给黄家定的一封公开信

黄家定国会议员阁下大鉴：
马华自从阁在毫无安排接班人而卸下总会长之职后，已经埋下了当今马华党争之导火线。虽然之后翁诗杰和令兄家泉分别攻打马华总会长及署理总会长是在您的“祝福”下而凑成的队伍，可惜您的如意算盘却让蔡细历给搅黄了。如今马华党争紛紛擾擾已久，各派人马斗得驴澌马喘，党的形象已被践踏如粪土。各派的谩骂，指责已成为华裔同胞茶余饭后闲聊的课题，不時都會拿來調侃一番。马华在华社中声望直线下跌又怎不叫党员们感到绝望呢？一群恐慌的基层党员在危机和绝望感下竟然想请您老人家重出江湖，收拾这个烂摊子。为了挽救党及民族事业，您欣然挺身而出再战总会长！老夫可为了您不惜晚节为大义而战之决定捏了一把冷汗。不知阁下是否有想到当时您如果有妥善的安排接班人的话，马华就不会陷入如今的局面，早知如此，又何必当初呢？

请恕老夫直言，令老夫担忧的是有很多党内外人士对阁下的复出能否胜任及肩负起这个重大的使命都有所保留，也不会存有太大的希望！对老百姓而言，整顿马华纯属马华自家的事，华社不便也不想参与。华社所关注的是改选后的马华，在新任总会长及其领导班子带领下，如何在目前我国各民族关系紧张之际，巫统内部极端领袖嚣张下，反对党壮大而华社的权益却不断的被侵蚀下所面对的困境中为华社带来新的局面和希望！华社及党员担忧的是如果这一次党选，您顺利再当上总会长，不知阁下会再一次把内阁部长的职位让给哥哥家泉，自己以后座议员的身份为华社“请命”。贵为国阵第二大党马华总会长如要通过如此的方式来为华社争取权益不觉得可笑吗？马华历任总会长只需在首相耳边细诉或是以马华总会长的身份在国阵最高理事会为华社争取权益。而您却自圆其说，沾沾自喜的告知天下，在国会“放话”的方式会更有效。这种滑稽的“政治秀”也只有阁下想了出来！
再说，常言道：“人到无求品自高”，当您决定不在继续担任总会长时，也是巫统最脆弱的时刻。那一断相当长的时间里，华社是多么的渴望当时的黄总会长会和巫统摊牌，为华社争取更多的权益。反正自己已经一无所求了。可是阁下却保持沉默，一声不放至到党中央改选，“光荣”引退。马华这一此错失良机，让马华党员及华裔同胞看在眼里，痛在心里。现在您却说要再为华社请命，试问华社如今还能对您寄予厚望吗？
老夫再斗胆的提醒阁下千万不可低估中央代表的智慧，到时老猫烧须，晚节不保已晚矣。 顺祝

政安

愚民敬上

还我国选民第三张选票

民联阵线在庆祝执政槟州及雪州政权二周年之际，先后宣布恢复地方政府选举，兑现两年前308大选宣言的承诺。表面上看来，民联政府履行了选民给於他们委托的责任。实际上民联这项行动反而暴露了他们对我国地方政府的结构及行政上的弊端缺乏了解和认识。还是他们了解地方政府所面对的问题，为了给选民一个交待却再一次选择作一场“政治秀”。
还政於民，推行地方政府选举完全符合民主政治的原则。但是如果在还没有彻底解决地方政府在结构及行政上基本问题时，只是为了选举而选举，不但没有给国家，社会和人民带来任何的利益，反而践踏了民主政治精神。

目前我国地方政府的结构及其行政的操作本身就是一缕缕的问题。它有如一棵腐朽的老树，百病丛生。如果不大刀阔斧去改革，恐怕谁当政府都无法改变目前的状况。地方政府实质上是中央政府的历史包袱。除了一些高税收的市政厅及市政局，绝大部分的地方政府的财政收支每年都处於不敷状况，赤字连年。每年的税收只足够应付该议会官员薪金及日常开销，地方上的发展开支还要依靠中央政府的拨款才可进行。有很多低“收入”的地方政府，因为经济能力有限，无法提高该议会人力资源的素质。议会里很多重要部门只能聘用半专业人士来主持大局。试问这些半专业官员如何有能力来处理专业繪策师，工程师及其他专业的蓝图申请？这些官员除了要应付公众人士，还要处理地方政府的日常操作。在这种情况下，工作效率又怎能不低呢？因此政府应该把低税收的地方政府合并在高收入的地方政府管辖。举个例子在柔佛州，永平县议会纳入巴都吧辖市议会，新邦令金县议会纳入居銮市议会，拉美士县议会纳入昔加末市议会等管辖。这样不但可以提高该地方的收入，而且可以集中人力财力，提高人力资源的素质，不但可改善服务效率也无形中减少行政开支。除此之外还可以集合中央政府的拨款进行地方发展。

地方政府官员的傲慢，贪腐，工作低效率是众所周知的事实。地方政府议会的大小官员，除了议会主席和秘书的任职是可以被调动以外，其他的职员是属终身制的聘用。换言之，从高层专业职员，半专业职员，到普通的职工，自开始工作的第一天到退休都在同一个地方议会任职。这些官员任职到一段时间，便开始腐化，自己认为主席秘书可来可去，自己才是当地的“霸主”。各自有自己的“山寨”，各部门头头各自当起“寨主”。小市民若想让自己的申请尽快批准，可要摆上多少个香炉来供奉这群“寨主”。在这种工作环境下，对这些“寨主”而言，政府也是一样可来可去。不管谁当家，他们照样做他们的“寨主”。试问槟州及雪州民联政府，这两年来，在该州管辖的地方政府有多少腐败的官员受到纪律处分？为了要打击贪污，滥权，瓦解各地方政府的“山寨”，从而改善地方政府的服务效率，提高人民对地方政府的信心。地方政府必须停止所采用的职员终身聘用制，改用中央调动制，对所有的官员，尤其是高层官员，在一定的服务期间后，将会面对调职的安排。调职也是一种赏罚的机制。这也可以避免某个官员在一定的工作环境内搞他的“山寨”主义。
国阵政府向来都不重视市县议员的素质，往往都把议员的委任当成是安抚基层领袖的政治手段。其实市县议员的角色比后座国州议员更重要。严格而论，地方政府议员的称呼应该改为市县行政议员。市县议员在该地方政府议会由决策的权力。任何的会议议决将会对人民的衣食住行有直接的影响。市县议员也扮演监督地方政府操作的角色，确保其服务的素质和效率有一定的水平。因此民联阵线在目前的阶段，应该培训更多有素质的党员来挑起这项重任。不要有如当初找不到理想的人才来担任雪州市县议员。将来民联入主布城，出现又担任中央部长，又是州议员，还要兼任市县议员的局面，那可如何是好？
顺从民意，恢复地方政府选举势在必行。可是更有意义的是归还我国人民一个清廉，高效率及亲民的地方政府。若要国阵政府落实这项计划不容易。民联阵线若是下定决心去落实，不能只靠一封告知信给选举委员会就可实现。这种作法反而会招惹“愚弄及欺骗人民”，“作政治秀”之嫌。民联的领袖们也非常清楚这是一项庞大的“工程”。除了要在国会修改及通过现今的选举及地方政府法令方可进行。除此之外，地方政府选区的划分等工作也需要一段时间。现今的政治力量还是无法落实。因此民联领袖也无谓花口水大谈地方政府选举之课题。我国人民也非常清楚国阵中央政府不会去理会这项课题。民联阵线目前应该把执政的州政府搞好，交出一张漂亮的“成绩单”给人民。等到下届大选让人民把你们送入布城主导中央政府执政权，到时才来处理地方政府的选举还未迟！

送给父母的“最佳新年礼物”

在马来西亚，每当佳节的来临，不论是马来同胞的开斋节还是华人农历新年，电视里常看见一些种族和谐，家庭伦理温馨的贺岁广告。给我印象最深刻是一则四位华裔妇女谈话的广告。广告里头其中三位妇女各自谈起孩子们在海外的成就时，可说是口沫横飞，神采飞扬。尤其是那位专科医生的母亲，更让人羡慕。只有一位妇女在默默的微笑。过后，那位沉默的妇女要先行告退，赶回家和一群在国内，没那么“有成就”的儿女们，心爱的孙儿女们吃团圆饭。她脸上自豪和温馨的笑容让那三位妇女又羡慕又艾怨，因为她们的子女们都在国外，不能回家过年，他们只好在家里和老伴过年。这一则短短一分钟的经典之作，里头包含了年老父母对孩子们的期望却又希望孩子们能在身边陪伴的矛盾心境。

其实这种现象不只是局限于马来西亚。在欧，美，加，澳纽的华裔老移民，也同样面对类似的问题。而他们的处境和经历更为悲哀及具有莫大的讽刺。这些来自香港，台湾，中国的移民，当初孩子们念中小学时，就想尽办法，费尽心思在搞移民。其目的也非常单纯，就是希望孩子们能顺利考入该国大学，将来有更大的成就，也希望孩子们在一个所谓的自由，开放，平等的环境中成长。父母们不惜放弃自己的事业，提早退休，变卖所有的产业，飘洋过海来到异国。希望能在这片土地落地生根，开枝散叶。若干年后，孩子们都长大成人，学有所成。可是非常遗憾及可悲的事实却一一的呈现在许多父母的眼底下，孩子们先后都飞回祖国工作，就业，丢下两老在异乡。有些父母想要回归祖国，可是国内的房价已经增值许多倍，远远超出他们的经济能力。再说，他们已经离乡背井二三十年，昔年的老友们已经不知所踪了。毕竟无法自在的融入他们脱节多年的当地社会和环境。两老只好无奈回到当年他们千方百计争取定居权的自由国土了。在这群老移民中，最为凄凉及无奈的莫过於死了老伴的老妇女们。经济上除了上的靠孩子们寄给的“安养费”及当地政府的福利金过日。虽然物质需求还可以应付，可是精神上的空虚，寂寞是无法禰补及取代的。每天早晨，除了在茶楼和一群同病相怜的“老友”们互相安慰外。可是回到家里，却连一个说话，谈天的对象也没有，其余的时间只由一个人孤零零的度过。

佳节的来临对海外，尤其是在西方国家已经成家立业的华裔游子而言，并没有什么特别重大意义。更难想象到他们会有强烈回乡过节的欲望，尽管是已有N年没有陪着远在家乡的高龄父母过节。也许有些人认为只要定时给父母亲“安养费”，在佳节期间，摇个长途电话给父母，作点嘴唇服务（LIPS SERVICE）的问候就心安理得了。又有些还寄上昂贵的保健品给爸妈，当作佳节礼品，就算尽了孝道。
其实有不少人，在商家误导性的广告影响下，盲目相信所谓的“高档补品”能让老年人延年益寿。老人家，随着年龄的增长，食欲下降。导致某些营养成分不足而加速身体机能的老化，使到免疫力下降。根据营养学家的研究报告指出，对老年人而言，保持健康最关键的是需要多吃。这当然包括吃的量及食物的营养组成。为了让父母吃得健康，增加他们的食欲是更本的办法。而最有效方法让老年人的食欲增加，就是提供及营造一个温馨的环境和气氛，让父母在心情最佳的状态来享用饮食。这是否要大事铺张，摆个满汉全席呢？其实只要我们带着爸妈心爱又思念的孙儿们常陪他俩老人家吃便饭就是最好的“补品”。比任何“仙丹灵药”还更有效。除此之外，对父母心灵上所带来的安慰不是任何物质所能取代的。
这个农历新年，在外工作的游子们送给父母们最佳的“新年礼物”就是常常回家看看父母，多陪他们吃吃饭。
笔者也在此祝愿大家新年快乐，家庭美满，辛福。

An Extracted Article Entitled "Confident People Do not Get Confused" By Marina Mahathir

JAN 4 — I found by chance this article the other day: “Prophet Muhammad’s Promise to Christians”.
The document is not a modern human rights treaty but even though it was penned in 628 AD it clearly protects the right to property, freedom of religion, freedom of work, and security of the person, says Dr.Muqtedar Khan.
Muslims and Christians together constitute over 50 per cent of the world and if they lived in peace, we will be half way to world peace. One small step that we can take towards fostering Muslim-Christian harmony is to tell and retell positive stories and abstain from mutual demonetization.

In this article I propose to remind both Muslims and Christians about a promise that Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) made to Christians. The knowledge of this promise can have enormous impact on Muslim conduct towards Christians. Muslims generally respect the precedent of their Prophet and try to practise it in their lives.
In 628 AD, a delegation from St Catherine’s Monastery came to Prophet Muhammed and requested his protection. He responded by granting them a charter of rights, which I reproduce below in its entirety. St Catherine’s Monastery is located at the foot of Mt Sinai and is the world’s oldest monastery. It possesses a huge collection of Christian manuscripts, second only to the Vatican, and is a world heritage site. It also boasts the oldest collection of Christian icons. It is a treasure house of Christian history that has remained safe for 1,400 years under Muslim protection.
The Promise to St Catherine:
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.
“Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by God! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
“No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses.
“Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
“No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
“No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”
The first and the final sentence of the charter are critical. They make the promise eternal and universal. Muhammed asserts that Muslims are with Christians near and far, straight away rejecting any future attempts to limit the promise to St Catherine alone. By ordering Muslims to obey it until the Day of Judgment the charter again undermines any future attempts to revoke the privileges. These rights are inalienable. Muhammed declared Christians, all of them, as his allies and he equated ill treatment of Christians with violating God’s covenant.

A remarkable aspect of the charter is that it imposes no conditions on Christians for enjoying its privileges. It is enough that they are Christians. They are not required to alter their beliefs, they do not have to make any payments and they do not have any obligations. This is a charter of rights without any duties!
The document is not a modern human rights treaty but even thought it was penned in 628 AD it clearly protects the right to property, freedom of religion, freedom of work, and security of the person.
I know most readers must be thinking so what? Well the answer is simple. Those who seek to foster discord among Muslims and Christians focus on issues that divide and emphasise areas of conflict. But when resources such as Muhammad’s promise to Christians are invoked and highlighted it builds bridges. It inspires Muslims to rise above communal intolerance and engenders goodwill in Christians who might be nursing fear of Islam or Muslims.

When I look at Islamic sources, I find in them unprecedented examples of religious tolerance and inclusiveness. They make me want to become a better person. I think the capacity to seek good and do good inheres in all of us. When we subdue this predisposition towards the good, we deny our fundamental humanity. In this holiday season, I hope all of us can find time to look for something positive and worthy of appreciation in the values, cultures and histories of other peoples.
Dr Muqtedar Khan is director of Islamic Studies at the University of Delaware and a fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.
Now, when that delegation from St Catherine's monastery came to meet with Prophet Mohamad (pbuh), I suppose it's fair to assume that they spoke Arabic to one another. And when they were conversing, surely the word “God” must have come up. As in "May God Be With You" and such like. What word did the Prophet (pbuh) use for “God” I wonder? And what did the St Catherinians use in return? For monotheists like them, was there a “your God” and “my God” type of situation, or did they understand that they were both talking about the same One?
While some idiots are mourning over the “loss” of the word “Allah” and therefore basically telling the world that they are people easily confused by nomenclature, and others are predicting riots over what is basically a “copyright” issue, let me define what I think a confident Muslim should be:
1. A confident Muslim is unfazed by the issue of God's name. God speaks to all of humankind in the Quran and never said that only Muslims could call him by the name Allah.
2. A confident Muslim has 99 names to choose from to describe that One God. My favourites are Ar-Rahman (The All-Compassionate) and Ar-Rahim (The All-Merciful).
3. A confident Muslim never gets confused over which is his/her religion and which is other people's. For instance, a confident Muslim knows exactly what the first chapter of the Quran is. And it's not the Lord's Prayer.
4. A confident Muslim will not walk into a church, hear a liturgy in Malay or Arabic where they use the word “Allah” and then think that he or she is in a mosque. A confident Muslim knows the difference.
5. A confident Muslim is generous, inclusive and doesn't think that his or her brethren is made exclusive through the use of a single language. The confident Muslim is well aware that in the Middle East, all services of ANY religion are in Arabic because that's what they all speak.
6. A confident Muslim knows the basis of his/her faith are the five pillars of Islam and will not be shaken just because other people call God by the same name.
7. A Muslim believes in only One God. Therefore it makes sense that other people should call God by the same name because there is no other God.
ART THOU NOT aware that it is God whose limitless glory all [creatures] that are in the heavens and on earth extol, even the birds as they spread out their wings? Each [of them] knows indeed how to pray unto Him and to glorify Him; and God has full knowledge of all that they do: (Surah Nour, Verse 41) (Asad).
So I would ask those people demonstrating against the court decision, have you no pride? Are you saying you're easily confused?
And before anyone says I have no qualifications to say these things, read what Dr Asri Zainal Abidin (who does have qualifications no matter what JAIS says) has written about this very subject here.
And here's something interesting. In 2007, the Majlis Agama Negeri Perlis, which is a large majlis filled with people very learned in Islamic religious knowledge, discussed the question of the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims. Their unanimous decision? They issued a fatwa to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with non-Muslims using the word at all. (This was told to me by Asri but I cannot find the fatwa anywhere online because all the religious departments' websites are so useless.)
Are we now going to excommunicate the whole of Perlis?