Heading for Yin and Yang in Life

Today I reprise two contrasting scenes -- One Uplifting, the other Downcasting.
Malaysians need to lend weight to voices of leaders like the Raja Muda of Perak, Dr Nazrin Shah, who has been by action and word always leading by example. If more royalty members and Government leaders are somewhere close to his wavelength, I think there is HOPE yet for NegaraKu.

Malaysians must always strive for harmony in their daily lives -- resembled by the two halves of Yin and Yang knit as one unit in perfect balance. Especially in our spiritual values as these govern our daily lives. But there will always be wolves prowling at the back alleys and highways on the Malaysian landscape which strike fear and instability in most peace-loving Malaysians. It is the small numbers of evil miscreants -- check them before they grow into uncontrollable numbers! -- who are an insiduous cancer eating into the healthy fabric of a 50-year-old -- IMHO, neither young nor old -- adult named Malaysia still unsure of some of the directions we as a nation have to take. Important crossroads, we must pause and ponder.

Take 1, Uplifting we must salute and emulate:


From theSun, July 6, 2007, frontpage:

Good ulama are neutral,
non-communal and apolitical

IPOH: Excellent ulama are those who are neutral, non-communal and apolitical

This is necessary to build the credibility of ulama who are responsible for making judgments, interpreting the law and issuing fatwas so that their views are respected and recognised by the authorities, said the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.

"Excellent ulama should have the wisdom, (are) scholarly, free from the influence of any group, neutral and politically non-partisan.

"Ulama must have high integrity, set a fine example, not influence(d) by rank, position, material and uphold the truth," Raja Nazrin said when delivering the main address on the topic "Ulama and Leaders In National Development: History, Reality and Future" at the Ulama Conference 2007 yesterday.

He said ulama and leaders, two entities at the top of hierarchy and institutional structure, are leaders in their own right and thus should be united to ensure the unity of Muslims. Raja Nazrin said ulama and leaders should collectively be responsible to ensure justice for the continued prosperity and well-being of the community.

"The community is a reflection of the leaders' characters. Unity between ulama and leaders will lead to unity among Muslims. On the other hand, Muslims will be split if the ulama and leaders are at loggerheads."

He said a country which is fair and prosperous needs leaders who have the wisdom, integrity, transparency, fair and truthful in upholding justice.

"Islamic values like free from corruption, honesty, respect for scholars, leaving the qualified to do their jobs, and passing judgment on the guilty no matter how difficult be should be put into action.

"Ulama must play the role of balancer to check against poor administration and to ensure that honesty is given priority, advise against acts of sinful politic and economy as they are accountable to Allah," he added.

Opening the conference, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah said in a multi-racial country like Malaysia, ulama and leaders should know that some things could be misunderstood if wrongly interpreted.

"Ulamas and leaders who are wise can carry out their duties and fulfill the trust placed by Allah without causing fear to anyone.

"Islam propagates moderation and justice to all. The voice of moderation which makes Islam strong must be practised by ulama and leaders."

DESIDERATA:

The highlights in the news report (thus BOLDED) are Desi's.

If we substitute "ulama" with either "church pastors", "temple priests" or generally with "leaders of religious orders", the message delivered by Raja Nazrin in essense would apply to ALL Malaysians spanning all the various religious faiths. It is a fundamental right that we still enjoy -- a basic freedom to puruse one's own religious path, a right held in high regard by all citizens. Of course we must remain vigilant for there have been instances when some fellow Malaysians take on the zealout's role to usurp "personal faith" paths from the individual to make it their kaypoh concerns. Not chic, and definitely which Desi would not celebrate with an offer of tehtarik. Wella, if someone laces it with arSENic, I dunno know mann, if I have the guts to hand over the poisoned goblet...

Take 2 is a Downcasting, and sorry episode which Desi would like to see checked, if not eradicated. The little Napoleons in local councils have started to proliferate in the religious dark alleys, and like vermins scurrying in the night, rightful and timely action must be taken to wipe out these dangerous specimens from multi-racial Malaysia before they mushroom into a plague.


From The Star, page N3:

Friday July 6, 2007


Singer held over dressing

IPOH: The Perak Religious Department (JAIP) has ordered a singer to appear before the Syariah Court for “exposing her body” during a performance and “encouraging immoral activities”.

However, an indignant Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin, 22, said she was wearing a sleeveless top and long pants when JAIP officers raided an entertainment outlet in Sunway City where she was performing on Tuesday.

“Our band had just finished and it was a little past midnight when they came in and rounded up all the Muslims.

“They asked to see our MyKad but one officer refused to touch the cards, referring to them as najis (unclean),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu said the JAIP officers later detained seven people, including four employees of the outlet, and brought them to the department office.

“They put us in a tiny room and turned up the air-conditioner. I heard one officer tell the other: Bekulah dia orang (Let them freeze),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu also said the male officers kept taking photographs of her, adding that she was made to stay overnight in that room until 10am.

She said the officer who finally came to record her statement at 8am, accused her of consuming alcohol and drugs, being involved in immoral activities, and that her MyKad was a fake.

“I took the breathalyser test twice and when the reading remained at zero, the officers looked frustrated.

“I heard one tell the other: Tapi dia tak minum lah (But she did not drink),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu said an officer even told her that the money she earned working in the outlet was duit haram (illicit money) and that her parents, children and future generations would all be tainted for using such money.

“They finally wrote me a notice accusing me of dressing sexily and encouraging immorality just because I sang there,” she said.

The notice ordered her to appear before the Syariah Court here on Aug 6.

When contacted, JAIP director Datuk Jamry Sury said he was confident that his officers had not acted outside of their jurisdiction in issuing the notice.

“According to Islamic laws, a Muslim woman is not allowed to serve or entertain a man who is not her husband in a place where immoral activities usually take place,” he said.

DESI:

And who's qualified what action constitutes "encouraging immoral activities”?

From the infamous Mat Skodeng snoop squad much backed by the Malacca CM, to the FT Religious Department clones that followed in action in Putrajaya, and now the little Napoleons in Ipoh, will these moral guardians never learn where their terrortry ends and private citizens' human rights begins?

Desi won't venture more into this territory but let it be stated that increasingly in Malaysia, common citizens have too often have their individual space violated by nosey parkers who should just restrain themselves and bring up their "own children properly" before venturing out as guardian angels of morality. Othervice, one day the last laugh will be on them when the "misbehaving" neighbours they used to chastise for immoral conduct could be entering the pearly gates, and they are still stranded in the lavatory...Ooops! purgatory.

"...in a place where immoral activities usually take place ..."