Merdeka 61

Merdeka 61 - Rebuilding a more inclusive New Malaysia

Today we celebrate our 61st Merdeka day. This 61st Merdeka is of special significance to all Malaysians, regardless of race, creed or social standing.

This is fact the second Merdeka.In the first in 1957 we gained our independence from foreign rule, the British colonial power, but in the second we got our freedom from the abuses of our own people who ruled us for 60 years after the British rule. It was our own leaders who ‘colonised’ us because of their greed for power and wealth.

Both our independence were fought and won by the people but the most important difference between the two merdeka  is that the second was won peacefully in the most democratic way, at the ballot box with absolute peace, demonstrating the maturity of the people.   

Today we have a New Malaysia that we are struggling to build against the forces of corruption, racism and religious extremism. We are struggling to build a more inclusive New Malaysia where every citizen has equal opportunities under the Malaysian Sun. We are struggling to build a New Malaysia that is based on the Federal Constitution where the rule of law would be supreme and every citizen equal.

All these efforts need the support of the people who must be wise not to succumb to the forces that are bent on returning to the old system of divide and rule which will only lead to our failure and demise as a nation. We need the talents and skills of all citizens to realise the vision of a truly successful, united and peaceful Malaysia.

In the last 14GE, Malaysians have proved that they can do the impossible and we hope and pray they will continue to rise up to do the right thing to build the right nation we all yearn.

Selamat Hari Merdeka,

Sayangi Malaysiaku

Historic Parliament after historic GE14

 New Parliament symbol of hope and democracy

Congratulations to all our newly elected MPs.
 The first session of the 14th Parliaments opens today with new MPs and Speaker being sworn in by the YDPA.It is a historic day for the nation as it is the the first sitting after the historic GE14 which saw the BN government of 60 years being replaced by the new coalition Pakatan Harapan(PH).

We hope our new MPs will live up to the aspirations and expectation of the rakyat who wanted real change and reforms to make our parliament a true symbol of democracy and rule of law.We hope the new government and opposition MPs will work together to create a people-oriented transparent and corruption-free system of governance.

Malaysians of all walks of life,regardless of race and creed,expect their elected representatives to do their job with honesty and sincerity placing the rakyat's interests above their own.

Please do not let them down.
Best of luck to all our new lawmakers
.

God bless Malaysia.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/434340

Zakir Naik and his extradiction

The decision by the Prime Minister,Tn Dr. Mahathir not to extradite controversial Muslim preacher Dr.Zakir Naik has been criticised by many non-Muslims in the country. However the Muslims in general are happy with the decision. Either way it has spit the already divided citizens along religious lines. This of course not good for the country and poses another challenged to the multiracial and multireligious Pakatan Harapan coalition which has promised to tackle the delicate and sensitive interracial and interfaith problems facing the people today.

Most of us, ordinary citizens, do not know about the details of the extradition treaty signed with the Indian government and the real reasons why Zakir Naik was not extradited. We do not know what transpired in the meeting between Tun M and Indian PM Modi soon after the former was sworn as PM. It appeared the Modi was in a hurry and eager to meet our new premier and from what was shown to us it was a happy meeting. Politicians are mysterious creatures...who are difficult to understand and predict most of the time.

While the politicians and their supporters continue to argue on whether to deport Zakir or not we ordinary citizens of all faiths have to accept that the controversial preacher is here to stay with us at least for the time being. Since he is going to be with us now, we need to send him a message. He has to realize that he is in Malaysia which is a multiracial and multi religious country with a significant non-Muslim population. Dr Zakir, belonging to a religious minority in his own country, should in a better position to understand the feelings of the religious minorities in Malaysia.

He must know how to behave and act with caution and respect to non - Muslims citizens here. As Tun Mahathir advised he must ‘behave’ himself and not provoke or insult other religions, an act that is also forbidden even in own religion.

Of late Malaysia is struggling to improve inter-religious harmony, respect and tolerance among its citizens. We don’t need outsiders to destroy what we are doing. They may not be able to help us but at least they should not hinder our efforts that already appear futile. We need to build bridges not destroy whatever bridges we have built with great sacrifice.