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Tag: Conservative

  • I’m Not A Fan Of Madonna But I Feel It’s Unfair For Her Fans To Attend A Watered-Down Version Of Her Concert

    I’m Not A Fan Of Madonna But I Feel It’s Unfair For Her Fans To Attend A Watered-Down Version Of Her Concert

    I am writing regarding the Madonna concert here being given an R18 rating (“Madonna to perform in Singapore on Feb 28”; Jan 7).

    I am not a Madonna fan and cannot afford to attend the concert, but I know some of her music.

    And I think that anyone, even a religious person, who intends to go to the concert knows what the music icon is all about and will not get offended. It is a Madonna concert.

    It would be unfair to fans if the concert is going to be a watered-down version of her current world tour, and other countries get the full value.

    It is now 2016, and the majority of Singaporeans are not as conservative as the authorities think, so let those who are attending the concert get what is expected of a Madonna concert.

     

    Editor’s Note: The views of Elvis Chua Hock Thiam, was published in Voices, Today, on 11 Jan 2016.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Implications Of The Pakatan Rakyat Split

    Implications Of The Pakatan Rakyat Split

    Malaysia’s three-party opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has split up over a series of policy disputes, including calls for the implementation of the Islamic penal code, or hudud, in Kelantan.

    The Democratic Action Party (DAP) announced on Tuesday (June 16) that the alliance was dead, blaming it on Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS). But more significantly, the collapse left the third component party – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) – in a potentially dire situation.

    Here’s what you should know about the break up of PR and what may happen next:

    What is Pakatan Rakyat?

    The opposition bloc was formed in April 2008, uniting opposition parties that had long been pushed around by the governing Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN). Experts said PR was always a fragile alliance, given that it brought together bedfellows who were opposed ideologically, particularly the Islamist PAS and the secular DAP.

    The bloc won 52 per cent of the popular vote in the 2013 elections, tapping into growing resentment of Umno’s rule and corruption scandals. It failed to take power due to Umno gerrymandering, but its stunning performance under leader Anwar Ibrahim – jailed earlier this year on sodomy charges widely seen as trumped up by the government – had raised the possibility of a historic change of power in Malaysia.

    The PR currently controls three states: Kelantan (PAS-led), Penang (DAP-led) and Selangor (PKR-led). The DAP holds 37 of 222 seats in Malaysia’s parliament, the PKR 29, and PAS 21.

    What happened?

    When PAS saw its share of seats shrink in the 2013 election, it started to reassert its Islamic agenda and push for hudud in Kelantan state. Its president Abdul Hadi Awang was criticised for pushing a bill on hudud without consulting his opposition partners. This led to the DAP announcing in March that it would no longer work with the PAS leader.

    The rift worsened this month after the PAS leadership was captured by conservatives and the party accepted a motion by its conservative ulama (clerics) wing to sever ties with the DAP.

    In response, DAP’s Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said in a statement on Tuesday (June 16) that the PR no longer exist. Mr Lim, who is also Penang’s Chief Minister, said it was the PAS president’s unilateral decision to push for hudud and his party’s decision to sever ties with DAP that led to the PR’s collapse. He added that the DAP would continue to work with PKR and other parties that want to end BN’s rule “to reshape and realign Malaysian politics with the aim of winning Putrajaya for the people”.

    Dismissing the DAP’s statement, PAS Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said the opposition alliance was still intact. “DAP’s decision will not dissolve the coalition,” he stressed.

    PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said on Wednesday (June 17) that PKR will not cut its ties with the DAP and PAS, blaming neither but chiding both for precipitating a crisis. “PR no longer functions formally,” she said in a statement, emphasising that PKR would continue to support the DAP-led Penang state government and the PAS-led Kelantan state government.

    What are the implications?

    Analysts are divided over how Umno and the ruling BN, as well as Prime Minister Najib Razak could benefit from the break up of the PR.

    “Opposition in disarray is certainly helpful for Najib’s survival. He is now actively courting Sabah and Sarawak for support even within Umno and BN. As long as he can convince the party he can still deliver, the party members will stick with him. Corruption is not a cardinal sin for Umno leaders. Mahathir had his own shares of financial scandals but he ruled for 23 years. Najib, and certainly Rosmah, see no reason why they can’t learn from Mahathir,” said Penang Institute fellow Wong Chin Huat, referring to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and wife of Mr Najib, Rosmah Mansor.

    But analyst Tan Seng Keat from the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research said the impact is difficult to predict. Umno and its coalition are racked by infighting of their own, as concerns over the economy and damaging financial scandals have further raised the possibility of defeat in the next polls, due by 2018.

    On the opposition side, the DAP has asked PAS representatives to resign from their posts in the Penang state government and its agencies. PAS does not hold any influence in the state assembly as it has only one lawmaker while DAP dominates the 40-seat state legislature with 29 assemblymen.

    PAS, on the other hand, controls the Kelantan state assembly with 32 out of 45 seats. DAP has no representatives while PKR has only one.

    PKR, however, could find itself in potentially dire straits. It cannot sustain a majority in the 57-seat Selangor state assembly without the support of both PAS and DAP. The party had wanted to mediate between the two feuding partners but DAP turned down its offer.

    PAS strategist Zuhdi Marzuki has called for the formation of a new political pact involving only Malay-Muslim parties, similar to one that PAS joined and was led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in the 1990s. It was disbanded after Tengku Razaleigh rejoined Umno in 1996.

    “Now it is up to PKR which leads Selangor to decide whether it wants to continue with a coalition with PAS in PR or not,” Dr Zuhdi said. “If PKR also withdraws from PR, then it is not impossible that the Selangor state government will become shaky.”

    What could happen next?

    The opposition parties and even the ruling BN may seek new realignments, including:

    A new opposition pact

    Analaysts believe the DAP and PKR will try to link up with a new partner to form a new opposition pact before the next general election because this remains their only realistic path to defeating BN. Along with PAS, PR has 87 seats in Parliament against BN’s 134. A possible partner is a new party mooted by PasMa, a PAS splinter group formed last year. Following the conservative sweep in PAS’ party elections earlier this month and the collapse of PR, PasMa said it was in discussion with several leaders and parties to set up a new moderate Islamic party that could cooperate with both PKR and DAP.

    “It is back to square one until they find a replacement vehicle for PAS. May or may not be PasMa. PR needs a party for Islamists and rural areas, something PKR is not good at,” said Professor James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania.

    PAS and Umno coalition

    The possibility of a unity government of PAS and Umno – the key, Malay-based party in BN – has been talked about since before the 2013 General Election. With the conservatives now dominating PAS, it is increasingly likely that the two parties may be tempted to work together.

    However, it is unclear if Umno is willing to risk breaking up its own multiracial coalition to embrace the Islamist PAS. Although Umno supported the PAS-run Kelantan government’s plans to adopt hudud in March this year, Mr Najib has yet to make his stand on hudud.

    “It is most unlikely that Umno will accept PAS in a Malay/Muslim-only unity government as this will mean the effective breakup of the Barisan as a multiracial, multi-religious coalition,” said Centre for Policy Initiatives director Lim Teck Ghee.

    However, Mr Wong, the Penang Institute fellow, said Umno might compromise, allowing PAS safe seats in Kelantan and Terengganu in the next general election.

    “What will likely happen is a covert pact between the two, with PAS attacking DAP, PKR and the PAS pragmatists if they leave the party.

    “Since it is in the interest of Umno to keep PAS floating, Umno will not put up a full fight in some seats in Kelantan and Terengganu so that PAS will survive with 10 seats or so. A complete collapse of hardliners within PAS will drive the Islamist voters to the splinter party, PKR or even DAP.”

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • The Chiongs: Documenting Their Same-Sex Marriage

    The Chiongs: Documenting Their Same-Sex Marriage

    About The Chiongs

    Our little family consists of me Mama Olivia Chiong, my wife Mommy Irene Chiong and our daughter Baby Zoey Chiong. This blog was started as a way for me to share my thoughts on our life together.

    Parenting in the most expensive city in the world is not easy. Same-sex parenting is of course just that little bit harder and more expensive. Since we have chosen to have a child in Singapore, we are well aware of the many challenges that lie ahead of us.

    Life is not meant to be lived in fear. I believe in living my life the way I want instead of living life the way others expect me to. Sure, we may face some obstacles along the way, but how can you know true happiness if you have not had to fight for it? As humans, our emotions play a big part in the ups and downs of our lives. Happiness is a state of mind that can only be achieved if you have known sadness. It is all relative.

    So thank you for coming to check out my blog. Stay a while, get to know us and feel free to ask questions. I can be reached at olivia (at) thechiongs.com

     

    Source: http://olivia.thechiongs.com

  • A Look At Some Of The PAS Professionals Who Fell

    A Look At Some Of The PAS Professionals Who Fell

    After weeks of smear campaigns and bitter infighting, the PAS muktamar which ended on Saturday saw leaders from the so-called “professionals” faction almost wiped out by the ulama class, whose characteristic long robes made a clean sweep of one of the Islamist party’s most controversial elections.

    Among the losers were the faces PAS usually trots out at forums attended by all races – “progressive” leaders deemed more non-Muslim-friendly, and who often find themselves conducting damage control for the party to audiences hostile to PAS and its plans for hudud, the Islamic penal code.

    One of them is Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who, since his early days, has made an attempt to push the party beyond its Malay-Muslim vote bank by pioneering the PAS Supporters Club – a group of non-Muslim PAS fans – which later evolved into the PAS Supporters’ Congress in 2010.

    The chairman of PAS’s national unity bureau, Mujahid coined the party’s 2013 general election slogan “PAS for All”, which softened the Islamist party’s hard-line image and ultimately gained the support of non-Muslim voters, despite MCA’s concerted anti-hudud campaign.

    Mujahid, son of former PAS president Yusof Rawa, is also known for his efforts to foster interfaith ties with Christians, and wrote a book about his experiences, titled “Engaging Christianity: A travelogue of peace”.

    Outspoken leader Mohamed Hanipa Maidin was booed and jeered at the PAS muktamar last weekend when he defended his criticism of Hadi, and was even struck twice last year during a PAS central committee for calling the president weak and biased.

    But the lawyer has been instrumental in engaging with the public over hudud on PAS’s behalf, and has written two books related to it: “Undang-Undang Hudud Perspektif Perbandingan” and “Prima Facie”.

    He is also one of the few, if not only, PAS leader who has publicly stated that he believed the Islamic criminal law should be put on hold until people were ready to accept it.

    In his career, Hanipa was the lawyer for former air force major Zaidi Ahmad who faced a court martial for issuing a statement to the media on how the indelible ink used in the general election in 2013 washed off easily.

    Academic Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who heads PAS’s Research Centre, has always been seen as the voice of reason and moderation in the party and, like Mujahid, has strived to turn the party into one that is more “middle ground”.

    During the controversial tussle over the word “Allah” among Muslims and Christians, the former Kuala Selangor MP was one of the few who were vocal in defending the Christians’ use of the Arabic word, on the grounds that it was not the exclusive right of Muslims.

    In open letters and in forums, Dzulkefly has also defended the party’s decision to enforce hudud in Kelantan, citing democracy and the state government’s responsibility to fulfil the people’s wishes.

    Meanwhile, Salahuddin Ayub’s loss in the contest for the PAS vice-presidency came as a surprise to many, as he was an uncontroversial figure and had held important posts in PAS for more than three decades, including the PAS Youth chief.

    Dubbed “Mr Clean”, Salahuddin was seen as the bridge between the professionals and the ulama, but never took sides with any faction.

    Like the ulama, he has maintained that any PAS member pushing for “liberal Islam” should be expelled, but was also quick to defend so-called “liberals” Mujahid, Dzulkefly and Khalid Samad by stating that they should be allowed to argue their views.

    However, in the run-up to the PAS elections, Salahuddin, too, was implicated in an alleged plot to topple PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

    Although investigations into the plot petered out because the accusers failed to attend a party inquiry, rumours of the conspiracy persisted and cost Salahuddin his votes, along with the other Pakatan Rakyat-friendly PAS leaders.

    But not all of the professionals lost in the elections. The sole non-ulama to have survived is Felda activist Mazlan Aliman – but even he is mulling quitting his central committee post after being “disturbed” by the party’s turmoil.

    Mazlan, who heads non-governmental organisation National Felda Settlers’ Children’s Association (Anak), rallies for the rights of the settlers and has made a name fighting against Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH).

    During Thursday’s polls, delegates appeared to have voted according to a list of candidates endorsed by the ulama wing of the party which is largely pro-Hadi and influential over party affairs.

    The list was circulated at the assembly of the Dewan Ulama.

    The use of such lists is said to be rare in previous PAS elections, which have typically seen a mix of clerics, professionals and activists elected to the central committee.

    But the PAS elections this year were held amid internal strife over differences towards Hadi’s leadership and the direction of PAS in balancing its Islamist agenda with political pragmatism.

     

    Source: www.themalaysianinsider.com

  • Syed Danial: Challenge The Pink Dot Ideology, Engage In Civil Way And Help Those Struggling With Same-Sex Attraction

    Syed Danial: Challenge The Pink Dot Ideology, Engage In Civil Way And Help Those Struggling With Same-Sex Attraction

    Dear friends (and various assortment of ‘spies’ from the other side),

    We should offer thanks to God Almighty for all the Favours and Mercies He has bestowed upon us.

    Although we are pleased with PM Lee’s remarks, we should not pat ourselves on the back. His statement is actually doubled-edged. And it is instructive of govt thinking on the matter. The operative phrase here is that SG is ‘still a conservative society’. And his remarks that it’s ‘changing’ offers sobering reminder not to rest on our laurels.

    I think right now it’s important to act strategically. Our opponents are adept at media manipulation. The biggest mistake we can do right now is to appear too aggressive. They would play the victims card. We should therefore continue our activism in a civil way. Even polite. And we challenge the ideology. Not individual persons. We extend a helping hand of mercy to those struggling with same sex attraction.

    There’s talk of wanting to ‘gatecrash’ Pinkdot to distribute pamphlets or carry placards etc.

    My view is that would be a mistake. It would just make them look like victims.

    Methinks we continue to engage in a civil way both online and off.

    And let’s not rest on our laurels. We should do as much as poss to ensure that society does not change. And remain conservative.

    We do what we can. God will do what we cannot.

    Have a wonderful day in the Remembrance of God.

     

    Syed Danial

    Source: We are against Pinkdot in Singapore