by P Ramakrishnan
President
Aliran
24th August 2010
There must be some degree of decency in politics.
Why are the police taking such a long time to complete their investigation into the serious allegation that the name of His Majesty, the Yang di Pertuan Agong, had been substituted with the name of the Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, during the Friday sermon in certain mosques?
That is the question that is bothering Penangites.
This allegation has the potential to disrupt the harmony and unity that we enjoy in Penang. This controversy has been deliberately hatched to create political turmoil and destroy our peace. It can have terrible repercussions that will affect the existing goodwill among the various communities.
When there is so much to lose, why is there no urgency to bring the mischief-makers to book immediately? What is causing the delay and what is the problem facing the police?
None other than Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Penang Umno chief, revealed that some mosques had dropped the Agong’s name in the Friday sermon in favour of Lim Guan Eng.
The police should be able to get Zahid Hamidi to provide details as to where this took place. This would be one good lead for the police.
According to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, the police had received three reports over this matter. Those who made the reports are in a position to provide specific and definite details regarding the place and time where this took place. This would be another lead for the police.
The congregation who attended the Friday sermon where this allegedly took place would be the witnesses to confirm what actually transpired. This would be yet another lead for the police.
With so much information available and so many leads to follow, why haven’t the police swung into action as a matter of urgency and arrested the culprit who had committed this sacrilege? This issue must be in their priority list.
The longer the delay, the more dangerous this controversy becomes. What the inventors of this lie have done is to create racial and religious strife for their political purpose. What the perpetrators of this lie hope to do is to pit the Malays against the non-Malays. This is something that we cannot tolerate. This is something that we must condemn without any reservation.
There is also the attempt to implicate Lim Guan Eng as having had a hand in the substitution of his name for the Agong. This is a despicable lie. Common sense must dictate that Lim Guan Eng has no say in the preparation of any Muslim sermon.
It has been reiterated that the text of the sermon was prepared by the Penang Islamic Affairs Department (JAIPP) – as is the practice – and distributed to all the mosques in the form of booklets.
It has been confirmed that Lim Guan Eng’s name was never in the text. It has also been reaffirmed that there was no directive from the state government, JAIPP or the Chief Minister himself to mention the Chief Minister’s name in the sermon.
According to Penang Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Mansor Othman, no prayer leader has admitted to swapping the Agong’s name with Lim Guan Eng in the sermon.
How then did this lie swirl round creating so much confusion and anger among those who believed this lie? Who was responsible for deliberately concocting this terrible lie?
This is why the police must nail the lie. This is why the liars must be apprehended and dealt with severely. There must be no mercy shown to these perverts who subvert the truth.
The Umno-owned Utusan is peddling this lie without any tinge of conscience and beating the war drum to whip up racial tension in Penang . It screamed in the front page that Lim Guan Eng’s name had been substituted for the Agong’s name as if this is the irrefutable truth.
Shamelessly it promoted a lie without establishing the truth. Its conduct went against the ethics of honest journalism and disgraced its profession by departing from the truth and sensationalising a blatant lie. If Umno had a hand in this, it must realise that it has lost the middle ground. It comes across as a party caught in a time warp that is alien to the present times. It is churning out the usual out-dated racial mantra that is no longer working.
Thinking Malaysians no longer believe the Umno spin masters. They are aware that this is a political ploy to unsettle the Penang State Government. They realise that this is nothing but foul, gutter politics.
There must be some degree of decency in politics. Otherwise we make a mockery of our Rukun Negara.
#1 by HJ Angus on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 12:37 am
this latest furore about the sermon and the prayer for the state leader only shows how desperate the extremists are.
It also shows that UMNO’s once solid foundation is shaking and the party may be in its death throes.
The most vocal members or supporters are the most desperate; trying to create racial unrest.
Let’s hope the police investigate with due diligence – they have handled the paint bomb on the mosque well, by nabbing the culprits quickly and not escalating the tension.
#2 by boh-liao on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 1:23 am
Dis is d Art of Making Something From Nothing
A technique learnt fr Adolf Hitler
The Big Lie (German: Große Lüge) is a propaganda technique
Keep repeating d lies in msm till they gain credibility n d broad masses of a nation are corrupted n brain washed
Heil UmnoB! Heil Zahid! Heil Utusan M!
#3 by Comrade on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 7:13 am
The BN regime wants to stay in power at all cost
All their dirty tactics used really stink
The dirtier they are the more they be lost
‘Cos the people now not as foolish as they think
So what the people really need most
Is come GE13 may MV BN/UMNO really sink
And PKR/DAP/PAS be voted in to the post
As the new government and diplomatic link
#4 by yhsiew on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 8:37 am
///It is churning out the usual out-dated racial mantra that is no longer working.///
UMNO lends it survival to playing the race card and religion card. Such ploy is no longer working because nowadays people are mature and are able to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
It does make one wonder what UNMO will resort to next, when its race card and religion card run out of magic.
#5 by Godfather on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 8:41 am
Decency in politics ? When UMNO is about to lose its rice bowl ? Nah, it’s a free for all now….and the last man standing wins.
#6 by Godfather on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 8:45 am
Zahid is desperate. He’s been tasked with finding a solution to BN’s woes in Penang. He can’t find any dirt on LGE or on any of the Pakatan leaders, so he resorts to character assassination, racial threats, whatever that would destabilise the state.
This is the only thing that UMNO knows. For years, they tried to destabilise Kelantan, and then finally they gave up when they realised that the Kelantanese would never fall for UMNO’s character assassinations.
There’ll be more accusations, etc to come from BN, especially in Penang and Selangor.
#7 by dagen on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 9:12 am
Oh yes we all knew that everything that comes from umno is untrue and that umno would somehow still spin it in the hope of turning it real or at least making it to appear real.
So spin on buggers. Spin on.
#8 by tunglang on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 9:27 am
Ramadan is a time to reflect on what we did last summer, last night.
It is a time to forgive, reach out and cement ties.
It is a time to ask for Almighty’s forgiveness and guidance in our walk of life.
Fasting actually make the mind clear to faithfully receive Almighty’s Words of wisdom and Words of truth, to sincerely reject evil thoughts and deeds.
Shall we not be desperate to deliberate / concoct lies against our fellow men.
#9 by boh-liao on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 9:46 am
UmnoB/BN n Utusan M must spin lies, more lies
4 every lie, d agents like polis, MACC, AG kakis will quickly jump into actions
Raid d offices of PR politicians, got excuses 2 cart off computers n files, 2 remove things, 2 add things, 2 terrorise staff there, 2 summon politicians n staff 4 questioning, 2 waste politicians n staff’s time n energy
Lucky if ppl walk out alive fr d offices (be prepared 2 go in there with suicide notes)
Sounds like something ppl saw in movies abt despotism, but dis is real, not movie stuff
#10 by cseng on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 10:21 am
This is political decency from mahathir.
He never though if he is racist? but he is confused if maritrocracy is racist? read the whole lot here:
http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/
“….If “Malaysian Malaysia” conjures equality between races, “Meritocracy” implies something stronger. It implies dominance by the race with the greatest merit in every field; in education, in business and in all fields of human endeavour…..”
How could we help you? Mahathir
#11 by cseng on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 10:38 am
Still can’t get it, How could “..greatest merit in every field; in education, in business and in all fields of human endeavour..” equal to racial domination?
Mahathir, 22yrs being PM, how come you feel so ‘small’ and ‘scared’ suddently, you are great man before!. The world is not that big (though is the biggest thing you ever touch). Malaysians are your friend, your brothers and sisters, we render helps. We are not your enemies, so does LKY, so does DAP! Chinese, Indian, kandazan and other. More importantly Malay is not your enemy, give them a chance, help them to grow up, growth naturally! Go after our competitors, compete with them, lead us that way, Tiger!.
Pls, mahathir, get some help.
#12 by cseng on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 10:44 am
One more thing;
One day we need to answer the ‘malaikat’, that day we will be left alone, no selective memory, no lie but whole and truth! are you prepared?, don’t worry about me.
#13 by artemisios on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 11:00 am
I AM SICK & TIRED of umno picking racial issues out of thin air every few weeks.
Dear MALAYSIANS – Malays, Chinese, Indians, natives, foreigners with M’sian citizenship ——> all eligible voters of all backgrounds….
If you have yet to register yourselves, you know what you should do
If you used to be undecided about which party to vote, i guess now the choice is clear
#14 by sheriff singh on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 11:29 am
In Penang LGE fidgets in his Tower
As UMNO crackpots scheme to grab power.
The King’s name has been replaced, so they claim,
The people’s ire they fail to inflame.
Their schemes are quickly falling apart,
Despite the connivance of many Bonapartes.
Putrajaya does not know what else to do,
As all its dirty tricks the people can see through.
The UMNO goons are now in disarray,
As they cannot make any headway.
They rant, they scream and they threaten,
But alas they have become irrelevant.
So deep has become their frustrations,
That many are beginning to have hallucinations.
Many have become increasingly paranoid,
Is it because of irritating, inflamed haemorrhoids?
The people are fed up with all these louts,
They will probably again keep them out.
LGE can therefore sleep easy,
With ‘enemies’ like these, no need to worry.
#15 by k1980 on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 12:16 pm
As UMNO crackpots scheme to grab power, the ding-donging indons smeared faeces on bolehlander flags and gathered to “sweep” and shave any bolehlanders they can get their paws on
#16 by Jeffrey on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 12:19 pm
“Why are the police taking such a long time to complete their investigation (on sedition)?” asked P Ramakrishnan.
Maybe it is because they are confused for following reasons:
First, it would be easier to blame if it was the Penang CM or the PR state govt. that directed that the Chief Minister’s name be mentioned in the sermon – but neither did! And neither could be blamed or accountable for other people’s wrongful actions including a preacher like Zakaria Ahmad, who allegedly omitted the name of the King and mentioned the Chief Minister’s name instead. However to blame preacher Zakaria Ahmad – against whom police reports have been lodged- is not that easy when he (shrewdly) invokes the name of country’s leaders and religion in defence.
Besides the Islamic religious council (MAIPP) who interviewed Zakaria has said that it was satisfied with Zakaria’s explanationa nd that no further action would be taken. [Zakaria had (reportedly) explained that he did not in specific occasion mention the King’s name specifically in the “doa khutbah Jumaat” because he was praying for the well-being of all the country’s leaders including the King…and that he mentioned Guan Eng’s name to open his heart to accept Islam as his faith].
Of course there are other contrary views. The National Fatwa Council chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin opined that the Friday sermon text could not be changed for whatever reasons. Others think Zakaria is merely giving excuses, that it could be politically motivated. Whatever, the fact is if some UMNO leaders and its media think they can capitalise on the issue to galvanise Malay/Muslims’ sentiments against CM & PR State Govt, the issue has becomes so muddied and obfuscated as Zakaria backed by MAIPP has turned the political issue into a religious one, that straightway distances both the Penang CM & State govt from the controversy.
As it has now become from a political to a religious issue concerning whether the strict text of Friday Sermon could for reasons motivated in the interest of the government’s leaders and that of faith (to win over Penang CM) be a little altered, what is the police to do and how could it connect to sedition on anyone’s part?
The episode shows how readily some UMNO politicians and media are quick to pre-emptively seize the publication of an issue perceived exploitable for the ends of the ruling party against the opposition even before the facts are known.
To compound their difficulty in skewing this issue for political means, Malaysiakini has in Susan Loone’s report of “Sermon controversy: BN did it too in Hulu Selangor
Susan Loone” of Aug 24, 2010, reported : “Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman and state Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairperson Abdul Malik Abul Kassim today produced a photo to show that during the Hulu Selangor by-election, prayers had been conducted for the BN candidate from MIC P Kamalanathan.
Kamalanathan won the by-election defeating PKR’s Zaid Ibrahim.The photo, which depicted a banner bearing the portrait of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Kamalanathan, carried an invitation to a ‘Majlis Bacaan Yassin and Solat Hajat untuk Calon Barisan Nasional Pilihanraya Kecil Hulu Selangor’. So what is sauce for goose is sauce for gander.
#17 by k1980 on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 12:34 pm
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2658&Itemid=229
What is the macc doing, going after TBH for RM2,000 while billions stare a them in the face?
#18 by negarawan on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 - 12:40 pm
This is a very relevant article by P Ramakrishnan, basically summarizing UMNO’s many dastardly and disgusting ploys to destabilize the Pakatan state governments by creating racial and religious disharmony. UMNO is playing with fire which it may not be able to control once it gets out of hand. Right thinking, peace loving, and progressive Malaysians must realize that a vote for UMNO and BN is a vote for racial and religious disharmony in the country to continue beyond state of repair!
#19 by dcasey on Thursday, 26 August 2010 - 1:37 am
Dear Mr Ramakrishnan, you ask the question why is there no urgency to bring the mischief-makers to book immediately? What is causing the delay and what is the problem facing the police?
Can’t you see that the answer is so clear….the police are reacting like this because they found out that someone or a few or all the goons high up in DUMNO are involved in spreading this low-life and despicable lie. [deleted]
#20 by johnnypok on Thursday, 26 August 2010 - 6:40 am
Aiyah, don’t forget that the polish are taking order from the corrupted leaders, and they only act when told to do so … they are like dogs.
#21 by Bigjoe on Thursday, 26 August 2010 - 12:40 pm
Actually no. There is not necessary for decency in politics. There is necessary for decency in government. In fact, its the duty of government to upheld principles of decency. The problem is politics and govt is NOT separated unlike in a proper system.