In The Ring > Standing up for our flag

On Sunday, we celebrate our 51st year of nationhood. As always, there are the parades and activities throughout the country to mark the significance of that date.

And rehearsals too, of marching bands and representative groups, so much so that the roads leading to the city stood still on Wednesday morning as fighter jets zoomed across the sky.

Merdeka is also the time for tear-jerker commercials and, for some, a walk down on memory lane of the fight for independence led by the multiracial partnership of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock, Tun V.T. Sambanthan and many other great individuals.

The nation's challenges did not end with the securing of Independence. The proclamation of the formation of Malaysia had to be postponed because of the opposing views of neighbouring Indonesia and the Philippines to the entity. Because our independence was achieved through diplomatic means, Indonesia considered Malaysia as a new form of colonialism. This led to the period of Konfrontasi, a time of great uncertainty.

It might be pure paranoia but I feel that this year, there are not as many flags flying from cars and houses as before. Discounting last years special 50th Merdeka celebration's, the anticipation of August 31 seems to have lost some of its vigour compared with the mood of previous years.

My concerns, however, became anger upon learning there was an active campaign on local blogs to fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down as a sign that we are a nation in distress. Distress?

I can't see an iota of logic in this. Are the proponents of this preposterous move aware of what their actions mean?

Every single country in this world has a flag. If you watched the just ended Olympics, you would have gained an insight as to what a country's or even organisation's flag means.

Simple, it means we exist. Flags announce our presence. Most importantly, it defines a country and its people and flags inspire and proclaim victory.

When our Lee Chong Wei lost the gold but won the silver, did you not see the Jalur Gemilang flying regardless?

Flags are certainly not mere colourful decorations. The belief in ones flag makes one even willing to die while fighting to uphold its meaning.

The Jalur Gemilang symbolises Malaysia as a country and each and every one of us, as its people. Each of us owns a piece of that cloth and what it symbolises. As such, our national flag must be held above and beyond the realm of partisanship, political and otherwise.

Why do you think the term desecration is used when one misuses or disrespects any national flag? Discretion has a religious connotation.

The Jalur Gemilang is one of the few remaining unifying themes that keep the dream of Malaysia alive. The spirit and hope of Malaysia is embodied in every aspect of the flag. The 14 red and white stripes represent each of the States and the 14-point Federal Star of equal width signifies equality of all of them.

Those who have been in support of this upside down idea must take a good hard look at themselves. If we accept the parameter that we are a nation under distress, how does flying the flag in such a manner solve our problems? At a time when the rakyats voice matter's most, we really don't need a silly stunt like this to aggravate and misrepresent our nation’s status.

Most of us may not be able to relate to the struggle and the anguish of achieving independence but logic tells us this respect the flag as you would respect yourself. No matter how angry or disillusioned you are.

When our flag was hoisted in Dataran Merdeka replacing the Union Jack in 1957, it wasn't a victory confined to those who had directly struggled for and achieved independence. It was a victory for each and every person in this country, dating back to when our sovereignty was first taken centuries ago.

The history of this bravery in fighting for our freedom is manifested in our flag that first came into being 51 years ago. And through out our history since then, even in difficult times from the Emergency through to the Confrontation and more, never has our flag been flown upside down.

It is a citizen's right to or not to fly the Jalur Gemilang in celebration of Merdeka or on any other occasion. But treating our flag in such a manner? What’s next, flag burning?

Kita Perlu Belajar Dari Permatang Pauh

Hujan yang membasahi bumi Permatang Pauh semalam tidak menghalang ribuan penghuninya untuk menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka sebagai warganegara Malaysia. Memendekkan cerita, esok Dato' Sri Anwar Ibrahim akan mengangkat sumpah di Parlimen dan akan terbukalah satu Bab baru di dalam kisah politik Malaysia.

Saya berkesempatan untuk menyaksikan sendiri aksi di Permatang Pauh semalam dan apa yang jelas dan nyata ialah UMNO dan Barisan Nasional perlu melakukan perubahan jika ia mahu terus memegang tampuk pemerintahan negara. Apa yang memeritkan ialah keaddan dimana kebenaran juga mungkin ditolak. Kita hidup dalam suasana dimana martabat persepsi lebih tinggi daripada kebenaran. Media alternatif seperti Malaysiakini dan Malaysia Today akan menjana persepsi, tidak kira benar atau tidak bagi meyakinkan rakyat.

Jentera Pakatan Rakyat kini sudah mula menunjukkan taringnya. Walaupun pada hakikatnya jentera BN masih lebih berpengalaman, namun saya khuatir jentera pembangkang tidak pernah sekuat ini. Ini dapat dilihat dari segi kain rentang, poster, kemeja, topi, perlaksanaan tugas tugas dan lain-lain.

Sukarelawan PR tampak segar dan bertenaga. Ini mungkin kerana mereka memegang harapan yang menggunung.Wujud satu pengisian dalaman yang perlu disuntik kembali kedalam sanubari setiap ahli UMNO. Kita tidak boleh lalai. leka atau alpa. Kita tidak mampu untuk taksub dengan kekuasaan di cawangan dan Bahagian sehingga kita lupa akan asas sebenar sesebuah perjuangan.

Dalam beberapa hari ini kita akan menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan yang ke 51, dan jika UMNO ditubuhkan untuk menentang Malayan Union, dan kesinambungan agenda itu Kemerdekaan, kita perlu berhenti sejenak dan fikirkan, apa agenda UMNO pada alaf baru ini? setelah lebih 50 tahun, kita perlu kenal agenda hari ini. Jika ia bukan untuk membantu bangsa Melayu secara keseluruhannya, ia bermakna titik peluh keringat pejuang UMNO sebelum ini tidak memberi banyak makna.

Ramai di kalangan ahli dan pemimpin UMNO yang masih berpegang kepada agenda pengisian membela bangsa ini, namun hakikatnya terdapat juga segelintir yang tidak meletakkan agenda perjuangan ini sebagai perkara utama dalam perjuangan mereka. Agenda sendiri dan kerakusan kuasa lebih penting dalam wadah perjuangan mereka. Rakyat yang bergelumang didalam kesusahan tidak dapat menerima pemimpin yang tidak mendahului keperluan mereka. Apa fungsi pemimpin jika tidak untuk membela nasib rakyat?

Bagi golongan muda pula, UMNO perlu meluangkan masa untuk menerangkan mengapa agenda perjuangan bangsa ini peri penting pada masa dan ketika ini. Survival bangsa memerlukan sokongan anak muda, dan tanpa mereka, maka sudah pastilah perjuangan UMNO tidak akan mencapai objektifnya.

Baru-baru ini saya ada terbaca cerpen yang ditulis oleh penulis Agung Usman Awang. Ia berkisar tentang seorang Ketua Pemuda Pusat yang melawat kampung dan akhirnya terjatuh kedalam bendang kerana tidak biasa turun kampung. Cerpen ini ditulis sekitar awal tahun 1950-an untuk mencerminkan hakikat bahawa pemimpin pusat tidak faham akan masalah orang di akar umbi. Jika UMNO berhentu mendengar suara rakyat di akar umbi, maka agenda UMNO sudah tidak tercapai.

Justeru, UMNO perlu bangun dari lenanya kerana ternyata, masalah ini bukan baru. Jika kita tidak bersatu membangunkan UMNO di dalam suasana bingit yang membakar ini, siapa lagi yang mampu membela nasib anak bangsa?

In The Ring > Life, or something like it

Last Saturday, I spent a quarter of the day driving to Mak Toks house (my wifes grandmother) in Kangar, Perlis. Being politically correct, I always look forward to going back to Perlis but have to admit we don't make the trip nearly often enough.

We usually head down the long and winding highway during the Hari Raya festivities. With a fairly tight schedule, I never really have had the opportunity to absorb the majestic sights and scenes of our most northern State, the last Malaysian bastion before the Kingdom of Thailand. This time I was determined it would be different.

The picturesque setting, surrounded by mountains and tranquility so real you can almost grasp it, greeted my arrival. At approximately 11pm on a Saturday night, the main roads were almost pitch dark, the town centre devoid of any life except for a sole warung serving but a handful of patrons. This is in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Saturday night KL where life swings into action around the same time.

Waking up in the morning to a hearty breakfast of nasi ganja (thats what its called!), I sat at the front bench of Mak Tok's house. Amidst the lush greenery, the question that came to my mind was: what is the definition of the quality of life?

In the past, rural poor was a key problem in Malaysia. In view of this, policies were drawn up to eradicate rural poverty and to narrow the gap between the urban and the rural. Further, with industralisation, migration to the cities was looked upon as a measure to free oneself from poverty.

The rate of urbanisation increased exponentially. The current administration's refocusing on agriculture as a key economic thrust is geared towards alleviating the plight of the rural poor. With high commodity prices, their livelihood, largely dependent on produce such as rubber, has increased considerably. Rubber tappers driving Kancils are no longer peculiar sights. The corridor initiative has also brought back the lustre to the smaller town areas, prompting reverse migration.

On the other hand, urban poverty is fast becoming a real problem for the country like eight people living in two-bedroomed flats, the shabby standard of living in most squatter areas to the crime rate in densely populated areas and increasing reports of social and moral decay. These are common themes in our cities, and with so-called progressive development, urban poverty has truly arrived.

So, what is the measure of quality of life? Is it going back home to a low-cost rented apartment, after spending an average of 12 to 15 hours in front of a computer screen only to earn a meagre salary that barely makes ends meet? I am not writing in the context of the quality of life index that is used to determine how much water is available, but of that internal happiness that makes you say, convincingly, Yes, this is home.

Another aspect of quality of life that is proving to be a real concern is the spirit of living in a community. Maybe for some (me especially), losing ourselves in the never-ending rat race has made us forget about the shared responsibilities of living in a society. When was the last time you dropped by your neighbours house? When was the last time you sat in a coffee shop and knew almost everyone there by name?

In conversation with a friend, he let in that after retirement he would relocate up north, to a nice quiet place. Try his hand at agriculture, he said. His plans ring of a wanting, a home truth that is exemplified by more and more of our urban elite who are building weekend bungalows either in their hometowns or in areas like Janda Baik. Having a kebun is fashionable again. Ah, the greener pastures.

I confess I epitomise the city slicker, but the opportunity to savour kampung life is something I am mighty thankful for. Without exposure to this important perspective, Im sure I would have stuck to this notion of backwardness and idleness painted of rural Malaysia.

The divide is definitely narrowing, but sitting on Mak Toks bench on a breezy Sunday morning, I wonder who is actually ahead.

Malaysiakini - Duit, Seks dan Pakatan Rakyat - MB Perak dakwa konspirasi politik?

Di tengah-tengah kesibukan Pilihanraya Kecil Permatang Pauh, dan tidak lama setelah isu muzakarah mencorak agenda Muktamar PAS di Ipoh tempoh hari, timbul isu baru dalam Pakatan Rakyat berkenaan dengan kes rasuah yang melibatkan dua EXCO Negeri Perak.

Laman web Malaysiakini melaporkan bahawa BPR, telah menahan dua ahli exco selepas mereka disyaki menerima suapan lebih RM100,000 sebagai balasan untuk mempercepatkan proses permohonan projek perumahan. Apa yang lebih menggegarkan ialah menurut kenyataan BPR, mereka juga disyaki terlibat dengan rasuah seks.


Menteri Besar dari parti PAS, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin mempertahankan dua ahli exconya dan mendakwa ia berpunca daripada konspirasi politik. Kedua-duanya adalah Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (PKR-Changkat Jering) (kanan) - exco pelancongan, modal insan dan NGO - dan Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (PKR-Behrang) - exco pembangunan usahawan, pertanian dan perdagangan.

Konspirasi politik? wajarkah bila berlaku sahaja kes yang melibatkan ahli parti politik Pakatan Rakyat, konspirasi dilaungkan sewenang-wenangnya. Kenapa Pakatan Rakyat berdiam diri sahaja apabila pegawai Kerajaan berpangkat tinggi seperti Kementerian Pelancongan, Kementerian Dalam Negeri dan lain lain dibawa kemuka keadilan?

Terimalah kenyataan bahawa BPR sudah berubah dan sesiapa sahaja yang melanggar undang-undang akan menerima nusibatnya.

Kesimpulannya ialah melihat kepada skandal yang melibatkan Pakatan Rakyat, terutamanya ahli politik dibawah PKR (TS Khalid di Selangor, insiden menumbuk oleh Loh Gwo Burne, samseng PKR yang kerap membelasah pemberita) benarkah Parti Keadilan Rakyat ini benar-benar boleh membawa negara ke arah kemajuan?

Apa yang nyata....Janji senang ditabur, nak kotakan bukannya mudah.

Mesyuarat UMNO Bukit Travers

Semalam, UMNO Cawangan saya, Bukit Travers, Bahagian Lembah Pantai telah selamat mengadakan mesyuarat cawangannya. Mesyuarat telah diadakan di Hotel Singgahsana, serentak dengan cawangan Bukit Bakong dan Bukit Persekutuan.

Bukan seperti banyak kisah-kisah di cawangan yang lain, tiada pertandingan di peringkat cawangan Bukit Travers tetapi Naib saya, Sulaiman Tajuddin telah meninggalkan Pemuda dan masuk kedalam UMNO induk kerana sudah melepasi garisan umur 40 tahun. Naib yang baru merupakan darah muda, Sdr Asmawi Ilham yang berumur 25 tahun. Terima kasih diucapkan atas segala sumbangan dan jasa yang telah ditabur oleh Sdr Sulaiman.

Ketua Cawangan, Raja Dato' Nong Chik Raja Dato' Zainal Abidin kekal sebagai Ketua Cawangan.

Dalam mencalonkan peneraju Bahagian pula, sudah tentu cawangan Bukit Travers mencalonkan Raja Dato Nong Chik sebagai Ketua Bahagian. Pada saat dan ketika ini, beliau mendahalui pencalonan berbanding dengan muka baru Haji Zahran dan Pemangku Ketua Bahagian En Yusri Ahmad.

Bagi saf kepimpinan Pemuda pula, cawangan Bukit Travers telah mencalonkan Tn Hj Sazali Kamilan, Setiausaha Bahagian sebagai calon Ketua Pemuda. Beliau telah mendapat 35 pencalonan (Lembah Pantai mempunyai 47 cawangan) dan nampak gayanya, beliau kemungkinan besar menang tanpa bertanding. Pada pemilihan sebelum ini, cawangan kami mencalonkan beliau sebagai Ketua Pemuda tetapi beliau kalah tipis dengan Ketua Pemuda sekarang Tuan Haji Norazmi.

Insya-Allah kita sambut era baru Pemuda Lembah Pantai.

In The Ring > Awakening the Olympian in us

LIKE so many others, I was glued to the television watching the opening of Beijing Olympic Games 2008. The over three-hour spectacle comfortably made its way into Olympic folklore with an astounding fusion of technology and cultural showmanship.

It was reported that more than one billion people approximately 15 per cent of the worlds population watched the opening ceremony. After seven years of preparation, it was clear that the Chinese not only managed to uphold but also set the bar higher for the continued legacy of the worlds ultimate sporting event. The total cost of the Beijing 2008 is estimated at over US$40 billion (RM128 billion).

A friend who was in Beijing made sense of this astronomical sum when he related, confessing his amazement, at the standard of the opening ceremony. The sentiment was not limited to the unbelievable infrastructural feats such as the bubble inspired swimming complex and ceilings made up of LCD screens, but more so in terms of the superlative level of services and hospitality of the host country.

What makes the Olympics such a top draw in our eyes? When sportsmen and women of the 204 participating countries stepped onto the track of the Birds Nest stadium, there were many proud countrymen and citizens of the world applauding them. Like many Malaysians, when cyclist Azizul Pocket Rocket Hasni Awang appeared on the television screen, I felt a great sense of pride. Naturally, we hope for medals to commemorate their performances, but mere representation at sports highest platform as an Olympian is reason enough to celebrate.

For us, the sight of our Malaysian contingent striding out together, waving the Jalur Gemilang may have evoked a different set of emotions compared with citizens of other countries. As we approach our 51st anniversary of nationhood, the Olympics is a much-needed platform and reminder of that crucial element of unity between the different ethnic compositions of Malaysia.

In a week where the Bar Council debacle dominated the domestic news cycle, the Malaysian Olympics contingent gave us a glimpse of our potential strength in diversity. I would argue that it remains the single most effective rallying point for unity for Malaysians. The purity of support, even if temporary and just on special occasions, transcends the boundaries that have somewhat dictated the national conversation.

Imagine the collective voices of jubilation if one of our own athletes can emulate the success of Australian gold medal winner Cathy Freeman in Sydney 2000. Can we forget the emotional scenes that accompanied the participation of the first aboriginal athlete in the Olympics? For that brief moment in time, politics froze, differences vanished and a nation stood united under one flag, singing one anthem.

The Olympics can also inspire us on an individual level. The abstract but often quoted Olympian spirit is a key highlight of all the summer games.

Britains Derek Redmond perhaps best captures this Olympian spirit. In the Barcelona 1992 Games, Redmond tore his right hamstring and fell. He refused medical attention but managed to complete the race assisted by his father. The entire stadium greeted his courage and commitment with a standing ovation.

This spirit is embodied in all Olympians. The courage to engage and overcome the mental struggle required for moving up to the next level. It is the self-discipline, the determination and the will to overcome challenges and perceived impossibilities.

I believe the Olympian spirit is inherent in all of us. In a related but separate occasion, I went to Port Dickson to see my brother participate in a triathlon. The turnout was incredible. They came in all ages and shapes to compete. The first question that came to my mind was what prompted these people to wake up at 6am on Sunday and make their way to PD to swim, run and cycle.

I believe it is the strength and courage to challenge our limitations and further our horizons traits that must be replicated. A significant percentage of the participants in the PD triathlon will never hold a medal aloft on a podium, but their willingness to participate, to overcome whatever mental hurdles, is an act of pure courage that illustrates that there is an Olympian waiting to be brought out in each and every one of us.

There is more to life than winning.

In The Ring > Now, what do you have to say?

I REMEMBER watching the coverage of the Bush vs Kerry presidential election in 2004. The close race was eventually decided by voters in the State of Ohio.

That very same year saw the Barisan Nasional swept to its largest ever victory in the country’s elections history.

Watching the US presidential coverage, analyses of the election campaigns and polls included extrapolating demographic patterns and voting trends, deployment of cutting edge interactive technology, and the all-important element of debate.

From the US presidential race, even this coming one between Barrack Obama and John McCain, it is apparent that political debate provides key and first-hand information that the electorate uses to weigh its choice.

Malaysian voters, on the other hand, rely mostly on the mainstream media, the morsels over the Internet and on the ground campaign speeches to fathom and form views on various issues.

The March 8 election results provided a strong and fluid platform for political discourse. Soon after that came the restructuring of subsidies.

This restructuring has been highly significant because it affected Malaysia as a whole. It impacted all walks of life, just as in other countries similarly facing the effects of the global food and fuel shortage. In countries elsewhere, there were riots, collapse of political parties and even toppling of governments.

Our country’s subsidy restructuring, however, provided a new form of political dimension that could very well turn out to be a permanent fixture in Malaysian politics – that of political debate.

First, setting the mood for open discourse was the RTM-televised ‘debat khas’ in early June, featuring the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad and Pas Youth head Salahuddin Ayub. Although more a moderated panel-like discussion, it stirred some excitement and was talked about for weeks.

More recently, online news website Agenda Daily organised the ‘American’ style debate (podium and all) on the fuel price hike between Minister of Information Shaberry Cheek and opposition coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

An estimated 4.4 million viewers watched the debate which was telecast live. It was also covered real time by some blogs and extensively reported in political news websites within hours. The outcome of the debate was, in turn, debated in most kedai kopi. Malaysians from both sides of the divide opined that democracy was the real winner.

Last Sunday, I was lucky to get a seat at the over subscribed Malaysian Students Leaders Summit (MSLS) 2008, an event organised by the United Kingdom and Eire Council (UKEC) for Malaysian Students. I witnessed the forum (debate, really) between young MPs comprising Khairy Jamaluddin, Tony Pua and Nik Nazmi. It was an amazing experience, listening to young political leaders articulating their thoughts and debating the opinions put forth in front of students.

I was pleasantly surprised by the good natured and highly informative session. The students narrowed in on the substantive at element of the debate. Not only was this reflected in the quality of the questions from the floor, but personal attacks were met by loud jeers as were any attempts at diverting the direction of the discussion.

With expectation in place, what followed was a clear elaboration of each party’s stand in the subsidy restructuring issue. Although all speakers agreed that the subsidy should be reduced, they had differing opinions on how and what to implement. I dare say everyone left the room enlightened.

If expectations continue to be this stringent, parties from both sides of the divide must be prepared to choose leaders who understand the issues, possess the ability to effectively communicate their points and to competently answer any ‘difficult’ questions the public might have. Leaders without these abilities could bring dire consequences in the next elections.

The European Court of Human Rights noted in 1978 that “freedom of political debate is at the very core of the concept of a democratic society”. The reality is that Malaysians expect quality debates, in depth analyses and interactive communication technology as part and parcel of the political scenario. It’s always better late than never.