Ponggal: Facts, not twaddle, please

theSun, unlike other newspapers, depended and still depends on advertising revenue. The biggest spenders were and still are the two breweries, the print advertisements of which have been giving a lifeline to the free newspaper.

In mid-2006, the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) issued a directive, via a letter, instructing the newspaper not to publish advertisements of “minuman keras yang mengandongi alkohol” (alcoholic beverages) on its front page. theSun’s wrap-around or jacket was its unique selling feature.

It’s then managing director-cum-editor-in-chief Ho Kay Tat and I met then deputy minister Fu Ah Kiow over lunch and explained our predicament. He was sympathetic and told us that a similar directive had been sent to The Star and he would have a word with the KDN officers.

Although the directive had not been rescinded, theSun continued accepting beer ads as usual. The Star steadfastly refused to accept front-page ads (at that time) for they feared it would damage the daily’s reputation as a newspaper.

Things have changed. Ironically, Fu is now the chairperson of the Star Media Group and a good portion of its revenue comes from jacket advertising.

In 2008, Fu lost his seat and became an ordinary party member of the MCA and a new man replaced him. But the KDN officers remained on board. Two years later, a reminder was sent to both the newspapers about the ban on the front page and an additional ban on the back page was imposed.

The point that is being made is that politicians can come and go but the civil servants will continue to rule the roost. Even with the change of government, the directive stayed despite no plausible reasons being given.

Fast forward to the current issue of the harvest festival called Ponggal. Reading the explanations (read: finger-pointing), this is again a tale of pen-pushing civil servants wanting to assert their authority.

Jakim’s decision made in April last year

The letter from the education minister dated Jan 13 (Monday), refers to a meeting of the Jakim council on April 8 and 9 last year, at which the decision was made. Let it be said that Jakim assumed wrongly on the festival.

Let us establish the facts: This means it has been eight months since the decision was made by Jakim. Until Monday, no one knew about it.

Now, the ministry says in its statement that it “sought Jakim’s views” on the matter. Did its officers get up last Friday morning and think about it? If so, Jakim’s reply would have been instantaneous for the letter to go out the next working day! But there are other issues which indicate that this whole shindig was an exercise that went wrong from the word ‘Go!’

The Jan 13 circular, issued by Education Ministry deputy director-general Adzman Talib, conveyed to all state education directors on Jakim's position that Ponggal is “haram” (forbidden) for Muslims.

The letter also highlighted Jakim's guidelines on what Muslims should do if they had no choice but to attend the festival.

It claimed the letter was issued to assuage the concerns by parents of Muslim students about their involvement during the celebration.

The statement also said: “In an effort to foster the spirit of tolerance, mutual understanding and respect in a multi-racial society, the Education Ministry encourages the participation of students and school staff in all cross-cultural activities.”

If so, why need for Jakim’s views on a cultural event?

Meanwhile, Jakim’s statement made a mockery of the issue. I do not want to enter into a debate on how it spends its RM1.4 billion allocation. However, if it cannot differentiate between a cultural activity and a religious festival, its mere existence comes under a cloud.

Now, here comes the clincher: “The view was issued following a request from the Education Ministry to Jakim on guidelines for Muslims involved in the Ponggal celebration.”

Ministry fails to 'properly word' the circular?

And in wades Mujahid Yusof Rawa (below), who says the ministry circular on Ponggal was intended to explain how Muslims should conduct themselves during the festival but the failure to properly word it had caused controversy.

“There are ethics on how Muslims will attend occasions of other faiths. That’s normal and nothing strange.”

Mr Minister, it is strange. Does the ministry issue guidelines for Gawai or Kamatan, or for that matter, Chinese New Year? All these are cultural activities? Haven’t his cabinet colleagues clarified this?

And he blames the ministry stating that the circular wasn’t crafted properly. Stop this twaddle. Let’s have the facts and correspondence:

• Why and who in the ministry sought Jakim’s view when they knew that Ponggal has nothing to do with religion?
  
• Why and when did the ministry seek Jakim’s views?
  
• When was the letter sent and when did Jakim reply?

This government, before taking office, promised us transparency and accountability. It is time to walk the talk. It is time civil servants are made to account for their actions. Make public all related documents.

The Little Napoleons cannot hide under the skirts of politicians who sometimes embarrass themselves by being protective. When the defence is defensible, nothing but the truth can save the situation.

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R NADESWARAN is dumbfounded that two organisation operating with billions of taxpayers’ money (and highly-paid officers) do not know the difference between a cultural and a religious activity. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com - Mkini