Let’s honour the true essence of Merdeka

 

From Hartini Zainudin

On this National Day, we are compelled to reflect on the plight of the most vulnerable among us, particularly the Rohingya and stateless children who have suffered profound trauma, akin to that of the Palestinians we support from afar.

We find ourselves at a crossroads where reflection and action intertwine. This year marks not only the 67th anniversary of our nation’s independence but also a somber reminder of the plight faced by Rohingya children – many unaccompanied, nearly all aged under 10, alongside mothers with young children – who have endured confinement in the Baitul Mahabbah detention centre for a year as of Sept 4.

When is their release? Where is the love and compassion for these innocent souls, confined in detention centres, stripped of their rights, and subjected to neglect?

While we gather to honour our freedom and unity, we must confront the uncomfortable truth of our selective compassion, an inconsistency that undermines the very essence of Merdeka.

The spirit of Merdeka is rooted in the struggle for freedom and the celebration of our diverse identities. Yet, as we revel in our independence, we must ask ourselves: who are we truly liberating?

The stark contrast between the support extended to some Palestinian refugees and the treatment of Rohingya children in detention, or attempting to take the rights of other categories of stateless children by amending the Federal Constitution, reveals a troubling narrative of exclusion.

While our government has taken commendable steps to assist wounded Palestinians from Gaza – providing medical care and educational support – other refugees, asylum seekers and stateless communities continue to face systemic neglect and discrimination.

Nelson Mandela profoundly stated, 

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

This truth resonates deeply as we witness the selective compassion that pervades our society.

Safety, dignity and opportunity to do better

The Rohingya children, many unaccompanied and all under 10, are not mere statistics. They are children deserving of safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive. Yet, they languish in inhumane conditions, their cries for help echoing in the silence of our indifference.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) emphasises that every child has the right to protection, care, and the opportunity for development.

It declares, 

States parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind.

Yet, in Malaysia, these rights are often denied, leaving the most vulnerable to suffer in silence.

In Islam, children are regarded as a trust from God, deserving of kindness and protection. The Quran teaches us to care for the weak and to treat children with the utmost compassion.

Yet, as we celebrate our independence, we must confront the hypocrisy of our actions. How can we claim to honour freedom while turning a blind eye to the suffering of children within our borders?

The anger we feel at this injustice is justified. As Martin Luther King Jr asserted, 

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

The double standards in our treatment of refugees – where some are embraced while others are marginalised – reveal a troubling narrative that undermines our shared humanity. This selective compassion not only harms those we choose to exclude but also diminishes our own dignity.

We must rise to the occasion and advocate for all children, ensuring that they receive the same level of care and support as their Palestinian counterparts.

It is our moral obligation to challenge the narratives that dehumanise them and to foster an environment of understanding and solidarity.

Let us remember that true freedom is not merely the absence of oppression but the presence of justice for all. As we reflect on our national identity, let us not forget that 

a right delayed is a right denied

, as King wisely stated.

We have the power to redefine what it means to embody the Merdeka spirit – a spirit that is inclusive, compassionate, and unwavering in its commitment to human rights.

This Merdeka, let us not only celebrate our independence but also recommit ourselves to the ideals of justice and equality.

Please stand in solidarity with all children, particularly the Rohingya, the stateless, poor and marginalised children in Malaysia.

They have faced unimaginable hardships – no food, little education, minimal access to health services, not much love, the fear of detention, and very little freedom as children, let alone as fellow human beings.

By doing so, we honour the true essence of Merdeka – a celebration of freedom that is shared by all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Together, we can build a Malaysia that reflects the values of compassion and inclusivity that our independence represents, ensuring that no child is left behind in the shadows of our society. - FMT

Hartini Zainudin is the founder of Yayasan Chow Kit.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

USELESS BUGGERS. KAUM YANG TIDAK BERGUNA. MAKAN DUIT ORANG LAIN.

 

WHY CRUMBS ONLY FOR INDIANS ASKS WAYTHAMOORTHY? APA DOSA INDIA?

 

HOW TO ERADICATE RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM - PEACEFULLY, EFFICIENTLY AND PERMANENTLY

 HOW TO ERADICATE RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM - PEACEFULLY, EFFICIENTLY AND PERMANENTLY

• It begins with the important fact that religion is not based on any logic, evidence or scientific proof.  
• Religion is nothing more than 'What I tell you'. 
• This is Rule No. 1. 
• Keep this in mind.
  

And the most dangerous religion-killer in the entire universe are just three letters, WHY? 

• As I have said before, let the fellow talk for half an hour. 
• Then just ask him WHY?  
• After he has finished answering, ask him again WHY? 
• You keep repeating WHY and they will run away from you. 
• Because they cannot answer WHY.
  

• This simple word "WHY" is a religion killer. 
• It is the silver bullet.  

(The term "silver bullet" evokes a potent image: a single, decisive solution that vanquishes a seemingly insurmountable problem. This powerful metaphor has roots in folklore, particularly the legend of the werewolf. In countless stories, a silver bullet is the only weapon capable of slaying the mythical beast.)

Do you see why they thought up things like Sedition Acts, Blasphemy Laws, Les Majeste laws etc. To keep people like me safely locked up, away from them.

Sometime ago I got into an online conversation with some religious people from Texas (?) USA. They were Mat Sallehs.  They were trying to convince me of all their virtues. (There were NONE). I let them say what they wanted, then I posted the silver bullet  : WHY? I kept repeating this. After just a couple of days (there was a group of them, against me just one person) they were all at their wits end. They could not answer.

• Folks, you should all try this. 
• Just as an honest experiment. 
• Ask them WHY?  
• Three simple letters W..H..Y.. which can slay any werewolf.

I digress. OK back to the topic.

In his brief and really powerful book 'Power', Bertrand Russel the 20th century British philosopher and genius of logic, described both the priests (religion) and the kings (monarchy) as being sustained by the "power of tradition".  (I also read it as the "power of suggestion").

Russel pointed out that the priests (religion) and the kings (monarchy) have no real power over anything.   Some people simply hold them in awe, it is just a tradition which the ordinary people followed - without questioning WHY. But that was enough for the priests and kings to cari makan.

At least the kings used to have soldiers who could kill you if you did not pay taxes to the king. But even that was not always the case. Often the kings borrowed money and borrowed soldiers from their nobles. This is why throughout history, so many kings 'lost their heads'. 

But the priests of religion survived purely on hocus pocus. Theirs was purely the power of suggestion. 'If you do not obey me, you will suffer eternal damnation' (WHY?)

Not only could the priests NOT explain WHY but they could not provide any scientific proofs for their threats. 

• This is why religion has never had a permanent grip on the human mind. 
• What do I mean by this? 
• New religions keep popping up here and there, all the time throughout history. 
• In Egypt they used to worship crocodiles. 

And each time a new religion pops up, it will take away some market share (aka believers) from other religions. Every religion claims a monopoly over truth but no religion can claim a monopoly over the entire human race. There is no such thing.

 ll وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَلَتُسْأَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ll

which means :  (Sahih International  Surah 16:93 - 'And if Allah had willed, He could have made you [of] one religion, but He causes to stray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.')

Therefore to insist on this idea called "one religion" or "one community" is just not going to be a 'happening thing'. 

And herein lies the solution how to eradicate religious extremism. 

• Just let everyone speak their minds about religion. 
• Just let them all talk.
• They will all cancel each other out. 
• Its just 'my hocus pocus versus your hocus pocus'.  
• Throw in a few WHYs here and there and the solution will be final. 
• Religious extremism will go away. 

Recall that video  I posted recently where the mufti of Perlis sort of crashed into some panel discussion and quite obviously contradicted the Panel members. It was an awkward moment. But if you can watch that video again, pay attention to the people in the audience. They all look confused. Why? Because they could see one "religious expert" disagreeing and contradicting another "religious expert".  If this keeps up, eventually the people will lose interest in all these so called 'religious experts'. The people will realise that they do not gain anything from listening to these fellows bickering among themselves.

• This is what I mean when I say let everyone speak freely.
• Its a one way street. 
• They will end up nowhere. 
• The people will get fed up with their bickering.

Before (until about early 2000s) there was only one flavour of religion that was dominant in this country. All other flavours had to take two steps back or had to operate 'underground' (like those labelled ajaran sesat etc). 

Until the Wahabi / Salafi appeared in some numbers in Malaysia. The Wahabi / Salafi have been around from much earlier but it was only quite recently that they have become more prominent. And aggressive. They have a different way of looking at the religion.

I dont agree with the wahabi / salafi either but I really like to listen to different viewpoints. I think everyone should be allowed to say what they want to say. 

• My view is let them all talk and let them say what they want. 
• But make sure the people listen to all their different viewpoints. 
• The people will really get fed up.
  
• I hope some of you readers will get an idea to host regular video podcasts  (through YouTube, Facebook, Twitter etc) featuring debates by  wahhabi / salafi, other traditionalists plus other flavours of religion sitting in the same panel.
  
• Let them debate freely with each other.
  
• Only one rule should apply : They must always  observe proper decorum and ikut cara intellectual dan akademik.
• No shouting at the top of the lungs or being rude.

In no time the people will get fed up with their contradicting and confusing arguments.

Here is the Terminator asking WHY?

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

SATURDAY JOKES - 227

 

A young man excitedly tells his mother he's fallen in love and is going to get married. He says, "Just for fun, Ma, I'm going to bring over 3 women and you try and guess which one I'm going to marry."
The mother agrees.
The next day, he brings three beautiful women into the house and sits them down on the couch and they chat for a while. He then says, "Okay, Ma, guess which one I'm going to marry."
She immediately replies, "The one in the middle."
"That's amazing, Ma. You're right. How did you know?"
"I don't like her!"

 

I’m trying to finish writing a script for an adult film…
But there are just too many holes in the plot!

 

A drunk phoned the police to report that thieves had broken in to his car.
However, before the police investigation could get under way the phone rang a second time, with the same voice coming over the line.

"Never mind," said the drunk with a hiccup, "I got in the backseat by mistake!"

An elderly, wealthy woman in Penang was boring fellow beachcombers as she bragged on and on about her two remarkable grandchildren.
Unable to stand it any longer, a fellow sunbather interrupted her.
"Tell me, how old are your grandsons?"
The grandmother gave a grateful smile and replied, "The doctor is four and the lawyer is six..."

 

A man finished baby-proofing his house and his wife says, "Aw, honey, I thought you said you didn't want to have kids?"
He responds, "I don't. Let's see them get in now!"

 

A preacher, newly called to a small country town, needed to mail a letter. Passing a young boy on the street, the pastor asked where he could find the post office. After getting his answer, the minister thanked the boy and said, “If you’ll come to the community church this evening, you can hear me tell everyone how to get to heaven.

”I don’t know, sir,” the boy replied. “You don’t even know how to get to the post office!”

 

What did Genie say to Aladdin?

Rub me three times and I will come!

 

There was a poor old Irish cobbler whose shop was next door to a very upscale French restaurant.
Every day at lunch time, Mike, an Irish gent, would go out to the back of his shop and eat his soda bread and maybe a kipper or piece of Irish blue cheese while smelling the wonderful odour coming from the restaurant's kitchen.
One morning, the Irishman was surprised to receive an invoice in the mail from the adjoining restaurant for “enjoyment of food”.
Mystified, he marched right over to the restaurant to point out that he had not bought a thing from them.
The manager said, “You're enjoying our food, so you should pay us for it.” The Irishman refused to pay and the restaurant took him to court.
At the hearing, the judge asked the restaurant to present their side of the case. The manager said, “Every day, this man comes and sits outside our kitchen and smells our food while eating his. It is clear that we are providing added value to his poor food and we deserve to be compensated for it.”
The judge turned to Mike and said, “What do you have to say to that?”

The old Irishman didn't say a thing but smiled and stuck his hand in his pocket and rattled the few coins he had inside.
The judge asked him, “What is the meaning of that?”

The Irishman replied with a mile wide grin - “I'm paying for the smell of his food with the sound of my money!”

 As usual, we remind you to take your Memo Plus Gold daily. It will help to keep you alert and mentally sharp. For more information or to order for Memo Plus Gold, please visit : https://oze.my.

Honouring Malaysia’s 67th Merdeka Day: A reflection of progress; how Merdeka is magnified by culture of encounter

 

Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar

AS Malaysia prepares to commemorate its 67th Independence Day, it’s a time to reflect on the nation’s journey and a celebration of its achievements.

This year’s Merdeka celebration is particularly poignant as it comes amidst a period of significant transformation and challenges.

The theme of “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka” encapsulates the spirit of the nation’s aspirations. It signifies a commitment to a more just, inclusive and prosperous society.

The emphasis on “Jiwa Merdeka” (Merdeka Spirit) underscores the importance of unity, resilience and the unwavering belief in Malaysia’s potential.

The past year has seen significant strides in various sectors. Economic growth has been steady, driven by key industries such as technology and manufacturing.

The government’s efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental protection have gained momentum.

Image credit: EverythingBoleh.com

Furthermore, initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare and social welfare have shown positive results.

However, challenges persist. The nation continues to grapple with issues such as income inequality, racial tensions and the digital divide.

Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, businesses and civil society.

As we celebrate Merdeka, it is essential to remember the sacrifices of our forefathers who fought for independence.

Their legacy serves as a constant reminder of the importance of unity, resilience and the pursuit of a better future.

In conclusion, this year’s Merdeka celebration offers an opportunity to reflect on Malaysia’s progress, acknowledge its challenges and reaffirm its commitment to building a more just, inclusive and prosperous nation.

Let us embrace the spirit of Merdeka and work together to create a brighter future for generations to come.

Image credit: Life News Agency

 

Ronald Benjamin

THE celebration of Merdeka points us to history on how Malaysia attained its independence from the British.

One of the most fundamental insights about the history of Malaysian independence is how the Malay leaders at that time worked on encountering and accommodating the non-Malays into a political coalition and governance that eventually resulted in independence.

The reference point was the constitution that was clear about Malay-Muslim identity of the nation but created a balance to accommodate the rights of the non-Malay community.

Its wisdom could be felt to this day where all communities are represented in a certain way in governance.

The willingness of the nation’s founding Fathers to encounter, dialogue and accommodate made Malaysia a unique nation unlike other pre-independent countries which had to go through violent struggle among its people before attaining independence.

Image credit: Kantar

Even though the May 13 incident in 1969 which has its roots in colonialism of divide and rule by the British blemished some of those accommodative attitudes among the Malaysian multi-ethnic communities, the aftermath formation of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition stood with the spirit of encounter, dialogue and accommodation that contributed to peace and stability in the post Merdeka period.

The May 13 incident that projected social-economic grievance did not dilute the Malaysian societies capacity to accommodate each other since a strong foundation has been put in place by Fathers of the nation.

Such a capacity to accommodate is being challenged today by right wing politicians who won substantially in the last general election.

There is a saying: What we sow is what we reap.

Image credit: Berjaya Hotel

If current politicians continue to build barriers instead of creating room for dialogue and understanding in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, we will become stagnant as a nation since there is no common endeavour to build peace and progress.

In this context, virtue, merit and excellence are buried by ethno-centric sentiments. To experience the real Merdeka zest, the attitude of forming a culture of encounter and dialogue should be pursued by politicians and civil society

The essence of Merdeka is about accommodating a diverse Malaysian family through a culture of encounter where knowing what lies beyond our differences or something greater unites us and transcends ethnical boundaries.

Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar is a former cabinet minister while Ronald Benjamin is the Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue’s secretary.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.