At the recently held 15th UPKO Congress, its President, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok called on the government to return to the status quo of allowing Malay language Bibles to be circulated among Christians in the country.
Recently, it was reported that 15,OOO Bibles have been seized by the Federal government. This coupled with the fact that some states including Sabah have issued decrees banning the usage of certain words among Christians have created concern among Malaysian Christians, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak where Malay is the primary language of the Christian church.
It is hoped that Dompok's call would be heeded by the government. But then again, the fact that certain leaders in the government such as Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are against Christians using Malay in their worship is worrying. Ahmad Zahid had once criticised Dompok in a West Malaysian daily for defending the use of Malay-language Bibles.
The opposition too is not short of such leaders. Bandar Baru Kulim Member of Parliament (MP) Zulkifli Nordin is also known for his opposition to Malay-language Bibles. These people should know that Malay language Bibles were used in Sabah long before the late Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed the formation of Malaysia.
Are these leaders then against the spirit of Malaysia? The real hurdle now is for people like Dompok to directly engage such narrow-minded leaders.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Single Stream School Good For All
It is interesting to note that former Prime Minister Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad is in favour of a single stream schooling system for Malaysia. Currently, there are three types of schools at the primary level and two types at the secondary level.
At the primary level, there are national schools where the main medium of instruction is Malay, the Chinese-type national schools where Chinese is the main medium and the Tamil-type where Tamil is the main medium.
At the secondary school level, there is the national type school where Malay is the main medium and the religious-type where only Muslim students are allowed to attend and the curricula is mostly based on Islam.
If we are to have a single stream education, then it is not only Chinese and Tamil schools that should go. Islamic religious schools such as the Sekolah Menengah Agama Kebangsaan (SMAK) too should go! Why only blame Chinese and Tamil schools for the lack of integration. At least in Chinese schools, you have students of various races and religious backgrounds. But in religious schools, you only have Muslim students.
And as a concession for doing away with these schools, Chinese Language, Tamil Language and Islamic religious subjects such as Islamic Education, Tassawur, Arabic Language, Syariah and others should be taught within school hours.
And in regards to Sabah please do not forget the Kadazandusun and Murut languages.
At the primary level, there are national schools where the main medium of instruction is Malay, the Chinese-type national schools where Chinese is the main medium and the Tamil-type where Tamil is the main medium.
At the secondary school level, there is the national type school where Malay is the main medium and the religious-type where only Muslim students are allowed to attend and the curricula is mostly based on Islam.
If we are to have a single stream education, then it is not only Chinese and Tamil schools that should go. Islamic religious schools such as the Sekolah Menengah Agama Kebangsaan (SMAK) too should go! Why only blame Chinese and Tamil schools for the lack of integration. At least in Chinese schools, you have students of various races and religious backgrounds. But in religious schools, you only have Muslim students.
And as a concession for doing away with these schools, Chinese Language, Tamil Language and Islamic religious subjects such as Islamic Education, Tassawur, Arabic Language, Syariah and others should be taught within school hours.
And in regards to Sabah please do not forget the Kadazandusun and Murut languages.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Borneo National Party
With reference to the article "Parti Rakyat Borneo Anyone?" which appeared on thebrokenshield.blogspot.com The North Borneo Herald would like to add that in 2006 a group of people met in a restaurant in Jalan Pantai, Kota Kinabalu to discuss the formation of the Borneo National Party.
The most senior leader in the group was Mathurin Daim, a former United National Kadazan Organization (UNKO) strongman from Papar. Mathurin Daim also served under various governments.
Among the things discussed were the alternating of the president's post between a Sabahan and Sarawakian every five years, the restoration of the original constitution of 1963, the need to place indigenous unity above personal concerns and a need to find a strong and consistent source of funding.
Unfortunately plans for the proposed party came to a halt when Parti Keadilan Rakyat made the Tambunan Declaration and the health of Daim worsened.
The draft constitution of the party is still available in the hands of Daim's trusted aide (in hard copy only) complete with party flag and all. Unfortunately very few of people still remain committed to the proposed party while one of them is still a member of a Barisan Nasional component party.
The most senior leader in the group was Mathurin Daim, a former United National Kadazan Organization (UNKO) strongman from Papar. Mathurin Daim also served under various governments.
Among the things discussed were the alternating of the president's post between a Sabahan and Sarawakian every five years, the restoration of the original constitution of 1963, the need to place indigenous unity above personal concerns and a need to find a strong and consistent source of funding.
Unfortunately plans for the proposed party came to a halt when Parti Keadilan Rakyat made the Tambunan Declaration and the health of Daim worsened.
The draft constitution of the party is still available in the hands of Daim's trusted aide (in hard copy only) complete with party flag and all. Unfortunately very few of people still remain committed to the proposed party while one of them is still a member of a Barisan Nasional component party.
Friday, October 23, 2009
15,000 Bible Copies Seized!
The Herald Malaysia Online reports that the Government of Malaysia through the Ministry of Home Affairs have seized a total of 15,000 copies of the Malay-language Bible, known as Alkitab.
This is a very saddening development and is a big blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia slogan. Slogans will remain slogans if they are not fulfilled. The Malay language Bible is in great demand especially in Sabah and Sarawak where there is a great number of Malay-speaking Christians.
Also it must not be forgotten that the level of English proficiency among non-Malays in Malaya too have dropped since many of them have been attending Malay-medium national schools. Therefore the Malay-language Bible is not only in demand in Sabah and Sarawak but in Malaya too. The growing number of Sabahan and Sarawakian Christians working and studying in Malaya too have increased the demand for the Alkitab there.
We would like to see what Christian leaders in Sabah namely Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Tan Sri Bernard Dompok have to say about this. It seems that many Christians leaders nowadays fear their political masters more than they fear God!
Read more at:
www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/storydetails.php/Fifteen-thousand-Bibles-detained/2974-2-1
This is a very saddening development and is a big blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia slogan. Slogans will remain slogans if they are not fulfilled. The Malay language Bible is in great demand especially in Sabah and Sarawak where there is a great number of Malay-speaking Christians.
Also it must not be forgotten that the level of English proficiency among non-Malays in Malaya too have dropped since many of them have been attending Malay-medium national schools. Therefore the Malay-language Bible is not only in demand in Sabah and Sarawak but in Malaya too. The growing number of Sabahan and Sarawakian Christians working and studying in Malaya too have increased the demand for the Alkitab there.
We would like to see what Christian leaders in Sabah namely Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Tan Sri Bernard Dompok have to say about this. It seems that many Christians leaders nowadays fear their political masters more than they fear God!
Read more at:
www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/storydetails.php/Fifteen-thousand-Bibles-detained/2974-2-1
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Finally, A Recognition for Malaysia Day!
The declaration by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that beginning next year, September 16th would be declared a national holiday to commemorate the formation of Malaysia should be hailed.
Najib is the first Prime Minister to declare Malaysia Day as a holiday. Najib is perhaps a Prime Minister for all Malaysians after all. He is going to make it harder for the opposition to gain ground in Sabah and Sarawak. With the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) facing internal disputes in Sabah and Sarawak, Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) stands to win with a bigger majority in Borneo in the next elections.
It is also hoped that Najib would also increase the representation of non-Muslim indigenes from Borneo in the Federal government. And the next step for Najib is to amend Article 160 of the Federal Constitution to include the definition of Malaysia Day.
Najib is the first Prime Minister to declare Malaysia Day as a holiday. Najib is perhaps a Prime Minister for all Malaysians after all. He is going to make it harder for the opposition to gain ground in Sabah and Sarawak. With the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) facing internal disputes in Sabah and Sarawak, Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) stands to win with a bigger majority in Borneo in the next elections.
It is also hoped that Najib would also increase the representation of non-Muslim indigenes from Borneo in the Federal government. And the next step for Najib is to amend Article 160 of the Federal Constitution to include the definition of Malaysia Day.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Changing Face of UMNO
The recent speeches by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Khairy Jamaluddin are very enlightening. Najib's call for UMNO to be a party for all Malaysians is very palatable. Khairy's call for UMNO to be more inclusive is also very heartening.
There is a possiblity that UMNO would one day open up to Malaysians of all races. In fact even now UMNO is open to not only Malays, but the Dayaks, Kadazandusuns, Muruts, the Orang Asli, Portuguese Malays and Thais.
UMNO's founding father, Dato' Onn Ja'afar had wanted the party to include all races. In fact he left the party because his idea was rejected. Maybe Najib can be the Prime Minister who would turn UMNO into a multi-racial party. He had after all coined the term 1Malaysia.
But the question is how soon can we see UMNO turn into one? And for Sabahans, the most important thing is to see UMNO being bold enough to revoke the citizenships of Project IC holders and their children.
UMNO is not short of far-sighted leaders. Apart from Najib, there are Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. It is not impossible for these individuals to drastically change the face of UMNO. For Sabahans, they simply have to wait and see.
There is a possiblity that UMNO would one day open up to Malaysians of all races. In fact even now UMNO is open to not only Malays, but the Dayaks, Kadazandusuns, Muruts, the Orang Asli, Portuguese Malays and Thais.
UMNO's founding father, Dato' Onn Ja'afar had wanted the party to include all races. In fact he left the party because his idea was rejected. Maybe Najib can be the Prime Minister who would turn UMNO into a multi-racial party. He had after all coined the term 1Malaysia.
But the question is how soon can we see UMNO turn into one? And for Sabahans, the most important thing is to see UMNO being bold enough to revoke the citizenships of Project IC holders and their children.
UMNO is not short of far-sighted leaders. Apart from Najib, there are Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. It is not impossible for these individuals to drastically change the face of UMNO. For Sabahans, they simply have to wait and see.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sabah a Muslim Majority State?
At the time of independence in 1963 the Muslim population of Sabah was at 37%. Recent official statistics by the government of Malaysia puts Sabah's Muslim population at 63.7% .
In the early 1970s during the outbreak of the Moro rebellion in the southern Phillippines, thousands of Muslim refugees came to Sabah and settled in refugee camps. Many of them later acquired Malaysian citizenships illegally. In the early 1980s, when Datuk Harris Salleh was the Chief Minister of Sabah, tens of thousands Indonesians and Filipinos (most of them Muslims) acquired Malaysian citizenship illegally as detailed in the books by Joshua Kong (EPIC of Sabah) and M.D Mutalib (IC Palsu & Lelaki Malaysia Terakhir).
Apart from this we must also not forget the large number of West Malaysian civil servants who work and live in Sabah, most of whom are Muslims. Population surveys usually includes the legalized illegals, the illegals and West Malaysians as well.
No wonder then, the Muslim percentage in Sabah is so high. One would not really care if the number of Muslims increase in Sabah from among real Sabahans. But too have so many illegal citizens and West Malaysians in the state, and then claiming Sabah to be a Muslim-majority state is very unfair.
In fact, it is believed the actual percentage of Muslims in Sabah are around 40-45%. The foreigners who acquired citizenships through illegal means must be stripped of their citizenships and Borneonisation of the civil services must be implemented.
Only then can we see the actual growth of Muslim population in Sabah. To call Sabah a Muslim state while at the same time being proud of people who have no business being in Sabah is not something to be proud of.
What if the Indonesian Muslims bring along their extremist outfits like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Laskar Jihad here? What if the Filipinos bring along their Abu Sayyaf here? When these groups start fighting against the government of Malaysia, it would be too late for us to do anything.
In the early 1970s during the outbreak of the Moro rebellion in the southern Phillippines, thousands of Muslim refugees came to Sabah and settled in refugee camps. Many of them later acquired Malaysian citizenships illegally. In the early 1980s, when Datuk Harris Salleh was the Chief Minister of Sabah, tens of thousands Indonesians and Filipinos (most of them Muslims) acquired Malaysian citizenship illegally as detailed in the books by Joshua Kong (EPIC of Sabah) and M.D Mutalib (IC Palsu & Lelaki Malaysia Terakhir).
Apart from this we must also not forget the large number of West Malaysian civil servants who work and live in Sabah, most of whom are Muslims. Population surveys usually includes the legalized illegals, the illegals and West Malaysians as well.
No wonder then, the Muslim percentage in Sabah is so high. One would not really care if the number of Muslims increase in Sabah from among real Sabahans. But too have so many illegal citizens and West Malaysians in the state, and then claiming Sabah to be a Muslim-majority state is very unfair.
In fact, it is believed the actual percentage of Muslims in Sabah are around 40-45%. The foreigners who acquired citizenships through illegal means must be stripped of their citizenships and Borneonisation of the civil services must be implemented.
Only then can we see the actual growth of Muslim population in Sabah. To call Sabah a Muslim state while at the same time being proud of people who have no business being in Sabah is not something to be proud of.
What if the Indonesian Muslims bring along their extremist outfits like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Laskar Jihad here? What if the Filipinos bring along their Abu Sayyaf here? When these groups start fighting against the government of Malaysia, it would be too late for us to do anything.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Racism in China and India
Many of us speak proudly of Asian values or Eastern values. There are also those who believe Western idealism would corrupt these values. But let us look at two events that happened in two of Asia's biggest countries, China and India.
Recently there was a report on Channel News Asia (Sept 29) that a contestant in the Chinese Idol singing competition was criticized by many because of her dark skin. It happened that this girl, Lou Jing a 20-year old native of Shanghai has an Afro father whom she has never met.
Lou Jing is as Chinese as she can be, the only difference being her dark skin.The level of racism is unbelievable. One critic wrote the following on Lou Jing:
"I can't believe she's so shameless that she would go on TV" Another critic said "that this black woman cannot be regarded as a "real" Chinese".
On June 23rd 2008, Express India reported that a Naga girl was barred from entering a lounge bar because the proprietor claimed she was not "Indian enough". The Naga people are native to Northeastern India and they share the physical features of Southeast Asians. This girl, a photographer was to meet her friends on work matters but was humiliated in front of many others because of the way she looks. Enatoli Sema, a Naga lawyer claimed that this was not the first time a Naga was barred from an establishment because of race.
While the West has moved away from racism (though it still exists), these two Asian giants, China and India are still steeped in racism. They are afraid of those who do not look like them and are very prejudiced.
These countries should learn a thing or two from Sabah. Here in Sabah, differences are not emphasised. Even among the Kadazandusuns, there are those who are dark skinned. And it is learnt that even among the Indians here, there are those who are not Indian looking at all.
People in Sabah are more willing to accept those from other races as well.
Values need not be Eastern nor Western. There is one universal value that should be embraced by all.
Recently there was a report on Channel News Asia (Sept 29) that a contestant in the Chinese Idol singing competition was criticized by many because of her dark skin. It happened that this girl, Lou Jing a 20-year old native of Shanghai has an Afro father whom she has never met.
Lou Jing is as Chinese as she can be, the only difference being her dark skin.The level of racism is unbelievable. One critic wrote the following on Lou Jing:
"I can't believe she's so shameless that she would go on TV" Another critic said "that this black woman cannot be regarded as a "real" Chinese".
On June 23rd 2008, Express India reported that a Naga girl was barred from entering a lounge bar because the proprietor claimed she was not "Indian enough". The Naga people are native to Northeastern India and they share the physical features of Southeast Asians. This girl, a photographer was to meet her friends on work matters but was humiliated in front of many others because of the way she looks. Enatoli Sema, a Naga lawyer claimed that this was not the first time a Naga was barred from an establishment because of race.
While the West has moved away from racism (though it still exists), these two Asian giants, China and India are still steeped in racism. They are afraid of those who do not look like them and are very prejudiced.
These countries should learn a thing or two from Sabah. Here in Sabah, differences are not emphasised. Even among the Kadazandusuns, there are those who are dark skinned. And it is learnt that even among the Indians here, there are those who are not Indian looking at all.
People in Sabah are more willing to accept those from other races as well.
Values need not be Eastern nor Western. There is one universal value that should be embraced by all.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Patent for Sabahan Food?
The Federal Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen had suggested that Malaysia should patent some of its popular dishes.
This is rather complex, bearing in mind that some of our dishes are shared by those in neighbouring countries. For example, Nasi Lemak (popular breakfast rice) has its origins in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The popular Indonesian breakfast, Nasi Kuning (yellow rice) is also popular in Sabah's east coast.
This is not to mention many of the dishes found in Singapore, which is very similar to those found in Malaysia, especially Malaya.
If the minister has her way, then Sabah should move quickly to have its dishes patented as well through the Sabah Ministry of Tourism. We have some popular dishes too such as Mee Tuaran, Mee Goreng Basah, Hinava, Bosou, Tuhau, Lomiding, Nonsom, Tinamba, Sabah Kono Mein, Manuk Lihing, Sup Lihing, Karabau Kawah Papar, Panjaram, Kolopis, Lambam, Kuih Cincin, Putu, Ambuyat and a lot more!
Also do not forget our popular alcoholic beverages such as Lihing (rice wine), Montoku/Talak (distilled rice wine) and Bahar (coconut wine).
This is rather complex, bearing in mind that some of our dishes are shared by those in neighbouring countries. For example, Nasi Lemak (popular breakfast rice) has its origins in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The popular Indonesian breakfast, Nasi Kuning (yellow rice) is also popular in Sabah's east coast.
This is not to mention many of the dishes found in Singapore, which is very similar to those found in Malaysia, especially Malaya.
If the minister has her way, then Sabah should move quickly to have its dishes patented as well through the Sabah Ministry of Tourism. We have some popular dishes too such as Mee Tuaran, Mee Goreng Basah, Hinava, Bosou, Tuhau, Lomiding, Nonsom, Tinamba, Sabah Kono Mein, Manuk Lihing, Sup Lihing, Karabau Kawah Papar, Panjaram, Kolopis, Lambam, Kuih Cincin, Putu, Ambuyat and a lot more!
Also do not forget our popular alcoholic beverages such as Lihing (rice wine), Montoku/Talak (distilled rice wine) and Bahar (coconut wine).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Does Malaysia Exist Legally?
As Malaysia celebrates its 46th anniversary on September 16th 2009, one wonders whether there is any true meaning in the formation of Malaysia. According to the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 in Part II Section 4 (1) "The Federation shall be known, in Malay and English, by the name Malaysia".
In Section 2 of the same part in the agreement, Malaysia is defined as below:
The States of the Federation shall be-
a) the States of Malaya, namely, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Trengganu; and
b) the Borneo States, namely, Sabah and Sarawak; and
c) the State of Singapore.
From the above it can be concluded that Malaya is only a component within the Federation of Malaysia. Why then is Malaya's independence celebrated as the National Day for Malaysia?
And secondly, why does the Federal Constitution not define Malaysia Day? This is despite it being mentioned several times in the constitution, for example in Article 19 (4).
If we look at Article 160, the Federation is defined as the one established under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957! Does this mean, the legality of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia can be questioned?
Sabah and Sarawak was not part of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1957. Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya merged to form the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. But this gets no mention in the Federal constitution.
What have our Sabahan and Sarawakian lawmakers been doing in parliament the past 46 years? Sabah and Sarawak should stop being treated like mere colonies in the Federation. First, we must ensure the word Federation is defined in the Federal Constitution as the Federation that was formed under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963. Secondly, we must make sure that Malaysia Day is defined as the 16th of September 1963. And lastly, we must request that the 16th of September be declared National Day.
In Section 2 of the same part in the agreement, Malaysia is defined as below:
The States of the Federation shall be-
a) the States of Malaya, namely, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Trengganu; and
b) the Borneo States, namely, Sabah and Sarawak; and
c) the State of Singapore.
From the above it can be concluded that Malaya is only a component within the Federation of Malaysia. Why then is Malaya's independence celebrated as the National Day for Malaysia?
And secondly, why does the Federal Constitution not define Malaysia Day? This is despite it being mentioned several times in the constitution, for example in Article 19 (4).
If we look at Article 160, the Federation is defined as the one established under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957! Does this mean, the legality of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia can be questioned?
Sabah and Sarawak was not part of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1957. Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya merged to form the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. But this gets no mention in the Federal constitution.
What have our Sabahan and Sarawakian lawmakers been doing in parliament the past 46 years? Sabah and Sarawak should stop being treated like mere colonies in the Federation. First, we must ensure the word Federation is defined in the Federal Constitution as the Federation that was formed under the Malaysia Agreement of 1963. Secondly, we must make sure that Malaysia Day is defined as the 16th of September 1963. And lastly, we must request that the 16th of September be declared National Day.
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