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.

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.

RPK On Hunger Strike!

When Doc TA and several friends texted me earlier just now asking about RPK's health and a certain rumour circulating, I called Puan Marina Lee. Sara, their daughter answered and told me RPK is on hunger strike. As of last night, if I heard her right, RPK has not had anything to eat or drink. Later, Puan Marina confirmed the news and had in fact written about it in Malaysia Today. Like Cikgu, I too believe that seldom does people follow a link given and thus, I reproduce the entry here for everyone to read.

Marina Lee : Is Parliament still relevant?

Posted by Erin

Wednesday, 07 May 2008

"... when freedom of speech is being brutally subverted by the present regime and false charges can be instituted against anyone who dares to demand for justice and truth." As a wife and mother, I want to know from my fellow citizens whether a government that has incarcerated my husband in the Sungai Buloh prison on trumped up charges and brought untold suffering on my family, especially when one of my daughters is sitting for her final examinations, is a legitimate government. No wife, mother or child should to go through this horrible experience when all her beloved husband did was to uphold justice and truth. On 2nd May 2008, the Armed Might of the regime was unleashed on my family when they came to my house in search of evidence for some alleged crime that my husband was supposed to have committed. I thought that this can only happen in a Gestapo state but not in my beloved Malaysia. You be the judge of this. The police came in the morning and desecrated the sanctity of my home for the fourth time. The fact that this had occurred previously does not make it any easier for my daughter and me. I wish that such nightmares can be forgotten, but let me tell you, especially mothers and wives, that the pain will never go away and that it is only our family's self esteem and strength and our faith in god that has enabled us to withstand and overcome the trauma and pain that we have suffered together. I pray that no mother and wife will have to suffer and experience what I had with my beloved husband and my family. Before we had time to recover our composure, the police handed us a summons to appear before the CCID the following day. However, at 3.15pm, we received a call to appear at 4.00pm on the same day. My suspicions for this sudden change in the time for my husband to be interrogated was to prevent publicity and the exposure of their dastardly deeds. Can anyone of you imagine what I, as a wife and mother, had to go through emotionally and psychologically when accompanying my husband to be interrogated by the police when on a previous occasion in 2000, he was brutally assaulted in my presence? I could not express my anxiety to my husband on the way to the CCID, as I know that my strength and resoluteness would be critical to enable my husband to face his interrogators. He must have also felt the same for me and so both of us, thinking alike kept our silence. But we were determined to see this through together hell or high water. The Petras’ are not some tofus!! We have enough strength and dignity to overcome such adversity. My daughter suffered in silence and despite her age, she held up magnificently and no mother can be more proud than I to have such a daughter. As we approached the CCID, tears welled in my eyes, but they were not tears of fear, sadness or trepidation, but the expression of my determination and faith that my husband’s struggle will ensure a better future for my daughter and the children of a better Malaysia. I am proud to say that my husband overcame the intrigues and schemes and came out unscathed. But we knew that this was a mere prelude to more brutality that will be inflicted on my family. The events of yesterday’s circus are known to all. But what was most telling was the deafening silence of the judiciary and the bar council which supposedly are the guardians of justice and equality. The dinner that was orchestrated by Pak Lah, his law minister and other cronies that allegedly ushered “a new era” for an independent and fearless judiciary in upholding justice and human rights, makes me wonder if such an institution that was promised was a fantasy in the light of my experience. Today, my daughter and I went to the Sungai Buloh prison to visit my husband but we were told that he had no wish to see anyone, not even any member of the family or lawyers. I was shocked and disturbed by this turn of events as it can only mean that my husband is determined to endure the pain of incarceration and humiliation of being subjected to and treated like a common criminal for upholding the freedom of speech and justice. Being married to him for 35 years, I know only too well that he is capable of making sacrifices for truth, justice and freedom. I suspect that when I was told that he did not want to see me, that he would be taking the ultimate step – to go on a hunger strike to demonstrate his determination to uphold the cause of truth and justice. I have nothing more to say, as I am thoroughly exhausted by the turn of events and can only hope and pray that my fellow citizens, especially wives and mothers out there, that you would all come together to protest and to demand for my beloved husband's freedom and that you will call upon your member of parliament to boycott parliament as a gesture of support for my husband’s struggle. His struggle must not be in vain. We as a family will see this through but we will only be able to cope if we know that good and god fearing people like you will be there and standing together with us shoulder to shoulder to strike a fatal blow against tyranny and for justice and truth and for my husband’s freedom. Marina Lee