bar Muslims from attending the Arthurs Day concert, the government source said that such outcry was expected to be temporary.

“It’s normal for people to complain about programs that are done in their best interest,” the source said. “They’ll just get used to it after a while. The program is, after all, to ensure harmony.”

Designating concerts that are suitable only for non-Muslims is only the first step, the source disclosed, adding that further segregation was expected to be accomplished over time.

“Next step in the master plan is to designate all music-related events, regardless of whether there is alcohol or not, to be for non-Muslims only. We are also working closely with Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia to see whether segregated seating is feasible on their flights,” the source said.

An important part of the master plan is the aspect of enforcement. The source revealed that a new enforcement agency would be created, and put under the purview of the source’s ministry.

“We are in the process of forming HARP – the Hassan Ali Religious Police – to assist us in ensuring that all designated events are indeed free from the participation of Muslims.”

In the next phase of 1Apartheid’s implementation, the source revealed that the deployment of HARPies would be carried out to ensure that no Muslims were employed in undesired jobs, such as in hotels, bars, music-related outlets, or any kind of job that involved fun and recreation.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that 1Apartheid is whole-heartedly implemented, and the HARPies will be very helpful in this respect,” the source added.

Asked whether such moves would cause massive unemployment, and trigger other economic and social problems, the source indicated that such considerations were beyond the scope of their department.

“Not our problem. It’s something that the Ministry of Human Resources would have to sort out”.

The 1Apartheid program is expected to be launched simultaneously with the start of the Arthurs Day concert at Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach, on September 25th.

HENN will keep a close watch on this new initiative to see how successful the program is. Presumably, the end result will be a harmonious “us” and “them”, resulting in a beautiful 1Malaysia, separately.
(© 2009 - Hell-on-Earth News Network)

Click here for the full post......

LRTQ2: A Quick Campaign Update

Technorati tags: Quran, Reading, Blog Campaign

Walski thought that he'd give you an update on how the campaign’s going so far – part filler post, part public service announcement… that sort of thing.

In any case, since the campaign launch last Saturday, August 22nd, it’s kinda been slowly picking up momentum. Okay, perhaps not as fast as Walski would’ve liked it to be, but picking up momentum all the same.

Apart from the initial 19 participating blogs, the following blogs have been kind enough to contribute to the campaign, either by reposting the introductory post, or to pen a few thoughts of their own:

• Here, There, And Everywhere
• Hoong Ling de Experience
• I Am Malaysian
• Nini Talk
• Planet of the Monyets
• Sarah’s Cyber Abode
• Something I Belogz II
• TINTAdanPENA

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but those that Walski managed to track. If you’ve contributed and aren’t on the list, do let Walski know.

Meanwhile, the initial participants haven’t been idle, either... 
(what the initial 19 have been blogging about, and more, in the full post)

As the hot issue of the day is the whipping punishment of Kartika for drinking beer, there have been a few posts up covering the question of alcohol vis-a-vis the Quran (including what Selangor intends to do).

• Rantings By MM – LRTQ2: Mercy and Repentance at the Heart of the Quran
• OutSyed The Box – Hassan Ali & The Temple of Doom & LRTQ 2 : Alchohol
• Anas Zubedy – What does the Quran says about Alcohol Consumption?
• myAsylum – Intoxicating Rhetoric
• ARTiculations – The Legality of Caning Kartika

The other participants have been busy posting, too, even if not commenting on the issue of the day:

• Abacus-ical Quran? (Lunch At The Lake Club) – an interesting look at numbers and how they figure prominently in the Quran, among other places
• What Do I write about the Quran? (Rapera) – a good how-to guide that can be used for anyone wishing to participate in this campaign

Well, that’s about all that Walski has to update you folks for now. He’s certain that the campaign will pick up steam in the coming days.

Happy reading the Quran. And hopefully blogging about it!

Click here for the full post......

Top 10: Michael Learns To Rock PAS Youth

Technorati tags: Humor, Top Ten, PAS Youth, Michael Learns To Rock

No, it’s not news that PAS Youth wants to ban the Michael Learns To Rock concert. Given a free hand, they’d probably like to ban a whole lot of other stuff, too. Anything that doesn’t jive with their we-hate-fun sensibilities.

But nevermind, PAS Jr. will be PAS Jr. Which is probably why daddy PAS remains an enigmatic animal, as superbly articulated by blogger Art Harun yesterday.

Behind every anomaly, however, lies a reason – in this case ten of them – why PAS Youth hate MLTR. This Top Ten came about from random tweets that Walski had made over the past couple of days, and thought he’d compile it.

And so, without further ado, from ten downwards, here are myAsylum's Top Ten Reasons Why PAS Youth Hates MLTR
(the Top Ten list, and more, in the full post)

10. 25 Minutes is too damn long
At most, on average, they last only 6 minutes – tops. And the worse documented case, 25 seconds.

9. They're Danish
... and therefore evil. Just like butter cookies.

8. PAS Youth believe MLTR is a rip-off of their own defunct music project – Abu Learns To Nasyid
ALTN just didn't have that Lebai Effect they’d very much hoped for...

7. Offended by the word "Rock" in MLTR
Rock? PAS Youth still has problems getting past sand... okay, they won Permatang Pasir, but that's a different story.

6. MLTR refused to write the theme song for Hassan Ali's new moral police squad
Somehow, going on beer raids with Sleeping Child-like melodies as an attack theme is just plain wrong.

5. Neither Raihan nor Rabbani allowed to open
Too much Lebai Effect, in this case. Oh, and MLTR cited artistic differences, too... infidels!

4. MLTR refused to come earlier and help campaign in Permatang Pasir
Grueling tour schedule was simply not good enough an excuse for PAS Youth...

3. Can't stand the fact MLTR looks more morose than they do

... then again you’d look just as depressed, too, if you knew your songs were being butchered daily in the karaoke abattoirs.

2. "Girl, you lookin' fine... TAKBIR!" not used in any of MLTR’s lyrics
You gotta have at least one good Muslim pickup line to qualify as PAS Youth kosher...

And the Number 1 reason why PAS Youth hates Michael Learns To Rock is:
MLTR appeals to too way many beer-drinkin' Muslim girls for PAS Youth's liking
...makes it difficult for PAS Youth to go around making sure all of 'em get the whipping they deserve...

So now you know… At the rate we’re going, it wouldn’t surprise Walski one bit if the next concert that manages to book in Malaysia carries the “for non-Muslims only” label…

Click here for the full post......

LRTQ2: Intoxicating Rhetoric

Technorati tags: Quran, Reading, Blog Campaign, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, Alcohol

Updated: Correction of some details pertaining to the Kartika case.

Out of the blue, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has suddenly become a household name. The part-time model was caught drinking beer, charged and subsequently sentenced to the maximum sentence allowable by Pahang shariah law. Despite the fact that she admitted guilt, and has shown remorse for what she did. Her husband was not with her at the time. who was with her at the time, was not charged with anything. Why this is so is not for Walski to speculate She was, however, with other friends who let let off because they were non-Muslims.

But the point is that Kartika case has set a precedent – the first person to be whipped for the offence of public drinking. And she’s requested it to be a public whipping – another precedent. Her request was not meant as a challenge to the system, only that she wants it to be over and done with, so that she can get on with her life.

Since this is the hot topic for the moment, Walski thought that it would be appropriate to kick off the LRTQ2 campaign with a look at what exactly the Quran states about alcohol. Or, to be more precise, intoxicants, which covers a whole range of other things as well.

There are roughly 6 instances where the Quran touches on the issue of intoxication, or being drunk, in other words. These occur in surahs 16, 2, 4, 47, and two verses in surah 5, in order of revelation.

Let’s look at them chronologically:

And of the fruits of the palms and the grapes-- you obtain from them intoxication and goodly provision; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who ponder (Surah 16, Verse 67)

In this first verse, there is no injunction, per se, only that being able to obtain both intoxicants and good provisions from the same source should serve as a sign to those who ponder or think.

They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder (Surah 2, Verse 219)

The verse above, from the longest chapter in the Quran (surah Al-Baqarah) is the first time, chronologically, that the mention of intoxicants as being bad is made.

But is there any punishment ordained? Not in 2:219. But surely, being that shariah codes the world over contain punishment for consuming alcohol (and other intoxicants), the source of this punishment must have been divinely ordained. Right?

Well, let’s look at the other references found in the Holy Quran.
(the other intoxicating references, and more, in the full post)

O you who believe! do not go near prayer when you are Intoxicated until you know (well) what you say, nor when you are under an obligation to perform a bath-- unless (you are) travelling on the road-- until you have washed yourselves; and if you are sick, or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth, then wipe your faces and your hands; surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving. (Surah 4, Verse 43)

Now this is an interesting verse, because it doesn’t admonish one for being under the influence, only that one should not pray while intoxicated. Even more interesting is that the verse addresses those “who believe” – ya aiyuhal la dzee na aamanu.

Equally interesting is this next verse, which is an allegorical promise of paradise to those who are righteous.

A parable of the Garden which the dutiful are promised: Therein are rivers of water not altering for the worse, and rivers of milk whereof the taste changes not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of honey clarified; and for them therein are all fruits and protection from their Lord. (Are these) like those who abide in the Fire and who are made to drink boiling water, so it rends their bowels asunder? (Surah 47, Verse 15)

The final reference, comes from surah 5.

O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. (Surah 5, Verse 90)

And the next verse right after explains why:

Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain? (Surah 5, Verse 91)

In essence, what the Quran says is this: alcohol and intoxicants are things that you should avoid. For those who have actually experienced the effects of alcohol, the reason is clear. Alcohol, in varying quantities according to the individual, lowers your inhibitions, and may lead you to do and say things you would normally restrain yourself from. In extreme cases, to the detriment of ourselves and those around us.

But where does the notion of punishment (of any worldly kind) for consuming alcohol come from? Well, it’s not from the Quran.

In The Star just over a month ago was an article written by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who among other things, is the founder and chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, an international organization dedicated to improving understanding and relations between the West and the Islamic world.

Walski is of the opinion that it’s useful look at what Imam Feisal wrote, in light of this posting (emphasis by myAsylum).

ON July 20, the Pahang Syariah High Court sentenced part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor, 32, to a RM5,000 fine and six lashes of the rotan for drinking beer.

No doubt the court has the jurisdiction to impose such a sentence as provided by the law.

Some have questioned the appropriateness of the sentence of whipping given that the court has discretion to impose a mixture of fine, imprisonment and binding Kartika over for good behaviour for a certain period, or just admonish her.

Others have questioned the appropriateness based on the legitimate argument that the Syariah holds Muslims responsible for their actions that result in negative opinions of Islam.

A news item like this certainly presents Islam and Malaysia negatively on the international stage.

But I would urge the Malaysian Syariah authorities to seriously reconsider the Syariah basis of this law on the following Syariah grounds:

Neither the Quran nor the Hadith invokes a penalty for alcohol consumption. The sin of consuming alcohol is described in the Quran in the mildest language of prohibition.

When it comes to dietary laws, the Quran commands the believers in Sura 5:3: “forbidden (hurrimat) to you is the dead animal, loose blood, and the flesh of the pig”.

The 90th verse of the same Sura cautions the believers that “wine, gambling, etc, are an impurity so avoid them (fa-jtanibuh)”.

Some legal scholars suggest that the divine command ijtinab, to avoid something, is milder language than tahrim, prohibition.

A Muslim consuming a glass of wine with a pork chop commits a more serious offence in eating pork; yet as there is no Quran or Hadith penalty for consuming pork, there is also none for alcohol consumption.

The question then is how did the penalty for alcohol consumption come about?

It occurred during the time of the second Caliph Umar b. al-Khattab. There was a companion of the Prophet (sahabi) who had fought on the Prophet’s side in his battles.

A heavy drinker, he would walk the streets of Madina drunk at night and loudly shout scandalous things about people. The inhabitants of Madina complained, and Umar formed a committee to decide what to do.

Imam Ali, based on the man having committed slander, suggested the penalty for slander, whose maximum penalty is 80 lashes.

Since that time, this has been considered the maximum penalty for alcohol consumption, based on utilising the Syariah concept of ta`zir (deterrence).

I disagree with this being the mandatory sentence for the offence of wine consumption, because it is the maximum sentence for another, separate offence – slander – albeit committed under the influence of alcohol.

Had the man just fallen on the street in a stupor and suffered a terrible hangover without having hurt anyone, no punishment would have been established.

Had cars existed then and had he run his car over some pedestrians and killed them, should we invoke ta`zir now and have a penalty for alcohol consumption equal to that of accidental manslaughter?

There are additional arguments we can marshal from the Quran and Hadith. The Quran repeatedly urges Muslims to forgive those who wrong them, even for slander and manslaughter!

When the Prophet Mohamed’s wife Aisha was wrongly accused of having committed adultery, her father Abu Bakr sought to have the penalty of libel meted against one of his employees who had slandered her.

God then revealed verse 24:22, urging the believers to pardon and forgive those who have wronged them, so that God would forgive them their own sins.

But I see no evidence that Kartika wronged anybody after drinking beer.

Verse 4:92 gives the penalty for a Muslim accidentally killing another as freeing a slave and paying compensation to the victim’s family – unless the family forgoes compensation and forgives the offender.

And if the defendant can’t afford to pay, then he should fast for two consecutive months. Accidental homicide is a much greater sin than alcohol consumption; yet the Quran suggests that the victim’s family would do well to forgive the offender, and the penalty here is not jail time or corporal punishment, but a two-month fast.

The Quranic and Prophetic teachings are about forgiveness, compassion and positive personal transformation. Sura 48:29 describes Prophet Mohamed’s companions as “firm against unbelievers and compassionate to themselves”, and this is what I urge the Malaysian authorities to exemplify: show compassion to Kartika and forgive her.

But if the Pahang Syariah court insists on establishing a penalty for the mere consumption of alcohol, why not replace the current law – a maximum penalty of a RM5,000 fine and six lashes of the rotan – with spending RM5,000 on feeding the poor and fasting for six days?

Wouldn’t that be more in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah?

Were this the case, I have a hunch that many Malaysians who imbibe may voluntarily mete such a “penalty” on themselves – to the benefit of the poor, to the benefit of their own spiritual progress and standing before God on Judgment Day, and to the benefit of the Malaysian Syariah Court’s, Islam’s and Malaysia’s image on the international stage.
(source: The Star)

In essence, the article succinctly articulates what’s on Walski’s mind pertaining to the issue surrounding Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, and the bigger picture about laws and punishment regarding alcohol.

There’s no doubt that consuming alcohol (or other intoxicants) is something that’s not looked upon positively by the Quran. By the same token, there is no punishment prescribed by the holy book either. That, and the fact that some verses in the Quran do mention intoxicants in a less than negative light, as we have seen in the ones quoted previously.

What does it all mean, then? Should we be obsessed with punishing those who have transgressed, even when there clearly is no worldly punishment divinely prescribed? If the answer is yes, exactly whose laws are we trying to uphold?

The world has changed and evolved both physically and socially in the last millennium and a half (almost). The Quran was revealed to be relevant for all time, and the way it’s been presented lends credence to that notion.

Perhaps it’s time we returned to the holy book and rediscover the essence of its teachings, relevant to our time. Maintaining a paradigm that’s no longer relevant won’t take us forward. Best case, we stay where we are. But worst case, and more likely, is that we’ll regress. And signs are abundant that what’s happening is indeed regression.

Isn’t it time we took heed?

Walski’s non-alcohol induced related posting footnote: The following LRTQ2 participating blogs have also written about the Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno case, and other related issues:

• Rantings by MM – LRTQ2: Mercy and Repentance at the Heart of the Quran
• Anas Zubedy – What does the Quran says about Alcohol Consumption?
• OutSyed The Box – Hassan Ali & The Temple of Doom

Click here for the full post......

Pemuda PAS can't dance, and therefore you can't rock

Technorati tags: PAS Youth, Michael Learns To Rock, Ban Everything, Apartheid

Not that Michael Learns To Rock qualifies as “rock” to begin with.

But it appears that Pemuda PAS are insulted by the fact that MLTR have been given the green light to perform on September 5th, at the Genting Arena of Stars.

Central PAS Youth Objects Michael Learns To Rock Concert - Eternity Tour 2009: Live In Malaysia on this September 5. At Arena Of Stars, Genting Highlands

Walski was alerted to this via the Twitterverse, thanks to @anthraxxxx (with special hat-tip to @bongkersz). So far, as of the time of posting, only the Malaysiakini BM news portal has carried the story, quoting the press release posted on the Central PAS Youth wing website (translation & emphasis by myAsylum).

The Cetral PAS Youth Wing very strongly condemns the Cabinet for allowing the Michael Learns To Rock - eternity tour 2009: Live in Malaysia, scheduled for this September 5th, 2009, at the Genting Highlands Arena Of Stars.

This concert is a big insult to Malaysia, and to Muslims that are observing the holy month of Ramadhan.

The Cetral PAS Youth Wing once again very strongly condemns the Cabinet for making this decision, whereby it is a discourteous act, and a major insult to the Muslims in Malaysia. September 5th 2009 is important to this country, particularly Muslims who are observing the month of Ramadhan.
(source: Dewan Pemuda PAS Pusat)

Well, they must be really incensed, being that they condemned the Cabinet – very strongly – not once, but twice. Or maybe, they just like being redundant and repetitive. 
(the rest of the semi-xenophobic press release, and more, in the full post)

Okay, so maybe they just wanted to emphasize that they’re insulted. Point taken. Moving along…

Firstly, Muslims are facing a month of religious observance, full of dignity and blessings. It should not be contaminated by a concert like this, that brings in a foreign group artiste who definitely has no sensitivity whatsoever towards the local community. Surely, this concert will make the community idle and careless, in fact damage their morals and character.

Secondly, faced with the anniversary of the nation's independece on August 31st. Usually, the government will organize “tahlil” (special prayers of remembrance, usually for the dead) sessions nationwide, and motivational forums, particularly for the youth, so that they will inherit the spirit of patriotism. These types of concerts will not help motivate the people to become good citizens, with high morals and competitiveness, but instead will weaken their morals and mental strength, and at the same time will drag them down to drown in the turbulence of lust.
(source: Dewan Pemuda PAS Pusat)

There’s more, but Walski won’t bother translating it – you can go read it for yourself, if you must. The gist, however, is that they want the concert banned, as a stern warning to the organizers to not insult the sensitivity of the Muslims in this country. And they invite organizations like GPMS, PPIM, PEKIDA, ABIM, JIM, TERAS dan GAMIS to do the same.

One interesting thought struck Walski as he opened up the Pemuda PAS web site where the news release was posted. It was the image of the 3 dudes prominently adorning the site.

Not exactly very happy campers, if you were to ask Walski. Okay, except for the Eddie Munster looking dude on the left, maybe. He almost looks like he thinks his organization is all one big joke. Wipe that smirk off your face, boy…

In fact, they almost look as dreadfully morose as…

Michael Learns To Rock… Okay, if Walski’s songs are constantly being slaughtered in them karaoke joints, he’d probably not be too happy either. So yeah, they have a damned good excuse.

Perhaps PAS Youth are jealous that they don’t come close to MLTR in the looking morose department. Killjoys that they are…

You know, it’s so darn easy to insult Muslims these days, isn’t it? Or, at least the Muslims these political youth wannabes and NGOs think they represent. It’s not like somebody put a gun to their heads and forced them to go to the concert. Pemuda PAS successfully got Inul banned from performing in Malaysia not too long ago, and Walski’s pretty sure that more than one other music act has decided against coming to Malaysia because of these blokes (because it’s Ramadhan for some, Walski will refrain from pasting a more appropriate label on them).

This is exactly the kind of thing that makes Malaysians loathe PAS. They may stand for justice and all, but definitely not personal liberty.

And this just in…

If the thought’s crossed your mind, allow Walski to articulate: we’re fast becoming a religious apartheid. What, no Yellow Badge on your sleeve? Guess again… go look at your MyKad…

Enjoy your liberty while there’s still such a thing in this country…

Click here for the full post......

LRTQ2: Let's Read The Quran... again

Technorati tags: Quran, Reading, Blog, Campaign

Peace!

Good news – we are bringing back the Let’s Read The Quran Campaign this Bulan Puasa (Fasting Month).

During the first campaign (January 14 – February 14 2009) there were four friends Syed, Walski, Marina and Anas who got together in the campaign and about 50 blogs participated helping us reach a larger audience.

This time around, four more friends will be part of the main team; they are Art Harun, Jahamy, Pah Nur and Nizam Bashir.

To recap, the campaign is not only for Muslims, but also for our brothers and sisters who are Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and those who believe in God and a proper way of doing things – come join us and share your ideas! You can join this campaign even if you are an atheist!

The goal of this campaign is to encourage people to read the Quran in a language they understand most and find in it areas of common value for our day to day living.

We also want to hear your feedback and comments. 
(what it’s all about, and how you can participate, in the full post)

What is the Campaign all about?
Read the Quran in the language that you are familiar with.

When will the campaign start and end?
August 22^nd to September 21^st (Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri)

Where?
Participating blogs in the blogosphere.

Why?
So more people know what the Quran says and what the Quran does not say and to match its relevance to our daily lives.

Who?
Anyone who wants to – the more the merrier! If you have a Blog, Facebook, etc carry the logo/icon.

How?
To join the campaign, place the accompanying logo/icon at your blog.
- Write or share short articles based on the Quranic text.
- Share what you find in the Quran with family and friends.
- Ask questions about the Quranic message
- Read the Quran – for example, click here: IslamiCity, or Altafsir.com.

Peace and Thanks!

Marina Mahathir
Syed Akbar Ali
Walski (that's here)
Art Harun
Pah Nur
Rapera
Nizam Bashir, and 
Anas Zubedy

Participating Blogs (we hope to see this list grow):

1. 3540 Jalan Sudin 
2. Anas Zubedy
3. ARTiculations
4. Being Human in the World 
5. Cowboy Malaysia
6. Disquiet
7. Jebat Must Die
8. Lunch at the Lake Club
9. MACVAYSIA
10. myAsylum
11. O.B.E.
12. OutSyed The Box
13. Poetic Justice
14. Rantings by MM
15. Rapera
16. Renovatio
17. Rocky's Bru
18. Write Away
19. Writing By Amir

Click here for the full post......

The interim post before we get Nail'd for real...

Technorati tags: Nine Inch Nails, NIN, Singapore, Wave Goodbye, Trent Reznor

Sorry for the dearth of postings, but Walski’s been on the road, which usually means you usually have to wait until he’s back in home base. And after he’s had some time to catch up on his beauty sleep.

In any case, Walski’s got a butt load of writing to do the next 24 hours – and it’s not here. So, take this as something to tide you over until he’s in full-steam blogging mode again – which, hopefully, will be sometime in the next 48 hours. Incidentally, in case you haven’t noticed, you can also follow Walski on Twitter.

And so with that little intro out of the way, here’s a taste of what you missed in Singapore last Monday.

YouTube user ii53 was at the Nine Inch Nails concert and has been kind enough to post pretty much the entire show. Well, almost… apparently the battery in ii53’s webcam died part-way during the encore (Hurt – a heart-wrenching piece of tuneage that never fails to activate the tear ducts).

It was a solid close-to 2 hours of Nails… exhilarating to have been there in the historic Fort Canning park, to be part of NIN history – the first time Nine Inch Nails has ever performed in Singapore. Sadly, it may also be the last time… the tour was renamed Wave Goodbye and Trent Reznor has announced that this would be the last Nine Inch Nails tour for at least a few years.

The worst thing about a hiatus is that you never know how long you’ll have to wait...  
(more preliminary Nails, in the full post)

In any case, it was an excellent show. Unless you’re an epileptic or otherwise allergic to strobe lights. The 3-piece accompanying band and Trent Reznor were tight and energetic. The Lord Panda, who led Walski’s small entourage (and has seen NIN twice before) said that this was the most musically diverse NIN concert he’d seen.

Well, a proper review (and hopefully Walski’s own videos) in another post coming soon. The picture above is just something he’s giving you to whet your appetite, and to tide you over for the time being. It’s at concerts such as these that Walski wished he had a proper SLR. And a steadier hand.

But it was definitely well worth the 4-plus hour drive down to Singapore, even if it meant being part of the multitude of the republic’s holiday makers who were rushing home after Singapore’s extended weekend, due to their national day on August 9th.

It’s a shame that there are all kinds of restrictions imposed on music acts if they choose to come to Malaysia to perform. But such is the reality of our 1Malaysia… and the ever-growing conservatism Walski is seeing.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that Walski saw a whole load of Malaysians at the concert.

Well, it’s back to the grindstone, so to speak… stay tuned for the full concert review, coming to you as soon as Walski manages to clear off some of the piling work that’s waiting for him after a week of being on the road…

Click here for the full post......

A Nine-Inch Pilgrimage of Nails

Technorati tags: Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, Singapore, Pilgrimage

Based on the title, it’s probably not the kind of pilgrimage you’d have thunk. But it’s one that Walski is looking forward to immensely.

Walski has been following the career of Trent Reznor – the creative genius behind Nine Inch Nails – ever since the very first NIN album, Pretty Hate Machine, way back in 1989.

Trent is almost exactly a year younger than Walski – to be exact, a month and a couple days short of one year. And this, the first ever concert in Singapore (like hell they’ll ever be allowed in Malaysia), will also be the last.

Dubbed The Wave Goodbye tour, this will probably be the last tour for Trent. Well, for a while, at least. He’s catching up on the years. And while 44 is nowhere near what anyone would consider old, touring the world performing the kind of music that he does is another kettle of fish altogether.

Walski, while a tad disappointed, fully understands.

Musically, NIN has also kinda toned down a tad over the years – still really cool and intense, but perhaps a teensy weensy bit subdued compared to the days between Broken and The Fragile.

But it’s all still good. No, make that still excellently good.

And this, it would seem, will be Walski’s last chance to catch Nine Inch Nails live in concert. At least for a while, until Trent decides that simply making music doesn’t cut it anymore.

For this pilgrimage, Walski has to thank one person – his best friend, the one and only Lord Panda. This pilgrimage was a birthday present from the guy. Only because he knows how big a fan Walski is, and that up till tomorrow, Walski has never had the opportunity to catch NIN live.

And you can bet your bottom rupiah that Walski will be reporting on the concert in the coming days… 
(tickets still available, and more, in the full post)

If you, like Walski, have never seen ‘em live, here’s something to look forward to, if you’re making that road trip down south. And tickets are still available, if you haven’t made up your mind whether or not you wanna go.

The video above was captured during their concert in Perth, Australia, in March this year, featuring musicians from Dillinger Escape Plan. It’s not immediately known if Trent’s going to invite any guests for tomorrow’s show. But that’s like a bonus, if it happens.

What’s more important is getting to see NIN live. As this will be the last time you’ll see them live for a while, if you think you like Nine Inch Nails and would like to see them in concert, this is your last chance. For a while anyway.

Walski has waited a good part of two decades to see NIN live. Another 20-some hours of waiting time is something he can live with.

Truth be told, though – Walski can’t friggin’ wait… and what better way to describe this trip tomorrow, other than call it a pilgrimage.

Click here for the full post......

Green Dam Dinosaur Blues

Technorati tags: Censorship, Suppression, Green Dam, Internet

Relics come in many shapes and sizes. Some of these relics may be inanimate. And some are modern-day dinosaurs. In any case, relics are things best left studied, but not necessarily emulated. For instance, the Great Pyramid of Giza is a relic to be marveled at for many reasons. But you probably wouldn’t want one sitting smack in the middle of the Kuala Lumpur City Center. Like, where would you park (pyramids aren’t exactly known for their subterranean parking)?

But some living relics continue to be adulated despite having outlived their useful shelf life. Like those of the Tuan-o-saurus Rex variety who continue to be under the employ of the government despite the clearly out-of-touch-with-reality stances they take from time to time.

Like wanting to censor the Internet, China-style.

Funny, but all and sundry balk when any mention of Chin Peng is brought up – specter of Communism and what not – when it comes to oppressive practices, though, China’s all of a sudden our BFF. 
(back to the era of Government knows best, and more, in the full post)

Granted, the government (Najib himself, in fact), has come clarifying that the intent is to only block porn. Oh, and elements undesirable to the Government. Likely, such as blogs critical of UMNO and BN, which are probably the real targets. Since Walski has been accused of only relying on pro-opposition news sources, the following comes from The Star (happy now?) – emphasis by myAsylum:

Information Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had said that the filter system was to reduce “Malaysian children’s exposure to online pornography.”

“We will attempt to put in this filtering system because the safety of our children from pornography cannot be compromised,” he told a press conference Friday.

Dr Rais also confirmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) and other bodies responsible for “policing Malaysian cyberspace” were told to look into implementing this system.

“I’ve asked authorities such as SKMM to find ways to implement this and study how developed countries have successfully overcome the problem of the culture of pornography,” he said.

However, he refused to answer questions on the tender process and admonished “liberals and supporters of liberalism” who have criticised the Government’s plans for such a filter.

“Look at the situation of countries which had fallen victim to widespread pornography, resulting in child sex.

“We must attempt to stop this. The Government is looking into ways to overcome this,” he said.
(source: The Star, a Government-friendly newspaper)

Walski wonders until what age we’re considered children still… 20? 35? Or over 40, and no longer eligible to be part of political “youth” bodies? Because if you’re talking about children under our care, there are a number of parental tools, that should be administered by parents, not the government.

Yeah, yeah, Walski knows… we have a nanny government, keen on controlling every aspect of our daily lives, including what we can read and watch, and depending on what demographic you’re fated to be born in, what we can eat and drink.

And what’s this about policing Malaysian cyberspace? Well, apart from the MCMC, Walski’s heard about a huge amount of resources (equipment and moist robots) that do exactly that – police cyberspace. Particularly the blogs.

Rais has asked us to look at the situation of countries that had fallen victim to porn – without actually naming which countries. And this it the typical dinosaur-ish behavior that Walski finds antiquated – spew out facts that are unsupported, and expect everyone to believe what’s spewed verbatim.

And is pedophilia really the result of online porn? Fellow blogger Aisehman begs to differ.

Paedophiles? Paedophiles would still lust after children even if there never was an Internet.

Paedophiles have been around ever since people have been around.

Maybe Rais should read more on paedophilia. He can order some books from Amazon.com, unless the good minister plans to filter out that site too, since you can get all sorts of stuff from Amazon.com.

Another option for Rais is to go learn from the MACC chief’s son. That dude should know more about the subject than the rest of us since he was caught with and found guilty of possesing some pretty interesting video clips in his notebook computer.
(source: Aisehman, a blog critical of everyone)

But despite the protests and “advice” by industry players, and citizens at large, Rais is adamant on wanting to impose a Green Dam type of filter, similar to the kind China wanted to roll out but has since decided not to. Yet.

Implement such filtering and we’re gonna renege the commitment of the MSC Charter – that the Internet shall not be censored. Then just watch as more and more companies start abandoning the MSC, like rats off a sinking junk. As it is, the MSC has pretty much lost much of the glitter and glam of what it initially aimed to be.

Yes, it has managed to assist in the development of the Malaysian IT and Communications industry. True, too, however, is that it could have done a lot more in the past decade that the MSC has been around. Keep on putting the screws of control and censorship, the only relevance the acronym MSC may have one day would be Multi-Storey Carpark. Which we have plenty of already.

Rais Yatim, in fact, is known to be one of the more liberal senior politicians in the country. Walski reckons, though, liberal as he may be – or may have been once upon a time – a liberal dinosaur, is still basically a dinosaur. A relic from a bygone prehistory of Government Knows Best.

The Green Dam wanna-do issue we’re seeing today is an extrapolation of how relics want to exert the extent of their influence the only way they know how. Suppression. Nevermind that there are workarounds, and nevermind that Green Dam type of filtering will have serious and damaging ramifications.

As long as the relics have their way. And come hell or high water, have their way they must. It’s a relic thing, you have to understand.

And it’ll just leave us singing the blues…

Click here for the full post......

The ISA: Al Jazeera's focus & the KDN poll

Technorati tags: ISA, Al Jazeera, Forum, ISA Hak Melayu

Yesterday, Al-Jazeera’s 101 East focused on the ISA – the Malaysian Internal Security Act, a law that allows for detention without trial, and was initially introduced to tackle communist insurgency in the 1960’s.

Part of the program was a forum, moderated by Fauziah Ibrahim, with Khairy Jamaluddin, Universiti Malaya’s Denison Jayasooria, and Zaid Ibrahim, former Law Minister and now in the PKR.

(part 2, the KDN Poll, and more, in the full post)

Part 1 (from 4:33 to 5:41)  featured pro-ISA movement leader Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, making it clear that their support for the legislation was to “prevent these minority groups who are trying to create an unharmonious situation among the 27 million of the Malaysian citizens.” He also stated that “the reality in this country has shown that the Malays are the majority, and only Malays… the stability of the Malays can also assure… can also guaranties the stability of other races”.

Walski quite frankly is not surprised – the ISA has suddenly become another protected “Malay right”? But fortunately, this kind of fringe opinion is just that – a fringe opinion. An opinion that Walski thinks most Malaysians do not subscribe to.

In Part 2, KJ reiterated the government’s commitment to review the ISA, and stated that the government realizes that “the public wants to see some form of a review of the ISA”.

But is that what the public really wants?

Meanwhile, the Home Minstry, or Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), the ministry under whose purview comes the ISA, launched a poll to gauge what the Malaysian people thought about the ISA. Walski was first alerted to this by Euphoria in Misery yesterday.

As of 6:20pm yesterday, 93% (out of 616 votes) voted for the legislature to be repealed. A quick check moments ago showed a similar percentage (90% or 7,450 votes). Only about 9% (or 759) responded that the ISA should still exist, but with some revision.

The majority of the public, it would seem, wants a complete repeal, and not just a review. At least, that’s where it stands as of half an hour ago.

Walski thinks that as much as KJ was eloquent in presenting the government view, he was trying to defend the indefensible. Walski will, however, reserve comment until it is made known exactly what kind of reviews are in the works. This may be revealed as early as the next sitting of Parliament.

In the meantime, do the needful, and visit the KDN news portal, where the polls are (there are actually 5 polls related to the ISA), and do the needful – provide the government with the feedback it wants.

It may not be exactly what they want to hear, but at least they’re giving us the opportunity to say our piece. Even if it’s thru a poll.

Click here for the full post......