8 TELLING IT AS IT IS theSun | WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2 2009

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Moderation, the right way to celebrate

MERDEKA Day was celebrated on
a much smaller scale this year and
most of the activities associated with
it were held within the compound of
Parliament building and in the states
the celebrations, also on a moderate
scale, were mostly held indoors.
There are good reasons for this and
an important one is the Influenza A
(H1N1) pandemic. The other reason is
the economy and this fits in nicely with
the fact that the important date falls
in the Muslim fasting month of Ram-
adan where moderation and restraint
are called for. Also it would be most
inappropriate for the celebrations to
be just as plush and extravagant as in
most years considering the state the
national economy is in and the fact
that the global recession has affected
many of our neighbours and friends
even more badly than us.
While fasting during Ramadan is
only for Muslims, there is nothing to
prevent others from inculcating in
themselves the values that it encour-
ages. For instance extravagance is
something that it discourages and
therefore a celebration on a grand
scale would be in total disregard of
the restraint encouraged by Ramadan.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak
alluded to the training and disciplining
that fasting during Ramadan does to
those who practise it to strengthen
their mind and spirit. Speaking to
student representatives from18 pub-
lic universities and their lecturers in
conjunction with Merdeka Day he said
for Malaysia to progress and for nation
building to be successful all Malaysians
must strengthen their mind and spirit.
Indeed only those who are mentally
and spiritually strong can be tolerant,
understanding, restrained and clean
in deeds. And these are values all Ma-
laysians must be imbued with in their
long and hazardous journey towards a
truly united and multicultural nation.
For those who submit completely to
its rigours, fasting also cleanses the
souls and Najib said this is important
for all Malaysians who are preparing
themselves to contribute effectively
to nation building.
However, everyone would probably
agree that it is almost next to impos-
sible for all Malaysians to be totally
tolerant, understanding, restrained,
clean in deeds and to possess clean
souls. But in the interest of a peaceful
and harmonious nation Malaysians
must try.
After all how many Muslims can
honestly say that they have success-
fully fasted. They may have been able
to deny themselves food and drink but
have they been successful in disciplin-
ing their mind? Do they entertain bad
thoughts or plan devious means of
acquiring something they have cov-
eted? Do they entertain evil intentions
towards their neighbours? Can they at
the end of Ramadan truly say that they
have mended their ways? Others may
have their own “cleansing” process but
whatever the processes the net result
should be Malaysians who want a truly
peaceful, prosperous, harmonious and
united multicultural nation.

‘Acceptance’ must be the buzzword

MONDAY was Merdeka Day. A good
part of the day was spent in the office
looking into the archives of what had
been penned in these columns over
the past year. Reading the newspapers,
one could not but support the clarion
call by the prime minister to “restore
the bridge and tear down walls”. In
every Merdeka story, one word stood
out. “Unity” is that key word. Everyone
screams “unity” but is it from the heart
and soul or is it treated like a password
to get into the realm of politics? Then CitizenNades
there are those who talk about “toler- by R. Nadeswaran
ance”. And I will unequivocally say that
it is the wrong word. It should be “acceptance”. It
is no use grudgingly acknowledging each other
as Malaysians. It must be accepted and not just
tolerated. “Unity” can only come if “tolerance” is
replaced by “acceptance”.
Over the years, the voices of the extreme
were considered as voices in the wilderness
seeking attention. But religious and racist fer-
vour, fanned by selfish politicians gave credence
to such nuances. Of late, such voices have got
louder. On Jan 20, after hearing a narrow-
minded, bird-brained councillor of the ruling
coalition in Selangor speak with racial under-
tones, I asked these questions: Are we ready for a
truly multiracial Malaysia? Can we hold a decent
conversation without bringing race into the is-
sue? Can we talk to each other without looking
at skin colour? Can we address issues, collectively
as Malaysians instead of looking at ourselves in
our ethnic background? Is the Pakatan Rakyat’s
promise of a Bangsa Malaysia for real or is it
political hogwash? Are politicians hiding behind
a facade of unity only to throw the race card
when it suits them?
The events of the past week were hitting
hard as I opened the inbox. There
were comments, news reports,
video clips, photographs and other
evidence of the madness that had
taken place in Shah Alam on Friday.
Honestly, no one saw it coming.
While the majority was carrying
out its routine activities, for a few
hours that day, a small group held
the rest of Malaysians at bay. Had
we lost it all? Had we lost what we
had built from the ashes of May 13?
One moment of organised madness
resulted in a massive damage to
the whole country. If we already
had honorary mention in CNN and BBC for the
“beer and rotan”, we made it to Forbes and other
international publications.
On Friday night, all kinds of messages filled up
cyberspace. There were calls for “calm” from our
leaders, and rightly so. What happens next? What
is there to ensure that there will never be another
mad-cap incident like the one during lunch break
on Friday?
No one can guarantee this because by nature,
humans can sometimes be driven to do the most
idiotic things. One moment they behave saintly
and in a flash, they turn into monsters. We have to
identify these characters and take appropriate ac-
tion failing which; they will go back to the streets
to disseminate more hatred and fear. While our
leaders are building bridges and tearing down
walls, there is within, yet another group which is
tearing down bridges and building walls.
As a nation, we cannot afford that.
***********************
THE pre-arrival announcements on almost all
aircraft landing in Malaysian airports are stand-
ard. Besides advice on removing luggage from
overhead cabins, they end up with a mouthful:
“Malaysia has tough laws on drug trafficking. It
carries the death penalty.” The warnings have
not been heeded as some have discovered to their
dismay.
One of the most celebrated cases of drug traf-
fickers was that of Australians, Kevin Barlow and
letters
letters@thesundaily.com
Brian Chambers. They were arrested at Penang
International Airport on Nov 9, 1983 with a large
History
brought alive
I REFER to “Two ‘budak Cina’ in a Ma-
lay household” (52nd Merdeka Special,
Aug 28). Initially, I thought it would be
amount of heroin. They were both found guilty the usual story of two Chinese boys
of drug trafficking and sentenced to death by the living with a Malay family and their
High Court on Aug 6, 1985 in Penang. Barlow and experiences of growing up in a Malay
Chambers were hanged in Pudu Prison on July culture. It was as what I had expected
7, 1986. but deep between the lines were valu-
Regularly, the government makes its stand on able traces of our history and culture.
drug trafficking and it is clear that there will be no The writer has depicted the events
change in its policies to deal with such merchants in a positive and cheerful manner to
of death. However, this innocuous report must the extent that I was transported back
have given the impression that Malaysia has to my childhood days, living in a Malay
changed its tough stance on drug traffickers. kampong next to a Kampung Baru (new
The Star reported that Deputy Foreign Minister village) and a row of railway quarters
Kohilan Pillay has promised to look into provid- inhabited by a few Indian families.
ing financial assistance to four Malaysians jailed This story is authentic and the
in Peru for drug trafficking. information is priceless. Our young
The newspaper quoted a Wisma Putra state- generation should be encouraged to
ment which said Kohilan met the four during his read such stories. It will help them
two-day working trip to Peru starting Aug 11. The to further understand the 1Malaysia
four are awaiting full pardons from the Peruvian spirit. The writer’s life experience is
government. valuable and I thank him for sharing
Now, the inevitable question is: Why are we it with us.
giving money to a bunch of drug traffickers, when I would like to suggest to theSun to
we ourselves don’t brook their nonsense? Why set aside a page or two for such similar
in the world should taxpayers’ money be used stories to be published weekly. Teach-
to “assist” those who peddle deadly substances? ers would be able to use the material
Why should those found guilty of drug trafficking for their history or English language
get sympathy, let alone money from the govern- classes. Perhaps, it would also be a
ment? way for us to inculcate the 1Malaysia
It is ludicrous for a deputy minister to even spirit.
consider giving them any kind of assistance To Martin Lim Say Leong, thank
– monetary or moral – especially that they had you for the remarkable and out of the
been convicted and sentenced in a court of law. ordinary story. You are truly a Malay-
Didn’t we ignore the then Australian Prime sian at heart. I have enjoyed reading
Minister Bob Hawke’s passionate plea for a stay your story and intend to share it with
of execution on behalf of Barlow and Chambers? my friends. To the editor of theSun,
Didn’t we take umbrage when he later described congratulations and thank you for
the hanging as “barbaric”? So why the money and publishing such an interesting and
sympathy for Malaysian criminals abroad whose exciting story.
acts are as despicable as those of the infamous
Australian duo? Lecturer
Kuantan
R. Nadeswaran is editor (special and investigative
reporting) at theSun. He can be reached at citizen-
nades@thesundaily.com. No room for
fanaticism
NEWS of Malaysians bloodying a cow’s
head to protest against the proposed
construction of a Hindu temple made
me shudder. The behaviour maligns

Stop issuing logging permits the Tunku’s legacy as well as Islamic

I REGULARLY watch the news
on ntv7 at 8pm and I have ob-
served a short advertisement on
the felling of trees.
The clip first shows a screen
full of trees, and they are being
felled to the sound of chainsaws,
until only a single tree is left
standing. The punchline: “What
will we do when all the trees are
gone?”
It’s great to have programmes
that raise the public’s awareness
of our social responsibilities, and
the things they do that destroy
the environment and the Earth,
leaving nothing for our future
generations.
However, I think this TV clip
is directed at the wrong audi-
ence. To be frank, what good
can we do, even when we are
made aware of the plight of the
teaching.
The Tunku (Abdul Rahman) repeat-
diminishing forests? We can ers who must also continue to edly voiced his support for a secular
stop buying wooden furniture, grow more crops and food for Malaysia. While he did believe Islam to
not have wooden floors and the world. be the state religion, he never meant
houses, and try to plant some Sustainable forest develop- this doctrine to assume an iconoclastic
trees wherever we can find ment to me, is just a dirty word. shape. Articles 3 and 11 of the Federal
some space. But who is solely There is never an adequate Constitution support this view.
responsible for the felling of replacement for a 100-year-old The Tunku aside, Islam condemns
trees and the destruction of pri- tree, that has been cut down in intolerant attitudes towards religion.
mary and virgin forests around less than 10 minutes. The Quran declares a sweeping pro-
the world. The main culprits are So, my point is, what is the tection of freedom of religion (2:257),
the timber corporations and the reason for showing that clip going so far as to order Muslims to
large plantation owners. on TV? The only way we can protect other houses of worship, in the
Timber companies, for prevent the punchline from event of an attack, before attending to
example, in order to survive happening, ie “What will we do any mosque (22:41).
must increase or at least main- when all the trees are gone” is to Malaysian Muslims, that is those
tain profits from their primary stop issuing any more approv- who do truly represent the country
businesses each year, and that als for timber concessions, and and the religion, must therefore live
means they must continue to have the United Nations protect up to their name and stop fanaticism
obtain new forest concessions the jungles in Borneo and the from threatening their very identity.
and new trees to fell. Not doing Amazon.
so, would mean the certain Sardar Anees Ahmad
demise of their companies. Tam Yeng Siang Waterloo (New York state)
Likewise, plantation own- Petaling Jaya