Kajang move a preemptive political strategy?

 

The sudden resignation of the Kajang state assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh to force a by-election for the Selangor assembly seat caught many by surprise and has come under severe attack by many Malaysians. They see such an action as irresponsible, a waste of taxpayer’s money and a betrayal of the voters who have voted for him just 10 months earlier.

The fact that PKR Supremo Anwar Ibrahim will be contesting the seat further aggravated the dissatisfaction of the people who feel, Anwar should know better that such a move is not right. There are accusations that it may be his disparate move to seek power by becoming MB.

Is Anwar taking over as Selangor MB? If he does, is it the right move? Is he so desperate as to want to replace the incumbent Khalid Ibrahim who is doing reasonably well? The move may not be right, but it is the right political strategy at this given time when there are moves to topple the Pakatan rule in Selangor and even in Penang.

The ongoing religious tension in these two states is aimed to achieve that and can result in the collapse of Pakatan rule in Selangor if no firm preemptive action is taken now prevent it. Why is this religious and racial tension caused by the perceived threat to Islam by Christians is only in Penang and Selangor? Don’t other states ruled by BN also have significant number of Christians as well to be seen as a there too?

We as ordinary citizens may not know the real truth behind this Kajang move. But I am sure Anwar cannot be so stupid as to embark on it without a good reason. It is difficult to believe that a man of his stature would want to settle for a state MB’s post.

What is in Anwar's mind only he alone knows, and following him closely for the past 15 over years, I believe it must for some long term benefit to save Selangor and the country from the ruins being brought by Umno. It is time for him now to show his masterly political skills to stop the bombardment by Umno on Selangor to cause its downfall. It is now or never

Italian dog finds God, frequents church

An inspirational story on gratitude from a dog,which many humans lack today.At a time when even aged parents are abandoned by men this dog is great.It has put many to shame by its its love and gratitude for its master who cared for it when it was abandoned earlier.
It should make us pause to ponder on our own sense of gratitude to those who helped us before

An inspirational story of an encounter by a young man.

I refer to the article “One good deed deserves another” by Lee Chee Ho (Sunday Star 19 January 2014).I commend the writer for taking the extra-step to “understand” the poor beggar whom he ignored earlier, who despite being told off rudely came back to help him save his wallet.Very often we tend to get irritated by "beggars" disturbing our private moments during meals with family or friends. Their shabby attire, dirty appearance and at times even their foul-odor puts us off.

Furthermore we have heard a lot of stories of how kind-hearted people have been conned by imposters out to make some easy money or even out to rob us. We have also heard a lot of stories of people cheating people to get some money to be spent on the wrong things – cigarettes, alcohol and even gambling. Most of us believe that such people are lazy and therefore resort to begging for food and money on the streets. But is begging really a lazy man’s job?

All these thoughts run through our minds when we are confronted with a “beggar” who asks for just a ringgit or two. The easiest and most convenient thing to do is to ignore them or chase them away rudely. However at times when we discover the truth behind such a vagabond we then regret the harsh treatment we meted out to him, but it will be too late.

The lesson from this simple story is for us not to be pre-judgmental by just the physical appearance or preconceived perceptions of others especially those in need. We should not judge a person by his looks or appearance but must go a step further to ask ourselves why he behaves in such an undignified manner. 

Often we find all sorts of excuses why we should not help such a person. He is not asking much but why the reluctance to help? We tend to be over -cautious as we do not want to be cheated.

It is often said that there is a story behind every person and there is a reason for the way they are and also that every person comes into our lives for a reason which we may not realize until we get to know them. He may either reveal his needs or more often he exposes our weakness. 

So may be the next time we meet someone like this old beggar, we should stop being judgmental and give the little he asks for as we will never know he may the genuinely deserving one among the many who are not. The judicial principle of “It Better that ten guilty persons go free than   one innocent person be convicted” also applies to the genuine poor who seeks help to survive.

Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2014/01/19/One-good-deed-deserves-another/

Lesson on filial love

I refer to the  letter, “ My brother’s absolute filial love” by THE OCEAN IS BRIMMING of Petaling Jaya,(Star 18 January)

    

It was indeed a very touching story of the writer’s brother who is a living example of what filial love should be all about. We salute him for his untiring efforts to bring a little joy and comfort to his ailing aged mother and his cancer stricken sister. His story is particularly encouraging after reading of the plight of the mercilessly abandoned old folks in Taman Wahyu lately. It is refreshing to know that there are still many who have big hearts for their aged parents.

He does not have a highly paid job and has hardly enough money for himself but that did not stop him from caring for his bedridden mother. He did not abdicate that responsibility to someone else which many of us would have done if in his place. In fact I am sure he will refuse others who may be willing to take over his role in caring for his mother. It is rare to find people like him in today’s materialistic and highly competitive world,people who value gratitude utmost despite all their shortcomings. 

He may be old himself and without much money and resources but has a heart of gold that no amount of wealth can buy. He is a living lesson for us all, that it is not money that counts when it comes to showing love, especially to aged our parents and disabled siblings, but a willing desire to do so that burns in the depths of our hearts.

We wish him all the best and hope God bless him with peace and happiness for his extra-ordinary love for his mother..

Abandoning of aged parents a serious sickness in society

Having the heart to do the heartless

I refer to “Rescued old folk ignored by families”,Star January,15. 

It is indeed very sad and disturbing that no one has come forward to claim the four senior citizens at the Kuala Kubu Baru Hospital after they were found languishing at an abandoned old folks home last week. They are believed to be elderly parents who were abandoned by their children and left neglected in an old folk’s homes. Such inhumane act speaks volumes of the so-called caring society in which we live today. 

It is extremely sad to know how children can be so hard-hearten and ungrateful to their parents as to cruelly abandon them at the final of their lives. These four aged parents are just a few of the many more who are lingering in poorly managed and overcrowded homes for the aged. A visit to any old folk’s home will reveal a number of aged and handicapped persons being abandoned after some months by the children who never turn up or even pay for their maintenance at the home. This irresponsible action to me is one of the greatest crimes a human can commit against another, more so against his own parents. 

The four abandoned aged and sickly parents rescued from the home are now lingering in the hospital and are reported to be well but are they really? Welfare homes and hospitals can give them medication, shelter, food and clothing and a little love out of sympathy from the staff taking care of them but not the type of love the oldies yearn for which can only be given by their own children.

There are suggestions to introduce laws to force children to care for their elderly parents but will that solve the problem of parent abandoning? I don't think any laws can force love down the throats of people who are heartless and selfish with no sense of gratitude for those who gave them life and were ladders in their climb of success. They can be forced to give a little money but not something, which they don’t have – love. Unfortunately however this is what the majority of these elderly parents really need. 

Then there those aged parents being “abandoned “in their own homes. They may be seen to be staying happily in the comforts of their own homes but are lonely and dejected as nobody in the family has any time for them. How will legislation enforce a caring attitude among the members of the family when they refuse to see the need to care for the oldies?

We tend to forget that our aging parents are solely our responsibility, which we cannot abdicate to others. It is only we who can fulfill their expectation to the fullest, not an outsider, however kind he may be to them. It is very touching to see old parents, sick and handicapped in old folk’s homes, even when abandoned never complain about their children. In fact most of them refuse to believe their children have abandoned them and continue to have so much hope that their son or daughter will come back one day to take them home. To many that day never comes as they die painfully heart-broken before their hopes are realized.

Parent abandoning is not a new phenomena but is growing fast in our affluent society. Whatever reason or excuse we may have, it is morally wrong to abandon our parents especially at the twilight of their lives when they outlive their usefulness to us and our families.

 

This unpleasant and immoral phenomenon should be a lesson for all of us as how we should care for our own aged parents. It may be pertinent for us to remember the saying, "What goes around comes around" which simply means that whatever you do in this life to other people, whether it is good or bad, the same will return to you. Maybe not in the exact same way, but the payback for the bad we do will be extremely painful which we will regret one day.

Doing well in hospital
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTy04HyGSKw#t=17

   

Jais raid on BSM unwarranted and illegal

Where do minorities turn to for justice ?

The Jais (Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor), raid on the Bible Society Malaysia(BSM), the arrest of BSM officers and the confiscation of copies of bibles is not only illegal but also a dangerous act that must be not be condoned. The state and federal governments must come on hard on this dangerous act of Jais taking the law into its own hands. It is an arrogant and blatant abuse of power that goes against the provisions of the Federal Constitution and basic tenets of every religion. The presence of police officers in the raid further adds weight to its illegality. 

Does Jais have the power to raid a non-Muslim premise and arrest its personnel? If so who gave them the authority to do so? Why was the police involved in the raid, joining in an illegal operation instead of acting to stop it? If this action of Jais is not an abuse of power what is it?

This illegal and high-handedness of Jais brings to question, “Where do the non-Muslims and minorities in our country go to for justice?” Why have a Federal Constitution when it is not upheld? The courts don’t seem to be fair in their judgments, the police lopsided in their investigations and all government agencies are openly pro-Umno in mindset. Fact, reason and logic don’t seem to have any value in our country today as they are blatantly ignored. The government has failed to protect the rights of the minority in this country by upholding the provisions in the constitution. The Prime Minister remains silent, refusing to come to their aid. Where and who do they turn to get the justice they are entitled?

The Allah controversy has now become more complex and spilled over into becoming a confrontation between the Muslims and Christians. The situation has come to s dangerous level and the leaders at the highest level, especially the Prime Minister and his cabinet must act fast to stop deterioration of the situation. Silence on their part only emboldens the abusers of the law and the righteous denied justice.

All parties must first stop open confrontation on the issue of “Allah” and return to peaceful and civil dialogue. The dispute on the use of Allah cannot be solved in the courts, confrontation or with a show of force. It can only be overcome with goodwill and tolerance for one another which appears to be the most difficult to come by.

The Allah issue is not about winning or losing or is it about proving who is stronger. It is about God and so it is about love, humility and goodwill not for any particular group but for the sake of overall peace and harmony, something far greater than the interests of any individual or group. 

Christians and Muslims alike should put God above all and for His sake they must embrace the virtues of goodwill, humility and tolerance to compromise a little for the sake of all the greater peace and well-being of all Malaysians and the country they love.