Quite Like, But Not...

There's a virus in town.

Malaysians have been told that it is deadly.

Were Horatio Nelson still around, perhaps he would have been called upon to arrest the spread of this virus. He did, after all, conquer the Spanish Fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar. But then again, that was a different era, a different war. Most certainly, a different kind of sickness.


We were told that this virus is deadly. To prevent or minimise an outbreak, the authorities, long ago, decided to isolate anyone showing symptoms of the ailments that comes with the virus, hoping the isolation would suffice to curb the virus before it reaches an epidemic proportion.

Yes, this virus is not new. Its been around for a very long time. Perhaps, as long as human civilisation began centuries ago. Yet, not many were aware of it. Or those who were, were told to keep their voice down. And the fate of those caught with the virus...not many stories came forth. But that was then. Before the Internet provided the people with news of the world, all at their fingertips.

Back home in Malaysia, the authorities tried to inject an anti-virus. No, not the sort meant for Personal Computers, but one meant to safeguard the interest of the Nation. But even that is not quite right. To be more precise, the anti-virus the authorities injected, was meant to safeguard their own interest and had nothing at all to do with the people of Malaysia. Or if it did, such noble thoughts and intention were superceded by another strain of virus in the form of greed, and afflicting those who are in power. One which was conveniently overlooked by them.

Now, before anyone thinks I've gone bonkers already, or that I am trying to mislead anyone, the virus I mention is not the H1N1 (click here) afflicting Malaysia and many parts of the world. But this virus is only deadly to the authorities, those who are afflicted with greed and corruption. Ironically, the anti-virus mentioned is...a virus of the mind of the authorities and named Internal Security Act (the ISA), which the authorities have abused many times over in their effort to imprison the minds of the people of Malaysia. InsyAllah, no more.

Come this August 1, it is hoped that many Malaysians from every walk of life will join in the protest against this one weapon which the government is using to safeguard it's own interest instead of the people...the rakyat! Nay, never a thought was given to the people as was aptly written by Praba Ganesan here.

So Malaysians, do come and join us for a lovely walk in the Sun. If you are, then kindly read this message here first.

2 Reminders and Media Statement

Just a reminder for 2 events and a Media Statement from Doctor Lo'lo'.

First, the Pesta Buku Selangor has begun at the PKNS Complex in Shah Alam. It was officiated earlier today by Puan Mastura, and end on August 3, 2009. For more info, please click here.

On a more serious note - not that the above is not - the Anti-ISA March this August 1, 2009; kindly refer here. Anyone who would like to read in depth the suffering of not only of those who are being held illegally by the stooges of BN, but also the suffering of the families who are left to fend for themselves and not knowing when the father of their children would be realsed, please read Puan Norlaila's account here.

It is interesting to note that a group calling themselves Pewaris and very much pro-ISA, have announced to march at exactly the same time and date mentioned. However, I do wonder if they - those so called supporters of ISA - know what they are getting themselves into, or what their real stand is. Clearly to me, they are there as provocation and nothing else, remembering the blundring oaf of a former Minister who is famous for his stammers and 'erection' (instead of election), who mentioned on live international TV "What if we, we, also march at the same time. C...can you imagine what would happen?" He was referring to the BERSIH March, which is famous to justice-seeking citizens of Malaysia, but infamous to the clowns who wants to keep Malaysia in their tight grips.

And what have the Police to say about this now? Nothing, not a single word! Perhaps they want to wait for a bloodbath to happen before joining in, on Prowaris side, undoubtedly. But enough of that.
With regards to model who has been sentenced to be caned by the Syariah Court in Kuantan, kindly read Doctor Lo'lo's Media Statement as below:

Kenyataan YB Dr. Lo’lo’ isu hukuman sebat ke atas pesalah minum arak untuk membetulkan kenyataan media.

Dari YB Titiwangsa, Doctor Lo'Lo',

Artikel Themalaysianinsider.com bertarikh 23/07/2009 dengan tajuk-tajuk berikut “Outrage Over Caning For Model” dan “Syariah Lawyers Association Regrets Shahrizat’s Statement On Whipping Of Model” adalah dirujuk. Di dalam kedua-dua artikel tersebut ada menyiarkan seperti berikut :

a) Titiwangsa MP Lo'lo Mohd Ghazali, who is also head of the women's wing of the opposition PAS, said that punishment should educate and not cause hurt.
b) Shahrizat said she was shocked by the Syariah Court decision and called for a fair and just punishment.

Meanwhile, Dr Lo'lo was surprised that whipping of women was sanctioned by the Malaysian syariah law adding punishment should be educational, and not to cause hurt.


Petang semalam saya telah dihubungi oleh wartawan meminta saya memberi sedikit komen berkaitan hukuman oleh Mahkamah Syariah Kuantan yang menjatuhkan hukuman sebat terhadap seorang model sambilan atas kesalahn meminum arak. Saya telah memberikan komen saya dengan sucihati megikut pengetahuan saya berkaitan hukuman dan realiti masyarakat Malaysia. Malangnya terdapat pihak-pihak yang melihat kenyataan di akhbar dari konteks yang lain.

Pertama, saya terkejut dengan hukuman yang dijatuhkan oleh Mahkamah Syariah Kuantan ke atas model tersebut. Memang saya terkejut kerana ada juga Mahkamah Syariah di Malaysia yang berupaya menghukum pesalah dengan hukuman sebegitu walaupun peruntukkan tersebut telah lama ada. Tetapi baru sekarang hukuman sebegitu dijatuhkan bagi pesalah kesalahan tersebut. Saya amat bersetuju dengan hukuman tersebut kerana sekurang-kurangnya hukuman tersebut begitu hampir dengan hukuman Hudud.

Di dalam Hudud, hukuman bagi pesalah minum arak adalah 40 kali sebatan malah ada ulamak yang mengatakan sehingga 80 kali sebatan. Sebelum ini tiada Mahkamah yang menjatuhkan hukuman sebegitu walau pun Mahkamah Syariah sepatutnya menghukum mengikut hukuman Allah tetapi di Malaysia ini hukuman yang dikenakan tidak seperti yang ditetapkan Allah dalam Al-Quran dan Sunnah Rasulullah S.A.W.

Apabila Mahkamah Syariah Kuantan menjatuhkan hukuman sebat ke atas model tersebut, ini membuatkan saya terkejut. Bukan terkejut kerana hukuman tetapi terkejut kerana keberanian Hakim Mahkamah Syariah tersebut. Syabas kepada beliau.

Kedua, saya mengatakan sebarang bentuk hukuman yang dikenakan samada denda, sebatan atau penjara, semuanya hendaklah dalam bentuk untuk memberi pengajaran kepada pesalah, bukannya untuk mendera atau menyebabkan kecederaan kepada pesalah. Hukuman di dalam Islam adalah untuk memberikan pengajaran kepada pesalah dan khalayak supaya menginsafi perbuatan itu.

Di dalam kes ini, saya berpendapat masyarakat umumnya masih tidak memahami kaedah bagaimana sebatan ke atas pesalah dilakukan. Adakah ianya dilakukan sama seperti pesalah-pesalah jenayah lain di dalam undang-undang jenayah sivil. Masyarakat umum mengetahui bagaimana hukuman sebat dilakukan ke atas pesalah jenayah sivil seperti di dalam kes pengedaran dadah, merogol, meliwat dan sebagainya.

Adakah hukuman sebat di Mahkamah Syariah dilakukan dengan kaedah yang sama? Inilah kebimbangan yang saya sebutkan kepada wartawan tersebut bimbang hukuman sebat ini dianggap sebagai hukuman Mahkamah Sivil sehingga memberi tanggapan buruk kepada Mahkamah Syariah, lebih-lebih lagi yang dihukum seorang wanita. Ini yang perlu diperjelaskan. Inilah maksud saya bila saya mengatakan hukuman sepatutnya untuk tujuan pengajaran, bukan untuk mendatangkan kecederaan. Saya merujuk kepada "Titiwangsa MP Lo'lo Mohd Ghazali, who is also head of the women's wing of the opposition PAS, said that punishment should educate and not cause hurt."

Artikel ini dengan jelas tidak tepat kerana saya bukan Ketua Muslimat PAS seperti yang didakwa. Justeru saya mengharapkan agar tiada pihak yang sewenang-wenangnya mempercayai sebarang tulisan di akhbar sebelum mendapat maklumat secukupnya. Saya kira sudah sampai masanya pihak berkuasa di Malaysia iaitu UMNO/BN “merotan” Pengurus MAS yang menyebabkan semua mereka yang berada dalam satu-satu penerbangan terlibat secara langsung dengan arak, iaitu dari pramugara/i yang hidang arak sehinggalah pilot yang mengemudi kapal terbang tersebut. Begitu juga perlu “disebat” pihak yang terbabit berpuluh-puluh tahun membiarkan orang-orang Islam terlibat secara langsung dengan arak di hotel-hotel, 7- Eleven, pasaraya-pasaraya dan pekerja-pekerja Islam di kilang Carlberg.

Akhir sekali, SYABAS KEPADA MAHKAMAH SYARIAH KUANTAN dan Syukur Alhamdulillah kepada Puan Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor yang telah menginsafi perbuatan tersebut. Moga Allah menerima taubat hambaNya yang menyesali kesalahan. DI SINI SAYA LONTARKAN PERSOALAN INI KEPADA SEMUA ORANG ISLAM DI MALAYSIA, SIAPAKAH YANG SEPATUTNYA DISEBAT DALAM ISU ARAK DI MALAYSIA??...

Of Lionheads and Dungheads

The Lionhead bobs its head on the surface of the water. Its mouth, ever in motion of opening and closing like it is chewing on something. And its protruding eyes, looks at the man standing on the edge of its world with a look bordering on self-pity. The man looks back at those dark eyes, and feels the guilt of having one of Allah's creation confined in a space which, were the Lionhead a human, can be torturous and suffocating. Nonetheless, it still is.

The once small, white gleaming body which made it the adoration of many lookers, is now fat and round; its very growth, sadly, had led it to become a mass of undesirable sight to some. As it wobbles in the water, its silky white tail move in counter direction; the only part of the Lionhead which still retain its beauty. But looking beautiful is the least of the Lionhead's concern. It is hungry, and it needs food. And its very behaviour now resemble a dog standing on its hind feet and begging for food from its master. A pitiful sight. For any of God's creatures.

In the wide open world of a lake or river, the Lionhead, like many other creatures, would be free to roam its realm in search of food. It would be free to choose the direction to swim to, and the mate it wants. But here in the enclosed space which can be a mere fraction of the world mentioned, it has no choice but await the mercy of the man looking down on it. In more ways than one, the picture speaks of cruelty.

Man, the race, was chosen by Allah s.w.t. to be the Khalifah of this world. We are supposed to be the noblest of God's creation. Yet, many times than not, we renege on our promise to Allah, and behave in manner lower than that of an animal. In doing so, we call on others to join the thoughts "4 legs good, 2 legs bad", while slowly chanting the vile words "But some 4 legs are better than others!". Not surprisingly, there were many takers.

When their thoughts are challenged or revealed by persons or bodies, the 4l-legged human seek the comfort of a channel they have long manipulated for, and towards their cause; some 4 legs are better than others!. Definitely, this is not what Napoleon died for. Can we not stand upright in pride, and accept the humble truth that we are nothing but an overgrown blood clot, a product that came to be with the help of another whose ego was too big for himself? Or, must we live the glorious moments of freedom and justice as told by George Orwell?

Picture Credit: Mr Moh of flicker.

Pity the Lionhead, abolish the Internal Security Act. Better still, dismantle the BN sarkas and its goons. Or, better known as dungheads.

The Final: Beans Ununited vs People United

"Welcome come back viewers, to the greatest game ever in the history of Malaysia!" said the commentator Faisal Martin Salo as the cameraman focus on him.
"Right! As we await the 2 teams to come up on pitch for more exciting moments in the extra time, let me introduce you to my 2 new colleagues who will be helping me here. Both, are already well known to everyone already and I should just ask you to welcome Fergie Nazir and Arsne Kerpie! Welcome! Welcome..."the camera pans out to show all 3 gentleman well seated at the window overlooking the fabulous soccer pitch at Bukit Jalil Stadium.

"Gentlemen," adds FMS "what have you got to say about the exciting match just now?"
"Er...before we begin", quips in Fergie Nazir "what happened to the other commentator here just now?"
"Den Cakapaje, you mean?"replied FMS "Oh, he decided to go down to the pitch and be our man there!"
"Den Cakapaje? You mean the guy's from Melaka?"
"Oh no! He's a born and bred Selangorian. Just that, well, he fancies himself to be like Dan Rathers, a famous newscasters from CBS." said FMS with a wide grin, as FN slaps his forehead in disbelief and whispering to himself "Oh well...".
"But let's get on to the match, especially for our late viewers" FMS cuts in quickly, hoping viewers would not notice FN's reaction.

"Now viewers," said FMS "Beans Ununited and the People are currently tied even at 4 each. But, fans of the People are crying foul as 2 of their goals have been rules offside while all 4 goals from BU looks suspiciously to be so. Let us now hear what these great gentlemen we have hear have to say about it. Arsne Kerpie, let us start with you..."
"*&@#*$)"growls AK with words that are hardly audible, minding the fact that he is on live TV. "Of course the BU goals are illegal...all of them! The 3rd goal was scored with a hand, but the match officials have strangely allowed it!"
"Well," FN interjects "I do not find it strange, actually. In fact, had they disallowed that goal, only then I would think so. I see those match officials to be bias from even before the game. Their wearing dark blue colours for example, I see that a delibrate attempt to confuse the PU players who are wearing all blacks."
"Now, that's an interesting point...the PU wearing all blacks. Why that colour?" ask FMS.
"Let me reply that" said AK while grabbing the microphone. "The PU are wearng all black as a sign of protest at having their brilliant midfielder sent off during the semi finals. Yes, in fact, we should all be wearing black in support to Rakyat People Kamaruddin, instead of the yellow of the fans."
"But you are also wearing yellow, as I am" siad FMS.
"True. But when we planned for yellow, we did not know RPK would be banned for this final match as well" retort FN. "We only received the news this morning but by then it was too late to change. That, is why the fans are in force here wearing yellow."

"Talking about the fans," FMS said as he directs the camera to the stands "the yellow wave fills only about a quarter of the stadium. The rest, I see the blue colours of Beans Ununited. How is this so?"
"Well...*#@$()*^@$" this time AK just could not control his tongue, "if you look outside the stadium, the PU fans have been locked out by stadium officials even though they hold genuine tickets for this match! This is another attempt by BU to give a false impression of PU's strength!"
"I agree with AK" said FN. "I honestly believe the stadium officials should have used the indelible ink to mark genuine ticket holders."
"But...if so, then who are those people wearing BU colours then?"
"&&(@() foreigners, I tell you!" shouted AK.
"Ok, we will have to cut this short now as I see some players coming back onto the pitch" said FMS as the camera director punch in another camera's shot onto the main screen.

On the field, all 11 players of People United walk slowly to their side where Ziza, Idah, Rawna holds a brief discussion while Daylight Kit juggles with a ball with his feet. On the other side, Halkap and Bijan are the only BU players seen with the rest still in the changing room. The referee is seen talking to BU officials.

"There seem to be some confusion down there," said the voice of FMS "let's try to get Den Cakapaje to get us the story. Den, what can you tell us?"
"Well," shouts DC as he tries to make himself heard through the roar and din of not only inside the stadium, but outside as well as thousand of yellow t-shirt fans wait in full hope for a well deserve victory. "It seems, the BU players had a scuffle between themselves just now and their officials are still trying to sort matters."
"Do you know what the trouble is all about?"
"Yes, I was informed by a BU official that the players have a disagreement on 2 matters! First, none of them wants the role of striker; then, they want the captain armband worn by someone other than Halkap or Bijan!"
"Over the hill, are they?" ask FMS.
"That's the story I have. Both, Halkap and Bijan thinks they are in the same mould as Roger Milla, and have refused to bow down. Their botak goalkeeper, that Yu Botak Bodoh, thinks he is one too! But hold on...yes, the BU players are coming back on pitch. Yes, there they are and the referee is counting each as they come on. Yes, we now have all...17 BU players on pitch?"
"17? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I've made a count and a recount. The referee's allowing BU to have 17 players on the field!"

"Hang on, hang on!" cuts in FN. "Is this a soccer match we are having?"
"Off course it is" the reply however, comes from a BU official. "We make the rules here and we'll show you how soccer is played," and he walks off throwing a rugby ball to one of the BU players.

For RPK and the many still held under ISA.
Say No to ISA!

Sumbat and Sumbat Again!

Of recent, I have been feeling very guilty whenever I look at the fishes in the tank at home. The guilty feeling sunk deeper after I bought a couple of Lionhead Fish. Oh, they are still alive and even look somewhat happier swimming about in a tank which is undoubtedly larger than the ones in the fish shop. Like the Swordtails, Loaches, Tetras, and Mollies, the 2 Lionheads are like many living beings, find the need for compassion, especially from a fellow living being, especially a biped that goes by the name Human. After all, were we not appointed to be Khalifah - holding a trust to manage a just society which include, the flora and fauna, and the lands and even bodies of water on and in it? Surely if we are to hold true to this, then we must exercise an even greater care towards fellow humans, irrespective of their belief or skin colour. But sadly this has not been the case with a government that claims itself as civilised (hadhari).

Irrespective of what one may feel and think of another human, one is bound to be give him fair treatment especially in matters of conflict. When we reflect back in history, then we may be surprised to find that fair and equal treatment were already in practiced by people living in an age where education is considered a luxury rather than a need. During the times of Saidina Umar r.a., he accused a Jew of stealing his battle armour. But because he could not provide proof of ownership, the judge ruled in favour of the Jew. That, happened while Saidina Umar was reigning as the Khalifah of a growing Islamic nation. Yet, he did not use the powers of his office to overturn the verdict, nor to harm the Jew. Today however, several leaders stoop lower than a barbarian in the Dark Ages, using force and cruelty onto the people they have been sworn to serve, merely to put a stop to the truths from being revealed to the public, or to they - the leaders - themselves. Hiding behind their stooges and the cruel ISA, they swooped down on 3 people whose guilt, is very much questionable to the public: What, are their real crimes?

I may not know all 3 personally, but I have had the pleasure of being with RPK on several occasions, and even interviewed him twice whilst with webtv8. On one occasion, I even teased him as being an anarchist. But that, an anarchist, he is not. RPK, is a man strong in his convictions and can be more than a trifle loud with his words. Yes, he may have crossed the lines at one point of time or another. But haven't we all? Or do we think that we are saintly creatures who have not committed a single wrong in our life? Do bear in mind, the very act of NOT doing something for or towards the betterment of a person or persons who may be in dire need, is wrong itself. And the very act of NOT doing anything towards curtailing or prevention of a misdeed is also wrong. If we can agree with the 2 statements, then what have each of us done to expose the wrongdoings and abuses of this government? Or has the government been squeaky clean all this while? What about the BMF scandal and the murder of Allahyarham Ahmad Nordin while investigating it? What about the wanton destructions of Suraus, homes, and places of worship simply because the land that was resided were awarded to a developer who cared hoots about the people living there?

Though its been rather recent, many too seem to have forgotten about the loss of nearly a billion ringgit in the The Crooked Bridge fiasco. Or much earlier - and this is for the Malay Nationalist - that Bank Bumiputra was swallowed by a bank smaller to it in terms of assets and manpower, and that the smaller bank is related to a politician; do you remember that? Or even that BBMB was 'systematically' destroyed by members of the sarkas who saddled the bank with huge debts that may have been written off already. If RPK truly did insult Islam, why wasn't he, as adviced by a certain Mufti, brought in for counselling? Heck, why didn't they charge him in the Syariah Courts, then? Perhaps, we have forgotten that a certain leader in the 1990's clearly insulted Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and many of us decided to keep mum about it. And that an illegal regime cricket's team was invited to Malaysia where a group of Malaysians protested and in turn, was dragged off into Kamunting Camp. There are, far too many crimes and questionable acts committed by the government itself for one to remember comprehensively. The question is, have the 'crimes' of RPK been above all stated? Let's take another glaring example then.

When Tan Hoon Cheng reported what a clown from Bukit Bendera said, it was Tan who was arrested instead of the clown. Alhamdulillah, Tan was reported to have been released already. But the question remains: Was it wrong for her, as a reporter, to jot down criminal words mentioned by another? If not then, how is it the real perpetrator is still at large?

Teresa was said to have issued a directive which supposed raised the ire of Muslims in Selangor. For that, she has been brought in with the use of the repulsive ISA. In contrast to what was reported as well as her supposed crime, I reproduce a comment found here, and then let us together ponder on what actually is the crime commited by the YB.

KENYATAAN NAZIR MASJID KOTA DAMANSARA
Adalah saya selaku nazir Masjid Kota Damansara dan jawatankuasa ingin merujuk kepada isu larangan penggunaan azan oleh orang bukan islam yang kononnya didalangi oleh Teresa Kok @ DAP seperti yang diwar oleh Melayu Net dalam laman ini dan juga kenyataan Bekas Menteri Besar Selangor (Khir Toyo) dalam Utusan Malaysia bertarikh 9.9.2008. Pihak jawatankuasa masjid melihat isu yang sengaja ditimbulkan oleh pihak yang kecewa ini berniat jahat, fitnah dan cuba menimbulkan suasana tidak harmonis dan prajudis dikalangan pelbagai bangsa di Kota Damansara. Adalah amat malang lagi dangkal seorang bekas Menteri Besar (Khir Toyo) boleh mengutip khabar angin (berita sampah) lalu bersedia untuk menjadi jaguh mempertahankan islam. Walhal sejarah telah terpahat tentang isu menutup surau, menangkap penceramah, mengadakan pelbagai sekatan terhadap perkembangan syiar islam, zakat dijadikan senjata mengugut pelajar Al-azhar yang tidak sehaluan (banyak lagi) sewaktu beliau berkuasa di Selangor dulu. Sebenarnya apa yang berlaku bukan atas tekanan dan bantahan oleh orang bukan islam, tetapi sistem pembesar suara masjid dalam proses ujian oleh pihak kontraktor. Untuk makluman semua Masjid Kota Damansara baru 2 minggu digunakan. Sudah pasti terdapat kekurangan dan kelemahan disana sini. Masih dalam jaminan pihak kontraktor selama setahun. Disamping itu, berlaku masalah elektrikal pada pembesar suara ekoran masalah cuaca baru-baru ini. Bagi mengatasi untuk tujuan kuliah, tarawikh, tazkirah dsbnya, pihak masjid berterima kasih kepada Pengurusan Sekolah Menengah Seksyen 10 Kota Damansara yang bersedia meminjamkan PA Sistemnya. dan telah digunakan dengan sempurna. Insya-Allah sistem pembesar suara masjid dalam proses pembaikan dan dijangka siap pada hari ini (9.9.2008) mengikut janji kontraktor. Namun untuk mengatakan azan tidak kedengaran langsung adalah satu pembohongan kerana pihak masjid menyambug sistem tersebut ke menara. Justeri itu, pihak masjid meminta Melayu net dan pihak berkenaan memohon maaf diatas fitnah jahat tersebut yang menyebabkan timbul sipa prajudis dikalangan umat islam KOta Damansara. Sekian, wassalam. US HAJI HASSAN BASRI @ BASRI MOHD NAZIR MASJID KOTA DAMANSARA

Reading through the comment, it does beg one to wonder the true criminal of it all.

My only wish now is that Pakatan Rakyat will make their move sooner before Kamunting becomes like the Black Hole of Calcutta.

On A Serious Note - Campaign For the Abolishment of the ISA!

It seems my last entry caused some small ruckus on and off my blog. I won't apologise on the grounds of the entry, but I do feel sorry that it has been misunderstood. Granted, I am not a literature genius, nor even remotely near. But that entry was meant to be a satire of the political madness in Malaysia, and nothing more than that. If ever though, at worse it should be read in humour as the label would suggest. To understand it better, do read it with an earlier entry as I have noted towards end of The Continuing Saga of POB. Perhaps, much later, I will dissect it. Hopefully by then, I too will understand it better :)

OK, enough on that and let's move on to a more serious note - the ISA!

Foremost, let me tell you of my experience of the ISA - I have none! I do not personally know of anyone who has been incarcerated with the act, nor have I met any. But, as I have written in one of an early entry entitled "Of Fishes, Life and the ISA", I am one who is against the Act! To me, it is inhumane, cruel, and barbaric, to charge any person and then imprison them without giving them the chance to vindicate themselves. The ISA, was an Act introduced by the British to combat communist insurgents during the Emergency, and may have justifications for its use then (kindly do note that I have used the word 'may').

The Gerakan Mansuh ISA (GMI), launched, yet again, another campaign to seek the release of more than 75 people who still held under the ISA and are seeking seeking public support via an on-line petition. If any of my friends or readers here are of the same mind, please, do give your support by adding your signature to the petition which is made available on the news, or here Abolish The ISA.


Update April 20, 2008: Correction: The above Petition, while true, is an older petition by Aliran. The actual Petition on campaign which will be submitted to the United Nation Human Rights Commission, are as the links below:

No ISA or http://petitiononline.com/NoISA/petition.html

Of Spooks and the ISA

Honestly, I do not know how to begin this entry. Perhaps, we shall begin with the only TV series I bother to watch for quite sometime now; Spooks.

A word of caution though for TV fans who may think this spy series is full of action - it is not! Its pure drama with very well written script and set in situations which at times, mirror real life crisis of the world, particularly those affecting the UK.

I don't how and exactly when I got hooked to this show, but for the past 12 months or so, there has been nothing but reruns of the 2nd season. Finally a week or 2 ago, Hallmark channel began screening the 3rd season which is what the scanned section of The Star is all about. Its a wonderful series, one that thus far I've watched, does not stereotype non-whites or most importantly, Muslims, as the big bad wolf. In fact, I was told the series once faced flaks from Christians in UK for showing the ugly side of Christian Evangelism and Militants! No, not that I applaud such a thing but it perhaps underline the producers want to put on a show which is based on real life and much unlike Hollywood gungho or Bollywood fantasy movies and series.

Now, to the more serious part, one which I still have no idea how to begin. Perhaps, I should begin with the meet I had with bro Mat Salo when he was last in town. We met in a coffee shop nearby my house and our conversation soon touched on the ISA and how the government will soon use it against some bloggers. I then confided in him that if such thing is true, then I too may face the same thing. No, not for my blog, which is not worth anyone's spit, but for my activities on the net. And no, I do not think I am crying wolf, though I pray I am.

Over the past 3-4 years, I have been sending out political news to various e-groups in Malaysia. Per night, I found out recently while preparing a paper for a certain person, the potential readership I send to is in the range of 100,000 people. It got to such, that I've had 2 email addresses hijacked and later deleted by Yahoo! It was that same email which I received brickbats and so on, including threats by people whom I can only think as the SB. In a way, alhamdulillah, I am happy to begin with a newer email address. But that also meant starting from scratch again, having to rejoin the various e-groups, and several other hassles.

My reason for writing this is because I think my emails have been touching nerves again. Now, here's what I normally do each night: I would go through all the political blogs especially those at readscentral, and combine 2 piece of news together for a desired effect - sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. And it was this particular email which may land me somewhere near Taiping, when I combined a piece of news from Harakahdaily.net and Blackinkorea. Now, normally its not that I do not, but simply I just could not care what happen to the news I send so long as I know it reach and may be read by at least 10% or 10,000 people - I have no way of knowing. But this particular email, it seem to do the trick as it was reported in the Sun and was reproduced in BERSIH (para 4). Still, there is now way of saying whether the particular email is the one I sent. I am however, taking precautions.

It may seem silly to put up my precautionary matters here on this blog for I am quite sure those goons do give it a look-see every now and then, more especially with the News You May Have Missed now somehow linked to several major news websites. And I am not crying "Hey! Bring them on!", as that would be a pretty foolish dare to do. To the readers of my blog, especially my friends who are kind enough to entertain me with their comments, what I want to say is just this:

"Should you ever find my blog not updated for a period longer than a week, than there is a very great possibility that you may find me cringing in a dirty cell somewhere in Malaysia, subjected to various humiliating punishment and torture methods such as those written from personal experience by Abu Urwah, the present Ketua Penerangan PAS Selangor. If this which I do fear happen, please take it upon yourself to contact and inform Abu Urwah and Ahmad Lutfi of Harakah. And do have a heart to call upon my emak and ask of her wellbeing.

I know I sound like an utterly bloody fool putting this down here for everyone to read, most especially if nothing ever happens. But I'll be a bigger fool not to do so! For certain it is not fame that I do what I do, insyAllah, for the names that I use are not even mine. I do it in the name of Allah s.w.t., and that if ever I do disappear, than know too that my action is just another voice fighting for justice and freedom, which the authorities fear."

Hmm...having written that and feeling every inch the fool I must be even right now, I feel sort of relieved. Maybe, with the grace of Allah, this entry would act something like a purloined letter, preventing that which I dread, insyAllah.

The Y-Factor and A Call-Up.

Disclaimer: Not being of the medical fraternity, and not good in knowledge about biology, except for...er, birds and bees, I asked a Doctor friend to refresh my knowledge on the XY Chromosomes. Having been refreshed, I now can write with confidence on a matter relating to it...er, unless she's pulling a fast one on me. Hmm...

Earlier this morning when I wanted to feed the fishes, I noticed several lifeless fish in the water. On a closer inspection which I was forced to use a small net, I found, much to my sadness, all 6 male Swordtails I recently bought are dead! I had at first thought this is due to territorial fighting, but then again, previously there were no such incidents. Further, the female Swordtails are not killed! Then it occurred to me that it must be the Y Factor or Male Dominance...but in a fish tank? Hmm...I am yet able to identify the culprit in this matter, but several suspects have already been lined up, one of which is a fast growing guppy-molly crossbreed. And he must be hiding something as of late he's been very elusive. But I can't spent much time to dwell on the matter as earlier this evening, I received a Call-up.

Ok, granted I am not in the military or para-military. The call-up I received is from webtv8. Wak Kasiran, my usual cameraman-partner, is planning a street interview tomorrow and needs my assistance in doing so. Heck, I don't mind and in fact do love street interviews! Anyway, since 10-11, I have been on a long medical leave from them. Its time to see if I can be certified fit for duty, especially with the upcoming GMI Protest scheduled for January 5. If I can leg (literally) this one out, then I might be able to make the GMI Protest later. Wish me luck guys.